US1055725A - Heater for water-circulating systems. - Google Patents

Description

Patented Mar. 11,1913.

1 v [11. M. 111x011. HEATER FOR WATER GIRGULATING SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 24, 1907.

v WITNESSES:

into one and of casting' 2, and a cap piece 4:-

ROBERT M. DIXON, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, T0 STANDARD HEAT AND VENTILATION COMPANY, INC.. 01? NEW YORK,

N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

. HEA'iI'ER FOR WATER-CIRCULAT1NG SYSTEMS.

Specification of Letters Itatent.

Application filed April 24, 1907'. Serial No. 369,907.

Patented Mar. 11., 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be'itknown that I, Ronnn'r M. Dixon, residing at East Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Heaters for TWatenCiroulating Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact descriptiom'siicli as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appcrtains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to heating apparatus, and more'especially to a heater for a water circulating system.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improved steam heater for a water-circulating system which will automatically control the discharge of. the steam and the water of condensation.

Another object thereof is to provide a novel form of thermostatic regulating derice for a heater of the above type whereby the who-1e apparatus, while automatically regulated, is self-contained.

A- further object is to provide an automatically regulated heater for a water circulating system wherein the danger of free ing is substantially eliminated.

Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction,combinations of clemerits and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein is illustrated one of the various possible cmbcdini'ents of my invention, Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view taken through the heater; and Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional viewof the same.

I Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout both views of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein I have shown my invention adapted to be iapplied to a hot water heating apparatus adapted to be used in railway cars or similar structures, 1 indicates a drum comprising in the present instance a chambered casting 2, a longitudinally extending casing 3 threaded threaded upon the opposite end of easing 3. Drum 1 is provided with ports, as at 5 and 6, either of which may be used as an inlet port, the one not so employed being adapted to be closed by means of a plug, and a water outlet port is provided for the opposite end of drum 1, as at 7. A suitable draw-oif port is provided in drum 1 at 8 in the lowest portion thereof, through which the entire circulating system may be drained. It will be understood that water entering either of ports 5 or 6 will circulate through the drum and leave the same through outlet. port 7.

'Jhreaded into the opposite end of casting 2 is a chai'nbered head 9 provided with steam inlet ports, as at 10 and 11, either or both of which may be utilized for the admission of stcan'l. A steam conduit 12 is threaded into head 9, said conduit. extending longitudinally of water drum 1, the opposite end thereof being received in a suitable aperture 13 provided in the interior of head 4 and closed by means of a screw plug 14.

Seated in an aperture of a web 15 which forms a wall of a chamber 16 into which lead the inlet ports- ]0 and 11 of head 9 is a spur tube 17. This tube, which is disposed eccentrically with respect to conduit 12 so as to lie in the bottom thereof as shown in Fig. 9', extends longitudinally substantially the entire length thereof and is'apertured, as at 18, so that the steam passing theretlirough may freely enter said conduit. Spur tube 17 is preferably .t'ormcd of brass or similar metallic substance having a relatively high cocllicicnt of expansion.

In the outer end oi head 9 is formed av discharge port it) which connects a valve chamber 220, the walls of which are integral with said head, with the interior of conduit- 12 by means of a passageway 21. Extending through valve chamber 20 is a post 22, one end oil which is provided with a. plurality of webs 23 which enter the discharge port 19, the dimensions of webs 23 being such as to ccnter post 22 with respect to said port and also with respect to the walls of valve chamber 20. Slidably mounted upon post 2 is a.valve 24 adapted to coact with a valve scat 25 formed exterior-1y of discharge port- 19, valve 24 being normally urged to-v ward said seat by means of a coil spring 26 encircling pbst 22 and interposed between the valve and a collar 27' threaded upon the post and fixed in position thereon by means of a pm, 27. Threaded interiorly o't post 22 and extending inwardly to the end of spur tube 17 is a stem 28, the inner end of which is secured to the corresponding end of the spur tube, stem 28 in the present instance being brazed thereto. Stem 28 is disposed eccentrically with respect to spur tube 17 and lies in contact with the bottom thereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. This stem is formed of a metal having a relatively low coetiicient of expansion, in the present instance iron. Spur tube 17 and stem 28, being formed of metals having different coeliicients of expansion, constitute a thermostatic device and control the opening and closing operations of valve 24; in accordance with the internal heat conditions of the heater.

In order to provide for a convenient adjustment of valve 24, the outer end of post 22, which is preferably squared as shown, enters a correspondingly shaped recess 2?) in a plug 30 having a flange 31 which takes behind the inner walls of a nipple 32 threaded into the outer end of head 9. The outer end of plug 30 is squared "or otherwise shaped to accommodate a wrench or other turning instrument, and is ext eriorly threaded, as at 33; to receive a lock nut 34 which takes againstthe end of nipple 32 and thus holds the plug in fixed position. It will be understood that a loosening of lock nut. 34 will allow plug 30 to-be rotated, thereljiy rotating post 22 upon stem 28 to change the disposition of the valve 24 with respect to its seat.

Having thus described the construction of this embodiment of my invention, the operation thereof may now be understood. It will be understood that the circulating water flowing through the return pipe (not shown) of the heating system (not shown) and entering either of inlet ports 5 or (i of drum 1 will circulate through said drum in contact with the exterior surface of steam conduit. 12 to be heated by such contact by means of the steam within such conduit, and will flow outof said drum through the water outlet 7 to a feed pipe (not shown) of the circulating system. The steam entering through either of inlet ports lt) or 11 from the source of supply passes first into spur tube 17, and then enters the conduit 12 through the apertures 18 and through the partly open inner end of the tube. The Water resulting from the condensation of the steam, within conduit 12 flows rearwardly therethrough and is con-- ducted to the discharge port 19 through pa ssageway 21 which leads the same to valve 2-1, which by means of the relative expats sion of spur t e 17 and stem 28 is opened or closed in :1 --ordance with the internal heat conditions of the heater. The water of condensation then passes out of the heater through an outlet port which leads from valve chamber 20. it will be understood, of course, that valve 2st has been adjusted by means of plug 230 and post to meet the particular conditions ot the heating system in which the heater is employed.

It will accordingly be seen that l have provided a. heating apparatus of the above type adapted to attain the several aims and objects of my invention in an exceedingly simple and ctlicient manner, and that. by my construction the use of independent traps and similar contrivanccs for draining the steam conduits ot heaters as hitherto constructed is entirely eliminated. inasmuch as the spur tube and the valve stem are in direct contact with the steam and lie in the bottom of the steam conduit and in contact with any water of condensation contained thegein, the thermostatic controlling means constituted by these parts isextremcly sensitive in its operations. Owing to this feature of construction, the opening and closing movements of the valve respond quickly to differences in temperature of the circulating water,,thus providing for the immediate entrance of a. sullicient amount of steam into conduit 12 to impart the necessary amount of heat to the circu lating water and for the discharge of: the water of condensation from the conduit. It will also be apparent that valve 24 may be so adjusted, if desired, to remain substantially closed until the water of the circulating system has reached a very low temperature, when the same will automatically open to permit the water of condensation to be discharged from the steam conduit, thus eliminating all danger of freezing.

The apparatus is constructed of comparatively few parts, and being self-contained can be constructed at a less cost than apparatus of this type as hitherto constructed, and at the same time it occupies less room beneath the car.

While I have shown my invention as adapted to be applied to water heating systems for railway cars, it will be understood that l do not wish to limit the same to such emj'iloymcnt, nor in tact to an particular use, as the same is 'apablc oi being used advantageously in heat ing systems for other purposes, although the same is peculiarly adapted for use in the relation shown.

A modified form oi the invention is described and claimed in my copending application, No. 379,327, tiled June 17, 1907.

As many changes could be made in the above construction and many apparently widely different UlllbUtll'Il'lGlltS of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereot it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. It is also to be understood that the language used in the following'claims is intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which as a matter of language might be said to fall therebetween. 3

Having described my invention, what i claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a heater for a water circulating system, in combination, a water drum having water inlet and outlet ports, a steam conduit arranged to heat the water circulating through the water drum, a spur tube in said conduit for leading steam thereinto and a valve connected with said spur tube and controlled in accordance with the temperature thereof and positioned to drain the condensation Water from said steam conduit.

2. In a heater for a water circulating system, in combination, a tubular member hav ing water inlet and outlet ports, a second member located within said first-mentioned member comprising inner and outer tubes,

having respectively steai'n inlet and outlet ports, and means connected with said inner tube and controlled in accordance with the expansion thereof adapted to regulate the discharge from the outlet'port of the said outer tube.

3. In a heater for a water teni, in combination, a water drum having water inlet and outlet ports, a steam conduit located therein having steam inlet and discharge ports, a valve for regulating the discharge from said steam conduit, and a thermostatic device for operating said valve comprising a tubular member having a relatively high coeflicient of expansion secured at one end within said steam conduit and adapted to conduct steam therein, and a member having a relatively low coetiicicnt .of expansion located within said tubular member and secured to the opposite end thereof, said last mentioned member being connected with said valve.

4. In a heater for a water circulating sys tem, in combination, a water drum having water inlet and outlet ports, a steam conduit located therein having steam inlet and discharge ports, a valve for regulating the discharge from said steam conduit, a tubular member of a relatively high coefiicient of expansion secured at one end Within'said steam conduit to lead steam from said steam inlet port and eccentrically disposed within said conduit, and a member having a relatively low coefiicient of expansion secured to the oppositeend ot said tubular member and connected with said valve, said tubular circulating sysmember and said last mentioned member constituting a thermostatic device for opening and closing said valve.

5. In a heater for a water circulating system, in coinbination, a Water drum having water inlet and out-let ports, a steam conduit located therein having steam inlet and discharge ports, a valve for controlling the flow from the discharge port of the steam conduit, and a thermostat c device for operating said valve comprising a spur tube of relatively high coeflicient of expansion secured at one end within said steam conduit and adapted to conduct steam therein, and a rod of relatively low coeflicient of expansion secured to the opposite end of said spur tube and connected with said valve.

6. In a heater for a water circulating system, in combination, a water water inlet and outlet ports, a steam ,conduit located therein having steam inlet and discharge ports, a valve for regulating the flow from the discharge port of the steam steam tliereinto, said spurtube extending within said steam conduit and adapted tok discharge steam into the interior thereof,

and a rod having a relatively low c0etii-. cient of expansion secured to the opposite s end of said spur tube and connected with said valve.

7. In a heater for a Water circulating system, in'combination, a Water drum having water inlet and outlet ports, a steam conduit having steam inlet and discharge ports, a valve arranged to regulate the flow from the discharge port of the steam conduit, and

a thermostatic device for controlling said valve comprising a spur tube of a relati vely high coefficient ot expansion secured at one end within said steam conduit and adapted to conduct steam to the interior thereof, said spur tube being eccentrically disposed therein and. lying in the bottom thereof, and a rod having a relatively low coeiiicient of expansion secured to the opposite end of said spur tube and connected with said valve.

v In a heater for a water circulating system, in combination, a water drum having water inlet and outlet ports, a steam conduit located therein having steam inlet and discharge ports, a valve for controlling the flow from the discharge portof the steam conduit, and a t-lierinostatic device for operating said valve comprising a spur tube of a relatively high coeiiicient of expansion se-v cured in said steam conduit and lyi'ng in the bottom thereof, said spur tube being adapted to lead. steam from said steam inlet and provided with" adrum having the avenue of flow of plurality of apertures whereby steam is delivered to the interior of said steam conduit, and a rod having a relatively low coetlicient of expansion attached to the inner end of said spur tube and lying in the bottom thereof, said rod being connected with said valve.

9. In a heater for a water circulating sys tem, in combination, a water drum having water inlet and outlet ports, a steam conduit located therein having steam inlet and discharge ports, a valve chamber located adjacent the discharge port of the steam conduit, a post located in said valve chamber, said post being provided with centering webs extending within said discharge port, a valve loosely mounted upon said post and covering said discharge port, a spur tube having a relatively high coelticient of expansion located within said steam conduit and seated at. one end in said steam inlet port, and a stem having a relatively low coefficient of expansion secured to the opposite end of said spur tube and adjustably attached to said post.

- 10.111 a heater for a water circulating system, in combination, a water drum hav ing water inlet and outlet ports, a steam conduit located therein having steam inlet and discharge ports a valve chamber arranged adjacent the discharge port of the steam conduit, a post located therein hav ing centering webs extending within said discharge port, a valve loosely mounted upon said post, a spur tube having a relatively high coetiicient of expansion extendingwithin said steam conduit and connected to lead steam from said steam inlet port into said steam conduit, and a stem having a relatively low ceetiicient of expansion secured to the inner end of said spur tube and having a threaded engagement with said post.

11. In a heater for a water circulating system, in combination, a water drum having water inlet and outlet ports, a steam conduit located therein having steam inlet and discharge ports, a valve chamber arranged adjacent the discharge port of the steam conduit, a post lo -ated in the said valve chamber and centered with respect to the said discharge port, a valve loosely mounted upon said post a thermostatic device for operating said valve comprising a spur tube having a relatively high coetlicieut of expansion located within said steam conduit and having one end thereof connected to lead steam from said steam inlet port into said conduit. a stem l'iaving a relatively low coefficient of expansion fixed to the other end of said spur tube and having a threaded connection with said post, and a member having a sliding but non-rotatable engagement with said post adapted to adjust the same upon said stem.

1'2. In a heater for a water circulating system, in combination, a water drum havl l l 1 ing water inlet and outlet ports, a steam conduit located therein having steam inlet and discharge ports, a valve chamber arranged adjacent the discharge port of the steam conduit, a post located in the said valve chamber and centered with respect to the said discharge port, a valve loosely mounted upon said post, a thermostatic device t'or operating said valve comprising a spur tube having a relatively higlr coetiicient of expansion located within said steam conduit and fixed at one end in operative relation to said steam inlet port, a stem having a relatively low coefiicient of expansion fixed to the free end of said spur tube and having a threaded connection with said post, and means for adjusting said valve from the exterior of said steam conduit.

1.3. In a heater for a water circulating system, in combination, a water drum having water inlet and outlet ports located at opposite ends thereof, a steam conduit located therein having steam inlet and discharge ports, a valve chamber arranged ad jacent the discharge port of the steam conduit, a post located in the said valve chamber and centered with respect to the said disclnirgc port, a valve loosely seated upon said post, a collar tixed upon said post, a spring interposed between said collar and said valve whereby said valve is urged in the direction of said discharge port, a spur tube leading from the inlet port of the steam conduit to the interior thereof, said spur lube being formed of a metal oi a relatively high coetlicient of expansion, a stem secured to the inner end of said spur tube having a, threaded engagement with said post, said stem being formed of a n'iet-al having a relatively low eoetlicient o't' expansion, and means for adjusting said post upon said stem to change the position of the valve with respect to the discharge port of the steam conduit,

14. In a heater for a water circulating system, in combination, a water drum havingwatei inlct and outlet ports located at opposite ends thereof, a steam conduit '10- rated therein having steam inlet and discharge ports, a valve-chamber arranged adjacent the discharge port oi the steam eonduit, a post located in the said valve chaun her and centered with respect to the said discharge port. a valve loosely seatcd upon said post, a collar fixed upon said post, a spring interposed between said collar and said valve whereby said valve is urged in the direction oE said discharge port, a spur tube bailing from the inlet port of the steam conduit to the interior thereof, said spur tube being formed of a metal of a relativcly high cocliicient of expansion. a stem secured to the inner and of said spur tube having a threaded engagement with said i mg a relatively low coefficient of expansion, and a member capable of rotation from the exterior of said steam conduit having a sliding but nonerot-atable engagement with said post adapted to rotate the same, whereby the valve is adjusted upon said stem.

15. In a heater for a water circulating system, in combination, a water drum having water inlet and outlet ports located at opposite ends thereof, a steam conduit located therein having steam inlet and discharge ports, a valve chamber arranged adjacent the discharge port of the steam conduit, a post located in the said valve chamber and centered with respect to the said discharge port, a valve loosely seated upon said post, a collar fixed upon said post, a spring interposed between said collar and said valve whereby said valve is urged in the direction of said discharge port, a spur tube leading from the inlet portof the steam conduit to the interior thereof, said spur tube being formed of a metal of a relatively high coefiicient of expansion, a stem secured to the inner end of said spur tube having a threaded engagement with said post, said stem being formed of a metal having a relatively low coefficient of expansion, a member capable of rotation from the exterior of said steam conduit having a sliding but nonrotatable engagement with said post adapted to rotate the same, whereby the valve is adjusted upon'said stem, and a lock-nut threaded upon said adjustin member adapted to hold the same in fixe position.

16. In apparatus of the nature described, in combination, a water circulating system adapted to serve as a source of heat, a steam conduit adapted to heat the water in said system, a spur tube secured to one end and extending within said conduit adapted to conduct steam therein, a valve controlling the dlscharge of condensation water from said conduit, and a connection between said valve and the free end of said tube whereby said valve is controlled in accordance wit-h the expansion of said tube.

17 In apparatus of the nature described, in combination, a tube positioned to act as a heating element, a spur tube mounted at one end and extending throughout its length within said first tubeand adapted to lead steam into the same, a valve controlling the discharge of water of condensation from said first tube, and an operative connection between said valve and the free end of said second tube whereby said valve is controlled in accordance with the expansion of said second tube.

18. In apparatus of the nature described, in combination, a tube positioned to act as a heating element, a spur tube mounted at one end and extending throughout its length within said first tube and adapted to lead steam into the same, a valve controlling the discharge ofwater of. condensation from said first tube, a' connection between said valve and the opposite end of said second tube whereby said valve is controlled in accordance with the expansion of said second tube, and a water circulating system comprising means adapted to lead water into contact with the outer surface of said first tube to derive heat therefrom.

19. In a heating system, in combination, a casing having feed and discharge passages therein, a valve located therein adaptso i ed to control the discharge fromsaid casing, a spur pipe connected with said feed passage, a steam conduit connected with said discharge passage and surrounding said spur pipe, and means secured interiorly of said spur pipe and connected with said valve, said spur pipe and said means constituting a thermostatic device adapted to control the operation of said valve in accordance with the internal heat conditions of the system.

20. In a heating system, in combination, a steam conduit having feed and discharge ports, a valve seat provided upon the discharge port, a valve coacting therewith, a thermostatic device for controlling said valve comprising a spur tube of a relatively high coefficient of expansion lying within said steam conduitupon the bottom thereof, and having connection at one end with said feed port, and a rod having a relatively low coefiicient of expansion secured to the opposite end of said spur tube and adjustably connected with said valve, said spur tube and said rod constituting a thermostatic device adapted to'control the operation of said discharge valve in accordance with the internal heat conditions of the system.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT M. DIXON.

Witnesses:

G. R. JEWETT, E. E. ALLBEE.

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