US1845999A - Fuel control means for alpha hydrocarbon burner - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 16, 1932. J. L. BREESE; JR

FUEL GDHTROL MEANS FOR A HYDROCARBON BURNER Filed May 14. 1927 s Shuts-Sheet; 1

Jawwf 6 J? Fgh 16, 1932. J. L. BREESE, JR

File d May 14. 1927 -FUE'L CONTROL MEANS FOR A HYDRQGARBON BURNER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb 16, 1932. J. L. BREESE, JR

FUEL CONTROL MEANS FOR A HYDROCARBON BURNER Filed May 14, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Feb. 16, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES L. BREESE, 33-, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASBIGNOR TO OIL DEVICES CORPORA- T1011, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS FUEL CONTROL MEANS FOltA HYDBOCABBON BURNER Application filed Bay 14,

My invention relates to a fuel control means for a hydrocarbon burner and has for particular purpose the provision of means for controlling the flow or a liquid hydrocarbon fuel. Another purpose is the provision of a thermostatically controlled fuel re ulation. Another purpose is the provision o l a thermostatic control, with means for cutting 0d the supply of fuel when the temperature rises above a predetermined point, and for supplemently increhsing the normal supply of fuel when the temperature drops below a predetermined point. Another object is the rovision of an improved overflow control. ther objects will appear from time to time in the course oi the specification and claims.

it illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure l is a vertical section of my device with parts in elevation and with the electric circuits diagrammatically shown;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the control device proper, with the cover removed;

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure l 15 a section on the line 4-4; ofv

Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 3; and

Figure 6 is a section on the line 66 of Figure 3.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawings.

A generally indicates the outer shell or drum of a hydrocarbon burner, A being the upper or combustion chamber. A is a trans verse partition centrally ap'ertured as at A; Seated in the aperture 3 is the mixing drum or chamber A with the concave bottom A. The drum is provided with a plurality of small apertures A spaced in general uniformitv about the intermediate and lower portion of its walls. Adjacent the upper edge of the walls is a row A of larger and upwardly in- 1927. Serial No. 191,296.

from any suitable oil supply to the float chamber generally indicated as C. B is an oil line extending from said float chamber and communicating, by the elbow B with the bottom A of the mixing chamber A 13 is a gas line which extends into the union member B and axially along the pi e B to terminate as at 18 within the distri utor member A in the mixing chamber at a level above the normal level of admittance of the liquid fuel. B is a bushing member adapted to receive the fuel line B. It may be secured in relation to the burner for example by the set screw 13 in the hollow member B which is secured as atB" to the drum A.

Referring more particularly to the flow chamber, as shown in Figures 2 and follow ing the fuel line B communicates with the initial admission chamber 0- in which is p0- sitioned the strainer C yieldingly thrust upwardly by the spring C against an upper abutment C. C is a removable screw threaded plug which engages the spring C and which permits removal of the strainer and access to the chamber C G is a fuel passage extending upwardly from said chamher and controlled by the valve member D. This valve member is pivoted -to the end of a lever D which lever is in turn pivoted as at D closely adjacent its connection with the valve member D. Its opposite end is downwardly turned as at D and is secured to the float D. It willbe understood that when the level of oil in the float chamber is below the predetermined normal oil flows through the passage B and the passage C and escapes over the ledge C to the float chamber proper indicated as C". D is a shield, associated with the valve D, and adapted to prevent any substantial upward gush of the inflowing fuel.

As shown in Figure 5 the ledge C is bounded at one end by a raised portion (1 through which extends the outlet or overflow passage C E indicates a transverse rod upon which is pivoted the weight E Preferably formed integrally with such weight is the lever E to the end of which is pivoted a stem E extending downwardly through the passage C. It terminates at its lower end in the hook E to which may be secured thebail E of the overflow control bucket E. E is a laterally projecting lug herein shown as associated with the lever E, and E is a corresponding lateral projection mounted upon E. It will be understood that in case the float chamber becomes so filled that oil flows downwardly through the over-flow passage C and fills the bucket, the weight of the bucket will trip the counterweight E- and will cause it to take the position shown in dotted line in Figure 3. In such case the projection E will contactthe lever D and rotate it about its ivot D in such wise as to close the valve and prevent further admission of fuel. On the other hand, if the trip bucket E is removed from the hook E the counterweight E will drop to the position shown in dotted line in Figure 4. In such case the lug E will contact the lever D and close the valve D. Thus no fuel can flow into the float chamber unless the overflow bucket is in position, and no fuel can flow into the chamber when the over-flow bucket is sufliciently full to tilt the weight E to the right'of the position in which it is shown in full line in Figures 3 and 4. When the over-flow bucket E is in position, and is not so filled, it is normally held, by the weight E in the full line position shown,

being drawn up against the bottom of the float chamber.

The weight E is kept in proper position in relation to the lever D, for example by the spacing sleeves E E on the pin E. E is-a semi-circular guard to protect the overflow bucket E.

The fuel line B is connected with a downward rojection or boss G positioned on the side of the float chamber opposite to the inlet chamber C. .It is provided with an aperture Gr in opposition to the end of the line B, access to which may be had by removal of the square ended screw G, asshown in Figure 3. In communication with the space-G are two ducts G G which in turn communicate with the vertical apertures G G. Screw threaded in these apertures are the valve cylsponsive to temperature conditions. the lever E at the opposite side of the rod inders G in the lower ends of which are screw threaded the valve seats G. G G are valve stems slidable in the bearing members G which are screw threaded into the upper ends of the sleeves G. The upward movement of said stems is limited bya pin or stop-G adjustment of the valve excursion being obtainable by rotation of the screw threaded members G. The valve cylinders G are apertured as at G" to receive the oil passing through the circular screen members G which are held in position by tension springs G, one end being frictionally engaged by the threaded members G Each valve cylinder G is provided with an air hole G above the fuel level. vent member extending upwardly from the passage G to the point well above the highest possible fuel level.

I prefer to render the valves G G Trlee thermostatic control may be based upon temperatures adjacent the burner or u on local or room temperatures taken elsew ere, depending upon the needs of the articular installation. Referring to; the iagrammatic portion of Figure 1 H indicates the house current which may for example be a 110 volt current. H is the primary coil of a transformer, in such house circuit and H is a secondary coil of such transformer. H is a conductive line extending from one end of said secondary coil H to the terminal H. H is a conductive line extending from the opposite end of the secondary coil to any suitable thermostatic leaf H. Op osed to such leaf are the contacts H an H. When the temperature rises to a redetermined point the leaf H will touc said contacts, for example H and the six volt current will pass through such contact along the conductive line H to a terminal H. On the contrary when the temperature dro s to 'a redetermined degree a circuit will closed through the opposite contact H and the six volt current w1ll pass alon the conductive line H to the terminal G is an air one of II are generall similar bi-metallic thermostatic strips WhlCh are adapted to flex in opposite directions in response to similar changes in temperature. I and I are resistance members or coils associated respectively with the leaves I and I.

The leaves are apertured at their outer ends as at I I to receive the upper ends of the valve stems G' and G The cross pins G" G of said valve stems engage the upper surface of the thermostatic leaves.

It will be understood that when the leaf H deflects to the right, as shown in Figure 1, and closes the circuit through the contact H and conductor H the circuit is continued through the resistance I by means of the conductive connection I from the terminal H to the from the resistance to the return terminal H it to the return terminal H When the leaf H is in intermediate position and neither resistance is actuated, the leaf it and the resistance P will be in the po sition shown in dotted line at the right of Figure 6 and the valve stem G will be upwardly withdrawn to permit a flow of fuel through the aperture G and the duct G into the fuel line B. As long as the temperature remains within the predetermined range, fuel will be supplied to the fuel line B through but a single duct. However when the temperature exceeds the predetermined normal and the resistance l is heated, the leaf ll flexes to the position shown in full line at the right of Figure 6 and the valve G is permitted to drop into closed position.

if the temperature drops below the desired normal range, the resistance l is of course not heated and the valve stem G remains in open position. But the resistance l becomes heated and the leaf ll flexes upwardly into the position shown in dotted line in Figure 6. This fleaure of the leaf causes it to lift the valve stem Gr", thus permitting fuel to flow to the line B through the duct G The valve unit is protected by a cover K fastened to the float chamber U by screws K lt will be realized that whereas I have shown and described a practical and opera tive device, nevertheless many changes might be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. l therefore wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense diagrammatic and illustrative rather than as limitingine to my specific showing.

l claim:

l. ln a fuel control device for a h drocarbon burner, a fuel chamber, a fue line to said chamber, a fuel line extending from said chamber to the burner, a plurality of ducts between said chamber and said last mentioned fuel line, valve members adapted to control said ducts, thermostatic members adapted to actuate said valve members, resistance members associated therewith, and actuating circuits therefor, and means responsive to temperature changes, for closing said circuits.

2. In a fuel control device for a hydrocarbon burner, a fuel chamber, a fuel line to said chamber, a plurality of ducts between said chamber and said last mentioned fuel line, valve members adapted to control said ducts, thermostatic members adapted to actuate said valve members, resistance members associated therewith, and actuating circuits therefor, and means responsive to tempera ture changes,for closing one of said circuits in response to a predetermined rise in term perature, and for closing another of said circuits in response to a predetermined drop in temperature.

3. In a fuel control device for a hydrocarbon burner, a fuel chamber, a fuel line to said chamber, a fuel line extending from said chamber to the burner, a'plurality of ducts between said chamber and said last mentioned fuel line, valve members'adapted to control said ducts, a thermostatic member adapted to control each such valve, one of said valves being normally open, the ther-- mostatic member therefor being adapted to close it upon a predetermined rise in temperature, and another valve being normally closed, the thermostatic member therefor being" adapted to open it upon a predetermined drop in temperature.

4. Incontrol means for a liquid fuel a bloat chamber, a fuel inlet, a plurality of outlet ducts, and valves adapted to control each such duct, and means for independently op erating said outlet valves in response to temperature variations, including a thermostatic leaf for each such valve, a resistance associated therewith, actuating circuits for such resistances, and temperature responsive means for selectively closing such circuits.

5. In control means for a liquid fuel a float chamber, a fuel inlet, a plurality of outlet ducts, and valves adapted to control each such duct, means for independently operating said outlet valves in response to temperature variations, including athermostaticleaf for each such valve, a resistance associated therewith, actuating circuits for such resistances, and temperature responsive means for selectively closing such circuits, one of said leaves being adapted to hold its valve normally open, and to close it in response to a predetermined temperature rise, the other being adapted to open a normally closed valve in response to a predetermined temperature drop. v

6. Ina fuel supply and control device for a hydrocarbon burner, a fuel chamber, a fuel line in communication with the chamber, extending to the burner, a plurality of inlet ducts interposed between said chamber and said fuel line, valves controlling said ducts and thermostatic control means for said valves, said thermostatic control means including thermostatic strips, resistance ele ments associated therewith and means for passing a current through said resistance elements in response to changes in temperature, the circuit for one of said resistance elements being adapted to be closed in response to decreases in temperature and the circuit of the other being adapted to be closed in response to increases in temperature.

llld

7 In a fuel supply and control device for a hydrocarbon burner, a float chamber, a fuel inlet to said float chamber, a plurality of fuel outlets from said float chamber and valves therefor, control members for said valves and thermostatic control means therefor including a thermostatic conductive strip responsive to adjacent temperature, contacts adapted to be opposed to said strip at the 10 opposite termini of its movement in response to fluctuations of temperature, a plurality of circuits, each such circuit adapted to actuate one of said members and including one of said terminals, and an electric connection whereby each such circuit is closed and such control member is operated when the ther-.

mostatic conductive strip engages the con-- tact with which such circuit is associated.

8. In a fuel supply and control device for a hydrocarbon burner, a float chamber, means for delivering a liquid hydrocarbon fuel thereto, a fuel outflow line in communication with the chamber, extending to the burner, an outlet duct interposed between said float chamber andsaid fuel line, a valve adapted to control said duct, and thermostatic control means for said valve, said thermostatic con trol means includin a thermostatic strip within the float chamber, a resistance element associated therewith, and means for passing a current through said resistance element in response to changes in temperature, said strip being mounted atone end upon the float chamber structure, the body and other end of the strip being free to flex, and an actuating connection between the free end of the strip and said valve.

9. In a fuel control device for a hydrocarbon burner, a float chamber, a fuel line extending to said chamber, a float in said float chamber, an inlet valve and control means interposed between said valve and said float adapted to actuate said valve in response to changes in level of said float, a fuel line extending from said chamber to the burner, a plurality of outlet ducts extending from said float chamber to said fuel line, and differential means for controlling said ducts in response to temperature variations, said means being adapted,'at predetermined normal temperature, to maintain one of said ducts closed and one open.

10. The structure ofclaim 9 characterized by the provision of means adapted to open the normally closed duct in response to predetermined temperature drops, and to close the normally open duct in response to predetermined temperature rises.

11. The structure of claim 9 characterized in that a plurality of outlet ducts are provided with a separate valve for each, and a thermostatic control strip being provided for the actuation of each said valve, each such strip having associated therewith a resistance element, means being provided for actuating said resistance elements in response to temperature conditions remote from the thermostatic strips.

12. In a fuel supply and control device for a hydrocarbon burner, a float chamber, a fuel inlet to said float chamber, a fuel line extending from said float chamber toward the burne r, an outlet from said chamber to said fuel line, an air vent for the fuel line adjacent said outlet, a valve adapted to control said outlet,

and an air vent in communication with the float chamber side of the valve, said air vent extending to a level above the maximum level of the fuel in the float chamber.

13. In a fuel supply andcontrol device for a hydrocarbon burner, a float chamber, a fuel inlet to said float chamber, a. fuel line extending from said float chamber toward the burner, a plurality of outlets. from said chamber to said fuel line, valves for said outlets, and air vent means in communication with the float chamber side of each said valve, said air vent means extending to a level above the normal maximum level of the fuel in the float chamber.

14. In a fuel supply and control device for a hydrocarbon burner, a float chamber, a fuel inlet to said float chamber, a fuel line extending from said float chamber toward the burner, an outlet from said chamber to said fuel line, a valve for said outlet, an air vent for the outlet in communication with the float chamber side of the valve, and air vent means extending from said fuel line, adjacent said outlet, to a level above the normal maximum level of the fuel in the float chamber.

15. In a fuel supply and control device for a hydrocarbon burner, a unitary float chamber housing, a float chamber, and a float therein, a fuel inlet to said housing, a valve for said inlet, and means, responsive to said float for normally controllin said valve, -a fuel line extending from sai float chamber to said burner, an air vent for said fuel line, a valve seat for said fuel line, positioned within said float chamber member, a valve opposed thereto and means for controlling said valve, and atubular member upward y extending about said valve through said float chamber to a level above the normal maximum level of the fuel within said float chamber, said tubular member being apertured to permit the entry of fuel and belng air vented, above the fuel level.

16. In a fuel supply and control device, a unitary housing member having a float chamber formed therein, a fuel inlet in communication with said housing member, said housing member having a strainer chamber in communication with said inlet, a strainer within said chamber, a duct connecting said strainer chamber and said inlet, formed in a wallof said housing, a valve controlling said duct, a fuel line extending from said housing member to the burner, an air vent for said fuel line, said housing wall being formed with a duct connecting said fuel line with the in- "terior of the float chamber, a. valve seat therefor positioned within said housing member, and a valve adapted to control it, a tubular member surrounding said valve and extending upwardly through the floatchamber, said to ulaimember surrounding said valve, said tubular member being vented at one level to 10 Eermit the entry of fuel from the float cha!n er and being vented at a higher level to permit the escape of air from the space about said valve.

Signed at Chicago, county of Cook, and 35 State of Illinois the 11th do of M? 1927.

JAMES L. B EES JR.

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