US2402488A - Humidifying apparatus and control therefor - Google Patents

Description

June 18, 1946. G. BROWN 2,402,488 I V I HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS AND CONTROL THEREFOR Filed Sept. 17. 1942 3 Sheets-Sheetl INVENTOI ATTORNEYS G. BROWN June 18, 1946.

HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS AND CONTROL THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 17, 1942 I INVENTOR 4 1,. W ATTORNEYS G. BROWN June E, 1946. I

HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS AND CONTROL THEREFOR s Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Sept. 17, 1942 V H35 52 a6 6/ 7% 7a 1 v aa INVENTOR I "ma ATTORNEYS Patented June 18, 1946 HUMIDIFYING APPARATUS AND CONTROL THEREFOR Gregory Brown, Bridgeport, Conn., assignor to Bridgeport Brass Company, Bridgeport, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application September 17, 1942, Serial No. 458,669

11 Claims. (01. 237'78) The present invention relates to apparatus for humidifying air and has as an object the provision of apparatus that will efficiently evaporate water for humidifying purposes and will be capable of easy and quick installation.

The device is designed to produce moisture in the air of a house during the winter heating season. Under average conditions within a heated residence or apartment, the relative humidity is too low. From the standpoint of health as well as the preservation of furniture, it is desirable to maintain a humidity of thirty-five to forty percent, instead of ten to twenty percent as is generally the case. The apparatus of this invention is adapted to achieve the desired humidity either with a steam heating radiator system or with a hot water system.

Instead of leading steam directly to the radiator, it is led from a fitting through a tube or conduit before entering the radiator. This tube may have U-shape. It is surrounded with an envelope designed to contain water whose level is automatically maintained by a float and float valve. The envelope surrounding the tube is open at the top and the heat of the steam in the tube heats and boils the surrounding water, causing vaporization thereof. The entire device is mounted under a radiator so that as water vapor is generated, it is carried upward by the warm air rising between the radiator sections. This action is very important. The device would not be nearly so satisfactory if it were not mounted underneath the radiator.

One of the problems dealt with and solved in the construction hereinafter described, is that of accurate control of the float valve by the float. In the limited space available beneath the radiator, the problem of securing adequate leverage to close the valve with small float motion requires novel construction, which, also, is a feature of this invention. With the construction devised and described herein, a mechanical advantage of approximately 25 to 1 is secured in a very small space. Moreover, a very simple but novel eX- pedient for providing adjustable cut-off level to the float system is also provided.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects and advantages as may hereinafter appear, this invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter to be described and then sought to be defined in the appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof which show, merely for the purposes of illustrative disclosure, a preferred embodiment 2 of the invention, it being expressly understood, however, that changes may be made in practice within the scope of the appended claims without digressing from the inventive idea.

In the drawings in which similar reference characters denote corresponding parts and in which sectional views are viewed in the direction of the indicating arrows: v e I a Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a radiator equipped with a humidifier or moistener embodying. the features and principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section taken along line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section taken alon line 33 of Fig. 2;-

Fig. 4 is a verticallongitudinal section along line l4 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 5, 6 and '7 are respective vertical sections taken along lines 5-5, 6-6 and 1-1 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale of the float chamber, float and fioat valve control system embodying features of the invention;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional elevation taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig.' 10 is a transverse vertical section taken along line llllfl of Fig. 9 illustrating a detail of construction;

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal vertical section taken along line ll|l of Fig. 8 illustrating details of construction of the float-controlled valve; and

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary enlarged elevational view of details shown in Fig. 9 illustrating another position of parts thereof when adjusted to a different position.

Referring to the drawings, l0 denotes a conventional steam radiator or the like, having the usual inlet control valve ll and air outlet control valve [2. The humidifying device [3 embodying the invention is shown mounted below the radiator segments Illa between the opposite end feet M on the first and last segments.

The humidifying device I3 is connected in the steam system of the radiator by a connector member I5 which has an inlet [6 connected suitably to the steam inlet pipe I! and an outlet I8 taken connected by a suitable lead pipe I9 to the inlet arm 2|, which has substantially rectangular cross section in the embodiment shown (it may have other cross section) is subdivided into a separate upper chamber 28 and separate lower chamber 29 by a partitioning member 3!]. This partitioning member 3!! lies diagonally and extends from the end wall 3| to the opposite end wall 32 of the cross head 29. This is a preferred form of partitioning member from the point of view of efliciency because the design assures uniformity of cross section for fluid passage through the connector member l5 with the least complexity of coring and thus provides the cheapest casting for the purpose. Inlet l6 and opening 24 communicate with chamber 29. Outlet l8 and opening 25 communicate with chamber 28. There is no passageway between chambers 28 and 29 inside the member I 5. A pipe or conduit 35 having'substantially U-shape has one of its ends 35 coupled suitably by nut 26 over the opening 2 of the branch 22. The other end 38 of the pipe or conduit 35 is coupled by nut 26a over the opening 25 of the branch 23. By this means steam from the supply pipe I! flows through inlet 16 of the connector into lower chamber 29 of the connector member l5 through branch 22, through opening 24, through the pipe or conduit 35 into branch 23, through opening 25, through upper chamber 28 and out through outlet I 8 into the pipe I 9 leading to the control valve I I whence it enters the radiator Ill. The return flow of water from the radiator is in the opposite direction in the reverse order.

The cross arm 20 of the connector member when attached as described, is vertical and the long arm 2| is substantially horizontal. Also, the branches 22, 23 are then substantially horizontal and the U-pipe or conduit 35 then is also substantially horizontal. Because of the fact that the opening 24 is at a somewhat lower level than opening 25, the leg 35a is somewhat lower than leg 35?). This insures a down gradient for the return flow of water in the U-pipe or conduit and in the connector member [5 so that water blocking is avoided in a system employing this construction.

The pipe or conduit 35 is surrounded by an envelope 40. This envelope is substantially concentric about the legs and U-bend of said pipe 35 and spaced from the outer walls thereof to provide a conduit 4| between said outer walls and the inner walls of said envelope.

The envelope is open at Ma along its top and is provided with the upwardly extending outer flange 42, which near its upper edge is bent outwardly to form a flared flange 43. The envelope is also provided with an upwardly extending inner flange 44. A cover plate 46 having downwardly sloped edge flanges 46a extends across and joins the flanges 44. This cover plate on its top face is provided with a shallow basin 41, for a purpose to be presently described. The basin has an opening 41a. This opening is provided with an upstanding rim 411) whose height is somewhat greater than the depth of basin 41.

Suitable end plates 48, 49, respectively, carried on the respective pipe legs 35m, 3519 adjacent their connection with the branches 22, 23 of the connector l5, close off the ends of the channel or conduit 5!. Also, in the region of the U-bend, the outer wall 50 of the envelope extends vertically instead of being sloped and flared for simplicity of manufacture chiefly. A suitable cover plate 5| attached to the plate 46 covers over the exposed portion of the tube 35 at its U-bend. This plate 5|, however, is so shaped and adrneasured as to leave a space 52 between its outer edge and the inner surface of wall 59 of the envelope to permit escape there of vapor as will be presently described.

A suitable leg or bracket 53 attached to the bottom of the envelope at the U-bend supports the said envelope from the floor at its outer end. A. cross bracket 53 is carried by the end plates d3, 39 to which it is suitably attached. This bracket extends into the space 55 between the legs 35a, 35b of the conduit and serves to support one end of a float tank 56.

The tank 56 is admeasured to fit in the space between said legs 35a, 35b below the cover plate :15. It is considerably shorter in length than the said legs 35a, 35b, in the embodiment shown using approximately half or slightly less than half their lengths. Its length, however, may be whatever is desired. One end of the tank is supported by a suitable arm or bracket 5'! from the cover plate 45 and the rear end 55a is carried by bracket 54. A suitable overflow outlet 58 is provided in the end 5511 of the tank near its bottom. This outlet 53 is equipped with a suitable coupling member 59 for attachment to a suitable drain pipe or conduit 60.

To equalize the level of water or other vaporizable liquid in the envelope 4i] and receptacle or tank 55, the bottom of the tank 56 has a perforation connected by a short tube or pipe 6! to a similar perforation in the bottom of the envelope 45 and adjacent the connection of pipe 35 to the branch 22, i. e. adjacent the lowermost portion of the said envelope 50.

Both the tank 56 and the bracket 54 are bored to receive a water inflow valve 65. This valve has a nozzle portion 66 extending outwardly of the tank and bracket through said bores to which a water supply pipe or conduit 6'! may be suitably attached.

The valve 65 is of conventional type. In fact, any suitable one may be employed. In the embodiment shown (Fig. 11) its inflow conduit 68 leads to a chamber 59 and is provided at its terminal in said chamber with a suitable gasket H1. The outflow channel ll of the valve communicates with the said chamber '39 so that water may flow therefrom out through said channel H. Flow is controlled by the slidable valve plunger 13. This plunger is movable so that its end 13a may move into and out of sealing engagement with the said gasket and the position of its said inner end 13a relative to said gasket determines the rate of flow which can be regulated from nothing to a maximum.

A flow-delivery pipe 15 is suitably connected in or to the outflow channel H. This pipe is bent in substantial S shape lying horizontal and its delivery end 16 extends upwardly and through the drain opening 41a in the cover plate basin 4'. so that water from the valve 65 is delivered directly into the basin 41, Since the upstanding annular flange 41b about opening 41a i higher than the depth of basin 41, water overflowing said basin 45 first spills over the peripheral basin edges into the conduit 4| through the open top Ma of the latter and only returns to float chamber 56 through the opening 41a if delivery of water'is at too great a rate. In such latter event, the water overflows the annular upstanding rim 41b and falls directly into the float chamber 56 through opening lla and drains therefromthrough the drain pipe 60 connected to the drain outlet 53.

It will be noted that the valve 65 is located below the cover plate 46 so as to keep the overall height of the entire device small. Also, the plunger 13 of the valve is at a lower level than the outlet end 16 of the flow delivery pipe I5. It would seem necessary, therefore, to provide a seal such as a bellows or packing gland, or the like, in conjunction with. the plunger 13 to prevent material leakage of water around the plunger and to force all the water through the outlet II and out through the opening I6 of the top feed tube I5. However, it is unnecessary to provide such sealing if the outlet II and tube 75 have a large cross sectional area (as shown) because then resistance to flow (leakage resistance) around the plunger 13 is so much greater than the resistance to flow through opening H and through the tube 15 that it is possible in practice to force between ten and thirty times more water to the higher level outlet opening 76 of tube 15 than through the leakage path around the plunger 73. This eliminates the necessity for sealing at the plunger and also makes it practicable to locate valve 65 below the level of the cover 46. This is important because it permits general reduction in the overall height of the device. Since the space below the radiator is very limited, the overall height of the device must be small enough to fit below the radiator. The smaller the better.

The plunger 13 of the float valve is adapted to be reciprocally moved for eifecting the desired valve action by means of the float T8. The latter as shown in Figs. 8 and 9 is of substantially cylindrical shape and lies within the tank 56. Since the tank is not very deep and rather short, special novel coupling mechanism is provided between the float l8 and the plunger 13 to provide the required control movement of the latter on comparatively small vertical motion of the float governed by the level of the water in the tank 56.

Also, the coupling mechanism is designed to afford a large mechanical advantage so that small forces developed by the float movement will provide sufllcient controlling force at the valve seat I0 to oppose the pressure of the water from the inlet pipe 61.

To this end, a cross strip 19 having a pair of parallel levers 86, 8| extending therefrom is provided. Each lever has one of its ends pivotally connected respectively at 19a, 19b to opposite sides of the float I6. A cross rod 82 extends between the levers near their opposite ends. This rod 82 is supported pivotally in a horizontalslot 83a of each of a pair of bracket arms 83 attached suitably to the front end 56?) of the float tank 56.

A pair of levers 84, 85 are attached pivotally respectively at 86, 81 to the respective levers 80, 8|. These levers 84, 85 are bent inwardly toward each other respectively at 88, 89 and then parallelly close to each other at 90, 9| and secured to a common pivot 92 carried on a yoke arm 93. The latter is attached to or integral with the housing of the valve 65. A plate member 94 is also mounted on the common pivot 92 lying between the parallel portions 90, 9! of the levers 84, 85 and between the arms 93a of the yoke arm 93. This plate member in turn is pivotally conof the plunger 13 of the valve.

inches.

nected at a common pivot point 96 to a pair of links 91. The links in turn are connected by a common pivot to opposite flattened faces 13b on the outer end of plunger 13.

- Thelevers 84, 85 are adjustably connected to the plate member so that the float may be set to close the valve at different levels. To this end, the plate member 94 is provided with an arcuate slot 95a. A member 99 which is doubled over upon itself to form legs 99a, 9% extending parallelly on opposite sides of the plate member 94 has its legs secured pivotally respectively at I00, [0| to the respective parallel portions 99, 9| of the levers 85, 85. A set screw I02 extends from one leg 99a to the opposite leg 9% through the slot 95a, its diameter being nearly equal to the width of said slot. The position of the set screw I02 in the slot 95a determines the angular relationship of the plate member 94 with respect to the lever arms 84, 85' about their common pivot point 92 and consequently the distance between the pivot point 96 and the pivot points I00, I0l.

For example, as shown in Fig. 12, the set screw I02 is at one end of the slot 95a and the distance between pivot points 96 and I9I is indicated by the dotted line a-b. A shift of the set screw I02 to an intermediate point in the slot 95a, as shown in Fig. 9 or to the opposite end of the slot will change the distance a-b to a'b (Fig. 12). In other words, a shift of member 99 and with it set screw I02 in the clockwise direction of Fig, 12 in the slot 95a will increase the distance between the pivot points 96 and I00, IOI. Such increase decreases the necessary angular rotation of levers 85, 85 to effect closing action In consequence, it decreases the necessary vertical shift of the float I8 to effect such closing action. By the simple expedient of adjusting the position of the set screw I02, therefore, it is possible to change the cut-ofi level of the float I8 in the chamber 55,

The lever and linkage ratios of the parts just described give a mechanical advantage of about 25 to 1. A force applied by the float is multiplied by approximately 25 at the valve seat. This insures eifective operation of the valve by action of the float. In an actual physical embodiment, although the dimensions are not limited, the depth of the float chamber is only about 2% inches. The length of the float chamber is only about 9 inches. Its width is approximately 2% inches. 'The overall distance on the levers 84, 85 between pivot points 86, 81 and 92 is about 5 /2 inches. The overall pivot distance of levers 80, 8| between pivots 19a, 19b and 82 is about 3 The pivot points 86, B? are about 11% inches from the cross rod 82. The float I8 has an adjustably variable stroke necessary for cut off at the valve ranging from about 1 inch above the bottom of the float tank 56 when the member 99 is in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 12 to 2 inches above the bottom when the member 99 is in such position that the set screw I02 is at the opposite end of slot 95a.

In operation, the entire device is positioned below the radiator I6 preferably, below a radiator located on one of the lower floors of the building. The connecting member inlet I5, is attached suitably to the steam pipe I? and its outlet I8 is attached to the radiator lead pipe I9. The water supply pipe 61 from any convenient main is coupled to the nozzle 66 of the float valve 65 and the drain or overflow pipe is connected to the coupling 59 and led preferably through the floor opening 0 for pipe I! to a suitable drain (not shown) in the basement of the house. With no water in the float chamber 56, float valve 65 is open because the float 18 then rests on the bottom of said chamber. Water flows then from the main 8'! through valve 65 and out through conduit l5, filling basin l! and overflowing its edges into the conduit 4! provided by the envelope Gil and surrounding the U-pipe 35, which latter is carrying steam to the radiator. Sufficient of the water in said conduit chamber 4| flows through the tube or pipe cl into the float chamber, causing the float 18 to move upwardly. When the float reaches its cut-off level, it, through the lever and coupling members hereinbefore described moves the plunger 13 to close the valve by seating the end 13a on the gasket i8. Water will no longer flow until the float sinks below the cut-off level. The water in the conduit chamber i] is heated by the steam in pipe 35 and vaporizes, escaping through the openings Ma and 52 at the top of the envelope ii). The escaping vapor moves upwardly around the radiator sections Illa moistening the upwardly moving warm air therebetween and the moistened warm air circulates through the rooms of the house or building. Whenever sufficient of the water has been evaporated to lower the float below its cut-off level, the valve 55 controlled by such movement of the float, opens automatically to replenish the conduit ll with suiflcient water to replace that which has been evaporated. Then, because the float is then returned to cut-off level, the valve is again closed.

If by any chance excess water accumulates, it drains off through the overflow outlet 58 and drain pipe 6i]. Also, if water flows too rapidly and overflows the annular rim 4112, it spills through opening d'la into the float tank 56 and quickly raises the level of the float 18 to valve cut-off position.

The cut-off level is adjustable by change of position of the member 99 and its set screw I62 in slot 95a. Thus, evaporation requirements for different housing conditions can be met simply and quickly by adjustment of the cut-off level of the float.

The apparatus provides an effective, completely automatic means for providing ample moistening or humidifying of otherwise dry heated air in buildings. By this apparatus the humidity can be increased to thirty-five or forty percent, a very desirable figure from the point of View of comfort and health.

A specific advantage of the short tank and the mechanism associated with float is that it permits the use of a smaller quantity of water for humidifying purposes and as a result eliminates unnecessary absorption of heat by the water, thereby improving the efficiency of the entire humidifying apparatus.

An advantage of the shallow basin ll provided above the tank 55 i that it provides an additional shallow puddle of humidifying medium in an advantageous location with respect to air currents circulating up through the radiator and with respect to radiant heat from the radiator so that the overall gain in humidifying efiiciency is of the order of twenty percent. as compared with a similar system in which the basin is omitted.

It is to be understood, or course, that other liquids besides water can be used for vaporization if desired.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to be understood, of

course, that structural modifications within the scope of the claims are contemplated There is no intention of limitation to the exact details shown and described.

What is claimed is:

l. A device of the character described comprising a steam conduit, an envelope surrounding said conduit in spaced relationship to receive vaporizable liquid, a covering member overlying said envelope, means for delivering said vaporizable liquid to said covering member, the latter member having a shallow basin and downwardly sloped flanges connecting with walls of said envelope so that the liquid delivered into said basin overflows the latter and falls into said envelope, means for automatically controlling the delivery of said liquid to replenish that evaporated from said envelope by the heat of steam passing through said conduit.

2. A device of the character described comprising a steam conduit, an envelope surrounding said conduit in spaced relationship to receive vaporizable liquid, a covering member overlying said envelope, means for delivering vaporizable liquid over the upper surface of said covering member, means connecting said covering memher and said envelope and arranged so that the liquid delivered to said upper surface falls into said envelope at various places, a receptacle, a float movable in said receptacle, means for equalizing the levels of liquid in said envelope and re ceptacle, valve means connected with said liquid delivering means, and means for coupling said valve to said float whereby said valve means is controlled in response to the level of said float in said receptacle.

3. A device of the character described comprising a steam conduit having spaced substantially parallel portions adapted to be supported below a radiator, an open-topped envelope surrounding each portion of said conduit in spaced relationship to receive vaporizable liquid, a covering member overlying said envelope, means for supplying liquid to said covering member, said covering member having a shallow basin and downwardly sloped flanges connecting with walls of said envelope so that overflowing liquid from the basin is directed by said flanges into said envelope, and means for controlling the supply of said liquid to said covering member,

4. A device of the character described comprising a steam conduit having spaced substantially parallel portions adapted to be supported below a radiator, an open-topped envelope surrounding each portion of said conduit in spaced relationship to receive vaporizabl liquid, a basin-like covering member overlying said envelope, means for delivering liquid to said basin-like covering member, means connecting the latter member with walls of said envelope so that overflowing liquid from the basin-like member is guided and falls into said envelope along portions of said walls, a receptacle supported between said spaced portions of said conduit, a valve connected to a source of liquid supply, said delivering means being connected to said valve, conduit means connecting said envelope and said receptacle for equalizing the levels of liquid in both, and floatcontrolled means within said receptacle responsive to the level of liquid therein for operating said valve whereb the latter will be opened antomatically to replenish liquid evaporated from said envelope and cut off automatically when replenishment is complete.

5. A humidifier for use with a radiator comprising a conduit having spaced portions adapted to be supported below the radiator, an opentopped envelope surrounding said conduit in spaced relationship, a covering member overlying said envelope, said covering member having a basin, a receptacle arranged between said spaced portions of said conduit, means for supplying liquid to said basin, means for leading overflowing liquid from said basin into said envelope along portions of. walls thereof, a valve for controlling said supply, a float movable in said receptacle, and coupling means for connecting said.

float to a movable part of said valve to control the valve in response to the level of said float, and means to equalize the levels of liquid in said envelope and in said receptacle for actuating said float.

6. In a humidifier for use with a radiator and having a steam conduit adapted to be supported below the radiator and an open surrounding envelope adapted to contain vaporizable liquid, a covering member overlying said envelope, said covering member having a basin, means for connecting said steam conduit between a source of steam supply and said radiator, mean for leading overflowing vaporizable liquid from said basin into said envelope along portions of walls thereof, and means for delivering said vaporizable liquid to said basin automatically, said last-named means comprising a receptacle, a valve, a float within said receptacle, means for connecting said valve to a source of said vaporizable liquid, conduit means between said receptacle and said envelope for equalizing the level of liquid in both, and means for coupling said float to an operating part of said valve whereby the latter will be actuated in response to the position of said float with respect to the liquid level in said receptacle.

'7. In a humidifier having a steam conduit adapted to be supported below a radiator, means for connecting said conduit between a source of steam and said radiator comprising a connector member, a partitioning member therein dividing said connector member into separate upper and lower chambers and each of said chambers having independent inlets and outlets, means for connecting said conduit to the outlet of said lower chamber and the inlet of said upper chamber, means for connecting the inlet of said lower chamber to said source of steam, and means for connecting the outlet of said upper chamber to a conduit leading to said radiator, said inlet of said upper chamber being at a higher level than the outlet of said lower chamber whereby return flow of condensed steam from the radiator is facilitated and water blocking in said steam conduit and said connector member is prevented.

8. In a humidifier having a steam conduit adapted to be supported below a radiator and a surrounding envelope adapted to contain vaporizable liquid, means for connecting said steam conduit between a source of steam and said radiator, said means comprising a connector member, a partitioning member therein dividing said connector member into separate upper and lower chambers, each of said chambers having independent inlets and outlets, means for connecting the inlet of said lower chamber to said source of steam, means for connecting the outlet of said lower chamber to one end of said steam conduit, means for connecting the other end of said conduit to the inlet of said upper chamber, and means for connecting the outlet of said upper chamber to a conduit leading to said radiator, the outlet of said lower chamber being at a lower level than the inlet of said upper chamber whereby water blocking in said steam conduit and connector member is prevented.

9. A device of the character described comprising a steam conduit having spacedsubstantially parallel portions adapted to be supported below a radiator, an open-topped envelope surrounding each portion of said conduit in spaced relationship to receive vaporizable liquid, a basinlike covering member overlying said envelope, means for delivering liquid to said basin like covering member, the latter member being arranged so that overflowing liquid therefrom falls into said envelope, a receptacle supported between said spaced portions of said conduit, a valve connected to a source of liquid supply, said delivering means being connected to said valve, conduit means connecting said envelope and said receptacle for equalizing the levels of liquid in both, and float-controlled means within said receptacle responsive to the level of liquid therein for operating said valve whereby the latter will be opened automatically to replenish liquid evaporated from said envelope and cut off automatically when replenishment is complete, and said basin-like cover member having an opening communicating with said receptacle to permit any excessive quantitles of liquid delivered to said basin-like member to fall into said receptacle and move said float-controlled means quickly to the cut-ofi position of said valve.

10. A device of the character described comprising a conduit for heating medium, an envelope surrounding said conduit in spaced relationship to receive vaporizable liquid, a covering member overlying said envelope, means for delivering said vaporizable liquid to said covering member, the covering member having a shallow basin and downwardly shaped flanges connecting with walls of said envelope so that liquid delivered into said basin overflows the latter and falls into said envelope, and means for automatically controlling the delivery of said liquid to replenish that evaporated from said envelope by the heat of the heating medium passing through said conduit.

11. In a humidifier having a steam conduit adapted to be supported below a radiator, means for connecting said conduit between a source of steam and said radiator comprising a connector member, a diagonal partitioning member therein dividing said connector member into separate upper and lower chambers and each of said chambers having independent inlets and outlets, means for connecting said conduit to the outlet of said lower chamber and the inlet of said upper chamber, means for connecting the inlet of said lower chamber to said source of steam, and means for connecting the outlet of said upper chamber to a conduit leading to said radiator, said inlet of said upper chamber being at a higher level than the outlet of said lower chamber whereby return flow of condensed steam from-the radiator is facilitated and water blocking in said steam conduit and said connector member is prevented.

GREGORY BROWN.

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