Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Generating Steam.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 25th Sept., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 21st July, 1898-Accepted, 24th Sept., 1898
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Generating Steam.
I, HUBERT HIGGINS, of 4, Trinity Street, Cambridge, in the County of Cambridge,
Demonstrator of Anatomy to Cambridge University, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention to be as follows:-
:-
This invention relates to apparatus for generating steam at comparatively low
pressures or at substantially atmospheric pressures. The advantages that are claimed
for it are:
(1) Economy. The process can at any time be immediately discontinued.
(2) It is automatic and self-feeding.
(3) It is safe because the mere fact of the creation of any excessive pressure, (or
indeed at any desired degree of pressure), ipso facto prevents the conversion of any
fresh water into steam.
In carrying out this invention I provide a cistern containing water which is
connected by a suitable tube or tubes prolonged into the source of heat, the typical
tube is then provided with an upward bend so that the capacity, height, and level
of this bend with reference to the cistern provide a means of automatically regulating
the amount of water at any one time in that portion of the tube exposed to the
source of heat. When the water is converted into steam it passes into a somewhat
expanded continuation still directed upwards to prevent the "bubbling over" of the
water. The expended continuation of the tube is then connected with a smaller tube
which can if desired be superheated before it is utilized.
In order to provide for the use of a certain amount of pressure in the apparatus
a U-tube of any desired depth is provided in the feed-pipe of the boiler. In that
case where several tubes (which can have varying calibres) are used U-tubes of varying
capacity can be used in such a way that should the pressure in the steam tubes
progressively increase progressively diminishing amounts of water are supplied in
consequence of the steam forcing the water out of the heated tubes. Any cocks
safety valves etc. can be employed.
It will be understood that the above is one way of carrying out the invention,
and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the
invention.
Dated thin 05th day of Santamba 1907
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in or relating to Apparatus for Generating Steam.
I, HUBERT HIGGINS, of 4, Trinity Street, Cambridge, in the County of Cambridge,
Demonstrator of Anatomy to Cambridge University, 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: -
This invention relates to apparatus for generating steam at comparatively low

page_text: pressures, or at substantially atmospheric pressure. The advantages that are claimed
for it are
(1) Economy. The process can at any time be immediately discontinued.
(2) It is automatic and self-feeding.
(3) It is safe because the mere fact of the creation of any excessive pressure (or
indeed any desired degree of pressure) ipso facto, prevents the conversion of any
fresh water into steam.
In carrying out the invention I provide a cistern containing water, with which is
connected a suitable tube or tubes prolonged into the furnace or source of heat,
wherein each tube is formed with an upward bend and an enlargement, of any desired.
capacity, of which the position, with reference to the level of water in the cistern,
provides a means of automatically regulating the amount of water which at any one
time is exposed to the action of the source of heat. A tube issues from the expanded
portion which may be connected with a superheater.
The accompanying drawing shows diagrammatically a steam generator constructed
according to this invention.
The steam generator comprises an ascending, preferably bulbous, member A, which
forms the generator proper and is exposed to the source of heat; its upper end
forms a vertical continuation A¹ to prevent the carrying over of water with the
steam, and its lower end is connected with a tank or cistern B by a pipe B¹, the end
of the pipe adjacent to the member A, being inclined, as shown at B², for at least
the whole of the portion exposed to the action of the source of heat. The member A
and cistern, B must be so placed relatively to each other that the normal level of the
water in the generator, as shown by the dotted line a-a, corresponds approximately
with the level of the water in the cistern as shown by dotted line b-b.
The member A is essentially an enlargement of the pipe B, and it is obvious
may be of any convenient shape.
The steam supply may be drawn either directly from the top of A' through
the pipe A2, or through a superheater C as shown in dotted lines in the figure.
Any desired number of bulbous members A A¹, may be employed according to
the quantity of steam required and they may be arranged in parallel rows or other-
wise as found most convenient, and when a superheater is provided it may take the
form of a coil and it may be placed around (as shown in the figure) or adjacent to
the members A A¹, so as to be directly heated by the same source of heat, or it may
consist of any suitable arrangement of pipes and be placed in the flues.
The generator is more particularly adapted to work at or approximately at at-
mospheric pressure, and in this case the feed tank B may be open, but when it is desired
to employ a certain amount of pressure the feed tank may be provided with a water
tight cap or lid B³ (either removable or formed integral with the tank) having a
vertical tube B as shown in dotted lines; this tube being open to the external air.
The tube may be of small diameter and any desired height. By this means the
generator may be worked at a pressure equal to the resistance of the column of water
displaced into the tube, by the pressure in the generator.
Any convenient source of heat may be, employed, the apparatus being adapted for
use either on a small scale say in a laboratory, when a spirit or oil lamp, or Bunsen
gas burner as shown in the figure, may be used, or on a manufacturing scale when
a regular furnace would be required.
The level of water may be maintained in the cistern by means of a ball cock
controlling the source of water supply or in any convenient manner, and if the steam
when used be condensed, the resultant water may be returned into the feed tank
by gravity or otherwise..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1 An annaratus for canorating steam of annravimatale t

page_text: prising a feed tank B pipe B1 B2 and an enlargement A constructed and arranged
substantially as described.
2. In a steam generator the combination with an enlargement or bulbous member A
of a closed tank B and a vertical tube B+ substantially as and for the purpose
described.
3. In a steam generator the combination with an enlargement or bulbous member
such as A having a steam space such as A¹ of smaller diameter of a superheating
coil such as C around it substantially as described.
4. The complete steam generator substantially as described and illustrated in the
accompanying drawings.