CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES
Year: 1825

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JEAN
ANTO NE TEISSIER, of Tottenham Court Road, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS His present most Excellent Majesty King George the Fourth,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at
Westmeinster, the Fifteenth day of September, in the six year of His reign,
did, for Himself, His heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Jean Antoine Teissier, His especial licence, that I, the said Jean Antoine
Teissier, my exors, adñiors, and assigns, or such others as 1, the said Jean
Antoine Tessier, my exors, adñiors, or assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, and also
in all His said Majesty's Colonies and Plantations abroad, the Invention of
"CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES," communicated to me by a certain
Foreigner residing abroad; in which said Letters Patent is contained a
proviso obliging me, the said Jean Antoine Teissier, by an instrument
in writing under my hand and seal, particularly to describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, and to cause the same to be inrolled in His said Majesty's
High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and immediately
after the date of the said recited Letters Patent, as in and by the same,
reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.
Paid

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Jean Antoine Teissier, do hereby declare that the nature of the said Invention
which has been communicated to me as aforesaid, and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, is particularly described and ascertained in and
by the Plans contained in the four Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed,
and by the following description and explanation thereof:--
Part of the said improvements are applicable to the boilers for steam
engines, and Sheet 1 represents four Figures or plans of a boiler constructed
according to the said improvements. This boiler has four distinct furnaces
or fireplaces, which are so applied as to give heat to one common receptacle
for the water, and the steam which is produced from that water is also
collected into a common receptacle; but the said furnaces are so constructed
that any one of them may be at pleasure detached and removed from the
boiler without interruption to the action of other furnaces, in order that those
parts of the boiler which are most subject to decay may be repaired and
renewed when necessary with very little derangement of the other parts
which are not decayed.
Figure 1 of Sheet 1 is a longitudinal section of the boiler; Figure 2, an
elevation of one end; Figure 3 is an elevation of one side of the boiler; and
Figure 4, a transverse section of the same. A, A, A, A, in Fig. I are the
spaces within which the four fireplaces are placed, those spaces being
surrounded on all sides (except the bottom and the front) with water which
is contained in narrow spaces G, F, g, f, between very extensive surfaces of
metal plates, so as that the water shall be spread out thinly, and in a suitable
manner to receive the heat. Each furnace or fireplace consists of a series of
small curved tubes a, a, suitably combined with straight perpendicular tubes b,
and united by large horizontal tubes D, D, and E, E, the parts being united
together so that the internal capacities of these tubes form a receptacle for
the water which is to be converted into steam. Each of the combinations
of tubes a, a, b, D, D, & E, E, constitute a sort of cylindrical cage, withiu
which the fire is made. The lower part of the small curved tubes a, a,
perform the office of the bars of a fire grate; viz., to support the burning
fuel, and through the spaces or interstices between the tubcs fresh air is
introduced to maintain the combustion. The direct red heat of the different
fires is thus applied with great effect to the water contained in the small
tubes a, a, and e, and in the upper part of the horizontal tube E. The flame
which proceeds from the fires passes through the spaces between the upper
parts of the curved tubes a, and surrounds the large horizontal tube D; the
flame also strikes against the interior surfaces which form the boundaries of

page_text: the spaces A, A, wherein the fireplaces are contained. These surfaces are
metal plates which are made into thin flat vessels F, G, I, and K, of a similar
form to that of a large thin book, and filled with water, which is thus spread
out thinly over a large surface. The lower part of the boiler is formed of a
number of such flat vessels of suitable dimensions, placed in vertical plans
or positions, and put together as follows, viz.:-Two flat vessels marked G in
Figure 1 and Figure 3,are placed in a vertical position and form the ends of the
boiler, and three other flat vessels, marked F, formthevertical partitions between
the spaces A,A,A,A. For the fireplaces,also,two very large vertical flat vessels
are placed parallel to each other, as shewn in Figure 4, one marked I forming
the end of the four fireplaces, and the other marked K forming the upright
side of the boiler; the interval between the two vessels I and K is the flue
or passage to carry off the smoke and heated air. The space included amongst
all these vertial flat vessels is covered over by the principal receptacle H, FL,
which forms the upper part of the boiler. The dome or highest part of this
receptacle receives the steam, and there is a large flue or passage P, P,
which passes horizontally through the lower part of the receptacle H, H,
and occupies so much of its capacity as only to leave thin flat spaces round
the flue to contain the water which surrounds every part of the flue. The
water which is to be converted into steam is introduced into the large upper
vessel H, H, by the hot water pump of the steam engine, or by other suitable
means which are or may be used for feeding or supplying steam boilers with
water; and from the lower part of this large vessel H, H, the water is dis-
tributed and conveyed into the interior of each of the thin flat vessels G, F, I,
and K, by short communicating pipes or branches, such as is marked O, O, iu
Figure 4, and N, N, in Figure 3; and there must be a sufficient number of
such communicating pipes applied in suitable situations, so as to permit a
free and uninterrupted flow of water into every part of the apparatus. The
combinations of tubes which form the fireplaces are supplied with water
through the pipes M, T, T, which join from the lower part of the vessel H,H,
to the extremities of the horizontal tubes D, and from these tubes the water
flows freely into all the other tubes a, a, b, and E. These branches are
provided with stopcocks T, by which the communication with any of the fire-
places can be intercepted at pleasure. The steam which is generated in each
of the combinations of tubes a, a, and b, by the heat of the fire and flame,
rises up and accumulates in their upper horizontal tubes D, from whence it
passes by the curved branches X, S, into the upper part of the large recep-
tacle H, H, and in each branch is a stopcock S, to shut the passages when
required: Suitable communicating branches are likewise provided, in order

page_text: to convey the steam from each of the vertical flat vessels F, G, I, K, into the
upper part of the large receptacle H, H. The flaine and smoke. which
proceeds from each of the fires passes through openings made through the flat
vessel I, as shewn by X in Figure 1 and Figure 4, and enters into the large
flue or passage which is left between I and K in Figure 4, and extends along
behind all the four fireplaces. This passage turns round at one end of the
boiler, as shewn at W in Figure 1, and rises up to join to one end of the
large horizontal flue P, which extends nearly all the length of the boiler, and
joins at the other. eud. to the upright, cylindrical chimney, R, by which the
smoke is carried off. Every part of this passage for the flame, heated air, and
smoke, is surrounded by water spread out in thin surfaces, so as to be
effectually exposed to the heat. The fire doors, through which the fuel is
introduced, are in front of the several combinations of tubes, as is shewn at Z
in Figure 3, and a grater is placed beneath each of the lower tubes 1), partly
in order to support the apparatus, and also to receive the coals. which may drop
between the curved tubes a, at Either of the combinations of tubes a, a, b,
D; and E is capable of being separated from the boiler and withdrawn from
the fireplace, in order to clean out the tubes, or to repair or renew them when
For this, purpose the cocks T and S, being shut, will cut off the
communication of the water and steam with the other parts of the apparatus,
and then the flanges or points by which the pipes M and X are united to the
horizontal tube. D, being unscrewed, the whole combination of tubes is
detached from the boiler, and when the front plate and fire door Z, Figure 3,
is taken down, the tubes may be drawn out of the boiler. To retain the cage
of tubes in its proper form it is included within a frame composed of six long
bars m, Figures 3 and 4, which are applied-horizontally at the outsides of the
curved-tubes a, a, and these long bars are surrounded with iron bands.or
circles n, which are made to open with hinge joints, in order to take the frame
apart when the tubes are to be cleaned. The large horizontal tubes D, D
and E, E, are made in two parts, united by flanges screwed together by bolts,
but when these bolts are removed the tubes may be opened so as to give
access to every part of their interior surfaces, and the small curved tube a, a,
and the straight tube.b may be cleaned out by suitable scrapers.....
worn.
Sheet II. contains four figures or plans of a steam boiler of a more simple
construction than the foregoing.
Figure 1 is an end view of this boiler; Figure 2, a plan of the top;
Figure 3, a cross section at one end; and Figure 4 is a longitudinal section.
a, a, are curved tubes, and 6, perpendicular tubes united by means of the
horizontal tube and the large cylinder D, so as to form a combination

page_text: of tubes united by means of the horizontal tube E and the large cylinder D,
so as to form a combination of tubes, in the form of a cage, for the
reception of the fire which is made within the curved tubes a, a, and sur-
rounds the perpendicular tubes on every side, the lower parts of the
All the tubes are filled with
curved tubes a, a, serving for the fire grate.
water, and also the lower half of the cylinder D, which is of a large size, and
the upper part forms a receptacle for the steam which is generated in the
tubes by the heat of the fire. The space within which the combination of tubes
a, a, b, is enclosed is bounded by brickwork at the lower part, but the
upper part is covered over by two large flat vessels F, F, which are fixed in
inclined positions, and are connected with the large upper cylinder D by as
many short pipes or branches O, O, as will establish a free communication
between the interior cylinder D and that of the flat vessels F, both for the
water and the steam. The fire-door Z is placed opposite to the front end
of the cage, and the burning fuel rests upon the curved tubes a, a, which
serve instead of a fire grate. The flame which passes through the spaces
between the upper part of the curved tubes strikes beneath the inclined surfaces
of the two flat vessels F, so as to give heat to the water which is contained in them;
and the said flame is also reflected back against the outside of the curved tubes
a, a, so as to apply heat on every side thereof. The flame and smoke passes out
at the far end of the cage or combination of tubes, and rises up into a flue or
passage L formed in the brick work, and by which that flame is conveyed
along over the upper inclined surface of one of the large flat vessels F, as is
shewn by the arrows at M, in Figure 2, so as to give heat thereto. The
passage then passes round the front end of the boiler over the fire door, as
represented at N, in Figures 2 and 4, to the other side of the boiler; and it
returus, as shewn at Q. along the upper inclined surface of the other flat
vessel F, and enters into the perpendicular chimney at R, Figure 2. The
large upper cylinder D is made to separate horizontally into two halves; aud
when the upper part is removed the interior of all the tubes a, b, a, can
be cleaned out. The inclined position of the flat vessels F, F, will cause
any sediment, which, may be deposited by the water to collect at the lower
parts, and an opening 1, 1, Figure 3 and 4, is provided at the lower. edge of
each vessel, with a cover or door which can be taken off to scrape and clean
out such sediment. m, m, are the longitudinal bars of iron which form the
frame or cradle which, together with the curved barsn, retain the combination
of tubes a, a, b, E, in their proper form.
The nature and, properties of the boiler represented in Sheet II. is very
nearly the same as that represented in Sheet'; but the latter is on a larger

page_text: scale, and adapted for steam engines for navigation, whilst the boiler repre-
sented in Sheet II. is of a more simple construction, and adapted for steam-
engines on shore. Sheet III. represent six figures or plans of a steam boiler,
which is so constructed as to avoid the evils arising from any depositions of
the salt which may be formed in the boilers of steam engines which are
supplied with salt water. When such depositions of salt take place upon the
interior surfaces of the metal of the boiler that metal is very rapidly decayed
by the corrosive action of the salt; aided by the intense heat of the fire.
The boiler represented in Sheet-[II. is so formed that all the surfaces which
are exposed to the fire and flame are inclined in an angle of at least 45 degrees
of the vertical, in order that any salt or other deposition which may be formed
upon such inclined surfaces may not remain thereupon. but may slide down,
and collect into proper receptacles provided at the lower part of the boiler,
where no heat is applied, and from which the salt may be withdrawn when
a sufliciency is collected.
Figure is a transverse section of the boiler; Fig. 2, a longitudinal
section; Figure 3, an elevation of the back or far end of the boiler;
Figure 4, an elevation of the front end; Fig.5 is a horizontal plan of the
lower part, and Figure 6 a horizontal plan of the upper part, to shew the
course of the flue. The space u, a, is the fireplace; and b, b, the grate upon
which the fire is inade. The fireplace is included within and surrounded on
every side with water, so as to communicate heat thereto. The
upper sur-
faces of the fireplace are inclined planes A, in the manner of the roof of a
house, and sloping so much that the salt cannot lodge or rest thereupon, but
the same will slide down and full-through the water into the receptacles B, B,
on each side of the fire, but situated lower than the fire, so as not to be heated
thereby In the centre of the fireplace a, a, a series of small tubes d, d, are
fixed in a perpendicular direction. They are joined at their upper ends to the
top of the fireplace, so as to be at all times freely supplied with water; and
being contained in the midst of the fire, and surrounded thereby on all sides,
they receive the direct heat therefrom, and convert the contained water into
steam. The tubes also communicate at their lower ends to aucther salt
receptacle m, which is also placed lower than the firegrate, and is adapted to
receive the salt which is formed within the tubes d, and which falls down into
the receptacle m. The row of perpendicular tubes d, d, divides the fireplace
into two, as shewn in the plan, Fig. 5; but the flame can pass between the
tubes so as to act on all sides of them. The flame from the fireplace passes
out at the far end, and rises up into a flue or passage, which is of a triangular
form, as is shewn at F, in Figure 1, the surfaces of two of its sides being

page_text: placed at an inclination of 45 degrees with the vertical, so that the deposition
of salt will not lodge thereupon, but will slide down to the salt recept icles
B, B. The other or third side of the triangular flue F is a verti al surface
placed opposite to the outside of the boiler, and near thereto, so as to leave
but a small space for the water. The flue T turns round at the front end of
the boiler, as shewn at f, Figures 2 and 6, over the fire-door, and joins to
another triangular flue G, which is exactly similar to F, and which conveys
the smoke and healed air back to far end of the boiler, where the flue G
joins to a third triangular flue H, which passes along the middle of the boil r,
as shewn at Fig. 1 and in Fig. 6, and leads to the perpendicular chimney R.
The upper of the three triangular fluss H is placed over and between the other
two, and its inclined surfaces are adapted to those of the other two flues, as
shewn at Fig. 1, so as to leave very narrow surfaces for water, but with great
extent of surface exposed to the heat of the flame, smoke, and heated air.
The salt which collects in the receptacles B, B, and m can be withdrawn
occasionally through openings c,c,c, at the lower part of the boiler, at the
back of the boiler, as shewn in Figures 2 and 3, and closed by doors which
can be removed to draw out the salt. This boiler is adapted for a steam boat,
and may be made of any suitable dimensions, or two or more such boilers may
be placed side by side, and connned.
Sheet IV. represents two figures or plans of a very simple construction
of a steam engine suitable for steam boats, and which may be wrought.
by the steam proceeding from either of the boilers herein-before described.
A, the steam cylinder fitted with its piston as usual; B is the box containing
the sliding valve by which the steam is alternately introduced into the top or
bottom of the cylinder to unfill the piston, and the waste steam which has
performed its office is discharged into the open air; c is the steam pipe which
introduces the steam from the boiler into the box B, and the flow of steam is
regulated by the stopcock at c. The upper end of the piston rod is fastened
to a horizontal cross rod D, to each end of which a side rod E is jointed,and
descends on each side of the cylinder to connect by joints with the extremities
of the horizontal arms F, F, of the great levers F,G,H, which are of a
triangular form, the fulcrum or centre of motion being at the angle Gand the
two triangles at the opposite sides of the cylinder are united by being fixed
upon the opposite ends of the same horizontal axes g. To the upper end of the
arm H of one of the triangles F,G,H, the connecting rod I is jointed, and
the other end of the said rod is jointed to the pin of the crank K, which is
turued round with continuous circular motion by the alternate reciprocating
motion of the piston upwards and downwards. The axis L of the crank

page_text: may be prolonged each way as far as is necessary, and the paddle wheels may
be fixed upon the said axis, if the engine is applied to a steam boat or for
other purposes; a fly-wheel may be fixed upon the said axis to regulate its
motion. An eccentric circle must also be fixed upon the said axis to give
such a motion to the rod u as to communicate a suitable alternating motion by
the levers p,p, to the sliding valve which is contained within the box B, as
before stated. The dimensions of the several parts of the apparatus may
be known by refference to the scales attached to each Drawing, but the
materials of which the said apparatus may be constructed, and the form and
dimensions of the several parts, may be varied very considerably at the discre-
tion of the workman who shall construct the same without altering the
nature of the Invention.
In witness whereof, I, the said Jean Antoine l'eissier, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Fifteenth day of March, in the year of
1
One th