US20477A - Apparatus for supplying wateb to steam-boilers - Google Patents

Description

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIcE.

GEORGE BRODIE, OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.

APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING WATER TO STEAM-BOILERS.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 20,477, dated June 8, 1858.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE Bnonm, of Little Rock, in the county of Pulaski and State of Arkansas, have invented a new and Improved Self-Regulating Device for Supplying Steam-Boilers with ater; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal central section of my improvement. Fig. 2 is a transverse central section of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the two figures.

The object of this invention is to gradually supply steam boilers with water equal at all times to the amount evaporated and used, so that the water within the boiler will be constantly kept at a given height and by the most simple means, requiring the least possible expenditure of power for its operation.

To enable those skilled in the art to fully understand and construct my invention I will proceed to describe it.

A represents an iron cylinder of proper dimensions according to the size of the boiler to which it is applied. This cylinder may be connected to the side or to either end of the boiler, or, it may be placed within it at such a height that the line (a) will. be the high water mark, and the dotted line (b) the low water mark.

In each end or side of the cylinder A there is placed a horizontal cylinder B. These cylinders project into two hot water cisterns C, C, the water being heated by the escape steam. The line (a) (the high water mark) it will be seen is on a level with the upper surfaces of the cylinders B, B, and the line (b) (the low water mark) is on a level with their lower surfaces.

D, D, E, E, are pistons which work within the cylinders B, B, two in each cylinder, said pistons being on a rod F which is fitted in suitable bearings (Z) (Z). The pistons are placed at such a distance apart that when each pair is in its cylinder the pistons will be at opposite ends of it, or in other words, the space between each pair of pistons is equal to the length of its cylinder less the thickness of the pistons. The pistons work steam tight within the cylinders B, B.

The cisterns C, C, are always keptsupplied with water and a reciprocating motion is given the rod F, either direct from the principal engine or a small engine may be used for the especial purpose.

G, is the steam pipe connected with the boiler, not shown, and H is the supply pipe communicating with the lower part of the boiler, or the pipes G and H and cylinder A, may be dispensed with, and the boiler itself, used instead of cylinder A, or in other words, cylinder A, would then be the steam boiler.

From the above description of parts it will be seen that as the outer pistons D, E, of each pair project or pass out from the outer ends of their respective cylinders a volume of steam, equal to the capacity of the chamber or space formed between the water level and the top of the cylinders between the pistons, will be drawn into the cisterns C, and as the pistons return an equal volume of water will be forced into the cylinder A from the cisterns O, the pistons of each cylinder moving of course simultaneously, one pair feeding the boiler while the other pair is passing out and discharging the steam. By this arrangement the boiler is supplied with water without any resistance being offered to its entrance. The pistons are perfectly balanced and all the power required to operate the device is merely enough to overcome the inertia of the rod and pistons and the slight amount of friction attending their movement.

I would remark that the space between each pair of pistons should be of such capacity that the volume of water admitted into the boiler at each stroke may slightly exceed the volume of steam generated within the boiler and used during the time occupied in making the stroke. This is merely to insure a suflicient supply of water; for if the supply exceeds the amount evaporated no harm can ensue for the water within the boiler will merely reach the line (a) and the pistons of course, so far as the admitting of water within the boiler is concerned will remain inoperative or as much will be forced in the boiler as is drawn out of it. If the rod F be worked at a proper speed the water line will remain between and (b). It herein shown and described of the cylinder can never be above (a) and if Worked at the A, cylinders B, B, pistons D, D, E, E, and 10 proper speed will not reach a point becisterns G, C, for the purposes set forth.

10W 6). I 5 Hiving thus described my invention What GEORGE BRODIE I claim as new and desire to secure by Let- Witnesses: ters Patent, is, WILLIAM S. DAVIS,

The arrangement and combination as M. M. ELDER.

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