US993723A - Instantaneous water-heater. - Google Patents

Description

G. A. SHOOK.

INSTANTANEOUS WATER HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 4, 1909.

Patented Ma 30, 1911.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

'; Wag? G. A. SHOOK. INSTANTANEOUS WATER HEATER. I APPLIGATION FILED JAN. 4, 1009.

Patented May 30, 1911.

WITNESSE G. A. SHOUK. INSTAN'IANEOUF4 WATER HEATER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. i. 1909.

Patented May 30, 1911.

a SHEETS-SHEET a.

mverrron 1&

II' I aiw UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE A. SHOOK, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO PITTSBURG WATER HEATER COMPANY, OF PITTSIB'Q'RG', PENNSYLVANIA,

A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

INSTANTANEOUS warnnpnnarnnt Patented May 30, 1911.

implication filed January 4, 1909. Serial No. 470,679.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. SHOCK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and usefullmprovements in Instantaneous Water-Heaters, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to instantaneous water heaters havingadual control of the gas supply and particularly to the mechanism for automatically governing the gas a supply. The invention has. for its principal ob ects; the provision of a simplified apparatus of the character specified wherein a single valve for controlling the gas supply replaces the plurality of independent valves heretofore considered necessary for u this purpose; the provision of a device of the character specified having asingle gas valve wherein the valve may be operated by the thermostatic controlling means independent of the water valve and may be closed thereby in case the water valve is accidentally stuck open; and the provision of an improved controllingdevice for the gasvalve wherein the closure of the gas valve in case of accident to the water valve, is more positive than that of the thermostatically controlled .gas valves heretofore employed. One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings,

wherein Figure 1 is a front view of the heater,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof,

Fig. 3 is an enlar ed detail partly in section, of the controlling mechanism,

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view illustratin g a modified form of controlling mech anism, and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail of the valve shown in the upper portion of Figure 3 with its piston in the position occupied when the outlet from the water isyopen, the section being taken at right angles to that of Figure 4. v I

Heretofore it has been customary in instantaneous water heaters to provide two independent gas valves, one of which is conv trolled from the motor valve, or water valve as it ismorecommonly termed, and the other valve is controlled by the thermostat, such general construction being illustrated in copending application Serial No. 457,383. I

have found that one of these gas valves may that the controlling be dispensed with, and means therefor may be so arranged that all the advantages incident to the two valve construction are retained, and other advantages not present. in the two-valve construction secured, in addition to the general simglification and oheapening of the apparatus no to the use of one valve instead of two.

That portion of the'apparatus in which the departure of this application particularly resides is illustrated in the lowered portion of Figure 3, but in order that the relation of this structure to the, general heater construction may be clear, the entire heater is illustrated and will reference being had to the co-pending a plication 457,383 heretofore referred to, if) a detail description of that portion of the apparatus shown and described but not claimed. a 2

Referring first to the general arrangement of parts as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3; 1 is the casing of the heater; 2, 3 and 4a are the upper sets" ofooils of the boiler; 5 is the lower inverted set of coils, the lower coil of which set is connected to the lower coil of the set 3 by means of the pipe 6; 7 is the thermostat casing, which casing communicates with the upper coil of the set 5 by means of the pipe 8, and is provided with an outlet 9 for the hot water which is to be distributed 10 is the gas inlet pipe provided with "the usually manually operated valve 11; 12 is the gas valve casing, the valve 13 of which is automatically controlled from the thermostat and water valve in a manner to be hereinafter described; 14: is the gas pipe leading from the valve casing to the burners; 15 is the water su ply pipe leading to the automatic water va ve casing 16; 17 is the piston valve in the casing; 18 is a waterpipe leading from the valve casing 16 to the casing 19 of the controlling check valve 20; 21 is a pipe leading from the easing 19 to the upper coil of the set 2; 22 is a tube leading from the upper portion of the casing 19 to the upper portion of the thermostat casing 7; and 23 is a pressure regube described,

lating valye whose construction may be of i any approved type and is immaterial in so far as-"tho invention of this application is concerned. From the foregoing the general operation of the heater will be apparent and "valve easing. I rod 39 carrying at its rear end the cap 4.0

and thence up through the pipe 18 to the check valve 20, moving such valve to the position of Figure 5, so that the water passes through the pipe 21 into the heater. The water then circulates down through the coils 2, 3 and 4, the connection 6, up through the coil 5, the connection 8, the thermostat casing 7, and to the outlet 9. When the faucet in the outlet 9 is closed, the valve 17 moves back to the position indicated in Figure 3, and the check valve 20 moves down and seats itself as indicated in this figure. When the valve 20 is in this lower position, a circulation occurs from the lower coil 5 to the casing 7 and thence through the connection 22, valve casing 19, and connection 21 to the top coil of the boiler.

The construction wherein the invention of this present application particularly resides will now be described in detail, reference being had to Figure 3 of the drawings. The thermostat here shown is of the ordinary type, and comprises thecopperor brass tube 2 1 closed at its upper end, and the porcelain rod 25 fitting the tube and provided at its lower endwith the usual metal cap 26 from which the levers ated. The lower end of the lever 28 is providedwith a hole for the passage of the stem 29 of the gas valve 13, which stem 29 is longitudinally adjustable with respect to the valve 13 by means of the set screw 30. The collar 31 is also secured slidably upon the stem 29, and carries thereon an adjustable collar 32 against which a spring 33 bears. The end of the stem 29 is provided with a cap 34, and the thermostat and its levers are so adjusted that when the temperature of the water in the thermostat casing 7 .is below, the maximum for which the device is set, say below one hundred and fifty degrees, the lower end of the lever 28 occupies about the position indicated in Figure 3 with a space between the cap 34 and the end of the lever, so that the stem 29 and the gas valve 13 carried thereby may be normally operated from the water valve without interference with the thermostatic controlling means. lVhen the outlet 9 is closed the piston 17 of the water valve is held in the position indicated in Figure 3 by means of the spring 35 which spring bears at its rear end against the screw cap 36 of the casing 37. The spring 35 thus serves the double function of'holding the casing 37 in. the piston 17 in its position and maintaining rearmost position. The casing 37 is provided at its front end with the tube 38 which passes through the stuffing box of the Mounted in the tube 38 is the 27 and 28'are oper-' without altering The use of the tube 38 obviates any danger of sticking which might possibly casing by means of the spring 41. Thegas I valve 13 is held normally in closed position by means of the springslQ, and the combined strength of this spring and the spring 33 is somewhat greater than that of the spring 41. The strength of the spring 42 alone is less than that of either the springs 11 or 35.

The combined action of the water valve and thermostatic controlling means in connection with the gas valve is as follows. If the outlet from the heater is; pressure upon the left hand end ton 17 over-balances the pressure side because of the reduction the tube 18'and the piston is forced to the right compressing the spring 35 and moving the rod 39 so that its front end engages the cap 3%, thus opening permitting a flow of gas to the burners. It now the outlet from the heater is closed and the piston 17 accidentally hand position, the temperature of the water in the boiler and in the thermostatic casing 7 risesto a point above device is set, and the lever 28 under the influence of the spring 33 V carrying with it the cap 34:,which in'turn forces the rod 39 to the left compressing the spring 41 at the other end of such rod. This compression of the spring 41 is assured by reason of the fact that the combined strength of the spring 12 and sp1'ing33 is greater than that of the spring 41 as heretofore pointed out. In this manner the oleof the pisthat for which'the moves to the left opened the on the other of pressure m the-gas valve 13 and E stic'ksin its right less of the closure of the piston valve 17.

It will be seen that the actuation of the gas valve by the water valve is not in anywise interfered with by the thermostatic controlling means during the normal operation of the apparatus. In addition to acting as a safety device under the condition above set forth when thermostatic means also acts as a controlling device when the Water valve is actingnormally without sticking, and in case the water rises above a predetermined temperature the flow of gas is throttled or entirely cut off the position of the water valve.

otherwise occur if no tube were used, and the rod 39 had to be packed in order to prevent leakage. The casing 37 is made water tight so that the rod 39 may fit as loosely asis desired in the tube 38. It will also be seen that under the condition of non-closure of the water valve as above described, avery positive and secure closing of the gas valve is secured by reason of the fact that the pressure of the powerful spring 33 augments that of the weaker spring 42 in closing the gas valve. This very much reduces the danger of imperfect closure of the gas the water valve sticks open, the,

movethe lever 43 to the valve due to foreign matter upon the seat, asthe two springs are sufticlent to cause a closure-1n cases -where the spring 42 alone would 'closethe valve sotimperfectly as to permit the passagerofa large amount of gas. It will alsobe seen by comparison of manner showmand the spring 44 takes the ,placeof the spring33 in the other form of a device. The; adjustment of the springqi's accomplishedqbyy means ofthe set screw-45,

* o'f the spring 't tbearfs.

I 47: is used inside :the

"engaging the collar- 46 against which the end .a Only a single spring which spring corres ends to the spring 35 in the other form'o :device, and the spring correspondingito the spring 37 is mounted at the end of the rod 48. This spring 49 is inclosed by a casing 50, the front end of which is adapted to engage thelhead 51 carried by the stem 52 of the gas valve 53. It will be seen thatjthe sprin 44 is adapted to left, and that the spring 49 permits the; gasvalve to be'closed without moving the piston of the water valve to the left in case it should become .stuck; The otherfeatures of construction are substantially similar to those shown'in Fig 3, and theirfunctions andpoperation will be clear Without further description.

"The construction of the controllingicheek valve' is illustrated most clearly in Figures -3'and 5, and although this structure forms a portion of the subject-matter claimed inthe co-pending vapplication heretofore referred -t-o, I will briefly describe the device in order 45 that the description of the apparatus shown a may be complete. By reference to the figures referred to, it will be seen that the easing 19 is provided with an inlet passage 54 and a pair of circulation passages 55 and 56, leading respectively to the connection 21 to the upper coil of the boiler, and to the connection '22 leading toithe thermostat casing 7. Screw threaded into the, end of the cas ing 19, is a bushing57, and slidable inthis bushing is the piston valve having the two heads -58 and 59. The bushing is also provided with two .setsof ports and (31 leading respectively to the passages and 56. The piston valve is held normally in the position shown inwFigure 8 with its head 1 coveringthe feed port 54 by means of the spring The valve parts occupy the posi tionshown in Figure 3, when no water is being'drawn throughithe outlet 9. With the parts in this position water from the invertstatic c'ont-rolling rmeans is curved in" the waters valve casing,

A return circulation to the pipe 63, and a continuous double circulation may be maintained, a partof the waterfrom the thermostat casing passing up through 3 the outlet i9 and around through thesystem andback to the return pipe 63, while an other portion passes through the connection 22 to the casing 19 and thence back to the upper coil of the boiler. If the outlet through the pipe 9 is opened, thepiston valve will assumethe position shown in Fig-f ure5 by reason of the unbalanced pressure on the opposite sides of such valve, and the uptlow through the inlet pipe 18. Whenthe parts are in this position the water from the pipe 18 willpass through the valve casing 19 and out through the passage 55 and con nection 21 to the upper coil of the boiler, and thence ,throughfthe coils of the boiler, the thermostat casing 7, and, the outlet pipe 9.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is the following i 1. The combination i n an instantaneous waterheater having water valve and thermostatic controlling means and a gas valve, of springmeans between the opera-tingmemher of the water valve and gas valve, and a connection between the gas valve andther-, mostatic controlling means adapted to coin-v press the spring means and operate the gas valve when the water valve is open in case the temperature of the water rises above a predetermined point.

2. The combination in an instantaneous water heater having watervalve and thermostatic controlling means and a gas valve, of spring means between the operatlng member of the water valve and gas valve, and a connection between the gas valve and thermostatic controlling means whereby the spring means may be compressed and the gas valve operated when the water valve is open-in ease the temperature of the water rises above a predetermined point, thecon- ,nection between the gas valve and thermostatic controlling means having suiiicient lost motion to normally permit the water to operate the gas valve independent of the thermostatic controlling means.

3. The combination in an instantaneous water heater having Wtlt0IVZllVG and thermostatic controlling means and a gas valve, yielding means between the operating member of the water valve and gas valve, and a connection between the gas valve and thermostatic controlling means Whereb the yielding means may be overcome and t e gas valve operated with the water valve open when the temperature of the water rises above a predetermined point.

, thermostatic controlling i 6. The combination in a water heater havf V r a conduit for supplying gasto the heating 3!) i I .erate to overcome whereby the conduit valve is Operated from piston actuated by variations of "means whereby the conduit valve is operated 4,- The combination in a water heater having an inlet and outlet, heating means, and a conduit for supplying gas to the heating means,;of a water 'valvejactuated b'y-varia-'--= tions of pressure vof the watena controllingmeans govrned by the water ofv I the heater, a valve in from thewater valve thermostatic the conduit, and means whereby the conduit valve is "controlled both and from the thermostat 5. The com ination in a water heater havan inlet and outlet, heating means, and to the heating a conduit for supplying gas ted by variameans, of a water valve actu a valve in the conduit, means whereby; the conduit valveis operated from thewater valve, means wherebythe conduit valve' is operated from the thermostatic controlllng means, and means whereby the means" may' close the conduit valve without moving the water valve;

ing an inlet and outlet, heating means, and means, of awater ,valve actuated by varia tions of pressure of the'water, a thermostatic controlling means governed by the water of the heater, a valve in the conduit, yielding from the water valve, and means whereby the thermostatic controlling means may opthe said yielding means and jclose the conduit valve when the temvalve when perature of the water rises above a prede-,

termined point.

7. The combination in a water heater hav- 7 ing an inlet and outlet,.heating'means, and a conduit for supplying gas'to the heating means,'of a, water valve actuated by varia-- tions of pressure of the water, a thermostatic controlling means governed by the water of the heater, a valve in the conduit, means the water valve, means whereby the conduit valve is operated from the thermostatic controlling means, and a yielding lost motion connection whereby the thermostatic controlling means may close the conduit valve without moving the water valve.

8. In combination in a water heater hav ing an inlet and outlet, heating means, and a conduit for supplying gas to the heating means, of a water valve provided with a pressure of the, water, a thermostat governed by the water, of the heater and having an operating lever, a valve in the conduit: yieldingly held closed and provided with an operating stem, a spring maintained under compression by the operating lever for closing the conduit valve when the temperature of; the waterrises above a predetermined point, a yielding i 7' lost motion connection between the piston and stem, and a lost motlon .connectlon be tween thestem and lever.

ftglnicombination in a water heater hav mg an inlet and outlet, heating means, and a conduit'for supplying gas to the heating 1 means, of a-water valve provided with a piston actuated by variations of pressure of the water,

the conduit spring J hel lever, a valve in closed and provided with-an operating stem, a spring maintained under compression by the operatinglever forv closing the -conduit I the temperature oi] the water a thermostat governed byfthe water of the heater and having an operating risesabove a predetermined point, a lost "motion; spring connection between the piston and 'stem,"and a lost motion connection. -be tween the stem and lever, .the'fcombined 's strength oi? the spring for closing the com duitvalve and that held under compression by the lever'being greater than that of the spring in the connection between the piston and stem.

- '10. A controlling device for water heaters" comprisingin 'combinatiom'a water valve, a gas valve adapted to be opened thereby,

means :for normally closing the said valves,

and a thermostatic controlling means arranged to close'theigas valve without operating the water valve. comprising in combination, a Water valve, a gas valve adapted to be opened thereby, means for normally closing the said valves, a thermostatic controlling means arranged to close the gas valve,

12. The combination with awater heater 1 heating means therefor; a means for regulatmg said heating; means comprlslng 'a 11. A controlling device for waterheaters I a yielding connection being provided between the gas valve and thermostatic controlling means member arrangedrtovbeacted upon by water I delivered to the connected to the heater, said thermostat and water actuated member having a common:

connection to. the heat regulatingmeansr 13. In combination, ing an inlet and outlet, heating means,-and a conduit for supplying gas thereto, of a water valve provided with as piston actuated by variations of pressure of the water, a thermostat governed by heater and having an operating lever, a gas valve in said conduit yieldingly held closed and provided with an operating stem, ,a

yielding means interposed between: the

water-valve and the gas Valve and adapted to yield when the water valve and the op erating valve may be operated by the cooperation heater andv a thermostat the water of the lever are actuated whereby the gas,

ina water heater hav-' of both the water valve and the thermostat 15. The combination of a water heater, a.

burner therefor, a normally closed fuel Valve, a member actuated by the withdrawal of water-from the heater, for opening said valve and for holding it open when the temgerature of the heated water is below a preeration of said member,

etermined limit, and a thermostat causing said valve to close, independently of the opwhen the temperature of the heated water rises above the predetermined limit.

16. The combination of a water heater, a burner therefor, a fuel valve, a water actuated member, a yieldable connection between said valve and said member, said member adapted to open said valve and to hold it open while water is being withdrawn from the heater, when the temperature of the water is below a predetermined limit, and a thermostat causing said valve to close, inde pendently of the operation of said water actuated member when the temperature of the water rises above said limit.

17.- The combination of a water heater, a burner therefor, a fuel valve, a water valve,

' said valves provided with stems so arranged that the opening of the water valve by the withdrawal of water from the heater will open the fuel valve, when the temperature 0 the water is below a predetermined limit,

I means for closing said valves when the withy a burner therefor,

drawal of water ceases, and a thermostat causing the fuel valve to close, independently of the operation of said water valve when the temperature of the water rises above said limit.

18. The combination of a water heater, a a fuel valve, an automatic water inlet valve, said valves provided with stems, so arranged that the opening of the water valve opens the fuel valve when the temperature of the water is below a predetermined limit, a movableember arranged to engage the fuel valve stem, and a then mostat for governing said movable member, thereby causing the fuel valve to close irrespective of the position of the water inlet valve, when the temperature of the water is above said limit. a

19. In combination in a water heater having an inlet and outlet, heating means, and a conduitfor supplying gas to the heating means, of a water valve provided with a piston actuated by variations of pressure of the water, a thermostat governed by the water of the heater and having an operating lever, a valve in the conduit yieldingly held closed and provided with an operating stem, a spring controlled by the operating lever for closing the conduit valve when the temperature of the water rises above a predetermined point, and ayielding lost motion connection between said piston and stem.

20. In a water heater, the combination of a conduit for water under pressure, a burner for heating the water in said conduit, a normally seated valve controlling the flow of fuel to said burner, a compound power mechanism adapted to'hold said valve closed, a device operated by the flow of water through said conduit for controlling one part of said power mechanism, and a device operated by variations of temperature in said water for controlling the other part of said mechanism.

21. In a water heater, the combination of a conduit for water under pressure, a burner for heating the water in said corduit, a normally seated valve controlling the flow of fuel to said burner, power mechanism in the form of a plurality of springs adapted to hold said valve closed, a device operated by the flow of water through said conduit for controlling one of said springs, and a device operated by variations in temperature in said water for controlling the other of said springs.

22. In a water heater, the combination of a conduit for water under pressure, a burner for heating the water in said conduit, a normally seated valve for controlling the supply of fuel to said burner, mechanism for operating said valve, a device actuated by the flow of water through said conduit and a device actuated by variations of temperature in said water, said devices governing the operation of said mechanism, causing said valve to open when a flow of water is established through said conduit and the water is below a predetermined temperature, but causing it to remain seated or when open to move in a closing direction when the water is above a predetermined temperature.

In testimony whereof I haverhereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribed witnesses.

GEORGE A. SHOOK.

Witnesses:

DOERING BELLINGER, HARVEY L. LECHNER.

valve through said

Images