CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF FEEDING AND SMOKE CONSUMING FURNACES, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO DOMESTIC PURPOSES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Lichfield Watton Sutcliffe, of Birmingham, in the
County of Warwick, Japanner, for an Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN SELF FEEDING AND SMOKE CONSUMING FURNACES, PARTS OF WHICH ARE
APPLICABLE TO DOMESTIC PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Lichfield Watton Sutcliffe
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 20th January 1881.
LICHFIELD WATTON SUTCLIFFE, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Japanner. "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF FEEDING AND SMOKE CONSUMING
FURNACES, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO DOMESTIC PURPOSES."
The improvements forming the subject of this my said Invention consists
principally in the construction, combination, or arrangement of parts hereinafter
described for ensuring a perfect combustion of the gases generated therein.
I will describe my Invention thus:-The furnace consists of a stand for holding
two sets of fire bars, hopper, two brick bridges, two or more ventilators for supplying
through each either hot or cold air.
The fire bars are arranged upon an inclined frame, the highest part finding a
bearing upon a movable bar, so that any excess of heat under the boiler or furnace
can be instantly checked by withdrawing the said bar, and the fire bars falling
cleanliness is produced, the ashes being separated from the coal not consumed, each
being capable of removal without intermixture with the other.
The hopper is a regulator for and container of the fuel, the back part of which
has two movable flaps that can be drawn closer or opened by means of two screwed
pins and wheel or other suitable means; this regulates the fuel firstly, and secondly,
it is again regulated by the brick arches afterwards described. When not in work
it can be closed by the pins before mentioned or by ashes, or one half the hopper
can be employed with one set of fire bars if requisite to the purpose.
The bridges are fixed at a required distance from front of hopper with a depth in
the perpendicular line from the front of each arched bridge to the top of the bars
varying slightly as to the amount of heat required and extending backwards.
D
077

page_text: The hot air chambers or smoke consumers are fitted immediately under the lower
part of each frame with fire bars, and consist of square, oblong, or other suitable
box or boxes connecting into pipes or channels passing backwards to the front of
iron stand, rising, and then passing direct into cold air flues or channels at the front
and upon each side and come in contact with the flames, the whole being closed by
suitable doors, through which cold air is allowed to pass when so required.
For domestic purposes this is a modification of the above described, and consists
of a small hopper with bars in the front and a divided sliding top for the admission
of slack or small coal; in the front is a series of bars that keep the slack from coming
in contact with the ordinary fire. The said front bars are movable to admit of the
hopper being cleaned every morning, and the fire being lighted communicates its
heat through the bars to the slack, which soon becomes a bright red glow; the
hopper requires filling up twice a day, and the ordinary fire can be made up as
usual. By this means all fine slack or ashes can be utilized as a fuel, and a
considerable saving is effected and a much greater heat obtained. The front fire
can go entirely out and be relighted by the back fire, which will last for many hours
if the regulating lid on top of hopper be closed.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Lichfield Watton Sutcliffe in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
19th July 1881.
LICHFIELD WATTON SUTCLIFFE, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Japanner. "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN SELF FEEDING AND SMOKE CONSUMING
FURNACES, PARTS OF WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO DOMESTIC PURPOSES."
The improvements forming the subject of this my said Invention consist
principally in the construction, combination, or arrangement of parts herein
described for ensuring a perfect combustion of the gases generated therein, and for
the use of fuel with its own gravitation property as the chief motive power of
supply, and thus freeing it from extraneous mechanical aid, and requiring little
attention on the part of stokers or stoking.
I will describe my Invention thus:-The furnace consists of an iron stand for
holding two inclined sets of fire bars, two dead plates, a hopper, and two brick
bridges, two or more ventilators or heaters for supplying through each either hot
or cold air, said hot air being raised by the arrangement of heated air passages or
pipes through which the air is caused to pass a sufficient distance until it meets the
flames at a high temperature when the combustion takes place, and the hydro-
carbons being decomposed, thus the smoke is destroyed, and increased heat given
in place thereof.
The fire bars are arranged upon an inclined frame or stand as before mentioned,
the highest part finding a bearing upon a movable bar, so that any excess of heat
under the boiler furnace, &c., can be instantly checked or totally stopped by with-
drawing the said bar, whereby the said fire bars fall; above this are small oblong
apertures with closing parts, that upon easy removal allow of the fire being stirred
without allowing any cold air to enter; by this means, combined with the arrange-
ment of the bars, all clinkers are removed, stoking is permitted without any cold
air entering to decrease the temperature of said furnace or furnaces, cleanliness and
economy are produced (by arrangement herein after more fully described), apart
from the coal unconsumed.
The hopper is a regulator for and container of the fuel, the back part of which
has two movable flaps that can be drawn closer, opened, or closed by means of
two screwed pins, chain, and movable lever or other suitable means; this regulates
the fuel firstly, and secondly, it is again regulated by the size of the brick arches
(afterwards described) when not in work; either can cease working by the
arrangement before mentioned, or securely closed from any admission of cold air by
fine ashes, or one half the hopper or apparatus can be employed irrespective of the
other when requisite for the purpose or heat required.
The bridges are fixed at a required distance from front of hopper with a depth
in the perpendicular line from the front of each arched bridge to the top of the
inclined fire bars, varying slightly as to the amount of heat required, and extending
backwards any distance required.
The hot air chambers or smoke consumers are fitted immediately under the
lower part of each frame with fire bars over or in front thereof, and consist of
square, oblong, or other suitable box or boxes, connecting into pipes or channels
passing backwards and sideways under the heated bed parts of the said furnace of
sufficient distance for a desired heat to be acquired, returning on either side
towards the front a required distance, entering into direct cold air flues or channels
close to the fire, and come in contact with the flames at a high temperature, whereby
the combustion takes place; thus are the hydro carbons decomposed, and the smoke
nuisance destroyed; the whole of said air chambers or channels being closed by

page_text: hopper; Z, front wall of furnace; A', fire; B', front of grate for domestic
purposes; C¹, back hopper for same; D¹, D', sliding covers to hopper; E¹, sloping
floor to hopper; F', grate in front of hopper; G', small coal in hopper, cold;
H¹, same, alight; I', front fire; J', chimney; K', mantle shelf.
Having thus described the nature of this my said Invention and the manner in
which the same is or may be performed, I would have it understood that I do not
confine myself to the precise details of construction and arrangement herein shewn,
neither do I claim any part of this Invention separately considered, but what I
claim as my Invention for "Certain Improvements in Self Feeding and Smoke
Consuming Furnaces, Parts of which are Applicable to Domestic Purposes," and
consider new is,―
Firstly. The arrangement and combination of the several mechanical parts and
appliances forming the self feeding apparatus for furnaces by which the fuel is
supplied at the proper point for combustion by the action of gravitation alone, as
herein described and illustrated.
Secondly. The arrangement, position, and combination of the several flues and
their fittings, by which warm, hot, or cold air may be supplied to the furnace at
the point necessary for the purpose of ensuring the more perfect combustion of the
smoke and gases, as herein described and shewn in Drawings.
Thirdly. The arrangement and combination of the -hoppers, sliding covers, and
bars for use in domestic grates and fire places, substantially as hereinbefore described
and illustrated, or any mere modification.
In witness whereof, I, the said Lichfield Watton Sutcliffe, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Sixteenth day of July, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
LICHFIELD WATTON SUTCLIFFE. (L.S.)
Witness,
THOMAS KENDRICK.