Improvements in Water-tube Steam Generators.
Year: 1895

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Water-tube Steam Generators.
I FREDERICK FURSE of 31 Via Bisignano Naples in the Kingdom of Italy
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of my invention is to provide water-tube steam generators for general
use and more especially in those cases wherein it is desired to subject them to a
considerable air pressure or to a forced or induced draught that shall have amongst
others the following advantages and excellences. There will be a larger space
than is usual over the fire grate wherein a more perfect combustion can be effected.
The water-tubes will or can be greatly inclined to their manifest advantage in
durability and the like and to the manifest increase of their capability and powers
in the matter of steam production. The water-tubes will be very accessible for
purposes of inspection cleaning repairs renewal and the like and the necessary
doors for these purposes will or can be few and small. The large water surface in
this generator will permit a comparatively large variation in the surface level of
the water from the normal without causing any damage. The ordinary danger of
over-heating or burning any part of this generator will be reduced to a minimum.
The ordinary evil of "priming" will also be reduced to a minimum.
To carry out this object a fire grate is made in any usual manner of any desired
style shape and size and at the back thereof and elevated a little distance above
the fire bars is placed on its edge or on one of its sides an horizontal water chamber:
Above the front of the fire grate and at a greater elevation above the fire bars is
placed likewise on its edge or on one of its sides another horizontal water chamber.
These two water chambers can conveniently be made in a similar manner and when
desired of the same size and shape and can each be formed by a flat plane tube
plate and a preferably arched or curved back or top plate both being flanged and
connected together by their flanges which flanges can form the edge or side whereon
this water chamber is placed and which is horizontal and parallel with the line of
the fire bars across the grate or thereabouts. Each water chamber is divided
lengthwise or horizontally into preferably two parts by a longitudinal H plate
which extends the whole length of the chamber being connected both to the tube
plate and the back plate and also it may be when desired to the ends of the
chamber and in the web of this H plate are made a number of apertures to allow
of the free circulation of the water and this H plate will obviously act as a very
strong stay for the chamber while a door is made for each of the parts. In the
same manner when the water chamber is large or whenever desired more than one
H plate may be fitted to divide the chamber into more than two parts.
A large cylindrical or other drum to act as a receiver is placed horizontally
behind the upper water chamber and it may be at or about the same level which is
in communication with the upper part of the upper water chamber through one two
or more large pipes or passages which can be used as manholes for entering the
receiver when desired. When it may be desired so to do to ensure or enhance
the dryness of the steam or for other purposes another cylindrical or other receiver
may be provided and may be connected with the upper part of the main receiver in
any usual manner as is customary or even more than one supplementary receiver
may similarly be provided when desired.
The lower part of the main receiver is in communication with the upper part of

page_text: the lower water chamber through a very large number of small and it may be
straight tubes and the lower parts of the two water chambers are in communication
through a large number of also it may be straight tubes of which the lower ones
can conveniently be of a somewhat large diameter which diameter can be gradually
decreased in the upper ones.
It is obvious therefore that this latter set of tubes
will be inclined at what angle has been arranged for by the difference in the
respective elevations of the two water chambers thus in all cases and whatever may
be such difference creating a large space over the fire grate and as the tube plates
of the two chambers will preferably be at right angles to the line of the tubes these
two chambers are preferably not placed vertically on their edges but are duly and
correspondingly inclined therefor. This set of tubes obviously pass under the main
receiver and therefore the other set of tubes will be inclined still further upwards
to pass to the lower part of this receiver wherefor the tube plate of the upper part
of the lower water chamber is likewise duly and correspondingly inclined therefor
in a similar manner.
The normal water level in this steam generator can most conveniently be at or
about the level where the upper part of the upper water chamber eommunicates
with the main receiver at the lower part of such communication by which arrange-
ment all the tubes will always contain water and the water can be introduced and
forced into this generator by any ordinary means and appliances in any desired
position whether in the water chambers or in the receiver or elsewhere.
To increase the rapidity of circulation of the water in this steam generator it
may sometimes be advantageous to provide two pipes each of which is connected to
one end of the lower water chamber and to the bottom of the main receiver.
The steam produced can be taken from the top of the main receiver or when so
fitted from the supplementary receiver or receivers in any usual manner whereto
also can be fitted the ordinary or other safety stop and other valves doors and
the like.
This steam generator can be enclosed in a suitable casing made and fitted in any
usual manner and provided with the ordinary and desired flues dampers and other
appliances whereby the heat of the furnace may be duly utilized and the required
forced or induced draught may be duly applied.
The two water chambers and the receiver or receivers may either be the full
width of this generator or may obviously be divided into two or more sections or
separate parts and may also be constructed in such a manner and of such shapes
and sizes as may be customary or desired and may further be fitted with such
ordinary appliances and devices as may conduce to their proper or better per-
formance of their duty.
Dated this 29th day of November 1895.
HART & Co.,
168, Fleet Street, London, E.C., Agents.
I FREDERICK FURSE of 31 Via Bisignano Naples in the Kingdom of Italy
Engineer 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 :-
The object of this my invention is to provide water-tube steam generators for
general use and more especially perhaps for use in those cases and on those
occasions in which it is desired to subject them at times if not continually to a
considerable air pressure or to a forced or an induced draught which water-tube

page_text: steam generators shall have amongst others the following advantages and excel-
lences or some of them. There will be a large space perhaps even a larger space
than is usual over the fire grate wherein a very perfect combustion perhaps even a
more perfect combustion than is usual can be effected. The water-tubes will be or
can be somewhat greatly inclined to their manifest advantage in the point of
durability and the like and to their manifest excellence in the point of capability
and powers in the matter of steam production. The water-tubes also will be or can
be very accessible for purposes of inspection cleaning repairs renewal and the like
and the necessary doors for these and other purposes will be or can be few and
even comparatively small. The comparatively large water surface that is provided
in this generator will permit a comparatively large variation in the surface level of
the water from the normal and in the quantity of water in the generator without
causing any damage and thus the ordinary danger of over-heating or burning any
part of this generator will be reduced to a minimum and any temporary defect in
the feed apparatus and any temporary diminution in the quantity of the feed will
not necessarily be harmful. This generator also will be or can be so constructed
and arranged that the ordinary evil of "priming" will likewise be reduced to a
minimum even if it be not entirely obviated and removed.
In order the more clearly to explain this my invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed I refer to the accompanying drawings wherein I have
shewn a very convenient and highly efficient style and forin and arrangement of my
water-tube steam generator and Figure 1 is a front elevation of the same Figure 2
is a rear elevation of the same and Figure 3 is a side elevation of the same all the
figures being partly in section and having parts of the casing of this steam
generator removed.
A fire place A is made and fitted in any ordinary manner and of any desired
style and shape and size and is provided with any customary appliances and
devices.
At the back of the fire place A and at a certain small elevation above the rear
ends of the fire bars thereof is placed horizontally or parallel with the level of these
fire bars and transversely or across the ends of the same and on edge or on one of
its sides a water chamber B while at the front of this fire place A and at a certain
greater elevation above the front ends of the fire bars thereof is placed also
borizontally and transversely and on edge another water chamber C. These two
water chambers B and C can most conveniently be made in a similar manner and
when desired of about the same size and shape being preferably somewhat flat or
narrow and they can each be formed by and with a flat and plane tube plate D and
if desired a flat and plane or as is perhaps most convenient a curved and bent back
or top plate E which may perhaps preferably be recessed as is shewn in Figure 3
although it may also be arched or domed when desired. These chambers B and C
can be constructed in any ordinary manner and the plates D and E thereof can be
put together and connected by any ordinary devices it may be as is shewn in
Figure 3 by and through angled pieces and straps and the like or they may both be
flanged and connected together by their flanges or otherwise in other convenient
and usual manner as may be appropriate and expedient in each case. Each
chamber B or C is divided lengthwise and horizontally into preferably two parts B¹
and B or C and C by a longitudinal H plate F which extends or may most
efficiently extend the whole length of the chamber B or C being connected in all
cases both to the tube plate D and to the back plate E thereof and also it may be
when so made to the ends of the chamber B or C and in the web of this H plate F
are made a desired number of apertures F¹ of any convenient sizes and shapes to
allow the free circulation of the water in such chamber B or C. This H plate F
therefore constitutes and acts as a very strong and serviceable stay for the
chamber B or C and when such chamber B or C is large or whenever it may be
desired so to do more than one H plate F may be provided being formed and fitted
in a similar manner to divide this chamber B or C into more than two parts and to
stay and support the same in more than one position.

page_text: A large cylindrical or other drum or chamber G to act as a receiver is placed
"horizontally and transversely or parallel with the chamber C and behind the same
being at or about the same level as the upper part C thereof and this upper part C
of the chamber C is in communication with the receiver G through one or more
large passages K and when as is perhaps preferable only one such large passage K
is provided it may sometimes even if not generally be convenient to alter and
reduce the plan of such upper part C of the chamber C accordingly in manner as
is shewn in Figure 1.
The lower part of the receiver G is in communication with the upper part B² of
the chamber B through a very large number of small tubes L which are mounted
in any customary manner in a curved or other tube plate H forming part of the
walls of this receiver G and in the tube plate D of this upper part B³ of the
chamber B. The lower part C¹ of the chamber C is in communication with
the lower part B of the chamber B through a large number of tubes M which are
mounted also in any customary manner in the respective tube plates D of these
lower parts B and C of the chambers B and C and of these tubes M the lower
ones can most conveniently be of a somewhat large diameter which diameter can be
gradually or otherwise decreased in the upper ones as is shewn in Figure 3.
All these tubes L and M are perhaps preferably straight as is shewn in the
drawings although they may also be waved or bent or curved or be otherwise made
not straight when it may be desired so to do. The tubes M will obviously be
inclined at what angle has been arranged for by the difference in the respective
elevations of the chambers B and C and thus in all cases and whatever may be such
difference there will be a large space for combustion over the fire grate A and
especially over the front part of the same and this is eminently desirable. The
tubes L likewise will obviously be inclined at what angle has been arranged for by
the difference in the respective elevations of the chamber B and the receiver G and
this angle of inclination of the tubes L may perhaps preferably be the same as that
of the tubes M as is shewn in Figure 3 although when it may be desired so to do
the receiver G may be somewhat elevated so that these tubes L may be inclined
still further upwards. In all cases as the tubes L and M as is obviously preferable
and as is indeed usual will or may enter their respective tube plates D at right
angles the two chambera B and C are preferably not placed vertically on their
edges or on one of their sides but are duly and correspondingly and complementarily
inclined therefor as is shewn in Figure 3.
The normal water level in this apparatus is a certain desired distance above the
lower part of the passage K between the upper part C2 of the chamber C and the
receiver G and therefore as is obvious all the tubes L and M the chamber B and
the lower part C of the chamber C as also that part of the receiver G that is
exposed to the direct influence of the heat of the furnace will always contain and
be sufficiently full of water and it may further be if the whole apparatus is so
arranged and formed and if the casing thereof so allows those parts of the passage K
and of the upper part C2 of the chamber C that may also be similarly so exposed to
the heat will likewise always contain and be sufficiently full of water. By this
arrangement there is a comparatively large water surface provided in this generator
extending across the upper part C2 of the chamber C and the passage or passages K
and the receiver G whereby amongst many other advantages the free circulation of
the water is ensured and the danger of over-heating or burning any part of the
generator will be reduced to a minimum.
The steam generated in this apparatus can be taken for use directly from the
upper part of the steam and water receiver G but it may sometimes and perhaps
even generally be preferable to provide another cylindrical or other drum or
chamber N to act as a steam receiver and this receiver N could be placed
borizontally and perhaps must conveniently longitudinally or at right angles with
the receiver G or otherwise and above the same which receiver G is in communication
with the receiver N through a suitable steam pipe P wherein could conveniently be
fitted an ordinary stop valve Q and from this receiver N the steam could be taken

page_text: for use through an aperture R it may be in the end thereof or elsewhere. By this
arrangement the dryness of the steam will be enhanced and the prevention of
priming" will be ensured and other advantages and benefits may result.
66
The water can be introduced into this apparatus it may be into the lower part of
the receiver G through an aperture S or otherwise in any convenient and usual
manner and by and through any ordinary and suitable means and appliances and at
any appropriate and customary position or positions as may be preferred in each
particular case.
When desired also for any reason it may be to increase the rapidity of the
circulation of the water in this steam generator one or more pipes may be fitted on
the outside of this apparatus connecting the lower part of the receiver G with the
chamber B and perhaps preferably with the lower part B₁ thereof but this
arrangement will not in my opinion often be required.
Any necessary or convenient doors or manholes or the like can be provided for
and fitted in and to this apparatus in any appropriate and ordinary manner and at
any suitable and convenient positions to afford due access to the interior thereof..
For example when the chambers B and C are constructed in mauner as is
hereinbefore mentioned and as is shewn in Figure 3 the back plates E themselves
could constitute the separate doors of the parts B1 and B2 and C1 and C2 of such
chambers B and C by which arrangement the tubes L and M as also the interiors
of the chambers B and C and of the receiver G through the passage K will be very
accessible.
A suitable casing T is made and fitted in any ordinary and convenient manner to
surround and enclose and if and where necessary to support this steam generator
and the several parts thereof in their proper positions and it is very convenient to
provide thereon angled plates V by which the chambers B and C can be supported
at their desired different elevations in which case it is most appropriate to secure-
the chamber C on and to its supporting plate V while the chamber B is free to
move and slide ou its supporting plate V as and when the tubes expand under the
influence of heat or otherwise. This casing T is provided with any customary and
necessary doors and dampers and other usual appliances and devices and it leads
the products of combustion across and round and between the tubes M and L to an..
appropriate flue W and an ordinary and suitable passage X may also be provided
entering the casing T below the fire bars wherethrough a forced draught could be
introduced dampers and the like being properly fitted therein and thereto by which
this forced draught could be regulated. In any similar usual and customary manner
any other ordinary and suitable appliances and devices may be provided to regulate
and utilize to the best advantage the beat of the furnace and to apply thereto.
forced or induced draught or the like.
It will oftentimes and perhaps even generally be most conducive to the
convenience and efficiency of this my water-tube steam generator and therefore.
preferable to duplicate the apparatus herein before described and as is shewn in the
accompanying drawings so to construct the casing T and so to arrange the
several parts of the steam generator as to cause the one casing T to surround and
enclose two complete sets thereof or so much of such two complete sets as may be
necessary or convenient except that the one steam receiver N is or may most.
appropriately be common to both sets and in communication separately with the two.
steam and water receivers G through two pipes P. It may sometimes also be
desirable and expedient so to construct the steam and water receiver G as to cause.
the one receiver G to be common to both sets and to be in communication separately
with the upper parts C of the two chambers C through two or more passages K
and with the upper parts B2 of the two chambers B through two sets of tubes L..
In a similar nauner three or more sets of this apparatus may when desired be
surrounded and enclosed by and in one and the same casing.
I have thus described and I have shewn in the accompanying drawings as
is herein before stated a very convenient and highly efficient style and form and
arrangement of this my water-tube steam generator but I would have it clearly

page_text: understood that as is indeed sufficiently obvious I do in no wise limit and confine
myself exactly and precisely thereto in all the details of construction and fitment
and arrangement as so described and shewn for this my water-tube steam generator
and all the several parts thereof may be made of such shapes and sizes and
proportions and may be constructed and fitted in such convenient and customary or
other manner and may be arranged in such number and in such absolute and
relative positions as may be deemed to be desirable or expedient or necessary in
each particular case.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a water-tube steam generator the combination of two water chambers B
and C placed transversely and horizontally on edge at different elevations above
the back and front of a fire grate A with a transverse steam and water receiver G
communicating with the chamber C through a passage or passages K and with the
chamber B through tubes L while the chamber C communicates directly with the
chamber B through tubes M below the tubes L substantially as herein before
described and set forth.
2. In a water-tube steam generator a casing T a fire grate A in the casing T two
horizontal and transverse water chambers B and C supported at different elevations
above the back and front of the fire grate A and perforated H plates F horizontally
dividing and acting as stays in the chambers B and C in combination with a
transverse steam and water receiver G a passage or passages K between the
receiver G and the upper part of the chamber C tubes L between the receiver G
and the upper part of the chamber B tubes M between the lower parts of the
chambers B and C and a steam receiver N in communication with the receiver G
through a pipe P substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and
declared.
3. The arrangement and combination of parts and appliances constituting my
improved water-tube steam generator substantially as hereinbefore described and
shewn in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 19th day of June 1896.