US1481460A

US1481460A - Steam-power-plant control

Info

Publication number: US1481460A
Application number: US344741A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jesse W Doble
Original assignee: DOBLE LAB
Current assignee: DOBLE LAB; DOBLE LABORATORIES
Priority date: 1919-12-13
Filing date: 1919-12-13
Publication date: 1924-01-22
Anticipated expiration: 1941-01-22

Description

Jan. 22 1924.-

J. w. DOBLE STEAM POWER PLANT CONTROL iledbec. 13. 1919 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 4 FIB-l L g'llllll' I r/ dwwooeze 7 4a, TTORNEYS.

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J. W. DOBLE swam rowan PLANT CONTROL Filed Dec. 13. 1919.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 \4 ii an H INVENTOR Aw ATTORNEYS.

\AIITNESS:

'" J. W. DOBLE 5mm POWER PLANT CONTROL 5 Sheets$heet 4.

Filed De c. 13 1919 "AHTNEQSL INVENTOR;

A TTORNEYS.

J. W. DOBLE STEAM POWER PLANT CONTROL Filed Dec. 13, 1919 s Sheets-Sheet s .fIQ. El

WAHTNESS INVENTOR W4 J. M 00845 Qua M ATTORNEYS.

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JESSE W. DOBLE, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO DOBLE ORA- TORIES, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF CALIFORNIA.

STEAM-POWER PLANT CONTROL.

Application filed December 13, 1919. Serial No. 344,741.

To all whom it may concern: v

Be it-known that I, Jnssn W. DoBLE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of thecity and county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented a certain new and useful Steam-Power-Plant Control, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to the control of the fire in liquid fuel burners when used in connection with steam boilers or other heat absorbing medium containing devices and to the control of water supply to steam boilers. The objects of the invention are many, as

' will appear hereinafter.

One of the'objects of the invention is to provide a control system for liquid, ;fuel burners of heat absorbing mediumcontaining devices, in which the amount oi' volume of the lire is varied in accordance with changes in temperature or pressure within the device.

Another object is to provide means for varying the fire while maintaining the proportion of air to liquid fuelin the combustible mixture substantially constant, thereby providing an eiiicient and completely combustible mixture, regardless of the sizeoi the flame.

Another object of the invention is to vary the feed water intake in accordance with variations in temperature or pressure or both within the steam boiler. 1

The invention possesses many other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will beset forth at length in the following description, where I shall outline in full, that form of the invention which I have selected for illustration in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. In said drawings, l have shown one specific embodiment of my generic invention, but it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to such form, since the invention as expressed in the claims may be embodied in a plurality of forms.

The drawings show the invention as embodied in a steam boiler control system, but it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to use with steam boilers, but may be employed in connection with hot water heaters, house heaters and other heat absorbing medium containing devices. The

steam boiler shown in the drawings is particularly adapted for use on steam propelled vehicles, such as trucks, tractors and automobiles, in which use widely varying steam demands are made on the boiler. In such use,

the control system operates to maintain, or

to tend to maintain, a substantially constant temperature and pressure within the'boiler. The fixed temperature and pressure may not be exceeded, although in instances of extremely heavy steam demand, the premure or temperature may fall slightly. This control is accomplished by variations in air and liquid fuel, forming the combustible mixture and variations of the rate of admission of the feed Water. 7

Referring to said drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a steam boiler provided with the control system of my invention.

Figure 2 is .side elevation of a combined steam boiler and engine, the boiler being partly broken away to disclose the burner construction. 1

Figure 3 is a vertical section through the blower chamber and pressure control devices, also showing the air valve;

Figure l is a vertical section of the pres sure operated control device, taken on the line 4-4, Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a top view of the pressure operated control device with the cover plate removed.

Figure 6 is a vertical section of the pressure control device, taken on the line 6-6, Figure 3.

The'steam boiler 2 is provided with a. coinbustion chamber 3 in which the fire burns and from which it discharges into contact with the boiler tubes-4;. The liquid fuel for combustion is fed through a suitable conduit, 5 into the rapidly rotatable cup 6, from which it discharges ina spray. An

suitable liquid fuel may be employed, suc

as kerosene or distillate. The cup 6 is rotated by an electric motor 7 and arranged on the motor shaft is a blower-8, enclosed in'the housing 9. The air from the blower passes from the blower chamber into the channel or passage 12, which is in thermal communication with the combustion chamber, thence through the amag'e 13, surrounding the combustion c amber, and thence into the chamber adjacent the rapidly rotating cup, where it is mixed with the fuel spray, producing combustible fuel mixture. The proportion of air and fuel is preferably such that a completely combustible mixture is produced. 4

The passage 12 is wider than the blower chamber 9 andvis connected therewith by a flaring passage 14. Arranged in the air passage and preferably at the junction of the passage 14 with the passage 12 is a, damper or flat butterfly valve 15 which is operative to vary the area of the air passage and hence the volume of air passing into the combustion chamber. The valve 15 is caused to operate by variations in pressure in the boiler, an increase in pressure above a predetermined pressure causing the valve to move to constrict the air passage and a decrease in pressure from an excessive pressure causing the valve to move to open the air passage. shaft 16 journaled in the casing, and secured to an extension of the shaft is an indicator 17 which shows the position of the valve.

Mounted on the blower casing, at one side thereof, is a cylinder 18 having a bottom therein upon which the spring 21 bears. The cylinder is closed at the top by a, head 22 having a; smaller cylinder 23 formed integrally therewith. The cylinder 23 is pro vided With a nipple 24 for connection with a steam zone in the boiler, so that steam under boiler pressure flows into the cylinder 23. Disposed in the smaller cylinder is a piston 25, having an extension 26 which projects through an aperture in the bottom of cylinder 23 and which rests on the bottom of the cylinder 27 The upper end of the cylinder is flanged and rests on or engages the upper end of the spring 21. The spring,

therefore, holds the piston 25 pre$ed up-' wardly, and when the steam pressure exceeds the spring pressure, the piston is depressed. Secured to the piston is an adjustable rod 28, provided at its lower end with a rack 29 in engagement with the gear 31 on the shaft 16. Depression of the piston for the limit of its movement closes the 0 valve 15, so that practically no air passes into the combustion chamber.

Means operated by an increas in pressure are also provided for decreasing the fuel supply, the decrease of fuel supply varying with the increase in pressure. Mounted on the other side of the blower casing is a chamber 32, into which extends the adjusta-ble length 'rod 33, provided on its lower end with a rack 34 in engagement with the 0 gear 35 on the shaft 16. The rod 33 lies on the opposite side of the shaft from the rod 28, so thata, downward movement of rod .28 causes an upward movement of rod 33 and vice versa. Arranged in the casing 32 5 isa rotary fuel valve 34' having inletand The Valve is mounted .on a

Learner)

outlet connections

35 and 36 towhich the fuel conduit 5 is connected. The valve is provided with a pin or projection 37 which lies in the groove of a collar 38 adjustably secured to the rod 33, so that as the rod moves vertically, the valve is turned to vary the flow of fuel. When the rod 33 is in its lower position, the valve is fully open and as the rod raises, the valve is turned to restrict the flow of fuel. The fuel valve is thus directly connected to the air valve, so that the supply of air and fuel are simultaneously varied and in preferably the same degree, so that a perfectly combustible mixture is always produced, regardless of the size of the flame. The fire is, therefore, varied by variations in pressure in the boiler above a predetermined pressure.

Means operative by variations in pressure above a predetermined pressure, are also provided for controlling the flow of feed water into the boiler. Feed water is forced into the boiler by the pump 41 which is pump. The solenoid circuit isnormally open and means are provided for closing the circuit when a predetermined excessive pressure is reached in the boiler. Disposed in the casing 32 above the rod 33 are a pair of normally separated contacts disposed in the circuit of the solenoid 43. The upper contact 44 is stationary and is secured to the binding post 45. The lower contact 46 lies immediately below the upper contact and is mounted on a metallic lever 47 pivoted to the shank 48 of the binding post 49. The lever 47 is disposed above the end of the rod 33 and is pressed downward by a spring 51. When the rod 33 is moved upward, due to an increase in boiler pressure, it contacts with the insulator pad 52 on the lever 47 and raises the lever to close the contact in the solenoidv circuit, tihus opening the inlet valve and preventing the flow of feed water into the boiler. Temperature operated meansare also provided for closing the solenoid circuit and will be described hereinafter, the pressure operative means serving to close the solenoid circuit not only on an increase in pressure due to steam genera tion but also due to the pressure created by the feed pump, as for instance when the vehicle istraveling down a long grade, and the engine is turning over, operating the feed pump.= I

Means are also rovided for shutting ofi lid the fuel supply entirely 'and'for opening the circuit of the'motor 7 when the pressure within the boiler reaches "a predetermined excessive value. Disposed in the fuel line 5'is a chamber'53 through which the fuel passes. The outlet from this chamber is controlled by a valve v54, to the stem of which is secured a core 55, surrounded by a solenoid 56. The solenoid circuit is'normally closed, so that the valve 54 is normally held in the raised position, permitting the flow of fuel. When the solenoid circuit is 0 ened the valve falls, cuttin oil the supply oi fuel to the burner and W on the circuit is subseqiiently closed, the valve is again raised.

61. Passing through the lever 61 is an adjusting screw 62, the lower end of which lies in the path of the disc 63, adjustably secured to the rod 33. When the rod is raised, the disc contacts with the lower end of the screw 62 and raises the lever 61 to open the solenoid circuit. Binding posts c4. and 65" for the

contacts

58 and 59 respectively are arranged on the exterior of the casing 32. The screw 62 is provided with a milled head 66 which is engaged by a spring 67 to hold the head against accidental rotation after the. screw has been moved to the proper setting.

Secured to the stem of the fuel valve 54 is a contact 68 which is normally in contact with a fixed contact 69, both contacts being in the circuit of the emotor 7. When the valve 54 drops to close the fuel supply, the contacts 68 and 69 are separated, opening the motor circuit.

Disposed in the circuit of the solenoid 56 is anormally closed break comprising the

contact

71 and 72. The contact 72 is stationary and the contact 71 is carried by an insulator disc 73 secured to a metallic rod 74 capable of varying its length under changes in temperature. The rod 74: is disposed in a metallic tube 75, having a lesser coefficient of expansion and preferably dis posed within one of the boiler tubes. vT he tube 7 5 is closed at its inner end and the rod is secured to the tube at its inner end.

' The rod is, therefore, subjected to boiler valve 42 open when the temperature in the boiler is low, to prevent flooding the boiler. The solenoid 43 is provided with a circuit 7 6, in parallel with the pressure controlled circuit, and the circuit 76 contains a break which is closed until the boiler temperature.

increases to apredetermined value. The disc 73 carries a contact 77, which, when the boiler is cold, contacts with the fixed contact 78 in the circuit 76, energizing the solenoid 43 and holding the valve open. When the temperature increases, the contacts are separated, the valve 42 is released and feed water is pumped into the boiler.

The motor 7 and the solenoids are ener-- gized by current from the storage battery 7 9, which is grounded on'one side and which I heat absorbing medium in which the pressure may be made to vary by an application of heat, a .valve for varying the amount of air supplied to the burner, a valve for varying the supply of fuel to the burner, means responsive to the pressure of the heat absorbing medium for mechanically operating the air valve, and means responsive to the movement of the air valve for operating the fuel valve.

2. In a control system for a steam power plant, aliquid fuel burner for affecting a heat absorbing medium in which the pressure may be made to vary by an application of heat, a valve for varying the amount of air supplied to the burner, a shaft connected to-the valve, means responsive to the pressure of the heat absorbing medium for operating the shaft, a valve for varying the supply of fuel to the burner, and a mechanical connection between the shaft and this latter valve.

3. In a control system for a steam power plant, a liquid fuel burner for affecting a heat absorbing medium in which the pressure may be made to vary by an application of heat, a rotary valve for varying the amount of air supplied to the burner, means responsive to the pressure of the heat absorbing medium mechanically connected to this valve, a valve for varying the supply of fuel to the burner, and a direct mechanical connection between the two valves.

4. In a control system for a steam power plant, a liquid fuel burner for'afi'ecting a heat absorbing medium in which the pressure may be made to vary by an application of heat, a rotary shaft, a' valve fastened to the shaft for varying the amount of air supplied to the burner, means responsive to the pressure of the heat absorbing medium for rotating the shaft, a valve for varying the supply of fuel to the burner, and a crank eorlinectionbetween the shaft and the fuel va ve.

5. In a control system for a steam power plant, a liquid fuel burner for affecting a heat absorbing medium in which the pressure may be made to vary by an application of heat, a blower for supplying air to the burner, an electric motor for driving the blower, a valve for controlling the supply of fuel to the burner, means responsive to a rise in pressure in the medium for operating the valve so as to interrupt the flow of fuel, and

means responsive to the operation of this valve for rendering the motor inoperative.

6. In a control system for a steam power plant, a liquid fuel burner for affecting a heat absorbing medium in Which the pressure may be made to vary by an application of heat, a blower for supplying air to the burner, an electric motor for driving the blower, a valve for controlling the supply of fuel to the burner, an electromagnet for operating the valve, an electric control circuit for the"magnet, means responsive to a rise in pressure in the medium'for altering the circuit so as to cause the valve to interrupt the .supply of fuel, an electric circuit for the motor, and means operated by the electromagnet for controlling the motor circuit.

7. In a control system for a steam power plant, a liquid fuel burner for affecting a heat absorbing medium, a blower for supplying air to the burner, an electric motor for driving the blower, a valve for controlling the supply of fuel to the burner, means responsive to a rise in temperature in the medium for operating the valve so as to interrupt the flow of fuel, and means responsive to the operation of this valve for renderin the motor inoperative.

8. In a control system for a steampower plant, a liquid fuel burner for affecting a heat absorbing medium, a blower for supplying air to the burner, an electric motor' for driving the blower, a valve for controlling the supply of fuel to the burner, an electromagnet for operating the valve, an electric control circuit for the magnet, means res onsive to a rise in temperature in the me ium for altering the circuitsoas to cause the valve to interrupt the supply of fuel, an electric circuitfor the motor, and means operated by the electromagnet for controlling the motor circuit.

9. In a control system for a steam-power msmeo plant, a liquid fuelburner for affecting av heat absorbing medium in which the pressure may be made to vary by an application of heat, a valve for varying the supply of fuel to the burner, a valve for abruptly interrupting the supply of fuel, and means responsive to a rise in' pressure for gradually closing the first valve and later for operating the second valve.

10. In a control system for a steam power plant, a liquid fuel burner for affecting a heat absorbing medium, a valve for gradually varying the supply of fuel to the burner, another valve for abruptly interrupting the supply of fuel, and means responsive to a rise in temperature of the medium for gradually closing the first valve, and later for operating the second valve.

11. The combination with a heat absorbing medium containing device, of a liquid fuel burner associated with said device, a conduit througlf which air is introduced into said burner, a valve arranged to vary the flow of air through said conduit, a spring loaded piston subjected to the pressure in said device and connected to said valve, a conduit through which fuel is in-' operative by further movement of the air valve for operating said second fuel valve.

12. The combination with a heat absorbing medium containing device, of a liquid fuel burner associated with said device, a

conduit through which fuel is introduced into the burner, a valve in said conduit adapted to vary the flow of fuel therethrough, a second valve in said conduit adapted to abruptly halt the fiow of fuel therethrough, means operative by an in creasing pressure in the device for gradually closing said first valve and then abruptly closing said second valve.

13. The combination with a heat absorbing medium containing device, of a liquid fuel burner associated with said device, a

conduit through which fuel is introduced into the burner, a valve in said conduit adapted to vary the flow of fuel therethrough, a second valve in said conduit arranged to abruptly open and close said conduit, a solenoid for operating said second valve, and means operative by an increasing 5 pressure in the device for gradually closing said first valve and then noid circuit.

14. The combination with a heat absorbing medium containing device, of a li uid. fuel burner associated therewith a con uit opening the solethrough which fuel flows to said burner, a T

casing to which said conduit is connected, a means actuated by variations in pressure valve in said casing for controlling the flow within the device for moving said rod. 10 of fuel through said conduit, a rod en ag- In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set ing said valve, a second valve in the con uit, my hand at San Francisco, California, this a solenoid for operating said valve, a circuit 6th day of December, 1919.

for said solenoid, normally engaging con- JESSE W. DOBLE. tacts in said circuit disposed in said casing .In presence ofadapted to be separated by said rod, and H. G. Pnosr.