US1625851A - Spray head for boiler-washing machine - Google Patents

Description

1,625,851 April 26, 1927. D A. HEGARTY SPRAY HEAD FOR BOILER WASHING MACHINES Filed Sept. 27. 1926' Patented Apr. 26, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT QRFICE.

DANIEL A. HEGARTY, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR TO MYSTIC WASHER COMPANY, OF HOUSTON, TEXAS.

SPRAY HEAD FOB BOILER-WASHING MACHINE.

Application filed September 27, 19536.

My invention relates to wash boilers in which boiling water is circulated in the machine for spraying upon the clothes which are to be washed.

In the use of wash boilers, the efficiency of the machine depends largely upon the force with which the boiling water is projected upon the clothes to be washed and also upon the saving of the energy of the steam within the boiler so that it may be employed effectively in circulating the water against and through the articles in the wash.

It is an object of the invention to provide a spray head for the water and steam, which is employed in cleaning the clothes, which will conserve the heat within the boiler so that the operation of the device may be accelerated and the time consumed in bringing the machine into operation may be reduced to a minimum.

It is also desired that the openings through which the boiling water is projected upon the clothe in the wash be formed 1n such manner as to prevent the clogging thereof and with which the pressure valve may cooperate to free the openings of coagulated material.

Further objects and advantages of the machine will more clearly appear in the more detailed description which follows:

Referring to the drawing herewith, Fig. 1 is a central vertical section through a wash boiler equipped with my improved spray head. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the .spray head on an enlarged scale showing one embodiment of the valve which may be employed therewith. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the spray head shown in Fig. 2. Figs. -1; apd 5 are sections similar to that shown in Fig. 2. each illustrating a slightly different embodiment of the invention from that disclosed in Fig. 2. Like numerals of reference are employed to designate like parts in all the views In carrying out my invention, it is to be understood that the spray head may be adapted for use in various forms of clothes washing machines. I have illustrated it, however, as applied to a boiler of generally circular shape, the sides 1 of which are flared toward the upper end. A cover 2 is provided adapted to fit tightly over the upper end of the container and a handle 3, preferably of some poor heat conducting material, is shown through which the cover may he ma Serial No. 137,937.

nipulated. A lateral tap or faucet 4 at the lower end allows the draining of the Water from the container.

lVithin the container and resting on the bottom thereof is a conical pressure chamber The outer edge of thi chamber is turned downwardly to fit loosely against the walls of the container, and spaced openings 6 at the lower edge allows the circulation of liquid inwardly around the outer side and upwardly within the chamber. The upper end of the pressure chambers terminates in a nipple 7 which extends above the level of the chamber and provides an attachment for the circulating column 8.

The column 8 is a tubular member tapered from its lower toward its upper end and providing through its converging walls a passage in which the rate of flow of the liquid therein may be increased toward the upper end. Below the circulating column I show a false bottom 9 fitting closely about the nipple 7 on the pressure chamber and supported centrally thereon. Its outer margin is supported by brackets 10 arranged upon the side of the container. This bottom is perforated to allow the free circulation therethrough of the liquid. It serves as a support for the clothes and prevents them from coming into contact with the bottom of the boiler to prevent accidental burning.

At the upper end of the circulating column 8 is the spray head having a lower neck 11 telescoping over the upper end of the circulating column. The spray head flares outwardly above the neck 11 to form the spray wall 12. Above this flaring wall the spray member is extended to provide a cylindrical portion 13 adapted to receive a cover 14; which may be held frictionally in place by close contact with the wall 13 or may be retained in position in any desired manner.

At the upper end of the neck 11 a seat 15 is provided in which a valve member 16 may seat. Above this seat the wall 12 is perforated to allow the water to be sprayed therefrom over the clothes. The spray openings which I employ are shown at 17 and it will be noted that said openings comprise slots arranged concentrically around the wall 12 and allow the water to be sprayed therethrough in sheets over the clothes. This type of opening is particularly desirable from the fact that it may be made narrow so that the force of the water will carry any obstruction, such as soap or coagulated material, in the water throughthe openings. Should any portion of the slot he filled up with material, hoiveuer, there is still sutilcient opening remaining to provide an outlet for the liquid.

Furthermore, the aise ot the valve 16 within the spray head causes a contact of the Valve With the inner Wall of the head. The pressure of the steam and the ehullition of the Water causes the xiii-lye to he agitated withi-nitl'ie head so that it contacts repeatedly With the inner Wall of the spray area, the-us tending to assist in mentioningmaterials tendting .to close theopeningg l7.

Fig. 2, I have shown a :hall valve closingrrthe lower end of the spray head. 'ilhls typeofvalvezhasthe aclnantageiot closing the upperiend ot-the columnfi so that the heat from the-Water in the pressure chamber will not he allowed to escape into the upper part of lthe'hoiler and will to accelerate the heating cat the .WZttGI to the boiling temperature itoa ana-nkcd extent. fil 'hen the pressure of the Water in the pressure chamber and the column-8 has become great enough .to lift the value 16 from its position at the lower end cit the spray head, the steam will cause the Water to be projected with some force through the openings 1"? and the Washing may thus he initiated some minutes in ad- Vance of the time which would ordinarily be consumed it the :valre noteinployed.

In Fig. i, the valve 16" is made in the shape of an inverted cone, the apex oi which is rounded off, as shown at 18. The conical side walls, therefore, interfit closely with the inner Nfl ll 1201f the spray head and etleetii 'e- Lly close all of these openings. The upper well o f the valve IHQIHlC-Gl '16 may be curved upwardly, as shown at 19. As will he noted, the valve members are made out ho l low sheet metal and are therefore comparatively light, but they will resist the escape of heat from the 601 1 1 1114), until the steam pressure has accumulated sutliciently to raise thci-n from closed-position. 'lll he action of the valve '16 will he slightly diitl'erent from that of the valve 16, due to the t t that the outer Wall of the valve 1 6 will form a constrictel passage for the boiling Water and will serve mere etlec-tively to ft n a pre ure chamber in which the steam will project the boiling water with force in a downwardly inclined direction against the clothes in the hot 1 in Fig. the valve 16 is modified slightly over the construction shown in Fig. 4', in that the side Walls of the valve are curved inwardly away from the Wall I 2 of the pres sure chamber, the upper end being, howeyer, flared outwardly to contact at 20 with the upper edge of the Wall 12. In the use of this device, the raising of the valve 16 will allow the boiling 'l'i quid to enter more readily into the spray head and find an exit through the slotted openings L7. The Wall of the e wi llact to deflect the r ,tcr toward the o irings and will have the effect of produc nga spray otsome l'orce jiron'i the openings. i

The employment of a spray head of the type here shown and described will enable the operator of the washer to bring the Water to a boi ling temperature and to hence bring the spraying of the boiling Water into action app reciahly quicker in point of time than could :po ily he .done Without the useioztthera lve nie. iher employed. Not only is there a Isaving in time but the use of the valve serwes to [direct the boiling water laterally [from the openings in a most effective manner. Furthermore, the use of the valve contacting with the inner malls of the spray head, :particui r 'ly the hall-waned valve shown in Fig. 4,-wi11 assist in keeping the openings tree of material otherwise tending to clog them and prevent their spraying action. The further advantages ifithis inxiention he apparent to those skilled in the art.

What I claim as new and desire to protect :by Letters Patent is:

'1. In a wash boiler a container, .a pres sure chamber therein, ;a circulating column thereon a spray head on said column :comprising an outwardly flaring wall having slotted openings therein through Which :Wash water may pass, :a closure for the upper [end osf aid head, and means Within said head to 1, st said Wash water in clearing said vopenions of material In a wash ihoiiler a container, a pressure chamber therein, a circulating column there- ,on, a spray head on said column comprising an outwardly flaring wall having slotted openings therein, .a closure for the upper end of said read, and a Maine in said head tending to :QilObC said head against the escape .of ttuid, and adapted to he moved by thefluid pressure to contact with the sides of said head, tor the purpose described.

3. In a avash. loilc-r a container, a pressure chamber therein, an upwardly tapered circu h, J0 m l luinn on said chamber, an outward I 7 pray h d thereon haying o enings in its side 1Y3ll,.111 1l means to normally close the upper end of sa i unin, hut movable :hy tluid pressure to to r111 a bathe .to direct fluid toward said openings. at. In a wash hoiler a container, a pressure chamber therein, an upW-amdly tapered crculating COlH Ulll on said chaniiher, can .ou-tmvardly flaring spray head thereon having slotted openings in its side Walls, and a sheet metal mil-ye member acting to sea t Wl'hllil] the lower end oi said head, said valve when raised be ing spaced trons the Walls of said head to direct the fluid toward said openings.

in a ash boiler an upwardly extendingcirculating column, a spray head there on having outwardly flaring Walls with dis-- charge openings therein, a cylindrical upper end on said head, a valve shaped to approximately fit the inner Walls of said head, and adapted when lifted to expose said openings and direct the fluid thereto.

6. In a Wash boiler an upwardly directed circulating column, a flaring spray head thereon having discharge openings therein, and means to close said openings responsive to fluid pressure in said column to open and allow discharge of fluid.

7. In a wash boiler a circulating column, a spray head thereon having discharge openings therein, and a valve closing said openings, but adapted to be raised to expose said openings under a required fluid pressure in said column.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature this s3rd day of September A. D. 1926.

DANIEL A. HEGARTY.

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