Improvements in Ventilating, Heating, and Cooling Buildings.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Apr., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 1st Jan., 1895-Accepted, 20th Apr., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ventilating, Heating, and Cooling Buildings.
I, WILLIAM BRUCE, of 35, Cliff Road, Leeds, in the County of York,
England, Clerk of Works, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
In carrying out my invention, I, form vessels of metal composed of one or
more parts; circular, oblong, or of any other form on the cross section, and to
any required height in accordance with the quantity of air in the space to be
cooled, warmed or otherwise regulated. The vessels are connected together with
screwed nipples or made in long lengths with pipe connections.
To cool the air passing into the building, I, fill the vessels with a cooling liquid
drawn from a cistern containing ice and water or any other suitable mixture; and
the air is discharged at or near the floor level and can be regulated by a valve,
automatically or otherwise, to maintain a regular temperature.
The fresh air inlets, or flues, are formed near the floor level and as the air
passes inwards to be cooled or warmed, it passes upwards and then downwards
When
through the regulator and discharged in the building near the floor level.
it is desirable to maintain the inside temperature similar to the outside atmosphere
the regulating valve can be adjusted to allow the air from the outside to pass into
the building near the floor level.
In or near the regulator a filter is placed that can conveniently be removed
when required.
When it is desirable to warm a building to any temperature, the cold liquid is
allowed to run out of the vessels and hot water or steam is supplied to fill the
vessels for warming the air passing inwards through the regulator.
When a regulator is placed at a distance from an outside wall the air flue can
be formed below the finished floor level, or otherwise constructed to conduct the nir
to a regulator by natural extraction from the outside, or by means of a fan: and
the cold air is filtered and warmed, and discharged from the regulator near the
Hoor level.
When it is desirable that gas should be used for heating, the water in the
vessels of the regulator, the gas burners are fixed below the bottom of the water
vessels in a chamber or flue, and the air is extracted from the inside of the
building, between the Hoor and the ceiling, to the chamber in the base of the
regulator; and from the heating chamber of the regulator the extracted inside
atmosphere and products of combustion are discharged by flues outside the building
at the necessary height above the windows.
To regulate the temperature of the incoming air by means of the heated surface
of vessels and pipes in the interior of the regulator, one or more rows of gas
burners are used in the heating chamber for the purpose of heating the fresh air
and extracting the inside atmosphere.
In the construction of the regulators for the cooling liquid: or for warming by
means of hot water or steam, or when used in combination, as before described, f,
use a frame work or casing of metal, plain or ornamental, with tiles, faience,
marble or mosaic: and the interior divisions constructed with tiles and the external
finish can be designed and arranged to correspond with the architectural detail of
any building.

page_text: When it is desirable, I, construct a hot water boiler in the interior of the
regulator, with all the necessary pipe connections for the supply of hot water.
Dated this 20th day of April 1894.
WILLIAM BRUCE.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Ventilating, Heating, and Cooling Buildings.
I, WILLIAM BRUCE, of 35 Cliff Road, Leeds, in the County of York, Clerk of
Works, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
The object of this invention is to improve the ventilation of buildings and
regulate the temperature of the inside atmosphere, in a simple, cheap, and
efficient manner, with a uniform distribution of air at or near the floor level as may
be required.
My invention consists in the method of construction shown on the drawings,
and herein described, of supplying the necessary quantity of air required for
combustion from the outside atmosphere, or in such a way that completely shuts
off the beating chamber from the inside of the house, by the use of back-flap
valves to prevent the products of combustion from entering the building and
circulating therein. When mechanical power is used for assisting the ventilation
of a building. I discharge the cold or warmed air, at or near, the floor level, for
the purpose of regulating the temperature: and owing to the design and
construction of my apparatus, the inside atmosphere will not be reheated and
this object is obtained with the construction of the air inlet flues and application
of the air regulating valve, all as shown on the drawings.
With this apparatus, I believe that, a higher efficiency is obtained for heating
and ventilating, when burning a given quantity of gas in the heating chamber
than has been obtained heretofore in the construction of any heating apparatus
and owing to the rapid velocity of the air passing inwards. over the heating
surface of the apparatus, the oxygen is not consumed and the natural moisture of
the air is not dried up to excess.
Figs. 1, to 7, inclusive show a water service with a boiler and water vessels
connected together in the usual way with flow and return pipes and the water
supply pipe will be connected to or near the bottom of the boiler and will be
supplied with the usual cleansing pipe connections and stop cock. The supply
pipe will be connected to the feed and expansion cistern, placed above the level of
the highest water vessels, that are connected by flow and return pipes to the
boiler.
When 1, require to cool the air passing into the building through the air flues I,
open the stop cock on the cleansing pipe and draw off the water out of the boiler
and water vessels connected thereto and out of the cistern, and then proceed to fill
the cistern with a cooling liquid or mixture of ice and water, or water and salt, or
with a chemical compound mixed with the water that will pass from the cistern
through the feed pipe and fill the boiler and all the vessels connected thereto,
with the cooling liquid from the cistern.
The air inlet flues are designed so that the air passing into the building will
circulate and pass over the surface of the boiler and water vessels containing the
cooling liquid. No claim is herein made for the cooling liquids but for the
application of liquids in connection with the ventilation of buildings, as before
described.
When it becomes necessary to warm the interior of a building I, draw off the
cooling liquid and fill the boiler and water vessels connected thereto with water
from the feed cistern and for heating purposes I, place in the heating chamber,

page_text: below the boiler, gas burners or oil lamps and for heating the boiler and water
therein I, burn gas or oil in the said heating chamber and the said chamber if
supplied with air for combustion from the outside of the building through an air
flue or pipe specially provided for the purpose or from a cellar or basement or if
the said air flue be connected to a room below the level of the heating chamber or
boiler the flue will be provided with a back-flap-valve to prevent back-draughts of
the products of combustion from the heating chamber; and the heating chamber
will not be supplied with air direct from the room in which it is fixed without a
back-flap valve to prevent back-draughts and all risk or danger arising from the
products of combustion escaping into the room. With this apparatus the said
products of combustion will not be allowed to mix or circulate with the inside
atmosphere.
One or both ends of the heating chamber will be provided with a close fitting
circular plug or door to prevent any smell arising from the burning of gas or oil
escaping from the heating chamber except through the flue specially provided for
the purpose; and a small opening or door will be formed in the case for access to
the aforesaid plug or door in the end of the heating chamber.
The boiler will be constructed with vertical tubes and jointed on the top of the
heating chamber and the flame from the burners or hot products of combustion will
pass up the tubes and through the upper chamber, jointed on the top of the boiler
and from the said chamber the products will be conveyed in a flue pipe of irou or
other metal or connected to a flue formed in the wall and said pipe or flue will
terminate above the roof or above the highest window in the building to allow the
products of combustion to escape freely above the highest air inlets to the house
where this apparatus is used for ventilating and beating the interior thereof.
Modifications of my apparatus already described are shown by Figs. 8, to 17,
inclusive. Figs. 8, and 9, shows water vessels fixed behind the boiler and
connected thereto with flow and return connections and the air passing from the
outside to the inside of the building will pass over the surface of the boiler and
vessels.
At
Figs. 11, and 12, shows a boiler with vertical tubes inside a case and when the
heating power is applied below the boiler in the space marked A, Fig. 12, the
heat will pass up the tubes and between the side of the boiler and the case.
the side of the boiler case are shown a number of vessels one of which is
marked B', and they are bolted and jointed together and the lower part of said
vessels are formed into a heating chamber to receive gas or oil burners or lamps
and the hot products from the gas or oil burnt in the said heating chamber
will pass up inside the vessels marked B', and heat the metal or other material of
which the vessels are made. To prevent a strong draught passing up the vessels
and for the purpose of circulating the products of combustion over the internal
surface of the vessels I, insert battle plates in the upper chamber with hand-holes
formed on the end of said chamber for the removal or alteration of the aforesaid
baffle plates and the said hand-holes will have a cover plate or plug with an air
tight joint.
For heating purposes the cold air will be admitted at the opening G, and
circulate over the external surface of the vessels B', and over the surface of the
case or the part thereof near vessels B¹, and the air will be warned to any
temperature that may be required before it is discharged into the building. The
boiler can be used for a domestic hot water service with feed pipe and the usual
flow and return pipes; and the gas burners will be constructed in sections with
pilot lights and fixed in the heating chamber in such a way that one, two, or more
sections of burner can be used. The burners in the heating chamber A, below B',
Fig. 12, will be made in two or three lengths, or sections, for the purpose of heating
a part or whole of the surface of the vessels B', and with this modification of my
invention I use the vessels B', Figs. 11, and 12, or vessels of any other design
and construction for warming the air passing into the building, encased within a
case of any suitable design as shown by Figs. 13, and 15.

page_text: Figs. 13, and 14, show a coil of pipes connected to the boiler and Figs. 16,
and 17, a coil of pipes, some of which are fixed inside the heating chamber and the
air will circulate over the pipes outside the chamber when it is passing from the
outside to the inside of the building and the air can be warmed or cooled as
required, as the said coils can be supplied with water or with a cooling liquid from
a cistern, as already described.
Figs. 18, 19, and 20, shows a modification of the heating vessels B', already
described in Figs. 11, and 12.
Fig. 20, shows the air flue for the admission of air from the outside of the
building suitable for a heater when fixed on the floor, at a distance from the wall,
with a descending flue for the products of combustion and a back-flap valve
between the air flue and the pipe that supplies the heating chamber with air for
combustion, to prevent back-draughts from the said heating chamber.
Fig. 21, shows a modification of the valve for regulating the supply of air and
it is actuated by means of a wheel fixed on the end of the axle and another wheel
fixed on the end of the case or wall, or in any other suitable position, and the two
wheels will be inade the same size with teeth suitable for a chain to connect the
two wheels together and transmit the power from one wheel to the other. A handle
will be connected to the wheel fixed to the case or wall with an index and by
means of the handle wheels and chain, the regulating valve can be fixed in any
position to allow the air to pass up between the heating chamber and the wall or to
pass at the floor level below the heating chamber, or placed so that the air flue is
completely shut, or to admit the necessary quantity, as may be required, to regulate
the temperature of the building.
It is distinctly understood that no claim is herein made for the application of
gas or oil, or the burning thereof, for the purpose of heating water, or any liquid
composition, or materials.
In order that my invention may be fully and clearly understood and carried into
practical effect as hereinbefore described I, have annexed to this Specification the
accompanying three sheets of drawings and now refer to the figures and letters of
reference marked thereon.
Fig. 1, is a plan of a water vessel or boiler with vertical tubes as shown at B.
E, is the end of the heating chamber with circular access plug forming an air tight
joint to prevent the products of combustion from mixing with the inside atmosphere.
F, shows the position of a plate fixed at each end of the boiler to prevent the air
from passing round the end of the boiler in large quantities. G, is a plan of part
of the air valve and J, is the case, to be made with a door opposite E, to give
access to the said plug.
Fig. 2, is a cross section of Fig. 1, showing the heating chamber A, where the
gas burner, oil lamp, or other heating power, will be used, as required, to heat the
necessary quantity of water in the boiler or vessel B, and its connections. C, is
the top chamber or flue, fixed on the top of the boiler and connected to flue D,
with a drip pipe D', to remove the condensed water.
The pipe or flue for conveying the necessary cold air supply to the heating
chamber A, will be connected to the bottom or side of the chamber, and where
convenient this pipe will be extended to the outside of the wall or fitted up with a
back-flap valve, as herein before described.
G, is the valve for regulating the supply of air passing inwards over the boiler
or water vessel, to be heated or cooled as required, or to admit the air at the floor
level. The valve is made to revolve and is actuated by a wheel or levers on the
end of the axle and a connecting rod or chain with a handle and index fixed on the
case or on the wall. H, is an air-filter that can be conveniently removed for
cleaning and renewal. The letters M, shows the air outlets near the floor and
under the top of the case.
Fig. 3, is a front elevation of the former figs., showing the case made of any
suitable material.
Fig. 4, is a plan of seven water vessels with frame work and casing materials and

page_text: the vessels are connected together with screwed connections for flow and return of
hot water for heating purposes; and this apparatus may be used alternatively for
heating and cooling, it being connected to the boiler Fig. 1, by the flow and return
pipes K.
B, is a vessel, I, a division plate, K, the circulating pipes-flow and
return to be connected to the boiler B, Fig. 1. The flow and return pipes K,
can be connected to any existing hot water or steam service for heating purposes.
J, are the panels of the case and they may be made of metal, marble, or any
suitable material fixed in a metal frame.
.
Fig. 5, is a cross section of Fig. 4, showing the side of a water vessel B, with a
division plate I, flow and return connections and hand-holes at L, as may be
required, when the vessels are made of cast iron. G, is the air regulating valve,
as already described, and H, is the air filter. M, is the space for the discharge of
air at the floor level, suitable for mechanical ventilation and the regular distribution
of air at the floor.
Fig. 6, is an elevation of Figs. 4, and 5.
Fig. 7, is a key section, showing how the flow and return pipes K, K, K, K, can
be arranged for the circulation of water from the apparatus shown by Figure 1, to
that shown by Figure 4, and this arrangement and connection of water vessels can
be extended to meet the requirements of any building for heating and ventilating
purposes.
Fig. 8, is a plan of boiler and vessels. B, is the boiler and B', B', are the
vessels. The boiler is shown with vertical tubes and K, K, K, K, are the
connecting pipes, for flow and return of the water.
Fig. 9, is a cross section of Fig. 8, showing the heating chamber A, below the
boiler B, the vessels B, B, and the connecting pipes K, K, K, K: top chamber C,
with the flue pipe D, extended to the outside of the wall with a drip pipe connection.
G, is the air valve: H, is the air filter and M, M, the air outlets at the floor level
and below the top of the cover.
Fig. 10, is a front elevation of Figs. 8, and 9, made of metal or any suitable
material.
Fig. 11, is a plan showing a water vessel or boiler B, with a number of vertical
tubes; and the said boiler is shown enclosed in a metal case and within the
same chamber is shown an air heating and ventilating stove with seven vertical
flues B'.
Fig. 12, is a section of Fig. 11, showing the heating chambers A, A, below the
boiler and hot air stove; B, is the boiler and B', shows one of the vertical flues of
the hot air stove, as already herein described. C, C, C, shows the flues at the top
of the boiler and hot air stove and C, C, the battle plates. G, is the opening for
the admission of air to be warmed and M, is the upper part of the hot air chamber,
from where the hot air is conducted through flues into the building. K, is the
How pipe from the boiler which will also be provided with a return pipe for
the circulation of water. D, is the flue for the supply of air to the heating
chambers.
Fig. 13, is a plan of a boiler or water vessel B, with a coil of pipes B', connected
thereto. Flue pipe D, and the frame work of case J, to be constructed of metal ;
and the panels of case J, will be constructed with ornamental tiles, marble, or
mosaic, as may be required, to correspond with dado finishings in the building.
Fig. 14, is a cross section of Fig. 13. A, is the heating chamber B, the boiler
or water vessel with tubes B, C, the top chamber or flue and D, is the flue pipe
for the products of combustion. G, is the air valve, M, the air outlet at the Hoor
level and M', a hit-and-miss outlet to be used as required. J, is the front of
the case.
Fig. 15, is an elevation of Figs. 13, and 14.
Fig. 16, is a plan of a coil B, fixed in the heating chamber C, and connected
with the coil of pipes B', all enclosed in a case.
Fig. 17, is a cross section of Fig. 16. A, is the heating chamber showing a coil
of pipes placed above the position of the burner A, and connected to the pipes 13,

page_text: with flow and return connections. D, is the flue pipe, G, the air valve, H, the air
filter, J, the front of the case, M, and M', the air outlets.
Fig. 18, is a plan of a hot air stove. C, is one of the vertical flues heated inside
by the flame from the burner below and the hot products of combustion. D, is the
flue pipe, and J, the case.
Fig. 19, is an elevation of Fig. 18.
Fig. 20, is a cross section of Figs. 18, and 19. A, is the heating chamber.
C, shows the side of the end vertical flue with a connection for the flue pipe D.
D, D, is the flue pipe and D', the pipe to supply the heating chamber with air for
combustion. M, M, shows the air outlets.
Fig. 21, is a cross section of a modification of the air valve mounted on an axle
in a frame with soft pliable edgings to make the valve air tight when it is used for
shutting up the flue against the admission of air from the outside. A, shows part
of the heating chamber. B, is the floor line, C, C, the frame. D, is the axle
secured to the frame and made to revolve by means of wheels with a chain and
handle or by means of cranks and levers with a handle and index fixed at a convenient
height above the floor.
When constructing the vessels or air chambers I, form spigot and faucet joints,
staved with asbestos or other suitable jointing material. When the heating flues
and heating chamber are constructed in sections I, use flanged joints with washers
and strong bolts and screws up the sections together; and on one or more of the
sections is formed a connection for the supply of air to the heating chamber at or
near the bottom of said chamber; and one or more connections are formed on the
upper chamber or flue for the escape of the products of combustion.
constructing small heaters I, cast or form the heating chamber with the vertical
flues, top chamber or fine, with the connections, as before described, all in one
piece.
When
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The method as described of filling the vessels with a cooling liquid during
warm weather for the purpose of cooling the incoming air in a simple and effective
manner.
2. Heating the supply of fresh air before or after it passes through a filter or
otherwise cleansed and all the incoming air heated to a high temperature and
discharged at the floor level-when required-perfectly free from all contact with
the products of combustion.
3. The form and method of fixing the air valve as shown on the drawings and
described in the Specification for regulating mixing and shutting the air flues in
such a manner that cold or warm air can be admitted at the floor or higher leve
or completely shut off by actuating the revolving valve by means of a handle o
lever as shown on the drawings and described in the Specification.
Dated this 29th day of December 1894.
WILLIAM BRUCE.