IMPROVEMENTS IN BOILER FLUE CLEANERS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, &
Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BOILER FLUE CLEANERS." A communication from abroad
by Augustus Wiggin, of Rye, New York, United States of America.
aled the 28th July 1876, and dated the 18th May 1870.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said William Robert Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th May 1870.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN BOILER FLUE CLEANERS."
A communication from abroad by Augustus Wiggin, of Rye, New York, United
States of America.
This Invention relates to a boiler flue cleaner composed of a suction pipo, which
contains a steain jet, and which fits the flue sheet of a steam boiler, the steam jet
being connected by a flexible pipe with the steam space of said boiler, while the
suction pipe is provided with a handle so that it can be conveniently applied over
one fluc after the other, and by admitting steam to the steam jet a suction is
produced through the suction pipe and through the flue to which the instrument is
applied, and thereby the soot and all other impurities contained in said flue are
carried off.
The said suction pipe is by preference reduced from its flue mouth to its discharge
mouth for the purpose of increasing the suction, and the flue mouth is provided with
a flange lined with india-rubber or other suitable packing to guard against the
entrance of air between the flue sheet and the flue mouth of the suction pipe. With
the suction pipe and its steam jet and steam supply pipe are also combined a
stirrup handle, a hand lever, and a spring valve to increase the convenience of
applying and operating the instrument.
The said Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing, in which Figure 1
is a side elevation, and Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the said
Invention.
Similar letters indicate corresponding parts in both of these Figures.
B designates a section of a boiler, and F a section of a flue which is secured in

page_text: the flue sheet F1; C is the suction pipe which is made of cast iron or any other
suitable material, and which may be made cylindrical, but which is by preference
reduced from its Blue mouth towards its discharge mouth as will be presently more
fully explained.
The inouth m which is applied to and over the flue to be cleaned is provided
with a flange m², which is faced with a packing ring a of rubber or other suitable
material, and the inner diameter of said mouth is somewhat greater than the out-
side diameter of the flue F, so that the rubber faced flange m¹ can be brought to
bear flat against the outer surface of the flue sheet F, producing a tight joint, and
preventing the entrance of air between the flange and the flue sheet. This feature
is very essential for the success of the operation, for if the joint between the flue
sheet and the suction pipe is not tight, the force of the suction is broken and the
soot is but imperfectly removed from the flue.
In the example shown in the Drawing the suction pipe is reduced from the flue
mouth m towards the discharge mouth d, the area of the latter being about one-fourth
of that of the area of the flue mouth. This reduction greatly increases the power of
the draught, so that by the action of this instrument not only that portion of the
soot is removed from the flues, which lies perfectly loose, but also those portions
which may adhere to each other, or to the inner surface of the flue. With the
suction pipe C is combined a steam jet I about three-quarters of an inch in diameter
at its butt, where it is screwed into a socket s formed for its reception in the suction
pipe, and being about half an inch at its nozzle, which discharges its jet of steam
about two inches within the discharge mouth d. I profer that this steam jet should
be a reducing pipe, but the reduction is not indispensable. E is a pipe soine two or
three feet long, and about three-quarters of an inch in diameter, and connects with
the sockets of the suction pipe C. The pipe E is surrounded by a wooden jacket e
so that it may be used as a handle in applying the instrument; W is an angle
valve seat screwed to the outer end of the pipe E, and is provided with a spring
valve V which controls the admission of steam to the pipe E. A screw nipple N
is secured to the seat W for the attachment of a three-quarter inch flexible steam
hose S. With the seat W is combined a stirrup handle H for convenience in
applying the instrument. To this stirrup is pivoted a gripe lever G, which connects
at its middle with the valve stem 1, so that the hand of the operator while grasping
the handle H may also gripe the lever G, and thus admit the steam; o is a spring
to press the valve upon its seat.
The operation is as follows:-The pipe S is attached to the steam space of the
boiler. The mouth m of the suction pipe C is then applied over the flue to be
cleaned and pressed against it so as to make a tight joint. By the griping lever G
the valve V is opened, and a jet of steam is admitted, which rushes through pipe E
and nozzle I into and out of the discharge mouth d, thereby creating a suction, the
force of which is intensified by the form of the suction pipe and by the rubber
faced flange m', and which creates a powerful current of air through the open flue F,
thus clearing out its soot and other injurious contents.
Instead of taking in the steam, as shown at an angle to the line of discharge, it is
possible to take it in a direct line from the boiler at the point marked X.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it understood
that I claim,
First. In a boiler flue cleaner the combination with a suitable handle and with
a steam jet of a flexible steam supply pipe and of a suction pipe, constructed and
operating as set forth.
Second. The combination with a suitable handle with a steam jet and with its
flexible steam supply pipe of a suction pipe provided with a flange, faced with
rubber or other packing material, as above specified and for the purpose set forth.
Third. The combination of the stirrup valve, steam jet, and suction pipe, con-
structed and operating as above set forth.

page_text: Fourth. The combination of the stirrup, lever, valve, valve seat, rod, and spring,
as above set forth.
Fifth. The valve scat in combination with the stirrup and pipe, as above set
forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Eighteenth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
Witness,
HY. JAS. NOONE.
W. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)