New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-08-15
Richard Montgomery Boiler Iren.

All engines whose motive power is derived from
tteam must depend entirely for their own practical
efficiency on the efficiency of the boilers wherein
their actuating principle is generated.
In constructing a steam boiler the first object
held in view should be safety the second, the pro-
duction of steam in quantity and with rapidity
sufficient to the purpose required; the third,
economy.
In this view, and TO these ends, many forms of
boilers have been contrved; and in the best of
them now in use--as ordinarily constructed-wo
find the means employed to be as follows: The fuel
is economical by the products of its combustion
being made to pass, after leaving the furnace,
through and through passages contriyed within the
body of water contained in the boiler, before enter
ing the smoke-stack. The team-generating power
of these boilers depends entirely on the absolute
linear Dimensions Of the surface of the metal plates
contained in the fire-arches, fucs. and, perhaps,
tubes presented TO the action OF such heated prod
ucts. The safety of the whole structure is aimed
at by the multiplication of an endless variety OF
stays, braces, and ribs, together with increased
thickness in those metal plates on which the action
of the heat is most intense.
And here we must pause for il is obvious that,
to increase the thickness of the crown-sheets OF
boiler furnace just where the greatest amount OF
caloric is being rendered most active, must be,
though necessary TO the strength of the present
form of boiler, great detriment to the transfer
ence of the developed heat 10 the water within 1T;
and, as this brings TO the, perhaps most merito-
rious attribute of the invention which Is the SUD-
ject of the present article, We cannot do better
than enter at once into description OF the improve
ment.
This consists in working the original plain sur
face of the ordinary boiler-plate into number of
corrugations, OF flutes; these flutes forming series
of tunnel-like arches. with their axes extending
from side to side of.tbe plate and alternately in
verted and uuinycrtcd The process of converting
the plain plate into the form described is, with the
inventors perfected machinery, one of economy,
rapidly and beautiful simplicity. During this pro-
cess it may be made TO assume any curved form re-
quired, or. if desired, subsequently.
When curved in the form Of an arch or cylinder,
the axes of the corrugations or flutes will run IN
the direction of the curve; and This disposition
of the parts Of the structure is founded the en-
ormous increase OF strength as compared with the
uncorrugated plate, which is estimated at more
than ten-fold. The next advantage belonging to
Mr.. Montgomery form of boiler-plate arises from
the corrugatons, or flutes, being produced by the
the disenson of the metal plate from side 10 side,
without Increasing as Laear dimensions; but at
the same time decreasing he thickness Of The plate
in proportion 10 the depth to which 1t is
corrugated, thereby increasing, at tho same
time and in the same ratio, the actual surface
contained in the folds produced. That is to say,
cr and lrea
corrugated in this Manner viii still retaining these
original dimensons) possess ten times the strength
of tho plain sheet; its attenuation, consequent on
the distension, will increase its facility OF trans
uniting heat proportonatey; while correspond
inclv greater extent of surface is presented to the
action of the fire. In other Words supposing the
corrugaton to decrease the thickness of the metal
one-third; its power of transmitting heat Will be
increased fifty per cent; boiler built OF 1t Will
occupy in length space of only ten feet, instead
of fifteen, while its steam-genemting capacity Is
actually increased, Notwithstanding and the gain
in strength gives the nearest approach to safety yet
M attained.
In treating of subject of this nature, the one
obiect-Safety-shou be paramount and, when
we consider that the numerous and disastrous
boiler accidents it has been our lot to record have
almost all arisen from deficiency Of strength in
those parts Of the boiler where the pressure OF the
steam is acting on the outside of cylinder, or
part of one las in the of fue, steam-chimney
or fire-arch and where the innumerable, cum
brous and costly stays, braces, &C., have been per-
fectly powerless as preyentives, it becomes
positive duty to point TO this invention as supply
ing the long sought desideratum.
In these, the weak parts of boilers, the requisite
strength without the use Of stays, &C., is supplied
by Mr. Montgomery form of iron, as the tests We
are about to submit will sufficiently prove; while
the efficiency of the boiler as the supper of motive
power is increased, its durability improved, and the
ends of economy more than answered.
The following plate shows the corrugated ARCH
furnace, water-legs and outer SHE'LL of a.boier con-
structed on this principles:
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