Improved Means of Imparting Heat to the Water of Steam Boilers and the like.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 20th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 16th Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means of Imparting Heat to the Water of Steam
Boilers and the like.
1, ROBERT GEORGE RUFFLES, of Aylesford Street, Pimlico, Engineer, do
hereby declare the nature of the said invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to means of increasing the heat-conveying power of the
tubes of steam boilers and the like, and is applicable to both externally and
internally fired tubes.
According to the present invention, I insert within the boiler tube (whether it
be externally or internally fired), a bar of any suitable metal (herein, for con-
venience termed a "heat conveyor") which is formed of duplex, triplex or other
suitable section, with two or more radiating arms, the longitudinal peripheral
edges of which are made of a curvature corresponding with that of the internal
radius of the tube, and are preferably, widened so as to have a large extent of
contact with the metal of the surrounding tube, against which such edges of the bar
bear, not, however, being attached thereto.
The tube containing the said heat-conveyor, may then be passed through a die
or rolls, whereby, owing to the tube being somewhat reduced in size, its internal
surface is compressed into intimate contact with the said extended peripheral edges
of the enclosed heat-conveyor.
The said heat-conveyor is, preferably, placed within the boiler tube in such a
position as to terminate a convenient distance from each end, leaving the latter
with free or uninterrupted ends which can be expanded into place in the tube-
plates in the usual manner, and which further admit of the unimpeded entrance
of the flame or current of water before the subdivision thereof within the tube in
the manner aforesaid.
The said heat-conveyor may also be formed with holes therethrough or indents
therein, so as (in an internally fired tube) to impede the passage of the flame or
gases along it and within the tube, in order that the heat thereof may be
effectually utilized, but not so as to offer any obstruction to cleaning the tube
or flue.
In an externally fired tube the like action takes place as regards the
current of water.
The heat-conveyor, so formed, in an internally fired tube, divides the flame,
(which enters the tube without obstruction) at the centre or core part of the
hot gases, and in a tube externally fired divides the current of heated water in a
similar manner.
Dated this 10th day of Ionury 1801
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means of Imparting Heat to the Water of Steam
Boilers and the like.
I, ROBERT GEORGE RUFFLES of Aylesford Street, Pimlico, 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:-
This invention relates to the application to the tubes of steam boilers and the
like of means of the nature hereinafter described for effecting a more efficient

page_text: conduction of heat from the hot furnace gases and products of combustion to the
water circulating in or around such tubes, the invention being applicable both to
water tubes externally heated and to internally heated tubes surrounded by
water.
Such means consist essentially of a partitioning strip or bar formed (speaking
relatively to its longitudinal axis) with two or more radiating branches preferably
opposite or equidistant, and (speaking relatively to its length) of a straight or
slightly twisted formation, and (speaking relatively to its shape) of a plain,
corrugated, studded or slotted formation, and (speaking relatively to its dimensions)
of an external diameter or size conforming to that of the interior of the tube to
which it is intended to be fitted or applied.
Such bars may be made of any suitable metal or material which will resist the
action of the hot gases or water, and may be fixed or secured within the tube by
passing the latter (while containing the bar suitably located) through suitable rolls
or a die, whereby, owing to the tube being somewhat reduced in size, its internal
circumference is compressed into intimate contact with the longitudinal_outer
peripheral edges of the bar. Or the bar may be secured within the tube by
heating the latter and shrinking it on to the bar, or in any other suitable manner.
The bar is preferably made of such a length as to terminate (when fixed or
secured within the tube) a convenient distance from each end thereof so as to leave
the tube with free or uninterrupted ends which can be expanded into place in the
tube-plates in the usual manner, and so as to admit of the unimpeded entrance
into the tube of the hot gases or current of water as the case may be.
The special purpose of utility of the said bar is, in the case of its application to
a water tube, to divide the body of water circulating through the tube and to act
as a means of conducting part of the heat of the hot gases surrounding the tube to
the centre part of such body of water so as to promote a more effective circulation
and the desired conversion of the water into steam; and in the case of its application
to an internally heated tube surrounded by water, its purpose of utility is, to baffle
and deflect the centre part or core of the hot gases traversing the tube so as to
prevent the same from too freely escaping, and, by dividing the same at their
centre or core part, to cause the same to impinge against the inner circumference
of the tube, in order that the heat may be more effectively utilized and imparted
to the surrounding water than in an unobstructed tube.
Several modifications of the invention are illustrated on the accompanying
drawings and will be hereinafter referred to.
Figures to 7 represent a preferable modification. Figure 1. is an elevation,
partly in section, of the bar before its application to the tube. Figure 2. represents
an end elevation thereof. Figure 3. represents a plan view thereof, partly in
section. Figure 4. represents an elevation, partly in section, of an internally
heated tube fitted with the said bar disposed in a vertical position. Figure 5.
represents a sectional elevation showing the bar disposed in an oblique position.
Figures 6, and 7, represent transverse sections respectively through the planes
indicated by the lines a-b, c-d.
In this modification, the strip 15, is made of a straight formation having two
opposite radiating branches (speaking relatively to its longitudinal axis) and is
slotted at 16, at suitable intervals of its length, and is formed with bevelled ends 17,
the better to divide the hot gases, and with broadened longitudinal outer peripheral
edges 18, and is represented as fitted diametrically of the tube at an angle of
about 45° ride Figs. 6 and 7.
Any of the bars herein referred to, may be formed with such slots 16, which
may be of any suitable shape, disposition and distance apart, and may extend as
dotted at 19, Figure 1, through the flange or edge of the bar, either all through
the one edge or through the opposite edges alternately.
In lieu of being formed with slots 16, any of the bars herein referred to may be
formed with studs or projecting parts of any suitable shape, disposition and distance
apart, but so as not to offer obstruction to the cleaning of the tube.

page_text: Or the bar may be formed solid and plain without either through openings or
projecting studs.
The bar whether perforated, studded or plain may be more or less corrugated
parallel with the longitudinal axis, vide Fig. 11, or transversely thereto vide
Figures 8 and 9.
Any of the bars herein referred to may be more or less twisted, vide Figures 12
and 13.
Any of the bars herein referred to may be disposed within the tube either
horizontally, vertically or at any intermediate oblique position.
The bar may, as aforesaid, be made with three or more radiating branches in
lieu of with two thereof as aforesaid. As an example, Fig. 14, represents a
modification wherein the bar is formed with three of such branches.
In lieu of being bevelled, the ends of any of the bars herein referred to may be
formed flat as at 20, ride Figs. 8 to 14.
Any of the bars herein referred to may be formed with broadened edges 18, as
described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7.
In lieu of such bars as are of a straight and plain formation, being made separate
from and fitted to the tubes as aforesaid, they may be cast or otherwise suitably
formed together or in one piece therewith as longitudinally disposed partitions.
Any of such longitudinally disposed partitions as can be so made, may be made
together or in one piece with the tube by making a flat skelp of the desired length
and appropriate width for the formation of the tube in one piece with the said partition
of relatively appropriate width or height rising therefrom at right angles thereto,
theu, if necessary, cutting off or otherwise removing each end of the partition to
any required length or distance from the adjacent end of the skelp, and then bending
the skelp into a tubular form and welding the longitudinal meeting edges adjacent
to the outer longitudinal edge of the said partition, thus completing the formation
of the tube together with the longitudinally disposed partition.
In lieu of each tube being fitted or formed with one of any of such respectively
above referred to bars, it may be fitted or formed with a series thereof spaced
apart as may be found to be most serviceable according to the length and diameter
of the tube to which they are applied.
It will thus be seen that the various features aforesaid may be combined in
various ways and that the invention is not limited to the modifications represented
on the accompanying drawings.
21, represents the tubes and 22, represents the tube-plates herein before
referred to.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. The hereinbefore described improved means of imparting heat to the water
of steam boilers and the like.
2. The application to the tubes of steam boilers and the like of means of the
nature hereinbefore described for the purpose specified.
Dated this 20th day of October 1891.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.