Improvements in Water-tube Boilers.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application. 8th Jan., 1895-4ccepted, 30th Mar., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by JAMES KAINE, Marine Engineer, No. 26, Irving
Place, Flatbush, CHARLES HOWARD BOYER, Water Transportation Engineer,
of No. 186, Gates Avenue, and FRANK WOODRUFF BOYER, Water Trans-
portation Engineer, of No. 516, Nostrand Avenue, all in Brooklyn, New York,
United States of America.]
Improvements in Water-tube Boilers.
I, DAVID YOUNG, Patent Agent, of the Firm of D. Young & Co. of 11 and
12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., 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 that type of steam-generators commonly known as pipe
boilers, or water-tube boilers. It is my purpose to provide a steam boiler of this
kind having the utmost simplicity of construction and in which the maximum
strength shall be combined with the minimum of weight and with a construction
and arrangement whereby access may be had to any part of the boiler with the
greatest ease and with the least delay, for the purpose of cleaning or repairing, or
for the removal of any one or more, of the parts and the substitution of other
duplicate portions.
It is a further purpose of my invention to provide a steam boiler possessing the
characteristics mentioned and so organized that, while provided with ample water
and steam space and capable of generating very large volumes of steam with great
rapidity, the boiler shall occupy an extremely small floor area and cubic space,
shall have no joints exposed to the direct action of the fire, shall have a low center
of gravity, a short, rapid, and perfect circulation, whereby the boiler is practically
self-cleansing and shall have such uniform distribution of steam pressure and such
arrangement of the steam drum and water columns that the rupture of the joints,
or the explosion of the boiler, shall be impracticable.
Finally, it is my purpose to provide a boiler especially adapted to marine engines
of very high speed, to be used upon boats of light draft, where the utmost economy
of space and very light weight, with ample strength, entire safety, a greatly
amplified heating-surface, a capacity of generating large volumes of steam with
the utmost rapidity and uniformity, and an economical consumption of fuel are all
essential.
My invention consists, to these ends, in the novel features of construction and
new combination of parts hereinafter described in detail, and then particularly
pointed out and defined in the claims which conclude this Specification.
To enable those skilled in the art to which my said invention pertains to fully
understand and to make and use the same, I will proceed to describe said invention
in full, reference being had for this purpose to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the boiler, the casing being removed.
Figure 2 is a vertical section, from front to rear, upon the line -, Figure 4.
Figure 3 is a plan view of the parts shown in Figure 1.
Figure 4 is front elevation of the same partly in section.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of the same.
Figure 6 is a rear elevation, with part of the pipes removed.
'
The reference numeral 1, in the said drawings indicates the steam drum, which
is arranged at the upper front of the boiler and extends from side to side thereof

page_text: Communicating with said drum at or near its ends, are two vertical or nearly
vertical water columns 2, which open into the lower side of the drum and extend
thence downward to the front ends of two horizontal, or nearly horizontal, water-
legs 3, having about the same diameter as the water-columns. These water-legs
lie substantially, in the same planes with the two series of side-pipes 4, which
practically enclose the combustion chamber, although suitable provision is made to
permit the products of combustion to pass between said pipes. The latter are arranged
in parallelism with each other and, with the water-legs 3, and their ends are
connected, alternately, at front and rear, to form a continuous passage from the
rearward end of the lowest length of said pipe to the corresponding end of the
upper length, which is connected in the manner presently to be explained. Suitable
intervals are allowed between adjacent lengths of pipe to allow the circulation of
the products of combustion.
At their rearward ends the water-legs 3 communicate with the ends of a thir
water-leg 5, which extends transversely from side to side of the rear end of the
combustion-chamber. Communicating with the third leg 5 are two alternating
series of vertical, or nearly vertical pipes 6 and 6* which rise from the upper side
of the leg to a point near the horizontal plane of the water-drum 1.
These pipes
are arranged as close together as will permit access to the couplings 7 and in order
to employ the greatest number possible within a limited space, the openings by
which they enter the leg 5 are arranged in two alternating lines or series, as shown
in Figures 2, 3, and 6. At their upper ends the said pipes are coupled to a series
of nearly horizontal pipes 8, of somewhat less diameter, the latter series extending
forward to the middle of the combustion-chamber, or thereabouts where their ends
are coupled to a double series of short, vertical, or nearly vertical pipes 9 and 10,
the former series being considerably the shorter. The series 9 are coupled at their
upper ends to the rearward ends of a series of horizontal, or nearly horizontal
manifolds 12, arranged substantially in the same horizontal plane and extending
forward to the steam-drum 1, which they enter upon the rearward side of said
drum. The pipes 10, of the other series, rise to a higher point and their ends are
coupled, in a similar manner, to the rearward ends of a series of manifolds 13, which
also extend forward to the steam-drum with which they communicate by angular
couplings 14, entering the drum about midway between the top and the rearward
side of said drum. The two series of manifolds are thus alternated in position,
such arrangement being made necessary by the increased diameter of the manifolds
relatively to the two series of pipes 9 and 10.
Each of the pipes 6 and 6ª is entered upon its front and from a point immediately
below the coupling at the upper end, by a closely arranged series of pipes 15, of
comparatively small diameter. These pipes are arranged in the same vertical
plane, in each group, and each series extends down to the middle point or there
about, of the pipe 6, with which the series communicates. The members in each
group, or series, are arranged at narrow intervals of separation, in order to include
as many pipes in each series as possible, consistently with the proper circulation of
the products of combustion. The pipes of each vertical series extend forward,
nearly in a horizontal plane until beneath the manifold 12, or 13, lying in, or nearly
in the same vertical plane. They are then bent into a vertical, or nearly vertical
direction and enter the lower side of the manifolds, the uppermost pipe in the series
entering near the rear end of the manifold, and the others at substantially regular
intervals successively approaching the forward end of the said manifold. Thus,
each pipe, counting from above downward will be of somewhat greater length, in
both its horizontal and its vertical branch, than the pipe next above and the lowest
pipe in the series will extend to, or nearly to, the front end of the combustion-
chamber, before it is curved upward. As already stated, the pipes from one series
of vertical pipes 6 will enter one horizontal series of manifolds, as 12, while those
from the other and alternating series of said pipe 6 will enter the other series of
manifolds.
The side pipes 4 each communicate with one of the water-legs 3, near the rearward

page_text: end of the latter, by an angular coupling 16, and a branch pipe 17, Figure 1, the
latter being coupled to the forward end of the lower length or branch of the side-
pipe, and extending beside and parallel with the latter, and close to the upper side
of the water-leg, to the coupling 16. The upper length, or branch, of each side-
pipe 4 terminates near the front of the combustion-chamber where it is coupled to
a vertical pipe 18, which passes up to a T-coupling 9, which communicates with
the steam-drum and also with the forward end of the manifold 13, in the upper
series, lying next to the side of the combustion-chamber. The two lateral manifolds
in the series 13, therefore, communicate with the steam-drum 1 by way of the
couplings 19, which enter at points a little below the lower series of manifolds 12,
the opening for one of said couplings being shown in Figure 6. Connection for
the water-tubes, gauge-cocks &c., is made by a pipe 20, from the top of the steam-
drum 1 to a vertical branch 21, extending down in front of the boiler and entering
ene of the water-columns at or near its lower end. The steam dome 22 is usually
arranged at or near the middle of the top of the drum.
The boiler casing 23 is preferably constructed of sheet-iron lined with a material
which is not a conductor of heat, such as asbestos. I prefer to attach said casing
to angle-irons, or T-irons, 24, but this construction is subject to considerable
variation, in these particulars, as any desired modifications may be made therein
without affecting my invention. The front wall of the boiler-casing is carried
behind the steam-drum 1 and behind the two water columns 2. The water-
legs 3 and 5 are within the boiler casing, but below the plane of the grate-bars 25,
so that they are not directly exposed to the fire.
The pipes and manifolds may be tapped into the steam-drum and into other
communicating parts, or the joints may be formed by expansion, or in any manner
preferred. The form of the pipes in the series of groups between the pipes 6 and
the manifolds 12 and 13, permits ready expansion and contraction, due to extremes
of temperature, without straining or wrenching any of the parts, or joints. The
boiler-casing is preferably constructed in two parts and joined centrally, so that it
may be readily and quickly removed for repairs. Any one or more of the boiler-
pipes, even to an entire group, or a number of such groups, may be speedily
removed, if necessary, without disturbing the remainder, and duplicate pipes may
be substituted; or, if desired, the openings from which they have been removed
may be plugged and the boiler be used as before, the only effect of removing any
number of said pipes being the diminishing of the heating surface and a
corresponding reduction in the volume of steam generated.
The water circulation of the boiler will naturally be initiated in the manifolds 12
and 13 and pipes 8 and 15, as well as in the side pipe 4 and vertical pipes 6, all
these being within the boiler-casing and above the grate, and exposed to the more
or less direct action of the fire. From said pipes and manifolds the hot water and
steam will be poured into the steam drum 1, which is wholly outside the casing and
removed from the fire. From the drum the water flows down the water columns 2,
into the water-legs 3 and 5, which lie at the sides and rear end, within the boiler-
casing, but beneath the grate. From these three water-legs the course of the
circulation is again through the pipes, and manifolds, as described. The number of
the pipes and their comparatively small diameter, not only affords a greatly
enlarged heating surface, but cause great volumes of steam to be produced with
phenomenal rapidity. These features of construction, also, are important factors
in causing an extremely rapid water-circulation, which continually cleanses the
pipes and prevents the formation of scale and the accumulation of sedimentary
deposits. The arrangement of the steam-drum 1 and vertical water-columns 2
outside the casing materially promotes the rapidity of the circulation, besides
affording a complete safeguard against the explosion of the boiler. The arrange-
neut of the three water-legs 3 and 5 within the boiler-casing, but beneath the
grate, where they receive a degree of heat intermediate between that acting upon
the pipes above the grate and the temperature maintained in the drum and water-
columns, also exerts an important influence in maintaining a rapid and practically

page_text: uniform circulation and steam-generation, besides effecting an economy of fuel and
an increase of the available heating surface.
The construction and arrangement described and shown enables me to effect a
generation of steam superior in volume and rapidity to the capacity of steam-boilers
weighing nine and one-half tons, or nineteen thousand pounds, while the boiler
described herein weighs but a little over two tons, or four thousand two-hundred
pounds. I also effect a large and important economy in the consumption of fuel,
and by these advantages I provide a boiler equally adapted for all marine engines
from which very high speeds are to be obtained, and for vessels of comparatively
small tonnage and very light draft, in which great speed is also a desideratum.
It is important to note, that my invention provides an efficient safe-guard against
explosion from low water, or from the feed-water being thrown into the spheroidal
state, sometimes termed the calorific paradox, from which sudden and terrific
explosions are well known to follow. As the feed-water enters at a point exterior
to the combustion-chamber and flows into the water-legs below the grate, it is
practically impossible that disaster can result from such cause.
Finally, by interposing the pipe-series 8 between the nearly vertical pipes 6 and
the two series of manifolds 12 and 13, I avoid all excess of back pressure, which
frequently ruptures the plugged, or closed ends of pipes, or manifolds in boilers
where no provision is made for removing an excess of pressure from such points.
By my invention the steam pressure is substantially equalized at all points and
accidents of the kind mentioned cannot occur.
.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion 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 :-
1. A water-tube steam-boiler comprising a steam-drum and water-columns all
upon the exterior of the boiler-casing, water-legs arranged at or near the sides of,
and within the boiler-casing, but beneath the grate, their ends projecting outside
and communicating with the lower ends of the water-columns, a transverse water-
leg at the rear forming a continuation of the legs at the side, a series of side pipes
above and communicating with each side-leg, two parallel, but alternating series of
pipes entering the transverse leg, two alternating series of manifolds connected at
their rear ends to the tops of the alternating series of pipes, their front ends
entering the steam-drum, and groups of pipes of reduced diameter each group
lying in a vertical plane, their forward ends eutering the lower side of one of
the manifolds and their other ends entering a pipe in one of the two alternating
series of pipes, substantially as described.
2. A water-tube steam-boiler comprising a steam-drum and communicating
water-columns all exterior to the combustion-chamber, two longitudinal water-legs
lying beneath the grate at the sides and having their ends projecting from said
chamber to communicate with the water-columns, a transverse water-leg forming a
continuous passage with the other ends of the longitudinal legs, two alternating
series of pipes rising from the transverse leg, two alternating series of manifolds
entering the steam-drum at their forward ends, their rear ends connected by pipes
to the tops of the two alternating series of pipes, and groups of pipes of relatively
small diameter, arranged in vertical planes, their forward ends entering the rear
ends of the manifolds and their other ends entering the two alternating series of
pipes, substantially as described.
3. In a water-tube steam-boiler, the combination, with a steam-drum arranged
at the top and front of the combustion-chamber, but exterior thereto, of water-
columns entering said drum at, or near, its ends, water-legs arranged at or near the
sides of the combustion-chamber, but wholly below the grate, a transverse water-
leg connecting the rear ends of said water-legs, two series of manifolds entering
the steam-drum at their forward ends, one series at or near the top of the
combustion-chamber and the other series below and alternating with the first,
extending horizontally, or nearly so, from the upper ends of pipes communicating

page_text: with the transverse water-leg to vertical pipes entering the rearward ends of the
manifolds, and groups of pipes of relatively small diameter entering the manifolds
beneath the latter, and extending to and entering the vertical series of pipes at
their rear ends, each group being in a vertical plane, substantially as described.
4. In a water-tube steam-boiler, the combination, with a horizontal steam-drum
arranged outside the combustion-chamber and boiler-casing, of two horizontal legs
connected to said drum, a rearward transverse leg connecting the ends of the
horizontal legs, said legs arranged beneath the plane of the grate, a series of side
pipes bent alternately in opposite directions over the horizontal legs and
communicating with the latter and with the steam-drum, two alternating series of
pipes rising from the transverse water-leg, two series of manifolds, connected at
their rear ends to the said vertical pipes, and at their other ends to the steam-drum,
and groups of smaller pipes lying in vertical planes, the members of one group
alternating with those of the adjacent groups, their ends entering the vertical
pipes at short intervals from their upper ends downward and extending forward,
their upwardly curved ends entering the manifolds on the lower sides of the latter,
substantially as described.
Dated the 8th day of January 1895.
D. YOUNG & Co.,
11 and 12, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.