US2988062A

US2988062A - Water heating apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2988062A
Application number: US657610A
Authority: US
Inventors: George Van Dyck
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-05-07
Filing date: 1957-05-07
Publication date: 1961-06-13
Anticipated expiration: 1978-06-13

Description

June 13, G V DYCK WATER HEATING APPARATUS Filed May '7, 1957 INVENTOR. George Van Dyck BY @m Egan? 2,988,062 WATER HEATING APPARATUS George Van Dyck, 1005 SW. Market Road, Oswego, Oreg. Filed May 7, 12857,- Ser. No. 657,610 Claims. (Cl. 122-328) This invention pertains to water heating devices, and relates particularly to a novel construction for heating apparatus of the water tube type, for the generation of hot water or steam.

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide water heating apparatus of the water tube type, in which there is achieved maximum heat transfer from the fuel to the water.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of water heating apparatus of the water tube type, constructed in such manner as to effect maximum preheating of the water before the latter reaches the zone of maximum heat, thereby reducing to a minimum the formation of carbon on the water tubes.

Still another important object of the present invention is to provide heating apparatus of the water tube type, constructed in such manner as to insure that the hot gases of combustion contact all of the water tubes and transfer maximum heat thereto prior to being exhausted.

A still further important object of this invention is to provide heating apparatus of the water tube type in which the foregoing objectives are realized in a compact construction which utilizes a minimum of space.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a View in front elevation of heating apparatus embodying the features of the present invention, parts thereof being broken away to disclose details of construction;

FIGURE 2 is a view in side elevation of the heating apparatus shown in FIGURE 1, with parts thereof broken away to disclose details of construction; and

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 in FIGURE 2 with additional parts being broken away to further disclose details of construction.

The heating apparatus of the present invention includes a base plate having laterally spaced upstanding side legs 12. Mounted upon and secured firmly to each of these spaced legs is a

longitudinal distributor pipe

14, 16. These distributor pipes are interconnected adjacent their forward and rear ends by

transverse distributor pipes

18, 20, respectively, thereby affording complete circulation of water therethrough.

A plurality of water tubes are connected at their lower ends to the spaced longitudinal distributor pipes for communication therewith. The lower sections of the water tubes extend obliquely upward toward the side opposite the distributor pipe to which they are connected. Preferably the tubes are spaced apart longitudinally so that the lower sections cross alternately in a symmetrical interlaced pattern, as best shown in FIGURE 1. Thus, the lower sections of tubes have lower portions 22a, 24a and upper portions 22b, 2412, with respect to their point of crossing. The intermediate sections 220, 240 of the tubes extend upward, substantially vertical, and the upper sections 22d, 24d converge upwardly for connection at their upper ends to an enlarged header 26.

Additional water tubes 28 extend upwardly from the spaced

longitudinal distributor pipes

14, 16, without crossing, and are connected at their upper ends to the header 26. In the preferred construction illustrated, certain of these tubes, identified as 28', are offset laterally outward from the vertical plane of the remaining tubes, for purposes described more fully hereinafter. In the 2,988,062 Patented June 13, 1961 ice embodiment illustrated, every fourth one of the tubes isso arranged.

Additional water tubes 30 preferably are provided to interconnect the rear transverse distributor pipe 20 and the header 26. As illustrated, these tubes converge upwardly in a substantially vertical plane.

Spaced rearwardly from the tubes 30 is at least one water return tube, which interconnects the header and distributor. In the embodiment illustrated, there are provided two water return tubes 32 each of which is connected at its lower end to the rearward end of one of the

longitudinal distributor pipes

14, 16 respectively. These return tubes converge upwardly for connection to the header, as illustrated.

A plurality of extensions 34 are provided, one at each end of the longitudinal spaced

distributor pipes

14,16. These may be capped, as illustrated, and utilized as cleanout openings. In the event the heating apparatus is to be employed with a hot water heating system, one or more of these extensions may serve as a connection for returning the cooled water. Additional extensions 36, preferably of smaller diameter than extensions 34, project radially from the laterally spaced

distributor pipes

14, 16 in axial alignment with the

transverse pipes

18, 20. These extensions may be utilized to perform the dual function of cleanout openings for the transverse distributor pipes and also for the return of condensate in steam heating systems. A water or steam outlet 38 is provided at the top of the header 26.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the upper portions 22b and 24b of the oblique cross lower sections of water tubes and a portion of the

intermediate sections

22c, 24c, form a support for a firebox. As illustrated, the firebox preferably is constructed of fire brick, and includes a bottom 40, side walls 42 and front and rear walls 44, 46, respectively. The front wall 44 preferably is positioned adjacent the front end of the tube assembly and is provided with an opening through which a fuel burner nozzle 48 may extend. The rear wall 46 preferably is spaced a distance forwardly from the rear tubes 30, and the top of the firebox is open.

The combustion gases are exhausted from the heating apparatus adjacent the bottom rearward end thereof, through an outlet pipe 50. This outlet pipe is connected to the interior of the heating apparatus by means of a fiue box 52 which is mounted upon the base frame 10. The rearward end of the flue box is provided with a circular opening adapted to receive the outlet pipe. The forward end of the flue box is open, and the upper wall 54 thereof preferably is shaped to conform to the plane of the under surface of the lower portions 220, 24a of oblique crossed tubes. As best shown in FIG- URES 2 and 3, the forward end of the flue box terminates rearwardly of the crossed tubes and quite close to the rearward side of the vertically disposed rear tubes 30.

An insulating jacket is provided to confine the heat within the arrangement of tubes and header. In the embodiment illustrated the jacket is formed by applying a plaster type insulation material to a wire screen base which is stretched about and secured to the outer surface of the water tubes and header. Referring particularly to FIGURES 1 and 3 of the drawings, it is to be noted that the side insulation walls 56 abut against the few outwardly displaced tubes 28', thereby afiording passage of the hot combustion gases completely around the majority of tubes 28. The rear insulation wall 58 extends between the rear vertically disposed water tubes 30 and the

return water tubes

32, 32, and closely encloses the forward section of the flue box 52. The front insulation wall 60 extends across the front of the firebox, between the header 26 and the base plate 10. The entire unit preferably is enclosed by a metal shell 62 as illustrated.

In accordance with the present invention, means is provided for circulating combustion gases insuch manner as to insure the heating of all of the water tubes before the combustion gases are exhausted to the outlet. Such means is provided in the embodiment illustrated by a baffle plate 64 which is supported upon the upper surfaces of the lower portions 22a, 24a of the oblique crossed tubes. The bafiie plate is formed with a central longitudinal slot 66, dimensioned to receive therein the crossed segments of tubes. The rearward end of the baffle plate preferably is notched to fit around the vertically arranged rear tubes 30 and to abut against the rear insulation wall 58, whereby to prevent the escape of combustion gases at said rear insulation wall directly to the flue box. The side edges of the b'afiie plate abut against the

distributor pipes

14, 16 which thus provides a seal with the side walls of the insulation jacket. The forward end of the baflie terminates rearwardly of the front end of the crossed tubes, as illustrated in FIG- URES 2 and 3, to provide a forward open space for circulation of the combustion gases from above the baffle plate forwardly and downward to the space below the baflle plate. Thus, the baffie plate effectively divides the interior of the heating apparatus into upper and lower compartments which are interconnected at their forward ends. In this manner, it is assured that all of the hot combustion gases must pass over all of the water tubes before entering the outlet pipe 50.

The operation of the heating apparatus described hereinbefore is as follows: The apparatus may be fired with any conventional form of combustible fuel, such as gas or oil. Upon ignition, the hot combustion gases travel upward and rearward, providin maximum heat along the under surface of the header 2d. The combustion gases then travel laterally outward and downward through the space between the side walls 42 of the firebox and the side walls 56 of the insulation jacket, to the space between the bottom 40 of the fire box and the upper surface of the baffle plate 64-. Some of the combustion gases also travel downwardly between the rear wall 46 of the firebox and the rearinsulation wall 58, thereby transferring heat to the rear vertically extending tubes 30.

Since the rearward edge of the baffle plate forms a seal with the rear insulation wall 58 and the side edges of the bafiie plate form a seal with the side walls 56of the insulation jacket, the combustion gases above the bafile plate are forced to travel to the forward end of the bafile plate, thus transferring heat to the upper portions 22b, 24b of the oblique crossed tubes which form the base support for the firebox. The combustion gases then travel downward and rearward through the space between the baffle plate 64 and the base plate 10, and thus are caused to transfer additional heat to the lower portions 22a, 24a of the oblique crossed tubes and to the distributor pipes. The spent combustion gases then enter the forward end of the flue box 52; and are exhausted to the atmosphere through the outlet pipe 50.

By virtue of the foregoing construction it will be appreciated that water supplied to the distributor pipes is subjected to maximum pro-heating as it is delivered to the header. This action not only affords maximum utilization of the fuel, but also inhibits the formation of carbon deposits upon the tubes and header, thus reducing maintenance and repair to a minimum.

To illustrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the heating apparatus construction described hereinbefore, such apparatus was constructed with outer dimensions of 6 feet high, 4 feet wide and 6 feet long. When fired with gas or oil to produce steam at 10% p.s.i. the exhaust gases at the outlet were found to be about 250 Ii, and when fired to produce steam at 150 p.s.i. the exhaust hibit deposition of carbon.

gases were about 300 F. In both cases the steam condensate for the heating system was recycled to the distributor. When the steam condensate was not recycled and fresh cold water was introduced continuously to the distributor, the .temperature of the exhaust gases was reduced about 50 In all cases of operation, condensation of water on the inlet distributor and carbon formation on the watertubes were, substantially eliminated.

From the foregoingit is believed to be apparent that the heating apparatus of the present invention provides for maximum efliciency of heat transfer from a combustible fuel to water, in a system of minimum size. This is achieved by providing a specific path for the circulation of combustion gases. The arrangement disclosed alfords maximum pre-heating of the water, through mmimum heat transfer, whereby simultaneously to in- In this manner maximum efficiency is achieved and the problem of maintenance and repair is reduced to a minimum.

' 'It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various details of the construction described hereinbefore may be changed without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the foregoing description is primarily illustrative of the invention and is not to be considered as limiting the scope thereof. 7

Having now described my invention and the manner in which the same may be used, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letter Patent is:

1. Water heating apparatus comprising a hollow casing having bottom, top, front, rear and side walls, laterally spaced elongated water distributor means in the casing adjacent the bottom'thereof, a header in the casing adjacent the top thereof, water tubes in the casing interconnecting the distributor means and header, at least a portion of said water tubes extending to the side opposite their connection to the distributor means and then upward to the header, whereby to form crossed water tubes intermediate the top and bottom of the casing, substantially imperforate baffle means supported by the crossed Water tubes and spanning the horizontal dimension of and dividing the easing into upper and lower compartments which communicate with each other only at the forward end of the casing, the lower compartment including the distributor means and lower portions of the crossed water tubes, means for injecting combustible fuel into the upper compartment, and a rear outlet communicating only with, the lower compartment, the gases of combustion thereby being caused to circulate first through the upper compartment and thence downwardly in front of the bafiie means and rearwardly through the lower compartment to said outlet. 7

2. Water heating apparatus comprising a hollow casing having bottom, top, front, rear and side walls, laterally spaced elongated water distributor means in .the casing adjacent the bottom thereof, a header in the casing adjacent the top thereof, water tubes in the casing interconnecting the distributor means and header, at least a portion of said water tubes extending obliquely upward to the side opposite their'connection to the distributor means and then vertically upward to the header, whereby to form crossed water tubes intermediate the top and bottom of the casing, substantially imperforate baffle means mounted on the lower portions of the oblique crossed water tubes and spanning the horizontal dimension of the casing for dividing the easing into upper and lower compartments which communicate with each other only at the forward end of the casing, the upper compartment including "the header and upper portions of the crossed water tubes, the lower compartment including the distributor means and lower portions of the crossed water tubes, means for injecting combustible fuel into the upper compartment, and a rearoutlet communicating only with the lower compartment, the gases ofcombustion thereby being caused to circulate first through the upper compartment and thence downwardly in front of the baffle means and rearwardly through the lower compartment to said outlet.

3. Water heating apparatus comprising a hollow casing having bottom, top, front, rear and side walls, laterally spaced elongated water distributor means in the casing adjacent the bottom thereof, a header in the casing adjacent the top thereof, water tubes in the casing interconnecting the distributor means and header, at least a portion of said water tubes extending to the side opposite their connection to the distributor means and then upward to the header, whereby to form crossed water tubes intermediate the top and bottom of the casing, a combustible fuel firebox mounted on and supported by the crossed portions of the crossed water tubes and being open at its top and having bottom and side walls spaced respectively from the bottom and side walls of the casing, substantially imperforate bafile means spanning the horizontal dimension of and dividing the casing into upper and lower compartments which communicate with each other only at the forward end of the casing, the upper compartment including the header and firebox, the lower compartment including the distributor means and at least the lower portions of the crossed water tubes, means for injecting combustible fuel into the firebox, and a rear outlet communicating only with the lower compartment, the gases of combustion thereby being caused to circulate first through the upper compartment and thence downwardly in front of the baffle means and rearwardly through the lower compartment of said outlet.

4. Water heating apparatus comprising a hollow casing having bottom, top, front, rear and side walls, laterally spaced elongated water distributor means in the casing adjacent the bottom thereof, a header in the casing adjacent the top thereof, Water tubes in the casing interconnecting the distributor means and header, at least a portion of said water tubes extending obliquely upward to the side opposite their connection to the distributor means and then vertically upward to the header, whereby to form crossed water tubes intermediate the top and bottom of the casing, a combustible fuel firebox mounted on the upper portions of the oblique crossed water tubes and being at its top and having bottom and side walls spaced respectively from the bottom and side Walls of the casing, substantially imperforate baflie means mounted on the lower portions of the oblique crossed water tubes and spanning the horizontal dimension of the casing for dividing the casing into upper and lower compartments which communicate with each other only at the forward end of the casing, the upper compartment including the header, firebox, and upper portions of the crossed water tubes, the lower compartment including the distributor means and lower portions of the crossed water tubes, means for injecting combustible fuel into the firebox, and a rear outlet communicating only with the lower com partment, the gases of combustion thereby being caused to circulate first through the upper compartment and thence downwardly in front of the bafiie means and rearwardly through the lower compartment to said outlet.

5. Water heating apparatus comprising a hollow casing having bottom, top, front, rear and side walls, laterally spaced elongated water distributor means in the casing adjacent the bottom thereof, a header in the casing adjacent the top thereof, water tubes in the casing extending along the side and rear walls of the casing and interconnecting the distributor means and header, at least a portion of said water tubes extending obliquely upward to the side opposite their connection to the distributor means and then vertically upward to the header, whereby to form crossed water tubes intermediate the top and bottom of the casing, a combustible fuel firebox mounted on the upper portions of the oblique crossed water tubes and being open at its top and having bottom, rear, and side walls spaced respectively from the bottom, rear and side walls of the casing, substantially imperforate baffle means mounted on the lower portions of the oblique crossed water tubes and spanning the horizontal dimension of the casing for dividing the easing into upper and lower compartments which communicate with each other only at the forward end of the casing, the upper compartment including the header, firebox and upper portions of the crossed water tubes, the lower compartment including the distributor means and lower portions of the crossed water tubes, means for injecting combustible fuel into the firebox, and a rear outlet communicating only with the lower compartment, the gases of combustion thereby being caused to circulate first through the upper compartment and thence downwardly in front of the bafile means and1 rearwardly through the lower compartment to said out et.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 673,494 Burke May 7, 1901 1,938,705 Magis Dec. 12, 1933 2,342,148 Keenan Feb. 22, 1944 2,814,280 Rempel Nov. 26, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 5,000 France Sept. 26, 1905