Improvements in Devices for Preventing the Discharge of Sparks and Cinders from Locomotive Smoke Stacks without Deterior- ating the Draught.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 27th July, 1897
Complete Inocification Loft 16th Ann 4000 Accented 2011 ou 1000
Date of Application, 27th July, 1897
Complete Specification Loft, 16th App.,
4000
Accepted, 20th May,
1000
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Preventing the Discharge of Sparks
and Cinders from Locomotive Smoke Stacks without Deterior-
ating the Draught.
I, REGINALD HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert Haddan & Co., of 18, Buckingham
Street, Strand, London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion, a communication to me from abroad by Robert Forsyth and Charles S.
Burton, both of Chicago, County of Cook, and State of Illinois, United States of
America, Mechanical Engineers, to be as follows:-
The purpose of this invention is to prevent the discharge of sparks and cinders
or other solid matter from locomotive smoke stacks without deteriorating the
draught which, in railway locomotives, is commonly produced by exhaust steam
from the cylinders, discharged into and through the stack, and therein inducing
the up current of the gases of combustion. The general method employed for
the arrest and prevention of the discharge of cinders and other solid matter,
whether incandescent or dead, is that of deflection and the resultant mechanical
precipitation of such solid matter. That is to say, the solid matter carried with
the outgoing current of gases of combustion and steam, actuating, and more or
less mingling with the gases is deflected from its direct path in an outwardly
curved direction, until the total amount of change of direction is such that a
tangent to the path of movement tends downward. The deflection being then
discontinued and direct outward escape permitted to the gases, the solid matter,
by its momentum tends to continue in the direction of the tangent to the path
of movement and is thereby carried downward, while the gases recovering their
upward movement under the influence of the draft, are discharged at the top of
the stack. A suitable annular pocket being formed around the up-take of the
stack, overhung by the margin of the centrally located deflecting devices, receives
the precipitated solid matter, and a pipe leading from such pocket, conducts the
same to any convenient point of discharge and may conduct it back to the ash-
pit, though more conveniently it is usually received at the forward end of the
locomotive and carried thereby to a convenient place of discharge. An important
consideration in the construction of the device for this purpose is that since the
motive force which induces the draft is derived from the steam usually supplied
by the exhaust from the cylinders, and since this steam has very high velocity
at its discharge into the up-take pipe through which its movement induces the
upward movement or draft of the products of combustion, any resistance inter-
posed in the path of this steam column operates to produce a back-pressure on the
same which is experienced as resistance in the cylinders, diminishing the effective-
ness of the steam supplied to them for motive power. The problem, therefore, is
to cause the steam to impart to the column of smoke and gases of combustion
in which the cinders and solid matter are carried, sufficient momentum to cause
the tangential separation and precipitation of the solid matter when the current of
gases is suitably deflected, as above described, and at the same time permit the escape

page_text: of the steam with the least possible deflection and as quickly as possible after deflec-
tion. For, in addition to the loss of power which any resistance interposed in the path
of the steam-column, entails, a disadvantage will be experienced from the conden-
sation of the steam into moisture which will moisten the solid matter, rendering
it sticky and preventing its free escape and causing it to clog the passages. There
is, therefore, this additional motive for separating the steam from the gases carry-
ing solid matter, as quickly as possible after suitable deflection has been accom-
plished. Careful experiments have demonstrated that the steam discharged
centrally at the lower end of the smoke up-take pipe remains substantially as an
integral steam column at the centre, while the gases of combustion form an annular
column around the central steam column, the steam and gases mingling somewhat
when they are in contact, the area of commingling gradually increasing toward
the upper end of the up-take pipe, but in no case probably extending nearer the
centre than the inner circumference of an annulus whose inner diameter is about
one-third the diameter of the up-take pipe. Thus, in a stack whose up-take pipe
is 16 inches in diameter, there is a central core of steam almost entirely free from
gases, whose diameter will be according to the conditions, varying from five to
eight inches, and outside this core there is an annulus of from one to three inches
in width, in which the steam is slightly mixed with gases, but almost entirely
free from solid matter. The central core has the highest velocity, the next outer
mixed annulus having a diminishing velocity, and the outermost annulus,
consisting of smoke and containing almost all the solid matter, has the least
velocity. Another fact requires consideration. The steam contained in the inter-
mixed annulus is under tension of compression, sometimes as high as 40 pounds
to the square inch, and seldom less than 15 or 20 pounds, according to the pressure
under which the engine is being operated, and the length of cut-off at the cylinders.
This steam, therefore, has capacity for expansion whenever opportunity is afforded.
The gases of combustion, on the other hand, not only have no capacity for expan-
sion, but being drawn by the entrainment of the steam, they are slightly expanded
or rarefied; besides, being in the process of cooling, they are for this reason
additionally contracting. Both the steam and the gases have a momentum in
the direction of travel outward, whether in direct line or in the course into which
they are turned by the deflecting devices. As to this onward tendency the gases
and steam are equal, and if now traveling in this course together, opportunity is
afforded for lateral escape, the steam having capacity of expansion, immediately
tends to avail itself of this opportunity to escape, and in so doing tends to separate
itself from the gases which have no capacity of lateral movement. This principle
it is proposed to take advantage of to effect the separation of the steam from the
gases at the earliest possible moment after deflection has been caused. These
facts, first that the steam tends to remain largely at a central core in the up-take
pipe while mixed with the gases; and, second, that while mixed with the gases the
steam has capacity for expansion and the gases have not, and has a tendency to
escape laterally at the proper opportunity while the gases are without such
tendency or capability, are the determining considerations of the particular form
of stack which it is proposed to construct in which is employed an annular
inverted conical deflector, which is concave downwardly in radial section and has a
central opening of suitable diameter to permit the free escape therethrough of the
central steam core referred to, which opening may be reduced from the maximum to
any desired diameter by bushing-rings adapted to be inserted as experience in
each instance may dictate. To permit the lateral escape of the steam by expan-
sion after deflection this annular inverted conical deflector is made to consist of
two levels of deflecting surfaces, each level comprising radial strips alternating
with radial slots or apertures, the deflecting strips of the upper level, overhanging
the apertures of the lower level, whereby lateral escape between the two levels is
permitted in wide openings in which no clogging can result such as would be
experienced by mere perforations or other small openings. Each level or conical
series of deflecting strips with intervening apertures may be cast separately, the

page_text: central annular hubs in which the radial strips are rooted, being adapted to seat
upon one another telescopically or otherwise; and the entire crown may be sus-
pended in the stack rigidly as to position, with sufficient space around its outer
margin for the free escape of all the gases of combustion, the upper mouth of the
stack, which is necessarily expanded at the level at which the deflector overhangs
the uptake pipe, being again contracted above the deflecting devices, to the final
discharge mouth; so that the central core of steam, passing through the central
opening of the deflector and emerging through the center of the discharge-mouth
of the stack, operates with a drawing force upon the gases at that point, beyond
the deflecting devices, so tending to restore such portion of the outward tendency
of the gases as they may be deprived of deflection.
We therefore briefly consider the nature of our invention to reside in the pro-
vision of the conical deflector overhanging the margin of the uptake pipe and
having a relatively large axial aperture, and being at its outer marginal portion
downwardly concave; and an expended head which encompasses the upper end of
the uptake pipe and such deflector leaving a free annular passage around the
margin of the deflector: whereby a large central portion of the ascending column
in the uptake pipe obtains unobstructed and direct exit without deflection through
the centre of the deflector, and simultaneously the outer annular portion of said
column, which in its ascent encounters the deflector, is deflected to precipitate
solid matter therefrom outside the uptake pipe.
This deflector which is situated so as to be encountered by the ascending column
from the uptake pipe before the same has been reflected, and which is radially con-
cave towards such ascending column, whereby it is adapted to deflect the gaseous
current sufficiently to precipitate the solid matter therefrom, may consist of bars
which are radially continuous and separated by radially continuous apertures,
and a second series of radially continuous bars overhanging such apertures,
whereby the steam is allowed to escape by expansion laterally between the upper
and lower series of radial bars simultaneously with the deflection of the gases
which precipitates the solid matter.
Improvements in Devices for Preventing the Discharge of Sparks
and Cinders from Locomotive Smoke Stacks without Deterior-
ating the Draught.
I, REGINALD HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert Haddan & Co., of 18, Buckingham
Street, Strand, London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion, a communication to me from abroad by Robert Forsyth and Charles S.
Burton, both of Chicago, County of Cook, and State of Illinois, United States of
America, Mechanical Engineers, and in what manner the same is to be performed
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The purpose of this invention is to prevent the discharge of sparks and cinders
or other solid matter from locomotive smoke stacks without deteriorating the
draft which, in railway locomotives, is commonly produced by exhaust steam
from the cylinders, discharged into and through the stack, and therein inducing
the up current of the gases of combustion. The general method employed for
the arrest and prevention of the discharge of cinders and other solid matter,
whether incandescent or dead, is that of deflection and the resultant mechanical .

page_text: precipitation of such solid matter. That is to say, the solid matter carried with
the outgoing current of gases of combustion, and steam, actuating, and more or
less mingling with, the gases, is deflected from its direct path in an outwardly
curved direction, until the total amount of change of direction is such that a
tangent to the path of movement tends downward. The deflection being then
discontinued and direct outward escape permitted to the gases, the solid matter,
by its momentum tends to continue in the direction of the tangent to the path
of movement and is thereby carried downward, while the gases recovering their
upward movement under the influence of the draft, are discharged at the top of
the stack. A suitable annular pocket being formed around the up-take of the
stack, overhung by the margin of the centrally located deflecting devices, receives
the precipitated solid matter, and a pipe leading from such pocket, conducts the
same to any convenient point of discharge and may conduct it back to the ash-
pit, though more conveniently it is usually received at the forward end of the
locomotive and carried thereby to a convenient place of discharge. An important
consideration in the construction of the device for this purpose is that since the
motive force which induces the draft is derived from the steam usually supplied
by the exhaust from the cylinders, and since this steam has very high velocity
at its discharge into the up-take pipe through which its movement induces the
upward movement or draft of the products of combustion, any resistance inter-
posed in the path of this steam column operates to produce a back-pressure on the
same which is experienced as resistance in the cylinders, diminishing the effective-
ness of the steam supplied to them for motive power. The problem, therefore, is
to cause the steam to impart to the column of smoke and gases of combustion
in which the cinders and solid matter are carried, sufficient momentum to cause
the tangential separation and precipitation of the solid matter when the current of
gases is suitably deflected, as above described, and at the same time permit the escape
of the steam with the least possible deflection and as quickly as possible after deflec-
tion. For, in addition to the loss of power which any resistance interposed in the path
of the steam-column, entails, a disadvantage will be experienced from the conden-
sation of the steam into moisture which will moisten the solid matter, rendering
it sticky and preventing its free escape and causing it to clog the passages. There
is, therefore, this additional motive for separating the steam from the gases carry-
ing solid matter, as quickly as possible after suitable deflection has been accom-
plished. Careful experiments have demonstrated that the steam discharged
centrally at the lower end of the smoke up-take pipe remains substantially as an
integral steam column at the center while the gases of combustion form an annular
column around the central steam column, the steam and gases mingling somewhat
when they are in contact, the area of commingling gradually increasing toward
the upper end of the up-take pipe, but in no case probably extending nearer the
center than the circumference of an annulus whose inner diameter is about
one-third the diameter of the up-take pipe. Thus, in a stack whose up-take pipe
is 16 inches in diameter, there is a central core of steam almost entirely free from
gases, whose diameter will be according to the conditions, varying from five to
eight inches, and outside this core there is an annulus of from one to three inches
in width, in which the steam is slightly mixed with gases, but almost entirely
free from solid matter. The central core has the highest velocity, the next outer
mixed annulus having a diminishing velocity, and the outermost annulus,-
consisting of smoke and containing almost all the solid matter, has the least
velocity. Another fact requires consideration. The steam contained in the inter-
mixed annulus is under tension of compression, sometimes as high as 40 pounds
to the square inch, and seldom less than 15 or 20 pounds, according to the pressure
under which the engine is being operated, and the length of cut-off at the cylinders.
This steam, therefore, has capacity for expansion whenever opportunity is afforded.
The gases of combustion, on the other hand, not only have no capacity for expan-
sion, but being drawn by the entrainment of the steam, they are slightly expanded
or rarefied; besides, being in the process of cooling, they are for this reason

page_text: additionally contracting. Both the steam and the gases have a momentum in
the direction of travel outward, whether in direct line or in the course into which
they are turned by the deflecting devices. As to this onward tendency the gases
and steam are equal, and if now traveling in this course together, opportunity is
afforded for lateral escape, the steam having capacity of expansion, immediately
tends to avail itself of this opportunity to escape, and in so doing tends to separate
itself from the gases which liave no capacity of lateral movement. This principle
it is proposed to take advantage of to effect the separation of the steam from the
gases at the earliest possible moment after deflection has been caused. These
facts, first that the steam tends to remain largely at a central core in the up-take
pipe while mixed with the gases; and, second, that while mixed with the gases the
steam has capacity for expansion and the gases have not, and has a tendency to
escape laterally at the proper opportunity while the gases are without such
tendency or capability, are the determining considerations of the particular form
of stack which it is proposed to construct in which is employed an annular
inverted conical deflector, which is concave downwardly in radial section and has a
central opening of suitable diameter to permit the free escape therethrough of the
central steam core referred to, which opening may be reduced from the maximum to
any desired diameter by bushing-rings adapted to be inserted as experience in
each instance may dictate. To permit the lateral escape of the steam by expan-
sion after deflection this annular inverted conical deflector is made to consist of
two levels of deflecting surfaces, each level comprising radial strips alternating
with radial slots or apertures, the deflecting strips of the upper level, overhanging
the apertures of the lower level, whereby lateral escape between the two levels is
permitted in wide openings in which no clogging can result such as would be
experienced by mere perforations or other small openings. Each level or conical
series of deflecting strips with intervening apertures may be cast separately, the
central annular hubs in which the radial strips are rooted, being adapted to seat
upon one another telescopically or otherwise; and the entire crown may be sus-
pended in the stack rigidly as to position, with sufficient space around its outer
inargin for the free escape of all the gases of combustion, the upper mouth of the
stack, which is necessarily expanded at the level at which the deflector overhangs
the uptake pipe, being again contracted above the deflecting devices, to the final
discharge mouth; so that the central core of steam, passing through the central
opening of the deflector and emerging through the center of the discharge-mouth
of the stack, operates with a drawing force upon the gases at that point, beyond
the deflecting devices, so tending to restore such portion of the outward tendency
of the gases as they may be deprived of deflection.
In carrying out this invention, I construct a stack in connection with the front
end of the locomotive boiler as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a section made axially through the smoke-stack and front end of
the boiler, the latter being broken away horizontally to reduce the vertical com-
pass of the figure;
upper
Figure 2 is a plan of our improved deflector, having a portion of the cone
broken away, at one side, the supporting straps being shown in section in a hori-
zontal plane above the deflector;
Figure 3 is an axial detail of a reducing thimble adapted to be inserted within
the central opening of the deflector, to reduce the aperture.
A is a portion of the front end of the boiler containing the smoke-stack.
aaa are the flues. B is the exhaust nozzle from which steam is discharged into
the lower end of the "petticoat pipe" or "lift pipe" C, which is suspended by
straps cc from the lower end of the uptake pipe proper D of the smoke-stack, so
that the gases of combustion are drawn in both at the bottom of the "petticoat
pipe and pass the top thereof into the uptake pipe. E is the expanded head of
the stack, which joins the uptake pipe below the upper end of the latter, forming
thereby an annular conical pocket e outside the uptake pipe. FF are the two
parts or members of the conical deflector in which F is a central aperture for the

page_text: escape of the steam core, and GG are suspending straps by which the deflector is
secured in a position substantially conaxially with and overhanging the upper
end of the uptake pipe.
Figure 2 is a plan view of this deflector, showing the alternating radial
strips f f etc., and apertures f10 f10 etc., of the upper member, and similar alter-
nating radial strips f³ ³ etc., and apertures f20 f20 etc., of the lower member of such
deflector.
Figure 3 represents a bushing L adapted to be inserted within the central
aperture F of the deflector, and stopped by the upper marginal flange L' of the
bushing. Any number of such bushings may be employed, adapted to nest one
within the other to reduce the aperture by stages to any desired extent. His an
inclined floor in the annular pocket e upon which solid matter is conducted from
all sides to one side, at which the floor is lowest and at which it leads to the opening
of a discharge pipe J, by which said matter may be conducted to any suitable
point of discharge, as for example, into a chamber A¹ tightly partitioned off from
the smoke-stack A at the front end of the boiler by the head A2. K is a ventilating
pipe which leads from the pipe J outside the stack proper and enters the stack
at the upper end above the deffector to permit any steam or gases which are forced
down into the pocket e by the momentum of the current, to find vent, while the
solid matter passes down through the discharge pipe.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is:-
1. In a locomotive smoke-stack, in combination with the smoke box; the uptake
pipe or barrel leading therefrom, and the steam nozzle discharging into the same
under the lower open end thereof; a conical deflector overhanging the margin of
the uptake pipe and having a relatively large axial aperture, and being at its
outer marginal portion downwardly concave; and an expanded head which encom-
passes the upper end of the uptake pipe and such deflector leaving a free annular
passage around the margin of the deflector; whereby a large central portion of the
ascending column in the uptake pipe obtains unobstructed and direct exit with
out deflection through the center of the deflector, and simultaneously the outer
annular portion of said column, which in its ascent encounters the deflector, is
deflected to precipitate solid matter therefrom outside the uptake pipe.
2. In a locomotive smoke-stack, in combination with an uptake pipe, a deflector
which is situated so as to be encountered by the ascending column from the uptake
pipe before the same has been reflected, and which is radially concave toward such
ascending column, whereby it is adapted to deflect the gaseous current sufficiently
to precipitate the solid matter therefrom; such precipitating deflector consisting
of bars which are radially continuous and separated by radially continuous aper-
tures, and a second series of radially continuous bars overhanging such apertures,
whereby the steam is allowed to escape by expansion, laterally between the upper
and lower series of radial bars simultaneously with the deflection of the gases.
which precipitates the solid matter.
1000