IMPROVEMENTS IN GRATES FOR STEAM BOILER FURNACES
Year: 1878

page_text: "
LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
IMPROVEMENTS IN GRATES FOR STEAM BOILER FURNACES." A communica-
tion from abroad by Roys J. Cram and Arthur B. Cram, both of Detroit,
Michigan, United States of America.
Sealed the 20th September 1878, and dated the 31st July 1878.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 31st July 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN GRATES FOR STEAM BOILER
FURNACES." A communication from abroad by Roys J. Cram and Arthur B.
Cram, both of Detroit, Michigan, United States of America.
This Invention relates to grate bars, by means of which the fire may be thoroughly
stirred when desired, and the cinders broken up, and ashes shaken out; and the
said Invention consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of
the various parts, as herein-after described.

page_text: sides of the furnace walls. These supports are placed one near the front and the
other near the rear end of and transversely across the furnace. They are provided
with downwardly projecting flanges b, which are connected by the rod B, so that
when a rocking motion is given to the front support by means of the removable
lever C the same motion is transmitted to the rear support by means of the said
connecting rod.
The grate bars D are made like ordinary grate bars, slightly wedge shaped in
cross section, being thicker at the top than at the bottom to facilitate the discharge
below of cinders and ashes. All the bars of the grate are alike, and are constructed
with lugs or projections c cast under each end, and of the form shown in Figure 2.
In placing these bars in position for use every alternate one is reversed or turned
end for end, and they rest upon the extreme lower points of their respective pro-
jections upon the upper surfaces of the transverse supports, which are sufficiently
broad for that purpose. These supports being compelled to rock or rotate back and
forth upon their central longitudinal axes a, the points of support of the two
adjoining bars will have a reciprocal vertical motion, thereby causing every alternate
bar in the grate to rise the same distance, and at the same time causing the alter-
nating bars to fall the same distance, thus effecting a thorough shaking and cleansing
of the fire upon them.
The essential features of the supports A. are, that they have a flat upper surface
sufficiently wide to carry the points of the projections upon which rest the adjoining
grate bars; that they shall be of sufficient strength to support the grate bars and
fuel; and that they shall be so coupled together by the connecting rod that motion
given to one will be transmitted to the other.
The advantages to be derived from the above-described arrangement are, simplicity
of construction; durability; great convenience; general efficiency and ease of
management; a saving of fuel by free admission of air through all parts of the fire
surface, compelling complete combustion; freedom from clinkers, as a natural result
of a clean fire, and an even fire through the ability to keep all the parts of fire
surface free from dirt; a saving of fire-plates and flues, fuel, and boiler, by obviating
the necessity of opening the furnace to attend to the fire which is steadily
maintained; and ease of adaptation to any boiler furnace, either new or old, which
has a rectangular fire-box.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondents, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim, the combination with the alternately reversed grate bars, having lugs
all of the same construction, of the rocking supports, connected and having broad
upper surfaces, upon which the lugs of the grate bars rest without being connected
thereto, the several parts being constructed, arranged, and operated as above set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirty-first day of July, in the year of our Lord One