Improvements in Steam Generators.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Nov., 1897-Accepted, 19th Feb., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Generators.
I, JOSEPH LUNT GORDON, of Sharon Lodge, Oakhill Park, Old Swan, in the
City of Liverpool, Engineer, 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:-
This invention relates to that class of steam generators in which the fuel con-
sumed is primarily reduced to a gaseous state, in a chamber or furnace disposed
within the generator, and subsequently consumed in contact with the water heat-
ing surface of the generator, and consists of an improved method of constructing
such steam generators, so as to obtain a better resultant effect.
In the drawings hereto annexed, Figure 1 is a side sectional elevation of my
improved steam generator, Figure 2 being a cross section on line A. B., Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side elevation, partly in section, and Figure 4 is a cross section on
line C. D., Figure 3. Figure 5 is a part front view of the steam generator, and
Figure 6 shews a modified form of mechanical stoker.
Upon reference to the drawings it will be seen that in a steam generator accord-
ing to my invention I dispose the furnace, A, in which the fuel is primarily reduced
to gas, within the water space of the generator, and eccentrically in respect of
the shell, B, of the generator. In the crescent shaped space thus formed between
the furnace and the generator shell, I provide a nest of vertical fire-tubes a, which
lead upwards from the crescent shaped combustion chamber b in the base of the
generator and partially surrounding the ashpit c, to a similarly shaped chamber d,
in the upper part of the generator, which partially surrounds the steam space of
the generator.
The fuel is fed to the furnace A by means of a hopper e.
The duct which conveys
the fuel from the hopper to the furnace is controlled by the paddle or damper f.
In a modification, I construct the paddle f as shewn in Figure 6, namely I mount
upon an axle g and provide it with two armis, ff, each of which has a flange, f¹,
for the purpose of closing the fuel duct, so as to prevent the escape of gases through
the hopper. On the spindle g a sprocket wheel may be mounted, which may be
driven by an endless chain operated by hand or mechanically. The arms f and
flanges form pockets, so that upon each half revolution of the spindle g a
pocketful of fuel is discharged into the furnace.
it
From the crown of the furnace A are led two ducts, C, C, through the shell of
the generator. These ducts communicate with two vertical columns, D, D, arranged
alongside the generator and communicating at their lower ends with the com-
bustion chamber b. The columns D, D, are of annular construction, that is to
say, they each consist of an internal duct h, of cast-iron, fireclay, or other refractory
material, and an outer casing, D, an annular space i thus existing between the
duct and the casing D. The function of the ducts C and columns D is to con-
duct the inflammable gases evolved by the furnace A, and also atmospheric air,
to the combustion chamber b. The gases pass through the duct h, whilst the
atmospheric air is conducted through the annular passage i. The inlet of air to

page_text: the passage i may be regulated by any suitable valve arrangement, but in practice
I employ a circular plate ; which sits upon a grid k fitted in the annular passage i
(Figs. 2 and 3). The plate j is lifted from the grid k, so as to allow ingress of air
to the passage i, by the bifurcated lever which is operated by the hand-wheel m.
Instead of this arrangement, the well known grid valve, or louvre valve, of steam
jet blowers may be employed to control the ingress of air to the passage i.
In order that the inflammable gases passing down the duct h may intimately
mix with the air passing down the passage i, I prefer to cover the mouth of the
duct with a perforated slab of fireclay n, so that the gases issue in jets and
mingle readily with the air; or a perforated slab n¹ may be disposed slightly in
front of the duct h, so that the air and gases mix before passing through the same.
Pipes are fitted in the bottom of the ducts h, which conduct air to the mouth
of the duct, so as to issue therefrom with the gases, and these pipes are capable of
adjustment, access being had to them by way of the doors 22. If desired, fresh
air may be admitted to the pipes ¹, by opening the doors ³, or the latter may be
fitted with a suitable form of valve.
The combustion chamber bis lined with fire-clay, and possesses a door b¹ whereby
access may be had to the lower tube plate of the generator, and to the combustion
chamber, for cleaning and repairing.
The furnace A possesses a lower door a¹, to facilitate pricking and breaking
the fuel therein, and is also provided with one or more sight holes. The lower
portion of the furnace is lined with fire-brick, and the fire-bars, a², are arranged
on an incline below the furnace, the wedge shaped space thus formed being enclosed
at the sides by perforated plates a³ and at the front by a perforated plate a*, which
latter may be hinged at a³, so as to swing open when it is required to remove
clinker or for other purposes; or the plate a' may rest in lugs as shewn in Fig. 4,
and be provided with a handle by which it may be lifted and removed.
Air necessary to support combustion within the furnace A is supplied by the
steam jet blower E, by preference, although this may be effected by a fan or by
induced draft.
I prefer to supply a quantity of water to the ashpit c, which-becoming decom-
posed by heat enriches the gases evolved by the furnace.
At this
In operation, a fire is kindled in the furnace A, through the door a¹, and the
generator is worked for a short time as an ordinary steam generator, that is to say,
the products of combustion pass from the furnace through the ducts C and
columns D to the combustion chamber 6 and thence by the tubes a to the chimney.
This is continued until the ducts C and h and the chamber 6 become highly heated.
Fuel is then heaped in the furnace A, which results in the evolution of a dense
volume of inflammable gases, which pass through the ducts C and h. The valve j
is then raised so as to permit air to be drawn down the annular passage i and to
mingle with the said inflammable gases in the combustion chamber b.
moment a lighted torch is inserted through the firing apertures 62, or through the
doors, which ignites the mingled streams of gas and air issuing from the duct h.
The volume of flame thus produced is directed from each duct h inwardly around
the crescent shaped combustion chamber 6, in contact with the lower tube plate,
and ultimately finds its way through the fire tubes a to the uptake and chimney.
It will be noted that air in passing down the annular passage i becomes highly
heated by contact with the hot duct h, before it mingles with the gases issuing
therefrom, and the outside casing D is at the same time prevented from becoming
unduly heated.
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:-
1. A gas fired steam generator wherein the gases evolved by a furnace within
the shell thereof are led by ducts such as C to columns such as D, arranged out-
side of the generator, and by these columns are conducted to the two extremities

page_text: of a crescent shaped combustion chamber, where they burn in conjunction with air
supplied by an annular passage surrounding such columns, said combustion chamber
being disposed below the lower tube-plate of the generator, whereby the latter
is heated by the furnace within the shell thereof, by the combustion of the gases
of said furnace in such combustion chamber, and by the passage of the products
of combustion through the tubes thereof, substantially as described with reference
to the drawings.
2. For the purpose of conducting the gases from the furnace of a gas fired boiler,
to the combustion chamber thereof, the employment of a duct h, surrounded by a
casing D, so as to form an annular space i, said annular space being for the passage
of air to support combustion of said gases, the ingress of said air being controlled
by a valve; whereby the said air is heated previously to its being mixed with said
gases, substantially as described with reference to the drawings.
3. The particular construction and arrangement of water space, furnace, gas
ducts C, C, air and gas columns D, D, combustion chamber b, and tubes a, forming
a gas fired steam generator, substantially as described with reference to the draw-
ings.
J. A. COUBROUGH,
Registered Patent Agent (Qual. by Exam.),
10, St. George's Crescent, Liverpool,
Agent for the Applicant.
J. A. COUBROUGH,
Registered Patent Agent (Qual. by Exam.),
10, St. George's Crescent, Liverpool,
Agent for the Applicant.