US1140910A - Water-heater. - Google Patents

Description

' FI. F. II/IETCALFF..

WATER HEATER. APPLICATION FILED FFB. 25, I49I3.

Patented May 25, 1915.

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Q/@Hme II. 5M W i -EOBERT E. METCALEE, or ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

WATERHEATER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 25, 1915.

Application led February 2,5, 1913. Serial N o. 750,484.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ROBERT F METCALFE, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Erie, in the county of Erie. and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Water-Heaters, of which the following is a specification. l

This invention relates to an improvement in automatic water heaters, generally known as instantaneous heaters, and one in which the drawing off of hot water governs and controls the gas fuel used in the generation of .heat, this being effected automatically and in proportions to the quantity of hot water drawn off by the operation of my improved valve mechanism. A

My invention further aims to provide regulating means, which while remaining sufficiently sensitive to automatically place into operation the heat generating means upon the discharge of hot water from the apparatus, and yet be positive in its action iii-'shutting off the gas supply when the hot water ceases to flow from the heater.

I attain lthese results by means of a reciprocally disposed water actuated valve piston, operatively connected with a gas valve plunger, in a manner which provides a. proportionately shorter movement or lift to thc gas valve than to the water actuated plunger.

WV ith these. and other objects hereinafter referred to, my invention consists of certain novel -and peculiar features of construction and combination of parts as hereinafter described, and claimed, and for the purposes of describing my invention there is illustrated in the accompanying drawings the preferred embodiment of my apparatus wherein, the figure is a longitudinal Asection through the heater.

Referring to the drawings, formed preferably of some nou-corrosive metal, comprising a water container header, having two separate compartments therein, the one compartment located in the center thereof is adapted to receive the cold water from the mains, and to distribute the same into the several water heating tubes 10, the receiving end of each'water heating tube being connected to the cold water compartment of the rheater by the duct 2, and the discharging end of each water heating tube casing L1, which rests 1 is a castingI being connected to the hot water compartment of the heater water heating tubesiare. composed of soft by the duct 3. Thev drawn copper tubing formed into coils and f y arranged in the form of a cone, with that end of the cone forming the greatest c1r-` cumference, placed directly over the fuel gas burner 5. each convolution is successively reduced in diameter to provide for each succeeding layer to be placed in better position to come As the coil extends` upward;L

in contact with the products of combustion from the burners 5.

Surrounding the water heating tubes 10,

and the burners 5, is an exterior shell or constituting the foundation of the heater. Resting upon the base 6, is base castingvS, into which are screwed a plurality of burners 5 in such manner as to communicate with a central within the base casting 8, is a gas inlet 15, which s leads from 7 through the gas port 16. the gas chamber 7, and operating'to open and close the 17. Located tension screw plug 25. By means of the tension screw plug 25 any desired adjust-pv ment can be made to facilitate the operation of the gas valve 17.

Extending upward from the 'casting 8, is i tion of the housing in which is located the upon a suitable base 6,l

gas reservoir 7. Locatedv lany source of fuel gas supply, and communicates with gas chamber Located within 1 gas port 16, is a puppet valve4 under the valve stem of the,V puppet valve 17, is a coil spring 24, with a` forms the lower secgas valve operating mechanism. Resting y on the casting 35, vand suitably attached thereto by the bolts 33, is thecasting 34y upper part of the housing of forming the Extending upthe gas valve mechanism. ward from the casting 34 which is' suitably attached to the casting 34, at its lower extremity tremity ,is screw .is the tube 36,4

and at its upper ai', threaded into the flange' 21, which is attac-hed l,to the top headerkl, g

by bolts 19.

' Located between the inlet-duct 1.1. and the u water chamber ,12, is the valve chamber 953. is which is located a reeiprocally disposed valve plston 22.' The valve piston and' the the gas valve lifting ll Y most position,

valve chamber 23, in which the valve piston 22 operates, are so designed that when the valve piston 22 has reached its upward it substantially closes the valve chamber 23, to the free passage of water therethrough. As the valve piston 22 is forced into its downward most position, the water is free to pass from the inlet duct 14, to the| water chamber 12, and be placed in direct communication with the water heating tubes 10, by the ducts 2.

Formed integrally with the valve piston 22, is the valve stem 18, which is centrally disposed within the tubes 36, extending downward therein, and is operatively connected at its lower extremity to the lever 37, which is fulcrumed at the pinion 38. Passing through the lever 37, is the set screw 89, which is suitably extended so as to provide a bearing contact on the finger 40. The linger 40 rests upon, and is suitably fastened to the diaphragm 20, and the diaphragm reinforcing disk 20', 41 which passes through the disk 20 and the diaphragm 2O and is screw threaded intothe projecting linger 42 located on the underside of the diaphragm 20. y

Placed in contact with the finger 42, is

lever 43, which is pivoted on the stud 138. The horizontal linger of the lever 43 being operatively connected with the valve stem 118 of the gas valve 17. The lever 43 is maintained in contact with the projecting finger 42, by the tension spring 44, which is regulated by the tension screw 45. To provide for suitable adjustment between the lever 43 and the diaphragm projecting fingerscrew 46 is placed in the lower end of the projecting finger 42. Suitable openings are provided for in the housing for making adjustment of the valve mechanism, which are closed by dummy screws 47,47. Located within the top header 1, and exerting suflicient pressure to normally hold thevalve plunger 22 in its upper most position is the spring 11. The castings 34 and 35 forming the housing of the gas valve operating mechanism is preferably composed of noncorrosive metal and by virtue of the lower casting 35 being readily detached from the vupper casting 34, any of the working parts are accessible, and may be reached without dismantling the entire machine.

rlhe reciprocally disposed valve piston 22 willby virtue of the tension of the spring 11 normally remain in the uppermost part of the valvevchamber 23, as long as there is a suitable equilibrium between the water pressure within the chamber 12, and the inlet duct 14. When this equilibrium is estab-v lished the spring 11 is free to exert'its upward pressure withoutv the counteracting influences of 'the water pressure against the upper side of the valve piston 22, thereby by the screwv vto the gas valve operating causing a lift to the gas valve 17, and open- 42, an' adjustment down with it in its onward movement the valve piston 22. This downward movement of the valve piston 22 will exert a. downward movement to the'lever 37, which will communicate through the bearingof the screw 39, against the diaphragm linger 40, causing an oscillating movement of the centhe passage way against I from the inlet d uct 14,

ter of the flexible diaphragm 20, thereby.

causing a lateral movement to the projecting finger 42, whichmovementlis communicated lever 43,: thereby ing the valve passage way 16 to the free passage of gas from the passage way 15, to the gas chamber 7 ,i supplying the burners 5 with gas.

The tension of the spring 44, is adjustable by the turning of the tension screw 45, -thus providing means for proportioning the quantity of fuel gas that passes through the gas valve port 16, directly in ratio to the effort that is exerted on theplunger 22 by the quantity of kwater that is being drawn through the heater. This provides an absolute and reliable means of control, assuring that when it is set to supply the correct amount of fuel gas ena small discharge of water, and with the plunger` 22 set at the right height to give a full opening on a full discharge of water, themechanism will proportion the gas, to the amount of v.water discharged from a complete shut o'l to a full opening. the chamber 12, the movement of the water through the inlet duct 14, will be sufficient to move the valve piston 22 against the spring As the water is being drawn from'l stoppage of the flow of water from the inlet duct 14, and as the flow pressure of the spring 11 will cause the valve piston 22 to pass upward, until the valve chamber 23 has been closed'to the free of water ceases, the

' upon the movement iassage of Water and Will remain closedf.t

inti'l the How of water through the inlet duct 1.4 again occurs by reason of the opening of one or lmore faucets in the hott Water discharge line.

Under the adjustment provided the heating means is controlled through the velocity of Water passing the plunger 22, and the effect on the operating mechanism by the variations in pressure d ue to the drafts from other communicating mains do not eifect the operation of the heater, and the capacity of the heater being known, the supply can be regulated from either the inlet or the outlet side of the water connections.

Attached to the base casting 8, and screw threaded therein are a plurality of gas burners 5, each one of which constitutes acomplete unit in itself, and communicates with one source of gas supply by the gas chamber Fuel gas having been admitted to the passage way 15, from any source. of gas fuel supply, it passes into the gas port 16 and re'-` mains in readiness to pass into chamber 7, of the gas valve 17, when it passes through the gas chamber 7, and into the burner opening 26, of the burner 5, causing a jet to enter the vmixing chamber 27, where it becomes commingled With atmospheric air drawn iny through aperture 28, and passes upward through the mixing chamber 27, through the openings 29, and

in tov the combustion chamber 30. Located within the combustion chamber 30, and placed in direct communication with the gas passage way 15, isl the pilot burner 31, through which the gas is constantly admitduring such periods as the heater is in operatiomby the opening of the cock 32. As the gaS` emerges from the burner 5, through the aperture 29, it becomes ignited from contact with the pilot burner 31. e,

The shell 4, surrounding the combustion I:hamber is preferably composed of sheet fron formed of suitable shape at the point where it encircles the heating tubes to provide for the most eiiicient application of heat within the combustion chamber' to the heating 'tubes 10. To further provide for more efficient heating, as well as to retain the heat within the chamber, and'to insulate the interior part of the shell 4, from the heat therein a suitable lining of asbestos felt 48, placed within the shell 4, extending downward to a point below the level ers o. Located within the shell 4, 1s a disk shaped batle plate 49 suiioundin(r the burner groip, which forms the bottom of the conibustlon chamber 30.

forming the upper half of the valve operating housing, is provided with oro'iectiiig arms 50 which pass downward be; i each burner at an angle toward the lower circumference of the baille plate 49 and serve the ting oft' the rush lthe shell 4, by bolts 51, andvis of the burnl on :alie upper face of the constitute the required opening for the passage of air to the combustion chamber 30, the quantity admitted being' pre-determined e by the extent of these openings, thereby cutof air directlyinto the combustion chamber, and forcing the buiners to draw the maximum amount of free air into the burner mixing chamber 27, at the opening 2S.

The batHe plate49 is suitably attached to readily removable to grant accessl to the burners or to the valve operating mechanism. The baille by the balile plate,oiving imity to the burners. For the purpose of facilitating the manufacture ing all parts of the interior of the hea'ter readily accessible, the shell 4 is composed of four pieces, the front and back sections having large doors (not shown).

or taking care of any sediment or other foreignmatter that may be found iii the water coming from the street mains, there is provided a suitable strainer 52 located above the .inlet duct 14, which is suitably at- 'tached to the line communicating with the Water mains by the union 53 which also afd-- mits of a detachment thereof being readily made to allow the cleaning of the strainer 52.

aving thus described my invention and illustrated its use What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters latent is the following:

1. A water heater of the character described, comprising :i Water container having two separate compartments therein, a se'- to its close prox ,4

as well as mak t To provide ries of water heating tibes connecting said l compartments, water heating means, a Water 1 actuated plunger located Within one of said compartments, a gas valve, actuating means located between said water plunger and the gas valve comprising a flexible diaphragm having protruding lingers placed in operative contact with said Water ger and the gas valve.

water heater scribed, comprising a of the character deseries of waterheating tubes, a plurality ot' gas burners adjacent thereto, a gas valve, a valve stem connected to said gas valve, a flexible diaphragm hav- `ing a projecting finger on each face, awater operated valve piston, an actuating lever placed in contact with the projecting finger diaphragm operatively connected to said valve piston, a bell operatively connectedto said valve piston,

a second lever engaging thelower finger of said diaphragnnand operating to actuate the v heat controlling means.

lever engaging the lower 4. A water heater of the character described, comprising a water container having two separate compartments therein, aseries of water heating coils connecting said compartments, a gas valve, phragin having lingers projecting from its upper and lower faces, a water actuated valve piston, a lever pivoted at its lower end operatively connected to said valve piston l and engaging the upper finger of said diaphragm, a bell crank lever engaging the lower finger of said diaph 1agm, operating to actuate the gas valve substantially as described. l

4A water heater of the character described, comprising a water container having two sepa 'ate compartments therein, water conductors connecting said compartments comprising a series of water heating coils, a plurality of gas burners adjacent to said water heating coils, a gas passage lead ing tosaid burners, a gas valve located in said passage, a lingers projecting from its upper and lower faces, a water actuated valve piston, a lever pivotedat its lower end operatively connected to said valve piston and engaging the upper finger of said diaphragm, a bell crank finger of'v said diaphragm, and operating to actuate the gas valve, substantially as described.

6. A water heater of the character described, comprising a water container having two separate compartments, a series of yaterheati ng tubes connecting said compartments, a plurality of gas burners adjacent thereto, a gas valve, a water actuate plunger located in one of said compartments, gas valve actuating means comprising a lflexible.diaphragm with protruding fingers placed in operative contact with said water actuated plunger and the gas valve.

7. A water heater of the character de scribed, comprising an exterior casing and an inner casing disposed therein, having an upper and a lower compartment,- a flexible diaphragm separating saidcompartments, a

vertically disposed gas valve in said lower a flexible diaflexible diaphragm having compartment, water heating means located pliragin separating said compartments, a y

gas valve located in `said lower compartment, water heating means located. between said casings, a water actuated plunger having verticalvmovement located inthe upper compartment, means for conveying an oscillating movement tosaid diaphragm by said water actuated plunger, and means-fr conveying vertical movement to the gas valve from the oscillating movement oi? said diaphragm.

inner casing disposed thereinhaving an u per anda lower compartment, a lexib eA diaphragm separatingl said compartments water heating means located between said casing, a gas valve, ger located in the upper compartment, means for conveying movement from the water actuated plunger through an oscillating movement of said diaphragm to the gas valve, substantially as described.

10. In a water heater. of the character described, the combination ofa series of water A water heater of the character' de-'I scribed, comprising an exterior Icasing, an

a water actuated plunheating tubes, a plurality of gas burners adjacent thereto, a gas valve, afwater' container having two separate compartments in communication through said Water heating' tubes, a water actuated plunger located in one of said compartments, with gas valve actuating means comprising a flexible diaphragm having protruding fingers placed inv operative contact with said water actuated' ion plunger and the gas valve substantially as described.

11. In a water heater of theA character de,- scribed, the combination of an exterior casing, an imier casing disposed therein having an upper'and a lower compartment, a flexible diaphragm separating said compart' said casings, a water actuated plunger 1ocated inthe upper compartment, with means ing movement of the diaphragm.-

In a' water heater of the character described, the combination of a water pontainer having two separate compartments therein, a series of water heating tubes con- 'nectlng said compartments, an exterior casing, an inner casing disposed therein hav-` Aments, water heating means locatedbetween movement to a gas valve from said oscillat? sl conveying movement' vtwo separate ing an upper and a lower compartment, a flexible diaphragm separating said compartments, water heating means located between said casings, a gas valve, a wateractuated plunger having Vertical movementloca'ted in the upper compartment, with .means for conveying an oscillating movement 'to said diaphragm' by said water actuated plunger, and means for conveying vertical movement to the gas valve from the oscillating@ movement of the diaphragm; l

13. A water heater ofthe character described, comprising an exterior casing, a water container havin'gtwo separa-te compartmehts located therein, a series of water healting coils,4 ductsv leadingv from` one of suc the other of such compartments, a combustion chamber within said exterior casing,

heating means within said chamber, an inner casing having an upper land a lower compartment, a fiexible diaphragm,v separating such last-named compartments, a* gas 'valve located in such lower compartment,

water heating means located between the exterior and inner casing; a water actuated plunger having vertical mbvement located 1n the upper compartment, and means for to the gas valve through an oscillating movement oft said diaphragm, substantiallyas described. l

14. In a'waterheater of the character described, lthecombinatio'n of an outerandy an inner casing,l a water container having compartments located therein, outlet ducts leadin from one compartment through a series ofgwater heating coils into er compartment, a combustion chamheating means within said combustion chamber, an upper and a lower compartment in said inner casing, a'flexible diaphragm compartments, a gas valve located in said lowercompartment, a water actuated plunger having vertical movement located in the upper compartment, with means for conveying movement to the gas valve from saidA water actuated plunger through an osscribed,

compartments through said coils intowater flowing .whereby movement of said separating said cillatin' movement of said diaphragm substantial y as described.

15. A water heater of the character decomprising a water container having a receiving and a di harging reservoir located therein, an inletduct entering said receiving reservoir a water strainerI located '5 5 'in said inlet duct, a plurality of outlet ducts leading from said receiving reservoir comprising aser1es of water heating coils and entering the discharge reservoir, water heating means adjacent to said water heating coils, heat controlling means, a water operated valve piston, a gas valve and actuating means` com rising a flexible diaphragm having protruing fingers placed ini o erative contact vwith saidwater actuated p un- 6 ger and a scribed. i l

16. A water heater comprising water heating means, a plunger operable by movegas valve,osubstantially as dement of the water through said water heating means,fuel supply means for said heating means, and actuating means operatively connecting said plunger to said fuel supply means, said actuating means including a' the same andzsaid plunger and said fuel supply means, whereby the last-named means are controlled byvmovement of said plunger.

tilting diaphragm and connections between 75 17. A water heater comprising waterlieat- 80 ing means, awater chamber connected thereto, a tilting diaphragm closing thc bottom of said chamber, a plunger disposed in said chamber and actuated by the velocity of the supplymeans disposed below said chamber, and means connecting said plunger, said diaphragm and said fuel supply means, plunger tilts said through said chamber, fuel diaphragm and controls said fuel supply.

In testimony whereof I have aHXed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' ROBERT F.. METCALFE. Witnesses:

ROBERT LeRoBERTs, JNO. F. BERKENHAMP;

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