US1248958A - Water-heater construction. - Google Patents

Description

F. L". 0. WADSWORTH.

WATER HEATER CONSTRUCTION.

APPLlcATlox man Vocr. 3. 191|.

1,248,958. Patented De@. 4,1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET l.

F. L. o. wAnswonTHl WATER Henin cousnucnou. APPLICATION FILEP 06123. 191|.

1,248,958. Pgnd De@ 4, A1917.

s sains-suur 4.

. F. L. 0. WADSWORTH.

WATERJMEATER CONSTRUCTION. nrru'lcnron msn ocT. a, 1911.

Fg. /l 24' 2H I Y f5 f 1 I/ ses ' wnntsszs? Patented D00. 4, 1917.

INVINTOR Leashes.

vUNITED STATES PATENT orrioE.

FRANK L. 0. WADSWORTH. 0F SEWICKLEY, PENNSYLVANIA..

'To alla) hom it may concern.

Be it known that I, FRANK L. O. WADs- WORTH, acitizen of the United States, residino' at Sewickley, in the county of Allegheny an State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in. Tater-Heater Constructionsof which the trolled from the thermostat more positiv-ely than in apparatus of this general character as heretofore Constructed; the provision of an apparatus of the character specified wherein `the operation of the wateractuated member is'` controlled thermostatically by reversing the water pressure upon such water actuated member; and in general, the f.

provision of a simplified and reliable mechanism for controlling the supply of fuel to the burners by the water pressure and by the temperature of the water in the heater. Certain embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figures l to 4 inclusive are diagrammatic views indicating in various forms thegeneral/principle of operation of the apparatus; Figs. 5 and 6v are front and side elevations respectively of a water heater equipped with one form of my controlling mechanism; Fig. 7 is a section through the form of controlling mechanism shown in Figs. 5 and 6; Fig. 8 is a` section through a modified form of controlling mechanism capable of use in lace of the mechanism shown in Fig. 7 Fig. 9 is a section through -another modifiedform of controlling mechanism;

' Fig. 10 is a-section through another modified form of controlling mechanism; and Fig. ll-is'a section through still another type of controlling mechanism.

ABriefly Vstated the mechanism in all its various forms consists in a water actuated member, generell -a piston or diaphragm, whose opposite si es are exposed tordiiferent pressureswhen the outlet from the heater 1s opened, together with a therlnostatically controlled means orvalve s6 arranged that' S'pecication of Letters Patent.

WATER-HEATER CONSTRUCTION.

Application led October 3, 1911. Serial No. 652,577.

when the temperature of thc water rises above a predetermined. point, the water pressure on the two Sides of the water actueted member is reversed. The water actuated member is arranged so as to open the gas valve when the heater outlet yisV opened, and permit the closing of such valve when the thermostat cntrolling means causes a reversal. of the water pressure on the water actuated member, and thus. produces a reverse movement thereof.

The diagrams of Figsl to ilcare intended to give a general idea of the principle of.

operation of my apparatus divorced from the detail mechanism in which the invention is preferably embodied. such detail mechanism being shown in Figs. T to 1l. In the various diagrams A indicates the position of the parts of the apparatus when the temperature of the water is below a predetermined point and no water is being drawn from the heater, B indicates the position .of the parts ot the apparatus when the outlet from the heater is open; and C the position of the parts of the apparatus when the outlet is open and the temperature of the water rises above a predetermined. point, at which time the thermostat causes a reversal of pressure on the water actuated member.

In the diagrammatic illustrations' of Fig. l, the cold water enters the apparatus at the opening l and is directed to one end or the other of thecylindcr .3 by means of the water directingl valve' B, the position of which is4 controlled by any suitable form of thermostat connected 'to the stem 4. 'In the cylinder 2 is located the water actuated mem er 5 which is 'connected to thc stem 6 and by its movement serves to actua'te the gas valve 7. The water passes away from the cylinder 2 throng-Iran opening.;` S connected to the heating receptacle. A spring 9 serves to keep the water actuated member 5 in the normal left hand position shown inV hand port to the valve 3, forces the piston to the right, thus closing the gas valve 7 ,A and thus ,asses out through the opening 8 to the hea er. Y

In the diagrammatic illustrations of Fig. 2, the thermostatieally controlled valve 3 is placed 0,11 the .outlet side of the cylinder l n n l A n the valve 3 is in the position shown in dia- 2', the Water entering this cylinder through the opening 1, and moving the piston o to theyleft-opening the 'gas valve--when grain B, and movin the said piston to the right-thus closing the gas valve-when the thermostatbrings the valve 3 to the position shownin diagram C. In this construction the piston is normally pressed to the right by the spring 9 and the valves 10 mounted on the rod V11 secured to the cylinder head controls the liow to the oppo site sidesof the piston, .the direction of `flow being indicated by the arrows.

In the diagrammatic illustration of F ig'. 3, the water actuated member is in the form of a diaphragm 52 which is moved 'up to the position shown in diagram B when cold water is first turned on, the flow being from v inlet 12 to the outlet 62 via ports 12 and 153 `the therinostatically as indicated hy the arrows, and is moved down to the position shown in diagram C ,when the valve .32 has been shifted to the position shown i-n'that diagram by the heatlngeffect of the iiowing water, the How from the inlet to the outlet then being via the ports 1-1 and 15. As before, the movement of the water actuated member to the position of diagrani opens the gas valve, and the movement of said diaphragm to the position shown in diagram C closes the gas valve.

In the diagrammatic illustration of Fig. 4:, the water actuated member operated bydiiferential pressure', the chambers on the two sides of the dial'ihragm being connected to two oints X and Y of different,potential in the owing stream of water. In this case controlled Vvalve 33 operates, when in the position shown in diagram B, to connect the chamber ont-lie lower side of the diaphragm 53 with the point. Y of-lower potential (via passages 16, 17

and 18), and the chamber on the upper side.

of the.4 diaphragm `with the point X of higher ,potential (viapassages 19 'and 20). This results in' a depression of the diaphragm and with it of the'gas'i'falvea., thus allowing fuel to iiow to z the main burn"- ers of the heater.4 When the water has `been heated to a point at which the there mosti-ttv is set to act, lthe latter:- i'noves .the

valve 33 to the position shown in diagram C, and in this position the connections to. the chambers .on the two 'sides' ofthe diaphragm are reve reed, the point X being oonnected to the lo er side of the diaphragm via the passage 21 and the point Y being connected to the upper side of the diaphragm Nia the passage 22, and the diaphragm is forced upward closing the gaS valve 73. y i l Referring to the general arrangement of parte shown in Figs. 5 and 6, which figures illustrate the ordinary type of water heater with my improvement applied thereto; D the easing of'the heater; E, `Fand G are the upper coils; H isf-the llower reverse coil of the heater connected to the upper coils by means of lthe pipe I; K'are the burners mounted upon the usual burner ring; L is the gas supply'pipe; M is the easing of the valve for controlling the vsupply of Igas to the burners; N is the pipe leading from the easing' of the gas valve to the burner ring; 0 is the thermostat casing; and P is the vcasing containing the water actuated member, the casings O vand l being shown in enlarged cross section in Fig. 7.

Referring now to Fig. 7 in connection with Figs. 5 and 6, 31 is the cold water inlet by means oi which water is supplied to the heater from the main, and this pipe communicates' with the chamber 32 in which is located the thermostatically waterelowv valve 33 which corresponds in function to the valve 3 heretofore referred to in the diagrammatic apparatus of Fig. 1.

' This valve E33 is provided -wit-h two heads 34 and 35 which are adaptedto engage respeetively with the seats 36 and 37.v When the valve is inthe position shown in the figure with the head 35 in engagement with the seat 37, the water flowing into the chamber 3'2- passes therefrom through the port 38 tor'th'e left hand end of t-he cylinder 39, containing the wateraetuat'ed member 40. lNhen the valve ismoved to the left so that the head 34 enga-ges with the Seat 3G, the water flowing into the chamber 32 passes through the' port 41 to the right hand end of the cylinder 39. On the side of the cylinder opposite to the ports 38 and 41 there is provided an out-lctport 42 so located that when the piston 4;() is in its normal left hand position., the front edge of vthe poit42. is in communication with t-hc'right handend of the cylinder 39, The port 4:2 opens into a chamber which containsa slining'supported and balanced ball check valve 43, that will.

controlled loo permit the Water to flow from the port 42 tothe inlet 43" of the upper coil E` (Fig.

,5), but will prevent any flow of'liquid in inder 39 there is a smallerv cylinder 47, and 13o Working in this cylinder is a'plunger -48 Which is provided at the left hand end with a lliead 49 engaging With the adjacent portion of the Water actuated member 40. A pipe 50 leadsfrom the middle of the thermostat chamber to a port communicating with the right'hand end of the cylinder 47. A4

r are provided w1th compression-springs numbered .respectively 56 `and 57, and the parts 40 and 48 are arranged so that `vvhen they have been moved by the spring 56 to the eXtreme left hand position as determined by the engagement of the pist-on head of the plunger 48 With the shouldt-u'edl end of the cylinder 47the port opening 55 will be uncovered and Water can pass'from the thermostat chamberthrough the cylinder 47 and thence to the inlet 43rl of the heater coil. Lo-

" cated 'in the chamber 45 is a composite vthermostat member of the usual construction comprising an outer expansiblev tube 58 of copper, brass, or z1nc,and an inner'negative element 59 of porcelain, nickel,`steel or invar metal. lThe outer element 58 is secured at its upper end to the wall of thetherrnostat l chamber, and 'is in abutting engagement at its lower end with the negative element 59.-

T he latter terminates at its upper end in a .knife'edge 60 which contacts with the shortI arm of tie multiplying lever 61. ,The long armV of this. lever envages with an adjustable nut 62 on the end ofb the stein 63 Which actuates the Water loW valve 33.V The lever 61 is kept in operative engagement with its cooperating parts by means of a tension. spring 64, and the stem 63 is also provided ivith an adjustable washer 65 engaging a compres.

sion spring 66 surrounding the stem 63. The relative strengths 0f the springs 64 and 66 are about as two to one so that when the lever 6]. is brought into engagement with the nut 62-'-by the expansion of the composite thermostat and '..the consequent retraction of the knife edge (S0-the pull of the spring G4 Willovercome the resistance'of the compression spring 66 and move the valve over to the left until the head 34 engages With the seat 36 and closes the openi'n to the left' handend of the/.cylinder 39. -hen the lever 61 is moved t0 the right-by the. contraction of the thermostat and the consequent lifting of the' knife edge (iO-until it is out of engagement with the nut 62, the spring 6G Will move the valve 33k to the right to the position shown. in the figure. The operation of this mechanism is as follows: When .no water is ovving through Vbe drawn away from the the heater, and the parts are cold, the valve will, as already stated, occupl tion indicated in the drawing. hen a fioW of lWater is started-as by opening the house tap connected with the pifpe 46+vtater will ront of the piston 40 through the pipe 50 and the tvvo ports 42 and 55 thus reducing the pressure oli the right hand side of sald piston and 'allowing 1t to bemoved forward by the ressure of the water lowin in through t e port 38. As the piston advances it carries with it the plunger 48 and closes oli' the opening to the port 55 but Water will still continue to be drawn from in front of it through the port 42, and the'piston 40 will continue to advance against the pressure of the springs 56 and 57 until it reaches the position indicated-in dotted lines, or until the left hand side of the port 42 has been opened to allow the direct flow of water from the cold Water supply p1pe31 through the port 38 to the house in let As the piston 40 advances, the end of its stem 5l engages with the end of the gas valve stem 53 and raises the gas valve 54 from its seat allowing the fuel to flow from the supply pipe L' to the lfeed pipe ,N which leads to the main burners of the heater. 'd The piston 40 will remain as long as the valve 33 occupies the position shown in the figure and water continues to flow through the port 38. But, when .the

the posiin its forward position i temperature of the .flowing liquid .in the thermostat chamber 45 rises above a certain point the expansion of the positive elementV 58 and the consequent retraction of the knife edge GO. allows the thermostat lever 61 to be i drawn intoeugagement with the nut 62 on the stem ofthe valve 33 andivhen this occurs the said valve will befinoved' to the left, closing the openingo'i. the port 38 and open` ing that of the port 41. The flowing Water will now pass from the cold Water supply pipe to the front ot' the piston 40 and will force the latter back until the front edge of the port42 is opened flow directly through that port to the inlet 43,, The retraction of the piston 4Q and with it the stein 51 allows the gas valve 54 to be closed by the pressure of itsspring'57, thus shutting off the supply of fuel 'to the main burners. As the temperature in the thermostat chamber falls, the contraction of the positive element 58 Will lift the Vknife edge 60 and move the lever '61 out" of en gagement with the nut 62, whereupon the valve33 will be moved to the` rightby the spring 6.6, thus closing the opening ,to the poi't 41 and again opening that to lthe port 38. The pressure of thelowing Water will 4then move the piston 40 again toits forward position, thereby once more opening the gas valve 54. These alternate'opem ing and closing increments will tontinue with each corresponding fall and rise of the so that Water can i `cylinder 39.

`temperature of the flowin the llow of water is shut' o the pressure of the liquid on the two sides of the water actuated member 40 is at once equalizcd and the latter will normally be returned to its left hand position by the joint pressures of the springs 5G and 57. It, for any reason, any of the valve par-ts should stick and the spring pressures should be insuilicient to overcomethis sticking, the valve will be forced back to its 'normal left hand posi tion 'by the continued heating of the water in the coils in the following manner: As soon thc-llowof water stops, the ball. check valve/43 will return to its seat and close oli' communication ybetvv'eeirthe cold Water inlet 43a and the left hand end of the The closing of the outlet in the house supply `pipe 16 also confines the liquid on the outlet side ofthe heater, and the pressure 'generated in its confined body of liquid by the continued heating effect of the main burners will be communicated through the pipe 50 to the cylinder 47 and will act to forcethe plunger 48 and with it the member 40 back until the port opening 55 has been uncovered. Before this occurs, the'gas valyc 54 will hare returned to its seat, thus cuttin oil the fuel supply to the main burners; he opening of the port 55 allows the water to circulate freely through the coils vof the heater under the influence veo of the heat of the pilot light.

The uncovering of this portate-ach return of the water actuated member to its normal left hand' position when the water is flowing also allows a small amount of cold water to ilow from the. portl opening 42 through the port 55 and ipe 50 to the thermostat chamber '45, an this aids in more rapidly .reducing the temperature in vsaid chamber to the point where the thermostat will act to -operate the water supply valve 33 and thereby again open the gas valve 54 in the manner previously-described. This mixing of a small amount of cold water with the out-flowing hot water from thc heater aids me in reducing or eliminating valve '72, and a watt'fr inlet connection 73 connected to the upper end of the heating coil or receptacle. After passing through l this coil or receptacle, the Water emerges from an outlet connection 7 4 which commir iiica'tes with the Lower .end of the thermostat chamber 75. This thermostat chamber contains a thermostat which` inA this caseyis liquid. When 'shown in Fig. 1.

constructed of a nest of nickel steel or invar metal pipes, 76, 77, 7 8, screwed attheir lower ends into a head 79 and brazed at their upper ends to a head 80 which carries a flexible diaphragm or corrugated member 81. The pipes 76, 77 and 78, the heads 79 and 80, and the corrugated'box diaphragm 81 are lilled with somev liquid having, a high coefficient of expansion such as petroleum oil, or parallin, and the head 79 is provided with a tightly fitting screw 82 and a flexible washer and lock nut 83 by means of which the internal volume of the'thermosl'at member may be varied. The corrugated diaphragnrmember 81 is capped Aby a plate carrying a knife edge 84 which engages nected to the center of the double headed supply valve 89 which is similar in construction to the corresponding valve 33 The two heads of this valve 89 are adapted to engage respectively with the valve seats 90 and 91 and thereby control the alternate flow of water through the, ports 92 and 93. These ports lead to the upper and lower ends of a chamber 94: which containsl the water actuated element- In this construction this element 95 1s made 1n the form of a. puppet valve engaging with the'sea-ts 96 and 96a. The stem 97 is secured to the valve 95 and leads downward tlnough an auxiliary chamber 98 an'd a stuing box 99 to the gas valve stem 100.` The stem passes through the front wall ol the gas valve chamber 101 and is secured to the gas valve 102. The latter proi-idcd at its bach with a boss carrying a leather washer 103 which, when the. gas valve is open, is seated against the 'front wall of the gas valve chamber thereby preventing any leakage of gas around the stem and eliminating the necessity for a stutliug box. The

gas valve 102 and the water actuated memer 95 connect-ed thereto are normally kept 1n their seated position by means of a compression spring 108 interposed between `the gas valve 32 and the opposing headof the gas valve chamber. The gas valvemay be placed at any distance from the water actuated member, since the connecting stems 9T and 100 are always under tension, 'and may thereforebe` made of any length-even though of very small dia1net`e1'f-witho\1t danger of buckling or other distortion. An auxiliary water valve 104 is engaged by a head vvon the stem 97 in such a posit-ion that .when the water actuated member 95 is raised to open the gas valve 102, the valve 104 will be seated by its spring andclose oli the oper ing between-the chamber 98 and the chamber 94. A small pipe 105 leads from the chamber 98 to the cold water supply pipe in front of the check valve 72. An outlet 107 leads from the center of the chamber 9-1 to the house supply system. L is the inlet to the gas valve chamber and N is the outlet leadingto the burners.

The operation of this control apparatus is as follows: Then the parts are cold, the contraction of the liquid in the thermostat chamber rctracts the knife edge 811 and allows the valve '89 to be lifted to the position shown in the iiguref thereby opening the port 93 and closing the'port 92. 'Vhen the flow of liquid is` started-as by opening a 'i faucet connected with the house supply' pipe pressure of the water flowing throng the l107- water is Withdrawn from the upper part of the chamber 94, thereby decreasing the pressure on the top .of the member 95, and the latter islifted away from its' seat 96 and forced against the seat 96a b the port 93. The lifting of the member 95 closes the port'leading to the chamber 98,

thereby compelling all ofthe water which i passes `through the port 93 to iiow to the discharge pipe 107. The upward movement V4of the member 95 likewise lifts the gas Valve 102 away from its seat allowing the fuel to "'-flow `fromy the supply pipevL through the valve chamberuto the feed pipe N which leads to the i'ain burners .of the heater,

where .it is i ite'dby the flame of an ordinary pilot hght'sup lied through a separate pipeV (not Shown 'When the temperature of the water-' ilowing through the chamber '75 has been 'raised to a predetermined point the expansin of the liquid in said thermostat will lift the arm 85 and the screw 86 out of contact with the thermostat lever 87 and the valve`89. Will thereupon be depressed by the pressure of the spring 112' thus closing the opening to the port 93 .an

opening that to the port 92. The water will now flow directly from the chamber 88 to the upper part of the chamber 94 and the -valve member 95 will be pressed away from the seat 90* and down upon its seat 96, both by the pressure of the flowing water on its upper surface, and by4 .the action. of the spring 108.V This seating of the member 95 allows the gas valve' 102 to ,close-'fand thereby cuts oi the {iow of fuel to` the main burners of the heater. The subsequent lowering of'the temperature of the liquid 1n the thermostat chamber permits the arm 85 and screw 86 to once more engage the short -arm `of thel thermostat lever 87 and the pressure of the springs 113 and 114 acti-ng upon' the arm lifts the valve S9, closesthe,A opening to the port 92 and opens that tov The owing water will then the port 93. once more act upon the lower side ot'the member 95 to lift it from' its seat and 4si--v multaneously open the gas valve 102.4 When the flow of water is entirely shut oli', the pressures on the two sides of the valve member 95 will be at once equalized and the valve member will be returnedto its scat by the pressure of the spring 108. As the valve stems 97 and 100 can in lthis construction be made yof veryfsmall size-as they are under tension only-and as the construction also permits of dispensing with astuiiing box for the stem 100, there isvery little possibility of any of the valve parts sticking so as to hold the gas valve when the water has been shut oif. But if such sticking should occur, the valve member 95 will be forced downto its seat 96 uponthe subsequent heating and expansion of the liquid inthe heating 4receptacle in thefollowing manner: men the How. of water stops, the check valve 72 returns to its seaty stat normally shuts oli the gas, the heating of the Water in the coils will first of all actuate the thermostatic mechanism to open the passage to the port 92 and close that to,

. ture is less than that at which the ther-mo i the port 93. AAs the opening from the chamf l ber 98 is also closed by the valve 107, the

l entire pressure produced by the further heating of the inclosed body of liquid. will .then

be exerted on the top 0f the valve member 95 and will force-it down to its lower seat 96. The forcingdown of the valve member 95 immediately closes the gas valve 102 and prevents any further heating of the inclosed liquid.

When the valve 95 1s ixrits seated' position,

the opening of the port between the chamber 98 and the chamber 94 establishes an open -circulating connection between the two ends, 73 and 74, of the-heater coil and allows the contained liquid to circulate therein under the influence of' the heat of the'pilot light. f In Fig. 9, 121 indicates the cold water supply ,pipe leadingvtog the chamber 122 inl which is located the thermostatieally controlled water diverting .valve As in the previous constructions, this valve has two heads 123 and 124 adapted to engage' respectively with corresponding seats so as to close the openings tothe ports 125 and 126 which lead into the upper and lower ends of the cylinder 127 containing the water actuated piston member 128. The piston 128 is bored at its center to rfceive the hollow stem 129 which' parses loosely through the cap 13 0 and is secifred water tight therein by the use 0f rubber gaskets 132 and 133 and a cap 134.

3() v movement at all when the flow of water is valvehthroughthe engagement of the end of thc stem 414.2V with the end of the Stem' 144 thus alternately starting and stopping the flow of fuel to the main burners or the heater. When the flow of water is stopped, the parts willjbe returned to their normal position bythe action' of tliesprings' 161 and 162, ilnlessksonie sticking should occur; vIn such case-the parts will be forced back 'to normal position bythe continued heating and expansionfof the inclosed body of water in the heater in the same manner as previously explained in connection with the description `o the construction of Figs. 7 and 8. Thus on shutting o the tap in the house supply system and stopping the How of water the ball valve 137 will automatically return to its scat, and pressure generated in the liquid in the heater coils by any continued heating of the same will be communicated through the port-160 to the upper side of the plunger 139 andwill force the latter, together with the piston 128, back to its nor- 'maldepresscd position. `Whenrthis has' 0ccurred, the port'opening 160 will' provide for a continued circu ation of the water through the ports from the inlet to the outlet side. In order to facilitate the movementof the piston member 128 at the. vextremes of itsI travel, and in order'also to prevent any less l,than a.; certain amount, I provide small leakage ports 163,163, which allow a certain small-amount'of liquid to 'pass -directly from In lthe construction shown'in Fig. 10, 171

the y*Side of the'piston member to the other.

' indicates the cold water supply pipe leading into the chamber in which is located the thermostatically controlled water directing valve 172. As in previous cases, this vabe is` provided with two heads adapted to close the openings to the two ports 173 and 174 communicating respectively 'with the upper and lower ends of the cylinder 175 which contains the Water actuated piston. member 176.l An outlet 177 leads from the upper endof the cylinder 175 to the inlet 178 of theheating coil or heatinrr receptacle. The water actuated member 176 is bored at its lower end to receive the conical plunger 179 which is held in the head "180 by means of s, spring 181 `and a nut 182. The stem183 is securedto` the Water actuated member 176.

justabove the end of the conical plug valve 179, passes d own through the latter and through astulling box 184` in the end of the head 180 and engages by means of ai fork 185 with' the stem 186 of the gas valve 187.

4 The water actuated member 176 is further 'provided with a'yalve seat 188 upon which rests thevalve 189the latter,being` held lightly onrsaid seat'by means of a weak v springr 190 interposed between the valve 189 and the head 191 which is secured to the upper end of the piston 176. A secondstem the 4house 192 which` passes freely through the center of the' head 191 and carries a valve 193 ,i

which is adapted to .el leading from the upper end of thecyhnder 1 75 into a chamber 195, and this chamber communicates in turn through a small port ose a port opening 194 opening 196 with the chamber containiu a I thermostat 19S which controls the position of the water directing valve 172. .The inlet 178 communicates with the `upper end of i a heatingchamber of any desired formpreferably a coil of copper pipe-and the' water after passing through this receptacle emerges through a. pipe 199- which enters.

the lower'end lof the thermostat chamber 197. An outlet 200 leads from the upper part of this 'chamber to the house supply system. The thermostat in this constructlon consists of a thin disk-shaped hollow chamber which isrfilled with liquid having a high coefficient of expansion, and preferably having considerable density 31nd viscosity, such as heavy petroleum oil,n paraffin, mercury or fusible metal which me ture less tha-n that for which the thermostat is designed. to act. This chamber is provided with a central pipemember 201 containing an accurately Vfitted piston or lunl'ts at a tempera-- ger 202 which projects through the ower head of the thermostat chamber and is in abutting engagement with the upper end of the stem' 203 which passes down through the water' directing valve 172 and terminates in a head 204 bearing upon a compression spring 205 interposed, between said ,head andthe cap 206 which .closes the lower end ofthe chamber containing the water direc-ting valve 172. A second compressionspring` 207 is interposed between the upper side 4of said valveY 172 and the opposite end of the lchamber containing said valve.V The ort the position shown in the figure.

e operatiohof this control apparatus .is as follows: Vhen the water 'in the apparatus is at a lower temperature than that 'for which the thermostat l's designed to act, the

engagement with the end of the stem 203 and the pressure of the spring 205,--which head of the plunger 202 is withdrawh from is about twiccas strongas' the spring 207 lifts the stein' 203 and with it the water directin'g valve 172 until the upper head of.

said 'valve closes the opening to the port 174. This leaves the port l173 in communication with the iulet'pipe 171. and when a tap in water is withdrawn from the heater and from the upper ond of the cylinder 175 service pipe 200 is opened and.

i through the pening 177 and the port openings 194 an 196, the water [lowing in through the port 173 lifts the piston 176 away from valve 179 and allows the water to flow past, this valve to the upper side of the piston member 176. 'This water lifts the valve 189' from its seat thereby ait'ording a free passageway for the liquid to the inlet 178 of the heating receptacle. The lifting of the piston member 176i .trees the head of the stem' 192 from engagement with the npper'llead 19101 said piston and allows the spring 211 to seat the valve 193thus closing the port opening 191 and shut-ting ofi.' the direct flowof water from Ithe upper end of the cylinder to the thermostat chamber 197. The liftin'vof the valve member 176 brings theforkednend 1ST) of the stein 183 into engagement with the head of the gas valve stem .186, and the continued upward movement of said piston lifts the gas' valve 187 from its seat, allowing fuel to flow to the gas j valve chamber from the feed pipe L* to the supply pipe N* which communicates with the main burners ot the heater. The lift-ing of this gas valve brings a leather washer on i.. its upper side into'engagement with a' boss stuffing box is used.

flowing, the temperature of the discharged .on the inner'side of the'hcad through which stem 1 86 passes and thus prevents any leakage of gas around that stein even though no It', while wat-er is still liquid reaches a point above that forwliich the thermostat is Set it maybe set to act` at any temperature by means of the screw 214) the expansion of the liquid in said thermostat chamber forces out the plunger .202 until it engages with -tlie end of the stem 203 and compresses the spring 205 suliiciently to allow the` water directing valve 17)J to be forced down by the spring 207 until the opening to the port 173 is closed and the opening to. the portI 17-1 is opened. The inowin r water will now pass through the port 1 4 to the upper -side of the piston 176 and the pressure of this water acting in conjunction with the spring210 will force the piston member 176 back to its lirst position,

'the cold water'now flowing directly through the port 17-1 to'thc opening 177 and thence on to the heating receptacle. The downward movement. of the piston 176' frees the fork 185 from engagement. with tliehead of the gas valve stem 186 and allows the/gas valve 187 to be seated by the pressure of its own spring, thus closing off the flow of fuel to themain burners. The downward movement of the piston'176 likewis'ebriiigs its head 191Qinto engagementwitli the head oftliefivalve1 stein 192fand' opens the poi-t l191,thus lallowing'` a small:-ainonntvot cold watertollowv difi'ectly'tfro'ni the upperend of:the-cylinder 17? through the portopenings 194 and 196 into the thermostat chamber 197 where it mixes with the iiillowing lifting thc piston 176, opening the gaS'va-lvey 187, and permitting the closing of the valve 193 in the manner already described; This alternate reversal of the flow of cold liquid to the lower and upper sides of the water actuated member 176, with the vconsequent lifting and depression ot' said member, andthe consequent, opening and closing of the fuel supply valve, will continue' as long as the water flows through the heater and is successively cooled or heated below or above the pointat which the tlicrmostatic control is set to act..

When the flowing water is completely shut olf, the piston member 176 is normally returned to its lowest position-if at that time it was not in that position--by the l spi-ing 210. But if for any reason the pressure of the spring 210 should be insuilicient to restore tlielpiston member 176 to its norinal position--liecause of the stickin of any ofthe parts-fthe construction o? the 'apparatus is such that said piston will be forced down by the continued heatngrof the liquid in the heating receptacle in the following manner: As soon as the flow of water stops, the valves 189 and 208 will be seated by their respective springs and thus confine the liquid in the heater between these valves and the body of water in the closed,houseahserviee pipe, 200, and as this liody of water continues to heat up, it will exert a positive pressure on the top of the 'piston 176 which will ultimately force that piston to the lowest positioiiand thus insure the closing of the "as valve 187 and the complete cutting oti'b of the fuel supply to the main burners. l

ln the lowest position of the piston 176 the port opening 191 is always open, and

the inlet 178 and the outlet. 199 of the heating receptacle, and insures a free circula.- i

to the upper Iieatercoil, such-pipe being pro- *videdwithftliezspring-held Vcheck valve222 for giving a difference in 'pressure on the` two sides thereof when the outlet from the heater is opened. is a piston working in the cylinder 224 and provided with la.

In this'constructon, 221 is Iso this affords a free communication between stem 225 for pulling the ges vulve (not shown but constructed in the other forms of invention heretofore described), open when the pressure` on the two sides ofVV the piston 223 is unbalanced und the pis ton moves to the right. Beneath the ovlinder 221 a. vulve chamber 220 provided with u recrprocutory valve 227 having washers 22B-Eind 229 adapted to sent against the seats 230 und 231. The vulve is also provided at its ends with the seats 232 and 233 adapted to sent against the ivnshers 234- and 235. The vulve is operated from the thermostat by means of a stem 231i, the connection beingl such that the vulve is moved to the left when the temperature of the water in the heater rises above a predetermined point.

The operation, assuming the pertsto be in. the position shown. and the Water in the heater cold, is follows. On opening the outlet from the heater, Water flows into the heuter through the inlet pipe 221. 'This flow of water Causes n difference of pressure on the opposite sides of the valve 222, the pres sure on the right hand side being less then that on the left hand side. This difference in pressure is Communicated to the opposite sides of the piston 223, vie the port 237, passage 241., chamber 226 and port 238 on the one hund, and the port 239, chamber 226 and port 24:0 on the other hund. This differentialpressure on the two sides of the piston moves it to the right, thus opening the gas valve, and permitting u. free fiovv of gus to the burners of the heater. This action will continue as long as the outlet from the heater is open and the temperature of the water inthe heater is below s predetermined point for which the thermostat is set. If the temperature of the water rises above such point, the thermostatie eontrot ling ineens ceuse'the movement of the stem 236 toA the left. This Causes the sent 232 to engage the Washer 234 and to disengage the seat 233 from the i Yusher 235. At the sume time the sont 230 engages the washer 228, and the Washer 229 is disengaged from the Washer 232. This eeets u. reversal of the differential pressure on the two sides of the piston 223, as the right hund side of the piston is now connected with `the port 237x vin the passage 24h passage through the vulve 227, chamber 226 and port 240, while the left hund side of the pistou eonnected with the port 239, vin the chamber 226 and port 238. Thisreversal of dii'erentiel pressure on the piston moves it to the left, thus closing the ges vulve, When the outlet from the'henter is closed with the w i ter cold, the piston 2234 assumes the position shown in the figure, by reason of the smell port 242 inthe check valve which permits an equalization oi? pressure on opposite sides of the check valve when no Water is flowing.v und allows said piston to be moved toV the left by the unbalanced pressure on; the piston due t0 the stem 225 and by the action of a. supplemental spring 244. When in the closed position, the opening around the stem 225 is sealed by the engagement of a washer 245 secured to the central boss of the pieton 223, with an opposing boss 246 pn the cylinder head. This prevents any leakage of liquid from the cylinder when. the heater is not in operation even though the stufling box 247 muy be quite loose Asl the strain on the stem is solely one of tension seid stem may be made very smnlll thus reducing to u minimum the friotionel resistance to its movement through the stuffing box even when the lutter is uccidentull screwed. u.

too tightly.

The piston 223 does not have to move over any open ports, sndmuy be `therefore providedivith soft peeking rings 247 which ef fectuelly prevent leakage from one side of the piston vto the other While offering very" little resistance to niovement in either cli reetiou. -Fiimllysince no We ter fion's through the cylinder 224, und the only movement oi the liquid through the ports 237 end is that required to provide for the differential displacement of the piston member 223, there is very little opportunity for the deposit of sediment around the working ps rts or for corrosion of the engaging surfaces. The

movement of the liquid is so small tha-t the port openings 237 and 239 may, if desired, be lled with porous filtering plugs which' will efectusllyY prevent the entrance ofony dirt or grit to the vlve und piston chambers, While interfering not al. ull with such slight movement of the liquid therein asis necessnrv to eiert the required movements of the parts. iIt will also be noted that the construction of' the water diverting vulve und 'its seats is such that the entire mechanism may be readily removed und replueelgl by removing the oep 248, und in ease of weer the vulve seats 231i: und can euch be sepa rutely adjusted by screwing in or out the plugs on which they :ire mounted.

For ell these reasons the danger oi the Water piston sticking in the open position is in jthis construction practically eliminated "sind no provision for forcing it buck to its from the heater when the outlet from the heater is opened to secure the opening of the gas valve, and means actuated by the thermostatic means whereby the pressures in the two chambers are interchanged and the gas valve closed when the temperature of the water rises'above a predetermined point.

2. In a'n automaticwater heater, a burner, a gas valve for controlling the supply of gas to the burner, a pair of pressure chambers, means actuated' by differential pressures in the 'chambers for operating the gas valve, communications from the chambers to separated points of the heater having different pressures when the outlet from the heater is open, thermostatie means operated by the heated water, and means actuated by the thermostatic means whereby the said communieations are reversed and the pressures in the chambers reversed when the tempera- `ture of the water in the heater rises above a predetermined point.

3. In an automatic water heater, a burner,

a gas valve for controlling the supply of gas to the burner, a member controlled by variations 'of water pressure in the heater for openingthe gas valve and arranged to receive a given pressure on one side when the outlet from the heater is opened, thermostatic means governed by the heated water, and means governed thereby for securing a shift of the said given' pressure to the other side of the said member, and a closure of the gas valve' when the temperature of the water in the heater rises above a predetermined point.

4. In an automatic water heater,'a burner, a gas valve for oontrolling the supply of gas to the burner,. a 'member controlled by variations of waterl pressure in the heater arranged to receivea given pressure on one' side to open the gas valve when the outlet from the heater is opened, thermostatic means governed by the heated writer, and a valve governed. thereby and arranged t0 shift the said given pressure to the other side of the said member and secure a closure of the gas valve when the temperature of the water in the heater rises above a predetermined point. 1 f

5. In an automatic water heater, the combination of a water heating conduit, a fuel supply valve, a pressure motor for govern ing the fuel valve, said motor having a reciprocating member therein ydividing said motor into two chambers, each being in communication with said conduit whereby differential water pressures are sustained in said chambers when water is being discharged from said conduit, a thermostat governed by the heated water, and means actuated by the thermostat adapted to intere change said water pressures when the heated water rises above a predetermined degree whereby the fuel supply valve is closed.

6. Ih a water heater, the combination of a valve casing comprising a cylinder having an outlet port communicating with the heater, a piston valve' in the cylinder movable over said port, water inlet passages td the cylinder on opposite sides of said piston, a valve controlling both of said passages, a thermostat exposed to the water heated in the heater and operatively conneeted'tothe last mentioned valve, and a gas supply valve to the burner of the heater controlled by the movement of said piston. f

In testimony whereof signed my name in the presenqe of subscribed witnesses.

FRANK L. o'. wADsWoRTH.

ther two Witnesses:

LETITIA' A. Mms, DOERING BELLINGER.

I have. fhereuntdA

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