IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM BOILERS
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Achille Vansteenkiste and Joseph Barbe
Manufacturers, of Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium, for the
Invention of is
Sealed the 5th September 1871, and dated the 24th May 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Achille Vansteenkiste
and Joseph Barbe at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents,
with their Petition, on the 24th May 1871.
We, ACHILLE VANSTEENKISTE and JOSEPH BARBE, Manufacturers,
of Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium, do hereby declare the nature
of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM BOILERS," to be as
follows:-
The improvements which characterise the present Invention aim at
fulfilling the general conditions which, scientifically and practically
speaking, are required in all boilers employed for the generation of
steam under pressure, that is to say,—

page_text: space.
Third. Little necessity for cleansing and for repairs, and an easy
examination of all parts of the generator.
Fourth. Complete security against explosion.
Fifth. A simple construction, and therefore an economic first cost.
For this purpose we employ one or more series of small straight
horizontal water tubes of iron opening at each end into water spaces
formed of sheet iron, which at their upper ends communicate with a largo
tube or receiver provided with a steam dome.
The arrangement which we prefer in carrying the Invention into
effect consists of two sets or series of small straight horizontal water
tubes of iron, opening at their ends into three sheet-iron water spaces,
one of such shect iron water spaces being at each end of the boiler and
one in the middle thereof, a flue space being left between each series or
set of small straight tubes and the bottom of the large tube or receiver
The central
with which the sheet-iron water spaces are connected.
sheet-iron water space divides the interior of the generator into two
parts, thereby causing the flame and products of combustion to pass
direct from the furnace, which may be placed in any convenient
position up amongst one set or series of tubes, then to strike against
the bottom of the large tube or receiver, and then to descend and pass
amongst the second set of tubes whence they pass away to the flue.
Suitable manholes are provided in each end sheet-iron water spaco
opposite the ends of each set of small straight tubes, and in the sides
of the central sheet-iron water space, as also in the cuds of the large
tube or receiver to afford easy access to all parts for cleaning. The
sides of the generator may be enclosed in brickwork, or, if desired, they
may be formed of sheet-iron water spaces communicating with all parts
of the generator.
If desired, copper, steel, or other metal may be employed in the con-
struction of boilers according to the present Invention; whilst theso
improvements may be applied to any description of boiler, whether
stationary, locomotive, marine, or other boilers.
The economy in fuel is obtained by the direct passage of the flame
on its leaving the furnace amongst a series of small iron tubes without
coming in contact with bridge or deflector of masonry, so that all the

page_text: combustible gases are usefully employed, provided the supply of air is
properly proportioned, the heating surface along which they run being
sufficiently large to cause them to part with all their latent heat, and
to leave them only sufficiently hot to cause a good draught through the
furnace.
The concentration of the heating surface is effected by the number of
tubes amongst which the flame circulates.
The small necessity for cleansing and for repairs, as also an easy
inspection of all the parts of the generator, are obtained by the employ-
ment of straight tubes without either curved or confined connections
opening into largo spaces, thereby permitting of casy access for cleaning,
which, however, is not often required in consequence of the rapid
circulation of the water.
Complete security is obtained by the division of the water amongst a
great number of tubes, whilst should one of such tubes burst from
any cause whatsoever instead of causing an explosion it would only
extinguish the fire.
By the use of these improvements steam pressure is rapidly obtained
Halil
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Achille Vansteenkiste and Joseph Barbe in the
Great Seal Patent Office on the 24th November 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, ACHILLE
VANSTEENKISTE and JOSEPH BARBE, Manufacturers, of Brussels, in the
Kingdom of Belgium, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fourth day of May, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the
thirty-fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto us, the said Achille Vansteenkisto and
Joseph Barbe, Her special licence that we, the said Achille Vansteenkiste
and Joseph Barbe, our executors, administrators, and assigns, or such
others as we, the said Achille Vansteenkiste and Joseph Barbe, our
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,

page_text: heating surface in a small space is effected by the number of tubes
amongst which the flame circulates. The small necessity for cleansing
and for repair, as also an easy inspection of all the parts of the generator,
are obtained in this system by the straight tubes without either curved
or confined connections, that is to say, opening into large spaces such
as those marked E, and consequently permitting an easy access for
cleaning, which moreover is not often required in consequence of the
rapid circulation of the water, which is caused by the rapid vapori-
zation which takes place in the first rows of tubes in consequence of
their exposure to the radiation of heat from the furnace. The complete
security, that is to say, the inexplosibility of the boiler is obtained by
the division of the water in the great number of tubes, whilst if in con-
sequence of deposit, or of any stoppage, or from the action of the fire,
or from any other cause, one of these tubes should burst, in place of
causing an explosion it will simply extinguish the fire by the water
which will run therefrom, and thus avoid all danger. It would be the
same if too great a quantity of vapour were spontaneously produced,
for as this generation takes place only in the tubes the most exposed to
the radiation of heat from the furnace, these tubes would burst with the
tension to which they would be subjected, and would thus afford a free
passage to the water from the receiver, which would flood the fire and
the ash-pit. Thus then there is no possibility of a complete explosion,
but simply that of one or two tubes which would be without any danger
and without any inconvenience, as their replacement would be effected
with the greatest facility and very quickly.
The simple and consequently economic first cost are clearly shewn by
the annexed Drawings, for this boiler has no or scarcely any masonry,
its tubes are of iron and not of copper, and the rest is only a con-
struction of sheet iron which requires no specially forged elbow or other
pieces.
And lastly, steam pressure is quickly obtained after lighting the fire as
the body of water is in a greatly divided state.
In this way therefore we have endeavoured to realise all the improve-
ments which it is possible to produce in steam boilers in the present
condition of scientific and mechanical knowledge.
.
We will follow these general indications in the description of the
Figures of the annexed Drawings.

page_text: Figure 1 represents a vertical longitudinal section of our improved
boiler on the line m, n, of the plan, Figure 2, of a generator, of say, 25
horse-power; Figure 2 a sectional plan on the line O, P, of Figure 1;
Figure 3 a transverse section on the line Q, R, of Figure 1; Figure 4 a
plan of the boiler and of its setting; Figure 5 a longitudinal section of
a boiler of the same arrangement applicable to marine purposes, and
of which the sides of the furnace may be filled with water to vaporiso ;
Figure 6 a transverse sectional view of the same on the line Q, R.
Similar letters of reference in each of these Figures indicate like parts
of the boiler.
A represents the furnace the position of which may however be varied,
that is to say, that it may be either at the rear or at the front of the
boiler, under the tubes or under the parts E filled with water as may
be desired according to the form, the destination, and the position of the
generator; B, chamber enclosed by two walls formed of masonry, or
of sheet-iron water spaces and controlling the course of the flame and
heated gases, to direct them towards the reservoir F, and the second scries
of tubes, communication being established between all the parts of the
boiler containing water; C, chamber for the flame and heated gases
leading to the chimney; D, chimney; E, e, interior of the various com-
partments, tubes, and of the boiler containing water to be vaporized; F,
main reservoir of the boiler and steam dome; G, level of the water;
HI, man-holes permitting the direct cleaning of the tubes and capable
of being placed in any other position. This system of boiler being con-
structed according to the aforesaid principle, it is nearly useless to
remark that we claim the right of applying its features to boilers of
any form, dimensions, and power, and for all purposes or uses, for fixed
boilers, for locomotive boilers, and for marino or other boilers. This
boiler instead of having two series of tubes, one of which is for tho
return of the flame and heated gases, may have but one series, thic
products of combustion escaping directly into a flue or around the sides
of the boiler.
In the Drawings annexed the tubes are shewn of a given diameter,
we however claim the right of making them of any other suitable

page_text: the case for permitting the easy flow of the gases and steam towards the
reservoir F.
Finally, we claim as being our Invention the special arrangements of
this generator, the union of the series of tubes of any diameters and
metals through which the water to be vaporized circulates in passing
into spaces E formed by double walls in communication with all parts
of the generator, surmounted by and in communication with a boiler
or reservoir F comparatively of a small diameter and presenting the
advantages which we have indicated. This kind of boiler may be
constructed by combining sheets of iron, steel, or of copper, as the case
may be, with angle or other shaped iron to form the angles.
Amongst the advantages which our system offers above the best
known improved boilers, viz., the Cornish, Bellville, Holt, Field, and
others, we would mention,―
1. Its practical economy of fuel, thus the Bellville boilers consume
from 9 to 14 pounds of coal per hour per horse-power. Those of Holt,
the Cornish and the Field from 6 to 7, whilst ours under the most
unfavorable circumstances do not exceed 4 pounds of coal for the same
unit of time and work.
2. None of the known systems offer the same facilities of cleaning as
ours. The rapid circulation of the water which is produced in the
interior of the tubes C prevents the deposit of the calcareous salts, whilst
the double walls of the spaces E are on the contrary arranged in such
manner as to favor and receive such deposit, and access to these parts
of the boiler being very easy, the cleaning is effected by simply brushing
without any surface being ever incrusted. This is one advantage which
no other boiler offers.
3. Lastly, the closing of the man-holes is hermetical and very simple;
a few bolts fix them and a packing of india-rubber cords makes them
perfectly water-tight.
It has been found with the Bellville boilers that the cylinders of
steam engines used therewith become incrusted, which is a necessary
result from this system, in which although a rapid circulation of the
water is also obtained, the Inventor has not provided reservoirs for
the deposit, so that the particles of calcareous salts are 'carried by the
water in a globular state which is not and cannot be produced by our
system.

page_text: In a word wc, have endeavoured to obviate the faults of the most
improved boiler, and after a conclusivo practical trial we can affirm that
we have by our form of boiler completely attained our object.
We claim as our Invention the combination of the various parts of
our boiler arranged as shewn in the accompanying Drawings, but we
reserve to ourselves the right to make such modifications as may be
required by the uses to which they may be applied and the exigences of
the locality in which they may be placed.
In witness whereof, we, the said Achille Vansteenkiste and Joseph
Barbe, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Fourth day
of September, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-one.
A. VANSTEENKISTE. (L.s.)
BARBE.
(L.S.)