Improvements in Apparatus for Condensing Steam and for Feeding and Maintaining the Proper Level of Water in Steam-boilers.
Year: 1884

page_text: Improvements in Apparatus for Condensing Steam and for
Feeding and Maintaining the Proper Level of Water in
Steam-boilers.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
I HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co Patent Agents
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the
nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS. FOR CONDENSING
STEAM AND FOR FEEDING AND MAINTAINING THE PROPER LEVEL OF WATER IN
STEAM-BOILERS" to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improved apparatus which has for its object to more
or less completely condense the exhaust steam from the cylinders of steam engines
and to feed the boiler constantly so as to keep the water at a proper level.
The said apparatus presents the following advantages viz:-
1st It saves a certain quantity of water.
2nd It effects a considerable saving of fuel.
3rd It ensures the regular or uniform and automatic feeding of the boiler, the
water keeping at a constant level.
4th It ensures the production of dry and non-aqueous steam.
5th It obviates liability to over-heating and consequent explosion of the boiler.
6th It obviates the necessity for hand-labour in feeding the boiler.
The said invention comprises the combination of an apparatus for the condensation
of the steam, with an arrangement for forcing part of the condensed and hot water
back into the boiler, the water level being kept constant by means of a cock of
special construction which permits the introduction of the water into the boiler.
In order to realize good results in the working of a steam-engine the cistern or
tank containing the feed-water must be placed as near as possible to the steam-
cylinder. The exhaust pipe passes through the said cistern or tank so that the
team, in its passage through the said pipe, imparts to the water in the said cistern
or tank a temperature of about 100 degrees centigrade and begins to condense.
The water resulting from this condensation in the exhaust pipe afterwards passes
lown a slight inclination so that it flows off with the water from the condensing
column hereinafter described.
The uncondensed steam, at the outlet of the pipe from the cistern or tank, is
ondensed in a vertical column whose height varies according to the size of the

page_text: engine. The condensation is effected in this column by a small quantity of cold
water ejected like rain, which comes into contact with the steam escaping through
small holes formed in the wall of the exhaust-pipe. The cold water for the con-
densation in the said vertical column is supplied by a pump, or from a reservoir
above the level of the condensation pipe.
The condensation of the steam at the outlet of the pipe from the cistern or tank
is complete. If a vacuum-gauge were introduced at this point it would be found
to indicate zero (0°). A portion of this water of condensation serves for feeding the
boiler; it descends from the exhaust pipe into the aforesaid cistern or tank through
a tube arranged within the exhaust pipe at a level above that of the water in the
said cistern or tank.
This tube has a cock which is actuated by a float in the cistern or tank, and
which prevents the entrance of the water of condensation into the cistern or tank
in a greater or less quantity according to the discharge of steam from the cylinder,
so that only so much water as is necessary for feeding the boiler enters into the
said cistern or tank; the remainder of the water of condensation flows out through
a small tube branching off from the bend in the exhaust-pipe. This system enables
me to obtain a regular or uniform and automatic feed.
If it is desired to have an irregular feed, it is only necessary to arrange in com-
bination with a cock on the boiler in proximity to a float, a wheel or excentric
actuated by the engine so as to transmit motion to the arm of the lever for turning
the cock. When the normal level in the boiler is reached the water passes through
an opening at the lower end of the said cock. This opening is closed by the end of
a hollow or solid rod actuated by a lever connected with the rod of the float.
When the float ascends, the water, instead of escaping through openings formed in
the box or casing of the cock on each side of the rod, flows off through the aforesaid
opening which is at the lower end of tlie cock, but which can if desired be arranged
at the upper end of the same.
The water is introduced through a pipe communicating with the opening of the
cock. and passing from the cistern, where the water is kept at 100 degrees
centigrade.
The end of the tubes or rods, as well as the surfaces upon which they rest, in the
cock, can be covered with caoutchouc or other material capable of resisting the
action of boiling water and of making a tight joint.
The operation of the tube or rod is effected directly by the rod of the float by
any suitable means.
A pump is arranged to be actuated by the engine for drawing water from the
aforesaid tank and delivering it into the boiler. If the water-level in the boiler
rises, the aforesaid float, which is placed in the boiler, is raised and, acting
upon the lever connected with it, opens an orifice in the corresponding cock so as
to permit the water pumped up to return to the said tank by means of a pipe. If
the water-level in the boiler descends, the reverse effect is produced, the said
orifice in the cock is closed and the water is again forced into the boiler.
Deted this 21st day of July 1884
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.

page_text: DE BUITICATION.
I HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature
of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR CONDENSING STEAM
AND FOR FEEDING AND MAINTAINING THE PROPER LEVEL OF WATER IN STEAM
BOILERS" 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 improved apparatus which has for its object to more or
less completely condense the exhaust steam from the cylinders of steam engines
and to cause the water of condensation to enter continually into the condenser as
long as the water in the latter has not reached the normal level; and to feed the
boiler constantly so as to keep the water at a proper level.
The said apparatus presents the following advantages viz:-
1st It saves a certain quantity of water.
2nd It effects a considerable saving of fuel.
3rd It ensures the regular or uniform and automatic feeding of the boiler, the
water keeping at a constant level.
4th It ensures the production of dry and non-aqueous steam.
5th It obviates liability to overheating and consequent explosion of the boiler.
6th It obviates the necessity for hand-labour in feeding the boiler.
The said invention comprises the combination of apparatus for the condensation
of the steam with an arrangement for forcing part of the condensed and hot water
back into the boiler, the water level being kept constant by means of a cock or
valve of special construction which permits the introduction of the water into the
boiler.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 represents the general arrangement of the improved apparatus.
The remaining Figures are hereinafter referred to.
In order to realize good results in the working of a steam-engine the cistern or
tank containing the feed-water must be placed as near as possible to the steam-
cylinder. As shown in the drawing the exhaust pipe A passes through the cistern
or tank B; so that the steam in its passage through the said pipe imparts to the
water in the said cistern or tank a temperature of about 100 degrees centigrade
and begins to condense. The water resulting from this condensation in the exhaust
pipe A afterwards passes into a bend so that it flows off with the water which
lescends from the condensing column hereinafter described.
The uncondensed stean issuing from the pipe A is condensed in the vertical
column C whose height varies according to the size of the engine. The condensa-
ion is effected in this column by a small quantity of cold water spray which comes
nto contact with the steam escaping through small holes formed in the wall of the
ipe D. The cold water for effecting the condensation in the column 0 is supplied

page_text: by a pump or from a reservoir above the level of the condensation pipe. When
the steam reaches the outlet of the pipe D it is completely condensed. If a
vacuum gauge were applied at this point it would be found to indicate.zero (0°).
A portion of the water of condensation serves for feeding the boiler; it descends
from the exhaust pipe into the cistern or tank B through a tube a arranged within
the exhaust pipe at a level above that of the water in the said cistern or tank.
This tube has a cock R which is actuated by a float in the cistern or tank and
which permits the entrance of the water of condensation into the cistern or tank
in a greater or less quantity, according to the discharge of steam from the cylinder,
so that only so much water as is necessary for feeding the boiler enters into the
said cistern or tank; the remainder of the water of condensation flows out through
a small tube o¹ branching off from the bend in the exhaust pipe. This arrange-
ment enables a regular or uniform and automatic feed to be obtained.
If it is desired to have an irregular feed it is only necessary to arrange in com-
bination with a cock on the boiler in proximity to a float, a wheel or excentric
actuated by the engine so as to transmit motion to the arm of the lever for turning
the cock.
Figures 2 and 3 of the drawing show sections of the cock on two planes at right
angles to each other When the normal level of water in the boiler is reached the
water passes through the opening o. at the lower end of the said cock. This
opening closed by a solid rod b actuated by the lever t connected with the rod of
the float. When the float ascends, the water instead of escaping through the
openings cc, Figure 3, formed in the box or casing of the cock on each side of the
rod, flows off through the opening o which is at the lower end of the cock, but
which can if desired be arranged at the upper end of the same.
The water is introduced to the boiler through a pipe d, Figure 1 communicating
with the opening o of the cock R' and passing from the cistern or tank B, where
the water is kept at 100 degrees centigrade.
The end of the tube or rod as well as the surface upon which it rests in the
cock can be covered with caoutchouc or other material capable of resisting the
action of boiling water and of making a tight joint.
Figure 4 shows on an enlarged scale the end of the rod b provided with a
coutchouc washer e which is secured by a screw threaded ring f.
The operation of the tube or rod b is effected directly by the rod of the float by
any suitable means.
Figure 5 shows a modification of the apparatus for heating the feed-water for
the boiler.
The exhaust pipe A for the steam passes into a casing B tightly closed at both
ends. The steain passing through the pipe A either escapes into the external
atmosphere or into a condensing column.
The casing B is provided with three pipes, the one o serves for the admission of
water into the said casing, the second m connects the said casing with the feed-
pump M, and the third d conducts the excess of water which the pump supplies to
the boiler, back into the casing. B. The exhaust pipe A can be provided with a
valve in order to prevent the water of condensation entering the steam cylinder.
Figure 6 shows the arrangement which the valve can assume when a feeding.
apparatus is applied to a series of boilers. In this case the pipe m conveying the
water to the boilers is provided with a safety valve balanced for a suitable.
resistance in order to let the water, which is forced by the pump M and not used,
escape. The seat n of the valve is fixed to a tuber which is perpendicular to the.
pipe m. This tuber is prolonged vertically to the bottom of the boiler and in its
interior is a rod q which carries at its upper part the movable valve b. This valve
and its seat are clearly shown in Figure 7 drawn to an enlarged scale. The rod q
and the valve bare actuated by a lever t, Figure 6, which is placed at the lower
end of the vertical tube r and is connected by means of a slot and pin with the
said rod q. The lever t oscillates upon a movable support H, Figure 6, fixed to
the lower end of the vertical tube 7. At the other extremity of the lever t is fitted

page_text: a rod-u¹ connected to one end of the lever of the float N which lever oscillates
on the support x.
The float N when lifted in the boiler diminishes the amount of water passing
through the valve; the contrary effect is produced when the float descends.
The screw plugs y y', Figures 6 and 7, are designed to be replaced by pipes when
several boilers are to be fed.
:
As a controlling device for this feed apparatus I make use of an alarm-whistle O
which is set in operation if the pump operates irregularly, that is to say-if- there is
a want of water in the boiler; and also in case the valve b ceases to act in
consequence of foreign matters which prevent its being sufficiently closed; that is
to say if there is too much water in the boiler.
The said device is arranged as follows, the lever v passes through a slot z which
is formed in the rod connected with the valve of the alarm whistle, and sufficiently
large to allow the requisite play to the motion of the lover without operating the
whistle valve.
If the level of the water in the boiler falls too low the lever v pressos upon the
lower surface of the slot whereby the valve of the alarm-whistle, is opened and
allows steam to escape into the whistle thereby signalling the want of water.
In order to operate a second alarm whistle with the same float, it is sufficient to
prolong the lever (at the end opposite to the float N) for controlling the valve
rod of the second alarm-whistle for indicating excess of water. This second whistle
is placed at the same distance from the pivot as the whistle announcing the want
of water, and it is mounted like that described for the want of water. The
operation is produced in the following manner. The float N on rising causes the
oscillation of its lover, the extremity of which descends and presses upon the valve
rod of the second whistle thereby opening the valve and allowing steam to escape,
thus indicating the excess of water. The whistle O can be operated by a second
float acting when there is too much water. For this purpose I have devised the
following means which can also be applied to the whistle for indicating want of
water or to another whistle producing a different sound; I fix in the interior of the
boiler a bracket P carrying a lever R¹ oscillating upon a pin and attached to a
float T. The water rising in the boiler, causes the float T to rise; and its lever R¹
oscillating in its support P presses with its free extremity U upon the lower surface
of a slot which is formed in the rod of the valve of the whistle thereby separating
the said valve from its seat and, as in the other case, allowing steam to escape, (thus
signalling the excess of water).
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
:
First In Apparatus for condensing the exhaust steam from a steam engine,
arranging the exhaust pipe to first pass through a feed water heater or a cistern
and then through a second pipe from which fine water spray is projected into the
exhaust pipe through perforations in the latter, the water of condensation being
allowed to escape or to flow into the feed water cistern or heater (according as the
normal level of the water is or is not attained in the said cistern) by means of a
float actuating a regulating cock or valve for controlling the admission of water
into the said cistern or tank or for allowing it to escape, as described with reference
to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawing.
Second: The combination of a tank or cistern through which the exhaust pipe
of an engine passes, so that the steam therein is partially condensed, and the water
in the tank which serves for feeding the boiler heated, with a feed pump for causing
a continuous circulation of the water, a valve or cock being arranged in the feed
pipe so as to cause the feed-water to enter the boiler or to return to the heating
cistern according as the level of the water in the boiler is below or at the normal
level, as described with reference to Figures 1 and 6.

page_text: Third: The valves actuated by floats and levers constructed substantially as
described with reference to Figures 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7.
Fourth The combination of the said valves with one or two alarum-whistles,
actuated by floats, for indicating the want of water in the boiler or excess of water
in case of irregularities in the operation of the feed-pump or of the valve interposed
between the latter and the boiler, as described with reference to Figure 6.