Improvements in or relating to Oil Fuel Burners and their application to Furnaces.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Sept., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 1st June, 1900-Accepted, 18th Aug., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to Oil Fuel Burners and their application
to Furnaces.
I, THOMAS CLARKSON, Engineer, of Deverell Street, Great Dover Street, in
the County of Surrey, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to oil fuel burners and their application to furnaces,
and I will describe it as applied to steam boilers. The main features of the
burner are disclosed in prior British specifications, more particularly in No. 18679,
dated August 31st 1898, the present invention including particular structural
details and the manner of applying the burner to the boiler furnace.
In carrying out the invention I employ an inducing tube terminating in an
opening, preferably circular and adapted to be closed by a lid with a spindle
or equivalent extending along the inducing tube to a position at or near the
end remote from the boiler and where the inlet of vapour takes place. The
lid of the burner orifice is protected by fire-clay or the like, preferably in the
form of a suitably shaped block or brick and is movable nearer to or farther
from the end of the tube, being guided by fingers projecting from the tube.
Near the end of the burner tube are placed any desired number of wire gauze
or equivalent diaphragms for the purpose of breaking up and mixing the
vapour and air passing along the tube.
The back end of the spindle to which the burner lid is secured carries a handle
or needle valve which enters the vapour jet orifice; the needle is tapered-pre-
ferably chisel-shaped)-so that according to its position it increases or diminishes
the available opening for the passage to the inducing tube. The end of the
inducing tube beyond the vapour jet is preferably bell-mouthed and closed by
a hit and miss ventilator or equivalent so that the area of the air inlet can be
varied as required or closed entirely.
A pocket may be formed in the wall of the inducing tube carrying a shaft
upon which is fixed an arm projecting up the inducing tube and engaging
preferably by a slot--with the burner lid spindle: upon one end of the shaft
outside the inducing tube is fixed an arm moved by a handle or preferably
carrying a swivelling nut engaging with a spindle which can be rotated by a
hand wheel for the purpose of regulating the amounts of both the burner and
vapour jet openings."
Or the movement of the arm may be by an automatic regulator, that is operated
by either the pressure or the temperature of steam supplied by the boiler.
Where the burner or inducing tube enters the furnace the latter is closed by
a hit-and-miss ventilator or equivalent which is arranged to be promptly adjusted
so that the amount of air entering the furnace (apart from that mixed with
the oil vapour and entering through the inducing tube) can be regulated at
pleasure. The burner orifice can be placed in any desired position in the furnace
so as to place the flame in the best position.
The burner is surrounded inside the furnace by a conical shield which may
be carried upon brackets secured to the front plate of the furnace, and in front
of the shield where the flame is projected into the furnace is placed a hollow

page_text: annulus which serves as the vapouriser for the fuel. This annulus is provided
with extensions by which it can be secured to the top and bottom of, or other-
wise in, the furnace. A convenient arrangement is to cause each extension to
terminate in a screw with a washer or head at the end and a lock nut so that
the annulus may be jammed in the furnace and locked in position. The annulus
is preferably oval in cross section and in the extension branches are secured
the pipes, one of which, preferably the lower, supplies the oil and the other
conveys the vapour from the vapouriser back, and preferably outside, the inducing
tube to the back end of the latter, where it enters the inducing tube by the jet
nozzle as already described.
Any or all of the. inlet controls may be connected together so as to operate
simultaneously, but as the inlets for air only into the inducing tube and into
the furnace may require to be adjusted independently, provision for such
adjustment may be made.
To facilitate the removal of deposit from the vapour jet nozzle or its needle,
I provide that portion of the inducing tube with a removable inspection cover
(or the nozzle itself may be made removable) and connect the needle with the
burner lid spindle by a hole in the end of the needle and a projection on the
spindle or upon the arm which works it. The needle is held upon the projection
by a hooked wire or equivalent which may engage with a recess in the needle,
its outer end passing through the wall of the inducing tube and being screwed
to receive a nut, between which and the inducing tube and surrounding wire
is a spring of strength sufficient to securely hold the needle in place.
In an alternative form the vapourizer instead of being an annulus is shaped
like a hollow ball with projecting vanes or gills, the branches and entrance and
delivery pipes being connected substantially as previously described.
For starting purposes the following device may be employed; it may either
be a permanent attachment or may be portable. A furnace is composed, the
shape of which may conveniently be cylindrical, and made say of sheet metal
lined with asbestos and having inside it a coil of preferably steel tubing, to one
end of which oil can be supplied while the other end may have a tap or the like
and a nozzle, or may be means of a pipe be connected with a nozzle delivering
to any suitable part of the main burner, say for example to the inducing tube.
Into the lower portion of this furnace a small fan or equivalent blowing device,
operated by hand or any other suitable means, delivers a flame which may be
produced in the following manner:
The whole or a portion of the delivery nozzle or trunk of the fan may be lined
with asbestos or other absorbent material upon which oil is allowed to drip and
can be lighted by opening a lid or equivalent in the trunk. The oil may be
supplied in various ways, but a small pipe curled inside the trunk to form a
syphon, and having a small conical hopper, is suitable, and may be supplied
by a pipe opening over the top of it from any suitable oil supply, preferably
that of the main burner-the oil may be caused to flow by gravity or by air or
other pressure which can be supplied from previous working or generated by
hand.
The operation is as follows:-
The oil is supplied to the trunk of the fan; when the absorbent material has
absorbed enough a light can be applied through the previously mentioned lid
or other aperture and the fan being started blows the flame thus provided into
the furnace and around the coil. The oil is then turned into the coil as soon
as the latter has become sufficiently heated issuing as vapour by the jet to the
main burner. After the main burner is sufficiently heated its own supply of
oil can be turned on and the use of the auxiliary burner discontinued.
Dated this 7th day of September 1899.
BOULT, WADE & KILBURN,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Oil Fuel Burners and their application
to Furnaces.
I, THOMAS CLARKSON, Engineer, of Deverell Street, Great Dover Street, in
the County of Surrey, 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 oil fuel burners and their application to furnaces,
and I will describe it as applied to steam boilers. The main features of the
burner are disclosed in prior British specifications more particularly in No. 18679.
dated August 31st 1898, the present invention including particular structural
details and the manner of applying the burner to the boiler furnace.
In carrying out the invention I employ an inducing tube terminating in an
opening, preferably circular and adapted to be closed by a lid with a spindle
or equivalent extending along the inducing tube to a position at or near the
end remote from the boiler and where the inlet of vapour takes place. The
lid of the burner orifice is protected by fire-clay or the like, preferably in the
form of a suitably shaped block or brick and is movable nearer to or farther
from the end of the tube, being guided by fingers projecting from the tube.
Near the end of the burner tube are placed any desired number of wire gauze
or equivalent diaphragms for the purpose of breaking up and mixing the
vapour and air passing along the tube.
The back end of the spindle to which the burner lid is secured carries a bar
or needle which enters the vapour jet orifice; the needle is tapered-pre-
ferably chisel-shaped)-so that according to its position it increases or diminishes
the available opening for the passage to the inducing tube. The end of the
inducing tube beyond the vapour jet is preferably bell-mouthed and closed by
a hit-and-miss ventilator or equivalent so that the area of the air inlet can be
varied as required or closed entirely.
A pocket may be formed in the wall of the inducing tube carrying a shaft
upon which is fixed an arm projecting up the inducing tube and engaging-
preferably by a slot-with the burner lid spindle: upon one end of the shaft
outside the inducing tube is fixed an arm moved by a handle or preferably
carrying a swivelling nut engaging with a spindle which can be rotated by a
hand wheel for the purpose of regulating the amounts of both the burner and
vapour jet openings."
Or the movement of the arm may be by an automatic regulator, that is operated
by either the pressure or the temperature of steam supplied by the boiler.
Where the burner or inducing tube enters the furnace the latter is closed by
a hit-and-miss ventilator or equivalent which is arranged to be promptly adjusted
so that the amount of air entering the furnace (apart from that mixed with
the oil vapour and entering through the inducing tube) can be regulated at
pleasure. The burner orifice can be placed in any desired position in the furnace
so as to place the flame in the best position.
The burner is surrounded inside the furnace by a conical shield which may
be carried upon brackets secured to the front plate of the furnace. and in front
of the shield where the flame is projected into the furnace is placed a hollow
annulus which serves as the vapouriser for the fuel. This annulus is provided
with extensions by which it can be secured to the top and bottom of. or other-
wise in, the furnace. A convenient arrangement is to cause each extension to
terminate in a screw with a washer or head at the end and a lock nut so that

page_text: the annulus may be jammed in the furnace and locked in position. The annulus
is preferably oval in cross section and in the extension branches are secured
the pipes, one of which, preferably the lower, supplies the oil and the other
conveys the vapour from the vapouriser back, and preferably outside, the inducing
tube to the back end of the latter, where it enters the inducing tube by the jet
nozzle as already described.
Any or all of the inlet controls may be connected together so as to operate
simultaneously, but as the inlets for air only into the inducing tube and into
the furnace may require to be adjusted independently, provision for such
adjustment may be made.
To facilitate the removal of deposit from the vapour jet nozzle or its needle,
I provide that portion of the inducing tube with a removable inspection cover
(or the nozzle itself may be made removable) and connect the needle with the
burner lid spindle by a hole in the end of the needle and a projection on the
spindle or upon the arm which works it. The needle is held upon the projection
by a hooked wire or equivalent which may engage with a recess in the needle,
its outer end passing through the wall of the inducing tube and being screwed
to receive a nut, between which and the inducing tube and surrounding wire
is a spring of strength sufficient to securely hold the needle in place.
In an alternative form the vapouriser instead of being an annulus is shaped
like a hollow ball with projecting vanes or gills, the branches and entrance and
delivery pipes being connected substantially as previously described.
For starting purposes the following device may be employed; it may either
be a permanent attachment or may be portable. A furnace is composed, the
shape of which may conveniently be cylindrical, and made say of sheet metal
lined with asbestos and having inside it a coil of preferably steel tubing, to one
end of which oil can be supplied while the other end may have a tap or the like
and a nozzle, or may by means of a pipe be connected with a nozzle delivering
to any suitable part of the main burner, say for example to the inducing tube.
Into the lower portion of this furnace a small fan or equivalent blowing device,
operated by hand or any other suitable means, delivers a flame which may be
produced in the following manner:-
The whole or a portion of the delivery nozzle or trunk of the fan may be lined
with asbestos or other. absorbent material upon which oil is allowed to drip and
can be lighted by opening a lid or equivalent in the trunk. The oil may be
supplied in various ways, but a small pipe curled inside the trunk to form a
syphon, and having a small conical hopper, is suitable, and may be supplied
by a pipe opening over the top of it from any suitable oil supply, preferably
that of the main burner-the oil may be caused to flow by gravity or by air or
other pressure which can be supplied from previous working or generated by
hand.
The operation is as follows:-
: -
The oil is supplied to the trunk of the fan; when the absorbent material has
absorbed enough a light can be applied through the previously mentioned lid
or other aperture and the fan being started blows the Hame thus provided into
the furnace and around the coil. The oil is then turned into the coil as soon
as the latter has become sufficiently heated issuing as vapour by the jet to the
main burner. After the main burner is sufficiently heated its own supply of
oil can be turned on and the use of the auxiliary burner discontinued.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section of a burner constructed in accordance
with this invention.
Figure 2 is a plan of the same.
Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is an end elevation of the burner shown in Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a side elevation of a similar construction of burner showing it
fitted in the furnace of a steam generator, the furnace being shown in section.

page_text: 4
Figures 6 and 7 are sectional elevations showing different methods of mounting
the regulating bar.
Figure 8 is a part sectional elevation of a vapourising apparatus employed
for starting purposes.
Figure 9 is a plan of the same.
Like letters indicate like parts throughout the drawings.
A burner constructed in accordance with this invention comprises a burner
box or mixing chamber composed conveniently of three parts, namely a tubular
portion A, a flared portion A attached to one end of the tube A, and an
extension A2 connected to the other end of the tube A. The part A2 terminates
in an open end which forms the burner proper and around this orifice are dis-
posed a number of projections or fingers B. The orifice is closed by a cap or
lid C which is carried on a rod D situated within the burner box and preferably
бent as shown so as to lie adjacent to the side of this box. The lid C fits within
and is guided by the fingers B and it is provided on its outer surface with a
covering C¹ of fire-clay or other refractory non-conducting material conveniently
enclosed in a cone C2 of thin sheet metal. By means of the fingers B which
may be formed either on the burner box or on the cap C the inflammable mixture
issuing from the burner is divided up into a series of radiating streams. Behind
the lid C on the rod D is carried a perforated plate or gauze diaphragm E which
serves to break up and thoroughly mingle the currents of air and vapour before
they issue from the burner.
Bracket arms F are attached either to the burner box, or, as shown in
Figures 1 and 2, to the wall P of the furnace of the generator which the burner
is employed to heat. The brackets F support one or, as illustrated in Figure 1,
two conical funnels G formed conveniently of perforated metal. These funnels
are so situated in relation to the burner that the flame will impinge against
their inner surfaces and be directed horizontally. By becoming incandescent
the funnels also radiate heat and promote combustion, and in the event of the
flame being momentarily extinguished they act as an igniter to relight the
vapour when it again commences to issue from the burner.
A helical coil of tube H is arranged transversely across the face of the burner
and constitutes a vapouriser, one end of the coil H¹ being connected to a fuel
supply tank, the other end H2 passing through the wall of the part A of the
burner box and terminating in a jet nozzle J. The delivery orifice of this
nozzle is formed rectangular and into it projects one end of a regulating bar K
of rectangular cross-section bent into approximately Z-shape. The end of the
bar K which is intended to lie within the orifice J is bevelled or chisel-shaped
as at K. The opposite end of the bar K is rigidly secured to the rod D by
screws, bolts or in some other convenient manner.
In the underside of the part A of the burner box is formed a pocket A*
through which passes transversely a rocking shaft L, the sides of the pocket
serving as bearings within which this spindle can rotate. Keyed upon the
shaft L within the pocket A is a lever arm L', the free end of which lies within
an eye or slot D₁ formed in the rod D. By moving the rocking shaft L the
rod D will be caused to reciprocate within the burner box, thus bringing about
the simultaneous movement of the lid C and the bar K. This regulating move-
ment may be effected by hand or by some form of automatic regulator. Where
the former method is adopted the movement of the shaft L is brought about by
means of a hand wheel Q upon a screw-threaded spindle Q which engages with
a swivel nut L carried upon the end of a lever L keyed upon the shaft L
outside the burner box. In order to keep the bar K constantly pressed against
the lower edge of the orifice of the jet nozzle J. the rod D may be extended as
at D2 and provided at its end with a weight or engaged by a hooked rod M.
which projects through a tapered hole A in the wall of the casing A', the outer
end of this rod being screw-threaded for the reception of nuts M¹ and a washer,
between which and the wall of the casing is disposed a spring M². The latter

page_text: .
exerts a pull upon the rod M and so holds the bar K against the lower edge of
the orifice of jet nozzle J as required.
The pocket A of the burner box may conveniently be provided with a drainage
syphon pipe A, which leads from a tubular extension A8 of the pocket A*, and
enables any condensed vapour to be conveyed away.
The part of the burner box is as previously mentioned flared or bell-
mouthed, and it has its open end provided with a fixed perforated plate N and
a correspondingly perforated rotatable plate N1 the two plates serving, on. the
principle of the hit-and-miss ventilator, to allow of the adjustment of the amount
of air drawn into the burner box. Above the nozzle J and regulating bar K is
formed an inspection opening in the wall of the burner box, this opening being
closed by a removable cover Aº.
con-
The wall P of the furnace is perforated directly behind the mouth of the
burner and provided with a correspondingly perforated annular rotatable disc Pl
which operates on the hit-and-miss ventilator principle to control the supply
of air entering the furnace chamber, this supply being distinct from that
trolled by the hit-and-miss ventilator arrangement NN1 at the outer end of the
burner box. The rotating part P¹ may conveniently be carried in the manner
shown in Figure 1 where washers Ft mounted on the screw-threaded extensions F
of the brackets F are under-cut or recessed as at F³ to receive the outer edge
of the annular plate P¹. The inner edge of this part lies between the furnace
wall P and a flange A formed on the part A of the burner box. This flange A9
together with a corresponding flange A10 formed on the part A2 of the burner box,
serves to enable the latter to be attached by bolts to the furnace wall P. The
outer end of the burner box is supported by a rod All which extends downwards
conveniently from the extension A8 of the pocket A to the floor.
Figure 5 shows in elevation a similar arrangement of burner situated in
position in the furnace of a steam generator. In this case the vapouriser is
constructed as a hollow annulus H provided with a fixed bracket Hs adapted
to butt up against the lower wall P2 of the furnace. Opposite the bracket H*
on the vapouriser H7 is an adjustable extension in the form of a screw H⁹ with
a suitably shaped head. By means of the screw H³ the vapouriser can be
jammed in the furnace between the upper wall P³ and the lower wall 12. Suit-
able connections H H are provided between the vapouriser H' and the supply
tank and jet nozzle, respectively.
It will be understood that either the supply of air by the apparatus NN1 to
the burner box, or the supply of air by the apparatus F1 to. the furnace chamber,
or both these supplies, may be automatically or otherwise controlled, either
separately or in conjunction with the apparatus for controlling the supply of
vapour issuing from the nozzle and that issuing from the burner orifices.
Instead of mounting the regulating bar K rigidly upon one end of the rod D
as shown in Figure 1 it may be arranged as shown in Figure 6 or in Figure 7.
In the construction shown in Figure 6 a nipple L2 is formed upon the end of
the lever L which in place of engaging with a slot in the rod D as in Figure 1
is pivotally connected to the end of this rod. The chisel-shaped end of the
bar Krests in the nozzle J, the other end being provided with an eye which
engages with the nipple L². A rod M projecting through a tapered hole A³ in
the wall of the burner box is provided at its end with a hook which engages the
regulating bar K. The end of the rod M which lies outside the burner box is
screw-threaded and carries nuts M¹ and a washer between which and the wall
of the burner box is arranged a coiled spring M2 carried upon the rod M. A
pull is thus exerted upon the latter and the bar K is thus firmly held in position
while being allowed play when the regulating mechanism is operated.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 7 the nipple L is formed upon the rod D
which as before is pivotally connected at its end to the lever L. The bar K is
spring-controlled in the same manner as in the arrangement shown in Figure 6.
Two set-screws A2 A3 pass through the wall of the pocket At.
These screws

page_text: are so situated that they will control the range of movement of the lever L'
which will come in contact with their extremities when in either of its extreme
positions. By this means the range of movement of the cap and regulating
bar K can be determined.
In order to vapourize the fuel necessary to start a burner and maintain it
until the vapourizer directly heated by the burner has been raised to the neces-
sary temperature an apparatus such as shown in Figures 8 and 9 may be employed.
This comprises a casing I preferably cylindrical and lined with asbestos 2.
Within this casing is situated a coil of pipe 3 preferably arranged helically.
This coil constitutes the generator for producing vapour which issues from the
end 4 of the pipe, liquid fuel being introduced at the end 5. A passage 6 leads
tangentially into the bottom of the casing 1 and in this passage is situated a
box. 7 which contains a wick 8 conveniently formed of asbestos millboard or the
like. A pipe 9 leading from the oil supply terminates in a nozzle 10 over a
cup 11 from which runs a tube 12 preferably coiled as, at 13. This tube is
situated within the passage 6 and terminates just over the, box 7 containing. the
wick S. By opening a stop valve 14 a small supply of fuel can be allowed to
pass into the cup 11 and thence to the burner in the casing..
A fan 15 or equivalent blowing device is employed to deliver a current of air
over the burner in the casing 6, the trunk 16 of the fan being connected to
the end of the passage.6. The fan casing 17 carries on a bracket in a suitable
bearing 18 a toothed wheel 19 provided with a handle 20. This wheel engages
with a pinion 21 on the spindle of the fan 15.
A door 22 is provided in the passage above the burner 8 and through the
opening closed by this door the burner may be ignited. By rotating the toothed
wheel 19 a current of air is driven over the burner 8 into the casing 1 where
the flame swirls round and round completely enveloping the generating coil of
tube 3. The oil supply for the burner S suffices to maintain a flame for such
a time as will enable sufficient fuel to be generated in the coil 3 to keep the
main burner A going until the vapouriser operated directly by it is heated
enough to accomplish the vapourisation necessary for the burner.
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. In an oil, vapour or similar burner the combination with a burner box of
a rod such as D carrying at one end a cap such as C and at the other end con-
nected to or carrying a bar or needle whose extremity enters the nozzle delivering
fuel to the burner box and means for operating the rod substantially as and for
the purpose described.
2. In an oil, vapour or similar burner the combination with a burner box of
a rod such as D within this box carrying at one end a lid or cap and at the
other end connected to or carrying a bar or needle such as K, fingers such as B
on the burner box or lid serving to divide the flame and guide the lid when
moved, and means for operating the rod so as to move the lid and bar K simul-
taneously with or without a spring or weight for controlling the bar K substan-
tially as described.
3. The combination with an oil, vapour or similar burner and a generator
heated by the burner of devices for controlling the supply of air to the burner
box and to the furnace chamber respectively substantially as described.
4. The combination with an oil, vapour or similar burner of the kind described
of a hollow annular vapouriser such as H adapted to be fixed in the manner
described in the furnace opposite the face of the burner.
5. In a vapouriser for an oil, vapour or similar burner the combination with
a cylindrical or equivalent shaped casing containing a vapourising coil of tube,
of a wick and a blowing device for sending a current of air over the wick and
delivering a flame tangentially into the casing substantially as described.

page_text: 6. The combination with an oil, vapour or similar burner of a vapouriser
directly heated by the main burner and an auxiliary vapouriser heated by a
subsidiary burner substantially as described.
7. The complete oil, vapour or similar burner substantially as described or
illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 or in Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.
8. The complete mechanism for controlling the air supply to the burner box
of an oil, vapour or similar burner and to the furnace in which the burner is
situated substantially as described or illustrated in Figures 1 and 4 of the
accompanying drawings.
9. The complete annular vapouriser for an oil, vapour or similar burner sub-
stantially as described and illustrated in Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.
10. The complete spring controlled mounting for the regulating bar for the
nozzle of an oil, vapour or similar burner substantially as described or illustrated
in Figure 1 or Figure 6 or Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.
11. The complete auxiliary vapouriser for an oil, vapour or similar burner
substantially as described or illustrated in Figures 8 and 9 of the accompanying
drawings.
Dated this 26th day of May 1900.
BOULT, WADE & KILBURN,
Agents for the Applicant.