Improvements Applicable to Steam-boilers.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 30th Nov., 1889-Accepted, 4th Jan., 1890
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PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements Applicable to Steam-boilers.
I, ROGER TATHAM of Moss Lane Iron Works, Moss Lane, Rochdale in the county
of Lancaster, Machine Maker do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to steam-boilers and consists partly in arrangements by means
of which I ensure the circulation of the water contained in steam-boilers to which
such arrangements are applied and partly in arrangements by means of which I
facilitate the removal of dirt, mud, scum or sediment from the interiors of steam-
boilers to which my invention is applied.
According to one arrangement of my invention I place beneath or above the flue
or tube or beneath, between or above the flues or tubes of the steam-boiler a shaft
or shafts or other movable apparatus upon which is or are mounted a screw-blade or
screw-blades or an equivalent or equivalents for a screw-blade or screw-blades. I
cause one end or part of the said shaft or of each of the said shafts or of the said
movable apparatus or one end or part of a shaft or of each of shafts or of other
movable apparatus connected by suitable gearing or in any other suitable manner to
the said shaft or shafts or movable apparatus, to pass to the exterior of the steam-
boiler through a suitable stuffing-box or suitable stuffing boxes and I impart
rotary or other motion to the said shaft or shafts or movable apparatus in any
convenient mannor.
The rotation or other movement of the shaft or shafts or
movable apparatus and the screw-blade or screw-blades or equivalent or equivalents
therefor will cause the water to be circulated in the interior of the steam-boiler
and thereby enable the water to be more quickly and more uniformly heated than
the water in steam boilers has hitherto been. By the water being so caused to
circulate in the steam-boiler by the rotation or movement of the screw-blade or
screw-blades or equivalent or equivalents therefor above mentioned the scum, dirt,
mud, or sediment, which may be present may be carried to and deposited in a suit-
able receptacle or suitable receptacles from which such scum dirt, mud or sediment
may be removed from time to time by being "blown off" or in any other con-
venient manner. The shaft or shafts or other movable apparatus above mentioned
may be placed in a vertical or horizontal or other suitable position.
دو
I also provide the shaft or shafts or movable apparatus or screw-blade or screw-
blades or equivalent or equivalents therefor with brushes or teeth or "wire cards" or
india-rubber, asbestos or other suitable material which brushes or teeth or wire cards "
or india-rubber, asbestos or other suitable material as they or it are or is moved may
act against the surface or surfaces of the flue or flues or tube or tubes or shell of
the steam-boiler so as to remove therefrom any dirt, sediment or incrustation which
may be upon the said flue or flues or tube or tubes or shell. The brushes teeth or
"
wire cards or india-rubber, asbestos or other suitable material may be fixed upon
two or more or all of the parts above mentioned as being alternatively provided with
brushes, teeth or "wire cards or india-rubber, asbestos or other suitable material.
According to a further part of my invention I provide each flue or tube with a
brush or brushes or scraper or scrapers provided with teeth, "wire cards," india-
rubber, asbestos or other material which brush or brushes or scraper or scrapers I
cause to be traversed to and fro upon the flue or flues or tube or tubes or the
interior surface of the shell of the boiler or upon the flue or flues or tube or tubes
and the interior surface of the shell of the boiler. To traverse the above mentioned
brush or scraper or brushes or scrapers 1 employ a cross-threaded screw or endless
chain or other suitable appliance or appliances. The brush or scraper or brushes or
scrapers above mentioned serves or serve to circulate the water in the boiler and
cause any scum, mud, dirt or sediment present, to be carried to and deposited in a

page_text: suitable receptacle from which may be removed by being "blown off" or in any
other convenient manner.
According to a further part of my invention I employ brushes or scrapers or other
similar apparatus to which a to and fro or vibratory motion adapted to cause
circulation of the water, may be imparted and which are so arranged as to cause the
removal of the mud, dirt or deposit from the surface or surfaces of the flue or flues
or tube or tubes or the interior of the shell of the boiler and may also be so arranged
as to cause the mud, dirt, or deposit removed from the surface or surfaces of the
flue or flues or tube or tubes or the interior of of the shell of the boiler to pass into
a suitable receptacle or suitable receptacles from which it may be removed from
time to time by being "blown off" or in any other convenient manner.
According to a further part of my invention 1 form the shaft or one or more
of the shafts above mentioned, of a tube or tubes which may be provided with
perforations, so that steam or air, heated or otherwise, may be passed through the
tube or tubes forming such shaft or shafts into the interior of the steam-boiler so as
to enable the water contained in such steam-boiler to be more readily heated.
DL: 11
1000
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements Applicable to Steam-boilers.
1 ROGER TATHAM, of Moss Lane Iron Works, Moss Lane, Rochdale in the county
of Lancaster, Machine Maker, 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 :-
--
My invention relates to steam-boilers and consists partly in arrangements by
means of which I ensure the circulation of the water contained in steam-boilers to
which such arrangements are applied and partly in arrangements by means of which
I facilitate the removal of dirt, mud, scum or sediment from the interiors of steam-
boilers to which my invention is applied.
According to one arrangement of my invention I place beneath or above the flue
or tube or beneath, between or above the flues or tubes of the steam-boiler a shaft
or shafts or other movable apparatus upon which is or are mounted a screw-blade or
screw-blades or an equivalent or equivalents for a screw-blade or screw-blades. I
cause one end or part of the said shaft or of each of the said shafts or of the said
inovable apparatus or one end or part of a shaft or of each of shafts or of other
inovable apparatus connected by suitable gearing or in any other suitable manner to
the said shaft or shafts or movable apparatus to pass to the exterior of the steam-
boiler through a suitable stuffing-box or suitable stuffing-boxes and I impart rotary
or other motion to the said shaft or shafts or movable apparatus in any convenient
manner. The rotation or other movement of the shaft or shafts or movable apparatus
and the screw-blade or screw-blades or equivalent or equivalents therefor will cause
the water to be circulated in the interior of the steam-boiler and thereby enable the
water to be more quickly and uniformly heated than the water in steam-boilers has
hitherto been. By the water being so caused to circulate in the steam-boiler by the
rotation or the movement of the screw-blade or screw-blades or equivalent or
equivalents therefor above mentioned, the scum, dirt, mud or sediment which may
be present, may be carried to and deposited in a suitable receptacle or suitable
receptacles from which such scum, dirt, mud or sediment may be removed from
time to time by being "blown off" or in any other convenient manner. The shaft
or shafts or other movable apparatus above mentioned may be placed in a vertical
or horizontal or other suitable position.
I also provide the shaft or shafts or movable apparatus or screw-blade or screw-
blades or equivalent or equivalents therefor with brushes or teeth or "wire cards "
which brushes, teeth or «
wire cards" as they or it are or is moved, may act against

page_text: the surface or surfaces of the flue or flues or tube or tubes or shell of the steam-
boiler so as to remove therefrom any dirt, se liment or incrustation which may be
upon the said flue or flues or tube or tubes or shell. The brushes, teeth or
* wire
cards"
may be fixed upon two or more or all of the parts above mentioned as being
alternatively provided with brushes, teeth or "wire cards."
According to a further part of my invention I provide each flue or tube with a
"wire cards," which
brush or brushes or scraper or scrapers provided with teeth or
brush or brushes or scraper or scrapers Icause to be traversed to and fro upon the
flue or flues or tube or tubes or the interior surface of the shell of the boiler or
upon the flue or flues or tube or tubes and the interior surface of the shell of the
boiler. To traverse the above mentioned brush or scraper or brushes or scrapers, I
employ a cross-threaded screw or endless chain, or other suitable appliance or
appliances. The brush or scraper or brushes or scrapers above mentioned serves
or serve to circulate the water in the boiler and cause any scum, mud, dirt or
sediment present to be carried to and deposited in a suitable receptacle from which
it may be removed by being "blown off" or in any other convenient manner.
According to a further part of my invention I employ brushes or scrapers or other
similar apparatus to which a to and fro or vibratory motion adapted to cause
circulation of the water may be imparted and which are so arranged as to cause the
removal of the mud, dirt, or deposit from the surface or surfaces of the flue or flues
or tube or tubes or the interior of the shell of the boiler and may also be so
arranged as to cause the mud, dirt or deposit removed from the surface or surfaces
of the flue or flues or tube or tubes or the interior of the shell of the boiler to pass
into a suitable receptacle or suitable receptacles from which it may be removed
from time to time by being "blown off" or in any other convenient manner.
According to a further part of my invention I form the shaft or one or more of
the shafts above mentioned of a tube or tubes which may be provided with perforations,
so that steam or air heated or otherwise, may be passed through the tube or tubes
forming such shaft or shafts into the interior of the steam-boiler so as to enable the
water contained in such steam-boiler to be more readily heated.
My invention and some of the modes in which it may be carried into effect, are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a
portion of a steam-boiler and Fig. 2 is a cross section. Below the flues a a we
place a shaft & supported by and capable of being rotated in bearings c secured to the
shell d of the boiler. The end of the shaft & passes through a stuffing-box 62
secured to the end of the boiler and is revolved by gearing or by any other suitable
means. Upon the shaft we secure or form a screw-blade e or a number of screw-
blades. To the edge of the screw-blade e or edges of the screw-blades e, we attach
scrapers brushes or teeth. The rotation of the shaft and the screw blade or screw
blades e will cause the water to be circulated in the interior of the steam-boiler and
thereby enable the water to be more quickly and more uniformly heated than the
water in steam-boilers bas hitherto been. By the water being so caused to
circulate in the steam-boiler by the rotation of the screw-blade or screw-blades, the
scum, dirt mud or sediment present may be carried to and deposited in a suitable
receptacle A or suitable receptacles from which such scum, dirt, mud or sediment may
be removed from time to time, by being "blown off" or in any other convenient manner.
In the accompanying drawings Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section and Fig. 4
is a cross section. f is a shaft one end of which passes through a stuffing box
secured to the end of the boiler. Upon the shaft I form a cross-threaded screwf
upon which is mounted a nut ², provided with a pivoted runner, so that upon the
shaft being turned, the nut will be caused to travel to and fro lengthwise of the
boiler. Secured to the nut is a frame h which extends across the upper portions
of the flues a. To the frame I secure brushes, scrapers or teeth. To the nut f
1 secure a framej which frame is formed of a curve to correspond with the curve of
the interior of the lower portion of the shell of the steam-boiler. I secure to the
frame j, brushes, scrapers or teeth. Secured to and extending lengthwise of the

page_text: boiler is a bar which forms a guide for the frames and j. Upon the shaft is a
bevel wheel by means of which the shaft f receives rotary motion from a bevel
wheel mounted upon the shaft 3. The rotation of the shaft will by means of
the cross-threaded screw f¹ and nut 2 cause the frames h,j to be traversed to and
fro lengthwise of the boiler and the brushes, scrapers or teeth h¹¹, will during
their movement remove the dirt and sediment from the outsides of the flues a, and
from the lower part of the interior of the shell d of the boiler. The movement of
the frame will also carry the dirt and mud to the ends of the boiler where it may
be received in #l "mud box" from which it may be removed from time to time by
means of the "blow off" pipe 7, or in any other suitable manner.
In some cases instead of employing frames such as h and j connected together and
traversed to and fro by means of a screw, I employ the arrangement shown in Figs. 5
and 6. Fig. being a vertical longitudinal section and Fig. 6 a cross section of that
which is shewn in Fig. 5. Figs. 5 and 6 show so much of a steam-boiler as is
requisite to illustrate this modification of my invention.
Above the flues a a respectively I place frames each of which is provided with
brushes, scrapers or teeth and which frames are respectively traversed to and
fro lengthwise of the steam-boiler, by means of shafts / provided with cross threaded
screws Beneath the flues a and above the bottom of the boiler, I place a frame j
to which I secure brushes, scrapers or teeth. The frame j is traversed to and fro
lengthwise of the steam-boiler by means of a shaft provided with a cross-threaded
screw. The ends of the shafts pass through stuffing-boxes g in the end of the
boiler and receive rotary motion by any convenient means. The movement of the
frames h, to and fro lengthwise of the boiler removes the dirt or mud from the
outer surfaces of the flues a, a and from the lower part of the interior of the shell a
of the steam-boiler, and carries such dirt or mud to a "mud box" or "blow off
pipe" from which it may be periodically removed in any convenient manner.
In Figs. 5 and 6, I have shown the flues as being each provided with a number
of frames . Each of the frames I traverse to and fro between two of the
flanges a¹ of the flue a.
Figs. 7 and 8 show in vertical longitudinal section and cross-section, respectively
another method of carrying my invention into effect. I employ frames h, h
traversed to and fro lengthwise of the boiler by means of cross-threaded screws f.
The frames h, h by their movement will remove the dirt, scale or mud from the out-
sides of the flues a and the dirt, scale or mud removed will along with other dirt,
scale or mud be carried by the screw-blade e which is similar to that shown in
Figs. 1 and 2, to a "mud box" or "blow off pipe "A by means of which the dirt,
scale or mud deposited may from time to time be removed from the boiler.
Figs. 9 and 10 show another method of carrying my invention into effect. Fig. 9
being a vertical longitudinal section and Fig. 10 a cross-section showing so much of
a steam-boiler as is requisite to illustrate this modification of my invention.
Extending lengthwise of the boiler are shafts m m. These shafts m m are inside the
boiler, and are capable of being rotated in suitable bearings secured to the shell or
other convenient part of the boiler. Passing around each pair of the shafts m, m
above each of the flues a a are creepers or travelling surfaces n, which are caused
to revolve by any suitable means. The outer surfaces of the creepers or travelling
surfaces n, are formed or provided with spikes, brushes or scrapers n¹. As the
creepers or travelling surfaces n revolve, they remove the scum, dirt, mud or sediment
from the upper external surfaces of the flues a a. I support the portion of the
creepers or travelling surfaces n which is more remote from the flues a a, upon a
plate or surface or other suitable guide o so as to prevent any portion of the creepers
or travelling surfaces n from being in contact with another portion moving in an
opposite direction. A creeper or travelling surface n² similar to the creepers or
travelling surfaces n is employed to remove the dirt, mud, scun or sediment from the
interior surface of the lower part of the shell & of the boiler.
Figs. 11 and 12 show, in vertical longitudinal section and cross-section respectively
so much of a steam-boiler as is requisite to illustrate another method of carrying my

page_text: invention into effect. Within the boiler and at opposite ends thereof above the
flues a a, and at right-angles thereto, I place shafts or rollers p, supported by and
capable of being rotated in brackets secured to the shell d of the boiler. Around the
shafts or rollers p aforesaid I place creepers or travelling surfaces q. The end or
ends of one or more of the shafts or rollers p passes or pass through a suitable
stuffing-box or suitable stuffing-boxes secured to the shell of the boiler and receive
rotary motion by any convenient means. I provide the creepers or travelling
surfaces with brushes, scrapers or teeth q which as they travel longitudinally
upon the flues a, a remove therefrom scum, dirt, mud or sediment. Beneath the
flues a, a inside the boiler, and near to the ends thereof I place shafts or rollers pl
supported by and capable of being revolved in bearings secured to the shell d of
the boiler. The axle or axles of one or both of the shafts or rollers p' passes or
pass through a suitable stuffing-box or suitable stuffing-boxes, to the outside of the
boiler and receives or receive rotary motion in any convenient manner. Around the
shafts or rollers pl I place a creeper or travelling surface 72. The creeper or
travelling surface q' I furnish with brushes, scrapers or teeth 3 which by the move-
ment of the creeper or travelling surface q² are caused to remove the scum, dirt, mud
or sediment from the inside of the lower portion of the shell d of the boiler, and
carry such scum, dirt, mud or sediment to a "mud box" or "blow off pipe I by
means of which it may be removed from time to time from the boiler in any suitable
manner.
""
Fig. 13 shows in cross-section another method of carrying my invention into
effect. Above each of the flues a, a I place a roller r, the axle of which is parallel
to the axis of the flue a in conjunction with which such roller r is used. The
circumference of the roller I provide with brushes, scrapers or teeth. I cause
each of the rollers to be revolved and traversed to and fro upon the outer circum-
ference of the flue a in conjunction with which it is used. In this arrangement of
my invention each of the rollers may extend throughout the entire length of the
flue a in conjunction with which it is used or 1 may employ a series of rollers »
which move to and fro upon the outside circumference of such flue a. The roller
or rollers used in conjunction with each flue a is or are guided while moving
to and fro upon the outer circumference of such flue, by guides, levers or other
suitable means s and 1 impart rotary motion to such roller or rollers by any
convenient means.
Figs. 14 and 15 show, in vertical longitudinal section and cross section respec-
tively, another method of carrying my invention into effect. Inside the boiler I
place a number of shafts & supported by and capable of being rotated in bearings
secured to the shell d of the boiler and at the other end in bearings secured to one
or other of the flues a a. To the lower end of each of the shafts t I secure a disc
or plate u the lower surface of which is made convex. To the lower surface of each
of the discs or plates u I secure spikes, brushes or scrapers u. Upon the upper end
of one of the shafts & I mount a bevel wheel which gears into a bevel wheel v
fast upon a short shaft which passes through a stuffing-box secured to the shell d
of the boiler. Fast upon the shaft and outside the boiler is a pulley ³ which
receives rotary motion by means of a strap or chain. The rotation of the shaft v
will cause the shaft t and disc or plate to rotate. The rotation of the said shaft t
will by means of the pulley 2 mounted upon such shaft t, the strap or chain w and
the pulley fast upon the next shaft cause such next shaft and the disc or
plate u secured thereto to be rotated. The rotation of the discs or plates u will by
means of the spikes, brushes or scrapers u¹ remove the scale, scum, mud, dirt or
sediment from the lower portion of the inside of the shell d of the boiler and so
enable such scale, scum, mul, dirt or sediment to be "blown off" by means of the
"nud cock" or otherwise removed from the boiler from time to time. Although
I have only shown two discs or plates u I would have it understood that I employ
in each boiler any desired number of discs or plates u and transmit rotary motion
from the shaft t carrying one disc or plate u to the next shaft by means of
pulleys, and a strap or chain to or I cause the shaft to be made of sufficient

page_text: length and suitably supported and impart rotary motion to the discs or plates u by
means of bevel wheels.
The brushes, scrapers or teeth employed in the various arrangements of my
invention, may be made of "wire cards," india-rubber, asbestos or other suitable
material.
It will be obvious that several of the arrangements above described may be
applied in conjunction with each other. The arrangements of apparatus constructed
and employed according to my invention enable the circulation of the water contained
in a steam-boiler in which my invention is applied, to be ensured and facilitate the
removal of dirt, mud, scum or sediment from the interiors of steam-boilers.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The herein before described arrangements of apparatus by means of which the
circulation of the water contained in steam-boilers is ensured, which arrangements
consist in movable apparatus placed within the steam-boiler and operated from the
outside of the steam-boiler substantially as herein before described.
2. The herein before described arrangements by means of which the removal from
steam-boilers of dirt, mud, scum or sediment is facilitated which arrangements consist
in movable apparatus placed within the steam-boiler, provided or not provided with
brushes, scrapers or teeth and operated from the outside of the steam-boiler
substantially as herein before described.
3. For ensuring the circulation of the water contained in a steam-boiler and for
facilitating the removal from such steam-boiler of dirt, mud, scum or sediment, the
arrangement of apparatus shown in and described in reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of
the accompanying drawings and consisting in the screw-blade e arranged employed
and operating substantially as herein before described.
4. For ensuring the circulation of the water contained in a steam-boiler and for
facilitating the removal from such steam-boiler of dirt, mud, scum or sediment the
arrangement of apparatus shown in and described in reference to Figs. 3 and 4 of
the accompanying drawings, and consisting in the frames h and j arranged, employed,
traversed to and fro lengthwise of the steam-boiler, and operating substantially as
hereinbefore described.
5. For ensuring the circulation of the water contained in a steam-boiler and for
facilitating the removal from such steam-boiler of dirt, mud, scum or sediment the
arrangement of apparatus shown in and described in reference to Figs. 5 and 6
of the accompanying drawings and consisting in the frames h, h and j arranged,
employed, traversed to and fro lengthwise of the steam-boiler by means of cross-
threaded screws f¹ and operating substantially as herein before described.
6. For ensuring the circulation of the water contained in a steam-boiler and for
facilitating the removal from such steam-boiler of dirt, mud, scum or sediment
the arrangement of apparatus shown in and described in reference to Figs. 7 and 8
of the accompanying drawings and consisting in the frames h and hand screw
blade e arranged, employed, and operating substantially as hereinbefore described.
7. For ensuring the circulation of the water contained in a steam-boiler and for
facilitating the reinoval from such steam-boiler of dirt, mud, scum or sediment
the arrangement of apparatus shown in and described in reference to Figs. 9
and 10 of the accompanying drawings and consisting in the creepers or
travelling surfaces n and n¹ arranged, employed and operating substantially as
herein before described.
8. For ensuring the circulation of the water contained in a steam-boiler and for
facilitating the removal from such steam-boiler of dirt, scum, mud or sediment the
arrangement of apparatus shown in and described in reference to Figs. 11 and 12
of the accompanying drawings and consisting in the creepers or travelling
surfaces and q arranged, employed and operating substantially as hereinbefore
described,

page_text: 9. For ensuring the circulation of the water contained in a steam-boiler and for
facilitating the removal from such steam-boiler of dirt, mud, scum or sediment the
arrangement of apparatus shown in and described in reference to Fig. 13 of the
accompanying drawings and consisting in the revolving brush arranged, employed
and operating substantially as hereinbefore described.
10. For ensuring the circulation of the water contained in a steam-boiler and for
facilitating the removal from such steam-boiler of dirt, mud, scum or sediment the
arrangement of apparatus shown in and described in reference to Figs. 14 and 15
of the accompanying drawings and consisting in the discs or plates a arranged,
employed and operating substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this Twenty-ninth day of November 1889.
W. T. CHEETHAM,
Manchester, Agent to the Applicant.