IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM GENERATORS
Year: 1875

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Gedge, of No. 11, Wellington
Street, Strand, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM GENERATORS."-A communi-
cation from abroad by Louis François Désiré Dufour, of Compiègne
(Oise), France.
Sealed the 4th April 1876, and dated the 5th October 1875.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward
Gedge at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his
Petition, on the 5th October 1875.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD GEDGE, of No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM GENERATORS,"
a communication to me from abroad by Louis François Désiré Dufour,
of Compiègne (Oise), France, to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to the construction of generators with interior
fire-place, inner and outer return or backward circulation of flame, tank,
and force pump for feeding.

page_text: I will first describe the construction of a smoke-consuming tubular
generator, vertical or horizontal, with inner fire-place and return of
flames in several cylinders, as illustrated Sheet I. of the accompanying
two Sheets of Drawing.
G, indicating first cylinder; G³, second cylinder; G", third cylinder; {
H, pipe by which the water above the fire-place communicates with
that in the second cylinder, and the steam produced in greater quantity
around the fire-place than around the tubes, thus having a natural
escape, will not demolish the fire-place; F, fire-place; T, tubes in
cylinders. The flame from the fire-place F goes by the tube of the first:
cylinder G into the first smoke box C, from whence it passes through
the tube of the second cylinder G¹ into the second smoke box, from
whence it passes by the tubes of the third cylinder G" to the chimney O';
O³, chimney of sheet iron or of brick; P", smoke-consuming fire-place
in which coke is burnt, and above it is a tube D, through which gas is
brought over the fire lit in the fire-place P". In order that this gas coming
in contact with the heat disengaged by the coke in burning may burst
into flame and then kindle the smoke within the second box C¹ to burn
all that is combustible in the smoke and quicken its circulation.
Only one smoke consuming fire-place is shown on the Drawing, but it
will be evident that several might be used one to each smoke box if
desired, and also that it might be dispensed with. This reservation
applies to all generators made according to this Invention, whether
vertical, horizontal, or locomotive, whatever may be the number of
cylinders or their position.
The Drawing shows (Sheet I.) only three superposed cylinders, but it
will be understood that I may make generators with four, five, or as
many more cylinders as may be desired, whether superposed or not, this
Invention consisting in the return or circulation of the flame in several
cylinders.
B, feed tank, which may surround the chimney or be placed within
it. The water within it is heated by the caloric still in the smoke when
it passes into the chimney. This tank may be closed hermetically or be
surmounted by a tube, which will permit the escape of steam into the
air, or even into the tank R. The tank B feeds the generator by means
of a force feed pump E, with improved valves forming part of this
Invention, and with a dial cock serving to regulate the feed and make
it continuous. This pump is placed below the level of the water in the

page_text: tank. Placing the pump below the water level is an important point, for
thus placed it may feed the boiler with water at any temperature even in
pressure. The valves are slightly concave on both sides. The side from
which the water arrives is furnished with rods, which preserve the
natural position of the valves.
R, another feed tank receiving the waste steam of the works by means
of simple tubes, or better still, a worm, as shown on the Drawing. The
waste steam escapes naturally into this tank, which is not entirely open,
but has at the top an open tube, by which the steam escapes into the
air, so that there may not be in the tank any pressure which might
prevent the entrance of the escape steam. This tank might also, if
desired, be completely open. It is this tank which feeds the tank B.
If the tank B is hermetically closed there must be placed beneath the
water level of the tank R a pump in every respect similar to that used
to feed the generator. It is by means of this pump that the tank B
will be fed. If the tank B is open, or has simply an open tube at the
top, it may be fed by a tube to be opened more or less by means of a
cock similar to that of the pump, because there being then no pressure
within the tank B it will be fed naturally by the tank R placed above
it. It both cases the feed will be constant, because the feed cock will
serve in both cases.
The cylinders are in communication with each other by one or several
pipes properly supported. S, supports.of generator; M, ordinary brick-
work; M', fire-brick; P, door in front of cylinder G, and through
which it is cleaned; P', similar door to the preceding in front of
cylinder G". In front of cylinder G", and on the same side as the other
doors, is a door analogous to the preceding.

page_text: This Invention, as applied to locomotives and portable engines,
whether smoke consuming or not, but with interior fire-place and return
or backward circulation of flame in several cylinders, is illustrated
Sheet II. of the accompanying two Sheets of Drawing.
F, fire-place; T, oylinder tubes. The flame passes from the fire- {
place F through the tubes of the first cylinder G into the smoke box D,
from whence it goes by the tubes of the second cylinder G¹ into a second
smoke box, which communicates directly with the chimney. The
chimney is divided into two branches passing on opposite sides of the
generator, and reuniting into one shaft where the smoke is to escape to 1
the atmosphere. R, feed tank enveloping a part of the locomotive, and
in which are the two branches of the chimney. S, tube by which
the waste or escape steam go to the smoke box D, and thus serve
to quicken the draught.
Above the water level of the tank R is a force feed pump, in 1
every respect similar to that herein-before described, but which may,
however, be either vertical or horizontal.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Edward Gedge in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 4th April 1876.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD GEDGE, of No. 11, Wellington Street, Strand, in the County
of Middlesex, Patent Agent, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Fifth day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in
the thirty-ninth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and suc-
cessors, give and grant unto me, the said William Edward Gedge, Her
special licence that I, the said William Edward Gedge, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William
Edward Gedge, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any
time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times
thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
ย

page_text: Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM GENERATORS," a communication
to me from abroad by Louis François Désiré Dufour, of Compiègne
(Oise), France, upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the said
William Edward Gedge, my executors or administrators, by an instru-
ment in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
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 William Edward Gedge, 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 following statement :-
-
This Invention relates to the construction of generators with interior
fire-place, inner and outer return or backward circulation of flame, and
with tank and force pump for feeding.
Sheet I. of the accompanying three Sheets of Drawing illustrates a
generator embodying this Invention, and termed tubular smoke-con-
suming generator, with novel inner fire-place and return of flame in
several cylinders.
V, main door of fire-place, which permits cleaning the tubes of the
first cylinder; V³, small door, which, made in the larger one, permits
the introduction of the fuel into the fire-place; F, fire-place; B, boiler
tubes, which forming circle constitute the fire-place; K, pipes con-
necting the boiler tubes; Vu, door at bottom of fire-place to facilitate
the cleaning; E, two pipes by which the water in the boiler tubes B is
in communication with that in the first cylinder. G, D, pipe by which the
second cylinder G is in communication with the boiler tubes B; a, blow-
off cock; G, superposed tubular cylinders; G', tubular cylinder, which is
not at all in communication with the second cylinder G, and beneath
which there is nothing but steam; b, steam dome; I, tube through which
steam passes from dome & into cylinder G. In-passing-through-this tube
the steam is dried or surcharged a great deal, and therefore expands con-
siderably. Gu, vertical tubular cylinder, in which there is only steam;
d, tube placing the cylinder G³ in communication with the cylinder GH;
-m, first-steam gunge, by the aid of which the pressure of the saturated
1.
-

page_text: or moist steam in the dome 6 may be ascertained; m³, second pressure
guage, by means of which the pressure of the dry or surcharged steam
in cylinder G" is ascertained; T, cylinder tubes; c, smoke boxes;
U, doors which permit the cleaning of the generator; H; smoke-
consuming fire-place, in which coke is burnt. This fire-place will be
constructed of sheet iron, of copper, or other suitable metal or material,
will be surrounded by water, and communicate with the second cylinder
by two pipes. h, tube through which gas is led over the coke burning
in the fire-place H.; the lower end of this tube is provided with a rose ;
O, tube placing the first cylinder in communication with the second;
O', two cast or wrought iron supports, on which the cylinder G rests;
L, feed pipe of boiler; M, tubular feeding tank, in which steam is pro-
duced; J, tube through which the steam from the generator is intro-
duced into the tank M; thus there is the same pressure in the tank M as
in the boiler. The tank M then naturally feeds the generator on the
principle of the water level. Q, second tauk, the water in which, heated
by the waste steam, feeds the tank M by the aid of the pump P placed
beneath the level of the water in the tank; P, force pump with novel
valves; Q, main water tank, in which is condensed the waste steam
escaping from the tank Q by the pipe S; S¹, tube which permits air to
‘enter the reservoir Q'; R, cocks with dial, by means of which a constant
Sand S

page_text: and safety apparatus would be placed on the cylinder G. I reserve the
right of applying this system to locomotives.
The boiler of the locomotive will be composed of two or three
cylinders arranged as follows:-One large cylinder and two small
cylinders above it, or a large cylinder and another large cylinder above
it. When the steam superheating arrangement is applied the top
cylinder will not be in direct communication with the first, and it will
be full of dry steam, which will reach it by a tube analogous to the
tube I shown, Sheet I. When cylinders only are used, whether supe-
posed or not, all the cylinders will be in direct communication. The
safety apparatus will be on the top cylinder.
I reserve the right of using my smoke-consuming fire-place with my
locomotive boiler, and with any kind of boiler.
I will now describe the construction of a smoke-consuming tubular
generator, vertical or horizontal, with inner fire-place and return of
'flame in several cylinders, as illustrated Sheet II. of the accompanying
'three Sheets of Drawing.
1
G, indicating first cylinder; G', second cylinder; G", third cylinder;
H, pipe by which the water above the fire-place communicates with that
in the second cylinder, and the steam produced in greater quantity
around the fire-place than around the tubes, thus having a natural
escape, will not demolish the fire-place; F, fire-place; T, tubes in
cylinders. The flame from the fire-place F goes by the tubes of the
first cylinder G into the first smoke box C, from whence it passes through
the tubes of the second cylinder G³ into the second smoke box, from
whence it passes by the tubes of the third cylinder G" to the chimney C³.
.C³, chimney of sheet iron or of brick; P", smoke-consuming fire-place,
in which-coke is burnt, and above it is a tube D, through which gas is
brought over the firo lit in the fire-place P". In order that this gas
coming in contact with the heat disengaged by the coke in burning may
burst into flame and then kindle the smoke within the second
box C³, to burn all that is combustible in the smoke and quicken its
circulation.

page_text: vertical, horizontal, or locomotive, whatever may be the number of
cylinders or their position.
The Drawing (Sheet II.) shows only three superposed cylinders, but
it will be understood that I may make generators with four, five, or as
many more cylinders as may be desired, whether superposed or not, this
Invention consisting in the return or circulation of the flame in several
cylinders.
B, feed tank, which may surround the chimney or be placed within
it. The water within it is heated by the caloric still in the smoke when
it passes into the chimney. This tank may be closed hermetically or be
surrounded by a tube which will permit the escape of steam into the
air, or even into the tank R. The tank B feeds the generator by means
of a force feed pump E, with improved valves forming part of this
Invention, and with a dial cock serving to regulate the feed and make
it continuous. This pump is placed below the level of the water in the
tank. Placing the pump below the water level is an important point,
for thus placed it may feed the boiler with water at any temperature,
even in pressure. The valves are slightly concave on both sides. Tho
side from which the water arrives is furnished with rods, which preservo
the natural position of the valves.
R, another feed tank, receiving the waste steam of the works by
means of simple tubes, or better still, a worm, as shown on the Drawing.
The waste steam escapes naturally into this tank, which is not entirely
open, but has at the top an open tube, by which the steam escapes
into the air, so that there may not be in the tank any pressure which
might prevent the entrance of the escape steam. This tank might also,
if desired, be completely open. It is this tank which feeds the tank B.
If the tank B is hermetically closed there must be placed beneath the
water level of the tank R a pump in every respect similar to that used
to feed the generator. It is by means of this pump that the tank B
will be fed. If the tank B is open, or has simply an open tube at the
top, it
may bo fed by a tube to be opened more or less by means of a
cock similar to that of the pump, because there being then no pressure
within the tank B it will be fed naturally by the tank R placed above
it. In both cases the feed will be constant, because the feed cock will
serve in both cases.
The cylinders aro in communication with cach other by one or several

page_text: pipes properly supported; 8, supports of generator; M, ordinary brick-
work; M², fire-brick; P, door in front of cylinder G, and through
which it is cleaned; P¹, similar door to the preceding in front of
cylinder G". In front of cylinder G" and on the same side as the
5 other doors is a door analogous to the preceding.
The vertical generators are exactly like the horizontal generator above
described, excepting that the cylinders, instead of being superposed, are
placed following each other. The third cylinder, serving as steam
reservoir, will be raised above the others.
I reserve the right of superheating the steam in either vertical or
horizontal generators.
This Invention, as applied to locomotives and portable engines,
whether smoke consuming or not, but with interior fire-place and return
or backward circulation of flame in several cylinders, is illustrated
Sheet III. of the accompanying three Sheets of Drawing.
F, fire-place; T, cylinder tubes. The flame passes from the fire-
place F through the tubes of the first cylinder G into the smoke box D,
from whence it goes by the tubes of the second cylinder Ginto a
second smoke box, which communicates directly with the chimney O.
The chimney O is divided into two branches, passing on opposite sides
of the generator, and reuniting into one shaft, whence the smoke is to
escape to the atmosphere. R, feed tank enveloping a part of the loco-
motive, and in which are the two branches of the chimney. S, tube by
which the water or escape steam goes to the smoke box D, and thus
serve to quicken the draught.
Above the water level of the tank R is a force feed pump, in every
respect similar to that herein-before described, but which may, however,
be either vertical or horizontal.
I have shown on the Drawing only two superposed cylinders, but it
will be understood that I may make locomotives or portable engines
with as many cylinders as I may desire, whether superposed or otherwise
placed

page_text: It will be evident that I may use the smoke-consuming fire-place
of this Invention in locomotives and portable generators as well as in
fixed generators, and more than one such fire-place, or that it may be
dispensed with.
I would here observe that the method of construction of these
improved vertical or horizontal fixed generators and the mode of con-
structing locomotive and portable generators are applicable to vessels of
war and other steam vessels, whether navigating seas, rivers, or canals.
The spaces between the cylinders may be filled with brickwork or any
suitable material.
To sum up, I claim principally the arrangement of the smoke-
consuming fire-place and the return or backward circulation of the
flame in several cylinders, whether superposed or not.
In witness whercof, I, the said William Edward Gedge, have
hereunto set my hand and scal, this Third day of April, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
six.