US1251039A - Gas-producer. - Google Patents

Description

E. A. W. IEFFERIES.

GAS PRODUCER. APPLICATION FILED DEC. I6. 1914.

1,251,039. Patented Dee. 25,1917.

NITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

- EBENEZER A. W. JEFFERIES, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO MORGAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION 0F- MASSACHUSETTS.

GAS-PRODUCER.

' Specification of-Letters Patent. Patented Dec; 25, 1917. Original application led August 2, 1913, Serial No. 782,561. Divided and this application ledDecen-i'ber 18, 1914. `Serial No. 877,488.

To all 'whom 'it may concern Be itknown that LEBENEZER A. lV. JEF- i revision of means-for evening or smooth` ing the surface of the bed of 'el in a gas producer, and' for agitating said surface to prevent both the caking of-the fuel by fusion, and the4 formation 'of-openings, or pipes, through the massf the same. The

subject-matter of the invention is shownand described in my co-pending application Serial No. 782,561, filed August 2, 1913, of`

which the presentappliation is a division.

The efficient operation of a gas -producer is, to aj great degree, dependent upon the maintenance in the combustion chamber thereof, of a bed of fuel subantially homogeneous in character and of uniform thickness throughout, whereby the blast of air, or

air and steam, which is forced through ,the

fuel to support the combustion thereof, may permeate the same uniformly and thoroughly, in order to keep the combustion uniform. The ordinary 'methods of feeding fuel to a gas producer, through a hop er, or the like, contribute naturally to the ormation of a more or less uneven bed of fuel upon the grate. As a result, the combustion of such fuel tends to render the fuel bed solid and substantially impenetrable in some portions, while other portions become more or less cellular in character. By reason of the unequal distribution of theblast, and the nonuniformity of the combustion, under these conditions, the quality and quantity of the gas generated by the producer is seriously impaired.

TheJ present; invention provides a means for overcoming the above described difficulties of operation, whereby the generation of gas is carried on at the maximum eiciency) and Without substantial variation in quantity. The apparatus constituting my 4'invention lis fully set forth in the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure lis a vertical sectional vfiew -of so much of a as` producer as is necessary to disclose my lnvention.

'Fig' 2 is a fragmentary same.

Similar reference characters refer to similar partsin both figures.` 'l

The gas producer shown in the drawing comprises a fuel containing section 1, which is supported by any suitable devices, not

shown, to permit of its rotation, by means of an annulai` rack 2 and a Worm 3. The wall of section .1 provides an annulariwater chamber 4, open at the p. Communicating withthe section 1, and concentric therewith, the producer has a stationary upper section 5, supported ient manner, not shown, and having a depending apron 6 which extends below the level of the water in chamber 4 to provide a seal against the escape of gases from the y gas chamber inelosed by said sections. The

top of section -is closed by a cover plate in" any convenside view of the preferably provided with lmeans for sup# porting' a body of Water, to prevent over'- heating.- The cover plate 7 has an opening 8 for the introduction of fuel to the section 1; and said plate supports a hopper or fuel feeding device 9 in operative position with respect to opening 8 and having means, consisting of an annular apron 10, for forming a water seal against the escape of' gases through said opening. The stationary section 5 also has a suitable outlet opening, not shown, for the' delivery of the gases gen' erated by the-combustion of fuel within the section y The wall of section 5, near its lower end, is provided, in opposite sides, with alined openings, for the reception of a pair of bearing castings 1l, l1, which are preferably maintained cool by the circulation of Water through their hollow portions 12. Alineg bearing apertures extending through sai .castings 11 provide for the pivoting 0f the allel lcrank arms 15. Saidcentral or cranked portion, which is capable of swinging freely about the horizontal axis aorded by its ends 13, 13, rests, by gravity, upon the surface of the fuel bed in the section, causing the crank arms 15 to lie at an incline, as shown in Fi 2. The axis of the bearings 11, 11 may, i desired, coincide with a diameter of the producer; preferably, however, Said axis is slightly offset from a diameter of the producer in order that the cranked or central lportion of the member 14, may, when themean level of fuel in section 1 is .at an average height, make contact with the same at or near a diameter of the producer.

Flexible inlet and outlet pipes 16 and 17, connected to the ends 13 of the tubular member 14, provide for a circulation of water therethrough to prevent undue heating of theportions which are subject to severe heat within the producer. One ofthe ends 13 of tends loosely through a standard 23, and has threaded on its u per end, beyond said standard, a h-and w eel 24.

In the operation of the producer, the horizontal cranked portion of the member 14 rests upon the surface of the fuel in a diametrical, or nearly diametrical, position, dependent u on the vlevel to which the fuel has risen in t e section 1. The constant rotation of the section 1 brings every portion ofv the surface of the fuel bed under the influence of said member, thereb effecting the desired agitation of said sur ace, and leveling andsmoothing the same to render the bed of fuel homogeneous throughout and of uniform thickness. It is obvious that the fessure exerted upon the fuel by the mem'- Eer 14 is dependent upon the leverage of the weight 20.; and that this leverage, determined by the horizontal distance of said weight from the axis of the bearings 11, may be varied by sliding the Weight along the arm 18, or by changing the angular disposition of said arm.

As the thickness of the fuel bed varies,

and its surface rises and falls, it is apparentA of the crank arms 1,5. The vertical component of said circular movement coincides with the change in the mean height of the fuel bed, as will be apparent.

The swinging of the member 14, in response to changes in the thickness ofthe fuel bed, moves the rod '21 throu h the standard 24. By adjusting the han wheel 23 inwardly upon said rod, so as to engage with the upper end of said standard, the downward swinging movement of the member 14 may be limited, and. as a consequence, the said member may be prevented from di ging too deeply into the surface of the fue I .claim- 1. In a gas producer, means for supporting abcd of fuel, a member` ivoted at one end about a horizontal axis lying above said bed, and resting by gravity at its other end' on the surface of said bed whereby said other 'end rises and falls in response to changes in thickness of lsaid bed, vand means for causin between said bed and said member.

2. In a gas producer, meansfor supporting a bed of fuel, a pivotally suspended member having its free end resting by gravit on the surface of said bed, whereby said ree end relative traversing movement rises and falls in response tochanges in the thickness of said bed, and means for causin a relative traversing movement between sai bed and said member.

3. In a gas producer, a fue] section, fuel eveningmeans within said fuel-section comprisiii a pivoted member adapted to contact with the surface of the fuel in said sec-I tion, means for supporting said member to adjust itself to thelevel of the fuel in said section, and' means for causing a relative traversing movement between the surface of the fuel and said member.

4. In a gas producer, a fuel section, a piv- -oted fuel evener within said fuel section automatically movable in response to changes in the level of the fuel within said section, and means for 'causin relative traversing movement between sai evener and the surface of the fuel. Y

5. In a gas producer, means for supporting a bed f fuel, an element operative with respect to the surface of said bed for smoothing and evening the same, means for pivotally supporting said element for vertical selfadjustment in response to changes in 'the level ofsaid bed, and means for causing a relative traversing movement between said bed and said member.

6. In a gas producer, means for supporting a bed of fuel, means for feeding fuel to said bed during the operation of the pro ducer, a fuel cvener resting by gravity on the surface of said bed, and 'adapted to adjust itself to changes in the thickness of said bed, means for varying the pressure of said fuel evener against the surface of said bed,

and means for causing relative travelrsing movement between said fuel evener and saidbed.

7. In a gas producer, a. fuel section, a pivoted member havino its free end supported by the surface of 'the fuel in said fuel seetions,means for varyingtlie pressure of said free 'end against the surface of said fuel, and means for causing relative traversing movement between said member and the surface of the fuel.

8. Iii a gas producer, means for supporting a bed-of fuel, means for feeding fuel to said bed during the operation of the producer, fuel evening means effective with respect. to' the surface of said Vbed and resting by gravity thereon, means for constraining the vertical movement of said means about a fixed axis in responseto changes in tl'ic thickness of said bed, and means for effecting a relative traversing movement between said fuel evening meansand the surface of said bed.

9. In a gas producer, fuel evening leans in contact with the surface of the fuel bed, said means being movable in a circular arc in response t changes in the thickness of said bed, and means for causing relative traversing movement between said bed and said fuel evening means.

10. In a gas producer,fuel evening means in contact with the surface of the fuel bed, and movable in a circular arc'in response to changes in the thickness of said bed, the vertical component of such movement corresponding to the change in the level of said bed, and means for causing relative traversing movement between said bed and said fuel evening means. c

11. In a gas producer', :i fuel section, a U- shaped fuel evener resting by gravity on the surface of the fuel bed with the ends of its arms 'turned outwardly and pivoted in-horizontal bearings to allow its lower portion to swing into contact with the surface of the fuel in the fuel section` and means for causing relative rotation between the fuel section and the evener to cause the evcner to move along the surface of the fuel.

12. In a producer, a fuel section, a U- shaped fuel evcner with the ends of its arms turned outwardly1 and pivoted in horizontal bearings to allow its central portion.to swing into contact with the surface of the fuel in thc fuel section. a lever cxtendinglaterally from the cvencr` a weight carried by the lever to increase tht,` pressure of the cvener upon the sur'tacclo-i' die fuel. and means for causing relative rotation between the fuel section and' the cvcncr to cause the cvener to move pver the. Vsurface of the fuel.

1?). In a. gas producer, a fuel section, a U- shaped fuel'evener resting by gt avity on thc surface of the fuel bed with' the ends of its arms turned outwardly and pivoted in horizontal bearings to allow its central portion to swing into contact with the surface of the fuel in the fuel section, means Ato limit the swing of thc evcner toward the fuel, and means for causing relative rotation of the .fuel section and the evener to cause the evene; tp move along thc surface of the fuel.

l-t. In a ga; producer, means for supporting a bed of fuel, means for feeding fuel to said bed during the operation of tli'c producer, a fuel evener ctfective with respect to the surface of said bed and adapted to adjust itself to the level assumed by said surface, and m'cans for i'arying the pressure of said fuel cvcncr against the surface of said bed. l 15. ln a gas producer, a fuel section, means for feeding fuel to said fuel section during the operation of the producer, a pivot ed member having' its free end supported by the surface of the fuel m said fuel scctiou. and means for varying the pressure ot said free end against the surface of said fuel.

ltl. In a gasprtidncer, means for supporting a bed of fuel, means for feeding fuel to said bed during the operation of the producer, fuel evening means effective with respect 'to thc surface of said bed and resting by gravity thereon, means for constraining the vertical movement of said means about a fixed axis as the ldtel of the bed of fuel rises and falls, and means for effecting a rclativetravcrsing movement bctweeii said fuel evening means and the surface of said bed.

17. Inv a gas producer, means for supporting a bedof fuel, a member pivoted at one end about a-horizontal axis above said'bed, and resting by gravity at its other end on the surface of said bed, and means for causing relative movement between said bed and said member. i

1S. In a gasprot'lucer,V means for supporting a bed of fuel` a pivotlally suspended member having its free end resting by gravity on the surface of said bed, and means for causing a Yrelative traversing movement between said bed and saidl member.

19. In a gas piodlucer, means for supporting a bed of fuel, a. fuel evening means in contact witlrthc surface of said bed and having a substantially diametrical disposition with rcspcct to said* surface, said fuel evening means being movable in a circular arc in response t'o changes in the thickness of said bed` and means for causing a relative travelsing movement between said bed and said fuel evening mcaiis.

20. gas' producer connirising a shell adapted to contain a fuel bed, a swinging chargc-agitating member extending through said ,-,hcll into the fuel brd :nid instructed to aiuomalically adjust itself to the height of said bed, and n'icans for ctl'cct ing relative rotary motion between said fuel bed and member.

2l. i gas producer comprising a shell y .Copies of vthis patent my be obtained for adapted to contain a fuel bed, a substantially U-Shaped charge-agitating member extending through said shell into the fuel bed and constructed to automatically adjust its'elf to the height of said bed, and means for effecting relative rotary motion between said fuel bed and member. v V

'22. A as producer having means for feeding fuel thereto, during the voperation of the producer, having an agitator playing freely .vertically in operation, means exerting downward pressure onl the agitator and moans causing relative horizontal travel between the agitator and the coal While gas is being produced therein.

:23. A- gas producer having a vertically swinging agitator playing freely and means causing relative horizontal travel between the agitator and the coal.

24. A gas producer'having means for'feeding fuel thereto during the operation of the producer having an agitator playing freely vertically, an adjustable Weight exertn downward pressure on 4the agitator and means causing relative horizontal motion between the agitator and the' coal While gas is being produced therein EBENEZER A.AW.JEKFFER1ES. Y

.Witnessesz y HAnRmTTn D. MANN, .W'ILLARD A'. WINN.

ve cents exwh,V by addressing the .Commilsloner of latent: Wnh1i||ton,1l.0. j v

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