Improvements in Oscillating Fire Bars or Grates.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Dec., 1897-Accepted, 12th Mar., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Oscillating Fire Bars or Grates.
We, GEORGE AYRES GUMPHERT, Mechanical Engineer, of 238, Cherry Street, and
THOMAS MARRIN, Broker, of 1946, 32nd Street, both in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
United States of America, 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 :-
Our invention relates to an improved construction of oscillating firebars or grates,
the novel features of which will be hereinafter fully set forth.
Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the apparatus.
Figure 2 represents a top plan view of the same.
Figure 3 represents a bottom plan view of Figure 2.
Figure 4 represents a bottom plan view of a grate, showing the means for
actuating the slice bars when the central tie piece is omitted.
Figure 5 represents a longitudinal section of Figure 4, on line x-x of said
figure.
Figure 6 represents on an enlarged scale, a transverse section on line y-y
Figure 2.
Figure 7 represents a transverse sectional view of a slice bar detached, the section
being taken on a different plane from Figure 6.
Figure 8 represents a section on line - Figure 2, showing the relative positions
the slice bars can assume.
Figure 9 represents a front end view of the grate.
Figure 10 represents a perspective view of a slice bar in detached position.
Figure 11 represents a perspective view of a cap and its adjuncts employed for
reinforcing the slice bars.
Figure 12 represents a side elevation of the lower portion of a slice bar, showing
the cap seen in Figure 11, applied thereto.
Figure 13 represents a top plan view of the abutting ends of the side bearing
bars, seen in Figures 4 and 5.
Figure 14 represents a side elevation of Figure 13.
Figure 15 represents a top plan view of a slice bar similar to the bar seen in
Figure 10, but having transverse serpentine webs and openings, and
Figure 16 represents a section on line x¹-x¹ Figure 6.
Referring to the drawings:
1 designates an oscillating grate, having an outer frame work, consisting of side
bearing bars 2, Figures 1, 2 and 3, preferably provided with serpentine grooves 2*,
admitting air therethrough.
3 designates the front end frame, a similar frame 3* being employed at the
opposite extremity of the grate, each having tongues 4, of dove-tail shape, engaging
recesses 5 in the key blocks 6, a portion of each tongue 4 engaging the contiguous
recess of the two adjacent key blocks 6.
The two key blocks at either end of the grate have extensions or tongues 7, seated
in recesses 8* located at the end portions of the bars 2, while it will be apparent
from Figure 9, that the tongues 7* in said figure engage the similarly-shaped.

page_text: grooves 9 at the ends of the bars 2, so that the tongues and grooves 7* and 9*
prevent the frames 3 and 3* from upward or downward movement, while endwise
displacement is prevented by the blocks 6, by engagement of the tongues 7 with the
groove 6 of the side bearing bars 2, thus the outer frame work can be assembled
without extraneous fastenings.
Each of the key blocks 6 is provided with the serrations 8, Figures 1 and 2,
which co-act with the adjacent slice bars 14.
9 designates a tie piece which may or may not be employed, and consists of a
body 10 having a rib 10x Figure 8 depending therefrom, said tie piece having
ports 11, staggered or serpentine in shape, the top of said tie piece being rounded
to prevent cinders, ashes and the like from remaining on the top.
The extremities of the tie piece are provided with the V or dovetail tongues 12,
which interlock in recesses 13* Figure 2, said tie piece being held without
employing extraneous fastenings.
The under portion 12* Figure 8 of the edges of the tie piece 9 are curved or
arc-shaped and have serrations 13, which co-act with the opposite faces of the
adjacent slice bars 14.
Each of the slice bars 14 consists of a body 15, having a convex
top 15, Figure 10.
16 designates ledges extending on either side of the slice bars below the top
thereof, said ledges having the serrations 17.forming teeth on each side of the slice
bars, which crush the clinkers and ashes when the slice bars are operated.
18 designates a serpentine web which extends longitudinally of each slice bar,
and has the ports 19 and 20, separated by the portion 20* Figures 7 and 10.
When two sets or rows of slice bars are employed, as seen in Figures 2 and 3,
the juxtaposed ends 21 are substantially rectangular to the axis of the slice bar,
while the opposite ends 22 are curved to co-act with the adjacent faces of either the
key blocks 6 or the tie piece 9.
Shoulders 23 and 24 are formed at each end of the slice bars, as seen in
Figure 10 which serve to temporarily catch and retain the clinkers or ashes during
the crushing occurring when the said slice bars are actuated.
25 designates lugs depending from the slice bars 14, forming the space 27, the
upper portion of which is of polygonal shape, indicated at 26, while the inner lower
faces of said lugs are concaved, indicated at 28.
29 Figures 11 designate caps or reinforcing devices used with the lugs 25 and
consisting of a plate 30, which has the projecting cylinder 31 provided with the
curved shell or cap 32, which is attached to the plate 30, and is adapted to contact
with the lower surfaces 33 of the lugs 25, as seen in Figure 12, the cylinder 31
engaging the concavities 28.
34 Figure 6, designates threaded openings in the cylinders 31, for the fastening
devices 39, which latter pass through the plates 38, whereby the caps 29 are held in
position relative to the lugs 25.
The caps or reinforcing devices 29* seen in Figure 6, are similar to the devices 29,
except that the former have the inwardly projecting bosses 35, the latter having a
squared or similar shaped opening or pocket 36, therein, for the reception of the
rod or transmitter 37.
40, Figures 5, 6 and 8 designates bearing bars having the journals 41, which
rotate in the bearings 42 of the bars 2, said bearing bars extending transversely of
the furnace and supporting a row of slice bars the latter also serving as an axis for
alternate slice bars.
43 Figures 1, 2, designates openings in the bars 2, which permit the bars 40 to be
dropped into position, and ashes and clinkers, being prevented from falling upon
the journals 41 by the movable blocks 44.
When the construction seen in Figures 4 and 5 is employed, wherein the central
or intermediate tie piece 9 is dispensed with, we use sectional side bars seen in
Figures 5 and 5, having the interlocking devices seen on an enlarged scale in
Figures 13 and 14.

page_text: "The bars on each side are in sections 45 and 46, the section 45 having a
projecting tongue 47 having a head or T-shaped extremity 48, which interlocks in
a seat or recess 48*, while the tongue 47 is seated in the recess 47*.
The underside of the tongue 47 and the bar 45 have a recess or step formed by
the walls 49 and 50, which rests upon the ledge 51 of the section 46, so that the
tongue 47 and head 48 are supported upon said ledge, while said tongue and head
are prevented from lateral displacement, by their engagement with the recesses 47*
and 48*, said side bearing bars being assembled and providing for expansion see
Figures 13 and 14.
51 designates a connecting rod which actuates a row of slice bars, as in
Figures 3 and 6, and is secured to the portion 31 of the devices 29, thus serving to
hold said devices in position, relative to the lugs 25.
52 designates lugs or ears on a slice bar, near the head piece 3, seen in
Figures 3 and 8, having pivotally secured thereto an end of the link 53, whose
other end is attached to the limb 54 of the bell crank 53, which is mounted in
the lugs 56, the other member 57 having attached thereto, the link 58, which
is pivoted to the operating lever 59 Fig. 1, the latter being pivotally mounted
in the projection 61 and having a handle 62 Fig. 1.
63 designates a connecting rod secured to the portions 31 of the devices 29,
the latter being attached to the outer row of slice bars, seen in Figures 3, 6, and 8,
the rod 63 extending beyond the lugs 25 and having attached thereto, the
link 64, which is pivoted to the operating lover 65, which is fulcrumed at 60
and has a handle 66.
67 designates a latch or locking device having a recess 68 adapted to engage
the lug or projection 69, attached to the operating lever, seen in Figures 8
and 9.
70 Fig. 8 designates the boiler shell or front head of the boiler, said shell having
the bracket 71 to limit the movement of the operating levers, so that the grate
cannot be dumped when shaking.
The central portion 72 Figure 6 of the bars 40 is cylindrical, while the remainder
is of hexagonal or similar polygonal shape, to engage and snugly fit the polygonal
recesses 26 of the alternate slice bars b in Figure 6, while the remaining alternate
slice bars, as indicated at a in Figure 6, have the recess 26* Figure 16, which is
rounded to rest and rock on the edges 25% of the bar 40, so that when the
connecting rod 51* Figs. 6 and 8 is actuated, it rocks the slice bars indicated at a
in Figure 6, the middle slice bar having its lugs 25 engaging the transmitter 37
and the second slice bar a on each side of said middle bar being rocked through
the medium of the bar 51 and the transmitter 37.
The four alternate slice bars marked b, seen in Figure 6, are actuated when the
rod 63 is reciprocated, since said slice bars b fit the polygonal surfaces of the bar 40,
so that when the levers 59 and 65 are simultaneously reciprocated, the adjacent
slice bars in longitudinal series rock in opposite direction and assume the position
seen in Figure 8.
At the rear or right-hand portion of the furnace, in Figures 2 and 3, is a
connecting rod 74 attached either to the lags 25 of the slice bars or to the
cylindrical portion 31 of the device 29, said connecting rod 74 corresponding to
the connecting rod 51* seen in Figure 8.
75 designates a link attached to the lugs 75 projecting from one of the slice
bars, seen in Figure 3, and to the member 76 of the bell crank 76, which is
pivotally attached to the depending rib 10 of the tie piece 9, the other member 77
of said bell crank having attached thereto the rod 78, actuated by the lever 78* seen
in Figure 9, so that when said rod 78 is reciprocated the slice bars indicated at a
in the rear half of the grate will be reciprocated in the same manner as the
corresponding slice bars seen in Figures 6 and 8, the relative position and
manner of attachment of the bell crank 76 to the bottom of the contiguous slice
bar and to the rib 10, being identical to the structure seen in Figure 8, where the
operation of the slice bars and other parts is clearly shown, the slice bars b in

page_text: Figure 3, corresponding to and being actuated in the same manner as the bars b
in Figures 6 and 8.
The connecting rod 79 corresponds to the rod 63 seen in Figure 8 and is
attached to the lugs or reinforcing device of the adjacent series of slice bars b and
extends beyond the same as seen in Figure 3, and has the operating rod 80
attached thereto, so that the simultaneous reciprocation of the rods or links 78
and 80 performs substantially the same function as the simultaneous reciprocation
of the rods or links 58 and 64, seen in Figure 8, the rear or right-hand set of slice
bars seen in Figure 3 thus being actuated in substantially the same manner as
the forward set, seen in Figure 8.
When it is desired to dispense with the tie piece 9, we insert two or more
transverse rows of slice bars, seen in Figures 4 and 5, this being the construction
in which we preferably employ the sectional slice bars, seen in Figures 13 and 14.
The principle of the invention is identical in Figures 4 and 5, with that illustrated
in Figures 23 6, and 8, the slice bars being actuated in opposite directions, in
unison, or independently, and supported and locked in substantially the same
manner.
It is sometimes desirable to employ the actuating means seen in Figures 4 and 5,
in which 81 designates a reciprocating connecting rod, attached to the member 82
of the bell crank 83, which latter is mounted on the rock shaft 82* which has its
bearing in the lugs 84.
At one side of the furnace, at the lower right-hand side of Figure 4, the
member 85 of the bell crank 83, has a link 86 connected with the lugs 87 of the
contiguous slice bar, while the opposite extremity of the rock shaft has an
arm 85 which has a link 86 pivoted thereto, said link being attached to the
lug 87 of the adjacent slide bar, three of the slice bars, in longitudinal series,
being connected by a rod 87, corresponding to the rod 51 in Figures 6 and 8,
whereby when the rock shaft 82* is actuated by reason of the intermediate
connections, to the slice bars a, the latter will rock in unison, and independently
of or in unison with the adjacent longitudinal series b, seen in Figures 4 and 0,
the relative position of the parts being understood from the construction seen
at the right of Figures 4 and 5, although we do not desire to be limited thereto
in every instance.
The slice bars b which correspond to the bars seen in Figures 6 and 8 are
connected by the link or rod 88 which corresponds to the rod 63, said rod 88 being
attached to the lugs 25 or the devices 29 of the adjacent slice bars, and having the
connection by which the slice bars b at the rear or right-hand portion of the
furnace are operated, it being understood that the slice bars a and are arranged
transversely to the furnace, alternately and in longitudinal series, and adapted to
rock alternately in substantially the same manner as indicated in Figures 6 and 8,
certain parts being omitted for clearness of illustration.
90 designates a connecting rod attached to the lugs 25 or devices 29 and having
the rod or link 91 pivoted thereto, whereby the slice bars b which alternate with
the bars a and are arranged in longitudinal series, at the front or left-hand
portion of the furnace, can be operated in unison, said bars b fitting snugly on the
hexagonal or polygonal bars 40 as explained with reference to Figure 6.
92 designates a connecting rod attached to the lugs or reinforcing devices of the
slice bars, so that the latter are actuated in unison, the rod 92 corresponding to
the rod 51* seen in Figure 8.
-
93 designates a link attached to the lug 94 of one of the forward slice bars and
pivotally attached to the member 95 of the bell crank 96 which is fulcrumed on the
lug 97, the member 98 of said bell crank having the rod 99 attached thereto, by
which the slice bars connected therewith are actuated.
For the sake of clearness we have omitted from Figure 5, some of the links,
connecting rods, etc., seen in Figure 4 and vice versa, but it is thought from the
foregoing explanation, taken in connection with the structures hereinbefore described,
the operation of the slice bars seen in Figures 4 and 5 will be understood.

page_text: It will be understood that although we have shown seven slice bars mounted on
the transverse bearing bars, that we need not be limited thereto in every instance,
since the number of slice bars depends upon the width of the furnace.
It will be noted that the lugs 25 of the two slice bars b on either side of the
central bar a are shortened, to clear the transmitter 37 all of the slice bars being
held at the proper distance apart by suitable means.
The ports 11 may open at their lower extremities into the ash pit at either side
of the web 10 as indicated in Figure 8, and may discharge through the tie piece
either as indicated in Figures 1 and 2 or as in said Figure 8.
The grate may be supported on feet as indicated in Figure 1, or it may rest upon
hoops, brackets or similar devices.
In Figure 3 we have shown a different manner of applying the transmitter 37
from that seen in Figures 6 and 8, but the principle and function of said transmitter
is the same.
It will also be evident that if desired, we may insert longitudinal stationary bars,
between the slice bars.
The operation is as follows:
Referring to Figures 2 and 9, the side bearing bars are first arranged in
substantially the position seen, then the end frames 3 and 3* are inserted in
position, the tongues and grooves common to said end frames and side bars
interlocking as in Figures 1 and 9, while the rear end frames 3* interlock with the
side bars in substantially the same manner as indicated in Figure 9.
The key blocks 6 are next dropped into the position seen in Figure 2, as is the
tie piece 9 which is held by the dove-tail tongues and grooves, so that the entire
frame work can be assembled without extraneous fastenings.
The wedge-shaped blocks or keys 44 having been removed, the bars 40 are
dropped into the position indicated in Figure 6.
The slice bars are now placed in the position indicated in Figure 6, the end slice
bars 6 being first dropped into place and moved next to the side bars 2, then the
adjacent slice bars a which are constructed as seen in Figure 16, to allow of
rotation independent from the transverse bearing bar 42, after which the
intermediate slice bars 6 and the central bar a are placed in position.
All the slice bars 6 have the polygonal recesses 26, which rock in unison with the
bar 40, so that the latter and the slice bars boscillate in unison, while the slice bars a
having curved instead of polygonal recesses oscillate on the knife edges 25* of the
polygonal bar 40 independently thereof.
Before placing in position the three central slice bars a and b b, seen in Figure 6,
the transmitter 37 is dropped into the pockets or recesses 36, the devices 29* and
29 having been placed in position, the lugs 25 of the central slice bar engaging
the transmitter 37, which is preferably square, whereby all the slice bars a rock in
unison.
The reinforcing devices 29* and 29, seen at the left of Figure 6, are held by the
plates 38 and the screw 39 while the reinforcing devices at the right of said figure
are held by the connecting rods 51 and 63 and their fastening devices.
The connection between the respective links, bell cranks, connecting rods, and
operating levers, have been fully explained.
When the central tie piece 9 is dispensed with, the construction seen in Figures 4
and 5 is employed, and no dead surface exists at any point, it being seen that the
grate surface is normally always substantially on the level, as will be understood
from Figures 5 and 6.
To shake or oscillate the grate, the levers 65 and 59 are simultaneously operated,
whereby the front sections of the grate will assume the position seen in Figures 1
and 8.
To rock the rear sections into the position indicated in Figure 8, a similar
movement is imparted as above described, to the levers seen at the left of
Figure 9.
To rock one longitudinal series of a grate section or slice bar, the levers are

page_text: locked as in Figures 8 and 9, by means of the latch 67 and the other lever actuated
and the parts assume the position seen at the right of Figure 1, the desired
longitudinal series of slice bars being oscillated, while the alternate longitudinal
series of slice bars remain substantially horizontal and serve temporarily as dead
bars.
Dumping is prevented by the stops 71, seen in Figure 8, but any equivalent
device may be employed.
By the links, connecting rods, and their adjuncts, we can impart three different
movements to the different grate sections, the first position being as shown in
Figure 8, or at the left of Figure 1, the second position being indicated at the right
of said Figure 1, while the third position is that in which all the slice bars slant or
incline in the same direction, and the grate is dumped.
We need not limit ourselves in every instance in the construction of the slice
bars, to the longitudinally extending serpentine grooves, seen in Figure 10, since
we may employ the slice bar 14, as seen in Figure 15, the appearance of the same
in plan view being indicated therein, said bar having transverse sinuous ports or
passages 21, but being constructed in other respects similar to the bars seen in
Figures 10 and 16.
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
"
1st. In a grate, an outer frame consisting of side bars, and head pieces or end
frames, tongues or grooves common to said bars and frames, and a series of key
blocks having tongues and grooves, and adapted to engage similar tongues and
grooves in said bars and frames.
2nd. In a grate, an outer frame consisting of side bars, having in their ends the
recesses 9*, head pieces or end frames having the tongues 7* adapted to engage the
recesses, and key blocks 6, having recesses, adapted to engage tongues on said
frames and the end key blocks having tongues 7 adapted to seat in recesses 8* in
said side bars.
3rd. In a grate, an outer frame consisting of side bearing bars, having in their
ends, the dove-tailed recesses 93, _head pieces or end frame having the
dove-tailed tongues 7* adapted to engage said recesses, and key blocks 6
having dovetail shaped recesses therein, adapted to engage dove-tailed tongues on
said end frames, the end key blocks having tongues 7 adapted to seat in recesses 8*
in said side bearing bars, in combination with an intermediate tie piece, and dove.
tail tongues and grooves common to said tie piece and side bearing bars, the
opposing faces on said key blocks and tie pieces having serrations or teeth, which
co-act with the faces of adjacent slice bars.
4th. In a grate, a slice bar, consisting of a body having a convex top and
serrations at the side thereof, a sinuous or serpentine web having similarly-shaped
ports on either side thereof and extending through the said body and lugs
depending from the latter, a bearing bar and connections common to the latter and
slice bar, whereby said slice bar is actuated by said bearing bar.
5th. In a grate, a slice bar consisting of a body having a convex top and sinuous
ports extending through said body, thereby forming a sinuous web, one extremity
of said body being rectangular to the axle of said slice bar, the other extremity
being curved relative thereto and lugs depending from said slice bars, said lugs
having polygonal and concaved recesses therein.
6th. In a grate, a slice bar consisting of a body having one end squared and the
outer curved, serpentine ports through said body forming a serpentine web,
serrations or teeth on the sides of said body terminating below the top of the bars
and lugs projecting from said body portion and having a space there between, the
upper portion of said space being of polygonal shape and the lower portion of the
space between said lugs being concaved and adapted to receive a reinforcing
device.

page_text: 7th. In a grate, a reinforcing device, the same consisting of a disc or plate 30
having the cylinder 31, said disc having a curved shell or cap projecting therefrom
and means for attaching said reinforcing device to a slice bar.
8th. In an oscillating or shaking grate, side bars, said transverse bars being
cylindrical at their intermediate portion and of polygonal shape in cross section
adjacent thereto, a plurality of slice bars mounted upon said transverse bars, every
alternate slice bar fitting snugly in said transverse bar, and adapted to move in unison
therewith, while the other alternate slice bars are capable of independent movement
relative to said transverse bars, and means for actuating said slice bars.
9th. In an oscillating or shaking grate, side bars a plurality or transverse bars,
every alternate slice bar snugly fitting said transverse bar and moving in unison
therewith, and the intermediate slice bars being capable of independent movement
relative to said transverse bars, reinforcing devices mounted upon each outer pair
of slice bars, the inner pair of said reinforcing devices having a transmitter seated
therein, the latter engaging the lugs of the central slice bar and means for
actuating the alternate longitudinal series of said slice bars independently or in
unison simultaneously.
10th. In a grate, side bearing bars, and frames interlocked therewith, transverse
bearing bars having slice bars mounted thereon, in longitudinal series, and means
for actuating each of said series, so that each pair of adjacent slice rock in
opposite direction to its neighbour, independently of its neighbour, or can remain
stationary serving as a dead bar during the oscillation of its neighbour.
11th. In an oscillating or shaking grate, a plurality of side bars, transverse end
frames therefor, transverse bearing bars, a plurality of longitudinal series of slice
bars mounted on said transverse bars, one set of slice bars in longitudinal series,
having a common connecting rod, a link pivoted to one of the last mentioned series
of slice bars, a bell crank having a member pivoted to said link, the other member
of said bell crank having means attached thereto for actuating the same in
combination with a connecting rod common to the links of said slice bars, a link
pivotally attached to said connecting rod, and means for enabling each of the
longitudinal series of said slice bars to be operated independently or simultaneously.
12th. In a grate, a frame work consisting of side bars having openings therein,
one of side bars having a projecting tongue, and a head on the end of said tongue,
said tongue and head being seated in a contiguous bar, a ledge on the recessed
bar and supporting the bar or section provided with said tongue and head.
13. In a grate, a framework consisting of side bars and end frames, interlocking
devices common thereto, said side bars being made in sections, one of said sections
having the tongue 47 and head 48, adapted to seat in a recess in a contiguous
section and said first mentioned bar having a cut-out portion formed by the
walls 49 and 50, said cut-out portion being supported on the ledge 51 of said
recessed section.
14th. In a shaking or oscillating grate, a plurality of side bars, end frames
interlocking devices therefor, a series of transverse bearing bars having slice bars
mounted thereon, means for enabling said slice bars to oscillate independently
or in unison and locking devices for said actuating means.
15th. In a grate, transverse bearing bars, suitably supported, a plurality of
slice bars mounted thereupon, every alternate slice bar rocking in unison with
its bearing bar; and the other slice bars rocking on said bearing bar as an
axis, the slice bars adjacent to the central slice bar having shortened lugs, a
transmitter suitably supported, the lugs of said central bar engaging said
transmitter, and means for actuating said slice bars.
n
121-
تيمم
3
1005
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.