US820528A - Overfeed-stoker. - Google Patents

Description

No. 820,528. PATBNTED MAY 15, 1906. A. D. SOUTHAM. OVERPEED STOER.

APPLIGATIONILED NOT/.2, 1903.

2 SHBETS*SHEET 1A Sme/Wto@ 351 J A' @Movnua No. 820,528. PATENTED MAY l5, 1906.

A. D. SOUTHAM.

OVERFEED STOKER.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 2, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

s mdwm UNITED sTATns ARTHUR DUDIiEY SOUTHAM, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

OVERFEED-STOKER.

Specication of Letters Patent.

ratentecl May 15, 1906.

Application filed November 2,1903. Serial No. 179,568.

T0 all whom, if may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARTHUR DUDLEY SOUTHAM, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing in the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Overfeed-Stokers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side elevation of the apparatus; Fig. 2, a longitudinal vertical sectional view thereof; Fig. 3, a horizontal sectional view, a portion of the apparatus being shown in plan; and Fig. 4, a transverse sectional view on the line IV IV of Fig. 2. Fig.

5 is a detail vertical sectional view of the i means for adjusting thel connection between the ram and the ram-operating lever.

T his invention relates to that class of mechanical stokers in which small quantities of coal or coal-dust are periodically thrown or sprinkled over the surface of the fire and known as overfeed or sprinkler stokers.

The mechanism may for the purpose of this explanation be conveniently described under the following divisions: first, the reservoir, feeding-ram, and its mechanism; second, the sprinkler or shovel and its actuating mechanism.. j

Referring to the various parts by letters, N

` designates a reservoir or hopper for containing coal or coal-dust, and preferably provided with a suitable screen or grid at its lower end for the purpose of preventing large lumps of coal from entering the mechanism. The supply of fuel in this hopper may be replenished as and when required by hand'or continuously through a suitable coal-chute. This hopper is mounted upon the upper side of a box or casing, which inclines slightly inward and downward, said hopper being secured thereto near the outer end thereof. The inner end of this casing is provided with a vertical wall or flange by which it may be secured to the front wall of a furnace by suitable bolts or other fastening means. The interior of this casing is divided horizontally by a feed-table T, the inner end of this table terminating short of the inner vertical wall of the casing, so that the fuel may be dropped off said table into the compartment below. The lower compartment is about half the length of the upper compartment and its lower wall curves inward and downward to form a curved bed on which the fuel drops from the feed-table. The upper compartment thus formed in the casing contains the feeding-ram R, and the lower compartment contains the pivotally-inounted sprinkler or shovel S. In the front wall of the casing below the lower compartment is arranged the fire-door D, this door being adapted to be used when first starting the Jrire or when raking the same. It is also obvious that this door may be used when stoking the fire by hand in the usual manner. Provision is made for regulating the admission of air over the fire by means of a register or damper F,

.forming a part of the fire-door.

I designates an inspection-door which closes the outef end of the upper compartment, said door being hinged at its upper edge and giving access to the feeding-rain, and D3 designates a sliding door mounted in the lower wall of the lower compartment,

which gives access to the shovel.

The feed-table T has on the part of its upper surface which is nearest the fire a number of jagged teeth t t, with their edges pointing toward the feed-ram, the purpose of which projections is to prevent the fuel from rolling or sliding down the surface except when pushed down by the action of the feeding-ram R, in the manner hereinafter described. Alternately I may use one or more suspended check-arches C2, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. check-arch is important when using certain classes of coal, and more especially so when the stoker is fixed to locomotive-boilers or on board ships Where there is much vibration.

The fuel contained in the reservoir N is by the forward movement of the ram R periodically fed in predetermined quantities over the edge of the table T and deposited on the bottom ledge at W in front of the sprinkler or shovel S during the period when the shovel is being drawn back away from the fire.

The feeding-ram R, which is supported on both sides b y the short projecting ribs I P, has a horizontal backward and forward sliding motion actuated and controlled by the arm Ii, which is pivoted at A. One end of this lever forms operative connection with the feed-ram by means of the jaws J J2, located on the lower side of the feed-ram and engaging with the projection at the end of The presence of these teeth or a IOO " a certain level, especially if coal-dust be used thearm. The free end of this lever is provided at V with a roller which forms operative connection with the adjustable disks ,D and D2, hereinafter described. The face of the feed-rain is preferably concave, as shown in Fig. 8, and is provided with a sharp cutting edge to assist in breaking up any large lumps of coal.

The scraper-plate S P is pivoted at the top edge of the case and preferably has its lower edge beveled, so that the latter may rest evenly either on the upper surface of the dead-plate D P or the upper surface of the feed-ram R when the dead-plate is adjusted to its outer position, as hereinafter described. Now when the ram is drawn back a space is left in front of the concave face at R, which space is immediately filled with coal, this coal being in turn pushed along the table T and presence of the scraper-plate by preventing the coal on the surface of the ram from being carried back insures the fuel being pushed into the space in frontof the ram-face. For the purpose of regulating the amount of feed by the ram the dead-plate D P is adjustable and may be made to advance and partially cover, and thereby render inoperative a greater or lesser portion of the space formed by the withdrawal of the ram. The front edge of this dead-plate is preferably beveled, thus tending to prevent any coal-dust from getting underneath it. Alternately I may vary the stroke of the ram R by varying the distance between the jaws J and J2, said jaws being adjustable for this purpose.

The suspended check-arch C2 has its action controlled by the spiral spring s, attached to the vertical arm a, located outside the case, the tension of the spring being adjusted by the screw Z). Its function is to check any fall of the fuel other than the amount fed by the action of the ram R. This falling or leaking of the fuel is sometimes liable to occur when the supply of coal in the reservoir falls below and there is much vibration, as would be the case with railroad-locomotives. The elasticity of the spring s permits a swinging motion to the arch and allows the pushing through of the fuel when fed by the ram. The amount of fuel fed by the ram may also be approximately varied by altering the tension of the spring by means of the screw b.

Y When'there 1s much vibration and dry coaldust is used, I may employ a second checkarch over i t.

The main shaft M, which rotates in the direction indicated by the curved arrow in Fig. 1, has keyed on it two disks D and D2. These disks have formed thereon a series of vanes or oblique blades v v2 v3 v4 and V V2 V3 V4, respectively, in such a manner that they cause the roller V, and consequently the arm Isautes L, to oscillate to and fro, thereby operating ous oscillation of the arm L. The amount of fuel thus fed and deposited at W by each oscillation of the ram can be very accurately `regulated by varying the distance through which the ram travels, and I 4therefore make the effective throw of the blades adjustable,

thereby increasing or decreasing the travel through which they operate the arm L. This `may conveniently be done by adjusting the.

position of D or D2 by means of the lock-nuts j x. deposited in front on the shovel at W. The

The positions of the blades on the circumference of the disks D and D2 are adjusted :and synchronized with reference to the arms or projections E E2 E3 E4 on the cam-wheel E, which operates the shovel S, so that the movement of the ram and shovel whereby view. `The upper surface is entirely covered with a plate or sheet Y Y, slightly curved downward, so that any fuel accidentally falling thereon will roll down the incline to W.

The shovel S is suitably attached tothe ICO shovel-lever H, which passing through `a slot at the bottom of the casing is pivoted on one or both sides of the casing at H and forms part of or is attached to the rocking lever A2 B2, also pivoted at H. Keyed to the main shaft M is the cam-wheel E, having armsE/ E2 E3 E4, all of unequal length.

' C is a cylinder or case of uniform bore oscillating on the bearing G and containing an air-tight plunger or piston P2 of suitable construction ,with a piston-rod() attached thereto. The outer end of the piston-rod is pivoted to the upper end of the rocking lever A2. A spring F for propelling the shovel forward is coile round the piston-rod and confined in the front part of the cylinder between the piston andthe front cover K. The cover K` IIO stood that the cylinder C may be pivoted in any desired manner to permit lit to accommodate itself to the movement of the lever A2. I find it advantageous in some constructions of the machine to place the pivot G at the rear or outer end of the cylinder directly in line with the piston rod O. This manner of pivoting the cylinder eliminates all side strains and holds the cylinder always in axial alinement with the piston-rod.

Confined in the rear part of the cylinder by the back cover Q is the shorter spring B to assist in bringing the shovel to rest without shock or `ar. The position of the spring B may also e regulated by adjusting the back cylinder-cover Q, which is rovided with a uniform screw-thread for t at pur ose and does not allow the air to escape. t A is a small air-hole in such a position that any vacuum created by the forward motion of the piston is destroyed on the piston passing that point. On the spring-propelled piston being released any sudden shock or jar to the mechanism is prevented by the cushioning caused by the compression of air in the rear of the cylinder between A and Q, assisted by the compression of the recoil-spring B. Now on the main shaft M being rotated in the direction shown by the arrow the lower end of the rocking lever A2 B2, which is made of sufiicient -width to 'withstand wear, is carried back by one of the arms E of the sprocketwheel. This motion of the rocking lever pulls back the shovel against the action of the spring F, the extent of such motion being determined by the length of the particular arm in action. Simultaneously the feedram R has moved forward and deposited fuel in front of the shovel at W. On the sprocketwheel continuing to rotate the rocking lever is suddenly released at B2. Consequently the shovel is quickly propelled forward by the backward movement of the spring-actuated piston. The amount of compression given to the spring, and consequently the force of the impulse of the shovel,is determined by the length of the arms E E2 E3 E4, these being so arranged as to sprinkle the fuel over various sections of the fire-grate in succession.

I claim- 1. In a mechanical stoker the combination of a casing adapted to be secured to the front wall of a furnace, a hopper at the upper outer end thereof and in communication with the interior of said casing, a feed-table dividing said casing into an upper and a lower compartment the lower compartment being in communication with the furnace through an opening in the front wall of the casing, a reclprocating feed-ram working on the feedtable, an adjustable dead-plate movable over the ram, a shovel in the lower part below the feed-table, means for pivotally mounting said shovel, means for swinging said shovel rearward, a spring for projecting the shovel forward.

2. In an overfeed-stoker the combination of a main reservoir, a casing located below said reservoir, a feed-table in said casing and partially dividing the same, a number of jagged teeth or projections on the upper surface of said table, a feed-ram adapted to slide on said feed-table, means for operating said feed-ram, means for regulating the throw of the ram, an adjustable dead-plate above the ram, an inclined scraper-plate pivotally supported near the top of the divided casing its lower edge being beveled and resting on the dead-plate, a swinging shovel or sprinkler below the feed-table, a spring for moving said shovel forward, and means forretracting the shovel.

3. Ina mechanical stoker the combination of a hopper, a ram-compartment connected therewith and adapted to receive fuel therefrom, a ram therein, means for operating said ram, a feed-table in the bottom of said ramcompartment, a shovel-compartment below the ram-compartment and adapted to receive fuel from the inner end of the feed-table, a scraper-plate mounted above the ram, its lower end extending near to the upper' surface of the rain and preventing fuel moving rearward on the ram, a dead-plate above the ram and adapted to slide under the scraperplate a shovel in the shovel-comp artment, and means for operating the shovel to force fuel from the shovel-compartment.

4. In a mechanical stoker the combination of a main fuel-reservoir, a casing below said reservoir, a feed-table located in said casing and dividing the same into a shovel-compartlment and a ram-compartment and provided with upward-extending projections on its inner end, a ram above said table, means for operating said ram to force the fuel inward on said table, and over the upward-extending projection thereon, an adjustable deadplate above the ram at the outer end thereof, a scraper-plate pivotally supported above the dead-plate, its lower edge resting on said plate, a shovel mounted to move in the shovel-compartment, and means for operating said shovel.

5. In a mechanical stoker the combination of a hopper, a rain-compartment connected therewith, a ram in said compartment, means for operating said ram, a feed-table at the bottom of said ram-compartment, a shovelcompartment below the said table and adapted to receive fuel from the inner end thereof, a shovel in the shovel-compartment, means for pivotally mounting said shovel, a lever connected to the shovel and movable therewith, means for moving said lever in one direction to swing the shovel rearward in its i compartment, a cylinder pivotally mounted,

IOO

IIC

a piston therein, a iston-rod connected to said piston and to t e lever, a spring within said cylinder and adapted to be compressed by the piston whenthe shovel is moved rearward, a buffer-sprin inw said cylinder said cylinder being forme with an aperture in its side wall whereby one end of the cylinder will be in open communication with the atmosphere when the shovel is in its rearward position.

6. In a mechanical stoker the combination of a hopper, a ram-compartment connected therewith, aram in said compartment formed with a sharp cutting edge on its forward striking-face, means for operating said ram, a feed-table at the bottom of said ram-compartment, upward-extending teeth formed on said table near its inner end, a swinging yieldable check-arch above the feed-table, a shovelcompartment below the ram-compartment and receiving fuel from the inner end of the feed-table, a scraper-plate mounted above the ram, a shovel in the shovel-compartment, means for operating the shovel to force fuel from the shovel-com artment.

7. In a mechanica stoker the combination of a ram-compartment, a fuel-container connected therewith, a ram therein, means for operating the ram, a feed-table at the bottom of said ram-c ompartment, a shovel-compartment below the ram-compartment and adapted to receive fuel from the inner end of the feed-table, a shovel in the shovel-compartment its front edge being V-shaped in plan view and provided with a top plate whose forward edge extends beyond the front face of the shovel, said front edge being curved downward whereby said projecting top plate will prevent fuel being thrown back on the shovel, and means for operating the shovel to force fuel from the shovel-compartment.

8. In a mechanical stoker the combination of a casing adapted to be secured to the front wall of a furnace, a hopper at the upper outer end thereof and in communication with the interior of said casing, a feed-table dividing said casing into upper and lower compartments, the lower compartment being in communication with the furnace through an opening in the front wall of the casing, a reciprocating feed-ram working on the feedtable, an adjustable dead-plate movable over the ram, a'scraper-plate adapted to work on the dead-plate, a shovel in the lower compartment below the feed-table, and means for pivotally mounting saidshovel, means for swinging said shovel rearward, a spring for projecting the shovel forward, and means for providing an air-cushion to bring the shovel to a stop without a jar. I

9. In a mechanical stoker the combination of a casing adapted to be secured to the front wall of a furnace, a feed-hopper in communication with the upper outer end of said casing, a feed-table dividing said casing into an upper and a lower compartment, the lower compartment being in communication with the furnace through an opening in the front wall of the casing, a reciprocating ram mounted on the feed-table, means for reciprocating said feed-ram, a swinging shovel mounted in the .lower compartment, means for forcing said shovel rearward, a cylinder provided with an air-release hole or port, a piston therein, and means operatively connecting said piston to the shovel whereby when the shovel is moved rearward the spring will be placed under tension, means for providing a cushion to receive the piston when the spring is released to swing the shovel forward, and a cushioning-spring in the cylinder to receive the impact of the piston.

l0. In a mechanical stoker the combination of a casing adapted to be secured to the front wall of a furnace, a feed-hopper in communication with the outer upper end of said casing, a feed-table dividing said casing into an upper and a lower compartment, the

lower compartment being in communication with the furnace through an opening in the front wall of the casing, a reciprocating feedram mounted on the feed-table, means for reciprocating said feed-ram, an adjustable dead-plate movable over the outer end of said ram, a scraper-plate pivoted in the top of the casing and inclining inward and downward, its lower edge resting on the dead-A plate, a swingingshovel mounted in the lower compartment, means for forcing said shovel rearward, a cylinder, a piston therein, a spring interposed between said piston and one end of the cylinder, and means operatively connecting said piston to the shovel whereby when the shovel is moved rearward the spring lwill be placed under a tension, means for providing a cushion to receive the piston when the spring is released ,to swing the shovel forward, a door closing the outer end of the upper compartment and a door in the bottom of the lower compartment..

11. In a mechanical stoker the combination of a casing adapted to be secured to the front wall of a furnace, a feed-hopper in communication with the upper outer end of said casing, a feed-table dividing said casing into an upper and a lower compartment, the

lower compartment being in communication therein, a spring interposed between saidl IOO IIO

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my piston and one end of the cylinder, means l signature, in the presence of two witnesses,

operatively connecting said piston to the shovel whereby when the shovel is moved this 8th day of' October, 1903;l rearward the spring will be placed under teni ARTHUR DUDLEY SOUTHAM. sion, and means for providing a cushion to Witnesses:

receive the piston when the spring is re- JOHN W. THoMAs,

leased to swing the shovel forward. ERNALD S. MosELEY.

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