Improvements in the Grates or Fuel Chambers of Puddling, Ball, and Mill Furnaces.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Oct., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 26th Apr., 1893-Accepted, 2nd June, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Grates or Fuel Chambers of Puddling, Ball,
and Mill Furnaces.
I, GEORGE TOMKINSON, of 34 Old Meeting Road, Roseville near Bilston in
the County of Stafford, Furnace Builder, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:
This invention has for its chief object to economise the fuel used in puddling,
ball, and mill furnaces, but its use results also in the production of a better yield,
and shortens the time required for each heat.
In the usual construction of puddling, ball, or mill furnace, the end wall of the
grate (that is the wall which is opposite to the bridge thereof) is carried up and
joins the roof of the furnace at a right angle; and the space left in the angle or
corner thus formed causes a back-flow or eddy in the gases from the fuel, and con-
siderably obstructs their flow over the bridge and down upon the charge within
the reverberatory portion of the furnace on their way to the chimney; moreover,
there is considerable loss of heat by radiation from the gases collected in such
corner.
Now, according to this invention, the end wall of the furnace grate, instead of
being carried up to join the roof of the furnace at an angle as described, is arched
or curved over into the roof of the furnace, the curve joining, preferably, into the
portion of such roof which is immediately over the fire bridge. The arched or
curved form of the top of the furnace grate directs the gases in an easy flow over the
bridge, and causes them to impinge more thoroughly upon the charge which
is upon the bed of the furnace than in furnaces in which the grates are constructed
in the usual manner.
By the employment of this invention a considerable saving in fuel is effected, a
larger yield of the charge results, and less time is required for each heat.
Dated this 20th day of October 1892.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Grates or Fuel Chambers of Puddling, Ball,
and Mill Furnaces.
I, GEORGE TOMKINSON, of 34 Old Meeting Road, Roseville near Bilston in
the County of Stafford, Furnace Builder, 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 has for its chief object to economise the fuel used in puddling,
ball, and mill furnaces, but its use results also in the production of a better yield,
and shortens the time required for each heat.
In the usual construction of puddling, ball or mill furnace, the end wall of the
grate, that is the wall which is opposite to the bridge thereof, is carried up and
joins the roof of the furnace at, or approximately at, a right angle; and the space
left in the angle or corner thus formed causes a back-flow or eddy in the gases
from the fuel, and considerably obstructs their flow over the bridge and down upon
the charge within the reverberatory portion of the furnace on their way to the
chimney; moreover, there is considerable loss of heat by radiation from the gases
collected in such corner.

page_text: Now, according to this invention, the end wall of the furnace grate, instead of
being carried up to join the roof of the furnace at an angle as described, is arched
or curved over into the roof of the furnace. The objectionable angle or corner
usually left at the back or side of the furnace grate which is opposite the fire-
bridge is thus avoided, and the arched or curved form given in effect to the top of
the furnace grate directs the gases in an easy flow over the bridge, and causes
them to impinge more thoroughly upon the charge which is upon the bed of the
furnace than in furnaces in which the grates or fuel chambers are constructed in
the usual manner.
This invention is illustrated as applied to the grate or fuel chamber of a puddling
furnace, by the drawing herewith, which shews a longitudinal section through the
centre of such furnace. The end wall A of the grate or fuel chamber B is arched
or curved over into the roof C, as shewn, the arch or curve D joining into the roof
at a point, preferably, which is nearly over the fire-bridge E.
The application of the invention to the grate or fuel chamber of a ball or mill
furnace is the same as to that of a puddling furnace, and does not therefore
require special illustration.
By the employment of this invention a considerable saving in fuel is effected, a
larger yield of the charge results, and less time is required for each heat.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim, is-
1. A grate or fuel chamber of a puddling, ball or mill furnace having the end
wall thereof (that is the wall opposite to the fire-bridge) formed and joined into
the roof in a manner which avoids the right-angular or similarly-shaped corner
occurring in the ordinary construction of such grates or chambers between the end
wall and the roof, substantially as described.
2. A grate or fuel chamber of a puddling, ball or mill furnace having the end
wall thereof (that is the wall which is opposite to the fire-bridge) arched or curved
over into the roof, substantially as described and shewn by the drawing herewith.
Dated this 25th day of April 1893.
STEPHEN
WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.