US1544294A

US1544294A - Electric liquid heater

Info

Publication number: US1544294A
Application number: US686549A
Authority: US
Inventors: Dykmans Joseph
Original assignee: IMEXINEL SA
Current assignee: IMEXINEL SA
Priority date: 1924-01-16
Filing date: 1924-01-16
Publication date: 1925-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 1942-06-30

Description

`Jun 30,1925. 1,544,294

J. DYKMANS ELECTRIC LIQUID HEATER Filed Jan. 16. 1924 2`Sheetl-Sheet 1 f 40 f1 g l.

y I- 14 Psqnh D/kmans Jne 30, 1925. 1,544,294

- J.DYKMANs ELECTRIC LIQUID HEATER Filed Jan. 16, 1924 2`Shntl-Sheet 2 [Der " %Hornef Patented June 3o, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH DYKMANS, OF BRUSSELS, BELGIUM, ASSIGNOR T0 SOCIT ANONYME IMEXINEL, OF BRUSSELS, BELGIUM. v

ELECTRIC LIQUID HEATER.

Application filed January 16, 1924. Serial No. 686,549.

To all whom it, my cof/wem:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH DYKMANS, subject of the King of the Belgians, residing at 320 Avenue de Tervueren, Brussels, Belgium, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Liquid Heaters, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention has reference to `an apparatus in which the'fiow or an yelectric current` through a resistance is used for heating liquids and more particularly running water.` It has for its chief ob]ect to heat the liquid by direct contact with the resistance, while avoiding the objectionable. eliects of electrolysis and polarization. Moreover, suitable provisions are made to prevent deterioration of the resistance and contacts and to obtain anelcient insulation between' parts at different potentials.

To this end the apparatus according to this invention comprises an insulating body ofcylindrical or other suitable shape having a helical groove which is used both for conveying the liquid and for accommodating theresistance, Thev ends of they resistance are respectively connected to two terminals, one directlyand the other through the intermediary` of a rod extending through the insulating body. An insulating sleeve of flexible or rigid material closely surrounds the insulating body and forms awatertight joint with the edges of the groove.

The two yterminals are respectively connected to conductors supplying the electric current anda switch is inserted in one of said conductors.r The o erating member for said switch also controlg the operation of a valve inserted in the conduit supplying the liquid, for yexample water,-to the insulating body so as to simultaneously cut off the flow of-'water and the flow of ,electric current, while permitting of regulating the supply of water without breaking the electric circuit.

The terminals, the switchand the valve are mounted on an insulating supporting block and protected by lak cap ,or cover sccured to said block. On the other hand the rod which extends through the insulating body is also secured at one end to the supporting block and at its other end it carries nuts for securingin position a collecting receptacle for the heated liquid and protectin casings.

lViti the abovearrangement the liquid travels for a long distance in directfconsleeve tact with the resistance, the two poles of whlchare located at the ends of this distance so that they are suiiciently insulated to practically annul the effects of electro-` lysis. The connection between the regulatlng valve and the switch permits of varying c at will the temperature of the liquid and the simultaneous cutting of the liquid and electric currents precludes the burning of the resistances. Further the mounting of the apparatus is simple, the insulation is efficient and they thermie efficiency extremely high.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates by way of example an apparatus constructed according to the invention:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the apparatus on line A-B of Fig. 3.

Fig. 2 is a partial vertical section on the broken line C-D of Fig. 3.

P Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on line Ee-F, .lign 1.

The apparatus illustrated essentially comprises a supporting block 1 of insulating material on which are secured the valve 2,' the terminals 21, Q2 and the fixed contacts 3 of the switch. In the base of block 1 is screwed a metal rod 4 extending through the insulating body 5 which is pressed against the block l by a nut 46 screwed on the threaded lower end of the rod 4.

The insulating body 5 consists preferably of a cylindrical mass of porcelain provided with ahelical groove 6 on its outer surface. It is closely surroundedby an insulating 7, of flexible or stiff rubber for example, forming with the edges of groove 6 watertight. joints which may be cemented if necessary. K At its lower end the sleeve 7 has a small flan e which fits into a circular groove 8 in the ody 5, while the upper end of the sleeve closely fits around the base of block 1 and against a packing gasket 10.

On the flower end of rod 4 is screwed an to a lateral nozzle @t8 of the valve casing 2. A conical plug 17 with axial inlet and lateral outlet controls the delivery ot the water ted through a nozzle 1S integral with the casing 2 and adapted to be connected to a suitable source otI supply. Water tightness is etticiently secured on the one hand by a packing ring 49 pressed against the plug 1T by a bushing 5t) screwed into the nozzle i8 and on the other hand by a packing ring al surrounding the valve spindle and pressed by a threaded cap 19.

In the groove 6 is loc-ated the resistance Q0 consisting of a thin coiled wire of great length. One end of the wire 2O is directly connected to the terminal 21 (Fig. 2) while the other end is connected to the rod 4 which is connected at the top with the terminal Q2 by means of the screw 23 and contact piece 24. To the terminal 21 is connected one ot the currentsupply wire 25, while the other wire QG divides into two Wires con nected each to one of the tixed contacts 23 o'f the switch. rlhe movable contact 2T ot the switch is connected to the termin-il 22 and it is shaped as a blade pivoted at QS to an insulating contact carrier 29 and connected by a spring 30 to an arm of said contact carrier. lVhen the switch is opened the sudden operation ol the blade 2T by the spring 30 instantaneously breaks the circuit.

The contact carrier 29 is secured to two shafts in alignment with and insulated Vfrom each other, one ot' said shafts consisting olE the valve spindle and the other shaft 33 being provided with an operating handle This handle thus permits of simultaneously controlling the circulation ot' water and the tlow ot' electric current.. The spring BO is so proportioned that when the switch is closed a slight rotation of the shatt 33 will cause the delivery through the valve 2 to vary without interrupting the electric current, the contact 2T being operated by the spring 30 only when the flow ot water is stopped. The handle 34 is secured to the shaft 33 by a collar 35 pressed by a spring 3G against a graduated plate 3T, said collar carrying' a linger or spring 38 adapted to move opposite the graduations on plate 3T and to indicate the position ot the valve plug.

The parts mounted on the block 1 are protected by a cap 39 bearing on an upstanding flange ll ot said block in which are mounted the shaft 33 and the nozzle 1S. The cap 3S) is secured in position by a knob 4l) screwed on a threaded pin 42 on a volte 43 secured to the block 1 by screws stal. (Fig. il).

The operation ot the apparatus is as follows:

"hen the handle S-l is operated to close the switch and open the valve, water under pressure admitted axially ot the plug 1T issues laterally therefrom, passes through the duct 1G into the groove G and follows the said groove around the insulating body 5 until it reaches the lower end thereof. then passes through the bore 45, the cup 12, opening 47, cap 9, sleeve 13V and escapes through the nozzle 14. On the other hand an electric circuit is closed between the

wires

25 and 26 through terminal 21, resistance Q0, rod 4, screw 9.3, contact member Q4, terminal and the

contacts

21 and 3 of the switch. The water in groove 6 is in contact with the resistance 20 over a lonfr distance andy it becomes heated as it absorbs the calories given off by the resistance. The temperature of the water delivered through the nozzle 14 can be regulated by varying the flow of Water by means of handle 3l. lVlien such tlow is stopped the electric current is also cut olf by the action of spring 3() as explained above.

It is ot' course understood that various modifications may be made in the apparatus described without departing from the spirit ol' the invention.

I claim:

1. ln an electric liquid heater, the combination of a cylindrical insulating body having a helical groove along its lateral snrface, an insulating block on the top of said body, a pair of terminals on said block, a resistance in said groove extending along the whole length thereof, a threaded metal rod extending through said body and screwed into said block, one of said terminals being directly connected to the upper end of said resistance, the other terminal being connected to the lower end of said re sistance through the intermediary of said rod, a. sleeve closely surmunding the edges of said groove, an inner casing surronndmg said sleeve, the lower end of said casing forming a cup-shaped receptacle connected to the lower end of said groove, a cap screwed on the free end of said rod for securing said casing in position, a threaded sleeve integral with said cap, an outer casing bearing on said block, said outer casing forming a heat-insulating air chamber around said inner casing, a discharge nozzle screwed on said sleeve and adapted to secure said outer casing in position, and a con` nection between said receptacle and nozzle through said cap and sleeve.

2. In an electric liquid heater, the combination ot' an insulating body having a helical groove along its lateral surface, an insulating block on one end of said body, a resistance in said groove extending along the whole length thereof, a valve on said block for admitting a flow of liquid to said groove. a switch on said block for sending electric current through said resistance, a pair otl terminals on said block, one of said terminals being directly connected to one end of said resistance, a metal rod extending lltl lil() through said bod and into said block, said posed between said operating means and rod forming both7 an electrical connection switch for permitting limited movement of between the other end of said resistance and said valve independently of said switch and 10 the other of said terminals and a mechanical producing a sudden operation of said 5 connection between said bod and said switch.

block, means for simultaneous y operating Said valve and switch, and a spring inter- JOSEPH DYKMANS.