US3022860A

US3022860A - Air vent device for steam radiators

Info

Publication number: US3022860A
Application number: US700120A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles C Bittner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-12-02
Filing date: 1957-12-02
Publication date: 1962-02-27
Anticipated expiration: 1979-02-27

Description

Feb. 27, 1962 Filed Des. 2, 1957 C. C. BITTNER AIR VENT DEVICE FOR STEAM RADIATORS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 CHARLES C. BITTNER INVENTOR BY EM m ATTORNEY Feb. 27, 1962 c, c, rr N R 3,022,860

AIR VENT DEVICE FOR STEAM RADIATORS Filed Dec. 2, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 o o I F|g.4 2o T \l I 5% r i way; u 3

J uman):

CHARLES C. BITTNER INVENTOR BY )y ATTORNEY 3,022,860 AIR VENT DEVHQE FUR STEAM RADIATGRfi Charles C. Bittner, 4122 N. Ashland Ave, Chicago, ill. Fiied Dec. 2, 1957, Ser. No. 7%,120 1 Claim. (ill. 183-41) This invention relates to an air vent device for steam heating systems, preferably attached to steam radiators and steam return lines and concerns itself primarily with means for releasing air from the system and keeping the air out for maintaining proper circulation of the steam thru the system thru filtering means for separating foreign matter from the fluid entering the device and protecting the valve mechanism which controls the air vent from harmful sludge and crystalloid deposits and against lack of proper performance.

More particularly, the invention concerns itself primarily with an air vent device for radiators in which a fine mesh filter is incorporated for filtering out all foreign matter such as sludge from the air and steam entering the device from the radiator or heating system and causing such foreign matter to be deposited in a sluge well in the bottom of the device for discharge back to the radiator or other suitable place. Thus, the invention seeks to keep the vent valve and other parts of the device in proper functioning condition and free from dirt and sludge.

At the present time, there are two types of air vent valves in use, one is termed the open type which lets the air out of the system when the boiler generates steam and lets the air in when the steam condenses, but which does not operate efiiciently, especially under thermosta ic control using on and off firing. In the use of this type of valve, the system is loaded with air when the boiler sends forth steam and the steam will not travel thru pipe lines as long as there is air to hold it back. So the air must first be ejected from the system by the force of the steam. This requires time since there is only a needle point opening in the vent and as a result, a throttling of the steam occurs.

The other type of air vent valve is the vacuum type which lets the air out during steam pressure, but does not let the air in when the steam condenses. As now constructed, the vacuum valves must require much higher steam pressure and must be periodically removed to drain out the water and dirt, otherwise they become clogged up with sludge, crystalloid deposits and water. Installations have been made with vacuum valves where minutes later, the valves would get clogged up and sputter dirty water which would damage articles in the surrounding area.

It is an object of this invention to overcome the above noted objections in air vent devices in the provision of filtering means which protect the vent valves from harmful foreign matter which clogs up the vent mechanisms with water and causes faulty action.

it is also an object of this invention to maintain the vent device in an endurabie condition to perform properly to obtain satisfactory circulation of steam in one pipe steam systems.

it is a further object of this invention to apply the filtering means to vent devices controlled by either the open type of valve or the vacuum type of valve or other types of valves.

It is also an object of this invention to prevent sludge, foreign matter and water from entering the vent and valve compartment and forming crystalloid deposits on the valve mechanism such as the seating and operating surfaces.

it is a further object of this invention to drain the sludge and water and foreign matter from the vent device.

It is a further object of this invention to provide means 3,922,360 Patented Feh.-27, 1962 for presetting the vent for the desired rate of airventing and sealing the same at the desired rate.

With these and other objects in view which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, this invention comprises the novel structure and combinations of parts hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out and defined in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates the preferred form of this invention and in which similar reference numerals refer to similar features in the different views:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an air vent device involving this invention,

FIG. 2 is an elevational View of the air vent device in disassembled form,

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal view in section thru the air adapter section 2. having a threaded pipe nipple 3 which is adapted for connection to a radiator section 15. While the casing C is shown in two sections for convenience of assembling the parts, it may be made in one piece if desired. The lower part of the casing C or the adapter 1 section 2 has a sludge well 4A at the nipple 3. A plug in the bottom of the adapter section 2 closes an outlet to drip any condensate that might creep up the surface of the casing, into the well 4A. The vent section 1 has its lower end portion reduced and threaded as indicated at 12 for connection to'the adapter section 2. The drip extension 7 is likewise of reduced diameter. This reduced portion has an interior rib 11 which forms a lateral support for a filter 5 which preferably consists of fine mesh wire, but which may be made of any suitable filtering material.

The filter 5 is tubular and has its ends closed by similar fine mesh wire pieces 6. The upper end of the filter is secured to the bottom part of a support member 9 which is frictionally held in the section 1 by flanges 9B, the filter 5 being held by downwardly directed flanges or clamps 10 on the support member 9. It will be noted that the rib 1?. also serves to space the filter from the wall of the section 1 of the casing and the wall of the reduced portion spaces the filter from the wall of the section 2. Thus the filter is well exposed to incoming fluids such as air and steam which pass mainly thru apertures 9C in the support member 9.

The air vent section 1 houses a valve mechanism which in the present instance is shown as of the vacuum type, but which may be of any other suitable type. This valve mechanism is designed for controlling the flow of air thru the air vent hole 13 and comprises a bellows B having its upper end closed except for an air passage Bl extending thru the neck B2, with its lower end open. This lower end has an annular exterior flange B3 which extends under the lower edge of section 1 or at the welded juncture of the upper part '1 and the threaded portion 12. It will be noted that the neck B2 extends toward the spaaseo neck containing the vent hole 13 on casing section 1 for the'passage of air to and from the device. The upper part of the bellows is expansible as indicated at B4 while the lower portion B5 is rigid and anchored by the annular flange B3. Within the bellows B, there is a valve V which has an enlarged hollow portion V1 at its base which is seated upon the support member 9 between the upstanding flanges EA thereof (FIG. 5). The enlarged portion V1 which is slightly spaced from the wall of the bellows for the passage of air and steam supports a needle valve V2 which has a point V4 which extends into the neck B2 of the bellows for controlling the air passage B1. As the upper portion B4 of the bellows expands and contracts thru pressure, the needle valve will control the flow of air and steam thru the vents 13. The bellows and valve constitute a valve mechanism that is well known in the art and forms no part of this invention except in so far as it may co-operate therewith.

In E16. 4, the air vent device is shown connected to a radiator section 15 shown partly in section. It will be noted that the nipple 3 is connected to the radiator so that about /4 of an inch thereof protrudes beyond the inner wall surface of the radiator in order to reduce the ejection of condensate and foreign matter which may have accumulated upon the Wall of the radiator. The plug 4 has been removed and a drain pipe 1 1 has been substituted therefor. This drain pipe 1.4 connects in union with a short pipe 14A which connects with the radiator section 15 below the nipple 3 for discharging sludge and condensate into the radiator as indicated at 17. Thus when in use, air and steam which may be termed fluids, enter the device thru nipple 3 and pass thru filter 5 where sludge and all foreign matter will filter out and fall into the well 4A from where it will vdescend thru pipes 14 and 14A to the radiator or any suitable place. As a result, the vent valve will not become clogged up or function improperly and impair the circulation of the steam. From the filter, the clean air and steam will pass thru the apertures in the plate 9 and exert pressure against the valve V and also pass between the wall of the bellows and the valve to the outlet 13.

FIG. 4 also shows the flow of fluid to the nipple 3 at 16 and the escape of air thru air vent 1-3 by the arrow 18 along the side of the wire 19 which extends thru the vent hole 13 and around portions of the radiator with its ends secured in a. lead seal 20. The diameter of the wire 19 should be of a particular dimension to leave an escape for air thru the vent hole 13 in accordance with the desired rate of venting. Accordingly, the air venting thru the vent hole can be rated in accordance with the diameter of the wire 19 which canbe changed as desired by selecting wires of different diameters.

The supporting member for the valve and filter 5 is shownin FIG. 5 and consists of the plate 9 provided with flanges 9B for securing to the wall of the casing thru a soldered bond. This plate 9 has upstanding flanges 9A which form a seat therebetween for the base of the float valve V and downwardly directed flanges for engaging the outer surface of the filter 5. The plate 9 is formed to allow venting air or fluid to pass around it and thru the apertures 9C therein. From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the filter protects the valve mechaism from becoming clogged up by sludge or foreign matter and results in a proper functioning of the valve mechanism.

It will now be appreciated that this invention will materially improve the operation of steam systems using one pipe systems with vacuum valves. And that it can also be used with the two pipe systems where it is applicable. The importance of the invention exists in maintaining proper circulation of steam and maintaining heat in steam radiators for longer durations.

In addition, it should also be appreciated that this invention provides the means for remedying defective steam heating systems now in use that fail to function properly in that it prevents the clogging up of air vent valves and maintains steady and good circulation of steam. Further, it saves fuel which is an economical factor and reduces fuel dirt and maintenance.

I am aware that many changes may be made and various details of structure may be modified without departing from the principles of this invention, so 1 do not propose limiting the patent granted otherwise than necessitated by the appended claim.

lclaim: a

In an air vent device for steam radiators, a casing having an upper section with an air vent adjacent the upper end of said section, valve mechanism in said casing for controlling said air vent, said upper section having alower drip extension of reduced diameter, said drip extension having a port for preventing the Stratification of air and a lower section removably attached to said upper section and extending over said reduced drip extension, a screening filter attached within said upper section and extending substantially two thirds of its length into the lower section, a nipple extending from said lower section adapted for attachment to a radiator and means for draining sludge from said lower section.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 950,533 Hilliard Mar. 1, 1910 1,014,229 Kelsey Ian. 9, 1912 1,213,108 Keynton Jan. 16, 1917 1,586,787 Dougherty June 1, 1926 1,637,158 Ostrander July 26, 1927 1,767,056 Donnelly 2 June 24, 1930 1,847,068 Campbell Mar. 1, 1932 2,161,316 Kettnich a. Dec. 7, 1937 2,385,584 Barton et al. Sept. 25, 1945 2,600,219 Diederich June 10, 1952 2,669,320 Shaw Feb. 16, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 13,577 Great Britain Oct. 5, 1895