Improvements in Steam Generators.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Dec.,. 1895
Complete Specification Left, 28th Sept., 1896-Accepted, 21st Nov., 1896 ·
Improvements in Steam Generators.
I, WILLIAM MUNRO of 3 Glen Street, Hebburn on Tyne in the County of
Durham, Shipwright do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in steam generators by which I propose
to obtain increased heating and grate surfaces and in consequence means for *very
rapidly and economically producing steam.
To effect my purpose I propose to construct the generator shell of a more or less
square form in cross-section that is to say the plates may be flat throughout the
length of the shell and in a boiler so constructed two sides thereof may incliné
towards the basal apex and two more may incline towards the upper apex and
consequently all the sides will incline so as also to form two lateral apices or one
on each side of the shell. The end plates of the shell may be rivetted up or more
adjustably connected by screw-studs if desired. The end plates will be stayed
together by a series of horizontal fire tubes and the side plates will be similarly
stayed or connected together by a further series of diagonally or otherwise
arranged fire tubes passing between the horizontal tubes and crossing each other so
that the whole interior of the boiler will be a mass of crossing tubes formed of
borizontal or otherwise arranged tubes as desired connecting the ends and other
tubes crossing each other more or less at right angles or otherwise as desired and
connecting the opposite sides securely together and where the pressure on the flat
surfaces is greatest the tubes may be strengthened proportionately.
The furnaces will be situated under the shell so that the fire may pass up the
transverse tubes in opposite directions into correspondingly opposite smoke flues
whence the fire or hot gases will be led to one end of the generator and returned
through the horizontal or other boiler-end-connecting tubes to the chimney flue or
stack. The furnaces' may extend the length or part only of the shell and may be
side or end fired or both as desired.
The sides may be closed in by suitable walls.
The water surrounding the tubes or pipes will thus be surrounded by fire and
the steam can be led off in any convenient manner through suitably arranged tubes
pipes or passages to the steam doine above.
The sludge will tend to collect in the basal apex whence it can readily be blown
off and the sloping interior formation of the generator will tend to promote
accumulations easily removable' at this point.
The lateral apices serve as rests for mounting the generator.
The tube joints will be of some' kuown mechanical pattern 'secured by nuts or
such as is described in my Application for Patent No. 9400 of the year 1895'
whereby they can readily be removed when required.
A boiler such as above described need have no manholes but otherwise its'
fittings will be of the ordinary description:
Dated this 24th day of December 1895.
;

page_text: Improvements in Steam Generators.
I, WILLIAM MUNRO, of 3, Glen Street, Hebburn-on-Tyne, in the County of
Durham, Shipwright, 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 :-
This invention relates to steam generators and has for its object to obtain
increased heating surfaces and in consequence the rapid and economical production
of steam.
To effect my purpose, I construct the generator shell of a more or less square
form in cross section, that is to say, the plates may be flat throughout the length
of the shell, and two sides thereof incline towards the basal apex and two more
incline towards the upper apex, consequently all the sides will incline so as also to
form two lateral apices, or one on each side of the shell. The end plates of the
shell may be riveted thereto, or connected by screw studs if desired, and they are
stayed together by a series of horizontal fire tubes and the side plates are similarly
stayed or connected together by a further series of diagonally arranged fire tubes
passing between the horizontal tubes and crossing each other and being in
communication with the horizontal tubes through suitable boxes or chambers.
In further explanation of my invention I will refer to the accompanying
drawings in Sheet 1 of which I have illustrated a marine boiler constructed in
accordance with my improvements; Fig. 1 is a half transverse section and end
elevation, and Fig. 2 a longitudinal section on line X-Y of same; in Sheet 2
I have illustrated so far as necessary a land boiler, and Figs. 3 and 4 are views
similar to those above referred to. The same letters of reference indicate like
parts.
of
Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, A is the shell constructed of flat plates in the form
a square set on its diagonals or "diamond-wise," as before described; its opposite
sides B B and C C are connected and stayed together by the groups of diagonally
disposed fire tubes b and c respectively, crossing each other at right angles. The
end plates D and E are well stayed together by the horizontal fire tubes d which
pass as shown between the said diagonal tubes b and c, so that the interior of the
boiler is intersected by closely-grouped series of crossing and intercrossing fire
tubes, affording an enormous heating surface, and joining the opposite sides and
ends together with great strength and efficiency, and where the pressure on the
flat surfaces is greatest the tubes may be strengthened proportionately.
The furnaces F and G are of the form shown and situated at either side under the
shell. The fire and hot gases first pass up through the diagonal tubes b and c in
opposite directions through the water space into corresponding opposite smoke
boxes H and J. These are both open to the end smoke box K, to which the gases
flow and from whence they are drawn through the horizontal tubes d to the
uptake L, natural or forced draft being employed as desired.
In the case of a marine boiler I find it advantageous to adopt furnaces of the
locomotive type appropriately stayed and extending the length of the shell, with
water spaces at the sides, ends, and between them, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2; in a
land boiler, however, such as is shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the furnaces are or may be
enclosed by fire-brick walls preferably divided by an arch of fire-brick, so as to cut
off some of the diagonal tubes from the fire-grate as shown. Thus in each furnace
the fire and hot gases will be deflected by the arch and will first pass up through
the lower set of diagonal tubes to the upper smoke box; thence they are drawn
through the upper set of diagonal tubes to the chamber or upper part M of the
furnace above the arch, and then they pass. to the end smoke box K and horizontal

page_text: tubes as already set forth. It will be understood that one large furnace may be
used instead of two smaller ones above referred to.
By my improved construction as will be seen the water in the boiler is to a very
great extent surrounded and penetrated by the fire tubes, thereby ensuring a large
area of heating surface and very efficient circulation of hot gases, whereby steam is
very quickly produced. A steam chest or separator N is placed upon or in
connection with the upper part of the shell and provided with the usual downward
water circulating pipes n n, and the generator is furnished with all usual steam and
other fittings; the lateral apices afford convenient supports for setting the
generator and preventing lateral movement. Sludge will readily collect about the
lowest point owing to the V-shape thereof, and it may be readily blown off in
the usual manner.
The tube joints may be of the kind described in the Specification of my Letters
Patent No. 9400, A.D. 1895, in which I explained the use of gland nuts screwed
into the tube plate and on to the end of the tube with the object of providing a
secure joint. Any other suitable kind of stay tube joint may however be employed.
The joints next the fire are best formed with no projecting parts, the gland nuts or
the like being inserted from the inside of the boiler and fitted with a ferrule to
prevent burning.
A boiler such as is described herein need have no manholes, though if desired
such may conveniently be made in the lateral apices. All tubes are readily
accessible for repairs and cleaning, and the boiler is both economical and
durable.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A steam generator having a four-sided shell set on its lateral apices or
"diamond-wise," the opposite sides being connected and stayed together by a number
of diagonal fire tubes, and the end plates being connected and stayed together by a
number of horizontal fire tubes intercrossing the said diagonal tubes, with smoke
boxes and a furnace or furnaces, all arranged and operating substantially as and for
the purposes set forth.
2. A steam generator constructed, arranged, and adapted for use substantially as
set forth in reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 28th day of September 1896.