Improvements in Apparatus for Inducing Draught and Preventing Smoke in Furnaces and Back Pressure in Steam and other Enginės.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Nov., 1898-Accepted, 7th Jan., 1899 -
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION..
Improvements in Apparatus for Inducing Draught and Preventing
Smoke in Furnaces and Back Pressure in Steam and other
Enginės.
I, JOHN Y. SMITH, of the City and County of Allegheny, in the State of
Pennsylvania, one of the United States of America; Mechanical 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 invention is two-fold, namely, first, to consume, destroy, dis-
sipate or otherwise eliminate or get rid of the smoke arising from combustion in
furnaces, and second, to reduce or obviate the back pressure in engines. And
where the apparatus of my invention is employed in a steam plant or steam
apparatus in which a furnace and an engine are combined, these two functions are
performed conjointly.
It is apparent from this statement of the object of the invention that my said
invention is applicable to all sorts of furnaces, and also to engines, and to a great
variety of,. if not all, steam plants, but for the sake of a concrete example, and
in description of the principle. of my invention will describe my said invention
herein as applied to a locomotive engine; but I wish distinctly to be understood
as not limiting my invention to such use; and further I wish to be understood
as comprehending in the claims hereinafter made, all uses.to which my invention
is applicable.
I wish also to add that my invention is capable of use with steam, air gas,
and other power or motive fluid.
With this comprehensive statement in mind, my invention consists of a moke
consumer and back pressure reducer, composed of a chamber adapted to receive the
motive agent at two points, and divided into two compartments which communi-
cate with the external atmosphere by a peculiar exit device, which latter forms
one of the essential features of the present invention. Another peculiarity of the
present invention is the manner of dividing the chamber into two compartments.
And still another feature of the invention, resides in details of construction
whereby the apparatus may be readily assembled and access had thereto for clean-
ing and other purposes. Additional features of the invention comprising details
of construction and combination of parts will appear more fully hereinafter:
In the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention, in the several figures
of which like parts are similarly designated, Fig. 1 is a side elevation. Fig. 2
is a plan view with a portion of the exit device broken away. Fig. 3 is a cross
section taken substantially in the plane of line 3-3, Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a trans-
verse section taken substantially in the plane of line 4-4, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a
bottom plan view of the exit device with a portion of its foot flange broken away
and in horizontal section. Fig. 6 is a partly sectional elevation, illustrating one
arrangement of my invention in a locomotive. Fig. 7 is a view similar to

page_text: Fig. 6 showing another arrangement, and also illustrating a modification of the
apparatus, the latter being shown on a larger scale in Figs. 8 and 9, Fig. 8
being a vertical section, and Fig. 9 a top plan view.
Assuming that the apparatus is to be applied to a steam locomotive, using coal
for fuel, I provide in the smoke box and adjacent to the smoke stack, as in
Fig. 6, the chamber a. This chamber is made as an annulus, and as in the modi-
fication Fig. 6, is cast integrally with the tubular flanged feet b, which are
adapted to be connected by a Y lettered c, to tubes d, which extend from the
exhaust ports of the engines e.
The chamber is divided into two compartments by a vertical wall f, the face
of which is provided with a groove fl. This vertical wall is connected trans-
versely with the outer wall of the chamber a, by a bottom f2, which slants in
opposite directions from its highest point next to one of the tubular feet, down-
wardly to its lowest point next to the opposite tubular foot, while on the opposite
side, the said wall fis connected by a transversely arranged bottom 3 with the
inner wall of the chamber, and said bottom f³ similarly slants from its highest
point opposite the highest point of the bottom f to its lowest point opposite the
lowest point of the bottom f. Thus the divided chamber has two compartments,
separated from one another by a vertical wall common to both, but by individual
bottoms, the said bottoms, and consequently the two compartments, communicat-
ing immediately only with the opposite tubular feet, and not with each other.
The conformation and construction of the vertical wall and its bottoms will be
seen by comparison of Figs. 1-4; and while the outer wall of the chamber con-
forms to the inclination of the bottoms, the inner wall a¹ is of uniform height,
as clearly shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4.
It will be observed that the top of the two compartments is open and supplied
with a removable cover-plate g. This cover-plate is made with a series of per-
forations g', and its lower side is constructed with a serpentine flange g³, which,
as shown more particularly in the mutilated portion of Fig. 5, passes about the
perforations g alternately, so that the alternate holes or perforations are on oppo-
site sides of the said flange, or, in other words, the first and third holes are on
one side of the flange and the second and fourth on the opposite side of the said
flange, and so on continuously throughout the series of holes; each hole thus
having an individual pocket formed in and by the serpentine flange.
flange g² terminates in a foot g³, which is provided with a vertical web g', which
is adapted to fit in the groove f¹ of the wall f to form a practically tight joint
therewith.
The
As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the edges of the inner and outer walls of the
chamber may be rabbeted or otherwise prepared to receive the plate g; and under-
cut or overhanging lugs h and i project above the said outer and inner walls,
their grooves being cut at an incline, and the plate is provided with correspond-
ingly inclined lugs j and k to cooperate with said lugs h and i, when the plate
is given a circular movement, in order to bind by their combined wedge action,
the plate, with a tight joint, over the top of the chamber a. When the plate is
so secured over the chamber, its flange and foot complete the division of the
chamber into two compartments; and these compartments have no inter-commu-
nication. One of the compartments open from one of the tubular feet through
the exit device, (that is to say, the plate g), to the smoke box and stack, by
means of the peculiar arrangement of the serpentine flange and the cover plate
with relation to the holes therein, and the other compartment has an analogous
communication from the other tubular foot to the smoke box and stack.
In order to further secure the cover-plate in place, lugs and m on the cover-
plate and chamber wall respectively, may be connected by a bolt n.
The lug may be duplicated, as at 1, Fig. 5, on the opposite side of the cover
plate, to afford means for rotating the said cover plate, and for lifting it in and
out of place.

page_text: If desired, hand-holes o may be provided at the sides of the chamber in order to
obtain access to said chamber for cleaning purposes, and such cleaning may be
effected by burning out with a plumber's torcli. The hand-holes are provided
with covers o¹, which may be held in place by usual yokes 02 and set screws o³,
substantially as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3.
It will be observed, by comparing Figs. 3 and 4, that the tubular feet are sub-
stantially elliptical, and this for purposes of affording large area of working sur-
face; and the compartments have the greatest area at the induct and the least
at the exit, so as to equalize the pressure throughout the compartments; all of
the parts being designed to afford the freest possible flow of the active fluid.
As shown in Fig. 6 the apparatus of my invention may be located somewhat
below the smoke stack and the petticoat p may be introduced between the two to
make a continuous communication between the apparatus and the smoke stack.
Instead of making the connection between the engine exhaust and my apparatus
in front of the smoke flues of the boiler, as in Fig. 6, I may deflect the connect-
ing parts as at d', Fig. 7, and in that case the said pipes will be connected to
the sides of the apparatus, and the hand holes may or may not be employed.
In some cases, and with some flues, it may be possible to use a nest of
connected two-compartment chambers of different sizes, as shown in Figs. 7, S
and 9, the respective compartments of the several chambers being connected from
one to the other by pipes q and r.
As shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the smoke passage through the apparatus, may be.
provided with a hollow plugs which will serve as a sort of damper to regulate
the area of such passage, and such damper may be supported upon a levers,
which in turn is adapted to be operated by a rock shaft having a crank,
which may be supplied with a rod or other operating device leading to the cab.
As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, I may employ a ring blower t for use in diffusing
or dissipating and so minimizing the nuisance of smoke while the engine is idle
or the locomotive not running, and this ring blower may receive steam from the
engine through a pipe .
.. The operation is substantially as follows. When the engine is running, the
exhaust steam escapes, first into one compartment and then the other of the cham-
ber a, and as it forcibly emerges through the holes in the cover-plate or exit
device, it draws the smoke from the furnace, and so attenuates or dissipates it as
to render it practically imperceptible and entirely innocuous. At the same time,
and by this operation, a vacuum, so called, is produced in the other chamber,
and extending to the other engine draws out of it all or practically all back pre-
and thus relieves the engine from the influence of such back pressure. And
this cycle of operations is repeated in alternate chambers and with opposite
engines as long as the latter are running.
sure,
Tests made, extending over a month, on a locomotive in actual usual duty, and
under ordinary circumstances demonstrate that not only is the smoke consumed or
destroyed, but there are no sparks or live cinders emitted from the smoke stack;
also that the consumption of coal is largely reduced; also that the accumulation
of cinder and dirt in the smoke box or extension front is enormously reduced;
also that the same duty may be gotten out of an engine under very much less
pressure of steam than is required without my invention; also that all of these
beneficial results were attained without the use of a spark arrester in the smoke
stack;
also that by reason of the excessive reductions of back pressure in the
engines, there is little or no thrashing of the engine, that is to say, the sidewise
motion, and consequently the wear on the track is largely reduced, and the
engines work more easily. And I am led to believe that with my invention the
extension front may be entirely dispensed with.
No attempt will be made herein to explain theoretically or scientifically the
action of my apparatus in effecting these results, but as already stated, they have
been obtained in the actual use of the invention.
I have shown and described a serpentine foot-flange on the exit device or cover-

page_text: plate, but I wish to be understood as not limiting my invention to that conforma-
tion, since it is obvious that other forms or constructions of this foot-flange may
be utilized so long as communication with the opposite compartments is preserved
through alternate holes in the said exit device or cover-plate.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. An apparatus for the purpose described, comprising a chamber having a
fluid-pressure connection and divided into two compartments by a wall, each com-
partment having a double inclined bottom branching from and solid with said
wall, and a cover for said chamber having a serpentine flange provided with a
foot to make a tight joint with the wall and a series of holes or perforations
alternately opening into the two compartments on opposite sides of the said
flange, substantially as specified.
2. An apparatus for the purpose described, comprising a chamber divided into
two compartments by a wall, double inclined bottoms for said compartments
extending in opposite directions from said wall, a pressure inlet, individual con-
nections between the inlet and the two compartments, and a cover-plate for said
chamber removably applied thereto, and having a series of outlets and a flange
constructed with pockets for each outlet, the said pockets leading alternately to
opposite compartments, and a foot on said flange fitted to the wall and forming a
continuation thereof up to the holes in the cover, substantially as specified.
3. An apparatus of the character and for the purposes described, comprising a
chamber divided into two compartments by a wall, the bottoms of said compart-
ments being formed as double inclines extending laterally or transversely from
the said wall and having their highest points at opposite sides of the chamber,
pressure inlets arranged adjacent to the highest points of the bottoms, each com-
partment communicating with its own inlet at the lowest point of its bottom, and
a cover-plate applied to said chamber and having a foot-flange fitted to said wall
to constitute a continuation thereof, the said plate having a series of holes and
the said foot-flange extending from one side of one hole to the other side of the
next adjacent hole and between the holes, so as to separate them and cause one
hole to communicate with one compartment and the next hole with the other
compartment of the chamber, and so on continuously throughout the series of
holes, whereby upon the admission of pressure to one compartment, an outward
blast will be produced through said compartment and its communicating holes,
and a vacuum will be produced in the other compartment, substantially as
specified.
4. In an apparatus of the character and for the purposes described, a chamber
having concentric inner and outer walls, a concentric division wall between them
provided with double inclined bottoms, one of which bottoms projects laterally
from the outer wall to the division wall, and the other projects from the inner
wall to the division wall, individual pressure inlets for the two compartments
into which the respective bottoms run out, and a cover-plate applied to the
chamber and having holes, each of which has its own pocket formed in and by a
foot-flange which is jointed to the division wall and forms a continuation thereof
and of the respective compartments and effects communication with the respective
compartments through alternate holes, substantially as specified.
5. In an apparatus of the character and for the purposes described, the com-
bination with a chamber divided into two compartments by a division wall, of a
cover-plate provided with a foot-flange which forms a continuation of the division
wall, and is provided with a series of holes which alternately communicate with
opposite compartments, and means to detachably connect the said cover-plate with
the said chamber, substantially as specified.
6. In an apparatus of the character and for the purposes described; the com-

page_text: bination of a chamber divided into two compartments by a division wall having
a grooved face, and a cover for said chamber provided with a foot-flange fitted to
the groove in the face of the division wall, the said plate having a series of holes
and the foot-flange passing from one hole to another back and forth, so as to put
adjacent holes in communication with opposite compartments, substantially as
specified.
7. An apparatus of the character and for the purposes described, comprising a
series of chambers each divided into two independent compartments, and means
for connecting the several compartments in similar series, and with a pressure
apparatus, whereby upon the admission of pressure to one series of compartments,
an outward blast will be produced through said compartments and a vacuum will
be produced in the other series of compartments, substantially as specified.
Dated this 14th day of November 1898.
HARRIS & MILLS,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.
HARRIS & MILLS,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.