US2075160A

US2075160A - Modulated radiator control

Info

Publication number: US2075160A
Application number: US633421A
Authority: US
Inventors: John S Baker
Original assignee: Cook Electric Co
Current assignee: Cook Electric Co
Priority date: 1932-09-16
Filing date: 1932-09-16
Publication date: 1937-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 1954-03-30

Description

March 30, 1937. J. s. BAKER MODULATED RADIATOR CONTROL Filed Sept. 16; 1952 @ma z Patented Mar. 30, 1937 UNITED STATES 2,075,160 MODULATED RADIATOR CONTROL John S. Baker, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Cook Electric Company,-Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application September 16, 1332, Serial No. 633,421V

12 Claims.

This invention relates to a modulated radiator control adapted for use in air conditioning systems designed to furnish relatively uniform room temperature.

More particularly, this invention relates to a modulated radiator control adapted for use in air.

In air conditioning systems, as heretofore pro-` vided, it has been customary to locate the. room Vthermostat at a remote point with respect to the radiator so that all parts of the room will be 20 heated before the thermostat acts to cut ofi:` the heat. In air conditioning systems, forced drafts are utilized to bring fresh air into the room, but this air is preferably rst heated by being vpassed through the radiator. The distance be- '25 tween the radiator and the room thermostat is, in the case of passenger coaches of railroad cars, and other large rooms, relatively great, and consequently, the time required t lower the temperature of that portion of the room having the 30 thermostat to cause the thermostat to supply heat is relatively too long to prevent chilling of the room in the immediate vicinity of the radi ator. When the heat is cut oif at the radiator,

' the fresh air will enter the room and rapidly.

35 chill the radiator. The fresh air will continue to flow in without being heated. It will be apparent, therefore, that this unheated fresh air will appreciably affect the convenience and comfort of the individuals in this vicinity. This in- 40 convenience and discomfort and duration thereof thermostat is awaiting a, drop in temperature in 50 its vicinity before again operating to call for heat.

A further object of the invention resides in the specific form of modulated radiator control of the typementioned having two thermostats, one

55 of which is influenced by the room temperature,

(cl. 23e-37) and the other of which is inuenced by the radiator, so that after the room thermostat is satisfied and no longer calling for heat, the second thermostat operates to supply suiiicient heat to the radiator to prevent the cold blast of fresh air. from unduly cooling the radiator and chillingv that portion of the room.

It will be noted that one of the broad objects of the invention resides inproviding a modulated radiator control allowing acontinuous circulation of fresh air in the room to prevent stratification, and yet obtaining a relatively uniform heating throughout without chilling the vicinity admitting the cold blast of fresh air, although the room thermostat remains in a position not calling for heat for a considerable period of time.` Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accom-V panying drawing which forms a part hereof.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 illustrates al modulated radiator control diagrammatically shown embodying theinn vention; and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of an electrically operated Valve which may be employed as a part of the modulated radiator control.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, I

lrepresents the front frame of a duct providing a ventilator opening 2 having a radiator 3 xed therein through which a cold blast of fresh air is furnished by a fan t.

Radiator 3 is illustrated in conventional form. As shown, radiator 3 comprises the headers ."7A having transverse tubes 6, there being any suitable radiating means for distributing the heat, such as the ns 1. Headers 5 are connected with the intake and outlet pipe connections 8 and 9.

Radiator 3 may be heated by any suitable medium, which may be in this case, steam or hot water, although it will be understood that my invention may be incorporated in an air conditioning system employing various kinds of heating mediums, this depending, of course,- uponl the type of system used. y Y

As specically shown, an electrically operated valve I0 is disposed in intake pipe 8 to control the now of the heating medium to radiator v3. Pipe I I connecting te the intake side of valve I0 represents any suitable source of heating 'medium that may be employed.

An electric motor I2 isshown to operate valve I0. Although various forms of 'electric motors may be used, a. heat motor' isspecically vshown comprising a chamber Il defined by a exible wall u and arma wail ls for carrying asuitame volatile fluid, such as benzpl or toluene, capablev and radiator 3. Cooling of the volatile fluid in l chamber I3 allows flexible wall I4 to expand and to tilt lever I1 in a. direction lifting valve member 2| oiI its seat 22.

' A heating element 24 in the formv of a vertical tube 25 having a resistance coil 25 wrapped therel5 around furnishes sufficient heat to effect the expansion of the'volatile fluid in chamber I3. Tube is closed at its upper end and communicates atits lower end with chamber I3 by means of a coupling 21` Suitable terminal bands 2 8 and 23 20 encircle vertical tube 25 and receive opposite ends of resistance coil 25. A terminal block 30 may be supported by a bracket 3| for receiving wires 32 and`33 connected to

terminal bands

28 and 29.

Wires

32 and 33 may be connected-in 25 the circuit of a room lthermostat by means of 'said terminal block 30 to which wires 38 and 39 run. i

It will be noted that valve member 2| isladapted to be seated when the current flows throughresistance coil 26 to expand the volatile fluid and 'the chamber I3. A portion of the volatile uid normally extends upwardly in vertical 'tube 24 so as to be influenced by the heat effects of the current flow through resistance coil 26 whereby out of the heating zone'to limit the expanding action oi chamber I3.y Consequently, the current may continuously flow through resistance coil 28 without further .eflecting the expansion of the volatile fluid after the volatile fluid has been depressed out `of the heating zone.

Valve member 2| will accordingly unseat when -the current ceases to flow through the circuit. While I have described in detail the construction and operation of electric motor I2,it is apparent to those skilled in they art that any type of motor may be used to operate valve member 2 I.

A suitable room thermostat 35 is connected in the circuit of motor I2 by means of wires 36 and 31. Wire 36, together with wire 38, leads to a suitable source of current supply. Wire 38 may be connected to terminal block 30, as shown in Fig. 2. Wire 31, together with a wire 39, connects a second thermostat 48 inthe circuit of motor 2 and room thermostat 35.

Room thermostat 35 may be of any suitable construction which will close the circuit upon a predetermined rise of temperature, and which will open the circuit upon a' predetermined drop in temperature.

' A thermostat 48 is disposed in a position to be influenced by the temperature of radiator 3|, as illustrated in Fig. 1. It may be of any suitable construction, but preferably of the type which will mote to ventilator opening 2 'is calling for-heat t and the circuitis open. Chamber I 3 will contract and hold valve member 2 l1 open. The heating 'me- 5 dium will ow from 'source I I through pipe 8 and the level of the volatile fluid may be depressed close the circuit upon a predetermined rise of through the transverse coils 6 of radiator 3. The cold blast of fresh air furnished by fan 4 will pass between coils 5 and. vertical fins 1 and be heated before entering the room. The fresh heated air will circulate throughout th'e room until it reaches the vicinity of room thermostat 35,w'hereupon this thermostat will be satisfied and the circuit will be closed. It will be understood, of course, that the temperature of radiator 3 will be suillciently high to hold thermostat 40 closed. Current will then flow through the circuit and energize resistance coil 25 to cause the vapor motor to expand and close valve member2 Fan 4, continuing to operate, will continue to blow a cold blast of air through ventilator opening 2 and chill radiator 3.v When the temperature of radiator 3 drops, say below 130 Fahr., as by example only,

the thermostat 40 will immediately open the circuit and cause motor I2 to open valve member 2|. The heating medium will again ilow through radiator 3 to raise its temperature. This action will occur notwithstanding the fact that room thermostat 35 has not yet acted to open the circuit by av drop in room temperature. Thus the temperature of radiator 3 is maintained above a predetermined degree to prevent its cooling and thus prevent the cold blast of air furnished by fan 4 to enter the room unheated. .Radiator thermostat 40 may act to open and close the circuit a number of times to maintain the temperature of radiator 3 at a point just sufficient to heat the cold blast of air entering ventilator opening 2 and prevent undesirable chilling 'of the room in the vicinity of this ventilator before room thermostat 35 is influenced sufllciently to call for heat by a drop of room temperature in its vicinity.'

It will be noted, therefore, that thermostats 35 and 40 advantageously function to balance the temperaturev of the air at opposite ends of the room'to obtain a relatively uniform temperature therein at all times. It is foundl that the present system may be advantageously employed in passenger coaches of railroads where individuals may be compelled to sit in the direct path of the fresh air entering `ventilator opening 2. It will be quite apparent that these individuals would be inconvenienced if this air entering the ventilator opening 2 were not heated during the interval the room thermostat awaits a drop in temperature in its vicinity.

It will be understood, however, that the invention may be used anywhere where it is desirable to provide uniform room temperature.`

It will be further understood that it is unnecessary to employ the specic' form of thermostats and motors shown, inasmuch as the thermostats may open the circuit upon a rise of temperature and may close the circuit upon a drop of temperature to operate'the motor, as'will' be well understood to those skilled in the art.

By the term fresh air, it will be understood that I intend including air not necessarily taken directly into the building, but also air which may be recirculated, the main purpose of the invention being to control the temperature of air passing through the radiator, or, on the other hand, to

control the temperature of air being circulated. in the room and by means of the thermostatic tures which may properly be said to constitute the essential items of novelty involved, which items are intended to be dened and secured to me by the following calims.

I claim:

l. In an air conditioning system, the combination with a radiator, a source of heating medium for said radiator and a valve for controlling the ow of the heating medium, of an electric' circuit having means therein for operating said valve, a thermostat connected in said circuit and adapted to be influenced by the temperature of the room to be heated, and a second thermostat connected in said circuit and adapted to be influenced by the temperature of said radiator, said second thermostat controlling said circuit after the room thermostat has been s`atised whereby said operating means will actuate said valve to maintain said radiator above a predetermined temperature.

4 2. In an air conditioning system, the combination with a radiator, a source of heating medium for said radiator and a valve for controlling the ow of the heating medium, of an electric circuit having a motor therein for operating said valve, a thermostat connected in said circuit and adapted to be influenced by the temperature of the room to be heated, said thermostat closing said circuit upon a rise of room temperature to operate said motor and to close said valve and a second thermostat connected in said circuit and adapted to be influenced by the temperature of said radiator, said second thermostat opening said circuit upon a drop in temperature at said ra- 7 diator below a predetermined degree to cause said motor to' open said valve.

3. In an air conditioning system, the Icombination with a radiator and a duct for admitting air through said radiator to a room, a source of heating medium for said radiator, and a valve for controlling the ilow of the heating medium'to said radiator, of electrically operated means for actu- 'ating said valve, an electric circuit therefor, a

thermostat connected in said circuit and adapted to be influenced by the temperature vof the yroom at a point remote from the location of said radiator Afor controlling said valve actuating means, and a second thermostat connected in said circuit and adapted to be influenced by the temperature of said radiator, said second thermostat operating Y said valve actuating means upon cooling of said radiator below a predeterminedtemperature by the air entering said duct while said room thermostat remains satisfied.

4. In an air conditioning system, the combination with a radiator and a duct for admitting airthrough said radiator to a room, of means for heating said radiator, and means to control said heating means to maintain the room at a relatively uniform temperature including thermostatically controlled means adapted to be influenced by the temperature of said radiator and by the temperature of the room at a distance remote l from said radiator, said control means continuing electrically operated means for controlling the circulation of said heat conducting medium, and two independent thermostatically controlled devices adapted to be inuenced by the temperature of said radiator and by the temperature of the room at a distance remote from said radiator, one of said thermostatically controlled devices continuing to be influenced by the temperature of said radiator after the room temperature has been satisfied whereby to maintain the radiator at a predetermined temperature.

6. In an air conditioning system, the combination with a radiator and a duct for admitting air through said radiator to a room, of asource of heating medium for said radiator, a valve for controlling the flow of said heating medium, an electrically operated motor adapted to open the valve when-the circuit is broken, a thermostat influenced bythe temperature of the room to be heated for closing the circuit and said valve when the room temperature rises above a predetermined degree, and a second thermostat iniiuenced by the temperature of said radiator for opening the circuit and said valve upon lowering of the radiator temperature below a predetermined degree whereby to prevent chilling of the room adjacent said radiator by the air entering through said duct.

7. In an air conditioning system, the combina-l tion with a radiator and a duct for furnishingl forced drafts of air through said radiator to a room to be heated, of means for circulating a heat conducting medium through said radiator, a room thermostat for discontinuing the circulation of said heat conducting medium through said radiator when said room thermostat is satisfied by a predetermined room temperature, and a l second thermostat influenced by the temperature of said radiator for continuing the circulation of said heat conducting medium through said radi- A ator whereby to prevent cold blasts of airy from lowering the temperature of said radiator and chilling the room within the immediate vicinity of said radiator during the time said room thermostat remains satisfied.

8. In an air conditioning system, the combination with a heating device for a room to be heated, a source of heat, and electrically operated means for controlling4 said source, of a pair of thermostats, and a circuit in which said thermostats and said electrically operated means are connected for controlling said electrically operated means,l one of said thermostats being located in said room adjacent to and influenced by the temperature of said heating device whereby to actuate said electrically operated means and continue the heat at said heating device when the temperature thereof lowers below a predetermined degree, the other thermostat also being located in said room at a point remote lto said heating device and said first thermostat for actuating said electrically operated means and discontinuing the heat supply at said variations of temperature conditions of ,said heat-V ing device for maintaining vsaid heating device at a predetermined temperature by controlling the heat supply thereto after said first thermostat has actuated said electrically operated means to discontinue the heat supply to said heating device.

l 10. In an air conditioning system, the combina- 5 tion with a radiator for heating a room and a duct for admitting air to be heated through said radiator to said room, a heat conducting medium for said radiator, means to control the ow of. said heat conducting medium through said radiator, a

thermostat responsive to the temperature of the room for controlling said heat control means, and means to prevent relatively cold blasts of 'air entering the room through said radiator while said thermostat is satised comprising a second thermostat responsive to the temperature of said radiator for independently operating said heat control means to provide a ow of said heat conducting medium through said radiator to maintain said radiator above a predetermined temperature.

11. In an air conditioning system, the combination with a radiator for heating a room and a duct for admitting air to be heated through said radiator to said room, a heat conducting medium for said radiator, electrically operated means to control the ow of said heat conducting medium, a

` said electrically operated means, said second thermostat actuating said electrically operable means to continue the ow of said heat conducting medium to said radiator if the air passing through said radiator` should lower the temperature and permit cold blasts of air to enter the room at said radiator while said room thermostat is satisfied. v

12. In an air conditioning system, the combination with a radiator formed of a series of spaced tubes between which air is passed to be heated into a room, an intake pipe connected to said radiator, a heat conducting medium adapted to be circulated through said pipe and said radiator tubes, a valve for controlling the circulation of said heat conducting medium, electrically operated means for opening and closing said valve, and two thermostats, one responsive to the temperature of the room and the other responsive to the temperature at said radiator, said thermostats operating to open said va-lve when the temperature drops below predetermined low limits either in said room or at said radiator, the radiator thermostat opening said valve only when said room thermostat is satisiied and if the temperature of said radiator drops to permit unheated air to enter the room.

J 0HN s. BAKER.