IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Archibald Kennedy Irvine, of Glasgow, in the County
of Lanark, North Britain, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Archibald Kennedy Irvine at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th May 1880.
ARCHIBALD KENNEDY IRVINE, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HEATING WATER, AND FOR
GENERATING STEAM OR VAPOR."
This Invention has for one of its objects the application of hot gaseous products.
of combustion for heating water in an improved and extremely economical manner.
The Invention also comprises improved apparatus for producing steam jets to be
used in the water-heating apparatus, and which is also applicable for generating
steam for other purposes.
The improved water-heating apparatus may be made in various forms, but in
one simple and convenient modification there is an outer double rectangular shell
or casing of tinned plate or other suitable material, having inside of it a series of
horizontal diaphragms or plates which have openings through them at alternate
ends or sides. The water to be heated is first admitted to the space between the
two shells, entering by preference at the bottom, and it overflows thence upon the
top diaphragm from one end of which it descends to the next, and flowing over
each diaphragm in succession it is led off from the bottom one to any suitable
receptacle. The hot gaseous products of combustion are conveniently obtained
from combustible gas or vapor, and by preference by means of an arrangement of
Bunsen or similar burners, in which the gas is mixed with air prior to its
combustion. The burners may be placed beneath the lowest diaphragm, and the
combustion gases passing thence between the several diaphragms in succession
from the lowest to the highest, and acting on the undersides of the diaphragms on
the surfaces of the films of water passing in the opposite direction over the
diaphragms, and on the water dropping from one diaphragm to another.
edges of the diaphragms at the openings are by preference fitted with notched
weirs or equivalent lips, contrived to distribute the water equally as it descends
I Price 671
The

page_text: from each diaphragm to the next lower one, such weirs or lips being made with
points which project below the diaphragms, and are directly under the notches in
the upper edges.
With the arrangement hereinbefore described, and when properly proportioned,
the whole of the heat due to combustion may be communicated to the water, one
result of which is that the requisite current of the gases through the apparatus
cannot be obtained in the manner of an ordinary chimney draught. An important
part therefore of the present Invention consists in producing the requisite current
of the combustion gases without employing an ordinary draught which would
involve the passing off of heat in the upward current. For this purpose, where the
water to be heated is supplied with sufficient head, a jet of it is directed upwards
at the bottom of an uptake tube placed above the uppermost diaphragm. At a
suitable distance above the jet nozzle the uptake tube is formed with a double
conical expansion in the centre of which a deflector is placed, and the water is by
this deflector thrown against the sides of the uptake tube down which it runs in
a thin film. This water jet whilst inducing the desired current in the combustion
gases absorbs from them any remaining excess of heat.
In another modification the current is induced in the combustion gases by a jet of
steam. In this case a tube is carried vertically through the series of diaphragms and
the jet pipe passes up the centre of it, this jet pipe being connected to a horizontal
or inclined pipe immediately over some of the burners. The horizontal or inclined
pipe communicates with one or more pipes in the space between the two outer or
casing shells, these pipes having placed in them wicks or other suitable porous
materials through which the water passes at a slow rate suitable for the formation
of the steam jet. The steam jet may be arranged to throw water spray up or
along the passage through which the gasses pass with the view of producing a
stronger current.
Where motive power is conveniently available the current may be produced by
means of a fan or other mechanical blower.
The improvement herein before described by which the requisite current in the
combustion gases is obtained by means of a jet of water or steam, or by means of
a fan or mechanical blower is. advantageously applicable to any water heating
apparatus in which the heat due to combustion is intended to be completely or
approximately absorbed.
The hot gases employed may be those derivable from combustible gas, or vapor,
or hydrocarbon liquids, or solid fuel.
In the steam-jet apparatus hereinbefore described the wick or porous material
serves to feed the water as required to the part of the pipe in which the steam is
generated, the water being drawn into and along the pipe or pipes by capillary
attraction. This very simple and convenient apparatus may be used for obtaining
jets of steam for various purposes; and in some cases a hydrocarbon liquid may be
substituted for the water, the generated vapor or a part of it being burned as the
source of heat if desired. A number of pipes or tubes having wicks or porous
material in them may be combined together and connected with one or more
steam-generating tubes or vessels, and the steam or vapor generated therein may
be used for motive-power or other purposes. The pipes or tubes having the wicks
or porous material in them, or parts of them, may dip down into or communicate
with the lower part of a vessel containing the supply of liquid; and this vessel
may be open, or more or less closed, the wicks or porous materials being capable of
resisting the tendency of the steam or vapor to force a passage through them.
When a considerable pressure of steam is desired the supply vessel may be of a
proportionate height so as to have in it a head of liquid that will resist the
pressure; or the supply vessel may be closed, suitable provision being made in that
case for renewing the supply of liquid.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Archibald Kennedy Irvine in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
10th November 1880.
ARCHIBALD KENNEDY IRVINE, of Glasgow, in the County of Lanark, North
Britain. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR HEATING WATER, AND
GENERATING STEAM OR VAPOR."
FOR
My said Invention has for one of its objects the application of hot gaseous products
of combustion for heating water in an improved and extremely economical manner.
My Invention also comprises improved apparatus for producing steam jets to be
used in the water heating apparatus, and which is also applicable for generating
steam or vapor for other purposes.
My improved water-heating apparatus may be made in various forms, but in
some modifications the water is made to flow over a series of horizontal diaphragms
in succession, and the gaseous products of combustion or combustion gases pass over
the water.in an opposite direction, and act directly on the water and also on. the
under sides of the diaphragms.
With my improved arrangements (which are hereinafter more fully detailed), and
when the parts of the apparatus are properly proportioned, the whole of the heat
due to combustion may be communicated to the water, one result of which is
that the requisite current of the combustion gases through the apparatus cannot be
obtained in the manner of an ordinary chimney draught. An important part
therefore of my present Invention consists. in producing the requisite current of
the combustion gases without employing an ordinary draught, which would involve
the passing off of heat in the upward current. For this purpose, where the water
to be heated is supplied with sufficient head, a jet of it is directed in a vertical or
other passage through which the combustion gases pass, so as to propel these gases
in the desired direction; and when this jet acts on the gases after they have passed
through the other parts of the apparatus it will absorb from them any remaining
excess of heat.
In other modifications the requisite current is induced in the combustion gases by
a jet of steam, as hereinafter fully explained; or where motive power is conveniently
available the current may be produced by means of a fan or other mechanical
blower. The obtaining of the requisite current in the combustion gases by means
of a jet of water or steam, or by means of a fan or mechanical blower, is advan-
tageously applicable to any water-heating apparatus in which the heat due to
combustion is intended to be completely or approximately absorbed; thus in cases
in which it may be preferred for the combustion gases not to pass much or at all in
immediate contact with the water, the heat may be communicated entirely or to a
greater or less extent through metallic shells, the water passing through pipes or
other ducts subjected externally to the combustion gases, the course of the water in.
this way being comparatively elongated to compensate for the comparative slowness
with which the heat can be communicated in this way.
When a steam jet is used for inducing a current in the combustion gases the jet
pipe is connected to a horizontal or inclined pipe or pipes immediately over some of
the burners when the heat is obtained from gas, or such pipe or pipes may be
otherwise arranged so as to be heated; this horizontal or inclined pipe commu-
nicates with one or more pipes having placed in them wicks or other suitable.
porous materials, through which the water passes at a slow rate suitable for the
formation of the steam jet. The wick or porous material serves to feed the water
as required to the part of the pipe in which the steam is generated, the water being.
drawn into and along the pipe by capillary action. This very simple and convenient
apparatus for obtaining jets of steam or vapor may be used for various purposes;

page_text: thus a number of pipes or tubes having wicks or porous material in them may be
combined together, and be connected with one or more steam generating tubes or
vessels, and the steam or vapor therein may be used for motive-power or other
purposes; and in some cases a hydrocarbon liquid may be substituted for the water,
the generated vapor or a part of it being burned as the source of heat if desirod.
The pipes or tubes having the wicks or porous material in them or parts of them
may dip down into or communicate with the lower part of a vessel containing the
supply of liquid, and this vessel may be open or more or less closed, the wicks or
porous materials being capable of resisting the tendency of the steam or vapor to
force a passage through them. When a considerable pressure of steam is desired
the supply vessel may be of a proportionato height, so as to have in it a head of
liquid that will resist the pressure; or the supply vessel may be closed, suitable
provision being made in that case for renewing the supply of liquid.
And in order that my said Invention and the manner of performing the same
may be properly understood, I hereunto append two Sheets of explanatory
Drawings to be hereinafter referred to, and representing by way of example two of
the various modifications that can be made of my improved apparatus.
Figures 1 and 2, on Sheet 1 of the accompanying Drawings, are transverso and
longitudinal vertical sections of one modification of the apparatus, and Figure 3 is
a vertical section of valve details relating to the supply of water and gas; Figure 4,
on Sheet 2, is a vertical section of a second modification of the apparatus. In these
Drawings the same reference numorals are used to mark the same or like parts
wherever they are repeated.
In the modification of my improved water-heating apparatus, shown on Sheet 1
of the Drawings, the external shell or casing is of an oblong rectangular form in
plan, with vertical sides 5 and ends 6 and a rounded top 7, and is made of thin
copper or other suitable metal, the internal parts being for the most part also made
of the same or similar material. Such of the internal parts as are subjected to
strong heat are by preference united by riveting or seaming, whilst at the lower
parts the external shell is strengthened by internal corner pieces 8 which may be
fixed by brazing or soldering. The sides 5 and ends 6 are near their bottom parts
formed or partly formed by perforated metal or wire gauze 9, through which air for
combustion enters; and beneath these air inlets and forming the bottom of the
apparatus, there is a box 10 for containing water intended to absorb any heat
radiated downwards. This box 10 communicatos with the upper water spaces by
two or more of the corner pieces 8 made tubular for the purpose, one at least of
such communications being made to dip some distance into the box, whilst another
reaches down only to the top to favor circulation through the box. There is an
inner shell made with slightly inclined sides 11 and ends 12, which are fixed at
their bottoms to the sides 5 and ends 6 of the outer shell or casing, their upper
ends being at a little distance inwards from the outer shell, so that they form a
jacket space 13 which is narrow at the bottom and wider at the top. The larger
portion of the water is led by a pipe 14 having a regulating stopcock 15 into the
lower part of this jacket space 13, and overflows from the top of it at one end,
across which a depression 16 is formed. The water in the jacket space 13 and in
the bottom box 10 being always cold or nearly so, not only avoids loss of heat' by
radiation, but also prevents the overheating or burning of anything that may be
accidentally or otherwise in contact with the sides, ends, or bottoms; thus the
apparatus may safely be placed on a wooden support, and it may be touched by the
hand without inconvenience. A draining cock may be fitted to the bottom box 10,
or other suitable part, for entirely withdrawing the water from the apparatus, when
required to avoid freezing or otherwise.
Within the inner shell 11, 12, there are a series of horizontal diaphragms 17, 18,
19, 20, which extend from end to end but not completely across, there being
spaces 21, 22, 23, 24, along one side of each and at alternate sides of the successive
diaphragms. These diaphragms are conveniently formed with vertical ends, and
each with one vertical side, by which ends and sides they are attached to each

page_text: other by riveting, so as to form a connected whole; the uppermost ends and sides
having formed or fixed on them a turned-over strip 25, by means of which they
are hooked upon and suspended from the top edges of the inner shell 11, 12. The
water overflows from the jacket space 13, first upon the top diaphragm 17, whence
it descends near the opening 21 to the next lower diaphragm 18; and in a similar
way
it descends from each diaphragm 18, 19, 20, in succession near the respective
openings 22, 23, 24. Each diaphragm is shaped along the edge which is at its
opening with a double corrugation forming a channel 26 separated by a slightly
raised convexity above the general surface of the diaphragm, the outermost edge
being raised a little higher than such convexity. The bottom of the channel 26
has holes formed in it through which the water descends in a regular manner,
whilst the convexity retains a little water on the diaphragm, and the raised outer
edge prevents the water from going over the edge irregularly as long as the water
is not supplied too quickly. From the bottom diaphragm 20 the water descends
into a channel 27 which communicates with a discharge pipe 28 for leading the
heated water into a bath or other receptacle.
The gas for heating the water is supplied through a stopcock 29 having attached
to it a pipe 30 of a suitable size for conducting a mixture of the gas and air to the
burners, the air being admitted through openings which can be entirely or more
or less covered by an outer tube, 31, having openings in it. The pipe 30 leads the
mixed air and gas to a longitudinal pipe 32 which has fixed to it a series of small
transverse pipes 33, in which last are a number of small holes constituting the
burners. A small door 34 is provided at one end of the shell or casing for lighting
the gas jets, and is made with perforated metal or wire gauze, or with mica or
other suitable material, through which the condition of the gas jets can be observed.
The heat due to combustion acts on the under side of the bottom diaphragm 20,
and the combustion gases proceed through the shower of water descending from
that diaphragm and pass by the opening 24 into the space between the diaphragms
20 and 19, acting on the surface of the water on the diaphragms 20, and on the
underside of the diaphragm 19. In a similar way the combustion gases pass in
Buccession through the several showers of descending water and through the spaces
between the diaphragms, and as the gases gradually lose their heat they have colder
and colder water to act on, so that by the time the gases reach the space above the
top diaphragm 17 the heat of combustion is very nearly if not quite all transferred
from them to the water. As in consequence of this transference of the heat and
the consequent cooling of the combustion gases, the necessary current through
the apparatus cannot be obtained in the ordinary manner of a chimney draught,
such current is by my Invention induced by other suitable means.
In the example
now being described the requisite gaseous current is obtained by means of a jet
formed by a part of the water passing through the apparatus. From the water-
supply pipe 14 a small branch pipe 35 having a stopcock 36 is led to the upper
part of the shell or casing, and has its end directed horizontally a short distance
inside the casing and in the centre of a cylindrical shell or tube 37. The inner end
of the jet pipe 35 is closed over and has three minute holes drilled in it, and a
short tube 38 is fitted on externally, this forming a simple arrangement capable of
easy adjustment, as by moving the tube 38 the water issuing from the holes can
be made to spread in the form of a longer or shorter cone, whichever may be found
to give the best result. A suitable jet, or a series of jets or spray, may be formed
in a variety of other ways, as for example, by placing curved pin points in front of
one or more orifices. The rounded top space of the casing is separated from the
lower part by a horizontal diaphragm 39, an opening 40 being made through it
and through the bottom of the tube 37, through which the combustion gases pass
into that tube. The combustion gases propelled by the water jet along the tube
37 pass from its other end by lateral openings, 41, and thence proceed by spaces
42 at the sides of the tubes 37 to the uptake 43 which last may be made to
communicate with a chimney or the outer atmosphere or not, as may be wished, and
in which also a damper or valve may be fitted for regulating the current. The'

page_text: water of the jet which absorbs any little excess of heat remaining in the combustion
gases passes from the tube 37 into the jacket space 13 by a pipe 44 which.dipa
below the surface of the water in the jacket space to prevent the passing of gasės
that way.
The valve appliance shown in Figure 3 may be used for automatically regulating
the supply of gas in accordance with the quantity of water that is being supplied.
The gas has to pass through a pipe and passage 45 in which there is a valve 46,
kept closed by a spring adjustable by a screw 47. The valve piece 46 extends
down to a rubber diaphragm 48 the underside of which is subjected to the
pressure of the water in a pipe 49 forming the passage for the water between
the stopcock (15) by which the supply is controlled and the heater. When the
water is turned on the pressure in the pipe 49 will correspondingly raise the
valve 46 and allow a proper proportion of gas to pass. Glycerin or mercury or
other suitable substance may be placed above the rubber diaphragm 48 to prevent
the gas from injuring it.
.
When a continuous supply of water heated to a particular temperature is required
a thermometric regulator of any suitable known kind may be fitted in connection
with the apparatus in a manner to be subjected to the heated water, and so as to
act on a stopcock or valve by which the supply of gas is regulated.
The example or modification shown in Figure 4 on Sheet 2 of the Drawings is
of a circular form in plan, and it is shown as fitted with parts for inducing the
requisite current in the combustion gases by means of a steam jet. The inner
shell 11 is cylindrical, like the outer. one 5, and the diaphragmns 17, 18, &c., of an
annular form and made with annular corrugations, whilst the openings 21, 22, &c.,
are alternately near the centre and at the circumferences of the diaphragms. At
the centre there is fixed a vertical tube 50, up through which the combustion gases
can directly pass when the gas is first lighted and until the steam jet gets properly
into action; but this tube 50 is closed by a cover 51 as soon as the steam jet is
strong enough, and then the combustion gases pass through the spaces between the
diaphragms in succession, moving alternately in inward and outward directions.
In this example the gas burner orifices are in two sets of small pipes 33 fixed at
right angles to and on opposite sides of a central pipe 32, and above the burners
there is in a horizontal position a pipe 52, the ends of which are bended down and
communicate with the bottom box 10, whilst from the middle of the horizontal
part a small jet tube 53 passes up the centre of the tube 50. The pipe 52 is filled
or partly filled with a wick or with any suitable porous material through which
water can slowly find its way from the bottom box 10, stopcocks or valves 54 being
fitted to the bent down parts of the pipe 52 for regulating the supply. The heat
acting on the pipe 52 and jet tube 53 produces steam therein, which escapes by a
jet nozzle 55 above. For the purpose of causing the automatic closing of the
cover 51 it is fixed to a short piece 56 forming a continuation of a jet tube 53, this
piece 56 being loosely jointed to a laterally projecting piece 57 fixed or formed on
the upper end of the jet tube 53, whilst a small counterbalance weight 58 is fixed
to the movable piece 56 in a manner to tend to keep the cover 51 in the open
position indicated by the dotted lines. Whenever the steam jet becomes strong,
enough the reactionary pressure on the movable piece 56 overcomes the weight 58
and closes the cover 51. The steam jet may be arranged to act by itself on the
combustion gases. I however prefer to employ it in producing a jet or spray of
water, for which purpose I place a water jet pipe 59 with its lower end dipping
down into the water in the jacket space 13, and with its other end made into a
proper nozzle, placed so as to be acted on in a well known manner by the steam
jet. The steam jet causes the water to pass up the, pipe 59, and as it issues there-
from throws it in spray up the uptake tube or pipe 43, by which the combustion
gases pass off. At some distance above the jet nozzle the uptake tube 43 is formed
with a double conical expansion 60, in the centre of which a deflector 61 is placed, 5
and the water is by this deflector thrown against the sides of the uptake tube 43,
down which it runs in a thin film. The water thrown up in this way, whilst being

page_text: very slightly heated by the steam jet, will prevent any appreciable excess of heat
from passing off in the combustion gases, at the same time that it will induce the
requisite current in these gases. The water dropping from the bottom of the
uptake tube 43 is caught by an annular diaphragm 62 which covers the opening 21,
and from which it will descend upon the upperinost 17 of the other diaphragms.
The water descends from each of the diaphragms through holes in the bottom of
the channel 26 forming one of the corrugations, and in each case the one nearest
the opening into the next lower space.
When the requisite current in the combustion gases is obtained by means of a
jet or jets of water or steam, it is desirable to fit at some convenient part through
which the water or steam passes a strainer of wire gauze or other suitable material
to stop the passage of particles which might choke the jet orifices. When a fan or
mechanical blower is employed to move the combustion gases, it may be worked by
a turbine or the like, actuated by water passing through the apparatus. As, tho
gaseous products of combustion are comparatively heavy when cold, this circunstance
may be availed of for assisting the current by arranging the final outlet passage for
the gases so as to lead them in a downward direction; and the jet or a simple
shower of water, with or without a head, may act downwards on the gases in such
passage. Instead of imparting motion to the gases as they are leaving the apparatus,
the air for combustion may be blown or forced in by a jet or fan, or otherwise, at a
suitable rate.
The hot gases employed in my improved water-heating apparatus may be those
derivable from combustible gas or vapor or hydrocarbon liquids or solid fuel. When
combustible gas is used it may have air mixed with it before it is ignited, or it may
be burned in the same way as for illuminating purposes. In many cases the waste
or residuary heat of gaseous combustion products from fires, mainly serving other
purposes, may be utilised for heating water by being passed through my improved
apparatus; and as my improved apparatus so completely transfers to water the
heat of gases passing through it, it may be conveniently used for measuring the
heat of waste gases, or for testing and measuring the heat obtainable by various
processes, arrangements, or apparatus for producing it.
Having thus particularly 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 herein described or delineated, but that what I believe to be novel and
original, and claim as the Invention secured to me by and in terms of the
hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is,—
1. The arranging or combining together of the parts of apparatus for heating
water, substantially in the improved manner hereinbefore described with reference
to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying Drawings.
2. The arranging or combining together of the parts of apparatus for heating
water, substantially in the improved manner hereinbefore described with reference
to Figure 4 of the accompanying Drawings.
3. The constructing of water-heating apparatus with a series of diaphragms over
which the water flows in succession in one direction, whilst combustion gases pass
in the opposite direction between the diaphragms and immediately over the surface
of the water, the parts being arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore
described.
4. The constructing of water-heating apparatus with a jacket-space (13) and
bottom box (10), in which the water is always cold or nearly so, and undesirable
communication of heat from the apparatus thereby prevented, substantially as
herein before described.
5. The use of a jet or jets of water or steam, or a fan or mechanical blower, for
causing a sufficient current in the heating gases, combined with arrangements
whereby the whole or a large part of the heat of the gases is transferred to the
water, the apparatus employed being arranged and operating substantially as
hereinbefore described.

page_text: 6. The automatic regulating valve herein before described with reference to
Figure 3 of the accompanying Drawings.
7. The apparatus for producing steam or vapor to form a jet or jets, or for other
purposes, such apparatus consisting essentially of a pipe or pipes, heated externally
by gas flames or otherwise, and from one part or parts of which the steam or vapor
is led away, whilst the water or other liquid is supplied thereto at another part or
parts through wicks or porous materials which regulate its flow whilst exerting
capillary action on it, substantially as hereinbefore described..
In witness whereof, I, the said Archibald Kennedy Irvine, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and eighty.
Witness,
EDMUND HUNT,
Patent Agent,
Glasgow.
A. K. IRVINE. (L.S.)