US341308A - ambler - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 1. A. I. AMBLER.

VAPOR FUEL APPARATUS.

Patented May 4 1886.

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N. PETERS, PhuurLhhugnpher, Wuhulgwn. 04c

(No Model.) 6 Sheets Sheet 2.

A I AMBLER VAPOR FUEL APPARATUS.

No. 341,308. PatentedMay 4, 1886.

j INT/TENTOR WITNESSES (No Model.) 6 SheetsSheet 3.

A. I. AMBLERQ VAPOR FUEL APPARATUS.

No. 341,308. Patented May 4, 1886.

WITNESSES (No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 4. A. I. AMBLER.

VAPOR FUEL APPARATUS.

No. 341,308. Patented May 4, 1886.

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Shet 5. A. I. AMBLER.

VAPOR FUEL APPARATUS. No. 341,308. Patented May 4, 1886.

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A 11 ttorne yJ 7 N. PETERS. Pholn-Lilhognphcn Washington, D. C.

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 6.

A. I. AMBLER.

VAPOR FUEL APPARATUS.

No. 341,308. Patented May 4, 1886.

IJVVEJVTOVR Attaineyw J Ji WITNESSES fl 06' M UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQEO AUGUSTIN IREL AMBLER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

VAPOR-FUEL APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 341.308. dated y Applicatioufiled February 1, i886.

Serial Nov 190,545. (Nomo eh) To all whom it 17mg concern.-

Be it known that l, AUGUsTIN IREL AM- BLER, of the cityof Washington, District of Columbia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Vapor Fuel- Apparatus, of

which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to apparatus for producing and utilizing vapor-fuel by the combined use of petroleum or its products and steam, for generating steam and other purposes, or wherever the production of heat and flame is required, including the supplying of vapor-fuel to the boilers of locomotive-engines, or of marine and othereugines, and to various metallurgic and other purposes The invention, however, is more particularly designed to be used in connection with locoinotiveengine boilers, or other boilers of thelocomotive type, and it will here be described more particularly with reference to such use.

The invention consists in certain novel constructions and combinations of parts, whereby the vaporizing of the petroleum or 'oil and mixture of the steam with it or its vapors is Very perfectly and economically secured, conveniences are afforded for control of the apparatus, and other advantages are obtained, substantially as hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a .part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 represents a vertical longitudinal section of a locomotive-engine and tender in part, having my invention applied. Figure 2 is a plan view of the tank or engine-tender in part, with certain attachments. Fig. 3 represents a plan view of a series of main or up per tube-burners forming part of the apparatus, and Fig. at is a plan view of a series of lower tube-burners with certain attachment-s. Fig. 5 shows a view in perspective of the upper and lower series of burners with interposed retorts of the apparatus, together with sundry connecting-pipes, including the operating pipes and valves for regulating and controlling ilow of vapor from the multiple retort to the upper and lower tube-burners. Fig. 6 is a top or plan view of the retorts in a series of six, as coupled together, and with certain outside pipe-connections and valves. Fig. 7 shows, mainly, a partly sectional side view of the generating portion of the apparatus, or that part of it which includes the upper and lower burners, interposed multiple retort, pipe-connections with said parts, frame-work immediately connected therewith, and a dripsame upon the lines a; a: and y y in Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a plan and sectional view of-a pair of the tube-burners with connections.

A is a fire-box of theboileroi' a locomotiveengine, or it might be any other boiler of lo comotive type, and A a steanrdome mounted upon said boiler. Steam is taken from the said dome by a pipe, b, arranged toextend into the cab of the engine or back toward the operator and fitted with a valve, 0, to let on or shut off steam, as required. This pipe b coinmunicates with a superheater or circulating series of superheating-pipes, B, in the fire-box of the boiler where it is exposed to a high degree of heat, and connects with the burners and retorts, as hereinafter described.

0 O are the main tube-burners used to run the engine, D D the multiple retort or retorts, and E E the burners bclowthe retorts for heating the latter. These several devices are all located within the lower portion of the fire-box in regular order, one above'or below the other, the main burners O O being above the retorts and the burners E E below the retorts. The multiple retort D 1') consists of a series of cylinders or outer boxes, (1, arranged horizontally side by side with end compartments, 6, in them, and numerous interior longitudinal tubes or lines, f, connecting said compartments at the opposite ends of the cylinders. These tubes f are rigidly connected at their one end with a fixed head and at their opposite end with a suitably-packed pistonlike head, to provide for any inequality in the expansion and contraction of the inner and outer portions of the retorts. The several retorts which go to make up the multiple retort are connected together by means of right and left hand nipples 9, arranged to produce a return action through the several retorts in succession, as clearly shown in Fi 8; or said retorts may be otherwise equivalently connect ed. \Vhere nipples are used, however, the latter may either have tapering and smooth ends or have right and left hand threads on their opposite ends, as shown, respectively, in Figs. 8, l0, and 11 of the drawings. Bands or straps 9 also serve to bind the several retorts together. The burners G G and E E are also constructed of parallel outer cylinders, 71 connected, respectively, at their opposite ends, and with orificest' in and along them, within which burner-tips are or may befitted. These outer cylinders or tubes, 71, have a close longitudinal tube or flue, 70, extending through each of them and connected by end elbows, Z, the whole being arranged so as to produce a circulation of the steam consecutively through the tubes It. The superheater B connects at its delivery end with the one end of therear tube, k, of the upper burners, O C, and the superheated steam, after circulating by the connections through the several tubes is of the bu rners O O, inner tubes, f, of the retorts DD, and inner tubes, k, of the lower burners, E E, passes up by a pipe, m, to near the crown sheet ofthe fire-boxto a valve, 11, to control said circulation, and from thence, by a continuation of the pipe m, as shown in Fig. 1, through one of the upper lines, 5', of the boiler to a suction-nozzle, J, in front of said fines at the lower part of the stack K. The steam is thus circulated through the apparatus for the purpose of heating the various parts of the latter and for the purpose of inducing draft or suction. The valve in the pipe in is inclosed in a covering packed with asbestus to protect it from destruction by the heat.

The steam from the dome-pipe I), after pass ing through the snperheater B, enters the rear upper inner tube of the burners C from, say, the right-hand side, then passes through the next inner tube of said burners from the left-haud side, and so on, successively, by the elbows and connections, alternately from the right and left hand sides, till passing through each of the five upper burner-tubes or rather their inner tubes, or any other odd number of said tubes. The steam after thus circulat-. ing in a close manner through the inner tubes, k, of the upper burners, G, then passes by connecting tube and elbows to the steam-space e on the righthand end of the first retort D, and from thence through the tubes or fluesfthercin to the steam-space e on the left-hand side of said retort, and so ou,from opposite sides, successively, through the inner tubes of the several six or even number of retorts D D. From the right-hand or finishing end of the retorts the steam passes down into the righthand end of the first lower tube-burner E, or rather its pipe is, thence through to the left hand of the next tube, and so on to the last of the five or other odd number of lower burnertubes, and from thence by elbow and pipe connections to a vacuum-pump or mixing-chamber, F, for the steam and oil or vapor. 1ntervening the connection last named is placed a valve, 0, having a long stem operated by a secondary upright stem, a, and so connected as to be within easy reach of the operator, for controlling the flow of steam into the pump or mixing-chamber, as shown in Fig. 1.

The multiple retort is made of an even number of retorts and the tnbe-burners of an odd number, so that all the connections may come in line and contribute to form a compact apparatus.

The tank or engine-tender is constructed to form an inner oilrcservoir, L, for supplying the retorts D through the mixer F, and an outer water tank or reservoi r, M, for supplying the boiler with water to keep up the steam. Oil is supplied to the mixer F by a pipe or pipes, s, having an intermediate valvebox, t, fitted with a valve and valve-stem, a", for controlling the supply of oil to the mixer. Said pipes .9 connect in the rear with a receiving-chamber, a, in the lower part of the oilreservoir L, near its one end,within which is a valve, a", for retaining the oil in the reservoir L when not in use. Connected with this chamber a is a flexible tube or hose, 2), which carries at its outer end a rose, 20, for supply ing the oil which is lightest and freest from sediment to the chamber a. To this end the rose 10 is kept at or near the upper surface of the oil in the reservoir L by a light hollow float. 0, connected with the flexible tube r.

P P are upper cylinders or chambers on or connected with the oil-reservoir L, for the pun pose of receiving ascending vapors produced either mechanically or otherwise for use in starting when steam cannot be obtained. This may be done by well-known means-as, for instance, by a force-pump and pipe connected with the bottom of the oil-reservoir.

The burners C and E have the passage of vapor controlled to them from the retorts by valves and valve-stems a, which valvestems, in common with the other valvestems, are all within convenient reach of the engineer. The special object of these lower burners E E is to heat and regulate theheat of the retorts D D, so that the latter may have a regular and uniform heat and retain an even temperature largely within their capacity without disintegration orinjury. Said lower burners are arranged within a drip-pan, G, Fig. 7. In this drip'pan I pack tolerably compact fine asbestus wool c, and fill up the same to about even with the top of the lower burners, E, for the purpose of catching the drippings in starting, and into this drip-pan and asbestus I allow at starting oil of a light grade to flow in small quantities, and at the same time let on steam or compressed air and IIO .mix with it a small quantity of alcohol, and

throw in a quantity of burning cotton-waste saturated with oil. The heat thus obtained will in a short time so heat up the retorts as to cause avapor to be generated and an intense flame and heat to be produced, so that steam will be raised in the boiler much sooner and at less expense than can be done by the usual means employed for raising steam. There are also shown in Fig. 7 two pipes, d (1, run; ning crosswise of the fire-box and constructed or fitted with suitable spraying-tips. The one of these tubes is designed to carry oil and the other steam or compressed air, and they are so located and their tips so arranged that the jets issuing from the one of them will cross the jets issuing from the other, and thus cause them to become atomizing-tubes, which will spray the oil, and by being suitably connected with the steam from an auxiliary boiler or compressed air-chamber, (not here shown,) and with the light oil in the tank or elsewhere, a flame may be kept up by these atomizingtubes to assist the apparatus at starting, said tubes forming an additionaladjunct for the purpose.

The upper burners, GO, serve to supply flame and heat to different parts of the boiler, and to give an increased or more effective heating-surface. The fire-box or chamber A of the boiler is studded with a series of watertubes, 0, which may either be arranged crosswise of the fire-chamber, as shown in Fig. 1, or be pendent ones from the crownsheet, accordingly as the boiler is a locomotive or stationary one.

The various valves within convenient reach of the engineer enable him to regulate the flame and heat both in the burners, retorts, and lire-box. of the boiler. The flame may be instantly lighted or extinguished, and smoke or soot both during ignition and combustion is or may be avoided.

A peep hole or tube, f, is provided in the fire-box to enable the engineer to ascertain the condition or extent of the flame and heat both at starting the boiler and afterward.

The steam tubes it, running through the chambers of the burning-tubes and connected at opposite ends alternately by means of elbows and coimectingpipes, are close tubes, there being no perforations or holes for the passage of steam into the chamber of the burning-tube to mix with the vapor or to escape in flames; nevertheless the steam circulating in and through said tubes is live steam, for the reason that a portion of said steam is constantly being used to operate the pump and mix with the oil in the vapor-chambers of the retorts, and passes out of the burners in flame and heat and in operating the nozzle J under the control of the valve a in the fire-box, as clearly shown in F1 2. 1.. By this plan of device it will be seen that the steam passing through these tubes It performs three distinct functions: first, heating without the escape of steam the internal chambers of all the burners, and by means of the connections and the internal tubes the vapor-chambers of all the retorts; second, supplying steam by means of a branch pipe to the pump and mixing-chamher; and, third, by means of another branch pipeoperating the nozzle J in the smoke-stack to create the vacuum required.

In the operation of the apparatus, steam and oil being let into the multiple retort D D from the mixer, as also to the burners, said steam either being supplied from an auxiliaryboiler or from the main boiler, burning waste saturated with oil is conveyed to the lower burners. This will raise a fierce flame and heat, alcohol being added, if desired, and in a short time the retorts will become sufflciently hot to generate a highly-inflammable vapor, produced from the mixture of the oil and steam in the mixer F, as controlled by the valves for the purpose, and generated within .he retorts and escaping by the upper tube-burners, C G. This vapor will cause the fire-box A to be filled with flame and heat, causing steam of a working-pressure to be speedily raised within the boiler. When this occurs, steam from any auxiliary source, or air, if it be used instead to vaporize the oil, is shut off, and steam to work the apparatus is taken direct from the main or locomotive boiler, the operator aft ll.

ward regulating his heat both upo i1'tl1e"'ietorts and in the fire-box by the valves provided for the purpose, and the combination of mechanism is such that the engineer is enabled to so spread the heat and with such uniformity as to render a high heat destructive to the apparatus unnecessary.

In defining my present invention with respect to the prior state of the art, I would refer (in relation to the retorts, tube-burners,

mixer, and steam-pipe) to my former Patent.

No. 838,461, dated March 23, 1856.

The difference between my present invention and my former Patent No. 338,461, dated March 23, 1886, and all other inventions of a like character, as far as known to me, consists of the following distinctive features and functions, namely: lirst, that the burner-tubes and retorts are so arranged that the under series of burner-tubes are immediately or vertically subjaccnt to the retorts, which brings the flame under the retort, while the upper series of burner tubes are alternated in vertical planes with the retorts, so as to occupy a place above the spaces between the retorts, and in this arrangement of the burners in relation to the retorts it will be perceived that the lower series of burner tubes do not extend out to the end of the series of retorts, but stop short the distance of one retort, which permits me in a simple and compact manner,consistently with the circumscribed limits of the fire-box, to directly connect the mixer or pump with the retorts above by a straight vertical connectingpipe; second, the apparatus is so constructed as to conduct a continuous flow of steam from the dome of the boiler, without any intervening escape of steam,to and through all parts of the entire apparatus until it escapes in flame and heat, and through the nozzle J to create a vacuum in the front chamber of the boiler, and this is done by the continuous flow of steam from the dome of the boiler under the control of suitable valves, as follows first, to and through the superheater located in the fire-box instead ofin the front chamber, as in my for mer patent; second, to and through the upper burners without escape of steam; third, to and through the retorts from end to end, as in my former patent fourth, to and through the lower burning-tubes without escape of steam, thence by one pipe to the pump and mixingchamber controlled by the valve 0, and by an other pipe to the nozzle J controlled by the valve a. By these means I am enabled to hold and retain in all parts of my apparatus abody of steam for internalheatingpurposes, and use a part only thereof for the pump-mixing chamber and nozzle, and by which means I cheapen the construction, economize its use, and simplify its mode of operation by letting no steam go to waste and by using the entire volume of steam employed to. advantage.

I disclaim in my present application the construction and application of the retorts, the special form of the burning-tubes, and the combination of the pump and mixing-chamber with the perforated steam-pipe as not embraced in the distinctive features set forth, as such a combination is shown in my former patent, to which reference has been made.

Having thus fully described myinvention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In apparatus for the production and use as vapor-fuel of petroleum or its products, the combination of the multiple retort D, and the tube-burners C E, provided respectively and continuously with inner close steam-circulat-,

ing tubes or passages, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. In apparatus for the production and use as vapor-fuel of petroleum or its products, the combination, with the multiple retort D D, mixer F, and tube-burners O E, of the close steam-pipes is within said burners and the controllable nozzle J, in communication with the steam pipe passing through the lower burner, essentially as described.

3. In apparatus for the production and use as vapor-fuel of petroleum or its products, the combination,with the mixer F, of an even numberof retorts, D D, and odd numbers of upper and lower tube-burners arranged in relation with the retorts and with each other, substantially as specified.

4. In apparatus for the production and use as vapor-fuel of petroleum or its products, the combination, with the retorts D, upper and lower burners, C E, and mixer F, of the drippan G, arranged to receive the lower burners within it, and for use in connection with said lower burners and with the retorts, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

5. Ihe combination of the atomizing-tubes d d with the lower and upper burners, E O. mixer F, and retorts D, essentially as and for the purposes specified.

AUGUSTIN IREL AMBLER.

Vitnesses:

SoLoN O. KEMON, GEO. S. BROOK.

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