IMPROVE- MENTS IN STEAM BOILERS AND FURNACES, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, and of 166, Buchanan Street, in the City of
Glasgow, North Britain, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of
"IMPROVE-
MENTS IN STEAM BOILERS AND FURNACES, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH."-Partly a communication.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 20th
March 1857.
I, WILLIAM JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex; and of 166, Buchanan Street, in the City of Glasgow, North
Britain, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM BOILERS AND FURNACES, AND IN APPARATUS CON-
NECTED THEREWITH," partly a communication from abroad, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates, under the first head, more particularly to the boilers
of locomotive steani engines, but it is also applicable in all boilers in which
the arrangement and construction of the furnace or fire box resembles that of
a locomotive boiler, the object of the improvement being to strengthen the
top of the fire box, and to render it less liable than hitherto to be uncovered
by the water.
It is usual to make the top of the fire box of a locomotive boiler flat, or.
convex, or curved outwards from the fire; but according to the present Inven-
[Price Sd.]

page_text: To intended to make the top of the re box concave, or curved inwards
towards the fire, that is to say, the top is made to bulge inwards into the fire
box from its outer edges, and such bulging may take the form of one, two, or.
more hollows. In combination with this form of fire box top a stay or stays
with a curved underside may be used, the shape of the top admitting of the
under side of the stay lying in the hollows, whilst the two ends of the stay or
stays are attached, in the usual manner.
This form of fire-box top is of great strength, and the hollow always retains
water, thus preventing injury to the plates from the fire, whilst the increased
strength also resists any tendency to burst in the fire box, or cause it to
collapse.
:
Another part of this Invention relates to the arrangement and construction
of steam-boiler furnaces, as more particularly suited for locomotive engines
burning coal as fuel.
Under one modification of furnace of this kind, the fire bars are disposed
in the fire box with a very considerable slope downwards from the fire door.
The coal is fed into the furnace by a vibrating or moving hopper at the fire
door, worked either by hand or by a movement from the engine. This
hopper is contrived so as to be capable of feeding in the coal across the
entire breadth of the furnace bars. Towards the tube plate of the engine
there is a pendant water space, disposed transversely in the furnace, and imme-
diately behind is a fire-brick bridge or diaphragm, the upper part of which
rises up into the space comprehended between the pendant water space and
the tube plate. This fire-brick bridge is perforated longitudinally and verti-
cally with small holes or channels, by which cold air from below can pass up
and become heated by the fire-brick bridge.
The external communication of these passages with the outer air is guarded
by a valve, which the driver can adjust. The air channels open out into jet
apertures along the top of the bridge, as well as into similar jet apertures on
the face next the pendant water space. As the coal is consumed fresh coal
passes down the inclined of the fire bars from the feed apparatus, and the
arrangement just described aid in effecting complete combustion, prevention
of smoke, and the economy of the fuel. The fire bars have a movement
communicated to them from the engine.
According to one modification of this fire-bar action, the bars are supported
upon small eccentrics, which derive a continuous rotatory action from the
engine, so that as the engine runs a continuous rocking or moving action is
imparted to the bars. By another arrangement for the same purpose, toothed
bars, or bars with projecting pieces upon their upper edges, are disposed so as

page_text: to be capable of working up between the fire bars, motion being given to these
clearing bars by a connection with the engine. With this movement, the
teeth of the clearers being made to work up and forward between the bars.
returning clear of the bars, fresh fuel is continually passed forward down the
incline of the bars, the combustion is improved, and the formation of clinkers
is prevented.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
19th September 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, 1, WILLIAM
JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex, and of
166, Buchanan Street, in the City of Glasgow, North Britain, Civil Engineer,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twentieth day of March, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twentieth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said William Johnson, Her special license that 1, the said William Johnson,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as 1, the said
William Johnson, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after 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 "INPECVE-
MENTS IN STEAM BOILERS AND FURNACES, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THERE-
WITH," partly a communication, upon the condition (amongst others) that I,
the said William Johnson, by an instrument in writing under my hand and
seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Inven-
tion, 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 William Johnson, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement in writing, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings,
and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-

page_text: The said Invention relates, under the first head, more particularly to the
boilers of locomotive steam engines, but it is also applicable in all boilers in
which the arrangement and construction of the furnace or fire box resembles
that of a locomotive boiler; the objeci of the improvement being to strengthen
the top of the fire box, and to render it less liable than hitherto to be uncovered
by the water. It is usual to make the top of the fire box of a locomotive
boiler flat, or convex, or curved outwards from the fire; but according to the
present Invention it is intended to make the top of the fire box concave, or
curved inwards towards the fire, that is to say, the top is made to bulge
inwards into the fire box from its outer edges, and such bulging may take the
form of one, two, or more hollows. In combination with this form of fire-
box top, a stay or stays with a curved under side may be used, the shape of
the top admitting of the under side of the stay lying in the hollows, whilst the
two ends of the stay or stays are attached in the usual manner. This form of
fire-box top is of great strength, and the hollow always retains water, thus
preventing injury to the plates from the fire, whilst the increased strength also
resists any tendency to burst in the fire box, or cause it to collapse.
Another part of this Invention relates to the arrangement and construction
of steam-boiler furnaces, as more particularly suited for locomotive engines
burning coal as fuel. Under one modification of furnace of this kind, the
fire bars are disposed in the fire box with a very considerable slope downwards
from the fire door. The coal is fed into the furnace by a vibrating or moving
hopper at the fire door, worked either by band or by a movement from the
engine. This hopper is contrived so as to be capable of feeding in the coal
across the entire breadth of the furnace bars. Towards the tube plate of the
engine there is a pendant water space, disposed transversely in the furnace,
and immediately behind is a fire-brick bridge or diaphragm, the upper part of
which rises up into the space comprehended between the pendant water space
and the tube plate. This fire-brick bridge is perforated longitudinally and
vertically with small holes or channels, by which cold air from below can pass
up and become heated by the fire-brick bridge. The external communication
of these passages with the outer air is guarded by a valve, which the driver can
adjust. The air channels open out into jet apertures along the top of the
bridge, as well as into similar jet apertures on the face next the pendant water
space. As the coal is consumed fresh coal passes down the incline of the
fire bars from the feed apparatus, and the arrangements just described aid in
effecting complete combustion, prevention of smoke, and the economy of the
fuel. The fire bars have a movement communicated to them from the engine.
According to one modification of this fire-bar action, the bars are supported

page_text: upon sinal eccentrics, which derive a continuous rotatory action from the
engine, so that as the engine runs a continuous rocking or moving action is
imparted to the bars. By another arrangement for the same purpose, toothed
bars, or bars with projecting pieces upon their upper edges, are disposed so as
to be capable of working up between the fire bars, motion being given to
these clearing bars by a connection with the engine. With this movement,
the teeth of the clearers being made to work up and forward between the
bars, returning clear of the bars, fresh fuel is continually passed forward down
the incline of the bars, the combustion is improved, and the formation of
clinkers is prevented.
And in order that the said Invention, which has been communicated to me,
may be properly understood. I shall now proceed to describe the several illus-
trative Figures on the explanatory Sheet of Drawings, which I have hereunto
appended for the purpose of showing certain modifications under which the
said improvements may be judiciously carried out in practice..
Figure 1 of the said Sheet of Drawings is a longitudinal sectional elevation
of the fire box and a portion of the boiler of a locomotive engine. Figure 2
is a transverse vertical section, corresponding to Figure 1, and taken partly
through the line A and partly through the line B. Figure 3 is a plan, corre-
sponding to Figure 1, partly taken through the line C and partly through the
line D, Figure 2. Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of a fire box and portion of a
boiler, showing a self-acting arrangement for feeding the fire with fuel, and
causing it to be carried gradually to the back part of the fire box. Figure 5
is an external elevation of the arrangement, to show the mode of actuating the
fire bars. Figure 6 is an end view of the furnace; and Figure 7, a transverse
vertical section, taken partly through the line E, Figure 4, and partly through
the line F in the same Figure. Figure 8 is, a transverse horizontal section,
taken partly through the line G, Figure 4, and partly through the line H of
the same Figure. Figure 9 is a longitudinal section of a fire box and portion
of a locomotive boiler, showing the application of the improvements to an
ordinary fire box. Figure 10 is partly an end elevation, corresponding to
Figure 9; the other half of the Figure is a vertical sectional view, taken
through the line I, Figure 9. Figure 11 is a transverse section, taken through
the line J, Figure 9.
Figure 12 is a longitudinal section of another modification of fire box, in
which the back part of the fire box is divided by a series of fire-clay tiles,
which are carried upon a hollow water space that is curved downwards, and
extends across the fire box. Figure 13 it a sectional elevation, taken through
the line K, Figure 12. Figure 14 is a longitudinal section of a fire box, in

page_text: which heated air is introduced into the furnace from below, and passes through
tubes disposed vertically in the hollow bridge or water space.
In the arrangement of the boiler, shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the Sheet
of Drawings, the boiler A has added to it a steam chamber B; this steam
chamber consists of a portion of a circle of smaller diameter than the barrel A
of the boiler itself. The two portions of the cylinders, that is to say, the barrel
of the boiler and the sieam chest, arc connected to each other by a strong
diaphragm or horizontal plate C, which is strengthened by transverse stays.
In this modification of the improvements the roof or crown of the fire box is
curved inwards, or bent in a concave form towards the fire box; the convexity
of the roof D of the fire box extends longitudinally towards the front of the
locomotive, as shown in Figure 1 of the illustrative Drawings. This concave
roof is made of great strength by means of a series of iron plates disposed
vertically and parallel to each other. These plates E form a series of vertical
girders which are secured to the concave top of the fire box by a series of
vertical and radial bolts F. To prevent as far as possible the deposition of
sediment on the top of the fire box and between the vertical girders E, a
small space is left between the bottom edge of the plates E and the upper
side of the fire box roof; and further to assist the circulation of the water to
and fro, a series of holes F are made in each of the plates E. The rapid
ebullition of the water in the concave portion of the boiler, moreover tends to
prevent the deposit of sedimentary matters in the hollow. It may also be
stated, that the concave portion of the boiler being level from side to side, the
impurities of the water will have a tendency to be carried over the sides of the
depressed part and fall to the lowest part of the water space surrounding the
fire box. Thus, by making the upper part of the fire box of a concave shape,
as described and shewn in the Drawing, this part of the boiler cannot become
uncovered with water, and hence explosions ordinarily arising from this cause
are rendered impossible. In this modification of boiler the fuel used there-
with is coal, and there is a special arrangement provided to ensure the due
combustion of the gaseous matters evolved from the burning fuel. At the
back part of the fire box, under the door, is a series of large fire-brick blocks
G, which line the fire box from side to side. These fire-clay blocks have
vertical tubular apertures made throughout their length, and these tubular
passages form a communication with the interior and exterior of the fire box.
At the front end of the fire box, and near to the tube plate, is a bridge H,
made of fire-clay blocks, corresponding to the blocks G, but standing higher;
the blocks H have tubular passages through them, and communicating with
the exterior and interior of the fire box. The combustion of the fuel causes the

page_text: as it passes through the tubular passages becomes heated and ready for
effecting the combustion of the gases without lowering the temperature of the
furnace. The fire-clay blocks also tend to preserve a more uniform degree of
heat in the furnace at each fresh supply of fucl.
Another modification of the improvements is shown in Figures 4, 5, 6, 7,
and 8, in which is shown a mechanical arrangement for feeding the fire with
coal. Across the back of the boiler is fitted a moveable hopper I, which is
attached to the end plates of the boiler, and caused to vibrate by attaching
it to a lever J, actuated by the eccentric K and shaft L. To the inside of
the hopper I are fastened projecting pieces of metal or feathers I', which
serve to assist the descent of the coal on to the fire bars. The hopper I
is filled up with small coal and the eccentric K is put in motion by a move-
ment from the engine, or the hopper may be moved from time to time by
hand. The oscillatory movement of the eccentric K and lever J gives a
corresponding motion to the hopper, which causes the coal to be shaken
therefrom and fall in a thin stratum on to the fire bars. The amount of
vibratory motion given to the hopper I may be varied by shifting the pin
which attaches the lever J to the tail piece on the hopper from one hole to
another. In this modification of furnace is also shown a mode of actuating
the fire bars so as to convey the fuel forward towards the front of the fire
box. The fire bars M are disposed with a considerable slope downwards
from the back of the fire box, and a rising and forward movement is com-
municated to the bars by means of a series of eccentrics. The fire bars
M are carried upon the shafts N, and these shafts are made with two series
of eccentrics upon them, these eccentrics O forming as it were two series
of projecting teeth at opposite points of the shafts' diameter, as shown in the
sectional view, Figure 7, of the illustrative Drawing. The eccentrics O
serve to raise each alternate fire bar M about one inch and a half above
its neighbouring bar when the shafts are put in motion; and in addition
to the lifting motion, the eccentrics O also give to the fire bars a to-and-fro
motion; these combined movements of the fire bars serve to carry the fuel for-
ward to the front of the fire box, and at the same time effectually prevent
the clinking of the bars. An intermittent rotatory movement is given to the
Shafts N by means of a cam P on the shaft L. The cam P actuates a
weighted lever Q, which is attached by a siud to a bracket pendant from the
side of the fire box. The upper end of the lever Q is fast to a lever R,
which has upon its under side three notches or pawls, that take into the
teeth of the ratchet wheels S. These wheels are fast to the outer ends of

page_text: A
the shafts N, so that when the wheels S are put in motion the re bars rise
and fall alternately as the eccentrics or cams O and the shafts N rotate.
When the shaft L is put in motion, the cam P as it comes round raises the
lever Q, which throws the lever R forward towards the front of the fire box.
The motion of the lever R moves the ratchet wheels S round one tooth, which
gives a corresponding amount of motion to the shafts N and their eccentrics
O, thereby lifting one series of fire bars and depressing the intervening one.
In this modification of the improvements there is a pendant waier space T
disposed transversely in the boiler. A series of air passages U pass through
These tubular
the water space and out at the upper part of the boiler.
passages serve to convey air from the exterior of the boiler to its interior,
which air becomes heated in passing through the boiling water. The tubular
passages may be modified and carried laterally through the back of the
boiler instead of the upper part, as shown in Figure 4 of the Drawings.
fire-brick bridge V is built in the space between the pendant water space T
and the tube plate. This bridge V has a series of tubular passages made
in it, for the admission of air from below the boiler to the interior of the
fire box. The tubular openings convey the air into the fire box in a series
of jets, which issue laterally from the apertures W, and also vertically from
the openings X. The quantity of air admitted through the tubular openings
is regulated by means of the valve Y, which is hinged to the bottom plates
The air as
of the fire box, and may be opened more or less as required.
it passes through the passages in the bridge V becomes highly heated, and
as its escapes from the apertures W and X is in the best state for igniting
In the arrangement
the combustible matters envolved by the burning fuel.
of the boiler shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11, an arch of fire-brick a is built
across the fire box, extending from side to side. This arch a may be supported
either by pins fixed in the fire-box plates, or by pillars of brickwork built
at the sides of the fire-box, or by other convenient means. The arch may
be made in one or more pieces of fire brick, the piece or pieces forming the
arch being made hollow, as shown in the sectional view, Figure 9. Tubular
openings communicate from the back of the fire bricks to the hollow
channels d. Air is conveyed from the exterior of the boiler through the
tubes e, Figure 10, to the channels d, whence the air passes through the
openings to the interior of the fire box. Upon the crown of the arch a
is placed a series of thin slabs or pieces of fire clay ; these slabs rest
partly upon the arch a and partly upon the back plate of the fire box,
The pieces of fire clay f are arranged or
immediately over the fire door.
made with distance picces g between them, so as to form a bridge over the

page_text: arch a, on which they partly rest. The air for promoting the combustion of
the gaseous matters enters by the tubes e and passes into the channels d,
where it is heated by coming in contact with the hot surface of the fire-clay
bricks. The air as it emerges from the openings b in the arch a is in a proper
state to ignite the combustible gases without lowering the temperature of
the furnace. Another advantage attending the admission of cold air through
the arch is, that it tends to cool the fire bricks, and prevent them from being
burnt away by the intense heat.
In Figures 12 and 13 of the illustrative Drawings is shown a modification
of the improvement just described. In this arrangement the fire-clay slabs
and distance picces are arranged upon a metal water space h, through
which are formed tubular openings i, which communicate with the exterior
and interior of the fire box. The water space his curved downwards from
the sides of the fire box, forming a concave diaphragm across the fire box,
as shown in the sectional view, Figure 13 of the illustrative Drawings. The
tubular air passages i are furnished with a valve j, fitted upon the outside
of the boiler, for the purpose of regulating the admission of air to the air
tubes i. The air in passing through the water space is heated by the surround-
ing hot water. In this arrangement of boiler the fire bars have a very
considerable inclination given to them towards the front of the fire box, which
admits of the more convenient distribution of the fuel.
In the modification of the improved boiler, shown in Figure 14 of the
illustrative Drawings, the water space is placed across the fire box, and is
curved downwards from the sides of the fire box. Thus in this arrangement
the water space forms a bridge, exiending across the fire box, and of a con-
cave shape at its upper part. Vertical air passages m are made through the
water space, and these tubular openings communicate with the external air
through apertures made in the bottom of the fire box at n. Referring to the
mode of actuating the fire bars, shown in Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7, the arrange-
ment may be modified by fitting a series of toothed bars so as to rise up
between the furnace bars, the teeth of the clearing bars being made to work
upwards and forward in a manner similar to the motion given to the furnace
bars M, Figures 5 to 7. By means of these various improvements in boilers
the fuel is effectually consumed, the heat is economised, and the work of the
boiler done in a more satisfactory and efficient manner.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I may observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict myself
to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to describe

page_text: or refer to, as many variations may be made therefrom without deviating from
the principles or main features of the said Invention; but what I consider to
be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by
the herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,―
First, the general arrangement and construction of steam boilers and fur-
naces, and in apparatus connected therewith, as herein-before described.
Second, the system or mode of making the upper part of the fire box to
curve downwards so as to form a concave surface which always remains
covered with water; also the system or mode of strengthening this portion of
the boiler by means of vertical girders or ribs, as herein-before described.
Third, the system or mode of introducing heated air into the furnaces of
boilers, which air is heated in passing through tubular passages made in the
fire-brick linings, arches, or bridges of the furnaces, as herein-before described.
Fourth, the system or mode of introducing heated air into the furnaces of
steam boilers, which air is heated by passing it through water spaces, as herein-
before described.
Fifth, the system or mode of introducing air into the furnaces of steam
boilers by means of tubular passages which convey the air to the furnace
either from the upper or under sides of the boiler, or by means of tubular
openings arranged horizontally or in an angular direction, as herein-before
described.
Sixth, the system or mode of arranging tubular fire-brick bridges which
serve to heat and convey air into the furnace, and thereby effect the more
perfect combustion of the gaseous matters and economise the heat, as herein-
before described.
Seventh, the system or mode of arranging and applying fire-clay slabs cr
tiles, such slabs or tiles being partly carried upon fire-brick bridges or water
spaces, as herein-before described.
Eighth, the system or mode of arranging and applying fire-brick bridges on
concave water spaces, such water spaces having tubular passages through
them for heating and admitting air to the furnace, as herein-before described.
Ninth, the system or mode of arranging and applying fire-brick bridges to
the furnaces of steam boilers, such bridges being made of a series of slabs or
tiles with intervening tiles or "distance pieces," as herein-before described.
Tenth, the system or mode of preventing the clinking of the fire bars, by
means of a mechanical arrangement which alternately raises and depresses the
fire bars, and serves also to convey the fuel towards the front of the fire box
or furnace, as herein-before described.
Eleventh, the system or mode of preventing the formation of clinkers upon

page_text: the fire bars by means of toothed bars or levers which rise up between the
fire bars, and to which an elliptical or circular oscillatory movement is com-
municated either by hand or power.
Twelfth, the system or mode of feeding or supplying the furnaces of steam
boilers with fuel by means of a moveable hopper actuated either by hand or
power, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Johnson, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of September, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-seven
AM JOHNSON. (.s.)