Improvements relating to Steam Generators.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Mar., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Jan., 1897-Accepted 20th Feb., 1897
Improvements relating to Steam Generators.
I, JOSEPH WILLIAM REED of Mayfield, Jarrow in the County of Durham,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention refers to improvements relating to steam generators or water tube
boilers of the type having an upper chamber connected to two lower chambers by,
tubes of small diameter the lower chambers being so spaced as to admit of a
furnace being arranged between them.
In practice and especially in the construction of these boilers for use in torpedo
hoats 1 find that sometimes the longitudinal space is limited while transversely the
space may be more than can be usefully occupied with a boiler having a firegrate
of a reasonable width. Thus if I place two boilers side by side the width of grate
may he too little owing to the necessity for having sufficient space between the
boilers for access to the doors and similarly if I place one very wide boiler then
the opening of the fire door reduces the efficiency on a large proportion of the
grate.
To cbtain the advantages of two smaller furnaces and yet have a very large
combined width of grate I propose to arrange two furnaces in one boiler and
to separate them from each other by for example a double row of tubes with a fire
quarl partition therebetween.
The tubes so arranged will be connected to the upper chamber and to a centrally
or otherwise arranged basal supply pipe or chamber situated for example below or
about grate level and provided with a feeder or feeders or down pipes preferably
at the back end of the boiler connected with the upper chamber or the separating
wall or partition between the furnaces may be formed of one two or more rows of
tubes arranged closer together and without fire quarling the tubes being connected
at top and bottom as already described. Tubes arranged as described serve to keep
the quarling where used in position and at the same time absorb part of the heat
from the fire.
I may enlarge the supply pipe already referred to so as to constitute it a third
lower chamber resembling the two lateral chambers and in such a case I may
connect it with the upper chamber by rows of tubes descending more or less.
vertically and with or without fire quarls there between the tubes entering and
being disposed and connected to the said new or third lower chamber in manner
set forth in the Specifications of my Patents numbered 22,982 and 24,124 of the
year 1893 the ferrule described in the former heing in the present case screwed in
from the out or fire side when a snall supply pipe is used.
As an improvement to the joint described in 22,982 I propose to somewhat
trumpet or hell-mouth the tube and ferrule on the water side to further aid in
effectually making the joints secure in which case the nut would engage in the
threads on the tube or alternatively I may form a spherical recess on outer side
of tube plate and a corresponding spherical shoulder on the ferrule the ferrule being
screwed into the plate and the spherical surface drawn into close contact with the
corresponding portion of the plate. I propose also to make the contact surfaces
between ferrule and nut of a spherical shape or instead of the above described
spherical surlaces 1 may make a portion of the recess in the tube plate cylindrical
with a flat bottom the ferrule being formed to correspond therewith and be tightly

page_text: screwed there against. A like recess may be formed in the top of the ferrule
to take a corresponding spigot on the nut which will be screwed tightly in or the
recess in tube plate may be screwed deeper than above described with a Hat bottom
or shoulder against which the flanged or turned over end of the tube will abut
and be there tightly secured by the screwing in of the ferrule against the opposite
side of the tube flange aforesaid or the bottom of the recess may be spherically
formed and the tube end enlarged and formed spherically with a flat shoulder or
lip. The ferrule is screwed into the tube plate and bears on the shoulder thus
forcing the spherical surfaces into close contact or instead of the flat shoulder the
whole or greater part of the enlargement of the tube may be spherical both the
bottom of the recess in tube plate and the bottom of the ferrule being spherical.
The ferrule is screwed into the tube plate and presses against the spherical
enlargement aforesaid on the tube which is thus held tightly between the two
spherical surfaces.
The spherical surfaces allow of a certain amount of deviation of the tube from
the straight or correct line without affecting the security of the joint nad these
methods of making the joint are primarily intended for use where access is only
obtainable from the outside of the supply pipe or vessel or chamber.
By a modification of the construction of steam generator above described and to
suit special circumstances I may construct a single furnace boiler resembling half
an ordinary water tube boiler with one upper and one lower lateral chamber by
abolishing one Interal chamber and one complete set of side tubes as ordinarily used
and by forming a wall or casing to the furnace extending more or less vertically
from the underside of the upper chamber down to the ash pan and by forming in
this wall the fire doors or the Intter might be placed on the opposite side undur-
neath the single lateral chamber which will then lie across the front of the boiler
and in this design also I may arrange contiguous to or alongside of this new wall or
casing at the back or front of the grate as the case may be 'n row or rows of tubes
connected to the upper chamber and to a basal supply pipe with one or two feeders
or downpipes connected at the end or ends to the upper chamber for absorbing some
of the heat as above described.
Generators constructed to the modification herein just described may be placed
with upper chamber neross the ship if so desired and the funnel may be carried up
preferably on one side of the upper chamber clear of the dome.
Dated this 29th day of February 1896.
A. CRAWHALL CHAPMAN,
Newcastle-on-Tyne, Patent Agent.
I, JOSEPH WILLIAM REED, Engineer, of Mayfield, Jarrow, in the County of
Durham, 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:-
This invention relates to water tube steam generators of the type for example
that is described in the Specification of my prior Patent No. 24124, A.D. 1893,
wherein there is an upper horizontal longitudinal chamber or drum connected at
either side and below water level to two lower lateral horizontal longitudinal
chambers by a number of transverse sinuous tubes of small diameter and also by
downtake pipes at the rear or at both front and rear ends.
In the oiler referred to the two lateral chambers are spaced sufliciently far

page_text: apart transversely to admit of one furnace being arranged between them and below
the small tubes.
Owing to the limitation of longitudinal space in for example torpedo boats and
the like in which transversely there may be plenty of space, it is desirable for
sundry reasons to construct and arrange the boiler in such manner as to provide
two separate furnaces, and one object of my present invention is to arrange two
furnaces in one boiler and to separate them from each other by a tubulous
arrangement forming also a separate and additional water circulation system in
manner hereinafter explained, by which construction great effective heating
surface and hence much better evaporating, circulating, and steaming qualities are
obtained.
My invention also comprises the adaptation in a similar way of a dual circulating
system to a narrower or "half boiler "designed for cramped situations; and also
sundry arrangements for jointing the small tubes to the tube plates or vessels
with advantages hereinafter shown.
I will now describe my invention in reference to the accompanying drawings in
which
Fig. 1 is a central transverse section and Fig. 2 a longitudinal section showing
one arrangement of my present improvements;
Figs. 3 and 4 are the same views respectively showing a slightly modified
arrangement;
Fig. 5 is a part cross section illustrating a simplified arrangement of the two
above arrangements;
Figs. 6 and 7 are respectively a cross section and a side elevation of my novel
arrangement of a "half boiler" with two separate systems of water circulation,
Fig. 6 is a part cross section hereinafter referred to; and
Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are sections showing my improved means of fixing tubes into
tube plates hereinafter explained.
Similar letters refer to similar parts in all of the figures.
Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, the old parts are as follows: An upper steam and
water chamber A, two lower side water chambers B B, connected as shown hy
small sinuous tubes C C, and by downtake pipes D D. E is the boiler casing:
F the uptake, G G fire grates enclosed by protecting quarls or firebricks 79 where
required, and all these parts are arranged in the known manner.
By my present improvements I separate the fire grate into two parts by means
of a central longitudinal tubulous wall connected at its base to a longitudinal
supply pipe or chamber situated below or about grate level, and this chamber is
itself connected by separate feeders or downtake pipes to the water space of the
upper chamber so that the said dividing tubulous wall forms a water uptake to the
upper chamber and the circulation through the tube system and lower central
chamber is complete in itself and separate or apart from the two other and separate
systems of circulation obtaining in the two lateral systems at each side of the
boiler.
In the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2 a double row of small diameter
water tubes T T is shown vertically arranged between the lower part of the upper
chamber A and the upper part of the lower chamber L except near the ends
whereat they are bent and staggered as illustrated so as to make joints at right
angles with the plates. These tubes T may be spaced longitudinally at some
distance apart, and transversely I may leave sufficient space between the rows to
interpose a wall of fire quarls Q for the better separation of the furnaces and for
the better absorption by the said uptake tubes T T of heat. dd are the
independent downtake pipes connecting drum A to the chamber L at the rear or
both ends of the boiler.
As shown in Fig. 5 I may dispense with an intervening fire quarl wall Q and
space the two rows of tubes close together both longitudinally and transversely
of the boiler with their sides in contact or practically so, so as to form a double
tube wall without the aid of the quarls Q.

page_text: In the modified arrangement shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the construction is
substantially the same except that I enlarge the lower supply pipo L to such
dimensions as to constitute it a third lower chamber resembling the two lateral
chambers 1 B. In connection with such additional and enlarged lower chamber
1 employ for the central separating tubulous wall two or more rows TT TT of
uptake water tubes arranged as aliove described and either close together so as to
form a continuous longitudinal multiple water tube wall or they may be more
widely spaced apart longitudinally and a fire quarl wall Q built up between the
side groups as illustrated.
In the arrangements illustrated in Fig. 1, 2, 3 and 4, the tubes T T at each side
serve to keep the quarling (when used) in position and at the same time absorb
part of the lient from the fires.
In Fig. 6 and 7 I have illustrated my arrangement, embodying the same
principle above referred to, adapted to a half boiler" or a water tube builer
ndapted for use in motor curs, small vessels, or other cramped situations. The
same letters of reference apply and herein it will be seen that the lower part or
water space of the upper drum A is connected at one side to oue lateral longitudinal
horizontal chamber is placed above the grate level by the downtakes D D and by
the group of sinuous small diameter uptake tubes C and its lower part is also
connected to the lower chamber L arranged below grate level by the down-takes d d
at either end and also by the vertical or practically vertical tubulous water
wall T.
The lower vessel L inay he either a plain circular drum as illustrated in Fig. 6,
or provided with a flat side for removal when required as shown in Fig. 6. The
grate G is placed beneath the sloping or diagonal part of the small tubes Cand
the drum A, and is bounded on its inner side by the said close tube wall T which
is suitably encased and protected externally by a metal casing with non-conducting
material interposed or by a fire brick wall. The fire doors are preferably
placed in the front side ns illustrated below the chamber 1, hut if required they
may with equal facility he arranged in either end of the firebox easing which is
lined with fire resisting material or built up as usual of firebricks. The uptake
is arranged on one side of the drum A, suitable dampers or baffle plates being
provided as usual. An alternative position of chamber A and uptake is indicated
hy dotted lines to the left.
The arrangement will be readily understood from the drawings, and thus as
above described the two circulating systems AD BC and Ad 1. T are completely
independent and separate and hence very efficient circulation is nssureil.
The tube jointing to the new or third lower chamber L. may advantageously be
eflected in the manner set forth in my prior Patent No. 22982, A.D. 1893, the
ferrule therein described being in this case screwed in from the outer or fire side
when a supply pipe L of small dimensions as in Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 is used, but
1 prefer to use special joints constructed in accordance with my present
improvements which I will now describe.
Referring to Fig. 8, in the outer side of the tube plate l' is formed a spherical
recess p, and upon the ferrule 1 is formed a corresponding circular and spherical
shoulder. The ferrule H is threaded on to the tube T and is also screwed into
the tube plate P. When these are screwed tight in order to perfect the joint
hetween tube and ferrule I provide a check uut N with a spherically formed nose n'
fitting closely into a corresponding couen vity turned in the face of the ferrule H,
and this nut N is threaded on the tube T and tightly screwed down as shown
with the said spherical surfaces in close contact; or obviously the reverse
construction may he adopted, riz., the envity may be formed in nut N and the
nose on the ferrule H.
According to the modification shown in Fig. 9 the tube end is enlarged so as to
form a collar with an inner flat shoulder and an outer spherical surface.
The tube plate has a cylindrical screwed hole with a plain annular concave or
pherical use p. The ferrule H is screwed into the uile plate P and bears on

page_text: the flat t' of the shoulder thus forcing the spherical surfaces (int close
contact, or as shown in Fig. 10 instead of the flat shoulder t' the whole or the
greater part of the enlargement of the tube T may be spherical, both the bottom
of the recess p' in the tube plate P and the base 2 internally of and around the-
ferrule being spherical. The ferrule H when screwel into the tube plate P presses
against the spherical enlargement t on the tube T which is thus held tightly
between the two spherical surfaces p². These spherical surfaces allow of a
certain amount of deviation of the tube from the straight or correct line without
affecting the security of the joint; and these methods of making the joint are of
especial value in cases such as above described wherein access is only obtainable
from the outer side as with the supply pipes or chambers above referred to.
When the chamber L is of the type shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6^, the joints
described in my Patent No. 24124, A.D. 1893, may be advantageously employed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-.
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a water tube boiler of the kind herein referred to, the arrangement of a
central longitudinal water wall formed of tubes of small diameter connected at
their tops to the lower part of the upper chamber and at their bases to a longi-
tudinal feeder or chamber situated at or about the level of the grate and also
connected by one or more downtake feed pipes directly to the upper chamber so
as to constitute a boiler having three separate and complete water circulating
systems and also to efficiently separate the grates and form two furnaces
substantially as herein described and for the purposes set forth.
2. The several arrangements and constructions of the central longitudinal water
tube wall (with and without the intervening fire quarls) the lower feeder or
chamber and the downtake feeder or feeders thereto above referred to, substantially
as described in reference to and shown in Figs. 1 and 2, 3 and 4, and in Fig. 5 of
the drawings.
3. In a water tube "half boiler" of the kind described in reference to and
shown in Figs. 6 and 7, the combination with the upper drum A, downtakes D D,
chamber B, and sinuous tubes C, of the downtakes dd, lower chamber L, and
tube wall T, whereby two independent water circulating systems are constituted
enclosing the furnace, all being arranged substantially as and for the purpose.
herein set forth.
4. The improved arrangement of "half boiler" substantially as herein described
in reference to Figs. 6, 64, and 7 of the drawings.
5. The several arrangements for jointing the small tubes to the tube plates or
vessels as descrihed respectively in reference to and illustrated in Fig. 8, Fig. 9,.
and Fig. 10 of the drawings and for the purpose set forth.
January 1847
January 1997
For the Applicant,
J. C. CHAPMAN,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., aud
3, St. Nicholas' Buildings, Newcastle-on-Tyne,.
Chartered Patent Agent.
Dawhia 2nd day
January 1847
For the Applicant,
J. C. CHAPMAN,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., and
3, St. Nicholas' Buildings, Newcastle-on-Tyne,.
Chartered Patent Agent.