US1819555A - Furnace - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 18, 1931. w, G. HERscHELL.

FUHNACE Filed Oct. 29, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l .Q V lmk- N I \m\` u Q 1 H i- LQ k WM l tw E 1 Q@ N .Sq wf. Ev um w Nw NN N NEW l1 N1* .H T 1% ....v Q ma Ill LW N k.. Nw m. ...Mm MR. u W a. w m vw @Sw N/ w I i I||.l|| u k w SN N a w RN y Nw mw NNN Aug. 18, 1931. w. G. HERscHELL FURNACE Filed Oct. 29. 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 x ,In l

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 lllllll l- Au8- 18, 1931 w. G. HERscHELL FURNACE Filed oct. 29, leso mm s Patented Aug. 18, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WALTER G. HEBSCEELL, OF WILKES-BABRE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR T WILLIAM F. OTTO, 0F HAZLETON, PENNSYLVANIA F'UBNACE Application filed October 29, 1930. Serial No. 491,867.

My invention relates to furnaces of the character employed for domestic heating purposes, that is, the heating of houses, an it has for its general object to provide a fur- `ijnace of novel construction of a character such that it may be manufactured and sold at low cost as compared with furnaces now on the market and available, as far as I am aware.

It also has for its object to provide a furnace in which mechanical means is provided for supplying lsolid fuel to the fuel chamber and for simultaneously removing by mechanical means the ash resulting from the combustion of the fuel in the combustion chamber.

A further object of the invention is to provide a grate rotatable about a vertical axis in combination or association with means located eccentrically thereof for facilitating the combustion of fuel within the fuel chamber, and also for facilitating the removal of the ash resulting from such combustion.

I shall not set forth more fully at this time the various objects of the invention but shall roceed with a detailed description thereo wherein further and additional objects will be referred to specifically or else will be apparent.

In order that the invention may be readily understood and its practical advantages fully appreciated, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings wherein I have illustrated one embodiment of the invention. However, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in constructions other than that disclosed and that changes in the details of construction may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the invention or the principle thereof.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a view in sectional elevation of apparatus embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l;

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of a fragmentary portion of the conical grate taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a view in transverse section taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a similar view taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a view in end elevation looking from the right toward the left in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. l; and Y Fig. 9 is a view in elevation of the lower portion of the furnace, the means through which fuel is conveyed to the furnace and through which ashes are conveyed therefrom being shown in cross section.

In the drawings I have shown at 1 a furnace the wall of which comprises spaced plates as shown and within the lower portion of which a grate 2 is rotatably supported. The grate is of frustoconical shape as shown and comprises a plurality of tapered or wedge-shaped sections, as indicated the lower ends of which terminate in horizontally extending portions 3 each of which terminates in a downwardly extending flange 4. The sections composing the grate are arranged in edge to edge relation, as shown, and the combined portions 3 constitute a fiat disc-shaped portion having an opening 5 at the center thereof which 1s in alinement with a vertical opening 6 provided in a base or support 7 for the grate and other parts of the structure as hereinafter will be pointed out. The support 7 is in turn adjustably mounted upon and supported by a pedestal l0. The rate is supportedA upon a circular wheelike member comprising a central hub-like portion 11 from which radiate spokes or arms 12 on the outer ends of which is supported an annular or ring member 13 the under side of which is provided with gear teeth 14. The said wheel-like member 1s composed of two sections secured together by means of bolts 14. The hub-like portion 11 surrounds and is held in position by the upwardly projecting portion 15 of the support 7 The hublike por tion 11 rests upon a ball bearing device 1T mounted upon a shoulder 18 provided near the upper end of the support 7. The combined projections or flanges 4 upon the inner ends or sections of the rate form an annular or ring-shaped portion which rests upon the upper inner edge of the hub portion 11. The sections of the grate are provided with downwardly and slightly outwardly inclined projections or flanges 20 upon their under sides the lower edges of which contact with the upper sides of the arms or spokes 12. For securing the grate to the circular wheel-like member I employ bolts 21 the heads of which are seated in counter-sunk openings 22 provided in the horizontal portion 3 of the grate. These openings are of slot shape so as to facilitate the insertion of the bolts through openings rovided in the arms or spokes l2. The lbwer ends of the bolts 21 are engaged by nuts 23 by which the grate is held tightly and immovable relatively to the wheel-like support previously referred to.

A cone-shaped member 25 is supported above the opening 6 and in eccentric relation thereto and to the axis of the circular walls of the furnace 1. That is to say, the axis of the cone-shaped member 25 is located eccentrically of the axis or center of the opening 6 of the support 7. For the purpose of supporting the cone-shaped member 25 in place within the combustion chamber of the furnace it is provided with legs 26 which project from its lower edge, there being four of said legs although a greater or lless number may be employed if desired. These legs extend into slots or notches 27 provided upon the inner side of the upper end portion of the support 7. The lower end of the member 25 1s spaced above the horizontal portion 3 of the" grate. The member 25 being located eccentrically with respect to the axis of the furnace it will be apparent that the distance between the said member 25 and the inner sides of the walls of the furnace will vary. For example, the distance from the right hand side of the member 25 to the opposing portion of the inner side of the wall of the furnace is greater than the distance from the opposite side of the said member 25 to the Vopposing portion of the said wall. The member 25 is held stationary whereas the grate in the operation of the furnace rotates step by step as hereinafter will be fully described. At this point, however, reference will be made to a, sectional rim 30 which is supported upon the upper outer edge of the grate 2. The inner upper side of the rim is inclined inwardly and downwardly as shown, while the outer side thereof is cylindrical and fits the inner side of the furnace wall. The outer side of the rim 30 extends a considerable distance below the upper edge of the grate 2, the extension bein circular and constituting what may be re erred to as a skirt 31. Both the grate 2 and the rim 30 are provided with openings 33 which permit the upward passage or flow of air into the combustion chamber of the furnace. Rotation of the rim 30 is prevented by means of projections or stops 35 which extend downwardly from the lower edge of the skirt 31 and engage projections or stops 36 which are provided upon the inner side of the furnace wall near the lower end thereof. There may be one or more projections 35 and 36.

The means for rotating the wheel member and the grate supported thereby comprises a spur gear 40 mounted upon a shaft 41 and being in engagement with the gear teeth 14 upon the under side of the rim 13. One end of the shaft 4l extends through the support 7 and is supported thereby,4 while the opposite end is supported in a bearing 42. The shaft 41 is rotatably driven step by step by means of a pawl and ratchet device comprising a pawl 45 and a ratchet wheel 46. The latter is rigidly connected with a short shaft 47 rotatably mounted in bearings 48. The inner end of the shaft 47 is connected by a universal joint connection 49 with the inner end of the shaft 41. The pawl 45 is mounted between ad'oining parallel bars the lower end portions o which are spaced and are pivotally mounted upon the outer opposite ends of the hub of the ratchet wheel 46. These bars are secured together and constitute an arm 5() which is oscillatable or pivotal. Oscillation or pivotal movement of the arm 50 is effected by means of a link 5l having connection at one end with the upper end of the said arm and at its opposite end with a crank arm 52 mounted upon a shaft 53 upon which is rigidly mounted a gear 54 which is located Within the casing 55. The gear is driven by means of a worm 56 provided u on the shaft 57 of an electric motor 58. or the purpose of varying the oscillations of the arm 50 the connection of the ends of the llink 51 to the said arm and to the crank arm 52 may be changed. By changing these connections the extent of oscillation of the arm 50 may be varied. Reverse movement of the ratchet wheel 46 is prevented by means of a weighted holding dog 60.

Coal or other solid fuel of suitable character is delivered to the furnace from a hopper to which it may be supplied. The lower end of the hopper is in communication with a conduit 66 the inner end of which projects through an opening in the wall of the furnace and terminates upon the interior of the said furnace. The said conduit is located, as shown, a suitable and substantial distance above the grate 2.

For the purpose of feeding the coal or ing of two sections 67 and 68 which are coupled together at their inner ends by a coupling 69. Each section is provided with a spiral 70. These spirals are so arranged that upon rotation of the shaft in the proper direction the coal will be moved from the lower end of the hopper 65 through the conduit into the furnace 1.

For the purpose of rotating the shaft I have mounted upon the outer end of the section 67 thereof a ratchet wheel 71 which is rigidly secured to the said shaft and which is adapted to be rotated together with the said shaft step by step by means of a pawl 72. The pawl is mounted upon the upper end of one arm of a bell crank lever 73 consisting of two members arranged upon opposite sides of the ratchet wheel 71 and supported upon the opposite ends of the hub of the latter. A link 74, consisting of two parts adjustably connected together by means of a bolt 75, is connected at one end to the outer end of the other arm of the said bell crank lever and at its opposite end to a crank arm 76 mounted upon the shaft 53 at the end opposite that to which the crank arm 52 is connected. It has been explained already that the shaft 53 is rotatably driven and it follows, therefore, that the crank arm 76 is rotated and effects reciprocatory movements of the link 74 to cause oscillatory movements of the bell crank lever 73 to thereby7 effect step by step rotation of the shaft which consists of the coupled members 67 and 68. By adjusting the connection be tween the opposite ends of the link 74 with the longer arm of the bell crank' lever 73 and with the crank arm 76 the operation of the spiral fuel feeding means may be varied.

The hopper 65 is supported upon the outer end portion of the conduit 66, which portion is disconnectible from the main portion of the conduit. The said outer end portion is provided with depending legs or arms 77 which are slotted and which overlie the upper portions of upright posts or columns 78. The legs or arms 77 are provided with slots 79 for the reception of binding and holding bolts 80 by which the said legs 77 and posts 78 may be adjustably fastened together.

For the purpose of supplying air for combustion to the interior of the furnace I have provided a fan or blower mounted upon the motor shaft 57 and located within a casing 86. The casing 86 is in communication with a conduit 87 the inner end of which terminates in a closed chamber of the furnace located below the grate 2. The operation of the fan or blower is to drive, the air into the chamber underneath the grate from which it escapes upwardly through the openings 33 into the combustion chamber of the furnace to eiect combustion of the fuel supplied to the furnace from the hopper 65 through the conduit 66. To regulate the supply of air through the conduit 87 I have provided an adjustable damper 88.

Simultaneously with the supply of fuel to the furnace the ash resulting from the comd bustion of the fuel is discharged from the grate through the space between the lower end of the member 25 and the portion 3 of the grate into the opening 6 from which it is conveyed outwardly through a conduit 90 by means of a spiral conveyer 91 the supporting shaft' 92 of which is driven from the shaft 41 by means of gears 93 and 91, the former being mounted upon the shaft 41 and the latter upon the shaft 92. The conduit 90 extends through and rests upon the bottom of the conduit 87 and is held in position therein by means of binding screws 94. The outer end of the conduit 90 terminates in adjoining relation to the outer end of the said conduit 87. The ash which is discharged from the outer end of the conduit 90 may be disposed of in any convenient and economical manner.

The outer end of the shaft 92 is squared and adapted to be engaged by a suitable instrument or tool for manually rotating the shaft together with the spiral conveyer 91 to remove the ash which is discharged through the opening 6. Likewise the outer end of the section 67 of the two-part shaft having spiral conveyers mounted thereon is provided with a squared end for the reception of the same or a similar instrument or tool for manually rotating the fuel feeding means for the delivery of coal as desired to the furnace.

For the purpose of supporting the outer end portion of the conduit 87, the fan casing 86, and the motor I have provided posts or standards 95 upon which is mounted a cross bar 96 provided with a. depression forming a cradle 97 Within which the lower side of the conduit and casing is seated. The conduit at its opposite end is supported upon a bracket-like member 98.

It may be noted that for the purpose of providing a well-balanced structure the casing 55 and the parts supported thereby and the motor 58 are supported upon the opposite sides of the fan casing 86, and that the fuel supply hopper 65 and the means for feeding the fuel from said hopper are 1ocated directly above and in the plane of the fan casing 86.

The conduit 66 through which fuel is conveyed to the combustion chamber of the furnace is projected through an opening 100 provided in the lower edge of the door 101 which closes the usual opening in a furnace through which fuel may be supplied by hand to the fuel chamber. The opening 100 is provided in the outer or swinging end portion of the door opposite the hinges in order that if desired the door 101 may be opened to permit the supply of fuel to the furnace in the usual manner. For the purpose of closing the opening 100 the plate 102 1s provided Which is slidably mounted on the conduit 66 and may be held in position to close the opening 100 by means of a binding nut 103.

In the operation of the apparatus the coal or other solid fuel is fed from thc hopper through the conduit 6G into the furnace, the said fuel falling from its point of delivery onto the grate 2 or onto the top of fuel which may be resting upon the grate. The fuel is delivered in adjoining relation to that side of the furnace which is farthest away from the stationary Inember 25. The grate 2, which rotates step by step in clockwise direction, conveys or tends to convey the coal from its point of delivery around the stationary member 25. In being thus conveyed it is carried from the wider space between the member 25 and the wall of the furnace into the narrower space at the left hand side of the said member 25 (having reference to Fig. l of the drawings). In being thus conveyed from a wider to a narrower space the tendency is to displace the particles of fuel relatively to each other, and if the ash has run together, or if there should be a tendency to the formation of clinker the same would be broken up and the ash and disintegrated clinlrer would be pushed underneath the lower edge of the left hand portion of the member 2.5 into the passageway 6. Having reached the passageway 6 the discharged ash and ciinker, if any, would descend to the lower end thereof and would be conveyed therefrom by the spiral conveyer 91 through the conduit 90 to the discharge end thereof.

Usually the apparatus will be provided with a thernuistatic device of any known construction for controlling the operation of the motor to thereby control the operation of the fuel feeding means and the ash discharge means. Such thermostatic device would, as usual, be controlled by the temperature of some selected portion of the building for the heating of which the furnace is employed. The operation of such thermostat-ic device is Well understood and for that reason is not illustrated.

It will be seen that by my invention YI have provided an apparatus of simple construction which comprises a hopper for holding such supply of fuel as may be desired in association with means for continuously feeding the fuel to the furnace from the said hopper and with means for continuously removing from the said furnace the ash resulting from the combustion of the fuel therein.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a furnace, the combination of step by step rotatable means for discharging fuel into the combustion chamber of the furnace, said fuel being delivered in adjoining relation to the inner side of the Wall of said furnace, a rotatable grate at the bottom of the combustion chamber upon which the f'uel is delivered, the said grate having a central opening through which ash is removed from the combustion chamber, a stationary tapered member located in the combustion chamber and being positioned in eccentric relation to the axis of and in spaced relation above the said grate, one side portion of the said member being located a greater distance from the opposing Wall of the said furnace than that of the opposite side of the said member from the oppositely disposed portion of the said wall, the fuel being delivered in adjoining relation to the first named portion of the said wall and being conveyed from its point of delivery to the opposite portion of said Wall about the said member.

2. In a furnace, the combustion of means for feeding fuel continuously to the combustion chamber of' the furnace, a rotatable frusto-conical grate located at the bottom of the furnace onto which the said fuel is discharged, a rotatable member to which the said grade is secured and by which it is supported, means for causing rotation of said member together with the said grate, the said grate having a central opening through which the ash resulting from combustion is discharged, a stationary tapered member located in the combustion chamber and located eccentrically of the grate and with respect to said opening, and means for supporting the lower end of said member in spaced relation to the upper surface of the said grade.

3. In a furnace, the combination of a frusto-conical grate located at the bottom of the combustion chamber of the furnace having an opening therein, means for causing rotation of the said grade, and a stationary member located in the combustion chamber of' the said furnace in eccentric relation to the axis of rotation of said grate and with respect to said opening, the lower end of said member being supported in spaced relation to the upper surface of the said lfrate.

4. n a furnace, the combination of a frusto-conical grate located at the bottom of the combustion chamber thereof, a rim supported upon and protecting the upper edge of the said grate, the inner upper side of said rim being inclined inwardly and downwardly', the said grade having a central opening for the discharge of ash from the combustion chamber, means for causing lib rotation of said grate, a tapered stationary member supported above and in eccentric relation to the center of the opening through the said grate, the lower end of said member being spaced from the upper surface of the said grate to provide an outlet through which the ash enters the said opening, substantially as described.

5. In a furnace, the combination of a grate located at the bottom f the combustion chamber of the furnace, the sides of the said grate extending inwardly and downwardly from the outer edge thereof, said edge being located in adjoining relation to the inner side of the Wall of the said fur nace, a rim supported upon the outer upper edge of the said grate, said rim having a skirt extending outside of and below the outer edge of the said grate, a rotatable support for said grate, means for causing rotation of the said support and grate, the said grate having an opening at its center for the discharge of ash from the combustion chamber of the furnace. a tapered stationary member' supported in the combustion chamber above the said grate` the axis of said tapered member being displaced with respect to the axis of rotation of the said grate, projections extending through the opening of said grate, a support with which the said projections are in engagement for supporting the said member, the said projections supporting the said member with its lower edge in spaced relation to the upper surface of the said grate.

6.111 a furnace, the combination of a frusto-conical grate located at the bottom of the combustion chamber of the furnace, a support for said grate, means for causing rotation of said support and the said grate, the said grate having a central opening therethrough for the discharge of ash from the combustion chamber, a member located within the said combustion cham ber and supported with its lower end in spaced relation to the upper surface of t-he said grate, the said member being of con ical shape and its axis being in eccentric :relation to the axis of the said furnace whereby the area between the inner side of the said furnace and the said member is of varying width, and means for delivering fuel to that portion of the said area which is of greater width, the said fuel being conveyed from its point of delivery to that portion of the said area which is of less width.

7. In a. furnace, the combination of a grate having a central flat portion having an opening therein and an outwardly upwardly 1nclined portion, the outer upper edge of the latter terminating in adjoiningr relation to the inner side of the furnace wall. means for rotatably supporting said grate, stationary means supported in the fuel chamber of the furnace above the flat portion of the said rate and in spaced relation to the grate for orming a discharge passage for the ash from the said combustion chamber, and means for rotating the grate and causing movement of the fuel and ash supported thereby as it travels about the stationa means, and discharging the ash beneath the stationary means.

8. In a furnace, the combination of a stationary hollow support, a grate rotatably mounted on the support, means for rotating the grate, a tapered member s aced from the support aud supported there y in eccentric relation tothe axis of the grate, tending to break up clinker formation and the discharge of ash into the hollow support on rotation of the grate, and conveyor means associated with said hollow support for the removal of ash from the furnace.

9. In a furnace, the combination of rotatable means for discharging fuel into the combustion chamber of the furnace, a rotatable grate onto which the fuel is delivered having an opening therein, means for causing rotation of said grate to convey the fuel around the axis of rotation of said grate, and stationary means located above the grate in spaced relation thereto, and arranged eccentrically of the grate and with respect to said opening tending to break up clinker formation and to cause discharge of ash from the combustion chamber of the furnace as the grate rotates.

10. In a furnace, the combination of step by step rotatable means for feeding solid fuel to the combustion chamber of the said furnace, a rotatable grate having an opening therein upon which fuel is discharged, a member supported above and spaced from said grate and located eccentrically thereof and with respect to said opening, said grate having rotary motion with respect to said member for conveying the fuel about said member for automatically removing the ash from the combustion chamber, a conduit having communication with the opening in the bottom of said grate into which ash is discharged, a rotatable conveyor for conveying ash through said conduit, a motor having a motor shaft, and means interposed between said shaft and the said rotatable fuel feeding means and ash discharging means for causing rotation thereof, substantially as described.

11. In a furnace, the combination of a spiral conveyer for supplying solid fuel to the combustion chamber of the furnace, a grate located in the lower end of said furnace for receiving and supporting fuel, said grate having a central opening therein through which ash is adapted to be discharged from said furnace, a member supported above and spaced from said grate and located eccentrically thereof and with las- respect to said opening, means for rotating the grate With respect to said member for conveying the fuel about said member, a conduit for receiving` the ash discharge through the opening in the grate, a spiral conveyer for conveyingr ash through and discharging the same from the last named conduit, a. motor having a shaft, connections between said shaft and the spirfll eonveyers for supplying fuel to the furnace and for conveying ash therefrom for causing step by step rotatingT movement of the said conveyers, and a fan mounted upon the said shaft for causing a flow of air through the said grate and the Suid combustion Chamber to supply the oxygen for supporting combustion of the fuel Within mid chamber.

l2. In a furnace, the combination of a r0- tatnhle grate having an opening therein upon which fuel is discharged, and a member supported above and spaced from said grate and located eccentrimilly thereof and with reepect to Awir] opening, means for causing rotation of snif] grate with respect to said member, there-hy moving the fuel about said member :1nd eifertimr the discharge of the ugh from the combustion chamber of Said furnace.

ln testimony that l claim the foregoing as my invention.` I have hereunto signed my name this 25th day of Oct., 1930.

VVAL'IER G. HERSCHELL.

respect to said opening, means for rotating the grate with respect to said member for conveying the fuel about said member, a conduit for receiving the ash discharge through the opening in the grate, a spiral conveyer for conveying ash through and discharging the same from the last named conduit, a motor having a shaft, connections between said shaft and the spiral conveyors for supplying fuel to the furnace and for conveying ash therefrom for causing step by step rotating movement of the said conveyers, and a fan mounted upon the said shaft for causing a flow of air through the said grate and the said combustion chamber to supply the oxygen for supporting combustion of the fuel Within said chamber.

12. In a furnace, the combination of a rotatable grate having an opening therein upon which fuel is discharged7 and a member supported above and .spaced from said grate and located ccccntrieally thereof and with respect to .said opening. means for causing rotation of said grate. with respect to .said member, thereby moving the fue] about said member and effecting the discharge of the ash from the combustion chamber of said furnace.

In testimony that i claim the foregoing as my invention, I ha vc hereunto signed my name this 25th day of Oct.. 1930.

WALTER G. HERSCHELL.

CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,819, 555.

Granted August 18, 1931, to

WALTER G. HERSCHELL.

lt is herebyl certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Page 4, line 92, claim 2, for the word "combustion" read combination; same page, lines 98 and 109, claim 2, line 114, claim 3, and line 128, claim 4, for the word "grade" read grate; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent 0ffice.

Signed and sealed this 22nd day of September, A. D, 193i.

(Seal) M. I. Moore, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,819,555, Granted August 18, 1931, to

WALTER G. HERSCHELL.

lt is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, line 92, claim 2, for the word "combustion" read combination; same page, lines 98 and 109, claim 2, line 114, claim 3, and line 128, claim 4, for the word "grade" read grate; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent 0ffice.

Signed and sealed this 22nd day of September, A. D, 193i.

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

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