Improvements in Automatic Stoking, Smoke Consuming, and Fuel Economizing Apparatus to be Attached to Steam Boilers.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Oct., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 12th Apr., 1897-Accepted, 15th Mav, 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Stoking, Smoke Consuming, and Fuel
Economizing Apparatus to be Attached to Steam Boilers.
We GEORGE CLAYDON of Addington, near Christchurch in the Colony of
New Zealand, Engineer and THE WOOD AND CLAYDON AUTOMATIC STOKER,
COAL CRUSHER, SELF-FEEDER, AND SMOKE CONSUMER COMPANY LIMITED
whose registered office is at No. 11, Inglis Buildings, Christchurch, Canterbury, in
the Colony of New Zealand, Assignees of George Claydon, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to apparatus for automatically feeding and stoking steam
boiler furnaces in such manner as to ensure the consumption of smoke and
economize the fuel, the fuel being so fed that it is immediately retorted and
becomes "coked "as soon as it is deposited on the dead plate, a gentle motion
being imparted to the fire-bars causing them to rise and fall alternately in front,
thus causing the fuel to remain loose and free and ensuring perfect combustion.
The invention comprises an agitating crusher and feeder being a toothed or ribbed
plate forming the front of each feed trunk, below the feed hopper, said plate
receiving an up and down grinding and to and fro crushing and feeding motion by
means of an eccentric on a shaft operated by ratchet or other gear actuated from an
overhead eccentric, a toothed or ribbed plate being fixed at back of each said trunk
against which the lumps of fuel are crushed, the crushed fuel being fed to the
furnace by the moving plate, through an aperture below the fixed plate. The fire
bars are caused to rise and fall alternately by a sprocket shaft actuated by ratchet
gear operated from the overhead eccentric above referred to. An adjustable bar
fitted in slotted bearers in front of the furnace regulates the rise and fall of the
fire-bars which are of special forms adapted to the size and nature of the boiler and
fuel used.
Referring to the drawings which form a part of the specification,
Figure 1 is a front view of the apparatus as applied to one furnace of a boiler and
Figure 2 is a corresponding longitudinal section of the front part of the boiler
and apparatus.
Figure 3 is a corresponding side elevation and Figure 4 is a plan of the same (part
in section).
Figures 5 6 7 8 9 and 10 are perspective views of special forms of fire-bars
designed to suit different kinds of furnaces.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts where they occur in
the several figures.
A A are the feed hoppers, B B the trunks in each of which a ribbed or toothed
plate a is pivotally hung upon radius links pivoted to the sides between which
said plate is fitted so as to form the front of the trunk. Instead of the radius
links the pivots of the plate may work up and down in slots in the sides of trunks.
The plate is operated by an eccentric c working in a strap or block b carried by the
plate a, this eccentric being fixed on a shaft mounted in bearings in the sides of
trunks. A ribbed or toothed plate d is fixed in each trunk opposite to the plate a
against which the fuel is ground and crushed by the compound motion of the plate a.
D is a shaft mounted in bearings on brackets e and having sprockets f which in
revolving lift the front ends of the fire-bars E alternately. The shafts C and D
are conjointly operated by means of an eccentric g on an overhead shaft / through

page_text: connecting rods i, levers 7, and ratchet gears k or other suitable means and the
fire-bars (which can be set to any required angle, the back ends resting loosely on
a suitable bearer) drop at their front ends on to an adjustable bar G fitted in slots
in the brackets e and supported at any height to which it may be adjusted by means
of wedges in order to regulate the amount of rise and fall of the front ends of the
fire-bars. The dead plate has a cheek / on each side and air grids m underneath.
As the fuel falls from the hoppers into the trunks B B the agitating toothed or ribbed
plate a crushes it against the plate d and pushes it forward, whence it falls on to
the dead plate F where it is immediately retorted and becomes coked, air being
admitted through the grids m as the fuel falls on to the fire-bars, the motion of
which keeps the fuel loose and free and thus ensures perfect combustion.
Figure 5 shews a fire-bar which may be perforated, as shewn, or solid according
to requirements. This bar is operated as above described and the fuel in falling
over the drop in the bar is further prevented from clogging.
Figure 6 shews another form of fire-bar.
Figure 7 shews a fire bar consisting of two parts each capable of being moved
independently. The front end of the back portion n is supported by a suitable
bearing or rod o, the back end of the front portion p resting upon the front end of
the portion n. The front end of the portion p is caused to rise and fall by the shaft D
while the lower end of the back portion n can be raised when desired by means suited
to the particular case, thus the fuel can be always prevented from caking.
Figures 8 and 9 represent a fire-bar which oscillates upon a central rod or
bearing 9 as a fulcrum the front end of the bar having two lugs, the sprockets
on shaft D in revolving acting on the lugs to depress it and thus impart a
rocking motion to the fire-bar and the upper one abutting on the adjustable
bar G to limit such rocking motion. By pushing the fire bar back (by hand or
by suitable mechanical means) so as to allow the lug r to clear the bar G, the
front of the fire bar may be depressed so as to raise the back part sufficiently
to push the fuel from it and at same time break it up so as to ensure freedom in
burning.
In Figure 10 a bolt t is passed through the two flanges r and s so that as the
shaft D rotates the sprocket will act on each of the flanges, the end of the bar
and the bolt in turn, thereby causing the fire bar to move upwards, forwards,
downwards, and backwards, the bar G being dispensed with.
Dated this 30th day of October 1896.
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, Loudon, Chartered Patent Agents.
Improvements in Automatic Stoking, Smoke Consuming, and Fuel
Economizing Apparatus to be Attached to Steam Boilers.
We, GEORGE CLAYDON of Addington, near Christchurch, in the Colony of
New Zealand, Engineer, and THE WOOD AND CLAYDON AUTOMATIC STOKER.
COAL CRUSHER, SELF-FEEDER, AND SMOKE CONSUMER COMPANY LIMITED
whose registered office is at No. 11, Inglis Buildings, Christchurch, Canterbury,
in the Colony of New Zealand, 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 to apparatus for automatically feeding and stoking steam
boiler furnaces in such manner as to ensure the consumption of smoke and
economise the fuel, the fuel being so fed that it is immediately retorted and
becomes "coked" as soon as it is deposited on the dead plate, a gentle motion

page_text: being imparted to the fire-bars causing them to rise and fall alternately in
front, thus causing the fuel to remain loose and free and ensuring perfect
combustion.
The invention comprises an agitating crusher and feeder being a toothed or
ribbed plate forming the front of each feed trunk below the feed hopper, said
plate receiving an up and down grinding and to and fro crushing and feeding
motion by means of an eccentric on a shaft operated by ratchet or other gear
actuated from an overhead eccentric, a toothed or ribbed plate being fixed at bick
of each said trunk against which the lumps of fuel are crushed, the crushed fuel
being fed to the furnace by the moving plate, through an aperture below the fixel
plate. The fire bars are caused to rise and fall alternately by a sprocket shaft
actuated by ratchet gear operated from the overhead eccentric above referrel to.
An adjustable bar fitted in slotted bearers in front of the furnace regulates the rise
and fall of the fire-bars which are of special forms adapted to the size and nature
of the boiler and fuel used.
Referring to the drawings filed with our Provisional Specification
Figure 1 is a front view of the apparatus as applied to one furnace of a boiler
and Figure 2 is a corresponding longitudinal section of the front part of the boiler
and apparatus. Figure 3 is a corresponding side elevation and Figure 4 is a plan
of the same (part in section).
Figures 5 6 7 8 9 and 10 are perspective views of special forms of fire-bars
designed to suit different kinds of furnaces.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts where they occur in
the several figures.
A A are the feed hoppers, B B the trunks in each of which a ribbed or toothed
plate a is pivotally hung upon radius links pivoted to the sides between which said
plate is fitted so as to form the front of the trunk. Instead of the radius links the
pivots of the plate may work up and down in slots in the sides of trunks. The
plate is operated by an eccentric c working in a strap or block 6 carried by
the plate a, this eccentric being fixed on a shaft C mounted in bearings in the
sides of trunks. A ribbed or toothed plate d is fixed in each trunk opposite to the
plate a against which the fuel is ground and crushed by the compound motion of
the plate a. D is a shaft mounted in bearings on brackets e and having sprockets f
which in revolving lift the front ends of the fire-bars E alternately. The shafts C
and D are conjointly operated by means of an eccentric g on an overhead shaft h
through connecting rods i, levers j, and ratchet gears k, or other suitable means,
and the fire-bars (which can be set to any required angle, the back-ends resting
loosely on a suitable bearer) drop at their front ends on to an adjustable bar G
fitted in slots in the brackets e and supported at any height to which it may be
adjusted by means of wedges in order to regulate the amount of rise and fall of
the front ends of the fire-bars. The dead plate has a cheek 1 on each side and air
grids m underneath. As the fuel falls from the hoppers into the trunks B B the
agitating toothed or ribbed plate a crushes it against the plate d and pushes it
forward whence it falls on to the dead plate F where it is immediately retorted
and becomes coked, air being admitted through the grids m as the fuel falls on to
the fire-bars, the motion of which keeps the fuel loose and free and thus ensures.
perfect combustion.
The fire-bars can be placed at any angle according to the nature of the fuel to
be used in order to ensure it being consumed before it leaves the fire-bars so that
nothing but clinkers fall into the pit at back. It is to be observed that the
essential feature of the invention, so far as it relates to the fire-bars, consists not.
in the general inclination of the bar nor in its oscillation but the drop towards the
back due to the peculiar curved form of the bar, as illustrated in perspective view
in the following figures, the long curve being found to give the best results, as the
fuel in dropping over this long curve becomes broken up and so prevented from
clogging whilst the smoke in passing over the heated mass at back is thoroughly
consumed.

page_text: Figure 5 shews a form of fire-bar with a reversed curvature. This bar which
may be perforated, as shewn, or may be solid, according to requirements, is
pivotally supported on a cross-bar at back and is operated as above described, the
fuel in falling over the drop in the bar being prevented from clogging.
Figure 6 shews another form of fire-bar the back ond resting loosely on
brickwork or other suitable bearing so that the bar may be lifted at the front
end as above described as often as required to break up the fuel and prevent
clogging.
Figure 7 shews a fire-bar consisting of two parts each capable of being moved
independently. The front end of the back portion n is supported by a suitable
bearer or rod o the back end of the front portion p resting upon the front end of
the portion n. The front end of the portion p is caused to rise and fall by the
shaft D while the lower end of the back portion n can be raised when desired by
means suited to the particular case, thus the fuel can always be prevented from
caking.
Figures 8 and 9 represent a fire-bar which oscillates upon a central rod or
bearing g as a fulcrum, the front end of the bar having two lugs and s, the
sprockets on shaft D in revolving acting on the lugs to depress it and thus
impart a rocking motion to the fire-bar and the upper one rabutting on the
adjustable bar G to limit such rocking motion. By pushing the fire-bar back (by
hand or by suitable mechanical means) so as to allow the lug r to clear the bar G
the front of the fire-bar may be depressed so as to raise the back part sufficiently
to push the fuel from it and at same time break it up so as to ensure freedom in
burning.
In Figure 10 a bolt t is passed through the two flanges r and s so that as the
shaft D rotates the sprocket f will act on each of the flanges, the end of the bar,
and the bolt, in turn thereby causing the fire-bar to move upwards, forwards,
downwards, and backwards, the bar G being dispensed with.
It is evident that the various mechanical details may be altered or varied
without departing from the object and scope of our invention. We do not
therefore confine ourselves to the precise details as shewn, but
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what we
claim is
1. In automatic stoking apparatus for furnaces, the combination of an agitating
crushing and feeding plate, such as a, receiving combined vertical and horizontal
motion within the feed trunk and of a stationary abutment or crushing plate, such
as d, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In automatic stoking apparatus for furnaces, the combination of an agitating
crushing and feeding plate ribbed or toothed, such as a, pivotally supported by
radius links or slots within the sides of the feed trunk an eccentric working in a
strap or block attached to the plate a so as by the rotation of the eccentric to
impart a combined motion to the agitating crushing and feeding plate in the up and
down and back and forth directions substantially as specified.
3. In automatic-stoking, smoke-consuming, and fuel-economizing apparatus for
boilers, the combination, with the crushing and feeding apparatus herein described,
of fire-bars substantially of the forms herein shewn and described, that is to say
with a sudden drop towards the back, the said fire-bars being arranged in alternate
sets receiving lifting motion at their front ends by mechanism substantially such as
described.
Dated this 19th dex of Annil 1807
A. M. & WM. CLARK,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Chartered Patent Agents.