Im- PROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES AND BOILERS
Year: 1860

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Daniel Kinnear Clark, of 11, Adam Street, Adelphi,
in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "Im-
PROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES AND BOILERS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Daniel Kinnear Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
31st March 1860.
I, DANIEL KINNEAR CLARK, of 11, Adam Street, Adelphi, in the County
5 of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of the said
Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES AND BOILERS," to be as
follows:-
My Invention consists in new and improved apparatus for heating the feed
water of steam boilers for the combustion of coal and other fuel without
smoke, for the better absorption of heat, for drying and superheating steam,
and for condensing steam, parts of which Invention are respectively applicable
to other purposes.
First, as to my improved feed water heater. The water to be heated is
brought into forcible and immediate contact with the steam just as it leaves
the nozzle. The nozzle may be of any form. The heater may be worked by
means of a double-action pump to supply and withdraw the water. Self-acting
pet valves opening and closing with the strokes may be placed on the feed
pumps to promote their regularity of action. Means of varying the areas of
entrance for the water and the steam into the heater, or otherwise regulating
their quantity and force, may be provided. The water may be heated in

page_text: successive stages in one or more heating chambers. The whole of the exhaust
steam may thus be condensed to atmospheric pressure.
In another form of heater, the steam and the water is discharged upon a
perforated surface, and the steam mixes with and drives the cold water through
the apertures.
In surface water heaters I cause the steam to advance helically or other-
wise by deflection to impinge upon the condensing surface.
My improvements in the combustion of fuel and the prevention of smoke
are, first, for the purpose of damping or otherwise managing the fire, by pro-
viding means of using inducting steam jets with or without the introduction of
air. For this purpose air dampers are so applied as not to interfere with the
use of the steam jets. Ordinary steam jets alone introduced through hollow
stays, or otherwise, without air may be applied for damping the fire or other
uses.
Second, I employ jets of steam to deflect air introduced through the door-
way, or otherwise over the surface of the fuel.
Third, I employ induction steam jets in combination with arches or dia-
phragms in the fire-box, to distribute the air under the arch.
Fourth, to improve the draft through the grate I place the bars tranversely
to the draft to intercept and deflect the current upwards, I also use transverse
deflecting plates. Another method is to induct the whole of the air that
passes through the grate from below it.
To economise waste heat, I baffle, distribute, and impinge the hot gases by
means of jets of steam acting across or against the currents within, or at the
exit from the flues.
I superheat steam by causing it to pass helically or otherwise in one or more
tubes or pipes, or chambers, otherwise formed so as to impinge against the
heated surfaces. One means of doing so is by helical fins within the pipes.
I also cause the hot gases to traverse or impinge upon the surfaces by similar
contrivances in annular passages, or by jets of steam, or by diverted currents.
I apply the principle of suctional and impinging action to condensers for
steam engines in the same manner as in the feedwater heater already
described.
For surface condensers the condensing water is forcibly impinged and
circulated upon the exterior surface.
The foregoing processes for heating feed water and for the treatment of
steam, are applicable for heating water or other fluids for other purposes, and
for condensing or heating other gases.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, iled
by the said Daniel Kinnear Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 29th September 1860.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, DANIEL
KINNEAR CLARK, of 11, Adam Street, Adelphi, in the County of Middlesex,
send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty, in the twenty-third year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
Daniel Kinnear Clark, Her special licence that I, the said Daniel Kinnear
Clark, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said
Daniel Kinnear Clark, 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 "IM-
PROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES AND BOILERS," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said Daniel Kinnear Clark, my executors or adminis-
trators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their
bands 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 Daniel Kinnear Clark, do hereby
declare the nature of my 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 accompanying Drawings,
that is to say-
My Invention consists in new and improved apparatus for heating the feed
water of steam boilers, for the combustion of coal and other fuel without
smoke, for the better absorption of heat, for drying and superheating steam,
and for condensing steam, parts of which Invention are respectively applicable
to other purposes.
The Invention relates first, to improvements on my feed water heating
apparatus described in my Patent dated April 1st, 1859, No. 813, acting by
the forcible intermixture of currents or jets of water and steam brought into
direct contact. The vent for steam is made of equal or nearly equal section

page_text: with the beating tube or chamber. The water to be heated is introduced
above the steam nozzle, and it proceeds in a thin sheet or current round it,
when it is brought into forcible and instant contact with the steam just at or
as close as is practicable to the point of the nozzle, where the suctional and
impinging action of the steam is sharpest and most effective. The steam nozzle
may be round, or it may be annular, square, oblong, or otherwise formed, ex-
posing more extended surfaces of contact for the mixture of the steam and the
water to be heated. The heater may be placed upright or horizontal, or in
any other suitable position. The conduit or passage for the hot water being
suitably formed to preserve and transmit the impetus given to the water by
the steam, hot water pumps are thus assisted by the momentum of the water
in keeping the fang. For the same purpose the hot water suction pipe may
be made wholly or partly of india-rubber or other elastic material, or an
elastic reservoir may be connected to the pipe to compensate the pulsations or
alternate action of the pump. Though the action of the steam, whether from
the boiler or from the exhaust pipe, in propelling the water, is specially
useful to aid hot water pumps in taking the fang, it is also applicable in
aiding feed pumps generally to take the fang. To prevent the choking of the
heater by surplus water, a ball-cock, float, or other means of regulation, as
adjustable conical orifices, may be applied to the delivery water pipe, the
supply from which is adjusted according to the level of the hot water by
means of the ball or float in the heater or cistern in connection with it. Over-
flow orifices, or syphon or waste pipes, may be used for the same purpose.
The heated water may be stored in a cistern, tank, or compartment of a tank,
from which it may be pumped into the boiler at intervals, when occasional
feeding is preferred to continuous feeding. The heater may be worked by
means of a double-action pump, one end dealing with the cold water, and the
other end with the hot water. Double pumps, centrifrugal pumps, or injec-
tors, may be similarly used. Such means are also available when necessary
to force the water into the heating chamber against the pressure of the steam,
or on the contrary, pumps may be used to withdraw the heated water in
condensing engines, and deliver it to the boiler, or into the atmosphere as
required. Means of varying the areas of entrance for the water and the steam
into the heater may be provided. Two or more heating chambers may be
combined, so that the water to be heated may pass from one to another suc-
cessively, and receive successive additions of heat from the steam, or the water
to be heated may be introduced at successive stages in one heating chamber.
The whole of the exhaust steam may be economised in this way, thus affording
a supply of hot water for other purposes besides feeding the boiler. The

page_text: system is applicable also for economizing the surplus steam of boilers which
usually blows off at the safety valves.
In another form of heater, the steam and the water are discharged upon a
perforated surface, and the steam mixes with and drives the cold water through
the apertures. The foregoing improvements and adaptations are applicable to
the methods illustrated in my Patent of 1859, No. 813.
In surface water heaters I cause the steam to advance helically or other-
wise as by alternate deflection, to impinge upon the heating surface. The
heater may be cylindrical, rectangular, or otherwise formed. The water sur-
rounding it may be caused to circulate or impinge against the heating surface
by helices, ribs, or other contrivances, with the aid of pumps if needful. The
steam space may be annular, with deflecting helices or diaphragms, and
internal and external heating surfaces. The heater may consist of a number
of pipes or compartments.
2. Improvements in the combustion of fuel and the prevention of smoke.-
In order to increase the command of the furnace either by damping or by
stimulating the draft and the combustion or otherwise regulating the furnace,
the supplies of steam and air described in my Patent, dated November 30th,
1857, No. 2976, may be regulated and applied independently of each other.
The steam nozzle pipe is enclosed in a box, chamber, or recess, attached to or
forming a portion of the fire-box or furnace with one or more valves or slides
to admit or shut off the supply of air, whilst the jets of steam issue freely. By
this means the draft may be increased or dimished according to the method of
applying it, and the fire may be damped or stimulated at pleasure and
smoke prevented. In locomotives for example excessive pressure and waste of
steam are prevented in waiting at stations, when steam plays above the fuel so
as to check the draft of air through the grate. In stationary, marine, or other
furnaces similarly arranged, illustrated in my Patent of 1857, No. 2976, valves
may readily be applied to the air chambers. The draft and the generation of
steam also are increased and smoke prevented by the use of one or more
powerful jets of steam directed into the throat of the furnace clear above the
fuel; air may be inducted with the steam, or if air is otherwise supplied the
steam may be used without such inducted air. The throats of such furnaces
may be made circular or oval, or otherwise formed or restricted, and sufficiently
deep to induce the best action for draft so as to act like a steam blower in a
chimney. An ash-pit damper may be used in conjunction with this system.
Draught may also be stimulated by the erection of one or more bridges or
partitions beyond the fire-place in the flues, with suitable openings through them
for the inducing action of jets of steam.

page_text: Secondly, in order to deflect currents of air introduced into deep furnaces
through the doorway or through tubular or otherwise constructed doors or
other openings, as in locomotive furnaces, jets of steam are introduced at or
near the entrance or entrances for air, thus aiding or in some cases superseding
inclined or baffle plates or doors or other such contrivances for deflecting and
distributing air in furnaces.
Thirdly, the draft of air through the fire-grate in ordinary furnaces is
improved by placing the fire-bars transversely to the direction of the draft in
the ash-pit so as to intercept and deflect the current upwards, or transverse
deflecting plates or surfaces may be placed beneath the grate for the same
object.
Another method of improving the draft through the grate is to close
the ash-pan or ash-pit, except at a number of openings in the ordinary
bottom of the ash-pit or in a false bottom beneath the grate fitted with
dampers, through which air is to be admitted and projected upwards through
the grate by means of jets of steam; by this means inferior fuel may be burnt
with advantage, and the fire-bars are kept in good order.
3. To reduce the quantity of waste heat usually passing off into the chimney
the hot gases are partially baffled and distributed and detained in the flues by
discharging jets of steam across or towards the ends of the flue tubes of
multitubular boilers or within the flues when of sufficiently large diameter.
The steam may be taken direct from the boiler or from the exhaust, and may
be directed against the currents of hot gases or radially against the surface of
the flues or as a ring of jets so as to cause the gases to impinge against the
heating surfaces.
4. The method of drying and superheating steam is on the principle of
forcible impingement by directing the steam against the drying and superheating
surface so as to impinge upon it and accelerate the absorption of heat from it,
thus promoting the separation and evaporation of water carried over in the
steam and the superheating of the steam. The hot gases of the furnace also
may be directed upon the superheating surface to accelerate the absorption of
heat. In the ordinary steam pipe or in a passage of any form or a number of
pipes or tubes through which the steam is to be passed for the purpose, helical
or winding fins are constructed to direct the steam centrifugally against the
surface of the pipe and to deposit water in the steam upon it, in order to dry
and superheat the steam. With annular steam passages which may be fitted
with helices, the hot gases may be passed helically through the inner cylinder,
which may be either separate or may form a part of the flue or the chimney.
The same result is obtained by arrangements of alternating discs or diaphragms

page_text: within and without the steam pipe or by delivering jets of steam of higher
pressure into the steam pipe to agitate the current, or by agitating the steam
by means of a fan or other contrivance within the pipe or chamber, or by
impinging the hot gases against the steam pipe by means of jets of steam.
The superheating pipes or vessels may be placed in the furnace or the flues of
the boiler, or treated in a special flue or a separate furnace in the same manner
and on the same or similar arrangement to any of the various methods that
have been proposed or practised for superheating steam in pipes or passages.
A part only of the steam used may be thus superheated to be mixed with the
other steam. The steam superheated for this purpose, also the steam of higher
pressure before mentioned, may be derived from a separate or auxiliary boiler.
Heated air or other gas may for the same purpose be mixed with steam.
Another method is to enclose the superheating chamber within a jacket of
steam of higher temperature or a jacket of boiling oil, or to place a pipe or
vessel of such steam or oil within it. The helices may consist of one, two, or
more fins or webs on one axis, of coarser or finer pitch as required to suit the
size of the passage, and they may be in short lengths in juxtaposition. The
helices or diaphragms may be made with or without central spindles, or may
be cast or fitted into the passages, or they may be made with a slight clearance
from the sides of the passage or from the bottom only to leave a gutter for
precipitated water to be evaporated or to be drawn off by a tap. The interior
surface of the pipe or passage may be ridged or roughened so as to catch and
detain moisture and increase the effect of impingement on the steam. The
water and the hot gases may move in the same or contrary directions. Helices,
diaphragms, or agitators may be employed in the steam passages in order to
check priming by separating water from the steam, independently of any
superheating process.
5. The fifth improvement consists chiefly in applying the principle of
suctional and impinging action to condensers. The steam is exhausted into
one or more passages into which water is introduced forcibly by pumps, by
gravitation, or by suction at successive stages, into direct and forcible contact
with the steam for its complete and effectual condensation by a process similar
to that already described for heating feed water. The first portion of the
heated water being hottest may be collected separately for feeding the boiler or
for other purposes. In surface condensers the condensing water may be
forcibly impinged and circulated upon the exterior surface by a process similar
to the above in order to accelerate the process. In tubular condensers the
steam within the tubes may be conducted by alternate diaphragms as in super-
heating steam or feed water heating already described. The method of surface

page_text: condensation may supplemented by the method of direct mixture above
described, so that the greater portion of the condensed steam may be separated
unmixed with the condensing water to feed the boiler or for other purposes.
The foregoing processes for heating feed water and for the treatment of
steam are applicable for heating water or other fluids for other purposes, and
for condensing or heating other gases.
The annexed illustrations exhibit various forms and applications of my
Invention.
Fig. 1 shews my improved feed water heater, in which a is a branch from
the exhaust pipe or passage; b, the steam nozzle in the chamber c, into which
cold water is delivered from the pipe d, and flows in a thin sheet round the
nozzle into the heating tube or passage e, where it is impinged on and mixed
with the steam from the nozzle, and thence delivered into the chamber f
whence it flows through the pipe g to a reservoir or cistern or direct to the feed
pump. The nozzle and heating passage are detailed in Fig. 1^.
The heating
passage may be long or short as desired. Fig. 2 shews a variety in which the
lower part of the chamber is gradually contracted so as to preserve and
transmit the velocity of the projected water and assist the feed pump. The
nozzle b is adjustable in the cover of the chamber c, to regulate the water way
into the heating passage e. In Fig. 3 the heating passage e is extended to the
bottom of the chamber f, with openings for the circulation of water and steam.
Figs. 4 and 5 shew the heating passage and chamber in one piece. Figs. 6,
7, shew the application of an oblong or flat nozzle; Figs. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, are
compact adaptations suitable for a locomotive engine, to which Figs. 12, 13,
show an application, in which the letters of reference are the same as for
Fig. 1. In Fig. 14 the heater is applied to a tank locomotive, shown in cross
section, where g is the tank. In these cases the heater is placed above the
highest level of water in the tender or tank that the heated water may flow freely
from the heater, but it may be placed anywhere below the level of the water in
the tank, in which case the supply of water to the heater, by gravitation, aided
by pumping, if necessary, is regulated by a float or ball on the surface of the
heated water acting on a cock or valve by any of the ordinary and obvious
arrangements for doing so. The hot water cistern may be formed of a com-
partment of the water tank when applied to a locomotive, whether with
or without a tender. In Figs. 15, 16, the steam and water are delivered
upon a perforated surface, through which the water is driven. Fig. 17 shews
an application of the feed water heater to a stationary engine, in which his
the exhaust pipe, and steam is taken by the branch a to the heater, the
remainder of the steam being discharged by h into the atmosphere or the con-

page_text: denser. Figs. 18, 19, shew a surface water heater with alternating diaphragins
to direct the steam from side to side, and the water to be heated is directed
against the surface by fins on the sides of the water chamber. Fig. 20
shews a surface heater, in which the steam is conducted helically through the
heater.
Figs. 21 and 22 shows the ordinary application heretofore of my system of
smoke prevention in burning coal by steam inducted currents to locomotive
boilers, in which a, a, are the air tubes, &c., in two rows, one in front and one
in the back; b, b, the steam pipe, with a steam nozzle to each air tube. An
air tube, with the steam pipe and nozzle, are shown in section Fig. 23.
Fig. 24 shows the steam pipes enclosed in a chamber, fitted with a damper to
regulate the air supply without affecting the steam. Figs. 25, 26, shew the
application of the enclosure to another arrangement of air tubes in locomotives.
Figs. 27 to 37 shew various adaptations of one or more deflecting jets of
steam round, flat, or sprayed to direct and distribute air admitted through the
doorway or otherwise into the fire-boxes of locomotives. In all of these the
supplies of steam and air may be regulated independantly, doors, valves, or
slides being applied to the air passages. Figs. 38, 39, 40, 41, shew the jets
of steam in conjunction with hoods, baffle plates, or inclined tubes in or about
the doorway to aid in the deflection of air there admitted into the furnace.
The inclined tubes may form part of the door. Figs. 43, 44, shew one
powerful jet of steam discharged over the fire into the throat of the furnace to
prevent smoke and increase draft. In Fig. 45 the steam pipe is enclosed in
an air tube, by which it is preserved from the fire. In Figs. 46, 47, the jet of
steam is discharged from the back of the bridge through a second bridge. In
Figs. 48, 49, 50, the ash-pit is closed in front, and the supply of air to the
grate is obtained through upright tubes or passages through the bottom of the
ash-pit, urged by induction jets to force the air through the bars. Fig. 51
shows fire-bars applied transversely to an ordinary locomotive furnace to assist
the draft through the grate by intercepting the air. Fig. 52 shows a few of
the fire-bars at intervals made deeper. Fig. 53 shows transverse deflectors
applied to the ordinary longitudinal bars.
Figs. 56 to 60 show various applications of helices and diaphragms in steam
pipes or passages to dry and superheat the steam by impinging it against the
heated surfaces of the pipes. Fig. 61 shews a drying and superheating steam
pipe in a flue of a stationary boiler, with deflecting ribs or diaphragms in the
flue to direct the hot gases on the steam pipe. Fig. 62 shews an application
to a marine boiler, the superheating pipes a, a, being placed in the smoke-box

page_text: framed into the boxes b, b, b. The steam pipe c conducts steam from the
boiler to the middle box, whence it passes through the heating pipes to the
outer boxes, and thence to the engine. Thus a much less area of superheating
surface is requisite than when the heating pipes are plain. Figs. 63 and 64
shew an application to a locomotive boiler, the steam pipe being carried and
returned through two or more large flue tubes. In another way the super-
heating pipe may be carried through or across the fire-box. Fig. 65 shows a
heating flue inside the steam pipe, with a helix in the steam space so con-
verged as to direct the steam upon the inside pipe or flue. A helix may be
placed in the flue tube to direct the heat to the surface. Figs. 66, 67, shew a
faggot of small superheating tubes proceeding from or terminating in one large
pipe. Figs. 68, 69, show forms of agitating apparatus by revolving fans or
screws to separate the water and superheat the steam. Fig. 70 shows an
application of high-pressure jets of steam for the same purpose.
Fig. 71 shows a form of condenser, in which the central tube or passage is
made with annular openings to admit sheets of water, which meet and
condense the steam as it enters the tube. Fig. 72 shows a surface condenser,
in which the cold water is impinged in sheets, or otherwise, on the surface.
Fig. 70 A shows a perforated tube within the steam pipe in my superheating
process to collect precipitated water. Fig. 70 B shows a supplementary pipe a
for the same purposes.
For surface condensers the same forms may be
adopted as have been described for surface feed-water heaters, and vice versa.
Having now described my Invention, I may explain that I do not intend to
confine myself to the precise arrangements or details herein-before described
and illustrated, as many variations may obviously be made therefrom without
departing from the nature and objects of the Invention, and I do not consider
it necessary to enter into further details, many of which have been illustrated
in my previous Patents Specifications; I believe to be new, and therefore
claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent, according with and having reference to the descriptions herein-
before contained, and the illustrative Drawings therein referred to and annexed,
is as follows:-
First, the improvement of my feedwater heating apparatus, by bringing the
water in thin sheets or currents round the steam nozzle into forcible and
instant contact with the steam at or close to the point of the nozzle.
Second, the method of heating feedwater by discharging the steam and the
water upon a perforated surface, through which the water is driven by the
force of the steam.

page_text: Third, the method of heating feedwater by means of surface heating vessels,
through which the steam is passed and impinged on the bounding surfaces,
and the absorption of its heat is accelerated.
Fourth, the separate regulation and supply of steam and air in my system
for the combustion of fuel in furnaces, for the better management of the
furnace.
Fifth, the application of one or more powerful jets of steam directed above
the fuel into the throat of the furnace, or through bridges in the flues, for the
prevention of smoke and the increase of the draft.
Sixth, the application of jets of steam at or near the entrances for air above
the fuel in deep furnaces to deflect and distribute the air over or upon the
surface of the fire.
Seventh, the application of transvere fire-bars, or transverse deflecting
plates in ordinary furnaces to intercept and deflect the draft of air through
the grate.
Eighth, the application of steam inducted air currents through the bottom
of closed ash-pits below the grate to force the air through the bars.
Ninth, the application of jets of steam to partially baffle and distribute
the hot gases in flue tubes of boilers, and increase the absorption of heat.
Tenth, the method of drying and superheating steam, or of separating
priming water by the application of helices, or alternating discs or diaphragms,
or agitators, or jets of steam of greater pressure in the pipes or passages
through which the steam is passed for that purpose to impinge it on the
surface of the pipes or passages, and promote the precipitation of water and
the absorption of heat.
Eleventh, the forcible introduction of water in thin sheets into condensers,
in which the steam and water directly impinge on and mix with each other.
Twelfth, the application to surface condensers of alternating diaphragms, or
equivalent means of impinging the steam on the condensing surface to promote
its condensation, and the external impingement of condensing water in thin
sheets, or otherwise, on the surface for the same object.
°
In witness whereof, I, the said Daniel Kinnear Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of September, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty.
DANIEL KINNEAR CLARK. (L.S.)