US1257354A - Vacuum vapor-heating system. - Google Patents

Description

H. J. HUNT VACUUM VAPOR HEATING SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED APR. 18. 19w.

1.557535%, Patented Feb. 26, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

H. J. HUNT.

VACUUM VAPOR HEATING SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED APR. I8. 19!].

l ,257, 354 Patented Feb. 26, 1918,

2 SHEET8-SHEEI 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQEQ HENRY J. HUNT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO SOL I. SHANE, OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS.

VACUUM VAPOR-HEATIN G SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 26, 1918.

Application filed April 18, 1917. Serial No. 163,033.

To aZZ whom 2'27 may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY J HUNT, citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vacuum Vapor-Heating Systems; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in steam heating apparatus, and more particularly to means for maintaining a relatively constant and uniform vacuum in a steam heating system to the end that the free circulation of steam through the radiators is promoted.

The invention relates more particularly to what may be termed a vacuum trap for heating systems which is adapted to be used in new installations, and also in old installations for converting the same from the high pressure to the low pressure or vapor type, and which may also be utilized advantageously in existing low pressure or vapor systems.

The invention has for its particular object to provide simple, cheap and efiicient means for maintaining a vacuum on the return side of a steam heating system, and includes a novel and efiicient trap adapted to be interposed in the return line of a steam heating system for maintaining the aforesaid vacuum therein.

Other objects of the invention will be understood from the following specification.

The invention consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and particularly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating a suitable embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1- is a general diagrammatic view of a steam heating system equipped with a trap constructed in accordance with my invention connected with the radiators and generator in accordance with the invention; the trap being shown on an enlarged scale in comparison to the remaining parts of the system.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical longitudinal section through a trap for steam heating systems constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 3 is a plan section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2-

Fig. l is a fragmentary detail vertical longitudinal section on the line 44 of Fig. 2. V

In the said drawings, 1 indicates a steam generator or boiler of any suitable type, the furnace 2 of which is connected by means of the flue with the stack 3. From the boilerthe steam supply pipe 4 rises, the latter connecting with a feed pipe 5 extending from the upper end of the pipe 4 at a slight downward pitch. The said feed pipe 5 connects at its other end with the return pipe 6 lead ing to the bottom of the generator for returning water of condensation collecting in the pipe 5 to the generator. A second feed pipe 7, corresponding to the pipe 5, may extend in the opposite direction from the latter and terminates in a second return pipe 8, in the usual manner.

From the supply pipes 5 and 7 the steam passes through branch pipes 9 into the radiators 10, of which any number may be installed in the building on the various floors. Each of the radiators is equipped preferably at the end opposite from the point of admission of steam and contiguous to the highest point in the radiator with a thermostatic air valve 11, of well-known construction, for automatically exhausting air from the radiators. From each of the air-valves the radiators are connected with return pipes 12 leading to pipes 13 through which air is exhausted into the trap 14 and thence to the stack and atmosphere. Possibly some vapor, is delivered into the return pipes 13. A plurality of said return pipes 13 may be provided, as shown, clepending upon the particular needs of the installation, and such pipes may enter the trap 14 at different points. Interposed in each return pipe 13 is a small mud or sediment trap 15 which is adapted to receive so much of the water of condensation as may find its way into the return pipes 12 flange 18 extending diametrically thereof, and which becomes interposed in the path of steam and air passed through the pipe 13 into the trap 14:, the purpose of said flange 18 being to effect a downward deflection of the fluid so as to cause dirt, and the like, carried in suspension by the air and steam passing to the trap 14-, to be deposited in the trap 15. lVater contained in the latterabove the level of the lowermost points in the pipe or pipes 13 will overflow into the trap 14. The latter consists preferably of cylindrical housing provided in its lower wall with a central opening by means of which it is connected with a return pi the pe 19 leading to the bottom of generator 1, said pipe 19 having a checkvalve 2O interposed therein for preventing water from the generator flowing back into the trap under the influence of excessive pressure in the generator. The upper end of the trap 14. is closed by means of the head 21 having a central hollow projection 22 extending upwardly therefrom. In the center of the latter there is a passage 23 terminating at both ends in valve seats 24 and 25 respectivelv, said passage constituting an air duct which is normally maintained closed by a very light ball check-valve 26 seating by gravity on the valve-seat 25 The upper end of the projection 22 contalns an annular seat for the lower edge or mouth of an inverted glass cup 27, the joint between which and said projection 25 is rendered fluid-tight in any suitable manner. It is obvious, of course, that the cup may be of other material besides glass. From the upper end portion of said projection 22 and laterally of the valve-seat 25 there is a passage 28 which is connected by means of a pipe 29 with the chimney or stack 3 which serves to maintain a slight degree of vacuum in the cup 27.

Secured to the lower face of the head 21 is a guide me iber 30 for the stem 81 of avalve 32 which is adapted to seat on the valveseat 2%, but is normally maintained off said seat. T he said stem 31 is provided with an extension rod 33 on which a float 3a is reciprocably movable. The float normally rests on a collar 85 at the lower end of the rod 33, but is adapted, in the event that water should collect in the trap it to a sufficiently high level, to engage the shoulder 36 at the lower end of the stem 31, and upon further rise of the level of water in the trap 14:, to raise the valve 32 to its seat to prevent the passage of water through the air passage 23 and thence into the pipe 29. The trap 1a is preferably equipped with the usual gage glass 37 through which the level of water in the trap may be readily observed.

It will be observed, of course, that the trap 14: may be made of any size suitable to the service which it is adapted to perform and proportioned more or less to the number of radiators and square feet of radiation and heating surface contained in the heating plant.

The operation of the system will probably be readily understood from the fore o'ing description, but will be briefly reviewed for the sake of clarity.

Assuming that there is a fire in the generator 1 and that steam is being generated therein, such steam will pass through the pipes 4-, 5 and T and through. the pipes 9 to the radiators 10. Aircontained in the latter will. be exhausted, at least in part, through the thermostatic air valve 11 to the atmosphere. The water of condensation collecting in the radiators 10 will return through the supply pipes 9 to the feed pipe 5 and return pipe 6. Such air as may not be exhausted through the valves 11, together with relative minute quantities of water of condensation will pass through pipes 12 to 7 Steam may sometimes pass w th the a1: 1nto said pipes the return pipe or pipes i3.

13, and all of such fluid will flow into the trap .14 except such of the water of condensation as may collect within the sediment traps 15. Water and air will now be contained in the trap 14; and the water will be drained from the trap and check-valve 20 into the generator as soon as the height of the watercolumn in said pipe 19 and trap 1 1 exceeds that of the generator plus the steam pressure in the latter'; it being preferable to locate the trap at the highest available elevation above the generator 1 to promote proper drainage of the trap. The air collecting in the trap 14- will obviously reduce the vacuum therein, and as soon as the degree of vacuum in the trap 14; is less than that in the pipe 29 such air will pass upwardly into the cup 27 pastthe valve 26, and will be exhausted through the pipe 29 to the stack. The vacuum maintained in the trap 14; will, of course, be communicated through the pipe or pipes 12 and 13 to the radiators, and will serve to promote the entrance and circulation of steam through the radiators in a well-known manner.

lVhile I have shown my invention in its preferred embodiment, and in the preferable mode of installation thereof in a steam or vapor heating system, it wil be obvious, of course, that the construction of the trap may be changed and varied in details and the manner of its installation also varied to best adapt it to perform its function without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claim.

I claim as my invention:

A steam trap for heating systems including a sealed vessel having a discharge port for air and vapor, a valve-seat bordering said port, a check-valve cooperating with said seat to normally maintain said port closed against the admission of air or vapor, a second seat surrounding said valveseat, an inverted transparent cup removably mounted on said second seat, there be- 7 ing an open space between said seats adapted to be connected with means for maintaining a partial vacuum in said cup, a second valve seat at said discharge port, a normally open valve adapted to seat thereon, a float operatively associated with said valve for automatically closing the same as water accumulates in said. vessel to a predetermined level, an inlet port for air, water and vapor to said vessel below the discharge 1 port, and an outlet for water in the lower end thereof.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY J. HUNT. Witnesses:

M. M. BOYLE, J. C. BROGKETT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner oi. Patents, Washington, D. G.

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