Improvements in Steam Generators.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Generators.
1, HENRY WILCKE, of 70 Brainard Street, Tue Brook, Liverpool, in the County
of Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has reference to steam generators of the water-tube type, and
consists of certain improvements hereinafter described, by which the avoidance of
smoke in such steam generators is effected, a simple and strong construction of
generator afforded, and an efficiency of high degree obtained from the fuel with a
given weight of boilers and parts.
Under one part of this invention, the steam generator water vessels are disposed
at either side of the generator, and the tubes run at an inclined position between
one side chamber and another, while the products of combustion from the grate
which is below said tube, passes from one end of the generator in and amongst
tubes towards the opposite end in a direction practically parallel with the water
vessels, and transversely to the direction of length of the water tubes. In this
case, the furnace, which is arranged beneath said tubes, is so constructed and
disposed that the gases and flames coming off from the fires pass along in a
horizontal direction, and are delivered together in a body into the space amongst
such tubes, and then flow in amongst and round such tubes in a backward direction,
being discharged from the front of the generator into smoke boxes or uptakes.
At this part there is in some cases provided a plate or wall with apertures through
it, through which the gases pass from the boiler space proper to the uptake or
smoke box; and through these, the exterior of the tubes may be cleaned or brushed
with ease. To cause the gases or products of combustion to pass in a body from
the furnace, and to be distributed as described, the tubes are so arranged, or a
plate so provided between the rows of the tubes directly above the furnace, that
the gases from the fires have to pass to the back end of the furnaces, where an
opening is provided, through which the gases pass in a body up into the space
about and along the tubes; and here a chamber or space may be provided to
receive such gases by leaving out some of the water tubes at this point. Air may
also be admitted at this point to assist in the complete combustion of the gases.
The furnaces may be fired or stoked through a door at the front of the generator,
or at the sides, as may be found convenient. Above the water vessels (which in
most cases in this type of generator will be flat boxes stayed or made of sufficient
strength, or boxes having the outer plating of convex formation) a water and
steam drum is provided; and it communicates therewith by suitable conduits to
provide for the ascending currents of water and steam, and the descending currents
of water.
Steam generators of this type may be provided with two or more
furnaces, and may be provided or arranged back to back so as to constitute a
generator fired at both ends; or in other suitable arrangement or combination.
According to another arrangement of water tube steam generator having tubes
running between water vessels, the tubes and vessels are arranged in duplex
disposition, the tubes being at a steep inclination, one set of tubes and water
vessels being disposed on one side, and another set on the other side, the water
vessels at the top being close together, and those at the bottom spaced apart with

page_text: the fire-grate of furnace disposed between them. In this case, the gases of the
furnaces are delivered in a body, as in the former case, into and amongst the tubes
at one end of the steam generator, and pass along over and round them to the
opposite end, to smoke boxes; the direction and control of flow of the gases being
effected by a plate or partition being provided between or in connection with a
row or rows of tubes at each side nearest the fire. Further, in this case some of
the tubes, such as at the corners of the sets or nests of such tubes, can be
separated off from the rest by plates or the like, for the purpose of providing
conduits or tubes for the descension of water down through such tubes to the lower
water chambers, this action being caused by the shielding such tubes and preventing
them from being acted directly upon by the fire gases. In this case, suitable
steam and water drums are provided above the water vessel and smoke boxes;
and firing and smoke box doors, and arrangements would be provided, as in other
gases described; also suitable casings outside the generator will be provided where
necessary.
The improvements or features according to this invention specified with
reference to the different modifications or constructions of steam generators set
forth, may, one or more of them, be combined with or used in connection with
other steam generators, and applied and used in different combinations.
Dated this 7th day of March 1896.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15 Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.
Improvements in Steam Generators.
I, HENRY WILCKE, of 70 Brainard Street, Tue Brook, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Engineer, do bereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to he performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has reference to steam generators of the water-tube type, and
consists of certain improvements hereinafter described, by which the avoidance of
smoke in such steam generators is effected, a simple and strong construction of
generator afforded, and an efficiency of high degree obtained from the fuel with a
given weight of boilers and parts.
Under one part of this invention, the steam generator water vessels are disposed
at either side of the generator, and the tubes run at an inclined position between
one side chamber and another, while the products of combustion from the grate,
which is below said tubes, passes from one end of the generator in and amongst
the tubes towards the opposite end in a direction practically parallel with the
water vessels, and transversely to the direction of length of the water tubes. In
this case, the furnace, which is arranged beneath said tubes, is so constructed and
disposed that the gases and flames coming off from the fires pass along in a horizontal
direction, and are delivered together in a body into the space amongst the tubes,
and then flow in amongst and round such tubes in a backward direction, being
discharged from the front of the generator into smoke boxes or uptakes. At this
part there is, in some cases, provided a plate or wall with apertures through it,
through which the gases pass from the boiler space proper to the uptake or smoke
box, and through these, the exterior of the tubes may be cleaned or brushed with
ease. To cause the gases or products of combustion to pass in a body from the
furnace, and to be distributed as described, the tubes are so arranged, or a plate so

page_text: provided between the rows of the tubes directly above the furnace, that the gases
from the fires have to pass to the back end of the furnaces, where an opening
is provided, through which the gases pass in a body up into the space
about and along the tubes; and here a chamber or space may be provided to
receive such gases by leaving out some of the water tubes at this point. Air
may also be admitted at this point to assist in the complete combustion of the
gases. The furnaces may be fired or stoked through a door at the front of the
generator, or at the sides, as may be found convenient. Above the water vessels
(which in most cases in this type of generator will be flat boxes, stayed or made
of sufficient strength, or boxes having the outer plating of convex formation) a
water and steam drum is provided; and it communicates therewith by suitable
conduits to provide for the ascending currents of water and steam, and the descending
currents of water. Steam generators of this type may be provided with two or
more furnaces, and may be provided or arranged back to back, so as to constitute
a generator fired at both ends; or in other suitable arrangement or combination.
In the drawings, there is shewn a steam generator of the ordinary water-tube
type, as regards inclined tubes and headers, provided with my improvements; one
header being at one side or end of the boiler, and the other at the other
arrangement given is one wherein a battery of boilers are disposed side by side, in
multiple arrangement, such as would be suitable for marine purposes, or under like
conditions. In these drawings, Figure 1 is a cross sectional elevation of the
generator; Figure 2 is a full front elevation; Figure 3 is a longitu.linal section;
and Figure 4 a 'plan.
The
In this boiler, as shewn, the firing or stoking is done at the end at which the
front header stands, the firing doors being below; and the generators are placed
side by side, with their tubes running in a direction from the front to the back of
the boiler. The stoking hold or place would thus be in front of this header, and
the tubes, therefore, can be readily withdrawn or placed in position when
repairing. In some cases, another set of boilers could be arranged the reverse way
about to those shewn, and at the back of them, so providing a suitable back to back
arrangement.
Referring now to the drawings, a is the front header, 6 is the back header,
and e the water tubes, extending between and fastened in these headers. The
headers are of any suitable construction, and the tubes of any suitable
size. d is a water and steam drum connected with the front header a, in
the usual way, by pipes e. f are the firing doors in the front wall g of the
generators, there being two in the case shewn to each generator; and his
the grate, with its bars running from the front to the back. Between the
grate h and the lowermost tubes, the furnace space or furnace proper i, comes;
whilst at one side of the generator above the furnace there is a combustion chamber
or space k, which is surrounded on all sides, except the lower, by water tubes;
and is practically formed by the omission of the tubes at this part. Between this
combustion chamber and the opposite side of the generator, there is no connection
between the furnace and the tubes, that is, the furnace and the tube space directly
above it are separated, so that all the gases of combustion have to flow horizontally
or sidewise, in a body, substantially, from the furnace i, towards and into the
combustion chamber k, and thence back again in an opposite direction over and in
amongst the tubes e, ie. in a direction at right angles thereto; and from the tube
space they pass into the uptake or smoke-box Z. The separation between the
furnace space i, and the space amongst the tubes above, is effected in the example
given in the drawings, by a plate m, which is introduced between the lowermost
row of tubes and those above. The plate m is thus protected by these tubes, and
is prevented from becoming burned by the direct impact of the flames and heat of
combustion. Then at the corner, between the furnace space, and the combustion
chamber, fire-brick blocks m', are provided, they being arranged between and
carried by tubes, as shewn. This construction prevents any through current and
impingement of fire-gases over and upon the tubes directly above the furnace.

page_text: This separation of furnace from the tube space may be effected in other ways
than by the parts m m', as just described; as for instance, I may use oval or
flanged tubes arranged as in the hoilers, shewn in the Specification of my former
Patent No. 23489 of 1894 and 18620 of 1895 to effect this separation.
In the boiler shewn, the lowest row of tubes over the furnace i, and those
surrounding the combustion chamber è are shewn of larger diameter than the
others; this ensures the circulation in the tubes subjected to the greatest intensity
of heat, remaining unaffected by this heat, and being carried on in the required
manner.
Along the side of the generator, at which the gases pass from the tube space
into the smoke-box l, the plate n is provided. This plate has apertures n' in it,
the apertures at the lower part being of greater area, in a given area of plate,
than those at the upper part. By this means, the tendency of the gases to pass
into the uptake I at the upper part above, is prevented, and their flow and exit is
distributed equally over the full depth of tube space. Then above, at the top of
the generator, is a roof plate o, having above it an outer set of tubes p, which inay
be of comparatively large size, and serve as down-current or return How tubes,
from the header a to the header b. This plate has apertures o' in it, through
which the tubes c can be brushed; the apertures being normally closed by suitable
caps or louse doors.
In some cases, in addition to the distribution plate n, I may introduce another
plate with apertures in it, to distribute the gases more evenly from the
chamber k, over the tubes c.
In the arrangement shewn, a plate or plates pl separate the tubes of one
generator from those next it; and at the centre point below this there is a brick-
work tunnel or chamber g, with apertures q' in it, by which air is admitted to and
caused to mix with the flames and gases of combustion as they pass from the
furnace space i into the combustion chamber k, with the object and effect of
promoting more perfect combustion, and preventing the formation of smoke.
At the back of the header & of the generator, shewn in the drawings, there is
shewn a conduit r connected by pipes at different points along its length to the
header b, at the bottom. This conduit is connected with mud or sediment settling
vessels s, which are connected with the drum d, by pipes ss, and serve to convey
the water from d, back to the lower part of the lower header b; the connection
between the settling vessels z, and the conduit r, being by the pipes r', which, as
shewn in Figure 2, are connected with s at their upper parts. In these chambers s,
mud or sediment in the water can settle at the bottom; while the clear water flows
off from their upper parts by the pipes r, the deposited matter being removed from
the vessels & by mud-hole doors s³.
In action, the gases of combustion generated from the fuel on the grate, flow in
a body from one side of the furnace to the other, they being kept in a body, and
prevented from passing away directly amongst the tubes, by the means described.
In this form they pass up into the combustion chamber-k before they are distributed
over the water tubes c, the effect being that the combustion of the gases is
rendered more perfect, and smoke is not formed. Consequently, the deposit of
soot upon the tubes is proportionately diminished, or obviated, thus enhancing the
general efficiency and practicability of this kind of water tube stean generator. In
the particular arrangement shown in the drawings, some of the heat generated in
the furnace is absorbed by the water in the tubes directly over the furnace
below the plate m; but the action of this heat upon these tubes being a quiescent
one, as described, their circulation action is not interfered with, and they will not
become over-heated or burn. From the combustion chamber, the gases are
distributed as described, all in amongst the tubes, and flow over them, horizontally,
at right angles to the direction of their length, from the one side of the
generator, where they enter, to the other where they are discharged into the
uptake chamber.
It is to be stated that the invention is not, restricted to the particular form of

page_text: parts of the steam generator, as shewn, nor to the particular arrangement of
generators given in the drawings.
As a modification of steam generator, more particularly for use on land, a fire-
brick arch may be used above the furnace, and separating the furnace space
entirely from the tubes and water space above. In this case, the gases of com-
bustion would pass along the furnace to the combustion chamber at the side, where
they would first come in contact with the tubes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven--
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A water tube steam generator comprising a water vessel or header at each
end or side, and a nest or nests of water tubes extending laterally across it between
said vessels or headers, and a furnace or furnaces below said tube nest, wherein
the space between or around the tubes above the furnace is closed against the
direct ascent of the gases of combustion, and such gases of combustion are directed
and caused to pass laterally through the furnace space above the fuel, and then up
and over the tubes in an opposite direction laterally; substantially as and for
the purposes described.
2. A water tube steam generator comprising headers or water vessels a, b;.
water tubes c extending between same; a furnace i below said tubes separated
from the tube space above by the means described; and a combustion space or
chamber k in the tube nest; arranged and adapted to operate substantially as set
forth.
3. A water tube steam generator of the type herein above specified wherein a.
portion of the water tubes (ie. the lower tubes) are directly subjected to the heat
of the furnace below, and separated by means as described from the major portion
above same; substantially as set forth.
4. A water tube steam generator wherein the beating gases pass over the tubes
laterally, and having means as described at the side of the nest at which the gases
leave the tube space, by which the flow of such gases over the tubes is distributed;.
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
5. In a water tube steam generator of the type herein described, the
arrangement and construction of plates enclosing the nest of tubes by which the
tubes can be cleaned or swept from outside; substantially as herein set forth.
6. The herein described improvement in or connected with water tube steam
generators of the kind berein specified; as set forth with reference to and shewn.
in the drawings.
7. The water tube steam generator consisting of the parts arranged and.
combined particularly as shewn in and set forth with reference to the drawings.
Dated this 8th day of December 1896.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15 Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents..