IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING STEAM
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING STEAM." A communication
from abroad by Louis Simon Dulac, of Paris, France.
Sealed the 21st August 1877, and dated the 14th June 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th June 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR GENERATING
STEAM." [A. communication from abroad by Louis Simon Dulac, of Paris, France.]
The said improvements in steam generators relate essentially to the following
points :—
1st. The superposition of the levels of the liquid separated in thin sheets to
augment the stability of the main level, to facilitate the emission of the globules of
steam without carrying off water, to ensure the taking of the steam from points
distant from the most active centre of its production, and to utilise as heating surface
nearly the whole of the plates of the boiler.
2nd. The employment of removable collecting receivers, ensuring the circulation
of the liquid and the regular extraction of the sediments.
3rd. Circulation of the liquid from receiver to receiver, for the purpose of ensuring
their automatic feeding, and the purification of the liquid before it arrives near the
firo.
4th. Increase of the reserve of steam at the centre of the boiler, which is sur-
rounded with water on all sides, and is protected from loss by radiation.
5th. Facility of putting together and taking apart all the parts of the generators.
6th. Easy control of the multiple levels, and total or partial discharge of the
superposed volumes of liquid by the aid of a special apparatus called the level
Controller.

page_text: 7th. The application of a pipe with cone purifiers in vertical heating water
spaces.
8th. The optional employment in the construction of the generator or boiler of
sheets of metal or ferrules of sheet iron or inalleable iron of a single piece with
interior projections, intended to support the multiple troughs of the generator, and
joined by the aid of T shaped iron or steel bands.
9th. The application of the so-called "Perkins" boiler circulation tubes adapted
upon the bottom of the vertical cylinder of the generator or boiler, and furnished
with return water pipes with sediment collectors.
It is moreover to be understood that these improvements are applicable to all
generators or boilers by varying or modifying their construction and arrangement
according to.circumstances, as herein-after specified.
In the interior of a vertical cylinder and of a horizontal cylinder are arranged
water spaces, fixed upon angle irons in such, a manner as to form a succession of
water-tight receivers, one above another, dipping into each other, so as to maintain
the immersion in the liquid of the walls of the cylinder. Within an outer commu-
nication pipe is arranged a central communication pipe between the two cylinders,
and I also provide two side pipes of a height equal to that of the main level of the
liquid in the lower part of the vertical cylinder. These pipes allow the passage into
the upper receivers of the horizontal cylinder of the overflow of the liquid contained
in the vertical cylinder.
The feed liquid after having circulated in the heater enters into the upper receiver
of the vertical cylinder by a pipe which at the same time admits into the cylinder
the steam produced in the heater. The overflow of the liquid contained in the
upper receiver runs through a pipe into the receiver next below, and so in succes-
sion to the lower part of the said vertical cylinder. I employ, moreover, by prefer-
ence in the said pipes, a particular device consisting in slightly hollowing out the
rims of the troughs to allow the passage of the excess liquid, which is, guided in its
descent by a curved channel.-
The overflow of the lower part of the vertical cylinder runs through the aforesaid
pipes, or through grooves formed in the upper part of each trough in the horizontal
cylinder to the lower part of the latter, whose level is regulated as required by the
feed.
The liquid contained in the generator circulates on the heated plates and purifies
itself. by. the following: means, that is to say-In the midst of the liquid contained
in each of the receivers, and resting upon suitable supports, are moveable diaphragms
ensuring the circulation of the liquid in the desired direction, and serving to collect
the deposits as they are formed. On the other hand, at the bottom part of the
vertical cylinder à pipe carrying a cone rests by means of feet upon the upper rim
of the aforesaid side communication pipes, so that as the liquid circulates the
sediment will be deposited in the cone, while the liquid in descending enters the
annular space comprised between the aforesaid central and outer communication
pipes. In this manner the horizontal cylinder receives only purified liquid, 'the
circulation of which may be also obtained by the aid of removable diaphragms
suspended to hooks. On the other hand the heater carries a central pipe furnished
with cones reversed, and suspended by a collar. This pipe is fastened by an elbow
to a small tube.
Apertures may be arranged on the said central pipe at the upper part of each of
the cones to establish a circulation of the liquid and promote the deposit of the
sediment in the cones. The circulating liquid enters by the communication pipe
of.the.heater into the upper receiver of the vertical cylinder and deposits the solid
matter in suspension in the interior of the cones.
The special arrangement of multiple levels requires a particular combination to
know at all times the level of the liquid contained in the superposed receivers.
A vertical pipe open at the extremities is placed in the vertical cylinder and
furnished with small curved tubes, equalizing the main level of the liquid in the
aforesaid receivers; its upper part, furnished with a junction, is fixed to a long

page_text: bronze socket which traverses a valve box. This box is provided with a horizontal
valve properly guided and weighted. A spring is arranged in combination with
this valve and valve box in such manner as to maintain suspended a pipe. A
metallic pipe of small diameter and flexible is fixed to a small tube of the valve box,
and makes a communication between the apparatus above described and the afore-
said heating chamber. A cock placed within the reach of the stoker allows the
apparatus controlling the level to be varied, and to act as a feeder or extractor of
water from the generator.
By pressing the lever the valve will be depressed, and the steam will issue by
the pipe; this movement being continued the said valve will bear upon the bottom
of the box in which it works, and the pressure upon the lever will have the effect
by compressing the spring of depressing the suspended pipe, and causing this pipe
and small tubes with which it is furnished to penetrate into the liquid which will
issue from the steam pipe.
A graduated scale arranged in connection with the aforesaid lever shews the
depression of the level of one of the superposed receivers and shews when feeding
is necessary. This same apparatus will allow an immediate feed into the lower
part of the generator to be obtained. The liquid-no longer being able to escape
will fill the said suspended pipe and the small tubes; the apparatus thus trans-
formed into a syphon discharges the liquid into the lower receivers.
The same operation will serve for.emptying the liquid contained in the troughs.
To obtain this result it will be sufficient to turn the apparatus into a syphon, and
then to discharge by the ordinary means the liquid as it arrives at the base of the
generator..
A similar apparatus is applied to the horizontal cylinder, which is moreover
furnished with a level indicator, and with a whistle.
As above stated, any plastic body capable of forming a joint is employed in
connection with the water spaces where necessary.
The aforesaid apparatus may be modified by providing the boiler with two water
spaces, and with receivers with multiple levels; or the boiler may be formed of
three parts, allowing three levels one above another.
In another arrangement of the said Invention the boiler is fixed by means of
ferrules of sheet iron, or of malleable iron having internal projections for fitting to
the troughs and without rivets. I also in some instances. employ brushes of sheet
iron without rivets. These ferrules are by preference united by the aid of rings
without solder, their section being of a simple T form; the projecting part of these
rings enters the ferrules in such a manner as to support the troughs.
I may also use a trough formed of thin metal and several segments in such a
manner as to enter the generator by the man-hole, these sogments of troughs are
united by bolts arranged upon angle irons cast with the trough; they are also
furnished with receivers for ensuring the circulation of the liquid and of collecting
the sediments. Or I may use a channel or groove which allows the descent of the
overflow, and a metallic sheet forming a channel which conducts this overflow as
far as the lower receiver.
In the lower flat bottom of the generator I arrange circulating water tubes called
"Perkins " tubes, in which the return water tubes are provided upon the exterior
water space with receivers or collecting cups which do not obstruct the disengage-
ment of the globules of steam, and collect the solid matters in suspension in the
water of the boiler in order to avoid the choking of the pipes, and to render less
frequent the necessity of cleaning the boiler.-
In another arrangement of this Invention the counter pipe carries above the
water space a metal cup, by preference of cast iron, presenting a conical form, and
fixed solidly on the counter pipe by means of strong solder, or in any other
convenient manner. At the lower part of this cup are cast two wings resting upon
the upper rim of a pipe, and with a projection that ensures the true centering of the
counter pipe, which is thus supported in a very simple manner. The lower part of

page_text: the said counter-pipe is further provided with a pin arranged at a right angle to
the said wings to maintain the counter pipe in the axis of the exterior pipe.
The counter pipe may be provided with two receivers, or with a greater number
of receivers to give to these collectors a more considerable development; in both
.cases in order to facilitate the deposit of the solid bodies in these superposed cups,
there may be above each cup orifices in the counter pipe to induce the return of the
water to different heights, and to remove the solid matters to be deposited in the
whole of the collectors.
In some instances I use a cylindro-conical collector provided at its upper part
with a shoulder, upon which rests a pipe fixed upon the upper cylindrical part of
the cup, and maintained rigidly by the aid of a hook rivetted or soldered to the said
pipe, engaging with the shoulder by an orifice in this shoulder; this pipe is shorter
than the upper shoulder of the aforesaid counter pipe.
In another modification of this Invention the collectors are arranged in com-
bination with a plate provided with water spaces for facilitating the disengagement
of the globules, and of diminishing the weight, the size, and the cost of the collectors.
The aforesaid cups may have an oval section, more or less elongated, thus giving a
more considerable development without obstructing the passage of the globules of
steam.
I further modify the said Invention in the manner herein-after described for
obtaining the following advantages, namely, considerable heating surface in a
restricted space, a relatively considerable volume of water in the boiler, simplicity
of construction, and in mounting the aforesaid apparatus, and facility of cleaning
the boiler. For these purposes I construct the boiler or generator with a vertical
cylindrical body, to which are adapted laterally three horizontal cylinders. The
vertical body or cylinder is supported by three rings of sheet iron which also serve
te secure angle iron for supporting two rows of troughs enclosing collecting receivers
constructed on pieces of trapezoidal form, in order that they may be introduced at
the man-hole in the upper part of the boiler; the lower part of the vertical body is
closed by a tubular plate carrying a series of heating circulating tubes provided:
with deposit collectors. The three horizontal cylinders are arranged at the height
of the aforesaid large troughs in such a manner that the level of the water is
established therein as in the latter.
The lower horizontal cylinder may be at its lower part provided with heating
tubes with sediment collector; the upper horizontal cylinder enclosing simply one
or several collectors of deposit arranged in the direction of its length.
One arrangement of the aforesaid apparatus comprises the addition of an exterior
receiver to the boiler, in order to obtain on their rising hot gases from the plates
immersed in liquid. Circulation is established by the differences of density in this
part of the generator.
I may apply or adapt this mode of construction to all kinds of vertical generators
without the addition of horizontal heating tubes, and may construct the generators
above described with flat or concave bottoms not furnished with heating tubes.

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 14th
December 1877.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. " IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR GENE-
RATING STEAM.” A communication from abroad by Louis Simon Dulac, of Paris,
France.
The said improvements in steam generators comprise the following novel features,
that is to say :-
The employment of a circulating tube or diaphragm surmounted by a collector in
the boiler tubes for utilizing the circulation thus produced to ensure the purification'
of the liquid to be vaporized.
Also the employment of a special kind of movable collectors or collecting receivers
with the lower part prolonged for the purpose of ensuring the circulation of the
liquid and the methodical extraction of the sediment.
Also the superposition of the levels of the liquid for the purpose of increasing the
stability of the ordinary level, facilitating the emission of the globules of steam
without drawing any water away with it, preventing all loss by radiation, arranging
the aperture by which the steam is taken from the boiler at a distance from the
most active centre of its production, ensuring the circulation and the purification of
the liquid, and utilizing as heating surface almost the whole of the plates of the
boiler.
Also the employment of an apparatus for controlling the level and allowing the
multiple levels of a generator to rapidly feed the lower part in urgent cases, and to
effect the total or partial emptying of the superposed liquid.
Also the construction of a vertical generator with multiple levels and boiler tubes
with sediment collectors.
I wish it understood that the arrangements above indicated are applicable to all
kinds of boilers or generators by the aid of special arrangements which may be
varied according to circumstances.
The said Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing, which I will now
proceed to describe.
Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 illustrate the part of my Invention relating to a circulating tube
with a collector.
The counter tube A is by preference constructed in two parts or pieces united by
means of an interior tube; it carries in the part projecting above the boiler tube Ď
a cup or basin B formed of metal (preferably thin cast iron) and of a conical form
fixed solidly to the counter tube, and rendered air-tight by suitable cement; the
exterior edge of this basin is slightly conical to facilitate the entry of the removable
piece C, and to ensure the accuracy of the joint. The said counter tube is provided
with two opposite wings resting upon the upper flange of the boiler tube D, and its
lower end is provided with two claws elevated at a right angle in the direction
of the wings, and which maintain the counter tube in the centre of the boiler
tube.
The upper part of the piece C may be provided with a concave lid having an
annular space sufficient for the entry of the mineral salts into the collector. This
lid has for its object to prevent the escape of the sediment in the falling or depres-
sion of the water level without pressure, by the violent vaporisation which is produced
under these circumstances.
In the arrangement represented in Figure 4, the interior tube is replaced by a
simple diaphragm terminated at its upper part by a socket for the reception of the
deposit collector which forms such a novel and important feature of this Invention.
The apparatus thus arranged, it will be understood that the circulation takes place
in the same manner as in the boiler tubes, that is to say, in the direction indicated

page_text: by the arrows, and that the interior part of the collectors adapted to the counter
tube being protected from the action of the ascending and descending currents,
the sediments deposit themselves therein by gravitation, thus ensuring the
purification of the liquid, and entirely preventing encrustation in the interior of the
tube which is therefore not subject, to deterioration under the action of fire.
The construction of the said counter tube in two pieces greatly facilitates the
putting together and taking apart of this apparatus, but it will be understood that
the said tube may also be constructed in a single piece so that several súperposéd
receivers may be adapted thereto, in fact the form and the arrangements of these
receivers may be varied as desired, according to the special kind of generator in
which they are applied.
I have represented in Figure 5 an arrangement for increasing the capacity of the
collector by making it penetrate within the interior of the boiler tube. In this case
the return tube is readily fixed at its base to a small metal joint of which the upper
enlarged part is provided with two lateral projections to ensure the accurate centreing
of the tube. This apparatus is provided with the basin. B, which carries. at its
upper part two wings placed at a right angle to the projections of the aforesaid
joint, and which serve to support the apparatus by ensuring its correct centreing.
These collectors are placed in all the boiler tubes, filled with water and arranged
vertically or obliquely, and they have for their object as aforesaid to create in the
midst of the liquid an active circulation for the methodical purification of this
liquid by absorbing the solid matters produced by the vaporization.
Figure 6 shows the application of these boiler tubes D with deposit. collectors C
in a boiler with an interior fire chamber.
Figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 show the movable deposit collectors which I employ to
ensure the circulation and collect the sediments in steam boilers, and more especially
in boilers with interior fire chambers, or tubular boilers which cannot be cleaned
without great difficulty. In the case of boilers with interior fire chamber, resembling
more or less that represented in Figure 6, I place around the fire chamber L of the
boiler a series of collectors C arranged in a circle and terminating within a short
distance of the bottom of the apparatus. In this manner the matters in suspension,
instead of accumulating below this annular space, will be deposited in the collectors.C
which are readily removable by the man-hole of the boiler, when the same is to .be
cleaned. These collectors are supported in any convenient manner at a suitable
distance from the walls to allow the free circulation of the liquid in the direction
indicated by the arrows.
When there is but little space in which to place these collectors, there may be
fitted at their lower part a dipping iron plate for ensuring the circulation and the
transfer of the sediment into the collector placed. above the level of the fire
chamber.
For ensuring greater simplicity, the collectors, may have the form represented in
Figure 7. This form is very economical and affords sufficient elasticity to enable
them to be easily put in place and removed; moreover, this, arrangement allows
them to be easily introduced between the stays or stay bolts which are. commonly.
employed around such fire chambers.
In the case of the locomotive boilers represented in Figure 8, the plate E arranged
underneath the collectors C is perforated in such a manner as to afford passage.to
the stay bolts; it is furnished with collectors formed of flexible inetal plate of a
curvilinear form dipping between the rows of ribs, as above specified..
These diaphragm collectors are also applicable to horizontal boilers, of which the
centre is occupied by the steam chamber, or to boilers heated in the interior or. by a
bundle of tubes..
In the arrangements represented in Figures 9 and 10, the collectors Care ärranged
longitudinally along the boiler, and the plate E suitably curved. extends nearly to
the bottom of the boiler, passing around the central tube L; it is suitably supported
in order to preserve between it and the walls of the generator a free space for the

page_text: circulation of the water in the direction indicated by the arrows, and consequently
the transfer into the upper collectors of the matter in suspension in the water, of
which the mean level is at N.
I can also, as shown in Figure 11, adapt to my collectors C a tube or tubes A, in
the interior of which is effected the necessary circulation which is one object of
this Invention; these tubes which, as shewn in the Drawing, pass vertically between
the horizontal tubes, may be of any form whatever, but by preference I make them
of a flattened form to facilitate their insertion between the said horizontal tubes of
the boilers. These tubes are removable, and arranged to rest by their upper conical
part in the return water space, to facilitate the dismounting of the apparatus.
The right-hand part of Figure 6 represents the arrangement of longitudinal
tubular collectors C. The form and arrangement of the circulating collectors may
also be varied as desired, according to the circumstances under which they are to
be applied, in order to attain the desired ends, that is to say, the circulation of the
liquid, and the division of the amorphous mineral salts or of solids in suspension..
Figure 12 illustrates the superposition of the levels of the liquid in steam
boilers according to this Invention. As will be seen, the interior of the vertical
boiler is furnished with a circular trough F, fixed in such a manner as to form
a series of air-tight receivers superposed and dipping into each other, to ensure the
constant immersion in the liquid of the walls of the boiler in contact with the
fire tube M of the furnace P..
:
The overflowing liquid from each of the troughs F runs into the trough below
through a groove cut in the rim of the trough, and is guided in its descent by
a channel provided for this purpose. The liquid contained in the generator and
entering by the feed pipe G circulates on the heated boiler surface and is purified
by the following means, that is to say :-
In the body of the, liquid contained in each of the troughs or receivers F are
suspended collectors C, made in sections and removable, which collectors ensure the
circulation in the direction indicated by the arrows, and serve to collect the
deposits as they are formed. This arrangement in the boilers at multiple levels
requires peculiar apparatus to shew or make known at any moment the level of the
liquid contained in the superposed receivers. For this purpose a vertical pipe H
placed in the interior of the boiler and regulating the mean interior level of the
water N is furnished with small curved tubes governing the ordinary level of the
liquid in the receivers F; its upper part traverses a stuffing box and is fixed in a
grooved piece J provided with a cock for the discharge of the water or steam;
it is terminated at the opposite side by a vertical part which is traversed by an
endless screw I, whereby this apparatus may be raised or lowered. This screw is
operated either by a winch or by other suitable means. This apparatus it will be
understood may serve not only as a regulator of levels, but also as an emptying
or discharging apparatus for the water contained in the troughs. For this purpose
it will suffice to prime the apparatus in a syphon in such a manner as to cause the
liquid to descend to the bottom of the boiler, whence it may be emptied in the
ordinary manner: The rapid feeding of the lower part of the generator may be
effected by the same means.
I have also represented in Figure 12 the application of my Invention with boiler
tubes D dipping into the fire chamber L, and surmounted with sediment
collectors C.
It will be understood that the above described arrangement of superposed
troughs or receivers may be applied to all kinds of vertical or horizontal boilers,
and that in any case it will be easy to adapt thereto removable receivers, that is
to say, receivers that may be taken out by the man-hole to facilitate the removal
of the sediments. As above stated this construction of boilers with superposed
troughs and circulating boiler tubes provided with removable deposit collectors
furnishes a novel kind of boiler very advantageous as compared with the boilers
at present in use.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my

page_text: foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim the above-described improvements in steam generators which are
based on the following novel features, that is to say :-
First. The application of boiler tubes provided with circulating counter tubes or
diaphragms, and sediment collectors formed and arranged in such a manner as to
ensure the easy circulation of the liquid on the heated surface while avoiding the
choking of any part of the apparatus as above set forth.
Second. The removable collectors, with diaphragms and perforated caps for
ensuring the circulation of the water in the boilers and permitting the easy
removal of the sediments resulting from the vaporization of the liquid as above
set forth.
Third. The superposition and construction of troughs or receivers adapted to the
interior of the boilers, and containing the liquid to be vaporized and provided with
overflow pipes or channels or grooves as above set forth and for the purposes
specified.
Fourth. The level controlling apparatus, serving also for occasional feeding and
for emptying the boiler as above described, and as shewn in the Drawings.
Fifth. The arrangement of superposed levels and boiler tubes with sediment
collectors as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
band and seal, this Fourteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.
173 DADT