Improvements in Shaking Grates for Stationary, Locomotive, and Marine Boilers.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Aug., 1896-Accepted, 17th Oct., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Shaking Grates for Stationary, Locomotive, and
Marine Boilers.
I, JAMES REAGAN, of 1026 Filbert Street, in the City and County of
Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Engineer, 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 to shaking grates and consists of a novel construction and
assemblage of a series of longitudinal apertured grate bars, and a series of movable
choppers or shakers interposed there between, provision being made for rocking
said choppers in unison.
My invention consists in providing each of the longitudinal apertured grate or
fire bars, with a central strengthening web extending lengthwise, having depending
wings on the sides thereof, and transverse ribs intermediate said wings and web. The
upper surface of these bars, in which are the apertures or slots for the admission
of air, are of a curved form; to enable ashes or clinkers to be readily removed,
when the choppers are agitated.
My invention also consists of a series of detachable blocks of novel construction,
which are employed in conjunction with transverse bearing bars, for supporting
the front and rear ends of the fire bars proper, to compensate for the expansion
and contraction of the grate or its parts under varying degrees of heat, and to
avoid warping.
My invention further consists of novel constructed side bars which serve the
double function of an improved fire bar admitting a maximum supply of air
to the fire, and also serves to support the rock shafts upon which the choppers
àre mounted: this form or construction being more particularly adapted for
marine boilers.
The object of my invention is to provide a grate which is susceptible with
slight changes in form of being economically applied to any type of fire box for
stationary, locomotive, marine or other furnaces, any of the parts of which can be
removed and replaced by new ones, if necessary, when in position, without
dismantling the entire grate.
Reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which :-
Figure 1. is a perspective view of my invention, the rear portion showing the
choppers in normal position, and the front section showing the choppers rocked in
the act of dnping the fire.
Figure 2. is a plan view of a portion of Figure 1, showing a pair of fire bars and
the interposed choppers, the other bars and choppers being removed for clearness
of illustration.
Figure 3. is a vertical longitudinal section, showing the choppers and their
adjuncts and the means for actuating the same.
Figure 4. is also a vertical longitudinal section, taken on a different line from
Figure 3.
Figure 4. represents a cross section on line, Figure 4.
Figure 5. is a side elevation of one of the apertured fire bars.
Figure 6. is a top plan view of the same.
Figure 7. is a bottom plan view.
Figure 8. is a longitudinal section on line x-x Fig. 6.
Figure 9 is an end elevation of Fig 5

page_text: Figure 10. represents on an enlarged scale, a transverse section on line y, y
Figure 6, the lower portion of the longitudinal web being broken away.
Figure 10. represents a transverse section of a modified form of fire bar.
Figures 11 and 12. are plan and side elevations respectively of the abutting ends
of the fire bars.
Figure 13. is a side elevation of the transverse bridge bar employed.
Figure 14. is a vertical elevation of the outer portion of the front and rear
bearing bar.
Figure 15. is a vertical elevation of the bar seen in Figure 14, viewed from the
interior.
Figure 16. is an end view of the bar.
Figure 17. is a section on line 1, 1, Fig. 14, and
Figure 18. a section on line y', yi, Fig. 14.
Figure 19. is a side elevation of a modified form of front and rear bearing bars,
showing the construction employed when it is desired to make provision for extreme
expansion and contraction of the grate.
Figure 20. is a top plan view of Figure 19, showing one of a series of removable
blocks employed, placed in proper position.
Figure 21. is a bottom plan view of same.
Figure 22. is a section on line 3, x of Figure 19.
Figure 23 is an end view of Figure 19.
Figures 24 and 25. are front and end elevations respectively, of the removable
blocks employed.
Figure 26. is a plan view of one of the end or smaller blocks employed.
Figure 27. is a longitudinal section of a grate for marine or other boilers,
certain parts of the same are shown in elevation, and portions of the boiler shell
removed.
Figure 28. is a front elevation, certain portions of the boiler front being removed,
and a few of the fire bars shown in transverse section.
Figure 29. is a section on line 3, ³, of Figure 27, the choppers and their shaft
being shown in elevation.
Figure 30. is a plan view of the bridge bar employed shown in detached
position.
Figure 31. is a section on line Y, Y2, Figure 30, showing the recesses in the
extremity of the bridge bar, for supporting and locking the ends of the fire
bars.
Figure 32. is a side elevation of the bridge bar, and its adjuncts, showing also
the means for supporting the same.
Figure 33. is a section on line 2, 2, of Figure 32.
Figure 34. is a perspective view of a detached portion of one of the side bars,
which has also the double function of a grate or fire bar, showing the method of
interlocking the ends with the bridge bar.
Figure 35. is a side elevation of one of the side bars, provided with bearings to
hold the shaft upon which the choppers are mounted.
Figure 36. is an elevation of Figure 35.
Figure 37. is a plan view of the same.
Figures 38. 39 and 40. represent, plan, end, and rear elevations of the right and
left supporting blocks adapted to receive and lock in position, the side bars
employed in grates for marine boilers.
Figures 41. 42 and 43 represent plan, front and side elevations respectively, of
a filling piece or plug, which is dropped into recesses located in the side bars above
bearings.
The grate, Figure 1, is of a rectangular or other shape, and consists of the
side bearing bars 2, and the front and rear bearing bars 3, which are suitably
held together and are supported upon corner feet 4, and the intermediate feet 4.
The transverse bridge bar 5, shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, and 13, is centrally
located and supported upon the intermediate feet 4x.

page_text: The longitudinal fire bar 6, Figures 5 to 10, to which especial attention is
directed, is provided with a central web 7, which depends from the top or body
portion 8, lengthwise with the bar. Located on each side of said web 7 are
depending wings 9; between these wings and web 7, are formed at intervals, a
series of transverse ribs 10, which serve in conjunction with said central web and
wings 9, to produce a grate bar which is effective and durable.
The construction of the fire bar is more fully shown in Figure 10, in which 11
desiguates the centre of the radius, by means of which the upper curved surfaces 12
are struck or laid out, said point 11 being a short distance below the junction of
the web 7 with the body portion 8 of said bar. The upper curved surfaces 12
of the bar unite with the top portion or crown 14 of same, said crown being struck
from the centre 13, which latter is a short distance above the centre 11, the
respective radii being indicated at a and b, whereby it will be seen that the upper
curved surface of the bar is not of uniform semi-circular contour but is raised
higher at its crown or apex and has a sharper curvature by reason of its being
struck from a different centre, thus making the upper surface or crown 14 of the
bar somewhat of an elliptical form, whereby all flat surfaces are avoided, and ashes
are prevented from accumulating on the top of said bar.
In Figure 10, the upper portion or sides of the bar 12 a are inclined sub-1
stantially at an angle of 45° to the vertical, said sides meeting the top 13, the
other portions of the bar remaining as already described, this bar is especially
adapted for certain varieties of coal."
Apertures or slots 15, Figures 6 and 7, are arranged in staggered order
throughout the length of the har, it being noted that said slots are preferably
tapering, being widest at their lowest portion and narrowest at their top or junction
with the crown 14, thereby forming a species of nozzles and serving to concentrate
the currents of air upon the crown of the bar, it being apparent that said currents
are directed high up and over the top of the bar, and are thoroughly and effectively
distributed throughout every portion of the fire, it being further noted that the air
passing through the bar is effectively heated to a high degree before it passes up
through the top of the fire.
These fire bars, 6, have lugs, 16, Figures 5 and 8, which depend from the
extremities and are provided with slots, through which keys, pins or rings may he
inserted for the purpose of holding the bars in position as shown in Figure 4. In
the edge of the web 7, recesses, 17, are formed for the purpose of clearing the
shaft, 18, upon which the choppers, 22, (Figure 2) are mounted, it being noted that
said shafts are cylindrical at this point, while the intermediate shafts, 19, Figure 4,
are equared and contact with the lower edge of the web 7', whereby when said
shafts, 19, are rocked, the bars will be given a slight upward and longitudinal
movement. The abutting ends of the bars, 20 and 21 where they rest upon the
bridge bar, are made to overlap one another, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, so as
to permit a rake or hoe to slide freely over in case it is necessary to use them.
The choppers, 22, which are secured to the shafts 18, as shown in Figure 3, are
made in short lengths having a straight top, and are hollow from end to end with
open tops and bottoms, and each side have inside and outside nicked edges or
projections, with intervening air spaces. This arrangement of projections and
spaces divides or breaks up the fuel supporting surface of each chopper into small
areas of stock or metal and numerous spaces of small size to prevent the escape
of fuel to the ash-pit, and allow a free and ample circulation of air through the
chopper.
The choppers are made with square ends except those which are mounted nearest
the bridge bar 5, and to the front and rear bars 3, which have their adjacent
edges 23, arc-shaped so as to co-act with arc-shaped ledges 24, on said bars, and
the curved or arc-shaped ledges 25, of the transverse bridge bar.
The choppers, 22, have depending lugs which form open jaws to receive the
square bars 18 and 19, and are secured to same by means of split keys driven
through openings in the lugs so as to impinge against the lower sides of the bars.

page_text: In the front and rear transverse bearing bars are located holes, 26, Figures 14
and 15, at intervals throughout their length, said holes being for the purpose of
allowing air to freely circulate; the bridge bar 5, being also provided with similar
holes or ports 27, Figure 13, which have a similar function.
The inner portions of the said bars, 3, Figures 2, 15 and 16 are provided with
ledges, 28, which in conjunction with similar ledges, 29, on either side of the bridge
bar, 5, Figure 13, serve to support the longitudinal fire bars 6, the latter resting
thereupon and being held in position by keys, pins or suitable devices as already
described, while the engagement of the web, 7, with the recessed portion 28 x of
each ledge prevents each of said bars, 6, from lateral shifting.
Guides or lugs, 30, Figures 14 and 15, depend from the frout and rear bearing
bars, 3, through which one end of the bearing bars, 33, passes, said bars supporting
the shafts 18 and 19, the other end of said bars being suitably supported by
means of brackets or similar devices attached to the bridgebar as indicated in
Figure 4.
In some instances it may be desirable to provide for increased expansion of the
several sections of the grate relative to each other, and to provide means whereby
in case the end bearing bars 3, Figures 2 and 3, should become warped to such an
extent that the ledges 24, should interfere with the movement of the adjacent
faces of the choppers; it may be desirable to replace or interchange the same, and
to this end I construct said end bearing bars, 3, preferably as seen in Figures 19,
to 23 inclusive. The body portion 40, of the bar is of angular shape, and has the
laterally extending member 42, and the depending member 43, as will be understood
from Figure 22. The said lateral member 42, is provided with holes 41 arranged
in longitudinal order, as shown in Figure 20 and Figure 21, through which passes
the bolt or other fastening means 45, the same passing through the lugs 44 of the
member or block 43 as shown in Figure 22, and held by means of the split pin or
other device 46, Figure 20. The blocks 43, are provided with projecting ledges 47,
Figures 22, 24 and 25, which are adapted to support the bars 6 said ledges
corresponding to the ledges 29, while the curved ledges 48 have the same function
as the similarly located ledges 24 and 25, seen in Figure 2. The end block 49 is
similarly constructed, having projecting ledges 50, as will be evident from Figure 26,
and is made shorter simply to fill out the desired width of grate. It will be
apparent that the blocks 43 and 49 can readily be removed and replaced in case of
injury or warping from excessive heat, and will allow for expansion and contraction
of the grate; the said end bearing bars 40, being provided with depending lugs,
which rest upon supports projecting from the ash-pit of the furnace.
In adapting the grate for furnaces for internally fired tubular boilers of the
Cornwall, Lancashire or similar type, or any similar boiler in which it is desired to
place a grate quickly in position or to remove or obtain ready access thereto,
I employ front and rear feet of curved form, upon which the grate proper is
sustained, it being understood that the number of said feet 51 and 52 (Figure 27),
may be varied according to requirements; and that their base portions may be
adapted to fit corrugations of the boiler in which they are placed, or if the boiler is
not corrugated, they may be of uniform diameter as herein shown.
The intermediate foot 53 has supported thereupon the bridge bar 54, whose
construction will be understood best from Figure 30, the same consisting of the
longitudinal web or body portion 55, which is provided with ledges 56, on either
side thereof as hereinbefore described.
The side bar 57 (Figures 35 and 36) in its general contour, has the appearance
of the bars seen in Figures, 6, 9, and 10 having the raised crown, central web,
depending wings, and transverse ribs, and has the following additional novel
features: The depending rib, 58, has an outwardly projecting lug or boss, 59,
thereon, in which are formed bearings 60, consisting of passages extending
transversely through the bar; an upright slot, 61, extends from the bearing to the
top of the bar, the inner walls being provided with T-shaped recesses seen in
.Figure 34, which are adapted to receive the filling piece 62 (Figures 41, 42

page_text: and 43). The said filling piece being inserted in the slot after the shafts, 18, have
been placed in position, to prevent accumulation of ashes on the journals.
The side bars, 57, have corrugated projections formed on the outer sides adjacent
to the sheet of the furnace, which fit loosely in the corrugations to fill up the same,
to prevent coal falling through it being understood that when the grate is placed
in furnaces with smooth sides of uniform diameter the corrugated projections are
omitted.
The bars are provided with a thickened or T-shaped portion which is adapted to
seat in the T-shaped recess of the bridge bar 54, Figure 30; it being evident that
when the bars have once been dropped into position, that the same will be
interlocked in such a way that lateral as well as longitudinal movement is
prevented. The outer ends of the side bars are similarly interlocked with the
T-shaped recesses, formed in the supporting blocks 63 as shown in Figures 38, 39
and 40. It will be understood that only the right and left hand blocks which
support the side bars are provided with T-shaped recesses, the intermediate blocks
for the intervening fire bars are constructed as previously described.
I desire to call especial attention to the function attained by the use of the side
bars, 57, it being evident that by reason of their being provided with ports arranged
in staggered order, and the raised crown and strengthening web and ribs, all the
advantages of the bar seen in Figures 9 to 11 are retained; while at the same time
a most efficient bearing bar is provided for the shafts upon which the choppers are
mounted.
The different sections of the grate are enabled to be assembled or dismantled
with but slight expense, and provision being further made for enabling a grate
embodying my invention to be readily placed in position without necessitating the
employment of skilled labor, a feature which is of great importance.
The grate is shaken by means of the right angle lever or bell crank 64, Figure 27,
attached to the boiler front; it being apparent that any reciprocation of the
connecting rods 32 will cause a rocking or oscillating movement to be imparted to
the choppers, as is evident from Figures 1 and 27: in Figure 1 the forward
choppers are shown tilted in position, while the choppers in the rear portion
or section are shown in their normal position. When it is desired to shake
the fires, a slight agitation of the choppers can be accomplished through the lever
and links, 31, Figure 1.
The parts of the grate are best seen in their normal or assembled position in
Figures 1 and 3, it being noted that the crown of the fire bars 6, when the
choppers 22 are in normal position are slightly above said choppers, whereby it
will be plain that the heated air which passes out of the ports, 15, of the bars 6,
will by reason of the location and staggered arrangement of said ports, be directed
over every portion of the choppers, and fire bars, and thus tend to always direct
a fresh supply of oxygen to the fuel located upon the bars and choppers.
When it is desired for any reason to replace one of the fire bars they can be
instantly removed by simply lifting them from the supporting ledges without in
any way dismantling the rest of the grate.
In placing the grate in the furnace of an internally fired boiler, the feet 51
and 52 are first placed in position after which the cross bars are placed in position
thereupon. The side bars 57, are next placed in position with the ends inserted in
the recesses in the blocks and bridge bar, as shown in Figures 27 and 28: after
this the shafts 18 carrying the choppers are placed in position being simply dropped
through the slots 61 until the journals rest upon the bearings 60, after which the
filling pieces are inserted. The fire bars, 6, are now placed in position between
the choppers with their ends resting upon the appropriate ledges on the blocks
and bridge bars.
The upper face or crown of the fire bars 6 can be chilled according to require-
ments, and it will further be apparent that a slight change may be made without
departing from the spirit of my invention.
The grate constructed as described, is applicable to locomotive as well as

page_text: stationary boilers, it only being necessary to dispense with the feet or supporting
hoops or other supports, and hold the side bars in position by means of brackets
secured to the water legs of the boiler.
I reserve to myself the right to make such modifications as will come within the
scope of my invention and do not desire to be restricted in every instance to the
exact construction I have herein shown and described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. A grate bar consisting of a body portion, a substantially central longitudinally
extending web depending therefrom, wings depending from the outer portion of
said body on either side of said web, the top of said bar being rounded and having
its crown of sharper curvature than the adjacent portion, said bar being further
provided with ports arranged in staggered position and staggered ribs extending
from each side of said wings to said web, substantially as described.
2nd. A grate bar consisting of a body portion, a longitudinal web depending
therefrom, wings depending from said body portion on either side of said web,
staggered ribs common to the web and wings, tapering ports extending through the
body portion and arranged in staggered order, the crown of said bar being
arc-shaped and having a sharper curvature at its apex than at its adjacent
portions, said web being further provided with depending lugs for attachment to
any desired point substantially as described.
3rd. A grate bar having a suitable body portion with a longitudinal web
depending therefrom, wings also depending from said body on either side of said
web, staggered transverse ribs extending from the latter to said wings, ports
arranged in staggered order and extending through said body portion, the crown
of said fire bar having a greater curvature than the adjacent portion, lugs depending
from the ends of said bars for attachment of the same, and the ends of said bars
being overlapped, substantially as described.
4th. In a grate, and their supporting devices, a series of longitudinally
extending bars adapted to rest thereupon, and provided with depending web and
wings and staggered ports, arranged substantially as shown, the crown of said bar
being of sharp curvature relative to the adjacent surfaces, choppers interposed
between the adjacent bars and having their surfaces normally below said crowns,
and means for actuating said choppers, substantially as described.
5th. In a grate a series of longitudinally extending apertured fire bars having a
web depending therefrom, wings and intermediate ribs, choppers interposed between
said bars, and means for actuating said bars and choppers in unison, substantially
as described.
6th. In a grate, front and rear bearing bars, a bridge bar provided with ledges,
longitudinally extending fire bars supported upon said ledges, choppers interposed
between the fire bars; and arc-shaped ledges on bridge, front and rear bearing
bars, adapted to co-act with the adjacent arc-shaped faces of the choppers,
substantially as described.
7th. In a grate, front and rear bearing bars, side bearing bars, longitudinal bars
and choppers suitably supported thereupon, in combination with movable blocks
having ledges thereon for the support of said longitudinal bars, and curved
faces or ledges adapted to co-act with the adjacent faces of the choppers, substan-
tially as described.
8th. In a grate for marine and other boilers a side grate or fire bar having
the double function of a bearing bar, said bar having a longitudinally extending
web, wings on either side thereof, transverse strengthening ribs, and a bearing on
side thereof, adapted to receive the journals of a shaft carrying choppers thereon,
substantially as described.
9th. In a grate for marine and other boilers a plurality of side bars, which also
serve the function of bearing bars, said bars having a longitudinal web, wings

page_text: depending from either side thereof, a raised crown having ports therethrough
arranged in staggered order, and bearings in the sides of said bars, in combination
with shafts seated in said bearings and having choppers thereon, substantially as
described.
10th. In a grate for marine and other boilers, the combination of a bridge bar
having T-shaped slots at the extremity thereof with the side grate bars having a
T-shaped projection adapted to interlock with said bridge bar, wings depending
from either side of said side bars, the latter having a longitudinal web, curved
crown and ports arranged in staggered order, and being further provided with
bearings adapted to receive the choppers shafts, substantially as described.
11th. In a grate of the character described, curved feet adapted to rest upon
a boiler shell, cross bars supported on said feet, blocks attached to said cross bars,
and blocks having ledges and lugs, and a T-shaped recess arranged to support
stationary bars, in combination with choppers, and shafts for actuating the same,
substantially as described.
Dated this 11th day of August 1806
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.