IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUC- TION OF STEAM BOILERS OR GENERATORS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Charles Watts, of Leadenhall Street, in the City
of London, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUC-
TION OF STEAM BOILERS OR GENERATORS."
Sealed the 18th November 1879, and dated the 21st May 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Thomas Charles Watts at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 21st May 1879.
THOMAS CHARLES WATTS, of Leadenhall Street, in the City of London, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM BOILERS OR GENERATORS."
My Invention relates to the construction of steam boilers or generators in a novel
and peculiar manner, whereby, in square, oblong, hexagonal, or other boilers of a
form or configuration which will not enable them when unsupported to sustain the
pressure that steam boilers are required to bear, I am enabled to avoid the use of
the ordinary stays and flanged joints which have heretofore been necessary in boilers
of this class. Moreover, this improved construction affords a large grate and heating
surface, and has the further advantages of great simplicity, durability, easy accessi-
bility, compactness, safety, cheapness of manufacture, and economy of fuel in use.
My said Invention consists in the employment in a steam boiler of the form or
class above specified of tubes in the place of ordinary stays, which tubes are
arranged in the said boiler in all directions or positions in which staying or support
against internal pressure is required, and which tubes at the same time serve for the
passage of the heat and products of combustion.
I prefer that the boiler should be square, or approximately so, and to arrange the
said tubes in such a manner that they extend longitudinally, transversely, and
vertically through the said boiler. I enclose the boiler within a suitable casing,
between which and the sides of the boiler are spaces or passages which serve to
conduct the products of combustion from the grate to the flues, and from the flues
to the chimney. I thus stay or support the ends, the sides, and the top and bottom
of the boiler in the most efficient manner, while allowing the heat and products of
31

page_text: combustion to pass through the same at least three times, and around or along the
whole of the outer surfaces of the said boiler before entering the chimney.
The aforesaid tubes may be of any suitable diameter, and although I prefer to avoid
the use of ordinary stay rods, bolts, or bars, yet, if desired, these may be employed
in combination with the stay tubes. The external shape or configuration of the
boiler may be adapted to the place or position which it is destined to occupy.
The feed water pipe may be passed through the said casing, and around or above
the boiler, in such a manner as to ensure the heating of the feed water; and the
steam-supply pipe may be arranged in a similar manner, so that the steam may be
superheated.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Thomas Charles Watts in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 21st
November 1879.
THOMAS CHARLES WATTS, of Leadenhall Street, in the City of London, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF STEAM BOILERS OR GENERATORS."
My Invention relates to the construction of steam boilers or generators in a novel
and peculiar manner, whereby, in square, oblong, or hexagonal boilers, or other
boilers of a form or configuration which will not enable them when unsupported to
sustain the pressure that steam boilers are required to bear, I am enabled to avoid
the use of the ordinary stays and flanged joints and similar devices which have
heretofore been necessary in boilers of this class. Moreover, this improved construc-
tion affords a large grate and heating surface, and has the further advantages of
great simplicity, durability, easy accessibility, compactness, safety, cheapness of
manufacture, and economy of fuel in use.
My said Invention consists in the employment in a steam boiler of the form or
class above specified of tubes in the place of ordinary stays or supporting devices,
which tubes are arranged in the said boiler in all directions or positions in which
staying or support against internal pressure is required, and which tubes at the
same time serve for the passage of the heated products of combustion.

page_text: The aforesaid tubes c, d, e, may be of any suitable diameter, and are secured in
the boiler shell, when desired, by double nuts at each end, as shewn at h; and
although I greatly prefer to avoid entirely the use of ordinary stay rods, bolts, or
bars, yet in certain cases it may be desirable to use these devices in combination
with the said stay tubes, and they may be so employed.
The boiler is set in its metal or brickwork framing so that its different parts are
easily accessible, and the external shape or configuration of the said boiler may be
adapted to the place or position which it is destined to occupy.
In order to permit easy access to the said tubes, to allow of the cleaning out of
the same, in the boiler shewn in Figures 1, 2, 3, I arrange, at the sides of the boiler,
doors,, for cleaning the tubes d, e, and I also provide a door in the top of such
casing for cleaning the tubes c.
In Figure 4 the doors for cleaning out the tubes c and d are arranged at the sides
of the casing, as in Figures 1 to 3; but the door 2 to permit access to the tubes e is
arranged at the bottom of the boiler and in the chamber or space 63. % represents
a horizontal steam chest placed above the boiler a, and to which the supply pipe of
the engine may be connected in any suitable manner.
The feed water pipe may be passed through the casing b, and around or above
the boiler, in such a manner as to ensure the heating of the feed water, and the
steam supply pipe may be arranged in a similar manner, so that the steam may be
superheated.
Having thus fully described my said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I claim―.
A steam boiler or generator stayed or supported against internal pressure in three
or more directions by tubes, which also serve to conduct the products of combustion
through the said boiler, as above set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Charles Watts, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twentieth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.