IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FURNACES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Thomas Watkin Williams, of Swansea, in the County of
Glamorgan, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF
FURNACES."
.
Sealed the 2nd July 1878, and dated the 9th February 1878:
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Thomas Watkin Williams at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th February 1878.
THOMAS WATKIN WILLIAMS, of Swansea, in the County of Glamorgan. "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION OF FURNACES."
My said Invention relates to certain improvements in the construction of furnaces;
whereby important advantages are obtained with great economy and simplicity as
compared with the arrangements hitherto employed, whilst at the same time a
great saving is effected in the amount of fuel consumed.
The grate of the furnace is constructed with hollow perforated fire-bars, which
are, by preference, of a slightly tapered form, the diameter of the outer ends, which
are respectively formed with bell-shaped mouths, being greater than that of the
inner ends. A tube is connected with the steam space or other convenient part of
the boiler, from which steam can be obtained in such a manner as to allow of its
being brought down to the front of the same a little below the bell-shaped mouths
of the fire-bars and to be carried horizontally in front of the latter. The horizontal
portion of the said tube is provided with apertures corresponding in number to that
of the fire-bars, and into which apertures are fixed small tubes, the opposite ends
thereof being provided with nozzles; these tubes are fixed vertically or nearly so
until they are opposite the centres of the fire-bars when they are bent at right'
angles in such a manner that the nozzles pass through the centres of the bell-shaped
mouths to the required distance, as will be well understood.

page_text: When it is required to bring the said arrangements into operation, steam is
admitted into the first-mentioned tube, the supply thereof being regulated by
means of valves adapted for the purpose. The steam then issues through the
smaller tubes and nozzles into the bell-shaped mouths of the fire-bars with such
force as to create a partial vacuum, the external atmospheric air passing into the
same through the said bell-shaped mouths, and together with the steam through
the perforations in the fire-bars, into and amongst the superincumbent mass of
incandescent fuel, the result being that the perfect combustion of the fuel is greatly
facilitated and the bars being kept cool are preserved from the injurious effects of
the great heat generated.
Instead of providing one tube or nozzle only for each fire-bar, two or more of
different lengths may be employed, the same being connected with the horizontal
tube in a manner similar to that before described, such additional tubes or nozzles
may be advantageously employed when the fire-bars are of unusual length. Instead
of having the tubes or nozzles entirely separate from the fire-bars; the same may be
cast in one piece therewith.
In cases in which my said Invention is applied to locomotive engines, both ends
of the fire-bars may be open, and respectively provided with the apparatus before
described, and when the same is in operation at one end of the fire-bars, the other
ends of the latter may be closed by means of shutters. By these means the engine
may be worked in either direction.
Results of a very important nature are secured by means of my said Invention.
The fire-bars are kept constantly cool, when even anthracite coal is employed, the
combustion of the same being completely effected by the operation of the apparatus
herein-before described. By reason of the bars being kept cool, "clinkering" is
entirely avoided; the operation of the apparatus is almost noiseless; and by reason
of a perfect combustion of the fuel being obtained, coal of inferior qualities may be
used.
The apparatus above described may be employed in combination with boilers
constructed with or without combustion chambers.
I will now proceed to refer to the annexed Drawings from which the nature of
my said Invention will be more clearly understood. Figure 1 is a front elevation
of a boiler showing half the fire-bars in section, taken through the line x, x, in
Figure 2; Figure 2 is a longitudinal section, shewing half the fire-bar in section;
and Figure 3 is a plan of the grate showing one half of the fire-bars in section.
The same letters of reference indicate similar parts in the several Figures.
A is the boiler; B, the furnace; b, the door thereof; and C, the ash-pit; D are
the hollow perforated fire-bars; E, the tube leading from the steam space; and e,
the horizontal portion of the same, which is placed below the line of fire-bars in
order to collect any water which may result from the condensation of the steam and
to prevent the same from priming the smaller tubes and from being forced into the
fire-bars, and by being so placed it offers no impediment to the passage of air into the
bell-shaped mouths. Pet cocks are provided for drawing off the water; F are the
smaller tubes and nozzles.
My said Invention will in practice be found to possess a great advantage as
compared with the ordinary under-grate blower, inasmuch as in cases where there is
a powerful natural draught, the same may be utilized as an auxiliary; and thus
secure economy of operation..
It should be mentioned that in most cases in which my said Invention is used it
will be found desirable to close the ash-pits of the grates.
Having thus described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention, and in
what manner the same is to be performed, I would observe in conclusion that what
I consider novel and original, and therefore claim as constituting my said Invention,
is,—
The combination and arrangement of parts and mechanism to be used in

page_text: connection with the hollow perforated bars of furnaces, substantially as and for the
purposes herein-before set forth and described, or any mere modifications thereof.
In witness whereof, I, the said Thomas Watkin Williams, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twelfth day of January, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
THOMAS WATKIN WILLIAMS. (L.S.)