1102

THE COLLIERY GUARDIAN.

November 26, 1915.

ABSTRACTS OF PATENT SPECIFICATIONS
RECENTLY ACCEPTED.

1700 (1915). Improved Means for Screening Goke and
other Materials. F. W. Ordish, of Rose Mount Iron Works,
Eiland, Yorkshire, and R. Dempster and Sons Limited, of
Rosemount Iron Works, aforesaid.—The object is to provide a
fixed bar screen, horizontal or approximately horizontal,
with conveying or propelling means which will act effec-
tively with a slow movement and without occupying
excessive vertical space. For this purpose fins or rakes are
employed, which work between the bars, preferably entering
the screen from the underside, these devices having either
a vertical or horizontal stroke and return, or in some
forms a combined vertical and horizontal movement
with return clear of the screen, produced by a cam or
eccentric. In the latter case the continuous path of the
moving parts may, for example, be rectangular or elliptical.
The bars in successive sections of the screen may be
differently spaced apart, and may be secured to hinged cross-
bars, forming doors in each section, so that the whole of
the material remaining on top of the screen after having
been graded on bars of finer mesh or pitch can be allowed
to pass through at any required section. The rakes or fins



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may be carried in a frame below these bars, 'and entering
between the bars, will comb or propel the coke or material
along the screen, allowing the smaller particles to drop
through into suitable receptacles. When moved horizontally,
the fins may have straight fronts for pushing on the material;
and when moved vertically in alternate pairs, they may
present sloping surfaces or edges to the material, which
thus roils forward by gravity .as the fins work. In the case
of a compound movement, rakes having either straight
fronts or suitably curved prongs may be employed. One
form of such mechanism is shown in fig. 1. The working
portions of the rakes may be wide and inclined as shown
at fig. 2 or at fig. 3, or they may be arranged in pairs
having opposite inclinations shown in fig. 4, the arrow
in each case denoting the direction in which the coke is
propelled. Fig. 5 is an elevation and fig. 6 a half section
of another arrangement in which the rakes are hinged.
(Four claims.)

13934 (1914). Improvements in Carbonising Fuels.
A. M. Duckham, of Waseda, Highfield, Ashtead, Surrey.—
Relates to retorts for carbonising fuel, in which the material
to be carbonised is caused to travel through a region in which
the temperature rises progressively in the direction of travel,
or through zones of successively higher temperature, and the
products evolved as gases or vapours are separately collected
at successive points in the path of the material or at each
zone. In a bench of retorts collecting chambers are con-
nected to each retort, and are adapted to receive and keep
separate the volatile and other products of distillation from
the zones of different temperatures in the said retorts, each
chamber being connected to the correspondingly situated
chambers in the retorts adjacent to it on either side. Finely
subdivided coal may be fed at frequent intervals into one end
of a horizontal, inclined, or vertical retort, so as to pass
therethrough in a direction the opposite to that in which the
heating gases are flowing around the retort. At suitable dis-
tances apart along the retort are openings in the sides thereof
so formed that the coal in its more or less carbonised condi-

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tion does not issue through them. The retort being heated
most highly at or near the end from which the carbonised
coal is discharged, while its temperature decreases progres-
sively towards the end into which the coal is fed, each of
the said openings corresponds with a zone of different temper-
ature. The gases and vapours w’hich issue from each opening
are collected separately. If the retort is of suitable dimen-
sions, and the coal of appropriate size the retort will be suffi-
ciently full to prevent any important intermixture of products
from the several zones; special provision, such as constric-
tions in the retort, or even separate retorts communicating
through suitable traps for the coal, may be made, however,
for keeping separate the products in the several zones. In
the final, hottest zone, the chief production of ammonia will
occur, and here steam may be introduced. Apparatus con-
structed as outlined above for low temperature carbonisation
is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which fig. 1

is a longitudinal vertical section; fig. 2 a cross section
through the retorts and heating flues; fig. 3 a sectional plan;
and fig. 4 a detail view drawn to an enlarged scale in plan
and two sections in planes at right angles to each other.
(Four claims.)

18559 (1914). Improvements relating to the Recovery of
Ammonia in the Form of Sulphate from Gases. T. Rigby,
of 61, Loreburn-street, Dumfries, Scotland, and Wet-
carbonizing Limited, of 3, Dean Farrar-street, Westminster,
London, S.W.—Relates to an improved process of obtain-
ing ammonium sulphate free from discoloration in the
gasification or the destructive distillation of combustible
materials. According to the present invention, oil is
brought into contact with the sulphate liquor, from which
it absorbs impurities, and then separated from the liquor,
as for example by simple decantation. In carrying out
the invention in connection with the utilisation of peat in
gas producers, the tar separated from the gases is subjected
to distillation, and of the resulting lighter fractions some of
the oil is added to the sulphate liquor as the latter passes
to the evaporators. The oil and liquor are then thoroughly
beaten together until they form an emulsion in which the
two liquids are brought into intimate contact with one
another, with the result that as the oil has an affinity for
the tarry and like impurities in the sulphate liquor, it
absorbs these from the latter. Separation of the oil from
the liquor is then effected in any known manner, as by
simple settling and decantation, wThich is most easily carried
out by permitting the mixture to flow into a container having
a suitably disposed overflow which allows the oil on account
of its having a lower specific gravity than the liquor, to
pass off, and be thereafter wholly or in part returned to the
gas washers where it serves to act as before upon a fresh
quantity of sulphate liquor. Before being returned to the
wrashers, however, it may be added to the material entering
the tar stills, in order to free the oil from the dissolved
impurities. After having been thus freed from the oil and
impurities, the sulphate liquor is passed to the evaporators
as usual. (One claim.)

19338 (1914). Improvements in Means for Discharging
Hoppers for Railway Wagons and for analogous purposes.
—J. H. Grant, Midland Carriage and Wagon Company
Limited, Wash wood Heath, Birmingham.—Has for its
object particularly to enable the contents of dumping and
like wagons to be discharged in a minimum of time. In
the invention doors of the type which slide along paths
parallel with the sides of the hopper to meet about the
central plane of the hopper opening are used, but instead of

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using with them fixed discharge shoots or apron plates, such
as hitherto used with these doors, there are employed in
conjunction with them pivotal apron plates, and the plates
are arranged so that they meet normally at their upper
edges near the meeting point of the doors, the entire plate
being bodily pivotal and adapted to be rocked in conjunc-
tion with the operation of the doors to give a clear side
opening or central opening or both. The accompanying
drawing shows a side elevation of a portion of a wagon
having the invention applied. (Four claims.)

19847 (1914). Improvements in Gas Washers. C. E.
Pope, of 421, Wood-street, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
—Relates to apparatus with a suspended rotor for cleaning
and purifying by washing and
beating carbonaceous and
other gases, and for extract-
ing impurities and by-products
therefrom. The invention
comprises an improved mount-
ing for supporting and driving
the rotor of a gas washer,
for admitting water • to the
interior through an improved
water seal, and for allow-
ing self-adjustment of the
rotor within narrowly re-
stricted limits in a manner
to ensure smooth and quiet
running. The illustration
shows a known form of
machine embodying the in-
vention, and particularly de-
signed for washing and
purifying the gases generated

in by-products coke ovens and extracting the ammonia, tar,
and other by-products from the gas. (Four claims.)

19750 (1914). Improvements in or relating to the
Destructive Distillation of Bituminous Coal. F. C. Blythe,
of 7, Bank Buildings, Northwood, Middlesex.—According to
this invention, to bituminous coal a proportion of heavy
hydrocarbon oil is added, such as petroleum, kerosene, shale
oils, heavy’tar oils, or heavy hydrocarbon oils which may
be obtained in this process, and it is then heated and dis-
tilled under pressure which can be regulated so as to yield
from the coal a large proportion of hydrocarbon oils and a
small proportion of permanent gas. The coke or pitchy
matter left in the retort may be used in any usual way.
A convenient pressure is about 601b. to the square inch,
but this pressure may be varied up or down, according to the
desired result. The temperature in the still is gradually
raised to about 350 degs. Cent., and then upwards to about
500degs Cent., or between these points, but this tempera-
ture may be exceeded so as drive off more of the hydro-

carbons, or such necessary heat is applied by means of
steam superheated, with or without external heat. A con-
venient form of still is a cylinder or a tube with an agitator,
or with a worm or spiral agitator moving the mixture
forward to the discharge end, but any ordinary still of
suitable material such as iron may be used with or without
an agitator. The volatile products which distil off under
pressure are cooled and condensed as far as practicable, and
any gas that does not condense may be used for burning.
(One claim.)

19854 (1914). Electric Signalling Systems particularly
for use in Mines. Sterling Telephone and Electric Com-
pany Limited, and H. W. Barclay, both of 210-212,
Tottenham Court-road, London.—According to the invention
each level has a distinctive visual signal at the surface
adapted to be put in circuit on the particular level com-
mencing to signal, but to be cleared when another level
begins; a single set of signalling apparatus proper is pro-
vided and is rendered available to any one of the several
levels by means of auxiliary devices. Examples of
signalling apparatus to which the invention is applicable
may be found in applications Nos. 13062 of 1914 and 18661
of 1914. By way of concrete and detailed presentation of
the invention it is described hereinafter in its application to
a slight modification of the system described in application
No. 18661 of 1914. The lower part of the appended drawing
agrees in the main with the diagram of connections of that
application. The upper part of the drawing shows the
additions necessary for the embodiment of the present inven-
tion by which the apparatus in the low’er part of the drawing
is made operable from any one of several levels. Suppose
that key fc1 is raised and contact 1 made once, current flows
from negative over contact 1 and over one winding of the
level relay L1 to positive. Relay L1 attracts its armatures,
which in practice would be represented by a single armature
co-operating with a number of contacts. Over contact 51
a circuit is completed from the negative through the wind-
ings of relays R7, R1, R8 in parallel to positive. The circuit
of the last-named relay passes over a clearing key P,
operated when the engine man responds to the signals.
Relay R7 by its contact 52 completes a circuit through the
bell O, which therefore rings one stroke. Through its
contact 53, the relay Ll connects line 54 to positive, and so
through the back contacts 55 of all the remaining level relays
L2, L3 . . . . complete the circuit of all the remaining clear-
ing relays C2, C3 . . .; C1 however, remaining unexcited,
its circuit being broken at the back contact 55 of relay L1.
A circuit is then established from positive through the
clearing key P through line 56, contact 57 of the relay L1,
the hold-up winding of this relay and the lamp 1 in parallel,
line 58, the front contact 59 of relay R8 and line 60, through
front contacts 61 of each of the relays C3, C2 and the back
contact 62 of the relay C1 to negative. Consequently, relay
I? now remains excited, even though contact 1 is broken
when the key kl is moved out ready for a fresh signal.
This shows the conditions which constitute the appropriation
of the signalling apparatus to a particular level. The level
lamp I, II.........is lighted, the level relay is excited,

and has a maintaining circuit completed, while all the
clearing relays except that of the level which is signalling
are excited. It may be pointed out that the preparing relay
R10 is here differentially wound. The circuit of one of its
windings extends from positive through the winding to the
line 58, and thence through contact 59 to the line 60, and
through the contacts of the clearing relays to negative. This
circuit remains completed therefore once relay R8 has been
excited. The circuit of the other winding extends from positive
over its own back contact and over the front contact 65 of
relay R1 to line 58, and so to negative. Hence this preparing

relay will not .attract its armatures when first R8 and R'
are excited; but when R1 is released, the circuit of the
second winding is broken, the armatures are attracted, and
so a further interruption is made in the circuit of this second
winding, with the result that on R1 being next excited, this
winding still gets no current, and the armatures of R’°
remain attracted. If a second or third impulse is sent over
contact 1 there will be further strokes upon the bell O and
relay BR or CR of the signalling apparatus will be excited
instead of AR. When the key is finally allowed to fall
completely so that contact 2 is made, the circuit is com-
pleted from the negative over contact 2 contact 63 of relay
C1, the winding of relay R9 and the front contact of relay
R10 to positive. By this means current is sent through the
particular lamp A, B . . . of which the relay AR, BR
is excited, and so a visual signal is exhibited corresponding
to the number of strokes of the bell that have been given.
It is to be noted that the circuit both of the lamps A, B

. . . and of the relays AR, BR .... extends to
negative through line 60 and through the contacts of the
clearing relays. If key kl is again lifted, it will be obvious
that the circuit of relay R9 is broken at the contact 2 of the
key, and hence the existing signal is dissolved, the parts arc
restored to their initial position ready for a fresh signal to
commence. If, instead, it is k2, which is lifted, the inter-
ruption of its contact 2 breaks the circuit of relay C2. This
therefore releases its armatures, and in so doing breaks the
hold-up circuit of relay L1, which also releases its armatures.
This releasing of another clearing relay breaks the con-
nection between line 60 and negative, and so breaks the
supply of current to the lamps AB .... relays AR, BR.
and so forth. The circuit of relay R’ is in this case broken
at a front contact of the preparing relay R10, the circuit of
which as above described is supplied through line 60. It