Improvements in or relating to Blowers and Draught Regulators for use in Domestic Grates or Open Fire-places.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in or relating to Blowers and Draught Regulators
for use in Domestic Grates or Open Fire-places.
I, ROBERT JAMES LEE, of 39, Gunterstone Road, London, Doctor of Medicine, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
-:
This invention has for its object improvements in or relating to blowers and draft
regulators for use in domestic grates or open fire-places.
- Letters Patent No. 3081 of 1892 describe a combined blower and draught
regulator for use in open fire-places, etc., and the objects of the present invention are
firstly to arrange and adapt same or the like so as to consume smoke, and 2ndly to
proportion and adjust same or the like in or on the fire place adapted to receive
same according to the nature of the fuel to be burnt in the grate.
My present invention is as follows:-
The horizontal plate or so-called "regulator" is so formed as to leave a clearance
all round between same and the fire-place or stove adapted to receive same thus if the
fire-place is of a semi-circular shape the regulator is of a corresponding shape but
rather smaller than the contour of said stove or if the stove be formed with sides at
an angle to the back then the regulator is formed of similar shape but smaller in size
so as to leave a clearance between same not only at the back but also between each
side edge and the sides of the fire-place; as I have found that by having this
clearance all round said regulator (except of course at the front edge where same is
hinged or suitably joined to or meets the blower) thereby the smoke is more
completely consumed than heretofore.
The vertical front plate or so-called "blower" is arranged to completely close in
the front area of the fire-place down to a point at varying distances above the top bar
of the grate or fire-place according to the nature of the fuel to be burnt therein.
Thus in the case of a fuel which does not burn so freely (such as anthracite or hard
coal, coke, breeze, etc.) I have found that the best results are obtained by extending
said blower down to a point about 4 inches above the top bar of the grate or fire-
place; whereas with other fuel which burns more freely (such as soft coal or the like)
the blower should extend down only to about six inches or even seven inches above
the top bar of the fire-place.
If desired the blower and regulator can be so arranged and mounted on or with
respect to the fire-place as to be adjustable vertically thereon-any suitable means
being employed for this purpose.
This combined blower and regulator can be fitted to existing fire-places or grates
to which same are or may be applicable.
I find it to be advantageous however to construct or specially build fire-places or
stoves (of any suitable type or pattern adapted to act in conjunction with my inven-
tion) with my invention applied thereto during construction or in suchwise as to be
adapted to receive same or have same fitted thereto but in all cases so that the blower
and regulator (combined or separately) can be easily detachable or removed for
cleaning or other purposes.

page_text: Any suitable means are provided to raise and lower the regulator when in position
for instance as shown in the aforesaid Patent No. 3081 of 1892.
The special adjustment of the blower in the aforesaid manner is of very great
importance in view of the direction which is taken by the air as it is drawn from the
room towards and into the chimney.
If desired the blower could be formed separately from the regulator and each part
mounted in position independently of the other for instance the blower could be
hinged vertically or horizontally to the fire-place with means to hold same closed or
same may be divided in two parts vertically and such parts hinged vertically to the
fire-place (with means to secure same closed) so that said blower could be laid back
and then the regulator (pivoted or otherwise suitably mounted in the fire-place)
removed thus permitting free access to the chimney, etc.
The apparatus may be made of any suitable material or materials and of any
ornate or other suitable character for instance the blower part may be made trans-
parent by forming same of glass glazed or otherwise suitably mounted in a frame.
Dated this 4th day of November 1898.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in or relating to Blowers and Draught Regulators
for use in Domestic Grates or Open Fire-places.
ROBERT JAMES LEE, of 39, Gunterstone Road, London, Doctor of Medicine, 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:-
:-
This invention has for its object, improvements in or relating to blowers and
draught regulators, for use in domestic grates or open fire-places.
Letters Patent 3081/92 describe a combined blower and draught-regulator for use
in open fire-places etc. and Letters Patent 4168/98 describe the advantage of having
fire-places prepared, before they are fixed, for the facile attaching and detaching of
the combination, and how this can be provided.
The objects of the present invention are specially to provide (1) for the prevention
of smoke; and (2) the combustion of various kinds of coal, coke, and other fuels;
and these are effected by the careful observance of certain relations between the
regulator, the blower, and the parts of the fire-place in which the fuel is
burnt.
My present invention is as follows:
The horizontal plate or so called "regulator" is so constructed and placed in its
relation to the burning fuel, that it acts not only as a "damper," that is a controller
of the draught that passes from the fire-place into the chimney; but it induces the
smoke and volatile gases given off from the fire to pass into a clearance or space
intervening between the margin of the regulator and the grate, in which space the
flame from the fire plays; and thus combustion of the smoke and gases is effected.
This influence of the regulator is similar to that which is exerted in ordinary paraffin
lamps by the shield, cover, or disc which directs air into the burning wick and thus
prevents smoke by stimulation of combustion.

page_text: The space found by experiment to be proper for the purpose described should vary
between th of an inch and of an inch; and such variation is obtained, to a great
extent, by the possibility of lowering or elevating the regulator, as shewn in the
drawings accompanying Patents 3081/92 and 4168/98.
By this method greater or less activity of combustion can be produced and fuels of
various qualities can be used.
With regard to the "blower" it is proper to state that hitherto it has not been
known that the draught of air passing above a fire in most fire-places, into the
chimney, varies greatly in the area above the bars and is not the same at all points
of it. It is found by experiment that the combustion of various fuels proper for open
fire-places may be effected by blowers covering the area above the top-bar, so that
a distance of from 4 inches to 7 inches is allowed between them; this variation
providing for greater or less draught of air through the fuel, according to its quality
and by which draught its combustion is promoted.
The accompanying diagram will explain exactly what is intended by the words in
the above part of this Specification "into a clearance or space intervening between the
margin of the regulator and the grate"; and the words later on "the space found by
experiment to be proper for the purpose described should vary between th of an inch
and of an inch."
The diagram shews the side view of a fire-place fitted with the invention; that is
an interior view one side being omitted.
AA The back of the fire-place.
BB The far side; the near side being removed.
E The blower part of the invention.
D The back plate or damper of ditto, which can be raised or lowered.
The "clearance or space" required to vary between th of an inch and of an inch
or more, is the space between the surfaces on the one part of A, and B, and the side
removed; and on the other part of the edges, K₁ K2, K2 K³, and K' K' respectively.
bb the top bar of the fire-place.
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 :-
The providing of fire-places or grates before they are fixed, with the apparatus
described in Patents 3081/92 and 4168/98, such accuracy of relation between them
being observed as will secure
1. The prevention of smoke
2. The combustion of various kinds of fuel.