Water distiller

A water distiller assembly comprising a bottom boiler unit and a top condensing unit incorporates heat exchange passage means for supply water and steam arranged in the condensing unit in such a way in combination with tubular flow connections between the condensing unit and boiler unit that cool, incoming supply water is preheated by steam rising from the boiler unit and flows by gravity down into the boiler unit, with the steam thereby being cooled and condensed to distilled water. Mineral laden residue water in the boiler unit is discharged therefrom continuously by means of a discharge passage providing a predetermined flow restriction against the flow pressure generated by the vapor pressure in the boiler unit. A supply water vessel forming a portion of the condensing unit is removably secured to the top of a boiler vessel by spring clips, which also serve to tightly seat lids covering the supply water vessel and the boiler vessel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Water distillers of various designs and construction, including household 
water distillation systems, have been in use and known for some time. See, 
for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,817, issued to B. D. Jimerson et al. This 
patent, as well as U.S. Pat. No. 3,055,810 issued to R. E. Skow disclose 
relatively large, cumbersome assemblies of apparatus for distilling water, 
which would not be readily adaptable to household use in the form of a 
small, compact appliance. It is also known to utilize the incoming supply 
water as a cooling agent for cooling and condensing steam to distilled 
water in such apparatus as is disclosed in the aforesaid patent to Skow, 
and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,736,234 issued to Shiro Miyamoto. The patents to 
Jimerson et al. and Skow further teach the desirability of providing a 
flushing or draining system for removing impurities from the boiler unit 
of a water distiller. 
The water distiller invention disclosed herein incorporates certain ones of 
these prior art features in combination with new and improved features to 
provide a small, compact household water distiller effectively utilizing 
cool supply water to condense steam in a thermostatically controlled, 
gravity flow arrangement for incoming water. The water distiller unit is 
of simple, take-apart construction comprising a top, condensing unit and a 
bottom, boiler unit removably secured together with tightly sealed, cover 
lids for ready access and servicing. 
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The water distiller of this invention is particularly characterized by a 
small, efficient distiller assembly of take-apart construction which 
requires no external cooling source for condensing steam to distilled 
water, provides distilled water at a desired temperature level by an 
adjustable thermostatic flow control on the incoming supply water, and 
which avoids the accumulation of undue amounts of mineral deposits in a 
boiler unit. 
These basic objectives are accomplished in a particularly effective and 
improved way by utilizing a combination of a bottom boiler unit and a top 
condensing unit removably attached thereto, with a supply water connection 
to the condensing unit through which relatively cool supply water is 
directed into a heat exchange passage for cooling and condensing steam 
rising into the condensing unit from the boiler unit. A flow tube 
extending between the condensing unit and the boiler unit through a 
removable lid on the top of a boiler vessel is constructed and positioned 
to direct preheated supply water from the condensing unit downwardly by 
gravity flow to a discharge location below the normal water level in the 
boiler unit. 
Preferably, the condensing unit comprises a vessel in which supply water is 
maintained at a predetermined level in heat exchange relation with steam 
passing through a circuitous, tubular passage from the boiler, with the 
result that the steam is cooled and condensed to distilled water which is 
directed outwardly from the unit through a fluid outlet. Steam rising from 
the bottom boiler unit is directed into the top of the circuitous tubular 
passage in the condensing unit, whereby condensing and cooled vapors flow 
downwardly in the circuitous flow passage towards the fluid outlet for 
distilled water, and a temperature gradient is maintained in the supply 
water contained in the condensing vessel. The cool supply water is thereby 
located at the bottom of the condensing vessel, and preheated supply water 
at a higher temperature will be at the top of the condensing vessel for 
introduction into the aforesaid flow tube extending downwardly into the 
boiler vessel. Advantageously, an adjustable thermostat positioned in the 
condensing unit regulates the flow of supply water into the condensing 
vessel through an inlet valve in response to the temperature of outgoing 
distilled water to thereby maintain the temperature of the distilled water 
product within a predetermined temperature range. 
A further advantageous feature of the water distiller resides in the 
provision of a mineral water discharge passage in the lower portion of the 
boiler vessel, with an inlet at a predetermined water level therein, and 
an outlet leading externally of the boiler unit. This discharge passage is 
sized and shaped to provide a predetermined restriction to the outflow of 
residue water from the boiler under the pressurizing influence of vapor 
pressure generated in the boiler. As a result, a steady, predetermined 
outflow of mineral laden residue water is maintained from the boiler 
vessel to prevent the accumulation of minerals and other impurities 
therein. Preferably, the mineral water discharge passage takes the form of 
an upwardly facing, fluid receptacle positioned on the bottom of the 
boiler vessel, having an open top end serving as the inlet to the mineral 
water discharge passage at a predetermined water level in the boiler. An 
elongated tube of predetermined cross section extends from the inside of 
this fluid receptacle upwardly and outwardly from the boiler. 
The aforesaid boiler unit comprises a boiler vessel having a removable lid 
held tightly in place by releasable spring clips engaging a lid on the 
condensing unit vessel at their upper ends and releasably secured to an 
outer, peripheral portion of the boiler unit at their bottom ends. The top 
mounted condensing unit and the bottom boiler unit are interconnected in 
such a way that the elongated spring clips not only secure the condensing 
unit and boiler unit together, but also force both the condenser vessel 
lid and the boiler vessel lid into tight, sealing engagement with the top 
edge portions of these vessels. 
These and other objects and advantages of the invention disclosed herein 
will be readily apparent as the following description is read in 
conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals 
designate like elements throughout these several views.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
In the drawings FIGS. 1 through 3 illustrate the preferred form of the 
water distiller of this invention as a small, compact household appliance. 
The water distiller is comprised of a base or boiler unit 1 and a 
condensing unit 2 removably mounted on top thereof. The boiler unit has an 
outer cylindrical shield 4 for safety purposes, this cylindrical shield 
being supported on a base 6. An offset shoulder 6a on the outer periphery 
of base 6 serves as a seat for the bottom of shield 4. The boiler unit is 
further comprised of a boiling vessel 8 which defines a boiling chamber in 
which supply water is boiled as an essential step in the distillation 
operation. The top end of boiling vessel 8 is provided with outwardly 
turned flanges 10 which are hooked over the top of cylindrical shield 4 
for support thereon as shown in FIG. 2. A removable boiler lid 12 rests on 
top of boiler vessel 8, and has a sealing lip 14 extending around its 
periphery. Lip 14 of boiler lid 12 is held in tight, sealing engagement 
with the top peripheral surface of boiler vessel 8 in a manner hereinafter 
set forth. 
An electrical heating element 16 of coiled configuration as shown in FIG. 3 
is utilized for heating supply water in boiler vessel 8. A power supply 
cord 18 extending through the outer shield 4 of boiler unit 1 has leads 
18a and 18b connected to heating element 16 through fittings 20 and 21 in 
the bottom of boiler vessel 8. A thermostat 22 is connected in series with 
heating element lead wires 18a and 18b. Thermostat 22 projects within 
boiler vessel 8 in close proximity to heating element 16 and serves to 
interrupt the circuit to heating element 16 in response to an excessively 
high temperature in boiler vessel 8, as would be encountered if the level 
of supply water therein dropped abnormally low due to an operating 
malfunction. The electrical connections for thermostat 22 and heating 
element 16 are housed within a recess 24 formed in the bottom of base 
plate 6. This recess is normally covered by an access cap 26 held in place 
by screw 28. 
Upper, condensing unit 2 is also provided with a cylindrical shield 30. 
This shield is perforated as shown for heat dissipation to provide an 
added cooling effect in condensing steam to distilled water in the 
condensing unit. Although the condensing unit may take various forms in 
order to provide a heat exchange passage for supply water to serve in 
cooling steam rising from boiler vessel 8, the condenser unit is 
preferably comprised of a vessel 32 in which supply water is maintained at 
a predetermined level L-1 as indicated in FIG. 2. Condensing vessel 32 has 
outwardly turned flanges on its upper end defining hooked end portions 34 
which are hooked over the top of cylindrical shield 30 for support 
thereon. The bottom end of shield 30 rests on the top, periphery of boiler 
lid 12, the bottom end segments 30a of shield 30 being shaped to conform 
to and abut against the peripheral sealing lip 14 on boiler lid 12. In 
this manner, cylindrical condenser shield 30 serves as a connecting means 
between condenser unit 2 and boiler unit 1 for a reason hereinafter 
explained. The top of condensing vessel 32 is covered by a lid 36 resting 
thereon. For purposes of manufacturing economy, lid 36 is preferably 
identical in shape to boiler lid 12, and is provided with a sealing lip 38 
around its outer periphery which rests upon upper, hooked end portions 34 
of condensing vessel 32. Vapor aperture 36a is provided in lid 36 for 
venting undesired gases from the supply water. 
In order to removably secure condensing unit 2 on top of boiler unit 1, I 
utilize spring retention means which preferably take the form of 
detachable spring clips 40 and 41. Elongated spring clips 40, 41 are 
positioned at spaced apart locations around the periphery of the water 
distiller assembly as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with each of these clips 
having an upper end segment which engages a peripheral edge portion of 
condensing unit lid 36 and a bottom end segment removably secured to an 
outer, peripheral portion of boiler unit 1. To this end, spring clips 40 
and 41 have rolled spring segments 42 at their top ends and hooked 
extensions 44 on their bottom ends. Rolled spring end segments 42 of clips 
40, 41 bear against peripheral sealing lip 38 of condensing unit lid 36. 
Clips 40, 41 are attached to the water distiller assembly with their upper 
ends 42 thus engaging the periphery of condensing vessel lid 36. The 
spring clips 40, 41 are then forced downwardly to engage their bottom end 
hooks 44 in slots 46 formed in the boiler unit cylindrical shield 4. This 
has the effect of drawing condenser unit 1 and boiler unit 1 tightly 
together. With spring clips 40, 41 thus installed, upper rolled spring 
segments 42 thereof serve to hold sealing lip 38 of condensing vessel lid 
36 tightly against the top periphery of condensing vessel 32. This 
eliminates the need for any additional sealing ring or sealing means of 
any type between lid 36 and condensing vessel 32. Moreover, the 
installation of spring clips 40, 41 in the aforesaid manner provides 
vertical, compression forces acting through condensing vessel lid 36 and 
interconnecting cylindrical shield 30 which serve to urge sealing lip 14 
on boiler lid 12 into tight, sealing engagement with the top periphery of 
boiler vessel 8. Since cylindrical condenser shield 30 supports the 
peripheral shoulders of hooked upper ends 34 of condensing vessel 32 at 
its upper end and has its bottom end segments 30a bearing against 
peripheral sealing lip 14 of boiler lid 12, shield 30 serves to 
effectively transmit the compression forces of spring clips 40, 41 in such 
a way as to force sealing lip 14 of lid 12 tightly against the top of 
boiler vessel 8. Accordingly, no additional sealing means of any kind is 
required between boiler lid 12 and boiler vessel 8. Condensing unit 2 and 
boiler unit 1 are further interconnected by means of a screw 48 which 
fastens the bottom of condensing vessel 32 to boiler lid 12, and is held 
in place by nut 50 as shown in FIG. 2. A sealing grommet 52 around screw 
48 prevents leakage through the bottom of condensing vessel 32 or the 
boiler lid 12. The detachment of spring clips 40 and 41 of course permits 
the removal of condensing vessel lid 36 to obtain access to the interior 
of the condensing unit. Also, the entire condensing unit 2 may then be 
removed from the top of boiler unit 1. As this is done, boiler lid 12 will 
be removed with the condensing unit, since it is attached thereto by screw 
48. This permits access to the interior of boiler vessel 8. 
Supply water is directed into the water distiller assembly through an inlet 
hose 54, which may be conveniently connected to a cold water sink tap 55 
for ordinary household use. As most clearly appears in FIG. 4, supply hose 
54 is connected through shield 30 with the interior of condensing vessel 
32 by means of a fitting 56. Threaded end 57 of fitting 56 extends through 
the side wall of condensing vessel 32 and shield 30, and is attached to 
supply hose 54. Nut 58 fastened over the threaded end 57 of fitting 56, 
serves to tightly hold the fitting assembly to the wall of condensing 
vessel 32. A sealing gasket or ring 60 positioned around threaded end 57 
of fitting 56 serves to prevent any leakage through the aperture in 
condensing vessel 32, through which threaded end 57 extends. Fitting 56 
further includes a tubular member 62 projecting into the interior of 
condensing vessel 32 and having a valve fitting 64 secured to its inner 
end. Valve fitting 64 is threadedly secured to the outlet end of tubular 
extension 62 by means of a nut 66. Valve fitting 64 has a valve port 68, 
through which the flow of supply water is controlled by means of a movable 
valve element 70. Valve element 70 could take various forms, including 
that of a tapered pin. In the embodiment shown, a ball type valve 70 is 
utilized, and is held in place against valve seat or port 68 by means of a 
spring 72. The opposite end of spring 72 bears against a retainer ring 74. 
The flow rate of supply water through valve port 68 is controlled by a 
thermostat in order to provide the proper amount of supply water for 
cooling and distilling. The thermostat preferably comprises a bellows type 
of sensor and actuator 76, filled with an expansible fluid. Bellows 76 is 
positioned as shown in FIG. 2 within the interior of condensing vessel 32 
where it will be immersed in supply water. An actuator stem 78 is 
connected to one end of bellows 76, and has a push head 80 on its opposite 
end, which normally bears against valve element 70. Bellows 76 is 
supported by a threaded extension 82 on one end thereof, which is screwed 
into an aperture in a mounting bracket 84. Bracket 84 is preferably of 
U-shaped configuration as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, and includes a threaded 
aperture 86 at one end within which threaded extension 88 on valve fitting 
64 is received. With mounting bracket 84 resting on the bottom of 
condensing vessel 32 in the manner shown in FIG. 2, it serves to support 
both bellows thermostat 76 and valve fitting 64. 
An indicator and adjusting pointer 90 is affixed to the outer end of 
threaded thermostat extension 82 for rotation therewith. As is shown in 
FIGS. 4 and 5, pointer 90 is positioned to rotate back and forth over an 
indicator dial 92 affixed to one end of mounting bracket 84 by rivets 94. 
Pointer 90 may be rotated to the left or right as viewed in FIG. 5 to 
warmer or colder settings of the temperature for leaving distilled water. 
As pointer 90 is rotated, threaded thermostat extension 82 rotates with 
it, and is therefore screwed inwardly or outwardly with respect to the 
threaded aperture through which it extends in one end of mounting bracket 
84. As a result, actuating stem 78 is moved laterally towards or away from 
valve element 70. In this manner, valve element 70 is moved towards a 
closing or opening position with respect to valve port 68 by the 
combination of valve spring 72 and actuating stem 78. Supply water flowing 
through inlet hose 54 is directed through tubular connecting member 62 of 
fitting 56 and past valve port 68 into outlet passage 95 of valve fitting 
64. The water then flows through the discharge end 95a of valve outlet 
passage 95 into condensing vessel 32. 
As noted above, relatively cool supply water is maintained at a 
predetermined level L-1 in condensing vessel 32. This is accomplished by 
means of a particular arrangement of a supply water outlet tube 96 leading 
to the interior of boiler vessel 8. Vertically oriented tube 96 extends 
downwardly through aligned apertures in the bottom of condensing vessel 32 
and boiler lid 12, and is snugly secured therein by means of an insulating 
sleeve 98. Sleeve 98 may be made of rubber, plastic or other suitable 
insulating material with sufficient resiliency to provide a tight seal in 
the apertures in condensing vessel 32 and boiler lid 12 through which tube 
96 extends. Tube 96 has an inlet opening 96a positioned in the upper 
portion of condensing vessel 32 at a predetermined level therein where the 
supply water level L-1 is to be maintained in vessel 32. At its bottom 
end, supply water tube 96 terminates at a discharge opening at 96b 
disposed below the normal level of supply water maintained in boiling 
vessel 8. The level of water maintained in boiler vessel 8 during normal 
operations is indicated by reference designation L-2 in FIG. 2. The length 
of supply water outlet tube 96 and the elevated location of its inlet 
opening 96a within condensing vessel 32 provide a column of supply water 
in tube 96 sufficient to at least balance and slightly exceed the vapor 
pressure generated in boiling chamber or vessel 8. This pressure head of 
supply water within tube 96 ensures a steady flow of supply water by 
gravity from the top of condensing vessel 32 downwardly into boiler vessel 
8. 
Steam generated in boiler vessel 8 is directed outwardly to a vapor flow 
passage 100 wherein it is cooled and condensed to distilled water. 
Efficiency and economy of operation are achieved by utilizing the 
relatively cool, incoming supply water as the heat exchange medium for 
cooling the steam passing through heat exchange passage 100. For this 
purpose, vapor flow passage 100 preferably takes the form of a circuitous, 
tubular member of coiled configuration as shown in FIG. 2. Vapor flow coil 
100 is positioned within condensing vessel 32 wherein it will be in heat 
exchange relation with the cool supply water maintained therein at level 
L-1. It is to be noted that the upper end of spiral heat exchange coil 100 
is disposed below the inlet 96a to supply water outlet tube 96, and 
therefore will normally be completely immersed in the supply water 
maintained at level L-1 in condensing vessel 32. Tubular inlet 102 leading 
to heat exchange coil 100 is disposed in fluid flow communication with the 
top of boiling chamber 8, and extends upwardly through aligned apertures 
in boiler lid 12 and in the bottom of condensing vessel 32. An insulating 
sleeve 106 of the same material as insulating sleeve 98 maintains a tight 
seal around inlet tube 102 where it passes through boiler lid 12 and the 
bottom of condensing vessel 32. It is to be noted that inlet tube 102 
forms an integral part of heat exchange coil 100 and extends upwardly to 
the top thereof as shown in FIG. 2. As a result, steam vapors flow 
downwardly within heat exchange coil 100 through its spiral passages and 
are cooled by heat exchange with supply water maintained within condensing 
vessel 32. The condensed, distilled water produced by this heat exchange 
operation is directed outwardly from coil 100 through a tubular extension 
104 of coil 100 projecting through the walls of condensing vessel 32 and 
cylindrical shield 30 to a point of connection with a distilled water 
delivery hose 104a. As is indicated in FIG. 1, distilled water thus 
produced may be directed through delivery hose 104a into a receiving 
vessel 105. 
In the lower portion of boiler vessel 8 there is provided mineral water 
discharge passage means for the purpose of continuously moving 
concentrations of mineral residue from the bottom of the boiler unit. This 
passage means advantageously takes the form of a receiving cup or 
container 108 removably resting on the bottom of the boiler vessel 8. Cup 
108 is normally held in place by a wire detent clip 110 which extends over 
the top of cup 108 and is hooked under spiral segments of electric heating 
coil 16 in the manner shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Cup 108 is of a 
predetermined height to provide an inlet for mineral residue water defined 
by its open, upwardly facing, top end 108a. As is hereinafter explained, 
water is maintained in boiler vessel 8 at a level L-2 even with the top 
108a of cup 108. Cup 108 serves as a fluid receptacle into which mineral 
laden residue water flows. The mineral water discharge tube 112 functions 
as the remaining portion of the mineral water discharge passage means. 
Tube 112 has an inlet 112a disposed within receiving cup 108 below the top 
108a thereof. From its inlet 112a, tube 112 extends upwardly in a vertical 
segment 112c of predetermined height. Discharge tube 112 further includes 
a generally horizontally directed segment which projects outwardly through 
the walls of boiler vessel 8 and cylindrical boiler shield 4 and 
terminates in an outlet end 112b disposed externally of the water 
distiller assembly. The mineral water output from discharge tube 112 may 
be directed into any convenient type of drain or collecting vessel. 
In operation, the supply water inlet hose 54 is connected to a cold water 
tap 55 or other suitable cold water supply, and power supply line 18 for 
the boiler unit is plugged into a suitable electrical receptacle. Cold 
supply water enters condensing vessel 32 through hose 54 and tubular 
passages or connections 62 and 95 of inlet fitting 56 and valve fitting 
64. As supply water passes through thermostatically controlled inlet port 
68, it is directed downwardly into condensing vessel 32 through discharge 
end 95a of outlet passage 95 in valve fitting 64. In order to ensure that 
incoming water under pressure is directed downwardly towards the bottom of 
condensing vessel 32, a deflecting shield 85 is attached to mounting 
bracket 84 for the thermostatic controller. Baffle or deflecting shield 85 
may be welded or otherwise attached as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to the top 
of bracket 84. Shield 85 includes a horizontal segment as shown, and a 
pair of outwardly and downwardly extending wing segments which most 
clearly appear in FIG. 5. These wing extensions on deflector shield 85 
serve to deflect and direct incoming supply water towards the bottom of 
condensing vessel 32. Supply water will rise within vessel 32 and reach a 
level L-1 therein, which is even with the inlet 96a to supply water outlet 
tube 96. The supply water is preheated by heat exchange with steam 
generated in boiler 8 and flowing outwardly through heat exchange coil 
100. Preheated supply water flows downwardly by gravity through tube 96 
into the bottom of boiler vessel 8, and is discharged through the bottom 
outlet 96b of tube 96 at a level below the top 108a of cup 108. As noted 
above, the level of water L-2 maintained in boiler vessel 8 corresponds to 
the top 108a of cup 108. The supply water is heated in boiler vessel 8 by 
the application of heat through electric heating elements 16. As a result, 
the supply water is boiled and vapor is generated in the form of steam 
which rises upwardly in boiler vessel 8. The rising steam passes into 
inlet 102 of heat exchange coil 100 and is directed upwardly therethrough 
to the top coil segments of spiral coil 100. As the steam flows downwardly 
through heat exchange coil 100 it is cooled and condensed to distilled 
water by heat exchange with the relatively cool inlet water maintained in 
condensing vessel 32 at a level L-1 therein. As noted above, distilled 
water flows outwardly through discharge tubular extension 104 and delivery 
hose 104a. 
Since relatively cool supply water is initially directed into the bottom of 
condensing vessel 32, and hot steam generated in boiler vessel 8 is first 
directed into the top segments of coil 100 near the top of the body of 
supply water within vessel 32, a temperature gradient is established 
within the body of supply water in vessel 32. As supply water rises within 
vessel 32, it is heated by heat exchange with hot steam, with the maximum 
temperature of supply water being reached within vessel 32 near the top 
thereof by heat exchange with the hottest steam flowing first through the 
upper segments of coil 100. As a result, the hottest, preheated supply 
water flows into inlet 96a of supply water outlet tube 96 and is directed 
downwardly into boiler vessel 8. This efficient preheating and delivery of 
the hottest supply water from vessel 32 into boiler 8 greatly reduces the 
amount of heat which must be supplied through heating element 16 in order 
to boil the water. Operating experience has shown that the aforesaid, 
particular heat exchange arrangement between the cold supply water and 
steam passing through coil 100 results in the supply water being heated to 
temperatures on the order of 190.degree. to 200.degree. F. prior to 
introduction into the inlet 96a of supply water outlet tube 96. This of 
course means that an additional temperature increase of less than 
25.degree. is all that is required to bring the water to a boiling 
temperature of 212.degree. within boiling vessel 8. The temperature 
gradient of the supply water within condensing vessel 32 is such that the 
supply water temperature will be on the order of 130.degree. near the 
bottom of vessel 32, with a temperature of between 190.degree. and 
200.degree. at the top thereof. 
As noted above, supply water outlet tube 96 is of a predetermined height 
and size so as to maintain a predetermined head of supply water therein. 
This creates a pressure head of supply water, under gravity flow from the 
top condensing vessel 32, of a predetermined level which slightly exceeds 
the pressure generated in boiler 8. With the outlet 96b of supply water 
tube 96 disposed under the level of supply water in boiler vessel 8, the 
pressure in vessel 8 which must be overcome by the head of water in tube 
96 will be the combination of the vapor pressure in vessel 8 and the head 
of water represented by level L-2. If the foregoing pressure balance is 
not maintained, with an excessive pressure being developed in boiler 
vessel 8, hot, mineral laden water will be forced from boiler vessel 8 
upwardly through tube 96 back into condensing vessel 32 with obvious, 
undesirable results. A desired, continuous, gravity flow of supply water 
downwardly into boiler vessel 8 through supply tube 96 from condensing 
vessel 32 is maintained by the particular arrangement of condensing vessel 
32 above boiler vessel 8, in combination with the aforesaid disposition of 
supply water tube 96. 
Also, a desired, continuous outflow of mineral laden residue water is 
accomplished through discharge tube 112 by virtue of the vapor pressure 
acting on the body of water in the bottom of boiler vessel 8. Mineral 
water discharge tube 112 is sized and shaped as described above so as to 
provide a predetermined pressure drop on the outflow of mineral water. 
This is based on the particular vapor pressure generated within boiler 
vessel 8. If the pressure drop through discharge tube 112 is not great 
enough, the vapor pressure within vessel 8 will blow or force mineral 
water outwardly through tube 112 at an undesirable and unacceptable rate. 
The vertical rise 112c in discharge tube 112, coupled with its particular 
cross sectional area provides the desired pressure drop on the outflow of 
mineral laden water. The particular size and wattage of heating element 16 
utilized will of course determine the pressure drop which must be 
maintained on the outflow of mineral water by means of discharge tube 112 
and its receiving vessel or cup 108. With a vertical rise 112c as shown in 
FIG. 2, it has been determined that tube 112 should have a one-eighth inch 
internal diameter and a total length of at least 24 inches when a 1200 
watt heating element is utilized. If a significantly shorter discharge 
tube 112 of 20 inches or less is utilized with this same 1200 watt heater, 
mineral water is blown at an unacceptable rate from the bottom of boiler 
vessel 8, outwardly through tube 112. 
The aforesaid operation wherein steam generated in boiler 8 is cooled and 
condensed to distilled water by passage through coil 100 in heat exchange 
with incoming, relatively cool supply water, results in a cooled supply of 
distilled water being discharged through outlet 104 into receiving vessel 
105. If the distilled water flowing into vessel 105 is not at an 
acceptable temperature, adjustment can be made by rotatably varying the 
position of pointer 90 on the thermostatic controller. Since the bellows 
sensing element 76 of the thermostatic controller is immersed in supply 
water within condensing vessel 32, it will respond to changes in the 
temperature of distilled water flowing through coil 100 and outwardly 
through outlet 104 through corresponding variations in the temperature of 
supply water in condensing vessel 38. The supply water temperature will of 
course be affected by its heat exchange relation with vapor flowing 
through coil 32. If the temperature of distilled water being delivered 
into vessel 105 reaches an excessively high level, the temperature of 
supply water in condensing vessel 32 will of course rise. As a result, 
bellows 76 will expand, and shift actuating stem 78 laterally to the left 
as viewed in FIG. 4. This will move valve element 70 farther off of its 
seat or port 68 and thereby increase the flow of supply water into vessel 
32. A greater cooling effect will then be achieved on the steam flowing 
through coil 100 and on the leaving distilled water, with a resultant 
reduction in its temperature to the desired level at which pointer 90 is 
set. As is indicated in FIG. 5, movement of pointer 90 to the left will 
increase the temperature of leaving distilled water and movement of 
pointer to the right or in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 5, will 
lower the temperature of leaving distilled water. 
Once supply hose 54 is connected to a source of cold water, and condensing 
vessel 32 primed with supply water to a level L-1, the distiller operates 
fully automatically by simply plugging and unplugging electrical supply 
cord 18. If supply cord 18 is unplugged after operation for a period of 
time, the resultant absence of a heat supply to boiler 8 through heating 
element 16 will of course stop the generation of steam. With no steam 
flowing through coil 100, the temperature of water surrounding bellows 76 
and condensing vessel 32, will drop substantially. When this happens, 
bellows 76 will contract, thereby moving valve actuator stem 78 to the 
right as viewed in FIG. 5. Spring 72 will then act to tightly seat valve 
element 70 on valve port 68. Thus, the supply of incoming water will be 
cut off, and the unit will be completely shut down. Operation resumes 
automatically when the plug on electrical supply cord 18 is again 
connected to an electrical outlet. The level L-2 of water will be 
maintained in boiler vessel 8 from the preceding operation at the time of 
shutdown. The application of heat to this body of water in vessel 8 when 
the supply cord 18 is again connected will generate steam. As this steam 
flows through heat exchange coil 100 it will raise the temperature of 
supply water in condensing vessel 32. As a result, thermostat bellows 76 
will be heated and expand so as to shift actuating stem 78 to the left as 
viewed in FIG. 4. This will open valve port 68 and permit supply water to 
again enter condensing vessel 32. 
In FIGS. 6 and 7 I have shown a modified, preferred form of the 
thermostatic controller for regulating the flow to supply water into 
condensing vessel 32. As will the form of the thermostatic controller 
described above, supply water inlet hose 54 is connected to threaded end 
57 of a fitting which includes a tubular member 62 projecting into the 
interior of condensing vessel 32. As with the arrangement shown in FIG. 4, 
tubular member 62 is connected by means of a nut 66a with a valve fitting. 
In FIGS. 6 and 7, there is shown a valve fitting 114 very similar to 
fitting 64. Nut 66a is threaded over an externally threaded extension on 
one end of this fitting in a manner similar to that shown with respect to 
nut 66 and the threaded end of fitting 64 in FIG. 4. Fitting 114 includes 
a threaded extension 114a on its opposite end within which a valve seat or 
port 116 is formed. A sleeve 118, internally threaded at one end thereof, 
threadedly receives threaded extension 114a of fitting 114 to assemble 
these components together. Sleeve 118 has a threaded aperture 120 at its 
opposite end into which a threaded extension 112 affixed to bellows 76a is 
screwed. Bellows 76a is of the same construction and operation as bellows 
76 described above with respect to FIGS. 4 and 5. Bellows 76a bears at its 
outer end against upright segment 126a of a support bracket 126. Forwardly 
extending arms 126b and 126c of bracket 126 project at their forward ends 
into the interior of sleeve 118 through aligned, elongated slots 128, 129 
on opposite sides thereof. The inner ends of bracket arms 126b, 126c are 
affixed to a cylindrical valve carrier 130 for movement therewith. 
Elongated valve pin or needle 132 projects from the forward end of valve 
carrier 130 for movement therewith. Valve spring 134 bears against the 
rear end of valve carrier 130, and is seated against the rear or base end 
of sleeve 118 as shown in FIG. 7. In this manner spring 134 serves to 
normally urge valve needle 132 into a seated position within valve seat or 
port 116. Unthreaded, forward end 122a of extension 122 serves as a guide 
for spring 134. A baffle or deflecting shield 124 of arcuate shape as 
shown in FIG. 6 is secured to the forward end of sleeve 118 in a friction 
fit therewith, and includes downwardly depending side walls 124a, 124b. 
In operation, supply water entering through tubular member 62 flows through 
the interior of fitting 114 and valve port 116 past valve needle 132. 
Water exits from the interior of sleeve 118 through elongated slots 128 
and 129. Baffle 124 serves to deflect incoming water downwardly into the 
interior of condensing vessel 32 to maintain the desired temperature 
gradient therein as noted above. As the temperature of leaving, distilled 
water increases, thereby increasing the temperature of supply water in 
vessel 32, bellows 76a expands. This has the effect of moving support 
bracket 126 to the left as viewed in FIG. 7, and thereby moving the valve 
needle 132 away from valve seat 116 to increase water flow therethrough. 
As the temperature of leaving distilled water decreases, bellows 76a 
contracts, and the opposite effect is achieved with the movement of valve 
needle 132 to the right and more tightly against valve seat 116 to 
restrict the flow of incoming water. The thermostatic controller shown in 
FIGS. 6 and 7 may be adjusted to warmer or colder settings of the 
temperature for leaving distilled water, by threadedly adjusting the 
position of bellows extension 122 within threaded aperture 120 of sleeve 
118. As bellows 76a and extension 122 are rotated clockwise as viewed in 
FIG. 6, this will serve to draw bellows extension 122 and sleeve 118 and 
threaded extension 114a more tightly together. As a result, bracket 126 
and valve needle 132 will be moved to the right as shown in FIG. 7 to seat 
more tightly within valve port 116. Rotating extension 122 and bellows 76a 
in the opposite, counter clockwise direction will have the effect of 
moving valve needle 132 farther away from port 116, and thus increasing 
water flow into condensing vessel 32. 
Based on the foregoing, it will readily be appreciated that the water 
distiller disclosed herein is a highly efficient, compact unit lending 
itself to fully automatic operation, and permitting quick and easy 
disassembly for cleaning and servicing as required. It is anticipated that 
various changes may be made in the structure and arrangement of the 
component parts of the water distiller as disclosed herein without 
departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined by the 
following claims.