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| Most of the patents prior to 1836 were lost in the Dec. 1836 fire. Only about 2,000 of the almost 10,000 documents were recovered. Little is known about this patent. There are no patent drawings available. This patent is in the database for reference only.
For an improvement in Steam Boilers, and the method of feeding them; Nathan Reed, Belfast, Waldo county, Maine, August 20.
"The construction of this boiler, with its appendages, is very clearly described, and well represented in a good outline drawing; the things claimed, also, are distinctly set forth, leaving nothing to desire on this point.
The boiler is to be cylindrical, and is to contain within it a furnace, and a flue passing through it, in the manner of many others'. The boiler is not to be placed horizontally, but is to be elevated at its back end; as shown in the drawing, this elevation .is equal to one-half of its diameter. From the back end of the boiler there rises a vertical cylinder, which is to be the reservoir for steam, it being intended to keep the boiler entirely full of water, and to allow it to rise to a certain height also in the reservoir. The reservoir contains a float, which is to be sustained by the water, and from this float rises a vertical rod, passing through a stuffing box at the top of the reservoir. The apparatus by which the feeding of the boiler is to be regulated, is governed by a lever, acted upon by the rising and falling of the float rod; but the particular arrangement of the parts intended for that purpose, would require the drawing for its explanation. One peculiarity of this arrangement is, that the feeding of the boiler is to proceed when the motion of the engine is stopped; in this case, if the water is sufficiently low, a tube is opened, by the turning of a stop-cock, which admits a portion of steam from the reservoir into a case containing a small rotary engine, or steam wheel, constructed like an ordinary water wheel, which is blown round, and works the supply pump of the engine; when requisite,a portion of the steam blows off through another tube, opened at the same time with the former, as, otherwise, the velocity of the feeding engine might be too great.
The claims made are to the construction of the boiler, so that every part exposed to the action of the fire shall be kept constantly full of water, whilst the steam generated shall ascend freely into the reservoir, where it is isolated from the direct influence of the fire by a stratum of water. The manner of fixing and connecting the float, so as to ensure a more frequent action of the feeding apparatus. The method of giving vent to the accumulated steam, by the same operation which shuts off that from the engine; and the method of diminishing the velocity of the feeding engine, by the additional waste pipe.
Were it not the case that floats, rods sliding in stuffing boxes, supply pumps, and other apparatus usually combined and connected in self-regulating and self-feeding contrivances, added to steam engines and their boilers, are each liable to derangement from causes' which cannot be rendered self-regulating, we should expect much from the apparatus described, which is ingeniously imagined, and looks well upon paper; but we are admonished, by some knowledge of practical results, not to trust implicitly to fair promises, and specious appearances, especially where complicated machinery, and powers of difficult management and control, are concerned."
Description from the Journal of the Franklin Institute, V17, Jan 1836, pg. 211
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