US2377895A - Apparatus for controlling draft - Google Patents

Description

Jun; 12; 1945. v

R. R. MA INTOSH APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING DRAFT- 3 Shets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 26, 1942 n 0 mm Q FF A mm AD 2: 42 NM MM N- ;M s N 2 3 8 mam Q n mm M Q m h s LY Pmmum T R t a L m nu M. i A a m m 2 mm. T2

June 12, 1945.- R. R. MCINTOSH APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING DRAF T Filed Jan. 26, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Robert R. McIntosh ORN EY June 12, 1945.

R. R. MCINTOSH APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING DRAFT 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jan. 26, 194;

INVENTOR Robert R. McIntosh QGM A ORNEY Patented June 12, 1945 UNITED STATE s PATENT OFFICE arrm'ros roa oon'raonmso Dam Robert a. McIntosh, Battle Creek. Mich. Application January as, 1942, Serial No. 428,262

16 Claims.

The present invention relates broadly to .the

regulation of draft, and in itsspeciflc phases it relates to methods and apparatus for use-in controlling the induced draft created in railway locomotive smoke boxes. 7

The creation of draft in according to standard practice, involves the di-' railway locomotives,

rection of exhaust steam from the cylinders up I the smoke stack to create apartial vacuum in the smoke box'at the front end of the locomotive. In order to induce draft when the locomotive is standing or drifting, a live steam blower is ,mounted below the smoke stack and adapted to deliver live steam up through same. produced due to the deliveryof exhaust steam up The draft the smoke stack varies among other things with the per centv cut-bifat which the locomotive is Operation in this manner and netting is of some beneficial aid in holding the suction pressures within closer limits, but this still leaves undesirable fluctuations of same and requires higher suction pressures in front of the bailles to overcome the effect of the restrictions. The obtaining of these higher suction pressures requires the employment of higher steam exhaust back pressures on the cylinders, a

thing which in turn reduces the horsepower output of the locomotive.

automatically requires a higher fuel firing rate to utilize the excess air drawn into the fire-box of the locomotive, and this, coupled with dilution,

not only increases fuel consumption, but also decreases the efficiency of conversion of heat into.- 7

power. The few solutions attempted for this problem took into consideration the fundamental need of induced draft, but failed to do more than downwardly displace and partially control the suction pressure range as a whole-at the front tube sheet. Thisleft the original inherent drafting problem unsolved prior to my discoveries in the drafting field and which are embodied in my copending patent application, Ser. No. 381,290, filed March 1, 1941. In that application, I set forth the broad method of multiple level drafting surfaces exposed to the flow of gases containing these particles. Such practice also causes uneven burning of fuel, dilution and cooling of the products of combustion. and wastes heat due to too rapid flow of the products of combustion from the fire-boxto the front end of the loco-- motive. a

The detrimental effect of excessive and fluctuating suction in the smoke box has been recognized by those familiar with locomotive construction and operation. In an effort to partially compensate for these disadvantages while maintaining the beneficial effect of induced draft, the practice has grown up of installing partitions and baille plates in the smoke box so as to restrict the flow areas and thus partially control the rate of flow of products of combustion to and into the smoke stack. It has also been standard practice to supplement such partitions and bailles with a netting to hold back and break up the larger cinders and burningpieces of coal drawn out of the fire-box and through the tubes due ,to excessive draft suction. Still further restrictions in flow areas have been created by large ignition arches in the fire-box thereby cutting down the flow area between the top of the arch and the crown sheet. The use of partitions, baflie plates,

together with specific forms of apparatus for accomplishing same. Broadly, the drafting therein described involves the admission of controlled mounts of auxiliary air into the smoke box when the draft therein would normally exceed a predetermined pressure level, such pressure level also being variable in accordance with the drafting demands of the locomotive. My present invention involves the modification, simplification, and improvement of my aforementioned invention.

7 Accordingly. among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a simplified method and apparatus for automatically controlling, at a plurality of levels, the suction pressures utilized in producing induced draft. 7

Another object is to provide a plurality of air inlet means adapted to open and admit suitableamounts of air into a smoke box or the like at predetermined suction pressure levels therein for maintaining the corresponding level when the pressure would normally raise above same, the lower suction pressure level air inlet means having in conjunction therewith a releasable means for gripping same in closed position when a predetermined higher suction pressure level is required.

Another, object is to provide means for con- Higher suction in the ,smoke box above combustion requirements also trolling the th inlet means so as tomaintain a low suction pressure level in the smoke box under low percent cut-oflor fuel feed, and to automatically raise the suction pressure level when a predetermined higher percent cut-off or fuel feed isreached. I

A further object is to provide automatic and/or manual control of the suction pressure levels in the smoke box.

A further object is to provide improved locomotive drafting which will permit all or a major portion of the bsilles in the locomotive smoke box paratus adapted to normally hold the induced suction pressure in the smoke box at moderate. predetermined. and relatively uniform levels, free from excessive pulsations, so that particles carried by the products of combustion from the tireboxtothesmokeboxwillbeofli'ghtwelghtand either completely burned out before reaching the smoke box or quickly burned out-in the air admittedtothe smoke box,allbeforethepartic passout oi'thelatter. I

Still further objects and advantages of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds i To the accomplishment of the foregoing and relandends, theinvention, then,consistsofthe steps and means hereinafter fully described and particularlypointedoutintheciaims,theannexed drawings and the following description set- Figure Bis an' elevational assembly; on reduced scale, looking in the direction of the arrows along line8-8ofFigure7.

Figure 9 is a top view of a modified valve over..- ating assembly looking in the direction of the arrows along line 8-9 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a partially sectioned elevational assembly of one form of valve particularly adaptedforuseasshowninFigurea'landS.

l'igure 11 'is a partially sectioned elevational view similar-to Figure 2, showing in diagrammatic manner electrical control for use in shifting a pressure levels inthesmoke box.

Figure 12 is a partially sectioned elevational view similar to Figure 7, showing in tic manner electrical controlsfor use in shifting pressure levels in the smoke box.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the locomotive i has a smoke box I with a conventional door"! at its front end for use in inspecting orrepairing the various parts mounted within the smoke box or accessible therethrough. An exhaust stand I with nozzle I is connected in conventional manner to the exhaust outlet from the driving cylinders (not shown). Directly above exhaust stand 4 i smoke stack 6 which has a depending extension I with a flared bottom} which is commonly referred to at a 'petticoa't. The delivery of exhaust steam through smoke stack 8 from nozzle I of exhaust stand 4 creates suction in the locomotive smoke a box when the locomotive is undermotion. The

suction or draft thus produced is transmitted through the locomotive boiler tubes (not shown) to the fire-box (not shown) to facilitate combustion of fuel therein. A blower'ring I conventionally connected for delivery of live steam up smoke stack is utilized for creatingamild draft when.

' the locomotive is'standing or tingforthind'etailcertainmeansandmodesofcarrying out the invention, such disclosed means and mode illustrating, however, but several of the various waysin which the principle of the invention maybe used.

In said annexed drawings:

Flsurellsasid'eelevaflonof alocomotivefront end embodying one form of the present invenoutercndofeachofthesetubularmembersll tionsandwithaportionofthesmokeboxshell f removed to show the location of some of the parts therein. 5

l'igureflisapartialiysectlonedelevaflonalview takenalmglinei-iofl'igurehandsyithdraft suction control diagrammaticallyillustratedinposition.

FigureSisdnsnlI-rgedcsnter-Iecflonviewof ofl'lsurez. v I

rlgurefiisasideelevationofalocomoflvefront end em odying another form of the present intakenalonglinel-'lofl'igur 6,andwithmanualaswellasamodiiiedformofautomaticconia'olm echanismshowndiagrammaticallyinenin connected position.

Mounted within the locomotive box,in the con-' struction showninFigureZareapairofah-inleh assemblies II and II. For ease ofremoval of these assemblies, they are preferably connected respectively'to tubular members I! and it in means-of flange connections II and ll.- The and II extends into or throughasuitable openinginthe'side'ofthesmokeboxandarewelded or otherwise joined theretosoas toform asubstantiallyairtlghtioint. rorpurnosesofclosing theouterendsof thesetubularmembersincase ofiemporaryremovalorbreakageofanairinlet gates II and II are provided, and these gates are respectively mounted for sliding action on suitable ways II and i9.

Referring more particularly to air inlet assem- I i|l 'asshowninl 'lgure 2and5,this preferabiyutilizesanelbowllwitnitsinnerend a 10 Hgure'HsapartiaHysectionedeIevaidonaIview.

turned upwardand with the face thereof ap-' proximately in a horizontal plane. The pp r edgeofthis elbow ispreferablyintheformofa wideflange 2i whichhasbeensuitablyfacedto- "provide a relatively level surface to facilitate maklngasealedlointaswlllbehereinafterexplaine'd. Mounted within elbow .20 and alacent theupperendthereofisaspiderizwithacentral aheadilonitslorwerend. Mountedonth eup perendofrodllvisadiscvalve'fl withapacking ring 21 suitably fastened on the under face of sameandadaptedtosealontheupperfaceof flangell. ,Thispackingrlngmustbesuitableto resist theheatinthesmokeboxandmakeasood 1 "isin ost position.

Woven strip asbestos packing which is approximately 1%" 1: V4" and riveted at 3" center to the face of disc 29 has been found well suited for this purpose. In order to hell! stabilize disc valve 26 in its up and down movements, suitable openings 29 and 29 (Figure 3) may be provided in same. Passing through these openings are guide rods 30 and 3| which are conventionally fastened on flange 2| and may be respectively provided, if desired, with heads 32 and 33 which act as upper limit/stops so far as the movement of the disc valve 28 is concerned. If desired, heads 32 and 33 maybe eliminated and head 25 on rod 24 utilized for the same purpose. Air inlet assembly H is preferably of identical construction to that of air inlet assembly III and accordingly detailed description of same will be omitted to avoid duplication.

The constructing and mounting of air inlet assemblies so, that the disc 'Ial've moves in a vertical direction, simplifies the construction of same and does away with the need of pulleys and cables carrying weights, or like means which are necessary' to normally hold a horizontally movable, vertically mounted, disc valve in place. In actual operation, disc valve 28 and the parts which move in unison therewith are made of a suitable total weight to permit same to move upward and admit air into the interior of thesmokebox whenthe suction pressure therein reaches and slightly exceeds the pressure level at which this assembly is set to open. when the fuel feed to the locomotive iire-box exceeds a predetermined moderate rate, or the steam being admitted to the cylinders is delivered under a cut-off in excess of a predetermined amount, the amount of fuel to be burned under these conditions is greater and accordingly the draft level should be higher. To take care of this situation, air inlet assembly II may, be set at the upper draft level required to meet these conditions, while air inlet assembly ll may be set to open at a predetermined lower suction pressure level suitable for use with lower rates of fuel feed or cut-off settings. In other words, in operating under the latter conditions, air inlt assembly II will control the lower suction pressure level in the smoke box, and air inlet assembly ill will .be adapted to control the upper suction level for conditions of operation under higher percentage. of cut-off, and/or increased rates of fuel feed.

In order to shift the suction pressure level in the smoke box from the lower level to the higher level, air inlet assembly I I is releasably held in closed position, thus allowing the higher suction pressure level air inlet assembly to function alone. Where the suction pressure level is to .be controlled in accordance with'the per cent cut-off at which the locomotive is operating, the suction pressure levels may be readily controlled by means of the apparatus diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 2. In thisconstruction a suitable size cylinder 34 is conventionally mounted This cylin-,

on the front end of the locomotive. der is provided with a conventional piston 90 connected to a piston rod 35 with depressor head 36 on its lower end directly over the center'of disc valve 26a. A guide member 31 forpiston rod 35 may be provided for stability of the latter if desired. This assembly may be operated. by means of live steam or compressed air, altho ugh the latter is preferably used since locomotives normally carry their own air compressor systems and the use of compressed air eliminates the necessity of traps and drains which would be required to remove condensate in case steam were utilized for this Compressed air is delivered through main line 33 to reducing valve 39 and thence by means of pipe 40 to cylinder 34 below the iston slidably mounted therein. The air pressure thus delivered to cylinder 34 acts to normally hold the piston rod assembly in upper position and allows air inlet assembly ii to function at the lower suction pressure level. Main line 33 is also connected by means of pipe 41 to valve 42 the outlet of which in turn is connected by pipe 43 to the upper end of cylinder 34. The locomotive is provided in conventional construction with at least two driving cylinders 99, each of which has a housing I00 for the cut-off valve II which is diagrammatically illustrated and may be or various types. The cut-off valves in this case are connected through link 11 in conventional manner to cut-off control. lever 44. The inlet and exhaust of steam from cylinders 99 are handled through conventional piping (not shown).

Cut-oi! control lever 44 (Figures 2 and 4) has a plate 45 welded or otherwise fastened thereto. Adjustably mounted on plate 49 by means of cap screws or studs 43 is an arcuate cam member 41 which is slotted for adjustment. Under actual operating conditions, the per cent cut-oil at which the suction pressure level is to be shifted from the lower to the higher is chosen and then arcuate cam member 41 adjusted so that when the percentage of cut-oi! is in excess of the chosen shifting point the arcuate cam member 41 will actuate valve 42 and cause the delivery of compressed air through pipe 43 into the upper end of cylinder 34. Since the latter pressure is in excess of the pressure delivered from reducing valve 39 through pipe 40 into the lower end oi cylinder 34, the piston rod assembly will be moved downward so that depressor head 39 will contact .disc valve 25a and hold some against upward movement. This allows air inlet valve assembly 1 II to control the suction pressure level in the smoke box. To facilitate the'operation of cylinder 34 and movement of piston rod 35, a pressure releaser 49 is connected to pipe 40 and set to open at a pressure considerably less than the main line pressure but somewhat greater than the pressure delivered through pressure reducing valve 39. Where the main line air pressure is approximately one hundred and ten pounds per square inch, a convenient pressure deliveredthrough reducing valve 39 is twenty-eight pounds per square inch and the pressure releasing valve 48 may be set at a pressure just in excess of that delivered by pressure reducing valve 39 in order to relieve the .back pressure caused by downward movement of the piston, although I prefer to set the pressure releasing valve at approximately, fifty pounds per square inch since this provides a cushioning effect which makes the assembly work more smoothly. It is to be noted, however, that there is no particular limitation as to the exact pressures or size of cylinder to be used so long as the principles herein expressed are utilized and the pressure exerted upon disc valve 26d is sufficient to hold some closed when the suction pressure is to be maintained at a higher level, for instance, that at which air inlet assembly I0 is set to operate. In this connection, the apparatus may also be manually operated, for instance, by means of opening and closing valve 49. Both manual and automatic operation may be utilized in this manner, or if the manual operthrough lever 54 will automatically operate valve 53 and'control the movement of piston rod 35. Link 82 in this case would preferably be provided with a lost motion connection so that lever It would have to move to increase thefuel feed to a predetermined point before valve 53 would open to change the suction pressure level from low to high. A suitable spring Il may be used to hold valve 53 in closed position under normal operating conditions when the fuel feed is below the The control of predetermined transition point. the suction pressure level through the fuel feed may be omitted, used alone, or in conjunction with other control means, several of which have been typically described.- a

A typical valve suitable for use in connection with the cut-oil! cam members is shown in partial section in Figure 10. The steam or air used for operating this valve is delivered to the lower end of same through pipe I into compartment I 56, the outlet of which is closed by means of a spring projected ball bearing 51 in contact with a suitable seat. Directly above ball. bearing I1 is a compartment 58 to which is connected outlet pipe 43. In contact with the upper face of ballbearing I! is a push rod is which carries a. check valve 80. This check valve is movable in.

compartment ii which has a vent opening 82. A supporting member SI carries pivot pin 6| on which is pivotally mounted depressor arm 85. Mounted on the upper end of this arm is shaft 66 which in turn carries cam shoe contacting roller 01. Depressor arm BI is provided with a downwardly opening cavity l8 containing'a compression spring I and a'slidable closed bottom cup member 10, the lower end of which in turn contacts the upper end oi' push rod II. The whole assembly is conventionally mounted on platform II.

In the operation of valve 42, the movement of arcuate cam member 41 (Figures 2 and 4) into contact with and over roller 1 will move push rod I! downward under the cushioning influence of spring 6!, and this downward movement in turn will depress spring projected ball bearing II and allow fluid to flow under preasenses opening 82 and the connections leading'thereto may be made relatively small, if desired, so that it will not interfere with the simultaneous operation of the suction pressure level control either manually or through the use of the fuel feed control. The placing of valve II in pipe 0 instead of pipe 4| will of course make possible the independent operation of either manual control or fuel feed control of the suction pressure levels, but under such conditions, valve 50 should be of the type which has a small vent to allow slow leakage of fluid from the side thereof con-.

nected to cylinder 34, since otherwise in the absence of a suitable pressure relief means the re-- lease of pressure in cylinder 3| for return of the system to lower suction pressure level would be difllcult and very slow at best.

- Instead of using a two-level suction pressure system, theapparatus may be arranged for more than two levels, for instance, a three-level system. as diagrammatically shown in Figure "I.

The invention, however, is not limited to the use of two or three levels but rather is broadly directed to, multiple level controls wherein the principles herein set forth are utilized. "A convenient way of installingthe pressure level assemblies is to connect tubularinlet members "(I e and Ila to an open ended tubular cross memsure from compartment 6 into cavity I and hence out through pipe 43 to the upper end of cylinder 34; The depressing of push rod II at the same time moves check valve ll downward to close the lower end of compartment Ii and substantially prevent leakage therethrough.

When arcuate cam member 41 is moved out'of contact with'roller I, push rod II, under the influence of spring P jected ball bearing ll, moves upward and the outlet from compariment itissealed. Atthesametimecheckvalveil moves upward to the position shown in Figure 10, and this allows fluid in pipe ll to'flow backward into compartment II and compartment 6i and a small vent opening I: to the atmosphere topermit quickrelease operationofthepistonrodaseemblywhichhasbeen gripping disc valve a in closed thence through hen". For convenience of description and il-' 'lustr'ation, but without being limited thereto, the

low suction pressure inlet assembly 13 has been shown at the left in Figure 7,while the upper suction pressure inlet assembly 14 has been shown in the middle and the intermediate suction pressure inlet assembly 15 at the right. Since these inlet assemblies are preferably identical with that described in connection with Figure 2, de-

tailed description'ot same will be omitted to avoid duplication. Disc valve 28b in' this case will be suitably weighted to open at the predetermined upper suction pressure level. for instance, at a suction pressure of approximately 5% inches of water. Under these conditions. intermediate pressure disc valve 28c may be weighted to open at a suction pressure of 5% inches of water, and low suction pressure disc valve lid at 4% inches of water. Itis. to be noted. at this point that the invention is not limited to these speciflc suction pressures, but rather they are used cnlyby way of example to facilitate the description and understanding of the present invention. The controlling ofthe air inlet suction pressure level assemblies may be] accomplishedinvariouswaysashasbeentypicallydescribed in connection with the two-level ly shown in Figure 2. However, to save duplication of description, the operation of the three-level ly showninFigure 7 willbe onb interms of variations in accordance without-oil settings as supplemented by independent mechanical control. The main operating fluid, which ordinarily will be either live steam or air under pressure, although preferably.

the latter as has been hereinbefore described, is

delivered to the control system through main Y line I8. Connected tomain line "is a reducing valveiltheoutletofwhichisconnectedtopipe a. 'Ihispipeinturn'isconnectedtothelower ends of cylinders Ila and no, wherein it acts tonormallyholdthepistons and "bat the. T

upper end of each of these cylinders. Apres-t surereleasevalvellisconnectedinpipcllaat.

the outlet side of reduclngvalve 3|. This'valve' llissetto operateatapressuresomewhatin" position. Ventueueesofthepreesureatwhichrcducingvalve Ilhssbeenadlusteiashasbeendescribed above. Whenthesuctionpressurelevelinthe smokeboxistobeheldatthelowleveLforim.

' these conditions the intermediate suction pressure air inlet ly II will fimction to admit air into the smoke box from tubular member 12 when the suction pressure in the smoke box reaches the intermediate level. To further increase the suction pressure to the upper level,

for instance, 5% inches 01' water, the controlling apparatus operates to move piston rod 5b downward until depressor head 36b clamps disc valve lie of the intermediate pressure assembly into closed position. Under these conditions, the low pressure inlet assembly 13 and the intermediate pressure assembly 15 will both be held in closed position so that the upper suction pressure level assembly II will then control the inlet of air from tubular member 12 into the smoke box at the predetermined upper suction pressure level,

The controlling of the clamping of the disc valves of the low and intermediate pressure level air inlets through the actuation of the cut-oi! mechanism may be accomplished in various ways and more. This engagement in turn will cause lowpressureairinletassemhlylltobeheidin closed position. Cam shoe member" in turn may be adjusted so as to en a and depress roller ill: at cut-oi! settings or forty per cent and more so that under these conditions, intermediate pressure airinlet assembly I! will be held in closed position, thus allowing the upper pressureairinletassembly "to function. In other words the low pressure inlet assembly 13 controls up to per cent cut-oil; at which this assembly is gripped shut and the inletpressure increased to that controlled by intermediate pressure inlet assembly 1!. This assembly controls the inlet pressure until the cut-oi! is increased to forty per cent, at which point this'assembly is gripped shut and held in that position along with inlet assembly ll. Under these conditions upper section pressure assembly 'Il controls the suction pressure for all cut-oil settings above forty per cent. It is to be understood that the specific cut-oi! percentages noted are used as illustrative oi the operation of this apparatus, and are not to be consideredas a limitation on the invention since obviously other cut-oi! settings can be used so long as the principles herein set forth are utilized.

The-low pressure level may also be manually controlled by opening valve 88 which. will deliver and one of the most convenient will now be described. The reverse arm 16 of the locomotive has a link 11 which is suitably connected to the valve gear which actuates the main stem valve (not shown) of one of the driving cylinders so as to controlthe cut-on of steam admitted thereinto. The reverse arm 16 is mounted and keyed on a cross shaft 18 on the other endof which is mounted and keyed another reverse am (not shown) for operating a like cut-oil control of the main steam valve for the driving cylinder on the opposite side of the locomotive. Reverse arm 18 therefore moves forward and back in accordance with the movement of the cut-oi! setting controls in the locomotive cab (not shown). The

increasing of the cut-ofi under forward travel of the locomotive results in reverse arm 16 being moved in clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 8. To take advantage of this for controlling the air inlet assemblies, a plate 19 with arcuate flange 80 may be anchored to the side of reverse arm 1 is provided with slots 82 through which extend studs or cap screws 83 which in turn are fastened to cam shoe members 84 and 65., Assembling the cam shoes on arcuate flange BI in this manner permits adjustment of the shoes to various cut-oil settings and hence in combination with valves 62a and 42b governs the shifting of the suction pressure levels in the smoke box.

- Mounted on the frame 85 of the locomotive is an anchor bracket 81 on which,are mounted valves 42a and 42b. Rollers 61a and 61b respectivelyof these two valves are adapted to engage cam shoe members 84, and 85. For instance, cam shoe-Bl may be adjusted to engage and depress rollers 61a at cut-oil settings of thirty cent air to the upper end of cylinder 34a. and cause disc valve lid to be clamped down. The intermediate pressure level may be controlled manually in like manner through the operation of valve as, the opening of which will likewise deliver air to the top of cylinder 34b and cause disc valve 260 to be held down in closed position. Valves B8 and 89 may be placed in the locomotive cab (not shown), and if desired, both manual and automatic operation of the draft levels may be utilized.

Instead of using a fluid such as steam or air for shifting the suction pressure level in the smoke box, this may be accomplished electrically, for instance, as diagrammatically shown in Figures ll and 12. These two figures have been patterned after Figures 2 and '7 reniectively for simplicity of illustration and description. Referring to Figure 11, air inlet assembly Ila utilizes a disc vaive 264: which has a projecting rod 9| anchored to the upper face thereof and extending into solenoid 92. The upper portion of rod M is suitably constructed for use as the movable iron core of this solenoid. Under normal operation, when the low suction pressure level is to be controlled by means of air inlet assembly Ila, disc valvec26e with rod BI is free to move upward whenever air is required for admission from inlet assembly Ila into the smoke box for maintaining the low pressure level. when the pressure level in the smoke box is to be raised to that controlled by air inlet assembly l0, electric current is passed through solenoid 82. This solenoid is of a suitable size and connected to the electric circuit so as to exert sufllcient downward pressure on rod 9! of the disc valve 25a to hold same in closed position throughout the period when the higher suitableswitchsstosolmoidltsosstocomplete suitable electric circuit flielethrough. Where preferablyotthequickmakeandbreaktypels suitsbly mounted on platform II and provided -with a pivoted cam contactin: armvll adapted tobeactuatedbycammemberll,whichhasbeen previously adjusted, that it will actuate arm,

in the locomotive cab (not shown), so that the engineer or fireman may operate same whenever desired;

Asshowninl 'lgurelilflheapparatus diasram as'msos maticallyillustratedinl'lgure'lmayalsobeelcctricallycontrolled. In hisvcasc, mainlinewire llmaybeconnectedaspreviouslydemrlbed,

whilemainlinewirellissuitablyconnected throushswitchesorthelikstosolenoids llaand troltho m rmcticnpresnne fliclln boxl. 'lbeMuctlondtheclit-oil'mheclosedwlllautomatlcallyopen euitsandreleossin -1 a,

service, is giving very much improved performanceintheeliminationoi'blacksmoke, and;

markedreductioninvelocityoftheproduchoicombustion over the heating surfaces which has resulted in better combustion and'more eiiicient conversion of heat into power. Additional advantages which have been noted are ,a reduction llb, to complete the circuit. These two soleacids in turn control, through rods lid and llb, the holding of low pressure disc valve II! and intermediate premuredisc valve Ila inclosed positionin accordance with the tionpressureleveltobemaintalnedinthesmoke' box.

Rei'erring'to Figure 12, the electrical control lingofpressurelevelsman suchasis typicallyshowninlflgure'Lmaybereadilyaw complished, for lnstance,byshiiting the suction pressure level from the low level controlledby disc valve 2'! to the intermediate level controlled by discvalve llainaecordancewithcut-oil' settings. Under these conditions cam shoe memberllissuitablyadjustedonflange lloi'plate 'llsoastoclosetheelectricclrcuitthrmighelectrlc switch lla ataprescrihed setting oithe cutoil mechanism, and hold switch llainclosedposition for all cut-oi! setting which are higher than theone at which switch liais closed' The closing of switch lid delivers current through solenoid llu which in turn, through rod lla, de-

livers downward pressure onto disc valve ll! to hold same closed until such time as disc valve ll! is to be used to again control the suction pressure level in smoke box 2. The operation of solenoid lid and the closing of disc valve llfrautomatically shifts the suction level to that controlled by intermediate pressure level air inlet discvalve llg. When thecut-oii'settinghas',

been still further advanced, so' that the suction pressurelevelistobetransferredtothatcom trolled by disc valve Ilb, cam shoe II will contactandactuateswitchllbsoastodeliverelem trlc current through solenoid llb for all cot-oil pressure through rod lib tohold air inlet valve Ila inclosed position the same as air inlet valve llf-which was previously closed.

This as leaves disc valve Ilb to conintheamoimtoimelandwaterconsumedsswell asadeflnitereductionofthecindercuttingol the superheaterunits,stack,andtrontend. The

draft control of thepresent invention has substantiallyeliminatedtheemissionorsparksl'rom 'thelocomotivestack,andhasalsoproducedsuhstantially balanced-draftthroughout tlm locomotiveiromtheflrebedtctheh-ontendm oi. Theinstallationoi'thlsdrattcontroihasi'urther mad itpossible to-operate with larser air openings through the grate thantonnerly uii-p' lised,therebyconflningchangesmdratttoclcser' and increasing the lite oi the and lower limits sratebars. -'.Othermodesoiapplyingtheprinciple otmy invention maybeemploye'd insteadotthose e!- plalned, changebeingmadeasresardsthemeans and steps herein disclosed, provided those stated byanyoi'thefollowingclaimsortheireqlflvflent be empl yed.

I therefore particularly claim as myinvention.

l. Inanapparatustor controllingsuctionprusure at least atone predeterminedlevel in a com partment, the combination which meansi'orcreatingsuctionpr'essureinsaidcompartment, said suction pressure normally rising above said predetermined level ii not controlled, means including a suitable size closeableinletior admittingasuctionreducingxaseous'fluidinto said compartment whensaid suction pressure rise; to said predetermined level, means tor controlling the amount oi'said suction reducing saseous fluid admitted into said compartment so a as toholdsaldsuctionpressure stantially above saidpredetermined level, means I v for srlwlns said closeable inlet into closed positionwhenahighersuctionpressureistobemaintalned insaid compartment, and means i'or con trolling the'operation of said grlpnins mean and releasing said closeahle inlet when the suction pointoutanddistinctly iromrlsingsub a plurality of inlets to said compartment, means for admitting at least through one of said suction pressure level control inlets to said compartment a suction reducing gaseous fluid in amount sui'licientto hold said suction pressure from rise ing substantially abov a set suction there being at least one of said inletsfor each pressure level, and means for grippin each lower suction pressure level inlet in closed position when raisingthe suction pressure in said compartment to a higher level and releasing saidinlets when lowering the suction pressure in said compartment, the extent of said controlled lowering of the suction pressure being governed by the lowest pressure controlling inlet released.

3. In an apparatus for controlling draft suction pressure through a locomotive, the combination which comprises means for creating draft in a locomotive smoke box, means for admitting at one of a plurality of inlets to said smoke box a suction reducing gaseous fluid in amount suflicient to hold said draft suctionpress'ure from rising substantially above a set suction pressure, there being a definite normal opening pressure for each of said inlets, and means for gripping each lower suction pressure level inlet in closed position when raising the suction pressure to a higher level and releasing at least one of said inlets when lowering the suction pressure.

4. In an apparatus for controlling the draft suction pressure through alocomotive, the combination which comprises means for utilizing exhaust steam from the locomotive driving cylinders to create suction pressure in a locomotive smoke box, means for admitting a suction reducing gaseous fluid into said smoke box when said suction pressure rises to a predetermined level, the amount of said suction reducing gaseous fluid admitted to said smoke box being controlled in manner to hold said suction pressure from rising substantially above said predetermined level, and means for automatically changing said suction pressure level at which said second gaseous fluid ing the suction pressure in the smoke box from one level to another of the three in accordance with predetermined variations of cut-oil settings of the valves admitting live steam to the locomotive cylinders.

I. The combination with a smoke box and means for creating draft suction pressure therein, of valve means adapted to automatically open to admit-a suction pressure reducing fluid, such as air. intov said smoke box when the suction pressure therein. reaches a predetermined level land automatically close when said suctionpresis admitted into said smoke box in accordance with predetermined variations of cut-oil settings of the valves admitting live steam to the locomo-, tive driving cylinders. 5. In an apparatus for controlling draft suction pressure through a locomotive, the combination which comprises means for creating draft in a locomotive smoke box. means for admitting a suction reducing gaseous fluid into said smoke box in amount suiflcient to hold said draft suction pres-' sure from rising substantially above a set suction pressure level. and means for automatically changing the set suction pressure from one level toanother in accordance with changes in draft requirements.

6. In an apparatus for controlling draft created in a locomotive smoke box, the combination which comprises means for utilizing exhaust steam from the locomotive driving cylinders to create a sucany one of three predetermined set suction pressure levels, and means for automatically changsure drops below said predetermined level, a second valve means constructed Ior operation in like manner to the first, but at a higher predetermined suction pressure level, and a releasable means for use in the shifting of the suction pressure control from the first valve means to the sec ond and back in accordance with which predetermined upper suction prmsure in the smoke box is chosen for the admission of suction reducing gaseous fluid, said releasable means being adapted to grip the low pressure inlet valve in closed position when the higher predetermined suction pressure level is to be maintained.

8. The combination with a smoke box and means for creating draft suction pressure therein, of valve means adapted to automatically open to admit a suction pressure reducing gaseous fluid, such as air, into said smoke box when the suctionpressure therein reaches a predetermined level, and automatically close when said suction pressure drops below said predetermined level, a second valvemeans constructed for operation in like manner to the first but at a higher predetermined suction pressure level, releasable means for gripping the low pressure inlet valve in closed position, and means for operating said releasable means and thus shifting the suction pressure control from the first valve means to the second and back in accordance with which predetermined upper suction pressure in the smoke box is chosen for the admission of suction reducing gaseous fluid.

9. The combination with a smoke box and means for creating draft suction pressure therein, of valve means adapted to automatically open to admit a suction pressure reducing gaseous fluid, such as air, into said smoke box when the suction pressure therein reaches a predetermined level, and automatically close when said suction pressure drops below said predetermined level, a second valve means constructed for operation in like manner to the first but at a higher predetermined suction pressure level, releasable means for gripping the low pressure inlet valve in closed position, and means for operating said releasable means and thus shifting the suction pressure control from the first valve means to the second and back in accordance with which predetermined upper suction pressure in the smoke box is chosen to control the admission of suction reducing gaseous fluid, said means for operating said releasable means including a cylinder with piston and piston rod mounted in position so that the extending of the piston rod from said cylinder in accordance with movement of the piston therein will cause the low pressure inlet valve to be gripped in closed position, and upon movement of the piston in the opposite direction will release said inlet valve, and means for controlling the supply of operating fluid to said cylinder.

10. The combination with a smoke box and means for creating draft suction pressure theresuction reducing gaseous fiuid.

meansforsrippingtbelowpremureinletvalve indosedpasitiomandmeansforoperfldngsaid ieleasabiemeansandthussblftingthesuction pressure control fromthe first v'alve'means to,"

thesecondandbackinaecordanoewithwhich predeterminedsuctionpressureinthe upper smoke'boxischosentocontroitheadmissionof suctimireducinggaseousfiuidsaidmeans'for operating said releasable means including an electrically-operated member, a meanssuitably' mounted in position so that the application of forcetberetothmightheactuationofsaid electricallyoperatedmemberwillcausetbelowpressure inlet valve-to begrlpped in closed positionand upon removal said force said inlet valve wilibereleasedfornormaloperatimandmeans for controlling-the supply oi electricity to said electricallyoperatedmember;

11. The combination witha smoke box and ,meansforcreatlngdraftsucflonpressuretherein, ct valve means pted to automatically open to admit a suction premure reducing gaseous fiuid, such as air, into said smoke box when the suction pressin-e therein reaches a predetermined thesuctionpressurelevelintbesmokeboxwilibe automatically increased to the level permitted by said second valve means when the per cent cut- 08 exceeds a predetermined amount, and such level automatically lowered to that permitted by the firstvalve means as soon as the percentcut oi! drops below saidpredeterm'ined amount.

13. The combination with a locomotive having a fire box,means for feeding fuel to said fire box, a smoke box, and meansfor draft suction pressure in the latter. of valve means adapted toautcmaticallyopentoadmitasuctionpressure reducing gaseous fluid, such as .air, into said smoke box, when-the suction pressure therein reaches a predeterminedlevel, and automatically close when said suction pressure drops below said predetermined level, a second valve means constructed for operation in like manner to the first. but at a higher predetermined suction pressure level, a proiectible member 'i'or gripping the low pressure valve in closed position. means for moving "said proiectible member into valve gripping position. and means actuated by the fuel feeding means to automatically control the movement of said proiectible member into 81118 8 position with the low pressure inlet valve to hold same closed whenthe rate or fuel'feed exceeds a predetermined amount and release same when the fuel feed is below that amount, whereby the suc- 'tionpressurelevelinthesmokeboxwillbeauw matically increased to the level permitted by said a second valve means when the rate of fuel feed level, and automatically closewlien said suction presure drops below said predetermined- IeveLasecondvalva meansconstructedioroperationinlikemannertothefirshbutata-higher predetermined suction preuure level, a proiectible member-icisrimi ngtlie low presmre l e in closed position, means for moving'said projectible member into valve gripping 'posiflon, and ineans for controlling the means which moves said proiectible member into valve gripping position so thatsaidlowpressure valvemaybe grippedinto closed position and subsequently released, where-- suctionpressure level in the smoke box maybeshiftedfromthelowpressureleveltothe exceeds a predetermined amount, and such level automatically lowered to that permitted by the flrstvalvemeansassoonastherateoffuel feed drops below said predetermined amount.

ii. The combination with a smokeboxan'd Y tor-creating draft suction pressure therein,.ot valve means'adapted to automatically open .iiuid,suchasair,"intosaldsmokeboxwhenthehigher pressure level and back in accordance with whichpredetermined upper suction pressure in the smoke box ischosen for the admission of 12; The combination with a locomotive having driving cylinders, cut-oil means controlling the inlet of steam to said cylinders, a smoke box, and means for creatingdraftsuctionpres'sureinthe latter, of valve means adapted to automatically open to admit a suction pressure reducing gaseous iluid. such as air, into said smoke box when the suction pressure therein reaches a predetermined level, and automatically close when said suction I a pressure drops below-said predetermined level, a

second valve meansconstructed for operation in likemannertothefirstbutatahigherpredetermined suction pressure level, a projectible' predetermined amount, and release samewhen the percent cut-ofi'is that amount, whereby suctiim pleasure therein reaches a predetermineddetermined suction pressure level. a projectible to admit a suction pressure reducing gaseous suction pressure therein reachesa predetermined level, and automatically close when said suction pressure drops below said predetermined level, a

second valve means constructed for operation inlike manner to the first, but at a higher predetermined suction pressure level. a projectible member-for gripping the low pressure valve in closed position, a cylinder; a piston movable in saiilcylinder,saidpistonbeingconnectedtosaid projectible member, valve including means connected to said cylinder at the opposite side of said piston from that at which said proiectible. .member extendsand adaptedto deliver agas'e-'.

ous fluid thereto under suitablefpressure, and means for normally holding said piston and proiectlble member in retracted position.

15. The combination with a smoke box and means for creating draft suction pressure there'- in, of valve means adapted to automatically open to admita suction pressure reducing gaseous fluid, such as air, into said smoke box when the levfl, and automatically close when said suction pressure drops below said predetermined level,

a second valve means constructed for operation. i

in like manner to the first, but at a higher prememher for gripping the low pressure valve in closed position, a cylinder, a piston movable in said cylinder, said piston being connected to said projectlble member, valve including means connected' to said cylinder at the opposite side of said piston from that-atwhich said proiectible member extends and adapted to deliver a gaseous 1 means between .said cylinder, said piston fluid thereto under suitable pressure, means for delivering a gaseous fluid to said cylinder at the end thereof from which said proiectible member extends, said last named means including a pressure reducing valve/and aQpresSure relief valve suitably connected to said gaseous fluid delivering said cylinder and said pressure reducing valve, said pressure relief valve being set at a pressure in excess of that delivered by said pressure reducing valve but at a pressure wellbelow that delivered to said cylinder at the opposite side of said piston from that at which said projectible member extends. v I

16. The combination with a smoke box and means for creating draft suction pressure therein, of valve means adapted'to automatically open to admit a suction pressure reducing gaseous fluid, such as air, into said smoke box when the suction pressure therein reaches a predetermined level, and automatically close when said suction pressure drops below said predetermined level, a second valve means constructed for operation in like manner to the first, butat a higher predetermined suction pressure level, aprojectible member for gripping the low pressure valve in closed position, a cylinder, a piston movable in Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,377,895.

It is hereby certified sectionad read sectional; line l2, for tive insert smoke'; line 65, for a acen projectible member, valve including means connected to said cylinder at the opposite side of said piston from that at which'said projectible member extends and adapted to deliver a gaseous fluid thereto under suitable pressure, means for delivering a gaseous fluid to said cylinder at the end thereof from which said projectible member extends, said last named means including a pressure reducing valve, a pressure relief valve suitably connectedto said gaseous fluid delivering means between said cylinder and said pressure reducing valve, said pressure relief valve beby said pressure being connected to said I ing set at a pressure in excess of that delivered reducing valve but at a pressure well below that delivered to said cylinder at the opposite'side of said piston from that at which said projectible member extends, and means for automatically controlling the operation of said valve connected for delivery of gaseousfluid to 7 said cylinder at the end thereof opposite to that through which said projecting member extends, whereby the shifting of suction pressure level control from the low pressure inlet to the higher and back is automatically accomplished in accordance with predetermined conditions.

ROBERT R. MCINTOSH.

June 12, 1945.

ROBERT R. McINTOSH that errors appear in the numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

control read controls; line 40, after locomoread adjacent; page 4, second printed specification of the above Page 2, second column, line 10, for

column, line -70, for pistons 9a read pistons 90a; and that the said Letters Patent should be read Signed and sealed therein that the same may conform to the record'of the case this 4th day of March, A. D; 1-947.

LESLIE FRAZER,

1 means between .said cylinder, said piston fluid thereto under suitable pressure, means for delivering a gaseous fluid to said cylinder at the end thereof from which said proiectible member extends, said last named means including a pressure reducing valve/and aQpresSure relief valve suitably connected to said gaseous fluid delivering said cylinder and said pressure reducing valve, said pressure relief valve being set at a pressure in excess of that delivered by said pressure reducing valve but at a pressure wellbelow that delivered to said cylinder at the opposite side of said piston from that at which said projectible member extends. v I

16. The combination with a smoke box and means for creating draft suction pressure therein, of valve means adapted'to automatically open to admit a suction pressure reducing gaseous fluid, such as air, into said smoke box when the suction pressure therein reaches a predetermined level, and automatically close when said suction pressure drops below said predetermined level, a second valve means constructed for operation in like manner to the first, butat a higher predetermined suction pressure level, aprojectible member for gripping the low pressure valve in closed position, a cylinder, a piston movable in Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,377,895.

It is hereby certified sectionad read sectional; line l2, for tive insert smoke'; line 65, for a acen projectible member, valve including means connected to said cylinder at the opposite side of said piston from that at which'said projectible member extends and adapted to deliver a gaseous fluid thereto under suitable pressure, means for delivering a gaseous fluid to said cylinder at the end thereof from which said projectible member extends, said last named means including a pressure reducing valve, a pressure relief valve suitably connectedto said gaseous fluid delivering means between said cylinder and said pressure reducing valve, said pressure relief valve beby said pressure being connected to said I ing set at a pressure in excess of that delivered reducing valve but at a pressure well below that delivered to said cylinder at the opposite'side of said piston from that at which said projectible member extends, and means for automatically controlling the operation of said valve connected for delivery of gaseousfluid to 7 said cylinder at the end thereof opposite to that through which said projecting member extends, whereby the shifting of suction pressure level control from the low pressure inlet to the higher and back is automatically accomplished in accordance with predetermined conditions.

ROBERT R. MCINTOSH.

June 12, 1945.

ROBERT R. McINTOSH that errors appear in the numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

control read controls; line 40, after locomoread adjacent; page 4, second printed specification of the above Page 2, second column, line 10, for

column, line -70, for pistons 9a read pistons 90a; and that the said Letters Patent should be read Signed and sealed therein that the same may conform to the record'of the case this 4th day of March, A. D; 1-947.

LESLIE FRAZER,

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