US1872773A - Grate - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 23, 1932. F. A. LQRENZ, JR

GRATE Filed Feb 11. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l QM. MM..

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Filed Feb. 11. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 o 95mm@mmmwmwmmwmm o EN @@@GOGGOQGOOGGQOOM Nth A MH@0G000006666099@Qa.. @oooooooeooooo ooooooooooooooooo 7 NNN Patented Aug. 23, 1932 stares PArENT erstes rnnnnn'rcx A. LORENZ, an., ory lcrircAeo, ILLrNoIs, `AssrerisonA 'ro AMERICAN STEEL FoUNnnIns, on' CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A 'CORPORATION or' New JERSEYV 'u GRATE p- Application mea'rebruary 11,1929. serial No. 338,927.

This invention pertains to grates, and more particularly to the dumping .orrocking type of multiple section gratesy used in locomotive fireboxes or the like.

There are special requirements for gratesA to be used in locomotive service which reqirements are peculiar to that service alone and vwhich must be constantly borne in mindA to produce a successful device, lespecially as there is an increasing tendency for long runs. One of these requirements is that the grates must be of sufficient width to allow rapid cleaning of the fire.l ln other words, when the grates are in dumping position, there must be an open space between them large'enough to freely pass all clinkers which have/been formed. lt is not uncommon to replace locomotlve grate bars from time to time, the most common causes for replacement being-one:

lburning' of the top surface of the grates, and

two thermal cracks appearing in the top surface ofthe grates. t

Burning or 'cracking of course necessitates the removal of the entire'grate bar so burned or cracked, and is due to the fire coming into direct contact with the metal'of the bar. The temperature of the lire being far above the fusing temperature ofthe metal usually used for these grate bars, large holes are produced in the bars whichin turn produce holes in thek lire which are very detrimental to proper combustion. f Thermal cracks are caused by unequal heating of the grate bar structure. The usual design of structure has a top surface to'support the fuel and admit air to the fuel bed, the structure being strengthened on theunderV side. by deep ribs cast integral with the top, and the top surface is often in direct contact with the fire while the strengthening ribs are kept comparatively cool by the rush of air through the grate bar to the iire. lhisfpro duces a very unequal and bad condition of expansion and contraction in the casting, resulting'in thermal cracks in the top surface of the assembly. Once the cracks are started, it

is only a question of time as to when they will extend all the way thru the casting, and for this reason grates .must be inspected very closely at terminals in order that the grateA bar may last as long as possible and yet be removed before it breaks, as a breakage on the road would cause engine failure.

It is therefore desirable to design a grate bar wit-h a separate top which is in contactv with and supports the fuel bed, said top being supported on 'a strength carrying member, and 'this strength carrying member would practically kbe a permanent part of the loco- 'motive,' while the `top could be cheaply and quickly removed for replacement.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a grate assembly which is inexpensive to build and maintain, and one which fulfills'y all of the above enumerated requirements for economical maintenance and successful operation.

Another object is to provide a grate bar assembly which effectively resists distortion, is readily removable and permits rapid cleaning of the fire and changes of the grate bars.

Still another object is to provide agrate assembly which affords substantially no resistance to expansion and contraction, yet at the same time is fiXedly supported and ef-k fectively resists warping and twisting.

Another Objectis to provide a grate assembly wherein the securing members between' parts are reduced to a minimum and wherein the clearances are predetermined and arranged to permit ease of operation, assemblage and replacement.,

A further object is to provide a grate assembly whereinV the table grates are interchangeable and the clearances are predetermined by said table gratos.

:A still further object is to provide a grate frameor load carrying member which is of ample strength, is air cooled to the greatest possible degree, is designed to hold the top plates firmlyv in place, and yet allows for full expansion and contraction, andiinally one which is inexpensive to produce.

Av further object is to provide a table grate or plate for cooperation with a frame fulnovel features of construction and operation,

as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, 'drawings andclaims appended hereto. Y

In the drawings, which illustrate an einbodiment of the deviceand wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts;

Figure 1 is a top plan view, showing the supporting relation of the grate frame to one of the grate plate members and indicating the relation between a pair of said grate plate members Figure 2 is a ,side elevation, partly in section, of the grate assembly shown in Figure 1, showing, the relation of a pair of grate members in the assembly;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation of the grate assembly shown in Figure 1, the same being taken substantially in the plane as indicated bythe line 3-3 of Figure 1; Y

Figurer4 is a fragmentary top plan View of a modified form of support for the grate members; c y

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a modified form of assembly showing the supporting relation of the grate frame to one of the' grate plate membersand indicatingk the relation between a pair of said grate plate members;

Figure 6 is a side elevation, partly in section,A of lthe grate assembly shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an end elevation of the grate assembly shown in Figure 5; and

Figure 8 is a sectional end elevation of the grate assembly shown in VFigure 5, the same being taken'substantially in the plane as indicated by the line 8 8 of Figure 6.

Referring first of all tothe grate assembly illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 inclusive, the supporting frame 10 includes a pair of spaced parallel longitudinal ribs 12 joined atrone end thereof by a trunnion socket 14 and vat the other end thereof by a horseshoe socket 16.

The ribs 12 may be of substantial truss shape, that is, having the greatest depth adjacent the center thereof in order to closely approximate a beam of uniform strength under a uniform load. The ribs are joined at their endsv'by transversely extending members 18 providedrwith a longitudinal slot. 20, said members providing guide portions 22 for a locking member to be later described, provided on each gra-te plate and also providing an overhang 24 for said locking member, and the ribs 12 are provided with horizontally and outwardly extending supporting members 26 disposed on the outersides of said ribs 12 and preferably adjacent the member 18.

The assembly shown is adapted for use with a pair of grate plates 31, though it is to be understood that any number of grate plates maybe used, these grate plates being provided with suitable apertures 33 to provide draft therethrough. In this case, the ribs are provided adjacent the center thereof with integral spaced ribs 28, spaced to provide a locking aperture 3() for the reception of depending locking members provided on each of the grate plates, it being seen that the ribs 28 are comparatively shallow and preferably disposed adjacent the top edge of the ribs 12. The grate plates are identical in design and construction and may be either fiat or arcuate in shape, are interchangeable, and are provide-d on their under side with longitudinal marginal ribs 32, said ribs being joined by transversely extending longitudinal rib 34, said marginal rib of each of said plates being provided with a boss 36,

bosses of said plates being adapted to have contact with adjacent plates to maintain the same in proper spaced relation with respect to each other.

. The plates may also be provided with a transversely extending rib 38 preferably removed from the trunnion end of said plates and integral with the marginal ribs 32 and the grate plate, and a longitudinally extending reinforcing rib 40 may also be provided on the under side of said grate plate, preferably integral with said plate and with the transverse ribs 34 and 38. The grate plates are each provided with a centrally disposed outwardly and downwardly extending hook lug 42, said hook lug being preferably integral with the grate plate and with the transversely extending rib 38 and being in effect a continuation of the longitudinally extending rib 40. The marginal flange 34 is provided with a depending apertured lug 44 on the longitudinal center line thereof, said lug extending transversely of the plate and being adapted to be inserted in the aperture 30 formed between the ribs 28.

When the grate plates and grate frame are in assembled position, the lug 42 extends under and engages the overhanging shoulder 24 of the member 18, being positioned by portions 22 forming the slot 20, and the lugs 44 are positioned in the aperture 30. Lugs 44 are each provided with a keyway 46 adapted to receive a locking key 48 which when driven home locks the supporting frame and grates in a unit assembly, it being seen that one key serves to lock the pair of grates and may Contact the under side of the ribs 28 for 'slot 106 for the reception of securing the adjacent ends of the plates. The bosses 36 contact with adjacent plates to act as limiting clearance means, providing a constant air space and facilitating an assemblage of the parts.

ln assembling this form of grate, it is found convenient to first slip one of the hooks 42 beneath the overhang 24 of the frame and lower the inner portion of the plate into contact with the grate frame, the lug being ldisposed in the aperture 30. The other plate is lowered in place in the same manner and is locked by means of inserting the key 44 into aligned apertures 46 provided on members 44, and it will be seen that a very rigid unit is provided as there is no clearance between the under portion of the overhang 24 and the hooks 42, while there is clearance longitudinally of the frame between the overhang 24 and the hooks, permitting expansion of the grate plates. The plates, it will be seen, are supported at a plurality of points on the frame, the transverse rib 34 having supporting contact on the ribs 12 and the transverse rib having supported Contact on the ribs 12 and the outwardly extending lugs 26.

Referring now to the modified form of support shown in Figure 4, it will be seen that this support is provided with only a single longitudinal rib l00,.this rib being provided with trunnions 102 at each end integral with and preferably of the socket and horseshoe types. rlhe rib 1.00 is provided with an enlarged portion 104 adjacent the trunnions, each of said portions being provided with a a hook 42 of the grate plates 31, and the enlarged portion 104 may be provided with outwardly extending supporting lugs 108 corresponding to the supporting lugs 26 for contact with the depending rib 38, in a manner as already described. ln this case, the longitudinal rib 100 may be provided with a single enlarged portion 110 adjacent the center thereof, provided with an aperture 112 corresponding to the aperture 30, said aperture 112 being for the reception of the depending locking members 44, in a manner as has already been described.

Referring now more particularly to the modification illustrated in Figures `5 to 8 in elusive, the supporting frame 200 shown provided with the usual shaker arm 202, comprises a single longitudinal rib 204 having the trunnion socket 206 provided at one end and a horseshoe socket 208, provided at the opposite end. This rib is preferably substantially of truss shape and the sockets are provided with outwardly extending locking lugs 210, preferably provided adjacent their upper surface, and outwardly extending securing lugs 212 are provided adjacent the center of the support, each of said lugs being provided with an aperture 214 for the reception of locking 8 plates.

lugs `provided fon thegrate .plate-216. It will be vseen that1`the plate'support is-provided for cooperative. relation with a pair of grateplates only, though it lis to be understood :that it maybea'daptedlo use any number .of plates.

The grate plates 216 are `provided withl draft v apertures 218, saidxplates. being" provided with la marginal flange'220 extending completely around the. plate and being adapted to have supporting relation with the frame and trunnion, as shown in Figure v6.` The marginal fla-nge of the plates is provided with outwardly spaced hooks 222 adapted to fit' under and have locking relation with the lugs 210, said hooks being integralwi-th the plate and a portion of the marginal flange.` .The opposite marginal iange, which forms -a seat on the frame and on the lugsy 212, is provided with spaced depending securing lugs 2,24 apertured for the reception of a locking key 226 passing through adjacent lugs224 of a pair of grate Each of the grate plates is provided with a boss 228 adaptedto abut the adjacent grate platefor maintaining the` grate plates in proper operative position. l j v AThe assembling of Athis modification is performed in a similar manner-.to 'that` as; ready described with vrespectgto ythe modifica tionilliistrated in Figures 1 .to 3 inclusive, that is, one of the plates is positionedl onits tru-linien', the hooks 222 {exteiidingrbeneath the lugs 210 and theinnerend of theplate is lowered in'position where thegdownwardlyextending lugs 224 extend Vin their respective apertures' :214 provided in the lugs 212. The

other plate is lowered into position in a sima il'ar manner, .lugs 228 contacting adjacent plates tomaintain the ,same inoperative po-1.

sition, the apertures and the lugs 224 being in register, whereupon ,keys 226 may be inserted in position in adjacent lugs of adjacentplates, thereby locking the pair of plates in assembled position, it being seen that asingle key is utilized -to lock a pair'of plates'.4

. 1t is tobe understood thatA I do not wish' to'be limited by tlievexact embodiment of trie.

device shown, which is merely byway of illustration and not-limitation, asvarious an and longitudinallyextending alf otherj forms of thedevice will of course bel apparent to those skilled. in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention oi the-scopejof theelaims.

al, claim.: y f a :supporting frame comprising spaced parallel bcanisrof 'substantially uniform strength, integral trunnion sockets located at opposite ends of'said parallel beams and uniting the saine, reenforced grate members resting upon and carried by said supporting frame, a downwardly extending apertured lug on the adjacent ends of each of said grate members,

a centrally located aperture provided on said izo o 1 Ina grateA assembly, the combination ofl 'al a support, trunnion sockets provided at the '45: grate members carried by said Support and support and having supporting frame receiving said downwardly extending lugs of said grate members, and a key positioned in said downwardly extending lugs and bearing against the under surface of said aperture for securing said grate members and said supporting frame in a locked, assembled and operative position.

2. In a grate assembly, the combination of a support having trunnion sockets 'formed f thereon, securing meansspacedy from said sockets, a recessed portion adjacent said sockets, supporting means on said support disposedadjacent said sockets and said securing means, grate members carried by said portions engaging said supporting means, saidmember having means lockingly vengaging said recessed portion, and means cooperating with said securing means for maintaining said grate members in operative position, said grate members having means for maintaining the same in spaced relation.

3.v In a grate assembly, the combination of a support having trunnion socketsv formed thereon, securing means spaced from said sockets, a recessed portion adjacent said sockets, supporting means on said support disposed adjacent said sockets and said securing means, grate members carried by said support and having portions engaging said supporting means, said members having means lockingly engaging said recessed p0rtion, and means cooperating with said securing means for maintaining said grate members in operative position, said grate meinbers having bosses engaging the adjacent grate members for maintaining said members in spaced relation.

4. In a grate assembly, the combination Of ends of and integral with said support, said sockets each being provided with a boss, transversely extending members provided on said support intermediate the ends thereof,

relatively spaced by bosses contacting adjacent grate members, portions of said grate members being spaced from said bosses to provide draft clearances, hook members on said grate members for lockingly engaging said first named boss, a depending apertured lug provided on each of said grate members, lugs on adjacent grate members being disposed adjacent. said transverse members, and fastening means common to the lugs of adjacent grate members for securing said grate members and support in operative position.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 7th day of w February, 1929.

FREDERICK A. LORENZ, JR.

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