Improvements in Furnaces for the Better Consumption of Fuel.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 4th July, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Apr., 1892-Accepted 7th May, 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Furnaces for the Better Consumption of Fuel.
We, AMBROSE FIRTH, of Newhall Iron Works, Ironfounder, and EDWARD
FARRELL of Newhall Road, Engineer, both of Sheffield in the County of York, do
hereby declare the nature of our invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object the better consumption of fuel, and in con-
sequence the diminution of smoke, and we attain this by very simple means.
Our invention is applicable to furnaces of many descriptions, and specially to
boiler furnaces, and in carrying it into practice, we propose to substitute for the
ordinary deadplate in front of the firebars, a suitable framework carrying a door
(or doors) the upper surface of which will form the face of deadplate.
This door we prefer to pivot on gudgeons placed at the ends nearest the furnace
door, but we may place them at the front, or even in the centre if desirable
to do so.
When pivotted at the ends nearest the furnace door, and when the deadplate
door is raised a current of air will enter and be directed upon the incandescent
fuel on the bars, mixing with the flame and gases and causing more perfect
combustion of what would otherwise be smoke.
It will be understood that the horizontal door and its surrounding frame form
the deadplate, and that the firebars rest upon the front of the frame.
The horizontal door may be raised and lowered as required by means of a
segmental rack, and a pinion, or by any other suitable mechanism, or.balance lever,
either by hand, or automatically.
Deted the 2nd day of July 1801
ROBT. F. DRURY, Fel. Inst. P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for. Applicants.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Furnaces for the Better Consumption of Fuel.
We, AMBROSE FIRTH, of Newhall Iron Works, Ironfounder, and EDWARD
FARRELL of Newhall Road, Engineer, both of Sheffield in the County of York,
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 has for its object, the better consumption of fuel in furnaces,
and consequently the diminution of smoke, and we attain this by very simple
means.
The invention is illustrated in the sheet of drawings annexed hereto, and to which
reference will be made in the Specification.
Fig. 1, is a plan of our improved deadplate.
Fig. 2, end view of same, part being in section.
Fig. 3, similar view with air valve open.
Fig. 4, similar view with air valve pivotted centrally.
Our invention is applicable to furnaces of many descriptions, and particularly
to the furnaces of steam boilers.
In carrying the invention into practice we dispense with the usual solid dead-
plate which is fixed in front of the firebars and upon which they rest, and
substitute a metal box or framework A, in the upper face of which is fitted a door
or air valve B, or more than cne if thought advisable.

page_text: The upper surface of this door or valve will form the face of the deadplate, and
the ends of the furnace-bars C, will usually rest upon the back edge D, which is
suitably constructed to receive them.
The door or air-valve is pirotted on gudgeons E, at the end nearest the furnace
door, but we do not confine ourselves to this position, as they may in some cases
be situated at the opposite end, or even in the centre as shown in Fig. 4.
Also instead of one door, as before stated we may divide the opening either
transversely or longitudinally, and consequently require two or more doors or valves.
To the underside of the door or valve B, we attach some means of opening and
closing same such as the simple form of hand lever F, or by means of a segmental
rack and pinion, or by any other mechanism to be operated either by hand, or by
automatic action, such as for example, the valve to be raised by the opening of the
furnace door, and after the door is closed the valve to be gradually lowered through
the agency of a small air or water cylinder as will readily be understood.
When the air-valve is raised as shown in Fig. 3, a current of air will enter
the hollow deadplate through the opening G, in the course indicated by the
arrows, and will pass through the valve opening direct to the incandescent fuel
upon the bars C, mixing at once with the flame and heated gases, and causing
their more perfect combustion and consequent diminution of smoke.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same may be carried into practice, we declare
that what we claim is :
1. In furnaces, the substitution for the usual solid deadplate, of a frame
provided with one or more doors or air valves, capable of being opened to any
desired width, for the purpose specified, and substantially as hereinbefore described,
and as shown.
2. A deadplate, having one or more doors or air-valves in its upper face, for
the purpose specified.
3. A deadplate, consisting of a hollow casing or frame A, provided with an
inlet G, for air, and one or more outlets into the furnace, closed by pivotted
doors or valves B, arranged to be opened to any desired width either by hand
or mechanically, and to be closed by hand or automatically, substantially as
herein before described, and illustrated.
Dated the 31st day of March 1892.
ROBT. F. DRURY, C.P.A.,
Bank Buildings, George Street, Sheffield, Agent for Applicants.