US2592847A

US2592847A - Protecting system for photoelectric cells in liquid fuel burner controls

Info

Publication number: US2592847A
Application number: US3246A
Authority: US
Inventors: Babicz George
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1948-01-20
Filing date: 1948-01-20
Publication date: 1952-04-15
Anticipated expiration: 1969-04-15

Description

Aprl 15, 1952 BABICZ PROTECTING SYSTEM FOR PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS IN LIQUID FUEL BURNER CONTROLS Filed Jan. 20, 1948 m m m Patented Apr. 15, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PROTECTING SYSTEM FOR PHOTOELEC- 'TRIC 'CELLS [N'LIQUIDFUEL BURNER CONTROLS 'George Babicz, Chicago, Ill.

:Application January 20, 1948,;Ser'al.No.*3,246

`smoke is generated or 'there is an absence of ame or obscuration thereof by the excessive amount of smoke. This isgenerally accomplished by directing a photo-electric cell upon the chamber in which the-Consumption of oil takes place in order to detect any undesirable degree of smoke generated in the chamber or theabsence of fiame or the obscuration of thelatter by an excessive amount of smoke. The smoke in the chamber acting upon a photo-electric cell induces-the latter to act upon suitable mechanism for -shutting off the supply of oil andthe motor whichoperates the oil dispersing mechanism, and as a result of this action the 'oil combustion in the chamber is stopped 'so as to permitproper adjustment in .the mechanism supplying "the oil or in the mechanism dispersing or firing the -`same in order to eliminate thegeneration of smoke or torecondition the mechanism for firing of the 'oil and to effect proper combustion of oil.

The beam of photo-electric cell is usuallydrected'into 'and upon the fire chamber througha tube within which a glass slide is positioned in a transverse relation with the tube and intermediately between the photo-electrc cell and thefire chamber. Since the tube is in communication with the chamber smoke and soot often settle upon the glass slide obscuring the beam of .the photo-electric cell, thereby requiring periodic cleaning of the slide.

To 'prevent settling of smoke `and soot upon the glass slide an air pipe'was connected with the tube aforesaid in order to constantly flow from -the tube into the fire chamber for preventing entrance of the smoke into -the tube. However, the air flowing from the tube oftentimes generated ebbor back-'flow permitting a degree of smoke andsoot to enter the tube and to settle upon theglass slide. This objection was due principally to a single air pipe connecting with the tube-aforesaid, and the air forced into the tube by a ;single .pipe had :a tendency of flowing within the tube along apertion of the periphery of the latter, :permitting the ebb `or back-flow of the combustion gases from the fire chamber into the ;tube aforesaid, and along the periphery of the latter along which the `air did not suicently :act to ;prevent the ebb or back-flow.

Therefore, the princpal object ,ofthe present invention is the provision of e'ffic'ent means ;for directing a flow of air in a compactmass 'from ;the tube aforesaid into the fire chamber for preventing the ebb or back-fiowof combustionpgases 'into the tube.

Another object of the present inventionisthe provision of simple and elcientmeans .for directing the flow of air into the tube aforesaid from two, substantially ,diametr'cally .opposite l points in the periphery of the tube `in .order to force the flow of air in a compact massfromthe tube into the fire chamber-.soas to prevent :entrance of r combustion gases `into the tube.

A still further objectof the .presentinvention is the provsion of atleasta pair of air conduits connected with the air tube aforesaid, through which-air may be ed under pressure into said air tube and expelled `therefrom into .the fire chamber, so as to engender a symmetrical velocity profle of air in-kthe said air tube ..forpreventing the combustion gases to enter saidlair .tube and for eliminating settling of soot upon the said photo-electric cell .or upon the said glass slide.

With the above ,general objects in View .and others that willappearas the invention'isbetter understoocl, 'the same consists .in .the novel seconstructon, combination and arrangement (of parits hereinaftermore fully described,.illustra`ted in..the accompanying drawing and pointed out in theappendd claims. e

In :the drawing forming a part of this application, and .in which like designating characters refer to corresponding parts throughout theseveral VIEWS:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic iew, partly insection and partlyinelevation, illustrating relative position of an oil dispersing and burning unit, avalve in theconduit supplying the oil thereto, which Valve is electronically controlled by a, photo-electric cell, a boileror aosimilarhousing defininga fire chambersin which the oil burns, a .photo-electric cell directed into the fire .chamber through a tube, a pair of air pipes connected with said .tube and in front of a glass slidein-the saidtube, nd

-an oil -firing mechanism also eleotronically controlled by the photo-electric cell;

Fig. 2 is 'a longitudinal cross-sectional ;View through the photo-electric cell casing and .the tube; and

Fig. 3 -is a transverse:cross-sectional view on lineB-B of Eig. 2.

Referring in detail to the present drawing there erating with said boiler is an oil dispersing'and burning unit, which includes nozzle l, the outer free end of which is set within wall ID in a transverse relation therewith. i said nozzle H is integrally formed with casing !2. Housing !3 is affixed to the opposite wall of said casing !2, and encloses electric motor [4, which drives shaft l5, passing through and supported by the rear wall of said casing !2. Connecting with shaft !5 is hub IG which supports fan IT. Affixed to the front wall of casing [2, inwardly thereof and adjacent the inner end of nozzle I l is spider !8. The latter is provided with a plurality of openings 19 for permitting passage of air from casing l2 into nozzle ll. said spider l8 further carries an integrally formed tubular hearing 20 for supporting one end of hub 16.

Connecting with the rear wall of said casing !2 is air supply pipe 21, through which air is supplied into said casing !2.

Oil pipe 22 is passed through the rear Vertical wall of housing l3, through motor M, shaft |5 and hub !6, and is in a concentric relation with nozzle l I, the front end of said pipe 22 terminating a short distance rearwardly of the free open end of said nozzle l l. When electronically controlled solenoid valve 34, cooperating with said oil pipe 22 is opened, the oil is permitted to flow out of said pipe 22 through its end within nozzle il. There it is dispersed by the air forced into nozzle ll from the casing [2, and through openings [9, by the action of fan IT. The dispersed oil, indicated by 23, is ignited electrically by pilot burner 36' and is caused to burn within the fire chamber of the boiler defined by said wall lu.

The valve 34 for opening or shutting o oil pipe 22 is actuated automatically and electrcm'cally by well known thermostatic device, not shown in detail, which is controlled through electric wires 35 connecting with wires 40, the latter connecting with and leading from photo-electric cell 24.

Gas pilot burner 36' includes pipe 36. The latter is passed through boiler wall n in downwardly inclined direction. said pipe 36 Supplies the gas,

which, when ignited, constitutes a pilot which is directed from above upon stream 23 of the dispersed oil. The escaping gas is electrically ignited by means of a spark engendered through electrode wi'e 31, concentrically positioned within pipe 36. Wire 31' connects with pipe 36. The inner end of said pipe 36 has a constricted mouth with the end of electrode 31 in a spaced relation therewith. Pipe 36 itself constitutes ground, so that when electric current is passed through electrode wire 37 and Wire 31' electric spark is engendered at the inner end of pipe 35 for igniting the escaping gas through the inner open end of pipe 36.

The supply of gas through pipe 36 is controlled by valve 38 actuated either by a mercury or electronically controlled switch, with which wires 39 connect. The opposite ends of said wires 39 are connected with photo-electric cell 24 through wires 43.

In the event the dispersed oil does not properly burn and generates an undesirable degree of smoke, or in the event the flame has become extinguished for some reason, photo-electric cell 24 directed against the fire chamber, becomes in either event responsive for the purpose of automatically shutting off valve 34 which is connected with oil pipe 22 and of automatically shutting ofl" valve 38.

Thus when photo-electric cell 24 becomes desensitized due to the obfuscation by smoke or lack of flame in combustion chamber [0, and the consequent de-energization of electric circuits through wires 40, and wires 35 and 39, respectively, for actuating

valves

34 and 38, respectively, the supply of oil through pipe 22 and the supply of gas through pipe 36 will be stopped. By this means the supply of oil and its dispersal and igniting in chamber lfl will be efiectively arrested, thereby rendering the entire apparatus inoperative.

said photo-electric cell 24 is positioned within casing 25, which is supported by tube 26. The opposite end of said tube 26 is aixed to wall !0, and communicates with opening 21 made in said wall 10. said casing 25 likewise is in communication with said tube 26. Both said tube 26 and openin 21, the latter being a continuation of the adjacent end of said tube 26, are at an incline, being directed upon the fire chamber in the boiler for permitting the view of said chamber by said photo-electric cell.

Integrally formed with said tube 26, and adjacent its end which is nearest to casing 25, is a rectangular frame 28, which at one of its edges is provided with a slot through which glass slide 29 may be inserted into or withdrawn from said frame 28 and in a transverse relation with tube 26, as is clearly seen in Figs. 2 and 3. Said slide 29 is provided with ear 30 which may be manually grasped for shifting said slide 29. The purpose of said slide 29 is to keep away the heat and combustion gases from casing 25 so that photoelectric cell 24 may not become overheated and in order that the same may be maintained unobscured by smoke and scot which otherwise might enter thereinto through said tube 26 and opening 21. However, smoke entering tube 26 would eventually cause the settling of soot upon slide 29, requiring periodic removal thereof from frame 28, for periodic wiping oil of soot which has settled thereon. Unless this was done photo-electric cell 24 would become responsive to the obscuring film upon slide 29 and without regard to any undue degree of smoke or the absence of flame in the fire chamber, thereby rendering said photoelectric cell 23 inefficient in its operation.

In order to obviate and completely prevent entrance of any combustion gases, and consequently any solid combustion particles, into tube 26, and thereby to completely prevent settling of scot upon slide 23, the present invention was designed. The same includes manifold 3! connected with the rim wall of casing !2, adjacent the front end thereof. said manifold 3! carries T-joint 32, with the horizontal portion of which a pair of air pipes 33 connects. The opposite ends of said pipes" 33 are connected with tube 25, intermediately of slide 29 and wall o, in the proximity of said slide 29, and at two diametrically opposite points on the periphery of said tube 26.

Tube 26 may be corrugated as shown for the purpose of causing heat radiation for maintaining tube 26 comparatively cool.

Part of the air stream driven by fan I'l is forced into manifold 3! from where it is distributed into pipes 33 and forced into tube 2'6 at two opposite points of the periphery of the latter. The air thus forced through said pipes 33 brings about a symmetrical velocity profile in tube 26 and opening 21 and the air is expelled through said opening 21 into the boiler or the fire chamber of any oil consuming apparatus. Due to the symmetrical velocity profile of the air engendered in tube 26 the back-flow either of air or of combustion gases from -the fire chamber into tube 26 in the direction of slide 29 is effectively eliminated and prevented. In' the devices wherein' only 'oneair pipe, such as pipe 33,-i`s used, the backflower 'the air or of the combustion gasesinto the tube and toward slide 29 is not prevented,` 'due'to' the `fact that air forced through a single tube has a tendency to travel along the tube adjacent -a, portion of its periphery, thereby permitting 'the 'back-flow lengthwise of the tube along the-'remaining portion of the periphery thereof. By providing *at least two air pipes, the outlets of -w-hich are preferably at diametrically opposed points'o'f theperiphery of the tube, the objections noted are effectively eliminated, with the result that there is practically no settling of the soot upon the surface of :slide 29 which is exposed within tube :26, thereby eliminating frequent periodic withdrawals of slide 23 for cleaning the same.

Since

switches for'controlling valves

34 and 38, the ther'mostat, and the mech'anism for'thermostatically controlling the va'lves, are well :known in the art, the same are-not'shnwn in the drawing. The invention resides entirely in the piurality "of air pipes 33 'connecting with tube 28 for the purpose of forcing'the air into said tube 26 and efiecting a symmetrical velocity profile of the air in tube 26 for the purposes indicated.

The device herein disclosed does not presuppose the use of glass slide 29 under all conditions. 'It may well be that the symmetrical velocity profile of air engendered in tube 26 may reduce the heat in said tube 26 to such a degree as to make it possible to dispense with slide plate 29 entirely, bearing of course in mind that the primary purpose and object of slide 29 was to protect photo-electric cell 24 from the heat engendered in tube 26. Then again, there may be means other than slide plate 29 for protecting photo-electric cell from heat. If slide plate 29 is dispensed with, it still will be necessary, and more so, to protect the photoelectric cell from the settling of scot thereon. What applicant desires to convey is the fact that slide piate 29 is not an indispensible element in his invention. The latter will work whether for the protection of slide plate 29 or for the protection of photo-electric cell 24 directly when the slide plate has been removed from the assembly.

While there is described herein a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it-is nevertheless to be understood that minor changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as new is:

1. In a liquid fuel burning apparatus, a housing defining a fire chamber, said apparatus including means for supplying, dispersing and igniting the iuel for causing the same to be consumed in said fire chamber, a tube supported outwardly of said fire chamber and opening thereon, a photo-electric cell mounted at the outer end of said tube, said photo-electric cell being directed upon said fire chamber, said tube being provided with a transparent slide in a transverse 'elation therewith intermediately of said fire chamber and said photo-electric cell, said photoelectric cell being adapted to respond to combustion failure to render said means inoperative, and means for engendering a symmetrical velocity profile of air in said tube intermediately of said slide and said fire chamber and expelling the air into said fire chamber, said last named means including at least a pair of air conduits connected with said tube for injecting therethrough air under pressure.

2. In a liquid fuel burning apparatus, a housing defining a fire chamber, said apparatus including G means for supplying, dispersing and ignitingthe fuel for causing the sa'me to be: consumed in said 'fire chambena tub'e supported outwardly of 'said fire chamber andopening there'on, a photo-'le'ctric cell mounted-at the 'outer :end of said itube, said photo-electric-cell being directed -uponsaid fire chamber, said tube 'being provided with a transparent slidein a transverse relation therewith intermediatly-ofsaid fire chamber and said 'photo-electric cell, said photo-'electric cell being adapted to respond to combustion `failure to render said means inoperati'v'e, and 'means for in- 'j'ecting under'pressure into said -tub'e intermediateiy 'of said slide 'and said fire chambe'r'str'eams of air from a plurality 'of points 'on'the p'eriph'ery of said tube in a 'substantially uniformly :spaced 'relation on a transverse plane of said tube.

3. In 'a liquid fuel burning apparatus, *a housing 'denin'g a fire chamber, said apparatus including means for supplying, dispersing and ig-niting 'the 'fuel'for causing the .same to 'b'e -consumed in said fire chamber, a tube supported outwardly of said 'fire chamber and opening thereon, a `photo-"electriccell -mounted at 'the outer end` of said 'tube, said photo-'electriccell being directed upon said fire chamber, said tube being provided with a transparent slide in a transverse relation therewith intermediately of said fire chamber and said photo-electric cell, said photo-electric cell being adapted to respond to combustion`fai1ure to render said means inoperative, and means for injecting under pressure into said tube intermediately of said slide and said fire chamber streams of air from a plurality of points on the periphery of said tube, said last named means including a plurality of air conduits connecting with said tube in a substantially uniformly spaced relation on a transverse plane of said tube.

4. In a liquid fuel burning apparatus, a housing definin a fire chamber, said apparatus including means for supplying, dispersing and igniting the fuel for causing the same to be consumed in said fire chamber, said means including an air compressing chamber, a tube supported outwardly of said fire chamber and opening thereon, a photo-electric cell mounted at the outer end of said tube, said photo-electric cell being directed upon said fire chamber, said tube being provided with a transparent slide in a transverse relation therewith intermediately of said fire chamber and said photo-electric cell, said photo-electric cell being adapted to respond to combustion failure to render said means inoperative, and means for generating a stream of air of uniform density in said tube intermediately of said slide and said fire chamber and expelling the same into said fire chamber for preventing a back-flow of combustion gases from said fire chamber into said tube, said last named means including a plurality of air conduits connectin with said tube at points in a substantially uniformly spaced relation on a transverse plane of said tube, the opposite ends of said air conduits being connected with said air compressing chamber for forcing the air from said air compressing chamber into said tube through said air conduits.

5. In a liquid fuel burning apparatus, a housing defining a re chamber, said apparatus including means for supplying, dispersing and igniting the fuel for causing the same to be consumed in said fire chamber, said means including an air compressing chamber, a tube supported outwardly of said fire chamber and opening thereon, a photo-electric cell mounted at the outer end of said tube, said photo-electric cell being directed.

upon said fire chamber, said tube being provided with a. transparent slide in a transverse relation therewith intermediateiy of said fire chamber and said photo-electric cell, said photo-electric celi being adapted to respond to combustion failure to render said means inoperative, and means for generating a stream of air of uniform density in said tube intermediately of said slide and said fire cha-mber and expelling the same into said fire chamber for preventing a back-flow of combustion gases from said fire chamber into said tube, said last named means including a pair of air conduits connecting with said tube at diametricaily opposed points of the periphery thereof, the opposite ends of said air conduits being connected with said air compressing chamber for foreing the air from said air compressing chamber into said tube through said air conduits.

6. In a liquid fuel burning apparatus, a housing defining a fire chamber, said apparatus ini said tube. said photo-electric ce being directed upon said fire chamber, said photo-eiectric cell being adapted to respond to combustion failure to render said means inoperatve, and means for engendering a, symmetricai velocity profile of air in said tube intermediately of said photo-electrc cell and said fire chamber and expelling the air into said fire chamber, said last named means including at least a. pair of air conduits connected with said tube for injecting therethrough air under pressure.

GEORGE BABICZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,745,178 McCabe Jan. 28, 1930 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 4911714 Great Britain Sept. 1, 1938