Improvements in Water-tube Boilers.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Mar., 1899-Accepted, 29th July, 1899
Improvements in Water-tube Boilers.
I, PHILIP JOSEPH KEENE, of 1824, West Twelfth Street, in the City of Chicago,
in the County of Cook and State of Illinois, United States of America, Manu-
facturer, 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:-
My invention relates to an improvement in water tube boilers, a primary
object being to construct a boiler of steel without the use of cast iron, thereby
materially lightening it and rendering it less liable to breakage, and at the same
time dispensing with the cumberous brick setting and masonry. A further
object is to provide a boiler of minimum size and weight which will present a
maximum area of heating surface, thus affording a compact boiler which may be
utilized, when the space it is to occupy is restricted. A still further object is
to provide a boiler which will admit of high pressure without impairing its per-
fect efficiency, also to afford a construction requiring no braces or accessories to
add to its weight or detract from its appearance. A still further object is to pro-
vide a water tube boiler of such construction that the heated gases will be utilized
for superheating the steam formed and collected in the upper portion of the
boiler.
Another object is to provide a boiler of the character named having a large
grate area and a large heating surface. A still further object is to provide a
compact water tube boiler especially applicable to efficient service as a marine
boiler as well as for other purposes. Another object is to provide a boiler of such
construction that its various parts are readily accessible both in the construction
and repair of the boiler. A still further object is to provide a boiler in which
the lower drum is of comparatively large size to permit the deposit of sediment
without its capacity being materially lessened and again, by providing a com-
paratively large drum, a free and easy flow of the sediment results along the
bottom of the drum toward the blow-off pipe at the back.
With these objects in view, my invention consists in a water tube boiler and
a series of drums arranged in different horizontal planes, in combination with
banks of tubes communicating with these drums whereby to afford a circulation
of water in a compact area, and at the same time, disposed in such a manner as
to utilize the heat with the greatest economy in the production of steam. It
further consists of a central or intermediate drum around which are grouped
several other drums in triangular relation to one another, said drums being pro-
perly connected together by water tubes, in connection with a fire box on either
side of one drum whereby the heat therefrom is applied directly to all the drums
in the triangle and the tubes extending from the lower drum."
In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of one
form of boiler, Figure 2 is a transverse vertical section, Figure 3 is a view in
side elevation, Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section, Figure 5 is a rear
elevation, a portion of the rear part being removed, Figure 6 is a view in front

page_text: elevation of a modification, with the front removed showing the interior con-
struction, Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the saine and Figure 8 is
a rear elevation.
In Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 A, represents the outer casing composed of steel
front and rear plates 1 and 2, respectively, and several sheet metal side 5
plates 3, 3 which latter are securely bolted or riveted, as shown, to the front
and rear angle irons 4 and 5 and the interposing T-irons 6, 6 the object of this
construction being that any one of these plates could be readily removed should
occasion demand its renewal, or an enlarged opening to the interior construction.
The casing is lined with tiling, asbestos or any non-combustible material the 1
edges of this lining being bolted or riveted with the said plates 3, 3 between
the said flanges and angle or T-irons, as shown in Figure 4. In the sides,
doors 7, 7 are placed to furnish man holes and a steel ladder 8 conveniently
mounted to travel the length of the boiler, may be provided on each side of the
furnace to afford easy access to these doors and man holes. Other doors and
accessories for draught purposes, for supplying fuel or the removal of soot and
the cleaning of the water drums may be provided wherever they are required
and it is unnecessary at this point to describe in further detail any of these
features, except to say that in every instance I prefer that these doors should be
made of pressed steel or similar material rather than cast iron for the reasons
horetofore mentioned.
In the interior construction, B, B, represent a pair of lower water drums
which extend from the front to or nearly to the rear of the casing and are located
on each side of the combustion chamber on suitable piers constructed for the
purpose. Centrally above these water drums B, B, is a centre drum C,
and vertically above drum C, is the upper steam drum D, and leading
out of the latter and partly within the casing is the usual steam dome E.
These four drums are made to communicate by means of three banks of tubes,
namely, the lower ones 9 which extend from the lower drum in an inwardly
inclined direction through the combustion chamber G, to the centre drum C, the
central water tubes or legs 10 which connect the central or intermediate drum
with the upper or steam drum D, and the outer bank of tubes 11 which extend
from the upper or steam drum 1), downwards to the lower drums B, B. The
lower bank of tubes 9 are covered by tiling, asbestos or any non-combustible
material 12 which extends from the lower drums, respectively, to the central
or intermediate drum and the outer casing A, is lined with some similar
material 18.
H, indicates a feed water pipe which preferably enters one end of the boiler
where it is controlled by a valve 14 and extends through to the opposite or rear
end of the boiler from which point it preferably rises to the upper region of
the casing and returns in a circuitous system of coils, as shown at 15, and finally
divides at the point 16 with the two branches 17, 17 discharging into the rear
ends of the lower drums for supplying the latter with water, the coils constitut-
ing heaters for the feed water proper before its entrance into the lower drums.
These pipes 17, 17 enter a short distance and empty into the larger mud pipes 18
being furnished with valves 19 for the removal of the accumulated mud, from
time to time.
The operation is as follows: The feed water becomes heated during its cir-
cuitous passage through the coils 15 which are disposed in a vertical bank: upon
entering the lower drums this partially heated feed water is still further heated,
the more heated ascending through the lower tubes 9 into the central or inter-
mediate drum C, which drum is located immediately over the fire and by virtue
of the location of tubes 9, receives the greatest heat from the combustion
chamber. From drum C, the water ascends through the tubes or legs 10 into
the upper or steam drum D, this being located at the constricted upper end of
the boiler, the steam ascending to its top and into the steam dome, becomes super-
heated by the accumulated heat at the top. From this upper or steam drum, the

page_text: water descends through the tubes 11 to the lower drums and in this manner the
circulation proceeds and repeats itself in continuous circuit.
The heat from the grate circulates around the inner bank of tubes 9 to the
extreme back of the furnace, and then passes upward and over the tiling 12,
Figure 2. There is also tiling L, L, Figures 2, 4 and 5, between the upper
drum and outside casing below the water line, which deflects the heat, causing
it to travel horizontally over the entire outer and central tube surface and
central drum C, under portion of the upper drum 1), then over the upper portion
of the upper drum D, and the lower portion of the steam dome E, thereby
superheating the steam.
In the modification, the water drums are merely reversed as if the boiler were
inverted, the two bottom drums of the other construction being at the top, two
grates being employed instead of one, and the water tubes being slightly changed
to correspond with these reversed relations of the drums. As in the other
views, A, represents the outer casing, B, denotes the lower water drum. For
convenience in construction, this drum rests upon wrought iron supports or
steel stands 1, 1. On each side of this lower drum tiling 2, 2 is provided.
Above and parallel with this lower drum B, is the central or intermediate drum C.
The two communicate with each other through the water legs 3, 3.
1, 1, indicate the two upper drums. Water tubes 4, 4 connect these upper
drums to the lower drum, they being diagonally disposed, as would naturally be
the condition in consequence of the triangular disposition of the three outer
drums. Tubes 5 and 6 extend from the two upper drums inwardly and down-
wardly to the central or intermediate drum. Tubes 5 are wholly submerged,
whereas the tubes 6 are not submerged at their upper ends, they leading from
the upper water drums on a level above the water line. These latter tubes 6, 6
are utilized as superheating steam surfaces.
A main steam pipe 7 connects the two upper drums, this pipe extending
through the heads of these drums inwardly and horizontally for some distance
and the upper surfaces of that portion of the pipe inside of the drums are per-
forated to serve as dry pipes or steam separators, their location being, of course,
in the steam space above the water level, thus taking the place of steam domes
or drums of ordinary boilers. The numerals 8, 8 indicate water glasses, one
being provided for each of these upper drums D, D, as shown.
There are two grates 9, 9 one on each side of the lower drum B, and beneath
them are the ash pans or pits 10, 10. As a convenient means for supporting the
tiling 2, 2 the Z-bars 11, 11 are employed, they being attached to the sides
of the wrought iron supports or steel stands 1, 1 for holding or supporting the
tiling. Angle bars 12, 12 form stiffening rings on the ash pans or pits. There
is also tiling at the outer sides of the fire-boxes between the grates and casing
supported by Z-bars attached to the sides of the casing.
Extending upwardly from the lower drum to the upper drums just inside of
the tubes which connect said drums, is the tiling 13, 13 and extending hori-
zontally from the central or intermediate drum C, to the tiling 13, 13 is the
tiling 14. By means of these tilings, spaces 15 and 16 are formed above and below
the tiling 14, respectively, and the spaces 15 are practically sealed in the rear
by tiling in order to prevent the gases finding an easy escape to the chimney
without passing over and around the tubes 5 and 6, and it will be observed that
the tubes 5.5 form a wall over the spaces 15, 15. In the rear, not only are the
spaces 15, 15 closed, but also there is tiling under the upper drums D,D, from
drum to drum, as at 17, to prevent the gases from having a direct passage from
the grates up the stack without returning to the front through the passages or
spaces 16, 16. Thus it will be observed that the tiling seals the back chamber 18
completely at the top. compelling the gases to go through the passages or
spaces 16, 16 toward the front as just explained and to return through the
spaces 15 to the stack 19.

page_text: CIRCULATION.
The products of combustion from the two grates pass upward and toward the
rear of the boiler beneath the tiling 13, 13 thence returning to the front through
the spaces 16, 16 under the tiling 14, 14 until they reach the front of the fur-
nace when they return from that point over the tiling 14, 14 passing around
and between the upper banks of tubes 5 and 6 to the back of the boiler and
finally passing out through the stack.
The circulation of the water through the drums and tubes is indicated by the
arrows. The water ascends from the lower drum B, through the tubes 4, 4 to
the upper drums 1), D, then returning downward to the central or intermediate
drum and from there through the legs to the lower drum and so on continuously,
steam being accumulated in the upper portion of the drums 1), D. The steam
generated in the lower drun, central or intermediate drum and water legs con-
necting these drums will find a proper and easy escape through the upper tube 6
which, it will be remembered, are unsubmerged, they opening directly into the
steam spaces of the two upper drums.
FEED WATER HEATER.
The pipe 20, for supplying feed water, preferably extends from front to rear
of the boiler and outside of the boiler casing, it having a valve 21 at the forward
end within easy reach. This pipe enters the casing at point 22, as shown in
Figure 7, at the back of the boiler. It then passes upward in a zig-zag or cir-
cuitous route forming the outer row of coils, or those lying next to the casing all
the way up from this point to the top of the boiler, at which point the pipe
crosses over and comes downward, forming an inner row, the several rows inter-
locking each other and making a practically solid water back. The object of
these coils is not only to heat the feed water, but also to protect the back of the
casing or housing from intense heat.
At the extreme upper end of this feed water coil, a pipe 23 extends from the
coil outside of the casing and discharges into one or both of the upper drums 1),
and this pipe or pipes 23 is provided with a valve or valves 24. When not feed-
ing water into the boiler, the valve or valves 24 are to be kept open so that there
shall be a circulation between the upper and lower drums through the coils of
the feed water heater. When water is being fed into the boiler through the
heater coils, these valves are to be closed. It will be readily understood that
without the addition of the pipes 23 and valves 24 at the extreme upper end of
the heater coils connecting the latter to the upper drum or drums, there would
be practically no circulation through the heater coils when water was not being
fed into the boiler, in which case the small quantity of water contained in the
coils might possibly become exhausted or forced downwardly through the coils
into the lower drum, thereby exposing the heater coils to intense heat with the
liability of their burning out.
A blow-off pipe 25 leads out of the lower drum and is provided with a valve 26
and the feed water pipe preferably terminates downwardly just above the blow-off
pipe.
As the operation has been explained in the course of the description, it will be
unnecessary to repeat it at this point. It may be said, however, in conclusion
that the construction and disposition of the parts of the boiler are such that a
maximum of heating surface is exposed and at the same time, the products of
combustion are to a large extent, concentrated and brought directly into contact
with the maximum area of surface. In like manner it is obvious that the various
parts are compactly assembled so that the boiler is of comparatively small size
in comparison with its extensive area of heating surface.
Mention has already been made of the facility with which access may be gained
to the interior, the large grate area and numerous other features of superiority
and hence further allusion to them need not be made.
It is evident that slight changes might be resorted to in the form and arrange-

page_text: ment of the several parts described without departing from the spirit and scope
of my invention, and hence I do not wish to be limited to the precise construction
herein set forth, but
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A water tube boiler consisting of two lower drums, an upper drum, a central
or intermediate drum and tubes extending from the upper drum to the two lower
drums, from the lower drums to the central or intermediate drum and from the
central or intermediate drum to the upper drum, whereby a complete circulation
of water is economically effected in the generation of steam.
2. A water tube boiler consisting of two lower drums, an upper drum, tubes
for the circulation of water back and forth through the drums and a steam dome
or drum surmounting the upper water drum.
3. A water tube boiler consisting of four drums, three of which have a
triangular arrangement with respect to one another and the fourth located
approximately at the central point, tubes extending from drum to drum whereby
to create a circulation of water and a steam dome or drum surmounting the
upper water drum.
4. A water tube boiler consisting of two lower, one upper and one central or
intermediate water drum, partitions extending from the two lower drums to the
central or intermediate drum and water tubes extending from the upper to the
two lower drums on the outer side of the partitions, from the lower drums to
the central or intermediate drum on the inner side of the partitions, and tubes
extending from the central or intermediate drum to the upper drum.
5. A water tube boiler consisting of two lower, one upper and one central or
intermediate water drum, partitions extending from the two lower drums to the
central or intermediate drum and water tubes extending from the upper to the
two lower drums on the outer side of the partitions, from the lower drums to
the central or intermediate drum on the inner side of the partitions, tubes ex-
tending from the central or intermediate drum to the upper drum and a steam
dome or drum surmounting the upper water drum.
6. In a water tube boiler, the combination with three drums arranged triangu-
larly, and circulating tubes connecting said drums for a complete circulation of
water, and an outer casing or housing enclosing the said drums and tubes.
7. In a water tube boiler, the combination with three drums arranged triangu-
larly and circulating tubes connecting said drums for a complete circulation of
water, of an outer casing or housing enclosing the said drums and tubes, said
casing or housing having a lining of asbestos or other comparatively indestruc-
tible material.
8. In a water tube boiler, the combination with two lower drums, an upper
drum, a central or intermediate drum and water tubes extending from drum to
drum whereby a complete circulation of water is effected, of an outer casing or
housing enclosing the drums and tubes, said casing or housing lined with asbestos
or other comparatively indestructible material.
9. In a water tube boiler, the combination with two lower drums, an upper
drum, a central or intermediate drum and water tubes extending from drum to
drum whereby a complete circulation of water is effected, of an outer casing or
housing enclosing the drums and tubes, said casing or housing lined with asbestos
or other comparatively indestructible material, and a steam dome or drum sur-
mounting the upper water drum and extending outside of the casing or housing.
10. In a water tube boiler, the combination with an outer casing or housing,
of two lower drums, a central or intermediate drum and an upper drum, of water
tubes connecting the several drums and non-combustible material extending from

page_text: the lower drums to the central or-intermediate drum between certain of the
tubes and dividing them into lower and upper banks.
11. In a water tube boiler, the combination with an outer casing or housing,
of two lower drums, a central or intermediate drum and an upper drum, of water
tubes connecting the several drums and non-heat conducting material extending
from the lower drums to the central or intermediate drum between certain of
the tubes dividing them into lower and upper banks, and a horizontal diaphragm
for controlling the direction of the hot air passage.
12. In a water tube boiler, the combination with a combustion chamber, water
drums on each side thereof and one directly over its top, of tubes extending from
onc drum to the other in an inclined direction, and inclined non-heat conducting
material extending from the side drums to the central or intermediate drum over
these tubes.
13. In a water tube boiler, the combination with an outer casing or housing
and water drums therein, of a feed water pipe having a circuitous passage inside
of the casing at one end and discharging into the drums.
14. In a water tube boiler, the combination with an outer casing or housing
and water drums therein, of a feed water pipe having a circuitous passage inside
of the casing and emptying into mud-pipes leading from the drums.
15. In a water tube boiler, the combination with an outer casing or housing,
of two lower drums, a central or intermediate drum, an upper drum, circulating
tubes connecting these several drums, partitions extending from the lower drums
to the central or intermediate drum and dividing the circulating tubes into two-
banks, said partitions extending nearly to the rear wall of the casing and an
upper diaphragm extending across from wall to wall of the casing or housing
from the rear end forward nearly to the front whereby the products of combustion
pass upwardly and roarwardly amongst the inner banks of tubes, thence upwardly
and forwardly into the larger space outside of the partitions among the outer
banks of tubes and finally around the forward edge of the diaphragm and thence
rearwardly over the latter and out of the casing.
16. In a water tube boiler, the combination with an outer casing or housing,
of two lower drums, a central or intermediate drum, an upper drum, circulating
tubes connecting these several drums, partitions extending from the lower drums
to the central or intermediate drum and dividing the circulating tubes into two
banks, said partitions extending nearly to the rear wall of the casing, and an
upper diaphragm extending across from wall to wall of the casing or housing
from the rear end forward nearly to the front whereby the products of combus-
tion pass upwardly and rearwardly amongst the inner bank of tubes, thence
upwardly and forwardly into the larger space outside of the partitions among
the outer bank of tubes and finally around the forward edge of the diaphragm
and thence rearwardly and over the latter and out of the casing, and a feed
water pipe which draws its supply from a suitable source and extends into the
rear end of the casing, thence upwardly to a point at or near the top of the
casing, then returning in a circuitous system of coils and finally dividing and
entering the two lower water drums.
17. In a water tube boiler, the combination with a central or intermediate
drum, of a series of drums in triangular relation with one another around this
central or intermediate drum, water tubes connecting the drums, a portion of
said tubes being submerged and a portion above the water level.
18. In a water tube boiler, the combination with a central or intermediate drum
and outside drums in triangular relation with respect to one another, of tubes
connecting said drums and a set of grates on either side of the median line of the
furnace whereby all of the diums in triangular relation are exposed to the pro-
ducts of combustion.
19. In a water tube boiler, the combination with a central or intermediate
drum and outside drums in triangular relation with respect to one another, of

page_text: tubes connecting said drums and a set of grates on either side of the median linc
of the furnace whereby all of the drums in triangular relation and the tubes
connecting the outer drums directly together are exposed to the products of
combustion.
20. In a water tube boiler, the combination with a central or intermediate
drum and three other drums, and water tubes connecting all four drums, of
combustion chambers placed on either side of one of the drums.
21. In a water tube boiler, the combination with a central or intermediate
drum and three other drums in triangular relation with respect to one another,
of tubes connecting the drums together, certain of said tubes being above the
water level, of a main steam pipe extending into the steam space of one or more
of the drums, a portion of said steam pipe inside of the drum or drums being per-
forated on the upper surface whereby to act as a dry pipe or steam separator.
22. In a water tube boiler, the combination with a central or intermediate
drum, a lower drum beneath the latter and two upper drums arranged above
and at either side of the central or intermediate drum, the three outer drums in
triangular relation with one another, of water tubes extending from the two
upper drums to the lower drum and from the two upper drums to the central or
intermediate drum.
23. In a water tube boiler, the combination with a central or intermediate
drum, a lower drum beneath the latter and two upper drums arranged above and
at either side of the central or intermediate drum, the three outer drums in
triangular relation one with another, of water tubes extending from the two
upper drums to the lower drum and from the two upper drums to the central or
intermediate drum, a portion of these latter tubes being submerged and the rc-
maining portion above the water level.
24. In a water tube boiler, the combination with a central or intermediate
drum, a lower drum and two upper drums, said outer drums in triangular relation
with one another, of tiling extending from the lower drum to the two upper
drums, tubes connecting said drums and located below said tiling, and horizontal
tiling extending from the diagonal tiling to the central or intermediate drum.
25. In a water tube boiler, the combination with a central or intermediate
drum, a lower drum and two upper drums said outer drums in triangular relation
with one another, of tiling extending diagonally from the lower drum to the two
upper drums, tubes connecting said drums and located below said tiling, hori-
zontal tiling extending from the diagonal tiling to the central or intermediate
drum, tubes leading from the upper drums to the central or intermediate drum,
said tubes constituting a wall above the space between them and the tiling, and
tiling extending across vertically at the rear of the furnace and closing the space
above the horizontal tiling and between it and the upper drums.
26. In a water tube boiler, the combination with a central or intermediate
drum, a lower drum and two upper drums, said outer drums in triangular relation
with one another, of tiling extending diagonally from the lower drum to the
two upper drums, tubes connecting said drums and located below said tiling,
horizontal tiling extending from the diagonal tiling to the central or inter-
mediate drum and tubes leading from the upper drums to the central or inter-
mediate drum, said tubes constituting a wall above the space between them and
the tiling.
27. In a water tube boiler, the combination with a casing, of a feed water
pipe coiled in several vertical rows, the coils of said rows interlocking each other
thus making practically a solid water back for the protection of the casing from
the intense heat.
28. In a water tube boiler, the combination with drums and tubes connecting
the same for the circulation of water, of feed water coils, a pipe extending there-
from to one or both of the drums and a valve or valves in said pipe.
29. In a water tube boiler, the combination with an outer casing of sheet metal
lined with non-combustible material of drums, combustion chambers and heater

page_text: coils arranged in interlocking rows and located close to the rear end of the casing
and tiling which deflects the products of combustion in a direction toward
said coils.
W. Lloyd Wise,
PHILIP J. KEENE.
40, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.