Improvements in the Construction of Fuel Economisers for Heating Feed Water.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Apr., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 24th Dec., 1391--Accepte 1. 30th Jan., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Fuel Economisers for Heating
Feed Water.
THOMAS SYKES, of 385 Stockport Road Manchester in the County of
Lancaster Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
:-
My said invention relates to the fuel economisers which are employed in the
heating of feed water for steam generators as is well understood. The improve-
ments forming the subject matter of the present application, refer more particularly
to the mode of making the joints between the upright circulating pipes and the top
boxes. Generally speaking under the present practice both ends of the said upright
pipes are tapered inwards so as to fit similarly tapered seats or sockets in the top
and bottom boxes, the series of pipes forming a section and the top and bottom
boxes and the pipes being brought together by hydraulic pressure, all of the joints
being simultaneously made. It will be evident that under this method if there is
any variation in size, fit or taper of the respective joints bad joints will arise, to
remedy which no provision can be made except by caulking, packing or other
means which are unsatisfactory and impair the usefulness of the apparatus as a
whole. Another defect of the present practice is that if one of a series of pipes
should give way or require to be replaced, it can only be removed by cutting away
the overhang or taper of the seat or socket in the top box and so allowing the pipe
to be lifted up through the box. This is in itself a great source of trouble and
expense, and to this must be added the disadvantage that when the new pipe is
placed in situ, the taper joint in the top box having been destroyed by the cutting
away process, the new joint can only be made by rusting or other means.
According to my invention I propose to obviate these defects by making a radical
change in the form of the joint in the upper box. Instead of forming the top of
the upright pipe with a tapered end tapering inwards as heretofore, I form the
end so as to taper outwards, thus forming what is practically an enlargement at the
upper end of the pipe. The seat or socket in the upper box is correspondingly
tapered, so that the top joint according to my improvement is tapered in a direction
absolutely the reverse of the present practice. The ordinary or existing cap or
plug which closes the top box above each upright pipe, is made of such a size that
the orifice will admit and pass the upright pipe with its tapered enlargement at the
top. The upright pipe is therefore lowered down through the top box, the foot of the
pipe, tapered as usual, entering the usual socket in the lower box while the top of
the pipe, tapered as hereinbefore described also occupies the correspondingly
tapered socket in the top box. I can then apply separate and independent pressure
to each pipe of the series so that any little inequalities of fit or taper are com-
pensated for and a tight and perfect metal to metal joint is effected in every joint
of the series without the adventitious aid of caulking or the like. The pressure to
joint up the series of pipes to the top and bottom boxes may be applied by hydraulic
or other apparatus, a separate ram or presser bearing upon each pipe of the series,
thus ensuring independent action. A further and in my opinion the chief advantage
to be gained from my improved form of top joint is that in the case of repairs, no
cutting away of the top joint needs to be effected in order to remove any one of the
series of pipes. All that requires to be done is to remove the top cap or plug,
loosen the top joint, let down a mandril and cross bar to start the bottom joint and
then lift and remove the damaged pipe through the hole in the top box. In
replacing the new pipe, the top socket having been left intact, a perfect fit and joint
takes place, just as in the case of the original putting together of the apparatus, no
rusting or caulking being requisite.

page_text: It will thus be obvious that both in the original fitting up of the economiser and
more particularly in the subsequent effecting of repairs, my improved joint presents
salient advantages over the existing practice and in addition to its greater security
under the high steam pressures which are now so common, it enables me to secure a
very considerable economy in labour and time.
Dated this Lith der of Anril 1801
DUTTON & FULTON,
1, St. James' Square, Manchester, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Fuel Economisers for Heating
Feed Water.
I THOMAS SYKES of 385 Stockport Road, Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, 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 and accompanying drawings
-
My said invention relates to the fuel economisers which are employed in the
heating of feed water for steam generators as is well understood. The improve-
ments forming the subject matter of the present application refer more particularly
to the mode of making the joints between the upright circulating pipes and the top
boxes. Generally speaking under the present practice both ends of the said
upright pipes are tapered inwards that is to say in opposite directions so as to fit
similarly tapered seats or sockets in the top and bottom boxes the series of pipes
forming a section and the top and bottom boxes and the pipes being brought
It
together by hydraulic pressure all of the joints being simultaneously made.
will be evident that under this method if there is any variation in size, fit or taper
of the respective joints, bad joints will arise, to remedy which no provision can be
made except by caulking packing or other means which are unsatisfactory and
impair the usefulness of the apparatus as a whole. Another defect of the present
practice is that if one of a series of pipes should give away or require to be
replaced it can only be removed by cutting or "drifting" a slit in the pipe where
jointed to the top box so as to render it sufficiently collapsable to be pressed
through the narrowest part of the seat and then pulling it up, or by chipping or
smashing the seated portion of the pipe. This is in itself a great source of trouble
and expense and to this must be added the disadvantage that when the new pipe is
placed in situ the tapered seat no longer can be used on the new pipe which is made
so as to show an annular space to admit of rusting or otherwise rendering the
joint with the top box fluid tight. Frequently also the top of the new pipe has to
be made of more restricted diameter than the main body of the pipe.
According to my invention I propose to obviate these defects by making a radical
change in the form of the joint in the upper box.
To render my invention more clear I will now proceed to describe the same in
detail and with reference to the annexed sheet of drawings.
ㄩ
The drawing illustrates in section one pipe of a cluster or series of pipes in an
economiser constructed according to my invention. The pipe a is broken in its
length for want of space but the mode of forming the joint with the top box 6 and
bottom box is clearly shown. Instead of forming the top of the upright pipe
with a tapered end tapering inwards as heretofore, and for example as shown at the
foot of the pipe I form the end so as to taper or flare outwards thus forming what
is practically an enlargement of the upper end of the pipe a.
The seat or socket in the upper box is correspondingly tapered so that the top
joint according to my improvement is tapered in a direction absolutely the reverse
of the present practice. The ordinary or existing cap or plug d which closes the
top box above each apright pipe a is made of such a size that the orifice which
the cap covers will admit and pass the upright pipe a with its tapered enlargement

page_text: at the top. The cap d forms a fluid tight joint with the top opening in the upper
box and is held down by a bolte which passes through a removable cross bar f
which lies across the orifice and resists the pull of the bolt while being easily
removable when the bolt is unscrewed and the cap d taken off. When putting the
economiser together the upright pipe is lowered down through the top box the
foot of the pipe (tapered as usual) entering the usual socket in the lower box while
the top of the pipe tapered or flared as hereinbefore described, also occupies the
correspondingly tapered socket in the top box b.
"
r
In closing up the joints I can apply separate and independent hydraulic or other
pressure to each pipe a of the series so that any little inequalities of fit or taper in
the joints are compensated for and a tight and perfect metal to metal joint is
effected in every joint of the series without the adventitious aid of caulking or the
like. The pressure to joint up the series of pipes to the top and bottom boxes may
be applied by hydraulic or other apparatus a separate rain or presser bearing upon
each pipe of the series thus ensuring independent action. Apart from the facilities
given for the construction of the economiser in the first instance a further and in
my opinion the chief advantage to be gained from my improved form of top joint
is that in the case of repairs no cutting away or drifting of the pipe at the top
joint needs to be effected in order to remove any one of the series of pipes. All
that requires to be done is to remove the top cap or plug d, loosen the top joint, let
down a mandril and cross bar to start the bottom joint and then lift and remove the
damaged pipe through the hole in the top box, to which removal no obstruction
whatever is offered. In replacing the new pipe the top socket in the upper box b
having been left intact, a perfect fit and joint takes place just as in the case of the
original putting together of the apparatus no rusting or caulking being requisite.
It will thus be obvious that both in the original fitting up of the economiser and
more particularly in the subsequent effecting of repairs my improved joint presents
salient advantages over the existing practice and in addition to its greater security
under the high steam pressures which are now so common it enables me to secure a
very considerable economy in labour and time.
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 :-
In the construction of fuel economisers or apparatus for heating feed water,
making the upper ends of the upright pipes where jointed to the top box or boxes
with an outward taper or flare instead of with an inward taper as formerly, the said
upper ends fitting similarly tapered sockets in the top box or boxes, for the purposes
and substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated.
Dated this 23rd day of December 1891.
DUTTON & FULTON,
1, St. James' Square, Manchester, Agents.