MENTS IN PREVENTING AND REMOVING DEPOSIT IN STEAM BOILERS AND OTHER VESSELS, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN
Year: 1861

page_text: MENTS IN PREVENTING AND REMOVING DEPOSIT IN STEAM BOILERS AND OTHER
VESSELS, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN."-A communication
from abroad by. Joseph Harrison, of Philadelphia, in the United States
of America.
Sealed the 17th December 1861, and dated the 23rd October 1861.
t
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
23rd October 1861.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the. County. of
Middlesex, and of 166. Buchanan Street, in the City of Glasgow, North.
Britain, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN PREVENTING AND REMOVING DEPOSIT IN STEAM BOILERS AND
OTHER VESSELS, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," a communication
from abroad by Joseph Harrison, of Philadelphia, in the United States of
America; to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a peculiar system or mode of preventing and
removing any deposit or accumulation of mineral, chemical, or other sub-
stances in steam boilers and other vessels liable to such deposits, and to certain
peculiar constructions and arrangements of apparatus to be employed for that
purpose.

page_text: In carrying out this Invention for the prevention of deposit in steam
generators or boilers, it is proposed to apply to the interior of the water space
of the boiler any convenient number of rotating screws or vanes (somewhat
similar to a screw propeller for ships) or spirals, which latter are placed either
inside the tubes when the water is contained therein, or outside the same when
the tubes act as flues, but in all cases the screws or spirals are situate in the
water spaces of the boiler, and are either rotated by the action of the circu
lation of the water and the ascending steam bubbles, or by suitable mechanical
contrivances, their object being by their motion to prevent any matters from
becoming deposited upon the surfaces of the boiler in their immediate neigh-
bourhood, and to keep such matters in a state of agitation and suspension in
the water, so that by frequent "blowing off" the water in the boiler and the
sides of the same may be kept perfectly clean. In the water spaces of
locomotive boilers surrounding the fire-box it is proposed to apply a number
of rotating arms or "spiders" fitted loosely on to the stays, and provided at
their outer ends with cups or chambers, so that the bubbles of steam will be
collected within these chambers, and by their ascent will cause the arms or
spiders" to rotate. and so keep up a constant agitation of the water in those
portions of the boiler. These cups or chambers may also be applied to the
spirals when such spirals are in a horizontal or nearly horizontal position, so
as to facilitate their rotation by the collection of the steam bubbles within
them on one side of the spirals, causing such side to rise whilst the other
descends with the mouths of the cups or chambers upwards, and free from the
bubbles of steam. In some cases a spiral so constructed may be placed in the
water space of a locomotive or other boiler, above the series of tubes or
flues, and by its rotation made to impart a constant to-and-fro sliding or tra-
versing motion (through the agency of suitable mechanical contrivances) to a
series of wire gauzes or perforated or solid metal plates which are interposed
between and rest upon the tube, so as partly to surround the same, and by
their constant friction thereon to remove or prevent any deposit at those parts
of the boiler. The screws, spirals, and spiders" should in all cases be
placed in contact or nearly so with the surfaces of the boiler to be operated
66
upon.
Another mode of preventing deposit consists in the employment of loose
pieces of flint or other hard substances of any kind placed inside the boiler,
and kept in constant motion when the boiler is in action by the circulation of
the water and the ascending bubbles of steam, or by the aid of a rotating
wheel, which would lift them up on one side, and allow them to fall again to

page_text: the bottom on the other side, the wheel being rotated either by the action of
the water and bubbles of steam, or by the application of mechanical power
thereto. .'
Another part of this Invention consists of a peculiar arrangement of
apparatus for removing deposit after it has collected in such thickness as to
hinder the proper action of the boiler. In applying this apparatus to the
cleaning of one of the units of the boiler, for which Letters Patent were
granted to me on or about the 30th day of August, in the year of our Lord
1859, No. 1970, I remove the bolt used for holding the units together at
any point where the boiler requires cleaning. and introduce into the necks of
the units a metal tube having a slot cut transversely through it a short
distance from the end; in this slot is placed a steel or iron plate of a width
equal to the outer diameter of the tube. From a centre midway between the
ends and edges of this steel plate a hole is bored, and from the centre of this
hole is described a circle fixing the length of the steel plate, which should be
rather smaller than the largest inside diameter of the unit, the slot in the tube
being rather longer than the steel plate. Through the hole in the steel
plate and through corresponding holes in the tube a steel pin is inserted
finishing flush at the ends with the outside of the tube, the steel plate turning
freely on the pin to any point needed. Inside the tube, which is enlarged
for the purpose, small connecting links are placed, which pass on each side of
the plate to where another hole is bored. Through this hole, and through
corresponding holes in the links is placed another steel pin serving to connect
the plate and links together. One or more cutters are fitted in suitable
mortices at the ends of the steel plate. The tube may be made of any length
to suit the number of units to be cleaned, and if very long, may be made in
sections for greater facility in handling. When the boiler is opened at any
part for cleaning, the necks of the units are first freed from deposit, so that
the tube may pass through them, and when the tube is in the unit, by drawing
on the links above referred to, the steel plate will turn upon its centre,
causing the cutters to come in contact with the inside of the unit, and remove
the deposit therefrom. If the tube be turned from the outer end by hand or
other power, the cutters, by turning slowly on their centre at the same time,
will clean the whole of the interior of the unit.
In order to facilitate the subsequent removal of the detached powdered
matter, it is proposed. when the units are in a horizontal position, to use a
pipe of nearly the same size as the neck of the unit, and having a flexible end
which dips down to the bottom of the unit and by the employment of any

page_text: convenient exhauster in connection with this pipe, the powdered matter may
be drawn out, but if the units.be in a. vertical position, then the powdered
matter will fall down and escape when the lower cups are taken off.
Should it be desired to clean the units, when filled or partially filled with
water, the powdered matter can be withdrawn with the water by means of a
pump if the units are in a horizontal position, but if vertical the matter
would, of course, escape through the bottoms of the units, without the necessity
for any appliances for its removal.
The appliances herein-before described for preventing deposits in steam
boilers are equally applicable to condensers, water pipes, and other articles or
vessels where the same principles can be used for the prevention of deposit,
and where it is desirable that deposit should be avoided.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
23rd April 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
and of 166, Buchanan Street, in the City of Glasgow, North Britain, Gen-
tleman, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-third day of October, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fifth year of Her reign
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
John Henry Johnson, Her special license that I, the said John Henry Johnson,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
John Henry Johnson, my executors, administrators, or assigns,, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make,
use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PREVENTING AND REMOVING DEPOSIT IN STEAM BOILERS AND OTHER
VESSELS, AND IN THE APPARATUS EMPLOYED THEREIN," a communication from
abroad by Joseph Harrison, of Philadelphia, in the United States of America,
upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said John Henry Johnson,
my executors or administrators, by an instrument in writing under my hand

page_text: and seal, or under the hand and seal of one of them, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great
Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the
date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Henry Johnson, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the fol-
lowing statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and to
the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:--
The said Invention relates to a peculiar system or mode of preventing and
removing any deposit or accumulation of mineral, chemical, or other sub-
stances in steam boilers and other vessels liable to such deposits, and to certain
peculiar constructions and arrangements of apparatus to be employed for that
purpose.
In carrying out this Invention for the prevention of deposit in steam
generators or boilers, it is proposed to apply to the interior of the water space
of the boiler any convenient number of rotating screws or vanes (somewhat
similar to a screw propeller for ships) or spirals, which latter are placed
either inside the tubes when the water is contained therein, or outside the
same, when the tubes act as flues. but in all cases the screws or spirals are
situate in the water space of the boiler, and are either rotated by the action
of the circulation of the water and the ascending steam bubbles, or by suitable
mechanical contrivances moved from the outside of the boiler, there object
being by the motion to prevent any matters from becoming deposited upon
the surfaces of the boiler in their immediate neighbourhood, and to keep such
matters in a state of agitation and suspension in the water, so that by frequent
"blowing off," the water in the boiler and the sides of the same may be kept
perfectly clean. In the water spaces surrounding the fire-box of locomotive
boilers it is proposed to apply a number of rotating arms or "spiders" fitted
loosely on to any desired number of the stays, and provided at their outer ends
with cups or chambers, so that the bubbles of steam will be collected within
these chambers, and by their ascent will cause the arms or "spiders" to
rotate, and thereby remove any deposit forming on the sides by rubbing. in
contact therewith. In some cases a spiral so constructed may be placed. in
the water space of a locomotive or other boiler above the series of tubes
or flues, and by its rotation made to impart a constant to-and-fro sliding or
traversing motion (through the agency of suitable mechanical contrivances)

page_text: to a series of wire gauzes, transverse rods, or perforated or solid metal plates,
which are interposed between and rest upon the tubes, so as partly to surround
the same, and by their constant friction thereon to remove or prevent in a
great degree any deposit at those parts of the boiler. The screws, spirals,
and spiders" should in all cases be placed in contact, or nearly so, with the
surfaces of the boiler to be operated upon.
"
.
Another mode of preventing deposit consists in the employment of loose
pieces of flini or other hard substances of any kind placed inside the boiler,
and kept in constant motion when the boiler is in action by the circulation of
the water and the ascending bubbles of steam, or by the aid of a rotating
wheel, which would lift them up on one side and allow them to fall again to
the bottom on the other side, the wheel being rotated either by the action
of the water and bubbles of steam or by the application of mechanical power
thereto.
Another part of this Invention consists of a peculiar arrangement of
apparatus for removing deposit after it has collected in such thickness as to
hinder the proper action of the boiler. In applying this apparatus to the
cleaning of one of the units of the boiler, for which Letters Patent were
.granted to me on or about the Thirtieth day of August, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine, No. 1970, I remove the
bolt used for holding the units together at any point where the boiler
requires cleaning, and introduce into the necks of the units a metal tube
having a slot cut transversely through it a short distance from the end.
In this slot is placed a steel or iron plate of a width equal to the outer
diaméter of the tube. From a centre, midway between the ends and edges
of this steel plate, a hole is bored, and from the centre of this hole is
described a circle fixing the length of the steel plate, which should be rather
smaller than the largest inside diameter of the unit, the slot in the tube being
rather longer than the steel plate. Through the hole in the steel plate and
through corresponding holes in the tube a steel pin is inserted finishing flush
at the ends with the outside of the tube, the steel plate turning freely on the
pin to any point needed. Inside the tube, which is enlarged for the purpose,
small connecting links are placed, which pass on each side of the plate to
where another hole is bored. Through this hole, and through corresponding
holes in the links, is placed another steel pin, serving to connect the plate and
links together. One or more cutters are fitted in suitable mortices at the ends
of the steel plate. The tube may be made of any length to suit the number
of units to be cleaned, and if very long may be made in sections for greater

page_text: facility in handling. When the boiler is opened at any part for cleaning, the
necks of the units are first freed from deposit, so that the tube may pass
through them, and when the tube is in the unit, by drawing on the links
above referred to the steel plate will turn upon its centre, causing the cutters
to come in contact with the inside of the unit, and remove the deposit
therefrom. If the tube be turned from the outer end by hand or other power,
the cutters, by turning slowly on their centre at the same time will clean the
whole of the spherical interior portion of the unit.
In order to facilitate the subsequent removal of the detached powdered.
matter it is proposed when the units are in a horizontal position to use a
pipe of nearly the same size as the neck of the unit, and having a flexible
end which dips down to the bottom of the unit, and by the employment of
any convenient exhauster in connection with this pipe the powdered matter
may be drawn out, but if the units be in a vertical position, then the powdered.
matter will fall down and escape when the lower caps are taken off.
Should it be desired to clean the units, when filled or partially filled with-
water, the powdered matter can. be withdrawn with the water by means of a
pump if the units are in a horizontal position, but, if vertical, the matter
would, of course, escape through the bottoms of the units without the necessity
for any appliances for its removal.
The appliances herein-before described for preventing deposits in steam
boilers are equally applicable to condensers, water pipes, or other articles or
vessels where the principles can be used for the prevention of deposit and
where it is desirable that deposit should be avoided.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, I shall
now proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose
I shall refer to the several Figures on the Sheet of Drawings hereunto
annexed, the same letters of reference. indicating corresponding parts through-
out all the corresponding Figures.
Figures 1 and 2 of the Drawings represent in vertical and horizontal section
one of the units of the improved steam boiler referred to in the Specification of
a Patent granted to me on or about the Thirtieth of August, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-nine, No. 1970. In the centre of the unit A, is placed a cast
iron or other metal screw or spiral B, which is kept in a central position wtih the
unit, by the bolt C used for holding the units together. This spiral may either be
inserted in sections, so as to be removed at pleasure for cleaning, or it may be
cast inside the unit by inserting it in the body of the core. The outer edges
of the threads of the screw are made to conform to the inside shape of the unit,

page_text: leaving sufficient space for clearance at its outer diameter, and around the
central bolt C, as will allow the screw always to turn freely on its axis in
the manner herein-after described. The action and object of this arrange-
ment is as follows:-When steam is being actively generated in the boiler,
a violent current of steam bubbles and water passes in the direction of the
arrows upwards from the heating surface, and in doing so the screw will be
constantly turned on its axis, which, by its nearness to or occasional touching.
the inside surface of the unit of the boiler, will remove or prevent any great
amount of foreign matter from collecting or being deposited thercon. In
placing a number of the units together in a vertical position, or on any angle
of inclination, it is proposed to connect the screws at the ends by suitable
couplings, thus compelling the screws in the whole column to turn together,
and in this way, the lower parts of the boiler, where there may be but little
circulation, are kept clean, as well as the parts most actively engaged in
generating steam. The upper screws will have power enough to spare for
operating the lower ones, where the latter might possibly lack power to turn
themselves if the screws of each unit were turned separately.
Figure 3 represents a vertical tube as frequently used in marine boilers,
surrounded by water, the heat in this case passing through the tube. Around
the tube A, as high up as deposit may collect, is placed a metal spiral B, as
shewn in the Drawing, just as much larger inside than the outside diameter of
the tube as will enable the spiral to turn at all times freely around the tube,
its weight being supported by a suitable bearing either above or below. It
is obvious that when steam is generated actively around the external surface
of the tube, the spiral will turn with the force of the ascending current, and
it is equally plain that in turning round the tube the spiral will remove or
prevent almost entirely the deposit of any matter upon the outside surface
of the tube. The tubes in this case must. be sufliciently wide apart to enable
these spirals to be introduced, and this may cause a diminution of tube
fire surface, but the conducting properties of the tubes will be greatly improved
by being kept much cleaner, that this will go far at least to compensate for
any loss of surface in the tubes.
Figure 4 shows the same principle applied to the inside of a tube A, when
the water for generating the steam is inside thereof. The action of the spiral
B, in this case when supported by and turning upon a pivot at each end.
whether placed vertically or at an angle or even horizontally is the same,
but when placed horizontally, the spiral must be arranged so that the currents
of steam, or water escaping from one or both ends of the tube tend to turn

page_text: the spiral throughout its whole length, and will thereby prevent the inside
of the tube from being coated with any serious amount of deposit of any
kind.
Figures 5 and 6 represent a perspective view and vertical section of an
arrangement as applied to the prevention and removal of deposit in the water
spaces of ordinary boilers, whether marine, locomotive, or stationary. In this
arrangement, A, A, A. show the stay bolts used for strengthening the sides
of the water space, as usually arranged. On some of the stay bolts I place a
series of "spiders" B. B. each spider being provided with three or four, or
other number of arms of equal lengths. At the outer extremity of each arm, I
form a chamber of such size as may be needed, these chambers being placed so-
as to collect within themselves the bubbles of steam rising in the direction
of the arrows, and on the principle as herein-before explained, cause the spider
to revolve round the stay bolt as its centre. I make these spiders of such
a width as will nearly cause them to touch from the stay bolt to their outer
extremity against the plates on each side of the water space, and thus by
constant turning and rubbing against the deposit that may be collecting, or
against the plates themselves when the boiler is in action, will prevent or
remove any deposit that may collect on the fire surface forming the water,
space. By suitably arranging the sizes of the spiders as shewn in the Drawing
a very small portion of the plates forming the water space will remain un-
touched. As the "spiders" will be in constant motion when the boiler is at work
it is not contemplated that any serious difficulty will occur from deposit collecting
thereon.
According to another mode of availing of the force obtained by the rising
bubbles of steam for the same purpose, as herein-before described, and which
is particularly applicable to locomotive and other boilers as now constructed, I
place above the tubes, partly in the steam space at the top of the boiler, a long
wheel A (Figure 1, Sheet 2) immersed as deeply as possible in the water..
The shaft of this wheel is supported at the ends and turns freely, one end of
the shaft passing through a stufling box B to the outside of the boiler. On
this external end-I place an index hand Ċ to show whether motion is going
on or not inside, or as a means of driving the apparatus by mechanical power
applied to the outside of the boiler. Steam, as it is generated in the boiler.
rising through the water collects on one side in the inverted troughs forming
part of the wheel A, which being lightened by the displacement of the water
previously filling the troughs on that side, is made to turn upon its axis, as in
some of the previously described arrangements. The force acquired by the
'

page_text: revolutions of the wheel is conveyed to a crank D by means of a worm and
wheel at E, such crank having connecting rods F attached thereto, and these
rods being attached at their opposite ends to a lever G and other apparatus,
shown in the Drawing, whereby, when the wheel A revolves, as above described,
motion is given to the lever G, which, vibrating on its fulcrum H, moves a
series of ranges of transverse rods I, I, or of wire gauzes, or perforated metal
plates K, K, (shown more clearly in the perspective view, Figure 2, and trans-
verse section, Figure 3) placed between and on the tubes, and thus, by their
constant movement to and fro when the boiler is in action, deposit will be
prevented almost entirely.
Another mode of cleaning and preventing deposit in a horizontal boiler, or
one placed nearly so, having a circular section at the part to be operated upon,
consists in making use of the rising bubbles of steam to give motion to a set
of arms revolving inside it, and in addition to the mechanical action of these
arms I place in each circular part of the boiler loose pieces of flint or other
substance. These loose pieces of flint or other substances would of themselves
tend in a great degree to remove or prevent deposit when agitated and thrown
about by the active boiling of the water in the boiler, and in some cases I would
prefer to use them alone. But when these loose pieces are used in connection
with the wheel the constant Inrning of the wheel in the boiler, where such a
wheel could be used, would lift up on one side these loose pieces, letting them
fall again to the bottom, and thus by constant rubbing or striking against the sides
or bottom of the circle would aid materially in accomplishing the work aimed
at in the various arrangements and devices described in this Specification.
In all these different plans for removing or preventing deposit I prefer to
avail myself entirely of the force which may be obtained from the currents of
circulation in the boiler, either of steam or water or both elements combined,
for putting in motion these various devices, but I do not mean to confine
myself to this force alone, reserving to myself the right to attach power from
any other source to these or substantially similar apparatus for the purposes
herein set forth. Nor do I intend to confine myself to the use of these several
arrangements and their modifications to steam boilers only, but intend to apply
the same principles of construction and action to the prevention of deposit in
condensers, water pipes, and other apparatus where the same principles can be
used for the prevention of deposit, and where it is desirable that deposit should
be avoided. In all the above descriptions I have referred only to the removal
or prevention of deposit on the surfaces of a steam boiler or other apparatus
in parts or places where such deposit would be objectionable. As these

page_text: arrangements would not remove the deposits from the boiler, but would of
necessity keep them in suspension in the water, or in a powdered or soft state
at the bottom, to which point the heaviest pauicles would usually sink.
repeated blowings off only will be required for removing the deposit, without
the necessity of opening the boiler to clean it.
Figure shews in section one of the units of the improved boiler herein-
before referred to, to which an arrangement is applied for removing deposit
after it has collected in such thickness as to hinder the proper action of the
boiler. In this case I take out the bolt used for holding the units together at
any point where the boiler needs cleaning and introduce into the necks of the
units a wrought-iron or other metal tube A, as shown in section in the
Drawing. At a short distance from the end of the tube I cut a slot trans-
versely through it. In this slot I place a piece of steel or iron B about one
inch thick and as wide as the outside diameter of the tube A. From a centre
midway between the ends and edges of this piece of steel I bore a hole C, and
from this centre I strike a circle, fixing the length of the piece, which is about
one inch smaller than the largest inside diameter of the unit, the slot in the
tube being made rather longer than the steel plate. Through the hole in the
plate and through corresponding holes in the tube a steel pin is driven, finishing
flush at the ends with the outside of the tube. The plate B turns freely on
the pin to any point required. Inside the tube, which is enlarged at that
point for the purpose, I place small connecting links D, which pass on each
side of the plate B to the point E, where another hole is bored in the plate B.
Through this hole, and through corresponding holes in the links, I insert
another steel pin, connecting the plate and links together for the purpose
hereafter to be described. At the ends of the steel plate in a mortice or
mortices place the cutters F, F, one or more on each end. The tube
described may be made of any length to suit the number of units to be cleaned,
and if very long may be made in sections for greater facility of handling. The
operation of the above apparatus is as follows:-When the boiler is opened at
any part for cleaning, the necks of the units are first cleaned of deposit, so that
the tube may pass through them. When the tube is in the unit, by drawing
on the links D at the point G in the direction of the arrow, the plate B turns
upon its centre C, causing the steel cutters to come in contact with the deposit
on the inside of the unit at H, H. If the tube is turned from the end outside,
either by hand or other power, the cutters turning slowly on the centre C at
the same time, the spherical portion of the interior of the unit will be cleaned
of deposit with great certainty and facility, however hard the deposit may be.

page_text: In removing the deposit as above described. I prefer to commence at the far
end of the row of units, if they are horizontal or nearly so, and as fast as any
one unit is cleaned of the deposit on its inside surface, and for the purpose of
removing the powdered matter, I follow up with a pipe nearly the same size
as the neck of the unit, this pipe having a flexible end which dips down to the
bottom of the unit. By the application of a fan or other means at the outside
end of the pipe the powdered matter is drawn out. If it should happen that
it would be better to cut out the deposit with the units full or partly filled with
water, the powdered matter can be withdrawn with the water by a pump.
When the units are vertical the powdered matter falls out of itself when the
lower caps are removed.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect. I would observe, in conclusion, that what I consider to be novel
and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured in me by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,-
1st, the systems or modes of preventing mineral, chemical. or other deposits
in steam boilers and other vessels of a like nature, and for removing such
deposits when formed therein, substantially as herein-before described.
2nd, the general constructions and arrangements of apparatus for preventing
the formation of and removing deposits from steam boilers and other vessels of
a like nature, substantially as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I. the said John Henry Johnson, have to this my
Specification hereunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of
April. One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)