IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN THE CIRCULATION OF WATER OR LIQUID FOR HEATING PURPOSES
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Robert Renton Gibbs, of Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO
BE USED IN THE CIRCULATION OF WATER OR LIQUID FOR HEATING
PURPOSES."
Sealed the 3rd July 1877, and dated the 6th January 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Robert Renton Gibbs at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th January 1877.
ROBERT RENTON GIBBS, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN THE CIRCULATION OF WATER OR
LIQUID FOR HEATING PURPOSES.”
This Invention consists,-
First. As means for producing a simple and efficient boiler or heater in which a
regular and equal circulation of water or liquid will take place, in employing a
horizontal or nearly horizontal ring or cylinder of tubes so connected together at
their ends that the water or liquid to be heated shall circulate from one tube to
another until it has passed through the whole of the tubes, or the said ring or
cylinder of tubes may be divided into groups in such manner that the water in each
group has an independent circulation. When the water or liquid circulates through
the ring or cylinder of tubes in the manner first above mentioned a single flow and
return pipe are used for conveying the said water or liquid around the building or
place to be heated. When the ring or cylinder of tubes is divided into two or
more groups a flow and return pipe are employed for each group. If desired the
flow pipe of one group may be connected to the return pipe of another group, and
so on, so as to cause a continuous circulation through the whole or any desired part
of the whole of the tubes, instead of having an independent circulation for each
group. The interior of the ring or cylinder of tubes forms the fire-place.
Second. As means for filling the circulation pipes with water or liquid, in employing
a four-way piece fitted with a ball or other valve. The said four-way piece is con-
nected by one of the ways to the flow pipe, and by a second way at right angles to

page_text: the first way to the return pipe. When it is desired to fill the said circulation pipes
a tube is inserted in one of the open ends, past the ball or other valve, and water or
liquid caused to flow through the said 'tube into the flow pipe; the water passes
along the said flow pipe, and drives out the air by the return pipe around the
inserted tube, and out of the fourth way until the pipes are filled with water or
liquid; the tube is then withdrawn, and the ball or other valve falls into its place
and closes the apertures. If desired the said apertures may be further secured by
means of caps, cocks, or other sealing devices.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Robert Renton Gibbs in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 6th July
1877.
ROBERT RENTON GIBBS, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, Engineer.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS TO BE USED IN THE CIRCULATION OF WATER OR
LIQUID FOR HEATING PURPOSES."
This Invention consists,―
First. As means for producing a simple and efficient boiler or heater, in which a
regular and equal circulation of water or liquid will take place; in employing a
horizontal or nearly horizontal ring or cylinder of tubes so connected together at
their ends that the water or liquid to be heated shall circulate from one tube to
another until it has passed through the whole of the tubes, or the said ring or
cylinder of tubes may be divided into groups in such manner that the water in
each group has an independent circulation. When the water or liquid circulates
through the ring or cylinder of tubes in the manner first above mentioned a single
flow and return pipe are used for conveying the said water or liquid around the
the building or place to be heated. When the ring or cylinder of tubes is divided
If
into two or more groups a flow and return pipe is employed for each group.
desired the flow pipe of one group may be connected to the return pipe of another
group, and so on, so as to cause a continuous circulation through the whole or any
desired part of the whole of the tubes, instead of having an independent circulation
for each group. The interior of the ring or cylinder of tubes forms the fire-
place.
Second. As means for filling the circulation pipes with water or liquid, in
employing a four-way piece fitted with a ball or like valve. The said four-way
piece is connected by one of the ways to the flow pipe, and by a second way at
right angles to the first way to the return pipe. When it is desired to fill the said
circulation pipes a tube is inserted in one of the open ends, past the ball or other
valve, and water or liquid caused to flow through the said tube into the flow pipe ;
the water passes along the said flow pipe, and drives out the air by the return pipe
around the inserted tube and out of the fourth way until the pipes are filled with
water or liquid; the tube is then withdrawn, and the ball or other valve falls into
its place and closes the aperture. If desired the said apertures may be further
secured by means of caps, cocks, or other sealing devices.
On the accompanying Sheet of Drawings Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section; Fig. 2,
a front elevation; and Fig. 3, a back view in elevation and section, all illustrative
of that modification of my Invention, in which a ring or cylinder of tubes is con-
nected together at their ends in such manner that the same water circulates through
the whole of them. a are the tubes connected at the front by short bends b, and at
the back by cross pieces c; d, supply or return pipe with pumping valve e, here-
after described; ex, outflow pipe for heated water; f, fire-door; g, setting; h, fire-
bridge. The tubes a here serve as the fire grate, but it will be obvious that the
fire-grate might be separate from or bars might be placed in the space encircled by
the ring of tubes.

page_text: Fig. 4 is a front elevation of a modification of apparatus under my Invention, the
tubes being arranged in three groups, each group having overflow and return pipes,
the whole adapted as for heating three chambers or places, one group having twelve
tubes, and the other two, four each. As regards the group of twelve, on the left of
the Figure the flow of the water from the inflow or return pipe d is through 1 by
the bend 1' to the tube 2, thence through the connection 2¹ onwards in consecutive
order of numbers to tube 12 and outflow pipe e*. It will be obvious that the out-
flow pipe of one group may be connected to the inflow or return pipe of another
group. d are the inflow and ex the outflow pipes of the other groups, the direction
of circulation being as shown by the arrows.
Fig. 5 is a vertical section, and Fig. 6 a view in vertical section and elevation of
my apparatus, called a pumping valve, previously marked' e, for filling the apparatus
and connected pipes with water or circulating liquid. d', d², d³, d, are the four
ways of the piece, and i is a ball valve which, when the apparatus is in use, rests on
the seating; k is the filling tube packed at I, and used for holding the ball valve i
in the position shown at Fig. 5 during filling. The pump for charging with water
or liquid and for expelling the air is connected at d₁, and forces the water through
daway into the apparatus and pipes. The return is by d³, and discharge through
d. When the apparatus and pipes are well charged a cap is screwed on d¹, and
subsequently the filling tube k is withdrawn and the valve i allowed to fall and
rest on its seating j, and close the aperture. A cap is usually placed over d¹ so as to
effectually seal the opening.
It will be evident that the apparatus and means shown are mainly suitable for
that arrangement of heating by the circulation of liquids, when high pressures and
expansion tubes are used, but I would have it understood that I do not confine
myself to any particular pressure, nor to the use of expansion tubes or other expan-
sion appliances or means.
In some cases the bends and connections at the ends of the tubes may be situated
in the combustion chamber or amongst the heating gases; in practice however I
prefer that the joints should not be directly acted upon by the flames or heating
gases.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and particularized the
same so that others will be enabled to carry my improvements into effect, I
claim,―
First. The ring or cylinder of tubes connected together substantially in the manner
and for the purposes herein set forth.
Second. The ring or cylinder of tubes connected in groups, substantially in the
manner and for the purposes herein set forth.
Third. The pumping valve constructed, arranged, and subserving the ends sub-
stantially as herein set forth.
'
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Renton Gibbs, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Fifth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
J. T. KING.
ROBERT RENTON GIBBS. (L.S.) ·