US1019913A - Pressure-transformer. - Google Patents

Description

I W. H. PEARCE.

PRESSURE TRANSFORMER.

APPLICATION FILLED NOV. 7, 1910. 1,019,913, Patented Mar. 12,1912.

2 BHEETS-SHEET 1.

3 y o 77 73 7y/8 77 W m/mu COLUMBIA PLANOORAPN C0" WAMIINGION, D. C-

W. H. PEARCE.

PRESSURE TRANSFORMER. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 7, 1910.

1,019,913, Patented M31112, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. PEARCE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PRESSURE-TRANSFORMER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILLIAM H. PEARCE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pressure-Transformers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pressure transformers and has for its primary object to provide improved means for raising the pressure, temperature and velocity of a low pressure fluid in an outgoing supply pipe whereby the fluid may be transmitted through a pipe of reduced diameter.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide improved means whereby the exhaust steam from steam engines can be transmitted through a pipe of reduced size while at the same time greatly reducing the back pressure on the engine.

Another object is to provide improved means for reducing the back pressure in a low presure fluid distributing system without the use of ejectors, vacuum pumps, traps and the like, thereby providing a more economically constructed system.

Other and further objects will appear in the specification and be specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings exemplifying the invention, and in which- Figure 1 is a longitudinal section through one embodiment of the invention. Fig. 1 is a view of a modified form of the discharge nozzle and. outlet. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic plan view of a low pressure system with high pressure connections embodying the transformer shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section, parts being shown in elevation, of another embodiment of the invention. Fig. 4 is a section on the line IVIV, Fig. 3.

In exemplifying my invention I have illustrated the application of the same to a system for transmitting exhaust steam from a steam engine. In a system such as that employed for heating or other purposes, it is customary to provide pipes of suitable diameter to carry the exhaust steam at a certain known pressure, temperature and velocity. In these systems it is customary to employ a vacuum pump or ejector near the end of the return portion of the system, and in combination therewith, traps connected to the lowermost portion of the apparatus. These devices are employed for Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 7, 1910.

Patented Mar. 12, 1912.

Serial No. 590,982.

the purpose of facilitating circulation and relieving the engine of back pressure. Another device which is frequently used is a replenisher connected to the outgoing pipe at some point distant from the source of supply, said replenisher being simply for the purpose of introducing a new volume of fluid to replace that already consumed in the system. By means of the present invention I am able to raise the pressure, temperature and velocity of the exhaust steam by installing in the outgoing pipe a transformer such as shown in the drawings. By the employment of this device it is possible to materially reduce the size of the outgoing supply pipe or pipes and to transmit the exhaust steam substantially without back pressure so that such devices as the vacuum pump and traps may be eliminated from the system.

Referring first to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, a casing or housing of the transformer is constructed in two sections, 1 and 2, connected together around abutting flanges 3, a joint being made at this point to facilitate the machine work on the castings 1 and 2. At the inlet end of the section 2 of the housing, a collar 4, which may be bolted to the flanged end of the section 2, is provided with a threaded connection with a section 5 of the low pressure pipe to be more fully described hereinafter. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the inlet section 2 is provided in its upper wall with an opening 6 through which depends a high pressure inlet casting 7 suspended by a threaded connection at 8 from a cover plate or closure 9. Said inlet casting 7 is provided with an annular chamber 10 within a nozzle 11. projecting forwardly, said nozzle being provided with a contracted annular discharge outlet 12 which is adapted to project an annular sheet of the high pressure fluid into the housing. Within a central opening of the casting 7 is rigidly mounted a low pressure tube 13 which projects forwardly through the nozzle 11 and extends for some distance in front of the discharge outlet of said nozzle. The forward portion of the tube 13 is provided intermediately of the nozzle 11 and its outer end, with an enlarged portion 14 which is adapted to form a contracted passageway for fluid within a combining tube or sleeve 15. Said combining tube 15, which may for convenience be termed the primary combining tube, is provided with a flared end opening adjacent the end of the nozzle 11, the contracted passage-Way formed therein by the enlarged portion 14; of the tube 13 being disposed at such a distance as to have the high pressure fluid from the nozzle 11 substantially flll said passage-way as it passes therethrough. The combining passage formed between the tube 13 and the sleeve 15 is enlarged forwardly and discharges into the rear flared end of a secondary combining tube or sleeve 16. The sleeves 15 and 16 are provided with radially projecting arms 17 by means of which they are rigidly mounted within a pair of bands 18 which are mounted within the section 1 of the housing and spaced apart by a spacing band or ring 19. Adjacent the outlet end of the secondary com bining tube 16 the housing section 1 is contracted at 20, for a purpose to be presently explained. In order to provide means for centering the tube 13 within the sleeve 15, an adjusting support in the form of a screw 21 is provided by means of which the inlet casting 7 may be raised or lowered.

The operation of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 will now be understood. As the low pressure fluid enters the inlet section 2, a portion of it passes through the tube 13. Another and larger portion passes around the inlet casting 7 and a second division of the fluid occurs at the flared end of the combining sleeve 15, a port-ion passing through the mixing passage-way between the tube 13 and sleeve 15 and another portion passing on the outside of the sleeve 15. The high pressure fluid admit-ted through the inlet casting 7 being discharged in an annular sheet in the direction of movement of the fluid through the contracted passageway within the sleeve 15, causes an intimate mixing with a consequent equalization of temperature, pressure and velocity between the two fluids, so that the fluid which discharges from the sleeve 15 into the secondary combining tube 16, is of a higher temperature, pressure and velocity than that of the low pressure fluid or exhaust steam which enters the inlet section 2. As will be understood, a second mixture takes place within the tube 16 between the first mixture and that portion of the low pressure fluid which passed on the outside of the sleeve 15, these fluids being brought together into close mixing combination within the tube 16. As a result a second equalization takes place between the fluid discharged from the tube 15 and the second portion of the low pressure fluid which enters the tube 16 through the flared rear end of the same. At the contracted portion 20 of the housing section 1, a third combination and equalization takes place between the fluid issuing from the tube 16 and the low pressure fluid discharging from the space sure system. Connected up with the vertical section 26, is a back pressure valve 27 of well known construction, which prevents the accumulation of an undesirable back pressure upon the engine 22 when the other parts of the system to be hereinafter described are not in use. A controlling valve '28 controls the admission of exhaust steam to a heater 29 which is adapted to discharge through a branch 30, said branch 30 being connected with a horizontal pipe 31 through which the steam may be discharged through the back pressure valve 27 or may be shunted forwardly into a downwardly projecting pipe 32 leading to a supply pipe 33. \Vhen the pipe section 32 is in use, a controlling valve 3 1 prevents the discharge through the back pressure valve 27. In the event that the steam is to be transmitted to the supply pipe 33 without being passed through the heater 29, a second horizontal section 35 may be employed, the admission thereto being controlled by a valve 36. In embodying the principles of the present invention in the system shown in Fig. 2, a transformer 37 such as already described is connected in the low pressure system preferably between the inlet end of the supply pipe 33 and the pipe sect-ion 35. According to the present invention it is possible to employ a supply pipe 33 of smaller diameter than the exhaust pipe 25. Leadmg from the steam pipe 23 and controlled by a valve 38 is a live steam branch pipe 39 through which live steam is connected to the transformer 37 to perform its functions in the manner already pointed out. If desired, a pressurereducing valve 40 may be interposed betweent-he transformer 37 and the branch 39. If so desired, a second transformer 41 may be installed in the supply pipe 33 to still further increase the temperature, pressure and velocity of the fluid in the supply pipe. It will be seen from this description that the transformers 37 and 41 are placed in the system at some point near the beginning of the outgoing supply pipe so that the cost of installation is very largely reduced by the employment of a supply pipe of comparatively small diameter, which is made possible by the increased temperature, pressureand velocity provided by the employment ofthese transformers. A pair of branch supply pipes are represented at 42 which are usually disposed at various points along the supply pipe 38. At 43 is shown the well known type of replenisher which, according to the usual practice, is installed in the supply pipe at considerable distance from the source of supply of the exhaust steam. The function of this replenisher is merely to replace the fluid already consumed or lost by condensation. Pressure gages 44 may be disposed at any desired point to determine the pressure of steam at those points.

A modified form of the discharge nozzle and outlet is shown by Fig. 1, comprising a circular outlet member 12 and tubular nozzle member 11', which form connection and communicating means between the outlet member 12 and the casting 7.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the transformer is modified by having the high pressure inlet casting constructed in the form of a spider comprising a plurality of discharge nozzles 45 connected by a circularly-bent pipe 46 and a central discharge nozzle 47 provided with an inlet branch 48. Said inlet nozzles discharge forwardly into a plurality of combining sleeves or tubes 49 and the mixtures from said combining tubes discharge into secondary combining sleeves or tubes 50, the principle of action being the same as in the former embodiment and the exhaust steam or low pressure fluid being permitted to reach the various mixing tubes or combining passages by passing between the several nozzles 45 and the central nozzle 47. An opening 51 in the cylindrical wall of the housing of this embodiment is provided wit-h a closure 52 from which the inlet casting is adjustably suspended by means of a threaded connection 53.

If desired, a hot water heating device for heating houses and the like may be embodied in the system, embodying a cylindrical housing 56 provided with water tubes 57, and a water inlet pipe 58, the passage through which is controlled by a valve 59. Discharging into the space around the water tubes 57 and between the heads 60 of the heater is a short branch leading from the main 33 and provided with a control valve 61. A steam trap 62 is connected up with the lower end of the steam space between said headers, said trap discharging into a pipe 63 leading from the heater 29 to the trap 55.

What I claim is 1. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a shell or housing having inlet and outlet openings adapted to be connectedup in a low pressure fluid piping system, said housing being provided with a combining passage, and an annular inlet nozzle for high pressure fluid disposed between the inlet opening of the housing and said mixing passage, said nozzle being provided with a central opening in line with said inlet opening of the housing and said mixing passage.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of a shell or housing having inlet and outlet openings adapted to be connected up in a low pressure fluid piping system, said housing being provided with a combining passage, and an annular inlet nozzle for high pressure fluid disposed between the inlet opening of the housing and said mixing passage, said nozzle being provided with a central opening in line with said inlet openng of the housing and said mixing passage, said central opening being provided with a tubular extension projecting into said mixing passage.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of a housing open at each end, a combining tube in said housing in line with the end openings, an annular inlet nozzle for high pressure fluid disposed between said combining tube and one of said end openings, and a low pressure tube extending through said nozzle and combining tube and forming an annular combining passage.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination of a housing provided with inlet and outlet end openings and adapted to be connected in a low pressure piping system, an annular inlet nozzle for high pres sure fluid disposed between said end openings, a combining tube disposed co-axially with and between said nozzle and outlet end opening, said tube being flared outwardly toward the high pressure inlet, and a tube for low pressure fluid extending through the annular nozzle and said mixing tube, the last said tube being largest adjacent the point at which the flared portion of said combining tube begins.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of a housing provided with inlet and outlet end openings and adapted to be connected in a low pressure piping system, an annular inlet nozzle for high pressure fluid disposed between said end openings, a combining tube disposed co-axially with and between said nozzle and outlet end opening, said tube being flared outwardly toward the high pressure inlet, a tube for low pressure fluid extending through the annular nozzle and said mixing tube, the last said tube being largest adjacent the point at which the flared portion of said combining tube begins, and a second combining tube disposed between the first combining tube and the outlet end opening.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination of a housing provided with inlet and outlet end openings and adapted to be connected in a low pressure piping system, an annular inlet. nozzle for high pressure fluid disposed between said end openings, a combining tube disposed eo-axially with and between said nozzle and outlet end opening, said tube being flared outwardly toward the high pressure inlet, a tube for low pressure fluid extending through the annular nozzle and said mixing tube, the last said tube being largest adjacent the point at which the flared portion of said combining tube begins, and a second combining tube of larger diameter within the first combining tube, said second tube being disposed between the first combining tube and the outlet end opening and provided with a flared end adjacent the first combining tube.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination in a low pressure piping system, of a housing, a pair of combining tubes disposed end to end within said housing but spaced apart, said tubes being of different diameters and flared at their ends, which are disposed against the current flow, an annular high-pressure inlet discharging in the direction of low pressure flow into the first said tube, and a low pressure tube extending through said high pressure inlet and the first combining tube.

8. In a device of the character described, the combination in a low pressure piping system, of a housing, a pair of combining tubes disposed end to end within said housing but spaced apart, said tubes being of different diameters and flared at their ends, which are disposed against the current flow, an annular highpressure inlet discharging in the direction of low pressure flow into the first said tube, and a low pressure tube eX- tending through said high pressure inlet and the first combining tube, said housing being contracted adjacent the discharge end of the second combining tube.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specificatiomin the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 2nd day of November A. D. 1910.

WILLIAM H. PEARCE.

Witnesses:

J. H. JOCHUM, Jr., M. WV. CANTWELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0.

Images