IMPROVEMENTS IN OPEN FIRE-PLACES FOR HEATING BY RADIATION, VENTILATING, AND REGULATING THE HEAT IN ROOMS, AND IN THE APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES CONNECTED THEREWITH.
Year: 1877

page_text: 66
LETTERS PATENT to Henry Percy Holt, of Royal Insurance Buildings, Leeds, in
the County of York, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN
OPEN FIRE-PLACES FOR HEATING BY RADIATION, VENTILATING, AND REGULATING
THE HEAT IN ROOMS, AND IN THE APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES CONNECTED
THEREWITH.
"
Sealed the 12th March 1878, and dated the 14th September 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Percy Holt at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th September 1877.
HENRY PERCY HOLT, of Royal Insurance Buildings, Leeds, in the County of York,
Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN OPEN FIRE-PLACES FOR HEATING BY RADIA-
TION, VENTILATING, AND REGULATING THE HEAT IN ROOMS, AND IN THE APPARATUS
AND APPLIANCES CONNECTED THEREWITH."
The object of this Invention is to provide a fire-place (which is well open for the
radiation of heat on that side where it is desirable it should be given out) in
which a more intense combustion of the fuel may be attained, and thus a larger
proportion of the heat given out by radiation than can be effected by ordinary fire-
places in use, to provide a means for regulating the intensity of the heat, and admitting
air for forcing combustion and ventilation, and at the same time diminish draughts
through the room.
The first part of this Invention consists in forming a flue in the fire-back, com-
mencing at the back of the fire, and terminating with an adjustable damper in the
chimney just above the fire-place. By means of this flue any desirable amount of
air can be drawn through the fire, and an intense combustion of the fuel be attained
under control of the damper, which may be worked by any suitable means in any
convenient position.
The smoke flue is constructed as usual, but I prefer to keep it well to the front,
and to control the amount of air passing up it by means of a second damper, in

page_text: some cases connected with the first damper above named, so that when one is closed
the other opens, or vice versa, or each may be manipulated separately.
The second part of this Invention consists in the use of a flue in combination with
a deflector to admit air in front of the fire from the passage or other part of the
building from the room below, or from outside the building, whereby the incoming
current of air may be thrown right on to the fire in any desirable position, or at
any angle, passed over the top of the fire, or turned up the smoke flue of the chimney,
or even clear of the fire-place entirely to ventilate the room. By means of this
deflector the quantity of air admitted can likewise be adjusted. This current operates
(when desired) on the fire similar to a continuous blower or induced draught from
bellows, and the dampers before named are used to regulate the passage of air actually
through or inclose a more distant contact with the fire, and to regulate the velocities
of the current of the same.
In some cases a hearth similar to that used for heating by smiths may be used,
and part of the air introduced underneath the fire in a similar manner.
In some cases part of the air may be introduced through holes in the fire-brick
back to heat the same room or the room above.
The fire-place back containing the flue may be of fire-brick or any suitable material,
and either a grate or a hearth may be used.
In most cases I prefer to slope the fire-back which contains the flue (which may
be made of fire-clay) backwards at the lower part, and forwards at the upper part
(which may be made of cast iron) in such a manner that the heat is radiated both
upwards and downwards.
The blower may be used to ventilate. the room below when desirable by making
an opening in the ceiling of the room.
In some cases a loose dog grate, having either a hearth or grate, may be used
between the blower and the back flue.
The dampers may be manipulated either from the mantle front or within the
chimney, and a hood under the chimney piece may be used, or the mantle may be
made to project on corbels for the same purpose.
In some cases, in order to avoid ashes and lighted coals from falling down the
blower flue, a box or trap may be formed in it, or the flue and deflector casing may
be carried up a short distance above the hearth for the same purpose.
In some cases the blower flue for letting air in may be carried up above the
roof, and provided with a cowl arranged to face the wind, and thus increase the
draught.
In some cases a current may be induced from the room below to blow the fire by
means of the blower or smith's hearth above named, combined with the flue and
cowl facing the wind, which works an inducing jet inside or around the deflector.
In other cases I prefer to use a weather grate fixed in the passage just outside the
room door, opening into a flue connected with the blower before named, in order to
introduce a current of air to the same, and avoid draughts inside the room between
the door and the fire-place. The flue may also communicate with the passage in
any ordinary manner.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Percy Holt in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 14th March
1878.
HENRY PERCY HOLT, of Royal Insurance Buildings, Leeds, in the County of
York, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN OPEN FIRE-PLACES FOR HEATING BY
RADIATION, VENTILATING, AND REGULATING THE HEAT IN ROOMS, AND IN THE
APPARATUS AND APPLIANCES CONNECTED THEREWITH."
The object of this Invention is to provide a fire-place which is well open for the
radiation of heat on that side where it is desirable it should be given out, in which
a more intense combustion of the fuel may be attained, and thus a larger proportion
of the heat given out by radiation than can be effected by ordinary fire-places in
to provide a means for regulating the intensity of the heat, and admitting air
for forcing combustion and ventilation, and at the same time diminish draughts
through the room.
use,
The first part of this Invention consists in forming a flue in the fire-back, com-
mencing at the back of the fire, and terminating with an adjustable damper in the
chimney just above the fire-place. By means of this flue any desirable amount of
air can be drawn through the fire, and an intense combustion of the fuel be attained
under control of the damper, which may be worked by any suitable means in any
convenient position.
The smoke flue is constructed as usual, but I prefer to keep it well to the front,
and to control the amount of air passing up it by means of a second damper, in some
cases connected with the first damper above named, so that when one is closed the
other opens, or vice versa, or each may be manipulated separately.
The second part of this Invention consists in the use of a flue in combination with
a deflector to admit air in front of the fire from the passage or other part of the
building, from the room below, or from outside the building, whereby the incoming
current of air may be thrown right on to the fire in any desirable position, or at
any angle passed over the top of the fire, or turned up the smoke flue of the chimney,
or even clear of the fire-place entirely, to ventilate the room. By means of this
deflector the quantity of air admitted can likewise be adjusted; this current operates
(when desired) on the fire similar to a continuous blower or induced draught from
bellows, and the dampers before named are used to regulate the passage of air actually
through or in close or more distant contact with the fire, and to regulate the velocities
of the current of the same.
In some cases a hearth similar to that used for heating by smiths may be used,
and part of the air introduced underneath the fire in a similar manner.
In some cases part of the air may be introduced through holes in the fire-brick
back to heat the same room or the room above.
The fire-place back containing the flue may be of fire-brick or any suitable material,
and either a grate or a hearth may be used.
In most cases I prefer to slope the fire-back which contains the flue (which may
be made of fire-clay) backwards at the lower part, and forwards at the upper part
(which may be made of cast iron) in such a manner that the heat is radiated both
upwards and downwards.
The blower may be used to ventilate the room below when desirable by making
an opening in the ceiling of the room.
In some cases a loose dog grate, having either a hearth or grate, may be used
between the blower and the back flue.
The dampers may be manipulated either from the mantle front or within the
chimney, and a hood under the chimney piece may be used, or the mantle may be
made to project on corbels for the same purpose.
In some cases, in order to avoid ashes and lighted coals from falling down the
blower flue, a box or trap may be formed in it, or the flue and deflector casing may
be carried up a short distance above the hearth for the same purpose.

page_text: In some cases the blower flue for letting air in may be carried up above the
roof, and provided with a cowl arranged to face the wind, and thus increase the
draught.
In some cases a current may be induced from the room below to blow the fire
by means of the blower or smith's hearth above named, combined with the flue
and cowl facing the wind, which works an inducing jet inside or around the
deflector.
In other cases I prefer to use a weather grate fixed in the passage just outside the
room door, opening into a flue connected with the blower before named, in order to
introduce a current of air to the same, and avoid draughts inside the room between
the door and the fire-place. The flue may also communicate with the passage in
any ordinary manner
HENRY PERCY HOLT. (L.S.)