Improved Apparatus for Burning Liquid Fuel for Heating Purposes.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improved Apparatus for Burning Liquid Fuel for Heating Purposes.
I, JOHN SMITH, of Upton Villa, Penge, in the County of Surrey, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention is designed to provide improved apparatus for burning liquid
fuel for heating purposes, which apparatus shall be very economical and advan-
tageous for supplying heat to steam-generators and other apparatus, and can be
readily adjusted to regulate or control the amount of heat produced by it.
In my improved apparatus, the liquid fuel is drawn up from a tank by means
of a jet of compressed air, whereby it is sprayed or atomized and projected into
a combined vaporizer and deflector or spreader, which is arranged within a flame
or ignition chamber, and into which the said jet of air induces a further quantity
of air to mix with the hydrocarbon vapour.
The lower part of my improved burner is so constructed as to form a combined
aspirator and sprayer. Above this is secured my combined vaporizer and deflector,
and between it and the latter are one or more air-admission openings. A casing
surrounding the said vaporizer forms the flame or ignition chamber and is pro-
vided with air-admission openings suitably arranged relatively to the said
vaporizer.
In constructing my improved apparatus I find it advantageous to proceed as
follows, viz.:-I make the base of the burner in two parts and form in the top
of the lower part an annular channel adapted to be put in communication with
a tank containing liquid fuel. I also form a central hole through the lower part
of the base for connection with any suitable source of supply of compressed air;
and in the upper part of the base, I form a hole slightly larger in diameter than
the air-jet or nozzle and suitably proportioned relatively thereto. I make the
upper and lower parts of the base in such a manner as to leave between the air-jet
and the said annular channel a space through which a thin annular film of the
liquid can flow from the said channel. The base thus constructed, therefore, forms
an aspirator and sprayer whereby the liquid fuel is drawn from a tank situated
at a suitable level, and is projected in the form of spray through the hole in the
upper part of the base.
The casing surrounding the vaporizer is partially closed at its lower end, open-
ings being left through which the spray-jet and the induced current of air can
pass.
My combined vaporizer and spreader comprises two plates inclined towards
each other and connected at the top where the plates approach by means of bridge-
pieces one at each end, so that a narrow or elongated opening is left. The lower
ends of the said plates, standing at a suitable distance apart, are joined to the
piece which partially closes the lower end of the casing, in such a manner that
they shall be situated symmetrically relatively to the spray-jet. Or the said
combined vaporizer and deflector can be made by forming a suitably-shaped hole
in a metal plate and then bending the said plate to the required angle. The said
vaporizer and deflector is made of such size in proportion to the aforesaid casing

page_text: as to leave a space between the latter and the open ends of the vaporizer. The
air-admission holes in the said casing are situated on opposite sides thereof and
about on the same level as the upper end of the said vaporizer and deflector.
The construction and relative arrangement of the said combined vaporizer and
spreader and the casing play an important part in determining the vaporization
of the sprayed liquid fuel, its admixture with air and the spreading of the in-
flammable vapour thus produced, with the result that perfect combustion of the
liquid fuel is ensured.
When air under pressure is supplied to the burner, the liquid fuel is, as above
stated, thereby drawn up into the aforesaid annular channel and projected in the
form of spray into the vaporizer, and at the same time a current of air is induced
through the openings above the base of the burner. The spray being dashed
against the heated surfaces of the vaporizer is converted into vapour, which is
mixed with air. On ignition of the inflammable vapour thus produced, flame
issues from the top of the vaporizer, the vapour being spread out into a flattened
jet by the inclined surfaces of the said vaporizer..
When the burner is constructed as above mentioned, the entering air will
usually suffice to prevent undue heating of the base of the burner. If desired,
however, I provide the said base with a water-circulating passage.
When more than one of these burners is required,. I find it advantageous to
mount them on a common base-plate or casting, which is preferably provided with
one or more water-circulating passages for cooling purposes; and to connect
the several burners by suitable pipes with a common air-supply pipe and with a
common reservoir or tank containing liquid fuel. I prefer to connect the said
burners with a tank for liquid fuel of comparatively small capacity, provided.with
a float-valve for regulating or controlling the admission of the liquid fuel to it
from a reservoir or tank of larger capacity situated at a higher level, so that the
liquid will be maintained at an approximately constant level in the smaller tank.
I sometimes provide means whereby the heat produced by the burners will be
automatically controlled according to the pressure of the compressed air.
instance I connect the several burners with the air-supply through the medium
of a cylinder provided with a piston or other valve acted upon by a spring in
such a manner that, according to the pressure of the air acting upon the said
piston, a larger or smaller number of the said burners will be put in communica-
tion with the air-supply. Therefore, by simply regulating the admission of air
to the said cylinder, any desired number of the said burners can be set in operation
or sliut off.
For
I sometimes provide for the automatic regulation or control of the supply of
compressed air to the said cylinder, by means of a regulator which is actuated by
variations of the pressure in a steam-generator or by variations of the heat applied
to a steam-generator. For example I connect a suitable valve for regulating the
supply of compressed air, with a regulating device such as have described in
the Specifications of former Letters Patent granted to me and dated 28th October
1896, No. 24025, and 30th November 1896, No. 27204, so that any variation of
the pressure in the regulating-tube described in my said former specifications
will correspondingly increase or diminish the supply of compressed air and con-
sequently the pressure of the air acting upon the said piston, and the latter will
therefore be moved in one or the other direction so as to increase or diminish the
number of burners in operation.
107

page_text: Improved Apparatus for Burning Liquid Fuel for Heating Purposes.
I, JOHN SMITH, of Upton Villa, Penge, in the County of Surrey, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
1
My invention is designed to provide improved apparatus for burning liquid
fuel for heating purposes, which apparatus shall be economical and advan-
tageous for supplying heat to steam-generators and other apparatus, and can be
readily adjusted to regulate or control the amount of heat given out by it.
My said invention comprises a vapour-burner wherein the liquid fuel is drawn
up from a tank or other suitable source of supply by means of a jet of compressed
air, whereby it is sprayed or atomized and projected into a combined vapourizer
and deflector or spreader, which is arranged within a flame or ignition chamber,
and into which the said jet of air induces a further quantity of air to mix with
the hydrocarbon vapour.
The lower part of my improved burner is so constructed as to form a combined
aspirator and sprayer. Above this is secured my combined vapourizer and de-
flector, and between the latter and the said lower part of the burner are one or
more air-admission openings. A casing around the said vapourizer forms the
flame or ignition chamber and is provided with air-admission openings suitably
arranged relatively to the said vapourizer.
In constructing my improved apparatus I find it advantageous to proceed as
follows, viz.:-I make the base of the burner in two parts and form in the top
of the lower part an annular channel adapted to be put in communication with
a tank containing liquid fuel. I also form a central air passage or nozzle in the
lower part of the base adapted to be put in communication with any suitable
source of supply of compressed air; and in the upper part of the base, I form
another passage or nozzle, slightly larger in diameter than the air-passage or
nozzle and suitably proportioned relatively thereto. I so construct and attach
to one another the upper and lower parts of the base as to leave a space between
them through which a thin annular sheet or film of the liquid can flow from the
said annular channel to the said passages or nozzles. The base thus constructed,
therefore, forms a combined aspirator and sprayer whereby the liquid fuel is
drawn from a tank situated at a suitable level, and is projected in the form of
spray from the upper passage or nozzle.
The casing around the vapourizer is partially closed at its lower end, one or
more openings being left for the admission of the compressed air and sprayed
liquid fuel and of the induced current of air.
My combined vapourizer and spreader comprises two plates inclined towards
each other and connected at the top by means of bridge-pieces one at each end,
so that a narrow or elongated opening is left. The lower ends of the said plates,
standing at a suitable distance apart, are joined to the piece which partially
closes the lower end of the casing, in such a manner that they shall be situated
symmetrically in relation to the spray-jet. The said combined vapourizer and
deflector can also be made by forming a suitable-shaped hole in a metal plate and
then bending the said plate to the required angles. The said vapourizer and
deflector is made of such size in proportion to the aforesaid casing as to leave
a space between the latter and the open ends of the vapourizer. The air-admission
holes in the said casing are situated on opposite sides thereof and about on the
same level as the upper end of the said vapourizer and deflector.
When more than one of these burners is required, I find it advantageous to

page_text: mount them on a common base-plate or casting, which is preferably provided with
one or more water-circulating passages for cooling purposes; and to connect
the several burners by suitable pipes with a common air-supply pipe and with a
common reservoir or tank containing liquid fuel. I prefer to connect the said
burners with a tank for liquid fuel of comparatively small capacity, provided with
a float-valve for regulating or controlling the admission of the liquid fuel to it
from a reservoir or tank of larger capacity situated at a higher level, so that the
liquid will be maintained at an approximately constant level in the smaller tank.
I sometimes provide means whereby the heat given out by the burners will
be automatically regulated or controlled according to the pressure of the com-
pressed air. For instance I connect the several burners with the air-supplý
through the medium of a cylinder provided with a piston or other valve acted upon
by a spring in such a manner that, according to the pressure of the air acting
upon the said piston, a larger or smaller number of the said burners will be put
in communication with the air-supply. Therefore, by simply regulating the
admission of air to the said cylinder, or the pressure of the air admitted thereto,
any desired number of the said burners can be set in operation or shut off.
I sometimes provide for the automatic regulation or control of the supply of
compressed air to the said cylinder and consequently to the burners by means of
a controlling device which is actuated by variations of the pressure in a steam-
generator or by pressures resulting from variations of the temperature of steam-
generators or other apparatus heated by the said burners. For example I connect
a suitable valve for regulating the supply of compressed air, with a regulating
or controlling device such as I have described in the Specifications of former
Letters Patent granted to me and dated respectively 28th October 1896, No. 24025
and 30th November 1896, No. 27204, so that any variation of the pressure in the
regulating-tube described in my said former specifications will correspondingly
increase or diminish the supply of compressed air and consequently the pressure
of the air acting upon the aforesaid piston, and the latter will therefore be moved
in one or the other direction in the said cylinder so as to increase or diminish the
number of burners in operation.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a side elevation,
Figure 2 a plan, and
Figure 3 a vertical central section on the line r, r, Figure 1, illustrating one
form of my improved burner.
Figure 4 is a plan, and
Figure 5 a vertical central section on the line, ¹, Figure 4, showing a
compound or multiple burner constructed according to my said invention.
Figure 6 is a section on the line,, Figure 4, showing one form of an
automatic regulating device for use in connection with apparatus such as that
shown in Figures 4 and 5.
Figure is a similar view, showing another form or modification of the said
regulating device.
Figure 8 is a sectional side elevation illustrating means for automatically govern-
ing the action of the said regulating device and consequently the heat supplied
by means of the burners according to variations of pressure in a steam-generator
or in a regulating-tube heated by the said burners, and
Figures 9 and 10 are vertical central sections illustrating other forms or modifica-
tions of my improved burner.
The base of the burner shown is made in two parts a, bewhich are firmly united
by screws or other convenient means, and in the top of the lower part a, there
is formed an annular chamber or channel c which can be connected through a
passage d with a tank or other vessel containing liquid fuel. A central hole or
passage c is also formed through the lower part of the base for connection with
any suitable source of supply of compressed air; and in the upper part 6 of the
"-

page_text: base, there is formed a hole or passage f slightly larger in diameter than the
outlet-orifice of the air-passage or nozzle e and suitably proportioned relatively
thereto. The upper and lower parts a, b of the base are so made and united as
to leave between the passages or nozzles e, f, and the annular channel or chamber c,
a space through which the liquid fuel can flow in a thin annular sheet or film
from the said channel c towards the air-passage e, so that, as it is drawn from
the said space by the jet of compressed air, it will be projected thereby through
the passage or nozzle f. The base thus constructed, therefore, forms a combined
aspirator and sprayer whereby the liquid fuel is drawn from a tank situated at a
suitable level, and is projected in the form of spray into the vapourizer.
In the burner shown in Figures 1 to 3, the casing y forming a flame or ignition
chamber around the vapourizer, is partially closed at its lower end by the base a, b,
suitable openings h being left through which induced currents of air can enter
around the spray-jet. My combined vapourizer and spreader is composed of sheet-
metal or other suitable material, the two sides j, j, thereof being inclined so as
to converge towards their upper ends, and being connected at the top by bridge-
pieces k, kone at each end, so as to leave a narrow clongated opening between
the said bridge-pieces for the egress of the mixture of vapour and air from the
vapourizer. The lower end of the said sides j, j, are attached to the bottom of
the casing so that they are symmetrically disposed relatively to the spray
nozzle f, the connection being made, in the arrangement shown, by means of
screws m which also serve to secure the said casing to the base a. This combined
vapourizer and deflector, instead of being made from a single metal plate as
shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, may consist of separate plates united by suitable
bridge-pieces at the top. Air-admission holes are provided in the casing g on
opposite sides thereof a short distance above the level of the upper end of the said
-vapourizer and deflector; and the said vapourizer and deflector is made of such
size in proportion to the casing gas to leave a suitable space between the latter
and each of the open ends of the vapourizer to admit a sufficient supply of air
into the said vapourizer from the said casing.
The above-described construction and relative arrangement of the said combined
vapourizer and spreader and the casing play an important part in determining
the vaporization of the sprayed liquid fuel, its admixture with air and the spread-
ing of the inflammable vapour thus produced, with the result that perfect com-
bustion of the liquid fuel is ensured.
When air under pressure is supplied to the burner through the nozzle c, the
liquid fuel is, as above stated, thereby drawn up into the annular channel e and,
flowing in a thin annular sheet or film towards the outlet-orifice of the nozzle e,
is projected in the form of spray into the vapourizer j, j, and at the same time
currents of air are induced through the openings h between the casing y and the
base of the burner and through the openings or perforations n in the casing g
The spray being dashed against the heated surfaces of the vapourizer j, j, is
converted into vapour, which becomes mixed with air. On ignition of the in-
flammable vapour thus produced, flame issues from the top and open ends of the
vapourizer, the vapour or flame being spread out into a flattened jet by the inclined
surfaces of the said vapourizer, whilst a part of the flame or gases circulates
around the surfaces of the said vapourizer and maintains it at a temperature
sufficient to vapourize the 'liquid fuel or spray.
When the burner is constructed as above described, the entering air will usually
suffice to prevent undue heating of the base of the burner. If desired, however, I
provide the said base with a water-circulating passage.
In Figures 4 and 5, I have shown a number of burners such as I have herein-
above described mounted on a common base-plate or casting p so as to form a
compound or multiple burner which is very advantageous for generating steam
and for other purposes. The said base-plate or casting is provided with a
water-circulating pipe q for keeping it cool. The several burners are connected
by pipes with a common air-supply pipe s, and by pipes with a common

page_text: reservoir or tank u for containing liquid fuel. This tank u is of comparatively
small capacity and is provided with a valve actuated by a float w for regulating
or controlling the admission of the liquid fuel through the passage u¹ into the
said tank u from a reservoir or tank of larger capacity situated at a higher level,
so that the liquid will be maintained at an approximately constant level in
the smaller tank u.
In Figure 6, I have shown a device whereby the heat produced by a compound
or multiple burner, such as is shown in Figures 4 and 5, will be automatically
regulated or controlled according to the pressure of the compressed air. The
device shown comprises a piston-valve y arranged to be moved to and fro within
a cylindrical parts of the pipe s, which is provided with a number of apertures
or ports communicating respectively with the air-pipes r of the several burners.
By the movement of this piston-valve y over the said ports, one or more of the
said ports will be put in communication with the air-supply or shut off according
to the pressure of air in the said pipe s behind the said piston-valve. The said
piston-valve y is held in the position shown, by a spring z. When air under
pressure from any suitable source is admitted to the pipe s behind the piston-
the spring will be extended and the piston valve moved along past a
larger or smaller number of the ports leading to the pipes r, so as to put a larger
or smaller number of the burners into communication with the air-supply.
When the air-supply to the pipe s is cut off or reduced, the spring, by its
reaction, will draw back the piston-valve y and thus shut off a larger or smaller
number of the said ports. Therefore, by simply regulating the admission of
air to the pipes, any desired number of the said burners can be set in operation
or shut off according to the heat required.
valve
ولا
A regulating device of this kind and an auxiliary reservoir provided with a
regulating float-valve can, if desired, be used in combination with a single vapour-
burner constructed according to my said invention.
I sometimes provide an adjustable device whereby the travel of the piston-
valve y can be regulated or limited so as to permit the supply of air to only
one or more of a predetermined number of the burners. For this purpose I
arrange in the cylinder sa disc or piston 1, Figure 7, connected by means of
a rod 2 to a bar 3 which slides in a guide 4 and is provided with a handle 5
and with a rack 6, with which a pawl 7 is adapted to engage in order to hold
the disc in any position to which it may be adjusted. By this means the
number of burners which can be put in operation can be limited as may be
desired.
In some instances, I provide a stop-cock on each of the air-pipes r.
If desired, I provide for the automatic regulation or control of the supply
of compressed air to the pipe s by means of a controlling device actuated by
variations of the pressure in a steam-generator heated by means of the said
burners, or by pressures resulting from variations of the temperature of a steam-
generator or other apparatus heated by means of the said burners. For example
I connect a suitable valve for regulating the supply of compressed air to the
said pipes with a controlling device adapted to be operated by variations of
the pressure in the said steam-generator or in a regulating tube which is heated
simultaneously with such steam-generator or other appartus heated by means
of the said burners and which contains liquid. By these means, any variations
of pressure in the said generator or in its regulating-tube will increase or
diminish the supply of compressed air to the pipe s and consequently the pressure
of the air acting upon the piston-valve y, and the latter will therefore be moved
in one or the other direction so as to increase or diminish the number of burners
in operation in such a manner as to regulate the heat supplied according to
requirements..
A controlling device of this kind is shown in Figure 8, in which a piston-
valve 9 working in a cylinder 10 is adapted to control the supply of compressed
air to the pipe s. This piston-valve is connected by a rod 11 with a piston 12

page_text: working in a cylinder 13, to which the steam-pressure from a steam-generator
or from a regulating tube connected with such steam-generator or other heat
apparatus is admitted beneath the piston through a pipe 14 containing liquid,
for example as described in my said former specifications. The piston 12 is held
down by a spring 15, the compression of which can be regulated by adjusting
the nuts 16 bearing against the cross-head 17.
In Figures 9 and 10, I have shown two modified forms of my improved vapour-
burner, adapted for burning crude or residue oils or tar. The casing and
deflector jj, shown in Figure 1, are, in these modifications, replaced by a
curved fire-clay or metal chamber 18 or 19 which, being heated by the flame,
will vapourize the spray projected into it and will also deflect or spread the
spray and vapour and ensure the complete combustion of the fuel. 20 and 21
are stop-cocks on the oil-pipe and air-pipe r respectively, for regulating or
controlling the supply of oil and air.
It is evident that the construction of my improved apparatus can, if desired,
be somewhat further modified without departing from the nature of my said
invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
First. A vapour-burner constructed in such a manner that liquid fuel can
be drawn into the same from a suitable source of supply by a jet of compressed
air and be thereby sprayed or atomized and projected together with an induced
current of air into a combined vapourizer and deflector or spreader heated by
flame or gases circulating within a surrounding casing, for the purposes above
specified.
Second. A vapour-burner comprising a combined aspirator and sprayer and
a combined vapourizer and deflector so arranged relatively to each other as to
leave one or more air-admission openings between them, substantially as herein-
before described and for the purposes specified. .
Third. A combined aspirator and sprayer comprising an air passage or nozzle,
another passage or nozzle in line therewith, and a shallow annular chamber
or space between the adjacent ends of the said passages or nozzles, having an inlet
for liquid fuel, substantially as hereinbefore described and for the purposes
specified.
Fourth. A vapour-burner comprising a perforated casing or flame-chamber,
a vapourizer therein, serving also as a spreader, and a combined aspirator and
sprayer at one end thereof whereby, with the aid of compressed air, liquid fuel
can be drawn from a suitable source of supply, sprayed and directed into the said
vapourizer together with an induced current of air, substantially as herein before
described and for the purposes specified.
Fifth. The combination of a perforated casing or flame-chamber, and a com-
bined vapourizer and spreader therein, so arranged and proportioned relatively
thereto as to leave a space between each of its open ends and the said casing,
and having converging sides joined at the top by bridge-pieces one at each
end so as to form a narrow elongated opening, substantially as, 'and for the
purposes, described.
Sixth. A base for a vapour-burner, made in two parts, one of which is formed
with an air passage or nozzle and with an annular channel around the same
having an inlet for liquid fuel, and the other with a passage or nozzle of larger
internal diameter than the said air-passage and in line therewith, which parts
are so formed and united as to leave between them a shallow annular passage
communicating with the said nozzles and with the annular channel, for the pur-
poses above specified.
Seventh. The combination of one or more burners each constructed with a
combined aspirator and sprayer, and a reservoir for liquid fuel in communication

page_text: with a suitable source of supply and with an annular channel or chamber around
the air-nozzle of the said burner or burners, which reservoir is provided with
a float-valve for regulating the supply of liquid fuel thereto, substantially as,
and for the purposes, above specified.
Eighth. The combination of vapour-burners each having an inlet for com-
pressed air, a common air-supply pipe having ports communicating with the
said inlets, respectively, and a spring-controlled piston movable over the said
ports by the compressed air, with or without an adjustable stop for limiting the
travel of the said piston, substantially as, and for the purposes, described.
Ninth. The combination of vapour-burners each having a compressed air inlet,
and suitable means whereby the number of burners supplied with compressed air
will be varied or all the burners shut off, according to variations of steam-
pressure in a steam-generator or a tube heated by the said burners, for the
purposes above specified.
Tenth. A group of vapour-burners connected with a regulator actuated by
compressed air for regulating or controlling the number of burners in operation,
which regulator is governed by a controlling device actuated by variations of
pressure in a steam-generator or a tube heated by the said burners, substantially
as herein before described and for the purposes specified.
Eleventh. The combination of one or more vapour-burners each constructed
with a combined aspirator and sprayer, a reservoir for liquid fuel in communica-
tion with a suitable source of supply and with an annular channel or chamber
around the air-nozzle of the said burner or burners which reservoir is provided
with a float-valve for regulating the supply of liquid fuel thereto, and a con-
trolling device actuated by variations of steam-pressure in a steam-generator
or a tube heated by the said burner or burners, whereby the supply of compressed
air to the burner or burners will be varied or cut off, substantially as herein before
described and for the purposes specified.
Twelfth. The combination of an aspirator and sprayer having an air passage
or nozzle, and another passage or nozzle in line therewith, an annular passage,
having an inlet for liquid fuel, being left between the adjacent ends of the said
nozzles, and a combined vapourizer and spreader consisting of a chamber having
an interior deflecting surface, substantially as, and for the purposes, herein-
before described.
Thirteenth. The improved vapour-burner constructed substantially as described
with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, or to Figure 9, or Figure 10 of the drawings
and operating as, and for the purposes, above specified.
Fourteenth. The improved apparatus constructed, arranged and operating sub-
stantially as described with reference to Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings,
for the purposes specified.