Improvements in Feed-water Heaters for Steam Engines.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Mar., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Nov., 1892-Accepted, 31st Dec., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by CHARLES CAMPBELL WORTHINGTON, of
Irvington, in the State of New York, United States of America, Mechanical
Engineer.]
Improvements in Feed-water Heaters for Steam Engines.
HENRY EDWARD NEWTON of the Office for Patents. 6 Breams Buildings,
Chancery Lane in the County of London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of the present invention is to provide an improved feed-water heating
apparatus for use in engines in which the feed water for the boiler is heated by
steam, the invention being especially applicable to compound and triple expansion
engines in which partially spent steam, preferably drawn from the intermediate
receiver, is used; and to simple non-condensing engines in which the exhaust steam
is used although it will be understood that the construction embodying the
invention may be used and the steam be taken from either the boiler of the engine
or an independent boiler, if desired.
In carrying out this invention, the feed-water heater is fed from a tank by a
supply pump, and delivers the heated feed-water to the boiler by the aid of a
delivery pump. The steam for heating the feed-water enters the heater through
a suitable pipe and valve chest, and steam is supplied to the pumps through suitable
pipes and a valve chest, the pipe supplying steam to the first pump being extended
from the valve chest to the supply tank, and then to the pump, and provided in its
length with a valve controlled by a float in the tank, by which the supply of steam
to the pump is controlled, so that as the water in the tank falls below a certain
point, the supply of steam is cut off. In engines employing a condenser and hot
well, this supply tank is the hot wall, which is fed through a pipe from the condenser
by an air pump in the usual manner.
Referring now to the construction of the heater, the water from the tank is
delivered through a pipe entering the side of the heater, and extending upward so
as to deliver the water in the upper part of the heater. The water is delivered
from this pipe in a fine spray, the spraying apparatus being preferably formed as
follows:-
Inside the upper end of the pipe is mounted a sleeve of brass or similar hard
metal, and a plate of similar metal forming a valve is mounted to slide within
this sleeve by ribs, this plate and sleeve engaging by inclined surfaces, so as to form
a spray between the plate and sleeve. This plate is also provided with wings
projecting outwardly from the inclined surfaces in all directions, and provided with
curved surfaces between and upon the wings, the curves of these surfaces being so
formed that the water passing between the inclined surfaces is thrown outward and
downward in all directions to form a fine spray. The valve is pressed by a coiled
spring resting thereon, and held under tension by a cap carried by a bar extending
through the head of the heater, and screw-threaded therein, so as to be adjustable
by hand wheel outside the heater.
The steam enters the heater opposite the spraying apparatus through a perforated
circular plate forming a chamber extending around the heater, the steam thus being
finely divided by the perforations in the plate.
By this construction of heater and arrangement of water and steam admission
thereto, a perfect mixing of the fine particles of steam and water is produced, and
all the heat of the steain utilized by the meeting of the water and steam directly as
the steam enters the heater. The spraying apparatus, and all the operating parts
within the heater, are readily accessible by removing the head of the heater, and
without interfering with the water or steam connections.

page_text: The valve admitting the steam consists of a valve proper seated upon a hard
metal ring in the valve Chamber; and opening inwards, so as to form a check valve
to prevent the return of water through the valve, in case the pressure inside the
heater should exceed that in pipe. A dash pot to prevent concussion is formed by
a small opening in the 'base of the valve connecting with a chamber, in which is a
plug upon which the valve slides, this plug being adjustable so as to regulate the
dash pot by a rod connected to the plug, and extending through the head of the
valve chest, in which it is screw-threaded, so as to be adjusted by a hand wheel
outside the valve chest, and secured in position by a set nut. By this construction,
also, the heater may be cut out, when desired, by forcing the plug home on valve,
and securing the rod so as to hold the valve closed.
For the purpose of controlling the supply of steam for the supply and delivery
pumps in accordance with the amount of water in the heater, a float is provided in
the heater, and the arms carrying this float are secured to a rod mounted in a casing
formed on the side of the heater. This rod is provided with an arm which engages
the inner side of the casing, so as to hold the Hoat from striking the bottom of the
heater, and with a fork by which the valve stem is engaged. This rod is also
provided with means whereby the shaft may be turned by haud to start the valve,
in case the float fails to operate it.
The valve chest for the steam pipe leading to the supply & delivery pumps, is
provided with a single inlet port; and with double ports for the pipes through
which respectively steam is supplied to the supply and delivery pumps, these ports
being controlled by a single conical plug or valve. This plug is provided with a
stem for turning the valve. The head of the valve is so arranged that it may be
readily introduced into, and removed from, a screw-plug; moved inward and outward
with, and be readily adjusted by, the screw plug, or withdrawn from the valve chest,
while at the same time the valve is not rotated by the rotation of the screw plug,
and will further permit of the valve and valve chest being removed without
'interfering with the float construction, and vice versa.
The valve is so positioned relatively to the ports connecting with the supply and
delivery pipes, that, with a sufficient supply of water in the heater, the valve is
held in position for the steam to pass from the main to both of the pump supply
pipes, the steam passing to supply pump through pipe containing the valve in the
hot well, both pumps being in operation, the first pump supplying water to the
heater, and the second pump delivering heated feed water to the boiler. If, however,
the feed water in the heater rises above a certain level, the valve is turned by the
rising of the float, to cut off steam to the supply pump, thus stopping the supply of
water to the heater. If the water in the heater falls below a certain point, the
valve is turned, by the falling of the float, into a position to cut off the steam from
'the second pump, thus stopping the delivery of water from the heater until the
float has been raised again by the delivery of water from the hot well.
It is evident that the form of the valve may be varied, and that any suitable
construction may be used for the purpose of controlling both pumps.
Dated this 3rd day of March 1892
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Feed-water Heaters for Steam Engines.
I HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 6 Breams Building's,
Chancery Lane, in the County of London, Patent Agent 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:-
.
The object of the present invention is to provide an improved feed-water heater
construction for use in engines in which the feed water for the boiler, is heated by

page_text: umerent positions.
Fig. 1 is an enlarged detailed section of the spraying apparatus, for admitting
the water to the heater. Fig. 11 is a plan view of the same.
Fig. 12 shows a modified construction of valve for controlling the supply of
steam to the pump; and
Fig. 13 shows the relative positions of the two valves in this construction.
Referring to said drawings, A is the feed water heater, to which the water to be
heated is fed from the tank B by supply pump C, having suction pipe D and force
pipe E, and from which the heated feed water is fed to the boiler by delivery
pump F, having suction pipe G connected to the bottom of the heater, and force
pipe H. The steam for heating the feed water enters the heater through pipe
and valve chest K, and steam is supplied to the pumps C, F, through pipe L,
valve chest M, and pipes N, O, the pipe N supplying steam to the first pump C,
being extended from the valve chest A to the supply tank B, and provided with'a
valve 10, by which the supply of steam to the pump C is controlled by a float 11,
within the tank, operating in the usual manner, so that as the water in the tank B
falls below a certain point, the supply of steam is cut off. In engines employing a
condenser and hot well, the supply tank B is the hot well, which is fed through
pipe P from the condenser by an air pump in the usual manner.
Referring now to the construction of the heater 'A, the water from the tank B is
delivered through pipe E to a pipe Q, entering the side of the heater A, and
extending upward so as to deliver the water in the upper part of the heater.
The water is delivered from the pipe Q in a fine spray, the spraying apparatus
being preferably formed as follows-Inside the upper end of the pipe Q, is
mounted a sleeve of brass or similar hard metal 12, and a plate 13, of similar metal,
forming a valve, is mounted to slide within this sleeve by ribs 14, this plate and sleeve
engaging by inclined surfaces 1, so as to form a spray between the plate and sleeve.
This plate 13 is also provided with wings 15 projecting outwardly from the inclined
surfaces 1 in all directions, and provided with curved surfaces 2, between and upon the
wings, the curves of these surfaces being so formed, that the water passing between the
inclined surfaces I is thrown outward and downward in all directions, to form a fine
spray. The valve 13 is spring-pressed by a coiled spring 16 resting thereon, and
held under tension by a cap 17, carried by a bar 18, extending through the head of

page_text: the heater, and screw-threaded therein, so as to be adjustable by hand wheel 19,
outside the heater. The heater is provided, at the top, with a small pipe 27,
controlled by a throttle, and forming an air escape, which may be connected to the
condenser or air pump, or open to the atmosphere, if the pressure in the heater be
sufficient. The steam from pipe I enters the heater, opposite the spraying
apparatus, through a perforated circular plate 20, forming a chamber extending
about the heater, the steam being thus divided up finely by the perforations in
plate 20.
It will be seen that by this construction of heater and arrangement of water and
steam admission thereto, a perfect mixing of the fine particles of steam and water
is produced, and all the heat of the steam utilised by the meeting of the water and
steam directly as the steam enter the heater. It will be seen, also, that the
spraying apparatus, and all the operating parts within the heater, are readily
accessible by removing the head of the heater, and without interfering with the
water or steam connections.
The valve admitting the steam through the pipe I to the chamber, consists of
the valve proper 21, seated upon a hard metal ring 22 in the valve chamber K, and
opening inward, so as to form a check valve to prevent the return of the water
through the valve, in case the pressure inside the heater should exceed that in the
pipe I, a dash-pot to prevent concussion being formed by a small opening 5 in the
base of the valve, connecting with a chamber in which is a plug 23, upon which
the valve 21 slides, this plug 23 being adjustable so as to regulate the dash-pot by
rod 24, connected to the plug 23, and extending through the head of the valve
chest, in which it is screw-threaded, so as to be adjusted by a handwheel 25, outside
the valve chest, and secured in position by a set nut 26. By this construction,
also, the heater may be cut but when desired, by forcing the plug 23 home on
valve 21, and securing the rod 24 so as to hold the valve closed.
For the purpose of controlling the supply of steam for the pumps C, F, in
accordance with the amount of water in the heater, the following construction is
provided-The arms 28, carrying the float R within the heater, are secured to a
rod 29 mounted in a casing 30, formed on the side of the heater, this rod being
provided with an arm 31, which engages the inner side of the casing 30, so as to
hold the float from striking the bottom of the heater, and with a fork 32, by which
the valve stem is engaged. This rod 29 is provided at one end with a cross pin 3.
which is engaged by a forked rod 33, extending outside the casing, and provided
with a hand wheel 34, so that the shaft may be turned by the hand to start the
valve, in case the float fails to operate it. This rod 33 may be withdrawn so as not
to engage the pin 3, thus relieving the shaft 29 from the friction of rod 33, so that
it may be operated easily by the float R.
The valve chest M is provided with a single port for the supply pipe L, and with
double ports for the pipes N, O, through which respectively steam is supplied
to the supply and delivery pumps C, F, these ports being controlled by the single
valve a, as shown in detail in Figures 5 to 9. This valve a is provided with a
stem 35, adapted to be engaged by the fork 32, for turning the valve, and is of
conical form, so as to enable a close joint within the valve chest M to be formed by
forcing in the valve. The head of the valve a is provided with a reduced neck 36,
and a cap 37, by which the valve may readily be introduced into and removed from
the screw plug 38, which is cut away on one side to form a recess for the cap 37,
and shoulders 4 engaging the cap as the plug is withdrawn. By this construction,
the valve a is moved inward and outward with the screw plug 38, so that it may be
readily adjusted by the screw plug, or withdrawn from the valve chest, while at the
same time the valve is not rotated by the rotation of the screw plug. The blade
and fork connection of the rod 29 and valve stem 32 also permits the valve and
valve chest to be removed without interfering with the float construction, and rice
versa. The plug is held in position, when adjusted, by a set nut 39, preferably
packed for greater security, as shown.
The valve a is so positioned relatively to the ports connecting with the pipes N, O,

page_text: that in the normal position of the float R, as shown in Figure 3, with a sufficient
supply of water in the heater, the valve is held in the position shown in Fig. 7, with
the steam passing from supply L to both the pipes N, O, the steam through pipe N
passing through the valve 10 on the hot well B to the pump C, and both pumps
being in operation, the pump C supplying water to the heater through the pipe E,
and the pump F delivering heated feed water to the boiler through pipe H.
If, however, the feed water in the heater rises above a certain amount, the
valve a is turned by the rising of the float R into the position shewn in Fig. 8, in
which the supply of steam to the pump C through pipe N is cut off, thus stopping
the supply of water to the heater. If the water in the heater falls below a certain
point, the valve is turned by the falling of the float into the position shown in
Figure 9, in which it operates to cut off the steam from the pump F, thus stopping
the delivery of the water from the heater, until the float has been raised again by
the delivery of water from the hot well by pump C. The valve and ports are
preferably so arranged, that as the float moves the valve from its central or normal
position in either direction, and begins to cut off the supply of steam to one of the
engines, it opens the other port, to increase the supply to the other engine, so that
the proper balance of power in both engines is preserved, and the proper delivery
of water to and from the heater secured by the rise and fall of water in the
heater. It will be understood, also, that the supply of steam to the pump C is
controlled by the valve 10 and float 11 in the hot well, so as to secure the shutting
off of the steam from pump C, when the water in the hot well falls below a certain
point, the supply to this pump thus being controlled by both the heater and hot
well, so that the pump C is stopped when the supply of water in the heater is too
great, or that in the hot well too small.
It is evident that the form of the valve a may be varied, and that any suitable
construction may be used for the purpose of controlling both pumps from the
rod 29.
Thus, as shewn in Figures 12 and 13, the fork 32 may engage a stem 40, carrying
at its opposite end plug valves b, c, provided with single passages, and controlling
respectively pipes N, O, the float thus cutting off the steam from one pump or the
other, in the same manner as previously described in connection with valve a.
It will be obvious that various other modifications may be made in the con-
struction shown, without departing from this invention, which is not to be limited
to the exact construction of any of the devices shown.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me from
abroad, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The combination with a feed-water heater and a supply tank, and supply and
delivery pumps therefor, of independent valves controlling the supply of steam to
the supply pump, and controlled by floats in the heater and supply tank, sub-
stantially as described.
2. The combination with a feel-water heater and a supply tank, and supply and
delivery pumps therefor, of a float in said heater controlling the supply of steam to
both the supply and delivery pumps, substantially as described.
3. The combination with a feed-water heater and a supply tank, and supply and
delivery pumps therefor, of a float in said heater controlling the supply of steam
to both the supply and delivery pumps, and a float in the supply tank controlling
the supply of steam to the supply pump, substantially as described.
4. In a feed water heater, the combination with a water spray, of a perforated
plate surrounding the spray, through which the steam is admitted in the opposite
direction to that of the water from the spray, substantially as described.
5. The combination with the central vertical pipe Q, extending upward, and a
spray thereon, by which the water is thrown outward, of perforated plate 20
surrounding the spray, through which the steam is admitted from the side of the
casing, substantially as described.

page_text: 6. In a feed-water heater, the combination with central vertical pipe Q, extending
upward, and a spray thereon by which the water is thrown outward, of perforated
plate 20, surrounding the spray through which the steam is admitted, steam pipe I,
entering the side of the casing, and delivery pipe G, entering the lower part of the
casing, substantially as described.
7. The combination with pipe Q, of valve 13, engaging said pipe by inclined
surfaces, and having wings 15 and curved surfaces 2, substantially as described.
8. The combination with pipe Q, of valve 13 engaging said pipe by inclined
surfaces, and having wings 15 and curved surfaces 2, spring 16 on said valve, and
means for adjusting the tension of said spring, substantially as described.
9. A spray valve consisting of the plate 13, having wings 15, and curved
surfaces 2, substantially as described.
10. The combination with float R, rod 29, connected to and rocked by said float,
and a valve actuated by said rod, of means extending through the wall of the
casing, for rocking said rod from outside the casing, and adapted to be disengaged
inside the casing from said rod, substantially as described.
11. The combination with float R, of rod 29, connected to, and rocked by said
float, a valve actuated by said rod, and rod 33 engaging said rod, and projecting
outside the casing, said rod being mounted to slide into or out of position, to engage
rod 29, substantially as described.
12. The combination with valve 21, having opening 5, of plug 23, forming a dash
pot outside said valve, and adjustable rod 24 connected to said plug, and extending
outside the casing, substantially as described.
13. The combination with conical valve a, having neck 36 and cap 37, of screw
plug 38, recessed to receive said cap, and having shoulders 4, by which the cap is
withdrawn with the plug, substantially as described.
Dated this 31st day of October 1892.
NEWTON & SON,
Agents for the Applicant..