IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM GENERATOR AND OTHER FURNACES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING FUEL THERETO AND FOR FEEDING THE STEAM GENERATORS WITH WATER, AND IN THE METHOD OF MOULDING AND CASTING THE BARS FOR SUCH FURNACES, APPLICABLE ALSO IN THE CASTING OF OTHER ARTICLES."
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Ellis Rowland and William Varley, both of Manchester,
in the County of Lancaster, Engineers, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN STEAM GENERATOR AND OTHER FURNACES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR
SUPPLYING FUEL THERETO AND FOR FEEDING THE STEAM GENERATORS WITH
WATER, AND IN THE METHOD OF MOULDING AND CASTING THE BARS FOR SUCH
FURNACES, APPLICABLE ALSO IN THE CASTING OF OTHER ARTICLES."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Ellis Rowland and William
Varley at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 10th April
1879.
ELLIS ROWLAND and WILLIAM VARLEY, both of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineers, "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM GENERATOR AND OTHER FUR-
NACES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING FUEL THERETO AND FOR FEEDING THE
STEAM GENERATORS WITH WATER, AND IN THE METHOD OF MOULDING AND CASTING
THE BARS FOR SUCH FURNACES, APPLICABLE ALSO IN THE CASTING OF OTHER
ARTICLES."
Our Invention relates in the first place principally to the furnaces of steam
generators, and has for its object to promote economy in the consumption of fuel.
We usually form the fire bars in two portions or sets, one set being stationary and
the other set capable of being moved. The bars constituting the two sets are
arranged alternately, every alternate bar being a movable bar." The said movable
bars are forined at each end with a surface upon which a cam shaft acts to raise
the bar, and with a projecting part upon which the said shaft acts to draw down
the bar. Two cam shafts are employed for each set of movable bars. Each shaft
is formed or provided with a side projection or with projections which act upon the
bars to lift them and draw them down. The two shafts are mounted in suitable
bearings, and are provided with levers or handles in order that they may be caused
to rock or vibrate when the bars are to be moved. The movable bars may rest
upon the said shafts or upon suitable bearers. We prefer to form each bar with
side lugs or projections which maintain the bars at the required distances apart, or
either the fixed or the movable bars may alone be so provided. In Cornish,
Lancashire, and other internal flued boilers the bars are arranged to extend across

page_text: the furnace flue in order that one end of each shaft may come to the front of the
furnace, but we do not confine ourselves to this arrangement. To check the
emission of smoke we form the bridge with an air passage communicating with the
space below the grate and opening into the space above the fire, the outlet being in
the front of the bridge, so that the air flowing through the passage issues in a
direction forwards towards the front of the furnace and meets the gases flowing
towards the bridge. The said passage is provided with a valve or door which is
connected with a regulating lever or handle. The arrangement of furnace bars
may be used with or without the said air supply passage, and may be adapted to
furnaces other than steam generator furnaces. A second part of our Invention
relates to the casting of the bars employed in the first part of our Invention, and
is applicable in the casting of other descriptions of furnace bars and of other
articles. We employ a metal chill in conjunction with a sand mould. The chill is
formed to receive the patterns and to connect with the moulding box. When the
box is rammed up the chill and box are turned over and the chill is lifted off. The
patterns are then lifted out of the sand mould and the box and chill put together,
and the mould is then ready for the metal to be run in. To facilitate the turning
over of the mould we form the chill and box with half trunnions which are provided
with handles and hinged bolts for securing the two parts together. The mould is
mounted with the trunnions resting in hollows in a supporting frame. A third
part of our Invention relates to the feeding of the furnace with fuel. The fuel is
placed in a hopper which is mounted or formed upon the furnace door. Two fluted
rollers are mounted within this hopper, one below the other.
The lower roller is
provided with a projection or blade which works in a curved race. The said lower
roller is caused to rock in its bearings, moving slowly in one direction and quickly
in the other, and by its quick return movement feeding fuel inwards to supply the
fire. In one arrangement the lower roller is actuated by means of a wire-rope, or
chain, which is acted upon by a revolving cam, the action of which is regulated by
means of an adjustable lever which bears upon the said rope. When used in
connection with the first part of our Invention we connect the parts which actuate
the fire bars with the parts which actuate the feeding apparatus. When the said
feeding apparatus is applied to a steam generator we prefer to employ a special
apparatus for feeding the generator with water. The parts which actuate the fuel
feeding apparatus gives motion by means of a ratchet wheel and pawl to a revolving
valve which is formed with ports for the passage of steam, water, and air. As the
said valve revolves water is admitted to fill a chamber, an air escape passage being
opened. Further movements of the valve open passages for the inlet of steam and
for the flow of the water into the generator.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Ellis Rowland and William Varley in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 9th October 1879.
ELLIS ROWLAND and WILLIAM VARLEY, both of Manchester, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM GENERATOR AND OTHER FUR-
NACES, AND IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING FUEL THERETO AND FOR FEEDING THE
STEAM GENERATORS WITH WATER, AND IN THE METHOD OF MOULDING AND CASTING
THE BARS FOR SUCH FURNACES."
Our Invention relates in the first place principally to the furnaces of steam
generators, and has for its object to promote economy in the consumption of fuel.
We usually form the bars in two portions or sets, one set being stationary and the
other set capable of being moved. The bars constituting the two sets are arranged
alternately, every alternate bar being a movable bar. The said movable bars
are formed at each end with a surface upon which a cam shaft acts to raise the bar
and with a projecting part upon which the said shaft acts to draw down the bar.
Two cam shafts are employed for each set of movable bars. Each shaft is formed
or provided with a side projection or with projections which act upon the bars to
lift them and draw them down. To check the emission of smoke we form the
bridge with an air passage or series of air passages communicating with the space
below the grate and opening into the space above the fire, the outlet being in the
front of the bridge, so that the air flowing through the passages issues in a direction
forwards towards the front of the furnace and meets the gases flowing towards the
bridge. The said passage or series of passages is or are provided with a valve or
door which is connected with a regulating lever or handle. The arrangement of
furnace bars may be used with or without the said air supply passages, and may
be adapted to furnaces other than steam generator furnaces. A second part of our
Invention relates to the casting of the bars employed in the first part of our
Invention, and is applicable in the casting of other descriptions of furnace bars and
of other articles. We employ a metal chill in conjunction with a sand mould.
The chill is formed to receive the patterns and to connect with the moulding box.
When the box is rammed up the chill and box are turned over and the chill is lifted
off. The patterns are then lifted out of the sand mould and the box and chill put
together, and the mould is then ready for the metal to be run in. A third part of
our Invention relates to the feeding of the furnace with fuel. The fuel is placed in
a hopper which is mounted or formed upon the furnace door. Two rollers are
mounted within this hopper, one below the other. The lower roller is provided
with a projection or blade which works in a curved race. The said lower roller is
caused to rock in its bearings, moving slowly in one direction and quickly in the
other, and by its quick return movement feeding fuel inwards to supply the fire.
When used in connection with the first part of our Invention we connect the parts
which actuate the fire bars with the parts which actuate the feeding apparatus.,
When the said feeding apparatus is applied to a steam generator we prefer to
employ a special apparatus for feeding the generator with water.
And in order that our said Invention may be properly understood we will now
proceed more particularly to describe the system or mode of carrying the same into
practical effect, reference being had to the annexed Sheet of Drawings, and to the
letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
Fig. 1 of the said Drpwings is a sectional view of part of a locomotive or other
furnace to which the improved fire bars constituting the first part of our Invention
are shown applied. According to the arrangement which we prefer the said move-
able bars A are alternately placed side by side with fixed bars, so that in every;

page_text: range of bars there is a set of each. Snugs or projections are cast on the sides of
the bars to keep them at the proper distance apart. The fixed bars may be
supported in the ordinary manner, but the movable bars are upheld on shafts B
and C which extend across the flue at each end of each set of bars. These shafts
are provided with cams F which enter recesses formed in projections cast on the
bars A, so that when one of the said shafts is turned the corresponding ends of the
superposed bars are raised and the whole moveable set thrown into an inclined
position. By an occasional actuation of the bars in this manner the formation of
clinkers is avoided and a more free combustion of the fuel effected. The shafts B
and C may be actuated from handles on the outside. The removal of the bars is
effected by throwing both cams into the upright position shewn in dotted lines,
whereby the bars are lifted into the dotted position so that they can be easily
removed and replaced.
To provide for the clearing of the fixed bars or for furnace bars not arranged as
herein before described we may place them upon a central pivot or shaft F, and
provide a handle or prolong one of the furnace bar ends, as shewn by the dotted
lines marked G, so that the shaft F may be turned and the bars inclined towards
the front, after which the clinkers and ashes may be raked into the ash box.
Instead of placing the movable and fixed bars together at the ordinary relative
distance from one another, we have found it occasionally advantageous to have the
movable bars at a relatively greater distance apart, as they then act more effec-
tively in cutting or breaking up the large clinkers and caked parts of the fuel
When so arranged we prefer to cast the fixed bars D of the form shewn at Fig. 1*,
with very deep fingers or projections Y on each side extending towards the moveable
bar A; and we may further cast three or any greater or less number of the said
fixed bars in one piece or frame, with a view to greater expedition and convenience
in setting and fixing them in the furnace.
Another part of our Invention consists of arrangements intended to check the
emmission of smoke from furnaces by causing it to be consumed in the furnace and
flues. This may be effected by the means shewn at Figs. 2 and 3 of the Drawing,
which are respectively a longitudinal and cross section of a boiler flue or furnace.
A casting H is arranged in front of the bridge, having in it any desired number of
louvre openings or ports I. Behind the casting H is situated a sliding plate J,
which is pierced with openings corresponding to those at I, so that as the shaft K
is actuated by means of a handle or lever in front of the furnace the said ports or
openings I are shut or opened, as may be desired. The air current passing beneath
the fire bars, as indicated by the arrows (Fig. 2), becomes heated, and enters at the
back of the furnace through the ports I in a condition highly favourable to the
promoting of combustion. By being thus directed upon the unconsumed carbon-
aceous particles of the smoke the said air current supplys the necessary oxygen,
and causes the said smoke to burst into flame. The ports I may be formed in
a fire brick backing if desired, or the casting H may be faced with fire-brick
or other refractory material to protect it from the destructive influence of the
1:eat.
Our Invention relates further to the casting of the furnace bars herein before
described. We employ a metal chill, of the form shewn at Fig. 4, in conjunction
with a moulding box, as shewn at Fig. 4. The pattern of the bar A is laid upon
the chill, and the moulding flask K is placed over it and then rammed up with
sand. The flask and chill are then turned round on their trunnions M and the chill
removed, leaving the pattern in the sand. The pattern is then withdrawn, a gate
is cut in the sand, and the chill and flask are again placed together to receive the
molten metal. To ensure the accurate re-union of the flask and chill the trunnions M,
which carry them in the bearers L, are constructed as more particularly shewn at
Fig. 4b, where the trunnions on the flask are formed with an angular female pro-
jection or cover, which fits exactly over a similar male projection on the trunnions
of the chill, so that the flask and chill are brought into their exact relative positions,

page_text: and are prevented from being shifted or displaced. In removing the flask and chill
from place to place a box-key a clip may be employed, fitting over the squared ends
of the trunnions so as to lift and at the same time hold together the two halves.
Any number of moulding box halves or sand flasks may be used in conjunction
with the chill, and we do not confine ourselves to the manufacture of fire bars as
hereinbefore described, as it is evident that a similar process could be applied to the
moulding of various other objects.
At
The next part of our said Invention has reference to the feeding of fuel to steam
generators and other furnaces. In carrying this part of our Invention into effect we
mount a hopper N upon or in front of each furnace door, as shewn at Figs. 5 and 6,
Fig. 5 being partly a side elevation and partly a longitudinal section, and Fig. 6 a
front elevation of a steam boiler having our Invention applied thereto. Within
each hopper N are two rollers O and P, the upper roller O being fluted throughout
its length, while the lower roller P is recessed so as to form two inclined flat faces
or blades, the function of the upper face being to crush the coal into small particles
against the roller O, while the action of the lower face is designed to push or jerk
the powdered fuel into the furnace. The upper roller is merely carried in
bearings on the sides of the hopper N, while the lower roller P receives recipro-
catory motion from a shaft Q carried on brackets R from the front of the
boiler, and driven by means of a belt and pulley or any other suitable means.
the centre of the shaft Q two discs S and S¹ are fixed, having at their outer edge
projections T, T', which as the discs revolve engage at times with the pawl or hook
at the upper end of the levers U, U, and lift the said levers until the links V, V¹,
push the said hook out of gear with the projections T, T¹, whereupon the said levers
drop suddenly to their lowest position, where they remain until the projections
come round and once more engage with the hooks. The levers U, U', are connected
at their lower ends with arms W, W', which in their turn impart motion to the
levers X, X, fixed to the shafts of the lower rollers P, P¹. The effect of the
gradual upward movement and sudden fall of the gear, as herein before described, is
that the upper inclined flat face of the lower roller P slowly approaches the fluted
roller O, crushing the fuel between them to a coarse powder, which falls down in
front of the lower face of the roller P. The sudden reversal of the movement
causes the said lower face to start forward quickly, and to jerk the fuel in front of
it smartly out of the hopper and into the furnace. The throw of the rollers P, P¹,
may be regulated by manipulating the adjusting levers a, upon the upper ends of
which the heels of the links V, VI, rest. By causing the said levers a to approach
the shaft Q the hooks on the levers U, U¹, are sooner thrust out of gear with the
projections on the discs, and the travel of the rollers P, P¹, being thus correspondingly
limited the feed of fuel may be curtailed or increased as desired. The levers U, U¹,
may be either set to work up and down simultaneously, or they may be arranged
to rise and fall alternately, as shewn in the Drawing. The hoppers are hinged at
the side by means of the hinge bolts b, so that when desired they may be swung
round to permit of free access to the furnace. The connection of the levers X, X²,
to the arms W, W', is such as to offer no hindrance to the swinging open of the
hoppers, as the pin c merely slides into and out of the slotted way prepared for its
reception in the arms W, W'.
Figs. 5, 6, and 7 also illustrate the method of supplying the feed water to steam
generators according to our said Invention. The feed water heater d is or may be
placed in juxta position to the boiler, and is connected therewith by the pipe e.
The valve of the superposed compound safety valve rises at about, say, 50 lbs.
pressure, and the branch e¹ is intended to convey steam at about 10 lbs. pressure
to the heating pipes of a workshop or factory. The valve f¹ permits steam to enter
the tank d at about 2 lbs. pressure, but should the pressure in the tank d rise above
2 lbs. the excess steam blows off through the safety valve g, while at the same time
the water in the partitioned off part of the tank rises in the stand tube h, and by

page_text: raising the float therein situated causes the attached damper i to descend and
diminish the air draught through the furnace. The feed water is admitted into the
partitioned off portion of the tank through an inlet valve k, which is opened or
shut according as the fleat in the outer part of the tank rises or falls with the
increase or decrease of water in the tank. We prefer to construct the weights on
the spindle of the valve f in such a manner that when placed together and in situ
each weight will lock its neighbour, so as to prevent them from being shaken off by
any vibration or movements of the boiler, such, for example, as might in the case of
marine boilers take place on board ship. We form each weight, as shewn at Figs. 8
and 9, with a tapered tooth or projection m, which takes into a corresponding
recess n in the next weight, and as the spindle slot in each weight is alternately
turned in different directions, as the weights are built on the spindle, they are all
locked immoveably together.
The feed pump is situated within the tank d, and is shewn in section at Fig. 5
of the Drawings. It is driven, as shewn, through a crank o and adjustable lever p
from a shaft q, or otherwise it may be operated manually by means of the handle r.
The plungers is bored to receive a butterfly valve t, and the upper dome shaped
part of the pump barrel has a foot valve u. When the up stroke is taking place
the water above the plunger lifts the valve u, and when the plunger has about
completed its stroke and cleared the barrel of water, the head of the butterfly
valve t comes into contact with the foot valve u, and remains in contact therewith
until on the return stroke the valve u is replaced in its seat, and the plunger
pursues its downward course, the almost absolute vacuum thus preserved between
the two valves causing the pump barrel to become completely filled with water,
owing to the non-admission of air above the plunger. We prefer to employ metallic
packing for the pump plunger, arranged as more particularly shewn at Fig. 10,
which is a plan view of the lower end of the pump barrel. A split ring v is placed
in the recess surrounding the plunger, and is compressed by an encompassing
spring w, the pressure of which may be increased or diminished by increasing or
diminishing the size of the small rollers x, which are interposed between the
split ring and the spring w. The water is forced from the pump through the
pipe y into the boiler, as shewn, and a stand pipe z is placed in connection with
the said pipe y in order to carry the steam and water gauge glasses, as shewn, the
latter being displaced from their ordinary situation by the hoppers and gear for
feeding the fuel. We do not however regard this displacement of the gauge glasses
as a disadvantage, for by being isolated from the boiler front they can be kept
more easily clean, and are less liable to become broken than when in their usual
position.
Having now described our said Invention, and the system, mode, or manner
whereby the same is or may be used or carried into practical effect, we would
observe in conclusion that what we consider to be novel and original, and therefore
claim as the Invention secured to us, is as follows:-
First. The improved moveable furnace bars constructed, arranged, and actuated as
hereinbefore described and shewn.
:
Second. The method of and means for moulding furnace bars and other articles
by means of a sand mould and chill, substantially as hereinbefore described and
shewn.
Third. Supplying heated air to furnaces by the means and in the manner herein-
before described and shewn.
Fourth. The arrangement and construction of apparatus for supplying fuel to
furnaces, or any mere modification of the same, substantially as described and
shewn.
Fifth. The general arrangement and construction of apparatus for regulating the
drought and for ounnlyzing food enter to steam conomato and nextionlely the

page_text: construction of the feed pump, all substantially as hereinbefore described and
shewn.
In witness whereof, I, the said Ellis Rowland, for myself and on behalf of the
said William Varley, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Third day
of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy
nine.
igned, sealed, and delivered
this Third day of October 1879,
in presence of
EDWARD K. DUTTON,
St. Ann's Churchyard,
Manchester.
ELLIS ROWLAND. (L.S.)