US549877A - mcauley - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 2 Shets--Sheet 1. R. G. MOAULEY & L. B.']EULTON.

BOILEB. FEEDER.

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Witwe/awo UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT-G. MCAULEY AND LOUIS B. FULTON, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVA- NIA, ASSIGNORS TO THE OHAPLIN-FULTON MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE. 4

BOlLER-FEEDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 549,877, dated November 12, 1895.

Application filed August 24, 1895. Serial No. 560,428. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern: tion or supply pipe direct to the Water-sup- Be it known that we, ROBERT G. MOAULEY ply or water main, and a valve located in said and LOUIS B. FULTON, of Pittsburg, in the pipe is held firmly closed by the water-presscounty of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvaure when the injector is not in operation, but 5 5 5 nia, have invented certain new and useful Imis automatically unseated by the creation of provements in Boiler-Feeders; and we do a vacuum in said suction-pipe when steam is vhereby declare the following to be afull, clear, admitted to said injector. This valve is gradand exact description of the invention, such as uated so as to control the quantity of water will enable others skilled in the art to which it admitted to the supply-pipe, the admission of 6o 1o appertains to make and use the same. Water being regulated by the suction in said This invention contemplates certain new supply-pipe. In some instances, as wherea and useful improvements in boiler-feeders. pump or accumulator is used, it is desired to The principal obj ect of the invention is to maintain a constant but variant feed-supply provide an automatic feeder the operation to the boiler, and for this purpose the pri- 65 15 of which is controlled by the water inthe mary valve can be adjusted so as to limit its boiler, whereby it will be automatically set in j movement and prevent the full seating theremotion as soon as the water in the boiler falls of. A drain-valve in the suction-pipe bebelow the low-water mark and stops when the tween the feeder and the vvacuum-valve perproper supply has been obtained. mits any water remaining in said pipe to es- 7o 2o A further object is to provide a feeder all cape after the feeder ceases to operate. A

the parts of which will be Outside of the boilersteam-pipe leads from the water-column to shell, whereby access can be readily had therethe operating-lever to effect the return of the to for the purpose of repairing, cleansing, and water therein to the water-column as soon as the like and the movement of the operatingthe low-water mark is reached. The auxiliary 7 5 2 5 lever will be visible. and relief valves are surrounded by inclosing A further object is to provide simple and casings provided with apertures, so that the efficient means for maintaining a constant pressure will be direct against said valves but variant supply to a boiler. and hold them firmly to their seats, the down- A further object is to obtain ay graduated ward movements of the valves being in the di- 8o 5o supply of water to the feeder. rection of the passage of the boiler-pressure. E, A further object is to simplify the construc-` The invention will be hereinafter fully set tion and arrangement of the parts and insure forth, and particularly pointed out in the accuracy of operation. claims.

These objects we accomplish by connecting In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is 85 3 5 a water-column and an injector or pump or a view in perspective, parts being shown in other feeder to a boiler and twovalves which dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional are normally kept closed by the boiler-pressview. Fig. 3 is a view on line 3 3, Fig. 2. ure,one of said valves being unseated byapiv- Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view on line otally-mounted operating-lever, which vlatter 4 4, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a detail plan view, parts 9o 4o is hollow and communicates with the interior being omitted. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional of the water-column and is raised and lowered view of the primary valve. Fig.v 7 is a similar by the water andsteam therein. The auxview of the vacuum-valve. Figs. 8, 9, and iliary valve being opened, the boiler-pressure 10 are sectional details thereof. Fig. 1l is a unseats the primary valve, allowing steam view in perspective of said valve. l Fig. l2 is 95 4 5 from the boiler to pass to the feeder. When a sectional view of the auxiliary valve.

the proper supply of water is had to the boiler, Referring to the drawings, A designates a l the enlarged end of the operating-lever is boiler, aportion of which is shown in outline; filled with water, causing the lever to tilt, d, a water-column, which may be located at and said end is emptied when the low-water any convenient point and is connected at its 10o 5o mark in the boiler is reached. Vhen an inlower end to the boiler by a pipe c', which j cctor is used, the sameis connected by a sucopens therein below the water-line. Into the top of the column is screwed a water-pipe a2. In the column, near the top thereof, is a horizontal partition a3. A steam-pipe at, leading from the steam-dome of the boiler, opens into the water-column immediately beneath this partition, and with one side of the latter is formed a vertical right-angular partition a, which extends down into the column below the danger-line w, so that its lower end will always be submerged in the water. This right-angular partition constitutes a continuation of the water-pipe a2. Into a central threaded opening in the partition a3 are screwed the threaded ends of sections of a steam-pipe B, the lower end of which latter extends to the low-water line w', while its upper end tits in and is inclosed by a depending hollow plug al of a T-coupling as, screwed on the top of water-pipe a2. Tithin this steampipe is a smaller pipe D,which extends through plug a7 and is screwed into a second hollow plug D. From the upper end of this plug D' a pipe D2 extends to a steam-whistle D3. The lower end of pipe D is carried to the dangerline fw. Into the water column along the danger-line 4w opens the lower end of a thermostatic copper pipe D1, which is connected at its upper end to the whistle D, the same being designed to eitect the operation of the whistle when the water falls below the danger-line.

The horizontal branch D5 of coupling as is exteriorly threaded to accommodate a flanged nut D, which holds a ilanged ring D7 and packing DR within said branch, the same encircling a rotatable coupling-tube D9, on the projecting end of which is screwed a T-coupling C of an operating-leverD. A skeleton-like yoke D10, having an inner ring D12, held by bolts D13 to lateral ilanges D14 of coupling as at its outer end, supports an adjustable screw D15, the inner rounded end of which lits in a corresponding opening of coupling C and serves to support the latter. In this way the operatinglever is free to move on its fulcrum, the coupling-tube D being held in coupling a steam and water tight. The arm (l of lever D is made hollow and upon its outer end is a hollow ball or sphere df, while upon the other or solid arm (l2 is a eounterbalancing-weight cl3. From the hollow plug a7 extends a continuation (ZX of steam-pipe B,which passes centrally through the hollow arm of the lever and'extends upwardly into the ball or sphere to near the upper end thereof. Avent-valve d4 is connected to the top of said ball or sphere. Then the boiler is filled, the water passes up through the water-passage formed by the right-angular partition a and the pipe a2 through the hollow arm oi' the lever to the ball or sphere, entirely filling the latter, the air therein escaping through vent-valve di and causing the lowering of that end of the lever as against the weight on the other end. IVhen, however, the water passes below the low-water line w, and hence beyond the lower end of the steam-pipe B, steam will enter through said pipe to the ball or sphere and aid in effecting the emptying thereof through the water-passage, and hence the raising of that end of the lever. rlhis will operate the mechanism for starting the feed-supply. W'hen the ball or sphere is filled with water, the lever occupies an approximately-horizontal position; but when emptied it is inclined. The movement of the lever in either direction. is limited by a stop, which is shown as consisting of an inclined cross-bar E, attached to the lower member of yoke D10, said cross-barhaving ianged ends e, with either one oi' which the lever always contacts when at rest.

The yoke D10 has an upper transverse tubular portion e diametrically above cross-bar E, said tubular portion being preferably made integral with the upper bar oi' said yoke. To the ends of this tubular portion are connected valve-casings e2 and e3, the former accommodating what we will hereinafter term the auxiliary valve F and the latter a reliefvalve f. The stems f of these valves extend above and below the latter, the upper portions moving in removable plugs f2 and the lower portions being extended down wardly beyond the casings, said lower portion of the relief-valve stem being slightly longer than that of the auxiliary valve. lith each of the plugs 72 is formed a cylindrical extension f3, having a series of holes f1 therein for the admission of pressure above the valves, so that it will bear directly down upon the latter and insure the iirm seating thereof. The lower ends of these extensions lit snugly upon the valve-seats, and the downward movements of the valves to their seats being in the direction of the passage of the boiler-pressure the seating of said valves is insured.

To the casing of the auxiliary valve is coupled one end of a pipe f5, the other end of which opens into plug D above and near the upper end of pipe D. In this way the boilerpressure is constantly exerted against the auxiliary valve and firmly holds the latter to its seat, save when acted upon by the operating-lever. The pipe D being of small diameter the water in the column will under pressure rise therein and bear on the auxiliary valve; but when the water in the boiler and column reach the danger-line steam will pass up through said pipe to the whistle, dre.

G designates an injector of any preferred construction; g,the steam-supplypipe leading from the boiler to the inj eetor; g',the return or delivery pipe; g2, the overflow, and g1l a suction or water-supply pipe, which is connected to a water main g or to any supply-tank. In the steam-supply pipe is located the primary valve H, which is normally held to its seat h in easing 7L by the boilerpressure. rllhe valve-rod 71,2 is extended upwardly through the casing and is connected to a diaphragm 7L in a chamber 7a4 of a skeleton-like extension of the valve-casing. A spring h5, located ina hollow sleeve hX, depending from the bottom ICO IIO

of chamber 77,21, tends to constantly hold the valve against its seat. In some instances in using a pump or accumulator it is desirable to prevent the complete reseating of this valve, in order that a continuous but variant feedsupply may be maintained. For this purpose we form the under side of valve H with a hollow extension hXX, in which the iianged end h6 of a screw-rod 717 is designed to be held by a removable screw-plug 71,8. The rod hlhas an externally-threaded flange 71,9, which engages an internally-threaded chamber h1@ of a lower plug 71.12 of the valve-casing, a handwheel 71,13 on the lower end of said rod permitting of the easy adjustment thereof. By adjusting this rod the valve can be prevented from vreseating under the action of the diaphragm and a continuous but variant supply to the boiler is had. Into the chamber 724 above the diaphragm opens one end of a pipe t', the other end of which opens centrally into the tubular portion e of yoke 7310. This pipe z', pipe f5, and tubular portion c constitute substantially one continuous pressure-pipe forming a passage between Vthe water-column and the primary valve, withk the interposed auxiliary valve, or, in other.. words, a direct communication is thus established between the interior of theboiler (the water-column being to all intents and purposes a part thereof) and the chamber of the primary valve. The boiler-pressure is constantly maintained in the pipe f5 and firmly holds the auxiliary valve to its seat-that is, when the ball or sphere of the operating-lever is filled with water. l/Vhen, however, the supply in the boiler falls below the lower end of the steam-pipe B in the water-column, the water in the ball -or sphere is immediately displaced by the steam entering therein and returns to the column through pipe a2. The raising of this end of the lever causes the unseating of the auxiliary valve and the firm seatin g of the relief-valve. The pressure then passes from the tubular portion c through pipe t' to the chamber of primary valve H and acting upon the diaphragm will effect the unseating of said primary valve. Steam will thus be permitted to pass from the boiler to the injector, or it may be a lfeed-pump orvaccumulator, and after the proper quota of water has been supplied to the boiler the ball or sphere will be again filled with water and by thev tilting of the operating-lever the auxiliary valve is immediately reseated and when the lever unseats the relief-valve pressure on the diaphragm of the primary valve is relieved, allowing the reseating of the latter and the consequent cessation of the feeding operation,.

the valve being held firm to its seat, as before, by the boiler-pressure and the spring. Should the water-level reach the danger-line, 'steam will pass up through pipes b l?? to the whistle and the copper pipe being expanded a signal will be given. e

In connection with an injector we employ a vacuum-valve J which is located in suction or water supply pipes g3. This valve is normally held iirm against its seat j in casing j by the main pressure, and its rod 3'2 is connected to a diaphragm 7'3 in an upper chamber f, the top ji of the casing having an air-inlet hole je therein. It is well known that in starting an injector' a vacuum is created in the suction or wat-er chamber as soon as the steam passes ,through the overflow. Hence the vacuum in the suction-pipe relieving the pressure beneath the diaphragm, the atmospheric pressure on the top thereof will cause the unseating of valve J, allowing the uninterrupted flow of water to the injector. As soon as the latter ceases to work, destroying the vacuum in the suction-pipe, the valve J is instantly reseated and so held by the water-pressure. This vacuum-valve is graduatedthat is, it has ports of different lengths-so as to control the admission of Ywater to the suction-pipe and make it commensurate with the suction therein. One

.side kof the valve is the firstV to admit water upon the unseating of vsaid valve, and with -the three remaining sides at the lower ends of their ports are formed circular portions 7c 702 k3 of graded lengths or heights, so .that as the further the valve is opened the greater the quantity of water admitted through its ports. Each circular portion acts like a piston, and while in alignment with the hole in the valve-seat prevents water from passing through the port at that point. 1 If the pressure is or should become low and the suction in the pipe is increased, the vacuum-valve will be opened until the necessary supply is had. lf the demand is not so great and there is a high-pressure supply, the extent to which the valve is opened is not affected by the pressure, but controlled entirely by the suction in the suction-pipe. Adjoining this valve and between it and the injector is a small drain-valve jl'. The object of this valve is to permit any water remaining in the suctionpipe to escape after the injector ceases to work. Should this water remain in the pipe and continue hot before the injector is again started, it would be impossible'to create a vacuum in said pipe and thus unseat the vacuum-valve, and hence we have provided this drain-valve f to permit of the escape of this water. An ordinary valve js may be operated for entirely cutting oft the watersupply.

The advantages of our invention are apparent. It will be particularly noted that all the working parts of our feeder are outside of the boiler, and hence access can be easily had thereto for the purpose of cleansing, repairing, and the like. It will also be seen that the height of the water in the boiler controls the movement of the operating-lever, and that the latter is itself operated by the water which enters therein and is confined in the enlarged end thereof while the boiler is supplied with.the proper quota of water. 1f, however, for any cause the feeder is not op- IOO IIO

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erated at the proper time, a signal is given when the dan ger-line is reached. rlhe position of the lever relative to the auxiliary and relief valves insures the positive operation of the latter, and by forming the water-column with the interior water passage-way the return of the water to the column from the lever does not in any way interfere with the passage of steam to the ball or sphere. rl`he lower end of said passage-way is always kept submerged. A feeder thus constructed is extremely simple and inexpensive, positive in operation, and not liable to readily get out of order or be deranged.

le claim as our inventionl. A boiler feeder connected with a boiler, primary and auxiliary valves located between the boiler and the feeder an d both normally closed by the boiler pressure, and a hollow lever for operating directly on said auxiliary valve and having a hollow enlarged end, said lever communicating with the interior of said boiler and operated by the water therein, said primary valve being unseated when said auxiliary valve is acted upon by said lever, substantially as set forth.

2. A boiler feeder connected with a boiler, primary and auxiliary valves located between the boiler and the feeder both normally closed by the boiler pressure, a hollow lever for operating said auxiliary valve and having a hollow enlarged end provided with a vent-valve, a steam pipe opening into said hollow end, said lever and steam pipe communicating with the interior of the boiler, substantially as set forth.

3. A boiler feeder connected with a boiler, primary and auxiliary valves located between the boiler and the feeder and both normally closed by the boiler pressure, a water-column opening into the boiler and having a waterpipe extending downwardly therein, a lever for operating said auxiliary valve, said lever being hollow and communicating with said water-pipe to which it is pivotally connected, a ball or sphere on one end of said lever provided wit-h a vent-valve, and a steam-pipe having its inner end opening into said watercolunin and extending through said column and lever, and at its other end opening into said ball or sphere, substantially as set forth.

Il. A boiler feeder connected with a boiler, aprimary valve between said feeder and the boiler normally held to its seat by the boiler pressure, a diaphragm to which said valve is connected, a pressure-pipe communicating with the interior of the boiler and opening into the casing of said primary valve above said diaphragm, an auxiliary valve in said pressure-pipe, and a hollow lever having a spherical end and communicating with the in terior of said boiler, said lever being designed to operate said auxiliary valve, substantially as set forth.

5. A boiler feeder connected with a boiler, a valve between said feeder and the boiler, normally held to its seat by the pressure in the latter, a pressure-pipe communicating with the interior of the boiler connected to the casing of said valve, an. auxiliary valve located in said pressure-pipe, and a hollow operating lever having a spherical end and connnunicatin g with the interior of said boiler and designed to operate said auxiliary valve, whereby said primary valve will be operated, as set forth.

(i. A boiler feeder connected with a boiler, a valve between said feeder and the boiler normally held to its seat by the boiler pressure, a diaphragm to which said valve is connected, a pressure-pipe communicating with the interior of the boiler and opening into the casing of said valve above said diaphragm, an auxiliary valve in said pipe having a projecting rod, and a hollow lever having a spherical end and communicating with the interior of said boiler, said lever being located beneath said auxiliary valve and designed to engage said rod, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination with a boiler, of a feeder, a pipe connecting said feeder to the boiler, a water-column opening into said boiler, a hollow operating lever having an enlarged end, said lever communicating with the interior of, and pivotally connected to, said water-column, the steam-pipe leading from said water-column to. said enlarged end of said lever, a primary-valve located in said connecting-pipe and normally closed by the boiler-pressure, the pressure-pipe leading from said water-column to the casing of said valve, and an auxiliary-valve located in said pressure-pipe and designed to be unseated by said lever, whereby said former valve will be unseated, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination with a boiler, of a feeder, a pipe connecting said feeder to the boiler, a water-column opening into said boiler, a hollow operating lever having an enlarged end, said levercommunicating with the interior of and pivotally connected to said water-column, the steam-pipe leading from said water-column to said enlarged end of said lever, a primary-valve located in said connecting-pipe and normally closed by the boiler pressure, the pressure-pipe leading from said water column to the casing of said valve, the relief valve located in said pressure-pipe, an auxiliary valve also located in said pressure-pipe, both said latter valves being designed to be operated by said lever, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination with. a boiler, of a feeder, a pipe connecting said feeder to the boiler, a water-column opening into said boiler, a hollow operating lever having an enlarged end, said lever communicating with the interior of, and pivotally connected to, said water-column, the steam-pipe leading to said enlarged end of said lever, a valve located in said connecting pipe normally closed by the boiler pressure, the pressure-pipe leading from said water-column to the casing of said valve and extending substantially par- IOO IIO

allel with and above said lever, a relief valve normally held to its seat and located in said pressure-pipe, and an auxiliary-valve also located in said pressure-pipe, said relief and auxiliary-valves having downwardly extended rods designed to be alternately engaged by said lever, substantially as set forth.

10. A boiler feeder connected with a boiler, a primary-valve between said feeder and the boiler and normally held toward its seat by the boiler-pressure, a pressure-pipe communicating with the interior of the boiler and connected to the casing of said valve, an auxiliary-valve located in said pressure-pipe, a hollow operating-lever having a spherical end and communicating with the interior of said boiler and designed to operate said auxiliaryvalve, and means for adjusting said primary-v valve whereby the reseating thereof will be prevented, as and for the purpose set forth.

11. A boiler feeder connected with a boiler, a primary-valve between said feeder and the boiler normally held toward its seat by the boiler-pressure, a diaphragm to .which said valve is connected, a spring acting on said diaphragm, said valve having a lower hollow extension, and an adjustable-rod having one end fitted in said hollow extension, a pressurepipe communicating with the interior of the boiler and connected to the casing of 'said valve, an auxiliary-valve located in said pressure-pipe, and a hollow operating lever having a spherical end and communicating with the interior of said boiler, and designed to operate said auxiliary-valve, substantially as set forth.

12. A boiler feeder connected with a boiler, means for supplying steam thereto, a suction or water-supply pipe opening into said feeder and connected to the water-supply, and a graduated valve located in said pipe and held firmly to its seat by said water-supply when said feeder is not in operation, said valve being unseated when a vacuum is created in said suction pipe when steam is admitted to said feeder and the latter is operated, the extent to which said valve is unseated being controlled by the suction in the water-supply pipe, as set forth.

13. A boiler feeder connected with a boiler, means for supplying steam thereto, a suction or water-supply pipe opening into said feeder and connected to the water-supply, land a graduated valve located in said pipe and held firmly to its seat by said water-supply when said feeder is not in operation, a valve-casing having an opening therein, and a diaphragm to which said valve is connected, said valve being unseated when a vacuum is created in said suction pipe when steam is admitted to said feeder and the latter is operated, the extent to which said valve is unseated being controlled by the suction in the water-supply pipe, as set forth.

14.. A boiler feeder connected with a boiler, means for supplying steam thereto, a suction or water-supply pipe opening into said feeder and connected to the water-supply, and a valve located in said pipe having a series of ports of different lengths, and normally held iirmly to its seat by said water-supply when said feeder is not in operation, said valve being unseated when a vacuum is created in said suction-pipe when steam is admitted to said feeder and the latter is operated, the extent to which said valve is unseated being controlled by the vsuction in the water-supply pipe, as set forth. 1

15. A boiler feeder connected with a boiler, means for supplying steam thereto, a suction or water-supply pipe openin g into said feeder and connected to the watersupply, and a valve located in said pipe having a series of ports and curved portions of different lengths, and normally held firmly to its seat by said water-supply when said feeder is not in operation, said valve being unseated when a vacuum is created in said suction-pipe when steam is admitted to said feeder and the latter is operated, the extent to which said valve is unseated being controlled by the suction in the water-supply pipe, as set forth.

16. A boiler feeder connected with a boiler7 means for supplying steam thereto, a suction pipe opening into said feeder and connected to the water-supply, a valve designed to be automatically unseated when a vacuum is created in the suction-pipe, and a valve in said pipe between the feeder and said former valve to permit the escape of any water remaining in said pipe after the feeder ceases to operate, substantially as set forth.

17. In a boiler feeder, the combination with a water-column and primary and auxiliaryvalves,\of a hollow operating lever for operating said auxiliary-valve communicating with said water-column, a yoke attached to said column and supporting said lever, and a stop for said lever extended in line therewith and with the ends of which stop said lever is designed to contact, as set forth.

18. In a boiler feeder, the combination with a water-column, of a hollow-operating-lever communicating with said water-column, a primary-valve, a pressure-pipe leading from said water-column, to the casing of said primary-valve, a yoke on said water-column pivotally supporting said lever, said yoke having an upper tubular portion above said lever forming part of said pressure-pipe, relief and auxiliary-valves located in said tubular portion and having depending rods designed to be engaged by said lever, and a stop for said lever extended in line therewith and with which said lever is designed to engage, substantially as set forth.

19. In a boiler feeder, the combination with a water-column, an voperating lever, and a primary-valve, of a press ure-pipe leading from said water column to said primary valve, the auxiliary and relief valves located in said pressure pipe and designed to be forced to their seats by the pressure therein, and the cylinders inclosing said latter valves having IOO IIO

holes or perforations therein above the valves, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

E20. rlhe combination with a boiler, of a Water-column opening therein, a hollow lever pivotally connected thereto and communicating therewith, and having an enlarged end, a

weight on the other end of said lever, a steampipe located in said Water-col umn and leading to said enlarged end of said lever, a second pipe located in said Water-column and having its inner end beneath the innerend of said steam-pipe, a Whistle, or the like, with which said second pipe communicates, a thermostat con neetin g said Water-column to said whistle,

a feeder, a pipe connecting the latter to the boiler, a priinaiy-valve located therein normally held to its seat by the boiler pressure, a diaphragm to which said valve is connected, a pressure-pipe leading from said Water-ooh umn to the casing of said primary-Valve above' said diaphragm, auxiliary and relief-valves located in said pressure pipe above said lever .and having downwardly projecting rods dc-v

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