Improvements in Apparatus for Heating Water by Means of Gas.
Year: 1897

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Heating Water by Means of Gas.
We, THOMAS FLETCHER and FLETCHER, RUSSELL & Co. LIMITED, both of
Thynne Street Warrington in the County of Lancaster, Manufacturers of Gas
Apparatus, 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 apparatus for heating water continuously, by means
of gas.
We will describe our improvements with reference to the accompanying drawings
in which Figure 1 represents a vertical cross section, and Figure 2, a partial inverted
plan of the tube plate.
Our improved apparatus consists of an external cylindro-conoidal casing A, to
the lower end of which there is secured the dished tube plate B, with its concave
side downwards. The lower edges of the casing and of the tube plate may be
returned to form closely fitting cylindrical surfaces which may be riveted to the
short lower cylindrical casing C, which may be supported on three or more lega D.
The upper portion of the casing A is gathered in and terminated by the short
tube E, upon which flue pipes can be fitted.
Before the apparatus is closed there are screwed or expanded into holes in the
tube plate, a series of closely arranged vertical tubes F, which extend well above
the water level.
The tube plate, which instead of being dished may be flat, may be of cast brass,
and it has cast upon its under surface, an annular series of radiating webs G, or it
may be, of equivalent projections, and a projecting ring H.
Immediately below the webs G or their equivalents, there is a circular series of
atmospheric or Bunsen gas burners I, or any equivalent ring of gas burners, and
below the tubes F, there is placed a drip funnel J, with outlet pipe j.
at E.
The hot gases from the burners ascend through the vertical tubes F and escape
Water which may be condensed on the inner surfaces of the flues, drips
from their bottom ends into the drip funnel J, and any water condensed or
creeping upon the central part of the tube plate is guided also into the funnel by
the drip ring H.
The water to be heated is supplied to the lower part of the apparatus through
a suitable inlet such as the pipe K, and the hot water issues through the outlet
pipe L.
It follows from the hereinbefore described construction that our new apparatus
includes a relatively enormous heating surface, with a high efficiency, and that the
burners cannot be fouled with water of condensation. It follows also, that as there
are no soldered joints over the flames, a temporary stoppage of water will not
necessarily cause the destruction of or damage to the apparatus, and that the
tubes F being clustered and immediately surrounded by their part of the casing,
there is no bulk of water not immediately in contact with a heating surface as
is the case when an annular series of tubes equivalent to F, are used as at present.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In 'apparatus for heating water by means of gas, an external casing having a

page_text: conoidal extension at its lower part, in combination with a bottom tube plate having
secured therein within the casing a central cluster of vertical tubes and having
cast thereon radial webs or projections, and a ring of gas burners, constructed
and arranged substantially as herein before described and as illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.
2. Apparatus for heating water by means of gas, constructed and arranged
substantially as herein before described and as illustrated by the accompanying
-drawings.
A 19
W. E. HEYS & SON,
Agents for the Applicants.
W. E. HEYS & SON,
Agents for the Applicants.