GB176603A - Improvements in systems of and apparatus for washing out and refilling locomotive boilers - Google Patents

Abstract

176,603. South, E. J. H. Jan. 27, 1921. Emptying; washing-out; filling.-Apparatus of the kind described in Specification 897/14 is provided with means whereby a locomotive may discharge its boiler products into the apparatus at the same time as another locomotive is being washed out or refilled. Each pipe line 7, 7<a>, 7<b> leading from different cleaning stations in the shed has two branches, one branch 9 opening into a collector 15 at the top of the separator 4, and the other branch 8 connected to the discharge passage of the supply pump 6. A gate valve 12 in each pump-discharge branch automatically closes a valve 11 in the corresponding collector branch when water is being pumped through the discharge branch. Similarly, a flap 10 in each collector branch automatically closes a valve 13 in the corresponding pump-discharge branch when boiler products are passing through the pipe line to the separator. The feed-valve 16 of the heater 5 is so operated by each of the flaps 10 as to open when boiler products are passing through a pipe-line. The operation of the feed-valve may be controlled by a thermostat in the separator or collector. The valves 13 may be dispensed with, and the flaps 10 so connected to the gate valves 12 in the respective pipe lines that the operation of a flap by the boiler products holds the corresponding gate valve in the closed position. Manually-operated valves 14 are fitted in each pump-discharge branch. As described in the above-mentioned Specification, excess water from the pump passes through a relief valve 20 back to the tank. The pump exhaust discharges through a separator 21 into the water in the separate tank compartments. The water may be heated by live steam, the admission to the compartments being controlled by thermostats.