US1683341A - Stoker - Google Patents

Description

R. A. FORESMAN ET AL STOKER Filed Sept. 28, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet l SCI F 1 R.A.Foresman [2%. 6. v J.E.La1-rabee l ESSES; lNVENrOR I BY g'm,

ATTORNEY R. A. FORESMAN ET AL Sept. 4, 1928.

sToKER Filed sept.. 2'8, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR R.A.Fore sman J.E.Larrabee WITNESSES: m

ATTORNEY sept. 4, 1928. 1,683,341

R. A.`FORESMAN YET AL STOKER Filed Sept. 28, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY WiTNESSES STA S Lasse-ii staar FFQE.

ROBERT A, FOREST/IAN, OIE MOORE, AND JOHN E. LAR-RABEE, 0F EAST LANSDOWNE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS TO WESTINGI-IOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION 0F PENNSYLVANIA.

sroxnn.

Application filed September 28, 1926. Serial No. 138,250.

This invention is a continuation in part of our application Serial No. 33,414 filed May 28, 1925.

Our invention relates to progressive feed stokers, and has for its object the provision of apparatus of the character designated which shall be simple in design and operation and which shall be capable of effecting economical combustion of fuel and eiiicient disposal of refuse. More specifically, thepobject of our invention is to provide an improved progressive feed Stoker. together with means for operating said Stoker whereby it 4exerts a continuous V breaking and moving effect on the fuel being burned.

Apparatus embodying features of our inr' Stoke-i' taken along the line II-II of Figure 1; u

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a series of grate members removed from the Stoker;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a dump grate member removed from the Stoker;

Fig. 5 is a plan view ofthe driving mechanism for the Stoker;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of Figure 1;

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation Showing one of the operating mechanisms for the ash dis-v posal means of the Stoker; and,

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified form of our invention.

According to one embodiment of our inventionA` we provide a Stoker having a retort located centrally thereof, and an overfeed grate section extending laterally of the retort and receiving fuel therefrom.

The over-feed grate section embodies a plurality of' series of relatively narrow grate' members hinged together in end-to-end' relation and pivoted` to the side of the retort. Each` o f the grate members is provided with lateral recesses for thepassage of airtothe fuel above.-4 the grate and with tinted ylovver lhody portions `for cooling purposes. Means?,

are provided for raising and lowering the section at an intermediate hinged point thereo f so that a motion is imparted to the section as a whole, such that the fuel supporting -portion of each element of the grate section has a combined motion, one component -of, whichis in the direction of the fuel supporting surface while the other component is at an angle'to such surface. The last members of the section7 considered in the directionof fuel feed, are adapted to slide' upon a stationary support, thus effecting a reciprocatory feeding action of the section, pushing the refuse of the fuel on to the ash disposal mechanism. Air under pressure is provided beneath the. grate section and the grate members are held closely together in side-by-side relation so that sifting of ashes through the grate section is prevented, while an ample supply of air for the combustion of fuel passes freely through the lateral recesses in the grates to the fuel bed. lWe thus provide a stoker which is easy to construct and as- Senible, which permits of ready removal and replacement of parts, and which is, at the same time, rugged and durable.l Referring nowto the drawings for a bet ter understanding of our invention, particularly to Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, we'lshow a stoker having a retort 10, supplied with fuel from a hopper 11, through the agency of an engine 12, driving a feedingram 13. If so desired, oneor more auxiliary feeding rams 14-may be provided inthe retort.

are overfeed grate sections1616. Each of the overfeed grate sections 16 extends at sub1 Stantially right angles to the retort 10 and receives fuel therefrom., After passing over the grate sections 16, refuse is discharged therefrom onto the ash disposal mechanism, illustrated as dump grates 17-17- The dump gratos 17 each comprise a plurality of` grate members 20 as shown in Fig. 4 and arranged in side-by-side relation to be more particularly described hereinafter. A,

Surrounding the Stoker are a front wall 18, a rear Wall 19 and slide walls 21 and 22. The Stoker structure is supported centrally by a pair o'f channel beams 28 and 24 to which the retort. 10 is suitably secured and by a pair of I beamsQG and`27, The channel beams '23 and 24 and the I beams 26 and 27 may be supported by the end walls of the furnace. Beneath the I beams 26 and 27 are suitable walls 28 and 29. Air is admitted beneath the struc- 'ture by means of a conduit 31 so that the space beneath the stoker and between the walls 28 and '29 defines an air box.

Each of the overfeed grate sections 16 comprises a plurality of series of grate members, each series herein shown as consisting of four members 36, 37 38 and 39. All ofthe members 36 are pivoted to the sides of the retort at the upper edges thereof by means of a slot'and cylinder connection 4l. The members 37 are hinged to the members 36 in groups of a suitable number of members by means of pins 42. rlhe members 38 are likewise hinged to the members 37 by pins 43 and the mem ers 39 are hinged to the members 38 by' pins 44.

Lach of the members 36 is somewhat L- shaped so thatA when assembled in the Stoker, an upstanding leg 35 borders the retort 10 and forms in effect a portion of the side wall thereof.. Another leg 34 extends at an angle to the leg 35. The legs 34 are in effect that portion of the members 36 which, in conjunction with the members 37 38, and 39, form the overfeed grate sections 16, 16. The form thus given the members 36 has animportant bearing on the fuel feed of the stoker as will appear more particularly hereinafter.

In Fig. 2, the members 37 are shown as being provided with depending cylindrically shaped lugs 46 for engagement by an operating link 47 driven by a crank arm 48 from a shaft 49. Inasmuch as all of the members 36 and 37 are held together by means of the hinge pins42, it is only necessary that a Sufficient number of members 37, such as is shown in Fig. 2, be provided with lugs 46 in order to insure operation of the'grate section. For

example, in Fig. 3, I show the grate member 37 adjacent the grate member 36 as having no depending lug. The majority of the grate membersl hinged to the grate members 36 are made in this manner.

All of the grate members `are provided with l.lateral recesses 40 for the admission of air to the fuel being burned. The lower portion of each of the grate members is narrower in cross section than thc upper portion'and is provided with ribs or fluted portions 45 which serve to cool the grates and also to preheat the air, in a measure, which is being admitted to the fuel. As may bc seen from the draw- .l ing, thc grate members 36 are provided with a greater number of recesses 4() per unit of length than the members 37, the members 37 a greater number than the members 38, and

the members 38 a greater number than the Amembers 39. This arrangement of lateral recesses provides for the admission of air to the fuel bed moving over the grate section in proportion to the combustible in the fuel. Whenthe fuel bed, adjacent the retort 10, is

comparatively fresh a liberal amount of airis supplied thereto, while remote from the retortl the Supply of air grows less and less as the combustible in the fuelA diminishes. We thus provide for the most efficient burning ofthe fuel. Air for the combustion of gases driven off from the fuel in the retort Vl0 is supplied from an auxiliary air box 60 which may have air conveyed thereto through a conduit 65.

f The shafts 49 are supported by a suitable number of frame members 51, which extend Atransversely of the stoker and are secured to the channel beams 23 and 24 and to. the I beams26 and 27. The shafts 49 extend longi' tudinally of the stoker, the full length .thereof and are mounted to rock in their respective supports so that, when oscillated, they effect a raising and lowering of the grate sections at the hinged points 42 and cause the grate. members 36 to 'be oscillated about their con- 'supported by a member 56 upon which the The frame lgrate Amembers 39 are slidable. members 56 are hollowed out in cross sections so that, as the grate members 39 slide back and forth thereover .an oscillatory motion is imparted to them. In order that air may pass to the fuel above the grate members 39, suitable air ports 57 are provided in the frame members 56.

Intermediate the hinged connection 42, and

the hinged connection 44 of each of the grate sections is interposed a tilting support 58having` an arcuate upper surface which engages the under surface of the member 37. -When the hinged connections 42 are raised and lowered, oscillating the grate members 36 about their pivot points it will be seen that a reciprocatory motion is imparted to the members 37 38 and 39. Thelmembers 39 slide back and forth as previously described, over the mem-` The tilting supports58, in supportbers 56. ing the intermediate parts of the grate section', tilt back and forth with theJ reciprocating motion and impose upon the sections above them a slight oscillatory movement. As

stated, an oscillatory movement is imparted to i the members 36 by the crank arm 48 and the link 47; however, so far as the motion of each overfeed portion 34 With respect tothe overfeed fuel supporting surface is concerned, it may be regardedv as compound, that is, with respect to such surface each portion 34 has motion in the general'direction of such surface and atan angle thereto. The combined oscillatoryand reciprocatory movement of the remaining members 37, 38 and 39 of each of the grate sectionsvl, which was described above, can also be considered as a compound motion having the same characteristics as that imparted to the portion 34 of the member 3G. It may therefore be stated that a compound motion having the above mentioned characteristics is imparted to the fuel supporting portions of each of the grate sections 16. The motion thus imparted to the grate sections serves to break up the fuel bed passing thereover and to progressively pushit ontothe dump grates 17.

In considering more specifically the operation of the grate section 16, it is noted that each of the grate sections 16 are so constructed and arranged that an upward movement of the hinge connections 42 causes the hinge connections 44 to also move upwardly; but during this movement the hinge connections 43 will move downwardly. Likewise, as the connections 42land 44 move downwardly the connections 43 will move upwardly. Therefore, as either ofthe hinge connections 42, 43, or 44 moves in either direction, its adjacent hinge connections will move in an opposite direction. In other words, successive joints of the grate sections 16 are moved in opposite directions with respect to the fuel ksupporting surface. The result of the peculiar motions of the connections is that the fuel bed will be raised and lowered at the hinge connections, thus serving to agitatethe fuel bed and provide for an effective combustion of fuel and in addition provides an effective means for advancing the fuel toward the dump gra-tes.

f As stated above, each of the overfeed grate sections 16 provides a fuel supporting surface which is` inclined downwardly in the general direction of fuel feed, that is, from the retort .to the dump grate 17. The degree'of the angular component of the combined movement which the fuel supporting portions of the members 36, 37, 38 and 39 have with respect to the fuel supporting surface, or rather the degree of motion with respect to the fuel supporting surface which Yis imparted to the pivotal connections 42,

43 and 4 4, varieswith the fuel feed; that is to say, the maximum amount of movementwith respect to the fuel supporting surface takes place at the pivot connection 42, a lesser amount at the connection 43 and the least at the connection 44. This difference of movement between the connections 42 and 43 is caused by the design of the members 37 with respect to the members 36 and 38 and also by the positioning of the tilting supports 58 with respect to the hinged connections 43. In the present construction, the members 37 are shorter than their respective `members 36 and much shorter than their respective members 38, and the tilting supports 58 are arranged in close proximity to the hinged connections 43. The result of such an arrangement is that the connections 42 will move below the general direction of the fuel supporting surface for a greater distance than the hinge connections 43, and the connections 42 will move above the general direction of the fuel supporting surface a greater distance than the connections 43. A greater degree of movement of the connections 42 could be effected by increasing the` length of the members 37and placing the supports 58 further away from the connections 42. It is noted that the degree of angular movement of the members 39 is' small when compared with any one of the remaining members by reason of the design of the support 57. The reason for this variation of movement between the succeeding pivotal connections is that a more thorough agitation' of the fuel bed is required at points nearest the retort so as to break up the coke when first formed, and permit the air for combus tion .to reach the burningv fuel. This requirement, however, becomes less as the burning fuel approaches the dump grate.

The dump grates 17 are supported by shafts 61 which are suitably journaled in supports 62 secured to the I beams 26 and 27, respectively. Each of the dump grate meme bers 2O is provided with a squared hook portion 63 fitting over similarly formedsquared portions 64` of the shafts 61. The dump.v grates 17 are adapted to be actuated in a manner to be `described mare particularly hereinafter.

At the rear of the stoker and abutting the grate sections 16, is an angle member 66 hearing against the grate sections. Referringto Fig. G, it will be seen that the angle member 66 is supported in a recess 67 of the rear wall 19 `of the stoker. Bearing against the angle member 66 is a bell crank lever 68 having suspended from one of its arms a suitable weight G9. The Weight '(59. serves to con- Astrainthe series of grate members in abutting side-by-'side relation so as toprevent the siftingof coal and ashes between the grates.

Referring now to Fig. 5, we show the drive mechanism for our improved Stoker. The mechanism employed is in all essential respects similar to that disclosed in the application of Charles F. Miller, Serial No. 631.661, filed April 12, 1923 and assigned to the lVestinghouse Elec. &iMfg. Company. The description of this mechanism will therefore be briefly given.

In Figure 5, 71 represents the stoker engine cylinder and 72 the valve gear mechanism which is arranged to proved reciprocating motion of the piston within the cylinder. At. 7 3, y we show the piston rod whichis connected aty74 to the fuel feeding ram 13, The piston rod. Carries a clamp 76 having pivoted thereto a lever 77. The lever 77 is pivoted at its opposite end, to a link 78 which is also pivoted to a shaft 79. Journaled on the shaft 79 is a segmental miter gear 81, which meshes with a similar gear 82 carried by the shaft 49. The gear 81 has an operating arm 83 which is connected by means of a link 84, with a fulcrum pin 86 which is movablewithin a curved slot 87 provided in the lever 77. K

The position of the pin 86 Within the slot 87 can be varied by means of a screw 88 operatively connected to the pin 86 and eX- tending lengthwise of the slot and through theopposite end of the lever 77. A hand wheel' 89 serves to turn the screw 88 and thus move the pin 86 in the slot 87 when desired.

As the piston rod 73 reciprocates back and forth it will be seen that an oscillatory mo-vv tion is transmitted to the gear 81 through the, lever 77, the link 84 and the arm 83, the lever 77 oscillating about its connections with the link 78. The motion'transmitted to the gear 81 is transmitted to the shaft 49 through the gear-82, and the shaft 49 serves to oscillate the members 36 in a manner already described. Inasmuch as the shaft 49 extends the full length of the stoker and is operatively connected to all the members 36, the members 36 are alloscillated in unison. The members 37, 38 and 39 of each series also have imparted to them a reciprocatory motion in unison by the oscillation of the members 36, while theV tilting supports 58 cause aslight oscillatory motion to lbe imparted to the members 37 and 38. Should it be desired to vary the amount of movement of a grate section, the pin 86 can be moved within the slot 87 so as to vary the distance between the outer pivoted point of the lever 77 and the fulcrumpin 86. Motion thus transmitted may be readily varied from practically zero to whateverI desired within the limits determined by the length ofthe slot 87--and the travel of the engine piston.

Itfwill be observed that the motion thus ytionof our improved Stoker will be readily apparent. Fuel from the hopper 11 is supplied imparted to the overfeed. grate section is coincident with the motion imparted to the fuel feeding ram of the Stoker.' This -feature is important in that it permits vus to adapt movements of the overfeed grate section so that the stoker may evenly burn differ entv grades or types of fuel. y

The dump grate 17 may be operated in any suitable manner. We have illustrated in Fig. 7 a very satisfactory arrangement which We employ for that purpose. Secured to the shatt61 of the dump gra-te 17, is an operating arm 91. !flhe arm 91 is operated by means of a linkf9'2 pivoted within a piston 93 which operateswithin a cylinder 94. Leadingto the cylinder 94 is a pipe 96, which serves to admit l'luid underipressure to move the piston 93 outwardly and turn the shaft 61, raising the dumpy grate 17. When the -dump grate 17 is in its raised position, a catch 97 is arranged to engage` the operating-arm 91 to hold the dump grate in raised position and pressure in the cylinder 94 may be relieved by means of a pipe 98 and valve 99. lVhen-y ever it is desired to lower the dump grate 17, the catch 97 is disengaged and the dump grate lowers itself by gravity. Fluid under pres-V 'previously described for the members 36,37,

38 and 39, with the grate member 101 pivoted to the side of the retort 10 as previously described for the grate member 36. The grate member 104 is slidingly supported at its outer end on a stationary support 106. The end of the member 104 nearest the retort 10 is provided with a depending lug 107 connected through a link 108 with a stationary support 109. The grate member 102 has two depending lugs 111 and 112. The lugs 111 and 112 are connected by means of links 113 and 114 with a rocking lever 116 secured to the shaft 49. f v

It will b e seen that when the shaft 49 oscil- -lates, its motion is transmitted to the grate section through the links 113 and 114, -oscillating the grate members 101, 102 and 103, and the grate member 104 slides back and forth on the support 106. The link 108 serves also to impart an oscisllatory motion to the grate `member 104 during reciprocation. By this motion. the fuel bed is continuously broken up and urged toward' the` dump grate 17. v v

From the foregoingdescription, the operato the retort 10 by means of the ram 13 and auxiliary rams 14 on to thefoverfeed grate sections 16. At7 the same time, the foverteedgrate sections 16have imparted to them a compound motioneone component of which is in the general direction ofthe inclination of the grate section and another at an angle thereto. by means of the link and lever mechanism described so that the fuel is being constantly broken up and urged toward the ash disposal mechanism 17 i The amount of motion necessary to burn the particular fuel is regulated by positioning the fulcrum pin 86 within the slot 87 so that all of the combustible in the fuel will have beeny consumed by the time it reaches the ash Y' over the fluted portions 45 of the grate members cools them and, in a measure, is preheated. Gases driven olf from'the fuel in the retort 10 are consumed with the admixture of air supplied from the auxiliary air box 60.

W neetions thereof;

At intervals, whenneeded, the dump grate 17 may be lowered and the ashes thereon disposed of in any desired manner.

lt is to be observed, that while We have shown and described our improved overfeed grate section as applied tothe upper lateral edge of a horizontally arrangedretort, that our invention is not limited to that particular application; for in so far as certain aspects of the invention are concerned, it might equally as wellv be applied to any stoker invwhieh an overfeed grate is utilizedy for supporting the fuel during combustion.

brom the foregoing, yit will be apparent that We have devised an improved Stoker which is rugged and durable, which-is simple in construction and operation'and which--is capable of continuous operation over ylong periods of time, effecting an eflicientburning of fuel thereon. i i

lVhile we have shown our invention in two forms, it will loe-obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not'soy limited, but is susceptible of `various .other 'changes and modiications, .without departing'from the'spirit thereof,` and we desireytherefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art or as arevspecifically set forth in the appendedv claims.

llfhat welclaim is f l. In a. progressivefeed stoker, alseriesof grate members pivotally connectedv together in end-to-end lrelation and extending in the direction ofwfuel feed,a stationary pivotal connection for the first member of the series considered in the direction of fuel' feed, 'a stationary support for the last member of the series considered -in the direction of fuel feed, said last member being'slidable on said stationary support, and means for oscillating said first member aboutwitsfstationary pivotal connection. i'

2. Ina progressive feed stoker, a sieries'of grate members pivot-ally connected together in end-to-end relation and extending in the directionv of fuelfeed, ay stationary pivotal connection for the first member'of the series consideredin the' direction offu'el feed, a support for the last member of the series considered inthe direction of'fuel feed, 'said last member being reciprocable on said sup# port, a tilting support interposedat an intermediate'point in' the series, and vmeans for raising and 'lowering a lmember yof `the series atone ofthe intermediate p'ivotaleon'- 3. In a Stoker, a progressive feed fuel supporting structure comprising a plurality'of seriesof articulated grate members disposed in parallel relation in the. direction of fuel feed, a stationary member, a pivotal connection between the first member of eachof the series considered in the direction of fuel feed, and the stationary member, means for reciprocably supporting the last'member of each of the series considered inthe direction of fuel feed, al tilting support at an intermediate point of each of the series, and means for raising and lowering a member of each of the series at` an intermediate hinged point thereof.

- 4. lin a progressive feed stoker, a retort, a ram in the retort, a progressive'feed fuel supporting structure extending laterally and sloping downwardly from the retort, said structure comprising a plurality-of series of articulated `grate members disposed in par'i 'alici-relation in the directionof fuel feed,

the lirst member of veach of theseries consid ered in the direction of fuel feed beingpiv-f otally connected to the upper? edge of the retort, means for supporting the lastv member of' each 'ofthe seriesforl movementbodily 'towardy and away" from the retort', a tilting support interposed at an intermediate point of each of the series, and means for.A raising and lowering an'interinediate hinged connection of each of the series.`

f 5.l In a progressive 'feedstoken' a retort, -a ram in the retort, a progressive'feed Ifuel supporting structure extending laterally and slopingv downwardlyfrom the`*retort,`-said structure comprising aplurality of series of articulated grate members disposedin parallel relation in the direction of fuel feed, *the first member yof each yof the'series considered in tliedirection o-f fuel feedbeing pivotally connected tothe upperedge of the retort, means for raising and'lowering the end'y away from the retort of theiirst memberl of', each of the series, means 'for supportingfor lreciprocatory inotion the lastvme'mber of each of the series, said means being adapted to im'- part an oscillatory motion 'to said member loo tot

in reciprocating and a `tilting 4support be;

tween said lastmentioned support' vand said- ,l

raising and lowering means. y y

ln ay stolzer, the combination with a. retort havinga fuel feeding ram, of an artcu; lated vgirate section .pivotally supportedad# jacent the sideof the retort,lmeans for' rais'- ing and lowering 'an intermediate p'ortionof` the sectionat one ofits points of articulation and a stationary support forthe section at its portion most remote from the retort, 'said portion being adapted to slide'on'said sta'- tionary support, said stationary support being hollowed out in cross section so as to impart an oscillatory motion to the portion slid# y ing ther-cover.

' 7.In a Stoker, the combination with a retort having a fuel feeding ram, of an articulated grate sectionpivotally supported adj a.

ity of parallel series cent the side of the retort and extending lat.- erally therefrom, means forimparting anos-- cillatory inotion to the portion of the section adjacent the retort, and means for slidably supporting the section at a portion thereof remote from the oscillating portion, the last named supporting means being adapted to impart an oscillatory motion to the portion in sliding thereover.

8. A stoker comprising a retort, a ram for feeding fuel into said retort, and a fuel supporting structure extending laterally from the retort, characterized by that the fuel supporting structure comprises a plurality of series of grate members disposedinparallel relation with the members ofeach series pivotally connected together -in en'd-to-end relation, means for raising and lowering a mem- .ber of each of the series of members at anintermediate point of thel series, and means for slidably supporting each of the series of members at its end remote from the retort.

9. In a Stoker, the combination of a retort, a ram in the retort, means for driving the ram, a progressive feed fuel supporting structure disposed at substantially right angles to the retort and comprising a pluralof grate members pivototally connectedrto ether in end-to-end relation, the first memer of each series considered in the direction of fuel feed being pivotally supported adjacent the upper edge of the retort, means for supporting the last member of each of the series for movement bodil toward and away from the retort, a roc 'ng shaft, an operative connection between said shaft and said first member ofthe series for oscillating said memberabut its pivotal support adjacent the retort, link and'lever mechanism connecting the' means for driving the ram and the sh'aft for imparting motion 4to the shaft simult'aneouslynvith the motion of the ram, said last-mentioned mechanism includinga lever and means for varying the effective movement of the lever to vary the i range of oscillation ofthe shaft.

10. In a Stoker, a retort,\a ram in theretort, a progressive feed overfeed grate section pivotally. support adjacentl a side of the retort and receiving fuel therefrom, said grate section comprising a plurality of series of relatively narrow grate members having f lateral. recesses providing tuyre openings, 55@

the (members of each ser1es being pivotally connected together in end-to-end relation, means for raising and lowering a portion of each of the sections at an intermediate pivotneath the section, and yielding means for Yconstraining the series of the section in abuti' ting side-by-side relation.

11. In a progressive feed stoker, an overfeed grate sectlon comprising a plurality of l series of grate members, the members of each series being pivotally connected .together in end-to-end relation and the respective series j I being disposed in abutting substantially parallel relation, a pivotal support for the 'first member of each of the series considered in thedirection of fuel feed, means for oscillating all of thefirst members in unison about their pivotal supports and imparting a recip l2. In a stoker,the combination of a re' tort, a grate section providingan overfeed fuel supporting surface arranged ,to -receive fuelfrom the retort and including a series of members/pivotally connected together in end.- to-end relation, said grate being pivotally secured at the end located adjacent the retort,

means for supporting the end remote from the retort .for movement bodily toward and' away from the retort, and means for moving f successive pivotal connections of vthe grate in opposite directions with yrespect to the fuel supporting surface.

13. In a stoker, the combination of aretort, a grate section'providing an overfeel v fuel supporting-surface arranged to receive fuel from the retort and including a'series of members, means for pivotally connecting the members to ether 'in end-to-end relation,

`means for pivotally supporting'the end of the grate disposed adjacent the retort, means for su porting the end of the grate .remote fromq he retort for movementI bodily toward and away, from theretort, a rocker bearing for supporting an intermediate one of the grate members, and means for imparting a raising and lowering action to an end portion of the grate member supported by the rocker bearing, so. as to cause successive plvotal connections of the grate to movein opposite directions withjrespect to the fuel supporting surface.

14. In a Stoker, the combination of a retort,

ash disposal mechanism spaced fromO the reltort and extending substantially parallel to land at a lower elevation than the retort, a` series of articulated members extending lat-l erally -and downwardly from the retort lto the ash disposal mechanism to provide an oyerfeed grate section having a downwardlyl vinclinedfuel supporting surface, means a jacent the retort for pivotally supporting one end of the gratesection, meansadjacent the ash disposal mechanism for supporting the other end of the gratesection'for' movetort, and means-providingfor the simultaneous movement of the members of the grate section, such that the fuel supporting por- Vment bodily toward and away from the re'-A :ion in the general direction of thev fuel sup- Jorting surface and a componentl of motion )ne end of the grate section, means adjacent yhe ash disposal mechanism for supporting ;he other end of the grate section vfor movenentv bodily toward and away from the reort, and means for moving the grate section it successive points of articulation in oppo- :ite directions with respect to the fuel sup- )orting surface.

16. In a progressivel feed Stoker, the com--` iination of an overfeed grate section providng a downwardly inclined fuel supporting airface adapted to receive fuel at the upper and thereof, the grate section comprising a plurality of series of grate members, the members of each series being pivotally coniected together in end-to-end relation and the 'espective series being disposed in substanially parallel relation, means providing for novement ofthe members of the grate sec- ,ion such that the fuel supporting portion )f each member has a component of motion n the general direction of the fuel supportng surface and a component of motion at au ingle to such surface, and means for supplyng air through the grate section in diminishng quantities considered in the direction of fuel feed. p

17. In a progressive feed Stoker, the coin- )inatio'n of an overfeed grate section providng a downwardly inclined fuel supporting :urface adapted to receive fuel at the upper ind thereof, the grate section comprising a ilurality of series of grate members, the nembers of each series being pivotally coniected together in end-to-end relation and he respective series being disposed in abut- .ing substantially parallel relation,all of the nembers being provided with lateral recesses orming tuyre openings, the number of said yuyre openings per unit of length along a ieries diminishing in the direction of :fuel Feed, meansfor supplying fuel vto the section, ind means providing for movement of the nembers of the grate section such that the Fuel supporting portion of each member has.

i component of motion in the. general direcion of the fuel supporting surface and4 a :omponent of motion at an angle to such lsurtace.

18, In a Stoker, the combination of an over-y leed grate section providing a fuel supportng surface and including a series'of grate members pivot-ally connected together in endl to-end relations; means providing for tlie feeding of fuel to one end of said grate section; means for .supporting the first grate member of said series considered in the direction of fuel feed; means for supporting the remaining members' of said series 'for bodily movement in a direction towards and away from the fuel receivinnr Aend of said vgrat-e section; and means for moving the entire grate section; the grate section, the supporting means and the moving means being so constructed and arranged that the fuel supporting portion lof each grate member has a component of motionV in a direction away from the fuel receiving end, and a component of motion at an angle to the plane of the fuel .supporting surfac 19. In a stolzer, the combination of a grate section providing a downwardly inclined fuel supporting surface. and including a series of grate members pivotally connected. together .K in end-to-end relation; means providing forl the feeding of fuel tothe upper end of said grate section; means for supporting the first grate member of said series considered in the direction of fuel feed; means for supporting the remaining members :of said series for bodily movement in a direction toward and away from` the fuel receiving end of said grate section; the grate section, the supporting means. and the moving means being so constructed and arranged that tlie fuel supporting portion of eachv gratemember has a component of motion in a direction away from the fuel receiving end, and a component of motion at an angle lto the general planel of the fuell supportingsurface.

20. ln a stoker, the combination of an overfeed grate section providing a fuel supporting surface and including a series of grate members pivotally connected together in endto-end relation; means providing for the feeding of fuel to one end of said grate section; means providing a pivotal supportfor the first grate member of said series considered in a direction of fuel feed; means for supporting the remaining members-of said series for bodily movement in a direction toward and away from the fuel receiving end of said grate section; and means for oscillating the first member of said series about its pivotal support.

connected together in end-to-end relations;

means providing for the feeding of fuel to one end of thegrate section; means for supporting the first grate member of said series considered in the direction of fuel feed; and means for supporting the remaining grate members'of said se-ries for bodily movement in a direction toward and away. fronrtlie fuel receiving end; and means for mo ing the members such'that the fuel supporting portion of each member has a component of motion in the general direction of the fuel supporting surface and another component at an angle to said surface; the saidgrate section and its moving and supporting means being so constructed and arranged that considered in the direction of fuel feedfthe degree of angular movement yof one member of means providing for the feeding of fuel to one end of the grate section; and means for moving successive pivotal connections in 0pposite directions respectively to the fuel supporting surface; the said grate section and its moving means being so constructed and arranged that the degree of movement With respect to the fuel supporting surface imparted to successive pivotal connections When considered in directions of fuel feed, decreasesV from the first pivotal connection to- Ward the last. l

In testimony whereof, We have hereunto subscribed our names this 24th day of? Sept.,.

ROBERT A. iFORESlVIAN.` JHNk E. LARRABEE.

Images