Improvements in Apparatus for Cleaning Boiler Tubes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Nov., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 30th July, 1892-4ccepted. 3rd Sept. 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Cleaning Boiler Tubes.
I, JOHN IRVING, of Avenue End, Cardross, in the County of Dumbarton, North
Britain, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows,
that is to say :-
My said invention has for its object the cleaning of boiler tubes in an improved
inanner, and so as to largely save labor and time.
My invention is applicable with such modifications of details as each case may
require, to various classes of steam boilers constructed with tubes through which
the fire gases pass; but by way of example I will describe a modification of the
pparatus applicable to marine boilers of a common type, namely such as have
tubes extending from a combustion chamber to a smoke box, the latter being fitted
with doors to give access to the tubes.
Upon the inner side of each smoke-box door, or within a framing substituted for
the ordinary door, I arrange a narrow casing the inner side of which has formed in
it nozzles situated opposite the boiler tubes, there being a nozzle for every tube.
Provision is made for moving the casing close up to the ends of the boiler tubes,
and provision is also made for admitting steam into the casing, when the tubes are
to be cleaned, the operation being effected by the jets of steam.
The steam casing is movable inwards and outwards and is connected by links and
levers to a rocking shaft carried by the door frame and movable by means of one
or more hand levers. When the steam casing is in its outer position coincident
with the door frame, the frame with the steam casing can be turned out and up as
one piece like an ordinary smoke-box door.
For the admission of steam to the casing two or more suitable lengths of piping
are provided being jointed or hinged to each other, to the steam supply pipe, and to
an inlet fitting upon the casing.
My improved apparatus can be used at any time when steam is available, and
without interrupting the working of the boiler."
Dated this Fifth day of November 1891.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Cleaning Boiler Tubes.
I, JOHN IRVING, of Avenue End, Cardross, in the County of Dumbarton, North
Britain, 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, that is to say :-
My said invention has for its object the cleaning of boiler tubes in an improved
manner, and so as to largely save labor and time.
My invention is applicable with such modifications of details as each case may
require, to various classes of steam boilers with tubes through which the fire gases
pass; but by way of example I will describe a modification of the apparatus
applicable to marine boilers of a common type, namely such as have tubes extending
from a combustion chamber to a smoke box fitted with doors to give access to the
tubes.
On an accompanying sheet of explanatory drawings,
Figure, 1, is an elevation of the front of a boiler having three furnaces, A. I, A 2,
A 3, over which are three corresponding sets of tubes B.

page_text: Figures, 2, 3, and 4, are vertical sections as at right angles to Figure, 1, of parts
of the smoke box, C, and showing my improved apparatus in a different position in
each case.
'In Figure, 1, the apparatus is also shown in different positions corresponding
severally to those in which it is shown in Figures, 2, 3, and 4. In these drawings
the same reference letters and numerals are used to mark the same or like parts
wherever they are repeated.
Upon the inner side of each smoke-box door, or within a framing, D, substituted
for the ordinary door but hinged at its upper edge as usual, I arrange a narrow flat
casing, E, the inner side of which has formed in it small nozzles, F, situated so that
when the casing is in working position in which it is shown in Figure, 3, at the
middle door in Figure, 1, the several nozzles are directly opposite the several
tubes, B. Provision is made for admitting steam into the casing, E, when the tubes
have to be cleaned, and the steam jets issuing from the nozzles, F, and being
injected into the tubes perform the cleaning operation rapidly and effectually.
In Figure, 2, and above it in Figure, 1, the apparatus is shown out of action;
in Figure, 3, and above it in Figure, 1, the apparatus is shown in action; and in
Figure, 4, and above it in Figure, 1, the apparatus is shown as turned up out of the
way to give access to the tubes.
The steam casing, E, is movable inwards and outwards and is connected by
links, G, and levers, H, to a rocking shaft, J, carried by the door frame, D, and
movable by a pair of hand levers, K, connected at their outer ends by a handle bar, L.
When the
Or any other convenient arrangement of hand lever may be used.
levers, K, are turned up to place the steam casing close to the smoke-box door-
frame, D, they are held by pins connecting them to links, M, suspended from the
door hinges. When the steam casing, E, is in its outer position coincident with the
door frame, D, as shown in Figure, 2, and above it in Figure, 1, the frame, D, with
the steam casing, E, can be turned out and up as one piece like an ordinary smoke-
box door into the position in which it is shown in Figure, 4; and above it in
Figure, 1.
For the admission of steam to each casing, E, two or more suitable lengths, N,
of piping are provided being jointed or hinged to each other, to a branch, P, on
the steam supply pipe, Q, and to an inlet fitting, R, upon the outer side of the
casing.
My improved apparatus can be used at any time when steam is available, and
without interrupting the working of the boiler.
Instead of permanently connecting a steam casing (E) to each smoke-box door
of a boiler or range of boilers, such a casing may be mounted upon or suspended
from a truck arranged to run on rails in a manner to allow of its being moved to
the various smoke-box doors as required, jointed or flexible piping being provided
to supply the casing with steam.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is :
The improved apparatus for cleaning boiler tubes and consisting of a flat steam
casing made with jet nozzles for injecting steam into the tubes, and provided with
connections for supporting and moving the same into and out of operative position
and with jointed or flexible piping for steam supply, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
Dated this Twenty-ninth day of July 1892
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.