US2044001A - Stoker - Google Patents

Description

June 16, 1936. w HANNA 2,044,001

STOKER Original Filed June 18, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 N V EN TOR. [[1721 am Mam/2m 72 fi amza B Y B 9M7 m $5M W. T. HANNA STOKER June 16, 1936.

Original Filed June 18, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 v ai.

- June 16, 1936. w, T, HANNA STOKER Original Filed June 18, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. lVzZZz'am 7% 002,010 M72224 M ATTORNEYS;

June 16, 1936. T, HANNA 2,044,001 ,v

STOKER Original Filed June 18, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 370 I 3Z0 2 F7517 INVENTORQ.

S 8 fiz'liz'azzzT/zampmzzfifzima BY gm and 901m WW I I? 1,4 ZTORNEYS Patented June 16, 1936 UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE- Application June 18, 1928, Serial No. 286,222 Renewed November 17, 1934 32 Claims. (01. 110 101) This invention relates to stokers in general,

but particularly to stokers-for use on locomotives An object of the invention is to provide a stoking mechanism for. conveying coal from a trough beneath a coal hopper in a tender to a point on the locomotive and therefrom distributing it over v the firebox, inaccordance with the varying requirements of different areas of the fire bed, in

a continuous, uniform, effective and efficient manner so as to produce a more uniform combustion over the entire surface thereof and thereby insure the greatest efiiciency from the fuel. Another object of the invention is to provide a stoker mechanism of this character which regulates, or conditions, spreads, deflects, levels, etc.

the fuel prior to its passage through a. firing opening of the fire box.

Anotherobject is to provide a stoker mechanism of this character which controls the direc-' to provide at all times a clear observation of the 30 condition of the fire bed, and to permit unobstructed use of the firing rake or hook, and the shovel, whereby the fiow of fuel may be observed and/or assisted manually.

A further object of the invention is to provide 35 a stoker of this character, in which the action or. movement of the coal, immediately prior 'to its entering the firing opening, may be readily ob-' served by merely opening the fire door, and without displacing or interfering with the operation 40 of any of the stoker mechanism. I

A further object of the invention is to provide a stoker of this character, which is capable of assisting in and decreasing the resistance to the movement of the coal immediately prior to its approach to the firing opening.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a stoker of this characterwhich is of simple and compact design and of sturdy con-" struction, thus economizing space in the locomo- 50 tive' cab, and insuring long life.

It is another object of the invention to provide -a housing for use in connection with a'stoker of the class described which is. adapted to direct the flow of fuel therethrough insuch a way as to off- 55 set any tendency for the creation of a back pressure, and whichis designed to aid the flow of fuel therethrough in the direction of the firing openmg. I

Another object is to provide control means for use in connection with a stoker mechanism which 5 are adapted to control the direction of, and the rate of flow of the fuel passing from the exterior to the interior of the fire box.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved distributing device for use in con- 10 nection with a stoker mechanism of the above described character which provides for an improved efliciency and uniformity of distribution of the fuel supplied thereto overthe fire bed.

Another object is to provide an improved con- 15 veying mechanism for use in connection with a stoker mechanism of the character above described which effects a more positive and uniform fiow of fuel from the tender hopper to the firing opening.

Another object is to provide a conveying system for use in connection with a stoker of the above character described which provides a mechan ically flexible conduit for the fuel between the tender hopper and the firing opening of the fire box.

Another object is to provide fuel regulating, conditioning, spreading, directing and/ or leveling means for use in connection with a stoker of the above described character which are so designed and mounted as to spread the fuel preparatory to its entering the firing opening-and which are capable of operating upon the fuel at or near the firing opening without restraining the flow of fuel.

Theseand other apparent objects and advan- .tages are obtained by the means described in the following specifications and disclosed in the accompanying'drawings, wherein Fig. 1 shows a vertical sectional view of a stoker 40 mechanism embodying this invention, taken substantially on a longitudinal center line.

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of the same, taken substantially on a line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

- Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the same, taken substantially on a line 3--3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation partially in vertical longitudinal section showing a stoker of this character coacting with a locomotive and a tender.

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a distributing plate and a blast chamber shown in Fig. 1, and showing the cooperative relation of one to the other.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of the parts shown in Fig. 5, as viewed from the inside of the firebox Fig. 7 is a vertical section (partly in elevation) of the parts shown in Fig. 5, and their relation to the spillway of the fuel housing, and showing the distributor plate in its advanced or forward position.

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 5, showing the distributor plate in a receded position.

Fig. 9 is a sectional View of the change-gear mechanism for operating the fuel distributing vanes in low gear.

Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 are the same as Fig. 9 except that certain parts are in different positions.

Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the interior of a housing of Fig. 1 with certain moving parts removed.

Fig. 13 is a vertical section taken on line I3-I3 of Fig. 3.

In the drawings, numeral I represents the backhead of a locomotive fire box having the usual firing opening 2. Located within the firing opening is fuel distributing mechanism, generally indicated at I8, for distributing over the fire bed fuel fed through said firing opening. Embracing this opening and rigidly mounted on the backhead, is a fuel housing 3 having a downwardly and rearwardly projecting extension 4 substantially in the form of a conduit and encompassing the delivery end of a conveyor 5. The

extension 4 is preferably arranged to have an increasing cross-sectional area as it approaches the firing opening (see Fig. 3) and this acts to offset any tendency of the fuel to clog while passing therethrough. The conveyor 5 is rotatively sup-' ported in a conduit 8 and has its rear end operatively connected to a conveyor 1 suitably supported for rotation in a fuel trough 8 on a tender 8. The conveyor 1 is preferably arranged without any center bearing so that the flight thereof is unbroken and thus the efficiency of the conveyor is not reducedby any dead-spot such as would be present were a center bearing employed. The conveyor 5 is preferably formed so as to have greater volumetric capacity than the conveyor 1, thus providing greater freedom of movement of the fuel in the conduit 6, and obviating congestion within the tender hopper? This result may be produced in various ways but in the form shown is accomplished by making the conveyor 5 of larger diameter than the conveyor 1., Furthermore, in the present embodiment the conveyor 1 is preferably formed with the hub portion tapering toward the delivery end thereof in order to further facilitate the freedom of movement of the fuel and it will be evident that the same construction may be incorporated in the conveyor 5. The conveyor 5, while herein shown as comprising a single flight worm may, if desired, be constructed with multiple flights as disclosed in my United States Patent No. 1,560,083.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the connections between the hopper 8 and the conduit 6, and belocked together by means of a collar I04 having an inner spherical surface I05 similar to that of the spherical surface I03. It is clear that this arrangement. forms a ball and socket connection between the conduit 6 and the hopper 8.

The flexible connection between the conduit 6 and the extension 4 is also of a ball and socket type, as shown in Figl-l, and is effected by fitting the end of the conduit 6 joining the extension 4 with a collar I06. The collar I06 is preferably provided with a close but slidable flt over the end of the conduit 6 and is provided with an outer spherically shaped surface I01. The end of the extension 4 joining the conduit 6 is likewise provided with a flared end having an inner spherically shaped surface I08 which has substantially the same radius as the surface I01, and consequently is adapted to fit over the surface I 01. The collar I06 is held in place in the socket formed by the surface I08 by means of a collar I09, having a spherical surface IIO adapted to flt over the surface I01 and is preferably secured to the extension 4 by bolts, screws or the like (not shown).

With this arrangement I accomplish many new and highly advantageous results. For example, the arrangement provides for a substantially universal joint between the extension 4 and the hopper 8 whereby any change in relative position with respect to a horizontal plane or with respect to a longitudinal center line will not I create stresses or strains in the conveying system. Further, the particular connection between the conduit 6 and the extension 4, as afforded by the collar I01, provides for a sliding of the conduit 8 toward and away from the extension 4- whereby displacement of the tender from the locomotive is accommodated. 1

Referring now to the construction of the housing conduit 3 and elevating conduit ,4--by forming the elevating conduit 4 and the housing 3 in separate pieces I am able to adapt a single size of my new stoker to many different types of locomotives and tenders. For example, in different locomotives, the vertical distance between and by making extensions 4 of different lengths- With this provision my stoker mechanism may be adapted to the particular distance existing between the firing opening and the floor of any one locomotive by attaching a housing of standard size to the back head and then attaching .to the housing an extension 4 of the desired length.

The said conveyor 5, while herein shown as comprising a single flight worm may, if desired, be constructed with multiple flights as disclosed in my United States Patent No. 1,560,083. The said conveyor 1 carries a gear I0, through which it is driven by a shaft II suitably mounted for rotation on the frame of the trough 8 and carrying a gear (not shown) which engages the gear I0. The shaft II has operative engagement with a steam motor,,or other source of motive power, I2, through suitable connection as,-for example, the telescopic shaft I3. The conveyor 5 and its conduit 6, the conveyor 1 and trough 8, and the construction and operationv thereof, together with the operating mechanism therefor, are all of well known construction and do not enter prl- 'or free ends.

marily into this invention except in so far as the elements of these features are combined with the novel features of this invention.

Referring now to the fuel conditioning mech-' anism it is common practice on many railroads to use in locomotives what is known as run of the mine coal which is a mixture of pieces of all sizes from large lumps to fine particles. This fuel is more or less cohesive, particularly when wet,

and in its passage through the conduit from the tender hopper to the housing about the firing opening, it is subjected to considerable pressure which acts to compact the mass into a solid body or column. Upon entering the housing this column normally tends to rise until its free end comes into contact with the wall of the housing extending over the conduit, whereupon the top of the column breaks off and falls in alarge chunk or in chunks, whichare not suitable for feeding to the firebox. To eliminate the formation of these large chunks and to insure a regulated and efiicient presentation of the fuel to the fire, I have provided within the housing 3 a. fuel conditioning and regulating device whichacts upon the column of fuelrising in the conduit to spread the fuel and transform it into form relatively thinner than the bulk of the fuel in the conduit and 'to regulate the presentation of the fuel to the fire box. In thinning the fuel in this manner, its form is changed as to thickness or density, consistency, etc., and the fuel reaches the distributing mechanism in a manner and condition conducive to eflicient distribution over the fire. In the particular form shown the fuel conditioning device comprises a pair of tapered rotary vanes or worms I4 and I5 which not only break up and thinthe mass but act' to spread or otherwise condition the loose fuel before the firing opening so that it may pass freely over the ledge 3--a in a manner somewhat similar to a fluid passing in lateral waves over a spillway. The vanes I4 and I5 are suitably journaled in cap plates I6 and I1 forming part of the side walls of the housing and are preferably so positioned relative to the housing and the firing opening as to cause relatively little resistance to the flow of fuel.

To facilitate the flow of the fuel through the housing 3 and to assist further in the operation of the tapered worms I4 and I5, the housing 3,

ing concentric with surfaces containing the respective. peripheries of the vanes I4 and I5. In this way the vanes I4 and I5 are,-in effect, recessed in the front wall 3--eof the housing 3, and to some extent are removed from the direct path of the fuel as will be'hereinafter described in greater detail.

The surfaces H3 and H4 intersect the surface of the forward wall 3e of the housing 3 to form edges or ledges H5 and H6 respectively, over which thefuel rising from the extension 4 flows into the recesses I II and H2 to be acted on by the worms I4 and I5 respectively as will be hereiriafter described.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, worms I4 and I5 are shown as tapering toward their unmounted With this construction the fuel handling capacity of each worm is greater at its mounted end (where the vane is largest) than at its free end (where the vane is smallest) and so as fuel moves from the mounted toward the free end of each worm, it is caused to move away from the worms and is delivered over the ledge 3a.

To further the tendency of the fuel to flow over into the respective recesses III and H2 and into the range of the fuel conditioning or spreading devices" I4 and I5, I prefer to form the housing 3 in such a way that a portion of the back wall 3d,

Fig. 1, slants toward the frontwall of the housing, generally indicated at 3-e. By thus restricting the distance between the top of the wall portion 3'- d and the front wall portion 3--e, as shown in Fig. 1, but at the same time increasing the distance between the side walls of the housing 3, an increased tendency is effected for the fuel to flow to the sides of the housing and consequently over the edges H5 and H6 into the recesses III and H2. and into the range of thev fuel spreading devices I4 and I5.

From the foregoing it is clearthat the fuel entering the housing 3 from the extension '4 is acted upon by the devices I4 and I5 which distribute and transform the fuel issuing from the extension 4 into form relatively thinner than the bulk of fuel in the extension 4 and regulate the presentation of the fuel over the ledge of spillway 3a. from whence it fiows to a blast chamber I8 (Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8), which blast chamber is positioned inside the firing opening 2 di- I rectly in front of and below the ledge 3a. The

blast chamber I8 is provided with a plurality of fingers I9 through which jets of relatively high pressure steam may be directed.

As shown in Fig. 6 the top portions of the fingers I9 slope downwardly and forwardly into the fire box, and, in effect, form a grating, the fingers I9 forming the ridges of the grating, and the openings H9 forming the openings between the ridges or fingers I9. fuel flowing over the grating formed by the fingers I9 is, in effect, screened, the larger particles riding over the fingers and the smaller particles of the fuel falling through the elongated openings I I9.

Further, the fingers I9 arearranged in a fanformation whereby the openings I I9 between the fingers diverge thereby eliminating any tendency for particles of fuel to become wedged between the fingers I9.

Likewise,- the jets of steam directed into the fire box through the fingers I9 are directed in a fan-formation to enable the distributing device,

1 including the blast chamber I8 and a distributing plate (generally indicated at 3|), to distribute the fuel over all portions of the fire bed. Referring to Figures 5, 6 and 7 a plurality of other series of jets 20 and 2| are also provided in the chamber I8 arranged to the right and left sides of the fingers I9, and in a lower plane. Still another With this arrangement,

opening 2? is provided in the blast chamber I8 in tions of operation I may find it desirable to vary' these arrangements of high and low presssure steam. I

The blast chamber I8 is provided with arms l8-a and |8--b which serve as conduits for the passage of the steam, and by means of which the said chamber is pivotally supported in the side walls of the housing 3 by pipe sections 23 and 24 which are secured respectively in the side walls thereof and which pivotally supportthe respective arms |8--a and |8b. Said pipe sections are coupled to the high and low pressure steam lines 25 and 26 by means of the unions 21 and 28, and the steam therein is controlled by means of valves 29 and 30. If at any time it is desired to temporarily displace the blast chamber I8 from the fire box, it may be turned backwards through the firing holeswinging around thepivots 23 and 24 and caused to rest upon the top of the coal in the housing 3.

Immediately below the blast chamber IS in the fire box is the distributor plate 3|, normally stationary but slidably mounted for adjustment, by means of extensions 3|a resting upon lugs 32, Figs. 3 and 7, projecting from the housing 3 and additionally supported by the lugs 3|-'b, which bear against lugs 33, also projecting from the housing 3, Figs. 1 and '7.

The blast chamber l8 rests on the distributor plate 3 I and by means of its pivoted arrangement serves to lock it in position, that is serves to prevent its being inadvertently raised from the supportinglugs 32 and 33. However, when it is desired to remove the distributing plate from the fire box, or for any other reason to raise it from the lugs 32 and 33, this may be accomplished by first turning back the blast chamber l8 by swinging it around the pivots 23 and 24 to free the plate 3| and then raising the plate from the lugs 32 and 33.

The distributor plate 3| is of a design which serves to distribute the fuel over the fire bed in an efficient manner, and particularly as regards the back corners of the fire box, which sections of the fire bed are reached mainly by means of the channels 3|--c. I further increase the efficiency of the distributing device by the particular arrangement of surfaces '3|d and 3|e as shown. It is preferable to form the surface 3 -d in a substantially horizontal plane and in such a position that steam jets striking the plate 3|-d are deflected therefrom, thereby carrying particles of fuel thereon over the channel 3|-c to deposit the fuel immediately in front of the distributing device.

I prefer' to form the surface 3|e inclining slightly forwardly and downwardly into the fire' box whereby steam issuing from the jets l9 and 20 (the steam jets expanding along their median lines) do not strike the plate or surface 3|-e in such a Way as to cause the steam jets to deflect therefrom. Consequently any tendency'for the jets to carry fuel upwardly and into the stack is substantially offset by this arrangement of-the surface 3|--e. In other words, the arrangement of the plate 3|-e in such a manner causes the steam jets issuing from the blast chamber to remain approximately parallel to the fire bed, thereby to carry more effectively the fuel straight out over the fire box.

The surface 3|--e of the distributor plate 3| is positioned beneath the grating formed by the fingers l9, and accordingly the finer fuel particles falling between the fingers l9 fall there; thus the surface 3|-e coacts with the blasts of steam issuing from the slit 22 to efficiently and uniformly distribute the finer particles over the fire bed. In like manner, the channels 3|-c coact with the low pressure jets 20 and 2| to scatter and distribute fuel into the near corners of the fire box.

In order that the distributor plate may serve to cover more effectively the back corners of the fire bed, its position longitudinally of the fire bed may be varied by means of crank shaft 34, Fig. l, suitably journaled in bearings on the housing 3 and having a handle 34-11 and an arm 35 keyed therewith which latter is linked to the distributor plate by means of the link 36. forward position of the distributor plate is shown in Fig '7, and a receded position thereof is shown in Fig. 8.

I have also provided means for cooling the distributor plate. To this end the blast chamber is provided withextensions |8c which are chambered to connect with one of the steam conduits and each of said extensions is provided with one or more openings 66 whereby jets of steam may be suitably directed to the underneath side of said distributor plate.

With this novel construction and arrangement of the blast chamber l8 and distributing plate 3|. I accomplish new and highly advantageous results. For example, as the mass of fuel (which consists of a heterogeneous mixture of large and small particles) fiows over the ledge 3a onto the blast chamber,|8, the fingers I9 act to screen the fuel to separate the larger from the smaller particles whereby the larger particles flowing over the ends of the fingers are picked up by the high pressure jets of steam issuing therefrom and are carried to the far parts of the fire bed, but are not carried out of the fire box into the stack of the locomotive, the steam pressure being controlled to prevent such operation. The smaller particles falling between the fingers onto the surface 3|-e do not immediately come into contact with the high pressure jets, but are picked up by the low pressure ribbon jet of steam issuing from the jet 22 and are swept over the surface 3|-e and are thus carried effectively to all parts of the fire box without being carried out of the stack by the high pressure jets. As

the low pressure jets expand upwardly, and thehigh pressure jets expand downwardly, the two meet in a neutralizing zone, which also aids in the desired distribution of the finer particles over the fire bed.

One of the elements tending to perfect this unique and'highly advantageous distribution of the finer particles over the fire bed is the par- The advanced or ticular construction of the surface 3|e and its particular relative position with respect to the low pressure steam jet 22, for this arrangement and construction serves to govern the ultimate course which the finer particles are to take.

' From the foregoing it is evident that the worms I4 and I5 aid in the effective distribution of the coal by the distributing means. Another advantage of the worms (and one which arises from the construction wherein the fuel handling capacity of each worm is less at its free than at its mounted end) is that the waves of fuel presented to the distributing means by the worms contain more fuel at the start of their progress over the ledge than at the finish, so that more fuel per unit area is delivered to the respective sides of the distributing means than to the central' portion. Consequently, more fuel per unit area is delivered to the respective sides of the fire box than to the central portion. One of the might otherwise short circuit the draft through the rest of the body.

Referring again to the housing 3, it is provided with means for varying the effective lateral length of the ledge 3-a, for controlling the fiow of fuel passing over saidledge. While this result may be accomplished in various ways, in the present illustration I have provided laterally adjustable members 31-38 slidably mounted in the side walls of the housing 3 and resting upon the ledge 3-1:, thereby constituting in effect a continuation of said ledge. Said members are arched in crosssection so as to extend over the vanes I4 and I5, and are beveled away from the inner ends. The members/31 and 38' may be independently adjusted laterally with respect to the housing so that they not only control the effective length of the ledge 3--a, but also move the effective length of said ledge to one side or the other of the firing opening, to direct a greater volume of fuel to the rightor to the left sides of the blast chamber l8 as desired. The operating means for these members 31 and 38 comprise levers 39 and 49 (Fig. 2) pivotally supported upon pins 4i and 42, mounted in lugs 3-b extending from the housing 3. The levers are arranged to have operating engagement with the members 31 and 38 through pins 43 and ,44.

The coal propelling and conditioning vanes l4 and 15 may be actuated in any suitable manner, but in this instance I have provided each vane with an independent change-gear device, by means of which the speed of rotation of either vane may be varied as desired, or the rotation of either vane stopped. This change-gear device may be constructed in various ways, but in this instance'I have provided a bevel gear 45 slid ably mounted upon, but keyed to the shaft 46, which is the spindle of either of the vanes l4-I5. A collar 46-a pinned to the shaft 46 serves to confine the said shaft longitudinally in its bearing in the cap 16 or 1. Positioned between the body of the gear 45 and the bearing cap 86 or 11 and journaled upon the hub of the gear 45, is one arm of a yoke 41, the other arm of which provides a bearing for a bevel gear 48 having a shaft 49, the same being in axial alignment with the shaft 46 and slidably supported in a housing 5|, which is rigidly attached to the cap H5 or 11 and serves to enclose the changegear mechanism. A collar 49-a pinned to the shaft 49 serves to confine the said shaft longitudinally in its, bearing in yoke 41. The body of the yoke 41 carries a bearing stud 52, upon which is journaled a gear 53, having rigidly attached thereto a gear 54, which latter is arranged to mesh with the gear 48, gear 53 being arranged to mesh upon occasion with a gear 55 secured to the shaft 46. The relation of the gear 45 to the yoke 41 is maintained by means of the pin 56 anchored into said yoke, and which projects into a groove 45a in the hub of the gear 45. The

yoke 41 is provided with a handle 51, preferably in the form of an extension of the stud 52, and by means of which the lateral position of the yoke 41 may be changed, as shown in Figs. 9, 10, and 11. The housing 5| is preferably provided with an opening 5I-a comprising a series of notches (Fig. 3), one for each position of the said yoke. Journaled in the housing 5| is a shaft 58 which carries a gear 59 secured to one end thereof, the other end of said shaft terminating in a' yoke 58a, which is one of the elements of a universal joint through which the shaft 58 may be rotated in any suitable manner, such as for example a rotating telescopic shaft 60 (Fig. 2) which is connected to the motive power for the stoker, I

A steam motor I2, by means of which the conveyors and the coal-conditioning propeller vanes are operated, may be of any suitable character, but I have here shown a power device like that disclosed in my United States Patent No.

1,577',462, in which the primary transmission element comprises a rack and pinion, such as the rack 6| and pinion 62; and itis this form of primary-transmission element that I prefer to have embodied in the power device for operating a stoker of the character described herein. In conjunction with the power device, I prefer to have .a control lever 63 suitably mounted thereon and arranged to be indexed into one of a series of positions, such as, for example, one position for forward motion of the vanes |4--l5, and another position for reverse motion thereof. If desired, a third position may be utilized for stopping rotation of the shafts 60. I alsoprefer tohave in conjunction with the power device a control lever 64, for starting and stopping rotation of the conveyor 1. c

The housing 3 is also provided with an opening 3-c on the far side thereof, and embracing this opening is a conventional form of fire door plate 65, upon which may be mounted the usual automatic fire door, such as for example the Franklin butterfly type. As shown in Figs. 1

' and 2, the fire door opening 3-c is positioned in the rear wall of the housing '3 in such a way that 4 over the ledge 3-a onto the blast chamber l8 Further, this ar- 1 and -over the fire bed itself. rangement provides easy access to the fuel rising from the extension 4 in the event of large lumps of fuel or extraneous material clogging the passageway at this point. Thus, with this construction and arrangement I overcome the disadvantage existing in mechanical stokers heretofore used for locomotives which have not afforded such easy access to the path of the fuel just as it enters the firing opening.

In operation of this stoker mechanism, the coal flows from the tender to the trough 8, beneath the deck of the tender, and is transferred therefrom forward toward and to the locomotive by the rotation of the conveyor 1 and also the conveyor 5; the latter delivering the fuel' into the housing 3, whereupon; due to the contour of the cross-section of said housing, the fuel i presented to the rotating vanes l4 and I5 and the further movement of fuel is controlled by the action of the said vanes. The vanes 'act on the fuel and condition it by spreading, leveling, deflecting and directing it in such a manner that it passes over the ledge 3--a in a continuous stream having transverse waves. The fuel, thus dire'cted over the ledge 3-a, falls upon and fiows over the blast chamber [8. The blast chamber 18 tends to screen it, and further distribute it by scattering the larger lumps of fuel flowing over the fingers I9 and allowing the smaller particles to fall onto the distributor plate, from which they are scattered over the fire by means of the blasts of steam emitting from the jets 20, 2|, and 22 of the blast chamber.

While I have shown and described a particular construction embodying this invention as applied to a locomotive, it is to be understood that the same is for the purpose of illustration only, and that I am not limited to the detailed features thereof, as it is understood that the construction maybe variously modified and altered without in any manner departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a stoker mechanism, in combination, a

fire box having a firing opening, a fuel supply housing embracing said opening and provided with a ledge extending-across said firing opening and constituting in effect a spillway, means for conveying fuel to said housing, means for varying the effective length of said ledge, a plurality of rotating fuel-moving vanes positioned adjacent said ledge and adapted to advance fuel from said supply housing through the effective length of said ledge and into said firebox, and actuating means for each of said vanes.

2. In a stoker, a fuel-supply housing having a delivery opening including a ledge which constitutes in effect a'spillway, means for varying the effective length of said ledge, a fuel-advancing and distributing device mounted within said housing for rotary motion. and' adapted to cause fuel to flow over said ledge, a device for feeding fuel into said housing, and means for causing said advancing and distributing device to be rotated.

,3. In astoker, a fuel-supply housing having a delivery opening for supplying fuel to a furnace, including a ledge which constitutes in effect a spillway, means for varying the effective length of said ledge and its relative position laterally of said opening, a fuel-propelling device a mounted within said housing for rotary motion and adapted to cause fuel to fiow over said ledge, a device for feeding fuel into said housing, and means for causing said propelling device to be rotated. i

4. In a locomotive stoker, in combination, a fire box having a firing opening, a. fuel tender, a conduit leading fromthe fuel tender to said opening, means operating within said conduit to move a column of fuel therein to a point near said opening, and converging worms disposed in proximity to the walls of said firing opening and coacting therewith to spread the fuel at said opening.

5. In a stoker, in combination, a firebox having a boiler head provided with a firing opening, a fuel supply conduit leading to said opening, means for advancing the fuel within said c'onduit, a pair of rotary worms disposed in the proximity of said opening in the path of the advancing fuel, acting to destroy the cohesion .of the mass of fuel while said fuel is approximately free fromrestraint, and means for actuating said worms.'

6.In a stoker, in combination, a firebox provided with a firing opening, a fuel supply conduit leading to said opening, means for advancing the fuel within said conduit, a pair of converging rotary worms disposed in said conduit in the proximity of said opening and in the path of the advancing fuel, said worms acting to destroy the cohesion of the massof fuel while said fuel is approximately free from restraint, and means for actuating said worms.

'7. In a stoker for a fire box, the combination of a housing embracing a fire box opening, a fuel conduit extending downwardly from the housing to a source of fuel supply, means for moving fuel through the conduit into the housing, a pair of spiral vanes rotatably mounted in the housing in opposite sides thereof and extending forwardly and laterally over the conduit into the path of the fuel delivered therefrom to loosen and spread the fuel in the housing, and then feed it to the fire box.

8. In a stoker, in combination, a fire box having a firing opening, a distributor plate associated with said opening and located in said fire box, and a blast chamber associated with said distributor plate for distributing fuel supplied to said'plate over said fire box; a conduit for conveying fuel from a source of supply to said opening, and including a housing embracing said opening, screw conveyer mechanism in said conduit for forcing fuel therethrough and into said housing; tapered rotary worms mounted in said housing, disposed in proximity to the wall below said firing opening, the periphery .of said worms extending slightly into the path of the fuel coming from said conduit and extending slightly above the lower edge of said firing opening, said worms regulating the fiow of fuel from said housing through said opening on to said distributor plate by continually undermining the column of fuel and delivering it through the firing opening in a series of waves, each wave progressing from the sideof the opening toward the center thereof.

9. In a stoker, in combination, a fire box having a firing opening, a conduit for conveying fuel from asource of fuel supply to said opening, the portionof said conduit joining said fire box being shaped to extend over substantially the entire length of the lower edge of said firing opening; at least one taperedrotary worm mounted in said conduit and disposed in proxsaid worm regulating the flow of fuel from said housing through said opening by spreading it over and delivering it through the firing opening.

10. In a stoker, in combination, a fire box having a firing opening, a fuel transfer conduit for conveying fuel from a source of fuel supply to said firing opening, a concave fuel supporting ledge formed in and extending transversely of a lower wall of said conduit below and to the rear of said firing opening, the edge of said ledge adjacent said fire box terminating at the lower edge of saidfiring opening; a rotary screw mounted in said conduit, the lower portion of said screwbeing embraced by said fuel supporting ledge; and means in said conduit for forcing a column of fuel to flow through said conduit from said fuel supply to the edge of said ledge farthest removed from said fire box, said rotary screw being adapted to move .the fuel thereunder across said fuel supporting ledge, and up onto the lower edge of said firing opening.

11. In a stoker, in combination, a fire box having a firing opening, a fuel transfer conduit for conveying fuel from-a source of fuel supply to said firing opening, a concave fuelsupporting ledge formed in and extending transversely of a wall of said conduit below and to the rear of said firing opening, the edge of said ledge a'djacent said fire box terminating at the lower edge of said firing opening; a rotary screw mounted in said conduit, the lower portion of said, screw being embraced by said fuel supporting ledge; and means in said conduit for forcing a column of fuel to flow through said conduit from said supply to the edge of said ledge farthest removed from said fire box; said screw slanting forwardly toward said firing opening and tapering as it approaches said firing opening whereby fuel delivered to said ledge and acted upon by said screw'is carried thereunder and across said fuel supporting ledge in a diagonal path up onto the .lower edge of said firing opening.

12. In a stoker, in combination, a fire box having a firing opening, a conduit connecting a source of fuel supply with. said opening, and a screw conveyer in said conduit for forcing the fuel therethrough to said opening; at least one rotary worm having one end mounted in said conduit so. that said worm is located adjacent said opening below and, to the rear thereof, ex-

said worm into said opening as it moves toward the end'of said worm having the smaller fuel handling capacity.

13. In a stoker mechanism, the combination with a fire box having a fuel entrance, of a conduit provided with means for moving fuel from a source of fuel supply to said entrance, means for distributing fuel fed to said entrance upon and over the fire, and fuel conditioning and rcge ulating means interposed between said fuel moving means and said distributing means for transforming the fuel into form relatively thinner thanthe condition of the fuel in the conduit and regulating the presentation of fuel to the distributing means.

14. In a stoker mechanism, the combination with a fire box having a fuel entrance, of a conduit provided with means for moving fuel from a source of fuel supply to said entrance, means for distributing fuel fed to saidentrance upon and over the fire, and fuel condition ng and regulating means interposed between said fuel moving means and said distributing means and located beneath the bulk of fuel there passing through the conduit for transforming the fuel into form relatively thinner than the condition of fuel in the conduit and regulating the presentation of fuel to the distributing means.

15. In a stoker mechanism, the combination with a fire box having a fuel entrance, of a conduit provided with means for moving fuel from a source of fuel supply to said entrance, means for distributing fuel fed to said entrance upon and overthe fire, and fuel conditioning and regulating means interposed between said fuel moving means and said distributing means for transforming the fuel into form relatively thinner than the condition of the fuel in the conduit and regulating the presentation of fuel to the distributing means, said fuel conditioning and regulating means having no operatively stationary parts extending into the bulk of fuel.

16. In astoker mechanism, the combination with a fire box'having a fuel entrance, of a conregulating the presentation of fuel to the dis tributing means, the fuelconditioning and regulating means and said conduit being arranged so that said conditioning and'regulatingmeans is unconfined whereby the fuel is substantially free from restraint while said means is acting thereon.

17.. In a stoker mechanism, thecombination with a fire box having a fuel entrance, of a conduit provided with means for moving fuel from.-

a source of fuel supply to said entrance, means for distributing fuel fed 'to said entrance upon and over the fire, and fuel conditioning and regulating means associated with said conduit and fuel entrance and interposed between said fuel moving means and'said distributing means for transforming the fuel into form relatively thinner than the condition of fuel in the conduit and regulating the presentation of fuel to the distributing means, said conduit and said fuel conditioning and regulating means being ar-- ranged so that the flow of fuelin-the conduit is approximately unobstructed bysaid fuel conditioning and regulating means. 1

18. In a stoker mechanism, the combination with a firebox having a fuel entrance, of a cond'uit provided with means for moving fuel from a source of fuel supply to said entrance, means for distributing fuel fed to said entrance upon and over the fire, and fuel conditioning and regulating means comprising a ,rotary worm interposed between said fuel moving means and said distributing means for transforming the fuel into form relatively thinner than the condition of the fuel in the conduit and regulating the presentation of fuel to the distributing means.

-19. In a stoker mechanism, the combination with a fire box having a fuel entrance, of a con-'- duit provided -with means for moving fuel from a source of fuel supply to "said entrance, means for distributing fuel fed to said entrance upon and over the fire, and fuel conditioning and regulating means comprising a rotary worm interposed between said fuel moving means and said distributing means and located beneath the bulk of the fuel passing through the conduit for transforming the fuel into form relatively thinner than the condition of the fuel in the conduit and regulating the presentation of fuel to the distributing means.

20. In a stoker mechanism, the combination v with a fire box having a fuel entrance, of a conduit provided with means for moving fuel from a source of fuel supply to said entrance, means for distributing fuel fed to said entrance upon and over the fire, and fuel conditioning and regulating means comprising a rotary; worm associated with said conduit and fuel entrance and inter- 75 distributing means for transforming the fuel into form relatively thinner than the condition of fuel in the conduit and regulating the presentation of fuel to the distributing means, the rotary worm and said conduit being so arranged that the worm is unconfined whereby the fuel is approximately free from restraint while said means is acting thereon.

21. In a stoker mechanism, the combination with a fire box having a fuel entrance, of a conduit providedwith means for moving fuel from a source of fuel supply to said entrance, means for distributing fuel fed to said entrance upon and over the fire, and fuel conditioning'and regulating means comprising a rotary worm associated with said conduit and fuel entrance and interposed between said fuel moving means and said distributing means for transforming the fuel into form relatively thinner than the condition of fuel in the conduit and regulating the presentation of fuel to the distributing means, said rotary worm having nooperatively stationary parts extending into the bulk of fuel.

22. In a stoker mechanism, the combination with a fire box having a fuel entrance, of a conduit provided with means for moving fuel from a fuel supply to said entrance, means for distributing fuel fed to said entrance upon and over the fire, and fuel conditioning and regulating means interposed between said fuel moving means and said distributing means for undermining the bulk of fuel advancing through said conduit before it reaches said entrance and feeding the same through said entrance to said distributing means in a regulated undulating stream, relatively thin as compared with the bulk of fuel in the conduit.

23. In a stoker mechanism, the combination with a fire box having a fuel entrance, of a conduit provided with means for moving fuel from a source of fuel supply to said entrance, means for distributing fuel fed to said entrance upon and over the fire, and fuel conditioning and regulating means interposed between said fuel moving means and said distributing means and for continually separating small amounts from the bulk of said fuel advancing through said conduit and then feeding the said small amounts through said entrance to said distributing means in a controlled stream, relatively thin as compared with the bulk of the fuel in the conduit.

24. In a stoker mechanism, the combination with a fire box having a fuel entrance, of a conduit provided with means for moving fuel from a source of fuel supply to said entrance, means for distributing fuel fed to said entrance 'upon and over the fire, and fuel manipulating means interposed between said fuel moving means and said distributingmeans for transforming the fuel into form relatively thinner than the condition of the fuel in the conduit and for feeding the fuel to said distributing means in series of waves moving laterally from the side of the entrance toward the center thereof and forwardly to the distributing means.

25. In a stoker mechanism, the. combination with a fire box having a fuel entrance, of a conduit provided with means for moving' fuel from a source of fuel supply to said entrance, means for distributing fuel fed to said entrance upon and over the fire, and fuel handling means interposed between said fuel moving means and said distributing means for transforming the fuel into form relatively thinner than the condition of the fuel in the conduit and for feeding the fuel to said distributing means in series of waves moving laterally from the respective sides of the entrance toward the center thereof and toward the distributing means.

26. In a stoker mechanism, the combination with a fire box having a fuel entrance, of a conduit provided with means for moving fuel from a source of fuel supply to said entrance, means for distributing fuel fed to said entrance upon and over the fire, and fuel manipulating means interposed between said fuel moving means and said distributing means for transforming the fuel into form relatively thinner than the condition of the fuel in-the conduit and for presenting the fuel to said distributing 'means in a regulated stream containing more fuel per unit area in its side portions than in its central portion whereby more fuel per unit area is supplied to the respective sides of said fire box than to the central portion thereof and undesirable side draft leaks are reduced.

27. In a stoker mechanism the combination with a fire box having a fuel entrance, of a conduit provided with means for moving fuel from a source of fuel supply to said entrance, means for distributing fuel fed to said entrance upon and over the fire, fuel handling means comprising oppositely disposed rotary worms interposed between said fuel moving means and said distributing means and extending from the sides of the conduit toward the center thereof, for regulating the presentation of the' fuel to the distributing means, the capacity of said worms being greaterat their outer ends than at their inner ends whereby more fuel per unit area is supplied to the respective sides of the distributing means than to the central portion thereof.

28. In a stoker mechanism, the combination with a fire box having a fuel entrance, of a conduit provided with means for moving fuel from a source of fuel supply to said entrance, means for distributing fuel fed to said entrance upon and over the fire, and fuel manipulating means interposed between said fuel moving means and said distributing means for transforming the fuel into form relatively thinner than the condition of the fuel in the conduit and for preforwardly toward the distributing means, the

waves containing more fuel per unit length at the start of their progress than at the finish whereby more fuel per unit area is delivered to the respective sides of the fire box than to the central portion.

29. In a stoker mechanism the combination with a fire box having a fuel entrance, of a conduit provided with means for moving fuel from a source of fuel supply to said entrance, means for distributing fuel fed to' said entrance over the fire, said conduit having a horizontal relatively narrow ledge located in the proximity of the mouth of said conduit and between said fuel moving means and said distributing means and over which the fuel flows in passing to said distributing means, and manually adjustable fiowrestricting means slidably mounted in the mouth of said conduit and extending inwardly into said conduitfrom the sides thereof, said means being slidable along said horizontal ledge for varying the effective width thereof to control the flow of fuel to the distributing means.

30. In a stoker mechanism the combination with a fire box having a fuel entrance of a conduit for conveying fuel forwardly from a source of fuel to said fuel entrance, the lower edge of the forward end of said conduit terminating at said fuel entrance and providing a narrow ledge over which the fuel flows, a blast chamber mounted in said fuel entrance immediately in front of said ledge and provided with grating means sloping downwardly and forwardly so that fuel placed on the upper portion of said grating means moves downward thereover under the force of gravity, fine fuel falling through the grating and being screened from the coarser fuel moving over the grating, said blast chamber having steam jets for distributing the screened fuel over the fire, and fuel moving means in said conduit for moving fuel therethrough including a worm flight extending approximately to and terminating slightly above said ledge for giving the fuel a final stir and push in a thin layer over' the ledge onto the upper portion of said grating means, said conduit being enlarged at said entrance and around said worm flight to leave the fuel free to loosen under the influence of said flight so that it is placed on the top of the grating means in a loose condition whence it starts moving down said grating means under the influence of gravity.

31. In a stoker mechanism the combination with a fire box having a fuel entrance of a conduit for conveying fuel forwardly from a source of fuel to said fuel entrance the lower edge of the forward end of said conduit terminating at said fuel entrance and providing a ledge over which the fuel flows, distributing apparatus mounted in said fuel entrance in front of and adjacent to said ledge for distributing fuel falling thereon from said ledge upon and over the fire, fuel moving means in said conduit for moving fuel therethrough including a worm flight, said flight and the axis thereof extending approximately to said ledge and slightly above the level thereof, for giving the fuel a final stir and push in a thin layer Over the letge whence it drops onto said distributing apparatus immediately forward of said ledge, and said conduit being enlarged around said flight to leave the fuel free to expand and loosen under the influence of said flight as it is moved over the ledge.

32. In a stoker mechanism the combination with a fire box having a fuel entrance of a conduit for conveying fuel forwardly from a source of fuel to said fuel entrance the lower edge of the forward end of said conduit terminating at said fuel entrance and providing a narrow ledge over which the fuel flows, distributing apparatus mounted in said fuel entrance in front of and adjacent to said ledge for distributing fuel falling thereon from said ledge upon and over the fire, fuel moving means in said conduit for moving fuel therethrough including a tapered worm flight the tapered end of which extends approximately to said ledge and slightly above the level thereof, for giving the fuel a final stir and push in a thin layer over the ledge whence it drops onto said distributing apparatus immediately forward of said ledge, andsaid conduit being enlarged at said entrance and around said tapered flight to leave the fuel free to loosen under the influence of said flight as it is moved over the ledge.

WILLIAM THOMPSON HANNA.

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