US1362991A - Eressijbe-acttjatep mechanism for operating valves ob the like - Google Patents

Description

P. H. HAMILTON.

PRESSURE ACTUATED MECHANISM FOR OPERATING VALVES OR THE LIKE.

' APPLICATION FILED FEB. 17. I919.

1 ,362,991 Patented Dec. 21, 1920'.

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PAUL n. HAMILTON, or CLEVELAND, orrro.

PRESSURE-ACTUATED MECHANISM FGR OPERATING VALVES 03 Specification of Letters Patent.

THE LIKE.

Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

Application filed February 17, 1919. Serial No. 277,554.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, PAUL H. HAMILTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Pressure-Actuated Mechanism for Operating Valves or the like, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an improved pressure-actuated device for operating valve or other mechanisms, the same being especially suitable for use in connection with so-called instantaneous water heaters for controlling the gas valves thereof so that when water is drawn from the system, which naturally causes an inflow of a fresh supply to the heater, it will actuate the device and cause it to open the gas valve to supply gas to the burner in proportion to the amount of water flowing through the device; that is, in sufiicient amount to heat such a quantity of water during its passage through the circulating element; and the invention in one of its phases, pertains to the combination of a pressure actuated device and a valve operated thereby.

The objects otthe invention are to provide a comparatively simple and accordingly cheap device of the above character that is positive of operation under all degrees of pressure; is not likely to get out of order; and wherein the working parts are easil Y accessible, for purposes of inspection and cleaning, and without the need of disturbing the elements of the system wherewiththe device is used.

A further object is to provide a pressure actuated device and fuel supply valve, together with a support which serves to hold the device and valve in proper relation to each other, and which elements constitute a unit for incorporation in instantaneous water heaters that will supply fuel to the burner in direct proportion to the quantity of water flowing through the circulating coil or element; and a further object is to con struct such a unit so that the individual parts thereof may be readily withdrawn from the assembly without dismantling; the whole.

The foregoing objects, and others which will become apparent as this description proceeds, are attained in the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawing which constitutes a part hereof and wherein Figure l is a more or less diagrammatic represen tation of a water heater and a system in cluding the same, tion of my improved pressure-actuated, valve-operating device; Fig. 2 is a sectional detail through the unit comprising the pressure actuated device, fuel valve, and the supporting element by which they are united; and Figs. 3 and 4 are perspective views, respectively, of the piston and cylinder or guide, within which the piston operates, of the pressure actuated device.

While I do not restrict the use of my invention to the controlling of fuel valves of instantaneous water heaters, the same is peculiarly adapted to such use, as I have already stated and for that reason I have shown it in such environment in the present illustration.

In the drawing, 1 represents the water circulating coil or element and 2 a gas burner situated a suitable distance therebelow, and both are inclosed within a casing comprising a shell 3, top 4, and base ring 5. Water is admitted from a supply pipe 8, through the pressure actuated device 10 and connection 11, to the coil 1, and it is drawn olf through a pipe 12 which has applied to it a faucet 13.

The burner 2 is supplied with gas from a pipe 15 through a controlling valve 16, the usual pilot 17 cutting into the supply pipe ahead of valve 16.

Referring particularly to the sectional view of F ig. 2,the pressure actuated device 10 consists of a cylindrical casing that is divided longitudinally into what I shall term a supply chamber 20 and an outlet chamber 21 by an internal, circumferential seat 22, and parts coiiperating therewith and which I shall presently describe.

he supply pipe 8 has connection, through a union 23,'with the inlet extension 24 of the supply chamber; and the previously mentioned connection 11', which leads to the circulating coil of the heater, communicates with the outlet chamber 21 through'the hol low boss 25 of the casing.

The outer or open end of the casing is internally threaded to receive the threaded portion 27 of a cylindrical guide 28 that is designed to be tightly screwedinto place by the application of a wrench or other suitable tool, to the wrench receiving portion 30 thereof. The inner end of the guide is and showing an installa-' 36 has a trian ular sort 38 the a Dex whereof 2: l a l is disposed toward the inner or closed end of the piston. Short pins 39' whichproject outwardly from the face of thewah 36 are located on opposite sides of the port 38, restrict the piston against undue angular movement by contacting with the end walls 7 of the particular opening wherewith the port38 registers,and against undue'long'itudinal movement by engaging the inner wall of sa d opening.

A red 40 is secured, as" by nuts '41, to the circular wall 37 of the piston and the same extends outward through an aperture in the end wall of the casing and through an extension 43 thereof which serves as the basic element of a stuthng box 45, The stuff ing box comprises a gland nut 46 that is threaded onto the extension and operates to force a follower 47 inwardly to compress the packing material 48 all ofwhich is in accordance with the usual practice. A spring-49, interposed between the end wall of the piston 35 and the opposed wall of the casing tends to retain the piston in normal position. 7 I v A bracket 50 is attached to and depends from the base ring 5 of the heater and the aperturedend of one branch 51 thereof is applied to the extension 43 of devi e 10 and is firmly clamped against a shoulder 52 by a nut 53 that is screwed (into the threaded extension ahead of the gland nut 46;

i In identical manner, the casing of valve 16 is attahed to the branch 55' of the bracket. A rod 58 extends through the stuffing box of the valve casing and has connection at its inner end with the valve disk 60 that is arranged to coiiperate with aseat 61. A spring 62, interposed between the valve disk and the opposed end wall of a cap 63that is threaded into the side of the valve casing and is therefore adjustable to vary the tension of the spring, tends to hold the valve disk to its seat; It will be observed 1 that, with the parts assembled as above stated, the rods 40 and 58 will be in alinement. 7

Under normal conditions with the system closed, uniform pressure prevails on both sides of the. piston 35 within the supply and outlet chambers 20 and 21, but as soon as there is a draft upon the system, as when the faucet 13 is opened, the pressure falls immediately within the system, and consequently within the outlet chamber 21, permitting the higher pressure prevailing with in the supply chamber 20 and communicated through port 38 to the interior of the piston, to force the piston towardthe left (as the parts are viewed in Fig. 2) against the action of the spring 49. The movement of the piston in this direction will, through rods 40 and 58, open the valve 60 and allow the passage of gas to the burner 2 which is ignited by the pilot 17 to heat the water now flowing through the coil or circulating element. The piston will move only far enough to uncover and thus open port 38 sufficiently to replenish the system with a quantity of water equal to that drawn off so that the extent of movement of the piston is dependent upon the extent to which the faucet is opened. Likewise, valve 60 will be removed from its seat a distance dependent upon the movea ment of the piston so that gas is supplied in a quantity proportional to and sufficient to heat the amount of water flowing through the system. Upon reflection it will be seen that the amount of gas flowing through the valve increases approximately in proportion to the extent of movement of the valve disk away from its seat. To provide for the same increase of water supply over the longitudinal movement of the piston 35, the port 38 is made of the shape shown with its smaller end toward the advancing end of the piston.

Attention is called to the fact that, when it is desired to clean the pressure'actuated device, or inspect its parts for any purpose, it is only necessary to i1ns"rew the guide 28 from the casing and withdraw it and the piston endwise therefrom. The fact that the guide carries both the screen and piston makes the cleaning operation extremely simple, for with these parts removed they can be easily handled and thoroughly.

cleansed. r

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is p 1. In a deviceof the character set forth, the combination of an open sided casing having an inlet and o'ut-let,a member insertible through the open side of the casing and hav 'r1l-'wm' 1-'1"'1 mg a paid aiiangec to c ose salc open side,

for dividing the easing into a supply chamber and an outlet chamber wherewith the inlet and outlet communicate respectively,

said member'having a part for closing the aforesaid opening, and an actuating element, serving normally as a barrier between said chambers, movably carried by the member and adapted to be shifted by pressure fluid within the supply chamber to permit communication between the chambers.

3. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a casing having an open end and an internal annular seat situated between its ends, the casing having an inlet on one side of said seat and an outlet on the other side thereof, a member insertible through the open end of the casing and having a part for closing the open end and arranged within the casing to engage the aforesaid seat and divide the casing into a supply chamber wherewith the inlet communicates and an outlet chamber having communication with the outlet, said member having an opening through which said chambers may communicate, a screen covering said opening and removable with said member, and a device movably carried by the member and removable therewith and having a passageway, said element being adapted to be shifted by fluid from the supply chamber to a position wherein intercommunication is established between the chambers through its passageway.

4. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a casing having an internally threaded open end and an internal, annular seat disposed between its ends, the casing having an inlet on one side of said seat and an outlet on the other side thereof, a guide member adapted to be threaded into the open end of the casing and having a part for cooperation with the aforesaid seat whereby said member divides the easing into a supply chamber and an outlet chamber wherewith the inlet and outlet communicate respectively, said member having an opening through which said chambers may communicate, a screen covering said opening and carried by and removable with said member,

and a hollow, open-ended piston reciprocable' within the guide and having a closed end disposed toward the outlet chamber, the side wall of the piston having a port through which communication is established between the supply chamber and its interior and arranged, when the piston is shifted by pressure fluid from the supply chamber, to open into the outlet chamber.

5. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a casing having an internally threaded open end and an internal annular seat between its ends, the casing having an inlet on one side of said seat and an outlet on the other side thereof, a guide member adapted to be threaded into the open end of the casing and having a part for cooperation with the aforesaid seat whereby ply chamber and an outlet chamber wherewith the inlet and outlet communicate respectively, said member'having an opening through which said chambers may communicate, a screen covering said. opening and carried by and removable with said member, a hollow, open-ended piston reciprocable within the guide and having a closed end disposed toward the outlet chamber, the side wall of the piston having a port through which communication is established between the supply chamber and its interior and arranged, when the piston is shifted from her malposition by' pressure fluid from'the supply chamber, .to open into the outlet chamber, and a spring tending to maintain the piston in normal position.

6. An automatic valve unit for instantaneous water heaters organized of a pressure actuated device comprising a casing divided into a supply chamber and an outlet chamher and having an inlet and an outlet communicating respectively with said chambers, a piston reciprocable within said casing and having a passageway diminishing in area toward the outlet chamber and through which intercommunication is established between said chambers when the piston is moved by pressure fluid from the supply chamber, a rod having operative connection with the piston and projecting from the easing; a fuel valve comprising a casing incorporating a seat, a valve member for cooperation with the seat, means tending to seat the valve member a rod operatively connected to the valve member, and projecting from the casing; and means uniting the pressure actuated device and valve casing with their rods arranged for operative engagement with each other.

7. An automatic valve unit for instantaneous water heaters organized of a pressure actuated device comprising a casing divided into a supply chamber and an outlet cham her and having an inlet and an outlet communicating respectively with said chambers, a piston reciprocable within said casing and having a passageway diminishing in area toward the outlet chamber and through which intercommunication is established between said chambers when the piston is moved by pressure fluid from the supply chamber; a fuel valve comprising a casing incorporating a seat, a valve member for cooperation with the seat, means tending to seat the valve member; an element uniting the pressure actuated device and valve casing, and operative connections between the piston and valve member.

8. An automatic valve unit for instantaneous water heaters organized of a fuel valve comprising a casing having an open side and a valve seat spaced inward from said open side, the opposite side of the cassaid member divides the casing into a suping having a guide aperture, a valve member for cooperation with the seat, a rod extending from the valve member through the guide aperture, a plug closing the open side of the casing, a spring interposed between said plug and valve member; a pressure aotuated device comprising a casing having an open side and provided with an inlet and an outlet, a guide member insertible through the open sideior dividing the casing into a supply chamber and an outlet chamber wherewith the inlet and outlet communicate respectively, a piston reciprocable within said guide member and having a passageway diminishing in area toward the outlet chamher and through which intercommunication 15 is established between the chambers when the piston is moved by pressure fluid from the supply chamber, the side of the casing opposite its open side having an aperture, a rod projecting from the piston through 20 said aperture, and means unitingthe fuel valve and the pressureactuated device with their rods arranged for engagement with each other.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my 25 signature.

PAUL H. HAMILTON.

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