Improvements in Water Tube Boilers.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Feb., 1896
Complete Specification Left. 11th Nov. 1896-Accented 6th Feb
4207
Improvements in Water Tube Boilers.
JAMES CADOUX HUDSON 75 Upper Ground Street Blackfriars Road London
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in vertical water tube boilers applicable
to steam fire engines or other purposes. In a boiler according to my invention the
upper part of the boiler containing the steam space and part water space is a
cylinder with closed ends and having a tube or uptake at the centre and passing
through from end to end. The axis of this cylinder is vertical. The lower part
or bottom of the boiler is formed of an annular ring of channel section the recess
or channel facing downwards and covered by a ring plate secured by studs or bolts
thus forming an enclosed annular space of square-oblong-half round or other
section. The axis of this annular ring is on the same line as the upper drum or
cylinder. The upper face of this annular ring is drilled with holes in concentric
circles as a tube plate, and the lower end of upper drum is similarly drilled as a
tube plate.
These plates are united by tubes forming a communication between the upper
drum and lower annular ring, and as the upper drum stands some distance above
the annular ring, sufficient tuhes can be introduced to provide the requisite heating
surface. The lower annular ring is formed to receive a fire grate or burner or
receptacle on which fuel is burnt, and the tubes are so shaped as to enclose the
furnace by an outer cylindrical wall of tubes and an inner nest of tubes to distribute
the heated gases and form very effective heating surface. The tube plate of
annular ring is drilled at its largest diameter, with holes placed zig-zag in two
concentric circles and as close together as possible so that the tubes rising there-
from can by a slight set or bend be brought together so as to form a complete wall
around that part of the furnace, and when the tube plate of drum is of the same
diameter as that of ring the tubes in this wall would continue up to the drum and
be there inserted as in the ring and there form a cylindrical wall of tubes-but
when the tube plate of drum is of less diameter than that of ring the tubes rise
vertically from the lower plate for a certain distance and theu are curved or bent
inwards and rise vertically again and run into the upper tube plate in two concentric
circles one within the other every other tube baving a slightly greater curve than
the one adjacent so as to bring it into the inner circle of holes and at the same
time completing the outer wall. The remainder of tube plates of cylinder and
ring are drilled with tube holes as closely as possible and in concentric rings-and
form the inner row of holes in the ring plate, and from all or part of them a
certain number of tubes rise forming an arch or dome over the furnace meeting
together around the axis of drum and ring and bending outwards again and
entering holes around the uptake and into the tube plate of cylinder-from
other holes in the ring plate tubes rise forming a second and outer arch above the
first and curving and running on similar lines enter the upper tube plate. I close
the centre passage left between the tubes where the inner row meet around the
axis or centre line of boiler by means of a cylinder or plug of fire-brick or other
material. By these means the gases rising from the furnace to the uptake are
urned outwards passing the tubes forming the arches over furnace at about right
angles and then deflected by the outer wall of tubes and turning inwards towards

page_text: the axis or centre line of boiler, again pass the tubes rising to upper tube plate
before the gases reach the uptake. Circulation is formed by the water issuing
from the annular ring through the tubes forming the arches or dome above the
furnace and returning down some or all of the tubes forming the outer wall to the
furnace; or some tubes in the wall may be larger than the others thus promoting a
surer down flow; or separate tubes placed outside the wall of tubes can be provided
for the purpose, these larger tubes either entering the upper and lower tube plate
similarly to the other tubes, or provided with special branches or flange on the
outer surface of annular ring or cylinder. I case the wall of tubes and the upper
cylinder or dome with a double metal casing having nonconducting material
between or by a metal casing alone. The lower ends of the tubes are got at by
removing the ring or cover plate; the upper ends of the tubes are got at by
securing the upper end or cover of drum or cylinder by bolts or studs and angle
joints so that the upper end can be taken off, one joint being around the funnel,
the other at the outer part of cylinder, either at the top end of outer cylinder or
the bottom end of same or at any intermediate position. In order to form the
firehole or stoking door where an ordinary coal burning furnace is used, the tubes
at that part are not only curved to form the dome above furnace but are also set
or bent sideways to that curve and crowded together thus leaving at that part an
opening between the tubes forming the wall and the inner row, which when fitted
with a protecting ring and door can be used as a fire hole in the ordinary way-or
a hollow casting or forging can be made connected at the lower end to the aunular
ring and having formed in it the fire hole, and continuing upwards to the upper
tube plate or cylinder also connected there-this piece being hollow will form a
water connection between the upper cylinder and lower ring for a downward flow
of water. If necessary I connect the drum and ring by stays or brackets giving
support independently of the tubes themselves. I provide baffle plates around
the uptake to prevent priming and lessen the upward current of water from
tubes.
Dated this 11th day of February 1896.
JAMES CADOUX HUDSON.
JAMES CADOUX HUDSON 75 Upper Ground Street Blackfriars Road London
Engineer 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:-
This invention relates to improvements in vertical water tube boilers applicable
to steam fire engines or other purposes. In a boiler according to my invention the
upper part of the boiler containing the steam space and part water space is a
cylinder with closed ends and having a tube or uptake at the centre and passing
through from end to end. The axis of this cylinder is vertical. The lower part
or bottom of the boiler is formed of an annular ring of channel section the recess
or channel facing downwards and covered by a ring plate secured by studs or bolts
thus forming an enclosed annular space of square, obloug, half round, or other
section. The axis of this annular ring is on the same line as the upper drum or
cylinder. The upper face of this annular ring is drilled with holes in concentric
circles as a tube plate, and the lower end of upper drum is similarly drilled as a
tube plate. These plates are united by tubes forming a communication between
the upper drum and lower annular ring, aud as the upper drum stands some

page_text: distance above the annular ring sufficient tabes can be introduced to provide the
requisite heating surface.
The lower annular ring is formed to receive a fire grate or burner or receptacle
on which fuel is burnt and the tubes are so shaped as to enclose the furnace by an
outer cylindrical wall of tubes and an inner nest of tubes to distribute the heated
gases and form very effective heating surface. The tube plate of annular ring is
drilled at its largest diameter with holes placed zig-zag in two concentric circles
and as close together as possible so that the tubes rising therefrom can by a slight
set or bend be brought together so as to form a complete wall around that part of
the furnace, and when the tube plate of drum is of the same diameter as that of
ring the tubes in this wall would continue up to the drum and be there inserted as
in the ring and there form a cylindrical wall of tabes-but when the tube plate of
drum is of less diameter than that of ring the tubes rise vertically from the lower
plate for a certain distance and then are curved or bent inwards and rise vertically
again and run into the upper tube plate in two concentric circles one within the
other every other tube having a slightly greater curve than the one adjacent so as
to bring it into the inner circle of holes and at the same time completing the outer
wall. The remainder of tube plate of cylinder and ring are drilled with tube holes
as closely as possible and in concentric ring--and form the inner row of holes in
the ring plate and from all or part of these a certain number of tubes rise forming
an arch or dome over the furnace meeting together around the axis of drum and
ring and bending outwards again and entering holes around the uptake and into
the tabe plate of cylinder-from other holes in the ring plate, tubes rise forming a
second and outer arch above the first and curving and running on similar lines
enter the upper tube plate. I close the centre passage left hetween the tubes when
the inner row meet around the axis or centre line of boiler, by means of a cylinder
or plug of firebrick or other material. By these means the gases rising from the
furnace to the uptake are turned outwards passing the tubes forming the arches
over furnace at about right angles and then deflected by the outer wall of tubes
and turning inwards towards the axis or centre line of boiler, again pass the tubes
rising to upper tube plate before the gases reach the uptake.
Circulation is formed by the water rising from the annular ring through the
tubes forming the arches or dome above the furnace and returning down some or
all of the tubes forming the outer wall to the furnace, or some tubes in this wall
may be larger than the others thus promoting a surer down flow-or separate
tubes placed outside the wall of tubes can be provided for the purpose-these
larger tubes either entering the upper and lower tube plates similarly to the other
tubes or provided with special branches or flanges on the outer surface of annular
ring or 'cylinder.
I case the wall of tubes and the upper cylinder or drum with a thin double
metal casing having nonconducting material between or by a metal casing alone.
The lower ends of the tubes are got at by removing the ring or cover plate-the
upper ends of the tubes are got at by securing the upper end or cover of drum or
cylinder by bolts or studs and angle joints so that the upper end can be taken off,
one joint being around the funnel, the other at the outer part of cylinder either at
the top end of outer cylinder or the bottom end of same or at any intermediate
position.
In order to form the fire hole or stoking door where an ordinary coal burning
furnace is used-the tubes at that part are not only curved to form the dome above
furnace but are also set or bent sideway to that curve and are crowded together
there leaving at that part an opening between the tubes forming the wall and the
inner row which when fitted with a protecting ring and door can be used as a fire
hole in the ordinary way-or a hollow casting or forging can be made connected
at the lower end to the annular ring and having formed in it the fire hole and
continuing upwards to the upper tube plate or cylinder also connected there-this
piece being hollow will form a water connection between the upper cylinder and
lower ring for a downward flow of water. If necessary I connect the drum and

page_text: ring by stays or brackets giving support independently of the tubes themselves.
I provide baffle plates around the uptake to prevent priming and lessen the upward
current of water from tubes.
In order that my said invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
current of water from tubes.
• proveno priming and lessen the upward
In order that my said invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed to describe the drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of one form of my improved boiler.
Fig. 2 is a plan of same-one half of which is shewn with the upper part of
boiler removed; the other half being a section through the upper part of inner
tubes on a line (A) (A) and through the lower part of the outer tubes on a
line (B) (B).
Fig. 3 is a section of the outer part of boiler shewing the method of connecting
the larger or down tubes to the upper chamber and lower ring by means of a
flanged joint.
Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation of boiler shewing another arrangement for forming
the fire hole and the larger or down tubes replaced by a hollow casting or forging
the lower annular ring of a modified section and the outer tube so arranged to
allow of a part of the furnace gases to pass up around the outside of upper
chamber.
Fig. 5 is a plan of the same-one half shewn with the upper crown of boiler
removed the other half being a section through the upper part of inner tubes on
a line (A) (A) and the lower part of outer tubes on a line (B¹) (B¹).
Referring to Figs. 1, 2 & 3 (C) is the upper chamber constituting the steam
and part water space, (D) the central uptake or tube connected to the crown
which forms the tube plate (E). The uptake (D) is connected by an angle
ring and bolts (F) to the crown (G) of the upper chamber (C), and the tube
plate (E) is connected to the upper chamber (C) by an angle ring (H) and
bolts. (1) is the lower aunular ring having the tube plate (J) shaped to form
the top and inner wall of ring the bottom and outer wall being formed by the
angle plate (K). The two parts (J) (K) being connected by the joint (L)
and (M). The lower flange of the angle iron of joint (M) forms a rest for the fire
grate (N).
The lower tube plate (J) is drilled to receive the tubes (0) forming the outer
wall to furnace and also the inner tubes (P) (P¹) (P2) and the legs of fire hole
frame and down tubes (S) (S). A number of the tubes being removed at (R)
Fig. 2 shewing plan of tube holes.
The tube plate (E) of the upper chamber (C) is drilled at the outer circum-
ference to receive the outer tubes (0) in two three or more concentric rings and by
two or any number of rings to receive the inner tubes (P) (P1) (P2) and also to
receive the legs (S) (S1) (S2) (S) of the fire hole frame and the outer large
down tubes (S) (S) a number of the inner tubes (P) (P¹) (P) are curved
over the furnace and inwards towards the centre of boiler and meeting together
form a ring the interior of which is closed by a plug (T) of tire brick or other
material. The tubes (P, P1, P2) are also set or curved as shewn in plan crowding
together near the fire hole tending to fill up any space left open by the formation
of the fire hole by the tubular frame as shewn in full lines in Fig. 1. for the sake
of clearness and consisting of the legs (Q) (Q) entering the lower tube plate (J)
a cross tube (Q') to which is connected the lower legs (Q) (Q) and also the
legs (S) (S) (S) (S3) which may be of any convenient number and size rising and
entering the upper tube plate (E) of upper chamber (C). A number of the
remaining inner tubes (P1) are curved inwards in a similar inanner to tubes (P2)
but to a less extent, and the remainder of the tubes (P) have only a slight set and
are continued down to meet the lower tube plate (J). The centre passage being
closed by the plug (T) the gases rising from the furnace pass outwards through
the space left by curving the tubes (P) (P) (P2) and being deflected by the outer

page_text: wall of tubes (0) pass upwards and towards the centre of boiler and enter the
uptake (D) the direction of the furnace gases being indicated by the arrows in
Fig. 1. The outer casing is formed of two cylinders (U) (U¹) the one inside the
other the intermediate space (U) being filled by a nonconducting material
(S) (S) are down tubes which with the tubular frame forming the fire hole.
ensures a certain down How of water-these tubes (S) (S) entering the tube plate
in the ordinary way or connected to the upper chamber (C) and lower ring (1) by
flanges (V) and (V). (W) is a baffle plate round the uptake to lessen the upward
current of water and prevent priming.
In Figs. 4 and 5 the tubular frame forming the fire hole as shewn at Figs. 1 and 2
is replaced by a hollow casting or forging (X) and connected to the upper
chamber (E) and lower ring (1) by studs and nuts (Y) (Y') and in the same.
manner the down tubes (S) (S) Figs. 1 and 2 are replaced by hollow castings or
forgings (Z) connected to the upper chamber (C) and lower ring (I) by studs.
and nuts (Q) (Q) or if preferable by bolts. The hollow casting or forging (X) is
shewn in full lines at Fig. 4 for sake of clearness.
The annular ring (1) is of a modified form, the inner wall (J) of ring is conical
the larger diameter being at the bottom allowing of an increased grate surface the
tube plate (J) is at right angles to the inner wall (J) thereby allowing the tubes
to be expanded and drifted without obstruction when the outer part (K') of the
annular ring (1) is removed. In the place of the angle joints (L) (M) in Fig. 1.
the inner wall (J) of ring (1) is flanged outwards and the outer part is also
flanged outwards forming joints (L') (M) and the joint (N) by this arrangement
is protected from injury by heat from the furnace. The bottom plate is continued
inwards to form a rest for the fire grate (N¹) which may be made in segments to
enable it to be placed in position. The upper chamber (C) is of a modified form
the tube plate (E) being flanged and continued upwards forming the outer
circumference of the chamber (C) and the uptake (D) being of smaller diameter
and connected to the crown (G¹) of upper chamber (C) by a joint (F). The
joint (H) Fig. 1. is dispensed with and in the place thereof the angle joint (H³) at
the top of the upper chamber (C). A number of the outer tubes (O) are set
inwards after the manner of the inner tubes (P) (P) (P2) (Fig 1) the remainder
of the outer tubes (O2) are approximately of the same form as the outer tubes (O).
Fig. 1. By this arrangement of the outer tubes (O¹) (02) a part of the furnace
gases are allowed to pass through the outer wall and rising around the outer part
of upper chamber turn inwards and meet the gases rising through the uptake (D')..
The passage of the gases through the outer wall and also through the central
uptake (D) are indicated by the arrows in Fig. 4 and by this means a greatly
increased heating surface is obtained; a casing with inner and outer plates (U³).
and (U) with the intermediate space (U) filled with nonconducting material, and
this encases the upper chamber (C) and also the outer tubes leaving a space
between for the passage of the gases from the furnace. (W¹) is a baffle plate to.
lessen the upward current of water and prevent priming.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I deciare that what I
claim is
Firstly. Constructing a water tube boiler with an upper annular chamber which
forms a water and steam chamber and a lower annular chamber which form a
water chamber and connecting these chambers by tubes curved and inclined they
being inserted into the lower surface of the upper chamber and the upper surface
of the lower chamber as and with illustrated and described.
Secondly. The arrt. of such boiler with central uptake through the upper
chamber through which the gases of combustion pass after circulating amongst the
tubes.
Thirdly. The arrt. of such boiler with passages through the outer rows of tubes
and around the upper chamber allowing the gases of combustion to pass after

page_text: circulating among the tubes in connection with or without a central uptake
through the upper chamber to take away part of the gases.
Fourthly. The arrangement of lower annular chamber of depth sufficient to form
a water casing to that part of the furnace in which is the fuel as coal or wood.
Fifthly. The arrangement of such boiler without firehole or down tubes when
desirable or for such fuel as for which they are not required.
Sixthly. The arrangement of such boiler with tubes or chambers forming
down tubes and allowing the fire hole to be formed as illustrated and described.
Dated this 11th day of November 1896.
JAMES CADOUX HUDSON.