US1187924A

US1187924A - Electric water-heater.

Info

Publication number: US1187924A
Application number: US3049715A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles O Pearson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1915-05-26
Filing date: 1915-05-26
Publication date: 1916-06-20
Anticipated expiration: 1933-06-20

Description

Patented luna 20, WM5.

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C. FEARSON.

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C. 0. PEARSON.

ELECTRIC WATER HEATER.

APPLscATloN mio MAY 26, :915.

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"ELECI'RIC WATER HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED MAY26,1915.

Patented June 20, 1916.

C. O. PEARSON. ELECTHWC WATER HEMER APPLICATION FILED MAY 26. 1915.

Patented June 20, 1916.

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CHARLES 0. PEARSOYN, 0F BROOKLYN, NEW YORK` ELECTRIC WATER-HEATER.

Application mea may 2e, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES O. PEARsoN, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Brooklyn, Kings county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Tater-Heaters, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof. My invention relates to electric heatin apparatus and particularly to such as are adapted to receive water at a low temperatu're and to deliver the same continuously at either its normal temperature or at a relatively high temperature, the flow of vwater and the control of electric energy be ing'dependent upon a single shut-oil? valve. One object of my invention is to provide a simple and compact device of the afore said character that shall comprise a quickacting circuit switching device operatively connected to a shut-0H valve, a tortuous assage in an insulating body through w ich the water is conducted, and electric heating means disposed directly in the fluid passage.

1t has been my aim to provide a compact wzater heater,vcapable of heatingA a relatively large quantity of water continuously and arranged so that practically all of the heat generated in the electric heating element of the device is taken up by the water; in other words, a device of la relatively large capacity and high efficiency.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be set forth hereinafter and in order that my invention may be thoroughly understood, Will now proceed to describe the samey in the followin specification and then point out the novel eatures thereof in appended claims.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a sectional elevation, through the valve stem, of an electric water heater arranged and constructed in accordance with m invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view`of the lower part of the heater, the section being taken through the outlet on 'the line 2-2 of F i g. 1. Fig; 3 is a sectional plan view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Figs. 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 are sectional plan views taken respectively on the lines 4-4, 5 5, 64-6, 8 8 and 9-9 of 'Fig 1. Fig. 7 is a' artal elevation which is ,also in section and-1s taken on the line 7-7 of Fips.)

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented June 20, 1 9 1 Serial No. 30,497.

The structure illustrated comprises a body 10 substantially cylindrical in form and made of cast metal. Depending from the body is a cylindrical box or casing 11 which is lined and capped with insulation and contains a quick break electric switch and means for operating the same.

The body 10 has an rupwardly extending flange 12 which is internally threaded and supports a cylindrical metal shell 13 having a cap 14 screwed onto its upper end. Within the shell 13 are a plurality of

cylindrical blocks

15, 16, 17, 18 which` are preferably formed of porcelain or some other hard molded insulating material and are cemented and fired, or otherwise sealed together to virtually constitute a single block of electric and heat insulatin material. hereinafter explained the )locks are constructed to form grooves which provide a continuous tortuous passage through which water flows and in which'is disposed the heating element of the device.

The cylindrical body 10 is hollow being subdivided into two chambers 1f) and Q0 and a recess 21, and isclosed at the top. A tubular projection 22 extends downwardly from the body and constitutes an inlet with which any suitable pipe connection may be made, which inlet is adapted to be shut oli' or opened into-either the chamber l) or the chamber 20.

A relatively small passage 23 connects the chambers 19 and 20 which opposite and in alinement with each other, as shown in Fig. 2. Thus shoulders 24 are formed adjacent to the opening in the passage 23 in each of the chambers. Against these shouldeisA in the respective chambers, valves 25 and "26, which are similar to cach other in structure, are pressed by springe 27.

The re ess 21 extendsl substantially at right anges to the common center line of the cha Ybers 19 and Q0, and it has a hollow extensidii 28 which is in communication with the passage Q3. 'A controlling or actuating block 29 is rotatively mounted in the eXtensidn'iQS of the recess 2l and has an eccentric finger 30 which extends into the passage Q3 as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and As hereinafter explained, the actuating block 29' has an additional function to perform and is provided with beveled gear teeth as shown at 31, for the purpose of actuating a vertical shaft 3. A shaft 33 mhwwcw WN.

extends outwardly through a suitable plug 2H in the opening otl the chamber and a stutting box 35.

'1" e handle lever 3h is secured to the outer end ot' the shat't 11? so that it may be turned conveniently. The stutling box is provided with a cap 3T and the shatt 2&3 has a collar 3S which tits into a recess tt) in thc inner end ot' the plug- I-l, a spring 4t) being interposed between the bottom of the recess and the collar and tending to force the shaft and the actuating block 2t) inwardly. This structure is such as to seal the recess Q1 from the passage 23 and the chambers 1S) and :'20, since the latter are tluid containing chambers while the recess 2l is only intended as a suitable means ot support for the actuating parts of the fluid-control valves and electric circuit controlling switch.

lVhen the shaft or post 2,3 is in one position, which is conveniently determined by setting the handle 23o to occupy a vertical position` the eccentric finger 3() is in a central position between the valves )5 and 2G. Under these conditions both valves are closed as shown in Fig. 2.

'hen the handle is turned in one direction, the eccentric moves to the right in Fig. 2 and opens the valve 21', thereby opening communication directly from the. inlet passage 22 to the chamber 20, while if the handle is moved in the opposite direction the eccentric moves to the left in Fig. 2 and pushes back the valve 25, establishing communication from the inlet passage 2; to the chamber 19.

As hereinafter explained. a tortuous heating passage is connected at its inlet end to the chamber 19 and at its outlet end to the chamber 2t) and accordingly liquid either flows through the passage or is discharged directly without flowing through the heating passage.

As-abovc intimated.y the chamber 3U communicatcs with the outlet which is designated by reference character l1 and which is screwed into the internally-threaded open end of the chamber.

As already pointed out. the valves 25 and 2G are similar' to each other and it is only necessary to describe one ot' them in detail. For example. the valve 25 comprises a tubular clamping .socket` Yl2 which is internally-threaded to receive the shank 43 of a cooperating clamping member 44, the valve washer being hollow to permit the shank 43 to extend through it and being clamped between they members Yl2 and 4l.

'l`he valve is guided at one end by the clamping member -ll which is loosely fitted into the passage 253 and at the opposite end by a plug /15 which has a recess 4G to receive ther tubular extension of the clamping member 42. This tubular member slides freely in the recess and the spring Q7 is interposed between the plug 45 and the shoulder 4T near the opposite end of the clamping member. The spring thus tends to close th" valve as already explained.

'l`he valve 26 is similar to the valve 2 except that at its outer end it is guided by a slotted bushing -lb' which is set into a recess in the outlet 4l, the spring in this instance being interposed between the bushing and the shoulder ot' the clamping member instead of between the plug and the shoulder otl the clamping member as in the case of the valve 25.

The porcelain block 15 which is illustrated in detail in Fig. 4 has a hole 5o which extends through it and communicates through a groove 49' with a hole 19 in the body 1t). The hole opens into the chamber 1S) which, as already explained, may be opened into the inlet passage 22 of the device. The block 15 is furthermore provided with a tortuons groove 51 which communicates at one end with the hole 50 and at its opposite end with a hole 52 in the block 16 above. This block has a tortuous groove 53 which opens at one end into the hole 52 and communicates at its opposite end with a hole 54 in the block 17 above. This block also has a tortuous groove 55 communicating with the hole 54 at one end and at its opposite end with a hole 5U in the block 1S above. The top block 1S has a tortuous groove 5T interposed between the hole 5G and a central hole. 5S. Ilach of the blocks 15. 16. and 17 is also provided with a similar hole marked with the same reference character all ot` which coperate to provide a vertical passage through which luid luay flow downwardly after passing through the sut-cessive tortuous grooves. rl`he block 15 at the bottom is furthermore provided with a short groove 5ft on its bottom surface which establishes communication trom the hole 5S to a hole G0 opening into the outlet chamber 20.

As shown in Fig. l. a pair ot' electric circuit terminal postsl (11 and (t2 extend upwardly t'rom within the hollow body 1() into and through the block 15. 'lhe terminal (32. as cl xarly shown in l"ig. T. is provided with a sleeve (33 ot' insulating material'having a recessed enlargement (34 at its lower end and at its opposite end a projection (i5 which extends through a suitable hole (3G in the body and into a recess (3T in the block 15.

The terminal comprises a socket member (3S which is disposed in the recess G4 of the insulatii'ig sleeve and is secured to the bottom end of a stud (3S) which vtorms the body of the terminal. This stud extends upwardly through a hole in the block 15 and into a recess 71 in its top surface.

rl`he terminal (31 is similar to the terminal (32 and is similarly mounted relative to the body 1() of the device but its shank instead of extending completely through the lavo block 15 extends only into a recess 72 in its lower surface corresponding to the recess 67.

The recess 71 has a small passage or slot establishing communication to the groove 51 and the recess :72 is similarly connected to the groove 59 in the bottom surface of the block 15.

The resistance element of the heater may be formed in any suitable Way and as shown in the drawings it comprises a wire of resist ance material formed into a helix 73. One

nd of this helix is twisted around and soliered or otherwise securely fastened mechanically, as Well as electrically connected to t e stud 69 of the terminal member 62. The eliX extends through the

grooves

51, 53, 55 and 57 and through the central hole 58, its opposite end being connected to the terminal 61 as clearly shown in F ig. 4. Illhe resistance element is thus disposed directlyin the water passage but it obviously will not interfere with the flow of Water therethrough.;4

The switch box or casing 11 is lined with insulation and closed by an insulating cap 74 as already explained. The tubular extension 22 of the body which constitutes the water inlet of the device, extends completely through the box and constitutesa support on which a sleeve 75 is rotatively mounted. Secured to this sleeve and insulated from it are a pair of

switch members

76 and 77 each having a pair of blades 78 and 79.

The switch blades are adapted to respectively cooperate with stationary switch contacts 8O and 81. The arrangement of parts is such that When the sleeve 75 and its at tached parts occupy the position shown in Fig. 5, which is accentuated by the engagement of a pawl S2 with a notch S3, the cirn cuits of the electric heater are interrupted on each side of the line in a well known manner, and when the sleeve is mounted to a position accentuated by the engagement ot another pawl 84 with a notch 85, the circuits are closed.

The

pawls

82 and 84 are mounted to slide in statlonary supports 86 and 87 and are pressed into engagement with a notched flange 88 of the sleeve, by means of springs sa and 9o. y l

A spring 91 is coiled about and secured at an intermediate point to the sleeve 75 and its ends are arranged to engage a stationary post 92 in such a way as to cause the sleeve to move rapidly from one of its accentuated positions to the other, thereby providing a quick make and break action of the switch. This is accomplished in the following manner: Vhen the ring 93 is turned in a clock wisc direction7 Fig. 5, the spring 91 is tight cned but the sleeve 75 which carries the switch blades does not more until a cam 9!) extending from the upper part of ring 93, as is shown in this Fig. 5, engages pawl 82 arid pushes it back out of notch 83. Then the sleeve 75 has a quick movement until pawl 84 arrests it by moving into notch 85. At this point the switch blades 78-79 will be in engagement with the contacts 5U-81. On returning to the open position of the switch, the pawl 84 holds sleeve 75 until re leased by cam D9, and pawl 82 entering notch arrests and holds the sleeve in the position shown with the switch open.

A ring 93 having a toothed gear segment 94 is mounted on the sleeve 75 and is secured thereto. lt is adaptednto mesh. with a gear wheel 95 secured to the lower end of the shaft 32. A bevel gear 96 is seem-ed to, or forms a part ol, the shaft Z512 at its upper end and with the bevel gear ill. The shaft 32 is mounted in a suitable bearing 97 and is obviously rotated to throw the switch into one position or the other as the handle 36 is turned to open one or tl' other of the valves 25 and 25S.

The arrangement of parts is such that when the valve is turned to connect the water inlet passage directly to the outlet chamber 20, electric energy is not supplied to the heater, the switch being in its open position. With the handle thrown to its opposite position to open the valve 25 and establish a water passage from the inlet through chamber 1l), the tcrtuons passage in the blocks l5 to 18 inclusive, and finally out through the hole and the chamber 20, the switch is closed.

Under the last-named conditions. the eiectric energy is supplied to the resistance element which is disposed in the tortuous passage and. the heat generated in the element is transferred directly' to the water. i/f'llhe.

resistance designcrgl to raise the tcnipemture of the water to the degree desired. Heat is supplied to the water during the time it flows through the passage and it is only necessary to open the valve and permit the `water to flow through the passage for a short time until a continuous flow of hot water is commenced.

The blocks l5,

l

16, 17 and. 18 in addition to being cemented together, are prearably held together by rivetsor bolts 100.

It is, obvious that this apparatus may be used with other liquids than water, and that. structural variations may he effected within the spirit and scope of my invention. I intend that only `such limitations be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

What l claim is:

l. An electric heater comprising an insulating body having aplurality of sections, grooves in the adjacent surfaces of the sections together forming a conduit and holes posed in the passage and arranged to permit the llow of lluid therethrough.

2. An electric heater comprising an insulating bodv having a plurality otl sections. grooves in the adjacent surfaces of the sections together torn'iing a conduit and holes through the sections conununicatilm with the grooves to constitute a continuous and tortuous passage through the insulating body, and a helical resistance. wire heater element disposed in the passage.

3. An electric heater comprising a pluralitv of cylindrical blocks ot hard molded insulating material adapted to be assembled end to end, the end surfaces of the blocks being provided with tortuou.-y grooves and the blocks having holes through them to connect successively the grooves to form a single tortuous passage through the body, means for uniting the blocks into a unitar \v body, and a heater element disposed in the passage and arranged to permit the ll'iw ot' fluid to be heated thla'etln'ough.

4. An electric he ter comprising a plurality of cylindrical blocks of hard molded insulating material adapted to be assembled end to end, the end surfaces of the blocks being provided with tortuous grooves and the blocks having holes through them to conneet successivelvv the grooves to form a single tortuous passage through the body, means foi uniting the blocks into a unitary bodv, and a helical resistance wire heater element disposed in the passage.

5. An electric water heater comprising a metal body having a pair ot opposite chamf bers, a passage Ijoining the chan'ibers, and an inlet opening into the passage, a pair ol' valves located in `the respective chambers and adapted to close the openings from the chambers into the passage; and a heater comprising an insulating bodv having a plurality of sections, grooves in the adjacent surfaces of the sections together forming a conduit and holes through the sections conimunicatiug with the grooves to constitute a continuous and tortuous passage through the insulating bodv, and an electric heater element disposed in the passage and arranged to permitothe Ilow ol tluid therethrough, said passage being interposed between the chainbers.

(5. An electric water heater comprising a metal body having a pair of opposite chambers, a passage joining the chambers, an inlet opening into the passage, a pair ot valves located in the, respective chambers and adapted to close the openings from the chambers into the passage, and a helical resistance wire heater element disposed in the passage, said passage being interposed between the chambers.

T. n electric water heater comprising a metal bodv having a pair ot' opposite chambers. a pas-age joining the chambers. an inlet opening into the passage, a pair of valv es located in the respective chambers and adapted to close the openings from the chambers into the passage, a helical resistance wire. heater element disposed in the passage. said passage being interposed between the chambers. an outlet secured to the bodv and communicating with one of said chambers, and a controller for opening one or the other ol' said valves.

8. An electric water heater comprising a metal body having a pair of opposite chambers, a passage joining thel chambers, an inlet opening into the passage, a pair ot' valves located in the respective chambers and adapted to close the openings from the chambers into the passage. a helical resistance wire heater element disposed in the passage, said passage being interposed between the chambers, an outlet secured to the body and communicating with one ol said chambers, a recess in the body opening into the passage between the chambers, and a controller rotativelv mounted in the recess and having an eccentric projection extending into the passage and adapted to actuate the valves.

9. An electric water heater comprising a metal bodv having a pair of opposite chambers. a passage joining the chambers, an inlet opening into the passage, a pair of valves located in the respective chambers and adapted to close the openings from the chambers into the passage, a helical resistance wire heater element disposed in the passage, said passage being interposed between the chambers, an outlet secured to the body and communicating with one ot said chambers, a recess in'the body opening into the passage between the chambers, a controller rotatively mounted in the recess and having an eccentric projection extending into the passage and adapted to actuate the valves, a switch for controlling the electric circuit of the heater, and an operative connection betweensthe controller and the switch.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 18 day of May, 1915.

CHARLES O. PEARSON.