Improvements in or connected with Steam Generators.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Oct., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 6th July, 1896-Accepted, 15th Aug., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Steam Generators.
I, HENRY WILCKE, of 29 Brainard Street, Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention has reference to steam generators; and has for its object more
particularly to provide improvements in high pressure steam generators, and in
parts of steam generators, by which the boiler shall not only be efficient as regards
evaporative effect, but which shall generate steam rapidly, while the weight of the
whole generator inclusive of water, compared with the ordinary boilers such as
are usually employed in ships, and similar boilers employed on land, shall be small;
and at the same time, the construction shall be simple, and inexpensive, and one
that will afford facility of access to and inspection of the different parts, and of
repairs, and generally shall combine as far as possible, the merits of both the
ordinary existing type of boiler, and the modern water-tube boiler, without their
demerits. A further object is to construct such boilers in such a manner that the
higher pressures now used or contemplated can be employed without causing any
straining of parts of the boiler or parts of the tubes and other defects.
According to this invention, and under one part thereof, a boiler comprises
lower cylindrical water vessel having a furnace or two or more furnaces in it, an
upper cylindrical vessel having flame tubes in it, and a combustion chamber at the
back end of same formed or composed of water tubes. These upper and lower
vessels are connected together by suitable conduits for the passage of steam and
water, upwards, while other circulating pipes or conduits connecting them at
suitable parts conduct the water downwards. In one case, the connecting conduits
are formed of flat and stayed plates running between the upper side of the lower
vessel, and the under side of the upper vessel, and the passage at the back of the
generator is so disposed or arranged, under one construction, that it serves to
enclose the space between the end plates of the furnace vessel and tubular vessel,
in the combustion chamber. Where, however, it is desired, these communicating
pipes and conduits may be in the form of ordinary pipes suitably disposed.
As regards the combustion chamber, as stated, it may consist of, or is built up
of, water-tubes. This chamber or its tubes, under one arrangement according
to this invention, are only connected or rigidly connected, or in communication
with, one of the cylindrical water vessels. In the preferable arrangement, this
connection is with the upper vessel; and in that case, the lower ends of the tubes
would be fixed in water box say below the level of the bridge of the furnace flues,
and tubes connected with the upper parts of the combustion chamber, or upper
water vessel, would be used in connection with it for conveying down water to the
lower boxes for circulation. In one arrangement, the back tubes of the com-
bustion chamber are bent over and connected with the tube plate of said flame
tube vessel, the lower ends of these tubes being secured in a box or boxes. In
another arrangement, the upper ends of all the tubes of the combustion chamber
are fixed in boxes on, or projecting from, the upper vessel tube plate, and com-
municate freely with said vessel; while the downtake pipes would also connect
the upper and lower boxes.
As regards the boxes referred to, these may take different forms; but a
convenient form will be a rectangular one, made of suitable metal of desired

page_text: thickness. As these boxes will be comparatively small, and not subject to too
intense a heat, they may be suitably made of cast steel, and provided with suitable
covers or doors for gaining access to them and the tubes, and for inserting or
withdrawing tubes.
Different formations of tubes may be used to provide a continuous wall, and to
so avoid brickwork, and to form the combustion chamber of such tubes; but one
special form of such tube will consist of an ordinary round tube with a flange or
rib running down each side, which ribs come in contact with the ribs of the
adjacent tubes, and so form the continuous wall; and this form of tube may be
used in any form of boiler where they may be suitable. Although one row of such
tubes will be sufficient to form a wall of the combustion chamber, yet to provide
further surface, more than one row of tubes may be provided; and when this is
the case, the inner row or rows would be of ordinary form of tube to allow the
gases to pass in amongst them.
As regards the arrangement of tube-boxes, in an ordinary case, a suitable
arrangement would be to provide transverse boxes parallel with the end plates of
the water vessels, and other boxes, one at each end, or this with an intermediate
box or boxes, running between said first box, and the tube plate of the water
vessel.
In the case of steam generators being provided with combustion chambers
connected to and supported from the upper tubulous vessel alone, in some cases,
such combustion chamber is stayed or supported practically, or to a considerable
extent, by stays or girders having flexibility to some extent, which flexibility
begins only when extra weight or pressure, due to the expansion of the tubes of
the combustion chamber, takes place. By this, all chance or likelihood of damage
to the boiler, due to the weight of the combustion chamber being on its single
connection with the upper vessel, would be obviated without impairing the
advantages of the single connection, which is, that freedom of movement between
the upper and lower vessels of the generator may take place without affecting the
combustion chamber or its connections.
The steam generator described may consist of single sets of parts such as
specified, or two or more sets, placed side by side, or back to back, or both side by
side and back to back; and, in the different arrangements, necessarily, the parts
and particular arrangements thereof, according to this invention, which will be
used, will vary and be modified to suit the different conditions of application.
Under a further part of this invention, in connection with steam generators
which are rather more serviceable for land purposes, than marine, and wherein the
furnaces are enclosed above by water tubes, as inclined water tubes of considerable
size, and wherein the flames and fire gases act upon the underside of one end of
said tubes, but pass between them at another part, to a combustion chamber or
other space above them, I, under this invention, form the part of the tubes
constituting the roof of the furnace of oval formation, the major diameter of the
oval running transversely, so that the edges or ends of the oval tubes touch; while,
at the other part where the flames or gases pass from under them to the space
above, such parts of the tube are made oval, but the major diameter of the ovals
lie in the vertical plane. In such a case, the ends of the tubes where they fit or
are fastened in boxes or vessels are conveniently round, so as to be readily fastened.
In a modification of this construction, by which the same effect is obtained, the
tubes are all round, or substantially round, and they are arranged side by side,
and touch one another where they come over the furnace, while at the parts where
the gases pass from the furnace to the space above, they are even and stand in pairs
one over the other, thereby providing spaces equal to the diameter of the tubes
between each arrangement.
It is to be stated that the several improvements under this invention may be
used separately as well as conjointly, and where suitable and evenient may he
applied, one or more of them, in connection with steam generators which differ in
type and construction to tho-e hereinbefore more particularly described.

page_text: One of the advantages connected with this construction of steam generator or
combustion chamber herein described, is that substantially the entire use of
brickwork is obviated.
Dated this 4th day of October 1895.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15 Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.
Improvements in or connected with Steam Generators.
I, HENRY WILCKE, of 29 Brainard Street, Liverpool, 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 :-
This invention has reference to steam generators; and has for its object, more
particularly, to provide improvements in high pressure steam generators, and in
parts of steam generators, by which the boiler shall not only be efficient as regards
evaporative effect, but which shall generate steam rapidly, while the weight of the
whole generator, inclusive of water, compared with the ordinary boilers, such as
are usually employed in ships, and similar boilers employed on land, shall be
small; and at the same time, the construction shall be simple, and inexpensive,
and one that will afford facility of access to and inspection of the different parts,
and of repairs, and generally shall combine, as far as possible, the merits of both
the ordinary existing type of boiler, and the modern water-tube boiler, without
their demerits. A further object is to construct such boilers in such a manner
that the higher pressures now used or contemplated can be employed without
causing any straining of parts of the boiler or parts of the tubes and other
defects.
According to this invention, and under one part thereof, a boiler comprises a
lower cylindrical water vessel having a furnace, or two or more furnaces, in it, an
upper cylindrical vessel having flame tubes in it, and a combustion chamber at the
back end of same, formed or composed of water tubes. These upper and lower
vessels are connected together by suitable conduits for the passage of steam and
water, upwards, while other circulating pipes or conduits, connecting them at
In one
suitable parts, conduct the water downwards.
case, the connecting
conduits are formed of flat and stayed plates running between the upper side of
the lower vessel, and the under side of the upper vessel, and the passage at the
back of the generator is so disposed or arranged, under one construction, that it
serves to enclose the space between the end plates of the furnace vessel and
tubular vessel, in the combustion chamber. Where, however, it is desired, these
communicating pipes and conduits may be in the form of ordinary pipes suitably
disposed.
As regards the combustion chamber, as stated, it may consist of, or is built up
of, water-tubes. This chamber or its tubes, under one arrangement according to
this invention, are only connectel or rigidly connected, or in communication with,
one of the cylindrical water vessels. In the preferable arrangement, this
connection is with the upper vessel; and in that case, the lower ends of the tubes
would be fixed in water box, say below the level of the bridge of the furnace
flues, and tubes connected with the upper parts of the combustion chamber, or
upper water vessel, would be used in connection with it for conveying down water
to the lower boxes for circulation. In one arrangement, the back tubes of the
combustion chamber are bent over and connected with the tube plate of said
flame tube vessel, the lower ends of these tubes being secured in a box or boxes.

page_text: In another arrangement, the upper ends of all the tubes of the combustion
chamber are fixed in boxes on, or projecting from, the upper vessel tube plate, and
communicate freely with said vessel; while the downtake pipes would also connect
the upper and lower boxes.
As regards the boxes referred to, these may take different forms; but a
convenient form will be a rectangular one, made of suitable metal of desired
thickness. As these boxes will be comparatively small, and not subject to too
intense a heat, they may be suitably made of cast steel, and provided with suitable
covers or doors for gaining access to them and the tubes, ard for inserting or
withdrawing tubes.
but one
Different formations of tubes may be used to provide a continuous wall, and to
so avoid brickwork and to form the combustion chamber of such tubes ;
special form of such tube will consist of an ordinary round tube with a flange or
rib running down each side, which ribs come in contact with the ribs of the
adjacent tubes, and so form the continuous wall; and this form of tube may be
used in any form of boiler where they may be suitable. Although one row of such
tubes will be sufficient to form a wall of the combustion chamber, yet to provide
further surface, more than one row of tubes may be provided; and when this is the
case, the inner row or rows would be of ordinary form of tube to allow the gases to
pass in amongst them.
As regards the arrangement of tube-boxes, in an ordinary case, a suitable
arrangement would be to provide transverse boxes parallel with the end plates of
the water vessels, and other boxes, one at each end, or this with an intermediate
box or boxes, running between said first box, and the tube plate of the water
vessel.
In the case of steam generators being provided with combustion chambers
connected to and supported from the upper tubulous vessel alone, in some cases,
such combustion chamber is stayed or supported practically, or to a considerable
extent, by stays or girders having flexibility to some extent, which flexibility
begins only when extra weight or pressure, due to the expansion of the tubes of
the combustion chamber, takes place. By this, all chances or likelihood of
damage to the boiler, due to the weight of the combustion chamber being on its
single connection with the upper vessel, would be obviated without impairing the
advantages of the single connection, which is, that freedom of movement between
the upper and lower vessels of the generator may take place without affecting the
combustion chamber or its connection.
The steam generator described may consist of single sets of parts such as
specified, or two or more sets, placed side by side, or back to back, or both side
by side and back to back; and, in the different arrangements, necessarily, the parts
and particular arrangements thereof, according to this invention, which will be
used, will vary and be modified to suit the different conditions of application.
Under a further part of this invention, in connection with steam generators
which are rather more serviceable for land purposes, than marine, and wherein the
furnaces are enclosed above by water tubes, as inclined water tubes of considerable
size, and wherein the flame and fire gases act upon the underside of one end of
said tubes, but pass between them at another part, to a combustion chamber or
other space above them, I, under this invention, form the part of the tubes
constituting the roof of the furnace of oval formation, the major diameter of the
oval running transversely, so that the edges or ends of the oval tubes touch;
while, at the other part where the flames or gases pass from under them to the
space above, such parts of the tube are made oval, but the major diameter of the
ovals lie in the vertical plane. In such a case, the ends of the tubes where they
fit or are fastened in boxes or vessels are couveniently round, so as to be readily
fustened. In a modification of this construction, by which the same effect is
obtained, the tubes are all round, or substantially round, and they are arranged
side by side, and touch one another where they come over the furnace, while at the
parts where the gases p. ss from the furnace to the space above, they are even and

page_text: stand in pairs one over the other, thereby providing spaces equal to the diameter
of the tubes between each arrangement.
It is to be stated that the several improvements under this invention may be
used separately as well as conjointly, and where suitable and convenient, may be
applied, one or more of them, in connection with steam generators which differ in
type and construction to those herein before more particularly described.
One of the advantages connected with this construction of steam generator or
combustion chamber herein described, is that substantially the entire use of
brickwork is obviated.
Drawings illustrative of this invention are hereto annexed.
In these drawings,
Figure 1 is a front elevation partly in section, Figure 2 is a plau partly in
section, Figure 3 is a sectional side elevation, and Figure 4 is a side elevation, of
one modification or construction according to my invention.
Figure 5 is a sectional elevation and Figure 6 is a plan partly in section shewing
a modification in the form of combustion chamber of the steam generator shewn in
Figures 1 to 4.
Figure 7 is a sectional elevation, and Figure 8 an end view, shewing improve-
ments according to this invention applied in connection with a steam generator
having furnaces and fire tubes contained in a single shell.
In the description of the drawings the same figures and letters of reference are
used in connection with the same, analogous, or equivalent parts, wherever they
occur in the different figures and modifications.
Referring in the first instance to Figures 1 to 4, a designates the cylindrical
shell plates of the upper and lower vessels, forming the body of the steam
generator. b are the furnaces in the lower vessels, in the case shewn, they being
two in number. e are the fire tubes by which the gases of combustion pass
through the upper or fire-tube vessel. d are the end plates of the lower and upper
vessels in which the ends of the flues 6 and the tubes care respectively held.
The lower and upper vessels are connected together by conduits e and fat the
front and back, that at the back being carried from side to side of the vessels, and
constituting a flat connecting conduit, and as a water wall in the space between
these vessels at the combustion chamber end of the generator; and by which the
use of any large amount of brickwork at this end of the generator is avoided.
This conduit would be stayed by stay bolts, as may any other part of the vessels
requiring it.
The combustion chamber connecting the outlet end of the furnace flues with
the inlet end of the fire tubes c, consists mainly of side and back walls (and in the
case shewn, also of division walls), and roofs, comprised substantially wholly of
tubes, all of which are vertically or substantially vertically arranged, except those
of the roof, and are connected to and fastened in lower and upper water or water
and steam boxes; the upper boxes being rigidly secured by bolts or rivets to the
tube plate of the fire tube vessel, and the lower boxes being entirely disconnected
with the lower vessel, or connected by a tube or tubular construction, which allows
of practically free vertical movement due to the expansion or contraction of the
tubes connecting the lower boxes to the upper; and also of movement between the
upper part of the body of the steam generator and the lower, without affecting
the combustion chamber. Of these parts, the tubes forming the backs and sides of
the combustion chamber are designated h, those forming the roof, i, and those
forming division walls, j. The lower free boxes in which the lower ends of the
tubes are secured are denoted k, and the upper fixed boxes, l.
mare tubes
connecting the upper and lower boxes 1k, outside the combustion chamber; they
being provided to conduct water to and supply the lower boxes k with water.
To render the walls of combustion chambers made by tubes, through which
water is circulated, continuous, or substantially continuous, I prefer to use the
construction of tubes shewn in Figures 9 or 10. In the first of these, the ends
(that is the parts which are fastened to plates) of the tube are of circular form,
while the whole body of the tubes are of ellipse formation, the ends of the ellipse

page_text: extending bey. nd the tube ends at either side; and in walls made of such tubes
they are arranged so that these overhanging ends of the ellipses practically touch
each other. However, outside of the tubes, in any case, a suitable casing may
be used.
As regards the boxes 1k, connecting the water tube combustion chamber with
the main vessels or body of the generator, these may be of rectangular boxes as
shewn, say of cast steel, or of other suitable metal; or of polygonal form; or, they
may be of circular form, in which case at the points where the tubes are fastened,
they may be flattened if desired; and these boxes may be provided at their upper
ends or at parts where desired, with hand holes, and covers for gaining access to
the tube ends, or tubes.
In cases, under this invention, where the lower combustion chamber box k is not
connected with the furnace vessel, or in any case where combustion chambers of
the kinds herein described are applied to steam generators used in navigable vessels,
the lower box k will be stayed at the side from the furnace vessel, or from a part
of the ship, in any desired way, to prevent the lower part of the combustion chamber
having side, or vibratory movement from the upper box.
In the arrangement shewn in Figures 1 to 4, two sets of steam generators, each
comprising lower furnace vessel, upper fire tube vessel, and end water tube
combustion chambers are shewn ; but any number of any such sets may be used, as
three or more, or a single set only may be employed; and moreover these sets may
be arranged in some cases where desired back to back, so that the water tube
combustion chambers lie between the back ends of each of such sets.
In some
cases, where such an arrangement is used, the upper and lower boxes lk will be
made so as to receive the ends of the tubes forming the side walls of such combustion
chambers and the wall dividing one combustion chamber from the other; or, each
combustion chamber may have its separate set of boxes and tubes.
In the double arrangement of steam generator shewn, the upper and lower
cylindrical vessels forming the body of the generator are connected together by
down current tubes g, as well as conduits e and ; and the upper of these vessels
have above them a steam drum o, connected by branches o' to their steam spaces.
The upper vessels, also, are provided with an uptake for the discharge of gases,
fitted with the usual doors for gaining access for cleaning, repairing, or renewing
the tubes of the upper fire-tube vessel.
1. the operation of this steam generator, fuel is burnt on the grate on the
furnaces b, and the gaseous products pass from these furnaces into the water tube
combustion clan bers; and from this combustion chamber they enter the tubes e of
the upper vessel, and pass through them to the outlet or uptake p. In passing
through the combustion chamber, the water in the tubes constituting it, is heated;
and this water (and whatever steam generated in them) passes into the upper
boxes, and thence into the upper fire tube vessel; while the circuit of water to
these combustion chamber tubes, is kept up and supplied by the down tubes n which
convey water from the upper boxes to the lower box k.
By this steam generator, the weight of metal and water in it for a given power,
is small, as compared with ordinary existing return tubular steam generators, while,
at the same time, a readily repairable and accessible construction is provided.
Also, a structure of combustion chamber is provided, which in itself, provides the
known advantageous characteristics and qualities of water tube steam generators,
and avoids at the same time the difficulty and annoyances or defects inherent in and
due to the present construction of marine steam generator. And moreover, as
regards the combustion chamber itself, it being so arranged that the
upper and
lower parts of the body of the steam generator can move or "work without
affecting if, and also being free to expand and contract as it likes, it is not
liable to become leaky, or subject to deteriorating stresses; and moreover, when
desired, it can be easily repaired.
In the modification shewn in Figures 5 and 6, the upper box connecting the
upper end of the combustion chamber division tubes with the upper fire tube

page_text: vessel is separate from the box and is designaten
being
box ; also the lower box k is connected to the lower furnace vessel as well as to
the upper box to supply it with water to enable circulation to take place through
the combustion chamber tubes h. This connection is however so male that the frea
movement of the different parts of the generator, or vertical expansion and
contraction, can still take place from the upper boxes; and this is effected by
making the tubular connection in two parts, being connected with by a
sliding joint in the form of a stuffing box and gland, at 2. In this modification,
within the tubes forming the walls of the combustion chamber, a second row
ordinary water tubes are provided such supplementary tubes may be used in any
case. In other respects than these, the modification shewn in these Figures, 5 and 6,
is substantially the same as that set forth with reference to Figures 1 to 4.
of
The application of the combustion chamber of water tubes herein described to
steam generators in which furnaces and fire tubes are employed, and contained
within a single shell, is shewn in Figures 7 and 8. As will be seen from the
drawing, the tubular combustion chamber here shewn is very similar to that shewa
in Figures 1 to 6, with the exception that the tubes forming the enl walls and
division walls are alone secured in their upper ends to boxes and j', the ends of
tubes forming the back of the combustion chamber being carried up in curved
form, and enter the end plate d of the body of the steam generator, the supports i
of such tubes thus forming the roof of the chambers.
In Figure 7, s is a casing enclosing or covering the outside of the combustion
chamber.
The body of the steam generator in this case consists simply of the furnaces b
running between the end plates d, and the fire tubes c running between said end
plates, the shell a itself being cylindrical. The front of the steam generator in
this case will be provided with the usual uptake and smoke doors.
This somewhat modified construction provides for the free and independent
action referred to and the vertical expansion and contraction of the whole
combustion chamber from its upper parts, as in the cases above described; and
further, if desired, this construction of combustion chamber may be applied to the
bodies of steam generators shewn in the previous figures; or, the construction
shewn in the previous figures may be used in connection with the construction of
body shewn in these Figures 7 and 8.
It is to be stated that the different constructions of parts shewn in the
different modifications and figures may be applied to or used in any of the kinds of
steam generators shewn or to which my invention may be applicable; and that the
invention is not restricted to the precise forms and arrangements of parts more
particularly set forth with reference to and shewn in the drawings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. A steam generator, substantially as herein described, comprising a lower
furnace vessel or vessels, an upper fire tube vessel or vessels, and a water-tube
combustion chamber extending up from the lower to the upper vessels, and
constituting a chamber through which flames and fire gases pass from the furnaces
to the fire tubes of the upper vessel.
2. A steam generator, substantially as herein described, comprising a vessel,
containing within it a furnace or furnaces, and fire tubes extending longitudinally
through it; and a combustion chamber or chambers of tubes at the back of
same through which water circulates, and constituting a chamber through which the
fire gases and flames pass from the furnace or furnaces to the fire tubes.
3. A combustion chamber or chambers of or for a steam generator, for conveying
flames or gases from the furnace or furnaces to another part, consisting of vertical
tubes forming the walls of such combustion chambers or chamber, and supported
at one end, and free and independent of the body of the generator at the other,

page_text: and having freedom for expansion and contraction from the end supported ;
substantially as and for the purposes described.
4. In or for a steam generator, the combustion chamber constructed substantially
as set forth with reference to the drawings, operating as described.
5. In or for steam generators, the construction or form and arrangement of tubes
herein described, by which practically solid or continuous walls of tubes, for the
purposes described, are provided or afforded.
6. The construction of steam generators, and combustion chambers consisting of
vertical water tubes and boxes, particularly as eet forth with reference to the
different figures of the drawings
Dated this 2nd day of July 1896.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15 Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.