Novel Device for Heating
and Ventilating Railroad Cars.
Scientific AmericanOctober 28,
1868
The object of the device seen in the accompanying engraving
is to utilize the heat of the boiler and fire box of a railroad
locomotive to warm a train of cars in cold weather, and to ventilate
the cars with pure air free from dust or cinders in summer. The
arrangement is quite simple. The front of the locomotive is provided
with a funnel-shaped mouth, from which a pipe leads down under
the boiler, and in close contact therewith. At the forward end
of the fire bog it divides into two branches; one passing along
each side and through the tender, at the rear of which they again
unite. Each car is furnished with similar pipes passing along
under the seats, and fitted with registers that may be opened
and closed at will. The union between the pipes of the different
cars is plainly seen in the engraving, a bell mouth containing
a packing for the end of the pipe, but sufficiently yielding to
allow of lateral motion in rounding curves, etc. The front end
of the pipe has a hood inside the funnel mouth, to prevent rain
or snow from entering.
It is evident that if the pipes were left exposed to the atmosphere,
but little heat could be realized; but to overcome this difficulty
the inventor, for winter service, proposes to put a heavy non-conducting
jacket entirely around the boiler and fire box, or sufficient
to inclose the larger portion of the heating surface and the pipes.
The other exposed portions of the pipe are also similarly protected.
In the summer the jacketing of the locomotive is removed, and
the pipe exposed to the external air.
Patented April 28, 1868, by Dr. Samuel W. Francis, who may
be addressed at P. O. Box 240, Newport, R. I. The entire right
is for sale.
Stories Page | Contents Page
|