US1595188A - Steam electric range - Google Patents

Description

W. S. HADAWAY, JR

STEAM ELECTRIC RANGE Aug. 10, 1926. 1 595388 Original Filed C 4, 1916 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 10 1926.-

w. s. HADAWAY, JR

STEAM ELECTRIC RANGE Original F e March 4) 1916 3 Shlepfis-Sheet 2 Aug. 1O T926. 1,595,188

- w. s. HADAWAY, JR

STEAM ELECTRIC RANG E O i i l Filed March 4 1916 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Aug. 10, 1926.

UNITED s rare-s f PATENT OFFICE.

'WILLIAIII S. 'HADAWAY, J 1-1., OF NEW ROCHELLE, NEW YORK.

STEAM ELECTRIC .RANGE.

Continuation in part (if-application Serial No.-82,069, filed March '4, 1916. This applicatio 7, 1920. serial No. 401,899.

This invention relates to ranges which are adapted for all kinds of cooking, :and its object is to provide a range for general purposes that shall possess various well- .lrnown advantages'of anelectric range. while requiring the expenditure of a relatively small amount of electric energy. Another object .is to unite in a single structure certain new and useful devices which I have invented, and to so co-relate and combine them as to produce a'rangeot great utility and etticiency.

This application is a continuation in part of an application which I filed on March 4, 1916, as Ser. No. 82,069 on'the same day as applications, Ser. Nos;'82,067,82,068, 82,070 and 82,071 were .filedto-cover specific details of some of the parts ofthisapparatus. Application Serial No. 82,069 was abandoned inadvertently and unintentionally, as I have never abandoned the invention disclosed therein. The other applications have matured respectively as Patents No. 1,349,130

September 27, 1920,1l0. 1,406,851 February,

1 1, 1922, No. 1,349,131 August 10, 1920 and No. 1,345,004 June 29, 1920.

Another object of this invention is to provide three (3) heat supplies which may be used independently or cooperatively to produce the desired temperatures in different parts of the apparatus. For example, I provide steamat'ditferent temperatures and electrical means for adjusting the effective temperature of the steam used.

These and other objects of the invention will appear in the following specification in which I will describe-the invention and the novel features of which will beset forth in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings Figure '1 is .a front elevation of a range which is made according to and embodies this invention, together with a steam generator and a water heater showninconjunction therewith.

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation showing the elements of the range in section and also showing the steam and the electric circuits.

Figure '3 shows one of the automatic temperature regulators somewhat in detail.

11 filed August Figure A is a sectional elevation of the range takenon the line 4-4 of Fig. 1. V

Figure 5 is a section through the stove unit part of the range, "the section ibeing taken on the line 5 50f Fig. l. V

Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of the steam distributing manifold.

rality of stove units 19 betweenthem; This rectangular section is mounted on legs 20 so that the floor beneath the range 'may be cleaned easily.

Above the warming closet 1 7 are a high temperature oven 22, a low temperature marie is a steamer 25. .A hood 21 which communicates with a flue 27 (Fig. 1-) er:- tends over the whole apparatus, and'a ventilator 26 extends from the steamer into the hood. The low temperature oven, broiler and the warming closet be provided also with ventilators (not shown).

A steam generator '28 which may be located in any convenient place, as for example, init'he basement below the range, provides the primary source of heat for the range, and where a number ot ranges are installed they all may :be supplied Wlth pri:

mary heat energy from a single steam generator.

The steam is supplieddirectly to each of i the ovens 1.22 and 23, the temperature of the steam being relied upon alone 'to heat the oven 23, and the oven 22 is equipped with electricheaters 29 (Fig. 2), which cooperate with the steam.

The steam doesnot enter directly into the chamber of the low temperature oven 23, but is admitted to a jacket 31. The warming closet 17 is heated by theexhanst steam :coming from the oven 22 and "from the the oven 23 andabroiler 24. Above the bain I jacket 31 of oven 23 into the jacket 32 which surrounds the warming closet.

The steam enters either directly into the steamer 25 or through perforated jacket plates 33, and the wet steam and condensation water flow from the steamer into the bain marie 18.

The steam generator 28 may have any suitable construction and may be adapted to burn coil or gas. A coil 35 is disposed in position to receive the direct heat of the fire and is connected between the steam outlet of the generator and the distributing pipe 36 so that it forms a superheater coil. The distributing pipe 36 conducts the superheated steam from the generator to the steam manifold 37 of the range. One branch 38 from the manifold is connected through a regulator 39 to steam chambers 40 of the high temperature oven 22. From these chambers the steam passes through the electrical heaters 29 so that its temperature is further boosted before it is discharged into the oven chamber. From the oven chamber steam flows through an outlet 41 into the steam jacket 32 of the warming closet. A preferred construction for this high temperature oven is more fully shown and described in my copending application for patent Ser. No. 82,067, filed March 4, 1916, renewed as Ser. No. 338,328, November 15, 1919 and issued Sept. 27, 1920, as Patent No. 1,349,130.

The temperature of the vapor in the high temperature oven is thus boosted so that it is practically dry steam and consequently, it is not essential for the steam to be confined in a jacket around the oven although it may enter the oven space directly or be confined in a jacket. The high temperature oven is preferably equipped with automatic means for shutting off the steam when the door is opened, and this is fully described in the aforesaid Patent, No. 1,349,130.

Another branch 42 from the manifold 37 is connected through a regulator 43 to the steam jacket 31 of the low temperature oven 23. Thus steam as delivered from the dis tributing pipe and subject to control by the temperature regulator 43 is depended upon for heating the low temperature oven, but it does not enter the over chamber. The exhaust steam from the jacket 31 flows downwardly through a pipe 44 into the jacket 32 of the warming closet.

The broiler 24 requires a high temperature heat, preferably radiated from a glowing member. I prefer to utilize the structure shown in my Patent No. 1,345,004 issued June 29, 1920, on an application, Ser. No. 82,071 filed with the aforesaid application Ser. No. 82,069, on which this application is based. This broiler comprises bodies or slabs 45 which have relatively large heat capacity and radiant electric heaters 46 supported adjacent thereto. The slabs are pro vided with steam coils 47 which are supplied with superheated steam from a branch 48 of the manifold 37. They are thus maintained at a relatively high temperature at all times and consequently the electric heaters 46 which are adapted to operate at a glowing temperature and are mounted very close to the slabs respond very quickly when energized, and produce heat best adapted for broiling purposes. This result is accomplished with a small expenditure of electric energy because a large proportion of the heat in the broiler is supplied by the steam slabs 45.

The heat from the slabs produces the high temperature working level or environment which raises the temperature of the electric heaters, the resultant being due to the cooperation of the heating members. A pair of these combination heaters is preferably employed and the electric heaters 46 are pro tected by screens 49. The steam from the broiler is discharged through a pipe 50 into the jacket 32 of the warming closet 17.

The warming closet 17 is preferably provideo with an overflow outlet 67 so that a considerable volume of water, as indicated at 68, accumulates in the bottom of the jacket 32. This hot water performs the very desir-- able function of holding the temperature of the warming closet substantially constant, even though the ovens 22 and s3 and the broiler 24 are out of service for relatively long periods. In the same way it prevents the temperature of the warming closet from becoming excessively high when the ovens and the broiler are all in service. In any event, these conditions would probably occur infrequently in service.

The steamer 25 is preferably provided with partitions 51 which insure the steam reaching all parts of the chamber. ;he steamer is similar to the low temperature oven except that in the former the steam enters directly into the chamber while in the latter the steam is held in the jacket so that the oven is dry. Steam is supplied to the steamer from the low temperature supply pipe 80 and a continuation thereof designated by 56.

The bain marie consists of a tank 52 having an overflow outlet 53 so that the water level remains constant. Exhaust steam from the steamer 25 flows into the tank through a pipe 65 and maintains the quantity of the water as well as supplying heat thereto. The top of the tank 52 may be provided with openings to receive containers 66 or other wise arranged as desired.

The stove units 1.9 as shown in Figs. 2 and 4 are similar to each other except that one'of them is preferably equipped with a greater number of electric heaters than the cther. I have shown the left hand unit provid passage.

right hand unit'providedwith two (2) electric heaters 59. Each of the electric heaters comprises a porous partition through which the steam flows slowly with electric heater elements 58 embedded therein for increasing the temperature of the steam as it flows therethrough. A more complete description of the st--..cture or" these heaters is in my Patent No. 1306 851, the application for which was copendinghcre i-th. Each of the units is adapted to receive acooking ves-' cl'iamber below it with which the low temperature steam pipe 80 is connected. A valve 71 is seated in this recess. The control valves are adapted to control the respective branches i8, 42, 38, 63 and G-l, and the control valve 71* is adapted to control the passage 56. Each valve is provided wit-h a large. port 72 and a very small port 73. The arrangement is such that when a. valve is opened the large port registers with a port T l in the block 69 and when the valve is closed, the very small port'registers with this Thus a certain amount of steam always flows through the valves and keeps the temperature of the system raised when not in use. The loss of heat by this means is ne 'l' fble as it is supplied from a relativcly inexpensive source which is adapted to he active continuously.

The manifold may be placed near the p the range as shown, and each valve ti-Ont or has a stem 75 extending outwa-rdlyand terminating in a handle 76. These are thus easily accessible and may be opened and closed according to the section or sections of the range which are to be used.

Snap switches 100 or the like are conveniently mounted on the front 01" the range. prin'iarily to govern the energization of the heater units.

The regulators 39 and 413 are similar to each other and only one of them will be described in detail. For this purpose referoncev may be had .to Fig. 3 which shows a portion of the distributing branch enlarged as indicated at 77 in which is disposed an electric heater coil 79 which is influenced by the steam flowing through the branch in which the enlargement 77 is located. The llow of steam depends upon the heat consumes the oven or at the point of use and also upon the temperature of the steamsupn other recess 70 is in communication with a ofxthe: coil 79 varies in response to the v l 'riations in steam velocity through the enlargement.

Connected to the enlargement is alow temerature steam supply pipe 80 in which is an automatically controlled valve 81. This pipe, clearly shown in Fig. "1,-i's'supplied with steam coming directly fromthegeneraand not through the super-heater coil When this lowtemperaturesteamis admitted to the section 77, it aningles with the high temperature steam and constitutes an effective means of reducing and regulat ing the temperature of the steam delivered through the branch.

which is determinedvby the-settiugofan ad- 5 justin screw "87.

The C011 '85 1s connected througha relay switch 91 to :any suitable source of energy,

preferably to the. supply circuit conductors 89 and 90 to which all the electric heaters of the rangeareconnecte'd. This relay has a coil 92 connected in series relation with the resistance coil 7 9 and an adjustable resistance coil 93. The character and design of the coil 79 are such that when only high temperature steam fiows'throughthe section 77 and the velocity of the steam is low the resistance of the coil is increasedand the current through the relay coil reduced, permittingthe relay to close and completethe circuit of the coil. 85. This coil, when energized, opens the valve 81 in opposition to the soring 86 and admits low temperature steam to the branch through pipe 80.

- The low temperature steam thusadmitted mixes with the high temperaturesteam and maintains a substantially constant branch temperature. The relay'obvious'ly may close and open at infrequent intervals letting a little low temperature steam into the branch if this is sufficient to hold the temperature of the mixture approximately constant or it may remain closed for long periods admitting large quantities of low temperature steam to suit existing conditions.

The action'of the regulato-rmaybe closely adjusted by setting the resistance 93 and a djusting the set screw 87 to vary the tension in the spring 86.

' The operation of the various sections of plied through the branch and the resistance 7 the range will be clearly understood from the foregoing description of each of its parts but attention is directed to the fact that since the greater proportion of the heat is supplied by the steam, the amount of electric energy consumed in the range is relatively mall even it all the electric heaters are active at the same time. This condition will obviously seldom exist, and at most, only for short periods of time.

In order, however, to limit the maximum electric energy consumed, it may be found desirable to automatically interrupt the circuit to the other heaters 01. the range when ever the broiler is active.

The broiler which will probably consume a greater amount of energy than any other section of the range and which is only active for comparatively sl ort periods of time, will thus be connected in circuit alone and a peak load will be avoided.

Assuming that the sections of the range are all in use, except the broiler, and it is desired to utilize the broiler, the automatic cutting off or" the electric energy from the other portion ot the range will have no appreciable effect for a considerable length of time because the steam is continually being supplied to all parts oi the range which are in use and, furthermore, the electric heating units, as for cxample,the units 57 or the stove and the units 29 of the high temperature oven. all have relatively large heat capacity and will hold their heat for long periods of time. It is thus evident that the broiler may be put into use for any ordinary working period of time without any detrimental etlect upon any ot ier section of the range although they may be automatically cut oil from the electric supply circuit. v

This result may be accomplished conveniently by providing a magnet switch 95 having a coil 94: in the broiler branch, adapted to be energized when the broiler is active and having three (or any number depending upon the numi er of branches) bridging contact members 96, 9? and 98 to interrupt the other branches.

The magnet switch 95 may be locked in its closed position by a latch 99 it special occasions arise for utilizing current in all parts at the same time.

The conductors 88 2) are connected to the supply circuit conductors 89 and 90 and through the snap switches 100 to the electric heaters in the various part-s of the apparatus. These circuits are simple and are so clearly shown in Fig. 2 that it would serve no useful purpose to point them out specifically.

By adjusting the temperature of the steam supplied to a working member which is equipped with electric heaters the working member may be adapted to various service conditions without depending upon the electric energy except for essential temperature control. For example, if the requirements of an oven demand a temperature varying between 350 degrees and 4200 degrees, it is desirable to utilize steam or vapor for providing a working level or 350 degrees. Then suppose the working requirements change so that temperatures from too degrees to 450 degrees are necessary, I raise the working level to 400 degrees by means of the steam instead of depending upon the electric energy for supplying the difference between the old and the new minimum temperatures.

hat .i claim is:

1. In combination with a range compris ing a plurality or working members, a source of low temperature steam, a source of superheated steam, a source of electrical energy. and means for utilizing said sources for raising said working members to desired temperatures.

2. in combination with a range comprising plurality of working members, a source of low temperature steam, a source of superheated. steam, a source of electrical energy, means for using the steam to keep said members warm, and means for using the superheated steam and the electrical energy to increase the temperature of at least one of the members.

3. In combination with a range comprising a plurality of working H'YPlHbQl'S, a source of low temperature steam, a source of superheated steam, a source of electrical energy, means for using a small amount of the steam to keep said members warm, and means for using greater quantities of the steam and the electrical energy to increase the temperature of at least one of the members.

4. In combination with a range comprising a plurality of working members, a source of steam, a source of electrical energy, steam heaters for said members, electric heaters for some of the members, and means for connecting either 0t said sources with said heaters.

5. In combination with a range compris ing a plurality 01 working members, a source of steam, a source of electrical energy, steam heaters for said members, electric heaters for some of the members, means for connecting either of said sources with said heaters, and means for interrupting the electrical connection from one or more of the electrical heaters when one of the other electric heaters is active.

6. In combination with a range comprising a plurality of working members, a source of steam, a source of electrical energy, steam heaters for said members, electric heaters for some of the members, one of said elec tric heaters being adapted to consume a greater amount of energy than another, means for connecting either of said sources CAD with said heaters, and automatic means for interrupting the electrical 00111160131011 from said other heater when the greater energy consuming heater is active.

7. A range comprising stove heaters, oven heaters and a broiler, independent electric circuits for supplying energy to said members, and automatic means for interrupting the circuit of the other members When the broiler is energized.

8. A range comprising stove heaters, oven heaters and a broiler, independent electric circuits for supplying energy to said members, automatic means for interrupting the circuit of the other members When the broiler is energized, and means for rendering the automatic means inactive.

9. A range comprising a plurality of Working members adapted to be primarily heated by steam, electric heaters for said members having a large heat capacity, and automatic means for preventing the energization of all of the electric heaters at once.

10. A range comprising a high temperature oven, a low temperature oven, means for supplying steam to each, and independent electric regulators for determining the temperature of the steam supplied to each oven.

11. A range comprising high and low temperature ovens, a source of steam, a superheater, pipes connecting the superheater to the respective ovens, regulators in the respective pipes, means dependent upon said electrical regulators for supplying steam directly from the source of steam to the pipes, and means for adjusting the temperature of each oven.

12. A range comprising a high temperature oven having electric heaters, a 10W temperature oven, and means for supplying steam to each of the ovens, a distributing manifold to Which the pipes are both connected, a superheater connected to the manifold, a steam generator With which the superheater is associated, a bypass connecting the generator to the pipes independently of the superheater, and automatic means for regulating the opening of the bypass.

13. A range comprising a Warming closet having a steam jacket, a primary oven having a heating chamber communicating With the steam jacket of the Warming closet, and an electric heater in the heating chamber of the oven adapted to delive high temperature vapor to the heating chamber.

14. A range comprising a Warming closet having a steam jacket and an oven having a heating chamber connected to the'steam jacket of the Warming closet, a vapor heater dividing ofi a steam inlet chamber and adapted to raise the temperature of the steam from the inner chamber as it passes therethrough, the steam from the o'ven'be-- ing discharged into the jacket of the"W3.Im' ing closet.

15. A range comprising awarming closet having asteam jacket, a high temperature oven having a steam inlet chamber, a heating chamber and an interposed Vapor heater; and a low temperature oven having a steam jacket and means for supplying superheated steam to the high temperature and low temperature ovens, the exhaust steam from said ovens being delivered to the steam jacket of the Warming closet.

16. A range comprising a warming closet having a steam jacket, a high temperature oven aving a steam inlet chamber, a heating chamber and an interposed vapor heater, a low temperature oven having a steam jacket, a broiler having a steam heater and an auxiliary heater, means for supplying superheated steam to the high temperature oven, the low temperature oven, and the broiler heater, and means for leading the exhaust steam fromsaid ovens and the broiler heater to the steam jacket of the Warming closet.

17. A range comprising an oven, a source of steam, a superheater, a pipe connecting the superheater With the oven, a regulator for said pipe, means dependent upon said regulator for supplying steam directly from the source of steam to the oven, and an electric heater in said oven.

18. A range comprising an oven, a source of steam, a superheater, a pipe connecting the superheater With the oven, an electric regulator for said pipe, means dependent upon said regulator for supplying steam directly from the source of steam to the oven, and an electric vapor heater in the oven through which the steam passes into the oven.

19. In combination With a range, a Working member, a source of superheated steam, a source of saturated steam, means for passing to said member superheated steam at a substantially constant temperature, means for adding saturated steam to said superheated steam and an electric heater for the working member.

20.. In combination with a range, a Working member, a source of superheated steam, a source of saturated steam, means for passing to said member superheated steam at a substantially constant temperature and automatic, adjustable means for adding saturated steam to said superheated steam.

21. In combination With a range, a working member, a source of superheated steam, a source of saturated steam, means for passing to said member superheated steam at a substantially constant temperature and ad justable means responsive to the temperature produced by said superheated steam for automatically adding saturated steam to said superheated steam and an electric heater for the working member.

22. In combination with a range, a working member, a source of superheated steam, a source of saturated steam, means for passing to said member superheated steam at a substantially constant temperature and electro-responsive means actuated by the temperature produced by said superheated" steam arranged to control automatically the addition of saturated steam to said superheated steam and an electric heater for the working member.

In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand this 28th day of July, 1920.

WILLIAM S. HADAWAY, JR.

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