Improvements in Steam Boilers.
Year: 1899

page_text: Complete Specification Left, 28th Sept., 1900-Accepted, 17th Nov., 1900
Improvements in Steam Boilers.
I, EDMUND INGRAHAM, Machinist, of 1003, Arrott Street, Frankford, Phila-
delphia, United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to steam boilers of marine, locomotive or stationary
type; and has for its object to increase their efficiency and promote their
durability.
The invention consists in certain improved means for heating the feed water
by specially utilizing the exhaust steam from the engine and also the hot gases
passing from the boiler fire-box on their way to the stack; the live steam also
being superheated on its way to the engine, all as hereinafter described.
The main boiler is of the ordinary locomotive type having a fire-box and a
body containing fire tubes. Above the fire-box and body is located an exhaust
chamber which has its own independent bottom separated from the main boiler
by a layer of asbestos. The chamber is supported by its side flanges bolted to
upper flanges of angle-irons fastened along opposite sides of the main boiler.
The top and side walls of the chamber located above the fire-box and body
and the angle-irons fastened along opposite sides of the main boiler extend
rearward beyond the main boiler and in connection with bottom, side and end
plates, form a casing providing within it a combustion chamber having com-
municating rear portion, bottom portion and opposite side portions, the latter
opening into the smoke stack. The front ends of casing preferably curve forward
and upward to the stack, and the bottom of the casing is preferably dropped
across the rear end of the fire-box to form a cinder receiving pocket or trap
having a suitably hinged and latched door, permitting downward discharge of
accumulated cinders too heavy to be drawn off through the smoke stack. The
casing is preferably made in sections facilitating its atachment to or removal from
the main boiler.
the
Within the exhaust steam chamber is ranged a water pipe coil to the end.
of which a pump or injector feeding water to
boiler will be
connected. The other end of this pipe coil extends from this chamber through
part of the combustion chamber to the top of one end of a mud-drum, which
I locate preferably at the rear bottom corner of the combustion chamber, and
behind a plate partitioning off a part of said chamber and guarding the drum
from the direct high heat of the gases of combustion and thereby preventing
incrustation of sedinient within the drum and facilitating its deposit at the
bottom thereof.
I make the mud-drum with a partial partition near each end, thus dividing
it into two small end compartments and a larger central one. The
partitions fit the bottom and sides of the drum but are cut away
at the top for about one-fifth of their area to give water passage
only over them. The end of the pipe coil enters one end compartment and the

page_text: end of a longer water circulating pipe coil enters the other end compartment
of the drum and preferably below the top of the adjacent partition. This pipe
coil is disposed in the lower part and in lower side parts of the combustion
chamber. The other end of the pipe coil circulating the water enters the casing
of a check valve from which a nipple enters the body of the main boiler to
supply feed water thereto from the circulating pipe coil. I prefer to locate
another check valve at the water inlet end of pipe coil circulating the water,
to prevent blowing-back" in the mud-drum or upper exhaust chamber, should
the generation of steam in the feed pipe coil have any such tendency.
A pipe supplies exhaust steam from an engine or other steam using agent
to one end of the exhaust steam chamber to the other end of which is preferably
connected a suitable valve which is at the junction of a pipe connecting with
a steam condensor and a pipe leading into the stack for increasing the draft
therein, and it may also be for relieving or cutting out the condensor when it
is being repaired.
Live steam for use in engine cylinders or otherwise is taken from the dome
above the boiler fire-box by two branch pipes which pass rearward through
the combustion chamber in the casing, and again converge in the part com-
prising the rear. portion of said chamber to a common supply pipe leading to
the engine. The main boiler has the usual fire-door and the casing has doors
giving access to the combustion chamber for clearing its inner walls from soot
and ashes and for cleaning the water and steam circulation pipes in said chamber.
In operation, feed water forced by a pump or injector into the end of the
pipe coil, passes for a considerable distance through said coil meanwhile being
subjected to the heating effect or exhaust steam entering the exhaust steam
chamber from pipe supplying the exhaust steam from an engine, and leaving
it through a valve to the condensor or stack. After passing through the coil
the feed water now at a comparatively high temperature passes into and through
the end of the pipe coil which is directly subjected to the very high temperature
of the hot products passing from the main boiler fire tubes into the combustion
chamber, and whereby the temperature of the feed water is further increased.
From the conduit the feed water passes to one small end chamber of the mud-
drum, issuing below the top of the adjacent partition therein. The pressure of
the injector induces circulation of the feed water through the mud-drum over
the tops of the two or more partitions therein to the end of the pipe coil which
preferably is below the level of the last partition. On its way through the
mud-drum the water deposits most of its sediment to the bottom of the drum
whence the sediment may be expelled occasionally through a blow-off cock
provided for this purpose.
After entering the feed water circulates through the long pipe coil in the
combustion chamber and passes into and through the check valve into the
main boiler. Obviously the circulation of the already heated feed water through
the pipe coil greatly increases its temperature and at times considerable steam
may he evolved in this coil, hence the use of the check valve to prevent "blowing-
back"
as above described. Of necessity the feed water passes very hot into
the boiler, in fact above the steaming point and the water is also quite free
from sediment, whereby fuel is largely economized and quick scaly incrustation
of the boiler is prevented.
The steam easily generated in the boiler from the highly heated feed water
is superheated in passing to the engine through the pipes also traversing the
combustion chamber within the casing and issues to the engine cylinders in dry
condition for most effective service.
Besides the advantages accruing from highly heated feed water and super-
heated steam, I obtain the further great advantage of enclosing the main boiler
for the most part in a heated jacket formed by the top exhaust steam chamber
and the combustion chamber within the casing, whereby the main boiler is
protected to a degree preventing undue expansion or contraction of its parts,

page_text: thereby promoting its good steaming qualities and also its durability. Indeed,
it may be said that the arrangement of the combustion chamber assures a fuel
consumption somewhat like that in a reverberatory furnace.
The water circulation coils, need not be heavy as they are not subjected to
great pressure, hence the coils add but little to the weight or size of a boiler
of any standard size, and either alone or in conjunction with the live steam
superheating pipes, will greatly increase the working capacity of such boiler
because it very largely increases its area of heating surface.
My improved boiler is especially adapted for service as a marine boiler as
will be readily seen by those familiar with steam generating and using
appliances.
As applied to stationary boilers my improvements make them entirely self-
contained, hence no expensive brick settings are necessary and large absorption
of furnace heat by heavy masonry is obviated.
Dated this 27th day of December 1899.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.
I, EDMUND INGRAHAM, Machinist, of 1003, Arrott Street, Frankford, Phila-
delphia, U.S.A., 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 steam boilers of marine, locomotive, or stationary
type, and has for its object to increase their efficiency and promote their
durability.
The invention consists in certain improved means for heating the feed-water
by specially utilising the exhaust steam from the engine and also the hot gases
passing from the boiler fire box on their way to the stack, the live steam also
being superheated on its way to the engine, all as hereinafter described and
claimed.
In the accompanying drawings:-Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved
steam boiler with parts broken away and in section. Fig. 2 is a transverse
vertical sectional view taken on the line - in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a front
end elevation of the boiler.
The main boiler (shown in the drawings) is of the ordinary locomotive type,
having a fire-box 1 and a body 2, containing fire tubes 3.
Above the fire-box
and body is located an exhaust steam chamber 4, which has its own inde-
pendent bottom 5 separated from the main boiler by a layer of asbestos. The
chamber 4 is supported by its side flanges bolted to upper flanges of angle
irons 77, fastened along opposite sides of the main boiler. The top and side
walls of chamber 4 and the angle irons 7 extend rearward beyond the main
boiler and in connection with bottom, side, and ends plates 8 form a casing,
providing within it a combustion chamber having communicating rear portion 9,
bottom portion 10, and opposite side portions 11 11, the latter opening at 12
into the smoke-stack 13. The front ends of casing 8 preferably curve forward
and upward to the stack, and the bottom of the casing is preferably dropped,
across the rear end of the fire-box to form a cinder-receiving pocket or trap 14,
having a suitably hinged and latched door 15, permitting downward discharge
of accumulated cinders too heavy to be drawn off through the smoke stack. The-

page_text: .
casing 8 is preferably made in sections, facilitating its attachment to or removal
from the main boiler.
Within the exhaust steam chamber 4 is arranged a water pipe coil 16, to
the end 16 of which a pump or injector feeding water to the boiler will be
connected. The other end 16 of this pipe coil extends from chamber 4,
through part 9 of the combustion chamber, to the top of one end of a mud
drum 17, which I locate, preferably, at the rear bottom corner of the combustion
chamber and behind a plate 18, partitioning off a part of said chamber and
guarding the drum from the direct high heat of the gases of combustion, and
thereby preventing incrustation of sediment within the drum and facilitating
its deposit at the bottom thereof. I make the mud drum with a partial
partition 19 near each end, thus dividing it into two small end compartments
and a larger central one. The partitions fit the bottom and sides of the drum,
but are cut away at the top for about one fifth of their area to give water
passage only over them. The end 16b of pipe coil 16 enters one end compart-
ment, and the end 20% of a longer water circulating pipe coil 20 enters the other
end compartment of the drum and preferably below the top of the adjacent
partition 19. This pipe coil 20 is disposed in the lower part 10 and in lower
side parts 11 11 of the combustion chamber and may more or less fill these
portions of the chamber. The other end 20b of pipe coil 20 enters the casing
of a check valve 21, from which a nipple enters the body 2 of the main boiler
to supply feed water thereto from the pipe coil 20. I prefer to locate another
check valve 22 at the water inlet end of pipe coil 20 to prevent "blowing back "
in the mud drum 14 or upper exhaust steam chamber 4 should the generation
of steam in the feed pipe coil 20 have any such tendency.
A pipe 23 supplies exhaust steam from an engine or other steam using agent
to one end of the chamber 4, to the other end of which is preferably connected
a suitable valve 24, which is at the junction of a pipe 25, connecting with a
steam condenser and a pipe 26, leading into the stack 13, for increasing the
draught therein, and it may be also for relieving or cutting out the condenser
when it is being repaired.
Live steam for use in engine cylinders or otherwise is taken from the dome 27
above the boiler fire box by two branch pipes 28 28, which pass rearwards
through the combustion chamber in the casing 8 and again converge in the
part. 9 of said chamber to a common supply pipe 29, leading to the engine.
The main boiler has the usual fire door 30. and the casing 8 has doors 31,
giving access to the combustion chamber for clearing its inner walls from soot
and ashes and for cleaning the water and steam circulation pipes in said chamber.
In operation feed water forced by a pump or injector into the end 16 of the
pipe coil 16 passes for a considerable distance through said coil, meanwhile
being subjected to the heating effect of exhaust steam entering chamber 4 from
pipe 23 and leaving it through valve 24 to the condenser or stack.
After passing
through coil 16 the feed water, now at a comparatively high temperature, passes
into and through the end 16b of the pipe coil, which is directly subjected to
the very high temperature of the hot products passing from the main boiler
fire-tubes 3 into the combustion chamber and whereby the temperature or the
feed water is further increased. From conduit 16 the feed water passes to one
small end chamber of the mud drum 17, issuing below the top of the adjacent
partition 19 therein. The pressure of the injector induces circulation of the
feed water through the mud drum over the tops of the two or more partitions 19
therein to the end 20ª of the pipe coil 20, which preferably is below the level
of the last partition 19. On its way through the mud drum the water deposits
most of its sediment to the bottom of the drum, whence the sediment may be
expelled occasionally through a blow-off cock 32, provided for this purpose.
After entering at 20 the feed water circulates through the long pipe coil 20
in the combustion chamber and passes at 20b into and through the check
valve 21 into the main boiler. Obviously the circulation of the already heated

page_text: feed water through pipe coil 20 greatly increases its temperature, and at times
considerable steam may be evolved in this coil. Hence the use of check valve 22
to prevent blowing back as above described. Of necessity the feed water passes
very hot into the boiler--in fact, above the steaming point-and the water is
also quite free from sediment, whereby fuel is largely economised and quick
scaly incrustation of the boiler is prevented. The steam easily generated in
the boiler from the highly heated feed water is superheated in passing to the
engine through the pipes 28, also traversing the combustion chamber within
the casing 8, and issues to the engine cylinders in dry condition for most
effective service.
Besides the advantages accruing from highly heated feed water and super-
heated steam I obtain the further great advantage of enclosing the main boiler
for the most part in a heated jacket formed by the top exhaust steam chamber 4
and the combustion chamber within the casing 8 whereby the main boiler is
protected in a degree, preventing undue expansion or contraction of its parts
thereby promoting its good steaming qualities and also its durability. Indeed,
it may be said that the arrangement of the combustion chamber assures a fuel
consumption somewhat like that in a reverberatory furnace.
The water circulation coils 16 20 need not be heavy as they are not subjected
to great pressure. Hence the coils add but little to the weight or size of a
boiler of any standard size, and either alone or in conjunction with the live
steam superheating pipes 28 will greatly increase the working capacity of such
boiler, because it very largely increases its area or heating surface.
My improved boiler is specially adapted for service as a marine boiler, as
will readily be seen by those familiar with steam generating and using
appliances.
As applied to stationary boilers my. improvements make them entirely self-
contained. Hence no expensive brick settings are necessary and large adoption
of furnace heat by heavy masonary is obviated.
I do not herein claim the superheater mechanism nor the cinder trap con-
struction for cleaning out the lower or draft jacket, such parts forming the
subject matter of distinct and separate inventions my present application being
designed to cover the improved feed water heater construction for boilers.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:
1. A steam boiler comprising the body portion having the nre box, a chamber
provided above said body portion and having exhaust steam inlet and outlet,
the stack, a condenser or utilizer of exhaust steam, a feed water heating coil
contained in said top chamber a casing forming at the rear and bottom and
sides of the main boiler a combustion chamber, two discharge pipes communi-
cating with the top chamber outlet, one of said pipes entering the stack and
the other leading to the condenser or other utilizer of the exhaust steam after
its passage through the chamber for heating the feed water coil, valve mechanism
controlling outlet of the exhaust steam to either of said discharge pipes, a lower
feed water heating coil in the combustion chamber, and a pipe in line of
communication between said lower and upper feed water heating coils.
2. A steam boiler comprising the body portion having the fire box, and
exhaust steam chamber provided above said body portion and having inlet and
outlet, the stack, a feed water heating coil contained in said top chamber, a
casing forming at the rear and bottom and sides of the main boiler a combustion
chamber receiving hot products from the boiler furnace and passing them forward
to the stack, a lower feed water heating coil in said combustion chamber con-
necting with the boiler, and a pipe in the line of communication between the
latter coil and the upper feed water coil in the exhaust steam chamber and
passing through the combustion chamber to be heated therein.

page_text: 3. A steam boiler, comprising the body portion having the fire box, and
exhaust steam chamber provided above said body portion and having inlet and
outlet, a stack, feed water, heating coil contained in said top chamber, a casing
forming at the rear, bottom and sides of the main boiler, a combustion chamber
receiving hot products from the boiler furnace and passing them forward to the
stack, a lower feed water heating coil in said combustion chamber connecting
with the main boiler, a mud drum in the combustion chamber communicating
with the lower feed water coil, and a conduit for the upper feed water coil
passing through the combustion chamber and entering the mud drum and
establishing circulation between the two feed water coils, the drum and the
boiler.
.
4. A steam boiler having an upper exhaust-steam chamber containing a feed
water heating coil, a casing forming a combustion chamber at the rear, bottom-
and sides of the main boiler and carrying its furnace products forward to the
stack, a lower feed water coil in said combustion chamber, a mud drum in the
combustion chamber having two or more partial partition's open at the top only,
a pipe passing through the combustion chamber and delivering feed water from
the upper exhaust steam chamber pipe coil to one end of the mud drum below
the top of the adjacent partition and a pipe leading from the other end of the
mud drum below the top of the adjacent partition and connecting with the lower
coil delivering the hot clarified feed water to the boiler.
5. A steam boiler having an exterior casing forming a combustion cliamber
at its rear, bottom and sides and delivering its furnace products forward to the
stack and upper exhaust steam chamber having inlet and outlet and containing
a feed water heating coil a lower feed water heating coil in the combustion
chamber, a mud drum in the latter chamber, pipes connecting the druin and
the upper and lower feed water coils, and a check valve at the lower coil
preventing "blowing back" to the mud drum and upper feed water coil.
Dated this 28.1 day of September 1900.
WHEATLEY & MACKENZIE,
40, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents.