US1993306A - Mechanical stoker - Google Patents

Description

March 5, 1935. J. w. MYERS MECHANICAL STOKER Original Filed Oct. 18, 1930 In #6 72 {or JZ/m Vflyers i i'i'ofizey locomotive tender.

Patented Mar. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES MECHANICAL STOKER John W. Myers, Roanoke, Va., assignor to The Standard Stoker Company, Incorporated, a corporation of Delaware 7 Original application October 1 8, 1930, Serial No.

Divided and this application August 30, 1933, Serial No. 687,406

16 Claims.

My invention relates to mechanical stokers for locomotives and. it has for its principal object the provision of improved means for transferring and conveying fuel from the locomotive tender to the fire box of the boiler of the locomotive.

, The primary feature of the present invention consists in providing the stoker with a conduit disposed below the floor of the tender, the conduit being movably mounted so as to rotate about a substantially vertical axis and to rock about a horizontal transversely extending axis.

Another feature of the invention consists in providing the stoker with a conduit having a substantially horizontal section disposed beneath the floor of the tender and an upwardly inclined section leading to the locomotive, said sections being rigidly connected by a spherical section and conveyor members disposed within said horizontal and upwardly inclined sections, the conveying members being universally connected within the spherical sections.

Other and more specific features of the invention residing in advantageous forms, combinations and relations of parts will hereinafter appear and be pointed out in the claims.

, In the drawing. illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention:

Figure l is a side view partly in elevation and partly in section of the stoker and associated I parts of the locomotive and tender;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the forward portion of the stoker, showing the joint between the conduit sections;

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 3-3, Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged end elevational view of a portion of the supporting bracket for the conduit of the stoker underlying the tender floor; and

Figure 5 is an elevational view of the driving mechanism for the stoker.

Referring more particularly to the drawing 1 indicates a portion of a locomotive which may be of any desired construction and 2 indicates the tender is a conduit 3 having rigidly connected sections 4 and 5. The section 4 may be substantially horizontal and is disposed beneath the floor of the tender while the section 5 inclines upwardly and extends beyond the tender toward the locomotive. The section 4 of the conduit is preferably of trough shape and is adapted to receive coal from the locomotive tender through an opening 6 formed in thefioor of the coal bin. This opening extends for substantially the entire Movably mounted on thelength of the coal bin and may be closed by a discharge end of which is contiguous to the, 1 0;

rear wall 61 of the firebox of the locomotive and the portion of the discharge end nearest the firebox wall terminates adjacent the lower edge of. V the firing opening 9 formed in the latter. The. lower portion of the conduit 8 is of substantially cylindrical shape in cross section and is connected to the conduit 3 by a ball joint.

This ball joint is formed by providing the lower end of the conduit 8 with'a spherically shaped portion 10 within which is disposed a sleeve ll. The sleeve is slidably mounted on the forward. end of the conduit 3 and its exterior surface is spherically shaped to correspond with the inner, surface of the portion 10. The spherically shapedportion or shell 10 comprises theparts 10a and 10b, which parts, when assembled are rigidly fastened together by suitable means, as by thev bolts 10c passing through the lugs 10d. The ad-. jacent marginal edges of the spherically shaped portion 10 and the riser conduit 8 are provided with the laterally extending flanges 50 and 58 respectively, and are rigidly attached to each other by suitable fastening means, as by the bolts 51 passing through the flanges 50 and 58. Adjacent its upper end the conduit 8 is formed with laterally projecting portions or lugs 12 whereby the conduit may be conveniently rigidly secured. to the back wall of the firebox by any suitable. means such as bolts. The lower end of the con-; duit may also be rigidly secured to the locomotive} by a bracing member 14.

The cross sectional configuration of the con-. duit 8 progressively changes from adjacent its' lower end where it is of substantially cylindrical form to adjacent its upper end where it is of substantially rectangular form. The side walls of. the conduit progressively diverge from adjacent. the lower end of the latter to the upper end there-f of while the forward and rearward walls of the conduit are substantially parallel throughout; their entire lengths. The rear and side Walls preferably extend upwardly beyond the front or forward wall of the conduit and terminate in substantially the same horizontal plane. Along their marginal edges the side walls may be conveniently formed with substantially horizontally disposed flanges 15 for reinforcing the laterally projecting portions 12 and rigidifying the discharge end of the conduit as a whole. 5 The upper end of the forward wall of the conduit together with. adjacent portions of the side walls may, if desired, extend slightly into the firing opening 9. Secured to the forward wall adjacent its upper end is a distributing table 16 which extends forwardly through the firing opening into the firebox.

Above the upper end of the conduit 8 is a door frame or casing 17 having top and side portions surrounding corresponding portions of the firing opening; the casing being preferably formed as a separate unit instead of as an integral part of the conduit. in spaced relation to the back wall of the firebox and in substantially horizontal alinement with'the its underside from adjacent the doors to the back wall of the firebox. It will thus be seen that the casing encloses the discharge end of the conduit and forms an upwardly extending continuation thereof. Although the casing may be secured to the back wall in any desired manner it is preferred toprovide it with a laterally'projecting portion 19"whereby' the casing mayconvenient'ly be secured rigidly to the back wall of the' firebox by any suitable means such as bolts. The portion 19 is spaced slightly from adjacent portionsof the back wall so that it is only necessary to machine relatively small portions of the frame to enable'the frameto contact evenly with the back wall. For'advancing fuel through the conduits into th'effirebox screw conveyors 21 are disposed within th'esections'4" and 5 of conduit 3. These conveyors are universally connected as at 2 2 and in order to prevent coal from becoming clogged around the universal joint, the latter is disposed within a spherical section 23 which is interposed between and rigidly secured to sections 4 and 5 of 50 the conduits, the effective area of the spherical Sectionbeing at least as great or'preferably greate'r' than the'adjoining portion of section 4. If desired, the conveyor disposed within section 4 may be supported intermediate its'ends by a bearing 55 member 24. This bearing member is formed with a portion 25 extending transversely of the conduit above the; conveyor and with a centrally disposed depending portion 26 which is enlarged at its lower end and provided with an opening for 60 receiving the conveyor shaft.

For driving the conveyors an engine 27 is rigidly mounted on the locomotive below the floor of the cab. Through the intermediacy'of a worm or pinion gear housed within a box 28 secured to 66 the locomotive adjacent the engine, motion is transmitted to a shaft 29 which is universally con nected by a slip joint 30' to a shaft 31 extending rearwardly' along the side of the section 4 of the V conduit 3. Through gears contained within a 7 housing 32 mounted on the inner end of section 4 ofconduit 3 motion is transmitted from shaft 31 tothesc're'w conveyor.

Due t'oth'e presence of. various appurtenances on the locomotive difficulty is often encountered in positioning the engine 27 and gear box 28 in Movably mounted upon th'e'ca'sing alinement so that the engine shaft may be directly connected to the cooperating gear shaft. The engine shaft and gear shaft are therefore joined by a slip joint and universal connections. The universal connections permit the engine and gear box 28 to be moved independently of each other either forward orbackward while the slip joint permits them to be moved sidewise of each other. Thus it will be perceived that the motor and gear box 28 may be shifted into any desired relation so that they may be mounted on the locomotive in such manner as not to interfere with the various attachments and appurtenances with which the latter may be provided.

To'permit of vertical and horizontal angling of conduit 3 with respect to conduit 8 the former is mounted so as to rotate or pivot about a substantially vertical axis as well as to rock about plate portion secured by a plurality of rivets 34 to the underside of section 4 and with downwardly extending'portions 35 formed with a substantially horizontal lower member 36. This member extends transversely of the section on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the latter and is supported adjacent its ends by angle 7 Each of these angle'members is members 37. provided with a substantially horizontal flange or portion 39 and with a substantially vertical flange or portion 40, the latter extending upwardly adjacent the outer end of the member 36 of the bracket; The undersides of the end portions of the member 36 are preferably curved so that the bracket and conduit may rock about a transverse- 1y extending horizontal axis.

The angle members 37 which extend forwardly and downwardly for attachment to an adja cent portion of the tender are supported adjacent the bracket 35 by substantially channel shaped members 41. Interposed between the horizontal portions 39 of the angle members and the channel members 41 is a transversely extending bar 42 which underlies and is adjacent to the member 36 of the bracket. The bar and member are provided with registering apertures for receiving a vertical pivot pin 43 which, although it enables rotation or pivoting of the conduit 3 about a vertical axis, prevents longitudinal movement thereof. The pin 43 may be conveniently supported by a bracket 44 secured to the underside of the bar 42. The outer ends of the member 36 are also curved so that when the bracket 35 and con-' duit rotate about the pivot pin 43 sufficient clearance will be provided between them and the vertical flanges of the angle members 37. It will, of course, be appreciated that sufiicient clearance is also provided between the pin 43 and the opening therefor in the member 36 to permit free rocking movement of the bracket and conduit about a transverse horizontal axis. From the foregoing it will be perceived that the conduit 3 is movably connected to the tender in such manner as to compensate for relative movement between the locomotive and tender.

Due to the fact that section 3 is capable of moving relatively to the tender and therefore to the opening in the floor of the coal bin through which coal is permitted to fall into the conduit, means is provided for preventing the escape of coal between the sides of the conduit and the floor of the bin. This means comprises a ring member 45 surrounding the opening and is movably'supported on the underside of the floor by brackets 46. The ring member is of angle shape in cross section having a vertical flange 47 extending downwardly within the conduit and a substantially horizontal flange '48 interposed be-' tween the supporting bracket 46 and the floor of the tender. The brackets are formed so that the ring may move relatively thereto with the conduit and they are preferably positioned nearer the forward end of the ring-than the rearward end thereof. By supportingthe ring off center in'this manner its rearward end will tend to-move downwardly while its forward end will tend to move upwardly into intimate contact with the floor of the coal bin. This is particularly desirable as the coal which is crowded into the forward: end of section 4 of conduit 3 will be prevented from escaping from between the horizontal flange 48 of the ring andportions of the coal bin floor adjacent the forward end of the opening 6.

In the operation of the stoker coal falls by gravity into the trough section of'the conduit 3 and is propelled forwardly therethrough' and through the upwardly inclined section 5 and con-' duit 8 by the conveyor screws 21'. Although the forward end of the conveyor screw terminates in the lower portion of the conduit 8 coal is easily lifted upwardly therein in a column by the advancing fuel. However, to prevent packing of the fuel in the angle formed by section 5 of conduit 3 and conduit 8 the conveyor screwextends to the forward wall of the latter. The coal emerges into the door casing or frame 1'7.through the lower portion thereof and falls by gravity over the discharge end of the forward wall of conduit8 onto the distributing table or plate and from there propelled by. the steam blastinto the firebox. It is to be particularly noted that the coal falls by its own weight into the firebox through the firing opening instead of being directed through the. firing opening by a curved conduit.- This construction has been found to be most advantageous in the handling of wet coal since the coal. emerges from the discharge end of the conduit in an unsupported column and is free to fall by gravity directly through the firing opening onto the distributing plate.

From the foregoing it will be perceived that simple and reliable means has been provided for conveying fuel from the tender to the locomotive. Furthermore, the construction of the stoker is such that wet fuel maybe efficiently handled without danger of the stoker being rendered inoperative by packing of the fuel. Furthermore, it is to be noted that the locomotive and tender may be readily disconnected because of the slip joint 30 in'the driving mechanism and the connection between the forward end of section 5 of conduit 3 and conduit 8.

This application is a division of my' application filed October 18, 1920, Serial No.'489,642.

I claim:

l. In a stoking apparatus, the combination with a locomotive and tender, of a rigid conduit mounted on the tender, said conduit having asection beneath the fioor of the tender fixedly mounted thereon with respect to longitudinal movement thereof and being "pivotally' section interposed between and rigidly connecting the first and second named sections, the

effective area within the intermediate section being greater than .the elfectivearea of the second named section, a screw conveyor within the first andsecond named sections, said conveyors being universally connected within said intermediate section, and a conduit rigidly mounted-on the locomotive, the adjacent ends ofsaid conduits arranged with one another to permitlongitudinal and universal movement therebetween.

2. In a stoking apparatus, the combination with a locomotive and tender, of a rigid conduit mounted on the tender, said conduit :having a universally connected within said spherical section, and a conduit rigidly mounted on thelocomotive, the adjacent ends of said conduits arranged with'one another to permit longitudinal and universal movement therebetween.

3. In a stoking apparatus, the combination with a tender and a locomotive, of a conduit dis posed beneath the floor 'of the tender'for receiving fuel therefrom, means for movably' connect ing the conduit to the tender involving a supporting base comprising spaced members, a bar connecting said members, 'angularly shaped members respectively having horizontally and vertically disposed portions secured to said bar, and a bracket member rigidly secured to the conduit, a vertical pivot pin extending through said bar and 'said bracket, the end portions of said bracket resting upon the horizontally disposed portions of said angularly shaped members and being curved on their undersides to permit rocking movement of said conduit about a substantially horizontal transversely extending axis.

' 4. In a stoking apparatus, a transfer conduit,

a supporting base below the conduit, a transversely extending bracket rigid with and depending from the conduit intermediate its ends and including end members spaced laterally on opposite sides of thelongitudinal axis of the conduit and extending beyond the sides of the trough, said end members slidably and rockably engaging said base to permit rocking movement of the conduit about a substantially horizontal transversely extending axis'and laterally swinging'movement of the conduit, and a pin connection between said bracket and said base, said pin connection fixing said conduit against longitudinal movement.

5. In a 'stoking apparatus, a transfer conduit, a supporting base below the conduit, a transversely extending bracket rigid with and depending from the conduit intermediate its ends and including end members spaced laterally on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the conduit and extending beyond the sides of the trough, said end members slidably and rockably engaging said base to permit rocking movement of the conduit about a substantially horizontal transversely extending axis and laterally swingingmovement of the conduit, and a vertical pin mounted in said base and engaging said bracket constituting a pivot for the lateral swinging movement of the. conduit and being fixed with the base: and the bracket, said pin fixing said conduit against longitudinal movement.

6. In a stoking apparatus for. a locomotive and tender, a conduit disposed beneath the fioor of the tender .for receiving fuel therefrom, means for'movably connecting the conduit to the tender involving asupporting base, said base including apair of longitudinally extending angular members having horizontally and vertically disposed portions, said members being spaced apart on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the conduit, a transversely; extending bracket rigidly secured, to the conduit, the outerend portions of said bracket being received by said angular members, a vertical pivot pin extending through said bracket and said supporting base, the end faces of said bracket outer end portions being curvedto permit pivotal movement of said conduitabout the axis of the vertical pin andthe under sides of said bracket outer end portions being curved to permit rocking movement of said conduit about a substantially horizontal trans verselyextending axis.

7. In. a locomotive and tender, a fuel conduit system comprising a tender conduit unit includinga rearward conduit sectionon the tender and aforwardly extending conduit section rigid with the rearward section, said rearward conduit section being movably mounted intermediate its ends on the tender with reference to movement about vertical and transverse axes and being fixed against longitudinal movement, a conduit section rigidly mounted on the locomotive, a sleeve disposed between the rigidly mounted locomotive conduit section and the forwardly extending conduit section of the tender conduit unit, said sleeve forming a part of a universal connection with one" of said conduit sections and beingin slidable engagement with the other ofv said conduit sections for providing universal movement and relativev longitudinal movement between said tender conduit unit and said rigidly mounted locomotive conduit section.

8; In a locomotive and tender, a fuel conduit system comprising a tender conduit unit including a rearward conduit section on the tenderand. a

forwardly extending conduit section rigid with the rearward section, said rearward conduit section being movably mounted on the tender with referl ence to movement about vertical and transverse axes and being fixed against longitudinal movement, a conduit section rigidly mounted on the locomotive, a sleeve disposed between the rigidly mounted locomotive conduit section and the forwardly extending conduit section of the tender conduit unit, said sleeve forming a part of a universalconnection with one of said conduit sections and being in slidable engagement with the other of said conduit sections for providing universal movement and relative longitudinal movement between said tender conduit unit and said rigidly mounted locomotive conduit section.

9. Incombination, with an intercoupled locomotive and tender, the former having a firebox and the latter a fuel bin, a flexible conduitv system extending forwardly from beneath said bin to the locomotive and arranged to deliver fuel to the firebox thereof and comprising a conduit section rigidly mounted on the locomotive, a conduit section disposed immediately beneath said fuel bin and fixedly mounted on the tender with respect to longitudinal movement thereof and pivotally mounted on the tender intermediate its ends'about transverse and vertical axes, anda sleeve telescopically mounted with the forward endgportion of: thesecond named conduit section. to form. anextension thereof, said sleeve being. universally connected'to the first named conduit section and providing longitudinal movement between .the named conduit sections.

10. In combination, with'an intercoupled locomotive and tender, the former havinga firebox and the latter a fuel bin, 2, flexible conduit system extending forwardly from beneath said'bin to the locomotive and arranged to deliver fuel to the firebox thereof and comprising a conduit-section rigidly mounted on the locomotive, a, conduit sectionzpivotally mounted intermediate its ends immediately. beneath said'fuel binof said tender and being fixed against longitudinal movement with respect thereto, and a sleeve telescopically mounted with the forward end portion of the second named conduit section to form an extension thereof, said sleeve being flexibly attached to the jfirst named conduit section and providing for longitudinal movement between the named conduit. sections.

11. In combination, with an intercoupled locomotive and'tender, the former having a firebox and, the latter a fuel bin, a flexible conduit system extending forwardly from beneath said bin to the locomotive and arranged to deliver fuel to the firebox thereof and:,comprising a conduit section rigidly mounted on the locomotive, a rigid conduit section pivotallymounted intermediate its ends immediately beneath said fuel bin'of said tender and being fixed against longitudinal: move-- ment with respect thereto, and a sleeve telescopically mounted with the. forward end portion of the second named. conduit section to form an extension thereof, said sleeve being flexibly attached to the first named conduit section and providing for longitudinal movement between the named conduit sections.

. 12. In combination, with an intercoupled locomotive and tender, the former having a firebox with a backwall having a firing opening therein and the latter a fuel bin, 2, flexible conduit system extending forwardly from beneath said bin to said firing. opening and comprising a riser conduit fixed on said locomotive and communicating with said firing opening, a trough section pivotally mounted intermediate its ends immediately beneath said. fuel bin of said tender and fixed against longitudinal movement with respect thereto, said trough member including a forward-- ly extending tubular conduit portion, and a sleeve telescopically mounted with said tubular portion to form an. extension thereof, said sleeve being flexibly attached to said riser conduit.

13. In combination, with an intercoupled locomotive and tender, the former having a firebox with a backwall having a firing opening therein and the latter a fuel bin, at flexible conduit system exendingforwardly from beneath said bin to said firing opening, and comprising ariser conduit fixed rigidly to said backwall and communi' cating with said firing opening, a trough member pivotally mounted intermediate its ends immediately beneath. said fuel bin of said tender and. being fixed against longitudinal movement with respect thereto, said trough member having formed rigidly therewith a forwardly extending inclined tubular conduit portion, and a sleevetelescopically mounted with saidtubular conduit portion to form an extension thereof, said sleeve being flexibly attached to said riser conduit.

14. In combination, with an intercoupled locomotive. and tender, the. former having a firebox.

of the second named conduit section to form an:

with a backwall having a firing opening therein and thelatter a fuel bin, a flexible conduit system extending forwardly from beneath said bin to said firing opening and comprising a riser conduit fixed rigidly to said backwall and communicating with said firing opening, a trough member pivotally mounted intermediate its ends immediately beneath said fuel bin of said tender and being fixed against longitudinal movement with respect thereto, said trough member having formed rigidly therewith a forwardly extending inclined tubular conduit portion, and a sleeve telescopically mounted with said tubularconduit portion to form an extension thereof, said sleeve being flexibly attached to said riser conduit, the latter being inclined from the horizontal at a greater angle of inclination than the said inclined tubular conduit portion.

15. In combination with an intercoupled locomotive and tender, the former having a firebox and the latter a fuel bin, a flexible conduit 'system extending forwardly from beneath said bin to the locomotive and arranged to deliver fuel to the firebox thereof and comprising a conduit section rigidly mounted on the locomotive, a. conduit section mounted on the tender, a sleeve telescopically mounted with the forward end portion extension thereof, said sleeve being universally connected to the first named conduit section and providing longitudinal movement between the named conduits, and means for flexibly mounting the second named conduit section on the tender, said means including a bracket depending from the under side of the second named conduit and intermediate the ends thereof, a support rigidly mounted on the tender beneath said bracket, and a vertically disposed pivot pin passing through said bracket and said support.

16; In combination with an intercoupled-loco motive and tender, the formerhaving a firebox and the latter a fuel bin, a fiexible conduit system extending forwardly from beneath said bin to the locomotive andarranged to deliver fuel to the firebox thereof and comprising a conduit section rigidly mounted on-the locomotive, a conduit section'mounted on the tender, avsleeve telescopically mounted 'with" the forward end pQrtion of the second named'conduit section to form an extension thereof, said sleeve being universallyconnected to the first named conduit section and providing longitudinal movement between the named conduits, and means for flexibly mounting the second named conduit section on the tender,

said means including a bracket depending from the under side of the second named conduitsection and intermediate the ends thereof, said bracket having a transverse member provided with curved portions at the extremities thereof, a support rigidly mounted on the tender beneath said bracket,

the curved portions of said transverse member 7 resting on said support, and a vertically disposed pivot pin engaging said bracket and said support.

' JOHN W. MYERS.

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