IMPROVEMENTS IN APPA- RATUS FOR FEEDING FURNACES
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas George Webb, of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Glass Manufacturer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPA-
RATUS FOR FEEDING FURNACES.”
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas George Webb at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th February 1876.
THOMAS GEORGE WEBB, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Glass Manu-
facturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FURNACES."
My Invention relates to apparatus for feeding the fuel so that it is thrust upward
into the burning mass. For this purpose I provide a cylindrical or other shaped
chamber extending downward from the bottom of the furnace, which chamber is
provided with a piston capable of being forced upward by hydraulic power, or by
any suitable mechanical arrangement. Upon the piston is placed a loose plate or
grating which when at its top position constitutes a portion of the bed of the
furnace. Fuel is placed in the chamber by means of a door or doors, or the
apparatus may be wheeled bodily out and supplied at top.
When the fuel is thrust up the plate forming a part of the bottom of the furnace
is removed, and when the fuel is all supplied the loose plate or grid on the piston
supplies its place.
The feeding of the fuel may be continuous or intermittent.
In place of the above-mentioned piston vanes disposed as a screw may be
emploved to convey the fuel upward.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by the
said Thomas George Webb in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th August
1876.
THOMAS GEORGE WEBB, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster, Glass Manu-
facturer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR FEEDING FURNACES."
My Invention relates to apparatus for feeding the fuel so that it is thrust
upward into the burning mass, which feeding may be continuous or intermittent.
[Price 4d.]

page_text: '
The arrangement I employ is shewn in vertical section at Fig. 1, and the apparatus
is supposed to be adapted to a glass furnace. At a is the "siege line" of the
furnace, and at b, the "fire ditch," at c, the grate bands, and at d, the "cave" or
ash-pit. At e is a cylinder resting on the bottom of the "cave" or ash-pit and
projecting above the grate bars. This cylinder is provided with a piston f, the rod
g of which is connected to a hydraulic lift of ordinary construction, or is provided
with a screw rack and pinion or other usual lifting mechanical arrangement, by
which means the piston may be raised and lowered at pleasure. At h is an opening
in the cylinder by means of which it may be charged with fuel, and at i, k, are two
slits in the said cylinder extending across a half of its diameter.
According to the positions of the parts shewn in the Drawing the fire-grate has
been charged, and the fuel consumed and unconsumed is resting upon the plate
which is supported by the pins m, and which plate is passed into the slit i of which
pins I use those around the circumference. In these positions of the parts a fresh charge
is passed through the aperture to a circular plate n, having having been first passed
through the slit le so as to rest upon the piston f. The plate is now removed, the
pins m drawn out, and the piston f moved upward by any of the aforesaid means,
thus conveying a fresh charge of fuel into the fire ditch. The piston of having
reached a level with the slit i the pins m are placed under the plate n, and the said
piston is then lowered for another charge of fuel, and the parts are restored to the
positions shewn with the exception that the plate n has taken the place of that
shewn at 1, the latter being now brought down to constitute the support for the
fuel at the next change, and thus consecutive operations take place for successive
charges. In order to facilitate the application of the pins m under the plates
1, n, the piston fis made smaller in diameter, as shewn in the Drawing, and in
order to remove the plates I provide them with perforations as at o, Fig. 2, and
through which a hook may be passed, a slot in the cylinder being provided for
the introduction of the said hook. The charge hole / has a door of any suitable
construction, and instead of employing a cylinder the fuel holder may be square
or of any other suitable form. The cylinder e may be made in two parts, the
joint being at p for the purpose of facilitating adaptation and repairs.
The supplying of a fresh charge of fuel may take at one movement of the piston
for at intervals, or the said movement may be gradually extending over any
determined time either by manual labour or by any well known and suitable
arrangnment of motive power.
With regard to the regulation of the lifting of the piston that may be done by an
attendant manipulating the valves of the hydraulic lift or governing the mechanical
apparatus employed, which apparatus may be driven by motive power. I have above
alluded to my Invention as applied to a glass furnace, but it may also be adapted to
other furnaces for feeding fuel thereto.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in which
the same is to be performed, I desire it to be understood that I claim as secured to
me under the above in part recited Letters Patent, and for the purpose above set
forth the use of the cylindrical or other shaped fuel holders e, f, and plates l, n,
substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas George Webb, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twelfth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
(LS.) THOMAS GEORGE WEBB,