US2140521A - Heat generating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 20, 1938'. r I R EORESMAN 2,140,521

HEAT GENERATING APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. 3, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet l l v a l l 'k Rosam- FTORESMHN -.WITNESSE$= I g INVENTOR- 1938- R. A. FORESMAN HE AT GENERATING APPARATUS Original Filed,Jan. 5, 1936 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fla-3- INVENTOR 120522:- R .F'mzaswxt-(.

- ATTORNE f Dec. 20; 1938.

A. FORESMAN HEAT GENERATING APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. 5, 1936 "4 Sheets-Sheet s v INVENTOR Pobem' A. Fozzsmaw BY a ATTORNE Deg 20, 1933.

R; A. FORESMAN HEAT GENERATING APPARATUS Original Filed Jan. 3

' INVENTOR Bossier H.FOJ?.$MRN BY Z g ATTORNJM WITNESSES:

Patented Dec. 20, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HEAT GENERATING APPARATUS of Pennsylvania Application January 3, 1936, Serial No. 57,332

Renewed July 2, 1938 I 18 Claims. (Cl. 122-30) Myinvention relates to heat generating apiparatus, of the type generally disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 658,334, filed February 24, 1933, and it has for an object to provide improved apparatus of this kind.

A further object of my invention isto provide improved .apparatus of this kind which occupies a minimum of space, which may be inexpensively constructed, and which may be operated for relatively long periods with a minimum of attention.

These and other objects are effected by my invention as will be apparent from the following description and claims taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of my invention,- in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of my improved heat genorator with parts broken away for clearness;

- the grate.

Reference will now be had to the drawings in which I have disclosed my improved heat generator including a heating structure ill for the fluid ,to'be heated, such as, for example, water. The

' generator includes a magazine II for fuel, a ro- 1 tatable annular grate structure I2 and a base I3,

which supports the heating structure orboiler I and which rotatably supports the grate structure l2.

As best shown in Figs. 2 to 4 inclusive, the boiler l0 includes an outer wall l4 arranged above the perimeter of the grate l2 and having a lower portion l5 which is substantially co-extensive with the perimeter of the grate. The wall portion I5 is, however, cut away as shown in Figs?- and 3 for defining an ash discharge opening l6 which will be referred to hereinafter. An upper portion ll of the wall I4. is arcuate in shape as best shown in Figs. 2 and 3; said portion I! being shown substantially semi-cylindrical in form. A chordal wall |8 connects the ends of the arcuate wall portion H and, ,as shown, is substantially coextensive with the diameter of the wall It. The lower portion l5 of the wall I4 is provided with a horizontal wall member l9 defining a circular segment, the base of which is connected to the chordal wall I8. I

An: inner wall or column 2| is arranged, substantially, in ma relation with the outer wall 3 II and intermediate the ends of the chordal wall Hi. The wall members |4, I8 and I9 and the column 2| are, preferably, provided with communicating spaces for the fluid to be heated. The structure I0 includes a top wall 22, segmental in shape and connecting the chordal wall |8 and the column 2| to the upper end of the. arcuate wall H. A radially extending baffle 23 connects the inner and outer walls I! and 2|; the top of the baflle 23 being spaced from the top wall 22 for defining a passage 24 for gases of combustion. The top wall 22 and. the radial baffle 23 are, preferably, provided with water spaces which communicate with the spaces of the walls with which they connect. Additional heat transfer surface for the boiler maybe provided by one or more walls 25 having water spaces and arranged between the inner and outer walls l1 and 2|. The wall 25 may be connected to the outer wall H by nipples 26 as shown'in Fig. 2.

The arrangement of the various walls recited heretofore define a combustion chamber 21 between thechordal wall l8 and the outer wall l4, with'a portion 28 of the chamber 21 extending beneath the horizontal wall I9. A wall 29 having a water space connects the portion l5 of the wall l4 and the inner wall or column 2|, and has a lower portion thereof disposed adjacent the grate as shown at 3| in Fig. 4. As described hereinafter the wall 29 may be employed to remove ash from the grate l2 and, furthermore, the Wall 29 defines the end of the combustion space 28.

An'opening 32 is disposed in the horizontal wall 29 between the wall 29 and the chordal wall I8 for passage of fuel to the grate l2, which operation will be described hereinafter. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the horizontal wall l9 may be completely removed between the wall 29 and the chordal wall l8 for defining the opening 32.

The fuel magazine II is disposed adjacent the chordal wall I8 and is elevated with respect to the grate |2 for the gravitational feed of fuel thereto. The magazine H includes, preferably, a container structure 33 having a bottom wall 34 which inclines toward the opening 32. The container 33 may be secured to the chordal wall l8 by means of an angle iron 35, and may be supported by a plate 36 at the front end thereof. An opening 31 is formed in the bottom wall 34 and registers with the opening 32 for the discharge of the fuel to the grate. Fuel is admitted to the magazine through an opening 35a formed in the front plate 36 and closed by a door 39.

The grate structure |2 includes a rotatable frame 4| upon which a plurality of grate segments 42 are disposed in side by side relation for supporting the fuel bed. Suitable openings are provided in the segments 42 for passage of air for combustion. The frame 4| is rotatably carried by the base l3 which includes a platform 43 beneath the grate I2 and which is open, as indicated at 44, beneath the fuel burning portion of the grate l2 or the portion thereof within the combustion chamber 21.

The base I3 is divided into an ash chamber 45 and a windbox 46 by means of a partition 41. A duct 48 is formed in the base |3 for conveying air to the windbox 46 as described hereinafter. Air within the windbox 46 is of a pressure somewhat higher than the pressure on the combustion chamber and, in order that leakage of air around the inner and outer edges of the grate is prevented, I provide seals as indicated at 49 and 5| (Fig. 4). The seal 5| is defined by an annular groove 52 formed in the grate|2, within which an arcuate projection 53, preferably formed on the bottom of wall I5, projects. During operation, ash collects in the groove 52 and in contact with the projection 53 thereby closing the space between the grate and the projection 53 and defining the seal. The inner seal 49 includes a groove 54 formed in the grate l2 and an annular projection 55 on the inner column 2|; the seal being formed by the ash collecting in the groove 54 and contacted by the projection 55.

The supply of air for combustion, and rotation of the grate are effected by a unitary mechanism, generally indicated at 51, and disposed beneath a portion of the magazine structure U. The mechanism 51 includes a driving motor 58, a blower 59 connected to the motor 58, and a speed reducing device 6| driven by the motor 58, preferably, by means of a belt 62; Brackets 63 and 64 may be arranged on the blower for supporting the motor and speed reducing device, respectively. The unit 51 may be supported in any suitable manner such as, for example, by the front plate 36 and the heating structure I0; lugs 65 being provided for this purpose. Suitable pieces of resilient material 66 may be employed between the unit 5'! and its supporting lugs 65 for absorbing vibrations set up by the unit 51, whereby noises due to vibration are substantially reduced. Bolts 61 or other suitable means may be employed for attaching the unit 51 to the lugs 65.

Air discharged by the blower 59 passes through the outlet thereof and into the duct 48 for de livery to the windbox 46. duit 68 connects the blower 59 and. the duct structure 48, which conduit prevents vibrations of the blower from being transmitted to the duct 48 and which permits adjustment of the blower with respect to the duct. I prefer to connect the conduit and the blower in such manner that they may be readily connected and detached. Accordingly, the flexible conduit68 may be expanded and slipped over the blower and held by friction thereto, or, a suitable clamp may be provided for this purpose.

The speed reducing device 6| which drives the grate l2 includes a slow speed shaft 69 having a crank pin H, the latter reciprocating a connecting rod 12 as the shaft 69 rotates. A shaft 13 journalled in the'base 3, is provided with a crank arm 14 which is oscillated by the rod 12 as best shown in Fig. 5. A pawl 75 is actuated by the shaft 13 and engages teeth 16 formed on the under face of the grate frame 4|, so that the A'suitable flexible con-' latter is advanced with each counterclockwise movement of the shaft 13. 7

During operation, coal from the magazine moves by gravity through the opening 32 and is deposited upon the grate l2. As the grate advances, in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2, the coal is levelled off by the bottom of the chordal wall l8 adjacent the opening 32 and is progressively burned as the grate passes through the main combustion chamber 27 and the portion 28 thereof; An arch T! is disposed above the grate 2 in the combustion chamber 21 and extends from the bafile or Wall 23 to the chordal wall l8. Gases of combustion pass beneath the arch T! and rise between the chordal wall i8 and the baiiie 23 to the passage 24 and then descend toward the top of the arch 17. An outlet 18 for gases isprovided in the outer wall l4 and communicates with the chamber 21 above the arch.

Combustion is substantially completed in the chamber 21 so that only ash remains on the grate as it passes beneath the wall 29. Ash is deflected outwardly of the grate by the wall 29 and passes through the opening |6 into the chamber 45.

Suitable receptacles 18 may be disposed in the chamber 45 for receiving the discharged ash. Both receptacles 78 may be filled simultaneously by disposing a deflecting plate 79 in the chamber portion 28 as shown in Fig. 3. Ash from the outer portion of the grate I2 is deflected by the plate 19 into the receptacle 18 disposed therebelow and ash carried by inner portions of the grate is deposited into the receptacle 18 below the wall 29.

Water to be heated'may be admitted to the structure l0 through a connection Bi and heated water or steam is discharged through connections 82 which communicate with upper portions of the structure l0. Suitable inspection or access opening 83 having closures 84 may be provided in the structure l0.

The apparatus as described heretofore is preferably enclosed by a casing structure 85 which may be formed of sheet material. An opening 86 is arranged in the casing 85 and registers with the opening 38 for the admission of fuel. Doors 81 are provided in the casing 85 for permitting access to the receptacles 18.

The driving mechanism 51 may be readily disconnected from the generator structure as a unit and withdrawn from the casing 85 through a suitable opening 88 provided in the side thereof. A cover or door 89 may be employed for closing the opening 88.

Suitable indicating and controlling instruments 99 may be arranged on the front of the casing 85 for the conveniences of the operator.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that when assembled, the boiler, the fuel magazine and the driving unit provide a compact heat generating unit of the annular grate type wherein, a relatively large amount of fuel may be stored in the magazine for permitting operation over long periods with a minimum of attention. The construction of the magazine permits all, or a major portion of the driving unit to be disposed The ash discharge and ash collecting means are arranged below the magazine structure, so that the floor area occupied by the apparatus is not increased due to these means. The height of 70 3 from the magazine to the grate, a driving unit I for supplying air for combustion to the grate and 1 extent by the height of boiler employed. Furthermore, the assembly is such that the fuel admission and ash removal openings are on the same sideof the generator for the convenience of the operator.

My improved generator may be easily serviced 7 due to the unitary construction of the mechanism for supplying air and fordriving the grate. In the event of failure of any 'partof the driving mechanism, the entire mechanism may be removed as awunit and a new or service unit installed for maintaining operation of the generator. Removal of the driving mechanism is facilitated by providing all of its connections to the generator readily removable.

While I have shown my invention in but one 7 form, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from, the spirit thereof, and I desire,

therefore, that onlysuch limitations shall be placed thereupon as are imposed by the prior art 'or as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

, What I claim is:

1. In .a mechanically fired heat generator, the combination of a rotatable annular grate, .a fluid heating structure cooperating with the grate and including an arcuate wall aligned substantially in coaxial relation with the grate and including a wall for connecting the ends of said arcuate wall,

' heated and disposed beneath said last-named means and above the grate, said wall member having an opening therein for passing fuel discharged by gravity from' the magazine to the grate.

r2. Ina heat 'generatorgthe combination of a rotatable annular grate, a fluid heating structure arranged above the grate and including connected outer wall members for defining a combustion chamber above a first portion of the grate, a magazine for fuel arranged adjacent the outside of one of said wall members and above a'second portion of the grate for conveying fuel by gravity tothe grate, and means forrotating the grate disposed adjacent the outside of the same wall member and spaced, vertically, from said magazine.

. 3. In a mechanically fired heat generator, the

combination of a rotatable annular grate, a fluid heating structure arranged above the grate and including an arcuate wall aligned substantially in coaxial relation with the grate and including a wall for connecting the ends of said arcuate wall,

' said arcuate and connecting walls defining a combustion chamber above a portion of the grate, a magazine for fuel arranged adjacent said connecting wall above a second portion of the grate and'having a portion thereof extending beyond the perimeter of the, grate, said magazine includf ing bottom walls inclined toward the grate and having a fuel discharge opening arranged therein for the passage of fuel discharged by gravity for actuating the grate, said unit being disposed "adjacent said connecting wall and beneath a portion of the magazine, means for admitting fuel to the magazine and means disposed beneath the magazine for removing ash from the grate.

4. The combination as claimed in claim 3 including a substantially horizontal wall having a space therein for fluid to be heated for separating the magazine from the portion of the grate disposed therebeneath; said horizontal wall having an opening therein for passing fuel discharged by gravity from said magazine to the grate.

5. In a mechanically fired heat generator, the combination of an annular grate, a heating structure disposed above the grate and having a space therein for fluid to be heated, said structure including an arcuate wall arranged above a portion of the perimeter of the grate and a chordal wall connecting the ends of said arcuate wall, whereby a combustion space above an arcuate portion of the grate is defined, a substantially horizontal wall member having a space therein for fluid to be heated and connected to said chordal wall, said horizontal wall being disposed above a second arcuate portion of the grate and having a fuel discharge opening therein, a magazine for fuel secured to the chordal wall and disposed above said horizontal wall member, said magazine having a bottom sloping toward said fuel discharge opening for facilitating the delivery of fuel through the opening and upon the grate, a mechanism for rotating the grate and disposed beneath a portion of the magazine, means for removing ash from the grate and arranged beneath the horizontal wall member adjacent the fuel discharge opening and a casing for enclosing the heating structure and the magazine.

6. In a mechanically fired heat generator, the combination of an annular grate, a fluid heating structure associated with the grate and including upper and lower portions; said lower portion including an outer wall arranged above the perimeter of the grate and having an ash discharge opening formed therein and including a horizontal wall having a fuel discharge opening therein and connected to an arcuate portion of the outer Wall, said upper portion of the heating structure including an arcuate outer wall connected to the outer wall of the lower portion, and including a chordal wall connecting the ends of said arcuate wall, said chordal wall being connected to the horizontal wall of said lower portion of the heating structure; a container strum ture disposed adjacent the chordal wall and above said horizontal wall for defining a magazine for fuel, said container having a bottom which inclines from adjacent the top of the chordal wall toward said fuel discharge opening so that fuel from the magazine is discharged by gravity through the fuel discharge opening and upon the grate, a device for rotating the grate disposed adjacent the chordal wall and beneath said container structure, means for admitting fuel to the magazine and means for directing ash radially of the grate and through said fuel discharge onenmg.

7. In a mechanically fired heat generator, the combination of a rotatable annular grate, a heating structure associated with the grate and having a space formed therein for fluid to be heated, said structure defining a combustion space above an arcuate portion of the grate, a magazine disposed above a second arcuate portion of the grate for the gravitational feed of fuel thereto, a unitary mechanism including a motor for driving the grate and a blower for supplying air for combustionthereto and means for detachably supporting the unitary mechanism beneath a portion of the fuel magazine and beside said combustion chamber.

8. In a mechanically fired heat generator, the combination of an annular grate, a heating structure disposed above the grate and having a space therein for fluid to be heated, said. structure including an arcuate wall arranged above a portion of the perimeter of the grate, a wall connecting the ends of the arcuate wall, an electric motor, a speed reducing device driven by said motor for driving the grate, a blower for supplying air for combustion and driven by said motor, said motor, speed reducing device and blower being connected together for defining a unitary mechanism, and means for detachably supporting said unitary mechanism beside said connecting wall.

9. In a mechanically fired heat generator, the combination of a rotatable annular grate, a fluid heating structure associated with the grate, a magazine for fuel carried by said heating structure and having a portion thereof above an armate portion of the grate for the gravitational feed of fuel to the grate, a motor device for driving the grate and disposed at least in part beneath a portion of the fuel magazine, means arranged beneath the fuel magazine for deflecting refuse from the grate, a container for receiving the refuse deflected from the grate, and a casing for enclosing the fluid heating structure, the magazine, the motor device and the container, said casing having openings therein for providing access to the refuse container, the fuel magazine and the motor device, respectively.

10. In a mechanically fired heat generator, the combination of a rotatable circular grate, 1a fluid heating structure associated with the grate and including a substantially vertical front wall extending transversely of the grate and a rear wall extending upwardly from a portion of the perimeter of the grate and having ends thereof connected to said front wall, said front and rear walls defining a combustion chamber above a rear portion of the grate, a magazine for fuel disposed adjacent to the outside of said front wall for delivering fuel by gravity to a front portion of the grate and means including a prime mover for rotating the grate and disposed in front of the front wall and adjacent to the magazine.

11. In a mechanically fired heat generator, the combination of a rotatable circular grate, a fluid heating structure associated with the grate and including a substantially vertical front wall extending transversely of the grate and a rear wall extending upwardly from a portion of the perimeter of the grate and having ends thereof connected to saidL front wall, said front and rear walls defining a combustion chamber above a rear portion of the grate, a magazine for fuel disposed adjacent to the outside of said front wall for delivering fuel by gravity to a front portion of the grate and a blower for supplying air for combustion to the grate and disposed adjacent to the outside of said front wall.

12. In a mechanically fired heat generator, the combination of a rotatable circular grate, a fluid heating structure associated with the grate and including a substantially vertical front wall extending transversely of the grate and a rear Wall extending upwardly from a portion of the perimeter of the grate and having ends thereof connected to said front wall, said front and rear walls defining a combustion chamber above a rear portion of the grate, a magazine for fuel disposed adjacent to the outside of said front wall for delivering fuel by gravity to a front portion of the grate, said magazine having portions thereof extending beyond the perimeter of the grate, and a substantially horizontal wall having a fluid space therein disposed between the magazine and the grate and including an opening for the passage of fuel from the magazine to the grate.

13. In a mechanically fired heat generator, the combination of a base member having an air duct formed therein, a rotatable circular grate carried by the base member, a fluid heating structure associated with the grate and including a substantially vertical front wall extending transversely of the grate and a rear wall extending upwardly from a portion of the perimeter of the grate and having ends thereof connected to said frontwall, said front and rear walls defining a combustion chamber above a rear portion of the grate, a magazine for fuel disposed adjacent to the outside of said front wall for delivering fuel by gravity to a front portion of the grate, and a blower disposed at least in part in front'of the front wall for translating air for combustion into said air duct.

14. In a mechanically fired heat generator, the combination of a base member having an air duct formed therein, a rotatable circular grate carried by the base member, a fluid heating structure associated with the grate and including a substantially vertical front wall extending transversely of the grate and a rear wall extending upwardly from a portion of the perimeter of the grate and having ends thereof connected to said front wall, said front and rear walls defining a combustion chamber above a rear portion of the grate, a magazine for fuel disposed adjacent to the outside of said front wall for delivering fuel by gravity to a front portion of the grate, and a unitary mechanism including a blower for translating air for combustion through said duct and including a device for actuating the grate, said unitaryrmechanism being disposed at least in part in front of the front Wall and beside said magazine.

15. In a fluid heating structure, for a rotatable circular grate, the combination of an upstanding wall disposed adjacent the periphery of the grate and encompassing the latter, the rear portion of said wall extending above the front portion thereof, whereby the upper part of the rear portion of said wall extends about onlya portion of the grate, an upstanding second Wall disposed above the grate and joining the ends of the upper rear portion of the first wall, and a' third wall extending generally in a horizontal direction and joining the upper end of the front portion of the first Wall to the lower end of the second wall, said first, second and third walls defining a combustion chamber and said third wall'having a fuel opening therein located above the grate, and a fuel hopper disposed above the third wa1l= and having its lower end connecting with said opening.

, 16. In a heat generator, the combination of a rotatable, circular grate, a fluid heating structure disposed above a first portion of the'grate, a magazine for feeding fuel to the grate disposed above a second portion of thelatter, means including a prime mover for rotating the grate and extending above a third portion ofthe latter and disposed adjacent to the fuel magazine and heating structure, and a fluid cooled wall member defining a portion of the fluid heating structure disposed intermediate the grate and the prime mover. V

17. In a mechanically fired heat generator, the

i combination of an annular grate, an arcuate and upstanding wall arranged above a portion of the perimeter of the grate and a second upstanding wall extending across the grate between the ends 'ofcsaid arcuate wall and defining therewith a heating structure, said heating structure enclosing a space for fluid to be heated, and a device for rotating said grate located outside of the heating structure at a higher elevation than the grate and adjacent to the second wall.

and encompassing the latter, the rear portion of said wall extending above the front portion thereof, whereby the upper part of the rear portion of said wall extends about only a portion of the grate, an upstanding second wall disposed above the grate and joining the ends of the upper rear portion of the first wall, and a third wall extending in a transverse direction joining the upper end of the front portion of the first wall to the lower end of the second wall, said first,

second and third walls defining a combustion chamber.

ROBERT A. FORESMAN..

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