US1225885A - Boiler-feed-water regulator. - Google Patents

Description

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 22. I915.

Patented May15, 1917.

Witnesses Attorney's.

ITEM %TATE% PATENT @EFTQE WILLIE JUIDSON STEVENS, 0F PORTLAND, MAINE, ASSIGNOR TO STEVENS REGULATOR (30., OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

BOILER-FEED-WATER REGULATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 15, 191?.

Application filed November 22, 1915. Serial No. 62,845.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, 1min Jonson STEVENS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented a new and useful BoilenFeed-l Vater Regulator, of which the following is a specification. The present invention appertains to boiler feed water regulators, and aims to provide a novel and improved appliance of that character, this invention being an improvement over the boiler feed water regulator disclosed in my Patent No. 1,156,944, issued October 19, 1915.

It is the object of the invention to provide a novel contrivance for operating the valve which controls the flow of water through the feed water pipe into the boiler, whereby when the water level lowers, the controlling valve is opened thereby admitting the water into the boiler to bring the level of the water up to normal, the present device serving to maintain the water at a predetermined level within the boiler.

As a more specific object, the invention aims to provide a controlling valve for the feed water pipe which is operated by steam pressure from the boiler, the steam normally tending to close said valve and the passage oi steam to the valve being governed by float controlled device so that when the water level lowers, the lowering of the float will serve to shut off the flow of steam to the valve, thereby permitting the valve to open and allowing the water to flow into the boiler for restoring the normal water level.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a regulating device of the nature indicated, which comprises a novel assemblage of the component parts, to increase the utility and efficiency of the device, the device being comparatively simple, compact and inexpensive in construction, and being readily installed.

lVith the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein the figure is a sectional view of the appliance, portions being broken away and portions being shown in elevation.

The feed water controlling valve embodies a casing 1 interposed in the feed water pipe 2 leading from a source of water to the boiler, the casing 1 being provided with a partition 3 therein having an opening a, said partition providing a valve seat. The casing 1 has an upstanding or laterally projecting sleeve 5 in which a cap-shaped valve 6 is slidable to seat against the partition 3 for closing the opening a.

The end of the sleeve 5 is closed by a plate 7 attached thereto in any suitable manner, and said plate is provided with an upstanding yoke 8 provided in alinement with the sleeve 5 with a cylinder 9 having its end closed by a head or plate 10 provided with a central aperture or port 11. A piston 12 is slidable snugly within the cylinder 9, and a push rod 18 is slidable through the inner end of the cylinder 9 and through a stufiing box 11 threaded through the plate 7 from below. The ends of the rod 13 bear against the piston 12 and valve 6, so that when the piston is forced downward, the valve 6 is seated, and when the valve 6 is unseated by the pressure of the water, the piston 1.2 is raised, the rod 13 transmitting motion from one part to the other. The stuffing box 14: receives a packing gland 16, and has threaded thereon a nut 17 for retaining the gland 16 in place. The packing contained by the stufling box 14 provides means for preventing leakage past the rod 13.

Attached to the cylinder 9 adjacent its lower end is an elbow 18 providing a drip outlet and providing a vent to permit air to flow into and out of the cylinder as the piston 12 is reciprocated. The cylinder 9 is also provided adjacent its lower end with a removable plug 19.

That portion of the casing 1 opposite the sleeve 5 is provided with a tubular portion 20 in alinement with the opening 4: and

sleeve 5 and a spindle 21 is threaded through the tubular portion 20 and projects through the opening 4, and within the valve 6. A packing gland or nut 22 is threaded upon the outer end of the portion 20 to prevent leakage, and the lower or protruding end of the spindle 21 is provided with a screw driver kerf 23, whereby the spindle can be conveniently rotated through the medium of a screw driver or equivalent implement. When the spindle 21 is retracted, the valve 6 can seat against the partition 3, and when the spindle is threaded upwardly it will provide a stop which limits the movement of the valve 6 toward its seat, so as to prevent the valve being seated for completely closing the opening 4. In this manner, the valve is normally unseated sufficiently to allow the feed water to flow into the boiler at a predetermined rate, to compensate for the water which is lost by evaporation or in any other manner. In adjusting the spindle 21, the feed water may be allowed to flow into the boiler at a predetermined rate to make up for the loss of water in the boiler without the necessity of the valve 6 being operated by the float controlled apparatus which will be presently described, although if the flow of water is not suflicient to maintain the water level in the boiler normal, the valve 6 is allowed to open farther by the float controlled mechanism.

The float controlled mechanism embodies a float chamber or casing 24, comprising a cup or receptacle 25 and cap 26 secured thereon. The lower end of the chamber 24 is provided with a water port 27 which is connected by means of a pipe 28 to the boiler below the water level, said chamber 24 being so located near the water and steam gage that the normal water level is between the upper and lower ends of said chamber. The cap 26 forming the upper end of the float chamber is provided with a steam port 29 connected by means of a pipe 30 with the boiler above the water level, so that steam will flow through the pipe 30 into the upper portion of the chamber 24, while water will flow from the boiler through the pipe 23, into the lower portion of the float chamber. The water and steam pressure within the float chamber are thus equalized, whereby the water level within the float chamber will be the same as that in the boiler.

The cap 26 is provided with a central upstanding boss 31 and a depending tubularextension 32, a bore 33 extending through the extension 32 and. boss 31. An apertured valve seat 34 is threaded within the upper end of the bore 33 to serve as a seat for the tip of the needle valve 35 disposed loosely within the extension 32 and having its lower end attached to a hollow .metallic or other suitable float 36 disposed loosely within the float chamber. The extension 32 guides the needle valve 35 for vertical movement which also guides the float for similar movement.

A cylinder 37 has its lower end threaded upon the boss 31 and projects upwardly from the float chamber, said cylinder having a lower chamber 38 and an upper chamber 39, which chambers are separated by a partition 40 in the cylinder between its ends and having a. restricted aperture or opening 41. A cap 42 is threaded upon the upper end of the cylinder to provide a closuretherefor, and has a steam or pressure fluid inlet port 43 which is connected by means of a tube or pipe 44 with the upper portion of the boiler so that dry steam is delivered by way of the tube 44 and port 43 into the chamber 39.

An elbow is attached to one side of the cylinder 37 in communication with the chamber 39 between the ends of said chamber, and said elbow or coupling 45 is connected by a tube or pipe 46 with the port or aperture 11 of the cylinder 9. An elbow or nipple 47 is attached to one side of the cylinder 37 in communication with the chamber 38 above the piston 48 which is slidable within said chamber 38, and the nipple 47 communicates with the atmosphere.

The piston 48 has an upstanding stem 49 attached thereto which projects loosely through the aperture 41 and which is provided within the chamber 39 with a valve head 50 having conical ends, the upper one of which is seatable in the aperture or port 43-to close the same, and the other of which is seatable within the aperture 41 to close the same. The head 50 has an apertured disk 51 secured thereon which is slidable within the chamber 39 to guide the valve head for vertical movement.

In operation when the water level within the boiler and float chamber is at the predetermined height desired, the float 36 is raised within the float chamber to seat the needle valve 35 against the apertured seat 34, and by closing the aperture of said valve seat will prevent the steam from passing from the upper portion of the float chamber into the lower end of the cylinder 37. The piston 43 will therefore gravitate to the lower end of the upright cylinder 37, and this will seat the valve head 50 against the partition 40 to close the aperture 41, and at the same time, the valve head 50 is removed from the port or aperture 43, which allows the steam or pressure fluid to flow into the chamber 39. The aperture 41 being closed prevents the steam from escaping into the chamber 38 and out through the nipple 47, but the steam can flow into and through the tube 46 into the cylinder 9 above the piston 12. Said piston is therefore forced downwardly, which in turn forces the push rod 13 downward, to push .said needle valve is unseated.

the valve 6 toward its seat. If the spindle 21 is retracted, the valve 6 will be seated, to close the port a, and if the spindle 21 is projected, the valve 6 is moved against said spindle to allow a slight flow of the water through the feed pipe at all times as above indicated. The steam or pressure fluid is thus normally supplied to the fluid operated valve, for holding said valve closed to shut off or retard the flow of feed water into the boiler.

Now, when the water level lowers within the boiler, it also lowers within the float chamber, and the float 36 will therefore drop with the water level pulling the needle valve 35 downwardly therewith, so that This allows the steam to flow from within the float chamber upwardly through the bore 33 and into the lower end of the cylinder 37, whereby the piston 18 is forced upwardly. The valve head 50 is now lifted to seat within the aperture 6L3 for shutting off the flow of steam from the pipe or tube 44 into the chamber 39, and at the same time, the valve head 50 is removed from the aperture 11, to bring the aperture 41 into communication with the tube or pipe 46. Due to the fact that the steam or fluid pressure is cut ofl from the cylinder 9, the pressure fluid no longer exerts a pressure tending to seat the valve 6, so that the water can unseat the valve 6 to flow into the boiler, the rod 13 and piston 12 being moved backwardly by the valve 6 when it is unseated. The tube or pipe 46 being connected to the atmosphere by way of the chamber 39, port 41, chamber 38 and nipple 47 allows the steam or pressure fluid to be forced from the cylinder 9 to the atmosphere when the piston 12 is raised. This allows the valve 6 to unseat without interference, so that the feed water can flow into the boiler to bring the water up to its normal level, and as soon as the normal water level is restored, the flow of feed water is shut ofl due to the elevation of the float 36 which seats the needle valve 35.

The apparatus is operable for controlling the admission of feed water into the boiler, so that the water will be maintained at a normal level, and the device is entirely automatic in operation. The parts of the device can be readily manufactured, assembled and separated, and the appliance can be installed with little trouble upon various boilers.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A boiler feed water regulator comprising a pressure fluid operated feed water valve, means for normally supplying pressure fluid thereto for holding the valve closed, pressure fluid operated means cooperable with said'means, means independent of the first mentioned means for supplying pressure fluid to the second mentioned means, and float controlled means cooperable with the third mentioned means wherebv when the float is raised, the pressure fluid is shut off from the second mentioned means, and when the float is lowered, the pressure fluid operates the second men tioned means to shut off the flow of pres sure fluid in the first mentioned means to the valve.

2. A boiler feed water regulator comprising a pressure fluid operated feed water valve, piping connected thereto for supply ing pressure fluid thereto, a valve controlling the flow of pressure fluid through said piping, pressure fluid operated means for operating the second mentioned valve, independent means for supplying pressure fluid to said means, a valve controlling the second mentioned means, and a float connected to the third mentioned valve for operating it.

3. A. boiler feed water regulator comprising a pressure fluid operated feed water valve, piping connected thereto, a normally open valve for said piping for permitting pressure fluid to pass therethrough to the first mentioned valve, pressure fluid operated means for seating the second mentioned valve, independent means for supplying pressure fluid to the said means, a valve for the second mentioned means to normally shut ofl the flow of pressure fluid to the first mentioned means, and a float operatively connected to'the third mentioned valve for unseating it when the float lowers.

4;. A boiler feed water regulator comprising a pressure fluid operated feed water valve, piping connected thereto for supplying pressure fluid thereto, a valve for controlling the passage of pressure fluid through the said piping, a float chamber having upper and lower ports for connection with a boiler above and below the water level, a cylinder connected to the upper portion of the float chamber to receive pressure fluid therefrom, a piston within the cylinder for operating the second mentioned valve, a float within said chamber, and a valve operated by the float for controlling the flow of pressure fluid from the chamber into the cylinder.

5. A boiler feed water regulator comprising a pressure fluid operated feed water valve, piping connected thereto for supplying pressure fluid to the valve, a normally open valve for said piping, a float chamber having upper and lower ports for connection with a boiler above and below the water level, a cylinder connected to the upper portion of said chamber to receive pressure fluid therefrom, a piston within the cylinder for seating the second mentioned valve when pressure fluid is admitted to the cylinder, a

float within said chamber, and a valve operated by said float and normally shutting off the flow of pressure fluid from the chamber to the cylinder, the last mentioned valve being unseated when the float lowers.

6. A boiler feed water regulator comprising a pressure fluid operated feed water valve, piping connected thereto for supplying pressure fluid to said valve, a valve controlling the supply of pressure fluid through the said piping, a float chamber having upper and lower ports for connection with a boiler above and below the wa ter level, the chamberhaving an upper tubular member provided with an apertured valve seat, a float within said chamber, a needle valve attached to the float and disposed loosely within said tubular member to normally bear against said seat, a cylinder having one end connected to said tubular member to receive pressure fluid therefrom, and a piston within the cylinder and arranged to operate the second mentioned valve.

7. A boiler feed water regulator embodying a pressure fluid operated feed Water valve, a pressure fluid chamber in communication with said valve and having a pres sure fluid inlet and an aperture communicating with the atmosphere, a valve within said chamber for alternately closing said inlet and aperture, pressure fluid operated means for operating said second mentioned valve, means for admitting pressure fluid to said means, and float controlled means controlling the flow of pressure fluid through the second mentioned means.

8. A boiler feed water regulator embodying a pressure fluid operated feed water valve, a chamber in communication therewith and having a pressure fluid inlet and an opposite aperture communicating with the atmosphere, a valve in said chamber seatable to alternately close said inlet and Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner aperture, pressure fluid operated means for operating the second mentioned valve, a float chamber having upper and lower ports for communication with a boiler above and below the normal water level, the float chamber having a passage communicating with said means, a float within said chamber, and a valve controlled by the float for controlling the passage of pressure fluid through said passage to said means.

9. A boiler feed water regulator embodying a pressure fluid operated feed water valve, a float chamber having upper and lower ports for connection with a boiler above and below the normal Water level, an upstanding member attached to the upper end of said chamber and having an upper pressure fluid chamber, a lower chamber and a partition between said chambers having an aperture, said lower chamber having an aperture communicating with the atmosphere, a pipe connecting the upper chamber and said valve, the upper chamber having a pressure fluid inlet opposite said aperture of said partition, a piston slidable in the lower chamber and having an upwardly projecting stem provided with a valve within the upper chamber operable to close the pressure fluid inlet and aperture of said partition, the float chamber having a passage communicating with said lower chamber, said passage having a valve seat, a float within the float chamber, and an upstanding needle valve carried by said float and projecting into said passage to cooperate with said seat.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto afixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIE J UDSON STEVENS.

Witnesses:

JOHN H. ADAMs, ROGER CARTER.

of Patents,

Washington, D. 0.

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