Improvements in and connected with Portable Steam Engines.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Oct., 1895-Accepted, 23rd May, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Portable Steam Engines.
I, JAN VON GRUBINSKI of 50 Zelasna Street, Warsaw, in the Empire of Russia,
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 relates to a device for the rapid generation of steam.
The principal objects of my invention are first, to provide a generator for the
rapid generation of steam of high tension, consisting of a number of flat or shallow
chambers for the reception of the water, said chambers being secured to a hollow shaft
and located immediately above the fire-box, and mechanism for revolving said
chambers; second, to provide in a steam generator of the character described a
series of rotating shallow condensation chambers secured to the shaft carrying the
steam chambers, said condensation chambers being surrounded by a jacket arranged
so that by the revolution of the chambers in said jacket, air is drawn around the
condensation chambers and discharged to the grate; and third, to provide in such a
steam generator, a feeding pump so arranged that its suction valve and steam outlet
valve are opened upon the suction stroke and closed during the discharge stroke
and a regulating valve connected with the pressure chamber adapted to regulate the
discharge from said chamber to the generator, so that the whole or a part of the
water fed by the pump will be discharged to the generator.
My invention stated in general terms consists of a steam generator constructed and
arranged in substantially the manner hereinafter described and claimed.
The nature and scope of my invention will be more fully understood from the
following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming
part hereof, and in which
Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in section of a portable engine provided with
a generator for producing steam embodying the main features of my invention;
Figure 2 an end elevation partly in section of Figure 1, illustrating the steam
and condensing chambers and the hollow shaft to which the same are secured and by
means of which they are rotated ;
Figure 3 an enlarged cross sectional view of the shallow steam chambers and shaft
carrying same, illustrating in detail the construction and arrangement thereof.
Figure 4 an enlarged end elevation partly in section of the feed water pump.
Figure 5 a transverse vertical section of Figure 4; and
Figure 6 an enlarged top or plan view of the pump as arranged in Figure 1.
Referring to the drawings, a represents the hollow disc-like shallow chambers
in which steam is generated. These chambers consist preferably of two plates
riveted or otherwise secured together at their outer extremities and pressed or
moulded to the form indicated in Figure 3, the inner extremities being separated
by the rings c, provided with the radial inlet opening c¹ for the entrance of water,
and the radial outlet opening c², for the exit of wet steam. The chambers
intervening rings c are securely bolted together by two nuts e e (Figure 2) and are
secured thereby to the hollow axle or shaft b. In order that the inner connection
of the sections of the chambers a, may be steam tight, the flanges a¹ thereof
(Figure 3) which are secured together by the rings c are provided with grooves co
in which a suitable packing c*, such as copper wire or the like, is placed.
α,
and
The hollow shaft b is supported in position by means of rolls d, as shown in
Figures 1 and 2. This shaft b is centrally perforated for a portion of its length

page_text: by a channel b', which terminates in a channel 6², extending longitudinally through
that portion of the shaft which carries the chambers a. This channel 6 com-
municates by means of the longitudinal slot 3, with the opening e', of each chamber a.
The shaft is also provided with a channel or enlarged longitudinal slot 6º, in
communication with each opening of the chambers a. The chambers a are
arranged directly above the fire box, which strongly heats the same. If now the
shaft b, he rotated, the chambers a will turn or revolve, steam being generated
rapidly in the highest portions of the revolving chambers a. This steam will
escape by openings ², into the enlarged slot 6º, of the shaft, from which it is
led by a pipe to the channels g, arched around the chambers a, above the fire
box, in which channels g, the steam is further heated to the required dryness,
finally escaping by the pipe h, which conducts the steam to the place of utilization,
which in the present instance, as illustrated in Figure 1, would be the engine j.
into the
The channels g are heated by the hot gases of combustion from the fire box,
which gases escape through the channels, placed between the channels
stack The direction of the steam in the channels g, and of the hot gases in the
channels i, is indicated by appropriate arrows in Figure 1.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 1, the engine j is a rotary engine, which
transfers its motion to the shaft k, from which power is transmitted through the
driving pulley 1, connected by belting to parts to be driven. The shaft is also
provided with a worm m, gearing with the teeth of a gear wheel m', mounted upon
the transverse shaft n, provided with a pulley o. This pulley o is connected by a belt
with a pulley 9 secured to the shaft b, which shaft may be driven thereby. A suit-
able mechanism for increasing or decreasing the speed of the shaft k, may be located
in the housing r, Figure 1.
A rapid condensation of exhaust steam and a heating of air led to the grate is
accomplished in the following manner.
On either or preferably on both sides of the steam chambers a, is arranged a
series of revolving hollow chambers, connected with each other by means of short
studs s', as illustrated in Figure 2. These chambers s are surrounded by the fixed
jacket t, which is provided at its periphery with transverse slits or openings t¹, for
the admission of air. The jacket or jackets t are also suitably connected by a pipe
or pipes 2, with the cinder grate chamber u. Exhaust steam is conveyed by the
pipe (Figures 1 and 2) to the nozzle 2 (Figure 2) in the side of one of the
chambers s, and passes by means of the studs s' through all of said chambers.
The part into which the tube v opens remains stationary whilst the nut e and
chambers s revolve with the nozzle s². When condensed in the lower portions of
these chambers, the water of condensation escapes through an exit s³ into a
receptacle, from which it is drawn preferably to the water chamber wo of the boiler
by means of a pipe a¹.
The pipes are provided with slides or dampers 3, which when opened permit
the entrance of fresh air through the transverse slits t¹, by reason of the suction
created by the rotation of the chambers s. This air coming in contact with the
chambers s, is rapidly heated, whilst the chambers are equally cooled. The heated
air is then fed under the grate to assist in the combustion of the fuel.
To maintain a constant circulation of warm water in the chamber w (Figure 1)
and to prevent sedimentation or incrustation in the chambers a, I place on either
side of the fire box a receptacle y, which is connected by upper and lower pipes y
with the water chamber w, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. As the water in the
receptacles y becomes heated a circulation between the receptacles and chamber w
is set up and maintained, there being a flow of warmer water from y to w and
cooler water from w to y. The water chamber w is thus constantly supplied with
warm or hot water, which by means of a pump p (Figure 1) is forced into the
channel through suitable pipe connections (not shown) and thence into the
chambers a. If the chambers à are to be rotated by the engine j, it is of course
obvious that steam for starting the machine must necessarily be generated at an
extraneous source. It is likewise obvious that the chambers a may be rotated in any

page_text: manner and not necessarily by an engine supplied from the chambers a, and that
said chambers may be used not only for generating, but for the drying and
superheating of steam, or for the condensation thereof.
In Figures 4, 5 and 6 I have illustrated in detail the pump p, by means of
which the chambers a are supplied with water.
The plunger p (Figure 5) of the pump p, through its rod pl is operated by the
crank n, located on the shaft n of the machine. This crank n' is adjustably located
upon the shaft n by means of a slot in the crank and a set-nut on the shaft to
permit of the adjustment of the stroke of the piston. The disc nº is rigidly secured
on the shaft n (Figures 4 and 5), and is provided with a cam groove n², in which
works a roller secured by a bolt to the rod z. This rod is pivotally secured in a
standard or bracket and pivotally connected at its free end to the vertical link ¹,
which in turn is pivotally secured at its lower end to two horizontally arranged
arms 22, pivotally secured in the housing of the pump p. One of these arms,.
operates a valve p², controlling the steam outlet from the pump-barrel, while the
other arm 2, operates the suction valve p³ at the lower end of the barrel. The cam.
groove n² of the disc no, is so arranged, that when the plunger pº is raised, the rod z¹
will be depressed, opening thereby both valves p² and p³, and by the downward.
movement of the piston, these two valves will be closed. The pump is connected.
by an inlet p, with the water chamber w or with a suitable receptacle containing.
water. By means of this pump very hot water is forced from the water chamber
into the chambers a as aforesaid. In addition to the hot water, steam will also enter
the pump and the valve p² serves to allow this steam to escape. This is attained by
both valves p² p³ opening simultaneously on the suction stroke of the piston, so that
water can pass through valve 3, whilst the steam entering the pump with the water
from the water chamber can escape from the valve p³. On the return or opposite
movement of the piston the closing of both valves takes place simultaneously.
The water chamber of the pump is provided with a safety valve l, located at
the top of the chamber, as shown in Figure 4. The stem of this valve is normally
controlled by a spring 12, the tension of which may be adjusted by screwing the nut 15,
up or down in the housing of the valve. When the pressure of water in the
chamber 1, is sufficient to raise this valve l', water will be returned to reservoir.
The outflow of water from the chamber 1° of the pump may also be regulated by the
valve u'. The housing of this valve is secured to the chamber 10, and is provided
with two channels u² and u³.
If the valve u be entirely opened, the entire quantity of hot water from the pump
is delivered through these channels and a pipe (not shown) to the channel b',
which
is provided with an opening at its outer end, and from there into the chambers a of
the generator.
If however the valve u' be only partially opened a portion only of the water will.
pass through the channel and the pipe connected thereto, into the chambers a,
whilst the remainder of the water will accumulate in the chamber 1° and be finally
discharged outside the generator through the valve ³.
Should the pump momentarily be found to deliver too much water, the valve u¹
may be entirely closed for a short time and the whole quantity of water discharged.
through the chamber and valve l' into the open air or into the water chamber w.
In the bottom of the chamber 1° is placed a check valve vº, of ordinary
construction.
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 steam generator, a series of communicating shallow chambers arranged
upon a hollow shaft and provided with water inlet and steam outlet passages through.
said shaft, and means for rotating said chambers and shaft above the fire box,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
2. In a steam generator, a hollow shaft, a series of shallow communicating.

page_text: chambers secured to said shaft, means for conveying water to said chambers through
said hollow shaft, a fire chamber arranged beneath said chambers, a series of stationary
arched channels arranged above said chambers and fire chamber, and adapted to
receive steam generated in said chambers, and means for rotating said shaft and
chambers, substantially as described.
3. In combination with a hollow shaft, shallow steam generating chambers and
means for rotating said shaft and chambers, of hollow condensing chambers connected
with the exhaust of an engine, a receptacle partially surrounding the lower ends of
said condensing chambers, an outlet from said condensing chambers to said receptacle,
an outlet leading from the receptacle to the water chamber of the generator, a
stationary jacket surrounding the condensing chambers, air inlet openings in said
jacket, and an outlet from said jacket to the under grate room, substantially as
described.
4. In combination with revoluble steam generating chambers, a feed pump
provided with a suction and a steam outlet valve, both adapted to be opened on
the suction stroke of the pump piston and to be closed on the down stroke of said
piston, a pressure chamber connected with said piston chamber, and a regulating
valve adapted to discharge the whole or any portion of water in the pressure
chamber to the revolving steam generating chambers, substantially as described.
Dated this 28th day of October 1895.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents.