Im- PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY SUPPLYING FUEL TO FURNACES
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Frederick Deacon, of Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of “Im-
PROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY SUPPLYING FUEL TO
FURNACES."
Sealed the 12th May 1871, and dated the 17th November 1870.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Frederick
Deacon at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 17th November 1870.
I, GEORGE FREDERICK DEACON, of Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY SUPPLYING
FUEL TO FURNACES," to be as follows:-
The said Invention relates nainly to improvements upon the fuel
feeding apparatus described in the Specification of an Invention for
which Letters Patent have been granted to Dillwyn Smith, bearing date
the Sixteenth day of May, A.D. 1870, No. 1406, which apparatus as

page_text: shewn in the Drawing accompanying the said former Specification has
a taper screw placed in front of the boiler which is supplied with fuel
from a hopper and conveys the said fuel to fans which rotate in a
horizontal plane and throw it directly into the fire-place.
In applying the aforesaid apparatus to a double-flued boiler four fans
are used, and the vertical spindles thereof are supported in steps at the
bottom of the fan boxes. Another vertical spindle also supported in a step
fixed on the fan box is geared in connection with the feed screw, these
vertical spindles all extend from the steps to some point above the boiler.
For the purpose of reducing the weight on the steps, and the difficulty
of keeping them cool when in contact with the hot fan box, I shorten
four of these shafts keeping one of the fan shafts at its former height
as a driving shaft. I form or fix the bearings of each of the short shafts
on a single pedestal or bracket fixed to the upper side of the fan box, the
pulleys on the top of these shafts being thus brought as near to the fans
as the screw cylinder will admit of. Each of the shafts having two
bearings in a single bracket above the fan, it is only necessary to provide
a stop to carry the weight of that shaft now considerably reduced, no
lateral bearing being required, a fact which considerably reduces the
friction on such step, and the difficulty of keeping it cool. I place
between the pedestal which carries the two bearings and the fan box to
which that pedestal is fixed, and between the step and the under side of
the fan box, a layer of some non-conducting material, such as felt or
gypsum. By this means I almost entirely insulate the pedestals and
steps from the heat of the fan box.
Sometimes instead of using bands or belts I drive the vertical fan
shafts by toothed gearing, and I may reduce the length of the fan shaft
nearly to the depth of the fan box by placing such toothed wheels or
pulleys and bands beneath the fan discs, but separated therefrom by a
horizontal partition.
In many cases, such for instance, as when the apparatus is placed in
front of marine boilers, this arrangement would have obvious advantages.
In such cases instead of leaving one of the vertical parts longer than
the others, I may shorten them all in order to avoid interference with
the smoke box doors.
In the use of the aforesaid feeding apparatus a difficulty has arisen
from the accumulation of coal dust between the fan box bottom and the

page_text: fan disc whence it finds its way to the step, I obviate this difficulty by
forming on the under side of the fan disc a narrow spiral rib, the
eductive action of which prevents any coal dust from entering between
the two surfaces, and I increase the effect thus produced by making the
hole in the fan box bottom through which the shaft passes slightly
larger than the shaft, and thus produce a current of air through
such hole between the two above-mentioned surfaces, or I may
have one or a number of small holes round the shaft for the same
purpose:
Notwithstanding the fact that the two fan discs run as closely together
as possible, the coal falling from a single aperture does not all fall upon
the two fans, but some of it falling to one side of the line cutting the
fan centres accumulates on the upper surface of the fan box bottom, and
is gradually pushed therefrom by the fans over the edge of the fan box.
upon the front dead plate of the furnace where it accumulates against.
the furnace doors, and becomes a source of great inconvenience, necessi-.
tating the frequent opening of those doors for the purpose of pushing it:
back into the grate bar. I obviate this difficulty by placing across the
under side of the aperture from which the coal falls a plate or bar corre-
sponding in figure with the space under the said aperture cnclosed.
between the peripherics of the two fan discs. I construct this bar or plate
of a triangular section with sides sloping downwards towards the centre.
of each fan. The coal which falls on this plate or bar is thus divided by
the upper angular edge and deflected into the two fans. By this means
the dead plate is kept entirely free from coal. If desirable it is obvious.
that I may use a plate or bar of a semicircular or other suitable section
instead of a triangular section.
Another objection to the feeding apparatus described in the aforesaid
former Specification is that it possesses no means for conveniently
changing the position on the grate bars to which the coal may be thrown,
and unless when the machine is first erected, it scatters the fuel evenly
over all portions of the grate surface. Considerable difficulty is ex-
perienced in effecting such an adjustment of the parts as will produce
an even distribution. Uneven throwing may be caused by unequal
quantities of coal falling on the two fans or by the incorrect position of
the edge over which the coal falls into the fans relatively to the centre
line of the fans. I overcome this difficulty of adjustment, firstly, by
providing the above-mentioned plate or bar with means for effecting its

page_text: lateral movement and adjustment to such a position as is found in
practice to divide the falling coal equally. Secondly, by combining with
the above-mentioned plate or bar, another plate with a sloping edge
capable of movement in a horizontal line perpendicular to the fan
centres. This second plate is so arranged as to be the effective front
edge of the opening above, and may be adjusted to bring the said edge
in the position found in practice to produce the most even fires. The
whole combination thus described for regulating the distribution of the
coal on the grate surface, I call a deflecter, and I may effect the aforesaid
adjustment by screws, levers, or by other suitable means.
Sometimes when coal in large lumps is used in the machine or
apparatus described in the aforesaid former Specification, it is found
that it is reduced to somewhat less than the pitch of the crushing screw
in two rectangular directions, but that the third rectangular direction
lying parallel to the thread of the screw is frequently considerably 1
greater. To crush such pieces I sometimes construct the screw with a
second thread smaller than the main thread, but like it increasing
gradually in size. A large piece of coal not having been divided in.its
length by the first thread will be crushed by the second or intermediato
thread, and with a view to avoiding too great a reduction of space for 2
the coal towards the large end of the screw, I sometimes slightly increase
the pitch thereof with its diameter.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said George Frederick Deacon in the Great Scal Patent
Office on the 17th May 1871.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, GEORGE
FREDERICK DEACON, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Civil
Engineer, send greeting.
2
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth day of November, in the 3
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and soventy, in the
thirty-fourth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said George Frederick Deacon, Her
special licence that I, the said George Frederick Deacon, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said George 3

page_text: Frederick Deacon, 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, excrcise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an In-
vention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATICALLY SUPPLYING
FUEL TO FURNACES," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
George Frederick Deacon, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the
same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said George Frederick Deacon, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawing, forming a part of this Specification.
The said Invention rclates mainly to improvements upon the fuel
feeding apparatus described in the Specification of an Invention for
which Letters Patent have been granted to Dillwyn Smith, bearing date
the Sixteenth day of May, A.D. 1870, No. 1406, which apparatus, as
shown in the Drawings accompanying the said former Specification, has
a screw placed in front of the boiler, which is supplied with fuel from a
hopper and conveys the said fuel to fans which rotate in a horizontal
plane and throw it directly into the fire-place.
In applying the aforesaid apparatus to a double-flued boiler, four fans
are used, and the vertical spindles thereof are supported in steps at the
bottom of the fan boxes. Another vertical spindle, also supported in
a step fixed on the fan box, is geared in connection with the feed screw.
These vertical spindles all extend from the steps to some part above the
boiler.
For the purpose of reducing the weight on the steps, and the difficulty
of keeping them cool when in contact with the hot fan box, I shorten
four of these shafts, keeping one of the fan shafts at its former height as
a driving shaft. I form or fix the bearings of each of the short shafts
on a single pedestal or bracket fixed to the upper side of the fan box,
the pulleys on the top of these shafts being thus brought as near to the

page_text: fans as the screw cylinder will admit of. Each of the shafts having two
bearings in a single bracket above the fan, it is only necessary to provide
a step to carry the weight of that shaft, now considerably reduced, no
other lateral bearing being required, a fact which considerably reduces
the friction on such step, and the difficulty of keeping it cool. Or I
sometimes fix a collar on the shaft, which bearing on the upper bush
obviates the necessity for a step. I place between the pedestal that
carries the two bearings and the fan box to which this pedestal is fixed,
and between the step and the under side of the fan box, a layer of some
material which is a non-conductor or bad conductor of heat, such as felt
or gypsum. By this means I almost entirely insulate the pedestals and
steps from the heat of the fan box. Or I may form the step and the
foot of the pedestal so that air may pass between them and the fan box
into the furnace and thus keep them cool.
.. Sometimes, instead of using bands or belts, I drive the vertical fan
shafts by toothed gearing, and I may reduce the length of the fan shafts
nearly to the depth of the fan box by placing such toothed wheels or
pulleys and bands beneath, the fan discs, but separated therefrom by a
horizontal partition. I sometimes use friction wheels instead of toothed
wheels or pullies. These wheels or pullies may be placed beneath the
fan box in a very shallow chamber or receptacle closed at the bottom
and on all sides. By making small holes or openings in the front or
bottom of this chamber, and at the back thereof between it and the
furnace a current of air is made to pass through the chamber and keep
the several parts cool.
In many cases, such for instance as when the apparatus is placed in
front of marine boilers, this arrangement by which the gearing is
placed below the fan box would have obvious advantages. In such
cases instead of leaving one of the vertical shafts longer than the others,
I may shorten them all in order to avoid interference with the smoke.
box doors.
In the use of the aforesaid feeding apparatus a difficulty has arisen
from the accumulation of coal dust between the fan box bottom and the
fan disc, whence it finds its way to the step. I obviate this difficulty
by forming on the under side of the fan disc a narrow spiral rib, the
eductive action of which prevents any coal dust from entering between
the two surfaces; and I may increase the effect thus produced by making
the hole in the fan box bottom through which the shaft passes slightly

page_text: larger than the shaft, and thus produce a current of air through such
hole between the two above-mentioned surfaces; or I may have one or
a number of small holes around the shaft for the same purpose.
Notwithstanding the fact that the two fan discs run as closely
together as possible, the coal falling from a single aperture does not
all fall upon the two fans, but some of it falling to one side of the lino
cutting the fan centres accumulates on the upper surface of the fan
box bottom, and is gradually pushed therefrom by the fans over the
edge of the fan box upon the front dead plate of the furnace where it
accumulates against the furnace doors, and becomes a source of great
inconvenience necessitating the frequent opening of these doors for the
purpose of pushing it back upon the grate bars. I obviate this difficulty
by placing across the under side of the aperture from which the coal
falls a plate or bar corresponding in figure with the space under the
said apertures enclosed between the peripheries of the two fan discs.
I construct this bar or plate of a triangular section with sides sloping
downwards towards the centre of each fan. The coal which falls on this
plate or bar is thus divided by the upper angular edge, and deflected
into the two fans. By this means the dead plate is kept entirely free
from coal. If desirable it is obvious that I may use a plate or bar of a
semicircular or other suitable section instead of a triangular section.
-
Another objection to the feeding apparatus described in the aforesaid
former Specification is that it possesses no means for conveniently
changing the position on the grate bars to which the coal may be thrown,
and unless when the machine is first erected it scatters the fuel
uniformly over all portions of the grate surface, considerable difficulty
is experienced in effecting such an adjustment of the parts as will
produce an even distribution. Uneven throwing may be caused by
unequal quantities of coal falling on the two fans or by the incorrect
position of the edge over which the coal falls into the fans relatively to
the centre lines of the fans. I overcome this difficulty of adjustment,
firstly, by providing the above-mentioned plate or bar with means for
effecting its lateral movement and adjustment to such a position as is
found in practice to divide the falling coal equally; secondly, by com-
bining with the above-mentioned plate or bar another plate with a
sloping edge capable of movement in a horizontal line perpendicular to
the fan centres. This second plate is so arranged as to be. the effective
front edge of the opening above, and; may be adjusted to bring the said

page_text: edge into the position found in practice to produce the most even fires.
I may effect the aforesaid adjustment by screws, levers, or by other
suitable means.
The whole combination thus described for regulating the distribution
of the coal on the grate surface I call a deflector, and I have con-
structed the same successfully in the manner shown in the accompanying
Drawing, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the said deflector fixed
to the upper side of one of the fan boxes described in the aforesaid
Specification of Dillwyn Smith, a cross section of part of which box is
shown; Figure 2 is a plan of part of the said fan box with the deflector
attached to the same; Figure 3 is a section on the line x, x, Figure 1.
Like letters refer to the same parts in all of the Figures.
A is the aperture in the upper part of the said fan box through which
the fuel falls from the cylinder shoot upon the fans; B is the plate or
bar of triangular section which I place across the under side of that
opening, and which must obviously have the effect of preventing the
falling of any fuel between the peripheries C of the fan discs. This plate
or bar is in this case bolted to the plate D with the sloping edge E,
which thus becomes the effective edge of the opening A. The outside
handle F, whereby the deflector is adjusted, is rigidly fixed to the
plate D by a stud passing through the fan box top in a slot G. The
deflector may by means of this outside bandle be pushed backward or
forward for the length of the slot, and the effective edge of the aperture
is thus altered relatively to the line joining the fan centres. Or the said
handle may be turned in the arc of a circle, the bar B being thus made
to divide the falling fuel in the manner found in practice to give the
most even fires. It is obvious that this adjustment may be accomplished
by a variety of mechanical devices.
Sometimes, when coal in large lumps is used in the machine or
apparatus described in the aforesaid former Specification, it is found to
be reduced to somewhat less than the pitch of the crushing screw in two
rectangular directions; but in the third rectangular direction lying
parallel to the thread of the screw it is frequently considerably greater.
To crush such pieces I sometimes construct the screw with a second
thread which may be smaller than the main thread, but like it increasing
gradually in size. A large piece of coal not. having been divided in its
length by the first thread will be crushed by the second or intermediate
thread, and with a view to avoiding too great a reduction of space for

page_text: the coal towards the large end of the screw. I sometimes slightly
increase the pitch thereof with its diameter.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and shown how the
same may be conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, I
wish it understood that I claim,--
First. Arranging the length of some or all of the vertical fan spindles
or shafts in such a manner that each one of them can be conveniently
carried by a separate short pedestal fixed on the fan box, substantially as
set forth and for the purposes specified.
Second. The insulation of these pedestals to protect them from the
heat of the fan box, substantially as specified.
Third. Placing the gearing by which one of the fan shafts drives the
others beneath instead of above the fan box, for the purpose set forth.
Fourth. The deflector constructed and arranged in combination
with the fans, substantially as herein set forth and for the purpose
specified.
Fifth. Constructing the crushing screw with a double thread, sub-
stantially as set forth and for the purpose specified.
.
In witness whereof I, the said George Frederick Deacon, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of May,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-one.