US1663636A - Stoker - Google Patents

Description

March 27, 1928. 1,663,636

N. M. LOWER ET A1.

STOKER Filed Aug. 9. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheei l.

[n Wen ons? March 27, 1928. 1,663,636

N. M. LowER ET Ax.

STOKER Filed Aug. 9. 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mmh 27, 192s. 1,663,636

N. M. LOWER ET AL STOKER Filed Aug. 9. 1925 `i5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Mar. 27, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NATHAN M. LOWER AND PAUL A. KETCHPEL, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, AS- SIGNORS T0 LOCOMOTIVE STOKER COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

STOKEB.

Application iiled August 9, 1928. Serial No. 856,481.

This invention relates to stokers and more particularly to the type in which fuel is elevated into a chamber or receptacle communicating with the interior of the tire-box 'through the back head thereof, and from which it is projected into the fire-box.

The objects of the invention are to simplify and increase the efficiency of devices of this character, and one embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a portion of a locomotive and the device applied thereto, with parts removed and parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a sectional View on the broken line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow, with parts broken aWay;`

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, with parts broken awa Fig. 4 is a detail sectiona view of the valve mechanism; and

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the distributor valve and casing therefor, with the rear plate removed;

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the distributor valve with the nozzle plate removed; and

7 is a front elevation of the nozzle and nozzle plate.

On the drawings the reference character 9 designates the back head of a locomotive which may be in form of a water leg, as shown. The back head`9 is provided with a firing door opening 10 and the grates 11 are indicated in ,dotted lines in Fig. 1, all of which are of the usual or well known construction.

Since the details ofthe locomotive constitute no part of the present invention, it is not thought necessary to show and describe the same. And since the invention relates to improvements in stokers of known construction, various details are omitted.

The stoking' mechanism is mounted on and suitably secured to the locomotive and comprises a conveyor 12, elevator casing 18 having its upper portion formed into a` fuel receptacle or blast chamber 14, elevator mechanism 13 in the casing, a fuel projecting device 15, and a distributor member 16 which extends through the door opening 1() into the fire box.

The conveyor 12 comprises a suitable casing in which is rotatably mounted a conveyor screw 12, and projecting forwardly from below the fioor 17 of the locomotive tender, as indicated in Fig. 2, and its forward portion extends forwardly and upwardly as shown in Fig. 1 for conveying the fuel from the tender tothe elevator casing 18. The conveyor is connected to the elevator casing by the ball and socket joint 19 in the usual manner.

The conveyor screw 12a is operated in any suitable manner as by means of the small engine 21 carried by the locomotive. The engine 21 is provided with a power shaft 22 which is adapted to rotate the counter shaft 23 through a suitable worm and gear arrangement 24. The shaft 23 is provided with a gear 25 which meshes with a gear 26 on the screw conveyor shaft 27 for rotating the same. The shaft 23 may be provided with a suitable number of universal joints 28 (see Figs. 2 and 3) to compensate for the relative movements of the locomotive and tender and to provide for any an ular adjustment relative to the shaft 27 o the screw conveyor 12.

Suitable means are provided for delivering the fuel to the blast chamber or fuel box 14. Preferably the fuel is delivered through the floor of the chamber 14 in suitable increments of the desired size. As shown, a plunger 29 is adapted to reciprocate Within the elevator casing 18. The plunger 29 has its upper surface so arranged or inclined that it will form a substantially horizontal continuation of the floor of the blast chamber or fuel box 14 when at its upper limit of movement. The plunger 29 is provided with a depending skirt or projection 30 which is adapted to prevent the entrance of fuel from the conveyor 12 when the same is in elevated position. The enclosed space between the casing of the conveyor 12 and the elevator casing 18 provides sufficient room to receive the fuel delivered by the conveyor during the elevation of the plunger.

'The plunger 29 is operated in any suitable manner. As shown, it is yoperated by the shaft 22 which is provided with a worm which in turn engages the worm gear 31 secured on the shaft 32 jolrnaled in suitable bearings in the front wall of the elevator casing 18. A crank 33 is rigidly secured to the shaft 32 and is ccnnccted by the link 34 to the plunger 29 for raising and lowerin the same. h

Suita )le means are provided for pro]ecting the fuel from the last chamber or fuel box into the fire-box. Preferably mechanism for employing steam or other fluid blasts is used for this purpose. Suitable mechanism is also provided for controlling and directing the blasts whereby the fuel may be delivered to any desired portion of there-box. The direction of the blast is determined by a selection of the nozzle pas-- sa es through which the steam' or other fluid under pressure is permitted to escape.

AS shown, the fuel projecting device comprises a nozzle plate 35 which is provided with a forwardly extending nozzle or nozzle block 36, adapted to extend through an opening in the rear end of the blast charnber or fuel box 14, an intermediate late 37 and the rear plate 38. The forwardj end of the nozzle block 36 is curved as shown in Fig. 2. The block is provided with conduits 39 which terminate in vertical bores 39 from which one or more horizontal series of nozzle passages 39 extend convergently forwardly. The outer nozzle passage at each side of the blast chamber or fuel box 14 may, if desired, extend directly forwardly in order to project into the fire-box the fuel that may collect at the rear portion of each side of said blast chamber or fuel-box.

As shown, the conduits 39 are made by formin 1r rrrooves in the upper face of the body of the block 36 and covering the same and the upper ends of the bores 39al by the plate 36a, as shown in Fi 2. The intermediate plate 37 is provided with a series of openings 40 arranged in a circle adjacent the outer edge thereof.

Grooves 41 are provided on the front, face of the plate 37 and are in communication with the openings 40. The inner ends of the grooves 41 are adapted to register with the conduits 39. The rear member 38 is provided with a circular recess 42. Angular passages 43 are provided in the wall of the recess 42. The outer ends of these openings l are in communication with the openings 40 in the intermediate plate 37.

An oscillating or distributor valve member 44 is journaled in the hub 45 of the rear v member 38. This member is in the form of an L and is provided with an axial bore which is adapted to be brought into communication with the openings 43 of the rear member 38.

Steam `or other fluid under ressure is supplied to the oscillating valve t rough the pipe 46. It will thus be seen that as the ore of the valve 44 is brou ht to register with the opening 43 steam will be delivered through the corresponding conduit 39 in the nozzle block 36.

Suitable means are provided for oscillating the valve 44. Means are also provided for selectively delivering the steam to the different conduits 39 in the nozzle block. This lnechanism will now be described.

The rearward or projecting end of the valve 44 is provided with a spur gear 47 which is adapted to engage a rack 48. The rack 48 is reciprocated b suitable mechanism from the power sha t 22. In the-embodiment disclosed this mechanism comprises a worm on the shaft 22 which engages the gear 49 on the shaft 49hl to turn the gear 50 which in turn meshes with a gear 5l mounted on a shaft 52. Shafts 49HL and 52 are held in fixed relation to each other by means of a link 53. The shaft 54 is operated from the shaft 52 by means of the chain 55 which engages suitable sprockets on said shafts. The shafts 54 and 52 are held in fixed relation to each other bymeans of the link 56. Sii-.ift 54 is provided with a gear 57 which meshes with the gear 58 which is provided with a crank pin 59 on which is pivoted one `end of the link 60. The forward end of the link 60 is pivoted to the upper end of a link 61 which is pivoted at its lower end as at 63.

The rear end of the rack bar 48 is pivotally connected to the upper end of the lever 64, the lower end of wh1ch is pivoted as at 65. A link 66 is pivoted at its rearward end to the block 62, slidably mounted in an arcuate slot 67 in the link 61. The forward end of the link 66 is pivoted to the lever 64 at an intermediate point thereof. It will thus be seen 'that by this arrangement the rack bar 48 is reciprocated to oscillate the valve 44 as the gear 58 rotates.

The extent to which the valve 44 will rotate will depend upon the position of the block 62 in the slot 67. The maximum oscillation will be obtained when the block is in its upper position. The block iS adapted to be manually raised and lowered by the lever 68 which has its angular end connected to the Ablock 62 by means of a link 69. A suitable rack or quadrant 70 is provided for securing the lever 68 in adju sted position.

Suitable means are provided for directing the fuel to any point within the fire-box. This is accomplished by the proper selection of the conduits or nozzles 39 through which the steam is lpermitted to escape.' This may be accomplis ed by movin the rack bar and its oscillating mechanism either forwardly or backwardly, depending on which conduits or nozzles it is desired to employ. As shown, the link 61 and the gears 57 and 58 are mounted on a frame or carriage 71 which is slidably mounted in guideways 72 on a fixed frame or support 72, The frame or carriage 71 is adapted to be slid forwardly or rearwardly by means of the lever 73. The lever 73 may be held in adjusted position by a suitable quadrant 74, in the usual manner.

In the operation of the device, when it is desired to distribute the coal over the whole surface of the fire-box the lever 73 is operated to slide the frame or carriage 71 to its central position on the support 72, and the lever 68 is operated to bring the block 62 to its upper limit of movement. The parts will then take the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings and the rack bar 48 will cause the gear 47 and the rotating valve 44 to oscillate through 360 degrees thus permitting steam to escape through all the nozzle passages 39, when the valve 75 is opened during the final upward movement of the plunger 29.

llicn it is desired to deliver steam through a minimum number of passages, say threeof the double nozzle passages 39, the lever 68 is operated to bring the block to its lower limit of movement whereby the rack 48 will operate at its minimum reciprocation. Since the nozzle passages are arranged to converge forwardly, if it is desired to trim the fire at the left side of the tire-box the nozzle' passages at the right are exposed. This is accomplished by operating the lever 73 to move the carriage to the left. Likewise, the carriage 71 may be moved so that the minimum number of nozzle passages may be einplo ed to trim the fire at either side of the fireox or at any intermediate point.

Suitable means are provided for supply ing steam to the valve 44 in tlined relation to the operation of the plunger 29. As shown, the steam supply pipe 46 is provided `with a valve 7 5 which is held in closed position by a spring 76 The valve 75 is operated in any suitable manner. In the embodiment shown the shaft 32 is provided with a cam 77, which is adapted to engage an antifriction member or roller carried by the lower end of the member 78 which is secured to the lower end of the stem of the valve 75. The cam is so arranged that when the plunger 29 nears its upper limit of movement the valve will be opened to permit the passage of steam and will be closed when the plunger begins its downward movement.

The supply pipe 46 may, if desired, be provided with a valve 79 for varying the amount of steam delivered to the fuel projecting device 15 and consequently varying the intensity of the blasts delivered bv the nozzle 36. By operating the valve 79 to limit the supply of steam to the nozzle 36 fuel may be de livered to the extreme rear end of the tire-box or to a position in advance of the rear end thereof.

The distributor member 16 may be provided with ribs 80 for assisting in thedistribution of the fuel. The ribs adjacent the sides of the plate may be curved outwardly lior directing the fuel to the sides of the fire We claim as our invention:

1. In a locomotive stoker, in combination, -a delivery casing adapted for the discharge of fuel into a fire-box, means for introducing fuel into the casing through its lower wall, and means for discharging a blast against the fuel for discharging the same from the casme.

2. In a locomotive Stoker, in combination, a delivery casing adapted for the discharge of fuel into a fire-box, means for introducing fuel into the casing through its lower wall, a steam nipple discharging across the fuel receiving aperture for discharging fuel from thc casing, and means for distributing the fuel within the fire-box.

3. In a locomotive stoker, in combination, a delivery casing adapted for the discharge of fuel into a fire-box, a reciprocating plunger elevator for delivering fuel to the casing through its bottom wall, and asteam nipple positioned to discharge a blast across the face of theplunger when at the end of its upstroke.

4. In a locomotive stoker, in combination, a delivery easing adapted forl the discharge of fuel into a fire-box, a reciprocating plung er elevator for delivering fuel to the casing through its bottoni wall, a steam nipple positioned to discharge a blast across the face of the plunger when at the end of its u J-stroke, and means for regulating the blast from the nipple. Y

5. In combination, a fire-box, a fuel delivery receptacle associated therewith, means for automatically supplying fuel to said receptacle through the floor thereof and means for discharging a blast against said fuel in timed relation tothe operation of said first named means for projecting said fuel into said fire-box.

6. In a locomotive stoker, in combination, a fire-box, a fuel delivery member associated therewith, a reciprocating plunger for supplying fuel to said member through an opening in the bottom thereof, and means for automatically discharging a blast of fluid across the face of said plunger in timed `relation to the movement thereof for projecting said fuel into said fire-box.

7. In a locomotive stoker, in combination, a fire-box, a fuel delivery casing associated therewith, a reciprocating lunger for delivering fuel to said casing t rough the bottom thereof and means for automatically directing a blast along said easing when said plunger is in elevated osition for projecting said fuel into said relbox.

8. In combination, a fire-box, a fuel delivery receptacle associated therewith, means for supplying increments of fuel to said receptacle through the bottom wall thereof, and means for automatically directing an individual blast against each increment of fuel for discharging the same into said firebox.

9. In combination, a irebox, a fuel delivery receptacle, means for intermittently supplying fuel to said receptacle through the fioor thereof, means for intermittently directing a blast against said fuel for projecting the same into said tire-box and means for disturbingr said fuel within said fire-box.

10. In combination with the rear wall of a fire-box of a locomotive provided with an opening therethrough, a fuel receptacle, means for supplying fuel to said receptacle, a plurality of jets arranged on a curvevfor directing a blast against said fuel, me'ans including an automatically oscillating valve for delivering blasts of steam to said jets within its zone of movement, and means for changing the zone of movement of said valve.

1l. In combination, a fire-box, a fuel receptacle open at its forward end, meansl for delivering fuel to said receptacle through the bottom wall thereof, a plurality of jets` arranged at an angle to each other for directing a fluid under pressure against fuel in said receptacle to deliver the same to said fire-box, means for automatically intermittently supplying said iuid to said jets and means for controlling the fiuid discharge from each jet.

12. In a device of the class described, a fuel receptacle having top, bottom and side walls, said receptacle being provided with an open forward end and an opening in its bottom wall through which fuel is delivered to said receptacle, a fuel directing plate provided witli curved ribs, secured to and extending forwardly from said bottom wall,

and means for discharging a blast across said o ening.

13. n combination, a fire-box, a fuel receptacle associated therewith, means for supplying fuel to said receptacle through the bottom wall thereof, means for directing a blast against the fuel delivered to said receptacle for delivering the same to said tirebox, means for varying the intensity of said blast and means for varying the directional effect of said blast.

14. In combination, a fuel conveyor, a fuel elevator, a fire-box, and means for ejecting fuel from said elevator into said firebox, said means including a nozzle provided with a plurality of passages arranged at an angle to each other for delivering a blast against said fuel when said elevator is at its upper limit of movement, a distributor member, means for automatically operating said member, and means for changing the zone of action thereof for varying the direction of said blast without changing the position of said nozzle.

15. In combination, a fire-box, a distributor plate adjacent thereto, means for supplying fuel to said plate through an opening therein, and means for distributing said fuel in said fire-box, said means comprising a nozzle provided with a plurality of nozzle passages, a fluid pressure conduit, and means including an automatically operated distributor valve for placing said conduit in communication with one or any selected number of adjacent passages to the exclusion of the remaining passages, whereby fuel may be selectively delivered to any portion of said fire box exclusively.

NATHAN M. LOlVER. PAUL A. KETCHPEL.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. l, 663,636.

Granted March 27, 1928, to

NATHAN M. LOWER ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specif above numbered patent requiring co 9, for the word "disturbing" read rrection as follows: Page 4, "distributing"; and that the said Letters ication of the line l0, claim Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. j

Signed and sealed this 17th day of April, A. D. i928.

Seal) M. J. Moore, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

individual blast against each increment of fuel for discharging the same into said firebox.

9. In combination, a irebox, a fuel delivery receptacle, means for intermittently supplying fuel to said receptacle through the fioor thereof, means for intermittently directing a blast against said fuel for projecting the same into said tire-box and means for disturbingr said fuel within said fire-box.

10. In combination with the rear wall of a fire-box of a locomotive provided with an opening therethrough, a fuel receptacle, means for supplying fuel to said receptacle, a plurality of jets arranged on a curvevfor directing a blast against said fuel, me'ans including an automatically oscillating valve for delivering blasts of steam to said jets within its zone of movement, and means for changing the zone of movement of said valve.

1l. In combination, a fire-box, a fuel receptacle open at its forward end, meansl for delivering fuel to said receptacle through the bottom wall thereof, a plurality of jets` arranged at an angle to each other for directing a fluid under pressure against fuel in said receptacle to deliver the same to said fire-box, means for automatically intermittently supplying said iuid to said jets and means for controlling the fiuid discharge from each jet.

12. In a device of the class described, a fuel receptacle having top, bottom and side walls, said receptacle being provided with an open forward end and an opening in its bottom wall through which fuel is delivered to said receptacle, a fuel directing plate provided witli curved ribs, secured to and extending forwardly from said bottom wall,

and means for discharging a blast across said o ening.

13. n combination, a fire-box, a fuel receptacle associated therewith, means for supplying fuel to said receptacle through the bottom wall thereof, means for directing a blast against the fuel delivered to said receptacle for delivering the same to said tirebox, means for varying the intensity of said blast and means for varying the directional effect of said blast.

14. In combination, a fuel conveyor, a fuel elevator, a fire-box, and means for ejecting fuel from said elevator into said firebox, said means including a nozzle provided with a plurality of passages arranged at an angle to each other for delivering a blast against said fuel when said elevator is at its upper limit of movement, a distributor member, means for automatically operating said member, and means for changing the zone of action thereof for varying the direction of said blast without changing the position of said nozzle.

15. In combination, a fire-box, a distributor plate adjacent thereto, means for supplying fuel to said plate through an opening therein, and means for distributing said fuel in said fire-box, said means comprising a nozzle provided with a plurality of nozzle passages, a fluid pressure conduit, and means including an automatically operated distributor valve for placing said conduit in communication with one or any selected number of adjacent passages to the exclusion of the remaining passages, whereby fuel may be selectively delivered to any portion of said fire box exclusively.

NATHAN M. LOlVER. PAUL A. KETCHPEL.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. l, 663,636.

Granted March 27, 1928, to

NATHAN M. LOWER ET AL.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specif above numbered patent requiring co 9, for the word "disturbing" read rrection as follows: Page 4, "distributing"; and that the said Letters ication of the line l0, claim Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. j

Signed and sealed this 17th day of April, A. D. i928.

Seal) M. J. Moore, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

Images