Combined Spark Arrester and Draught Regulator for Locomotive Engines.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Mar., 1895-Accepted, 4th July, 1896
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Combined Spark Arrester and Draught Regulator for Locomotive
Engines.
1, ROBERT DEISSLER, of 2, Elsen Strasse, of Treptow, near Berlin, in the
Kingdom of Prussia, German Empire, Civil Engineer, 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 :-
The draught requisite for maintaining the fire in the fire-box of a locomotive
engine is, as is known, produced especially by the waste steam exhausted by the
nozzle into the chimney. The force of the draught thus produced depends on the
quantity of said waste-steam, and is therefore very great if the quantity of the waste
steam is very great, or in other words, if the cylinders are charged with great
quantities of live steam at each stroke of their respective pistons. In such a case the
draught is very often as strong as to tear particles of coal off the grate, and to carry
them in a burning or unburnt i.e. in a non-exhausted state through the fire-tubes
into the smoke-box, and from thence through the chimney into the atmosphere.
The particles of coal thus carried away represent a true loss of coal, and are
moreover a real danger for the woods and forests which the engine is travelling
through. In order to do away with the said drawback I propose to combine the
blast nozzle with a fixed body which is arranged in such a manner that an annular
space is left between its rim or edge and the chimney. I prefer to let said fixed
body co-operate with a vertical slide that is adapted to narrow or close the
annular space afore mentioned. The fixed body forms a deflector for the rising
fire-gases, i.e. hinders the same to flow upwards in a true vertical direction; the
fire-gases are, so to say, caused to make a by-way on their way from the smoke-
box to the chimney, and in doing so they strike against the lower portion of the
chimney, which latter is widened at its lower end, or is contracted above said end
respectively. The particles of coal carried forth by the fire-gases are thus also caused
to strike against the lower portion of the wall of the chimney from whence they
fall down into the smoke-box.
When the cylinders are charged with the normal, low quantities of live-steam
(or) the draught produced by the resulting waste-steam is not so great
as to be able to tear greater particles of coal away from the grate; and the few
sparks then carried forth by the gases are retained by the chimney as just
described. If, however, greater charges of live steam than the normal ones are
necessary, and if therefore the draught would become stronger than required, the
annular space between the fixed body and the chimney is correspondingly
diminished by raising the vertical slide according to the quantities of the live
steam with which the cylinders are charged at each stroke of their respective
pistons. By this means the draught is reduced to its normal state, and the coal is
again prevented from being torn away from the grate, whereas the few sparks
that may still escape from the fire-box are deflected by the fixed body, so that they
strike against the wall of the chimney, and fall down into the smoke-box, as
already stated.
1
I prefer to let the fixed body surrounding the nozzle be reduced towards its
loner end; and if the exhaust pipes leading the waste-steam from the cylinders
to the blast nozzle are situated in close proximity to said nozzle, I prefer to let
the fixed body in question take not only around the nozzle, but around the adjacent
portions of the exhaust tubes, too; and in some cases I prefer, further, to arrange
the fixed body in such a height that its upper edge is situated either in the plane

page_text: of the opening of the nozzle, or below said planc. But I wish it to be under-
stood, that I do not strictly confine myself to this arrangement, as this is
greatly dependent on the distance between the opening of the nozzle and the
lower end of the chimney, and on the particular configuration of the lower portion
of the latter.
The vertical slide requires, as a matter of course, a guide; the latter is
preferably formed by the upper portion of the fixed body in question, but I may
employ instead of said body, or together with the said body, a special guide, or
guide-pieces, that may be arranged in a variety of ways just as best suited for the
particular type of locomotive engine to which my novel device is attached.
In order to make my invention more clear, I refer to the accompanying drawing,
in which similar letters denote similar parts throughout the different views, and in
which:
Figure 1 is a front view of my novel combined spark-arrester and draught-
regulator, the slide being in its lowest position, and the chimney being in
section.
Figure 2 shows the same parts, the slide being however shown in a higher
position.
Figure 3 is a front view of a slightly modified form of construction, in which
the fixed casing takes not only around the nozzle but around the adjacent portions
of the exhaust tubes, too.
Figure 4 shows the same parts, the slide being however raised.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section of the form of construction shown in Figs. 3 & 4,
the section being taken on line 8-9 of said figures.
Figure 6 is a side-view of a second modification showing also a part of the
smoke-box, and of the adjacent portions of the fire-tubes; in this figure the vertical
slide is left away; and
Figure 7 is a horizontal section taken on line 10-11 of Figure 6.
Referring to Figs. 1 & 2 a designates the nozzle and 6 the fixed body surrounding
the same. In the form of construction shown in said figures the body b is reduced
towards its lower end b', and terminates at each side of the exhaust pipe a' into a
sort of point or edge. The fire-gases escaping from the numerous small fire-tubes,
and rising up to the chimney c, are thus deflected from their straight course, and
are caused first to pass around the body b, and second to strike upon the lower
portion of the chimney c. The particles of coal carried upwards by said gases
are not deflected by the curved lower portion of the chimney (so as to pass up
into this latter), but owing to their greater weight they strike directly upon the
mantle of the chimney, and fall from the same down into the smoke-box.
If now greater quantities of live-steam are requisite for moving the locomotive
engine (which, for instance, is necessary on starting the latter, or if the train is to
be moved upon an ascent), then the vertical slide d surrounding the upper portion
of the fixed body is raised in a corresponding degree, so as to diminish the annular
space existing between the upper edge of said body and the lower end of the
chimney c. The body b may be regarded as a part of the body b; the latter may
thus be elongated in an upward direction, without, however, interfering in the
least with the proper exhaust of the waste-steam. The fire-gases, however, are
more or less throttled according to the lower or higher position of the slide d;
and the draught exerted upon said gases by the waste-steam may in any case be
regulated in such a manner, that the coal is prevented from being torn off the
grate, and the coal may thus be properly burnt and exhausted. The few sparks
that still may arise are in any case deflected by the reduced lower portion & of the
fixed body b, as are also the fire-gases, or at least a certain portion thereof; and
said sparks, or the small particles of coal forming them respectively, are then
arrested by the chimney as has afore been fully described. I wish, however, to
call special attention to the fact, that not only the lower portion of the chimney,
but also the slide d serves as a spark arrester, provided, said slide be raised to a
certain height.

page_text: In the modified form of construction shown in Figs. 3, 4 & 5 the upper ends of
the exhaust pipes a 2 are situated in close proximity to the nozzle a, and the fixed
body b surrounds therefore not only the nozzle but takes also around the adjacent
portions of said tubes a 2. The body b is in this form of construction provided
with a conical bottom 62 that deflects the fire gases in exactly the same way as
has been described with regard to Figs. 1 & 2.
The fixed body b does not form the only guide for the slide 6 but special guide-
frames e are secured to the lower portion of the chimney c.
These guidese may
well be replaced by a guide or guides of another description, for instance by
vertical rods secured to the upper rim of the body b. In this form of construction
as well as in that first described the slide d is furnished with a three-armed how f
attached to the lower end of a chain g; said parts fand g serve for operating the
slide from above (through the chimney). I wish it however to be understood that
I do not confine myself to said means, as it will be clear to every expert, that the
slide may be operated by a variety of means. The manner of action of the form
of construction shown in Figs. 3-5 is exactly the same as afore described, but
I call special attention to the fact, that the conical bottom 62 may well be
replaced by a bottom of another configuration, provided, said bottom he reduced
towards its lower end, or be shaped in such a nanner, that the fire-gases may be
deflected by the same.
If the lower edge of the fixed body b terminates into an edge, this latter need
not indispensably extend in a horizontal direction, but may as well be either more
or less inclined, or perfectly vertical, as shown as an example in the modification
represented in Figs. 6 & 7. The upper portion of the body b is also in this form
of construction circular or cylindrical, but is reduced towards its lower end, in
such a manner, that the portion situated directly opposite to the flame-tubes h of
the boiler is formed into a true vertical edge 3. In fact the configuration of the
fixed body b, especially of the lower portion thereof, may widely vary, and I do
not confine myself to any of the forms shown in the drawings; said forms are to
be regarded as mere examples. But in any case I do not claim such a deflecting
body per se, but always in combination with the vertically movable slide.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. In a locomotive engine, the combination with the chimney, and the blast-
nozzle, of a fixed body surrounding said nozzle, and arranged so as to leave an
annular space between itself and said chimney; said body being adapted to deflect
the fire-gases to said space; and a vertical slide encompassing the said body, and
adapted to narrow the said space, for the purpose as described.
2. In a locomotive engine, the combination with the chimney, and the blast-
nczzle, of a fixed body surrounding said nozzle, and having a diameter at least
equal to that of the narrowest horizontal section of said chimney; said body
being arranged so as to leave an annular space between itself and the said
chimney, and being adapted to deflect the fire-gases to said space; and a vertical
slide encompassing the said body, and adapted to narrow the said space, for the
purpose as described.
3. In a locomotive engine, the combination with the chimney, and the blast-
nozzle, of a fixed body surrounding said nozzle, and arranged so as to leave an
annular space between itself and said chimney; said body being reduced towards
its lower end; and adapted to deflect the fire-gases to said space; and a vertical
slide encompassing the said body, and adapted to narrow the said space, for the
purpose as described.
4. Iu a locomotive engine, the combination with the chimney, and the blast-
nozzle, of a fixed body surrounding said nozzle, and arranged so as to leave an
annular space between itself and said chimney; said body having a deepened
bottom terminating into an edge or point, and being adapted to deflect the fire-gases

page_text: to said space; and a vertical slide encompassing the said body, and adapted to
narrow the said space, for the purpose as described.
5. In a locomotive engine, the combination with the chimney, and the blast-
nozzle, of a fixed body surrounding said nozzle, and arranged so as to leave an
annular space between itself and said chimney; said body having its upper end
situated in or below the plane of the opening of the said nozzle, and being adapted
to deflect with its lower end the fire-gases to said space; and a vertical slide
encompassing the said body, and adapted to narrow the said space, for the purpose
as described.
6. In a locomotive engine, the combination with the chimney, the blast-nozzle,
and the exhaust-pipes, of a fixed body surrounding said nozzle as well as the
adjacent portions of said exhaust-pipes, and arranged so as to leave an annular
space between itself and said chimney; said body being adapted to deflect the
fire-gases to said space; and a vertical slide encompassing the said body, and
adapted to narrow the said space, for the purpose as described.
7. In a locomotive engine, the combination with the chimney, the blast-nozzle,
and the exhaust-pipes, of a fixed body surrounding said nozzle as well as the
adjacent portions of said exhaust-pipes, and having a diameter at least equal to
that of the narrowest horizontal section of said chimney; said body being
arranged so as to leave an annular space between itself and the said chimney, and
having its upper end situated in or below the plane of the opening of the said
nozzle, and having its lower end reduced so as to deflect the fire-gases to said
space; and a vertical slide encompassing the said body, and adapted to narrow the
said space, for the purpose as described.
Dated this 24th day of March 1896
ROBERT DEISSLER,
By Geo. H. Rayner,
Agent for the Applicant.