Improvements in Burners and Apparatus for Utilizing the Heat Obtained by the Combustion of an Intimate Mixture of Air with Gas or Inflammable Vapour.
Year: 1893

page_text: .
Date of Application, 6th Oct., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Aug., 1894-Accepted, 8th Sept., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Burners and Apparatus for Utilizing the Heat
Obtained by the Combustion of an Intimate Mixture of Air
with Gas or Inflammable Vapour.
We, WILLIAM SMETHURST, WILLIAM EDWARD VICKERS, and GORDON
ROBERT ROGERS, all of 39 Victoria Street, Westminster, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Whenever, in the different industrial applications of heat, the high temperatures
are utilized obtained by the complete combustion of an intimate and perfectly
proportioned mixture of air and gas (or inflammable vapour), it is absolutely
necessary to take certain precautions in order to prevent the flame from passing
back in the burners and entering the tubes through which the mixture is conveyed,
if at any time the pressure by which the gas is forced along should be reduced or
should cease.
The system of conducting pipes and the method of utilizing such an intimate
mixture of gas and air may however be perfectly safely effected, even if the
dangerous point be closely approached, by taking advantage of the property
possessed by metallic gauze of absorbing heat; that is to say by providing the
pipes and passages with a sufficient number of transverse partitions held together,
and sufficient in number to prevent all risk of firing on their inner side or the side
opposite to the burners.
The burners are constructed upon somewhat the same principle, generally
approaching an arrangement the form of injectors of variable size of jet or that of
the blow-pipe commonly used.
These burners concentrate the heat in a space as restricted as possible in order
to develop the maximum of calorific intensity at the point where it is wished to
utilize the effect of the combustion. They may however be made to take other
forms provided only that they are always provided as explained above with wire or
metal gauze, perforated plates, or the like.
The different types of burners which may be used in regard to the present
invention may be very largely varied. For instance the burner may consist of a
jet adjustable injector, and consist of a flat inner pipe fitting into a larger external
one having the same section.
The end of each of these pipes is provided with a narrow slit so that a sheet of
the ignited mixture is discharged of very little thickness but of considerable
width. Across the inner tube are provided a sufficient number of diaphragms of
wire gauze through which the combustible mixture introduced through the tube
has to pass.
In another form of arrangement a large number of jet burners may be arranged
in close proximity in a transverse plate at or near the opening of a bell-shaped or
conical pipe constituting the burner itself, into the smaller end of which (which
may be at right angles to the outer end) the inflammable mixture is introduced
through a pipe between which and the outer end of the burner a sufficient number
of transverse diaphragms of metallic gauze are arranged.
Where the intimate mixture of air and gas is used for obtaining light by
rendering incandescent a cap of suitable refractory material, the pipe through
which the mixture is introduced is provided with a safety chamber of preferably
larger diameter in which are fitted a sufficient number of transverse diaphragms of
metal gauze.

page_text: Where the invention is to be applied to a portable blow-pipe for soldering or the
like purpose, the mixture of air and gas is introduced by a flexible pipe into the
hollow handle along which it passes to an outlet opening the regulation of which is
effected by a valve actuated by a lever hinged to the handle and operated by the
workınan or person holding the latter, the valve being normally held upon its seat
by a spring. The hollow handle is provided with a sufficient number of transverse
partitions of metallic gauze.
Where the inflammable mixture of gas and air is used for heating or evaporating
water by burning it under the surface of the latter, which can be done without the
addition of any fresh supply of air, a combustion tube is used open below and
having sliding in it an inner tube provided with perforations through which the
burning mixture escapes and is regulated by adjusting the position of the inner
tube. The upper part of the outer tube is connected with the pipe which
supplies the mixture of gas and air under sufficient pressure, and is provided with
a sufficient number of transverse diaphragms of metallic gauze, by which the flame
is prevented passing back into the supply tube if the pressure in the latter should
be reduced or cease.
The supply pipes through which the combustible mixture of gas and air pass
from the pressure pumps may themselves be supplied with diaphragms of metallic
gauze preferably inserted between the flanges of the pipes, before the latter are
bolted together. This method of arrangement may be modified according to the
kind of joint employed.
By the methods of construction and arrangement described the highest possible
temperatures are obtained by the complete and economical combustion of the
mixture of gas and air under pressure, and perfect safety is obtained by the use in
the manner described of diaphragms or partitions, in sufficient number, of metallic
gauze and perforated plates, by which the flame is prevented from passing back if
the pressure should be reduced or cease.
It is evident that the method of safely applying the heat of a burning mixture of
perfectly combined gas and air under pressure may be applied to an infinite number
of purposes. For example, the device for burning the mixture under water may
be applied to the heating of baths, and the evaporation of brine or other saline
solutions. Metals may be welded together, as for example in the construction of
boilers, the parts to be welded being arranged under suitable hammers, and the
intense heat produced by the combustion of the mixture of gas and air being
applied to such parts. The tempering and annealing of metals may be effected
under the best possible conditions, the heat being made to spread uniformly over
the surface of such metals in furnaces into which the burning mixture of gas and
air is introduced through suitable openings, and this with perfect safety against
explosion. For melting brass or other metals, by the application of this invention,
only a few minutes are required for what ordinarily takes several hours, whilst as
no fuel is required great economy in the cost of the process and of the crucibles is
obtained. In such cases burners of the kind described admit the burning mixture
of gas and air under pressure to each end of a suitable furnace of fire-clay in which
the crucibles are placed, the latter being introduced and removed through openings
above provided with covers.
For the reduction of minerals in blast furnaces the burning mixture of gas and
air under pressure is admitted through the ordinary tuyères, the conducting pipes
being provided with a sufficient number of the safety diaphragms of metallic gauze
as already described.
For heating the feed water of boilers the burning mixture is supplied into
chambers or spaces round which the feed water passes.
In furnaces for the reduction or treatment of zinc or lead, the burning mixture
of gas and air under pressure is admitted through openings in the upper parts of a
reverberatory furnace on the hearth of which the substances to be treated are placed
in the usual way, the reduced metal passing down into suitable receptacles at the
lower end.

page_text: For coating or plating metals the burning jets of mixed gas and air under
pressure are directed upon the surface of the metals at the moment that the coating
or plating is taking place.
In all cases it is understood that the conducting pipes or other parts of the
apparatus conveying the mixture of gas and air under pressure are provided with
safety diaphragms of metallic gauze or perforated plates so as to secure perfect
security against explosion.
Where the conducting pipes through which the intimate mixture of gas and air
under pressure is passed are of considerable size, we reduce the diameter of such
pipe at one or more parts of its length, for a length of not less than about twelve
inches, to a size of not more than about half an inch, and such reduced pipe may
be provided with transverse diaphragms of wire gauze. We find that the passing
back of the flame is prevented or its probability very greatly reduced, if the
passage through which it would have to so pass back is reduced to not more
than about half an inch diameter and for a length of not less than about twelve
inches.
If a pipe of such diameter is not sufficient to convey the required quantity of the
mixture, two or more such pipes may be arranged side by side their ends being
connected with the large main conduit pipes.
Dated this 6th day of October 1893.
EDWARDS & Co.,
35, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.
COMPLETE
SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Burners and Apparatus for Utilizing the Heat
Obtained by the Combustion of an Intimate Mixture of Air
with Gas or Inflammable Vapour.
We, WILLIAM SMETHURST, WILLIAM EDWARD VICKERS, and GORDON
ROBERT ROGERS, all of 39 Victoria Street, Westminster, 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 and
accompanying drawing, that is to say :-
For many different industrial purposes, where great and uniform heat is required,
the high temperature obtained by the complete combustion of an intimate and perfectly
proportioned mixture of air and gas (or inflammable vapor), are most effective, but
where such mixture is employed it. is absolutely necessary to take sufficient
precautions in order to prevent the flame from passing back in the burners and
entering the tubes through which the mixture is conveyed, if at any time the
pressure by which the gas is forced along should be reduced or should cease.
The system of conducting pipes and the method of utilizing such an intimate
mixture of gas and air may, however, be perfectly safely effected, even if the
dangerous point be closely approached, by taking advantage of the property
possessed by metallic gauze, perforated plates, and the like, of absorbing heat;
that is to say, by providing the pipes and passages with a sufficient number of
transverse partitions held together, and sufficient in number and in their size and
method of arrangement, to prevent all risk of firing on their inner side or the side
opposite to the burners.
The burners are constructed upon somewhat the same principle, generally
approaching in arrangement the form of injectors of variable size of jet, or that of
the blow-pipe commonly used.
These burners concentrate the heat in a space as restricted as possible, in order
to develop the maximum of calorific intensity, at the point where it is wished to

page_text: utilize the effect of the combustion. They may, however be made to take other
form, provided only that they are always provided as explained above with wire or
metal gauze, perforated plates, or the like, in order to prevent the flame from
passing back from the burner along the passages.
The accompanying drawing is in illustration of our invention, and shews different
methods of safely applying the combustion of air and inflammable gas or vapor
intimately and perfectly mingled, and under sufficient pressure, to various purposes
and apparatus of the kinds ordinarily used for such purposes, with such modifica-
tions as may be necessary to render the improved system available.
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section, and Figure 2 a transverse section, shewing the
principle of the safety apparatus upon which we depend for the purpose required.
This apparatus consists of a sufficient thickness of sheets of metallic gauze,
perforated plates, or the like device by which the inflammable mixture is broken
up and made to pass through a sufficient number of very fine apertures or spaces in
material of high heat-conducting capacity, by which the heat is absorbed so rapidly
that the temperature necessary to combustion cannot be attained. Further, we find
that if the transverse area of the passages through which the combustible mixture is
passing, is properly proportioned in relation to the length of such passages, and to
the speed at which the mixture is passing through them, the passing back of the
flame is prevented, or its probability very greatly lessened. For this purpose we
reduce the diameter of the conducting pipe at one or more parts of its length for a
length of not less than about twelve inches, to an internal diameter of not more
than about half an inch, and such reduced pipe may be provided with transverse
diaphragms of wire gauze. We find, as already stated, that the passing back of the
flame is prevented or its probability very greatly reduced, if the passage through
which it would have to pass back is reduced to not more than about half an inch
diameter, and for a length of not less than about twelve inches.
If a pipe of such diameter is not sufficient to convey the required quantity of the
mixture, two or more such pipes may be arranged side by side, their ends being
connected with the large main conduit pipes.
In Figures 1 and 2, findicates the supply pipe through which the combustible
mixture is supplied under pressure. c is a chamber containing a sufficient thickness
of sheets of wire gauze, perforated plates, or other heat-conducting material,
through the interstices of which the mixture passes, b shews a number of tubes, of
the kind just referred to, also forming a safety device, and through which the
mixture passes on its way to the burner at, or in the neighbourhood of, d.
The different forms of burners which may be used in connection with the present
invention may be very largely varied. For instance, the burner may consist of a
jet adjustable injector, as illustrated in Figure 3, and consisting of a flat inner
pipe, or set of safety pipes, of the kind described, forming a chainber, fitting into
a larger external one a.
The end of each of these chambers is provided with a narrow slit d and e, so that
a sheet of the ignited mixture is discharged, of very little thickness, but of
considerable width. c is a chamber provided with a sufficient number of diaphragms
of wire gauze, perforated plates, or the like, through which the combustible mixture
introduced through the tube f has to pass.
In another form of arrangement illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, a large number
of openings or jets forming burners at d may be arranged in close proximity in a
transverse plate, at or near the opening of a bell-shaped or conical pipe constituting
the burner itself, into the smaller end of which (shewn at right angles to the outer
end), the inflammable mixture is introduced from a supply pipe between which
and the outer end of the burner a sufficient number of transverse diaphragms of
metallic gauze are arranged at c, additional safety being assured by passing the
mixture through safety tubes of the kind described.
Where the intimate mixture of air and gas is used for obtaining light (as
illustrated in Figure 6) by rendering incandescent a cap g of suitable refractory
material, the pipe through which the mixture is introduced, is provided with a

page_text: safety chamber c of preferably larger diameter, in which are fitted a sufficient
number of diaphragms of metal gauze, the mixture then passing through the
safety tubes to the burner.
Where the invention is to be applied to a portable blow-pipe for soldering or the
like purpose, (as illustrated in Figure 7), the mixture of air and gas is introduced
by a flexible pipe finto the hollow handle, along which it passes to an outlet
opening at d, the regulation of which is effected by a valve t, actuated by a lever u
hinged to the handle, and operated by the workman or person holding the latter,
the valve being normally held upon its seat by a spring. The hollow handle is
shewn provided with a sufficient number of transverse partitions of metallic gauze
or the like, at c, and with safety tubes of the kind described at b.
Where the inflammable mixture of gas and air is used for heating or evaporating
water by burning it under the surface of the latter, which can be done without the
addition of any fresh supply of air, as illustrated in Figure 10, a combustion tube
or burner d is used, open below and having perforations round its sides.
The upper part of the burner d is connected with the pipe which supplies the
mixture of gas and air under sufficient pressure, and is shewn provided with a
sufficient number of transverse diaphragms of metallic gauze, or the like at C, and
safety tubes b, by which the flame is prevented passing back into the supply tube
if the pressure in the latter should be reduced or cease. The perforated part of
the burner d may be made to slide in the outer part, so that its height can be
adjusted.
The supply pipes through which the combustible mixture of gas and air passes
from the pressure pumps, may themselves be supplied with diaphragms of metallic
gauze, perforated plates, or their equivalents, preferably inserted between the
flanges of the pipes, before the latter are bolted together. This method of
arrangement may be modified according to the kind of joint employed. In
Figure 8 the supply pipe fis shewn provided with thicknesses of wire gauze between
its flanges at h, with a chamber filled with thicknesses of wire gauze, perforated
plates, or the like, at c, and with safety tubes of the kind already described, at b.
By the methods of construction and arrangement described, the highest possible
temperatures are obtained by the complete and economical combustion of the
mixture of gas and air under pressure, and perfect safety is obtained by the use in
the manner described of diaphragms or partitions, in sufficient number, of metallic
gauze or perforated plates, or the like, by which the flame is prevented from passing
back if the pressure should be reduced or cease.
It is evident that the method of applying with perfect safety the heat of a
burning mixture of perfectly combined gas and air under pressure may be applied
to an infinite number of purposes. For example, the device for safely burning the
mixture under water, illustrated in Figure 10, may be applied to the heating of
baths, and the evaporation of brine or other saline solutions. Metals may be
welded together, as for example in the construction of boilers, as illustrated in
Figure 11, the parts of the boiler n to be welded being arranged under a suitable
hammer or hammers o, or press, and the intense heat produced by the combustion
of the mixture of gas and air being applied to such parts, by means of burners
at d, d, provided with safety chambers at c, and safety tubes at of the kind
already described. The tempering and annealing of metals may be effected under
the best possible conditions, the heat being made to spread uniformly over the
surface of such metals in furnaces into which the burning mixture of gas and air is
introduced through suitable openings, and this with perfect safety against
explosion. For melting brass or other metals, by the application of this invention,
as illustrated in Figure 9, only a few minutes are required for what ordinarily
takes several hours, whilst as no fuel is required great economy in the cost of the
process and of the crucibles is obtained. In such cases, burners at d, d, of the kind
described, admit the burning mixture of gas and air under pressure to each end of
a suitable furnace of fire-clay, in which the crucibles v, v, v, are placed, the latter

page_text: being introduced and removed through openings above provided with covers w.
The mixture of air and gas under pressure is introduced through supply pipes f, f,
provided with safety chambers c, c, and safety tubes b, b, of the kinds described.
For the reduction of minerals in blast furnaces, the burning mixture of gas and
air under pressure is admitted through the ordinary tuyeres, the conducting pipes
being provided with a sufficient number of the safety diaphragms of metallic gauze,
or the like, and safety tubes, as already described.
For heating the feed water of boilers, the burning mixture is supplied and
burned, after passing through the safety chambers and tubes, in chambers or spaces,
round which the feed water passes.
In furnaces for the reduction or treatment of zinc or lead, the burning mixture
of gas and air under pressure is admitted through openings in the upper parts of a
reverberatory furnace on the hearth of which the substances to be treated are
placed in the usual way, the reduced metal passing down into suitable receptacles
at the lower end, and safety chambers and safety tubes of the kinds described
being arranged in the supply pipes.
Figure 12 illustrates a hardening and annealing furnace m, in which the burning
mixture is introduced from pipes & through burners at 1, 1, 1. Safety chambers at c
and safety tubes of the kind described, at b, are shewn between the supply pipe f
and the burners. Figure 13 shews our invention applied to the purpose of heating
a boiler. is the boiler, and d, d, represent a ring of burners where the mixture
of air and gas is burned, which is supplied under pressure from a pipe f. The
mixture is shewn burning in a spaces, between the sides of the ordinary firebox
and an inner water chamber communicating with the water in the boiler. 6 shews
the safety tubes of the kind already described, and c the safety chambers,
containing the wire gauze, perforated plates, or the like.
For coating or plating metals, the burning jets of mixed gas and air under
pressure are directed upon the surface of the metals at the moment that the coating
or plating is taking place.
In all cases it is understood that the conducting pipes or other parts of the
apparatus conveying the mixture of gas and air under pressure are provided with
safety diaphragms of metallic gauze, perforated plates, or other equivalent devices,
by which the inflammable mixture is made to pass through very small interstices
between a sufficient quantity of material having a high heat-conducting capacity, and
through tubes of heat-conducting material, of sufficiently great length and small
diameter, so as to secure perfect security against explosion.
It is evident that the invention may be applied to an innumerable number of
purposes, (such for instance, as ovens of all kinds, glass furnaces, enamelling and
chemical manufactures), some of which only are described and illustrated herein,
and that the details of construction and method of arrangement may be varied
more or less as may be found desirable to suit different circumstances.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In burners and apparatus for utilizing the heat obtained by the combustion of
an intimate mixture of air with gas or inflammable vapor, the combination with
such burners and apparatus, of safety devices for preventing the flame from passing
back in the burners and entering the pipes through which the mixture is conveyed,
such safety devices consisting of a sufficient quantity of material of high heat-
conducting capacity, so arranged as to form very fine openings, spaces, or passages,
through which the inflammable mixture passes, and by which heat is absorbed so
rapidly that the temperature necessary to combustion cannot be maintained, and of
one or more pipes of such length and internal diameter in reference to the speed at
which the inflammable mixture passes through them, that the flame of the ignited
mixture will not pass back through them, substantially as described and illustrated.

page_text: 2. The safety device consisting of one or more pipes of such length and internal
diameter in reference to the speed at which the intimate mixture of air with gas or
inflammable vapor passes through them, that the flame of the ignited mixture will
not pass back through them, substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated thie 31st day of July 1894
EDWARDS & Co.,
65 and 66, Chancery Lane, London, Agents for the Applicants.