Improvements in Steam Boiler and other Furnaces.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Aug., 1887
Complete Left, 16th Feb., 1888
Complete Accepted, 23rd Mar., 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Boiler and other Furnaces.
I, BENJAMIN. FINCH, of 110 .Waterloo Road, Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to steam boiler and other furnaces and is chiefly designed to
improve the construction and increase the efficiency of the furnaces described in the
Specification of former Letters Patent, dated July 27th A.D. 1882. No. 3564.
The improved boiler constructed according to the present invention comprises a
fire-box having an opening at the top for the insertion of the fuel and an outlet for
the passage of the products of combustion into the flue substantially as described in
the specification of the said former Letters Patent, the ash holes and some other parts
therein described being also retained.
The bridge described in the said former specification is formed of fire bricks and
air is caused to circulate before entering the fire box. It has, however, been found
in practice that these fire bricks are in some instances liable to fracture.
One feature of the present invention consists in substituting for the said fire-brick
bridge, a hollow metal bridge which will also serve as a water-heater. This bridge
is connected to the boiler or other source of water supply by means of suitable pipes
placed below the level of the water in the boiler so that when the fire is lighted, the
water will circulate through the said pipes, thus heating the said water and thereby
effecting a considerable saving in the consumption of fuel, and rendering the furnace
more durable.
Another important feature in the present invention is the employment of means
whereby the air which is required to complete the combustion of the gases is
introduced through regulated openings provided between the back of the hollow
bridge and the front of the boiler. This improvement is of great value when used in
the furnaces of marine boilers, where a long continued action and durability of
furnace is essential. By the above described improvements a great saving in the
consumption of fuel is effected, and the inconveniences arising from the sooty deposits
in the flues, and from the use of smokey coals are entirely obviated.
DENTA MIN DINOU

page_text: I, BENJAMIN FINCH of 110 Waterloo Road, Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
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 :-
:-
This invention relates to steam-boiler and other furnaces, and is chiefly designed to
improve the construction and increase the efficiency of the furnaces described in the
Specification of former Letters Patent dated July 27th A.D. 1882 No. 3564.
The invention described in the said former Specification comprises a fire-box or
furnace with an aperture or opening or apertures or openings in the front of the
same at or near the upper extremity or crown, for the introduction of fuel, and with
an outlet for the passage of the products of combustion into the flue and also with
suitable ash-holes. It also comprises a bridge formed of fire-brick and through which
air is caused to circulate before entering the fire-box. It has been found in practice
that such fire-brick bridges are in some instances, liable to fracture by reason of
unequal expansion and contraction.
The main object of the present invention is to obviate such liability to fracture by
substituting for the said fire-brick bridge a hollow metal bridge or check which will
also serve as a water-heater.
Another important feature of my present invention is the employment of means
whereby the air which is required to complete the combustion of the
gases, is
introduced through regulated openings or valves, provided between the back of the hollow
inetal bridge or check and the front end or tube-plate of the boiler at the top or crown
of the fire-box or furnace or at either or both sides of the same. These regulated
openings, or valves, are of special value when employed in the fire-boxes or furnaces
of marine boilers-in which a long continued action and durability of the said fire
boxes or furnaces is essential.
My said invention comprises moreover various other improvements herein after
set forth.
In order that my invention may be more clearly understood I will now proceed to
describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, which represents a
vertical central longitudinal section of part of a boiler with my present improvements
applied thereto.
A is the boiler and B is the fire-box or furnace. C is the aperture or opening for
the introduction of fuel, D is the outlet or passage for the products of combustion.
a is a hollow metal bridge or check which is shown of cylindrical form, but
may be of any other suitable shape in transverse section. This bridge or check is
suitably supported and is connected to the boiler A by means of suitable pipes or
tubes 66 placed at different levels in the water-space of the boiler, so as to
ensure the circulation of the water through the said pipes or tubes and through

page_text: the bridge or check a and the consequent heating of the said water. The hollow
bridge or check a can be employed in some cases for the purpose of heating the
feed water, or for other purposes.
For the admission of the air which is required to complete the combustion of the
gases, I provide a valve c having a seating c¹ in the fire box or furnace B between
the back of the hollow bridge or check a and the front end or tube-plate d of the
boiler, or at either or both sides of the said fire-box or furnace B. This valve serves
for regulating the admission of the air to the furnace. Underneath the said valve c
are openings or apertures c³ in a fire-brick or other arch, the space between the
said valve c and the apertures c² forming a chamber for heating the air, before its
introduction into the furnace. I also provide convenient sight holes e.
1 sometimes moreover place a tank or water heater upon the top or crown of
the fire-box or furnace B, or I place the said tank or water heater in such a manner
that it forms the top or crown of the same.
The improvements hereinbefore described obviate the defects to which bridges or
checks formed of fire bricks are liable, and effect a very considerable saving in the
consumption of fuel, they also render the fire-box or furnace more durable, and
obviate or reduce to a minimum, the inconveniences that arise from the deposit of
soot in the flues, which usually occurs when coal of a smoky nature is employed in
ordinary fire-boxes or furnaces.
Although I have hereinbefore described my said improvements as applied to a
fire-box, or furnace of the kind or class described in my former Specification, it is
obvious that some of the said improvements can be applied to other fire-boxes or
furnaces.
Although I have hereinbefore described my said invention as applied more
particularly to boilers for generating steam, it is obvious that it is equally applicable
to furnaces for evaporating salt, chemical pans or the like also for heating ovens,
kilns, reverberatory or reheating furnaces, or for any other heating or evaporating
purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I wish it understood
that I claim :-
First In a fire-box or furnace of the kind or class described in my said former
specification, the employment of a hollow metal bridge or check (with or without
circulating pipes or tubes) all substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
Second The provision of an adjustable valve or other device for the admission of
air between the hollow metal bridge, and the front end or tube-plate of the boiler,
substantially as, and for the purpose, above specified.
Third-In my improved furnace, a tank or water heater placed upon the top of
and forming the crown of the fire-box, substantially as described.
Fourth-The improved apparatus consisting of the parts constructed and combined
substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawing for the
purposes specified.
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