IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM BOILERS, AND IN MEANS FOR REMOVING SEDIMENT AND IMPURITIES THEREFROM, AND IN THE METHOD OF INTRODUCING FEED WATER THERETO, PART OF SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING APPLICABLE TO SURFACE CONDENSERS
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Augustus Miller, of New York, United
States of America, but at present of 34, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM BOILERS, AND IN MEANS
FOR REMOVING SEDIMENT AND IMPURITIES THEREFROM, AND IN THE METHOD
OF INTRODUCING FEED WATER THERETO, PART OF SUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING
APPLICABLE TO SURFACE CONDENSERS."
Sealed the 18th September 1869, and dated the 9th April 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Joseph Augustus Miller
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 9th April 1869.
I, JOSEPH AUGUSTUS MILLER, of New York, United States of America,
but at present of 34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM BOILERS, AND IN
MEANS FOR REMOVING SEDIMENT AND IMPURITIES THEREPROM, AND IN THE METHOD
Di 917

page_text: sides held together by tubes, in a similar manner to those previously
described. In a boiler constructed according to this part of my Inven-
tion the hollow slabs do not form separate units, they only form the
heating surface of the boiler, or part thereof. In marine boilers a second
set of hollow slabs may be placed above the first, and the hot gases from
the furnace may be returned through them to the front of the boiler, or
plain tubes may be introduced as usual to act as return flues. I employ
the above-described hollow slabs in the construction of Cornish as well.
as locomotive boilers. The slabs are made hollow, in the same manner
as those previously described, and by reason of their form and great
strength they can be advantageously employed to form the crown sheets
as well as the flue portion of such boilers. In boilers constructed as last
described according to my Invention stays may be dispensed with for
securing any portion of the heating surface, the amount of water is also
much reduced without diminishing the water between the water lines
and the heating surface, thus diminishing the dead weight and increasing
the steam-producing capacity. In a boiler constructed according to
my Invention the combustion of the gases from the furnace and the
absorption of heat therefrom are more complete. The gases from the
furnace passing between, around, and through the hollow slabs are
caused to pass through a succession of short tubes into a number of
combustion chambers, into each of which a proper quantity of air is
readily introduced. These boilers may be readily inspected inside or
outside, and any repairs may be made with facility. Surface condensers
made on this principle are not liable to injury by the expansion and
contraction of the tubes or other parts of the surface, and the tubes may
be permanently fixed without danger from leakage.
In another arrangement of boiler constructed according to the third
part of my Invention the heating surface is formed of a cast-metal
dome-shaped fire-box having projecting ribs extending into the fire or
By
furnace chamber, and also into the water space within the boiler.
this means the heat-conducting power of metal is taken advantage of,
and the ribs projecting into the fire are protected from injury by
extending the ribs into the water within the boiler, and exposing a
The ribs within
larger surface of ribs to the water than to the fire.
the water are surrounded by a shield dividing the water between the
ribs from the main body of water, and by this means a rapid circulation
of the water is ensured, and the increased absorption of heat by the

page_text: water obtained.
Portable steam boilers constructed with these cast-
metal fire-boxes are simple and economical in construction.
According to the fourth part of my Invention I provide a receptacle
within a steam boiler into which the feed water is forced. I form the
receptacle of suitable dimensions, and provide it with a comparatively
small opening having a funnel-shaped enlargement at or near the low-
water line of the boiler, thereby preventing cold water from coming in
contact with heated surfaces, and allowing sufficient time for the
precipitation of the sediment and impurities. within the receptacle as
the water is evaporated. The sediment and impurities being retained
within the receptacle provided according to my Invention, incrustation
on the heating surface of a boiler is prevented. To remove the im-
purities and sediment from the receptacle I arrange a perforated pipe
at the bottom of the receptacle, such pipe passing to the exterior of
the boiler, and being closed by a tap or valve; by opening this valve the
sediment is forced from the receptacle into and through the perforated
pipe, and so out of the boiler without much loss of water.
In steam boilers where hot water is used for the feed water, according
to the fifth part of my Invention, I place a perforated pipe near the
bottom of the boiler, such pipe passing to the exterior of the boiler, and
being closed by a tap or valve. I connect to the perforated pipe any
required number of vertical pipes, such vertical pipes being provided
with funnel-shaped receptacles, which may be of various forms. The
impurities are collected by the receptacles from the water, and when the
valve is opened these impurities as well as the sediment near the lower
perforated pipe are forced out of the boiler. The same principle is
applicable to all forms of boilers with slight modifications in detail.
According to the sixth part of my Invention I divide the rear part or
parts of the water space of a boiler from the other portion or portions by
a partition or partitions. The feed water is introduced into one of the
chambers formed by a partition, and flows over the partition from such
chamber into the other chamber. Where more than one partition is
employed the water flows over partition after partition from one chamber
to another till it arrives at that part of the boiler where the heat from
the furnace is greatest. I also form locomotive boilers for working on
steep gradients with several partitions placed within them reaching to
the proper water line, and feed water is forced into the highest end of
the boiler, and allowed to overflow from one compartment into the

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Joseph Augustus Miller in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 25th September 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COMF, I, JOSEPH
AUGUSTUS MILLER, of New York, United States of America, but at
present of 34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lané, in the County of
Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Ninth day of April, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said Joseph Augustus Miller, Her special
licence that I, the said Joseph Augustus Miller, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Joseph Augustus
Miller, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM BOILERS, AND IN
MEANS FOR REMOVING SEDIMENT AND IMPURITIES THEREFROM, AND IN THE METHOD
OF INTRODUCING FEED WATER THERETO, PART OF BUCH IMPROVEMENTS BEING
APPLICABLE TO SURFACE CONDENSERS," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Joseph Augustus Miller, my executors or administrators,
by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands
and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Joseph Augustus Miller, do hereby
doolano the nature of the soid Invention and in what manner the game

page_text: is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement thereof, that is to say;-
My Invention relates to improvements in the construction of marine,
locomotive, or stationary or other steam boilers.
My Invention further relates to means for collecting and removing
sediment and impurities from boilers.
My Invention also further relates to an improved method of
introducing feed water into boilers.
My improvements are also partly applicable surface condensers.
One object of my Invention is to largely increase the heating surface
of steam boilers over and near the fire, so that a great evaporative
power may be attained in a boiler of comparatively small dimensions.
According to this part of my Invention I construct steam boilers
with a number of units or chambers in the form of hollow slabs having
flat sides and cylindrical tops and bottoms. The sides of these hollow
slabs are held together by tubes, either expanded into holes made in the
sides of the hollow slabs or secured in them by ferrules, or by welding
or otherwise, and the ends of these hollow slabs are closed by plates.
Any suitable number of these hollow slabs are set side by side, and
both the water and the steam space of each of such hollow slabs is
connected with the other. The frame and heat from the furnace is
caused to pass around and between the hollow slabs, as well as through
the short tubes connecting their flat sides; by these means a large
heating surface is obtained in a small space and combustion is more
Com-
complete, the gases from the furnace being continually mixed.
parative safety is also insured in a boiler constructed according to this
part of my Invention, by reason of the boiler being formed of a number
of units or chambers, each a complete boiler. The tubes connecting the
flat surfaces also act both as a heating surface and as stays, and will show
by leakage any deterioration before their strength is much impaired.
In another form of steam boiler constructed according to the second
part of my Invention I employ hollow slabs similarly formed to those
above described. In this case the hollow slabs are semicircular at the
bottom, but are open at the top and communicate with or form part of
the general water space of the boiler. I place the hollow slabs inside
the outer skin of a steam boiler, and I form these hollow slabs with
flat sides held together by tubes, in a similar manner to those previously

page_text: described. In a boiler constructed according to this part of my Invention
the hollow slabs do not form separate units, they only form the heating
surface of the boiler, or part thereof. In marine boilers a second set of
hollow slabs may be placed above the first, and the hot gases from the
furnace may be returned through them to the front of the boiler, or plain
tubes may be introduced as usual to act as return flues. I employ the
above-described hollow slabs in the construction of Cornish as well as
locomotive boilers. The slabs are made hollow, in the same manner
as those previously described, and by reason of their form and great
strength they can be advantageously employed to form the crown sheets
as well as the flue portions of such boilers. In boilers constructed
as last described according to my Invention stays may be dispensed
with for securing any portion of the heating surface, the amount of water
is also much reduced without diminishing the water between the water
lines and the heating surface, thus diminishing the dead weight and
increasing the steam-producing capacity. In a boiler constructed
according to my Invention the combustion of the gases from the furnace
and the absorption of heat therefrom are more complete; the gases
from the furnace passing between, around, and through the hollow
slabs are caused to pass through a succession of short tubes into a
number of combustion chambers, into each of which a proper quantity of
air is readily introduced. These boilers may be readily inspected inside
or outside, and any repairs may be made with facility. Surface
condensers made on this principle are not liable to injury by the
expansion and contraction of the tubes or other parts of the surface,
and the tubes may be permanently fixed without danger from leakage.
In another arrangement of boiler constructed according to the third
part of my Invention the heating surface is formed of a cast-metal dome-
shaped fire-box having projecting ribs extending into the fire or furnace
chamber, and also into the water space within the boiler. By this
means the heat-conducting power of metal is taken advantage of and
the ribs projecting into the fire are protected from injury by extending
the ribs into the water within the boiler, and exposing a larger surface
of ribs to the water than to the fire. The ribs within the water are
surrounded by a shield dividing the water between the ribs from the
main body of water, and by this means a rapid circulation of the water
is ensured, and the increased absorption of heat by the water obtained.

page_text: Portable steam boilers constructed with these cast-metal fire-boxes
are simple and economical in construction.
According to the fourth part of my Invention I provide a receptacle
within a steam boiler into which the feed water is forced. I form the
receptacle of suitable dimensions, and provide it with a comparatively
opening having a funnel-shaped enlargement at or near the low-water line
of the boiler, thereby preventing cold water from coming into contact
with heated surfaces, and allowing sufficient time for the precipitation
of the sediment and impurities within the receptacle as the water is
evaporated. The sediment and impurities being retained within the
receptacle provided according to my Invention, incrustation on the
heating surface of a boiler is prevented. To remove the impurities and
sediment from the receptacle I arrange a perforated pipe at the bottom
of the receptacle, such pipe passing to the exterior of the boiler and
being closed by a tap or valve; by opening this valve the sediment is
forced from the receptacle into and through the perforated pipe and so
out of the boiler without much loss of water.
In steam boilers where hot water is used for the feed water, according
to the fifth part of my Invention, I place a perforated pipe near the
bottom of the boiler, such pipe passing to the exterior of the boiler and
being closed by a tap or valve. I connect to the perforated pipe any
required number of vertical pipes, such vertical pipes being provided
with funnel-shaped receptacles, which may be of various forms. The
impurities are collected by the receptacles from the water, and when the
valve is opened these impurities as well as the sediment near the lower
perforated pipe are forced out of the boiler. The same prinoiple is
applicable to all forms of boilers with slight modifications in detail.
According to the sixth part of my Invention I divide the rear part or
parts of the water space of a boiler from the other portion or portions by
a partition or partitions. The feed water is introduced into one of the
chambers formed by a partition, and flows over the partition from
such chamber into the other chamber. Where more than one partition
is employed the water flows over partition after partition from one
chamber to another till it arrives at that part of the boiler where the
heat from the furnace is greatest. I also form locomotive boilers for
working on steep gradients with several partitions placed within them
reaching to the proper water line, and feed water is forced into the

page_text: into the other; by these means all parts of the heating surface have a
proper supply of water, no matter what the gradient of the road.
And in order that my Invention may be most fully understood and
readily carried into practice I will proceed to describe the Drawings
hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shows a transverse section, Figure 2 a longitudinal section,
and Figure 3 a front view of a steam boiler constructed and arranged
according to the first part of my Invention with a series of units or
chambers in a form of hollow slabs a, a, having flat sides and cylindrical
tops and bottoms.
Figure 4 shows a transverse section, Figure 5 a longitudinal section,
and Figure 6 an end view of a boiler similarly constructed according
to the first part of my Invention with separate units or chambers a, a.
In Figures 1, 2, and 3 the chamber a, a, are arranged longitudinally
of the flues, and in Figures 4, 5, and 6 the chambers a, a, are arranged
transversely of the flues. The parts which correspond in Figures 4, 5,
and 6 with similarly in Figure 1, 2, and 3 are marked with similar letters
of reference.
At Figure 7 is shown a vertical section, and Figure 8 a horizontal
section on an enlarged scale of two of the chambers or hollow slabs a, a,
The sides of these hollow slabs a, a, are held together by tubes b, b, as
previously described, and these hollow slabs are set side by side as
shewn in Figures 1 to 6, and the steam space of each of such hollow slabs
is connected with the other by means of pipes c, c, which also com-
municate with the steam chest d. The flame and heat from the
furnace e is caused to pass around and between the hollow slabs as well
as through the short tubes b, b, connecting their flat sides. Water is
supplied to the chambers a, a, through the pipes a' a', and at Figure 2
the feed water is shown to be introduced to the pipe a' through a
feeding chamber a² formed as a hollow slab a, similar to the hollow
slabs a, a, previously described. The heated products of combustion
passing to the chimney are caused to pass through the tubes connecting
the sides of the hollow slab a³, which thus acts as a fuel economizer,
by means of which the feed water is heated before passing into the boiler.

page_text: According to this part of my Invention the water may be so fed into
two or more of the hollow slabs a farthest from the furnace as to
convert such hollow slabs into "economizers" or water heaters for the
remainder of the boiler. I feed the water into the lower part of one of
such slabs and conduct it from the upper part of such slab by a suitable
pipe to the lower part of the next slab, and so on from the upper part
of one hollow slab to the lower part of the next hollow slab nearer to
In order to withdraw the sediment from the hollow
slabs a, a, perforated pipes f are arranged at the lower parts of the slabs,
and these pipes are connected with the pipe f¹, by means of which the
sediment can be withdrawn when necessary. I provide proper openings
and doors g, g, by which access can be obtained in order to cleanse the
flues or effect repairs, and I also so arrange doors h, h, that for the same
purposes access may be obtained to the tubes b, b.
the furnace.
Figure 9 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale of hollow slabs or
units a, a, formed in accordance with this part of my Invention. In
these slabs an enlarged part a³ is formed,so that when the slabs are placed
side by side an upper and lower flue is formed, through which the pro-
ducts of combustion can be caused to circulate, as shown by the arrow.
Figure 10 shows a longitudinal section, and Figure 11 a transverse
section of a marine boiler constructed and arranged according to the
second part of
my Invention; and Figure 12 shows a longitudinal section
on an enlarged scale of two of the hollow slabs a. In a boiler con-
structed according to this part of my Invention the hollow slabs a are
semicircular at the bottom, but are open at the top, and communicate
with or form part of the general water space of the boiler. The hollow
slabs a are placed inside the outer skin of the boiler, and formed with
flat sides held together by tubes b, b, in a similar manner to those
previously described. In a boiler constructed according to this part of
my Invention the hollow slabs a, a, do not form separate units, they only
form the heating surface of the boiler or part thereof. In marine boilers
a second set of hollow slabs may be placed above the first set, and the
hot gases from the furnace may be returned through them to the front
of the boiler.
At Figure 13 is shown a vertical section of two hollow slabs a, a,
forming part of the return flue of a boiler, such as is shown in
section at Figure 14. It will be understood that the hollow slabs a, a,
may be arranged either transversely to the flues, as shown, or longi-

page_text: tudinally thereof. According to this part of my Invention I employ the
hollow slals above described in the construction of Cornish as well as of
locomotive boilers. The slabs are made hollow in the same manner as
those previously described, and by reason of their form and great strength
I employ them to form the crown sheets as well as the flue portions
of such boilers. When constructing surface condensers according to
my Invention with hollow slabs perforated by tubes, as herein-before
described, such slabs may be combined together as separate units, as
herein-before described in reference to the first part of my Invention, or
they may be made to communicate with the general vacuum or water
space of the condenser, as herein-before described in reference to the
second part of my Invention. The hollow slabs may be so combined and
arranged that the steam is condensed in the interior of the slabs, while
the water for cooling the condenser circulates in the exterior of the slabs,
or vice versa. I have not thought it necessary to illustrate this part of
my Invention by Drawings as any competent engineer, aided by
the Drawings and description of boilers constructed according to my
Invention herein-before given, will readily adapt the hollow slabs a, a,
so as to form a surface condenser in accordance with my Invention.
Figure 15 shows a vertical section, and Figure 16 a horizontal section
of a boiler constructed according to the third part of my Invention. The
heating surface is formed of a cast-metal dome-shaped fire-box i, a hori-
zontal section of part of which is shown on an enlarged scale at Figure 17.
This dome-shaped fire-box is cast with projecting ribs extending into
the fire or furnace chamber, and also with projecting ribs extending
into the water space within the boiler; by this means the heat-conducting
power of metal is taken advantage of, and the ribs 'projecting into the
fire are protected from injury by extending the ribs into the water
within the boiler and presenting a larger surface of ribs to the water
than to the fire. The ribs within the water are surrounded by a
shield dividing the water between the ribs from the main body of
water, and by this means ensuring a rapid circulation of the water in
the direction of the arrows and increasing the absorption of heat by the
water.
Figure 18 shows a transverse section, and Figure 19 a longitudinal
section of a boiler provided with a receptacle for feed water arranged and
constructed according to the fourth part of my Invention; and Figure 20
shows a transverse section of another form of boiler also provided with

page_text: a similar receptacle for the feed water. Figure 21 shows a section of
part of a vertical tubular boiler also provided with a receptacle for the
feed water below the circulating shield according to this part of my
Invention. The feed water is forced into a receptacle provided with
a comparatively small opening or openings having a funnel-shaped
enlargement (of which there may be several) at or near the low-water
line of the boiler. By forcing the feed water into the receptacle 7 and
allowing it to flow out through the funnel-shaped enlargement & cold
water is prevented from coming in contact with heated surfaces, and
sufficient time is allowed for the precipitation of the sediment and
impurities within the receptacle. In order to remove the impurities
and sediment from the receptacle I arrange a perforated pipe m at the
bottom of the receptacle, the pipe m passing to the exterior of the boiler,
and being closed by a tap or valve. By opening this valve the sediment
is forced from the receptacle / into and through the perforated pipe, and
so out of the boiler.
Figure 22 shows a transverse section, and Figure 23 a longitudinal
section of a boiler provided with a perforated pipe and funnel-shaped
receptacles constructed and arranged according to the fifth part of my
Invention. Figure 24 shows a transverse section of part of a vertical
tubular boiler provided with an internal circulating tube combined
with a perforated pipe and funnel-shaped receptacles. According to this
part of my Invention n is a perforated pipe connected with funnel-shaped
receptacles n'. This arrangement is applicable when hot water is used
for feeding the boiler. The impurities are collected from the water by
the receptacles n', and when the valve n is opened these impurities as
well as the sediment near the lower perforated are forced out of the
boiler.
Figure 25 shows a longitudinal section, and Figure 26 a transverse
section of a locomotive boiler constructed and arranged according to the
sixth part of my Invention. The boiler is provided with partitions o
reaching to the proper water line, and feed water is forced into the
highest end of the boiler and allowed to flow from one compartment
into the other; by these means all parts of the heating surface have a
proper supply of water, no matter what the gradient of the road.
The boiler shown at Figures 25 and 26 is formed with hollow slabs
a, a, similar to those before described, but I do not confine myself to
this construction of boiler, as partitions can be formed according to this

page_text: part of my Invention in boilers constructed without the hollow slabs a.
When constructing a stationary boiler with partitions according to this
part of my Invention I feed the water into that part of the boiler which
is least exposed to the heat of the furnace, and allow the water to flow
over or through partition after partition until the water arrives at that
part of the boiler where the heat from the furnace is greatest.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner
in which the same is performed or carried into practice, I would have it
understood that I do not confine myself to the particular form and
arrangement of the several boilers herein-before described, so long as the
particular features of any part of my Invention be retained; but what
I claim is,
First. The construction and arrangement of steam boilers in a number
of units or chambers in the form of hollow slabs, substantially as herein-
before described in reference to the first part of my Invention, and shewn
in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Secondly. I claim the construction and arrangement of steam boilers
with hollow slabs communicating with the water spaces of the boiler,
substantially as herein-before described in reference to the second part
my Invention, and shewn in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
of
Thirdly. I claim the forming of condensers from a series of hollow
slabs with tubular perforations, substantially as herein-before described
in reference to the first and second parts of my Invention.
Fourthly. I claim forming the heating surface of a cast-metal dome-
shaped fire-box of a boiler with projecting ribs extending into the fire
or furnace chamber and into the water space within the boiler.
I also claim surrounding a metal fire-box formed with projecting ribs
with a shield to promote the circulation of the water, substantially as
herein-before described in reference to the third part of my Invention.
and shewn in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Fifthly. I claim the forcing of the feed water for a boiler into a
receptacle provided with funnel-shaped openings and withdrawing the
sediment from such receptacle by means of a pipe, substantially as
herein-before described in reference to the fourth part of my Invention,
and shewn in the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Sixthly. When a boiler is fed with hot water I claim the collecting
and withdrawing the sediment therefrom by means of a perforated pipe

page_text: and vertical pipes with funnel-shaped receptacles, substantially as herein-
before described in reference to the fifth part of my Invention.
Lastly. I claim dividing the water space of a boiler with a partition or
partitions, substantially as and for the purposes herein-before described in
reference to the sixth part of my Invention, and shewn in the Drawings
hereunto annexed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Augustus Miller, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-seventh day of
August, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
sixty-nine
Witness,
J. G. TONGUE,
Patent Agent,
JOSEPH A. MILLER. (L.S.)
34, Southampton Buildings,
Chancery Lane, W.C.