IMPROVE- MENTS IN STEAM HEATERS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Thomas Hughes, of the Firm of Hughes and Son,
Patent Agents, 123, Chancery Lane, London, for the Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN STEAM HEATERS." A communication from abroad by Jedediah
Wilcox, of the City and County of Now Haven and State of Connecticut,
United States of America.
Sealed the 22nd June 1877, and dated the 23rd December 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Thomas Hughes at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 23rd December 1876.
EDWARD THOMAS HUGHES, of the Firm of Hughes and Son, Patent Agents, 123,
Chancery Lane, London, "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM HEATERS." A communication
from abroad by Jedediah Wilcox, of the City and County of New Haven and State
of Connecticut, United States of America.
This Invention relates to that class of steam heaters in which the steam is con-
ducted from the generator to the radiators distant from the generator.
The Invention consists principally in a generating coil surrounding the fire-box,
and a secondary or steam coil above the fire-box and connected with the generating
coil, combined with a water supply tank connected to said generating coil, and with
an exit from the steam coil to allow the steam to flow to the radiating apparatus
and a return to the water supply tank, all as more fully hereinafter described.
In the Drawing, Fig. 1 a vertical section and Fig. 2 a horizontal section in the
plane x, x, Fig. 1; the letter A designates a furnace which contains a secondary
coil B, one or more. This generating coil is situated above the fire-grate C, and
close to this grate over the ash box D of the furnace is situated the generating
coil E. This generating coil connects at its lower or outer end by means of a pipe a
with a supply tank F situated outside of the furnace, and the upper or inner end of
said generating coil connects by a pipe b with the lower end of the secondary coil B,
said pipe b being situated outside the furnace A. The steam which is generated
passes through a pipe c to the heating pipes, and from the pipe c extend a branch
pipe & to the supply tank. The pipes c and d are provided with stop-cocks e and ƒ
respectively. The tail end g of the heating pipes connects with the upper part of
the supply tank, and this tank is filled with water to such a height that the
Paver II

page_text: generating coil E and the lower part of the secondary coil B will be filled with
water. The tail pipe g is provided with a stop-cock h.
When a fire is kindled in the furnace the water contained in the coils is rapidly
formed into steam. If the stop-cock e is opened, and the stop-cock f in the branch
pipe d is closed, the steam generated passes through the heating pipes, and finally
back into the supply tank, and as the pressure in the supply tank is thus made
equal to that in the coils, the water from the supply tank continues to pass through
the generating coil to the secondary coil, and a constant circulation is effected. At
the same time the water, on passing, is heated and rapidly transformed into steam,
and thereby an even and uniform circulation is produced and a regular supply of
steam is obtained, and at the same time the generating coil is protected against
being burned or overheated.
When it is desired to shut off the steam from the heating pipes, the stop-cocks e
and are closed and the stop-cock f is opened. The steam generated is then con-
ducted back in the supply tank through the branch pipe d, and the circulation of
water through the coils continues without interruption, so that said coils are not
liable to become overhausted. This heater is applicable for railroad cars and also
for buildings.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Thomas Hughes in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 23rd
June 1877.
EDWARD THOMAS HUGHES, of the Firm of Hughes and Son, Patent Agents, 123,
Chancery Lane, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN STEAM HEATERS." A communication
from abroad by Jedediah Wilcox, of the City and County of New Haven and State
of Connecticut, United States of America.
This Invention relates to that class of steam heaters in which the steam is con-
ducted from the generator to the radiators distant from the generator.
The Invention consists principally in a generating coil surrounding the fire-box,
and a secondary or steam coil above the fire-box and connected with the generating
coil, combined with a water supply tank connected by said generating coil, and
with an exit from the steam coil to allow the steain to flow to the radiating
apparatus and a return to the water supply tank, all as more fully hercin-after
described.
Fig. 1 is a vertical central section and Fig. 2 a horizontal section in the
plane x,x, Fig. 1.
In the Drawings the letter A designates a furnace which contains a secondary
coil B, one or more. This generating coil is situated above the fire-grate C, and close
to this grate over the ash box D of the furnace is situated the generating coil E.
This generating coil connects at its lower or outer end by means of a pipe a with a
supply tank F situated outside of the furnace, and the upper or inner end of suid
generating coil connects by a pipe b with the lower end of the secondary coil B,
said pipe b being situated outside the furnace A. The steam which is generated
passes through a pipe c to the heating pipes, and from the pipe c extends a branch
pipe d to the supply tank. The pipes c and d are provided with stop-cocks e and f
respectively. The tail end g of the heating pipes connects with the upper part of
the supply tank, and this tank is filled with water to such a height that tho
generating coil E and the lower part of the secondary coil B will be filled with
water. The tail pipe g is provided with a stop-cock h.
When a fire is kindled in the furnace the water contained in the coils is rapidly
formed into steam. If the stop-cock e is opened and the stop-cock in the branch
pipe is closed, the steam generated passes through the heating pipes, and finally
back into the supply tank; and as the pressure in the supply tank is thus inade
equal to that in the coils, the water from the supply tank continues to pass through

page_text: the generating coil to the secondary coil, and a constant circulation is effected. At
the same time the water on passing is heated and rapidly transformed into steam,
and thereby an even and uniform circulation is produced and a regular supply of
steam is obtained, and at the same time the generating coil is protected against
being burned or overheated.
When it is desired to shut off the steam from the heating pipes the stop-cocks e
and h are closed and the stop-cock f is opened. The steam generated is then con-
ducted back in the supply tank through the branch pipe d, and the circulation of
water through the coils continues without interruption so that said coils are not
liable to become overheated. This heater is applicable for railroad cars and also
for buildings.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and shown by the
Drawings how the same is to be or may be carried into practical effect, I claim,-
First. In a stean heater the combination with the generating coil E and water
supply tank F of the branch pipe d having stop-cock f, and steam pipe c having
stop-cock e, substantially as and for the purpose described.
Second. The combination in a steam heater of the generating coil E surrounding
the fire-box, the secondary or steam coil B above the generating coil and connected
thereto, the water supply tank F, connected to said generating coil, and an exit for
the steam from the secondary coil to convey the steam to the radiating apparatus
and a return to the water tank, substantially as specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Thomas Hughes, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-second day of June, One thousand eight hundred
and seventy-seven.
E. T. HUGHES. (L.S.)