Improvements in Steam Boilers.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Oct., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 20th June, 1894-Accepted, 25th Aug., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Steam Boilers.
We, JOHN HENRY OWEN, of The Woodlands, Church Lawton, in the County
of Cheshire, and DAVID Ross TODD, of Avenue House, Kidsgrove, in the County
of Stafford, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
or
"
This invention has reference to new or improved construction, or arrangements
and combinations, of the parts of steam boilers or generators, of the type known as
"tubulous "water tube boilers in which the steam is generated in a group, of
straight horizontally inclined tubes, and delivered from thence into a steam drum
or receiver Our present improvements hereinafter described relate;
First to the construction of the end boxes or headers into which the horizontally
inclined tubes are expanded.
Second to the construction of an improved safety bridge, or internal cover for
closing the hand holes in headers.
Third to a new improved construction of cross-boxes or water pockets, for steam
drums to which the headers are attached.
Fourth to a modified arrangement and combination, of a group of our improved
headers, in a water tube boiler of the class herein before referred to.
Referring to our first improvement, our improved header may be constructed of
iron or steel channels of unequal sections, or of steel or iron plates bent to channel
form. In the back or larger channel, holes are bored to receive the tubes, which
In the front
latter are secured by being firmly expanded into the said holes.
channel and opposite to the tube holes, a series of hand holes are drilled, and
we face or machine the outer surfaces of the said channels, round the edges of
the said hand-holes, by means of a cutter or milling tool, so as to make a perfectly
level seat for the hand hole cap or cover. By cutting two small notches at opposite
sides of each hand hole, we are able to insert our special hand hole bridge
or internal cover, hereinafter referred to. As it is imperative for the free
circulation of the water in the headers, that the ends of said headers, top, and
bottom, should be of sufficient sectional area, to permit of a nipple being expanded
into them, we preferably make the front channel of our improved headers in three
parts; the centre portion having the webs turned outwards, and the end portions
their webs turned inwards. The three portions are united, by having a flange
In order to secure a
formed at their ends through which rivets are inserted.
zigzag, or stagger arrangement of the tubes in the boiler, we bore the top and
bottom tube holes and hand-holes, of the headers, at unequal distances from the
respective ends of the headers, and by reversing the headers alternately, the
particular arrangement of tubes is obtained. This method enables us to make the
headers of straight form, and we thus avoid the defect present in many water tube
boilers of having staggered or bent water passages, and we secure a free and
unimpeded course for the circulation of the water.
Under another arrangement of our improvements, we may dispense with the short
end pieces of the front chanuel of the header, and instead, make the said channel
In this case, in
in one piece, equal, or nearly equal in length, to the back channel.
order to obtain sufficient area at the ends, to receive the end pieces and nipples, we
may bend the front channel outwards, between the first and second hand-holes from
each end. We then weld on triangular pieces to the webs at each end of the back
channel, or, by specially shaping the plate from which the back channel is formed,

page_text: we make triangular projecting pieces, which overlap the outwardly projecting ends
of the front channel, & to which we secure them by rivets. Our improved safety
hand-hole bridge or internal cover, we may make, preferably, either from steel or
iron plate, or we may cast it in the correct form from any suitable metal. This
bridge is dome shaped, and is stamped or cast, so that a slightly projecting ledge
is formed all round; this ledge being extended at two opposite points, to form two
snugs, which project a little beyond the said ledge. This improved bridge we
introduce into the hand holes of our headers edgeways, and after turning it round, we
place it flat against the inner edge of the hand holes, with the snugs before referred
to covering the notches in hand holes. In this way we secure a comparatively close
water seal, which prevents a violent rush of water, in the event of the bolt breaking.
The bolt of the hand hole cover may be inserted loosely into the safety bridge, or it
may be securely rivetted into it as preferred. Our improved cross box or water
pocket for steam drum or receiver we construct of steel or iron channels, or of steel
plates flanged to a channel shape, bent to an irregular D form and united by rivets
to two flat plates, which extend across the drum, and by means of which, the cross
box is secured to the shell plates of the drum itself. In the bottom portion of the
channels before referred to, we bore a series of tube holes, into which the nipples
are expanded, which carry the headers and sections of the boiler.
As the two lower corners of our improved cross box are exposed to the full
pressure of the steam, we stay them preferably by means of nipples, expanded into
the flat side plates before referred to or we support the said flat plates, by screwed
stays or other suitable method.
In order to permit free and unimpeded circulation of the water and steam within
the drum, we cut away part of the internal portion of the side plates of our cross
box, and bend the same over, to form a projecting ledge or dash plate, within the
drum, by which means we ensure a steadier water level.
According to an alternative arrangement of our improved headers, as applied to
water tube boilers of the type herein before referred to; we preferably construct
our headers of channels, or plates bent to a channel form as herein before described,
but we modify the general disposition of the headers in their relation to each other,
our object being to modify the zigzag stagger or disposition of the tubes in the
furnace of the boiler, for the purpose of thoroughly utilizing the heat, from the
gases, or products of combustion, while at the same time we preserve the straight
form of header, which admits of a free and unimpeded flow of the water within the
headers. For this purpose we construct the headere, so that they lie in an inclined
position, being connected at their ends by means of nipples to two vertical side
boxes, and to a horizontal bottom box. The said vertical side boxes and bottom
box are constructed of channels and plates rivetted together so as to form a box
section. A series of tube holes, are bored in both the plates and channels, to
receive a row of horizontally inclined tubes, and also the nipples, which connect
them with the inclined headers before referred to. We also bore a series of hand-
holes, to receive our special safety bridge as hereinbefore described. The inclined
headers and also the vertical side boxes before referred to, are connected to our
improved cross box on the steam drum by nipples, precisely as in the case of our
first arrangement of improved headers as hereinbefore described.
As witness our hand this 12th day of October 1893.
JNO. HY. OWEN.
DAVID ROSS TODD.

page_text: Improvements in Steam Boilers.
We JOHN HENRY OWEN of The Woodlands Church Lawton in the County
of Cheshire and DAVID Ross TODD of Avenue House Kidsgrove in the County
of Stafford Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
وو
Our invention has reference to new, or improved constructions or arrangements
and combination of the parts of steam boilers or generators, of the type known as
"tubulous or water tube boilers, in which the steam is generated in a group, or
series of groups of straight, horizontally inclined tubes and delivered from thence
into a steam drum or receiver; the boiler being fired externally by a furnace
situated beneath, and towards the front end of the horizontally inclined tubes, and
between the brick walls which enclose the boiler. Our present improvements
hereinafter described relate more particularly, first, to the construction of the
end boxes or headers into which the horizontally inclined tubes are expanded,
second, to the construction of an improved safety bridge for closing the hand holes
in headers, third, to a new and improved construction of the cross-boxes or
water pockets on steam drum, to which the headers are attached, and fourth, to
a modified arrangement and combination, of a group of our improved headers, in a
water tube boiler of the class above referred to.
In order that our said invention and the manner of performing or carrying the
same into effect or practice may be properly understood, we have hereunto appended
explanatory sheets of drawings, in which the same reference letters are used to
indicate corresponding parts in all the figures where shown.
In Sheet 1, Figs. 1 and 2, show a side elevation partly in section, of a water
tube steam boiler or generator such as hereinbefore referred to, but constructed
according to our present invention; and a cross section of the same boiler showing
the disposition of the tubes in the furnace, and their relation to each other, the
zigzag, or stagger arrangement, being secured by the method of construction
adopted in our improved headers as hereinafter described.
In Sheet 2, Figs. 3 to 6º, show in detail the construction of our improved end
boxes or headers.
In Sheet 3, Figs. 7 to 12, show in detail the construction and method of
application, of our improved safety bridge to the hand holes of headers.
In Sheet 3, Figs. 13 to 16, show in detail the construction of our improved
crossbox or water pocket, and the method of its attachment to the steam drum and
headers.
In Sheet 4, Figs. 17 to 26, show an alternative or modified arrangement or
combination, of a group of our improved headers, and details of same.
Referring to Sheet 2, Fig. 3, shows a front elevation of our improved header,
Fig. 4, a back elevation of same header, Fig. 5, shows a longitudinal section, and
Fig. 6, a plan looking on top of header. While Figs. 6A, 6B, 6º, show a modified
or alternative method of construction of our improved header.
in
Referring to Figs. 3 to 6, the improved header is composed of iron or steel
channels a, a', a², of unequal sections, or of steel or wrought iron plates bent to
channel form. In the back or larger channel a, holes b, are bored to receive the
tubes which latter, are secured by being firmly expanded into the holes b.
the front channel a', opposite to the tube holes b, handholes c, are drilled. And
the outer surfaces of the channel a', around the edge of said hand-holes, is faced by
a cutter or milling tool, as shown at points d, so as to make a perfectly level seat.
for the hand hole cap or cover. At opposite sides of each handholes c, two small

page_text: notches e, are cut to permit of the easy insertion of our special hand hole bridge,―
(Figs. 7 to 12 Sheet 3 which we shall hereafter describe).-The notches e, may be
formed either by means of a chisel after the hand holes c have been bored, or they
may be formed preferably by drilling holes out of the solid plate in channels a', a³,
before the hand holes c, are bored. The space across handhole c, measured
between the notches, being only very slightly greater than the diameter of
handhole c, as bored in the channel, the faced seat d, around the edge of handhole c,
herein before mentioned is cut away only to a very slight extent, and the efficiency
of the joint is therefore not impaired in any way by the formation of the notches e.
As it is imperative that the ends of the headers top and bottom, should be of
sufficient sectional area to permit of a nipple f¹, being expanded into them, and as
it is preferable to insert the rivets g, which secure the channels together from
the outside as far as possible, we prefer to construct the end portions of the
headers a², of separate pieces as shown. Referring to Figs. 3 to 5, in the central
portion of the header the back and front channels a, and a', have the edges of the
webs of both channels turned outwards or in the same direction. The back of
channel a', being turned inwards. By this means the rivets g, can be readily closed
by machinery.
To enable the headers to be placed close together when grouped together in a
boiler, it is preferable to countersink the heads of rivets as shown.
In the end portion of the headers a² (Figs. 3 and 5.) the outer channels have the
webs turned inwards, the back of the channel being outwards and flush with the
edges of the web of channel a. This construction enables us to fix the end pieces k,
which have a surface sufficiently large to permit the nipples f', to be expanded into
them. The said end pieces k, may be made of cast iron or preferably of cast steel,
or of steel plate suitably flanged to fit the ends of the headers. The channels a², a²,
which form the front portion of the headers are united at the points 1, (Fig. 5) by
having their webs m, cut away at each side, for a length equal to the depth of said
web, and having the back plate n, (Figs. 3 and 5) of the channels turned over, the
corners o, being welded to secure a good joint. By this method flanges are formed
at the ends of the three portions of channels a', a², by means of which they can be
readily united by the rivets g, as shown.
Referring again to Fig. 3, the position of the top and bottom handholes c, and
tube holes b, relative to the ends of the header are different. The top handhole c,
and tube bole b, is shown closer to the top end of header than the bottom hand-
hole " and tube hole b, is to the bottom end of header. If therefore the contiguous
headers when placed together in a boiler are reversed, the unequal distances of the
corresponding tubes in each case from the ends of their respective headers, produces
the zigzag, or stagger arrangement of tubes in the furnace, as shown on Fig. 2.
Sheet 1.
Referring to Figs. 6A, 6B, 6°, these show an alternative method of forming our
improved header.. In this case we dispense with the short end pieces of channel a,
shown in Figs. 3 and 5, and instead, we make the front channel a', equal, or nearly
equal in length to the back channel a. In order to obtain sufficient area at the ends of
header to receive the end pieces k, we bend the front channel a¹, outwards, between
the first and second handholes c, from each end at the points marked p. To effect
this and to secure a good joint, it is necessary to have triangular pieces 7, on the
webs at each end of the back channel a. These triangular pieces we either weld
to the webs of back channel a, or we shape the plates from which the said back
channel is formed, so that, when bent to its proper form the ends will have a
triangular shape as shown at 9. The end pieces k, are modified to suit the triangular
shape of the ends of the header as shown in Fig. 6º.
Figs. 7 to 12, Sheet 3, show our improved safety handhole bridge or internal
cover. We may make it either from steel or iron plate, or cast it in the form
shown of any suitable metal. The bridge is dome shaped, and is either cast or
stamped so that a slightly projectiug ledge r, is formed all round. This ledge is
extended at the opposite points to form the snugs s. The bridge is constructed, so

page_text: that its diameter across the points r,.is just a shade less than the diameter of hand-
holes in headers, between the notches e, herein before referred to. The bridge is
introduced into the header by being turned edgeways, as shown on Fig. 11. Owing
to its diameter at the points r, being slightly less than the space across handhole
between the notches e, it can be easily introduced until its centre line is within the
inner edge of hand hole c, it is then turned over and placed flat against handhole c,
as shown in Figs. 7 and 8, being turned round so that the snugs s, project over the
notches e. In this way we secure a comparatively tight joint and a violent escape
of steam or water is prevented in the event of the bolt t breaking. The bolt t,
may either be a loose one passed through the clamps as shown on Fig. 7, or it may
be riveted in as shown on Fig. 12.
The cover u, and nuts v, of the handhole is shown on Figs. 7 and 8.
These are
of the construction adopted in most water tube boilers, and may be either cast of
any suitable metal, or stamped out of steel or iron plate.
Figs. 13 to 16 inclusive, in Sheet 3, show our improved crossbox or water pockets,
by means of which the front and rear headers are connected to the steam drum or
reservoir. A, is a steel or wrought iron channel, or a steel or wrought iron plate
flanged to channel shape and bent to the form shown. B, is another steel plate
flanged to the shape shown in Figs. 13 and 14. The bevel shown in Fig. 14, is for
the purpose of giving the front and back headers the necessary inclination, when
the nipples f, are expanded into their seats. The two channels or flanged plates A,
and 13, are connected at the points C, by two flanged plates or covers D. E, are
two steel or wrought plates which are riveted to the above mentioned channels, or
flanged plates A, and B, and to the drum plates F, as shown.
As the projecting corners G, of the plates E, are exposed to the full pressure
of the steam it is necessary to support them by means of stays. For this purpose
we prefer to expand into holes in each plate E, nipples f, similar in size to the
other nipples used in the construction of the boiler; by beading these nipples over
at the ends most effectual stays are provided. If desired or if preferable, we can
modify this arrangement, by inserting ordinary screwed stays instead of the nipples
shown.
In the bottom channel or flanged plates B, of the crossboxes holes b, are drilled
similar in size to the tube holes b, in our improved headers hereinbefore referred to.
Into these holes nipples f', will be expanded and from these the headers and sections
of the boiler will depend. In the case of the front crossbox of the boiler, the two
plates E, are cut away and bent over leaving the spaces marked H, for the
free circulation of the steam and water. The parts of plates E, marked K,
(Figs. 13, 14, and 15) are bent over at right angles. These with the addition of the
plate L, which is fastened to them, form a most effective dash-plate, to prevent
violent ebbulition at the front end of steam drum, and a consequent unsteady water
level. The centre portion of plates E, extend right across the steam drum and
form substantial stays. In the case of the rear crossbox the parts K, of
plates E, are entirely cut away, as no dashplate is required at the rear end of
steam drum.
In Sheet 4, Figs. 17 to 19 inclusive, show a modified arrangement of our improved
headers or front boxes, and Figs. 20 to 26 inclusive, details showing construction
of same.
In this case we preferably form our headers of chanuels, or plates bent
to channel form, as herein before described, but the general disposition of the
headers, in their relation to each other is altered. The object being to modify
the zigzag, stagger, or disposition of the tubes in the furnace of the boiler, for
the purpose of utilizing fully the heat from the gases or products of combustion,
and at the same time preserving the straight form of header, which admits of a
free and unimpeded flow of the water within the headers.
Referring to Figs. 17 to 19, we construct the headers so that they lie in an
inclined position, the end pieces k, are made so that the nipples f, may be
inserted horizontally or vertically. The top nipples f, we expand into the tube
holes in crossbox of drum as herein before described, but as the headers M, have

page_text: their upper ends, and the headers N, their lower ends inclined to the vertical,
we find it necessary to connect them by nipples f¹, inserted in a horizontal
position. To effect this we employ two side headers O, and one bottom header P.
These side and bottom headers are shown in detail in Figs. 21 to 26 Sheet 4.
They are formed of channels a, and steel plates x, riveted together so as to
form a box section. Tube holes b, are drilled in the plate x, and in the channels a,
to receive the nipples f, or the tubes f. The handholes c, are precisely
similar to those herein before described in connection with our improved headers,
and they are closed by safety bridges in every respect identical to those shown
on Figs. 7 to 12, Sheet 3. The end pieces k, of the headers are made of cast iron,
or steel or other suitable metal and are formed as shown in Figs. 17, and 20, being
securely riveted to the headers. All the headers M, N, are constructed of channels,
or steel plates bent to a channel form, similar to our improved headers as herein-
before described and as shown on Figs. 3, and 4, Sheet 2, but the ends are bevelled
and closed by the special cast end pieces k, and made to receive the horizontal and
vertical nipples f', as shown in Fig. 17. The side boxes O, and the bottom box P,
have the tubes, arranged in the first case vertically above each other, and in the
latter case horizontally in line, as shown in Figs. 17, 25, and 26. This combination
of inclined headers and vertical side boxes, is connected to the crossboxes or water
pocket of steam drum hereinbefore described by the nipples f', as shown in
Figs. 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, and 24.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is,
First. In a water tube, or tubulous steam boiler the construction, and use of a
header or series of straight headers, constructed of steel or iron channels, or steel
or iron plates bent to channel form, and so riveted together that the water within
them has a free and unimpeded circulation, and so arranged that at the upper and
lower ends of said headers, end pieces large enough to receive a nipple, can be
inserted, as herein described and distinguished in reference to and as shown in the
several figures on Sheets 1 and 2, respectively of the accompanying drawings.
Second. In a water tube, or tubulous steam boiler, the construction and use of a
safety bridge or internal cover for handboles of headers, constructed substantially
as herein described, in reference to, and as shown on Sheet 3, of the accompanying
drawings.
Third. In a water tube, or tubulous steam boiler the construction and use of
crossboxes, or water pockets formed of steel or iron channels, or of steel or iron
plates bent to channel forn, and riveted to flat plates shaped in the manner herein
described, and in reference to, and as shown on Sheet 3, of the accompanying
drawings.
Fourth. In a water tube or tubulous steam boiler the construction of straight
inclined headers, with vertical and horizontal headers, constructed and arranged as
herein described and distinguished in reference to and as shown on Sheet 4, of the
accompanying drawings.
Dated this 16th day of June 1894.
JOHN HENRY OWEN.
DAVID ROSS TODD.