Improvements in or connected with Steam Generators.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Dec., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 31st Jan., 1894-Accepted, 17th Mar., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Steam Generators.
I, BENJAMIN WILLCOX of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields in the County of London
Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of this invention which has been
communicated to me from abroad by Louis Marie Gabriel Delaunay Belleville
of 40 ter, Rue de Douai, Paris in the Republic of France Engineer, to be as
follows:-
The invention relates to improvements in or connected with steam generators
such as the sectional steam generators of the Belleville type with a view to
economizing the space occupied by these generators and their accessory apparatus
and rendering them more efficient in their action as hereinafter explained. With
this object the feed water heater and purifier is so arranged as to admit of the
employment of two return pipes with wide over-flow passages which facilitate a
rapid discharge of the water and the two return pipes of two adjacent generators
are so arranged as to obviate any material increase in the space required for
groups of marine boilers.
The improved arrangement also enables generators placed transversely in a
ship to work properly without being affected by the rolling and pitching motions
of the vessel.
According to this invention two depositing vessels and two supplies of water to
the feed collector are provided which enable the water to be more uniformly
distributed to all the elements. The base of the funnel or chimney is constructed
with bars forming lattice work the framing of which is not allowed to come in
contact with the sheets or plates heated by the products of combustion and is
consequently not liable to be weakened by overheating being at the same time
considerably strengthened and rendered more durable.
The water heater being of the class described in the Specification annexed to
Letters Patent granted to me and dated 21st June 1892 No. 11615 is closed at
its extremities by cast steel ends or covers provided with elbow pipes having wide
openings for the escape of the water. These elbow pipes communicate with straight
pipes connected with return pipes supplying water to the depositing vessels. The
ends of the collector and the elbow pipes are provided with suitable hand holes
fitted with covers.
In the arrangements heretofore employed the discharge of water from the heater
takes place at one side only through an outlet orifice of a diameter proportional
to that of the heater or purifier. This orifice was provided with a union continued
in the form of an elbow for conducting the water to the return pipe and occupied
so much space that it was impossible to arrange the return pipes of two adjacent
generators side by side without considerably increasing the distance between the
two heaters or purifiers and consequently increasing the distance between the
generators themselves. This construction renders it impossible to employ two
return pipes without taking up more space than is practicably available in a group
of marine boilers. These disadvantages are according to this invention obviated
by constructing the beater or purifier with cast steel covers or ends having wide
orifices with slightly projecting elbow pipes of corresponding form admitting of
the employment of a double return of water without materially increasing the
space occupied by the apparatus.
The tubes at the ends of the beater are flattened or made of an elongated
elliptical form which by increasing the horizontal dimension of the opening
facilitates the passage of the water. The improved arrangement with two outlets,

page_text: one at each end of the purifier or heater presents a total outlet area about three
times as great as that heretofore obtained and the width of the outlet opening at
the height of the average or inean water level in the apparatus is increased in a
much greater proportion. Consequently even when by violent pitching of the
vessel all the water is thrown to one side of the apparatus the available area for
the escape of this water would be still equal to one and a half times that available
with the one outlet orifice provided with a cylindrical union or pipe.
Moreover the improved arrangement enables the cutlet opening to be placed
lower than when a cylindrical outlet orifice is employed to an extent sufficient to
shorten the time during which the water is retained in the heater or purifier and
to dry the steam more effectually.
An injection chamber is provided at about the middle of the length of the heater
and the steam dome is now constructed in two parts the injection chamber being
formed by the space situated underneath the partitions and between the two steam
domes. The sediment which accumulates in the injection chamber can be removed
by means of a cleaning hole. The jet of feed-water is directed by an injector down-
wards towards the bottom of the purifier or heater into the water contained by the
latter and screens are arranged in such a manner that the water stirred up by the
feed jet may not be thrown between the longitudinal partitions.
•
From the injection chamber the feed water mixed with the water from the tubes
of the purifier or heater flows to the right and left along each side of the steam
domes, this water is heated in its passage by the steam escaping from the tubes and
from the steam domes and there is thus obtained the precipitation of calcareous
salts in a pulverulent state in the usual way. The whole of the water from the
purifier is discharged through the outlet orifices into return pipes.
The height of the outlets is so regulated as to retain in the purifier or heater
(even when at rest) a sufficient quantity of water to cover the notches in the lower
edges of the domes through which the steam escapes. In this manner the steam is
always compelled to pass through the water and consequently to heat it; at the
same time ensuring the precipitation of the calcareous salts and the like. The
depositing vessels are made of cast steel strengthened by transverse stays or ribs
and provided with hand holes and elbow pipes or unions through which the water
erters the said vessels the said unions being connected with the return pipes
herein before referred to. There is also provided a feed water collector with two
water inlets which latter serve for communication between the said collector and the
depositing vessels.
The feed-water entering the depositing vessel through the return pipes and
unions provided with non return valves, circulates about the partitions in the said
vessel and deposits the greater part of the precipitated calcareous salts at the
bottom afterwards ascending again up the elbow pipes which conduct it to the two
ends of the feed water collector.
In ordinary weather and even when the ship is rolling equal quantities of feed
water pass in a given limited time to the right and left hand ends of the collector.
The water at each end having only a half of the length of the collector to
traverse to reach the middle elements is distributed more evenly in the elements
than when the collector is constructed with a single inlet passage.
In case of the vessel pitching with the boilers arranged transversely to the keel
the supply of feed water to the tubes or elements of the generator takes place
under conditions not less advantageous than when a single inlet for water is
provided in the collector.
The double return of the water presents this important advantage, that the water
descends equally readily from the heater or purifier to the feed water collector
whether the ship be rolling to port or starboard.
The large area of the outlet passages of the purifier or heater moreover always
provides a free escape of the water from this apparatus consequently the steam
produced is properly dried under all circumstances.
When a number of generators say four for example are connected together back

page_text: to back in pairs the funnel or chimney is supported by main lattice girders placed
parallel to the boiler fronts. The girders nearest to the boiler fronts rest on a
middle pillar and on other pillars situated at the sides of the generators and to
which they are bolted. These pillars are constructed like hollow girders, their
bases being fixed on the uprights of the boiler front and on cross-pieces bolted
together at the foundation.
A central transverse girder rests upon pillars forming parts of the end plates of
the generators and to which it is bolted, being supported at its middle on a vertical
stanchion or pillar of iron of I section which is supported on and bolted directly to
the foundation by means of angle irons or brackets suitably arranged. The main
girders consequently bear directly upon the foundation.
Two secondary girders are placed at right angles upon the main girders and
bolted on the latter and cross stay girders are provided between the secondary
girders and forming with the latter the framework of the smoke uptake to which
the funnel is bolted.
These girders are preferably constructed with angle irons of ] or I form the
angle irons forming the top and bottom being connected by a double lattice work
one side of which is composed of angle iron and the other of flat iron. At the
points of support of the secondary girders, the main girders are provided with two
vertical angle irons arranged back to back.
Lattice work brackets or diagonal stays are fixed against the main girders and
form a strong connection between the main and secondary girders so that the whole
structure is firmly supported in all directions.
The passages for conducting the products of combustion of the chimney are built
up with iron plates supported on these girders. These passages have an inner
lining to prevent the outer plates from becoming hot and vertical iron plates made
in several parts to allow for expansion serving to separate the smoke passages of
each of the four connected generators. These plates form a compartment which is
continued into the uptake of the chimney and into the funnel itself.
In this arrangement the iron plates forming the sides of the smoke passages are
alone in direct contact with the hot gases. And even at the height of the secondary
girders these plates are protected by the internal linings which can be readily
replaced when worn out.
Air circulates freely around the lattice-work of the girders and cools them so that
they are not injured by the heat.
The main girder in the middle is protected from the hot products of combustion
by iron plates and the air can circulate freely between these plates for the whole
length of the girder but in order to ensure a more complete cooling of this girder
provision is made for a circulation of air around the central vertical stanchion or
pillar made of iron of I section which supports it at the middle. This air rises
vertically from the hold to the girder thereby assisting to maintain the latter at a
comparatively low temperature.
The said central stanchion is placed in a square casing fixed on the foundation so
that it is never in contact with heated parts and cannot become overheated. It is
moreover cooled by the current of air rising from the hold.
Dated the 22nd day of December 1893.
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agents.
50
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Steam Generators.
1, BENJAMIN WILLCOX of 47 Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex
Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which has been
.communicated to me from abroad by Louis Marie Gabriel Delaunay Belleville of

page_text: 40 ter, Rue de Douai, Paris, in the Republic of France Engineer) and in what manner
the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
This invention relates to improvements in or connected with steam generators
such as the sectional steam generators of the Belleville type with a view to
economising the space occupied by these generators and their accessory apparatus
and rendering them more efficient in their action as hereinafter explained. With
this object the feed water heater and purifier is so arranged as to admit of the
employment of two return pipes with wide outlets or overflow passages which
facilitate a rapid discharge of the water and the two return pipes of two adjacent
generators are so arranged as to obviate any material increase in the space required
for groups of marine boilers.
The improved arrangement also enables generators placed transversely in a ship
to work properly without being affected by the rolling and pitching motions of the
vessel.
According to this invention two depositing vessels and two supplies of water to
the feed collector are provided which enable the water to be more uniformly
distributed to all the elements of the generator. The base of the funnel or chimney
is constructed with bars forming lattice work the framing of which is not allowed
to come in contact with the sheets or plates heated by the products of combustion
and is consequently not liable to be weakened by overheating being at the same
time considerably strengthened and rendered more durable.
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 shall refer to
the several figures on the annexed sheets of drawings the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings represents partly in front elevation and
partly in vertical section a pair of marine steam generators (forming part of a
group of four) showing the arrangement and construction of the feed water heaters
and purifiers and depositing vessels according to this invention.
Figure 2 represents partly in elevation and partly in section a pair of steam-
generators constructed according to this invention arranged back to back (formning
part of a group of four) together with feed water heaters and purifiers and
depositing vessels and improved form of chimney base all constructed in accordance
with this invention.
Figure 3 represents in elevation the lattice girders forming the base of the
chimney.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section along the line T, T, T, T, (Figure 3) and
through one of the feed water collectors.
Figure 5 represents a transverse section of Figure 3, and
Figures 6, 7 and 8, show detail views of the vertical stanchion or pillar and its
casing which serves to support the girder of the chimney base.
The water heater and purifier A being of the class described in the Specification
of Letters Patent dated 21st June 1892 No. 11615 is closed at its extremities by
cast steel ends or covers a provided with elbow pipes B having wide openings for
the escape of the water. These elbow pipes communicate with straight pipes
connected with return pipes 6' supplying water to the depositing vessels E. The
ends of the said heater and purifier A and the elbow pipes B are provided with
suitable hand holes fitted with covers 1 and 2 respectively.
In the arrangements heretofore employed the discharge of water from the heater
takes place at one side only through an outlet orifice of a diameter proportional to
that of the heater or purifier. This orifice is provided with a union continued in
the form of an elbow for conducting the water to the return pipe and occupies so
much space that it is impossible to arrange the return pipes of two adjacen:
generators side by side without considerably increasing the distance between the
two heaters or purifiers and consequently increasing the distance between the
generators themselves. This construction renders it impossible to employ two

page_text: return pipes without taking up more space than is practically available in a group
of marine boilers. Further the thickness of the brickwork which separates the
fire-boxes of the two adjacent generators would have to be increased and the result
would be an absolutely useless increase of weight.
These disadvantages are obviated according to this invention by constructing the
heater or purifier with cast steel covers or ends having wide orifices with slightly
projecting elbow pipes of corresponding form admitting of the employment of a
double return of water without materially increasing the space occupied by the
apparatus.
The tubes at the ends of the heater are flattened or made of an elongated
elliptical form which by increasing the horizontal dimension of the opening
facilitates the passage of the water. The improved arrangement with two outlets,
one at each end of the purifier or heater presents a total outlet area about three
times as great as that heretofore obtained and the width of the outlet opening at
the height of the average or mean water level in the apparatus is increased in a
much greater proportion. Consequently even when by violent pitching of the
vessel all the water is thrown to one side of the apparatus the available area for
the escape of this water is still equal to one and a half times that available with
the outlet orifice provided with a cylindrical union or pipe.
Moreover the improved arrangement enables the outlet opening to be placed
lower than when a cylindrical outlet orifice is employed to an extent sufficient to
shorten the time during which the water is retained in the heater or purifier and to
dry the steam more effectually.
An injection chamber C is provided at about the middle of the length of the
heater and the steam dome is now constructed in two parts D D', the injection
chamber being formed by the space situated underneath the partitions and between
the two steam domes D D'. The sediment which accumulates in the injection
chamber C can be removed by means of a cleaning hole 3. The jet of feed-water
is directed by the injector e downwards towards the bottom of the purifier or heater
into the water contained by the latter and screens 4. 4. 4. 4 (Figures 1 and 2) are
arranged in such a manner that the water stirred up by the feed jet may not be
thrown between the longitudinal partitions.
From the injection chamber C the feed water mixed with the water from the
tubes of the purifier or heater flows to the right and left along each side of the
steam domes D D.; this water is heated in its passage by the steam escaping from
the tubes and from the steam domes and there is thus obtained the precipitation of
calcareous salts in a pulverulent state in the usual way. The whole of the water
from the purifier is discharged through the outlet orifices or pipes B B into the
return pipes 61 61.
The height of the outlets B B is so regulated as to retain in the heater or purifier
(even when at rest) a sufficient quantity of water to cover the notches in the lower
edges of the domes D D¹ through which the steam escapes. In this manner the
steam is always compelled to pass through the water and consequently to heat it,
at the same time ensuring the precipitation of the calcareous salts and the like.
EE (Figures 1, 2 and 4) are the depositing vessels made of cast steel,
strengthened by transverse stays or ribs 6 and 7 and provided with hand-holes
at 10. 10 and elbow pipes or unions ee through which water enters the said vessels
the said unions being connected with the return pipes 6' 6' hereinbefore referred to.
There is also provided a feed water collector F with two water inlets f, f, which
latter serve for communication between the said collector and the depositing
vessels.
The feed water enters the depositing vessel through the return pipes b¹ 6¹ and
the elbow pipes or unions e e passing the non-return valves 5. 5. (Figure 2) with
which the unions are provided and circulates about the partitions 6. 6. in the said
vessel and deposits the greater part of the precipitated calcareous salts at the
bottom, afterwards ascending the elbow pipes which conduct it to the two ends
of the feed-water collector F.

page_text: By this arrangement in ordinary weather and even when the ship is rolling equal
quantities of feed water pass in a given limited time from the right and left hand
ends of the collector F and having only a half of the length of the collector to
traverse to reach the middle elements is distributed more evenly in the elements
than when the collector is constructed with a single inlet passage.
In case of the vessel pitching with the boilers arranged transversely to the keel
the supply of feed water to the tubes or elements of the generator takes place
under conditions not less advantageous than when a single inlet for water is
provided in the collector.
5
The double return of the water presents this important advantage, that the 1
water descends equally readily from the heater or purifier to the feed-water
collector whether the ship be rolling to port or starboard.
The large area of the outlet passages of the purifier or heater moreover always
provides a free escape of the water from this apparatus, consequently the steam
produced is properly dried under all circumstances.
The construction of the base of the chimney is shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
and 8 of the annexed drawings. In this arrangement there are four generators
connected back to back in pairs and the funnel or chimney is supported by the
main lattice girders G G G placed parallel to the boiler fronts. The girders GG
nearest to the boiler fronts rest on the middle pillars H and on other pillars LL
situated at the sides of the generators to which they are bolted. These pillars are
constructed like hollow girders; their bases being fixed on the uprights of the
boiler front aud on crosspieces bolted together at the foundation. The central
transverse girder G₁ rests upon pillars forming parts of the end plates of the
generators to which it is bolted being supported at its middle on a vertical
stanchion or pillar M of iron of I section which is supported on and bolted directly
to the foundation by means of angle irons or brackets suitably arranged. The
main girders consequently bear directly upon the foundation. N N are two
secondary girders placed at right angles upon the main girders and bolted on the
latter, and cross stay girders 00 are provided between the secondary girders
forming with the latter the framework of the smoke uptake to which the funnel is
bolted.
These girders are preferably constructed with angle iron of or I form; the
angle irons forming the top and bottom being connected by a double lattice-work
one side of which is composed of angle irons 8. 8. 8. and the other of flat irons 9. 9. 9.
At the points of support of the secondary girders the main girders are provided
with two vertical angle irons arranged back to back which form a very rigid
:support.
Lattice work brackets or diagonal stays P P are fixed against the main
girders G G and projecting under the secondary girders N N almost to the points
of connection of the cross stay girders. This arrangement forms a strong
connection between the main and secondary girders so that the whole structure is
firmly supported in all directions.
99 are iron plates forming the sides of the passage for the products of
combustion they being arranged on each side of and at a certain distance from the
main girder G and p p are iron plates enclosing the passage for the products of
.combustion between the brackets P P and fixed on the latter. nnoo Figure 4
are similar plates enclosing the smoke passage in the interior of the framework
formed by the secondary girders N N and the cross stay girders OO. n¹n'o'o' are
plates forming a lining to protect the plates n no o of the passage for the products
of combustion.
QQ, R R are vertical iron plates (made in several parts to allow for expansion)
and serve to separate the smoke passages of each of the four connected generators.
These plates form a compartment which is continued into the uptake of the
chimney and into the funnel itself. rrare iron plates forming a lining for the
.partition R R.
In this arrangement the iron plates forming the sides of the smoke passages are

page_text: alone in direct contact with the hot gases. And even at the height of the secondary
girders where secondary combustion may take place when the furnaces are too
heavily charged or badly stoked, these plates forming the sides are protected by
the internal linings, which can be readily replaced when worn out. Air circulates
freely around the lattice work of the girders and cools it so that the said girders
are not injured by the heat.
The main girder G¹ in the middle is protected from the hot products of
combustion by iron plates g¹ g' and air can circulate freely between these plates for
the whole length of the girder; but in order to ensure a more complete cooling of
this girder, provision is made for a circulation of air around the central vertical
stanchion or pillar M made of iron of I section which supports it at the middle.
This air rises from the hold to the girder G¹ thereby assisting to maintain the
latter at a comparatively low temperature.
As shown in Figures 6, 7 and the said pillar or stanchion M is placed in a
square casing H fixed on the foundation so that it is never in contact with heated
parts, and cannot become overheated. It is moreover cooled by the current of air
rising from the hold.
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 combination with a steam generator of a feed water heater and purifier
having horizontal elongated discharge apertures or passages for the discharge of
the water substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore set forth with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
2. The combination with a steain generator and a feed-water heater and purifier
with discharge apertures having their horizontal dimensions extended so as to forin
laterally elongated or widened passages for the discharge of the water, of return
pipes arranged and operating substantially as hereinbefore described with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
3. The combination with a steam generator of a feed water heater and purifier
having two depositing chambers through which the water is caused to pass on its
way to the elements of the generator substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
4. A steam generator with a funnel or chimney having its base constructed of
bars forming lattice work in combination with plates or partitions forming spaces
or passages by which the said lattice work or support of the funuel or chimney is
protected from the heat of the gases from the furnace and is enabled to be cooled
by the circulation of air substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
5. The combination and arrangements of parts constituting the improvements in
connection with steam generators substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 31st day of January 1894.
JOHNSONS & WILLCOX,
Agents.