Year: 1887

page_text: I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6 Bank Street, Manchester, both in
the County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
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 furnaces adapted for using hydro-carbon fuel, and has
reference to a novel arrangement of the furnace setting; in the construction and
arrangement of the burners and the generators; in the construction of the injector,
the gas chamber and the grate, and in various other features and details of construction
hereinafter set forth.
In the drawing;
Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section through the furnace of a steam boiler,
showing this improved apparatus applied thereto.
Figure 2 a vertical transverse sectional view.
Figure 3 a horizontal section.
Figures 4 and 5 views illustrating a slight modification of the arrangement of the
retorts; and
Figures 6 to 9 views illustrating the construction of the injector.
A indicates an ordinary return fue tubular boiler, and B the brick work or setting
thereof which varies from the usual plan in particulars which will be explained.

page_text: That portion of the setting or masonry in rear of the bridge wall, C, instead of
being flat as usual, is made concentric with the boiler A, as shown in figures 1 and 2,
so as to bring the burning gases as close to the boiler as possible, thereby utilizing
all of the heat.
It has been found by practical tests that much heat has been lost under prior
constructions, and that smaller passages are needed for the gas used in this and
similar furnaces, than where coal and like fuel is used.
The second point of novelty in the setting consists in providing air ducts or
passages D, which extend from the rear of the furnace to opposite sides of and open
into the fire box, as shown by dotted lines in figures 1 and 2.
It will also be seen that the passages D extend for a long distance in proximity to
the passage or space occupied by the flames, and being separated therefrom by a thin
partition or shell of fire brick, the air is highly heated, and by the openings E and
the openings in the fire pot, is delivered in a highly heated condition into the different
parts of the furnace.
Burners G are placed beneath the boiler, at suitable points, and also in the fire box.
These burners consist of iron piping, perforated, and provided with nipples if
desired, those beneath the boiler and in rear of the bridge wall, being curved to
conform to the shape of the boiler and embedded slightly in the brick-work or
masonry to retain them properly in position.
The pipe connecting the series of burners, extends vertically within the bridge
wall as shown in figure 1, and is provided with valves or cocks H and H2 which are
operated by means of wheels secured to stems or rods connected with the valve and
projecting out through the side of the furnace as shown in figure 2.
Between the valves H¹ and H is a small branch pipe H3 which communicates at
one end with the pipe H and at the other end with a gas chamber I, as shown in
figures 1 and 3. The gas chamber is preferably, though not necessarily, elliptical in
cross section, extends across the rear end of the fire box, projects out through both
sides of the same and is provided with removable caps or end plates. Communicating
with and extending from the forward side of gas chamber I is a series of pipes J
which are carried out through the front of the furnace, and provided at their outer
ends with removable plugs J to facilitate the removal of deposits, etcetera.
Just inside the front wall these pipes are each provided with a T-coupling J³ from
the lower branch of which extends a short pipe J³, which connects them with the
front one of the generating retorts K2, the latter being in turn connected with the
remaining retorts K¹ and K.
Below the valve H² the pipe H extends along the bottom of the fire box and is
perforated to form burners G; the pipe being also in some cases extended upward
in the front part of the fire box, so as to burn the gas in the upper part thereof, as
clearly indicated in figure 1.
The retorts K, K1, K2, like the gas chamber I, are advisably elliptical in cross
section and project through or beyond the side walls of the furnace; and one of them,
preferably K, is provided with a pipe, L, which is tapped in its lower side and
communicates with a sewer, for a purpose presently explained.
These retorts are connected alternately at opposite ends by short pipes, and at one
end of the retort K₁ is an injector valve of the peculiar construction shown in
figures 6, 7, 8 and 9, and hereinafter described in detail.
N indicates a super-heater at the rear end of the boiler, which by means_of_a
pipe O, communicates with and delivers superheated steam to the injector, the pipe
being provided with a regulating valve O¹.
Opening into the boiler, below the water line is a pipe P, which communicates at
its lower end with the gas chamber I, as shown in figure 2, the pipe being provided
with a valve P¹.
The hydro-carbon is fed to the injector through a pipe connected with a suitable
supply, the quantity supplied to the injector being controlled by a valve Q¹:
Referring now to figures 6, 7, 8 and 9, the details of construction of the injector
will be fully explained.

page_text: 1, indicates the case or shell of the injector burner as a whole, provided at one
end with an oval or elliptical plate 2, which is bolted to the end of the retort as
is usual.
The body of the injector 1 is hollow from end to end as clearly shown in figure 6,
and screwing into the inner end is a discharge nozzle 3, shown in figures 6 and 7,
said nozzle 3 having a tapering or conical discharge orifice. This nozzle 3 is
provided on its upper side with a liole or opening 15, of the form shown in figures 6
and 7, said hole or opening communicating with the oil supply passage or channel 16
formed in the plate 2, as also shown in said figures. The body 1 is closed at its
outer end by a cap 4, which is provided with suitable packing glands to prevent the
escape of steam.
It will be noticed, however, that the end of the body 1 into which the cap 4 is
screwed, is enlarged somewhat in diameter, the construction forming a shoulder 27,
between which and the inner end of the cap 4, a worm wheel 5, hereinafter referred
to, is held in position.
Formed in the body 1, about midway between its ends, is the steam inlet 6, shown
in figure 6, the body 1 being also provided or formed with a slight circumferential
swell or enlargement 17.
7 indicates a hollow valve which is turned to fit accurately within the shell 1, said
hollow valve being provided with a series of lateral openings 19 that permit the
steam to pass from the steam inlet 6 or enlargement 17, into the interior of
the valve.
The forward end or nose of the hollow valve 7 is tapered externally to fit into the
corresponding taper of discharge nozzle 3, and the nose of the hollow valve is
provided with a slot or depression 20 in its upper face, which is of the same width
approximately as the hole or opening 15 in the nozzle 3, with which the depression is
designed to register.
The rear end of the hollow valve 7 is closed by a plate 8, and is held to its scat in
the shell or casing by means of a spring 9 interposed between the outer face of the
plate 8 and the inner face of the cap 4, as shown in figure 6, said plate rotating with
the hollow valve 7, or remaining at rest while said valve rotates as may be found
desirable.
The plate 8 will preferably be made detachable for the reason that it lessens the
cost of manufacture, but as it is only for the purpose of affording a bearing for the
spring 9, its construction may be varied considerably, without departing from
the spirit of the invention.
The worm wheel 5 hereinbefore referred to is mounted upon the end of the hollow
valve 7 as clearly shown in figures 6 and 8, said wheel being prevented from rotating
upon or independently of the valve by means of a key seated in the hollow valve and
the worm wheel as shown in figure 6.
The key may be made fast to the worm wheel 5 or to the valve 7 as desired, but in
any event the construction should be such as to permit the valve to slide freely back
and forth through the worm wheel in order that the spring 9 may operate to keep
the valve to its seat as the valve expands or contracts. The worm wheel is prevented
from moving upon the valve 7 by reason of its being clamped between the shoulder 27
and the inner end of cap 4. This wheel 5 meshes with a worm 10 which is mounted
in a transverse enlargement 23 of the shell or body 1, as shown in figures 6 and 8;
the shaft of said worm being extended outward and provided with a hand wheel 11,
by which it may be turned.
About midway of the length of the hollow valve the latter is provided on its
interior with a screw thread 21, while its forward end or nose is provided with a
tapered opening or outlet, which is adapted to receive the tapered nose 22 of a valve
stem 12, as shown in figures 6 and 7. The valve stem 12 is provided with a hub or
enlargement 13 threaded externally to screw into the interior of the hollow valve 7,
and is provided at its outer end with a hand wheel 14 by which it may be turned.
From the foregoing description it will be seen that by turning the stem 12, so as

page_text: to bring its tapering nose 22 into or out of the seat formed for it in the end of the
hollow valve 7, the amount of steam discharged from said hollow valve may be
accurately regulated.
It will also be observed that by turning or rotating the screw 10 and worm 5, and
consequently the valve 7, to which the worm is secured, the slot or depression 20 at
the forward end of said valve, may be made to register with the hole 15 to a greater
or less extent, or it may be turned so far to either side of said hole as to effectually
prevent the escape of any oil whatsoever.
Upon reference to figures 6, 7 and 9 it will be seen that a channel of uniform
depth is at all times afforded for the discharge of the oil, regardless of the width of
said discharge. It is found in practice that the oblong opening possesses material
advantage over an annular opening of the same capacity, as it is less liable to become
clogged up with sediment.
The gras chamber I is provided with a pressure gauge T, and with a pyrometer U,
as shown in figure 2.
The horizontal pipes J form a grate upon which fire may be built when first
starting the apparatus, and this is a very important feature of construction.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:
The valves Hand H in the pipe H are closed, and the valve P¹ in pipe P opened,
thus allowing water to flow from the boiler A into the gas chamber I, into the pipes J,
and the retorts K, K¹, K².
A fire is then built in the ordinary way upon the pipes J, which act as a grate, and
steam generated in the boiler, the pipes and chambers I, K, K and K², being
protected from the effects of fire, by the water which is within them.
When steam of sufficient pressure has been generated, the valve P¹ is closed, and
the valve in pipe L opened, thereby allowing all the water in the pipes J, the
chamber I, and the retorts, to run out, after which the valve is closed.
The steam valve O' and the oil valve Q are now opened, and the oil and steam fed
to the injector through the pipes O and Q.
The oil and steam sprayed by the injector into the end of the hot retort K produce
a gas, the hydrogen of the steam being liberated and enriched by the oil, the gas then
passing through the pipes J3 and J to the gas chamber I and on through the pipe H
to the burners G.
The air passing through the ducts or passages D is highly heated, and delivered
into the fire pot, and into the space or chamber in rear of the bridge wall, through
the opening E, near the burners G, thereby aiding materially the combustion.
By allowing the retorts to project out through the side walls of the furnace, at
their ends, and by applying the removable caps thereto, they can be kept clean at
all times.
In the application of this apparatus to a boiler in a battery, of course there will not
be room enough, and in some cases no room at all, to permit the retorts to project
out through the side walls of the furnace setting, and to overcome this objection it is
proposed to adopt the construction shown in figures 4 and 5.
Instead of arranging the retorts K, K¹ and K2 transversely across the fire chamber,
and allowing their ends to project out through the side walls, as in figures 2 and 3,
the retorts are arranged longitudinally of the fire box or chamber as shown in
figures 4 and the rear ends being supported in the bridge wall, and the front ends
which are provided with removable caps, project out through the front wall of the
furnace.
This change in the position of the retorts, necessitates a change in the connections
between the retorts and the grate surface. In lieu of the bent pipes J and the
T-coupling J, a retort J' is used, which, as shown in figures 6 and 7 extends
transversely across the fire chamber, above the retorts K, K1, K2, near the front wall
of the furnace; this retort J' having its ends closed and being supported at each end
in the masonry.
This chamber or retort is connected at one end to one of the retorts, K², and has

page_text: screwed into its front faco a series of pipes J', and into its rear face a series of pipes J.
to form a grate surface as in figures 1, 2 and 3 the pipes J being connected to the
chamber I.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :-
1st. In a hydro-carbon furnace, substantially such as described, the combination of
a boiler and burners, a pipe H, for delivering the vapor to be burned, located partly
within the bridge wall; a gas chamber I located within the fire pot, and connected
with the pipe H, and a series of pipes J also connected to the gas chamber I, and
extending horizontally out through the front of the furnace.
2nd. In a hydro-carbon furnace, the combination with a boiler, of a pipe H
provided with burners G, a gas chamber I extending transversely across the fire pot
and connected to the pipe H by means of pipe H³, a series of pipes J connected to
the opposite ends of the gas chamber I and extending into the front wall of the
furnace, a series of generators K, K³, K², below the pipes J, and connected to a
suitable steam and oil supply, and a series of pipes J³ connecting the pipes J
with the retort K².
3rd. In combination with a boiler and a fire pot, a gas chamber I, a pipe H
communicating with said chamber, burners supplied by said pipe, and a series of
pipes J connected with said chamber at one end and embedded at their other
ends. in the front wall of the furnace, the chamber and pipes being located within
the fire pot and adaped to have a fire built upon them.
4th. In combination with a boiler and a fire pot, a gas chamber I, a pipe H
communicating with said chamber, burners supplied by said pipe, and a series of
pipes J connected with said chamber at one end and embedded at their outer ends
in the front wall of the furnace, the chamber and pipes being located within the
fire pot and adapted to have a fire built upon them, and a pipe P connected at
one end with the water space of the boiler and at the other end with the chamber I,
as and for the purpose set forth.
5th. In a hydro-carbon furnace, the combination of a boiler, a fire pot and gas
or vapor burners, a grate composed of a series of pipes, a water pipe connected
with the latter, and a gas pipe also connected with the grate pipes, and with the
burners, the gas and the water pipes being each provided with a valve substantially
as shown and described.
6th. In a hydro-carbon furnace, the combination of a boiler, a fire pot, a series of
retorts K, K, K2, located therein and projecting at one or both ends through the
walls thereof and provided with removable caps, a pipe H provided with burners,
a chamber connected with pipe H, and a series of pipes J adapted to form á
grate surface and connected with the retorts and with the generator substantially
as shown and described.
7th. In a hydro-carbon furnace, the combination with a boiler, of a grate
composed of tubular bars J, connected with a gas generating retort, and adapted
to serve the two-fold purpose of supporting a fire for the generation of steam in
the boiler, and afterwards serving as distributing pipes for the gas generated.
8th. In a hydro-carbon furnace, the combination with a boiler, of a grate
composed of pipes J, a series of gas generators, burners supplied therefrom, and
valved water, oil, steam and discharge pipes P, Q, O, L, arranged and operating
substantially as shown and described.
9th. In a hydro-carbon furnace, the combination with a boiler A, a fire-pot and
gas or vapor burners, of a grate composed of a series of pipes J adapted to have
a fire built upon them to generate steam within the boiler, a series of gas generating
retorts connected with the pipes J and communicating with the burners; a valved
pipe as P adapted to supply water to the pipes J, a valved outlet pipe L also
connected with the pipes J, and valved steam and oil supply pipes O and Q
connected with the retorts, all substantially as shown and described.

page_text: 10th. In a hydro-carbon furnace, in combination with boiler A and fire pot or
chamber, a series of pipes J therein, a chamber I connecting said pipes at one
end, a series of retorts K, K1, K2, below and connecting with the pipes J, valved
steam and oil pipes O, Q, connected with one of the retorts, a valved water pipe P
connected with the chamber I, and a valved gas distributing pipe provided with
burners G and connected with the gas chamber, all substantially as shown.
11th. In a hydro-carbon furnace, the combination with a boiler and fire pot, of
a grate consisting of a series of pipes, a water pipe connected with the latter, a
gas pipe also communicating with the grate pipes and with burners for consuming
the gas, and valves applied to the gas pipe at either side of the point of com-
munication with the grate pipes, whereby water may be prevented from entering
the same and gas may be admitted to or excluded from the gas pipe at either or
both sides of said point at will.
12th. In combination with a case or shell provided with oil and steam inlets
and with a discharge nozzle, a rotatable hollow valve provided with a longitudinal
depression or slot to register with the oil inlet, and a stem mounted within the
hollow valve and adapted to regulate the discharge of steam from the latter.
13th. In combination with case or shell 1, provided with discharge nozzle 3,
steam inlet 6 and oil inlet 15; a hollow and rotatable valve 7 provided with
steam inlets 19, and a longitudinal slot or depression 20, and a valve stem 12
mounted within the hollow valve 7, all substantially as shown and described.
14th. In combination with case or shell 1 having steam inlet 6 and oil inlet 15,
a conical discharge nozzle 3, a hollow valve 7 provided with steam inlets 19 and
with a tapered end, a longitudinal depression 20, formed in the outer face of the
conical end, a conical discharge outlet also in the end of the hollow valve, means
for rotating the hollow valve, and a valve stem provided with a tapered nose 22
to fit into the discharge outlet of the hollow valve, all, substantially as shown.
15th. In combination with case or shell 1, having steam and oil inlets 6, 16,
a discharge nozzle 3, a rotatable hollow valve 7 provided with a longitudinal slot
or depression 20, an opening 15, elongated at right angles to the axis of the
valve, and serving to convey the oil from the oil inlet. 16 to the depression 20,
and a valve stem 12 mounted within the hollow valve, all combined and arranged
substantially as shown.
16th. In combination with case or shell 1 having steam and oil inlets and a
discharge nozzle, a hollow valve 7 provided with a central steam discharge outlet and
with a longitudinal depression as 20 to register with the oil inlet, a worm wheel 5
secured to said hollow valve, a worm 10 mounted in the casing to engage with said
worm wheel, and a valve stem 12 mounted within the hollow valve and arranged to
regulate the discharge of steam therefrom.
17th. In combination with case or shell 1 provided with steam inlet 6, circum-
ferential enlargement 17, oil inlet 16 and discharge nozzle 3, the rotatable hollow
valve 7 provided with lateral openings 19 to register with steam inlet 6 or the
enlargement 17, and with a longitudinal depression as 20 to register with the oil
inlet, and a valve stem 12 mounted and adjustable within the hollow valve, all
substantially as shown.
18th. In combination with ease or shell 1 provided with suitable steam and oil
inlets, a discharge nozzle, a shoulder as 27, and a transverse enlargement as 23; a
hollow valve as 7 provided with an internal stem 12; a worm wheel 5 secured upon
the valve 7 and resting against or in proximity to the shoulder 27, a
mounted in the enlargement 23, to mesh with the worm wheel, and a cap as 4
screwing into the end of the shell or case and serving to retain the worm wheel
in position.
worm .10
19th. In an injector burner, the combination with a case or shell 1, constructed
substantially as shown and described, of the rotatable hollow valve 7 provided with a
stem 12 and with a loose end plate S; and a spring interposed between said plate
and the case or shell 1.
20th. In an injector burner, the combination with the case or shell constructed

page_text: substantially as shown, of the hollow valve 7, the screw stem 12, and worm
gearing, 5, 10, located wholly within the casing, for rotating the hollow valve.
21st. In an injector burner, the combination of a case or shell constructed sub-
stantially as shown and described, of a rotatable hollow valve as 7 adapted to regulate
the discharge of oil, and a longitudinally adjustable stem as 12 mounted within the
hollow valve and adapted to regulate the discharge of steam.
22nd. In an injector burner, the combination with a case or shell provided with
suitable oil and steam inlets and a discharge nozzle, a rotatable hollow valve mounted
therein, a spring arranged substantially as shown to hold the valve to its seat, and a
valve stem adjustable within the hollow valve.
23rd. In an injector burner, the combination with a case or shell provided with
suitable oil and steam inlets and a discharge nozzle, a hollow valve mounted therein,
a worm wheel encircling the hollow valve, and mounted within the shell, (the valve
being free to slide through the worm wheel) and a spring bearing upon the end of
the hollow valve, all substantially as shown.
Dated this Third dex of Ontahan 1007
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Agents for the Applicants.