Improvements in Stoves or Fire-places.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Sept., 1889-Accepted, 16th Nov., 1889
Improvements in Stoves or Fire-places.
T, THOMAS HENRY HARRIS, of Clifton Villa, Allison Road, Acton in the County,
of Middlesex, 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:-
This invention relates to stoves or dire-places specially adapted for burning authracite
coal, coke, or other smokeless" fuel though other classes of fuel may if desired be
consumed therein, and the invention consists essentially in constructing such a stove
or fire-place with a chamber in which the gaseous and other products passing from the
fire are allowed freely to expand and give off their heat to the surrounding walls of
the said chamber, the invention consisting further in providing such stoves or the like
with means for conductingthrough then what is hereinafter, termed a counterdraught".
for regulating the working of such stoves in place of effecting such regulation by
dangerously constricting the flue outlet by valves or dampers.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Fig. 1 is an elevation of a round closed stove or fire-place constructed according to
my present invention, and
Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical sections thereof taken respectively on the lines a-b
and of Figure 4 which is a plan of the said stove.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 being horizontal sections of the same taken respectively on the
lines f, gh, and of Figure 2.
Figs. 8 and 9 are vertical sections taken at right angles to each other on the
lines and of Figures 9 and S respectively of a square open stove or fire-place
constructed according to this invention,
Fig. 10 being a horizontal section the upper half on the line k- and the lower
half on the crooked line km of Figure 8 and Figure 11 a horizontal section on the
line of Figure 8.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
With reference to Figs. 1 to 7 of the drawings A is a preferably sheet iron
cylindrical casingwhich is supported on a hollow base Binwhich are formedopeningsB
for the free circulation of air therethrough as hereinafter explained. C is a metal ring
fivetted or otherwise secured in the position shown within the casing A and on which
are formed three or more stepped projections (for supporting the circular portion C³
of the fire grate in such manner that the said portion. Ce may be rotated on the
projections C. Upon this circular portion Care formed parts C³ of the fire bars or
grafe proper the remaining paris C of which formi as it were the prongs of a fork
under which name for distinctness the said part is hereinafter referred to. This fork
is provided with a handle preferably cranked, one of its prongs preferably passing
through a socket (provided on the underside of the circular portion C2 by which the
said fork is otherwise supported by its two outermost prongs resting on ledges C
Figure formed on the circular portion C as shown clearly in Figs. 3 and 5. This
arrangement admits of the fork C being drawn horizontally out from the stove and
also admits of it, together with the circular portion C. being partially rotated for the
purpose of removing clinker, dust or ash which will then fall into the ash-pan. D which
The
from time to time may be withdrawn through the opening A¹ to be emptied.
handle C passes to the outside of the casing through the opening A'.
Upon the ring C is supported another ring E which may be of metal or fire clay or
other refractory material and may be either solid as indicated in the drawings or
hollowed out at its outer face which fits closely against the inside of the casing A.
This ring E need not be of the internally taper form shown but it is essential that the
upper opening shall be larger than the lower; these conditions may if desired be

page_text: provided in a single ring of shaped section or of two rings one a short cylinder
and the other of flat section. F is a fire-clay or equivalent lining also fitting closely
against the inside of the casing A up which it extends but a comparatively short
distance the said lining being supported on the ring E. Gis preferably fire-clay
fuel magazine which is supported by the wings G which rest on the top edge of the
lining and which at their upper parts fit closely against the casing A and at their
lower parts against the inner periphery of the lining within which and the casing
the said fuel magazine G occupies a central position the relative dimensions of the
said magazine and lining F being such that a small or narrow annular space
(divided by the wings of say a quarter of an inch or less is left between the
said two parts. The area of this space which for convenience of description is
hereinafter referred to as the passage F is restricted relatively to that of the
space the desired proportion of the areas of the passages and space K being
that in which the latter will allow of the free expansion of only such a quantity
of products as can pass through the openings or passages F. It will thus be seen
that the lining F overlaps the magazine 6 thus forming the divided passage E
the reason for this being that it is necessary to carry the ring F sufficiently high
to protect the metal casing A. from the intense heat of the products of combustion
as they leave the combustion chamber. The comparatively large chamber K following
immediately upon the restricted passage F allows of prompt expansion of the heated
products immediately against the walls of the stove with which is in contact the air of
the room, the fuel magazine serving to keep the gases well up against the casing A so
that as much as possible of the leaf may be utilised instead of as has hitherto been the
case imparting a portion of their heat to a thick lining of fire-clay which only pass by
contact a small proportion of such heat in, the casing of the stove the greater part of it.
escaping at once to the flue.
On the outside of the magazine G above the wings and partly dividing the
annular space hereinafter referred to as the expansion chamber Kis formed the semi-
annular baffle which fits tightly against the casing A. as shown in Figures 2 and 3
just below the flue outlet A2 and prevents the too-ready access, of the heated products
from the fire to the said outlet. Ġº are wings arranged around the upper part of the
magazine & so as to hold such upper part centrally within the casing. G³ is the
charging opening of the magazine which opening is formed by a recess in the upper
edge thereof. Within this opening G³ is provided a shoot G which is secured by the
vertical part G to the casing A and between each of the vertical sides G of which and
the adjacent end of the said opening G³ a space (Figure 5 of about a quarter of an
inch is left. The lower plate of this shoot is inclined as shown in Fig. 2 to direct the
fuel into the fuel magazine G. G is another opening or recess in the top edge of the
magazine at the side opposite to that where the charging opening G³ is formed. H is
a valve or damper in front of though not close against the opening GS when the stove
is in operation but which is automatically moved away from the said opening when the
stove is opened for the introduction of fresh fuelinto themagazine. Thisvalve ordamperH
is secured to and rotates with the bolt Hat the underside of the stove top A³ through
which the said bolt projects to be secured to the movable cover or lidA at the upper side
of the stove top A³ it being understood that the valve H, bolt H and cover A move
as one part the bolt itself being capable of being rotated freely in a hole formed in
the stove top A. A is an opening in the top A immediately above the charging
shoot G of the fuel magazine G and over this opening the cover A is adapted to rest
so as to make a comparatively tight joint. It is to be observed that the relative
positions of the cover A' and the valve H and the openings which they are adapted to
cover and uncover is such that when the opening A is uncovered the opening G is
uncovered also and vice versa so that during the charging of the magazine with fuel
any gases rising through the said magazine instead of escaping through the opening A
into the apartmentwill be drawn through the opening Gto the flueA J is a pipewhich
preferably passes up at the front of the expansion chamber K. One end of the pipe Jor
as shown in the drawing an elbow secured to it opens out through the casing A to the
atmosphere and is at that end provided with a suitable cover or regulator J¹ for

page_text: admitting air to the pipe. J while the other end terminates just below the plate G' as
shown clearly in Figure 2 of the drawings. I may however under certain circumstances
dind it advantageous to lead a short pipe directly from the interior of the magazine G
to the exterior of the casing, or arrange it in any other suitable position which will.
enable air to pass through it to the flue without first passing through the fire.
To use one of the before described stoves a fire is kindled on the grate in the
ordinary manner the ash pan D may then be preferably drawn considerably out io
admit of a large supply of air passing up through the grate to the fire being kindled
thereon for the purpose of speedily blowing up the fire. So soon as the fire is
sufficiently well kindled the ash pan D may be pushed back into its normal position
and fuel charged into the magazine G sufficient to last for twelve, or even more hours
according to the size of the stove. The air for supporting combustion in the stove
then enters between the upper edge of the front of the ash pan D and the fire grate C
up through which it passes to the fire as indicated by the arrows in Figure 2. The
products of combustion leaving the fire pass in the direction indicated by the arrows y
in Figs. 2 and 3 up through the narrow passage or passages F into the expansion
chamber K where being prevented by the baffle G from passing direct to the outlet
Hue A they are drawn forward around the front edge of such baffle over the top side
of which they are then free to pass directly to the said flue A²;
Any of the products which happen not to be drawn through the passages F and
pass upwards into the fuel magazine are drawn behind the valve H and through the
opening GS into the expansion chamber K whence they escape together with the other
products by way of the flue outlet A*.
Supposing it is desired to cause combustion to proceed less vigorously all that is
necessary is to open the regulator at the end of the pipe J through which air will
then be drawn. The current of air thus allowed to enter will pass to the underside of
the shoot G and as indicated by the arrows in Figs. 2 and 5 will divide and pass,
into the fuel magazine G by way of the passages G. From the fuel magazine the air
thus introducedwill escape behind thevalve H and through, the opening GS to the flueA
along with the products of combustion leaving the fire...
When it is desired to free the fire of dust or small ash, or the like the grate upon
which the fire is supported is partly rotated in the manner shown in Fig. 7 by means
of the handle C and the said grate is thus operated first in one and then in the other
direction until the desired effect is obtained. When it is desired to remove from the
fire clinker or other such comparatively large obstructions the fork C by means of its
handle is drawn forward in the manner shown in Fig. 5 either wholly or only partly
out from the stove. The clinker will then immediately fall into the ash pan or can by
a suitable implement be removed from the underside of the fire a small portion only
of which will fall, it being supported by the inclined sides of the ring E., After the
removal of the obstruction the fork may again he placed in position and the
combustion will proceed as before.
In the application of the before described improvements to an open stove or grate I
prefer that such stove or grate shall be constructed in the manner shown in Figs.S to 11
it being here explained that such construction is merely given as an example for it is.
capable of being greatly modified both as regards its details and location or arrange
ment of the various parts of the same.
Referring more particularly to Fig. 8 of the drawings. A is the casing B the hollow
base which may be perforated as in the preceding example and which preferably
projects forward in the manner shown in Fig. S so as to form a hot hearth. K is the
expansion chamber and the passages by which the products of combustion on leaving
the fire are conducted into the said chamber. These openings are formed in the
back 1. which is preferably of the contour shown clearly in Fig. 8 and which may be
supported by the plate M which forms the front of the expansion chamber K. By
this special concave contour of the back L the openings F have always a tendency to
clear themselves of ash and other matter. 'N is the grate upon which is supported the
fire and which is advantageously constructed in the manner shown most clearly in
Figs. 8 and 11 by reference to which it is seen thai the said grate is formed of two

page_text: double forked bars n each of which is loosely supported and capable of being moved
longitudinally on two bearers ¹. ² is a bar which is secured at its ends to bearers n³
and which projects upwards between the two bars in the manner shown most clearly
in Fig. 8. is a lever provided with a handle or the like pivotted to the bar n²
and itself provided with two pivots or pins none of which projects upwards between
two teeth of each of the bars as shown in plan in Fig. 11 and in dotted lines in Fig. 8.
By reciprocating the handle » in a horizontal plane the bars will simultaneously
reciprocate in opposite directions. Dis the ash pan and O is a drawer fitted into the
lower part of the expansion chamber K for receiving ash or dust which might pass
through the openings F the adjacent portions of the bottom of such chamberpreferably
inclining in the manner shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9 so as to form a hopper to
conduct the said ash or dust into the drawer (. This drawer may be taken out after
the ash pan D has been removed. G is the fuel magazine the upper part of which
as is the whole of the magazine in the preceding example is surrounded by tho
expansion chamber K which in the construction of stove now being described at its
upper part extends forward to the stove front as seen clearly in Fig. S. This fuel
magazine is preferably formed of iron. G is the baffle plate which prevents the too-
ready passage of the products of combustion from the fire to the outlet flue A2 and
which causes the said products to travel forwards at the two sides of the magazine G
until they reach the forward edge of the baffle G over the top of which they are then
free to pass to the flue A. J is the valve for regulating the working of the stove
this valve being adapted to partially cover or wholly uncover an opening P¹ in the
plate which forms the top or register of the fire chamber when for this purpose it is
moved backwards or forwards by means of the handle P which projects through the
front of the stove as shown in Figs. S and 10. Pivotied to this valve Jare the
forward ends of two rods or links P³ the rearward ends of which are similarly
connected to a damper which is hinged at K in the expansion chamber K. The
arrangement of these two valves or dampers J and K is such that when one is open
the other is nearly closed that is to say when the valve J is away from the opening Pl.
and thus allows air and the products of combustion to pass through such opening 'the
valve K will be in the position in which it is represented in dotted lines in Fig. 8 so
that there will then be no draught to cause the fire gases to pass through the
openings F, but ordinarily(except when a fire is being kindled) the valves or dampers J
and K occupy the positions in which they are shown in full lines in Fig. 8, that is to
say the passage up through theback part of the expansion chamber K is free and the
valve partially covers the opening P. The valve J preferably does not at any
time quite cover the opening 11 so that any products which arise from the burning
fuel are readily drawn into the chamber K and are so prevented from escaping into
the apartment.
The fuel magazine in this construction of stove is preferably provided with two
lids or covers A and G10 the former of which at its rearward part is hinged to the
stove top A³ and the latter at its forward part to the magazine itself as shown in
Fig. 8.
It will thus be seen that when the lid A is thrown backwards and the
lid G forwards in the manner indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 8 fuel may be charged
directly into the magazine G or on to the fire.
Q is a blower which when out of use is chiefly contained in the upper forward
part of the expansion chamber K a small portion always projecting downwards below
the plate P and which when required for use is drawn down in front of the combustion
chamber so that its lower edge rests on the uppermost of the front bars of such.
chamber as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8.
When it is desired to kindle a fire in the last described stove the handle P is
drawn into its most forward position in which it may temporarily be secured by
any suitable means so that the valve K will be closed as in the dotted position
and the valve will be removed from above the opening P2 so as to throw the
fire place into direct communication with the chimney in practically the same
manner as in an ordinary register grate. The ash pan D is then also preferably drawn
partly out from beneath the grate so that air may have free access to the underside

page_text: of the said grate. The necessary fuel is then laid and ignited on the grate N in
the ordinary manner and the blower Q drawn down and the draught through the
chimney will cause the products of combustion to be drawn through the opening Pl
as indicated by the arrows into the front or upper part of the expansion chamber
whence they are free to pass directly to the outlet fluc A as shown by the arrows
the air to support the combustion at this time being drawn principally up through
the grate. When the fire is sufficiently well kindled the blower Q is raised and the
handle and ash pan D are pushed back into their most rearward positions.
The direction pursued by the greater portion of the products will then be changed
from that indicated by the arrows to that indicated by the arrows y. The air
to support combustion under this changed condition enters chiefly from the front
of the grate as shown by the arrows and the fire gases are drawn through the
openings into the rear part of the expansion chamber K in which they pass
upwards to the underside of the baffle G by which they are caused to travel
forwards when curling around the front edge of the said baffle G" they are drawn
backwards into the flue outlet A Fuel sufficient to last for a lengthened period
may then be charged into the magazine G and as the lower part becomes gradually
consumed the burden of the charge in the magazine will cause it to descend so that
without further attention the stove will continue in operation for many hours.
In some stoves or fire-places wherein are provided two lids or covers one for
closing the fuel magazine and the other the opening through the stove top as in
Fig. I connect them together so that on opening one the other simultaneously opens
with it.
Ocasionally the bars n may be reciprocated by means of the handle n so as to free
the fire of any dust or ash.
By adjusting the position of the valves J K the rate of combustion of the
fuel may be regulated to a nicety. It is not however absolutely necessary to
provide dampers such as J and K which are provided essentially for the speedy
kindling of a fire.
If desired a pipe leading from the outside of a wall may be connected to the hollow
base B so that atmospheric air may be introduced into the said base. This air in passing
beneath the fire place and upwards out through openings B Figs. 1 to 8 and thus
around the stove or fire-place will become heated and thereby admit to the apartment
so provided a constant supply of warmed fresh air.
The before described arrangements may be applied to various types of grates and
stoves among which may be mentioned those known as register grates cabinet and gill
stoves and closed stoves in which the fire is visible through mica or the like and if
desired the said grates may be enclosed within an ornamental perforated casing such as
is generally used for hall stoves.
65
In some cases such for example as when applying my improvements to Dog or
small stoves pivot the magazine so that when necessary for filling it may be tilted
outwards and when filled may be pushed back within the casing of the stove.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
1. In a stove or fire-place the combination with passages such as F of a chamber or
space such as K wholly or chiefly surrounding the combustion chamber and to the
capacity of which space that of the passages F is relatively restricted and in which said
space the products of combustion after having passed through such passages directly
from the fire are free to expand and give off their heat directly to the walls of the
stove the course of the said products of combustion being entirely or chiefly in an
upward direction substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
2. In a stove or fire-place a chamber such as K wholly or chiefly surrounding the
combustion chamber and of capacity relatively larger to that of the passages F¹ for
enabling the products of combustion to immediately expand and give off their heat

page_text: directly to the walls of the apparatus the whole or a portion of the walls of the
said chamber being in contact with the surrounding atmosphere substantially as
herein described.
3. In a stove or fire-place the combination with one or more. restricted passages such
as F of a fuel magazine so arranged within the casing as to leave a space surrounding
the magazine in which the products of combustion are allowed to expand immediately
after leaving the fire substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accom-
panying drawings.
4. In a stove or fire-place the combination with a fuel magazine such as G of a
cylinder such as F substantially as and for the purpose herein described and illustrated
in Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
5. In a stove or fire-place the combination with a fuel magazine and cylinder
such as Gaud F of a ring such as. E the diameter of whose interior periphery at its
upper part is larger than that of its lower pari substantially as and for the purpose
herein described.
6. In a stove or fire-place the use of a counter draughi for regulating the draught
through the fire substantially as herein described.
7. In a stove or fire-place the combination with the door for covering or closing the
fuel magazine of a valve adapted to be operated therewith for opening and partially
closing a direct communication between the interior of such magazine and the flue
outlet substantially as and for the purpose herein described.
8. In a stove or fire-place a grate for supporting the fire constructed and adapted to
be operated substantially as and for the purpose herein described and illustrated in
Figures 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.
9. In a stove or fire-place the combination with a fuel magazine of a valve controlled
tube such as J for enabling the rate of combustion of the fire to be adjusted
substantially as herein described and illustrated in Figures 2, 4 and 5 of the accom-
panying drawings.
10. In a stove or fire-place the combination with a valve such as J' adapted to
indirectly control the combustion of the fuel of a valve or damper such as K¹
adapted to be operated simultaneously therewith substantially as and for the purpose
herein described and illustrated in Figures S. 9 and 10. of the accompanying
drawings.
11. In a stove or fire-place a perforated fire back presenting towards the fire an
overhanging concave face substantially as and for the purpose herein described and
illustrated in Fig. S of the accompanying drawings.
12. The complete stove or fire-place substantially as and operating in the manner
herein described and illustrated in Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings!
13. The complete stove or fire-place substantially as and operating in the manner
herein described and illustrated in Figures 8 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 20th day of September 1889.
T. HENRY HARRIS.
W. P. Thompson & Boult;
Agents for the Applicant.