US1446518A - Water heater - Google Patents

Description

Feb-27, 11923.

E. E. ROUSE' WATER HEATER 4 sheets-sheet 1 Filed May 6, 1920 RousE WATER HEATER Filed May 920 4 sheets- 2 E.E.ROUSE WATER HEATER ,4 sheets-sheet 5 Filed May'6, 1920 Feb; 27, m3. 1,4465% E. E. ROUSE WATER HEATER Filed May 6, 1920 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented: Feh. 2-7,

UNETE? if it ERNEST EDWARD HOUSE, OF NEWQUAY,

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Application filed May 6, 1920. Serial No. 373,368.

T (rZZi whom it may concern:

Be it known that 5, Banner EDWARD ltousn, subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Maur, Newquay,

in. the county of Cornwall, England; have invented new and useful improvements in and Relating to Water Heaters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to and has for its object the provisionot an improved construction adapted to employ gas asthe heating medium and by which many of the difficulties encountered hitherto in constructing and operating water 1 5 heaters are avoided.

The apparatus constructed according the invention is self contained and has no external taps, cocks, or piping of any kind, the entire structure being built of elements which are simple and cheap to manufacture. The entire heater is carried by the rotary part of a valve which controls the gas and water supply and which is so constructed that partial rotation ot the heater in either direction causes both gas and water supply to be opened or closed simultaneously.

In order to utilize the heat of the gases ascending through the apparatus "from the burner to the utmos't possible extent these gases are caused to pass through an annular chamber in the centre of which is a column through which incoming water ascends and is'preheated. ater is also caused to fiow down the outer wall ot the annular chamber through a series of annular cups by which it is repeatedly brought into contact with the wall and to ensure that the maximum heating effect is imparted to the wall it is provided with a number o1 batlies which compel the gases to take a tortuous path and bring them into repeated contact with the wall. The construction of the upper end or" the wall is such that the water is continuously heated during its transference from the central column to the exterior oi the heated wall whilst to utilize still further the heat of the gases of combustion the latter may be caused to pass through the water during such transference. This latter feature, however, is not essential as the water may be continuously heated during transference without actually coming in contact with the gases.

water heaters The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which I Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a complete water heater constructed inaccordance with the invention. i i a Figure 2 is a sectional elevation tied form of head. i

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation of another modified form of head.

Figure 4 is a sectionalplan of Figure taken on the line A-A.

' Figure 5 is a plan of the burner ring and Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of a modilied form of burner construction.

The water heating parts of the apparatus are enclosed by a casing 13 of sheet metal or other suitable material secured in any convenient manner to the lower upturned rim 1% of a base 1 carried on the outer edge oi a burner ring n supported as hereinot modiatter described in a casting 38. Disposed vertically inthe centre of the casing 13 is a pipe i: through which incoming water ascends and which extends downwardly belowthe base 1 and has screwed thereon a conical plug 3'? seated in the casting 38 which is formed with a gas inlet passage 39 and a water inlet passage 40.

The centre of the plug 37 is hollow and its lower end is closed by a screw threaded stud L2 integral with a nut 43 bearingon a washer n; The lower end of the pipe at opens into the central portion 45 oi": the hollow passage through the plug 37 which communicates when the valve is open by a port &6 with the water inlet passage 40. The flow of water from the passage 40 to the pipe t is controlled by a conical valve head 47 on a spindle 48 carrying an operating wheel at, engagement with the stud 42 and nut 43 through which it passesso that upon rotation of said spindle the valve head 4-7 is raised or lowered accordingly.

The upper end of the plug 37 is hollowed out to larger diameter than the lower portion to provide an annular chamber 50 adapted to communicate, when the valve is open, by a port 51 with the gas inlet passage 39. A boss 52 on the burner ring tl extends downwardly into the annular chamber 50, gas passing through a narrow the spindle having screw threaded pass. air inlet and base of the heater.

annular space 53 between the boss 32 and "the top 54 of the plug to the burner after described being provided in the base 1 for condensed moisture from the heating chamber which falls into a tray 66 disposed in a dished portion of the upper surface of the casting 38, see Figure l.

Surrounding the plug 37 on its periphery above the port 51. is an annular groove 59 communicating permanently with gas inlet passage 39 by an inclined passage 60. The groove 59 communicates by a short tube 61 extending across the annular chamber 50 with a bypass passage 62 formed in the boss 52 and terminates in a short tube 63 curved over above the burners 41. The by-pass 63 is always kept alight and the arrangement of the groove 59 possesses the advantage that any gas which may leak up the surface of the plug- 87 the passage 39 will enter said groove and be utilized in the lay-pass. Similarly any water which may leak up the face of the plug from the water inlet passage 40 enters a groove 64; and leaves the casingby a port 65.

A water inlet pipe '67 screw threaded into the 35% should preferably be provided with a suitable check device as indicated at ih.

lheburner ring al has formed near its periphery a number of blocks 80, four being shown in the example illustrated, see Figure 5, these blocks being provided on their upper external edges with grooves 81 pro viding a seating for the base 1 the lower inner edge of which rests in the grooves. Spaces 58 are thereby left between the blocks through which any additional air re quired for combustion may enter ano through which condensed moisture may escape to the tray 66.

In the arrangement shown in Figure 6 the construction of thecasting 38, plug 37 and parts associated therewith is similar to that shown in idigure 1. the modification consistin in the construction of the burner. byin this arrangement a completely cylindrical 'c:1r-;irrr;,l3 is employed and is secured to a base 1" of smaller diameter relatively to the base-1. Figi'ire l. The boss 52 is formed in tegrallywith a tube 69 which forms with the interior of the base 1 an annular chamber 79. the mouth of which is covered with gauze S2 and constitutes the burner. The tube 69 is secured to the base l by screws 71. both when the port 51. cut off from tube and base being provided at the points where the screw holes are situated with protruding machined surfaces 7 to ensure equal spacing of the tube and base at all points. (has leaves the plug 37 by the annular space 53 as before and enters the annular chamber I tance above the upper extremity of the tube 69. A number of tubes 78 communicating with a circular groove 79 in the upper sur face of the boss serves to collect condensed moisture and convey it to the tray 66.

with vertical ribs or fins 2 forminga-nnular channels 3, the scribed hereinafter; A wall 6 forms an upward continuation of the base '1, the up\ ard passage of the from the burner being confined to an annular space 5 between the pipe *l'and the wall 6 and the downward. passage of the water to an annular space l8 between. the wall (3 and the outer casing The wall 6 is provided witha number of bullies 7 and external annular cups 8 and. is built up in the following manner. The baf fies and cups are formed. by inverted truncated conical members bent inwardly slightat 9 and provided on the portions destined to form the baffles 7 with serrations 10. The conicalmeinbers may be formed in anycouvenient manner.

The base 1 Figure l is preferably providedpiupose of which will be de- 'ly at their upper and larger ends. as shown' By providing baffles of this shape it has been found that they absorb heat more rea lily and radiate it to the annular cups 8 in which wateris heated diiiring its descent therefrom. r j

The wall 6 comprises a number ofrings ll bevelled at top and bottom to provide seatings for the conical members. The complete structure therefore consists of alterating rings 11 and conical members soldered or otherwise secured incorrect relati ve positions, the lowermost conical member resting on and being secured to the upper bevelled edge 12 of the base 1. An outlet 1?- for heated, water is provided through the rim is and easing pipe 16.

The wall 6 built up in the, manner above described terminates in a head 17 which is formed with a tapered portion 19,. through 13 communicating "with a the center of which the upper portion of the.

and has a lip 20 of semi-circular nae-ears cross section, which is flared outwardly and bent over as shown. The tapered portion 19 is provided with ports 21 opposite which is disposed an annular inclined baflie 22.

The casing 1% follows approximately the contour of the head 17 but terminates in an outwardly flared opening 23.

Referring now to Figure 2, which illustrates a device more especially designed for use with high pressure systems, a wall 6 and outer casing 13 are provided as before, the former terminating in a portion 24: t narrower diameter flared outwardly slightly at its upper end. The central pipe or column is open at its upper end and has screw threaded thereon hollow mushroom head provided on its underside with one or more rings of perforations 26. In the upper side of the head 25 is a boss 27 providing a bearing tor a. screw threaded spindle 28 marrying at its upper. end a milled hand wheel 29 and at its lower end a conical valve member 30 adapted when screwed down to enter the open end of the pipe l and limit the flow of water therefrom. The member also acts at all times as a battle to direct the ascending water towards the perforations The head 25 also carries by means of distance pieces 31 a curved annular baflle 82 the lower end of which terminates at a point closely adjacent to the portion 2a of the wall 6 whilst the upper end of said bailie terminates in a rim 33 adapted to engage and be secured to the upper edge ot' the casing-13.

The portion 24- of the wall 6 may also ii? desired be provided with vertical annular ribs or fins 3 L forming annular channels around said wall.

A. turther modification of the head oi? the apparatus is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4t in which a head 83 terminates the wall 6 and is provided with ports 84: through which the gases from the burner leave the annular chamber 5. The head 83 is screwed on to the upper end of the pipe 4 and is formed with a cup :20 from which water flows through grooves or channels 85 out between the ports (ll into the annular space 18. The rate of flow is controlled so that water passes in a thin film over the head and is directed by the shape of the head into the uppermost cup 8 of the series, as shown in Fig. 1.

It is to be noted that in the assembly oi the parts above described the central pipe or column l forms a connection between the head of the heater and the plug 3?. By its screw threaded connection with the upper end ot the wall 6 which is made tast before use with the base 1, the latter carrying the cas iug 13 and the burner ring are secured in position when the plug 37 is secured to the lower end of the pipe 4 allowing the whole apparatus to be rotated in the casting 38. To effect this rotation for the purpose of turning on or oil the water and gas, the operator grasps the outlet pipe 16 or a suit. heat insulated handle which may he athu' red thereto.

The operation of a water heater constructed according to the invent-ion is as follow 1-- By means of the by-pass (35 or 1'? the burner is ignited simultaneously with the admission of water to the pipe a when the apparatus is turned to the position shown in Figure 1. air for conrou ion being sucked. in through the passage (ligure l) or passage 70 (Figure The water receives a preliminary heatii during its passage to the top ot'the pipe by the gases oi combustimi asccndii r through the annular space 5 and leaving it by the ports 21. The water on leaving the pipe lills the cup 20 and flows in a thin film over the annular lip 20 in leavingwhich it encounters the issuing troin the ports 21 which pass through the t'alling iilm of water to which they give up their heat and leave the apparatus hy the outlet 2?). the heated water being directed by the battle 22 towards the exterior of the wall. 6 where it falls into the first of the series 0'? cups The particular formation of the lip 20 cuables heat to be imparted continuously to the water during its transterence from the pipe at to the annular space 18.

When the construction of head illustrated in Figure 2 is employed the operation is very similar to that of the form. the ter issuing irom the top of the pipe filling the head 25 and Falling through the perform tions 26 in a number of line streams meet" the hotgases of combustion ascending: from the interior of the wall 6. The water doscends between the lower end of halile and the wall 6' and is caught in the annular chan nel 35 it used and thereby retained tor short time in close contact with the wall. ensure thorough heating. The conihusti gases after passing through the water t ing from the pe "iOl'fltlOllS "J5 and iuipa heat thereto, away through the spacearound the edge ot the head 25 between the distance picc '1. 31 to the atmosphere.

The construction ot head illustrated in. Figures fl and 4- is designed ior use in cases where it desired to avoid actual contact between the water and comhustion lo this case water fi ls the cup 20" and flows in a thin tilrn through the channels into the annular space the gases issuing from the ports 9e. and leaving by the outlet 23.

The water after passing the head ot the apparatus as above described enters the uppermost cup 8 ot the series wherein it is subjected to further heating from the adjacent wall 6. As overflows into the second of the series this operation being repeated throughout the series of cups 8 and annular channels 3 until,

the cup becomes full, the water th'eheated water leaves by the outlet 15 and pipe 16. By this arrangement very thorough and uniform heating of the water is assured as in each cup the incoming water is cooler than the Water already there which latter rises to the surface and falls into the neXt succeeding cup, this efiect I being more marked and necessary in the uppermost cups ofthe series. The rate of feed maintained is such that the water in overflowing from one cup to the next will flow down the under surface of each cup.

The hot gases ascending through the annular space 5 are compelled by the baiiles 7 and the serrations 10 therein to assume a tortuous path which brings them into repeated and intimate contact with the inner surfaces of the rings 11 -forming the wall 6 whilst the heat imparted to the bafile portions 7 of the cups- 8 passes by conduction into the latter whereby the water in said cups is surroundedinternally and externally with'heated surfaces. The annular channels 3 aiicrd a means of bringing the water into very close contact with the hot gases as they leave the burner, this being the final step in a series of operations by which the water is treated in a number of successive receptacles each hotter than the one preceding it whereby hot Water may be obtained in a very short space of time after the burner has been lit.

I claim l. A water heater comprising an outer casing, a central water supply column, a cylindrical. wall disposed intermediately of said casin and column a luralit of downwardly directed bailles carried on theinner surface of said wall, a vertical series of annular cups disposed on the outer surface of said wall and closed at their lower ends, a burner at the lower end of said casing, and means for transferring the. water while continually heating same from said column to the first of said series of annular cups.

2. A water heater comprising an outer casing, a central water supply column, a plurality of superimposed cylindrical members forming an annular chamber for combustion products, a plurality of inverted truncated conical members alternating with said cylindrical inembersto form a series of annular cups externally of said chamber and a series of baflies internally of said chamber, a 7 burner at the base 01' said casing, and means for transferring the water while continuously heating same from said column to said series of cups.

3. A water heater comprisingan outer casing, a central water supply column, a cylindrical wall disposed intermediately of gas and water beneath said casing, means whereby partial rotation ofsaid casing serves to open and close the gas and water supplies simultaneously, and means for transferring the water while continuously heating same from said solumn to said series of cups.

4. A water heater comprising an outer casing, a central water supply column, a cylindrical wall disposed intermediately of said casing and column and secured to said column at its upper end and to said casing at its base, a plurality of downwardly directed baflles carried on the inner surface. of said wall, a vertical series of annular cups disposed on the outer surface ofisaid wall and closed at their lower ends, a burnerat the base of said casing, means for transferring the water while continually heating same from said column to said seriesof annular cups, a valve memberhaving gas and water inlets secured to the base of said col umn, and means whereby partial rotation of the apparatus brings said inlets into and out of communication with gas and water supplies.

5. A water; heater comprising an outer casing, a central water supply column, extending below the base of said casing, a plurality of superimposed cylindrical members forming an annular chamber for combustion products, a gas burner at the base of said chamber, a pluralityof inverted truncated conical members alternating with said cylin-- drical members to form a series of annular cups externally of said chamber and a series of bafiles internally of said chamber, a con nection between the top of said chamber and said column, a connection between the base of said chamber and the casing, means for lOO transferring water from said column across said chamber to said series of annular cups, a valve member having gas and water inlets secured to the base of said column and means whereby partial rotation of the apparatus brings said inlets into and out of communication with gas and water supplies.

In witness whereof I affix my signature.

ERNEST EDWARD HOUSE.

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