IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS AND OTHER PARTS OF FURNACES OR STOVES
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
"
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an Invention of
'IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS AND OTHER PARTS OF
FURNACES OR STOVES." A communication from abroad by Rudolf Marburg,
of Frankfort-on-the-Maine, Germany.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th May 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS
AND OTHER PARTS OF FURNACES OR STOVES." [A communication from abroad
by Rudolf Marburg, of Frankfort-on-the-Maine, Germany.]
This Invention relates to furnaces in which the combustion chamber or fire-place
is so constructed that a continual and regular combustion of the fuel is obtained,
the gas set free from the fuel being completely consumed without surplus air. This
construction of the fire-place is applicable for furnaces or stoves of all sizes, from
the smallest to the largest, for the use of coke, stone-coal, brown-coal, peat, and
similar fuel.
In carrying the said Invention into practice I construct a double stove with
two vertical filling chambers through which the fuel is inserted. Beneath each of
these chambers there is a fire-place (both being about of the same size) wherein
the combustion of the fuel takes place. The latter is prevented from falling
outside at the front of the stove by means of a vertical grate, the fire-bars of which
are placed one above the other, at such a distance that sufficient clearance is left
between them for the entrance of air which is necessary for complete combustion.
The combustion chamber or fire-place is made deep so as to expose a large surface
of fuel to the action of air, and to provide sufficient space for the deposit of cinders
or slag which will be removed beneath the grate as soon as the lower part of the
fire-place is filled up. Immediately behind each fire-place there is a cross-piece
placed at about the centre of the height of a flue, forming a prolongation or
continuation of the fire-place rearward. By means of this cross-piece the air

page_text: entering between the fire-bars, and passing through the fuel in a horizontal
direction instead of in a vertical or oblique direction as usual, is forced to find its
way between the said cross piece and the under and upper side of the said flue,
thereby causing the air to remain a considerable time in the fuel and to come into
contact with a large surface of the same. The flues extending from each fire-place
lead into a single flue, in which the combustion of the fire-gases is completed by
introducing a current of hot air through a separate canal provided for the purpose.
In this canal regularly arranged cross-bricks are placed, connecting two partitions
which separate the said canal from the fire-place, and cause the air in descending
and passing through this canal to come into contact with a great heating surface, so
that fresh air entering at the top of the stove and regulated by a door is raised to
a very high temperature before it meets with tho fire-gases. In this furnace the
side walls and partitions become as hot as the lining in a cupola-furnace. The
heat in the fire-place is so great that in a furnace with two combustion chambers
or fire-places, if no air canal were provided it would be impossible to maintain the
middle wall separating the two fire-places; this wall would be entirely burned
down in a very short time, thus rendering repairs necessary too often. All this is
avoided by arranging an air-canal between the two combustion chambers or fire-
places.
The fire-bars of the vertical grate are supported in an oblique position by
suitably shaped bars, and are provided at certain distances of their length with
ribs to strengthen them, as they have a great heat to sustain near the fire-place.
The fire bars would burn down immediately if the front of the furnace were shut
up by a cover or door.
To enable the stoker or attendant to remove the slag from the fire-place
notwithstanding the great heat, a screen is placed before the furnace in an oblique
position. This screen consists of a frame made of C-shaped iron, on the upper
and underside of which are rivetted two sheet-iron plates, forming between them
a canal. One sheet extends from the top of the frame to near the other end,
leaving sufficient space for the stoker to work with the fire-hook and remove the
slag. The second sheet-iron plate extends nearly to the top of the frame, leaving a
clearance as an outlet for the air which ascends between the two sheets and flows
to the upper part of the grate to pass through the fuel in a horizontal direction.
I also construct a stove or furnace according to this Invention as follows, that is
to say There is only one fire-place or combustion chamber, but I provide two
canals by which air is introduced to the fire gases coming from the fire-place.
The arrangement of the fire grate is the same as above described, also the combustion
chamber or fire place with the aforesaid cross-piece. The coal or other fuel is
introduced through a chamber which should always be nearly filled with fuel, and
is kept closed by a cover to render a complete combustion of the fuel possible.
The air passes between the fire-bars through the fuel in a horizontal direction,
remains in contact with as much fuel as possible, and the fire-gases on leaving
the combustion chamber or fire-place are mixed with the requisite quantity
of hot air coming from the said lateral canals to complete the combustion.
these canals there are also bricks, which on the one hand serve to connect the
partition with the brickwork, and on the other hand to force the air to come
into contact with a great heating surface, so that it meets the fire-gases in
the rear flue with a very high temperature. The supply of air is regulated by
doors. The filling-chamber is closed by means of a cover, the extremity of which
dips in sand placed in an open annular groove. In this furnace a perfect combustion
of the fuel without a surplus of air is obtained, and the heat produced is very
great.
In

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 25th
November 1880.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS
AND OTHER PARTS OF FURNACES OR STOVES." A communication from abroad
by Rudolf Marburg, of Frankfort-on-the-Maine, Germany.
This Invention consists in improvements in the construction of the fire places or
combustion chambers and other parts of furnaces or stoves, whereby a continuous
steady and perfect combustion of the fuel is effected, and no superfluous air is
carried into the flues with the smoke.
The main principle of this construction is that of a generator furnace, the fuel
being converted into combustible gas by a current of air which is not sufficient
to cause entire combustion. The combustible gas thus obtained is caused to
burn by a second current of atmospheric air which can be accurately regulated
by means of a register, and can be easily made sufficient to cause the total
combustion of the gases without any surplus of air being introduced.
The advantages of my improved furnaces or stoves as compared with other
generator furnaces or stoves are as follow, that is to say :-
First. The volume and area of the burning fuel are not subject to any alterations
but remain invariably the same, and neither the attendance of a stoker or the
keeping up or feeding of fuel by any mechanical means are requisite.
Second. The evolution of combustible gas takes place steadily, and is not
affected either when the furnace or stove is supplied with fuel or when the ashes
or residue are removed.
Third. The current of air required for the combustion of the gases has thus an
unvaried power, and a register having been once adjusted the total combustion of
the gases is ensured, and the admission of superfluous air as well as any occurrence
of smoke will be averted.
Fourth. The combustion of the gases can be effected in close proximity to the
fuel and immediately after the emanation of such gases therefrom.
Fifth. My improvements are applicable to large as well as small furnaces, and
can moreover be adapted to small stoves, such as parlour-stoves.
Sixth. My improvements can be adapted to suit any kind of fuel, and may be
used for the combustion of very poor or inferior coal and coal dust.
In the accompanying Drawing,
Figure 1 represents a vertical and a horizontal section of a small furnace provided
with my improvements, and
Figure 2 shews similar views representing my improvements applied to a largo
fire place or combustion chamber.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of a furnace chiefly designed for burning wood and
provided with my improvements.
Figure 4 shews in vertical and horizontal section, and Figure 5 in vertical
section, other forms of furnaces constructed according to this Invention.
Figure 6 is a vertical section of a parlour stove with my improvements applied to
the same.
In the construction shewn in Figure 1, P represents a vertical pit or chamber
which contains the fuel. This pit has a lid L or a door D for closing the same
hermetically. Below the said pit is situated the fire-space or combustion chamber
where the fuel (resting on a grate) is horizontally dispersed or distributed by a
current of air entering the register R. In this chamber the fuel is transformed

page_text: into combustible gas, whose total combustion is induced by the second current of
air entering the register R¹.
In the furnaces shewn in Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5, the fire space below the pit or
chamber P is of much greater depth than in Figure 1, and the fuel is kept in
position by a series of sloping fire bars B, through which the air enters horizontally
or in a slanting direction upward, and passes through the fuel (and in some cases
through another series of bars B) into the opening or flues to the chimney. Such
bars may be arranged at the front of the fire space only, as shewn in Figure 3, or
at the front and back of the said fire space, as shewn in Figures 2, 4, and 5. The
front bars B, shewn in Figures 2, 3, and 4, are preferably made of cast iron, whilst
those shewn in Figure 5 are formed of fire-clay or similar refractory material, the
bars B at the back when such are used being always formed of the latter. In the
furnaces illustrated in Figures 2, 4, and 5 the horizontal grate, shewn in Figure 1,
is replaced by a sloping or inclined plane upon which the fuel rests. These
furnaces are particularly applicable for burning inferior or small coal or coal dust,
which in the said furnaces cannot escape or fall through the grate, but as it slowly
descends between the sloping bars at the front and back is burned on its way
down.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by
my foreign correspondent and the manner of performing the same, I wish it
understood that I claim,-
First. The construction of a furnace or fire place having a perpendicular "pit
or chamber for storing fuel, and a fire space below this pit through which the
air passes horizontally, as above set forth.
Second. A furnace or fire place constructed in such a manner that the combustible
gases may be mixed with fresh air in close proximity to the fuel as they leave the
latter, as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Third. In a fire place or furnace one or more vertical grates with a sloping
surface for supporting the fuel, in such a manner as to cause the air to enter in
front and pass through the fuel horizontally or in a slanting direction upward, and
leave the fuel at the back grate or opening, as above set forth and for the purpose
specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty.