Improvements in Ash Ejectors for Steamships.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Feb., 1893-Accepted, 15th Apr., 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ash Ejectors for Steamships.
I, GEORGE CLARKE, of 85 Forrest Street, in the City of Jersey City, County
of Hudson and State of New Jersey, one of the United States of America, Engineer,
do hereby declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ASH
EJECTORS FOR STEAMSHIPS" and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The invention relates to improvements in ash ejectors for steamships, and consists
in the novel construction and arrangement of devices hereinafter described and
claimed, whereby the ashes may be discharged from a hopper in the stoke-hold
upward through a pipe leading through the side of the ship, and thus be ejected
into the ocean. The invention involves the employment of water under pressure,
sea-water and air as effectual means for safely and rapidly carrying the ashes
upward through the discharge pipe; and incident to the use of the water under
pressure and the sea-water a novel valve has been constructed and forms an
important part of the invention hereinafter described and claimed.
The invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description
hereinafter presented, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in
which,
Figure 1 is a side elevation of an ejector embodying the invention, the discharge
pipe being partly broken away, and the ship being indicated in outline and partly
broken away;
Figure 2 is a central horizontal longitudinal section on an enlarged scale through
the valve constituting a part of the invention;
Figure 3 is an enlarged front view of the ash-receiving hopper and connecting
air pipe and valve, the same being shown partly in section;
Figure 4 is a central vertical section of same on the dotted line 4-4 of
Figure 3;
Figure 5 is a detached view of the lower end of the nozzles leading to the
discharge pipe which passes upward from the lower end of the hopper;
Figure 6 is a like view on an enlarged scale of the end of the outlets from the
valve casing;
Figure 7 is a detail view of a portion of one end of the valve and referred to by
reference letters hereinafter ;
Figure 8 is a detached vertical section of a portion of the valve on the dotted
line 8-8 of Figure 9, and
Figure 9 is a central longitudinal section on an enlarged scale of a portion of the
valve with its casing and connections.
In the accompanying drawings A designates the ash-receiving hopper; B the
discharge pipe leading therefrom upward through the side of the ship, and C
the valve casing having inlets D, E, for sea-water and water under pressure
respectively and connected with the lower portion of the discharge pipe B by the
union of its outlets F, G, with the pipe-section H, which is bolted to the discharge
pipe B below the hopper A.
The hopper A may be of any suitable form but for convenience I recommend
that it have the form of an inverted cone, as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, its upper
enlarged end being provided with a hinged cover I and binged revoluble catch J,
by which the cover may be locked in its closed position. The lower end of the
hopper A opens into and is bolted to the lower section K of the discharge pipe B,
which receives the ashes from the hopper and affords a means for directing them
upward under the combined action of the air, sea-water and water under pressure.
го

page_text: The pipe B may be of any necessary length and will be composed of suitable
sections bolted together, the lower section K having in one side the opening L
connecting with the hopper A and in another side a connection with the air
pipe M, see Figure 3, which is provided at its upper end with the valve N and
valve seat O. The normal position of the valve N is open, as shown, and said
valve is only intended to close upward against the seat O in case of some accident.
occurring by which the contents of the pipe B should move backward down said
pipe and upward into the air pipe M, at which time the ashes and water striking
the valve N would lift and close it and be thereby prevented from escaping.
Within the lower section K of the pipe B there is provided the annular flange P,
see Figure 4, and also the tapered nozzle Q, the latter having at its lower end the
flange R and being bolted to the flange S at the lower end of the section K.
Below the flange P and between the nozzle Q and surrounding walls of the pipe
section K is formed the annular chamber T, which is in direct communication
with the air supply pipe M and has for its exit the contracted annular space left
between the upper end of the nozzle Q and the inner edge of the flange P, as
shown in Figure 4.
Within the nozzle Q is centrally arranged the nozzle V, which is secured in
place by the encircling flange W thereon being bolted to the flanges R, S, above
referred to. Between the nozzle Q and nozzle V is formed the annular space X
for the passage of the sea-water, and this space X is continued through the flange W,
as shown in Figures 4 and 5, in which it will be seen that portion of the flange W
adjacent to the nozzle V is removed except at intervals at which connecting ribs
remain to sustain the nozzle.
The outlets F, G, from the valve casing Care for a portion of their length one
within the other, the parts being so arranged that the water under pressure, (the
water from the pumps) will pass through the outlet G, and the sea-water through
the outlet F; and these outlets F, G, are in communication respectively with the
nozzle and nozzle V through the medium of the connection H, which is bolted at
one end to the flanges R, S, W, and at the other end to the flange Y encircling said
outlets. The connection H has an interior tube Z supported by ribs a and passing
directly between the outlet G and nozzle V, and around the tube Z is the space b
which extends directly from the outlet F to the nozzle Q; thus it will be noted
that the water under pressure from the pumps will pass from the valve casing C
through the outlet G, tube Z and nuzzle V to the discharge pipe B, and that the
sea-water or other water not under pressure will pass to the discharge pipe B
through the outlet F, space b and nozzle Q, while the air from the pipe M escapes
to the said discharge pipe from the annular chamber T, and the ashes are moved
upward by the combined elements and discharged through the side of the ship into
the sea.
The valve casing C is divided by a partition d into two compartments e, f, the
former being between the inlet D for sea-water and the outlet F for same, and
the compartment f being between the inlet E for the water under pressure and the
outlet G for same, as shown in Figure 2. The inlet E will be connected by a pipe,
not shown, with the usual pumps which will supply the water under pressure to create
the upward current through the discharge pipe B, and the inlet D will be connected
with an ordinary pipe, not shown, passing through the bottom of the ship to the sea
or to any other preferred source of water supply.
Centrally within the valve casing C and extending longitudinally through the
compartments e, f, is the reciprocating rod g, on which are secured the hollow
valves, i, which at their ends closely fit the walls of the compartments e, f, and
are provided with ports j, k, extending entirely around the valves with the exception
of the spaces occupied by the plain ribs (shown in Figure 2) intermediate the hub
and outer shell of said valves. The ports j, k, co-operate with the annular
ports n, o, n', o¹, and p, q, p', ', respectively, located at opposite ends of the
compartments e, f, and being in communication with the annular chambers r, 8,

page_text: surrounding said compartments, and leading respectively into the outlets F, G.
The valves h, i are shown in their closed position in Figure 2, in which it will be
observed that the ports j, k, are intermediate the ports n, o, n', o', and p, q, p', q',
and communication between the inlets D, E and outlets F, G, is cut off. When,
however, the rod g and valves h, i, are moved to the right a definite distance, the
ports will come into line with the ports o, o', and the ports k into line with the
ports q, q, and under this condition of the ports free communication is established
from the sea-water inlet D to the outlet F, and from the inlet E for water under
pressure to the outlet G. During this open communication between the inlets, D, E.
and outlets F, G, the water under pressure passes from the inlet E into the hollow
valve, and thence through the ports k, k, and q: q', and also through the open
ports p, p, to the surrounding chamber s, which opens into the outlet G, as shown;
while the sea-water or water not under pressure from the pumps passes from the
inlet D into the hollow valve and thence through the ports j,j, and o, o¹, and also
through the open ports n, n', to the surrounding chamber r, which directly opens
into the outlet F. The ports n, n, and p, p', are uncovered when the valves h, i, are
open and they with the chambers r, s, form increased facilities for the free passage
of the water from the inlets D, E, to the outlets F, G.
2
At the right hand end of the valve casing C there is formed the reduced cylindert,
centrally in line with the adjoining compartment and the cylinder wo, which is of
increased area and provided at its outer end with the discharge port x. The cylinder
casing wis bolted to the end of the valve casing C and supports the longitudinal
bolts y, loosely receiving the head z, which is adjustably held in place by the
nuts A and forms a stop for the coiled spring B. The spring B' encompasses the
valve stem C¹ and is held between the head and the head D', the latter being on
the valve stem C¹ and backed by the nut E' as shown more clearly in Figure 9.
The force exerted by the spring B₁ may of course be regulated by the adjustment
of the nuts A', and the throw of the valve stem C may be regulated by the
nut E. The outer end of the valve stem C¹ passes freely through the head, and
said stem at its inner end passes through the central port F¹ in the piston valve G'
and carries the small valve H' whose seat is on the inner edges of said port F¹.
The piston valve G¹ has its seat against the outer end of the cylinder and is
itself located in the cylinder w, and said valve G¹ is connected with the right hand
end of the main valve rod g through the medium of the arms 1' and head J¹ the
latter being held on the rod g and against the end of the valve i by a nut, as shown
in Figure 9. The valve G' is thus connected with the main valve rod g and its
movement is simultaneous with that of the valves h, i, as hereinafter more fully
explained. The small valve H' has an outward movement simultaneously with
that of the valve G¹ when actuated by the due amount of the pressure of the water
from the pumps, but said valve H' is independent of the valve G' and capable of
moving inward in advance of the same when the pressure of the water from the
pumps against said valve H' has become reduced below the opposing force exerted
by the spring B' during its compression between the heads D', z. The movement
of the valves h, i is controlled by the pressure of the water from the pumps and the
action of the valves G', H', and hence the operation of said valves h, i, is automatic;
but owing to accident or other circumstance an occasion might arise in wbich it
would be desirable or necessary to effect the reciprocation of the valves h, i, by
hand, and to meet this emergency, I have provided the left hand end of the valve
rod g with means presently to be described by which the said rod and valves h, i,
may be operated by hand when desired and which will not interfere with the
automatic movement of said valves. In the arrangement of the means shown in
Figures 1 and 2 for operating the valves h, i, by hand, the left hand end of the
main valve rod g extends through the head K' into the casing L' and carries a
head M' between which and the head K' there is retained the coiled spring N¹
whose tension may be regulated by the adjustment of the nut O' which retains the
head M¹ on the rod and against the spring. The outer extremity of the rod g

page_text: carries the plate P' having the opening Q adapted to receive and permit the
movement of the crank pin R¹, which on being rotated by a rod S' in a well known
manner will impart a reciprocating movement to the rod g and valves, i, thus
bringing the ports j, k, of said valves into line with the ports o, o¹, and q, q',
respectively and establishing communication between the inlets D, E, and
outlets F, G, respectively, for the water under pressure and the sea water. Upon
the release of the rod $ the tension of the spring N' will move the rod g and
valves h, i, sufficiently to bring the ports j, k, to an intermediate position, as shown
in Figure 2, and cut off the communication between the inlets D, E, and
outlets F, G.
The spring N' is of importance apart from the manual means provided for
reciprocating the rod 9 and valves h, i, in that its force is always exerted to retain
the valves h, i, and valve G' in their closed position shown in Figure 2, except
at such times as its force is overcome by the pressure created against the valve G¹
by the water from the pumps.
In the operation of the apparatus constituting the invention the water from the
pumps is the pressure utilized to act upon the valves G¹, H', for opening the main
valves h, i, and it is to be remembered that this pressure must be sufficient to over-
come the counter-pressure exerted by the springs B', N', in order that both
valves G, H, may move outward together. The water from the inlet E passes
through the hollow valve i and against the valves G, H', which after the pressure
of the water has been raised to the proper degree will move outward toward the
right opening communication from the inlets D, E, to the outlets F, G, and
permitting the water under pressure to pass through the outlet G, tube Z and
nozzle V with a sufficient force to move up through the discharge pipe B and carry
a sufficient body of the water from the sea through the outlet F, space b and
nozzle Q to form a volume filling the pipe B and carrying upward whatever ashes or
other matter that may pass from the lower end of the hopper A. The valves G', H¹,
will not move outward to open the valves h, i, until the pressure of the water from
the pumps is great enough to effectually move the volume of water and
ashes upward through the discharge pipe B, and said valves G¹, H¹, will only
remain in their outward position so long as the required amount of pressure
is maintained against them by the pumps, since any reduction of said pressure
would permit the spring B₁ to instantly move the valve H inward from the
valve G', thus opening the port E' and reducing the effective surface area of
the valves G, H, to such an extent that the spring N' immediately retracts the
valves h, i, G, to their closed position, where they remain until the pressure from
the pumps has increased sufficiently to again overcome the force of the
springs B', N¹, and move the valves G¹, H' and h, i, outward to the right again.
The discharge pipe B is thus not opened to the influx of water until a force has
been created sufficient to elevate and keep in upward motion the volume filling the
discharge pipe B. The required amount of pressure from the pumps to accomplish
the effectual discharge of the ashes and water through the pipe B will of course
vary with the size of the pipe, its position and other circumstances, and hence the
force of the springs B', N', will also vary in accordance with the conditions of their
use. The valves. G H¹, will under all circumstances be sufficiently loaded by the
springs as not to yield to the pressure of the water from the pumps until that
amount has been created fully adequate to accomplish the upward movement of the
volume through the pipe B. When the valves G¹, H' are in their closed position,
as shown in Figure 2, their full surface area is not exposed, but when they start to
move outward toward the right the valve G' leaves the edges of the cylinder and
exposes its full surface area in the larger cylinder w, hence it moves outward quickly
after starting and the water is allowed a sudden impetus to the outlets F, G, and
nozzles V, Q. During the upward movement of the volume through the pipe B
the air enters through the pipe M and chamber T and facilitates the operation
of the apparatus.
'

page_text: The apparatus made the subject of this application has been described as an ash
ejector, but it is to be understood that its use is not exclusively confined to
elevating and carrying away ashes, since other materials or refuse may also be
successfully discharged by it."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :
1. The hopper and discharge pipe, combined with the inlet for water under
pressure, the nozzle communicating therewith and leading to said discharge pipe,
the inlet for water not under pressure, the nozzle communicating with said last
named inlet and leading to said discharge pipe, and a valve intermediate said inlet
and nozzles; substantially as set forth.
2. The discharge pipe and the hopper leading into the same, combined with the
nozzle Qbelow said hopper, the smaller nozzle V within said nozzle Q, the air
chamber surrounding the nozzle Q, the inlet for water under pressure communicating
with the nozzle V, and the inlet for water not under pressure communicating with
said nozzle Q; substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
3. The hopper and discharge pipe, combined with the inlet for water under
pressure, the nozzle communicating therewith and leading to said discharge pipe,
the inlet for water not under pressure, the nozzle communicating with said last
named inlet and leading to said discharge pipe, and an air inlet leading to said
discharge pipe; substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
4. The hopper and discharge pipe, combined with the inlet for water under
pressure, the nozzle communicating therewith and leading to said discharge pipe,
the inlet for water not under pressure, the nozzle communicating with said last
named inlet and leading to said discharge pipe, an air inlet leading to said discharge
pipe, and a valve intermediate said inlets and nozzles and subject to the pressure of
the water from the pumps; substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
5. The hopper and discharge pipe, combined with the inlet for water under
pressure leading to said pipe, the inlet for water not under pressure leading to Baid
pipe, and the valve intermediate said pipe and said inlets and dependent on the
pressure of the water from the pumps; substantially as and for the purposes set
forth.
6. The hopper and discharge pipe, combined with the inlets for water under
pressure and water not under pressure leading to said pipe, the valve casing
connected with said inlets with a separate compartment for each, the valve rod
carrying valves in said compartments, the valve G' connected with said rod, the
valve H seated against said valve G', the spring acting on the valve H¹, and the
spring acting on the valve G'; substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
7. The hopper and discharge pipe, combined with the inlets for water under
pressure and water not under pressure leading to said pipe, the valve casing
connected with said inlets with a separate compartment for each, the ports n, o, n',
o', p, q, p', q', and chambers r, s, in said compartments, the reciprocating valves
having ports jk, in said compartments, and means substantially as described for
operating said valves j, k, by the action of the water under pressure; substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
8. The hopper and discharge pipe, combined with the inlets for water under
pressure and water not under pressure leading to said pipe, the valve casing
connected with said inlets with a separate compartment for each, the valves in said
compartments, and means substantially as described for resisting the opening of said
valves except above a definite pressure of the water from the pumps; substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
9. The hopper, and discharge pipe, combined with the inlets for water under
pressure and water not under pressure leading to said pipe, the valve casing
connected with said inlets with a separate compartment for each, the valve rod

page_text: carrying valves in said compartments, the cylinders t, w, at the end of said casing,
the valves G¹, H₁ in said cylinders, and the springs acting on said valves;
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Dated this Fifth day of January 1893
GEORGE CLARKE.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.