Patent GB-191406760-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Fuel-feeding Devices for Furnaces.
Inventor: ANSCHUTZ CARL
Filed: 1914-03-17
Granted: 1915-06-10
Abstract: 6760. Ansch³tz, C. March 17. Mechanical stoking.-The supply of fuel from a hopper to a furnace is regulated automatically by the discharge of a substance such as sand or water from a vessel, whereby predetermined quantities of fuel are supplied to the furnace at predetermined intervals. Fig. 1 shows one form of the apparatus in which the supply of fuel from a circular hopper b is controlled by a tubular valve c loaded with regulating-weights cl in the form of chains lying in cages carried by the valve c, when the valve is in its raised position, and having their upper ends secured to the hopper. The valve is connected by a wire rope e to a hopper h filled with sand, which counterbalances the valve. The discharge of sand from the hopper h causes the valve c to fall, and the fuel falls through its interior into the furnace below. Fig. 3 shows a modification in which the valve c is connected to a rotary drum n provided with an annular passage p partly filled with water. The drum is provided with a strengthened portion at s to balance the valve. As the water flows from the position which it is shown to occupy in the Figure, through the opening r in the partition wall q, the turning-moment caused by the water in the drum decreases, and the valve c falls and allows fuel to pass from the hopper to the furnace. In a further modification, a rectangular hopper, .from which the fuel falls over the top of a descending plate, provided with compensating-chains as shown in Fig. 1, and connected to a vessel containing sand, is employed. Fig. 6 shows a hopper which is provided at the bottom with a valve t having an aperture for the escape of fuel from the hopper, and is rotated about a vertical axis by a loaded float y resting on the surface of water in the vessel z and connected to a pulley w on the axis of the valve by a rope e. As water escapes from the vessel z, the float falls and rotates the valve t. The same form of actuating- device may be employed to raise a hopper 3, shown in Fig. 8. As the hopper rises, the fuel loses the lateral support of the partition wall in the chamber b and is discharged into the furnace. Fig. 9 shows a modification in which a rising float contained within a vessel to which water is supplied is connected with and allows the descent of a slide 6. The slide in descending releases counterweighed valves 4 and allows the fuel in the hopper to escape to the furnace. A vessel h, Fig. 13, containing sand may be connected to a chain container 6, which is provided with a projection 10 adapted to engage with pawls 9, as sand escapes from the vessel h and the container 6 falls, and to release the valves 4 of the hopper b to allow the escape of fuel. A modification of the form of the invention shown in Fig. 9 consists in providing the hopper with a number of removable compartments provided with valves such as 4. These compartments are filled with fuel prior to being inserted in the hopper. In the modification shown in Fig. 16, the fuel is supported on a tilting plate d and escapes over the edge thereof as the plate is tilted. The plate d is pivoted at c and provided with an arm d<1> engaging with a vessel e containing sand. The vessel e is provided with a partition f having an adjustable opening g to allow the sand to escape from the upper to the lower side of the partition. The vessel is closed at the top by a fixed plate 20 and at the bottom by a removable cap. As sand escapes from one side of the partition to the other, the plate d tilts and allows the fuel to pass to the passage p leading to the furnace. If the weight of the fuel on the plate d is insufficient to press the sand in the vessel against the plate 20 to the requisite extent, the pressure may be augmented by a spring. A modification of this form of regulating-device may be used in connexion with the form of valve shown in Fig. 1. For example, as shown in Fig. 2<a>, the vessel e is straightinstead of curved, and is connected by a rope to the valve. The plate 20 is fixed to the hopper by a rod k, In the modification shown in Figs. 17 and 18, the regulating-device e is pivoted at the centre and provided at each end with a plate 28 mounted on a rod 30 adapted to engage with a recess in a sleeve 29 mounted on a pin 25 attached to a slide 26. The tilting plate d is pivoted at c and provided with a counterweight 23 connected by the arm 24 to the pin 25. As sand escapes from the upper part of the container e to the lower, the plate 28 falls under the weight of the fuel and the counterweight, while at the same time fuel falls from the plate d into the furnace. The plate 28 is returned to its initial position by a spring on the rod 30. A set-screw 32 or equivalent device may control the flow of sand from one part of the vessel e to the other. A number of coal hoppers may be arranged adjacent to one another and controlled by a single regulator.