US2167122A - Method and apparatus for heating - Google Patents

Description

y 5, 1939. H. H. METCALF 2,167,122

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HEATING Filed April 18, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR HM Metcalf 'ORNEY y 1939 H. H. METCALF 2,167,122

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HEATING Filed April 18, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FEE--3 w 1 \Tj '0 LINE g Fits-.4-

INVENTOR H.H.Metcal A ORNEY July 25, 1939. H. METCALF 2,167,122 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HEATING Filed April 18, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 lla 5 35 3 I YO/QZ a //\(///v/l//l A II ////I////////// -INVENTOR H.H.Metc'alf BY (P 61.0%":

ATTORNEY Patented July 2 5, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE or to Metcalf Manufacturing (30.,

Battle Creek, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application April 18, 1938, Serial No. 202,633

Claims.

The present invention relates broadly to heating and ventilating, and in its specific phases relates to methods of and apparatus for heating and ventilating by the use of electricity.

Accordingly, among the objects of the present invention is the provision of an electric heating apparatus adapted for use in transmitting heat simultaneously by reflection and by a current of heated air which alternates in direction of flow over the heat emitting portion of said apparatus.

Another object is to provide a mechanism having a plurality of stationary heaters adapted to r heat a gaseous fluid, and means adapted to change the direction of flow of such gaseous fluid relative to said heaters.

Another object is to provide a mechanism hav ing a plurality of stationary heaters adapted to heat air, and an oscillating fan adapted to circulate said heated air.

Another object is to provide a mechanism with stationary reflector heaters set at a forwardly directed converging angle, and provided with an oscillating fan between same,

Another object is to provide a heating mechanism having two heating elements with an oscillating fan mounted therebetween, a shield being provided to protect the fan motor from being injuriously heated by the heating elements of the mechanism.

Another object is to provide stationary reflector electric heaters with an oscillating fan set therebetween in manner such that as the fan oscillates from side to side, each heater will alternately pre-heat and then super-heat the air being moved by the fan.

A further object is to provide a mechanism of the character described which uses the front opening of same for both intake and discharge of a gaseous fluid such as air, the points of intake and discharge reversing as the fan oscillates from side to side.

A further object is to provide a new method of heating air or other gaseous fluid.

A still further object is to provide a mechanism which is attractive, easy to construct, simple to operate, and has a high efficiency.

Still further objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the methods and means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawings and the following description setting forth in detail certain means and modes of carrying out the invention, such disclosed means and modes illustrating, however, but several of various ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings:

Figure 1 is a partially sectioned view of a preferred form of the mechanism of the present invention as taken along the line l-l of Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a front elevation view of one form of the mechanism shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a rear elevation view of a modified form of the mechanism shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a partially sectioned view of one form of the mechanism as taken along the line i4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram illustrating one way that the heaters and fan may be connected with a thermostat for automatic control.

Figure 6 is a top view of part of the central portion of a modified form of the present invention as taken along line 66 of Figure 7.

Figure '7 is a partially sectioned assembly view taken along line 'll of Figure 6, with added details,

The apparatus of the present invention, in the specific forms illustrated, is adapted for use as an electric heating device for direct operation within a room, or the like, in which it is desired to raise the temperature with or without admitting cold fresh air.

For purposes of illustration, one form of the apparatus of the present invention is shown in Figure 1 as comprising two stationary reflector type electric heaters with a horizontally oscillating fan therebetween, the heaters and fan preferably being mounted so that their centers lay approximately on a horizontal plane. With this construction, when the fan is oscillated completely to one side, it will draw air across the front of one of the electric heaters, thus preheating the air which is then delivered past the front of the other electric heater where it is super-heated. When the fan is oscillated to the opposite side, the heater which previously acted as a pre-heater for air will now be a superheater for the air pre-heated by the electric heater which formerly was a super-heater. A modified construction for accomplishing this end with a stationary fan and a deflecting vane is shown in Figure 6.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a cabinet I which may be of metal or other suitable cabinet material, as is diagrammatically indicated by the cross-hatching. This cabinet in one preferred form has mounted therein two stationary reflector type electric heaters 2 and 3. Each of these heaters is provided with a socket 4 adapted to receive an electric resistance heating element 5. Mounted between the electric heaters 2 and 3 is an oscillating elec tric fan 5 which has a motor I and fan blades 8. The fan 6 is pivotally mounted on a suitable support 9 and is provided with an oscillating mechanism ID.

To protect the fan motor 1 from heat radiated by heaters 2 and 3, a substantially bowl-shaped member I I with slot I2 for the fan shaft I3 is provided. The back of this bowl-shaped member I I is preferably left open so that the fan motor I is exposed to the relatively cool air at the back of cabinet I. Where the cabinet I is made of wood, it may, if desired, be provided with an asbestos lining I4.

The fan 6, as shown in Figure 4, may be provided with a special mounting to permit adjustment so that the amount of oscillation on each side of center will be the same. This may be readily accomplished by providing bowl-shaped member II with a socket member I6 into which the support 9 will suitably fit and which may be held in place by means of a bolt and nut I1 and a washer I8. The fan 6 may be adjusted to the desired position and then stud I9 tightened to fasten the support 9 in place. Instead of having the fan 6 mounted on the special support 9, the mechanism may be arranged as shown in Figure 3 for the use of a conventional electric fan mounted on a tall support or pedestal 9a with conventional oscillating mechanism [a.

The reflector type electric heaters 2 and 3 may be set at various positions, but in preferred construction, they are set so as to provide forwardly directed converging beams of radiated heat.

' Where the reflectors of electric heaters 2 and 3 are set so that they throw converging beams, then a preferred setting of same is attained when the front face of each of the reflectors makes an angle ranging between 15 and 45 with the front face of the cabinet I. A preferred specific combination involves the setting of the reflectors at an angle of 30 with the front face of the cabinet I as shown in Figure 1. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the use of such specific angles, but rather broadly to the use of heaters set in any position adapted to accomplish the objects of the present invention, and the showing in the drawings is to be considered as diagrammatically illustrating any of the various operable settings of the reflectors.

When the reflector type electric heaters 2 and 3 are set with converging beams as shown in Figure 1 and at an angle of 30 with the front face of cabinet I, a 60 angle of oscillation of the electric fan 6 is highly satisfactory. It is to be understood, however, that the angle of oscillation may be varied over a wide range without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be noted that the electric fan 6 has been shown in solid lines at one extreme of oscillation and in dotted lines at the other. With the fan 6 in the position shown in solid lines, it will draw air across the front of electric heater 3 where it will be pre-heated. The direct stream of this pre-heated air delivered by the fan blades 8 will pass in front of the heating element of heater 2 where same will be superheated. The passing of air in front of the heater element 5 instead of directly over it presents the advantages of reducing oxidation of the heating element 5, practically eliminates devitalizing the air, and at the same time increases the efficiency of the apparatus by avoiding chilling heating element 5, a thing which would interfere with starting the reflected heat beam at a substantially maximum temperature intensity. The air delivered by fan 6 through the heat beams is heated thereby, but does not deflect same from their course.

The front of cabinet I, covered by grill 20, may be of completely open construction, but normally it is preferable to reduce the size of the opening so that it is slightly narrower than the height of the electric heaters 2 and 3 and at the same time shortened so that its end edges 23 and 2d let air enter and leave the cabinet I at points where the beam of reflected heat is relatively hot. With 10 inch reflectors, for instance, the end edges 23 and 24, as shown in Figure 1, would preferably be extended inward to block off about one and one-half inches of the outer edge of the reflector portion of heaters 2 and 3, as viewed from a position perpendicular to the front of each reflector. Tests indicate that by doing this, the temperature of the air delivered by the mechanism is not only higher, but the efficiency of the mechanism as a whole is improved.

The present apparatus involves a new method of heating in that each heater serves in the alternating capacity of being a pre-heater, then a super-heater, again a pre-heater, et cetera, as will be hereinafter described in detail. Another feature of the invention is that the front face of the cabinet I simultaneously acts as an inlet for relatively cold air and also as an outlet for heated air. The passage of air into cabinet I and then out again alternates in direction from side to sidein step with the oscillation of fan 6. To reduce eddying of air as it passes in and out of cabinet I, a horizontal grill may be provided. In a preferred construction this grill 2!! is formed with vanes 2! set edgewise to the normal direction of flow of air into and out of cabinet I under influence of fan 6. A convenient size for each of the vanes H is inch thick and 1 inch wide, although the invention is not limited to such dimensions. The grill 20 may be fastened to the front of cabinet I in conventional manner, for instance, by means of rods 22.

The vanes mounted on the front edge of the cabinet may, if desired, be pivoted so as to direct the flow of air upward, downward, or otherwise. One form of this construction is shown in Figure '7 where the vanes 2 la are pivoted to the cabinet by suitable hinges 39. The vanes 2Ia may also be provided with hinges 40 which connect same to a rod or like vane connector II. Pivoted to the upper end of vane connector 4| is a link 42, or the equivalent, adapted for fastening in conventional manner to a suitable anchor member 43 mounted on the front face of cabinet Ia. This mechanism permits the vanes 2Ia to be inclined at various angles and anchored in place.

The apparatus may be connected to an electric power line in various conventional ways. One typical construction is shown in Figure 5 where the heating elements 5 and electric fan 6 are shown as thermostatically controlled. The operation of such system is as follows: Electric current is delivered by the power line to a conventional transformer and relay unit 25. This unit 25 has a transformer which delivers low voltage current to a thermostat 26. The unit 25 also has a relay which is operated by means of current delivered by the transformer through the ther mostat 28 and is adapted to connect heating elements 5 and fan 6 to the power line circuit when the thermostat 26 calls for heat. In use the mechanism containing heaters 5 and fan 6 is placed in a room or the like to be heated and the thermostat mounted at a suitable location in the same room. Then with the thermostatically controlled mechanism connected to the power line and the thermostat set at the desired temperature, it will automatically turn on the heating mechanism when heat is required, and turn it off again when the desired temperature has been reached.

The operation of the mechanism shown in Figure 1 is as follows: With the electric heaters 2 and 3 and fan 6 in operation, then when the fan 6 is in the position shown in solid lines in Figure 1, it is drawing air into the cabnet I at the front left edge thereof in manner such that the air flows past the front of electric heater 3 where such air is pre-heated. This air is then delivered by fan blades 8 past the front of electric heater 2 where the air is super-heated and delivered through the right front face of the cabinet i. When the fan has oscillated to the other extreme, which is shown in dotted lines, then electric heater 2 will act as a pre-heater for the air, while electric heater 3 will super-heat it. It is to be noted that under operating conditions as the fan oscillates from side to side, each heater serves in the alternating capacity of being a pre-heater, then a super-heater, again a pre-heater, et cetera. With the electric heaters 2 and 3 set at a converging angle, the center of the beams of heat will meet at a point I 5 in front of cabinet I, and when the two heaters are symmetrically set in the cabinet and at the same angle, the two beams will meet at a point directly in front of the center of cabinet I. The distance that this point of meeting is from the cabinet will depend upon the angle at which the electric heaters are set. The intersection of the large cross-section beams of heat rays in front of the cabinet I produces a large super-heated area through which the fan 6 directs a stream of heated air over a large portion of its travel. The fact that the point of convergence I5 of the heating beams, and the area surrounding same, is exceptionaly hot is taken advantage of by the present apparatus in the following manner: When the fan 6 passes from one extreme position to the other, the stream of air delivered by the fan over a large portion of its travel will pass directly through the super-heated area surrounding the point of convergence I5 of the beams of heat delivered by electric heaters 2 and 3. Under conditions where the fan is delivering air through the point of convergence I5, both of the heaters 2 and 3 will act as pre-heaters for the air being drawn into the cabinet I from both sides and then delivered by the fan 6. Since this air is being drawn into the cabinet I from both sides instead of only one, it will flow past heaters 2 and 3 at a lower velocity and will be delivered by the fan 6 at a higher pre-heated temperature than it would if it passed over only one heater and at a higher velocity. This pre-heated air is then blown through the super-heated area at the point of convergence I5 of the beams of heat from heaters 2 and 3 where it is further heated. Air which has been pre-heated and super-heated, accordingly, is delivered by the apparatus as a whole during the complete range of oscillation of the fan.

Instead of using an oscillating fan to direct air or other gaseous fluid into pre-heating and then super-heating position, this may be accomplished in other ways. For instance, as shown in Figures 6 and 'l, a stationary mounted fan 6a may be used. The cabinet Ia with this construction is made deeper so as to accommodate the oscillation of a vertically pivoted vane 2?. This vane is preferably mounted directly in front of fan blades 8 and pivoted approximately at the mid-point of its upper and lower edges. The vane 21 may be made of metal or other material,

but in preferable construction it is made out of glass and provided with pivot carrying edge strips 28 and 29. The construction of vane 21 out of glass permits heat rays to pass therethrough and thus maintain the complete super-heated area at the point of convergence of the heat rays radiated by reflector type electric heaters 2 and 3. Pivot studs 36 and 3| mounted on said edge strips 28 and 29 are adapted to engage upper and lower bracket members 32 and 33 in manner permitting oscillation of vane 27 in conventional manner. For instance, the fan 6a may be provided with a mechanism 34 of similar nature to that utilized by oscillating fans, except that it extends upward and has a somewhat larger rotating disc 35 with pivot member 36. A link 31 joins pivot member 35 on the disc 35 with a pivot member 38 mounted on arm member 28a on the upper edge of vane 27 so that as disc 35 rotates, the vane 21' will be oscillated a predetermined amount. As shown in Figure 6, the operation of the mechanism will permit oscillation of the vane 21 from the position shown in solid lines to the position shown in dotted lines. With the vane 21 in the position shown in solid lines, then with the fan 6a in operation, the fan blades 8 will draw air across the front of electric heater 2 where it will be pre-heated and then this air will be forwarded by fan blades 8 and the main portion thereof deflected by vane E'I' across the front of electric heater 3, where such air will be super-heated. The oscillation of vane 2'! to the dotted position will reverse the flow of air so that electric heater 3 will act as a pre-heater, while electric heater 2 will be the super-heater.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of those explained, change being made as regards the means and the methods herein disclosed, provided those stated by any of the following claims or their equivalent be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinct- 1y claim as my invention:

1. The method of heating, which comprises using a source of heat in continual succession for alternately pre-heating and then super-heating a gaseous fluid flowing in continual heat absorbing relation with said source of heat.

2. The method of heating, which comprises flowing air in heat absorbing relation with a source of heat, and continually reversing the direction of flow of said air relative to said source of heat.

3. The method of heating, which comprises continually reversing the direction of flow of a gaseous fluid in heat absorbing relation with a plurality of sources of heat, and in continual succession, in step with said reversal of flow of said gaseous fluid, using each of said sources of heat alternately for pre-heating and then for super-heating the gaseous fluid.

4. The method of heating, which comprises continually reversing the direction of flow of air in heat absorbing relation with a plurality of sources of heat, guiding said air in and out of a common opening leading to and from said sources of heat, and in continual succession using each of said sources of heat alternately for pre-heating and then for super-heating air delivered thereto.

5. The method of heating, which comprises flowing air in heat absorbing relation with a plurality of sources of heat, guiding said air in and out of a common passageway leading to and from said sources of heat, continually reversing the direction of flow of said air in heat absorbing relation with said sources of heat, and in continual succession using each of said sources of heat alternately for pre-heating and then for super-heating air delivered thereto.

6. The method of heating which comprises flowing air in heat absorbing relation with a plurality of beams of heat, directing said beams so that they intersect and cross to form a highly heated area, continually reversing the direction of flow of said air in heat absorbing relation with said beams of heat, and using said highly heated area for further heating at least part of said air initially heated by said beams of heat.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination which comprises a plurality of heating means, and means to cause a gaseous fluid to alternately flow first in one direction and then another relative to said heating means and in heat receiving relation therewith.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination which comprises a plurality of heating means each adapted to produce a beam of heat, and means adapted to cause a gaseous fluid to flow in heat absorbing relation with said beams of heat, said last named means also being adapted to reverse, in continual succession, the direction of flow of the gaseous fluid relative to said heating means.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a cabinet, a plurality of heating means mounted in said cabinet and adapted for forwardly directing converging beams of heat rays, and a fan mounted between but adjacent to said heating means and adapted to operate in manner such that it causes part of said heating means to pre-heat air on its way to the fan and other of said heating means to super-heat the air delivered by the fan, said fan further being adapted to reverse, in continual succession, the direction of flow of air relative to said heaters.

10. In an apparatus of the character described for heating and flowing a gaseous fluid, the combination which comprises a plurality of heating means, a fan, and means in front of said fan for changing, in continual succession, the direction of flow of gaseous fluid delivered by said fan in continual heat receiving relation with said heating means.

11. In an electric heating apparatus, the combination which comprises a pair of electric heating elements, a stationary fan mounted therebetween, a vane pivotally mounted in front of said fan, and means to oscillate said vane in manner such that it will direct the main portion of the discharge from the fan first in heat absorbing relation with one of said heating elements and then with the other.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination which comprises a pair of heating elements, and an oscillating fan mounted therebetween.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination which comprises a pair of heating means adapted for forwardly directing converging beams of heat rays, and an oscillating fan mounted between but adjacent to said heating means and adapted to deliver air heated by said heating means.

14;. In an electric heating apparatus, the combination which comprises a cabinet, a pair of reflector type electric heaters in said cabinet, and an oscillating fan mounted between and adjacent to said heaters, said fan as it oscillates being adapted to blow air past first one heater and then the other, in continual succession.

15. In an electric heating apparatus, the combination which comprises a cabinet with open front, a pair of reflector type electric heaters in said cabinet, means for mounting said electric heaters in said cabinet so that they throw converging beams of heat through the open front of said cabinet, and substantially symmetrically relative thereto, an electric fan mounted between and adjacent to said heaters, and means to cause the air delivered by said fan to flow past the front of first one heater and then the other, in continual succession.

16. In an electric heating apparatus, the combination which comp-rises a cabinet with open front, a pair of reflector type electric heaters in said cabinet, means for mounting said electric heaters in said cabinet so that they throw substantially symmetrically converging beams of heat through the open front of said cabinet, both heaters being mounted at a substantially like angle which lies in the range of between 15 and 45 with the front face of the cabinet, an oscil lating fan mounted between and adjacent said heaters, said fan as it oscillates being adapted to blow air past first one heater and then the other, in continual succession, a grill on the open front of the cabinet to reduce eddying and direct the flow of air in and out of the front of said cabinet under the influence of said fan, and means for controlling the operation of said heaters and fan.

17. In an electric heating apparatus, the combination which comprises a cabinet, a pair of reflector type electric heaters in said cabinet, an oscillating fan mounted between and adjacent to said heaters, said fan as it oscillates being adapted to blow air past first one heater and then the other, in continual succession, and means for guarding the fan motor against overheating by said heaters.

18. In an electric heating apparatus, the combination which comprises an open front cabinet, a pair of reflector type electric heaters set to throw converging beams of heat through the open front of said cabinet, an oscillating fan mounted between and adjacent to said heaters, said fan as it oscillates being adapted to blow air past first one heater and then the other, in continual succession, means for guarding the fan motor against over-heating by said heaters, and vanes for the opening in the front of the cabinet.

19. In an electric heating apparatus, the combination which comprises an open front cabinet, a pair of reflector type electric heaters set to throw converging beams of heat through the open front of said cabinet, an oscillating fan mounted between and adjacent to said heaters, said fan as it oscillates being adapted to blow air past first one heater and then the other in continual succession, means for guarding the fan motor against over-heating by said heaters, vanes for the opening in the front of the cabinet, and means for controlling the operation of said heaters and fan.

20. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination which comprises an open front cabinet, a plurality of heating means within said cabinet, means to cause a gaseous fluid to alternately flow in continual succession first in one direction and then another relative to said heating means and in heat receiving relation therewith, vanes for the opening in the front of the cabinet, and adjustable means for controlling the setting of said vanes.

HOWARD H. METCALF.

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