Improvements in and Connected with Blast-pipes.
Year: 1887

page_text: Improvements in and Connected with Blast-pipes.
I, HENRY APPLEBY, of the Waterford and Limerick Railway Company, Limerick,
Ireland, Locomotive Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in and connected with blast-pipes of the
kind described in the. Provisional Specification accompanying my application for
Letters Patent filed 19th July, 1887, No. 10,128, the same being adapted for use
with locomotive and other boilers, and having a central steam-nozzle surrounded by
an annular steam-passage, an intervening annular air-passage opening from below,
and provision for enabling a portion of the steam to escape by way of the outer
passage when it is desired to moderate the draught. My present improvements
consist in the combination with such a blast-pipe, firstly, of the 'blower or steam-jet
commonly employed for creating an artificial draught through the furnace when the
locomotive is stationary and the exhaust steam is not available for the purpose, and
secondly, of the discharge from the ejector employed for creating a vacuum in the
' automatic'
brake-sacks, or sacks and reservoirs, according to whether the 'simple' or
vacuum brake system be in use. My invention further relates to improvements in
the construction and arrangement of the combined apparatus whereby it is specially
adapted for the efficient performance of its several functions, and whereby it may be
rendered suitable for use with underground or other locomotives in which the exhaust
steam is condensed, as also with other descriptions of boilers where a steam-jet is
.employed for creating a draught through the furnace.
A blast-pipe for locomotive purposes constructed and arranged in accordance with
my present invention is mounted in the smoke-box in such a manner that the inlet
to the annular air-passage which traverses the blast-pipe longitudinally is near the
level of the lower fire-tubes, whilst the delivery orifice of the blast-pipe is approximately
opposite the upper fire-tubes of the boiler. Wholly or partially surrounding the

page_text: blast-pipe, and immediately beneath or opposite.the opening to the annular air-passage,
is a chamber formed in one or more compartments, whereof the upper side is per-
forated or formed with a slit or slits arranged circularly or provided with a series of
small nozzles. To the chamber is led a pipe conveying the mixture of steam and air
discharged from the brake-ejector; and to the same chamber may be led a pipe con-
veying live' steam from the boiler for performing the duty of a blower.
One of the advantages accruing from this combination and method of working is
that the steam employed for working the ejector-and which, after escaping there-
from, still possesses considerable energy is further utilised during its passage through
the blast-pipe for the improvement of the furnace draught. Such assistance is
especially valuable immediately before starting a train, at which time the large ejector
of the vacuum brake apparatus is usually worked. At other times when the engine is
stationary, and when it is not desired to work the ejector, or when the locomotive is
not provided with ejector apparatus for creating a vacuum, the requisite draught
through the furnace is produced with the aid of live steam conveyed by the blower-
pipe from the boiler to the perforated or nozzled chamber hereinbefore described as
being arranged opposite the inlet to the annular air-passage which traverses the blast-
pipe longitudinally.
In addition to the improvement of the furnace draught obtained by leading the
discharge from the ejector to and through the blast-pipe, the combination of the parts
in the manner described has the further advantage of increasing the vacuum available
for operating the brake. This results from the circumstance that whilst the locomotive
is running, the exhaust steam from the cylinders (or live steam from the blower-pipe)
as it escapes through the blast-pipe, creates a partial vacuum in the air-passage
appertaining thereto and about-the-part where the delivery from the ejector is located.
Under such conditions, the ejector discharges into a partial vacuum, the effectiveness
of its action being thereby increased.
In applying my improved blast-pipe to a locomotive or other boiler intended for
working under conditions which occasionally render it inexpedient for the exhaust
steam to be discharged. into the atmosphere, I arrange the blast-pipe as previously
'described, and by preference I provide its upper extremity with a breeches-piece,
whereof the branches lead to condensing tanks usually placed on either side of the
locomotive. The breeches-piece is fitted at its point of bifurcation with two flap-
valves, so arranged and operated that in one position, the exhaust or other steam
issuing from the blast-pipe is led from the upper extremity of the latter to the con-
densing tanks; whilst in the other position of the flap-valves, the communication to.
the 'tanks' is shut off and a direct passage is formed for the escape of the steam from
the blast-pipe to the smoke-stack. By arranging and combining the entire apparatus
in the manner above described, when the communication to the condensing tanks is
open, not only the exhaust steam from the cylinders, but that escaping from the
ejector or from the blower, or from both these appliances, is conducted to the con-
densing tanks, instead of being discharged into the atmosphere in accordance with the
practice hitherto commonly prevailing.
The hereinbefore described combination of my improved blast-pipe with the
discharge from the ejector and with the blower is more particularly applicable for use
with locomotive boilers; but the combination of the said blast-pipe with a blower is.
adapted for use with other descriptions of boilers where a steam-jet is employed for
creating a draught through the furnace.
Tir some instances, it is desirable to provide means whereby the area, as also the
height, of the delivery nozzle of the blast-pipe may be varied.
For regulating the effective area of the said discharge nozzle, L-arrange a baffle or
body, preferably in the form of an inverted cone with hollow sides, immediately
opposite the nozzle-outlet, the apex of the cone extending towards or into the orifice
of the nozzle.
For varying the length or height of the central nozzle of the blast-pipe, I provide
'the upper extremity thereof with a tubular extension arranged to slide telescopically
'upon, or relatively to, the said nozzle.

page_text: The above described appliances for varying the effective area, as also the height, of
the delivery nozzle of the blast-pipe may be furnished with suitable connections
whereby their positions may be adjusted and their actions regulated from the foot-plate
of the engine or other conveniently accessible position.
Dated the 5th day of Octahar 1887
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM
191, Fleet Street, London, E.Č.,
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and Connected with Blast-pipes.
I, HENRY APPLEBY, of the Waterford and Limerick Railway Company, Limerick,
Ireland, Locomotive 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 :—
This invention relates to improvements in and connected with blast-pipes of the
kind described in the specification filed in pursuance of my application for Letters
Patent, filed 19th July, 1887, No. 10,128; the same being adapted for use with
locomotive and other boilers, and having a central steam-nozzle surrounded by an
annular steam-passage, an intervening annular air-passage opening from below and
provision for enabling a portion of the steam to escape by way of the outer passage
when it is desired to moderate the draught. My present improvements consist in the
combination with such a blast-pipe, first, of the 'blower' or steam-jet commonly
employed for creating an artificial draught through the furnace when the locomotive
is stationary and the exhaust steam is not available for the purpose, and secondly, of
the discharge from the ejector employed for creating a vacuum in the brake-sacks, or
sacks and reservoirs, according to whether the 'simple' or 'automatic' vacuum brake
system be in use. My invention further relates to improvements. in the construction
and arrangement of the combined apparatus, whereby it is specially adapted for the
efficient performance of its several functions and whereby it may be rendered suitable
for use with underground or other locomotives in which the exhaust steam is con-
densed, as also with other descriptions of boilers where a steam-jet is employed for
creating a draught through the furnace.
A blast-pipe adapted and arranged for accomplishing the objects of my present
invention is illustrated in vertical section in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings;
Figs. 2 and 3 being views of details hereinafter particularly referred to and intended
for optional use. The blast-pipe a is mounted in the smoke-box b. of the locomotive

page_text: in such a manner that the inlet to the annular passage c is near the level of the lower
fire-tubes, whilst the delivery orifice of the blast-pipe is approximately.opposite the
upper fire-tubes of the boiler. Wholly or partially surrounding the blast-pipe and
immediately beneath or opposite the opening to the annular air-passage c is a
chamber d preferably formed in two compartments d' and d², whereof the upper sides
are perforated or formed with a slit or slits arranged circularly or provided with a
series of small nozzles. To the compartment d' is led a pipe e conveying the mixture
of steam and air discharged from the brake-ejector, and to the other compartment &²
is led a pipe f conveying 'live' steam from the boiler for performing the duty of
a blower.
One of the advantages accruing froni this combination and method of working is
that the steam employed for operating the ejector-and which, after escaping therefrom,
still possesses considerable energy-is further utilised during its passage through the
blast-pipe for the improvement of the furnace-draught. Such assistance is especially
valuable immediately before starting a train, at which time the large ejector of the
vacuum brake apparatus is usually worked. At other times, when the engine is
stationary and when it is not desired to work the ejector, or, when the locomotive is
not provided with ejector-apparatus for creating a vacuum, the requisite draught
through the furnace is produced with the aid of live steam conveyed by the blower-
pipe from the boiler to the perforated or nozzled chamber hereinbefore described as
being arranged opposite the inlet to the annular air-passage which traverses the
blast-pipe longitudinally.
In addition to the improvement of the furnace-draught obtained by leading the
discharge from the ejector to and through the blast-pipe, the combination of the parts
in the manner described has the further advantage of increasing the vacuum available
for operating the brake. This results from the circumstance that, whilst the
locomotive is running, the exhaust steam from the cylinders (or live steam from the
blower-pipe) as it escapes through the blast-pipe creates a partial vacuum in the air-
passage appertaining thereto and about the part where the delivery from the ejector
is located. Under such conditions, the ejector discharges into a partial vacuum, the
effectiveness of its action being thereby increased.
In applying my improved blast-pipe to a locomotive or other boiler intended for
working under conditions which occasionally render it inexpedient for the exhaust
steam to be discharged into the atmosphere, I arrange the blast-pipe as previously
described; and, by preference, I provide its upper extremity with a breeches-piece g,
whereof the branches g g² lead to condensing tanks usually placed on each side of
the locomotive. The breeches-piece g is fitted at its point of bifurcation with two
flap-valves h h so arranged and operated that in one position the exhaust or other
steam issuing from the blast-pipe is led from the upper extremity of the latter to the
condensing tanks; whilst, in the other position of the flap-valves, the communication
to the tanks is shut off and a direct passage is formed for the escape of the steam
from the blast-pipe to the smoke-stack. By arranging and combining the entire
apparatus in the manner above described, when the communication to the condensing
tanks is open, not only the exhaust steam from the cylinders but that escaping from
the ejector, or from the blower, or from both these appliances, is conducted to the
condensing tanks instead of being discharged into the atmosphere in accordance with
the practice hitherto commonly prevailing.
The hereinbefore described combination of my improved blast-pipe with the
discharge from the ejector and with the blower is more particularly applicable for use
with locomotive boilers; but the combination of the said blast-pipe with a blower is
adapted for use with other descriptions of boilers where a steam-jet is employed for
creating a draught through the furnace.
In some instances, it is desirable to provide means, such as illustrated in Figs. 2
and 3, whereby the area, as also the height, of the delivery nozzle of the blast-pipe
may be varied.
For regulating the effective area of the said delivery nozzle, I arrange a cone-
shaped baffle or body k immediately opposite the nozzle-outlet as indicated in Fig. 2;

page_text: k2
the baffle or body k being, in this illustration, supported and operated from below, by
means of a spindle sliding in suitable bearings and actuated by an arm & mounted
on a rocking shaft 3. It will, however, be obvious that the baffle or body k, instead
of being supported from below, may be suspended and operated from above.
For varying the length or height of the central nozzle of the blast-pipe, I provide
the upper extremity thereof with a tubular extension m, as represented in Fig. 3;
the same being arranged to slide longitudinally relatively to the said nozzle and to
be actuated by means of an arm m³, mounted on a.rocking shaft m³, connecting rod m³
and cross-head m*.
The above-described appliances for varying the effective area, as also the height, of
the delivery nozzle of the blast-pipe may be furnished with suitable connections
whereby their positions may be adjusted and their actions regulated from the foot-
plate of the engine or other conveniently accessible position.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I claim:
1. The combination with a regulating blast-pipe having a central steam-nozzle a
surrounding steam-passage and an intervening gas-passage, of an annular chamber
arranged opposite the inlet to the said gas-passage and serving, to receive the mixture
of steam and air delivered by the brake-ejector and to discharge the same through
the gas-passage of the blast-pipe, substantially as and for the purposes herein
set forth.
2. The combination with a regulating blast-pipe having a central steam-nozzle, a
surrounding steam-passage and an intervening gas-passage of an annular chamber or
tubular coil arranged opposite the inlet to the said gas-passage and serving to receive
'live' steam from the boiler and to discharge the same through the gas-passage of
the blast-pipe, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
3. The improved method of construction, substantially as herein described with
reference to Fig. 1, whereby both the mixture of steam and air delivered by the
brake-ejector and the 'live' steam from the blower-pipe may be simultaneously
discharged through the gas-passage of the blast-pipe.
4. The improved method of construction, substantially as herein described with
reference to Fig. 1, whereby the whole of the steam and gases delivered through the
blast-pipe may be discharged to the condensing tanks or to the atmosphero at the
option of the attendant.
5. For regulating the effective area of the discharge nozzle of a regulating blast-
pipe of the kind herein referred to, the use of a cone-shaped baffle or body arranged
and operating substantially as described with reference to Fig. 2.
6. For varying the length or height of the discharge nozzle of a regulating blast-
pipe of the kind herein referred to, the use of a tubular sliding extension arranged
and operating substantially as described with reference to Fig. 3.
Dated this 23rd day of June 1888
G. G. M. HARDINGHAM,
191, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.