Upright Water-tube Boiler.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 15th Oct., 1894-Accepted, 30th Jan., 1895
Upright Water-tube Boiler.
I, GEORGE CROYDON MARKS of the Firm of Marks and Clerk of
18 Southampton Buildings London, W.C. Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
The improvements described herein relate to that class of boilers having a series
of water tubes connected at the upper end with the steam drum, and at the lower
end with one or more distributing drums arranged adjacent to the fire box. The
invention is intended particularly to secure a positive and rapid circulation of the
water within the boiler through definite channels provided for the ascending and
descending currents of the fluid; and to effect this object, the tubes are grouped
in such a relation that the water within the tubes which are exposed to the direct
heat of the fire constitute an ascending hot water column, while the water in the
remaining tubes of the boiler, which are shielded from the heat of the furnace,
form a descending column relatively cooler than the hot columo.
The ascending and descending tubes are so arranged that any tendency to an
upward circulation in the descending tubes is positively prevented, and there is
therefore no opportunity for a conflict of currents in such descending tubes. The
descending column thus furnishes a continuous circulation downward to replace the
fluid which is raised from the lower ends of the ascending tubes to the steam drum,
and the metal in the hottest part of such ascending tubes, directly over the fire, is
thus prevented from overheating.
The invention also provides means for promoting the discharge of steam generated
within the ascending tubes, means for collecting and discharging the sediment from
the boiler, and means for preventing any strain upon the joints by the expansion of
the water tubes.
One part of the invention consists in connecting a steam drum and distributing
drum, arranged the one above the other, by two series of water tubes, the ascending
tubes extended upward through the furnace or combustion chamber, and the
descending tubes shielded from the heat of the furnace by a partition wall.
Another part of the invention consists in providing a casing outside of the
descending water tubes and arranging the partition wall within the casing to form
a return flue, through which the descending tubes are extended from the steam drum
to the distributing drum, and in which they are shielded from the direct heat of the
furnace.
Another part of the invention consists in the connection of a series of upright
headers with the top of the horizontal distributing drum, and projecting the
ascending tubes inward from the faces of such headers over the grate, and then
upward through the furnace into the bottom of the steam drum; the descending
tubes being connected with the side of the steam drum and connected one to the
top of each header. By extending the tubes inward over the grate from the faces
of the headers, they are much more effectively exposed to the direct heat of the
fire; while their vertical extension upward into the steam drum greatly facilitates.
the disengagement of the steam from the water, during the rising of the latter.
Each header with its ascending tubes and its descending tubes thus constitutes a
section of the boiler in which the circulation may progress in a degree independently,
and thus prevent any portion of the boiler from becoming overheated.
Another part of the invention, in which such headers are used, consists in

page_text: arranging the tube openings upon the face of each header, in a zigzag line, so as to
throw the tubes out of line with one another, and expose them more effectively to
the heat of the gases ascending in the furnace.
Another part of the invention consists in arranging the casing and the partition
to enclose such descending tubes, and form a return flue for the gases, which would
be admitted to the flue at the upper part and discharged from its lower part; the
descending tubes being arranged to form a wall of water pipes upon one side of the
partition, while a portion of the ascending tubes are arranged to form a wall of
water pipes upon the opposite side of the partition. By the provision of such
walls of water tubes, the heat from the furnace is prevented in great measure from
radiating to and through the casing, and the separation of the two walls of water
tubes by a partition maintains the descending tubes at the desired lower temperature,
to form a descending water column. The wall of ascending water tubes is formed
by bending the tubes from the upper part of the face of each header into the
same plane.
Another part of the invention consists in connecting a mud drum with the lower
part of the distributing drum, and providing a partition within the headers or
distributing drum between the lower ends of the ascending and descending tubes.
The current passing from the descending tubes to the ascending tubes is thus
diverted to the lowest part of the distributing drum, and the sediment is directed
to the inlet of the mud drum.
Another part of the invention consists in affixing a scum plate to the inner side
of the steam drum adjacent to the water line to direct the scum and surface fluid
into the distributing tubes, the scum being thus led downward to the aperture of
the mud drum and the surface of the water within the steam drum being thus
continuously cleaned. By such continuous scumming, the disengagement of steam
from the water in the steam drum is greatly facilitated.
Another part of the invention consists in arranging one or more steam drums
above the furnace, and distributing drums at opposite sides of the furnace, with
two series of ascending and descending water tubes connecting the steam drum
separately with such distributing drums, a transverse mud drum being arranged
beneath the distributing drums, a partition or division being fixed in each
distributing drum above the mud drum, and separate pipe connections being
extended from the mud drum to the distributing drums at each side of such
divisions, with valves in such pipe connections. The descending tubes arranged as
described above, form a surface blow-off from the steam drum, and by opening
each of such valves in turn, a fourth part of the boiler may be "blown off" through
the mud drum, without greatly lowering the water level in the steam drum, or
greatly reducing the temperature of the boiler. The other sections of the boiler
may also be blown off in turn at suitable intervals, and the whole boiler thus
cleansed without retarding the production of steam.
Another part of the invention consists in extending the ascending water tubes
through the under side of the steam drum into the steam space above the water,
thus disengaging the steam without interference from the water currents. Such
extension may be made by suitable attachments to the mouths of the water tubes
where they are expanded into the shell of the steam drum.
Another part of the invention consists in the application to the steam drum of a
transverse perforated baffle-plate arranged above the water line, dividing the whole
space above the water line into two steam chambers, the steam passing from the
lower to the upper chamber through the perforations in the plate; while the plate
itself arrests the water. The plate is preferably sloped downward from its middle
toward its edges, and apertures provided at the edges for the downward passage of
any fluid which rises through the perforations. The invention also consists in the
connection, with the outlet steam nozzle from the steam drum, of a box attached
to the nozzle and having perforated dry-pipes projected from opposite sides of the
box toward the ends of the steam drum, with a drip pipe leading from the bottom
of the box to the water line.

page_text: Any moisture which enters the dry-pipes with the steam is thus collected in the
box and returned to the lower part of the steam drum through the drip pipe.
Another part of the invention consists in the arrangement, within a casing having
opposite vertical walls, of a fire box extended across the lower part of the casing,
suitable partitions arranged within the casing above the fire box to form return
flues, and a furnace or combustion chamber extended upward from the fire box
between such partitions; the steam drum being arranged above the combustion
chamber, and the distributing drums at opposite sides of the fire box. By this
arrangement the heated gases are concentrated within a contracted combustion
chamber below the steam drum; while the ascending water tubes are bent first
inward from the distributing drums (or vertical headers thereon) and then
vertically upward through the combustion chamber into the lower side of the steam
drum.
Where headers are used in such an arrangement, their upper ends are extended
into the lower parts of the return flues to receive the descending tubes, and the
joints of the headers with the descending tubes are thus protected from the direct
heat of the fire.
Another part of the invention consists of a frame work supporting the steam
drum, with the distributing drum or drums suspended from such steam drum by the
series of water tubes. The frame work would be surrounded by a casing and the
furnace arranged in the lower part of the same. By this arrangement, the tubes
furnish the sole support of the distributing drum, and the joints at opposite ends of
the tubes are entirely relieved from strains due to expansion and contraction, which
often arise where the drums are rigidly held. The invention consists also in various
details of construction required to carry out the above invention. The construction
is adapted for stationary boilers, and also for locomotive or marine boilers.
The distributing drum may in the case of a locomotive fire box be formed as an
ordinary water leg, which would however be connected with the steam drum only
by the ascending and descending tubes.
Dated this 30th day of January.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.
I, GEORGE CROYDON MARKS of 18 Southampton Buildings London, W.C.
Engineer and Patent Agent, (a communication from abroad from The Hogan
Engineering Company of New York United States of America) 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 improvements described herein relate to boilers having a series of water tubes
connected at the upper end with the steam drum and at the lower end with one or
more distributing drums arranged adjacent to the furnace.
In the present invention, a series of ascending water tubes is provided for the
upward circulation, and a separate series of descending water tubes for the
downward circulation, and a special circulating pipe is also provided outside
of the boiler casing and connected with the steam and distributing drums where
additional circulation is desired. Where the ascending tubes are connected directly
with the distributing drum, the latter acts as a cylindrical manifold to connect the
lower ends of all the tubes; but the water tubes may be connected with the
distributing drum by means of vertical headers.
I prefer to deliver the steam from the ascending tubes above the surface of

page_text: the water, and for this purpose some of the tubes may be extended through
the shell of the steam drum, or extensions may be attached to their outlets to
discharge the steam into the drum above the water line. The distributing
drum may be protected from the heat of the fire; or, as in a locomotive fire-box,
be formed as an ordinary water leg. A rapid upward movement is produced by
the heat in the ascending water tubes over the fire, and the water discharged from
such tubes into the steam drum is returned to the distributing drums outside of the
furnace by the descending water tubes and circulating pipes.
The descending water tubes are preferably connected with the steam drum adjacent
to the water line, and their lower ends connected with the top of the manifolds or
headers.
A mud drum is preferably arranged beneath the distributing drums transverse to the
grate, and is connected to the distributing drums by cocks which can be closed to
permit the mud drum to be blown off at any time, which is effected by a separate
steam pipe from the steam drum.
The ascending water tubes are bent inward (from the cylindrical manifolds or
vertical headers) over the fire, and are thence carried upward in a substantially
vertical direction for insertion in the bottom of the steam drum. Outside the
furnace containing the body of such ascending tubes, return flues or dead flues are
provided, in which the descending tubes are located, and such return flues, with the
furnace, are enclosed in a suitable casing. The descending tubes are thus protected
from the heat in the furnace.
In the drawing,
Fig. 1 is a side elevation, and Fig. 2 an end elevation of a boiler illustrating my
invention.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line y, y, in Fig. 5; Fig. 4 is a vertical section
at the upper end through the center of the steam drum, and at the lower
end through one of the cleaning doors, with the fire brick in front of the
distributing drum removed to show the latter in section (where hatched) on
line a, a, in Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a plan of the boiler; Fig. is a plan showing (at the upper side
of the center line) all the parts above the distributing drum C removed, and upon
the lower side a section taken on line a', ', in Fig 3. The line is inserted just
above the distributing drum at the lower side of Fig. 3, although the corresponding
parts are shown at the upper side of Fig. 6 to avoid interference with the line
upon the opposite side of the same view, although the corresponding parts are
shown at the upper side of Fig. 6.
Fig. 7 is a diagram showing a boiler constructed with one cylindrical manifold
only; Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a special arrangement of the distributing drums
and headers, with the parts in vertical section where hatched.
Figs. 9 and 10 are diagrams showing the water tubes attached directly to the
cylindrical manifolds in several different arrangements; Fig. 9 showing the mud
drum attached to the distributing drum, and Fig. 10 showing also a portion of the
boiler in vertical section where hatched.!
Fig. 11 is a plan of the manifold shown in Figs. 3 and 4; Fig. 12 is a view
of the inner face of the same; and Fig. 13 is a vertical section on line ¹, z', in
Fig. 12, with the connections to the distributing drum and the various water
tubes.
Figs. 14 to 16 are detail views of an alternative construction for the manifold;
Fig. 14 showing a header with the distributing drum and mud drum arranged as
in Fig. 8, the header and distributing drum being shown in section with a partition
extending through both.
Fig. 15 is a view of the header and distributing drum with a partition inside the
beader only.
Fig. 16 shows the inner sides of four headers with a portion of the distributing
drum attached.
Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the baffle-plate g.

page_text: To facilitate an understanding of the invention, the same is illustrated in a
diagramatic form in Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive, Fig. 7 showing merely the simplest
elements of the invention, in which the steam drum is connected with a single
distributing drum by ascending and descending tubes.
In this figure, A is the fire-grate, B the fire door, and C the cylindrical manifold
which operates as a distributing drum at one edge of the grate.
A door would be
provided to the furnace. E is a steam drum above the grate, and B'a boiler casing
extending from the sides of the same downward. A partition F with opening at its
upper end forms a downward return flue F' from which an outlet F2 conducts the
gases to the chimney. The lower half of the distributing drum is protected from
the heat of the fire by a fire brick C' and immediately above the fire brick ascending
water tubes a are projected inward over the grate toward the opposite side of the
casing B', and bent upwardly to enter the steam drum. The bottom ends of the
tubes may be secured in the shell of the drum in any suitable manner, but are
preferably expanded therein at right angles to its surface, the tubes from the distri-
buting drum thus projecting radially from the shell of the drum in several rows or
series, as shown in the figure.
The apertures for inserting the tubes may be formed in zigzag rows so as to
arrange the tubes and their interspaces alternately in the several rows, and thus
effectively intercept the flames rising from the grate.
The upper side of the distributing drum curves backward from the fire, and
the joints of the tubes with the drum are thus protected from the impact of the
flames.
Descending tubes d are connected with the steam drum just below the water level
indicated by line w³ in Fig. 7, and are extended downward through the flue F¹ into
the top of the distributing drum and thence downward nearly to the bottom of the
same. A scum plate d' is attached to the shell of the steam druin just below the
mouths of the tubes d, and deflected upward nearly to the surface of the water to
direct the scum into such tubes.
The pipes d being enclosed in the return flue, are protected from the direct
heat of the fire, and their lower temperature thus induces a downward circulation
which operates to draw the scum from the surface of the water in the steam drum
and deposits it in the bottom of the distributing drum from which it may be
discharged in any suitable manner. The fluid discharged into the drum C by the
descending tubes d, is in close proximity to the mouths or inlets of the adjacent
tubes a, thus supplying the rising current or upward circulation in the latter. The
descending water tubes thus operate not only to replace the fluid rising in the
ascending tubes a, but operate incidentally as scum pipes to remove the scum from
the surface of the water in the steam drum, and thus greatly promote the rising of
the steam therein.
The descending tubes are more limited in number than the ascending tubes, and
to provide an additional channel for a downward circulation between the steam
drum E and distributing drum C I provide an auxiliary pipe G outside of the boiler
casing, which pipe is termed a "circulating pipe" herein.
By locating the circulating pipe outside of the boiler casing it may be made of
any desired capacity and does not obstruct the arrangement and connections of the
ascending and descending tubes, and thus furnishes a free circulation without
increasing the number or size of the descending tubes, which possess no efficiency in
generating steam.
In Fig. 8 two distributing drums C and two sets of vertical headers D³ are
combined with one steam drum, and the distributing drums and return flues F' are
arranged at opposite sides of the grate, thus forming a symmetrical construction.
The distributing drums C are shown connected with a mud drum H by cocks o,
and the mud drum is shown provided with a steam pipe m and a blow-off pipe n
which would be furnished with suitable cocks for blowing off the mud drum when
desired.
Such cocks are shown in Fig. 3. In Figs. 9 and 10 the ascending tubes a are

page_text: shown inserted without the intervention of headers, directly in the distributing
drums, which thus operate as manifolds to connect the lower ends of the tubes. Iu
Fig. 9 the drum or manifold C2 is shown formed with a flat plate on one side,
inclined outwardly from the fire where the tubes are inserted, so that where the
tubes are inserted at right angles into the plate and extended over the fire, they may
be inclined upwardly; as required to promote the movement of the steam. The
-drum or manifold C in the same figure, is formed with a series of steps or seats C
like the headers D in Fig. 3, to facilitate the insertion of the pipes in the druin at
the desired angle. In the drums or manifolds C shown in Fig. 10, the tubes are
inserted at right angles to the cylindrical surface and therefore radiate into the
fire box at different angles.
The constructions in Figs. 7, 9 and 10, are not so practical as that shown in
Fig. 8, although a very desirable outlet is furnished for the scum pipes by inserting
them directly into the distributing drum. In such case, the sediment carried by
such pipes may be deposited in the lower part of the distributing drum where it
would readily fall into the mud drum H. To secure the deposition of the sediment,
a partition may be extended from the top of the distributing drum downward
nearly to the bottom, as shown at d² in Fig. 9, with the outlets of the tubes a upon
one side of the partition and the inlets of the descending tubes d upon the opposite
.side.
The partition may also be applied within the headers where the descending
tubes are connected with the distributing drum by means of headers, as shown in
Fig. 8.
Figs. 14 and 15 show such arrangements, the partition d being confined to the
header D in Fig. 15, and extending through the connection D'into contact with the
partition d², inside the distributing drum, in Fig. 14.
In both cases the ascending and descending tubes are connected to the header upon
opposite sides of the partition, and the fluid is thus led to the bottom of the header
or of the distributing drum where it deposits its sediment before entering the
ascending tubes a.
Having thus set forth the principles of my invention, I will describe a boiler of
a practical form upon a large scale. In Figs. 1 to 6 a distributing drum is shown
at each side of the fire box, and means is shown for sustaining the drum above the
furnace with the water tubes and the lower drum suspended therefrom to avoid the
strains due to unequal expansion.
The faces of the headers D are notched in sloping steps which are inclined
outward from the ascending gases, and thus protect the joints of the tubes a from
the impact of the flames. Four posts P are shown erected upon a bed P¹ and
connected at the top by horizontal beams Q and Q. Cast iron saddles O are shown
upon the beams Q to fit beneath the ends of the steam drum F, which may thus
be supported with the weight of all the attached parts depending from it;
the mud drum also, when used, being suspended from the distributing drums and
supported with the latter, so that no resistance is opposed to the free expansion
of the tubes a or d.
Bars o supported by braces o² support a non-conducting jacket p² over the
steam drum, leaving a space p in which the heated gases may circulate. Gage-
cocks w are shown connected with the steam drum, by pipes w¹ in the usual
The grates are supported independent of the mud drum by walls W and
manner.
.bearers w².
The walls are formed at the ends of the fire-box, the sides of which are formed
by the manifolds, and the brick work of the walls is extended (at the ends of
the fire-box) as high as the tops of the manifolds upon each side. Fire doors J
and cleaning doors J¹ are formed through such walls for access to the fire box
and tubes.
The casing B₁ at the ends of the boiler extends upward from such wall;
to the under side of the steam drum, and at the sides of the boiler it extends
upward from the tops of the headers to the bottom of the drum casing p².

page_text: Plates K are extended between the walls W to support the casing, and the
doors B2 are hinged to such plates to expose the rear sides of the manifolds
when desired. The brick work would be in practice stayed and held together,.
and the fronts of the walls finished with cast iron frames and doors as is common.
Plates L (Figure 3) are provided to support fire bricks at the sides of the
grate, to protect the distributing drums C and the header couplings D¹. Such
plates are perforated for the passage of the pipes which connect the drums C
and H.
The headers are set back by the thickness of the fire brick from the edge of
the grate A, and the joints of the pipes a with the headers are thus wholly removed.
from the direct action of the fire. The partitions F with flue apertures fat the top.
are connected with the plates K by semi-arches K' to form return flues F' adjacent
to the casing B₁, thus forming a combustion chamber I in the center of the
boiler over the hottest part of the grate. The descending flues F₁ are shown of
less width than the length of the boiler between its ends; being separated from the
ascending return flues F2 (which are formed next the casing B') by transverse
partitions F3, at the lower ends of which apertures flare formed to permit the gases
to ascend. Side openings f2 (shown only in Fig. 4) are formed in the casing B' at
the ends of the boiler to discharge the gases to a breeching T (shown only in dotted
lines in Fig. 4) and direct draft openings S are formed in the upper parts of the
partitions F³ to permit the escape of the gases directly to the breeching through
the apertures f, and dampers would be applied to such openings to close them after
the fire was started.
The space I within the fire box, enclosing the ascending water tubes, forms a large
central combustion chamber above the fire, through which the gases pass upward
to the bottom of the steam drum, thence downward through the flues F¹ aud
upward through the flues F' to the breeching. The outside Hue chambers are, by
a special arrangement of the tubes, bounded upon both sides by water walls, so that
the heat in the central chamber I is effectively prevented from radiating out of the
boiler.
Such water walls are formed by bending the tubes of alternate rows into the
same plane.
In Fig. 3, five tubes are shown inserted in the face of each header, and the two
highest tubes, lettered a¹, are bent into the same plaue to form the close wall
against the partition which is shown at a' in Fig. 6.
This arrangement of the tubes is facilitated by the zigzag disposition of the
tube openings c upon the manifolds, as shown in Figs. 4 and 12, and such zigzag
disposition produces alternate rows of pipes over the fire, from which they are
extended upward in the body I of the fire box, as shown in Fig. 6. The pipes d
which connect the steam drum with the top of each header through the return
flue F, are in Fig. 12 shown inserted iu zigzag holes in the top of the manifold
and the alternate pipes are bent outwardly as shown in Figs. 3 and 6 to permit
their lying close together in a wall of water pipes against the casing B¹.
The tubes a' and d thus form water walls to the combustion chamber I and the
return flue F¹.
The outer casing B' may also be jacketed with non-conducting material.
The tubes d are in Fig. shown connected with the tops of the manifolds by
couplings which are protected from the heat of the fire by the semi-arches K¹,
and may thus be provided with an asbestos or other fire-proof packing; clamped
by the coupling against seats formed to fit the same. The pipes are thus
connected with the manifolds by union joints and no thread is formed upon any of
the water tubes at any point. By the alternate arrangement of the ascending
tubes a the flames which pass one row of tubes are intercepted by the next, and
the heat is thus applied to the water most effectively. The tubes a are shown in
Figs. 3 and 4 extended into the steam drum above the water line; which in
practice would be effected by making certain attachments to the tubes after they
are expanded in the shell of the steam drum. The tubes thus deliver the steam

page_text: and water of high temperature directly into the steam chamber without meeting
any opposing currents of reduced temperature. The tubes a' which are most
remote from the grate, in their connection with the manifolds, are not so highly
heated as the tubes a, and are therefore connected with the bottom of the steam
drum only; delivering their heated currents to the water in the steam drum, the
whole surface of which gives off steam, owing to the heat transmitted to it through
the tubes and by the heated gases in contact with its shell.
In Fig. 13 screw caps are shown, applied to the rear sides of the headers,
through which the tools are inserted for expanding the ends of the tubes into the
apertures c. The doors B2 permit access to such caps for repairing any of the
joints when required.
The couplings or joints uniting the headers with the drums c and the latter with
the mud drum H, are exposed for inspection by the opening of the door B2.
It is preferable that the hottest of the ascending water tubes should be extended
into the steam drum above the water line; for which purpose I have shown the
tubes a from the lower part of each header extended through the shell up into the
drum above the water line W³.
A baffle-plate g is fixed within the steam drum over the mouths of the tubes to
throw the water downward.
The baffle-plate as shown in Fig. 17, is corrugated or bent upward to form
channels terminating in fine slots g₁ through which the steam passes, and thus
escapes without passing laterally to reach the edge of the baffle-plate. Separate
deflectors 92 are preferably arranged beneath the channels in the baffle-plate to
break the upward flow of the water as it is discharged from the tubes. A dry
pipe is extended along the upper part of the steam drum and connected with a
box under the outlet nozzle j. A drip pipe k connects the bottom of the box i
with the water level e in the drum.
The mouths of the tubes d open into the steam drum adjacent to the water line,
and as the current flows downwardly in such tubes they are especially adapted to
draw off the impurities floating on the surface of the water, and thus facilitate
the escape of steam from the water. These tubes are thus particularly adapted
to serve as scum pipes, and a scum plate d' is fixed to the shell of the boiler below
the mouths of such pipes and extended nearly to the surface of the water, to direct
the impurities into the same.
The impurities when discharged from such pipes into the header settle downward
through the same, in the course of time, into the distributing drum C and thence
into the mud drum H. In Fig. 4 the distributing drum is shown divided near the
middle by heads or partitions, and each half connected separately with the mud
drum by a gate o, shown also in Fig. 3.
With this construction for both distributing drums, the boiler is connected with
the mud drum in four different divisions, any one of which may be blown out at
pleasure by closing the gates from the other three sections to the mud drum, and
opening the blow-off pipe n from the mud drum. The steam drum then obtains a
surface blow-off through the pipes d, which discharge their contents downward to
the mud drum through the distributing drum, and thus cleans the whole out
effectually. The mud drum itself may be emptied independently of the boiler by
closing all the gates o and admitting steam to the drum through a separate pipe m.
An elbow G2 is connected with the bottom of the steam drum at each end and
extended outside of the casing, and circulating pipes G connect the same with the
opposite ends of the distributing drums C thus providing a free channel for the
downward circulation of the colder fluid outside of the boiler casing. Such
circulating pipes supplement the descending current in the tubes d, and may be
proportioned to furnish an ample current of Huid to the lower ends of the ascending
tubes within the fire box.
By this means, the overheating of the tubes a is rendered impossible, and the
steam generated in the ascending tubes is delivered into the steam drum with the
utmost freedom and rapidity. Feed pipes G' are shown in Fig. 2 applied to

page_text: the upper ends or
The
the circulating pipes close to the point where they are
connected with the bottom of the steam drum E, and therefore at the highest
point at which the feed water can be introduced without discharging it into the
steam drum itself. The feed water when introduced in this circulating channel is
mingled with the descending current of boiling water before it enters the ascending
tubes, and as its volume is much smaller than that of the circulating fluid, it is
highly heated before it comes in contact with any of the fire surfaces.
descending tubes d and the circulating pipes G are connected with the lower parts
of the steam and distributing drums, and are thus necessarily in communication
with the colder fluid in such drums; whereas, the ascending tubes are connected
with the higher parts of such drums and therefore not liable to receive any current
of the colder fluid. The hot and cold columns in the boiler are thus placed in a
condition where any elevation of temperature positively transfers the hotter parts
of the fluid to the ascending tubes; while the greater weight of the colder fluid in
the descending tubes tends further to disturb the equilibrium and press the heated
fluid upward.
Such tendency maintains an active circulation in the boiler, but is still further
aided very materially by the introduction of the feed water into the upper part of
the circulating pipe G, as the weight of such water is added positively to the
descending column and operates, in falling through the length of such column, to
exert a corresponding force in accelerating the circulation.
The introduction of the feed water into the highest available point in the boiler
thus produces a positive effect in maintaining the circulation, and secures a most
desirable economy. The circulating pipes may be covered to prevent any wasteful
radiation of heat.
The constructive features may be modified without departing from my invention,
of which illustration is given partly in diagrams, Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive, and
partly in Figs. 12 and 16. Figs. 4 and 12 show the headers formed with zigzag
passages internally to secure the zigzag arrangement of the tubes a, but alternate
rows of pipes over the fire may also be supplied with straight headers as shown
in Fig. 16, by bending the alternate tubes in each header laterally before they are
beut upwardly to form the vertical ascending tubes.
The elevation in Fig. 16 is taken at right angles to the face of the header in
the direction indicated by the arrow a³ in Fig. 15, the pipes which are bent laterally
being (in Figs. 15 and 16 only) designated by the letter a². Five pipes are shown
in the header illustrated in Figs. 3 and 13, but different numbers of pipes are
shown in the other headers, as a boiler may be constructed with any desired
number.
It will be observed that the partition F shown in Figs. 3, 6, 7, 8 and 10, operates
to shield the descending tubes d from the direct heat of the fire, and to thus
maintain them at a lower temperature than the ascending tubes, although exposed
to the heat of the return flue.
The descending tubes are thus enabled to utilize the heat in the escaping gases,
while the shield, arranged outside of the ascending tubes, preserves them at a
lower temperature than the latter.
It will also be seen that by dividing the distributing drum into sections by the
partitions s shown in Fig. 4, the water tubes are connected with the mud drum in
four independent sections; by which construction the mud can be blown off from
different parts of the boiler in succession without greatly reducing the volume of
the contents, or their temperature.
By arranging the ascending water tubes in the furnace or heated central
chamber, to form walls of water for such chamber, the great heat of the furnace
is prevented from radiating into the return flues, and is therefore not absorbed by
dead walls, as where the gases are circulated in contact with brick work. In like
manner, the disposition of the descending tubes d to form walls of water for the
return flues, secures the profitable absorption of the heat from the escaping gases,
and prevents the loss of such heat by dead walls or brick work.

page_text: It will be understood that the tubes may be secured in the cylindrical manifolds
or in vertical headers by any suitable means, as by expanding the tubes with proper
expanding tools, or by coupling them with threaded or union joints of suitable
character.
It will be observed that with the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive,
the ascending water tubes are connected in separate series with cylindrical manifolds
or in vertical headers, and that the upper end of each manifold or header is
connected with the steam drum by a descending water tube, which returns the water
when separated from the steam as directly as possible to the lower ends of the
ascending tubes. The descending tubes d are shown operated as scum tubes, but
separate scum tubes may be used if desired.
A great advantage is secured by slanting the faces of the vertical headers or
cylindrical manifolds outwardly from the fire chamber, where the water tubes are
inserted therein; to prevent the direct impingement of the heated gases upon the
joints of the tubes.
The projection of the ascending tubes inwardly from the manifolds or headers
exposes them to the most direct radiation from the fire, while the upward extension
of the tubes toward the steam drum ensures the movement of the heated fluid from
the manifold or header.
By the suspension of the distributing drums from the steam drum, by means of
the water tubes, the free expansion of the water tubes is secured, and the possibility
of strain upon the joints is wholly prevented.
The improvements thus furnish complete means for promoting the discharge of
the steam generated within the ascending tubes, means for promoting the circulation
of water from the steam drum to the lower ends of the water tubes, means for
collecting and discharging the sediment from the boiler, and means for preventing
any strain upon the joints by the expansion of the water tubes.
From the foregoing description of the boilers shown in the drawings, it will be
noticed that the ascending water tubes, which are located within the fire box,
constitute a hot water column, and that the descending tubes which are carried
through the return flues of the boiler, form a cold column, or one relatively cooler
than the hot column.
Any tendency to an upward circulation in this cold column is absolutely
prevented by the difference in temperatures between such tubes and the ascending
water tubes, and there is therefore no opportunity for a conflict of currents in such
descending tubes. They therefore furnish a continuous circulation downward to
replace the fluid which is raised from the lower ends of the ascending tubes to the
steam drum, and the metal in the hottest part of such ascending tubes, directly
over the fire, is thus prevented from overheating.
The water in the ascending tubes is also directed positively upward, in the
hottest portion of such tubes, by inclining them upward as they are projected
inward from the manifolds or headers, and the water in the steam drum is prevented
from coming in contact with the descending currents by projecting their upper
ends in great part above the water level. Each header is connected with a series
of ascending tubes a and with one or more return tubes d, and may thus be
regarded as a section of the boiler, and it will be noticed that such section is
provided with means for a positive circulation upward and downward, the same as
the entire boiler, and the heated tubes in such section are thus prevented from
burning, if exposed to a greater heat than some other section.
The external circulating pipes G which furnish another channel for the downward
movement of the fluid, is also maintained at a low temperature by conducting it
entirely outside of the furnace, or its smoke flues, and any tendency to an upward
movement of the water therein is wholly prevented by providing a positive
difference of level between the top and bottom of this cold column, and the top
and bottom of the hot column. This is effected by connecting the circulating pipe
with the steam drum below the level at which the ascending" tubes discharge, and
connecting its bottom with the distributing drum below the level at which the

page_text: ascending tubes are connected. All the tubes in the boiler are thus grouped
together into hot or cold columns, which are not only arranged to utilize the
difference of temperature in such tubes, but are connected to the steam and
distributing drums at such levels as to secure positively an upward movement in
the hot column, and a downward movement in the cold column.
All conflict of currents within the boiler is thus prevented, and it may therefore
be fired with the utmost rapidity and the capacity for steaming thereby increased
with the same heating surface. The construction shown in Figs. 1 to 5 is adapted
for stationary boilers, while the forms shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are adapted for
locomotive or marine boilers, and the form shown in Fig. 7 is adapted for either
stationary or marine boilers.
The forms shown in Figs. 8 to 10 indicate modifications adapted for different
conditions, and other modifications may obviously be made without departing from
the essential features of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a water tube boiler, the combination, with a steam drum and distributing
drum arranged substantially as set forth, of a series of ascending water tubes
connecting the steam and distributing drums through the furnace, and a series of
descending water tubes shielded from the furnace, as set forth.
2. In a water tube boiler, the combination, with a steam drum and distributing
drum arranged substantially as set forth, of a series of ascending water tubes
projected inward from the distributing drum over the fire, and upward through the
furnace into the steam drum, a series of descending water tubes shielded from the
furnace, a casing outside of the descending water tubes, and a supplemental pipe
for downward circulation connecting the steam and distributing drums outside the
boiler casing.
3. In a water tube boiler, the combination, with a steam drum and a distributing
drum arranged substantially as set forth, of a series of ascending water tubes
connecting the steam and distributing drums through the furnace, a shield outside
of such ascending tubes, a series of descending tubes outside of such shield, a
casing outside of the descending water tubes, and a supplemental pipe for downward
circulation connecting the steam and distributing drums outside the boiler casing,
with a feed pipe supplying the feed water into the upper part of such circulating
pipe external to the boiler.
4. In a water tube boiler, the combination, with a steam drum and distributing
drum arranged substantially as set forth, of a series of ascending water tubes
connecting the steam and distributing drums through the furnace, a casing enclosing
the boiler, a series of descending water tubes shielded from the furnace within
the casing, and a mud drum connected with the lower part of the distributing
drum, with suitable cocks and pipes for blowing off the same, substantially as
herein set forth.
5. In a water tube boiler, the combination, with a steam drum and distributing
drum arranged substantially as set forth, of a series of ascending water tubes
connecting the steam and distributing drums through the furnace, a casing enclosing
the boiler, a series of descending water tubes shielded from the furnace, within the
casing, a mud drum connected with the lower part of the distributing drum and a
partition inserted between the lower ends of the ascending and descending tubes,
as and for the purpose set forth.
6. The combination, with a steam drum having a scum plate affixed to its inner
side adjacent to the water line, of a mud drum and a scum pipe leading therein,
and connected with the steam drum adjacent to the said scum plate, substantially
as herein set forth.
7. The combination, with a boiler having a steam drum and a distributing drum
connected with descending water tubes, of a scum pipe connected at its upper end

page_text: to the steam drum adjacent to the water level, and at its lower end to the
distributing drum, as and for the purpose set forth.
8. The method of purifying the water in steam boilers, which consists in
continuously removing the scum by drawing off the boiler fluid at the water
level, settling the impurities from such fluid, and returning the fluid into the
upward circulation of the boiler, substantially as herein set forth.
9. In a water tube boiler, the combination, with a steam and distributing drum
arranged at the top and bottom of a furnace, as set forth, of ascending water
tubes connecting the said drums through the furnace, and arranged in contiguity
to form a wall of vertical water pipes upon the outer side of the furnace, as and
for the purpose set forth.
10. In a water tube boiler, the combination, with a steam and distributing drum
arranged at the top and bottom of a furnace, as set forth, of ascending water
tubes connecting the said drums through the furnace, a return flue within the
boiler casing connected with the top of the furnace, and a series of descending
water tubes arranged in contiguity to form a wall of water pipes upon the outer
side of the flue, as and for the purpose set forth.
11. In a water tube boiler, the combination, with a steam and distributing drum
arranged at the top and bottom of a furnace as set forth, of ascending water
tubes connecting the said drums through the furnace and arranged in contiguity to
form a wall of water pipes upon the outer side of the furnace, a return flue within
the boiler casing connected with the top of the furnace, and a series of descending
water tubes arranged in contiguity to form a wall of water pipes upon the outer
side of the flue, substantially as set forth.
12. In a water tube boiler, the combination, with a steam drum sustained above
a furnace and a distributing drum arranged at one side of the fire box, of a series
of headers projecting upward from such distributing drum, a series of ascending
water tubes connecting each header with the lower side of the steam drum, and a
descending or return water tube connecting the steam drum with the top of the
header outside of the furnace, as set forth.
13. In a water tube boiler, the combination, with a steam drum suspended above
a furnace, and a distributing drum arranged at one side of the fire box, of a series
of headers projecting upward from such distributing drum, a series of ascending
water tubes connecting each header with the lower side of the steam drum, a
descending water tube connecting the steam drum with the top of the header,
shields protecting the distributing drum and the return pipes from the fire, and a
mud drum connected with the bottom of the distributing drum, as set forth.
14. In a water tube boiler, the combination, with a steam drum sustained above
a furnace, of a distributing drum at one side of the furnace, a series of headers
projected upward from the distributing drum with the tube openings arranged in a
zigzag line, a series of ascending water tubes connected with such tube openings
and extended inward over the fire and upward into the steam drum in alternating
rows of tubes, as and for the purpose set forth.
15. In a water tube boiler, the combination, with a furnace and a boiler casing,
of a steam and distributing drum arranged substantially as set forth, a series of
ascending water tubes projected upward from the distributing drum through the
furnace and through the steam drum into the steam space above the water, and a
series of descending water tubes connecting the steam drum with the distributing
drum, substantially as herein set forth.
16. In a water tube boiler, the combination, with a steam drum having ascending
water tubes projected through the bottom into the same above the water line, of a
corrugated baffle-plate arranged above the mouths of such tubes, with slots in
the channels to permit the upward passage of the steam, as and for the purpose
set forth.
17. The combination, with the steam drum and the outlet nozzle j, of the
chamber attached to the upper part of the same in communication of the outlet
nozzle, the dry pipes projected from the opposite sides of the chamber, and the

page_text: drip pipe k leading from the bottom of the chamber to the water line, as and for
the purpose set forth.
18. In a water tube boiler, the combination, with a furnace, of a steam drum
sustained above the furnace, a fire box of greater width formed below the furnace,
the distributing drums arranged at opposite sides of the fire box, two series of
ascending water tubes connecting the steam and distributing drums through
the fire box and furnace, a casing enclosing the boiler, and a series of descending
water tubes shielded from the furnace within the boiler casing, as set forth.
19. In a water tube boiler, the combination, with a fire box, of a distributing
drum at each side of the same, a contracted furnace above the fire box with a
steam drum above the same, a casing enclosing the boiler, return flues within the
casing at the sides of the furnace, two series of ascending water tubes connecting
the steam and distributing drums through the fire box and furnace, and a series of
descending water tubes connecting the steam and distributing drums through the
return flues, as and for the purpose set forth.
20. In a water tube boiler, the combination, with a furnace and a steam drum
above the same, of two distributing drums at opposite sides of the furnace, a
series of headers projected upward from such distributing drums, two series of
water tubes connecting the steam drum with the faces of the headers, descending
smoke flues at the sides of the furnace and descending tubes connecting the
steam drum with the upper ends of the headers through such return flues, as
set forth.
21. In a water tube boiler, the combination, with a furnace and a steam drum
above the same, of two distributing drums arranged at the opposite sides of the
furnace, two series of water tubes connecting the steam drum with the two
distributing drums, a transverse mud drum beneath the distributing druins, a
partition or division in each distributing drum above the mud drum, and separate
pipe connections from the mud drum to the distributing drum at each side of such
division, with valves in such pipe connections, as set forth.
22. In a water tube boiler, the combination, with a horizontal steam drum
arranged above a furnace, of distributing drums at opposite sides of the furnace,
a series of headers projected upward from such distributing drum and connected
with the distributing drums by union joints, a fire brick interposed between the
grate and such union joints, and water tubes connecting the inner faces of the
headers with the uuder side of the steam drum, as set forth.
23. In a water tube boiler, the combination, with a steam drum, of a frame-
work supporting the same, a distributing drum suspended from the steam drum by
a series of water tubes, and a furnace beneath the steam drum, as set forth.
24. In a water tube boiler, the combination, with a steam drum, of a framework
supporting the same, two distributing drums suspended each from the steam drum
by a separate series of water tubes, and a furnace between the two distributing
drums, as set forth.
25. In a water tube boiler, the combination, with a steam drum and a frame-
work supporting the same, of two distributing drums suspended each from the
steam drum by a separate series of water tubes, a furnace between the distributing
drums, and pipe connections between the ends of the steam drum and the ends of
both the distributing drums outside of the fire box, as and for the purpose set
forth.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.