Improvements in Steam Generators.
Year: 1899

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Generators.
ARTHUR WILLIAM COOPER, Engineer and Boilermaker, East Dock Street,
Dundee, Forfarshire, N.B., JAMES SIMS GREIG, Engineer and Boilermaker, East
Dock Street, Dundee, Forfarshire, N.B., do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:
In generators steam is conveyed by piping from highest point of steam space
or high as possible above water level and carried by piping to lowest point of
water space below water so that the steam may impart heat through surface of
piping to water at bottom of generator and thus set up circulation from lowest
level in this way promoting equible tempratures throughout all parts in order.
to prevent unequal expansion and damage to structure. In particular a pipe
would be carried down from steam space and coupled to coil or other extended
surface arranged at bottom of generator or under same so that a sharp action
would be set up to remove any extreme difference of temprature or any difference
of temprature which might exist between steam space and bottom of generator.
This action would cause steam in coils to condeuse while any difference existed
in temprature; the water thus formed would then pass by valve and suitable
trap to collecting pocket or tank and then by means of pump would be lifted
back to generator, or by gravitation if found more convenient. To prevent loss
of water condensed pump may be worked by hand and also steam, the steam to
drive pump being preferably regulated by the quantity of water condensed and
gathered into pocket; in this way coils would be kept empty of water and
active with steam, thus preventing stagnation of water and consequent cooling
of bottom parts, the action being continuous while fires are in action or generators
at work. In some cases the trap connection or connection from outlet end of
coils may be taken to hot well over air pump in marine engines, or where surface
condensation is in use, and the continual draining of coils would then be effected
without the use of other pumps while main engines are in use. By this system
of heating direct from steam space through bottom heaters much quicker forma-
tion of steam may be adopted without damage to structure of generator, the
serious effects of cold feed will be checked and prevented at all times. This for
marine generators, electric lighting stations and millwork will enable time to be
saved and repairs reduced to a minimum.

page_text: Improvements in Steam Generators.
ARTHUR WILLIAM COOPER, Engineer and Boilermaker, East Dock Street,
Dundee, Forfarshire, N.B., JAMES SIMS GREIG, Engineer and Boilermaker, East
Dock Street, Dundee, Forfarshire, N.B., 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 steam generators the object being
to increase the efficiency and lengthen the life of the structure; and in order
that this invention may be readily and clearly understood we append to this
specification three sheets of drawings, the same distinctive letter being used as
far as possible in cach to denote the same parts. The drawings Figure 1,
Sheet 1 shows diagram of a generator and systein of heat circulation from steam
to water by pipes.
Figure 2, Sheet 1 shows a plan of heating coil which can be placed or removed
by ordinary manhole door.
Figure 3, Sheet 1 shows water seal and dip pipe as used with horizontal coil.
Figure 1, Sheet 2 shows separate heater placed at ends of generator when more
convenient than inside. Figure 1, Sheet 3 shows gravity return trap placed
above level of generator for use where pumping engines are not applied.
In carrying out this invention, steam is brought from highest point in steam
space in generators, or high as possible above water level, through pipe to heat-
ing coil, or extended surface, at bottom of generators, or below bottom level of
same so that the lowest level of water will be heated by steam at the earliest
moment after steam is formed in steam space.
At a certain pressure when generator is being heated water condenses into
coils. The water so formed is discharged through trap to tank and then by
automatic movement of pumping engine is returned to generator. In particular,
steam from highest point of steam space flows by pipe A Figure 1 Sheet 1 to
coil B. Water condensed in coil falls into recess C to be lifted by pipe 1 and
passed out from generator by valve E. A pipe from valve E led in a convenient
direction carries water to spring loaded valve F and then on to trap from
trap G by regulating valve H to tank J.
.
Tank J would be fitted with float coupled to steam regulating valve on pump-
ing engine, so fitted that at the pressure fixed by spring loaded valve F any
water which is collected from generators will on lifting float give pumping engine
steam, to work that water back into generators through ordinary feed service
pipes and valves. In the event of an ordinary power plant working in connec-
tion with generators, the ordinary feed pump of the power plant would in this
case return the before mentioned water condensed from generator bottoms back
to generators. In this way the heating of generators will be carried out auto-
matically and continuously so that the structure of generators will be preserved
and protected from straining and fracture by un-equal expansion. Steam may
be got upon generators so fitted with absolute safety, much quicker than would
be the case where no such system is in use.
The continuous action of heating by this invention will act as a preventive
against damage where water is made up by cold water pumped into generators
direct. The general arrangements of parts admit of convenient re-arrangements
to economise piping where a number of generators are in use together. The
drawings show application where a single generator is in use this being as a rule
the most troublesome case for straining.

page_text: Figure 1 Sheet 2 shows heating coil and receiver as applied when all fittings
are so placed outside shell of generator. Pipe A from steam space to coil B
inside receiver C coupled to generator by pipes at top and bottom. From
coil B water passes by valve E in a convenient direction to spring loaded
valve F trap G and regulating valve H and so to tank J and pumps as before.
Receiver C may be fitted with faces for feed check valves so that all feed water
for generators might be heated before entering generator proper. Figure 1
Sheet 3 shows gravity return system. Valve E on generator end plate as before
having pipe rising to receiver T placed above level of generator. Rising pipe
carries water to top point of receiver inside cover, and thus allows water to fill
up same as well as pipe leading from bottom to check valve R on generator.
Steam from steam space is allowed into receiver T by special valve and as this
brings up pressure to equal boiler steam in receiver, water contained lifts check
valve R and flows into generator. The steam connection being then temporarily
shut a fall in pressure takes place through loss of heat or condensation, in this
way allowing another charge of water being sent up by coil through valve E and
so on when generator is at work. A branch and drain tan S may be fitted at
bottom side of valve E so that coil might be drained and heating in part done
before any pressure had gathered in steam space; fires being in active condition
meantime. Steam could be obtained more quickly and straining and grooving
prevented by attention to this system of heating and keeping up of equal
temperatures. If pumps coupled to tank J are moved by hand lever, before
steam gathers in sufficient pressure, a return of condensed water could be made
to generator as required during the process of getting steam, although there is
little occasion for this in ordinary working.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said in-
vention and what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. In generators an automatic supply of heat by steam led to bottom of
generators by piping and conducted by traps and pumps substantially as described
and shown by drawings.
2. In generators automatic return of water condensed and collected by pipes
tank and pumps controlled by condensed water from generator substantially as
described and shown by drawings.
3. In generators the means as described in the use and position of pipes or
heating surface at or under bottom levels of pressure structure of generators and
to increase working efficiency of same.
4. In generators the automatic return of condensed water from coils inside
generators by gravity, pipes and receiver placed at convenient height substan-
tially as described.
Dated this 2nd day of Lun 1800
ARTHUR WILLIAM COOPER.
JAMES SIMS GREIG.