USRE14894E

USRE14894E - reeve

Info

Publication number: USRE14894E
Authority: US
Publication date: 1920-06-22

Description

PATENT OFFICE.

. UNITED STATES- HENRY E. REEVE, O

a new YORK, 1v. Y.

riiEL-aEeULaroa.

To all whom it may concern:

it known that I, HENRY E. Rnnvn, a citizen of the United States of America and residin at New York in the county oi Kings and tate of New Y ork, have invent-- ed new and useful Improvements in Fuel- Regulators, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates particularly to thermostaticcontrol of the gas supply for water heaters.

The object of the invention is to provide a s'ensitive and yetpositive automatic control of the gas supply in what are commonly termedautomatic heaters.

My invention embodies in part a thermostatic device which acts in accordance with the. temperature of the heater to control flov; of fluid under pressure to a pressure actuated device and which device in turn operates certain valve mechanism to positively control the flowof gasto. the burner.

A ,s ial feature resides in the utilization of V e gas, as the fluid under pressure for operating the pressure operated device. Off importance in this connectioml preferably provide a means tor automatically releasing the pressure upon the pressure actuated device when the flow of actuating fluidthere to has been out 01f. 'Another feature ofsimportance is'the provision of means forcutting ofi flow of as to the main burner in the eventof the pilot becoming inefiective. Mechanism operated directly from a thermostat for automatirally and positively cutting ofl. flow of gas to the burner in the event of the heater be.- coming excessivel hot or overheating is also a feature of t is invention.

.Various other features will appear as the specification proceeds.

The accompanying drawings... illustrate the invention in several of its preferred forms, but-I would have it understood; that various other changes and modifications may be madea therein without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Figure 1, is a vertical sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the invention,"

parts being broken away.

Fi 2, is a plan view of thelever member which carries the auxiliary .gas valve and is operated by thethermostat.

Specification of Rei'ssued Letters Patent. Reissued J 22 1920 brlglnal 10. 13883, dated September 4, 1917, Serial No. 747.648, filed February 11, 1913. Application for reissue filed March 1,

- DIVISION A. a

1920.- Serial No. 362,554.

Fig. 3, is a view similar to Fig. 1, of a somewhat modified form of the invention.

Fig. 4, is a %l an view of the levermember illustrated in i 3.

Fig. 5, is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-'5 of Fig. 3, illustrating the gas-ti ht joint and the pivot mounting for the lever which operates the main valve.

Fig. 6, is a sectional .view taken on a plane at right angles to that of Fig. 5 and substantially on theline 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7, is a detail perspective view'showing the various parts of the preferred form I of as valve.

ig. 8, is a similar view of assembled.

Fig. 9, is a horizontal sectional view of the thermostat shown in Fig; 3, this view being taken substanti ally'on the line 9- 9 of that figure. f

Fig.-10,'is another sectional view of the same taken substantially on the line 10-10 of Fig.3, and r Fig. 11, is still another such view taken substantially on the line 11-11 of Fig. 3.

A portion of the water chamber or reservoir of the' heater is indicated at 15. 16

these parts as i designates the gas supply pipe or conduit 4 which supplies gas to the apparatus, and 17 is the conduit which conveys gas from the controlling apparatus to the main burner. The flow of as to the main burner may be controlled dlrectly by a main re ating valve 18 and a pressure operated. evicei is preferably utilizedg as the means for posi- I tively operating this valve. The pressure operated device is -here shown in the form 0% a diaphragm 19 mounted within adiaone end of a pivote lever 22 whom opposite end is connected with the valve. To proplarly re late the rising" and falling movement o iihe diaphragm with the closing and opening movement of the regulating valve,

ragm chamber 20 and mechanically con- "nected with the v'alveby means of a post 21 on' the *diaphra which engages with.

these parts, or-the mechamcal' connectlons justable. Such adjustment is in this case provided for by connecting the end of the lever adjustabl to the diaphragm st, as

between are preferably made relatively ad by engaging it A ween the adjustab e abutments 23, carried by the post (see Fig. 1). Also the connection between the diaphragm and valve is preferably made a more or less yielding one to permit a; slight further movement of the diaphragm after. the valve has been seated, so as to thereby hold the valve all the more firmly seated. The lever 22 is for this'purpose, shown in Fig. 1, as provided with a spring end portion 24 which will yield to permit further upward movement of the diaphragm after the valve has been engaged with its seat 25.

. While the pressure actuated device may be operated by any suitable fluid .under pressure, I prefer to use the gas itself as the medium for operating the device.. An

. sure actuated device.

auxiliary gas passage 26 is therefore preferably provided leading to the underside of the diaphragm, and flow ofthe actuating fluid is governed by an auxiliary gas valve 27 arranged to-coiiperate with the seat 28 at the end of such passage. Means is also provided to permit the escape of gas from chamber 20, as will be referred to later.

A thermostatic device of some sort is provided for controlling operation of the presn the first figure the thermostatic device is shown as consisting simplyof a tube 29 extending up into the reservoir and-having the rod 30' or like connection secured tothe upper end thereof.

,The tube being made of brass or other material possessing a relatively high co-eflicient of expansion, it will be clear that as the water in the reservoir becomes heated the tube will, since it is anchored at its lower end at 31, expand upwardly and-lift the connection 30, while upon cooling of the water the tube will contract and lower the connection 30. The so-called auxiliary valve 27 which governs admission of the actuating fluid to the pressure operated device is mounted in any suitable way and it is here shown as carried on the end of an arm or lever 32 to the opposite end of which lever the thermostat rod is connected by a metallic tape or ribbon 33. The operating arm 32 is pivoted so as to be capable of the oscillatory movement necessary in the opening and closing of the auxiliary gas valve, and to reduce friction as much as possible and to eliminate lost motion I prefer to use a special form of pivot mounting at this point. This mounting consists of a roller 34 carrying the valveoperating arm and makin rolling engagement with a rela- I tively fixe support 35, and a pair of flexible metallic tapes or ribbons, which pass in opposite directions each part way around the roller. The ends of these ribbons are fastened either directly or indirectly to the roller, so that the roller may be rotated thereby. In the form shown in Fig. 1, the ribbon 33 which comes from the thermostat extends downwardly part way around the roller and is secured in respect to the roller by having its end engaged over a pin 36 on the lever 32 and another ribbon 37, passes upwardly at the opposite side of the roller and part way therearound to where it is se-.

cured in respect to the roller by being engaged with the pin 38.

so it will be clear that the anchoring of the ribbons to the lever is the equivalent of fastening themi direct to the roller. In Fig. 3 the ribbons are in fact shown secured to the roller at. points 39 and 40. The second ribbon has its opposite end secured to the roller support, as indicated at 41. When made as in Fig. 1, I have provided guides 42 for holding the ribbons in proper enga ement with the surface of the roller. The roller is in some way held in proper engage= ment with its support 35 and provision is made for rotating it in a direction reverse to that in which it is turned by the thermostat.

with its support and a second spring 44 is illustrated which acts upon the lever in opposition to the turning movement of the thermostat. In the form disclosed in Fig. 3, a single spring 45 performs both these functions, it being, as shown, connected with the lever so as both to lift the lever in opposition to the pull of the thermostat and to draw the lever over with the roller in engagement with the support. To prevent side slipping of the roller with respect to' the support the roller may have flanges as indicated at 46 in Figs. 3 and 4 to engage over the sides of the support, or the place of these flanges may be taken, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, by making up the lever with two side bars 47 to fit the opposite sides of the support. The lever shown in Figs. 3 and l also is preferably made up of two side bars 48 to pass on opposite sides of the support, but in this case the side bars do not contact with the support. Preferably also the valve lever has a more or less flexi-- ble end portion 49 which acts to hold the valve closed under a certain amount of spring tension.

To secure the proper cooperative action between the thermostat and the auxiliary valve, a certain amount ofadjustment in the relation of these two parts may be necessary. This I provide for preferably by mounting the support so that it may be shifted to carry the valve on the valve lever 32 toward or away from its seat. Thus in Fig. 1 the support is made with rounded ends 50 guided in sockets 51, the actual shifting being accomplished by an adjusting nut 52 on the outer threaded end '53 of the support. In the form shown in Figs.

.3 and 4- the support has rounded ends guided in sockets as before, but the shifting The roller and lever are made fixed in respect to each other.

In Fig. 1, a spring 43 is shown for holding the roller in proper engagement start the descent of the dia be permitted to take place in able manner.

liminaZry descending movement of the dia phragm, the valve carryingarm is tempo-' rarily supported so that the diaphragm will means in this instance consists of the screws 54 and 55 engaging with the upper and lower ends respectively of the support. The

support may be held against rotative movement inany suitable way, such for instance, as by providing it with an'outstanding arm 56 slidingly engaged over a fixed guide stud 57. I

The operation of the p'ar'ts thus far described will be best understood by reference to Fig. 1. Normally with the burner in 0 eration, the flow of gasis from the supp y pipe 16 through a passage formed by the gas chamber 58, connection 59 and valve chamber 60, tothe main regulating valve and through conduit 17 to theburner. The

thermostat, beingsubj'ected to the heat of the water in the reservoir, expands, thereby pulling upwardly on the ribbon 33 and rotating the roller and its attached lever, until finally at the predetermined temperature for which the thermostat has been set, the auxiliary valve 27 is carried away from its seat. as under pressure now flows through the auxiliary gas passa e to the underside of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is lifted by thispressure of gas and thereupon acts to rock the lever 22to close the main regulating valve. Further feed of gas to the burner'is thuscutofl'. As the hot water is consumed or becomes cooled, the thermostat. contracts, thereby releasing its 1 1pward pull on the ribbon 33 and'the spring 44 acting in opposition to this pull then operates to close the auxiliary valve -27. This condition of the parts is represented'in Fig. 1. Further supply of gas to the underside of the diaphra is thus cut off and the slight leakage 0 gas causes a slight reduction in the pressure beneath the diaphragm- This reduction in pressure andthe weight of the diaphragm itself tend to cause'the diaphragm to descend; I preferably utilize this shght preliminary descending movement to operate certain mechanism for accelerating the movement of the parts. This accelerating mechanism is here shown in the form of a relief valve 61 carried on' the diaphragm. and arranged to normally close a relief opening 62 therein. This valve may be supported by a lever 63, pivoted at 64 on the i 61. dinary mechanical construction of the parts affords suliicient leakage past this valve to phragm, but it should be understood that the leakage may At the time of the first prefall away from the valve and thus open up the relief port 62. The ineans for thus temshi aphragm The escape of v gas from chamber 20 is normally through .the opening 62' past 'the valve The or-..

any other suit-1 porarily sustainin the valve is'in Fig. 1 a series of spring fingers 65, which engage frictionally with a knob 66, on the stud 67 carried by lever 63. The frictional engagementbetween these parts port the relief v'alve while the diaphragm is slowly settling, and the relief valve being is suflicient to sup-.70

thus held open, the gas beneath the diaphragm is allowed to suddenly escape. This escape of the gas permits the diaphragm to fall quickly and as it falls, it rocks the valve lever 22 downward and again opens the regulating valve for the main burner. The

small amount of gas released from beneath the diaphragm'may be allowed'to escape to atmosphere or be otherwise through a vent 68. port for the valve carrying lever the amount of expansionjn the thermostat necessary to open the auxiliary gas valve and'hencethe temperature at which the main burner will disposed of I be cut ofi, may be determined at will, For

convenience in setting the parts for different (temperatures there may 'be provided a scale 69, aid oil in degrees of temperature.

To provide against overheating, the thermostat cut oil? flow of gas upon excessive-heating.

is preferably made to itselfdirectly.

By adjustingthe sup- This may be conveniently accomplished by mounting a cut-off valve 7 0 onthe valve lever 32 to cooperate with a valve seat 71 at the point where the gas supply pipe 16 opens into the gas chamber 15.' f the heater should become excessively hot, as for instance, by reason of the pressure operated device failing to properly cut off flow to the main burner,'then, the thermostat in expanding still further will turn the lever 32 and carry the valve 70 into engagement with "its seat; thereby'positively cuttmg oflF-vany further flow of gas to the burner. The seat for the auxiliary valve and the seat for the cut-ofi-valve are disposed substantially opposite to each other, so that the valve lever may vibrate therebetween to carr either one or the other valve to its seat. he parts are so proportioned and so Ldisposed that' onl upon excessive heating Wlll the lever be hed far enough to close the cut-off valve.

As a further safeguard, means arepreferably. provided for shutting ofi' How to the main burner in the event-of the extimguish ment of the pilot. A means for this pur-' se is disclosed in Fig. "1, wherein72 designates the pilot for the inain burner,- and 73 a branch conduit for-supplying it with gas. Associated with this pilot and subect to the heat thereof is a thermostatic device 74, carrying a valve 7 5, which is arranged 'to engage'a seat 76, and serves to control-flow through a conduit 77 leading to the pressure operated device. The thermostatic. device, which may be of the usual compound construction, is heated by .the 'pilot so long as it is burning and its expanded condition it serves to hold the valve direct through view and t the bottom is secured at the bottom to tubular member 84 for instance of zinc,

7 5 closed. -When however the pilot is extinguished this thermostatic device cools off and lifts valve 7 5 from its seat. Aflow of gas is now opened up from branch conduit. 7 3through the pilot .casing 78, past the now open valve 75 and conduit 77 to the pressure actuated device which operates in the manner previously described to shut off flowto the main burner.

, In Figs. 3 and 4 the apparatus is materially simplified by leavingout the pilot con.- trol of the main burner and the overheatingprotective device. In this case the gas simply flows fromthe supply conduit 16 the valve chamber 60 to the conduit 17 leading. to the burner and the .gas for operatlng the diaphragm 1s taken off from the supply conduit through a branch conduit 79 which extends to the gas chamber 58 within which is located the auxiliary valve which controls flow to the diaphragm. The thermostat illustrated in this in detail in Figs. 9, 10 and 11 is extremely sensitive to change in temperature It is made substantially as follows A tube 80 for instance of brass, open at a wall of the water reservoir. The upper end of this tube is closed by -a plug 81 to which is secured the upper end of a rod 82 for instance of steel. The lower. end of this rod carries a sleeve 83. A tubular or semiis secured to the sleeve 83 at its lower end, and at its upper.

i 85. This sleeve 85 is not attached to the' tube .80 and has a free passage for the rod 82. The rod 86 for instance'of steel, is secured to the sleeve 85 and passes freely through the sleeve 83 at the bottom. The zinc tube 84 has a high co-efiicient of expansion and being in ,contact with the inner wall of the b'rasstube receives by conduction through the tube, the heat of the water in the water container. As the tem eratur'e of'the' water rises, the tube 80 is e ongated and carries with it the rod 82 and sleeve 83 and zinc tube 84 and the latter in turn is itself elongated giving. an

\ additional pulling movement to the sleeve 85 and the rod 86.-

55 I principal part of their ranges The rod 82 and rod 86 are preferably of relatively non-expansible material and'it will'also be noted that they are so spaced apart througfhout. the

rom

tubes that they are but I changes of temperature and therefore .but .little, if any, detract from the efiective movement of the brass andzinc tubes. The rod 86 may be connected to the tape 33 which operates the rollerby means of asuitable coupling 87 To insure the valves always seating properly they are preferably each menu end carries a second sleeve the little afiected by a universal joint so that they may automatically adjust themselves to their respective seats. T he preferred form of such joint is illustrated in detail in Figs. 7 and 8. In these views the main regulating valve 18 is shown provided with a partially spherical recess 88, .on the back thereof into which fits a correspondingly spherical head 89 on the bearing member. 90. This bearing member is suitably attached to the element 7 which supports the valve which in the case described is the valve operating lever 22. The ..usual method of attachment is to pass the stem 91 of the bearing member into an opening in the supporting member and rivet it therein as indicated at 92, Fig. 1. The head of the bearing member is by suitable means-held in engagement with the spherical recess in the back of the valve-such means being illustrated as a coil spring 93 having one of its arms 94 secured in the body of the valve and its other arm 95 en gaging the bearing member as by passing freely through an opening 96 therein. The valve plate is thus su ported so that it may move freely in all directions to a limited extent, as a result of which it will adjust itself automatically to always make firm engagement with its valve seat. All of the I valves are preferably mounted in this same way. firm and secure seating of the valves is further facilitated by making the valve seat in the form of an upstanding annular ridge 97 as shown in the case of the auxiliary valve 27 in Fig. 1. The same form of universal mounting which is used for -'the valves may also be employed in connect'ng the stud of the temporary supporting device to the lever which carries the pressure releasing valve of the diaphragm. Thus as shown in Figi 1 the stud may be made with a rounded ead 98 for engagement with a sphericalrecess 99 in the valve carrying lever' 63. The stud thus forms a bearing member similar in function to the bearing member of the valves, and therounded head of this member may be held inengagement with the recess by a spring 93, the same as in the case of the valves.

To prevent leakage at the joint where the valve operating lever 22 passes into the valve chamber60 of the main regulating valve, I have devised a special form of gas tight joint, shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6 and consisting in substance of a flexible diaphragm connected between the lever and the wall through which the lever passes. This diaphragm is preferably made up of two thin

metallic disks

100 and 1 01 intercom nected at their edges and connected at their central portions. to the lever and the supporting wall respectively The disk 100 is oined to the lever pre erably by securing 1t to a bushing 102 fast on the lever and the" disk 101 is preferably connectedto a bushing 103 mounted in the supporting w'all.

The opening 104 throu h which the lever passes is, it will be note of a size suflicient to permit free movement of the-lever. The lever is in this way pivotallysupported in a manner which is substantially frictionless.- To prevent sidewise movement of the lever and to limit its pivoting movement to a single plane-that is to a straight up and down rocking movement, I preferably provide uiding means in the form of a hori- 'zonta ly disposed yoke 105 engaged at its center with the lever and having pivots 106 at its opposite ends engaged in suitable'bearings 107. This yoke may, as shown, be connected to or form a part of the bushing, 102. The pivots of the yoke are preferably dis posed in the same plane with the-diaphragm soas to substantially coincide with the line] of flexure of the diaphragm, the yoke being for this purpose off-set as indicated at 108 to bring the pivots into this plane.

A slight variation in the manner of temporarily supporting and opening the pressure releasing diaphragm valve is indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. Inthis case the relation of the parts is reversed, the spring fingers 109 being connected'to the valve and the catch member 110 for engagement with these fingers being supported apart from the valve. Such supportis shown as an adjustable sleeve 111. In this case the valvecarrying lever 63 is dispensed with, the pressure releasing valve, here designated 112, being simply provided with a spindle 113 guided in a yoke 114 and carrying thespring fingers on its upper end. In this form when flow to the diaphragm is shut off and thediaphragm begins to descend it moves away from the diaphra m valve 112 which is frictionally held by t e spring fing ers 109 engaging the catch member 110.

movement of the main regulating valve is,

his opens-the reliefl port and allows a guick escape of the gas from beneath the iaphragm so that its movement and the accelerated. As the diaphragm carries the yoke 114 downward with it, the yoke. engages the diaphragm valve and pulls it and the spring fingers downward away from en- 'gagement' with the catch member so that the valve 112 again closes the relief port. Sincethe normal pressure of gas is only slightly above atmospheric pressure, theweight of the valve 112 and attached parts is sufiicient to keep it closed normally.

Suitable means may be provided for manually cutting off the flow of gas to the ap-. paratus. Such means is here illustrated in .the form of the hand valve 115.

The thermostatic device of Fig. 3 and the mechanism for transmitting the 'efi'ect of thethermostatic element to the valve 27 is claimed in my concurrent reissue application No. 362,555. I

I claim: Y 1. -I1 1 a water heater, a reservoir, a main gas burner for heating the same, pressure actuated -means controllingv said main burner, thermostatic means sub'ected to-the heat of the reservoir for contro ing flow of gas to the mainburner, a pilot for the main burnerand thermostatic means subjected to the heat of the pilot for controlling flow of actuatin fluid, to the premure actuated! means w ich controls the main-burner.

2. In a heater regulating system, the combination with the reservoir and a suitable gas burner for heating the same, of a main gas regulating valve, a gas operated dia-,'

phragm, a mechanical connection between said diaphragm and said valve,-a valve in I said diaphragm, a gas supply passage leading to the opposite side of said diaphragm, an auxiliary gas valve for said passage andheat controlled means for operating said auxiliary as valveQ 3. In a eater regulating system, a reservoir and. a suitablegas burner for heating the same, means controlling. flow of gas to trolling the burner controllingmeans and arranged when actuated by fluid under pressure to cut off flow of gas to the burner, a

the burner, a pressure operated device co'nthermostatic device controlling flow of fluid under pressure to the pressure operated device and arranged in one position to cut, ofi

flow of actuating-fluid to said device and means adapted to release the pressure u on the pressure operated device when the ow of actuating fluid thereto is thus cut off.

4. In a gas regulating device, a main gas" valve, a dlaphragm mechanically connected with said valve and having a gasfpassa e therein, a valve for said passage at one si e.

of said diaphragm and carried by said diaphragm and a heat operated auxiliary valve for controlling the flow of gas to the opposite side of said diaphragm.

- 5. In a gas regulating device, a main gas ivalv'e, a diaphragm mechanically connected with said valve and having a gas passage therein, a valve for said passage carried b said diaphragm, a heat y operated auxiliary valve for controllin the flow offgas to 1 said diaphragm and means for engaging said diaphragm valve to hold it and permit tance independently. of'such valve. 7

6. In a gasregulating device, a main gas valve, a diaphragm mechanically connected -said diaphragm to descend a certain diswith said valve and havlng agas passage therein, a .valve'for said passage carried by said diaphragm, a heat operated auxiliary valve for controlling-the flow of gas to said said diaphragm, means forengagi diaphragm valve to hold it and'permltsaid diaphragm to descend a certain distance independently of such valve and means for disengaging said diaphragm valve in the latter part of the downward movement of the diaphragm.

7. In a water heater, a reservoir, a main gas burner for heating the same, gas actuated means controlling said main burner, thermostatic means subjected to the temperature of the water in the reservoir for A pilot for said asburner and thermostatic means subjected to the heat of the pilot for controlling flow of gas to the gas actuated means which controls said gas burner.

9. The combination of a water storage reservoir, a main heating burner, a pilot burner, a main valve controllingthe flow of fuel .to the main burner, a gas pressure operated device for operating said valve, means for operating said gas pressure device when the pilot burner becomes ineffective including a thermostatic device controlled by said pilot burner, a thermostatic device controlled by the temperature of water in said reservoir and means controlled thereby for operating said gas pressure op erated device. t

10. The combination of. a water storage reservoir, a main burner,ra. pilot burner, a

valve controlling the flow of fuel to the main burner, a fluid pressure operated diaphragm for moving said valve, a thermostatic device influenced by the temperature of water in said. reservoir, means controlled thereby for operating said diaphragm, a

thermostatic device responding to the heat from said pilot burner and means controlled thereb for operating said diaphragm..

11. he combination of a water storage reservoir, a burner, a, pilot, a main valve controlling the'flow of fuel to the burner, a fluid pressure operated diaphragm for moving said valve, a thermostatic device influenced by the temperature of water in said reservoir, means controlled thereby for' operating said diaphragm, a thermostatic device responding to the heat from said pilot, means controlled thereby for operating said diaphragm, and means controlled f 1 from main thermostatic device for discontinuing the supply of gas to the burner in case of the development of excessive temperature in the reservoir.

12. In combination, a water storage reservoir, a gas'burner for heating the water in the reservoir, a conduit for supplying gas to said burner, a main valve therefor operated by gas pressure, a main thermostatic device having one end in said water storage reservoir, a housing for the other end ofsaid device, a valve seat in said housing having a passage, an auxiliary valve connected to said thermostatic device for coacting with said seat to open and close the passage therethrough and thereby open said main gas valve when the water gets cold and close it when the water gets hot, a pilot, a thermostatic'device afi'ected byssaid pilot, and means controlled by said pilot thermostatic device for closing the main gas valve when the pilot becomes ineffective. 13, Ina heater regulating system, a water reservoir and a suitable main gas burner for heating the same, means controlling-flow of gas to the main burner, a pressure actuated device for operating said controlling means,

a pilot for the main burner and means adapted upon extinguishment of the pilot to admit fluid under pressure to the pressure actuateddevice whereby to cause said device to operate the 'controlling means to cut 011 fiow of gas to the main burner.

14. In a heater regulating system, a water reservoir and a suitable main gasburner forheating the same, means controlling flow of gas to the main burner, a pressure actuated device for operating the controllin means arranged upon admission of flui under ,pressure thereto to operate the controlling a means to cut oil flow of gas to the main burner, a thermostatic device heated by the reservoir, means operated by the thermostatic device when heated to admit fluid under pressure to the pressure actuated device, a pilot for the' main burner and a thermostatic device heated by the pilot, adapted upon extinguishment of the pilot to admit fluid under pressure to the pressure actuated device. p

15. In a heater regulating system, a water reservoir and a suitable main burner for heating the same, a main regulating valve controlling flow of gas to the burner, a

diaphragm operatively connected to the ma 1n valve, an auxiliary valve controlling flow of gas to the diaphragm for operatingthe same, a thermostatic device subjected to the heat of the reservoir, connected with the auxiliary valve and adapted on a rise in temperature to open the auxiliary valve to admit gas to the diaphragm, a' pilot' for' the main burner, a gas passage leading to the diaphragm and a thermostatic device subjectedto the heat of the pilot, adapted'wh en v heated thereby to cut off flow through such.

passage and whencooled'toopen up ,flow through saidpassage.

16. In a device of the-characte'nsetviorth,

the combination with a Suitable gas burner of a main regulating valve controlling said said pressure operated device, a main burn'er, a gas pressure operated device connected with said valve for operating the same; an auxiliary gas passage leading to as passage leading to the main regulati ng valve, a thermostatic device and valve mechanism controlled by the thermostatic. device for governing flow through the auxiliary gas passage and main gas passage.

17,. In a device of the character set forth, the combination of a gas burner, a main regulating valve controlling said burner, a

gas pressure operated device connected'with said valve for operating the same, an auxiliary gas passage for supplying gas under pressure to the pressure operated device, a main gas passage leading to the main regulating valve, valve mechanism controllin flow through the auxiliary gas passage an through the main gas passage, and a thermostatic device connected with the said I valve mechanism adapted under the influence of heat to, first open up flow through the auxiliary gas passage and thereafter to decrease flow through the main gas passage. 18. In a device ofthe characterset forth, the combination of" afgas burner, a main regulating valve controlling. said .burner, a gas pressure operated device connected with I the regulating valve for controlling the same, a gas chamber, a gas supply conduit opening into said chamber, an auxiliary gas passage extending from the interior of said chamber to the pressure operated device and disposed substantially opposite to the. opening'of the supply conduit thereinto,'a lever-pivoted'in thegascharnber, oppo-' 1 sitely seating valves mounted on oneend of the said lever and arranged to control the main and auxiliary gas passages respectively and a thermostatic deviceconnected with the opposite end of the lever for operating the same.

19. In combination, a water storage reservoir, a gas burner for heating the water therein, a conduit for supplying gas to said burner, a main valve therefor; operated in one direction by as pressure, a main thermostatic device aving one end in said water storage reservoir, a housing for the 1 other end ofsai'd device, a valve seat in-said housing having a passage, a valve connected to said thermostatic 'device for coacting with said seat to open and close the passage there through and thereby open said" main gas, valve when the'water gets cold and close it when the water gets hot, a .pilot,fa thermostatic device affected by said pilot, means controlled bysaid pilot thermostatic device 3 for closing the main gas valve when the pilot becomes ineffective, .and means con trolledbyrne of the thermostatic dev1ces-fo1' discontinuing the supply-of gas to said gas.

burner in caseof excessive temperature development.

20. Ina device of the character set forth,

thecombination with a suitable burner, of a mam regulating valve therefor, a pressure operated device connected with the main regulating valve for operating the same, a

thermostatic device, means operated by said thermostatic device to control flow of fluid under pressure to the pressure operated device, whereby to control the burner through the medium of the pressure operated device and means operated by the thermostatic device adapted under excessive "heat conditions to cut olf flow ofgas to the burner, whereby the'thermostatic device will upon excessive heating act directly to reduce flow of gas to the burner independently of the control exercised by the pressure operated de-- vice.

21. In a.device of the character set forth havinga chamber, a diaphragm forming a wall thereof and provided with a valve pas-* sage, a valve carried by the diaphragm and, controlling said passage, means for controlling the admission of fluid under pressure to the diaphragm chamber, wherebyto cause movement of the diaphragm in due 'direction, spring fingers. engaging the valve to temporarily hold the same while, thedia-.- phragm is moving in. the oppositedirection ,anobmea'ns operated by said diaphragm.

l 22. In a device of the character set forth having a chamber, the combination of a diaphragm forming a wall thereof and provided with a valve passage, a lever pivoted on the diaphragm, a valve carried by said lever and controlling the passage-in the diaphragmfmeans for controlling the admission of fluid under pressure to the diaphragm chamber to .cause movement of the diaphragm in one direction, spring fingers v I arranged to temporarily hold thev lever tion and means operated by said diaphra 23; In' a deviceof the character descri ed having a chamber, the combination of a diaphragm forming a wall thereof, means for controlling the admission of fluid under pressure to said diaphragmchamber, means operable bysaid diaphragm, a valve for con- .whereby to hold the valve open when the diaphragm is moving in the opposite direc-- trolling the flow of gas from one side of the diaphragm to the other and me ans for opening the. valve when the diaphragm starts to collapse, said means including a plurality of springfingers for retardingmovement of saidvalve. p V

24. In a device of the character described having a chamber, the combination of a diayphragm forming a wall'thereof, means for controlling theadmission of fluid-: under pressure to said diaphragm chamber, means operableaby said diaphragm, a valve for irontrolling passage of, gas from one si defo f-the -when the diaphragm starts to collap'se', said means including a spherically surfaced member and a plurality of spring fingers for engaging the same.

25. In a device of the character described having a chamber, the combination of a diaphragm forming a wall thereof, means for controlling the admission of fluid under pressure to said diaphragm .chamber,means operable by said diaphragm, a valve controlling the passage of gas from one side of said diaphragm to the other, and means for automatically opening the valve when the diaphragm begins to collapse.

26-. In a water heater, a main burner, a main regulating valve controlling the flow of gas to the main burner, a diaphragm operatively connected to said valve, an auxiliary valve controlling the flow of gas to the diaphragm, a thermostatsubje'cted to the latter valve to hold it and permit the diaheat of the water and operativel connected with the auxiliary valve, a pilot or the main burner having a gas passage leading to said diaphragm and a thermostatic device controlled by the operation of the pilot for controllin the flow of gas through said passage to said diaphragm for operating the diaphragm to shut off the main'valve upon extinguishment of the pilot.

27. 'In an apparatus of the character described having a chamber, the combination of a main gas valve, a diaphragm forming a wall of the chamber and mechanically connected to said valve for operating the same,

.a valve controlling the flow of gas from one side of the diaphragm to the other, said .latter valve being operated by the movement of said diaphragm, means for engaging said phragm to collapse a certain amount independently of the valve and a heat operated auxiliary valve for controlling the flow of gas, to said diaphragm.

Q8. The combination in a water heater of a main gas regulating valve, a diaphragm operatively connected to said valve and opl erated by gas pressure,a valve operated by the movement of the diaphragm for controlling the flow of gas from one side of the diaphragm to the other, an auxiliary valve controlling the flow; of gas to the pressure side of said diaphragm and a heat operated device for operating said auxiliary valve.

29. In a water heater, a reservoir, a-gas supply pipe leading to a burner for heating the water in said reservoir, a main valve forcontrolling the flow; of gas to said sup ply pipe to said burner, a. gas pressure oper- "ated' diaphragm connected to said main valve, a main thermostatic device responding to the changes in temperature of the water in said reservoir, means controlled thereby for controlling the pressure of gas on said diaphragm,

vice responding to the temperature of. the pilot, and means controlled b said pilot thermostatic device for controlling the pressure of gas on said diaphragm.

pilot, a pilot thermostatic dey 30. In a Water heater, a reservoir, a main as valve a as ressure o erated device for valve, a gas operated device for moving said valve including a diaphragm having a passage ,for the movement of gas at all times, a pilot burner, .two valves for modifying the gas pressure on said device, two thermostatic devices for operating said two valvesrespectively, one responding to the-temperature in said reservoir and the other responding to the heat of the pilot burner.

32. Ina heater, a reservoir, a main gas valve, a gas operated device for moving said valve including a diaphragm having a passage for the movement of gas at all times, a

valve for partially closing said passage, a pilot burner, two valves for modifying the gas pressure on'said device, and two thenmostatic devices for operating said two valves respectively, one responding to the temperature in said reservoir and the other responding to the heat of the pilot burner.

33. In a water heater, a main gas valve, a cut off valve, a thermostatic device for closing the cut off valve when the temperature of the heater exceeds a certain limit, gas pressure operated means controlledby the thermostatic device for opening and closing the main gas valve, a pilot burner, and means responding to the heat of the pilot burner 'for operating the means for opening and closing the main gas valve.

34. A reservoir, a gas burner for heating the same, a gas pressure actuated means including a diaphragm controlling said gas burner and provided with means for permitting a leakage, a thermostatic means subjected to the temperature of the reservoir for cgntrolling. the flow of gas to ,said burner, a pilot for said burner and a thermostat subjected to the heat of the pilot for controlling the flow of gas to the pressure actuated means which controls said burner. 35. A water storage reservoir, a gas burner for heating same,-a main gas valve for controlling flowof gas to said burner, a

casing, a diaphragm therein connected to said mainvalve, a thermostat in the resera thermostat affected thereby for controlling the pressure of gas on said diaphragm.

36. The combination in 'a storage water heater system of a reservoir for the water, a gas burner for heating the same, means for cutting off the flow of gas to said burner including a vertically movable main valve 'movable by gravity in one direction and by gas pressure in the opposite direction, a,

horizontally disposed seat therefor, means responsive to the changes in temperature of the water in .said reservoir for controlling the action of said gas operated means in one direction, a pilot for lighting the said burner and means responsive to the pilot for causing the said gas operated means to close said main valve when said pilot becomes inefi'ective. I a

37. In a heatingdevice, a main gas burner for heating water in a reservoir, a valve controlling the flow of gas to the main burner, a device actuated by gas pressure for. operating said valve, a thermostat actuated by heat of the water in said reservoir, a

valve actuated by said thermostat to open and close and by so acting to thereby control the gas pressure actuated device for o crating said main valve, a pilot for the mam burner, a thermostat actuated by the heat of the pilot, a valve actuated by said pilot actuated thermostat to open and close and by so acting to thereby control the gas pressure actuated device for operatlng said main valve.

. HENRY E. REEVE.