US2414209A - Fuel feeding mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 14, 1947. D M PALM 2,414,209

FUEL FEEDING MECHNISM Filed Nov. 27, 194s :s sheets-sheet- 1 II-VENTOR. 'DWIGHT MfPALM.

Jam 14, 1947.( D NL- PALM FUELFEEDING MECHANISM Filed Nov.` 27, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Jan.14,1947. D M PALM 2,414,209

FUEL FEEDING MCHANISM Filed Nov. `1945 s sheets-sheet 5 nas.

INVENTOR,

DWIGHT MPAL M.

Patented Jan. 14, 194'? UNITED 'STATES PATENT OFFICE `FUEL resumo MEcHeNIsM Dwight M. Palm, Cleve-lana Heights, ohio Application November ,27, '1043, serial No. 512,076

3 Claims.

l This invention relates to mechanism for supplying hard fuel to a combustion apparatus, more `particularly apparatus of the type wherein the supply and feeding of the fuel into the combustion chamber of the apparatus takes place through upper and lower chambers having valve controlled openings, which valves are separately but co-fordinately controlled and operated to prevent the escape of gases and other residue of,

with fresh fuel.

One object of the invention is to provide an. improved mechanism of this character wherein the number of parts are reduced and simplifiedin construction and fewer movable parts are required, whereby cost of construction, operation and up-keep is materially reduced and long life ofthe mechanism results,

Another object of the invention is to provideY in mechanism of this type having upper and lower valves, improved means for operating the valves in any desired co-ordinated-relation.

Another object of the invention is to provideyin mechanism of this type' having upper and i.

lower valves, an improved operating means therefor which may be remotely controlled.

Another object of the invention is to provide cui fin mechanism of this type having upper andg,

lower valves, improved means for automatically" 'controlling the operation of the valves dependent upon the rise and fall of the temperature inthe apparatus.

Another objectfof the invention is to provide,

in mechanism of this type having upper and lower fuel feeding chambers and valves therefor, improved means for operating the valves in coordinated relation and supplying fuel to the upper chamber.

Another object of the invention is .to provide Van improved mechanism of this type having upper and lower valve controlled chambers and fluid operated means for operating the valves therefor in co-ordinated relation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved mechanism of this type constructed Ato provide for ready cooling of the valve which .is subject to the heat generated in the combustion apparatus. 1

Other objects of the invention'will'be apparent l(parts being broken away) showing 2 to those skilled in the art to which my invention relates from the following description taken in connection .with the accompanying drawings,

" wherein Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a mechanism embodying my invention. t

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, parts being broken away.

.its lower end an annular flange la supported on and secured to the-annular flange on the upper end of a suitablegas producer, indicated at A, having a flue a` for the out-take of the'gases. The upper end of the Acasing is shaped to provide an off-set section Ib in connected relation to a chute lc, the intake opening of which is related to the discharge opening of a hopper B, which opening is controlled by a slide valve b. The walls of the off-set section lb and a valve` device 2 therewithin control the feed of the fuel C from Nthe chute Ic, as later set forth. Above the flange la, the inner wall of the casing I is provided interiorly with spaced, annular, inwardly extending walls 3, the inner peripheries of which have a common axis and form seats Za for valves 4, 4a, When the valves 4, 4a,` are in closed position, they cci-operate with the adjacent annular walls 3, to form upper and lower closed compartments 5,`5a, the upper compartment E being in communication with the off-set section lb so as to receive fuel C therefrom; but ,when either valve is opened the fuel in the adjacent com# ypartment gravitates downwardly. if the valve '4 is operated to open position, any fuel in the compartment 5 will gravitate into the Accordingly,

surfaces are dome-shaped and the upper surV faces of the annular wallslS are inclined down'- wardly and inwardly, whereby gravitation .of fuel from each compartment is facilitated. As shown each` wall 3` is Ofsectional"construction, so that its inner marginal portion may consist of an annular ring 2a formed of a heat resisting a rocker fulcrumed on a standard I4 fixedly alloy, removably secured to the walls in any mounted on thetop wall Id. The rod I2a has suitable manner. pivotal and slidable connection with the outer The side walls of the casing below the comend of the rocker I3 by means of a pin and an partment 5a, between the compartments 5, 5a, 5V elongated sl-ot I2b therefor formed in the rocker, andv above the upper compartment 5 may be to permit endwise movement of the rod and formed with one or more openings 5b, each closed swinging movement of the rocker; the connecby a plate which may be removably bolted in tion vbetween the upper end of the rod 8 and inner position or otherwise mounted on the casing wall. end of the rocker i3 is of :similar character. The

The valves .4, 4a are supported in axial aline- 10 lower end of the cylinder `I2 is provided with ment and operated vertically, ,'reCtiIineally, a port connected to aA pipe I5 through which whereby their upper walls engage and disengage steam is supplied (preferably at a predetermined the valve seats uniformly throughout their cirpressure, as later setforth) to the cylinder I2 cumferences, which arrangement prevents unbelowthe piston I2a and exhausted therefrom,

even wear on these seats on the one hand and the supply and exhaust being controlled by a on the other hand tends to insure tight Vcloslfler valve mechanism, indicated as 'an entirety at I6. of the valves so'that leakage of gases of com- As will 'be observed, when steam is supplied t0 bustion and soot upwardly into they casing is the cylinder to effect pressure on the piston, the

minimized and danger of ingredients in the gases rod I2a is operated upwardly and through the and soot clogging'the mechanism is avoided. 20 rocker i3 moves the rod t downwardly to open The top Well id Of the Casing i iS thickened the valve-4a (see dottedlinesin 3). The upto provide a relatively long hollow Iboss Id the per end of the cylinder I2 is provided with a ax's of which is axially related to the axes of the vent II to permit displacement of air when the walls 3. 6 indicates an elongated bushing suitpiston I2a is operated upwardly. Below the ably tted in the boss Id and slidably supportcylinder I2, the rod I2a is provided with a collar ing a sleeve 'I, the latter extending downwardly i8, preferably formed integrally on the upper end through the compartment 5 and preferably rigidof a sleeve Il'a, which may be secured to the 1y connected at its lower end to the valve 4. 3 inrod I2a in a manner which permits endwise addicates a rod (which is preferably hollow for justment thereof. The collar I 8 forms an abuta purpose later set forth) slidably fitting the ment for a spring I9 coiled around the rod I2a sleeve 'I and extending therethrough, and and interposed between the collar I8 and lower through the valve 4 and compartment 5a and end 0f the cylinder I2 and arranged to be compreferably rigidly connected at its lower end t0 pressed when the rod I2a moves upwardly, so

the valve 4a. In this arrangement, the valves that when the steam supply to the cylinder I2 4, 4G, are DOSitl/'ely 'guided from and t0 their 35 is cut ofi', and pressure on the piston I 2a reseats in each operation thereof. 'The sleeve 'i 11er/ed, the Spring I9 operates te more the red and the rod 8 extend upwardly beyond the top I2a downwardly to close the valve da. A stop wall Id and arel OperatiVGly COHIleCted t0 an indicated at I 2e is provided to limit the down- OPSrating mechanism, indicated as an entirety ward movement of the piston so that when the at 9, for intermittently reciprocating the sleeve 40 piston is moved downwardly te its normal pesi- 'I and rod 8 each relative to the other in co-ordition, it is above the steam inlet and exhaust Dated relation, whereby during the peIOd that port, for the pipe l5- The Stop [2e as shown the valve 4 is closed, the valve 4d Opens t0 Permit consists of an annular shoulder provided in the gravitation of the fuel in the compartment 5d cylinder by reducing its lower end (see Fig. 2). into the producer` A and closes, and during the The sleeve Ia is preferably adjustably xed to DelOd that the valve 4a is closed the valve 4 the rod I2a at a predetermined position so that opens t0 permit gravitation of the fuel in the when the valve la engages its seat the spring compartment 5 into the COmpaltmel'lt 5a and I9 is under slight tension, the effect of which closes; also, during the operation of the Valve is to seal the valve 4a in Closed position. lz 4a to open and closed position (at which time 50 indicates a cylinder suitably supported on and the valve 4 s closed) the agitating or valve deexteriorly of the casing I, preferably in diametrivice 2 is operated, as later set forth, t0 supply cal relation to the cylinder I2. 20 indicates a fresh fuel t0 the COmPaItment 5- The aetathg rod reciprocatably mounted in the end walls of device 2 is preferably operatively Connected te the cylinder 12x and extending to a point therethe `mechanism 9 for co-ordinated operation 55 above and therebelow and provided within the therewith during the opening and closing of the cylinder I2cc with a piston similar to the piston valve 4a, by mechanism indicated as an entirety I2a normally disposed adjacent the lower end at I0, to which reference will later be made. thereof. The upper end of the rod 2i! is con- The mechanism 9, as Shown in Figs. 1 t0 5, nected through linkage I3x to the upper end of inclusive, is fluid operated; that is, it may be the sleeve I, preferably consisting of a rocker operated by air or oil supplied under pressure, fulcrumed on ,a standard I 4x, which is xedly but for illustrative purposes I use steam supplied supported on the top wall Id. as hereafter set forth by a pipe II. The mech- The inner end of the rocker |332 is provided anism 9 consists of the following: I2 indicates with bifurcations which are pivotally connected a cylinder suitably supported at one side of and to bifurcations provided on the upper endy of the eXteriOrly of the casing I. I2a indicates a rod sleeve 'I, whereby these parts straddle the rocker reciprocatably mounted in the end walls of 'the I3 vand rod I2a and lthe connections therebecylinder I2 and extending to a point thereabove tween. The upper end of the rod 20 and adand therebelow and provided within the cylinder jacent end of the rocker are pivotally and slidwith a piston I2a (see Fig. 2) normally dis- 70 ably connected by means of a pin and an elonposed adjacent the lower end thereof. The lower gated slot 25a formed in the rocker and each end of the rod I2a has sliding support in a lbifurcation on the inner end of the rocker I3x bracket I2. The upper end of the rod I2a is is similarly connected to the adjacent bifurcaconnected through a linkage I3 to the upper end tion on the sleeve 'I to permit endwise moveof the rod 81 the linkage preferably consisting of 7.5 ment of the rod and sleeve 4and swinging. move'- ment ofthe rocker. The lower end ofthe cylin-v der I 2o: is provided with a port connected to a pipe I 5a through which steam is supplied (preferablyat a predetermined pressure, as later set forth) to the cylinder |21: below the piston therein and exhausted therefrom, the supply and eX- haust being controlled by the valve mechanism I6. As will be observed, when steam is supplied to the cylinder |2 to effect pressure on the piston therein, the rod V2|] is operated upwardly and through the rocker |3 moves the sleeve 'l' downwardly to open the valve 4 (see dotted lines in Fig. 3). The upper end of the cylinder isprovidedV with a vent Il to permit displacement of air when the piston is operated upwardly. Below the cylinder |2111, the rod 2li is provided with a collar 8:12, adjusta-bly held in position thereon by a nut |8112. The collar |851: forms an abutment for a spring lem coiled around the rod 20 and interposed between the collar and the lower end of the cylinder l 2:1: and arranged to be compressed when the rod 20 moves upwardly, so that when the steam supply to the cylinder |2az-is cut off, and pressure on the piston relieved, the spring |9a: operates to move the rod 20 downwardly to close the Valve 4. A stop is provided in the cylinder to limit the downward movement of thepiston, so that when the piston is in its normal position, it is above the steam inlet and exhaust port. AThe collar lsc is preferably adjustably xed to the rod 2|) in a predetermined position'so that when the valve 4 engages its seat the spring |950 is under slight tension, the effect of which is to seal the valve 4 in closed position.

The agitating and feeding device 2 consists of a member fixed to a rock shaft 2| mounted in the side walls `of the off-set lb and arranged to be oscillated thereby. The agitating member 2 serves as a valve between the chute lc and compartment 5 and extends across the off-set Ib, its upper side preferably being flat so that when in normal position it closes the lower end of the chute Ic (see Fig. 3) and serves as a support for the fuel therein, but when rocked to the position shown in dotted lines (Fig. 3) it provides between its inner end and the inner end wall of the off-set Ib an opening through which the fuel gravitates into the compartment 5. The outer end wall of the off-set is preferably curved on a radius struck from the axis of the rock shaft 2| and the outer end of the agitating member 2 is curved concentric to the outer end wall of the off-set Ib, so that no space in which the fuel can lodge, between these parts may exist or result due to oscillation of the device 2. The mechanism I0 for operating the agitating or valve member 2 consists of the following: 22 indicates a disk fixed to the rock shaft 2| exteriorly of and at one side of the off-set Ib. 22a indicates a flexible band frictionally engaging a portion of the periphery ofthe disk 22, the outer end of the band 'being connected to one end of an expanson spring 23, the opposite end of which is fixed to an adjustable anchor 23a mounted on the casing (see Fig. 2). The opposite or inner end of the band 22a is connected through a link 24 to one arm 25 of a rocker 25 fulcrumed on the casing the opposite arm 25a of the rocker 25' being disposed inthe path of a collar I8 on the lower end of the sleeve |8a, so that when the rod |2a and sleeve move upwardly, the collar I8 will swing the rocker V25 counter-clockwise (as viewed in Fig. 2) and effect a pull on the-"inner `end ofthe band 22aagainst the tension offtiie'l spring\23 ,`whereby the disk 22 will be rotated and swing the valve member 2 to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. Upon the movement of the rod |2a downwardly, the spring 23 will rotate the disk 22 and swing the rocker 25 in the opposite direction. `I1" in the return movement of the valve member 2, fuel becomes lodged between it and the inner end wall of the olf-set Ib, the band 22a will slip on the disk -without turning it. The outer end of the rocker arm 25a is preferably provided with a roller to reduce friction between it and the collar |8.` The rocker 25' is preferably provided with a laterally extending arm 25b carrying a roller at its outer end in position to be engaged by the inner end of a rod 26. The rod 26 is screW-threadedly mounted in an internally threaded member 21 fixedly supported on the casing |,whereby the rod 2E may .be adjusted endwise to swing the rocker about its fulcrum to relate the rocker arm 25a to the collar |8. By adjusting the rod Vendwise inwardly, the rocker 25' will be rocked counter-clockwise (one adjusted position of the rocker being shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2) and position the outer end of the rocker arm 25a in spaced relation to the collar I8` when the latter is in normalposition. Accordingly, when the rocker is adjusted as above set forth, the collar I8' willmove a predetermined distance before engaging the rocker arm 25a and operating, the rocker. By adjusting the rod 26, the movement of the rocker 25' and disk 22 can be regulated to decrease the quantity of fuel permitted to gravitate to the compartment 5 in each operation of the valve member 2.

The bottom annular wall 3 for the compartment 5a is preferably provided with an annular chamber 3:1: connected with valved inlet and outlet connections 3x', whereby water may be circulated through the chamber to maintain the wall 3` cool.` Due to contact of the adjacent ring 2a' with the wall 3, a portion of the heat imparted to the ring 2a will be conducted to the wall 3, so that the ring 2a' is maintained relatively cool.

As will be observed the valve 40H1,` in position to be heated by the combustion taking place in the producer, but due to the mounting of the valves 4, 4a, I am able to provide for cooling the valve 4a in a simple manner. As shown, the valve 4a is hollow to provide therein a chamber- 4a into which the rod 8 (which is hollow as already set forth) extends. This construction permits the provision in the rod 8 of a small pipe 28 suitably connected to a nipple 28a at the upper end of the rod and extending into the chamber 4a' at its lower end, the nipple 28a being connected to a flexible hose 28a -leading from a source of water supply under pressure, the water supplied to the chamber 4a being discharged therefroml through the pipe 8around the pipe 28 and flowing out at the upper end of the rod 8 through a nipple 28h', which is connected by a flexible hose 28221 `leading to a drain or sump.

The steam supply pipe is provided with an adjustable pressure regulating valve 29|, of any desired construction, arranged to be set at a predetermined pressure (preferably at 70 lbs. per square inch), whereby the pressure of the steam supplied to the valve mechanism I6 will at all times be uniform. The valve mechanism I6 is preferably of the rotary type, and driven through a suitable reduction gearing 30 by a motor 3|, which is connected in a circuit 32 to mains 33.

In the herein disclosed application of my in- Ventioirrthe circuit 32 is.provided `with :a switch www.

32 which is normally opened, so that` thefmotor 3|, the valve mechanism I6 and the operating mechanism 9 are normally at rest, but provision is made to automatically close and open; the` switch to start and stop the motor to effect voperation of these mechanisms dependenton the heat of the gases liowing through the ue a. For this purpose I provide in the flue a an electro-thermo couple a set to operate at a predetermined degree of temperature, so that when these gases rise-in temperature, due to combustion in the producer A, to or above the predetermined degree, the switch 32 will be operatedto close the circuit 32 and thus start the motor 3| in operation. The motor in turn operates the valve mechanism I whereby steam is supplied to the`mechanism 9 to operate the valves 4, 4a, and feeder 2, in coordinated relation as already set forth, whereby fresh fuel (coal and the like) is delivered to the compartment 5, then to the compartment 5a and iinally fed to the producer a. These operations will continue until the temperature of the gases in the flue a drops to a point below the predetermined temperature, whereby the electro-thermo couple a' will open the switch 32' and stop the motor.

The valve mechanism I6 comprises a casing I 5a having conically shaped seats into which valve elements |66, Ib, rotatably fit, the inner ends of the latter being connected together by an irregular shaped projection |60 fitting a complementary opening formed in the other element. The element |612 is removably connected to a fitting I 5d held in position by a cap, I6e which is threaded into the adjacent end of the casing Ilia, a suitable bearing being provided between the fitting Idand cap Ie and an expansion spring IS is provided between the bearing and the adjacent valve element to retain the latter in its seat. The valve element I6b is mounted similarly to the valve element I6b, except that the fitting |601 is connected (preferably integrally) to a shaft |69, which is coupled to the shaft 33a of the reduction gearing and driven thereby. The valve element ISD is provided with aduct |693, whereas the valve element IBb is provided with a duct Isc, these ducts being in diametrical relation. As'shown in Fig. l, the steam supply pipe II terminates in branches IIa, Ila', each connected to a port preferably formed in the upper wall of the Valve casing Ia. The valve casing is provided (a) at one side with alined ports, one thereof being connected to the pipe I5 and the other being connected to the pipe |5a and (b) at its bottom with alined ports connected to exhaust pipes |5, |59t, respectively, preferably leading to the air blast of theproducer? A. The duct Ix is so arranged that in one position of the valve element lbduring rotation thereof it registers with the ports for the pipes I Ia and I5V to supply steam to the cylinder I2 and in another position it registers with the ports for the pipes I5 and |59: to permit exhaust of the-steamto and through the latter pipe, the ports for the` pipes I Ia, I5 and I5at being closed during the remaining rotary movement of the Valve elements, whereas during the period the ports to the pipes IIa, I5 and |59c are closed, the duct |632' in one position registers with the ports for the pipes IfI'a and I5a to supply steam to the cylinder |29: and in another position with the port-s for the pipes |50, and I5 to permit exhaust of the steam to and through the latter pipe, the portsA for the. pipes IIa', I5a and |59:' being closed during theremaining rotary movement, of the valve'elements; As

shown in Fig.` 5; the: valve elements |619; |611 ro,-

tate clockwise, so that the-steam is sl-llried to the cylinder [2:1: to effect operation ofthe-Valve 4 and exhausted therefrom prior to the supply of steam to the cylinder I2 and operation of the valves 4a, the speed of the valve elements being so regulated that during the period between the cut-olf ofthe ly, in the manner already set forth andthe linkages in turn are operatedv and controlled by electrical means to coordinate the movements of the sleeve and rod in the manner already set forth. In this view, 34, 34a, indicate electric motors each connected by leads 35 to suitable contacts in a casing 36 having a rotary switch device therein driven by a motor 31, the device and motor being supplied with current from mains 38, the switch device serving to close one circuit and break the circuit and then to close the other operating connection with the motors 34, 34a,v y respectively, are similar in construction and operation, so that one linkage and its connection with the adjacent motor will be referred to, that is, the linkage |333 connected to the rod. This linkage comprises a rocker 39 fulcrumed on a standard 40, and connected at its inner, endV to the rod 8. The outer end of the rocker 39 is pivotally connected to tie outer end of a sectional member di, the inner end of which is pivotally connected to a crank d2- iixed to theshaft of the adjacent motor 313. The member M consists of an inner device lIIa of tubular'form having a reduced innerr portion Mx pivotally connected at its outer end to the crank @Zand an enlarged outer portion Msc' enclosing a coiled expansion spring I3` and an outer device Ma pivotally connected at its outer end to the outer end of the rocker 39. The device Ma is provided with a head Hb slidably fitting the inner wall of the` enlarged portion da" of the device dia and a stem or shank Mb' which extends into and slid-` ably ts the reduced portion Mx of the device.

Ma, the spring 4-3 being interposed between the head Ib and a cap-415. which is threaded on the.v

outer end of the device Ma and through which the device ela' slidably extends. In this arrangement, wnen current to thelmotor is cutoff, the crank d2 is in the position shown, but due to operation of the switch device in the casing 33, the motor 34 is operated'to effect one rotation of its shaftl and then stopped, so that the crank d2 swings upwardly and downwardly in making'one revolution. In the upwardy movement of the crank 42 the power of the motor is transmitted thro-ugh the device dla, head 4Ib and device da' to the rocker 39 to move'the rod 8 downwardly and in the downward. movement of the crank 42, the power of the'motor 34 is transmittedthrough the device Ma, the engage-r ment of` the spring 43 with the' head Mb servingk to insure movement of` the rocker 39 therewith.

. i619 fixed to a rod |813'.

mounted in brackets 44, provided on the casing and raising of the rod 8. In this form the fuel is preferably delivered by a feed member such as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, operatively connected to a rocker 25x, which is controlled by a collar The rod |8b' is slidably l, the upper end of the rod |812' being connected to the lower end of a link |8c, which is connected to and operated by the crank 42 of the motor 34,`

whereby feed of the fuel is controlled in co-ordinated relation to the operation of the rod 8; A magnetically operated brake (not shown) may be connected in series in the circuit for each motor 34, 34a, to insure stoppage thereof at the end of each rotation upon cut-off of the current in the circuit.

Fig. a illustrates a modified form of construction for feeding 4fuel from the chute Ic to the compartment 5. The upper side of the feed member 22m is concave and its ,opposite walls are concentric to the outer end wall of the offset Ib. The device 22a: is fixed to a rock shaft 2|:c provided with a lever 45, the outer end of which is connected through a coiled spring 23x to an adjustable anchor 23a', the opposite end of the lever 45 being connected to the rocker 25', which is operated in the manner set forth in connection with the rocker 25' shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In this form of construction the feed member 22:1: is positively operated in one direction by the rocker 25 and in the opposite direction by the spring 23:1: which is strong enough to insure return movement of the member 22x to its normal position.

Provision is made for stopping the motor 3| at a predetermined position corresponding to that angular cut-off position of the valve elements |617, IGb, wherein the steam supplied to the cylinders |2, |2, has been exhausted and the pistons therein are in normal position. For this purpose I provide auxiliary cut-off means, indicated as entirety at 5l) (Fig. 1), for controlling the motor 3 I, whereby it continues in operation, following the opening of the valve 32' in the manner already set forth. Of the auxiliary cut-off means 50, 50a

indicates a separate circuit connected in the main circuit 32, in shunt relation to the switch 32 and supplying current to the motor and connected to suitable contacts in a switch box h, the circuit Sila across these contacts being normally closed by a spring operated movable contact 59h', which when operated breaks the circuit 50a. The contact 58h is normally disposed in the path of movement of the throw provided on a cam 5|, which is adjustably xed in any desired manner to the shaft |69, so that in each rotation ofthe latter the circuit is opened and closed. So long as the main circuit 32 is closed by the switch 32 and the motor 3| is operating to effect operation of the mechanism 9, the opening and closing of the separate circuit 50a in the manner above set forth will be ineffective, but following the operation of the switch 32' to open the main circuit 32, the motor 3| will continue to run until the cam 5| operates the contact 5|b' and breaks the circuit 50a. From the foregoing descriptiongit will i be observed Athat the auxiliary cut-ofi. means 50 'i prevents stoppage of the mechanism 9 at ',atime when either piston in the cylinders 2, |2x','is`at' i of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not to be in any sense limiting.

What I claim is:

.1.. In apparatus of the class described,l the com bination with a gas producer, of an inverted casing the open end of which is related to the com bustion chamber of said producer, spaced upper and lower annular walls carried by the side walls of said casing, valves tting said walls and form ing therewith upper and lower compartments, chute for fuel, mechanism for feeding fuel from said chute to said upper compartment, valve operating members slidably mounted in the top wall of said casing for movement rectilineally axiallyJ of said annular walls, one of said members conssting of a sleeve extending through said wall and connected to the valve fo-r said upper compartment and the other member consisting of a rod slidably tting said sleeve and extending therethrough and connected to the valve for said lower compartment, separate iiuid operated means for operating said members in one direction, said iiuid operated means consisting of a cylinder, a rod slidably extending therethrough and connected at its inner end to the adjacent valve operating member and provided with a piston reciprocable in said cylinder, an abutment carried by the outer end of said last mentioned rod and a spring interposed between said abutment and said cylinder for moving said rod to operate the adjacent member in the opposite direction, and means for supplying fluid to each of said cylinders to control the operation of said members in co-ordinated relation and relative to each other.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fluid supply means includes a valve mechanism for supplying uid to one cylinder and its exhaust therefrom during the period that the supply of the fluid to the other cylinder is cut off.

3. In apparatus of the class described, the oombination of a casing related to a combustion chamber and having spaced upper and lower annular walls therein, valves fitting said walls and forming therewith upper and lower compartments, a chute for fuel, mechanism for feeding fuel from said chute to said upper compartment, a sleeve mounted in the top wall of said casing for movement rectilineally axially of said annular walls and extending through said wall and connected to the valve for said upper compartment, a rod slidably fitting said sleeve and extending therethrough and connected to the valve for said lower compartment, mechanism for moving said sleeve and rod in one direction to move said valves into engagement with said annular walls, and fluid operated means for operating said sleeve and rod in the opposite direction in co-ordinated relation and relative to each other, said means including a valve mechanism for controlling the supply of fluid to said fiuid operated means and exhaust of the fluid therefrom, said controllingr means consisting of a motor, a source of electric j current supply, main and separate circuits for said 'motor connected to electric supply source, means w for opening and closing said main circuit and means controlled by said motor for opening said separate circuit in a predetermined position of said fluid operated means.

DWIGHT M. PALM.

Images