IMPROVEMENTS IN Engineers for STEAM-PURIFYING
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Addy Hopkinson and Joseph Hopkinson, both of
the Firm of J. Hopkinson & Co., of Huddersfield, in the County of York,
an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
Engineers
for
STEAM-PURIFYING
LETTERS PATENT to John Addy Hopkinson and Joseph Hopkinson, both of
the Firm of J. Hopkinson & Co., of Huddersfield, in the County of York,
Engineers for
STEAM-PURIFYING
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS, CHIEFLY DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE PRIMING OF BOILERS,
an
APPARATUS, CHIEFLY DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE PRIMING OF BOILERS.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Addy Hopkinson and
Joseph Hopkinson at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th
May 1880.
JOHN ADDY HOPKINSON and JOSEPH HOPKINSON, both of the Firm of
J. Hopkinson & Co., of Huddersfield, in the County of York, Engincers.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM-PURIFYING APPARATUS, CHIEFLY DESIGNED TO PREVENT
THE PRIMING OF BOILERS."
This Invention relates to an apparatus through which steam is taken from a
steam boiler, and which we term a separator, purifier, or anti-primer, the object of
the said Invention being to render the steam pure and dry before it passes to the
engine or to its other destination.
According to one arrangement of our Invention the said apparatus is constructed
with an outer casing or dome provided with a suitable top and bottom; the bottom
is connected with the steam-space of the boiler.
Inside this external case or dome we place another casing of an annular form,
the external diameter of which is such as to leave an annular space between it and
the said outer casing, while its internal cylindrical wall encloses a central chamber.
It is provided with a suitable top and bottom, the top being provided with
apertures for the passage of steam from the central chamber.
This internal casing has perforations through its inner and outer cylindrical
portions or walls, and the annular space within it is filled with animal-charcoal or
other material suitable for the above purpose.
The annular space between the internal casing and the outer casing of the
apparatus is in direct communication with the steam-space of the boiler; the steam
entering this space surrounds the external portion of the inner casing, and passes
thence into the said central chamber of the apparatus, and afterwards takes an

page_text: upward direction to the steam-pipes. Channels or passages are provided, whereby
the water separated from the steam returns to the boiler.
A modification of our Invention consists in so arranging the said apparatus that
the steam is conducted firstly into the central chamber, thence through the annular
casing into the space between the internal and external casings, and thence upwards
to the pipes.
We do not confine ourselves strictly to the employment of charcoal or similar
material, but may use simply a series of perforated plates for the separation of the
steam from the water.
According to another modification of our Invention, instead of the aforesaid
apparatus consisting of an external dome enclosing an annular casing, we employ a
vessel or chamber inside the boiler. This vessel is charged with the separating
material, and is perforated at the end or other portion, and suitably arranged in
connection with the pipes to accomplish the above purpose.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said John Addy Hopkinson and Joseph Hopkinson in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 8th November 1880.
JOHN ADDY HOPKINSON and JOSEPH HOPKINSON, both of the Firm of
J. Hopkinson and Co., of Huddersfield, in the County of York, Engineers.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM PURIFYING APPARATUS, CHIEFLY DESIGNED TO PREVENT
THE PRIMING OF BOILERS."
This Invention relates to an apparatus through which steam is taken from a
steam-boiler, and which we term a separator, purifier, or anti-primer, the object of
the said Invention being to render the steam pure and dry before it passes to the
engine or to its other destination.
The said Invention is illustrated in the accompanying Drawing, in which
Figure 1 is an exterior elevation, and
Figure 2 a vertical central section of the said apparatus.
Figures 3 and 4 are similar views illustrating a modified form of the same.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the Drawing.
According to the arrangement of our Invention shewn in Figures 1 and 2, the
said apparatus is constructed with an outer casing or dome a, the bottom or lower
end a of which is connected with the steam-space of the boiler.
Inside this external case or dome a we place an annular cylinder or casing b, the
diameter of whose outer or larger surface 6' is such as to leave an annular space c
between it and the said dome or casing a, while its internal wall or surface b³
encloses a central space or chamber d. This cylinder b is provided with a suitable
top and bottom 6, the top being formed of a single plate or of double plates
as shewn, and perforated with small holes or apertures.
This internal cylinder or casing b has perforations through its outer and inner
cylindrical portions or walls b¹, 62, and the annular space between these walls may
be filled with animal-charcoal or other material which will assist in the separation
of the water from the steam.
We do not confine ourselves strictly to the employment of charcoal or similar
material for the purpose, but may fill the space between the outer and inner
walls b¹, 63, with a series of perforated plates for the separation of the water from
the steam. And in some instances we may use this cylinder without any filling
between its inner and outer walls. If desired the space between the top plates b³
may be filled with charcoal or other like material.
The annular space c between the internal casing b and the outer casing a of the
apparatus is in direct communication with the steam-space of the boiler; the steam,
whose direction is indicated by the arrows, enters this space, and surrounds
the external portion b' of the inner casing or cylinder b, and passes thence through
its perforated walls into the said central chamber d, from which it takes an
upward direction through the perforations or apertures in the top plate or plates 63
to the steam-pipe. Channels or passages e are provided whereby the water
separated from the steam returns to the boiler.
In the modification of our Invention illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, we so arrange
the parts of the said apparatus that the steam is conducted first into the central
chamber d, thence through the annular casing or cylinder b into the space c between
the said cylinder and the external casing a, and thence upward through perforations
at f to the steam-pipe leading to the engine-cylinder or to any other apparatus
wherein the steam is to be utilized.
According to another modification of our Invention, instead of the aforesaid
apparatus consisting of an external dome enclosing an annular casing, we employ a

page_text: vessel or chamber inside the boiler. This vessel is preferably charged with the
charcoal or other separating material, and is perforated at the end or other portion
and suitably arranged in connection with the pipes to accomplish the purpose above
specified.
Having thus fully described our said Invention, and shewn how the same may
be conveniently and advantageously carried into practice, we wish it understood
that we claim,―
The apparatus consisting of the parts constructed and arranged as shewn in the
accompanying Drawing, or any mere modification thereof, so that when employed
in combination with a steam-boiler the said apparatus will operate in the manner
and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Joseph Hopkinson, for myself and on behalf
of the said John Addy Hopkinson, have hereunto set my hand and seal,
this Eighth day of November, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty.
JOSEPH HOPKINSON. (L.S.)