US2014153A - Cap for steam radiator valves - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 10, 1935. G. w. TAYLOR V 2,014,153

- .CAP FOR STEAM RADIATOR VALVES Filed June 15, 1931 W/MZWEM Fla: la; 6.

lnuen a W Patented Sept. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

My present invention relates to devices for use in steam heating systems, and more particularly to a novel and improved cap for the air valves of steam radiators.

It is a well known fact that when the ordinary air valves are used on a steam radiator, as the steam is built up, it will force the cold air out through these air valves. As long as the pressure is maintained the radiators will retain the heat, but as soon as the pressure on the steam is reduced, as by checking the fire, air starts to re-enter the radiator. This entrance of the air into the radiator rapidly cools the same, and prevents proper heat radiation therefrom.

The radiator will not again be heated until the steam pressure has been again built up and forced to the radiators, again exhausting the cold air therefrom. This constant reheating of the steam radiators results in the burning of considerable fuel, greatly increasing the cost of maintenance of a steam heating system,

There are in use radiator valves which permit the exhaustion of the cold air from the radiator, and preventing the re-entering of such air, but these valves are costly and mechanically complicated.

An important object of the present invention, therefore, resides in the provision of a cap for the ordinary air valves of a steam radiator, said cap being simple in the extreme to manufacture and install, inexpensive, and yet rugged and efficient to a high degree.

My novel cap is composed of elastic material, such as rubber, and in order to install the same it is only necessary to press the cap onto the air valve of a steam radiator. This may be done whether the radiator is hot or cold, and each cap can be installed in a moments time.

My novel cap is constructed and arranged to permit the exhaustion of air from the radiator upon the raising of steam pressure to but a slight degree, and instantaneously ;operable, on the slightest decrease of said pressure, to prevent the re-entry of air into the said radiator. Thus, a steam heating system wherein the air valves of the radiators thereof are equipped with my novel caps is converted into a vacuum or vapor system at a trifling cost and minimum of effort.

Other objects and features of the present invention reside in the particular construction and arrangement of my novel cap, and all of the above, together with other objects and features, details of construction, combinations of parts, and advantages, will be hereinafter more fully pointed out, described and claimed.

Referring to the drawing, illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my novel cap;

Fig, 2 is a vertical sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 3; 5

Fig. 3 is a plan sectional view on the linev 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of said cap;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional elevation illustrating my novel cap applied to one type of air valve; 10 Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the application of my novel cap to a different type and size of valve; and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional View of the upper section of my novel cap with a modified 15 type. of valve therein.

Referring now to the drawing, for a particular description of the invention, its construction and application, I designates the body of my novel cap, which is tubular, and hollow, and is pro- 20 vided with a head 2. Below the upper end of the cap, I provide walls of varying thicknesses, providing internal varying diameters, as illustrated at 3 and 5, these internal diameters being defined by the shoulder 4. 25

Formed in the thickened end of the cap are a plurality of longitudinal recesses 6, and adjacent to the closed end of said cap I provide a line of cut 1, preferably circular, as illustrated herein, said line of cut traversing one or more of said recesses 6. The line of cut 1 thus provides communication between the interior of the cap and the outer air, when the flap I1 is raised. The cap being formed of rubber, and the kerf I projecting inwardly, provides an arcuate edge I8, terminating at the points I 9, and thus increases the tendency of the flap I I to remain in the normal position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

In Figs. 5 and 6 I have illustrated my novel cap applied to two widely varying types and sizes of air valves 8 and II, these two valves 8 and I I representing the range of sizes of present day air valves for steam radiator use. The valve 8 is provided with a body portion 9 and ribs If], the body portion 9 being relatively narrow. The valve I I is provided with a body portion I2 of considerable width.

The internal diameter 5 is less than the diameter of the smallest type of valve to which my novel cap will be applied. Thus, when applied to a valve of the type illustrated at 8, the flexibility and elasticity of the cap Will permit the same to be slid or forced over the valve 8 until the thickened wall surrounding the interior chamber 5 is expanded about the upper end of the body 9, the

wall surrounding the interior chamber 3 being expanded by the ribs I and providing further retention on the valve 8.

When applied to the valve II, the thickened wall adjacent to the interior chamber 5 will exert a restrictive force upon the lower wall surrounding the chamber 3, giving an added retention and grip to said latter wall about the body I2.

The operation of my novel cap is identical regardless of the type of valve to which it is applied. Assuming that either the valve 8 or valve II is mounted on a steam radiator, and my novel cap I is attached thereto, and that steam pressure is being built up within said radiator, said pressure will exhaust the air from said radiator, driving the same through the valve 8 or I I and outwardly through the recesses 6 and kerf I, the pressure on said air being sufficient to raise the flap I! to permit this exhaustion of the air.

Immediately upon any reduction of the pressure within the radiator, however, the flap I! will return to its normal position, sealing the recesses 6, preventing the return or re-entry of air into the radiator, and thus sealing the heat within the radiator, resulting in a considerable saving in fuel, less frequent operation of the heating unit, and a considerable saving in time and money.

The advantages and benefits of my novel cap will be instantly apparent to and understood by those skilled in this art, as well as to householders whose steam radiators are equipped with the ordinary air outlet valve.

In Fig. 7 I have illustrated a modified form of valve outlet, wherein the head of the cap 2| is provided with a port 22 and a seat 23. Normally positioned on the seat 23 is a tack valve 26, which may be of rubber or any desirable material. A pin 25 is held in the upper open end of the head 20, in the recess 26, and a cap 21 is securely fixed to said head.

Said cap 21 is provided with one or more outer vents 28. Thus, when the air is driven out of the radiator valve, it will raise the tack valve 24, the pin 25 limiting vertical movement of said valve 24, and the air will be exhausted around said valve 24 and out through the vents 28. Immediately upon any reduction of the pressure within the radiator, the tack valve 24 will return to normal position, sealing the port 22. In each instance, the flap I l and valve 24 will be held on their seats by the suction created within the radiator on reduction of pressure, thus still further sealing the radiators and insuring against the re-entry of air therein.

It will be understood and appreciated that in place of the tack valve 24 I may utilize other types of easily opening and closing valves, and that the same are within the range of the present invention.

I believe that the cap illustrated and described herein is novel and have, therefore, claimed the same broadly in this application.

While I have necessarily described my present invention somewhat in detail, it will be appreciated that I may vary the size, shape, and arrangement of parts within reasonably wide limits, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

My invention is further described and defined in the form of claims as follows:

1. A cap for air valves of steam radiators, comprising a cylindrical body of elastic material open at one end and having a hollow interior, a passage projecting from said interior into the closed end of said cylinder, and a normally closed arcuate kerf communicating with said passage and with the outer air.

2. A cap for air valves of steam radiators, comprising a cylindrical body of elastic material open at one end and provided with walls of varying thickness forming interior chambers of varying 1 diameters, at least one of said chambers being of less diameter than the diameter of the valve to which said cap is to be applied, and normally closed vent means adjacent to the closed end of said cylinder. 2

3. A cap for air valves of steam radiators, comprising a cylindrical body of elastic material open at one end and provided with walls of varying thickness forming interior chambers of varying diameters, at least one of said chambers being of 2;

less diameter than the diameter of the valve to which said cap is to be applied, a valve seat in the closed end of said cap, and a valve normally seated thereon.

4. A cap for air valves of steam radiators, com- 3 prising a cylindrical body of elastic material open at one end and provided with walls of varying thickness forming interior chambers of varying diameters, at least one of said chambers being of less diameter than the diameter of the valve to which said cap is to be applied, a valve seat in the closed end of said cap, a valve normally seated thereon, and means to limit the movement of said valve from its seat.

5. A cap for air valves of steam radiators, com prising a cylindrical body of elastic material open at one end and having walls of varying thickness forming interior chambers of varying diameters, at least one of said chambers being of less diameter than the diameter of the valve to which said cap is to be applied, a head at the closed end of said cylinder, and normally closed vent means in said head to permit the escape of air under pressure from the interior of said cap and to prevent the ingress of air thereto.

6. A cap for air valves of steam radiators, comprising a cylindrical body of elastic material open at one end and having walls of varying thickness forming interior chambers of varying diameters,

at least one of said chambers being of less diamkerf and the interior of said cylinder. 6.

GEORGE W. TAYLOR.

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