Improvements in Feed Water Heaters for Steam Boilers.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 21st May, 1894-Accepted, 14th July, 1894
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Feed Water Heaters for Steam Boilers.
I ERIK NILSEN OTTERHOLM of Nordndsgadm, Bergen Norway, Sea-going
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention relates to a steam heated feed pipe which is principally intended.
to be fitted on board steamers and consists of two main parts (1) and (2):
(1) An internal steam-pipe, indicated on the drawing by AA, Figure 1 which
is supplied with fresh steam from the boiler, the steam flowing in the direction
from B to C and thereby giving up some of its heat to the surrounding water,
contained in the annular space between the steam-pipe and the other main
part viz.
(2) The external feed pipe, indicated by DD Figure 1 in which the water flows
in the opposite direction to that of the steam or from E to F; the flange at E
is fixed to the valve-box of the feed-pump of the engine and F is connected to
the feed-valve on the boiler. A valve for shutting off and admitting steam is fitted
to the steam pipe at B, where it enters the feed-pipe, a similar valve is also fitted
at C. Having entered the feed-pipe at B the steam pipe is coiled for a certain
length so as to give as much heating surface to the water as possible in this part L
of the feed-pipe, the diameter of which is accordingly increased.
For the sake of fitting the steam-pipe into place it is made up of a convenient
number of lengths connected by screwed unions as shewn, the external feed pipe
being also made of a corresponding number of parts joined by flanges which by their
shape enclose a space round the joints of the steam-pipe with a sufficient area for
the free flow of water.
One of each pair of flanges is cast with three wings G inside as shewn in Figure 2
with a square hole forming a guide or support to the pipe with a slack fit so as to
permit expansion by heat and at the same time preventing the pipe from turning
round when being fitted into place or when it has to be taken out. By unscrewing
the joints Hand I as well as the flanges of the external feed pipe at that part, the
coiled part of the steam-pipe can be taken out for inspection.
The total length of piping as well as the number of lengths may vary, of
For large
course, and will depend upon the conditions on board the steamer.
engine powers total length of piping may be up to 40 feet. The length, however,
has no influence upon the method of connecting and arranging the pipes as
shewn.
The external feed pipe is also fitted with a cylindrical box, K of gun-
metal cast in halves, connected by flanges for the sake of fitting see Figure 3.
Steam-valve C is screwed on to the bottom flange of this box, the flange
being similar in shape to that at the bottom of the larger part L of the
feed-pipe.
When an evaporator is fitted to the engine, supplying distilled water for
supplementary feed, the steam-pipe from main boiler to this evaporator will be
used for the said purpose, viz. carried through the feed-pipe for heating the feed-
water, however any other steam-pipe convenient for this purpose will serve and
can be used as well, and in any case heat will be utilized which otherwise would
radiate into the surrounding air. The feed-pipe will act as a feed-heater and the
result will be a better firing of the boiler and a saving of coal, consequently economy
in the working of the boiler.

page_text: 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 :-
A feed pipe between an engine and boiler provided with an internal steam pipe
arranged and acting substantially as described and illustrated.
Dated this 21st day of May 1894.
E. P. ALEXANDER & SON,
Fels. Chartered Inst. Patent Agents,
19, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Filing Agents.