IMPROVE MENTS IN FURNACES FOR HEATING 'AIR AND OTHER ELASTIC FLUIDS
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Alfred Cowper, of Great George Street,
Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVE
MENTS IN FURNACES FOR HEATING 'AIR AND OTHER ELASTIC FLUIDS."
Sealed the 7th August 1857, and dated the 19th May 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left-by the said Edward Alfred Cowper
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
19th May 1857.
I, EDWARD ALFRED COWPER, of Great George Street, Westminster, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
IMPROVEMENTS, IN FURNACES FOR HEATING AIR AND OTHER ELASTIC FLUIDS,"
to be as follows:-.
The mode at present employed for heating the blast for iron furnaces
consists in driving the air through iron pipes inclosed in and heated by a
furnace. The temperature thus obtainable is restricted on account of the
injury which iron pipes sustain when exposed to a fierce fire, and also to
pressure. Pipes of fire clay cannot be employed in the ordinary furnaces, as
they would leak or crack, and the air would escape. By the present Inven-
tion I am enabled advantageously to employ fire clay or fire stone, or similar
refractory materials, and I can thus heat the air to a very high temperature.
For this purpose the air is heated by means of "regenerators," in which the
same passages are employed alternately for the products of combustion and the
air; or alternate and separate passages or chambers are used, in which case the

page_text: air is raised to and maintained at the same or nearly the same pressure in the
furnace, and the chambers or passages communicating with it, as the pressure
of the blast itself. The regenerator consists of achamber filled with fire bricks,
or other refractory substances, having interstices between them for the passage
of the air or products of combustion. The regenerator is enclosed in an air-
tight case of iron, or other suitable material, lined with fire bricks, or other
refractory and bad conducting materials. The flame and products of com-
bustion of a fire are conducted through this regenerator, and the bricks or
other materials within it become highly heated at the end at which the flame
enters, while the other end remains comparatively cool. When the regenerator
has thus absorbed a certain quantity of heat, the entrance of the products of
combustion is stopped, and the blast of air is passed through in the contrary
direction. The air is thus heated by the bricks to a very high temperature,
and is conducted from the regenerator to the smelting or blast furnace.
While the blast is thus being heated by one regenerator, another regenerator
is being heated by the same or a different fire to that which heated the first
regenerator.
When the heat of the first generator is exhausted or partially exhausted,
the second regenerator is brought into action, and the first is again heated by
the fire. The reversing of the currents is effected by valves or cocks, which
are protected from the heat or made of materials capable of withstanding the
heat, or so constructed as to be capable of resisting the heat, either by in-
troducing water within or around the valves or their seats, or by employing
valves which drop into water or other liquid, or melted or fusible metals or
alloys, or otherwise. Or the apparatus is so arranged that the valves or guides
for the passage of the air and products of combustion may be exposed to the
same or nearly the same pressure on each side. In this case the furnace may
consist of a series of parallel or crooked flues or passages. The products of
combustion of the fire are passed through the alternate flues, and the air is
passed through the other alternate flues in the opposite direction. The whole
is enclosed in an air-tight case. In some cases, in lieu of employing a separate
fire or fires for heating the regenerators, l'heat them by the waste heat or gases
from a blast or other furnace.
The Invention is applicable for heating air, or steam, or gases, or vapours
under pressure for blast furnaces, or for any purpose for which the same may
be required. By this Invention I am enabled to obtain a much hotter blast
than can be obtained by the ordinary furnaces, and with great economy
of fuel,
...

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Edward Alfred Cowper in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 19th November 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
ALFRED COWPER, of Great George Street, Westminster, in the County of
Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twentieth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Edward Alfred Cowper, Her special licence that I, the said Edward Alfred
Cowper, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I,
the said Edward Alfred Cowper, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at
all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention
for "IMPROVEMENTS IN FURNACES FOR HEATING AIR AND OTHER ELASTIC FLUIDS,"
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Edward Alfred Cowper,
iny executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my,or their,
or one of their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Edward Alfred Cowper, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the follow-
ing statement thereof, that is to say:-
The mode at present employed for heating the blast for iron furnaces
cousists in driving the air through iron pipes inclosed in and heated by a
furnace. The temperature thus obtainable is restricted, on account of the
injury which iron pipes sustain when exposed to a fierce fire, and also to
pressure. Pipes of fire clay cannot be employed in the ordinary furnaces, as
present Inven-
they would leak or crack, and the air would escape. By the
tion I am enabled advantageously to employ fire clay or fire stone, or similar
refractory materials, and I can thus heat the air to a very high temperature.
For this purpose the air is heated by means of "regenerators," in which the
A 2

page_text: ..)
Awal
same passages are employed alternately for the products of combustion and the
air; or alternate and separate passages or chambers are used, in which case the
air is raised to and maintained at the same or nearly the same pressure in the
furnace, and the chambers or passages communicating with it, as the pressure
of the blast itself. The regenerator consists of a chamber filled with firebricks
or other refractory substances, having interstices between them for the passage
of the air or products of combustion. The regenerator is inclosed in an air-
tight case of iron, or other suitable material, lined with fire bricks, or other
refractory and bad conducting materials. The flame and products of coin-
bustion of a fire are conducted through this regenerator, and the bricks or
other materials within it become highly heated at the end at which the flaine
enters, while the other end remains comparatively cool. When the regenerator
has thus absorbed a certain quantity of heat, the entrance of the products of
combustion is stopped, and the blast of air is passed through in the contrary
direction. The air is thus heated by the bricks to a very high temperature,
and is conducted from the regenerator to the smelting or blast furnace.
While the blast is thus being heated by one regenerator, another regenerator
is being heated by the same or a different fire to that which heated the first
regenerator.
When the heat of the first regenerator is exhausted or partially exhausted,
the second regenerator is brought into action, and the first is again heated
by the fire. The reversing of the currents is effected by valves or cocks,
which are protected from the heat or made of materials capable of with-
standing the heat, or so constructed as to be capable of resisting the heat,
either by introducing water within or around the valves or their seats, or by
employing valves which drop into water or other liquid; or melted or fusible
metals or alloys, or otherwise. Or the apparatus is so arranged that the valves
orguides for the passage of the air and products of combustion may be exposed
to the same or nearly the same pressure on each side. In this case the
furnace may consist of a series of parallel or crooked flues or passages. The
products of combustion of the fire are passed through the alternate flues, and
the air is passed through the other alternate flues in the opposite direction.
The whole is inclosed in an air-tight case. In some cases, in lieu of employing
a separate fire.or fires for heating the regenerators, I heat them by the waste
heat or gases from a blast or other furnace. The Invention is applicable for
heating air, or steam, or gases, or vapours under pressure for blast furnaces, or
for any purpose for which the same may be required. By this Invention lam
enabled to obtain a much hotter blast than can be obtained by the ordinary
furnaces, and with great economy of fuel.

page_text: "
" Figure 1, Sheet I., of the accompanying Drawings, is a vertical section of
a furnace constructed according to my Invention. F is the fireplace in
which the coal or other fuel is burned, and from which the products of
combustion pass into the regenerator R; which is filled with fire bricks or
other refractory materials, arranged with interstices for the passage of the
flame, and gases. At the top of the regenerator is an opening S, which is
closed by a valve W, which turns upon a pin or joint a, and dips into an
annular metallic trough b, containing fusible alloy or other suitable liquid.
The trough is connected in an air-tight manner with the air-tight casing A,
of cast or wrought iron plates, which surrounds and incloses the apparatus,
and is protected from the beat by the lining B of fire-brick, or other refractory
inaterial. The trough is of sufficient depth to prevent the liquid from being.
'blown out of it by the pressure of the air in the apparatus. I is a pipe,
provided with a sluice valve, or other suitable valve C, for the admission of
air from a blast engine or blowing machine; a is a small pipe and valve,
opening into the atmosphere; E is a passage leading to an cutlet passage or
pipe O; and provided with a valve H, made of iron, lined with fire bricks, and
dipping into an annular trough c, containing melted lead or other suitable
liquid, and connected to the casing A. This trough is partially protected
from the heat by the fire-brick lining B. The valve H is raised and lowered
by a rod d, which passes through a stuffing box at tlie top of a pipe e, which
passes through a vesself filled with water. The bottom of this vessel is made
with a concavity or recess, which receives the valve H when it is raised.
The outlet pipe O is of iron, lined with fire-brick to protect it from the heat.
The coal or coke or other fuel is introduced into the fireplace F at one or
more fire doors y, and air is admitted through the ash-pit h. G is a valve,
which fits against a seat i, i, connected with the casing A. The valve G is
made hollow, and is filled with water, which prevents it from becoming
injuriously heated by its proximity to the fire. One or more apertures are
made in tlie outer surface of the valve near the top for the escape of steam,
and another aperture or apertures are made for introducing the water. The
valve is supported by small wheels or rollers, so as to allow of its being pushed
horizontally into a recess provided for it when required. is a pan or a box
containing water, or traversed by a stream of water, and which receives the
radiation of the heat from the fire, and prevents the fire bars from becoming
overheated; or the fire bars may consist of wrought-iron tubes, traversed by
a current of water; or forming part of a closed system of tubes, in which the
T water circulates continually. In the latter case a considerable portion of the
system of tubes is exposed to the air, or otherwise cooled, so as to carry away

page_text: the heat which is taken up from the fire bars. The cold air entering the
regenerator may be brought in contact with these tubes, so as to cool the
tubes without wasting the heat, or the fire bars may be constantly traversed
by a portion of the air to be heated. Two of these apparatus are employed.
The inlet pipes 1 of both apparatus are connected and supplied by the same
blast engine or blowing apparatus. The outlet pipes O are also connected
and conducted to the blast furnace or other place where the current of heated
air is required. The mode of employing the apparatus is as follows:-The
valves C and H are closed and the valves G and W are opened. A fire is
made in F, and the products of combustion are allowed to pass through the
mass of bricks or other materials in the regenerator R, and to escape at the
opening S into the atmosphere, or into a chimney, if a more rapid draught
be required. The materials in the bottom of the regenerator are thus heated
to a high temperature, which gradually decreases towards the top, where
they are comparatively cool. The valves G and W are then closed and the
valves C and H are opened. The cold blast of air enters the top of the
regenerator, and passes out at the bottom through the passages E and O to
the blast furnace. As the cold air descends through the regenerator it
becomes gradually heated, so that when it reaches the bottom its temperature
approximates to that which the materials at that part have acquired from the
furnace. By this means the heat of the products of combustion of the fuel
is transferred with very little loss to the air, which is thus economically heated
to a high temperature. After continuing the current of air for a certain
time, varying with the capacity of the generator and other circumstances,
the second regenerator is brought into action, having been previously heated,
as herein-before described. The valves C and H of the first regenerator are
then closed, and the valve W is opened to allow of the escape of the compressed
air from the apparatus, and the valve G is then pushed back into its recess.
The small valves may be opened before opening the valves W and G. The
air in the regenerator will thus be reduced to the pressure of the atmosphere,
and the valves W and G will thus be relieved from the pressure, and may
then be opened simultaneously. The fire then burns up and is fed with fuel,
and the regenerator R is again heated as before, and so on. The lower part
of the regenerator is thus constantly kept at a high temperature while the
upper part is comparatively cool, and the whole is heated a little and cooled
a little at each change or alternation. The lining B is to be made sufficiently
thick and of sufficiently bad conducting materials to prevent the escape of
any great proportion of the heat. The regenerator R may be filled with fire
bricks built up in various forms, some of which are herein-after described, or

page_text: it may be filled with fire bricks or refractory stones thrown in at random,
care being taken, however, that the spaces or interstices between the materials
are sufficiently large and numerous to allow of the passage of the air and the
products of combustion. When the resistance presented by the materials in
the regenerator is greater than can be overcome by the natural draught of
the furnace assisted by a chimney, the fire may be urged by a fan or a
blowing machine, so as to force the products of combustion through the
regenerator, or a fan or other exhausting machine may be applied at the top
or cool end of the regenerator to draw the products of combustion through it.
The upper part of the regenerator being comparatively cool, may be filled
with less refractory materials than the lower part, if preferred. Thus plates
or pieces of iron may be employed for this purpose.
In this apparatus the fireplace is shut in by the valve G while the air is
being driven through the regenerator. The combustion ceases while the fire
is shut in, but the whole mass of fuel and the brickwork round it remain
very hot, so that the combustion is renewed when the valve G is again opened.
When coal is used as the fuel the fire should be allowed to burn clear before
closing the valve G, otherwise gas will be liberated when this valve is closed,
and this gas passing into the regenerator and mixing with the air might
possibly produce an explosive mixture, and if it should be entirely consumed
as it enters the regenerator it would produce a certain amount of carbonic
acid gas,
which would deteriorate the quality of the hot blast. If a sluice
valve or other valve be placed between the fire and the regenerator in lieu
of the valve G, the fireplace may be cut off from the regenerator while the
blast is passing through it, and by placing another valve between the fire-
place and the second regenerator the fire may be kept in constant action, and
the one fire will serve to heat both regenerators.
Figure 2, Sheet II., is a longitudinal section, and Figure 3 is a plan, partly
in section, of such an arrangement. Fis the fireplace; G is a valve, similar
to the valve H in Figure 1, and communicating with the regenerator R. A
similar valve communicates from the other end of the furnace to the other
regenerator R. In this Drawing the regenerators are arranged horizontally
instead of vertically, as in Figure 1. These regenerators are chambers con-
taining open-built walls of fire-brick, placed a little distance apart, and having
the openings in each wall opposite to the solid parts of the next wall. A
few of these walls are shewn in the Drawing. The air and gases are thus
compelled to follow a very tortuous course, and to take up or communicate
the heat more perfectiy than if straight passages were used. I, I¹, are the
inlet pipes for the cold blast, having valves C, C₁; H, in Figure 2, is the

page_text: valve for regulating the passage of the hot blast from the regenerator R to
the outlet pipe O; W is the valve communicating with the chimney S.
Similar valves are placed on the other regenerator R¹. The rods by which
the valves G and H are moved pass through stuffing boxes at the tops of
long pipes, attached to the casing A of the apparatus. These pipes and the
rods and valves are partially cooled by a current of cold air, conveyed into
them from the cold blast pipes I or I¹ by the pipe f, which is furnished with
cocks or valves for regulating the supply. The valves G and W of the
regenerator R are closed while the corresponding valves of the regenerator
R, are open, and at the same time the blast valves H and C of the regenerator
Rare opened and those of R' are closed. The products of combustion then
pass from the fire through the regenerator R¹ and into the chimney.S; at
the same time the cold air enters the regenerator R by the pipe I, and
becomes highly heated in its passage, and passes off by the valve H to the
outlet or hot-blast main O. After a certain interval of time all the valves are
reversed; the air then passes through R¹ to the outlet O, while the products
of combustion pass through R to the chimney. By altering the valves of one
regenerator before altering those of the other, the blast may be put on to
one regenerator before it is shut off from the other, and thus there will be no
intermission of the blast in the main pipe Oduring the operation of changing
the valves.
When the liquid metal valves are used, their annular troughs may be
encircled by a passage or flue, through which a current of cold air or water
may be conducted to prevent the melted metal from becoming injuriously
overheated. Hot air or the products of combustion from a fire may also be
conducted through such passages or flues, in order to melt the metal in first
starting the apparatus, or in the event of its becoming cooled.
In lieu of heating the regenerators by separate fires, they may be heated by
the flame or waste gases from the top of a blast furnace. Figure 4, Sheet III.,
is a vertical section of such an apparatus. F is the blast furnace, commu-
nicating by a sluice valve G with the top of a regenerator R, the bottom of
which communicates by a sluice valve W with a chimney or outlet S; I is the
inlet pipe for the cold blast, with its valve C; H is a sluice valve at the top of
the regenerator, communicating with the hot blast. pipe O; J is a pipe which
conveys a portion of the cold blast through a series of small apertares in the
neck or pipe, which conveys the gases from the blast furnace into the regene-
rator. The supply of air through these apertures is adjusted by a valve, so
as to effect a proper combustion of the gases. K is a cover or dome of fire
bricks, supported by an iron ring or frame, which covers the top of the blast

page_text: furnace and forces the gases to pass into the regenerator, but may be removed
when necessary for charging the furnace. Where, however it is wished to
keep the mouth of the furnace open this cover may be removed, and the gases
may be drawn from the top of the furnace by placing an exhausting apparatus
or fan at the chimney valve W, or by carrying up the chimney to a sufficient
height, or by placing the regenerator itself at a higher level. Two of these
regenerators are employed, and alternately traversed by the products of com-
bustion and by the blast, which is delivered from both of them into the main
pipe O. The pipes L, L, which convey the heated blast to the tuyeres may
be lined with fire-brick, like the pipe O. The casing or iron pipe L has its
end turned in a lathe to the form of a portion or zone of a hollow sphere,
which rests upon the corresponding spherical end of the branch I. The pipe
I can thus be drawn back and away from the furnace when necessary, or
pushed towards the furnace until its nozzle enters the water tuyere of the
furnace. The contact of the water tuyere with the nozzle prevents the latter
from being burnt. The valves G and H and their seats are protected from
the heat by the circulation of water through them, in the same manner as with
a water tuyere. Each valve has two valve rods, which are made hollow, and
pass through two stuffing boxes, or one pipe may pass down the centre of the
other. The water is introduced at one pipe and allowed to flow away through
the other; or the pipes may be connected so as to form an endless coil of
pipes, of which a sufficient portion is exposed to the atmosphere to carry off*
the heat; or the valve may consist of a slab of cast iron, cast upon and..
surrounding a portion of a wrought-iron pipe, of which another portion is
exposed to the air.
Figure 5, Sheet III., is an elevation of a valve which is made hollow, and
traversed by a current of water. His the hollow valve; d is a pipe reaching
nearly to the bottom of the valve, and terminating at the top in a larger pipe
d', into which water flows from the fixed pipe d; d³ is another pipe, ascend-
ing from the top of the valve H, and then turning down and dipping into a
fixed pipe or cistern d', which receives the overflowing water and conducts it
away. The pipes d, d', and d are raised and lowered with the valve, while
the pipes d and d remain stationary.
Figure 6 is an elevation of a somewhat similar valve, but in which the pipe
d is bent into a coil of several convolutions, and then connected to the pipe d*;
d' is a larger pipe, which contains air, so as to allow of the expansion of the
water when heated. This apparatus is filled with water at the pipe d² and is
then closed air-tight; the water circulates in the pipes and in the valve, and
gives out its heat to the atmosphere.

page_text: Figure 7 shows a similar arrangement for the circulation of water; but in
this case the water is entirely inclosed in tubes or pipes of wrought iron, over
which a slab of cast iron is cast to form the valve. The pipes in these arrange-
ments pass through stuffing boxes on the valve boxes, and are employed for
raising and lowering the valves. .
In the arrangements shewn in Figures 6 and 7, a sufficient extent of pipe
should be exposed to the air to carry off the heat taken up from the valve, and
to prevent too great a pressure of steam being produced within the pipes. The
part of the valve which is exposed to the heat may be protected by a covering
of fire-brick, so as to diminish the quantity of heat to be carried off by the
water. The valves may also be traversed by currents of air instead of water.
Thus, a pipe may be connected by a stuffing box with the piped in Figure 5,
and cold air may be driven or drawn through the pipes. The valve may be a
hollow box, as in Figure 5, or a slab traversed by pipes, as in Figure 7. The
air thus heated may be conducted by another pipe and stuffing box into the
regenerators, or into the fire, or into the hot-air main pipe O; or the valve
may have one central pipe, by which it is raised and lowered, and through which
the air is blown, and the valve may have one or more perforations in one side
for the escape of the air. If these perforations in the valve Hin Figure 4 are
on the side next to the hot-air pipe O, the air will pass through the valve and
mix with the hot blast, whether the valve be shut or open. If the perforations
are on the side next the regenerator, the air will mix with the hot blast when
the valve is open, and with the hot gases or flame entering the regenerator
when the valve is shut. The valve H may be made hollow, or may be
traversed by vertical tubes open at top and bottom, and it may be made to fit
rather closely in its case, but not so as to interfere with its free motion.
current of cold air from the cold-blast pipe or elsewhere may then be driven
into the top of the case, and this air will pass down through the valve and
escape at its bottom into the hot-blast pipe O; a current of air may also be
passed through the hollow seat of the valve.
A
Figures 8 and 9 are sections of another arrangement of valve and valve box.
Figure 8 is a section through the centre or axis of the pipe O; Figure 9 is a
section of the valve box in a direction transverse to the pipe O, and showing the
valve H in elevation. The valve consists of a slab of iron H, having a circular
opening lined with a ring of fire brick h', and two circular recesses lined with
fire-brick on each side of the plate or partition h. A raised ring on the slab
round the recess is turned or planed; and fits against the planed or turned side
of the valve box, or a slightly raised ring or seat thereon, so as to make a close
joint. It is sufficient for one side of the valve to fit the corresponding side of

page_text: the valve box, provided it be that side to which the valve is forced by the
pressure of the air or blast. The valve box h¹ is surrounded by a casing H²
containing water, or traversed by a current of water or air. The valve is
moved by a rod d passing through a stuffing box.
The Drawing shows the valve closed, but by moving it until the centre of
the ring h¹ comes opposite to the centre of the pipe O the valve is opened, and
a clear passage is left for the hot air or gasses passing through the pipe O.
The valve box is thus kept cool by the water or the current of air surrounding
it. The small quantity of hot air which may leak into the valve box past the
valve is thus cooled, and the heat which passes through the fire-brick to the
iron slab H is carried or conducted away by the cool valve box and the cooled
air within it. A small quantity of cold blast may also be introduced into both
ends of the valve box, so as entirely to prevent any hot air getting into it.
Figure 10, Sheet IV., is a plan, and Figure 11 is a longitudinal section, of
a furnace or apparatus consisting of two horizontal regenerators and one fire-
place, which moves upon a railway and is alternately connected to each
regenerator.
Figure 12 is a section through the fireplace. R, R', are the regenerators;
F is the fireplace, built of fire-brick, and bound together by an iron case,
which, however, does not require to be air-tight; it has two outlets or necks
ff, which enter openings g, gl, in two chambers 1,, which communicate
respectively with the two regenerators R, R¹. The openings, gl, are closed
by valves G, G, which fit against the outer faces of their cases, so that.when
shut they are kept close by the pressure of the air in the regenerator upon
them. W in Figure 11 is a plain flat valve, which fits against a flat or.
rounded seat w at the outlet leading to the chimney S; I is the inlet or cold-
blast pipe, communicating with the regenerators by valves C, C¹, similar-in
construction to the valve W, and one of which is shewn in section in Figure 13.
All the valves are arranged. so that the pressure of the air tends to keep.them
closed, and each regenerator is furnished with a similar set of valves. cand c¹
are small valves, of similar construction to C;and also communicating from.the
cold-air pipe I to the regenerators; a and a¹, are other small valves, similar to
W, and communicating from the regenerators to the chimney S. .H in
Figure 11 is one of the hot-blast valves, communicating with the outlet
or hot-blast pipe O. The valve H is of a dome form, and has a flat edge,
which rests upon a flat or rounded seath. This seat is hollow, and is traversed
by a current of water. The valve H is also hollow, and is also traversed by a
current of water, which enters through a small central pipe d, and passes.out
through a larger central pipe d³, which incloses the pipe.d.. The pipe d³ dips

page_text: into a larger fixed pipe or cistern 4, which conducts away the water. The
water may be introduced into the pipe d in the manner shewn in Figure 5,
Sheet III, or the pipe d may pass through a staffing box into a cistern (1,
of sufficient depth to keep the top of the pipe always under water. A cock ‹³
may be placed at the top of the pipe to regulate the current of water. The
pipe d³ passes through a stuffing box at the top of a pipe do, fixed on the iron
casing of the apparatus. A current of cold air may also be driven into the
piped through a pipe do, connected to the cold-blast pipe I, for the purpose of
still farther protecting the valve from the action of the hot air. To facilitate the
starting of the draught in any of the chimneys shewn in the Drawings, a small
fire with close-shutting doors may be employed, as shewn at s in Figure 11.
This apparatus is worked in the following manner:-The valves H, C,
and c are shut, and the valves W, a, and G are opened, and the fireplace F
is moved along upon its railway until it is in the position shewn in the
Drawing, with its neck fin the opening of the chamber 7, communicating
with the regenerator R. The other neck or opening f¹ is closed by a sheet-
iron door, which is not shewn in the Drawing, but which may turn on hinges
ou the casing of the fireplace, or may slide up and down. This door is not
required to fit close, and it may be perforated to admit air to consume the
smoke or gases from the fire. The flame and products of combustion pass
through the regenerator R and through the valve W to the chimney S; the
regenerator R is thus heated. After a certain interval the fireplace is moved
along the railway and connected to the regenerator R' in a similar manner,
and the valves W, a, and G are closed. The regenerator R is thus entirely
shut up. The cold blast is now introduced into it by opening the valve C,
but as this valve would require a considerable force to lift it against the
pressure of the air in the pipe I, the small valve c is first opened and the
regenerator Ris thus filled with air of the same pressure as that in the pipe I.
The valve C'being thus in equilibrium is easily opened. The valve H is also
opened. The cold blast now passes through the regenerator from the cool to
the hot end, and becomes highly heated, and passes into the hot-blast pipe O.
After a certain interval, the valves C, c, and H are closed and w is opened.
The air in the regenerator is thus reduced to the pressure of the atmosphere,
and the valves W and G are then easily opened. The fireplace is then
brought again into the position shewn in the Drawing, and the air is then
driven through the regenerator R¹. By drawing the fireplace away from one
regenerator, and completing the changes of the valves of that regenerator
before changing those of the other regenerator, a continuous blast is kept up
in the hot-blast nine 0.

page_text: The valves and fireplace of the apparatus, shewn in Sheet IV., may be
moved by hand or other means, their weight being balanced by levers; or
otherwise if necessary.
In Sheet V. I have shewn a mode of working the
valves and fireplace by means of a small gasometer, which is raised by
turning a portion of the cold blast into it. The positions of the valves are
altered a little to facilitate the arrangement of the levers for working them.
The valves cand c¹ are dispensed with, but double-beat valves are employed
for the valves C and C¹, as such valves require comparatively little force to
open them. The various parts are indicated by similar letters to those on
Sheet IV.
Figure 14 is a plan, Figure 15 is a side view, and Figure 16 is a front
view, of the apparatus. 1 is the gasometer, working in a tank of water 2,
and connected by links 3, 3, with two long levers 4, 4, on a shaft 5. The
shorter arms 6; 6, of these levers have forked ends, which take hold of pins on
the casing of the fireplace F, or are otherwise connected to it, so that the
rise and fall of the gasometer causes the fireplace to travel to and fro upon its
railway. The shaft 5 carries a quadrant or sector 7, which has three pro-
jections or tappets 8, 9, 10, which act upon three levers 11, 12, 13, which
communicate the motions to all the valves.
Each of these levers has a slot
in which the corresponding tappet works. This slot is concentric with the
shaft 5, so that the tappet can move a certain distance without moving the
lever. As it continues its course, however, it comes in contact with the lever,
and communicates motion to it, and then enters another portion of the slot
which has been brought by the motion of the lever into a position concentric
with the shaft 5; the tappet then finishes its course without communicating
any further motion to the lever. The tappets and levers are so arranged, that
as the gasometer rises, the fireplace is put in motion and the lever 11 is then
moved, and as soon as its motion is completed the lever 12 begins to move,
and when its notion is completed, the lever 13 moves. The fireplace F is in
motion the whole time, having commenced its motion before the lever 11 began
to move, and completing its motion after the lever 13 has ceased to move
The lever 11 is fixed on a shaft 14, which carries a short lever connected to
the small valve. The shaft 14 also carries a lever 15, which is connected
by the slotted rod or rods 16 with a lever 17 on a shaft 18, which extends the
whole length of the apparatus. The shaft 18 carries a lever 19 connected to
the valve W, and another lever 20 connected to the valve G; and it also
carries a lever 21, with a balance weight for balancing the weight of the
valves W and G. When the lever 11 moves, it at once moves the valve a,
and (owing to the slot in the end of the rod 16) it afterwards gives motion to

page_text: the valves W and G. The lever 13 moves the corresponding valves of the
other regenerator R¹ in a similar manner. The lever 12 moves the cold and
hot-blast valves of both regenerators, but it is arranged to move the cold-blast
valves c, c', a little sooner than the hot-blast valves H, H. For this
purpose the shaft 22 of this lever carries an arm 23, which is shewn more
clearly in Figure 17. This arm carries a pin, which fits in a forked or
hooked lever 24 on a shaft 25, which carries a beam 26 connected to the two
cold blast valves c, c¹. The arm 23 carries another pin, which moves in a
slot or between two adjustable jaws at the end of a lever 27; fixed on a shaft
28, which carries a beam 29 connected to the two hot-blast valves H, H.
Thus, when the lever 12 and arm 23 are put in motion, the valves c, c¹, are
immediately moved, and after moving a little the valves H, H¹, are moved.
Thus, when a portion of the cold blast is turned into the gasometer 1, the first
effect is to move the fireplace sufficiently to withdraw the neck f from the
mouth of the chamber r. The lever 11 is then put in motion and the valve
begins to close; and as it continues its motion the valves W and G begin
to close, and all three valves complete their motion and become closed as
the lever 11 completes its motion. The regenerator R is thus completely
shut up.
The lever 12 and the valves c, c¹, then begin to move, and the
cold blast is thus admitted into the regenerator R before it is shut off from
R; the valve H then opens and H¹ begins to close. At this moment, the
valves c, c, H, H¹, being all partially open, the cold blast enters both
regenerators and is heated by them, and passes from both into the hot-blast
pipe O.
As the motion of the lever 12 continues, the valves C¹, H', are
closed, and the lever 12 then ceases to move. The lever 13 now commences
its notion, and immediately opens the valve a¹, and allows the air to escape
from the regenerator until the air within the regenerator is reduced to the
pressure of the atmosphere. As the motion of the lever 13 continues, the
valves W and G' are opened, the lever 13 then stops, and the fireplace
(which has been in motion during the whole time) is advanced, so as to
introduce the neck f¹ into the mouth of the chamber r¹, and the regenerator
Ris thus heated while R is heating the blast. The gasometer has now
arrived at the top of its stroke and remains stationary for a certain interval,
which may be a few minutes, or a quarter of an hour, or half an hour, or
an hour, or longer, according to the size of the regenerators and the other
parts of the apparatus, and the quantity of air to be heated and the degree of
heat required. After such interval the air is allowed to escape from the
gasometer, which descends and reverses all the valves, in the manner herein-
before described, and brings everything back to the first position. The blast

page_text: is then heated by the regenerator R', while the regenerator R is being heated
by the fire. The doors or slides for closing the ends of the necks f, f¹, are
not shewn in the Drawings, but they may also be made self-acting by
suspending them from beams or levers mounted on the casing of the fireplace
F, which levers have short arms projecting upwards, which come in contact
with fixed stops, so as to raise the corresponding slide or door as the
neck for f¹ runs into the mouth of the chamber r or ¹. It is then only
necessary for the attendants to keep the fire supplied with fuel, and at regular
intervals to open or close the valves for admitting the air into or discharging
it from the gasometer 1.
In lieu of employing a moveable fireplace, as shewn in Sheets 1V. and V.,
the fireplace may be fixed, and may be furnished with a moveable neck or
flue at each end. Thus Figure 18, Sheet VI., is a vertical section of such an
arrangement, in which the moveable neck f consists of an iron case lined with
fire-brick, and supported by a strong lever 30, turning upon a bearing 31, and
furnished with a balance weight, and also carrying a curved plate D, faced
with fire-bricks if necessary for closing the opening into the fire-place F. By
depressing the balance weight the neck fis brought into the position shewn
by dotted lines, and is thus withdrawn from the mouth or opening y, so as to
admit of the valve G being closed; at the same time the plate D closes the
opening of the fire-place. 32 is a wall, which may be placed on the top of
the furnace, so as to close the end of the neck f and prevent its being too
much cooled by the air having free access to it when it is raised. This neck
may be made to turn downwards instead of upwards, or it may have the axis
or bearing 31 placed vertical, so that the neck may be placed on one side if
preferred. A sliding neck may also be used instead of one turning upon an
axis. Or instead of the travelling fireplace with necks at the ends, a
fireplace having two necks at the back may be employed, and may turn upon
a central pivot, or turntable, or circular railway, so as to advance either neck
while withdrawing the other. The necks may then communicate directly
with the ends of the regenerators instead of communicating with the
intermediate chambers r, 1.
In the various arrangements of furnaces shewn in Sheets I., II., III., IV.,
and V. the fire is fed with cold air, of the same or nearly the same pressure as
that of the atmosphere; but the fire may be fed with heated air, and may also
be worked under the pressure of the blast. Thus, Figure 19, Sheet VI., is a
sectional plan, and Figure 20 is a longitudinal section, of an apparatus in
which the fire is worked under the pressure of the blast; Figure 21 is an end
view, and Figure 22 is a transverse section, through the fireplace, R, R¹, are

page_text: the regenerators; I is the inlet pipe for the cold blast; S is the chimney; Vis
a four-way valve, which is shewn separately in section in Figure 23. The
bottom opening of this valve communicates with the cold-blast pipe I, while
the top.opening communicates with a pipe with a sluice valve S opening to the
atmosphere. The two sides of the valve communicate with the two regene-
rators R and R' respectively; thus, when the valve is in the position shewn
in Figure 23, the inlet I communicates with R, while R¹ communicates with
the outlet S; but by moving the valve V into the position shewn by the
dotted lines, the inlet I is placed in communication with the regenerator
R¹, while R is placed in communication with the outlet S. The valve V is
not required to be air-tight. F is the fireplace, communicating by openings
ff, with the regenerators R, R¹; D is a three-way valve or damper, con-
sisting of a flat wall or partition, turning on a vertical axis or spindle d, and
communicating with the passage 01, leading to the outlet or hot-blast pipe O,
and with the regenerators by the openings or passages h, h¹. When this
damper is in the position shewn in Figure 19 the regenerator R is in commu-
nication with the outlet O¹; but when it is turned one quarter round, so as to
be at right angles to the position shewn in Figure 19, the regenerator Ris
placed in communication with the outlet O¹, while R is shut off. The apparatus
is inclosed in an air-tight case A, like the apparatus herein described.
In working this apparatus, the cold blast enters at 1 and passes through the
regenerator R, and then divides into two portions, one of which passes by the
damper D into the hot-blast pipe O, while the other portion passes through
the fireplace F, and thence, with the products of combustion, through the
regenerator R¹, and out at the valve S. This valve is adjusted so as to allow
of the escape of the proper quantity of air for maintaining the required rate of
combustion in the fireplace. The regenerator R¹ is thus heated. The valves
or dampers V and D being now reversed, the cold blast passes through the
regenerator R and becomes heated, and one portion of it passes into the hot-
blast pipe O; while another portion passes through the fireplace F and
through the regenerator R to the outlet valve S. The direction of the currents
of air and products of combustion is thus regulated and reversed by merely
moving the valve V and damper D. The spindles of these valves pass through
stuffing boxes, and are connected by levers and rods, or otherwise, so as
to cause them to move together. The valve V being exposed on one side to
the current of cold blast, and on the other side to the products of combustion
which have been cooled by their passage through the regenerator, is not liable
to injury from heat; but the damper D is exposed to the heat of the hot blast,
and must therefore be capable of withstanding the heat. For this purpose. it

page_text: is made of a slab or wall of fire brick, or other refractory material, standing
upon a cylindrical block of similar material, carried by a plate d' on the shaft
or spindle d, which passes through a stuffing box at the bottom of an iron case
or box d². A small quantity..of cold air is admitted into the box d² by a
branch pipe i from the cold-blast pipe I. This small quantity of cold air
ascends round the plate d', and prevents the hot air from descending into the
box d. The shaft d and plate are thus prevented from becoming over-
heated. The weight of the damper may be carried by the bearing d³ within
the box d², or that bearing may merely, serve as a guide, and the weight may
be carried by a step under the end of the shaft d, which, being outside the box,
may be easily oiled from time to time.
The fireplace may be constructed in various ways. As shown in the Drawing,
a single fire bar or plate F¹ is placed between two fixed plates, or a frame l'
built into the brickwork; the plate F is supported by a pivot at the back
end, and by a spindle at the front end, passing through the front wall of the
furnace, and through a stuffing box at the end of a pipe attached to the casing
of the furnace; a lever is fixed upon this spindle, which lever is moved
occasionally by hand or continuously by machinery. The ashes or clinkers from
the fuel are thus broken and shaken through into the ash-pit Q, which may be
made large enough to contain all the ashes and clinkers produced during
several hours, or a day's work. The coal or other fuel is.introduced through
an opening at the top of the fireplace, and forms a ridge resting on the
plate F' and the sides of the fireplace, and extending up to the opening b: As
the hot air from the regenerators enters at fand passes out at f¹, or vice versa;
it traverses this ridge or mass of fuel and effects its combustion. As the fuel
burns away more fuel descends through the opening b from a hopper M
placed above the opening. The descent of the fuel is also assisted by the
motion of the plate F¹.. More or less cold air may also be admitted into the
ash-pit Q, and caused to ascend between the plate F¹ and the plates or frame
P, so as to consume the lower part of the mass of fuel and to cool the plate or
bar F¹.
It is necessary. to provide some means for preventing the escape of airat the
hepper M. This may be effected by applying two slide or sluice valves, one
at the top and one near the bottom of the hopper. By closing the bottom
slide and opening the top one.the hopper may be filled with coal. The top
valve is then closed, and the bottom valve is afterwards opened and the coal is
then at liberty to descend into. the fireplace; or the hopper M may be
surmounted by another hopper M', with a box N and two slide valves n, n',
between the two hoppers. These valves havé rods passing through stuffing,
B

page_text: boxes and connected to a lever N¹, as shewn in section on a larger scale
in Figure 24. This lever N¹ vibrates through the arc, indicated by dotted lines,
and in so doing opens and closes the valves n and n¹ in such manner that
n closes before n' opens, and n¹ closes before n opens; one or other valve
is therefore always closed. By this means the coal is allowed to pass down
from the hopper M₁ until the hopper M is full, and the coal in the box N
is thus prevented from descending when the valve n'opens. The hopper M is
thus kept full, and the hopper M¹ is replenished from time to time.. If it
should not be required to maintain a complete ridge of fuel in the fireplace up
to the opening b, the lever N¹ is to be worked at such a speed as to supply the
fuel in the desired proportion, and each box full of fuel will fall at once from
the valven¹ into the fireplace. A pipe may then be substituted for the hopper
M. In lieu of this mode of feeding the fire, it may be fed by means of the
apparatus known as "Stanley's feeder," in which the coal is gradually fed from
a hopper by a pair of rollers on to a revolving plate or disc, having one
or more arms which distributes or flings the coal on the fire. The hopper must
be closed to prevent the escape of the air. Or the revolving plate may receive
the coal from the box N and valves n, n', the apparatus being placed at
the front or end of the fireplace instead of being placed on the top. In lieu
of introducing only a small portion of cold air into the ash-pit, the whole
or a large portion of the air required for the fire may be so introduced.
One or more of the bars or plates F¹ may be employed, or ordinary fire bars
may be employed. When, however, fire bars are used in this apparatus,
I consider it preferable to adopt some means of moving them from the exterior,
either vertically or horizontally, or by a rocking motion, or otherwise, in order
to break the clinkers and shake the dust and ashes through into the ash-pit.
The ashes and clinkers are removed from time to time through the square
pipes or passages Y, Y, after stopping the entrance of the blast. The pipes
Y, Y, terminate in or are fixed to a long iron plate u, and are closed by doors
v, v, fitting loosely in a frame u¹, which slides in front of the plate u. u², u²,
are two clamps, which are firmly fixed to the plate u' and embrace the edges
of the plate u. These clamps confine and secure the frame u¹ to the plate u,
but allow of its sliding to and fro upon that plate. In the centre of each
clamp is a screw v¹, by turning which the doors u may be forced up against the
mouths of the pipes Y. v2 is a screw, by turning which the frame u may be
moved to and fro. When it is required to open the pipes Y, the screws v¹ are
unscrewed and the screw v2 is turned, so as to shift the doors towards the
left hand, until the openings of the pipes Y are exposed; the ashes and
clinkers are then raked out. The screw is turned in the contrary direction

page_text: until the doors v are brought opposite to their respective pipes, and the screws
are then turned, so as to force the doors v against the mouths of the pipes Y;
the blast can then be turned on again. Two, or three, or more, of these
furnaces may be used in conjunction, and they may all be supplied from one
cold-air main pipe I, and may deliver the heated air into one hot-air main O.
By applying a valve C at the entrance of the cold air, and another valve H at
the exit of the hot air, any one or more of the furnaces may be put out of
action, and the ashes may then be cleared out and the doors v closed, and the
apparatus may then be again put in action as before; or, when the blast
is stopped for tapping the blast furnace every twelve hours, or at other
intervals, the ashes may be removed while the blast is stopped, in which case
the valve H might be dispensed with.
The various apparatus shewn in Sheets I., II., III., IV., and V. may be
employed for heating gases or steam, or other vapours, by passing them
through the regenerators instead of the current or blast of cold air. The
arrangement shewn in Sheet VI. is not so well adapted for this purpose, as
it would be difficult to prevent an intermixture either in the fireplace or in
the outlet passage O' of the air or products of combustion with the gases or
steam or vapour. In some cases, however, such an intermixture might be of
but little consequence. Thus, if this apparatus were employed for heating
steam, and sufficient steam were introduced to supply the outlet pipe O, and
also to drive a small excess of the highly-heated steam into the fire-place,
such small excess of steam would have little or no injurious effect upon the
combustion, and might even in some cases be beneficial, whether it were
decomposed by the carbon of the fuel or merely mingled with the products of
combustion.
In Figures 25 and 26, Sheet VII., are shewn sections of two apparatus in
which highly-heated steam is purposely brought into contact with the fuel so
as to produce a mixture of carbonic oxide and hydrogen, or "water-gas."
In Figure 25, F is a fireplace or cupola, which is filled or partially filled with
iguited coke; f is a flue or passage communicating with a regenerator R,
which is shown in a vertical position, but may be placed horizontally if pre-
ferred; W is a valve at the top of the regenerator, which valve dips into an
annular trough, containing water or mercury, or fusible metal. A similar
valve or any suitable valve is placed on the top of the cupola Fat G. O is an
outlet flue or passage, leading from the cupola F to the tubes of a steam boiler
X, whose other ends enter an air-tight box T, from which a pipe t descends
into a pipe or vessel, or hydraulic main U, coutaining water or coal tar, or
other suitable liquid. A pipe I from the boiler communicates with the top or

page_text: cool end of the regenerator, and is furnished with a cock or valve C. The
cupola and regenerator are inclosed in the air-tight casing A, lined with fire
bricks B, and connected in an air-tight manner to the end of the boiler X;
a small fire may be made under the boiler to start the apparatus, or to assist
in producing the steam. The valves G and W are opened, and the air enters
at G, while the products of combustion pass up through the regenerator R
and escape at W into the atmosphere or into a chimney. If necessary air
may be admitted into the flue by a pipe or pipes furnished with a. valve,
which will then be opened and closed with the valve G. When the re-
generator is sufficiently heated, the valves G and W are closed and the steam
valve C is opened; the steam passes through the regenerator R and becomes
highly heated, and it then enters the cupola and traverses the mass of coke
and is converted into carbonic oxide and hydrogen gases, which
pass through
the tubes of the boiler and then into the hydraulic main, whence they are
conducted to a gasometer, or through purifiers, or otherwise disposed of. The
gases may be passed through a refrigerator after leaving the boiler and before
entering the hydraulic main, if necessary. When the regenerator has become
partially cooled, the steam is shut off and the valves G and W are opened and
the regenerator is again heated; fresh coke is thrown in at the valve G when
required. In this way nearly the whole of the heat developed by the combus
tion of the coke is applied in effecting the decomposition of the steam, and the
current of steam being heated to a high temperature before it enters the
ignited coke has much less cooling effect upon it, and may therefore be
continued for a much longer time than is the case when ordinary steam is
passed through a cupola containing ignited coke. Figure 26 is a section of a
similar apparatus to that shewn in Figure 25, but with the boiler X in a
vertical position, and with the fireplace F placed beneath the regenerator R,
with which it communicates through a perforated arch, which supports the
materials in the regenerator.
G is a door for the admission of air, and Glis
another door for the admission of the fuel. These doors are closed when
required with lids and screws, like those employed for gas retorts. The other
parts of the apparatus are similar to those similarly marked in Figure 25. I
have described these apparatus as being charged with coke, but they may
also be charged with coal. Thus, when the fire has burned clear and the
regenerator is sufficiently heated, a quantity of coal is thrown in, and the valves
or doors G and W are closed and the steam valve C is opened; the coal gas
distils off from the coal and is mingled with the "water gas" produced by the
decomposition of the steam, and the mingled gases pass away to the hydraulic
main. By proportioning the charges of coal and the supply of steam, and the

page_text: intervals allowed between each change of the valves, the coke resulting from
each charge, after the gas is driven off, may be consumed in heating the
regenerator and decomposing the steam before introducing the next charge.
The ashes of the coal or coke are removed from time to time by the door G,
in Figure 26, or by a door at Y, in Figure 25.
Figure 27, Sheet VII., is a plan, and Figure 28 is a longitudinal section, of
an apparatus in which the products of combustion and the air or other elastic
fluid to be heated are passed in contrary directions through crooked flues or
passages, placed alternately, and both exposed to the same or nearly the same
pressure. A is the external casing, lined with fire-brick B; F is the fireplace,
which is supplied with a constant stream of air through the branch pipe I¹*
from the cold-blast pipe I. The products of combustion pass through the
alternate passages or flues s, s, and escape into the atmosphere through a valve
S, which is capable of adjustment; another portion of cold air is conducted
by the branch I from the cold blast pipe I into the other alternate flues or
passages r,; these flues or passages are separated by thin zig-zag walls of
fire-brick or stone, which are connected or stayed at intervals by cross pieces
of the same or other refractory material.
'The passages may also be made straight, and the stays placed so as to break
up and divide the currents passing through. The cold air passing through
the flues, r, becomes heated and passes into the hot-blast pipe (), the flues
become very hot at the end nearest to the fire and remain comparatively coolat
the other end. The fire is lighted through the doors g, g, which are then
closed by lids and screws, like the mouth of a gas retort, or by means of valves
or otherwise. The coal or other fuel is placed in a hopper M, closed at the
top by a valve n, dipping into mercury or otherwise, and having a slide valve
n at its base. N is a square or cylindrical pipe, leading from the bottom of
the hopper into the pipe b, placed over the fire; Q is a screw, whose axis or
shaft passes through a stuffing box, and is driven from the exterior. The coal
falls into the end of the pipe N, forming a sloping heap, which is gradually
advanced by the screw until it drops down the pipe b into the fire. When the
coal in the hopper M is exhausted, the slide n¹ is closed and the lid n opened
and the hopper is filled up with coal; the lid n is then shut and the valve
n' opened. One, or two, or more of these feeding apparatus may be used.
The fire bars may be arranged so as to be moved from the exterior, as already
mentioned in describing Figures 19, 20, 21, and 22. The bars may be
cleaned by opening the doors g, g, and the ashes removed by opening similar
doors communicating with the ash-pit. When these doors are opened
the entrance of the blast. must be stopped by a valve at C, or by stopping

page_text: the blast engine; a valve may also be placed in the hot-blast pipe O if
required.
By this arrangement of furnace, the air or steam, or other elastic fluid to be
.heated, is kept separate from the products of combustion by the walls or par-
titions of the flues or passages r, ", and s, s, and the action is continuous
instead of alternate, as in the previously described arrangements.
As the same or very nearly the same pressure exists in all the flues, there
is little or no tendency for the gases or vapours to pass through the pores of
the fire brick and become intermingled; whereas if the gases or vapours were
passed under pressure through flues or tubes of fire-brick heated by an
ordinary furnace, there would be a serious amount of leakage increasing with
the pressure, so as to render such an arrangement practically inapplicable for
any but very small pressures. The cooler parts of these flues or passages may
be constructed of iron or other suitable metal, while the hotter parts are
formed of fire-brick. The metallic portions of the flues may consist of
parallel plates of iron, either plain or embossed, or covered with small studs,
or traversed by a number of horizontal rods of iron passing through them.
The products of combustion in the alternate flues pass among these rods or
studs, which conduct the heat through into the alternate flues, and com-
municate it to the air which is passing through them. Figure 29 is a plan,
and Figure 30 is a side view, of such an arrangement. r¹ are the plates, and
s are the rods. Figure 31 is a plan of an arrangement of plates with studs
upon them. The studs on each plate may come in contact with the adjoining
plates so as to keep them in their places, or both studs and rods may be
employed with the same plates. The refractory materials in the regenerators
may be arranged in a variety of different ways, or in some cases they may be
thrown in without any arrangement. By arranging them in a regular order,
sufficient spaces of uniform size may easily be left for the passage of the
air or other elastic fluids, and the currents may be thoroughly subdivided
and broken up. In Sheet VIII. some of these arrangements are shewn.
Figure 32 is an elevation, and Figure 33 is a section, in the direction of
the length of the regenerator, of an arrangement of fire bricks suitable for
regenerators in which the currents pass in a horizontal direction. These are
simply walls of fire bricks; built open, and placed at a distance apart of one
or two inches, or more or less, and so arranged that the solid parts of each
wall are opposite to the apertures of the adjoining walls.
Figure 34 is a longitudinal section, and Figure 35 is a transverse section,
of an arrangement of fire bricks which may be employed when the currents
are in a vertical direction. It consists of rows or lines of fire bricks crossed

page_text: by other rows at right angles, which are again crossed by a third series of
rows parallel to the first rows, but placed over the spaces between them, and
crossed by a fourth row parallel to the second rows, but placed over their
spaces; the fifth series of rows will then be placed over and parallel to the
first series, and so on.
Figures 36 and 37 show a similar arrangement, but with wider spaces
between the bricks.
Figures 38 and 39 show another similar arrangement, but with small
spaces between the ends of the bricks to allow of the passage of the gases
round them. All these bricks may be perforated, so as to increase the
surface exposed to the heat.
Figure 40 is a plan, and Figure 41 is a vertical section, of an arrangement
of perforated tiles of fire clay, supported at the corners on small solid tiles of
the same, and adapted for vertical currents. The holes in each tile may be
over those in the lower ones, or they may be a little on one side, so as to
break the currents more completely.
Figure 42 is a plan, and Figure 43 a section, of a similar arrangement
with smaller perforations.
Figure 44 is a plan, and Figure 45 is a section, of a similar arrangeinent,
but with narrow spaces, to allow the currents to pass between the bricks as
well as through the perforations.
Figure 46 is a plan, and Figure 47 is a section, of another arrangement of
perforated tiles or blocks; Figure 48 is a diagonal section of the same.
Figure 49 is a plan of one of the perforated tiles. Each tile has nine
circular perforations and three semicircular notches on each side, and the
corners are in the form of a quarter of a circle, so that when several of these
tiles are placed together they form a floor or surface perforated all over with
holes at equal distances apart, as shewn in Figure 46. Between each of the
holes is a short stud or projection, which serves to support the next layer of
tiles, which are so placed that the solid parts of the upper tiles are over the
holes in the lower ones. These tiles or blocks may be piled up in several
layers one over the other when the currents are to pass in a vertical
direction, or the tiles or blocks may be placed on edge, so as to form vertical
walls, when the currents are to pass in a horizontal direction.
It will readily
be seen that a great variety of other arrangements of the materials may be
made. It will be obvious that many of the parts described as being applied
in each one of the apparatus herein-before described are applicable to some
or all of the others. Thus, the apparatus shewn in Sheet II. may be
furnished with sluice or.slide valves instead of the liquid valves;
also the

page_text: screw feeding apparatus, shewn in Sheet VII., may be substituted for the
valve feeding apparatus, shewn in Sheet VI., and vice versa.
The Stanley's feeder" or other self-acting feeding apparatus may be
employed for the various furnaces, and moveable bars may be employed in
the apparatus shewn in Sheets I., II., IV., and VII. Vertical regenerators
may be substituted for horizontal ones, and vice versa, and a variety of other
modifications in the details may be made.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I wish it to be understood that I do not
claim generally the application of "regenerators" to furnaces, the same
having been described in the Specification of a Patent granted to Frederic
Siemens on or about the Second day of December, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-six, nor do I claim generally the heating of air or other
elastic fluids by passing them through heated passages, nor do I confine
myself to the precise construction and forms of the furnaces shewn in the
accompanying Drawings as the same may be varied, but in all cases the
regenerator or regenerators, or the parallel or crooked flues herein-before
described, are to be inclosed in a case or cases of iron or other suitable
material perfectly air-tight, or sufficiently so to retain the air or other elastic
fluid, and to keep up the required pressure; but what I claim is,―
First, constructing and arranging furnaces for heating or other elastic
fluids under pressure by means of "regenerators" in such manner that the said
regenerators are inclosed in air-tight cases of iron or other suitable material,
which cases retain the elastic fluids, and are themselves protected from the
heat by fire-brick, or other suitable bad conductor of heat, as herein-before
described.
Second, constructing and arranging.furnaces for heating air or other elastic
fluids under pressure with a fireplace, and a series of parallel or crooked flues
or passages placed side by side inclosed in an air-tight case, and so arranged
that the alternate flues or passages are traversed by the air or other elastic
fluid while the other alternate flues or passages are traversed by the products
of combustion in such manner that the same or nearly the same
pressure is
maintained in all the aforesaid flues or passages, as herein-before described.
Third, constructing and arranging furnaces for heating air or other elastic
fluids under pressure with two regenerators inclosed in an air-tight case or
cases, and arranged to act alternately in heating the elastic fluid and in being
heated by the products of combustion, so that a continuous blast or current of
the heated air or other elastic fluid under pressure may be obtained.
Fourth, constructing furnaces for heating air or other elastic fluids under

page_text: pressure by means of a regenerator inclosed in an air-tight case, and a fire-
place arranged in such manner that the fireplace is Shut up within the
air-tight case while the air or other elastic fluid is being heated by the
regenerator or regenerators, as herein-before described in reference to
Figures 1 and 25 and 26.
Fifth, constructing and arranging furnaces for heating air or other elastic
fluids under pressure in such manner that one fire or series of fires is alter-
nately employed to heat either of two regenerators inclosed in an air-tight
case or cases while the other regenerator is heating the air or other elastic
fluid, as herein-before described in reference to Figures 2, 3, 4, 10, 11, 12,
14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22.
Sixth, constructing and arranging furnaces for heating air or other elastic
fluids under pressure by means of two regenerators and one or more fire-
places inclosed in an air-tight case in such manner that the same or nearly
the same pressure may be constantly maintained in both regenerators, and
in the fireplace or fireplaces, as herein-before described in reference to
Figures 19, 20, 21, and 22.
Seventh, constructing and arranging 'furnaces for heating air or other
elastic fluids under pressure by means of regenerators inclosed in air-tight
cases in such manner that the regenerators are heated by the gases produced
in a blast furnace or similar furnace, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Alfred Cowper, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of November, in the year
of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
EDWARD ALFRED COWPER. (L.S.)