Improvements in Steam-generators and in Heat-regulators for Use therewith.
Year: 1896

page_text: . Date of Application, 28th Oct., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 28th July, 1897-Accepted, 2nd Oct., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam-generators and in Heat-regulators for Use
therewith.
I, JOHN SMITH, of Upton Villa, Penge, in the County of Kent, Engineer, do
her by declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
y invention relates to an improved steam-generator and to means for auto-
matically regulating the heating of the surfaces exposed to the action of the heated
gases or vapours or to radiant heat.
The main object of my invention is to provide a powerful and safe tubular steam-
generator of small weight and bulk which will work satisfactorily with 'little or
no attention.
An important feature of my said invention is the combination, with the steam-
generating tubes or chambers, of a tube or tubes connected with or forming part
of a heat-regulator and so arranged that the heat applied to any part of the said
generating tubes or chamber's will be simultaneously applied or very rapidly con-
ducted or communicated to the adjacent part of the regulator-tube, which tube
contains water or other suitable liquid; therefore, should any part of the generating
tubes or chambers from any cause be heated above a predetermined temperature,
steam will be generated in the said regulator-tube, and the heat-regulator will
operate to reduce the supply of fuel or to close a damper or dampers or otherwise
diminish the heat applied to the generator, and when the temperature of the said
generating tubes or chambers falls below a predetermined degree, the heat-regulator
will operate inversely.
The steam-geneiating part of my improved generator, preferably consists of one
or more tubes which are in metallic connection throughout approximately their
entire length, with a separate regulator-tube, in such a manner that the temperature
of both the generating and the regulator tubes will be approximately equalised
by conduction of heat from one to the other, the said regulator-tube containing
water and being connected with or forming part of a regulator adapted to be
actuated by steam-pressure, so that, "when steam-pressure is generated in the
regulator tube, it will cut off or reduce the supply of heat to the generating tube
or tubes, thereby preventing generation of steam above a desired pressure and over-
heating of the said generating tube or tubes. I sometimes arrange a part of the
generator-tube on one side of the regulator-tube and another part on the opposite
side thereof.
I arrange the tubes, joined as above mentioned, in the form of a spiral or other
coil or in any other convenient form so that there will be spaces or passages between
the convolutions or bends of the said coil or other form; I sometimes arrange two
or more of such coils or other forms of the double or triple tube in such a position
one above another that the convolutions or bends of one will be above the spaces or
passages between the convolutions or bends of another.
I connect one end of the generating tube or tubes with a feed-water supply, and
also if necessary with an air vessel or dome, and I. provide the other end-thereof with

page_text: a safety-valve, pressure-gauge and steam-valve, using in some instances a steam-
reservoir or receiver at this end, on which the several fittings are mounted.
I arrange a suitable casing around and about the said coil or coils and provide
a furnace-space and chimney and air-passages in such a way that the generating
tube or tubes will be exposed to the action of the fire and heated gases and the
regulator-tube will be more or less shielded from the direct action of the fire.
I provide suitable dampers or deflectors in the chimney or flues and in the air-
passages which convey air to the furnace, and, when liquid or gaseous fuel is to
be used, I provide suitable valves for controlling the supply of the same to the
furnace or burners.
My heat-regulator comprises a cylinder provided with a steam-tight connection
to one end of the said regulator-tube, and with a piston connected with a weighted
or spring regulating lever and with suitable rods for transmitting the motion of
the piston to the said dampers, deflectors or valves in such a manner that, when
sufficient steam-pressure is generated in the regulator-tube the said piston will
move the dampers, deflectors or valves so that the supply of air to the furnace will
be stopped or partially stopped, or the heated gases from the fire will be deflected
into a branch flue, or the supply of liquid or gaseous fuel to the furnace or burners
will be stopped or partially stopped, and, when the pressure within the regulator-
tube is reduced, an inverse movement of the piston, dampers, deflectors or valves
will be produced by the force exerted by the spring or weight.
By adjusting the said spring or increasing or diminishing the weight on the said
lever, I can provide for maintaining any desired pressure in the boiler by means of
my improved regulator. My improved regulator will also serve for regulating or
stopping the supply of heat should the boiler run short of water; and also for
regulating the supply of heat to other boilers into which the water is pumped and
is evaporated as it enters the same, so as to maintain an approximately uniform
temperature of the heating surfaces either with the water in contact therewith or
not, and thus prevent burning or over-heating. My said regulator is also useful
for regulating the supply of heat to superheaters, ovens and the like.
I sometimes arrange a feed-water heater in the space above the generating tube
or tubes or in the flue or flues of my improved boiler so as to utilize the heat of
the gases before they escape through the chimney.
I provide the regulator-tube with a cock or a removable plug or other suitable
means for permitting of replenishing it with water.
My improved steam-generator can be advantageously used for driving engines
or motors and for other purposes where attention for lengthy periods is incon-
venient, as well as where constant attention can be easily given.
For example it can be used with great advantage for generating steam as and
when required for driving the engines or motors of horseless or self-propelled
vehicles, or of steam-launches or the like.
Dated this 28th day of October 1896.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London W.C., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam-generators and in Heat-regulators for Use
therewith.
I, JOHN SMITH, of Upton Villa, Penge, in the County of Surrey, 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:-
My invention relates to an improved steam-generator and to means for auto-

page_text: tube d between two convolutions of the generating tube as shown in the lower part
of the series of coils, it will be more or less 'shielded from the direct action of
the fire.
The aforesaid tubes a-a10 and d are enclosed in a casing f provided at its upper
end with a funnel f'; and heat is applied to the said tubes by means of a burner
enclosed in the lower part of another casing h, the upper part of which preferably
surrounds the casing f as shown, so as to leave a space between them for the ad-
mission of air for promoting combustion, the air entering through an opening h
in the top of the casingh protected by a disc or ring j projecting from the funnel f
and then passing down between the said 'casing and being heated thereby on its
Iway to the burner.
The heat-regulator shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a cylinder k in which is
fitted a piston k¹ loaded by means of a spring 1, which is preferably arranged in a
closed chamber above the said cylinder. The piston-rod is suitably coupled
to a lever m pivoted at m¹ to a fixed bracket or arm m2. The lower end of the
said cylinder is connected by a pipe n to the lower end of a vessel or chamber
arranged outside the steam-generator, to which vessel or chamber the two ends of
the regulator-tube d are connected. The space beneath the piston in the cylinder k,
the pipe n, the regulator tube d and a part of the vessel or chamber pare filled
with water or other suitable liquid. By this arrangement I ensure a circulation
of the water in the regulator-tube when heat is applied thereto, thus preventing
overheating of any part of the regulator-tube. The chamber 7 is so arranged in
combination with the tube d that the tubular system can be filled with liquid to
a level above the top of the said tube d, and the upper part of the said chamber p
is sometimes made to serve as an air-chamber. I prefer, however, to close the upper
end of the said chamber by means of a cap consisting of an air-chamber p' so that
there will always be a suitable quantity of air enclosed in the regulator to serve
as a cushion which will permit the expansion of the water before it is converted
into steam.
It is evident that the heat applied or communicated to the regulator-tube d will
cause a circulation of the water to take place therein; and that, if steam be
generated in any part of the regulator-tube d, pressure will be transmitted through
the liquid therein and in the pipe n and cylinder k to the piston k, and, when this
pressure is sufficient to overcome the force of the spring 1, the said piston will be
raised and the lever m thus turned upward about its pivot.
I can, if desired, use a weight in place of the aforesaid spring 1.
By adjusting the said spring or increasing or diminishing the weight on the
said lever m, I can provide for maintaining any desired pressure in the boiler by
means of my improved regulator. My improved regulator will also serve for
regulating or stopping the supply of heat should the boiler run short of water,
it being adapted to maintain an approximately uniform temperature of the heating
surfaces either with the water in contact therewith or not, and thus prevent burn-
ing or over-heating.
In the arrangements shown in Figures 1 to 4, this action is utilized for auto-
matically regulating or controlling the supply of fuel for heating the generator.
For this purpose, the regulator-lever m is preferably arranged to open and close the
orifices of a vapour-burner. It may, however, be arranged to effect such regulation
or control by acting upon a cock or valve on a pipe for the supply of liquid fuel.
The vapour-burner shown in Figures 2 and 3 comprises a sliding valve g arranged
within a suitable casing g' which is connected by a pipe u with an annular
chamber forming part of a vaporizer, which also comprises a series or group
of pipes u connected at their upper end with the said annular chamber ², and at
their lower end with an annular tube or chamber v. This chamber is connected
with a pipe v for the supply of liquid hydrocarbon. The sliding valve g is coupled
by means of a rod or link g² to a cross-bar el fixed in a ring w, which ring is secured
by means of a bayonet-joint in an eye formed on the lever m so that vapour issuing
from the burner can pass through the said ring. The said valve is made with taper

page_text: matically regulating the heating of the surfaces thereof exposed to the action of the
heated gases or vapours or to radiant heat.
The main object of my invention is to provide a safe tubular steam-generator
of small weight and bulk which will generate steam very rapidly and which will
work satisfactorily with but little or no attention.
An important feature of my said invention is the combination, with the steam-
generating tubes or chambers, of a tube or tubes connected with or forming part of
a heat-regulator and so arranged that the heat applied to any part of the said
generating tubes or chambers will be simultaneously applied or very rapidly con-
ducted or communicated to the adjacent part of the regulator-tube, which tube
contains water or other suitable liquid which when converted or partially converted
into steam will, under variations of temperature, actuate the said regulator; there-
fore, should any part of the generating tubes or chambers from any cause be heated
above the necessary temperature, steam will be generated in the said regulator-
tube and the heat-regulator will operate to reduce the supply of fuel or to close a
damper or dampers or otherwise diminish the heat applied to the generator, and
when the temperature of the said generating tubes or chambers falls below that
required, the heat-regulator will operate inversely and increase the heat applied to
the generator.
The steam-generating part of my improved generator preferably consists of one or
more tubes which are in metallic connection throughout the whole or a part of their
length, with an independent external regulator-tube, in such a manner that the
temperature of any part of the generating tube or tubes and of the adjacent part
of the regulator tube or tubes will be approximately equalised by conduction of heat
from one to the other, the said regulator-tube containing water and being connected
with or forming part of a regulator adapted to be actuated by steam-pressure, so
that, when steam-pressure is generated in the regulator-tube, it will cut off or reduce
the supply of heat to the generating tube or tubes thereby preventing generation
of steam above the desired pressure and overheating of any part of the said
generating tube or tubes. I sometimes arrange a part of the generator-tube on one
side of the regulator-tube and another part on the opposite or another side thereof.
In the accompanying drawings I have shown how my said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.
Figure 1 is a front elevation, and
Figure 2 a sectional side elevation, some of the parts being removed, illustrating
one form of my improved steam-generator.
Figure 3 is a vertical central section, drawn to an enlarged scale, of part of the
vapour-burner.
Figure 4 is a vertical central section showing another form or modification of
my heat-regulator with attached vapour-burner.
Figure 5 is a side elevation showing another arrangement of my improved steam-
generator.
Like letters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
In the arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2, a number of coiled or serpentine
generating tubes a, a¹, a², &c. are arranged one above another around and about
a central flue-tube e, and are connected one to another in any convenient manner.
These tubes are preferably of different diameters or bores and so joined together
that the tubes of smaller bore are near the top and those of larger diameter beneath.
The uppermost tube or coil a is connected with the feed-water supply-pipe b, and
the lowermost tube a¹0 is connected with a pipe c for conducting the steam from the
generator to an engine or other machine or apparatus in which it is to be utilized.
This pipe is provided with the usual fittings, such as a safety-valve c¹, pressure-
gauge and steam-valve e. In some instances a steam-reservoir or receiver is
used at this end, on which the said fittings are mounted.
A regulator-tube d is combined with the generating tubes or coils -10, and
is united by brazing or otherwise with one or more convolutions of each or any of
the said coils, so that it is in metallic connection therewith. By arranging the

page_text: grooves g³, Figure 3, in its periphery through which the vapour can issue, and which
are so arranged in combination with the upper edge of the casing g' that, by the raising
and lowering of the said valve, the area of the passages for the vapour will be
diminished or increased.
Beneath the burner is arranged a cup or trough y for containing spirit
to be ignited to start the vapour burner, the spirit being introduced into the
said cup or trough through an inclined channel y' or in any other convenient
manner.
By the means above described, when the lever m is raised or lowered by variations
of pressure in the heat regulator, the collective area of the passages for the escape
of the vapour from the burner will be diminished or increased, so as to vary the
heat applied to the generator accordingly.
In Figure 4 I have shown an arrangement of my regulator wherein the sliding
valve 9 of the vapour-burner is secured directly to the upper end of the piston-
rod, the said rod, in this case, extending through a stuffing-box g* beneath the
valve-casing g' of the burner.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 5, a furnace or combustion-chamber A is
connected with the interior of the casing f which encloses the generating tubes or
coils a-a¹ and the regulator tube d; and beneath the fire-grate of the said furnace
is arranged a damper B for regulating or controlling the draught. An arm B¹
fixed on the spindle of this damper, is coupled to the regulator-lever m by means
of a pin B2 working in a slot m³ in the said lever, so that the action of the lever m
will close or open the damper and thus regulate the heat applied to the generator
by varying the supply of air for promoting combustion.
It is obvious that I can somewhat vary the construction of my improved apparatus
without departing from the nature of my said invention. For instance in the case
of large boilers, I can arrange the generating tube in sections, each section being
provided with a burner and with one of my heat-regulators, or with a tube con-
nected with or forming part of a common heat-regulator. I can, if desired, use
other forms of burner for burning liquid or gaseous fuel, the supply being regulated
or controlled by a cock or valve operated by the aforesaid regulator. Or I can
connect the said regulator with a damper in the funnel or with any other suitable
device for varying the heat applied to the generator. The regulator tube may
extend along the entire length of the generating tube or coil or along only a portion
of its length as may be found most desirable.
My said regulator is also useful for regulating the supply of heat to superheaters,
ovens and the like.
I sometimes arrange a feed-water heater in the space above the generating tube
or tubes or in the flue or flues of my improved boiler so as to utilize the heat of the
gases before they escape through the chimney. In the arrangement shown the
uppermost coils of the generating tube serve as a feed-water heater.
"My improved steam-generator can be advantageously used for supplying steam
for driving engines or motors and for other purposes where attention for lengthy
periods is inconvenient as well as where constant attention can be easily given.
For example it can be used with great advantage for generating steam as and
when required for driving the engines or motors of horseless or self-propelled
vehicles or of steam-launches or the like.
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:-
First. A steam-generator provided with suitable means for regulating the supply
of heat thereto by the conversion of liquid into steam in one or more tubes extend-
ing along the exterior of and thermally connected with the steam-generating tubes
or chambers, substantially as hereinbefore described.
Second. In a steam-generator, the combination, with the steam-generating tubes
or chambers, of an independent tube extending along the exterior of these tubes

page_text: or chambers and in metallic connection therewith,, and communicating with a
cylinder in which works- a piston connected with a suitable device for regulating.
the supply of heat to the said 'generating tubes or chambers, substantially as here--
inbefore described.
Third: A heat-regulátor for a-steam-generator, comprising a tube for containing
water or other liquid; suitably arranged in combination with the steam-generating.
tubes or chambers and connected: with. an exterior vessel: or. chamber so that a
circulation of the liquid through the said tube will be caused by the heat applied.to
it; for the purposes above specified!
Fourth: The combination of the regulator-tube, the external vessel or chamber
connected with both ends thereof andi communicating with the cylinder of the
regulator, and the adjustable burner connected with the lèver: of the said regulator;.
substantially as, and for the purposes, above specified:
Fifth. The provision of an air-chamber on my improved heat-regulator above the
level of the uppermost part oft the regulator-tube;. substantially as; and: for the
purposes, above described.
Sixth. The steam generator provided with the improved: heat-regulator con-
structed; arranged and operating substantially. as described with reference to
Figures 1; 2. and 3, or to Figure 4 of the drawings; and for the purposes above
specified.
Seventh. The modification of my invention in which the piston. of the heat-
regulator is arranged to operate a damper, substantially as described with reference
to Figure 5 of the drawings.
Dated the 26th day, of July 1897.
D..Young & Co.,
JOHN SMITH.
11.&.12 Southampton Buildings, London WC., Agents for the Applicant.