A SYSTEM OF INEXPLOSIVE STEAM GENERATOR STEAM GENERATOR
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Julien François Belleville, of Paris, Civil Engineer, for the
Invention of "A SYSTEM OF INEXPLOSIVE STEAM GENERATOR."
aled the 13th March 1877, and dated the 16th November 1876
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Julien François Belleville
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 16th November 1876.
JULIEN FRANÇOIS BELLEVILLE, of Paris, Civil Engineer. "A SYSTEM OF INEX-
PLOSIVE STEAM GENERATOR."
This new system of inexplosive steam generator comprises several new arrange-
ments of considerable practical importance, which render it greatly superior to all
that has hitherto been effected in this direction.
I proceed with reference to the annexed Drawings to describe the construction,
the action, and the advantages of my system of inexplosive generator, which is
applicable on land and sea, and to fixed and locomotive machines of all kinds used in
all industrial employments as a producer of steam.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the generator; Figure 2 is
front elevation with the door open at the side; Figure 3 is a plan; Figure 4, a
transverse section of a portion of the generator; and Figures 5 and 6 are respectively
a side view in section and a front elevation of the column of the level of the water
of the feeding autometer.
Construction. The new generator consists of the following essential parts:-
1stly. Of the clements or tubes A constituted so that each of them forms a
distinct unity, a condition very important in several respects, as will be presently
described.
2ndly. Of a collector feeding tube T, which while serving as a support to the
elements A is put into communication with the lower part of each of them by the
aid of a connection easily removable.
3rdly. Of a purifying collector of steam and feed water G, which communicates
with the upper part of each element A, also by the aid of connection easily
removable.
4thly. Of a dejector receiver J, which communicates with the purifying collector G
and with the feeding collector tube F.

page_text: 5thly. Of a steam dryer H, which communicates with the purifying collector G
and with the steam conduit.
6thly. Of an automatic feeding and water level regulator N in communication
with the water and the steam of the generator on the one hand, and with the
feeding conduit and the purifying collector on the other hand.
7thly. Of an hydraulic regulator of combustion and pressure S, which auto-
matically commands a register valve intended to regulate the action of the chimney
draught. The basin of this reservoir communicates with the feed water after its
exit from the autometer cock P.
8thly. Of an envelope V containing the fire-place and the generating elements,
provided with the necessary doors for permitting easy access to the generating tubes
and attention to the fire.
Such are the principal parts of the generator. It remains to explain the peculiar
action by which they are characterized, as well as the arrangement of the inter-
mediate pieces which intervene in their combination. These explanations are
rendered more clear by the following detailed nomenclature.
A. Element generating steam, composed of tubes which, form forks a, a,
assembled in spirals by the aid of a simple and doubled boxed connection.
B. Simple connection boxes wound obliquely in vertical direction, so that the
extremities of two tubes which compose each fork a, a¹, possess the necessary
inclination to be capable of connecting the two boxes B arranged horizontally the
one above the other; all the tubes of the same element thus form a spiral, having
the same angle from the base to the summit.
C. Double connection boxes with circulation, of which the worms are oblique
like those of the simple connection boxes B; b, longitudinal inclined partitions,
intended to facilitate the separation of the steam from the water by directing the
current of steam on one side of the box, and facilitating thus the return of the water
from the opposite side; c, tube with conical joint, by which each double box com-
municates with the collector feed pipe.
D. Sight holes for visiting and interior cleaning of the tubes and connection boxes.
E. Fusible warning plugs, intended to give warning of a prolonged lowering of
the water level concurrently with the alarin whistle R.
F. Collector feed tube of the elements A; d, ferrules (mamelons) for the con-
nection by conical joint with the double boxes C; c, communications with the
dejector receiver; f, emptying cock; g, visiting or sight holes; h, lugs for the
fixation by bolts of the collector feeding tube with the double boxes C.
G. Purifying collector of steam and feed water; i, communication tubes of
collector receiver with each of the elements A; j, pipe surmounting each tube in
order to direct the current of steam; le, directing inclined partition, between which
the current of steam comes to strike at the exit from each element.
This partition
open at the side opposite to the direction of the current is arranged in such a
manner as to effect the separation of the water from the steam by centrifugal
action under the impulse acquired by the speed of the current, the vesicles of water,
and any strange bodies follow the curve which leads them towards the lower part
of the purifier, where they fall into the body of the feed water. 1, the injector by
which the feed water penetrates into the collector purifier; m, the tube by which
the feed water proceeds to the dejector J, and thence to the generating elements A;
n, the partition closed for the taking of steam. This partition which exists
throughout the length of the upper generator of the purifier is perforated so as to
spread the takings of steam over all the length of the purifier. o, communication
of the purifier collector with the steam dryer; h, p, plugs and hand and examining
holes for visiting the interior of the purifier; q, valves for the discharge of steam.
H. Steam dryer fixed to the cover of the envelope of the generator. This dryer
is formed with one or several circulations of tubes, the ends of which are suc-
cessively connected together by the connection boxes.
H. Exit of the steam from the dryer..
I. Communication nine of the purifying collector Ġ with the deiector

page_text: The water circulates actively in each of the lower forks a, a¹, which communicates
with the doubled box C; it penetrates incessantly through the right side of the
doubled box into the right branch of each fork and circulates in the latter in order
to discharge itself through the left branch a¹ into the left part of the double box.
The natural circulation, which is more or less active according as the heat from the
fire is more or less great, takes place, and from the inclination of the two branches
of each fork and from the progressive diminution of the density of the mixture
of water and steam in proportion as it advances in its circulation movement.
At the exit of each fork in the doubled box C the steam separates itself from the
water by difference of density, the steam rises from the left side guided by the
inclination of the partition bled in that direction. The water, in consequence of
its weight, returns towards the right side, flowing underneath the inclined partitions
b to penetrate afresh into the right branches a of the forks.
The steam charged with water in a vesicular state in a greater or less proportion
according to the height of the level which it is desired to maintain, proceeds from
the doubled box C through the upper tube all of the right and circulates rapidly
in the upper forks of the elements; these forks are connected successively one with
another form but one series. In this rapid circulation the vesicles of water vaporize
either wholly or partly.
On the exit from each element the steam more or less saturated penetrates into
the purifier collector G through the pipe j which directs the current against the
directing partition arranged so as to obtain by the centrifugal action resulting
from the speed obtained in the separation of the vesicles of water and the strange
bodies which may be mingled with or drawn along with the steam.
When a very clevated level of water is obtained, the steam proceeds from the
tubular elements charged with vesicles of water; the latter are held in the purifier
and mix with the feed water in order to effect the return to the generating elements
by passing through the dejector receiver J.
The steam at the exit from the purifier circulates in the drier H and thence is led
to where it is to be used.
Advantages of the System :-In addition to the safety, the small size, the light-
ness, the promptitude of pressure, the economy of fuel, the facility of cleansing
which it possesses, the arrangement and combination of the essential constitutive
organs of the system permit the realization of certain very important practical
advantages.
Firstly. The action of the generators by elements composed of tubes independent
one from the other procures very great facilities of transport, putting together, and
repair. The substitution of a spare element for one in use can be effected with
rapidity by any one.
Secondly. The doubled uniting boxes with free circulation facilitate the free
disengagement of the steam and permit besides the elevation of the normal level of
the water in the tubular elements.
Thirdly. The collector purifier of feed steam and water effects rapidly the com-
plete precipitation of the calcareous salts by the reheating of the feed water to a
high temperature; this precipitation has the favourable consequence of avoiding the
loss from explosions (coup de feu) arising from the accumulation of calcareous crusts,
of regularizing the work of vaporization, and of suppressing in the generating
tubes the very injurious action of the successive contractions and dilatations pro-
ceeding from the intermittences of feeding at a temperature more or less different
from that of the steam.
Fourthly. The dejector receiver retains the deposit and residues drawn in with
the water coming from the purifier and permits their extraction during the progress
of the work by means of specially constructed cocks.
Fifthly. The feeding autometer gives a perfect regularity of feeding and height
of level in the various elements of the same generator; it enables to be obtained at
will and in a constant manner the production of more or less dry or more or less

page_text: saturated steam according to the requirements of the work to which the steam may
be intended to be applied.
Sixthly. The automatic regulator of the combustion permits the automatic regu-
lation with very great sensibility and precision of the combustion in the fire-place,
according to the expenditure of the steam, simplifying greatly the duties of the
persons controlling the steam.
Seventhly. The employment of the fire-place with semi-tubular grates with water
circulation, more specially intended for navigating purposes, presents above all the
following advantages :-
:-
Easy management of the fires; easy and rapid cleansing of the fires in conse-
quence of the inadherence of clinkers, which, in contact with cold tubes, remain
black and of spongy consistency; regular combustion and constancy in the production
of steam; very slight production of cinders resulting from the rarity of the stirring
of the fires and the slight separation of the bars; absence of the radiation of heat in
the cinder box, the temperature being never very elevated in consequence of the
free circulation of the water in the grate tubes.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Julien François Belleville in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
9th May 1877.
JULIEN FRANÇOIS BELLEVILLE, of Paris, Civil Engineer. "A SYSTEM OF INEX-
PLOSIVE STEAM GENERATOR."
This new system of inexplosive steam generator comprises several new arrange-
ments of considerable practical importance which renders it greatly superior to all
that has hitherto been effected in this direction.
I proceed with reference to the annexed Drawings to describe the construction,
the action, and the advantages of my system of inexplosive generator, which is
applicable on land and sea, and to fixed and locomotive machines of all kinds used
in all industrial employments as a producer of steain.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the generator; Figure 2 is a front
elevation with the door open at the side; Figure 3 is a plan; Figure 4, a transverse
section of a portion of the generator; and [Figures 5 and 6 are respectively a side
view in section and a front elevation of the column of the level of the water of the
feeding automator.
Construction. The new generator consists of the following essential parts:-
Firstly. Of the elements or tubes A constituted so that each of them form a
distinct unity, a condition very important in several respects, as will be presently
described.
Secondly. Of a collector feeding tube F, which, while serving as a support to the
elements A, is put into communication with the lower part of each of them by the
aid of a connection easily removable.
Thirdly. Of a purifying collector of steam and feed water G which communicates
with the upper part of each element A also by the aid of connection easily
removable.
Fourthly. Of a dejector receiver J which communicates with the purifying
collector G and with the feeding collector tube F.
Fifthly. Of a steam dryer H which communicates with the purifying collector G
and with the steam conduit.
Sixthly. Of an automatic feeding and water level regulator N in communication
with the water and the steam of the generator on the one hand, and with the
feeding conduit and the purifying collector on the other hand.
Seventhly. Of a hydraulic regulator of combustion and pressure S which auto-
matically commands a register valve intended to regulate the action of the chimney

page_text: draught. The basis of this regulator communicates with the feed water after its
exit from the automatic cock P.
Eighthly. Of an envelope V containing the fire-place and the generating elements
provided with the necessary doors for permitting easy access to the generating tubes
and attention to the fire.
Such are the principal parts of the generator. It remains to explain the peculiar
action by which the parts are characterized as well as the arrangement of the inter-
mediate pieces which intervene in their combination. These explanations are
rendered more clear by the following detailed nomenclature:-
A. Elements for generating steain composed of tubes which form forks a, a,
assembled in spiral by the aid of a simple and double boxed connection.
B. Simple connection boxes wormed obliquely in vertical direction, so that the
extremities of two tubes which compose each fork a, a, possess the necessary
inclination to be capable of connecting the two boxes B arranged horizontally the
one above the other; all the tubes of the same element thus form a spiral having
the same angle from the base to the summit.
C. Double connection boxes, with circulation of which the worms are oblique like
those of the simple connection boxes B; b, longitudinal inclined partitions intended
to facilitate the separation of the steam from the water by directing the current of
steam on one side of the box, and facilitating thus the return of the water from the
opposite side; c, tube with conical joint by which each double box communicates
with the collector feed pipe.
D. Sight holes for visiting and interior cleansing of the tubes and connection
boxes.
E. Fusible warning plug intended to give warning of a prolonged lowering of the
water level concurrently with the alarm whistle R.
F. Collector feed tube of the elements A; d, ferrules for the connection by conical
joint with the double boxes C; c, communication with the dejector receiver;
f, emptying cock; g, visiting or sight holes; h, lugs for the fixation by bolts of the
collector feeding tube with the double boxes C.
G, purifying collector of steam and feed water; &, communication tubes of col-
lector receiver, with each of the elements A; j, pipe surmounting each tube in
order to direct the current of steam; %, directing inclined partition between which
the current of steain comes to strike at the exit from each element. This partition,
open at the side opposite to the direction of the current, is arranged in such a
manner as to effect the separation of the water from the steam by centrifugal
action under the impulse acquired by the speed of the current; the vesicles of water
and any strange bodies follow the curve which leads them toward the lower part of
the purifyer where they fall into the body of the feed water; 1, the injector by which
the feed water penetrates into the collector purifyer; m, the tube by which the feed
water proceeds to the dejector J, and thence to the generating elements A; n, the
partition closed for the taking of steam; this partition, which exists throughout the
length of the upper generator of the purifyer is perforated so as to spread the
takings of steam over all the length of the purifyer; o, communication of the puri-
fier collector with the steam dryer H; P, plugs and examining holes for visiting the
interior of the purifier; q, valves for the discharge of steam.
H, steam dryer fixed to the cover of the envelope of the generator. This dryer
is formed with one or several circulations of tubes, the ends of which are successively
connected together by the connection boxes.
H', exit of the steam from the dryer.
I, communication pipe of the purifying collector G with the dejector J.
J, receiver dejector of calcareous deposits and other foreign bodies; r, the emp-
tying cock of the dejector; 1, the self-keying plug for visiting the interior.
K, communication of the dejector J with the collector feeding tube F.
L, the feeding pipe proceeding from the pumps or other feeding organs.
M, graduating feeding pump and its rose box M'.
.N, water level column and feeding autometer; s, autometer float; s¹, inner lever

page_text: which transmits the movement of the float to the exterior lever t, through the inter-
mediation of the striker t¹; the levert commands the key of the autometer valve P;
u, u, the counterweight of the float composed of a fixed weight u, and of a spring
u¹, the resistance of which may vary according to the height, more or less elevated,
to which the normal level of the water in the generating elements may be desired
to be raised. The compression of the spring u is regulated by the aid of a nut
screwed upon the end of the counterweight.
Note. The good action of this new feeding autometer can only be obtained by the
aid of the new combination resulting from the simultaneous employment of the
counterweight, composed of a fixed weight, and of a spring with a variable re-
sistance.
O, O¹, communications of the column of water N with the water and steam of
the generator.
P, automatic feeding cock.
Q, Q¹, communication pipes of the automatic cock with the feeding conduit of the
one part, and with the purifying collector G of the other part; R, warning whistle
of the lowering of the level commanded by the lever t of the feeding autometer.
S, the hydraulic regulator of pressure and combustion.
T, the transmission of the movement of the regulator to the register valve.
U, register valve, which serves to regulate the opening reserved for the passage of
the gases proceeding from the combustion.
V, envelope of the generator and of its fire-place.
W, doors for visiting and cleaning the generating elements.
X, X', furnace and cinder box; semi-tubular grate with water circulation.
I. Rigid inclined frame composed of checks of cast iron and cross pieces of
wrought iron. To this frame are attached at top and bottom the two collectors II.
and III. of the grate.
II. Upper collector of the grate.
III. Lower collector of the grate.
IV. Grate tubes curved at their ends to the extent of a half circumference in
order to obtain their free dilatation; they are sufficiently separated for a flat bar of
iron to be capable of entering between them in order to augment the number of
empty spaces for the passage of the air.
V. Iron bars interkeyed between the grate tubes.
VI. Communication of the upper collector of the grate with the collector feeding
tube F of the generating elements.
VII. Sight holes for visiting and cleaning the interior of the grate bars and the
collector.
VIII. Emptying cock of the grate.
The Action of the System.-The water furnished by the pumps or other engines
passes through the rose M¹ and through the graduated cock M commanded by the
hand; it arrives at the automatic cock P, then penetrates into the collector purifyer G
through one end; it is thence injected upwards forcibly in order to obtain a rapid
elevation of temperature through contact with the steam and consequently the
instantaneous precipitation of calcareous salts in a pulverized condition. The feed
water thus heated flows through the return pipe I to proceed to the dejector
receiver J when it has abandoned its calcareous deposits and other foreign substances
by precipitation. It then proceeds into the feed collector tube F whence it spreads
through the generater elements A, passing through the tube c which connects the
doubled box C of each element with the collector tube.
The water circulates actively in each of the lower forks a, a', which communicate
with the doubled box C, it penetrates incessantly through the right side of
the doubled box into the right branch of each fork and circulates in the latter
in order to discharge itself through the left branch a into the left part of the
doubled box.
The natural circulation which is more or less active according as the heat from
the fire is more or less great takes place, and from the inclination of the two

page_text: branches of each fork and from the progressive diminution of the density of
the mixture of water and steam in proportion as it advances in its circulation
movement.
At the exit of each fork in the doubled box C the steam separates itself
from the water by difference of density, the steam rises from the left side
guided by the inclination of the partitions bled in that direction, the water in
consequence of its weight returns towards the right side, flowing underneath the
inclined partitions b to penetrate afresh into the right branches a of the forks.
The steam charged with water in a vesicular state in a greater or less proportion
according to the height of the level which it is desired to maintain proceeds from
the doubled box C through the upper tube all of the right and circulates rapidly
in the upper forks of the elements, these forks connected successively one with
another form but one series. In this rapid circulation the vesicles of water vaporizo
either wholly or partly.
On the exit from each element the steam, more or less saturated, penetrates into
the purifier collector G through the pipe J which directs the current against the
directing partition K arranged so as to obtain by the centrifugal action resulting
from the speed obtained, the separation of the vesicles of water and the strange
bodies which may be mingled with or drawn along with the steam.
When a very clevated level of water is obtained the steam proceeds from the
tubular elements charged with vesicles of water, the latter are held in the purifier
and mix with the feed water in order to effect the return to the generating elements
by passing through the dejector receiver J.
The steam at the exit from the purifyer circulates in the dryer H and thence is
led to where it is to be used.
Advantages of the System.-In addition to the safety, the small size, the light-
ness, the promptitude of pressure, the economy of fuel, the facility of cleaning
which it possesses, the arrangement and combination of the essential constitutive
organs of the system, permit the realization of certain very important practical
advantages.
Firstly. The action of the generators by elements composed of tubes, independent
one from the other, procures very great facilities of transport, putting together, and
repair. The substitution of a spare element for one in use can be effected with
rapidity by anyone.
Secondly. The doubled uniting boxes with free circulation facilitate the free dis-
engagement of the steam, and permit besides the clevation of the normal level of the
water in the tubular clements.
Thirdly. The collector purifier of feed steam and water effects rapidly the
complete precipitation of the calcareous salts by the reheating of the feed water to a
high temperature; this precipitation has the favourable consequence of avoiding the
loss from explosions (coup de feu) arising from the accumulation of calcareous
crusts, of regulating the work of vaporization, and of suppressing in the generating
tubes the very injurious action of the successive contractions and dilatations pro-
ceeding from the intermittences of feeding at a temperature more or less different
from that of the steam.
Fourthly. The dejector receiver retains the deposit and residues drawn in with
the water coming from the purifier and permits their extraction during the progress
of the work by means of specially constructed cocks.
Fifthly. The feeding autometer gives a perfect regularity of feeding and height of
level in the various elements of the same generator. It enables to be obtained at
will and in a constant manner the production of more or less dry or more or less
saturated steam, according to the requirements of the work to which the steam may
be intended to be applied.
Sixthly. The automatic regulator of the combustion permits the automatic
regulation with very great sensibility and precision of the combustion in the
fire-place according to the expenditure of the steam, simplifying greatly the duties
of the persons controlling the steam.

page_text: Seventhly. The employment of the fire-place with semi-tubular grates with water
circulation more specially intended for navigating purposes present above all the
following advantages:-
Easy management of the fires; easy and rapid cleaning of the fires in consequence
of the inadherence of clinkers which in contact with cold tubes remain black and of
spongy consistency; regular combustion and constancy in the production of steam,
very slight production of cinders resulting from the rarity of the stirring of the fires
and the slight separation of the bars; absence of the radiation of heat in the cinder
box, the temperature being never very elevated in consequence of the free circulation
of the water in the grate tubes.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,―
Firstly. The fractional construction of the generator by forming of elements com-
posed of tubes independent from one another.
Secondly. The new arrangement of the elements composed of independent tubes
carrying new doubled connection boxes with free circulation.
•
Thirdly. The arrangement constituting the new purifier of feed steam and
water.
Fourthly. The arrangement constituting the new feed autometer.
Fifthly. The method of attaching and uniting the generator elements with the
feeding collector and with the purifier of feed steam and water.
Sixthly. The new arrangement of semi-tubular grate with water circulation.
Seventhly. The arrangement of the whole system and its details, comprising
especially the dejector receiver and its attachments, the hydraulic regulater of com-
bustion, its transmission of movement, and the register valve commanding it.
The forms and proportions of my system may be varied to suit the various kinds
of work it may be applied to, the various kinds of fuel, and the different methods of
heating employed.
In witness whereof, I, the said Julien François Belleville, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of March, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-seven.
Witness,
CH. ARMENGAUD,
Civil Engineer,
JULIEN FRANÇOIS BELLEVILLE. (L.S.)
23, Boulevard de Strasbourg,
Paris.