IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HEATING WATER OR OTHER FLUIDS."
Year: 1879

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by John Fisher at the Office of the
Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd May 1879.
"
JOHN FISHER, of 40, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex. IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HEATING WATER OR OTHER
FLUIDS."
My Invention relates more especially to apparatus used for the purpose of heating
by means of steam water to be used for the purpose of feeding boilers, and it has
for its objects improved methods of constructing and arranging such apparatus by
which it is cheaper and more effective than has heretofore ordinarily been the case.
Where any improved apparatus is to be used for the purpose of heating water for
feeding one or more boilers by means of exhaust or waste steam, I arrange a straight
pipe of cast iron or other suitable material, and of sufficient internal diameter, in an
inclined position, the length of the pipe and the angle of inclination being adjusted
to suit the particular circumstances under which the apparatus is to be used, and at
its lower end I arrange a cistern or reservoir into which any water admitted into the
pipe flows and collects.
I make the higher end of the pipe communicate with the pipe or chimney into
which the waste or exhaust steam is to be discharged, or it may open at once to the
external air.
Opposite the lower end of the inclined pipe I arrange the end of the pipe through
which the waste or exhaust steam is supplied from the engine or other source.
This pipe is fixed preferably in a horizontal position, so that the steam ejected
from it strikes the lower side of the inclined pipe at or near its lower end, and is
then directed up and along it. On the upper side of the inclined pipe near
its lower end I fit a water supply pipe provided with a regulating valve, and
preferably having its discharge orifice into the inclined pipe so made that the water
is distributed or broken up on entering the latter.
From the cistern or reservoir already described I conduct a pipe leading to the
pump or other apparatus by which the boiler is to be fed.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-The exhaust or waste steam
being admitted to the lower end of the inclined pipe as described strikes the
regulated stream of water (or other fluid) which is admitted from the supply pipe
above, and scatters and distributes it, forcing it along and up the pipe and heating
it to a high temperature in doing so, being itself at the same time partially

page_text: condensed. The water thus heated falls upon the bottom of the inclined tube,
down which it runs and collects in the cistern or reservoir at the lower end, whence
it is withdrawn for the purpose of feeding the boiler as already described.
As the heated water runs down the inclined pipe, it continually meets the
incoming steam which tends to force it up again, so that it becomes thoroughly
heated before it finally reaches the cistern. The supply of water should be so
adjusted that not more than the quantity required for feeding the boiler collects
in the cistern or reservoir.
My improved apparatus as above described may be modified in various ways.
I sometimes arrange a float in the cistern or reservoir in which the heated water
collects, and I connect this float to the regulating valve by which the cold water
is admitted into the inclined pipe as described, so that when the cistern is
sufficiently filled the supply of cold water is cut off, whilst it is gradually re-
admitted as the heated water is withdrawn.
An overflow pipe may sometimes be arranged in the cistern.
The cold water may be admitted into a chamber or receptacle at the lower end
of the inclined pipe instead of directly into the pipe itself as above described, and
whilst being admitted it may pass through perforated plates or wire gauze or other
devices in order to distribute and disperse it. I sometimes form an outer casing
round the inclined pipe and I allow the water which is to be heated to pass along
the space between the pipe and such casing before it is admitted to the regulating
valve already described.
A casing for the same purpose may also be arranged around the exhaust pipe
through which the steam passes before or after leaving the inclined pipe; and a
similar casing may also be arranged around the upper part of the cistern described,
which may be provided with an opening or manhole for the purpose of cleaning it
when necessary.
Instead of water air may be passed through the casings described for the purpose
of heating it.
The upper end of the inclined pipe may be closed by a moveable cover through
which passes a central rod to which are attached, within the pipe, arms, discs, or
perforated or other plates against which the steam and water strike and are thus
brought more completely into contact.
I sometimes arrange a removeable trough or curved plate of tin or other little
oxidizable material resting upon the bottom of the inclined pipe and provided with
shelves, ledges, or plates, plain or perforated, which retard and distribute the water
as it descends along the pipe and thus ensure its being more completely heated.
In another form of my apparatus I arrange a pipe vertically or nearly so instead
of in an inclined position, and I fit within it a helical screw or worn of sufficient
length, the outer circumference of which fits more or less closely the inner circum-
ference of the pipe, whilst its centre consists of a pipe of considerably smaller diameter,
perforated with a sufficient number of holes or openings. The cistern or reservoir
is arranged at the lower end of the outer vertical pipe and the steam is admitted
through an opening in the side of the latter at its lower end, and after passing along
the convolutions of the helical worm it escapes through a corresponding opening at
the upper end of the pipe, the top of which is closed by a moveable cover. The
cold water is admitted through an adjustable regulating valve into the upper end
of the inner perforated pipe, through the perforations in which it passes into the
worm, down which it descends, meeting the steam by which its descent is continually
retarded as in the arrangement first described.
Or the water may be admitted directly upon the circular inclined plane formed
by the worm.
I prefer that the cistern should be fitted with a float actuating the regulating
valve by means of a rod passing up the centre of the main pipe, or by rods and
levers outside the pipe, so that the supply of cold water is regulated automatically
as required. The helical worm may be provided with perforated or other plates or

page_text: other devices similar to those already described for the purpose of bringing the
steam and water into more intimate contact.
Outer casings may be arranged round the outer pipe and cover in the manner
and for the purpose already described.
Instead of my apparatus as described being applied to exhaust or waste steam
pipes, it may be applied to pipes through which steam is specially conducted for the
purpose.
Apparatus for heating water or other fluids constructed according to my Inven-
tion is simpler, cheaper, more durable, and more readily applied and kept clean, and
in proper order than in apparatus for such purpose as ordinarily heretofore con-
structed and used.