US2007095A - Locomotive stoker - Google Patents

Description

July 2, 1935. J. w. MYERS LocoMoTIvE STOKER Original Filed April 25, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 mmimwmm 8 mm mm Q &. & sww WE Hnwugmm v n X k K .Q Q

INVENTOR Z 1 ATTORNEY July 2, 1935. .1. w. MYERS LOCOMOTIVE STOKER Original Filed April 25, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 \iNVENTOR July 2, 1935.

J. w. MYERS LOCOMOTIVE STOKER Original Filed April 25, 1930 INVENTIOR,

July 2, 1935.

J. W. MYERS LOCOMOTIVE STOKER Original Filed April 25, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ATTORNEY Patented July 2, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCOMOTIVE STOKER Application April 25, 1930, Serial No. 447,365 Renewed February f, 1935 24 Claims.

My invention relates to mechanical stokers and more particularly to stokers for locomotives and the like.

The principal object of the invention is to provide improved means for conveying coal and }the like from the locomotive tender to the fire A ,primary feature of the invention consists in providing the Stoker with a conveyor for receiving fuel from the tender and with a transfer conveyor for receiving fuel from the latter to deliver it to the fire box of the locomotive, the floor of the tender being provided with an opening through which fuel may be delivered directly from the tender to the transfer conveyor.

Another feature of the invention consists in providing the stoker with a hopper under the floor of the tender which is adapted to either receive fuel from a conveyor underlying the floor of the tender or through an opening formed in the floor of the tender above the hopper.

A further feature of the invention resides in providing the stocking apparatus with means whereby the tender conveyor may be rendered entirely inoperative independently of the transfer conveyor. In carrying out this feature, a more specific purpose of the invention consists in the provision of an opening in the transfer or delivery conveyor, through which opening fuel may be fed manually into said conveyor.

A still further feature of the invention consists in the provision with a locomotive and tender having a firing floor, of stoking apparatus with means whereby the transfer or delivery conveyor may be operated independently of the tender conveyor and in which transfer conveyor an opening is provided in communication with an opening in said firing floor through which fuel may be fed manually to the transfer conveyor.

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 drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the stoking apparatus together with adjacent parts of the locomotive and tender.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan View of the central portion of the tender.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the stoking apparatus, the tender being omitted.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on line 4-4, Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the construction ing 6.

illustrated in Figure 4, parts thereof being broken away.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6, Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on line l--'l, Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-43, Figure 5.

Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 99, Figure 3.

Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 1010, Figure l.

Figure 11 is a side elevational view partly in section and partly in elevation, of the construction of adjoining portions of the tender and transfer conduits.

Figure 12 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the vane.

Figure 13 is a plan view of the vane illustrated in Figure 12.

Figure 14 is a sectional view taken on line 14-14, Figure 12.

Figure 15 is a fragmentary detailed view of the rear portion of one of the vanes together with the adjacent portion of the vane operating mechanism.

Figure 16 is a sectional view taken on line 16-46, Figure 15.

Referring more particularly to the drawings I indicates a portion of a locomotive, which may be of any desired construction and 2 the locomotive tender having a coal bin defined by the inclined walls 3 and gates 4.

Underlying the floor of the tender is a fuel receiving trough-like conduit 5 into which coal may gravitate from the tender through an open- This opening extends for substantially the entire length of the coal bin and may be closed when desired by a plurality of slidably mounted doors I which are so arranged that they may be drawn forward one at a time as the coal is consumed to present a relatively small opening in the desired position in the floor of the bin. To support the conduit 5 beneath the floor of the tender it may be rigidly provided with laterally projecting extensions 8 which rest upon angle-shaped members 9 extending longitudinally of the tender.

Extending toward the locomotive from the forward portion of the tender conduit 5 is a conduit l fortransferring the coal from the tender tothe locomotive. The forward end of the transfer conduit projects into a conduit ll rigidly mounted upon the backhead l2 of the locomotive boiler and this last-named conduit extends upwardly and communicates with a chamber l3 projecting into the fire box opening l4 formed in the boiler backhead. The transfer conduit l 0 and the conduit i I form in effect a delivery conduit which at one end receives fuel from the tender conduit 5 and at the other end delivers fuel to the firebox.

The rear portion of the transfer conduit I0 extends beneath the fioor of the tender and is enlarged as at i5 to form a hopper for receiving coal directly from the tender through an opening I6 formed in the floor of the latter. This opening may advantageously be closed by a door I1 hingedly mounted along one edge thereof. The rear end of the transfer conduit is preferably supported by the forward portion of the tender conduit and is connected thereto so as to have universal movement with respect thereto. This universal movement between the conduits is obtained by providing the trough-like conduit 5 with a spherical extension rigid therewith and axially thereof, and by providing the rearward end of the transfer conduit ID with a complementary spherical socket member 9| adapted to fit over the spherical extension 90 to form therewith a ball and socket joint 92. However, to prevent the transfer conduit from rotating axially, the member 9| may be conveniently provided with a screw l8 or any other suitable means which extends into a slot l9 formed in the upper surface of the spherical extension 90, the slot extending longitudinally of the axis of the trough-like conduit. The forward end of the transfer conduit is supported by the upwardly extending conduit H and in order that it may have universal movement with respect thereto it is provided with a sleeve 20 spherically curved on its outer surface to cooperate with a orrespondingly curved portion of the conduit II. The transfer conduit is slidable with respect to the sleeve 20 so that upon the uncoupling of the locomotive and tender it may be readily withdrawn from the conduit ll.

Spiral conveyors 2| and 22 are respectively disposed within the tender and transfer conduits for advancing or feeding the fuel therethrough. The rear end of the transfer conveyor extends into the hopper l5 to advance the fuel delivered to the latter through the tender conduit 5 or through the opening IS in the floor of the tender. Furthermore, the rear end of the transfer conveyor is offset below the adjacent portion of the tender conveyor so that the coal advanced by the latter will fall by gravity onto the former.

The conveyors are rotated through the intermediacy of a plurality of gears disposed within a box 23 at the rear end of the tender conduit. The motive power may be furnished by a suitable motor, diagrammatically illustrated at 24, provided with a universally coupled shaft 25 which extends rearwardly into the gear box. Mounted upon the motor shaft 25 is a gear 26 meshing with a. gear 21 splined upon a shaft 28 which extends forwardly from the box 23 and is universally connected by shafting 29 to the transfer conveyor 22. This shafting includes the shaft 24 journaled in the gear box 23, the shaft 224: iournaled in the rearward end of the transfer conduit I0, and the telescopic shafts 93, 84 universally connected outside the conduits at 35 and 36 to the shafts 22a and 23. Thus it will be seen that the transfer conveyor is at all times operatively connected to the motor 24. The rear portion of the shaft of the tender conveyor extends into the gear box 23 and is provided with a gear 30 which is freely rotatable thereon and in mesh with gear 21. For imparting movement to the tender conveyor through the intermediacy of the gears 21 and 30 a clutch member 3| is slidably keyed to the shaft of the conveyor. This clutch member is provided with inwardly projecting lugs or teeth 32 adapted to cooperatively engage outwardly projecting lugs or teeth 33 formed on the gear 30. Although any suitable means may be employed for operating the clutch I have illustrated a rock shaft 34 journaled in the side walls of the gear box upon which is rigidly mounted a bifurcated member 35 having inwardly projecting pins or lugs 36 which extend into a peripheral groove 31 formed in the clutch member. The shaft 34 may be rigidly provided with an arm 38 disposed on the exterior of the gear box and connected to an operating rod 39 which may extend forwardly so as to be easily manipulated by an operator.

To prevent the tender conveyor from becoming clogged due to the presence of large lumps of coal a crushing member 40 is disposed adjacent the forward portion of the conveyor. This member may advantageously be secured to the sides of the conduit by rivets 4| and is provided with arcuate-shaped portions 42 having relatively sharp cutting edges which extend transversely of the conduit above the conveyor. These portions are radially spaced to permit the finer particles of coal initially in the mass or resulting from crushing the lumps to pass between them to the opposite sides of the crusher. Since the coal tends to pack in a relatively dense mass in that side of the trough 5 toward which the conveyor rotates, the arcuate portions are preferably eccentric with respect to the axis of the conveyor so that the space between the underside of the lower arcuate portion and the periphery of the screw of the conveyor is larger adjacent the side of the trough toward which the conveyor rotates than adjacent the opposite side of the trough. Thus substantially the same quantity of coal may pass under the crusher adjacent one side of the trough as adjacent the other side. If desired, the arcuate portions 42 may be connected intermediate their ends by a plurality of webs or ribs 43 thus dividing the space or opening between the portions into a plurality of openings 44. In order to permit the coal to freely pass through the openings the upper and lower walls thereof preferably diverge with respect to each other in the direction of the path of movement of the coal. This divergence maybe conveniently accomplished by inclining upwardly the under surface of the upper arcuate portion. Furthermore, to permit the coal to freely pass beneath the lower arcuate portion its undersurface is also inclined upwardly in the direction of the path of movement of the coal. It will be readily appreciated that by forming that portion of the crusher which extends above the conveyor with one or more openings through which coal may pass the quantity of coal fed past the crusher is materially greater than if all the coal had to pass beneath the crusher. The upper one of the arcuate portions 42 extends into the advancing fuel a greater distance than the lower one to prevent the coal from being forcedupwardly when brought into engagementwith the crusher by the conveyor. It is preferred to equip the hopper 15 with a crusher 40a of the same construction as that just described so that the coal delivered directly to the hopper from the tender may be also broken up. It should be noted that, as l shown in various figures of the drawings, the arcuate portions of the crushers' are spaced 2. sufficient distance away from adjacent portions of the conduits in which they are disposed to permit the coal to freely pass through the openings 44. Those familiar with stoking devices will recognize that in those instances where small lump fuel is supplied to the tender, the crushing members 40, 40a may not be necessary inasmuch as the transverse end walls 91 and 98 would in effect constitute crushing walls against which the small lumps would be forced and broken up by the screw conveyors 2|, 22.

In order to prevent spilling or the escape of coal from the upwardly extending conduit II when the transfer conduit is withdrawn therefrom upon uncoupling of the tender and locomotive, means is preferably employed for supporting the coal therein. In the present embodim'ent of the invention this means comprises a member 45 having a plurality of fingers or the like 46 movable into the lower portion of the conduit. To conveniently maintain the member 45 in an inoperative position it may be disposed within a housing 41 formed integrally with the conduit. A pin 48 is preferably cooperable with one of the fingers of the member to prevent the latter from being moved accidentally into the conduit while the stoker is in operation. I

The fuel receiving chamber l3 has a portion extending rearwardly from the backhead of the boiler which constitutes a continuation of the conduit I I and is preferably secured thereto by bolts 49. This rearwardly extending portion is a open at top and bottom but is formed with side walls 50 and an upwardly inclined rear wall. The bottom opening of the chamber communicates with the conduit ll while the top opening communicates with the firing opening I4 to equalize the draft conditions in the chamber and the firing opening to avoid creating an intense draft in the chamber such as would interfere with the propelling action of the fuel distributing blast to be hereinafter described. The forward portion of the chamber extends through the fire box opening and is of box-like shape having the side walls 50a and top and bottom walls and 52, respectively. Projecting forwardly from the bottom wall 52 is a distributor plate 53 from which the coal is discharged into the fire box. As the distributor plate is subjected to the intense heat within the fire box it is preferably detachably secured to the bottom wall by pins 54 so that it may be easily disconnected therefrom and a new one inserted in its place. The pins 54 extend through rearwardly projecting extensions 55 of the distributor plate and through adjacent portions of the wall 52 which are recessed as at 56 to receive the extensions 55.

Disposed within the chamber l3 are a plurality of substantially vertical vanes or members 51 dividing the latter into a plurality of compartments. Each of the vanes is provided with oppositely projecting trunnions 58 which extend into aligned openings formed in the top and bottom walls 5| and 52 of the box-like portion of the chamber. These trunnions are preferably in the form of screws so that they may be discon-- nected from the vanes to permit removal of the latter from the chamber.

As it is often desirable to supply a greater amount of coal to one portion of the fire box than to another, means is employed whereby the vanes may be moved to vary the respective sizes of the compartments which they define. In the these means comprises a screw-threaded shaft 59 extending transversely of the chamber and a nut member 50 cooperable with the rear portion of the adjacent vane. The outer ends of the shafts are journaled in the adjacent side walls of the chamber while the inner ends thereof are journaled in an inwardly projecting lug 6| formed integrally with the gear wall of the chamber. The forward ends of the nut members 50 are provided with jaws 62 for receiving therebetween the adjacent portion of the associated vane. To maintain the jaws in spaced relation and at the same time to prevent the nut member from rotating around the shaft a filler block 53 is preferably interposed between the jaws and extends into a slot 64 formed in the rear portion of the vane. This construction results in a rather loose connection between the vanes and their operating members which is particularly desirable as it permits the vanes to move slightly laterally to enable the coal to readily pass on opposite sides thereof. By rotating the shafts 59 by handles 65 with which they may be respectively provided the size or capacity of the compartments may be varied to control the quantity of coal delivered to different portions of the fire box. Thus if it is desired to supply a greater amount of coal to the center portion of the fire box than to the side portions thereof the rear ends of the vanes may be moved to increase the dis tance between them thereby increasing the capacity of the center compartment and insuring delivery of more coal to the center-of the fire box. On the other hand, if it is desired to supply a greater amount of coal to theside portions of the fire box than to the center thereof the ends of the vanes may be moved toward each other to increase the capacity of the side compartments.

Projecting inwardly into the fuel receiving chamber through the rear wall thereof into the path of movement of the fuel is a steam nozzle 65. This nozzle is preferably of box-like shape and its bottom wall inclines upwardly from the rear of the chamber 13 so as to not unnecessarily impede the rise of the coal in the upwardly extending conduit ll. nozzle is divided by partition walls 61 into a plurality of compartments, the number of compartments in the nozzle corresponding to the number in the fuel chamber. Each of the nozzle compartments is provided with a plurality of outlet openings 68 and an inlet opening 69, the latter communicating with a'steam pipe having a control valve H. In order that the steam blast issuing from the opening 68 will not scatter the coal from one compartment to another and in order to prevent the coal from packing under the vanes the openings 68 are so arranged that the steam will meet the coal at about the same time the coal rises to the lower edges of the vanes. As the steam fans out upon leaving the nozzle the lower edges of the vanes preferably taper or incline downwardly from adjacent the nozzle to the forward portion of the chamber [3.

Just beneath the steam nozzle there is an opening 12 in the rear wall of the chamber l3 for admitting air thereto. The draft of the locomotive combined with the draft created by the steam blast will draw suflicient air through this opening to prevent the coal from packing under the The interior of the v nozzle and to assist in carrying the coal forward to the steam blast.

The forward portion of each of the vanes is in the form of a deflector 13 having curved portions which extend laterally varying distances from the body portion of the vane. Since the deflecting portions of the vanes are subjected to the intense heat of the firebox they are preferably mounted so as to be easily removed should it become necessary to repair or replace them. For this purpose each vane is provided with extensions or lugs '14 between which is disposed a rearwardly extending portion 15 of the associated deflector, the lugs 14 and the portion 15 being formed with registering apertures to receive a connecting bolt or pin 16.

In the form of the invention illustrated in the principal figures of the drawings, the deflector consists of a curved plate, the axis of curvature of which is preferably vertical. The lower edge of the plate inclines upwardly and outwardly from adjacent the bottom wall of the box like portion of the chamber l3 to adjacent the top wall thereof whereby it will be seen that the deflector extends laterally of the vane a greater distance adjacent its upper portion than adjacent its lower portion. Thus the coal engaging the upper portion of the deflector is directed at substantially right angles to the vane toward the back corners of the fire box while the coal engaging the lower portion thereof leaves the chamber in a substantially straight line. As coal engaging intermediate portions of the deflector leaves the chamber at varying angles it will be evenly distributed over the entire grate area of the fire box. A vane of this type is particularly effective when coal which is more or less finely divided is used because the steam blast will tend to blow the coal toward the top of the chamber as it is being propelled therethrough.

When coal having a large proportion of lumps is used the form of the deflector illustrated in Figures 12 to 14 is preferably employed. This type of deflector primarily differs from the other in that it extends laterally of the vane a greater distance adjacent the lower edge thereof than adjacent the upper edge. Furthermore instead of being of plate form this deflector is formed with a plurality of stepped portions H which are of progressively increased width from adjacent the bottom of the chamber l3 to the top thereof. Also the lower step of the steps 11 tapers inwardly from its outer edges toward the vane so that the coal engaging the lower step will be projected from the chamber at a greater angle to the vane than the coal engaging the upper ones.

By providing clutch means whereby the fuel receiving or tender conveyor may be operatively disconnected from the delivery conveyor to permit independent operation of the latter, it will be readily appreciated that should the tender conveyor become clogged the stoker will not be rendered entirely inoperative as coal may be delivered directly to the delivery conveyor from the tender through the opening I6 above the hopper l5. It is to be particularly noted that the opening I6 is just in front of the coal gates 4 so that coal may be transferred therethrough to the hopper as quickly as it would be from the tender conveyor when the latter is in operation. To prevent the coal from backing up in the hopper when both conveyors are operating, the gears 21 and 30 are proportioned so that the transfer conveyor rotates at a greater rate of speed than the tender conveyor and also the diameter of the spiral of the transfer conveyor is greater than that of the tender conveyor.

It is to be noted that the improved crushing mechanism and the improved distributor organization of the embodiment of my invention described herein and disclosed by the drawings herewith have been made the subject matter respectively of divisional applications Serial Nos. 14,063 and 14,064, both filed April 1, 1935.

I claim:

1. In a stoking apparatus for locomotive, the combination with a tender, of a. tender conveyor section for receiving fuel from the tender, a transfer conveyor section for receiving fuel from the tender conveyor section to deliver it to the locomotive, the rear portion of said transfer conveyor section being disposed beneath the floor of the tender and the latter being provided with an opening above said rearward portion of the transfer conveyor section through which opening in the floor fuel may be delivered directly to the transfer conveyor section from the tender, said transfer conveyor section having an opening therein immediately beneath the opening in said floor to receive the fuel therefrom, means for operating said transfer conveyor section, and clutch means operatively interposed between said transfer and said tender conveyor sections for operating the latter whereby said transfer conveyor section may be operated independently of said tender conveyor section.

2. In a stoking apparatus, the combination with alocomotive having an opening in the rear wall of the fire box, and a locomotive tender, of a plurality of connected conduits for conveying fuel from the tender to the locomotive fire box, one of said conduits extending downwardly from the opening of the fire box and being adapted to be disconnected from an adjacent conduit upon uncoupling of the locomotive and tender, and means movable into the lower end of said downwardly extending conduit transversely of the direction of travel of the fuel therethrough for supporting the fuel therein upon uncoupling of the locomotive and tender.

3. In a stoking apparatus, the combination with a locomotive having an opening in the rear wall of the fire box, and a tender, of a plurality of conduits for conveying fuel from the tender to the locomotive fire box, one of said conduits extending downwardly from the opening in the fire box, and a member having a plurality of fingers movable into said last-named conduit for supporting fuel therein when the conduit is disconnected from the other of said conduits upon uncoupling of the locomotive and tender.

4. In combination, a locomotive having a firebox, a tender having a fuel bin and a floor, a conduit beneath said.fioor of the tender for receiving fuel therefrom, a transfer conduit leading from said tender conduit to the firebox of the locomotive, the rear end of said transfer conduit being supported by said tender conduit, the rear portion of said transfer conduit being enlarged to form a hopper, the floor of the tender above said hopper being provided with an opening through which coal may be delivered from the tender directly to the hopper, a crushing member disposed within said hopper for reducing the size of the fuel delivered directly to the hopper from the tender through said opening, and means for advancing the fuel through said conduits.

5. The combination with a locomotive having a firebox and a tender, of an upwardly inclined conduit on the locomotive for delivering fuel to the firebox, a transfer conduit leading from the tender to the locomotive and having communication with the lower end of said inclined conduit, fuel advancing means within said transfer conduit, and means movable into said inclined conduit through a sidewall thereof in advance of the fuel advancing means for supporting the fuel in said inclined conduit when said conduits are separated upon uncoupling of the locomotive and tender.

6. In combination, two fuel conveying conduits, one of said conduits being inclined upwardly and communicating at its lower end with the other of said conduits, fuel advancing means disposed within the last-named conduit, and means movable into the inclined conduit transversely of the direction of travel of the fuel and in advance of said fuel advancing means for supporting the fuel in said inclined conduit when the conduits are separated.

7. In a locomotive provided with a firebox having a backwall with a firing opening therethrough and a tender having a floor and a fuel bin, the combination of a conduit mounted beneath the tender fuel bin and arranged to receive fuel therefrom, a screw conveyor mounted in said tender conduit, a transfer conduit arranged to receive fuel from said tender conduit, the rear portion of said transfer conduit being disposed beneath the floor of the tender, the tender floor and the rear portion of said transfer conduit each having an opening whereby fuel may be delivered directly from the tender to the transfer conduit, a screw conveyor in said transfer conduit for advancing fuel therethrough, means for operating said screw conveyors and clutch mechanism for interrupting the operation of the screw conveyor in said tender conduit without interrupting the operation of the screw conveyor in said transfer conduit.

8. In combination, a'locomotive firebox provided with a back wall having a firing opening therein, and a tender provided with a fuel bin, a fuel conveying system comprising a conduit rigidly mounted on the tender, an inclined conduit rigidly attached to the locomotive and delivering to said firing opening, an intermediate section universally connected at its forward end to the rearward end of said inclined conduit and in end-to-end relation therewith, the rear end of said intermediate section being below the forward end of said tender conduit and flexibly related therewith, a conveyor screw in said tender conduit, a conveyor screw in said intermediate section, a gear housing rearward of said tender conduit, a shaft journaled in said gear housing and operatively connected to the screw in said tender conduit, a gear loosely mounted on said shaft, clutch teeth on one face of said gear, a clutch rotatable with said shaft and slidable thereon for normally engaging the clutch teeth of said gear, a power actuated gear in said gear housing for rotating said tender conduit screw when said clutch is in engagement with the clutch teeth of said first named gear, a driving connection between said power actuated gear and the screw in. said intermediate section, and means for disengaging said clutch from said first named gear .for interrupting the operation of the screw in said tender conduit during the normal operation of the screw in said intermediate section.

9. In combination, a locomotive firebox provided with a backwall having a firing opening therein, and a tender provided with a fuel bin, a fuel conveying system comprising a conduit rigidly mounted on the tender, an inclined conduit rigidly attached to the locomotive and delivering to said firing opening, an intermediate section universally connected at its forward end to the rearward end of said inclined conduit and in end-to end relation therewith, the rear end of said intermediate section being below the forward end of said tender conduit and flexibly related therewith, a conveyor screw in said tender conduit, a conveyor screw in said intermediate section, a gear housing rearward of said tender conduit, a shaft journaled in said gear housing and operatively connected to the screw in said tender conduit, a gear loosely mounted on said shaft, clutch teeth on one face of said gear, a clutch rotatable with said shaft'and slidable thereon for normally engaging the clutch teeth of said gear, a power actuated shaft journaled in said housing and having a portion thereof extending forward exteriorly of said housing, a gear in said housing rotatably mounted with said power actuated shaft, said last named gear being operatively connected with said first named gear for rotating the screw in said tender conduit when said clutch is in engagement with the clutch teeth of said first named gear, the screw in said intermediate section having a shaft portion extending rearward exteriorly of said section, a flexibly jointed telescopic shaft I connecting said shaft portion with said power actuated shaft, and means for disengaging said clutch from said first named gear for interrupting the operation of the screw in said tender conduit during the normal operation of the screw in said intermediate section.

10. In combination, a locomotive provided with a firebox and a tender having a fuel bin, a fuel conveying system comprising a conduit member mounted on the tender to receive fuel from said bin, a'transfer conduit receiving fuel from said first named conduit and extending forwardly therefrom toward said firebox, the rearward end of said transfer conduit being offset from the forward end of said first named conduit, a conveyor screw in said first named conduit and a conveyor screw in said transfer conduit, a gear housing rearward of said first named conduit, a shaft journaled in said gear housing and operatively connected to the screw in said first named conduit, a gear loosely mounted on said shaft, clutch teeth on one face of said gear, a clutch rotatable with said shaft and slidable thereon for normally engaging the clutch teeth of said gear, a power actuated shaft journaled in said housing, a gear in said housing rotatably mounted with said power actuated shaft, said last named gear being operatively connected with said first named gear for rotating the screw in said first named conduit when said clutch is in engagement with'the clutch teeth of said first named gear, the screw in said transfer conduit having a shaft portion extending rearward exteriorly of said conduit, a shaft operatively connecting said extended shaft portion and said power actuated shaft, and manual means for. disengaging said clutch from said first named gear for interrupting the operation of the screw in said first named conduit during the normal operation of the screw in said transfer conduit.

11. In combination, a locomotive provided with a firebox and a tender having a fuel bin, a fuel conveying system comprising a conduit member mounted on the tender to receive fuel from said bin, a transfer conduit receiving fuel from said first named conduit and extending forwardly therefrom toward said firebox, the rearward end of said transfer conduit being offset from the forward end of said first named conduit, a conveyor screw in said first named conduit and a conveyor screw in said transfer conduit, a gear housing rearward of said first named conduit, a shaft journaled in said gear housing and operatively connected to the screw in said first named conduit, a gear loosely mounted on said shaft, clutch teeth on one face of said gear, a clutch rotatable with said shaft and slidable thereon for normally engaging the clutch teeth of said gear, a power actuated shaft journaled in said housing, a gear in said housing mounted upon said power actuated shaft, an auxiliary shaft journaled in said housing, a gear mounted on said auxiliary shaft engaging the gear on said power actuated shaft and the gear on said first named shaft for rotating the screw in said first named conduit when said clutch is in engagement with the clutch teeth of said first named gear, the screw in said transfer conduit having a shaft portion extending rearward exteriorly of said conduit, a shaft flexibly connecting said extended shaft portion and said auxiliary shaft for operating the screw in said transfer conduit, and manual means for disengaging said clutch from said first named gear for interruptirig the operation of the screw in said transfer conduit. 1

12. In a locomotive provided with a firebox and a tender having a fuel bin, 9. fuel conveying system comprising a conduit member mounted on the tender to receive fuel from said bin, a transfer conduit receiving fuel from said tender conduit and extending forwardly therefrom toward the firebox, a conveyor screw in said tender conduit and a conveyor screw in said transfer conduit, a gear box rearward of said tender conduit, shafting journaled in said gear box for operating the screw in said tender conduit, a gear mounted on said shafting, a clutch member at one side of said gear having clutch teeth, a clutch member mounted on said shafting having complementary clutch teeth, one of said clutch members being rotatable with said shafting and movable longitudinally to engage and disengage the other of said clutch members, a power actuated gear in said gear housing meshing with said first named gear for rotating said tender conduit conveyor screw when said clutch members are in engagement, a driving connection between said power actuated gear and said transfer conduit conveyor screw, and means for disengaging said clutch members for actuating the conveyor screw in said transfer conduit independently of the conveyor screw in said tender conduit.

13. In a locomotive provided with a firebox and a tender having a fuel bin, a fuel conveying system comprising a conduit member mounted on the tender to receive fuel from said bin, a transfer conduit receiving fuel from said tender conduit and extending forwardly therefrom toward the firebox, the rearward end of said transfer conduit being offset from the forward end of said tender conduit, a conveyor screw in said tender conduit and a conveyor screw in said transfer conduit, said transfer conduit having an opening therein exposing a portion of its conveyor screw whereby fuel may be fed manually through said opening directly onto said conveyor screw, 2. gear box rearward of said tender conduit, shafting journaled in said gear box for operating the screw in said tender conduit, a gear mounted on said shafting, a clutch member at one side ofsaid gear having clutch teeth, a clutch member mounted on said shafting having complementary clutch teeth, one of said clutch members being rotatable with said shaft and movable longitudinally to engage and disengage the other of said clutch members, a power actuated gear in said gear housing meshing with said first named gear for rotating said tender conduit conveyor screw when said clutch members are in engagement, a driving connection between said power actuated gear and the rearward end of said transfer conduit conveyor screw, and means for disengaging'said clutch members for actuating the conveyor screw in said transfer conduit independently of the conveyor screw in said tender conduit.

14. In a locomotive provided with a firebox having a firing opening therein and a tender coupled to said locomotive having a fuel bin, the combination of a receiving conduit mounted on the tender to receive fuel from said bin, a spherical extension at the forward end of said receiving conduit and approximately axial therewith, a delivery conduit arranged to receive fuel from said receiving conduit and to deliver it to said firing opening, a complementary spherical member carried by the rearward end of said delivery conduit and forming with said spherical extension a ball and socket connection between said receiving and delivery conduits, a conveyor screw in said receiving conduit, a conveyor screw in said delivery conduit, the forward end of the first named conveyor screw being offset from the rearward end of the second named conveyor screw and arranged to urge fuel through said spherical extension into said delivery conduit, said delivery conduit having an opening therein exposing a portion of its conveyor screw whereby fuel may be fed manually through said opening directly onto said conveyor screw, and drive means for said conveyor screws including a gear train at the rear of said fuel receiving conduit for operating the conveyor screw therein, a prime mover for operating said gear train, shafting operable by said gear train and leading forwardly therefrom for operating the conveyor screw in said delivery conduit from its rearward end, said shafting including a pair of telescopically related sections operatively connected at their remote ends one to the conveyor screw in said delivery conduit and the other to said gear train, and a clutch device operatively associated with said drive means for actuating the conveyor screw in said delivery conduit independently of the conveyor screw in said receiving conduit.

15. In a locomotive provided with a firebox having a firing opening therein and a tender coupled to said locomotive having a fuel bin, the combination of a receiving conduit rigidly mounted on the tender to receive fuel from said bin, a delivery conduit arranged to receive fuel discharged from said receiving conduit and to deliver it to said firing opening, the rearward end of said delivery 'conduit being fiexiblyrelated with the forward end of said receiving conduit, a conveyor screw in said receiving conduit, a conveyor screw in saiddelivery conduit arranged with the rearward end thereof offset from the forward end of said first'named conveyor screw, said delivery conduit having an opening therein exposing a portion of its conveyor screw whereby fuel may be fed manually through said opening directly onto said conveyor screw, and drive means for said conveyor screws including a gear train at the rear of said fuel receiving conduit operatively connected with the conveyor screw therein, a prime mover for operating said gear train, shafting operable by said gear train and leading forwardly therefrom for operating the conveyor screw in said delivery conduit from its rearward end, said shafting including a pair of telescopically related sections operatively connected at their remote ends, one to the conveyor screw in said delivery conduit and the other to said gear train, and a clutch device operatively associated with said drive means for actuating the conveyor screw in said delivery conduit independently of the conveyor screw in said receiving conduit.

16. In a stoker, the combination of a fuel conduit system including. a fuel receiving portion and a fuel delivery portion having communication with the fuel receiving portion, a conveyor screw in said fuel receiving portion, a conveyor screw in said fuel delivery portion, the adjacent ends of said conveyor screws being offset from each other, a hopper formed in the delivery portion of said conduit system, said hopper having an opening exposing a portion of the conveyor screw therein whereby a charge of fuel may be fed manually into the hopper directly onto said conveyor screw, and drive means for said conveyor screws including a gear train at the rear of said fuel receiving portion for operating the conveyor screw therein, a prime mover for operating said gear train, shafting operable by said gear train and leading forwardly therefrom for operating. the conveyor screw in said delivery portion from its rearward end, and a clutch device operatively associated with said drive means for actuating the conveyor screw in said delivery portion of the conduit system independently of the conveyor screw in said receiving portion.

17. In a stoker, the combination of a fuel conduit system including a fuel receiving portion and a fuel delivery portion, a screw conveyor in said fuel receiving portion and a screw conveyor in said fuel delivery portion, the adjacent ends of said screw conveyors being offset from each other, the screw conveyor in the second named portion receiving the fuel delivered thereto by the screw conveyor in the first named conduit portion, said delivery portion of the conduit system having an opening therein exposing a portion of its screw conveyor whereby fuel may be fed manually through said opening directly onto said screw conveyor, and means for driving said screw conveyors from their rearward ends from a common source of power including a clutch operable to actuate the screw conveyor in said delivery portion of the conduit system independent of the screw conveyor in said receiving portion.

18. In a stoker, the combination of a receiving conduit, a delivery conduit arranged to receive fuel discharged from said receiving conduit, the adjacent ends of said conduits being'offset from each other, a screw conveyor in each of said conduits, said delivery conduit having a portion thereof constructed in the form of a hopper opening upwardly exposing a portion of the screw conveyor in said delivery conduit whereby fuel may be fed manually through the hopper directly onto said screw conveyor, a crusher in said hopper, a crusher in said receiving conduit at the discharge end thereof, and means for driving said screw conveyors from their rearward ends from a common source of power including a clutch operable to actuate the screw conveyor in said delivery conduit independent of the screw conveyor in said receiving conduit.

19. In a stoker, the combination of a receiving conduit, a delivery conduit arranged to receive fuel discharged from said receiving conduit, the adjacent ends of said conduits being ofiset from each other, a screw conveyor in each of said conduits, said delivery conduit having a portion thereof constructed in the form of a hopper opening upwardly exposing aportion of the screw conveyor in said delivery conduit whereby fuel may be fed manually through the hopper directly onto said screw conveyor, a crusher in said hopper, and means for driving'said conveyors from their rearward ends from a common source of power.

20. In a stoker, the combination of a receiving conduit, a delivery conduit arranged to receive fuel discharged from said receiving conduit, the adjacent ends of said conduits being offset from each other, a screw conveyor in each of said conduits, said delivery conduit having a portion thereof constructed in the form of a hopper opening upwardly exposing a portion of the screw conveyor in said delivery conduit whereby fuel may be fed manually through the hopper directly onto said screw conveyor, a crusher in said hopper, and means for driving said screw conveyors from their rearward ends from a common source of power including a clutch operable to actuate the screw conveyor in said delivery conduit independent of the screw conveyor in said receiving conduit.

21. In a, locomotive provided with a firebox having a firing opening therein and a tender having a fuel bin and a firing floor extending from said fuel bin to said firebox, the combination of a receiving conduit mounted on the tender to receive fuel from said bin, a delivery conduit arranged to receive fuel discharged from said receiving conduit and to deliver it to said firing opening, the adjacent ends of said conduits being offset from each other, a screw conveyor in each of said conduits, said delivery conduit at its receiving end being constructed in the form of a hopper, a crusher in said hopper, a crusher in said receiving conduit at the discharge end thereof, said firing floor having an opening therein communicating with said hopper for manual feeding of fuel thereto, and means for drving said conveyors from their rearward ends from a common source of power including a clutch operable to actuate the screw in said delivery conduit independent of the screw in said receiving conduit.

22. In a locomotive provided with a firebox having a firing opening therein and a tender having a fuel bin and a firing floor extending from said fuel bin to said firebox, the combination of a receiving conduit mounted on the tender to receive fuel from said bin, a delivery conduit arranged to receive fuel discharged from said receiving conduit and to deliver it to said firing opening, the adjacent ends of said conduits being offset from each other, a screw conveyor in each of said conduits, said delivery conduit at its receiving end being constructed in the form of a hopper, a crusher in said hopper, said firing floor having an opening therein, communicating with said hopper for manual feeding of fuel thereto, and means for driving said conveyors from their rearward ends from a common source of power including a clutch operable to actuate the screw in said delivery conduit independent of the screw in said receiving conduit.

23. In a locomotive provided with a firebox having a firing opening therein and a tender having a fuel bin and a firing fioor extending from said fuel bin to said firebox, the combination of a receiving conduit mounted on the tender to receive fuel from said bin, a delivery conduit arranged to receive fuel discharged from said receiving conduit and to deliver it to said firing opening, the adjacent ends of said conduits being oflset from each other, a screw conveyor in each of said conduits, said delivery conduit having a portion thereof constructed in the form of a hopper opening upwardly exposing a portion of the screw conveyor in said delivery conduit whereby fuel may be fed manually through the hopper directly onto said screw conveyor, a crusher in said hopper, said firing floor having an opening therein communicating with said hopper for manual feeding of fuel thereto, and means for driving said conveyors from their rearward ends from a common source of power.

24. In a conveyor, the combination of a conduit system including a receiving portion and a delivery portion, a, conveyor screw in each of said portions, said delivery portion having an opening therein exposing a portion of its conveyor screw whereby material may be fed manually through said opening directly onto said conveyor screw, and drive means for said conveyor screws including a gear train at the rear of said receiving conduit arranged for operative engagement with the conveyor screw therein, means for operating said gear train, a shaft operable by said gear train and leading forwardly therefrom for operating the conveyor screw in said delivery conduit from its rearward end, and a clutch device operatively associated with said drive means for actuating the conveyor screw in said delivery conduit independently of the conveyor screw in said receiving conduit.

JOHN W. MYERS.

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