US730020A - Condensing-locomotive. - Google Patents

Description

No. 730,020. PAtE-EN'TBD JUNE z, 1903.1

. D. R. IVETT. GoNDENsING Locolvrolfv.`

APPLICATION FILED 00T. 31. 1902.

N0 MODEL. 6 SHEETS-SHEBT 2.

W/TNESSES:

No. 730,020. 4 PATBNTBD JUNE 2., 1903. D. R. IVBTT. GONDBNSING LocoMoTIvB.

APPLICATION FILED 00T. 31, 1902. /v A I0 MODEL. 6 SHEETS-SHEET 4f No. 700,020. PATENTED JUNE 2,11900.

- D.' R. IVETT. l 0

f dqnnsNsmaf-Locomofrv. 4 AIfPLIOATIGN FILED 001141.31902. v I0 MODEL. vf 6, SHEETS-SERT 5.

' A from/E rs..

Y Y Irl: Hemus PETERS co., PHOTO-urna. wnswnoon4 0.o.

No. 730,026. v

1 UNiTnD STATES lPatented June 2, 1903.

DANIEL RUBN IVETT, QFVHITEBEAR, MINNESOTA.

CONDENSING-LOCOIVIOTIVE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 730,020, dated J' une 2,1903. Application filed October 31| 1902. Serial No. 129,575. (No model.) I

To all-'whom 23T) may'concern/s Beit known that I, DANIEL RUBEN lvn'ri, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of NVhitebear, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota, have invented a new and Improved Oondensing-Locomotive,`.of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description. i

My invention relates to locomotives with condensing-engines, although the salient features of the invention may be utiliv'ed in stationary and traction engines.

ln my present invention the exaust-steam from the valve-chests is subjected tothe action of jets of cold water injected under pressure by pumps supplied with cold water from the ltender or other source. The partiallyheated water is mechanically forced back to the tender by another set of pumps, while any spent steam which may remain after condensation is subjected to compression andis forced under Vpressure back into thesteamspace of the boiler.

A locomotive equipped with a condensingengine of my invention is believed to be capa'- ble of operation in a way to economize the consumption of fuel and to minimize the cost of repairs, owing to the fact that it will not be necessary to maintain intense heat inthe fire-box., due to the forced draft, which causes the products of combustion to' circulate so rapidly as to result in deterioration lof various parts of the structure. The several mechanisms which are embodied in the improved engine are disposed in a compact manner, each of these parts being simple inconstruction and organized in relation to other parts to secure efficiency in the operation of the structure as a whole.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will appear in the course of the subjoined description, and the novelty will be defined bythe annexed claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification,

in which similar characters ofrefe'rence indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure l is a side elevation. ofalocomotive .equipped with condensin g-engines of my invention. Fig. 2 is asvertical longitudinal section,on'an enlarged L scalefrhrough the front part of the condensing-engine andlo'comotivel boiler,the plane of the section being indicated by the irregular dotted line l2 2 of Fig.

4 looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 55

3 is al vertical transverse sectionon the same scale as Fig, 2, taken in the plane of the dotted line 3 8 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is another vertical transverse section-taken in the plane of the dotted line 4 4 of Fig. 2 looking in the '6o direction of the arrow.y Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail sectional elevation through certain parts of the running-gear and illustrating thel pump mechanisms and various other parts contemplated by this invention. 6 isa sectional elevation through an enginecylinder and its valve-chest, the plane of the section being indicated by the dotted line 6 6 of Fig.4 4; andFig. 7 is a detail section in the plane of the dotted line 7 7 of Fig.'4, illus- 7o trating one of the compressing-pumps.

A designates the boiler vof a locomotive,

B B the axles having the drive-Wheels B2, and

'IC a part of the framework, these parts being ofthe ordinary or any preferred construction. 75

The saddle of the locomotive iscast in two halves or members, (indicated at D D' in Figs. l, 3, and 4.) The saddle members have straight inner faces disposed in abutting relationasvsh`own by Figs. 3 and 4, and united 8o in any 'suitable way-as, for example, by flanging the parts and bolting them together. The upper side of the saddle formed by the two members is curved to providea seat on which rests 'the front end of the boiler A, and -8 5 this saddle on its under side is fashioned to fit upon the frame C, whereby the saddle as an "entirety is adapted to be united to the front part of the boiler and to the running'- frame in order to' join the parts substantially 9o together.

E E designate the piston-cylinders of the engines, which cylinders are provided in the members D D of the saddle. The cylinders are made in the saddle members by boring 95 the latter to the proper diameter, and the ends of these cylinders are closed by heads, (indicated at c in Fig. 6.) In each cylinder operates a piston-head F, having` a suitable packing and attached to a piston-rod f, the-roo front end of which rod works in a closed tubularcap f, which is fixed tothe front head e, while the rear part of said piston-rod plays in a stuffing-box f2, provided on the rear head Fig.

of the cylinder. As is usual, the piston-rod is connected with a cross-head f3, which is slidable in a guideway, and from this crosshead extends a pitman f4, having a crank connection with one of the drive-wheels B2. (See Fig. 1.)

G G designate the valve-chests, which are provided in the members of the saddle by boring the latter to the proper diameter, said valve-chests being disposed above the pistoncylinders and connected therewith through the steam-passages g g. The ends of each valve-chest are closed by suitable heads g2, and the front head is provided with a tubular closed cap g3, while the rear head has a stuifing-box g4. (See Fig. 6.) In each valve-chest operates a piston-valve, consisting of the piston-rod H and the heads h 7L, the front end of said piston-valve rod being arranged to play in the cap g3, while the rear portion of said valve-rod travels in the stuffing-box g, Live steam is conveyed to the steam-chests in the members of the saddle by a pipe I, which is carried through the front tube-sheet a of the boiler into the smoke-box J, from which rises the smoke-stack J. The pipe I is provided with two branches 17, which are led downwardly along the inner sides of the smokebox J and connect with pipes fi', leading to the inlet-ports G2 of the valve-chests, one of said ports G2 being provided at the middle portion of each valve-chest, so as to supply steam between the piston-heads 7L h of the pistonvalves. Said piston-valves are connected operatively with the rocker-arms G3 by extending the piston-valve rods H rearwardly for suitable distances, and with these. rockerarms are associated the usual link-motions K. (See Figs. l and 5.)

.Each valve-chest G G' is provided with exhaust-ports m m', situated near the ends of the chest and on opposite sides of the inletport G2, and these exhaust-ports communicate with passages M M. (Indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 2 and 4 and by full lilies in Fig. 3.) The exhaust-passages are provided in the saddle members D D to extend downwardly and inwardlyT from the valve-chests to the condensing-chambers 5 6, the latter being provided in the saddle members by boring the latter to the proper diameter. These conden sing-chambers are formed in the saddle` members within the vertical planes of the piston-cylinders and the valve-chests, although the two condensing-chainbers are separate one from the other.

The members of the saddle are furthermore provided with the cylinders 7 S of the com- 7, and the front head is provided with a tubular closed cap 11, while the rear end has a stuffing-box 12, in which is adapted to play a piston-rod 13, which carries a piston-head 14. The compressing-pumps are operatively connected with the condensing-chambers, and

the piston-heads of said pumps are recipro-` cated by suitable pump-driving mechanism, all as will hereinafter appear.

I will now proceed to describe the construction of the parts employed in the condensing-chambers, and as these chambers and their parts are similar in construction a description of one will answer equally for the other. The chamber 5 or 6 is provided with a bafHe 15, which is preferably made an integral part of one saddle member and has the pointed shape shown more clearly by Fig. 4L. This bafiie depends from the saddle member and the upper part of the condensing-chamber, but thelower pointed end of this baiiie terminates a suitable distance above the bottom of the condensing-chamber and a cavity or subchamber 16, which is provided in the saddle member below the condensing-chamber and in communication therewith. Inthe end portions of the condensing-chamber are placed short cylindrical shells 17 18, which are made integral with heads 19, that close the end portions of each condensing-chamber, and these cylindrical shells are provided with external spiral flanges 20, having one or more convolutions and iit snugly within the condensing-chamber, so as to provide spiral circiilating-liiassages 21. (See Fig. 3.)

Between the shells and the spiral flanges thereof are disposed condensing-nozzles 22 23, each of which is provided with an external flange 24 to engage with an inwardly-projecting flange 24, that is disposed within' the condensing-chamber, and these nozzles are clamped against the flanges of the condensing-chamber by the shells 17 18 on the heads 19, that are bolted to the saddle member. The condensing-nozzles are disposed on opposite sides of the central bailie 15, and said nozzles are disposed -to discharge toward each other and toward the bafie, as clearly shown by Fig. 2. Each nozzle may be of conical. tapering form; but, as shown by said Fig. 2, I prefer to provide the interior part of the nozzle with a series ofsteps or shoulders 25, each successively smaller than the preceding step, and the inner end of said nozzle is provided with a contracted jet-orifice 2G.

Within each cylindrical shell 17 or 1S is provided a spray-plate 27, the same being sceured in any suitable way at the inner portion of the shell and next to the large end ol the condensing-nozzle, and this plate is provided with a plurality of jet-openings 28, thc ,same arranged around the edge portion of the plate and next to the inner surface of the shell. The spray-plate has an inclined baille 29, which extends toward the head 19 ol' the condensing-chamber. It will be understood that each cylindrical shell 17 1SV is provided .spiral flanges and the cylindrical shells in the end portions of the condensing-chamber.

The exhaust-steam from the'ports m 'm' of each valve-chest is coveyed by the passages M M to the spiral passages 2l of the condenser, and this exhaust-steam is caused to circulate through `the spiral passages' 21 around the shells 17 18, said steam being partially condensed by the influx of cold water from the pressure-chambers and the rose-plates 31. The steam, the water of condensation, and the cold water from the pressure-chambers find their way into the interior of the shells 17 18 through the ports 32, which are provided in said shells at or near the finner termini of the spiral ribs, and the inflowing steam and water are directed toward the heads 19 by the inclined baflies 29, at which points the steam and water are exposed to the action of columns of cold water which are supplied directly to the cylindrical casings by branch pipes 33. The branch pipes 33 are connected with a cold-water feed-pipe 34, from which rise the two branches 33, that are situated at opposite ends of the condensingchambers, and these branch pipes 33 have short lengths 35, whi ch lead into the pressure` chambers 30,whereby the feed-pipe 34 is connected operatively with said pressure-chambers 30 and with the heads 19 in a way to discharge cold water under suitable pressure into the cylindrical shells 17 18 and said' pressurechambers 30. The water and spent uncondensed steam in the cylindrical shells`17 18 are discharged under pressure through the contracted jet-orifices 26 of the condensing-noz- Zles 22 23, and the inilowing columns of water and uncondensed steam are received in the condensing-chamber on .opposite sides of the baiile 15, the latter serving to divide the inflowing columns of waterand steam.

. The cold water supplied to the condensingchamber, as well as the water of condensation, falls by gravity into the subchamber or cavity 16, from whence the water is conveyed by an oif-bearing pipe 36, while the uncondensed steam rises in the condensing-chamber on opposite sides of the baiiie 15 and `passes into the off-bearing passages 37 38. (See Figs. 2 and 7 These passages are provided in the saddle member, so as to extend from each condensing-chamber to one compression-cylinder 7 or 8, and in said passages 37 38 are provided check-valves 39, which openfreelyinto the compression-chamber andl are adapted to close'automatically in away Vto prevent the steam under compression from passing backwardly through the passages into ythe condensing-chambers. The piston-rod 13 of the compressing-pump operates in the compress- Y ing-cylinder 7 or 8 to impart the desired reciprocation to the piston-head 14, and as this piston-head moves in one direction one of the check-valves 39 is closed, while the other check-valve is opened by the suctioncreated by the movement of the pump-piston, so as to draw in the uncondensed steam from the condensing-chambersor 6.v From each compression-cylinder 7 or 8 leadthe spent steampipes 40 41, which extend through the smokeboX J and are united ina short pipe42, the latter being extended or carried through the tube-sheet a and equipped with a dischargenozzlel 43, the latter being normally closed by a gravity check-valve 44. This dischargenozzle of the spent steam-pipes lies within the steam-spaceof the boiler, and the spent steam which is compressed in the compressione pumps is discharged under 'pressure directly into the boiler, as will be understood by reference to Figs. 2 and 7.

O designates an ordinary blast-nozzle,which projects upwardly from the bottom `of ,the smoke-box J, and, as is usual, lies in line with the smoke-stack J This blast-nozzle communicates with the condensing-chambers 5 6 in the members of the saddle by verticaljpassages 45, which are separated by an intermediate partition 46, the said passages 45 com- IOO municatingwith the condensing-chambers on opposite sides of the baffles 15, as shownk by Fig. 4. In the blast-nozzle O is provided any suitable type of valve 47 shown by Figj2in the form of a damper, and said valve is mounted on a rock-shaft 48, extending outside of the smoke-box J, said rock-shaft being provided with a crank-arm 49, to which is connected an operating-rod 50,'which leads alongside of the boiler tothe engineers cab, (see Figs. 1, 3, and 4,) thus making provision for yclosing. the valve 47 when the engine is t0 be used in its condensing condition. When the valve 47 is closed,the spentsteam after condensation does not have sufficient pressure to open the valve 47, and is therefore required to pass through the passages 37 38 under the suction of the compression-pumps into the piston-cylinders of said pumps; but when the engine is used in its non-condensing condition and the supply of cold water is cut off to the tank in order to be forced under pressure to the condensers, and this pump mechanism also includes means for. drawing the partiallyheated water from the condensers and forcing the same back to the tender :or otherplace of storage. Ik employ two cold-water pumpsl IIO 52, which are suitably supported on a part of the ruiming-frame C, as shown by Figs. 3, 4, and 5, and each pump has the cold-water-feed pipe connected to the lower part thereof, said pipe il being supplied by the pump 51 or 52 with cold waterfor conveying the same to the branches 33 to supply the condenser. A cold-water-supply pipe 53 is also connected with the lower portion of each pump 51 and 52, and this pipe 53 is united by a iiexible length of pipe orhose 5st to a part ot the tender P, (see Fig. 1,) whereby cold water maybe supplied to the pumps 51 52 and forced under pressure to the condensers. I also employ a pair of return-pumps, indicated at 55, the same being disposed in rear of the pumps 51 52 and supported on the framework C. These pumps 55 are connected with the subchambers 16 of the condensers by the pipes 3G and said pumps are furthermore connected with the tender by pipes 56 and the flexible hose 57, as shown by Figs. 1 and The sets of pumps 5l, 52, and 55 are operatively connected with a rocking pump-shaft 58, the latter having suitable levers 5E), which are connected pivotally at (iO with the plunger-rods (31 of the series of waterforcing pumps, and this pump-shaft 58 is provided with a depending arm (52, to which is connected the front end of a pump-driving pitman 63, extending rearwardly from the pump mechanism to a crank-pin (il on one axle B of the locomotive. Under some circumstances I may provide this axle B with a crank, as shown by Fig. 5; butil it is desired to preserve the continuity ol' the axle I3 the pump-driving pitman (523 may be actuated by an eccentric which is suitably provided on said axle B, It will be understood that the crank or eccentric of the axle operates the pitman 63 and the arm (52 to rock the shaft 58, which in turn oscillates the levers 59 to actuate the groups of pumps 51. 52 55, and these pumps thereafter operate to draw cold water from the tender and inject it under pressure into the condenser and to draw the partially-heated water from the condenser and force the same back into the tender. The pump-shaft 58 is furthermore provided near its end portions )Vith upstanding arms G5, to which are connected the rear ends of the piston-rods 13 of the compressingpumps 7 8, whereby the shaft 58 not only operates the groups of water-pumps, but it also drives the pistons of the compressing-pumps in order to create suction from the condensers and supply steam to the compressing-pumps, the latter being operable to compress the spent steam remaining after condensation and to iorce the same back into the boiler under suitable pressure.

Vhen the engine is used in its non-condensing form, atmospheric air should be supplied to the compressing-pump cylinders 7 8 in order to prevent the latter from drawing steam from the condensi11g-chambers 5 (5, and to accomplish this end I provide airpipes W3 (37, which extend vertically to the compressing-cylinders 7 8. These ai r-pipes 66 G7 are provided at their lower ends with valves (58, Hhaving arms 69, pivoted to an operating-rod 70, and to this rod is connected the lower portion of an upright lever 71, which is carried on the framework, the upper end of said lever being pivoted to a rod 72, extending rearwardly to the cab, as shown by Fig. 1.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A condensing-engine having a condensing-chamber in communication with the exhaust of a valve-chest, a condensing-nozzle in said chamber, a tortuous circulation-passage in said chamber and arranged to conduct exhaust-steam into the nozzle, means for injecting cold water into the circulation-passage, and means for injecting water into the condensing-nozzle.

2. A saddle provided with a condensingchamber having direct connection with the exhaust of a valve-chest, comlensing-nozzles disposed in facing relation within said chamber and discharging into a common exitchamber, circulation -passages surrounding the nozzles and each arranged to conduct exhaust-steam in a tortuous path before admitting the same to one nozzle, and means ior injecting cold water into said passages and the nozzles.

3. In a condensing-engine, the combination of a condensing-chamber in communication with an exhaust oi the engine, condensingnozzles disposed in said chamber in facing relation, a spiral passage adjacent to each condensing-nozzle, and means ior injecting cold water into said spiral passages and in the path. of steam circulating therethrough.

l. In a condensing-engine, the combination of a condensing-chamber having communication with an exhaust oii' the engine, cylindrical shells supported in said condensingchamber and forming therewith spiral circulating-passages, condensing-nozzles in communication with said shells, means for sprayingI cold water into said circulation-passages, and means for feeding cold water into the shells.

5. In a condensing-engine, the combination of a condensing-chamber, condensing-nozzles in said chamber, shells fixed within said chamber and provided with flanges arranged to iorm circulation-passages and with ports which establish communication between the chambers and said passages, means for spraying water into the circulation-passages, and means for feeding water into the chambers oi' said shells.

(i, In a condensing-engine the combination of a condensing-chamber having communicating therewith a subchamber and pressurechambers, condensing-nozzles having contracted orifices and disposed within said condensing-chamber, chambered shells having external flanges forming circulatioii-passages which communicate withthe chambers of said ICO IIO

' of a condensing-chamber, shells secured therein and forming circulating-passages therewith, condensing-nozzles within said chamber and communicating with said shells, means for injecting water into the passages in the shells, and bathe-plates within the shells and inclined relatively to the waterinlets thereto.

8. In a con (lensing-engine, the combination of a condensing-chamber having condensingnozzles disposed in facing relation, a return water-pipe connected with the condensingchamber between said nozzles, a feed-water pipe connected to the condensing-chamber to supply water to said nozzles, and independent pumps to which said feed and return pipesv are individually connected.

9. I n acondensing-engine, the combination of a condensing-chamber having condensingnozzles, a pump-shaft, independent forcing and return pumps operatively connected with said shaft, afeed-pipe connected to one pump for supplying water to the condensin g-nozzles, and areturn-pipeconnected to the other pump and to the condensing-chamber at a point between said nozzles.

10. Ina condensing-en gine, the combination of a condensing-chamber having condensingnozzles, a pump-shaft provided with an arm, a pitman connected with said arm, independent forcing and return pumps operatively connected with said pump-shaft to be actuated thereby, feed-pipes connected to the forcingpump and the condensing-chamber, and a re turn-pipe connected to the return-pump and to the condensing-chamber at apoint between the nozzles therein 1l. In a condensing-engine,the combination with a boiler, of a condensing-chamber, supply and return water pumps connected with said 'condensing-chamber, an independent spentsteam compression-pump operatively connected with said condensing-chamber to receive spent steam subsequent to condensation thereof, and means connecting said compressing-pump with said boiler to return spent steam under pressure to the boiler.

12. In a condensing-engine, the combination of a condensing-chamber having nozzles and means for spraying water therein, means for conveying exhaust-steam to said condensingchamber in the path of the water-sprays, a compressing-pump, valved connectionsV between said compressing-pump and said condensing-chamber, and means for conveying compressed steam from'said pump to a suitable place of storage.

13. In a condensin g-en gine, the combination with a boiler having-a smoke-box, of a condensin gchamber h aving communication with the exhaust of said engine, nozzles within said condensing-chamber, a baffle between the nozzles, means-for injecting water into the condensing-chamber and its nozzles, a compressing-pump, valvedv steam -passages between said pump and the condensing-chamber to receive spent steam at a point between said nozzles, and connections lbetween the compressing-pump and steam-space of the boiler.

14. In a condensing-engine, the combination 'of a condensing-chamber having` communication with the exhaust of an engine, nozzles within said condensing-chamber, means for supplying water to said nozzles, means for conveying water-from the condensing-chamber at a point between the nozzles, a baffle situated within said condensing-chamber betweenv the nozzles, a compressing-pump, a boiler, valved connections between the com- `ressinrum and the condensing-chamber,-

C p b said conn ections openi-ng into the condensinglchamber at points between the nozzles and the intermediate baffle, and valved connections leading from the compressing-pump to the steam-space of the boiler.A

l5. In a condensing-engine,tl1e combination of a condensing-chamber having communication with the eXhaustof an engine, a boiler, a blast-nozzle communicating 4with said condensing-chamber and having a controllingvalve, nozzles within the condensing-chamber, means for injecting water intoV said chamber, means for conveying water from the chamber, a compressing-pump, valved connections from the condensingchamber to said compressing-pump, and other i valved connections leading from thecompressingpump to the boiler.

16. In a condensing-engine,the combinationl of a condensing-chamber having communication with the exhaustof an engine, a boiler,

Va compressing-pump operatively connected with said condensing-chamber and said boiler, forcing and return pumps connected with the condensing-chamber to supply water IIO thereto and to draw water therefrom, land a sinole um -o eratin(r mechanism connected,V

with the compressing pump, the forcingpump and the return-pump.

17. In a condens1ng-eng1ne,the combination of a condensing-chamber having communication with the exhaust of an engine, nozzles within said condensing-chamber, means for supplying water to said chamber and drawing it therefrom, a compressing-pump having valved communication with the condensingchamber, and air-cocks connected with the compressing-pump and having means fory controlling the same at will.

1.8. In a condensing-engine,the combination with valve-chests, of condensing-chambers connected individually with the exhaust of said valve-chests, nozzles within said condensing-chambers, forcing and return pumps connected with the condensing-chambers to supply water to the nozzles thereof and to` In testimony whereof I have signed my lraw'water from points between said nozzles, name to Ihis specification in the presence of :i boiler and compressing -pumps having two subscribing Witnesses.

valved connections with the condensing- DANIEL RUBEN IVETT. 5 chambers and with said boiler, :ind e pun1p- Vitnesses:

sliefr operatively connected with said series J. M, KING,

of pumps. VILLIAM E. SPINK.

Images