Improvements in Fire-boxes or Furnaces.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd Apr, 1894
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Jan., 1395-Accepted. 9th Feb., 1895
Improvements in Fire-boxes or Furnaces.
I, MICHAEL REYNOLDS, of Standeford, Wolverhampton, in the County of
Stafford, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates chiefly to improvements in and connected with the fire-box
or furnace of a locomotive or other steam boiler, but such improvements are
applicable also to other furnaces and fire grates.
The objects of my invention are to so construct and arrange the fire-box, furnace,
or fire grate as to enable the complete combustion of the fuel to be effected, and
thus to avoid the production of smoke or the formation of clinker.
In applying my invention to a locomotive boiler I construct the sides and roof of
the fire-box in the usual manner from copper or other plates, having the ordinary
roof stays of any required type, and also the side screw stays or studs, for securing
to the outer plates or shell of the boiler. In such respects, and in the provision of
the firing door, tube plate, and other general fittings, the fire-box is similar to those
at present in ordinary use.
Instead of the usual fire grate made up of ordinary fire bars, I employ a grate
having a central moving chamber, or air distributor, which may be vertically
adjusted as required in the manner hereinafter described. The upper surface or
roof of the chamber may be level or nearly level with the surrounding portion of
the grate, or it may be projected above it as required into the body of the fuel.
The lower portion of the chamber or air distributor projects into the ash pan and
suitable holes or apertures are provided in the roof and sides, to admit air into the
interior of the fire-box. The lower end of the chamber is preferably open, in order
that the air may freely enter from the ash pan. During the running or working of
the boiler, the fire may be of such a depth or thickness that the air admitted through
the fire bars is insufficient, and unable to penetrate into the body of the fuel.
I then raise the perforated central chamber or air distributor into the fire, and thus
break up the fuel and introduce sufficient air into the very interior of the mass, to
effect complete combustion, and to prevent the formation of clinker and smoke.
I preferably enclose the perforated chamber or air distributor which may be cast
from iron or steel, within a circular or other guide or cover plate, projecting into
the ash pan, and preferably formed of cast steel, in one piece or casting, with the
whole or a portion of the fire bars required to make up the complete grate.
I employ the necessary bearers to support the weight of my improved fire grate, and
attach or connect the same to the sides of the fire-box in any suitable and well-
known manner.
To produce the necessary movement or adjustment of the air distributor I employ
a lever, suitably pivoted to the ash pan, or other convenient position. The inner
end of this lever is connected to the air distributor, while the outer end is suitably
arranged for operation by the foot of the driver or fireman, a balance weight being
provided to counterbalance the weight, or part of the weight, of the air distributor.
Instead of arranging the end of the lever as a foot step, I sometimes employ a screw
and hand wheel or other suitable raising and lowering mechanism, in conjunction
with the outer end of the lever, for the purpose of adjusting the position of the air
distributor.

page_text: I sometimes adopt an induced or forced draught in connection with my improved
grate or furnace, by introducing a jet or jets of steam within the perforated chamber,
or adjustable air distributor, or by employing other methods for obtaining an
induced or forced draught of air.
Although my invention relates chiefly to locomotive type boilers, yet I do not
limit myself to such application, but adapt it to boilers for both land and marine
service, modifying its parts and the arrangement of the same, to suit particular
requirements. I also adapt and arrange my adjustable air distributor for employ-
ment with furnaces or fire grates other than the grates of steam boilers.
Dated this 2nd day of April 1894.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.
I, MICHAEL REYNOLDS, of Standeford, Wolverhampton, in the County of
Stafford, Engineer, 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 :-
This invention relates chiefly to improvements in and connected with the fire-box
or furnace of a locomotive or other steam boiler, but such improvements are
applicable also to other furnaces and fire grates.
The objects of my invention are to so construct and arrange the fire-box, furnace,
or fire grate, as to enable the complete combustion of the fuel to be effected, and
thus to avoid the production of smoke or the formation of clinker.
In the two accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional
elevation and Figure 2 a plan representing the application of my invention to a
locomotive type boiler.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate in elevation and plan respectively one form of my air
distributor hereinafter described.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 represent the application of my invention to a marine boiler,
Figure 8 representing one convenient method of mounting the air distributor.
In applying my invention to a locomotive boiler such as illustrated at Figures 1
and 2 (Sheet 1) I construct the sides and roof of the fire-box in the usual manner
from copper or other plates, having the ordinary roof stays of any required type,
and also the side screw stays or studs, for securing to the outer plates or shell of
the boiler. In such respects, and in the provision of the firing door, tube plate, and
other general fittings, the fire-box is similar to those at present in ordinary use.
Instead of the usual fire grate made up of ordinary fire bars, I employ a grate
having a moving chamber, or air distributor such as A Figure 1 and as illustrated
to a larger scale at Figures 3 and 4, which can be vertically adjusted as required in
the manner hereinafter described. The upper surface or roof of the chamber may
be level or nearly level with the surrounding portion of the grate, or it may be
projected above it as required into the body of the fuel. The lower portion of the
chamber or air distributor projects into the ash pan and suitable holes or apertures
are provided in the roof and sides to admit air into the interior of the fire-box.
The lower end of the chamber is preferably open, in order that the air may freely
enter from the ash pan. During the running or working of the boiler, the fire may
be of such a depth or thickness that the air admitted through the fire bars is
insufficient, and unable to penetrate into the body of the fuel. I then raise the
perforated central chamber or air distributor into the fire, and thus break up the

page_text: fuel and introduce sufficient air into the very interior of the mass, to effect com-
plete combustion, and to prevent the formation of clinker and smoke.
I sometimes enclose the perforated chamber or air distributor which may be cast
from iron or steel, within a circular or other guide or cover plate, projecting into
the ash pan, and preferably formed of cast steel, in one piece or casting, with the
whole or a portion of the fire bars required to make up the complete grate. I employ
the necessary bearers to support the weight of my improved fire grate, and attach
or connect the same to the sides of the fire-box in any suitable and well known
manner.
To produce the necessary movement or adjustment of the air distributor I employ
a lever such as B Figure 1 suitably pivoted to the ash pan, or other convenient
position. The inner end of this lever is connected to the air distributor, while the
outer end is suitably arranged for operation by the hand or foot of the driver or
fireman, a balance weight Ċ being provided to counterbalance the weight, or part
of the weight of the air distributor. Instead of arranging the end of the lever
as a foot step or handle, I sometimes employ a screw and hand wheel or other
suitable raising and lowering mechanism, in conjunction with the outer end of the
lever, for the purpose of adjusting the position of the air distributor.
I sometimes adopt an induced or forced draught in connection with my improved
grate or furnace, by introducing a jet or jets of steam within the perforated
chamber, or adjustable air distributor, or by employing other methods for obtaining
an induced or forced draught of air.
Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 on Sheet 2 represent one convenient method of applying my
invention to a marine type boiler. I also adapt it to varying types of land boilers
modifying the parts and the arrangement of the same, to suit particular require-
ments. I also adapt and arrange my adjustable air distributor for employment
with furnaces or fire grates other than the grates of steam boilers.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In fire-boxes and other furnaces or fire grates, the method of admitting and
regulating a supply of air to the interior of the fuel by means of an adjustable
distributor substantially as described.
2. The construction and arrangement of a fire grate in combination with an
adjustable and perforated chamber or distributor for the purpose of breaking up
the burning fuel and admitting air to the same, substantially as herein before
described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 2nd day of January 1895.
MARKS & CLERK,
18, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., and
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for the Applicant.