US732438A - Feed-water system. - Google Patents

Description

PATBNTED-JUNE 30, 1903.A

D'. w. PATTERSON. EEED WATER SYSTEM. APPLICATION EILED APE. 22, 190s.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

No MODEL.

PATENTED JUNE 30, 19,03.

D. W. PATTERSON. FEED WATER SYSTEM.

A1=1=I.I JATI0N FILED APR. 22, 1903. 2 SHETS SHEET 2' N0 MODEL.

@Dvi Umano .tem embodying my invention.

p UNITED STATES Patented J'une 30, 1903.

"PATENT OFFICE.

DUNCAN w. PATTERSON, 0E PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, AssIeNoR To MIRIAM H. PATTERSON, or PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FEED-WATER SYSTEM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 732,438, dated J' une 30, 1903.

Application inea Apriizz, 1903. l

To @ZZ whom, it may con/067%:

Be it known that I, DUNCAN W. PATTER- SON, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement inFeed-Water Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to feed-water systems.

It consists of means for regulating the inflow of feed-Water to boilers and of,A calling attention to any deficiency or excess in the supply.

Figure 1 represents, partly in `vertical section and partly in elevation, a feed-water sys- Fig. 2 represents a high-water alarm, and Fig. 3 alowwater alarm, both forming parts of my invention. Fig. 4 represents a top plan view, partially broken away, of my device incorporating the parts shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 into one structure. Fig. 5 represents, on a reduced scale, a non-central vertical section of the diaphragm-case common to the three parts of my device. Fig. 6 represents, on an enlarged scale, the means for attaching the valve to the'diaphragm.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.

Referring to Figs. 1, 5, and 6 of the drawings, 1 designates a water-column connected to the boiler (not shown) by pipes 2 and 3, located, respectively, above and below the water-level therein. Tightly secured at the upper end of the column 1 is a diaphragmcase 4. This connects with the column 1 by a tube 5, extending from the bottom of the diaphragm-case nearly to the bottom of the column and below the low-Water level of said boiler, and by a second tube 6, extending adjacent the top of the diaphragm-case and down in the column just to the plane of the desired water-level of the boiler. A cored passage 7 (clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings) in the side, top, and bottom walls of the case 4 and opening thereinto also connects with the upper part ofthe column. In the case 4 is an upright diaphragm 8, by which the case is divided into two chambers 9 and 10, which for convenience I will designate as outer and inner chambers,respectively.

Serial'No. 153,742. (No model.)

Axially secured to the diaphragm 8 is a recessed socket 11,'n which is vertically adjustable a head l2, attached to the stem 13 of a valve 14. In the wall of the chamber 4 is a bossl, open to the air and forming two valve-seats 16 and 17. Between these seats through the Wall of the boss 14 is drilled a lateral aperture 13, from which leadsa tube 19 to the diaphragm-chamber of a valve 20. The valve 20,01" ordinary construction, is interposed in the feed-water pipeleading to the boiler. l

The operation is. as follows: At all times the chamber 9 will be filled with steam, which enters from the boiler through the pipe 2 to the column 1 and the passage 7 to the outer chamber9ofthediaphragm-case. Thesteam will enter through the small passage at the top, and the water of condensation which will form in 9 will pass back to the column 1 through the small passage at the bottom. When the water-level is below the lower end of the pipe 6,-the chamber 10 will also be full of steam.- The pressure per square inch on both sides of the diaphragm 8 will then be equal, and the valve 14 will be held against the seat 16 by both the natural position of the diaphragm and by the pressure in the chamber 9 against the unbalanced area of the valve 14. There Will then be an aperture between the valve 14 and the seat 17 open to the air. As there will be no pressure in the pipe 19 or diaphragm-chamber of the valve 20, the latter will be opened both by the excess pressure of the feed-water over the steampressure in the boiler and the `action of the thrust-spring 21. The valve 2O being opened thefeed-water will enter the boiler and the water-level will rise in the boiler and in the column 1, which is connected to the former by the pipes 2 and 3. When the water covers the lower end of the pipe 6, it will form a seal, preventing steam entering the .chamber 10. The steam which was inthe' chamber l0 before this took place now condenses, as the walls of the diaphragm-chamber4 are relatively thin and exposed to the cooling effect of the air. The vacuum which this condensation tends to create will be immediately filled with water, which will pass up through IOO the pipe (i and the pipe 5, the lower end of the latter being always below the surface of the water. The pressure in the chamber 10 will be less than the pressure in the chamber 9 by the pressure of the head of a column of water from the chamber 10 to the water-level. This difference in pressure on the large area of the diaphragm S moves it to the left, lifting with it the valve 14 from the seat 16 and holding it against the seat 17. The steampressure will be communicated through the pipe 19 to the diaphragm-chamber of the valve 20, thereby pressing down the valve and shutting off the supply of water tothe boiler. NVith no water entering the boiler the evaporation of the water into steam will cause the level to fall, and when it falls below the end of the pipe 6 the steam will pass up the pipe G to the chamber 10, while the water in 10 will sink down through the pipe 5 back to the boiler. The conditions will then be similar to those first described. The valve 14 will be brought against the seat 16 and away from the seatA 17.A This releases the pressure in the pipe 19, and the valve 2O will open. These operations will be repeated and the valve 2O opened or shut as the water gets below or above the bottom of the pipe G.

In the high-water-alarm feature of my device (shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings) the column 1, pipes 2 and 3, diaphragm-case 4, tubes 5 and 6, passage 7, diaphragm 8, socket 11, head 12, and valve 13 are as vabove described, except that the tube 6 is shortened, so as to reach only the plane of the high-water level in the boiler. The valve 14 has a single operative face normally bearingagai ust aseat 1G in the boss 15. The end of the boss 15 is closed, and in the lateral opening 1S is secured a whistle 22. 'lhe operation is as follows: So long as the water remains at the proper level, as indicated in the drawings, or until it rises nearly to the point indicated by the dotted line, the pressure on both sides of the diaphragm 8 will be equal. In this case the valve 14 is closed. When the lower end of the tube 6 is sealed by the rising water, the steam in the inner chamber 10 of the diaphragm-case 4 condenses. The pressure then falls, and the diaphragm Sis forced in the direction to open the valve 14. The escaping steam sounds the whistle 22. The whistle continues to sound so long as the water remains above the lower end of the tube 6, a structure similar to that just described, as shown in Fig. 3. This constitutes the lowwater-alarm feature of my device. The only dierences are that the tube Gis here carried down to the plane of the low-Water level of the boiler and the valve 14 and seat 16 are reversed in direction, so as to open when the diaphragm moves toward the valve-seat. The

' valve will be held in this closed position so of the tube. Steam then passes to the inner chamber 10 of the case 4 and the pressure on the diaphragm is equalized. This opens the valve 14, as shown in dotted lines, and sounds the whistle 22.

The advantage of loosely connecting the valve 15 to the diaphragm 8 by the means clearly shown in Fig. Gis that the position of the valve with reference to its seat is not disturbed by any irregular contraction of the diaphragm. The head 12 moves in the socket 11, so as to adjust itself to a slight variation. The advantage of. the cored passage 7, by which steam is admitted to the chamber 9 at its upper and lower ends, is that any condensed water will be blown out without blocking the passage.

In Fig. 4 of the drawings I have shown the three features of my device-the feed-water regulator and the high and low water alarmsunited in one structure. 'lhis is the form of my device which I prefer. An end water-col umn 1, connected to the boiler by pipes 2 and 3, carries at its upper end three diaphragmeases, like those of the .first three figures. The tube 19, valve 20, and whistle 22 I have not deemed it necessary to showin this ligure. It is clear that the operation of the device is not affected by this change of form.

It will be evident that various changes may be made by those skilled in the art which may come within the scope of my invention, and I do not, therefore, desire to be limited in every instance to the exact construction herein shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A combined boiler feed-water regulator and alarm comprising a plurality of diaphragm-cases, diaphragms in each of said cases, an outer and an inner chamber in each of said cases separated by said diaphragme, a valve connected to each of said diaphragms, one of said valves being operatively connected with a feed-water valve and at least one other of said valves with an alarm and means for the successive disturbance of the balance of each of said diaphragme whereby said valves are successively operated.

2. A combined boiler feed-Water regulator and alarm comprising a plurality of diaphragm-cases, diaphragms in each of said eases, an outer and an inner chamber in each of said cases separated by said diaphragms, a valve connected to each of said diaphragme, one of said valves being operatively connected with a feed-water valve and at least one other of said valves with an alarm, means for the continuous admission of steam to each of said outer diaphragm-chambers, means connecting each of said inner diaphragm-chambers with the boiler below its low-water level and means for the successive admission of steam to each of said inner diaphragm-chambers as the water in said boiler falls.

3. A combined boiler feed-water regulator ICO and alarm, comprising a water-column, a plurality of diaphragm-cases connected with said column, diaphragms in each of said cases, an outer and an inner chamber in each of said cases separated by said diaphragms, valves connected with each of said diaphragms, one of said valves being operatively connected with a feed water valve and at least one other of said valves with an alarm, and means whereby the variation of the water-level in said column-case acts to open and close said valves in a predetermined order.

4. A combined boiler feed-water regulator and alarm comprising a water-column, a plurality of diaphragm-cases connected With said column, diaphragms in each of said cases, an outer and an inner chamber in each of said cases separated by said diaphragms, a valve connected to each of said diaphragms, one of said valves being operatively connected with a feed-water valve and at least one other of said valves with an alarm, means for the continuous admission of steam to each of said outer diaphragm-chambers, means connecting each of said inner diaphragm-chambers with the boiler below its low-Water level and means for the successive admission of steam to each of said inner diaphragm-chambers, as the water in said boiler falls.

5. In a boiler feed-water regulator, adiaphragm-case, a diaphragm in said case, an inner and an outer chamber in said case and separated by said diaphragm, means for the continuous admission of steam to said outer chamber, means for connecting said inner chamber to said boiler below its low-water level, means for the admission of steam to said inner chamber only when the Water in said boiler sinks below a predetermined level, and a valve connected to said diaphragm and operative alternately to admit steam to and emit steam from the diaphragm-chamber of a second valve by which the supply of feedwater to the boiler is controlled.

6. A boiler feed water regulator, a diaphragm-case, a diaphragm in said case, an outer and an inner chamber in said case separated bysaid diaphragm,means for the continuous admission of steam to said outer chamber, means for connecting said inner chamt ber with said boiler below its water-level,

and said valve whereby said valve may adjust itself to an eccentric position on said diaphragm.

8. In a valve, a diaphragm, a valve operated by said diaphragm, a recessed socket attached to said diaphragm and a head on the stem of said valve adjustable in said socket whereby said valve may adj ust itself to an eccentric position in relation to said diaphragm.

9. A combined boiler feed-water regulator and alarm, comprising a water-column, a plurality of diaphragm-cases connected with said column, diaphragms in each of said cases, an outer and an inner chamber in each of said cases separated by said diaphragms, a valve connected with each of said diaphragms, one of said valves being operatively connected with a feed-water valve and at least one other of said valves with an alarm, means for the continuous admission of steam to each of said diaphragm-chambers consisting of a passage leading from said water-column to the upper part of said chamber, means for the return of the Water of condensation from said outer diaphragm-chamber to said column, consisting of a passage leading from the lower part of said chamber to the said water-column, means connecting each of said inner diaphragm-chambers with the boiler below its low-water level and means for the successive*l admission of steam to each of said inner diaphragm-chambers, as the water in said boiler falls.

10. A combined feed-water regulator and alarm comprising a water-column, a plurality of diaphragm-cases connected with said column, diaphragms in each of said cases, an outer and an inner chamber in each of said cases separated by said diaphragms, a valve connected to each of said diaphragms, one of said valves being operatively connected with a feed-water valve and at least one other of said valves with an alarm, means for the continuous admission of steam to each of said outer diaphragm-chambers, means connectingeach of said inner diaphragm-chambers with the boiler below its low-water level consisting of a tube leading from the lower part of said column substantially tothe bottom of said inner chamber, and means for the successive admission of steam to each of said inner diaphragm-chambers as the water in said boiler falls, said means consisting of a tube I'co

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