US1779600A - Flue-blowing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 28, v1930. B. w. KABEL 1,779,500 A FLUE BLowING APPARATUS Filed Deo. 8, 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 nvewto'c W Anm.. v S 5mm* l Oct. 28,'v- 1930.

` B. w. KADEI. 1,779,600

FLUE BLOWING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 8. 1923 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 40 @num/H501 Oef. 28, 1930. B, w, KABEL 1,779,600

FLUE BLOWING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 8, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 vwemtoz @Heinze-t Ocfjzs, 1930. B. w. KABEL FLUE BLOWING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 8. 1925 68 68 gnou/H30@ @M v JML' ,Gtfozmu Patented Oct. 28, 149370 BYEnsfw. KABEL, oF BALTIMORE, lirrinYLAivnV Y v FLUE-BLOWING APPARATUS `Aplnlication led December 8, 1823. Serial4 No. 679,498.

The invention relates to vflue blowing apparatus, and more particularly stated, involves an improved blower and nozzle adapted for usewith'fire tube boilers. j

5 One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a iue blowing apparatus orlocomotive boilers, said apparatus including among other things, a blower casing adapted to be fitted to the exterior of the I0 boiler and having mounted therein a movable nozzle designed to be projected into and withdrawn from the fire) box of the boiler, and means operable .through a single actuating member forftransmitting a plurality of 155 movements tothe nozzle, said movements including the projection and withdrawal of the nozzle with respect to the iire box and an independent sweepingof the tubes thereby.

Another object of the invention is to prozo vide a blower and nozzle for cleaning boiler tubes including 1n combination a casing havy ing a steam chamber and. movable nozzle therein adapted to operate as a valve member, and means including an arm or lever forpositively controlling the projection and with- Y drawal movements4 of the nozzle through a single actuating member, said armor lever being located at a distance from the nozzle, such for example, as the cab of a locomotive, zo and said actuating member being designed to impart the sweeping movement to the nozzle and being operable by means located in close proximity to said arm or lever.

A further object of the inventionresides 1n 515 the production of a blower nozzle :forl lue cleaning apparatus vinvolving a casing provided with an inlet opening and a discharge nozzle portion, `the Ainterior of said Acasing being shaped to provide a relatively large cavity leadingv from the inlet opening tofa constricted passageway forming'a throat portion, said throat Vportion servingV to more or less abruptly intercept an expansible pressure medium, thereby causing the same vto accumulate within the cavity adjacent the throat portion `for subsequentV distribution therethrough into the nozzle portion through which latter the pressure medium is progressively expanded in, its projection from. the nozzle to the area to be treated.

PATENT opriep Astill further object of the invention to i provide a blower, nozzle adapted to'cause a steady'and uniform discharge of an; ex-v panding pressure medium such .as steam against the Vtubes to be cleaned, said nozzle beingV providedwith a pronounced throat Vportion located between the inlet .and discharge openings of the nozzle and disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the chamber vofY the nozzle, said throat portion involving a relatively narrow elongated passageway of comparatively small area,.the longest dimension of said passagewaybeing less than both the diametergof thesubstantially cylindrical inlet opening lotthe chamber and the longest dimension of the flaring nozzle portion at the point of egress ofthe rsteam whereby saidV steam in addition toreacting against `the interior structureof the nozzle dueto its velocity, is also causedV to be ejected on the expansion principle. in a solid-like' spray so as to operate upon'all the tubes within theprescribed area atjsubstantially the same pressure.

Fluo blower'nozzles now in use are ,primari-ly designed to deflect the high velocity steam after passing into the chamber portion of the nozzle, said steam lbeing diverted through an intermediate curved portion,v and discharged through" a flaring' nozzle portion, thistype of nozzle operating upon thefreaction principle and showing considerable variations in the efective working pressure of the steam over the area subjected to the blast.` In practicethis type of nozzle acts to but partially cleajn'the` tuzbesfthe hollowlike portions of the steam blast-opspray failing to exert sufficient pressure toV properly clean some of the tubes. f

Figure 2 is a Vvertical sectional view through My invention has been. designed to over.- ,1

the blower casing and the associated parts as applied to the water leg of a boiler.

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view on.

of said section being shown in elevation.

Figure 5 is an end viewlof tne controlling mechanism as mounted upon a supporting bracket suitably connected to the boileror other frame-work within the cab of the locomotive. y

Figure 6 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through said controlling mechanism, portions of the supporting bracket and adjustable connections of said mechanism bcing shown in elevation.

Figure 7 is a horizontal sectional view through the controlling mechanism shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a det-ail transverse vertical scctional view on the line 8MS of Figure 6, viewed in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail sectional View through the flexible connection uniting the principal actuating member with the interconnecting link.

Figure 10 is a view in elevation of the improved nozzle viewed from the discharge orifice side thereof.

Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view through the nozzle and particularly the discharge opening and interior cavityV or chamber 'communicating therewith.

Figures 12, 13 and 14 are detail transverse sectional views on the respective lines 12-12 18-13 and 14-14 of Figure 11.

Figure 15 is a view of the improved apparatus as applied to the upper portion of the water leg of the boiler at a point permitting a maximum sweep of a large area of tubes and also located within the outermost or over-all dimension of the boiler. l

Referring to the drawings in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views, I have indicated in Figure 1 but a most fragmentary portion A of the 'cab of alocomotive, and only a portion of the boilerB, the improved flue blowing apparatus being shown in plan view with the intermediate portion of the actuating rod broken away. rlhe boiler is provided with the usual combustion chamber C, the fire box sheet being indicated by the numeral 1 and the outer fire box sheet by the numeral 2. In Figure l5 the usual tube sheet 3 is partially shown, as are also the stray tubes 4 and mud ring 5 uniting and spacing the fire boX sheets 1 and 2.

The blower portion of the apparatus comprises a body portion or casing 6 provided with a chamber 7 having an inlet opening 8 suitably connected to a source of supply of steam, air or other substance under pressure and with which the iues are to be freed from soot, cinders and other adhering particles incident to the combustion of the fuel. Referring to Figures 2, 3 and e, the chambered portion of the casin g has an aaially arranged portion and an inclined communicating passageway leading from the inlet 8. It is desirable to make the blower body or casing of as small over-all length possible to provide for sutiicient road clearances. The axially arranged portion of the chamber 7 is designed to receive a valve member 9, said Y member including a pipe or tube provided with a plurality of openings forming` the ports 10 which are designed to establish communication between the chamber 7 and the discharge nozzle 11 included within and vtorining a part of the improved blowing apparatus.v In the present construction the nozzle 11 to be hereinafter described in detail, is shown attached to one end of the pipe or tube forming the valve member 9. The ports in the valve member are preferably elongated and arranged peripherally of the pipe to permit a maximum and uninterrupted liow of the pressure medium while the steam is turned on, the axial portion of the chamber in which the valve member moves being formed with opposite end portions, one of which forms a closure wall or bridge 12 for said ports when the nozzle is withdrawn from operative position. l/Vhen in operative position within the combustion chamber of the boiler, the inner ends of the ports 10 of the valve member are substantially alined or flush with the opposite end of the aXi al portion of the chamber, as best shown in Figure 2.

The blower casing is provided with a stuffing boX 13 through which the valve member 9 moves, said stuffing boei 'being preferably set at an angle, as shown in Figure 4f, for the purpose of providing maximum clearance for portionsof the operating mechanism of the nozzle, and also for permitting the reduction of the over-all length of portions of said operating mechanism. The in terior of the stuffing box gland is former with an Oil chamber lil, an oil duct 15 coniniunicating with said chamber for permitting the introduction of lubricating material to the pipe or steam tube constituting the valve member. The flanged portion of thc casing'which cooperates with the stuffing box gland is preferably notched, at 16, to permit the introduction of lubricating material when the gland is drawn up against the outer face of said casing flange.

The outer end of the valve member 9 is provided with a closure in the forni of a cap 17 preferably screw-tlireaded upon the pipe and being adapted to receive a plurality of connecting means through and by means of which the said valve member is reciproeated to effect the projection and withdrawal there- A cfuithrelationj tctlie lire box, and in addi said joint also permitting `the 17eCiproeatory` motion thereof. -The can 1,7 isalso adapted:

to receive a yoke member 20,fo.rmed ofyoke' sections21`, each of Which is provided'witli mi extending stud or trunnion 22 arranged to project substantiallyin a horizontal planepassing through theaxisy ofthe'valvemernber. The yoke sections are Iconnected together by means ofirivets 23 orother suitable fastening devices, said sections being fitted Withiut-he annular groove or race-Way: 2,4 provided in the cap 17, and united toperniit relative movement bet-Ween said cap. and yoke. This movement consists in the osc-illatoryor sweeping action of the valve member pipe through the arm 18 While the yoke 2O remains relatively lined as far as any rotary movement thereof is concern-ed.V

The valve member 9 is reciprocated through the yoke connection 20, and more especially by means of linksj25 arranged upon each side of the blower 'casing with their outer ends pivotally connectedto the studs orltrunnions 22 and their inner ends pivotally connected at 26 to movable arms 27 of a straddlc member 28. operatively supported upon the blower casing., The links 25 are, at their outer ends, suitably retained about their pivotal connectijonsvvith the trun nions22 bymeans of nuts 29 which 'are positioned upon the threaded extensions of the trunnions and further securely locked there on by` means of; pins 80. The inner ends Vofl thelinks 25, at their pivotal connections 2,6. with the arms 27, are supported upon relatively flat headed bolts 31 and maintained nuts 32 suitably locked by pins 33 The; tlat-I i vThe straddlemember 2,8 is preferably and is designed to provide a simple and corn,-y

pact actuating member through` which the; valveand nozzle are effectively operated with a comparatively small amount of lost nion tion. The casting 28 is designed to straddlea hollow boss or projecting 'portiondofthe blower casing, the upperportion of each arm. 27 of "the casting being formed With a; rela:- tively large hub section135 disposed adjacent the opposite `ends ofthe 'boss The boss adaptedto receive a. round bushing 36 said bushingbeing provided with a square opening 37 through which opening, and correspondingly squared openings 38m the, huh sections 35, the squared portion 39, of ,an actuating member l0 passes. ThisY bushing forms a bearing, the wear incident to the operation of the. device occurring between said bushing and the opening Within the bloss 34. As a result: of this construction there is comparatively no. wear upon the. ac-

tuating rod itseltother than that occasioned by its reciprocatory action through the bushing and hub sections 3,5 of the straddle cast-* ing.

The actuating member or rod 40 is designed to impart a plurality of motions tothe valve member and nozzle, said member constitute ing the single means referred toherein as controlling the several movements of the blower from a remote point, preferablyyin the cab of the locomotive.` From this actuati-y ing' member both longitudinal and rotary mo-v tions are imparted to the nozzle, the longitudinal or reciprocatory action ofthe nozzle being transmitted through the squared end 39 of the rod when it is caused to rotate, and the rotary orv oscillatory motion of the nozzle is occasioned when the actuating member 40 is moved longitudinally, the oscillatory Ino- "tion of the nozzle being transmitted through a link connection :411,1 clearly shown in`Fig-- ure l.v i i The link 41 comprises: a portion of the means for oscillating the nozzle toA effect thesweepingof the tubes When the nozzle is prof jected Within the fire box. One end of the link connection l1 comprises thesocket portion of the ball and socket joint' 19 provided at the outer end of the' cap17 and the other end of said link connection is also designed to provide a socket connection for the ball and socket joint 42 interposed between the, actuating member 40 and saidy link con-neef tion 4:1. Arranged Within the link connec#` tion 4l is. a turnbuckle 43, said turn-buckle being capable of adjustment so Yas to accurately determine the zone or area to he covered by the sweeping action of the nozzle. This Vadjustment is i particularly effective when the blast from the nozzle at the eX- -treme ends of the oscillatory path of travel offthe nozzle is'improperly positionedand extends above the tube sheet or has a tendency to cut into the bedofthe fire. In thiscase the turn-,buckle is adjusted to move the lic complementary. rods ala and fllb of the link j connection and change the oscillatory pathV of travel covered by the nozzlef -Reversely, it will beund'erstoodthat should a positioning of the oscillatory path o-f travel of the nozzle the, other direction be desiredpthe turn-buckle 43 will be. adjusted in the; op posite. direction. 4 j I j To eflfecta `stil-l furtheradj-ustment. of, the

f" ber heretofore referred to.

nozzle in its sweep of the tubes and limit its path of travel, I have provided an adjustable stop means carried by the squared portion 39 of the actuating member 40, which means will be hereinafter described.

The ball and socket joint 42 by means of which one end of the link connection is attached to the actuating member 40, is shown in detail in Figure 9, as is also a novel con necting means between the relatively squared portion 39 of the actuating member 40 and that portion of said rod which extends rearwardly of the locomotive into the cab. The joint 42 includes complementary socket members 44, one of which is spring-pressed against the ball 45 and the other of which is screw-threaded into the end of the link connection and bears against the opposite side of said ball. This form of ball and socket joint provides a reliable and at the same time suliciently flexible connection to permit the translation of the respective longitudinal and rotary motions from the single actuating member into the rotary and longitudinal motions required of the no1/azie. The connection between the relatively squared portion 39 of the actuating rod and that portion thereof disposed within the control of the operative, comprises the pin or bolt 46 provided at one end with the ball 45 and threaded at the other end to receive the clamping nut 47 suitably locked in place by means of the pin 48. Surrounding` the pin 46 is a crowned bushing 49, said bushing being fitted within an opening 50 provided in the end of the actuating rod section 39, the sides of said opening 50 being formed straight or parallel to permit a slight rocking action of the bushing 49 within the opening. The bushing projects slightly beyond the outer opposite faces of the end of the rod section 39 and has litted thereagainst forked extensions or jaws 5l of a clevis 52 suitably pinned, as at 53, to the rod section 54 of the general actuating mem- By this construction the desired amount of flexibility or play is obtained and the motion from the rod section 54 effectively transmitted.

The means for controlling the longitudinal and rotary motions of the actuating member and more especially the rod section 54, is shown in detail in Figures 5 to 8, inclusive, and comprises la slidably and rotatably mounted sleeve 55 suitably secured to the rod section 54 by means of pins 56 and internally threaded for a portion of its le-ngth at 57. The internally threaded portion 57 receives the threaded rod 58 which rod, when rotated by means ofthe hand wheel 59, causes the sleeve 55 to move longitudinally. The hand wheel 59 is keyed to the outer end of the threaded rod 58. The threaded rod is provided with a flange or collar 60 by means of which and the nut 6l the said rod is held relatively fixed against longitudinal movement adjacent the end wall 62 of a housing 63.

The housing 63 receives the movable sleeve 55 which is fitted within bearing portions provided in said housing so as to permit the longitudinal sliding and rotary movements of the sleeve. A bracket 64 supports the housing 63 and is preferably formed integral therewith, said bracket having a base portion 65 capable of being laterally adj usted with respect to the boiler or other frame to which said bracket is attached. In my present embodiment the bracket 64 is shown adj ustably attached to the horizonally projecting flange 66 of a T-iron 67 by means of bolts 68. The T-iron 67 is provided with elongated openings G9 which are adapted to receive suitable securing bolts for rigidly attaching the same to the boiler or other frame-work in the eab of the locomotive, said elongated openings also serving to permit vertical adjustment of the controlling means, as will be'understood.

The rotary or oscillatory motion of the rod section 54 of the actuating member is imparted thereto by means of av projecting arm or lever 70 having a hand grip portion 7l and an associated latch control 72 adapted to be aetuatcd when the hand grip 71 is clasped by the hand of the operative. The arm or lever 70 is provided with a hub section 73 adapted to surround the movable sleeve 55 at an intermediate gap or open portion 74 provided in the housing 63. The hub section 7 3 is provided with oppositely disposed key-ways 75 adapted to receive keys 7 G which latter are designed to extend into relatively long keyways 77 provided in the movable sleeve 55 and preferably extending throughout the entire length thereof. The keys 7 6 are retained be tween the opposite faces of the housing provided in the gap portion thereof, as best shown in Figure 6. In this present construction of controlling means it will be seen that any movement of the lever or arm 70 will cause the rotation of the sleeve 55 and in turn move the actuating member for reciprocating the nozzle. This oscillatory or partial rotary movement is positively imparted to the sleeve 55 through the key connection at any longitudinal position of said sleeve, thereby insuring the withdrawal of the nozzle from the lire box as well as its projection thereinto irrespective of what radial position the discharge orifice in the nozzle may occupy.,

It is desirable to limit the oscillatory movement of the lever 7 0 between predetermined points, said points being arrived at according to the throw or reciprocatory path of travel of the nozzle and valve member. These points are indicated by the numerals 78 and 79 and comprise depressions within the housing 68 adapted to receive the lower end of the latch bar 80. The latch bar 8O is of comparatively simple construction and is adapted to operate within an opening 8l provided in the ing upon the boiler.

lever arm 70. A collar or flange 82 is provided on the latch bar and a spring 83 is interposed between said collar and the wall forming the closure atv one end of the opening Sl.- The upper end of the latch bar issuitably headed to receive the Vbifurcated end of an arm Se projecting from and movable with the hand grip of the latch 72. The foregoing construction of latch mechanism is economicalto manufacture, reliablein operation and durable. The movable sleeve member 55of the controlling means is preferably lubricated through an oil or grease cup 85.

The location'of the improved blower, and more especially the casingV or body portion 6' thereof, is generally effected by inserting a stay tube or sleeve `86 between the fire box side sheet and theioutside fire box sheet, as shown 'in Figures 2 and 3, for example. VOne end of the sleeve 86 `is expanded orjbeaded over the fire box side sheet, as `at 87 ,andthe other end thereof'is faced off toreceive a similarly faced off annular portion `88 'provided on the portion' of the blower casing adjacent the boiler. The faced off annular portion 88 is preferably recessed, `and provides, together with the faced off end 86a of the sleeve 86 a tightandnon-'leakable joint. The blower casing ,is maintained tight against theend of the sleeve'by means of the nuts89 positioned Vupon the threaded ex tensions of the stud bolts 90, which bolts serve to effectively support the blowercas- 4In lFigure'flof the drawings there is shown anhapplication of the blower body portion'or casing to the inwardly curved portion of a boiler `such Aas employed on they larger types ofllocomotives and wherein it is. essential to provide ample side clearance. To effect'. aconvenient installation of the boiler' apparatus one of fthe boiler stay tubes 4 is removed, andthere is inserted a tube or sleeve 91 withfits-axispreferably disposedV at an angle toithe radial'center linejwhich passed through the-removed (stay bolt, said sleeve being disposed with .its .inner end rela,-A tively close to one of the adjacent stay tubes and having its outer end Yarranged relatively close to the adjacent stay tube located upon the opposite side of the sleeve. The

insertion of the tube or sleeve 91V in this manner provides a relatively long recess into which the nozzleV is normally withdrawn' and protected from the heat of the fire bo-x. Y The ofthe-sleeve or'tube 91lis sufficient to permitY the application of the blower body-or casing to the outer fire box sheet with the outside dimension of the blower casing and its oper-` ating means falling within the-iover-,all lat-V eral dimension of 'the boiler. With the nozzle disposed at an inclination and movableinto the lire box at an angle which substantially bisects the area of the tube sheet to which the blast is projected, it will be obvious that maximum efficiency is obtained from the blast in removing the soot and other particlesfrom the tubes, and especially from the forward ends of the tubes surrounding the superheater coils of the locomotive. In addition, it will be observed that the loca-V tionV of the nozzle aty an angle to the horizontal and in the upper portion of the water Y leg ofthe boiler causes less likelihood of the jets or blasts* of steam cutting into the fire. In all otherfrespects the blower casing and operating mechanism are maintained the same and aV further detailed description 'of this applicationrof Vmy improved flue blowing'apparatus'to the larger types oflocomotive boilers will 'not' be given. -o

The blower nozzle ll is preferably cast and involves a casing 92 formed with arelatively large chamberf93- The chamber 93 is provided with an inlet opening 94 of 'subi stantially cylindrical contour, said opening being screw-threaded Vfor attaching Y' the nozzle to the innerend of the sleeve constituting the valve member 9. The opposite ameter of the inlet openingl and the longestY dimension ofthe nozzle portion.

The walls ofthe chamber 93 are laterally flared and are preferably `designed to terminate at a point beyondthe nozzle portion, the

shape of said walls actingto abruptly inter-l cept the highvv velocity steam immediately adjacent the throatportion whereupon itis .subsequently discharged through said'throat and permitted to uniformly expand through the nozzle portion toward the tube sheet of the boiler. The advantage of providingthe chamber so as to underliethe full area ofthe throat is that the formationof a relatively large cavity adj acent'the saine insures aconstant head of steamer otherpressure medium into'which the flowing Ahigh velocity steam rushes with the'result that the velocity of the steam isr'educed v'and an keffective `working pressure built up adjacent the` constricted passageway forming the throat so as to more uniformly deliver the steam through the nozzle portion in substantially a solid-like spray for uniform expansion and blowingV of the tubes. This construction of nozzle operates very largely on the reaction principle, the eX- pansion developed incident to the constant flowing of the steam being greatly subordinated to the reaction of the steam as the result of the introduction of the throat portion and the formation of the walls of the chamber adjacent thereto with relation to the nozzle portion. In other words, because of the relatively short length of the fla-ring orifice or discharge nozzle portion 95 and the relation of the chamber 93 to said orifice, the reaction or reflection of the steam or other fluid on the wall of the chamber 93 directly back of the orifice 95 has'a greater eEect in determining the satisfactory discharge of the fluid than does the mere flowing of the steam through the orifice.

The discharge nozzle portion is of a narrow flaring contour, one wall 97 thereof being disposed at substantially right angles to the longitudinal axis of the chamber which it intersects and the opposite wall 98 being arranged at an angle thereto. This discharge nozzle portion or orifice is preferably formed to permit the insertion of a plug gage whereby the orifice may be chipped and finished according to the measurements of said gage. rlhis'feature is important in that the rough projections sometimes occurring in the casting tend to set up eddies and cross currents within the nozzle which interfere with the uniform distribution of the steam. The blower nozzle is preferably shaped at its outer end to provide a contracted nose portion, the

sides being suitably tapered and otherwise re# duced to prevent the clogging ofA cinders or other particles between the nozzle and sleeve 86, it being obvious that should such cinders collect-in the tube the projecting 'movement of the nozzle into the fire box will facilitate the removal thereof.

The sweep of the nozzle, and more especially the discharge nozzle portion thereof, is determined by the position of a limiting stop member 99 shown in the form of a movable block slidably positioned upon the squared extension 39 of the actuating'member. A fixed collar 100 is provided on said squared portion 39 and forms an abutment against which the sliding block 99 strikes when the actuating member is moved in the direction ofthe arrow shown in Figure l; The block 99 contacts with the end wall of the adjacent hub section 35 provided on the blower casing as a result of this reciprocatory movement and t-he limit of travel of the link connection 41 is thereby established, the said travel determining the oscillatory path of travel or sweep of the discharge orifice r against the tube sheet.Y For derellt plthS of travel it will be seen that different length slide blocks can be substituted or the stop collar 100 otherwise adjusted. This adj ustmcnt permits of various distances of travel of the nozzle and is particularly effective in adapting the present construction of blowing apparatus to the several designs and sizes of locomotive fire boxes. The distance of the reciprocatory movement of the nozzle into the fire box is determined by stop lugs 101 projecting from opposite sides of the blower casing and adapted to intercept the inward movement of the arms 27 and the inner ends of the links 25 adjacent the pivotal connections 26. The outward limit of travel is determined by the outward movement of the nozzle and more especially the end wall 102 thereof contacting with the end of the blower casing which extends into the sleeve 86, as best shown in Figure 2. The passage of the latch bolt S0 into the depression 78 when the controlling lever 70 is moved, also provides a means for limiting the withdrawal movement of the nozzle into the recess provided in the tube 86.

In operation, the operative within the cab of the locomoitve, causes the projection of the nozzle into the lire box by grasping the handle 71 of the lever arm 70 and rotating the same in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 5, said movement causing the rotation of the actuating member 40. The squared end portion of the actuating member 4:0 rocks the straddle casting 28 and through the link connections 25 eects the inward movement of the nozzle. The latch member of the controlling lever arm 70 moves into the depression or notch 79 and serves to hold the nozzle in projected position within the fire box.

lith the nozzle in projected position, the operative now rotates the hand-wheel 59 whereupon the sleeve 55 is caused to move longitudinally and impart to the actuating member 40 longitudinal movement. This longitudinal movement is imparted to the link connection 41 through the flexible ball and socket connection 42, and said link connection in turn imparts said longitudinal motion to the radially projecting arm 18,v

through the ball and socket flexible connection 19. The radially projecting arm 18 being provided upon the cap section 17 connected to the end of the valve member 9, causes the longitudinal movement of the link connection to partially rotate or Oscillate the valve member and in turn the nozzle 1l which stands projected into the fire box. The longitudinal movement of the actuating member 4:0 is controlled by the adjustable stop block 99 hereinbefore referred to,'and also the inner face of the end wall '62 of the housing against which the sleeve abuts. '.lhe reciprocatory or axial movement of the valve member `and nozzle when being proh and-wheel jected into the fire boX, causes the ports 10 of casing and establish communication between the chamber 7 and the nozzle for permitting the projection of steam against the tubes. The steam as it passes into the relatively large cavity 93 in the nozzle is decreased in velocity sufficiently to permit of its angular deflection through the flaring discharge orifice 95 and provide for its projection at substantially a,V uniform pressure over the predetermined area of tubes. The rotation of the hand-wheel 59 in oner direction will cause the nozzle tosweep the tubes from the uppermost groups thereof to the lowermost groups above the fire box, yand the rotation of the hand-wheel in the opposite direction willV cause the reverse action in the sweeping of the tubes. The relative size of the adjustable block 99 and position of collar 100 determine the full sweep of the nozzle across the j tube sheet, and the turn-buckle connection in the link 4l permits of a modified path of travel of the nozzle within the maximum sweep of the tubes. j

Upon the completion of the sweeping of the tubes by the full rotation of the handwheel 59 in both directions the operative grasps the handle 71 of the lever arm and returns the same to its initial position with the latch engaged in the notch or depression 78. The preferred construction of controlling mechanism positively insures the withdrawal of the nozzlefrom the lire box when this Voperation occurs irrespective of whether ornot the operative has failed to turn the its full' number of revolutions. This positive control of the nozzle in effecting its Withdrawal from the fire box prevents the burning of the noz-V zle and other injury should it bel permitted to remain subjected to the hightemperatures of the burning fuel. ln addition,rthe posiH tive control Vserves to insure the projection of the nozzle into the firebox so that the tubes will always be subjected to the blasts j of steam. The valve casing may be provided with an outlet 103 adapted to provide for connection of an automatic drain forY the chamber 7 or provide for the attachment of a drain valve. Y

An apparatusconstructed in accordance with this present invention can be readily attached to locomotives of various sizes and types and easily controlled from the engineers cab. The arrangement of the several parts as shown and described provided for their economical replacement "as well as their inexpensive initial application to the locomotive. j

I claim:

l. In a tube cleaning apparatus, the combination with a casing having a chamber, of a tube movable in said chamber and provided with a nozzle at one end thereof, a plurality4 of inlet ports provided in said tube, means connected to said tube for oscillating the same, means connected to said tube for closing the. ports from communication with said chamber, and a single rod for operatively controlling both` of the aforesaid means.

2. -rA blower nozzle for flue cleaning devices involving a chamber. having a nozzle portion leading therefrom and being provided with an inlet opening, said chamber having laterally flaring side walls terminating beyond the planes of the nozzle portion, a wall provided in saidnozzle Aportion the plane of which is adapted to intersect said chamber, and a second wall arranged atan angle thereto, said nozzle having a restricted throat portion arranged between said chamber and nozzle portion andV disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the chamber.

3. A blower nozzle for flue cleaning de-V vices involving a chamber provided with an inlet opening and a nozzle portion leading vfrom the opposite end of the chamber-,said

chamber having laterally flaring side walls terminating beyond the planes of the nozzle portion, a wall provided in said nozzle portion the plane of which is arranged so that if continued it would intersect the chamber,

and a second wall similarly arranged at an angle to the first mentioned wall, said nozzle having a restrictedv passageway forming a throat portion located between the aforesaid walls, where they join the chamber and disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis thereof. l

4. A blower nozzle of the class described comprising a casing having a chamber with flaring walls, one end of which is provided with an inlet opening and the other end of which is shaped to form a narrow flaring nozzle portion, said nozzle having a throat portion provided in the casing'between the chamber andnozzle portion, said throat portion being constricted and velongated toa longitudinal dimension which is less'than both the diameter of the inlet opening and the longest dimensionL of the flaring nozzle portion. V Y 5. A blower nozzle of the class described comprising a casing provided with a chamber having a substantially cylindrical inlet opening and a narrow flaring nozzle portion, said chamber having a diagonal wall provided with a constricted passageway forming a toV throat portion between the chamber and opening and less than the longest dimension of vthe flaring nozzle portion.

6. A blower nozzle for flue cleaning devices involving a chamber having a nozzle portion and an inlet opening, said chamber being provided with walls one of which extends diagonally to the axis of the inlet opening and is formed with a constricted passageway adjacent the nozzle portion7 said passageway having a throat disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the chamber, and said nozzle portion being provided with oppositely disposed outwardly flaring walls extending from the constricted passageway for receiving and distributing an expansible pres-' sure inediuln such as steam.

In testimony whereof I aiix my signature.

BYERS W. KABEL.

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