IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM BOILERS FOR INCREASING THE DURABILITY THEREOF, AND ALSO FOR ECONOMIZING FUEL
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Redfern, of Cumberland Road, Southsea,
Portsmouth, in the County of Hants, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM BOILERS FOR INCREASING THE DURABILITY
THEREOF, AND ALSO FOR ECONOMIZING FUEL."
Sealed the 21st August 1860, and dated the 23rd February 1860.
SPECIFICATION
PROVISIONAL
left by the said John Redfern at the
Office of the Commissioners of l'atents, with his Petition, on the
23rd February 1860.
1, JOHN REDFERN, of Cumberland Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, in the
County of Hants, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM BOILERS POR INCREASING THE
DURABILITY THEREOF, AND ALSO FOR ECONOMIZING FUEL," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to multitubular boilers, and is designed, first, with a
view of preventing the burning of the tubes thereof, an objection attending
multitubular boilers as heretofore generally constructed; secondly, in an
improved mode of arranging the flues of such said boilers, whereby a much
larger area of fire surface is obtained than heretofore in proportion to the size
of the boiler, and the heat from the fire is more effectively employed and
utilized therein, thereby economizing fuel. The means by which I propose to
effect these improvements are as follows, that is to say-Instead of allowing
the heat from the fire-box to pass direct through the tubes, as ordinarily

page_text: 1
practised in the boilers of locomotive engines, I propose to make the fire-box
in two or more separate parts, extending the whole depth of the boiler; the
crown of each fire-box is a thin water space, the upper side of which is a flue,
along which the heat from the fire passes, entering said flue at the smoke box
or chimney end of the boiler; the heat again passing by a cross flue to the
front of the boiler, and entering the tubes thereof passes along them.
The
flues are intended to be entirely surrounded by water. By thus constructing
multitubular boilers, the fire is brought more directly into contact with the
entire body of the water in the boiler than in multitubular boilers, as hereto-
fore constructed, and consequently by these improvements a saving of fuel is
effected, and by uniformly distributing the heat through the boiler, the tubes
thereof are not liable to be burnt at those parts where incrustation has taken
place.
SPECIFICATION
in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Redfern in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
23rd August 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
REDFERN, of Cumberland Road, Southsea, Portsmouth, in the County of
Hants, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of February, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-third year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said John Redfern, Her special licence that I, the said John Redfern,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
John Redfern, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during
the term therein expressed,, should and lawfully might make, use, exer-
cise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM BOILERS FOR INCREASING THE DURABILITY THEREOF, AND
ALSO FOR ECONOMIZING FUEL," upon the condition
upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said John Redfern, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great

page_text: Seal Patent Oflice within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Redfern, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement thereof, that is to say:-
This Invention relates to multitubular boilers, and is designed, first, with a
view of preventing the burning of the tubes thereof, an objection attending
multitubular boilers as heretofore generally constructed; secondly, in con-
structing such said boilers with a flue or flues, whereby a much larger area of
fire surface is obtained than heretofore in proportion to the size of the boiler,
and the heat from the fire is more effectively employed and utilized therein,
thereby economizing fuel. The means by which I propose to effect these
improvements are as follows, that is to say:-Instead of allowing the heat
from the fire-box to pass direct through the tubes, as, for example, ordinarily
practised in the boilers of marine engines, I propose to make the fire-box in
two or more separate parts, and to have as many fire-boxes in one boiler as
Over the
may be required, extending the whole depth or length of the boiler.
crown of each fire-box is a thin water space, the upper side of which is a flue
or flues, along which the heat from the fire passes, entering said flue or flues
at the back end of the fire-box or back end of the boiler, the heat again
passing by a cross flue at the front of the boiler, and entering the tubes thereof,
passes along them. The flues are intended to be entirely surrounded by water.
By thus constructing multitubular boilers the fire is brought more directly
into contact with the entire body of the water in the boiler than in multi-
tubular boilers as heretofore constructed, and consequently by these improve-
ments a saving of fuel is effected, and by thus uniformly distributing the heat
through the boiler and causing it to travel three times the length thereof, the
tubes and back tube plate of the boiler are not liable to be burnt at those
parts where incrustation has taken place.
In order to explain this Invention as completely as possible, I now proceed
to describe the best means I am acquainted with for carrying the same into
practical effect, reference being had to the illustrative Sheets of Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the numeral figures and letters of reference marked
thereon respectively, as follows:-
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
At Sheet 1, Figure 1 is a transverse and vertical section through the
take-up of a multitubular steam boiler constructed according to this Inven-

page_text: tion; Figure 2, a sectional plan view of same, through the line A, B, at
Figure 1; Figure 3, a longitudinal and vertical section, through the line C, D,
at Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4, a transverse and vertical section through the
line E, F, at Figures 2 and 3. Sheet 2 exhibits several views of a marine
boiler constructed according to my said Invention, with four fire-places or
furnaces. At each of the foregoing Figures 1 employ similar letters of
reference to denote corresponding parts in so far as such parts appear or ca.
be seen at each of such said Figures and Sheets of Drawings respectively.
A, A, is the outer metal casing of the boiler; B, an inner metal casing,
kept at a fixed distance from the outer case by any suitable means, so as to
leave a clear water space C. C, C, C₁, for the passage of water between such
said casings, and also around the tubes D, D; these tubes are fixed by their
ends into upright plates E, G, said plates being so fixed to the other plates of
the boiler as to leave open spaces at H, H, between them and each end of the
boiler, as exhibited at Figure 2. The inner casing B of this boiler is also so
arranged and fixed to the boiler as to leave clear spaces K, K, which with the
space at constitute flues for the passage of heat from the fire-places or
furnaces marked L, L., at Figures 3 and 4. The space at I forms the take-up
to which the chimney of the boiler is to be aflixed or connected according to
local circumstances and the purpose for which the boiler is intended, whether
as a marine boiler for ships or boats, or as a stationary or fixed land boiler, or
as a boiler capable of being moved from place to place by locomotion. The
course of the heat and gases and vapours from the fuel in the furnaces is
denoted by the arrow's flight, that is to say, the heat passes from the furnaces
under the water space C', from thence up at the openings at K',. along the
side flues or spaces K, through the several tubes D into the take-up I, and,
finally, makes its exit at the chimney affixed or connected thereto. And it is
this novel and improved mode of directing the heat through the boiler which
constitutes the peculiarity and distinctive feature of this Invention. And
although the accompanying Drawings only exhibit and refer to a boiler having
two fire-places or furnaces, it will appear evident to any practical boiler maker
that where boilers of large size are required several fire-places or furnaces may
be adapted thereto, as at Sheet 2 of the accompanying Drawings. The above
described improved boiler will also require to be fitted with suitable manholes,
mud holes, safety valves, water and steam guages, and other of the ordinary
appurtenances of steam boilers, all of which being well known and commonly
used with steam boilers, it is unnecessary here to enter into any particular
description of or mode of arrangement. I would, however, remark that for
the purpose of access to the side flues and tubes of the boiler above described

page_text: I propose to adapt doors M either at front of the boiler or at the back thereof,
or both, as local circumstances may require or convenience admit of.
Having now fully described and set forth the nature and object of my said
Invention of Improvements in the Construction of Steam Boilers for
Increasing the Durability thereof, and also for Economizi g Fuel," I would
remark, in conclusion, that I do not claim the precise mode herein described
and represented of arranging the flues of the boiler, as in some cases I propose
to carry them through the middle of the boiler. And I hereby declare my
Invention to consist in, and I claim the mode above particularly described, set
forth, and represented, of constructing multitubular steam boilers, by which
the heat from the fuel in the fire-places or furnaces thereof, being caused to
pass through or along a flue or flues, as above described and represented, is
more effectively employed than heretofore, and burning of the tubes and tube
plate prevented or materially lessened, the durability of the boiler increased,
and economy in fuel effected, as above stated.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Redfern, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-first day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty.
JOHN REDFERN. (L.S.)