US1406556A - Steam or vapor heating system - Google Patents

Description

W. S. HAVEN.

STEAM OR VAPOR HEATING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 2. I916- RENEWED AUG. 16.1921.

Patented Feb. 14, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

m 1 F w awucmlio'a MMAWW W. S. HAVEN. STEAM OR VAPOR HEATING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED mm, 1916. RENEWED AUG. 15. 1921.

Patented Feb. 14, 1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

awe-(Mag UNHTED WALTER S. HAVEN, OF RACINE, WISCONSINL STEAM OR- VAIOR HEATING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 1 .1, 1922.

Application filed February 2, 1316, Serial No. 75,791. Renewed August 16, Serial No. 492,873.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, WALTER S. HAVEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at li acine,in the county of Racine and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Steam or Vapor Heating Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in steam or vapor heating apparatus; and the objects and nature of the invention will. be readily understood by those skilled in the art in the light of the following explanation of the accompanying drawings illustrating what I now believe to be the preferred embodiment or mechanical expression of my invention from among other forms, constructions, arrangements, and combinations within the spirit and scope thereof.

An object of the invention is to'provide improved means in (so-called) vacuum steam heating systems for maintaining a negative pressure pull or an air exhausting action on the radiator system to compensate for air leakage by utilizing the pressure reducing action of a columnot liquid descending ina closed passage system and by repeatedly using the same body of liquid to reduce waste of liquid to the minimum.

A further object of the invention is to provide a steam or vapor heating system with means for maintaining a minus pressure pull on the radiators by utilizing the pressure reducing and air expelling action of a descending column of liquid passing successively from chamber to chamber oi a series of closed chambers at diiierent elevations. I

A further object of the invention is to provide a steam or vacuum heating system wherein the liquid employed to secure negative pressure can be utilized over and over again in maintaining the desired air exhausting action or negative pressure pull onthe radiators or radiator system. further object of the invention is to provide a steam or vapor heating plant with improved means for automatically and periodically draining a closed chamber in air exhausting communication with a radiator system to exert negative pressure pull on said radiator system.

A further object of the invention is to provide a liquid draining system for maintaining negative pressure pull or air exhausting action on the radiator system of valve mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to a steam or vapor heating'plant by causing the draining means to operate periodically through the provision of an automatic valve mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a draining" system wherein liquid is successively drained from one closed chamber to another of a series of such chambers to successively fill saidchambers to expel air therefrom and 'to empty said chambers to produce, air exhausting action on the radiators of a steam or vapor heating plant.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved tanker chamber drains.

ing means involving an automatic valve device and a siphon. a

A further object of the invention is to provide means for 'filling and emptying tanks or chambers involving an improved provide certain improvements in combinations of parts. and features and in constructions and arrangements with the end in view of producing a highlyetticient and advantageous steam or vapor heating plant.

A further object of the invention 'isto provide a steam or vapor heating plant with liquid operated means for maintaining negatwo pressure pull on the radiator system embodying devices for" automatically cutting off the liquid supply flow when the pressure in the radiator system is plus and for automatically establishing or starting the liquid supply flow when the steam pressure in the radiator system falls to approximately minus pressure.

A further object of the invention is to provide a steam condenser in the air pipe line between the radiator system of a steam or vapor heating plant, and the liquid operated means for maintaining negative pressure pull on the radiator system, to prevent passage of steam through the pipe line into said means, should steam pressure for any reason be long continued.

The invention consists in certain novel features in construction, and in combinations and arrangements as more fully and particularly set forth hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying draw- 1ngs:- A

Fig. l, diagrammatically illustrates a portion of a steam or vapor heating system including my present improvements.

Fig. 2, is a detail view of valve and siphon draining meansthat canbe employed therein.

Fig. 3, diagrammatically illustrates a modification of the liquid tank and drainage means forestablishi'ng minus pressure pull on. the radiator system.

Fig. 4, is a detail View somewhat diagrammatically illustrating means that might be employed to start and stop the liquid supply flow to the top tank of the vertical series of small tanks. V

Fig. 5, is a detail view of a modification.

Fig. 6, is also a detail view of another modification.

In the drawings, portions of the radiators l, of the radiator system e1. a steam or vapor heating system, are shown. 7

It Wlll be understood of course, that these radiators are merely diagrammatically illustrated to indicate any suitable heat radiating elements or units that are connected in any suitable manner with a steam or vapor generator to receive steam or vapor therefrom, preferably so that negative or minus pressure existing in said radiators will be communicated through a closed steam or vapor supply pipe system of said generator. to draw vapor therefrom into the radiators.

Any suitable pipe line or air line 2, is provided to receive the air from the radiators and through which negative or'minus pressure. can be maintained in the radiators. This air or exhausting pipe line-is diagrammatically illustrated and can be provided with any desirable controlling valves, cut offs, or, the like, such for instance. as are commonly employed in so called vacuum or vapor heating systems. This air line usually consists of a closed pipe linecoupled into the outlet or discharge ends of all the radiators to receive-the air, therefrom and is provided with any suitable arrangement of check valves 'to prevent back flow of pressure or air into the radiators yet to permit -tree out-flow of air therefrom, and with thermostatic valves 1, to prevent outflow of steam from the radiators, and with a final air discharge to atmosphere which final discharge is equipped with means to prevent hack flow of air.

Between the radiators and said final dis charge to atmosphere, said air line is provided with means for producing negative or minus pressure in said line and the radiators, comprising a series of tanks, compartments or other chambers to be successively filled with liquid to force, air from such chambers and to be successively drained from one to the other under such conditions as to create negative pressure therein and thereby exert air exhausting pull on the radiators through said air line.

In the particular example illustrated, I show a vertical series composed of any suitable number of elevated closed tanks, chambers or compartments, 3, 3, 3*, 3, arranged tank willbe approximately filled and then emptied.

The standpipe 2 of the air line extends up beside this series of tanks and is separately connected with the tanks through the medium of branch pipes 2 one foreach tank. The standpipe is in open communication with the top of the interior of each tank through a branch 2', for free flow of air from the air line intothe tanks, but is closed a .ainst back flow from tank to air line by c eck valves 2, in said branches 2".

The air discharge from these tanks can be taken care of in whole orin part by an offtake standpipe 4, separately connected with thetanks through the medium of branch pipes 4 one for each tank, openin into the top of the interiors thereof an each equipped with a check valve 4",to permit free flow of air from the tanks into the standpipe 4, but to prevent 'back flow from the sta-ndpipe to the tanks.

At its lower end, this'standpipe 4, has a discharge 4, to atmosphere, which preferably constitutes the final air discharge or outlet to atmosphere for the entire air line from the radiators. This outlet to atmosphere is providedwith any suitable means to prevent inlet of air to the standpipe 4, although in the example illustrated, I show liquid seal 4, for this purpose, with the outlet end of standpipe 4, alsopreferably equipped with freely downwardly opening check valve 4 to prevent upflow of water from the water seal under conditions that mi ht possibly arise.

' fn the example illustratechand so far described. the air line in reality includes the standpipes 2 and 4,. and their branchpipes as well as the series of tanks, as the air flows therethrough on its way from the radiators to the final discharge to atmosphere atv liquid seals 4, and 6 j Any suitable means can be provided for supplying the water or other liquid for I frequently prefer to connect the pipe 5, so as to discharge into the lower part of the interior of a relatively large closed tank or chamber 3, "elevated above the series of tanks mentioned, and to discharge the liquid from this large tank through the series of tanks. Where this large tank is employed, the standpipe 2, opens into the upper part of the interior of said tank and is equipped with. a check valve 2 arranged to freely open toward said tank but to prevent back flow of air from said tank. The standpipe l, also opens into the top of the interior of said large tank to carry off airtherefrom and is equipped with check valve 4L, arranged to freely open for passage of air from the tank but to prevent back flow from said standpipe to the tank.'

This large tankis providedwith a depen ing drainage pipe 3", from the lower part of its interior to the relatively small tank 8. This drainage pipe 3, discharges into the lower part of the interior of tank 3, and its outlet in said tank is closed against back flow of air by a. water seal S The pipe 3", is of small capacity so that the flow of liquid. from large tank 3, will be very slow, and this pipe is provided with cut off valve 3 for completely closing said pipe as when the large tank is cut out of the air line, or for regulating the flow of water therethrough whenthe tank 3 is in use.

The standpipes 2, and l, can also be provided with cut off valves 2 and 4k, and the pipe 5, with, cut off valve 5", whereby the large tank can be cut out oftheair line ifso desired. In that event, the branch pipe 5, from the water supply pipe 5, can be utilized for filling the tank 3. This branch 5, is of relatively small capacity to providela very slow passage of water into tank 3, and is provided with cut off valve 5, for regulating the flow of waterto said tank, and for entirely cutting off said branch as when the large tank is included in the system, and the tank 3, is supplied with water therefrom.

In Fig. 3, I show an airexhausting system comprising the series of tanks 3, 3, 3", 3 with the water supply pipe'ii, 5, discharging into the tank 3, and omitting entirely the large upper tank 3, and itsconnections, the systems of Figs. 1 and 3, being otherwise the same. i

A pipe 6, is provided for draining the uppermost tank 3, into the next tank 3, below, for filling said last mentioned tank andexpelling the air therefrom, and another pipe 6, isprovided for drainingthe water from. tank 3", into the next tank 3 and another pipe 6*, is provided for draining the water from tank 3 into tank 3, while a fourth pipe 6, is provided for draining the last tank in the series. charges the water to atmosphere through the medium of a'water seal 6 from which This pipe 6, preferably disthe overflow can pass any suitable drain or oiftake. The water seal 6, is provided to prevent any possibility of back flow through pipe 6, and said pipe is also preferably equipped with downwardly opening check valve 6, to prevent upfiow of the liquid from the seal.

The discharge ends of the drain pipes 6, 6, 6 in the tanks 3", 3 and 3, are preferably closed against up flow of fluid therein and for thispurpose, I show water seals 6 arranged on the floors of said tanks.

Each small tank of the series is provided with suitable means to prevent drainage of liquid from the tank while the tank is being filled and the air is being expelled therefrom, and to start the operation of draining the liquid from the tank into the next tank below or into the'water seal 6, when the tank has been filled with liquid, and by this draining oremptying process to create minus or negative pressure in the standpipe 2 T is means I prefer to employ are automatic in action to automatically close the drainage outlet from each tank when theliquid has been draw therefrom, and to automatically open the drainage outlet and start the down flow of liquid from the tank when the tank has beenlilled with liquid. Each tank will thus be periodically automatically filled with liquid and then emptied, the liquid passing down successively from tank to tank, and

each tank as it is filled discharges air and each tank as it is emptied draws air from the radiators through standpipe 2, or from the tank above, or from-both sources.

In the particular example illustrated, I provide each tank 3, 3, etc, with'a depending or bottom well 8, into which the liquid in the tank is adapted to drain, and the offtake or drain pipe 6', 6, or 6", of the tank has its inlet end arranged in the bottom portion ofthis well to carry off the liquid therefrom. Theupper end of each said drain pipe is prcferably'formed with a goose neck 6 so arranged that each drain pipe constitutes a siphon with its long leg depending to" and discharging into the next tank below and with itsshort leg at the upper end of the pipe and having its inlet end near the bottom of the interior of the well 8;

This well may be of any desired shape and capacity with respect to the chamber or tank that drains into the well. The upper chamber or tank in this connection supplies the necessary volume of water to prime the siphon.

The floor or bottom of each tank is formed with a vertical port or passage for the flow of liquidrfrom the body of the tank into the adapted to close down on the seat to stop the flow when the tank is filling and adapted to rise from. the seat and permit the flow after the tank has been filled. This ball valve, if so desired, can be provided with an upwardly extending stem or valve rod 11, to the upper end of which is fixed a float 1:2, and if so desired, guides 13, carried by suitable uprights can be provided, through which said stem is i'reelyslidable vertically and by which it is maintained position. i

The float 12, is of such size or lifting power that it will lift and unseat the valve 10. when the liquid fills the tank and acts on said float. Said valve is preferably composed of a hollow ball of comparatively light weight of less specific gravity than water so that the valve will rise from its seat when subjected to the lifting action of a body of water filling the well. The valve,

on theother hand, is of such weight and formation as to seat and, close theoutlet or port in the bottom of the tank when the well is free of water, or when the water level therein is below the valve, and so as to be maintained on itsseat in port closing position by the static pressure of the water in the tank. The buoyant quality of the float prevents the valve 10, from prematurely reseating under the suction or drawing action of the body of water fiowingthrough the port from the tank.

An air escape and drain pipe 6", is pro vided for each well 8, with its open upper inlet end in the upper part ofthe well in a horizontal plane above the horizontal plane of thevalve seat 9, and with its lower end opening into the long leg 01" the siphon (into pipe 6, 6, 6 or 6) a distance below the horizontal plane of the inlet end of the siphon so as not to interfere with the proper operation of the siphon. The combined capacities of pipe 6", and' the siphon is less than the capacity of the port 9, and the horizontal plane of the valve seat is below the horizontal plane of the lowest portion of the curve of the goose-neck. When the valve 10, iselevated by its float, the well is rapidly filled and the air is driven therefrom through pipe 6", and into pipe 6, 6?, etc., into the tank below or through pipe 6, to atmosphere. When the well is filled the water drains therefrom by gravity through the drain pipe 6", and through the siphon, until the water level falls to a point where the siphonic action must be depended on to drain the well as hereinafter explained.

When the tank is approximately filled, the valve 10, is automatically unseated'andwater rushes from the tank into the well in greater volume than can be carried off by the drain pipes 6, 6, and hence the well becomes completely filled although water is draining off through said pipes 6, 6". The siphon is p in vertical primed by this complete filling of the well as the water level is then above' the highest part of the siphon and the siphon is completely filled and hence begins its siphonic action in draining water from the well.

VVhen the body of the tank is emptied, the

.valve settleswith thefalling water onto its seat and closes the outlet port, and the water then partially filling the; well is drawn or drained therefrom by the gooseneck-drain pipe which then begins to perform the functions of a. siphon to lift the remaining water from the well which if allowed to remain in and filling the well up to the valve seat, would prevent the valve from entering and maintaining its seat when the water begins to againfill up the tank. The siphon is primed by the water filling the well and completely filling the short leg and goose neck of the siphon, from the chamber or tank above, the water being thus forced from a higher level through the goose neck of the drain pipe to the tanks below. After the tank has become empty, the siphon action of the drainpipe continues until the well is drained. Meanwhile, the valve 10, has become seated both by gravity and the suction action of the water draining from the well.

If so desired, an air escape and overflow pipe 14;, as shown by Figs. 5 and 6, can be provided for each of the series of tanks 3, 3 etc, having its open upper end arranged in the upper part of the interior of the tank and its lower discharge end arranged at the bottom of the interior of the well of such tank and provided with a liquid seal 14 to prevent upflow of air through the pipe.

lVhen these pipes 14:, are employed, water can drain therethrough by over-flow into the wells when the tanks are filled in the event that the floats12 of Fig. 5, fail to elevate the valves 10, or if the float is not employed, or in the arrangement disclosed by Fig. 6, the water overflows through these pipes 14: to operate the floats and unseat the valves 10. Also, as the tanks fill, aircan pass therefrom through pipes 14, into the wells, from which it flows through pipes 6" and 6, 6, etc., to the tank below or through pipe 6, to atmosphere. The air expelled from the tanks as they are filled, will follow the path of least resistance, either through pipes 1, and 4, to atmosphere, or the inside course through pipes 14, 6, 6 or 6 etc., from tank to tank and finally from the system through pipe 6. In fact, where the pipes 14, and 6", or their equivalents are employed to provide an inside course for the air through the tank system, I can dispense with the air outlet pipes 4, and 4, and pipe 6 can form the final air discharge as well as the final water discharge from the air exhausing system.

Also, should the lower tanks of the series when being emptied, suck or draw air from the upper tank or tanks rather than through their suction inlet pipes 2*, the air exhausting action on the radiator system will be the same as though each tank exerted its pull through its branch pipe 2, as contemplated. This might occur in case of the employment of overflow pipe 14.

In the drainage valve arrangement of Fig. 6, the valve 10, is provided with a lift float 12, arranged in the well and the well. is filled to lift the float and consequently the valve from its seat through the pipe 14.

To prevent the flow of water through the outlet port from the tank, when the valve is elevated from its seat, from forcing down the float and seating the valve, I provide a shield or horizontal portion 12, between the outlet port fromthe tank and the float to receive the impact of the falling water. This shield provides vertical water passages or holes 12*, at its edge portion remote from the float, to permit passage of water to'the portion of the well containing the float and to permit the water to fill the well as hereinbefore described. tions of the valve and float and of the siphon and drainage pipe 6", are as hereinbefore described. I

The drain pipe 14:, or the float controlled valve, provide for the preliminary filling of the well to prime the siphon, and to release the valve while the siphon serves to finally drain the well to permit proper seating of the valve, although I do not wish to limit all features of my invention to the particular draining means involving a valve and siphon.

It is desirable to prevent the passage of steam from the radiator system into the standpipe 2 and the liquid tanks, and hence I canemploy any suitable construction'or arrangement of steam condenser in the air pipe line from the radiator system. For instance, I more or less diagrammatically show a steam condensing coil or other radiator 0, located between the radiator system and the standpipe 2*, to assure the condensation of all steam that might leak from the radiator system into the air pipe line.

I While the steam or radiator system is under plus pressure i. e. when the steam pressure is above that of theatmosphere, there is no necessity of filling and draining the tanks to expel and draw in air for then air leakage into the radiator system does not occur. Hence, I preferably provide means to cut on the flow of water into the tank- 3, when plus pressure exists in the radiator system, or in the air pipe line standpipe 2*, and thereby avoid waste of water. In the particular example illustrated, I provide a sliding or reciprocatory cut off valve 16, in the water supply pipe 3", (Fig. 1) er gto t 3, Op ra y a Otherwise the opera-' lever 17, to open and close said pipe. This lever is operated or actuated, to stop or start the flow of Water, by any suitable pressure operated means connected with the radiator system. F or instance, I show flexible diaphragm 18, having a rod 19, fixed thereto and pivotally joined to lever 17. The diaphragm forms the flexible wall of a pressure chamber 21 connected by air pipe 20, to the radiator system, through standpipe 2 and the air line 2. Plus pressure in the radiator system will elevate the diaphragm and close the valve 16, and stop the flow of water to tank 3. The instant the pressure falls in the radiator system, to a predetermined point at which the pressure device is set or adjusted to open valve 16, the flexible diaphragm drops or moves inwardly and starts the flow of water to set up the minus pressure producing action of the 85 liquid in the tanks.

However, I do not wish to limit all features of my invention to this means for automatically starting and stopping the flow of the supply liquid.

In considering the operation of the system described, we will start with the radiators cold and containing air at atmospheric pressure, and the large and small tanks empty and in open communication with the radiators, and with the cut-off valves 5, 5", and 3 closed and the cut-off valves 2 4 open. The furnace is then started to generate steam or vapor in the boiler which as the pressure rises will enter the radiators and drive, the air therefrom into the air line. When the pressure has reached the desired point in the radiators (thermostatic valves 1 and condenser c, preventing flow of steam from the radiators into the air line) the air has been driven therefrom into the various tanks and when the pressure in said tanks exceeds atmospheric pressure the dead air will escape through the water seal 4:, to atmosphere at the discharge end of standpipe 4-. When 110 the dead air has thus been driven from the radiators, or at any other convenient time, valve 5 in the water supply pipe is opened and water under pressure is admitted to the large tank 3 toexpell the air therefrom 115 through standpipe 4:- When said tank is full, the valve 5", is closed, and a comparatively large supply of water is thus provided. in the tank 3', to operate the air exhausting system for a considerable length of time, say 120 for twenty four hours, although this depends on the adjustment of the means con trolling the rate of flow or drainage from the tank, and on the capacity of the tank, all of which can be arranged and varied to suit 125 conditions or the requirements in eachp'articular instance.

When the large tank is thus provided with the desired sup-ply of water, the valve 8 is opened to permit a slow leakage of water 130 through pipe 8", and into the small tank 3. The withdrawal of water from the closed tank 3, causes decrease in pressure therein and a consequent air exhausting pull on the radiators through the medium of standpipe 2, and pipe line 2.

The small tank 3, is gradually filled by said slow flow of water through pipe 3", and air is thereby driven therefrom through branch 4:, and the standpipe a, except as modified by the employment of overflow pipe 14:. Vv he'n the tank 3, is filled, the water is automatically emptied therefrom to exert air exhausting pull through branch 2, and pipes 2 2, on the radiators, and to fill tank 3 and drive the air therefrom, and so on down through the series of small tanks as hereinbefore described. The small flow of water through the drain pipe 3", is constant and continuous during the operation of the air exhausting system, to compensate for air leakage into the radiators and pipe line. \Vhenever the supply of water in the large tank is exhausted, the valve 5, in the water supply pipe is opened to again fill said tank.

The small tanks of the series are usually of approximately the same capacity so that the same body o-fwater will pass from tank to tank expelling the air from each tankin succession and then creating minus pressure in each tank in succession so that thesaine body of water is used over and over again to expel air from the air line and to draw air from the radiator system into the air line and this operation is periodically and automatically repeated in each tank so long as the slow flow of water through pipe 8, continues.

By thus using the same body of water over and over again to successively produce air exhausting operations,economy is effected in the use or waste of municipal water, and furthermore an exceedingly e'flicient air exhausting system for heating plants is produced possessing all of the advantages of the system of my pending patent application filed March 9, 1915, Serial Number 13291 with additional features of advantage and utility.

In the construction illustrated by'Fig. the tank 3, and the drainage pipe 3, are

omitted together with the extensions of pipe 5 and standpipes 2, and alto said tank, and the supply of water is delivered direct by pipe 5, 5', into the small tank 3, so that the operation of the system is the same as that hereinbefore described except with respect to the large tank'3. The pipe 5' and the cut ofi valve 5, control the constant flow of water into the tank 3, so that this tank is very slowly filled, the constant flow of water being very small.

It is evident that various changes. modifications and variations might be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scopeot my invention and hence I'do not wish to limit myself to the exact disclosure hereof, but consider myself entitled to all 7 such variations and departures as involve the definitions of the following claims.

hat I claim is: 1. Apparatus for maintaining negative )ressure in advance of the heatin fluid in p therein, comprising a vertical series of successive closed liquid chambers, means whereby air-exhausting columns of liquid are caused to successively descend from chamber-to chamber, and means for supplyingliquid to the top chamber of the series.

' 3. Apparatus .for exhausting dead air from. fluid house heating systems, comprising a series of drain pipes, and means for forming the same body of liquid into columns of liquid to successively descend through said pipes, substantially as described.

Apparatus for maintaining negative pressure pull on the heating fluid in fluid heating systems, comprising a series of tanksarranged at diii'erent elevations, connections for draining the liquid fromeach tank to the next tank below to thereby eX- ert successive air exhausting actions, and

a source of liquid supply, substantially as described. 7

5. Apparatus for maintaining minus pressure pull on the radiator systems of fluid heating plants, characterized by a series of chambers having air exhausting connections with the radiating systems, a source of liquid supply, and a series of devices constructed and arranged for successively and automatically filling and draining-liquid from said chambers ,for successively forcing air from and drawing air into said chambers, substantially as described.

6. In a fluid house heating system, in

combination, radiators, and means for maintaining minus pressure pull on the radiators of the system, said means comprising a vertical series of closed chambers each having an air ofl'take-passageandeach having an air inlet passage connected with said radiators to exert minus pressurepull on the interiors thereof, and connections for supplying water into the uppermost cham her and for successively filling and emptying said chambers, substantially as described.

7. Apparatus for maintaining minus pres-.

sure fuli in a fluid heating system, comprismg an air line having an air discharge to atmosphere, said air line including a vertical series of closed chambers each having.

a valvedair inlet and a valved air outlet, means for supplying liquid for filling the uppermost chamber or" said series, and drain pipes connecting said chambers for successively draining the liquid from said uppermost chamber and filling and emptying the chambers below and finally discharging the water from the lowermost chamber.

.8. A steam or vapor heating system comprising radiators, a closed air pipe line from the discharge ends of the radiators leading to, and provided with, an air discharge for the free discharge of air from said line but closed against back flow of fluid to the line, and means comprising a series of connected closed liquid chambers included in' said line for successively acting to produce minus pressure therein by the passage of liquid from chamber-to chamber.

9. In a steam or vapor'heating system, a radiator, an elongated vent pipe, in open communication with said radiator, a fluid seal to prevent back flow of outside air through sa d pipe, and means 1n closed communication with both the radiator and pipe and involving liquid chambers and devices controlling the discharge of liquid thereflOIIl.

l0. Avapor or steam heating system comprising a radiator, and elongated vent pipe, a fluid'seal to prevent back flow of air in said pipe, a check valve .to prevent fluid from said seal rising in said pipe, and conpipe embodying devices for successively 'dralning a body of liquid from one closed chamber to another.

12. steam or vapor heating system comprising radiators, a pipe line for drawing air from the radiators, said pipe line having a'dis charge for the free discharge therefrom of the air drawn from the radiators, and

means forproducing and maintaining minus pressure n said plpe line by the drainage of stored water from one closed chamber to prising a radiator having an air discharge" pipe with a vertical portion terminating at its lower end in an air discharge provided witha liquid seal, and means for drawing air from said radiator and expelling the same into said discharge pipe embodying several liquid chambers and connecting drainage devices. I

14:. A steam or vapor heating system com prising radiators, a pipe line connected with the radiators to receive the dead air therefrom and having an air discharg'e'to the atmosphere and embodying a water and air storage chamber provided with means for draining the water therefrom for the purpose of exhaustingair from the radiators,

and a series of tanks receiving the water from said chamber and successively filled and emptied thereby.

' 15. Apparatus for removing air in front of the heating fluid in steam,.vapor and other fluid heating systems, comprising a storage liquidtanlr to receive air from the system, means for supplying liquid to said tank, a series of closed liquid chambers connected to receive airfrom the system and to discharge air therefrom, and drainage devices for periodically and successively filling and emptying said chambers and for pcriodically discharging liquid from said tank to supply said chambers. V

' 16} In a fluid heating plant radiator system,'in combination, a storage tank communicating with the radiators to receive the dead air therefrom' provided with an air vent sealed" against inlet of air, means for filling the tank with water to discharge the stored air therefrom through said vent,"and a series ofclosed chamb'ers'connected to re- .ceive the drainage from said tank and connectedtogether to drain from one to the other and having air outlets and connected with the radiators to draw air therefrom.

17 Apparatus for maintaining an air exhausting action on the radiator systems of fluid heating plants, comprising a verticallyid sposed closedliquidpassage embodying a series of chambersandjmeans for causlng a column of liquid todescend through said passage fromchamber to chamber.

18. Apparatus'for withdrawing air from the radiator systems of fluid heating plants to compensate for airleakage, comprising an upright liquid passage embodying a succession of air exhausting anddischarging stages, and means for causing an air exhausting-and discharging body of liquid to descend through said passage from stage to stage.

19. Apparatus for withdrawing air from fluid heating plant radiators, comprising several closed chambers at different elevations, and means for causing .a' column "of liquid to pass down through said chambers successively, substantially as described.

' 20. Apparatu'sfo'r withdrawingair from fluid heating plant radiator systems and the like, comprising a closed passage, means for causing a body of liquid to descend in said passage, and a succession of devices whereby said body of liquid is caused to exert a succession of air withdrawing anddischarging operations while descending through said passage.

21. Apparatus for maintaining'an air exhausting action on the radiator system of a fluid heating plant, and for expelling the dead air by utilizing the pressure reducing action of a descending body of liquid, said apparatus comprising several closed chambers, devices including automatic valve mechanisms for periodically filling and emptying said chambers in succession, and

means for providing a small constant flow closed chambers, each chamber havingan of liquid into the first chamber of the series.

22. Apparatus for drawing air from the radiator system of a fluid heating plant, and for expelling said air comprising a series of air outlet and being connected with the radiator system, anda liquid supply tank from which liquid is drained into the first chamber of said series. a I

23. A steam heating system provided with means, for exhausting air from the radiators of the system and for expelling said air comprising a drainage system wherein liquid is successively drained from one closed chamher to another of a series of such chambers to successively fill said chambers to expel air therefrom and to emptysaid'chambers to produce air exhausting action on said radiators. i

24-. A steam heating system provided with means for exhausting'ainf'rom the radiators of the system and for expelling said air comprising a liquid tank having a small constantly running liquid supply and an automatic valve controlled drainage device for maintaining the outlet from the tank closed while the tank is'filling and the air is being expelled therefrom and for auto-. matically draining the liquid from said tank to draw air thereinto, after said tank has been filled, and then for automatically closing said outlet so that the tank can be refille ,7

25. Apparatus for exerting negative pressure'pull on the heating fluid inhouseheating systems, comprising a 2 vertical series of liquid tanks, means to supply a charge of liquid to the upper tank, and air exhausting connections from each tank to the heating system, each tank provided with an outlet and drainage pipe to a tank below,

26. 111 a steam heating system, a tank provided with a bottom well, an air vent from said well to the upper portion of theinterior of the tank, said ventserving as an overflow from the tank to the well, a bottom discharge being provided from the tank to the well, a vertically movable valve in said tank for closing and opening said discharge and provided with buoyant means for unseating the same, and a drainage pipe for carrying-"off the liquid from said well. 27. In a steam heating system, a closed tank provided with a well into which the liquid from the tank drains, said tank hav- .liquid, and a drainage pipe from said well at its upper end having a goose neck in .said well whereby said pipe constitutes a siphon.

28. Apparatus for drawing air from the radiator system of a fluid heating plant, ,characterlzed' by a series of chambers. having air exhausting connection with the radi: atorsystem, a source of liquid supply, and

a series of devices constructed and arran ed tor successively and automatlcally filhng and draining liquid from said chambers for successively forcing air from and drawing air into said chambers, substantially asdescribed.

29. Apparatus for maintaining. negative pressure in advance of the heating fluid in fluid house heating systems comprising a closed liquid drainage passage, means for supplying liquid thereto, and meansjfor automatically forming bodies of water at successive-points along said passage and causing them to descend in succession therein. so as to draw the air in said passagedownwardly through the same behind said doscending bodies of water to exert air exhausting action throughoutthe said pas-- sage, substantially as described.

30. In a fluid house heating. system, apparatus for maintaining a vacuum in the system in front of the'heating fluid therein, comprising a series of successive closed liquid chambers at different levels, means whereby air exhausting columns of liquid are caused to successively descend from chamber to chamber and drive the air in said chambers successively downward from chamber to chamber, and means for supplying liquid to the top chamber of the series. v f V 31. Apparatus'for exhausting dead air from fluid house heating systems. comprisinga drain pipe, and means :for forming the same body of liquid into columns of liquid to successively descend through said pipe, substantially as described l 32. A steam heating system provided With means for exhausting air from the radiators of the system and for expelling said air, comprising a liquid tank having a constantly running liquid supply and an automatic valve controlled draining device for closing the outlet from the tank when the latter begins to fill and the air is being expelled therefrom, and for automatically draining the liquid from said tank wto draw air thereinto, after said tank has partially emptied.

33. Apparatus for exerting negative pres sure pull on the heating fluid in heating systems, comprising a series of liquid tanks at different levels, means to supply a charge of liquid to the upper tank, and air exhaustmg connections from each tank to the next upper tank and finally to the heating system forming drainage outlets from each tank to the next lower tank and finally to the atmosphere, said outlets being provided with automatic Valve mechanism whereby the outlet is closed after the tank is drained and commences to refill, and is automatically opened after the tank is filled and has partially emptied to complete the drainage of said tank.

WALTER S. HAVEN.

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