places, and in Steam Boilers, Muffles, and other Furnaces.
Year: 1885

page_text: places, and in Steam Boilers, Muffles, and other Furnaces.
I, HENRY WALKER of St Mary's Row, Birmingham, in the County of Warwick
Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN PROMOTING AND REGULATING COMBUSTION IN FIRE PLACES," to be as follows:
The object of my invention is to promote and regulate combustion in domestic
fire-places, my improvements are also applicable to the fire-places of steam boiler
and other furnaces; and my said invention consists firstly in conducting the
products of combustion given off from a fire-place back again to the grate, so that
the smoke and unconsumed matter is returned and perfect combustion thereby
effected, in virtue of certain arrangements of flues and air heating chambers, as
hereinafter described; and secondly an improved means of regulating or controlling
the admission of air to the said fire-place; so that only the necessary amount of air
shall be admitted for the proper and complete combustion of the fuel.
I will first describe my invention in connection with an ordinary domestic fire-
place.
The fire-place is of the ordinary kind having a partition or diaphragm so as to
cut off air to the ash pit or to exclude air from freely entering under the grate
from the front. The back of the fire-grate consists of a heat diffusing column (or
columns) or hollow cavity with perforated sides, an open bottom and a perforated
top. This reticulated hollow chamber consists essentially of a dome or semi-circular
front with a rectangular back, the former leading to the latter by an opening or
passage at the bottom of the partition or partitions. The back part of this heat
diffusing structure, has inclined sides, with which, side hollow bricks mitre, so as
to enclose with the fire-bars 'a rectangular space. These side hollow bricks are
open at their bottoms and may be perforated in any direction as may be required.
At the back of the heat diffusing chamber which projects into the fire grate, and in
juxta position to its hot air chamber or Chambers, is a hot air draught creating flue,
the inner division or wall extending downwards to the level of the grate bars;
the upper end of this flue is truncated downwards, or has a depending bend,
projecting and directed downwards into the smoke flue, which runs at the back
and sides of the system of flues and air heating chambers. This smoke flue empties
itself into the back chamber of the Brick or under the fire-grate into the ash
wi
'

page_text: chamber which is a closed chamber, from the fact of the partition which cuts off
external air other than that passing down the smoke flue, the mouth of the smoke
flue which is presented underneath the grate bars, may be so arranged and partly
covered up, that dust falling through shall in no way choke up its entrance or
interfere with the outlet of the smoke and products of combustion, which is drawn
down it, by the heat deflected by the truncated end of the hot air creating draught
flue. The exit end of the smoke flue under the fire grate is turned vertically
upwards so that the products of combustion shall be directed at once to the fuel
within the grate; and also prevents the hot air from running back in the reverse
direction. An ordinary chimney flue is situated above the upper entrance of the
smoke flue last described, so that after a fire in the grate has been lighted, and the
flues and chambers become heated, a circulation of the products of combustion is
created, in virtue of the dispersion or diffusion of the heat, thus the heat in the
diffusing chamber which projects into the fire-placé passes through the reticulations,
and is conducted from thence to the fuel in the grate; a portion of this heat also
passes into the hot air chamber which heats the walls between it and the other
flues, so that the beat within this chamber or the combined chainbers, passes up the
hot air creating draught flue or flues, and thence directed downwards into the
smoke flue, which passes on by the circulation thus created to the fire-bars and
chambers of the fire bricks which enters into combustion with the fuel.
Flues may be arranged at the sides or at the back of the air heating chamber or
Chambers for gathering the heated air which is conducted into the proper channel.
The heat diffusing column or Columns, and its chamber or chambers, may be used
independently of the flues described.
The combined apparatus for regulating the draught and at the same time
promoting combustion of the fuel consists as follows.
In front of the fire-place, a parabolic or heat deflector is situated which has an
opening or cut away part at its bottom through which air passes to the fire-place;
and the object of this part of my invention is to diminish or increase at pleasure
this opening, so that only the requisite amount of air shall pass for the perfect and
proper combustion of the fuel being used, whether it be ordinary coal or cokes or
any other inflammable material. At the back of the deflector and partially
covering its opening at the bottom is a sliding plate or damper which is raised and
lowered preferably from the front by means of a rack and pinion attached to the
damper plate which diminishes or increases the opening in the deflector. The said
slide is provided with guides for its vertical movement. The movable damper
plate described stands away from the back of the deflector, so as to form a hollow
space or channel up which heated air passes from the feet of the deflector. The
lower part of the damper follows the contour of the deflector, so that the heated
air thus gathered, travels between the damper and deflector back, and is caused to
impinge upon the burning fuel and products of combustion by a middle partition
or stop.
To regulate or adjust the damper, it is only necessary to rotate the pinion, when,
the damper is raised or lowered accordingly, and the requisite amount of air is
allowed to pass through the opening, for the proper combustion of the fuel being
burned.
The application of my invention to Steam Boiler, Annealing, Muffles, Smelting
and other Furnaces, differs in no essential respect from its application to a
Domestic fire-place already described.
To apply my invention to the furnace of a Steam Boiler, I place the Hollow
Draught creating Bricks along each side of the fire-place, at the back of the door,
or doors, and before the bridge, in the middle of which I put a Brick having a
Triangular shape, along the bars with its Narrow edge upwards, and its Base,
resting over their openings, It is made in compartments, each division having
holes on its two sides, it has also holes in front, which go through all the partitions,
excepting the back, which is sealed. The Base of these compartments forms a
series of Hot air chambers, for storing the hot air which escapes through the holes
1

page_text: above described to the fuel. The Bricks are made in compartments for strength,
and to preserve their use in case of partial damage, and also for their Draught
creating power.
In applying bricks to the sides of furnaces to allow air to the underside of these
divisions, I take one bar away, and move the others half its thickness, and by this
means there is a space made on each side of the fire-place for the purpose of
allowing air to pass to the bottom of the bricks, or I may make a flue or an
opening in the brick work for the same.
I also cause air to pass to the bottom of the bricks in front of the Bridge by
allowing a space underneath the Bricks for that purpose. I have a brick of the
above description at the back of the fire door, or doors, I also place a Brick over
the Dead Plate in front of the Boiler or in any other part of a furnace where its
hot air can act upon the products of combustion.
'The Bricks may be placed on the bars, and the bar or bars above alluded to as
being removed may remain in position, and the openings in the bars be used as air
passages to the bottoms of the Bricks.
.
The Bricks have dovetail sides and as soon as they are placed into the furnaces
they join with each other and at once become ready for work without any further
fixing, this gives great facility in their application and also in repairs in case of
damage.
.
The Bricks may be built in the fire-place or furnace in the ordinary way.
Dampers or Draught, regulators, may be applied, to regulate the supply of air
to the bricks, which may be worked in the ordinary way, automattically or
otherwise.
Improvements in Promoting and Regulating Combustion in Fire
Places, and in Steam Boilers, Muffles, and other Furnaces.
I, HENRY WALKER of St Mary's Row Birmingham, in the County of Warwick,
Manufacturer do hereby. declare the nature of said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN PROMOTING AND REGULATING COMBUSTION IN FIRE PLACES, AND IN STEAM
BOILERS, MUFFLES AND OTHER FURNACES," and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
My invention has for its object to promote and regulate combustion of fuel in
domestic and other fire places; and my said invention consists first in an improved
partitioned and perforated hollow brick or slab, which constitutes an efficient means
whereby air is fed or conducted to the burning fuel or products of combustion of a
fire place.

page_text: The said hollow bricks or slabs are placed either at the back or at the front of
the flame wall of a steam boiler or other furnace, or they may be placed in any
other suitable position or at the back of the grate of a domestic fire place; the air
for promoting combustion in each case being admitted at the base or at the sides of
the perforated hollow bricks or slabs.
The damper regulator for an open fire-place consists essentially of a plate which
is raised and lowered by means of a rack and pinion, in order to diminish or increase
the air passage for the proper combustion of the fuel being burned.
I will now proceed to describe with reference to the accompanying Drawings, the
manner in which the same is to be performed.
Figure 1 represents in front elevation a hollow brick for a.domestic fire place
constructed according to my invention-Figure 2 is a vertical section of the same
on the dotted lines A B-Figure 3 is a plan on the dotted lines CD.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures
of the Drawing.
a is the back of the slab and b is the front-The back a is closed, while the front b
is perforated with holes or reticulations c leading from the vertical passages or flues d,
best seen in figure 3, which said passages are open at the base and closed at the
summit of the slab or brick-e is a heat diffusing column consisting essentially of a
hollow chamber or cavity with perforated sides and top and open at bottom; the
said open bottom or base of the brick or slab is in free communication with the
atmosphere; so that when in use, the brick or slab on becoming highly heated,
creates a current of air up the passages d d as indicated by the arrows, and from
thence through the perforations c to the burning fuel and products of combustion ;
air also passes from the chamber e' through the perforations or reticulations e³ of
the dome or semicircular front e.
By employing within a fire-place, a slab or slabs of the construction as described,
the perfect combustion of the fuel is thereby produced, as a stream of hot air is
constantly being delivered to the burning fuel or products of combustion.
The slab may be used without the dome front if required.
Figure 4 represents in longitudinal vertical section, a portion of a steam boiler
furnace is provided with perforated hollow bricks constructed according to my
invention.
a is the brick or slab which is presented to the back of the flame wall-The
passages and openings in the said bricks or slabs are essentially the same as
described with respect to figure 1.
fare the fire bars, g is the damper, is the flame wall, is a supplementary
bearer placed at the back of the flame wall for supporting the hollow perforated
brick a and the hollow perforated pyramidal like blocks a²-These pyramidal shaped
blocks are preferably longer in one direction than in the other, in order to embrace
a larger superficial surface of burning fuel or products of combustion given off from
the said burning fuel. These blocks or slabs which may be made of any suitable
form according to the character of the furnace to which they are to be applied, are
provided with holes c c on all sides, or when necessary, the holes or reticulations
inay be on one or more sides. The bricks or slabs are also provided with hanging
divisions or diaphragms at extending from the summits to within a short distance
from the base, thus forming air collecting chambers a³ which supply heated air to
vertical channels leading to the perforations-These air collecting chambers at the
base are marked a³-The diaphragm or partition is marked at, and the base of the
brick or block is made flange like, and marked us. Or the summits may be made
Tshaped as represented.
Figure 5 is an end view of the steam boiler furnace figure 4, arranged according
to my invention, the said view being taken from the back of the furnace or from
the back of the flame wall.
The blocks or slabs a² are arranged side by side, so that on the passage of the
products of combustion between, over and around them, the said unconsumed
products are thereby burned by the supply of heated air through the reticulations
1

page_text: or openings leading from the channels running through them, which air is drawn
from the outer atmosphere.
Figure 6 is a front view of the brick a. Figure 7 is a side view, and figure 8 is
a vertical section taken through the up channel and the reticulations Figure 9 is
a plan of the top, and figure 10 is an underside view or plan of the base showing
the air collecting chambers and up passages.
a are side recesses wherein keys a' fit, for the bonding together of the bricks or
blocks on the formation either of an arch or for the building of a wall.
Figure 11 is a front view of the brick or block a Figure 12 is an end view of
the same Figure 13 is a transverse section showing how the partition divides the
brick or block into two or a series of chambers-Figure 14 is an underside view-
Figure 15 is a horizontal transverse section, showing the flue or passage like structure
of the brick-Figure 16 is a longitudinal vertical section of the furnace of a steam
boiler provided with bricks or blocks made according to my invention. The blocks
in the fore part of the furnace in front of the flame-wall are arranged so as to form
a semicircular arch, so that the holes or reticulations radiate to a centre, while the
channels for supplying air, form continuous semi-circular passages leading to the
holes, which said passages are open to the atmosphere; so that when in use, the air
drawn into circulation by the heat of the furnace, impinges or radiates from the
holes of the arched flue, upon the products of combustion given off from the burning
fuel, thereby effectually and efficiently burning the said products.
A series of hollow perforated blocks or bricks are also arranged beyond the edge
of the arched air conducting passages and lie in juxta position to the inside edge of
the flame wall; thus the products of combustion given off from the burning fuel is
supplied with hot air from all points, in its passage to the flues of a boiler or stack.
These hollow bricks with up channels may be placed in the inside of the furnace
door, or in front or at back of the dead plate, or in any other position most suitable
for promoting perfect combustion.
Figure 17 is an end view of the furnace figure 16 taken from the fire-door end-
Figure 18 is a front view of one of the flame wall bricks or blocks Figure 19 is a
vertical section-Figure 20 is a plan of the top-Figure 21 is a plan of the under-
side or base, and figure 22 a transverse section-Figure 23 represents my invention
applied to a locomotive, marine or multitubular boiler; the up passages for the
supply of air to the arched reticulated slabs are made in the foria of hollow columns
starting from the fire-bars.
Figure 24 is my new or improved damper for regulating the admission of air to
fire places-j is a parabolic or heat deflector which has an opening or cut away part
at its bottom, through which air passes to the fire-place; and the object of this part
of my invention is to diminish or increase at pleasure this opening, so that only the
requisite amount of air shall pass for the perfect and proper combustion of the
fuel being used-At the back of the deflector and partially covering its opening at
the bottom is a sliding plate or damper k which is raised and lowered preferably
from the front by means of a rack and pinion m attached to the damper plate
which diminishes or increases the opening in the deflector. The said slide is
provided with guides for its vertical movement. The movable damper plato
described stands away from the back of the deflector, so as to form a hollow space
or channel n up which heated air passes from the feet of the deflector. The lower
part of the damper follows the contour of the deflector, so that the heated air thus
gathered, travels between the damper and deflector back, and is caused to impinge
upon the burning fuel and products of combustion..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is
First. Perforated and partitioned hollow bricks or blocks for supplying air in
promoting combustion in open fire places, consisting of an upright slab «, vertical
passages & running therethrough, holes or reticulations c leading from the said

page_text: passages, and the dome shaped front or flue chamber e e³ with air hole passages e³.
The chamber e² being separated from the vertical passages d, by a division wall,
substantially as described and set forth in figures 1, 2 and 3 of the Drawings.
Secondly. Perforated and divisioned bollow bricks or blocks for steam boiler
and other furnaces, consisting of an upright slab with vertical air passages leading
to perforations or reticulations, substantially as described and illustrated in
figures 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 of the Drawings.
Thirdly-Perforated hollow bricks or blocks (having plain or T tops) with.
divisional walls, for separating or dividing off the said bricks or blocks into chambers,
so that the products of combustion generated at the fire place of a furnace shall be
intercepted in a through passage, thus allowing only the heated air collected therein
to be conducted through the holes or reticulations, substantially as described and
illustrated in figures 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fourthly Arranging and combining perforated hollow bricks for supplying air
to steam boiler and other furnaces, substantially as described and set forth in
figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying Drawings.
Fifthly. Arranging and combining perforated hollow divisioned bricks, for
promoting combustion in steam boiler and other furnaces, substantially as described
and illustrated in figures 16, 17 and 23 of the Drawings.
Lastly. The means of regulating or promoting combustion in open fire places,
consisting of a heat deflector j, damper k, air circulating space n, rack and pinion m
arranged substantially as described and set forth in figure 24 of the accompanying
Drawings.