Improvements relating to the Combustion of Fuel in Domestic and other Fireplaces.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 1st May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 1st Feb., 1897-Accepted, 27th Mar., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Combustion of Fuel in Domestic and
other Fireplaces.
I, WILLIAM HASSALL, of Shelbrooke House, Ashby-de-la-Zouche in the
County of Leicester, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
In the Specification of my Letters Patent No. 1700 dated 25th January, 1893,
I have described and claimed certain means for ensuring a more complete com-
bustion of the fuel in the fireplaces of stoves or grates, whether open or closed, the
employment of such means necessitating a special construction and arrangement of
the fireplace.
Now, by my present invention, I carry out the same principle in connection with
fireplaces or grates of ordinary construction, such, for instance, as are used in
private houses, and I am enabled to burn, at a high temperature, in either open or
closed fireplaces or stoves, bituminous coal, coal slack, coke, or anthracite coal,
either separately or mixed together, with almost complete combustion of the smoke
and gases arising therefrom.
In carrying out this invention, I provide one or more air chambers, made of
refractory material, preferably of fireclay, which I fix in suitable positions in the
fireplaces of either open or closed grates or stoves; and to these air chambers,
I supply air from any convenient source but preferably from underneath the fire
grates, for the purpose of assisting in the combustion of the fuel and the gases.
arising from the fires. Said air chambers are provided with one or more inlets for
the admission of air into their interior, and also with a number of small outlets,
through which the heated air passes as required to the fires and the gases arising
therefrom. The position and number of these air chambers will depend upon
the size and shape of the grate or stove fitted with the same, but for the fire-
place of an ordinary domestic grate, it may be sufficient to have, say, two or
perhaps three in number, each more or less of a dome shape, fixed upon the bottom
of the grate, which may consist either of bars, or of a perforated fireclay block, or
the like.
By means of suitable appliances, the supply of air to the air chambers may be
controlled and regulated, thereby obtaining quick or slow combustion of the fuel
in both open and closed grates or stoves as required. For instance, the space
underneath the fire grate may be enclosed by means of a plate or other
suitable appliance, means being also provided for admitting air into said space,
for the purpose of providing and regulating a supply of air to said chambers
as required.
I may also, in conjunction with these air chambers, use dampers, or other means,
to assist in regulating the draught and controlling the fires, and in the case of
closed stoves, I may, when necessary, so divert the products of combustion as to
cause the heat given off by the fires to be radiated more by the stoves, instead of
passing away up the smoke pipes.
I may modify the construction, shape, and size of my air chambers to meet
varying requirements, but in all such modifications I fix the air chambers in
suitable positions for supplying heated air to the fuel burning on the bars or in the
fireplaces of both open or closed grates and stoves, and also to the gases arising

page_text: from the fires, by which means almost complete combustion of both fuel and gases
is obtained, and when required, at a high temperature.
Dated this 30th day of May 1896.
STANLEY, POPPLEWELL & Co.,
7 & 8 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Chartered Patent Agents.
Improvements relating to the Combustion of Fuel in Domestic and
other Fireplaces.
I, WILLIAM HASSALL, of Shelbrooke House, Ashby-de-la-Zouche, in the
County of Leicester, Manufacturer, 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 :-
In the Specification of my Letters Patent No. 1700 dated 25th January, 1893,
I have described and claimed certain means for ensuring a more complete com-
bustion of the fuel in the fireplaces of stoves or grates, whether open or closed, the
employment of such means necessitating a special construction and arrangement of
the fireplace.
Now, by my present invention, I carry out the same principle in connection with
fireplaces or grates of ordinary construction, such, for instance, as are used in
private houses, and I am enabled to burn, at a high temperature, in either open or
closed fireplaces or stoves, bituminous coal, coal slack, coke, or anthracite coal,
either separately or mixed together, with almost complete combustion of the smoke
and gases arising therefrom.
In carrying out this invention, I provide one or more air chambers, made of
refractory material, preferably of fireclay, which I fix in suitable positions in the
fireplaces of either open or closed grates or stoves; and to these air chambers,
I supply air from any convenient source but preferably from underneath the fire
grates for the purpose of assisting in the combustion of the fuel and the gases
arising from the fires. Said air chambers are provided with one or more inlets for
the admission of air into their interior, and also with a number of small outlets,
through which the heated air passes as required to the fires and the gases arising
therefrom. The position and number of these air chambers will depend upon
the size and shape of the grate or stove fitted with the same, but for the fire-
place of an ordinary domestic grate, it may be sufficient to have one, two, or
perhaps three in number, each more or less of a dome shape, fixed upon the bottom
of the grate, which may consist either of bars, or of a perforated fireclay block, or
the like.
By meaus of suitable appliances, the supply of air to the air chambers may be
controlled and regulated, thereby obtaining quick or slow combustion of the fuel
in both open and closed grates or stoves as required. For instance, the space
underneath the fire grate may be enclosed by means of a plate or other
-suitable appliance, means being also provided for admitting air into said space,
for the purpose of providing and regulating a supply of air to said chambers
as required.
I may also, in conjunction with these air chambers, use dampers, or other means,
to assist in regulating the draught and controlling the fires, and in the case of
closed stoves, I may, when necessary, so divert. or distribute the products of com-
'bustion as to cause the heat given off by the fires to be radiated more effectually by
the stoves, instead of passing away directly up the smoke pipes.
In the accompanying drawings 1 have shown several ways in which my invention
may be carried into effect, on Sheet 1 of which, Figures 1 and 2 are elevation and

page_text: plan respectively of one form of air chamber made in accordance with my invention
for use in an open fireplace or stove. Figures 3 and 4 on the same sheet are
vertical section and plan section respectively of the same form of air chamber.
Referring to these figures, A is the perforated air chamber placed over the iron'
or other metal support D which may be fixed to the grating or equivalent perforated
bottom A¹ by means of a nut D', or by other appropriate means. The support D
carries eight radial arms E E (or may have a greater or less number) of sufficient
length to comfortably extend to the inner wall of the chamber A and so keep the
same in position. The air passes upwards through the interstices B of the grating
or equivalent and into the interior of the chamber A, passing from thence through
perforations or passages C C made in the thickness of the wall of said chamber A
to the fuel and mingling with the gases arising therefrom. Said perforations or
passages C C are by preference made at an angle to the horizontal, dipping slightly
from the interior to the exterior of the air chamber, so as to prevent ash or solid
matter from lodging therein and interfering with their free action.
On Sheet 2, Figures 5 and 6 show, in vertical section and plan respectively,.
another shape of air chamber and also a different mole of attachment.
Figures 7, 8, and 9 illustrate a further modification, being a vertical section..
elevation, and plan section respectively of an air chamber of larger capacity and
elongated shape.
Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the air chamber A is fluted on the outside in a
vertical direction, as at A3, instead of being cylindrical as shown on Sheet 1. The-
perforations or passages C C, however, are of the same character. The support D.
is here shown of the shape of a screwed bolt, which is first passed through a hole
in the top of air chamber A, the head F fitting into a recess G formed therein, and
the lower screwed end is made to enter and project below the bars of the grate or
equivalent and is secured by a nut D' and washer, or may be fixed in any alternative
and desirable manner.
In Figures 7, 8 and 9, the supports D are two in number, the chamber being of
a larger size, but one support might answer for some grates, or more than two
might in exceptional cases be found necessary. Each support in itself is of the
same pattern as in Figure 5, or, as will be understood, the form of attachment
shown in Figure 1 may alternatively he adopted. Air is supplied on the same.
principle throughout all these arrangements.
On Sheet 3, Figures 10 to 15 show two open fireplaces, one being fitted with a
single air chamber, and the other with a pair of air chambers; and
Figures 16 and 17 show the principle of my air chamber applied practically to a
closed stove.
'
In Figures 10, 11, and 12, which are a vertical side section, plan section, and
front elevation respectively of an open fireplace, are illustrated the application of
the air chamber already described with reference to Figures 7, 8, and 9. Tlie
supply of air to the bars or equivalent and to the air chamber A is regulated by the
plate M. The brick or slab H fixed over the fire may be arranged at any angle
which may most effectually assist in regulating the draught, controlling the fire,
and deflecting the heat into the apartment wherein the fireplace is situated.
are
Figures 13, 14, and 15 are a front elevation, plan section and vertical side section
respectively of the same fireplace fitted with two air chambers, such as
described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. The plate M and brick or slab H are
likewise provided.
Figure 16 is a vertical section and Figure 17 a plan showing one mode of
application of the air chamber to a closed stove, which may have a grate N as
illustrated, or may be fired off a solid bottom or hearth. The air supply to the
chamber A is admitted and regulated by plate M, and the draught controlled by
dampers Q. Instead of leading the flue S directly from the interior of the stove,
1 surround the upper end of the latter with a tubular and annular passage, formed
by securing a C-section (or equivalent) annular closed trough R (built up of
segments, if desired) upon the flue S on the outside of the stove and I insert the

page_text: flue S at one point in said annular trough R and cut away the top of the stove
casing P at the opposite point to a depth equal to the depth of the said trough or
thereabouts and for a distance, say, equal to about a quarter of the circumference
of the stove. The casing P itself, therefore, forms at its upper end a division or
baffle plate for about three quarters of its circumference, effectually guiding the
heated gases into the trough and causing them to circulate around both sides of the
top of the stove and thus to give off by radiation much of their heat before passing
off into the flue S. The said closed trough R may, however, be made in the form
of an independent flue if preferred.
I may modify the construction, shape, and size of my air chambers to meet
varying requirements, but in all such modifications I fix or set the air chambers in
suitable positions for supplying heated air to the fuel burning on the bars or in the
fireplaces of both open or closed grates and stoves, and also to the gases arising
from the fires, by which means almost complete combustion of both fuel and gases
is obtained, and when required, at a high temperature. As already mentioned the
material of which the air chambers aforesaid are composed is preferably fireclay;
but, I should not wish to limit the present invention to articles made only of that
material or even of any analogous substance, as I may find it advantageous
sometimes to make the air chambers of cast iron or of any substance sufficiently
durable for the purpose.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is :-
1. For use in a domestic or other fireplace or grate, one or more air chambers
containing perforations for allowing air to pass from the interior of said air chamber
or chambers to the fuel or gases arising therefrom substantially as herein described
with reference to Figures 1 to 15 of the accompanying drawings.
2. For assisting in the complete combustion of fuel in fireplaces of stoves or
grates, the employment of a hollow chamber or chambers fixed in suitable position
within said stove or grate, and having perforations or passages for air to pass from
the inside to the outside of said chamber in the manner and for the purpose herein
set forth.
3. In domestic and other fireplaces, the employment of a chamber open underneath
and having within the thickness of its wall a number of perforations or passages,
downwardly inclined from the interior to the outside, said chamber resting upon or
being fixed to the bottom or bars of the fireplace substantially in the manner
described and shown with reference to Figures 1 to 15 of the accompanying
drawings.
4. In closed fireplaces or stoves, with or without a grate or perforated bottom,
the employment of a perforated. chamber, to which air is admitted and the supply
thereof regulated as desired, substantially as herein described with reference
to Figures 16 and 17 of the accompanying drawings.
5. In combination, a fireplace or stove with a grate or perforated bottom, a
perforated chamber or chambers, and a plate or other means to regulate or cut off
at will the supply of air to the bottom of said fireplace or stove, the whole
constructed and arranged in the manner herein set forth with reference
to Figures 1 to 15.
6. The construction and arrangement of domestic and other fireplaces or stoves
substantially as herein described.
STANLEY, POPPLEWELL & Co.,
7 & 8, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London,
Chartered Patent Agents,