US2115554A - Retort structure - Google Patents

Description

c. E. HARRISON RETORT STRUCTURE Filed Sept. 18, 1934 n rm. mfl Ire. Han mi .m u Ma f. 6 3 0 1 Patented Apr. 26, 1938 PATENT oFricE "4 Claims. .(Cl. -108) This invention relates to retort structures, and

more particularly to retort structures for underfeed stokers. i Retort structures of the character set forth usually comprise -apair of substantially horizontal cylinders in which operate the main fuel feeding-ram and the' distributing pusher, respectively, a fuel supporting surface, and a hopper from which fuel is supplied to the fuel supporting surface. During operation of a furnace it often happens that either the ram cylinder or the fuel supporting portion of the hopper becomes damaged due to the abrasiveaction of the fuel or to the erosive action thereon caused by the chemi-' cal elements'of the fuel, and as a result in the older constructions'the entire structure must be renewed. The present invention, however, contemplates a structure which provides a renewable ram cylinder; and alsorenewable wear plates in I the bottom of the hopper so that in the event any of these partsshould become damageditiis only necessary to renew the damaged part.

Another object is to provide a generally improved retort structure which may be used interchangeably with those in existing stokers.

Another object of the invention is to provide wear plates in the bottom of the hopper, which may berenewed through the inlet opening of the hopper while the stoker is in operation.

A further object is to provide an improved retort structure having a renewable ramcylinder which is soconstructed as to provide a greater bearingv surface for the ram without increasing the overall length of the structure, and without materially decreasing the amount of fuel fed at each stroke of the ram; .1 f

A still further object is to provide an extension on a ram cylinder of the stated character which increases the bearing surface for the ram and. which is so arranged as to be substantially free from the corrosive and erosive action of the fuel.

Other and further objects will become apparent as the description of the invention progresses.

Of the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the retort structure comprising the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the ram. cylinder associated with the retort structure showing the extension provided thereon.

Fig. 3 is a sectional elevational view taken substantially on line 3--3 of Fig. 4, through the hopper portion of the retort structure looking in the direction of the fuel bed.

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on line 44 of Fig. 3.

Fig. '5 is an enlarged fragmentary View of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a plan View of the hopper portion of 5 the retort structure, with certain parts broken away to show the structure thereof, and also of the wear plates mounted in the hopper.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral I designates generally the retort structure comprising the present invention which consists of a main body portion 2, and a main ram cylinder 3. The body portion 2 comprises an inclined substantially flat fuel supporting surface l, which is adapted to be secured to the side plates of a stoker retort, a hopper 5 for receiving the fuel to'be fed to the retort, and a forwardly projecting, substantially horizontal cylinder ii for receiving a fuel feeding and distributing pusher (not shown).

:Hopper 5 terminates at the bottom thereof in a substantially U-shaped portion 1, having provided therein a similarly shaped recess 8 in which is seated a series of renewable wear plates 9, Ill, H and I2 respectively, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The wear portion of the hopper 5 terminates in a substantially rectangular discharge opening I3, whereas the opening at the front end thereof is substantially cylindrical toconform with the bore of cylinder 3. The front end of body portion 2 is provided with a flange M against which abuts a companion flange [5 provided on the left hand end of cylinder 3, and a series of stud bolts l6 extending through these flanges rigidly secures cylinder 3 to body portion 2. The upper and inner end of cylinder 3 is provided with a semi-cylindrical extension l? which in assembly extends into the hopper 5, as shown more clearly in Fig. 4. This extension provides additional bearing surface for the ram, and being mounted at the upper end of the cylinder, is not subjected to the abrasive or chemical action. of the fuel. By this construction a greater bearing surface is provided for the ram without increasing the overall length of the retort structure. An improved retort structure has therefore been provided which may be readily interchanged with those in stokers previously constructed. Cylinder 3 has also provided in the lower side thereof a longitudinal slot l8 through which a portion of the operating mechanism for the ram and pusher extends. Reinforcing ribs |9 extending longitudinally of cylinder 3 between flange l5 and an hopper.

outer flange 20 provide the necessary strength to said cylinder.

The side walls 2'1 and 28 of hopper 5 incline downwardly, while the side walls 23 and 24 of discharge opening 13 are substantially vertical, as shown more particularly in Fig. 3 of the drawing. The lower portion of the rear wall of the hopper, disposed on either side of discharge opening I3, is substantially vertical and forms with the side walls 21 and 28 of the hopper and the side walls 23 and 24 of the discharge opening a pair of triangular portions 2| and 22. Wear plate 9 is made up in one piece and consists of an-inclined, forwardly extending portion 21', a triangular portion 2!, and a substantially vertical, rearwardly extending portion 23, which in assembly lie in abutting relation with wall 21, triangular portion 2|, and wall 23, respectively, as shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 6. Wear plate I2 is similarly constructed and comprises an inclined, forwardly extending portion 28, a triangular portion 22, and a rearwardly extending, substantially vertical portion 24, which in assembly lie in abutting relation with wall 28, triangular portion 22, and wall 24, respectively. Wear plates 9 and I2 are secured at one end of each to walls 23 and 24, respectively, of discharge opening l3, by bolts 25, and at their other ends to walls 21 and 28, respectively, of hopper 5, by bolts 26. Wear plates l0 and H are secured to the bottom of the hopper by bolts 29. Plates 9, 10, II and I2 may be formed of cast iron and chilled so as to present a hard outer surface adapted to withstand the corrosive as well as erosive action of the fuel. These plates may also be constructed of steel or any suitable alloy if it is so desired. In order to renew plate 9, II], II or I2, it is only necessary to remove the fastening bolts and extract the plates through the inlet opening of the New plates may then be set in place and then bolted in position. Such renewals obviously may be readily made even while the stoker is in operation.

As shown more particularly in Fig. 5, the wear plates are at all times out of contact with the ram, and therefore do not in any manner constitute a support therefor. The ram is supported entirely by the ram cylinder 3.

While the embodiment herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms, all coming within the scope of claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

l. A new and useful article of manufacture comprising a wear plate for hoppers, said wear plate consisting of a pair of substantially fiat portions arranged in offset spaced relation and at an angle to each other, and a substantially triangular portion connecting the adjacent ends of said flat portions.

2. A retort structure for stoker furnaces, comprising an inclined fuel supporting portion, a cylinder integral with said fuel supporting portion communicating with the interior thereof. and a hopper integral with and disposed forwardly of the upper end of said fuel supporting portion, said hopper having front, rear, and side walls, said side walls inclining downwardly and inwardly and terminating in a substantially arouate bottom wall, said bottom wall and a portion of said side walls having a recess therein adapted to receive Wear plates, said rear wall having a discharge opening therein communicating with said fuel supporting portion, and a substantially vertical, triangular portion disposed at either side of said discharge opening.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a retort structure, and a ram cylinder detachably secured thereto, said retort structure comprising an inclined fuel supporting portion, a cylinder integral with said fuel supporting portion and communicating with the interior thereof, and a hopper integral with and disposed forwardly of the upper end of said fuel supporting portion, said hopper having front, rear and side walls, said side walls inclining downwardly and inwardly and terminating in a substantially arcuate bottom wall, said bottom wall and a portion of said side walls having a recess provided therein to receive wear plates, and said rear wall having a discharge opening therein communicating with said fuel supporting portion, and a substantially vertical triangular portion disposed at either side of said discharge opening.

4. A ram cylinder adapted for attachment to the front end of a retort structure, having a, longitudinal slot provided at the lower side thereof, a transversely disposed flange provided at one end of said cylinder having bolt receiving recess therein, a second transversely disposed flange provided at the other end of said cylinder, reinforcing ribs extending between said flanges, and a substantially semicircular projection integral with the upper portion of said cylinder and extending longitudinally from said first mentioned flange, the inner surface of said semicircular projection forming an extension of the inner surface of said cylinder, thereby providing an extended bearing surface for the ram.

CLIFFORD E'. HARRISON.

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