Improvements relating to Fire-grates for Steam Boiler and other Furnaces and to Feed Water Heating Apparatus for Use in Connection therewith.
Year: 1888

page_text: [Communicated from abroad by GEORGE L. KITSON, JAMES REAGAN, and SAMUEL
L. SMALLS, all of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America.]
Improvements relating to Fire-grates for Steam Boiler and other
Furnaces and to Feed Water Heating Apparatus for Use in
Connection therewith.
1, HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex, 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 :-
This invention relates to circulating and rocking bar grates and has for its objects
1st. The provision of sectional water bearing bars for the grate-bars to admit of
unequal or other expansion and contraction of the parts of the grate without
producing leaking joints or the warping of the said parts thereby increasing the
commercial efficiency and durability of the grate. 2nd. To so construct, arrange
and mount the tumbler-bar dogs or levers on the grate, that when operated they act
to first break the crust and clinkers, then crowd or push the clinkers to open spaces
previously formed between the grate-bars, whereby the entire bottom of the fire is
cleaned without disturbing the hed of the fire, and in doing so an even draught is
provided for all parts of the grate to more thoroughly consume the fuel; the operation
of cleaning the fire being easily effected without using a poker or a slicer bar and
without necessitating opening the furnace doors, thereby avoiding admission of cold
air to the furnace and the consequent chilling of the under side of the boiler;
3rd. To so construct the grate that it can readily and economically be inserted into
the fire-box and its parts correspondingly removed for repairs or replacement, and
4th to so connect the circulating grate to the boiler by means of pipes having suitably

page_text: located valves, that the feed water for the boiler can be fed either directly to the
boiler or to and through the grate to the boiler, that when the feed to the boiler is
shut off an automatic circulation is produced by opening a proper valve in said pipe
connections that the grate may be entirely shut off from the boiler without any
interference with the feed to the boiler; and that the grate or the boiler or both may
be blown off to cleanse the same. The invention consists of the combination,
construction and arrangement of parts as hereinafter set forth.
Referring to the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 represents a plan parily broken away of a grate having sectional
bearing bars and tumbler-rods connected to curved dogs or levers mounted on the said
bearing bars.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of same.
Figure 3 is a similar view showing tumbler-bars on one side only of the grate or
water bars.
Figure 4 is an end view of the grate, partly broken away.
Figure 5 is a section on line 1-1 Figure 2.
Figure 6 is an end view of boiler and furnace showing water pipe connection with
valves therein between the boiler and grato.
Figure 7 is a longitudinal section of part of a boiler and furnace showing two
separate sections of grate with tumbler-bars for each section and operating devices
for the tumbler-bar dogs for each section.
Figure S is a perspective view of the tumbler-bar and operating devices therefor.
Figure 9 is a plan of grate without sectional bearing-bars, but showing end and
central solid bearing bars and two series of tumbler bars attached to curved dogs or
levers some of which are supported or mounted upon fixed shafts and the remainder
upon separate rocker shafts on said bearing bars.
Figures 10 and 11 are longitudinal vertical sections, showing the end and middle
bearing-bars and a separate rocker or actuating shaft for the two or separate series of
tumbler bar dogs or levers shown in Figure 9.
Figure 12 is an end view of Figure 9 drawn to an enlarged scale and showing the
tumbler-bars and curved dogs or lovers in their normal position and also in their raised
position.
Figure 13 is a partial longitudinal side elevation, drawn to an enlarged scale,
showing one of the water-bars, end boaring bar, curved dog or lever mounted on a
fixed shaft on the said bar, tumbler-bar secured to said lever, and link connection for
the latter, and
Figure 14 is a similar view of the middle bearing-bar supports for said parts.
Referring to Figures 1 to 8 inclusive A.represents the grate, B, B' the bearing bars,
C the water or grate-bars and D the tumbler-bars for cleaning the grate.
The grate may be of any oblong or square form to suit the configuration of a
locomotive or stationary boiler fire-box, or it may be of any other form to correspond
with the shape of the fire box in which it is placed.
The side bars B Binay both be constructed alike but for purposes of convenience
in fitting the grate in position in the fire-box and removing it or any of its parts
therefroin for repairs or replacement we prefer to construct these bars as follows. The
bar B is composed of sections having outside top and bottom flanges b¹, b² respectively
between which flanges is a groove ³ see more plainly Figure 4 by means of which
these sections bare strung or placed upon a bar E and are firmly but loosely held
upon said har by screws or bolts e passing between the ends of adjoining sections b,
said bolts having a shouldered head el to space the interval between said ends and
frictionally engage with the sections to hold them in position.
If desired, a jam-nut or other washer e³ is inserted between the bolt nuts e³ and the
bar E as shown.
The sections are made solid or otherwise constructed when solid grate bars Care
used, if the latter are tubular or water bars the sections b are then hollow or tubular
and their ends form partitions or diaphragms between the sections b to direct the flow
of water through the water bars of the grate.

page_text: The sections of the end-bar B are provided at their adjacent ends with pipe
connections having right and left hand threaded ends, and with lugs or flanges 65
which meet and are loosely or otherwise bolted together as indicated at b.
These sections 67 are hollow and provided at suitable points with partitions when
water bars are used for directing the flow of water through the grate or water bars.
The tumbler bars C may be arranged one for two grate bars as shown to the left
in Figure 3, but we prefer to arrange them in pairs or provide two tumbler-bars for
each pair of grate bars as indicated in Figure 2, in which case the tumbler-bars of a
pair are mounted by means of dogs or levers c to a common shaft c¹ so that when it
is moved or oscillated the tumbler-bars of a pair move in opposite directions relatively
to the grate-bars, that is to say, one bar moves downwardly into the ash-pan and the
other upwardly into the fire-box to leave open spaces between the pairs of water or
grate bars as indicated by dotted lines y Figure 2 for the free escape of ashes and
clinkers into the ash-pan.
One of the shafts c¹ as shown more plainly in Figure 5 which shaft is virtually the
controlling shaft for operating the entire series of the tumbler-bars, is made square or
angular as indicated at having end shoulders and journals ct of a smaller
diameter which have their bearings in sleeves or thimbles e in openings or bearings f
in the bearing-bar sections b.
These thimbles are provided to fill up the large openings f necessary for the
passage of the angular part of the shaft to position on the grate.
The remaining tumbler-bars are loosely mounted upon round shafts driven or
otherwise secured in openings in the bearing-bar sections.
Only one square shaft for one of the pairs of tumbler-bars need be used as the latter
and all the tumbler-bars loose on the other shafts are connected by arms f¹ to a
rocking or operating bar F leading to the outside of the furnace and the strain of
operating all of them falls upon the one square shaft.
The tumbler-bar shafts having their bearings in the bearing-bar sections are
maintained in due alignment with the same and with the grate bars as said parts
expand and contract in use, which is not the case when said shafts have their bearings
separate from the grate or its bearing bars as heretofore.
The thimbles c are driven into openings to frictionally engage with the walls of
the same and maintain themselves in position, but they may otherwise be removably
secured in said openings as desired.
The direction of the flow of water through the grate is indicated by the arrows
starting from the inlet pipe G and ending with the outlet pipe H, which pipes are
connected with the boiler as hereinafter described.
If the tumbler and grate bars are separated from one another proportionately as
shown in Figure 2, the dogs or levers c for the tumbler-bars can all align with one
another as there is ample room for operating the tumbler bars without their dogs or
lovers c striking or interfering with one another, but if the said bars are close together
then the alternate dogs or levers c are in different planes as indicated in Figure 1, so
as not to strike against one another as they are actuated.
In using the grate in locomotive or other fire boxes of some length, the grate may
if desired be divided into two sections similar in construction and eacli section has its
separate actuating mechanism or rocking lever as shown in Figure 7.
In locomotive boilers the tubes G and H are preferably in the fire-box as indicated.
The inlet tube G has a cock y and leads to pipe G the upper end of which
connects with the bottom of the boiler, see Figure 6, and has a valve and the
lower end of the said pipe G₁ forms a blow-off pipe and has a valve go. Connected
to the pipe G¹ between the valve g² therein and the valve g in pipe G is a feed pipe G'
coming from a pressure tank, injector or pump. The outlet pipe E has a cock or
valve and leads to the top of the boiler. Beginning with the pipe G², the feed water,
if the valves g², g are closed and the valves y, h opened, enters the grate through
valve circulates through the grate and then passes to the boiler by way of pipe H
and this is the direction the water takes when feeding. When the feed is shut off an

page_text: valve g.
creditation is produced from the boner to and through the grate, by opening
Should any accident occur to the grate causing leakage or other damage, by closing
valves and the grate is entirely cut off from the boiler without any interference
with the feed through valve to the boiler, which valve is then opened. By
opening valves & and 'and closing valve 7, the bottom of the boiler may be
blown off to cleanse the same, and by closing valve g² and opening valves h, g; g³,
the same operation may be effected for the top of the boiler and the grate to clean
the same.
By opening or closing either valve gorg the feed enters either to the boiler or to
the grate.
In Figures 9 to 14 inclusive the water bars C of the grate are shown supported
upon solid end bearing bars I, and central corresponding bearing bar I, separate
from the grate in which case the ends of the water bar may be connected by pipe
or other couplings as desired, these couplings are not shown in Figures 9 to 14
as any form of the same may he used as well as those above described and shown
in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive.
These end and middle iransverse bearing bars I and I may be of cast iron steel
or other suitable metal and they have at their ends in line with their bottom
longitudinally projecting plates or flanges provided with openings for the passage
of screws for securing the said bars to the bottom edges of the fire-box, so that
they may readily be fastened in position and correspondingly removed for repairs
or for other purposes.
These bearing bars have in their top edges segmental or semi-circular indentations it
for the reception of the water or grate bars C, so that the latter not only have a
bearing in the ends of the fire-box but are supported upon the bearing bars I and upon
the central bearing-bar I to properly support the same and also to divide the
longitudinal spaces between the water bars into two sections for two separate
series of tumbler bars D' D². The bearing bars I I' are formed with lugs which
are located on said bars on a line preferably corresponding or approximating to the
vertical centre line between the water or grate bars C. Through the lugs of said
bars or through the latter in line of said lugs are tubular openings. In the openings
of lugs of bars I are firmly secured by screws k studs or short shafts so that the
end-bars I have on one side projecting studs or fixed shafts and the middle bar has
the said studs or shafts projecting from both sides of the same as shown. Upon the
studs are loosely mounted the dogs or curved levers d for some of the tumbler bars
of each series D' D'.
In the openings of Ings of bars I l' are mounted rocker shafts K and K', separate
from one another, one for each series of tumbler bars D1 and D2 respectively, which
rocker shafts are preferably constructed and mounted as hereinafter described, and
upon them are supported or mounted other similar dogs or curved levers d for
the remaining tumbler bars. The dogs or levers d may support one or more tumbler
bars as desired.
The tumbler bars of each series have free-ends as shown and are located parallel
with the water-bars below the line of the latter as more plainly shown by full lines
in Figure 12.
The curved levers or dogs d at each end of the tumbler-bars are connected by links m
the ends m of which are formed to abut against the bottom of one side of the fire-
box when the tumbler-bars are in their normal position as indicated in full lines
Figure 12, to maintain the tumbler-bars in such normal position; the curvelinear
movements of said bars being limited by the impingement of the dogs d against the
water or grate bars as shown by dotted lines z Figure 12.
To admit of readily securing the studs or fixed shafts to the bars I and I', their
vertical sides flare outwardly from above downwardly and said bars are formed on
their undersides with longitudinal grooves ¿10, as more plainly shown in Figures 13
and 14.

page_text: The separate actuating rocker shafts K and K¹ pass from end to end of the grate
and have bearings in all the bars I 1.
The rocker-shaft K for the front section or series of tumbler-bars D¹ is made round
in cross section for the corresponding bearings or openings in the lugs on the
middle and end bars I' I and square or angular in cross section from the lug on the
front end-bar I to the opposing lug on the middle bar '; the openings in
the tumbler-bar dogs or curved levers & mounted on said square part of shaft K being
correspondingly made to fit such angular part and move therewith, so that a movement
of shaft K rocks all the dogs or levers d and tumbler-bars composing the front section
or series D¹ without moving the rear section or series D, as the round part of shaft K
rotates or rocks in corresponding openings in the dogs or levers & mounted thereon
for the series of tumbler-bars D see Figure 10.
22
To maintain the shaft K in position or to prevent longitudinal movement of same
its square part is made larger in diameter than its round part so that the ends of said
square part, abut against the opposing lugs on the front and middle bearing-bars, as
shown in Figure 10. When this is done, the opening through lug on the front
bearing-bar I is made large enough to admit of the passage through it, of the enlarged
or angular part of said shaft K. When the latter is inserted in place through the
front end of the fire-box, a thimble » is inserted in said lug opening and retained
therein by a set screw. The shaft K for the rear series of tumbler-bars is
correspondingly made, but has its angular part at its rear end or between the opposing
lugs on the middle bar and rear har I The round part of said shaft is at its
forward end, and suitable thimbles n are inserted in the openings in the front and
middle bearing bars II and also in the openings in the curved levers or dogs d
between said bearing bars, through which said shaft K¹ passes, as plainly indicated
in Figure 11.
Instead of making the angular part of shafts K K' larger in diameter or in cross-
section than that of their round part, the said portions may be of the same diameter
or size in which case the thimbles n in bearing-bars I 1¹ and in said dogs or levers d
are dispensed with, and when this is done, an annular groove may be formed in the
bars or shafts within one of the openings for engagement with a pin or set-screw
projecting into said openings to prevent longitudinal movement of shaft.
The forward ends of the rocker shafts K K¹ project out beyond the front of tho
fire-box so that actuating levers or handles not shown, can be secured thereto in the
usual or any other suitable manner.
A fire grate constructed as last described, has but one central bearing bar for two
separately actuated series of tumbler-bars, which bearing bar together with the end
bearing bars I have fixed studs or shafts for some of the tumbler bar dogs or levers d
to rock upon and also have separate rocking shafts for each series of tumbler-bars,
which rocker shafts extend from end to end of the fire grate and serve for bearings or
supports for the remaining tumbler bar dogs or levers d and when actuated move the
tumbler bars of a series to clean the fire adjacent thereto.
The rocker shafts are so connected to the end and middle bearing-bars I, 1', and the
latter are so fastened to the fire box that the bearing bars II' can readily be removed
and the tumbler-bars and rocker shafts dismounted for repairs or replacement. The
use of the rocking shafts K K¹ for shaft or support bearing for some of the
tumbler-rod dogs d admit of dispensing with the usual slotted connections or links for
said dogs.
Further, the arrangement of the end and middle bearing bars I, I having the fixed
shafts and the rocker shafts K and K' for supporting the dogs d maintain said parts
in due alignment and enhances the durability and effectiveness of the working or
Inovable parts of the fire grate.
Where only one series of tumbler bars is used for a grate of short length the
middle bar is dispensed with.
The improvements herein described are not limited to the details of construction
shown and set forth as it is obvious that they may be varied greatly without departing
from the spirit of the invention. Nor is the invention confined to water-bar grates as

page_text: it is evident that the tumbler-bars dogs and rocking mechanism may be used in
connection with dead-bar fire grates.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondents 1 declare that what I claim is :-
First. In a grate, the bearing bar B composed of separate sections connected
together so to admit of independent expansion and contraction of the same, grate
bars connecting the sections of bar B to another bearing bar B, tumbler bars C
having their shafts mounted in bearings secured to the hearing bars B and B and
actuating mechanism for the tumbler bars.
Second. In a grate, sectional bearing bars B, B', grate bars (connecting the
sections of bars B, B, tumbler bars C having shaft bearings and actuating mechanism
substantially as set forth.
Third. A grate composed of hollow supporting or bearing bars B 13' composed of
separate sections, hollow grate bars C connecting the sections of bars B, B1, tumbler
bars D having shaft bearings in boxes secured to bearing bars B B¹ and actuating
mechanism for said tumbler bars substantially as set forth.
Fourth. In a grate, the combination of bearing bar B composed of separate hollow
sections frictionally secured to a bar E to admit of independent expansion and
contraction of said sections, bearing har B' composed of separate hollow sections
having pipe couplings and flanges and boli connections 6, hollow grate bars CC
connecting the sections of bars BB', tumbler bars D D having shaft bearings in
boxes secured to the sections of bars B B₁ and actuating mechanism for said tumbler
bars substantially as set forth.
Fifth. In a grate the combination of bearing bars B B¹, one of which is composed
.of sections having flange and a bolt connection with a supporting bar, grate bars
connecting the sections, rocking arms and tumbler bars and actuating mechanism
substantially as set forth.
Sixth. In a grate the combination with bearing bars B B¹, parallel grate bars CC
grouped in pairs of separate tumbler bars D D grouped in pairs, each pair mounted
upon a common shaft with a pair of grate bars CC between them and adapted to
move in reverse directions to provide open spaces between the pairs of grate bars
and actuating mechanism for the tumbler bars substantially as set forth.
Seventh. In a grate, the combination of bearing bars B B¹, grate-bars CC separate
tumblor bars D D arranged in pairs and each pair mounted upon a common shaft
having bearings in boxes secured to bars B B¹ and actuating mechanism for tumbler-
bars D D substantially as set forth.
Eighth. The sectional water-bars B, B' combined with tubular connecting bars CC,
tumbler bars D having shafts on said bars B B₁ and actuating mechanism for
bars CC substantially as set forth.
Ninth. In a grate the combination of water bar B, composed of hollow sections
connected to a supporting bar E, grate bars C, bar B₁ composed of sections, having
pipe couplings and flange bolted connections, tumbler bars D and actuating
mechanism substantially as set forth.
Tenth. In a grate, the combination, of a bearing bar B composed of sections having
edge flanged 162, a bar E adapted to said flanges and bolt connections e passing
between said sections and engaging at one end with the sections and at the other with
bar E, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
Eleventh. In a grate the combination of a bearing bar B composed of separate
. sections, a rod E upon which said sections are strung or supported and bolt connections
engaging at one end with the sections and at the other with said bar E to divide or
space the sections from one another and secure them to said bar, substantially as set forth.
Twelfth. In a grate, the combination of bearing bars B B having openings
thimbles in said openings, angular shafts C having round journals adapted to said
thimbles rocking bars secured to said shafts and actuating mechanism for the latter
substantially as set forth.

page_text: Thirteenth. A water grate composed of sectional bearing bars B B' and connecting
grate bars adapted to expand and contract independently of each other under varying
degrees of temperature substantially as set forth.
Fourteenth. A grate composed of two parts each part having sectional bearing
bars B B', connecting grate bars C, tumbler rods C and separate actuating devices for
the tumbler rods of each part of the grate, substantially as set forth.
Fifteenth. A grate composed of sectional tubular bearing bars B B', inlet and
outlet pipe connection, and a blow off pipe leading from said inlet end substantially as
set forth.
Sixteenth. The combination, with a boiler of a furnace or fire circulating grate, pipe
connection between the boiler and grate, a feed pipe and blow off pipe, and valves in
said pipes to admit of shutting off the grate from the boiler without interfering with
the feed to the boiler, and of blowing off either the grate or boiler substantially as
set forth.
Seventeenth. The combination with a boiler, of a circulating grate, inlet pipe G
having valve g, for the grate, pipe GI connected to pipe G and leading to the bottom
of the boiler and having valve g, feed pipe G³ connected to pipe G¹ between valve g²
and pipe G, blow off cock go in pipe G, and grate outlet pipe H having valve / leading
to the top of the boiler substantially as set forth.
Eighteenth. In a grate the combination of grate bars C, C extending from end
to end of the grate having end and middle bearing bars II, fixed studs on said
bearing bars, rocker shafts K K' and tumbler bars supported on dogs part of which
have bearings on said fixed studs and the remainder have bearings on rocker
shafts K K substantially as set forth.
Nineteenth. In a grate, the combination of bearing bars I I¹, fixed studs or shafts k¹
on said bars, and rocker shafts K K' having angular portions, and dogs d with
tumbler bars Di D² on said studs and shafts K K substantially as set forth.
Twentieth. A grate having end bearing bars I and middle bearing bar I', two
separate series of tumbler bars connected to dogs some of which are mounted on
fixed shafts on bars II and others on rocker shafts mounted in said bearing bars
substantially as set forth.
Dated this 28th day of Amonst 1888
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.