IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM GENERATORS STEAM GENERATORS
Year: 1869

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Newton, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM GENERATORS."-A
communication from abroad by John Benjamin Root, of the City
and State of New York, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Newton
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition,
on the 7th April 1869.
I, WILLIAM EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM GENERATORS,"
to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to steam boilers or generators which are made
up of a group of tubes arranged in direction of their length over the
fire-place, and preferably set at a slight inclination from the horizon.
The fire plays around or on the outside of the tubes, which form steam

page_text: and water spaces, and are connected at their ends with a series of heads
of square or parallelogramic shape on their edges and form when com-
bined the ends of the boiler. Each tube is connected by return passages,
pipes, or bends at both or opposite ends of the boiler with the tubes
lying immediately above and below it.
The Invention consists, firstly, in arranging the tubes and their square
or parallelogramic heads so that the fire is restrained from passing
directly upwards between the tubes, and a more tortuous or effective
action of the heated gaseous products of combustion is secured thereon.
The heads of the several tubes are also made to break joint, and
spaces are left round the margin or margins of the combined heads
to facilitate the scraping or cleaning of the exterior surfaces of the
tubes.
Secondly. The Invention consists in a combination with the tubes
(arranged as described with their heads or ends) of return pipes or
bends made not only to connect each tube with the one immediately
above and below it at both or opposite ends of the boiler, but arranged
to occupy an oblique or diagonal position, whereby increased facility
is afforded for contraction and expansion without breakage of the
joints.
Thirdly. The Invention consists in a combination with a boiler of the
character herein-before referred to of a lower drum arranged on the
outside of the end bearing or support to the boiler, and connected with
the lower tier of main tubes for the collection of mud or sediment
outside of or beyond the fire chamber, whereby every facility is
afforded for detaching the drum when necessary either for cleaning
or repair.
Fourthly. The Invention consists in constructing hollow caps or
outside connections with the tubes so that their parallelogramic heads
break joint, and the fire has its course diverted in passing through
between them, so that each tube at its opposite ends is not only con-
nected with the tube or tubes lying immediately above and below it, but
also with the tube or tubes lying in the same horizontal plane or to the
side of the same, thereby establishing a free circulation horizontally as
well as vertically, so that cross tubes or drums to secure horizontal
circulation are dispensed with. To effect this result each of the hollow
caps is formed with triangularly arranged openings surrounded by
annular lips made to fit correspondingly shaped sockets in each of the

page_text: three adjacent tube heads, a series of such hollow caps being thus
arranged outside of the heads, and secured to the latter by bolts and
clamps, each of which latter is constructed to bear or bind on three of
the caps.
Fifthly. The Invention includes a novel construction of fire-bridge
wall, and consists in making it of independent plates arranged to encircle
in a separate manner cach tube, and formed in sections to facilitate
removal of a tube without detaching it from its head.
Sixthly. The Invention consists in constructing hollow side walls
made up of hollow heads of parallelogramic configuration on their edges
similar to the tube heads, and connected with the latter and with each
other by hollow caps of the description herein-before referred to, whereby
not only is an increased fire surface and water space provided, but a
vertical and horizontal circulation is kept up all around the boiler with
a convenient and safe construction of the same.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Edward Newton in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 7th October 1869.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane, in
the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Seventh day of April, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, in the thirty-
second year of Iler reign, did, for Ierself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Edward Newton, Iler special
licence that I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Edward Newton,
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 Great Britain and
Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
" IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM GENERATORS," being a communication to me

page_text: from abroad by John Benjamin Root, of the City and State of
New York, United States of America, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said William Edward Newton, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument 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 Newton, 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, reference being had to the Drawing
hereunto annexed, and to the letters and figures marked thereon (that
is to say):
This Invention relates to steam boilers or generators which are made
up of a group of tubes arranged in direction of their length over the
fire-place, and preferably set at a slight inclination from the horizon.
The fire plays around or on the outside of the tubes, which form steam
and water spaces, and are connected at their ends with a series of heads
of square or parallelogramic shape on their edges and form when
combined the ends of the boiler. Each tube is connected by return
passages, pipes, or bends at both or opposite ends of the boiler with the
tubes lying immediately above and below it.
The Invention consists, firstly, in arranging the tubes and their square
or parallelogramic heads so that the fire is restrained from passing
directly upwards between the tubes, and a more tortuous or effective
action of the heated gaseous products of combustion is secured thereon.
The heads of the several tubes are also made to break joint, and spaces
are left round the margin or margins of the combined heads to
facilitate the scraping or cleaning of the exterior surfaces of the tubes.
Secondly. The Invention consists in a combination with the tubes
(arranged as described with their heads or ends) of return pipes or bends
made not only to connect each tube with the one immediately above and
below it at both or opposite ends of the boiler, but arranged to occupy
an oblique or diagonal position, whereby increased facility is afforded for
contraction and expansion without breakage of the joints.

page_text: Thirdly. The Invention consists in a combination with a boiler of the
character herein-before referred to of a lower drum arranged on the out-
side of the end bearing or support to the boiler, and connected with the
lower tier of main tubes for the collection of mud or sediment outside
of or beyond the fire chamber, whereby every facility is afforded for
detaching the drum when necessary either for cleaning or repair.
Fourthly. The Invention consists in constructing hollow caps or outside
connections with the tubes so that their parallelogramic heads break
joint, and the fire has its course so diverted in passing through between
them that each tube at its opposite ends is not only connected with the
tube or tubes lying immediately above and below it, but also with the
tube or tubes lying in the same horizontal plane or to the side of the
same, thereby establishing a free circulation horizontally as well as
vertically, so that cross tubes or drums to secure horizontal circulation
are dispensed with. To effect this result each of the hollow caps is
formed with triangularly arranged openings surrounded by annular lips
made to fit correspondingly shaped sockets in each of the three adjacent
tube heads, a series of such hollow caps being thus arranged outside of
the heads, and secured to the latter by bolts and clamps, each of which
latter is constructed to bear or bind on three of the caps.
Fifthly. The Invention includes a novel construction of fire-bridge
wall, and consists in making it of independent plates arranged to encircle
in a separate manner each tube, and formed in sections to facilitate
removal of a tube without detaching it from its head.
Sixthly. The Invention consists in constructing hollow side walls made
up of hollow heads of parallelogramic configuration on their edges
similar to the tube heads, and connected with the latter and with each
other by hollow caps of the description herein-before referred to, whereby
not only is an increased fire surface and water space provided, but a
vertical and horizontal circulation is kept up all around the boiler with
a convenient and safe construction of the same.
In the accompanying Drawings, Fig. 1 represents a longitudinal
vertical section of a steam generator constructed in accordance with the
first, second, and third parts of the Invention; Fig. 2 is an end view
thereof; and Fig. 3 a transverse section of the same in part illustrating
the arrangement of the tubes; Fig. 4 represents a front end view of a
steam generator constructed in accordance with the fourth and fifth
parts of the Invention; Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section thereof;

page_text: Fig. 6 is a face or end view on a larger scale of one of the heads of
which the end or ends of the generator are composed; Fig. 7 is a
transverse section of the same; Fig. 8 is an inner face view of one of
the hollow end caps used to establish the circulation; Fig. 9 is a face
view of one of the bridge wall plates detached; and Fig. 10 is a
transverse section of the generator in part illustrating the construction
of the bridge wall; Fig. 11 is a front end view of a steam generator
similar as regards its general features to that shewn in Fig. 4, but
shewing only certain of the hollow caps, and constructed with hollow
side walls, as more clearly shewn in Fig. 12, which is a horizontal section
through the line x, x, in Fig. 11.
Referring in the first instance to Figures 1, 2, and 3 of the Drawings,
A, A, represent the tubes which mainly form the water spaces or steam
and water spaces of the boiler or generator. These tubes, of which there
may be any suitable number, are arranged to lie in a zig-zag manner
one above the other, as shewn in Fig. 3, and are preferably set to
occupy slightly inclined positions to the horizon with flue or air spaces
around each of the tubes. This oblique or diagonal arrangement of the
tubes secures a tortuous and most effective action of the fire and heated
gases on the outsides of the tubes, and also causes the heads or parallelo-
gramic blocks B, B, (into which the tubes are screwed or fitted) to break
joint, as shewn in Fig. 2. This arrangement of the tubes and their
heads leaves gaps or openings b, b, around the margins of the combined
heads (which latter form close ends to the boiler) for the insertion of
proper implements between the boiler and its casing or setting to scrape
or clean the tubes on their outsides, suitable doors being fitted to the
gaps or openings to close them when required. When the tubes A, A,
are made of cast metal the heads B, B, may be cast with them. To
secure the desired circulation and action connection is established
between the tubes, so that either one of the intermediate tubes is in
communication both with a tube lying next above and another lying
next below it at both or opposite ends of the boiler. This is shewn as
effected by means of return pipes or bends C, C, and apertures a, a,
made in or through the heads B, B, the same being so arranged as to
give to the return pipes or bends reverse oblique positions or directions
across the ends of the boiler. By thus employing oblique return pipes
or bends as connections between the tubes increased facility is afforded
for their contraction and expansion, both vertically, horizontally, and in

page_text: various directions, together with the tubes, without straining or breaking
their joints, or fit in the heads. The return pipes or bends may be fitted
at their ends in the heads by annular sockets 6', 6', made around the
apertures a, a, and having india-rubber or other soft and elastic packings
c, c, inserted within them, each return pipe or bend connecting the upper
aperture a of one head with the lower aperture a of an adjacent head to
the tubes lying above and below each other. The return pipes or bends
are secured or held to their places by clamps d, d, lapping over or on
lugs e, e, and fastened by nuts and stud bolts f, f, connected with the
heads C, C, and the clamps are preferably so constructed and arranged
as that either one serves to bear or hold on two of the return pipes or
bends. The upper row of tubes A, A, may be connected with a steam
drum D, and the lower row thereof with a mud drum E by elbows J, g.
This mud drum is arranged outside of the end bearing or support to the
boiler, and consequently away from the fire, so that the water in it will
be free from ebullition, and the sediment will thereby be allowed to
collect or deposit itself. Such outside arrangement of the drum E also
facilitates detachment when necessary for cleaning or repair in case of
injury by frost or otherwise.
Referring in the next instance to Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of the
Drawings, A', A', are the tubes which form the water spaces or steam and
water spaces of a boiler. These tubes, of which there: may be any suitable
number, are arranged to lie in a zig-zag manner, as represented by dotted
lines in Fig. 4, and are preferably set to occupy slightly inclined positions
to the horizon. This diagonal arrangement of the tubes secures a
tortuous and most effective action of the flame and heated gases on the
outsides of the tubes, and also causes the heads or parallelogramic
blocks B', B', into which the tubes at their ends are screwed, or with
which they are otherwise connected, to break joint, as represented in
Fig. 4. D' is the fire-place of or to the boiler, and G'is the smoke escape
flue. To secure the desired circulation and action connection is established
between the tubes at their ends, so that either one of the intermediate
tubes is in direct communication with adjacent tubes lying above,
below, and to either or both sides of it, thus establishing a free circula-
tion and return action both up and down and horizontally, or in every
direction as it were, at both or opposite ends of the boiler, and rendering
unnecessary upper and lower cross pipes or drums at the ends of the
boiler to secure horizontal circulation. This is shewn as effected by

page_text: means of hollow caps E', E¹, fitted to lie against the heads B', B', and
formed with diagonally arranged openings c¹, c¹, c¹, on their inner
faces.
Each head B has three similarly arranged openings d', d', d',
through it in communication with the tube A¹ to which the head is
fitted, and the hollow caps E¹, E', are so arranged over the faces of
the heads or ends of the boiler as that the several apertures c¹, c¹, c¹,
in each of the caps communicate respectively with one of the apertures d'
in the head of an upper tube and a similar aperture d in the heads of
each of two lower and adjacent side tubes, thus establishing a free
horizontal as well as vertical circulation and return action at both or
opposite ends of the boiler. These hollow caps E¹, E', may be fitted in
or to the heads by annular lips e¹, e¹, e¹, arranged to surround the aper-
tures c¹, c¹, c¹, and made to fit annular sockets f', f, f', surrounding
the openings d¹, d', d', in the heads. India-rubber rings or other soft
and elastic packing are inserted in the sockets if desired to make close
the joints. To secure or hold the hollow caps E¹, E', to their places
triangular clamps F, F, are used, fastened by nuts and stud bolts g', g',
connected with the heads B', B', each of the clamps being so arranged
that it binds or holds on three of the caps at their adjacent corners.
The bridge wall in rear of the fire-place may be disposed as represented
or otherwise, or there may be more than one, but as here arranged it
serves to secure first a front upward and afterwards a back downward
draught, which is established in connection with the escape flue G¹ by
means of a series of separate plates H', II', of parallelogramic form,
so that combined they form a wall, and each of the plates is made to
encircle or receive through it a tube A'. This construction of the bridge
wall forms a ready mode of fitting and taking apart or of taking out and
putting in a single tube without disturbing the rest. In order that these
operations may be done without removal of the heads or blocks B', B',
from it, each plate His made in sections fitted together by dovetail
joints m', m', Fig. 9, or otherwise secured in a readily detachable manner
which admits of them being taken from off the tube, and so allows of the
passage of the latter with the head plates or blocks on it through the
boiler. Such provision will be found of great advantage both as regards
replacement and changing the relative positions of the tubes (that is, an
upper for a lower one and so forth), also in renewing sections of the
bridge wall, and if desired of varying the position of the latter by a
different disposition of plates H', H', along the tubes.
In Figures 11 and 12 the main or general features of the steam gene-

page_text: rator are similar to those shewn in Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10,
subject to the following alterations and additions:-The main
tubes A2, A3, are similarly arranged, as are also the parallelogramic
heads or blocks B, B2, at the ends of the boiler, but these heads or end
blocks into which the tubes A2, A3, screw are made hollow, and similarly
disposed heads B³, B' are made to enclose the sides of the boiler, thus
dispensing with brick walls and extending the fire surface and water
space of the boiler, also establishing circulation all around the boiler, as
well as vertical and horizontal circulation, by means of triangular
hollow caps E, E, applied alike to the end blocks B, B, and to the
side blocks B³, B³, at their openings d, d², d³, d³, each of the hollow caps
both at the ends and sides of the generator connecting the opening
through the one head or block with the openings through adjacent heads
or blocks, as described with reference to Fig. 4. By this combination of
side blocks with the end heads or blocks the gaps left in the margins of
the ends of the generator are closed, and the whole boiler is walled in by
a series of parallelogramic blocks, which by reason of their separate
character facilitate construction or repair of the boiler and adds to its
safety.
Having now described the Invention which has been communicated to
me by my foreign correspondent, and having explained the manner of
carrying the same into effect, I claim as the Invention secured to me by
Letters Patent as aforesaid,-
First. The zig-zag arrangement of the tubes A, A, with their square
or parallelogramic heads B, B, disposed as herein set forth so as to break
joint.
Second. The combination with the tubes A, A, and heads B, B, of
the oblique return pipes or bends C, C, arranged to connect each inter-
mediate tube with one above and below it at both or opposite ends of
the boiler.
Third. The combination with the tubes A, A, and their heads B, B,
of the lower drum arranged on the outside of the end bearing to the
boiler and connected with the lower set of tubes, as and for the purpose
or purposes herein set forth.
Fourth. The tubes A', A', arranged as described and made to com-
municate with each other at their ends by means of return connections
forming independent attachments to the ends of the boiler or blocks

page_text: composing the ends, and so disposed that either one of the intermediate
tubes is in direct communication with adjacent tubes lying above, below,
and to either or both sides of it, as set forth.
Fifth. The combination with the tubes A', A', and heads or end
blocks B', B', (having triangularly arranged openings d', d', d', in
them) of the hollow caps E¹, E', provided with similarly arranged
openings o¹, c', c', disposed to connect with the apertures in the heads
of adjacent tubes, as shewn and described.
Sixth. The hollow caps E¹, E', fitted to the heads or end blocks B¹, B',
of the tubes A', A', and secured by clamps F, F, whereby each clamp
serves to bear or bind on three adjacent caps.
Seventh. The fire-bridge constructed of independent plates H', H',
arranged to encircle the tubes A', A¹, and of parallelogramic form on
their outside edges to constitute when combined a cross or dividing wall,
as described.
Eighth. The fire-bridge or bridge wall made up of plates H', H',
formed in sections united in a detachable manner to allow of the passage
of the tubes with the heads B', B', on them into and out of the boiler.
Ninth. The combination with the tubes A2, A3, and heads or end
blocks B, B2, of the side heads or blocks B³, B³, having connection
established between them by hollow caps C², C², as specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Newton have here-
unto set my hand and scal, the Seventh day of October, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine.