Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Apr., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Feb., 1899-Accepted, 25th Mar., 1899
I, WILLIAM GRIMSHAW STONES, of 183, Preston New Road, Blackburn, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to be as follows: --
My said invention relates chiefly to that class of mechanical stoking apparatus
in which the fuel is projected into the furnace by rapidly rotating beaters or
fans, or by means of jets of steam or forced currents of air, and has for its object
to provide simple and reliable means for enabling the fuel to be more readily
and effectually projected as desired to the various parts of the furnace grate than
heretofore.
In accordance with my invention and as applied, say to stoking apparatus
with two or more openings for the delivery of the fuel into the furnace, or with
one opening common to two deflector plates, I employ directly opposite each
opening and in front of the furnace space a V or similar shaped bracket, the
upper portion of which bracket is adapted to slide upon the bed or foundation
plate of the stoker or other suitable part of the apparatus, and is supported by
a vertically disposed traversing screw. A nut or lug connected with the upper
portion of said V bracket engages with said screw.
To the respective wings or edges of said V bracket I hinge a flap or plate
upon inclined spindles or hinges each admitting of a radial movement of suitable
extent. To the upper edge of each of such hinged inclined plates I articulate
a second plate, and the two hinged flaps along with their respective articulated
upper portions constitute the entire or complete set of deflectors for one of the
said openings through which the fuel is projected.
Attached to the back of each hinged inclined flap, I provide a pin or stud and
to such pin or stud I connect one end of a rod or link which passes through a
suitable opening in the aforesaid bed-plate of the stoker, and is then passed
through the screwed boss of a hand-wheel supported in a bracket attached to the
bed-plate or other convenient part. By rotating the hand-wheel the said rod or
link, which is screwed where it engages with hand-wheel boss, is traversed in
or out, and the complete deflector to which it is connected is caused to move
radially on its supporting hinge or spindle. By this means the direction in which
the fuel is projected on to the grate can be varied at will.
Also upon the back of the hinged inclined or lower part of each deflector is
another projection, extending upwards and terminating in a curved slotted arm.
This slotted arm engages with a pin or stud attached to the said articulated upper
part of deflector and by the application of a nut to said stud and the adjustment
of said stud at any point in the slotted arm aforesaid, the upper part of the
deflector can be fixed at various degrees of angularity or inclination with the
lower part, and thus as the said lower part is capable of lateral adjustment and
the upper portion is capable of an angular adjustment, and the whole is also
capable of a vertical adjustment by the aforesaid traversing screw, I can direct

page_text: the fuel to any desired part of the furnace grate and thereby greatly facilitate
the mechanical stoking of water-tube boiler or like furnaces in particular.
It being in general only occasionally necessary to employ the vertical adjust-
ment, I provide means for fixing the bracket to the bed plate, so as to relieve
the said traversing screw of the weight of the deflectors, and this I may effect
by one or more slots and set screws.
To enable the deflectors to be readily set to varying angles I provide the peri-
phery or face of each hand-wheel with a graduated scale and upon a convenient
bracket or boss I provide a fixed pointer.
The upper and lower portions of the deflectors may be of any desired shape to
suit the style of furnace to which they are applied.
I may adapt my inclined deflector plates singly, instead of in duplicate, and
allow of a horizontal or angular movement as well as a vertical movement, for
the bracket to suit the requirements of the furnace.
Dated this 22nd day of April 1898.
WILLIAM GRIMSHAW STONES,
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
Agents.
I, WILLIAM GRIMSHAW STONES, of 183, Preston New Road, Blackburn, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
My said invention relates chiefly to that class of mechanical stoking apparatus
in which the fuel is projected into the furnace by rapidly rotating beaters or
fans, or by means of jets of steam, or forced currents of air, and has for its object
to provide simple and reliable means for enabling the fuel to be more readily
and effectually projected as desired to the various parts of the furnace grate than
heretofore.
In accordance with my invention, I arrange in front of the furnace space, and
directly opposite the fan casing a V or similar shaped bracket. The upper por-
tion of such bracket is adapted to slide upon the bed or foundation plate of the
stoker or other suitable part of the apparatus, and is supported by a vertically
disposed traversing screw, a nut or lug connected with the upper portion of
said bracket engaging with the said screw.
To the respective wings or edges of the said V bracket I hinge a flap or plate
upon inclined spindles or hinges each admitting of a radial movement of suitable
extent. To the upper edge of each of such hinged inclined plates I articulate a
second plate, and each inclined plate, with its articulated upper plate, constitutes
the entire or complete deflector or fuel distributor for one of the openings through
which the fuel is projected.
Upon the back of the lower part of each deflector or fuel distributor is a pro-
jection, extending upwards and terminating in a curved slotted arm. This slotted
arm engages with a pin or stud attached to the said articulated upper part of the
deflector, and by the application of a nut to said stud and the adjustment of said
stud at any point in the slotted arm aforesaid, the upper part of the deflector can
be fixed at various degrees of angularity, or inclination with the lower part. Also
attached to the back of each hinged inclined plate is a pin, or stud, and to such
pin, or stud I connect one end of a rod or link which passes through a suitable

page_text: opening in the aforesaid bed-plate of the stoker, and is then passed through the
screwed boss of a hand-wheel, supported in a bracket attached to the bed-plate
or other convenient part. By rotating the hand-wheel the said rod or link, which
is screw threaded where it engages with the hand-wheel boss, is traversed in, or
out, and thus as the said lower part of the full distributor capable of lateral
adjustment, the upper portion is capable of an angular adjustment, and the
whole capable of a vertical adjustment; the position of the plates in relation to
the fan box openings can be regulated to the greatest nicety.
It being in general only occasionally necessary to employ the vertical adjust-
ment I may provide means for fixing the V bracket to the bed plate so as to
relieve the said traversing screw of the weight of the distributing plates, and
this I may effect by one or more slots and set screws.
To enable the position of the plates to be intelligently determined by the boiler
attendant I provide the periphery or face of each of the hand-wheels aforesaid
with a graduated scale, and upon a convenient bracket or boss provide a fixed
pointer.
The upper and lower portions of the deflectors may be of any desired shape to
suit the style of furnace to which they are applied.
I may adapt my deflector or fuel distributor singly, instead of in duplicate,
and allow of a horizontal or angular movement, as well as a vertical movement,
to suit the requirements of the furnace.
The object of the improved arrangement of deflector plates in my deflector or
fuel distributor is to move across the streams of fuel issuing from the fuel boxes
in a manner which causes the fuel by impact with the plate or plates, to be
deflected out of the path of projection to those parts of the grate requiring to be
fed with fuel, and the combined swivelling and angular setting of the plate, in
relation to the path of projection, is such as to produce a most efficient distribu-
tion of the fuel.
To make my invention readily understood I have hereunto annexed 2 sheets
of drawings and will now proceed to describe the same with the aid of the various
figures and reference numerals marked thereon.
Upon Sheet One,
Fig. 1 illustrates a horizontal section of a fan casing forming part of a
mechanical stoker, and shews my improved fuel distributing plates as applied
for distributing fuel delivered from two fan boxes, side by side, over the respec-
tive half-portions of a furnace grate, or to those parts of the grate area lying to
the immediate right and left respectively of the plate bracket. Such view also
illustrates the mechanism for adjusting and setting the plates in relation to the
streams of fuel in directing the fuel to the parts required.
Fig. 2 illustrates a vertical cross-section of the same fan casing and shews
more clearly the means I employ for adjusting the distributing plates en bloc in
relation to the fans.
Fig. 3 illustrates the said fuel distributing plates as seen from the furnace
and demonstrates more clearly the means I employ for adjusting the upper por-
tion of each plate in relation to the lower portion.
Fig. 4 illustrates a horizontal section of a fan casing, comprising a single fan
box. and also illustrates the fuel distributor as applied singly.
Fig. 5 illustrates the same single arrangement of plates, as seen from the fur-
nace, and shews more clearly the means I employ for effecting the lateral adjust-
ment of the plates and their bracket. Fig. 6 illustrates a detail. Figs. 7 and 8
illustrate in side elevation and sectional plan respectively (to a larger scale) the
mechanism I employ for adjusting the plates and indicating their position.
Upon Sheet Two,
Fig. 9 illustrates, in horizontal section, another fan casing with two fan boxes
and fans arranged side by side, but with the single arrangement of distributing
plates (Figs. 4 and 5) applied thereto, in lieu of the duplex arangement (Figs. 1
2 and 3).

page_text: Fig. 10 illustrates the same arrangement of distributing plates as seen from
the furnace.
Fig. 11 illustrates a side view of a modification of the screw regulating device
for raising and lowering the bracket and plates.
Fig. 12 illustrates a modification of the mechanism for adjusting the plates in
relation to the streams of fuel.
Fig. 13 illustrates a modification of the upper portion of the distributing plate.
In accordance with my invention, I employ a bracket (1) arranged, as shewn,
directly in front of the furnace (2), and directly opposite the fan casing (3). Such
bracket may be in one piece, but in its application to a fan casing of the type
shewn in Fig. 1, with division plate (4), I prefer to form it in two half-portions,
so that it may be readily adapted to lie evenly upon each side of the partition (4),
and centrally in relation to the fuel boxes (5) and (6). In the division plate (4)
I form a vertical slot (7), and I cause the half-portions of the bracket to project
into such slot, and when in position, I secure them together by bolts and nuts
(8), or like means, as illustrated.
In its normal position the bracket (1) rests upon the bottom of the slot (7),
but by the aid of means hereinafter more fully described it is capable of being
raised and lowered in the slot.
In the example shewn the lower parts of the bracket are, when viewed from
the furnace, of V formation, each half-portion having a sloping edge (9), which
(if continued) meets the sloping edge of the other half-portion at the lower end
of the bracket, and in, or on such sloping or inclined edges I provide hinge-like
preparations.
To such preparations I hinge a metal plate (10), and in consequence of the
edges sloping, and the hinges thereby lying at an angle, the movements of the
plates in relation to the plane in which fans (11) rotate, are of a diagonal
character, in contra-distinction to the vertical, or horizontal movements of deflec-
tor plates as heretofore employed. The disposition of the said bracket, or its
half-portions, in relation to the fuel feed-box outlets is also such as to permit
the plates in moving upon their hinges to occupy successive angles in relation
to such outlets, or in relation to the streams of fuel issuing therefrom.
The upper, as well as the inner, side of the said plate (10) is provided or formed
with hinge-like preparations, and to such edge, which is either horizontal or
slightly sloping downwards from the hinged side, I hinge or articulate a further
plate (12) as illustrated. This further plate (12) is of (by preference) inverted
channel or arch formation with tapered sides as shewn in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, or of
the peculiar formation shewn in Fig. 13, or of such other and suitable shape as
will help in deflecting the fuel downwards and evenly distributing the same upon
the furnace grate.
With the upper plate thus articulated to the lower plate and the lower plate
hinged diagonally to the bracket (1), I produce a novel arrangement of deflector
plates, which is extremely effective upon the fuel projected forward by the
fans (11), the upper plate (12) tending to throw the fuel directly downwards,
and the lower plate (10) partly side-ways and partly downwards, and by reason
of the peculiar form, setting, and action of plates in a most even manner.
In order to fix the upper plate (12) in definite relation to the lower plate (10),
and to allow of such relation being varied, say at the time of first setting the
plates to suit the area of grate surface,-I provide the lower plate (10) with a
stud or upright (13) terminating in a curved flattened part (13) with curved
slot (14). Upon the upper plate (12) I provide a snug or ear (15) and through
a hole in such snug, and the slot (14) I pass a bolt (16) and by the aid of a nut,
I clamp the snug to the flattened part (13) at any desired point along the slot,
and thus locate the upper portion of the distributing plate in any suitable definite
relation to the lower portion, within the limits of the slot.
The means I employ for moving each set of plates across the respective streams
of fuel, consists of a rod or link (17), loosely pivoted or linked to a stud or

page_text: rod (173) on each lower plate (10), and after passing through an opening (18) in
the stoker fittings or furnace front, passes through the boss (19) of hand-
wheel (20), carried by sleeve (19*) pivoted between the arms of a fixed bracket (21).
The boss (19) has a screw-thread, likewise the link (17), and by the rotation of the
hand-wheel (20) the rod is caused to travel to, or fro, in the boss, thereby im-
parting a swivelling movement to the distributing plates, and effecting the desired
setting of such plates in relation to the stream of fuel.
With the plates not in view the intelligent adjustment of the hand-wheel (20)
is provided for by a series of indents in the periphery of the hand-wheel, repre-
senting certain increments of movement, and a detent (22) engaging therewith
carried by a spring blade (23) secured to bracket (21). In lieu of the link (17)
and opening (18) I may provide the straight rods (24) and (25) (see Fig. 12)
joined by universal, or ball-and-socket joint (26), or any similar and suitable
device.
Whilst the furnaces of some boilers will usually be supplied with the duplex
arrangement of fans, fan boxes and plates shewn in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, it will only
be necessary in other furnaces to employ a single fan box, and a single set of
deflector plates, or to employ two or more single fan boxes at a distance apart,
as for example in water-tube boilers with wide grates, and in such cases I apply
my invention to one side or the other of such fan boxes, according to require-
ments, or I bring a single fan box with the single arrangement of plates shewn
in Fig. 4, alongside another single fan box with another single arrangement of
plates as shewn in Fig. 9.
In this latter case the plates are operated alternately, instead of simulta-
neously, one set of plates directing to the left, and the other set to the right of
the furnace. Whether in the single, or duplex application of the plates, the
bracket (1) is mounted and adjusted in the same way.
In the stoking of a furnace to obtain various results, or at the time of fixing
the apparatus, it may be necessary, in order to arrive at the best elevation the
plates may work at, to provide for the raising and lowering of the plates en bloc
and for that purpose I provide the upper part or extension (1*) of the bracket (1)
with a lug (27) passing through an opening in the bed-plate of the stoker and
engaging with a screw (28) mounted in fixed brackets (29). With the bracket (1)
adapted to rise and fall in its slot, the rotation of screw (28) will serve to raise
or lower the bracket (1) to the desired elevation. In this connection the plates
may be raised to such a position as to allow some of the fuel to pass directly
under the plates.
In Fig. 11 I shew the screw at the front of the stoker fittings in order to pro-
vide greater accessibility in operating the screw, and I transmit the motion of
the screw to the bracket (1) by a lever (30) on which the bracket (1) is suspended
by a V or rounded edge.
To again afford an intelligent adjustment of the apparatus (bracket and plates)
I provide a hand-wheel (31) with a fine groove in its periphery, and in immediate
proximity to such periphery a graduated upright or pillar (32) so that by the
traverse of the wheel, up or down, the degree of movement is determined. The
vertical and diagonal movements of the plates are allowed for by the link (17)
being a sliding fit on rod (17).
The lower edge of each lower part of the plates is, by preference of the shape
shewn in the drawings, so that the fuel may be effectively directed over the entire
length of the grate.
In addition to the aforesaid vertical adjustment of the plates, I may especially
in the case of the single arrangement of plates, provide for a lateral adjustment,
and in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 I shew the means I employ for that purpose. The
bracket (1) is provided with slot (33) and a rack (34), the former engaging with
a stud (35) and the latter with a pinion (36), so that as the pinion is rotated, the
bracket moves to or fro, and causes the plates to approach, or recede from. the
fan box outlet. To fix the bracket after setting I provide clamping nuts (35³).

page_text: To allow for the said lateral adjustment that part of the stoker supporting the
bracket is capable of side movement and overlaps the other portions as illustrated.
Although I prefer the articulated form of distributor I may dispense with the
upper hinged part (12), or make such upper part in one rigid piece with the lower
part.
Having thus 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 means for distributing fuel in boiler furnaces and the like, the 'manu-
facture and use of a bracket with one or more angular or sloping edges, a plate
hinged to such sloping edge or edges, a further plate hinged or articulated to the
upper edge of the first named plate, and all mounted in relation to the stream
or streams of fuel projected into a furnace, substantially as herein set forth.
2: In means for distributing fuel in boiler and like furnaces, the manu-
facture and use of articulated deflector plates of the kind described, in combi-
nation with means for effecting the variable setting of the upper and lower
portions of such plates, as herein set forth.
3: In means for distributing fuel in boiler and like furnaces, the manufacture
and use of articulated deflector plates of the kind described, in combination with
means for moving the said plates across the stream of fuel and indicating the
position of such plates, as herein set forth.
4: In means for distributing fuel in boiler furnaces and the like, the manu-
facture and use of articulated deflector plates of the kind described, in combi-
nation with means for adjusting said plates en bloc," and indicating the vertical
position of said plates, as herein set forth.
5: Fuel distributing plates, comprising articulated upper and lower parts,
as herein set forth.
6: In means for distributing and regulating the supply of fuel in boiler
furnaces and the like, the combination and arrangement of parts herein described
and illustrated on the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 22nd day of February 1899.
WILLIAM GRIMSHAW STONES,
By John G. Wilson & Co.,
55, Market Street, Manchester, Agents.