US929800A - Vacuum steam-heating system. - Google Patents

Description

J. L. SPARKS. I VACUUM STEAM HEATING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 12, 1908.

Patented Aug 3, 1909.

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James L3 arks bYWZw -I/ Witnesses J. L. SPARKS.

VACUUM STEAM HEATING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED 001212, 1908.

Patented Aug. 3. 1909.

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J. L. SPARKS.

VACUUM STEAM HEATING SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 12, 1908.

Patented Aug. 3, 1909.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES L. SPARKS, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO AUTOMATIC VACUUM PUMP COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI.

VACUUM STEAM-HEATING SYSTEM.

liq 929,800.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 12, 1908.

Patented Aug. 3, 1909.

Serial No. 457,303.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES L. SPARKS, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, Missouri, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Vacuum Steam- Heating Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompan ing drawings, forming part of this'speci cation, in which- Figure 1 is an elevational view of a vacu um steam heating system constructed in ac- 5 cordance with my invention Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on approximately the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an enlarged view partly in verticaljsection of a portion of the vacuum pump and the valveoperating mechanism; Fig. 4 is a front elein section; Fig. 6 is adetail perspective view of the water-spraying device; and Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the steam valve and its casing. v

This invention relates to vacuum steam heating systems.

The main object of my invention is to rovide a vacuum steam heating system w ich is so designed that a continuous vacuum will be maintained in the radiators and circulating pipes of the system even after the aocomprising a steam vacuum puma and means independent of the boiler Whic 1 supplies the system with steam, for generating steam and introducing it into the cylinder of the vacuum pump. And still another object of my invention is to provide novel means for imparting movement to the valveoperating mechanism which controls the admission of steam to the vacuum pump.

Other objects and desirable features of my invention will be hereinafter pointed out. Briefly described; my improved system comprises a boiler for genera-ting'steam, radiators and c rculating pipes for receiving the steam from the boiler, a steam vacuum .7? P nnected to one of the circulating pipes and adapted to exhaust the air from the system so as to create a vacuum therein,

and means independent of the boiler for generating steam and introducing it into the cylinder of the vacuum pump to create a vacuum therein when the steam condenses.

In the preferred form of my invention as herein shown, the means independent of the boiler for generating steam and introd-ucin it into the vacuum pump, consists of a co or similar heating device arranged in the fire-box of the boiler and connected to a.

valve casing providedwith a valve that is V operated automatically to admitsaid steam into the vacuum pump, said valve being so constructed that the steamwhich is generated in said coil or auxiliary steam generating device is introduced into the circulating pipes and radiators of the system after the vacuum ump. has been supplied with a charge ot steam. Means is also provided for permitting the steam that is generated in the boiler to flow into the vacuum pump whenever an excessive pressure is obtained in the boiler so as to prevent the water in the boiler from backing u or being forced into 'thecoil or auxiliary eating device that is arranged inside of the fire-box of the boiler. The means for imparting movement to the valve-controlling mechanism consists of a bellows that is adapted to be expanded by gas produced from a volatile l1 uid contained in a device that is heate by the steam that exhausts from the cylinder of the vacuum pump, and means is also provided for locking the valve-operating mechanism to revent it from admitting steam to the cylmder of the vacuum pump so long as a certain vacuum exists in the system.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate the preferred form of my invention, A designates a steam boiler of an preferred design, B desi nates one of the ra iators of a vacuum steam eating system, 1 a pipe leading from the boiler A to said radiator for introducing steam into same, and 2 a pipe leading from the radiator or from one of the circulating pipes of the system for exhausting the air therefrom so as to create a vacuum in of the radiators and circulating pipes of the system.

The reference character C designates the cylinder of a steam vacuum pump into which 1 arranged, respectively, in the pipe 13, in the that leads from the steam dome by means of pipe 2, which leads from the radiators and circulating pipes ofv the system, being tapped into a pipe 3 that passes into the upper end of the cylinder C of the-vacuum pump, a check valve 2 being arranged in the pi e 2 to prevent steam from entering same. he upper end of the ipe-3 projectsinto a valve casing 4 inside oi which asteam valve 5 is arranged, and one port of said valve casing is connected by means of a pipe 6 with the steam pipe 1 that leads from the boiler A.

Means separate and distinct from the boiler .is provided for generatingysteam I which is introduced into the c linder of the vacuum pump, and in the pre erred form of my invention as herein shown, said means consists of a coil 7 that is "arranged inside of the fire-box of the boiler A, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The water in the boiler A is introduced into the coil 7 by means of a pipe 8, and a pipe 9leads from the up er end of said coil to a steam dome 10 IOVl ed with a drain pipe 11 that leads tot e lower end of the coil 7, the water suppl pi e 8 from the boiler being tap ed into this rain pipe 11. A pi e 12 leads lli'om the upper side of the steam ome 10 to one of the ports of the valve casing 4 of the steam valve, and the steam supply pipe 1 which leads from the boiler A is connected to the steam pipe 12v a pipe 13. Check valves 13*, 8 and 11 are water supply pipe 8 from the boiler, and in the drain pipe 11 from the steam dome, and said check valves are so designed that they openin the directions indicated by the arrows in Fig. .1.

' The valve 5 that controls the admission of steam into the cylinder of the vacuum pump is'provided with a duct 14, as shown in Fig. i 7, that is adapted to always register with two of the admission ports of the valve casing 4, said valve casing being provided with three admission ports, one of which communicates with the pipe 3 that projects into the upper end of the cylinder of the vacuum pump and the other two admission ports communicating with the steam pipes 6 and 12 that lead from the steam supply pipe 1 and the steam dome 10, res ectively. The valve 5 is rotatably m'ounter in the casing 4 and is adapted to receive a quick and sudden stroke by mechanism hereinafter described, said valve-operating mechanism comprising an actuating lever 15 shown in Fig. 3 that has one of its ends ad'ustably connected by a set screw 16 to a bell crank lever 17 whic is pivotally connected at 18 to a stationary support, herein shown as a casing 19, inside of which a bellows or expansible device 20 is arranged. The other end of the lever 15 is connected by means of a link 21 to the operating mechanism for the valve 5, and a weight 22 is adjustably mounted on said- The lever 15 is moved upwardly by means of the bellows 20, the top portion of which is provided with a projection 23 that is pivotally connected to one arm of the bell crank lever 17 to which the lever 15 issecured.

The means herein shown for expanding the bellows-20 consists of a closed reservoir 24 inside of which gas is generated when the steam escapes from the lower end of the cylinder C of the vacuum pump through the exhaust pipe 25 leading therefrom, said reservoir being provided at its lower end with a plurality'o'f approximately U-shaped tubes 26 that contain alcohol or some other volatile liquid. The upper end of the gas reservoir 24 is connected to the bellows 20 by means of a conduit 27 so'that the gas which part movement to the lever 15 which actuates the valve-operating mechanism. Instead of connecting the conduit 27 directly to the bottom of the bellows I prefer to tap said conduit into the support 28 of the'housing 19inside of which the bellows 20 is arranged, said support being provided with a duct 29, as shown in Fig. 3, that establishes communication between the conduit 27 and aperiorated lug-3O on the bottom of the bel- I lows that enters a screw-threaded socket in the support 28. p

The gas reservoir 24 is arranged inside of a cylindrical-shaped casing 31 provided at its upper end with a cap or cover and having its lower endcontracted at 32, as shown in Fig. 1. The exhaust pi 'e 25 that'leads "from the lower end of the cy inder C of the vacuum pump is tapped into a pipe 33 which casing 31, and said pipe 33 and also the casing 3.1 is provided with ports 34 thatpermit the air and steam which passes out of the vacuum ump into the-casing 31 to escape from sau casing.

A water supply pipe 35 is provided with a I branch 36 that enters the upper end of the cylinder C of the vacuum pump and this p pe 35 terminates adjacent the upper end of the gas reservoir 24 so as to introduce a stream of water onto same to cool it off quickly and thus permit the bellows 20 to "contract. Preferably, 'a flange 37- is arranged at the upper end. of the gas reservoir to form a water cup, as shown in Fig. 1 and said flange is provided with, a plurality of perforations that permit the water to es cape and flow down the sides of the gas reservoir.

The branch water pipe 36 that enters the upper end of the cylinder C of the vacuum pump is provided with a spraying device that consists of a flat plate 38 carried ,by standards 39 that are connected to a per- 105 projects 1nto the lower contracted'end of the a water supply pipe 35 is provided with a' cook 41 that can be turned to cut off the flow of water to the gas reservoir, and said 5 and close said valve.

pipe is also provided with a check valve 42' which opens in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3.. I also prefer to provide the discharge pipe 25 of the cylinder of the vacuum pump with a" check valve 25* that opens in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1 seas to prevent air from entering said cylinder;

The flow of watenthrough the pipe 35 is controlled by a valve, the stem 43 of which is provided with an arm 44 that is adapted to be engaged by the mechanism that; controls the operation of the steam valve 5.

This valve-operating mechanism is shown clearly in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, and is similar in construction to thevalve-operating mechanism disclosed in the pending application of James L. Sparks an Edward R. Eddins,

Serial' No. 427,600, filed April 17, 1908. Said mechanism consists of a rock arm 45journaledon a stub shaft 46 that is carried by astationary frame 47, said stub shaft being arranged in longitudinal alinement with the stem 5 'of. the'steam valve 5. This rock arm 45'is connected by means of the link 21 with the free end of the actuating lever 15, and said rockarm is provided with a pair of laterally projecting lugs 45 and '45 that are C adapted to engage and impart movement to an operating member consisting of an arm 48 loosely mounted on thestub shaft 46 and having its upper end pivotally connected to the lower end of a guide rod 49 which passes throu h a stationary guide '50 on the frame 47. coiled expansion spring 51 which surrounds the rod 49 is interposed between a stationary collar 52 on the lower end of the rod and a movable collar 53 on the upper end of the rod, said movable collar having its upper sidebeveled so as to produce a fulcrum teeth which bears against the underneath side of the guide 50 through,which the rod 49 extends, as shown in Fig. 4. Anapproximately t l-shaped device 54 is connected to the stem 5 of the steam valve 5, and the legs of said ll-shaped device are provided with laterally projecting lugs 54 and 54 that are adapted to be engaged by the arm 48 oithe operating member to close and open the steam valve. The frame 47 is provided with a stop 55, and the rock arm 45 and V- shaped device-54 are provided with shoulders that are adapted to codperate with said stop to limit the movement of said rock arm and V-sl1a ed device. 'l'he rock arm 45 is also provi ed with a pair of friction rolls'56 and 57 that are adapted to enga e the arm 44 on the stem 43 of the water va ve so as to open VJhen the steam valve .the gas reservoir.

- arm I 45 .will'compress the spring 51" and when is open, as shown in Figs. 1 and 7, so as to permit steam to pass from the pipe 12 into the cylinder of the vacuum pump, the rock arm 45 and the V-shaped device 54 on the stem of the steam valve will occupy the position shown in Fig. 4, and when the steam .valve is closed the shoulders 58 and 59 ofthe rock arm and V-shaped device, respectively, will contact with t e stop 55. When the actuatinglever 15 is moved u )wardly by the expansion of the bellows 20 t e rock arm 45. W1 1 be moved in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 4, and the lug 45 on said arm will engage the arm 48 of the operating member and-move it to the-left, looking at Figs. 3 and 4. "The first portion of the movement of arm 48 moves the rod 49 u wardly and com-' presses the spring 51 an when said arm passes itsdead center the spring 51 will expand and thus complete the movement of. the arm 48 to the left, thus causing said arm 48 to strike the lug 54 on the V-shaped device 54 and impart a quick movement to the valve stem 5 so as to turn the steam valve into such a position that steam cannot enter the c linder of the vacuum pump. Just before the arm 48 of the operating member strikes the lug 54 of the V-shaped device saida-rm strikes thelug 45? of the rock arm 45 and imparts a sudden movement to said arm so that the roll 56 thereon will engage the arm 44 onthe stem 43 of the water valve and move it downwardly so as to open the water valve and permit water to flow into the cylinder of the vacuum pump and onto W hen the bellowsZOeontracts so that the actuating'lever 1 5 can move downwardly the lug 45 of the rock 1 will engage the arm 48 of the opera t ing member and move it to the right. The first portion of the movement of said arm sa1 arm passes its dead center the spring 51 will expand and complete the movement of said arm in this direction, said arm engagingthe lug 54 on the V-shapeddevice 54 so as to open the steam valve quickly and also engag ingthe lug 45 on .the rock arm 45so as to cause the roll 57 on said arm to engage the arm 44 on the stem of the water valve and close same.

Means is provided for locking the valveoperating mechanism in such a position that it cannot operate to open the steam valve,

and in the apparatus herein shown said means consists of a bell crank lever 60 that is adapted to be shifted into the path of movement of the rock arm 45. The arm 6-1 of said: bell crank lever has a bifurcated portion that receives a pin 62 on a plungerfiS which is connected to the to side of a bellows 64 formed by a pair of iaphragms that have their peripheral edges connected together, said bellows being adapted to be expanded by a spring 65 interposed between a station.-

ary support and an adjustable nut 66 on the plunger 63. The bellows 64 is ada ted to be contractedv by exhausting the air t erefrom, said bellows being connected by means of a pipe 67 with the exhaust pipe 2 which leads from the radiators and circulating pipes of the system to the cylinder of the vacuum pump.

Having described the details of construction of the various devices which constitute my improved vacuum steam heating system I will now describe the operation of same. The boilerA supplies the radiators andcirculating pipes o the system with steam and the steam vacuum pump 0 exhausts theair from the system to create a vacuum therein. A vacuum is created in the pum C by introducing steam into the cylin er of the pump and allowing it to condense, the passage of the steam into said cylinder forcing the air therein out through the discharge pipe 25. Instead of relying on the steam which is generatedin the boiler A to operate the pump, I have provided the fire-box of the boiler with a coil 7 so that steam will be generated in said coil whenever there is any fire in the fire-box. Consequently, if the steam in the boiler A falls below atmospheric pressure the pump willnot fail to operate for the coil 7 insures a supply of steam above atmos heric pressure in the steam dome 10 at all times. bteam passes from the steam dome.

through the pipe 12 into the cylinder 0 of the pump when the steam valve 5 occupies the position shown in Fig. 1, the entrance of said steam into said cylinder drivin out the air in same through the discharge pipe 25. The steam 'expels all of the air from the cylinder of the vacuum pump and some of the steam passesout of the cylinder through the discharge pipe 25 and up into the casing 31 of the gas reservoir. Vvhen said steam comes in contact with the tubes 26 at the lower end of the gas reservoir the volatile liquid in said tubes will be heated and thus create a gas which flows through the conduit 27 into the bellows 20, thereby expanding said bellows. The expansion of the bellows20 moves the actuating lever 15 upwardly and thus inaparts movement to the rock arm 45 which moves the arm 48 of the operating member of the valve mechanism to the left,'the movement of said arm 48 turning the valve 5 into such a position that the duct -14-therein is,

brou ht into registration with the ipe 12 that eads from-the steam dome and t e pipe 6 that leads from the steam supply pipe 1 so that the steam from the team dome can flow into the radiators and circulating pi es of the system. *This movement of the va ve 5 closes the pipe 3 and consequently cuts oil the admission of steam to the cylinder ofthe ump. The steam that has been introduced into the cylinder of the pump condenses and thus creates a vacuum that exhausts the air from the radiators and circulating pipes of the system. I prefer to introduce a spray of water into the cylinder of the pump to cause the steam to condense quickly but this is not absolutely necessary as the steam would condense without introducing water into the cylinder. As previously stated, the water is introduced into the cylinder by means of the branch 36 which leads from the pipe 35 and the 'valve which controls the passage of' water throu h said pipe is opened y the operating mec anism for the steam valve 5 at approximately the same time said valve is moved tocut oil. the supply of steam to the cylinder 0. Water from the pipe-35 is also discharged onto the gas reservoir 24 to cause it to cool ofi quickly and as soon as said reservoir cools the bellows 20 will contract and e thus permit the weight 22 to move the actuating lever 15 downwardly, the downward movement of said lever actuating the rock arm 45 of the valve mechanism so as to ,cause said mechanism to elosethe water valve and'also move the steam valve 5 into such a position that the duct 14 therem registers with the steam inlet pipe 3 of the pum cylinder and the supply fnpe 12 which lea s from the steam dome. hese operations are repeated automatically so long as there is any fire under the boiler A, a supply of steam I being introduced into the pump cylinder intermittently to create a vacuum which exhausts the air from the system.

When an excessive pressure of steam is obtained inv the boiler A the steam will escape through the pipe 13 which is tapped into the supply pipe. 12 that leads from the steam dome, thereby eliminating the ossibility of the water in the boiler Abeing f drced into the coil 7 and thence into the cylinder of the pump. In other words, no. matter how much pressure is. in the boiler A the wa- I ter in said boiler will not back up into the coil 7 for the pipe 13 permits the steam to escape into the cylinder of the pump or the pipe 6 which leads to the circulating pipes of the system.

So ion as there is a certain vacuum in the system t e valve-operating mechanism will be locked in such a position that it cannot operate to close and 0 en the steam valve intermittently for sai the bellows 64 and thus holds the bell crank lever 60 in the path of movement of the rock arm 45 of the valve-operating mechanism. Thatis to say, after the actuating lever 15 has moved upwardly to cut off the supply of steam to the cylinderof the pump, the vacuum which is created by the conden sation of the steam in said cylinder will con-- tract the bellows 64 and thus move the bell vacuum contracts crank lever 60 into sucha position that it nwardly to open the steam valve, When the vacuum is destroyed or falls below a certain stage the spring 65 will expand and thus expand the bellows 64, thereby moving the ell crank lever 60 out of the path of movement of the rock arm 45 so that said arm can move downwardly and open the steam valve. By adjusting the nut 66 on the plunger 64 I can vary the tension of the spring 65 and thus accurately govern the operation of the locking device for the valve-operating mechamsm.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is:

1; In a vacuum steam heating system, a boiler for supplying steam to the circulating pipes of the'system, a vacuum pump for exaustlng the air from said pipes and comprising a closed tank that is rovided adjacent its lower end with a disc iarge opening,

means independent of the boiler for enerating steam and introducing it into said tank to create a vacuum therein, a valve for controlling the admission of steam into said tank, means operated by the heat of the steam that exhausts from the discharge opening of said tank after the entire contents of same has been displaced for controlling the operation of said valve, and means for 3 preventing air or any other substance from flowing back into the tank through said discharge opening.

2. In a vacuum steam heating system, a boiler for supplying steam to the circulating pipes of the system, a vacuum pump for exausting the air from said pipes, said pump having a closed cylinder, means independent of the boiler for generating steam, and meansfor causingsaid steam to flow into the cylinder of the vacuum pump for a certain period and thereafter flow into the circulating pipes of the system.

3. In a vacuum steam heating system, a boiler, a pipe leading from said boiler for su plying steam to the circulating pipes of t 1e system, a vacuum pump for exhausting the air from the circulating pipes, said pump comprising a cylinder that is )rovided adjacent its lower end with a discharge opening, means for preventing air or any other substance from entering the tank through said discharge opening, means independent of the boiler for generating steam and introducing it into the cylinder of the vacuum pump to create a vacuum therein, and automatically 0 erated means adapted to be operated by t e steam that escapes through the discharge opening of the pump cylinder after the entire contents of same has been discharged for out- 50 tin oi? the supply of steam to said cylinder an introducing said steam into the pipe that leads from the boiler to the circulating pipes of the system.

4. In. a vacuum steam heating system, a boiler for supplying steam to the circulating valve arrange ipes of the system, a steam vacuum pump or exhausting the air Trom said 1 ipes and comprising a cylinder that is rovlded adjacent its lower end with a disc large openin'g, means independent of the boiler for generating steam and introducing it into the cylinder of the pump to create a vacuum therein, a valve for cutting off the supply of steam to said cylinder, mechanism for operating said valve, means adapted to be 0 erated by the steam that escapes from the 'd ischa'rge opening of the pum cylinder after the entire contents of same as been forced through said discharge opening for imparting movement to said valve mechanism, and means for, preventing air or any other substance "from entering the pump cylinder through said discharge opening.

5. In a vacuum steam heating system, a boiler, a pipe leading from said boiler for supplying steam to the heat distributing devices of the system, a steam vacuum pump for exhausting the air from said heat-distributing devices, said ump having a cylinder or tank that is provi ed adjacent its lower end with a discharge opening, means for preventing air or any other substance from flowing into said cylinder through said discharge opening, means independent of the boiler for generating steam, a valve casing having ports that communicate with conduits that lead to the cylinder of the vacuum pump, to said auxiliary steam generating means, and to the steam-supply ip'e leading from the boiler, a

d in said valve casing, and automatic means 0 erated by the steam that escapes through t 1e discharge opening of the cylinder after the entire contents of same has been displaced for operating said valve to cause part of the steam which is'generat'ed in said auxiliary means to flow into the cylinder of the pump, and part of said steam to flow into the conduit that communicates with the steam-supply pipe that leads from the boiler. 7

6. In a vacuum steam heating system, a boiler for supplying steamto the circulating pipes of the system, a steam vacuum pump for exhausting air from said pipes, said pum consisting of a cylinder that is provided a j acent its lower end with a discharge opening, means for preventing air or any other substance from flowing into the cylinder through said discharge opening, means independent of the boiler for generating steam, a valve for causing enough of said steam to flow into the cylinder of the pump to discharge the contents thereof and thereafter cause the steam generated by said auxiliary means to flow into the circulating pipes of the system, mechanism 120 for operating said valve, and means adapted to be operated by the heat of the steam that escapes from the discharge opening of the pump cylinder for imparting movement to said valve mechanism.

7.I1ia vacuum steam heating system, a boiler for supplying steam to the circulating pipes of the system, a steam vacuum ump or exhausting the air from said circuating pipes and comprising a cylinder provided adacent its lower end with a discharge opening, means for preventing airor-any other substance from entering said. cylinder through said discharge opening, means independent of the boiler for generating steam, a valve for admittin charges of said steam into the cylinder of file vacuum pump to create a vacuum therein, and meansarranged in the path of the steam that escapes from the discharge 0 ening of saidpump cylinder after the entire contents of same has been discharged for controlling the operation of said valve. v

8. Ina vacuum heating system, a boiler for supplying steam to the circulating pipes of the system, a steam vacuum pump for exhausting the air from said ipes, said pump.

com risln a closed cylin er, means indepen ent 0 the boiler for generating steam, a valve for admitting said steam into the cylinder of the pump .to create a vacuum there-1 1n, mechanism'for operating said valve, and locking means cooperating with said valveoperatlng mechanism for causing it to remain at rest so long as a certain vacuum ex ists in the system.

9. In a vacuum steam heating system, a boiler for sup lying steam to the distributing pipes and ra iators of the system, a vacuum pump for exhausting air from said pipes and radiators, said pump comprising a closed cylinder, a water-heating device arranged in the fire-box of said boiler, a steam dome for receiving the steam generated in said waterheating device, and means for permitting either the steam that is generated in the boiler or the steam from said steam dome to flow into the cylinder of the vacuum pump to create a vacuum therein.

10.' In a vacuum steam heating system, a boiler for supplying steam to the circulating pipes of the system, a vacuum pump for exausting the air from said pipes, sald pump comprising a closed cylinder, a water-heating device arranged inthe fire-box of the boiler, a steam dome connected to said water-heating device, a drain-pipe leading from said steam dome back to said water-heating device, a pipe leading from said steam dome for supplying steam to the cylinder of the vacuum pump, and means for permitting the steam in the oiler to flow into said pipe and thus be introduced into the cylinder of the pump when an excessive pressure is obtained 1n the boiler.

. 11.-In a vacuum steam heatmg system,

a boiler forsuplrxplying steam to the circulating pipes of t' e system, a steam vacuum pump for exhausting the air from said pipes, said pump comprising a cylinder provided with an outlet, means ,for preventing airor any other substance fiom entering said cyl inder through said outlet, means independ-' ent of the boiler for, enerating steam, a

valve for'admitting sai steam into the cyl-' inder of the pump to create a vacuum therem, operating mechanism. for controllingsaid valve and adapted to be operated by the steam that escapes from said pum a locking device cooperating with said va ve operating mechanism to retain it in an inoperative position, and means controlled by t e vacuum in the system for causing said pendent of the boiler'for generating steam,

a valve for admitting said steam lnto the cylinder of the pump to create a vacuum therein, operating mechanism for controlling said valve and adapted to be operated by,

the steam that escapes from said pum ,a'

locking device cooperating with said va veoperating mechanism to ,retain it in an inoperative osition, and adjustable means controlled y the vacuum in the system for causing said locking device to become operative.

13. In a vacuum steam heating system,

a boiler for supplying steam to the circulat-- ing .pipes of the system, a steam Vacuum pumpfor exhausting the air from said pipes, said pump comprising a closed cylinder that is provided with an outlet, means for preventing air or any othgr substance from entering the cylinder through said outlet, means independent of the boiler for generating steam, a valve for admitting said steam into the" cylinder of the pump to create a vacuum therein, operating mechanism for controlling said valve and-adapted to be operated by the steam that escapes from said pump, a locking device cooperating with said valve-operating mechanism to retain it in an inoperative position, a bellows connected to said locking device for imparting movement thereto, yielding means for moving said bellows in one direction, and means for permitting the vacuum in the system to move said be lows in the op osite direction.

14. In a vacuum steam. eating system, a boiler for supplying steam to the circulating pipes of the system, a steam vacuum pump for exhausting the air from said pipes, said pum comprising a closed cylmder, means'in ependent of the boiler for generating steam and introducing itiuto the cylinder of the pump or into the circulating pipes of the system, and means for preventmg' the steam generated by said auxiliary means from esca inginto the system when it should enter t e cylinder of the vacuum pump.

15. In a vacuum steam heating system, a boiler for supplying steam to the circulating pipes of the system, said pump comprising a closed cylinder, a steam vacuum pump for exhaustingair from said pipes, means independent of the boiler for generating steam, a valve for causing said steam to flow into the cylinder of the pump for a certain period and thereafter flow into the circulatin pipes of the system, and a thermodynamica 1y operated means for controlling said 'valve.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses, this tenth dayof October 1908.

' JAMES L. SPARKS.

Witnesses:

WELLS L. CHURCH, GEORGE BAKEWELL.

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