Improvements in Water Tube Steam Generators.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1895-Accepted, 1st Aug., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Water Tube Steam Generators.
I, EDWARD DANIEL MEIER, of No. 421 Olive Street, St. Louis, Missouri,
United States of America, President Heine Safety Boiler Company, of the same
place, 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 :-
My invention relates to steam generators of the type shown and described in
United States Patent No. 304,195, granted to Herman Heine, on the 26th day of
August 1884, in which two water legs surmounted by a steam drum are connected
by a series of water tubes to which the heat of the furnace is applied, and which
tubes are separated into groups by means of tiles arranged and disposed between
the same to form a sinuous passage for the gases and the products of combustion
rising from the furnace below. In operation the boiler tubes become covered and
coated with soot and ashes to such an extent that frequent cleansing is required,
and to provide improved means and facilities for effecting this cleansing is one of
the objects of my present invention.
Another object is to provide means and facilities for introducing and withdrawing
the tiles, above referred to, whereby the boiler tubes are divided and separated
into groups.
Another object is to provide means for introducing air or steam into the ascending
gases below or between the groups of boiler tubes and for heating the same before
its introduction, for the purpose of securing complete combustion, and thereby
preventing the deposition upon the tubes of residual products.
Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for thoroughly and
effectively drying the steam.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate my invention and form a part of
this specification,
Fig. 1 is a vertical transverse section through one of the water legs and through
the steam or circulating drum, on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 2 is a broken view representing a vertical section in a longitudinal plane
through one of the water legs and through the steam circulating drum, on the
line 2-2 of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a broken view, on an enlarged scale, representing a horizontal section
through one of the water legs, on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, showing various tools
and appliances used for cleaning and removing deposits from the boiler tubes
and tiles;
Fig. 4 is a side view of my improved dry pan;
Fig. 5 is an end view of the same, partly in section, looking in the direction
indicated by the arrow in Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a view showing the manner of applying the separating tiles to the
boiler tubes, different forms of tiles being shown;
Fig. 8 is a sectional view showing modified forms of hollow tiles or fire plates
adapted to the lower range of boiler tubes and the manner of applying the same;
Fig. 9 is a longitudinal vertical section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8, and
Fig. 10 is a similar section on the line 10-10;
Figs. 11 and 12 are sectional views of details hereinafter fully explained.
Like reference characters indicate like parts in the several views.

page_text: .
A designates one of the water legs of the boiler and B, the steam or circulating
drum mounted thereon and communicating therewith, as usual. These water legs
are constructed as usual, except that I propose to make them higher than heretofore
in order to accommodate a greater number of boiler tubes with the view of
increasing the steam generating capacity of the boiler, this being, however, merely
a matter of degree.
.
T designates the boiler tubes extending from leg to leg and having their ends
expanded into or otherwise connected with, the tube plates a, as usual. The tubes
are arranged in horizontal rows, those of each row alternating with those of the
adjacent upper and lower rows, as shown in Fig. 1, so that the gases and products
of combustion in passing from the furnace upward between and among the same
are compelled to take a sinuous or zig-zag course, whereby the several tubes are
completely enveloped and the heat of the furnace utilized more fully than if the
gases were permitted to pass to the flue or stack in a direct course. Even under
this arrangement, however, a large percentage of heat passes to the flue and
therefore with the view of further utilizing the heat and effecting the greatest
economy in fuel, the tubes are separated into groups by means of tiles or fire
plates R R', R' arranged and disposed to form with the tubes between which they
are located, and by which they are supported, horizontal partitions extending
alternately from opposite ends or sides and overlapping each other after the
manner of "baffle-plates," whereby the hot gases and the products of combustion
are caused to travel back and forth between and among the tubes in their passage
towards the flue or stack. I find that three of these partitions, located respectively
at or near the bottom, at the top, and intermediately between the top and bottom,
give excellent results, but a greater or less number may be employed according to
the vertical space occupied by the boiler tubes. Preferably the lower tiles are
supported on and by the tubes of the lower row alone, and these are therefore
made of a width and shape to partially overlap two adjacent tubes and to depend
between the same, whereby they are supported and held against lateral movement.
For the upper and intermediate partitions, the tiles are made of such width and
shape as to fit between adjacent tubes of two adjacent horizontal rows, as shown
at R and R', thus standing in inclined positions and forming with the tubes of the
respective rows between which they are located zig-zag partitions, as clearly
shown in Fig. 1. The tiles of the lower row may be arranged and supported in
the same way.
It is well known that the more perfect the combustion of fuel and of the gases
resulting therefrom, the higher will be the degree of heat and the smaller the
volume of residual products, and it is therefore common to stimulate combustion
by forcing air into the furnace to supply the oxygen required. For this purpose,
and with the view of delivering air in the most efficient manner and to the best
advantage, I make my tiles or fire-plates hollow, especially those forming, the
lower partition, and connect therewith a suitable air supply to deliver air there-
through, the tiles being perforated at intervals along their under sides to permit
the air to escape in jets into the ascending gases.
In Figs. 9 and 10, I show two forms of tiles or plates, the first made of cast iron
and the other of fire clay. These tiles shown in cross-section in Fig. 8, and
marked respectively R and R¹, may be made in single lengths or in short lengths
joined together, end to end, as may be found most desirable or expedient.
Preferably they are constructed in separate lengths whereby they are adapted to
be extended or shortened by adding or taking out sections so as to give more or
less lap to the partitions and regulate the sizes of the draft openings at the ends
of the respective partitions.
+
In the construction shown in Fig. 9, which represents a cast-iron plate, the inner
chamber has a branch opening: with which the air supply is to be connected
while in the clay tile represented in Fig. 10, the connection is made at the open
end which abuts against the tube plate a, or a branch opening similar to that shown
on the iron plate can be formed in the tile.

page_text: For the attainment of the best results, the air should be heated before. its
introduction into the hollow tiles or fire-plates, a final heating being effected by
the heat radiating from the walls of the chamber r. For effecting such preliminary
heating the supply pipe or flue through which the air is delivered to the tiles or
plates may pass through the furnace chamber or its walls. As a convenient
arrangement for effecting such preliminary heating, I show a transverse pipe C
connected with the source of supply (not shown) and by branches. c with the
several tiles or plates of the lower partition. These connections may be made at
either end of the tile partitions, and similar connections may be. made with
each partition if it be found desirable or expedient to introduce air at different
points.
It is usual in the construction of boilers of this class to tie the head-plates a¹
and the tube plates a together between the boiler tubes by hollow stay bolts a'
screwed or expanded into the respective plates. For convenience, as well as for
the sake of economy, I propose to alternate a row of these hollow bolts with the
boiler tubes of the lower row and to so construct the tiles that their chambers
shall be in line, and communicate with the passages through the respective bolts;
then by connecting the branches c of the air-supply pipe with the hollow bolts, the
air will pass through them to the hollow tiles.
In the construction of these boilers heretofore, the horizontal rows of tubes T
have been equally spaced from top to bottom. I now propose to divide them into
groups by omitting one or more horizontal rows of tubes, the lines of separation
being immediately above the respective partitions so that each group shall be
covered by an overlying partition, as indicated in Fig. 2. Opposite each of these
open spaces and also immediately above the upper group of tubes, I locate a row
of stay tubes S which extend through the water leg and are screwed or expanded
into the plates a, a', in the same manner as the stay bolts a'. These stay tubes are
of larger diameter than the stay-bolts a³, being approximately of the same diameter
as the water tubes, and they are arranged centrally over the respective spaces
between the boiler tubes, as shown. Their purpose is to afford facilities for the
insertion of cleaning tools for removing soot, ashes, &c., deposited on the boiler
tubes and on the surface of the tiles or the plates a, and for introducing;
withdrawing and adjusting the tiles R forming the central and upper partitions.
As already explained, the upper tiles, that is, those composing the partitions
above the lower one, are formed to fit between adjacent tubes of adjacent rows.
The width of the spaces thus to be filled being less than the diameter of the stay
tubes S, the tiles are adapted to be inserted, placed in position, and withdrawn,
when required, through the said tubes. The stay tubes S, by reason of their size,
also afford facilities for the insertion and operation of suitable tools for cleaning
the water tubes and partitions by removing deposits or accumulations of soot, ashes
and other residual products of combustion.
In Fig. 3, 1 show a variety of cleaning tools, I, J, representing pipes or tubes
designed to be coupled with a steam hose m, and having nozzles i,j, of different
shapes, the pipe with a return nozzle being designed to clean the tube sheet a, by
directing against the same a powerful jet of steam, and the pipe J to clean the
boiler tubes and tiles by directing the steam jet among and along the same.
K is a hoe designed to scrape the tubes and tiles and to push the soot, ashes
and other deposits before it, and L is a wire brush or broom for brushing or
sweeping off the deposits. These tools are each provided with a handle M whereby
they are adapted to be operated and turned at will.
Each cleaning tool is provided with a loose sleeve or collar Z through and in
which it is adapted to slide and turn. These sleeves are adapted to close the stay
tubes S for the purpose of preventing the escape of heat and gases or the ingress
of cold air during the cleaning operation, and they are therefore constructed to fit
into the ends of the tubes, thus serving both as stoppers and guides for the tools.
They may be made of any suitable material, preferably of wood faced at their
front ends with asbestos cloth or other non-conducting material x, and provided

page_text: with forwardly-extending metal plates adapted to fit closely within the tubes S
and by their resiliency to hold the sleeves in place. When the cleaning tubes are
not in use, the stay tubes S will be tightly closed, and for this purpose I provide
stoppers or plugs G, also preferably made of wood corrugated circumferentially
and covered with suitable fire-proof material, such, for example, as asbestos cement
or vulcabeston, (a compound of asbestos india rubber and other vulcanizable gums
combined with materials for special requirements). Similar plugs or stoppers are
provided for closing the stay bolts a³.
While I show in the drawings entire rows of stay tubes S extending from side to
side of the water legs and alternating throughout with the boiler tubes above and
below the same, it is to be understood that the objects of the invention in .this
respect may be partially attained by partial or broken rows in which for instance
every second or third water tube is omitted to make room for a stay tube S; also
that while I have described the stay tubes S as being arranged in definite relation
to the horizontal partitions above the respective groups of water tubes, additional
rows or partial rows of such tubes may be interspersed between or among, the
several groups, such additional tubes being advantageous in that they afford
additional facilities for cleaning the boiler tubes.
Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, N is my improved dry pan which is located at the
front end and at the top of the main shell or steam drum B. It is made in trough
shape and may be deeper at one end than at the other, the deeper end fitting
against the head of the steam drum and its top edges against the cylindrical walls
thereof, the shallow inner end being closed by a head n. This dry pan may be
made of either cast or wrought metal in one piece or in several pieces bolted or
riveted together, the latter construction being preferred for the reason that it
enables the separate parts to be introduced into the drum through the man-hole to
be subsequently put together within the drum.
For the sake of economy in the cost of construction and therefore with the view
of avoiding the expense of a machine finish to secure a close joint between the
shell of the drum and the edges of the dry pan, I form in said edges a groove o for
the reception of a suitable packing, such for instance, as a rope of asbestos or other
heat proof material.
The effectual drying of steam requires its complete separation from the water in
the boiler. When steam is being made rapidly, the violent ebullition of the water
in the boiler, especially when the pressure is suddenly reduced, as by opening a
valve or cock, throws up more or less spray, which, following the walls of the
boiler or drum is apt to find its way into the dry pan or pipe and prevent
the thorough drying of the steam. With a view of avoiding this, I form the
openings through which the steam is admitted into the pan in the side walls of
the latter and on the outer sides of said walls I form wings or guards P which
project outward and downward over said openings and prevent any spray thrown
up from entering the same.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim, is
1. In a water tube boiler, the combination of water legs, a nest of water tubes
arranged in horizontal rows, hollow partition tiles or plates extending alternately
from the respective legs, the tiles or partitions having downwardly opening
passages at intervals and an air supply connected with the chambers in the tiles,
substantially as described.
2. The combination with the tubes of a water tube boiler, of a series of hollow
tiles or plates arranged and disposed to form a horizontal partition and having
downwardly-opening passages from their hollow interiors and au air supply
connected with the chambers of said tiles, substantially as described.
3. The combination of horizontally-arranged rows of water tubes of a builer, a
series of longitudinally-extending hollow tiles or plates having passages through

page_text: their under sides supported by adjacent tubes in the same row and an air supply
connected with the chambers of said tiles, substantially as described.
4. In a water tube boiler, the combination of water legs, a nest of water tubes
arranged in separate groups and stay tubes for a boiler head and tube sheet
having an area approximating that of the water tubes opposite the spaces by which
the water tubes are divided into groups, substantially as described.
5. In a water tube boiler having its tubes arranged in horizontal staggered rows
and having stay tubes for head plate and tube sheet, a series of longitudinally-
extending tiles or plates constructed to be inserted through the stay tubes and to
fit between and to be sustained by adjacent tubes of adjacent rows, said tubes and
tiles together forming a zig-zag transverse partition or diaphragm across the boiler,
substantially as described.
6. In a boiler of the character described, the combination of two water legs, a
nest of tubes extending from leg to leg and separated at intervals into groups by
enlarged spaces and stay tubes extending through both water legs opposite said
enlarged spaces, the tubes approximating in transverse area, that of the boiler
tubes, to afford adequate space for the introduction of tools adequate to clean
the tubes and partitions, or of tiles or partition plates, substantially as described.
7. In a boiler embracing water legs and a nest of water tubes, the combination
of a series of longitudinally-extending hollow tiles sustained by the water tubes,
hollow stay bolts or stay tubes arranged to register with the hollow tiles and au
air supply connected with and discharging to said stay bolts and hollow tiles,
substantially as described.
8. The improved dry pan herein described connected with the boiler shell, the
same being provided with openings in its walls for the admission of steam and
with depending wings or plates opposite said openings to prevent the entrance of
water or spray, substantially as described.
9. The combination of a boiler or steam drum and a dry pan arranged in the
upper part thereof having openings in its walls for the admission of steam and
outwardly and downwardly flaring wings above and below the openings to prevent
the entrance of water or spray to the pan, substantially as described.
Dated this 17th day of December 1895
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Fig. 3.