IMPROVEMENTS IN BOILERS AND HEATING APPARATUS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Keith of the City and County of Edinburgh, and
of Arbroath in the County of Forfar North Britain, Gas and Water Engineer
for an invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOILERS AND HEATING APPARATUS
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Keith at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd April 1882.
JAMES KEITH, of the City and County of Edinburgh, and of Arbroath in the
County of Forfar, North Britain Gas and Water Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BOILERS AND HEATING APPARATUS,"
This invention relates to improvements in sectional boilers and heating apparatus
in which water is heated, or hot water or steam is caused to circulate, for the
purpose of heating buildings or apartments wherein such apparatus is fitted.
The improved apparatus comprises a boiler made in vertical sections, and fitted
with a firegrate so that it may be used alone as a hot water boiler, or in com-
bination with a series of improved circulating vertical tubular sections, or coils
communicating with each other and ranged on both sides as a coil table, around
the boiler, or at one side only to suit the purpose to which the heating apparatus
may be applied. In a modified arrangement, the sectional coils are used apart
from the beating boiler and steam or hot water is led through the coils, to heat
the building or apartment in which the coil apparatus is placed.
In a modification of the improved apparatus adapted for heating such an
apartment as the entrance hall of a mansion or dwelling house, the hot water
boiler is made of iron or other metal in two or more vertical sections so constructed
that a water space or jacket is made to surround a fire grate and combustion
chamber. A doorway with sliding or hinged doors and grating is provided to form
an open or close fire in front; and an outlet to the chimney or flue is made through
the water space behind. The back part, sides and top or inner shell of the boiler
exposed to the fire are corrugated to obtain increased heating surface, and the
bottom part forms also a water space over which a fire brick or curved slab,
extending upwards, is fitted in a recess made for it.

page_text: To prevent the direct escape of the products of combustion from the fire to the
chimney, and to utilise the heat, a number of water pipes or tubes are screwed or
fitted, or cast on, to project from the back water space, over or into the combustion
chamber, below the outlet flue.
On one side or on each side of the boiler is fitted a series of vertical tubular, or
coil, sections which are each made in the form of a number of vertical tubes in
communication with each other at the top and bottom, each section being by
preference in one casting. The tubes of these coil sections may be made of any
suitable form such as round, square or oval, but are by a minor improvement,
fluted or corrugated longitudinally to give increased surface for radiation of heat.
These tubular or coil sections are formed with lateral openings on each side at top
and bottom, and are jointed together by flange-like joints at the openings, which
are made opposite each other in each section. A ring of rubber, or a layer of
asbestos, or other suitable jointing material is inserted between each joint; and
tic-bars or rods, or tube-rods, round which the water circulates, are passed
longitudinally through the joint openings at top and base of the sections, froin end
to end of the apparatus, passing also through similar joint openings in the boiler,
to bind the whole apparatus together. Nuts and washers or other fastening
devices, are fitted at the ends for screwing up tight and ornamental caps or shields
are fitted to cover the nuts.
--
The supply of water to the boiler-and-coil-sections is by preference obtained
from an ornamental vase or vases, placed over the boiler, and. communicating with
the boiler water space, or from vases at each end of the apparatus communicating
with the coil sections. An ornamental grating is fitted over the coil sections and
boiler, and the whole apparatus is also suitably ornamented if desired.
-The-improved. tubular or coil sections described, may be fitted up apart from a
heating boilor, in which case steam or hot water is-led-by-a-pipe from a separate
boiler and circulated through them. In this case the coil sections may ench
consist of a single tube.
The improved hot water-boiler,-when-used_apart from-the coil sections is made
in two or more vertical sections which are tied or bound together by horizontal-
tic rods or bars passing through openings at the joints of the vertical sections and
through the water, the ends being screwed up by nuts and washers outside.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Keith in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 20th October
1882.
JAMES KEITH, of the City and County of Edinburgh, and of Arbroath in the
County of Forfar, North-Britain, Gas and Water Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN
BOILERS AND HEATING APPARATUS"
My said Invention relates to improvements in sectional boilers and heating
apparatus, in which water is heated, or hot water or steam is caused to circulate,
for the purpose of heating buildings or apartments wherein such apparatus is
fitted..
The improved apparatus comprises a boiler made in vertical sections, and fitted
with a fire-grate, so that it may be used alone as a hot water boiler, or in com-
bination with a series of improved circulating vertical tubular sections or coils
communicating with each other and ranged on both sides as a coil table around
the boiler, or at one side only, to suit the purpose to which the heating apparatus
may be applied.
In a modified arrangement, the sectional coils are used apart from the heating
boiler, and steam or hot water is led through the coils, to heat the building or
apartment in which the coil apparatus is placed.
In a modification of the improved apparatus adapted for heating such an
apartment as the entrance hall of a mansion or dwelling house, the hot water
boiler is made of cast-iron or other metal in two or more vertical sections, so
constructed that a water space or jacket is made to surround a fire-grato and
combustion chamber. A doorway with sliding or hinged doors and grating is
provided to form an open or close fire in front, and an outlet to the chimney or
flue is made through the water space behind. The back part, sides, and top or
inner shell of the boiler exposed to the fire are corrugated to obtain increased
heating surface; and the bottom part forms also a water space over which a fire-
brick or curved slab extending upwards, is fitted in a recess made for it. A
fire-brick may also be fitted on each side of the fire-place.
To prevent the direct escape of the products of combustion from the fire to the
chimney, and to utilise the heat, a number of water pipes or tubes are screwed or
fitted, or cast on, to project from the back water space, over or into the combustion
chamber, below the outlet fluc.
On one side, or on each side of the boiler, is fitted a series of vertical tubular, or
coil sections, which are each made in the form of a number of vertical tubes in
coininunication with each other at the top and bottom, each section being in one
casting. The tubes of these coil sections may be made of any suitable form such
as round, square, or oval, but are by a minor improvement, fluted or corrugated
longitudinally to give increased surface for radiation of heat. These tubular or
coil sections are formed with lateral openings on each side at top and bottom, and
are jointed together by flange-like joints at the openings, which are made opposito
each other in each section. A ring of rubber, or a layer of asbestos, or other
suitable jointing material is inserted between each joint; and tie-bars or rods,
or tube-rods, round which the water circulates, are passed longitudinally through
the joint openings at top and base of the sections, from end to end of the apparatus,
passing also through similar joint openings in the boiler sections to bind the whole
apparatus together. Nuts and washers or other fastening devices, are fitted at the
ends for screwing up tight, and ornamental caps or shields are fitted to cover
the nuts. The supply of water to the boiler and coil sections is by preference
obtained from an ornamental vase, placed over the boiler, and communicating with
the boiler water space, or from vases at each end of the apparatus communicating
with the coil sections. An ornamental grating or top is fitted over the coil sections
and boiler, and the whole apparatus is also suitably ornamented if desired. The
improved tubular or coil sections described, may be fitted up apart from a heating

page_text: boiler, in which case, steam or hot water is led by a pipe from a separate boiler
and circulated through them. In this case the coil sections may each consist of a
single tube.
The improved hot water boiler when used apart from the coil sections is made
in two or more vertical sections which are tied or bound together by horizontal
tie-rods or bars passing through openings at the joints of the vertical sections and
through the water, the ends being screwed up by nuts and washers outside.
My said Invention is illustrated in the accompanying two Sheets of Drawings,
in which figure 1 is a perspective view showing the general arrangement of one
modification of my improved sectional boiler and hot water coils combined, as
adapted for heating the entrance hall of a house, or a large room. Figure 2 is a
transverse vertical section through the fire-grate and boiler, and Figure 3 is a
longitudinal vertical section taken as at the irregular line 1--1 in figure 2,
showing also the tubular coils in section. Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken
as at the irregular line 2--2 in figure 3. Figure 5 is a front elevation partly in
section of a modification of my improved sectional coil or coil table as arranged to
be heated by hot water from a separate boiler.
Figure 6 on Sheet 2 is a transverse vertical section through the fire-grate and
boiler, and figure 7 is a longitudinal section through the line 3--3 in figure 6 of
another modification of my improved sectional boiler and hot water coils combined.
Figures 8 and 9-are-vertical-sections-taken_at_right angles to each other, and
figure 10 is a plan of one inodification-of-ny-improved sectional hot water boiler
as constructed for general heating purposes, and used apart from the improved
tional coils. Figures 11, 12, and 13 are corresponding views of a modified
arrangement of my improved sectional hot water boiler. Figure 14 is a side
elevation of one of these improved sectional hot water boilers shown connected to
an arrangement of hot water piping, such as-may-be-conveniently applied for
heating a conservatory or similar building. Figures 15 and 10 are a detached
front and side clevation of a single section of my improved sectional coils, and
figures 17, 18, 19,-20,-and-21,-arc-cross.sactions showing various forms of the cast
iron sections which I employ in constructing my improved hot water-sectional-
coils or coil tables.
Referring particularly to figures 1 to 5 of these Drawings, the improved heating
apparatus comprises a hot water boiler which is made in two sections B, B', with
the top, back, and bottom, forming a water casing B² almost entirely enclosing the
fire-place F. Each side of the fire-place is formed by a hot water coil C jointed to
⚫ the boiler sections in the manner hereinafter described, and beyond these sections
is fitted a series of similar hot water tubular coils C, of the form shown in
figures 15 and 16 ali jointed together and connected to the boiler B, B'. The
boiler B, B', and coil sections C are fitted to rest on an ornamental cast-iron base
or sole-plate A. In front of the boiler sections B. B. is fitted a curved grating or
set of fire bars F', resting on the bottom part of the boiler on feet or supports f, to
leave a free space below for cleaning out or raking the fire; and over the fire-bars
a doorway or space f¹ is left to admit the fuel to the fire. A curved fire-brick or
fire-clay block is set in a recess made for it in the lower back part of the boiler
sections B, B', to retain the heat of the fire, and a fire-brick may also be fitted at
each side. This fire-brick F2 is by preference corrugated vertically, and the back
of the boiler is also corrugated to expose as large a heating surface as possible to
the action of the fire, the corrugations being in this case horizontal. The top of
the boiler sections may also be corrugated, although not so shown, and the side
coils C of the fire-place are formed with vertical grooves or corrugations. An
outlet D for the products of combustion is formed between the two boiler
sections B, B¹, and is connected to the chimney flue by piping. For the purpose
of obtaining all the available heat from the fire gases before they escape to the
chimney, a number of water pipes or tubes b, b', b³, are screwed or otherwise fitted
or cast on to the back of the boiler sections, and to the coils C forming the sides of
the fire-place or combustion chamber F, to project inwards over the combustion

page_text: chamber, and intercept or take up the heat of the escaping gases. These projecting
pipes b, b, b, also facilitate circulation of the water in the boiler water space B²,
but in order to increase the circulation, a short tube or pipe E is screwed or
otherwise fitted into the bottom of each boiler section, and a connecting pipe is
similarly fitted to the corresponding coil C at the side of the fire-place to connect
the water spaces of the boiler sections and coil sections. A protecting plate G is
fitted at the back of the boiler sections, and a similar plate G' over the upper front
part of the fire-place, to prevent personal injury by contact with the boiler, or
overheating of any wood work fitted in the immediate vicinity of the boiler. An
ornamental grating H is fitted in front of the fire-place, and fitted with an
ash-pan h, and sliding or opening doors fare fitted over the fire-grate which may
be used to regulate the draught. The coils C, which consist of four or other
number of vertical tubes connected together at top and bottom, are fitted in
sections alongside each other on either, or on both sides of the fire-place, and are
connected to each other, in the examples shown, by two vertical flange-like
joints c, c, at the base, and one vertical joint c at the top. The joints are formed
round openings C', which are made opposite each other in the sides of the coils C,
and in the same parts of each coil, and the boiler sections B, B', are similarly
jointed, so that when the whole is fitted together, there is a continuous passage C¹
formed through the sections B, B', C from ond to end both at top and bottom.
Through each of the passages Ci is passed a long bolt or tie rod I, by means of
which the sections are drawn close together and secured. These securing bolts or
tie rods I are by preference made as shown in two lengths with bolt heads i on the
outside of the outer coils C of the series, and with screwed ends passing into a
screwed link or sleeve 1', by which the sections are tightened up. The securing
bolts may however be made tubular or of other construction. An ornamental
cap is screwed or otherwise secured over the bolt heads at each end. The joints
between each section are packed watertight by means of any ordinary packing, but
it is preferred to use rings c¹ of vulcanised rubber, one of which is fitted at each
opening C, between each pair of coils C within a shallow annular recess or
groove c² formed round the openings C¹ in the coils. A grating J is fitted on the
top as a cover over the entire series of sections to form a table, and over the table
thus formed, is fitted an ornamental vase or vases K, connected internally by a
pipe or tube k, communicating with the water space of one of the boiler
sections B, B', or of the coils C. The boiler and coils may be filled through the
vase or vases, and the vase is partially filled and kept supplied with water.
small cock is fitted to the boiler at the bottom, or to one of the coils for drawing
off the water when it may be desired to empty the boiler and coils. The combined
boiler and coils forming the coil table, are by preference suitably ornamented as is
indicated in figure 1.
A
The combined sectional boiler and coils forming the coil table shown in figures 6
and 7, are similar in construction to that just described. The fire-place is made
considerably narrower, and there are fewer coils, and instead of the series of
projecting tubes b, b', b², there is cast or fitted in each section of the boiler B, B¹, a
cross tube 63, which may be cylindrical or conical, extending from the lower back
part of the water space to the upper front part, across the outlet D from the fire-
place or combustion chamber F. This arrangement is conducive to rapid
circulation of the water through the boiler. The circulating tubes E are also
shown directly connected from the bottom of the boiler sections to the back of the
sections or along by the surface of the brick, instead of into the side coils C. The
arrangement and construction of this coil table does not otherwise differ from that
described in reference to figures 1 to 6. The direction of notion of the water
circulating through the boiler sections B, B', and the coil sections C is indicated
by the arrows. Where the action of the fire is most direct, as on the water space
surrounding the fire place F, the flow of the water is in an upward direction, and in
the coils reinoved froin the direct action of the fire, the How is downwards and
towards the bottom of the boiler,

page_text: The coil table shown in figure 5, is constructed without a fire-place and boiler,
and is designed to be heated by hot water or steam. It consists of a series of
coils C fitted together as described in reference to the coil table shown in
figures 1 to 4 by vertical flange joints round openings C¹ through which com-
munication is established between the water spaces in the coils. The series of
coils C are bound together as already described by means of long bolts I. The
inlet for the hot water or steam is by preference through the bottom of one of the
coils C from a pipe L connected to it, and this inlet pipe is carried up into one of
the sections of the coils C, and a thin tube is fitted into the lower joint openings C'
in that section, so that the hot water may flow directly upwards and not pass
along these communicating passages C at the bottom of the sections. The outlet
for the hot water circulating through the coils, is formed by a pipe L' fitted to any
of the coils C adjacent to the inlet. The inlet and outlet pipes L, L³, are carried
side by side under the coil table, and connected to a boiler outside. When steam
is used to heat the coils C in this arrangement, a steam trap is fitted in connection
with the outlet pipe L. The coil table may be constructed with any number or
size of coils C, and when of small size, the coils may be formed of one or two
vertical tubes connected together. The horizontal connecting water-ways C¹
through the boiler and coils inay be varied in number and arranged otherwise than
as shown in the drawings, by forming one, two, or more joint openings C'at the
_top of each section, and an equal or different number-at-the-bottom.
Figures 8, 9, and 10, illustrate one modification of iny improved sectional-boiler,-
as constructed for heating water for supplying separate hot water tubes, or for
general heating purposes. The boiler is made in two sections B, B¹, connected
together in this example by two flange joints c', c', at the top, and two at the
bottom. These joints are formed as described in reference to the former figures,
and the sections are bolted together by bolts I passing entirely through-the-
sections, and fitted with washers and screw nuts outside. A water-space B², is
formed entirely round the fire-place or fire-chamber F, and partly over the top in
the way of the outlet D which is over the-fire-place. The water spaces of the two
sections are connected together by the opening C at the joints, and for the purpose
of facilitating circulation, a tube or tubes E are fitted to connect the water space
under the fire with that over the fire. An angled grating F¹ is fitted at the
bottom of the fire-place, and may have a hinged or sliding door outside. A
doorway with a sliding door M through which the fuel is fed in, is also fitted over
the top of the fire-place in a conical cap or cowl which also forins the outlet D, and
on the outlet is fitted a vertical or horizontal air regulating or register flap Nas
shown in figures 8 and 9 to serve as a damper, or a sliding or other damper N¹
may be fitted in the outlet. The inner shell of the boiler next to the fire, is
corrugated, the corrugations in two opposite sides being vertical, and in the other
sides by preference horizontal, the object of this arrangement being as far as
possible to prevent the fire caking on the top, and being burnt out hollow
underneath, as might be the case by forming the corrugations horizontally on every
side. To further assist in causing the fuel to sink as it burns out, the fire
chamber F is made wider at the bottom than at the top.
The improved sectional boiler shown in figures 11 and 12 only differs in con-
struction from that shown in figures 8 to 10, in having a greater number of
circulating tubes E, and in having the horizontal corrugations of the inner shell
formed with inclined surfaces at the upper side to facilitate the dropping of the
fuel as it burns. Instead of making the boiler in two sections, it may be made in
three or more, and the number of joints and connecting passages C¹ may also be
varied.
Figure 14 shows one of these improved boilers (detailed in figures 8 to 10 or 11
and 12) fitted in connection with an arrangement of hot water pipes. Small
connecting pipes o and o' are screwed or otherwise fitted into the side of the
boiler B, and are carried and fitted into a deep cylindrical covered vase or vessel V
which is connected by a set of horizontal pipes P to a second vase V'. These vases

page_text: are nearly filled with water which circulates through the boiler, entering it by the
lower connecting pipe o¹, and passing out of the boiler by the pipe o which for the
purpose of promoting circulation is carried right through the vase V, and some
distance into the upper pipe P of the series, as is indicated by the dotted lines.
Figures 15 and 16 show the construction of the corrugated coils C used in the
coil tables illustrated in the Drawings, and figures 17, 18, 19, 20, and 21 show
various sections in which the tubes of the coils C may be formed. While I do not
limit myself to the use of coils with tubes of these sections only, I prefer to use
coils formed with corrugated tubes in order to expose the greatest possible surface
for dissipating the heat of the coils into the apartment in which the coil table is
placed.
I would also point out that I do not use nor claim as new the use of a series of
vertical tubes surrounding a boiler, and connected at the top and bottom by water
boxes common to the series of pipes, but I use in every case tubular coils which
are cast or made in entire separate sections, and fitted with vertical joints, so that
they can be at once connected and bound together to form coil tables, and so that
any of the coils or sections may be readily removed or replaced, or the heating
surface be extended, by simply adding one or more sections.
Having thus described my said Invention and the manner of performing the
same, I have to state that I do not restrict myself to the precise details of the
heating apparatus herein described or delineated, but what I believe to be novel
and original and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the hereinbefore
in part recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The arranging and combining of the parts of sectional hot-water boilers
and coil heating apparatus, substantially in the improved manner heroin described
and delineated.
Second. The construction and combination of a sectional hot-water boiler with a
series of vertical tubular hot-water coils or coil sections arranged and titted
or connected to such boiler, substantially as, or in the manner herein described
in reference to figures 1 to 5 and 7, 8, of the accompanying Drawings.
Third. The constructing, combining, and connecting together of a series of
vertical tubular hot-water or steam coils or coil sections, to form a coil table,
substantially as herein described, in reference to figure 5 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Fourth. The forming or constructing of the coils or coil sections of hot water or
steam beating apparatus of a number of tubes or tubular water spaces connected
at their ends by cross tubes or spaces formed with joint openings, substantially as
herein described in reference to figures, 15, 16, and 17 to 21 of the accompanying
Drawings.
Fifth. The constructing of hot water boilers in two or more vertical sections
combined and connected together by vertical joints, substantially in the manner
herein described in reference to figures 8 to 13 of the accompanying Drawings.
In Witness Whereof, I the said James Keith, have hereunto set my hand
and Seal, this twelfth day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand
Witness
WALLACE FAIRWEATHER C.E.
Patent Agent,
Glasgow.
JAMES KEITH (L.S.)

page_text: a.rin-
FIG. 7.