US1671635A - Water heater - Google Patents

Description

'May 29, 1928.

D. 5. GARCIA WATER HEATER Filed April 10, 1.926

2 Sheets-Sheet l w ww Inventor HS Gare-L a,

Attorney May 29, 1928.

D. S. GARCIA WATER HEATER Filed April 16, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor flf Garcia,

Patented May 29 192 8.

f UNITED-STATES DAVID S. GARCI A, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

WATER HEATER.

Applicati'on iiled 1 m 10, 1926. swarm). 101,141.

This invention relates to an improved water heater adapted for use in laundries and other industrial plants where large quantiticsot hot water are in continuous and instantaneous demand. i

Briefly, the invention comprises a steam generating boiler, a heating coil associated with the boiler so that the lire in the fire box of the boiler may serve an additional purpose of heating the water in said coil, 9. cold water supplypipe connectedwith the coil, and a hot water conducting pipe connected with the coil, and leading thereto and in turn connected to a tank from which a service pipe extends. 1

An automatic valve is incorporated in the hot water conducting pipe. A waterpump is provided and has a pipe connected with the cold water supply pipe and another pipe connected with the pump and with the tank and in addition an electric motor is provided for operating the pump, the electric motor coming into play for operatingthe pump under predetermined conditions.

One feature offthe invention is to embed the heating c011 1n the floor of a,convent1ona'l steam generating boiler, so that the fire in the firebox of the boiler servesnot only to heat the coil but also the boiler for the water.

. Another feature of construction is the inclusion in the hot water conducting pipe of an automatic, temperature operated valve which closes and cuts off the passage of water to said tank when the water in the tank reaches a predetermined temperature.

Another feature is an electrical contrivease for operating a motor which in turn operates a pump for conducting cold water to the tank for the purpose of cooling the water in the tank ,whenit reachesan abnor- 1n al or dangerous temperature.

Other features and advantages of the invention will. become apparentfrom the fol lowing description and claims.

In the drawing i I Figure 1 is a view showing the complete circulator and heating system in a somewhat. diagrammatic manner, p

i Fig. 2 is asectional view of a conventional boiler furnace modified in-accor-dance with the present: invention,

Fig. 3 is a view in section and elevation of the ot water receiving tank and control device for the electrical contrivance,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary detail view of a portion of the bottom of the steam boiler furnace, and V Fig. 5 is a detail view of a part of the valve controlling means in the hot water conducting pipe. I i

Referring to the drawings indetail, the

reference character 1 designates a cold wate conducting pipe from a suitable source of supply which leads to a heating coil 2 located in a steam boiler 3. The steam boiler is conventional in design but in the present instance the floor thereof is constructed to permit the heating coil 2 to be embedded therein so that the fire in the fire box may be utilized for simultaneously heating the water in the coil and also the water in the boiler which is located in the housing structure shown. k

In Fig. 2, a standard 4 is shownfor supporting the boiler, (not shown). Leading from the heating coil 2 isv a hot water conducting pipe '5 in which an automatically operable thermostatic control valve 6 is lo cated. Through a branch pipe 7, the pipe 5 connects with a receiving and supply tank 8 and leaves this tank through a service pipe 9 which leads to any suitable point of the inthispump apipe 16 extends to and is connected With the upper portion of the boiler tank 8. The pump 15is operated by an electric motor 17.

At this time, I would state the current supply wires 18 and 19 are connected with the motor andwith a circuit closing element 20 supported on a rockably mounted arm 21. This arm, in turn, is pivotally mounted on a supporting bracket 22 which supportis provided with a complemental circuitclosing element 23. \Vires 24 lead from this contact 23 to a switch 25' and a current supply battery 26. i

Referring now to Fig. 3, it will be seen that a valve 27 is located in the pipe 16,

and the stem 28 of this valve connects with the free end portion of the rockably mounted arm 21. A link 29 is pivotally connected to the arm 21 and this extends slidably through a stufiing box 30 on the top of the tank With the interior of the link provided with superposed spaced shoulders Ell and a float 32 is slidable on the link between the shoulders. At this time, I would again direct attention to the valve (3, before referred to. This is an automatic valve, and although the internal construction is 'notshown, it is of the spring closed type. However the stem of the valve has a flexible connection 33 connected therewith and extending outwardly and anchored in an cxpansible tube 34 extending into the interior of the aforesaid tank 8.

In reconsidering this matter. it should be borne in mind that the water entering through pipe 1, has a pressure of pounds which is sufiicient pressure to force the water through the coil 2, and pipe 5, and 7 into tank 8, thence to the service pipe 9.

Now assuming. that the thermostatic valve 6 is adjusted to close when the water reaches temperature of 150 degrees F. or whatever temperature that may be desired.

It is also important to bear in mind that in practice. pipe 1 is one and one-half inches in diameter, coil 2 in tire box of boiler is three inches indiameter, and the reason why this coil is larger than the feed pipe 1 or the outlet pipe 5. is so that the water in coil 2 gets more heating surface and holds a larger volume of water than that entering through pipe 1. or flowing out through pipe 5. this method insures plenty of hot water instantaneous. The service pipe 9 is only threefourths inch in diameter to permit less water in volume to be drawn out than that entering the storage tank 8, the above tigures vary according to the size of the installation.

Thus it will be seen that the water in tank 8, maintains a fairly steady level under normal conditions.

But now, for example, we assume that the demand for hot water is ten'iporarilv discontinued. This means that the circulation is stopped. Naturally, the temperature of the water in tank 8, is bound to rise by the incoming hot water. which effect operates the thermostatic valve 6, closing same. But suppose just as the thermostatic valve 6 closed, the demand for hot water was again resumed the temperature of the water in tank 8 would still remain at 150 degrees F. and the thermostatic valve 6 would still remain closed. For this reason, it will be understood that means of allowing water of lower temperature to enter tank 8, is essential to maintain an automatic system of operation.

And this can only be accomplished by the use of float 32. In order to understand the operation of float 32, it is necesary to make this explanation. If tank 8, has a capacity of 800 llons of water then rod 29 is so extended to permit 200 gallons of water to enter or be drawn outof tank 8, before float 32, bears against either shoulders 31 of rod 29, operating same.

As the water is still drawn out of tank 8, through pipe 9, the float 32 which has a hollow core to permit it to slide freely on rod 32, reaches the lower extreme of rod 29, and bears against shoulder 31, the float be ing heavy enough to over-balance lever 21, opening plun er valve 27, at the same time making the electrical contact at 23, and 20, which in turn starts motor-driven pump 15.

I hope to have this clearly understood, knowing that thermostatic valve 6 is still closed, on account of the water in tank 8 being at a temperature of 150 degrees F. It is therefore necessary to inject Water of lower temperature into storage tank 8, and this is accomplished by means of pump 15, which pumps water both from pipe 1, as well as from coil 2, mixing both the incoming cold water in ipe 1 and the hot water from coil 2, whic is naturally bound to be sucked by the pump 15.

If close study is made of the drawings, it. will be understood why the by-pass ll) is necessary. It is a. well known fact that if no by-pass was provided from pipe 7 to pipe 5,. and if pump 15 was in operation, then there would be a rush of only cold water into tank 8, and that the temperature of the waterwould be so greatly reduced that it would be useless. It also would render coil 2 without water, thereby resulting ,in a burn-out of the coil.

But by providing the by-pass 10, it permits the water from storage tank 8 to back into the pipe 5, thence through coil 2, up to pump 15, where it mixes with the cold inrushing' water from pipe 1, the water so entering tank 8. at this time through pipe 16, at a temperature, of about 95 degrees F. on account of mixing with cold water, reduces the temperature of the water in tank 8, sufficient to again open thermostatic valve 6, rendering the system ready for its normal operation.

When pump 15 has replaced the 200 gallons of water or so, float 32 which has been rising with the incoming water, reaches its highest extreme bearing pressure against the upper shoulder 31, pushing upward on lever "21, breaking electrical (fir Gilli) 23 and 20,

thermostatic valve 6, thence into "tank 8 through pipe 7, whereupon the hot water again raises thetemperature of the water in tank 8. i

These operations are maintained automatic and the temperature of the water in tank 8, is never reduced so greatly as to make it useless to the needs of the plant.

In questioning the use of pipe 35, and relief valve 36, it is to be understood; that if the demand for hot water is discontinued for any length of time, and thermostatic valve 6 is closed, and tank 8, is full of water then the water in coil 2 has no circulation and being subjected to the tremendous heat from fire box of boiler, it is bound to generate into steam, therefore relief valve 35 is essential to the safety of the system.

Knowing that the pressure of the water is pounds, then the relief valve 36, is adjusted to 74 lbs, which permits only five pounds of steam higher than the water pressure to generate in coil 2, before it discharges. But it retains the water from escaping under normal working conditions.

Check valve 13 is used to prevent the steam when such forms in coil 2 from backing into cold water pipe 1. i

The discharge from relief valve 36, and pipe 37, may discharge anywhere, or for the sake of economy, it can be discharged into a receiver or hot well from where it can be pumped back into the boiler. This is only mentioned, but no part of the invention, therefore unnecessary to show in the drawings.

It is to be noted that 1. No water can enter'tank 8 through pipe 16, when said tank is full of water,- because valve 27 is closed and cannot open until 200 gallons of water have been drawn out of tank.

2. No water can escape through relief valve 36, except when steam forms in coil 2.

3. No water can enter tank 8 through bypass 10, or check valve 11.

i. No steam, when such forms can back into cold water pipe 1, through check valve 13.

No steam can form in storage tank 8.

(3. Pump 15 operatesonly when thermostatic valve 6 is closed and 200 gallons of water have been drawn out of tank 8.

7 WVater in tank 8 can be made to circulate in a reverse manner by closing valve 12 and opening valve 27.

8. The system is entirely automatic and requires no attention, being fool proof and perfectly safe.

9. Float 32 does not operate rod 29, until i 200 gallons {6f water have either "entered or been drawn'from tank 8. M

10. Check valves 11 and 13 {are so arfrangedas to prevent anysteam (when such forms in C011, 2), from entering'tank 8,

"which is adjusted to five pounds high'erthan the water pressure having to raise steam SlliIlOlGIlt to operate relief valve 36, discharging the steam from coil 2.

It is believed that by considering the description in connection with the drawings, persons familiar with inventions. of this class will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the same. Therefore a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail, it is to he understood that minor changes coming within the field of the invention claimed, may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is i 1. In a hot water heating system of the class described, in combination, a steam generating boiler including a housing having a fire box, a heating coil embedded in the floor of the fire box, a valved cold water supply pipe, connected with said heating coil, a receiving tank, a service pipe leading from said tank, and a hot water conducting pipe between said heating coil and tank, a normally open valve in said hot water conducting pipe, and thermostatic control means associated with said tankand valve for closing the valve when the water in the tank reaches a predetermined temperature.

2. In a hot water heating system of the class described, in combination, a steam generating boiler including a housing having a fire box, a heating coil embedded in the fioorof the fire box, a valved cold. water supply pipe, connected with said heating coil, a receiving tank, a service pipe leading from said tank, and a hot water conducting pipe between said heating coil and tank, a normally open valve in said hot water conducting pipe, and thermostatic control means associated with said tank and valve for closlng the valve when the water in the tank reaches a predetermined temperature, and

conducting pipe connected with the heating coil, a tank' with which said hot water conducting pipe is connected, a service pipe leading from said tank, a cold water conducting pipe also connected with the upper portion of said tank, a pump with which said cold water conducting pipe is connected, a connection between the pump and the first named cold water supply pipe, an electric motor for operating said pump, automatically' operable circuit closing means for said motor cooperable with said tank, a control Valve in said hot water supply pipe, and thermostatic control means associated with said valve and tank.

111 testimony whereof I afiix my signature. 7

DAVID S. GARCIA.

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