IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER CIRCULATING BARS AND OTHER APPARATUS FOR THE FURNACES OR FIRE-BOXES OF STEAM BOILERS AND WATER HEATERS, INCLUDING A METHOD OF PREVENTING INJURIES BY LEAKAGE AT ANY PART OF SUCH APPARATUS
Year: 1875

page_text: ETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine,
Lake, & Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for
the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER CIRCULATING BARS AND OTHER
APPARATUS FOR THE FURNACES OR FIRE-BOXES OF STEAM BOILERS AND WATER
HEATERS, INCLUDING A METHOD OF PREVENTING INJURIES BY LEAKAGE AT
ANY PART OF SUCH APPARATUS."--A communication from abroad by
William Henry Farris, of Cairo, Illinois, United States of America,
Captain.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 27th January 1875.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co.,
Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN WATER CIRCULATING
BARS AND OTHER APPARATUS FOR THE FURNACES OR FIRE-BOXES OF STEAM BOILERS
L

page_text: AND WATER HEATERS, INCLUDING A METHOD OF PREVENTING INJURIES BY LEAKAGE
AT ANY PART OF SUCH APPARATUS," a communication, to be as follows:-
The nature of the said Invention consists,―
First. In hollow grate-bars for fire-boxes of steam boilers or water
heaters constructed or arranged in the form of a basket or chamber
within the fire-box, and made to communicate with the steam or water
space of the boiler or other water heating vessel, whereby a large amount
of water circulating and heating surface is presented to the free flame
and gases of the fire, and thus water is heated or steam generated by the
heat which is in part lost under ordinary arrangements.
It consists secondly. In a water circulating fire front lining constructed
between its outer and inner surfaces with a series of tubular passages
communicating with one another and with the water or steam chamber
of the boiler, in which passages the water circulates and is heated or
converted into steam by the flame and heat from the fire upon the grate, 1
and thus is effected a still further saving of the fuel and heat which is
lost under ordinary arrangements.
It consists thirdly. In hollow rear end bars constructed of curved
tubes united and held together by rods, and packed tightly at the joints,
and closed in any suitable manner, and communicating with the water a
or steam space of the boiler, whereby a large water circulating and
steam generating surface is provided at the end of the boiler proper,
and which is impinged upon by the flame and hot gases from the fire
upon the grate as the same turns and enters the flues of the boiler.
It consists fourthly. In circular expansible thimbles, copper rings, 2
rods, and nuts for uniting the parts and forming the joints between the
bars of the grate, arch, and fire front lining.
It consists fifthly. In the combination of the tubular grate-bars and a
horizontal pipe leading from the boiler to the lowest tubular passage of
the said bars and a pipe leading from the highest tubular passage of the
bars into the boiler through a pipe at or near the water line. The afore-
said connecting pipes have suitable check valves, a waste and blow-off
valve, and accomodating joint connections, also a stop valve.
It consists sixthly. In the combination of the tubular fire front lining,
a horizontal pipe leading from the water space of the boiler to the lowest a
tubular passage of the said fire front lining, and a pipe leading from the
]

page_text: highest tubular part of the lining into the boiler through a pipe at or
near the water line. The aforesaid connecting pipes have suitable check
valves, a waste and blow-off valve, accomodating joint connections, and a
stop valve.
It consists seventhly. In the combination of the tubular rear arch
bars, a horizontal pipe leading from the boiler to the lowest tubular
passage of the rear arch bars, and a pipe leading from the highest
tubular passage of the said bars into the boiler through a pipe at or near
the water line. The said connecting pipes have suitable check valves,
a waste and blow-off valve, accomodating joint connections, and a stop
valve.
It consists eigtthly. In the combination of hollow water circulating
grate-bars, a tubular fire front lining, and rear arch bars with the boiler
by means of a connected train of pipes furnished with check valves,
blow-off and waste valves, and a stop valve, and fitted with accomo-
dating joint connections, whereby the water circulating from the boiler
into the grate-bars, fire front lining, and rear arch is heated and caused
to circulate by the one fire upon the grate.
It consists ninthly. In a method of preventing damage in the event of
leakage or breakage occuring, for which purpose the water is wasted
through either one or all of the water heating and circulating surfaces
added to the boiler in the event of a leak or break occuring in one or all
of said surfaces, and when the pressure and supply from the boiler is
wholly or partly cut off by the stop valve.
25 SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent
Office on the 26th July 1875,
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
30 Southampton Buildings, London, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Twenty-seventh day of January, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-five, in the thirty-

page_text: I
+
•
eighth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto me, the said William Robert Lake, Her special
licence that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said William Robert Lake,
my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with,
and no others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the
term therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise,
and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for " IMPROVEMENTS
IN WATER CIRCULATING BARS AND OTHER APPARATUS FOR THE FURNACES OR
FIRE-BOXES OF STEAM BOILERS AND WATER HEATERS, INCLUDING A METHOD OF
PREVENTING INJURIES BY LEAKAGE AT ANY PART OF SUCH APPARATUS," a com-
'munication to me from abroad by William Henry Farris, of Cairo,
Illinois, United States of America, Captain, upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said William Robert Lake, my executors or admi-
nistrators, by an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of
their hands and seals, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to
be performed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent
Office within six calendar months next and immediately after the date
of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said William Robert Lake, do hereby
declare the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawing forming a part of this Specification:-
The nature of the said Invention consists,-
First. In hollow grate-bars for fire-boxes of steam boilers or water
heaters constructed or arranged in the form of a basket or chamber
within the fire-box, and made to communicate with the steam or water
space of the boiler or other water heating vessel, whereby a large amount
of water circulating and heating surface is presented to the free flame
and gases of the fire, and thus water is heated or steam generated by the
heat which is in part lost under ordinary arrangements.
. It consists secondly. In a water circulating fire front lining constructed
between its outer and inner surfaces with a series of tubular passages
"communicating with one another and with the water or steam chamber

page_text: of the boiler, in which passages the water circulates and is heated or
converted into steam by the flame and heat from the fire upon the grate,
and thus is effected a still further saving of the fucl and heat which is
lost under ordinary arrangements.
It consists thirdly. In hollow rear end bars constructed of curved
tubes united and held together by rods, and packed tightly at the joints,
and closed in any suitable manner, and communicating with the water
or steam space of the boiler, whereby a large water circulating and
steam generating surface is provided at the end of the boiler proper,
and which is impinged upon by the flame and hot gases from the fire
upon the grate as the same turns and enters the flues of the boiler.
It consists fourthly. In circular expansible thimbles, copper rings,
rods, and nuts for uniting the parts and forming the joints between the.
bars of the grate, arch, and fire front lining.
It consists fifthly. In the combination of the tubular grate-bars and a
horizontal pipe leading from the boiler to the lowest tubular passage of
the said bars, and a pipe leading from the highest tubular passage of the
bars into the boiler through a pipe at or near the water line. The afore-
said connecting pipes have suitable check valves, a waste and blow-off
valve, and accomodating joint connections, also a stop valve.
It consists sixthly. In the combination of the tubular fire front lining,
a horizontal pipe leading from the water space of the boiler to the lowest
tubular passage of the said fire front lining, and a pipe leading from the
highest tubular part of the lining into the boiler through a pipe at or
near the water line. The aforesaid connecting pipes have suitable check
valves, a waste and blow-off valve, accommodating joint connections, and
a stop valve.
It consists seventhly. In the combination of the tubular rear arch
bars, a horizontal pipe leading from the boiler to the lowest tubular
passage of the rear arch bars, and a pipe leading from the highest
tubular passage of the said bars into the boiler through a pipe at or near
the water line. The said connecting pipes have suitable check valves,
a waste and blow-off valve, accommodating joint connections, and a
stop valve.
It consists eighthly. In the combination of hollow water circulating
grate-bars, a tubular fire front lining, and rear arch bars with the boiler

page_text: by means of a connected train of pipes furnished with check valves,
blow-off and waste valves, and a stop valve, and fitted with accommo-
dating joint connections, whereby the water circulating from the boiler
into the grate-bars, fire front lining, and rear arch is heated and caused
to circulate by the one fire upon the grate.

page_text: the bars are made tubular along their whole length. The bosses are
cach formed with a counterbore or seat c for the reception of the end of
a split or expansible thimble d, around which a copper ring e is placed
so as to come between the bosses when the bars are placed side by side.
The bars C², which form the basket or side of the grate, are constructed
in all respects in the same manner as the bars C³, except that they are
not provided with lateral extensions on the bosses, and the first one is
made with a vertical tubular leg f at its front end, and extends back
to the bridge wall in a straight line, and the second one thereof has a
shorter front leg f', and extends back on a lower plane than the bar ƒ,
and near its terminus takes a curved form and rises to the plane of the
top of the bridge wall, as shown in Figures 13 and 14.
The side bars are sometimes cast with two longitudinal passages in
them, which unite in one leg f, as shown in Figures 8, 9, and 11, and
thus form with the bars C¹ a basket grate. .
The grate might be formed entirely of bars
the side walls of the fire-box would form
Figures 12 and 15.
like C', and in that case
the basket, as shown in
The bed bars of all the styles of grates are constructed with front and
rear bearing surfaces 9, 9, and are set on bearers g', g', which are
arranged to give them a slight inclination downward from the bridge
wall.
In order to unite the several bars and compress the copper packing
rings to make water or steam tight joints, rods G, nuts H, and T side
pipes I are provided. The rods G pass through the T pipes and through
the bosses b, and receive the nuts H on their ends outside of the furnace
walls. Each of the T side pipes is constructed with a counterbore in its
inner end, and between a side grate-bar and the counterbored end of the
T side pipe a thimble d with a packing ring e is applied, as shown. The
outer end of cach T side pipe is made with a concave seat g², which
receives a conical bearing face g³ of the nut H. The operation of
screwing up the nuts causes a compression of the copper rings, and
thereby insures perfectly water or steam tight joints between the side
pipes and grate bars. The nuts and concave seats also make tight joints
with one another..
The fire front lining, Figure 7, is formed of two equal sections united
by thimbles d, copper rings e, screw rod G, side T pipes I, and nuts H.

page_text: Each section of the lining has a transverse circular passage i formed in
it, also a vertical passage it, a segmental circular passage, and a short
vertical circular passage ³, as shown. All of these passages unite. The
passage i discharges into the side pipe and through the leg j of the T pipes,
and the passages ",,, discharge through an opening . The two 5
sections are exactly alike, and form a concave scat corresponding to
the circle of the boiler, and allowing the boiler to be placed over it, as
shown. The fire front lining is fitted against the inner wall of the fire
front, and in outline corresponds to the fire front of the furnace.
The dividing of the circulating chamber into a number of channels 1
circular in cross section gives great strength, and effects a diffusion of
the circulating water over the entire fire front lining, and thus exposes
the water in divided or small streams to the action of the fire upon the
grate, and ensures a freer circulation.
The lining being made of two equal parts instead of in one piece is 1
less liable to warp and spring, and in case one scetion should get out of
repair it will not be necessary to take away and replace the whole fire
front lining, as would be the case if made in one piece. It might be
made of one piece, but not so advantageously as of two pieces.
Each of the rear arch bars E is made of segment form, with a boss 6 2
at both ends. The bosses are perforated transversely, and the bars
between the bosses are made tubular along their whole length. The
series of bars are united by rods G, T side pipes I, and nuts H, and
packed with thimbles d and copper rings e, as shown. The T side pipes
pass through the side walls and adjoin the outer arch bars by means of a
thimbles and copper rings. The arch bars form the enclosing end of the
boiler flues, and the spaces which exist between the bars on account of
the packing rings being introduced between them are closed in tightly
by brickwork and plaster or other suitable material.
From the foregoing description it will be understood that the grate-
bars in their united character form by means of their bosses a lower
transverse passage, and an upper transverse passage, and a series of
longitudinal passages, and that all these passages are united, and the
transverse ones extend by means of T side pipes outside of the walls of
the furnace to the respective legs of the T side pipes. The same plan a
of construction is followed in the manufacture and arrangement of the
fire front lining and in the rear arch of bars.

page_text: It will also be understood that cach transverse passage has a T side
pipe I on each side of the furnace, and that each section of fire front
lining has a discharge passage it.
:-
For the purpose of connecting the aforesaid several additional water
licating and steam generating surfaces with the lowest water space and
the highest water space of the boiler the following parts are employed :-
K is a horizontal supply pipe, having a stop valve K' inserted into the
drum B¹ of the boiler; J is a vertical branch extending up from said
valve and entering a T coupling K"; J, J, J³, are pipes formed of
sections, and leading respectively to the lowest transverse passages of the
arch back bars, tubular fire front lining, and hollow grate-bars; these
pipes have union joints k, elbow couplings ¹, T couplings k, check
valves, and blow-off valves k', and are connected to the legs j of the
Tside pipes, as shown.
The valves employed are constructed as shown in Figures 2 and 3.
The pins of these valves move in a guide in the stem, as shown, and the
extent of movement is controlled by screwing down the stems. In all
cases the valves are so located as to have the pressure or circulation on
the under side. The said valves are closed by the screw stems.
The water is supplied to the boiler through its drum B¹ in any con-
venient manner, and passes from the drum into the pipe J when the
valve K' is open, and circulates along the pipes J', J, J³, and therefrom
into the arch back bars, grate-bars, and fire front lining. For passing
the water from the rear arch bars, grate-bars, and fire front lining into
the boiler about or near the water line, sectional pipes L, L', L³, are pro-
vided, and made to unite in a cross M of a horizontal pipe M', which
leads out laterally from the boiler to a globe check valve k¹. The
pipes L, L', L, are connected respectively by their other ends to branch
pipes,,, which extend from the T side pipes of the grate-bars and
rear afch bars, and from the upper open ends of the fire front lining.
The pipe L is constructed with a union joint ¹ and elbow joints k³, k³,
and with a T coupling . It is also furnished with a globe check.
valve and a waste valve k³. A union joint ³, check valve k¹0, T
coupling, elbow joint ¹³, waste valve, all similar to those on
pipe L, are used on the pipe L'. The pipe L is likewise provided with
a union joint, check valve k, T coupling k, and waste valve k¹³, as
shown.

page_text: I have described the water heating surfaces as used together, and will
state that when it is desired to only have the hollow grate-bars operate
for heating water or generating steam an elbow connection must be sub-
stituted for the T coupling " of supply pipe J, and a similar coupling
must be substituted for the T coupling ² of pipe J³, and the pipe M¹
with its cross M removed and substituted by a pipe which leads directly
from the boiler to the check valve 10. Under this construction the fire
front lining and the rear arch back bars and the connections thereof are
not constructed upon. the boiler.
To use only the fire front lining for heating water the T couplings ¹¹, k²,
of pipes J and J³ must be removed, and an elbow substituted for ", and
the pipe J² with its check valve and blow-off valve made to connect only
with the fire front lining, and the pipe L with its check valve and blow-
off valve must connect with said lining and with the boiler by a lateral
horizontal pipe M'.
To use the rear arch back bars alone the pipe L furnished with
valves and k³ should enter the horizontal lateral pipe M¹ leading from
the boiler, and not communicate with any other pipe, and the pipe J¹
should connect with a pipe J, which connects only with the drum B¹.
It is obvious that any two of the three aforesaid additional heating
or steam generating surfaces can be used together upon the same boiler
by simply having pipes and connections which do not provide for the use
of a third water heating surface.
Further, if it should not be necessary or desirable to use all of the
three surfaces provided on one boiler if one or more of the three surfaces
should become disabled, the remainder may be continued in use by
plugging the passages formed by the disconnection of the disabled section
or sections; or this may be done by screwing down the check valve or
valves of the disabled section or sections, and wasting water through the
disabled sections after the pressure and supply is nearly shut off by the
valve K¹.
At N I have shown an intermediate pipe with a valvo N³ leading into
the supply pipe J². By means of this pipe a connection may be made
with the waste water of the heater of the "doctor" or tank, as the case
may be, in the event of a leak or break occurring in any part of said
heating surface, and its becoming necessary to shut off the water and
pressure from the said surfaces by closing the valve K'. The water thus

page_text: passed through the said heating surfaces will not enter the boiler, as the
boiler pressure will have closed the upper check valves, but will circulate
and overflow and pass out through the waste valves. The effect of this
separate circulation and wasting of water through the said surfaces will
be to reduce the pressure in the pipes, and thereby stop the flooding of
the fire-box or other part of the furnace, and thus avoid detention from
such accident; also to save the most exposed parts from being fatally
injured by strains and intense heat. Instead of employing the entrance
pipe N for this purpose the valve K' and the check and waste valves
might be made to serve the same purpose by closing them just far
enough to permit a slight leakage thereof for moistening the steam and
reducing its pressure upon the surfaces after the main pressure of steam
and supply of water from the boiler have been almost entirely cut off.
At N the ordinary main check valve of the main supply pipe from
the "doctor" is shown on the drum B¹, and it will be understood that
the water is not pumped through the heating surfaces, but is supplied
to the boiler, and by circulation from the boiler passes through said
surfaces and then back into the boiler in a highly heated condition or in
the form of water and steam.
In applying the pipes on river boilers the arrangement provided on
one side is duplicated on the opposite side, except that the blow-off and
waste water valves will be only on one side, and the auxiliary supply
pipe N only on the opposite side to said valves; and for land boilers a
system of pipes, check and blow-off valves, and a single stop and supply
valve K¹ will answer, as such boilers do not change their horizontal
position as river boilers do from the rolling of the boat.
The operation of the said Invention is as follows:-The water is sup-
plied to the drum B¹ of the boiler, and rises in the same and circulates
through the pipes J, J¹, J², J³, and therefrom rises in the hollow grate-
bars, fire front lining, and arch back bars to the water line. When the
water is at the proper level and the furnace running at the proper heat,
the hot water or steam passes up and along the pipes L, L', L², and
therefrom into the boiler at or near the water line, and thus the circu-
lation continues so long as everything works right; and in the event of
a leakage or breakage in any of the additional surfaces the valves are
either set to work with a slight leak of water to moisten the steam, or
waste water is allowed to circulate through pipe N, and overflow and
.

page_text: Seventh. The combination of the tubular rear arch bars, loosely jointed
pipe leading from the boiler to the lowest tubular passage of the rear
arch bars, a loosely jointed pipe leading from the highest tubular
passage of the said bars into the boiler at or near the water line, and
a check valve, a waste and blow-off valve, and a stop valve, as above
described.
Eighth. The combination of the hollow grate bars, tubular fire front
lining, rear arch bars, and the several pipes, check valves, blow-off and
waste valves, and stop valves, as above described.
Ninth. The method of wasting water through either one or all of the
additional water heating and circulating surfaces added to the boiler in
the event of a leak or break occurring in one or all of said surfaces, and
when the pressure and supply from the boiler are wholly or partly cut
off by the valve K², as above set forth and for the purpose described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have
hercunto set my hand and seal, this Twenty-sixth day of July,
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and
seventy-five.
Witness,
JAS. EDWARDS,
8, Southampton Buildings,
London.
WN. ROBT. LAKE. (L.S.)