IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FIRE-BOXES AND ASH-PANS OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Vincent Newton, of the Office for
Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Me-
chanical Draughtsman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
FIRE-BOXES AND ASH-PANS OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES."-A communication
from abroad by Henry Livingston Lansing and George Henry
Chase, both of Buffalo, in the State of New York, United States of
America.
Sealed the 29th June 1869, and dated the 23rd February 1869.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Vincent Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 23rd February 1869.
I, ALFRED VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE
FIRE-BOXES AND ASH-PANS OF LOCOMOTIVE ENGINES," to be as follows:-
The first part of this Invention relates to the use in locomotive
engines of fire-boxes with solid or pan-like bottoms, that is, without

page_text: grate bars or openings through the bottom. The live coal will thus be
retained in the fire-box until wholly consumed, and scattering of coals
or fire upon the track prevented. Upon the bottom of the fire-box is
fitted a removable pan for containing the incandescent fuel and
extending round the fire-box, and overhanging the sides of the pan is a
horizontal or it may be an inclined flange for leading the fuel to the
pan. In the bottom of the fire-box openings are made for admitting air
to draught flues which are so arranged that the air will pass over the fire-
pan or ash-pan and feed the fire from the four sides of the furnace, and
at a convenient distance above the bottom of the pan,
which arrange-
ment secures a very effective feed or supply of the air to the fire. The
openings in the bottom of the fire-box are closed by hinged valves which
are capable of being opened or closed simultaneously by being connected
with rocking arms or their equivalent.
31
The Invention relates, secondly, to the use of an ash-pan or box pro-
vided with openings through its bottom and a horizontal rotary plate
having corresponding openings and solid portions, and which may be
rotated in a manner to uncover the openings in the bottom of the pan to
dump
or discharge the ashes and cinders and then be closed so as to
practically form à solid or close bottom, and prevent the ashes and
cinders from scattering on the track, and making an air-tight bottom to
the pan. The draught flue passes centrally through the ash-pan, and it
is fitted with an adjustable valve cap or damper. This cap takes the
shape of an inverted saucer, and it may be raised and lowered in such
manner as to open and close the draught flue, and when closed forming
an air-tight cover. It is fitted below with an inverted conical or other
equivalently shaped cap for spreading the incoming air and directing it
in a uniform manner over or past the periphery or edges of the valve to
the fire. The ash-pan is divided into four or more compartments having
inclined slides sloping downwardly to openings in the bottom of the pan
to facilitate the discharge of the ashes and cinders when the openings
are uncovered. A rock shaft passes horizontally in or through recesses
formed under inclined sides to the pan for operating through suitable
link connections the adjustable valve cap, and thereby regulating the
supply of air to the fire-box.
The Invention relates, lastly, to a modified form of closed ash-pan
arranged with side draught flues or passages, and dampers or valves
thereto, in combination with a deflecting flange or flanges which project

page_text: internally from the sides of the ash-pan at its top or upper portion,
whereby not only is the air admitted through the sides of the pan above
the basin or bottom portion thereof, but the dampers or valves. and air
flucs or passages controlled by them are secured from being clogged or
choked by snow on the track, and the incoming air is heated in its way
to the fire by its contact with and radiation from the deflecting flange or
flanges which are exposed on its or their upper surfaces to the fire in the
fire-box. The ash-pan is formed with double inclined ribs crossing to
opposite angles of the pan and forming a solid or close centre to the
latter.. These ribs not only strengthen the ash-pan but give a proper
direction to the ashes and cinders when discharged through openings
made in the bottom of the pan. The dampers which cover the openings
made in the sides of the pan to admit air thereto are worked by an
arrangement of levers, cranks, and link rods, which serve to raise the
dampers on their hinges and thus admit air to the draught flues.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Alfred Vincent Newton in the Great Scal Patent
Office on the 23rd August 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALFRED
VINCENT NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in
the County of Middlesex, Mechanical Draughtsman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters:
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of February, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-..
second year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,.
give and grant unto me, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, Her special
licence, that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton,,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree
with, and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter
during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might makė,,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FIRE-BOXES AND ASH-PANS OF LOCOMOTIVE. ENGINES,"
being a communication to me from abroad, upon the condition (amongst

page_text: others) that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, my executors or ad-
ministrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one
of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
'nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to
be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the Drawing here-
unto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that is to
say) -
:-
This Invention relates, firstly, to the use in locomotive engines of fire-
boxes with solid or pan-like bottoms (that is, without grate bars or
openings through the bottom), whereby the live coal will be retained in
the fire-box until wholly consumed, and scattering of coals or fire upon
the track will be prevented.
Secondly. The Invention relates to the arranging of the draught flues
and dampers, so that the air will pass over the fire-pan or ash-pan and 2
feed the fire from the four sides of the furnace, and at a convenient
distance above the bottom of the pan, which arrangement secures a very
effective feed or supply of the air to the fire.
Thirdly. The Invention relates to a combination of angle plates with
a fire-box having a close or solid bottom, whereby the fuel is made
to slide down and press together in close contact as it is being
consumed.
Fourthly. The Invention relates to an ash-pan or box provided with
openings through its bottom, and a horizontal rotary plate having
corresponding openings and solid portions, and which may be rotated
in a manner to uncover the openings in the bottom of the pan to "dump"
or discharge the ashes and cinders, and then be closed so as to prac-
tically form a solid or close bottom and prevent the ashes and cinders
from scattering on the track and making an air-tight bottom to the pan.
Fifthly. The Invention embraces a peculiar and advantageous dis-
position of the draught flue by arranging it to pass centrally through
the ash-pan.

page_text: Sixthly. The Invention relates to the construction, application, and
use of an adjustable valve cap or damper in connection with a central
draught flue through the ash-pan, said valve cap having two distinct
features, namely, the same being a saucer-shaped cap, which may be
raised and lowered in such manner as to open and close the draught flue,
and when closed forming an air-tight cover, and being or having an
inverted conical or other equivalently shaped cap for spreading the in-
coming air and directing it in a uniform manner over or past the
periphery or edges of the valve cap to the fire.
Seventhly. The Invention includes a divided construction of ash-
pan having four or more compartments with inclined sides sloping
downwardly to openings through the bottom of the pan to facilitate
the discharge of the ashes and cinders when the openings are un-
covered.
Eighthly. The Invention relates to the arranging of a rock shaft
horizontally, and so as to pass in or through recesses formed under inclined
sides. to, the pan in combination with a vertical stem and suitable link
connections,, the whole forming a means for raising and lowering the
adjustable valve cap herein-before referred to.
Ninthly. The Invention relates to a modified form of closed ash-pan
arranged with side openings or draught passages, and with dampers or
valves fitted thereto in combination with a deflecting flange or flanges
which project internally from the sides of the ash-pan at its top or upper
portion, whereby not only is the air admitted through the sides.of the
pan above the basin or bottom portion thereof, but the dampers or valves
and air passages controlled. by them are secured from being clogged or
choked by snow on the track, and the incoming air. is heated.in its way
to the fire by its contact witli and radiation from. the deflecting flange
or flanges which are exposed on. its or their upper surfaces to the fire in
the fire-box.. The ash-pan is formed with double inclined ribs crossing
to opposite angles of the pan, and forming a solid or close centre to the
latter, whereby not only is the ash-pan strengthened but a proper
direction is given to the delivery of the ashes and cinders through
openings made in the bottom of the pan. The dampers which cover the
openings made in the sides of the pan to admit air thereto are worked
by an arrangement of levers, cranks, and link rods, which serve to raise
the dampers on their hinges, and thus admit air to the pan.

page_text: Having thus described the nature of the Invention, and in whole or
in part the object or objects of the same, its description will be proceeded
with in reference to the accompanying Drawing.
Fig. 1 represents a vertical section of a locomotive furnace or fire-box
constructed in accordance with the first, second, and third parts of the
Invention, and as more particularly designed for the burning of wood as
fuel, but which so far as the draught arrangements or devices are con-
cerned is equally applicable to coal-burning locomotives; Fig. 2 is also
a vertical section of the same at right angles to Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 a
plan of certain mechanism for opening and closing the dampers to said
box.
Figs. 4 and 5 are vertical sections of an ash-pan or box constructed in
accordance with the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth parts of
the Invention, said sections being taken as indicated by the lines x, x,
and y, y, in Fig. 6, and Figures 6 and 7 top and bottom views thereof.
Fig. 8 represents a plan of an ash-pan constructed in accordance with
the last part of the Invention; Fig. 9, a side or edge view of the same;
and Figures 10 and 11 central vertical sections thereof taken at right
angles to each other.
Referring in the first instance to Figures 1, 2, and 3, the letters G
represent the walls of a locomotive-engine furnace made of boiler iron
in the usual manner with a water space between the two walls.
A represents a solid iron plate which forms the extreme bottom of the
furnace. This plate is made sufficiently dishing or concave to receive
within it a separate and removeable fire-pan or secondary fire-box.
Draught flues are made through this bottom plate, which are indicated
at the point of the arrows 1. B represents a removeable fire-pan or
secondary fire-box. It is made solid without openings or grate bars, and
is fitted to set within or upon the concave of the bottom plate A, so that
the air must pass over this pan in order to feed the fire. An air space b¹
is left between the bottom of this pan and the plate A. The pan B forms
the bottom of the fire-box proper, and it being made solid as before
described the live coals are retained therein until wholly consumed, so
that there is not the least scattering of coals or fire upon the track,
while a more complete combustion of the fuel is obtained with a con-
sequent saving in expence. This pan is removable so that it can be
easily replaced by a new one when worn out. D represents a broad rim

page_text: or flange which lies in a horizontal position partly over the fire-pan,
and is so placed that it will direct the fuel into the fire-pan, and so that
a space will be left between it and the fire-pan for the air to pass, as
shewn by the arrows 2 and 3. This rim is made up of four distinct
plates (D) nicely fitted together, said plates coming in close contact with
the inner wall of the furnace, so that no air can pass outside of the
plates. C are angle plates, and are made in like manner as the hori-
zontal plates or rim D; they are set upon such an angle as that the
fuel will slide down them, and press together in close contact as it is
being consumed. These angle plates or (in lieu thereof) the horizontal
plates D may be used as preferred, it not being intended that both should
be used at the same time. E represents the dampers which are placed
over the flues or openings made through the bottom plate A; there
are four of these dampers corresponding to the four openings through
the plate A.
H, I, J, K, L, M, N, and O, Fig. 3, represent a series of levers which
are connected with the dampers, and so arranged that the engineer or
fireman can open and close the dampers simultaneously in whole or in
part at pleasure; they have a common fulcrum, as shewn at P. Q re-
presents a pin which drops down from each damper in order to form a
connection with the series of operating levers; R represents the tube
sheet or flues of the boiler, and S the furnace door. This improvement
effects a more perfect combustion of the fuel used, and hence a greater
amount of steam generating heat is obtained from a given quantity of
fuel. The draught may be entirely shut off when the engine is not
in motion and the combustion nearly stopped, or it may be partially shut
off on down grades when less steam is required.
.:
Referring in the next instance to Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7, A' represents
a locomotive ash-pan which may be made of cast iron, and is fitted to
be supported under the fire-grate of a locomotive engine using coal as
a fuel. The pan serves to catch and hold the ashes and cinders which
drop from the fire; it is rectangular in form, and is divided into four
or more compartments having sloping sides a', a', so that the ashes and
cinders which accumulate therein may easily slide down and discharge
through openings in the bottom when said openings are uncovered.
Centrally within this ash-pan is placed an air supply or draught flue B'.
This flue may be cast with the pan joining the compartments at the
lower inner ends thereof. The openings through the bottom of the j
pan

page_text: are between the compartments, and are shewn at ', . On the bottom
of the ash-pan is placed a circular revolving disc plate or gate m', which
has alternate openings and solid metal corresponding with the openings
through the bottom of the pan, so that when the plate is revolved a
quarter turn (more or less) in one direction, the openings in the plate
are made to coincide with the openings in the bottom of the pán allowing
the ashes and cinders to escape freely, and when revolved a quarter
turn (more or less) in the opposite direction the solid parts of the plate
are made to close the openings so that no ashes or cinders can escape,
and also making the pan bottom air-tight. This plate is connected to
the bottom of the pan by means of the flange ring G' and screw bolts H¹.
c' is a vertical stem or rod which is connected with the horizontal rock
shaft and with a valve cap D'. There is a jointed link connection ¿¹
between the valve stem c¹ and the rock shaft. The valve cap D¹ is
fastened to the top of the stem c³, and is moved up and down thereby
and shuts down air-tight on the top of the draught flue. There is an
inner inverted conical cap C¹, which has a hollow stem e¹ slipping over
the valve stem c¹ in a manner to fasten it to the valve cap. This is for
the purpose of spreading the incoming air and preventing it from
lodging in the top of the valve cap, and directing it equally over the
periphery of the valve cap to the fire. The rock shaft is worked by the
crank, by means of which the valve cap may be raised and lowered
and adjusted and opened little or more so as to admit more or less air
to feed the fire as may be desired. It is known to those acquainted
with running coal-burning locomotive engines over railroads, that the
ash-pans in ordinary use are liable to drop fire and cinders upon the
track, setting fire to the road and other property, thereby causing great
damage and destruction of property; it is also known that it costs
much time, labor, and money to clean out the ash-pans. This improve-
ment affords a remedy for these evils. All the ashes and cinders which
drop into the ash-pan while the locomotive is running are retained there
(without the least scattering) until the engine arrives at the end of the
trip, and then the ashes, cinders, &c., are easily and quickly "dumped"
or discharged through the openings in the bottom of the pan (by a
quarter turn of the plate m¹) into a pit prepared for that purpose, without
expence or delay.
In Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11 a modified construction of ash-pan for
coal-burning locomotive engines is shewn. A is the pan made of
rectangular form. At the upper portion of its sides are air openings or

page_text: passages a, a, which are controlled by dampers or valves 6s, 6. These
valves are hung on hinges and arranged to open inwards, there being a
valve or damper and air opening or passage to each of the four sides of
the pan; B, B, is a curved or downwardly sloping flange arranged to
project internally from the upper portion of the pan, and so as to face
the openings a, a, with a sufficient space between said flange and the
sides of the pan, around each of which such flange is extended to admit
of the play of the valves 62, 63, beneath it, and to form a channel or
passage for the incoming air, and proper distribution of the same to or
over the fire. Thus arranged this plate or flange not only serves to
deflect and direct down towards the base portion of the ash-pan the
incoming air as it is admitted through the upper portion of the said pan
at its sides, but the plate or flange being exposed on its upper surface to
the action of the fire serves to heat the incoming air which promotes
combustion. By the arrangement too of the air flues a³, a², and dampers
6, 6, in the upper portion of the pan at its sides, the same are secured
from being clogged or interfered with by snow on the track, while the
deflecting flange B³, B³, serves to give all the advantage as regards feed
of the air to the fire of a lower admission. The swinging dampers or
valves 3, 6, on the several or four sides of the pan are operated simul-
taneously by means of T-shaped levers D³, D2, working on fulcrum
pins c, c, arranged on two of the adjacent sides of the pan, said levers
being suitably connected by a lifting rod to work them in unison.
Pivotted to the shorter arms of these levers are link rods d, d, that
connect at their opposite ends with cranks or arms e², e², fast to the
fulcrum shafts f, fs, of the dampers 62, 62, which combination secures
the joint action of the opposite dampers, and by uniting the two levers
D2, D3, (so that they operate in unison) of the dampers on all the sides.
of the pan. The T-shaped levers D³, D³, on the two adjacent sides of
the pan should be so arranged. as that their longer arms if extended
would intersect each other, whereby they may be readily connected to
work in unison and by one and the same rod. The lower, or what may
be termed the basin portion of the pan, is of a corrugated character,
being for the most part made up of double inclined hollow ribs E³, E³,
arranged to extend across the bottom of the pan diagonally or from
corner to corner, thus giving a solid centre to the pan and materially
strengthening it while the sloping sides of the ribs or corrugations serve
to direct the ashes or cinders to discharge openings g³, g, made in the
bottom of the pan, said openings being closed when it is not required to

page_text: "
"dump" or discharge by a plate or disc F2, turning on a centre as
at h² and operated by a handle, which disc has openings g', g', in it, for
(by suitably turning it) establishing communication with the openings
g, g³, to effect the discharge of the ashes or cinders.
Having now set forth the nature of the Invention of "Improvements
in the Fire-boxes and Ash-pans of Locomotive Engines," as communi.
cated to me from abroad, and having explained the manner of carrying
the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that under the above
in part recited Letters Patent I claim,―
First. Making the fire-pan B solid or pan-like, without grate bars or
openings for the purposes and substantially as described with reference
to Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawing.
Second. Arranging the draught flues and dampers E so that the air
will pass over the fire-pan and feed the fire from the several sides thereof
and at a convenient distance above the bottom of the pan, substantially
as described with reference to said Figures 1 and 2.
Third. The combination of the angle plates C with the solid fire-
pan B, substantially as described and shewn in Figures 1 and 2 of the
Drawing.
.Fourth. A locomotive engine ash-pan, provided with openings b', b',
through the bottom, and a corresponding gate or disc plate m' which
may be moved and placed so as to close such openings when the loco-
motive is running, and uncover or open the same for discharge of the
ashes and cinders at other periods or when required, substantially as
described with reference to Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the Drawing.
Fifth. The draught flue B' arranged to pass centrally through the
ash-pan, as shewn in Figures 4, 5, and 7 of the Drawing.
Sixth. In combination with the central draught flue B' the adjustable
valve cap D' and inner inverted conical cap C₁, for operation substan-
tially as and for the purposes herein set forth and as more particularly
seen in Figures 4 and 5.
Seventh. An ash-pan for locomotive engines divided into compart-
ments, having sloping sides a', a', for the purposes specified, and
essentially as described with reference to Figures 4, 5, 6, and 7 of the
Drawing.
Eighth. The rock shaft d' arranged in the recesses formed under the
inclined sides of the pan, in combination with the vertical stem c¹ and

page_text: connecting link as a means of raising and lowering the valve cap D¹
to the draught fluc, substantially as specified.
Ninth. The arrangement of the air openings a, a, in the upper
portion of the pan, and dampers 6, 62, controlling the same, in com-
bination with the interior upper deflecting flange or flanges B2, B³,
arranged relatively to said openings and lower or base portion of the pan
essentially as described and shewn in Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the
Drawing.
Tenth. The combination and arrangement of the T-shaped levers
D3, D, link rods , d, and cranks es, e³, on adjacent sides of the pan
for operating the several valves or dampers 62, 62, substantially as
described and more particularly shewn in Figures 9 and 11.
Eleventh. The ash-pan constructed substantially as described with
reference to Figures 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the Drawing by forming it at
its bottom of or with hollow double inclined ribs E2, E2, arranged to
extend diagonally across the pan in such manner as to form a solid or
close centre thereto, and serving to direct the ashes or cinders to or over
discharge openings g³, g; made in the bottom of the pan.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alfred Vincent Newton, have here-
unto set my hand and seal, the Twenty-third day of August,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-
nine.