Means for Promoting Circulation in Water and Steam Boilers.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Apr., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 13th Jan., 1891-Accepted, 4th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by HOGAN ENGINEERING COMPANY, a Corporation
organized under the Laws of the State of New York and doing business at
66, Duane Street, in the City and State of New York.]
Means for Promoting Circulation in Water and Steam Boilers.
I, OLIVER IMRAY, of No. 28, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in the
County of London, Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to promote the circulation in water and steam
boilers, which is effected partly by furnishing distinct channels for the upward and
downward movement of the water, partly, by facilitating the downward movement
of the fluid in the colder parts of the boiler while obstructing any movement of the
fluid into such portions from the hotter parts of the boiler; in some cases by
furnishing the boiler with an external water jacket, and in other cases by dividing
the water space into separate water sections having intervening sinoke chambers,
with central nozzles for the upward movement of the fluid, and external pockets
connected by thimbles to form downward passages for the colder fluid.
The generic feature of the invention may be embodied in a variety of con-
structions, but its operation may be illustrated by means of two water chambers,
one located over the fire box and perforated to permit the escape of the smoke
into contact with the second chamber, which latter would be supported above the
first, and provided with a central connection thereto for the upward movement of
the fluid.
The lower portions of the two chambers would be connected by conductors pro-
tected from the heat of the fire. Such conductors being colder than the central
connection, and connected with the lower parts of the two chambers, would furnish
a natural passage for the downward movement of the colder fluid, while the central
connection being attached to the lower chamber over the hottest part of the fire,
furnishes a natural avenue for the upward movement of the heated and expanded
fluid.
A delivery pipe would be attached to the top of the upper chamber, and sup-
posing the boiler to be connected with a system of radiators heated by hot water, a
constant supply of the hottest fluid in the boiler would be driven upward through
the central passage and delivered to such radiators, and when chilled would be
returned from the same to the lower part of the boiler. The circulation within a
boiler of almost any construction would be quite active if the heating radiators
were connected to the upper and lower parts of the boiler so long as the radiators
were in use; but when the delivery from such boiler is cut off, the internal circula-
tion is often so defective for want of proper circulating passages, that the water
stagnates in certain portions of the boiler, permitting the metal to become very
much overheated and the boiler to be injured.
The advantage of the present invention is that the provision of two distinct
passages, one colder than the other, furnishes positive and ample means for main-
taining a perfect circulation within the boiler when the flow from the boiler to the
radiators is cut off. An essential feature of the invention therefore consists in
providing for the downward movement of the boiler fluid, one or more water
passages which are guarded from the direct effects of the heat in the fire box,
and which are preferably separated at least by a partition from the main body of
heated fluid within the boiler.
The downward movement of the water in such passages is facilitated not only by
its lower temperature but by its separation from the boiling fluid, the movement of

page_text: In
which tends greatly to obstruct the formation of any downward currents.
applying the invention to boilers made of sheet metal, the downward channels may
be provided by inserting partitions in the water legs, or by furnishing separate
circulating pipes exterior to the boiler, and connected thereto at the upper and
lower parts of the same. In applying the invention to cast iron boilers, which are
now commonly used for supplying heating radiators with hot water, the passages
for the downward movement of the water may be readily formed upon the exterior
of the boiler by casting suitable pockets or channels therein.
Where such cast iron boilers are formed of separate sections, divided by inter-
mediate smoke spaces, and connected by nozzles at different points, the passage
for the upward flow may be provided by forming certain nozzles to connect all the
horizontal sections at some point over the hottest part of the fire, and the passages
or channels for downward circulation may be provided by forming hollow pro-
jections or pockets from the opposite sides of the sections, and connecting
such pockets by thimbles to form continuous vertical passages. The circulation
is equalized upon opposite sides of the boiler by thus disposing the pockets,
but a similar equalization may be effected by disposing three or more such pockets
around the sections at equal distances.
To obstruct the upward movement of the fluid from such colder passages into
the different sections, the outlet from each section into such passage is preferably
made through the bottom of such section or near its lower side, by which cou-
struction the colder fluid in the section may descend into such cool passages, while
the hotter fluid in the upper part of the section would find no outlet in the same
direction.
Such a construction furnishes what is termed a trapped circulation, facilitating
the movement of colder fluid from any of the sections downwardly, while obstructing
the outward flow of any of the heated fluid. The heated fluid is thus driven to the
central connection to ascend within the boiler, and such movement toward the
central passage is facilitated by forming the different sections with a sloping or
domed surface. The downward outlet from each section to the cool passages upon
the outside of the boiler, may be formed by making a hollow water ring upon the
lower side of each section at its periphery, and forming the projecting pockets upon
the exterior of such water ring to be connected by intermediate thimbles. Such
water ring encloses the smoke space intermediate to each pair of sections, and pre-
vents the radiation of heat from the boiler, while it retains a body of water
around the boiler which forms a water jacket detached in great part from the
circulation within the boiler, and thus maintained at a lower temperature to reduce
the radiation.
The trapped circulation is effected in certain constructions by inserting deflectors
projecting downwardly in the outlets from the several boiler sections to the
external cool passages, and such deflectors may be used in various constructions of
boilers to effect the same result.
Dated this 15th day of Auril 1890.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Means for Promoting Circulation in Water and Steam Boilers.
I, OLIVER IMRAY, of No. 28, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in
the County of London, Fellow of the Institute of Patent Agents, 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:-
The object of this invention is to promote the circulation in water and steam
boilers having sections supported side by side, or one above the other, and this

page_text: object is effected partly, by furnishing distinct channels for the upward and down-
ward movement of the water, and partly, by facilitating the downward movement
of the fluid in the cooler parts of the boiler, while obstructing any movement of
the fluid into such portions from the hotter parts of the boiler.
Such a result is secured by providing connections between the upper parts of the
several sections for the upward passage of the hotter fluid, and separate connections
between the lower parts of the sections for the downward passage of the cooler
Huid, the cooler fluid being preferably protected from the gases heated in the fire
box.
The invention is shown herein applied to house heating boilers which are com-
monly made by dividing the water space into separate cast iron perforated water
sections having intermediate smoke chambers; but the invention may be applied to
boilers divided into two parts only, as a fire box section and a reservoir section ;
which construction I have shown in a separate Application for Patent.
The invention will be understood by reference to the annexed drawing, in which
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a sectional cast iron boiler;
Fig. 2 a plan of one of the water sections over the fire box;
Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the same on line a, a, in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a section of the fire box at right angles to that shown in Fig. 3;
Fig. 5 is a section of the top ring of fire box on line Y, Y, in Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a section of the bottom ring of fire box on line c, x, in Fig. 4;
Fig. 7 is a view of the thimble for coupling two water sections; and
Fig. 8 is a section through the coupling of two pockets on line =,, in Fig. 5.
Fig. 9 is a section of an alternative construction for trapping the water
circulation, showing the right hand side of two water sections;
Fig. 10 is a similar view of another modification;
Fig. 11 illustrates the application of the invention to a boiler formed vertically
into sections, one of such sections being divided upon the middle line w, w, in
Fig. 12, which is a plan of such section.
In Figs. 1 to 8, the boiler is shown formed with annular fire box sections A
and B, four hollow horizontal sections C, D, E, and F, and a top section G,
from which the heated fluid is discharged. H is the ash pit and I a door
aperture in the section B.
Hollow lugs or pockets k are projected from two
sections B to G inclusive, and are connected by thimbles
with jam nuts l'.
opposite sides of the
screwed into the lugs,
The sections C to G as shown in Fig. 2, are round and formed at the centre
with nozzles n adapted to fit into one another, and perforated to form a central
connecting passage p
The top section is furnished with water outlet pipe o, and the bottom section
with a water inlet pipe i.
Depending rings or water legs a are projected downward from the margin of the
sections C to G inclusive, thus separating the sections by intermediate smoke
chambers e.
b,, are smoke passages through the sections, and 2 an internal guard adjacent
to the water leg and pocket k, as shown in Fig. 2, where the top plate of one of
the sections is broken away. The smoke passages are provided at opposite sides
of the nozzles n to heat the fluid in the central water passage p.
The top of each section, as shown in Fig. 3, is domed or sloped upward toward
the nozzle n to facilitate the movement of the heated fluid toward the centre of
the boiler.
Pipes upon the top section, form, with the thimbles I, a continuous external
passage to the section B for the return fluid from the radiators, and a smoke flue o¹
is extended from the top chamber e through the top section, to connect with a
chimney.
The fire pot section A as shown in Fig. 6, is divided vertically by an annular
partition d having an opening d¹ formed therein opposite the nozzle i, forming an

page_text: external channel d² connected with nozzle, and an internal channel-connected
by hollow lugs m with similar lugs m' upon the fire box section B above it. This
section is merely a hollow ring with aperture 1 in one side to admit fuel.
Bosses m² are formed upon the section C to connect with the lugs m', by which
the fluid, introduced at the nozzles i, is led to the superposed sections.
The coupling for connecting these sections is shown in Figs. 7 and 8, where the
lug m is shown formed with a conical seat f, and the lug m with a threaded hole
to fit a threaded tube f¹.
The tube has a split collar f fitted internally to a groove in the sleeve, and
externally to the conical seat f.
A. groove or rib f³ is formed inside the sleeve to turn it by means of a suitable
wrench.
By this construction, the sections A, B and C, may be tightly connected together
at the lugs; and an annular tongue g' fitted to a groove g² in the surface of the lug,
serves to centre the same and hold in place any packing inserted in the joint.
The thimbles are formed with right and left threads, and the several sections
are made with clearance 2 adjacent to the pockets k; by which construction the
screwing of the thimbles into the pockets operates to press the nozzles » into close
contact with one another to form a water tight joint.
The thimbles thus serve to maintain all the joints between the sections D, E, F
and G.
The pockets and thimbles being exterior to the water legs a, are much colder
than the contents of the boiler, and thus serve as downward conductors for the
return fluid from radiators, when the latter are in connection with the boiler.
When the radiators are cut off, these cooler conductors serve for a downward
circulation through the boiler to supply the place of the fluid which rises when
heated through the central passage p.
The pockets being open to the water leg at the margin of each section, serve as
intermediate connections between the colder conductors and the contents of the
section, and thus permit a circulation of the colder fluid from such section down-
ward, when required.
To prevent the heated fluid within the section from flowing into the pockets, I
provide a deflector at the entrance of each pocket. Such deflector may consist in
the wall of the water leg a, when the pocket is attached at its lower edge, as shown
in Fig. 3; or the pockets may be extended directly from the margin of the section
as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, and the deflector may be formed as a plate or tube
projected downwardly within the upper part of the pocket where it is connected
with the exterior conductor.
In Fig. 9, the thimbles are shown projected downward within the upper side
of the pocket, thus preventing the fluid in contact with the upper side of the section
from entering the thimble.
In Fig. 10, a plate c is projected downward from the top side of the pocket, and
performs the same function in relation to the thimble.
By any of these constructions, the circulation may be regarded as trapped, and
the heated water directed positively toward the central passage p, while all the
colder fluid of the boiler is admitted freely to the pockets and to the relatively
cool passages formed by the thimble 1.
The cooler fluid in the boiler is thus returned positively to the fire box section,
where it is exposed to the greatest heat.
The domed or sloping surface formed upon the top of each section facilitates the
movement of the heated water to the central passage p, and the entire effect of the
construction is to propel the hottest water in the boiler forcibly from the water
outlet o upon the top section.
The depending rings or water legs a upon the margins of the several sections
are located between the central passage p and the cooler outside pockets k, and are
connected together by the thimbles 1. A rapid circulation may, however, exist
downward in the thimbles and upward in the passage p, without materially

page_text: disturbing the water in the water legs a or depending rings surrounding the smoke
spaces e, and the series of water legs thus constitute a water jacket in which the
water is not in circulation and does not therefore receive any material amount of
heat from the fire.
Such a water jacket may be said to lie between two sets of vertical water con-
nections independent of the water jacket which provide effectively for an upward
and downward circulation within the boiler independent of such jacket.
The guard 2 when placed between the water leg and pocket & as shown in Fig. 2,
obstructs a direct current from the water section to the pockets k, and thus assists
in keeping the contents of the water jacket as much as possible from disturbance.
By the annular partition d in the fire box section A, the feed water supplied to
the boiler through the pipe nozzle i is circulated first in the cooler channel d² of
the section, and is gradually warmed before it enters the inner channel ³ in
contiguity to the fire, or fire brick A¹.
The fluid from this section enters the next section through the lugs m, m', and
circulates thence in the boiler as already described. The trapped circulation may
also be secured in a boiler formed of vertical sections, of which one is shown in
Figs. 11 and 12.
In this construction, the section is made with a central trunk and lateral
columns connected by sloping water tubes r.
9
The sections would be coupled at the top and bottom by lateral thimbles 12, and
feed pipe nozzles are also provided at the bottom of the sections with pipes k² at
the tops of the sections to receive the return fluid from radiators.
A. discharge pipe m is placed over the top of the trunk, and a partitions is
extended downward in each lateral column from the mouth of the water tube past
the mouths of the other tubes so as to promote the downward circulation in the
column outside the partition, and to trap the hot water.
The boilers shown herein may be used for generating steam, in which case the
water in the boiler circulates constantly upward and downward in the channels
provided for that purpose.
The heat of the fire is thus applied to the fluid more effectively, and the metallic
surfaces are prevented from being injured by imperfect circulation of the contents
of the boiler.
Where the boiler is used for heating water to supply radiators, the provision for
internal circulation is especially useful to prevent the formation of steam by
constantly moving the cooler fluid into the fire box section.
From the above description it will be seen that the essential feature of the con-
struction is, the combination, with a central channel for the upward movement of
the water, of lateral cooler channels for the downward flow of the water.
The provision of the water jacket and the means for trapping the circulation,
also operate to secure economy and efficiency in the operation.
Where cast iron boilers are used, the construction of the sections with central
nozzles n pressed together by the lateral thimble connections 1, secures the utmost
economy in the construction.
The separate horizontal sections also form transverse water channels in which
the water may move freely to the hotter parts of the sections, and the heat of the
gases be absorbed to the greatest advantage.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven--
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
1st. In a boiler, the combination, with a central water passage, extended vertically
within the boiler for the upward movement of the fluid of one or more water con--
ductors exterior to the water space of the boiler, and connected therewith at its
upper and lower parts and exposed to a lower temperature than the contents of
such water space, substantially as herein set forth.
2nd. In a boiler, the combination, with one or more water passages extending

page_text: vertically within the boiler, of one or more water conductors exterior to the water
space of the boiler, connections at intervals between the external conductors and
the water space of the boiler, and deflectors projected downward in such connections
to prevent the upward movement of the fluid from the water space to the conductors,
substantially as set forth.
3rd. In a boiler comprising a series of water sections separated by intermediate
smoke chambers, the combination, with a water passage extending vertically within
the boiler through the centres of the water sections, of one or more water con-
ductors exterior to the water space of the boiler and connected therewith at its
upper and lower parts and also to the intermediate water sections, substantially as
set forth.
4th. In a cast iron sectional boiler having two or more horizontal sections con-
nected with intermediate combustion chambers and having vertical gas or smoke
passages extending through the section, the combination, with the several sections,
of water circulating passages through the margins of the sections and central
nozzles formed upon the sections, and adapted when pressed together to form a
tight joint and an uninterrupted vertical channel for the water in the centre of the
boiler, substantially as herein set forth.
5th. In a cast iron sectional boiler having two or more horizontal sections con-
nected with intermediate combustion chambers and having vertical gas or smoke
passages extending through the sections, the combination, with the several sections,
of central nozzles and seats formed integral with the sections to form a central
water channel and a series of thimbles connecting the margins of the sections, and
adapted to draw the nozzles and seats into close contact with one another,
substantially as herein set forth.
6th. A cast iron sectional boiler consisting in two or more horizontal sections,
each section having its upper surface domed to assist the circulation of water, and
the sections having a water channel consisting in nozzles projected from the dome
and from the opposite sides of the sections, and a series of thimbles, connecting the
margins of the sections, and adapted to draw the sections together at the nozzles,
substantially as herein set forth.
7th. In a cast iron sectional boiler having two or more horizontal sections
connected with intermediate combustion chambers and having vertical gas or sinoke
passages extending through the sections, the combination, with the several sections,
of central nozzles and seats formed integral with the sections to form a central
water channel, a series of pockets projected from the margins of the sections, a
flange or water leg on each section inclosing the smoke chamber within the said
pockets, and a series of thimbles connected with the said pockets and adapted to
draw the central nozzles and seats into close contact with one another, substantially
as herein set forth.
8th. A vertical boiler having transverse water channels with intermediate smoke
spaces, a water jacket exterior to and connected with such transverse channels,
and two or more vertical water connections independent of the water jacket to
provide for an upward and downward circulation independent of such water jacket,
substantially as herein set forth.
9th. In a cast iron boiler, the combination, with a series of horizontal water.
sections having apertures through them for the passage of smoke, and one or more
vertical passages connecting the said sections for the upward movement of the fluid,
of a hollow ring projected downward from the margin of each section, and water
connections between such depending rings for the downward movement of the fluid,
as and for the purpose set forth.
10th. In a cast iron boiler, the combination of a series of water sections perforated
with vertical smoke apertures, and provided at the centre with nozzles to form a
vertical water passage, the sections having external hollow lugs connected in a series
by means of thimbles, and being provided with guards within the margin of the
sections adjacent to such lugs to prevent the direct passage of the fluid to the
thimbles, substantially as herein set forth.

page_text: 11th. In a boiler having a number of hollow sections superposed one upon
another, an annular hollow section around the fire pot provided with an external
water inlet, an annular vertical partition opposed to such inlet and forming inner
and outer water channels within the ring, an aperture in the partition for the passage
of the water to the inner channel, and one or more apertures conducting the water
upward from such inner channel to the water sections above, as and for the purpose.
set forth.
DAL
101 1
T
1001
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.