IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO STEAM ENGINES AND BOILERS to be as follows:
Year: 1885

page_text: I, ABEL PIFRE, of Paris, in the Republic of France, Mechanical Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO
STEAM ENGINES AND BOILERS to be as follows:-
""
This invention has for its object to provide improved apparatus for the production
of motive power and more especially small and mean powers, and comprises various
arrangements of parts the details of which can vary, but which must be so con-
structed that they contribute to the same result, namely:-a simple operation not
necessitating the employment of special workmen, a consumption of fuel which is
as restricted as possible, a continuity of action secured by the automatic feeding of
the fuel and of the water, and a convenient grouping of the entire apparatus
as well as of particular parts, according to the applications for which the said
apparatus is designed.
The improved apparatus is designed to be heated by a fuel, such as charcoal or
coke, or any other fuel capable of being used in the form of nearly regular frag-
ments and burning in a similar manner to coke.
This apparatus comprises essentially four groups of principal parts intimately
connected with each other and ensuring the automatic action of the system.
1st The boiler, which generates the steam, and which comprises a special
arrangement enabling the automatic feeding of the fuel and the regulation of the
production of steam.
2nd The engine, which utilizes the steam generated, producing motion according
to the requirements of the application in view.
3rd The condenser which receives the steam on its egress from the engine, con-
verting it into water and rendering it fit for use again in the boiler, thereby
preventing incrustations.
4th The apparatus for feeding the boiler from the water of condcusation, the
automatic operation of this part enabling a constant level of the water in the
boiler to be maintained.
According to the said invention, the boiler is formed of two concentric cylinders
closed at the top and bottom by rings rivetted so as to constitute a hermetically
closed joint all round the circumference.
The said boiler is placed upon a cast-iron bed closed by a plate which serves as
a bottom to the ash-box.
The free space left between the ground and the said plate is filled with plaster
or sand forming a non-beat-conducting layer and preventing any heat from pene-
trating below the boiler, thereby enabling the apparatus to be put upon a floor.
In a space immediately below the boiler and supported by the rim or flange cast
in one piece with the bed, is a cast-iron grate consisting of a single piece. This
grate is provided with a handle and can be drawn out completely in order to allow
the fuel to fall when the heating is to cease.

page_text: to regulate the draught.
мшары раиси
The boiler is surrounded by a casing of sheet-metal or wood, insulating material
such as felt, wool or the like being interposed between the boiler and casing to
prevent the loss of heat.
In the boiler is a series of vertical tubes placed circularly and communicating at
the upper and lower ends with the boiler in such a manner as to ensure a rapid
circulation of the water and great power of vaporization.
The upper part of the boiler supports a fuel feed pipe of sheet metal, which
extends down to a certain height above the grate and leaves, between it and the
internal wall of the boiler, an annular space forming a circular flue. Into the said
feed pipe is introduced the fuel which, by reason of the said pipe being closed by
a cover having a sand-joint, is incandescent only up to the lower end of the
feeding pipe.
The hot gases escape through the annular space between the boiler and the feed
pipe, through the flue to the chimney. As the combustion proceeds, fresh fuel
descends upon the grate and maintains the fire in constant action, as long as there
is fuel in the pipe.
The engine, placed upon a prolongation of the bed of the boiler and in proximity
to the latter, has a cast-iron frame carrying two brackets for the driving or crank
shaft. Upon this frame is fixed a hollow column serving as support to the steam-
cylinder. On the inside of this column are cast four projections forming slide-bars
and guiding the cross-head of the piston-rod.
•
The driving shaft, which carries a fly-wheel and a driving pulley, has upon its
end on the interior of the column a crank-disc. This disc carries the crank-pin,
a prolongation of which forms a counter-crank and is connected at its extremity to
the connecting rod of the slide-valve.
Upon the driving shaft is also mounted an eccentric which actuates a vertically
arranged feed-pump.
The steam-cylinder is preferably made of bronze, the steam-chest being cast in
one piece with it, the steam is conveyed from the boiler to the steam-chest through
a suitable pipe.
The distribution of steam to the cylinder is effected by two slides, preferably
bronze, fixed upon the same rod, which latter is actuated by the counter-crank
placed eccentrically to the crank-disc. The two admission-ports are thus reduced
to a minimum length, by which means the inconvenience of the dead spaces is
obviated.
The piston is also preferably of bronze and is provided with two rings of anti-
friction-metal, under which circumstances the friction upon the cylinder is solely
produced through the medium of the antifriction-metal, whereby the lubrication of
the cylinder is unnecessary; moreover, the shape of the antifriction rings being
similar to that of the pressed leather rings of hydraulic presses enables them to
accurately fit the walls of the cylinder under the pressure of the steam.
The absence of lubricating material in the cylinder is favourable to the use of
the condensed exhaust steam as feed-water for the boiler.
The steam after having operated on the piston in the cylinder passes into a
condenser formed of concentric tubes connected by special jointing.
The cooling water, obtained from the water-main of a town or from a reservoir,
passes through the exterior tube of the condenser surrounding the interior con-
centric tube through which the exhaust steam circulates.
The exhaust stean, when condensed into water, descends into a tank, with which
the suction-pipe of the feed-pump is connected. In this tank the distilled water
absorbs a certain quantity of air, thereby rendering it better adapted for feeding
the boiler.
A pipe, passing from the force-pump to the lower part of the boiler, serves for
feeding this water into the boiler proportionately to its consumption.

page_text: A float placed in the feed-tank operates an electrical contact so as to indicate
when the pump does not operate properly.
The engine has a governor and the boiler is provided with all the required
accessories for safety and indication.
As above stated, the detail arrangements of the various parts of the apparatus
can slightly vary according to the nature of their applications. I will indicate, by
way of example, those which I preferably employ in the case where the apparatus
is applied to impart motion to the screw-propeller of a steam-ship.
In this modification the boiler is exactly similar to the preceding and likewise
designed for heating with coke, only the upper part of the feed-pipe for the fuel is
inclined so as to permit the chimney to be placed at at the centre of the dome
which forms the cover.
This boiler stands upon a bed which forms the ash-box and is provided with a
prolongation in front for holding water for preventing the bottom of the vessel
from being heated. In the rear is the feed-tank whence the feed-pump of the
engine takes the water produced by the condensed exhaust steam.
The engine is not so high as that above described, it has, however, exactly the
same parts, such as the piston with antifriction rings, a double slide-valve, etc; it
rotates quicker so as to impart the required velocity directly to the shaft of the
propeller.
The feed-pump is placed horizontally and is actuated by two gear-wheels which
enable it to operate at less speed than that of the engine and more favourable to
a good effect.
Two clutches serve to connect the shaft of the engine with the propeller-shaft,
and a fly-wheel imparts sufficient momentum to overcome the dead points.
In a modification more especially designed for apparatus of mean power, the
boiler consists of a cast-iron bed carrying a movable grate and a draught-regulating
door, the body of the boiler is cylindrical and has in the interior two unequal
cylinders, the inner cylinder whose diameter is, of course, less than that of the
outer cylinder is prolonged above the latter so as to pass completely through the
smoke-box, and it is closed at its upper part by a cover which permits the intro-
duction of fuel into the furnace. Pipes arranged circularly around the inner
cylinder enable the hot gases to escape, the latter leaving through the flue which
is provided with a damper. The lower circumference of the body of the boiler is
provided with a series of tubes communicating therewith by their two extremities.
A metal cylinder closes the fire-place and supports the boiler.
In another modification which is more especially adapted for considerable power,
the bed is the same as in the above arrangements and also the grate and. draught-
door, and the apparatus comprises essentially two annular concentric chambers.
It is formed of four concentric sheet-metal cylinders, of which two and two are
connected at their extremities by annular plates and a top-plate. The interior
cylinder serves as a feed-pipe for the fuel. The hot gases from the combustion
expand in the free annular space between the middle cylinders, and come into
contact with the said two cylinders, escaping through the flue provided with
a damper.
A series of inclined tubes placed circularly around the bottom of the boiler
establishes communication between the two parts of the boiler. A second series
of tubes placed also circularly around the internal wall, augments the heating
surface.
All these arrangements can, when necessary, be connected with a blowing machine
or fan for increasing the draught.

page_text: I, ABEL PIFRE, of Paris, France do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO STEAM ENGINES AND BOILERS," 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 apparatus for the production of motive power and
comprises the combination of mechanism hereinafter described, the details of
which may vary, but which are so arranged that they contribute to the same
results, namely a simple operation not necessitating the employment of skilled
workman; a consumption of fuel which is as small as possible; a continuity of
action secured by the automatic feeding of the fuel and of the water; and a
convenient grouping of the various parts of the apparatus according to the
applications for which the said apparatus is designed.
The improved apparatus is designed to be heated by fuel, such as charcoal or
coke, or by any other fuel which can be obtained in pieces or fragments of
substantially uniform size and capable of burning in a similar manner to coke.
The improved apparatus comprises essentially four principal parts ensuring by
their co-operation the automatic action of the system.
1st The boiler which generates the steam, and which comprises a special
arrangement enabling the automatic feeding of the fuel and the regulation of the
generation of steam.
2nd The engine which utilizes the steam generated and operates with more or
less power according to requirements.
3rd The condenser into which the steam enters on leaving the engine and which
converts it into water, thereby rendering it fit for use again in the boiler, and
preventing incrustation.
4th The apparatus for feeding the boiler, from the water of condensation the
automatic operation of this part enabling the water to be maintained at a constant
level in the boiler.
The arrangement and operation of my automatic apparatus will be readily
understood by reference to the accompanying drawing in which
Figure 1 is an elevation partly in section illustrating the general arrangement of
the apparatus.
Figure 2 is a view of a detail.
Figure 3 is a sectional view illustrating modifications of part of the said
apparatus.
The boiler A (Figure 1) is formed of two concentric cylinders closed at the top
and bottom by rivetted rings.
The said boiler is placed upon a hollow cast-iron bed B closed by a plate C
which serves as a bottom to the ash-box, and as a bed-plate for the whole
apparatus.
A free space is left between the ground and the said plate C by means of a
flange thereon, and this space is filled with plaster or sand serving as a non-heat

page_text: conducting layer to prevent any heat from penetrating below the boiler thereby
enabling the apparatus to be put upon a floor.
In a space immediately below the boiler and supported by a rim or flange D
cast in one piece with the bed B, is the cast iron grate E formed in one piece.
This grate is provided with a handle so that it can be drawn out from below the
boiler in order to allow the fuel to fall into the ash-box when the heating is to
cease. A door in the ash-box F in combination with the valve or damper G in the
flue pipe H serves to regulate the draught.
The boiler is surrounded by a casing I of sheet-metal or wood, insulating
material such as felt or the like being interposed between the boiler and casing to
prevent the loss of heat.
In the fire-box or furnace of the boiler at the lower portion is a series of vertical
tubes J communicating at their upper and lower ends with the boiler in such a
manner as to ensure a rapid circulation of the water and to increase the heating
surface of the boiler.
The upper part K of the casing carries a fuel feed pipe L of sheet metal which
extends to within a certain distance of the grate E and leaves between it and the
internal wall of the boiler an annular space forming a flue. The fuel is introduced
through this feed pipe, and falls into the fire box. By reason of the said feed pipe
being closed by a cover M having a sand-joint the fuel therein becomes incandescent
only up to the level of the lower end of the said pipe.
The hot gases escape through the annular space between the boiler and the feed-
pipe L through the flue H. As the combustion proceeds fresh fuel descends into
the fire box and maintains the fire in constant action as long as there is any fuel
in the feed pipe L.
The boiler described is adapted for developing small powers, for larger powers
the boiler may be modified as shown on the right hand side of the boiler figure 1.
In this case the lower and upper walls of the boiler are connected to the feed-
pipe L so that the water comes into contact with the latter which is then inade of
the same strength as the other plates of the boiler. The hot gases from the furnace
pass to the flue H through a series of tubes J' arranged around the feed pipe and
open at both ends. The boiler remains in other respects the same.
For producing still greater power, the boiler is modified as indicated in figure 3
that is to say it is arranged as a multitubular boiler the flue tubes J¹ being made of
sufficient length to obtain the necessary heating surface and volume of water, with-
out making any alteration in the mode of causing the combustion and feeding the
fuel, and in the arrangement of the tubes J placed around the fire-box.
The engine is placed upon a prolongation of the plate C upon which the boiler
is carried and in proximity to the latter. The said engine comprises a cast-iron
frame N carrying at O and P the two brackets for the driving or crank shaft U;
upon the frame N is fixed a hollow column Q serving as a support for the steam
cylinder R. On the inside of this column are cast four projections S forming
slide-bars for guiding the cross-head T of the piston-rod.
The driving shaft U which carries the fly-wheel V and the driving pulley W has
upon its end on the interior of the column Q a crank disc X. This disc carries
the crank-pin, an arm upon a prolongation of which forins a crank for operating
the slide valve with which it is connected by the connecting rod Y.
Upon the shaft U is also mounted an eccentric Z which actuates the feed-pump a.
When the engine is of moderate power I replace the crank disc X by a crank so
as to have a third bearing for the shaft, and in this case the eccentric pin which
actuates the connecting rod Y is replaced by an eccentric keyed upon the shaft U.
driven
Also, when the engine is designed to revolve at a high speed, the pump.
through the medium of two gear wheels which cause the plunger of the pump
make one stroke for every two or three of the engine piston. When the power
to be developed is such that the boiler shown in Figure 3 is used, the engine can be
placed upon or below the boiler without otherwise affecting the construction..
to

page_text: The cylinder K, shown drawn to an enlarged scale in figure 2, is preferably made
of bronze or for engines of large power is internally lined with bronze. The face
upon which the slide valve works is also made of bronze. The steam is conveyed
from the boiler to the engine through the pipe c.
The distribution of steam to the cylinder is effected by two slides d, d preferably
of bronze fixed upon the same rod. The two admission ports are by this arrangement
reduced to their minimum length, whereby the formation of injurious spaces is
prevented.
The piston e is also preferably of bronze and is provided with two rings of
anti-friction metal or composition which have for their object to dispense with the
lubrication of the interior of the cylinder. The slides are likewise faced with this
metal or composition. The shape of the said rings being similar to that of the
pressed leather rings of hydraulic pumps enables the piston to accurately fit the
walls of the cylinder under the pressure of the steam.
The absence of lubricating material in the cylinder is very advantageous when
using the condensed exhaust steam as feed-water for the boiler.
The steam after having operated on the piston in the cylinder passes into a
condenser formed of concentric tubes arranged in a special manner, the object of
which arrangement is to cause the steam to pass through the internal tube and the
refrigerating water through the external tube around the internal tube. This cir-
culation takes place in a regular manner, that is to say, the water circulates in the
opposite direction to the exhaust steam, which when condensed into water, enters
a tank g to which is connected the suction pipe of the feed pump a; in this tank g
a certain quantity of air is mixed with the water which renders it more suitable
for feeding the boiler.
A compression or delivery pipe passing from the pump a to the lower part
of the boiler serves for feeding water into the boiler proportionately to its
consumption.
A float placed in the feed-tank g actuates an electrical contact so as to indicate
when the pump does not operate properly to supply the tank with water.
A spring contact placed upon the pressure gauge enables an electrical circuit
containing a bell to be closed as soon as the hand of the said guage indicates the
pressure which is not to be exceeded in the boiler. This contact spring can bo
adjusted to any desired pressure.
A governor is provided upon the engine and the boiler carries all the requisite
safety and indicator fittings.
I wish it understood that I do not claim any of the parts of which my improved
apparatus is composed providing that this part is not employed in combination
with the others. I may however substitute for any part, any other arrangement of
mechanism capable of producing the same result, and I may also modify the forms
and arrangements of the apparatus according to the purpose for which it is to be
applied.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
First. The improved apparatus for the production of motive power, the said
apparatus being characterized by the combination of a boiler provided with means
for automatically feeding the furnace with fuel; of a motor having a cylinder,
the lubrication of which is unnecessary; of a condenser; and of a feed-water
apparatus, all arranged substantially as described with reference to the accompanying
drawing.
Second. In the apparatus mentioned in the preceding claiming clause, the boiler
constructed as herein before described which enables the automatic feeding of the
furnace to be obtained.
Tbird. In the improved apparatus, a motor in which the piston is provided
with rings of antifriction metal capable of being replaced, thereby obviating the

page_text: necessity for lubrication; and which is also provided with a double slide-valve,
substantially as described above, for the purpose specified.
Fourth. In the improved apparatus, the employment of a condenser formed of
two concentric tubes between which the cooling water circulates, as above described.
Fifth. In the improved apparatus, the employment of indicators, one of which is
arranged in the feed tank and is formed of a float carrying a contact device for
closing an electric circuit, and thereby ringing an electric bell which indicates the
excess or want of water in this tank; while the other is arranged in connection
with the pressure guage and announces when the pressure attains a predetermined
limit.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.