US1026191A - Feeder for steam boilers or generators. - Google Patents

Description

C. C. WORTHINGTON. FEEDER FOR STEAM BOILERS 0R GENERATORS.

Patented May 14, 1912 APPLICATION FILED JAN. 27, 1909.

rrn sa CHARLES C. WORTHINGTON, F DUNNFIELD, NEW JERSEY.

FEEDER/FOR STEAM BOILERS 0R GENER-ATORS.

Specification of 'Letters Patent.

Patented May 1st, 1912,

Application filed January 27. 1909. Serial No. 474,581.

To all whom 'it may concern.'

Be 1t known 4that I, CHARLES C. \Von'rn moron, a citizen of the United States, re-

' siding at Dunntield, in the county of lVarbact. specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The object of the invention .is to provide 'i an improved apparatus which shall automatically control the supply of an additional amount of feed water to the generator or boiler at such times as the boiler is required to furnish more steam than can be produced from the water ordinarily supplied to it:

In the regular operation of a steam motor carriage it will frequently occur as in climbing heavy grades that the engine is called upon to supply a much greater amount of ower than is ordinarily required. This invention is especially adapted for automatically supplying to the boiler of a steam motor carriage,i the increased amount of water required to produce the additional supply of steam necessary for the operation of the engine at such times. l

The invention is in the nature of an iml prqyement on the invention which forms the subject matter of my co-pending applica tion Serial` No. 474580. filed January 27, 1909, and consists in the construction and combination of parts hereinafter described, and pointed out definitely in the claims.

In the drawing, the figure shows a diagrammatic view with some of the parts in section of the arrangementof this improved apparatus, the various parts of which may-be placed in horizontal or ver- `tical or any other convenient positions.

Referring to the parts by letters, and in the present exemplitication of the invention: A represents an air tank in which any desired pressure is maintained, either by the operation ofl an air pump driven by hand or by power, or by other well known or convenient means. F represents a fuel supply tank for containing gasolene, kerosene or other liquid fuels. WV represents a water tank for containing the supply of water. G represents a steam generator, preferably of the flash type/'for evaporating the water and supplying the steam, the generator being provided with any suitable form of burner Gr consuming liquid fuel. A pilot tube T may also be provided for lighting the burner and which may preferably receive its supply from the same source as the burner G. It represents a regulator for regulating the supply of water and fuel to the generator G. B represents a fuel controller for governing the admission of fuel to the burner of the generator Gr. P represents a feed pump driven by power or any convenient means for forcing the supply of water into the generator G. The feed pump is constructed in combination with a controller or governor located at the base of the suction chamber of the pump, and which has communication with the suction chamber. C designates generally the water controller governing the suction valve of the feed pump l. lVater is supplied to the feed pump P through the pipe M, leading from the supply tank and entering the suction chamber of the pump at its lowest point and below the diaphragm 15 and said chamber' may be drained on one side of the diaphragm through a suitable drain cock Y. The feed pump P is connected to the generator G by the pipe N. The regulator R is connected to the generator G by the steam pipe D, and also to the fuel controller B by an air pipe E and to the water controller C by the air pipe E. Air is admitted to the fuel supply tank F from the tank A by means of the pipe .l thus maintaining the same pressure in the fuel supply tank as in the air tank A. Fuel is admitted to the generator G `from the tank F, through the pipes K and L between which pipes is located the fuel controller B and with which both pipes have communi cation; the pipe L being controlled by the fuel controller B through the medium of the valve 8. The operation of this portion of the apparatus is as followsrtny desired pressure may be maintained in the air tank A. For general purposes a pressure of fifty pounds per square inch will be found to be ample. The pressure from the air tank A 5Fl sure on the two pistons 12 and 3 practically through the cylinder vand port 7, the pressure operating on the .port 10 and pipe L.

inder 5 and also with the port 4. A pistonv 13 is arranged within the cylinder 5 and is connected to move with the piston 3. The annular chamber 14 and the port 4 are so lol cated with respect to the ,cylinder 2 that .when the piston 3 is moved in one direction the piston 13 is adapted to assume a posi tion between the cylinder 2 and the chamber 14 to cut ott communication between the chamber and the cylinder 5 (as shown in full lines in the drawing). Then the piston 3 is moved in the opposite direction, the piston 13 is adapted to assume a position between the chamber 14 and the port 6 to prevent the escape of air to the atmosphere through the port and to reestablish communication between the chamber 14 and the cylinder 2 (as shown in dotted lines in the drawing). The cylinder 2 is provided with ports X-X on the side of the piston opposite to the side on which the cylinder 5 is located whereby said cylinder 2 will always have communication with the atmosphere so as not to retard the movement of the piston 3. The pressure from the air tank A is carried also to the fuel supply tank F through the pipe J forcing the gasolene or other fluid fuel under like pressure to the fuel controller B on one side of the diaphragm 11 through the pipe K and the port 7. A valve 8 in the fuel controller B is normally seated by the spring 9, closing the port 10 to the pipe L but when fuel under pressure is admitted vthrough pipe K diaphragm 11 to which the valve is connected, overcomes the action of the spring O and unseats the valve 8 to admitfuel to the burner of the generator G through the lVhen thel fuel is ignited in the combustion chamber in the generator G, which may be accomplished bythe pilot tube or burner T, the water in the generator is heated and evaporated, producing steam under pressure. This steam pressure is at all times admit-ted through the pipe D to the cylinder 20 in the regulator R and operates on the piston 12, which latter is connected to and moves with the pistons 3 and 13. The relative areas of piston'12 and piston 3 are so proportioned that at l,any predetermined relation between the steam pressurein the cylinder 2O and the air pressure in the cylinder 2, the total presbalance each other. 1Vhen`the steam pressure in the generator G rises above the normal amount required to maintain this balance, the pressure'in the cylinder 20 forces the piston 12 in one direction, carrying with it the piston 3 against the airl pressure in the cylinder 2, and'moving the piston 13 to' a. position to close the communication between the port 4 and the atmosphere 5 and the port 6. rThis movement of the piston 13 brings the annular chamber 14 at the same time into communication with cylinder 2 and the air pressure from port 1 of cylinder 2, is then admitted int-o the fuel controller B through pipe- E on the other side of the diaphragm to balance the fuel pressure on the diaphragm l1. When the fuel pressure is thus balanced the spring 9 then forces the valve 8 to its seat, closing the port 10 and automatically cut-ting otf the supply of Vfuel to the heater of the generator G. p

Any suitable means may be provided for rendering the feed pump inoperative but a simple and effective means for accomplishing this end will now be described. V

Simultaneously with thestoppage of the supply of fuel to the heater of the generator G the air pressure is admitted to the one end of the water controller C through the 15 therein. The diaphragm 15 in the water controller C is normally held in an inoperative position by the spring 16, but when the air pressure is admitted to the water controller C back of the diaphragm, the air pressure acting on the diaphragm l5 over comes t-he spring 16 and forces the rod 17 which is connected to be operated by the diaphragm, into engagement with a suction valve 18 in the feed pump 15 tounseat the valve and render the pump inoperative, thereby stopping the supply of water to the generator Gr. When the generator G is thus deprived of its supply of fuel and water, the steam pressure therein willgradually be reduced with more or less rapidity, depending upon the demand. 'Vhen the steam pressure falls below the amount required tain on the piston 12 in the regulator R a balance with the air pressure on the piston 3, the pistons 3 and 12 will be moved or shifted by the air pressure against the steam. pressure, and the piston 13 will` be carried beyond the annular chamber 14 to the position shown in full lines in the drawing. The port4 will be thus again placed in communication with the atmosphere through the cylinder 5 and the port 6 and one side of the diaphragm 11 in the fuel controller B will be relieved of theair pressure which latter escapes through the pipe E and the porty 4. The pressure of the fuel on the other side of the diaphragm 11 thenovercomes the action of the spring 9, which seats lthe valve 8 thereby compressing the spring to raise the valve 8, to again admit a supply of fuel through the port 10 and the pipe L to the burner of the generator G where it isignited by the pilot burner T, maintained constantly lighted for that purpose. Simultaneously one side of the diaphragm 16 in the water controller C' will be relieved of the air pressure, which latter escapes through the pipe E', and ports 4 and 6. The spring to main- 16 then forces the rod 17 out of engagement with the suction valve 18 allowing the latter to be seated by the action of the controlling spring 19 permitting the feed pump P to again become operative and supply water to t-he generator G. An ordinary check valve 40 is provided in the pump P.

From, the above it will be seen that the regulator R automatically maintains practically a constant steam pressure in the generator G, the relation between the amountl ot' air pressure 1n the air tank A and the amount of steam pressure in the generator G being determined by the proportional areas of the piston 3 and the piston. 12 in the regulator R, a slight variation in the steam pressure carried in the generator G up or down being sufficient to automatically operate the mechanism and reestablish the normal steam pressure. It will also be seen that the normal pressure to be maintained in the generator G may be varied at the will of the operator by adjusting the safety valve V on the air tank A, any change in the amount of pres sure carried in the air tank A automatically effecting a relative change in the amount of steam pressure carried in the generator G. There are occasions, however, in the ordinary use of a steam carriage as in ascending heavy grades, etc., when it becomes necessary for the engine to supply an increased amountof power. At such times the speed of the engine is gradually reduced and as the feed pump 1s ordinarily driven by the engine, the speed of the feed pump is also reduced with the result that the amount of water supplied to the generator is decreased in like proportion. At such times it is desirable that an lincreased supply of water shall at once and automatically be supplied to the generator In order to accomplish this result there is provided a second regulator R2, which is similar in construction to the yregulator R, and is adapted to regulate the supply of the additional wat-er to the generator G. regulator R2 comprises a cylinder 22, in which moves a piston 23. A cylinder 25 similar in construction to the cylinder 5, is arranged to communicate with the cylinder 22, and a piston 33 moves within the cylinder 25 and is connected for movement with the piston 23. The cylinder 25 is provided with an outlet 26 to the atmosphere, and an annular chamber 34 which has communication with the cylinder 25. This annular chamber 34 is located beyond the cylinder 22, so that the piston 33 may assume a position (as shown in full lines in the drawing) to stand between the cylinder 22 and the chamber 34, to cut oil' communication between the chamber 34 and the cylinder 22, and establish communication with the chamber and the cylinder 25. The piston 33 is also adapted to assume the position shown in dotted lines so as to restablish communica- This tion between the chamber 34 and the cylinder 22 and tocut off communication bctween the chamber 34 and the atmosphere through the port 26. The cylinder 22 is also provided with an inlet port 21 corresponding with the port 1 of the regulator 1t, and which port- 21. has communication with the supply pipes O, and O2. A port 24 is also provided in the regulator R2, which is similar to the port 4 of the regulator R, and has communication with the chamber 34 and the pipe H, which latter pipe also has communication with the water controller C of the pump l.

Communicating with the cylinder 22 and on the side of the piston 23 opposite to that on which the cylinder 25 is located, is a cylinder 30, similar to the cylinder 20 of the regulator R, but is preferably slightly larger than the cylinder 20, so that the piston 32 which moves in the cylinder 30 will be of about ten per cent. greater area than 4the piston 12. This piston 32 is connected to move with the piston 23, so that when one ofthe pistons is moved all three of the pistons 33, 23 and are simultaneously moved. The cylinder 3() has communication with the steam suppl f pipe D-,which supplies the cylinder 20, through the medium ot a connection D2, and as the piston 32 of 9 the regulator R2 is of a larger area than the piston 12 of the regulator R, a greater pressure will be required to move the piston 12 than to move the piston 32,-as will be hcreinafler set forth.

The feed pump P is of the ordinary construction, preferably of the same construction as the pump P, and may be operated in any desired or suitable manner for forcing the supply of additional water to the gcnerator (lr through the pipe N?, and into the pipe N.

The water controller C2 for the extra supply is of a construction similar to the controller C, and vis provided with a diaphragm 35, connected to which is a rod 37, which rod is adapted to'be moved by the diaphragm in one direction to engage a suction valve 38 and unseat the same against the tension of a controlling Spring 39, as will be set forth. A. check valve 42. similar to the check valve 40. may be provided within the pump P2. The pressure from the air tank A is carried through the pipes O and (l2 to the regulator R2 where it is admitted by the port 2l to the cylinder 22 moving the pistons 23 and to open the port 24, through the annular chamber 34 to the atmosphere through the cylinder 25 and the port 2G. side of the piston 23 opposite'to the side on which the cylinder 25 is located is open to the atmosphere at all times through the ports X2 in order that the movement of the piston 23 will not be retarded.

The cylinder 22 on the carrying with Athe piston nular chamber 34 to the position shown in kW'hen the fuel is tion chamber in the ignited in thefcombusgenerator G, the water in the generator is heated and evaporated producing steam under pressure. This steam pressure is at all times admitted through the pipes D and D2 to the cylinder 30, in the regulator R2 and operates on the iston 32 to move the pistons 23 and 33 in one irection. The relative'areas of piston 32 and piston 23 arey so proportioned that at any predetermined relation between the steam pressurein the cylinder and the air pressure in the cylinder 22, the total pressure on the two-pistons 32 and 23 practically balance each other. When the steam pressure in the generator G rises above the normal amount required to maintain this balance, the pressure in the cylinder 30 moves the piston 32, it the piston 23 against the air pressure in the cylinder 22 and moving 33 to a position beyond the andotted lines in the drawing, thus closing the communication between the port 24 and the atmosphere, through the cylinder. 25 and the -port 26. The annular chamber 34 is at the same time A with cylinder 22 and the air pressure from port 21 of the cylinder 22 is then admitted to the water controller C2 through the pipe H to act upon the diaphragm 35 therein. This diaphragm 35 is normally held in an inoperative position by the spring 36, but

when the air pressure -is admitted into the water controller C2, it will act upon the diaphragm 35 to overcome the spring 36 and force the rod 37 into engagement with the suction valve 38 in the feed pump P2 to unseat the same against the tension of the spring in which condition it remains as long as the feed pump Pis able to supply suiicient water to the generator G to produce all the steam required for the operation of the engine. When, however, the steam pressure in the generator G falls below the amount required to maintain on the piston 32 in the regulator R2 a balance with the air pressure on the piston 23, the piston 23 and the piston 32 will be shifted by the air pressure against the steam pressure and the piston 33 will be carried beyond the annular chamber 34 to the position shown in full lines in the drawing. The port 24 is thus again placed in communication with the atmosphere through the cylinder 25 and the port 26. The diaphragm 35 in the Water controller C2 will then be relieved of the air pressure which escapes through the pipe H and the ports 24 and 26. The sprlng 36 then acts upon the rod 37 to move the same out of engagement with the valve 38 to permit the latter to be seated by the action of the spring 39 and the feed pump P2 becomes operative and supplies water to the generator G. This brought in communication 39 to render the pump inoperative,y

control of the operation of the feed pump P2 by the regulator R2 is in all respects similar to the control of the operation of the feed pump P by the regulator R, but in order to maintain the feed pump P2 nor mally in an inoperative condition and to insure that it shall be brought into operation at such times only asthe amount of water.' supplied to the generator G by the feed pump P is not sutiicient to produce the amount of steam required by the engine, the cylinder 30 and the piston in the regupercent. greater than the diameter of the cylinder 20 and the piston 12 in the regumay be varied as desired all other parts and dimensions in the two regulators being madealike and interchangeable.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: As shown above, when the steam pressure in the cylinder 30 in regulator R2 rises above the amount required to maintain the balance on the piston 32 with the air pressure on the piston 23, the pistons 32 and 23 are shifted in a direction to move the piston 33 to a position to admit the air pressure to the water controller C2 through the pipe H. The diaphragm 35 then shits the rod 37 to open the suction valve 38 and render the feed pump P2 inoperative. As, however, the area of the piston 12 in the regulator R is about ten per cent'. less than the area of piston 32 in the regulator R2 a higher steam pressure is required on the piston 12 in the regulator R to overcome the air pressure on piston 3 than is necessary on piston 32 in the regulator R2v to overcome the air pressure on piston 23 and consequently the suction valve 18 in the feed sition, but is free to perate, and the feed pum-p P therefore continues to supply water to the generator Gr. For as long a time as the water supplied by the feedpump P to the generator G is sufficient to produce all the steam required by the engine, the steam pressure on the piston will be lmaintained at a, point suiiicient to overcome the air pressure on piston 23y and las before described the air pressure will latOr R2 are made with a. diameter about five lator R, although of course this proportion pump P is not moved from its normal po-' to maintain the 32 in the regulator R2 then continue to be admitted through the the pipe ll.

a direction to move the pistoni beyond the annular chamber 3l to the position shown in full lines inthe drawing. The diaphragm 35 in the water controller@2 is thus relieved of the air pressure which escapes through The suction valve 38 in the feed pump l.2 is then again seated by the spring 39 and the feed pump I2 commences to supply the additional water to the generator (l.

The two feed pumps l and P2 are made of such capacity that the amount of water supplied to the generator G when both pumps are in operation will produce more steam than can he used in the engine When working at its full power. Consequently i'vlwnever both pumps are delivering water to the generator (l the steam pressure in the generauor will gradually risc until it reacties a point where, through the operation of regulator 'lf2 as before described, the feed pump l 'is rendered inoperative and remains so until more steam is required to operate the car than can be produced from the water supplied by the feed pump 1.

Y The feed pump P2 Ais has been before described, is then again brought into operation bv the regulator R2 which thus automatically controls the feed pump P2 placing it in operation whenever additional water is required and rendering it inoperative whenever' the fecd pump l is able t0 supply all the water required. The burner of the generator G supplies sufficient heat to evaporate such a proportion of the feed water when both pumps are in operation as to meet the maximum demand of the engine and at the same time to gradually increase the steam pressure to a point where the regulator lt is brought into operation and cuts out the pump P* in the manner described.

lili'hilc in the present exemplification of the inW-ution there is shown and described the preferrciil manner for automatically and simultaneously controlling the fuel and wa.- ter supply, it is to bc understood that various changes may be made in the construction, operation and .arrangement of the several 'parts without departing from the spirit of this invention.

lVhat l claim as new is:

l. ln an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a vapor generator, of a fluid feed, a plurality of regulators for controlling said fluid feed, a fuel feed, means whereby one of the said regulators will control the fuel feed, said regulators having comniunication with the gcnerator, and means whereby the regulators will be actuated with respect to each other by different degrees of pressure in the generator.

2. In an apparatus of the character de-v erator, of a fluid feed, a fuel feed, a plurality of regulators for controlling said feeds, said regulators being adapted to be acted upon by the generator pressure, and means whereby each of the regulators will be actuated by a degree of pressure different froin the degree of pressure necessary to actuate the other regulators.

3. ln an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a vapor generator, of a fluid feed, a plurality of pumps for such feed, a regulator for each of said pumps for controlling the supply of fluid from the respective pumps, a fuel feed, and means whereby one of the said regulators will control such fuel feed.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a vapor generator, of a fluid feed, a fuel feed. a plurality of regulators for controlling the fluid feedI each provided with means whereby the regulators will be actuated by the pressure from the generator, but respectively at different predetermined pressures, one of said regulators acting to control the fuel feed and part of the fluid feed and the other regulator acting to control an additional fluid feed.

In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a vapor generator, of afluid feed, a fuel feed, a plurality of regulators, means whereby the regulators will control the fluid feed, means whereby one of theregulators will control the fuel feed, means whereby the pressure -in the generator will act upon all the regulators, means for exerting#` an opposing pressure on all of the regulators, said regulators being actuated with respect to each other by different degrees of pressure in the generator, and means whereby the said opposing pressurc on the regulators may bc varied.

(i. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a vapor generator, of a fluid feed, a' fuel feed, a plu rality of regulators for controlling said feeds, means whereby said regulators will be acted upon by the generator pressure, means for exerting air pressure upon said regulators, means whereby one of the regulaters will start and stop all of the fuel and part of the fluid feed simultaneously when a predetermined pressure in the generator is reached, and means whereby the other regulator will control an additional feed of fluid when a different predetermined pressure is obtained.

T. ln an apparatus of the character de scribed, the combination with a vapor generator` ot a fluid feed, a fuel feed. a plurality1 of' regulators for controlling said feeds, means whereby said regulators will be actediiupon by the generator pressure, means fer exerting air pressure upon said scribed, the combination with mainder of the regulators,means whereby one of the regulators will start and stop all of the fuel and part of the fluid feed simultaneously when a predetermined pressure in the generatoris reached, and means whereby the other'regulator will control an additional feed of fiuid when a different predetermined pressure is obtained, each of said predetermined pressure being varied by variation in the said air pressure. d

` 8. In an apparatus of the character described` the combination with a vapor generator, of a Huid feed, a fuel feed, a plurality vof regulators for controllin-g said feeds, means whereby the generator pressure will act upon the regulators, means for exerting an opposing air pressure on the regulators, and means whereby each of the regulators will become operative at a generator pressure differing from that necessary to operate the other regulators.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a vapor generator, of a 'fiuid feed, a fuel/ feed, a plurality of regulators for controlling said feeds, means whereby the generator pressure will act upon the regulators, means for exerting an opposing air pressure on the regulators, means whereby each of the regulators will become operative at a generator pressure differing from that necessary to operate the other regulators, and means whereby the operative pressure of each regulator may be changed by altering the air pressure while permitting their relative operative pressures to remain unchanged.

l0. In an apparatus of the character described, the combinat-ion with a vapor generator, of a fluid feed, a plurality of regulators for controlling said feed, a fuel feed, means whereby one of the regulators will control the fuel feed, means whereby the pressure from the generator-will control the regulators, fuel feed and a portion of the Huid feed will be supplied to the generator at a predetermined pressure upon one of the regulators, and the remainder of the fluid feed at a lower pressure upon the other regulator. A

l1. In an apparatus of the character dea vapor generator, of a fluid feed, a fuel feed, means for Withholding each of the feeds from the generator, a plurality of regulators for controlling said withholding means, means whereby the generator pressure will actuate the regulators, means whereby one of'the regulators will withhold from the generator aportion of the fluid feed at a lowergenerator pressure, and means whereby the refuel will be withheld from the generator by the other regulators at a higher'generator pressure.

y each of said regulators including element, means wherebythe generator" presof gaseous pressure,

gaseous and means whereby all of thefiuid feed and all of the mainder' of the fluid feed and all (if the fuel will be simultaneously withheld from the generator by the other regulators at a higher generator pressure.

13. scribed, the combination with a vapor generator, of a fluid feed, a fuel feed, a plurality of regulators for controlling said feeds, a movable sure will act upon eachv of the said movable elements, and means for exerting an air pressure on said elements in opposition to said generator pressure, the area of the said In an apparatus of the character dee movable elements exposed to the said op-` posing pressures differing in each of said regulators.

14. In an apparatus of the character dei scribed, the combination with a generator, of a fluid feed, `a fuel feed, a plurality of regulators for controlling said feeds, each of said regulators including a movable element, means whereby the generator pressure will act upon said elements, said movable elements having areas of fixed relative proportions acted upon bythe said pressure a source and means whereby said pressure will also act upon the movable elements and in opposition to the generator pressure, the said relative proportions of areas of the movable elements, in each regulator `differing respectively from each other.

15. In an apparatus of the character described, t-he combination with a generator, of aI fluid feed, a fuel feed, a plurality of regulators for controlling said feeds, each of said regulators including a movable element, means whereby the generator pressure will act upon said elements, said movable elements having areas of fixed relative proportions acted upon by the said pressure, a source 'of gaseous pressure, and means whereby said gaseous pressure will also 'act upon the movable elements and in opposition to the generator pressure, the said relative proportions of areas of the movable elements inv each regulator differing from each other, each of said regulators actuating to diminish or increase the fluid supply at a point in the generator pressure different from the pressure at which the other regulators act.

16. In an apparatus of the character described. the combination with a vapor generator` ot' a tluid feed, a pump tor supplying the fluid to the generator, said pump being provided with a chamber having an outlet, a valve for the outlet. a diaphragm in the chamber` means operatively related to the diaphragm tor unseating the valve, said chamber having a fluid supply inlet on one side of the diaphragm. a fuel feed, a valve for ctmtrolling said feed, a regulater for controlling the last said valve, a source of supply ot' gaseous pressure operating on said regulator, means for exerting pressure upon the regulator to actuate the same against the first recited pressure, and means whereby the actuation of: said regulator will permit the lirst recited pressure thereon to intermittently act 'upon the said diaphragm in the pump chamber.

17. ln an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a vapor generator, of a fluid feed, a plurality of regulators, and means whereby each of said regulators will control a portion of the said feed.

18. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a vapor generator, of a tluid feed, a plurality of pumps for such feed, a regulator for each of said pumps, and means whereby the regulators may be controlled by the vapor pressure in the generator, said regulators beimr actuated. with respect to each other by di 'erent clegrees of pressure.

19. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a vapor generator, of a fluid feed, a plurality of pumps for such feed, a regulator for each of said pumps, and means whereby the regulators will be actuattal with respect to each other by ditlerent degrees ot pressure in the frenerator, whereby the supply of fluid will be autormitieally increased or decreased respectively as the pressure in the generator decreases or incr ases 20. ln an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a vapor generator, ot a plurality of pumps for supplying a fluid feed, and means controlled by the pressure in the generator whereby the supply ot fluid. will be automatically increased or decreased respectively as the pressure in the generator decreases or increases, said means including a plurality of regulators having areas of fixed relative proportions acted upon by the pressure from the generator.

21.. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a vapor generator, of a fluid feed, a plurality of regulators for controlling said toed, means whereby the pressure t'rom the generator will control the regulators, and means whereby a portion of the feed will be supplied tothe generator at a predetermined pressure upon one of the regulators and the remainder of the feed will be supplied at a lower pressure upon the other regulators.

22. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a generator, o't a tluid feed, a plurality of regulators for controlling the fluid feed, means whereby the regulators will be acted upon by the vapor pressure in the generator, means for exerting an opposing pressure upon the regulators, means whereby the regulators will be actuated with respect to each other by different degrees of pressure in the generator, and means whereby the said opposing pressure may be varied whereby the pressure at which each regulator will be actuated will be roportionately changed without varying t e relative degree of the actuating generator pressure on the respecive regulaters.

23. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a vapor generator, of a plurality ot' pumps for supplying to the generator the fluid to be vaporized, said pumps successively furnishing a portion of the maximum fluid feed to the generator', a source ot' compressed air supply. and means whereby the time at which said portions are supplied may be varied by altering the pressure in. the said air supply.

24. ln an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a vapor generator, of a pump provided with a chamber, said chamber having an outlet, a. valve for Athe outlet, a diaphragm in the chamber for unseating the valve, a fluid supply pipe having communication with the. said chamber between the valve and diaphragm, a regulator, means whereby the generator pressure will act upon the regulator, means for causing an opposing pressure to act upon the regulator, means whereby the action of the regulator will permit the said opposing pressure to annate the said diaphragm in the pump chamber, and means whereby the point at which the pressure in the generator actuating the regulator' may be varied by varying the amount ot' the said opposing pressure on the regulator.

25. In an apparatus of the character dcscribed, the combination with a vapor generator, of a pump provided with a chamber, said chamber having an outlet, a valve for the outlet, a diaphragm in the chamber tor unseating the valve, a fluid supply pipe having communication with the said chamber between the valve and diaphragm, a regulator, means whereby the generator pressure will act upon the regulator, means for causing an opposing pressure to act upon the regulator, means whereby the action of the regulator will permit the said opposing pressure to actuatc the said diahragm in the pum chamber, means whereliy the point at w ich the pressure in the generator actuating the regulator V may be varied by varying the amount of `the said opposing pressure on the regulator, and means whereby the fluid may be drained from the surface of the diaphragm through the said supply pipe. 1

In an apparatus of the character scribed, the combination with a vapor gehierator, of a Huid feed, a plurality of pumps for such feed, a regulator for each of said pumps, and means whereby the regulators Will be actuated with respect to each other by different degrees of pressure in the generator,`whereby the supply of fluid will be automatically increased or decreased respectively as the pressure in the generator decreases or increases, each of said regulators actuating to diminish or increase the Huid supply at a point in i diferent from the other regulators act. p

In testimony whereof name to this specification,

pressure at which the I have signed my day of January, A. D. 1909.

CHAS. C. VORTHINGTON. lVitnesses:

M. R. WoRTHrNG'roN, C. W. COLLIERE.

the generator pressure in the presence of, two subscrlblng witnesses, on this seventh

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