US974161A - Heating system. - Google Patents

Description

H. LEMP.

HEATING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 10,1910.

Patented Nov. 1, 1910.

t to .7 Invent-pr? Hermann Lemp.

EMVVVVVV.

W|tnesss M UNITED' STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMANN LEMP, OF LYNN,v MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

HEATING SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Now 1, 1910.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMANN LEMP, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lynn, in the county of Essex, State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Heating Systems, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to heating systems having boilers wherein water is converted into steam by passing a current of electricity through it.

The object of the invention is to provide a steam generating or heating system wherein steam will be quickly'and efficiently generated as needed to supply the requirements.

in carrying out my invention, a current of electricity is caused to pass directly through the water, as distinguished from heating the walls of the containing boiler or vessel, and, as the steam is generated, it is carried otl throu h one or more suitable distribution pipes. %Vater is supplied to the vessel under pressure from a service main or pump, as the steam is drawn off, and in proportion thereto under the control of a suitable regulator.

The boiler receives a current of electricity from a suitable source, for example from a trolley wire or from the third rail of an electric railway system. It is to be understood 'that the boiler can be used under any conditionwhere one is needed, but it is of special value on electric locomotives for supplying heating fluid to the coils or radiators on connected railway cars or coaches. In the present embodiment water is forced into the boiler by a motor driven pump, under the control of a ball-float located in a water column which is piped to the boiler. Properly connected to the water column are electrical contacts which cotiperate with the float. When the water level falls below a certain point, the float connects the contacts, thereby closing the motor circuit and starting the pum When a certain height of water is reac led, the circuit is broken and the pump is stopped. Steam or heated liquid is carried oil from the top of the boiler through a suitable distribution pipe. Connected to this pipe is a die hragm regulator which opens a switch w ien the pres sure becomes abnormal, the said switch controlling the heating circuit. This switch is also ofpened by means of a suitable con troller i the water level falls below a predetermined point.

The boiler shell is provided with suitable insulating material for about two-thirds its height. Located in the bottom of the in sulating shell is a pool of mercury, into which the feed water pipe projects, the said pipe extending through the cover to a point near the bottom of the boiler. The feed pipe is insulated from the cover and water, and extends into the mercury, so as to pre vent corrosion of the electrodes. Since the lower end of the pipe enters the mercury, the latter afibrds a contact area equal in cross-section to that of the column 01'' water. By this arrangement is insured a roper dis tribution of the electric current t rough the water and the resistance will be approximately constant, the only variation being due to the fluctuation in the height of the fluid in the boiler above its insulated lining.

in the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 illustrates oneembodiment of my invention partly in section and partly in elevation, certain of the parts being diagrammatically shown and. Fig. 2 shows a modification of one part oil-the apparatus.

Referring to the drawing, 1 represents a plunger pump of any well known construe tion, driven by a series wound electric motor 2, and arranged to supply water to an electric boiler 3, its inlet and outlet valves being shown in dotted lines. Water for the boiler is contained in a tank 4. and is fed to it by means of pipes 5 and 6 which are connected together by a hose of rubber or other suitable insulating material 7. .The hose ,effectively insulates the pump 1 from the boiler 3, thereby eliminating all danger due to electric shocks. The resistance of the column of water in the hose is so great that there is no danger of current flowing through it to the pump casing. Between the feed pipe 6 and the hose 7 is a check valve 8 opening toward the boiler, so that the hot water and steam cannot be forced from the boiler into the hose and ruin it".

Current for heating thewater is supplied from a source which is preferably a trolley wire or third rail 10, said current passin through the wire 11, feed water pipe 6, p00

of mercury 18, boiler casing 3 and water therein to the negative side of the line 12-, and the ground connection 13.

Connected to the wire 11 is a motor circuit 14, manually controlled by a switch 15. The motor circuit is connected to a water level actuated regulator 16. A relay-switch conductor 17 for the heating circuit is' also connected to the circuit wire 11. The passage of current through the conductor is controlled by a regulator sensitive to boiler pressure and including a switch operated by a diaphragm. WVhen the circuit is broken it cuts out a relay solenoid magnet and releases a switch in the heating circuit, thereby cutting off the current from the boiler 3.

The water passing through the pipe 6 is forced into and through a pool of mercury 18 in the bottom of the insulated shell, a sufficient space being left between pipe 6 and insulating lining 19 for this purpose.

The greater portion of the feed pipe 6 located in the boiler 3 is covered with an insulating tube 20, the upper portion of which is threaded into a cover 21. The lower end of the tube projects slightly into the mercury 18 or at least makes contact therewith. This construction thoroughly insulates the pipe 6 from the cover 21 and the water, the mercury protects it from the water in the boiler shell 3, and said mercury serves as an electrical conductor between the pipe and the water. By introducing the pipe from the top the mercury is prevented passing through the tube back to the pump when the system is idle.

It is best to make the liquid slightly con ducting by using a small quantity of sodium carbonate which should remain sensibly the same, the fresh water entering redissolving the amount of salt liberated through evaporation.

The inner surface of the boiler shell. as mentioned before, is lined with suitable insulating material 19 for about two-thirds of its height, and since the feed water pi )e 6 is insulated from the water in the boiler, and the shell is insulated for about twothirds of its height, the current is forced to pass throughithe mercury to the water and thus heat it.

The mercury serves as an anode or terminal for the electric source from which the current flows into the liquid to be heated, and ofiers a contact area equal in cross-section to the water, which properly distributes the electrical current through it. As the electric current passes through the liquid it carries with it and deposits mercury on the cathode or boiler shell 3.

When a direct current is used, and the mercury deposit becomes sufiiciently heavy, it will drop from the shell and fall through -the fluid or electrolyte, and rejoin the mass of mercury "forming the anode. With alternating currents the deposition of mercury will be slight.

The heated fluid passes into the discharge pipe 23 for proper distribution. In the discharge pipe is a relief valve 24, said valve being set to open at a predetermined pressure, and an adjustable reducing valve 25.

Mounted on the feed pipe 6 is a manually controlled valve 26- which is used for blow ing off the boiler salts or sediment when an undesirable amount has accumulated therein.

\Vhen using boilers of this type in a heat.- ing system, it is important to maintain the pressure and temperature of the heating fluid constant or substantially so, irrespective of the change of load. This is accomplished by a regulator responsive to the pressure changes, and comprising a casing containing a diaphragm 28, that is opposed by a compression spring 29. The movement of the diaphragm automatically controls a switch 30 in the relay circuit. So long as the pressure under the diaphragm is less than a certain amount, the switch remains closed, but when it rises above a certain amount, the switch opens and interrupts the said rela circuit 17. When the switch 30 is opened, it breaks the relay circuit and allows the armature of the relay magnet 31 to drop and open the heating circuit at the switch 32. The heating circuit is connected to the trolley wire or third rail by a sliding shoe 33 and is also controlled by a manually operated switch 34. In boilers of this type, when used for the purpose intended, it is necessary to have an automatic water-feed regulator. This regulator in the present embodiment comprises a column 16 connected to the boiler 3 by pipes 35 and 36. These pipes permit the water from the boiler to circulate freely through the column. \Vhen the water rises or falls in the boiler 3, it rises and fails a corresponding distance in said column. A. ball float 37 is controlled by the movement of the water, which float, if lowered to the level of the insulated electrical contact 40 and the upper end of the contact 41, contacts therewith and closes the motor circuit 14, the current passing through the ball 37 to the ground connection 13, thereby completing the circuit. The contact l1 is connected to the ground by the conductor 14. When the circuit is closed, the pump motor 2 starts into operation and forces water into the boiler 3 until it rises to its maximum height, when the circuit will be broken by the separation of the ball from the contacts and the motor stopped. A ball or float 42 connects the insulated contact 43 with the lower end of the contact 41 and completes the circuit 17 except when the water level falls sufiiciently to lower the ball away from said contacts.

: In Fig. 2 a modification is shown in which E a relay magnet 44 is placed in the pump motor circuit and controls the switch l in the circuit 17. The switch is shown in its closed position with the ball 46 floating above the contacts. The spring 4:7 tends to keep the switch closed.

Briefly stated the action is as follows: The boiler 3 is supplied with water from the pinup which receives its supply from the tank 4. The water is discharged into the mercury 18, passing through and remaining above it owing to its lesser specific gravity. \Vhen the water is converted into steam or is sutliciently heated, it passes through the discharge pipe 33 to the distributing system. ben the pressure becomes excessive, the diaphragm 28 opens the switch 30 in the relay circuit 17 and the switch 32 in the heating circuit opens, thereby cutting oil the current. in said heating circuit. It the water in the boiler rises above a certain height, it causes the ball 37 or float 46 to interruptthe circuit between the adjacent contacts, thereby shutting down the pump.

By arranging the parts of the boiler as described there is no danger of arcing between the positive and negative electrode even when relatively high voltage is em ployed on the system, as 500 volts for example. To state the matter in another way, the positive and negative poles are well insulated and the distance which an arc would have to travel ispurposely made so long that it could not be maintained, thus safeguard ing the apparatus. This is an important feature since liquid to be heated might oiraccountof impurities or other foreign matter become a, very good conductor, or the liquid supply might temporarily fail wholly or in part. under which circumstances. the are would jump between the electrodes it the distance was relatively short.

To avoid any possibility Oi injury to the apparatus by overheating or burning should the water supply fail due to any cause and pressurebe insufficient to open the switch 30, the ball or float. 42 or the switch 45 each controlled by the water level is provided. These devices further safeguard the equipment by opening the circuit 17 and the heating circuit controlled by it when the water level falls below a predetermined point. I

By using a pool of mercury through which the current mustpass before acting on the liquid, I am able to prevent the positive electrode from wasting away and the particles thereof being carried off with the vapor generated. The mercury after it enters the solution of the electrolyte is de posited on the negative pole (the wall of the vessel above the insulating lining) in metallic form and after a suflicient amount accumulates it will return to the pool (the positive pole) by gravity.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other means.

\Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is

1. In combination, a vessel containing a liquid to be heated that is a relatively poor conductor of electricity and also a body of fluid that is a good conductor thereof, means for conveying a current of electricity to said body of fluid. and means for receiving said current after it has passed through said body and also the liquid.

2. In combination, a vessel containing a liquid to be heated and also a body of inercury, means for conveying a current of electricity to the mercury, and means for receiving said current after it has passed through the mercury and also through the liquid.

3. In combination, a vessel containing a liquid to be heated and also a body of fluid that is a good conductor of electricity, means for conveying liquid to the vessel and vapor or liquid therefrom, a conductor for supply ing current to the body of fluid, and a conductor receiving said current after it has passed through the body of tluid and the liquid.

4:. In combination, a vessel containing a liquid to be heated and also a body of fluid whose specific gravity is greater than that of the liquid, a means for supplying liquid to the vessel under pressure, a conduit for conveying vapor or heated liquid from the vessel, a conductor that supplies current to said body of fluid, a conductor receiving the current after it passes through the body of fluid and the liquid. a device for controlling the supply of liquid to the vessel, and a means for regulating the supply of current through the conductors.

5. In combination, a vessel containing a liquid to be heated and also a body of mercury, conduits conveying liquid to the vessel and liquid or vapor therefrom, a pump that is normally in operation to continuously supply liquid to the vessel, a regulator for the motor that is sensitive to change inlevel of the liquid in the vessel, conductors for conveying current to the vessel and receiving it after it has passed through the mercury and the liquid, and a regulator for controlling the passage of current whichis; sensi tive to a condition of the liquid being heated.

6. In combination, a vessel having an'in sulating lining covering a portion of its inner wall and containing a liquid to be heated and also a body of good conducting material, an electrode that makes contact with said body and is insulated from the liquid, a conductor conveying current to the electrode, and a second conductor conveying current from the vessel after it has passed through the said body and the liquid. 7

7. In combination, a metallic vessel hav ing an interior lining for a portion of its inner surface, and containing a body of 'me-rcury and also liquid to be heated, an electrode that is insulated from the liquid and has one end submerged in the mercury, means for supplying liquid to the vessel and conveying it therefrom after being heated, conductors for conveying current to the electrode and receiving it from the vessel after it has passed through the mercury and the liquid, and means for regulating the flow of current through the conductors.

8. In combination, a vessel containing liquid to be heated that is a relatively poor conductor of electricity, and also a body of fluid that is a good conductor thereof, and is also'below the liquid and in contact therewith, an electrode that enters the said body and is in electrical contact therewith, the

cross-sectional area of the electrode beingless than that of the body, means for supplying liquid to the vessel and conveying it away after being heated by the current, and means for supplying current to the electrode and receiving it after it has imparted heatto the liquid. I

9. In combination, a vessel containing liquid to be heated and also a body of mercury, means for supplying liquid to the vessel by forcing it through the mercury, an outlet for the vessel, means conveying current to the mercury, and means receiving said current after it has passed through the mercury and the liquid.

10. In combination, a vessel containing liquid to be heated and also a body of mercury, a feed pipe which-enters the body of mercury so that the liquid flowing therefrom must pass through the mercury, a means for conveying current to the feed pipe, and means receiving current after it passes through the feed pipe, mercury and iquid.

11. In combination, a vessel containing liquid to be heated that is a poor conductor of electricity and a body of fluid that is a good conductor thereof, a conductor that serves both as a means for conveying current and a supply of liquid, an outlet for the vessel, and a means receiving current after it has imparted heat to the liquid.

12. In combination, a closed vessel containing liquid to be heated, an electrode that extends throu h the principal portion thereof and is insu ated therefrom, a pool of mercury in which one end of the electrode is submerged to prevent it from wasting away due to the action of the current and also to afford an enlarged area for conveying current to the liquid, and a means for conveying current from the vessel after it has heated the li uid.

13. In com ination, a vessel containing a liquid to be heated and also a body of mercury, means for supplying liquid to the yessel under pressure, a conduit for conveying vapor or heated liquid from the vessel, conductors for conveying current to the vessel and receiving it after it has passed through the liquid and the mercury, and a regulator for controlling the passage of current which is sensitive to change in the level of. the liquid.

14. In combination, a vessel containing liquid to be heated and also a body of mercury, a pump for supplying liquid to the vessel under pressure, an electric motor for driving the pump, a conduit for conveying vapor or heated liquid from the vessel, conductors for conveying current to the motor and to the vessel and receiving it after it has passed through the liquid and mercury in said vessel and a regulator for controlling the passage of current through said conductors which is sensitive to change in the level of the liquid.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of May, 1910.

HER-MANN LEMP. Witnesses:

JOHN A. MoMANUs, Jr., WILLIAM H. PRATT.

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