US2284059A

US2284059A - Heating system valve

Info

Publication number: US2284059A
Application number: US356760A
Authority: US
Inventors: Horace S Kehm; Courtland G Newton
Original assignee: KEHM
Current assignee: KEHM
Priority date: 1940-09-14
Filing date: 1940-09-14
Publication date: 1942-05-26
Anticipated expiration: 1959-05-26

Description

May 26, 1942.

l1. sjKEllM Erm. 2,284,059 v HEATING SYSTEM VALVE Filed Sept. 14, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet'l I WW '04W May 26, 1942. H. s. KEHM Erm.r 2,284,059

' HEATING SYSTEM VALVE Filed Sept. 14, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 26, 1942 UNITED LSTATES PATENT oFFlcEA HEATING SYSTEM VALVE Horace S. Kehm and Courtland G. Newton, Chicago, Ill.;`saldlNewton asslgnor to said Kehm Application September 14, 1940, Serial No. 356,760

14 Claims.

The present invention relates in general to a heating system and is particularly concerned with improvements in heating systems of the type wherein forced now circulation of hot water is utilized for the transference of heat energy from a boiler to remotely located radiating means, and `further contemplates novel means for improving the eiiiciency and operation of such systems. The present inventionconstitutes a. continuation-impart of our copending application Serial No. 275,044, now Patent No. 2,246,802, granted June 24, 1941.

In the Horace S. Kehm Patent No. 2,020,064, a heating system is illustrated and described, wherein heated water is circulated under pressure from a boiler through a single pipe main in the form of a loop to which a plurality of radiators are connected by supply and return risers respectively. At each radiator, the main constitutes a shunt or by-pass for the radiator, and the fittings by which the supply and return risers are connected to the main are so arranged that stratified ow of the Water results in the main.

More specifically, during ow of 'Water in the main between the radiators, the hot water bypassing a radiator will be delivered at the radiator return connection to the top portion of the main, and the somewhat cooled water returning from the radiator will be delivered to the bottom portion of the main. At the supply risers of the radiators, the connection fittings are arranged to take water from the upper portion of the main, the Water at the lower portion of the main flowing through the radiator by-passes.

The system described in the aforementioned patent is very suitable and efcient in operation when utilized in relatively large heating systems in which the main loop is of relatively large diameter pipe. In small systems, however, such as would be installed in a small home and would usually contain eight or less radiators, the economical size of the main loop becomes so small that the advantages resulting from stratified flow of the water are lost-or reduced to such an extent that the stratification of the water becomes impraeticable.

Having in mind the unapplicability of a stratied system of flow for economic low cost installation of small heating systems, the present invention contemplates an improved connection tting wherein efficient heating may be secured in a small single main loop heating system having "aucomparatively few radiators and a main line of relatively small diameter.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved comiection fitting for a heating system which enables all the radiators to be furnished of the same standard size irrespective of the sizes of the rooms in which they may be installed, thus eliminating the cost of skilled engineering service for calculating and determining the various radiator sizes to meet different installation conditions.

Another object of the herein described invention is to provide an improved connection fitting for single loop heating systems which will enable the amounts of flow of heating uid through the radiators to be successively graduated and increased as the temperature of the heated uid is successively decreased by ow through the radiators.

Still another object is to provide an improved fitting that may be utilized in a looped main heating system to provide ow choking means at each radiator for controlling ilow therethrough, and which is arranged to open whenever the fluid pressure in the main exceeds a predetermined amount.

Yet another object of theinvention is to provide an improved fitting for connecting a radiator into the main of a loop type heating system, this ltting` embodying an adjustable spring biased baille means for choking ow through the tting but operating upon..l predetermined increase of pressure in the heating system to move to ineffective position and thus relieve the system pressure and permit circulation through the system.

v In accordance with the general features of the herein described invention, it is proposed to provide. a novel connection fitting especially adapted for use in heating systems employing a single pipe main in the form of ,a loop to which the radiators are connected by supply and return risers. This loop is connected to a suitable furnace or device for heating the fluid, and the heated fluid is circulated under pressure by means of a suitable circulating pump. Either the supply or return risers of the radiators are connected into the main loop by means of the usual T-pipe tting, and the radiators provided with the usual throttling valve. The risers of the respective radiatorsy which are not connected by the usual T-pipe fitting are each connected to the main by means of a special T-tting.

This special fitting, -which is. more fully described subsequently, is arranged with an ad- ,instable baille which serves as` a choke or retarder for the water in the main which is bypassed around each' radiator. These bames are arranged with adjusting means 4exteriorly of the ntting body so that the baille may be adjusted to provide .more or less choking or retarding enect as desired.

Since the conditioned fluid in this type .of system is successively sliunted through the radiators from the main loop the successive baffles or retarders may be successively closed by greater amounts so that as the conditioned -iluid is gradually cooled by passing, through radiators, the subsequent radiators will pass more iiuid so that the heating capacity .of all the radiators will be 4substantially equaiized. Since-the last radiator of the series will have its baille almost fully closed. it will be apparent that if'this radiator should be shut ofi.' vby its throttling valve, circulation through the preceding radiators would be seriously eiIected and pressure would build up ahead of the last baille.

As an 'additional feature, this bailleis arranged to be normally biased by a spring, so that when the pressure builds up ahead of it, the baille will be opened independently ofits adjusted posi- I tion and relieve the pressure so that the circulait will be noted that the main line at eachradiaq tor in its portion lying between the ttings Il and 2l or 28' forms a shunt iiow circuit past the radiator.

In general, the

fittings

28 or 20 are so arranged as to retard or choke the now of iluid through the associated shunting portions of the main line, and this choking characteristic is made adjustable so that the amount of iiuid forced through they associated radiator may be adjusted. Although the ilttings 28 are herein shown as being 'connected yin thesupply riser, it will be understood that these ilttings may be .lust as well connected in the return riser as shown in the aforementioned copending applimain

line connection openings

22 and 23, and

tion through the system may be continued eiii- 'y cientl Othser objects and features of the invention willI morereadily appear from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate several embodiments thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view illustrating a single main loop heating system to which the present invention has been applied;

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section through one form of ntting construction embodying the present invention:

Figure 3 is a section through the same taken substantially on line III-III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a sectionl taken substantially on line IV--IV of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is an exterior view in elevation of a different form of fitting construction:

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section taken through the same to show its internal construction; and

Figure 7 is a transverse sectional view taken through the iltting substantially on line VII-VII of Figure 5. 1

As shown on the drawings:

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention there is shown in Figure 1 a boiler ill, which is connected at its outlet to one end of a single pipe main loop Il and its inlet to the other-end of the main loop. Interposed in the main loop is a suitable circulating pump I2 by means of which conditioned tluid may be circulated through the system, in this instance water which has been heated in the boiler.

A pluralityl of heat exchange devices, in this instance radiators as shown at I3, I4, and I5, are successively connected to the main line by-means of supply and return risers I8 and i1. Itwill be noted that connection of the return riser is made to the main line by means of an ordinary T-iltting as shown at i8 and that each 4radiator at its connection with the supply riser is provided with a suitable control or throttling valve i8 by means of which the circulation of conditioned uid through the radiator may be manually controlled. l

Each supply riser I8 is connected with the main line by means of a T-iitting l2li or 2l having a construction which will be subsequently described in detail. In the disclosed arrangement,

also a branch connection opening 24, which may lbe angularly disposed with reference to the main line of the plug 28 and the branch opening 24.

A38 further define an intermediate chambered portion Il, which is in communication through the opening 28 with the main line connection opening 22. The

inserts

38 and 38 are'maintained in proper spaced-apart relation by means of a, pin member 3l, which extends through and is rigidly secured to the respective inserts and has one end anchored in the plug 28.

The inserts 28 and I8 are respectively provided with segmental openings I8 and 48, which are relatively in diametric opposed relation, these openings providing small passages from the chamber 21 to the main connection opening 23 and the branch opening '24.

Means are provided for simultaneously controlling the size ofthe small passages through thelj' openings 38 and 48 in such a manner thatffasjV one of the passages is constricted, the otheris opened up. For such purpose, there is associated with the inserts segmental plate members 4| Yand 42, which are carried by a rotatable shaft43 having bearing supports in the inserts and the plug 28. One end of this shaft extends through the plug to the exterior of the iltting 'and isv sealed against leakage along the shaft by a v line connection openingsv 53 and 54 and also a suitable packing or gasket 44. The exteriorly of the members 4I and 42 in such a manner as` to prevent relative rotating movementof these members on the shaft, but permit longitudinal shifting of the membersalong the shaft and tilting thereof.

I'he member 4i is retained in pressure engagement with its associated insert by means of a coiled spring 48, which surrounds the shaft and has one end abutting the member 4I and its other end abutting the insert 36. Likewise, the member 42 is urged into engagement with the associated side of, insert 36 by means of a coiled spring 49 surrounding the shaft and having one end bearing against the member 42 and its other end bearing against the packing 44. It will be noted that the spring 48 is'relatively lheavier than the spring 49. The spring 49 is so proportioned that during normal operation of the heating system in which this fitting may be installed, the member 42 is partially closed or regulating position over the opening 46 will be maintained against the associated insert. On the other hand, if at any time the pressure Within the chamber 31 should increase above a predetermined amount, this pressure will act on the member 42 and force it into a tilted position, as shown in Figure 2, whereby its choking eiect will be reduced and free flow of fluid through the opening 46 permitted.

In addition to maintaining the inserts 35 and 36 in spaced relation and preventing their rotation when the shaft 43 is rotated, the pin 38 also forms a stop for limiting rotative move.

ment of the members 4I `and 42 at their fully opened and fully closed positions in relation to the openings 39 and 40.

The construction previously described permits ready and easy inspection of the internal parts of the fitting, since the plug 26, shaft 43, and the associated inserts and members 4| and 42 maybe removed as a unit with the plug 26 from the fitting body.

' L1 the system shown in lFigure 1, the radiators are disposed above the malin loop of the heating system. In some installations it may be desirable to have the radiators connected below the loop, in which case the fittings just described would be disposed in inverted position.

Under certain circumstances there might be a tendency for an air pocket to form in the then upwardly disposed portion of chamber 3l. To prevent the formation of such a pocket, the wall 28 may be provided with a small bleeder passage 58. y

The fitting 20', as shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7, comprises a T-shaped body structure 5I, this body being constructed of any suitable material such Aas wrought iron, brass, and the like. The body structure defines an interior chamber 52 of substantially rectangular cross section. This' chamber communicates with a pair of main branch connection opening 55 which may be angularly disposed with reference to the main line connection openings. These openings, if desired, may be internally .threaded for pipe connection.v

Within the chamber 52 there is disposed adjacent the main opening, whichwill be utilized for the inlet of uid to the iitting, a baille plate 5'6 having its uppermost edge margin provided with a barrel portion 51. The barrel 51 is rotatably mounted upon a. transversely extending shaft-or pivot pin 58 supported in the body structure for rotative movement, one end of this pin being disposed in a projecting portion 59 of the housing, and the other end being extended through an integrally formed tubular boss 68 on the opposite side of the body structure.

Intermediate its ends, the boss 68 is provided" with an internal shoulder 6I which forms an abutment seat for a washer 62 surrounding the shaft and 'serving to maintain it at the axis of the tubular boss. The outer end of the boss is threaded for threadedly receiving a cap member 63 which cooperates with the washer 62 in maintaining a suitable packing 64 compressed around the associated end of the pivot member 58 and thus prevent leakage of fluid from the tting body along the pivot member.

TheQ end of the pivot ,member which projects through the cap 63 is provided with a crankA handle 65 by means of which the pivot member 58 may be rotated from the exterior of the litting body.

Arrangement is made for maintaining the crank handle in any position of adjustment by providing a detent spring 66 having one end secured to the handle, and its other overlying and riding upon a curved rack 61 on the fitting body. This rack may be formed as a separate element and secured to the body or, if preferred, may be integrally formed on the body during its construction.

As shown in Figure '1, the` right hand end of the barrel 51 is provided with a semi-circumferential end slot 68 in-which there is disposed a pin 69 projecting from this end of the pivot member. i

At the left end of the barrel 51, between this end of the barrel and the washer 62, there is provided a coil spring 18 which surrounds the pivot member. One end of this spring is anchored as at 1| to the shaft, while the other end of this spring is deectedl so as to extend over and resiliently engage the innermost surface of the baille 56 and normally move it in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 6, until this movement is stopped by the, abutment of pin l69 against one end of the end slot 68.

With the foregoing construction, it will be apparent thatf the baille plate 56 may be swung by means of the handle 65 to a position as shown in full lines in Figure 6, wherein it fully closes the opening 53 of the fitting and engages an abutment stop projection 12 at the bottom of the fitting, or the plate may be moved through an opening direction with reference to the opening 53 to a limiting position, as shown in dotted lines, in which the branch opening 55 will be fully closed ox' cut off from the chamber 52 within the fitting.

During the adjusting movement, the spring 16 is carried along with the rotationahmove'ment of the pivot pin 58. However, if pressure is 'applied against the outer surface of the baffi-e plate 58, the baille plate may be independently swung on the pivot 5l against the pressure of spring 1l, and thus automatically act as a relief valve with reference to the inlet opening 53.

Since the fittings 20 and 20' are. in each case, all similarly constructed, they may be indiscriminately utilized'for connecting the risers from the radiators to the main linevwithout consideration as to whether theradiator is the rst radiator of the system or one of the subsequent radiators`- In utilizing our improved fittings in a heating system as shown in Figure 1, it will be, appreelated that the ilows through the successive radiators may be graduated and proportioned by adjustment ofthe respective fittings. 'Ihat is, the fitting for the radiator I3 may be adjusted to substantially opened position, thetting associated with the radiator il to a somewhat further closed position, and the last iltting to an almost fully closed position with reference 'to lthe main line of the system. Thus. as the conimproved tting particularly adapted for use witl a heating or cooling system of the-single main loop type: which is particularly adapted for economic installation where low cost is a factor as in small systems for homes and the 1ike;"which enames the installation or radiators o: the same ditioned fluid or heated water in this instance .is circulated through the main line, the respective fittings operate to successively cause more duid to be circulated through the associated radiators as the conditioned fluid becomes cooled.

Due to the fact that I'the fitting associated with the last radiator of the system-in this case the radiator IS-is almost fully closed, it will become apparent that should this radiator be shut on. by closing its valve i9, 4all thel water flowing through the main` line must pass through the opening determined by the adjustment of its associated fitting. Since this fitting is almost fully clam, it is apparent that circulation of iluid in the main line would be seriously interfered with, and it would not be possible to emciently operate the preceding radiators I3 and il. However. this diillculty is automatically taken care of l eue to the renef feature of the mung. That is.

pressure will build up in the main line ahead of the tting associated with the radiator l5. and when this pressure reaches a predetermined amount the fitting will automatically function as previously explained, and permit circulation of fluid through the system without passing through the radiatorwhich is shut oil'. -V

Although the iittings or 2l will in be adjusted in the manner described above for successively determining the flow throughv the radiators accordingly as the temperature 0f the conditioning iluid is modiiied, the fittings are further advantageous in that they enable independent adJustment to compensate for the different resistances of the flow paths throughv the radiators and their connections.

l Such differences in the resistance to ow through the radiators may arise from a number of causes. For'example, the supply and return connections for one radiator may be of a difierent length than thoseof another radiator, or it may not be possible to utilize the theoretically proper size of pipe for the different radiators due Y to the standardization of pipe sizes.

Thus it will appear that not only is there a possibility of the last radiator of the system having its fitting adjustment substantially closed, butother: radiators ahead of the last one might also under certain conditions have a considerable closure. Irrespective of which fittings may be substantially-closed, these ilttings will be relieved whenever the pressure builds up ahead of them to a predetermined amount, as might happen when their associated radiators are shut oil. Ample system circulation will therefore always general 'pressure in its associated passage to a pressure a standardy size irrespective of the heating requirements of the'rooms in which the radiators are to be installed and without the necessity of the services of a skilled engineer to calculate various radiator sizes to meet the diiierent installation conditions; which provides a system in which the amount of ilow of heatinguid through the radiators may be successively graduated top-provide increased flow as thetemperature of the heated fluid diminishes; which is so arranged as to provide for relief operation whenever a radiator is shut of! and the associated baille or retarder is in such position as to prevent proper ilow in the main line to eiliciently operate the remaining radiators; and which provides an improved tting for connecting' the risers of the various radiators to the main line. this tting embodying adiustable means for determining the circulation through the radiators with which the respective ttings are associated. i

Now, it is of course to be understood that although we have described in detail several embodiments of our invention, the invention is not to be thus limited, but only in so far. as deilned by thescope and spirit of the appended claims;

We claim as our invention:

1. A pipe tting comprising a' body haing an interior chamber, a plurality of ow passageways communicating with said chamber, adjustable valve members for proportioning outward flow from the chamber through twof said passageways, one of said valve members being mounted for independent movement under abnormal flow relieving position, and means resiliently opposing said independent movement under normal pressure conditions.

2. A pipe ntting comprisinga body'having an interior chamber, a plurality of flow passageways communicating with said chamber, simultaneous- `A ly adjustable valve members for proportioning outward flow from the chamber through two of said passageways, one of said valve -members being mounted for independent movement under abnormalflow pressure in its associated way to a pressure relieving position. and means resiliently opposing said independent movement under normal pressure conditions.

3. A pipe tting comprising a body having an interior chamber. a plurality of ilow passageways communicating with said chamber, rotatably adjustable valve members for proportioning outward ilow from the chamber through at least two of said passageways, and means supporting one of said valve members for,l tilting movement under abnormal flow pressure in its associated passageway to* a pressure relieving' position, and

means for normally retaining said one of the members against said tilting movement.

4. A pipe iitting comprising a body having an interior chamber, an inlet to said chamber. a pair ofy outlet passageways from said chamber, a pair of valves for controlling flow through the outlet passageways, and common means for simultaneously adjusting the positions of said valves relative to their associatedpassageways, one of said valves being a relief valve..

5. A pipe fitting comprising a body having an interior chamber, an inlet to said chamber, a pair of outlet passageways from said chamber, a pair of valves for controlling flow through the outlet passageways, common means for simultaneously adjusting the positions of said valves relative to their associated passageways, one of said valves being a. relief valve, and a bleeder by-pass around said one of said valves.

6. In a pipe fitting, a body structure defining an interior chamber having a pair of spaced wall forming portions in parallel relation, each of said portions having an opening therein defining an outlet from said chamber, an inlet to said chamber, a shaft rotatably supported in the wall portions, a. first plate member carried by the shaft for face engagement with the inner surface of one of the wall portions, a second plate member carried by the shaft for face engagement with the outer surface of the other wall portion, said plate members being movable by the shaft'into open and closed relation withthe respective openings, means mounting said second plate member for movement away from its associated wall portion, and means resiliently opposing said latter movement.

7. In a pipe tting, a body structure dening an interior chamber, a pair of aligned spaced inserts on opposite sides of said chamber, each of said inserts having an opening therein defining a flow outlet from the chamber, a flow inlet to the chamber, a shaft rotatably supported in the inserts and extending to the exterior of the body structure, valve members carried by said shaft for rotation therewith but axially movable thereon, one of said members being disposed adjacent the inner face of one insert and the other adjacent the outer face of the other insert for respective cooperation with the openings of the inserts to control the flow therethrough, and means resiliently urging the valve members towards their associated inserts.

8. In a pipe fitting. a body structure defining 'an interior chamber, a pair of aligned spaced inserts on opposite sides of said chamber, eachn of said inserts having an opening therein defining a flow outlet from the chamber, a flow inlet to the chamber, a shaft rotatably supported in the inserts and extending to the exterior of the body structure, valve members carried by said shaft for rotation therewith but axially movable thereon, one of said members being disposed adjacent the inner face of one insert and the other adjacent the outer face of the other insert for respective cooperation with the openings of the inserts to control the iiow therethrough, and springs respectively urging the valve members towards their associated inserts, the spring as'- sociated with said other valve member being relatively the weaker.

9. In a pipe iltting, a body structure dening an interior chamber, a pair of aligned spaced inserts on opposite sides of said chamber, each of said inserts having an opening therein defining a flow outlet from the chamber, a flow inlet to the chamber, a removable plug in the body structure, a shaft rotatably supported in the inserts and plug and extending through the plug t0 the exterior of the body structure, valve members carried by said shaft for rotation therewith but axial movement thereon, one of said members being disposed adjacent the inner face of one insert and the other adjacent the outer face of the vother insert for respective cooperation with the openings of the inserts to control the flow therethrough, and means resiliently urging the valve members towards their associated in'- serts.

10. In a pipe iitting, a body structure deilning aninterior chambena pair of aligned. spaced inserts on opposite sides of said chamber, each of said inserts having an opening therein defining a flow outlet from the chamber. a flow inlet to the chamber, a removable plug in the body structure, a shaft rotatably supported in the inserts and plug and extending through the plug to the exterior of the body structure, valve kmembers carried by said shaft for rotation therewith but axially movablethereof, one of said members being disposed adjacent the inner face of one insert and the other adjacent the outer face of the other insert for respective cooperation with the openings of the insertsto control the ilow therethrough, means resiliently urging the valve members towards their associated inserts, and means interconnecting the plug and inserts, whereby all of the parts may be removed with the plug from the body as a unit. y

11. A fitting comprising a hollowv body having an interior chamber, a plurality of ow passageways communicating with said chamber, adjustable valve means for at least two of said passageways, and resilient means opposing movement of said valve means when the flow pressure in said chamber is below a predetermined value and permitting movement of' said valve means when the pressure exceeds said predetermined value for changing the rate of flow through the passageways associated with said valve means.

12. A tting comprising a hollow body dening an interior chamber, a plurality of :Elow passageways communicating with said chamber, adjustable valve members in at least two of said passageways, and means sensitive to pressure within said chamber for regulating said valve members and proportioning outward flow from the chamber through the Y-passageways associl ated with said valve members.

13. A fitting comprising a hollow body having a plurality of ilow passagewaysv from the interior thereof, an adjustable valve member in each of at least two of said passageways, and means for normally maintaining said valve members in a predetermined position relative to their respective passageways, said valve members being responsive to a difference in pressure on opposite sides thereof whereby they are moved from said predetermined. position.

14. A fitting comprising a hollow body dening'openings therein of generally the same shape as the cross-section of said shaft for receiving the latter therethrough. said valvemexnbers being carried by said shaft for rotation therewith and for axial movement thereon, one of said 5 valve members being disposed adjacent the inner face oi one insert and the other of said valve members being disposed adjacent the outer face of the other insert for cooperation with the openings in the inserts to control flow therel0\ HORACE s. Kama.

commun c+. NEWTON.