IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM GENERATORS
Year: 1862

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in
the County of Middlesex, and of 166, Buchanan Street, in the City of
Glasgow, North Britain, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN STEAM GENERATORS." - A communication from abroad by Joseph
Harrison, of Philadelphia, in the United States of America, Engineer.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 5th May 1862.
I, JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex, and of 166, Buchanan Street, in the City of Glasgow, North
Britain, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM GENERATORS," a communication from abroad by
Joseph Harrison, of Philadelphia, in the United States of America, Engineer,
to be as follows:-
This Invention relates to a peculiar construction and arrangement of steam
generator of the description referred to in the Specification of Letters Patent
granted to John Henry Johnson on or about the 30th day of August 1859,
No. 1970, and consists of a peculiar combination and arrangement of the
several units of construction composing the generator, whereby trouble from
priming is almost entirely prevented, and the steam generated is produced in
a comparitively dry or superheated condition.
According to this Invention the generator is built up entirely of a number of
units, which are disposed at the sides or divisions of the furnace and lower part

page_text: of the generator in columns rising at an angle from a vertical line, and falling
back from the front of the boiler, whilst the units forming the upper or main
steam generating part of the boiler are disposed in rows of any given length at
or about right angles to the side and division columns. These rows or series are
consequently inclined, such inclination being downwards from the front of the
generator, the lowest unit at the back end of the lowest series being on a line
with the lowest unit of the side or division columns of the furnace. They are
disposed one above the other in two or more regular tiers, the angle from a
horizontal line of each upper tier being slightly less than the tier below. Between
and resting upon the top of each tier a partition is introduced of fire-clay or other
material, a free passage way being left at each end alternately for the passage
of the flame and gases from the furnace, their course being thus rendered zig-
zag through the several tiers of units until these gases reach the opening to
the funnel at the top. The units are also so disposed and connected that the
current of the water contained therein will flow down the lower slope of each
tier and upwards on the upper slope, whilst the bubbles of steam at all points
of the tiers filled with water ascend in nearly vertical lines to the uppermost
part of the upper half of these tiers, thence without interfering with the
current of water in any great degree following the necks and enlargements of
the tier at the top, until the steam is discharged at the upper end of these
tiers. The several horizontal or nearly horizontal tiers are connected together
only at the end nearest the furnace, thus all harm from irregular expansion is
prevented, this connection being made by breaking joints with one of the
units. When the boiler is in action water is carried so high in the tiers that
are quite filled with water that a portion of the water as it rises by ebullition
is carried into the tier just above, which I term the "steam tier," and is
allowed to pass down towards the lower end, depositing a portion of this
overflow in the small pools formed in the bottom spheres of this tier. The
steam generated in the lower tiers passes also down the lower half of the
steam tier not filled with water, until it reaches a turn about three-fourths of
the way down, through which it passes to the upper half of the said tier, and
thence is discharged at the upper end into the next tier above, through which
the steam again descends a short distance and again turns to the point of
outlet to the cylinders. Should too great a quantity of water be allowed to
pass from the lower tiers, a portion of it would be deposited at the lower end
of the steam tier, which would continue to receive such overplus until it
reached the turn through which the main body of steam must pass. When
this occurs, and so as to prevent inconvenience from this cause, a series of ball
valves are placed in a portion of the vertical necks of the units in this tier,

page_text: which are arranged to lift when water impedes the regular opening, beginning
to lift at the bottom first, the one nearest the rising water being always open.
These balls cover the same area of opening, and are made lightest towards the
lower part of the tier, so that the lower balls must lift first. The regular
water line of the boiler is continued in the lower portion of the highest tier of
units, and is kept at a proper level suitable pipe connections at the back
end. The upper half of the steam tier of units is divided from the lower by
partitions in the units, except in those in which the ball valves are placed, so
as to form a zig-zag passage for the steam in its way from the lower parts of
the boiler. Should the overplus water reach the topmost tier it will have a
tendency to deposit itself at the lower end of this tier below the steam turning
and from thence may flow through the connecting pipes to the lower portion
of the boiler. The bottom series of units at the sides, divisions, and back of
the boiler are supported by a suitable bed plate arranged with wedges or keys,
upon which their weight rests, and by which the proper height of the columns
or tiers may be adjusted. The top, front, back, and sides of the mass of units
are closed in by slabs of fire-clay or other fire-proof material made in squares,
laid upon and against the units at the sides and top, and placed partly between
the units at the ends.
The bridge of the furnace, which is inclined in the same direction as tho
series of side columns of units, bas an air aperture at the bottom, so arranged
as to direct a blast of air upwards and through the top of the bridge wall and
meeting the currents of flame or unconsumed gases as they emerge from the
furnace and pass over the bridge, a combustion chamber being formed behind
the bridge for the facility of burning such gases, and thereby preventing the
production of smoke.
The front of the furnace in part consists of a strong plate of cast iron
thickly lined inside with fire-brick, an ordinary fire door being formed therein.
The waste heat leaves the boiler at or near the upper corner at the back end,
passing the water contained in the upper tier of units into which the feed
water is thrown, and consequently this is the coolest point in the boiler.
5
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office, on
the 5th November 1862.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,

page_text: and of 166, Buchanan Street, in the City of Glasgow, North Britain, Gentle-
man, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Fifth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, in the twenty-fifth year of Her reign,
did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
John Henry Johnson, Her special license, that I, the said John Henry
Johnson, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said John Henry Johnson, my executors, administrators, or assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland,
the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN
STEAM GENERATORS," a communication from abroad by Joseph Harrison, of
Philadelphia, in the United States of America, Engineer, upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said John Henry Johnson, my executors or
administrators, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, or under
the hand and seal of one of them, should particularly describe and ascertain
the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office
within six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Henry Johnson, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings, and
to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say :-
The said Invention relates to a peculiar construction and arrangement of
steam generator of the description referred to in the Specification of Letters
Patent granted to me on or about the Thirtieth day of August One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-nine, Number 1970, and consists of a peculiar com-
bination and arrangement of the several units of construction composing the
generator, whereby a better circulation is given to the water and steam,
trouble from priming almost entirely prevented, and the steam generated is
produced in a comparatively dry or superheated condition.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood, I shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose I shall
refer to the several Figures on the Sheet of Drawings hereunto annexed, the
same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts in all the Figures.

page_text: Figure 1 of the Drawings represents a partial transverse vertical section
and end elevation of one arrangement of my improved steam generator, and
Figure 2 is a corresponding longitudinal vertical section of the same.
According to this Invention the generator is built up entirely of a number
of units a, a, which are disposed at the sides or divisions of the furnace and
lower part of the generator in columns A, A, rising at an angle from a vertical
liue, and falling back from the front of the boiler, whilst the units of four
spheres, forming the upper or main steam generating part of the boiler, are
disposed in rows or tiers B, B1, B2, B3, of any given length, at or about right
angles to the side and division columns A. If preferred, the sides or divisions
of the furnace may be composed of units arranged in inclined rows or tiers, in
lieu of vertical columns. These rows or tiers are inclined, such inclination
being downwards from the front of the generator. They are disposed one
above the other in two or more regular tiers. (1 have shown four such tiers
in the Drawings marked B, B1, B2, B3, respectively.) The angle from a
horizontal line of each upper tier being slightly less than the tier below, or
they may be all placed at the same angle if desired. Between, and resting
upon the top of cach tier, a partition C, of fire-clay or other material is intro-
duced, a free passage way being left at each end of the partition alternately
for the passage of the flame and gases from the furnace, their course being
thus rendered zig zag through the several tiers of units until the gases reach
the opening to the funnel D at the top. The units are also so disposed and
connected that the current of the water contained therein will flow down the
lower slope of each tier, and upwards on the upper slope, whilst the bubbles of
steam at all the lower points of the tiers filled with water, ascend in nearly
vertical lines to the uppermost part of the upper half of these tiers, thence,
without interfering with the current of water in any great degree, following
the necks and enlargements of the tier at the top, until the steam is discharged
at the upper end of these tiers. The diagram, Figure 3, shows this circulation
more clearly, the black arrows indicating the current of the water, and the
red arrows the current of the steam bubbles. The several rows of tiers
B, B1, B2, B3, are connected rigidly together only at the end nearest the furnace,
thus all harm from irregular expansion is prevented, this connection being
made by breaking joints with one of the units; a unit of four spheres stepping
from the upper range of one tier to the lower range of the tier above, and a
half unit being used at the bottom and top for filling the vacant spaces. When
the boiler is in action, water is carried so high in the tiers that are quite filled
with water that a portion of the water, as it rises by ebullition, is carried into
the tier B just above, which tier I term the "steam tier," and is allowed to

page_text: This steam tier is only
highest end, and not by
pass down towards the lower end, depositing a portion of this overflow in the
small pools formed in the bottom spheres of this tier.
connected with the water spaces of the boiler at its
the connecting pipes at the back of the boiler, as is the case with the other
tiers, consequently no water enters therein except what boils over from the
tier below. The steam generator in the lower tiers passes also down the lower
half of the steam tier B not filled with water, until it reaches a turn or
junction neck, through which it passes to the upper half of the said tier, and
thence is discharged at the upper end into the next tier B³ above, through
which the steam again descends a short distance, and again turns to the point
of outlet E to the cylinders. Should too great a quantity of water be allowed
to pass from the lower tiers, a portion of it would be deposited (as shown in
Figure 2) at the lower end of the steam tier B, which would continue to
receive such surplus until it reached the turn through which the main body of
steam must pass. When this occurs, and so as to prevent inconvenience from
this cause, a series of ball valves F, F, are placed in a portion of the vertical
necks of the units in this tier, which are arranged to lift when water impedes
the regular opening, beginning to lift at the bottom valve first, the one nearest
the rising water being always open. These balls cover the same area of
opening, and are made lightest towards the lower part of the tier, so that the
lower balls must lift first. The regular water line of the boiler is continued
in the lowest portion of the highest tier of units B³, and is kept at a proper
level (by suitable pipe connectious G, G, at the back end of the boiler). The
upper half of the steam tier of units B is divided from the lower by partitions
H, H, in the necks of the units, except in those in which the ball valves are
placed, so as to form a zig zag passage for the steam in its way from the lower
parts of the boiler. Should the surplus water reach the topmost tier, it will
have a tendency to deposit itself at the lower end of this tier below the steam
turning, and from thence may flow through the connecting pipes to the lower
portion of the boiler. The bottom series of units at the sides, divisions, and
back of the boiler are supported by a suitable bed plate, arranged with wedges
or keys I, I, or otherwise upon which their weight rests, and by which the
proper beight of the columns or tiers may be adjusted. The top front back
and sides of the mass of units are closed in by slabs of fire-clay or other fire-
proof material K, K, made in squares, laid upon and against the units of the
sides and top, and placed partly between the units at the ends, the whole being
cased in with plate iron, or, if preferred, the entire boiler may be inclosed in
brick work. The front of the furnace in part consists of a strong plate L, of
cast iron, thickly lined inside with fire-brick M, an ordinary fire-door N being

page_text: formed therein. The waste heat leaves the boiler at or near the upper corner
of the back end, passing the water contained in the upper tier of units, into
which tier the feed water is thrown, and consequently this is the coolest point
in the boiler.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel
and original, and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the
herein-before in part recited Letters Patent, is,
First, the general construction and arrangement of steam generators, as
herein-before described.
Second, the peculiar arrangement of the units in inclined tiers in steam
generators composed of these units, so that the current of the water contained
therein will flow down the lower portion of cach tier, and upwards on the
upper portion thereof, whilst the bubbles of steam at all the lower points of
the tier filled with water, will ascend in a vertical or nearly vertical direction
through the necks to the top or roof of the upper portion of the tier without
interfering with the circulation of the water, as herein-before described and
illustrated by the diagram, Figure 3.
Third, the so disposing and arranging the units of those tiers which are only
partly filled with water, that the steam will flow down the lower portions of
such tiers, and up the upper portions, alternately, thereby making a zig-zag
course, depositing any excess of water on the bottom of the tier, and causing
the steam to be superheated or dried in its passage along the upper tier or
tiers of units, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have hereunto set
my hand and scal, this Fifth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-two.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)