Improvements in and in connection with Smoke Consuming Appliances.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Apr., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 15th Feb., 1394-Accepted, 14th Apr., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in connection with Smoke Consuming
Appliances.
I EDWIN HARRISON of 55 Rawstorne Street, Goswell Road, London, E.C.,
Commercial Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates firstly to a new and improved method of constructing fire
grates and stoves, whereby the smoke and other gaseous products generated &
arising from the combustion of fuel therein, is entirely consumed instead of
escaping in the usual way.
Secondly, of an appliance to be fitted to in connection with existing grates and
the like after being subjected to the necessary alterations of the brick setting
behind the fire grate, and modifications of the rear portion of the grate bottom
bars before fixing the same, also the furnaces and fire boxes of steam boilers and
locomotives, etc. for attaining the same end.
In practically carrying out my invention as I apply it when constructing
domestic. fire grates, I arrange and form the grate in two divisions or compart-
ments for the performance of two distinct operations. The first compartment is the
front for the burning of fuel along with smoke, etc., in the first stage of development
as generated during combustion, it being quite open above the fire, similar to the
fire grate in general use, and having an iron or fire brick back forming a partition
between the two, sloping from a little below the level of the grate top front bar
inward and down to the grate bottom bars upon which its base is seated-the ends
of this back and partition are fitted into suitable channelled guides moulded on
each side of the grate's interior & extending down obliquely to the grate bottom,
in and through the iron or fire brick back as the case may be, I provide a number
of suitable openings, forming bars from its base, up to near its top for ventilation,
i.e. the passing of heated air and escaped products from combustion into the second
compartment as enclosed and formed by the combined interior rear portions of
grate sides in junction with the iron or fire brick back partition and the top or
roof, this last being made with an oblong opening from side to side of grate,
having the rear margin and ends moulded with a sunken flange or ledge brought
forward flush with the top front edge of the fire brick or iron back partition
which has its vertical margin moulded similarly to the sunken marginal ledge of
the oblong opening in the top or roof, and forming a seat for a suitable sliding
cover provided for use when placing in position within the enclosed chamber or
second compartment, an iron framed crate like appliance suitably charged with
asbestos ball fuel for permanent use, or its equivalent, which may be occasionally
withdrawn from & through the oblong opening for examination at will, and
replaced before lighting the fire. This second compartment being specially
designed for collecting and subjecting any escaped products of combustion to the
second process of purification by passing through incandescent asbestos ball fuel
or the like, after leaving the open fire while on the way to and before entry is
possible into the hot air chamber for discharge into the open air. This open bar
crate like appliance is made of suitable size and shape, i.e. to the section of the
chamber's interior, suitably packed with asbestos ball fuel and placed against the
interior slope of the iron or fire brick back partition. The direct action of
the heat through the openings from the close proximity of the glowing fire quickly
rendering the permanent fuel incandescent within the receptacle containing it,
the bottom or base of which is securely seated upon the rear portion of the grate

page_text: .
bottom bars of this chamber which may be made having an oblong opening from
side to side, somewhat less in size than the oblong opening above, in the top or
roof, provided with the sliding cover. The bottom of this enclosed chamber may
also be made to dip sufficiently into the rear of the space in the recess for ashes,
below the level of the fire grate bottom bars in front of it-that in both cases,
free draught ventilation is assured simultaneously through the openings in the
iron or fire brick back partition direct into and through the incandescent ball fuel,
also through and from the fire grate bottom bars and recess for ashes, into and
through the lower portion of the same incandescent asbestos ball fuel hereinbefore
described.
The asbestos fuel chamber being central between the fire and the hot air
chamber, the permanent fuel owing to its position necessarily becomes incandescent
and effectually consumes or chemically changes the constituent elements of any
escaped products of combustion from the fire during the passage to the hot and
purified air chamber for discharge into the open air. Thus, the most reliable
destruction of smoke from fires and gaseous products generated during the process
of combustion is obtained by the second purification from my special use of the
asbestos ball fuel or its equivalent as herein before explained.
The recess for ashes is provided with a suitable ash drawer, the top margin of
its front and ends are made to overlap the front bottom plate of grate, also the
side margins of entrance to the recess, thereby preventing the direct ingress of air
from the room, by which arrangement the ash drawer and recess under the grate
bottom bars is continuously charged with hot air and transformed into an auxiliary
hot air chamber during the smoke consuming process.
The hot air chamber provided for receiving the purified products of combustion
is situated at the rear of the asbestos ball fuel chamber, extending from the bottom
of the chimney flue up to the register flap, this hot air chamber may consist of an
iron flue tube, or brick setting of suitable formation and size carried up to the point
opposite and on a level with the top rear of the register opening, and sloping down
to the rear of hinge on the register flap bottom. The fire is lighted in the usual
way when the register flap above and over the fire is moved backward into the
chimney and seated upon the sloping marginal rim on the top of the iron flue tube,
thereby forming the enclosed space underneath the seated register flap into the hot
air chamber, thus collecting and preventing the egress of heated air from within,
also from the auxiliary heated air chamber or ash drawer recess until the fire is
well alight in the usual way and the asbestos ball fuel in the second and enclosed
compartment or chamber, sufficiently heated and the hot air chambers filled with
rarefied air, when the movement of the register flap forward from its seat on the
sloping marginal rim or top of the hot air chamber closes the register opening above
the fire, and the action of the air upon the fire from the room is instantly diverted
by the natural displacement of the rarefied air from the hot air chamber into the
chimney setting that in motion from within the recess for ashes & ash drawer, also
from the room upon the top and front surfaces of the open fire in both directions
through the incandescent asbestos. ball fuel, and thereby obtaining the necessary
power of suctional draught and efficient ventilation without the accompaniment of
smoke when burning ordinary fuel.
The suctional draught of domestic fire grates & stoves is regulated by means of
a suitable swivelled plate valve fitted within the hot air chamber at the rear of the
asbestos fuel chamber and central above its enclosed top in the iron breast
immediately below the bottom of register front-the ends of the spindle by which
it is moved when regulating the suctional draught is fitted into the rear and through
the front of iron case of hot air chamber, the front end projecting from the iron
breast is furnished with a handle and indicator, by which the exact position of the
regulator is known and may be adjusted at will and the suctional draught modified
. as desired.
4
.
In adapting my invention to and in connection with the fire boxes or furnaces of
steam boilers, etc. I arrange and construct a somewhat similar chamber to that for

page_text: domestic fire grates, on, at, and in front of the fire bridge at the rear of and above
the fire bars sloping frontward all round up to the top of furnace tube roof above the
fire-hermetically sealing the entrance of air, etc. in this direction to the flue and
admitted only through suitable openings forming bars across, or honeycombed
orifices extending from the bottom near the furnace fire bars upwards to a suitable
distance from the top, over, on and through its front above the fire bars, internally
this chamber is made with divisional partitions, (leaving open spaces above for
draught,) which have similar openings to those in front above the fire bars, the
spaces between the several partitions forming hot air & combustion chambers, and
baffles, into and through which any smoke or gaseous products from the fire must
enter and pass consecutively before reaching the flue tube for discharge through the
chimney stack into the open air, the divisional partitions becoming incandescent
from the direct & concentrated heat of the furnace fire upon and through the bar
or honeycombed openings therein, complete combustion of fuel is secured along with
the destruction or purification of all gaseous emanations, and preventing the
emission of smoke, as in ordinary open fire grates for domestic use packed with
asbestos ball fuel as herein before described. Steam boiler furnaces and the like
may also have a special application of asbestos ball fuel or its equivalent fitted and
used in connection therewith, suitably packed within the first or front divisional
partitioned space or chamber of this enclosed appliance.
The whole of above described adaptations for steam boilers and the like may
be made in sectional parts for the convenience of construction, also be made of fire
brick material or ganister combined therewith as being the most suitable to
withstand the intense heat from the furnace when in operation.
The regulation of the suctional draught for steam boiler furnaces is done by
admitting cold air into the furnace underneath the fire bars, and above the fire
through the ventilating doors, in such quantities as may be required.
Dated this 15th day of April 1802
EDWIN HARRISON.
Improvements in and in connection with Smoke Consuming
Appliances.
I, EDWIN HARRISON of 55 Rawstorne Street Goswell Road London E.C.
Commercial Agent, 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 firstly to a new & improved method of constructing fire
grates and stoves whereby the smoke and other gaseous products generated, &
arising from the combustion of fuel therein, is entirely consumed, instead of
escaping in the usual way.
Secondly, of an appliance to be fitted to in connection with existing grates and
the like, after being subjected to the necessary alterations of the brick setting
behind the fire-grate, and modifications of the rear portions of the grate bottom
bars and grate back before fixing the same, also the furnaces & fire boxes of steam
boilers for attaining the same end.
In practically carrying out my invention as I apply it when constructing
domestic fire grates as described in my Provisional Specification and shewn in the
figures of the accompanying sheet of drawings, I arrange & construct the grate
in two divisions or compartments for the performance of two distinct operations.
The first compartiment is the front for the burning of fuel along with the smoke,
etc., in the first stage of development as generated during combustion, it being
quite open above the fire, similar to the fire grate in general use, (see A Figure 1)
& having an iron or fire brick back of oblique open bars (0) forming a partition

page_text: between the two compartments (A and B) sloping down from a little below the line,
level with the grate front top bar, inward and down rearward to the grate bottom
upon which the base is seated. The ends of this open back & partition are fitted
into suitable channelled guides moulded on each side of the grate's interior &
extending down obliquely to the grate bottom, or fixed by other equivalent means.
These back bars (o) are made to run horizontal with the grate front bars, (L) or
vertical, sloping up to near the top for draft ventilation, into & through the second
compartment (B) as enclosed & formed by the combined interior portions of the
grate sides in junction with the iron or fire brick back partition grate bars (o) and
the top or roof formed by (n) and cover (d) wherein an oblong opening is made
from side to side, having the rear margin (E), and ends (e) at and on the top of
each side of the enclosed chamber (B), moulded with a sunken marginal ledge, (F)
brought forward flush with the top front of the fire brick or iron back partition
bars, (o) which has the top front margin moulded similarly to the sunken marginal
ledge of the opening in the top or roof, (n, d) & forming a seat for the removable
sliding cover (d) which I provide for use when placing within the enclosed
chamber (B), the ball fuel, packed in a suitable removable crate-like receptacle
made to consist of open bars on its rear sides and ends, and on the front side (4) of
the same & facing the opposite rear side of the open grate back bars & partition
when in position. I make the upper portion of this side (h) a solid blank and in
the lower portion of the same, below, I provide a suitable elongated opening
forming an inlet for draft ventilation etc. (J.) when placed within the enclosed
chamber (B). The smoke & gaseous products of combustion emanating from the
fire opposite to against the grate back bars (o) and throughout the fire in the
open grate (A) and over its upper surface, are carried under the influence of
the suctional draft through the grate back bar openings into the narrow space (s)
between the rear of the grate back bars (o) and the solid blank (h) upper portion
of the crate like appliance within the chamber (B) containing the permanent
fuel & impinging against the incandescent blank surface, thus, diverting its course
downward into and through the elongated opening or entrance to the ball fuel (ƒƒ)
in the crate like appliance within the enclosed chamber (B) which being exposed
to the full and direct action of the intense heat from the low rear portion of the
fire from & through the lower bars of the grate back. The ball fuel is necessarily
from its position & close proximity to the fire, constantly in au incandescent
condition when and after the fire is well alight, which renders the escaped products
from the burning fuel perfectly harmless, the constituent elements undergoing a
chemical change during the passage from the fire in (A) to the hot air chamber (R).
The permanent fuel chamber (B) being central between the fire in (A) and the
hot air chamber (R), the escaped products of combustion are effectually destroyed
or completely changed by the second purification during the passage through the
enclosed chamber (B) after leaving the fire (in A.) on the way to the hot air
chamber (R) and chimney for discharge in the form of heated air. The solid blank
portion (h) of the ball fuel receptacle or crate like appliance immediately at the
rear of the grate back bars (o.), I design especially to divert the course of the
smoke etc., and to impinge upon it as tapped and drawn from the fire when in an
incandescent condition from the direct action of the fire in front of it, before entry
is possible through the elongated opening (J) forming the inlet below the blank
surlace above it, into the enclosed chamber (B). As an equivalent for the crate
like appliance or receptacle for ball fuel, I substitute a simple sliding plate or
moulding of iron, fire clay or the like materials, of exactly similar formation to the
front side and blank upper portion (h) with elongated opening (J) below of the
ball fuel crate like appliance hereinbefore described & in lieu of which I place
immediately opposite to and at the rear side of the grate back bars (o) within the
enclosed chamber (B), this equivalent for the crate like appliance for use in
connection with perforated plates or mouldings having vertical or horizontal
openings as an equivalent for the use of ball fuel. When in position at the rear of
grate back bars (o) these plates or mouldings made with narrow longitudinal or

page_text: horizontal openings or perforations, are, as in the case of the ball fuel receptacle,
placed within the enclosed chamber (B) through the oblong opening in the top or
roof on removal of the sliding cover (d). I fit and fix the same into moulded
guides formed on the interior sides of the enclosed chamber also by means of
projecting angle ends formed on plates or mouldings, the use of which constitute
an effective equivalent or substitute for ball fuel. The openings in and through
the hollow balls of asbestos fuel and the like, and the perforations and other forms
of apertures for ventilation, and the direct action of concentrated heat upon both
applications when used in connection with my invention, obtain similar satisfactory
results and I therefore use both as occasion may demand. The escaped products
of combustion being firstly dealt with similarly upon the smoke diverting and
impinging solid portion of both surfaces, in both cases when used at the rear of the
back bars (o) within the enclosure (B) and during descent into this enclosed
chamber, are subjected to the action of the intense heat from the lower openings in
the grate back (o) upon ball fuel and such forms of perforated & ventilated plates or
mouldings as I use as equivalents and described above, are practically &
comparatively the same in effect in both cases when placed within the enclosed
chamber (B) and satisfactorily deal with the escaped products of combustion
during passage through the incandescent intricacies of each.
The recess for ashes (x) is provided with an ash drawer (=) the top margin of its
front and ends are made to overlap the plate in front of grate bottom bars above
the ash recess (a) also the side margins of entrance thereto (w) thereby preventing
the direct entrance of air from the room by which arrangement the ash drawer and
recess under the grate bottom bars are continuously charged with hot air and
becomes an auxiliary hot air chamber, the escaped products of combustion from
through the grate bottom bars being conveyed by the suctional draft into the bottom:
openings of the enclosed chamber (B) which form inlets for escaped products of
combustion from this direction for treatment and second purification at the same
time as the products from through the grate back bars.
The suctional drafts of domestic fire grates, etc. are regulated by means of a
suitable swivelled plate fitted within the hot air chamber (R) at the rear of the
enclosed chamber (B) and central above its enclosed top, in the iron breast (g)
immediately under as below the bottom of register flap (i)-by way of example-
the ends of the spindle by which it is moved when regulating the suctional draft,, is
fitted into the rear (r) and through the front of iron casing (a) of the heated air
chamber (R). The front end projecting from the iron breast above the top of the
enclosed chamber (B) is furnished with a handle & quadrant indicator by which
the exact position of the regulator is known & may be adjusted at will, and the
suctional draft modified as desired. I also apply & use the ordinary damper plate
for regulating the suctional draft when expedient, and especially so in the case of
fire places altered and fitted with my central and enclosed smoke consuming
apparatus for fixing in connection with existing fire grates, it being identically the
same in formation as the enclosed chamber (B) as shewn in Figure 1-of my smoke
consuming fire place. On fitting the apparatus inside of existing fire grates, the
grate is firstly removed, also the brick setting behind the fire place upwards into
the chimney and thereby form the necessary space behind the fire place for the hot
air & discharge passage into the chimney & open air. The usual inlet for air into
the chimney above the fire is closed & sealed by fixing iron sheets over the opening
preparatory to fixing my apparatus. As an adaptation, Figure 2, shews the
appliance .e. the enclosed chamber (B) detached from Figure 1, as fitted and fixed
in existing fire grates. The angle piece forming the fork (FF) at the rear of the
removable cover (d) and margin of top surface projecting laterally and vertically
on the side are covered with asbestos packing moistened with water before making
the joint connection; or suitable cement not deteriorated from the effects of heat, in
lieu of asbestos. The apparatus Figure 2 is placed within at the rear of grate, the
lateral projecting fork of angle (F°F) is placed within the open space from which
the ordinary grate back has been removed for its insertion under the metal of

page_text: grate maCK ITOM which the ord back has been removed, & forming the old joint
connection.
The new joint connection is formed by pushing the apparatus forward to the rear
underneath, until the rear of vertical projection is closely touching against the front
margin of iron behind it at the grate's rear-both being furnished with suitable
screw holes & screws and screwed up tightly to each other, the asbestos packing or
other suitable jointing material preventing the ingress of air into the chimney &
apparatus, which, when fixed as described, the air for ventilation can only enter
through the sloping bars of its front, inside the grate (which now become the grate
back of smoke consuming fire place)-also through the grate bottom bars upon &
over which the openings in bottom of apparatus is seated-as seen in Sectional
Figure, 1, of new grate. The ventilation being obtained directly through the bars of
apparatus sloping in front and enclosed chamber of same also grate bottom bars
from the recess for ashes & ash drawer, the same as in the case of new grates herein
before described, & the adaptation is complete and effective as an appliance
consuming smoke in open fire places.
Kitchen ranges, I make as follows, viz. the grate back is made and fitted with an
enclosed chamber similar to the stove grates etc., as shewn in Figure 1-with back-
ward and downward ventilation-i.e. the suctional draft through the back bars of
the open grate (A) which are also the front partition bars of the chamber (B), and
through the grate bottom into the recess for ashes & ash drawer, through the
openings in the bottom of enclosed chamber & at the same time within it,
as from through the grate back bars (o). The breast of range above the
fire is permanently sealed, thereby preventing the ingress of air to chimney
above the fire. The recess for ashes is also supplied with ash drawer of
similar formation & for the same purpose as in Figure 1-the chief modification
being as shewn in Figure 3, as I supply grate side bars (vo) in front of the
oven & boiler flue inlets, similar to those forming grate back, also apply the smoke
diverting sloping front side of my ball fuel appliance or receptacle independently of
the perforated plates as used in the enclosed chamber therewith. This sloping
smoke diverting and impinging plate.I place immediately at the rear of the open
flue bars and thereby form a narrow space or passage between the two, of the same
character as that behind the grate back bars, having the elongated opening or
entrance below the solid impinging surface (Figure 1) against which the escaped
smoke etc. must strike upon its incandescent surface before entering the flue, the
enclosed chamber at rear of grate back bars (Figure 3) being provided with inlets
in ends of same and form outlets from boiler & oven flues on each side of range into
the openings or inlets into each end of enclosed chamber fitted with perforated
plates, &c. or ball fuel as the case may be & thereby subjecting escaped products
of combustion to the second purification as when passing directly through the
enclosed chamber from the fire in front before entry into the hot air chamber &
chimney.
The suctional draft direct from the fire through the enclosed chamber is modified
as desired by means of same kind of regulators as used for Figure 1 within the
heated air chamber (R). The suctional draft through the side flues of oven &
boiler being regulated by means of suspended damper plates having projecting
lateral flanges around top which is seated on the top of range when the flue is
closed, and raised when the flue is open at entrance of inlets to the enclosed ball
fuel chainber & junction of flues therewith at each end of the enclosure.
Lighting of fires in my smoke consuming register stoves & the like may be
done in the usual way, having the register and ash drawer open until the fire is
well alight, and be afterwards closed to induce the suctional draft in the chimney
necessary to reverse the action of the air on the top & front surfaces of the fire
and consume the smoke & gaseous products generated from the combustion of fuel
within the open fire grate. In the case of grates having the chimney inlet above
the fire permanently closed or sealed to prevent the ingress of air thereto, by
removing the cover on the top or roof of the enclosed chamber & placing within

page_text: the same a small quantity of lighted wood shavings or paper, the ignition of fuel
in the grate becomes accelerated and the process of consuming the smoke &
gaseous products hastened. Care must be exercised to replace the cover upon the
opening in top or roof of enclosed chamber immediately the lighted shavings are
deposited within-and ignite the fuel materials in the grate, after which the smoke
consuming process quickly begins and the suctional draft regulated as hereinbefore
described.
Steam boiler furnaces and the like are fitted with adaptation of my invention as
shewn in Figure 4 on sheet of drawings, and the regulation of the suctional draft
is done by the admission of cold air into the furnaces underneath the fire bars and
above the fire through the ventilating doors in such quantities as may be required
to modify the draft. The circular openings P represent draft ventilation around
sides of apparatus and heating of flue tube.
Having now particularly described & ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The general design and construction of the various parts and their combined
arrangement as a whole.
2. The enclosed chamber with sliding cover on top or roof as situated at the rear
of the open fire place, i.e. central between the open fire & hot air chamber at the
rear of this enclosed, second compartment or ball fuel chamber, and equivalents for
ball fuel.
3. The ash drawer and recess for ashes as an auxiliary hot air chamber.
4. The crate like appliance or receptacle for ball fuel as placed within the
enclosed chamber, having the rear side and ends made of open bars, and its front
surface solid from its top & moulded blank down to the elongated opening above
its base, the solid upper portion of its surface opposite the rear of grate back bars
in front of it, forming between the two a narrow passage down from the top
surface of the fire to the elongated horizontal entrance to ball fuel. I also use this
front moulded surface plate of ball fuel receptacle detached, in connection with
perforated plates etc. as a substitute & equivalent for ball fuel. I also use it
detached and independent of the plate perforated or otherwise to form the narrow
passage from the surface of the fire at rear of grate back bars-also at the rear of
grate side bars for boiler & oven flues as smoke diverting and impinging plates
when forming the narrow passage down to the entrance or inlet formed by the
elongated opening above its base and midway from its top or thereabouts and
substantially as a whole for the uses described.
Dated this 15th day of February A.D. 1894.
EDWIN HARRISON.