CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A FURNACE OR FURNACES FOR GENERATING HEAT, AND IN THE APPARATUS FOR THE APPLICATION OF HEAT TO VARIOUS USEFUL PURPOSES
Year: 1830

page_text: BENEDICT NOTT, of Schenectady, in the State of New York, but now of Bury
Street, Saint James', in the County of Middlesex, Esquire, send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King William the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date
at Westminster, the Fourth day of November, in the first year of His reign,
did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Joel Benedict Nott, His especial licence, sole privilege and authority, that I,
the said Joel Benedict Nott, my exors, adññiors, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said Joel Benedict Nott, my exors, adññiors, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the
term of years therein mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick upon
Tweed, my Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF A
FURNACE OR FURNACES FOR GENERATING HEAT, AND IN THE APPARATUS FOR THE
APPLICATION OF HEAT TO VARIOUS USEFUL PURPOSES," Communicated to me by a
certain foreigner residing abroad; in which said Letters Patent is contained a
proviso that I, the said Joel Benedict Nott, shall cause a particular descrip-
tion of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said in part
recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had,
will more fully and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Joel Benedict Nott, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, are particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference being had to
the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked thereon
(that is to say):
My improvements in the furnace for generating heat, and in the apparatus
for applying it to various useful purposes, consist partly in improvements in
the furnace or furnaces for generating heat, and partly in improvements
in the apparatus in which the heat so generated is applied to various use-
ful purposes.
I construct the furnace in which heat is evolved separately
from the apparatus where it is applied, and connect the two by a fluo of
slow conducting material; and I place both on rollers, so that they can
be separated or combined at pleasure. The various parts of which the
furnace is composed arc, firstly, the basis A, Figure 5, upon which the
rest of the furnace is built. This plate is furnished on its upper side with
eight projecting studs G, G, G, G, against which are to be placed the two side
plates of the furnace II and J, Figures 9 and 10, as shewn by dotted lines II
and I; and also the front and back of the ash pit J & K, Figure 11 and 12,
as shewn by the dotted lines J and K; also with four recesses B, B, B, B,
near the four corners, in which are to be placed the lower shoulders E, Fig. 6,
of four hollow pillars or segments of pillars C, C, Figs. 1, 2, and 3. This basis
does not project between the recesses B, B, for the front pillars C, C, Fig. 1,
but a little way beyond the front of the ash pit, as shewn by the dotted line J.
Secondly, the said plates or ends of the furnace H and J, Figs. 9 and 10.
These plates are each furnished with a stud or small projection near the middle
of their upper end 23, 23, Figs. 12 and 18; one of these side plates I, Fig. 10,
has a hole 24, near the middle of the plate, and about one third of its height.
Thirdly, the front of the ash pit I, Fig. 12. This plate is furnished with a bead
upon part of the front of its upper margin 25, Figs. 4, 12, and 14, projecting
outwards and upwards also, with studs 26, 26, Figs. 4, 12, and 14, near the
upper margin of its inside. There is also a gap 27, Figs. 12 and 4, in the
lower part of this plate, through which the ash drawer 15, Figs. 1 and 4, is to
pass. Fourthly, the back plate of the ash pit K, Fig. 11. This is simply a
flat plate. Fifthly, the grate frame L, Figs. 13, 14, 18, 19. This is in the formn
of a hopper with a flat border, and has two projecting ledges 28, 28, Fig. 19;
along the insides of the front and back of the bottom of the hopper, part
upon the edge of the back of this frame, is a border 29, projecting upwards; also
several studs 30 and 31, Fig. 19, projecting from its upper and under sides,

page_text: and not very far from the rear edge 29. To the inside of this hopper, adjacent
to the end plate I, Fig. 10, which has a hole through it, 24, Fig. 10, is securely
fastened, by rivetting or otherwise, a semicircular carriage S, Figs. 20 and 21,
with radial arms 32, 32, Fig. 20, carrying a central socket T, Figs. 20 and 21.
Upon the opposite side is similarly fastened, as shewn at S, Fig. 18, a similar
carriage carrying a smaller socket. Sixthly, a rotary cylindric grate M, Fig. 23.
This grate is composed of thin circular rims 6, Fig. 25, from which a third
or fourth part, more or less, is wanting, as shewn at g, Fig. 25; each of
these rims is furnished with studs e, c, e, e, e, e, e, Figs. 25 and 26, projecting
from one side only, for the purpose of staying the rims asunder when put
together; also with holes d, d, d, Fig. 25, near the middle and each end,
through which holes rods c, c, c, Fig. 23, are passed for the purpose of bolting
them together. These rods are furnished for the purpose with heads c, c, c, and
also with screwed nuts f, f, f. The two exterior rims Z, Z, Figures 23 and 24, are
furnished with radial arms, carrying a central opening a, Figure 24, through
which central opening passes the axle W, by which the whole, when thus put
together, is sustained in place.
The general appearance of this grate when thus combined, is that of a seg-
ment of a hollow cylinder, and when in place, the axis is horizontal, and the
convex sides of the rims turned upwards. In this position it should nearly fill
the opening in the bottom of the grate frame L, Figure 19; instead of making
these rims circular they may be made in the form of polygons, cutting off'
one or more sides, or angular, that is to say, in the form of a roof with the
angle turned upwards, or plane. But this last form is the worst, except for
facility of construction, and other curvilinear or rectilinear forms will answer
the purpose better the nearer they resemble the above described circular forms,
which I consider the best. Seventhly, an axle W, Figure 22, for the rotary
cylindric grate. This axle is furnished with pivots U and V, to correspond
with the sockets, as shewn by dotted lines in Figure 18, in the grate frame;
between the two pivots it is square Y, Y; also with a collar 21; the part pro-
jecting beyond the collar X is square. This axle W, when in place, Figures
2, 4, 8 & 13, passes through the hole 24, Fig. 10, in the side plate of the fur-
nace I, Fig. 10, also through the sockets T, T, in the carriages S, S, of the
grate frame as well as through the square holes a, Figure 24, &c. It is held
in its place by means of an escutchion 19, Figures 2, 13 and 34, which fits
against the collar 21, Figure 22, and which is also secured to the plate I,
Figure 10, of the furnace by screws. By means of a winch or handle, attached
to the square part of the axis projecting beyond the side of the furnace, the
grate may be put in motion for the purpose of passing ashes through, or so far
revolved as to produce an opening between the grate and the frame, through

page_text: which the coal cinders may be emptied (by turning the grate until the ex-
tremities of the rims of the grato are in the same vertical plane). Eighthly, the
door plate N, Figures 1, 4, 32 and 35. There is a gap or opening in this
plate, around the inside of which there is an irregular border, projecting
inwards, , Figures 35, 33, 34 and 38, which constitutes a partial casement to
the corresponding opening in the brickwork, Figures 4 and 30, of the fire-place.
This border is furnished upon each of its opposite sides, near the bottom, with
an apertures and t, Figure 35; one of them, s, Figure 35, is elongated upwards
as shown at v; also with an aperture 33, Figure 35, upon one side, a little
above the middle; also with an aperture near the top of each opposito
side 6, 6, Figures 83, 34, and 35; also with a projection upon cach of
its opposite sides 9, 9, Figures 33, 84, & 35, near the middle. Ninthly, a
vertical grate 4, Figures 4, 33, 34, 35 and 38. This grate is formed of slender
vertical bars, connected by horizontal ones. These vertical bars are narrowed
at bottom 4, Figures 39 and 34. This grate is furnished on each side with a
pivot 5, 5, Figure 35, connected by a bent angular arm 7, 7, Figure 98, to
each sido at its upper edge 5, 5, Figure 35, which are to be lodged when in
place in the holes or apertures 6, 6, in the upper part of the border u, Figures
33, 34, 35, and 38, surrounding the aperture in the door plate of the fire-place N,
Fig. 35. The grate + is put into its place by being introduced nearly horizon-
tally and obliquely into the aperture in the door plate of the fire-place N,
Figure 35, when one of its pivots 5 being inserted into one cavity 6, Figure 35,
the other pivot 5, Figure 35, may be lodged in its corresponding cavity, and then
the grato may be placed in its proper vertical position, in which position it
latches behind the projections 9, 9, Figure 35, on the sides of the border sur-
rounding the opening or aperture in the door plate of the fire-place N, Figure
35, by means of a projection 8, 8, upon cach side of the grate near its lower
part g, g, and for this purpose the pivots are allowed a great deal of vertical
play in their sockets. Tenthly, a glazed door q, Figure 32. This door is com-
posed of two separate parts w and a, Figure 36, edge view, which are united
together by pins at the corners y, y, y, y, Figures 32 and 37, &y, y, Figure 36;
the outer part w, Figure 36, is perfectly flat, except a projection 8, Figures 32
and 36, near the middle of the upper part of its front, by means of which the
door may be lowered or raised. The inner part a, Figures 36 and 37, is fur-
nished on its front with several raised knobs, =,, Figures 36 and 37, the
uses, of which are to keep the two parts w and a, Figure 36, at proper distances
asunder, and to confine the glazing of mica, or any other suitable material,
in its place. It is also furnished with two projecting pivots r,, Figure 37, at
its lower edge, by means of which it is held in its place in the apertures s and t,
near the bottom of the projecting border a, Figure 35, surrounding the open-

page_text: ing or aperture in the door plate of the fire-place; and sufficient play is allowed
in these apertures to admit of lowering or raising the door, also to admit of a
slight lateral movement. This glazed door can be removed or replaced when
necessary by sliding one of the pivots r, Figure 37, up or down the elongation
v of one of these apertures. It is also furnished with a slight stud 2, Figures
32 and 37, a little above the middle of the side adjacent to the side of the
projecting border of the door plate N, which is furnished with an aperture 38,
Figure 35, a little above its middle, into which aperture this stud is to be bolted
by means of the lateral motion above described. Eleventhly, the flue plate O,
Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 13, 14, and 17, of the fire-place, which is sometimes used.
This back plate is furnished with a recess or enlargement, Figs. 8, 13, 14, &
17, so as to leave a passage for the smoke between it and the brick lining
of the furnace. This enlargement is broadest at the top; it is furnished at the
back with a projecting rim, near its upper margin, and is somewhat prolonged
above the rest of the plate, Fig. 32. O is a front view of the upper part of the
flue. Twelfthly, the top plate P, Fig. 15, of the fire-place. In this plate there
is an opening 34, Fig. 15, through which the fuel is passed, around which and
on the upper side of the plate passes a rim or border. The under side of this
plate has a raised border, running around the front and sides, also partially on
the back, except a slight break near the middle 36, 36, Fig. 15, of each side,
opposite which breaks are placed studs 12, 12, Fig. 15. The object of this
raised border is to receive the upper ends of the side plates of the furnace H
and I, Figs. 9 & 10; also the upper end of the door plate and flue plate of
the fire-place N, Figs. 32 & 35; also the upper shoulders or ends D, Fig. 6,
of the segments of the hollow column C, Fig. 6. Whenever the fire-plate is
used, the back part of this top plate is cut away, as shewn at 35, to receive the
upper part of the enlargement or recess of the flue plate, along the front of
which gap 35, there is a rim or border which, together with the prolonged por-
tion of the recess of the flue plate, constitutes a shoulder, over which is placed
the flue O, Fig. 4, that connects the furnace with the chimney, in which I
recommend the placing of a register or damper. Thirteenthly, a follower 18,
Figs. 4 and 33. This plate is made of a suitable material and furnished with
a loop or staple 37, Figs. 4 and 33, by means of which it may be raised or
lowered at pleasure, by means of a hook 38, Fig. 36, affixed to the lever, by
means of which the axle of the grate and the grate itself may be revolved.
This follower is intended to lie upon the fuel, and by that means to secure its
descent in the fire-place, and also to check the radiation from its upper surface.
Fourteenthly, the ash drawer 15, Figs. I. and 4, which is constructed so as to
close the opening 27, Fig. 12, in the front plate of the ash pit, and to pass
under the rotary cylindric grate when in place. This drawer, when nicely

page_text: adjusted, answers the purpose of a register for regulating the admission of the air.
Fifteenthly, four pillars C, C, C, C, Figs. 1, 2, & 3, or segments of hollow
cylinders, (that is to say,) hollow pillars with a part cut out of each the whole
length F, Figs. 6 and 7, with a small shoulder at top D, and also at bottom E.
Sixteenthly, a trunk 16, Figs. 1, 2, and 4, with its lid or cover 17, Figs. 12
and 4, which may be made in any required manner. The foregoing parts are
all made of cast iron or other suitable material. Seventeenthly, the brick
or other slow conducting lining of the fire-place, which rests upon the grate
frame, as shown in section in Fig. 4, and in plan at Fig. 8. Each side is coated
with one entire brick h, h, Figs. 4 and 8, and one of which is shown separately
in Fig. 27. The back receives two bricks i and k, the uppermost of which, i,
is shewn in Figs. 4 and 8, and separately in Fig. 28; and the lowermost, k,
with a wind hole in it, in Figs. 4 and 30, and separately in Fig. 29. Tho
front has a lower brick m, Fig. 30, and an upper one a laid across it above and
below, and small side ones o and p placed upright between them, as shewn in
Fig. 30, a single one being shewn in Fig. 31, the bricks being properly bedded in
fire clay. Any other shaped bricks may be used, only taking care to leave an
opening in the front corresponding to the opening in the door plate of the fire-
place, and also another opening 1, which I call the lateral outlet in the back and
near the bottom of the furnace, through which the fumes and heat pass to the
chamber and apparatus in which heat is applied. The foregoing parts may be
put together in the following manner-Upon the basis A, Fig. 5, and against
the projecting studs G, G, G, G, on each side, I place the side plates or ends of
the furnace and I, Figs. 9 and 10, as shewn by dotted lines II and I.
In the same vertical position and against the remaining projecting studs
G, G, G, G, I place the front and back plate of the ash pit I and K, Figs. 12
and 11, as also shewn by dotted lines I and K. Upon the front and back plates
between the side plates of the
of the ash pit I and K, Figs. 12 and 11, and
furnace H and I, I now place the grate frame I, Figs. 18 and 19, in such
manner that the front edge of the plate around the hopper part may fall upon
the projecting studs of the front of the ash pit 26, 26, Figs. 4, 12, and 14, and
the back upon the back plate of the ash pit K, Figs. 4 and 14, the bearing
being outside of the projecting studs 31, Fig. 14, on the under side of this plate.
The rotary cylindric grate M, Figs. 4, 13, and 14, is now put in its place,
Figs. 4, 13, and 14, by introducing it through the opening in the front
plate of the ash pit and raising it until the axle W, Fig. 22, can be
passed through the hole 24 I, Fig. 10, in the side plate, and also through
the holes in the sockets T, T, Figs. 20 and 21, of the semicircular carriages
S, S, fastened to the inner sides of the hopper part of the grate frame, and also
through the square central holes in the exterior rims of the grate. When the

page_text: grate and axle supporting it are thus properly adjusted, the axle is securely con-
fined by the escutcheon 19, Figs. 8 and 13, as before described. Upon the
upper edge of the front plate of the ash pit and behind the projecting bend 25,
Figs 12 and 4, I now place the door plate N of the fire-place, when the fluc
plate O of the fire-place, Fig. 13, is used; it is now placed upon the back edge
of the grate frame and just within the projecting border before described, 29,
Figs. 4, 18, 18, and 19. The hollow pillars or segments of cylinders C, C, C, C,
are now each inserted in their places, Figs. 1, 2, and 3; that is to say, in the
recesses B, B, B, B, before described in the basis of the furnace, in such manner
that one edge of the opening or gap F in each is placed against C, C, C, C,
one of the side plates H and I of the furnace, Fig. 8, &c. Upon the whole
thus adjusted, is now placed the top plate l' of the furnace, Figs. 4 & 15, &
secured by 4 iron rods Q, which rods have projecting heads at one end of cach,
and are screwed at their other ends to receive screwed nuts upon them Q and
R, Fig. 16, which rods are passed through holes made to receive them in tho
basis of the furnace, and also in the top plate P of the fire-place; the heads of
the rods being beneath the basis of the furnace, and the screwed nuts being
bound upon the top plate of the fire-place. Upon the top plate of the
fire-place may now be placed the trunk 16, Figs. 1, 2, and 4, with its cover
or lid 17, both of which are made to fit very close. The fuel is intro-
duced in the furnace thus described, through the opening in the trunk.
The column of fuel thus introduced is kindled at its bottom, and the follower 18
is placed upon its top; the lid of the trunk is closed, and thus the combustion
is chiefly confined to the lower section of it; the upper portion of the column
of fuel will thus become heated before it descends into the place where the
combustion is chiefly carried on. The apparatus in which the heat is applied
to various useful purposes is constructed nearly in the same form, but with
different combination of it, according as it is to be used for heating anything,
or for a retort, or for the purpose of condensing or cooling fluids. The apparatus
next described is applicable to the generation of steam, and the whole of it
(except where otherwise particularized) may be considered as made of iron.
I use a number of hollow vertical prisms or tubes 39, 39, Figures 37 and 38,
of small lateral dimensions, to contain the water; these tubes are riveted at
convenient distances from each other, at their upper and lower ends, into
parallel horizontal plates 40, 40, Figs. 37, 38, and 39. The arrangement
which makes the
is in the quincuncial order, as shewn in the Plan, Fig. 38,
current of heated air more effective by impinging on each tube, than if a
straight unobstructed passage were left from the entrance 41, Fig. 37, of the
heated air to its exit 42, Fig. 37, at the opposite extremity 42, of the

page_text: generator, and also leaves the tubes casily accessible from the sides and ends,
for the purpose of being cleaned or repaired; for the latter purpose I make
the side walls, or any convenient portion of them, 48, enclosing the tubes,
removeable at pleasure. To facilitate the removal of these walls, I make each
wall, 43, Fig. 40, front view, Fig. 41, section view, of two parallel metallic
plates, which I prefer to be iron, enclosing between them any suitable slow
conducting material. I also place, in or near the bottom of the outer plates of
the side walls, small moveable doors, 44, 44, Fig. 40, through which the slowly
conducting material may be removed. Upon the upper plate 40 I flanch on
or securely fasten a vaulted chamber 45, Fig. 87, called the upper or steam
chamber, furnished with the usual openings, such as steam pipe 46, steam
valve 47, gauge cocks and man-hole 49. Each tube opens above into this
chamber, which is otherwise entirely closed. Upon the lower plate 40, I like-
wise securely fasten another vaulted chamber 48, Figs. 37 and 39, called the
lower chamber or water cellar. Each tube opens below into this chamber,
which is entirely closed, except at these openings, and two others called the
feed pipe, 50, and a waste pipe, which last is only occasionally to be opened.
The lower surface of the upper chamber, and the upper surface of the under
chamber, are the boundaries in these directions of the current of heated air
which passes between and amongst the tubes. The heated air is admitted
through an opening 41, in the front wall inclosing the tubes, communicating
by a flue with the wind hole 1, of the furnace before described; in which case
the flue plate O, Figs. 4, 13, and 14, before described, is dispensed with, and
escapes through a hole 42, in the back wall to the chimney. Several groups
of tubes, each furnished with a separate upper and under chamber, may be
placed adjoining each other and inclosed in common side walls, forming a con-
tinuous passage amongst the tubes of all the groups for the heated air; the
communication for the water from group to group being solely through the
pipes 51, 51, Figure 37, leading from the upper chainber of each to the under
chamber of the group next to it, and nearer the chamber of combustion. The
fresh water is admitted by the feed pipe 50, of the under chamber furthest from
the furnace, and the steam emitted by the steam pipe 46, of the group nearest
the furnace. In some cases, when slow evaporation is required, it may be
allowed to take place from the whole of the upper chamber, which may there-
fore be left open at the top for that purpose. M, Figure 37, represents the
rotary grate; h, the body of the furnace; 16, the trunk, in which is a side
aperture with its cover 52, for the purpose of supplying the furnace with fuel,
and also within it a barrel 53, around which a chain is passed for raising the
follower 18.

page_text: And whereas, in the foregoing description I have occasionally specified
the materials which I prefer for constructing various parts of the said
chambers, and which I hereby again declare to be the most suitable for their
respective purposes with which I am at present acquainted, yet I declare that
the same may in each case be constructed of any materials now generally used
and known to be suitable for such purposes. I shall now enumerate the parts
and contrivances and combination of parts and contrivances herein-before
described of and in the furnace or furnaces for generating heat, and in the
apparatus for applying it to various useful purposes, which alone I claim as
new, and of which alone I appropriate the sole manufacture, use and sale;
protesting that I do not claim as new, or attempt to appropriate by virtue of
the same, any parts or contrivances, or combinations of parts and contrivances,
other than are herein-after particularly specified and claimed. In the appa-
ratus in which heat is evolved, as herein-before described, I claim as new, and
appropriate by virtue of and according to the said Letters Patent, the sole
manufacture, use and sale of an axle (as above described) for supporting a
a grate, whether vibratory, rotary, or stationary, at the bottom of the fire and
pile of fuel. I also claim tho grate as above described, whether made of
circular or polygonal bars, with the convex side uppermost, beneath a pile of
fuel. I also claim the combination of which the door-plate of the fire-place
with the glazed frame and vertical grate (as before described) is composed.
In the apparatus for applying heat to various useful purposes, before described,
as a generator for steam, I claim the apparatus above described, the middle
section of which is composed of hollow tubes, placed in a vertical position at
convenient distances in quincuncial arrangement, and opening into the upper
and lower sections; one or more of the walls or portions of the walls which
inclose the middle section being made in such manner, and so adjusted, as to
be removeable at pleasure; around and among the hollow tubes or prisms,
which compose this middle section, the current of the heating and cooling
medium is alone to pass, in its way from one end of the apparatus to the other;
the matter or substance to be heated, cooled, or condensed is contained within
the apparatus above described. I also claim the combination of two or more
of these instruments or apparatus (as before described) for applying heat to
various useful purposes in the manner before described, so as to form one con-
tinuous middle section.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joel Benedict Nott, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and thirty-one
JOEL B. NOTT. (L.B.)

page_text: AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Fourth day of May, in the
year of our Lord 1831, the aforesaid Joel Benedict Nott came before our said
Lord the King in His Chancery, and acknowledged the Specification afore-
said, and all and everything therein contained and specified, in form above
written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to the
tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Inrolled the Fourth day of May, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and thirty-one.