US2152510A - Stoker - Google Patents

Description

March 28, 1939. E. 'A. TURNER 2,152,510

. STOKER Filed Oct. 17, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Zfirc/zer Til/"2221" TTORNEY5 Mmh 28, 1939. E. A. TURNER 2,152,510

STOKER Filed Oct. 17, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 @0000 o \EQQQOOQ 0 INVENTOR.

ZArcfier 111/1221" BY Zr/MW M v ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 28, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE STOKER ration of Delaware Application October 17, 1936, Serial No. 106,071

10 Claims.

This invention relates to stokers which are adapted to feed through an opening in a furnace wall. More particularly, the invention is directed to an improved stoker for firing a loco- 5 motive boiler firebox through the usual handfiring opening in the firebox backwall.

It is the principal object of this invention to provide a stoker comprising a fuel discharge and distributing unit mounted in a communicating relation with the firing opening in the furnace wall, the said unit carrying a door rearward of the-distributor to form a closure for the opening during normal operation of the stoker, said unit receiving fuel from a delivery conduit and being pivoted about the axis thereof whereby said fuel discharge and distributing unit together with said door may be swung away from the firing opening to provide access to the interior of the furnace.

A further object of this invention resides in the provision of a stoker having the above characteristics and in which the fuel distributing means extends into the lower portion of the firing opening, and the fuel discharge means includes a chute-like elbow mounted rearward of the backwall and above said distributor meansfor guiding fuel thereto.

More specifically, it is also an object of this invention to so construct this chute that it may be readily removed from its operative position upon opening of said door whereby manual supply of fuel to said furnace direct, or to said distributing means may be effected through that portion of the firing opening above said distributing means.

It is also an object of this invention to provide fuel distributing means which is so related with the stoker of thedescribed construction that removal and replacement of the distributing means is readily rendered, as will'appear when the following descriptionof the invention is read inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is ,a vertical section through-the firing opening of a furnace showing the invention in position. with parts thereof in similar section;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the structure illustrated in Fig. 1 as viewed from a point rearward of the furnace;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line: 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken on the irregular line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view of the firing opening and associated parts of the stoker as viewed from the interior of the furnace;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken on the line fi-'6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken ment thereof, is applied to a locomotive L having a boiler II], the firebox or furnace I I and a hollow backwall I2 provided with a firing opening I3 above the cab deck I4. The firing opening I3 is of the usual elliptical form having a major axis of approximately twenty (20) inches and a minor axis of approximately sixteen (16) inches.

The stoker for supplying fuel into the firebox is indicated by S and comp-rises an upright cylindrical conduit I5 extending from a point below the cab deck I4 and terminating at one side of the firing opening I3 and below the plane of its lower edge. The cylindrical conduit I5 is rigidly secured to the backwall I2 by means of bolts such as I6 passing through the support bracket I.I. Immediately above the support bracket I? the conduit I5 is provided with a cylindrical extension I8. The means for urging fuel upwardly through the conduit I5 includes an elevating helical screw I9, the upper end of which terminates at one side of the firing opening I3 above the horizontal plane passed along its major axis. The elevating screw I9 urges fuel upwardly through the conduit I5 and into the conduit portion 20 of a fuel discharge and distributing unit A. At its lower end the conduit portion 20 is provided with a counterbored or rabbetted portion 2| which fits over the cylindrical extension I8 of the conduit I5 in a manner to provide a continuous joint "between these conduits and also for the purpose of permitting the unit A to swing about the axis of the conduit I5 as will presently appear.

The fuel discharge and distributing unit A comprises a frame element 22 which embraces the elliptical firing opening I3. A curved'elbow 24 extends inwardly from the upper end of the conduit portion 20 and opens interiorly of the frame element 22. This elbow is adapted to guide the fuel laterally into the frame element as the fuel is elevated by the helical screw I9. Atop the elbow 24 and in axial alignment with the conduits I5 and 20 there is formed a journal 25 received in a bearing member 26 which is secured to the backwall I2 by means of bolts 5. It will be thus seen that the fuel discharge and distributing unit A is pivoted with respect to the backwall [2 at one side of the firing opening 13 by reason of the interfitted cylindrical extension l8 and counterbore 2| and the journal 25 and bearing 26. I

The unit A also carries a fuel distributing means including a chambered pressure fluid member 21 and a distributing table 28, the former being secured to the frame element 22 while the latter is detachably interfitted with the pressure fluid member 21 and is situated in the lower portion of the firing opening I3. Fuel which is guided into the frame element '22 by the elbow 24 is transfered into the zone of action of the distributing means by a chute 9 which is adapted to direct fuel downwardly and laterally toward the center of the firing opening and thence inwardly toward the firebox by reason of its novel and peculiar configuration. This chute on its side remote from the. backwall .I 2 includes a wall 29 which extends upwardly across the rear of the frame element 22 in a manner to occupy the space in said frame element above the major axis of the firing opening and also at one side of the minor axis thereof. 7

The frame element 22 also carries a door 30 which, during normal operation of the stoker, forms a closure for the firing opening l3. The door comprises a pair of sections 3|, 32 which are arranged for swinging movement away from each other about their respective pivot pins 3m, 32a. Inasmuch as the construction of these doors is well known in the art, further description thereof is deemed unnecessary. It is believed sufiicient to say that these door sections may be manually operated by means of the lever 33 or by power means which includes a motor 34 and a control valve 35. The control valve 35 is rigidly secured to the frame element 22 adjacent the conduit portion 29. The control valve 35 includes a valve element 36 which is manually operable for supplying pressure fluid to the motor 34 by means of the pipe 31. The means for manually operating the valve element 36 comprises a lever 38 pivoted at 39 to the conduit 15 and being provided with a foot treadle 49 disposed a slight distance above the plane of the cab deck l4. Remote from the foot treadle 40 and on the opposite side of the pivot 39 the lever 38 is provided with an extension 4| which is operatively connected to the arm 42 by an articulated link 43. The arm 42 is pivoted at 44 whereby downward pressure on the foot treadle 40 raises the arm 42 to cause corresponding movement of the valve element 36 for admitting pressure fluid from the control valve 35 to the motor 34. Since the control valve 35 is carried by the pivotally mounted unit A, the operating means for the valve including the lever 38 and arm 42 is supported solely by the conduit l5 so that when the unit A is swung away from its position against the backwall l2, the valve operating arrangement will remain in its original position. 7

It will be observed from Figs. 1, 3 and 5 that the fuel distributing means occupies the lower portion of the frame element 22 and firing opening 13. It is also apparent that the chute 9 also occupies a considerable portion of the frame element 22 above the distributing means. While this arrangement would not preclude inspection of conditions within the firebox I I, upon opening the firedoor 30, the available space for making any manual adjustments to the fire is rather restricted by the chute 9. Therefore, this chute is so constructed that it may be easily removed from its operative position whenever it is so desired upon opening of the firedoor. In the present instance the frame element 22 adjacent the inwardly opening portion of the elbow 24 is provided with a pair of grooves 41 which extend from the outer end of the frame element toward the inner end thereof and which grooves are adapted to receive complementary shaped lugs 48 formed with the chute 9.

In order to assure that the chute 9 is properly positioned with respect to the elbow 24 the lower side of the former rests upon the upper surface of the pressure fluid jet member 21 and a pair of headed dowel pins 49 are passed between the chute 9 and the member 21. These dowel pins 49 are easily removable and upon this being done the chute 9 may be slid rearwardly when the door 30 is opened, thereby providing sufficient space in the frame element 22 above the upper surface of the jet member 21 through which space fuel may be supplied manually into the firebox I I, or through which space other adjustments of fire conditions may be made.

The pressure fluid jet member 21 comprises a plurality of chambers 50 which are arranged to discharge blasts of pressure fluid through jet apertures 5| disposed in a. plane above the upper surface of the distributing table 28. The pressure of the fluid within each chamber 59 is regulated by control valves 52, one for each passage. Each control valve 52 is interposed between a respective pressure fluid receiving chamber 50 and the pressure fluid intake passage 53. This passage 53 opens outwardly in the plane of the rear edge of the frame element 22 and is provided with a pressure fluid supply line 54 below the'firedoor section 31. Since the jet member 21 is carried by the pivotally mounted fuel discharge and distributing unit A, the pressure fluid supply line 54 is provided with a flexible hose portion 55, thereby rendering unnecessary the disconnection of the supply line 54 from the jet member 21 when the fuel discharge and distributing unit A is swung away from its position against the back- Wall l2. 7

The control valves 52 are each provided with a stem 56 and a handle 51 which extend downwardly and rearwardly from the jet member 21 to a point below the firedoor 39 and rearward of the frame element 22 whereby they are conveniently located for manipulation by the stoker Operator. stems 56 and handles 51 in no way interfere with the opening or closing of the firedoor 30 and that they are further arranged in a manner which will render easy the removal of jet member 21.

The jet member 21 is secured to the frame element 22 by bolts 69 which pass through the upright flanges 6| at each side of the jet member. Whenever it is desired to remove the jet member 21 it is only necessary to open the firedoor 30, loosen thecbolts 69 and draw the jet member 21 rearwardly. Preferably this is done when the fuel discharge and distributing element A is' swung away from its position adjacent the backwall l2 in order that the distributing plate 28 which is interlocked with the jet member 21 may first be removed. It is of course understood that chute 9 and thence withdrawing the distributing table 28 through the opening so formed. The jet member 21 may be drawn rearwardly because.

the valve stems 56 pass between the serrations 8 It is also apparent that the valvev formed :in the lower rear wall 1 of the :frame element 22. In order to exclude light rays from passing between the serrations :8, the lower portion of the door 30 :covers the upper portion of these serrations while 'a baffle wall 6 (-Figs. 1 and 3) is adapted to-shield the lower portion'thereo'f.

From the description thus far it will be apparent that sufficientprovision has beenmade for inspectingthe'fire conditions and-alsof or making certain minor adjustments thereto. Occasional ly it is necessary for mechanics to gain entrance to the interior of the firebox H for the purpose of inspecting the conditions of the fireboxsheets, tubes and grates. The space above the upper surface of the jet member '21 is not usually sufficient to permit such entrance into the firebox. Therefore the fuel discharge and distributing unit A is pivotally mounted about the axis of the conduit I5 as heretofore described.

In order that the fuel discharge and distributing unit A may be swung away from its position against the backwall l2 without removing any essential part thereof it has been necessary to devise a novel distributor plate 28. As shown in Fig. 4, the distributor plate 28 includes an upper fuel supporting wall approximately semi-circular in shape and being provided in its semicircular portion with a pair of fuel deflectors 65 which are arranged to intercept a portion of the fuel projected-over the upper wall-65 by the distributor member 21 causing the fuel intercepted to be deflected to the rear corners of the firebox ll.

From an inspection of Fig. 4 it will be apparent that as the fuel discharge and distributing unit A is swung away from the backwall l2, the semicircular portion of the plate 28 will clear the lateral portions of the backwall which define the firing opening I3. Upon swinging the fuel discharge and distributing unit A clear of the backwall I 2, the firing opening I3 will be fully exposed, thereby permitting free access to the interior of the firebox. The above described construction permits removal and renewal of the distributor plate 28, since upon swinging away-the fuel discharge and distributing unit A the distributing table 28 will be in a positionrearward of the backwall l2.

In order to firmly maintain the frame element 22 in a closing position as'shown in the drawings, a manually operable latch device 10 is provided which consists of a lug ll pivoted to the backwall upon a pin 12 and having a wedgeshaped under side 13 arranged to engage a complementary shaped wall M of the frame element 22 as clearly shown in Fig. 8. Remote from the lug H a handle portion 15 is provided for the manual engagement o-r disengagement of the latch device TB and the frame member 22. It will be apparent from Fig. 8 that asthe lug'll is moved downwardly, the Wedge-shaped under side '13 thereof firmly engages the sloping wall 14 of the frame element 22, thereby firmly looking the fuel discharge and distributing unit in its operative position with respect to the firebox backwall.

In the operation of this device, fuel delivered to the lower end of the conduit l5 by well known means is elevated by the helical screw l9 into the conduit portion 20 of the fuel discharge and distributingv unit A. The elbow 24 cooperates with the helical screw 19 to cause a lateral delivery of fuel into the frame element 22. Upon passing through the elbow .24, the fuel is urged .along thechuteS and thencerollsover infront of :the jet vmember 21 for distribution over :the

Inspection and minor adjustments of fire "condition may be:made by opening the :firedoor 30. In the event'that the delivery of fuel to the jet member 21 is .interrupted for some ,reason,-the firedoor. 30 may be opened, dowel pins 49 removed andthe chutefithence slid rearwardly away from the frame element. This provides an opening above the jet member 2 through which fuel may be supplied manually onto the distributor plate 28 or directly-into the firebox H.

From the foregoing, those versed in the .art will readily understand that by the described construction, a stoker has been provided which includes ,a fuel discharge and distributing unit arranged to embrace the firing opening and which unit, while occupying a considerable portionof the firing opening during normal operation of the stoker, is arranged to permit ready saidqconduit portion to said distributing means,

said fuel discharge and distributing unit being pivotally mounted with respect to said furnace Wall to swing about the axis of said conduit portion away from the firing opening to leave said :opening entirely exposed, and a door carried by said frame element on the side thereof remote from said furnace wall.

.2. Incombination with afurnace'having a wall with a firing opening therein, a stoker for feeding fuelto said furnace comprising a fuel discharge and distributingunit, said unit'including a frame element embracing said firing opening, a conduit portion at one side of said'firing opening and arranged to communicate with said frame element, fuel distributing means carried by said frame element, a chute within said frame element for guiding fuel from said conduit portion to said distributing means, said fuel discharge and distributing unit being pivotally mounted with respect to said furnace wall to swing about the axis of said conduitportion away fromthe firing opening to leave said opening entirely exposed, and a door carried by said frame element on the side thereof remote from said furnace wall.

3. In combination with a furnace having a wall with a firing opening therein, a stoker for feeding fuel to said furnace comprising a fuel discharge and distributing unit, said unit including a frame element embracing said firing opening, a conduit portion at one side of said firing opening and arranged to communicate with said frame element, fuel distributing means carried by said frameelement, a chute withinsaid frame element detachably connected thereto and being arranged to guide fuel from said conduit to said distributing means, said fuel discharge and distributing means being pivotally mounted-with respect to said furnace wall to swing about the-axis of said conduit portion away from the firing opening to leave said opening entirely exposed, and a door carried by saidframe element on the side thereof remote from said furnace wall, said chute being remov-- able from its position within said frame element upon opening of said door.

4. In combination with a furnace having a wall with a firing opening therein, a stoker for feeding fuel to said furnace comprising a fuel discharge and distributing unit, said unit including a frame element embracing said firing opening, a conduit portion at one side of said firing opening and arranged to communicate with said frame element, fuel distributing means including a jet member carried by said frame element arranged to project fuel into the furnace, a conveyor for urging fuel through said conduit portion, means for conducting fuel from said conduit portion to said distributing means, said fuel discharge and distributing unit being pivotally mounted with respect to said furnace wall to swing about the axis of said conduit portion away from the fixing opening to leave said opening entirely exposed, means for supplying pressure fluid to said jet member including a flexible tube, and a door carried by said frame element on the side thereof remote from said furnace wall.

5. In combination with a furnace having a wall with a firing opening therein, a stoker for feeding fuel to said furnace comprising a fuel discharge and distributing unit, said unit including a frame element embracing said firing opening, a conduit portion at one side of said firing opening and arranged to communicate with said frame element, fuel distributing means including a jet member carried by said frame element, said jet member having an intake passage and a plurality of pressure fluid chambers arranged to receive fluid under pressure from said passage, a conveyor for urging fuel through said conduit portion, means for conducting fuel from said conduit portion to said distributing means, said fuel discharge and distributing unit being pivotally mounted with respect to said furnace wall to swing about the axis of said conduit portion, means for supplying pressure fluid to the passage of said jet member, a plurality of valves in said jet member arranged to control the flow of pressure fluid from said passage to said chambers, and a door carried by said frame element on the side thereof remote from said furnace wall, said valves each being provided with a manually operable handle disposed rearward of said frame element and below said door.

6. In combination with a furnace having a wall with a firing opening therein, a stoker for feeding fuel to said furnace comprising an upwardly extending conduit fixed with respect to said furnace wall and having its axis disposed at one side of said firing opening, a fuel discharge and distributing unit including a frame element embracing said firing opening, a conduit portion rigidly formed with said frame element at one side of said firing opening seated upon said first named conduit, said fuel discharge and distributing unit being pivotally mounted about the axis of said upwardly opening conduit to swing away from the firing opening to leave said opening entirely exposed, fuel distributing means carried by said frame element, a conveyor for urging fuel through said conduit portion, means for conducting fuel from said conduit portion to said distributing means, a door carried by said frame element on the side thereof remote from said furnace wall, means for operating said door, and a latch device arranged to engage said frame element for maintaining said fuel discharge and distributing unit in a position against said furnace wall.

7. In combination with a furnace having a wall with a firing opening therein, a stoker for feeding fuel to said furnace comprising an upwardly extending conduit fixed with respect to said furnace wall and having its axis disposed at one side of said firing opening, a fuel discharge and distributing unit including a frame element embracing said firing opening, a conduit portion rigidly formed with said frame element at one side of said firing opening seated upon said first named conduit, said fuel discharge and distributing unit being pivotally mounted about the axis of said upwardly opening conduit, fuel distributing means carried by said frame element, a conveyor for urging fuel through said conduit portion, means for conducting fuel from said conduit portion to said distributing means, a door carried by said frame element on the side thereof remote from said furnace wall, a pressure fluid actuated motor carried by said fuel discharge and distributing unit for operating said door, a valve carried by said unit and being operable for admitting pressure fluid to said motor, and manually operable means carried by said upwardly extending conduit for actuating said valve.

8. In combination with a furnace having a wall with a firing opening therein, a stoker for feeding fuel to said furnace comprising a fuel discharge and distributing unit, said unit including a frame element embracing said firing opening, a conduit portion at one side of said firing opening and opening laterally toward the interior of said frame element at a point above the lower half of said firing opening, fuel distributing means carried by said frame element at a level below the upper half of said firing opening, a conveyor for urging fuel through said conduit portion, means for conducting fuel from said conduit portion to said distributing means, said fuel discharge and distributing unit being pivotally mounted with respect to said furnace wall to swing about the axis of said conduit portion away from the firing opening to leave said opening entirely exposed, and a door carried by said frame element on the side thereof remote from said furnace wall.

9. In combination with a furnace having a wall with a firing opening therein, a stoker for feeding fuel to said furnace comprising a fuel discharge and distributing unit, said unit including a frame element embracing said firing opening, a conduit portion at one side of said firing opening and opening laterally through said frame element and toward the interior of such frame element at a point above the lower half of said firing opening,

fuel distributing means carried by said frame element at a level below the upper half of said firing opening, a chute Within said frame element for guiding fuel from said conduit portion to said distributing means, said fuel discharge and distributing unit being pivotally mounted with respect to said furnace wall to swing about the axis of said conduit portion away from the firing opening to leave said opening entirely exposed, and a door carried by said frame element on the side thereof remote from said furnace wall.

10. In combination with a furnace having a wall with a firing opening therein, a stoker for feeding fuel to said furnace comprising a fuel discharge and distributing unit, said unit including a frame element embracing said firing opening, a conduit portion at one side of said firing opening and opening laterally through saidframe (ill element and toward the interior of such frame element at a point above the lower half of said firing opening, fuel distributing means carried by said frame element at a level below the upper half of said firing opening, a chute within said frame element detachably connected thereto and being arranged to guide fuel from said conduit to said distributing means, said fuel discharge and distributing unit being pivotally mounted with respect to said furnace wall to swing about the axis of said conduit portion away from the firing opening to leave said opening entirely exposed, and a door carried by said frame element on the side thereof remote from said furnace wall, said chute being removable from its position within said frame element upon opening of said door.

E. ARCHER TURNER.

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