US2198404A

US2198404A - Boiler

Info

Publication number: US2198404A
Application number: US121197A
Authority: US
Inventors: Fernan O Conill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1936-04-28
Filing date: 1937-01-18
Publication date: 1940-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 1957-04-23

Description

F. O. CONILL April 23, 1940.

BOILER Filed Jan. 18, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 1940- F. o. CONILL 2.198.404

BOILER Filed Jan. 18, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 WFM Snow; a

F. O. CONILL April 23, 1940.

BOILER 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fil ed Jan. 18, 1937 EIH/UCHYOL Q fhamm/ 0, 601m A SHmucqO F. O. CONILL April 23, 1940.

BOILER 4 Sh eets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 18, 1937 r i r u Patented Apr. 23, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BOILER Fernan 0. Conill, New York, N. Y.

Application January 18, 1937, Serial No. 121,197

. In France April 28, 1936 5 Claims.

eflicient boiler of small capacity, to provide a constant water feed which is proportional to the consumption of the steam in order to assure a constant and equal flow of the steam.

I have found that these results can be accomplished by automatically utilizing the changes in weight of the boiler.

An object of my invention is to provide a boiler which employs the changes in the weight of the boiler to insure an automatic feeding of the water to the boiler.

Another object of my invention is to provide a boiler which is provided with means for feeding the water proportionally to the consumption of the steam.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a boiler which is freely movable in a vertical plane and which when in its lowermost position arrests the feeding of the water and at the same time completes an electrical circuit to a heating element within the boiler to generate steam therein.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a boiler which is provided with means whereby the evaporation of the water is arrested when the volume of water contained therein reaches a critical low level.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide a boiler which is cheap to manufacture and which can be prepared in a minimum of time.

With these and other objects in view, which may be incident to my improvements, the invention consists in the parts and combinations to be hereinafter set forth and claimed, with the understanding that the several necessary elements comprising my invention may be varied in construction, proportions and arrangements, without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

In order to make my invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawings means for carrying the same in-to practical eflect without limiting the improvements in their useful applications to the particular constructions which, for the purpose of explanation, have been made the subject of illustration.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of my invention;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the device shown 5 in. Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view taken along the lines 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view taken along the lines L-li of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view taken along the lines 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a view taken along the lines 6--6 of Figure 2;

Figure '7 is a view takenv along the lines l! of Figure 2;

Figure 8 is a view taken along the lines 8-8 of Figure 7.

My invention consists in generating steam by the employment of a boiler of small capacity and using the changes in the weight of the boiler to assure the automatic feeding of the water to the boiler. In other words, when water is fed into the boiler its weight exerts a pressure and causes a vertical displacement of the boiler. As the boiler is thus lowered it contacts an arm which is associated with a feed valve. When the boiler contacts this arm it actuates a valve which closes the ingress port of the water line to prevent more water from entering into the boiler.

This same movement of the boiler actuates a mercury switch which closes an electric circuit to a heating element positioned within the boiler. This heating element generates steam from the water contained in the boiler which collects in the upper part and it may be then withdrawn through an egress conduit. In proportion to the steam produced, the volume of water contained in the boiler is diminished. The boiler will then raise and open the inlet passage, permitting the water to again flow into the boiler. Should the volume of water become critically low in the boiler, the boiler will raise to such height to operate a switch to break the electrical circuit to the heater and thereby prevent damage.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shovm a boiler l which is supported above a valve casing 2 on a shaft 3. The boiler consists of an outer shell 4 and an inner shell 5. Suitable heat insulating material 6 is interposed between the inner and outer shells. An internal flange 6' is secured to the inner wall of the outer shell and keeps the insulating material in place. A tube 1 is centrally disposed with respect to the inner and outer shells and is provided at each end with screw threads 8. The outer shell is provided with a top member 9 which is secured to the upper end of the outer shell as shown at I9. Similarly, a lower closure member I I is fitted to the lower end as shown at I2. As best shown in Figure 6, a spacer bushing I3 is threaded onto the upper end of the tube I and is positioned between the top portion 9 and the inner shell 5. A screw cap I4 is also screwed onto the end portion 8 of sleeve I and fits snugly within the spacer bushing thereby holding these members in proper alignment.

As shown in Fig. 3, a flanged nut I5 is screwed onto the end of the tube 1 within the bottom II. A second nut I6, provided on the outside of the bottom H, is also screwed onto the end 8 of the tube 1.

It will be readily appreciated that a steam tight union between the tube 1 and the inner shell 5 of the boiler i must be provided. This may be done by brazing orany other suitable method. The shaft 3 extends through the tube '5 is screwed onto the top of the casing 2 as shown at H. The bottom of the casing is flanged as at 8 and is secured to a suitable support by bolts H1. The other end of the shaft 3 extends through an aperture 20 in a cross bar 2!, and is secured thereto by a nut 22. Extending through arertures 23 adjacent each end of the cross bar 2i are screw threaded rods 24. Nuts 25 arranged above and below the bar 2! hold each rod 24 in place. One end 25 of a spring 2'! is fitted through an aperture 28 in each of the rods 24.

A pair of radial arms 29 are secured to the bottom H of the boiler I. These arms are likewise provided with apertures adjacent each of the ends thereof. Threaded rods 24' are attached to the ends of the arms 29 by nuts 25 and carry opposite ends of the springs 21. The ea rings 2"! are adapted to normally force the boiler toward the cross member 2 as shown by dot and dash lines in Fig. 6. It is apparent that the pressure of the springs 21 may be varied by merely adjusting rod members 24.

Secured to the cross bar 2| adjacent to one end is an upright bracket 39 which is provided with an elongated aperture 3i. Secured to this hi cl-zet by a bolt 32 is an arm 33. The arm 33 is provided with a downwardly extending portion at right angles thereto which is adapted to contact the top of the boiler. A counterweight 35 is carried by the arm 33 at its bend. This weight also serves as a stop by engaging the cross member 2!. Also secured to the arm 33 by the bolt is a clip 38. As shown in Figure 7, an arcuaie slot 3'! is provided in the clip and a screw is adapted to extend through an aperture in the arm and the clip. This will permit the clip to assume any desired position. A mercury switch 39 is carried in the clip. The function of the mercury switch will be later discussed more fully. It will be readily appreciated that by mounting the arm 33 and the clip in the manner shown. it will permit the position of these members to be readily adjusted so as to meet any desired requirements.

As pointed out. the boiler I is adapted to be displaced in avertical plane. In order to concentrically locate the shaft 3 and the sleeve 1, and to permit a free movement of the boiler, the cap it and the nut I5 are provided with antifriction rollers 41 As best shown in Figure '7,'the rollers are mounted in cars 48.

As pointed out, I have devised a valve which will feed water to the boiler proportionately to the consumption of the steam, and this arrangement is best shown by reference to Fig. 3. A lever arm 49 is pivotally mounted as at 50 in an apertlll'e 5I provided in the upper portion of the casing 2. The pivotal connection of the arm 49 carries a pair of depending arms 52. As shown in Figure 4, the arm 49 is provided with an offset portion 53 which carries an adjustable stop 54. The stop member 54 is adapted to be contacted by the bottom of the boiler I when the weight of the boiler is increased. The depending arms 52 are pivotally connected to a collar 55 by Pins 56.

The collar is provided with a plurality of apertures 55' through which the water is adapted to pass. The side walls of the casing 2 are provided with openings 51 to permit assembly of the above structure.

Suitably secured to the collar 55 are one end of a pair of flexible conduits 58 and 59. The conduit 58 is secured at its other end to a disk 60. This disk is secured to the end wall of the casing abutting the opening GI by screws 52. The member 80 is also provided with a central threaded bore 63 into which is screwed a. fitting 64. The above described structure comprises the egress portion of my feeding valve.

The conduit 59 is secured at its free end to the inner section 65 of a chamber 66. The inner portion 65 of the chamber is secured to the casing by screw 61. Suitable washers 68 fit in annular channel portions 69 and ID of the inner section 65 and an outer portion II of the chamber 68, respectively. The outer portion II is secured to the inner portion by screws 12 which extend through the flanges I3 and I4 of the members II and 65, respectively. The rubber washers also support a screen 15 which will prevent foreign matter, such as grit, contained in the water from entering into the system.

The outer portion TI is provided with a centrally threaded bore 14 which is adapted to be connected with a suitable source of water supply. The section 95 is provided with a threaded bore l"! into which is screwed an adustable valve I8.

This valve has a central bore '19 and a restricted orifice 89 at the end thereof. A rubber washer 8| is held in place by nut 82 and it will, of course, prevent any leakage around the fitting. A sleeve 83 is fitted onto the end portion of the fitting I8. A needle 84 having suitable spacing members 85 is adapted to open and close the restricted orifice 80. As shown in Figure 3, the stem 86 of the needle is adapted to contact the central portion of the collar 55. This valve structure constitutes the automatic feeding arrangement for the water.

Secured to the fitting 64 by screw cap 81 is a fitting 88 which is secured to the end of a flexible conduit 89 by means of a sleeve 90. As shown in Figures 3 and 4. the other end of the flexible conduit 89 is also provided with a sleeve portion Bil which extends into fitting 9|. An elbow shaped member 92 is secured to the fitting 9I. As shown in Figure 4, the elbow 92 extends upwardly through aperture 93 provided in the bottom II and through aperture 94 in the inner shell. The elbow 92 is also provided with flanged portions 95 which are secured to the inner shell by soldering or the like. The fitting 9I and the elbow 92 are provided with shannels 96 and 91. respectively. The channel 91, of course, is in communication with the interior of the inner shell.

As shown in Figures 1 and 6, an elbow 98 extends through openings provided in the outer and inner shells near the upper portion of the boiler. A flexible tube 99 is secured to the eibow 98, as at I00. The flexible tubing. 99 and'its associated parts constitute the conduit through which the steam leaves the boiler. A safety valve As shown in Figure 3, the inner shell is provided with an aperture I02 in the bottom portion. Cup shaped members I03 are each provided with a flanged ring I04 which is soldered thereto as at I05. The ring is also provided with screw threads I06 and the flanged portion I01 is soldered to the lower wall of the bottom of the shell 5.

Electrical heating elements depicted generally as I00 are contained within cups I03 being held therein by being screwed into the threaded ring I04. These heating elements are provided with terminals IIO which extend downwardly therefrom through apertures II I in the bottom closure II of the outer shell 4. Suitable insulating disks II! are provided on the terminals to form a closure for the openings III.

'As shown in Figure 3, contact points III extend through aperture H0 in the upright II9 of the casing for connection with a source of electric energy. Insulating washers I20 are fitted onto the contacts to insulate the same from the metal casing.

The operation of my invention is as follows: When water is admitted to the boiler, its weight exerts a pressure on the springs and the boiler is displaced in a vertical plane. As the boiler lowers it contacts the stop 54 carried by the lever arm 49, this in turn moves the arm about its pivot 50 which moves the collar 55 toward the right. This movement of the collar by its action on the stem of the needle causes the needle to seal the orifice 00 in the valve I8 and thereby prevent the feeding of water through this orifice into the flexible conduit 89 and thence into the boiler. This same movement of the boiler causes the mercury switch 39 to function to complete the electrical circuit to the heating elements positioned within the boiler. The heating elements cause evaporation of the water contained in the boiler. The steam thus generated collects in the upper portion of the boiler whence it may pass out through the fitting 98 at the top of the boiler and into the flexible tube 99.

It will, of course, be readily appreciated that in proportion to the amount of steam generated the volume of water contained within the boiler is diminished. The boiler, however, is under the tension of the springs 21 which tend to normally urge the boiler upwardly. Obviously, when the pressure upon the lever arm and consequently the needle valve, is relieved the needle valve will again open by the outside pressure of water. This will, of course, withdraw the needle from the orifice 80 and thereby permit the water to again be fed into the boiler. If from accidental stoppage of the water line or from any other reason that might cause the water in the boiler to drop to a critical level which might cause damage, a safety device is provided. This safety device is shown in operation by dot and dash lines in Fig. 6.

As shown by the dot and dash lines, the boiler, by contacting the lever arm carrying the mercury switch, will break the circuit between the two contact members of the switch and open the circuit to the heating elements within the boiler.

As soon as the boiler is again filled with the necessary quantity of water, the switch will again function to start the boiler operation and the foregoing cycle will again be repeated.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not confine myself to the precise details of construction herein set forth by way of illustration, as it is apparent that many changes and variations may be made therein, by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for generating steam, a boiler adapted to move in a vertical plane, a valve to feed water to the boiler, electrical heating elements within the boiler, and means carried by the valve to contact the boiler to control feeding of the water andto energize the electrical heating elements.

2. In an apparatus for generating steam, a boiler adapted to move in a vertical plane, a valve to feed water to the boiler, electrical heating elements within the boiler, an arm carried by the valve to contact the bottom of the boiler to control feeding of the water and to energize the electrical heating elements.

3. In an apparatus for generating steam, a boiler adapted to move in a vertical plane, a valve to feed water to the boiler, electrical heating elements within the boiler, an arm carried by the valve to contact the bottom of the boiler to control feeding of the water and to energize the electrical heating elements, and means associated with theboiler to de-energize the electrical heating elements when the volume of water becomes low in the boiler.

4. An apparatus for generating steam comprising, a boiler, automatic means responsive to the weight of water in said boiler to move the same in a vertical plane, a valve to feed water to the boiler, means carried by the said valve to contact the said boiler, and electrical heating means adapted to generate steam disposed in the said boiler, switch means operated by the movement of said boiler, whereby vertical movement of the said boiler increases or decreases the water feed thereto and energizes or de-energizes the said electrical heating means.

5. An apparatus for generating steam comprising, a boiler, automatic means responsive to the weight of water in the said boiler to move the same in a vertical plane, a valve to feed water to the boiler, an arm carried by the said valve to contact the bottom of the said boiler, and electrical heating elements adapted to generate steam disposed in. the said boiler, switch means operated by the movement of said boiler, whereby vertical movement of the said boiler increases or decreases the water feed thereto and energizes or de-energizes the said electrical heating elements.

' FERNAN O. CONILL.