IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR BURNING FUEL FOR HEATING PURPOSES
Year: 1884

page_text: I WILLIAM POTTS of N° 10 Stafford Street Edinburgh Scotland, Engineer in
Pneumatics &c do hereby declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR BURNING FUEL FOR HEATING PURPOSES to be as follows :—
1. This Apparatus is designed to burn Fuel economically, and also to prevent
Smoke escaping to the outer Atmosphere, the first improvement is the not useing
a Flue or Chimney over the Fire, but by arrangements in every Construction to
burn Fuel on this plan, to convey the decreased quantity of Smoke, after its
ascending sufficiently to secure a draught through the Fire, on a curved downward
current again to the Fire, to be there consumed; to effect well the burning at the
point of its re-entering the Fire, a special Channel to supply Air there, is a feature
of the plan.
2. The Apparatus for burning Fuel on this plan is termed a "Calorifier, with a
special epithet added to distinguish each form of construction.
3. The economical results from this plan of burning Fuel are firstly the avoiding
an immense loss of Heat, which at present rushes up the open space over the Fire,
and is lost, little Heat has permeated the Air of a Room except from radiation,
secondly the burning the Sinoke supplies much additional Heat, thirdly economy
results from no Heat being lost from cold Air descending upon the Fire, and thus
neutralizing Heat.
4. In the "Calorifiers" a Fire can be lighted very quickly by the enclosure of
the Fire from cold Air at the top, by letting down the balanced Glass Cover
proportionately, and from the large supplies of Air to the Fire.
5. The Fire can be instantly extinguished by closing all passages for Air to the
Fire, and the same means avoid risk of the Fire falling off if a Room is unoccupied ;
the rate and intensity of burning is controllable, the general process having means
for scientific exactness.
6. A description will be given of three "Calorifiers" adapted for general domestic
use, viz. "The Angle Calorifier "-The Wall Calorifier" and the "Moveable
"
Calorifier," but the Invention can be applied in other forms.

page_text: 7. The two first described will yield advantages in connection with this Inventor's
System of Ventilating No 12019 this day presented in application for a Patent,
that will be highly valued by the Sick and Weak, and by the Medical Profession,
as these "Calorifiers" have a channel of Fire Clay round the back of the Fire to
convey fresh Air to a Room thus heated innonocuously, without metallic taint,
controllable as to rate of draught, the passages containing fresh Air heated, to hold
Medicating Agents to be evaporated into the warmed Air on its passage to a Room,
if it is desired to use these.
8. The "Moveable Calorifier" is differently constructed having three Fire places,
each or all of which can be used as suits the Air's temperature, and is adapted for
Churches, Tents &c is admirably adapted on a large scale for Cooking purposes.
9. All the "Calorifiers" for domestic use can have Earthen "Food Containers"
over the Fire, these will be advantageously moveable.
10. The "Calorifier" is most admirably suited to produce Steam as the Boiler
will not be so much risked for explosion, as from a reason to be explained, the
Flames will not reach the Metal.
11. This plan for the Combustion of Fuel, by utilizing all the Heat, is adapted
for economically melting Metals, Chemical Manufactures, and all drying processes.
12. To the general features described of the "Calorifiers" is added that of an
adjunctive arrangement over the Fire to lessen the Smoke by preventing the
vertical ascent of Flame, and thus concentrating it on a horizontal line, to burn the
Smoke, for Flame is not molecular in construction, but longitudinal in form.
13. In all the "Calorifiers" a plate of finely perforated "Asbestos" is placed
or of Metal painted with Asbestos paint a little above the Fire through which
Flame will not pass, this causes it to bend horizontally, and burn the ascending
Smoke largely, on its vertical current.
14. In the Elevation Fig. 7 is shown the "Angle Calorifier, with the plan of the
Fire place, the warm Air passages, and the passages for Air to the back of the Fire,
the Sinoke current is arranged by the top of the Fireplace to curve downward to
the back of the Fire, each of the Air passages has a Door, thoso to the warmed Air
passages will be constructed as shown and described Diagram Fig. 6 in the Patent
for Ventilation applied for of this date being N° 12019 dated June 18th 1884
a plan is given of the Earthen Food Containers. The Ash Box draws forward to
admit Air. The Glass Cover G to the Fire is held by a chain over a pulley wheel,
is balanced, and slides in a groove on the sides. The whole of the construction is
of Fire Clay or Iron up to the Food Containers. The Cover is of Copper. The
Asbestos plate I is Arched or Flat.
15. The Diagram Fig. 8 gives Elevation and plans of the "Wall Calorifier" to
which the description before given of Fig. 7 will apply.
16. The Diagram Fig. 9 shows the Elevation and plans relative to the "Moveable
Calorifier," if on a large scale any number of Fires can be had, each having the
Chamber between for the Air and Smoke passages, in this construction to the sides
of the Fire, through a perforated plate, the passages of Air from the front direct
the Smoke to the Fire and feed combustion, the Door will control the amount of
Air, or if closed exclude it. The dotted lines under the "Food Container," show
the curved top to direct the Smoke to descend to the Fire down the passages.
17. Besides the uses of the "Calorifier" before alluded to it can be applied most
beneficially in wet Seasons for drying crops in a Building suitably constructed and
in connection with the Vertical Extractor included in a Patent for Ventilation
applied for of this date N° 12019 to carry off the Vapour from the drying process.
In Diagram Fig. 15 is a suggestion for such a Building, constructed perhaps of
Metal, having a Roof hinged in Sections to fold down on the side Walls. The ends
of the Building can have Doors. The "Calorifiers" would be placed on a concrete
and well drained floor, and have a floor over these of perforated Asbestos, and over
that a floor of strong sheet Iron supported between the "Calorifiers" by a series of
Brick Walls. The Extractors connected to Roof ridge letters P show Floors
and O, O. O, O. the calorifiers,

page_text: 18. The enormous saving of Fuel and the annihilation of Smoke will render this
plan for Combustion especially valuable in Steam Ships, and for Locomotive
Engines, especially in Underground Railways.
19. The saving the cost of Chimney Stacks, the acquired space these occupy the
non-restraint in designing Buildings, when Chimnies are needless the absence of
nuisance and risk of Fire from Soot, are also gained by this plan for Combustion.
20. In relation to the Air passages to the Fire in all the "Calorifiers," a Wall
exists down to near the level of the Air entrance to confine the Smoke; shown by
dotted lines.
I, WILLIAM POTTS of 10 Stafford Street, Edinburgh, in the County of
Midlothian, North Britain do hereby declare the nature of my said invention for
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR BURNING FUEL FOR HEATING PURPOSES and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
My Invention, which relates to improvements in apparatus for burning fuel for
heating purposes, is designed to burn fuel economically and also to prevent sinoke
escaping to the outer atmosphere; these results are obtained by dispensing with a
flue or chimney over the fire, and by an arrangement of passages in every stove or
heater constructed according to my present Invention, to convey the smoke, after
it has ascended sufficiently to secure an upward draught through the fire, in a
downwardly curved direction and pass the same again through the fire in order to
be consumed by it. To advantageously effect the burning of the smoke so conducted
to the fire, at the point at which it re-enters the fire, a special channel is provided
for the supply of air.-The apparatus for burning fuel on this plan I prefer to
term a "Calorifier" and for the better description of each of the forms hereinafter
described I employ, as a prefix, an epithet which is symbolical of the application
of each such form.
The economical results from the system of burning fuel herein disclosed, are,
first, the avoidance of the loss of heat, as incurred in the ordinary heating apparatus,
by the rushing up of such heat through the open space or flue over the fire. By
the heating apparatus as hitherto used, little heat is enabled to permeate the air of
a room and that only by radiation; Secondly, the burning the smoke is a source of
much additional heat; thirdly, economy as resulting from the fact of there being
no heat neutralized or lost by cold air descending down a flue on to the fire. In

page_text: the "calorifiers" constructed according to my present invention, a fire can DC
lighted very quickly by the drawing down, to any required extent, of the glass or
other cover or damper so as to proportionately cut off or regulate the supplies of
air to the fire and thus neutralizing the adverse influence of the cold air at that
part.
The fire can be instantly extinguished by closing the openings which admit of
the air passing to the fire, and by these means also is avoided the risk of any of
- the ignited fuel falling off so that a room provided with heating apparatus con-
structed according to my present Invention, may with safety be left unoccupied ;
the rate and intensity of the burning of the fuel is controllable, the general process
having means for regulating with scientific exactness.
A description is hereinafter given of the various forms of "Calorifiers" adapted
for general domestic use, vizt: "The Angle Calorifier," "The Wall Calorifier "
and "The Moveable Calorifier," but I desire it to be understood that my present
Invention may be applied to forms of apparatus other than those hereinafter
described and shewn upon the annexed drawings.
ог
"
The two first mentioned of these constructions viz:-that of the "Angle
Calorifier" and the "Wall Calorifier" aro. arranged to yield, when employed in
conjunction with the system of ventilation disclosed in my Complete Specification
No 12019 of this same date, advantages such as will be highly valued by the sick
weak and the medical profession. These advantages are obtained by the
Calorifiers" being provided with a channel of fire-clay passing around the back
of the fire so as to convey to a room, fresh air thus innocuously heated, the said
air being heated without metallic taint. The volume of incoming air is controllable,
so that the rate at which the draught is admitted is always adjustable. The
passages or channels containing the heated fresh air may, if desired, be arranged
to contain medicating agents to be evaporated into the warmed air on its passage
into a room),
The "Moveable Calorifier" is constructed in a manner differing from
those berein last referred to, having three Fire places, each or all of which can be
used as is found best suited to the temperature at which it is intended to maintain
the surrounding atmosphere, either of the forms of construction of apparatus
herein before described may be employed for heating small rooms and is also
adapted for the requirements of Churches, Tents, and other such enclosures, and
the said apparatus when constructed on a large scale is admirably adapted for
cooking purposes.
All the "Calorifiers" when constructed for domestic use may have an " Earthen
Food Container" situated above the Fire, and arranged so that they can be
readily removed. The "Calorifier" as bereinafter more particularly described is
most admirably adapted for applying to steam generators for the production of
Eteam, as the Boiler, not being exposed to the direct influence of the flames, is
therefore not liable to become burned and consequently the risk of explosion is
minimised.
The combustion of Fuel in the manner arranged for by the Calorifier, is adapted
for the economical melting of metals, to the requirements of chemical manufacturers,
and to all drying processes.
To the general features described of the "Calorifiers as herebefore set forth, is
added that of an adjunctive arrangement over the Fire for decreasing of the
quantity of smoke, by impeding the vertical ascent of flamo, and thus concentrating
the said flame on a horizontal or approximately horizontal line and so to burn the
smoke at this point at which the flame is arrested, for it has been argued that
Flame is not molecular in construction but longitudinal in form.
For the purposes of providing for the herein last explained feature a flat or
curved plate or alab of asbestos finely perforated, or of metal coated with asbestos
paint and finely perforated is situated a little above the fire. Though the
perforations of this plate or slab flame will not pass but when impinging thereupon
the said flame is caused to be deflected horizontally and thereby burn, to a con-
siderable extent, the smoke ascending and commingling therewith,

page_text: :
"
"
At Figure 1 of the annexed drawings, I have represented in front elevation a
construction of heating apparatus which may either be employed as an Angle
Calorifier" or as a "Wall Calorifier it being bere explained that the front
elevations of both these forms of apparatus are practically the same. Figure 2 is
a plan of the Fire place, the warm air passages and the passages for air to the
underside of the Fire grate being alsó clearly shown in this Figure of Drawing.
Under my present Invention I arrange the ascending currents of smoke to curve
or be deflected downwards by means of the top k¹ (Figure 12) of the Fire place.
This Figure 12 is a part diagrammatic section through the "Calorifier" taken on
the line A. B. (Figure 1) that is to say, a section taken on a line extending from
the front to the back of the fire. The top a, which is composed of asbestos or of
sheet iron coated with asbestos paint, is finely perforated with holes, and is
preferably of the shape represented at Figure 1 of the annexed drawings. This
form of plate checks the course of the flame and allows the smoke to pass up
through its perforations to the upper part of the heater which, in the example,
represented at Figure 1, is provided with the vessel b, for containing the food that
may be placed therein.
The smoke after impinging upon the under surface of the vessel or chamber b,
passes downwards and is introduced into the fire by passing through the opening n',
(Figure 12) at the back of the grated. Each of the passages has a door, the doors e,
of the passages f, in which the atmospheric air is warmed being preferably of the
form represented at Figure 2, that is to say, of the construction set forth in my
aforementioned Complete Specification No 12019.
At Figure 3, of the annexed drawings is shewn a plan of the Earthen Food
Container b. The ash box i, (Figure 1) is arranged with a slide or equivalent
valve, to admit and regulate the quantity of in-going air. The glass or other
analogous cover k, is supported by the chain l, in any desired position, by passing
any one of the links over the pin m, and the said cover slides in grooves formed in
the sides of the heater. The whole of the arrangement of parts hereinbefore
described is preferably composed of fireclay or iron, that is to say, all such parts
below the level of the food container b, and the lid or cover n, of the Food Container
is formed of copper or other suitable metal.
As herein before mentioned, at Figure 1, I have represented in front elevation a
form of heater which may be employed as the " Wall Calorifier" and at Figuro 4,
I have shewn the plan of the tire grate of such Wall Calorifier" and its sur-
rounding air and smoke passages, and Figure 5 is a plan of the earthen food
container of the same. The description of the various smoke and air passages or
channels bereinbefore given in reference to the "Angle Calorifier" applying also to
this construction of "Calorifier" need not be herein again entered into. The front
passages o, are those which connect the smoke passage or channel above the tire
with the passage or channel below the fire and by which the smoke is introduced
into the said fire.
At Figure 6 of the annexed drawings I have represented in front elevation a
form of heater which I prefer to term the "Moveable Calorifier" and at Figures 7
and 8 I have shewn the plans of the fire grate and the Food Container respectively.
This "Moveable Calorifier" may be provided with one, two or more fire places,
Figure 7 being a plan of a "Calorifier" having three such fire places p. Between
these fire places p, the chambers or channels q, are arranged, for the passing down
therethrough of the smoke after having impinged upon the under surface of the
food container (Figure 6). From the lower parts of these chambers or channels q,
the smoke is conducted to the underside of the fire grates and re-introduced into
the fire, so to be consumed. The direction of the course of the smoke is clearly
indicated at Figure 6 by the arrows marked thereon. The quantity of air intro-
duced for the purpose of effecting the combustion or burning of the smoke passes
in through the slide valves 8, by means of which the necessary regulation is effected.
The curved dotted lines t, under the food container, indicate the position of the

page_text: curved top, by which the course taken by the sinoke is directed down the channels q,
to the underside of the fire.
се
.
Besides the uses to which the " Calorifier" has been hereinhefore described as
applicable, it is to be observed that it is also most beneficially applicable in wet
seasons for the drying of crops. For obtaining a benefit from such an application,
I prefer to arrange the Calorifiers" within a suitably constructed building and to
employ the said apparatus in conjunction with vertical Extractors or ventilating
outlets constructed according to my beforementioned Complete Specification
No 12019 and thereby carry off the vapours arising from crops undergoing the
drying process. At Figure 9 of the annexed drawings, I have represented a form
of building in which the drying of crops could be advantageously effected. The
walls and roof of the Building may if desired be of corrugated iron, and the roof
may be formed in sections which are hinged at their lower edges so as to fold down
on to and over the side walls, and the ends of the Building may be provided with
doors u. The "Calorifiers" when employed in such a building are supported on a
concrete and well drained floor which is represented at u¹, (Figure 9) and over
these "Calorifiers" v, a flooring w, formed out of slabs or plates of perforated
asbestos is arranged, and over that again a covering of sheet iron is provided; or,
in place of employing this last mentioned construction of floor that is to say
composed of the slabs of asbestos and the sheet iron covering, there may be sub-
stituted a floor of perforated sheet iron coated with asbestos paint. These upper or
perforated Hoors are supported by a series of Brick Walls arranged or constructed.
between the "Calorifiers" v.
The Extractors or ventilating outlets x, which are constructed in accordance with
the system set forth in my beforementioned Complete Specification No 120198* are
preferably secured as shewn at Figure 9 of the annexed drawings to the ridge of
the roof y, or more correctly speaking to that part of the building where the
sections of the roof meet when folded up into their normal position.
The saving of fuel and the practical prevention of smoke as obtained under my
present Invention renders the said Invention specially applicable to the require-
ments of steam ships, as also to those of locomotive engines employed on
underground or subterranean railways..
The non-requirement of chimney stalks and the consequent decrease in the cost
and increase in the space of factory buildings, are special facts which commend the
application of my Improvements to all industrial purposes, and by so dispensing-
with such chimney stalks no decided restraint need be regarded or considered
in the designing of Factory Buildings.-The risk of fire from the ignition of soot,
is also removed by the application of my present Improvements.
At Figure 10 of the annexed drawings I have shewn partly in front elevation
and partly in vertical section an arrangement or construction such as I propose to
adopt for the heating of boilers for the production of steam, or for the heating of
Brewers vats, or other analogous apparatus and at the same time avoiding, such
degree of wear as has hitherto been caused by the direct impact of the flames on
the plates of the boiler or other vessel.
As represented at Figure 10, the bottom of the boiler or vessel a¹, which is to be
heated, is shaped so as to present a double curved surface, to the smoke as it
ascends and impinges thereon, and after it has passed from the fire up through the
perforations of the plate bl. This plate 61, as in the preceding examples, is
composed of asbestos or of sheet iron coated with asbestos paint. By means of the
underside of the boiler or vessel a¹, being curved in the manner shewn at Figure 10,
the currents of smoke are directed downwards through the channels c¹, and are by
them conducted down to the underside of, and introduced into the fire through the
fire-grate. By the course thus adopted, the flame does not impinge upon the
surface of the boiler or vessel a', the smoke only, passing up thereto, so that the
metal of the said vessel a¹, is not liable to become burned or otherwise unduly
worn, while no impediment is presented to the upward passage of the smoke and

page_text: heat, none of which, as is obvious, escape unused. The plate b¹, bends or fits at
each of its outer edges into a fire-clay frame d, and by its peculiar form also
occasions the burning of a portion of the smoke by means of the flame which
becomes concentrated thereunder, it being observed that the flame does not pass
through the fine perforations of the plate b₁, though the heat and smoke do so.
The air necessary for the ignition of the smoke in the herein last described form of
apparatus is admitted and regulated in quantity by the slide valve e¹.
My present improvements can be advantageously applied to the requirements of
bread-baking and especially so in enabling house holders to bake their bread or
pastry of a quality and of constituents such as many persons desire to obtain
economically and which results hitherto have not been obtainable.-At Figure 11
of the annexed drawings I have represented in a perspective view a portion of a
"Baking Calorifier" which may be found to fulfil the requirements for bread
baking wherein f', represents the oven, g', the fire place h¹, the vertical channels
for conducting the unused smoke to the under side of the firo grate and i, the
adjustable air inlet or slide valve. As the arrangements for the burning of the
fuel in this "Baking Colorifier " are similar to those of the hereinbefore described
forms of "Colorifier," I have not deemed it expedient to enter hereinafter into any
further description thereof.
With reference more particularly to the system of burning fuel for the generation
of steam as herein before described with reference to Figure 10 of the annexed
drawings, it is remarked that the fire place has an air chamber situated at the front
thereof and which is enclosed by doors and adjustable valves, and opens at its
rearward part to the underside of the Fire or Fire-grate. The said fire place may
be all composed of fire clay with the exception of the perforated grate, which may
be of cast iron and sliding and supported in grooves formed in the sides of the fire
place, so that the said grate may be easily removed when required, and an outer
case of asbestos may be arranged to slide over the doors.
Referring more particularly to the "Baking Calorifier" shewn at Figure 11 of
the annexed drawings, it is seen that the Extractor or ventilating outlet j',
constructed in accordance with the system disclosed in my aforementioned complete
Specification N° 12019 being arranged at the crown or top of the oven, that such
extractor will draw off therefrom any superfluous steam or vapour.
At Figure 12 of the annexed drawing I have diagramatically represented the
ceiling of the "Calorifiers" (Figure 1). In this Figure of drawing, k', shows the
position of the ceiling, l, the wall of the air passage, m³, the wall or side of the
outer air passage and n', the holes of the fire.
To produce a flow of smoke from over the fire in the "Calorifiers," unchecked in
its circuit through the passages to the underside of the fire grate, they are arranged,
as shewn at Figure 7 of the annexed drawings, with the central chamber o¹, having
an opening into it about an inch deep under each of the fire grates p, and an outlet
from it at the top on each side, and opening into each of the side passages q
The industrial and baking "Calorifiers" have an arrangement similar to that
herein last described, but in these " © Calorifiers," so constituted, the tributary
passages p', as shewn at Figure 10 of the annexed drawings are arranged vertically
so as to connect the front of the fire place to the top horizontally curved smoke
channel and so allow any smoke which may not at first be drawn up into the fire,
to join in the circuit through the passages until it is burned. Such an excess of
smoke unburned as that last mentioned, over that which is burned, is generally
consequent upon fresh or green fuel being charged on to the fire.
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 Fire places or stoves which I prefer to call "calorifiers" so constructed
to burn fuel as not to necessitate a flue or chimney and wherein the smoke,
resulting from such fuel, is burnt by being conducted through channels or passages

page_text: down to the underside of the grates and introduced into the fire all substantially
as herein before described with reference to the annexed drawings.
Second-In cooking and other stoves, the arrangement of perforated asbestos or
perforated metal coated with asbestos paint, over the fires so as to prevent, at a
proper point, the vertical ascent of flame and cause it to be deflected and concen-
trated for the partial burning of the ascending smoke substantially as herein before
described with reference to the annexed drawings.
Third In cooking and other stoves the combination of the vessels for containing
food, the passages for the conduction of air to the perforated sides or back of such
stoves at those parts where the smoke enters from the channels, and the slide or
other equivalent valves to control the volume of air passing in therethrough or
exclude it altogether all substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the
annexed drawings.
Fourth In heating and other stoves the arrangement of passages at the sides or
backs of the fire places for connecting to an air inlet provided in an outer wall for
the purpose of heating fresh air innocuously in the fire clay passages of the said
heating apparatus and the combination of such arrangement with a ventilating
inlet provided with a door similar to that described in my Specification
No. 12019 all substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the
annexed drawings.
Fifth The arrangement of parts for preventing the impingement of flame upon
the surfaces of steam boilers, brewers vats and other analogous vessels consisting of
a slab or plate of perforated asbestos or a perforated metallic plate coated with
asbestos paint, interposed between the fire and such vessels all substantially as
herein before described with reference to the annexed drawings.
Sixth The application of a perforated asbestos or metallic slab or plate as
claimed in the preceding claiming clause, to the requirements of a baker's oven all
substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore set forth with reference to the
annexed drawings.
Seventh-The construction of the several forms of apparatus shewn upon the
annexed drawings and all modifications employing the principle substantially the
same as that herein before described.
Dated this Fourth day of Tune 1985