IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH STEAM GENERATORS
Year: 1877

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William James Fernie, of Liverpool, in the County of
Lancaster, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH
STEAM GENERATORS."
Sealed the 28th February 1878, and dated the 4th December 1877.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William James Fernie at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th December 1877.
WILLIAM JAMES FERNIE, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster.
MENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH STEAM GENERATORS."
"IMPROVE-
My Invention more especially relates to marine steam generators, and has
for its object to construct or provide appliances in the flues of such generators so
that the consumption of fuel may be reduced for the work done, and a more equal
and regular temperature maintained.
In carrying my Invention into practice I employ a steam generator having a
horizontal flue or flues, fired at each end, and provided with an uptake or uptakes
at the contro. I construct, form, or fit each or any of the flues with a double hollow
bridge at or near the centre thereof, so arranged that air can be admitted there-
through to mix alternately with the products of combustion from one or other of
the fires by means of doors connected together, and operated by a lever or like
appliance. The said air is heated in passing through the hollow double bridge, and
serves to assist in the combustion of the gases generated at the end of the furnace
last fed with fuel. The products of combustion pass away by the vertical central
uptake or uptakes.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William James Fernie in the Great Seal Patont Office on the 4th June
1878.
WILLIAM JAMES FERNIE, of Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster.
MENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH STEAM GENERATORS."
33
"IMPROVE-
My said Invention more especially relates to marine steam generators, and has
for its object to so construct or provide appliances in the flues of such generators
that the consumption of fuel may be reduced for the work done, and a more equal
and regular temperature maintained.
In carrying my Invention into practice I employ a steam generator having a
horizontal flue or flues, fired at each end, and provided with an uptake or uptakes
at the centre. I construct, form, or fit cach or any of the flues with a doublo
hollow bridge at or near the centre thereof, so arranged that it can be admitted
therethrough to mix alternately with the products of combustion from one or other
of the fires by means of doors connected together, and operated by a lever or like
appliance. The said air is heated in passing through the hollow double bridge, and
serves to assist in the combustion of the gases generated at the end of the furnace
last fod with fuel. The products of combustion pass away by the vertical central
uptake or uptakes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a steam generator, constructed or fitted with my
improvements. 1 is a steam generator, having a horizontal flue 2, provided with a
fire-grate 3, 31, at each end; 4, cential uptake, through which and the tubes 5 the
heated gases and products of combustion pass to the chimney; at the centro of the
horizontal flue 2, and beneath the uptake 4, is the double hollow bridge 6, provided
or formed with the openings 7, 8, 9, 71, 81, 91, the openings 9, 9¹, being opened and
closed by means of the sliding door 10.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-The heated gases and products of
combustion from the fire-grates pass through the hollow bridge, and cause such
bridge to become red hot. When fuel is added to one of the fires, say, that on the
grate 3, the door 10 is moved so as to uncover the opening 9; air then passes
through such opening, is highly heated by contact with the red-hot walls of the
bridge, mingles with the products given off during combustion from the fire 3, and
helps to effect their complete combustion. By the time the fire at 3 has burned up
and re-heated the hollow bridge fuel may be fed to the fire 3¹, and the door caused
to uncover the opening 9¹.
Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of a portion of a boiler and apparatus where hinged
doors 10, 10', operated by a lever 11, are used instead of a sliding door, as shown
in Fig. 1.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention in such manner that
others will be enabled to carry my improvements into effect, I claim, the improve-
ments in and connected with steam boilers, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William James Fernie, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, the Third day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand