US1011117A - Steam-generator for automobiles and the like. - Google Patents

Description

A. W. CAPS & R. F. MIEHLE, JR. STEAM GENERATOR FOR AUTOMOBILES AND THE LIKE. APPLICATION FILED 1112.23, 1909.

1;011,117, Patented Dec. 5, 1911.

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- Allorneys A. W. GAPS & R. P. MIEHLE, JR. STEAM GENERATOR FOR AUTOMOBILES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED P151123, 1909.

Patented Dec. 5, 1911.

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2. an Allvrnvya COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH C0., WASHINGTON, D. C.

A. W. GAPS & R. F. MIEHLE, JR. STEAM GENERATOR FOR AUTOMOBILES AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23, 1909.

1,011,117, Patented Dec.5, 1911.

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Q/M/ nz/enlo 115 W 1 STATS a n ARTHUR W. GAPS AND ROBERT F. IVIIEHLE, JR., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS; SAID CAPS ASSIGNOR TO ANNA M. MIEHLE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

STEAM-GENERATOR FOR AUTOMOBILES AND THE LIKE.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that we, ARTHUR W. CAPS and ROBERT F. MIEHLE, J r., citizens of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Steam-Generators for Automobiles and the Like, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

Our invention relates to steam generators of the water tube type and more especially to the type known as water level boilers or generators comprising a combination of water tubes coupled to water chambers of larger diameter, and the invention has for its primary object to provide an improved generator of this type which shall be condensed in height so as to work well with a down draft and which will have sufficient steam generating surface and be capable of withstanding an extraordinary high pressure and be free from danger of injury from overheating should the water become exhausted.

With a view to the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other objects which will hereinafter appear, the invention consists in certain features of novelty in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts which will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and then more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the said drawings-Figure 1 is a side elevation of a steam generator embodying this invention, showing the casing in vertical section. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the thermostat for regulating the water supply. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the generator with the casing removed. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the generator. Fig. 5 is a plan View of the flash coil showing its relation to the manifold pipe for the terminals of the tubes hereinafter described. Fig. 6 is a detail vertical section of the standpipe or drum, and Fig. 7 is an enlarged plan view thereof partly broken away, showing the elbows or fittings Whereby the tubes are connected thereto.

The tubular portion of the generator with the exception of the flasher and superheating coil, which will be presently described, is composed of a plurality of layers of parallel concentric tubes, which, however, in-

stead of lying in flat planes, are coiled in Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 23, 1909.

Patented Dec. 5, 1911. Serial No. 479,435.

slightly conical spiral form, so that their interiors will constitute spiral passages gradually inclined from their upper to their lower ends. The tubes are connected at one end to a stand pipe and at the other end to a manifold pipe, as will be presently described. In this example of the invention, each of these layers of tubes is composed of four tubes. In the plan view, Fig. 3, the top layer only is, of course, wholly visible, and it is composed of four tubes, 1, 2, 3, 1, whose upper ends are connected in the same horizontal plane to the upper end of a stand-pipe or drum 5 by means of four elbows 6, 7, 8, 9 respectively, while their lower ends, after each is carried at least once around to complete the top layer of tubes, is carried downwardly and connected to a manifold pipe or tube 10, which is arranged in a horizontal plane, and at the extreme lower end of the boiler below the lower end of the stand-pipe or drum 5, and below all of the layers of tubes. In order that the manifold pipe 10 may not be unduly weakened by the formation of the large number of holes therein that would be necessary if each of the tubes of all of the various tube layers were connected directly thereto, such tubes instead of being directly connected, are connected in pairs to two-way fittings or Ys, each having a nipple 11 and two branches 12, 13, the nipple 11 being screwed directly into the manifold pipe 10, while the branch 12 accommodates a tube belonging to one layer, and the branch 13 a tube belonging to another layer. By thus connecting the tubes to the manifold pipe not only is the strength of the pipe conserved, but by employing the nipples 11 of graduated length, as indicated in Fig. 1, the large portion or body of each of the fittings may be arranged in a separate plane. affording ample room for manipulating the unions whereby the tubes are connected to their respective branches 12, 13, and the removal of top coils independently of the bottom coils is facilitated. Some of the tubes, wherever convenient, however, may be connected directly to the manifold pipe 10 by means of suitable fittings or unions, as indicated at 14 in Fig. 1. The tubes belonging to the layers at the lower levels too low down to enable the lower ends of the tubes to be bent downwardly like the lower ends of the tubes 1, 2, 3, 4, may be connected to the manifold pipe 10 by means of elbows 15 and unions 16, an example of which is shown in Fig. 5 in plan view, while two of the elbows are indicated in Figs. 1 and 4- Fig. 4 shows the extreme lower layer of tubes 17, which are connected to these elbows 15 respectively.

Immediately below the lowermost layer 17 of tubes is arranged a super-heating coil 18, which may be supported in any suitable way, as, for example, by means of across bar 19, which'has its ends rested upon the manifold pipe 10 between the tubes connected therewith, and is bent downwardly at both'ends, as shown at 19 to prevent it from slipping out longitudinally. One end of this super-heating coil is carried upwardly beside the main coils of the generator and connected to the upper end of the drum or stand-pipe 5. For that purpose the fitting 7 is in the form of a T, and to one passage or branch thereof is connected the upper terminal of this super-heating coil, said terminal being indicated at 20. The other terminal 21 of the super-heating coil is connected to the engine steam pipe 22, so that the steam super-heated in this coil will pass directly to the throttle. This terminal is also connected to a water supply pipe 23, in which is situated the supply pump 24: by means of a branch pipe 25 having a valve 26 under the control of the operator, so that when desired, water may be admitted clirectly from the supply pipe into the superheating coil 18, which may then serve as a circulating coil for raising steam quickly at such times, for example, as when first starting the fire with the boiler in a cold state. When sufficient steam has thus been generated for starting the engine, the valve 26 may be closed, whenthe coil 18 will again resume its function as a super-heating coil.

The main supply of water is admitted to the boiler, preferably directly into the manifold pipe 10, by any suitable means, such as the connection 27 with the supply pipe 23. From the manifold 10 the heated water and steam bubbles rise by reason of the upward currents induced in the smaller tubes of the various coils which constitute gradually ascending passages therefor, and they eventually discharge into the drum or stand-pipe 5 at the various levels at which the upper ends of the tubes are connected thereto. In the stand-pipe or drum 5 the currents again descend and discharge back through the tubes into the manifold pipe. WVhile excellent results are obtained by this arrangement, another discharge branch or pipe 28, is provided, which is carried downwardly through the super-heating coil I 18, and thence outwardly where it is connected to the manifold 10. In making this last named connection, the end of the pipe 28 is preferably first connected to a blow-off cook 29, so that sediment accumulating in the drum 5 may be readily discharged. It is then connected to a two-way coupling 30, to one branch of which the connection 27 is secured, and by means of which the return currents from the bottom of thedrum 5 are admitted to the manifold 10. The manifold pipe 10 does not constitute a complete circle, and as better shown in Fig. 5, its ends are spaced from one another to permit the flame and the interior of the burner to be inspected, and to leave room for fittings or elbows 31, 32 for the attachment of two blow-off connections 33, 34 respectively, which are turned downwardly, as shown in Fig. l, and provided with any suitable controlling means 35, whereby they may be opened and closed at will for discharging sediment, etc., from the manifold 10, or draining same of the water when desired. These elbows 31, 32 are preferably located directly in the ends of the manifold 10, so that by removing the elbows from the manifold, an implement may be inserted thereinto for scraping its interior and forcing out scale and other objectionable accumulation. In this example of the invention, the elbow 32 is provided with an additional branch or passage in its upper side, whereby it may be utilized also for the connection of one of the elbows 15, which at this place happens to fall at a point between the terminals of the manifold 10.

In order that the foam forming in the stand-pipe or drum 5 may not reach the superheating coil 18, a perforated baffle plate 36 is interposed in the drum at a point below that at which the upper terminal 20 of the coil is connected thereto. Should it be desired to employ a thermostat in connection with the generator for regulating the supply of water thereto, as required, it may be connected as shown in Fig. 2, or in any other suitable way. If desired, a safety valve 37 may be employed, and when so employed, may be connected to the upper end of the drum 5, or to the generator at any other suitable point by means of a pipe 38, whose inner end is connected to the fitting 6. Below the generator thus constructed may be situated a burner 39, of any suitable form, and the entire generator may be inclosed in a suitable casing 40, in which it is supported by means of brackets4c1, upon which the manifold pipe 10 rests.

In order that the invention may stood, the details of an exemplification thereof have been thus specifically described, but

What we claim is: 7 7

1. In a steam generator, the combination of a stand-pipe, a manifold pipe arranged around'the extended axis of the stand-pipe, and a plurality of tubes arranged in coils constituting layers, one above another, the said tubes at one end being connected to the be undersaid stand-pipe and at the other end to said manifold pipe.

2. In a steam generator, the combination of a stand-pipe, a manifold pipe surrounding the same, a plurality of tubes arranged in coils constituting layers, one above another, said tubes being connected at one end to said stand-pipe and at the other end to said manifold pipe and each of said layers, being composed of a plurality of separate lengths of pipe.

3. In a steam generator, the combination of a stand-pipe, a manifold pipe surrounding the same at a low level with respect thereto,

and a plurality of tubes arranged in coils constituting layers one above another, the upper ends of said tubes being connected with the stand-pipe and the lower ends with said manifold pipe.

4:. In a steam generator, the combination of a stand-pipe, a manifold pipe arranged in a horizontal plane and surrounding the stand-pipe at a low level with respect thereto, and a plurality of layers of tubes having their upper ends connected to the stand-pipe and their lower ends to the manifold pipe, each tube in each layer being gradually in clined continuously from its upper to its lower end.

5. In a steam generator, the combination of a stand-pipe, a manifold pipe surrounding the stand-pipe in a horizontal plane at a 10W level with respect thereto, a plurality of layers of coiled tubes arranged one above another around said stand-pipe and having their upper ends connected thereto and their lower ends to said manifold pipe, each layer of tubes being composed of a multiplicity of parallel spirally coiled tubes gradually and continuously inclining from their upper ends to their lower ends.

6. In a steam generator, the combination of a stand-pipe, a manifold pipe surrounding the stand-pipe at a lower level with respect thereto, two way fittings connected with the manifold pipe, and a plurality of layers of coiled tubes arranged one above another and having their upper ends connected to said stand-pipe and the lower ends connected in pairs to the ways or branches respectively of said fittings.

7. In a steam generator, the combination of a stand-pipe, a manifold pipe surrounding the stand-pipe at a low level with respect thereto, fittings connected with said manifold pipe, and a plurality of layers of coiled tubes arranged one above another and having their upper ends connected with the stand-pipe and the lower end of one tube in one layer and the lower end of one tube in another layer connected to the same one of said fittings.

8. In a steam generator, the combination of a stand-pipe, a manifold pipe surrounding the same at a low level with respect thereto, a plurality of layers of coiled tubes having their upper ends' connected with the standpipe and their lower ends with the manifold pipe, and a separate connection from the bottom of the stand-pipe to the manifold pipe for constituting direct communication between the stand-pipe and the manifold pipe independently of said coils.

9. In a steam generator, the combination of a stand-pipe, a manifold pipe surrounding the same, a plurality of layers of coiled tubes having their upper ends connected with the stand-pipe and their lower ends with the manifold pipe, a direct connection independent of said tubes between the bottom of the stand-pipe and the manifold pipe, and a blow-ofl attachment leading from said connection.

10. In a steam generator, the combination of a stand-pipe, a manifold pipe surrounding the same at a low level with respect thereto, said manifold pipe having its ends spaced from one another, removable means closing said ends, and a plurality of coiled tubes having their upper ends connected with said stand-pipe and their lower ends with said manifold pipe.

11. In a steam generator, the combination of a stand-pipe, a manifold pipe surrounding the same and having its ends spaced from one another, blow-off connections at the ends of said manifold pipe, and coiled tubes having their upper ends connected with the stand-pipe and their lower ends with the manifold pipe.

12. In a steam generator, the combination of a stand-pipe, a manifold pipe surrounding the same at a low level with respect thereto, a plurality of coiled tubes having their upper ends connected with the standpipe and the lower ends with the manifold pipe, a super-heating coil arranged under the first said coils of pipe and having one end connected with the upper end of said stand-pipe, a pipe for supplying steam to the source of consumption connected with the other end of the super-heating coil, a water supply pipe connected with the latter said end of the super-heating coil, and means for controlling the supply of Water to the super-heating coil.

13. In a steam generator, the combination of a stand pipe, a manifold pipe arranged around an extended axis of the standpipe, a plurality of tubes arranged in coils constituting layers, one above another, the said tubes at one end being connected to the said standpipe and at the other end to said manifold pipe, a super-heater connected with the upper end of the standpipe, and a water supply pipe connected with the other end of the super-heater.

14. In a steam generator, the combination of a stand pipe, a manifold pipe arranged around an extended axis of the standpipe,

a plurality of tubes arranged in coils constituting layers, one above another, the said tubes at one end being connected to the said standpipe and at the other end to said manifold pipe, a super-heater connected With the upper end of the standpipe, a Water supply pipe connected With the other end of the super-heater, and means for controlling the supply of Water to said super-heater.

15. In a steam generator, the combination of a standpipe, a manifold pipe surrounding thesame, a plurality of tubes arranged in coils constituting layers, one above another,

- said tubes being connected at one end to said standpipe and at the other end to said manifold pipe, a super-heating coil arranged under the first said coils of the pipe and having one end connected With the upper end of the standpipe, and a Water supply pipe connected With the other end of the superheater.

16. In a steam generator, the combination of a standpipe, a manifold pipe surrounding the same, a plurality of tubes arranged in coils constituting layers, one above another, said tubes being connected at one end to said standpipe and at the other end to said manifold pipe, a super-heating coil arranged under the first said coils of the pipe and havin one end connected With the upper end 0 the standpipe, a Water supply pipe connected with the other end of the superheater. and means for controlling thesupply of Water to the super-heating coil.

In testimony whereof We have signed our names to this specification, in the presence of two subscriblng Witnesses, on this 17th day of February, A. D. 1909. 3,,

Witnesses:

CHARLES H. SEEM, FRANCIS A. HOPKINS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

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