US529711A

US529711A - Thermo-electric generator

Info

Publication number: US529711A
Authority: US
Publication date: 1894-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 1911-11-27

Description

(No Model.)

H. B. COX. THERMO BLBGTRIG GENERATOR Patented Nov.

WZ'JVESSES Ntra Prion.,

AfrnNT HARRY BARRNGER COX, OF HARTFORR' CONNECTICUT.

SPECIFICATION forming part -Jf Letters Patent No. 529,711, dated November 27, 1 894.

Application and Tammy 3.1,-1 894.

To all w/wm z-t rit/.ty concern,-

Beit known that. I, HARRY BARRINGER Cox, of Hartford, -in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Operating Thermo-Electric Generators; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form'v part of this Specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in `generating thermo electric energy and in machines for producing the same.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved method ofstoring heat from a central source of supply and supplying the heat equally to all portions of the electric generator.

A further object of this invention is to store and use the heat of a central source of ther- .mic energy by means of liquid'conductiou Figure Lis atop plan view of a battery of therino-electric generators, a portion of the outer casing being broken away at one end. Fig. 2, is a vertical sectional view through the same.

in the drawings the reference letter a, indicates the thermo-electric generators, three being here shown, suitably coupled together by wires 2, in Water tight tubes 3.

Each generator is built up in any suitable and desirable manner, preferably of series of rings of thermo-couples electrically connected together in the usual manner and built up in cylindrical form.

The generators are here shown located parallel and close. togetherand inclosed in a casing or water jacket b, which is arranged to be sena no. 498,660. on man.)

supplied with cold water to maintain the outer surfaces or junctions of the thermo couples of the generators'cool and to supply the cooling medium therefor. These generators are arranged in this casing which forms a single water jacket as here shownvfor all generators so that their entire outer surfaces are maiutained cool, suitable inlet and outlet pipes being provided for the Water jacket.

e, indicates a liquid tank or receptacle here shown located beneath the generator and provided With the vertical pipes or conduits f, extending up therefrom and filling the central openings of the generators. These vertical pipes or conduits are preferably closed at the top as shown and can be provided with a pressure gage or thermometer or both if desired. A suitable source of heat such as g, is provided to heat the liquid in the main tank hot so that the liquid in the tank stores up the heat from said source and the liquid in the vertical stand pipes within the generators maintain the inner spaces of the generator hot and at an even temperature. By employingthis means for maintaining the differences in temperature in the generators it will be observed that an extremely simple and compact apparatus can be triade and that an apparatus very e'icient in construction and operation is employed 'and that the machine will be very durable and lasting as the direct impingement ofthe flame against the inner surfaces of the generators is avoided with the consequent disadvantages thereof. Furthermore an even heat is supplied to all portions of the inner face of the generator in such a manner that the temperatures can be maintained at the point desired. It should also be noted that the heat from any suitable source can be stored in the liquid conductor and thereby imparted to the inner surfaces of the gener ator evenly and for an extended period,even though the source of heat may vary in temperature and intenseuess. 4

It should be noted that the liquid conductor to apply the heat to the innersurface of the generatoris entirely distinct from the cooling'liquid at the exterior ofthe generator and that the heating medium forms no part of the electric circuit or portions of the generator.

I do not wish to limit myself to any particular construction shown here, or to any peculiar liquid heat conducting and storing mediurns as the specific constructions shown are merely intended as a practical illustration of a suitable means for carrying out this invention. It should also be noted that this invention is not limited to the employment of several generators, but that it can be employed with a single generator, nor is it limited to the employment with a generator having the outer cooling water jackets as my present invention comprises broadly the storage and use of a liquid conveyer of thermic energy and thermo electric generators.

It is evident that various changes might be made in the forms, arrrangements and constructions of parts described without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. Hence I do not wish to limit myself to the exact construction herein -set forth but consider myself entitled to all such changes as fall within the spirit and scope of my invention. v

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim Vas new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. A thermo-electric generator having a confined body of liquid inclosed within its interior and means, substantially as described, for heating said body of liquid, substantially as set forth.

2. A thermo-electric generator having an exterior cooling jacket and an interior liquid bodyand means for heating said body of liquid.l

3. A thermo-electric generator having a surrounding water jacket, a liquid tank beneath the same provided with heating means and having a stand pipe extending upwardly through the center of the electric generator so that the heat stored in said tank will be conveyed to the inner surface of the generator.

et. A series of electric generators suit-ably coupled together electrically, a single water jacket inclosing said `generators to cool the outer surfaces thereof, a liquid tank located beneath the generator provided with the stand pipe extending upwardly through the center thereof, as and for the purpose set forth, and means to heat said tank, substantially as described.

5. A thermo-electric generator having a stationaryconfined body of liquid within the same to heat the inner face of the pile, substantially as described.

6. A thermo-electric generator having a cooling agency for the cool junctions of the thermo-couples and acontined body of liquid against the heated junctions of the couples, and heating means for said confined body, whereby heat is-stored therein as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I aliix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HARRY BARRIN GE R COX.

Witnesses:

O. E. DUFFY, C. M. WERLE.