GB2262976A - A boiler - Google Patents

Abstract

A gas or oil fired enclosed boiler 1 comprises a base 2, a top 3, a main rear water tank 4, a main front tank 5 and a pair of main side tanks 6, 7 which define an enclosure a burner 12 to an exhaust flue 16. The top 3 through which flame and hot gases are led from includes a removable cover for cleaning access. Four baffle assemblies are provided in the boiler. Adjacent transverse baffle plates 30, 31, 32, 33 are vertically spaced-apart to define interconnected transverse passageways. Deflectors 50, 51, 52, 54 are welded to each baffle plate 30, 31, 32, 33 and direct flame and hot gases against the water-carrying surfaces of the boiler. The baffle plate assemblies are removable through the top of the boiler for cleaning. <IMAGE>

Description

"A Boiler" The invention relates to boilers and especially to an enclosed boiler particularly a boiler which is fired by an oil or a gas burner.

Many different constructions of enclosed boiler are known.

There is, however, a need for an improved construction of such boilers which are as thermally efficient as possible and yet may be easily cleaned.

This invention is directed towards providing such an improved construction of boiler.

According to the invention, there is provided an enclosed boiler comprising a base, a top, water-carrying sidewall tank means extending between the base and top and defining therewith and enclosure through which flames and hot gases are led from an inlet to a f flue gas outlet, the enclosure having an accessway through which access is gained for cleaning, at least two transverse bridging means extending transversely across the enclosure between the sidewall means, adjacent transverse bridging means being longitudinally spaced-apart to define therebetween a transverse passageway through which hot gases are ledr each bridging means def.ining an opening, the opening in one bridging means defining an inlet through which hot gases are introduced into the transverse passageway and the opening in a following bridging means defining an outlet through which the hot gases are led from the passageway, and deflecting means within the transverse passageway for directing hot gases against the water-carrying sidewall tank means as the gases are led through the passageway.

In one embodiment of the invention, the openings defined by adjacent bridging means are offset.

In one arrangement the deflecting means is arranged to define with the sidewall means a flue gas passageway of substantially constant cross-section along its length.

Preferably there are at least three transverse bridging means defining two interconnected longitudinally spaced-apart transverse flue gas passageways.. Most preferably there are at least four transverse bridging means defining three interconnected longitudinally spaced-apart transverse flue gas passageways.

In one embodiment of the invention, the deflecting means comprises longitudinally extending baffle plate means.

In one arrangement the transverse bridging means comprises a transversely extending baffle plate means.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the deflecting means or bridging means are removable through the accessway for cleaning.

In one arrangement the deflecting means is mounted to an associated bridging means.

In one embodiment of the invention, the sidewall means is substantially rectangular in transverse cross section and comprises a front portion, a rear portion and a pair of side portions extending between the front and the rear portions.

In this case preferably the deflecting means comprise a rear portion substantially parallel with and spaced-apart from the rear portion of the sidewall means, a pair of side portions which are each substantially parallel with and spaced-apart from the sidewall portion of the boiler sidewall means, and a front portion substantially abutting a front portion of the boiler sidewall and following the contour of the inlet and outlet openings to direct gases into and out of the transverse passageway.

In one arrangement, the accessway is provided in the top of the boiler.

In one embodiment of the invention, the base of the boiler is at least partially defined by a water-carrying bottom tank.

In one arrangement the top of the boiler has an opening defining the flue gas outlet.

In one embodiment of the invention hot gases are delivered to the inlet from a burner. The boiler may be a gas or oil burner.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective, partially cut-away view of a boiler according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a baffle arrangement of the boiler, Figs. 3 to 5 are plan views in the directions of the arrows III, IV and V, respectively in Fig. 1, Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the baffle arrangement of Fig. 2, and Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic view of the flow of hot gases and flame through the boiler.

Referring to the drawings, there is illustrated an enclosed boiler according to the invention indicated generally by reference numeral 1. The enclosed boiler 1 is, in this case, of generally rectangular shape in transverse cross-section and comprises a base 2, a top 3 and water-carrying sidewall tank means comprising a main rear tank 4, a main front tank 5 and a pair of main side tank 6, 7 which define an enclosure through which flame and hot gases are led from an inlet which in this case is supplied by an oil burner 12, to an outlet 15 in the top 3 of the boiler to an exhaust gas flue 16. Water is circulated through the water-carrying tanks 4, 5, 6, 7 for water circulation through the boiler from a water inlet to a water outlet (not shown) which are typically connected into a hot water central heating system.In this case, the top of the boiler 3 is defined by an upper flue plate 25 having an outlet 15 therein for connection to the outlet flue 16 and a removable cover 26 over an accessway 27 through which access is gained for maintenance and cleaning of the boiler, as will be described in more detail below.

The boiler 1 is provided with at least two, and in this case, four transverse bridging means extending transversely across the enclosure. Each of the bridging means are, in this case, defined by transversely extending spaced-apart baffle plates 30, 31, 32, 33, the lowermost 30 of which is supported on mounting lugs 35 on the front, rear and sidewalls of the boiler. Adjacent transverse baffle plates 30, 31, 32, 33 are longitudinally spaced-apart to define therebetween transverse passageways 40 through which the hot gases from the burner are led. The baffle plate 30 is cut-away at the front thereof to define together with the adjacent front and side tanks of the boiler and inlet opening 50 through which gases are led into the first transverse passageway 40 defined between the baffle plate 30 and the following baffle plate 31.Similarly, the baffle plate 31 is cut-away to define an outlet opening 45 through which the gases are led from the transverse passageway 40 into the following transverse passageway defined between the plates 30 and 32. Similarly, the baffle plate 32 is cut-away to define an opening 46 for leading the gases from the second transverse passageway into the third transverse passageway defined between the transverse plates 32, 33 and the baffle plate 33 is also cut-away at 47 to define an opening into the final transverse passageway before discharge into the exhaust gas flue 16.

Deflecting means for directing hot gases passing through the transverse passageways 40 against the water-carrying tanks of the boiler is, in this case provided by first1 second, third and fourth deflector plate means 50, 51, 52, 54 welded to the respective transverse baffle plates 30, 31, 32, 33 respectively. Each of the first, second and third deflector plate means 51, 52, 53 are of similar shape and comprise a rear portion 60 which is substantially parallel with and spaced-apart from the rear tank of the boiler, a pair of side portions 62, 63 which are substantially parallel with and spaced-apart from the side tanks of the boiler and a front portion 64 which is of generally apex shape and extends to substantially abut the front tank 5 of the boiler 1 and follows the contour of the inlet and outlet openings 50, 45, 46 to direct hot gases into an outlet of the respective transverse passageways.

The fourth and uppermost deflecting plate means 54 is of generally channel shape, as illustrated, to direct the gases rising from the opening 47 defined by the transverse baffle plate 33 into the flue gas outlet of the boiler.

The second baffle plate 31 and associated deflector means 51 is mounted in use on the lower deflecting means 50. Similarly the third baffle plate 32 and associated deflector means 52 is mounted on the second deflector plate means 51. The uppermost baffle plate 33 and associated deflector plate means 53 is in turn mounted on the third deflector plate means 52. In this way the baffle plates and associated deflector plates can be easily removed through the top access opening for cleaning by first removing the uppermost baffle plate 33 followed by the remaining baffle plate and associated deflector means. For ease of handling, the baffle plates may be provided with handles.

In use, and referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 6 with the baffle plates and deflector means in position and the accessway closed, the burner 12 is activated and hot gases and flames from the burner are projected from the burner 12 towards the rear tank 4 of the boiler where they are turned and lick the surfaces of the side tanks 6, 7 and front tank 5 of the boiler before passing through the opening 50 into the first transverse passageway 40. In the transverse passageway 40 they are initially directed rearwardly, then sidewardly along the rear tank 4 and forwardly before passing through the opening 45 into the following transverse passageway. This process is continued as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6.

Because of the configuration of the baffle plates and deflector plates, a very high heat transfer efficiency is obtained because the hot gases must travel a long distance over the surfaces of the water-carrying tanks of the boiler, giving up a large proportion of their heat before discharge to the exhaust gas flue. Before cleaning, the access cover is removed and the baffle plates and deflector plates are readily removed as described above.

Many variations on this specific embodiment of the invention described will be readily apparent. For example, the boiler may be of any desired shape and configuration, such as, cylindrical, hexagonal, etc. The manufacturing costs, however, would likely be considerably greater than for the flat plate construction of the specific embodiment described.

It will also be appreciated that while for ease of cleaning, the bridging means and deflector means are, in this case, of plate material, at least some of them may be defined by watery-carrying tanks. For example, the deflector means may be defined by a central tank extending through the boiler.

It will further be appreciated that an accessway may be provided at any suitable location. For example, the front and/or one or both sides of the boiler may be provided with the accessway.

These and many other changes and modifications will be readily apparent and accordingly, the invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described, but may be varied in both construction and detail.

Claims (18)

1. An enclosed boiler comprising a base, a top, water carrying sidewall tank means extending between the base and top and defining therewith and enclosure through which flames and hot gases are led from an inlet to a flue gas outlet, the enclosure having an accessway through which access is gained for cleaning, at least two transverse bridging means extending transversely across the enclosure between the sidewall means, adjacent transverse bridging means being longitudinally spaced-apart to define therebetween a transverse passageway through which hot gases are led, each bridging means defining an opening, the opening in one bridging means defining an inlet through which hot gases are introduced into the transverse passageway and the opening in a following bridging means defining an outlet through which the hot gases are led from the passageway, and deflecting means within the transverse passageway for directing hot gases against the water-carrying sidewall tank means as the gases are led through the passageway.

2. A boiler as claimed in claim 1, wherein the openings defined by adjacent bridging means are offset.

3. A boiler as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the deflecting means is arranged to define with the sidewall means a flue gas passageway of substantially constant cross-section along its length.

4. A boiler as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein there are at least three transverse bridging means defining two interconnected longitudinally spaced-apart transverse flue gas passageways.

5. A boiler as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein there are at least four transverse bridging means defining three interconnected longitudinally spaced-apart transverse flue gas passageways.

6. A boiler as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the deflecting means comprises longitudinally extending baffle plate means.

7. A boiler as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the transverse bridging means comprises a transversely extending baffle plate means.

8. A boiler as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the deflecting means or bridging means are removable through the accessway for cleaning.

9. A boiler as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the deflecting means is mounted to an associated bridging means.

10. A boiler as claimed in any preceding claim in which the sidewall mans is substantially rectangular in transverse cross section and comprises a front portion, a rear portion and a pair of side portions extending between the front and the rear portions.

11. A boiler as claimed in claim 10, wherein the deflecting means comprises a rear portion substantially parallel with and spaced-apart from the rear portion of the sidewall means, a pair of side portions which are each substantially parallel with and spaced-apart from the sidewall portion of the boiler sidewall means, and a front portion substantially abutting a front portion of the boiler sidewall and following the contour of the inlet and outlet openings to direct gases into and out of the transverse passageway.

12. A boiler as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the accessway is provided in the top of the boiler.

13. A boiler as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the base of the boiler is at least partially defined by a water-carrying bottom tank.

14. A boiler as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the top of the boiler has an opening defining the flue gas outlet.

15. A boiler as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein hot gases are delivered to the inlet from a burner.

16. A boiler as claimed in claim 15, wherein the burner is an oil burner.

17. A boiler as claimed in claim 15, wherein the burner is a gas burner.

18. A boiler substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.