IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF STEAM BOILERS, AND IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING SEDIMENT OR DEPOSIT THEREIN
Year: 1866

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Garrett Tongue, of the Firm of Tongue and
J
Birkbeck, Patent Agents and Engineers, of 34, Southampton
✓ Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF
STEAM BOILERS, AND IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING SEDIMENT OR
DEPOSIT THEREIN." A communication from abroad by Joseph Augustus
Miller, of the City, County, and State of New York, United States
12:
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Garrett Tongue at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
22nd October 1866.
-I, JOHN GARRETT TONGUE, of the Firm of Tongue and Birkbeck, Patent
Agents and Engineers, of 34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in
the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT. OF STEAM BOILERS
AND IN MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING. SEDIMENT OR DEPOSIT THEREIN,. to be as
follows;
The principal object of this Invention is to economise and accelerate
the generation of steam in boilers by subjecting the water which is to be
converted into steam in a thin film or sheet to the more direct action of

page_text: the fire, said film or sheet of water being isolated from the main body,
and being brought in contact with the heating surface in such a manner
that the same is made to progressively or continuously receive atom after
atom of the heat, and pass off into steam in the steam space of the boiler
directly or without forcing its way through the main mass or other super-
incumbent bodies of water, thereby leaving the main body a solid mass,
as it were, free from steam, which not only economises the generation of
steam, but in case of an explosion reduces the danger and destruction
consequent thereon.
Another object of the Invention is to provide in connection with the
above-mentioned mode of generating steam a separating space or duct
or ducts for returning to the body of water outside of the isolated film or
sheet any water carried up or over by the steam generated from the
latter, and thereby keep the steam in the steam space free from water.
The nature of the Invention, so far as it relates to carrying out these
objects, consists in a peculiar, construction of the boiler and arrange-
ment of its parts, including under one form placing on each side of a
boiler furnace a series of pipes, boxes, or their equivalents of any suitable
shape, so constructed that while their lower part is below the fire-grate
and their upper ends above the water level of the boiler, and said pipes
or boxes connected by a branch or branches with the steam and water
spaces of the main or trunk portion of the boiler, their interior is divided
vertically by diaphragms or partition plates into inner tubes or boxes
open at their ends, forming thin or contracted water and steam gene-
rating spaces on either or both sides, reaching from a point at or near
the line of the fire-grate to the water level of the boiler or thereabouts,
and constituting on their outsides a return water space or duct.
T
Under another modification the boiler is made up in sections of a series
of pipes bolted together arranged round the sides and back of the grate
and descending below it, and forming a roof or cover to or over the fire,
said pipes having an inner shell or division or divisions extending upwards
from the level of the fire-grate, or thereabouts, to the steam space above,
and open at their ends, so as to form circulating spaces and passages for
a thin film or sheet of water on the side next to and over the fire.
"A further modification of this part of the Invention includes an annular
or other shaped water base arranged below the grate, and having
mounted upon and in communication with it an inner and outer row or
series of water tubes, the inner row being the smaller of the two, and
being in communication at their tops with a hollow dome or roof to the

page_text: fire situated within a cylinder or space, and the outer shell of which is
open at the top at or about the water level to the steam space of said
cylinder, which has smoke tubes connected with the stack running up
through it, and is connected at its bottom with the water base by the
larger and outer row of pipes surrounding the fire-box, and which form
return water spaces, while the inner and smaller row of pipes and hollow
dome constitute the isolated sheet water spaces and steam generators
proper.
The object of another part of the Invention is partly to effect a like
result by isolating in a somewhat similar manner the water in vertical
tubes, the same being applicable to most or all boilers having vertical
water tubes running up through them and open at their ends; but such
part of the Invention has a further distinctive object or objects, namely;
to collect the sediment, saline, mineral, or other impurities gathering
near the surface of the water, serving likewise to keep the tubes clean by
increasing the velocity of the circulating water through them, also
reducing the liability to priming; and this part of the Invention con-
sists in loosely supporting concentrically, within and down each or all
of the tubes from their top, a tube closed at its bottom, but of funnel-
shaped open character at its top, which secondary tube may project.
through either or both ends of the fixed or water tube, to the water space
of which it gives an annular shape or character.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Garrett Tongue in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 18th April 1867.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOIN
GARRETT TONGUE, of the Firm of Tongue and Birkbeck, Patent Agents
and Engineers, of 34, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-second day of October, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-six, in the thirtieth year
of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors; give and grant
unto-me, the said John Garrett Tongue,. Her special. licence that I, the
-said John Garrett Tongue, my executors, administrators, and assigns,.or

page_text: "
such others as I, the said John Garrett Tongue, my executors, admini-
strators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others, from
time to time, and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend,
within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel
Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CON-
STRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF STEAM BOILERS, AND IN MEANS OR APPARATUS
FOR COLLECTING SEDIMENT OR DEPOSIT THEREIN," a communication to me
from abroad by Joseph Augustus Miller, of the City, County, and State
of New York, United States of America, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said John Garrett Tongue, my executors or admini-
strators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature
of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six
calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Garrett Tongue, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say:-
The principal object of this Invention is to economize and accelerate
the generation of steam in boilers by subjecting the water which is to
be converted into steam to the more direct action of the fire in a thin film
or sheet, said film or sheet of water being isolated from the main body,
and being brought in contact with the heating surfaces in such a manner
that the same is made to progressively or continuously receive atom
after atom of the heat, and pass off into steam in the steam space of the
boiler directly or without forcing its way through the main mass or other
superincumbent bodies of water, thereby leaving the main body or solid
mass, as it were, free from steam, which not only economizes the genera-
tion of steam, but in case of an explosion reduces the danger and
destruction consequent thereon.
Another object of the Invention is to provide in connection with the
above-mentioned mode of generating steam, a separating space or duct
or ducts for returning to the body of water outside of the isolated film or
sheet any water carried up or over by the steam generated from the
latter, and thereby keep the steam in the steam space free from water.
The nature of the Invention, so far as it relates to carrying out these

page_text: objects, consists in a peculiar construction of the boiler and arrange-
ment of its parts, including under one form placing on each side of a
boiler furnace a series of pipes, boxes, or their equivalents of any suitable
shape, so constructed that while their lower part is below the fire-grate
and their upper ends above the water level of the boiler, and said pipes
or boxes connected by a branch or branches with the steam and water
spaces of the main or trunk portion of the boiler, their interior is divided
vertically by diaphragms or partition plates into inner tubes or boxes
open at their ends, forming thin or contracted water and steam gene-
rating spaces on either or both sides, reaching from a point at or near
the line of the fire-grate to the water level of the boiler or thereabouts,
and constituting on their outsides a return water space or duct.
Under another modification the boiler is made up in sections of a series
of pipes bolted together arranged round the sides and back of the grate
and descending below it, and forming a roof or cover to or over the fire,
said pipes having an inner shell or division or divisions extending upwards
from the level of the fire-grate, or thereabouts, to the steam space above,
and open at their ends, so as to form circulating spaces. and passages for
a thin film or sheet of water on the side next to and over the fire.
A further modification of this part of the Invention includes an annular
or other shaped water base arranged below the grate, and having
mounted upon and in communication with it an inner and outer row or
series of water tubes, the inner row being the smaller of the two, and
being in communication at their tops with a hollow dome or roof to the
fire situated within a cylinder or space, and the outer shell of which is
open at the top at or about the water level to the steam space of said
cylinder which has smoke tubes connected with the stack running up
through it, and is connected at its bottom with the water base by the
larger and outer row of pipes surrounding the fire-box, and which form
return water spaces, while the inner and smaller row of pipes and hollow
dome constitute the isolated sheet water spaces and steam generators
proper.
"
'
The object of another part of the Invention is partly to effect a like
result by isolating in a somewhat similar manner the water in vertical
tubes, the same being applicable to most or all boilers having vertical
water tubes running up through them and open at their ends; but such
part of the Invention has a further distinctive object or objects, namely,
to collect the sediment, saline, mineral, or other impurities gathering

page_text: near the surface of the water, serving likewise to keep the tubes clean by.
increasing the velocity of the circulating water through them, also
reducing the liability to priming; and this part of the Invention con-
sists in loosely supporting concentrically, within and down each or all
of the tubes from their top, a tube closed at its bottom, but of funnel-
shaped open character at its top, which secondary tube may project
through either or both ends of the fixed or water tube, to the water space
of which it gives an annular shape or character.
The nature of the Invention having been specified, its description with
reference to the accompanying Drawing forming part of this Specification
will be proceeded with.
Figure 1 represents a transverse section of a double boiler constructed
according to the first modification herein-before referred to, taken as
indicated by the line x, x, in Figure 2, which is a longitudinal section of
the same in part, taken as denoted by the line m, m, in Figure 1, and
Figures 3, 4, and 5, transverse sections on an enlarged scale of the boxes,
pipes, or tubes arranged round the fire-box or chamber under différent
forms of construction.
A, A, are horizontal cylinders forming the main or trunk portion of
the boiler arranged parallel to each other, and of which there may be
one, two, or more, being of the character of ordinary cylindrical boilers,
which they may be termed; they are of any desired length and diameter,
and set in suitable brickwork B; C, C, are the grates; D, D, the fire-
boxes or chambers provided with doors E and ash-pits F; G, G, arc
the bridges at the back of the grates, and H, H, steam domes to or on
the boilers A, A. The sides of the fire-chambers D, D, are made up of
a series of vertically arranged boxes or pipes I in close proximity to each
other, and connecting or forming part with at their ends horizontal
boxes or pipes J, K, the lower ones J of which lie below the fire-grates,
while the upper ones K. are arranged just above, or thereabouts, the
water level of the boilers A, A, the former constituting water and the
latter steam spaces, and being connected respectively by any suitable
pipes a, b, with the steam and water spaces of the boilers A, A; these
boxes or pipes I and J, K, may be of any desired shape in their transverse
sections, not being necessarily cylindrical as shown. The vertical pipes I
also may be variously constructed so far as regards the internal arrange-
ment and form of a vertical diaphragm or diaphragms c are concerned.
The main object of the diaphragms or partition plates c of the pipes I is
to isolate the water in a thin sheet or film in proximity to the fire-

page_text: chambers or heating surfaces of said pipes, said. diaphragms extending
from points at or near the line of the fire-grates to the water level in
the cylinders or boilers A, A, or thereabouts, and forming distinct tubes
or passages d, e, the ones d of which are open at both ends; these
passages & constitute steam generators proper, the fire acting upon them
to the exclusion of the other passages e to rapidly convert into steam the
thin films of water contained in and circulating upwardly through them,
and the steam formed at their tops freely passing off into the steam
space without having to work its way through a superincumbent body
of water; while the other passages e, connecting as they do with the lower
horizontal tubes J below the fire-grate, will be comparatively or wholly
free from generating steam, and will serve as water ducts to return any
water that may be lifted up by the steam generated by or in the smaller
passages d, thereby keeping the steam entering the tubes K. free from
water, and being rapidly evolved and mixing with it, rendering dryer
and more free from water the steam in the cylinders or boilers A, A.
Figure 6 represents a vertical section of a steam boiler, or main portion
of one, similar in its action to that just described, but differing somewhat
in construction; and Figure 7 is a horizontal section of the same. In
this modification the cylindrical boilers or assistant generators are dis-
pensed with, and the boiler 'made up in sections of a series of pipes A'.
which may not only enclose or form the sides of the fire-chamber, of
which the line a¹ indicates the grate, but also constitute the roof and
rear portion of said chamber. These pipes A' are connected at their
lower ends with longitudinal and transverse pipes B', C', arranged hori
zontally below the level of the grate, and the several sections of pipes A!
thus connected, braced, and held together by bolts b¹. The pipes A', as
in the previous modification, are constructed with diaphragms S', extend-
ing from the water level to the level of the grate, or thereabouts, and
forming passages d'; e¹; the one set d' of which receive the heat to the
exclusion, more or less, of the others e', and constitute steam generators
containing only a thin film or sheet of water, while the other passages e¹,
connecting with the pipes B¹, C', below the grate, form return water
ducts, both for action, as described. in the previous modification. The
pipes A may be of any suitable shape in 'their transverse sections, and
the diaphragms within them of a varied shape or arrangement to produce
the same effects. A stoam dome may be mounted on the boiler con-
necting with the steam space:f', also the smoke and gascous products
which pass out through or between the rear row of pipes A' may be

page_text: passed off or returned to act upon the boiler by any suitable or additional
construction not necessary here to specify.
Figure 8 of the Drawings shows another modification representing a
vertical section of a boiler constructed according to such modification
through the line n, n, in Figure 9; Figure 9 is a horizontal section thereof
through the line w, w, in Figure 8; and Figure 10 a similar view through
the line y, y, in Figure 8. In this modification, supposing the boiler to
be of a vertical cylindrical character, instead of water pipes below the
fire-grate A is arranged an annular water base B, having mounted on
and connected with it an inner and outer row of vertical water tubes C²,
D³, the inner ones C being smaller than the outer ones, and forming
sides and back to the fire-chamber E; said small tubes C communicate
at their tops with a water jacket or space g³ of a conical or other suitably
shaped fire-box roof F arranged to project upwardly within an upper
case or cylinder G to the water level; this water jacket or space g* and
tubes C form the film or thin sheet isolated water spaces and steam
generator proper, upon which the fire is made to act direct, to the
exclusion of the remaining main body of water in the boiler, which
remaining body or portion is contained within the cylinder G³ in the
space surrounding the water jacket g, and within the return water tubes
D that connect the cylinder G at its bottom with the water base Bs.
Here also the steam generated in the isolated water spaces C and g' has
a ready and free escape without passing through a superincumbent body
of water into the steam space in the upper portion of the cylinder G³ and
round or over a deflecting plate 3 into a steam dome H³, while any water
carried over the water jacket gå by the steam serves to keep up a circula-
tion by its return or flow of water down the return tubes D³ into the
water base B below the grate. The smoke and gaseous products pass
off from the fire-chamber E, up smoke tubes I' in the cylinder G³, into
a smoke box J surrounding the steam dome, and off up the stack K².
By this construction and arrangement most or all of the heat is utilized.
If desired the water space may be continued by an annular cylinder
surrounding the return pipes D³ from the cylinder G to the water base B³
below, and the boiler be suitably built up in outer brickwork, or it may
(which admits of more freedom of expansion of the several parts) be
suspended at its upper part by cast-iron knees is on a lower brick or other
support, as represented in Figure 8. Here it may be observed that in
this, as in the previously described constructions, the water should be

page_text: fed into the boiler at a suitable point outside of and not into the isolated
water or steam generating passages.
Figure 11 represents an outside view of the improved sediment collector
herein-before referred to, and Figure 12 a section of the same applied to
a boiler shewn only in part, in which vertical water tubes are used.
A³ represents the top and B the bottom tube sheets of a boiler; and C³
vertical water tubes connecting said sheets and establishing communi-
cation between the water space below the bottom tube sheet and steam
generating space or chamber above the top sheet; D³ is a pocket tube,
of sufficiently less diameter than the water tubes C as when inserted
concentrically down within them it leaves an annular water space a³
surrounding it, and open at both ends; this tube D, of which there may
be one to each water tube, may project through both ends of the latter,
and is made closed at its bottom, which may be of an inverted conical
or other form, while it's upper end is open and of a flaring or funnel shape;
said pocket tube D³ is designed to fit loosely within its water, tubé, and
for this purpose is or may be provided with wings or projections 63, which
will serve to freely suspend and hold it in position. Situated as repre-
sented and described, these pocket tubes D³ will not only collect
sediment, saline, mineral, or other impurities gathering at or near the
surface of the water, and being loose may be removed from time to time
and emptied, but they will serve to keep the water tubes cleaner by
diminishing the water space and increasing the velocity of the water
through the water tubes, and check or prevent priming by reducing the
amount of solid water passing out of the water tubes into the steam
generating space above, besides which said pocket tubes isolate the water
into thin sheets or annular columns, upon which the heat acting will
more rapidly produce steam than if said columns were solid, a result
that will not only be advantageous on first firing up, but also an after or
constant gain.
Having thus fully described the nature of the Invention, it should be
clearly understood that the same is not confined to the exact details herein
described and shown in the accompanying Drawings so long as the
peculiar character of the Invention is retained; but the improvements in
steam boilers and apparatus for collecting sediment which are intended
to be secured and claimed under the grant of the above in part recited
Letters Patent consist,―
First, in the arrangement and combination with the cylindrical or
than shaned bailara A A Cone or more of them) of the boxes or pipes I
.

page_text: with their diaphragms forming steam generating spaces d and return
water passages e and pipes or boxes J, K, arranged in relation to the
fire-grate and steam and water spaces of the boiler or boilers, and in com-
munication with the latter, substantially as described and represented in
Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawing hereunto annexed.
Second, in the improved arrangement and construction of the boiler
substantially as herein described and represented in Figures 6 and 7 of
the Drawing, and consisting of sections made up of pipes A', with their
diaphragms Sconstituting steam generating spaces d' and water
passages e¹, and lower cross pipes situated below the grate of the fire-
chamber, the whole being bolted or united for action together in the
manner herein-before specified.
Third, in the combination and arrangement substantially as liĕrein
described and represented in Figures 8, 9; and 10 of the Drawing of the
water base B, grate A, steam generating tubes C, and jacket g" to the
fire-box roof F, cylinder or upper, chamber G return water pipes D
and smoke tubes I".
Fourth, in the arrangement and application of the sediment collector
essentially as herein-before specified and représented in Figures 11 and 12
employed in combination with the vertical water tubes of a steam boiler
as herein described.
.In witness whereof, I, the said John Garrett Tongue, have hereunto
set.my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of April, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven.