US2074300A - Locomotive stoker - Google Patents

Description

March 16, 1937. i vv. T. cAPPs LOCOMOTIVE STOKER Original Filed Sept. 20, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l l I o II|I March 16, 1937. w. T. cAPPs LOCOMOTIVE STOKER 2 sheets-sheet 2 Original Filed Sept, 20, 1932 W! aux I mw u @d am m5..

Patented Mar. 16, 1937 PATENT OFFICE i LOCOMOTIVE STOKER Washington T. Capps, Baltimore, Md., assignor to The Standard Stoker Company, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Application September 20,1932, SerialNo. 634,074 Renewed January 16, 1937 12 claims. (o1. 10s-15)4 This invention relates to mechanical stokers for locomotives, and particularly to stokers ofV that type in which coal or like solid fuel is Vconducted from a fuel bunker on the tender to the 5 ring opening of the locomotive by means of telescopic and jointed feeding means allowing relative movements between the elements of the feeding means on the locomotive and tender to compensate for relative movements of the locol motive and tender in the travel thereof. More especially the invention relates to a stoker in which the fuel feeding means conveys the fuel to a distributor located in the region of the firing opening and embodying a distributing plate and l a steam jet system for impelling the fuel therefrom over the grate area.

An objection to some of the prior locomotive stokers of the type referred to is that theyare notuniversally adapted for use upon locomotives having dilferent deck heights, so that special constructions arenecessary in the application of stokers to locomotives having restricted deck heights, and it is one of the objects of my Vinvention to provide a novel and improved construction of stoker which is universally applicable to locomotives having different deck heights, including those of very restricted character.

Another object of my invention is to provide a construction of stoker in which the fuel from the l delivery end of the transfer conduit may be entered into one side of the inlet end of the elevating conduit-for a lateral 4feed to the elevating conveyor in` the latter conduit, instead of deliv ering the fuel from the transfer conduit to the top of the elevating conduit, whereby the overall height of such conduits may be reduced at theirk point of union to permit of the application of the stoker to locomotives of restricted deck height, y

Where there is ample horizontal space but only a small amount of vertical space to accommodate such portions of the stoker mechanism.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a mechanical stoker in which the conveyor unit on the tender, the elevating unit on the locomotive and the associated parts of the transfer unit between the first-named units are so constructed that such units may be automatically vdisconnected without the necessity of unfastena ing `partsthereof by movement of the locomotive away from the tender on the locomotive and tender being uncoupled.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a stoker construction in which'the elevating conveyor in the elevating unit or conduit and the 5 5 primaryconveying means for conveying the fuel thereto from the*v tender are driven from a primary sourceof power by separate driving shafts so as to enable said parts toA be more flexibly operated and to bel arranged to better Working advantage on the locomotive, as well as to enable the elevating conveyor to be operated, if desired, at faster speed than the primary conveyor by proper gearing acting in said shafts to prevent congestion of the coal in the elevator unit or conduit. i

Still another object of the invention is to provide a'stoker havingV an independently 'driven conveyor in the elevator unit or conduit together with a fuel door in said conduit whereby fuel may be directly introduced thereinto for hand firing to aid the stoker feed under emergency conditions, and which door is also adapted to permit convenient access to the elevating conduit in making internal repairs, freeing the conduit in case of choking of the coal, and for other like Y pulpOSeS.

` only readily applicablev to various types of locomotivesV of different deck heights, but allows greater flexibility and freedom of motion of the` parts of the stoker on the locomotive and tender, greater flexibility and freedom of motion of the conveyor screws or devices, with less liability of undesirable pov/'dering of the fuel or choking of the conveyors by fuel lumps or particles of large size, and which allows greater `flexibility of feed control so that a suicient amount of coal may be supplied to the locomotive rebox at all times.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a mechanical stoker which` is simple of construction, reliable andV efficient in action, capable of being manufactured, installed and operated at a comparatively low cost, and which, in addition to the other desirable advantages set forth, may be conveniently and economically cleaned and kept in repair.

Withthese and other objects in View, the invention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. lis a plan view with parts shown in section of one form of stoker embodyingv my invention, showing the same in operative relation to a locomotive vand tender, parts of which are shown.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the stoker With parts shown in section. Y

Fig. 2a is a sectional view showing the steam jet.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross-section through the gear box or casing.

Fig. 5 is a view similar` to Fig. 2 showing another form of sto'ker embodying my invention.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view mainly of the elevator unit thereof-with parts shown in section.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view showing a modied type of distributor.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of parts shown in Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail section on line 9-9 0f Fig. 2.

Referring now more particularly to-Figs. l, 2, and 3 of the drawings, I designates the locomotive frame, 2 the cab deck, 3 the backhead and 4 the firing opening of a locomotive, and 5 desigV` nates the tender frame, I the deck'and 1 aportion of the rear wall of the bunker of the tender; while A designates the stoker as a whole, which comprises a conveyor unit A' on the tender and an elevator unit A2 on the locomotive, each of which includes complementary parts of a separable transmission connection or unit A3 between such-conveyor and elevator units.

The conveyor unit A' on the tender comprises a fixed trough-shaped conduit 8 arrangedV beneath the fuel bunker and having a longitudinally extending opening in its top through which the fuel feeds thereto by gravity from the bunker. In this conduit or trough 8 is arranged a helical conveyor screw 9. which feeds the fuel forward to the transmission unit A3, from which it is delivered to the elevator unit A2. The trough 8 has its rear end disposed yin the same longitudinal plane as the central longitudinal plane or axis of the elevator unit` A2, but extends therefrom forwardly and laterally at a slight angle to such plane, so that its forward end is offset laterally with respect to the vertical central longitudinalY plane of the con'- veyor unit and slightly to oneside of .such plane, for a purpose hereinafter described. As the elevator unit A2 is usually arranged coaxially with and in the verticallongitudinal plane. denotedY by the line -.r in Fig. 1 bisecting the locomotive and tender, it will be understood. that the forward or delivery end of the trough 8 is arrangedlaterally or to one side of such bisecting plane. The trough 8 is Yalso inclined downwardly and rearwardly at a slight angle and provided..

at its rear end in its bottom with drain holes I9, whereby Water from the coal accumulating in the trough may be freely discharged to prevent it from coming in contact with and damaging the conveyor drivey gearing. A guard or housing Ila is' provided at the rear of the trough to prevent the coal from being washed out through the drainage holes I0.

As shown, the trough 8 connects at its rear end with a gear box or casing II and at its forward end. is provided with a rear socket member I2, which is rigid with said trough 8 and forms a part of the conveyor unit A1. Rigidly formed with the fuel Yinlet branch of the elevator'unit A2 is a socket member I3. Between the elevator unit A2 and the conveyor unit A1 is the transfer unit A3, comprising telescopically related tube sections I4, I5. A spherical ball I6 is formed at one end of the tube section I4 and is received in the socket member I2, while the spherical ball I'I of the tubeisection I5=is received in the socket member I3 of the elevator unit A2.

Each socket member I2, I3 is semi-annular in form and is provided with a diagonally disposed fiange 24 to which is secured by a similar ange a cap or cover 23. The cap or cover 23 is also spherically shaped interiorly and fits over the respective ball I6, I'I of the tube section I4, I5 whereby Ithe transfer unit A3 may move angularly in all directions and at the same time provide for the fore and aft movement which occurs during normal operation of the locomotive and tender. Rotative movement of the transfer unit A3 about its axis is restrained by providing each. spherical ball I6, I'I with a lug 26 which projects through an elongated opening or slot 25 in each cover 23.

It will be observed from Fig. 3 that the lug 26 is directed outwardly from its respective ball I6, I'I at right angles to the plane of the flange 24. Thus, the cover 23 may be removed from its position over the spherical ball I6 or I1 by lifting the cover at a slight angle upwardly and laterally. By this construction, removal of the cover 23 is possible without interference of the tender and locomotive decks; at the same time, the ends of the transfer unit A3 are supported in the semi-annular spherical socket member I2,

I3 upon removal of the cover 23.

Within the transfer unit A3 is the helical conveyor screw I8, which is coupled at its rear end to the forward end of the conveyor screw 9 by means of a universal joint I9 and which conveyor screw I8 is suitably journaled at its forward or free end in the spherical ball portion I l of the tube section I5.

In the gear box II is a set of gearing comprising a drive gear 21 coupled by a jointed or flexible drive shaft 28 with a drive motor 29 on the tender, a primary driven or transmission gear 30 on a shaft 3I driven by intermediate gearing Y. from gear 21 which shaft 3| is coupled to and.

drives the feed conveyor screw 9, and a second driven or transmission gear 32 driven by intermediate gearing from shaft 3I and which is coupled to a jointed or flexible conveyor drive shaft 33. The ratio of the gearing in the gear box is preferably such that in the case of a twocylinder double-acting motor 29 of approximately 500 R. P. M., the screw 9 will have a ratio of 1 to 20 R. P. M. of the motor, shaft 33 thus being driven at a rate of speed from 20 to 25% faster than the screw 9. Shaft 33 drives a ilexible transmission shaft 34 comprising sections 35 and 36 which are telescopically connected, section 35 being universally jointed to shaft 33 and section 36 being similarly jointed to the primary r screw conveyor section 3:1 of a divided screw conveyor, including a delivery conveyor section 38,r forming part of the elevatorunit A2. Shaft 34 thus comprises members jointed to swing vertically or laterally like the parts of connection A3 to compensate for similar relative movements of the locomotive and tender and to slide on each other to compensate for relative longi tudinal movements of the locomotive and tender.

It Will thus be understood that shaft ,sectionsy 35 and 36 of shaft 34 constitute in effect -auxiliary portions of the transfer unit A3, disposed respectively on the tender.v and locomotive, and which are adapted to pull apart for separation, like the conduit sections I4 and I5, on the movement away from one another of the locomotive and tender, when said locomotive and tender are uncoupled, to effect a rapid, convenient and easy disconnection of the Stoker units on the apparent to those versed in the art.

` veyor screw branch The elevator unit A2 comprises a conduit 39 extending upwardly atV an angle from its lower rear ror receiving end, which is below the deck 2, through said deck and having its delivery end extending within the ring opening 4 and associated with a distributor 49, whereby the fuel is distributed over the area of the locomotive firebox. In accordance with my invention, the upper or delivery end of formv of a single tube, within which the delivery feed screw section 38 is arranged, while the lower or receiving end of said conduit' is flared and forked and otherwise shaped to provide downwardly diverging branches or limbs 4I and42 whichV are in open communication with each other and merge into the lower portion of the delivery end of the conduit. The branch or limb 4|v is coupled to the transfer unitV or connection A3, for the feed of the fuel thereinto at one side of. and upwardly and laterally toward the feed screw section 31, which-is disposed at an angle to the feed screw section 38 in the branch or limb 42 and extends outwardly therefrom and is coupled to the shaft 34, whereby the elevator feed screw composed of the flexibly connected and angularly arranged members or sections 31 and 38 is driven at the same rate of speed as the shafts 33 and 34. By this construction the con- 42 and fuel inlet branch 4| of the elevator conduit are arranged side by side and in the same horizontal transverse plane, so as'to provide for the feed of the fuel horizontallyV and laterally thereinto and in engagement with the elevator screw, so that saidconduit portions will occupy a comparatively small amount of vertical space and may thus be mounted on a locomotive having minimum deck height, or in the contracted space beneath the deck 2 and between the same and the locomotive frame I, as a result of which I provide a Stoker which is universally applicable to various sizes and types of locomotives having 'high and-low decks within minimum andf'rnaximum ranges. This construction and arrangement of parts also provides for the mounting of the elevator conveyor for operation from a common source of power by transmission means separate fromand independent of the transmission means operating the feed conveyors 9` and I8, and of said'conveyors being driven by a gearing of the type described of any predetermined gear ratio, whereby the elevator conveyor may be driven at any speed desired relative to that of the feed conveyors and with'AV outV being limited by the speed of the latter. Preferably, as set forth, the ratio of the drive gearing in the drive box Il is. such that the elevator conveyor 31--38 will be driven at a rate of speed of from 20 to 25% faster than the feed conveyorsv 9 and lll,V by which provision is made to prevent any possibilityof congestion of Ycoal in the elevator conduit and for a feed delivery rate of the elevator conveyor greater than that of the feed conveyors. The inlet end of the conduit39 is provided in its upperportion with an opening143 normally closed by a door 44 which may be opened whenever it is desired to gain accessY to such portion of the conduit for the purpose of loosening up fuel therein or cleaning or repairing the elevator screwsections or for the use bythe fireman to shovel coal therein for delivery by the conveyor the conduit 39 is in the posed in the plane of Asteam jet device 41 for 31--38 in the event y that the conveyors 9 and I8, or'either of them, should become broken or otherwise inoperative. The increased rate of speed of the conveyor 31-38, with respect to the conveyors 9 and IB adapts the conveyor 31-3B, because of its faster rate of speed than the other conveyors, to be used for emergency purposes to deliver with the amount of coal being fed up by the conveyors 9 and I8, an additional amount shoveled into the conduit 39 by the fireman for the purpose of augmenting the supply of fuel to the fireloox when desired or required, or on occasions where the coal contains a high percentage of large lumps and sufficient coal can not be handled by the conveyors 9 and I8, in which case the fireman may overcome the difficulty by shoveling suflicient coal to make up that required to feed the locomotive through the opening 43 into the conduit 39. "It often occurs on locomotives in passenger service, Vwhich are coaled with `a high percentage of large lump coal, the locomotive'tender a large proportion of the lump coal collects at the coal gates and at the forward end of the conveyor trough 8, making it at times very difficult to obtain the feed of a sufficient amount of coal f for consumption through the conveyor system. My invention overcomes this difficulty, as it allows manual stoking to be used in conjunction with automatic stoking, and in a very simple manner convenient to the fireman, and a mechanical Stoker of great flexibility to suit varying conditions of service is thus furnished, since, in the event of deficient feeding, or of maximum stoking being required, the amount of coal supplied to the firebox may be augmented by hand action, while, even in'the event of the conveyors 9 and I8 becoming brokenV or inoperative, the conveyor 31- 38` may vbe employed in conjunction with hand feeding to furnish an ample supply of fuel to the locomotive. i

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the lower and upper portions of the conduit 39 are preferably arranged at an angle to each other, the 'lower portion extending upwardly toward the deck at a comparatively gentle angle and lthe upper portion extending upward through the deck and to the ring opening at a greater angle, in order to allow the lower conduit portion to be so disposed below the deck 2 that the opening 43 and its door 44 may be disor flush with the deck,v which will be found desirableunder some conditions of.A use. The distributor any suitable construction, that shown being of that typecomprising a distributor plate 45 having diverging, feed ribs 46 for spreading fuel on its feed to the iirebox and associated with a forcing the fuel over the distributor plate for supply to the full area of the rebox. The unit A2, like the unit A', is rigidly mounted and suitably secured against movement in the ring opening and to the backhead or frame of the locomotive by suitable tie rods or connections 4B.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the construction is substantially the same as that disclosed in Figs. l to 3, inclusive, except that there is a slight modification inthe constructionand form and arrangement of the conduit and elevator screw of the elevator unit A2. As shown, in this construction the upper porvertical longitudinal plane of the unit A2 and is 40 may be of' Sbranch 42', while the branch 4l' is offset laterally in the opposite direction to branch 42 from the central longitudinal plane to permit the same to be disposed in axial alinement with the transfer conduit of the transfer unit A3.

IOiWith this arrangement the conveyor trough 8 may be arranged at the lateral angle shown in Fig. l, or it may be disposed parallel with but at one side of the central longitudinal plane of the locomotive and properly connected to the branch F41', while such construction of the conduit permits of the substitution for a conveyor made of two screw sections 31 and 38 by a conveyor consisting of a single screw section 38', thus simplifying the structure in this respect. In this "construction, also, the conduit 39', as shown in Fig. '5, may be longitudinally straight, or with its upper and lower portions extending upwardly at the same angle. This arrangement is suitable for locomotives having'decks of adequate height for in which the fuel feed opening 43 and its top 44' may be disposed in an inclined plane extending slightly above the deck surface. The construction and operation of this form of stoker is otherwise the same as that disclosed in Figs.

' 1 to 3, inclusive.

In Fig. 7 I have shown at the delivery end of the elevator unit a distributor 40 of somewhat modified construction. This distributor preferably comprises a distributor plate 45' having a plane upper surface, dispensing with the ribs 46, and in which the steam jetv device 41' is provided with nozzles having upper jet orifices 4la and lower jet orifices Wb. The function of the upper jet orifices is to sweep the fuel across the distributor plate, while that of the lower jet orifices is to dislodge any fuel which may fall into the spaces between the nozzles and to sweep the same across the distributor plate.

When the back wall of the boiler expands, it is necessary to have a movable connection between the deck l of the locomotive and the rear end of the conduit A2. I have shown such connection in Fig. 9 in which the reference numeral 49 designates a casting having upwardly and inwardly extending lugs 59, 5|, under the inwardly extending portion of which is a slideway 52. suitably secured to the rear end portion of the conduit A2 is a casting 53 at the bottom of which are outwardly extending flanges 54, 55 which are designed to slide in the slideways 52 so that the conduit A2 is free from a rigid connection with the deck of the locomotive and is also free to slide independently of the locomotive deck when the rear wall of the boiler expands.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings, the construction, mode of operation and advantages of my improved mechanical stoker will be readily understood by those versed in the art without a further and extended description. While the construction disclosed is preferred, it will, of course, be understood that changes in the form, proportions and arrangement and details of construction of the parts may be varied to degrees desired or required within the scope of thel appended claims, Without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages ofthe invention.

1. In a locomotive stoker, the combination with a feed conduit, and a feed conveyor therein, of an elevator conduit having a delivery endr and a receiving end, the latter end having communicating branches arranged side by side, a transfer conduit between said feed conduit and said elevator conduit, a socket member rigidly carried by one branch of the receiving end of said elevator conduit, a socket member rigidly carried by the forward end of said feed conduit, said transfer conduit including a pair of telescopica]-` ly related tube sections, a spherical ball carried by one of said tube sections at one end of said transfer conduit, such spherical ball being re ceived in the socket member offsaidelevator conduit, a spherical ball carried by the other of said tube sections at the opposite end of said transfer conduit, the last named spherical ball being received in the socket member of said feed conduit,v

a cover fitted over each spherical ball and secured to a respective socket member, each cover and spherical ball being inter-engaged to restrain each tube section against movement about the axis of said transfer unit, each socket member arranged t0 support the respective ball member upon removal of the aforesaid cover from its position over its respective ball member, said f socket member and cover being arranged wheretender and arranged angularly with reference toL the central vertical plane of the locomotive and tender, and an intermediate conduit section jointed at its rear end in end to end relation with said trough, and at its forward end jointed to one of the branches of said elevator conduit,

gearing at therear of said trough, a conveyor screw in the elevator conduit extending into the other branch thereof, a conveyor screw in said trough and a conveyor screw in said intermediate conduit, said'conveyor screws being operatively connected with said gearing, and power means for driving said gearing.

3. Ina locomotive Stoker, a conveyor conduit on the locomotive having a forwardl portion lying'in the central vertical plane of the locomotive vand a rear portion comprising branches eX- tending on opposite sides of said plane, a conduit on the locomotive tender having its rear end disposed in the central Vertical plane of the locomotive and tender and said conduit thence extending forwardly at an angle with respect to the aforesaid central verticall plane of the loco'- motive and tender, anI intermediate conduit flexibly connecting the forward end ofthe conduit on' the tender with one of the branches of thev conduit on the locomotive and at oneside of tlie f central vertical plane of the locomotive and tender7 a conveyor in each of said conduits, the

conveyor in the 'conduit on the locomotive including a section disposed in its branchlying at the opposite side of the central vertical plane of the locomotive and tender, gearing at the rear end of the conduit on .the tender for driving to :such plane,a conduit on the locomotive tender having. its rear'end disposed on the central ver- .;-tical plane` of the locomotive and tender, said conduitthence extending forwardly and laterally at anangle to'suchplane; an intermediate con- :duitflflexibly connecting the forwardendof the --vcon'duit on the-tender with one of Vthe branches of thei conduit on the locomotive atone sideof 20 the centralyertical plane of `thezlocornotiveand v tenderpa conveyor `infthe conduit onthelocomotive and itsV other branch, conveyors inthe *conduit on the tender and the intermediateconduit, gearing at therear end of the conduit on 25 the tender for: driving the conveyor therein and 'the conveyor inthe intermediate conduit, and driving means connecting said gearing with the ``portion vof the conveyor inthe conduit on the locomotive disposed in the second-named branch thereof.

5. In a locomotive stoker, a conveyor Aconduit on the'locomotive having a forward portion lying approximately in the central verticalplane of the locomotive and, tender and-a rear portion comprising.branches-:arranged side by side and ,extending in opposite directions with reference tosuch plane, aV conduit on the locomotive tender having its-rear end disposed on the central vertical planenoffthe locomotive 'and tendersaid conduit' thence extending forwardly at an angle to `pla'nefan intermediate conduit flexibly connecting the forward end of the conduit on `the`tender` with'one of the branches of theconduit on the locomotive at one side of the cen- H tral vertical `plane of the locomotive and tender,

a conveyor in the conduit on the tender, a conveyor in the intermediate conduit flexibly coupled thereto, a conveyor in the conduit on the locomotive comprising flexibly connected sections disposed in the forward portion of said conduit and its other branch respectively, gearing at the rear end of the conduit on the tender for driving the conveyor therein and the conveyor in the intermediate conduit, and driving means connecting said gearing with the section of the conveyor in the conduit on the locomotive disposed in the second-named branch thereof.

6. In a locomotivel stoker, the combination with a locomotive and its tender, said locomotive having a firing opening and a deck, an elevator conduit on the locomotive having a forward portion extending upwardly at an angle through the deck to the firing opening and having a rear portion located beneath the locomotive deck and pro- 5 vided with branches arranged side by side and on opposite sides of the central vertical plane of said conduit, said branch portions of the conduit being provided with a fuel inlet `opening extending through said deck and a cover member 0 lying when in closed position substantially inv the plane of the deck and forming a separable part thereof, a conduit on the tender, an intermediate conduit flexibly connecting the forward end of the conduit on the tender with one. of 5 the branches of the conduit on the locomotive,

. flexibly. connected conveyors inthe conduit on L the tender and theV intermediate conduit, gear- -ing at the rear end of the conduit on the tender for driving saidr conveyors, a ,conveyor in the conduit onv the-locomotive comprising flexibly connected sections arranged respectively in the forward portion'of saidconduit and in the other `branch thereof, and driving means connecting `said gearing with the section of the conveyor in the conduiton the locomotive disposed in the second-named branch thereof.

- 7. 4In a stoker for an intercoupled locomotiv 'and tender, the combination including a conduit :mounted on the locomotive, a conduit on the tender, and an intermediate conduit between said Lconduits, a socket member rigidly carried by the rearward' end' of `said first named conduit, a

socket member rigidly carried by the forward 'end' of said secondi named conduit, saidr intermediate conduit including a pair of telescopically relatedV tube' sections, ya spherical ball carried by one of said tube sections at one end of said intermediateconduit, such spherical ball being received in the socketl member of said rst named conduit, a-sphericalball carried by the other of lsaid tube sections at the-opposite endof said intermediatelsection, the 4last named spherical ball being `received in the socket membr of said feed conduit, a cover tted over each spherical ball 'and scured to a respective socket member, and means engaging each' ball member for rei straining each tube section againstk movement about the axis of said intermediate conduit, each socket member arrangedV tol support the respective ball lmember upon removal of the aforesaid cover from its position over its respective ball member,` each socket member and coverv being arranged whereby theball member-may be rel moved from its respective socketA upon removal 1 of the^cover thereover.

8. vIn a Stoker for an intercoupled locomotive and tender, the combination including va conduit `V mounted on the locomotive, a conduit on the tender, andr anlintermediate conduit between said conduits, a socket member rigidly carried by the rearward end of said first named conduit, a socket member rigidly carried by the forward end of said second named conduit, said intermediate conduit including a pair of telescopically related tube sections, a spherical ball carried by one of said tube sections at one end of said intermediate conduit, such spherical ball being received in the socket member of said first named conduit, a spherical ball carried by the other of said tube sections at the opposite end of said intermediate section, the last named spherical ball being received in the socket member of said feed conduit, a cover ttedover each spherical ball and secured to a respective socket member, and means engaging each ball member for restraining each tube section against movement about the axis of said intermediate conduit, each socket member arrangedv to support the respective ball member upon removal of the aforesaid cover from its position over its respective ball member, each socket member and cover being arranged whereby the ball member may be removed from its respective socket by an upward and lateral movement upon removal of the cover thereover.

9. In a conduit system, a flexible joint structure comprising a rigidly supported spherical socket member, said socket member having spherical sides which terminate in a diagonal plane passed through the longitudinal axis of restraining movementy of said spherical ball v, longitudinally of said socketmember.

10. In a conduit system, a flexible joint structure comprising :a rigidly supported `spherical socket member, said socket member having vspherical sides which terminate in a diagonal l0.

plane passed through the longitudinal axis of said socket member, a spherical ball seated in said socket member, a cover over said spherical ball secured to saidsocket member for restraining movement Vof said spherical ball longitudinally of said socket member, and means for restraining said spherical ball against movement'about the longitudinal axis of said socket member.

l1. The combination with a'locomotive having a firebox with a yfiring opening therein and a tender for said locomotive provided with a fuel bin, of means. for transferring fuel from-said fuel bin to said locomotive freboxcomprising a conduit system extending from thel tender fuel bin to the firing opening inthe locomotive frebox, conveying means in said conduit systemfor-urging fuel therethroughincludinga conveyor screw system receiving vfuel fromthe 'tender fuel rbin and `arranged to advance it-forwardly,the fuel Vdelivery end of said conveyor screw system :being at one side of theverticalpmedial: plane of the locomotive and tender, a conveyor screw system for advancing fuel toward the firingl opening of said locomotive rebox, the rearward-vend of said conveyor screw system `arranged 'to recei-ve fuel from the forward end of the first named' conveyor screw system and being offset laterally therefrom, and means for driving said conveyor screws including gearing opera-tively connected to the rearward end of the rst named conveyor screw system, aprirne mover at the side of the vertical; Amedial ,plane of the locofmotive and-'tender opposite-to the. laterally offset rearward end of the second named 4conveyor screw-system, means,J operatively connecting said prime mover and;` saidgearing, anda shaft operatively connected :with `said .gearing for transmttingpower to the rearward end off-'the second named' conveyor screw system, said shaft throughout its length being disposed laterally with respect to the rst named conveyor screw system andV on the side thereof oppositewsaid prime mover.

12. The combination with a locomotive-having a rebox with a ring opening thereinand a tender for said locomotive provided with a -fuel bin, of means yfor transferring fuel from said fuel bin to said locomotive firebox comprising4 a conduit system extending from the tender fuel bin to the firing opening in the locomotive rrebox, conveying means in saidv conduit system for urging fuel therethrough including a conveyor screw system receiving fuel from the tender fuel bin 'and arranged to advance it forwardly, the fuel delivery end of said conveyor screw systembeingI at Yone side of the vertical medial plane of the locomotive and tender, aconveyor; screw system Vfor advancing fuel toward thering opening of'said locomotive iirebox, the rearward end vof said conveyor screw system arranged to receive fuel from the fuel delivery end of the first named `conveyor4 screw system'and being offset laterally therefrom at the opposite side of the vertical medial plane of'the locomotive and tender, and means: for driving saidconveyor screws including gearing operatively connected to the rearward end ofthe first namedl conveyorscrew system, a prime-mover' at the'side of the verticalfmedial plane'of the locomotive and tender opposite to `the laterallyoffset rearward end of the second namedl conveyor screw system, means operatively connecting saidv prime Amover and said gearing, and a shaft operatively connectedwithsaidjgearing for transmitting power to the rearward end of the second named conveyor screwA system, saidshaft throughout its length being disposed, laterally with respect to the first named conveyor screw system andvon-the side thereof opposite said prime mover.

WASHINGTON T. :CAPPS.

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