Improved Method of and Apparatus for Supplying Feed Water to Steam Boilers.
Year: 1888

page_text: .
Date of Application, 23rd May, 1888.
Complete Specification Left; 9th Jan., 1889.
Complete Specification Accepted, '23rd Feb., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Apparatus for Supplying Feed Water
to Steam Boilers.
1
I, JAMES TENNENT, Sea View House, Kilcreggan, Dumbartonshire, N.B., Student,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object to supply feed water to steam boilers in such a
manner as to obviate the need of any steain or other pressure to introduce it, and is
applicable to boilers of a horizontal, vertical, or other type. The apparatus I prefer
to employ may be fitted in the boiler at any point within the upper area of the steam
space, but preferably for general convenience, near the front edge or extremity of the
boiler casing.
The feed water pipe is provided with a stop valve, which is so adjusted that when
the inlet of the feed pipe is closed by this valve, it leaves open a valve orifice in the
upper end of the delivery tube or.cylinder of the apparatus, and when the feed pipe is
opened, the delivery valve closes.
The use of the before-mentioned valve orifice at the upper end of the said delivery
cylinder, is to establish an equilibrium of the steam pressure by counter-balancing the
upward pressure on a valve at the lower end of the said delivery tube, whenever the
supply of feed water is shut off by the closing of the feed pipe valve after the delivery
tube is full, with the result, that the feed water then-held suspended in the cylinder,
is precipitated through the lower valve by the increment of its own weight thereon,
the valve being afterwards closed, either automatically by spring or otherwise. Tho
foregoing operation being repeated till the level of the water in the boiler is raised
to its proper height, at which point the apparatus ceases to act, and so serves as a
water gauge, in addition.
Water may be raised to the feed pipe, when desired, by an ordinary suction or
other pump.
The valves in the feed pipe and at upper end of delivery pipe may be operated in
any of the usual ways, either by a spindle, or as a slide valve, or otherwise.
The spindle passes across, and immediately under the lower surfaces of the valve
orifice placed both at the lower end of the feed pipe and the upper end of the delivery
LD S

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tube. The end of the said spindle is received into, or supported by, a small hole or
socket in the inner end of the delivery tube, and as it must be steam tight throughout,
a small groove is made in the under side of said valves, which receives the back or
upper part of the spindle. In the case of boilers used at very high pressures,
however, it may be preferable to construct a screwed lug (instead of the groove)
immediately under the said valve inlets to receive the spindle, it having a corre-
sponding screw thereon, and each lug having a hole in its centre opposite to the
valve inlets before mentioned, the simultaneous closing of the one valve and opening
of the other being effected by perforating holes in the spindle, corresponding to, and
facing the holes in the valve orifices (or lugs), but each hole in the spindle being in
an opposite direction to the other.
The valve at the lower end of the delivery cylinder may be operated by spring, or
otherwise, independently of the opposite valve at the upper end; but, in order to
secure more perfectly the simultaneous action of the said two valves, and prevent
the upper one from opening when the lower one is closed by the pressure of the
water after it has reached its normal level in the boiler, it is preferable to have them
connected by a thin rod of iron (or similar means), the said rod passing up-the
interior of the cylinder, and having its extremities fastened or jointed to the spindle
in the junction, and the lower valve stopper, so that when the spindle is moved in
the required direction, both the aforesaid valves may open or close simultaneously.
An additional advantage results by this means, as the before-mentioned pressure of
water after it has reached its normal level, prevents the apparatus from acting, and
so it becomes a reliable water gauge.
By this apparatus a certain lifting or pumping power may be obtained, suitable for
raising feed or other water from a low level, as by condensing the steam in the
delivery cylinder, after it is discharged of feed water, a suctional effect is produced
on any water put in communication therewith, on account of the vacuum so
occasioned.
Dated this 23rd day of May 1888.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: Improved Method of and Apparatus for Supplying Feed Water
to Steam Boilers.
1, JAMES TENNENT of Sea View House, Kilcreggan, Dumbartonshire N.B. Student,.
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 state-
ment:-
This invention relates to the supplying of feed water to steam boilers and it has for
its object an improved method of and apparatus for supplying feed water to steam
boilers in such a manner as to obviate the necessity of employing steam or other
pressure to introduce the water into the boiler.. The invention is applicable to boilers
of a horizontal, vertical, or other type. The form of apparatus which I prefer to
employ may be fitted either inside or outside the boiler at any point above the normal
water level, but preferably, for general convenience, near the front edge or extremity
of the boiler shell.
The apparatus consists mainly, 1st of a delivery pipe or cylinder, placed either
inside or outside the boiler above the normal water level, and communicating at or
near one end with the feed pipe and with the steam or water space of the boiler and
at or near the opposite end with the said steam or water space alone, and 2nd, of a
valvular arrangement either automatic or otherwise for controlling the above com-
munications.
The invention may be clearly understood by the following description, reference
being had to the accompanying drawings, in which,
Figure 1 is a back elevation of the apparatus as it may be worked automatically
and applied to the inside of a vertical boiler.
Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation of the same, a portion of the valve actuating
mechanism being removed,
Figures 3 and 4 show a modified form of the apparatus (non-automatic) as applied
to the inside of a vertical boiler, Figure 3 being a vertical section looking towards the
outside of the boiler, and Figure 4 a side elevation.
Figure 5 is a hack elevation of a modification of the automatic apparatus also adapted
to the inside of a vertical boiler.
Figure 6 shows, in section and in dotted lines respectively, two slightly different
ways in which the invention may be applied to the inside of a horizontal boiler.
Figure 7 shows how the apparatus may be applied to a boiler when the feed water
is to be raised automatically from a lower level, the delivery pipe being in this figure
shown on the outside of the boiler.
Figure 8 is an enlarged sectional elevation of a form of double valve arrangement
used in the apparatus.
Figures 9 and 10 are respectively part sections on lines and yy Figure 8.
In these A is the boiler and a the normal water level. B is the delivery pipe,
placed either inside or outside the boiler. (is the feed pipe communicating with the
delivery pipe by a feed orifice D. E is a steam orifice connecting the upper end of
the delivery pipe with the steam space and F is a delivery orifice connecting the lower
end of said pipe with the interior of the boiler at or near the normal water level.
Suitable side branches are provided upon the delivery pipe where necessary.
The orifices DEF are each controlled by a valve of any convenient form, but in
any case they are arranged to work. preferably in connection with each other, in such

page_text: a manner that when the feed orifice D is open, the steam and delivery orifices E and F
are closed, or vice versu.
The type of valve I prefer to employ is in the form of a spindle G or H which is
supported in suitable bearings in or upon the delivery pipe or its branches, and passes
across the inner ends of the aforesaid orifices having an accurate bearing on the inetal
surrounding the same. Each of the spindles G H is pierced transversely with a bole
de or opposite to the corresponding valve orifice DEF, so that when it is turned
into a certain position there is a free passage through it from the orifice, but when it
is turned into another given position the said orifice is closed. The two orifices DE.
or DF which are at the same end of the delivery tube B may be controlled by one
combined spindle G as shown in Figures 2, 6, 7, and on an enlarged scale in Figures
8, 9, and 10. In this case the holes de or d fare placed at an angle to each other as
in Figures 8, 9 and 10, so that one is closed when the other is open.
The spindle valves GH may be made steam tight by simply forming a groove in the
face of the metal. surrounding the orifices, the said groove being adapted to receive
and bear against the convex surface of the spindle. When, however, the apparatus is
employed with boilers at high pressures, it may be preferable to pass the spindles
through lugs which are each provided with a hole opposite to the corresponding
valve orifice, as shown in Figures 2, 6, 8, 9 and 10. The bearing surfaces of the lugs
and spindles may be plain or they may be provided with a screw thread with the object
of rendering them more steam tight.
Either one or both of the valves may be actuated from the outside of the boiler, in
which case their outer ends are provided with a steam tight bearing 2. If the valves
are operated separately they may each be fitted with a hand-wheel such as J Figure 4,
but if they are both actuated from one hand-wheel, which is by preference carried by
the valve G, they are connected one with the other by a link K and arms G'H' as in
Figure 3, or by a chain I and wheel G² as in Figure 5, or by other equivalent
arrangement. The connecting mechanism may be placed outside the boiler, or inside
it as in Figures 1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 or even within the delivery pipe Bas in Figures
3 and 4.
The valve arms GH and chain-wheel G are firmly, secured to the spindle valves,
and the link K or its equivalent, the chain L, is provided, preferably at or near its
end remote from the feed pipe, with two stops or shoulders & Figures 1, 5 and 7,
which are
adapted to engage the valve arin H or its equivalent, in either direction.
The stops are placed at such a distance apart that when the valve G is turned to
open or close the feed orifice D the link K will not operate the valve I until such
opening or closing operation is complete. The link K shown in Figure 3 is pro-
vided with an elongated slot k, the ends of which are the substitute for the pins
or shoulders and engage a projecting pin on the end of the valve arm.
The mode of operation of the above apparatus is as follows
On turning the valve G sufficiently to open the feed orifice D (the steam and
delivery orifices E and F being closed) the feed water enters and fills the delivery
pipe B, any steam contained therein being condensed. The pipe B being filled,
the valve G is turned still further in the same direction. This closes the feed
orifice, and opens the steam and delivery orifices E and F simultaneously. The
steam pressure on the lower end of the column of feed water in the pipe B is
now counterbalanced by that on the upper end thereof, and the said water is there-
fore by its own weight precipitated through the lower or delivery orifice F. The
feed water having been discharged, the parts are returned to their normal position,
until it is necessary to again fill the delivery pipe.
The above apparatus may be rendered automatic in its action as follows:-
The hand-wheel J or other outer mechanism is dispensed with and a float M of a
suitable weight and buoyancy is attached to the lower end of the link K within the
boiler (see Figures 1, 6, and 7) or of its equivalent the chain Las in Figure 5. The
float M rises and falls with the surface of the water in the boiler and effects a corro-
sponding oscillation in the valve G by means of its arm G. During the lower portion
of the upward and downward movement of the float, it also effects the oscillation of

page_text: the valve H. The float and the valve mechanism are preferably so arranged that
when the surface of the water in the boiler stands at its normal level, the hole d in the
valve Glies approximately in the position shown in Figure 1, that is the feed
orifice D is fully open. The capacity of the delivery pipe B is made proportional to
the evaporating power of the boiler. The feed pipe C may be provided with a stop
valve of any ordinary kind. When the float M and the surface of the water in the
boiler are at their normal level, the feed orifice D is fully open and the delivery pipe B
is filled with feed water.
The above automatic apparatus acts as follows:-
As the surface of the water in the boiler falls below its normal level, the float M
also falls and moves the valve G, so that the feed orifice D is closed. The surface
of the water in the boiler continuing to fall, the Hoat turns the valve G still
further and opens the orifice E and at the same time the orifice F by means of
the pin or shoulder or its equivalent. The feed water in the pipe D is now
precipitated as aforesaid by its own weight into the boiler. The float consequently
now rises, closes the steam and delivery orifices E F and again opens the feed
orifice I). The apparatus then remains in its normal position until the level of
the water in the boiler again falls. The delivery pipe B is preferably of such a
capacity that the delivery orifice F will discharge as much water into the boiler
as will raise the surface of the water therein, and the float, to their normal
positions.
In the apparatus shown in Figure 5 the orifice F is controlled by a flap
valve N, instead of by a spindle valve. The valvo is provided with a projecting
arm, and is operated from the valve G by a chain wheel G³, and by a chain L,
having a float M at one end and a weight M' at the opposite end. The valve is
closed by the weight M' as the float rises to its normal level, the lower end of
the weight forming the shoulder k, aforesaid, and the stem m on the weight
passing loosely through the valve arm and being provided with the shoulder ¹
aforesaid, which is adapted to engage the said arm on its underside when the
weight rises.
In Figure 6 there are shown two different ways of applying the apparatus to a
horizontal boiler. The apparatus may be placed vertically as shown in section,
being stayed, if necessary, as by a standard a¹ on the crown of the furnace, or it
may be placed in an inclined position, as shown, in dotted lines. The latter
position is, however, more especially applicable to the non-automatic form of the
apparatus.
Figure 7 shows how the apparatus may be modified when the feed water is to
be drawn from a point below the water level of the boiler. The valve G is placed,
in this case, at the lower end of the delivery pipe, and the valve H at the upper
end thereof, the said pipe being placed either inside or outside the boiler as may
be most convenient. When the steam and delivery orifices E F are closed and
the feed orifice D open, the water in the trough P rises by atmospheric pressure,
into the delivery pipe, condensing any steam which may be left there, from.the
previous operation. A removable stopper may also be provided at the top of
the delivery pipe, lest at any time it may be necessary to charge the said pipe,
and the feed pipe with water, when starting the apparatus.
During the time the stopper is removed, the lower end of the feed pipe may
be closed by a cock C. Or the feed and delivery pipes may be charged by first
filling them with steam by means of a supplen.caiary steam branch. The cold
feed water in the trough and lower end of the feel pipe then rises into the
feed and delivery pipes as the steam is condensed therein. The above arrange-
ment will only act when the water in the trough P is at a limited distance, say
25 feet, below the delivery pipe.
When found convenient, the valve arm H may be operated by a separate float,
either with or without a rod or link in connection therewith.
It is evident from the foregoing description, that the apparatus will not act unless
the water within the boiler requires to be replenished, and therefore it serves as a

page_text: reliable water gauge, whether for high or low pressure boilers. For this purpose the
spindle valve G may be extended to the outside of the boiler, and provided with an
index finger working over a dial plate, or with other suitable indicating device.
Although, in the accompanying drawings, the lower end of the delivery pipe is
shown carried down to the normal water level, yet this is not absolutely necessary,
as a shorter pipe, if preferred, would also operate.
The minor details of the apparatns may be varied considerably without departing
from the scope of the invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:―
1. The method of supplying water to a steam boiler against the internal pressure
therein, and without the aid of external forcing devices, the said method consisting in
first introducing the feed water into a closed chamber within the steam space of the
hoiler, in afterwards closing the feed entrance to said chamber, and in fically
simultaneously connecting the upper and lower ends of the column of water in the
said chamber with the steam pressure in the boiler, so that the said column of water.is
precipitated into the boiler by its own weight, substantially as set forth.
2. A feed water apparatus for a steam boiler, consisting of, 1st, a closed delivery
pipe or chamber, located above the normal water level of the boiler, adapted to be
connected through a feed orifice with a feed pipe, and provided at its upper and lower
ends respectively with a-steam orifice and a delivery orifice both adapted to com-
municate directly with the steam in the boiler; 2nd, suitable valves for controlling
said orifices; and 3rd, mechanism for operating said valves, either automatically or
otherwise, in such a manner that the steam and delivery orifices are opened simulta-
neously after the closing of the feed orifice, or vice versa, substantially as-and-for-the
purposes described.
73. In a feed water apparatus for a steam boiler, having a delivery pipe or chamber
uch as described, the combination with the feed orifice D, the steam orifice E, and
the delivery orifice F, in said chamber, of the spindle-valve G controlling the orifice D
and E or D and F, of the spindle valve H controlling-the orifice or E, of a hand-
wheel J for working the valve G, and of the link and arms arrangement. K G'H' or
its equivalent by which the valves may be operated simultaneously, substantially as
and for the purposes described.
4. In a feed water apparatus such as herein described, the combination with the
delivery pipe B, the orifices D, E, F therein, and the spindle valves G H controlling
the same, of a float or floats M buoyed upon and moving with the surface of the
water in the boiler and connected to the valves G and H by a link K and arms G' H'
or other equivalent device, whereby the said apparatus is rendered automatic and
continuous in its action, substantially as set forth.
5. The modified form of automatic feed water apparatus, whereby the feed water
may be lifted from a considerable depth and discharged into the boiler against the
pressure therein, substantially as described and shown in Figure 7.
6. In combination with an automatic feed water apparatus such as herein described
an indicating apparatus connected on the exterior of the boiler to the end of the
spindle G of the said apparatus, whereby the latter may be utilised as a water gauge
substantially as set forth.
Dated this Eighth day of January 1889.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.