IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS STOVES
Year: 1883

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by Charles Henry Robinson at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th September 1883.
CHARLES HENRY ROBINSON, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, Architect.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN GAS STOVES."
This invention relates to improvements in the construction of gas stoves for
heating and cooking purposes.
"
According to one modification of the improved stove, as adapted for heating
purposes, the shell is formed in one or more sections of thin sheet metal or cast-
iron of cylindrical or other convenient shape enclosing a series of graduated flues
or chambers through which are conveyed the products of combustion of a number
of gas fires, or of a single gas fire arranged to burn in the lower part of the stove.
In the larger sizes of stove, four gas fires are used and are disposed in chambers formed
by radial division plates extending from the outer to an intermediate concentric
shell, while an equal number of air chambers are formed or left between the fire
chambers. Each gas fire is formed by the combustion of a mixture of gas and air
which is supplied in regulated quantities through a "Bunsen or similar burner
fitted in the bottom of the fire chamber. The burner is carried by a jointed
bracket which admits of its being swung out through a door in front or below
when lighting the stove. Over the "burner" is fitted a sheet of wire gauze
through which the gaseous mixture passes and burns on the top, the wire gauze
serving the purpose of spreading the flame. A basket or grating is fitted
immediately over the flame and into this basket balls or pieces of fire-clay, asbestos,
or similar refractory material are placed and are heated to incandescence by
the flame. The front of each fire chamber is fitted with a pane of mica or other
transparent or translucent material, through which the incandescent gas fire may
be seen.
The products of combustion of each of the gas fires rise vertically
within a passage which forms a continuation of the fire chamber between the outer
and intermediate shells of the stove, thence pass through an opening near the top
in one of the radial division plates, and descend through a flue space formed
between the fire chambers. The fire gases, after the utilization of the greater part
of the heat, then pass inwards and circulate through similar flues formed between
the intermediate and an inner shell, and they finally pass into a deep compartment

page_text: formed in the centre of the stove, from which they may be led to a ventilating flue
for discharging the carbonic acid gas if so desired. An important feature however
of the improved stove consists in dispensing with the use of a chimney flue, and
providing means whereby the carbonic acid and other deleterious fumes of the fire
gases are absorbed or dispelled. For this purpose is provided a vessel or series of
vessels or shallow trays filled with lime or slaked lime or other re-agent which
readily absorbes or combines with carbonic-acid.
The products of combustion are caused to pass over or through the slaked lime,
or other re-agent, whereby the carbonic-acid is absorbed, while any free air
remaining, and the nitrogen of the air consumed, passes into a well or fresh air
chamber whence the nitrogen mixes with the oxygen of the air, and passes out
through air holes provided for the purpose.
The vessels or trays containing the carbonate which will be formed by the union
of the carbonic acid with the slaked lime or other re-agent can be removed and
re-charged periodically, an opening provided with a close cover being formed in the
top of the stove. The products of combustion in passing from the gas fires through
the flues, part with the greater portion of their heat by radiation through the front
of the stove, and heat up the top plate of the stove. An ornamental covering is
fitted over the hot plate, and is formed with perforations through which air may
circulate and be heated by the top plate.
A number of air passages or pipes may be fitted within or between the flue
spaces of the stove, for the purpose of warming air to be discharged into the room.
The air which is used to support combustion, and the gas supply may also be
heated by being made to enter passages in proximity to the gas fires or flues on
their way to the burner.
In a modification adapted for fitting into an ordinary fire-place, a section of the
improved gas stove described may be used. A gas fire arranged as hereinbefore
described, but if need be of extra size, occupies a central position between two air
warming chambers, or between two of the graduated flue spaces through which the
products of combustion pass into a ventilating chamber behind, and thence into
the chimney flue, their egress being facilitated by an independent air current
entering below the stove. In this modification the use of an absorbing agent for
the carbonic acid is dispensed with.
of
In constructing a cooking stove according to my invention, the same arrangement
gas fire and heating chambers is used, but the products of combustion are then
led to a chimney flue. At the back or at the side of the fire chamber, or between
two gas fires a cooking oven is formed, and is heated partly by radiation of heat
from the gas fire through the shell of the oven and partly by the products of
combustion which are led by a flue or flues over or below and round the oven.
The gas fire or fires are covered by a plate which may form the hot plate and
extend over the oven flue, and the usual fire covers and openings are provided to
hold cooking utensils.