US1585358A - Apparatus for purifying mines, tunnels, and subways - Google Patents

Description

May 18 1926.

G. A. ARKWRIGHT APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING MINES, TUNNELS, AND SUBWAYS Filed Sept. 24, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR May 18 1926.

(5. A. ARKWRIGHT APPARATUS FOR PURIFYING MINES, TUNNELS, AND SUBWAYS Filed Sept. 24, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR Patented May 18, 1926.

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GEORGE A. ABKVJBIGHT, OF BROGKLYIT, KEV!" YORK.

Application filed September It has been found that the air in subterranean passages such as subways, tunnels and mines carries a very large amount of solid matter in the form of dust which is stirred up and kept in circulation by movements withinthe subway etc. For convenience in nomenclature I will use the word eurvvay as applied to any form subterrancan passage. In subways provided with railway trains and the like it has been found that the solid particles coir very hi percentages of steel dust derived largely from the rails, from the wheels and from the brakes. Ordinary dust particles and dirt existing on the street level also find their way into the subway and are there stirred up with the dirt which is created and Gill. ts in the subway itself. The condition of the air thus created is not only very uncomfortable but injurious to health. The dirt also soils the clothing and persons of those who are in the subway both by direct contact and through contact with the walls of vehicles, seats, etc. There are also frequently present germs which are dangerous to health and odors which are unpleasant.

The mainobject of my invention is to provide means for removing from the air such solid particles or materially reducing the quantity.

Another object is to generally purify and clarify the air.

To carry out the invention 1 provide a car or an attachment for a car having means for treating the air in the subway so as to remove the solid particles, neutralize or remove odors and remove or render inertinicrobes.

Fig. 1 is a plan view and partial section of a car showing more or less diagrammatically one form of apparatus embodying the improvements of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view and partial longitudinal section of the same.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional View of the same on a somewhat larger scale.

Figs. l and 5 are fragmentary sectional views of details of construction.

In the drawing I have shown the inven tion as applied to a special car, but it should be understood that the invention might be installed as a part or compartment of the car, the reminder of which could be used for other purposes- The body of the car is 24, 1924:. Serial No. 739,555.

preferably provided with two reservoirs and 11 for liquid, one at the bottom and the other at the top. Reservoir 10 may be deep-- e in the center than at the ends of the ar. r pump 12 with proper conduit connections provided for lifting water from the lower reservoir to the upper one. E i-om the upper reservoir tne liquid is distributed through sprays throughout the car. These sprays may be arran 'ed in a number of different ways. For instance, I may provide a longi tudinal conduit 1% and outwardly extending conduits 15. I also may provide other conduits or distributors 16 connected to uprights 1! which have passages connecting with the upper reservoir 1 Preferably I provide a central partition 18 and baffles or deflectors 19 which extend inwardly from the posts 1'7. The distributors 16 and baths plates 19 are preferably mounted so that they may be swung backward or forward depending upon the direction of movement of the car. lVhen I speak of a car of course it should be understood that he car may travel on tracks or an ordinary road way.

The car is provided with a number inlet and outlet passages for the air and each of these passages may be provided with a fan for stimulating circulation. Such fans may be placed at the sides as shown at 20 and 21 in Fig. 2 and/or at the ends as shown at 22. suitable manner so as to draw the air into the car and cause it to circulate therein against the baffles or partitions l8 and. 19 which are being moistened or sprayed by the liquid from the distributors i l, 15 and 16.

The inside of the car is preferably provider with inclined floors or bottom plates 23 which are arranged to drain toward the These fans may be driven in any filter which will remove the solid particles. Such a filter as may be made in anv suitable manner and adapted to be inserted or removed for the purpose of cleaning in any suitable manner such as is commonly employed in filter constructions. Valves such as 25 and 26 may be provided in suitable locations for the purpose of controlling the flow of the liquid. 7

I also prefer to provide screens such as 27 at opposite ends of the car for the removal of large foreign particles. A door 28 may he provided for convenience in passage through the car.

It will also be understood that a compartnient 29 may be provided for the niotorinan or driver at one or both ends.

in addition to the means tor spraying the air and the partition and battle plates I may provide a high PlGfiStlli-B atomizer tor the purpos', or cooling te by adiabatic expaision. Such spraj l i ieads are shown at 50 supplied with water t therniosti may be employee such a con:

on tor the nrpose i stopping; such a 1 In the operatns the purifying car is d igh the subway from t me to tiiiie as practice would. indicate to i ii' 'Wii through the ciinisi a cs chi 'iclei and then allow to escan The r i is drawn into U l and 20 and by the move- As s toe Water i'lowing etlertors, the dirt is A down into the iilter the bottoiii. The air passes by the deflectors 19 :nd the partition 18 which prevent? interii'erence oi the air on one side with that on he other. As the air reaches the rear end of the car it passes out through the openings corresponding to the inlet openings at the front end, the car being reversible. lhis may appear to be an indirect method of purification but it should serve to remove injurious particles and odors in a practical inann r at no great expense. It should be understood oi? course that the liquid used would be Water or a solution containing such purifying, de-odoring or (lo-oxidizing agent may be necessary.

lrelferably the car is of approximately the same height and vidtl. as an ordinary subway air and the inlets and outlets are provided. at rarious positions so as to be able to treat as much of the air as possible Without depending upon other circulating devices.

I claim:

1. Ar purifying apparatus for subways comprising a reversible car having screens at both ends tor removing foreign particles from air passing through said car, tans for forcing air into said ear and out of said car and liquid spraying and deflecting means for removing ot .1 particles tron-i the air and collecting them in the car as the car i'ay ClQ RZllIi i 2H e run through t .screeiied inlet at one c other, battling decar. a water rese "coir ruilll' abore said plates, iiig tron; said tank to .r 1 Stilts.

-tes for cans water to ie uri ace or said and a i g water jtit reservoir n l "i tor suona s,

t l defiet ors, incans for flowii. rd partition and deflectors and dia' g into and out oi said past said partition and said dclice.

pllillttlllg "tor subways etc comprising a i car having a seri s ot sni ing de'ce l iueans tor 'lOWlii'l water over si' A app atrs for siibivayrii, etc. (01111- a rover-able cai having a series of swinging deli i: tit ii'ieaiis ior Water oi'er said (reflectors and means tor 'orcing air throu h Ft id car over the surface of said deflectors ii is low t ti e the bottom. '5. said car between said deflector and a collecting reservoir below the tallwater.

A. ARKXVRIGHT.

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