US2018097A

US2018097A - Humidifier

Info

Publication number: US2018097A
Application number: US718691A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ferris N Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1934-04-02
Filing date: 1934-04-02
Publication date: 1935-10-22
Anticipated expiration: 1952-10-22

Description

F. N. SMlTH Oct. 22, 1935.

HUMIDIFIER Filed April 2, 1934 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented Oct. 22, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 19 Claims.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an automatic steam generator for use in connection with conventional house heating systems and the like.

Second, to provide a steam generator of this character in which the amount of steam generated can be accurately controlled and which may be quickly and easily installed.

Third, to provide an improved valve control for a steam generator in which the valve is quickly and positively opened.

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which;

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of a humidifying apparatus embodying my improvements in operative relation. to a conventional heating system shown in dotted lines.

Figs. 2, 2A, and 2B are views partially in. side elevation andmainly in longitudinal vertical section of successive fragments of my automatic steam generator.

In the drawing, numeral 1 represents a heating furnace or boiler, 2 the fire or combustion chamber thereof, and 3 the door of said chamber. 4 represents a radiator and 5 a steam distributing head disposed adjacent the radiator so that the air currents set up by the radiator will distribute the steam or vapor delivered by the humidifier head.

In the illustrated embodiment of my generator, the elongated tubular boiler 6 is closed at its outer and inner ends by means of the closure plug 1 and head member 8, respectively. The

boiler is provided with a steam outlet 9 adjacent its inner end. I provide a housing lll constituting a water inlet chamber, the valve unit II being threaded to the outer end of the hous-- ing for longitudinal adjustment and having a central bore 3 opening to the inlet chamber and provided with a valve seat I4.

The valve unit is held in adjusted position by means of the lock nut 34. The valve unit is provided with a screen l5 through which the water must pass before it enters the valve chamber it. The valve I1 is normally closed by the pressure of the inlet water assisted by the compression spring l8 in the valve chamber.

In the housing I0, I mount the bellows or expansion element 19' which is provided with a plunger 20 projecting into the central bore I3, the plunger being preferably spaced from the bore as shown. The plunger coacts with the push rod 2| to open the valve ll when the expansion element is actuated. I provide meansfor actuating the expansion element comprisingthe tube or container 22 which projects into the boiler 5 from the inner end thereof, the outer end or" the tube being closed and its inner end being connected to the expansion element. The

tube 22 contains a heat responsive fluid such as 5.

lalcohol, methane and the like or a suitable mixture or gas.

The water pipe 23 is connected to the water inlet chamber and projects into the boiler 6 from the inner end thereof and has its discharge adjacent the outer end thereof. Between the housing I 9 and the boiler 6, I provide a protective casing 24 for the fluid tube 22 and the water pipe 23, these parts being. preferably flexible copper tubing so that the housing and boiler can be arranged most conveniently for the particular installation.

The boiler is mounted on the supporting plate 2:"; which may be bolted to the fire door frame of the furnace so that. the boiler is supported in suitable position in. the combustion chamber 2. Water is supplied to the device through the connection 26 which is provided with a shut-ofl valve 21. The steam outlet 9 of the boiler is connected to the difiuser head 5 as illustrated, 9.25 separator trap 28 being preferably used in this connection.

' The thermostatic fiuid 29 within the tube 22 acts when expanded by heat to open the Valve I! through expansion element or bellows I9, 30 plunger 20 and push rod 2|. The opening of the valve results in the admission of water into the boiler 6 through bore l3, water inlet chamber 30, and water pipe 23. The incoming water inv the boiler acts to cool the thermostatic fluid 29. which contracts quite rapidly allowingv the valve to be closed by the spring and water pres sure.

The water discharged into the boiler is converted, into steam and delivered to the distributor head through the connections described. The valve opening and closing action is quite rapid and water is supplied to. the boiler in approximately measured amounts. It will be understood. that when the fire is low the device does not operate, which is desirable inasmuch as it eliminates the delivery of steam when the system is below a predetermined temperature.

The quantity of water delivered by the valve to the boiler is conveniently controlled by adjusting the longitudinal position of the valve unit It relativev to the housing I0.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment which I have found. very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations, as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled inthe. art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what. I

claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler, of a housing spaced from said boiler and constituting a water inlet chamber, a valve unit threaded to the outer end of said housing for longitudinal adjustment and having a central bore opening to said inlet chamber and provided with a valve seat, a spring closed valve coacting with said valve seat, a bellows in said housing having a. plunger projecting into said central bore, a push rod disposed between said plunger and said valve, a heat responsive fluid tube projecting into said boiler, the outer end of the tube being closed and its inner end being connected to said bellows for operating the valve, a water pipe connected to said inlet chamber and projecting into said boiler, and a protective casing for said fluid tube and water pipe between said boiler and said housing, the fluid tube, water pipe and protective casing being flexible.

2. In an automatic steam generator, the combi nation with a boiler, of a housing constituting a water inlet chamber, a valve unit threaded to the outer end of said housing for longitudinal adjustment and having a bore opening to said inlet chamber and provided with a valve seat, a spring closed valve coacting with said valve seat, a bellows in said housing having a plunger projecting into said central bore, a push rod disposed between said plunger and said valve, a heat responsive fluid tube projecting into said boiler, the outer end of the tube being closed and its inner end being connected to said bellows for operating the valve, a water pipe connected to said inlet chamber and projecting into said boiler, and a protective casing for said fluid tube and water pipe between said boiler and said housing.

3. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler, of a housing spaced from said boiler and constituting a water inlet chamber, a valve unit threaded to the outer end of said housing for longitudinal adjustment and having a central bore opening to said inlet chamber and provided with a valve seat, a spring closed valve coacting .with said valve seat, an expansion element in said housing having a plunger projecting into said central bore, a push rod disposed between said plunger and said valve, a heat responsive fluid container projecting into said boiler, the outer end of the tube being closed and its inner end being connected to said expansion element for-operating the valve, and a water pipe connected to said inlet chamber and projecting into said boiler, the fluid tube and water pipe being flexible.

,4. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler, of a housing constituting a 7 1 element foroperating the valve, and a water pipe connected to said inlet chamber and projecting into said boiler.

In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler, of a housing constituting a water inlet chamber, a valve ,unit having a bore opening to said inlet chamber and provided with a valve seat, a spring closed valve coacting with said valve seat, an expansion element in said housing having a plunger projecting into said central bore, a push rod disposed between said 5 plunger and said valve, a heat responsive fluid container projecting into said boiler, the outer end of the tube being closed and its inner end being connected to said expansion element for operating the valve, and a water pipe connected 10 to said inlet chamber and projecting into said boiler. V

6. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler, of a housing constituting a water inlet chamber, a valve unit threaded to the outer end of said housing for longitudinal adjustment and having a central bore opening to said inlet chamber and provided with a valve seat, a valve coacting with said valve seat, an expansion element in said housing for operating said valve, a heat responsive fluid container within said boiler, the outer end of the tube being closed and its inner end being connected to'said expansion element, a Water pipe connected to said inlet chamber and projecting into said boiler, and a protective casing for said fluid tube and water pipe between said boiler and said housing, the fluid tube, water pipe and protective casing being flexible.

7. In an automatic steam generatonithe combination with a boiler, of a housing constituting a water inlet chamber, a valve unit threaded to the outer end of said housing for longitudinal adjustment and having a central bore opening to said inlet chamber and provided with a valve seat, 5 a valve coacting with said valve seat, an expansion element in said housing for operating said valve, a heat responsive fluid container within said boiler, the outer end of the tube being closed and its inner end being connected to said expansion element, and a Water pipe connected to said inlet chamber and projecting into said boiler.-

8. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler, of a housing constituting a water inlet chamber, a valve unit having a bore opening to said inlet chamber and provided with a valve seat, a valve coacting with said valve seat, an expansion element in said housing for operating said valve, a heat responsive fluid container within said boiler, the outer end of the tube being closed and its inner end being connected to said expansion element, and a water pipe connected to said inlet chamber and projecting into said boiler. v

9. In an automatic steam generator, the combination of a boiler having a steam outlet, a housing constitutinga' water inlet chamber, a water inlet valve discharging into said chamber, a water pipe connecting said chamber to said boiler, an expansion element in said chamber for operating said valve, and a closed heat responsive fluid container in said boiler connected to said expansion element.

10. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a housing constituting a water inlet chamber having a bellows therein, and a normally closed valve for admitting water tosaid chamber when said bellows is expanded, of an elongated tube-like boiler spaced from said housing and having closed inner and outer ends and a steam outlet adjacent its inner end, a heat responsive fluid tube projecting into said boiler from the inner end thereof for expanding said bellows when heated by the lack of steam in the boiler, and a water pipe connected to said inlet chamber and projecting into the boiler from the inner end thereof and having its discharge adjacent the outer end thereof, whereby when water is fed to the boiler it is converted into steam at once and discharged through the steam outlet, the steam in passing from one end of the boiler to the other enveloping that portion of the tube within the boiler and cooling the heat responsive fluid which thereupon contracts the bellows to permit said valve to close, this cycle being re peated in regular succession as long as the boiler is heated.

11. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a normally closed water inlet valve, of an elongated tube-like boiler having closed inner and outer ends and a steam outlet adjacent its inner end, a heat responsive means projecting into said boiler from the inner end thereof for opening said valve when heated by the lack of steam in the boiler, and a water pipe connected to said valve and projecting into the boiler from the inner end thereof and having its discharge adjacent the outer end thereof, whereby when water is fed to the boiler it is converted into steam at once and discharged through the steam outlet, the steam in passing from one end of the boiler to the other enveloping that portion of the heat responsive means Within the boiler and cooling the same which thereupon releases said valve, this cycle being repeated in regular succession as long as the boiler is heated.

12. In an automatic steam generator, the combination of an elongated tube-like boiler having closed inner and outer ends and a steam outlet adjacent its inner end, a heat responsive fluid tube projecting into said boiler from the inner end thereof, a water pipe projecting into said boiler from the inner end thereof and having its discharge adjacent the outer end thereof so that the water discharged thereby is converted into steam before enveloping said tube and leaving by said steam outlet, and a water inlet valve controlled by the heat responsive fluid for admitting water to said pipe only when steam is substantially absent from the boiler, whereby the valve opens and 'closes in regular succession and steam is discharged from the boiler in a series of jets each following an opening of the valve so long as the boiler is heated, the frequency of the steam generating cycles being responsive to the temperature to which the boiler is elevated.

13. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler, and a water inlet chamber spaced therefrom, of a water inlet valve adapted to admit inlet water to said water inlet chamber, and an elongated conduit connecting said boiler and water inlet chamber and having an inlet water passage and a heat responsive fluid passage arranged so that the inlet water tempers the heat responsive fluid, and means including the latter acting to control said valve in response to the temperature of said boiler.

14. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler, and a water inlet chamber spaced therefrom, of elongated inlet water and heat responsive fluid passages connecting said boiler and water inlet chamber and arranged so that the inlet water tempers the heat responsive fluid, and means including a Water inlet valve for admitting inlet water to said inlet water chamher in response to the temperature of said boiler acting through said heat responsive fluid.

. 15. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler, and a water inlet chamber spaced therefrom, of a water inlet valve for admitting inlet water to said water inlet chamber, an elongated heat responsive fluid tube having its ends in operative relation with said boiler and said water inlet valve whereby the valve is controlled by the temperature of the boiler through the heat responsive fluid, and an inlet water pipe for conducting the inlet water from said water inlet chamber to said boiler and associated with said heat responsive fluid tube in such a way as to cause the inlet water flowing through said pipe to temper the heat responsive fluid in said tube.

16. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler, and a water inlet chamber spaced therefrom, of a water inlet valve for admitting inlet water to said Water inlet chamber, heat responsive means acting to control said Water inlet valve in response to the temperature of said boiler, and an inlet water pipe for conducting the inlet water from said water inlet chamber to said boiler .and associated with said heat responsive means in such a way that the inlet water counteracts the transmission of heat through the parts connecting the boiler to the water inlet chamber and water inlet valve.

17. In an automatic steam generator, the combination with a boiler, and a water inlet valve spaced therefrom, of heat responsive means acting to control said valve in response to the temperature of said boiler, and means .acting to conduct the inlet water from said valve to said boiler so that the inlet water counteracts the transmisison of heat through the parts between the boiler and valve.

18. In an automatic steam generator, the com bination with a boiler, of a housing spaced from said boiler and having a water inlet chamber provided with alined bores in opposite sides thereof, a bellows disposed in said chamber and having opposed stems projecting into said bores, one of said bores providing a water inlet, the stem projecting into said water inlet being spaced therefrom to provide an inlet water passage, the other stem being anchored in the other bore and having a heat responsive fluidinlet passage communicating with the inside of said bellows, means for conducting water from said chamber to said boiler, a water inlet valve controlled by the stem of said bellows projecting into said water. inlet, and means containing a heat responsive fluid for controlling said bellows in response to the temperature of said boiler.

19. In an automatic steam generator, the combination of a boiler and a housing spaced from each other, the housing having a water inlet chamber through which the supply water to said boiler is adapted to pass, a bellows disposed in said chamber and having a stem secured to one side of said housing, the stem having a passage for a fluid for operating said bellows in response to the temperature of said boiler, the other side of said housing having a water inlet passage, and a stem on the movable side of said bellows projecting loosely into said water inlet passage for controlling the operation of a water inlet Valve in response to operation of said bellows.

FERRIS N. SMITH.