IMPROVEMENTS IN STOVES
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Leonard Christopher Besant
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th March 1883.
LEONARD CHRISTOPHER BESANT, of Greenock, in the County of Renfrew,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STOVES,"
t
This Invention, which relates to improvements in stoves, comprises a novel
arrangement and combination of parts of coal or coke burning stoves, in which
are adopted improved means of consuming the fuel, and of preventing the
formation of smoke, and novel devices for regulating the supply of fuel and of
air for its combustion, and devices for creating a draught for lighting the fire.
A special feature of the improvements, is the arrangement of the parts to cause
the fire to burn downwards through the firegrate, and the green coal is fed over a
layer of incandescent fuel, through which the hydro-carbon gases, and that
inflammable gases or vapours evolved, by the partial decomposition or coking of
the upper layers, are caused to pass together with the requisite supply of air for
effecting complete combustion.
According to one modification, the improved stove is formed with a central fire
place formed by a basket grating or rows of fire bars or fire-bricks at the sides and
fire bars at the bottom, and enclosed within an outer shell of sheet metal, cast-iron,
or other suitable material, of any convenient shape. Below the bottom bars of the
fire place is a chamber or space into which the burnt ash falls, and this space also
forms the outlet flue for the flames or. hot products of combustion which pass
downwards through between the fire-bars into this space, and pass upwards
through a flue space behind or at the sides of the fire place and towards a chimney
or an air heating, cooking, or other chamber or casing in which the heat of the
stove is utilised. To this chamber is fitted a close doorway or opening to remove
ashes.
Immediately above the fire place is a fuel chamber in which is fitted a hinged or
other movable valve or door which is capable of being oscillated in such a manner

page_text: as to obstruct the passage of the fuel directly from the fuel chamber to the
fire-place, and thus acts as a means of regulating the supply of fuel. The fuel
chamber is of large size to contain in general sufficient fuel to last a considerable
time, and at the top or side is fitted a close doorway opening, through which the
fuel is supplied at invervals. At the front, side, or sides and front of the stove, is
an air heating chamber having air inlets or openings through the shell, such inlets
being by preference separated by partitions, and separate valves or gratings being
provided for each inlet, so that the inflowing air may be directed into the fire-place
at a higher or lower level. At the bottom of the fire-grate is fitted a gas jet or
row of gas jets, by means of which the fire is kindled, and to ensure ready kindling,
a hinged or sliding door or damper provided at the back or side of the fire place
nearest to the chimney flue, is open while the gas jets are burning to admit of a
free and rapid escape of the products of combustion. The draught may be further
assisted at the time of kindling, or during the working of the fire, by using an
exhaust fan in connection with the stove flue, or by blowing air into the fire-place.
After kindling, the door or damper at the back or side of the fire-place is closed,
and the flames or hot fire gases pass down between the grating or fire bars, and
curl round into the flue space leading out of the stove, in which an ordinary
damper may be fitted to partially regulate the rate of combustion.
Owing to the arrangement by which the fuel burns downwards, the height of
the incandescent fuel is limited and regulated by admitting the air for combustion
through the air inlets at a higher or lower level. The fuel above the incandescent
portion is however highly heated, and is partially decomposed, so that bydro-carbon
gases and their products are evolved, and these vapours having no outlet above
must pass through the incandescent fuel below, by which they are fully consumed.
The air requisite for complete combustion of these gases, is admitted by the air inlets
in front or at the sides, and may be regulated to any extent desired. The feeding
down of the fuel from the fuel chamber to the fire space, may also be regulated to
maintain uniform combustion, by means of a lever or other device operating the
door or valve fitted above the fire-place.
The front, sides, or front and sides at preference may be fitted with panels of
mica, glass, or any other suitable material, whether transparent or opaque; when
transparent, to give the cheerful appearance of an open fire.
The stove may be suitably ornamented externally, and may be used simply as a
-heating stove, or may be combined with a casing provided with the usual boilers,
ovens and chambers, to form a cooking stove or range. Hot water spaces may also
be formed round the fire-place, or round the outlet for the fire gases, and the stove
may then serve as a domestic water boiler.
In a similar way hot air spaces may be fitted to utilise the heat, by heating air
for warming purposes; and this improvement may be used in combination with
any known arrangement of apparatus where heat is required.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Leonard Christopher Besant in the Great Seal, Patent Office on
the 28th September 1883.
LEONARD CHRISTOPHER BESANT, of Greenock, in the County of Renfrew
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STOVES
"
My said Invention, which relates to improvements in stoves, comprises a novel
arrangement and combination of parts of coal or coke burning stoves, in which are
adopted improved means of consuming the fuel, and of preventing the formation
of smoke, and novel devices for regulating the supply of fuel and of air for its
combustion, and devices for creating a draught for lighting the fire.
A special feature of the improvements is the arrangement of the parts to cause
the fire to burn downwards through the fire grate, while the green coal is fed over
a layer of incandescent fuel through which the hydro-carbon gases, and the
inflammable gases or vapours evolved by the partial decomposition or coking of
the upper layers are caused to pass, together with the requisite supply of air for
effecting complete combustion.
According to one modification, the improved stove is formed with a central fire-
place formed by a basket grating or rows of fire bars or fire bricks at the sides,
and fire bars at the bottom, and enclosed within an outer shell of sheet-metal, cast-
iron, or other suitable material of any convenient shape. Below the bottom bars
of the fire-place is a chamber or space into which the burnt ash falls, and this
space also forms the outlet flue for the flames or hot products of combustion which
pass downwards through between the fire-bars into this space, and pass upwards
through a flue space behind or at the sides of the fire-place and towards a chimney
or an air heating, cooking, or other chamber or casing in which the heat of the
stove is utilised. To this chamber is fitted a close doorway or opening to remove
ashes.
Immediately above the fire-place is a fuel chamber in which is fitted a hinged
or other movable valve or door which is capable of being oscillated in such a manner
as to obstruct the passage of the fuel directly from the fuel chamber to the fire-
place, and thus to act as a means of regulating the supply of fuel. The fuel
chamber is of large size to contain, in general, sufficient fuel to last a considerable
time, and at the top or side is fitted a close door-way or opening through which
the fuel is supplied at intervals. At the front or side or sides and front of the stove
is an air heating chamber having air inlets or openings through the shell, such
inlets being by preference separated by partitions, and separate valves or gratings
being provided for each inlet, so that the inflowing air may be directed into the
fire place at a higher or lower level. At the bottom of the fire-grate is fitted a
gas jet or rows of gas jets, by means of which the fire is kindled; and to ensure
ready kindling a hinged or sliding door or damper provided at the back or side of
the fire place nearest to the chimney flue, is opened while the gas jets are burning
to admit of a free and rapid escape of the products of combustion. The draught
may be further assisted at the time of kindling, or during the working of the fire,
by using an exhaust fan in connection with the stove flue, or by blowing air into
the fire-place.
After kindling, the door or damper at the back or side of the fire-place is closed,
and the flames or hot fire gases pass down between the, grating or fire-bars, and
curl round into the flue space leading out of the stove in which an ordinary damper
may be fitted to partially regulate the rate of combustion.
Owing to the arrangement by which the fuel burns downwards, the height of
the incandescent fuel is limited and regulated by admitting the air for combustion
through the air inlets at a higher or lower level. The fuel above the incandescent
portion is however highly heated, and is partially decomposed, so that hydro-
carbon gases and other products are evolved, and these vapours having no outlet

page_text: above must pass through the incandescent fuel below, by which they are fully
consumed. The air requisite for complete combustion of these gases is admitted
by the air inlets in front or at the sides, and may be regulated to any extent
desired. The feeding down of the fuel from the fuel chamber to the fire space
may also be regulated to maintain uniform combustion, by means of a lever or 5
other device operating the door or valve fitted above the fire place.
The front, sides, or front and sides at preference may be fitted with panels of.
mica, glass, or any other suitable material, whether transparent or opaque; when
transparent, to give the cheerful appearance of an open fire.
The stove may be suitably ornamented externally, and may be used simply as a 1
heating stove, or may be combined with a casing provided with the usual boilers,
ovens, and chambers to form a cooking stove or range. Hot water spaces may
also be formed round the fire-place, or round the outlet for the fire gases, and the
stove may then serve as a domestic water boiler.
In a similar way hot air spaces may be fitted to utilise the heat, by heating air
for warming purposes; and this improvement may be used in combination with
any known arrangement of apparatus where heat is required.
The accompanying Drawings illustrate various modifications of the improved
stove, and of its applications for cooking purposes, and for heating air and water.
Figures 1 and 2 are vertical sections, taken at right angles to each other, of one
modification of the improved stove. The casing A is made of rectangular form,
and has a door or covered opening a at the top through which the coal or fuel is
fed into a hopper or fuel chamber B having sloping sides forming, a contracted
passage at C through which the fuel gradually descends to the fire-grate or
basket E. The sides of the fire basket E may in some cases be formed of perforated
fire-bricks or slabs. The supply of fuel passing through the bottom of the hopper C
may be regulated by means of a swivelling door D which is conveniently operated
by a screw d with a hand wheel outside or by similar means, and which may be
arranged to cant the back portion of the fire bars, as is indicated in dotted lines,
to reduce the size of the fire-grate E. In practice, I have found that means of
regulating the supply of fuel may in general be dispensed with. The fire is
arranged to burn downwards through the fire-bars, as is indicated by the arrows,
and the fire gases pass first down into a space H forming the ash-pit, and thence
pass upwards into a flue G which may lead direct to the chimney or through any
water heating
of the well known arrangements of cooking, air heating, or
appliances.
A smaller doorway provided with a hinged damper F may be fitted in a plate
which intercepts the direct outward flow of the fire gases; and this doorway can
be opened by oscillating the damper, so that the fire gases have a more direct course
into the chimney. It is only intended that this doorway should be used when
To facilitate the kindling
kindling the fire, or when the draught is insufficient.
of the fire, a number of gas pipes I are fitted in front of the fire-grate, and jets of
burning gas are directed through the fire bars against the fuel. The gas jets are
controlled by a tap which is closed when the fire is kindled.
To regulate the supply of air and consequently the size of the fire which burns
in the basket E, a valve or valves L is or are provided. The valve is operated by
a handle projecting out through the front of the stove. By raising the valve L to
a greater or less extent, air is admitted at a higher or lower point, and passing
through the basket E maintains combustion of the fuel within it below the level
of the valve. The fuel immediately above the level of the incandescent fire is partially
coked, and the inflammable gases and products of the coking operation finding
no outlet through the feeding hopper B, C, which is securely closed after each charge
of fuel is supplied, pass, of necessity, through the incandescent portion of the fue
below, and mingling there with the air supplied are completely consumed. The
neck of the hopper C may be lined with grate bars, or be fluted to facilitate the
downward flow of the gases produced by the coking operation. Doors o
panels K, K, are formed in the front of the stove to give admission to the ash-pi

page_text: and to the fire-bars; and by making the panels of mica or of glass, the incandes-
cent fire and fire-gases gases being consumed within the stove will give the cheerful
appearance of an open fire. The air to supply the fire is led in at any convenient
point, by preference near the floor, as indicated, to a close chamber N surrounding
the fuel chamber, wherein it is highly heated before being admitted to the fire
through the valve L. Small valves L' may be fitted to regulate the admission of
air to the chamber N. The darts indicate the direction of flow of the air, and the
arrows indicate the outflow of the products of combustion.
Figures 3 and 4 are vertical sections taken at right angles to each other, and
figure 5 is a horizontal section of a slightly modified arrangement of the improved
stove as adapted to fit an ordinary fire-place. The fuel chamber or hopper, fire-
grate, ash-pit and various parts are very similar to the corresponding parts of the
first modification, and in this modification as well as in those hereinafter referred
to, the same reference letters are used to indicate the same or similar parts to avoid
repitition of description. A large air chamber N is formed in front of the stove,
and is fitted with a panel of glass or mica through which the fire can be seen.
The valve L is in this example made to cover both the front of the fire basket and
the openings from the air chamber N. At the sides and back of the stove a
separate casing A¹ is formed, through which air entering at or near the base,
circulates and is warmed, and passes out near the top into the room. The hot
products of combustion are made to pass round the air warming casing A', or
between it and the walls of the chimney space, to part with their heat to the
circulating air in the casing A' before escaping into the chimney flue. The air
casing A¹ may be supplied with fresh air from outside the room.
Figures 6 and 7 are sections at right angles of a modification of the stove as
combined with a boiler and ovens to form a cooking range. The stove itself is
similar in construction to those already described, but the outlet G, for the products
of combustion, leads into a circulating flue passing round the boiler W and ovens O.
of the range R, before escaping to the chimney, valves V being provided to direct
the escaping fire gases. The range may be of any ordinary construction, and may
be fitted behind or at the side of the heating stove.
Figures 8 and 9 are sections at right angles of a modification of the improved
stove combined with a series of air warming tubes P. The air heating apparatus P
is of ordinary construction, the hot fire gases being led through a casing P₁ round
the outside of the series of tubes, on their way to the chimney, while air circulates
through the inside of the tubes. The door a of the fuel chamber is in this
example closed by a water lute.
Figures 10 and 11 are sections of another modification in which a water boiler W
is fitted round the fire basket and fuel chamber. Pipe connections may be provided
at top and bottom of the boiler, to adapt the stove for heating water for greenhouse
coils or for similar use. An air space or casing A is formed behind, or to surround
the outlet flue G for the fire gases. The bottom of the grate E is fitted at some
distance below the side bars to give greater freedom for the descending fuel.
Figures 12 and 13 are vertical sections taken at right angles to each other, and
figure 14 is a horizontal section of a modification of the stove in which the fire
basket is formed of a series of tubes E through which air circulates, the object
being partly to heat the air and partly to prevent burning of the fire-bars. The
stove is shown of rectangular shape, but it may be circular or of other shape
in plan. In other respects this stove is very similar to those already described.
Figures 15, 16, and 17 are similar views of another modification in which hollow
grate bars E are used, but in this case water is circulated through the bars which
are connected to a boiler W partly surrounding the fire basket and fuel chamber.
The stove is shown of circular form, and the boiler is of crescent shape in plan.
The fire gases pass out through an outlet G formed between the boiler and an air
warming casing through which the air enters the chamber N. The hollow grate
bars may be inclined to promote circulation of the water through them. This stove
may also be made square or oblong.

page_text: Figure 18 is a section of a modification of the stove in which the air heating
casing N¹ is external to the stove, and is fitted to surround the chimney flue G.
The air enters at the top of the casing passes round the sides and below the flue G,
and ultimately enters the chamber N from which the fire is supplied. An outer
panel K₁ of mica or glass is fitted in front of the stove, and an inner door K of
mica or metal encloses the ash-pit H.
Figures 19 and 20 are sections of a modification of the stove in which the outlet
flue space G extends round the sides and back, and encloses the air space N.
The door K of the ash-pit and air space is arranged to slide vertically, as is
also the air supply valve L. The fuel supply chamber or hopper is formed with
vertical sides immediately, over the fire basket E.
Figures 21 and 22 are vertical sections, and figure 23 is a horizontal section,
showing another modification of the stove which is circular in plan, but differing
very little from previous modifications described. A swivelling damper G is
shown in the outlet flue G which may be connected to any apparatus wherein the
heat of the fuel consumed may be utilised.
Figures 24 and 25 are vertical sections of another modification of the stove
which is square in plan.
Figures 26 and 27 are vertical sections, and figure 28 is a horizontal section of
a modification of stove in which the parts are shaped to give an ornamental
appearance to the stove. In other respects the stove does not materially differ
from modifications before described.
The various examples illustrated are designed to show how the parts of the
stove may be modified for different purposes. The stove may be greatly varied in
shape and may be suitably ornamented, and adapted to different uses, but in every
case the essential parts of the combination are retained whereby the fuel is fed in
to a close chamber above, is partially coked and caused to burn downwards, while
the admission of air by movable valves regulates the height at which the fire burns.
The various arrangements for utilising the heat, are, in general, such as are in
common use, and may be connected to the stove in the manner illustrated, or in
any other suitable way.
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,―
First. The combination of parts forming the improved coal burning stove in the
various modifications herein described and illustrated.
Second. A stove consisting of a fire-grate or basket, with an enclosed fuel
chamber above, and an outlet flue below, the fire being adapted to burn downwards,
substantially as herein described and illustrated.
Third. The combination in a stove of a fire-grate or basket, an enclosed fuel
chamber above supplying fuel thereto, an outlet flue below, for the fire gases, and
an air chamber heated thereby, the air supply and height of the fire being regulated
by suitable valves, substantially as herein described and illustrated.
In Witness Whereof, I the said Leonard Christopher Besant, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this twenty-sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
Witness
WALLACE FAIRWEATHER. C.E.
Fel, Inst. Patent. Agents
Glasgow.
LEONARD C BESANT
(L.S.)