US1526002A - Electric water heater - Google Patents

Description

A. V. LIVINGSTON ELECTRIC WATER HEATER Feb. 10. 1925.

Filed Feb; 2, 1922 ap v 4 INVENTOR Patented Feb. 10, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALAN VARLEY LIVINGSTON, 013 NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT, KSSIGNOR TO THE SAFETY GAR HEATING & LIGHTING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

ELECTRIC WATER HEATER.

Application filed Februa'ry 2, 1922.

To all whom 2'2. may concern:

Be it known that I, ALAN VARLEY LIV- mesrozv, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New Haven, in the county of New Haven and State of Connecticut, have invented an Improvement in Electric lVater Heaters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electric heaters for water, and with regard to its more specific features this invention relates to heaters of the above nature in which water is automatically heated as required.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide apractical apparatus of the above nature of thoroughly dependable action. Another object is to provide apparatus of the above nature in which the heating cur rent is economically used and in which the chances of injury to the several parts there of, as by overheating, are reduced to a mini mum. Another object is to provide appara tus of the above character of simple and yet durable and compact construction. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of this invention,

Figure 1 is vertical central crosssection of an electric water heater;

Figure 2 is a crosssection taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1 showing the switch construction for controlling the heating current, the parts being shown in the off position; and

Figure 3 is a similar view showing the several parts in the on position.

Figure 4 is a plan view showing a. part in detail of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of ele ments, and arrangement of parts as will be Serial No. 533,625.

exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following shape having detachably secured thereto at its upper end an end housing 11 provided with a nipple 12 to which connection may be made to a suitable source of water supply. The main casing 10 is provioed adjacent its upper end with a transversely extending dividing partition or wall member 13 having preferably f rined integrally therewith a downwardly extending and substantially centrally positioned post or stem 14. The wall member 13 is adapted to cooperate with a diaphragm 15 preferably of metallic construction and mounted at the lower end of the main casing 10 so as to form between the wall member 13 and the diaphragm 15 a substantially enclosed compartment in which I prefer to mount the electric circuit controlling devices hereinafter more clearly described.

A pair of conduits 16 and 17 are in fluidtight connection with suitable openings in the wall member 13 and the diaphragm 15 to provide suitable fluid passage through the water-tight housing above described and in the wall member 13 and adjacent the upper ends of the conduits 16 and 17 there are formed the valve seats 1i and 19 respectively and preferably of conical shape. Associated with the valve seats 18 and 19 respectively are the valve members 20 and 21 adapted to control the passage of water through the conduits 16 and 17. The valve members 20 and 21 are controlled by the valve stems and 23 respectively extending preferably downwardly through the respective conduits and beyond the diaphragm 15 where they are supported in the respective ends of a yoke 24. The ends of the valve stems 22 and 23 extend through suitable openings in the respective ends of the yoke 52% and are provided with collars 26 and 27 respectively integrally mounted thereon so that a downward pressure upon the valve members 20 and 21 due to the water pressure acting thereon will be transmittedto the yoke 24.

The valve members 20 and 21 are operated or moved in an upward direction to permit the flow of water through the conduits 16 and 17 respectively by means of suitable cams acting upon the lower ends of the valve stems 22 and 23 respectively. One of these cams 25 is clearly shown in Fig. 1 in operative relation to the valve stem 22, and the cam 25, together with the cam acting upon the valve stem 23, is integrally formed with a ring member 28 flanged as at 29 so as to overlap the main cylindrical casing 10, thereby to be relatively rotatable with respect to the main casing 10. A handle 30 is mounted upon the exterior of the ring member 28 to permit manual operation thereof. The ring member 28 is held in rotatable and fluid-tight connection with the main casing 10 by means of the cylindrical housing member 31 which is seated at its upper end against the ring member 28 by means of the flange 32 andwhich is rigidly positioned with respect to the main casing 10 by meamz of the end cap 33 mounted upon the lower end of the supporting stem 14 and conveniently in threaded engagement therewith as at 34. The ring member 28, forming part of the entire housing is thus rotatably mounted and in fluid-tight connection with its as sociated members and may conveniently be manually operated to place the valve members 20 and 21 in open position.

The ring member 28 is provided with suitable openings as at 35 to permit the flow of water in a general downward direction into the housing 31 in which is mounted the electric heating unit. The heating unit preferably comprises a substantially cylindrical and hollow core 36 of suitable insulating material having disposed upon its interior and exterior surfaces a suitable resistance element. Thus, as is clearly shown in Fig. 1, theresistance element may comprise a winding 37 of a suitable resistance wire wound upon the exterior of the core 36 and a second winding 38 positioned and suitably mounted upon the interior surface of the core 36. The wire or metal forming the resistance element of the heating unit is preferably nickle-plated so as to be immune from corrosive action of the water. The ends of the windings 37 and 38 are respectively connected to suitable terminals 39 and 40 preferably of heavy construction and suitably slotted so that they may be engaged by suitable binding posts indicated generally at 41 and 42 respectively mounted in the walls of the housing 31 preferably at the upper end thereof and suitably insulated therefrom.

At the upper end of the core 36 of the heating unit there is mounted a ring shaped member 43 suitably serrated throughout its periphery so as to contact with the interior walls of the housing 31 and to maintain the core 36 in substantial alignment therewith, it being understood that the core 36 has an outside diameter materially less than the inside diameter of the housing 31 so as to provide a substantially annular path of flow for water therebetween. The lower end of the core 36 is substantially centered with respect to the housing 31 by means of a plurality of projections 44 (Fig. 4) suitably spaced from one another and adapted to maintain the end of the core 36 out of contact with the bottom surface of the cap 33. The annular passage exterior of the core 36 and the interior passage through the inside of the core 36 are thus placed in communication with one another by the end cap construction above described. The cap 33 is threaded into the housing 31 so that the heating unit, the housing 31 and the cap 33 may be first assembled as an entire unit and may thereupon be assembled with relation to the main casing 10 and the ring member 28 by threading the cap 33 upon the main supporting stem 14. Before mounting the heating unit with its associated housing upon the stem 14, however, the assembled parts are first preferably dipped in a suitable insulating compound, such as bakelite or enamel for example, thereby to insulate the electrical parts from the water passing in contact therewith.

From the lower part of the housing 31 the path of flow for the water to the apparatus is continued in an upward direction by means of a suitable conduit preferably taking the form of a tube 45 surrounding the supporting stem 14 and held in central posipart f th tube 45 to permit the entry therein of the water and to permit its flow in an upward'direction through the tube 45 and through the discharge spout 48 extend ing though the housing 31 and in connection with the tube 45 at its upper end.

Considering now the means for controlling the flow of current to the heating unit. it will first be noted that there is rotatably mounted at the upper end of the post 14 a sleeve 49 extending upwardly through the diaphragm 15 and into the enclosed compartment formed bythe diaphragm 15 and the wall member 13 in the main casing 10. The sleeve 49 has rigidly mounted at its lower end a squared bushing 50 of substantial extent in an axial direction and adaptedto be slidably engaged by the ring member 28 which is provided at its central part with Ill a squared opening'51 into which the squared bushing 50 loosely fits. The sleeve 4:9 with the squared bushing 50 may thus partake of an axial movement along the stem 14 and throughout such movement will be in driving connection with the ring member 28. Thus, as the ring member 28 is rotated by means of the handle 30 to cause the opening of the valves 20 and 21 hereinbefore described, the sleeve %9 will be rotated therewith. The upper end of the sleeve 49 is squared to provide what may be termed a clutch portion 52 (see Fig. 2) adapted to be engaged when in downward position by the squared opening 53 in the hub member 54 of a switch operating device. The hub member 54 has integrally formed therewith the two arms 55 and 56 adapted to support at their outer ends a'ring'member 56 adapted to fit freely within the cylindrical casing 10. It will thus be seen that with the squared portion 52 of the sleeve l9 in engagement with the hub member as shown in Fig. 1, a rotation of the sleeve 49 in response to the operation of the ring member 28 will bring about a like rotation of the ring member 56 within the fluid-tight compartment.

lVithin the conduit l5 and surrounding the stem 1a is a spring 57 engaging at its upper end the lower end of the sleeve 49 so as to tend to move the sleeve 49 in an upward direction and to place the squared portion 52.0ut of engagement with the hub member 5 1. The tendency of the spring 57 thus to place the clutchportion 52 in disengaging position is, however, opposed by the pressure of water upon the valve members 20 and 21. As hereinbefore described, the valve members 20 and 21 are adapted to transmit the downward pressure due to the action of water thereon to the yoke 24 which, as will be seen from Fig. 1, is supported upon the squared bushing of the sleeve -19. Thus, when water is present in the upper part of the cylindrical casing 10, the downward action of the water upon the valves 20 and 21 is transmitted through the yoke 2a to the sleeve a9 and tends to hold the squared portion 52 of the sleeve in engagement with the hub member l Vhen therefore the handle 30 is manually operated to swing the ring member 28 in a anti-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2 of the drawings, such rotary motion will be communicated through the sleeve 49 and the clutch portions 52 and to the ring member 56 providing, however. that. water is present in the upper part of the casing 10 to maintain the clutch portions in connection above described. Should no water be present, however, to act upon the valves 20 and 21, the spring 57 is free to act without opposition and moves the sleeve 29 along the stem let to raise the clutch portion 52 of the stem t9out of engagement withthe hub member 54. No rotary motion is thus communicated to the ring member 56. A spring 28 compressed during the anticlockwise rotation of the ring 28 is effective to return ring member 28 to normal valve-closing position.

Referring now more specifically to Fig. 2 of the drawings, it will be seen that the ring member 56 has pivotally secured there to at substantially diametrically opposite points two links 58 and 59 pivotally cons nected at their inner ends to a yoke member 60 rotatably mounted upon a lower cylindrical extension as of the hub 54 so that the yoke 60 is free to rotate relatively to and underneath the hub member 5i and its associated ring supporting arms and 56. Upon the yoke member there are mounted two spring contacts 61 and 63 suitably insulated therefrom and interconnected by means of a suitable conductor Get. The contacts 61 and 63 are adapted to co-operate with the spring clips 65 and 66 respectively mounted upon the interior of the casing 10 and within the enclosed compartment therein, suitable binding posts 67 and 68 respectively being provided for connecting the clips 65 and 66 to an exterior circuit.

Upon the ring member 56 there are rigidly mounted as by the screws 69 and 70 two circumferentially extending guiding bars 71 and 72 upon which are respectively supported the springs 7 3 and 74. The free ends of the guiding bars 71 and 72 are guided in suitable abutments or posts 75 and 76 respectively mounted upon the interior walls of the casing 10, and these posts also provide suitable abutmentsagainst which the springs 73 and 7a may be compressed during counter-clockwise rotation of the ring mem ber 56 as viewed in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The several parts are normally held in the position shown in Fig. 2- and the contact springs 61 and 63 are held in the oft position by the action of the springs 7 7 and 78 surrounding the links 59 and 58 respectively. These springs tending to expand, tend normally to rotate the yoke member 60 in a counter-clockwise direction and the latter together with its associated spring contacts 61 and 63 is held in the off position by means of suitable stops 79 and 80 engaging the conduits 16 and 17 respectively.

Vhen the ring member is given a counter-clockwise rotation as above described, the outer pivotal supporting points 77 and 78 of the links 59 and 58 respectively are moved into substantial alignment with the pivot points 77 and 78", with which the links 59 and 58 respectively are in slotted connection; and as soon as the outer pivot points are moved to a. position beyond the alignment of these four pivot points, the springs 77 and 78, compressed during this action, are at liberty to expand. During such expansion they cause a clockwise rotation of the yoke with its associated contact springs 61 and 63 into the position shown in Fig. 8, whereby the contacts 61 and 63 are thrown into engagement with the contact clips 65 and 66 respectively. The yoke-member 60, in thus being rotated in clockwise direction is held at the limit of its movement by suitable stops or abutments 81 and 82 mounted upon the interior of the casing 10 and adapted to engage the stops or arms 79 and respectively on the yoke member 60. The yoke member 60 with its associated operating links 58 and 59 forms in effect a toggle acting to bring about a quick and rapid operation of the switch.

The terminals of the heating unit, as well as those of the switch, are preferably interconnected upon the exterior of the apparatus and the circuits may, for example, be completed as follows: One side of the circuit may be connected to the binding post 67 in connection with the clip 65 in the switch and upon closure of the switch as above described the circuit is completed through the spring contacts 61 and 63 interconnected by means of the conductor 64 to the other binding post 68: from this binding post 68 a conductor may lead to the terminal 41 upon the exterior of the casing 31 and leading to the resistance element of the electric heating unit. The other side of the circuit may thereupon be connected to the terminal 42 of the electric heating unit.

During the above described operation of rotating the ring member 28 through its handle 30 to operate the valves 20 and 21 and the switch, in case water is present in the casing, the springs 73 and 74 are compressed and are thereupon eliecti've to re turn the switch to open position and the valves to closed position as soon as the handle 30 is released. Upon such release of the handle 30, the springs 73 and 7 4 expand to rotate the ring member 56 in clockwise rotation thereby reversing the operation of the switch as above described and returning the parts of the switch to off position as shown in Fig. 2. The same toggle action takes place during the breaking of the electric circuit and the quick and certain action of the switch insures the elimination of arcing and a consequently great life of the switch. The same clockwise rotation of the ring member 56 due to the ex pansion of the springs 73 and 74 is effective also to rotate the sleeve 49 and with the latter the ring member 28 and handle 30,

thus restoring these parts to normal in as sistance to spring 28 During such restoration of the ring member 28 to normal the cams 25 are withdrawn from coaction with the stems 22 and 23 of the valves 20 and 21, and the latter are thereupon seated in their stantially annular streams, thus insuring an intimate contact of the water with the heating elements of the heating unit. Furthermore, the Water after having passed the heating unit is conducted in a single upwardly directed passage entirely surrounded by the heating unit so as to bring about a still further interchange of heat. During this upward flow, moreover, the water is again made to take the form of a. thin annular stream surrounding the stem 14 and within the conduit 45 so that the heat interchange is made all the more effective.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided in this invention an electric heating apparatus of highly etficient and dependable action. The electric heating unit is not only of such construction as to inherently protect it against corrosion and against the effects of electrolysis, but is also controlled in such manner that danger from overheating and eventual burning out due to the absenoe of water in the apparatus is entirely eliminated. The construction, moreover, is of marked simplicity of operation and it will be noted that a complexity of parts is avoided in arranging the valves for controlling the'flow of water through the apparatus to be effective also to control the operation of the switch in response to the water pressure in the main casing. Such water pressure, by way of brief rsum, acts upon the valve members 20 and 21 to place the clutch portion 52 of the sleeve 49 operative in response to the handle 30 in operative connection with the switch-operating toggle mechanism, and itmay briefly be noted that after the initial action of the valves in thus controlling the connection, the

valves may be lifted to permit the flow of water through the apparatus, the friction of the parts, after being once placed in operative connection, being sufficient to permit the resultant and completing operation of the operating switch. Thus, in spite of the fact that, upon the opening of the valves, the pressure thereon is decreased to a substantial extent, the clutch portions 52 and 54 are held in operative connection by the friction t-herebetween, it being understood that this connection operates against the spring of the operating mechanism of the switch.

It will also be seen that the several parts l (l O of the apparatus provided in this invention are readily a: d conveniently assembled and that the construction thus provided is of such nature that ready access may be had to the various interior parts of the apparatus. Thus, for example, replacement or the repair of the several parts may easily be made.

It may furthermore be noted that there has been provided in this invention an ap paratus in which the several objects above noted, as well as others, are achieved and in which many advantages are attained.

As many possible embodiments might be made of the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. In electrical water-heating apparatus, in combination, means providing a path of flow for water, a valve associated therewith for controlling the flow of water therethrough, an electric heating unit associated with said means and in the path of flow therein, a switch for controlling the current flow to said unit, a member mounted for manual movement in one direction, a spring arranged to oppose the manual movement of said member, and means responsive to manual movement of said member arranged to operate either said valve and said switch conjointly or said valve alone, depending upon the presence or absence, respectively, of water in said path of flow.

2. In electrical water-heating apparatus, in combination, a main casing adapted to form a path of flow for water therethrough and built up of a plurality of contiguous sections, one of which is movable with respect to the other, an electric heating unit within said casing, and means responsive to movement of said movable part of said casing for simultaneously controlling the flow of water past said electric heating unit and the flow of current to said heating unit.

3. In electrical water-heating apparatus, in combination, a main casing adapted to form a path oi flow for water t-herethrough and built up of a plurality of contiguous sections, one of which is movable with respect to the other, an electric heating unit within said casing, a valve for controlling the flow of water through said casing and past said heating unit, a switch for controlling the flow of current to said heating unit, and means responsive to the movement of said movable part of said casing for operating either said valve and said switch substantially conjointly or said valve alone, depending upon the presence or absence respectively of water in said path of flow.

4. In electrical water-heating apparatus,

in combination, a casing made up of a plurality of sections and adapted to provide a path of flow for water, two adjacent sections being substantially concentric and the one rotatable with respect to the other, an electric heating unit within said casin a valve for controlling the flow of water past said heating unit, a switch for controlling the flow of current to said heating unit, and means responsive to a rotary movement of said movable section of said casing for simultaneously opening said valve and closing said switch.

5. In electrical water-heating apparatus, in combination, a casing made up of a plurality of sections and adapted to provide a path of flow for water, two adjacent sections being substantially concentric and the one rotatable with respect to the other, an electric heating unit within said casing, a valve for controlling the flow of water past said heating unit, a switch for controlling the flow of current to said heating unit, and means responsive to a rotary movement of said casing for operating either said valve and said switch substantially conjointly or said valve alone, depending upon the presence or absence of water in the path of flow provided by said casing.

6. In electrical water-heating apparatus, in combination, a casing providing a path of flow for water therethrough, an electricheating unit mounted in said casing, a valve for controlling the flow of water through said casing, and past said heating-unit, a switch controlling the flow of current to said heating-unit, toggle means for operating said switch, and means dependent upon the presence or absence of water in said path of flow for operating substantially conjointly said valve and said toggle means or for operating only said valve, respectively.

7. In electrical water-heating apparatus, in combination, a casing providing a path of flow for water therethrough, a valve for controlling the flow of water through said casing, an electric heating-unit mounted in said casing, and adapted to heat water passing through said casing, a switch for controlling the current to said heating-unit, manually movable means for simultaneously opening said valve and closing said switch to permit the flow of water through said casing, and of current to said heating-unit, and automatic means for returning said valve to closed position and said switch to open position.

8. In electrical water-heating apparatus, in combination, a casing providing a path of flow for water therethrough, an electric heating-unit mounted in said casing for heating water passing therethrough, a valve controlling the flow of water through said casing, a switch controlling the flow of current through said heating-unit, "means arranged for manual movement for simultaneously opening said valve and closing said switch to permit the fiow of water through said casing, and of current to said heatingunit, and a spring for returning said valve open position and for operating said switch to close the circuit to said heating-unit, and connections between said switch, said manual'operating means, and said spring for returning said manual means to normal position said valve to closed position and said switch to open position.

10. Inelectrical water-heating apparatus, in combination, means for providing a path of flow for water, an electric heating-unit interposed in said path, manual means for controlling the flow of current to said heating-unit, and means dependent upon the presence or absence of water in said path of flow for permitting or preventing, respectively, the operation of said currentcontrolling means.

11. In electrical water-heating apparatus, in combination, a casing providing a path of flow for water therethrough, an electric heating-unit mounted in said casing, a switch controlling the flow of current to said heating-unit, means for operating said switch, a clutch connecting said switch and said operating means, and means responsive to the pressure of water in said casing for controlling said clutch.

12. In electrical water-heating apparatus, in combination, a casing providing a path of flow for water therethrough, an electric heating-unit mounted in said casing, a switch controlling the flow of current to said heatingunit, means for operating said switch, a clutch connecting said switch and said operating means, a spring tending to hold said clutch in disengaging position, and means responsive to the pressure of water in said casing, adapted to oppose said spring, and to place said clutch in engaging position when water is present in said casing.

13. In electrical water-heating apparatus, in combination, a casing providing a path of flow for water therethrough, an electric heating-unit mounted in said casing, a switch for controlling the flow of current to said unit, a clutch member adapted to interlock with said switch, a floating valve member for controlling the flow of water in said casing, connected to said clutch member and adapted to be responsive to pressure. of water in said casing, thereby to place said clutch member in interlocking position with said switch, and manual means for operating said valve member to permit the flow of water through said casing and for operating said clutch member.

14. In electrical water-heating apparatus, in combination, a casing adapted to form a path of flow for water therethrough, an electric heating-unit mounted in said casing, a switch for controlling the flow of cur rent to said heating-unit, a clutch member adapted to interlock with and to operate said switch, means tending to hold said clutch member out of interlocking relation with said switch, a float-ing valve member for controlling the flow of water through said casing connected to said clutch member and adapted to be responsive to pressure of water in said casing, and to oppose said clutch holding means to place said clutch member-.;-

in interlocking relation with said switch and means for operating said valve member and said clutch member.

15. In electrical water-heating apparatus, in combination, a casing adapted to form a path of flow for water therefrom, an electric heating-unit associated with said casing, a switch for controlling the flow of current to said heating-unit, means for op crating said switch to permit the flow of.-

current to said heating-unit, means forming a detachable connection between said operating means and said switch, and a diaphragm associated with said casing and responsive to pressure of water in said casing to control the connection between said switch-operating means and said switch.

16. In electrical water-heating apparatus, in combination, a. casing adapted to form a path of flow for water therethrough, an

electric heating-unit associated with said casing, a switch for controlling the flow of current to said heating-unit, a floating valve having a portion adapted to be exposed to water in said casing, whereby said floating valve may be acted upon by the pressure of water in said casing, means for operat ing said valve to permit the. flow of water through said casing, a detachable connection between said switch and said valve-operating means, and means operated by said floating valve in response to pressure of water in said casing for controlling said connection. 1

17. In electrical water-heating apparatus,

casing, and having a resistance element disposed upon its interior and exterior surlll) faces, and meansto'r mounting said heatingunit within, said casing to form a plurality of paths ot'flow thcrebetween.

18. In electrical water-heating apparatus, in combination, a main casing adapted to form a path of flow for water therethrongh, an electric heating-unit, having a pair of connecting terminals; means tor detachably mounting said unit within said casing, and a pair of connecting terminals associated with said casing and positioned to be detachably engaged by the connecting terminals of said heating unit as the latter is inserted into said casing.

19. In electrical water-heating apparatus, in combination, a main casing adapted to form a path of flow for water therethrough, an electric heating-unit associated therewith, comprising a main core having a resistance element disposed upon its surface: and means forming a non-corrosive coating for the resistance element in said electric heating-unit.

20. In electrical water-heating apparatus, in combination, a casing adapted to provide a path of flow for water therethrough, an electric heating-unit mounted in said casing and exposed to the water passing there through, and comprising a core having a resistance element disposed upon its surface, and means forming an insulating coating for said resistance element of said electric heating-unit.

21. In electrical water-heating apparatus, in-combination, a main casing adapted to form a path of flow for water therethrough, an electric heating-unit having a cylindrical core and a resistance element disposed upon its outer surface: a cylindrical housing having a greater inside diameter than the outside diameter of said core, thereby to form an annular path of flow therebetween: means for mounting said heating-unit with in said cylindrical housing, and means for detachably connecting said cylindrical housing with said main casing.

22. In electrical Water-heating apparatus, in combination, a main casing adapted to form a path of flow for water therethrough, an electric heating-unit having a cylindrical core and a resistance element disposed upon its outer surface; a cylindrical housing having a greater inside diameter than the outside diameter of said core, thereby to form an annular path of flow therebetween; means for mounting said heating-unit within said cylindrical housing; a means for detachably connecting said cylindrical housing With said main casing, and a valve mounted in said main casing for controlling the flow of Water therethrough.

23. In electrical water-heating apparatus, in combination, a main casing adapted to form a path of flow for water therethrough, a valve mounted in said casing and adapted to control the flow of water therethrough; a cylindrical housing detachably connected with said main casing and adapted to form a continued path of flow for water; and an electric heating-unit mounted within said cylindrical casing, and comprising a hollow cylindrical core of lesser outside diameter than the inside diameter of said housing, having a resistance element disposed upon its interior and exterior cylindrical surfaces.

24. In electrical water-heating apparatus, in combination, a substantially cylindrical casing having an inlet passage substantially at its upper end; an electric heating-unit comprising a resistance element mounted adjacent to the interior walls of said casing, and adapted to heat water passing downwardly through said casing; a tube substantially centrally positioned within said cylindrical casing, and having a connection at its lower end, with the path of flow formed by said casing, and a discharge passage connnected with the upper end of said tube.

In electrical waterheating apparatus. in combination, a substantially cylindrical main casing, having an inlet passage at its upper end, an electric heating-unit mounted within said casing and comprising a hollow cylindrical core. having a resistance element disposed upon its interior and exterior surfaces, said core having a lesser outside diameter than the inside diameter of said cylindrical casing, thereby to form a plurality of paths of flow in a downward direction through said casing; a conduit, substantially centrally positioned within said cylindrical casing. and within said core, and having a connection at its lower end with said plu rality of paths of flow, formed by said core in said casing; and a discharge outlet connected with the upper end of said conduit.

26. In electrical water-heating apparatus, in combination, a casing adapted to form a path of flow for water there-through: means forming an enclosed housing extending substantially transversely through said casing: an electric heating-unit mounted within said casing and adapted to heat water passing therethrough: a switch mounted within said enclosed housing for controlling the current to said heating-unit a conduit extending through said enclosed housing for completing the path of flow through said casing, and a valve associated with said conduit for controlling the flow of water therethrough.

27. In electrical water-heating apparatus. in combination, a casing made up of a plurality of sections and adapted to provide a path of flow for water, two adjacent sections being substantially concentric and the one rotatable with respect to the other, an electric heating unit within said casing, a valve for controlling the flow of water past said heating unit, a switch for controlling All) the How of current to said heating unit, means responsive to a rotary movement in one direction of said rotatable section of said casing for operating either said valve and said switch substantially conjointly or said valve alone in accordance with the presence or absence of Water in said path of flow, respectively, and responsive to a rotary movement of said section in the reverse direction for restoring either said valve and 10 7 name to this specification this 2&th day of 15 January 1922. V

ALAN VARLEY LIVINGSTON.

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