Improvements in Grates or Fuel Supports for Furnaces and the like.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Sept., 1894-Accepted, 10th Nov., 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Grates or Fuel Supports for Furnaces and the
like.
A communication from abroad by EDWARD FALES, of Winthrop, in the State of
Massachusetts, United States of America, Inventor.
I ALFRED GEORGE BROOKES of 55 and 56 Chancery Lane in the County of
London, Chartered Patent Agent 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 has for its object the production of a novel fuel support or grate
particularly adapted for use in burning soft coal.
For this purpose the grate surface is as nearly flat and continuous as possible,
and it is capable of being agitated without liability of being choked with ashes or
clinkers, and at the same time the grate sections are of considerable depth so as to
heat the air on its passage to the fuel for purposes of expediting combustion.
I attain these results by means of alternating fixed and movable bars, the
movable bars being of peculiar construction, as will be hereinafter described.
In the preferred construction the fixed and movable bars are supported in a
suitable frame, which frame is pivoted or hung on trunnions resting in bearings in
a surrounding box or wall, the movable sections being connected with and rocked
or agitated by an axial arm projecting through to the outside of the furnace, which
arm may be one of the trunnions for the rocking frame and serve to furnish also
means by which the grate may be rocked on its trunnions for dumping.
In the preferred construction the axial projecting arm referred to is made to
slide in the line of its axis for the purpose of agitating or shaking the movable
sections and to rock about its axis when the grate is to be dumped.
All these, together with other features of the invention will be hereinafter fully
described and embodied in the claim.
In the drawings,
Fig. 1 illustrates in plan view one form or embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2 is a cross section on the dotted line x-r, Fig. 1.
Fig. 3, a vertical or longitudinal section on the dotted line a¹¹ Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 a side view of the axial arm detached.
Fig. 5 a sectional detail shewing the supporting end of one of the fixed grate
bars resting in its socket in the pivoted frame.
Fig. 6, a detail of a portion of the outside of the pivoted frame shewing one of
the trunnions through which the dumping and shaking arm in the present embodiment
my invention protrudes.
of
Fig. 7, a perspective detail shewing the preferred arrangement of lever for
shaking and dumping the grate.
Fig. 8 a perspective view to be referred to.
Fig. 9 a top or plan view of a modified form of grate embodying my invention.
Fig. 10, a vertical longitudinal section on the dotted line z. =
Fig. 9.
Fig. 11, a vertical longitudinal section on the dotted line '-', Fig. 9 looking
towards one of the fixed bars.
Fig. 12, a vertical cross section taken on the dotted line 22, 2, Fig. 9.
Fig. 13, a vertical longitudinal section on the dotted line 23 23, Fig. 9.
Fig. 14, a perspective view shewing several of the movable bars Fig. 9, connected
together in cross section.
Fig. 15, a face view of one of the middle rocker bars.

page_text: Fig. 16, a face view of one of the end rocker bars Fig. 9.
Fig. 17, a perspective view, shewing several end rocker bars of modified form,
connected together in cross section.
Fig. 18, a side or face view of one of the bars Fig. 17, and
Fig. 19, yet another modified construction of grate.
Fig. 194, a section of one end of a grate showing a modification.
Referring to the drawings, Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive in the particular construction
there selected to illustrate my invention, A, is a suitable box or wall shewn as
circular in form and it may be a part of the combustion chamber of the furnace,
or an independent box dropped into said combustion chamber, in which latter
case it is supported in usual manner and need not, therefore be herein described in
detail.
Within this box A, there is arranged a fixed ring or frame B, herein shewn as
supported upon inwardly projecting ears or lugs b, the said ring B having at
diametrically opposite points preferably at the front and back of the furnace
suitable bearings for the reception of the trunnions c, c, on the rocking ring or
frame C.
The rocking frame C is provided at its inner face with suitably spaced pockets c¹,
in which rest the ends of the fixed grate bars d shewn as, and preferably, extending
in lines substantially parallel with the axis of the frame C, and preferably provided
at their opposite ends with depending supports d', d¹, which rest upon the bottoms
of the pockets, as shown in Fig. 5.
Pins or other suitable fastening devices may be inserted through these depending
supports d', and the wall of the movable frame adjacent thereto, as shewn at d', to
retain the fixed bars in position in their respective pockets during transportation or
when setting up or dumping the grate.
In the embodiment of the invention Figs. 1 to 8, each of the fixed grate bars d
is provided at one side with a plurality of pivot projections d³, upon which are
mounted the movable grate sections e, e, see Figs. 1 to 3, split pins being passed
through the outer ends of the pivots to retain the movable sections in position, or
the said pivots may be headed or threaded to receive nuts, or otherwise constructed
to retain the movable sections in proper working position thereupon.
Referring to Fig. 3, each of the movable sections e is preferably provided with
a depending tail-portion el, the tail of the middle section for each series being
shewn as wider than the others and provided with a vertical central slot eas
shewn.
The movable sections of each series, herein shewn as three in number, that is of
the movable sections attached to a single fixed grate bar are shewn connected by
suitable links e³, so that movement of any one of the sections causes like movement
of the others.
Referring to Fig. 1, F is an axial arm rounded at fat its opposite ends, which
latter are passed through the trunnions c of the movable frame C, which trunnions
are made hollow for this purpose, the said arm F having both a sliding and a rocking
or rotative movement in the said hollow trunnions.
In the embodiment of my invention Figs. 1 to 8 the rounded end of the arm F
which is at the front of the furnace is made as a separate piece from the main
portion of the arm, and bolted thereto in suitable manner as by bolts f¹, to
facilitate setting up the grate, although the said end may be integral with the main
portion of the arm, or both rounded ends may be made separate and secured to the
body of the arm if desired.
The axial arm F, shewn separately in Fig. 4, has a depending tail-piece f³,
which supports the long actuating rod f, which extends at right angles to the axis
of the movable frame C and passes through the vertical slots e in the depending
tails of all the central movable sections of the grate, as best shewn in Figs. 2 and 3,
so that when the axial arm F is slid longitudinally in the bollow trunnions, the
actuating rod f³ will cause all the movable sections of the grate to be rocked in
unison from one to another of their dotted positions Fig. 3.

page_text: On the other hand, if the axial arm F be rotated in either direction, the end
of the rod f which is raised, acts through the several movable sections and
the fixed grate bars to turn the entire frame C upon its trunnions for dumping
purposes, so that a single arm, as the one F herein shewn, suffices both for shaking
and dumping.
Referring now to Fig. 7, G is a portion of the front or face plate of the furnace,
the end of the axial arm F being shewn projecting through to the exterior of the
furnace where it has pivoted to it at fan operating handle or lever f³, forked at
its end opposite the handle to straddle the curved fulcrum rod f secured to the
front plate G.
The handle or operating lever f' may be turned into its dotted position, as
shewn, to rock the axial arm F and dump the grate, the forked end of the said
lever sliding down on the curved fulcrum rod 6, yet whatever be the rotative
position of the arm F, the fulcrum rod fe serves as a fulcrum upon which the
lever may be moved to impart a sliding reciprocation to the axial arm to shake
the grate.
I prefer to employ some means, such for instance as the fork f', to lock the
operating handle or lever in normal horizontal position, in which position it will
remain while the grate is in use, it being withdrawn from the said locking device ƒ'
and raised or depressed slightly to clear the locking device when it becomes
necessary to shake or dump the fire.
To prevent the dust from the ash pit or combustion chamber escaping around the
trunnions and bearings into the air chamber, my correspondent has enclosed the
projecting ends of the axial arm F in suitable casings g in a well known
manner.
The fixed ring B, as herein shewn is provided with a surrounding lip b',
upon which is placed a suitable packing substance 62 to render the joint essentially
tight.
It will be noticed in my improved grate Figs. 1 to 8, that each of the fixed grate
bars d with its attached movable sections e, may be removed from the rocking
frame C independently of all the others.
The peripheries of the movable and fixed rings or frames B and C are preferably
made tapering, as shewn, in order that the parts may be more closely fitted to each
other and yet work properly, and it will be noticed that the adjacent ends of the
movable sections e, together with the adjacent portions of the surrounding frame C
are also properly curved, in order that a uniform space may be preserved between
the same during the shaking of the grate.
The construction or embodiment of my invention shewn in Figs. 1 to 8 is
particularly adapted for use in connection with hot air furnaces used for house
heating purposes, but I desire it to be understood that this invention is not limited
to any particular use, nor is it restricted to the particular construction shewn, or
any particular construction, for it is evident that the same may be varied
in many ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as
claimed.
It will be noticed that in my improved fuel support or grate, the fixed and
movable bars or members are of considerable depth, sufficient to heat the air rising
between the same to such a temperature as will greatly facilitate and effectuate
perfect combustion.
It will be further noticed that the fixed and movable members, arranged as
shewn, are agitated in a manner to best shake the fire, yet without at any time
varying the distance between the ends of adjacent or abutting movable members,
which distance is preserved sufficiently uniform by reason of the peculiarly curved
edges of the said movable bars.
Referring now to Figs. 9 to 19 inclusive illustrating a modified construction of
grate embodying my invention, M represents a frame of suitable shape and con-
struction to adapt it for the particular furnace in which it is used, said frame being
preferably box like in form, as shewn, and having its opposite longest sides provided

page_text: at their inner faces with substantially vertical grooves m, m, Fig. 13. open at their
upper ends, the bottoms of said grooves constituting bearings for the rocker bar
pivots to be referred to.
A raised face or lip m³, Fig. 9, is shewn extended around each of the grooves to
increase the pivot bearing surface at the bottom.
The frame M, at its ends, is provided with suitable seats m³, shewn as sockets, to
receive and hold the long fixed grate bars n, n, extending preferably longitudinally
of the furnace.
Between these fixed grate bars are arranged the rocker bars o, o, the same, as
shewn, being arranged end to end in longitudinal series, one such series between
two fixed bars.
Those rocker bars of the several series, which are laterally, i.e., looking crosswise
the frame, in line with each other and therefore constituting a cross series of rocker
bars, are herein shewn as joined by pivot connections o¹, o¹, preferably square or
other than round, and at their ends, beyond the outermost bars of the cross series,
terminating in the pivots o², o2, which rest in the bearings at the bottoms of the
grooves m, m, in 'the sides of the frame.
The fixed bars n, n, are slotted at n³ to span the square pivot connections o',
see Figs. 10 and 11. The rocker bars o, o are shewn provided with depending tail
portions o³ which in each cross series are connected by tie rods of to be hereinafter
referred to.
As herein shewn and preferably, the axes of the rocker bars are located
considerably below the tops or carrying faces of said bars, as best shewn in
Fig. 10, in order that rocking of the bars may cause their tops or carrying faces
to move longitudinally or forward and back as well as vertically or up and
down; for example, referring to Fig. 10, the bars when rocked receive a longi-
tudinal movement from the vertical dotted line 5, to the vertical dotted line 6,
and a vertical movement from the horizontal dotted line 7 to the horizontal dotted
line 8.
It will thus be seen that the fuel supported upon and carried by the fixed
bars n, n, is shaken or agitated between said fixed bars not only by a vertical or
tapping movement of the rocker bars but also by a longitudinal movement of the
saine, the two movements together having in practice been found to be exceptionally
effective in shaking the fire.
The side edges of the rocker bars, except those in the two end series, are curved
as at 2, 2, Fig. 15 in order that the said bars may be arranged close together, end
to end, as in Fig. 9, yet permit them, when rocked, to move longitudinally as
described, and always preserve the same distance or opening between their ends in
any or all positions.
It will be observed that inasmuch as the rocking grate bars ends are at essentially
uniform distances apart throughout their operation, it is impossible for clinkers to
get between said ends.
The rocker bars of the end series are shaped somewhat different from the others,
see Fig. 16, said bars at their inner side edges being similar to the bar Fig. 15;
at their outer side edges however, the said end bars are made more nearly
straight and at their tops they are slightly curved as at 3, to sweep beneath
the overhanging end bars or plates m*, which latter always overlap the shortened
or abrupt edges of said end bars, as shewn in Fig. 10, to prevent the fuel from
working down between the said bars and the ends of the frame and obstructing
movement of the former, said overhanging plates mx being retained in place in
suitable manner as by the hooks m** which permit the plates to be easily removed
when necessary.
By this construction of the end bars I am enabled to agitate the fuel close to its
outer edge, and thus keep the fire bright throughout.
The rocker bars o, o, see Fig. 12, are made thinner at ox to give greater freedom
for the escape of the ashes without increasing the distance between the fixed and
rocking bars at the upper or fuel carrying edges.

page_text: Referring now to Figs. 10 and 11, the several cross series of rocker bars are
connected, to move in unison in suitable manner, as by short links p, p, provided
at their ends with slots p', p', to receive the rods o, connecting the tails of the
bars, I have herein shewn several independent links, each connecting two series
of bars.
Instead of several independent links, as shewn, I may, employ one long link
connecting all the cross series and thus obtain the same action, or the said cross
series may be connected in any other desirable manner.
The rocker bars are moved by an actuating rod p², forked at its end to straddle
one of the tails Figs. 10 and 11, made longer for that purpose to which said forked
end is pivoted by a pin p³, the said actuator at its outer end being connected with a
suitable lever, not shewn.
Reciprocation of the actuator p², causes all the rocker bars to be moved or
rocked from one to the other of their dotted positions Fig. 10.
The fixed bars support and carry the weight of the fuel while said fuel is being
shaken by the rocker bars thus enabling the latter to be rocked with very little
effort.
In some instances the best results are obtained by holding the cross series of
rocker bars normally in their tilted positions with one of their corners or sides
elevated as in dotted lines Fig. 10, the raised points or surfaces holding the fuel
up away from the rest of the grate surface in the line of the raised points to thus
form channels in the underside of the fuel body, just above the grate surface
through which the air rising through the grate may freely circulate to mix with
the products of combustion.
After the rocker bars have been held in one tilted position for a time they may
be rocked into their other tilted position with their opposite corners raised to
thereby form channels at other points in body of fuel.
For large grate areas two or more of the frames M, will be employed, set in
usual manner.
Both the fixed and the rocker bars (the latter in cross series) may be
independently removed at will when necessary.
The fixed bars instead of being made removable as shewn may be integral with
the frame if desired, and the cross series of rocker bars herein shewn as integral
may be made independent and bolted or otherwise secured together either with or
without the tail portions o³.
In lieu of the overhanging plates m I may use short spurs s shewn by dotted
lines Fig. 10 projecting inwardly from the ends of the box frame there being a
spur in line with each rocker bar and of substantially the same width.
When the spurs s are used I prefer to employ end rocker bars of a shape;
substantially as shewn in Figs. 17 and 18.
Fig. 19 shews my invention in another of its forms applied to a circular grate,
and Fig. 194 is a detail of one end of a grate so modified, drawn to a larger scale
v being a fin or rib projecting from the side of grate adjacent to the bars o.
Referring to said figure, r, r, are the fixed bars shewn as dropped into sockets in
the ring which ring is pivoted to turn on the pintles ², although said bars may
be formed integral with said ring if desired.
The several rocker bars t, t, are arranged in any desired number of cross series, [
having herein shewn three such series the middle series being connected by the
pivot connection n' journaled at its ends in bearings in the ring r¹.
The two end series of rocker bars are each shewn connected by the pivot connec-
tions t² journaled at their ends in the ring r¹, the said end series being also connected
at their outer ends by webs t³ of sufficient width to prevent the fuel getting down
under the bars when their outer ends are rocked above the level of the grate.
The rocker bars may be rocked in suitable manner.
This invention is not limited to the particular apparatus herein shewn and
described for the same may be varied in many ways without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

page_text: "
The overhanging plates and the spurs obviously are functional equivalents one of
the other, and mean to include both in the term "covers as used in the claims
hereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,
1. In a combined dumping and shaking grate, the use of a box, a rocking frame
mounted therein, a series of fixed grate bars carried by said frame, movable grate
sections arranged between the several fixed grate bars, and a sliding rod sub-
stantially parallel with said fixed bars and adapted when rotated to also rotate or
rock the said rocking frame for dumping purposes, lateral connections extending
from the said sliding rod to and to agitate the said movable sections when the said
bar is reciprocated, substantially as described.
2. In a combined dumping and shaking grate, the use of a box, a rocking frame
mounted therein, a series of independent grate sections pivoted to rock in said
frame about axes at right angles to the axis of said frame and arranged in cross
series, that is, in series substantially parallel with their respective axes, a sliding
arm substantially parallel with the axis of said frame and lateral connections
between the said arin and said sections and the said rocking frame, whereby sliding
of said arm rocks said sections, and rotation of said arm rotates the entire frame,
substantially as described.
3. The use of a grate composed of a series of adjacent parallel journalled
air-heating bars provided with substantially flat upper surfaces, each of said
bars being cut away at its sides, so as to preserve a substantially uniform
distance between it and the next aligned bar during the entire operation of the
grate, a number of said journalled bars being coupled so as to move in the same
direction, substantially as described.
4. The use of a grate composed of a series of adjacent parallel air-heating bars
journalled to permit them to be rocked, the same being provided with substantially
flat upper surfaces to support the fuel, and of considerable depth from top to
bottom so as to heat the air as it passes upward to the fuel, each of said bars being
cut away at its edges so as to provide a substantially uniform distance between it
and the adjacent upper edge of the next aligned bar during the entire operation of
the grate, and means to move the said bars, substantially as described.
5. In a combined dumping and shaking grate, the use of a box, a rocking frame
mounted therein, a series of fixed grate bars carried by said rocking frame and
substantially parallel with the axis thereof, one or more movable grate sections
pivoted to each of said fixed grate bars, a sliding arm arranged parallel with the
axis of said rocking frame, and lateral connections between it and one of the said
rocking sections attached to each fixed bar, and connections between the rocking
sectious of each fixed bar whereby sliding movement of the said axial arm causes a
rocking movement of all of the movable sections, substantially as described.
6. In a combined dumping and shaking grate, the use of a box, a rocking frame
having hollow trunnions mounted therein, a series of fixed grate bars carried by
said rocking frame and arranged substantially parallel with the axis thereof, one or
more movable grate sections pivoted to each grate bar and connected to rock in
unison, an axial arm mounted to slide in the said hollow trunnions and connected
with said movable sections, whereby sliding movement of the said arm causes
rocking movement of the said sections, rotation of the said arm causing rotation of
the said rocking frame, substantially as described.
7. In a combined dumping and shaking grate, the use of a box, a rocking frame
having trunnions journalled therein, a series of fixed grate bars carried by said
rocking frame, one or more movable sections pivoted to each of said fixed bars and
mounted to rock in unison, one of the rocking sections on each fixed bar having a
depending tail provided with a vertical slot as e², an axial arm mounted to slide in
the trunnions of said movable frame and provided with a laterally extended

page_text: actuating rod entering the slot e² of the said sections, whereby sliding movement of
said axial arm causes rocking of the said sections, and rotation of the said arm
causes rotation of the said frame, substantially as described.
8. In a combined dumping and shaking grate, the use of a rocking fratne, and
movable grate sections carried thereby, an axial arm adapted to be rocked to dump
the grate and reciprocated to rock the grate sections, combined with an operating
lever connected with the extended end of the said axial arm, and having its fulcrum
end adapted to move on an arc-shaped fulcrum, whereby the grate may be shaken
in any angular position, to operate, substantially as described.
10. In a combined dumping and shaking grate, the use of a box having tapering
inner walls; a rocking frame pivotally mounted in said box and at its underside
made conical or tapering to substantially conform to the inner walls of said box;
pivot trunnions for and at the top of said rocking frame, whereby the surface of said
frame is normally at or near a line passing through the axis of said frame; fixed
and movable grate bars or sections, the latter arranged between the fixed bars and
substantially parallel with the axis of said frame, a sliding rod parallel with the
axis of said frame, and lateral connections between it and the said movable sections,
whereby sliding of the bar agitates the sections for shaking, and rotation of the bar
rotates the frame for dumping, the latter movement, owing to the tapering sides of
the frame and box, taking place without substantially varying the separation
between the said frame and box, substantially as described.
Dated the 17th dow of Sentember 1894
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicant.