US1134406A - Automatic water-heater. - Google Patents

Description

1. E. OSMER.

7 AUTOMATIC WATER HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.I5, I910.

Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

i allnlll lvlrllllllltd THE NORRIS PETERS cn.. F'HO70-LITHO. WASHINGTQN, n. c.

JOHN E. OSMEB, OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 I-IUMPHREY COMPANY, OF

KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

AUTOMATIC WATER-HEATER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

Application filed August 15, 1910. Serial No. 577,268.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN E. OSMER, 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 Automatic VVater- Heaters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to automatic water heaters in which the supply of fuel to the heater is varied in accordance with the temperature of the water therein.

The object of the invention, generally speaking, is to improve the valve mechanism with a view to greater simplicity and durability.

A specific object is to produce a water valve of novel construction.

Another object is to provide an improved connection between the water valve and the.

fuel valve.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the invention is better understood from the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view, partly in section, of an automatic water heating system embodying the features of my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional detail view of a thermostat comprised in the apparatus.

The heater proper may be of any desired construction and comprises, in the present instance, a casing 1 having a series of water pipe coils 2 therein arranged to be heated by means of a plurality of gas burners 3 in the lower portion of the casing 1. 4: indicates openings in the lower portion of the casing 1 to admit air to the burners 3. The water pipe coils 2 are connected with the water supply pipe 5 through the medium of a pipe 6. and a water valve casing 7 comprising the upper cylindrical section 7" and the lower section 7*, said casing having a piston 8 slidable therein. The piston 8 fits snugly in its casing 7, but a slight amount of leakage occurs around the piston from the space below said piston to the space above it. The amount of clearance inclicated in Fig. 1 is much exaggerated for the sake of clearness. The water supply pipe 5 connected with the city main, or any other suitable source of supply of water under pressure, communicates with the casing 7, in this instance, below the piston 8. A. valve 9 controls communication between the lower portion of the casing 7 and a chamber 10 at the under side of said casing, from which chamber the pipe 6 conducts the cold water to one of the water coils 2, preferably the upper one of the series. The valve 9 is connected to the piston 8 by lugs 11 on the valve and piston, said lugs being secured together. A port 9 formed through the valve 9 connects the chamber 10 with the lower portion of the casing 7 for a purpose to appear hereinafter. Through said port the water in the heater 1 and in the chamber 25, even in case of leakage, is always under city water pressure. The outlet end of the water coils 2 in the present embodiment is connected through the medium of a pipe 12 with the lower end of a thermostat 13, the upper end of the thermostat communicating through means to be presently described with the upper end of the valve casing7. The thermostat 13 may, if desired, be supported upon a bracket 14 fixed to or integral with the casing 7. Said thermostat in this instance comprises an outer tube 15 an inner tube 15 and an expansion rod 16 movably mounted within said inner tube. The lower ends of the tubes 15 and 15 are supported and the outer tube 15 is closed by means of a hollow head 17 having a nipple 18 thereon with which the pipe 12 is connected. Said head is connected with the interior of the outer tube 15 by a suitable number of ports 19. The upper ends of the tubes 14: and 15 are closed by means of a head 20 having a cavity 21 therein, said cavity being connected with the interior of the outer tube 15 through a plurality of ports 22. The expansion rod 16 extends freely through an opening 23 formed in the lower head 17, and is supported upon a lever to be later described. The upper and lower heads 20 and 17 may be secured together by means of bolts.2 l.

Upon the upper end of the water valve casing 7 is a chamber 25, the upper end of which is closed, in this instance, by the head- 20, a passage 26 in said head connecting the cavity 21 with the interior of said chamber 25. A valve 27 arranged to seat in port 27 controls communication between the chamber 25 and the portion'of the casing 7 above the piston 8. Said valve has a guide stem 28 arranged to be engaged and moved by the piston 8 to open the valve 27.

ing 38.

In order to regulate the distance to which the valve 27 may be opened, I may provide means such as a screw 34 threaded in the head 20 and adapted to be engaged by the,

valve 27 in its upward movement. The

outer end ofthe screw 34 may be, covered by means such as a cap 35 threaded upon a boss 36 on the upper side of the head 20. It will be seen that by regulating the distance which the valve 27 may open, the rate of flow of water through the heater, and there by the temperature of the water, may be controlled, because the more slowly the water flows through the heater, the more heat it will absorb in its passage. By turn-V ing the screw 34 upward suflicient'ly the valve 27 is permitted to rise far enough to bring; the lower end of it's stem 28 flush with the downwardly extending flange of the port 27". Then the elevation of piston 8' is limited by engagement with port 27, this engagement being practically water tight.

Gas or other'fuel issupplied tothe burners 3 by means of a, pipe 37 which communicates with a valve casing 38 having a valve member 39 therein, adapted to control the passage of gas through the valve. The opposite side of said valve casing com munio'ates with the burners 3through-a pipe 40. 41 is a coiled spring tending to hold thelvalve 39 closed. The valve 39-is arranged to be controlled by the thermostat 13 through the medium of suit'abledev-ices such as a number of levers 42, one of which'leverssupportsand is adapted to be swung downward by. the expansion rod 1.6 of the thermostat, a.ndianother of whichleve'rs is arranged torengage the valve stem= 39 of thevalve member-'39. An adjusting. screw 43 mounted in one of the levers 42 provides means for regulating the movement ofthe valve member 39. As shown, the valve-stem 39*pref-j er'ablyextends entirely through the cas- When the hot water passing throughthe thermostat 13 reaches a predetermined temperature, the expansion -rod 16 will be lengthened sufficiently to seat the valve member 39 through the mediumof the levers' 42 so as to cut off the supply of gas to burners 3. A branch pipe'44 communicat,

ing with the-gas supply .pipe'37 is adapted.

to conduct gas at all times to a pilot burner 45:

1 A supporting: member, in this instance in;

the form of a bar 46, is attached at its upper end to the water valve casing 7 and has a 7 other end to the valve member 9. One end of the lever 49 is arranged to engage the, 1

lower end of the fuel valve stem 39 for opening the valve 39. The other end of said leveris arranged tobe yieldingly helddown by any suitable means such as a weight '50 or a'coiled spring 51 surroundingthe bar '46 and bearing at its ends against the lever 49" and a pin 52 fixed in the bar 46. A screw 53 adjustably carried by the" lever 49 is arranged to strike against the fuelvalve cas-' ing 38 for the purpose of limiting the extent to which the fuel valve 39 may be opened.

Aswill be seen, the lever 49, bar 46 and link 50 constitute a lost motion connection between the water inlet valve39.

I Assuming the entire apparatus to be filled with water, the operation is as follows} When water is drawn ofl from the house piping system, as for instance, through the faucet 33, the pressure in the upper portion of the casing 7 is lowered and the piston 8 is therefore forced upwardly against the action of the coiled spring 30 by the city waterlpressure in the lower half of the casing. In its upward movement the piston 8 opens the valve 27 to admit hot water from the heating. coils 2 to the valve casing 7. The piston 8also raises the valve member 9 to, permit the flow of water from the lower portion of the casin'g7 to the heating coils. In its upward movement thevalve member 9, through the medium of the link 50 and lever 49, raises the valve'member 39 to allow the passage of gas through the pipes 37 and 40 tothe burners 3 so that the cold water flowing into the coils 2will be heated.

1111 case the water in the thermostat is at a temperature such that the expansion rod 16 is. holding the-gas valve 39 closed, if a small amount of water be drawn offfrom the faucet 33, the upward movement of the piston 8 andEEvalve member 9 will not be effective in opening the gas valve 39, but will raise the lever 49 with the valve casing 38' as a fulcrum,fsaidlever moving against the action of theweight 50 and spring 51. When thefaucet 33 is again closed the pressures in opposite sides of the casing 7 become equal and the; spring 30 forces the piston 8 downwardly far enough to permit the valve 27 to seat. In' the further downward movement of the piston to close. the cold water inlet valve 9, water gradually leaks aroundthe periphery] of the piston 8 into the upper portion of the casing 7 so as to permit the piston 8 to'descend. The closing of the valve'9 carriesthe' lever 49'into posivalve 9 and; the gas tion to permit the gas valve 39 to be closed by its spring 41 so that the supply of gas to the burners 3 will be shut off.

If for any reason the gas valve 89 should not be closed either by its spring 41 or the thermostat 13, the pressure of the hot water or steam within the heater, if it becomes greater than the city water pressure, wlll force water back through the port 9 1n the cold water valve 9 into the casing 7 to relieve the pressure in the heater.

I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to the details of construction herein shown and described, as various modifications within the scope of my invention will occur to those skilled in the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination, with a water heater, of a valve casing communicating therewith; a piston slidably mounted in said casing; said casing having an inlet and an outlet for cold water at one side of said piston; said casing having an inlet and an outlet for hot water at the opposite side of said piston; valves controlling certain of said inlets and outlets, said valves being operable by said piston; a fuel valve; and a connection between one of the first mentioned valves and said fuel valve.

2. The combination with a water heater, of valve mechanism comprising a casing; a piston slidably mounted in said casing, said casing having an entrance for cold water at one side of said piston, the casing at said side of the piston communicating with said heater, said casing having a hot water outlet at the opposite side of said piston; and a conductor between the heater and the hot water side of said casing including a valve, said valve being adapted to be opened by said piston.

8. The combination, with a water heater, of a fuel valve having an oppositely eX- tending valve stem; a spring tending to close said valve; a thermostat; means positioned between said thermostat and one end of said valve stem arranged to communicate motion of said thermostat to said stem for closing the fuel valve; a water-inlet valve; a lever; a link connecting said lever between its ends to said water inlet valve, one end of said lever being arranged to engage the opposite end of said fuel valve stem for opening the fuel valve; and means tending to move the opposite end of said lever in the direction away from said water-inlet valve.

4. The combination, with a water heater, of valve mechanism communicating therewith, said mechanism comprising a casing; a piston slidably mounted in said casing, said casing having an inlet and an outlet for cold water at one side of said piston, and having an inlet and an outlet for hot water at the opposite side of said piston; a valve arranged to control communication between said cold water inlet and outlet; and a valve controlling communication between said hot water inlet and outlet, said valves being operable by said piston.

5. The combination with a water heater, ofvalve mechanism comprising a casing; a piston slidably mounted in said casing; said casing having an entrance for cold water at one side of said piston; a chamber adjacent the casing at said side of the piston; said chamber communicating with said heater; a valve connected with said piston and controlling communication between said chamber and the casing; said casing having a hot water outlet at the opposite side of said piston; a chamber on said casing adjacentsaid hot water outlet, the last mentioned chamber communicating with said heater; and a valve controlling communication between the last mentioned chamber and the hot water side of said casing, the last mentioned valve being operable by said piston.

6. The combination, with a water heater, of a valve casing communicating therewith; a piston slidably mounted in said casing; said casing having an inlet and an outlet for cold water at one side of said piston; said casing having an inlet and an outlet for hot water at the opposite side of said piston; a valve operable by said piston and controlling communication between said hot water inlet and outlet; a valve operable by said piston and controlling communication between said cold water inlet and outlet; a valve controlling the supply of fuel to said heater; and a connection between said fuel valve and cold water valve.

7. The combination, with a Water heater, of a valve casing communicating therewith; a piston slidably mounted in said casing; said casing having an inlet and an outlet for hot water at one side of said piston; said casing having an inlet and an outlet for cold water at the opposite side of said piston; a valve operable by said piston and controlling communication between the last mentioned inlet and outlet; a valve controlling the supply of fuel to said heater; a lever; a link connecting the middle portion of said lever with said cold water valve, one end of said lever being arranged to bear against said fuel valve for opening it; means for supporting the opposite end of said lever and permitting said opposite end to rise; and means tending to hold said opposite end down.

8. The combination, with a water heater, of a valve casing; a piston slidably mounted in said casing; a chamber at one side of said casing arranged to receive hot water from said heater; said casing having an opening from said chamber into said casing at one side of said piston; said casing having an outlet for hot water; a valve controlling the flow of hot water through said opening;

, valve'being arranged to be opened by said piston;'a chamber on said valve casing at the opposite side of said piston; said casing having an inlet for cold water at the last mentioned side of said piston, the last mentioned chamber communicating withsaid heater; said casing having an opening from the last mentioned side. of said casing to said chamber; a valve operable by said piston and controlling the flow of the cold water through said opening; a valve controlling the supply of fuel to'sai d heater; and a connection between the two' last mentioned valves. 7

The combination, with a water heater, of a valve casing; a piston slidably mounted in said casing; a chamber on said casing at one side of said piston; a thermostat adjacent. said chamber; a head closing said chamber and one end of said thermostat; said head having a passage communicating with 'said. chamber and said thermostat; a pipe connecting the opposite end of said thermostat with said water heater and adapted to tion between said chamber and said casing at one side of said piston; means-tending to hold said valve closed, said valve being operable by said piston, said casing having a hotwater outlet and a cold water inlet leading from opposite sides of said piston, the last mentioned side of said casing communicating with said heater; a valve controlling the flow of cold water from said cas-' ing to said heater; a valve arranged to control the supply of fuel to said heater; and a lost motion connection between the two last mentioned valves adapted to open said fuel valve, said fuel valve being adapted to be closed by said thermostat.

10. The combination with a water heater, of a Water inlet valve afuel valve; aconnection between said valves; a thermostat communicating with the outlet from said heater, said thermostat comprising an outer tube, an inner tube, a pair of heads closing the ends of said tubes, said heads having passages therein communicating with the interior of the outer tube only; an expansion rod movably mounted within said inner tube, and extending through an opening in one of said heads; and means upon which the lower end of said expansion rod rests, said means being arranged to be operated by the expansion of said rod to close said fuel valve.

11. The combination with a water heater,

of a valve casing; a piston slidably mounted,

supply of fuel to said heater; a lost motion connection between said valves; a chamber on said casing at the opposite side of said piston; a pipe connecting the last mentioned chamber with the outlet from said heater; said casing having a hot water outlet at the last mentioned side of said piston; a valve controlling communication between the last mentioned chamber and the casing,- said valve being adapted to be opened by said piston; a coiled spring resisting movement ofsaid piston in the direction to open said valve; a coiled spring tending to hold said valve closed; a thermostat communicating at one end with said heater, a head closing the opposite end of said thermostat and the end of the last mentioned chamber, said casing having a passageconnecting the interior of'said chamber with said thermostat, and means operable by theexpansion of said thermostat adapted to close said fuel valve.

12. The combination with a water heater,

of a valve casing communicating therewith;

, a piston slidably mounted in said casing; a

valve connected with said piston and con trolling communication, between said heater and said casing at one side of said piston, said valve having a port therethrough; said casing having an inlet forcold water at said side of the piston; a valve arrangedtocontrol the supply of fuel to said heater; a'lost motion connection between said valves adapted to open said fuel valve; said casing having an outlet for hot water at the opposite side of said casing; a chamber on said casing adjacent said outlet; a valve controlling communication between said chamberiand said casing and adapted to be opened by said piston; means tending to hold'said valve closed; adjustable means for limiting the opening movement of sald valve; a thermostat communicating at one end with said heater; a head closing-the opposite end of said thermostat and the upper end of said chamber, said head having a passage therein connecting said chamber with said thermostat; and means positioned between said thermostat and said fuel valve, said means being arranged to magnify the expansion of said thermostat and transmit the motion thereof to said fuel valve for closing the valve. 7

13. The combination with a water heater, of a water inlet valve; a fuel valve; a rigid frame 'for-saidfuel valve; a connection between said valves adapted to open said fuel valve; and a thermostat communicating with the outlet from said heater and having one end rigidly mounted on said frame, said thermostat comprising an outer tube and an inner tube, said tubes being connected by perforated head members arranged for the transmission of fluid therethrough and through the outer tube, and an expansion rod lying loosely within said inner tube, and rod-supporting means arranged to communicate motion therefrom to said fuel valve for closing the latter.

14. The combination with a water heater, of a fuel valve; a water inlet valve; a connection between said valves for operating said fuel valve when said water valve is opened; a hot water outlet check valve automatically opened by'said water inlet valve, said water valves opening against the normal water pressure; an outlet faucet; and means operable by said water pressure for opening said valves when said faucet is open.

15. The combination with a water heater, of a fuel valve; a water inlet valve; a connection between said valves for operating said fuel valve; a hot water outlet valve; and means to automatically open said inlet valve upon the withdrawal of water from said heater, and means for opening said outlet valve, said means for opening said outlet valve being dependent upon the operation of said means for opening said inlet valve.

16. The combination with a water heater, of a valve casing; a piston slidably mounted in said casing, said casing having an entrance and an exit for cold water at one side of said piston, said casing having an entrance and exit for hot water at the other side of said piston; said cold water exit and said hot water entrance connected with said water heater; a valve in each of said connections; said cold water valve having a relatively small vent therethrough; means for automatically opening said valves upon withdrawal of water through said hot Water exit; a fuel valve; and operative connection between said fuel valve and said cold water valve.

17. The combination with a water heater, of a valve casing; a piston slidably mounted in said casing, said casing having an en trance and an exit for cold water at one side of said piston, said casing having an entrance and exit for hot water at the other side of said casing, said cold water exit and said hot water entrance being connected with said water heater; a valve in each of said connections; means for automatically opening said valves upon withdrawal of water through said hot water exit; a fuel valve; and operative connection between said fuel valve and said cold water valve.

18. The combination with a water heater,

of a valve casing; a piston in said casing; a thermostat; a head for said valve casing and one end of said thermostat provided with a communicating passage, the oppo site end of said thermostat being connected with the heater; an inlet valve controlled. by said piston; a valve arranged to control the supply of fuel to said heater; and connections between said inlet valve and said fuel valve adapted to open said fuel valve, said fuel valve being adapted to be closed by said thermostat.

19. The combination with a water heater, of a fuel valve; a water inlet valve; operating connections for said water inlet valve to said fuel valve comprising a lever, a support with which said lever has a pin and slot connection; a spring acting on said connection to hold the lever at one end of the slot; a link connecting said lever to said inlet valve; and a thermostat mechanism arranged to act on said valve to close the same independently of said Water valve connections thereto.

20. The combination with a water heater, of a valve casing; a piston slidably mounted in said casing; said casing having an entrance and an exit for cold water at one side of said piston, said casing having an entrance and exit for hot water at the other side of said piston; said cold water exit and said hot water entrance connected with said water heater; a valve in each of said connections; means for automatically opening said valves upon Withdrawal of water through said hot water exit; a fuel valve; and operative connection between said fuel valve and said cold Water valve.

21. The combination with a water heater, of a valve casing; a piston in said casing; said casing having an entrance and an exit for cold water at one side of said piston and an entrance and exit for hot water on the other side of said piston; said cold water exit and said hot Water entrance being connected with said water heater; a cold water valve having a relatively small vent therefrom; said piston being automatically moved to open the water inlet valve on the withdrawal of water from the hot water exit; a fuel valve; and operable connections with said fuel valve and piston.

JOHN E. OSMER. Witnesses:

GEORGE L. CHINDAHL, C. PAUL PARKER.

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

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