GB Patent: GB-181,804,231
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Certain improvements in steam engines and boilers
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Patentee:
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Alexander Haliburton (exact or similar names) - Wigan, county Lancashire, England |
Manufacturer: |
Not known to have been produced |
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Patent Dates:
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Granted: |
Feb. 27, 1818 |
Espacenet patent
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Joel Havens
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Description: |
"The pressure of steam has hitherto been considered the cause of the explosion of boilers; but in many instances these vessels have not only been burst, but actually raised up, and carried to a considerable distance, with the bricks and other matters attached to them, which could not have taken place from the pressure of steam in a boiler from which the atmosphere had been excluded. The cause appears to be the explosion of hydrogen gas arising from the decomposition of the water, coming in contact with the flame of the furnace. When the pressure of steam is great, or the feeding apparatus deranged, some portion of the bottom and sides of the boiler in immediate contact with the fire, are left uncovered; parts so exposed are soon heated to redness, and the water, in a state of ebullition, coming in contact with the red hot metal, a portion is decomposed and hydrogen gas produced. If the overheated metal be burst by the pressure, the gas will rush through the fissure into the furnace, and will explode on meeting the flame."A second cause of the rapid destruction of boilers is from the water holding earthy matters in solution, which are deposited on the bottom and sides of the vessel, and form a hard crust, which is but slowly permeable to heat, and causes the destruction of the iron. To prevent these effects, a "regulating valve" is constructed to descend with the water in the boiler, and stop the engine before the water has fallen so low by evaporation as to leave any part of the boiler bottom dry; and the deposits of earthy or saline matters are prevented from resting on the tops of the flues. The parts subjected to the most intense action of the furnace have "shelves" or "saddles" of iron placed in the water to receive the deposits, to be removed occasionally, or allowed to precipitate, between the flues."2. Describes a tubular four-way valve, that reverses the action of the engine by a single movement." |
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