US2059620A - Steam generating electric iron - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 3, 1936. ABRAMS ET AL 2,059,620

STEAM GENERATING ELECTRIC IRON I Filed July 7, 1954 s Sheet-Sheet 1 JJQJ 26 4 g E 186 52 40 F I j f 1| 56 38 I I I .142 26 124 24 J7; INVENTORS Jsaaedfirams wfziimfiasaly z w wm Nov. 3, 1936. ABRAMS ET AL 0 9 STEAM GENERATING ELECTRIC IRON Filed July 7, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 32 172 I 6 rams 170174 j Nov. 3,- 1936 ABRAMS ET AL STEAM GENERATING ELECTRIC IRON Filed July '7, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Nov. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES 2,059,620 STEAM GENERATING ELECTRIC IRON vIsaac Abrams, Kings County, and Nathan Pesakof, Bronx County, N. Y., assignors, by mesne assignments, to Avel S. Abrams, New York,

Application July 7, 1934, Serial No. 734,218

21 Claims.

The present invention relates to a fluid ejecting pressing iron which is intended to receive fluid in the form of water or steam and deliver the fluid as steam in a saturated or superheated condition to the material upon which the iron is operating. Fluids other than water and steam may find application to the structure of the invention however.

The pressing equipment in present day use by clothing manufacturers'and tailors, ordinarily is bulky, expensive from the standpoint of purchase price as well as maintenance and necessitates a remote boiler which introduces the additional disadvantage of requiring an appreciable time for the generation of steam.'

Devices similar in type to the present invention have been proposed and used to a limited extent, but as a whole they have been unsuccessful, principally because of leakage and difiicultiesin controlling pressures and temperatures, and failure to generate superheated steam in accordance with demands. Where provisions have been made for controlling the passage of fluid, the apparatus has been complicated, calling for expensive castings, necessitating a correspondingly high selling price.

By the present invention it is sought to overcome the faults and limitations of the known structures by providing an iron having a plurality of steamtight heat exchanging units, heated by electrical heat generating elements, one or more of which may have their effective resistances varied to establish the desired temperatures and conditions of steam as well as of the pressing surface itself. Valve mechanism is provided for controlling the fluid intake as well as the delivery, and the valve actuation is accomplished by a single actuating means conveniently positioned for use during the ironing operation. The valves may have their extent of openingindependently adjustable so that the ratio of intake'to delivery may be varied to suit operating conditions.

A complete understanding of the invention will be had upon referenceto the drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of one form of the invention;

Fig. -2 is a plan view, partially broken away;

Fig. 3 is a view along line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view along line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a staggered section along line 5-5 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a section along line B'-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a section along line 1-4 of Fig. 2, with the parts in extended relation;

Fig. 8 is an elevation in section of a modifica- With particular reference to Figures 1 to 7, the iron in general comprises a base member 20, an electrical heat generating element 22 received thereby, a primary heat exchanging or vaporizing unit 24 positioned between the heat generating element 22 and a second heat generating element 26, a cover plate 28 cooperating with the base member 20 for housing parts of the mechanism, a handle 30 for pushing the iron and a valve actuating lever 32 for operating the fluid valves, all to be described in greater detail.

A pair of bolts 34 are threadedly received in suitable tapped bosses 36 formed on the upper surface of the base member, for the reception of the heat generating elements, primary heat exchanging unit and cover plate aforesaid, in addition to insulating material 38 received between the heat generating element 26 and a pressure plate 40 which is surmounted by the cover plate. A pair of nuts 42 are received by the bolts for bearing upon the cover plate to establish close contact between the heat exchanging surfaces for high eificiency of heat transmission. A switch housing 44 having perforated flanges 46 is then applied to the bolts, above which the handle 25 mounting arms 48 are received. A pair of cap nuts 50 are threaded on the ends of the bolts 34 for holding the handle and switch housing in assembly with the remainder of the structure.

The fluid supply enters the apparatus through an inlet 52 which may be connected to a remote source by a hose 54. or if desired, to a tank suitably carried by the iron itself. The inlet leads to a valve casing 56 provided with a passage 58 (Fig. 6) containing a valve seat 60 and a needle valve 35 62 foradjusting the amount of fluid which may be admitted. The passage 58 leads to a second passage 64, angularly disposed with respect thereto, and containing at the junction of the passages a valve seat 66. A valve stem 68 extends into the casing and has a tapered end 10 normally in contact with the seat 66. Surrounding the valve stem and threadedly received in the casing is a gland nut 12 which'may-be provided with suitable packing for the prevention of leakage. A bracket 14 projects vertically from the valve casing and carries a supporting arm 16 which is provided with a suitable journal nut 18 through which the upper end of the valve stem passes. The upper end of the valve stem is provided with a thrust washer surmounted by a nut 82 threaded upon the stem. A collar 84 is rigidly secured to the valve stem at a point below the journal nut 18, and a helical spring 86 has its opposite ends seated on the collar and journal nut for urging the valve into the closed position depictedin Fig. 6. Naturally the valve and its seat need not be of the tapered form shown, but may assume other forms.

The valve casing 56 is suitably but removably attached, by one or more screws 81, to the upper surface of the primary heat exchanging unit 24, the channelled construction of which appears in Fig. 4. This unit may be formed in two parts, one channelled as shown in Fig. 4 and the other with plane surfaces, which parts may be welded or sweated together to form a vaporizer having circuitous paths for the fluid so as to expose it to a.

large heating surface. If desired, the passage may be formed of metal tubing and the body material may be cast thereabout in a manner similar to the disclosure of the patent to Hoffman of October 16, 1928, numbered 1,687,562. Another contemplated mode of fabrication is by the use of cores to define the grooves. casting the metal and removing-the cores such as is commonly done in casting practice. By slightly changing the path of the channels, drilling into a solid block may be resorted to, plugging the openings afterwards as disclosed in the patent to Tavender, 1,874,832, of August 30, 1932. The preferred general shape of the primary heat exchanging unit is similar to that of the base member, though somewhat smaller so that the cover plate 28 will enclose the unit and register with the base member. The unit 24 has a butt end 88 which terminates at a transverse flange on the base member, to be described, although an extension 90 of the unit overlies a portion of this transverse flange.

A port 82 formed in the upper surface of the unit 24 registers with the passage 64 in the valve casing and conducts fluid to the inlet end 84 of the channel 96, through which the fluid passes in divergent and then convergent paths whereby it is su jected to a large heating surface. The fluid fi ally passes to the outlet end 98 of the channel and downwardly through a port I00 formed in the lower surface of the extension 90. The body of unit 24 is formed with openings I02 for reception of the bolts 34 and perforations I04 and I06 through which electrical conductors are passed.

- The base member 20 is provided with a pair of circuitous channels I08 and IIO constituting the superheating, unit and the distributing unit respectively. This channelled member may be formed in any of the ways proposed for the formation of the unit 24, both units being preferably formed by fabricating two plates separately and joining them by welding or equivalent means.

The channel I08 has a fluid inlet chamber I I2 at one extremity and a fluid outlet chamber I I4 at its other extremity. This channel traverses an appreciable area of the base member, exposing the conducted fluid to a large heating surface. The channel I I0 has a fluid inlet chamber H6 at the butt end of the base member and diverges near the prowthereof into a plurality of channels 8 provided with small perforations I20 extending through to the pressing surface I22 of the base member.

The upper surface of the base member is provided with a pocket I24, defined by marginal longitudinally extending flanges I26 and a transverse flange I 28 at the butt end. This transverse flange contains a fluid inlet port I30, in communication with the chamber H2, 9. fluid outlet port I32 in communication with the chamber H4, and another fluid inlet port I34 in communication with chamber I I6.

A valve casing I36 having ports I38 and I40 in registry with the ports I32 and I34 respectively, is firmly clamped to the transverse flange I28 in fluid tight relation therewith, by one or with suitable packing material if required. The I valve stem has a tapered end I58 normally in engagement with a seat therefor, formed as an enlargement of the port I38. Between the journal nut I50, and a collar I60 attached to the valve stem, a helical spring I62 is mounted for urging the valve into contact with its seat. A passage I64 formed in the valve casing affords communication between the ports I38 and I40 when the valve is opened against the force of the spring. Here again the valve and its seat may vary from the form illustrated.

Threadedly received by the upper end of the valve stem, there is a lifting element I66 of substantial U-shape. The base of this element is tapped for adjustable engagement with the threads on the valve stem and the arms are formed with concentric openings for the reception of a pivot pin I68 which-may be threaded into either or both of the arms.

Having one end journalled in the bifurcated supporting arm I52, which is provided with suitably aligned openings therefor, is a valve actuating shaft I10, the opposite end of which is journalled in a perforated supporting arm I12 extending from the valve casing 56. A flattened or cammed end I14 of the shaft extends beyond the arm I12 into engagement with the lower surface of the nut 82 through the intermediate thrust washer of suitable form. The nut 82 will be adjusted so that the valve will be closed when the flattened end I14 is in the position depicted in Fig. 5, and opened the desired amount when the shaft I10 is rocked in its journals.

The shaft also extends beyond the arm I52 where it is attached to the actuating lever 32 in a suitable manner, as by the collar I18 which is fastened to both the shaft and the lever. A removable collar I 80 is also removably fastened to the shaft to prevent undesired lateral movements thereof. One end of the actuating lever 32 extends to the front or prow of the iron so as to be operable by the thumb of the worker without requiring removal of his hand from the handle 30 during a pressing operation. The rear end of the actuating lever is received between the arms of the U-shaped element I66 and pivoted thereto by the pin I68. Hence, by depressing the lever 32, the two valves referred to will be opened by asingle movement by the operator.

It will thus follow that the fluid from port I00 will pass to the port I30 and to the inlet chamber 2, whence it flows through the channel I08 to -the outlet chamber I I4, port I32, port I38, by the valve when open, through passage I64, port I40, port I34, chamber I I6, channel I I0, channels H8 and out through the perforations I20 into contact with the material being operated upon. By adjusting the elements 82 and I66 on their respective valve stems, the quantity of fluid ad- I 9,059,020 in electrical insulating material in whichwill conduct heat to the heat exchanging unit 24 and tothebasemember 2|. Thiselementis connected 7 to a source of current through terminals I84 w ch are suitably insulated from the iron structure and from one another by the terminal block I04. 'A series .of taps are taken from the heat generating element 22 and led by suitably insu lated conductors III to a series of switch points I" mounted onaswitch block-Ill of insulating material, these conductors through the perforation I04 formed in the unit 24, and being surrounded by an insulator m. bne of the terminals I84 communicates directly with the heat generating element by an insulated conductor through the perforation I in the unit '24. The other terminal is electrically connected fperidently controlled.

with aswitch-arm I82, suitably pivoted on-the cover plate 28, for selectively the switch points I I! in accordance with the degree of heating desiredn This heat generating element is received in the pocket I24 provided in the upper surface of the base member.

Theheat generating elementlflimay connected directly across the terminals I84, may be' in circuit with the element 22, or may be inde- The structure appearing in Figs. 8, .9 and embodies the same general principles as that already described, differing principally in the provision of an additional heat exchanging unit and heat generating element and the presence of a single continuous channel in the base "member. This I modified structure utilizes a different arrange-- ment offiuid ports, all of which diflerences will nowbedescribed.

The base memberi, formed with a pocket as in the previous embodiment, receives in said pocket a heat generating element I provided with suitably controlled taps for the variation of its effective resistance in the electrical circuit for resulting temperature'variations. Superimposed uponfthis-heat generating element, and also received within-the pocket is a superheating unit I" which may be channelled and constructed in much the same manner as the primary heat exchanging unit of the first example, orotherwise as desired. Upon the unit I98, a heat generating element 202 is placed and suitably connected with a source of current. The primary heat exchanging unit 202 in. this case lies above the element 200 and has another heat generating element 204 .in contact with its upper surface. The channelling in the units". and 202 may be identical or different as desired, and they will both" be provided with perforations for the passage of electrical conductors for the heating elements. The heat generating elements maybe conne'cted in series or parallel, or in whatever relation found to be expedient. The insulation, pressure plate, cover plate, etc.,wlll be assembled as in the first instance.

Fluid entering the valve casing 55 containing the valve stem 88', will pass the valve when opened and flow into the inlet port 206 formed in the extension 208 (similar to extension 90' of the first case) of the primary heat exchanging unit 202.

- After traversing the channel therein, the fluid quently, fluid from the passage 2I2 enters the superheating unit through its inlet port 2I6, traverses its circuitous channel and flows to the outlet port.2|2 provided in the upper surface of the extension 2. V The valve casing I in this embodiment bears partially upon the extension 2 and partially upon the transverse flange l2l. It is provided with a valve controlled port registering with the port 2]. in the extension. A passage 220 in the casing affords communication, when the valve is open, between the port 2I8 and a port 222 formed inthetransverseflangeand leading tothe fiuid inlet chamber 224, supplying the distributing channel 226 with fluid to be dispensed through the perforations I;

Thus when the valve stem I54 is raised, fluid will pass from the-port 2|! into the passage 22., down into the port 222 and inlet chamber 224,

Whereas it is contemplated that water be sup- 1 plied to the inlet 52 and superheated steam be ejected through the perforations I22, it isconceivable that steam or some other fluid may be supplied at the inlet '2.

The primary heat exchanging unit may gener- .atesteam or it may merely raise the temperature of the water supplied thereto. It will be noted that heat is added to the fluid employed, inuia distributing unit as well as in the heat exchanging units. Additional heat generating elements and exchanging units may be added to the structure for bringing the fluid to a different qfinai temperature and dryness, or to the same final temperature and dryness inmore gradual The heat exchanging units are preferably composed of metal having a high heat conductivity, and the channels formed therein are preferably of considerable length for pnoviding large contact surfaces for the transfer of heat to the fluid.-

The dryness or moisture content of the elected steam will be controlled to suit the fabric of the article to be pressedby varying the valve adjustments and the setting of the switch arm.- This is important due to the differing requirements of;

woolens and silks,'for example.

The primary heat exchanging unit may be provided additionally with an inlet valve operated by the liquid level therein for maintaining a constant head of water, especially in cases where the unit serves as a preheater for the supplied water. In such a case, it might be desired to prevent the generation of steam in the primary heat exchanging unit, which may be accomplished. by using a temperature responsive element to break the cirucit of oneor more of the heating elements 7 before the water can flash into steam, and remake the circuit when the temperature falls below apredeterminedminimum.

. By the nuts 42, the several heat generating elements and exchanging units are maintained in good heat conducting contact so as to. eliminate air pockets. The extension of any heat exchanging unit in contact with the transverse flange of the base member maybe sufiicientiy oifset to assure fluid tight registry of the cooperating ports as well as proper heat conducting contact of the body of such unit with its heat generating element or elements.

The number of variations and equivalents possible'in-the present case is exceedingly great, and

it is accordingly contemplated that such modig I be included by the appended claims.

.50 base member. 4 5. A fluid ejecting iron comprising a base mem- For example, a rotary valve mechanism may be employed for-each or both of the. reciprocating valves operated by the actuating-lever.

We claim: s

5 1. A fluid ejecting iron comprising a perforat -i ed base and a primary heat exchanging unit, a fluid inlet for said primary heat exchanging unit,

conduit means connecting said primary heat exchanging unit with the perforations in said base,

. valve mchanismsjcontrolling said inlet and said conduit means, means for simultaneously oper ating said, valve mechanisms and heat generating elements associated .with said base and said unit, controlled independently of said valves.

2. A fluid ejecting iron comprising a perforat ed' base and a primary heat.exchanging unit, a fluid inlet for said primary heat exchanging unit, conduit means connecting-said primary heat exchanging unit with the perforations. in said base, valve mechanismscontrolling said inlet and said conduit means, means for adjusting the maximum opening of said valve mechanisms,

means for simultaneously operating said 'lv'e' means to heat said unit and id 5 base;

3. A fluid ejecting iron c m rising. a perforated base; asuperheating unit and a primary heat exchanging unit said primary heat exchanging unit having a fluid inlet, means connectingsaid primaryhat exchanging unit with said superheating unit for fluid passage, means connecti, ing said 'superheating unit with the perforations in said base for fluid passage, valve means controlling both said inlet and said connecting means, meansfor simultaneously operating said valve means, said units constituting a-closed sys-' tem when said valve means are closed, and means 'forheating said units,

i 4. A fluid ejecting iron comprising 'a'base mem- 40 her and a primary heat exchanging unit having a-fluid inlet, said base member being formed with a superheating .channel. having. inletand outlet ports lying in the same horizontal plane, said ba'se also having a distributing channel having a portcoplanar with and communicating with said outlet port through valvedconduit means, conduit means connecting said primary heat exchanging unit withsaid inlet port and said distributing channel with the lower surface of said her provided with a'- plurality of distinct chan--' nels, the lower surface of said basemember having a'plurality of delivery orifices in communists-- 5 tionfwith one of'said channels, another of said i channels being provided with a fluid inlet port,

and valved means interconnecting an outletport of the second of said channels'with an inlet port of the first of said channels, and 'a preheating ,m chamber having an outlet-connected with the second of said channels, saidpreheating chamber j being carried bysaidbase ,member and sewing r preheat the fluid which is ultimately ejected. 6. A fluid ejecting iron comprising a primary heat exchanging unit, a super-heating unit and"a' distributing unit, heat generating elements interposed between saidjunitsjconduiameans establishing fluld' connection between said primary 0 heat exchanging unit and said superheating a .and between said superheating unit andsald disv tributing unit, a'fluid inlet fof'saidprimary heat I exchanging unitand valves operated by a com-- "mon element controlling said conduitameans and 'said'fluid inlet, said distributing unit communi- 8. A fluid ejecting iron" comprising a heat] 'ex changing unit and a distributing unit for receiving :heated fluid therefrom, said heat exchanging unit having a fluid inlet, a valve controlling said fluidinlet and a' valve controlling the passage of fluid to'said distributing unit, a common mechanism for operating said valves, and means asso-- ciated with said mechanism forvarying the relative extent of opening said' valves.

'9, A fluid ejecting iron comprising, a heat exchanging. unit and .a distributing unit for receiving .heated fluid therefrom, said'- heat exchanging unit having .a fluid inlet controlled .by a valve and a valve controlling the passage of .-fluid to said distributing unit, means for adjust ing said valves independently, means for'opera'ting said valves .joiutlyxiand means for heating said fluid, said distribu ng unit' communicating with openings in the-lower surface of the base of said'iron.

10'. A fluid ejecting iron comprising abase member having a lower-surface and an upper surface, said base member containing a plurality of independent channels, said upper' surface containing inlet and outlet ports communicating with the channels ,'valved connecting means overlying a plurality of saidportsand interconnecting the outlet port of one of said channels with J the inlet port of another of said channels, means for introducing fluid into one of said'chanrlels,'

conduit means communicating between one. of

said channels and the lower surface of said base outlet connected with one of said channels, said preheating chamber being carried by said base member and serving to preheat the fluid which is ultimately ejected.

11,.A:fluid ejecting iron comprising a chan- '-ne lled base member having a lower surface and an upper surface, said upper surface containing aplurality of ports communicating with the. 1 channelling for the passage 'of fluid, a second.

channelled member overlying said upper surface and having an extension having a port in com-- mfinicatiors'with the channellingint he second member, and a preheating chamber having an member and-with one of those in the upper surj ports, the channelling in said base member communicating with said lower surface, and the inlet. 1

T12Q-A fluid ejecting iron comprisinga chanface, valved means interconnecting others of said channelling in said second member having a fluid nelled base membenhaving a lower surface and. an upper surface, said upper surface containing.

a plurality' of ports communicating with the. channelling for the passage of fluid, a second;

channelled member-overlying said upper surface d having'an .ext'enslrm having a port in com- 'munication with-the channelling 'in the second member and with one of them in the upper sur-r said channelled members, said base channelling face, valved means'interconnecting thei 'ernain-, ing ports; and a heat generating unit between.

communicating with the lower of the iron and said second channelled member having a fluid inlet.

13. A fluid ejecting iron comprising a channelled base member having a lower surface and an upper surface, said upper surface containing a plurality of ports communicating with the channelling for the passage of fluid, a second channelled member overlying said upper surface and having an extension having a port in communication with the channelling in the second member and with one of those in the uppersurface, valved means seated on said upper surface interconnecting the remaining ports, and a heat generating unit between said channelled members, and in thermal contact therewith, said base channelling communicating with the lower surface of the iron and said second channelled member havin'ga fluid inlet.

14. A fluid ejecting iron comprising a base member containinga plurality of distinct channels, the upper surface of said base member containing a plurality of ports communicating with the channels for the passage of fluid, means in terconnecting a pair of said channels through said ports, one of said channels having a fluid inlet, another of said channels having communication with'the lower surface of said base member, means for interrupting the passage of fluid through said channels, and a preheating chamber communicating with one of said channels, said preheating chamber being carried by-said base member and serving to preheat the fluid which is ultimately ejected.

15, A fluid ejecting iron comprising a base member containing a plurality of distinct chan-' nels, the upper surface of said base member containing a plurality of ports communicating with the channels for the passage of fluid, a valve casing seated on said upper surface for interconnecting and controlling a plurality of'said channels through a plurality of said ports, one of said channels having a'fluid inlet andanother of said channels communicating with the lower surface of said base member, and a preheating unit communicating with said fluid inlet, said preheating chamber being carried by said base member and serving to preheat the fluid which is ultimately ejected.

16; A .fluid ejecting iron comprising a base member containing a plurality of distinct chan-' nels and having a lower surface and an upper surface, said upper surface containing a plurality of ports communicating with the channels for the passage of fluid, a second channelled member overlying said upper surface and-having an extension having a port in communication with the channelling in the second member and with one of those in the upper surface, said second channelled member having a port on its upper surface for the reception of fluid, a valve casing seated on said base member having ports in registry with a plurality of said channel ports for selectively interconnecting the corresponding channels, one of said channels having fluid communication with the lower surface of said base member.

17. A fluid ejecting iron comprising a channelled base member. having a lower surface and an upper surface, said upper surface containing a plurality ofports communicating with the channelling for the passage of fluid, valved means interconnecting a pair of said ports, a second channelled member overlying said upper surface and having an extension having a port in communication with the channelling in the second memberand with one of those in said upper 4 surface, a heat generating element between said channelled members, and a heat generating element superimposed upon said second channelled member, said second channelled member having a fluid inlet and the channelling in said base member communicating with the lower surface of said base member.

18.'A pressing iron comprising a base member having an electrical heating element superimposed thereupon, a channelled heat exchanging unit superimposed upon said element,'said unit having a perforation therethrough for'the passage of an electrical conductor to said element, said channelling existing on opposite sides of said perforation, there being an inlet for fluid to said channelling and an outlet therefrom in communication with a fluid passage in-said base member, said base member having a perforation connecting said channel with the pressing surface of the iron.

a 19. A sadiron of the class described comprising a base having perforations therein opening out passage of the'base with the passage in the base which connects the perforations-together, and a valve in the conduit.

20. In an iron of the class described, a base having perforations therein opening out through the lower face of the base, and a passage in the ,base connecting the upper ends of the perfora-' tions together, said base also having a sinuous passage therein, a steam generating plate, a heating element located between the plate and the top of the base, a heating element on the top of the plate, said plate having a sinuous passage'therein,

. means for connecting one end of the last-mentioned passage with a liquid supply, a conduit connecting the other end of said passage with one end of the sinuous passage in the base, a conduit connecting the other end of the sinuous passage in the base with the first-mentioned passage in the base, and a valve for controlling the flow of fluid through the conduit.

, 21. In an iron of the class described, a base formed of upper and lower sections connected together, the lower section having a passage therein in its upper face, perforations extending from the passage through the lowerface of said section, the upper face of said lower section also having a sinuous passage therein, the upper section covering the passages, a heating element on the top of the base, a steam generating plate on the heating element, a second heating element on the plate, said plate being formed of upper and lower sections connected together, the lower section of the plate having a sinuous passage therein which is covered by the upper section, means for connecting oneend of the sinuous passage in the plate to a liquid supply, a conduit connecting the other end of said passage with one end of the sinuous passage in the base, and a valve controlled conduit connecting the other end of the sinuous inthe base.

NATHAN PESAKOF. ABB.AMS

.passage in the base to the first-mentioned passage v u

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