US2744689A

US2744689A - Thermostatic damper control

Info

Publication number: US2744689A
Application number: US521601A
Authority: US
Inventors: Clinton B Coselman
Original assignee: C B COSELMAN Inc
Current assignee: C B COSELMAN Inc
Priority date: 1955-07-12
Filing date: 1955-07-12
Publication date: 1956-05-08
Anticipated expiration: 1973-05-08

Description

May 8, 1956 C. B. COSELMAN THERMOSTATIC DAMPER CONTROL Filed July 12, 1955 Fig./

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Clinton 8. Case/man INVENTOR.

THERMOSTA'IIC DAMPER CONTROL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 12, 1955 Fig.4

Fig.5

I In Clinton 8. Case/man INVENTOR.

THERMOSTATIC DAMPER CONTROL Clinton B. Coselman, Seattle, Wash, assignor to C. B. Coselman, Incorporated, Seattle, Wash, a corporation of Washington Application July 12, 1955, Serial No. 521,601

4 Claims. (Cl. 236-96) This invention relates in general to new and useful improvements in heater controls, and more particularly to an improved thermostatic damper control for heaters,

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved thermostatic damper control primarily intended for use in conjunction with residence type heaters whereby heaters, especially those of the wood burning type, may have the draft thereof automatically controlled so that the heat emitted from such heaters may be controlled within a general and desired range.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved thermostatic damper control which is so constructed whereby it may be easily attached and removed from casings of heater so that the heat emitted from the fireboxes of such heaters may effectively be controlled by varying the draft thereon through the use of the thermostatic damper control.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved heater construction which includes a firebox having a draft fitting with the inlet thereof controlled by a damper, the draft fitting being of a size to permit the entrance of sufiicient air to accomplish the orderly combustion of gases within the firebox so as to prevent explosions, and further, when combustion is not possible, to pass those gases out of the smokepipe', thereby preventing the accumulation of sufficient gases to cause an explosion when combustion starts.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved draft construction for heaters of the type including a firebox and a spaced casing, there being connected to the firebox within the casing a draft fitting controlled by a damper and there being mounted on the casing between the casing and the firebox a thermostatic control responsive to the heat within the casing for controlling the actuation of the damper whereby'a desired heat may be maintained.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view of a heater utilizing the thermostatic damper control which is the'subject of this invention, a portion of the casing of the heater being broken away in order to show the specific details of the damper and the relationship of the damper control means with respect'thereto;

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the heater of Figure 1 and shows the general relationship of the components thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3-3 of Figure 1 and shows the specific manner in which a chain for actuating the damper is connected to a drive member;

nited States Patent" 2,144,589 Patented May 8, 1956 ice Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the heater immediately above the damper control and shows the general details of both the thermostatic control assembly'and the damper;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5--5 of Figure l and shows the specific details of the draft fitting including the damper;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by'the section line 66 of Figure 1 and shows more specifically the details of the draft fitting and the relationship of the damper thereto; and Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary verticalsectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 7--7 of Figure 4 and shows the specific mounting of the thermostatic member of the damper control.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 a residence type heater, preferably of the wood burning type, which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The heater 10 includes a firebox 12 which is provided at the front end thereof with a fire door 14. Extending upwardly from the firebox 12 at one side thereof is a smokepipe 16. The heater 10 also includes a casing which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 18. The casing 18 extends about the firebox 12 at the two sides and rear thereof, as is best illustrated in Figure 2,- the casing having a lower opening.

In orderto support the combustion of the burnable material within the firebox 12, there is formed in the lower part of one side of the firebox 12 a draft opening 29. Secured to the firebox 12 in overlying relation to the draft opening 20 is a draft fitting 22. The draft fitting 22 includes a generally rectangular inhorizontal cross-section upper portion 24 which terminates in a diverging lower portion 26. The draft fitting 22 includes outwardly projecting mounting flanges 28 which (are disposed in face-to-face engagement with the firebox 12 and is secured thereto by suitable nut and bolt fasteners 30. v

The draft fitting 22 isprovided with an open" upper end 32. Aligned with the open upper end 32 and controlling the downward flow of air therethrough is a damper 34. The damper 34 includes'a pair of upwardly projecting ears 36 at opposite ends thereof which are mounted on a shaft 38. The shaft 38 extends'across the upper end of the draft fitting 22 and is carried by a pair of mounting. brackets 40. The mounting brackets 40 are secured to opposite ends of the draft fitting 22 and adjustably retained in vertically selected positions by fasteners 42, the fasteners 42 extending through vertical slots 44 in the mounting brackets 40, as is best illustrated in-Figure 6.

Disposed generally vertically above the. draft fitting 22 and secured to the" inner surface of the casing 18 is a thermostatic damper control 'which is referred to in general by the reference. numeral 46. The thermostatic damper control 46 includes an elongated mounting plate 48 which is detachably secured to the inner surface of the casing 18 by means-of suitable nutand bolt fasteners 50. Thus, the entire thermostaticdamper control 46 may be quickly and easily positioned and removed, as is deemed necessary.

Carried by the central portion-of the mounting plate 48 is a horizontally U-shaped cross-sectional mounting bracket 52 which projects inwardly towards the fire-v box 12. Carried by. the mounting bracket 52 is a drive shaft 54 which is horizontally disposed. Mounted on the drive shaft 54 for rotation therewith is a drive sprocket 56. Entrained over the drive sprocket 56 is a drive chain 58 which is secured to the drive sprocket 56 by a pin As is best illustrated in Figure 3, the lower portions of the drive chain 58 are crossed, and the lower ends thereof are connected to the upper surfaces of the damper 34, as is best illustrated in Figure 6.

An end of the drive shaft 54 projects beyond the mounting bracket 52. Mounted on the projecting end of the drive shaft 54 is a spiral thermostatic member 60. The thermostatic member 6b, as is best illustrated in Figure 7, has an inner end thereof secured to the drive shaft 54. The outer end of the thermostatic member 60 is in the form of a box-shaped member 62 Which extends from the drive shaft 54 and is selectively positioned.

Carried by an end of the mounting plate 48 is a generally L-shaped mounting bracket 64 whose configura tion is best illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. Carried by the mounting bracket 64 in alignment with the drive shaft 5-4 and projecting away therefrom is a mounting shaft 66. Mounted on the mounting shaft 66 for relative rotation and being disposed immediately adjacent the mounting bracket 64 is a rotatable control member 68. The control member 68 is spaced from the mounting bracket 64 by means of a washer 7i) and is urged. into frictional engagement with such Washer 70 by means of a spring 72 disposed between a pair of cup-shaped Washers 74. One of the Washers 74 bears against the control member 68, and the spring 7'2 is tensioned by means of adjustable nut members 76 threadedly engaged on the mounting shaft 66.

As is best illustrated in Figures 4 and 7, there is carried by the control member 68 in eccentric relation with respect to the mounting shaft 66 a connecting rod 7&3. The connecting rod 78 is disposed in parallel relation with respect to the shafts 54 and 66 and has an end portion thereof received in the box-like portions 62 of the thermostatic member 6 In order that the control member 68 may be utilized in setting the thermostatic member 60, the casing 18 is provided with an opening :80 through which a portion of the control member 68 projects. The periphery of the control member 63 is provided with suitable indicia 82. to indicate the desired heat setting. Further, the periphery of the control member 68 is provided with suitable notches 84 to facilitate turning thereof. Rotation of the control member 68 is limited by means of a stop member 86 which is engageable with the inner surface of the casing 18, the stop member being best illustrated in Figure 4.

In the operation of the present invention, control of the heat emitted by the firebox 12 is maintained through the use of the thermostatic damper control 46. As pointed out above, the thermostatic member 60' is set by means of the control member 63. Inasmuch as the thermostatic member 60 is disposed adjacent the firebox 12, the heat emitted from the firebox 12 will act directly upon the thermostatic member 60 to effect operation thereof. As the thermostatic member fill expands or contracts, it will result in the pivoting of the damper 34, to the proper position to furnish the necessary draft to the firebox 12 to maintain the desired heat.

In order that the fire in the firebox 12 will continue to burn even though the thermostatic damper control d6 results in the closing of the inlet opening 1'52, there is formed in the damper 34, as is best illustrated in Figure 5, a small vent opening 88. The vent opening 33 is selectively closed by means of a small damper 9t) pivotally connected to the upper surface of the damper 34 by means of a pivot pin 92.

It is pointed out at this time that the relationship of the control member 68 with respect to the thermostatic member 60 is such that the control member 68 at the extremes of its positions may completely override the thermostatic member 60. Thus, the damper 34 may be permanently retained in a closed position, irrespective of the temperature changes, or may be retained in a completely open position, notwithstanding the heat generated by the fire in the firebox 12.

Referring now to Figure 1 in particular, it will be seen that the upper part of the firebox 12 approximately opposite the smokepipe 16 is provided with an opening 4 controlled by a rotatable damper 96. The damper 96 is manually controlled to permit a measured amount of air to enter into the firebox 12 to enable proper corn bustion of explosive gases. The incoming draft of air through the opening 94, because of its location in the upper part of the firebox 12 and opposite the smeltepipe 16, both provides air for the combustion of the explosive gases that accumulate naturally inside and at the top of the firebox l2, and also provides a suitable draft for removing explosive gases out of the firebox l2 and up through the smokepipe 16 in situations where no flame exists for combustion of such gases, thus preventing gas accumulation, as well as the ignition and explosion on appearance of flame in a previously dormant fire. Continuous clearance of smoke from. the firebox 12 is also accomplished, thus preventing smoke accumulation from issuing through the fire door 14 when opened.

it is pointed out that the dampers 34 and 96 do not work against each other, but due to their relative locations, one at the top and the other at the bottom of the firebox 12, function independent of coordinating with each other. it is also pointed out that the damper 96 is adjustable, enabling it to perform its function regardless of the amount of draft the chimney may be capable of producing.

in order that a relatively tight seal may be made between the damper 34 and the draft fitting 22, the upper edges of sides of the draft fitting are provided with inturned flanges 98 which overlie the damper 34-. Further, secured against the fire wall, as is illustrated best in Figure 6, is a stop bar 100. The stop bar 100 is positioned by fasteners H32 and is engageable with the damper 34 to form a seal therewith.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A heater construction comprising a firebox, a draft fitting on said firebox, a damper controlling the flow of air through said draft fitting, a casing spaced from said firebox, said casing enclosing at least part of said firebox, said draft fitting and said damper, an air inlet at a lower end of said casing, means for controlling said damper secured to said casing and positioned between said casing and said firebox, said means being carried by a mounting panel detachably secured to said casing. said means including a drive shaft, damper connecting means connecting said drive shaft to said damper, a thermostatic member mounted on said shaft and having one end anchored thereto, a mounting shaft spaced from said drive shaft, a control member rotatably mounted on said mounting shaft, a connecting rod carried by said control member eccentric to said mounting shaft, said thermostatic member having an opposite end connected to said connecting rod.

2. A heater construction comprising a firebox, a draft fitting on said firebox, a damper controlling the flow of air through said draft fitting, a casing spaced from said firebox, said casing enclosing at least part of said firebox, said draft fitting and said damper, an air inlet at a lower end of said casing, means for controlling said damper secured to said casing and positioned between said casing and said firebox, said means being carried by a mounting panel detachably secured to said casing, said means including a drive shaft, damper connecting means connecting said drive shaft to said damper, a thermostatic member mounted on said shaft and having one end anchored thereto, a mounting shaft spaced from said drive shaft, a control member rotatably mounted on said mounting shaft, a connecting rod carried by said control member eccentric to said mounting shaft, said thermostatic member having an opposite end connected to said connecting rod, said thermostatic member being of a spiral configuration.

3. A thermostatic damper control comprising a mounting panel, a drive shaft, damper connecting means connecting said drive shaft to a damper, a thermostatic member mounted on said shaft and having one end anchored thereto, a mounting shaft spaced from said drive shaft, a control member rotatably mounted on said mounting shaft, a connecting rod carried by said control member eccentric to said mounting shaft, said thermostatic member having an opposite end connected to said connecting rod.

4. A thermostatic damper control comprising a mounting panel, a drive shaft, damper connecting means connecting said drive shaft to a damper, a thermostatic member mounted on said shaft and having one end anchored thereto, a mounting shaft spaced from said drive shaft, a control member rotatably mounted on said mounting shaft, a connecting rod carried by said control member eccentric to said mounting shaft, said thermostatic member having an opposite end connected to said connecting rod, said thermostatic member being of a spiral configuration.

References Cited in the file of thispatent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,253,442 Montague Aug. 19, 1941 2,263,362 Logue Nov. 18, 1941 2,454,044 Eggert Nov. 16, 1948 2,714,993 Gardiner Aug. 9, 1955