US1986318A - Stoker construction - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 1, 1935. R. BEERS STOKER CONSTRUCTION Filed April 27, 1931 2 She ets-Sheet l I fioyc a 4 g rs ATTORNEYS Jan. 1, 1935.

R; L. BEERS 1,986,318

STOKER CONSTRUCTI ON Filed April 27, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Ra :3 Baa- ATTO RNEYS Patented Jam-1, '19 35 v UNITED STATES PATENrjoFF ca STOKER CONSTRUCTION Royce L. Beers, Detroit, Mich assignor to Detroit Stoker Company, Detroit, Mich a corporation of Michigan Application April 27, 1931, erial No. 533,341 8 Claims. (CL 110-44) This invention relates generally to stokers and ing a restricted throat 14 communicating with refers more particularly to improved means for a ram casing 15 adjacent the entrance to the controlling the operation of stokers. retort. As is usually the case in constructions of The invention finds particular utility when the above type, the fuel from the hopper is transused in connection with mechanical stokers of ferred to the retort by means of aram 16 mount- 5 the type embodying a reciprocable ra n. and ed for reciprocation in the ram casing and acmechanism for intermittently actuating the ram tuated by a crank shaft 1'7 having a crank 18 to transfer fuel from a hopper into a retort in connected to the ram by means of a suitable pitaccordance with variations in the supply of fuel man or connecting rod 19. The foregoing conin the latter. In stokers of the foregoing type struction is so designed that when the ram 16 10 it is particularly desirable and advantageous-t0 is at the limit of its power stroke, it assumes arrest the ram when the latter is in the throat a position across the throat 14 of the hopper of the fuel hopper so as to closecommunication so as to close communication between the latter between the latter and retort and thereby preand retort. The ram is shown in the aforesaid vent the fire in the retort from creeping back position in Figure land the advantage derived into the hopper. Accordingly, it is one of-the by reason of this construction will be more fully principal objects of this invention to provide conhereinafter described.

rol means for the ram actuating mechanism The crank shaft 17 in the present instance is which, in addition to effecting the desired interdriven by a constant speed electric motor 20 pref- 20 mittent operation of the rain, also insur s arerably of the multiphase type andconnected to a 20 resting the ram in the aforesaid position. source of electric energy through a clapper switch Another object of this invention is to provide 21. The clapper switch 21 is preferably of the an arrangement of the foregoing type wherein magnetically operable type and like the motor 20 arresting the ram in the throat of the hopper is preferably of conventional design.

s insured pe ve of the p in in t e cycle For controlling the operation of the switch 21 25 of Operation of t e ram at which the timin to thereby regulate the operation of the ram 16,

control means functions to discontinue further the circuit 22 is provided. As shown in Figure 2,

reciprocation of the ram. this circuit is connected to the source of electrical A further object of this invention is to provide energy in advance of the clapper switch 21 and '30 a construction of the type specified so designed supplies current to a solenoid 23 and an autothat arresting of the ram in the throat of the matic adjustable time switch 24. The solenoid 23 hopper is efiected at the end of the power stroke is connected in series with the circuit 22 and of the ram or, in other words, when the crank serves to magnetically hold the clapper switch 21 for reciprocating the ram is at dead center. The in its operative position wherein current is supabove construction is advantageous since it replied to the motor 20. The time switch 24 is of (111058 the starting 103d 011 e prime mover for conventional design and is preferably of the motor actuating the crank to a operated adjustabletype comprising a synchro- The foregoing as well as other objectswill be nous motor 25 and a switch 26. The motor 25 made more apparent as this descriptionproceeds, is connected in parallel with the main circuit or 40 especially when considered in connection with source of electrical energy in advance of the clap-' 40 the accompanying drawings, wherein: per switch 21 and independent of the circuit 22 Fi u e 1 is af a e e y side cn l view so as to continuously operate. The motor 25 b y in Section h wi n yp 0! Stoker i serves to actuate the adjustable time controlled ,which my improved control means may be used; mechanism (not shown) which in turn functions igure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the system to periodically actuate the switch 24. The above 45 employed for controlling the stoker shown in mechanism is not shown hereinsince it is part of Figure 1; the standard equipment of conventional adJust- Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary end eleable time switches. The switch 24, diagrammatic vational view of a portion of the stoker actuating cally shown in Figure 2,is preferably of the single mechanism. a T pole type and is connected in series with the cir- 50 Generally described, there is fragmentarily ilcult 22 for opening and closing the same.

lustrated in Figure 1 a furnace 10 having a re- It is to be understood from the previous dc,- tort 11 and a stoker 12 for supplying fuel to the rescription that the time switch 24 in the present tort. The stoker 12 is located exteriorly of instance functions to automatically start and stop 65 the furnace and comprises a fuel hopper 13 hav the ram at predetermined intervals depending upon the particular adjustment thereof which in turn depends upon the particular installation and the rate at which fuel is consumed. The manner in which the time switch 24 functions to periodically actuate the ram is believed obvious from the above. However, assuming that the ram is operating and that the adjusted time interval is up, the switch 24 automatically opens the circuit 22 and since both the latter and solenoid are in series in the circuit 22, it necessarily follows that the solenoid is ole-energized permitting the clapper switch 21 to open. Opening of the switch 21 disconnects the ram actuating motor 20 from the source of electrical energy and as a consequence; discontinues further operation of the ram. When the period of rest of the ram has elapsed, the switch 24 automatically closes the circuit 22 permitting the flow of current from the source of circuit 22 to energize the soleno1d 23 and thereby close the clapper switch to connect the ram actuating motor 20 with the source of electrical energy. In connection with the foregoing, it is to be noted that if desired, a three way switch 27 may be placed in the circuit 22 for shunting out the automatic time switch and permitting the system to be actuated manually.

As shown in Figure 2, when the switch 27 is in engagement with the contact 28, the control is automatic as previously described, but when the switch engages the contact 29, it forms a shunt across the circuit cutting out the automatic switch 24. When, on the other hand, the switch 27 is moved to a position intermediate the two aforesaid positions, the circuit is broken and operation of the ram discontinued.

While it will be apparent that the above arrangement functions efiiciently for automatically and periodically actuating the ram, nevertheless,

is arrested as soon as the time interval controlled by the automatic time switch has expired irrespective of the position of the ram in the stoker. In other words, with the construction siderable starting load is placedon the motor for actuating the same and the fire in the retort is free to creep out into the hopper or ram casing. In order to overcome the above objections, I provide means for insuring arresting of the ram arranged in parallel in the circuit 22 between the solenoid 23 switch 27, depending upon which is in use, has been previously operated to open the circuit. The primary function of the switch 30 as will be apparent from Figure 2 is to maintain the solenoid 23 energized closed until the ram reaches the end of its power stroke across the throat of the hopper, in the event either the switch 27 or switch 24 depending upon which is used is opened at any other in the cycle of operation other words, before the circuit to the ram actuating motor can be broken, the switch 30 and either of the switches 27 and 24, depending upon which is used, must be opened and sincevthe switch 30 is controlled by the ram, it necessarily follows that arresting of the latter in a predetermined position within the stoker is insured.

Thus, from the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided means for automatically and periodically actuating the ram of a stoker, together with means controlled by the ram for arresting the same in a predetermined pwition within the stoker irrespective of the position thereof at the time the means aforesaid functions to discontinue operation thereof.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a stoker having a fuel hopper, a ram casing having an opening for receiving fuel from the hopper, a retort for receiving fuel from the casing, a reciprocating ram in the casing controlling communication between the hopper and retort, said ram being operable when at the forward limit of its stroke to close all communication between the hopper and retort, and actuating mechanism for the ram including a rotary shaft, an electric motor for driving said shaft, and a pitman operatively connected to the shaft and ram, a switch controlling the motor, and means fo controlling the operation of said switch including a second switch, and means ward limit of its stroke to cut off all communication between the hopper and retort, including a switch for shunting the second switch, said being normally closed and having an operating member, and means movable with the pitman and operable when the ram reaches the forward limit of its stroke to actuate said operating meiiber to open the shunting switch, the construction and arrangement of the switches aforesaid being such that opening and closing the shunting switch has. no effect upon the operation of the ram unless the second switch aforesaid is open. I

2. In a stoker having a fuel hopper, a ram casing having an opening for receiving fuel from 1: hopper, a retort for receiving fuel from the casing, a reciprocating ram in the casing conswitch including an automatic time switch, a manually operable switch for switch, and means for arresting the ram when it reaches the forward limit of its stroke irrespective of the position thereof at the time either the time switch or the manually operable switch depending upon which is for holding the switch 21 of the ram. In

shunting the time used is opened, said retort, said ram being operable when at the forward limit of its stroke to closeall communication between the hopper and retort, and actuating mechanism for the ram including a rotary shaft, an electric motor for driving said shaft, and a pitman operatively connected to the shaft and is open.

casing, a reciprocating ram, 9. switch controlling the motor, and means for controlling the operation of said switch including an automatic time switch, and means for arresting the ram when it reaches the forward limit of its stroke to cut off all communication between the hopper and retort, including a switch for shunting the time switch, said shunting switch being normally closed and having an'opcrating member, and means movable with the pitman and operable when the ram reaches the forward limit of its ing member to open said shunting switch, the construction and arrangement of the switches aforesaid being such that opening and closing the'shunting switch has no effect upon the operation of the ram unless the time switch is open.

4. In a stoker having a fuel hopper, a ram casing having an opening for receiving fuel from the hopper, a retort for receiving fuel from the ram in the casing controlling communication between the hopper and retort, said ram being operable when at the forward limit of its stroke to close all communication between the hopper and retort, and actuatin mechanism for the ram including a rotary shaft, an electric motor for driving said shaft, and a pitman operatively connected to the shaft and ram, a switch controlling the motor, and means for controlling the operation of said switch including an automatic time switch, a manually operable switch for shunting the time switch, and means for arresting the ram when it reaches the forward limit of its stroke to cut off all communication between the h pper and retort, including a trip movable with the pitman and a switch for shunting both the manually operable and time switches, said last mentioned switch being opened by the trip when the ram reaches theforward limit of its stroke and automatically closed when free of the trip, the construction and arrangement of the switches aforesaid being such that opening and closing the last mentioned switch has no effect upon the operation of the ram unless either the time switch or the manual- 1y operable switch depending upon which is used 5. In a stoker having a fuel hopper, a ram casing having an opening for receiving fuel from the hopper, a retort for receiving fuel from the casing, a reciprocating ram in the casing controlling communication between the hopper and retort, said ram being operable when at the forward limit of its stroke to close all communication between the hopper and retort, and actuating mechanism for the ram including a rotary shaft, an electric motor for driving said shaft, and a pitman pperatively connected to the shaft and ram, 2. switch controlling the motor, and means for controlling the operation of said switch including a second switch, and means for arresting the ram when it reaches the forward limit of its stroke to cut off all communication bestroke to actuate said operattween the hopper and retort, including a switch for shunting the second switch, said shunting switch being under the control of the pitman so as to be opened when the ram reaches the forward limit of its stroke and being automatically closed, the construction and arrangement of the switches aforesaid being such that opening and closing the last mentioned switch has no effect upon the operation of the ram switch aforesaid is open.

6. In a stoker having a fuel hopper, a ram casing having an opening for receiving fuel from the hopper, a retort for receiving fuel from the casing, a reciprocating ram in the casing controlling communication between the hopper and retort, said ram being operable when at the forward limit of its stroke'to, close all communication between the hopper and retort, and actuating mechanism for the ram including a rotary shaft, an electric motor for driving said shaft, and a pitman operatively connected to the shaft and ram, a switch controlling the motor, and means for controlling the operation of said switch including an automatic time switch, a manually operable switch for shunting out the time switch, and means for arresting the .ram when it reaches the forward limit of its stroke to cut off all communication between the hopper and retort, including a switch for shunting both the manually operable switch and time switch, said second named shunting switch being normally closed and having an operating member, and means movable with the pitman and operable when the ram reaches the forward limit of its stroke to actuate said operating member to open said second named shunting switch, the construction and arrangement of the switches aforesaid being such that opening and closing the second named shunting switch has no effect upon the bperation of the ram unless either the time switch or the manually operable switch depending upon which is used is open.

'1. In a stoker having a fuel hopper, a ram casing having an opening for receiving fuel from the hopper, a retort for receiving fuel from the casing, a reciprocating rain in the casing controlling communication between the hopper and retort, said ram being operable when at the forward limit of its stroke to close all communication between the hopper and retort, and actuating mechanism for the ram including a rotary shaft, an electric motor for driving said shaft, and a pitman operatively connected to the shaft and ram, a switch controlling the motor, and means for controlling the operation of said switch including an automatic time switch, a. manually operable switch for shunting the time switch, and a switch for shunting both the manually operable switch and time switch, said second named shunting switch being under the control of the pitman so as to be opened when the ram reaches the forward limit of its stroke and being automatically closed, the construction and arrangement of the switches being such that opening and closing the second named shunting switch has no effect upon the operation 'c-f the ram unless either the time switch or the for the ram including a. rotary shaft, an electric motor for driving said shaft, and a. pitman operatively connected to the shaft and ram, a switch controlling the motor, and means for controlling the operation of said switch including an automatic time switch, a manually operable switch for shunting the time switch, and means for arresting the ram when it reaches the forward limit of its stroke to out 01? all communication between the hopper and retort including a switch for shunting both the time and manually operable switches, said second named shunting switch being under the control of the pitman so as to be opened thereby when the ram reaches the forward limit of its stroke and being automatically closed, the construction and arrangement of the switches aforesaid being such that opening and closing the second named shunting switch has no eifect upon the operation of the ram unless either the time switch-or the manually operable switch depending upon which is used is open. l

' ROYCE L. BEERS.

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