IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Richard Watkins, Engineer, of the Canal Iron Works,
Millwall, East, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES."
Sealed the 11th May 1880, and dated the 13th November 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Richard. Watkins at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th November 1879.
RICHARD WATKINS, Engineer, of the Canal Iron Works, Millwall, East.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES,"
This Invention consists in providing an automatic travelling fire-bar furnace
with hollow fire bars and connections, through which water may be passed.
In carrying my Invention into effect the hollow fire bars are fixed transversely
of the furnace into short iron hollow boxes, which are connected longitudinally by
flexible joints, and are carried upon the side frames of an iron carriage. In front
of the carriage is fixed a polygonal drum having facets proportioned, and suitable
to receive the boxes which carry the tubes. This drum is mounted on a spindle in
bearings, and being slowly turned round by gearing, moved by steam or other
power, moves the boxes and tubes forward at suitable speed.
The inner end of the carriage is fitted with a similar drum to the front end, but
having the spindle working free in bearings.
The line of boxes and tubes passes over the inner drum and returns beneath to
the drum at the front end, and is thereby moved round continuously.
Water being passed into one of the boxes is made to circulate throughout the
boxes and tubes, the supply and exit of the water being effected by the use of
extensible pipes prepared for the purpose.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Richard Watkins in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 13th
May 1880.
RICHARD WATKINS, Engineer, of the Canal Iron Works, Millwall, East.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES."
This Invention consists in providing an automatic travelling fire bar furnace
with hollow fire bars and connections, through which water may be passed.
The Invention will be clearly understood on reference to the accompanying
Drawings, in which Figure 1 is a horizontal section through the fire bars and end
boxes, and Figure 2 a section (on an enlarged scale) through the jointed flexible
connecting piece between two adjoining boxes. Figure 3 shows a longitudinal
elevation of a set of boxes and supporting frame, and Figure 4 a transverse section
of same.
In carrying my Invention into effect the hollow fire bars a are cast or fixed in
groups transversely of the furnace into short metal hollow boxes or end pieces b,
which are connected longitudinally by flexible joints and pipes c of metal or other
suitable material, and are also united or hinged by bosses & surrounded by metallic
rings e, and are carried upon the side frames of an iron carriage f and guide rollers
f¹, or upon side bars or other supports fitted for the purpose.
In front of the carriage is fixed a polygonal drum g having facets proportioned,
and suitable to receive the boxes or ends which carry the tubes or hollow fire bars.
This drum is mounted on a spindle h in bearings in the frame f, and being slowly
turned round by suitable gearing driven by steam or other power moves the boxes
and fire bars forward at a suitable speed. The inner end of the carriage or furnace
is fitted with a drum i similar to that at the front end on a spindle ; working
freely in bearings in the frame f. The line of boxes and tubes a passes over the
inner drum and returns beneath to the drum at the front end, and is thereby
moved round continuously, but if desired the motion may be made intermittent or
to reverse. Water being passed into one of the boxes by the pipe k is made to
circulate throughout the boxes, fire bars, and connections, the exit of the water
being effected by the pipe l. Both the pipes k and I are extensible, and are fitted
with glands m and stuffing boxes n at their point of connection with the bars.
The hollow bars are kept supplied with the circulating water by a pump worked
by steam or other power, and the said water on its exit from the bars may be used
to supply the feed for steam boilers, or may be cooled and used over again. The
arrows in Figure 1 indicate the path of the ingoing and outgoing water, and
the air passages between the hollow bars are indicated at o. The frame f being
provided with the wheels p enables it to be easily run into or be withdrawn from a
furnace as desired.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,-
The improvements in furnaces, substantially as hereinbefore described and shown
in the annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Richard Watkins, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twelfth day of May, One thousand eight hundred
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