IMPROVEMENTS IN FEED WATER HEATERS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Charles Denton Abel, of Southampton Buildings, in the
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN FEED WATER
HEATERS." A communication from abroad by George Steele, of New York, in
the United States of America.
Sealed the 24th July 1877, and dated the 25th April 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Charles Denton Abel at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th April 1877.
CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FEED WATER HEATERS." A communication from abroad by
George Steele, of New York, in the United States of America.
This Invention relates to an improved construction of apparatus for heating feed
water, more particularly for steam boilers, wherein means are provided,―
Firstly. For effecting the circulation of water through the heating pipes when
the feed is stopped, so as to prevent injury to the pipes from overheating.
Secondly. For allowing the escape of any steam or air from an intermediate point
in the length of the said pipes direct into the steam space of the boiler, so as to insure
the pipes being always filled with solid water.
And, Thirdly. For maintaining the circulation of the water through the pipes
when a portion thereof requires to be cut off for repairs or renewal. For these
purposes the feed pipe from the pump is made to communicate with the lower part
of the water space of the boiler by two branches a certain distance from each other,
each branch being provided with a stop-cock. Between these branches is an inter-
mediate branch also provided with a stop cock and communicating with a pipe
passing into the boiler and round the sides and back of the fire-box, or in the part
of the boiler flue adjoining the same, which pipe is made to ascend in its course, and
after passing out at the front end of the boiler to communicate with the upper part
of the water space thereof, a stop valve being provided at that point of the pipe.
The one of the first-named branches on the feed pipe which is nearest the feed pump
ascends somewhat before entering the boiler, and in such ascending portion there is
a check valve, arranged so as to fall open by its own weight when not subjected to
fluid pressure from below. On the part of the feed pipe between this branch and

page_text: the feed pump is a second check valve that tends to close by its own weight, but
is opened by the pressure from the pump.
Lastly. There is a stop valve on the feed pipe between the above named branch
and the branch communicating with the before-mentioned heating pipe inside the
fire-box of the boiler. When the feed pump is working the valve on the last branch
of the feed pipe is closed. The feed water then forces open the check valve on the
feed pipe, and closing that on the first branch, passes through the intermediate
branch into the pipe inside the fire-box, in which it becomes heated to a considerable
degree before issuing into the upper part of the water space of the boiler. At an
intermediate point of this pipe is a small branch rising vertically or nearly so into
the steam space of the boiler, so that any steam forming in the pipe will escape
through this branch into the boiler, and thus maintain a solid body of water in the
pipe. A stop cock is also provided on the said branch.
When the feed pump is stopped the check valve on the feed pipe will close, that
on the first branch will fall open, and as the cooler water in this branch and in the
lower part of the boiler with which it communicates will be more dense than that
hotter water in the pipe inside the fire-box, the water will descend in the first branch
and ascend in the said internal pipe, thus maintaining a circulation of the water
through the pipes from the lower to the upper water space of the boiler.
The stop valves on the first and second branches of the feed pipe are closed when
it is desired to cut off the internal circulating pipe, on the other hand when
it is desired to cut off the feed pump and the first branch, and yet maintain
the circulation through the internal pipe, this is effected by closing the stop
valve between the first and second branches, and opening the stop valve on the third
branch.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Charles Denton Abel in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th
October 1877
CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN FEED WATER HEATERS." A communication from abroad by
George Steele, of New York, in the United States of America.
This Invention relates to an improved construction of apparatus for heating feed
water, more particularly for steam boilers, wherein means are provided,-
Firstly. For effecting the circulation of water through the heating pipes when
the feed is stopped, so as to prevent injury to the pipes from overheating.
Secondly. For allowing the escape of any steam or air from an intermediate point
in the length of the said pipes direct into the steam space of the boiler, so as to
insure the pipes being always filled with solid water.
And, Thirdly. For maintaining the circulation of the water through the pipes
when a portion thereof requires to be cut off for repairs or renewal.
The construction of the apparatus for effecting the said objects will be readily
understood on reference to the accompanying Drawings, in which Fig. 1 shews a
part side elevation of a steam boiler with the said apparatus applied thereto; Fig. 2
shews a part sectional plan; Fig. 3 shews a front elevation of the boiler, and Figs. 4
and 5 shew enlarged sectional views of the valves I and K.
H, H, is the pipe leading from the feed pump; this communicates by two branches
O and U with the lower part of the water space of the steam boiler A. Between
these branches is another branch Q which is connected to a pipe P inside the boiler,
which is led round inside the fire-box B as shewn, ascending in its course, and after
passing out at the front end of the boiler where it is provided with a stop valve T
it communicates by a branch P¹ with the upper water space of the boiler. At an
intermediate point of the length of the pipe P is provided a small vertical branch
pipe W, which rises into the steam space of the boiler, so that any steam generated

page_text: in the part of the pipe P below this branch will escape through the same into the
steam space of the boiler, and thus a solid body of water be maintained in the pipe.
The branch W is provided with a stop valve Y which is worked by a hand wheel 'Y'
outside the boiler. The branch U on the feed pipe rises vertically to a certain
extent as shewn, and in the vertical part is a check valve K, arranged as shewn at
Fig. 4, so that it will fall open by its own weight when not subjected to fluid
pressure from below. The branch has also a stop valve V by which the communi-
cation with the boiler can be cut off. Between the branch U and the feed pump
is a second stop valve I, which is arranged as shewn at Fig. 5, so that it closes on
its seat when not subject to fluid pressure from below. Between the branches U
and Qis a stop valve L, another stop valve S is on the branch Q, and another N is
between this branch and the branch O.
From the above described arrangement it will be seen that, assuming the valve N
to be closed, while S, L, V, and T, are open, then on water being forced by the feed
pump through the pipe H, the pressure will open the check valve I, and on closing
the check valve K, thus cutting off the branch U, the water will pass through the
branch Qinto the pipe P where it will become considerably heated before entering
the boiler through the branch P₁. If now the feed pump be stopped the check
valve I will close on its seat, and the valve K will fall open by its weight, whereupon
owing to the cooler water in the branch U and lower water space of the boiler
being more dense than the highly heated water in the pipe P, the water will descend
in the branch U and will ascend in the pipe P, and thus the circulation of the water
from the lower water space of the boiler to the upper water space will be maintained
in the pipes. Again if the pressure of the feed water passing in from the pump
be so regulated that it is not sufficient to entirely close the check valve K against its
own weight, and the pressure of the column of water above it, a portion of the hot
water from the lower part of the boiler will descend through the branch U, and in
mixing with the feed water will increase its temperature before it enters the pipe P,
thus securing a more uniform heat in this pipe, and preventing leakage or strain in
the first part thereof through great differences of pressure. If at any time the
feed pipe H or branch U, or the stop and check valves thereon, should require
inspection or repair while the boiler is at work, they may be put out of connection
therewith by closing the valves L and V, the circulation through the pipe P being
then still maintained by opening the valve N so as to establish the communication
between the said pipe and the branch O. If on the other hand the pipe P requires
to be put out of communication with the feed pipe and the boiler for the purpose of
repairs or renewal, this is effected by closing the valves S and T, when the feed
water may be introduced either through the branch O by closing the valve V and
opening the valves L and N, or if the branch O or the valves S or N require
inspection or repair, they may also be cut off by closing L and opening V so as to
allow the feed water to enter through the branch U.
Having thus described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent
I claim,
First. The use in combination with a feed pipe passing from the feed pump
through the fire-box or flue of a boiler, and into the upper water space thereof of a
branch connecting the part of the feed pipe outside the boiler with the lower water
space thereof, and having a check valve so arranged that when the feed pump is
stopped, the said valve will fall open and allow the water to circulate through the
said branch and internal feed pipe, substantially as herein described.
Second. The combination of the feed pipes H, Q, P, and branch U with the
branch O, and valves L and N for maintaining the circulation in the boiler
when the pipe Hor branch U require inspection or repair, substantially as herein
described.
Third. The arrangement of the feed pipes H, Q, P, in combination with the
branches U and O and valves V, K, L, S, and N, substantially as and for the
purposes herein set forth.

page_text: Fourth. The use, in combination with a feed heating pipe in the fire-box or flue
of a boiler, of a branch pipe leading from an intermediate point in the length of
the said pipe upwards into the steam space of the boiler, whereby any steam or
air in the said heating pipe at such intermediate point is allowed to escape direct
into the boiler in order to maintain solid water in the said pipe, substantially as
herein described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Charles Denton Abel, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-seven.