IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE GRATES, APPLICABLE TO STEAM BOILER FURNACES AND OTHER FURNACES." PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Rudolph Bodmer, of Osborne House, Holland
Park, in the County of Middlesex, John James Bodmer, of Newport,
in the County of Monmouth, and Louis Rudolph Bodmer, of No. 2,
Lansdowne Road, Notting Hill, in the County of Middlesex, for
the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE GRATES, APPLICABLE TO STEAM
BOILER FURNACES AND OTHER FURNACES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Rudolph Bodmer,
John James Bodmer, and Louis Rudolph Bodiner at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents, with their Petition, on the 17th
May 1869.
We, RUDOLPH BODMER, of Osborne House, Holland Park, in the
County of Middlesex, JOHN JAMES BODMER, of Newport, in the County
of Monmouth, and LOUIS RUDOLPH BODMER, of No. 2. Lansdowne Koad
Notting Hill, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature
[Price 1

page_text: of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE GRATES, APPLICABLE TO
STEAM BOILER FURNACES, AND OTHER FURNACES," to be as follows:-
Our Invention relates to certain novel arrangements and combinations
of parts for the purpose of passing the fuel from the front gradually
towards the end of the fire-grate, also for supplying fire-grates with
fuel from the hopper, and further for (in some cases) discharging the
clinkers, cinders, and other residue into the ashi-pit.
The first part of our improvements consists in the application and use
of a series of rollers or cylinders forming a grate surface in lieu of
stationary or of flat moveable grates, or in combination with either
or with both and we prefer to make these rollers about six inches
in diameter.
:
The rollers which we propose to use in lieu of flat or ordinary grate
surfaces are placed parallel to each other and mounted upon shafts,
whose ends are supported by bearings cast or fixed to frames or plates
attached to the sides of the furnace, sufficient space being left between
each two rollers to allow for the expansion of the metal. Motion, either
continuons or intermittent, is imparted to these rollers in the same
direction, namely from the hopper towards the fire bridge, and the coal
or other fuel is carried forward or onward by them in the same direction.
In the case of a continuous motion being preferred worms and worm-
wheels may be used for driving these rollers; and where an intermittent
or periodical motion may be considered desirable internal or external
ratchet wheels may be employed, worked, or actuated by means of
pawls in the usual well-known manner. These rollers or cylinders may
be formed each of one, two, or more lengths, being furnished with
longitudinal or transverse slits or openings for the admission of air;
or they may be composed of a number of sheaves or disks fixed in
succession upon a shaft, each being of about the width of an ordinary
grate bar, and they having the usual air spaces between them.
We also propose to apply and make use of sheaves or disks placed
in such a manner that the sheaves of two contiguous rollers or cylinders
shall interlock with each other. Or instead of the aforesaid rollers
interlocking quadrants may be used, to which a reciprocating motion
is imparted, so that in the forward stroke they carry the fuel onwards
towards the bridge, whilst in the backward stroke they glide partially
under the fuel and have a fresh supply deposited upon them.

page_text: or
The second part of our improvements relates to certain arrangements
mechanism for supplying fire-grates with fuel from the hopper.
One mode of effecting this purpose consists in mounting in front of
the furnace or fire-grate a pair of feed rollers placed one above the other
and moving in opposite directions. Or in place of the above-mentioned
feed rollers we use a step quadrant the upper surface of which passes
under the front of the hopper, whilst the lower surface thereof forms
the bottom of the hopper. This step quadrant has a backward &
forward motion, and during the latter forces the fuel forward on to the
grate surface. Such step quadrants we also mean to apply between
two or more successive stationary grates. The grate surface immediately
contiguous to the bottom feed roller may either be stationary or formed
of a series of rollers as above described. Or in the latter case, the
top roller may be dispensed with and a sliding door substituted for it,
the coal or other fuel descending by its own gravity and being carried
forward by the action of the first and succeeding rollors; or a loose
top roller not connected with the bottom roller may be used.
The third part of our improvements relates to certain novel arrange-
iments or mechanism for effecting a continuous or periodical discharge
of the cinders and clinkers or other residue from the end of the fire-
grate. And they consist in the application and use of a pair of rollers
or cylinders moving in opposite directions, and upon which the said
cinders and clinkers are deposited on leaving the grate surface, and
by means of which they are taken hold of and discharged into the
ash-pit. This mode of removing the cinders and clinkers applies more
particularly to puddling & heating furnaces, where, in consequence
of the intense heat, clinkers are, especially when inferior qualities of
coals are used, formed in large quantities, and where the admission of
air at the bridge must be carefully guarded against.
Such rollers or quadrants as herein-before described are well adapted
for use in furnaces of steam boilers with either external or internal
firing, as also for puddling, heating, and other furnaces; and they
may be placed in either a horizontal or slanting position according to
circunstances, in combination with either stationary grates or flat
moveable grates, in the manner which will be more particularly pointed
out hereafter.
When applied to heating and puddling furnaces it may be convenient
to place the above-described rollers in such a position that they shall

page_text: form a step grate terminating at the bottom in a further series of rollers
occupying either a horizontal or a slightly slanting position, or in a
flat moveable or in a stationary grate. If preferred the ordinary
mode of feeding grates of heating and puddling furnaces by throwing
the fuel upon them through a hole in the side or wall of the furnace
may be preserved.
The following are some of the various combinations of the several
parts forming our improved fire-grates, viz. :-
Firstly. A moveable grate under the hopper similar to those described
in the Specification of the Patent of J. Zeb, No. 2569, of 1864,
discharging the fuel either upon a stationary grate succeeded by a
series of rollers as above described, or at once upon a series of such
rollers.
Secondly. A pair of feed rollers or a step quadraut as above described,
causing the fuel to move towards the bridge over a stationary or common
grate. or where the step quadrant is used over a succession of stationary
grates. Or the same arrangement, the stationary grate being however
succeeded by a moveable grate, which latter may discharge the fuel
either upon a series of rollers or upon a second stationary grate, followed
by a series of rollers.
Thirdly. A pair of feed rollers or a step quadrant supplying a
stationary grate, succeeded by a series of rollers, which latter may again
be succeeded by a moveable grate followed by a stationary grate or by
a series of rollers. In the combinations mentioned under the second
& third heads the feed rollers may be replaced by what is known as
Young's feed screw or spiral bars.
Fourthly. A series of rollers or quadrants as above described,
beginning under the hopper, the entire grate being composed simply
of rollers, or a moveable and then a stationary grate succeeded by a
series of rollers.
We support aud actuate the flat moveable grates above referred to
by preference in the manner described in the Specification of the Patent
of J. Zeh, already named, and wo do not make use in any of our
combinations of more than one such fat moveable grate. The
moveable parts of our improved fire-grates may be actuated either by
hand or by power.

page_text: For the purpose of preventing the formation of clinkers or of removing
the same if already formed along the sides of furnaces, and more
especially of puddling and heating furnaces, we make use of bars lying
usually on the same lovel as the grate surface or grate surfaces but
capable of being moved when, and as required, by a combination of
levers & rods, or other means either in a horizontal or in a vertical
direction to a certain distance along the sides of the furnace.
In those cases where the above described rollers are forined of a
series of sheaves we propose to clear the space between each pair of
sheaves by means of scrapers entering into the said spaces below the
grate surface.
In those fire-grates which consist of a series of separate or combined
grate bars or fire-bars, forming one level surface, the spaces between
such grate bars can be kept open and clinkers already formed removed,
by imparting a reciprocating motion in both the longitudinal &
vertical direction to a series of scrapers or knives which take into the
air spaces of the said grate bars from underneath, and which may be
actuated either by hand or by power continuously or periodically.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Rudolph Bodmer, John James Bodmer, and
Louis Rudolph Bodmer in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
17th November 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, RUDOLPH
BODMER, of Osborn House, Holland Park, in the County of Middlesex,
JOHN JAMES BODMER, of Newport, in the County of Monmouth, and
LOUIS RUDOLPH BODMER, of No. 2, Lansdown Road, Notting Hill, in
the County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Seventeenth day of May, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto us, the said Rudolph Bodner, John James Bodmer,
and Louis Rudolph Bodmer, Her special licence that we, the said
Rudolph Bodmer, John James Bodmer, and Louis Rudolph Bodmer, our
executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as we, the said

page_text: Rudolph Bodmer, John James Bodmer, and Louis Rudolph Bodmer, our
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN FIRE GRATES, APPLICABLE TO STEAM BOILER FURNACES AND OTHER FURNACE,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that we, the said Rudolph
Bodmer, John James Bodmer, and Louis Rudolph Bodmer, our ex-
ecutors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under our, or
one of our, or their, or one of their hands and scals, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed
in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that we, the said Rudolph Bodmer, John Jaines
Bodmer, and Louis Rudolph Bodmer, do hereby declare the nature of
our said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
Our Invention relates to certain novel arrangements and combinations
of parts for supplying fire-grates with fuel for passing the fuel gradually
towards the bridge or end of the grate and also for (in some cases)
discharging the cinders, clinkers, and other residue into the ash-pit.
The first part of our improvements cousists in the application and
use of rollers or cylinders forming a grate surface in lieu of either
stationary or moveable flat grates, or in combination with either or with
both. The rollers supported in suitable bearings are ranged parallel
to each other, with sufficient space between each two to prevent contact
from expansion of the metal. Those rollers near the front of the
furnace where the heat is odorate and where little or no air is required
for the fuel may be formed in one, two, or more lengths fixed upon a
shaft, but where the admission of air becomes necessary we compose
the rollers of a number of sheaves, pulleys, or discs each of about the
width of an ordinary grate bar, or wider, or narrower, and between each
two such pulleys, space is left for the air to pass between them to the
fuel. The several rollers are caused to revolve simultaneously, and in
the same direction, either continuously or intermittently with the same

page_text: surface speed, and each roller revolves round its own axis and not
excentrically. When applied externally, whether to a boiler or in a
puddling or other furnace, the rollers may be actuated by worm and
worn wheel gear, or by a pitched chain applied either outside the brick-
work, or inside it. covered by the brickwork, but when used internally as
in the so called Laucashire boilers and in marine boilers, where it
would be diflicult to protect the worm wheel on each roller from
burning or from choking with clinkers, we propose to give them an
intermittent or periodical motion by means of internal ratchet wheel
and pawl applied to one or two of the small rolls or pulleys composing
the roller, or by means of internal or external friction clutch, as will be
hereafter described. The layer of fuel fed in in front of the furnace
will be carried by the action of the rollers towards the bridge, and
according to the diameter of the rollers, which we propose to be about
six inches, it will in passing from one roller to the noxt be more or less
broken or opened up. A modification of the above consists in giving
the rollers a reciprocating motion so that in the forward stroke the fuel
is carried onwards towards the bridge, whilst in the backward stroke the
rollers glide partially under the fuel, the fuel at the hopper causing
resistance and have a fresh supply deposited upon them. This action
takes place in the fire-grates of J. Zel, No. 2569, 184, to which reference
will be made hereafter. If less than half a revolution is given at each
stroke a portion of the rim of each pulley or roll may be stopped off to
reduce weight and allow fuller access of air. A further modification of this
description of grate consists in making the discs narrow and interlocking
either with motion in a forward direction only or with reciprocating
motion, or instead of entire discs, interlocking quadrants of a larger radius
may be employed. The interlocking system has however the dis-
advantage that the spaces between the discs or quadrants must neces-
sarily be wider than the latter and they are therefore only applicable in
exceptional ene
ля
The second part of our improvements consists in the employment of
a pair of rollers placed horizontally the one above the other, and moving
in opposite directions, fixed in front either of a roller grate as described,
but more especially of a stationary grate surface for drawing in the fuel
from the hopper and forcing it over the first grate surface. When
applied to a roller grate the bottom roller only of the above-named pair

page_text: of rollers requires having motion imparted to it, the top roller turning
loose in its bearings by contact with the fuel.
The third part of our improvements consists in the use of what
we term "
step quadrants" for pushing or forcing the fuel from the
hopper over a stationary grate surface to a moveable grato surface,
or to a roller or disc surface, and also for passing the fuel from one
stationary grate surface over a succeeding one. The construction and
action of the step quadrant will be described hereafter with reference to
the Drawings.
The fourth part of our improvements relates to certain novel arrange-
ments for effecting either a continuous or periodical discharge of the
cinders, clinkers, and other residue carried by the action of the
grate towards the bridge. This arrangement consists in the application
between the end of the grate and the bridge of a pair of rollers or
cylinders turning in opposite directions by which the clinkers and other
residue will be seized, crushed, and passed into the ash-pit. This mode
of removing cinders and clinkers applies more particularly to puddling
and heating furnaces, where, owing to the intense heat and especially
with inferior quality of coal they form in large quantities.
We also form combinations of our roller grates, step quadrants, and
stationary grates with the Patent fire-grates of the said J. Zeh, and de-
scribed in his printed Specification from the last line of page 2 to line 28
on page 8. We make the various grates either horizontal or more or less
slanting according to circumstances, and when applying our roller grate
to puddling and similar furnaces it may be convenient to place it in
such a manner as to form a step grate, terminating at the bottom in a
further series of rollers, in a horizontal or slightly slanting position, or in
a moveable or in a stationary flat grate or a pair of rolls for discharging
the cinder and other residue may be used in place of or in combination
with the horizontal grates named.
In order that our said Invention shall be more readily understood and
carried into effect we will now further describe the same, reference being
had to the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of reference in
the several Figures denoting corresponding parts.
Fig. 1 represents a side elevation, partly in section, of one of our
improved fire-grates applied in the flue of an ordinary cylindrical boiler;

page_text: C
Fig. 2 is half front elevation and half section through line X, Y, of Fig. 1.
In this modification a step quadrant forces the fuel from the hopper
over a stationary grate on to a moveable grate on Zeh's rockers, which
moveable grate is again succeeded by a stationary grate. a is the shell
of the boiler; b, the flue. The grate is supported by the iwo side
frames connected at the bridge end by a cross plate d lined with fire-
brick, and at the front of the flue by the cross plate e, whose ends reach
over the front of the boiler, where they are supported on two brackets a',
and secured by screws to the boiler; are two rails of angle irou screwed
or rivetted to the flue. When the grate is to be fixed in the boiler the
frame is first bolted together, and after the carriers and rockers y have
been placed in their sockets it is slid over the angle irons into its posi-
tion, and then secured to the front of boiler, as stated, after which
the grate bars h, h, i, are put in their places, beginning at the bridge.
end. We prefer Zeh's grate bars in groups of five and three as seen in
section in Fig. 2, but other forms and combinations may be used. The
dead plate ends of grate bars i reach partly under the hopper over-
lapping a portion of the step quadrauts 7, and the two together form the
bottom of the hopper upon which the coal rests. This step quadrant
may be formed in one, two, or more pieces, but we prefer to make them
in segments of about three to four inches in width, see Fig. 2, each with
its own boss. The shaft upon which the step quadrants are fixed has a
half-round groove cut over its entire length, and in the bore of the boss
a projection corresponding in shape to the groove is cast, which acts as
key. The central step quadrant is connected with the central group of
the moveable or rocking grate surface by the connecting rod m. This
central group is kept in its position laterally at both ends by projections
or lugs cast on the surface of the rockers fitting into the recesses formed
by the grate bars. The step quadrant shaft has a vibrating motion
communicated to it by the excentric rod o linked to the end of lever n
of step quadrant shaft. At every upward stroke of the lever n the step
quadrant will move forward and force a layer of fuel from the hopper to
the grate surface i, and when the latter has become covered to the end a
portion of the fuel will at each forward stroke fall upon the front of the
rocking grate surface h¹, and at the return stroke the resistance formed
by the end of the grate surface and by the fuel deposited on it will
force the fuel forward over the rocking surface ¹, from which it will pass
to the stationary grate h. The rocking grate will now with each

page_text: forward stroko push the fuel over the grate h, and the unconsumed
portion will finally fall over the cross plated into the ash-pit. It is
evident that with the regular supply of fuel from the hopper and the
gradual advance towards the bridge the consumption must be far more
complete and economical than can be the case in hand fed grates.
Instead of connecting the front end of connecting rod m to the step
quadrant Z, as shewn, an arm or lever passing downwards may be cast
to the boss of the central step quadrant, as indicated in dotted lines, and
connected with the connecting rod m. In this case the rocking grate /¹
would move forward when the step quadrant moves backward, and vice
versa. For drawing the firo or for clearing the grate surface the
excentric rodo is detached from the lever, and the step quadrant
allowed to fall back, and the moveable plate is removed, which will
afford abundance of room for introducing the fire irons. The lever n
may be lengthened to afford sufficient leverage to work the grate by
hand when required. or a separate hand lever may be fixed to the
quadrant shaft.
Fig. 3 represents a fire-grate composed of three stationary grate
surfaces i, h, and h. The upper segments of step quadrants are
covered by the end of grate i, and the lower segments are covered by the
front end of grate h. The step quadrant is placed in the same way
with regard to grates h³ and h. The quadrants and are made of a
width of an ordinary grate bar, say, about one inch and a half wide, and
they are placed at such distances from each other as will give the proper
width of air spaces between then. Instead of the width described they
may be made wider, and the rims or surfaces perforated with longi-
tudinal and other slits or holes for the admission of air, but we prefer the
narrow quadrants. It will be seen that these quadrants 1, 13, act as
proper grate surface, and owing to the manner in which they are
constructed, and the admission of air they will not be liable to be injured
by the fire. The three quadrants 1, 1, and 2, being connected by the
bar they move simultaneously. The action of the several step
quadrants is the same as described with reference to quadrant 1, Fig. 1,
and requires therefor no further explanation.
Fig. 4 represents a combination of one of Zeh's Patent, rocking grates
with a stationary flat grate, and a series of roller grates. The dead plate
of the Zel grate i reaches under the hopper, and in moving it to and

page_text: fro the fuel will be carried forward in the manner described in the Spe-
cification of the said J. Zeh. The grate is supported under the hopper
on the rocking shaft 2, which latter rests and moves upon a knife edge
bar. From the stationary grate the fuel passes to the first of the series
of rollers p, which carries it to the second roller, and the second again to
the third. These rollers have an intermittent forward motion simul-
taneously with the grate surface i, with whose rocking shaft
connected by the connecting rod m.
they are
Fig. 6 represents a front view of a roller composed of a number of
separate rolls or pulleys mounted on the roller shaft, three of the rolls
being shewn in section. Between each two rolls space is left for the
admission of air to the fuel, and for keeping the rolls cool. The rolls
are kept in position laterally by iron rings placed between each two
bosses, but ample play is left to allow for the expansion of each boss.
In the section the rolls are shewn as a solid disc, but in practice the
discs will be perforated with holes as large as the size of the roll will
permit, in order to allow the air to pass freely through. The rollers in
Fig. 4 are supposed to be actuated by internal ratchet gear. At each
stroke forward of the grate the ratchet whcel pawls fixed to the
levers will carry the rollers round a part of a revolution, and during
the return stroke the pawls will glide over the ratchet wheels in the
well-known manner, and the rollers remain stationary.
Instead of ratchet or other gear we propose to employ friction
apparatus, as represented in Figs. S, 9, and 10. The lever p', whose
boss turns loose on the roller shaft is provided in front of the boss with
a groove, which stands at an angle to the periphery of the roll. Between
this groove and the rims of the two rolls p, p, a ball of iron is placed,
when the lever pl is moved from the right to the left the ball will
become locked by; the friction against the rims of the rolls and carry the
latter round with them, when the lever is moved in the opposite direc-
tion the ball will be liberated and follow the groove by its own gravity.
Figs. 11, 12, and 13 represent another form of locking gear. In this
case the driving roll p has a lever p¹ placed on each side, each turning
locse on the shaft. The tumbler link is hinged between the two
levers p. This link 2 acts in the manner of a knee joint upon the roll p,
the weighted end of the tumbler q keeps the acting surface in constant
contact with the roll p. By moving the lever p' from right to left the

page_text: ?
link will become locked against and carry round the roll p, and in the
return stroke the link will simply glide over the surface of the roll.
Fig. 5 represents a fire-grate composed entirely of rollers p, as
described with reference to Fig. 4. The fuel in this case is carried
forward from the hopper to the end of the grate entirely by the action
of the rollers.
Fig. 7 represents in outline a fire-grate in which the fuel is passed
from the hopper k and over the stationary grate i by a pair of rollers
turning in opposite directions; the stationary grate i is again succeeded,
as in Fig. 4, by a series of rollers. We prefer to make the shafts of the
various rollers of Bessemer steel to secure the desired amount of
rigidity.
Having now described the nature of our said Invention, and the
manner in which it may be carried into effect, we wish to state that we
do not claim moving horizontal or slanting grate surfaces to and fro, as
this has been described and carried out in practice before: neither do
we claim the use of hollow rollers made in one piece with an excentric
revolving motion, as described in the Specification of W. Gillespie,
No. 1133, 1869; but what we consider as novel and claim as the Invention
to be secured to us by the herein-before in part recited Letters
Patent is,―
Firstly. The use of a to-and-fro moving grate in combination with a
stationary grate preceding it, as described, and as shewn in Fig. 1 of
Drawings.
Secondly. The construction and use of step quadrants for forcing the
fuel from the hopper upon and over a stationary grate, as described and
as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 of Drawings.
Thirdly. The construction and use of step quadiants forming part of
grate surface for forcing the fuel from a preceding grate over a
succeeding one, as described and as shewn in Fig. 3 of Drawings.
Fourthly. The use of a pair of rolls for forcing the fuel from the
hopper upon and over a stationary grate, as described and as represented
in Fig. 7 of Drawings.
Fifthly. The construction and use as grate surfaces of rollers composed
of a series of rolls, pulleys, sheaves, or discs mounted upon a shaft, each
roller turning concentrically round its own axis, substantially as

page_text: described, and as in part exemplified by Figs. 4 to 13 of Drawings.
Also the use of interlocking rollers and segments, as described.
Sixthly. The use of a pair or of pairs of rollers turning in opposite
directions for discharging cinders, clinkers, and other residue of com-
bustion from grates into ash-pits.
In witness whereof, I, the said Louis Rudolph Bodmer, on behalf
of myself and the said Rudolph Bodmer and John James Bodmer
have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of
November, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and sixty-nine.
LOUIS RUDOLPH BOUMER. (L.S.)