IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO FURNACES FOR PREVENTING OR CONSUMING SMOKE."
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Louis Gooder, of Wakefield, in the County of York, for
the Invention of " IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO FURNACES
FOR PREVENTING OR CONSUMING SMOKE."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Louis Gooder at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th March 1877.
LOUIS GOODER, of Wakefield, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO FURNACES FOR PREVENTING OR CONSUMING SMOKE."
The object of this Invention is to prevent or consume smoke in furnaces by
admitting cold air through an opening in the dead plate direct into the body of the
coal, and the improvements consist in having a swing door made to the dead plate,
which is opened by a cam or worm attached to the furnace door coming into contact
with a bell-cranked lever.
The closing of the door in the dead plate is effected gradually by means of a
vessel floating within another vessel. When the furnace door is opened the float
lowers to the bottom of the larger vessel and fills with water or other fluid, and
when the furnace door is closed the float rises, the fluid therein escaping through an
opening in the bottom, and the door in the dead plate is gradually closed. By
means of an adjustable weight on the bell-crank lever the closing of the door in
the dead plate can be regulated to the greatest nicety.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Louis Gooder in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 8th September
1877.
LOUIS GOODER, of Wakefield, in the County of York. "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS APPLICABLE TO FURNACES FOR PREVENTING OR CONSUMING SMOKE."
The object of this Invention is to prevent or consume smoke in furnaces by
admitting cold air direct into the body of the coal through an opening or grate in
the dead plate, which is made hollow and provided with a door for that purpose.
This door is opened by a suitably-arranged projection, cam, or worm attached to the
furnace door, so that when the door is opened the said projection or cam is brought
into contact with a bell crank or other lever. At one end of this lever is a chain or
cord connected to a float or vessel within another vessel containing water or other
fluid. The other end of this lever is connected to the door of the dead plate, so
that when the furnace door is opened the lever is operated upon in such manner as
to open the door in the dead plate, and at the same time lower the float into the
liquid. An opening is made in the bottom of this float, so that it fills with liquid
as it lowers therein. On the furnace door being closed one end of the lever lowers
slowly (aided by an adjustable weight) into its normal position, and the float rises
to the surface again, the liquid therein escaping through the opening in the bottom,
and the door in the dead plate is gradually closed.
In order that this Invention may be fully understood I herein give reference to
the accompanying Sheet of Drawings illustrative thereof.
Fig. 1 is front elevation of boiler and furnace, and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional
elevation of same; Fig. 3 is detail of dead plate.
A is the dead plate, in which is a grate B and an opening C, which may be closed
by the swing door D. The hingo pin a of the furnace door is carried above the
straps b, and on the upper end is a worm or cam E. When the door is opened the
cam acting on the lever F raises the end f, and this being connected by rod G to
the arm H attached to the door D the said door is opened. Attached to the lever F
is a chain J, which passes through a tube j and over a pulley k in the cistern K,
and to the end of this chain is attached a hollow float L, having a valve in tho
bottom. The cistern is kept about half full of water (or other liquid or fluid), and
when the furnace door is opened and the lever F is operated, as above described, the
float L lowers in the cistern, the water entering the said float through the valve.
On closing the door the float does not immediately resume its former position, in
consequence of the weight of water within it which cannot escape except through a
small hole provided for the purpose. The escape is consequently slow, the result
being that the lever F does not descend to its original position, but holds open the
door D, allowing air to enter the grate B through the coal. The lever F during the
first interval of its descent does not alter the position of the door D in consequence
of the space between the two collars c, but when this has been traversed it com-
mences to close the door slowly, and completes the closing as soon as the whole of
the water has escaped from the float. The escape of the water may be regulated
by sliding weight M attached to the lever F.
It will be evident from the foregoing description that by constructing the dead
plate in the manner herein shewn and described air may be admitted to the furnace
the whole width thereof, and also that the air having to pass through the mass of
the coal will assist in the combustion thereof much more effectually than if admitted
at a higher level than the dead plate.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and shewn by Drawings
how the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practice, I would have
it understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction or
arrangement herein shewn, as the same may be varied, but what I claim as my
Invention and consider to be new is,-

page_text: Firstly. The use of the dead plate A having the grate B, opening C, and swing
door D, substantially as and for the purpose herein shewn and described.
Secondly. The use of apparatus for operating the door D, substantially as herein
shewn and described.
Thirdly. The use of the float L and apparatus in connection therewith, for
opening and closing doors when the same are used for admitting air to furnaces.
In witness whereof, I, the said Louis Gooder, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this First day of September, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and seventy-seven.
Witness,
J. W. TASKER,
Patent Agent,
Halifax.
LOUIS GOODER. (L.S.)