US1503965A - Return-line vacuum pump for steam-heating systems - Google Patents

Description

B. SKIDMOFQE, JR

2 Sheets-Sheet l l RETURN LINE VACUUM PUMP FOR STEAM HEATING SYSTEMS Aug? 5 w24., www@ B. SKIDMORE, JR

RETURN LINE VACUUM PUMP FOR STEAM HEATING SYSTEMS Filed Dec. 1o, 1921 2 shwrs-sheer 2 Patented Aug. 5, 1924.

T E S BENJAMIN SKIDMO'RE, J R., 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

RETURN-LINE VACUUM PUMP FOR STEAM-HEATING SYSTEMS.

Application led December 10, 1921.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN SKIDMORE, J r., a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cool: and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Return-Line Vacuum Pumps for Steam-Heating Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in return line vacuum pumps, particularly adapted, though not necessarily limited in its use, in steam heating systems, and one of the objects of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus of this character for maintaining a vacuum on the steam line system and for returning the condensation back to the boiler.

A further object is to provide an improved apparatus of this character in which the air and condensates are handled through the same rotor, the air being separated from the liquid before the latter is returned to the boiler.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects as will appear the invention consists in the features of novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts, hereinafter more fully described and claimed and Shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention and in which Figure 1 is a vertical, longitudinal sectional view.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a detail vertical, sectional view taken on line 3-3, Figure l.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral 10 designates generally a casing having an inlet opening 1l for liquid and a discharge outlet opening 12.

Within the casing is a rotor 13 which is connected with the shaft 14 for rotation therewith and this shaft 14 extends through the casing and for a considerable distance on each side thereof. Connected with the casing is a support 15 through which one end of the shaft 14 passes and this support is provided with a suitable stuffing box 16, grease grooves 17, and a ball bearing 18. To the other side of the casing is connected another support 19 having a stutling bx 20, grease grooves 21, and a ball bearing 22 for the shaft.

The casing is constructed to form a rotor chamber 23 and an inlet passage 24 which Serial No. 521,334.

has communication with the inlet opening 11 and communicates with the rotor chamber 23, preferably adjacent the axis of rotation of the shaft 14, as at 25. Arranged within the rotor chamber and encompassing. the shaft is a stationary element or post 26, which is hollow to form passages 27 having outlets 28. These passages 27 have communication as at 29 with a passageway 30, preferably in the casing wall and which passageway 30 has an inlet opening 31, with which latter the return line pipe of the system is connected so that the fluid and liquid which is returned from the system will be delivered through the opening 31 into thevpassage 30, and from there into the passages 27, to be discharged through the outlet 28.

A portion of the rotor 13 encompasses the element 26 and the rotor is of a construction similar to that disclosed in my United States Patent No. 1,390,390, issued September 13, 1921. The rotor is preferably of a double construction, that is it is provided with blades on each side thereof. Two blades are` preferably provided on each side, the inner end of each blade overlapping the inner end of the next adjacent blades. The blades are suitably spaced from each other and the ends or portions 32-33 and 34-35 of the respective blades' are arranged substantially concentric with the axis of the rotor, while the portions 36-37 of the respective blades are arranged spirally about the axis of the rotor, so that the blades as they are advanced will' move into the liquid to take up a portion thereof. The portion of the liquid thus taken up will be confined in the passages between the blades and will remain in a substantially quiescent condition, with the result that as the rotor is actuated the walls of the passage will advance with respect to the liquid confined in the passage and there will be little centrifugal force or turbine action imparted to the liquid, while at the same time the liquid will have a slight radial flow to be replaced by other supplies between the walls of the passage. This is due to the fact that the blades are arranged substantially parallel, are rotated at a very high rate of speed and are concentric with the axis of the rotor.

The blades on one side of the rotor are so arranged with respect t0 the blades on the opposite side that the parallel portions of the walls of the passages on one side will be intermediate the parallel portions of the walls of the passages on the other side. This construction is desirable and advantageous in that the rotor will be balanced thereby.

Durin the operation of the rotor, the inlets o the respect-ive passages between the blades will pass the outlet openings 28 of the passages 27 in the element 26, with the result that as the blades advance they will gradually close and open the outlets 28 and slugs of air or Huid will be taken into the passages between the blades alternately with slugs of liquid, and as the blades first cut into and are advanced with respect to the liquid, the liquid will be discharged through the outlet opening 12 of the cas ing and into a closed tank 38, which latter is provided with an outlet opening 39 for the air or iuid. y

This tank may be of any desired size and configuration and is preferably provided with a'baiiie or detlector 40, arranged adjacent but spaced above the bottom of the tank. This baiile extends across the inlet opening 41 with which the outlet opening 12 communicates so that the liquid and Huid which is directed into the tank through the inlet 41 will be delivered at one end of the tank so as to provide a sufficient time to permit the air and gases to be separated from the liquid as they How from one end of the tank to the other end thereof. The air and gases will rise to the top of the tank and will be discharged through the outlet opening 39, if the latter is open.

The opening 39 is provided with a valve seat 42 with which a valve 43 co-operates. The valve 43 is itself provided with a valve opening therethrough and a valve seat 44 with which a supplemental valve 45 co-operates. This supplemental valve as well as the valve 43 is adapted to be controlled by means of a suitable float 46 which is connected with a lever 47, pivotally mounted as at 48. The valve 45 is provided with a stem 49 which passes through a suitable opening in the lever 47 and cotter pins 50 are provided through the stem 49 on each side of the lever 47 so that the rising and falling movement of the float 46 will shift the valve 45.

With this construction it will be manifest that when the liquid level in the tank 38 is sulicient to permit the float 46 to drop, the lever 47 will unseat the valve 45 and this unseating of the valve 45 will relieve the pressure in the tank 38 sufficiently to permit the valve43 to open. When the float 46 rises the valve 45 will first be seated upon its seat 44 and the valve 43 will then be seated upon its seat 42 to close the outlet 39.

The tank 38 is also provided with an outlet opening 51 through the bottom thereof, which communicates with the inlet opening 11 of the passages 24 so that liquid from the tank 38 will be supplied to the rotor through the opening 25.

As the rotor 13 rotates the inlets of the passages between the blades of the rotor will pick up the liquid which is being delivered into the opening 25.

The bottom of the tank 38 is also provided with another liquid outlet opening 52 which has communication with the passage 53, the latter being preferably arranged within the casing 10. This passage 53 delivers the liquid from the tank to a centrifugal pump device 54, which is also connected with the shaft 14 for rotation therewith. This centrifugal pump device 54 operates in a casing 55, into which it discharges the liquid received through the inlet 56 and from the casing 55 the liquid is discharged through an outlet passage 57 back into the boiler.

Arranged within the tank 38 is an upright tubular member 58 which encompasses the outlet opening 52 and this upright 58 extends through the partition or baiie 40 and is of any desired height so as to cause the liquid to accumulate in the tank 38 before it isdischarged. If desired a tubular member 59 may also be provided within thetank to encompass the member 58 and is spaced therefrom. This tubular member 59 is provided with inlet openings 60 adjacent the bottom thereof so that the liquid in the tank issupplied to the tubular member 58 through the bottom of the tubular member 59.

A partition 61 is preferably arranged intermediate the partition or batlie 40 and the bottom of the tank and between the inlet and outlet passages 11 and 12 so as to induce a circulation of the liquid through the tank and to prevent the liquid from flowing directly from the opening 12 through the opening 11.

In operation the rotor 13 will create a suction from the return line through the opening 31 and the air and condensates which are drawn through the openin 31 by the rotor will be delivered with 2(liquid from the tank 38 back into the tank through the opening 12. The baiiie 40 will cause the liquid and gases to circulate toward one end of the tank and the air and gases will be separated from the liquid and the air will rise to the top of the tank. lf the outlet 39 is open the air lwill pass therethrough but when the liquid in the tank rises sufficiently high to cause the float 46 to close the outlet 39 the air will accumulate at the top of the tank. The liquid from the tank will How through the opening 51 into the passage 24, through the opening 11, and will be delivered to the rotor 13, the rotor operating to cause a circulation of the liquid from liquid level in the tank 38 drops below the top of the pipe 58. I.

The operation of the rotor 13 will cause the condensates to be delivered into the passages 30 and they will then be delivered by the rotor with the liquid which is supplied to the rotor through the opening 25, to the tank 38.

If the liquid which is thus supplied to the tank is a greater quantity than can be handled under normal conditions, by the centrifugal pump 54, then the liquid as it fills the tank will cause the float 46 to rise and this will close the outlet opening 39, with the result that pressure will be built up in the tank 38.

As the pressure is built up or increased in the tank 38 by the rotor 13 there will be increased pressure upon the liquid delivered from the tank to the centrifugal pump 51 and this will cause the centrifugal pump to deliver the liquid back to the boiler or receiver against a greater head or pressure, or Will cause the centrifugal pump to deliver a larger volume of liquid to the receiver or boiler.

The liquid being delivered to the tank 38 through the opening 12, passes under the baffle or deflector 40, Which latter together with the bottom of the tank forms a passageway for the liquid and air and as this )assageway is somewhat extended there will lie a greater interval of time for the liquid and air to flow up into the tank than would be consumed in the event that the baille 40 is omitted, therefore a more complete separation of the air from the liquid will be effected. f

By the building up of the pressure in the tank by the rotor 13 s0 that the liquid will be supplied to the centrifugal pump 5l under an increased pressure, it will be manifest that the rotor 13 acts as a booster for the centrifugal pump, or in other words the rotor and centrifugal pump operate as a two stage pump.

Obviously the valve for controlling the air outlet 39, also serves the purpose of preventing the escape or loss of any of the condensates through the opening.

l/Vhile the preferred form of the invention has been herein shown and described it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

lVhat is claimed as neuT is:

1. In combination, a closed tank for receiving air and water and having an air outlet, a rolo'r casing having an outlet discharging into the tank and an inlet leading from the tank, a rotor in the casing, means for actuating the rotor, said rotor operating tao. circulate liquid from the tank through l e casing and back into the tank, there being a conduit for air and water and having an outlet adjacent the path of movement of the rotor and in which conduit a suction is created by the relative movement of the rotor and liquid, there being a liquid discharge outlet leading from the tank, and means operating automatically to control the air outlet, the said rotor also operating to build up pressure in the tank whereby the liquid will be delivered from the tank through the said discharge outlet under pressure.

2. In combination, a closed tank for receiving air and water and having an air outlet, a rotor casing having an outlet discharging into the tank and an inlet leading from the tank, a rotor in the casing, means for actuating the rotor, said rotor operating to circulate liquid from the tank through the casing and back into the tank, there being a conduit for air and water and having an outlet adjacent the path of movement of the rotor and in Which conduit a suction is created by the relative movement of the rotor and liquid, there being a liquid discharge outlet leading from thel tank, and means controlled by the liquid level in the tank forcontrolling the said air outlet, the said rotor also operating to build up pressure in the tank whereby the liquid will be delivered from the tank through the said discharge outlet under pressure.

3. In combination, a closed tank for receiving air and water and having an air outlet, a rotor casing having an outlet disllO charging into the tank and an inlet leading from the tank, a rotor in the casing means for actuating the rotor, said rotor operating to circulate liquid from the tank through the casing and back into the tank, there being a conduit for air and water and having an outlet adjacent the path of movement of the rotor and in which conduit a suction is created by the relative movement of the rotor and liquid, there being a liquid discharge outlet leading from the tank, a double valve for controlling the air outlet, and a lioat for controlling the valves, one of the valves being adapted to be unseated While the other valve remains seated, the

said rotor operating when the valves are seated to build up pressure in the tank whereby the liquid will be delivered from the tank through the said discharge outlet under pressure.

4. In combination, a closed tank for receiving air and water and having an air outlet, a rotor casing having an outlet discharging into the tank and an inlet leading from the tank, a rotor in the casing, means for actuating the rotor, said rotor operating to circulate liquid from the tank through the casing and back into the tank, there being a conduit for air and water and having an outlet adjacent the path of movement of the rotor and'in which conduit a suction is created by the relative movement of the rotor and liquid, there being a liquid discharge outlet leading from the tank, means operating automatically to control the air outlet, the said rotor also operating to build up pressure in the tank whereby the liquid will be delivered from the tank through the said discharge outlet under pressure, and a pump, the inlet of the pump being connected with the liquid discharge outlet from the tank.

5. In combination, a closed tank for receiving air and Water and having an air outlet, a rotor casing having an outlet discharging into the tank and an inlet leading from the tank, a rotor in the casing, means for actuating the rotor, said rotor operating to circulate liquid from the tank through the casing and back into the tank, there being a conduit for air and water and having an outlet adjacent the path of movement of the rotor and in which conduit a suction is created by the relative movement of the rotor and liquid, there being a liquid discharge outlet leading from the tank, mea-ns operatingl automatically to control the air outlet, the said rotor also operating to build up pressure in the tank whereby the liquid will be delivered from the tank through the said discharge outlet under pressure, and a pump operating in unison with the rotor, the inlet of the pump being connected with the liquid discharge outlet from i the tank.

6. In combination, a closed tank for receiving air and water and having an air outlet, a rotor casing having an outlet discharging into the tank and an inlet leading from the tank, a rotor in the casing, means for actuating the rotor, said rotor operating to circulate liquid from the tank through the casing and back into the tank, there being a conduit for air and water and having an outlet adjacent the path of movement of the rotor and in which conduit a suction is created by the relative movement of the rotor and liquid, there being a liquid discharge outlet leading from the tank, means operating automatically to control the air 7. In combination, a closed tank for rev ceiving air and water and having an air outlet, a rotor casing having an outlet discharging into the tank and an inlet leading from the tank, a rotor in the casing, means for actuating the rotor, said rotor operating to circulate liquid from the tank through the casing and back into the tank, there being a conduit for air and water and having an outlet adjacent the path of movement of the rotor and in which conduit a suction is created by the relative movement of the rotor and liquid, means within the tank for inducing a circulation of the liquid to permit a separation of the fluid therefrom, there being a liquid discharge outlet leading from the tank, and means operating automatically to control the air outlet, the said rotor also operating to build up pressure in the tank whereby the liquid will be delivered from the tank through the said discharge outlet under pressure.

8. In combination, a closed tank for receiving air and water and having an air outlet, a rotor casing having an outlet discharging into the tank and an inlet leading from the tank, a rotor in the casing, means for actuating the rotor, said rotor operating to circulate liquid from the tank through the casing and back into the tank, there being a conduit for air and Water and having an outlet adjacent the path of movement of the rotor and in which conduit a suction is created by the relative movement of the rotor and liquid, there being a liquid discharge outlet leading from the tank, means operating automatically to control the air outlet, the said rotor also operating to build up pressure in the tank whereby the liquid will be delivered from the tank through the said discharge outlet under pressure,'and a pump operating in unison with the rotor, the inlet of the pump being connected with the discharge outlet from the tank, the inlet of the rotor and the inlet of the pump being both disposed intermediate the rotor and-pump.

9. In combination, a closed tank for receiving air and water and having an air outlet, a rotor casing having an outlet discharging into the tank and an inlet leading from the tank, a rotor in the casing, means for actuating the rotor, said rotor operating to circulate liquid from the tank through the casing and back into the tank, there being a conduit for air and water and having an outlet adjacent the path of movement of the rotor and in which conduit a suction is created by the relative movement of the rotor and liquid, there being a liquid discharge outlet leading from the tank, and means operating automatically to prevent the escape of condensates from the tank through the said air outlet.

l0. In combination, a closed tank for receiving air and Water and having an air outlet, a rotor casing having an outlet discharging into the tank and an inlet leading from the tank, a rotor in the casing, means for actuating the rotor, said rotor operating to circulate liquid from the tank through the casing and back into the tank, there being a conduit for air and Water and having an outlet adjacent the path of movement of the rotor and in which conduit a suction is created by the relative movement of the rotor and liquid, there being a liquid discharge outlet leading from the tank, a centrifugal pump, the inlet of which is in open communication with the outlet from the tank, and means for causing the rotor and centrifugal pump to operate as a two-stage pump, the last recited means embodying valve mechanism for controlling the air outlet.

11. A closed tank for receiving air and liquid, a rotor operating to circulate the liquid from the tank through the rotor and back to the tank, a conduit, the said rotor and liquid also operating to create a suction in the conduit, a Water p ump operating to withdraw water of condensation from the tank, and means operating automatically to cause the rotor to increase the pressure upon the liquid supplied to the said Water pump.

12. A closed tank for receiving air and liquid, a rotor operating to circulate the liquid from the tank through the rotor and back to the tank, a conduit, the said rotor and liquid also operating to create a suction in the conduit, a centrifugal pump operating to constantly Withdraw Water of condensation from the tank, and means operating automatically to cause the rotor to increase the pressure upon the liquid supplied to the said Water pump.

13. A closed tank for receiving air and liquid, a rotor operating to circulate the liquid from the tank through the rotor and back to the tank, a conduit, the said rotor and liquid operating to create aA suction in the conduit, a water pump having constant communication with the tank and operating to Withdraw Water of condensation therefrom, said tank having a discharge opening for the separated air and gases in the tank, and means influenced by the height of the liquid in the tank for controlling the lastsaid discharge opening tocause the rotor to increase the pressure upon the liquid in the tank supplied to the said water pump.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, on this 5th day of G5 December, A. D. 1921.

BENJAMIN SKIDMORE, Jn.

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