IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR RAPIDLY HEATING FLOWING WATER to be as follows
Year: 1885

page_text: I CHARLES EDWARD HEARSON of N° 31 Coburg Road in the County of Surrey
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR RAPIDLY HEATING FLOWING WATER to be as follows:-
"
My invention consists of the improvements hereinafter described in apparatus of
the kind known as "Geysers" in which a stream of water while flowing through
the said apparatus is heated partly by contact with the products of combustion of
and air heated by coal gas or other gas burning within the said apparatus and
partly by contact with the surfaces of metal obstructions heated by the said
products of combustion and heated air the objects of my improvements being to
prevent or diminish loss of heat by radiation from the apparatus and to admit of
the use with the said apparatus of a burner of the kind in which a mixture of gas
and atmospheric air is burned and to increase the effect obtained by the combus-
tion of a given quantity of gas in apparatus of the kind to which my invention
relates and to prevent error in the manipulation of the cocks or taps by which
the passage of water into the said apparatus and the supply of gas thereto are
controlled.
In order to prevent or diminish loss of heat by radiation I surround the case of
the apparatus with an outer case or shell of such size that a space is enclosed
between the two which space I fill with any suitable imperfect conductor of heat
and I surround the burners at the part where air for the support of combustion
passes to them with a screen or screens of wire gauze or perforated metal.
The burner which I prefer to use is constructed as follows :-I secure a number
of tubes in holes in the upper part of the box or case into which the mixture of gas
and air passes and in each of the said tubes and near the lower part thereof
I secure transversely a diaphragm of wire gauze and within each of the said tubes
and above the wire gauze I place a tube of asbestos or other incombustible and
non conducting material which tubes constitute the burner tubes or nozzles where
the mixture of gas and air burns. The said asbestos tubes prevent the passage of
heat from the gas flames to the metal of the burner and the consequent loss of heat
by radiation therefrom.

page_text: In order to obtain a greater effect from the combustion of a given quantity of
gas than is obtained in apparatus of the kind hereinbefore referred to as heretofore
constructed I provide as hereinafter described for the absorption by the water
of the heat produced by the combustion of the gas. I make the lower part of the
apparatus in which the heated water collects of the form of an inverted truncated
cone and within the said cone and to the lower part thereof I secure a cylindrical
tube which constitutes the chimney of the burner or the passage by which the
heated air and products of combustion therefrom pass into the body of the
apparatus. Above the said cone I place a number of plates or trays one above
another which plates or trays constitute the obstructions by which the passage of
water through the apparatus is retarded and which assist in communicating the
heat from the gas flame to the water so passing. Each of the said plates or trays
is perforated with a number of holes each having a rim formed around it on the
side of the plate which when in position is uppermost and the outer edges of the
said plates are provided with rims which prevent the passage of water over
the said outer edges and keep the said plates at the required distance apart. The
said plates are so formed or are so placed in the case of the apparatus that water
passing through it is caused to travel over the surface of each plate before passing
into the conical lower part thereof. I provide for the passage of water from plate
to plate and for the proper distribution of the water over the surface of each plate
as follows: To the upper side of the uppermost plate and of every alternate
plate below at the part which when the plate is in position is highest I secure a
cup or reservoir having perforated sides through the perforations in which the
water issues in streams onto the plate and at that part of each plate which when
in position is lowest I form a number of holes through which the water passes in
streams onto the plate next below it except in the case of the lowermost plate from
which the streams from the said holes pass into the conical lower part of the
apparatus. The upper part of the apparatus is closed by a cover having a flange
on its underside which flange dips into a channel formed between the outer and
inner cases of the apparatus which channel when the apparatus is in use is filled
with water. The said cover is provided with a tube through which the water
enters the apparatus the lower part of which tube is provided with a strainer and
dips into the cup or reservoir on the uppermost of the perforated plates hereinbefore
described. The said cover is also provided with a tube through which the products
of combustion escape after passing through the apparatus which tube surrounds
the aforesaid tube.
The method of using the apparatus hereinbefore described and its action are as
follows:-
The cock by which water is admitted to. the apparatus being opened the water
runs continuously through the tube in the cover into the cup on the uppermost of
the inclined perforated plates within the apparatus through the perforations in
which cup it passes in streams to the surface of the said plate over which it travels
to the lower edge of the said plate and thence by the perforations at the said lower
edge onto the highest part of the plate next below over the said plate and into the
cup or reservoir on the next plate and so on until it issues from the outlet com-
municating with the conical lower part of the apparatus. The gas is then turned
on and ignited at the burner and the heated air and products of combustion there-
from ascend in the apparatus passing through the perforations in the said plates
and heating the said plates and the water thereon and escaping from the apparatus
by the tube or chimney in the cover thereof.
To avoid accident and injury to the apparatus hereinbefore described it is
important that the gas should be lighted immediately it issues from the burners
and that water should be passing through the apparatus during the whole time
that the gas is burning. In order to prevent the gas cock from being opened
through carelessness or otherwise before the water cock is opened and to prevent
the water cock from being closed while the gas cock is open I form the two cocks

page_text: in one casting or I secure them side by side and secure to the plug of each of the
said cocks a plate of the form of a disc from which a portion has been cut away
which plates are hereinafter termed respectively the "gas locking plate" and the
"water locking plate." The sizes of the said plates and their relative positions on
the plugs and their form at the parts cut away are such that when the gas cock is
in its closed position the cut portion of its locking plate is engaged with part of
the periphery of the water locking plate and when the gas cock is in its open
position the periphery of its locking plate is engaged with the cut portion of the
water locking plate. When the said plates are in the former position the water
cock may be opened but the gas cock is locked and cannot be opened until the
water cock has been opened. When the said locking plates are in the latter
position the gas cock may be opened and when it is opened the water cook cannot
be closed but may be adjusted in order to regulate the quantity of water passing
into the apparatus. By this means the admission of gas to the apparatus before
the admission of water and the turning off of the water before the gas is turned
off are rendered impossible.

page_text: I CHARLES EDWARD HEARSON of N° 31 Coburg Road in the County of Surrey
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:-
My invention consists of the improvements hereinafter described in apparatus
of the kind known as "Geysers" in which a stream of water while flowing
through the said apparatus is heated partly by contact with the products of
combustion of and air heated by coal gas or other gas burning within the said
apparatus and partly by contact with the surfaces of metal obstructions heated by
the said products of combustion and heated air the objects of my improvements
being to prevent or diminish loss of heat by radiation from the apparatus and to
admit of the use with the said apparatus of a burner of the kind in which a
mixture of gas and atmospheric air is burned and to increase the effect obtained
by the combustion of a given quantity of gas in apparatus of the kind to which
my invention relates and to prevent error in the manipulation of the cocks or taps
by which the passage of water into the said apparatus and the supply of gas
thereto are controlled.
In order to prevent or diminish loss of heat by radiation I surround the case or
shell of the body of the apparatus with an outer casing or shell of such size that
a space is enclosed between the two which space I fill with any suitable imperfect
conductor of heat and I surround the burners at the part where air for the support
of combustion passes to them with a screen or screens of wire gauze or perforated
metal.
The burner which I prefer to use is constructed as follows. I secure a number
of tubes in holes in the upper part of a box or case which constitutes the body of
the burner into which the mixture of gas and air passes and in the said box or in
the lower part of each of the said tubes I secure transversely a diaphragm of wire
gauze and around or within the upper part of each of the said tubes I place a tube
of asbestos or other incombustible and non conducting material which tubes
constitute the burner tubes or nozzles where the mixture of gas and air burns.
The said diaphragm or diaphragms of wire gauze prevent flame from passing into
the body of the burner and the said asbestos tubes prevent the passage of heat
from the gas flames to the metal of the burner and the consequent loss of heat by
radiation therefrom.
In order to obtain a greater effect from the combustion of a given quantity of
gas than is obtained in apparatus of the kind hereinbefore referred to as heretofore
constructed I provide as hereinafter described for the absorption by the water of
the heat produced by the combustion of the gas. I make the lower part of the
apparatus in which the heated water collects of the form of an inverted truncated
cone and within the said cone and to the lower part thereof I secure a tube which
constitutes the chimney of the burner or the passage by which the heated air and

page_text: products of combustion therefrom pass into the body of the apparatus. Above the
said cone I place a number of plates or trays one above another which plates or
trays constitute the obstructions by which the passage of water through the
apparatus is retarded and which assist in communicating the heat from the gas
flame to the water so passing. Each of the said plates or trays is perforated with
a number of holes each having a rim formed around it on the side of the plate
which when in position is uppermost and the outer edges of the said plates are
provided with rims which prevent the passage of water over the said outer edges and
keep the said plates at the required distance apart. The said plates are so formed or .
are so placed in the case of the apparatus that water passing through it is caused to
travel over the surface of each plate before passing into the conical lower part thereof.
I provide for the passage of water from plate to plate and for the proper distribution
of the water over the surface of each plate as follows:-To the upper side of the
uppermost plate and of every alternate plate below at the part which when the
plate is in position is highest I secure a cup or reservoir having perforated sides
through the perforations in which the water issues in streams onto the plate and
at that part of each plate which when in position is lowest I form a number of
holes through which the water passes in streams onto the plate next below it
except in the case of the lowermost plate from which the streams from the said
holes pass into the conical lower part of the apparatus. The upper part of the
apparatus is closed by a cover the lower edge of which dips into a channel formed
between the outer and inner cases of the apparatus which channel when the
apparatus is in use is filled with water. The said cover is provided with a tube
through which the water enters the apparatus the lower part of which tube is
provided with a strainer and dips into the cup or reservoir on the uppermost of
the perforated plates herein before described. The said cover is also provided with
a tube through which the products of combustion escape after passing through the
apparatus.
To avoid accident and injury to the apparatus hereinbefore described it is
important that the gas should be lighted immediately it issues from the burners
and that water should be passing through the apparatus during the whole time
that the gas is burning. In order to prevent the gas cock from being opened
through carlessness or otherwise before the water cock is opened and to prevent
the water cock from being closed while the gas cock is open I form the two cocks
in one casting or I secure them side by side and secure to the plug of each of the
said cocks a plate of the form of a disc from which a portion has been cut away
which plates are hereinafter termed respectively the "gas locking plate" and the
"water locking plate." The sizes of the said plates and their relative positions on
the plugs and their form at the parts cut away are such that when the gas cock
is in its closed position the cut portion of its locking plate is engaged with part
of the periphery of the water locking plate and when the gas cock is in its open
position the periphery of its locking plate is engaged with the cut portion of the
water locking plate. By this means the admission of gas to the apparatus before
the admission of water and the turning off of the water before the gas is turned
off are rendered impossible.
Having thus described the nature of my invention I will proceed to describe the
manner in which the same is to be or may be performed reference being had to
the accompanying drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon.
Figure 1 of the said drawings is an elevation of a geyser to which my improve-
ments are applied Figure 2 is a transverse section taken on the line 1 Figure 1
Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 2 Figure 2 and Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
9, 10 and 11 are details hereinafter referred to.
The same letters and figures of reference indicate the same parts in each of the
Figures of the Drawings.
A is the outer casing surrounding the body of the apparatus or the part in which
the water is heated B is the non conducting material with which the space
between the body of the apparatus and the said casing is filled. C is the screen of

page_text: perforated metal around the burner D is the box or case of the burner into which
box the mixture of gas and air passes by a tube d¹ having holes d', d² formed in it
for the admission of air the outer end of which tube is closed by a cap d³ in which
is secured a nozzle d' forming the connection between the said tube d and the pipe
by which gas is conveyed to the burner which nozzle is provided with a pin valve d³.
for regulating the size of the aperture through which the gas passes into the said
tube d on its way to the burner. de, d are the tubes secured in the upper part of
the said box D d is the diaphragm of wire gauze secured therein and d³, ds are
the nozzles of asbestos. The burner is secured to the apparatus by means of a bar
or bracket d. Instead of arranging a diaphragm of wire gauze d' in the box D
below the tubes de a diaphragm of like material may be secured in the lower part
of each of the said tubes de, d and instead of placing the asbestos nozzles around
the said tubes do, do the said nozzles may be placed within the said tubes. The
part of the apparatus in which the water is heated is marked E E¹ the lower part
E constituting a vessel in which the water collects. el is the exit pipe for the
heated water which pipe communicates with the interior of the said vessel E¹. Fis
the tube which constitutes the chimney of the burner or the passage by which the
heated air and products of combustion from the burner pass into the body of the
apparatus. GG G¹ G¹ are the plates or trays constituting the obstructions by
which the passage of water through the apparatus is retarded and which assist in
communicating the heat from the gas flames to the water. The said trays consist
of dished discs of metal and are arranged in the apparatus one above another the
convex side of the discs marked G G (namely that at the top and every alternate
one below) being placed uppermost and the convex side of the disc marked G¹ G¹
(which alternate with the aforesaid discs) being placed undermost. g¹, g¹ are the
holes in the said discs through which the products of combustion ascend in the
apparatus g, g* are the rims around the said holes and g³, are metal hoops
constituting the rims at the outer edges of the trays. In Figure 3 those only of
the holes g¹, glare shown which lie on the line of section. In the construction
shown in the Drawings each of the trays except the lowermost one is formed as
shown in Figures 5 and 6 Figure 5 being an elevation of one of the said trays and
Figure 6 a section thereof taken on the line 3 Figure 5 that is each of the said
trays consists of a pair of perforated discs G G¹ secured to one of the said hoops g³
which hoops are slightly curled inward at the upper edge. The lowermost tray
consists of one disc only secured to a hoop g³. The several trays are piled one on
the other within the part E of the apparatus the lowermost tray resting on the
upper edge of the vessel E¹ and each of the other trays on the curled edge of the
hoop of the tray next below. 9*, g* are the cups secured to the discs G G at their
highest part g, g' are the perforations in the said cups and g³, 9* (see Figure 6)
are the perforations at the lower parts of or near the peripheries of the said discs.
At the middle of each of the discs G G an opening g' is formed which opening
admits of the passage of water from the upper surface of the disc into the cup g*
on the disc next below. g' is a guard secured to the underside of the lowermost
H is the cover of the
disc G to prevent water from splashing onto the burner.
apparatus a¹ is the channel into which the lower edge of the said cover dips and
in which water is placed when the apparatus is in use and by which the junction
of the said cover is sealed and a³, a³ are holes by which water passes from the said
channel into the body of the apparatus when the water in the said channel rises
above the required height in consequence of the accumulation therein of water of
condensation. h¹ is the tube through which the water to be heated enters the
apparatus h is the strainer at the lower part of the said tube and h³ is the tube
through which the products of combustion escape from the apparatus I is the
pipe by which water passes into the apparatus through the tube h¹ and J is the
pipe which is connected to the nozzle d' of the gas burner. The cocks by which
water and gas are admitted to the apparatus and their passage controlled are shown
separately in their closed position in plan in Figure 7 elevation in Figure 8 and
section in Figure 9 the section being taken on the line 4 Figure 7 the plug of the
gas

page_text: water cock being marked ¹ and that of the gas cock 7. Figure 10 is an elevation
of the said cocks showing the water cock in its open position and Figure 11 is a
section corresponding to the section Figure 9 showing the relative positions of the
passages in the several plugs and those in the body of the cock when the water
cock is open. K is the casting constituting the body of the cocks in which the
said plugs work which casting is secured to the outer case of the apparatus by
brackets k¹, k., are nozzles formed in the said casting to which nozzles the
pipes conveying the supply of water and gas to the apparatus are respectively
connected. L is a "pilot light" or tube which conveys a small jet of gas to near
the tubes do, do of the gas burner which tube L communicates with a passage k³ in
the casting K and terminates opposite a hole c¹ in the screen of wire gauze C. The
said passage k may be brought into communication with the gas supply by turning
a plug M arranged between the said cocks i¹, the means of communication being
a recess m¹ formed in the said plug M and a passage k in the said casting K and a
recess or passage in the plug ¹ of the gas cock which recess or passage ³ is so
formed that the passage is in communication with the gas supply pipe whether
the passage therefrom to the burner be closed or open. The arrangement by which
the turning of the taps otherwise than in the required order is prevented is herein-
after described. N is the "water locking plate" O is the " 'gas locking plate
and m³ is a similar plate formed on or secured to the plug M which plates N O
and m³ are each of the form of a disc having a portion cut away as shown in
Figures 1 and 8 the several discs being so cut as to allow only one or other of the
said plugs i, j, M to be freely turned at the same time and to entirely prevent the
turning of the plug except when the plug is in such a position that the passages
therein are open to both the water supply pipe and to the pipe I.
"
The method of using the apparatus hereinbefore described and its action are as
follows:-
The water cock being opened water flows continuously from the pipe I through
the tube and strainer h' into the uppermost cup g* through the hole 9, 9*
therein onto the uppermost of the plates G G over the surface of the said plate
through the holes g³, g³ onto the uppermost of the plates G¹ over the surface of the
said plate and into the cup 9* of the plate next below and so on until it passes
through the holes g³, g³ in the lowermost of the plates G into the vessel E¹ whence
it passes from the apparatus by the outlet pipe e¹. By means of the perforated
cups g, g the water passing from one plate is thoroughly distributed over that
onto which it next passes. After the water cock is opened the plug m² is turned
into the position shown in Figures 10 and 11 whereby the water cock is locked in
its open position communication between the pilot light L and the gas supply
is opened and the gas cock is liberated so that it may be turned to open
communication between the gas supply and the burner. The jet of gas issuing
from the tube L is then ignited the gas cock is opened and the jets of mixed gas
and air which then issue from the nozzles dad of the burner become ignited by
contact with the flame of the pilot light. The heat and products of combustion
from the burner ascend through the tube F and through the holes g¹, g¹ in the
plates G G¹ heating the water in the vessel E¹ and heating the said plates and the
water flowing over them and passes from the apparatus by the tube h³. The course
of the water through the apparatus is indicated by the descending arrows and that
of the products of combustion by the ascending arrows. The heat radiated
laterally from the gas burner is intercepted by the perforated screen C and is
absorbed therefrom by the currents of air passing to the said burner loss of
the heat so radiated being thereby prevented. The nozzles of non conducting
material da, ds prevent in a great measure the absorption of heat from the flames
of the burner by the tubes do, do and the wire gauze diaphragm d prevents the.
said flames from passing downward into the box D and igniting the mixture of
gas and air therein. The pin valve d³ in the nozzle d' admits of variation and
adjustment of the proportion of gas in the mixture of gas and air which enters
the said box D. When a sufficient quantity of water has been heated in the

page_text: apparatus the gas cock is closed the plug m³ is turned into the position shown in
Figures 1 and 8 and the water cock is then closed.
The screen C and diaphragm ₫ may be made of any material which is a rapid
conductor of heat.
Although in the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying Drawings the
plates G G G G are circular and so formed and arranged that the water passes.
from the middle to the outer parts and from the outer parts to the middle of
alternate plates I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the use of
plates of such form or so arranged as the said plates may be rectangular or of
other form and may be so arranged as to cause the water to pass over their
surfaces from edge to edge or otherwise. When I use plates of a form other than.
circular I in some cases arrange perforated collecting cups equivalent to the
cups g*, g* on each of the said plates below that part of the plate above from
which the water descends.
In cases where it is not desired to use the pilot light L the part N of the water
cock is arranged relatively to the part O of the gas cock as shown in the Drawings
with respect to the part m³ of the plug M.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I wish it to be understood
that I do not limit myself to the precise details hereinbefore described as they may
be varied without departing from the nature of my said Invention but I declare
that I claim as my said Invention of "Improvements in apparatus for rapidly
heating flowing water"
First The combination with such apparatus of an outer envelope or casing
enclosing a material which is an imperfect conductor of heat.
Secondly The arrangement around the burner of such apparatus of a perforated
or reticulated screen formed of a material which is a rapid conductor of heat
substantially as hereinbefore described.
Thirdly The combination with the burners of such apparatus of tubes or
nozzles of asbestos or other incombustible material which is an imperfect conductor
of heat the said tubes or nozzles being so arranged as to prevent or retard the
passage of heat from the flame to the metal of the body of the burner.
Fourthly The combination with atmospheric burners constructed as herein-
before described of reticulated or perforated diaphragms formed of a material
which is a rapid conductor of beat the said diaphragms being arranged between
the body of the burner and the tubes or nozzles thereof substantially as and for
the purpose herein before described.
Fifthly The arrangements hereinbefore described for effecting the exposure of
the water passing through such apparatus to the action of the heated air and
products of combustion passing through it the said arrangements consisting of
metal plates so formed or disposed that the water descending in the apparatus will
pass from one to another of the said plates and over the whole or the greater part
of the surface of each plate and having holes formed in them for the passage of
the heated air and products of combustion provision being made for preventing
the water passing through the same holes substantially as herein before described.
Sixthly The arrangement hereinbefore described for sealing the lid or cover of
such apparatus or preventing the escape of heated air and vapour between the
body of such apparatus and the cover the said arrangement consisting of a channel
formed around the upper part of the body and containing water in which channel
the lower edge of the cover or a flange thereon engages and of an inlet for the
water entering the said apparatus the said inlet consisting of a tube secured to the
said lid and trapped at the lower part substantially as herein before described.
Seventhly-The arrangement in such apparatus at the part nearest the burner
of a water collecting vessel of the form externally of an inverted truncated cone
the passage by which the products of combustion enter the said apparatus being
formed within the said vessel substantially as hereinbefore described.

page_text: Eighthly The arrangement for collecting the water as it passes from one to
another of the obstructing plates and for distributing the water so collected over
the plate onto which it next passes the said arrangement consisting of perforated
cups secured on the highest parts of each of the several plates or on each alternate
plate below the opening or openings in the plate next above through which the
water descends substantially as herein before described.
Ninthly The arrangement substantially as herein before described and illus-
trated in the accompanying Drawings for preventing the turning of two or more
cocks otherwise than in a certain order.
Tenthly-The general combination and arrangement of parts constituting the
apparatus hereinbefore described with reference to and illustrated in Figures 1, 2
and 3 of the accompanying Drawings.