Improvements in Apparatus applicable to Steam Boiler and other Furnaces for Consuming Smoke and Economizing Fuel.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus applicable to Steam Boiler and other
Furnaces for Consuming Smoke and Economizing Fuel.
I, FRED PRIESTLEY, of Fair View, Britannia, Bacup, in the County of Lancaster,
Commission Agent, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention, to be as
follows:-
:-
My invention consists in the combination and arrangement of mechanism or
apparatus namely There are one or more plates on the brick-work forming the
fire bridge of the furnace, these plates if made in two, have each a spout which
descends from the plate and extends so as to project in front of the bridge below
the grate bars. The openings to these spouts are in a vertical plane, and there
is a shaft carried in suitable bearings upon the spouts and extending between
them, and to this shaft a door is connected for each spout, which doors will close
the inlet to the spouts when the shaft to which the doors are secured is in
one position but when the shaft is oscillated as hereinafter described, the doors
are opened and air can enter the spouts from the ash-pit under the fire bars.
The spouts each terminate in the said plate or plates on the fire bridge. Above
the plate or plates there are a series of separate chambers or ovens and these
chambers or ovens come close together on the plate or plates at their lower parts
but above there is a space between the chambers, the upper parts of each of
which, forms a spout opening towards the flue away from the fire bridge.
The spaces in that part of the chambers or ovens, the lower parts of which
come close together, form a cavity to which the air can enter from the said valved
spouts from the ash-pit and from this cavity the air passes to each separate
chamber or oven.
The heat and heated air or gases from the furnace by this arrangement passes
in contact with the chambers or ovens both in front and above and between
them, so that as these chambers or ovens thus get fully heated, they heat the air
passing through them, and this fully heated air mixes with, and coming in
contact with the flames through the cavities and over the bridge from the furnace
ignites and consumes the smoke passing the fire bridge effectually.
Air is only admitted to the valve spouts from the ash-pit when fresh fuel is
thrown on, or the fuel in the furnace is stirred, and the air valves (though they
may be worked by hand) are actuated by preference automatically by opening and
closing the furnace door.
There is a projection or other connection with the door that acts through arms
and a shaft when the furnace door is opened to oscillate the shaft and by an
arm from it to act upon a rod connected with an arm on the shaft to which the
valved spouts are secured to open them and admit air, and when the furnace door
is shut, other apparatus such as an oscillating double trough having a valve
midway between the two troughs (or two compartments of one trough) which
valve will open wide when moved by opening the furnace door, but when shut
the furnace door will act to oscillate the double trough so far, that the said valve

page_text: in it will shut, but there will be a small hole to allow the shot, mercury or other
material to slowly pass from one trough to the other, and in doing so gradually
act to move and close the valve spouts to shut off the air passing to the chambers
or ovens, and thus prevent the passage of unnecessary air to spoil the draught and
reduce the heat of the furnace.
The valve in the double trough opens wide to allow the shot or other suitable
material to pass quickly from one trough to the other when the furnace door
is opened.
The details and arrangements may be varied, and other automatic arrangements
may be used for shutting off the admission of air after supplying fuel or after
stirring the fuel in the furnace, such as hydrostatic or clockwork arrangements.
Dated this Eleventh day of August 1898.
PETER J. LIVSEY,
Agent.
Improvements in Apparatus applicable to Steam Boiler and other
Furnaces for Consuming Smoke and Economizing Fuel.
I, FRED PRIESTLEY, of Fair View, Britannia, Bacup, in the County of Lancaster,
Commission Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:―
My invention consists in the combination and arrangement of mechanism or
apparatus namely There are one or more plates on the brick-work forming the
fire bridge of the furnace, these plates if made in two, have each a spout which
descends from the plate and extends so as to project in front of the bridge below
the grate bars. The openings to these spouts are in a vertical plane, and there
is a shaft carried in suitable bearings upon the spouts and extending between
them, and to this shaft a door is connected for each spout, which doors will close
the inlet to the spouts when the shaft to which the doors are secured is in
one position but when the shaft is oscillated as hereinafter described, the doors
are opened and air can enter the spouts from the ash-pit 'under the fire bars.
The spouts each terminate in the said plate or plates on the fire bridge. Above
the plate or plates there are a series of separate chambers or ovens and these
chambers or ovens come close together on the plate or plates at their lower parts
but above there is a space between the chambers, the upper parts of each of
which forms a spout opening towards the flue away from the fire bridge.
The spaces in that part of the chambers or ovens, the lower parts of which
come close together, form a-cavity to which the air can enter from the said valved
spouts from the ash-pit and from this cavity the air passes to each separate
chamber or oven.
The heat and heated air or gases from the furnace by this arrangement passes
in contact with the chambers or ovens both in front and above and between
them, so that as these chambers or ovens thus get fully heated, they heat the air
passing through them, and this fully heated air mixes with, and coming in
contact with the flames through the cavities and over the bridge from the furnace
ignites and consumes the smoke passing-the fire bridge effectually.
Air is only admitted to the valve spouts from the ash-pit when fresh fuel is
thrown on, or the fuel in the furnace is stirred, and the air valves (though they
may be worked by hand) are actuated by preference automatically by opening and
closing the furnace door.

page_text: There is a projection or other connection with the door that acts through arms
and a shaft when the furnace door is opened to oscillate the shaft and by an
arm from it to act upon a rod connected with an arm on the shaft to which the
valved spouts are secured to open them and admit air, and when the furnace door
is shut, other apparatus such as an oscillating double trough having a valve
midway between the two troughs (or two compartments of one trough) which
valve will open wide when moved by opening the furnace door, but when shut
the furnace door will act to oscillate the double trough so far, that the said valve
in it will shut, but there will be a small hole to allow the shot, mercury or other
material to slowly pass from one trough to the other, and in doing so gradually
act to move and close the valve spouts to shut off the air passing to the chambers
or ovens, and thus prevent the passage of unnecessary air to spoil the draught and
reduce the heat of the furnace.
The valve in the double trough opens wide to allow the shot or other suitable
material to pass quickly from one trough to the other when the furnace door
is opened.
The details and arrangements may be varied and other automatic arrangements
may be used for shutting off the admission of air after supplying fuel or after
stirring the fuel in the furnace, such as hydraulic or clockwork arrangements.
Fig. 1, is a front elevation of a furnace flue showing the fire bridge with a
chambered plate upon it having an opening in front to the ash pit controlled by,
a valve and above the chambered plate a series of hollow chambers or ovens
communicating with the chambered plate, each heating chamber or oven having
an outlet to the flue in a direction from the furnace.
Fig. 2, is a longitudinal elevation in section of the parts shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3, is a side elevation of one of the heating chambers or ovens detached.
Fig. 4, is an elevation corresponding to Fig. 1 of a modification to be used
when there is a space left between the inner ends of the furnace bars and the
fire bridge into which space the clinkers or ashes are discharged by the moving
furnace bars.
Fig. 5, is a longitudinal elevation in section of the parts shown in Fig. 4,
the section being across the chambered plate and through one arm from it on
one side.
Fig. 6, is a plan view detached of the chambered plate and side arms from it
connected with a cross bearer for carrying the inner ends of the furnace bars.
Fig. 7, is a front elevation of part of the furnace end of a boiler having two
furnace flues in which two modifications are shown (one on the right, the other
on the left) for automatically opening and closing the valve for admitting air to
and shutting it off from the heating chambers or ovens.
Fig. 8, is a plan view of the mechanism shown on the right hand side of
Fig. 7.
Fig. 9, is a sectional elevation of the oscillator detached, shown on the right
side of Fig. 7, the section in this figure being through the flap valve, and the
section of the oscillator shown in Fig. 7, being through the plug controlling the
passage of the fluid or material from one end of the oscillator to the other.
Fig. 10 is a cross sectional elevation of Fig. 9, at the partition between the two
ends of the oscillator.
Fig. 11 is a plan view of the mechanism shown on the left hand side of Fig. 7.
The fire bridge may have a plate upon it with spouts, the open ends of which
come into the ash pit, and these spouts may each have flap or other valves, the
spouts extending to a hole in the plate which communicates with the chambers of
the heating ovens, or the arrangements shown by Figs. 1, 2 and 3 may be
used..
, is the brickwork of the fire bridge and b, is a chambered plate bedded upon
the brickwork, the front side of the chambered plate b, having a slot or passage 62,
in its lengthway which is formed with a series of grid openings which can be
covered or uncovered by a sliding grid valve e, having corresponding openings d¹

page_text: and spaces between them, these spaces cover the openings in the outlets from the
passage, when the valve e, is shut and uncover them when it is open.
to
There is a groove in the plate b, for the upper edge of the grid valve plate c,
slide into and its lower edge rests on two rollers e, one at each end, the rollers roll
upon the upper surface of a projection 63, from the plate 6, and the rollers are
each kept in position by a recess ³, formed in the inner face of the grid plate c.
There is a projection e, from the middle part of the lower edge of the grid
plate c, which comes inside an up turned hook projection 6, from the plate b.
The grid plate c, is or may be put into its working position by sliding it endways
to one side until the projection ct, from it can enter behind the up turned hook
projection 64.
In ordinary working to open and close the valve, the projection c*, on the valve
plate c, never gets clear of the up turned hook projection 6+, but it can be released
by moving it sufficiently to the left hand when it is to be removed.
In the front of the chambered plate b, there is a hole that forms the bearing
for the inner end of a shaft d, (see Fig. 1) extending from end to end of the
furnace in the ash pit, the outer end being in a bearing at the front end of the
furnace or boiler.
The inner end of this shaft d, has an arm d¹, fixed upon it which has a pin ²,
projecting from its end at one side which enters a slot or between parallel ribs 5,
on the front of the valve plate grid c.
By oscillating the shaft d, the grid valve c, is opened or closed.
There is a ledge b, along the front of the chambered plate b, to carry the inner
ends of the fire bars, as shown in Fig. 2.
The chambered plate b, has an opening 66, in its upper side extending in its
lengthway and there are ledges or ribs and 68, on its upper side to retain the
heating ovens or chambers e, in position as shown best in Fig. 2, each chamber e,
having notches e', (see Fig. 3) in the sides to pass on to the ribs b and 8.
The lower parts of the chambers e, come close against each other as shown in
Fig. 1, and may be kept in this position by wedges e, between the sides of the flue
and the lower part of the two chambers e, nearest the sides of the flue.
Each chamber e, has an outlet c', towards the flue on that side furthest away
from the furnace, and there is a space left between each heating chamber or oven
as shown in Fig. 1, for the products of combustion to pass through so that though
the area for the draught to the chimney above the fire bridge is diminished by
the ovens or chambers e, the area left between them for the products to pass, com-
pensates for this, so that the ordinary area for draught and the products of com-
bustion is not less than ordinary, the heated products by passing between the
chambers as well as in the front and top of them adds considerable heat to the air
passing through them which more readily combines with and consumes the
unburnt gases.
The Figs. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the application of my invention to those furnaces
having moving furnace bars that discharge clinkers and ashes over their inner
ends into a space left between their ends and the fire bridge.
In this case it is preferred to convey the air from the ash pit to the chambered
plate b, by two hollow side arms 69, one on each side coming close to the side
of the furnace. The upper surfaces of these hollow arms 69, are inclined from
the sides of the flue inwards so that clinkers and ashes coming upon them will
readily slide down into the space left for them.
These hollow arms 62, may also carry the cross bearer 6ª, for the inner ends of
the moving bars, the chambered plate b, hollow arms b, and cross bearer 6ª, are
or may be formed in one casting as shown.
2
The ash pit end of each hollow arm 69, has a disc valve c, fitted to it having say
three openings c, which correspond with openings on the ends of the hollow
arms 69, so that by oscillating these discs the spaces between their openings will
cover and uncover the openings in the ends of the hollow arms and thus open and
close the valves.
:

page_text: The disc valve on one side oscillates on a centre screw as an axis, and the disc
valve on the other side is fixed upon a shaft d, having its inner end in a hole in
the end of the arm 69, the shaft d, extending in the lengthway of the furnace (as
described in reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3) and being carried in a bearing at the
front end of the furnace. The two disc valves c, are connected by a rod c, jointed
to a projection from each disc c, by a pin so that both are oscillated together.
In these furnaces, the space for clinkers and ashes is separated from the ash pit
to prevent air from passing by a door.
The door f, in this case is hinged to the front edge of the cross bearer b",
and shuts close against a marginal projection bb, from the front end of the hollow
arms 69.
The door f, opened by a rod or chain f¹, jointed to it on one side and coming
to the front of the furnace, and it is held open when the clinkers and ashes are to
be raked out of the space left for them, and is then closed in the ordinary working
to exclude air.
Flap or other suitable valves may be used in place of those shown in the
drawings.
The admission of air to the ovens or chambers e, may be regulated by hand.
In the case of mechanical stokers which are constantly feeding fuel, the opening
of the valve c, to admit air may be adjusted and left open to the extent required to
ignite and consume the unburnt gases passing the fire bridge.
In the case of furnaces fed with fuel by hand, then air is admitted to the ovens
or chambers e, for a given time after supplying fuel to the furnace or after
stirring up the fuel in the furnace, and this I prefer to do automatically by the
movement produced in opening the furnace door.
Fig. 7 (on the right hand side) and Figs. 8, 9 and 10, illustrate one method of
supplying air to and shutting it off from the ovens or chambers e.
In the two arrangements shown in Fig. 7, the mechanism in one case is actuated
by connection with the upper and in the other with the lower side of the furnace
door.
In Fig. 7, the doors are both shown opening in one direction, but one may be
made to open to the right and the other to the left of its hinge.
h³, is a stud secured to the upper side of the door k, a short distance from its
hinge. This pin h2, will move in the arc ³, shown in dotted line in Fig. 8
when the door is opened or closed. One end of a connecting rod i, is jointed to the
stud 3, the other end to a pin 4, which has a stem to swivel in a hole in the end
of the arm of a lever . The stem of this swivel pink, has a groove round it into
which the side of a pin comes passing through a hole across the lever which
allows it to swivel but prevents it from moving endways in the hole or socket
for it.
In place of the swivel pin k, the end of the connecting rod i, may be formed to
be connected to the end of the lever by a ball and socket joint.
The arm or lever k, has its fulcrum on a stud k², carried by a bracket (not shown)
which may be secured to the flange of the boiler.
The arm k, has an upward arm, from its axis having a side projecting
pin 4, (see Fig. 10) that enters a slot 1, concentric with the stud 2, this slot
being in an arm, secured to or projecting from the side of a vessel 7, termed the
oscillator so that when the arm 3, is moved, the oscillator or tilter 1, is moved by
it to the same extent less the length of the curved slot 11.
The oscillator 7, is divided by a partition 13, which is made to fit tightly to
the two sides and bottom of the oscillator and this partition 3, has a cross flange l*,
by which it is secured by two set screws to the upper side of the oscillator 1.
In this partition 3, there is a port 1, which is closed by a flap valve, which
may be leather backed by a small plate of metal. The upper end of the leather is
secured to the partition 13, by a thin plate of metal acting as a washer and screws,
and the leather forms the hinge and the facing for the flap valve.
This flap valve 16, opens when the oscillator 1, is tilted to the right (see right

page_text: side of Fig. 7) and allows mercury which is preferred as a weighting fluid, to pass
from the left to the right hand end of the filter but when the oscillator is tilted
to the left the valve, closes.
In the partition 3, there is a small hole, close to its bottom that passes through
the partition, from one side to the other, and in the metal of the partition a
vertical hole is bored, smaller at the lower part and larger at the upper part,
into which a plug 18, is placed, the lower end of which is opposite the small hole 17,
so as to close it. The upper part of the plug 18, screws into the upper part of the
hole and is rotated by the cross handle at its upper end. By screwing this plug
outwards more or less, the mercury at the right end of the tilter is allowed to pass
slowly to the left end, the time of its passage being that during which the air
valve c, is to be open, and when the mercury has passed, its weight. acts to shut
the air valve c, or it gradually shuts the valve as the weight of mercury gradually
passes from one end of the oscillator to the other. There is a small hole 1º, see
Fig. 10, in the partition 3, at its highest part to allow air to pass from one division
to the other.
The oscillator is connected by a rod m, jointed at one end to a pin la, projecting
from the oscillator 1, to an arm m¹, secured at the outer end of the shaft d, for
actuating the valve c.
As shown in Fig. 7, the furnace door h, is supposed to have been just shut and
this leaves the oscillator 4, as shown so that the mercury can flow through the
small passage, from the right to the left hand and when sufficient mercury has
passed to the left, the oscillator begins to move and moves until the curved slot l',
is in the opposite position in relation to the pin 4, to that shown in Fig. 7, and in
moving to that position it shuts the valve c. When the door h, is opened, the
oscillator, is moved from left to right hand, to its fullest extent, the
mercury passes quickly through the flap valve 16, and the oscillation being
greater than is required to open the air valve , there is a slot m²,
in the lower end of the connecting rod m, so that the valve does not begin
to move until the length of this slot has passed the pin m³, in the end of the
lever m², when the remaining part of the movement of the oscillator opens the
valve c, and leaves it open when the oscillator moves back at the time the door
is shut, when the oscillator 7, rods i and m, and arms k and ³, are in the position
shown in Fig. 7.
The oscillator can be made to act either from the upper or lower side of the
fire door, and from either side of the hinge h¹, of the door, and can be placed in
any desired position, taking care that the levers are arranged to transmit the
movement in the required direction to suit the position fixed upon for the
oscillator 7.
On the left side of Fig. 7, an hydrostatic air regulator is illustrated.
To a stud 2, on the lower edge of the furnace door h, a connecting rod i, is
attached and extends to a swivel pin , in the arm k, of a lever arranged as
explained in reference to the modification on the right of Fig. 7.
This lever k, is free on a stud 2, secured in a bracket y, shown in dotted line
attached to the flange of the boiler.
the
arm
When the furnace door opens, the lever k, comes against a projection n¹, from
of a lever n, which has a stud n2, in its side to which
one end of a rod m, is jointed, the other end being jointed or connected with a
stud m³, projecting from an arm m¹, secured on the outer end of the shaft. d,
actuating the air valve c. This end of the rod m, can be made forked, if desired
to be readily connected or disconnected from the pin m³.
The boss of the arm n, has another arm n³, formed upon it, the end of which is
jointed to the outer end of a piston rod p, which passes through a guide pl, at the
upper end of a cylinder 22, the lower end of which is arranged to oscillate on a
stud, fixed in the bracket yl, from the flange of the boiler.
This oscillation of the cylinder p², allows it to accommodate itself to the arc of
movement of the end of the lever n³.

page_text: The piston rod guide p¹, can be placed or screwed into a funnel p*, formed in the
cylinder cover which is secured to the cylinder by screws.
By unscrewing or lifting and sliding the guide p¹, upwards water may be
passed to the cylinder 2, through the funnel 7, when required.
The piston and valve, is formed by a disc 5, smaller than the bore of the
cylinder which is secured on the lower reduced end of the piston rod against a
shoulder upon it by a screw nut below the disc.
There is an armed ring p6, on the reduced lower end of the piston rod p, and it
can slide up and down that part of the rod, but is prevented from getting off its
end by a screw nut on the lower end of the rod.
This ring 2, carries a ring or disc of form in cross section ³, made of
india rubber or other suitable elastic material.
This rubber ring is secured to the metal ring 26, by a thin metal ring plate
above it and screws passing through holes in the thin metal ring and screwing into
the ring 26, below it.
The vertical part of the rubber ring forms the joint between the ring 26 and
bore of the cylinder, and its upper horizontal part forms an elastic seating for the
edge of the upper disc 2, fixed on the piston rod to come against and make a
tight joint.
When the piston rod p, is moved outwards the upper disc 25, fixed on the rod
leaves the lower ring 26, that moves to a given extent on the rod p, and thus there
is a free and large opening for the water above the piston to pass to the space
in the cylinder below the piston, but when the piston rod is moved downwards,
the fixed disc p5, comes against its elastic seating, the water in the cylinder p²,
and the friction of the elastic packing ring on the bore of the cylinder prevents
its descent and greater the pressure forcing in the piston rod p, and tighter the
fixed disc p, comes against its clastic seating and tighter the elastic packing
ring comes against the bore of the cylinder, so that the piston is only permitted
to move inwards at the speed the water can pass from the under to the upper
side of the piston through the passage p³, formed at the side of the cylinder p², the
lower end of which passage is formed as a seating for a cone plug valve p, the
stem of which is screw threaded at its upper end to screw into the hole at that
end
There is a knob 7", at the outer end of the stem to regulate the opening for the
water passing up the passage and through a port p, in its side near its upper end
and thus back to the cylinder at the upper side of the piston.
Thus the piston can be regulated to descend more or less slowly as required
and allow the air valve c, to close accordingly.
There is or may be a weight on the arm n³, or connected with it a little more
than sufficient to overcome the friction of the piston and air valve in closing
It will be seen that when the furnace door is opened, the air valve is opened
and the piston is lifted, but when the furnace door shuts the lever k, leaves the
levers n and 3, to move at the speed fixed upon determined by the time the air
valve c, is to be left open after closing the furnace door.
The cylinder 2, can be placed in any desired position, and may be actuated from
the furnace door either from its upper or lower edge.
The levers k, and n and n³, may be reversed in position as shown in dotted
line on the left of Fig. 7, so that the cylinder will come higher up and be on the
left of the fulcrum 2, instead of on its right as shown in full line on the left of
Fig. 7, the rod m, and lever n, for actuating the shaft d, for the air valve being
arranged accordingly to move in the required direction.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be
understood that I do not claim the air valves c, alone, but I declare that what
I claim is:
1. The combination with the fire bridge of furnaces of a series of hollow

page_text: articles (which are hereinbefore termed chambers or ovens) through which air
is supplied behind the fire bridge, such hollow articles being exposed to the action
of the passing products of combustion from the furnace in front and at the sides
and top, substantially as herein before described and illustrated by the drawings.
2. The combination with the fire bridge of furnaces of a series of hollow articles
for supplying heated air behind the fire bridge with valve arrangements for con-
trolling the supply of air to the hollow articles, chambers or ovens, substantially as
hereinbefore described and illustrated by the drawings.
3. The combination of a series of air heating chambers or ovens with the fire
bridge of furnaces and a valve for controlling the supply of air to such air heating
chambers or ovens substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated by
Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings.
4. The combination with the fire bridge of furnaces of a series of air heating
chambers or ovens in furnaces in which the grate bars discharge clinkers and
ashes into a space between the inner ends of the fire bars and the fire bridge
substantially as herein before described and illustrated by Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of
the drawings.
5. The combination and arrangement of fire bridges each having a series of air
heating chambers or ovens and air controlling valve or valves, and a door to
shut off the ash pit from the space for clinkers and ashes substantially as herein-
before described and illustrated by Figs 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings.
6. The combination of an automatic oscillator or tilter with the furnace door
and air valve or valves substantially as and for the purpose herein before described
and illustrated on the right hand side of Fig. 7, and by Figs. 8, 9 and 10 of the
drawings.
7. The combination of an automatic piston and cylinder with the furnace door
and air valve or valves substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described
and illustrated on the left hand side of Fig. 7 and by Fig. 11 of the drawings.
8. The combination of cylinder, valve piston and regulating screw plug sub-
stantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated on the left
hand side of Fig. 7 of the drawings.
Dated this Twenty-seventh day of April 1899.
PETER J. LIVSEY,
Agent.