IMPROVEMENTS IN REGISTER STOVES OR FIRE-PLACES AND FURNACES, CON- DUCING TO THE CONSUMPTION OF SMOKE, AND APPLICABLE TO WARMING, VENTILATING, COOKING, AND OTHER PURPOSES." PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1864

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Hugh Simester, of New Street, Dorset Square, in
the County of Middlesex, Engineer, and John Bainbridge, of Ely Place,
also in the County of Middlesex, Ironmonger, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN REGISTER STOVES OR FIRE-PLACES AND FURNACES, CON-
DUCING TO THE CONSUMPTION OF SMOKE, AND APPLICABLE TO WARMING,
VENTILATING, COOKING, AND OTHER PURPOSES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Hugh Simester and John
Bainbridge at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with their
Petition, on the 12th March 1864.1
We, HUGH SIMESTER, of New Street, Dorset Square, in the County of
Middlesex, Engineer, and JOHN BAINBRIDGE, of Ely Place, also in the County
of Middlesex, Ironmonger, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN REGISTER STOVES OR FIRE-PLACES AND FURNACES, CONDUCING
TO THE CONSUMPTION OF SMOKE, AND APPLICABLE TO WARMING, VENTILATING,
COOKING, AND OTHER PURPOSES," to be as follows:-
Our Invention consists, 1st, in a particular arrangement and manufacture of
the
grate or fireholder of tubes, and surrounding all parts of the said grate
or fireholder with cold air, by which means durability is obtained.
2ndly, in forming a space or chamber round the fire at back and sides, or
it may be at bottom below the fire, formed of iron, fire-brick, clay, or other
convenient substance connected with a flue at or near the bottom having a

page_text: regulator, by which a down draught is obtained, causing the smoke and gas to
pass through the fire, thereby obtaining perfect combustion, consumption of
smoke, and conservation of heat.
3rdly, in forming a double bottom or air chamber to the grate or fire-
holder, conveying the air therefrom through the tubular grate to the top of
the fire.
4thly, in forming a double air chamber at back of grate or fire-place,
divided horizontally, and admitting air from outside the building by means of
hollow skirting formed of metal, earthenware, or other convenient material; a
part of the air is admitted to the chamber supplying the tubular grate, and
part becomes moderately warm by passing along the back of the fire, and is
conducted to any apartment required, and admitted into it by louvre valves
acting with regulators or set screws, and a similar louvre valve is made self-
acting, and fixed in the chimney to take off the vitiated air from the apart-
ment where such is required for ventilation. In cases where ventilation is
not required, the air from the room or apartment may be used for creating a
draught.
. Folding doors or covers are to be used on first lighting the fire, which doors
or covers may be made of talc or other suitable material. A portable oven
and hot-plate may be formed over the fire in any register or other stove of this
kind for cooking purposes. By placing a coil in the smoke-consuming
chamber water may be boiled for a bath supply for hot water at top of house,
and extra rooms warmed by circulating hot water from the same fire. Many
modifications may be effected, and the grate may be made of any convenient
form or shape. The tubes may be bent to any form or shape, and placed in a
vertical or horizontal position. The grate may also be made of solid bars,
cast grating, or hollow castings. A tube may also be substituted for the
chamber at bottom. The above describes the open fire or common form of
fire-grate. This Invention is applicable to all kinds of fire-places and
furnaces, being modified to adapt it to the purpose required.
In applying our improvements to an ordinary chamber fire we form the fire-
place like an ordinary register stove, but instead of the ordinary fire-bars,
with solid back and sides, and grating at bottom, we form the space containing
the fire of a series of small upright tubes all round, these tubes being fixed at
their lower ends in and open to a chamber having communication with the
supply chamber of the air, the upper ends being held by a horizontal bar at
top level with the height of the fire. In front we form these tubes at dis-
tances apart about equal to ordinary bars, or a little closer; but at back and
sides we place them much closer and in two or three rows so as to prevent the

page_text: escape of any fuel thereat; behind the back and side tubes is disposed a solid
back and sides, but leaving a space between to form a combustion chamber,
and at bottom of this solid back, nearly on a level with the bottom of the fire,
is the escape for the products of combustion into the flue. Surrounding the
solid back is the flue space, and around that again an air chamber for heating.
the air to be supplied to the room through a ventilator, and also to the fire
through the tubes before mentioned for combustion; a horizontal diaphragm
by preference separates or partially separates this air chamber, the hot air
being supplied to the room from the upper part by a regulating valve, and the
cold air to the fire from the lower part. We place this chamber in communi-
cation with the external atmosphere, and the room may also be supplied with
cold air from this source, a suitable valve being provided for that purpose.
The lower part of the air chamber more immediately surrounds the ash-pit,
and is therefore not subject to much heat. The ordinary opening of the
register stove is retained, but only opened for occasional and. exceptional use.
When this is closed and the fire lighted the draught is downwards in the fire,
and causes the smoke to flow through the surrounding tubes into the first
space or combustion chamber, and thence under the back of same into the
upward flue space thus no smoke arises from the fire, being carried down and
consumed in its passage as above described. A damper is provided in the
flue to regulate the draught, and so restricts and regulates the rate of burning.
A coil of pipes may be placed in the combustion or flue chambers to heat.and
circulate water for heating purposes. The air for supplying the fire-tubes may
be drawn from the room if desired; in either case it will be greatly heated
before being emitted all round at the level of the top of the fire. We prefer
that the fire should be on a solid bottom. The above arrangement will serve
for the several descriptions of fire-places, and may be used with minor modifi-
cations for heating, ventilating, and cooking purposes.
We will now proceed to describe the application of our Invention to furnaces.
A furnace we make with a solid bottom, and along each side we dispose a
minor air-supply tube against which the fuel may rest; from these main tubes
we carry a series of arched tubes over the fire in a direction from side to side
of the furnace; these tubes terminate somewhat short of the crown of the
arch, and have air-emission apertures for the supply of the fire at their ends;
they are also provided with a series of air apertures on the exterior of their
arcs, which emit air into a space surrounding them externally and forming the
limits of the furnace. The fire is thus contained within the chamber and
embraced by the series of ribs, so to speak, between which and down from the
top a free circulation and supply of air is admitted to all parts of the fire,

page_text: the heat and flames passing freely between the tubes forming the ribs into
the space surrounding them. The arc enclosing the tubes may be the
bottom of the boiler or other surface to be heated, or the products of com-
bustion may be conducted thence for heating purposes, or the furnace may be
used for heating in the fire itself. The air supplied for combustion may be
previously warmed or not, but in all cases will be heated in passing through
the supply tubes
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Hugh Simester and John Bainbridge in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 12th September 1864.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, HUGд
SIMESTER, of New Street, Dorset Square, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, and JOHN BAINBRIDGE, of Ely Place, also in the County of
Middlesex, Ironmonger, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twelfth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-four, in the twenty-seventh year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto us, the
said Hugh Simester & John Bainbridge, Her special licence that we, the
said Hugh Simester & John Bainbridge, our executors, administrators, and
assigns, or such others as we, the said Hugh Simester & John Bainbridge,
our 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, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN REGISTER STOVES
OR FIRE-PLACES AND FURNACES, CONDUCING TO THE CONSUMPTION OF SMOKE, AND
APPLICABLE TO WARMING, VENTILATING, COOKING, AND OTHER PURPOSES," upon the
condition (amongst others) that we, the said Hugh Simester & John Bain-
bridge, our executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under
our, 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 Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the
said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Hugh Simester & John Bainbridge,
do hereby declare the nature of our said Invention, and in what manner the

page_text: same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the two Sheets of Drawings
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is
to say):-
Our Invention relates to the arrangement of fire-places and furnaces
generally in such manner that while they are supplied with fuel on the top
of the fire in the ordinary manner, the air to support combustion is also
supplied at the upper part, or principally so, such air-supply descending
through the fire in its progress to the flue instead of upwards as in ordinary;
by this means the generation of smoke will to a great extent be prevented,
the carbonic acid generated being converted into carbonic oxide in its progress
through the incandescent mass, and therefore into an inflammable gas, which
is consumed in the combustion chamber and flues. To ensure the combustion
of the gas passing away from the lower part of the fire or from the opposite
side to that at which the air is admitted we provide for a further admixture
of air to the chamber or flues through which it subsequently passes.
The Invention is applicable to all kinds of fire-places and furnaces, being
simply modified to adapt it for the purpose required.
In applying our improvements to an ordinary chamber fire, we form the
fire-place like an ordinary register stove, but instead of the ordinary fire-
bars, and solid back and sides with grating at bottom, we form the space
containing the fire of a series of small upright tubes all round, these tubes
being fixed at their lower ends in and open to a chamber having communica-
tion with the supply chamber of the air, the upper ends being held by a
horizontal bar at top level with or above the height of the fire. In front we
place these tubes at distances apart about equal to ordinary bars or a little
closer, but at back and at sides we place them much closer and in two or
three rows, so as to prevent the escape of any fuel thereat; behind the back
and side tubes is disposed a solid back and sides, but leaving a space between
to form a combustion chamber, and at bottom of this solid back (nearly on a
level with the bottom of the fire) is the escape for the products of combus-
tion into the flue. Surrounding the solid back is the flue space, and around
or through that space an air chamber for heating the air to be supplied to
the room through a ventilator, and also to the fire through the tubes before
mentioned for combustion; a horizontal diaphragm by preference separates or
partially separates this air chamber, the hot air being supplied to the room
from the upper part by a regulating valve, and the cold air to the fire from
the lower part. We place this chamber in communication with the external
atmosphere, either by a channel in the floor or wall or in the skirting of the
.

page_text: chamber
; the room may also be supplied with cold air from this source, a
suitable valve being provided for the purpose. The lower part of the air
chamber more immediately surrounds the ash-pit, and is therefore not subject
to much heat. The ordinary register opening of the register stove is retained,
but only opened for occasional and exceptional use. When this is closed and
the fire lighted the draught is downwards in the fire, which carries the pro-
ducts of combustion between the surrounding tubes into the first space or
combustion chamber, and thence under the back of same into the upward
flue space; thus no smoke can arise from the fire, very little being generated,
and if generated being carried down and consumed in its passage as above
described. A damper is provided in the flue to regulate the draught, and so
to restrict and regulate the rate of burning. A coil of pipes may be
placed in the combustion or flue chambers to heat and circulate water
for heating baths or for other purposes.
The air for snpplying the
fire tubes may be drawn from the room if desired; in either case it will
be heated before being emitted all round at the level of the top of the
fire. We prefer that the fire should be supported on a solid bottom.
The above arrangement will serve for the several descriptions of fire-
places that may be used with minor modifications for heating, ventilating, and
cooking purposes.
We will now proceed to describe the application of our Invention to furnaces.
A furnace for a steam boiler or other purpose we make with a solid bottom,
and along each side dispose a main air-supply tube against which the fuel
may rest; from these main tubes we carry a series of arched tubes over the
fire in a direction from side to side of the furnace; these tubes terminate
;
somewhat short of the crown of the arch, and have air-emission apertures
for the supply of the fire at their ends; they are also provided with a series of
air apertures on the interior or it may be the exterior of their arcs, which
emit air into a space surrounding them externally and forming the limits of
the furnace. The fire is thus contained within a chamber and embraced by
the series of ribs, so to speak, between which and down from the top a free
circulation and supply of air is admitted to all parts of the fire, the heat and
flames passing freely between the tubes forming the ribs into the space
surrounding them. The are enclosing the tubes may be the bottom of the
boiler or other surface to be heated, from which the products of combustion
are conducted to a combustion space or chamber wherein air is admitted to
produce the combustion of the gases, such combustion space being in com-
munication with the flues leading to the chimney. A furnace of this construc-
tion may be used for heating in the fire itself. The air supplied for combus-

page_text: passing through the supply tubes of the re-grate or furnace.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 represents a front view of a stove or fire-grate constructed according
to our Invention; Fig. 2, a transverse vertical-section of the same; and Fig. 3,
a plan of the fire-grate. With the exception of the grate or fireholder the
general appearance of the stove is the same as an ordinary register stove. In
setting this stove, spaces a, a, are provided at each side behind the front, which
may extend the whole height of the stove; these spaces are in communication
with the through channels b, b, c, c, and d, d, these channels being formed in
the casting, or of suitable pieces fixed together; e, e, are the tubes forming the
front bars, opening at bottom to space c, and at top to the fire, as indicated by
the arrow.
The tubes f,f, surrounding the back are also in communication
at bottom with space c, from whence they draw air, which is emitted at top to
the fire. There may be one, two, or more rows of these pipes, as may be
required to retain the fire; g is a fire-tile laid in the bottom of the grate. The
fire being lighted in the grate A will heat the pipes e and f, and consequently
heat the air in them, which will ascend and feed the fire at the top, such tubes
drawing their supply from channels c, c, and space a, a, which-air is previously
considerably heated by contact with the stove back, and in the channels b
and c.
The space a, a, may be supplied from the outer atmosphere, as before
mentioned, or from other source desired. The channel d is also in com-
munication with a, a, being the lower part thereof, but is partially separated
therefrom by a horizontal diaphragm h; the air channel from the external
atmosphere enters below this diaphragm, and if cold air is to be admitted to
the room from this source, the ventilators in the stove front are to be below
this diaphragm; like ventilating regulators may also be disposed in the front
plate of stove at the upper part of spaces a, a, for the admission of warm
air to the room. In lighting a fire in this stove it may be necessary to open
the register i to heat the chimney and cause the draught. When this is once
established it may be closed, when the draught will be downwards in the fire
and under the channel b, as indicated by the arrow. Supposing fresh coals to
be put on a bright fire, the gases evolved pass downwards and through the fire,
and escape through between the tubes f, f¹, into the space k between them
and the solid back l, which with space m forms a combustion chamber. We
admit air either by separate short tubes or by openings in the back part of
channel c, or it may be through holes in the back part of pipes f'. This
admixture of air produces combustion of the gases in the combustion chamber

page_text: from whence the draught leads to the flue 9 and chimney. In addition to
maintaining heat in the body of the fire, the heat of the combustion in
chamber & in the flue q heats the air in b, b, and so communicates with
spaces a, a, for the purposes before mentioned. It will be observed that the
ash-pit is closed by a kind of drawer or ash-pan p, p, which fits sufficiently
close to prevent air entering to vitiate the draught in the flue q. The asbes
from the back part of the fire will drop into pan'p, which may be drawn out
and emptied from time to time as may be required.
Fig. 4 represents a vertical section, and Fig. 5 a plan of the stove, being a
modification of the foregoing. In this case the back tubes f, f', are much
more inclined, whereby an enlarged combustion chamber k is obtained, and
the fire-grate bottom much reduced from back to front, the solid bottom being
of much less extent, and the whole of it resting on a plate r, which is below
exposed to the ash-pit open to the room. The tubes e and fopen through this
plate, they therefore in this case draw their supply of air from the room
instead of from the space behind the stove. The upper horizontal bar of the
front is in this case hollow, receiving the supply of air from tubes e, which it
emits at the back and directly on to the fire, as indicated by the arrows. In
this arrangement I have represented one row of tubes f as the grate back, the
second row f¹ serving for the supply of air to the combustion chamber k;
p is the ash-pan, as before, receiving the ashes from back part of fire.
Fig. 6 represents a transverse vertical section of a further modification of
the stove, the only difference in which is, that the tubes f, f', draw their
supply of air from channel c, as before, while the front bars are horizontal,
like an ordinary stove; in this case I however prefer to make them hollow,
and communicate with channel c by hollow upright bars supporting them at
their ends; the fire-bars emit the air to the fire by holes in the back part.
The action of this stove is the same as before, and need not be again described.
Instead of the tubes at the back and sides of the grate being of iron, such
tubular back may be composed of a series of bars of fire-clay, having air
channels, and so formed externally that when placed together long vertical
slots are presented for the draught to pass, as in the tubular grate.
Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, illustrate our Invention as applied to kitchen
ranges, or what are termed kitcheners. Fig. 7 represents a lateral vertical
section of a kitchener, showing the front of the fire-place; Fig. 8 is a plan of
the same with the top plate removed; Fig. 9, a transverse vertical section
through the fire; Fig. 10 represents a transverse vertical section on lines 1, 2,
Figs. 7 and 8. In this case we have represented the tubular bars in front
and on one side only, and the air for their supply as drawn from the kitchen

page_text: or room in which the range is placed; t is a hollow box at the lower level of
the fire, and u a similar box at upper part supporting the tubular fire-bars v;
openings are made in the front of t to admit air freely, while similar openings
(seen dotted) are made in the back part of u to emit it on to. the fire;
w represents a lower air box, and a an upper air box disposed at the side of
the fire, which boxes communicate by tubular bars y; we place an air inlet
regulator in front of w, whereby the ingress of air may be regulated as
required. The air passing into w passes up tubular bars y, and escapes from
apertures into the flues, where it mingles with the products of combustion
entering from the fire through between the bars y, as indicated by the arrow.
U, U', represents the combustion chamber and flues surrounding the ovens V,V..
From the back of air box t tubes j, j, are projected, which support the fire
bottom, consisting of a fire-tile o; these air tubes supply air from box t to the
combustion chamber W, which is in communication with the boiler flue; this
flue, as also flues U, U, are fitted with dampers, and conducted much in the
ordinary way as in kitcheners, and as well understood..
Fig. 11 represents a front view of the fire of a kitchener or range showing
in section air tubes w and a disposed at each side of the fire; each being
arranged and provided the same as before described, the action need not be
further described. s is a closed door to W which forms an ash-pit as well as
a combustion chamber.
Fig. 12 represents a transverse vertical section of a kitchener or range
through the fire. In this case the tubes j', j', supporting the bottom are
carried up the back of the fire for the supply of air thereto at the upper part,
as described with reference to stoves; this disposition of the tubes also provides
a space for a combustion chamber between them and the boiler X. Besides.
air entering the flue by tubular front bars vas before described it may pass
directly through from the front u having a through opening. In all the
Figures U represents the oven flues; X, the boiler; Y, the boiler flues; V, V,
the ovens, and Q, Q, the brickwork. The air boxes w at the sides of the fire
may be provided with air-emission apertures for the supply of air to the top
of the fire if desired.
Figs. 13 and 14 represent a steam boiler fitted with a furnace according to
our Invention; Fig. 13 a transverse, and Fig. 14 a longitudinal section
through the furnace and central flue of a Cornish or flue boiler. B is the main
air channel for the supply of the fire placed in the centre of the inner tube of
the boiler and throughout the length of the furnace; D, D, are a series of.
branch pipes extending from B which are carried upwards and encircle the
space occupied by the fire, in fact, form as it were a fire-grate; these tubes are

page_text: open at the ends and have perforations on the inner side of their arched
surface, but mostly towards the top, whereby air is also emitted; E is a fire-
brick or other solid bottom, which may be of greater or less breadth as found
convenient. The fire and ash-pit are closed by doors F and L, and the back
end of the space occupied by the fire is enclosed by a water bridge G. The
end of channel B is open to the atmosphere. The fire is fed and stoked
much in the ordinary way, during combustion air enters by channel B, passes
through the several tubes D, and enters the fire at the upper part; the draught
from the fire is through between the tubes D and downwards into the ash-pit
space which forms the combustion chamber; this leads under the bridge G to
the flue or combustion chamber H, where a further admixture of air may take
place. The setting of the boiler is similar to ordinary boilers and need not be
described.
Fig. 15 represents a modification of Figs. 13 and 14. In this case there
are two main air-supply channels B, B, between which is stretched the solid
bottom E of the furnace. The fire-brick bottom may be provided with per-
forations from end to end (as seen dotted) open in front and admitting air,
which may be led by a transverse channel at the back into the back ends of
side channels B¹, B', all other ingress to channels B¹ being cut off. Metal
tubes may be substituted and similarly disposed to conduct the air, and, if
desired, to form an open instead of a solid bottom to the fire. In other respects
the action of the furnace is the same as before described; I is a stop or back
to the ash-pit.
Figs. 16, 17, and 18 represent a boiler fitted with a furnace according to
our Invention, but below the boiler instead of in the flue as before described;
Fig. 16 is a transverse and Fig. 17 a longitudinal section of the boiler through
the furnace, while Fig. 18 represents a longitudinal section through the flues;
B is the main central air flue, with the pipes D, D, branching from it and
forming the limits of the fire as before, being in fact the fire-grate. It is
furnished with a solid fire-clay or brick bottom E. The boiler B in this case
is represented as passing out at back end of boiler, where the air may alone be
admitted if desired, or it may enter both at back and in front. The ash-pit is
provided with a close door M as before. The furnace door N is also kept
closed; the combustion of the fuel in furnace X is maintained by air entering
from the upper ends of pipes D, as indicated by black arrows; the draught is
downwards, as indicated by the red arrows, into the combustion chamber P
leading under the sides of the boiler to the flues R, R', R³, where the gases
are further consumed. In order to ensure the perfect combustion of the gases
I provide air channels S, S, in the brickwork and perforated top plate T

page_text: extending to the length of the furnace, these channels are fitted with regulators
in front whereby the air is admitted and regulated according to requirements.
The combustion chamber P is open to lower flue R throughout the whole
length of the furnace. Instead of feeding furnaces with air through a series
of tubes along each side as described, the fire may be supported at the sides
by the boiler surface, and horizontal air conductors placed in the upper part of
the furnace so as to emit the air and supply the fire in the manner before
described, or the side of the fire may rest against the sides of such air
conductors.
Having described the nature of our Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, we declare that what we claim as our Invention to be protected by
the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, the arrangement and construction of stoves or fire-grates illustrated
in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the Drawings annexed, as and for the purposes
herein-before described.
Secondly, the arrangement and application of tubular air sides and back to
ranges or kitcheners, as and for the purposes herein-before described and
illustrated in Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.
Thirdly, the arrangement and construction of furnaces illustrated in the
Drawings Figs. 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, as and for the purposes herein-
before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Hugh Simester, for myself and on
behalf of the said John Bainbridge, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Twelfth day of September in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-four.
Witness,
W. CLARK,
Patent Agent,
58, Chancery Lane,
London.
HUGH SIMESTER. (L.S.)