CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES AND BOILERS
Year: 1851

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOSEPII
HARCISON, Engineer, of the City of Philidelphia, of the United States of
North America, but now residing at No. 10, Oxford Square, Hyde Park
Gardens, in the County of Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Treland, bearing date at Westminster, the Eighth day of December, in the
fifteenth year of Her reign, did for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give
and grant unto me, the said Joseph Harrison, Her especial license that
I, the said Joseph Harrison, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said Joseph Harrison, my exors, adiiors, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times during the term
of years therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed, my
Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM ENGINES AND BOILERS;" in
which said Letters Patent there is contained a proviso obliging me, the
said Joseph Harrison, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal,
particularly to describe and ascertain the nature of my said Invention, and
what manner the same is to be performed, and to cause the same to be
enrolled in Her Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months
next and immediately after the date of the said recited Letters Patent, as in and
by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large appear.""

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Joseph Harrison, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and
the manner in which the same is to be performed, as described and ascertained
by the Drawing in the margin hereof, and the words following, that is to
say-
My Invention consists of certain improvements in steam engines and boilers
for marine, locomotive, and stationary steam engines, of which the following is a
full and exact description.
ment of boiler more particularly adapted for marine engines. This boiler in general
appearance externally is not different from boilers now in use; but it will be seen
by inspection that the arrangement of the heating surface varies from the usual
mode; these variations having been made with a view to obtain a more effecient
kind of fire surface, as well as to increase the surface without enlarging the size
of the boiler. By reference to Figure 1 and 2, it will be seen that the fire-box is
carried forward from the fire-place some distance into the interior of the boiler,
to which it conforms in shape, and is surrounded with a water space, as shewn
in Figure 3, Sheet N° 1. The open space in the fire-box above the fire is filled
at certain intervals with horizontal tubes, distributed as shewn in Figure 1,
leading from the water space immediately over the fire doors to the extreme
end of the part of fire-box, extending into the boiler, as above described. These
tubes have water covering their interior surfaces. After the flame and combus-
tible gases have passed from the fire upward, and through the intermediate spaces
between the tubes just mentioned, it passes onward through a series of smaller
tubes, which lead from the external fire-box to the smoke chamber C, through
the water space B. The smoke chamber C has a series of vertical tubes, so
disposed as to leave the tubes leading from the fire-box free for cleaning from
the front end of the boiler; the heating surface in the smoke chamber is
arranged so that it may be used either for generating steam by surrounding it
with water, or the water from the boiler may be shut off by shutting the holes
leading from the water space B to the jacket of smoke-box, if required. In
the latter case, the smoke chamber is intended to be used for drying or surcharg-
ing the steam previous to its entering the cylinders of the engine. For which
purpose the steam pipe D, Figures 2, 3, and 4, Sheet 1, may be arranged so
as to bring the steam from the steam chamber E to the top of the smoke
chamber, from whence it is brought in contact with the interior heated surfaces

page_text: of the smoke chamber, and is discharged in its way towards the cylinders at the
opening F, Figures 2 and 4, or the opening F, Figures 2 and 4 being closed,
and the surface of smoke box and interior vertical tubes being filled with water
and used for generating steam in like manner with the other parts of the boiler,
then the steam pipe D serves as a means of conveying the steam from the top
of smoke box to the steam chamber E. After the combustible gases from the fire-
box have been brought in contact with the interior surface of the smoke
chamber and the vertical tubes contained therein, they return again to the back
end of the boiler through a series of tubes, which lead from the smoke chamber
to the chimney G, passing through the entire length of the series of tubes first
alluded to in this description, as shown in Figure 2 longitudinally, and in
section in Figure 1. Figure 5, Sheet N° 1, shews a mode of making a fire
box or boiler stay, which is intended to be used in the boiler just described, as
well as in all the other arrangements of boilers hereafter to be mentioned in this
Specification. In place of the ordinary screw stay for connecting the exterior
to the interior parts of the furnace or fire-box, it is proposed to make a stay
similar to Figure 5, Sheet N° 1, which is fully explained at a single view in
section. This stay consists of a wrought or cast iron tube, or of any metal of
any given diameter and length suitable to the place in which it is designed to
be put; one end of this tube is closed so as to present a rounded end, the form,
however, not being deemed essential. The contrary end which forms the stay,
is turned conical at the point A, and is made to fit steam-tight into a corre-
sponding conical hole in the cnterior of the furnace, either above or in the
vicinity of the fire. After passing through the interior sheet of furnace, this
tube is prolonged until it reaches the interior side of the external sheet of the
boiler or fire-box. Directly opposite this tube a hole is bored through the
exterior place to allow a bolt to pass through, so as to draw the tube tight into
the conical hole, thereby connecting the inner and outer surface of fire-box
and making a secure stay. Free circulation is made into the interior of this
stay, by two or more holes made through the portion of the tube in the water
side, which permits free ingress of water and egress of steam in the direction
of the arrows. The object in making the stay in this form, is to secure the
very efficient fire surface surrounding the part which extends into the fire-box,
and at the same time to make a secure stay, removeable at pleasure,
without difficulty, by simply unscrewing the bolt b, a matter of much importance
in boiler repairs. The use of such a stay enables the boiler to be more
throughly cleaned, by taking them out occasionally at the points where mud or
other matter is most likely to collect. It will be seen that the tubular stay

page_text: CHAPTER THE SECOND. et IN
Figure 1,,, Shew a boner as at
present used for locomotives, with certain additions for encreasing the fire surface
in the fire-box. These additions consist in using the tubular stay wherever it is
practicable, which has been alluded to in the description of marine boiler, and in
placing a series of tubes filled with water across the fire-box above the fire, and dis-
posed in the manner shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet N° 2; a series of screw
plugs opposite each tube will enable them to be cleaned or taken out, if necessary.
These tubes may be placed in the intermediate space between the present stays.
The ordinary stays may be removed, and the new arrangement of tubular stay
used, between each of these cross tubes, and at any other parts of the fire-box,
either above or round the fire, where it may be deemed necessary. This
arrangement of cross tubes may be applied as well as the tubular stay to any
locomotive boiler now in use, thereby encreasing the fire surface to a very con-
siderable extent at the part where it is most efficient.
These improvements may also be, with equal advantage, applied to marine
or other boilers at any parts of the fire box or flues where it would be advisable
to encrease the fire surface; and it is so intended to apply them to any boilers
now in use, or which may be hereafter made upon the principle now generally
in use. Sheet No 3, Figures 1, 2, and 3, shown an arrangement somewhat similar
to the mode of constructing marine boilers as previously described; in this case
also the external form of locomotive boiler is precisely similar to those generally in
use, the variations being in the mode of getting fire surface in the interior of the
boiler and fire-box. The fire-box is again extended forward as in the instance
of the marine boiler, cylindrical in form, as shewn in section, Figure 3, until it
reaches within such distance of the tule sheet at the smoke box B, as may be
deemed most desirable. A series of tubes D, D, D, D, Figures ? and 4, con-
taining water leading from the back water space F, Figures 2 and 4, to the
front water space E; these tubes are so disposed as to let the flame and com-
bustible gases from the furnace A, pass between and around them in their
journey forward to the end of the internal cylinder, which, after reaching the
heat that may still remain unabsorbed, passes on through the tubes C, C, C, C,
Figure 2 and 4, which run through the water space F, F, into the smoke
chamber B, and up the chimney in the direction of the arrows.
For the

page_text: purpose of supporting the tubes D, D, D, D, it is intended, if necessary, to con-
nect each row vertically, as shewn in Figure 1 and 2, Sheet 3, with a small
pipe or pipes connected with the water space surrounding the interior cylinder,
thereby adding to the means of circulation, and at the same time supporting
the longitudinal tubes. By experiment, it is found that these tubes D, D, D, D,
may in most cases be made so short that no stay or support will be needed;
whilst, at the same time, a sufliciency of surface can be brought in contact
with the fire to effectually take up all the heat that may be generated. The
faint lines in Figure S, Sheet 3, shew the arrangement of short flues leading
through the water space F, F, Figure 2 and 4, into the smoke chamber B;
for sustaining a more perfect combustion of the gases that pass from the fire,
holes are made at G, G, G, G, Figure 2 and 4, Sheet 3, so as to let in at
pleasure a certain amount of pure air, which will become partially heated in
being allowed to circulate between the sheet iron jacket and the boiler before
entering the tubes G, G, G, G, G. Another method for heating the fresh air
before entering the cavity of the boiler, and applicable to this boiler, will be
hereafter described. Sheet 4 shows an arrangement of locomotive boiler some-
what different from the one last described; this boiler has the same arrange-
ment of cross tubes in the fire-box above the fire as is described in the
Specification of boiler on Sheet N° 2, and it is a intended to have the tubular
stays in the same manner as the boiler just alluded to. It has the middle or
waist part of the boiler between the smoke box and fire-box made square, with
the corners slightly rounded, as shewn in section, Figure 3, Sheet 4. The
fire box is extended forward, also of square form, with regular water space
surrounding it within; it reaches within a short distance of the tube sheet at
the smoke chamber. Instead of the horizontal tubes filled with water, as in
two of the former descriptions, the interior chamber forward of the fire-box is
filled with vertical tubes containing water so arranged as to allow the flame
from the fire to pass in between and amongst them until it reaches the forward
end, when it passes off into the smoke chamber through a series of tubes
surrounded with water in the same manner as described in and shewn on Sheet
number three, Figure 5, in section; the arrangement of vertical tubes, Figure
six. Sheet 4, shews an arrangement of this boiler, wherein the tubes leading
into the smoke chamber are dispensed with, the smoke being carried off through
the curved flue A into the smoke chamber. If it is required, the square part
of the prolonged fire-box may be carried entirely into the smoke chamber, and
the entire intermediate space filled with the vertical or cross tubes, thereby
dispensing with the short flues leading into the smoke chamber, as well as with
the curved flue last described. Figure 1 and 2, Sheet 4, shews the lower part

page_text: of fire-box for a locomotive boiler made like the ordinary marine boiler,
thereby dispensing with the usual ash pan, and admitting a simple mode of
making a water-grate by introducing tubes lengthwise or crosswise of the fire-
box filled with water, and connecting the opposite water spaces of the fire-box.
In this arrangement, it is intended to put the boiler together with screw bolts,
that the back of fire-box may be easily removed; after which, by removing the
stays and shot tubes in front, the whole interior fire-box may be taken out for
repairs. Figures 2 and 3, and 6. shew the same arrangement of steam pipe as is
shown in the Drawings for the marine boiler. Sheet 7 shows an arrangement of
boiler suited to the present form of locomotives generally, similar to the
arrangement shewn on Sheet N° 3, with the single difference of passing a portion
of the flame or combustible gases through the tubes containing water, by means
of the tubes with the bent ends connecting with the back plate of furnace, and
leading from thence into the smoke chamber. Sheet cight shews another
modification of the locomotive boiler. In this instance, the fire-box is extended
into the forward part of the boiler without interruption until it reaches the
smoke chamber, making a clear open space or single flue half round at
the top, straight sides and bottom, with rounded corners. To obtain
the necessary amount of fire surface in this boiler, the whole interior
surface is studded at regular intervals with tubular stays, of such length
and diameter as may be found most convenient, and so distributed as to
bring the greatest amount of surface in contact with the flame or heated
vapour previous to its reaching the smoke chamber. It is intended to put
this
boiler also together in such a manner with bolts as will enable it to be taken
apart without difficulty after taking out the tubular stays. Sheet 6, Figures
1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, shows a slight modification in the mode of arranging the
water pipes in the interior of a lecomotive boiler. In this case the tubes or
pipes containing water are made much larger than in any previously described;
and by inspection of the Drawing, it will be seen that the mode of attaching
the ends of the tubes is slightly different, which, instead of passing from end to
end of fire-box, are in some cases attached to cross pipes in the fire-box, and
in others are bent at right angles, and attached to cylindrical part of fire-box.
Sheet 6, Figure 1, shows a mede of putting in the inside flue, so as to take the
flame at any point of the tube containing water that may be deemed most
advisable. A small tube flattened on one side is put across the tube containing
water, into which the cross tubes are fixed, the smaller flue leading to smoke
box. Sheet 6, Figure 5, shows an arrangement for introducing atmospheric
air into the fire-box, and for heating it before it is allowed to mix with the
combustible gases evolved from the fire; two or more pipes of cast or wrought

page_text: iron, or of fire clay, if necessary, are placed within the fire-box, as shown in
section at Figure 4, Sheet 6, extending forwards to the tube sheet, fitting
closely to the tubes that come opposite to them; pipes are fitted to the tubes
leading through the smoke-box to the external air, which are furnished with
funnel-shaped mouths, so that the forward motion of the engine, as well as
the vacuum caused by the escape steam, will cause the air to pass with great
velocity through the pipe across the smoke chamber, and through the tubes
leading from the smoke chamber to the fire-box, and into the tubes placed in
the fire-box. By passing through these last-mentioned tubes, which will be
highly heated, the atmospheric air will become also heated, and when mixed
with the combustible gases within the fire-box will cause a much more perfect
combustion of the smoke and gases than could take place without the introduc-
tion of fresh atmospheric air. By this arrangement of introducing heated air
in connection with the peculiar form of fire-box, whereby more space is given
for combustion, and a consequent better mingling of the oxygen with the gases,
coal may be burned without inconvenience from smoke in locomotives, thereby
causing great economy in fuel. It is usually intended to make the prolongation
of the fire-box cylindrical in form, and to prevent it from crushing by external
pressure it may be made corrugated, as shewn in section Sheet 6, Figure 6; by
this means all stays between the inner and outer cylinders may be dispensed
with, excepting a few to support the inner cylinder in its place.
STATIONARY OR CHIMNEY BOILER.
This is an arrangement of boiler, as shewn in Sheet 5, Figure 1, 2, and 3,
which is intended to accomplish a more perfect combustion of the fuel used,
and a consequent consumption of a greater portion of the smoke, and at the
same time to dispense with the very expensive towers now used as chimneys.
Figure 2, Sheet 5, shews a vertical section of chimney boiler; it is made of
circular form throughout, for more facility in making, and for greater strength,
although it may be made of any form deemed most advisable. The flame and
combustible gases from the fire-box or furnace A ascend, and in part pass off
through the flues 13, seven in number, as shewn in Figures 1, 2, and 3, and
through the three smaller flues C, Figure 3. The remaining portion of flame,
&c. pass from the fire through the short flues D, Figures 3, into the upper
chamber of boiler, as shown in Figure 2, coming in contact in their passage to
the
top o of the boiler with the external surface of the seven vertical tubes, through
which the flues B pass, as well as in contact with the three vertical tubes
through which the flues C pass. The flame and gases, after they reach the
top of the inner chamber of the boiler, are carried out to the external air through

page_text: a series of small flues, leading from the roof of the interior chamber to the
extreme top of the boiler. For a more perfect combustion of the gases in the
upper chamber a series of jets of pure air may be admitted at convenient points
through the outer diameter of boiler. It is intended to surround the boiler
with a casing, leaving a small space between it and the exterior surface of the
boiler. The air being taken from the space just mentioned will be partially
heated before entering the boiler, and, consequently, better adapted for aiding
the combustion of the gases which may have passed off from the fire into the
upper chamber. At any part of this boiler, either in the fire-place or upper
chamber, where a stay may be needed for connecting the inner to the outer
plate, it is intended to put one of the tubular stays heretofore described, unless
there should not be room for the projecting end. Sheet N° 9 shews another
modification of the chimney boiler. In this case the boiler has a clear passage
to the external air at the top. It is made circular in form for greater strength,
the form, however, not being deemed essential with an enlargement of the top
for steam room. To absorb heat from the flame and gases, which pass upward
from the fire, the interior of the boiler is studded with tubular stays, so arranged
as to bring the greatest amount of fire surface in contact with the flame pre-
viously to its reaching the top of the boiler. This chimney boiler may be made
square or oblong in its cross section, in which case the tubular stay may be
used for increasing fire surface; or, if necessary, the whole interior may be
filled with cross tubes filled with water. In like manner the boiler, if of cir-
cular form, may be filled with cross pipes, disposed as may be most convenient
for accomplishing the desired end. The chimney boiler is intended to be
together with bolts at bottom, so that the interior may be taken out, if neces-
sary, for repairs, or for cleaning interior surface from mud, &c.
put
In the foregoing description of various forms of boiler, it will be manifest
that an effort is made to apply the main portion of heat to the external
surfaces of tubes filled with water, instead of allowing the flame and gases to
pass through small tubes, as is now generally used in locomotive as well as
marine boilers. It is very obvious that the more the combustible gases evolved
by the fire are kept in connection, the greater the chances of active combustion,
whereas, by a very simple experiment, it will be found that combustion cannot
be kept up to any great extent in a small tube, say from 1 to 2 inches
diameter, except for two or three feet after the flame first enters from the fire-
place. Beyond four or five feet it is very doubtful whether it is worth while
to carry the dead weight of tubes, which are now used in the boilers of loco-
motive engines. By putting water inside the tubes, instead of around them,
the mass of combustible gases are connected together by being distributed

page_text: between the tubes; and thereby a better combustion takes place, which may
be to a great extent improved by letting in atmospheric air into the fire-box
above the fire, and amongst the tubes in the manner heretofore described in
this Specification, Chapter 2nd.
Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 4, shew a second time the mode of putting on the
back sheet of fire-box with screw bolts and planed surface or packed joint, so
that it may be taken off at pleasure by taking out the stay bolts, which gives
greater facility for repairs and cleaning, whilst, at the same time, it permits
the entire fire-box to be taken out, as soon as the stays and the series of small
flues leading to smoke chamber are removed, whenever these flues are used.
Sheet 6, Figure 7, shews in red lines a mode of protecting the upper surfaces
of the tubes or other portions of the boiler which contain water, and in which
from the great quantity of steam bubbles, which may be thrown against these
surfaces, there is danger of the water being driven away from them, causing
these portions to be thereby burnt. To remedy this evil I cause to be placed
in the upper portion of each tube containing water, or at any other point where
the same difficulty is likely to arise, a thin metal shield, curved in such a
manner and fitting so closely as to intercept a great portion of the ascending
steam, and leading it off towards the end of the water tube, or in other portions
of the boiler not tubular, away from the points of fire surface, where danger
might be apprehended by the water being driven away; by extending these
shields through the entire length of the water tube, and through to the front
tube sheet at the smoke box, and by perforating the curved surface of the shield
with holes, the steam will be discharged in rapid currents upwards and between
the series of flues leading from the fire-box to the smoke box, which current
will tend in a great degree to keep the flues just mentioned from being coated
with mud or other incrustations.
What I claim as my Invention in the above-described Specification, and
which I desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:-
Firstly, in extending the fire-box into the boiler in the manner herein-before
in this Specification and by the said Drawings substantially described.
Secondly, in connection with such extension, the placing in the fire-box and
extension thereof, a series of horizontal, vertical, or diagonal tubes or pipes
containing water, and either using the ordinary flues (much shortened, thereby
saving useless weight), leading from the fire-box to the smoke chamber or not,
as may be deemed best, arranging the parts in the manner described, or in
any other manner substantially the same as herein-before and in the said
Drawings described.

page_text: Thirdly, the using and adapting the "teats," well known to boiler makers,
in such manner as to form tubular stays of cast or wrought iron, or any other
metal for obtaining fire surface in the fire-box or any other part of a steam
boiler, and at the same time making a secure connexion (easily removed)
between the inner and outer plates of boiler, as substantially herein-before
described and more particularly shown in Figure 5, Sheet 1.
Fourthly, the applying tubes or pipes of any given diameter filled with water
above the fire in the fire-box of locomotive or other boilers now in use, and as
they are now generally made substantially, as herein-before described, and more
particularly shewn in Drawings on Sheet N° 2.
Fifthly, the use of return flues leading through the horizontal water pipes,
as described, in marine boiler, as well as the inner flue leading through the
water tubes of locomotive boiler, to carry off a portion of the gases to the smoke
chamber, so as to present a double heating surface to the water contained in
the water tubes, whether these flues are made to pass through the whole length
of water tube or not, or made so as to receive the gases at any point throughout
the whole length of water tube, substantially as herein-before described and
more particularly shown in Sheets N° 7.
Sixthly, the construction of the chimney boiler substantially as herein-before
described in Drawings 5 and 9, including the various modes of obtaining fire
surface by the use of vertical water pipes, with or without inside flues through
them, or by filling the interior chamber above the fire with "teats," serving
the double purpose of giving fire surface and making a secure stay, or with
cross pipes, either in connection with the short flues at top of boiler or not,
described and shewn in Drawings N° 5 and 9, as may be deemed best; and
not confining myself to any particular form of boiler or mode of arranging said
pipes, fiues, or tubular stays, so long as the principle is substantially the same,
as herein-before described and shewn in Drawing, Sheets N° 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
7, 8, and 9.
purpose
of
Seventhly, I also claim, in connection with the extension of the fire-box
into the body of the boiler, the introduction of metal or clay pipes, as shewn in
Sheet 6, Figures 4 and 5, and herein-before described, for the
heating the fresh supply of atmospheric air that may be introduced into the
fire-box, and for distributing this air amongst the combustible gases evolved
from the fire, so as to cause a better consumption of the fue!, and a consequent
consumption of the smoke where coal is used, either in locomotives or stationary
engines. I do not mean to confine myself to any particular mode of letting
in the air above the fire, nor to any particular mode of arranging the air pipes,

page_text: which I propose to place in the fire-box, so long as the principal remains, sub-
stantially as herein-before described and shewn in the said Drawings; and,
although these air heating pipes are only shown in Sheet 6, still I mean to apply
them to any and all the boilers described herein-before in this Specification, or
in other forms of boiler, and wherein the same principal can be introduced, and
substantially in the manner herein-before described.
By forming a locomotive boiler with the prolongated fire-box advantage may
be taken to indent the underside of boiler, as shewn in Sheet 6, Figure 8, as
to let the axle clear, whilst the centre of gravity of the engine is lowered in a
corresponding degree; this being prevented in the usual form of boiler on
account of the tubes being in the way of such indentation.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Harrison, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Seventh day of February, in the year of our Lord
Que thousand night hundred C
Enrolled the Twenty-seventh day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.