Improvements in the Construction of Steam Generators.
Year: 1896

page_text: Improvements in the Construction of Steam Generators.
I, MAURICE LE BLANT, of 21 Boulevard Poissonnière, Paris, in the French
Republic, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the construction of steam generators,
and has for object to construct a boiler for the rapid production of steam, combined
with very small water-holding capacity. It consists of a series of tubes of circular
section connected together so as to form a continuous tube extending in a circuit
through the hot air space of a furnace, such tube having a practically uniform
internal diameter throughout, sufficiently large to render it non-capillary, and
being so arranged that water is admitted at one part of the circuit, and delivered
in the form of steam from another part thereof, the conversion of the water into
steam being therefore effected during its passage through the continuous tube.
In carrying out my invention 1 propose to construct a boiler of a series of tubes
of several thicknesses but of the same internal diameter, arranged horizontally, and
supported in the vertical sides or walls of a suitable flue or hot air chamber, these
tubes being connected by suitable bends so as to form a continuous circuit. The
series of tubes having the greatest thickness are arranged nearest the fire, those of
the least thickness being furthest removed from the source of heat, and the
intervening series being of medium thickness.
By employing very thick tubes for the parts nearest the fire, as above described,
a boiler of this, construction may be left without water, and if when in that
condition it becomes heated, it will not explode nor become seriously strained upon
the admission of water, owing to the particular form and dimensions of the several
series of tubes of which it is constructed. Moreover in a boiler of my construction
and arrangement all the tubes being internally of uniform section are non-capillary,
and can readily be cleaned, whilst they are also not liable to become choked,
inasmuch as the water and steam come in contact only with smooth surfaces
throughout the entire length of the continuous tube.
I have described my invention only in its general construction and arrangement,
and reserve the right of modifying the details and dimensions of the tubes, as also
the method of connecting them and any inclination of said tubes from the
horizontal; I may likewise arrange for the introduction of water and delivery of
steam to be effected at one or several points in the circuit.

page_text: Improvements in the Construction of Steam Generators.
I, MAURICE LE BLANT, of 21 Boulevard Poissonnière, Paris in the French
Republic, Engineer, 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 the construction of steam generators,
and has for object to construct a boiler for the rapid production of steam, combined
with very small water-holding capacity. It consists of a series of tubes of circular
section connected together so as to form a continuous tube extending in a circuit
through the hot air space of a furnace, such tube having a practically uniform
internal diameter throughout, sufficiently large to render it non-capillary, and
being so arranged that water is admitted at one part of the circuit, and delivered
in the form of steam from another part thereof, the conversion of the water into
steam being therefore effected during its passage through the continuous tube.
In carrying out my invention I adopt the construction shewn on the accompanying
drawings on which-
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a boiler constructed according to my
invention;
Figure 2 being a cross section of the same;
Figure 3 is a sectional plan of the same; and-
Figure 4 are cross sections at three different parts of the tubes.
As will be seen from the drawings the tubes A of which the boiler is constructed
are of several different thicknesses but of the same internal diameter: they are
arranged horizontally and supported in the sides or vertical walls B of a suitable
flue or hot air chamber, the tubes being connected by suitable bends a so as to
form a continuous circuit. The series of tubes A having the greatest thickness
are arranged nearest the fire, whilst those of the least thickness are furthest
removed from the source of heat, the intervening series being of an intermediate
thickness as shewn. In this way the thickness of the tubes diminishes according as
their distance from the fire increases.
By the above construction the use of a very thick tube for the parts nearest
the fire, obviates danger in case the boiler is left temporarily without water, for
should it become heated when in that condition the boiler will not explode or
become unduly distended upon water being admitted, owing to the form and
varying dimensions of the several series of tubes of which it is constructed.
Another advantage obtained in a boiler of the above described construction and
arrangement is that all the tubes being internally of uniform section are non-
capillary, and can readily be cleaned, whilst they are also not liable to become
choked, inasmuch as the water and steam come in contact only with smooth
surfaces throughout the entire length of the continuous tube.
I have herein described my invention only in its general construction and
arrangement, and reserve the right of modifying the details and dimensions of the
tubes, as also the method of connecting them together; I may arrange the tubes
at any desired inclination from the horizontal instead of as described, and may
likewise arrange for the introduction of water and delivery of steam to be
effected either at one or several positions in the circuit to suit particular
requirements.

page_text: 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:
1. A steam generator of small capacity for rapid vaporisation whether filled or
partly filled with water, and consisting of a series of tubes A of circular or nearly
circular section, and of a practically uniform internal diameter, connected together
and forming a continuous circuit as described.
2. In a steam generator for rapid vaporisation, the use of non-capillary tubes A
capable of being easily cleaned though of sufficiently small internal diameter to
ensure extremely rapid vaporisation, so arranged that water entering the tubes at
one or more inlets passes out entirely converted into steam through one or more
outlets of said tubes as described.
Dated this
day of February 1897.
For the Applicant,
GEDGE & FEENY,
60 Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C., Chartered Patent Agents.