Improvements in Circular Sectional Hot Water Heaters.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Circular Sectional Hot Water Heaters.
:
[A communication from WILLIAM JAMES WALSH, of Hamilton, in the County of
Wentworth, in the Province of Ontario, Dominion of Canada, Steam Fitter,
GEORGE M. RYCкMAN, and MICHAEL HOLLAND LE HANE, of Hamilton afore-
said].
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 111, Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the class of hot water heaters
specified, by which the following advantages are obtained, viz:-The hottest water
is taken direct from the hottest part of the heater to the radiators by a central
pipe and when the fire in the heater is forced and steam generated, the steam is
allowed to escape without disturbing the circulation of water in the system.
The heater is constructed with a direct unimpeded smoke flue, so that in lighting
or building up the fire complete combustion is obtained immediately by throwing
open the dampers in the direct flue, which causes the radiators throughout the
system to become heated from twenty to thirty minutes sooner than can be done
with other horizontal sectional water heaters.
Great economy in fuel is obtained in this heater by the improved construction
of fire travel flues which is upward and around and under each section without
being broken like they are in heaters of other construction.
The return water from radiators at a low temperature is brought in contact
with the hot gases above the fire chamber where there is the greatest heat, thus
heating the water quickly with great economy of fuel.
The return water, after circulating around and up through all sections of
heater and independent of the first section above the fire pot, is carried down
through a circulating pipe entering the water space at the bottom of the fire pot
section thus heating the water before it enters the first hot water section over the
fire.
This invention consists in an annular fire pot, a series of sections over the
fire pot, the same being divided into smoke and water spaces, the first section
over the fire pot being an entire water section, having smoke flues passing through
the same connecting the fire space with the smoke spaces above.
There are five sections altogether but as many can be used as desired.
Each water section or space is provided with a diaphragm to divide and spread
the water over the entire section of heating surface.
Each section is connected to a vertical water way which is divided into two
parts the water entering one and going out at the other.
There is a central water pipe made to pass from the first water section and
through all the other sections coming out at the top and made to connect with

page_text: the radiators independent of the other sections for the purpose of taking the
heated water from the section over the fire pot and send it direct to the radiators
independent of the other sections.
These objects are attained by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying
drawing, in which-
Fig. 1, is a side view of the heater.
Fig. 2, is a front elevation of the upper part shown in section on the line x, x.
Fig. 3, is a side elevation in section.
Fig. 4, is a rear elevation with outside of vertical water way broken off.
Fig. 5, is a top view of one of the upper sections.
Fig. 6, is a similar view with top partially broken away to show the interior
diaphragm of the upper water space.
Fig. 7, is a plan view of the top of the heater.
Fig. 8, is a perspective view of one of the sections, showing water space on the
upper half and smoke space on the lower half.
Fig. 9, is a plan view of the top of entire water section over the fire pot.*
Fig. 10, is a cross section of one of the upper smoke and water sections.
In drawing A, represents a corrugated circular fire pot section which is provided
with a fuel opening and a door A¹ for the entrance of fuel of whatever kind
employed, and the ash pit section I, underneath the fire section being provided
with a double door a for convenience in removing ashes.
B, is the first water section placed directly over the fire and will be entirely
occupied with water with the exception of the four oval shaped smoke pipes or
flues which are made to pass through it connecting the fire section with the
next section above the said entire water section, B.
C, C, C, C, represent a series of circular sections placed one upon the other
over the entire water section B, and which are each divided horizontally in the
centre, the bottom space a¹ being for smoke and the upper one al for water.
D, is a vertical water way to receive the water from the return pipe, divided
into two upright compartments c¹ cll.
F, is a central hot water flow pipe connected to the first water section B, and
to the radiator, branches of which may be connected to different radiators (not
necessary to be shown in the drawing).
E, is the return water pipe connecting the radiators with the vertical water
way D. at the rear of the heater, to complete the water circuit.
G, is a water circulating pipe connecting the top section to the water space
around the fire pot section A, over the ash pit section I, to heat the return
water, and H, is a small air pipe connecting the said pipe G, to the flow pipe F,
to prevent binding and allow free circulation of the water.
J, is the smoke pipe leading to the chimney or exit.
K, is a half circular diaphragm with a straight portion connecting it to the
back of the rear water way D, which spreads the water round the entire water
space of each section.
Each section C, is formed with a U shaped space L, in front from eight to
twelve inches wide at that portion, and extending from the outside of each section
to the centre of the same to act as a smoke space and also to afford a con-
venient way to extract a section if broken, and to insert a new one. The said
space L, in each section when the sections are placed one on top of the other,
forms a fiue communicating with the smoke exit flue J, for a quick direct
draft on first lighting the fire, or for brightening up a low fire, but this flue may
be converted into an indirect draft by means of three dampers M, M, M,
formed to fit the opening and hinged to one side of the space L, of the three upper
sections C, and provided with handles d projecting to the outside, by which
each damper is made to stand upright for a direct upward passage of smoke from
the combustion chamber to the exit flue, and when made to fall over diagonally
on the next section above to direct the smoke and products of combustion
horizontally around the smoke passage a¹ in the under part of each section C,

page_text: for an indirect draft, thereby giving a longer distance for the smoke to travel,
increasing greatly the heating surface.
The space L, in the front of the heater is covered by two doors N, O, hinged
to the outside of the sections and can be conveniently opened for cleaning the
interior.
R, is a draw-off tap inserted in the bottom of the fire pot section A.
S, is another draw-off tap inserted in the section C, above the water section B.
T, is the vertical partition in the vertical water way dividing it into two
vertical water chambers.
V, is a damper in the left of the first section C, to close an opening in the same
for convenience in cleaning it.
It will be observed that the usual spreader as seen at V₁ Fig. 2, will be used
on the water pipes both How and return, but upon which nothing is claimed, and
the pipe G, may be an attached pipe as shown at Fig. 1, or a flue column cast
on the sections to connect the top section with the fire section.
The practical operation of the device may be described as follows:-
The boiler and system being first filled with water in the usual manner, the
fire is started in the fire pot section, immediately the gases and products of com-
bustion strike the under side of the first complete water section B, over the
fire, the water in it is instantly heated and rises through the central flow pipe F,
and ascends directly to the radiators, heating the same quickly, then returns
through the return main E, which enters the left compartment of the water
way D, and into water section all of the water and smoke section C, thence around
the curved diaphragm K, and out at the compartment c¹ of the said water way D,
thence into the next section above, circulating through all the sections to the top
one, then down through the water circulating pipe G, to the fire chamber A,
thence into the first entire water section B, completing the circulation.
The smoke and products of combustion pass from the combustion chamber A,
thence upwards through the series of smoke flues which are placed through the
water section B, thence, if a direct draft is desired, it rises up through the
open space L, formed in the four top sections C, to the exit smoke pipe J, (the
dampers M, M, M, being placed vertical) if an indirect draft is wished, the
said dampers M, are thrown over diagonally on to the edge of the next higher
section C, as shown at dotted lines Fig. 2, which closes the direct upward
draft and the smoke and products of combustion are diverted thereby around
and through the smoke space a¹ of the section C, being conducted from the lower
to the next one above over the dampers M, M, M, in a diagonal position until
it reaches the exit smoke pipe J which conducts the smoke to the chimney.
Each of the smoke and water sections C, will be cast separately with a dia-
phragm partly curved and partly straight as K, Figs. 6 and 8, cast in the upper
or water chamber a" and a vertically divided water way 1), formed in the rear
communicating with the water chamber a" as shown at Figs. 3, 6 and 8, a circular
projection e being formed on the top of each section to receive the section above
and lugs being cast on the water way to be bolted together.
In the present state of the art all hot water heating boilers to the knowledge
of my correspondents, are constructed in such a manner that the water contained
in boiler circulates from water space around and above fire pot where the water
receives the greatest amount of heat up through the water space of the different
sections until it reaches the highest point on boiler when it is then distributed
to the mains leading to the hot water radiators.
It will be noticed that the smoke or gases from combustion travel in the
same direction always coming in contact with the surface contained in upper
portion of boiler while boiler surface contains hot water at a much higher tempera-
ture than the smoke or unconsumed gases.
At times there must be several degrees difference in temperature between
the hot water contained in the boiler at the highest point and the non-consumed
gases from combustion as they pass the heating surface of the upper portion

page_text: of boiler on their way to chimney, while a boiler constructed with a down draft
may keep the non-consumed gases at a lower temperature from coming in contact
with that part of the boiler containing heated water of a higher temperature than
the gases, however a down draft has its drawbacks in many respects, inasmuch as
it is difficult to clean, is not a success when attached to an ordinary chimney such
as is found in the average dwelling.
To render the matter more clear to persons not thoroughly acquainted with
hot water heaters or boilers, it may be observed that my device receives the
coldest water in the system, which is the return water from hot water radiators,
in that part of the boiler surface receiving the heat that is contained in the non-
consumed gases from combustion after they have left the fire chamber proper,
and which are at a much lower temperature than when they were in the fire
chamber, for these gases will not raise the temperature of the water contained in
boiler surface of a higher temperature than the gases themselves, on the contrary,
they will rob this hotter surface of a great deal of heat on their way to the
chimney, which is the case with all horizontal boilers or heaters that my corre-
spondents are acquainted with constructed with vertical and horizontal smoke
flues.
After 'the return water at the lowest possible temperature has passed through.
that portion of the boiler surface acted upon by the non-consumed gases and
taken up all the possible heat out of the gases, which is considerable when it
is calculated the lower temperature of the return water that is brought in
contact with the gases, it circulates down into the bottom of the water space
in the fire chamber at a much higher temperature, previous to receiving a
greater heat in fire chamber, in other words, the cold return water from radiators
is heated before entering the boiler proper, or when it would enter on boilers of
other makes, by being brought in contact with heated surface acted upon by
unconsumed gases which would otherwise carry much heat into the chimney if
allowed to come in contact with boiler surface of a higher temperature than these
gases, which is the case with hot water heating boilers such as are now used on the
market.
Dated this 28th day of November 1808
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Circular Sectional Hot Water Heaters,
[A communication from WILLIAM JAMES WALSH, of Hamilton, in the County of
Wentworth, in the Province of Ontario, Dominion of Canada, Steam Fitter,
GEORGE M. RYCKMAN, and MICHAEL HOLLAND LE HANE, of Hamilton afore-
said].
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, of 111, Hatton Garden, in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement:
This invention relates to improvements in the class of hot water heaters
specified, by which the following advantages are obtained, viz:-The hottest water
is taken direct from the hottest part of the heater to the radiators by a central
pipe and when the fire in the heater is forced and steam generated, the steam is
allowed to escape without disturbing the circulation of water in the system.
The heater is constructed with a direct unimpeded smoke flue, so that in lighting

page_text: or building up the fire complete combustion is obtained immediately by throwing
open the dampers in the direct flue, which causes the radiators throughout the
systein to become heated from twenty to thirty minutes sooner than can be done
with other horizontal sectional water heaters.
Great economy of fuel is obtained in this heater by the improved construction
of fire travel flues which is upward and around and under each section without
being broken like they are in heaters of other construction.
The return water from radiators at a low temperature is brought in contact
with the hot gases above the fire chamber where there is the greatest heat, thus
heating the water quickly with great economy of fuel.
The return water, after circulating around and up through all sections of
heater and independent of the first section above the fire pot, is carried down
through a circulating pipe entering the water space at the bottom of the fire pot
section, thus heating the water before it enters the first hot water section over the
fire.
This invention consists in an annular fire pot, a series of sections over the
fire pot, the same being divided into smoke and water spaces, the first section
over the fire pot being an entire water section, having smoke flues passing through
the same connecting the fire space with the smoke spaces above.
There are five sections altogether but as many can be used as desired.
Each water section or space is provided with a diaphragm to divide and spread
the water over the entire section of heating surface.
Each section is connected to a vertical water way which is divided into two
parts the water entering one and going out at the other.
There is a central water pipe made to pass from the first water section and
through all the other sections coming out at the top and made to connect with
the radiators independent of the other sections, for the purpose of taking the
heated water from the section over the fire pot and send it direct to the radiators
independent of the other sections.
These objects are attained by the mechanism illustrated in the drawings lodged
with the Provisional Specification in which:-
Figure 1 is a side view of the heater.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the upper part shown in section on the line a..
Figure 3 is a side elevation in section.
Figure 4 is a rear elevation with outside of vertical water way broken off.
Figure 5 is a top view of one of the upper sections.
Figure 6 is a similar view with top partially broken away to show the interior
diaphragm of the upper water space.
Figure 7 is a plan view of the top of the heater.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of one of the sections showing water space on the
upper half and smoke space on the lower half.
Figure 9 is a plan view of the top of the entire water section over the fire pot.
Figure 10 is a cross section of one of the upper smoke and water sections.
In drawing A, represents a corrugated circular fire pot section which is provided
with a fuel opening and a door A' for the entrance of fuel of whatever kind
employed, and the ash pit section I, underneath the fire section being provided
with a double door a for convenience in removing ashes.
B, is the first water section placed directly over the fire and will be entirely
occupied with water with the exception of the four oval shaped smoke pipes or
flues which are made to pass through it connecting the fire section with the
next section above the said entire water section, B.
C, C, C, C, represent a series of circular sections placed one upon the other
over the entire water section 13, and which are each divided horizontally in the
centre, the bottom space a being for smoke and the upper one al for water.
D, is a vertical water way to receive the water from the return pipe, divided
into two upright compartments c¹ c¹.
F, is a central hot water flow pipe connected to the first water section B, and

page_text: to the radiator, branches of which may be connected to different radiators (not
necessary to be shown in the drawing).
E, is the return water pipe connecting the radiators with the vertical water
way D, at the rear of the heater, to complete the water circuit.
G, is a water circulating pipe connecting the top section to the water space
around the fire pot section A, over the ash pit section I, to heat the return
water, and H, is a small air pipe connecting the said pipe G, to the flow pipe F,
to prevent binding and allow free circulation of the water.
J, is the smoke pipe leading to the chimney or exit.
K, is a half circular diaphragm with a straight portion connecting it to the
back of the rear water way D, which spreads the water round the entire water
space of each section.
Each section C, is formed with a U shaped space L in front from eight to
twelve inches wide at that portion, and extending from the outside of each section
to the centre of the same to act as a smoke space and also to afford a con-
venient way to extract a section if broken, and to insert a new one. The said
space L, in each section when the sections are placed one on top of the other,
forms a flue communicating with the smoke exit flue J, for a quick direct
draught on first lighting the fire, or for brightening up a low fire, but this flue
may be converted into an indirect draught by means of three dampers M M M
formed to fit the opening and hinged to one side of the space L of the three upper
sections C, and provided with handles d projecting to the outside, by which
each damper is made to stand upright for a direct upward passage of smoke from
the combustion chamber to the exit flue, and when made to fall over diagonally
on the next section above to direct the smoke and products of combustion
horizontally around the smoke passage a¹ in the under part of each section C,
for an indirect draught, thereby giving a longer distance for the smoke to travel,
increasing greatly the heating surface.
The space L, in the front of the heater is covered by two doors N, O, hinged
to the outside of the sections and can be conveniently opened for cleaning the
interior.
R, is a draw-off tap inserted in the bottom of the fire pot section A.
S, is another draw-off tap inserted in the section C, above the water section B.
T, is the vertical partition in the vertical water way dividing it into two
vertical water chambers.
V, is a damper in the left of the first section C, to close an opening in the same
for convenience in cleaning it.
It will be observed that the usual spreader as seen at V1 Figure 2 will be used
on the water pipes both flow and return, but upon which nothing is claimed and
the pipe G, may be an attached pipe as shown at Figure 1, or a flue column cast
on the sections to connect the top section with the fire section.
The practical operation of the device may be described as follows:-
The boiler and system being first filled with water in the usual manner, the
fire is started in the fire pot section, immediately the gases and products of com-
bustion strike the under side of the first complete water section B, over the
fire, the water in it is instantly heated and rises through the central flow pipe F,
and ascends directly to the radiators, heating the same quickly, then returns
through the return main E, which enters the left compartment cl of the water
way D, and into the water section all of the water and smoke section C, thence around
the curved diaphragm K, and out at the compartment c¹ of the said water way D,
thence into the next section above, circulating through all the sections to the top
one, then down through the water circulating pipe G, to the fire chamber A,
thence into the first entire water section B, completing the circulation.
The smoke and products of combustion pass from the combustion chamber A,
thence upwards through the series of smoke flues b which are placed through the
water section B, thence, if a direct draught is desired, it rises up through the
open space L, formed in the four top sections C, to the exit smoke pipe J, (the

page_text: dampers M, M, M, being placed vertical) if an indirect draught is wished, the
said dampers M, are thrown over diagonally on to the edge of the next higher
section C, as shown at dotted lines Figure 2, which closes the direct upward
draught and the smoke and products of combustion are diverted thereby around
and through the smoke space a¹ of the section C, being conducted from the lower
to the next one above over the dampers M, M, M, in a diagonal position until
it reaches the exit smoke pipe J which conducts the smoke to the chimney.
Each of the smoke and water sections C, will be cast separately with a dia-
phragm partly curved and partly straight as K, Figures 6 and 8, cast in the upper
or water chamber all and a vertically divided water way D, formed in the rear
communicating with the water chimney a" as shown at Figures 3, 6 and 8, a
circular projection e being formed on the top of each section to receive the section
above and lugs being cast on the water way to be bolted together.
In the present state of the art all hot water heating boilers to the knowledge
of my correspondents, are constructed in such a manner that the water contained
in boiler circulates from water space around and above fire pot where the water
receives the greatest amount of heat up through the water space of the different
sections until it reaches the highest point on boiler when it is then distributed
to the mains leading to the hot water radiators.
In such constructions the smoke or gases from combustion travel in the
same direction always coming in contact with .the surface contained in upper
portion of boiler while boiler surface contains hot water at a much higher tempera-
ture than the smoke or unconsumed gases.
At times there must be several degrees difference in temperature between
the hot water contained in the boiler at the highest point and the non-consumed
gases from combustion as they pass the heating surface of the upper portion
of boiler on their way to chimney, while a boiler constructed with a down draught
may keep the non-consumed gases at a lower temperature from coming in contact
with that part of the boiler containing heated water of a higher temperature than
the gases, however a down draught has its drawbacks in many respects, inasmuch as
it is difficult to clean, is not a success when attached to an- ordinary chimney such
as is found in the average dwelling.
To render the matter more clear to persons not thoroughly acquainted with
hot water heaters or boilers, it may be observed that this device receives the
coldest water in the system, which is the return water from liot water radiators,
in that part of the boiler surface receiving the heat that is contained in the non-
consumed gases from combustion after they have left the fire chamber proper,
and which are at a much lower temperature than when they were in the fire
chamber, for these gases will not raise the temperature of the water contained in
boiler surface of a higher temperature than the gases themselves, on the contrary,
they will rob this hotter surface of a great deal of heat on their way to the
chimney, which is the case with all horizontal boilers or heaters that my corre-
spondents are acquainted with constructed with vertical and horizontal smoke
flues.
After the return water at the lowest possible temperature has passed through
that portion of the boiler surface acted upon by the non-consumed gases and
taken up all the possible heat out of the gases, which is considerable when it
is calculated the lower temperature of the return water that is brought in
contact with the gases, it circulates down into the bottom of the water space
in the fire chamber at a much higher temperature, previous to receiving a
greater heat in fire chamber. In other words, the cold return water from radiators
is heated before entering the boiler proper, or when it would enter on boilers of
other makes, by being brought in contact with heated surface acted upon by
unconsumed gases which would otherwise carry much heat into the chimney if
allowed to come in contact with boiler surfaces of a higher temperature than these
gases, which is the case with hot water heating boilers such as are now used on the
market.

page_text: Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this said
invention, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:-
1. In combination with a hot water heater and radiators a direct central
water pipe constructed to connect the first water section, over the fire, and pass
up through the upper sections and be connected with the radiators, substantially
as and for the purpose specified.
2. In a circular hot water heater, the construction of the water and smoke
sections with a recess in each from the front to the central portion to form a
direct draught smoke flue when the sections are placed one on top of the other,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
3. In a circular hot water heater, a series of dampers hinged to the sections to
close and convert the direct draught openings of the sections into an indirect
draught around the sections when the dampers are placed diagonally across the
said direct draught openings, substantially as specified.
4. In a hot water heater, a circulating water pipe connecting the top section
of the heater with the fire section for heating the return water before it comes
directly over the hottest part of the heater, substantially as specified.
5. A hot water heater, constructed with the return water pipe connected with
the first smoke and water section above the fire section, in combination with
radiators, and flow pipes, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
6. In a hot water heater, an air pipe H, connecting and in combination with
the circulating pipe G, and the flow pipe F, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
7. In a hot water heater, and radiators, a direct water pipe attached to the
first water section over the fire chamber, and made to pass up through all the
upper sections and make a direct connection with radiators, and the return water
pipe made to enter the first smoke and water section above the fire section, and
a water circulating pipe made to connect the top section with the bottom of the
first section, all constructed substantially as and for the purpose specified.
8. In a hot water heater, a direct hot water flow pipe F, connected to the
first water section B, over the fire section A, and connected to radiators, and
the return water pipe E, from the radiators made to enter the left compartment
of the water way D, opposite to and communicating with the first smoke and
water section C, immediately over the hot water section B, above the fire sub-
stantially as and for the purpose specified.
9. In a hot water heater a series of water and smoke sections C, constructed
each with an opening L (from front to centre or otherwise) so that when the
sections are placed one on top of the other, a direct draught is obtained for the
smoke and products of combustion, direct from the fire to the smoke exit pipe J,
substantially as specified.
10. In a hot water heater, the combination of the central direct flow pipe F,
from the first water section B, to the radiators, the return water pipe E, from
the radiators to the first water and smoke section C, above the fire section A,
the circulating water pipe G, connecting the top section C, with the bottom of
the fire section A, the direct smoke flue L, in the sections C, and the dampers M,
made to close said flue L, for conducting the smoke and products of combustion
around the sections, for an indirect draught, all constructed substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
1000