Specification of John William Sloughgrove and James Henry Wheatley : furnaces.

  • Sloughgrove, John William.
Date:
1855
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of John William Sloughgrove and James Henry Wheatley : furnaces. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Sloughgrove<$f Wheatleys Improvements in Smoke-Consuming Furnaces. plate. This arrangement is for the purpose of dividing the streams of smoke, and more effectually mixing them with the current of atmospheric air that passes up through the bottom of the diaphragm. A lever L, secured to the shaft M, gives motion to the diaphragm; this lever is made sufficiently heavy 5 to counterpoise the greater portion of the weight of the diaphragm, so that it may be easily raised by the hand. The diaphragm is connected to the lever by two links, one of which is seen at N. This arrangement admits of the diaphragm moving in a perpendicular direction, notwithstanding the curve described by the end of the lever L. M is a quadrant, for the purpose of 10 adjusting the position of the lever L. The furnace is fitted with what we term a trunk front 0, that is to say, the iron-work of the front projects, as shown in the Drawing, and is connected with the plate P, in order to afford a com¬ munication between the furnace and the space below the fire bars. This arrangement is for the purpose of carrying off the small quantity of smoke that 15 would otherwise hang near the furnace door, in consequence of its being beyond the influence of the draught, but by having this passage for its exit, it is rapidly conveyed below the fire bars D, and up through the fire. The fire bars E are supplied with fuel from the front fire ; and to do this the diaphragm is lowered, as shown by Fig. 1, and a sufficient quantity of incandescent fuel is 20 pushed back upon the bars E. It should be observed that this fuel must be in a state of intense ignition, but not giving off any smoke, and that it is kept supplied in this manner. The diaphragm is then raised, as shewn by Fig. 2, and the coal is thrown upon the front fire in the ordinary manner; the smoke arising from its combustion passes through the holes of the front plate of the 25 diaphragm, where it is mixed with the current of air which passes up between the plates. The smoke and air are carried in divided streams through the back plate of the diaphragm on to the bright fire upon the bars E, by which they are instantly flashed into flame, which passes through the perforated bridge I; this perforated bridge prevents the smoke and air passing off to the flue before it 30 is thoroughly ignited, and this bridge may also be made moveable, like the diaphragm K. Figs. 3 and 4 represent the Invention applied to a marine boiler; the different parts are marked with similar letters of reference to those in Figs. 1 and 2. The lever L does not interfere in any way with the projecting front, 35 but passes up by the side of it, close to the wall or side of the ash-pit. Although we have shown the diaphragm L as fitted with a lever for actuating the same, other mechanical means may be used to effect the object. Figs. 5 and 6 show the application of the improvements to a Cornish boiler. In this arrangement the diaphragm is of a semicircular form, and has cogs or