Improvements in Steam Boilers
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Dec., 1895-Accepted, 25th Apr., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Boilers,
1, JOHN EDWARD SCHLIEPER, of Conestoga Building, Pittsburgh, Allegheny
County, Pennsylvania, United States of America, Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of my 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 my invention is to improve the construction and operation of
water-tube boilers, and the invention consists in the features and combinations
hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a vertical section taken through the fire box from front to rear of my
improved boiler when made with multiple communicating mud drums, upper steam
and water drums and a secondary drum placed at a lower level than the upper
steam and water drums and having water communication therewith or with some
of them;
Fig. 2 a vertical sectional view of an ordinary Stirling boiler of the class
described in Letters Patent No. 13614" provided with an elevated feed drum
in the forward part of the boiler and a pipe or pipes leading back to the proper
part or position for introducing water into the boiler proper;
Fig. 3 the same as Fig. 2, but showing a modified form of boiler;
Fig. 4 a vertical sectional elevation of my improved boiler showing a peculiar
arrangement of drums and connecting tubes; and
Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 vertical sectional elevations showing modified forms of boilers
in which the upper ends of the tubes of the several banks connect directly into
elevated steam and water drums and the lower ends into a suitable header or
headers.
In all the figures, A, A' A², are elevated steam and water drums; B the lower
mud drum or drums; C banks of tubes connecting the lower mud drum or drums
(or headers) to the elevated steam and water drums; D the fire chamber; and
E fire brick partitions or shelves adjacent to or between the several banks of tubes.
In Fig. 1, F is the secondary drum placed below the water level of the elevated
drums and in connection therewith or with some of them; in Figs. 2 and 3 G is
the elevated feed drum in the forward part of the boiler; in Figs. 5 and 6 H is an
elevated feed drum; and in Figs. 5, 6, I a header or headers.
In constructing my improved boiler or boilers, I arrange the front, middle and
rear elevated drums and steam and water pipes connecting the same, the lower mud
drum or drums, the water tubes connecting the upper and lower drums, the fire
chamber, and fire-brick arch, partitions and shelves, in the general position and
relation to each other usual in a Stirling boiler-except as to changes required by
special forms or features.
In the form of boiler shown in Fig. 1, the most important feature of my inven-
tion consists in providing a secondary elevated drum for regulating or controlling
the water levels in the other elevated drums and preventing priming or foaming.
In this form of boiler two steam and water drums are arranged in the upper part
of the boiler, having steam and water communication between them, direct or
circuitous as desired. The secondary water drum, which may be of any desired
size, is preferably placed at a lower level than the main steam and water drums, so
as to reduce the water levels therein and thus prevent priming or foaming. The

page_text: secondary drum also provides additional heating surface and aids in regulating the
circulation of water in the boiler.
Two mud drums are arranged in the lower part of the boiler having water
communication with each other, direct or circuitous as desired. The elevated
steam and water drums are connected with the mud drums by banks of tubes,
respectively, and the secondary elevated drum is connected with one of the mud
drums by a tube or tubes as desired.
An elevated feed water drum is connected with a mud drum by a bank of tubes,
this feed drum, mud drum and bank of tubes being in the rear of the steam and
water drums, mud drums and their connecting banks of tubes above described.
The elevated feed drum has steam communication with the forward elevated
steam and water drums, which furnishes an outlet for steam generated therein
and in the rear bank of tubes; and the rear lower mud drum has water com-
munication with the forward mud drun or drums, direct or circuitous as
desired.
In operation, the feed water enters the rear upper drum and passes down into
the rear mud drum, being slightly warmed or heated in its passage, so that a
portion of its sediment may be precipitated before it passes into general circu-
lation. The water then passes on into the forward mud drum or drums, up into
the elevated drums, across from one drum to another, down again to the mud
drums, and so on continuously-allowance being of course made for evaporation.
During this general circulation, the elevated drum being so arranged that a large
part of the water passes through it performs the functions above stated-reduces
the water level, aids in regulating the circulation and in preventing foaming or
priming, and increases the heating surface.
In the form of boiler shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the most important feature of my
invention consists in providing for the introduction of feed water in the forward
part of the boiler, immediately over the furnace, and afterwards introducing it into
general circulation. To this end I provide a suitable feed drum, which I prefer to
place in an elevated position in the forward part of the boiler, from-which-drum
suitable pipes lead to the proper part or position for introducing water into the
boiler proper. As shown, these pipes lead from the feed drum to the rear elevated
drum; and, although changes may be made in this respect, I prefer to arrange
them in this way. The feed drum is of course provided with a suitable supply pipe
for introducing feed water.
Although not always necessary, I prefer to use a feed water heater for raising
the temperature of the water before introducing it into the boiler; but, whether
this.be done or not, my arrangement of the feed drum in an elevated position in the
forward part of the boiler, with the pipes leading therefrom, enables the water to
be more or less heated before it finally enters into the general circulation. This
heating of course causes the precipitation of sediment or scale matter, which may
be removed from either the feed drum or lower mud drum by blowing off or
otherwise.
Another part of my invention is shown in the modified form of boiler illustrated
in Fig. 3. In this modification there are three banks of tubes, and the mud drum
is formed of separate drums or compartments connected by an enlarged pipe. It
will be understood, however, that this form of mud drum is not necessary, except
in the particular construction shown in said figure; and, even in such construction,
the different drums or compartments may be connected by a comparatively small
pipe, or by several small pipes or nipples, instead of by the large pipe shown.
Whatever be the general form of the boiler, suitable fire-brick partitions or
shelves should be arranged in such positions as to properly deflect and distribute
the flue gases; but in this form, especially, 1 prefer to have suitable baffle tiling
extend down from the rear upper drum, in the middle of the rear bank of tubes, to
facilitate local circulations therein. In this construction I also prefer to have three
banks of tubes; but the middle bank may be omitted, and the relative size of the
banks or number of tubes in each bank changed as desired.

page_text: As will be seen, the elevated feed drum in the forward part of the boiler is
applicable to an ordinary Stirling boiler as well as to modified forms thereof; but,
inasmuch as such feed drum may be used in other forms of boilers, it will be under-
stood that I do not intend to limit myself to its use in the form shown, or in any
other particular construction-it being my intention to use it in any and all forms
and positions to which it may be found applicable. The same remark will apply
to the modified form of boiler constituting the other feature of my invention.
In the form of boiler shown in Fig. 4 the most important feature of my invention
consists in the arrangement of the drums and tubes with relation to each other. In
this form of boiler the feed water is introduced into a water drum which I call a
feed drum, and which is located in an elevated position with reference to the mud
drum. From the feed drum the water passes forward and downward to the lower
mud drum; thence forward and upward to the front water drum, which is also
elevated with reference to the mud drum; thence backward and upward to the
steam and water drum, which is still more elevated and directly above the mud
drum; and thence backward and downward to the feed druni-allowance being of
course made for evaporation. This would be the natural course of the circulation,
if it were not for the substantially vertical bank of tubes connecting the lower
mud drum and the upper steam and water drum; but this bank materially affects
the circulation, generation of steam, etc.
Suitable fire-brick partitions and shelves are arranged adjacent to or between the
banks of tubes to direct the flame or heated gases, preferably in such way as to
cause them to pass along and among the tubes so as to completely envelop and heat
the same throughout at least part of their length.
A deflecting plate or partition, b, may be placed in the feed-drum, in such position
that the feed water coming in below the same will be naturally directed toward the
mud drum. A similar plate or partition, a, may be placed in the mud drum in such
position as to require the water to pass in below the same, and thus deposit a large
part of its sediment, before entering the forward tubes or parts of the boiler.
Although I prefer to use the middle bank of tubes, connecting the mud drum
with the upper steam and water drum, still this bank may in some cases be omitted,
and additional drums may be used; or the position or relation of the drums with
reference to each other changed to suit special requirements or circumstances.
In the form of boiler shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 the most important feature of
my invention consists in connecting the upper ends of the several banks of tubes
directly into drums and the lower ends into headers. The elevated drums may
have steam and water communication with each other after the manner of an
ordinary Stirling boiler, or in any other convenient manner; and the header or
headers may be provided with hand-holes or not as desired.
A mud drum is placed at some convenient point in the lower part of the boiler,
preferably at the lower end of each header. This mud drum being in communi-
cation with the header, impurities are deposited therein, which impurities may
afterwards be blown off or removed in any convenient way.
In the form of boiler shown in Fig. 5, the feed water is introduced into a feed
drum above the header and communicating therewith. After entering the feed
drum the water passes down through the header to the mud drum, and flows out
in general circulation from the header and up and through the several banks of
tubes into the elevated steam and water drums.
In the form of boiler shown in Fig. 6, the feed drum has separate communication
with the mud drum, the latter also communicating with the lower end of the
header. After entering the feed drum, the water passes down into the mud drum,
thence back and up into the header, and thence out and up in general circulation
through the several banks of tubes into the elevated steam and water drums.
In the form of boiler shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the feed water is introduced into
the rear upper drum, after which it passes down through the rear bank of tubes
into the header and thence into the mud drum, also flowing out and up into the
elevated steam and water drums. As shown in Fig. 8, also, there are two headers

page_text: and mud drums having water communication with each other. The water passing
down into the rear header and mud-drum, immediately passes on into the forward
mud drum and thence up through the forward header and out and up through the
front and middle banks of tubes, or one of them, into the front and middle steam
and water drums.
The water communication between the elevated feed drum and lower mud-drum
may be directly through the header (as shown in Figs. 5, 7 and 8), or by means of
separate tubes or pipes, one or more as desired, as shown in Fig. 6.
It will of course be understood that as to all my improvements the features
shown in any one figure may be used with those shown in any other figure; and
generally that changes may be made in details, form or construction, and parts
omitted or equivalents used, as circumstances may suggest or render expedient.
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 boiler, a secondary drum having water communication with
elevated steam and water drums. and a lower mud drum, substantially as described.
2. In a water-tube boiler, the combination of two elevated steam and water
drums having communication with each other, a secondary drum arranged at a
lower level than the elevated steam and water drums and having water com-
munication therewith, a lower mud drum or drums having water communication
with the elevated steam and water drums, and means for supplying and feeding
water into the lower mud drum or drums, substantially as described.
3. In a water-tube boiler, the combination of two elevated steam and water
drums having communication with each other, a secondary drum placed at a lower
level than the elevated steam and water drums and having water communication
therewith, an elevated feed water drum, a front lower mud drum or drums having
water communication with the elevated steam and water drums, and a rear lower
mud drum having water communication with the elevated feed drum and with the
front mud drum or drums, substantially as described.
4. In a water-tube boiler, the combination of a feed drum in elevated position
adjacent to the furnace, means for introducing water into the feed drum, and means
for conducting water from the feed drum and introducing it into general circulation,
substantially as described.
5. In a water-tube boiler, the combination of a feed drum in elevated position
adjacent to the furnace, means for introducing water into the feed drum, and a
pipe or pipes extending from the feed drum to a drum in the rear part of the
boiler whereby water may be introduced into general circulation, substantially as
described.
6. In a water-tube boiler, the combination of elevated steam and water drums
communicating with each other, a lower mud drum formed of communicating
drums or members, a bank of tubes connecting the rear elevated drum with the
rear member of the mud drum, a bank of tubes connecting the front elevated
drum with the front member of the mud drum, and means for introducing feed
water, substantially as described.
7. In a water-tube boiler, the combination of elevated steam and water drums
communicating with each other, a lower mud drum formed of communicating
drums or members, a bank of tubes connecting the rear elevated drum with the
rear member of the mud drum, a bank of tubes connecting the front elevated
drum with the front member of the mud drum, an elevated feed drum in the
forward part of the boiler, means for introducing water into the feed drum, and
pipes communicating between the feed drum and the rear upper drum whereby
water may be introduced into the rear upper drum and into general circulation
substantially as described.
8. In a water-tube boiler, the combination of elevated steam and water drums
communicating with each other, a lower mud drum formed of communicating

page_text: drums or members, a bank of tubes connecting the rear elevated drum with the
rear member of the mud drum, a bank of tubes connecting the front elevated
drum with the front member of the mud drum, a middle bank of tubes con-
necting the communicating pipes between the elevated drums and the rear and
forward members of the mud drum, respectively, an elevated feed drum in the
forward part of the boiler, means for introducing water into the feed drum, and
pipes communicating between the feed drum and the rear upper drum whereby
water may be introduced into the rear upper drum and into general circulation,
substantially as described.
9. In a water-tube boiler, the combination of four drums and four banks of
tubes, each of the drums receiving the ends of two banks of tubes whereby
water may circulate through all the drums and tubes, substantially as described.
10. In a water-tube boiler, the combination of four drums and five banks of
tubes, each of the outer drums receiving the ends of two banks of tubes and
each of the inner drums the ends of three banks of tubes whereby water may
circulate through all the drums and tubes, substantially as described.
11. In a water-tube boiler, the combination of an elevated feed drum, a lower
mud drum, an elevated water drum, an elevated steam and water drum, banks of
tubes connecting the several drums, and a bank of tubes in the central part of
the boiler connecting the lower mud drum and elevated steam and water drum,
substantially as described.
12. In a water-tube boiler, the combination of an elevated feed drum, a lower
mud drum, an elevated water drum, an elevated steam and water drum, and
banks of tubes connecting the several drums, the feed drum being provided with
an interior plate or partition to direct the water into the mud drum, and the
mud drum being provided with an interior plate or partition to aid in depositing
sediment before the water passes into the forward parts of the boiler, substantially
as described.
13. In a water-tube boiler, the combination of elevated steam and water drums,
a header in the rear part of the boiler, banks of tubes connecting the elevated
drums with the header, a lower mud drum communicating with the beader,
and means for introducing feed water into the header and lower mud drum,
substantially as described.
14. In a water-tube boiler, the combination of elevated steam and water drums,
a header in the rear part of the boiler, banks of tubes connecting the elevated
drums with the header, a lower mud drum communicating with the header, and
an elevated feed drum communicating with the lower mud-drum, substantially
as described.
15. In a water-tube boiler, the combination of elevated steam and water drums,
a rear header, a bank of tubes connecting the rear elevated drum with the rear
header, a forward header, banks of tubes connecting the front and middle elevated
drums with the forward header, two lower mud drums communicating with each
other and with the headers, substantially as described.
Dated this 5th day of December 1895.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.