US1983998A - Stoker - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 11, 1934. F1 P, RQESCH 1,983,998

STOKER Original Filed April 9,' 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 STOKER F. P. RoEscH Original Filed April 9, 192'? Dec. 1l, 1934.'

Patented Dec. 11, 1934 PATENT OFFICE STOKER Frank P. Roesch, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Standard Stoker Company, Incorporated, a corporation of Delaware Application April 9, 1927, Serial No. 182,193

Renewed April 19, 1934 Claims.

This invention relates to locomotive stokers adapted to convey coal from the locomotive tender to the locomotive fire-box, there to be distributed over the iire.

In stokers of this character heretofore used it I has been the practice to convey the coal from the tender to the locomotive by a main conveyor substantially horizontal with the flooring of the locomotive and tender and to then convey the coal substantially vertically to the locomotive fire-box by means of an auxiliary conveyor mounted on the locomotive.

The object of this invention is to provide a substantially straight conveyor means for conveying and elevating the coal directly fromA the tender to the re door opening of the locomotive flrebox and to there distribute the coal conveyed over the re. A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved means for mounting the conveyor within the locomotive cab and tender.

A further object of the invention is to provide in a locomotive a stoker adapted to be easily and readily installed in pre-existing locomotives and tenders without materially changing their present structure.

A vfurther object of the invention is to provide an improved construction and arrangement for evenly distributing the coal from the conveyor over the re.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specication and accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side view partially in section showing a portion of a locomotive and a tender embodying the stoker of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a locomotive and tender embodying the invention;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the coal distributor head illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of a modivfied distributor head, and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the distributor head shown in Fig. 4.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated V in the drawings, a locomotive 10 having a boiler re-box 11 -at the rear of which is the water leg 12 and the fire door opening 13, is coupled to the tender 14 at l5, said tender having a deck 16, coal bin 1'7 and water tank 18, which surrounds the rear portion and sides of thev coal bin. 'The coal bin is formed with inclined sides 19 and at its bottom is a trough 20 in which rotates the rear section 21 of the inclined stoker conveyor screw. A coal crusher 22 may be provided at the forward end of the conveyor screw section 21 and the in- (cl. 11o-101)' clined conveyor screw is completed by the forward inclined sections 23 and 24 normally having their axes in the same line as the axis of the conveyor screw section 21. "I'he section 21 drives sections 23 and 24 through universal joints 25 and 26. Sections 23 and 24 are contained within surrounding housing sections 27, 28 and 29 provided with universal joints 30 and 31. The universal joint 31 is supported on a bracket 31' attached to the frame of the locomotive 10 which bracket also aids in supporting the entire conveying mechanism. The connection between the conveyor and the bracket 3'1' is detachable to permit the entire forward conduit to be slid back a sufficient distance to permit the removal and inspection of draw bars and draw bar pins, and this avoids the necessity of pulling the Stoker apart and connecting it up again for this inspection. The housing sections 27 and 28 have a telescopic joint 32 of the form illustrated, as is customary in stokers of this character, and the section 27 has handholes protected by covers 27.

The forward or discharge end of the housing 29 is provided with a, cutaway section 33 and inserted within the fire door opening of the fire-box and shaped to fit the door opening resting on the distributor head D, which is also inserted through the re door opening. A cover or grid 29' may be provided on the housing section 29 for observing the operation of the conveyor screw feed. .The fire door 34 closes downwardly and when in uppermost position permits hand firing and observance of the interior of the lire-box. Forward of the redoor 34 the cut away section 33 forms a substantially U-shaped channel for the fuel, the floor and sides constituting the sole means for constraining the fuel within the channel as it flows in the ring opening toward the distributor. A

The conveyor screw comprising the sections 21, 23 and 24 and the universal j oints 25 and 26 is driven from the rear 'end of the section 21 by gears 35 and 36, these gears being driven from the engine 3'7 through shaft section 38, which is 45 `connected to the engine shaft by universal joint 39 and through Ashaft 40, which is connected to the shaft section 38 by universal joint 41. The shaft section 38 extends along the trough 20 between the trough and water tank 18 and the 50 engine 37 is located beneath the tender deck just forward of the water tank where it is supported on the tender frame, or if preferred it may be disposed beneath the deck 42 of the locomotive and supported. on the. locomotive frame. IThe fl engine 37 is supplied with steam from the locomotive by a pipe connection provided With a flexible joint if mounted on the tender frame so as to allow a relative movementl between the locomotive and the tender.

The distributor head D shown in Figs. l, 2 and 3, is provided With a distributing plate 43, upon which the coal moves from the conveyor screw 24 and a cylindrical portion or section 44 having a pressure fluid inlet 45. A raised portion 46 is provided with a semi-circular end portion having a series of radial openings or orifices 47 communicating with the longitudinal passages,48 of different cross sectional areas. Within cylindrical portion or section 44 is a hollow, sliding valve 49 having an opening 50 which registers consecutively with the longitudinal passages 48 upon its operation. This sliding valve 49 is operated by telescopic shaft 51 connected thereto byany operating means 52, such as a crank and pinion connection or eccentric connection. The shaft 51 is operated by engine 37, being connected thereto by universal joint 53 and to the operating means 52 by universal joint 54.' If desired, the shaft 51 may be driven from the conveyor screw. The pressure fluid supply is admitted to the distributor head D through inlet 45, the supply of which is controlled by any valve means, such as the valve 55. 'Ihe pressure fluid passes through hollow sliding valve 49, through opening 50 to the first longitudinal passage 48, escaping through connecting orifice 47 in the form of a jet ejecting any coal lying in its path on the table 43, distributing it over the nre. Upon further slidable movement of the valve the first passage 48 is shut 01T and the pressure fluid passes into the next passage. The orifices on the side of the raised portion 46 are of less diameter than the orifices toward the center, and the passages 48 narrower, as less pressure uid is required to distribute the coal to the sides of the fire-box than at the center where it is necessary to eject and distribute'the coal the entire length of the fire-box.

The modification of the distributor head 56 shown in Figs. 4 and 5 has a body portion 57 and a ring table 58 upon which the coal is deposited.

The raised portion 59 is provided with radially directed orifices 60. The orices 60 are increased in diameter from the side sections toward the center, the center orifices having the greatest diameter for the reasons stated in connection with the orifices 47 oi the distributor head 29. Within the body portion 57 is a hollow rotating valve 6l having an inlet 62 and an outlet 63 for the passage of pressure fluid from the inlet connection 64. The valve is held in place by a removable bottom section 65, upon which it rests and is rotated by the gearsA 66 and 67, one of which is carried on the end of the shaft 68 rotated by engine 37 connected thereto by any desired means. The valve 61 upon rotation permits pressure uid to pass outfrom the orifices 60, ejecting the coal from the table 58, the orifices on the sides of the fire-box being smaller than those toward the center as the amount of pressure fluid required to eject the coal a shorter distance is less than the amount of pressure fluid required to eject the coal the length of the fire-box. The orices are so located, spaced and of such a size that an even distribution of coal over the fire-box is obtained.

This invention provides a mechanism conveying the coal from the tender to the fire along a short straight path without any obstructive change of direction and in a single conveyor adjustable only so far as required by the relative shifting of the locomotive and tender. The conveying means is thus simplified in structure and operation and trouble due to jamming or stopping of the fuel feed is obviated, The entire column of the fuel is continuously under the di rect action of the conveyor screw so as to be simultaneously carried forward and upward as a unitary mass without relative shifting or turning such as is necessary Where there are elbows in the line of feed or successive parts of the conveyor are in different directions at an angle to each other. The conveying mechanism is entirely outside of the locomotive fire-box and the trouble due to heat affecting the operating parts is obviated. The entire column of fuel is out of contact with the heat from the locomotive until it is in a position to be distributed over the re. The conveyor section leading to the fire door is led directly thereto in a short straight path and,

the short section of the housing for the conveyor screw takes up very little space and can be quickly and easily stepped over when the engineer or fireman passes from one side of the cab to the other.

A further advantage of this invention is the provision of an automatic stoker which does not require a special fire-box construction as the coal is conveyed through the fire door opening, all of the conveying means and elevating means being on the exterior of the locomotive fire-box. Thus, this stoker is adapted to be installed within pre-existing locomotives with a minimum of alterations thereto.

I claim:

l. The combination with a locomotiveJ having a fire-box provided with a ring opening in its backwall, of a tender, and a stoker adapted to convey and elevate coal from the tender to said fire-box, comprising a conveyor screw substantially straight and inclined throughout its entire length from the tender to the firing opening, a. distributor head, said head extending through the firing opening and located below the upper end of the conveyor screw, and a housing for said conveyor screw, one end of which extends to the firing opening.

2. The combination with a locomotive having a cab with a deck and a lire-box provided with a backwall having a firing opening therein above said cab deck, of a tender having a coal bin provided With a floor, and a stoker adapted to convey and elevate coal from beneath the coal bin floor of the tender to said firing opening of the rebox, comprising a conveyor screw substantially straight and inclined throughout its entire length from beneath said coal bin floor of the tender to the firing opening of said fire-box, a distributor head, said head extending through the ring opening and located below the upper end of the conveyor screw, and a housing for said conveyor screw, one end of which is shaped to fit the fire door opening.

3. The combination with a locomotive having a fire-box provided with a ring opening in its backwall, of a tender and a stoker adapted to convey and elevate coal from the tender to said lire-box, comprising a conveyor screw, a distributor head located below the upper end of the conveyor screw and a housing for said conveyor screw, one end of which rests on the outer portion of said distributor head which extends through the firing opening.

4. The combination with a locomotive having a fire-box provided with a firing opening in its backwall, of a tender, and a stoker arranged to convey and elevate the coal from the tender to said fire-box, comprising a conveyor screw, a distributor head, said head extending. through the firing opening and located below the upper end of the conveyor screw, and a housing for said conveyor screw, one end of which extends to the firing opening.

5. The combination with a locomotive having a fire-box provided with a firing opening in its backwall, of a tender and a stoker arranged to convey and elevate the coal from the tender to said re-box, comprising a housing extending to the firing opening, a distributor head in said ring opening receiving the coal from the housing and a conveyor screw in said housing, said distributor head located below the upper end of said screw.

6. 'I'he combination with a locomotive provided with a rebox having a firing opening in the backhead thereof and a tender for said locomotive, of a stroker comprising a tender conduit disposed beneath said tender and adapted to receive fuel downwardly therefrom, fuel forwarding means in said tender conduit, a distributor disposed in said firing opening, a support mounted on the locomotive, a riser conduit leading from the forward end of the tender conduit to and being slidably mounted at the firing opening to move longi- 'tudinally with respect thereto and including a ball and socket joint supported by and detach' ably connected with said support, and a conveyor screw mounted in said riser conduit substantially coaxial therewith so as to receive fuel directly from said forwarding means.

'1. In combination, a locomotive having a firebox provided with a backhead with a firing opening therein, a tender rearward of the locomotive, a Stoker for conveying and elevating coal from the tender to the ring opening, said stoker including an inclined housing section at its forward end communicating with the firing opening, said housing section having a oor throughout its length extending forwardly and upwardly to the lower portion of the firing opening, and a fuel distributor at the firing opening comprising a chambered head member and a distributing plate, the chambered head member being positioned along the under side of said floor and disposed substantially parallel to the floor extending from without the firebox to within the firing opening and extending crosswise in the firing opening for substantially the width of the discharge end of said floor, said distributor plate extending forwardly from said chambered member and the latter having jet openings in a level below the,

discharge end of the iioor arranged to discharge pressure iiuid jets for distributing fuel over the plate. n

8. In combination, a locomotive having a firebox provided with a backhead having a firing opening therein, a tender rearward of the locomotive, a Stoker for conveying and elevating coal from the tender to the firing opening, said stoker including an inclined housing section at its forward end communicating with the firing opening, said housing section having a floor throughout its length 'extending forwar'ily and upwardly into the lower portion of the firing opening beyond the plane of the outside surface of the backhead, said floor lying in an approximately straight line 4a fuel distributor at in the vertical medial plaine of the housing from adjacent its lower end to the firing opening, and

the firing opening comprising a chambered head member and a distributing plate, the chambered head member being positioned along the under side ofvsaid oor and disposed substantially parallel to the oor extending from without the iirebox to within the firing opening and extending crosswise in the firing opening for substantially the width of the discharge end of said floor, said distributor plate extending forwardly from said chambered member and the latter having jet openings in a level below the discharge end of the floor arranged to discharge pressure fluid jets for distributing fuel over the plate.

9. In combination, a locomotive having a backwall with a firing opening therein, a stoker housing mounted exteriorly of the backwall, said housing having an open end directed endwise toward said firing opening and arranged to discharge fuel at a point forward of the outside surface of said backwall, said housing being provided with a fuel supporting floor in the lower portion of said firing opening and having side walls in the ring opening extending above the oor, a conveyor screw in said housing for urging fuel therethrough, said conveyor screw arranged with the extended axis thereof passing into the firing opening and through the open end of said housing, distributing means at the firing opening, said distributing means being provided with jet orifices for discharging pressure fluid blasts disposed below the forward edge of said oor and including a distributing plate having a fuel supporting surface below the blasts discharged from said orifices, said floor and side walls forming a substantially U -shaped channel in the firing opening in which channel the fuel is moved by the action of said conveyor screw to said distributing means.

10. In combination, a locomotive having a backwall with a firing opening therein, a Stoker housing mounted exteriorly of the backwall, said housing having an open end directed endwise toward said firing opening and arranged to discharge fuel through the lower portion of the firing opening at a point forward 'of the outside surface of said backwall, a iiredoor above said housing forming a closure for the upper portion of the firing opening, said housing being provided with a fuel supporting floor in the lower portion of said firing opening and having side walls in the firing opening extending above the floor, a conveyor screw in said housing for urging fuel therethrough, said conveyor screw arranged with the extended axis thereof passing into the firing opening and through the open end of said housing, distributing means at the firing opening, said distributing means being provided with jet orifices for discharging pressure fluid blasts disposed below the forward edge1 of said floor and including a distributing plate having a fuel supporting surface below the blasts discharged from said orifices, said floor and side walls forming forward from said iiredoor a substantially U-shaped channel opening upwardly in a vertical direction in the firing opening in which channel the fuel. is moved by the action of said conveyor screw to distributing means.

FRANK P. ROESCH.

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