IMPROVEMENTS L. - FUR NACES AND FIRE-PLACES, AND IN UTILIZING THE WASTE HEAT OF THE SAID FURNACES AND FIRE-PLACES, AND IN UTILIZING AND OBTAINING MOTIVE-POWER
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Joseph Watts, of Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, Solicitor's Clerk, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
L.
-
FUR
NACES AND FIRE-PLACES, AND IN UTILIZING THE WASTE HEAT OF THE SAID
FURNACES AND FIRE-PLACES, AND IN UTILIZING AND OBTAINING MOTIVE-POWER
ealed the 9th April 1867, and dated the 24th October 1866..
ROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said. Joseph, Watts at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
24th October 1866.
¨Ị, Joseph Warts, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Solicitor's
Clerk, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
FURNACES AND FIRE-PLACES, AND IN UTILIZING THE WASTE HEAT OF THE SAID
FURNACES AND FIRE-PLACES, AND IN UTILIZING AND OBTAINING MOTVE-POWER FROM
THE AIR SUPPLIED TO FURNACES AND FIRE-PLACES," to be as follows:
L
The object of the first part of my said. Invention is to produce perfect.com-...
bustion of fuel, and its consequent economization. This is effected by
introducing the gases. or air for combustion in the same direction as the fuel
used, and causing the same to pass downwards instead of upwards, as is usual,
Price d
....

page_text: through such fuel, and thence between the grate or fire-bars, upon which the
said fuel rests, into the outer atmosphere at a point sufficiently elevated to
produce the required amount of draught.
I prefer to construct the furnace in the following manner: -I make the
said furnace of a receptacle or chamber, to which I prefer to give the figure of
a vertical pyramid. The fire or grate bars are fixed in the pyramidal chamber,
an are placed by preference at an angle of about forty-five degrees, in order
to facilitate the removal of the ashes through the said fire-bars by means of
the weight of the superincumbent fuel. That portion of the chamber under-
neath the grate or fire bars has an opening provided with a closely fitting door
or slide for closing it, which opening communicates directly with a series of
flues, pipes, or chambers which it is intended to heat, and which may be
connected with malting kilns, or otherwise applied to heating purposes. The
heated air and products of combustion from the furnace, after traversing the
said flues, pipes, or chambers, pass to a chimney. I introduce the fuel to the
pyramidal chamber at or near the top or narrowest part thereof, which is
then closed up air-tight by a door or otherwise, and the atmospheric air
necessary for combustion, either hot or cold, is introduced into the chamber at
a point sufficiently high above the grate bars to allow of the formation of a
continuous stratum of carbonized fuel sufficient in quantity to buru all the
volatile products of the fuel in process of carbonization. The atmospheric air
supplied to the furnace may be heated by being passed between or around
the series of flues, pipes, or chambers through which 'the products of com-
bustion from the furnace pass; the said heated air prior to its introduction
into the furnace may be used for drying, evaporating, and ventilating. When
the air supplied to the furnace is not heated it may be made to pass over
liquids for the purpose of cooling them, or be otherwise applied for cooling
purposes, such as the cooling and drying of malt and cooling worts. By
the arrangements described the maximum amount of heat is obtained
from the said fuel, and the said fuel consequently economized. This part
my Invention may be applied to existing furnaces and fire-places of the
ordinary kind in the following manner, that is to say, I close the outlet above
the grate to the chimney by a slide or valve, which may be opened or closed
at pleasure, and I make another outlet or communication with the chimney at
any convenient place underneath the grate bars, which last-mentioned outlet
I also provide with a slide or valve so constructed as to allow of the draught
of the chimney being regulated at pleasure; by these means the current of
atmospheric air will be directed through the fuel downwards, and similar
combustion will consequently take place to that mentioned in the furnace
of

page_text: herein first described. By means of the tivo slides regulating the openings
into the chimney either method of effecting combustion may be used at
pleasure.
My Invention consists further in obtaining motive-power from the atmo-
spheric air supplied to furnaces. For this purpose I place a fan or fans in à
pipe or passage through which the whole of the atmospheric air required for
combustion is made to pass, which said air as it passes impinges upon the vanes
of the said fan or fans, and gives motion thereto, which motion may be
transmitted from the axis of the said fans by a train of wheels or other
gearing to the machine or apparatus which it is wished to actuate. The
quantity of air passing through the pipe or passage described may be
regulated by a slide or throttle valve.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Joseph Watts in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
20th April 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPH
WATTS, of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, Solicitor's Clerk, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-fourth day of October,in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the thirtieth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Joseph Watts, Her special licence that I, the said Joseph Watts, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Joseph
Watts, 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, exercise,and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES AND
FIRE-PLACES, AND IN UTILIZING THE WASTE HEAT OF THE SAID FURNACES AND FIRE-
PLACES, AND IN UTILIZING AND OBTAINING MOTIVE POWER FROM THE AIR SUPPLIED
TO FURNACES AND FIRE-PLACES," upon the condition (amongst others) that
1, the said Joseph Watts, 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 Invention, and in
what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed

page_text: in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and imme-
diately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Joseph Watts, 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:-
The object of the first part of my said Invention is to produce perfect
combustion of fuel, and its consequent economization. This is effected by
introducing the gases or air for combustion in the same direction as the
fuel used, and causing the same to pass downwards instead of upwards,
as is usual, through such fuel, and thence between the grate or fire bars,
upon which the said fuel rests, into the outer atmosphere at a point
sufficiently elevated to produce the required amount of draught.
I prefer to construct the furnace in the following manner:-I make the said
furnace of a receptacle or chamber, to which I prefer to give the figure of a
vertical pyramid. The fire or grate bars are fixed in the pyramidal chamber,
and are placed by preference at an angle of about forty-five degrees,in order to
facilitate theremovaloftheashes throughthesaidfire-bars by means of theweight
of the superincumbent fuel. That portion of the chamber underneath the grate
or fire bars has an opening provided with a closely fitting door or slideforclosing
it,which opening communicates directly with the flues of a steam boiler, or with
a series of flues, pipes, or chambers which it is intended to heat, and which may
be connected with malting kilns, or otherwise applied to heating purposes.
The beated air and products of combustion from the furnace after traversing
the said flues, pipes, or chambers pass to a chimney. I introduce the fuel to
the pyramidal chamber at or near the top or narrowest part thereof, which is
then closed up air-tight by a door or otherwise, and the atmospheric air
necessary for combustion, either hot or cold, is introduced into the chamber
at a point sufficiently high above the grate bars to allow of the formation of a
continuous stratum of carbonized fuel sufficient in quantity to burn all the
volatile products of the fuel in process of carbonization. The atmospheric air
supplied to the furnace may be heated by being passed between or around the
series of flues, pipes, or chambers through which the products of combustion
from the furnace pass; the said heated air, prior to its introduction into the
furnace may be used for drying, evaporating, and ventilating. When the
air supplied to the furnace is not heated it may be made to pass over liquids
for the purpose of cooling them, or be otherwise applied for cooling purposes,
such as the cooling and drying of malt and cooling worts. By the arrangements
described the maximum amount of heat is obtained from the said fuel, and the

page_text: aid fuel consequently economized. This part of my Invention may be
applied to existing furnaces and fire-places of the ordinary kind in the follow-
ng manner, that is to say, I close the outlet above the grate to the chimney
by a slide or valve, which may be opened or closed at pleasure, and I make
another outlet or communication with the chimney at any convenient place
underneath the grate bars, which last-mentioned outlet I also provide with a
slide or valve so constructed as to allow of the draught of the chimney being.
regulated at pleasure; by these means the current of atmospheric air will be
directed through the fuel downwards, and similar combustion will conse
quently take place to that mentioned in the furnace herein first described.
By means of the two slides regulating the openings into the chimney either
method of effecting combustion may be used at pleasure.
My Invention consists further in obtaining motive-power from the atmo-
spheric air supplied to furnaces. For this purpose I place a fan or fans in a
pipe or passage through which the whole of the atmospheric air required for
combustion is made to pass, which said airas it passes impinges npon the vanes
of the said fan or fans and gives motion thereto, which motion may be
transmitted from the axes of the said fans by a train of wheels or other
gearing to the machine or apparatus which it is wished to actuate. The
quantity of air passing through the pipe or passage described may be
regulated by a slide or throttle valve.
Having explained the nature of my Invention, I will proceed to describe
with reference to the accompanying Drawings the manner in which the same
is to be performed.
Figure 1 represents a vertical section of one form of furnace constructed
according to my Invention in which a direct downward draught is employed.
a is the pyramidal chamber containing the fuel, the said chamber being
closed air-tight by the lid or cover bafter the fuel has been introduced. The
said lid or cover dips into a groove or trough containing sand situated
around the top of the chambera. At the base of the chamber a, and in the
axis thereof, is a conical hollowbed d constructed of fire-clayor other suitable
material, upon which bed the superincumbent fuel is supported. This bed
is carried by supports or arches e resting on the extreme base of the chamber a.
At the open sides of the lower part of the chamber a are circular fire or grate
bars having iu cross section an angle not less acute than that represented,
and outside the said fire or grate bars is an annular chamber g, to which
chamber air or gas for supporting the combustion of tho fuel between the
bed dand fire-bars fis supplied by the passage or flue h, which flue his
provided at any convenient-part with a valve or damper connected with a

page_text: piston loaded with any required weight, and working in a cylinder connected
with the boiler or chamber; the furnace or fire-place is designed to heat by
means of a closed vessel containing water placed therein, by which means
the expansion of the steam or water in such boiler or vessel is made to
actuate the said piston and weights and lift the said valve or damper, and
thus regulate the admission of air to the furnace or fire-place, and thereby
prevent any unnecessary.consumption of fuel in the furnace or fire-place. In
the axis of the furnace and below the bed d' is a flue or channel i, into which
the heated air and products of combustion from the fuel in the lower part of
the chamber a pass. The flue or channel i communicates with the flues of a
steam boiler or with other flues, pipes, or chambers which it is intended to
heat, and which may be connected with malting kilns or otherwise applied to
heating purposes. The heated air and products of combustion after traversing
the flues of the boiler or other flues or chambers pass to a chimney of a
suitable elevation; c is the ash-pit closed air-tight by the doors l. By au
examination of Figure 1 it will be seen that the air or gaseous matter supplied
by the pipe or channel h enters the external chamber g, and passes between
the fire-bars into the fuel situated between the said bars and bed d,
descending through the incandescent fuel into the flue i, as indicated by the
arrows. By the arrangement described a continual supply of fresh air is
introduced into the fire-place and veryperfect combustion of the fuel obtained.
Asthecombustion proceeds the fuel in process of exhaustion gradually travels
down the inclined sides of the bed d, its place being taken by a fresh quantity
of the superincumbent fuel, the ashes and refuse matters falling into the
ash-pit .
Figure 2 representsinverticalsectionanother furnace constructedaccording
to my Invention combined with a vertical steam boiler, and Figure 3 is a
horizontal section of the same. a is the fuel chamber closed air-tight by the
lid or cover a³, and b, b, are the circular grate or fire-bars at the base of the
fuel chamber, the said grate or fire-bars being arranged in the form of a hollow
cone; c, is the ash-pit closed air-tight by doors as in Figure 1. Air or gas
for the combustion of the fuel, resting on the fire-bars b, b, passes by the
horizontal and vertical pipes or passages d, e, into the middle of the fire-place
and below the fire-bars b,b; fis the boiler situated around the central fuel
chamber a,
in which boiler a series of vertical pipes or flues g, g. and an
annular flue / are made, the flues gand h communicating with each other at
top bythe horizontal fluei. The annular flue / opens into the outlet channel k.
The air for combustion being introduced into the centre of the fire-place
passes between the fire-bars b, and through the fuel supported upon them as

page_text: indicated by the arrows, a downward draught passing through the stratum of
fuel between the upper grate bars and sides of the chamber a, and an upward
draught through the fuel situated between the lower grate bars and sides / of
the fire-place. By this means all the volatile portions of the fuel, which in
the usual upward draught escape as smoke, are consumed in its downward
passage with the downward draught before described, and before it reaches
the bottom of the fire-place, where its combustion is assisted and completed
by the upward draught before described, the ashes and refuse matters falling
into the ash-pit c. The heated air and products of combustion pass from the
fire-place into the flues g, h, of the steam boiler f, through which they circulate
and heat the water in the said boiler, and finally escape by the horizontal flue
or passage k to be utilized, as herein-before explained. The opening of in the
pipe d, by which air is admitted to the fire-place of the furnace, may be closed
by a valve or closing plate fixed to the rod m, the annular rim of the
filled with sand in the said valve
In order to regulate the admission
opening & entering a trough or groove
or plate . An air-tight joint is thus made.
of air to the fire-place, and the consequent combustion and economization of
the fuel, I connect the rod m of the plate / with a piston n, working in the
cylinder o, opening by the pipe p into the interior of the steam boiler f. The
rod m is loaded by the weights q to the pressure at which it is wished to
work the boiler. When the pressure of the steam in the boiler is sufficient
to raise the weighted piston n, the latter moves in its cylinder, and thereby
raises the valve / and cuts off the supply of air to the fire-place. When a
very slow combustion is required the passage d² may be temporarily closed by
raising the valvo 1, by means of a screw box 7 working on the screwed ends
of the rod m, and a small quantity of air allowed to enter the fire-place by the
pipe s, which pipe may be furnished with a stop-cock. By this means the
trouble of re-lighting the fire of the furnace is obviated. Portions of the
sides of the fire-place are capable of being opened and re-closed for
facilitating the removal of any obstruction which may be formed upon the
fire-bars.
Figure 4 represents in vertical section another furnace constructed
a is the
according to my Invention for heating a horizontal steam boiler.
fuel chamber, and 6, 6, the inclined fire-bars; c is the ash-pit, and d, the
horizontal boiler. A pipe or flue e opening into the ash-pit and provided with
an air-tight valve, as herein-before described, supplies air to the fire-place
the said air passing between the fire-bars and through the fuel in a manner
similar to that described with respect to the furnace, Figure 2 The course
of the air and products of combustion is indicated by the arrows. In obtaining

page_text: motive power from the air supplied to furnaces I place the fan or fans herein-
before referred to in the flues or passages h, d, and e, Figures 1, 2, and 4,
which air on its way to the fire-places impinges upon the vanes of the fan or
fans and gives motion thereto, which may be transmitted by any convenient
gearing to the machine or apparatus to be actuated.
...
Figure 5 represents a vertical section of a fire-place, or stove, or grate for
domestic purposes constructed according to my Invention. are the fire-
bars; 6, the fuel chamber; and c, the ash-pan. The upper part of the
fire-place is closed by a hood or cover e, the said covered part constituting
the fuel chamber. Fuel is introduced at the door f. g is a throttle valve by
which the draught through the flue may be regulated. The course of the
air is indicated by arrows. k is a slide furnished with a set screw running in
a groove between the fire and fire-bars a for the double purpose of regulating
the amount of fire exposed to view, and for shutting off the draught whilst
fresh fuel is added through the door to prevent an upward draught. The
hot air and products of combustion pass from the fire by the flue i and along
the tlue h' to the chimney; the heating of the foot or base of the fire-place
causes a 'large amount of heat to be radiated into the room.
Figure 6 is a vertical section of another fire-place or stove for domestic use
constructed according to my Invention. dare the ring-like fire-bars; b, the
back of the grate; c, the fuel chamber; d, the base or foot of the grate; e,
the central flue; g is the slide to regulate the fire surface, and prevent upward
draught while supplying fresh fuel to the chamber c. The said 'slide works
upon the upright bars h, and is fixed by the set screws i. The depressed
position of the slide g is indicated by dotted lines. Air entering between the
bars a supports the combustion of the fuel, and the heated air and products of
combustion descending through the foot d'pass by the central flue e to the
chimney, as indicated by the arrows; f is a throttle valve by which the
draught may be regulated. The foot d is provided with a door or doors for
the removal of the ashes from it.
Figure 7 represents in vertical section another arrangement of fire-place or
stove constructed according to my Invention; in this arrangement the air
enters by the central flue a (and is regulated by a tight fitting slide 9) and
passing between a conical set of fire-bars 6 supports the combustion of the
fuel between the said bars 6 and the outer bars c. h is the slide for regulating
the fire surface and preventing upward draught, the said slide h being similar
to that represented in connection with the fire-place or stove, Figure 6. The
heated air and products of combustion pass between the casing d and fuel
chamber e, and escape by the pipe finto the chimney. Besides the heat
ساعد

page_text: radiated from the fire in the grate the casing becomes strongly heated and
radiates a large amount of heat into the room. The course of the air and
products of combustion is indicated by the arrows.
Having now described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit
myself to the precise details herein described and illustrated, as the same may.
be varied without departing from the nature of my Invention; but I claim as
my Iuvention,-
Firstly, the arrangements or combinations of parts of furnaces and fire-places
substantially as herein-before described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.
Secondly, the arrangements or combir.ations of parts of fire-places or stoves
substantially as herein-before described and illustrated in the accompanying
Drawings.
Thirdly, utilizing the waste heat of the said furnaces and fire-places, and
utilizing and obtaining motive-power from air supplied to furnaces and fire-
places, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, 1, the said Joseph Watts, have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Seventeenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.
Witness,
GEORGE SHAW.
JOSEPH WATTS. (L.s.)