US1729623A - Reversing valve - Google Patents

Description

W. M KEE REVERSING VALVE Oct. 1, 1929.

Original Filed Sept. 9, 1922 5 SheetS-SIWQC 1 TTORN EYS' Oct. 1, 1929. w. M KEE REVERSING VALVE- 3 Sheets-Sheet Original Filed Sept. 9. 1922 v I/IYAW/v/V l I 2 ATTORNEYS I Ill) Patented st. 1, 1929 FATENT UNiTED STATES WILLIS MCKEE, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNOR T0 CENTRAL NATIONAL BANK OF CLEVELAND REVERSING VALVE Application filed. September 9, 19-22, Serial No. 587,1'28. Renewed. November "17, 19%.

This invention relates to reversing valves for regenerative furnaces, and is particularly concerned with a single rotatable, multiple conduit valve provided with all the necessary connecting conduits and covers for a furnace of the type described.

One object of the invention is to construct a rotatable valve for regenerative furnaces having a single conduit for conducting combustible gas into one of several gas intake conduits of a furnace and another conduit adapted to connect the gas outlet conduits of the furnace with the stack.

A further object is to construct a movable valve for regenerative furnaces having conduits for suitably connecting intake and exhaust mains with the corresponding conduits of the furnace and also having adjustable covers for regulating the air supplied through still other conduits to the furnace.

Another object is to construct a rotatable valve adapted to connect a combustible gas main with any one of several conduits of a furnace or with the exhaust gas main.

Another object is to construct a unitary valve of the type described which may be operated with case either by hand or mechanical power.

A further object is to construct a simple, compact and easily operable six way valve for furnaces of the regenerative type.

Another object is in general to re-arrange the form and location of furnace parts and to improve the valve parts whereby the combined structure will be greatly simplified and the cost of erecting and maintaining the same correspondingly decreased.

Another object is to construct a reversing valve centrally supported on a bearing to permit rotation thereof and comprising separate conduits, one of which is adapted to receive waste gases from regenerator conduit open-' ings and deliver waste gases to the opening of a waste gas main, the said openings being located on the circumference of a circle defined about the central support of the valve as a center.

Another object is to provide separate eX- ternally positioned water seals for each of the furnace conduit openings, the said seals being so exposed and arranged as to facilitate cleaning thereof.

Other objects will appear and be pointed out in the appended specification.

In the drawings accompanying this specification and forming a part thereof, Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of my preferred form of valve in combination with a furnace of the regenerative type.

2 is a top plan view of this valve in a position similar to that shown in Fig. 1.

3 is a similar view of the valve when the flow of gases through the furnace has been reversed.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan View of the valve.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation partly in section of the valve taken substantially on line 55 on Fig. 4.

6 is a side elevation partly in section taken substantially on line 66 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view through the valve supporting mechanism.

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 represent diagrammatically the relative positions of the roller, cam and crank arm parts of the valve operating mechanism at various stages of the movement thereof.

Fig. 11 is a detail view of arm 37 and slide 38 showing the means of interlocking the two parts to prevent rotation of the valve.

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic representation of a modified form of valve, and

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary elevational view taken on line 1313 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 14: is a fragmentary top plan view taken on line 14-14 of Fig. 5 showing parts appearing also in Fig. 13; and

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary side elevational view taken on line 1515 of Fig. 14 with gear removed.

My improved valve relates to the so-called rotatable type of valve in which conduits, provided for connecting both combustible and waste gas mains, with the several conduits of the furnace, are constructed to operate and move as a unit.

One form of my improved Valve combines, in a single unitary structure, means for operatively connecting a combustible gas main ith any one of several combustible gas concan gases to or from the furnace.

duits of a furnace, or with the waste gas main; other separate means for similarly connecting certain of or all the waste gas conduits of the furnace with the waste gas main; and other means for controlling the air supplied to the air conduits of the furnace.

Referring first to Figs. 1 to 11 inclusive wherein I have shown one improved form of valve and arrangement of furnace parts for use therewith, 1 designates the masonry of a regenerative furnace in which I locate the various gas and air intake conduits, 2, 2, 3 and 3 respectively of a regenerative furnace 4. It will be understood that these conduits are similar, except perhaps as regards size, and that the gas conduit 2 and air conduit 3 are used alternately as intake and exhaust gas conduits for furnace 1, the other conduits 2 and 3 alternating therewith for conducting 5 designates a waste gas main whichcommunicates with stack 6 for leading gases thereto.

The open ends of conduits 2, 2, 3, 3 and main 5 are preferably arranged in substan tially the same horizontal plane and are grouped about a point, in one or more circles, or otherwise as may be most convenient. In this modification, all these openings are arrangedabout the circumference of a single circle. 7

Although I have designated the gas passages of thefurnace as furnace conduits and the gaspassages, separatedfromthe furnace by the valve, as gas mains, such terminology has been adopted only for the purpose of simplifying the description as will be readily understood. 7

,At the center of the circle or circles on which the conduit openings are located, and supported on the masonry 1, is positioned a. valve supporting member 7 formed of cast ironorother suitable material and adapted to carry a rotatable valve indicated as an entirety by 8. This member 7 (see Fig. 7) comprises a base portion having an upstanding peripheral flange 9, to assist in securing the same in position, and an upstanding central portion 7 havinga pocketlO near the top thereof in which are located bearings and bearing races 11 to rotatably support the valve 8. o

Valve-8 comprises a rigid supportingmember 8 which may be formed of a casting, the lower end of which telescopes over and has relatively close fitting engagement with the upstanding central portion 7 a of member 7, a supporting member orshell 8 carried .on the top of casting 8 which may be formed of sheet metal; and a plurality of conduits 14 and 15 carried by member 8 and preferably formed ofa sheet metal shell lined with suitable conduit lining material, such as bric (S. Conduit 14 which has an internal diameter substantially thesame size as that of the overhead combustible gas main 13, has its upper end 12 located over the center of the valve structure, to communicate with main 13 but extends outwardly and downwardly sufficiently to engage operatively with openings of conduits 2,2 or 5 when suit-ably rotated. To the opposite side of member 8 conduit 15 is secured, which conduit is curved about the center of rotation of valve 8 when viewed from above, so that the openings of its downwardly extending ends 16 and intermediate portion 17 are adapted to communicate simultaneously with conduits 2 and 3 and main 5, or with conduits 2 and 3 and main 5.

It will thus be evident to those skilled in the art that I have provided a rotatable six way valve having a conduit for conducting com bustible gas from a main into either of the two intake conduits of a furnace of the type described, or into a waste gas main lead ing to a stack or flue; and also having a conduit adapted to conduct waste gases fromthe several exhaust openings of a furnace to the waste gas main which leads to the stack. Obviously conduits having fewer or more, openings could be accommodated if desired withoutdeparting from the principle thus employed.

The arrangement of conduits 14: and 15 and the spacing of openings 2, 2, 3, 3 and 5' are such that rotation of valve 8 on.its supporting structure, including member 7, brings conduit let into registry with opening 2.while conduit 15 is in communication with conduits 3 and 5; and conduit 14.is in registrywith conduit 2 when conduit 15 comunicates with conduits 2, 3, and 5. When conduit 14: is brought into registry with main 5, as maybe done to lead combustible gas directly into the flue for the purposes of burning out-accumulations of partially, consumed combustible material, conduit 15 will register with conduits 2 and 2 with portion 17 being left open but sinceno gas will be passing through'conduit 15 at such time, no harm will result therefrom.

It will also be seen that I have provided a unitary valve structure in which the conduits are separate and distinct and freefrom housings orcoverings, and substantially all the outer surfaces of the conduits are at all times in contact with'the atmosphere. Such conduits can be constructed andmaintained at a relatively low cost as compared with other valve structures in use at present, and are entirely free fro'm all danger of leakage of gases from one conduit to another.

To prevent leakage of gas at the junction of conduit sections I have provided gas seals each of which comprises a substantially U-shap'ed trough member surrounding one conduit section and secured thereto and adapted to contain gas sealing liquid or material, and acorresponding, depending eircular flange surrounding and secured to the cooperating conduit section to dip into such liquid or material. These seals have the advantage that the sealing medium is visible therein so that the supply can be controlled as desired; that evaporation is relatively slow as com- )MGd with seals havin a 'reater surface ex posed to the gases; that comparatively little moisture is taken up therefrom by gases entering the furnace; and that the sealing medium is removed from direct contact with the moving gases as they flow through the conduits.

A valve 13, preferably of the butterfly type is mounted near the open end of gas main 13, see Fig. 5, to prevent loss of gas from the main when valve 8 is being moved, and also to regulate the flow of gas through the main.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 6, 18 and 18 indicate each of two similar covers for regulating the air supplied to the furnace through conduits 3 and 3. Each cover comprises an elongated arm 18 hinged to the lower end of member 8 in a manner to limit the downward movement thereof and carrying a disc shaped plate 18 at the outer end so as to be located above the openings of the air conduits 3 and 3. These covers may be raised or lowered with respect to the end of conduits 3 and 3 by any suitable means, a cam roller 19 operable by hand-rod 19 being illustrated herein for that purpose. Cover 18 is shown in position to admit air into one conduit while cover 18 is shown in idle position since in the illustrated modification only one of the covers is in use at any time.

Having thus described my improved valve particularly as to the form and location of the gas conduits, I will now briefly describe the means for supporting the valve- 8 and for elevating and rotating the same.

A cross shaft 20 of suiiicient size and strength to support valve 8 is rotatably mounted in bearings (not shown) in member 8. On this shaft is pivotally mounted a lever comprising an elongated arm 21, to the outer end of which is secured weight or counterbalance 22, and an arm 23 carrying a pin 24 at the end thereof, to which is pivoted a link 25. An enlarged port-ion 26 of arm 21 engages with and pivots on the upper end of knife edge member 27, which in turn is supported on the bearings 11 mentioned hereinabove. Preferably the relation of lever arm lengths, location of pivotal points, and weight and location of the counterbalance is so adjusted that the application of but relatively small force is required to cause lever 21 to pivot on member 27 and thus ele-- vate shaft 20 and with it valve 8. Sufficient force for this purpose may be applied manually by a bar projecting beyond weight 22 but preferably power operating means later to be described are employed. Shaft 28 mounted on member 8 is actuated by a worm gear and worm not shown but indicated generally by numeral 29, which gearing is in turn actuated by a shaft 30 to which is geared a motor 31 at one end and which carries near the other end a cam 32 and crank-arm 33 (see Figs. 5, 8, 9 and 10). Link 25 which has a slotted connection with shaft 28 carries roller 34 to engage with the surface of cam 32. As motor 31 actuates shafts 30 and 28, cam. 32 turns and causes the roller 34 to run onto the enlarged circumference thereof thus forcing roller 34 and link 25 away from shaft 28. This movement of link 25 assisted by the counterbalance 22 causes lever 21 to pivot on member 27 and thereby elevate'valve 8 and all parts thereof. The extent of this elevational movement, whether accomplished manually or mechanically, must be sufficient for the depending flange members of the liquid sealing devices of conduits 14, 16 and 17, to clear the cooperating sealing members and thereby permit free rotation of valve 8 as a whole. After roller 34 has ridden onto the enlarged part of cam it retains the same position as regards distance from shaft 28 for about one half revolution of the latter when it again approaches the shaft. As roller 34 rides down cam 32 toward shaft 28 the weight of valve 8 causes lever 21 to pivot about member 27 thus lowering the valve.

The following described mechanism may be used to rotate the valve after it has been ele vated sufiiciently. Crank-arm 33 has a laterally projecting pin 35 at the outer end thereof which is adapted to engage with a socket 36 at one end of an arm 37 pivoted to member 38. This member which is slidably mounted on one side of member 12 carries along one side a rack 39 to engage with a sector shaped pinion 40 which is secured to supporting member 7. After pin 35 engages with socket 36 and continues to rotate, arm 37 forces member 38 along its slide, thus causing the rack to press against the fixedly mounted pinion 40, and resulting in rotational movement of valve 8 with respect to mem her 7.

The general configuration and arrangement of parts of valve 8 and the antifriction means interposed between the valve and member 7 provides a structure which may easily be ro-' tated either by the mechanism just described or manually.

In moving the preferred form of valve from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 3 the devices operate substantially as follows.

As shaft 28 rotates, roller 34 moves away therefrom along cam 32 and elevates valve 8 as above described. Just after roller 34 reaches the top of cam 32, the pin 35 of camarm 33 engages socket 36 of arm 3'? and causes rotational movement of valve 8 above described. The location and throw of crank arm 33 and pin 35 are properly selected to cause a rotation of Valve 8 through 120 reversed, as will be readily understood.

To prevent accidental rotation of valve 8, I have provided on arm 37 a depending pin '41 to pass through a hole 42 in slide 38and to seat in a recess in member 8 This necessitates lifting arm 37 until pin l1 is free from recess 43 before slide 38 can move rela tive to 8.

It will be observed that the various furnace conduits and waste gas main outletshavc been arranged in a circle and spaced apart.

By reason of such location and arrangement any of the conduits of valve 8 may be brought over such openings. For :zample, if it is desired to lead combustible gas directly into the waste gas main to burn out the fines or for other purposes, this may be accomplished by disengaging rack 39 and sector pinion and then elevating, manually turning and then lowering'the valve until conduit 14Ev communicates with main 5.

Under certain conditions the modified form of valve shown diagrammatically in Fig. 12 may be desired. This valve is constructed on the same general principles as those under lying the previously described form but is adapted to use where, for lack of sufficient head room for an overhead gas main or other- Wise, the combustible gas main 54 is located below the plane of the valve. In the modification shown in Fig. 12 the outlet of the combustible gas main 54 is located in the same circle with the outlets of furnace gas and air conduits 51, 51, 52, and 52 respectively and waste gas main 53. For such an arrangement valve 8 is altered by having conduit 14 replaced by an inverted U-shaped conduit 56 adapted to connect the combustible gas main with either of the two furnace conduits 52 or 52. Conduit is substantially the same as conduit 15 in the preceding modification. Only one air conduit cover 57 corresponding to covers 18 and 18 is required, however, since, by reason ofthe location of air conduits 51 and 51, it is adapted to cover each conduit at the proper time. In other respects the valve is substantially similar to valve 8 previously described.

Having thus described my invention so that those skilled in the art may be enabled to practice the same, what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is defined by what is claimed, it being understood that various changes and modifications may be made without departmam having a substantially horizontally arranged opening, a plurality of furnace conduits, the openings of the last said main and said conduits being arranged in substantially onehorizontal plane, about and beneath the opening v of the first said main, a reversing valve comprising separate conduits adapted to connect the said mains and conduits and supported for vertical and circumferential movement within. the area defined by the openings arranged in the said horizontal plane, means" comprising telescoping members for sealing the junctions ofthe valve conduits with the said mains and furnace conduits and means f r.

2. In regenerative furnace in combination, an overhead main having an opening, a second main having an opening, a plurality of furnace conduits having openings, a reversing to connect the said mains and furnace conduits and adapted to be elevated, rotated and then lowered and means for sealing the j unctions of the valve conduits with the said mains. and furnace conduits.

3. In a regenerative furnace in combination, an overhead main having a substantially horizontally arranged opening, a second main having a substantially horizontally arranged opening, a plurality of furnace conduits having substantially horizontally arranged openings, the openings of the last said main and said conduits being arranged in substantially one horizontal plane about and beneath the opening of the first said main, a reversing valve comprising separate conduits adapted to connect the said mains and conduits, means for sealing the junctions of the valve conduits with the said mains and furnace conduitsand means for elevating, rotating and then 16w ering the said valve.

4. In a regenerative furnace in combination, an overhead main having tin-opening, a

disengaging certainof the said telescoph members and then rotating the saldvalve."

. go valve comprising separate conduits adapted second main having an opening, a pluralityof v furnace conduits having openings, the openings of the said second main and conduits being arranged in a circle about and beneath the opening of the said overhead main, a reversing valve comprising separate conduits adapted to connect the said mains and furnace conduits and supported for vertical and circumferential movement within the'said circle of openings, means for sealing the junctions of the valve conduits with the said mains and furnace conduits and means for elevating, rotating and then lowering the said valve.

5. In a regenerative furnace in combination, an overhead main having an opening, a second main having an opening, a plurality of furnace conduits having openings, the openings of the said second main and conduits being arranged in a circle about and beneath the opening of the said overhead main, a reversing valve comprising separate conduits adapted to connect the said mains and conduits and supported for vertical and circumferential movement Within the said cirole of openings, means comprising telescoping members for sealing the junctions of the valve conduits with the said mains and furnace conduits and means for disengaging the said telescoping members and then rotating the said valve.

6. In a regenerative furnace in combina tion, an overhead main having an opening, a second main having an opening, a plurality of furnace conduits having openings, the openings of the conduits being arranged in a circle about and beneath the opening of the said overhead main, a reversing valve comprising separate conduits adapted to connect the said mains and conduits, means comprising telescoping members for sealing the unctions of the valve conduits with the said mains and furnace conduits and means for disengaging the said telescoping members and then rotating the said valve.

7. In a regenerative furnace in combination, an overhead main having an opening, a second main having an opening, a plurality of furnace conduits having openings, the openings of the said second main and conduits being arranged in a circle about and beneath the opening of the said overhead main, and a reversing valve comprising separate conduits to connect suitably the said mains and furnace conduits and adapted to be elevated, rotated and then lowered.

8. In a regenerative furnace in combination, an overhead main, a second main, a plurality of furnace conduits, a reversing valve comprising separate conduits adapted to connect the said mains and conduits, means for sealing the junctions of the valve conduits With the said mains and furnace conduits, means for elevating, rotating and then lowering the said valve,'and means to regulate the supply of air entering the furnace air conduit.

9. In a regenerative furnace in combination, an overhead main, a second main, a plurality of furnace conduits, a reversing valve comprising separate conduits adapted to connectthe said mains and conduits, means for sealing the junctions of the valve conduits With the said mains and furnace conduits, means for elevating, rotating and then lowering the said valve, and adjustable covers for certain of the said furnace conduits pivotally mounted on the said valve.

10. In a regenerative furnace in combination, an overhead main having a substantially horizontally arranged opening, a second main having a substantially horizontally arranged opening, a plurality of furnace conduits, the openings of the last said main and conduits being arranged in a circle in substantially one horizontal plane about and beneath the opening of the first said main, a reversing valve comprising separate conduits adapted to connect the said mains and conduits and supported Within the said circle of openings for vertical and circumferential movement, means comprising telescoping members for sealing the junctions of the valve conduits With the said mains and furnace conduits and means for disengaging certain of the said telescoping members and then rotating the said valve.

11. In a regenerative furnace in combination, an overhead main having a substantially horizontally arranged opening, a second main having a substantially horizontally arranged opening, a plurality of furnace conduits, the openings of the last said main and conduits being arranged in substantially one horizontal plane about and beneath the opening of the first said main, a reversing valve comprising separate conduits adapted to connect the said mains and conduits and sup ported Within the area defined by the openings arranged in the said horizontal plane, for vertical and circumferential movement, means comprising telescoping members for sealing the junctions of the valve conduits With the said mains and furnace conduits and means for disengaging certain of the said telescoping members and then rotating the said valve, and means pivotally mounted on the said valve to regulate the supply of air entering the furnace air conduit.

12. In a regenerative furnace in combination, an overhead main having a substantially horizontally arranged opening, a second main having a substantially horizontally arranged opening, a plurality of furnace conduits, the openings of the last said main and conduits being arranged in substantially one iorizontal plane about and beneath the opening of the first said main, a reversing valve comprising separate conduits adapted to connect the said mains and conduits and supported for vertical and circumferential move- .ment With the area defined by the openings arranged in the said horizontal plane, means comprising telescoping members for sealing the junctions of the valve conduits with the said mains and furnace conduits and means for disengaging certain of the said telescoping members and then rotating the said valve and.

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' tical and circumferential movement within the area defined by the openings arranged in the said horizontal. plane, means for sealing the junctions of the said mains and conduits and means for elevating the said valve to break the seals at the lower ends of the said valve conduits.

14. In a regenerative furnace in combination, an overhead main, a second main, a plurality of furnace conduits having open- A inc's a reversin valve com arisin se-earate o 7 b a l conduits adapted to connect the said mains and conduits, means comprising telescoping members for sealing the junctions of the valve conduits with the said mains and furnace conduits and means for disengaging the said telescoping members and then rotating the said valve.

15. In a regenerative furnace in combination, an overhead main having an opening, a closure for said opening, a second main having an opening, a plurality of furnace conduits, the openings of the said main and conduits being arranged in a circle about and beneath the opening of the said overhead main, a reversing valve comprising separate conduits adapted to connect the said mains and conduits, means for sealing the junctions of the valve conduits with the said mains and furnace conduits and means for elevating, rotating and then lowering the said valve.

16. In a regenerative furnace in combination, a plurality of gas inlet and outlet conduits the open ends thereof being arranged in a circle and in substantially the same horizontal plane, a combustible gas conduit having its open end located above the open end of the said furnace conduits and substantially at the center of the circle of said conduits, a waste gas main having its open end located in substantially the same horizontal plane and on the same circle with the openings of the furnace conduits and a valve mounted to rotate above the openings of the said furnace conduits and having means for' connecting the said combustible gas main with one of the furnace intake conduits and a plurality of furnace outlet conduits with ble main with certain of the furnace in-' take conduits and another conduit having a assasplurality of openings and connecting all of the furnace outlet conduits with the said waste gas main. r

18. In a regenerative furnace in combination, a plurality of furnace intake andfoutlet conduits, a combustible gas main, a waste gas main, and a valve for suitably joining the combustible gas main with a furnace conduit and other furnace conduits with the said waste gas main, the said valve comprising a central supporting member, a conduit sec ured thereto and adapted toconnect a fur nace conduit and the said combustible main, and a conduit secured to the said sup" porting member and having a pluralityof inlet openings. u

19. As a new article of manufacture a valve for a regenerative furnace comprising a cen tral supporting member, a conduit carried thereby to conduct combustible gas to a furnace conduit and another conduit havinga plurality of inlet openings, secured to the side of the said supporting member, and means for raising, rotating and lowering the said valve.

20. In a regenerative furnace in combination, a combustible gas main, a waste gas main, a plurality of furnace conduits and a vertically movable valve for operatively'connecting the said mains with the said conduits, said valve comprising separate watersealed conduits rotatable as a unit striptease];- rounded by the atmosphere, one of the said valve conduits being adapted to connect a plurality of said furnace conduits with one of thesaidm'ains.

21. In a regenerative furnace in eombina tion, a combustible gas main, a waste main, a plurality of furnace conduits, the said waste gas main and furnaceconduits 'be ing-arranged about a point in a circle, and a reversing valve'mounted for verticaland rotational movement within the'said circle and having separate conduits surrounded by the atmosphere for operati'vel'y connecting the said mains and furnace conduits, one of the said valve conduits having openings arranged to coincide with a plurality of furnace conduits and one of the said 'ma'ins.

22. In a regenerative furnace,ii1' c'liiiibin'a tion, a combustible gas main, a waste main, a plurality of furnace conduits and a' vertically movable valve for operativelylconnecting the said mains with thesaid'conduits, said valve comprising separate atmosphere surrounded water sealed conduits, onset the said separate conduits being adapted to connect either pair oftwo pairs of furnace con-- duits with one of the said mains.

23. I11 a regenerative furnace in combination, a combustible gas main, a waste gasmain, a plurality of furnace conduits and a vertically movable and rotatable valve for operatively connecting the said mains withthe said conduits, said valve comprisingsep'arate water sealed conduits surrounded by the atmosphere and rotatable as a unit, one of the said separate conduits being adapted to con nect a pair of furnace conduits with one of the said mains.

24. In a regenerative furnace in combination, a plurality of furnace intake and outlet conduits, a combustible gas main, a Waste gas main, and a valve comprising a central supporting member, a conduit carried on the said supporting member and adapted to communicate with one of the said mains, and a conduit carried on the said supporting momher and having a plurality of openings at its lower side.

25. In a regenerative furnace in combination, a plurality of furnace intake and outlet conduits, a combustible gas main, a waste gas main, a valve for operatively connecting the said furnace conduits with said mains, the said valve comprising a central support ing member, a conduit carried by the said supporting member and adapted to connect the said combustible gas main with either a furnace conduit or the waste gas main, a conduit secured to the said supporting member and having a plurality of separate openings at its lower side, and means mounted on the supporting member for moving the valve to reverse the direction of gas flow in the furnace.

26. In a regenerative furnace in combination, a plurality of furnace intake and outlet conduits, a combustible gas main, a waste gas main, a vertically movable valve for operatively connecting the said furnace conduits wit-h said mains, the said valve comprising a vertical supporting member, a conduit carried on the upper end thereof and extending laterally and downwardly therefrom, and a conduit secured to the said supporting memher and adapted to connect a plurality of furnace conduits with one of the said mains.

27. In a regenerative furnace in combination, a plurality of furnace intake and outlet conduits, a combustible gas main, a waste gas main, a vertically movable valve for operatively connecting the said furnace conduits with said mains, the said valve comprising a vertical supporting member, a conduit carried on the upper end thereof and extending laterally and downwardly therefrom, and an inverted U-shaped conduit secured to the said supporting member and having a branch conduit intermediate the ends thereof.

28. In a regenerative furnace in combination, a plurality of furnace intake and outlet conduits, a combustible gas main, a waste gas main, a vertically movable valve for operatively connecting the said furnace conduits with said mains, the said valve comprising a vertical supporting member, a conduit carried on the upper end thereof and extending laterall and downwardly therefrom, and a conduit having three openings secured to the said a supporting member.

29. In a regenerative furnace in combination, a plurality of furnace intake and outlet conduits, a combustible gas main, a waste gas main, a vertically movable valve for operatively connecting the said furnace conduits with said mains, the said valve comprising a vertical supporting member, a conduit carried on the upperend thereof and extending laterally and downwardly therefrom, a conduit having three openings secured to the said supporting member, and means mounted on the supporting member for moving the valve to reverse the direction of gas flow in the furnace.

30. In a regenerative furnace in combination, five gas conduits grouped about a point, one of which conduits is a waste gas main, a sixth gas conduit above the said five conduits, a reversing valve having combustible gas and waste gas conduits for operatively connecting the said conduits, the waste gas conduit being movable and having a plurality of separate openings and means for moving the valve to reverse the direction of gas flow through certain of the said conduits.

31. In a regenerative furnace in combination a reversing valve having separate water sealed conduits surrounded by the atmosphere for operatively connecting gas conduits, six gas conduits, five of the said conduits being grouped about the said valve, and means for raising, rotating and lowering the valve to reverse the direction of gas flow through cer-- tain of the said conduits.

32. In a regenerative furnace in combination, five gas conduits arranged about a point, one of the conduits being a waste gas main, sixth conduit arranged above and centrally of the said conduits, a reversing valve located beneath the said sixth conduit and centrally of the said five conduits and having separate means for connecting certain of the said conduits, one of the said means which is adapted for waste gases being movable and provided with separate openings.

33. In a regenerative furnace in combination, five gas conduits arranged about a point, one of the conduits being a waste gas main, a sixth conduit arranged above and centrally of the said five conduits, and centrally of the said five conduits, a reversing valve located beneath the said sixth conduit and having separate movable means for connecting certain of the said conduits, each of said means being provided with a plurality of separate openings and means for moving the valve to reverse the direction of gas flow through certain of the said conduits.

34. In a regenerative furnace in combination, five gas conduits grouped about a point, one of the conduits being a waste gas main, a sixth gas conduit above the said five conduits, a reversing valve having conduits for operatively connecting the said conduits, the reversing valve having a conduit for con- I rt necting the said sixth conduit with one of the said five conduits and movable vmeans having separate openings for connecting certainof the remaining conduits.

35. In a regenerative furnace in combination, a reversing valve, six gas conduits, five of the said conduits being grouped about the said valve, one of the five-conduits being a Waste gas main, the said valve being movable as a unit and having a conduit for connecting the sixth conduit With one of the said five conduits and having a conduit With separate openings for connectingthree of the said live conduits, the said valve conduits having substantially their entire outer surfaces in contact With the atmosphere.

36. I11 a regenerative furnace in combination, a reversing valve, six gas conduits, five of the said conduits being grouped about the said valve, and one of the said five conduits being a Waste gas main, the said valve rotatable as a unit and including a conduit provided with separate openings for connecting three of the said five conduits and means for connecting certain of the remaining conduits, the said valve conduits having substantially their entire outer surfaces in contact With the atmosphere.

37. A reversing valve comprising a rotatably mounted Waste gas conduit having three separate outlets and means forreversing the flow of gases through the conduit.

88. A rotatably mounted reversing valve having terminals arranged about a point, and five separate Water seals into Which the terminals are adapted to be lowered.

39. A reversing valve comprising a rotatably mounted conduit having three separate Water sealed openings arranged on the circumference of a circle.

40. A six-Way, rotatable, Water sealed reversing valve comprising separate conduits rotatable as a unitary structure, each conduit having substantiallyits entire exterior surface exposed to the atmosphere.

41. A self contained, countervveighted, six- Way, reversing valve for reversing the direction of the gases in the air and gas regenerators.

42. In a regenerative furnace, a single, Water sealed, rotatable valve for reversing the direction of flow of the gases through both the gas and air regenerators, the said valve being supported on a pintle centrally disposed With respect to the openings of the said air and gas regenerators, and means for regulating the flow of gas and air into the regenerators.

43. In a regenerative furnace, a bearing member, a plurality of conduits having openings lying in substantially the same horizon tal plane and located substantially on the circumference of a circle defined about thesaid bearing member as a center, separate externally located water seals surrounding each of the said openings, at single reversing valve. rotatably carrled on the said bearing member. and having conduits adapted to connect a 'fiow of gases through an opening not connected with the "said valve.

44. In a regenerative furnace in'combination, a reversing valve having separate conduits surroiinded by the atmosphere for opratively connecting gas conduits, six gas conduits, live of the said conduits, one of which is a Waste gas main, being grouped about the said valve, means for moving the valve to reverse the direction of gas flow through certain of the said conduits, and independent liquid sealing means for sealing each of the connections between thesaid conduits and the stationary connections.

45. A reversing valve centrally supported on a pint-1e and comprising a plurality of separate conduits one of which. has a plurality of inlet openings lying substantially on the circumference of a circle defined about signature.

WILLIS Mo'KEE.

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