US2459583A - Combustion apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 18, 1949. v 3, PETER "2,459,583,

COMBUSTION APPARATUS Filed June 29, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l w may FLOW mrz/mso/nm no) law FLOW I N V EN TOR. GZAiZcZZ/B aPeZer, BY

Patented Jan. 18, 1949 UNITED," STATES PATENT OFFICE COMBUSTION APPARATUS Gustave C: Peter, Wauwatosa, Wis. Application June 29, 1944, Serial No. 542,709

-The present invention relates to combustion apparatus of the type that employs liquid fuel vaporizers, having particular reference to a novel type of fuel fiow control valve. to be used in conjunction therewith, and is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 508,490, filed November 1, 1943, now abandoned.

A principal object of the invention is to provide means selectively to vary the amount of air entering the vaporizer, and means cooperatively associated with the air control means relatively to vary the amount of fuel entering the vaporizer. More specifically, it is an object of the invention toprovidea combustion apparatus having means disposed at the top of the vaporizer for changing thesize of the opening between the vaporizer and combustion chamber, the means preferably comprising one or more annular disks eachihaving a central openingof smaller size than the opening between the vaporizer and the combustionchamber, thereby selectively to vary the amount of air entering the vaporizer, and a fuel flow control valve connected with disk operating mechanism selectively to vary the amount of fuel entering the vaporizer in accordance with the position of the chosen disk on the vaporizer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a liquid fuel valve for combustion apparatus employing. a fuel vaporizer, comprising a valve memher having an outlet therein for communication With a fuel conduit, and means for opening and closing the outlet selectively to vary the amount of fuel permitted to flow through the which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view illustrating a preferred embodiment of liquid fuel flow control valve contemplated by the present invention,

mounted in position in a conventional float valve shown fragmentarily and in section, depicting the valve in position for high flow of fuel;

Fig 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 depicting the valvearranged in position for intermediate flow;

4 Claims. (Cl. 251-34) Fig. 3 is another view similar to Figs. 1 and 2 depicting the valve arranged in positionfor lo flow; i l

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the lower portion of a combustion apparatus and vaporizer, generally illustrating the position of the valve of Figs. 1 through 3 to be used in conjunction there with; i i

Fig. 5 is aplan view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 4, illustrating a preferred form of actuating mechanism between the disk means for reg ulatingthe quantityof air drawn into the vapor izer, and the valve for regulatingthe flow of liquid fuel thereto; and i i Fig. 6 is a vertical it end elevational view, taken along the line B-6 of Fig. 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows, partly in section, further illustrating the actuating mechanism between the disk operating means for regulating the air con trol and the valve device for regulating thef'uel control.

The combustion apparatus, or space heater, utiiizing the vaporizer, or vaporizingpot, which is herein illustrated is of the type disclosed in the Breese patents, particularly those shown in Patents Nos. 2,179,610 and 2,181,261. These patents disclose various modifications ofmeans for selectively varying the amount of air whichis permlttedto be drawn into a vaporizer.

The present invention contemplates the use of such devices, aswell as others suitable for selectively regulating the quantity of air drawn into the vaporizer, in combination with the liquid fuel control device, or valve, hereinafter more fully described.

Briefly, conventional burners of thisltype utilize a small amount of hydrocarbon oil passed; through a conduit, or fuel pipe, entering. the bottom of the vaporizer. This is ignited by any suitable Initially, combustion occurs immediately above the surface of the oil, resulting in considerable smoke and soot. The heat resulting from combustion vaporizes the oil that is fed through the fuel pipe once combustion isstarted. Thereafter. the place where combustion occurs depends largely upon the rate at which the oil is fed to the burner. i a

With a restricted flow of' oil to the burner, as for 10w fire operation, combustion occursin the lower portion of the vaporizer. By increasin the flow of oil there is a corresponding increase in the amount of vapors generated, and the lower limit of the zone of combustionmoves upward away from the surface of the oil in the vaporizer.

When the flow of oil is increased to maximum; for

shell ll surrounded by an outer shell It, In the lower portion of the shell I2 is secured an. annular flange l3. Suspended from this flange is a vaporizer, or vaporizer pot, i4.

The side walls of this vaporizer preferably are.

perforated, as at l5, and these perforations are known as the primary air inlets. Near the top of the vaporizer is another series of perforations I6 more closely grouped together; These perforationsare known. as the secondary airs-inlets- On top of the pot i4 is a disk I"! having a central .opening thereinindica ted generally at. [8.

4 the amount of oil flowing to the vaporizer to accommodate these varying conditions of high and low fire.

When it is desirable to have a medium fire, the intermediate annular disk 23, having a central opening 24', is utilized. This central opening is of intermediate cross sectional area when compared to the opening IS in the top of the vaporizer and the central opening 2! in the disk 20. The disk 23 isloweredinto' position over the opening" 18 also by means of a rod 22'. Each rod, 22 is equipped with a handle 25 at its end. With the disk 23 lowered into position it is again necessary; independently to regulate the flow of vantages. At the high fire stage .ofioperation all,

orsubstantially all, of the air admitted to. the vaporizer through the primary air inlets l'5g. is-

admixed with the oil vapor, prior to; the. burning;

place toward the bottom of the vaporizer.:, This results in inefficient utilization of the fuel, evidenced by a smoky flame and the. accumulation of carbon in the burner- In the patents above referred. to, thisproblem was solved by regulating the flow of air bycontrolling the size of the opening at. the topof? the vaporizer. That is to say; when the flow of; liquid fuel to the vaporizerdiminishes, the size of the aperture. at thetop of therburner is correspondingly diminished in cross section-.. I

A preferred formof means utilizes one or more annular disks with smaller opening-s than that already in the conventional. disk. disposed atthe top of the burner. This is done by hingedly afiix ing such disks tothe top of the vaporizer in such a manner that theycan be swung. into; and out of position by means of rods. with handles ex.- tending exteriorly of the apparatus.

In the accompanying. drawing two of such disks have been illustrated. in upwardly. raised position. One of these. disks 20 has. a very. small opening 2| therein. When such-a. disk is lowered into position by means of the rod. 22. the. amount of air which is permitted to pass. through the primary. air inlets l5, and secondary air. inlets I6, is reduced to a minimum. Such disk isrsused when it is desirable topass a low amount-chair into the vaporizer l4 Thisthenpermits low fire operation of the combustion apparatusa When it is desirable to restore the device to high liquid fuel passing into the vaporizer to an amount to-accommodate medium fire conditions.

,It would;be a. distinct advantage to be able properly to regulate and vary the amount of liquid-fuel passing into the vaporizer automatically relatively to the amount of air which is drawn through the vaporizen. This. is. accomplished by means of the present. invention.

Referring more particularly to Figs..1, 2 andlti-i of the drawings, there is. shown. a liquid. fueli flow control device, or valve, indicated. generally at 26 variously positioned to permit. high flow, intermediate flow, and. low flow of liquid fuel. to. obtain high, medium, and. low fire respectively, in the burner. The valve will be. described. in. that order of. operation. 7

A preferred embodiment of the valve as herein disclosed includes; a valve stem 2'! having am opening, or gate, 28 at its. lower endfor the passage of liquid fuel. The. longitudinalopening 28. connects the exterior of the stem. with a longitudinal recess ofequal or greater extent in. the end of the stem. The. size of. this. opening regulates the flow of the fuel. other: words, theopening, or gate, 28 may be alongitudinal groove or slot extending along one side of. the. stem to its end. It. should. be noted. thatl-this device can be utilized in connection. with. conventional. types of float valves, only a. portionot. which is. shown in the present. drawings, asind'icated at 29.. The outlet for. such fuel: supply is indicated at 30. The bottom of. the. valve. stem ismounted to rise and descend in the. outlet 3'0'1 The top of the valve stem. is: supported by any suitable means, such as brackets 31' securing. the. device in aligned position to the outer shell [2. The float valve containenor casingtil may. similarly be attached to. the shell IL in any. suitable manner. i

In order to regulate and. control. the. size. of the opening 28 so as to vary the amount of. oil passing therethrough. there is provideda movable member, or sleeve, 32 which is slidably mounted over the stem, 21-. This sleeve. passesoutwardly of. the container '29- and isv provided. at. its. end, preferably with a pulley 33: secured. thereto. At the bottom of this pulley. issecured. acami follower 34 which isdesigned to ride: upon. a cylindrical end cam- 35 surrounding thesleeve 3Z-and secured to the top of the float.valve-containerlll-as-indtcated at, for example, 36.. The sleeve-31h is. resiliently mounted by means'of a spring 31. surround.- ing the sleeve and held in tensioned positiombyi a collar 38..

With a valve thus far described, theramountpi liquid fuel which is permitted to pass. inta the vaporizer can nicely-be regulatedzto accommodate either high. fire,. or low fire operation, as.desired; It is of particular advantage thatthis-can. be accomplished automatically in combination. with a. selectedamount-of air which: is. permitted to mangoes;

pass through the vaporizer. H Theinvention especially contemplates the use of i such a device in connection with a fire ring such as that indicated at where it is desired to secure very hi h fire or very low fire without concern as to any intermediate stages of heat required. This arrangement is particularly advantageous for hot water heating systems as well as for central heating plants.

While the particular valve thus far described will be further discussed in connection with the annular disk disposed above the vaporizer, as indicated by the member 20, it shouldbeunderstood that it is equally adaptable to other forms of means whereby the amount of air which is permitted to pass through the openings in a vaporizer can selectively be varied. For example, such means need not be of the exact shape shown and may be otherwise disposed, for example, immediately over the air inlets. Such air control means can be of any suitable design which will accomplish that purpose, providing the means for operating such a device is cooperatively connected to a valve such as that illustrated by Figs. 1 to 3, so as to operate the same from high to low, or low to high fire.

Any suitable connecting mechanism which will bring about the simultaneous operation of such a valve with such an air control means may be utilized. Such connecting mechanism will now be described, by way of illustration, for use with a single annular disk, or fire ring, of the type shown at 20. Connected to the rod 22 is a pulley 40. Secured around this pulley is a light cable, or wire, 4|. The cable passes around an idler pulley 42 suitably secured to the shell l2. The cable then passes around and is secured to the sheave pulley 33.

The operation of the illustrated device can best be understood by reference to Figs. 1 and 3. For example, when the device is set for high fire the cam follower 34 will be raised to its uppermost position on the cam 35 as indicated. Consequently, the sleeve 32 will thereby be drawn into its uppermost position against the tension of the spring 31. This exposes the maximum amount of outlet for the flow of the liquid fuel 43 through the gate 28, outlet 30, and through the pipe 4| leading to the vaporizer l4.

When it is desired to change the operation of the device to low fire, the handle is turned and the shaft 22 and disk 20 moves to horizontal position so that it overlies the fiange plate |1. Thus, the amount of air which is permitted to be drawn through the vaporizer can selectively be chosen, for example, from very high, to very low fire. In the meantime the pulley 40 turns the cable, or wire, 4|, which in turn rotates the pulley 33 dropping the cam follower 34 to its lowermost position on the cam35, as indicated in Fig. 3. The sleeve 32 also is lowered under the tension of the spring 31 and. covers the openin or gate, 28 with the exception of a small area permitting a suiiicient, fiowof fuel to operate the burner at low fire. Highfire, of course, can again be reached by restoring the disk 20 to vertical position as illustrated in the drawing, also automatically returning the valve 25 to high flow position.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 2, it will be seen that an auxiliary arrangement can be adapted to the valve whereby intermediate fire operation of the burner can be obtained. Here also, it should be understood that the device about to be describedlis .an illustration merely and is particularly usablewith a second ring havin an intermediate opening as heretofore described in connection with disk 23. It will become apparent, however, that the same results. can be obtained with other modifications, for example, those shown. in the above mentioned Breese patents, as well as other types of devices for selectively choosing an intermediate range of fire operation for the burner.

In order to obtain an intermediate flow of liquid fuel for medium fire operation Such as, for example, with the disk 23 and intermediate size opening 24, provision has been made to actuate the valve stem 21. This has been accomplished, for example, by resiliently mounting the stem '21 in such a manner that it is actuated to rise and descend in conjunction with the operation of the means for selectively varying the intermediate amount of air permitted to fiow into the vaporizer. vHere again a cam arrangement can be utilized. A pulley 45 is secured to the stem 21. Above the pulley is a cam follower 45 which rides on end cam 41 secured to under side of the bracket 3|. A spring 48, held in position by a collar 49 pinned to the top of the stem 21, maintains the stem 21 in resiliently mounted position.

The operation of the device for medium fire is obtained by an arrangement of pulleys and cable similar to that used in connection with low fire operation. Secured to the other rod 22 is a pulley 58. Passing around this pulley and secured thereto is a cable 5|. This cable passes around a pulley 52 also secured to a. bracket attached to the shell 12. The cable then passes around the pulley 45, which may also be a sheave pulley, and is secured thereto. When it is desired to brin the parts into operative arrangement for the high fire, especially where two apertured disks, such as 20 and 23, are used, it is first necessary to swing the disk 23 up out of position so that the pulley arrangement connected with that disk places the valve in high fire position, thereby exposing a maximum amount of outlet 28 for the fuel to pass therethrough. When the valve is thus arranged the disk '23 may be swung downwardly overthe opening I8 of the vaporizer l4, and the pulley 50 will actuate the pulley 45 by means of the cable 5|. The cam follower 46, above the pulley 45, will be drawn to the lowest point of the end cam 41 against the action of the spring 48 on the end of the valve stem 21. This causes the valve stem to plunge into the outlet 30 so that an intermediate portion of the gate 28 is exposed permitting thereby a chosen amount of liquid fuel, 43, to fiow through the outlet 30 and through the pipe 4| to the vaporizer i 4.

By the foregoing means manual operation of the flow of fuel can be eliminated. In selectin the proper fire by operating the air control means, the oil flow control device is automatically operated, providing a fool-proof arrangement for fuel feed control.

While there has been illustrated a manual operation of means for selectively controlling the amount of air in conjunction with a valve device automatically to vary the amount of fuel in accordance with the air selection, it will of course be apparent that the entire device can be made to operate electrically. However, in such an event The mechanical operation of such a device has many advantages. The proper amount .of fuel which is brought into the vaporizer can always be determined automatically without concern by the operator. While float valves, :operated electrically, have been used, they are expensive and must .be operated from thermostats, an added expense. In connection with the present device, where it is desired to utilize :a motor ffDI operating the fire rings, a thermostat may also be utilized, of course, but the operation of the valve does not depend upon the delicate operation of such a thermostat arrangement. .It will also be observed that expensive electrical equipment can be eliminated, and that the valve herein illustrated can he used in conjunction with conventional types of float valves and readilyadapted thereto. A material saving in initial cost and subsequent operation is effected.

It will thus be seen that the objects hereinhefore set forth can readily and efiiciently be attained, and since certain changes may be made in the above device and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

1' t is also to be understood that the followin claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention Which,'1as a matter of language, Bright be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, whatl claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. .A fuel flow control valve adapted to be connected to a float valve container for use with a combustion apparatus of the type that employs a fuel vaporizer having means to regulate the amount of air fiowin upwardly therethrou'gh, which comprises a valve member adapted to be mounted in a wall of said container and to extend therethrough to an opposite wall having :a fuel outlet therein, said valve member having an opening in one end communicating with said outlet, a flow control member slidably mounted upon said valve member and adapted to extend from within said container through said first named wall and to regulate the area of the opening in said valve member, and means connected to said control member disposed iexteriorly of said first named wall to actuate said control member with respect to the opening in said valve member selectively to vary the amount of fuel permitted to flow through said opening to provide high and low fire operationof said'apparatus.

.2. A fuel flow control valve adapted to be connected to a float valve container for use with a combustion apparatus "of the type that employs a fuel vaporizer having means :to regulate the amount of air flowing upwardly therethrough, which comprises a valve stem adapted to be mounted in a wall of said container and to extend therethrough to an opposite wall having a .fuel outlet therein, said valve stem having an opening in one end communicating With-saidoutlet, a flow control sleeve slidably and resiliently mounted upon said valve stem and adapted to extend through said first named wall to regulate the .area of said opening, and means, including .a cam member disposed exteriorly of said first named wall and a cam follower therefor connected to said sleeve to actuate said sleeve selectively to vary the amount of fuel permitted to :flowthrough the opening in said valve stem :to provide :for high and iowifine operation of said apparatus. I

A feel new control valve ,adapted to be (1011? nectdd to a floatvarl-ve container for use with a combustion apparatus :of the type that employs a fuel vaporizer having means to regulate the amount of air flowing upwardly therethrough, which corn-prises a. valve member adapted toibe mounted in a wall of said container and to extend thenethrough to :an opposite wall having sa fuel outlet. therein, said valve member having an opening intone end communicating with ,said outlet, :a flow control member mounted upon said valve member and adapted to extend from within said container through said .first named wall and to regulate the area of the opening in said valve member, means connected to said control member disposed exteriorly of said first named wall to actuate said control member with respect to the openinginsaid valve member selectively to vary the .amount of fuel permitted to now throuahsaid opening to provide high and low {fire operation of said apparatus, and means connected to said valve member and adapted to be disposed .e xter iurly of saidifirst named wall to actuate said valve member with respect to .said fuel outlet and to regulate the area of the opening in said valve member selectively to vary the amount of .fuel permitted to now through said opening to provide l or intermediate :and high fine operation of said apparatus. p f

d. A -fuel flow control valve adapted to .be connectecl to :a. float valve container for use with a combustion apparatus of the type, that employs a fuel vaporizer having means to regulate the amount of air flowing upwardly therethrough. which comprises a valve. stem adapted "to be mounted in a wall of said container and .to extend therethroughto an opposite wall having a tuel outlet therein, said valve stem having an opening intone end communicating with said outlet, .a flow control sleeve slidably and resiliently mounted upon said valve stem and adapted to extend throughsaid first named wall to regulate the area of said opening, means, including a cam member .disposedexteriorly or" said first named walland .a cam .tollower therefor connected to said sleeve tolac'tuate said-sleeve selectively'to vary the amount of fuel permittedto now through the openingin said valve stem to provide for high and low .fire operation .of said apparatus, and means including ,a cam member adapted to be disposed ex'teriorly of said first named wall and a cam ifollower therefor connected to said valve stem to actuate said .valve stem with respect to said fuel outlet and to regulate the area of the opening in said valve stem selectively to vary the amount .of fuel permitted to flow through said opening .to provide for intermediate andthigh fire operation of said apparatus.

GUSTAVE C. PETER.

REFERENCES orreo The following references are -'of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED .sTA'rEs PATENTS Merrill June 513, 1922 *(Qbherrreiuences unmimm pago Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Breese, Jr. Feb. 28, 1928 Williams Nov. 24, 1931 Gilbert May 29, 1934 Hirvonen July 2, 1935 Breese Nov. 28, 1939 r Johnson Dec. 19, 1939 Johnson July 9, 1940 Morton Sept. 24, 1940 Howard et a1 July 29, 1941 Donley et a1 Sept. 16, 1941 Suchland Nov. 4, 1941 Number 10 Number Name Date Breese Jan. 6, 1942 Miller Mar. 9, 1943 Landon Nov. 23, 1943 Breese Apr. 18, 1944 Martin May 30, 1944 Miller et a1 Nov. 21, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain 1921 Great Britain 1939

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