US1418835A - Heating system - Google Patents

Description

W. H. SCHOONMAKER.

HEATING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR- 3, 1917- 1,418,835. PatentedJune 6, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

INVENTOR WM 6W A TTOR/VEY STATES PATENT orrica.

WILLIAM H. SCHOQNMAKER, OF MONTCLAIR, NEW JERSEY.

HEATING SYSTEM.

Application filed March 3, 1917.

To all Il /Z0772 it may concern:

Be it known that I, VILLIAM H. ScHooN- MAKER, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Montclair, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Heating System, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in apparatus for house heating and the like, and is applicable to ordinary steam heating systems, either to the so-called one pipe or to the so-called two pipe systems, also to the modification of steam heating systems known as the vapor heating system. As an apparatus it comprises a suction apparatus connected to the heating coils or radiators of the system, and controlled, automatically, and preferably by the draft damper or damper regulator of the boiler supplying steam to the system, in such manner that when the damper or dampers of the boiler are adjusted to cause increased action of the fire in the boiler the said suction device is started in operation. The construction is also preferably such that when the boiler damper or dampers is or are adjusted to cause decreased action of the fire in the boiler the action of the said suction device is stopped. My invention further comprises means whereby the action of the suction apparatus is stopped upon establishment of a predetermined degree of partial vacuum in the heating system, and is started again upon fall of that partial vacuum below a predetermined degree and my invention further comprises means whereby upon the estab-- lislunent of a predetermined temperature in the return or air-withdrawal line of the system, the operation of such suction apparatus is stopped, and is started again upon the fall to a predetermined degree of the temperature in said return orair-withdrawal line. By so applying suction to, or creating ,a partial vacuum in. the said return or aira water being drawn up by suction into the return line of the heating system to some predetermlned polnt, a

connection will be opened automatically between the supply Specification of Letters Patent.

obtain increased fuel economy; and

Patented June 6, 1922.

Serial No. 152,198.

steam heating systems and vapor heating systems more quickly responsive; to cause the heating coils of the radiator or radiators of the system to be filled With steam more quickly, upon the adjustment of the furnace damper or dampers for increased. combustion, more particularly when the boiler has notbeen supplying steam to the heating coils for a considerable length of time (as for example during the night when the boiler has been shut off, i. e., the drafts have been set so that the boiler has not generated steam) to enerally to accomplish the above objects ale retaining simplicity of apparatus and with-' out material addition to expense of apparatus.

Heretofore so-called vapor heating systerms have been employed, wherein once for a considerable time at'least, in the heating coils or radiators, and in the boiler; but these systems. so far as I am aware, have commonly required that steam shall first be generated at or aboveatmospheric pressure, or else have required that a suction pump shall be started by hand or by means otherthan the normal automatic control apparatus of the boiler itself. Such apparatus does not provide for the automatic establishment of a partial vacuum in the heating system at the time when that partial vacuum is most needed. i. e., when the drafts of the boiler are opened, automatically or other-' wise, inthe morning, after the furnace has been shut off all night. It is obvious that if, at or about the time when the drafts of the furnace are openedin the morning, a partial vacuum be applied to the heating coils or radiators of the system, steam will be generated in the boiler much sooner'than otherwise, and the heating coils or radiators will be filled with steam much sooner than otherwise.

I will now proceed to describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrating one embodiment of vertical section of an automatic air valve forming a portion of my heating system; Figure 3 shows a central vertical section of a diaphragm-operated valve forming a portion of the control mechanism of an exhauster employed in my said system; Figure 4 is a View, similar to Figure 1, showing the application of my invention to a socalled single pipe heating system; Figure 5 shows, more or less diagrammatically, an elevation of the said automatic air valve, together with means operated by that air valve for operating a control valve of the said exhauster, such control. valve being shown in vertical section; Figure 6 shows a fragmentary vertical section of a float-operated valve employed in my system; and Figure 7 shows a central vertical section of a check valve which may be employed in the single pipe system shown in Figure 4.

Numeral 1 designates an ordinary heating boiler; 2 a steam supply pipe extending therefrom to the radiators or heating coils 3; and 4 designates the return line from the radiators to the boiler. 5 designates the ordinary draft damper of the boiler and 6 the ordinary check damper in the connection to the smoke pipe 7 these dampers being arranged to be operated automatically by the usual regulating lever 8'itself operated by the usual diaphragm 9, the dampers 5 and 6 being connected to lever 8 by the usual flexible connections 10 and 11.

12 designates a valve casing, shown in detail in Figure 2.

13 designatesla suction producing apparatus, the particular type of apparatus shown being a water-jet exhauster, of well known construction; though the particular construction of suction apparatus employed is immaterial, in abroad sense. I have shown this suction producing device as provided, in its water supply line. with a valve 14 connected to the regulating lever 8 of the boiler bya connection 15, in such manner that as the damper 5 is opened and the damper 6 closed, the valve 14 will be opened, so starting the suction producing device 13 in operation; and as said damper 5 is closed and damper 6 opened, valve 14 will be closed, so stopping the action of the suction producing device 13.

In the water supply line to the exhausting apparatus 13 there is also another valve 16 (see Figure 3) illustrated as of the diaphragm-operated type, and arranged to close when a predetermined degree of suction or vacuum has been reached in the heating system, and to open when that suction or degree of vacuum decreases considerably; the opening and closing of this valve controlling the ratus 13.

Referring now to Figure 2: Within the valve casing 12 there is a thermo-expansible member 17 provided with an adjustable anchoring device 18 at its left hand end. This member 17 is connected by a pivoted lever 19 to avlink 20 having a slip-connection with another link 21 itself connected to a check valve 22. Valve casing 12 is interposed in the steam return line 4; and beyond the check valve 22 said valve casing 12 is connected by pipe 23 to the exhauster '13. Furthermore, link 20 is connected to'link 21 by u a spring-slip-connection 24, which serves to prevent destruction of check valve 22 after valve 22 has seated, in ,case member 17 ex pands still further and serves to-permit the valve 22 to remain closed upon contraction of member 17. The construction is such that, when there is steam in return pipe 4, such steam will fill the valve casing 12, the varying temperatures of such steam causing varying expansion of the member 17, which expansion is communicated, through lever 19 and links 20 and 21, to valve 22. Should return line 4 be cold, valve 22 will be open. When the steam in the return line reaches some predetermined temperature, the corresponding expansion of member 17 Wlll close check valve 22. The valve casing 12 serves, it will be seen, as asuction-connection between the exhauster 13 and the return line 4.

It may be understood that the regulating lever S'of the furnace is arranged to be operated by any of the well known devices, (for example, a so-called time-controlled thermostat 25 electrically controlling a damper-0p crating motor 26) for holding the air draft 5 of the furnace closed and the check valve 6 of the furnace open, during the night, and for opening the air damper 5, and closing the check damper 6, in the morning. Such opening of the air damper and closing of the check damper will be accompanied ly a downward motion of the right hand end of lever 8 which will open the valve 14, starting operation of the exhauster 13, and producing a partial vacuum in the heating system, which will insure the filling of that system with steam long before boiling point a atmospheric pressure has been reached in the boiler. When the temperature in the return line 4 has reached some predetermined value, the expansion of member 17 will close valve 22; and almost immediately thereafter valve 16 will close, shutting for with valve 22 closed the partial vacuum beyond such valve will quickly reach the value at which the diaphragm actuating device of valve 16 is set to close that valve.

action of the exhausting appaoff the exhauster 13;

Preferably, Within the valve casing 12 a shield 27, covering the expansible member 17 is provided to preventdirect impact of steam or hot water formed by condensation of the steam upon the member 17. It is intended that this member shall act by expansion due to heatof steam difi'used through the vvalve casing 12, rather than by heat due to im pact ofsteamor hot water directly on member 17. Check valve 22 will close (i1 not already closed) when some predetermined sufficient degree of partial vacuum has been reached in return pipe 4, Whether or not the member 17 has expanded to an extent sufficient to close valve 22, theslip connection 24 permitting the closing of said valve 22 by partial vacuum derived from pipe 4.

It will be seen that, in the event of lowering of temperature of the fluid returned through pipe 4, below a predetermined degree, expansible member 17 will open valve 22. It will be seen that by this apparatus the radiators 3 aremaintained under some suction throughout the day, unless the tem perature of the return steam or water becomes so high as to close valve'22, in which event there is no need for partial vacuum inthe radiators.

\Vhile valve 16, operated by suction, provides a means whereby the operation of the exhauster 13 will be stopped when valve 22 is closed, either by expansion of member 17 or by establishment of a predetermined degree of suction in-the return line 4, still it is desirable that means be provided for the stopping of the operation of the exhauster 13 asa result of expansion of member 17 to some predetermined degree, independent of the closing of valve 22, and operation of valve 16. --Therefore; 'I haveprovided mechanical means whereby expansion of, member 17 causes the stoppage of the operation of the exhauster. In this way unnecessary intermittent starting and stopping of the operation of the exhauster '13, by valve 16, due to variation of partial vacuum behind the valve 22 when that valve is closed, is avoided.

This mechanical means for controlling the operation of the exhauster 13 by expansible member 17, is shown particularly in Figure 5. In the water supply line 28 leading to the exhauster there is a valve casing within which is a valve 29 adapted to be opened and closed by the raising and lowering of its stem 30. On the pivot shaft 31 of lever 19 (Figure 2) there is an arm 33 having at its end a slot in which works a pin carried by a pivoted arm 34; the other end of this arm 34 working between stops 35 and 36 of valve stem 30. compression spring 37 is arranged to tend to hold arm 34 either in the position shown, orin a reverse position i. e. said spring tends tohold valve 29 either wide open or fully closed. It will be apparent that when member 17, within casing 12, expands sufliciently, arm 33 will have raised arm 34 sufficiently to cause spring 37 to close valve 29 quickly; so stopping the operation of the exhauster 13, and holding tion of the 'exhauster is not required.

Whether valve 14 will be opened or not when valve 29 is so opened, will depend upon, the position of the damper 5. It damper 5' be closed (for example it may be held closed at the time by the action of the thermostat motor 26) then valve 14 will not be open and exhauster 13 will not operate.

In some conditions it might happen that, through the drawing of a partial vacuum in the return line 4, water might be drawn up into that return line, to a point considerably above the water level in the boiler; and this might lead to very undesirable conditions.

To obviate this, I provide, in the return line 4, a float chamber 38, located above the normal water level of the boiler, but below the valve casing 12; and within this float chamber there is a float 39 connected by a rod 40 to a valve 41 having a port 42 adapted, when the float is'raised, to place in communication with each other pipe lines 43 and 44 leading respectively to the return line 4 (at a point. well above the valve casing 12) and to thesupply line 2. It will be seen that water rising in return line 4. to an extent sufficient to partly fill float chamber 38 and to raise the float therein, will result in the connection of pipes 43 and 44, with consequent balancing of pressures (in this case negative pressures) in the two sides 2 and 4 of the heating system; whereupon the water which has risen in the return line 4 will drop again to normal water level.

As illustrated in Figure 4 in the case of a one pipe system, a return pipe 4 may be connected to the ordinary air valves 30' of the radiators 3 and may lead to the valve casing 12, which in that event serves as a supplemental air valve for the entire system, besides serving to regulate the application of vacuum to the radiators and besides serving as means, in connection with the pipe 4, for

risen. It is in this sense that I have mentioned increase and decrease of suction or partial vacuum in the above description.

VYhat I claim is:. I 1. In a heating system, the combination of a distributing conduit, means for supplying steam thereto having a damper controli a distributing conduit, means for supplying steam thereto having a damper controlling its operation, means for applying suction to said conduit, and control means for said suction-applying means, comprising means for causing said suction applying means to operate upon change of adjustment of said damper in a sense to cause increase of the heating action of the steam supply means and for causing said suction applying means to cease operation upon change of adjust ment of said damper in a sense to cause decrease of the heating action of the steam supply means.

3. In a heating system, the combination 'of a distributing conduit, means for supplying steam thereto comprising a boiler having a damper controlling its operation, means for Withdrawing air from said conduit, comprising suction producing means having control means, and operating means for said control means arranged to cause application of suction to said conduit upon adjustment of said damper in a sense to cause increased heating action in said boiler.

4. In a heating'system, the combination of a distributing conduit, means for supplying steam thereto comprising a boiler having a damper controlling its operation, means for withdrawing air from said conduit, comprising suction producing means having control means,and operating means for said control means arranged to cause application of suction to said conduit upon adjustment of said damper in a sense to cause increased heating action in saidboil'er, and arranged to cease application ofsuction to said conduit upon adjustment of said damper in a sense to cause decreased heating action in said boiler.

5. In a heating sstem, the'combination of a distributing conduit, means for supplying steam thereto comprising a boiler having a damper controlling its operation, means for withdrawing air from said conduit, comprising suction producing means having control means arranged to cause application of suction to said conduit upon adjustment of said damper in a sense to cause increased heating action in said boiler, and arranged to cease application of suction to said conduit upon establishment of apredetermined degree of partial vacuum in said conduit.

6. In a heating system, the combination of a distributing conduit, means for supplying steam thereto comprising a boiler,"

a valve casing in communication with said distributing conduit, suction producing means, an air withdrawal conduit connected to said casing at one end and to the suction producing means at the other end, a valve within said valve casing, and thermostatic operating means for said valve, located within the casing and arranged to be influenced by the temperature of the fluid in said casing.

7. In a heating system, the combination of a distributing conduit, means for supplying steam thereto comprising a boiler, asuction producing means, a conduit connected at one end with'the distributing con-= duit and at its opposite end with the suction producing means for withdrawing air from the distributing conduit, and control means arranged within. the conduit for starting the operation of said suction producing meansto cause an increased act-ion of the boiler upon decrease of temperature or for step ping the operation of said suction producing means to reduce the action of the boiler upon increase of temperature in said, con-- duit.

8. In a heating system, the combination of a distributing conduit, means for supplying steam thereto comprising a boiler, suetion producing means, an air withdrawal conduit including a casing connectedto said distributing conduit at one end and to the suction producing means at 1ts opposite end,

according to the temperature within said casing. I

9. In a heating system, therombination of a distributing conduit, means for supplying steam thereto, comprising a boiler having a regulating damper and automatic operating means for said damper, an airwithdrawal conduit connected to said distributing-conduit, suction producing means connected to said air-withdrawal conduit and having control means for starting and stopping the operation of said suction producing means, and means connecting said control means to the automatic damper operating means of the boiler arranged to start thezsuction producing means in operation when said damper is operated to cause increasedaction in the boiler, and to stop the operation of said suction producing means when the damper is operated to reduce action in the boiler. C

10.'In a heating system, the combination of a distrilrutingconduit. means for supplying steam thereto comprising a boiler having a regulating damper, and automatic operating means for said damper, an airwithdrawal conduit including a valve casing connected to said distributing conduit. suc tion producing means connected to said airwithdrawal conduit and having control means for starting and stopping the operation of said suction producing means. and means connecting said control means to the automatic damper operating means of the boiler arranged to start the suction producing means in operation when said damper is operated to cause increased action in the boiler, and to stop the operation of said suction producing means when -the damper is operated to reduce action in the boiler, and a thermostatic valve arranged within the valve casing and adapted to close the corrnection between said suction producing means and the distributing conduit upon establishment of a predetermined temperature of the fluid in said valve casing.

11. In a heating system.- the combination of a distributing conduit. i'neans for supplying steam thereto com pri sir'l g a boiler having a regulating damperfand automatic operating means for said damper, an air-withdrawal conduit including'avalve casing connected to said distributing co nduit,-- suction producing means connected bysaid air-withdrawal conduit and having control means for starting and stopping the operation of said suction producing means, and means connecting said control means to the automatic damper operating means of the boiler-an ranged to start the suction producing means in operation when said damper is operated to cause increased action in the boiler, and to stop the operation of said suction producing means when the damper is operated to reduce action in the boiler, a thermostatic valve arranged within the valve casing and adapted to close the connection between said suction producingmeans and the distributing conduit upon establishment of a predetermined temperature of the fluid in said valve casing, and means for stopping the operation of said suction producing means upon the closing of said valve.

12. In a heating system. the combination of a distributing conduit, means for supplying steam thereto comprising a boiler having a regulating damper, and automatic operating means for saiddamper. an air-withdrawal conduit including a valve casing connected to said distributing conduit, suction. producing means connected to said air-withdrawal conduit and having control means for starting and stopping the operation of said suction producing means, and means connecting said control means to the automatic damper operating means of the boiler arranged to start the suction producing operating means.

means in operation when said damper is operated to cause increased action in the boiler, and to stop the operation of said suction producing means when the damper is operated to reduce action in the boiler, a thermostatic valve arranged within the valve casing and adapted to close the connection between said suction producing means and the distributing conduit upon establishment of a predetermined temperature or the fluid in said valve casing, and means for stopping the operation of said suction producing means upon the closing of said valve and for'starting said suction producing means upon the opening of said valve.

13. In a heating system. the combination with supply and return lines, a boiler connected thereto having a damper controlling its operation a11d operating means for said damper. of suction means connected to said return line and arrangedlto create a partial vacuum therein upon change of adjustment of said damper in a sense to cause increase of action in [said boiler 1.4. In a heating systemfthe combination of a distributing condui't,means for supplying steam thereto comprising a 'boiler, suction producing means, an air withdrawal conduit including a valve casing connected to said distributing conduit, andfla valve arranged Within the valve casingand having associated therewith a heat-expansible oper-' ating means'controlled by the' temperature of the fluid in said valve casing. of control means for said suction producing means, operated by the expansion of said'expansible 15. In a heating of a distributing conduit, m'eansffor supplying steam thereto comprising a boiler. suction producing me'ans,-.. an] aireivithdrawal conduit including a'valve casing connected to said distributing conduit. a" valve arranged within the valve casing and having associated therewith thermostatic operating means controlled by the temperature of the fluid in said valve casing, and control means for said suction producing means operated by said thermostatic operating means.

16. In a heating system, the combination of a distributing conduit, means for supplysystem, th'ef combination ing steam thereto comprising a boiler, suc- I said distributing conduit, a valve arranged within the valve casing and having associated therewith a thermostatic operating means controlled by the temperature of the fluid *in said valve casing, control means for said suction producing means, operated by said thermostat1c operating means, means for startlng said suction producing means 111 operation when said damper is adjusted to cause increased action in the boiler and for stopping the operatlon of said suction producing means when said damper is adjusted to cause decreased action in the boiler, and

means for starting said suction producing means in operation upon decrease'of partial vacuum in the valve casing to a predetermined degree and for stopping the opera tion of said suction producing means upon increase of partial vacuum in the valve casing to a-predetermined degree.

18. In a heating system, the combination of a distributing conduit, means for supplying steam thereto comprising a boiler, said boiler having a controlling damper, a suction producing means, an air-withdrawal conduit including a valve casing connected to said distributing conduit, a valve arranged within the valve casing and having associated therewith a thermostatic operatmg means controlled by the temperature of the fluid in saidvalve casing, control means for said suction producing means operated by saidthermosta'tic operating means, means for starting said suction producing means in operation when said damper is adjusted to cause increased action in the boiler and for stopping the operation of said suction producing means when said damper is adjusted to cause decreased action in the boiler and an independent means for controlling the actions of said suction producing means in accordance with pressure variations between predetermined limits in the distribut ing conduit.

19. In a. heating system, the combination with a boiler, and the supply and return lines of a heat distributing system connected thereto, of suction producing meansconnected with said return line and means for controlling said suction producing automatic means tovary the degree of pressure in the return line inversely with the rise and fall of pressure in the boiler. I

20. In a heating system, the'combination with a boiler, and the supply and return trolling the boiler to increase the pressure in the supply line, automatic means for substantially simultaneously controlling the suction producing means-to change the pressure in the return line, and independent means for controlling the operation of said suction producing means.

22. In a heating system, the combination of a boiler and the supply and returnlines of a heat distributing system connected thereto, suction-producing means connected with said return line and automatic means for controlling said suction producing means to vary the degree ofpressure in the return line inversely with the rise and fall of perature in said return line.

23. In a heating system, the combination.

of aboiler and the supply and return lines of av heat distributing system connected thereto, suction-producing means connected with said return line, means for controlling the boiler to change the pressure in the supply line and automatic means for substantially simultaneously controlling the suctiontem- I producing means to change the pressure in the return line inversely to the change of pressure produced in the supply line.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscrib:

ing witnesses.

WILLIAM H. SCHOONMAKER. WVitnesses:

H. M. MARBLE, PAUL H. FRANKE,

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