IMPROVEMENTS IN INTERNAL FIRE STEAM BOILERS, ALSO IN FURNACE BARS AND FLUES FOR THE SAME AND OTHER LIKE PURPOSES, FOR EFFECTING COMBUSTION OF ANY SORT OF FUEL, AND UTILIZING HEAT WITH GREATER ECONOMY THAN HITHERTO
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Fountain Livet, of 11, Western Road, Ealing, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
INTERNAL FIRE STEAM BOILERS, ALSO IN FURNACE BARS AND FLUES FOR THE
SAME AND OTHER LIKE PURPOSES, FOR EFFECTING COMBUSTION OF ANY SORT
OF FUEL, AND UTILIZING HEAT WITH GREATER ECONOMY THAN HITHERTO.”
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Fountain Livet at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th March 1878.
FOUNTAIN LIVET, of 11, Western Road, Ealing, in the County of Middlesex,
Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN INTERNAL FIRE STEAM BOILERS, ALSO IN
FURNACE BARS AND FLUES FOR THE SAME AND OTHER LIKE PURPOSES, FOR
EFFECTING COMBUSTION OF ANY SORT OF FUEL, AND UTILIZING HEAT WITH GREATER
ECONOMY THAN HITHERTO.'
"
My Invention relates to several improvements in internal fire steam boilers, also
in furnace bars and flues for the same and other like purposes, for effecting combus-
tion of any sort of fuel, and utilizing heat with greater economy than hitherto.
In order to determine clearly the nature of my improvements, I describe the
same as applied separately to different purposes in connection with land boilers,
multitubular or marine boilers, and smelting furnaces, as follows:-
First. For manufacturing purposes or land boilers, I apply my improvements
most particularly to the cylindrical type of boiler commonly called the Cornish.
In this case my improvements, consist:-
Firstly. In the special shape of the furnace and divided fire-bars constructed in
the furnace tube.
Secondly. In the combination of one or more series of vertical tubes diminishing
in diameter towards the end of the boiler; these series of vertical tubes being placed
longitudinally in the oval tube on a centro line and at a gradually increasing dis-

page_text: tance from each other, thus increasing gradually the space or area of flue so that
the velocity of flame being slackened, the caloric has time to develop the greater
part of its heating power before leaving the boiler fluc.
The series of vertical tubes I use in this combination are by preference the
kind of conical tubes commonly called the Galloway's, as by their upwardly in-
creasing diameter, they develop their greater heating surface in the oval tube where
the heat is most effective, and owing to their internally increasing area, steam rises
freely to the surface of the water without friction against the metal.
Thirdly. In the projecting part of the end of the boiler which overlaps the ex-
pansion chamber. This projecting part includes half of the boiler shell and oval 1
tube, and it is put in communication with the boiler by means of large openings in
the boiler end for steam and water circulation.
Fourthly In the return flues (commonly called wheel draught).
The first course of this flue from the first expansion chamber to the second one
at the ash-pit runs parallel to the boiler, and it is made and constructed of a semi- 1
cylindrical shape at the bottom, and the top brick part abutting the boiler is made
with an inward open curve up to the water line, so as to guide the heat against the
boiler shell for its utilization.
The area and size of this first course of flue are mathematically determined
in certain proportions from the exit of the first flue, so that the second course of
this flue from the second expansion chamber at the ash-pit to the collecting flue
or chimney stack, though like the former course in shape and form, and running
also parallel to the boiler, may be made larger in size than the former course of
this said flue, but at the same time in certain mathematically determined propor-
tions relatively thereto.
Secondly. In applying my Invention to multitubular or marine boilers, I use the
same furnace and divided fire-bars as for land boilers, and the nature of my im-
provements in this type of boilers are,
Firstly. In the combination of the small tubes placed on the centre of perpendicular
lines, and the said tubes are of a gradually and upwardly diminishing diameter, so
as to give a gradually increasing area between each course of tubes for the free
circulation of steam during its rising action froin the lower tubes; in fact by this
arrangement I obtain a free internal physical action of the steain in rising to the
water surface similar to that with the Galloway's tubes above described, which I
use for land boilers.
Secondly. In the combination of a saddle or double semi-envelope or casing placed
above the upper half of the boiler shell for return flue, and by means of an internal
tube connected to the boiler from the saddle or double semi-envelope or casing;
the pressure per square inch in both vessels, boiler, and double envelope is
equally divided, consequently by means of this new arrangement almost the
full amount of heat produced in the furnaces is effectively utilized throughout
the heating surface of this boiler, instead of the greater part of it escaping by the
funnel, as is generally the case in marine boilers with one set of return flues, ns at
present constructed.
•
Thirdly. In applying my Invention to smelting furnaces I use the same fire-bars
and frame, as before mentioned, but in the melting chamber and at its centre and
across the draught, I lower the crown arch down to certain distance from the
bottom of the said chamber for passing the heat nearer the object to be melted,
thus utilizing the caloric in a better manuer than hitherto.
DESCRIPTION OF FIRE-BARS AND FRAMES.
The divided fire-bars above mentioned are a combination of top bars and lower
frames both independent of each other though connected together. The former are
simple rods of metal slightly tapered downwards and fitted at their top ends with
small downward noses, so as to retain the said bars in their positions like the
frames.
The object of these top fire-bars (which being in constant contact with the ignited

page_text: fuel are subject to an accelerated wear and tear) is to reduce the cost of their renewal
to a minimum owing to their small weight and simplicity.
The frames, which may be called the lower part of the fire-bars, support the fire-
bars above mentioned, and have at their top ends downward noses like the top fire-
bars above mentioned to retain them in their position, the furnace being inclined.
These frames like the fire-bars are gradually tapered downward, so that no ashes
or clinkers could remain between the fire-bars or frames in the way of falling in the
ash-pit.
The principal object of these frames which are heated naturally by being in contact
with the fire-bars resting on them, is for heating naturally, the air stored between
then before entering the furnace, consequently the depth and area of the said frames
must be always adequate for sufficiently heating the volume of air required for the
furnace during the time allowed by the natural velocity of draught in passing between
them. The fire-bars and frames above described are fitted on each side and at each
end as well as at their centre with projections, so as to determine the clear distance
to be observed between each fire-bar and frame.
In order to form a combustion chainber at the lower end of the furnace the
same should be constructed on the incline, viz., the top of furnace in its centre
should be about 14 inches from the crown of furnace tube, and the lower ond
close to the bridge, about 24 inches from same, as an average dimension for best
results.
•
The furnace bridge should be half distance between the crown of tube and
lower end of fire-bars. The said bridge to be no less than 18 inches long, so
as to give time for the gasses to effect their homogeneity in the lower part of the
furnace before their division throughout the heating surface.
By this system the most perfect draught is obtained, and it is readily applied by
means of an ordinary damper placed in the flue and beyond the object to be heated,
and by a chain or rod attached to it, the stoker may regulate the draught according
to requirements.
I have described my several improvements as applied in combination, but
they can be used separately, if desired, in existing steam boilers, or for other
like purposes.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Fountain Livet in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 28th
September 1878.
FOUNTAIN LIVET, of 11, Western Road, Ealing, in the County of Middlesex,
Civil Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN INTERNAL FIRE STEAM BOILERS, ALSO IN
FURNACE BARS AND FLUES FOR THE SAME AND OTHER LIKE PURPOSES, FOR
EFFECTING COMBUSTION OF ANY SORT OF FUEL, AND UTILIZING HEAT WITH GREATER
ECONOMY THAN HITHERTO."
My Invention relates to several improvements in internal fire steam boilers, also
in furnace bars and flues for the same and other like purposes, for effecting combus-
tion of any sort of fuel, and utilizing heat with greater economy than hitherto.
In order to determine clearly the nature of my improvements, I describe the
same as applied separately to different purposes in connection with land boilers,
multitubular or marine boilers, and smelting or puddling furnaces as follows:-
For manufacturing purposes or land boilers, I apply my improvements most par-
ticularly to the cylindrical type of boiler, commonly called the Cornish, as shown in
Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4 in the Drawings accompanying this Specification, and they
consist:-
Firstly. In the special shape of the furnace A and the divided fire-bars B fitted
in the furnace tubo herein-after described.
Secondly. In the combination of one or more series of tubes C, shown vertical,
though they may be at an angle, if desired,,diminishing in diameter towards the
end of the boiler, these series or rows of vertical tubes being placed longitudinally
in the oval tube D on a centre line or lines, as shown, and at a gradually in-
creasing distance from each other, thus increasing gradually the space or area of
flue, so that as the velocity of flame slackens, the caloric has time to develop
the greater part of its heating power before leaving the boiler flue D; the
tubes I use in this combination are by preference the kind of conical tubes
commonly known as Galloway's, as by their upwardly increasing diameter, they
develop their greater heating surface in the oval tube D, where the heat is most
effective, and owing to their internally increasing area, steam rises freely to the
surface of the water without friction against the metal.
My improvements consist, thirdly, in the projecting part E at the end of the
boiler which overlaps the expansion chamber F; this projecting part covers about
half of the area of the end of the boiler shell and oval tube D, and it is put in com-
munication with the boiler by means of openings G, G, in the boiler end, shown in
Figure 4 for steam and water circulation.
My improvements consist, fourthly, in the return flue of boilers set upon what is
commonly called the wheel draught system. The first course of this flue H from
the first expansion chamber F to the second expansion chamber I at the ash-pit
runs parallel to the boiler, and it is made and constructed of a semi-cylindrical or
inverted arch forin at the bottom J, and the top brick part K which abuts against
the boiler is made with an inward open curve up to the water line, as shown in
Figure 4, so as to guide the heat against the boiler shell for its utilization. The
arca and size of the first course of this flue H are determined in certain scientific
proportions from the exit of the first flue or oval tube D; so is also the second
course L of this flue from the second expansion chamber I at the ash-pit to the
collecting flue M or chimney stack. Though the course L is like the former course H
in shape and form, and runs also parallel to the boiler, it is made larger in size than
the former course H of the said flue, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, but at the same
time in certain mathematically determined proportions relatively to it.
In applying my Invention to multitubular or marine boilers, I use the same
furnace and divided fire-bars as for land boilers, and the nature of my further
improvements in this type of boilers are, as will be seen in Figures 5 and 6, in the
arrangement of the small tubes N, the rows of which are placed on central perpen-

page_text: dicular lines, the said tubes being of a gradually and upwardly diminishing diameter
so as to give a gradually increasing area from the lower to the upper row between
each vertical course of tubes for the free circulation of steam during its rising action
from the lower tubes, in fact by this arrangement I obtain a free internal physical
action of the steam in rising similar to that with the Galloway's tubes above
described, which I use for land boilers.
In applying my Invention to smelting or puddling furnaces, as shown in Figures
7, 8, and 9, I use the saine fire-bars and frame as before mentioned, but beyond the
melting chainber O, and across the draught I lower the crown arch P down to a
certain distance below the furnace bridge Q, and this downward part of the crown
fluc is rounded as shown, and its lower face in the flue over the expansion chamber R
is horizontal to the furnace bridge, so as to compel the heat to pass nearer the object
to be melted or heated, and in a more uniform current than heretofore, thus obtaining
a better utilization of heat than bitherto.
The divided fire-bars above mentioned are clearly shown in the furnaces of the
boilers, Figures 1, 2, and 6, also in the smelting furnace, Figure 7, and are a com-
bination of top bars and lower frames, both independent of each other, though con-
nected together. The former are simple rods or bars of metal a, slightly tapered
downwards, and fitted at their top ends with small downward noses b, so as to
retain the said bars in their position like the frames.
The object of these top fire-bars (which being in constant contact with the ignited
fuel are subject to an accelerated wear and tear) is to reduce the cost of their renewal
to a minimum, owing to their small weight and simplicity.
The frames c, which may be called the lower part of the fire-bars, support the
fire-bars proper above mentioned, and have at their top ends downward noses d,
like the top fire-bars above mentioned, to retain them in their position, the furnace
or fire-bars a being inclined. These frames, like the fire-bars, are gradually tapered
downwards, so that their bottom edges are considerably thinner than their in
upper
order that no ashes or clinkers can remain between the fire-bars or frames, but that
they may readily fall into the ash-pit.
The principal object of these frames c (they being heated naturally by the fire-
bars resting on them) is for heating the air stored between them before entering the
furnace, consequently the depth and area of the said frames must be always adequate
for sufficiently heating the volume of air required for the furnace during the time
allowed by the natural velocity of draught in passing between them.
The fire-bars and frames, above described, are provided on each of their sides and
at each end, as well as at their centres with projections or flanges, so as to deter-
mine the clear distance to be maintained between each adjoining fire-bar and
frame.
In order to form a combustion chamber at the lower end of the furnace, the same
should be constructed with its fire-bars on the incline, as shown in the various
Figures, viz., the top of furnace in its centre should be about 14 inches from the
crown of furnace tube and the lower end close to the bridge about 24 inches from
same as an average dimension for best results.
The top of the furnace bridge e should in height be half the distance between the
crown of tube and lower end of fire-bars, the said bridge to be no less than 18
inches long, so as to give time for the gases to effect their homogeneity in the lower
part of the furnace before their division throughout the heating surface.
By this system the most perfect draught is obtained, and it is readily governed
by means of an ordinary damper placed in the flue beyond the object to be heated,
and by a chain or rod attached to it the stoker may regulate the draught according
to the requirements of the furnace.
In Figures 5 and 6 I have shown each of the horizontal rows of tubes N as being
slightly smaller than the row directly beneath it; but sometimes I make, say, two
or more of these rows to be composed of tubes of the same size, and the next two
or more rows above them slightly smaller, decreasing the diameters of the tubes in
layers composed of two or more rows.

page_text: I have described my several improvements as applied in combination, but they
can be used separately, if desired, in existing steam boilers, or for other like
purposes.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,-
First. Fitting the furnaces of steam boilers, land or marine, with divided fire-bars
and frames as described, and substantially as shown, for the purposes set forth.
Secondly. I claim fitting the fire-places of smelting or puddling furnaces with
fire-bars and frames as described, and substantially as shown, for the purposes set
forth.
Thirdly. I claim the compound fire-bars consisting of two parts a and c as
described, and substantially as shown, for the purposes set forth.
Fourthly. I claim arranging tubes of a diminishing diameter in the fire tube or
flue of internally fired steam boilers, substantially in the manner shown, and as
described.
Fifthly. I claim the semicircular form of side return flues shown in section in
Figures 3 and 4, the sectional area of each flue increasing at each bend it makes
around the boiler on its passage to the chimney, as hercin-before described.
Sixthly. I claim arranging the vertical rows of tubes of a steam boiler of a
gradually diminishing diameter from the lower to the upper row, as herein-before
described, and substantially as shown in Figures 5 and 6, acting as and for the
purposes set forth.
Seventhly. I claim lowering the crown arch of smelting and puddling furnaces
beyond the bridge, as shown at P in Figure 7, for the purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Fountain Livet, have hereunto sot my hand
and scal, this Nineteenth day of September, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-eight.
FOUNTAIN LIVET. (L.S.)