US1659558A - Water-level control for boilers - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 21, 1928.

' A. D. BAKER WATER LEVEL CONTROL FOR BOILERS Filed May 18, 1922 Patented Feb. 21, 1928.

PATENT OFFICE.

new. BAKER, or swmmon, oino.

WATER-LEVEL common iron BOILERS.

Application filed May 18, 1922. Serial No. 561,948.

This invention relates to means for use in connection with steam engines, for returnmg the water of condensation from the exhaust steam condenser to the associated boiler and maintaining an approximately constant normal level of water in the boiler.

An object of the invention is the provis1on in combination with a steam engine and its boiler, ofsimple and eflicient means for continually returning the water of condensation from the exhaust steam of the engine to the boiler and which is automatically operable to introduce fresh water into the boiler as. the water therein diminishes by reason by leakage, or from other causes, whereby the supply of water in the boiler is approximately maintained constant, thus enhancing the efliciency of this type of apparatusand rendering, the use of steam engines in automobiles, trucks and tractors highly practicable and eflicient. Further objects and advantages ofthe invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptionl thereof. 1

While the invention in its broader aspect is capable of embodiment in numerous forms, a preferred embodiment thereof is illustrated inthe in which,

Figure 1 is a side view of a steam tractor embodying the invention with parts broken away and removed, and Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional detail of the double pump used-in connection with the invention.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a tractor frame supported by wheels 2 and having a boiler 3 mounted on its rear end, and an engine 4 and exhaust steam condenser 5 mounted on its forward end. A pipe 6 connects the engine exhaust with the conaccompanying drawings,

- .denser.

The boiler 3, in the present instance. is of the watertube type and has a steam drum 7 t at its top and is providedbelow its normal water line with a header 8, which has connection through pipes 9 with a series of headers 10 for the water tubes. rangement of the headers and tubes is immaterial so far as the present invention is concerned andma-y be changed tosuit the particular boiler construction desired.

In carrying out the feature of my 1nvention a pump casing 11 is secured to the frame 1 at a side of the engine and forms, in the present instance, two separate pump The, ar-

cylinders 12 and 13 in which respective p istons 14 operate. These pistons are connectto a common rocker lever 15, which is in turn connected by a link 16 to an operating crank 17 of the en: 'ne. The pump cylin der 12 has its. inta e passage 18 in checkvalve controlled communication with the bottom of the condenser 5 through a pi 19. The outlet passage 20 of the cylind 12 is in check-valve controlled communica' tion through a pipe 21 with a pipe 22in communication atone end with the header 8 through an outwardly openin check valve 23 and anormally open manually controlled valve 24 therein. The pipe 21 is provided with a check-valve 25. It is thus evident that operation of the pump piston14 will effect a positive feeding of the water of con densation from the condenser 5, back to the boiler s stem, the water being introduced into suc system in the present instance at the header 8. y y

- The pump cylinder 13 has its inlet side in check-valve controlled communication through a pipe 26 with the bottom of a water storage tank 27 which is carried below the boiler in the tractor frame 1. The outlet side of the cylinder 13 is in check-valve con trolled communication throu ha pipe 28 with a pipe 29, which leads own into the top of the tank 27, the communication between the pipes 28 and 29being controlled by a thermostatic valve 30. The thermostat 31 of the. valve is. in communication with a portion of the boiler circulating system, in the present instance, witha pipe 32 which extends from the steam drum 7 to the header 8, the connection of the thermostat with said pipe being slightly below the normal level of the water in the boiler so that when the water in the boiler lowers s i htly below normal steam will be admitted to the thermostat to effect an expansion thereof and a closin ofthe valve 30. Upon aclosin of the Va ve 30 the water which is pumped f rom thetank 27 and forced up through the pipe 28 can no longer return to the tank throu h the by-pass pipe 29and is requiredto ta 0 another course, which in the present instance is through a pipe 33 into the pipe 22 from whence it passes into the boiler through the header 8. The passage through the pipe 33 is normally closed by a cheek-valve 34, which opens under pressure of the pump 13, 14 when the valve 30 is closed. The

water continues to be pumped from the tank 27 in this manner into the boiler until the boiler water is returned to normal level, and shuts oii' the steam to the thermostat 31, thereby permitting a cooling of the thermostat and a consequent opening of the valve 30, after which the, water which is pumped from the tank 2'? is returned thereto through the pipe 29 until the water supply has again lowered sufficiently to permit an operation of the thermostat to close the valve 30. 35 is a hand controlled valve to be used when valve 30 fails to work, and also for raising the water level in boiler before shutting engine down.

It is evident in the use of a boiler equipped with my invention that if the engine associated therewith is using 100 lbs. of steam or a much larger or smaller amount, the water level in'the boiler will remain the same becausethere is always the same amount of water returned to the boiler that the engine takes out except in case of leaks. Ifthe water in the boiler falls below normal by reason ofleak's or from any other cause, the thermostatic valveBO is-closed causing the water which is pumped from the supply tank 27 and which would otherwise be returned thereto,'to be forced'into the boiler through a check valve controlled line. 1 So long as the water in'the boiler is of the proper height, the thermostatic valve remainsopen'so that the water pumped 'from the supply tank 27 1s continually returned thereto. .An advantage of my invention is that the water returned to the boiler from the condenser is at a temperature of nearly 212 11, thereby obviating the necessity of using a reheater in connection with the (2X- haust. lVith my invention the undesirable spasmodic system of-water supply to the boiler heretofore used'is avoided and a constant flow ofwater at all times to the boiler, to maintain the norma-l water level therein, 1s insuredL' I I wish it understood that my invention is notlimited to "any specific construction, arrangementor form of the parts, as it-is capable of embodiment in numerous forms without departing from the spiritof the claims. 1 4 Having thus described my invention, What l claim as new and desii'eto secure by Letters Patent, is, I

1; In combination, a steam boiler, means operated by:steam from theboiler, a condenser for receiving the exhaust steam from the operating means. means operable to positively and directly return all water of condensation from the condenser to the boiler, a source of water supply, a line of communication extending from the source of supply and then back to the same and having a check valve controlled in communication with the boiler, 21 thermostatic valve in said line operable to close the same when the water level in the boiler falls below a predeminc-d point and thereby prevent the return of water through the line to the supply means, and means in said line for continually effecting a circulation of water from the source of supply and back to the same when the thermostatic valve is open and forcing the water through the check-valve controlled communication to the boiler when said valve is closed. r

2. In combination, a steam boiler, means operated by steam from the boiler, a .condenser for receiving the exhaust steam from the operating means, means-operable to positively and directly return all water of condensation from the condenser to the boiler, a water supply tank, a pipe line leading from the tank and back to the same, a nor mally open valve in said line automatically operable to close the line when the water level in the boiler falls belowa predetermined point, said line having check-valve controlled communication with the boiler at a point intermediate the supplytank and automatic valve, and. means. continually operable to create a circulation of water from the supply tank through said line and back to the tank when the automatic valve isopen and through the check-valve controlled communication to the boiler when vthey automatic valveis closed. 1 j a i i 3. In combinationwith asteam generating means, means actuated by the steam therefrom, means for condensing the exhaust steam from the steam-actuated 'means, a make-up water supply, a pair of pumps having a single actuating means operable by the steam actuated means, one pump continuously returning the water of condensation from the condensing means as delivered thereto by the steam actuated'means back to the steam generating means and the other pump supplying make-up water to the steam generating means, and means for permitting the said other pump to function When the water in the steam generating means falls below a predetermined level.

i. In combinationwith steam generating means and means actuated by the steam therefrom, a condenser to receive the exhaust steam from said steam-actuated means, means to convey the water of condensation from the condenser to the steam generating means, a source of water supply, means to convey water from the said source of water supply to the steam generating means, means connected to the last named conveying means to by-pass the water fromthe source of water supply back to thelatter, means in the bypass to shut off the passage of water therethrough, and means controlled by the level of the water in the steam generating means to operate said shutoff means thereby to cause the water from the source of supply ion ing means and means actuated by the steamy therefrom, a condenser to receive the exhaust steam from said steam-actuated means, means to convey the Waterof condensation from the condenser to the steam generating means, a source of water supply, means to convey water from thesaid source of water supply to the steam generating means,means connected tothe last named conveying means to by-passthe water from the source of water supply back to the latter, means in the by-passto shut off the assage of water therethrough, means contro led by the level of the water in the steam enerating means a to operate said shut off means thereby to a cause the water from the source of supply to enter the steam generating means when the level of the water in the latter falls below a predetermined level, a pump associated with each of the Water conveying means, and a single means to actuate each of the pumps in unison.

In testimony whereof I have hereuntosuhscribed my name to this specification.

ABNER 1 BAKER.

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