IMPROVEMENTS FOR PROMOTING COMBUSTION IN DOMESTIC FIRE GRATES
Year: 1884

page_text: WILLIAM STOBBS, 16ª Baker Street, Loudon, W. Domestic Engineer do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS FOR PROMOTING COMBUSTION
IN DOMESTIC FIRE GRATES, to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to improve the construction of Domestic Fire
Grates, so as to enable and render practicable the burning therein of Anthracite
Coal, Welsh Smokeless Coal, Gas Coke, Coke, Bituminous Coal, and other Fuels or
combination of Fuels difficult of combustion under ordinary circumstances as
Domestic Fire Grates are commonly constructed, and for the prevention of Smoke.
In constructing Domestic Fire Grates for the purpose mentioned above I fix a
loose fire basket having a bottom and back only in one piece, fitting to the bottom
and sides of the Grate, and about one inch from the bottom and back of the Grate
but fitting close to the sides of the grate, and I arrange openings in the bottom
and back of the loose fire basket for the admission of the heated air into the body
of the fire or burning fuel. The openings may be horizontal, vertical or circular
perforations.
I also fix over the fire grate a swinging diaphram having its hinge or joint at
its upper end. I also fix a hood upon the swinging diaphram, both of which I fix
to the back of fire grates by hooks or other suitable contrivances.
The swinging diaphram I prefer to make about two thirds of the length of the
hood whereby the smoke.and the products of combustion passing between the hood
and diaphram may pass into the flue.
The swinging diaphram I make to depend to about one inch above the top of
the back of the loose fire basket and it has the effect of compressing the heated air
and the products of combustion rising from the burning fuel, any smoke or other
products of combustion not drawn through the aperture between the back of the
loose fire basket and swinging diaphram pass within the hood and thence mingles
with the heated air and products of combustion passing up the inner side of the
diaphram.
The complete mixture of the gasses with the hot air caused by the compressing
effect of the swinging diaphram ensures effectual oxidation and smoke is prevented.

page_text: I also make the diaphram with vertical ribs on the back at intervals of about
two inches apart which give an increased heating surface and which channels
still further mixes the hot air and products of combustion to prevent smoke.
I sometimes make the lower part of the diaphram with louvres whereby the
flame and smoke has a readier outlet into the flue.
In the case of carbonaceous fuels, such as Anthracite not giving off smoke the
gasses are also oxidised which I regulate by depressing and compressing the
swinging diaphram.
I prefer to make the openings of the hood and the diaphram at their lowest ends
of about fifty square inches and the opening at the upper end of the hood and
diaphram of about twenty five square inches whereby I get increased draft, but the
sizes of these openings may be regulated by the size of the fire grates.
That the rate of combustion may be regulated I employ the ordinary door in
the front of the hood which may be closed and opened as may be desired.
I construct the swinging diaphram and the hood of cast iron, or wrought iron,
or cast and wrought iron, or of any other suitable metals. The swinging diaphram
may in some cases be made of fire brick or other suitable fire resisting material
such as Asbestos Cement, The loose fire basket may be constructed of Cast iron
or wrought iron or other suitable metals, or of fire brick or other suitable fire
resisting materials.

page_text: I WILLIAM STOBBS of 16ª Baker Street, London, in the County of Middlesex
Domestic Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for IMPROVE-
MENTS FOR PROMOTING COMBUSTION IN DOMESTIC FIRE GRATES, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
K
The objects sought to be attained by the adoption of my Invention are mainly
as follow: That is to say,
1st To so improve the arrangement and construction of domestic fire grates as to
allow of the perfect combustion therein, alike of anthracite or other smokeless coal
coke and the like or other smokeless fuel and of ordinary bitumenous coal or other
description of fuel or combinations of fuels, for the perfect combustion of which,
domestic fire grates as ordinarily constructed and arranged are ill adapted.
2nd To render domestic fire grates constructed according to my invention-for
the combustion of the fuels aforesaid-Smokeless.
"
In carrying out my Invention I adapt to any of the ordinary types of domestic
fire grates a swinging diaphragm in conjunction with a 'hood" (the latter herein-
after being more fully referred to) fixed to the back of the grate. Said swinging
diaphragm I prefer to make about two thirds of the length of the hood, whereby
the smoke and products of combustion passing between the hood and diaphragm
may enter the flue. I also form said diaphragm on the back thereof with vertical
ribs, gills or flanges at intervals of say about two inches apart, thus presenting
channels or passages which afford increased heating surfaces said channels
aforesaid still further allowing of the commingling therein of the hot air and
products of combustion.
The swinging diaphragm above referred to being hinged at either the top or the
bottom of the hood may be adjusted to any desired angle by means of a knob the
stem of which passes through a slot formed in the front of the hood aforesaid.
Such angular variation allows of a perfect regulation of the oxidation of the
products of combustion.
.
I prefer to construct the openings above mentioned in reference to the before
mentioned hood and swinging diaphragm in such a manner as to present an area
of say fifty square inches at the lower end and twenty five square inches at the
upper end. By this device the draught can be increased, but the area of the
openings may be varied according to the size of grate to which my Invention is to
be adapted.
I also provide a door in the front of the hood aforesaid and suitably hinged or
jointed thereto; and, by opening and closing which, the rate of combustion may
be regulated at will.
In some some cases I likewise fix within the grate and say about one inch from
the bottom and back thereof, a loose "fire basket"-baving a bottom, and sides
only in one piece but fitting closely to the sides of the grate. I arrange openings
in the bottom and back of said fire basket for the purpose of allowing of the
admission of heated air into the body of the fire or burning fuel; and, said openings
may either be in the shape of vertical, or horizontal, slits; or, may be in the form
of circular perforations.
In the accompanying sheet of drawings illustrative of my said Invention,
Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a domestic fire grate with the improved
device or contrivance according to my Invention adapted thereto; and, Figure 2,
is a vertical sectional view taken on line A. B. Figure 1; the same letters of

page_text: "
reference being employed to denote like or corresponding parts in both views.
A is the hinged, adjustable diaphragm hereinbefore referred to, with ribs, " gills
or flanges a. B is the knob for operating the diaphragm A as hereinbefore
described; the stem of said knob working as shewn, through a slot formed in the
hood C D is the door herein before described, provided for the purpose of regu-
lating the rate of combustion. E is the fire basket hereinbefore referred to, and
which, as before stated, I may, in carrying out my Invention, dispense with.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
Firstly The construction and arrangement of domestic fire grates substantially
as and for the purposes herein set forth and described.
:-
Secondly In domestic fire grates the adaptation thereto of the adjustable
diaphragm A, hood C and accessory parts substantially as and for the purposes
herein described and as shewn in the accompanying drawings or any mere
modification thereof.
..
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