IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM BOILERS, AND IN WORKING THE SAME, AND IN SAFETY VALVES AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1859

page_text: LETTERS. PATENT to Henry William Harman, of Manchester, in the.
County of Lancaster, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS
IN STEAM BOILERS, AND IN WORKING THE SAME, AND IN SAFETY VALVES AND
APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH."
Sealed the 13th October 1859, and dated the 19th August 1859.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry William Harman
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 19th August 1859.
1.1
....
I, HENRY WILLIAM HARMAN, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for. "Im.
PROVEMENTS IN STEAM BOILERS, AND IN WORKING THE SAME, AND IN SAFETY VALVES
AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH," to be as follows, that is to say:
This Invention relates, in the first place, to the arrangement and construction
of steam boilers of various, shapes and kinets with chambers or divisional
portions for the purpose of surcharging the steam with heat.or superheating it.
As adapted to an ordinary plain cylindrical boiler for high-pressure working.
the improvements comprise the construction upon and along the sides and tops
of the boiler of steam or water chambers of such form as shall cover in the
ordinary longitudinal brick side flues formed exterior to the main shell from
one end of the boiler to the other. These side chambers form additional
Die 1

page_text: supports for the boiler by resting upon the brick work of the side flues. The
steam generated in the boiler passes off at either end down the steam chest,
and thencealong the side chambers or tubular divisions of pipes to the opposite
end of the boiler, as the case may be. In this way the steam separated from
the water absorbs or takes upa great quantity of caloric from the heated plates
of the side chambers, which chambers are themselves highly heated by the
longitudinal external flues of the boiler. The steam thus superheated or sur-
charged with caloric is then passed off by a stop valve at the further end of the
boiler to the engine. In this instance, the additional side chambers are used
simply and entirely as steam heaters. When it is not intended to superheat the
steam,openings are cut in the shell boiler, or other communications are made
with the chambers, so as to permit the boiler water and steam to flow through
from the main cylinder into the side chambers, and rise to the same level as
that of the water and steam in the main boiler,and in this way the side chambers
afford an extended area of steam generating surface. The side chambers or
heating sections may be made, either with the side next the boiler formed by
the main boiler plate itself, or quite independant of the boiler. Their advan-
tages may likewise be worked out by placing pipes or tubular heaters inside
the ordinary longitudinal brick flues of the boiler. To obviate all chance of
injury to the plates of the side chambers prior to getting the boiler into full
work, a small cock or valve is fitted thereto for the admission of a very little
water into the side chambers. Suitable heat or pressure guages are attached to
the side chambers, so as to afford the fireman the fullest information as to the
effect produced by the chambers, and enable him to diminish or steady his
firing of the main furnaces, when the desired result has been secured. Should
"priming" occur, whatever water is carried over, the steam chest will simply
fallinto the heating chambers and produce steam, and in this way the working
engine cylinders are kept quite free from water, such as is usually carried off
by ordinary steam. Instead of using ordinary "gusset" or bar iron stays for
strengthening steam boilers internally, the present Invention comprehends the
adaptation of wrought-iron pipes or tubes, either keyed to the boiler plates or
attached by bolts and nuts or rivets, or by gusset pieces, or in any other
suitable way. In boilers with a pair of internal flues it is preferred to use a
single central tubular stay of any convenient transverse sectional form, so that
it can be securely rivetted or otherwise attached to the end plates of the boiler
when only one internal flue is used, then two or other number of tubular
stays of the kind herein-before mentioned are fitted in. These internal tubular
stays are also made to answer as sediment receivers or troughs, by forming

page_text: small openings in the tubes at intervalsat about the working level of the wate
in the boiler. When so arranged, whatever scum or foreign matters collects is
floated up so as to enter the tubes by the openings, and deposited there out of
the reach of the ebullition in the body of the boiler. The matter so collected
is blown out at intervals by a blow-off cock or valve at either or both ends of
the tubes. These tubes serve also as complete scum troughs, and when priming
occurs, the boiler maybe relieved by the blow-off cocks herein-before mentioned.
The internal furnace plates of the boiler are carried out at the front end, so as
to bring the fire bars up to the end of the boiler, using a very narrow dead
plate. In this way more of the crown plates of the furnace are brought into
contact with the fire; and wherever it is possible, all the angle irons are placed
outside of the boiler instead of inside, so as to leave the internal surface of the
boiler smooth and level, and diminish the lodgement of sedimentary matter in
those parts of the boiler most difficult to get at, and allow of easy cleaning.
To prevent the furnace tubes from dropping when the boiler is empty, and
from floating up when it is full, a connection is formed at about the centre of
the length between the tubes and the flues. This connection is a cross plate
riveted to the T or angle iron, wholly or partly encircling the flue, and
attached to the stay tube and extending close up to the side plates of the main
shell, but not attached thereto, so that the form of the shell prevents the rising
and falling and leaves the tubes free for expansion, and to prevent the abrasion
of the shell plates by the edge of the cross plate, a rubbing strip of iron is
riveted on each side.
This Invention relates also to the causing an artificial movement or current
in the water in the boiler by mechanical means, so as to assimilate the heat
To do this there is
of the boiler throughout its entire area and contents.
fitted up in the interior of the boiler an agitator or screw propeller, or other
suitable or convenient motor, and give a slow motion to it by gearing from
without, a spindle being passed into the interior of the boiler by a stuffing box.
As the agitator revolves it drives away the water before it, and thus fresh
water comes in behind it; a current or constant interchange of the particles
of water is kept up. In boilers with currents produced in this way, the heat
acts uniformly over the whole surface, and it necessarily produces a better
result then where the water is quiescent and undue and unequal expansion of
the boiler plates are avoided. Sedimentary deposit is also thus brought to the
surface and more easily got rid of. The agitator may be placed at any con-
venient part of the boiler, but it is preferred to fit it up between the internal
Aues at the back end.

page_text: The improvements in safety valves relate principally to the forming them in
each case with the actual valve piece, in the shape of a plain metal cylinder,
with a solid dished or depressed bottom where the holding down spindle
presses. The cylinder is turned true externally, and it bears steam-tight upon
its seat in the boiler shell at the part where the lower part of the periphery of
the cylinder joins the solid bottom by a slight curve. The seating piece of
the valve is formed of a set of radial feathered rib pieces, having their inner
edge faces truly turned. These ribs embrace the valve cylinder and form an
excellent guide for it whilst there is very little working friction. The valve
may be held down by a spring or weighted lever as usual. The moment it
lifts it affords a perfectly free vent for the steam all round.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Henry William Harman in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 17th February 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, HENRY
WILLIAM HARMAN, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Civil Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, in the twenty-third year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Henry William Harman, Her special license that I, the said
Henry William Harman, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as I, the said Henry William Harman, my executors, adminis-
trators, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time, and at all times thereafter during the term therein expressed,
should aud lawfully might make, use, exercise and vend, within the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of
Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM BOILERS, ANL IN WORKING
THE SAME, AND IN SAFETY VALVES AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Henry William Harman,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the

page_text: Great Seul Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Henry William Harman, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
My said Invention relates, in the first place, to the arrangement and con-
struction of steam boilers of various shapes and kinds, with chambers or
divisional portious for the purpose of surcharging the steam with heat, or super-
heating it. As adapted to an ordinary plain cylindrical boiler for high-pressure
working, the improvements com prise the construction upon and along the
sides and tops of the boiler, of steam or water chambers, of such form as
shall cover in the ordinary longitudinal brick side flues, formed exterior to the
main shell, from one end of the boiler to the other. These side chambers
form additional supports for the boiler by resting upon the brick work of the
side flues. The steam generated in the boiler passes off at either end down
the steam chest, and thence along the side chambers or tubular divisions or
pipes to the opposite end of the boiler, as the case may be. In this way, the
steam separated from the water absorbs or takes up a great quantity of caloric
from the heated plates ot the side chambers, which chambers are themselves
highly heated by the longitudinal external flues of the boiler. The steam
thus superheated or surcharged with caloric is then passed off by a stop valve
at the further end of the boiler to the engine.
In this instance, the additional side chambers are used simply and entirely
as steam heaters. When it is not intended to superheat the steam, openings
are cut in the boiler shell, or other communications are made with the
chamber, so as to permit the boiler water and steam to flow through from
the main cylinder into the side chambers, and rise to the same level as that
of the water and steam in the main boiler; and in this way the side chambers
afford an extended area of steam generating surface. The side chambers or
heating sections may be made either with the side next the boiler formed by
the main boiler plate itself, or quite independent of the boiler. Their advantages
may likewise be worked out by placing pipes or tubular heaters inside the
ordinary longitudinal brick flues of the boiler. To obviate all chance of injury
to the plates of the side chambers prior to getting the boiler into full work, a
small cock or valve is fitted thereto for the admission of a very little water
into the side chambers. Suitable heat or pressure guages are attached to the

page_text: side chambers so as to afford the fireman the fullest information as to the
effect produced by the chambers, and enable him to diminish or steady his
firing of the main furnaces when the desired result has been secured. Should
"priming" occur, whatever water is carried over the steam chest will simply
fall into the heating chambers and produce steam,and in this way the working
engine cylinders are kept quite free from water such as is usually carried off
by ordinary steam.
Instead of using ordinary "gusset" or bar-iron stays for strengthening
steam boilers internally, the present Invention comprehends the adaptation of
wrought-iron pipes or tubes, either keyed to the boiler plates or attached by
bolts and nuts or rivets, or by gusset pieces, or in any other suitable way. In
boilers with a pair of internal flues, it is preferred to use a single central
tubular stay of any convenient transverse sectional form so that it can be
securely riveted or otherwise attached to the end plates ofthe boiler; when only
one internal flue is used, then two or other number of tubular stays of the
kind herein-before mentioned are fitted in. These internal tubular stays are
also made to answer as sediment receivers or troughs, by forming small
openings in the tubes at intervals at about the working level of the water in
the boiler. When so arranged, whatever scum or foreign matter collects is
floated up so as to enter the tubes by the openings and be deposited there,
out of the reach of the ebullition in the body of the boiler. The matter so
collected is blown out at intervals by a blow-off cock or valve at either or
both ends of the tubes. These tubes serve also as complete scum troughs,
and when priming occurs, the boiler may be relieved by the blow-off cock
herein-before mentioned. The internal furnace plates of the boiler are carried
out at the front end so as to bring the fire-bars up to the end of the boiler,
using a very narrow dead plate. In this way, more of the crown plates of the
furnace are brought into contact with the fire; and wherever it is possible,
all the angle irons are placed outside of the boiler instead of inside, so as to
leave the internal surface of the boiler smooth and level, and diminish the
lodgement of sedimentary matter in those parts of the boiler most difficult to
get at, and allow of easy cleaning, To prevent the furnace tubes from
dropping when the boiler is empty, and from floating up when it is full, a
connection is formed at about the centre of the length between the tubes and
the flues. This connection is a crossplate riveted to the T or angle iron,
wholly or partly encircling the flues and attached to the stay tube and
extending close up .to the side plates of the main shell, but not attached
thereto, so thatthe form of the shell prevents the rising and falling, and leaves

page_text: the tubes free for expansion; and to prevent the abrasion of the shell plates
by the edge of the crossplates, a rubbing strip of iron is riveted on each side.
My said Invention relates also to the causing an artificial movement or
current in the water in the boiler by mechanical means, so as to assimilate
the heat of the boiler throughout its entire area and contents. To do this,
there is fitted up in the interior of the boiler, an agitator or screw propeller or
other suitable or convenient motor, and give a slow motion to it by gearing
from without, a spindle being passed into the interior of the boiler by a
stuffing box. As the agitator revolves, it drives away the water before it, and
as fresh water comes in behind it, a current or constant interchange of the
particles of water is kept up. In boilers with currents produced in this way,
the heat acts uniformly over the whole surface, and it necessarily produces a
better result than when the water is quiescent, and undue and unequal
expansion of the boiler plates are avoided; sedimentary deposit is also thus
brought to the surface and more easily got rid of. The agitator may be
placed at any convenient part of the boiler, but it is preferred to fit it up
between the internal flues at the back end.
The improvements in safety valves relate principally to the forming them in
each case with the actual valve piece, in the shape of a plain metal cylinder
with a solid dished or depressed bottom, where the holding down spindle
presses. This cylinder is turned true externally, and it bears steam-tight
upon its seat in the boiler shell at the part where the lower part of the
periphery of the cylinder joins the solid bottom by a slight curve. The
seating piece of the valve is formed with a set of radial feathered rib pieces,
having their inner edge faces truly turned. These ribs embrace the valve
cylinder, and form an excellent guide for it, whilst there is very little working
friction. The valve may be held down by a spring or weighted lever as usual.
The moment it lifts, it affords a perfectly free vent for the steam all round.
And in order that my said Invention of "Improvements in Steam Boilers
and in Working the same, and in Safety Valves and Apparatus connected
therewith," may be properly understood, I shall now proceed to describe the
several illustrative Figures on the explanatory Sheet of Drawings which I
have hereunto appended for the purpose of showing certain modifications under
which my improvements may be judiciously carried out in practice, that is to
say, Figure 1 on the accompanying Sheet of Drawings is a partially sectional
elevation of one modification of my improved boiler; Figure 2 is an elevation
of the furnace end of the boiler; Figure 3 is a transverse vertical section, and
Figure 4 a plan of the same partially in section; Figure 5 is an elevation of

page_text: one arrangement of my improved safety valve; Figure 6 is a plan corres-
sponding to Figure 5; and Figure 7 is a vertical section of the same.
Referring to the modification of the boiler as delineated in Figures 1 to 4, the
brick work A, in which the boiler B is supported, is built in the usual manner.
the boiler is in this example furnished with two internal furnace tubes C, the
wrought-iron plates of which are riveted to external circular stays D of T-iron.
The contiguous plates of the furnace tubes are arranged so as to leave a
small intervening space, which is filled up with caulking. The front extremity
of each of the furnace tubes C, projects out beyond the end plate of the boiler,
so that the ends of the furnace bars E are flush with the end plate. This
arrangement, in addition to other advantages which it has, ensures the effective
heating of the crown plates right out to the end of the boiler. The projecting
portion of each furnace tube is secured to the boiler by means of external
rings of angle iron, the weight of the tube being however mainly supported
by the end plate of the boiler through which the tube passes. The front ends
of the furnace bars E are carried on the inner end of a narrow dead plate F,
which fills up the space between the ends of the bars and the furnace
doors G. The flame and heated products of combustion arising from the
burning fuel pass along the furnace tubes, out at the backward ends, and
along the flue H beneath the boiler to the front part, thence upwards and
along the lateral flues I to the chimney. The backward end of each furnace
tube projects outwards a short distance beyond the end plate of the boiler to
which it is attached by means of angle iron, in manner corresponding to the
arrangement of the front end. The end plates of the boiler are stayed inter-
nally by means of the longitudinal stay tube J, which is arranged above the
furnace tubes C, the lower portion of its periphery dipping a little below the
proper water level as is more clearly shown in the sectional view, Figure 3 of
the accompanying Drawings. The stay tube J is connected to the end
plates of the boiler by means of angle iron riveted thereto, these angle irong
are made in the form of two half rings, having laterally extending wing pieces,
to which are riveted the diagonal stays K. These diagonal stays extend
towards the stay tube J, and are riveted to double pieces of angle iron on the
sides of the stay tube, so as to stiffen the whole and render it exceedingly firm.
This mode of staying the boiler internally by means of an internal tube
provides in a very efficient manner for the longitudinal expansion of the boiler,
arising from the heat of the furnaces, at the same time it effectually resists the
internal steam pressure. Although I have preferred to show the stay tube in
the accompanying Drawings of a circular figure in its transverse section, I do

page_text: not confine myself thereto, as in some cases it may be preferable to use tubes
of an elliptical or polygonal figure in their transverse section in lieu thereof.
The stay J has formed in it at the water level a series of slots L, by means
of which the tube is converted into a scum trough or collector. The scum
and other impurities thrown by the ebulition of the water to its surface col-
lects in the tube J, from whence they may be drawn off from time to time by
means of the "blow-off valve" M, the casing of which is bolted to the front
of the boiler. The blow-off valve case is connected to the pipe N, which
passes down between the furnace mouths, and enters the waste pipe O, which
communicates with the lower part of the boiler, and conveys away the water
when the boiler is required to be emptied. The water for the supply of the
boiler passes up through the feed pipe P, the passage of which is controlled
by a valve Q, the inner extremity of the feed pipe being carried down to-
wards the lower part of the boiler. To prevent the rising and falling of the
furnace tubes C, without at the same time interfering with their longitudinal
expansion, they, are supported centrally by the vertical stay or diaphragm R,
this stay consists of a wrought-iron plate pendent from the roof of the boiler,
to which part it is riveted. Suitable apertures are made in the vertical stay
through which the furnace and stay tubes pass, the configuration of the
upper part of the stay R, and its connection to the crown of the boiler is
shown in the transverse vertical section, Figure 3 on the accompanying
Drawings. On the front end of the crown of the boiler is fitted the steam
chest S, and safety valve T, contiguous to which is the man-hole U. Con-
nected with the boiler is my improved arrangement for superheating the
steam before it reaches the steam pipe which conveys it to the engine. The
saturated steam as it rises from the water passes into the steam chest S, which
communicates with the longitudinal laterally projecting steam passages or
superheating chambers V. These superheating chambers are formed of iron
plates riveted to the sides of the boiler, they are flat at the bottom, which partly
rests on the brickwork A,so as to partially support the weight of the boiler. In
this manner the bottoms of the chambers V form the roofs of the lateral flues I,
from which they receive their heat. The course of the steam is indicated by
arrows in the accompanying Drawings,and as it passes along the chambers V
an additional quantity of caloric is imparted from the heated plates forming
the bottom of the chambers. The backward ends of the superheating.chambers
V communicate with the steam chest W, which forms a segmental belt partially
encircling the boiler in manner similar to the steam chest S. Thesteam passes
out from the steam chest W by the steam pipe X, the passage of which is con-

page_text: trolled by a stop valve contiguous to which is fitted a safety valve Y. The
superheating chamber V may, if necessary, be fitted with a cock at one end to
draw off any water of condensation that may collect therein after the fires are
drawn. If the superheating of the steam is not required, the lateral chambers
V then afford additional heating surface by opening a communication between
the boiler and the chambers, so as to allow the water free passage thereto. In
the accompanying Drawings. I have shown the lateral chambers as riveted to
and forming a part of the boiler,but this is not necessarily the case, they may,
if preferred, by constructed separately, and be otherwise arranged in various
ways. In order to obtain a continuous circulation of the water and so ensure
the colder portion being effectively exposed to the more highly heated parts,
the water is put in motion by means of a small propeller or wheel, which is
kept rotating while the boiler is at work. One arrangement for effecting this
object is delineated in the accompanying Drawings; on the backward end
of the boiler is fixed a hollow standard Z,the upper part of which is forked
and carries the bearings of a short horizontal spindle a. To this spindle is
keyed the pulley b, which is driven by means an an endless belt from the
engine. The spindle a has also fast to it the bevel wheel C₁ which gears with
the pinion on the upper end of the vertical shaft e, which extends down
through the standards Z to a footstep bearing in the projecting part of the
standard, which rests on the bottom of the boiler. At the lower part of the
shafte is keyed a bevel wheel g, which gives motion to the pinion / fist to
a short shaft carrying the propeller wheel i. Upon the wheel i being put in
motion the water is caused to circulate in a continuous current which
passes over the more highly heated portion of the furnace tubes, so as to
equalize the temperature in all parts of the boiler, and thus avoid the un-
equal tension to which boilers are ordinarily subject to.
The last improvement under the present. Letters Patent is shown in
Figures 5, 6, and 7 of the accompanying Drawings, and consists of an im-
proved arrangement of the safety valves for boilers. The valve pipe or boxj
is of the usual kind, being sufficiently wide at the top to receive the arrange-
ment for the duplex valves. The valve seating k is made of gun metal or
brass, and is bolted to the upper face of the box j; this seating has four or
other number of vertical ribs formed on it, the vertical edges of which extend
to the opening in the valve seat. The ribs form guides in which the valve m
moves freely; this valve is of gun metal or brass, and is made of a cup-like
form, the cylindrical part fitting the guides ↳, and the bevelled edge being
ground to correspond to the edge of the seating /. The lower part of the

page_text: valve forms a curved concavity to receive the lower end of the lever spindlen
which is jointed to the weighted lever o, the arrangement of which is as usual.
This modification of the valve ensures steadiness combined with extreme
sensitiveness to internal pressure; its arrangement offers no impediment to
the escape of the steam, whilst the guiding parts being placed outside cannot
become deranged by priming or any internal action in the boiler. The cylin-
drical figure of the upper part of the valve ensures its rising vertically from
the seating, so that there is no liability of its sticking, nor can it twist in its
guiding flanges. These several improvements admit of boilers being worked
with greatly increased efficiency and economy.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider novel and original,
and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in
part recited Letters Patent is,―
First, the general arrangement, and construction of steam boilers and
apparatus connected therewith, as herein-before described and delineated
in the accompanying Drawings.
Second, the system or mode of arranging and constructing steam boilers
with internal tubular stays, as herein-before described and shown in the
accompanying Drawings, or any mere equivalent therefor.
Third, the system or mode of collecting the scum and other impurities of
the water supplied to steam boilers in the tubular stay of the boiler, and
blowing-off the said impurities from time to time, as herein-before described
and shown in the accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification of
the said arrangement.
Fourth, the system or mode of arranging and constructing the furnace
tubes of steam boilers, in which such tubes are carried out beyond the ends
of the boiler, so that the dead weight of the tubes is borne by the end
plates, and the furnace bars are brought close up to the end of the boiler,
as herein-before described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Fifth, the system or mode of securing the furnace tubes externally to the
end plates and other generally similar parts of steam boilers, by means of
angle iron, as herein-before described and shown in the accompanying
Drawings.
Sixth, the system or mode of supporting the furnace tubes inetrnally be
means of a vertical plate or diaphragm which is suspended from the
crown of the boiler, so as not to interfere with the longitudinal expansion

page_text: of the tubes, as herein-before described and shown in the accompanying
Drawings.
Seventh, the system or mode of increasing the efficiency of steam boilers
by putting the water in continuous motion mechanically, either by means
of a wheel, screw, or other mechanical equivalent therefor, as herein-before
described and shown in the accompanying Drawings.
Eighth, the system or mode of superheating steam by means of lateral
superheating chambers, arranged as herein-before described and shown in
the accompanying Drawings, or any mere equivalent therefor; also the
application and use of such chambers to and for the purpose of obtaining
additional heating surface, as herein-before described.
Ninth, the system or mode of arranging and constructing safety valves
for steam boilers, as herein-before described and delineated in Figures 5, 6,
and 7 of the accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry William Harman, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of February, One thousand
eight hundred and sixty.
HENRY WILLIAM HARMAN.
L.B.)