US1874940A - Cabinet type unit heater - Google Patents

Description

.Aug.30,1932. L. P. DWYER 1 81 4 CABINET TYPE UNIT HEATER Filed March 16. 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet l JQI/ifP/ZLP 2 22/ 27' Inn'enH? 1 L. P. DWYER CKBINET TYPE UNIT HEATER Aug. 30, 1932.

Fild March 16, 1951 I 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 omgyg.

Aug. 30, 1932.

L. P. DWYER -CABINET TYPE UNIT HEATER 1931' 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 16 illliil W Aug. 30, 1932. L, P, DWYER 1,874,940

CABINET TYPE UNIT HEATER Filed March 16. 1931' 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 pltflltfla Aug. 30, 1932 um'rao STATES LAWRENCE P. nwnix. Oil WINNER-A, ILLINOIS, ABSIGNOB TO 0. A. DURHAM CO1! PATENT or-Flor:

. PM; IAB SHALLTOWN, IOWA, A CORPORATION OF IO WA CABINET TYPE UNIT HEATER Application ma mm. 16, 1931. Serial No. 323,131.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in a cabinet-type unit heater, and moreparticularly to a heater of this t e which 1s compact, self-contained 5 and w ich is invertible or adapted for use in a plurality of different positions, so that it is of substantiall universal a plication with-.

out any materia alterations in the structure. Modern building conditions demand that the heating a paratus be concentrated in the smallest possible amount of space, and in addition beadapted to a wide variety of installation ap lications. The radiators may be positions adjacent the floor, ad'acent the ceiling, or concealed in walls or, ues. For one example, where radiators are located 1n basements, the practice in steam-heating or hot-water heating systems is to locate the radiator near the ceiling above the supply and return pipes so as to simplify the p1ping. When the ordinary type of radiator is thus located, it is impossible to satisfactorily heat the space adjacent the floor because the air tends to stratify into layers of varying tom ratures, the higher temperatures prevailin adjacent the ceiling. It is, therefore, esirable to provide means for positively causing the heated air to circulate down wardly.

Unit heaters of the type with which this invention is concerned comprise a self-contained radiator and a blower or other means for causing air to positively move through the unit in contact with the heating surface. The present invention relates to such a unit which is capable of use in a variety of positions, either upright, inverted or partially inverted,

and one which may be alternately used either used in con-.

adjacent the floor or ceilingnor cealed radiating systems. e present unit heater is also designed to operate satisfactorily when the blower is not in operation,

that is, the heatin element will cause the desired aspirating e ect on the air so as to cause circulation through the heater.

Briefly described, the im roved heater comprisesasubstantiallyclose rectangularcasin having rmanently connected rear, end and top wal the top wall bein provided with 9.1 grille or openings for the 'scharge of the heated air. The bottom of the casing is open, and the removable front wall is provided with openings or a grille in its lower portion,

so that air may be alternatively drawn into the casing through the open bottom thereof or through the grille in the lower portion of the front wall. The casiiig'is divided by an intermediate horizontal partition into upper and lower compartments, the radiating unit being mounted in the upper'compartment so that all air passing through the casing must flow between the tubes of the radiators so as to be heated thereby. The blower apparatus is suspended from the partition within the lower compartment so as to positively cause the circulation of air through the heater. The air flow will always be in the same direction through the heater, but the heater may be bodily inverted or partially inverted without aifecting the satisfactory operation thereof.

The principal object of this invention is to rovide an improved unit heater of the type riefly described hereinaboveand disclosed inore in detail in the specifications which fol- Another obiect is to provide a unit heater of substantial y universal application, that is, one that maybe installed in a plurality of difierent locations or positions.

Another object is to provide a compact unit heater which will develop a maximum efficiency for a minimum size.

, Another object is to provide an improved" unit heater capable of positively circulating air downwardly through a compartment to be heated.

Another object is to provide a unit heater in which the noise of the operating parts will be reduced to a minimum.

Another object is to provide a radiatorfor the unit heater which has alternative connections, .whereby it may be inverted or installed in a lurality of different positions.

Another 0 ject is to provide a radiator which has a long life, is not subject to destructive corrosion, and which is less susceptible to freezingthan radiators of this type in ordinary use.

Another object is to provide aunit heater in which the individual radiator tubes may be easily removed, replaced, or put out of service without afiecting the operationf of the remaining parts.

Another object isto provide an im roved blower or fan construction for a unit eater. Another object is to provide unimproved and simplified fan housing for a unit heater. Another object is. to provide im roved means for sealing the air passages t rough the heater so as to cause substantially all of the air flow to be in contact withirthe radiating, surfaces. K

Another object is to provide a unit heater capable of satisfactory operation .whenxthe air circulates by gravity, that is when the blower mechanism is not in o erati on.

Another object is to provi e an improved unit heater provided with a valve mechanism whereby the percentage of air-flow in contact with the radiating surfaces may be varied as desired- Another object is to provide a unit heater which may be assembled and shipped as a unit.-

Qther objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of one approved form of the apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved unit heater as installed in its normal upright position.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the heater installed in inverted position adjacent the ceiling of a room or compartment.

Fig. 3 is a similar view of the heater installed in partially inverted or sidewise position in one upper corner of a room.

Fi 4 is a sectional perspective view show- A ing t e heater installed in a wall or flue.

Fig. 5 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view through the heater, the view being taken looking from the rear toward the removable front wall.

Fig. 6 is atransverse vertical section, taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a partial verticahsection' corresponding to the upper right hand portion of Fig. 6, but showing a modification.

Fig. Sis a horizontal section taken substan-' tiallyon the line 8-8 of Fig. 5. a

Fig. 9 is a partial vertical section taken substantially on the line 99 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of one of the brackets used for supporting the radiator.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of one of the radiator headers. 1

Fig. 12 is a detail perspective view showing one of the cushioned supporting members for the intermediate partition of fan panel.

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal section through the end portion of one of the radiator tubes.

the heating unit, as shown in ig. 1. It will be understood that when the unit is inverted, or partially inverted, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, some of the terms used will no lon at be strictly applicable, since-what is descri d as the top wall may become the bottom wall or a side wall. It is to be understood, therefore, that the terms hereinafter used are merely relative and do not necessarily identify the actual positioning of the parts described when in service.

The heater casing is built up of sheet metal plates or panels comprising a rear wall 1, end walls 2, and a top wal 3, permanently united by having overlapping portions secured together by spot welding or in any other suitable manner. The rear wall 1 and end walls 2are substantiall imperforate, but the top wall 3 is provide with a plurality of openings4so as to form a grille through which the heated air is discharged. The lower side 7 ,or bottom of the casing is opened, as indicated at 5, (Fig. 6) but a metallic angle member 6 extends around the four sides of this open bottom, the front portion 7 of this angle member remaining permanently in place, even when the removable front Wall or panel has been removed. A second angle her 8 is secured to the inner side of the front angle bar 7 so as to provide an inwardly projecting horizontal flange 9, as best shown in Fig. 6. The

front edge portions of the end walls 2 and and top edges, adapted to abut against the flanges 12 when the front wall is in position.

Along its lower edge the front wall 13 is flanged inwardly at 15 and then downwardly at 16 to hook over the horizontal flange 9 of now be apparent that in order to remove the front panel 13 it is merely necessary to 'unscrew the bolts 17 and then lift the front wall upwardly and outwardly so as to disengage thehooked lower edge 16 from the flange 9.

The lower portion of the front wall 13 is provided with a plurality pf holes or openings the angle bar' 8, thus holding the lower portion of the front wall in place. Screw bolts (v 46 detail.

20 so as toform a grille through which air may be drawn into the casing. It is to be understood that the air to be heated may be drawn into the casing either through the 5 grille 20 or through the open bottom 5, and the heated air will always be expelled through the grille 4 in the top wall 3. -*The direction of air flow is indicated by the arrows in Figs.

1, 2, 3 and 4. When the heater is mounted in normal upright position, as indicated in Fig. 1, the'bottom opening 5 will 'be' closed by the floor, indicated at 21.- In a similar manner when the heater is inverted,.as shown in Fig.

2, the open side will be closed by ,the ceiling 22,.and when positioned, as shown in Fig. 3, the open side is closed by the side wall 23 of the building. In all of these installations, the air to be heated is drawn in through the grille in the front wall 13. Ordinarily when the 2. heater is mounted in a flue or wall passage (see Fig. 4) the air will be drawn in through the open bottom 5, and usually the'installation will be such that the grille 2O inthe front wall will be closed by an adjacent wall 5 of the flue or passage. If this is not the case,

a substitute front: panel 24 may be used, which is exactly similar to the front wall 13 except that the grille openings 20 are omitted. Or, alternatively, the openings 20 may 3 be closed by any suitable cover member, or it may be'immaterial whether the openings are closed or not.

The casing is interiorly divided, above the grille 20 in the front wall 13, by an in-.

terior partition 25 which divides the casing into upper and lower compartments. This partition is referred to as a fan-panel since it supports'the blower mechanism, all of which will be described hereinafter in more The upper compartment above the partition 25, is substantially closed except for the outlet grille 4 in the top wall 3. The radiator, indicated as an entirety at 26, is mounted in this upper compartment. The radiator comprises a pair of similar headers 27, one of which is shown in perspective in Fig. 11. One of these headers is supported adjacent each end wall 2 of the casing, the header being in the form of a hollow casting formed with a pair of downwardly project-v ing supporting legs 28. A sheet metal supporting bracket (shown in Fig. 10) comprises a vertical supporting wall 29 which is spotwelded or otherwise se cured to the end casing wall 2, a horizontal bracket wall 30, and upwardly projecting lugs 31 to which the legs 28 of the header are attached by means of the screw bolts indicated at 32. Thebracket may be provided with a'reinforcing web 33, Welded or otherwisesecuredthereto.

Each header 27 is formed on its inner face with a plurality of similar spaced-apart openings 34, each comprising a larger interiorly threaded portion 35 adapted to receive an an- 65 nular clamping nut 36, and a smaller inner portion 37, through which the end portion of one of the radiating tubes 38 is adapted to project. These tubes 38 are formed of comparatively thin metal preferably seamless drawn copper, and eac provided with a spi- 4 rally Wound continuous copper fin 39 on its outer'surface to increase the radiating surface. The headeropenings 34 for receiving the tubes are so arranged that the tubes38 will be positioned in staggered relation, as

best shown in Fig. 6, so as to provide devious air passages therebetween, and preferably the tubes will slant slightly downward toward one end, as shown in Fig. 5, so as, to facilitate drainage. formed on its inner end with an annular wedge portion 36, which is adapted to be forced between the outer surfacevof tube 38 and the cam surface of the header formed about the reduced opening 37 so as to seal the opening and clamp the radiating tube tightly in position. A reinforcing thimble 40 is inserted in the end portion of tube. 38 to prevent crushing the tube when the Sealing nut 36 is screwed into position. Preferably the thimbles 40 at the steam inlet ends of the tubes will each be formed with a pair of inturned restricting'fingers 41 (see Fig. 14) so as to impede somewhat the flow of steam or other heatingmedium through the 5 tubes, and secure more equal distribution of steam into the several tubes.

Each header is formed in its outer surface v with a plurality of spaced inlet or discharge openings 42, which are interiorly threaded 00 to receive the end of a supply pipe 43 ,or a discharge pipe 44. The openings 42 which are not used for connection with the supply and discharge pipes will be closed by plugs 45. As shown in Fi 11, twoof these openings 42 will be positioned at the upper and lower corners along one side of the header,

1 and the third opening will be positioned intermediately along the opposite side of the header. It will beapparent that since the two headers are duplicates, but one is re.-

versed with relation to the other, the openings in one header will be positioned out of line with the openings in the opposite header, so as to tend to create a more uniform 5 dispersion of the heating medium through the several radiating, tubes 38. The restricting devices41 in the ends of the tubes also serve to create a more uniform distribution,

of the heating medium.- When steam is used as the heating medium, the inlet pipe 43 may be provided with a control valve 46, and the outlet pipe 44 provided with a steam trap 47 in the usual manner, and as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive;

In order to insure proper flow of the heating medium and proper drainage, the inlet pipe 43 should be connected with that opening 42 which happens to be positioned upper- .most in one of the headers, and the discharge The brass clamping nut 36 ,is so most opening 42 in the other header; It will be'a. parent that the openings used will depend upon the position in which the unit heater 1S- installed, as in the example shown in. Figs.- 1. to 14 inclusive. When the unit heater is first assembled and shipped, closure plugs '45 may be provided in all of the openings 42. When the f 'osition in which the heater is to'be installe has been determined,

holes must be provided in the end plates2' to receive the supply and discharge PIPES.

Such holes may be'cut for this purpose, or

- partially severed cut-out plu 's may be formed in the end wall opposite each bpening 42, as indicated at 48 in Fi s. 1 to 4. The

' proper holes will be punc ed out and the plugs 45 removed from the exposed openings 42, the other plugs 45 remainin in place to 1 close the openings filled there y. It will therefore be apparent that this radiator is adapted for use in practically any position in which the heating unit may be installed.

-The header passages, and thepass es in the radiating tubes 38 will preferab y be made somewhat larger in cross-section than has hitherto been the practice, so that water will not be held therein, due-to capillarity, thereby precluding the liability of water freezing in the pipes, and insuring proper drainage. It will be apparent that when the front wall or panel 13 has been removed from the casing all of the radiator tubes 38 are .accessible so that any individual tube may removed by unscrewing the nuts 36. In this way, a damaged or leaky tube may be removed and replaced without .dis

turbing the remaining tubes, and if desired plugs maybe screwed into the openings 35 to close these openings and permit the radi ator to operate with the remaining tubes after one tube has been removed.

In' order to insure the flow of air through the casing in contact with the radiating surfaces of the heating tubes, stop walls or baffle plates, 49 and 50 are secured to the inner surfaces of the rear and front walls 1 and 2 opposite the radiator 26. It will be apparent that these baflie walls will prevent the fiow of'air upwardly along the front and rear walls and will 'force all of the air to flow up through the tortuous passages between the radiating tubes. In a similar man ner, the supporting brackets 30 tend to prevent the flow ofair upwardly beyond the ends of the headers 27. It will'be noted that the bafiie wall 50 is removed with the front wall 13 so as to permit free access to the radiator when this wall is removed.

In the modification shown in Fig. 7, the upper and lower walls of the stop member 50 are provided with a plurality of openings 51 and 52, respectively, and a valve 53 is provided to control the flow of air through-the passage 54 between bafile wall 50 and front wall 13. In this manner a'measured flow of air may be shunted through this passage 54 so as to modif the heating efi'ect of the radiator. The val outside the casing in any desired manner.

The partition or fan-panel 25, hereinabove ve 53 may be adjusted from H referred to, is formed of a single metal plate provided, at each side of its central portion with a rectangular opening or air passa (see Fig. 8). The motor 56 is mounte betweenfthe arms of a U-sha edbracket 57 ,sea cured to the under-side o partition 25 between the openings 55 by means of bolts 58.- Non-metallic' bushings will preferably be provided in the supporting brackets 59 for the motor trunnions so as to deaden the sound of the motor operations. On each-of the projecting ends60 of the motor shaft is secured curved so that its edges fit in abutting relation with the edges of the two similar scroll 64 and 67 being spot welded together to commembers64, the edges of these plate members plete the housing. Each end wall 64 is provided with a central air intake opening 68. .It will be apparent that these fan-housings are of very simple and light construction, and are supported directly from the partition 25 but entirely independently of the motor a d fans. When the motor 56 is running and t fans 62 are in operation, air will be drawn into the fan housing through the end openioc ings 68 and projected upwardly through the I partition openings 55 intothe upper casing chamber, the air then flowing upwardly between the radiator tubes and being heated thereby, and then passing out through the grill 4 'inthe top wall of the casing. If desired, directing vanes may be placed on partition 25 across the openings 55 to guide and distribute the air projected toward the radiator. This direction of air flow through the unit heater will be the same, no matter in which alternative position the heater may be mounted, as in the examples shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4.

This intermediate partition or fan panel 25 and the blower assembly supported thereby are yieldably carried by the end walls 2 of the unit heater housing. Metallic angle brackets 69 are spot welded or otherwise secured to the end walls 2, andbolts 70 are passed through mating openings in the horiioni'ng elements, are ositionedaround the bolt at each side 0 the partitlon 25, that is, one thimble is positioned between the bracket flange 71 and the partition, and a similar thimble positioned between the thimble and the locking nut and washer-7 3 on the end of bolt 70. In this manner the vibratory movements of the motor and fan mechanism will be cushioned and not transmitted tothe supporting housing, thus materially deadening the sounds created by the moving dparts.

Suitable sealing strips are provide around the ed es of partition 25 to prevent the passage 0 air between the edges of the part1- tion and the casing walls without provlding rigid metallic contacts at these ed es. For this purpose, felt strips 74 have their ree outer edge portions engaged against the walls of the heater casing (see Fig. fl) and their 1nner portions are encased in folded metalllc binding members 75 so as-to stifi'en the inner portions of the strips and permit them to be secured to the partition 25 by a limited number of rivets or. similar securing means 76. The similar sealing strips used at the respective ends of the partition may be held in place by the supporting bolts 70, as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 12. It will now be apparent that all of the moving parts are carried by the partition or panel 25 and that this panelis completely cushioned with respect to the unitheater housing from which it is supported, so that the vibrations of the moving parts will not be transmitted to the heater housing and the noises will be materially deadened.

This improved unit-heater is not only one that may be used in various positions and locations. so as to circulate the heated air either upwardly, downwardly or laterally, but when mounted in normal upright position the construction issuch that air will circulate satisfactorily through the casing by convection.-

Tn ordinary types of unit-heaters, as heretofore known, the heat output has been varied entirely by stopping and starting the fan or blower. However, if circulation of the air in the room ceases, with the cessation of. operation of the fan. sensations of chill will be ex j perienced by the occupants of the room and the heating system is, for this reason, unsatisfactory. Since the air will continue to circulate through this unit-heater. to a modified extent, even after the blower has ceased to operate. such sudden temperature variations areavoided. i

It will be noted that this unit-heater is entirelv self-contained and may be assembled at the factory, and no material changes are necessary for adapting the heater to a wide variety of different installations. Theiconstruction is'compact and comparatively light, the operation is substantially noiseless, and all of the operating parts are easily accessible for repair or replacement.

It is to .be understood that in the claims which follow the designation of certain portions of the apparatus as bottom and to front and rear, upper and lower, etc., mere y refer to the locations of these parts when the unitheater is in normal upright position. These terms are merely relative and it is to be understood should be reversed or interchanged when the heater is inverted or partially inverted.

I claim: 01. -A unit heater comprising a casing open at the top and bottom and having closed side and rear walls and a front wall with openings in the lower portion thereof, a radiator ositioned between the closedupper walls 0 the casing, and means positioned in the lower portion of the casing beneath the radiator forv causing a circulation of air through the casin and radiator, the air being drawn in through the bottom or open portion of the front wall and expelled through the open upper end of the casing, the unit being operable in inverted or. partially inverted positions the direction of air flow through-the casing remaining the same. i 2. A unit heater comprising a casing having openings adjacent the top and bottom thereof, and closed end and rear walls and a removable front wall, a radiator comprisin headers supported adjacent the end walls an a plurality of radiating tubes extending between the headers in spaced apart, relation to permit the circulation of air through the casing between the tubes, the respective ends of each tube being removably and separately connected in communication with openings in the. opposed headers, whereby any tube may be individually removed when the front wall is removed from the casin p 3. A unit heater comprising a casing having openings adjacent the top andbottom thereof, and closed end and rear walls and a removable front wall, a radiator comprising headers supported adjacent the end walls and a plurality of radiating tubes extending between the headers in spaced apart relation to permit the circulation ofairthrough the easing between the tubes, the headers being formed with a plurality of openings to receive the tubeends, a portion of each opening being threaded to alternatively receive an annular locking nut for sealing the tube in position or a plug for closing the opening when the tube is removed. 1 1 v 4. A unit heater comprising a casing having openings adjacent the top and bottom thereof, and closed end and rear walls and a removable front wall, a radiator comprising headers supported adjacent the end walls and a plurality of radiating tubes extending between the headers in spaced apart relation to permit the circulation of air through the casing between the tubes, means for removably securing each tube end in communi--v openings in the front wall and ividing the restrictin I means mounted in; the open end portion 0 the tube to offer resistance to the ow of heating medium from one header .to theother through the tube.

casing into upper and lower compartments, the partition avin openings therein, blower means supporte by the partition within the lower compartment and adapted to draw in air through the 0 en bottom or the openings in the front wa l and discharge the air into the upper compartment, a radiatormounted within the upper compartment between thefront, rear and side walls so that the air must pass through the radiator before being discharged through the openings in the top of the casing and alternative means for connecting supply and discharge pi s for heating medium to the radiator, so tliZt the unit may be used in any upright, inverted or partially inverted position.

6. A unit heater comprising a casing having openings adjacent the top and bottom thereof and closed end and frontand rear walls, a radiator mounted within the casing and comprising a pair of headers positione adj acent the end walls and a plurality of radiating tubes communicating with and extendq between the headers in spaced apart relation,

suppl' and discharge pipes for the heating medi m adapted to be connected with the respective headers, each header being provided in the side thereof adjacent the casing end with aplurality of alternative openings for receiving a supply or discharge pipe, andplugs for closing all but one ofthese openin s. I

g. A unit heatercomprising a casing having openings adjacent the top and bottom thereof and closed end and front and rear walls, a horizontal partition mounted within the casing and dividing same into upper and lower compartments, a radiator positioned in the upper compartment, the partition having openings therein, a blower means suspends from the partition in the lower compartment and adapted to force 'air upwardly through the openings, and means for yieldlngly supporting the partition from the end walls of the casing.

8. A unit heater comprising a casing having openings adjacent the top and bottom thereof and closed end and front and rear walls, a horizontal partition mounted within the casing and dividing same into upper and lower compartments, a radiator positioned in theupper compartment, the partition having openings therein, a blower as'raeeo means suspended from the partition in the lower compartment and adapted to force air the opemngs, brackets on in the casing and dividing same into upper and lower compartments, a radiator positioned in the upper compartment, the par-,

tition having 0 enings therein, a blower means suspends from the partition in the lower compartment and ada ted to force air upwardlythrough the openings, brackets on the end walls of the casmg, bolts extending throu h the end portions of the artition and t e brackets, and rubber thim les surrounding the bolts at each side of the partition.

10. A unit heater comprising a casing having openings adjacent the -to and bottom thereof and closed end and opt and rear walls, a horizontal artition mounted within the casing and divi ing same into upper and lower compartments, a radiator positioned in the upper compartment, the partition having openings therein a blower means suspended from the partition in the lower com partment and adapted to force air upwardly through the openings, means for yielding'ly supporting the artition from the walls of the casing, and exible sealing strips secured to the several edge portions of the partition and en agin the walls of the casing.

11. unit eater comprising a casing having openin adjacent the top and bottom thereof an closed end and front and rear walls, a horizontal p the casing and divi ing same into upper and lower compartments, a radiator positioned in the upper compartment'gthe partition having openings therein, a lower means sue Oil artition mounted within pended from the partition in the lower compartment and adapted to force air upwardly through the openings, means for yieldingly supportingthe partition from-the walls of the casing and flexible sealin means comrising elt strips and metal inders reinorcing the inner edge portions of the strips, the reinforced inner portions of the aim being secured to the edge portions of t e partition, and the free outer edges of the felt strips engaging-the inner walls of the casing.

12. A unit heater comprising a casing having openings adjacent the top and bottom thereof and closed end and front and rear walls, a horizontal artition mounted within the casing and divi 'ng same into upper and lower compartments, a radiator positioned as i in the upper compartment, the partition having ofpenings therein, a blower means suspended rom t e partition in the lower compartment and adapted to force air upwardly through the openlngs, brackets on the end walls of the casing, bolts extending through the end portions of the partition and t e brackets, rubber thimbles surrounding thebolts at each side of the partition, and flexible sealin means comprising felt strips andmetal bin ers reinforcing the inner edge portions of the strips, the reinforced inner portions of the strips being secured to the edge portions of the artition, and the free outer ed es of the fe t strips engaging the inner we is of the casin LA ENCE P. DWYER.

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