Improvements in Apparatus for Regulating the Action of Furnaces.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Nov., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Aug., 1893-Accepted, 2nd Sept., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Regulating the Action of
Furnaces.
I, THOMAS GILMOUR, of Kilcattan Tile Works, in the County of Bute, North
Britain, Tile Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows, that is to say :-
My said invention has for its object to provide automatic, simple and reliable
apparatus for regulating the action of furnaces.
In carrying out my invention according to one modification applicable to kilns
for firing tiles, bricks, pottery, and the like and which have horizontal flues leading
from each furnace or kiln, I fix vertically across each flue a metal pipe having its
lower and upper ends connected externally to a small closed cistern in which water
is maintained at a constant level by a float valve or other suitable valve.
The top of the flue pipe is also connected to the bottom of a cylinder having
working in it a piston; and there is an adjustable escape valve by means of which
the action of the apparatus is controlled. The piston is connected in any convenient
way to the fire door of the furnace, or to a valve or valves for admitting air, or to
a damper in the flue.
When the heat produced in the furnace is right, the steam generated in the flue
pipe passes off by the escape valve at the rate at which it is generated; but if the
heat should become too great an increase of pressure is produced in the cylinder and
the piston moves so as to diminish the supply of air or so as to partly close the flue
damper. On a decrease of heat below what is right the opposite action takes place.
By opening or closing the escape valve more or less, the apparatus can be made
to maintain whatever heat is desired, between the extreme limits possible in each
case.
Where the flue is vertical the flue pipe may cross it in an inclined direction; or
it may be made with a suitable vertical portion to be in the flue and continued in
top and bottom bende or curves through one side of the flue.
Dated this Third day of November 1892.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Regulating the Action of
Furnaces.
I, THOMAS GILMOUR, of Kilcattan Tile Works, in the County of Bute, North
Britain, Tile Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement, that is to say :-
My said invention has for its object to provide automatic, simple, and reliable
apparatus for regulating the action of furnaces.
In carrying out my invention I arrange apparatus at a convenient and suitable
part of or in connection with the furnace, in such manner that the heat generates a
small quantity of steam, which steam has access to an outlet valve or stop cock and
to a cylinder and piston. The outlet valve is adjusted to allow of the continuous
escape of the quantity of steam produced when the heat of the furnace is normal or
what is desired. Should the heat become greater more steam is generated and an
increased pressure is produced in the apparatus which pressure acting on the piston
TD 077

page_text: moves it and through it by suitable connections moves a flue damper or an air-inlet
valve or other appliance in a manner to diminish the heat generated by the furnace.
The opposite action takes place if the heat gets below the normal or desired
degree.
The precise constructive details and arrangement of apparatus operating as herein-
before described are susceptible of various modifications to suit different applica-
tions and circumstances; but in order that my said invention and the manner of
performing the same may be properly understood one simple modification of
apparatus for carrying out my invention is represented on an accompanying sheet of
explanatory drawings which are hereinafter referred to.
Figure, 1, of the drawings is a vertical section as taken longitudinally through a
furnace and the apparatus, and Figure, 2, is a sectional front elevation.
In these drawings the same reference letters are used to mark the same or like
parts wherever they are repeated.
In the modification shown in the drawings the apparatus is arranged for regulating
the action of a furnace, A, by means of an air-inlet valve, B, fitted in an air duct, C,
above the fire door, D. The water by the evaporation of which the regulation is
to be effected is contained in a closed cistern or vessel, E, supplied by a pipe, F,
from an overhead cistern or other source, through a valve, G, (preferably
constructed like an ordinary conical-plug stop cock) acted on by a float lever, H.
Connected to the lower part of the cistern, E, are the two ends, J, K, of a pipe, a
part, L, of which is situated in the flue, M, proceeding from the furnace, A, the
heat acting on the part, L, of the pipe producing steam which finds its way into the
cistern, E. In the cover of the cistern, E, there is fixed an outlet valve, N, which
in using the apparatus, is adjusted so as to allow of the escape of all the steam
arising in the cistern when the heat due to the furnace is what is desired. There is
also fixed to the cover of the cistern, E, a cylinder, P, having working in it a
piston, Q, the under side of which is subjected to the pressure of the steam in the
cistern; and this piston is connected by its rod, R, to a lever, S, centered on a
standard, T, and having its outer end connected by a rod, U, to the air-inlet valve, B.
If the heat produced in the furnace, A, becomes too great, its action on the pipe, L,
increases the production of steam, and the pressure rises within the cistern, E, and
by acting on the piston, Q, causes the air-inlet valve, B, to be opened. The
cistern, E, is provided with a safety valve, V, a pressure gauge, W, and a small
try cock, X.
Where the cistern, E, can be conveniently placed directly over a flue instead of
the pipe, JK L, having two connections with the cistern there may be a single
Field tube, that is a tube with a closed bottom and an inner circulation tube, dipping
down from the cistern into the flue.
The piston, Q, may be connected to the fire door of the furnace, or to a valve or
valves for admitting air, or to a damper in the flue leading to or from the chamber
or space in which the heat operates. And the part, L, of the pipe to be acted on
by the heat may be placed in the furnace itself or in any flue, chamber, or space
through which the fire gases pass or in which the heat operates.
By opening or closing the escape valve, N, more or less, the apparatus can be
made to maintain whatever heat is desired between the extreme limits possible in
each case.
Where a flue is vertical the pipe (L) in the flue may cross it in an inclined
direction; or it may be made with a suitable vertical portion to be in the flue and
continued in top and bottom bends or curves through the side or sides of the flue.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
In apparatus for regulating the action of a furnace, a pipe arranged to be acted
on by the heat of the furnace and supplied with water from a cistern, an adjustable
outlet for steam produced, in the pipe, and a cylinder and piston arranged to be

page_text: acted on by variations in the pressure of the steam, the piston being connected to
the fire door, or to one or more air-inlet valves, or to one or more flue dampers, the
parts being combined and operating substantially as hereinbefore described.
Dated this First day of August 1893.
EDMUND HUNT,
Applicant's Agent.