Improved Apparatus for Generating Steam.ERATING
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Oct., 1889-Accepted, 7th Dec., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Apparatus for Generating Steam.
I, VIRGIL WARREN BLANCHARD, a citizen of the United States of America, and
residing at Nos. 225 and 227 Sixth Avenue, New York City, in the County and State
of New York, U.S.A., Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR GENERATING STEAM, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :—
This invention is an improvement in apparatus for generating steam, and its objects
are to prevent external radiation of heat by an improved construction of the boiler
casing to give a large amount of heating surface to the water and expose the same to
the heat in thin sheets or tubes, to admit cool water to the boiler legs at the side
where the greatest heat is had; to permit free expansion and contraction of the parts,
to give mechanical circulation to the water if desired, to condense exhaust steam and
feed the resultant water at a heat nearly equaling the boiling point into the force
pump that supplies the boiler, and then to heat this water of condensation by the
exhaust steam to a temperature at or near the temperature of the exhaust steam as it
leaves the cylinders of the engine, to provide improved devices for heating air by
the exhaust steam, and to provide for removing dry steam only from the steam drum,
all of which objects are accomplished by the means hereinafter set forth and which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Referring to the drawings by figures and
letters, Figure 1 represents in perspective my improved steam generating apparatus
complete, parts being broken away to more clearly illustrate the construction..
Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation of the boiler and water-heater and purifier.
Figure 3 is a sectional perspective view of the boiler. Figure 4 is a transverse
section of a water heating boiler tube. Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view
showing the heating tubes attached to the water leg. Figures 6 and 7 are detail
sectional views of the water-heating pipes in the purifier. Figure 8 is an enlarged
sectional view of the low water alarm. Figures 9 and 10 are detail sectional views of
the boiler casing.
A designates a rectangular casing, which contains a furnace for generating a high
degree of heat, and a steam boiler, partly shown by breaking the walls of the casing.
Z designates an air heater communicating with casing A by a short flue Z and
which is provided interiorly with numerous vertical flues 23 secured to heads Z,
through which pass the products of combustion, and outside these flues between the
heads is a chamber divided by horizontal partitions arranged to cause the
descending current of air, which is forced therethrough, to take a tortuous course,
the air being heated in its passage therethrough by contact with the flues 73. Z is
another air heater constructed like heater Z and auxilliary thereto.
Z is a gas
trapping chamber hereinafter referred to.
Y designates an air forcing engine connected with valved pipes Y¹ leading into the
upper ends of heaters Z, Z. From the lower end of heater Z the air is conducted
under pressure through a pipe Y³ to a pipe Y having a branch Y leading into the
combustion chainber of the furnace, and a branch Y leading into the ash pit, both of
said branches being valved so that the attendant can regulate the air supply through
either branch, pipe Y3 also communicates with a pipe Y' through which pulverized
fuel can be fed into the furnace.
This furnace forms no part of present application, and further description thereof is
unnecessary.
The boiler casing has a base plate A' which has two parallel upstanding
flanges A2, A3, along its side, and end edges, flange A* being exterior to and lower
than flange A³ The base plate should have a series of proiections A4, at its edges, to

page_text: support hollow pillars A³, that sustain the top plate 62. A is a frame preferably of
cast metal, and having two short vertical portions, a, a', and horizontal portions a²,
a³, a' as shown.
This frame is supported above the base plate and corresponds in contour with. the
flanges A2, A3, thereof; and it has lateral cars a³, on its top portion a² at points
corresponding to projections A of the base, which rests upon the tops of pillars A³,
tie rods a are passed through the projections, pillars and ears and securely nutted,
binding the parts together. B, B, designate vertical panels having numerous studs
on their inner faces as shown, and secured at top to the part a', of frame A, and at
bottom to the inner flange A³. These panels are at the sides and end of the boiler
casing. B₁, designates a lining of fire bricks preferably dovetailed into each other,
and secured to the inner faces of panels B, as shown, the studs on the panels causing
an air space to be left between the bricks and panels, this space however might be
filled with any good non-conducting material. B³, B³ designate metal plates or panels
bolted at top to the portion a of frame A and at bottom to the outer flange A² of
base A¹ and forming the exterior wall of the casing, the spaces between plates B³ and
panels B being preferably filled with a non-heating-conducting packing. The base
plate is protected by a lining of fire brick A' as shown.
b, b, designate horizontal panels studded on their inner faces and laid transversely
of the casing upon the parts a' of frame A, and having an internal facing of fire
bricks designates the top plate supported upon frame A' and preferably
provided with one or more removable panels, or made in sections, to permit access
to panels b, and steam pipe joints E3 hereinafter referred to. The space between
plate 62 and panels is preferably filled with a non-conducting packing. This con-
struction of casing almost entirely overcomes radiation of heat therefrom, even though
most intense heat is present therein.
The furnace being contained in the casing communicates directly with the boiler
space as indicated in figure 2.
The boiler consists of a series of vertical water legs C communicating with a
horizontal stand pipe D, and with the steam drum E, and a series of horizontal
duplex tubes communicating with the legs. Pipe D is mounted on a hollow base D'
and is supplied with water through a pipe D2. The legs C, any suitable number of
which may be mounted on the stand pipe, are each formed with an enlarged body and
contracted ends, C1, C2, and with an interior vertical partition C3 which extends from
top to bottom thereof, dividing it into two non-communicating chambers, C4, C5;
chamber C nearest the furnace, communicating with pipe D, and chamber C³ through
suitable connections with the steam drum. The ends (extend through openings in
panels into the space below the top plate and there connect by joints E3 with a
transverse pipe E³, which in turn connects by a joint E' with the steam drum E,
supported above the casing. e is a pipe leading from the drum E through the
casing to a motor or pump e' which is connected by pipes e², ea with pipe D.
F, F, designate water tubes respectively connected at front by steam tight joints to
the legs C as shown, and communicating with chambers C thereof only: G, G are
tubes of less diameter than tubes F and slipped therein passing through chamber C
and communicating with chamber of the legs, through openings in partition (3,
being secured in said partition by screw joints or in other, convenient manner. The
tubes G are centred in tubes F by spiders G¹ and their rear ends are open, while the
ends of tubes F are securely closed, as by caps F¹. The water from pipe D rises in
chamber of legs, C, thence goes through tubes G to the rear ends of tubes F,
thence returns through tubes F, to chamber C5 of the legs and thence escapes into
drum E, to be returned through pipes e, e, e³, to pipe D.
H, H designates a series of transverse vertical fire brick partitions in casing A, which
are alternately open at top and bottom so that the heated gases in passing through the
casing are given an up and down movement therethrough. These partitions also serve
to support the tubes which pass therethrough loosely.
By this construction the legs and tubes and pipes are so connected that each part
can expand and contract independently and there will be no strain on the joints of the

page_text: generator even when its parts are subjected to unequal heating. A mechanical
circulation can be maintained by the pump el, if desired.
I designates a steam pipe in the upper part of drum E, provided with a flange I'
exterior to the drum and secured thereto. This pipe extends nearly the entire length
of the dome above the water line and its inner end is supported on a bracket 12, as
shown. In the upper surface of said pipe are a large number of small openings which
include about one-third of its peripheral surface, and extend its entire length in the
drum, and the aggregate area of these openings should not be less than that of the
steam pipe outside the drum.
By reason of these small openings steam is taken from the upper part of the
drum in a practically dry state and in small quantities throughout the area of
the pipe so that no great suction is had at any one point of the drum, as is the case
where the steam is drawn directly through a large opening, hence no foaming" of
the water by violent agitation therein produced, and no water is sucked into the
steam pipe.
"
J designates the feed water heating and purifying device consisting preferably of a
rectangular metal casing J in the lower portion of which is a coil of pipes K which
are arranged in regular tiers, between which are horizontal diaphragms J³ arranged to
form a tortuous passage through the casing from below upward. The casing communi-
cates at bottom by a pipe J with the exhaust of a steam engine not shown, and at top
by a pipe J with a steam condenser.
Above coil K in casing J¹ is suspended a water-holding vessel L from the bottom of
which rise a series of syphon shaped pipes L' which open at bottom into the steam
space of the casing, and bend at top below the surface of the water in the vessel as
shown, the water level in the vessel being regulated by a supply pipe JB and cocks as
indicated. In operation the steam passing through casing is forced to pass through
the water in vessel L where it looses part of its heat carrying a portion of the water to
the condensers in the form of steain and freed from all impurities which collect in.
vessel L and can be drawn off by a flush cock L³.
✗ designates a forcing and exhausting engine communicating by a valved pipe X²
with the pipe Y and by means of a pipe X3 with a horizontal gas heater and steam
condenser N mounted on top of the casing A. Beside condenser N is a condenser
and air heater O and each of these condensers is constructed with tubes, heads
and intermediato partitions like the heater Z. The steam drum E stands above the
condensers, and above this drum is a vertical cold-water condenser P, constructed
like the others.
Q designates a force pump communicating with the water spaces of the con-
densers N, O, P, by means of pipe Q and branches Q, Q3 as shown, to remove water
of condensation therefrom. Condenser P is supplied with cold water by a pipe P', the
water escaping by a pipe P2 at bottom.
The steam escapes from the water heater J through pipe J into the steam space of
condenser N, and from thence the steam passes through a pipe N' into condenser O,
and from thence by a pipe O' into condenser P, from which any uncondensed steam
might pass through a valved pipe Pe into the chimney. From these several condensers
the water of condensation is drawn by pump Q through pipe Q and forced through a
pipe K into the upper end of coil K in heater J, passing down through said coil and
escaping at bottom into a pipe K' which conducts it back to the boiler. The exhaust
steam enters the lowest part of the casing J'and is hottest at that point, while the water
leaves the coil at the lowest point of the casing, being thus subjected to the greatest
heat at the moment of leaving the heater, and after it has been through the force pump.
The steam and water are thus kept in a closed circuit, the steam passing from the boiler
to the engine and taken thence through the water heater J to the condensers, and after
reconversion into hot water is forced back into the boiler, passing between the pump and
boiler through the heating coil K where it is heated by the exhaust steam just from the
K, K are
engine cylinders to a temperature nearly equal that of said steam.
small tubes passed through the horizontal portions of the pipe coils K, and open at

page_text: one or both ends so that the exhaust steam can enter tubes K' and thus subject the
water passing through pipes K to heat externally and internally. The other chamber
in condenser N communicates by a pipe N with the gas trap 27 or chimney, wherein
the carbonic acid gases escaping from the furnace are retarded, and by means of
engine X and pipes X3, X2 a portion of such gases can be sucked or drawn through
said condenser and injected into the furnace above or below the grate through
pipes XX, pipe N' might open into the atmosphere to admit air instead of gas into
condenser N. The gases or air passing through condenser N absorb a portion of the
heat of the exhaust steam and more or less condense the same into water, the gases
having been cooled previously in their passage through air heater Z¹.
The air chamber in condenser O is connected at one end by pipes 02 with the pipe Y¹
and at its other end by a pipe 03 with the upper end of air heater Z and by a
valved pipe 0+ with the lower end of heater Z. Now when the blower Y is started,
air can be forced up into heater Z, thence into condenser O, thence into heater Z¹
and from the latter into furnace through pipes Y, Y, or it could be short circuited
into the boiler casting through a valved branch Yo. By arranging the valves the
heater. Z can be cut out of the air circuit, or both heater Z and condensers O, N,
may be cut out. I am thus able to effectually heat the air or gases by the exhaust
steam and products of combustion, and at the same time condense the exhaust steam
by the gases and air, and again utilize the exhaust steam to heat the feed water
condensed therefrom.
R designates a low water alarm, which is used to notify the engineer should the
force pump which supplies the boiler with water fail to perform its duty. This
alarm consists of a cylindrical vessel R' closed at the top by a cover R2 having an
opening for connection of a section of the water pipe Qin the length of which the
alarm is located, and connecting at bottom with a similar section of pipe Q1 leading to
pump. 7" designates a hollow float having a stem on its upper side, said stem having
à collar 2 on its upper end upon which bears the tail of a dog S pivoted at S₁ to
ears R3 depending from the cover R. The dog has a slot in its tail to permit free
play of the end of stem r¹ and it has a beveled tooth S2 at its opposite end. T is a
rod or stem passing through a stuffing box on the cover R2 and having on its lower
extremity a disk T having a beveled periphery for engaging with the tooth S². The
outer end of the rod should be connected by a cord or chain with a steam whistle or
other indicator. T³ is a coiled spring on rod T within the vessel R. and adapted to
force said rod downward when it is disengaged from the dog, thereby sounding an
alarm. are studs on the bottom of the vessel to support the float and yet permit
passage of water.
In operation rod T is drawn up and disk T¹ engaged by dog S upholding the rod.
As the water passes through the vessel R any failure on the part of the force pump to
deliver it as fast as it is supplied, which supply should be properly regulated to meet
the requirements of the boiler, will cause an accumulation of water in the vessel R
lifting float which will rock dog S and release rod T, which in falling will sound the
alarm through its connections therewith, continuing the alarm until it has been
attended to by the engineer.
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 boiler or furnace casing, the walls of which are respectively composed of
studded plates covered interiorily with a poor conductor of heat, an external wall and
an intermediate space filled with non-heat conducting material, substantially as
described.
2. A casing for furnaces or boilers the walls and top of which are composed of
studded plates covered interiorily with a poor conductor of heat, an external wall, and
an intermediate space filled with refractory non-heat-conducting material, the base A¹,
angular frame A; hollow pillars and tie bolts, substantially as described.

page_text: 3. The combination with a steam boiler of an air heater Z', a steam condenser and
air heater communicating with heater 4, the air forcing engine, the water pump and
exhaust steam supply, substantially as described.
4. The combination with the furnace and boilers of the condensers N, O, the
pump communicating therewith, and the exhaust steam supply thereto; with
the air heater, and air forcing engine, and water force pump substantially as
described.
5. The combination in a steam generating apparatus, of the condensers N, O, P,
the water heater J, the pump communicating with the said condensers and with a coil
in heater J, and the exhaust steam supply to said heater and condensers, substantially
as described.
6. The combination of the air heater Z the gas trap, and the steam condenser N
communicating with the gas trap and with an exhaust steam supply, with the steam
condenser communicating with heater Zand condenser N, and the air, gas and
water forcing engines, substantially as described.
7. The combination of the condensers N, O, P, and the exhaust steam supply
thereto; with the pump its connections with said condensers, and with the boiler,
substantially as described.
8. The combination of the air heaters Z, Z, the condensers O, P, the air pump Y,
and water pump Q, and heater J, all substantially as described.
9. The combination of the heaters Z, Z, the water heater and purifier J, and the
condensers N, O, P; with the force pumps and pipe connections all substantially as
and for the purpose specified.
10. The combination in a steam generator, of a series of horizontal tubes jointed to
independent vertical legs which are subdivided by partitions into two independent
chambers with return tubes in said horizontal tubes, and a common horizontal
pipe suitably supported and communicating with a steain drum and with the legs,
substantially as described.
11. The combination of a series of vertical legs subdivided by vertical partitions
and communicating with a common supply pipe at their lower ends; with a series of
horizontal tubes arranged one within the other and communicating respectively with
the separate chambers in said legs, substantially as described.
12. A series of vertical legs vertically subdivided into two independent water
chambers, in combination with a lower water supply pipe, pipes leading to a steam
drum from one of the water chambers in each leg, and horizontal tubes arranged one
within the other and communicating respectively with the chambers in said legs,
substantially as specified.
13. A steam boiler consisting of a series of vertical water legs, having two com-
partments; horizontal tubes closed at their outer end and opening into one of the
compartments of a leg, and internal tubes opening into the other compartment of
the leg, a transverse stand pipe supporting the legs, and the water supply thereto, as
set forth.
14. The combination of a series of vertical water legs Chorizontal tubes closed at
their outer ends and opening into one of the chambers in said legs, with internal tubes
opening into the other chambers in said legs, a horizontal transverse base pipe con-
nected to said legs, a steam drum, its connections with said legs, and the connections
between said steam drum and base pipe, all substantially as set forth.
15. The combination of a series of vertical subdivided legs C, having bent upper
ends, a horizontal stand pipe communicating with the legs and provided with a feed
pipe, the pipe communicating with the steam dome and legs, the horizontal internal
and external tubes communicating with the said subdivided legs, all substantially as
set forth.
16. The herein described water legs for tubular boilers consisting of the metal
tubular casting having an internal partition dividing its interior into two non-
communicating chambers, openings in the outer wall into one of said chambers, and
openings in the partition into the other chamber, and having its upper end bent
substantially as specified.