IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM BOILERS
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for
-
Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM BOILERS."-
A communication from abroad by John Benjamin Root, of the City
and State of New York, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward
Newton at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 9th June 1870.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM BOILERS,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to what are known as water tube boilers,
consisting of tubes arranged in tiers one above another over the furnace
or fire-place, and containing within them the water to be heated, and
connected at their ends by cast-iron heads and bends through which
the water and steam circulate from one tube to another. Its principal

page_text: at their ends by being inserted into and fastened to cast-iron con-
nections A, A³, which being one set of ends close together, and remove
the other ends further apart; these connections have passages through
them, which are at least as large or larger than the areas of the
tubes themselves with which they connect. Above the upper tier
b¹, b', of these tubes the other tubes b, b, are arranged in sufficient
number to contain the required amount of heating surface and water
and steam space. Upon the ends of the tubes b, b, there are screwed
or otherwise secured square cast-iron heads c, c, c, c, having each
in its center, opposite where the tube is inserted, a single circular
opening d (see Figures 6, 9, and 10) around which there is an
annular recess or groove e (Fig. 9) containing if desired a gum ring
or other appropriate packing. Into these grooves are inserted the
ends of the hollow cast-iron bends, which make the connections between
the several tiers of tubes, as shewn in Figures 5. and 6. In the upper
parts of the cast-iron connections A, A¹, of the lower tubes 61, 6*, are
similar grooves, which receive the lower ends of the lower row of
bends ff, which connect the lower tier of tubes b, b, with the tier b¹, b¹.
It will be understood that each bend f forms a communication between
one tube of one tier and a tube of the tier above or below it. In the
back of each of these bends f, f, and immediately opposite the holes d, d,
in the head of the tubes are two other holes d', d', (Fig. 6) surrounded
by annular grooves, which may be furnished with the same kind of
packing as the grooves c, c. Into these grooves in the bends f,f, are
fitted another set of bends marked g, 9, 9, Figures 5 and 6, each of
which connects two of the first bends f,f,f, together, thus making a
passage for the water and steam, first from tube to tube through the
first row of bends f,f,f, and then from one of said bends to another
through the outside row of bends g, g, g. The whole of the bends are
held to place by clamps h, h, and bolts i, i, i, which are fastened behind
the tube heads c, c, c, c. To the upper ends of the upper row of
bends fff, there is attached a series of bends marked g¹, g², I', which
run crosswise instead of upward like those f,f,f, and 9, g, g, before
described. Each of these bends g¹, g¹, g¹, connects two of the bends f,f,f,
The said bends g¹, g³, g¹, are held to their place by bolts which pass
through one of the bends on one side and through a clamp on the other
side. The clamps of the side of the boiler have each of their ends
resting on a pin or stud j, j,j, (Figures 1 and 3) on one of the side
plates k, k, and the other end resting on one of the bends. To the cross

page_text: bends g', g', g', at the higher ends of the tubes are connected the steam
pipes marked 1, 1, which convey the steam to the steam drum H, or
directly to the engine. The outside openings in the lower row of bends,
which connect the end connections A, A, and A¹, A¹, with the next row
of tubes b, b, above, are closed by the bends marked g", ", which
connect crosswise at both ends of the boiler, as shewn in Figures 1 and 2.
Across the lower ends of the end connections of the lower tiers of
tubes 6', ', and 6*, 6*, there is also a series of cross bends m, m,
Figures 1 and 2, for connecting the water space of the tubes, and to
these bends are attached pipes which convey the mud and sediment to
the mud receiver O, O. Across the upper ends of the end connections
of the lower rows of tubes b', b', *, *, there may also be a similar
series of cross bends, as indicated in dotted outline in Figures 1 and 2.
These may be fastened in the same way as the others. The lower ends
of the upper row of tubes, or those at the top of the boiler, are connected
crosswise by bends g', g', in the same manner as those at the end where
the steam is delivered, and have connected with them pipes x, x,
(Figures 2 and 4) through which the feed water enters.
The lower parts of the two uppermost tiers of tubes are represented in
Figures 2 and 4 as containing the inside tubes 2, 2, herein-before referred
to as constituting one feature of this Invention. These tubes are secured
in the holes in the outer sides of the inner bends f,f; their lower ends
communicate with the outer bends g, g, and their upper ends open into
the tubes b, b, just below the surface of the water (Fig. 2). The lower
tubes b, b, also contain within them smaller tubes w, w, as shewn in
Fig. 2, to provide for the better circulation of the water in the boiler.
The end connections A', A', between the two lower tiers of tubes 6', 6',
and 6*, *, are provided opposite the tubes with removable caps p', p¹,
opposite the ends of the tubes. The interior faces of these caps are
curved or provided with curved projections, as shown in Figures 2
and 14, by which facility is afforded for the motion of the column of
water in the boiler in the direction of the arrows shewn in Fig. 1, as
will be presently further explained, and for the upward passage of the
steam.
A boiler having been constructed as described, and having been
enclosed in brick or stone work with all the necessary attachments, and
been filled with water, and fire having been made on the grate below it,
the operation is as follows:-The heat passing up among the tubes and

page_text: through them into the water immediately sets it slowly in motion in an
upward direction in both lower tiers of tubes U³, 1, 6*, *, as indicated by
the arrows in Fig. 2, the first motion being caused by the difference in
the specific gravity of the water in the column nearest the fire, or in the
one that receives the greatest amount of heat, viz., the column in the
tubes b', 61, 6, 6*, and the one farthest from the fire and receiving the least
amount of heat, viz., that one contained in the longest connection which
connects the two lower tiers of tubes. This operation continues until the
formation of steam bubbles begins, when the specific gravity of the two
columns is still farther altered, and this aided by the efforts of the steam
bubbles to gain a higher level, in which efforts they carry before them and
with them a quantity of water, produces throughout the whole system of
tubes a rapid circulation which is only increased by a further application
of heat. The water in its progress through the several tubes delivers
its steam at the upper ends where the steam passes through the intricate
and tortuous communications or chambered passages in the bends, and is
entirely separated from any water that might otherwise be carried up
with it, any water so separated descending to the water line again
through the tubes. Should a portion of the water in those tubes which
are immediately above the two lower rows have any tendency to return
downward through those tubes provision is made for such return by
the small tubes w, w, through which it returns without impeding the
upward progress of the steam or lighter portions of the water, which
pass along in closer contact with the top of the main tube, as shewn by
the arrows, which indicate the direction of the currents. The feed
water entering at the top of the boiler is compelled to traverse backward
and forward through the main tubes 6, b, and smaller inside tubes 2, 2, 2,
in its downward course, and is finally delivered to those tubes where
the greatest heat is applied, thereby preventing injury to them by
suddenly bringing in contact with them a body much colder than
themselves. The result of the combinations and arrangements of the
heating surfaces and steam and water room of a boiler, as herein
described, is such that the heat of the furnace is mostly communicated
to the water below the place where the steam is formed, and provides a
sufficient circulation of water between the heating surface and the
generating and steam room to convey the heat from the furnace
to the generating and steam room, and in a great measure prevent
the formation of steam and the deposit of sediment on the heating
surfaces.

page_text: It will be observed that by the arrangement of the two lower rows of
tubes there is formed between the first and second row a large com-
bustion chamber to which the proper amount of air can be admitted
through the openings y, y, in the side walls and through the small
perforated air pipes z, z, shown in Figures 1 and 2, to consume all the
inflammable gases eliminated from the fuel below and which is
ordinarily lost.
The end connections A, A, and A¹, A¹, at either end of the boiler
instead of being made in separate sections may be made in one piece
either of wrought or cast iron and strengthened by stay bolts or other-
wise, though I prefer making them in sections, as shewn in Fig. 1.
The connections above the second tier of tubes b', ', may be also made
of one piece of wrought or cast iron and joined to the lower connections
either by flanges and bolts or by bends, as shewn in dotted outline in
Figure 17.
Figure 16 is a front view corresponding with Fig. 17, the cap or
front plate which covers the upper tube connections being removed.
This upper tube connection consists of one single head or box, into
which the ends of all the tubes are inserted. When the upper tube
connections are made in this way there will be provided on the interior
of the cap or front plate projections which are arranged opposite to and
extend nearly to the mouths of the tubes to prevent the water issuing
from one tube from rising higher than the next tube above. When the
end connections extend the whole height of the boiler, as shewn in
Figs. 14 and 15, the cap plates p³ which are inserted thereinto opposite
the ends of the tubes require similar projections on their inner faces.
When the corresponding ends of all the tubes b, b, are all inserted into
one head or box, as shewn in Figs. 16 and 17, or even when the tube
connections are made in sections extending in one piece the whole
height of the boiler, or of the upper tubes b, b, it will be necessary to
fix both ends of the top and bottom tubes permanently into the heads,
and but one end of all the tubes between them, thus leaving one end
free to slide through the connection, as shown in Figure 18, which is a
sectional elevation of one such connection, and shows that the end of
the tube is tapered down to a smaller diameter to make room for the
recess to receive the packing and gland to force it up tight, and also
shows that the circulating tube in this case is fastened into the gland
which in connection with the projection on the cap prevents the feed

page_text: water from coming directly down, but compels it to pass up into the main
tube and back through the small tube. Figure 19 is a back view of the
cap for closing up the opening in the connection, and through which a
screw bolt is inserted to force home the packing around the tube to
prevent leakage. This method of arranging the tubes with one end
free to slip entirely provides for the different expansions and contractions
to which water tube boilers are subjected.
The steam and water spaces above the lower tiers of tubes 6', b', and
*, *, may be composed of receptacles shaped otherwise than tubular,
though I consider tubes preferable.
The provision of separate connections between the several tubes b, b,
may be made by the single series of overlapping bends indicated by
the letters f, f, in Figs. 7 and 8, instead of by the double series of
bends ff, and g, g, herein-above described, and such overlapping
bends, the construction of which is plainly shown in Figs. 7 and 8,
provide a similar tortuous system of communications and obstructed
water circulation between the said tubes.
Having now set forth the nature of the Invention of improvements
in steam boilers, as communicated to me from abroad, and having
explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish it
to be understood that under the above in part recited Letters Patent
I claim,-
1st. The arrangement of the lowest tier or tiers of water tubes b*,
which are nearest the fire at an inclination the reverse of the inclination
of the connected tubes * above, substantially as specified.
2nd. The combustion chamber provided between the reversely inclined
tiers of tubes 6* and 6', substantially as herein described.
3rd. The within described system of unobstructed connections A, A',
or their equivalents between the ends of the reversely inclined tiers of
water tubes 6* and b¹, whereby the water is allowed free circulation in an
upward direction through both tiers, and a downward circulation in that
connection joining the ends of the tubes which are furthest from each
other, substantially as herein described.
4th. The curved faces or projections p³, p³, provided on the cap plates
which cover the openings in the end connections A, A', or their equi-
valents, substantially as herein set forth.
5th. The combination with and above the tiers of water tubes *, *,

page_text: and b¹, b, having inclinations in opposite directions of other tiers of tubes
for water and steam arranged one above another with chambered passages
forming intricate and tortuous communications between them for
arresting the upward circulation of water, and this I claim irrespective
of any particular construction of the said passages or communications.
6th. The construction of the chambered passages or tortuous com-
munications between the water and steam tubes b, b, of a double series
of bends ƒ, f, g, g, substantially as herein described, with reference to
Figures 4, 5, and 6 of the Drawing, or a single series of overlapping
bends f, f, substantially as represented in Figures 7 and 8 of the
Drawing.
7th. In combination with the connection of the feed tube x with
the boiler at the upper part of the water space I claim the inner cir-
culating tubes 2, 2, arranged within the upper tubes b, b, substantially
as herein described.
Eighth. Providing the ends of the tubes of a water tube boiler with a
slip joint, substantially as and for the purpose herein specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton, have
hereunto set my hand and scal, the Ninth day of December, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.