IMPROVEMENTS IN TUBULAR STEAM BOILERS
Year: 1885

page_text: [Communicated from abroad by Max Arndt and Johann Ludwig Servatius
Marichal, of the firm Achener Dampfmotorenfabrik Arndt and Marichal,
Aix la Chapelle, in the German Empire.]
I, WILLIAM EDWIN HEYS of 34 Blackfriars street Manchester in the County
of Lancaster Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN TUBULAR STEAM BOILERS to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to Improvements in tubular steam boilers and these
Improvements consist in modifications in the general construction of such boilers
in the construction of the water tube boxes and connections, of the shell or casing
of the boiler, of the steam chamber, of the circulating pipes and in a special
construction of different parts as details of the general arrangement.
A boiler constructed according to these Improvements has at its base a furnace
with the necessary fittings and appendages. The furnace casing may be of wrought
or cast iron or of concrete, masonry or brickwork covered with iron plates. The
furnace is constructed with an open crown, at each end of which are bearers for
carrying the water tube system. This system consists of a series or a number of
series of tubes having their open ends within tube boxes. The water tube system
is enclosed within a shell or casing having smoke doors opening upon the tube
boxes. Above the water tube system is a steam chamber connected thereto by
suitable channels of communication. The steam chamber is surrounded by a
mantel between which and the chamber the products of combustion pass to
the chimney.
The water tube boxes are divided longitudinally so as to consist of inner and
outer halves and these halves are held together by suitable bolts or screws. The
joint between the two halves may be made steam and water tight by means
of lead, rubber, asbestos or other suitable packing.
The inside half of each water tube box receives the open ends of a number of
water tubes the opposite open ends being similarly enclosed within the inner half
of the opposite water tube box. When the two halves of the water tube box are
in position they are held together by bolts passing through them and having their
nuts on the outer sides. Some or all of these nuts may be capsule nuts as herein-
after described. In the outer half of the water tube box there are openings corre-
sponding to the tubes so that the tubes may be accessible for cleaning. When in
use all these openings except the highest and lowest are closed by cover plates.
The lowest opens into a short branch pipe connecting two contiguous water tube
boxes, the highest opens into a branch pipe through which communication is had
with a gathering pipe and the steam chamber. The steam chamber is connected to
the lower water tubes by return pipes.

page_text: The water tubes are preferably arranged so that the water tube boxes may be in
pairs connected together by the branch tubes. The water tubes may be of such
number and dimensions as may be required. As the steam is generated in the
water tubes it passes into the water tube boxes where it rises direct to the
gathering tube whence it passes to the steam chamber.
The water tube boxes are ranged closely together at each end of the tubes,
forming thus, walls or barriers to the flames or heated gases rising from the
furnace below. The two other sides of the water tube space are enclosed by
a shell or casing lined with fireclay, or other suitable material and strengthened by
horizontal and vertical ribs. Doors or openings are provided in this shell or casing
for cleaning the water tube space. The smoke doors at the front and back of the
boiler should be of such dimensions that when open every part of the water tube
boxes may be easily accessible. The spaces between the tops of the steam boxes
and the steam chamber are closed by iron plates secured to the door frames with or
without fireclay filling as may be required. The mantle surrounding the steam
chamber is secured to the closing plates and shell. At the upper part of the smoke
mantle is an opening communicating with the chimney, manholes may also be
provided in the mantel.
Baffle plates are placed between each horizontal layer or series of tubes to give a
zig zig direction to the flames or hot gases and thus to increase their heating effect
on the water tubes.
The feed pipes are connected to the branch tubes on the water boxes and the
branch tubes are provided with covers so that the corresponding water tubes may
be examined without removing the branch tube.
The covers upon the outer halves of the water tube boxes and the branch tubes
are held in position when the boiler is at work by the extremities of a U-shaped
bar the ends of which rest upon two of the covers. This bar is held in position by
a screwed bolt and nut the head of which bolt is bored and tapped to screw upon
one of the bolts passing through and holding together the two halves of the water
tube box. The head of the bolt which holds down the cover plates is thus a
capsule nut for the water tube bolt. The other capsule nuts herein before referred
to are similar but have no bolts forged upon or attached to their outer ends.
The gases from the furnace pass in contact with the water tubes above which
they are divided by a plate so as to pass over each side of the steam chamber
to the opening in the mantle and thence to the chimney. The feed water is
distributed by the branch tubes into the various water tube boxes and tubes. The
circulation of the water is ensured by return pipes which connect the steam
chamber with the lower branch tubes on the water tube boxes.
In the foregoing it is assumed that the water tubes are placed horizontally and
the water tube boxes vertically but in special cases the tube boxes and the system
formed by each pair of them may be arranged horizontally when also. a rearrange-
ment of the branch tubes will be required. Thus the first branch tube may connect
the lowest or first box with the second, the second branch may connect the second
box with the third and so on. In large boilers it will usually be found preferable
to put the water tubes out of the horizontal with their higher ends to the front of
the boiler as is done with other similar boilers. When a large number of water
tube boxes are employed the head plates between them and the steam chamber may
be provided with doors.
Boilers constructed according to these Improvements may readily be kept clean
in every part internally and externally, are easily constructed and form very
compact and convenient steam generators.

page_text: I, WILLIAM EDWIN HEYS of New Bridge Street Manchester in the County of
Lancaster Mechanical 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 tubular or sectional steam boilers and these Improve-
ments consist in modifications in the general construction of such boilers, in the
construction of the water tube boxes and connections, of the shell or casing of the
boiler, of the steam Chamber, of the circulating, pipes and in a special construction
of different parts as details of the general arrangement.
On the accompanying two sheets of drawings are shown in Fig. 1 the arrange-
ment and details of the tube boxes placed side by side, A being an opened tube
box with the water tubes a fixed by expansion the rivetted screwed studs b and
the packing c, B the lid of the tube box placed in position with the cleaning holes d
and the capsule nuts e and e¹; C, the covers f placed in position on the cleaning
holes d, the communication channels g and the steam branches h and m, D, a tube
box with the bow clamps i screwed on ready for use.
Fig. 2 shews a horizontal section of a complete tube box of the front end of the
boiler.
Fig. 3 a horizontal section of the sectional boiler.
Fig. 4 a front view of the boiler partly in section through the door frame s the
smoke box v and the front end of the boiler.
Fig. 5, the plan and a horizontal section along E. F of Fig. 3 with omission of all
screws and bows, and
Fig. 6-The back end of the boiler with a section of the door frame s¹.
Figs. 1 and 2 are drawn half size, and Figs. 3. 4, 5 and 6 to a scale of one tenth.
Generally speaking the complete sectional boiler consists of a base containing the
furnace with fire door and grate, which may be of cast iron or brickwork or of
wrought iron lined with fire bricks and covered by a cast iron plate. Upon this
base the tube boxes stand on the ribs of the same but only with the internal
halves in order to facilitate the manipulation of the covers on the outer halves.
The base further carries the boiler mantle bolted together in parts as hereinafter
described and consisting of the side plate g. g. and the door frames 8 and s¹.
Above the tube boxes and the boiler mantle is placed the steam collector with
the surrounding smoke box. The motor and the feed water heater may be fixed
directly to the base as shewn by Figs. 3 and 4.
The disjointable tube boxes shewn in Figs. 1 and 2 in half size are constructed
as follows: Each of them consists of the tube box proper in two halves, the studs b
serving to hold them together, the brass or iron capsule nuts e and el, the latter of
which are formed with the bolts on them for the reception of the bows . The
inner half of each tube box has the ends of the water tubes a fixed in it by
expansion and the studs b rivetted in g while the outer half of each tube box is
provided with the cleaning holes d, the corresponding covers f, the steam branch
pipe common to every two or more tube boxes or sections and the communication

page_text: channels or pipe g (Figs. 1 and 2). On the planed edges of the two halves of the
tube boxes a metal india rubber or asbestos packing is placed, or as shewn by
Fig. 2 this packing c may be placed in a continuous groove in the edges. For
making the joints of the covers d and of the capsule nuts e and e¹ metal rubber or
asbestos packings are also used.
The arrangement of the tube boxes side by side is shewn in Fig. 1 on which
A shews an open tube box with the tubes a fixed, the studs b rivetted in and with
the packing c
Fig. 1. B. shews a tube box lid placed in position with the cleaning holes d and
the capsule nuts e and e¹ screwed on.
Fig. 1. C shows the cleaning hole covers
placed in position the communication
channels g and the branch pipe h for the ascending steam.
Fig. 1 D shews a tube box ready for work with the bow clamps i screwed on by
means of the screws k.
By arranging the sections side by side each section consisting of two complete
tube boxes as shewn by Fig. 1; and any number of water tubes a of any length
and diameter, fixed between then, the number of such tubes being determined by
the size of the boiler or the required heating surface in combination with the com-
munication channels g. g3, the steam branch pipes and elbows m, the collecting
pipe n, the distributing pipe o, the return pipes p and the feed pipe branches g³,
sections in communication with each other are formed, which are placed loose on
the furnace base, Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
The mantle for the entire system of tubes and the steam collector or the boiler
mantle herein before referred to consists:-
1stly of the two side plates g with the chambers g¹ formed by vertical and
horizontal ribs cast on, which are filled in with fire clay to protect the side plates g
against over heating and with the box shaped covers r arranged in the side plates
as required for the purpose of conveniently cleaning the parts of the boiler from
soot and ashes. (Fig. 3, 4 5, 6.)
2ndly Of the door frames 8 and 8¹ which are made in halves for larger sized
boilers and bolted to the frame of the base at the front and back. They are made
of such depth as to reach the ribs and preserve this depth on the sides and top so
as to shew the same profile all round. To these frames the doors t and t¹ are
attached with hinges. The side plates g bolted to the long sides of the base fit to
these door frames s and s¹.
3rdly Of the two front and back end plates u and u¹ placed over the steam
collector and bolted to the tops of the door frames 8 and s¹, Figs. 3, 4, 5.
.
4thly of the mantle v forming the smoke box which is fastened by screws to the
end plates u and u¹ so that these parts forming the boiler mantle are firmly con-
nected. (Figs.
and 4).
On the smoke box a short seating, z is fixed for the attachment of the chimney
and on each side of it are large soot cleaning holes covered with lids.
As may be seen by reference to, Fig. 3 and Figs. 4, 5 and 6 the elbow pipes m
are attached to the branch pipes h and communicate with the collecting pipe n and
this again with the steam collector fixed upon it. o is the distributing pipe for
the return flow pipes p connected to it, which open into the communication
channels g³.
The steam collector rests at the front on the collecting pipe n formed with a rib
below which bears on the front tube boxes and at the back on a plate w of F section,
which also bears on the tube boxes and at the same time prevents the entry of the
combustion gases into the space between the back end of the boiler and the door
frame s¹. The plate y protects the collecting pipe n, while the plate x resting on
the two plates 20 and y protects the steam collector from direct contact with the
combustion gases. The baffle plates placed between the water tubes a serve to
form a zig zag flue. The collecting pipe n is provided at each end with brass
screwed plugs for the purpose of cleaning which are accessible through small
removeable covers in the sides of the door frame a.

page_text: The boiler is fed with water through the two seatings g2 by means of laterally
attached pipes. The seatings have special small covers in order to be able to
ascertain their condition. and that of the corresponding water tubes a without
removal of the feed pipes. The arrangement of the channels g and y 3, shows the
communications made thereby for distributing the feed water in the entire system
of tubes. The channels g³ further serve to receive the return flow pipes p opening
into them as herein before mentioned. (Figs. 3 and 6). These return pipes p
connect again by coupling nuts or flanges the distributing pipe o with the com-
munication channels g³. The plate w seen in Fig. 3 in its F section serves as
already described to exclude the combustion gases. The openings left between this
plate and the semi circular tops of the tube boxes are closed by suitably shaped
small cast iron plates or filled in with fire clay.
In the following, the manner in which the complete arrangement acts and some
general points are briefly indicated.
The combustion gases in the flues formed by the baffle plates placed between the
side plates g, surround the water tubes a and the surfaces of the tube boxes turned
to the inside, then divide below the plate x and going round this and the steam
collector escape through the seating z into the chimney. The feed water introduced
through the seatings g2 is distributed through the channels g and ga into the
different sections. The steam formed rises in the tube boxes directly and passes
through the branch pipes h and the elbow pipes m into the collecting pipe n and
thence to the steam collector. The circulation of the water through the boiler is
provided for by the return flow pipes p which place the distributing pipe o into
communication with the channels g³.
In special cases, the sections formed otherwise in the same manner, by two tube
boxes and a number of water tubes a, are placed horizontally above each other
instead of vertically beside each other, in which case the channels g are arranged
vertically beside each other so that each one of them connects two tube chests
immediately above each other and every two of them connect three tube chests
placed above each other.
In large boilers the sections are placed at an angle rising towards the front for
promoting the better circulation of the water.
When several steam collectors are used the end plates and u¹ are also provided
with several openings for the steam collectors to pass through.
The sectional tube boiler shewn on the drawings, which is specially adapted for
small powers, can be easily and thoroughly cleaned in all its internal and external
parts from sediment, mud, soot and ashes, can be readily and quickly fitted together
and forms a safe and easily attended steam generator for small industries.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
(1.) In sectional tube boilers the construction of the tube boxes shewn in Fig. 1
(A. B. C. D) and in Fig. 2, consisting each of two parts of wrought iron and
disjointable, characterised essentially by the manner of connecting and closing the
two halves of such tube boxes by means of the studs b and the iron or brass capsule
nuts e and el, the latter having bolts k formed on them, in combination with the
packing c, the cleaning holes d, with their covers f, and the bows i as well as the
water tubes a and communication channels g and g³ substantially as and for
the purpose herein before set forth and described.
(2.) The arrangement of the sections consisting each of two complete tube boxes
as described in the previous claim with any suitable number of water tubes a tixed
into them by expanding, placed side to side, and connected to each other by com-
munication channels g.
(3.) The construction of the iron boiler mantle bolted directly upon the top of
the furnace base which is made of cast iron or built of masonry and covered with
a cast iron plate, the mantle being bolted together and consisting of (a) two or

page_text: more side plates q, with the chamber g filled in with fire clay, and the soot covers v
(Figs. 4, 5 and 6), (b) front and back door frames 8 and 8¹, which may be divided
in larger boilers, with two or more doors t and t1 (Figs. 3, 4 and 6), (c) the front
and back end plates u and u' placed over the steam collector (Figs. 3 and 4), and
(d), the mantle v forming the smoke box (Figs. 3, 4 and 6) substantially as herein
before described and set forth.
(4.) The combination or arrangement of the channels g and g³ which serve
primarily for closing the cleaning holes d, but at the same time serve also for
distributing and circulating the water, with the steam branch pipes h and m, the
collecting pipe n, the distributing pipe o, the return flow pipes p and the feed
seatings g 2 with separate covers (Figs. 1 to 6), substantially as hereinbefore set
forth and described.
(5.) The arrangement of the plates w x and y for the purpose of enclosing the
combustion gases and at the same time for protecting the upper parts of the boiler
from direct contact with the same, (Figs. 3, 4 and 6), substantially as hereinbefore
set forth and described.
Dated this twenty seventh day of October One thousand eight hundred and