US2080797A

US2080797A - Air conditioning apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2080797A
Application number: US671878A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edwin L Wiegand
Original assignee: Edwin L Wiegand Co
Current assignee: Edwin L Wiegand Co
Priority date: 1933-05-19
Filing date: 1933-05-19
Publication date: 1937-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 1954-05-18

Description

May 18, 1937.

E. L. W'IEGAND AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Original Filed May 19, 1935 3 Sheets-Shoat l 24... 4a gjyazfi Bow: L-W\ a AND I NVLYSTOK A-r-rowz rugs May 18, 1937. 1 wlEGAND 2,080,797

AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Original Filed May 19, 1933 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VLNTOR vjWW w/W Arr TO R NEaS Enwnu LsWIBC-aAND May 18, 1937. E. L. WIEGAND AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 EDWIN LNVEEQAND' Original Filed May l9, 1933 I N VLN 'ro AT ZRME s Patented May 18, 1937 PATENT OFFICE AIR CONDITIONING APPARATUS Edwin L. Wiegand, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Edwin L. Wiegand Company, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application May 19, 1933, Serial No. 671,878 Renewed February 15, 1937 12 Claims.

This invention relatesto air conditioning apparatus and has for its principal object the provision of new and improved apparatus of this character.

In the drawings accompanying this specification and forming a part of this application, I have shown, for the purpose of illustration, one form which my invention may assume, and in these drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of the invention, showing parts in elevation,

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the invention, with portions thereof broken away to disclose the interior construction,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged, broken vertical sectional view corresponding substantial- 1y to the line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of one portion of the apparatus,

Figure 5 is a rear elevational view of the invention showing one manner of supporting the motor and fan unit,

Figure 6 is a similar view showing a different embodiment ofthe motor and fan supporting means, p

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of a thermally responsive means employed in connection.

with the invention, and showing the partsin one Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view of the thermally responsive means taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 9, and disclosing the parts 'in a different position,

Figure 9 is a top plan view, partially in section, of the thermally responsive means shown in Figures '7 and 8, while Figure 10 is a diagrammatic layout of the electrical appliances employed in connection with the invention.

The embodiment of-the invention shown in Figures 1 through 5,! through 9, and Figure 10,

comprises a metallic casing 28, preferably oblong rectangular incross-section and open at both ends. Adjacent one end of the casing 20 is dis posed a plurality of electrical heating elements 2 extending transversely across the passage defined by the inner casing wall, and, as best shown iii-Figures 3 and 4, each having an elongated portion 22, oblong rectangular in crosssection, disposed edgewise to the direction of air flow through the casing 20, comprising a metal-'- lic outer casing 23, a heating coil 24', and interposed insulating refractory material 25, the ends oh the coil being connected with

terminal posts

26 and 21. Arranged along the body portion 22 of each heating element 2|, is a plurality of laterally extending fin members 28, each having a central aperture surrounded by a flange 29, and so disposed that the flanges 29 are arranged in overlappingabutting relation, the fins 28 providing large radiating surfaces and operating also to provide air passages therebetween which direct passing air in well defined directions.

I Supporting the heating elements 2|' in proper position in the casing 20 are supporting means comprising a support 38 for one'setof ends of the heating elements 2|, and a support 3|, for the opposite ends of the heating elements 2|, the supports 30 and 3| preferably being similar, though oppositely disposed, and the same reference characters designate like parts of both. Each of the supports 38 and 3| comprises a pair of end blocks 32, over which is fitted an angular section 33, having a flange 34 welded to one end of the block 32, asat 35, and having a flange 36 welded to the top of the block, and the flange 36 is provided with a plurality of slots 31, each beginning adjacent the corner of the section 33, and extending outwardly and opening at the free I edge of the flange 36. \Each slot 31 is adapted for the reception of one end of the rectangular body portion 22 of an individual heating element 2|, and the body portion 22 of each heating element is maintained in position in each slot 31 by means of a plate 40 detachably secured to the 30 opposite endof each block 32, as by a screw 4| tapped into the block, the plate 40 being provided with an angular flange 42 which lies snug against the edge of the flange 36 and spans the mouths of the slots 31, to close the same, and the plate 40 also cooperates with the section 33, and the. blocks 32, to define a hollow formation characteristic of bothsupports 30 and 3|, and within 4 which the projecting ends of the body pOrtions 22 of the heating elements are accommodated. The spaced supporting formations 30 and 3| are tied together by side bars 43 having their ends secured to the blocks 32 by welding or the like; as at 44, and the side bars 43 are secured to the casing 20 by screws 45 threaded into tapped holes 46 extending through the side bars 43 and .into the blocks 32. In the case of the support 3|, the heating elements 2| may be inserted lateral- 1y into the slots 31', with the flange 36 extending. between the adjacent end pair of fins 28, the latter preferably being placed closer together than the remainder .of the fins to insure snug reception of the flange 36 therebetween, and in the case of the support 30 the heating elements 2| may also be inserted laterally into the slots connecting members 49, and the bars 48 in turn are connected by conductors 50 and 5| with terminal posts 52 and 53 positioned in a receptacle 54 at the exterior of the. housing 20, the manner.

' of electrically connecting the'heating elements 2i being hereinafter more particularly pointed out 5 in connection with the description of the diagrammatic layout shown in Figure 10.

At the outlet'of the casing there are provided a plurality of louvers or deflectors 558 pivotally mounted as at 55|, and manually ad- 20 justable for intercepting and directing the air issuing from the outlet of the casing 28 as desired.

At the inner side of the bank of heating elements, and within the casing 28, there is mounted a partition 55 having angular flanges 56 secured to the casing wall by bolts 51, and the partition 55 is provided with a central aper- "ture 58 within which is disposed a fan 59, carried by the armature shaft of a motor 60.

ported in position with respect to the casing 20, by feet 8| projecting-from the central part 62 of the motor, and the feet 6| rest upon the end portions of a plate G3,bearing upon the central portions ofv a pair of resilient metallic supporting strips 84, the feet 6|, the plate 63, and'the" central portions of the strips 84 being all clamped together by bolts 65, and the outer opposite end portions of the members 64' diverge with respect to each other and end flanges thereof secured to the casing wall, as bybolts 56. Rubber pads may be interposed between the feet 8| and the plate 63 for dampening vibrations.

' i A somewhat difierent embodiment of motor mounting'is shown in Figure 6, in this case comprising a supporting member having a cradle portion 61 secured by screws to the motor casing, and connected by struts 68 to a ring 68 hav- 5; ing a flange 18 secured to the partition 55. by

screws I l. v

As best showrr in Figure 10, the heating elements 2| are connected in parallel circuits i2, .13, and I4, the-circuits I3 and Hi connecting 55 through jumper straps 15 and 16 withthe conductors Hand 18, the jumper straps in the positions shown in full lines in'Figure 10, rendering the system suitable for single phase operation.. The jumper straps I5 and 16 however,

60 may be rearranged, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 10, to connect with a conductor 19, and thus render the system suitable for three phase operation. The conductors 11, I8 and 19 are .adapted to be connected with feed wires through a switch 80. Control mechanism is included in a parallel circuit 8|, comprising a thermostatically controlled switch 82, of any commercial type, operable to make and break the circuit 8| dependent upon the temperature,

0 and operating through any well known type of switch operating mechanism, one of which may include a spring normally urging the blades of ,the switch 88 to disengaged position, while a solenoid 83, when energized, operates to close 75 and hold closed the switch 80, so that wh n t e thermostatically controlled switch 82 breaks the circuit 8|, the solenoid is de-energized, permitting the spring to disengage the switch 88 and 9, the safety thermal cut-out comprises anelongated metallic block 85 secured by bolts to the plate 34 of the supporting formation 3| for the heating elements 2|, and to the opposite sides of the block are clamped resilient contact members 88 and 81, having angular end portions provided with contact points- 88, and the member 8,! is extended to provide an extension 89, and to the extension 89 is clamped an operating rod 98 extendingto the outside of the casing '28 and terminating in an operating knob, each of the contact members 86 and 81 being insulated from the block 85 and from each other by suitable insulating members, and the bolts 8| which clamp the contact members in position also serve as terminal members 92 for connection with wires forming the circuit 8|. The As shown in Figure 5 the motor 60 is'sup-- block 85 is also provided with an offset portion 93 to which is secured a bimetallic thermally responsive element 94, and to the opposite side of the block 85 is secured a resilient latch member 95 having a screw extending laterally therethrough providing an adjustable post 96 which extends between the contact members 86 and 81 and into abutment with the thermally re sponsive element 94, and beyond the post 98 the latch member 95 is provided with a laterally extending portion having an engagingface 91 adapted in one position to bear against the extension89- to hold the contacts 88 in engagement, and also having a beveled surface 98 to facilitate movement of the extension 89 into latching position when the extension 89 is moved by manipulation of the rod 98 to reset the latch 'after the same has been detached. 5

Assuming the jumper straps I5 and 16 to be 7 in the position illustrated in full lines in Figure 10, for single phase operation, and the circuit 8| closed, the fan will operate to. direct air through the casing 20, and through and into contact with the heating elements 2|, such air emerging between the louvers or deflectors 558. Due to the manner in which the heating elements 2| are arranged in the casing, that is, edgewise with respect to the air stream, and because of the presence of the fins 28 upon the heating elements 2|, passage of the air through the heating elements not only-is not unduly obstructed, but the air is directed in well defined paths forwardly from the mouth of the casing and the air so issuingrnay be more effectively directed where desired through manipulation of I the louvers 558; in addition. the fins 28 provide extensive radiating surfaces and great eiiiciency as will be understood, The heating elements 2| may be operated in concert, as just described, but, if desired, the heating units in the circuits 13 and/or I4 may be cut out temporarily by Hisconnecting the jumper straps IS-and/or'lfi.

Automatic controlof the heating elements 2| is effected through operation of the thermostatically controlled switch 82 which interrupts the circuit 8| when the temperature rises beyond a predetermined level, resulting in disconnection of the switch 80, and deenergization of the heating elements 2|. When the temperature falls suificiently to again operate the thermostatically controlled switch 82, the circuit 8| is again closed, resulting in closing of the switch 80, and energization of whatever heating elements are included in the circuit.

The safety thermal cut-out 84 is located adjacent to the heating coils 2|, and when the temperature rises too high for safety, the safety cutout operates to interrupt the circuit 8|, and deenergizes the heating elements. This operation takes place through deformation of the bimetallic strip 94, which forces the latch 95 outwardly, and causes the contact member 8'! to spring away and separate the contact points 88. The safety cut-out of course deenergizes the circuit 8| until the device is reset by manipulation of the rod 9|], which may be pressed inward- 1y, causing the extension 89 of the contact member 81 to ride along the beveled surface 98 of the latch until the latch springs into position to again hold the points 88 in engagement.

To convert the heater circuit for three phase operation it is only necessary to disconnect the jumper straps l and I6 from communication with the conductors l1 and I8, and connect the ends thereof to the third conductor 19, in which case the circuits l3 and 14 are completed through the conductor 19, and the remainder of the apparatus operates in the manner already described. 1

While I have herein disclosed the preferred embodiment of my invention it will be understood that various changes may be made and details modified, all without departing from the spirit of my invention, or sacrificing the ad-- vantages thereof, either those advantages herein above specifically pointed out or any other advantages not specifically pointed out but which nevertheless will be apparent. to those skilled in the art. Therefore it will be understood that the disclosure herein is illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim:

' 1. Apparatus of the character described, comprising: a plurality of heating elements having conductors forming connected circuits; multiphase feed conductors; and conducting means adapted to form part of said connected circuits and shiftably mounted and selectively connectable with two or more of said feed conductors in ductors of the other circuit, or with the thirdwire of said feed conductors.

3. Heating apparatus. comprising: an electrical resistor; supply conductors for said resistor; a contactor interposed in said supply conductors; electro-responsive operating means for said contactor; a thermostat, having contacts, disposed in the space to be heatedby said resistor; a

manually operable switch; and conducting means connecting said electro-responsive operating means and said thermostat contacts and said manually operable switch in series in a circuit in shunt with said supply conductors.

4. Heating apparatus, comprising: an electrical resistor; supply conductors for said resistor; a contactor interposed in said supply conductors; electro-responsive operating means for said contactor; a thermostat, having contacts, disposed in the space to be heated by said resistor; thermal cut-out means, disposed adjacent said resistor, directly subject to heat given all by said resistor; and conducting means connecting said electro-responsive operating means and said thermostat contacts and said thermal cutout means in series in a circuit in shunt with said supply conductors.

5. Heating apparatus, comprising: an electrical resistor; supply conductors for said resistor; a contactor interposed in said supply conductors; EIGCt-IOvI'SSDOIlSlVf-E operating means for said contactor; thermal cut-out means, having relatively movable contacts, disposed adjacent said resistor, directly subject to heat given oiT by said resistor; means whereby said thermal cut-out means causes movement of said relatively movable contacts to one position in response to said heat, said contacts remaining in said position until manually reset; and conduct-ing means connecting said electro-responsive operating means and said relatively movable contacts of said thermal cut-out in series in a circuit in shunt with said supply conductors.

6. In combination: an electrical heating element; supply conductors for said element; means including a thermally responsive device, disposed in the space to be heated by said heating element, automatically operable to connect and disconnect said heating element and said supply conductors; a motor-driven fan for directing a stream of air against said heating element; and thermally responsive safety means, disposed adjacent said heating element and subject to the combined influence of the heat given all by said heating element and the stream of air generated by said fan, and operable upon abnormal rise in temperature at said thermally responsive safety means to cause disconnection of said heating element from said supply conductors.

'7. In combination: an electrical heating element; motor-driven fan for directing a stream oi. air against said heating element; thermally responsive safety means, disposed adjacent said heating element and subject to the combined influence of the heat given off by said heating element, and the stream of air generated by said fan, and operable upon abnormal rise'in temperature at said thermally responsive safety means to cause disconnection of said heating element from said supply conductors; and means whereby said motor-driven fan may be caused to operate while said heating element is disconnected from said supply conductors.

8. In combination: an electrical heating element; supply conductors for said element; means including a thermally responsive device, disposed in the space to be heated by said heating element, automatically operable to connect and disconnect said heating element and said supply conductors; an electric motor-driven fan for directing a stream of air against said heating element; thermally responsive safety'means, disposed adjacent said heating element and subject to the combined influence of the heat given 01! by said heating element and the stream of air supply conductors for said element; a

4- generated by said fan, and operable upon ab normal rise in temperature at said thermally responsive safety means to cause disconnection of said heating element from said supply conductors; and means for separately feeding said 7 motor from said supply conductors so that said motor-driven fan may continue to operate when said heating element is disconnected from said ing means; means for supplying energy to heatsaid heating means; and means whereby upon stoppage of said motor said energy supplying means ceases to supply energy to said heating means.

10. Heating apparatus connectable to electrical .supply conductors, comprising; a plurality 'of groups of electrical heating elements, each group including one or more heating elements; means for-selectively connecting a predetermined numher of said groups in parallel across two supply conductors or connecting said groups individually across diilerent pairs of supply conductors.

11. Heating apparatus connectable to electricalsupply conductors, comprising: a plurality of series connected groups of electrical heating elements, each group including one or more heating elements; means for selectively connecting a predetermined number of said groups in parallel across two supply conductors or connecting said groups individually across different pairs of supply conductors.

'12. Heating apparatus connectable to conductors of a single phase or three phase alternating current supply, comprising a plurality of groups 0! electrical heating elements, each group including one or more heating elements; means for selectively connecting a predetermined number of said groups in parallel-across a single phase a