Improvements in Steam Generators.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Jan., 1892-Accepted, 6th Feb., 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Generators.
1, WILLIAM SKIDMORE BRANSOM, residing on Sheridan Street, between
7th Street and Sherman Avenue, in the City of Washington, District of Columbia,
United States of America, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The objects of my invention are-
First, to provide a generator quick and rapid in action and steady in operation,
in which steam may be generated in the shortest time and with the greatest
economy of fuel.
Second, to provide a portable generator compact in form and occupying a
minimum of space in proportion to its generating capacity.
To these ends, the invention consists in the construction and arrangement herein-
after fully described and particularly defined and pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawing, which illustrates my invention and forms a part
of this Specification,
Fig. 1 illustrates a vertical section through the generator in the transverse plane
indicated by the dotted line a-x in Fig. 2.
Fig. 2 represents a horizontal section on the plane of the broken line y-y
in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 represents a view similar to that of Fig. 1 of a modified form of generator
with an enlarged steam chamber and with double coils to provide increased heating
surface.
Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the plane of the broken line 2-z in Fig. 3
looking upward.
Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on an enlarged scale through the pipe connections
and the cock for controlling the circulation of water through the coils the admission
of feed water and the blow-off outlet.
A designates the outer shell of the generator made of suitable sheet metal in
the form of an upright cylinder, closed at the top by a cap a, and having a
bottom a¹ with a central opening therein. This outer shell forms the combustion
chamber and corresponds with the fire-box of the ordinary generator. Centrally
arranged within the cylinder or shell A is a second vertical cylinder B closed at
the top and bottom and of such size as to leave an annular space between it and
the walls of the cylinder A for the reception of one or more coils of pipe.
extends from the top of the cylinder A down to within a short distance of the
bottom thereof, its lower end being directly over the opening in the bottom. This
interior cylinder forms the water and steam chamber, as will be hereinafter more
fully explained.
It
C designates a vertical coil of pipe disposed in the annular space between the
two cylinders A and B the upper end of said coil being connected with and
opening into the cylinder B towards the top thereof and the lower end extending
out through the shell A near the bottom and connecting with a four-way cock D
from which a branch pipe E leads back through the wall of the shell A into the
lower part of the interior cylinder B whereby communication is established
between the upper and lower parts of the cylinder B through the coil C, the
cock D and the branch pipe E.
F designates the water-supply pipe which is connected with one of the branches
of the cock D to supply water to the generator from any suitable source of supply
(not shown). The cock may be so arranged as to open communication either

page_text: between the supply pipe and the coil C or between the supply pipe and the
The latter is preferable.
branch E.
G designates a burner for hydro-carbon, which burner may be of any preferred
construction adapted to the particular variety of hydro-carbon used.
prefer to
use the variety known as gasoline, and therefore show in the drawing the ordinary
gasoline burner.
It will be understood that I may use other kinds of fuel and that I show a
hydro-carbon burner merely for purposes of illustration and description.
The burner is located in the opening in the bottom a¹ and for the purpose of
confining the flame and heat and directing the same into the combustion chamber A
I fit the opening in which the burner is located with a short depending tube or
flange H which surrounds the burner and directs the flame and heat into the
chamber A through the space between the bottom a¹ and the bottom of the
cylinder B.
The operation of the apparatus thus described is as follows:-Water having
been admitted from the supply pipe through the cock D, either by way of the
branch pipe or directly into the coil C, until the water chamber B is filled to the
height of the coil, or slightly above the same, the burner is started the flame and
heat passing into the chamber A and up and around the coil C. The heat being
more intense at the bottom near the burner, the water, in the lower coil will be
heated faster than that in the upper coils. As soon as the water in the lower coil
begins to heat, it rises into and through the upper coils and is discharged at the
top into the chamber B, the colder water in the chamber passing through the
branch E and cock D into the lower coil to replace the heated water as fast as it
rises. Thus a continuous circulation is maintained, more or less rapid, according
to the intensity of the heat, which is regulated by the amount of fuel consumed.
When steam is generated, it passes along with the water and is discharged into
the chamber B where it rises above the surface of the water into the upper part of
the said chamber which forms also the steam chamber. A. steam pipe I connected
with the steam chamber through the top of the combustion chamber conveys the
steam to the cylinder or engine (not shown) which may be of any preferred style
or construction.
'
d designates the safety-valve and e, the steam gage which may also be of any
preferred construction.
The form of generator illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawing differs from
that shown in Figs. 1 and 2 in the following respects: The lower part of the
cylinder or chamber B is smaller relatively to the size of the combustion chamber A
so as to provide a wider annular space for the reception of a double coil of pipe
and the upper part which constitutes the steam chamber is enlarged to provide
greater steam space. Evaporation is of course more rapid in a double than in a
single coil, and hence a larger steam chamber is required.
As represented in the drawing, the two coils C C¹ run around in opposite
directions, one towards the right and the other towards the left, though this is
immaterial as both coils may run in the same direction.
The upper ends of both coils connect with the chamber B as in the case of the
single coil, while their lower ends project out through the wall of the chamber A
and are connected outside of the same by a pipe connection C" which establishes
communication between the two coils. The water supply pipe F is connected at
one side and the branch pipe E at the other, a single branch thus serving for both
coils, the water from the coil C passing through the coupling C to the branch E
and through the latter into the water chamber as already explained, while the
water from the coil C¹ passes directly into and through the branch with that from
the coil C.
J designates the blow-off pipe connected with one of the branches of the cock D;
by a proper manipulation of the cock the water in the chamber B and coil or coils
may be blown off through this pipe.
I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact arrangement here

page_text: shown and described as the same may be varied without changing or modifying the
operation and I reserve and claim the right to make such variations and alterations
within the scope of the invention shown and described.
I have stated above that the cock D may be so arranged as to open communication
either between the supply pipe and the coil C or between the supply pipe and the
branch E. It will of course be understood from the description of the operation
that when the feed water is introduced into and through the coil the circulation of
water in the generator will, for the time being, be interrupted, and that the cold
water introduced at the top will reduce the temperature at that point to such a
degree as to produce condensation of steam in the steam chamber.
For this reason
it is preferable to feed the cold water into the bottom of the chamber B. Of
course when first starting the generator it is immaterial at which point the water
is introduced.
It is customary in steam generators to use a force pump for pumping water into
the boiler or water chamber. While I show no pump it is to be understood that I
contemplate the use of one whenever the pressure from the source of supply is
insufficient for the purpose.
As above stated I contemplate the use of either solid or liquid fuel and reserve
the right to make such changes within the scope of the invention described as may
be necessary to adapt the apparatus to the use of any particular kind of fuel.
For the reason that it is less bulky relatively to a given heat-producing power,
more conveniently used and withal cheaper than solid fuels, I prefer to use the
variety of hydro-carbon known as "gasoline" and I therefore show in the drawing
an apparatus adapted to the use of this preferred fuel.
It is well known that the chemical composition of this substance is such that it
vaporizes readily and burns with a perfect combustion without draft leaving no
residuum to be deposited upon the pipes or boiler and hence avoiding the necessity
for frequent cleaning. I am thus enabled to use a combustion chamber open only
at the bottom for the admission of air to support combustion and to confine, retain
and utilize all the heat evolved except the small amount lost by radiation and by
this means to increase or augment the evaporating capacity of a given quantity of
fuel. This also enables me to reduce the size of the apparatus without reducing
its capacity, whereby an economy of space is effected.
From the foregoing it will be understood that whatever variety of fuel I may
use, whether liquid or solid, I dispense with the usual draft flue, the flame or heat
being generated in or introduced at the bottom of the combustion chamber, and
the products of combustion, whatever they may be, discharged at the same point.
To more effectually confine and retain the heat the walls of the combustion
chamber may extend down further relatively to the bottom of the water chamber
and coils, than represented in the drawing, this being merely a matter of degree
which will not affect the principle of operation but will increase the efficiency of
the apparatus.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a steam generator, the combination of a combustion chamber open only at
the bottom, a water and steam chamber within the combustion chamber with an
annular space between the two, a vertical coil of pipe in said annular space
connected at both ends with the water chamber and a water supply or feed pipe
connected between the coil and the water chamber and arranged to admit water
into said chamber either through the coil or through the lower connection,
substantially as shown and described.
2. In a steam generator, the combination of a combustion chamber open only at
its lower part, a water and steam chamber within said combustion chamber with
an annular space between the two, a coil of pipe in said annular space connected

page_text: at both ends with the water chamber, and a water supply pipe connected with the
lower end of said coil, substantially as shown and described.
3. In a steam generator, the combination of a combustion chamber, a water and
steam chamber within said combustion chamber with an annular space between the
two, a vertical coil of pipe in said annular space its upper end connected with the
upper part of the water chamber and its lower end projecting out through the wall
of the combustion chamber and returning through the same and connected with
the lower part of the water chamber and a water supply pipe connected with said
coil outside of the combustion chamber, substantially as shown and described.
Dated this 5th day of January 1892.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.