US2274736A - Pressure-starting vapor heating system - Google Patents

Description

March 3, 1942. P. B. PARKS PRESSURE-STARTING VAPOR HEATING SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 1'7, 1940 March 3, 1942. PARKS. 2,274,736

PRESSURE-STARTING VAPOR HEATING SYSTEM Filed May 17, 1940 4 Sheets-=Sheet 2 QWW. AW

Mar-c113, 1942. .5, B, PARK 2,274,736

PRESSURE-STARTING VAPOR HEATING SY STEM Filed May 17, 1940 I 4Sheets-Sheet 3 March 3, 1942. P. B. PARKS 2,274,736

I PRESSURE-STARTING VAPOR HEATING SYSTEM Filed May 17, 1940 4 Sheets-Shet 4 rn'lrenm Pau/ @1745 m 6 JW Patent ed I Mar. 3, 1942 Paul B. Parks, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to Vapor Car Heating Company, Inc., Chicago, 11]., a corporation of New York Application May 11, 1940, Serial No. 335,721

Claims.

This invention relates to a pressure-starting vapor heating system, more particularly a steam heating system designed to rapidly fill the radiator with steam under a predetermined low but super-atmospheric pressure when the radiator inlet valve is first opened, and subsequently to keep the radiator filled with steam at substantially atmospheric pressure until the valve ,is'

again closed.

This system c! heating is basicallya reserve volume systemv designed to overcome unequal heat distribution over the surface of asteam radiator in air-conditioning apparatus where the radiator is positioned in the path of an air stream and 'it is essential that all parts of the radiator be equally heated at any one time to insure an equal distribution of heat to all parts of the air stream flowing thereover. This system is especially designed for use in a system where fast acting or cycling thermostats are used, that is artificial heat is applied to the thermostat so that the on and oil cycles of the valve will be frequent. Due to the fact that, in railway cars especially, a very rapid action of the thermostat is necessary to prevent high and low swing in the temperatures, the radiators do not in many cases receive steam fast enough at the start of the on cycle and only a portion of the radiator is filled with steam. This causes stratifi'cation or ununiform distribution of the heated air.

With this new system of heating a radiator, steam is stored up in the feed conduit connections to the radiator (which conduit may for this reason have an enlarged capacity) at a predetermined pressure and volume to assurea complete filling of the radiator with dry steam the instant the radiator valve opens. As soon as this initial filling is accomplished, the system may return to the ordinary vapor system" operation governed by the steam and condensate returning to the vapor regulator from the radiator. The principal distinguishing feature of this new system over the ordinary vapor heating system is that the radiator is filled immediately with steam assoon as the radiator inlet valve is opened.

The prinipal object of this invention is to provide a new pressure-starting vapor heating system of the type briefly described hereinabove and disclosed more in detail in the specifications which follow.

Another object is to provide means for maintaining and storing a quantity of steam under a low but super-atmospheric pressure, suilicient t. quickly an opened.

Another object is to provide means, cooperata radiator when the 1111a valve 1'.

ing with the steam-storage means, for keeping the radiator filled with steam at atmospheric pressure after the radiator is initially filled and until the valve is again closed.

Another object is to provide improved means for automatically reducing the pressure of steam I supplied to a radiator from a high pressure source so that this steam will be initially introduced into the radiator in a suflicient volume and under a sufiicient pressure to quickly fill the radiator, and the steam supply in the radiator will be subsequently replenished under a lower pressure and at a rate just sufficient to keep the radiator filledwith steam.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description of one approved apparatus combination constructed, assembled and operating according to the principles "of this invention.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 isadiagrammatic elevation of proved heating system.

Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram for the thermostatic control mechanism of the radiator inlet valve.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged central vertical section through the vapor-regulator, this view being taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged central vertical section through the improved radiator-inlet valve.

Fig. 5 is acentral vertical section through the this limit valve, the view being taken substantially on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Referring first to the general assembly shown in Fig. 1, the improved heating system comprises the main source of high pressure steam A which delivers steam through suitable valve connections adapted to, reduce the pressure of the steam to the main .regulator B which supplies steam to the radiator C through the thermostatically con trolled inlet valve D-and the feed and storage connections indicated generally at E. The inlet valve D may be controlled by the thermostat'F.

one end portion or arailway car equipped with the im= The steam regulator B is controlled by the pressure-limit switch G when the storage conduit E is being filled with steam, and is controlled by steam and condensate returned from the radiator through return main H when operating as a vapor system. All condensate is drained out through the drip connection indicated at. J.

The car structure indicated in Fig. 1 comprises the floor l, outer walls 2, and vertical partitions 3 adapted to separate the several compartments or spaces 4. The conduit 5 extends throughout the length of the upper portion of the car, the heating radiator C being mounted in this conduit, as well as the heat-transfer device Kof a cooling system, not otherwise disclosed herein. The blower indicated at L and also positioned in the conduit 5 draws in air through the 'fresh air inlet opening 5, and the returned air'inlet opening 1 (these inlets being controlled by suitable valves, not here shown in detail) and forces this air through the conduit 5 in contact with the heating regulator C (or alternatively with the cooling device K), this air being discharged through the several grilled outlets 8 into the compartments 4 of the car. The thermostat F which controls the inlet valve D of the radiator C is preferably located at some suitable position in conduit 5.

The source of steam A, as here shown, is the main train-pipe whichextends throughout the length of the train and is supplied with steam from the locomotive. Theteam in this pipe will stem 21 tends to move valve 23 toward the open position shown in Fig. 3.

Athermostatic member indicated generally at 28 is housed in a chamber 29 formed in a sepanormally be under a rather high pressure, for

example 250 pounds. A branch supply pipe 9 leads from train pipe A'to the main inlet port of the steam regulator B. i In this pipe 9 is located a main cut-off valve 19 which will normally be open, and a reducing valve ll adapted to materially reduce the pressure of the steam supply to the regulator B, for example to about twenty pounds per square inch.

The steam-regulator B operates similarly to so-called vapor regulators already known in the art, except that this regulator is preferably much more delicate in its operation so that the main control valve will not ordinarily be moved abruptly from a fully closed to a fully open position but maybe adjusted to selected partially closed positions so as to modulate or reduce the steam flow through the regulator without entirely opening or closing the valve. The improved regulator as partially shown in Fig. 3 is substanpipe 20 (Fig. 1) leading to the pressure-limit valve G. Steam also flows from outlet chamber l8 through a second port similar to l9 but disposed in the opposite wall of the chamber and thence through pipe 2| to the .conduit connections E leading toradiator inlet valve D. The

movable valve member 23 is guided in cage 24 so as to engage and cooperate with valve seat 25 at the outlet end of passage [1 to cut oil. the flow of steam from inlet chamber [4 to outlet chamber I8. The spring 26 surrounding valve pipe 42.

rate casing 30 provided with a plurality 'of outside radiating ribs 3| so as to expedite the lowering of the temperature around the thermostatic member when steam is no longer admitted to the thermostat chamber 29. Thermostatic member 29 comprises an outer bellows diaphragm 32 and contains a quantity of heat-responsive fluid so that when the thermostatic member is directly exposed to steam it will expand thereby forcing outwardly (to the ri ht Fig. 3) the stem 33 which projects through .a sealing member 34 and engages at its outer end the lower arm 35 of a lever adjustably pivoted intermediate its length at 36.

The upper arm 31 of this lever is adapted to engage and push inwardly (toward the left Fig. 3) the stem 38 which projects into sealing member 39 and is adapted to engage valvestem 21 and force the valve 23 toward its seat against the opposition of spring 26. When this heating system is functioning like the usual vapor system, this regulator will function like the usual vaporregulator, that is, after the radiator C has been filled with steam the excess steam will flow back through the return main H and pipe 40 into the inlet port 4! of thermostat chamber 29, the steam acting on the thermostatic member 28 to expand this member and thereby close or partially close the valve 23. In this present improved system steam may also flow from chamber I8 of the vapor-regulator B through pipe 29 to the pressure-limit switch G and thence through pipe 42, Y-connection 43 and pipe 40 into the thermostatic chamber 29 so as to actuate the thermostatic bellows 32. In either case, all condensate flowing into the thermostatic chamber 29 flows out through a port opposite the port 4| and thence through pipe 44 into and through the drip connection J i which is preferably protected by outside insulation 45.

The improved pressure-limit valve G (see Figs. 1, 7 and 8) comprises a main casing 45 formed atopposite ends and at one side with three al ternative threaded ports 47, 48 and 49 all leading into or from the'steam chamber 59 separated by internal web 5| from the upper outlet steam chamber 52. In the example here shown pipe 29 is threaded into'the port 49. The other two ports 41 and 49 are closed by suitable plugs 53. Alternatively, this pressure-limit valve might be inserted midway the length of the pipe without interfering with the free flow of steam through this pipe, in which case the two sections of the pipe would be connected in the opposite pair of ports 41 and 49. The pipe 42 leads from the outlet port 54 of the upper steam chamber 52 (Fig.- .8) down into the Y-connection 43 and thence into the'regulator B (Fig. l), as already declosed at its lower end by the perforated strainer 58 and formed at its upper end with valve seat 59. Open'passages 50 in the sides of cage permit steam to flow from passage 51 into the upper steam chamber 52 and thence out through The valve 6| which cooperates with valve seat 59 is carried by valve stem 62 slidable through guide-plug 63 mounted in the upper end of cage 55.

The upper end of valve casing 46 is closed by the solenoid-casing 84 clamped in place by screw bolts 86 against the interposed gasket 66. The casing- 64 encloses the solenoid coil 61 surrounding the guide-tube 68 held in place at its lower tending from the respective ends of coil 61 pro- Ject out through passage into a side extension I8 of casing 64 and connect with the electric terminal member 11 having plugs I8 and 19 projecting downwardly'therefrom. The outer electric plug member 88 has sockets to receive the terminals I8 and I9 and is held in place within casing extension 16 by the removable nut 8i.

The strength of spring 'II will be so selected or adjusted that the valve 6| will be held down against seat 59 until a predetermined steam pressure, for example ten pounds to the square inch, is built up in the lower steam chamber 58 which pressure will correspond with the pressure in outlet chamber I8 of the steam regulator. As the steam pressure rises above this predetermined pressure the valve 6| will be lifted from its seat against the opposition of spring 'II so as to admit steam into the upper chamber 52 from which chamber this steam will flow through pipes 42, 43

and 48 into the thermostat chamber of the regulator B. Preferably the spring II is of such a type that the spring-load will increase rapidly as the spring is compressed, consequently the valve 6I will only be lifted slightly from its seat so as to permit only a restricted flow of steam through the conduit hereinabove described to the thermostat chamber of the regulator. As a consequence the thermostatic bellows will only be slightly expanded so as to only partially close the valve 23 and decrease the flow of steam into chamber I8. The parts will quickly assume a balanced position in which valve 23 is, only opened cluding the supply and storage conduit E, hereinafter described.

It will now be apparent that as long as no steam is returning through main. H from the radiator to control the regulator E and as long as solenoid 81 remains deenergized, the valve 23 of the regulator 18 will remain open admittingsteam to the regulator chamber I8 and the feedpipes 28 and 2I fed therefrom until the pressure ll will be drawnupwardly and valve 6] will be continuously open. In that event there will be a small continuous flow of steam through this shunt conduit so as to maintain the regulator Bsubstantially closed and the heating system will be substantially inoperative. 1

The improved radiator-inlet valve D will now be described, referring more particularly to Figs. land 4. The main casing 82 of this valve houses an inlet chamber 83 closed at its lower end by a screw plug 84 and provided with a side inlet port 85 into which is fitted the discharge end of the feed or supply pipe E. A passage 88 leads from chamber 83 into the outlet chamber 81, the movable valve member 88'cooperating with valve seat 89 at the discharge end of passage 86 to cut oif the flow of steam through the valve. The outlet pipe 89 leading to radiator C (Fig. 1) connects into the outlet port 98 at one side of outlet chamber 81. The upper end of chamber 8i is closed by the solenoid-casing 9| clamped in place against gasket 92 by the bolts 93. The solenoid coil 94 is mounted within casing 9i, and the circuit wires 95 and-96 leading from the respective ends of this coil extend through suitable fittings within the casing extension 91, all sub stantially the same as already described in connection with the pressure limit switch of Fig. '7.

The valve 88 is carried at the lower end of valve stem 98 secured at its upper end 99 inthe lower end of core I88 which is drawn up into the solenoid through guide-tube I8I when the solenoid coil 94 is energized. The compression sprin I82 confined between the-screw plug I83 at the lower end of the solenoid assembly, and the collar I84 at the lower end of core I88 functions to close the valve 88 against its seat 89 when the solenoid is deenergized. While this valve .will normally be controlled by the-spring and. sole--' noid as just described, the ;valve may also be manually operated by means comprisingthe discv I85 mounted within chamber 81 on shaft I86 I provided outside the valve casing with a handle I81. (Fig. 1). Disc I85 is provided with an arcuate slot I88 into which projects the flange I89 at the lower end of the core assembly. Disc I86 is provided at the side opposite recess I88 with three notches or recesses II8, III and H2 into oneof which projects the locking pin H3 slidable in the guide bearing H4 and pushed inswardly by the spring II5 confined within plug II8. When disc I85 is in the central position shown in Fig. 4; the valve assembly is operated by the spring and solenoid, the flange I89 reciprocating freely within arcuate slot I98. If the disc I85 is manually rotated in a clockwise direction (Fig. 4) until locking pin II3 has snapped over into notch II2, the shoulder III at one end in these conduits rises to the predetermined presv sure, for example ten pounds, after which the pressure limit valve G will operate automatically to permit a limited flow of steam to the thermostat of the regulator B and thus cut down the steam supply so as to limit the pressure in chamber I8 and the pipes fed therefrom to this predetermined low pressure. When there is an unrestricted outflow of steam through pipe 2| and the feed conduit E and valve D as hereinafter explained, this supply pressure will never rise to ten pounds so that the shunt conduit through the limit valve G will remain closed and -the regulator B will be entirely under the control of fluids returned from the regulator through return main H. II, at any time, the solenoid 81 is energized (as hereinafter described) the core of slot I88 will engage the flange I89 and lift the core and valve assembly so as to open the valve against the resistance of spring I82 and lock the parts in this position. On the other hand, if the disc I is rotated in the counterclockwise direction the shoulder II8 at the other end of slot I88 will engagethe flange I89 and lock the valve in closed position. This valve is also disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Parks and Peterson, Serial No. 335,719, filed May 17, 1940.

Reference will now be made to Fig. 2 which shows by way of a wiring diagram a suitable electrical apparatus for thermostatically controlling the valve D. The thermostat F is of the cycling type, that is it is provided with an auxiliary source of heat H9 which is energized stat switch after it has been opened by a drop in temperature in the space enclosing the thermostat, after which the auxiliary heating coil H9 is immediately de-energized so as to permit the thermostat switch to again open. The mercury-tube thermostat comprises a mercury column I 20 which will always be in engagement with a lower fixed contact I2I and which will engage an upper contact I22 at some predetermined higher temperature.

The relay-coil I23 is normally energized through the following circuit: From power main I24 through wire I25, resistance I26,'relay terminal I 21, relay coil I23, relay terminal I28, resistance I29, and wire I30 to the other power main I3I. When the relay coil I23 is thus energized, it will draw up the core I32 so' as to close the pair of switches I33 and I34. The closing of switch I33 will function to open the valve D by energizing the solenoid coil 94 through the following circuit: From power main I24 through wires I25 and I35, switch I33, wire 95, coil 94, and wire 96 to the other power main I3I. This will draw in the core I and open the valve 88 against the resistance of spring I02. Since steam is now being admitted to the radiator C, the air forced through conduit by blower L will be heated and the thermostat F would eventually respond by raising the mercury column I20 into engagement with the upper fixed contact I22. However, this action of the thermostat will be expedited because the auxiliary heating coil II9 will, simultaneously with the opening of valve 88, be energized through the following circuit: From main I24 through wire I36, heating coil II9, wire I31, resistance I30, wire I39, switch I34, and wire I40 to the other power main 'I 3I. The auxiliary heat from coil I I9 will cause the mercury column I20 to quickly rise into engagement with the upper thermostat contact I22 thus closing a circuit deenergizing the relay as follows: From one relay terminal I21 through wire I, thermostat contact I2I, mercury column I20, thermostat contact and wire I42 to the other, relay terminal I28. Since the relay is now deenergized, the core I32 and th switch contacts carried thereby will drop to the position shown in Fig. 2 thus opening the switches I33 and I34. The opening of switch I33 will deenergize the solenoid 94 and permit spring I02 to close the valve 88 thus cutting off the further flow of steam to the radiator C. At the same time the opening of switch I34 will deenergize the heating coil II9 so that the temerature of the air in conduit 5 (which we assume is not yet sufilciently heated) will cause the mercury column I20 to drop thus again opening the shunt circuit and permitting the energization, of the relay to again close the switches I33 and I34. This cycling action will repeat itself until the desired temperature is reached in the air stream, the radiator C being repeatedly filled with bursts of steam but the radiator being filled at less frequent intervals as the desired temperature is approached.

The successful operation of such a heating system necessitates the prompt filling of radiator C when valve D is opened since the valve remains open for only a short period of time. In order to accomplish this quick filling of the radiator.

the large capacity inlet conduit E is provided cooperating with the pressure-limit valve G. Since the steam regulator B will usually be positioned beneath the car whereas the radiator C at such times as to quickly re-close the thermoso that there will be little condensation and little loss of steam from this portion of the system. Assuming now that the valve D is closed and that there is-no further return of steam from the radiator through return main H, the regulator valve 23'will open so as to admit steam from the source A into supply chamber I8 and thence through pipe 2| and water-seal M into the supply conduit E. Steam will simultaneously flow through pipe 20 into the inlet chamber of the pressure-limit valve G. This fiow of steam will continue until the inlet conduit E has been completely filled with steam at a. predetermined'pressure, for example ten pounds. When this predetermined pressure is reached, the pressure-limit valve G will open so as to permit a limited flow of steam through pipe 42 back to the thermostat chamber 29 of the regulator, whereupon the thermostat 28 will func- -tion to partially close valve 23. Thereafter cling system hereinabove described, the supply of-steam stored in conduit system E under the adequate pressure hereinabove referred to will rapidly flow into and fill the radiator C. Of course, the pressure in the supply. conduit system will drop as soon as this stored volume of steam has flowed into the radiator, and valve G will completely close so as to cut off-further fiow of steam from this control valve into the thermostat chamber of regulator B. As a consequence the regulator valve 23 will remain comletely open to permit additional flow of steam into the supply conduit E but as soon as radiator C has been filled with steam and steam has returned through pipe H to the thermostat chamber of the regulator, the valve E of the regulator B will be partially closed and thereafter the system will operate at substantially atmospheric pressure as in the usual vapor-heating system. As soon as valve D has again closed, by the action of the cycling thermostat F, the outflow of excess steam through return conduit 1-1 will cease and valve 23 of the regulator will remain open until the conduit system E is again stored with steam at the predetermined ten pound pressure after which limit switch G will again function to permit sufficient steam to flow back to the thermostat chamber of the regulator B to throttle the main inlet valve 23. The above described cycle of events will then repeat itself. It will be noted that there will always be sufiicient steam stored up in the conduit system E to instantly fill the radiator C when valve D is opened.

Referring now again to Fig. 2, at N is indicated a ma n control switch comprising a lever I44 movable to three different positions in one of which the heating system is operative, in another the cooling system, and in a third intermediate position marked off" the blower Lwill be operative for ventilation purposes only. It will be tact I44, and wire I48 to the other power main I3 I. It will be obvious that the same circuit will be closed when movable contact I44 is moved into engagement with the cooling contact I45. In either case the solenoid 81 of the switch G will be energized so as to hold the valve 6I open continuously and steam will fiow through the shunt cir-. cuit from regulator B through valve G back to the thermostat chamber of regulator-B and the regulator valve 23 will be held closed except for just suflicient steam flow through this shunt piping to keep the thermostat 28' expanded. At such times there can be no fiow of steam through the heating system comprising supply and storage pipe E, radiator C and return main H. It will be noted that when movable contact I44 of valve N is moved over into engagement with the heating contact I49, the circuit just described for energizing the solenoid of valve G cannot be closed and valve D will operate entirely under the con trol of the spring", as originally described.

Referring now to Figs. -1, and 6, the waterseal member M comprises a main casting I50 enclosing a steam chamber I5I having aligned ports I52 and I53 in opposite sides thereof into which are fitted respectively the outlet end'of supply pipe 2| leading from the regulator B, and a closure plug I54. A depressed central portion I58 of the casing I50, closed at the bottom by removable plug I56, serves to hold an accumulated pool of condensate I51. A cup-shaped web I58 open at its lower end I59 below the level 'of pool I81, projects downwardly from the upper portion of casting I50 within the steam chamber I5I, this web enclosing a central outlet chamber I80 having an upper outlet port I8I into which the lower end of conduit E is secured. A small vacuumbreaking vent I62 is formed in one side wall of web I58 above the water level of the pool and connecting the inner and outer steam chambers I5I' and I60. The function of this water-seal M is to prevent undesired heating and the retention of steam in the conduit E when the valve D is closed for any considerable length of time, for example when the heating system is not in operation. While the heating system is operating, that is the valve D is being opened and closed at frequent intervals by the cycling thermostat F, then the water-seal member M will have no substantial effect on the flow of steam as hereinabove first described. However, if the valve D remains closed, the steam in conduit E will eventually condense and'the water from the water-seal heating system functions much the same asan.

Y C has once been filled with steam. The principal ter-seal mechanism is not claimed herein, but is disclosed and claimed in the'copending application of Parks and .Stenzel, Serial No. 335,720, filed of even date herewith.

It will nowbe understood that this improved ordinary vapor-heating system after the radiator improvement resides in adding means for storing -up a suflicient quantity of steam, under sufilcient pressure, to almost instantly fill the radiator with steam once the radiator inlet valve is opened. Thereafter the system operates as a vapor-system until the inlet valve is again closed. In-a cycling system of the type herein disclosed it is essential that the radiator be completely filled with steam, as rapidly as possible, so as to avoid stratification or unequal heating of the air stream flowing in contact with the radiator, and

it is also necessary to fill the radiator quickly since the on period lasts for only a short time. That is, the inlet valve is opened and closed at frequent intervals so that the steam flow does not continually persist for any great length of time and only bursts" of steam are admitted to the radiator. It is essential that each of these bursts be of sufilcient volume and under suflluse employ a thermostat in theair delivery duct adapted when the temperature falls to about 60 Fahrenheit to shut off the blower fan, with the assumption that this will only take place when the car is taken out of service. Sometimes, however, due to the slow feeding of steam to the radiators. this thermostat will function to stop the blower fan even while the car is still in service and the heating system is intended to be in operation. This ill-timed stopping of the blower fan is even more apt to take place when a "cycling system is used which requires frequent re-filling of the radiator. The present improved system, which acts to almost instantly fill the radiator as soon as the inlet valve is opened, effectively avoids this failure of the blowerfan.

In brief, this novel heating system starts off as a pressure system, and then, after the pressure disappears, acts as an ordinary vapor-system.

The system is thus provided'with a fast-feeding radiator that-works effectively in conjunction with a fast-acting thermostat so as to insure a completely filled radiator at all times that this condition is desired. a

I claim:

1. In a steam heating system, a radiator, an inlet valve for the radiator, thermostatic means responsive to temperature changes in the space heated for alternately opening and closing said .valve at short intervals until. a predetermined temperature is reached, a source of high pressure steam, a regulator means receiving steam from the source, and conduit connections. between the regulator means and inlet valve having a capacity sufilcient to store enough steam to rapidly fill the radiator immediately the valve is opened, said regulator means functioning to fill these conduit connections with steam under a low but superatmospheric pressure while the inlet valve is,

2. In a steam heating system, a radiator, an

inlet valve for the radiator, thermostatic means responsive to temperature changes in the space heated for alternately opening and closing said valve at short intervals until a predetermined v temperature is reached, a source of high pressure steam, a regulator means receiving steam from the source. and conduit connections between the regulator means and inlet valve having a capacity suificient to store enough steam to rapidly fill the radiator immediately the valve is opened, said regulator means functioning to fill these conduit connections with steam under a low but superthe valve toward open or closed positions as the I thermostat contracts or expands respectively in the presence of steam, and a pair of separate conduit systems for conducting steam between the supply chamber and the thermostat chamber, one system comprising, in order, a steam storage conduit having a capacity sufiicient to hold enough steam to quickly fill the radiator with steam at atmospheric pressure, a radiator inlet valve, a radiator and a return pipe, and the other system including a valve opening only when the pressure in the supply chamber exceeds a predetermined maximum, and means comprising a cycling thermostat responsive to temperature changes in the space heated for opening and closing the radiator inlet valve at frequent intervals until a predetermined temperature is reached.

4. In a pressure-starting vapor heating system, a source of steam, a regulator comprising a supply chamber, a valve for controlling the flow of steam from the source to the supply chamber, a thermostat chamber, a thermostatic member in this chamber adapted to move the valve toward open or closed positions, a radiator, an inlet valve at said radiator, means for alternately opening and closing said inlet valve at short intervals in accordance with; the heat requirement in the limiting valve in this conduit which opens under the predetermined pressure.

5. In a pressure-starting vapor heating system, a source of steam, a regulator comprising a supply chamber, a valve for controlling the flow of steam from the source to the supply chamber, a thermostat chamber. a thermostatic member in this chamber adapted to move the valve toward open or closed positions, a radiator, an inlet valve at said radiator, means for alternately opening and closing said inlet valve at short intervals in accordance with the heat requirement in the space heated by the radiator, a supply conduit including a reserve steam supply-tank between the supply chamber of the regulator and the inlet valve, said. conduit having a capacity sufficient to hold enough steam under a predetermined super-atmospheric pressure to rapidly fill the radiator immediately after the inlet valve is opened, a return pipe leading from the radiator to the thermostat chamber, a conduit leading directly from the supply chamber of the regulator .to the thermostatic chamber, and a limiting valve this chamber adapted to move the valve toward open or closed positions, a radiator, an inlet valve at said radiator, means including a cycling thermostat for alternately opening and closing said lnlet valve to intermittently fill the radiator with steam in accordance with the heat requirement in the space heated by the radiator until a predetermined space temperature is reached, a supply conduit between the supply chamber of the regulator and the inlet valve, said conduit having a capacity suflicient to hold enough steam under a predetermined pressure to rapidly fill the radiator immediately after the inlet valve is opened, a return pipe leading from theradiator to the thermostat chamber, a conduit leading directly from the supply chamber of the regulator to the thermostatic chamber, and a limiting valve in this conduit which opens under the predetermined pressure.

7. In apressure-starting vapor heating system,'a source of steam, a regulator comprising a supply chamber, a valve for controlling the flow of steam from the source to the supply chamber, a thermostat chamber, a thermostatic member in this chamber adapted to move the valve toward open or closed positions, a radiator, an inlet valve at said radiator, means for alternately opening and closing said inlet valve at short intervals in accordance with the heat requirement in the space heated by the radiator, a supply conduit between the supply chamber of the regulator and the inlet valve, said conduit having a capacity sufficient to hold enough steam under a predetermined pressure to rapidly fill the radiator immediately after the inlet valve is opened, a return pipe leading from the radiator to the thermostat chamber, a conduit leading directly from the supply chamber of the regulator to the thermostatic chamber, a, limiting valve in this conduit which opens under the predetermined pressure and control means for holding said limiting valve in open position when the heating system is not in service.

8. In a pressure-starting vapor heating system, a source of steam, a regulator comprising a supply chamber, a' valve for controlling the fiow of steam from the source to the supply chamber, a thermostat chamber, a thermostatic member in this chamber adapted to move the valve toward open or closed positions, a radiator, an inlet valve at said radiator, means for alternately opening and closing said inlet valve at short intervals in accordance with the heat requirement in the space heated by the radiator, a, supply conduit between the supply chamber of the regulator and the inlet valve, said conduit having a capacity suflicient to hold enough steam under a predetermined pressure to rapidly fill the radiator immediately after the inlet valve is opened, a remostatic chamber, a limiting valve in this conduit which opens under the predetermined pressure, a master control switch, and electrically ac-- tuated means for holding said limiting valve open when the switch is adjusted to render the heating system inoperative.

9. In a steam heating system, a conduit, 1;. radiator in this conduit, means for forcing an air stream through the conduit in contact with the radiator, an inlet valve for the radiator, means for opening and closing the inlet valve at fre-' quent intervals until a predetermined air stream temperature is reached, a source, of steam, a regulator comprising a supply chamber, a valve controlling the flow of steam from the source to the supply chamber, a thermostat chamber, a thermostatic member in the chamber, and connections for moving the valve toward open or closed positions as the thermostatic member contracts or expands respectively, and a pair of separate conduit systems between the supply chamber and the thermostat chamber, one system comprising,

in order, a steam storage conduit located outa valve opening only when the pressure in the supply chamber exceeds a predetermined maximum.

10. In a steam heating system. a conduit, a radiator in this conduit, means for forcing an air stream through the conduit in contact with the radiator, an inlet valve for the radiator, means comprising a thermostat in'the path of the heated air stream and means for artificially heating the her and the thermostat chamber, one system comprising, in order, a steam storage conduit located outside the air-conduit, said conduit having a, capacity sufilcient to hold enough steam under a predetermined super-atmospheric pressure to rapidly fill the radiator immediately after the inlet valve is opened, the inlet valve and radiator, and a return pipe, and the other system including a valve opening only when the pressure in the supply chamber exceeds a predetermined maximum.

PAUL B. PARKS.

CERTIFICATE QR CORRECTION.

Pate nt ho. 2,27 -b756- March 5, 19 142.

PAUL B. PARKS It is hereby certified that error' appears in the printed Specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 6, sec- 0nd column, line 11., c1aim5, before "pressure" strike 'out "super-atmoapheric" and insert the same after "predetermined" in line 28, claim '6; and

that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the'same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed. this 28th day of April, A. D. 1912.

Henry Van Arsdale, (seal) Acting qonimiasiomr of Patents.

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