US2619285A

US2619285A - Fuel control system

Info

Publication number: US2619285A
Application number: US131645A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles O Everhart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1949-12-07
Filing date: 1949-12-07
Publication date: 1952-11-25
Anticipated expiration: 1969-11-25

Description

Nov. 25, 1952 C, Q EVERHART 2,619,285

FUEL CONTROL SYSTEM Original Filed July '7, 1931 2 SHEETS- SHEET l Nov. 25, l952 c. o. EVERHART 2,619,285

FUEL CONTROL SYSTEM original Filed July 7, 1951 v 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Patented Nov. 25j, 19552 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE July '7, 1931.

1949, Serial N0. 131,645

5 Claims.

1n the combustion of iiuid for heating boilers or for any other purpose, it is desirable, from an economic standpoint, to feed the ingredients of combustion to the burner in the proper ratio and also in the proper quantity that will insure maximum efficiency of the burner. It is also essential that the quantity of the mixture supplied to the burner may be varied from time to time to accommodate different varying boiler conditions while still maintaining the proper ratio of the ingredients of the mixture. Under certain conditions it is also desirable to maintain a substantially constant pressure in the fuel supply line and to Vary this pressure only in so far as changing boiler conditions crea-te a demand Vfor a lesser or greater quantity of fuel.

The improved uid regulator comprising the present invention is adapted to deliver from different sources the various ingredients of 'combustion in the proper ratio andV in the proper quantity to accommodate changing boiler conditions or to accommodate varying demands for fuel at the burner.

In carrying out the principles of the invention,

a regulating valve is disposed in each supply line 2 which conducts the ingredients of 'combustion to the burner. These valves are so arranged andassembled in anoperative unitary regulator structure that they may be jointly controlled to reduce or increase the quantity of the ingredients of combustion supplied to the burner. lhefactor which simultaneously controls the operationl of the valves is selected boiler condition. Preferably these valves are controlled by the steam pressure of the boiler at the outlet. Thus when a lload is thrown upon the boiler, requiring` consequently a greater amount of steam, the valves are simultaneously opened to admit a greater quantity of the ingredients of combustion to the burner 'without destroying the proper ratio of these ingredients as they are delivered. Conversely when the load on the boiler is dropped olf, the valves are simultaneously closed to admit a lesser quantity' of the ingredients of combustion to the burner' while still maintaining the predetermined ratio at which these ingredients are delivered. In' this application the pressure developed by the boiler atthe output has been chosen as the contro-lling' factor for opening or closing the valves but it is to be distinctly understood that other boiler conditionsmay be selected to accomplish this feature. For example, a pressure generator of the type disclosed in the patent to Andrews 1,396,239, patented November 8, 1921, for a water flow device or of the type disclosed in the patent to Veenschoten This application December 7,

2 1,759,146 patented May 20, 1930 for a feed water valve, may bridge the water level in the boiler and this pressure generator may serve to develop pressure for operating the valves in accordance with the water level in the boiler. Under certain conditions it may be necessary that the supply of the ingredients of combustion to the burner may be manually controlled according to the discretion of the operator. rioward this end the invention contemplates the provision of a regulator for supplying ingredients of combustion to a burner which is selectively operable either by varying boiler conditions or manually. As stated before it is desirable that when the quantity of the ingredients of combustion delivered to the burner is increased or decreased, a predetermined ratio be maintained between these ingredients of combustion. The improved regulator is also provided with means whereby this ratio may be varied as occasion demands so that a greater or lesser proportion of any one ingredient of cornbustion may be maintained.

In the boiler room of commercial plants and on board large steam propelled ships there is usually one operator or superintendant invested with the authority and' duty to see that the boilers are operated under ideal conditions. Other employees, including executives, frequently obtain notions as to how the boiler should be operated and very often without authority they attempt to make adjustment of the boiler regulating system. The present regulator is provided with means for preventing an unauthorized person who does not possess the proper adjusting tool from making adjustment to the regulator system. Thus the entire system is protected against amateur experimenters.

Other objects and advantages of the invention not at this time more particularly enumerated will become more readily apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, and the same consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying two sheets of drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the improved regulator;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the regulator installed in a fuel supply system;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of an adjusting tool employed in connection with the present invention;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detailed side elevation of an adjusting mechanism employed in connection with the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a rear view of the regulator, showing the manual controlled means for operating the same.

In all of the above described views like characters of reference are employed to designate lilre parts throughout.

Referring now to Figure 2 a boiler, which it is desired to maintain under substantially even conditions of pressure, is designated at I0. This boiler is provided with a steam outlet or header I2. The regulator is designated in its entirety at I4 and comprises a cylinder I6 having a piston I8 slidably mounted therein. The cylinder is connected by a suitable conduit 26 to the header I2 to permit fluid pressure developed in the header I2 to be admitted to the underneath side of the piston I8. The burner for the furnace (not shown) which heats the boiler I is designated at 22. This burner is provided with an air inlet 24 adapted to be connected to an air supply line 26 for the introduction of air to the burner, for admixture with the fuel. An inlet 28 is adapted to be connected to a fuel supply line and an inlet 32 is adapted to be connected to a fluid supply line 34 which permits the introduction of an atomizing fluid such as air or steam to the burner.

The fuel supply line 36 has interposed therein a valve 36 and the iiuid line 34 has interposed therein a valve 38. Both of these valves are operative instrumentalities of the regulator I4. rEhe air supply line 26 has interposed therein a Valve 40 of the butterfly type and this latter valve also is an operative instrumentality of the regulator I4.

Associated with the regulator i4 is a vertically movable cam plate 42 having adjustable cam members 43 and 46 thereon adapted to engage projecting plungers 43 and 50 respectively for operating the

respective valves

36 and 36. The cylinder I8 has associated therewith a plunger 66 which engages a depending stem 52 on the plate 42 to cause movement of this latter plate and cause the cam members 44 and 65 to simultaneously engage the plungers 4S and Eil to operate the

valves

36 and 38 simultaneously to admit a greater o1' lesser quantity of fuel to the burner in a predetermined ratio. A second stem 54 projects upwardly from the plate 42 and is provided with a collar 56 having engagement with a rifled stem 58, to which stein is secured a pivotal closure member 60 within the casing of the valve 46. Upward movement of the plate 42 rotates the ried stem and opens or closes the closure member 60 to admit a greater or lesser quantity of air for admixture at the opening with the fuel. in a predetermined ratio.

Referring now to Figure 5, it will he seen that the plate 42 is adapted to be raised or lowered by hand. Accordingly a lever G2 is pivoted at 64 inetermediate its ends. The upper edge 66 oi this lever is adapted to engage a pin 68 secured to a plate 42 so that depression of the other end of the lever G2 will serve to raise the plate 42 for operating the

valves

36, 3S and 46 simultaneously. A pawl i6 is pivoted to the lever 62 and co-operates with a ratchet plate i2 to hold the lever 62 in any desired adjusted position. Normally when the regulator is being automatically controlled from the pressure developed in the header I2, the pawl remains out of engagement with the ratchet plate 'E2 as shown in Fig. 2. The above description has been given from a diagrammatic representation of the device and from this description and operation of the regulator is readily apparent. plate 42 in one direction or the other will serve It will be seen that movement of the to admit a greater or lesser quantity of the ingredients of combustion in a predetermined proportion to the burner as the pressure in the header I2 of the boiler 6 varies. A description of the details of construction of the improved regulator will disclose the specific operation of the regulator and will show the manner in which the proportions of the ingredients of combustion admitted to the burner may be varied.

Referring now to Figure 1 the regulator is supported upon a base 74 from which there projects a standard i6 to which a piston and cylinder as sembly i6 is secured. This assembly comprises an open ended tubular cylinder 'i8 threaded externally at opposite ends as at 86 and 80. A pair of cup shaped cap members El' and 84 serve to close the ends of the cylinder i6. rEhe piston I8 is of the leather cup type and consists in a plate 66 to the underneath side of which is secured a leather cup 88 by means of a washer and bolt which projects into one end of a piston rod or plunger 94. The bolt serves to retain the piston rod or plunger 64 in position on the piston I8. The upper end of the rod 64 is provided with a reduced portion 96 which extends through a threaded sleeve 90 which is threaded into the cap 61 centrally thereof, The reduced portion 96 of the plunger 84 is freely slidable through this threaded sleeve. The sleeve Q8 is provided with a head having apertures |32 therein for adjusting the height of the sleeve to limit the downward movement of the stem 52 and consequently limit the open position of the valve S6, 38 and 46.

The cap 81 is provided with a boss I 04 which is externally threaded and receives thereon a supporting ring |06 provided with a threaded aperture through which the boss |04 extends. The ring is provided With a plurality of apertures I 08, ||0, and ||2 for supporting the

valves

36, 38 and 40 respectively. Each of the

valves

36 and 38 consists in a casing ||4 having a removable and reversible Valve seat IIG. The seat ||6 is normally closed by a closure member I I8 having stems I 20 and |22. The closure member ||8 is normally maintained on its seat by means of an adjustable spring arrangement |24 controlled by an adjustable screw |26, However, any required adjustment of the spring arrangement I 24 may only be effected by means of the adjusting tool |28, as shown in Fig. 3.

The forward end of the stem |22 is engageable by one end of a sliding plunger |30 which projects from the casing. The casing I I4, is provided With a chamber |32 communicating with the outlet and with the inlet of the valve. Sliding movement of the plunger I 30 inwardly of the casing will cause the inner end of the same to engage the stem |22 and move the closure member ||8 from its seat. When the plunger |30 is released the closure member I I8 is urged by the action of the adjustable spring mechanism |24 on to its seat to assume its normally closed position. The

valves

36 and 38 are each held in diametrically opposed relation on the circular supporting member |06 by means of lock nut |36.

Extending diametrically and vertically across the circular supporting member |06 is a strap |38. Secured to this strap medially of the ends thereof is a xed guide plate |40, in which is vertically slidable the plate 42. The plate 42 has pivoted thereto

cam members

44 and 46 which are provided with straight cam surfaces |42 and |44 respectively which are adapted to bear against the ends of the plungers |30 of the

valves

36 and 38 to force these plungers inwardly of their respective valve casings as the plate 42 moves upwardly. The

cam members

44 and 46 are secured in their pivotal relation with respect to the plate 42 by means of screws |46 similar to the adjusting screw |26, which extend through slots in these cam members.

A pair1 of externally pivoted adjusting members |56 and |52 are secured on the plate 42 and these members are adapted to be secured in any adjusted position by means of adjusting screws |64 similar to the adjusting screws |55. The 'adjusting members |56 and |52 are adapted to engage the inner surface of the

cam members

44 and 46 and to limit the inner inwardly swinging movement of same. The adjusting members |50 and |52 may be provided with calibrations |56 cooperating with calibrations |58 in order that the

cam members

44 and 46 may be accurately and scientically adjusted in accordance with good engineering practice. By adjusting the cam members lll and 46 properly the inclination of the straight cam surfaces |42 and |44 may be varied to maintain the proper proportional pressure drop across the

valves

66 and 38 to admit the ingredients of combustion to the burner in a desired proportion in a greater or lesser quantity. In order to prevent -free movement of the cam members lll-l and 46 a compressed spring |66, the

convolutions of which are held in alignment by Y means of a guide rod, is inserted between the lower ends of these members.

The stem 54 which is secured to the slidable plate 42 is provided with an enlarged portion |64 through which there extends a lock bolt |66 similar to the adjusting screw |26. This lock bolt engages a sleeve |66 having a coined head |16. This sleeve |66 is keyed to the stem 58 and by backing up on the lock nut |66 the sleeve |68 may be rotated manually to adjust the throw of the sleeved stem 56 to which the butterfly closure 66 is secured in the valve casing 46. Upward movement of the plate 42 and stem 54 and sleeve |68 will cause rotation of the rifled stem 58 to open the butterfly closure 66 in the casing of the valve i6 While at the same time the

cam members

44 and 46 will force the stems |36 of the

valves

36 and 36 into their respective casing and open these valves. Dcwnward movement of the sliding plate 42 will cause a reverse operation of the three

valves

36, 38 and 46.

It will be seen that the

valves

36 and 38 may be independently adjusted while the valve 46 may also be adjusted independently and thus any desired ratio of opening of the three valves may be eiected to create different pressure drops across the valve openings to supply the ingredients of combustion to the burner in varying proportionate quantities.

Vertical movement of the plate 42 may be effected by means of the arrangement of parts shown in Figure 5 which has previously been described hereinbefore. The pin 63 is in the form of a bolt similar to the adjusting screw |26. This bolt extends through a slot |12 in the strap |38. A pin |74 also similar to the adjusting screw |26 has secured thereto one end of a tension spring |16 and the other end of this tension spring is secured to the pin 66 to normally urge the plate 42 downwardly. The pawl 'I6 is provided with a pair of depressions |66 and |82 which cooperate with a projection or pin on a leaf spring |84 and extending through the lever |62 in contact with the pawl to hold the latter in its operative or inoperative position. In its operative position the pawl 10 engages-the teeth on the ratchet plate 12' secured to the supporting member |16 'to hold the lever |62 in any adjusted position and to hold the plate '42 at an elevation commensurate with the position of the lever as previously described. In its inoperative position, with the projection on the leaf spring |84 resting in the depression |80, the pawl does not engage the teeth on the ratchet plate 12 and the operation of the regulator is automatic.

When the pressure in the header I2 of the boiler i6 is increased, this pressure is transmitted to the underneath side of the piston |B thereby moving this piston upwardly against Vthe action of the coil spring S4. The plunger 94 is moved upwardly into engagement with the stem 52 and the plate 42 is accordingly elevated thereby operating the valves to close the

valves

36, 38 and 46 simultaneously.

On the other hand, a decrease in pressure in the header I2 will cause a corresponding decrease in pressure on the underneath side of the piston I8 and the same will be moved downwardly under the action of the coil spring Q4 together with the plunger 64 and plate 42, thereby operating the valves simultaneously to admit more of the ingredients of combustion to the burner 32 'to develop more steam in the boiler |6 and again raise the pressure in the header l2. It will be seen therefore that under normal conditions of operation the tendency is to maintain a constant pressure in the header I2. When there is a demand Yfor steam due to an increased load on the boiler the improved regulator causes a greater quantity or" the ingredients of combustion in the proper proportion to be supplied to the burner. When there is little demand for steam as for example where the boiler is run under conditions of small load the improved regulator will supply a lesser quantity of ingredients to the burner while steam maintains the desired proportion of supply.

The adjusting screws |26, the lock bolts |66 and |54 and the studs |46, |74 and 63 are in the form of the special adjusting screws and may be adjusted or moved only by an authorized person who is equipped with the adjusting tool shown in Fig. 3. Thus the entire regulator is protected against unauthorized adjustment.

I have presented and submitted my invention, as described and shown, in a design and structure that provides an eilicient operating mechanism, however adaptations of the device to various requirements in use may necessitate modications or changes in design or structure or both, without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

The subject matter disclosed herein is identical with that submitted in the application previously filed on July 7, 1931, Serial No. 549,134, and later abandoned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination of a boiler system including a boiler and a burner therefor having fluid supply lines leading thereto of a valve disposed in each supply line one of said valves being of the butteriiy type and having a rifled stem secured to the closure member thereof, another of said valves being of the plunger operated type, a movable cam plate having a cam member thereon adapted to cooperate with said plunger to move the same, a sleeve secured to said movable cam plate said sleeve engaging said riled stem for rotating the latter and means controlled by given boiler conditions for moving said cam plate.

2. The combination of a boiler system including a boiler` and a burner therefor having fluid supply lines leading thereto of a valve disposed in each supply line, one of said valves being of the butterfly type and having a rifled stem secured to the closure member thereof, another of said valves being of the plunger operated type, a movable cam plate having a cam member thereon adapted to cooperate with said plunger to move the same, a sleeve secured to said movable cam plate said sleeve engaging said rifled stem for rotating the latter; means controlled by given boiler conditions for moving said cam plate, and manual means for moving said cam plate.

3. 'I'he combination of a boiler system including a boiler and a burner therefor having fluid supply lines leading thereto of a valve disposed in each supply line, one of said valves being of the butterfly type and having a rifled stem secured to the closure member thereof, another of said valves being of the plunger operated type, a movable cam plate having a cam member thereon adapted to cooperate with said plunger to move the same, a sleeve secured to said movable cam plate said sleeve engaging said rifled stem for rotating the latter; means controlled by given boiler conditions for moving said cam plate and means for limiting the movement of said cam plate.

4. The combination of a boiler system including a boiler and a burner therefor having fluid supply lines leading thereto of a valve disposed in each supply line, one of said valves being of the butterfly type and having a rifled stem secured to the closure member thereof, another of said valves being of the plunger operated type, a movable cam plate having a cam member thereon adapted to cooperate with said plunger to move the same, a sleeve secured to said movable cam plate said sleeve engaging said rifled stem for rotating the latter; means controlled by given boiler conditions for moving said cam plate; means for limiting the movement of said cam plate; and means for manually moving said cam plate.

5. The combination of a boiler system including a boiler and a burner therefor having fluid supply lines leading thereto of a valve disposed in each supply line, one of said valves being of the butterfly type and having a rifled stem secured to the closure member thereof, another of said valves being of the plunger operated type, a movable cam plate having a cam member thereon adapted to cooperate with said plunger to move the same, a sleeve secured to said movable cam plate said sleeve engaging said rifled stem for rotating the latter; means controlled by given boiler conditions for moving said cam plate, and means for adjusting the cam member on said cam plate.

CHARLES O. EVERHART.

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

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,282,112 Oettinger Oct. 22, 1918 1,833,950 Modine Dec. l, 1931 2,013,424 Rippe Sept. 3, 1935