Improvements in Heating Boilers by Gaseous Fuel.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Sept., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Oct., 1889-Accepted, 30th Nov., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by EDMUND RICHARDSON WARE, of the City of
Chicago, in the County of Cook, State of Illinois, United States of America,
Manufacturer.]
Improvements in Heating Boilers by Gaseous Fuel.
I, OLIVER IMRAY, of No. 28 Southampton Buildings, Chancory Lane, in the County
of London, Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object the construction of a boiler and heater, adapted
for burning gaseous fuel, whereby very perfect combustion of the fuel is attained,
and the waste products of combustion escape practically without loss of heat, the
exit for the waste products of combustion being for this purpose arranged at about
the same or below the level of that part of the heating chamber where the fuel
is ignited, the consumption of fuel being carried on without a direct draft through
the heating chamber. The boiler is dome shaped consisting of an inner and an
outer shell with a water space between the shells. Within the inner shell is placed
a fire-pot supplied with a mixture of gas and air forming a Bunsen or atmospheric
burner, and having passages for escape of flame and products of combustion, these
passages being surrounded by water spaces. The hot products of combustion,
after acting within the boiler, pass under the lower edge of the boiler which is at
or below the level of the flame and then act in a flue space between the outside
of the boiler and a brick casing enclosing it, finally escaping by a passage at a
low level, where the feed pipe enters.
As the products of combustion are thus made to act last on the feel pipe and
those parts of the boiler which are coldest, they are so far cooled before they
escape that there is comparatively little loss of heat.
Dated this 24th day of September 1889.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Heating Boilers by Gaseous Fuel.
I, OLIVER IMRAY of No. 28 Southampton Buildings Chancery Lane, in the County
of London, Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents 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 :-
Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of a heater containing my invention.
Fig. 2 is a front elevation.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section enlarged taken on line - looking in the direction of
the arrow 1 of Fig. 4.
Fig. 4 is a vertical section on line y-y Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the
arrow 2. Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on line 2-2 Fig. 4.
Fig. 6 is a detail enlarged.
Fig. 7 is a plan view of a detail.
Fig. 8 is a vertical section on line - Fig. 7.
Like reference letters refer to similar parts in all the figures.
This invention, has for its object the construction of a heater, adapted for burning
fluid fuel of any of the well known kinds; and one part of it relates to a novel
arrangement of devices whereby a very perfect combustion of fuel is attained, and
[Price 8d.]

page_text: whereby also the waste products of combustion escape from the apparatus practically
without loss of heat; and this part of the invention consists essentially in arranging
the exit for the waste products of combustion in about the same horizontal plane with
that part of the heating chamber at which tho fuel is ignited, whereby the consump-
tion of fuel is carried on without a direct draft through the heating chamber as will
be hereinafter fully explained.
Other parts of the invention will be specifically referred to in the claims..
Having thus set forth the nature and scope of my invention, I will proceed to
describe an apparatus which I have devised for carrying it into effect.
A is the enclosing wall, or casing, preferably of brick, with a suitable top or deck
forming an enclosed chamber, which I prefer in practice to have archied at the top
with a suitable non-conducting lining of some suitable material, say asbestos.
Within this structure is the boiler C having an inner and outer shell between which
there is a water space C. The boiler is dome shaped and the lower edge of its water
leg is in a substantially horizontal plane. The inner surface is substantially continuous.
instead of having openings above its lower edge for the passage of the products of:
combustion as is usually the case in heaters of the general construction. This boiler
rests upon a platform within the brick structure.
DD is a fuel supply pipe projecting through the wall and through a semi-circular
recess or notch formed in the lower part of the boiler, which latter, is provided with.
feet or other supports resting upon the platform.
This fuel pipe is, at its inner end, provided with elbows and short sections opening at
their discharging ends into the foeders which are arranged below the distributors. D' d,
or within the walls of these distributors when the latter are formed as shown in Fig. 6,
where they are represented as consisting of a flat bottom plate with an upturned sidė
and an upper corrugated plate d having slits or throats whereby the fuel, such for
instance as ordinary illuminating gas, may be suitably mixed with a proper amount
of atmospheric air, substantially as is done with a Bunsen burner, the operation of
which is so well known that no further reference need be made to it.
In order to facilitate the most perfect combustion possible and to utilize most
effectually the heat generated thereby, I prefer that the ignition of fuel should take
place within a structure which I term a fire pot, and which I prefer to arrange within
the lower part of the part enclosed by the water leg, leaving an annular space between
the fire pot and the water leg for the downward passage of the products of com-
bustion.
As I propose to use a fluid fuel of some sort, it is evident that the fire pot need not
be provided with grate-bars. To facilitate a satisfactory combustion of fuel and an
economical working of the heater, I provide the boiler with a fire pot into which the
fuel passes.
EF represent the fire pot the general shape of which is oval in cross section
its walls enclosing a water space E within main body, and a series of water
spaces within the walls of the parts F, which latter resembles in form bi-sected
hollow frustrums of a cone. These sections E F are arranged or located within
the oval shaped part E (to which they are preferably secured) and are connected
therewith by water pipes ef; the fire pot itself being connected with the boiler
by means of pipes cc to insure the proper circulation of water or other fluid to
the heater.
G is an outlet and H an inlet for steam or water, as the case may be.
Under ordinary circumstances 1 propose to connect the outlet pipe directly
with a radiator, or a series of radiators, and also connect the inlet pipe to the
same series, thus providing for a round and round circulation of steam or water.
Beneath the pipe is an air space 1 over which is located a sliding perforated
sheet J the holes in the sheet permitting air to be conveniently distributed to
the fire-pot and thence to the heating chamber.
K is a flue for the escape of the waste products of combustion.
is an opening from the flue into the chamber within which the boiler is
located.

page_text: 1. is a plate at the front end of the air chamber I, with openings 1, 1, for the
passage of atmospheric air.
When in operation the gas mingled with a due proportion of atmospheric air escapes
through the slits d', combustion takes place first between the sections F and the main
body of the fire-pots.
The heated products of combustion circulate within the heating chamber B and
also below the lower edge of the boiler and within the heating chamber B¹ outside of
the boiler, the waste products of combustion passing through the opening &, into the
Alue K.
From the above description and an examination of the drawing it will be readily under-
stood that when the fuel is ignited the products of combustion will pass up through the
passages which are formed in the fire-pot, and are surrounded by water spaces thence
into the upper central part of the inner heating chamber which is formed by the inner
wall of the dome-shaped boiler, thence downward through the passage below the lower
edge of the boiler and the perforated sheet J, which in this instance, serves as the
boiler support thence through the outer heating chamber, which, in this instance is
enclosed by the outer wall of the boiler and the inner face of the wall of the
casing.
During this movement of the products of combustion their heat will be in great.
measure absorbed by the boiler and its contents; the waste products of combustion
which have not been thus absorbed finally passing out through the final outlet k, which
is on a level or thereabouts with, preferably a little below, the point at which ignition
occurs.
3
The air inlet, which at this instance consists of holes in the perforated sheet, is
below the fire pot and I prefer to make the passages through the fire pot between the
parts KF, smaller at the top than at the bottom to facilitate a suitable draft of air, so
that a sufficient quantity of atmospheric air shall be mingled with the gas to insure as
perfect a combustion as may be. By reason of the wali of the combustion chamber
being continuous, none of the products of combustion can pass through the boiler but
ean escape only through the outlet below the lower edge of the water leg which is
below the plane of ignition of the fuel. It is well known that in heaters of this general
sort the water in the lower part of the boiler is of lower temperature than that in the
upper part, and in carrying out my invention the waste products of combustion
resulting from the burning of fluid fuel, such for instance, as an illuminating or
heating gas (so called) in a chamber from which the waste products of combustion
can escape only through an outlet so located that the temperature in the lower part of
the boiler materially hinders or interferes with any tendency towards a direct and
continuous draft through the heater. In carrying ont my invention I prefer to
employ not only the combustion chamber but also the outer heating chamber Band
with such construction that portion of the products of combustion which passes under-
neath the water leg and into the outer heating chamber B₁ circulat. therein, and the
waste products of combustion are finally passed out of the heater at k, a little below
the plane of ignition of the fuel; and while I prefer to locate the opening or outlet k
as shown, yet a slight variation above or below will not seriously interfere with the
economical working of the heater, in view of the fact that the outlet for the products
of combustion out from the combustion chamber is below the water leg and below the
plane of ignition of fuel, so that there is generally no air drawn into the heater in excess
of that which can be advantageously utilized in promoting an ethicient combustion of
gas; the result being that practically there is no more cold air drawn into the heater
ihan is absolutely required, and hence none of the heat generated is used in heating
air and moving in through the outlet for the waste products of combustion, as is the
case in heaters of ordinary construction in which the products of combustion pass out
of the combustion chamber above the plane of ignition of fuel, and in which there
is therefore a direct draft of air through the combustion chamber.
Again, in my heater economy of fuel is promoted by the arrangement of the pipe H
which serves as an inlet for supply to the lower part of the boiler the fluid to be heated,
which pipe enters the lower part of the boiler in close proximity to the outlet k, thus

page_text: insuring that that part of the boiler with which the waste products of combustion
engage just before leaving the heating chamber shall be colder than other parts of the
boiler and will, therefore, absorb heat which would pass out through the outlet. kunder
other relative arrangements of parts.
Economy in the utilization of the heat generated by combustion is also promoted by
constructing the heater with a passage from the inner heating chamber to the outer
heating chamber at point remote from the outlet for the waste products of combustion,
thus avoiding or counteracting any tendency which might otherwise exist to induce or
create a current directed from the fire-pot or inner heating chamber outward through
the outlet for the waste products of combustion.
Economy is also promoted by the combination with the main body of the fire-
pot having an internal water space, of a series of supplemental water spaces,
whereby, there is formed in the fire pot a series of vertical chambers for the
passage of the products of combustion.
While I have shown and described the best mode now known to me for carrying
out my invention, 1 do not wish to be limited to the exact construction of arrange-
ment illustrated, because many modifications in the detail will readily suggest.
themselves to persons skilled in the art of building, heaters, without departing from
the spirit of my improvement. I am aware of the United States patent
No. 361.380 which describes a dome-shaped boiler having al water leg extending
round the boiler with a fire-pot within the boiler and above the lower edge of
the water leg and having also outlets in the upper part of the combustion chamber
for the products of combustion, together with an outlet for the wast products of
combustion below the plane of ignition of fuel. But the mode of operation in
that patent differs materially from the mode of operation in my heater in that,
among other things, in that patent there is a direct and continuous draft upward
through the combustion chamber and outward at the upper parts thereof, whereas
in my invention the waste products of combustion can escape from the combus-
tion chamber only by passing downward below the plane of ignition and thence
out below the lower edge of the water leg.
I am also aware of the United States patent 305,477, but in that patent the waste
products of combustion escape through an opening at one end of the water leg and
above the fire pot so that there is a direct draft in an upward direction through the
fire pot and thence out of the boiler above the plane of ignition of the fuel.,
Having thus particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what 1
claim is:
1. The combination in a heater of a dome-shaped combustion chamber having a
substantially continuous inner surface, a fluid fuel supply pipe, an inlet for the admis-
sion of air to the combustion chamber, and an outlet for the waste products of com-
bustion, said outlet being located below the plane of ignition of fuel, whereby the
waste products of combustion are compelled to pass out below the plane of ignition of
fuel substantially as set forth.
2. The combination in a heater of a combustion chamber, a boiler surrounding the
combustion chamber a heating chamber outside of the boiler a fluid supply pipe, an
air inlet and an outlet for the waste products of combustion, said outlet being located
below the plane of ignition of fuel substantially as set forth.
3. The combination in a heater of a boiler provided with an inner heating chamber, a
heating chamber outside of the boiler a passage for the products of combustion from
the lower part of the inner chamber to the outer chamber a fluid fuel supply opening
into the inner chamber an inlet for the admission of air to the inner chainber, and a
final outlet for the waste products of combustion said final outlet being located on a
level or thereabouts with the point at which ignition of the fuel occurs substantially as
set forth.
4. In a heater, the combination with the boiler support and fluid supply, the dome-
shaped boiler provided with an internal combustion chamber having a substantially

page_text: continuous inner surface and arranged with its lower edge above the boiler support, of
the enclosing casing whereby there are formed two chambers below the boiler for the
products of combustion from the combustion chamber, substantially as set forth.
Dated this 1st day of October 1889
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.