Improvements in Smoke Consuming Furnaces.
Year: 1886

page_text: Improvements in Smoke Consuming Furnaces.
.
I, EDWARD FALES, residing at Chicago, in the County of Cook and State of
Illinois, in the United States of America, gentleman, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-―
My invention relates to improvements in smoke consuming furnaces for steam
boilers, and other purposes, and in devices for feeding fuel to the same. The
object of my invention is to so construct a furnace, that the smoke and gases
arising from the freshly applied fuel will be consumed, thus getting rid of the
smoke and at the same time consuming the gases which would otherwise escape
and thereby effecting a great saving in fuel.
A further object of my invention is to supply the fuel to the grate without
admitting cold draughts of air to the combustion chamber. My invention consists
of a furnace in which the fire pot or chamber is provided with closed sides, the
lower portion of which is provided with movable or stationary grate bars, said fire
pot or chamber being provided near its upper end with radiating arms or pro-
jections, which act in the capacity of grate bars and through which the proper
amount of air is adınitted to effect a complete combustion of the gases and smoke.
My invention consists in devices to be described hereinafter,-which permits the
operator to insert the fuel charger with its charge of fuel into the combustion
chamber, and to deposit the same on the fire, without admitting cold draughts of
air to the combustion chamber.
In the drawings,―
Figure, 1, is a vertical sectional view of one form of furnace in which the fuel is
fed up into the body of the fire from below.
Figure, 2,
a front elevation of the same.
Figure, 3, is a top or plan view of the upper portion of the cylinder which forms
the fuel chainber.
Figure, 4, is a view in perspective of the grating or guard used to hold the fuel in
position, while the plunger or bottom is being lowered for a fresh charge of fuel.
Figure, 5, is a front view of the fuel chamber, with the combustion chamber
removed.
Figure, 6, is a vertical sectional view of an upright steam boiler with fire chamber
and devices for supplying fuel on top of the fire.

page_text: Figure, 7, is a side elevation partly in section of a horizontal boiler with a square
or rectangular boiler with a square or rectangular fire pot therein.
Figure, 8, is a top view of one form of fire pot or chamber.
Figure, 9, is a top or plan view of a rectangular fire pot or chamber adapted for
use in horizontal furnaces, brick kilns, etc.
Figure, 10, is a vertical sectional view of a furnace in which the bottom grate
of the fire pot is movable in a vertical direction and showing the grate in its raised
position.
Figure, 11, is a similar view with the movable grate in its lower position.
Figure, 12, is a view in perspective of the central movable grate.
Figure, 13, is a top or plan view of the devices used for raising and lowering the
movable grate.
Figure, 14, is a perspective view of the tool used for shaking the grate.
Figure, 15, is a longitudinal sectional view of my feeding device as applied to a
brick kiln.
Figure, 16, is a front view of the furnace door with the fuel charger inserted.
Figure, 17, is a rear view of the furnace door with the fuel charger inserted.
Figure, 18, is a view in perspective of one form of fuel charger.
Figure, 19, is a side elevation partly in section of a steam boiler in which the
charger is a modification of the one shown in figure, 18.
Figure, 20, is a front view of the steam boiler and furnace shown in figure, 19,
with the fuel charger inserted.
Figure, 21, is a side view of a cylindrical fuel charger having a door in one side
thereof.
Figure, 22, is a plan or top view of the charger shown in figure, 21.
A, designates the fuel chamber which is mounted on a suitable base and is by
preference of cylindrical form, but may be of any other suitable contour, said fuel
chamber being supplied with a bottom or plunger, B, which is vertically movable
toward and from the combustion chamber, C, as will more fully hereinafter appear.
C, is the combustion chamber located on top of of the fuel chamber, the walls of
said combustion chamber being supported by the projections or grate bars, D, which
radiate from the outside of the fuel chamber, the spaces, E, between said bars or
projections serving the double purpose of supplying an equal amount of air on all
sides to the fire bed, to effect a complete combustion of the smoke and gases, and
also as a means for removing the ashes, which are forced toward the sides of the
combustion chamber by the upward central movement of the fuel, and fall down
through the openings on to the hearth, F, a hooked or bent poker being used to
facilitate the removal of the ashes from the outside. The projections, D, which
form the grate bars of the furnace, are located on the outside and a short distance
below the top of the fuel chamber as shown. The object of having the fuel
chamber to extend a short distance above the grate bars or projections, D, is to
provide a cavity, D¹, between the top of the fuel chamber and the walls of the
combustion chamber, and above the grate bars, for holding the live coals and ashes
and thus prevent the fuel which is forced up from the bottom through the center
of the furnace from crowding over to the sides of the combustion chamber and
displacing the live coals, thus causing the fire to run down, as would be the result
if the top of the fuel chamber was on a level with the projections or grate bars, D.
This is an important feature of my invention as it enables the operator to force the
column of fuel directly into the center of the fire bed, while the live coals com-
pletely surround the column or body of fuel which is projected from the top of the
fuel chamber. The combustion chamber, C, and the top of the fuel chamber, A,
may be lined with fire brick, asbestos or other fire resisting material such as is
commonly used to protect the inside of furnaces. F, is an annular ledge or pro-
jection which is secured to and extends around the fuel chamber as shown, and is
designed as a hearth to catch and retain the ashes, which are stirred through the
openings, E, of the annular grate.

page_text: The ledge, F, is provided with an upwardly projecting flange G, which prevents
the ashes from falling on to the floor, and the said ledge or hearth may be provided
with a removable or hinged section, or with an opening adapted to be closed by a
sliding door through which the ashes can be readily removed.
H, is a sleeve or section of a cylinder adapted to slide over the outer walls of
the combustion chamber, said sleeve being provided with suitable perforated lugs I,
through which a bar of iron or other suitable material can be placed to raise or
lower said sleeve, and thus regulate the supply of air which passes under the sleeve
and up through the openings, E, to the fire as shown in figure, 2.
When it is desired to shut off the supply of air to the fire and thus reduce its
intensity, the sleeve or cylinder is lowered on to the hearth, F, as shown in
figure, 1, and when it is desired to revive the fire the sleeve or cylinder is raised
to admit the proper amount of air to the fire to ensure complete combustion of the
smoke and gases.
As before stated the bottom or plunger, B, is movable toward
and from the combustion chamber.
This movement is effected by means of the following devices,—K, is a shaft
mounted in suitable lugs or bearings, L, secured to the fuel chamber, said shaft
being provided with a crank, M, or other suitable device for turning it. The
shaft, K, is also provided with a ratchet wheel, N, which is engaged by a pawl, O,
secured to one of the lugs, L, and by which means the shaft is held in any desired
position. The shaft, K, is connected to the projecting ends of the cross bar, P,
which pass through slots a, in the fuel chamber, and forms part of the bottom or
plunger, B, by means of wire cords, chains or sheet metal straps, R, which pass up
over the sheaves or pulley wheels, S.
It will be noticed that by the devices first described, the operator is enabled to
feed the fuel gradually upward to the fire bed and supply the fuel in desired
quantities, the plunger being held up by means of the pawl, O, acting on the
ratchet wheel, N, of the shaft, K. The fuel chamber, A, is provided with a door, T,
through which the fuel is placed on the movable bottom or plunger, B, and moved
up to supply fuel to the fire. The fuel chamber is also provided with an enlarged
portion, V, having perforations, b, through which the tines of the fork or support, W,
are passed. In practice however, I may form a slot in the projection, V, to receive
a plate of metal having its front end rounded to conform to the interior of the fuel
chamber, but I prefer to use the device shown, for the reason that it admits of the
upward passage of the air coming through the apertures, c, in the plunger and
through the slots, a, of the fuel chamber, a limited amount of air being necessary
to form a central draft through the bed of the fire. When it is desired to lower
the bottom or plunger in the fuel chamber to receive a fresh supply of fuel, the
fork, W, is inserted and supports the fire and coal in the combustion chamber and
in the upper part of the fuel chamber until a charge of fuel is placed on the
plunger, and the plunger is raised against the fork or support, W, when it is
withdrawn.
The combustion chamber is provided with a suitable door, A¹, through which the
fire may be stirred.
In figure, 1, I have shown my invention as applied to the boiler of a steam
engine, of that type known as vertical boilers, but it may be applied to all kinds
of furnaces, by making slight changes to adapt it to the construction of the com-
bustion chamber or boiler, and it is equally as valuable in its application to heating
and cooking stoves and to heaters of all kinds. The operation of this portion of
iny invention is as follows.-The bottom or plunger, B, having been lowered to the
bottom of the fuel chamber and supplied with the proper amount of coal, it is
raised to the top of the fuel chamber, A, and the fire is lighted, the air for sup-
porting combustion, enters under the sleeve, H, passes up through the openings, E,
is heated in its passage through the live coals, and by coming in contact with the
heated walls of the fuel chamber, equally distributed to the fire. When a fresh
supply of fuel is needed, the fork or support, W, is inserted as shown in figure, 1,

page_text: and the plunger or bottom, B, lowered to the position shown in the same figure of
the drawing. When the proper or desired amount of fuel has been placed thereon,
the plunger, B, is raised until the charge of fuel comes in contact with the
support, W. The support is now withdrawn and as the fuel is consumed at the
top of the fuel chamber the shaft is turned the desired distance and the fuel is
forced upward into the center of the fire bed.
By feeding the fuel from below and forcing it up against and into the center
of the hot body of live coals at the top, the smoke and gases from the fresh fuel
below are consumed in their passage through the bed of live coals, thus preventing
the escape of the smoke and gases and by consuming all portions, or all combustible
portions of the fuel in the furnace, none is allowed to escape and as a natural
consequence a great saving of fuel is effected.
In figures, 6, 7, 8, and, 9, a fire pot or chamber is shown having solid sides and
a permanent grate secured or adapted to rest in the lower portion of said chamber,
the upper and outer portion of the fire pot or chamber being provided with.
radiating arms or projections which serve in the capacity of grate bars and the
same principle of heating the air by passing it through a portion of the live coals
on the outer edge of the fire pot, as is embraced in the furnace previously described,
is employed in this, but the fuel is fed in on top of the fire instead of being forced
upward into the lower portion of the body of the live coals.
A, indicates the outer wall of the furnace which may be round,, square,
rectangular, or other desirable shape, the inside of which is provided with a
suitable ledge or projection, B¹, which supports the fire chamber. C¹, is the fire pot
or chamber made of iron or other suitable material and of any convenient form and
size, to suit the kind or size of furnace in which it is to be used. D¹, is a grate
supported on a suitable ledge, E¹, in the lower portion of the fire chamber through
which the ashes are permitted to fall into the ash pit, said ash pit being provided
with a suitable door and registers for admitting the proper amount of air to the
fire. The fire pot in chamber, C', is provided with a series of radial arms or
bars, G, near the upper end at uniform distances apart around the entire wall of
the chamber, said arms or bars serving to hold the fire chamber on the ledge, B¹,
and also acting in the capacity of grate bars and admit the air currents to readily
pass up and supply the necessary air to effect a complete combustion of the gases
and smoke.
The dimensions of the fire pot or chamber are in about the following proportions;
12, inches in diameter, and, 9, inches deep, length of grate bars at top of chamber,
2, inches, this gives an area of great surface about two times greater than the area
of the lower grate, D¹¹, and admits the proper amount of air equally on all sides of
the fire. These dimensions may be increased or diminished to meet the require-
ments of furnaces of different sizes without departing from the spirit of my
invention. The top of the fire chamber extends a short distance above the grate
bars, G¹, so as to leave a fire pocket, H¹, between the walls of the furnace and the
wall of the fire chamber which effectually heats the greater volume of air before it
comes in contact with the main body of the gases and smoke rising from the tire
chamber, C. It will be noticed that the fire is built in the fire pot or chamber, C³,
and that the fuel is fed in from the top, the greater portion of the fire and fuel
being in the fire chamber so that the air in its passage through this mass of fuel is
somewhat retarded, and the central shaft which carries the gases and smoke
upward is not very great. This is not the case with the air currents which pass
up through the grate bars, G³, for the reason that there is a smaller body of fire
and fuel to resist it, and furthermore the grate surface is much larger in superficial
area than that in the bottom of the fire chamber, this causes a suction blast or
current of air to pass up all around the main body of the fuel which converge
toward the top of the combustion chamber, I, as shown and surrounds or pockets
the gas and smoke until it is mixed with the proper amount of air, when perfect
combustion takes place which causes a greater heat, and the smoke is entirely

page_text: consumed. I will now proceed to describe the devices by which I feed the fuel to
the fire pot or chamber, and while these devices are specially adapted for feeding.
fuel into the fire chamber shown, yet I do not wish to limit myself to such use as
it can be readily adapted for use in other kinds of furnaces.
K', is a tube pivotally secured in the door or side of the furnace said tube being
provided with convex sides to fit snugly in the opening formed in the door or side
of the furnace, so that the tube can be turned on its pivot pin to bring the
tube, K¹, to any desired angle.
The inner end of the tube, K1, is beveled off so that the lower edge is longer than
the upper edge as shown at, Ni, figure, 7. 0¹, is a valve or gravity door pivoted
some little distance above the upper side of the inner end of the tube, K', and is
designed to fit snugly over and close the beveled end of said tube, the operator can
more readily lift it with the charge.
P¹, is the fuel charger and consists of an open cylinder, in which is placed a
plunger or piston, R¹. The outer end of the piston rod is connected to the walls of
the furnace by the rod or bar, S¹, which holds the plunger from backward movement
when the charger is being drawn back. The charger, P¹, is provided with
handles, T¹, by which it is drawn out of the combustion chamber. The operation
of this portion of my invention is as follows,-The plunger, R¹, being drawn back,
the charger, P', is filled with coal and inserted in the tube, K¹, and pushed as far
into the combustion chamber as is desired the end of the charger raises the
door, 0, but as the tube, K', is filled with the charger, P¹, no air is permitted to
enter the combustion chamber above the fire. The plunger bar is now secured to
the staple or hook a¹, and the charger drawn back, the coal is pushed out of it by
the plunger and regularly distributed over the entire surface of the fire, and when
it is desired to supply the sides of the furnace with fuel, the tube, K¹, and charger
are swung around to the right or left on a pivot pin not shown.
In figures, 10; and, 11, I have shown a fire pot or chamber, similar to those
already described, but provided with a vertically and horizontally moving grate
located in the lower portion of the said fire pot. In this construction,―
A1, indicates the outer wall of a furnace for steam boilers and other purposes,
which may be round, square, rectangular or of other desirable shape, the inside of
which is provided with a suitable ledge or projection, B", which supports the fire
pot or chamber, C¹¹, said fire pot or chamber being of, any convenient form and
size to suit the kind of furnace in which it is to be used. D11, is a movable grate
supported in the fire pot or chamber, C, on the standard, E", said standard being
provided with an enlarged portion, a", which rests on the supporting bar F
secured in the walls of the ash pit, it being understood that the standard, E",
passes through the cross bar, Fl.
The standard, El, is provided with an enlarged portion, 6 at or near its lower
end so as to prevent the grate from being moved too high, the movement of said
grate being effected by devices which will be more fully described hereinafter.
The fire pot or chamber, C¹¹, is made with solid sides and is provided with a
series of radial arms or bars, G, near the upper end at uniform distances apart
areund the entire outer wall of the chamber, said arms or bars serving to hold the
fire pot or chamber on the ledge, B", and also acting in the capacity of grate bars
on which the live coals are forced,-when the grate, D, is moved up in the fire
pot or chamber. The top of the fire pot or chamber, C, extends a short distance
above the grate bars, G₁, so as to leave a fire pocket or chamber, H, between the
walls of the furnace and the wall of the fire pot or chamber and grate when
elevated which effectually heads the greater volume of air before it comes in
contact with the main body of the gases and smoke arising from the fire chamber
or pot, C, so as to effect a complete combustion of the gases and smoke. I¹, is a
lever pivoted to the lower end of the vertical bar, K", said bar being pivoted at
its upper end to the walls of the furnace or at any other convenient point.
The inner end of the lever, I¹, is secured to the friction block, L; in any
convenient manner.

page_text: The inner end of the friction block is provided with an aperture, M¹, of peculiar
construction through which the standard, E, is passed, so that when the outer end
of the lever, I, is depressed the edges of the perforation, M¹, in the plate, L¹, will
bite the standard, E, and thus raise the grate in the fire pot. The plate or
block, L', is provided with projections, c¹, at each end, which are connected by the
rod, d, on which is placed the weight, e, the office of which is to regulate or change
the direction of the rod or support, E¹. If the support, E", with the grate, Dill,
is to be raised, the weight, e, is placed in the position shown in figure, 13, this
changes the bite of the plate, L', so that the grate will be raised by operating the
lever, I, but if the grate is to be lowered the weight is pulled over to the other
end of the plate, L', this will change the bite of the plate, L³, on the standard and
cause the standard, E", with the grate to descend to the lower portion of the fire
pot when the lever, I', is operated by raising up and down. N¹¹, is a screw rod
working in suitable supports, the inner end of which impinges against the
standard, E, to hold the same in any desired position.
The standard, El, is provided with an aperture, O", adapted to receive the end
of the rod or tool, P", which when raised to the position shown in figure, 10, the
rod or tool, P, is inserted through the opening, R", into the aperture, O", which
when moved to and fro shakes the grate, D, and when it is desired to shake the
fire pot and move the grate, G", back and forth on the ledge, B¹, the tool P11, is
placed between the lugs, f, f, formed on the underside of the fire pot, and said tool
moved back and forth to free the grate, GH, of ashes.
The operation of this device is as follows,-
When it is desired to charge the furnace with fuel the grate, D¹¹¹; is raised by
the devices already described to the position shown in figure, 10, this will force the
live coals over into the pocket or chamber, H11, leaving a certain amount of the
live coals on top of the movable grate. The fresh fuel is now thrown on top of
the grate, D, and the same lowered into the position shown in figure, 11.
The fresh coal will settle down with the grate, and the surplus of live coals
which has been forced over to the sides of the combustion chamber, will settle
down over the fresh fuel pocketing the same and completely surrounding it with
live coals, so that the gases are at once generated in the fire pot, and the hot air
coming up through the live coals at the side of the fire pot, and through the
grate bars, G", is mingled with the gases and smoke, thus effecting a complete
combustion.
I have shown and described with reference to figures, 6, and, 7, a device for
feeding fuel to the furnace which will prevent the external air from entering the
combustion chamber above the fire pot yet I prefer the devices shown in figures, 15,
to, 22, inclusive and which will now be described.
A 5, indicates the furnace or combustion chamber which may be of any desired
form or structure and, B, indicates the grate which may also be of any desired
form. But I prefer to use the fire pot shown, and which has been previously
described.
or
C, is the door which is hinged to or secured to a suitable cast iron frame, D°4,
as shown in figure, 16, in which is located the tube or sleeve, E¹¹, through which
the charger, F1, is inserted to feed the fuel to the furnace. The tube
sleeve, E, is placed in the door, C, so that it can be readily turned around, and
is provided with a hinged door, G, which falls and closes the inner end of the
tube or sleeve, E111, when the charger, Fl, is removed after having deposited its
charge of fuel on the fire. The tube or sleeve, Ell, is also provided with a smaller
or supplemental valve or door, H, which drops into the charger when the same
is being removed from the furnace and prevents the ingress of air into the furnace."
The charger, F, is made U-shaped in cross section and adapted to fit within a
corresponding recess in the tube or sleeve, so that when the charger is filled with
fuel and pushed into the sleeve, El, the valve doors, G, and, H, will be raised
as shown in figure, 15, and the charger pushed into the furnace as far as desired,

page_text: After the charge has been pushed into the furnace as far as is necessary, it is
turned over together with the tube or sleeve, E, and after the charge of fuel has
been deposited on the grate bars or fire, the charger and sleeve is turned into its
original position and the charger drawn out of the sleeve or tube. The charger
after being inserted through the sleeve or tube into the combustion chamber may
be tilted first to the right and then to the left so as to throw the fuel to the sides
of the furnace or if turned directly over the fuel will be deposited in the center
of the fire. It may be proper to remark in this connection that the rear end of the
charger is solid or closed to the top as shown at, I, so that the combustion chamber
will have no connection with the external air when the charger is inserted through
the tube or sleeve, E, and it will be noticed that when the charger has deposited
its load and been turned back to the position shown in figure, 15, and on being
withdrawn from the tube or sleeve, E, that the door or valve, H, will drop
into the cavity of the charger and thus prevent the air from the outside from
rushing into the furnace above the grate and as soon as the charger has been
withdrawn the valve, G¹¹, will drop and close the inner end of the tube or
sleeve, E, and thus effectually prevent the entrance of external air into the the
furnace.
In some instances where a long furnace is used I make a portion of the charger
solid or with a closed top, as shown at, I", and employ a friction wheel, K¹¹, which
is mounted in the bracket, L", to press down on the top of the outer end of the
charger, so as in a measure relieve the tube or sleeve from strain caused by the
weight of coal in the front end of the charger and at the same time provide means
by which the operator can readily manipulate the charger whether it is filled with
fuel or not. In figures, 19, 20, 21, and, 22, I have shown a modification of my fuel
charger, and in this case the tube or sleeve, E¹¹¹, does not revolve but is pivoted as
shown at, m, n, and adapted to be turned to the right or left on these pivots so
that the fuel can be deposited to one side or the other of the furnace. In this
instance also the charger, F1, is adapted to be turned in the tube or sleeve, E¹¹¹,
so as to deposit the fuel through the door or opening, O¹¹, on to the fire in the
furnace and in this instance the inner end of the charger is closed so that the out-
side air cannot rush into the combustion chamber. As before intimated the
charger shown in figures, 19, 20, 21, and, 22, is provided with a door, O", which is
raised or opened when the charger is being filled, but closed before the charger is
pushed into the combustion chamber and when said charger is pushed into the
combustion chamber over the fire it is turned into the position shown in dotted
lines, in figure, 19, when the door will open and allow the fuel to be deposited on
to the fire, after which the charger is turned so the door, Ou, will close when it is
drawn back and in position to be refilled with fuel. The charger shown in
figure, 19, is adapted to be withdrawn from the tube or sleeve, E, a door or
valve, P, being hinged above the tube, E, so as to close the same when the
charger is removed therefrom. The charger shown in figures, 21, and, 22, is not
adapted to be removed from the sleeve, E¹¹, but is provided with a cap, R,
which closes the opening in the sleeve or tube, E1, when the charger is drawn
back. The charger, F, is provided with handles, S, so they can be readily
turned by the operator after they have been pushed into the combustion chamber,
and the rear end of said charger is supported by a prop, F, which relieves the
tube or sleeve of all strain while the charger is being filled with fuel. N¹, are peep
holes located in the upper portion of the casing, D, and are closed with mica or
other suitable material. W, arře poke holes located in the lower portion of the
casing, D4, said holes being closed on the inside of the casing by the pivoted
valves or doors, A 4, said valves being composed of a heavy casting having the side
next the casing perfectly straight so as to fit closely against the inside of the said
casing. These valves or doors are arranged to open inward toward the fire when
the poker is inserted, but will return again to their normal position and close the
openings W', when the poker is removed,

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is,
1. In a smoke consuming furnace for steam engines and other purposes, the fuel
supply chamber of which extends above the grate bars, said grate bars being
secured to or made part of the fuel chamber, whereby a ledge or cavity is formed
between the upper portion of the fuel chamber and the walls of the combustion
chamber for the reception of the live coals and ashes as set forth.
2. In a furnace of the character described the central fuel supply chamber of
which is located beneath the combustion chamber, said fuel chamber extending
above the grate bars of the furnace, in combination with the combustion chamber
extending beyond the grate bars as set forth.
3. A smoke consuming furnace for steam engines and other purposes, having a
fuel chamber, A, provided with a vertically movable bottom for supplying fuel from
below as described and an open grate extending around the upper portion of the
fuel chamber whereby the air is supplied to the fire, on all sides uniformly, as set
forth.
4. A furnace for steam engines and other purposes having the vertically moving
plunger for supplying fuel from the bottom, and the projections, D, near the top of the
fuel chamber in combination with the combustion chamber, C, having the adjustable
sleeve or cylinder, H, and the hearth or projection, F, whereby the requisite amount
of air to ensure a complete combustion of the smoke and gases is admitted to all
sides of the fires, as set forth.
5. In a smoke and gas consuming furnace for steam engines and other purposes,
the centrally located fuel chamber arranged below the combustion chamber
provided with a vertically movable bottom and a door, T, as described, whereby
a fresh supply of fuel can be placed on the movable bottom, as set forth.
6. In a furnace for steam engines and other purposes the central fuel chamber, A,
provided with an aperture or apertures to receive the fork or slide, W, as described
whereby the fuel and bed of live coals are supported in the upper part of the fuel
chamber, while the bottom or plunger is lowered to receive a fresh supply of fuel
as set forth.
7. In a furnace for steam engines and other purposes the movable bottom or
plunger, B, provided with the projections, P, extending " gh the walls of the
fuel chamber in combination with the ropes.
wheel, N, and pawl, O, whereby the fuel can
bed, as set forth.
_,, shaft, K, ratchet
adually fed upward to the fire
8. In a furnace for steam engines and other purposes, a fire pot or chamber
having a grate in its lower portion, and a grate projecting from near its top toward
the walls of the combustion chamber as and for the purpose set forth.
9. In a furnace for steam engines and other purposes, a fire chamber having its
sides solid or closed a grate in its lower end, and an annular grate substantially as
described surrounding its upper portion, as set forth.
10. In furnaces for steam engines and other purposes the method hereindescribed
of feeding the fuel to the same which consists in raising the live coals from the
center of the fire pot or chamber towards the walls of the combustion chamber,
feeding the fuel on to the center of the fire chamber and permitting it to settle
down into the same as described whereby the fresh fuel is surrounded by a body of
live coals as set forth.
11. In furnaces for steam engines and other purposes, a fire pot or chamber
having a grate projecting from near its top towards the walls of the combustion
chamber, and a movable grate adapted to be raised and lowered within said fire pot
or chamber, as set forth.
12. In furnaces of the character described, the movable grate, D11, adapted to be
raised and lowered in the fire pot, C, in combination with the friction block, L¹,
and lever, 1, whereby the grate is raised and lowered in the fire pot, as set forth.

page_text: 13. In furnaces for steam engines and other purposes having a vertically moving
bottom grate, the friction block, L', provided with the sliding weight, e, in
combination with the standard, E", and lever, I', whereby the direction of the
moving grate is changed as set forth.
14. In furnaces of the character described having a vertically moving bottom
grate, the standard, E", provided with the aperture, O", and the fire pot provided
with the lugs, f, f, in combination with the rod or tool, P¹¹, whereby both grates
can be oscillated to free the same from ashes as set forth.
15. In furnaces having a vertically moving bottom grate the standard or
support, E, in combination with the screw rod, N₁, whereby said standard and
grate is held at any desired point, as set forth.
16. In devices for feeding fuel to furnaces a trough or cylinder adapted to be
inserted through a valved opening in the furnace front and to be turned to deposit
the fuel, on the fire as set forth.
17. In devices for feeding fuel to furnaces a movable sleeve, El, fitted in the
furnace front, and a charger adapted to be inserted in said sleeve and turned to
deposit the fuel on the fire, as set forth.
18. In devices for feeding fuel to furnaces the sleeve or tube, E, provided with
the valves, G, and, H, in combination with the charger, Fill, as set forth.
19. In devices for feeding fuel, the sleeve, E11, mounted in the furnace front and
adapted to be moved as described, said sleeve being provided with a valve for
closing its inner end and a supplement valve, H, adapted to fit within the cavity
of the charger when the same has been freed of its charge of fuel, whereby the
external air is prevented from entering the furnace, as set forth.
20. In devices for feeding fuel to furnaces the charger F1, having its rear
portion closed or solid and adapted to fit snugly with the sleeve, Eu, in com-
bination with the bracket L¹¹, and friction roller, K, as set forth.
21. The weighted valve, A 4, constructed as described and adapted to close the
opening, W₁, in the furnace front when the poker is removed as set forth.
Dated this 18th day of May 1886.