US595945A - Mechanical -stoker - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

O. B. GREUTER. MECHANICAL STOKER.

No. 595,946. Patented Dec. 21, 1897.

a M I,

(No Model.) 4 S11eetsSheet 4,

0.1%. GREUTER. MECHANICAL STOKER.

No. 595,945 Patented Dec; 21,- 1897.

NITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

CHARLES R. GREUTER, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO JAMES C. KEOUGH, OF HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS.

M EC HANICA'L STOKER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 595,945, dated December 21, 1897'.

Application filed June 25, 1896. Serial'No. 596,897. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES R. GREUTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mechanical Stokers, of which the following isa specification.

My invention pertains to mechanical stokers for furnaces; and it consists in various novel features, combinations, and details hereinafter set forth.

The invention is susceptible of application to furnaces generally, but is peculiarly suited to boiler-furnaces,since in its preferred embodiment it comprises as a part of the complete structure or combination a watermotor taking its supply from the boiler and under the pressure therein. This, however, is not an essential feature, though deemed a very desirable and advantageous plan.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a furnace-front with my improved stoking apparatus applied; Fig. 2, a perspective view of the fuel and ash grates, the furnace-front, and motor, looking from the inner or rear side .of the front plate; Fig. 3, a longitudinal vertical section of the stoking apparatus, grates, and fire-chamber, showing the bridge-Wall and lower front portion of the boiler; Fig. 4, a vertical transverse section on the line at a: of Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a sectional view of the clutch for connecting and disconnecting the stoking devices with and from the motor.

The purpose of my invention is to produce a simple and efficient apparatus for stoking or charging furnaces generally, whereby most of the labor incident to manual stoking shall be rendered unnecessary and the uniformity of the stoking and firing so increased as greatly to economizefuel.

The term stoking is here employed in its morecomprehensive sense, implying not merely the feeding or introduction of fuel, but also the proper distribution thereof and the removal of ashes, &c., or, in other words, the trimming of the fire.

It is of course desirable that the apparatus shall be capable of manual actuation in order that the fire may be properly started and maintained prior to development of pressure I sufficient to actuate the motor or in the event of use where fluid-pressure is not available. So, too, it is advisable to provide for the feeding of fuel without shaking the grate or agitating the fire or to vary the relation of these two operations as to degree. A forced draft is sometimes advantageous, and if provided it should be subject to perfect regulation and control not only as to strength, but also as to the point or points of application to or passage through the fuel. These and other matters are carefully provided for in the construction illustrated in the drawings and which will now be described.

' A indicates afire-box or combustion-chain- The boiler may be present or not, as found I expedient in any given case, but will be carried into this description for better explanation of the complete scheme of operation.

The furnace-front D, consisting, essentially, of a cast-iron plate, is formed with a hopper E, extending from the middle toward each sideof the front and of a width approximately half that of said front ordinarily, though its dimensions may vary as found best.

The hopper E is designed to receive and hold a considerable supply of fuel, which falling to the bottom of the hopper rests upon a flat or horizontal bed CL, from which it is forced through an opening I) in the furnace-front D l plate D. The throat c has an upward inclination from the opening 5 rearward and also widens or increases in vertical measurement nace-front inward toward the fire-box; but this I find undesirable, for the reason that the fuel is thereby caused to fall away from the feed-opening and to leave an insufficient quantity at the head of the grate to insure 3 the best working conditions. As mentioned, I give the throat or passage an upward inclination, making this sufficient to cause the fuel to form a fairly compact mass. This not only enables me to judge accurately and i at all times the quantity of fuel that will be introduced in a given time, but it precludes any considerable ingress of air through the throat or feed-opening, and thus preventsI the undue deadening of the fire, on the one hand, or the premature ignition and combustion of the fuel, on the other hand. This feature of construction I find of very considerable importance, materially improving the action of the apparatus and enhancing the economy of its use.

The pusher or feeding-slide F is merely a metallic block or casting of a length equal to that of theinterior of the hopper and of throat c and of a height at its inner edge or face somewhat less than that of opening 1). At its front or outer edge it is formed with ears d, which are connected by bolts to arms e, projecting radially from a sleeve H, en-

circling a shaft I, which shaft receives an oscillating motion from a motor J through the medium of an arm f, secured upon shaft I, and a pitman g connected with the piston of the motor.

Sleeve H is loose upon shaft I, but may be connected therewith through the medium of devices shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 5, which will i now be explained.

K indicates a rocking head or casting loosely encircling the shaft I and projecting above and below the same in the form shown in Figs. 1, 3, and 5. The lower extension of this head or rocker is in the form of two separatedbut parallel arms g, between which is hung a block h, carrying a sleeve ito receive apitman or connecting rod L, through which motion is transmitted to the grate-bars, as hereinafter explained.

The upper portion of the head or rocker K has at its rear side a laterally-projecting and shouldered rib j, adapted to engage one of the arms e of sleeve H and to carry said arm and sleeve forward with it when head or rocker K is rocked in that direction. Projecting forward from the upper portion of the head or rocker K is an extension is, the outer portion of which is offset so as to stand opposite to or in line with the outer face of the same arm 6, behind which stands the shoulder or rib j.

The extension is bored or drilled and tapped to receive a heavy screw Z, the inner end of which may be carried directly against the arm e or as near thereto as desired, its adjustment determining whether or not there shall be any play or lost motion of the head K relatively to sleeve H, and if so how much. The outer end of the screwstem is furnished with a hand-lever, wheel, or other contrivance by which to'turn it.

Since the grate receives motion through connection with the lower arms 9 of head or rocker K and the feeding-slide or pusher F receives motion through connection with the arms 6 of sleeve 11, it will be apparent that the relative extent of their movements may be determined by the adjustment of screw Z. The head or casting K is further formed with a socketed neck or boss m to receive a hand lever by which to rock the head and actuate the feed-slide and grate, as indicated in Fig. 3. When the apparatus is to be thus manually actuated, the rocking head K is left free and loose upon shaft I, except for its connection therewith through the shouldered rib j and screw-stem Z, but as it is desirable ordinarily toactuate the whole through power applied to the shaft I provision is made for locking the head or rocker to the shaft. For

this purpose there is keyed or otherwise made fast upon the shaft I beside head K a sleeve M, provided with a tubular shell m, in which is arranged a sliding bolt 02, adapted to be protruded from the shell and to be entered into a seat or socket 0 in the head or rocker K, as indicated in Figs. 1 and-5. The bolt n is in all essential particulars like an ordinary cylindrical door-bolt, having an operatinghandpiece 19 extending through a slot q, formed with seats or depressions to receive the handpiece p and to retain the bolt at either limit of its travel.

In order that the movement of the gratebars or grate may be made relatively less than that of the feeding-slide F when desired, the pitman or connecting rod L is shouldered in rear of sleeve 1', as shown in Fig. 3, and a nut or follower g is screwed upon the rod L at its outer end or in front of sleeve 11. By properly adjusting this nut or follower and screw-stem Z any desired relative play may be secured.

It is important in any apparatus of this sort that all parts be accessible and susceptible of manual regulation and control. Thus it is desirable that the attendant shall be able at any time to pass his fire-tools into throatc or through the same and into the space beyond; and it is likewise advisable to maintain a fairly close sealing of the opening at the front of the hopper, through which the feedin slide or follower passes. To meet both requirements, the openingthrough the front of the hopper E is made considerably higher than the slide or follower, except near each end, and the opening is normally closed by a vertical gate N, the lower edge of which rests upon slide or follower F and the ends of which are or may be held in place by overlapping IOG plates secured to or ribs cast upon the hopper. The gate is free to rise and fall and is advisably furnished with handles by which to lift it from position when it is desired to open the space above the pusher or follower F.

For the purpose of supplementing the weight of the gate N and thus more certainly maintaining a close joint between its lower edge and the follower I provide one or more levers 0, each having an upturned end to engage beneath a lug or ear g formed upon or secured to the front of the hopper, and each furnished with a pendulous link 7', having at its lower end a T-head to rest in or upon ears or lugs 8, formed upon or attached to the gate, all as plainly shown in Figs. 1 and 3; The levers 0 may be weighted to give any desired pressure of the gate upon the slide or follower.

Extending inward from the furnace-front D is a frame composed, essentially, of two side plates P P, two cross-bars Q and R, and a box-like cross connection S, the latter serving as an air space or chamber and being covered by a ribbed and perforate plate T, the outer edge of which joins the inner edge of the bottom or floor of feeding-throat c, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The side plates P P are bolted to the furnace-front D, and the connecting members Q, R, and S are bolted to the side plates, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3. The lower ends of the side plates rest upon the floor of the ash-pit, and the cross-bar R extends beneath a projection of the bridge-wall, so that all U indicates the fire-grate, upon which the fuel is burned, and V the clinker or cinder grate, which receives the spent or partiallyspent fuel, clinker, &c., and discharges them into the ash-pit beneath when necessary.

The grate U may be of any approved type, but is preferably composed of parallel bars or members to and 00, the former bolted to the cross member S or other suitable support and the latter adapted to move relatively to the former to effect proper agitation of the fire and discharge of ashes.

The lower ends of both sets of bars 10 and a: are slotted to fit over the projecting flange t of cross-bar Q, the slots being of such length as to provide for any expansion that may occur and the bearing being sufficient to preclude withdrawal from the flange if under the greatest contraction possible.

The grate-bars are quite heavy, and this weight, augmented by that of the fuel, necessitates the expenditure of considerable force to move the grate-bars as. To make the movement as free as practicable, each bar is formed with an elongated horizontal opening y in its lower end, as seen in Fig. 3, and cylindrical rods 01'' rollers z are passed through the openings of a series of the bars and serve as rolling bearings for the movable bars 00, the rolls moving upon the fixed bars and the movable bars traveling upon the rolls. The bars a: should have no direct or actual bearing upon the flange or rib of cross-bar Q under ordinarycircumstances, but in the event of the rolls working out of any of the movable bars they would be kept in position by said flange.

To permit the ready insertion of the rollers z where the masonry is completed prior to setting the grate and to provide also for removal at any time, the rollers z are preferably made of a length equal to half the width of the grate approximately, and when about half the bars are set in place the two rollers are passed side by side into the openings y of said bars. The otherbars are then set up, and then one of the rollers is movedendwise to its place in the second half, or, in other words, the rollers are placed endto end and in alinement, each thus tending to retain the other in place, since they move equally and simultaneously and remain in alinement.

For the purpose of reciprocating or moving the bars x there is provided a rock-shaft W, carrying a series of arms or projections which serve both to support and to impart motion to the grate-bars.

The construction of the rock-shaft may vary, but I prefer that illustrated in Figs. 1 and 4, where the shaft is represented asof square form in cross-section, but with its ends turned cylindrical to form journals, which are preferably carried in roller-bearings, as illustrated in Fig. 4.

Each bar 00 is formed with an open-sided circular seat a to receive the boss or head 19 of a block 0, made in the form of a sleeve or collar to closely encircle the shaft W. These blocks 0' may be cast or forged, as desired, and may be shrunk, keyed, or otherwise secured upon the rock-shaftV or merely slipped to place thereon, passing between the fixed bars to and being thus prevented from shifting laterally to any material extent.

One of the blocks or sleeves c'is formed with depending arms (1, Figs. 3 and 4, for connection with the rod L, through which motion is imparted to the grate-bars 0c.

' The construction shown and described is simple, strong, and efficient,the bars 00 receiving a longitudinal movement and also a rising-and-falling movement at their. upper ends, whereby the ashes are eifectively shaken out and the coal is caused to Work down over the fire-grate surface, the cinders finally falling upon the lower grate V.

. The grate-bars w andw are. represented as of stepped form, with horizontal or slightlyconcaved plates or portions corresponding to the treads of steps and with openings beneath the plates through which air may. enter. This construction is found to give excellent ICS results and toinsure very perfect combustion, but may be departed from, if desired.

The grate V is or may be of any usual grate form, but is preferablymade in twofsections each extending half-way from one side plate P to the other, as seen in Fig. 2. Each section is formed with journals or gudgeons 6' near its rear side, which rest in suitable seats or bearings in the grate-frame. This constructionis for the purpose of permitting the front of each section to be dropped from its normal position todump the cinders, clinkers, 850., accumulated thereon, or tobe quickly raised and lowered a short distance to break up and dislodge. any clinker or slag that may form alongthe comb-like ledge n.

For the double purpose of maintaining the ctinkerflgrate sections. normalll-y in horizontal plane and of moving them: vertically when required each section isprovided' near-its free or moving edge with a supporting brace or frame X of the form.- shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4., These braces are each in the form of a triangular frame, one side or memberof which extends: beneath and is hinged or jointed to the grate-section, while at its lower angle there isalateral projecting stud oraxle f", preferably furnished with a roller which restsand travelsnpon asupporti-ngfl'angeor rib 72/, formed upon or bolted to the-proximate side plate P and of curved format its forward end, as shown, the curve beingof relatively shorter radius than. thesupportingdesired, though there is a material advantage in employing a hydraulic motor and connecting its supply-pipe with the boiler below the "low-water level; so that themotor may at all 1. times receive water at boiler-press wr but not .receivesteam The-watenmotor-givesabum frame X.

Y indicates an actuating bar, one end of which is hung upon the bolt or axle f and the other end of which, protruding through and beyond front plate D, is-fashiioned into a handhold, as shown. in Figs. 1 and 3. There is abar Y for each brace or'su-pport X, and each bar isprovidcd' with a notch in. its lower edgeto engage with. the lower walk of the opening in thefront plate-D1, through which it passes, said notch being located in position to.lock thebaratthat. point atwhich it will hold. the brace in: a vertical: position, and consequently retain thegrate-section in horizoni f0rth= has been found extremely satisfactory tal plane.

The curvature ofi the forward end of'the rib on-flange It is. such thatwhen the banY is drawn forward from its nonmal position the braceX,.and-consequentlytheforwardsideof grate-section-V', willbe elevatedabove its normal. plane;. but as; the angle of thebrace to the grate-section. changes. from a rightangle to an obtuse one the force required to. move the brace forward decreases as the distance moved increases.

L have above-referred to the boX-likeconnecting member S and itscover T, designed to serve the double functionof' connecting the side plates. P11" and: containing and: distributing-air for aiding combustion. introduced into the box or chamber-S by-a trunk Z, Fig. 3, and may be forced into-and through the same by any convenient means L l combination of a downwardly-inclinedgrate if natural draft beinadequate. Inthedraw- ,70 projecting beyond the furnace front.

Air is ings I have indicated by dotted lines an an n-ular blower of common form, located in the induction end of the trunk, but any other type of air-forcing device may be employed, or insome cases none need be used.

From the box S the air escapes through broad flat months or nozzles '5, formed in the top or cover T of said box, as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 these months or nozzles being separated by channels, grooves, or depressions, which become filled with ashes in a short time and prevent the plate ortop from burning out. For a like purpose the horizontal portions of side plates P P are similarly grooved or channeled.

The lower side of box S is provided with: a sliding bottom or damper j, having a handle y opening this damper more or less air-may be permitted to pass in any desired quantity to and through the grate-bars: under whatever pressure is maintained within thebox. By

' opening the ash-pit doors mereor'less-a natural draft may becaused through said grate.

The cover or top T continues the upward inclination of the bottom of throat 0.

At the sides or ends of the hopper-E there are openings through thefront plate D, closed by suitable-doors, by opening orclosing which the fire may be regulated with nicety or acf cess may be had to the fire-box for any purpose.

The construction of the motor may vary as dant. power, operates somewhat slowly or gradually, and causes but little loss of heat, the water being discharged into the feedwa-tenwell or tank and pumped back to the boiler with practically no loss other thanthe power required to restore the water to the f boiler.

The apparatus constructed as above set in use, showing great economy in fuelconsumption relatively to evaporation, and this because ofthe even distribution offuehthe clean grate, and the propersupply of" airto the Whole body of'fuel.

The clinkers, slag, slate, &c., which ordinarily deaden a fire areina short time WOl'kGd.

down over the fire-grate and delivered to the clinker-grate, whence they are delivered by loweringthe front of the clinker-grate, any

clinkerorslagforming at thefoot ofthe'fird grate being broken and loosened by moving therods Y back and-forth, and thus-throwing the clinker-grates up and down at their forward edges.

I-Iavingthusdescribed my i'nvention,what I: claimislIO 1*. In a stokingapparatus forf'urnaces, the

a fixed bed or fuel-support at the upper endof the grate; a feed-hopper; an upwardly-inclined feeding throat or passage, the lower wall or floor of which extends in a direct line and at a slight upward inclination from the bottom of the feed-hopper to the fixed fuel bed or support; and a reciprocating slide working across' the hopper and serving to force material therefrom through the feeding-passage and to deliver it upon the fixed fuel bed or support, substantially as set forth.

2. In combination with the fire box or chamber of a furnace; a fuel-hopper;- a reciprocating slide or pusher movable across said hopper; an opening extending across the hopper above the slide; and a gravitating gate bearing upon the slide at the forward or outer side of the hopper, and serving the double purpose of a closure for the opening and a scraper for the slide.

3. In combination with hopper E having lugs q; gate N provided with lugs s; and levers 0 provided with links r, all constructed and arranged substantially as described and shown.

4. In combination with fuel-hopper E and slide or pusher F, a delivery-trunk c extending upward therefrom at a slight inclination and of regularly-increasing vertical measurement; and a fuel-bed or supporting-plate T at the rear end of the trunk c; all substantially as described and shown.

5. In combination with a feed-hopper, a delivery-slide or pusher; a shaft; a sleeve encircling said shaft and having a radial arm connected with the slide or pusher; a rocking head carried by the shaft, movable relatively to the sleeve and provided with a shoulder to engage the arm of said sleeve; and a screw also carried by the rocking head and adapted to bear upon the arm of the sleeve at a point opposite that at which the shoulder bears; whereby the rocking head is adapted to impart movement to the sleeve, but with lost motion determined by the adjustment of the screw.

6. In combination with shaft I, sleeve H encircling said shaft provided with arms e, a; slide or pusher F connected with said arms; hopper E; rocker K provided with shouldered rib j and screw Z; sleeve M. provided with bolt 71; arm f secured to shaft I; and motor .I connected with arm f.

7. In combination with a feed-hopper and a feeding-slide or pusher; a rocking sleeve or shaft connected with and serving to reciprocate said slide; a rocking head adapted to receive the power required for oscillating the sleeve or shaft; means for connecting and disconnecting the rocking head with a source of power and an adjustable connection between the rocking head and sleeve or shaft, whereby the extent of movement of the sleeve or shaft may be varied while that of the head remains constant.

8. In combination with hopper E; slide F; shaft I; sleeve H provided with arms 6 for x provided with slots y; rollers z passing through said slots; and rock-shaft W, having bosses b seated in recesses in the bars 00.

11. In combination with a series of alternate fixed andmovable grate-bars, each provided with a slot y; two rollers z, passing through said slots and placed in axial alinement, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

12. In a furnace, the combination of an airbox located at the front of the fire-grate and provided with a series of upwardly-projecting mouths or nozzles for delivery of air; and means for producing a blast or forced draft through said nozzles.

13. In a furnace, an air-box located at the front of the fire-grate, and provided at its top with a series of upwardly-projecting mouths or nozzles for delivery of air.

14. In combination with an inclined fire-..

grate; an air-box at the front thereof provided with openings in its top for escape of air above the grate, and with an opening in its bottom provided with a slide or damper to permit and control delivery of air beneath the grate.

1 5. In combination with a grate-frame havin g a toothed bar; and with an inclined grate carried by said frame; a clinker-grate located at the lower side of the inclined grate; and means substantially as described for moving the edge of the clinker-grate past the toothed bar, for the purpose set forth.

16. In combination with a grate-frame provided with a rib h, having an upwardlyturned forward end; a grate V pivoted at a point distant from its front edge; andasupporting-brace X having a roller. g arranged to traverse the upwardly-turned portion of the rib and thereby to elevate the front of the grate above its normal plane.

17. In combination with a grate-frame having toothed bar Q and flange or rib h curved as described; swinging grate V; brace X; roller 9 carried by said brace and arranged to traverse the curved portion of rib h; and bar Y for moving the brace; whereby the free edge of grate V is caused to move upward past the teeth of bar Q and thereby to break and dislodge clinkers there located.

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES R. GREUTER.

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