Specification of William Edward Gedge : smoke-consuming fire-place.

  • Gedge, William Edward.
Date:
1868
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Specification of William Edward Gedge : smoke-consuming fire-place. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Gedge’s Improved Smoke-consuming Fire-place. presenting at its lower part an opening by which escape the gasses drawn by the chimney. In order that the fire-place may be smoke- consuming it is necessary that this opening be downward of, that is to say, lower than, the layer of constantly live or burning coal. The accompanying Sheet of Drawing forming part of this Specifica- 5 tion illustrates a smoke-consuming fire-place or fire-box constructed according to this Invention for a locomotive engine; it only differs from the ordinary fire-box in being provided with a transverse partition which retains the fuel while leaving at its lower part the opening necessary to the disengagement of the gas. This partition is composed of two parts, 10 one forming a boiler tube and thus capable of supporting contact with the live coal, the other being a shifting sheet-iron plate inclined back¬ wards to be less exposed to the fire. In the arrangement just described the grate is preserved either horizontal or inclined towards the boiler to permit the escape of the 15 ashes. The entire quantity of coal which lies beneath the lower part of the transverse partition therefore burns in the ordinary manner, and it is only as regards the layer of fuel situated upward from this level that the draught is reversed. The fire must be managed in such wise that the incandescent mass always rises above the lower edge of the 20 boiler tube. The door of the fire-box is so arranged that it may be opened to a variable extent and thus give access to a greater or lesser supply of air. The boiler tube forming part of the partition rises to a height which masks the tubes of the steam generator or main boiler; it may be vertical or slightly inclined, and may have one or more tubes 25 to facilitate disengagement of steam. This system is applicable to fire-places of every description; it is only as an example that the Drawing relates to a locomotive engine. In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Gedge, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this Tenth day of September, 30 in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and sixty- eight. W. E. GEDGE (l.s.) LONDON: Printed by George Edward Eyre and William Spottiswoode, Printers to the Queen’s most Excellent Majesty. 1868.