Improvements in Regulating Valves for Gas Furnaces.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 5th Sept., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
•
Improvements in Regulating Valves for Gas Furnaces.
I, BENJAMIN JOSEPH BARNARD MILLS, of 23 Southampton Buildings, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention,
a communication to me from Charles Henry Holton, of Poughkeepsie in the County
of Dutchess and State of New York, one of the United States of America, Manu-
facturer, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The invention relates to valves used in regenerative gas furnaces, and provided
with a butterfly or reversing plate for the purpose of directing the heated gas
alternately in opposite directions as the needs of the work require; and the objects
of the improvements are, first, to facilitate the placing and removal of the valves,
second, to reduce to the greatest extent possible the cost of replacing or refitting
the burned portions at the base of the valve, which are the first to become warped
and unfit for work; and third, to provide means whereby a separable base may be
maintained securely in its normal position with reference to the upper portion of
the valve, as well as if it were integral with the upper portion.
These objects are attained by the device illustrated in the accompanying drawing,
in which
Figure 1 is a face view of the improved valve, showing the separable base and
the upper portion placed together in readiness for work.
Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section cut through line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of segregated parts of the device, showing the
different positions of the butterfly plate by dotted lines, and
Figure 4 is a sectional view of the valve and a portion of the foundation of the
furnace showing the arrangement of the passages leading to and from the valve.
Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.
In the drawing, A represents the central chamber of the upper portion of the
valve, and a the flange near its top for the convenient support of a connecting pipe;
B represents the separable base portion of the chamber A and preferably corre-
sponds with it in thickness and diameter, so that the edges may rest snugly upon
the edges g when the parts are superimposed; b is an extended flange preferably
cast integral with B which is in its centre, to serve as a convenient support for the
valve upon the brick work of the furnace; C represents the butterfly or reversing
plate pivotted in A. and turned with a wrench at the end c of one of the pivots
for the purpose of conducting the heated gases alternately in either direction;
D represents a hood on either side of the central valve chamber, into which, or
from which, the gases are conveniently conducted by attaching a similar hood.
The lower edges i of D are extended below A on either side, as is best shown in
Figure 3, so that they rest on the base flange b, and the lugs e fit on either side of
the several base plate pins d for the purpose of holding the parts A and B securely
together in the proper relative position. It may be found convenient, and is
entirely consistent with the invention, to substitute for these pins and lugs, a flange
cast upon band I and integral therewith and raised enough to cover the joints at i
and f to make them fire tight as well as to hold the upper portion A, D, securely
upon the base B. Under the hoods D, the base B is lowered, as shown at h in
Figures 1 and 3, for the purpose of facilitating the passage of the heated gases
from and into the valve. The separable base permits of its being taken from
underneath and another base substituted by the raising of the upper portion a few
Гр

page_text: inches without its entire removal, a distinct advantage in time and expense, as will
readily be seen.
This base, which is separable in. the present device, constitutes the whole of that
portion of the valve which is most quickly warped by the intense heat of the gases,
especially as they pass through the valve chamber after coming from the furnace,
B being made to extend far enough above the flange b to include as much of the
metal of the valve chamber as is ever likely to be warped and burned by the heat
of the passing gases. B may also be extended below the. flange b, as shown in
Figures 1 and 2, to give the base a firmer seat in the brickwork of the furnace.
Heretofore it has been necessary, when the base of the valve became so warped and
burned by heat as to make an imperfect joint with the edge of the reversing
plate C, to take out and discard as useless, the whole valve, at very great trouble
and expense. By the present device it is only necessary to remove the base, as
shown in Figure 3, and substitute another casting of a similar base, at only about
one seventh of the cost of an entirely new valve. Not only does the improved
device provide for this ready substitution of the warped or useless portion of the
valve, but it also affords as perfect and complete a valve as those heretofore made
by reason of the use of the lugs e and pins d, or an equivalent, e.g., a retaining
flange on the base to receive the upper portion. This mode of fastening unites the
parts so securely in their normal position that the two parts present all the
advantages of a single casting both in strength and utility, and in addition they
afford a greater facility in removal and subject the user to much less outlay for
repairs, as has been indicated, than do the ordinary valves hitherto used.
In Figure 4 the valve is shown in position for operation. The valve shown in
said figure may be either the air valve or the gas valve of the furnace, it being
provided with the cover k, which is raised to permit the air or gas to enter the
furnace. In the position of the plate C shown, the air or gas passes through the
left hand passage E to the furnace, and the heated mixture of air and gas coming
from the furnace returns to the valve through the right hand passage F and passes
from the valve through the passage G to the stack. It will be understood that in
the operation of the furnace the position of the plate C is reversed from time to
time, and when reversed the air or gas goes to the furnace through the passage F
and returns through the passage E. In either case the heated mixture returning
from the furnace passes over the lower portion of the valve, so that it is this
portion of it which becomes burned and quickly unfitted for use; but by the use of
the present invention, the lower portion of the valve is readily removed and replaced
without going to the expense of discarding those parts which are not affected by
the heat and substituting an entirely new valve.
The hoods 1, 1, are attached to the sides of the valve to direct the air and gas to
and from the passages E. F.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A valve for gas furnaces, consisting of a separable base, and an upper chamber
fitted to rest accurately and firmly upon the base to form a single valve, as and for
the purpose described.
2. In a valve for gas furnaces, a separable base consisting of a plate having a
raised circular rib forming the base portion of the circular valve chamber, in
combination with a corresponding upper circular valve chamber adapted to rest
upon the base and containing a butterfly or reversing plate, substantially as set
forth.
3. In a valve for gas furnaces, a separable base as shown, in combination with a
corresponding upper chamber adapted to fit upon the circular. portion of the base
and having downwardly projecting ends from the valve hoods on either side to, rest
upon the base and engage by lugs with corresponding pins upon the base flange for

page_text: the purpose of maintaining the separate portions of the valve securely in place,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Dated this 4th day of August 1891.
D. J. D. MILLS.
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.
D. J. D. MILLD.
By Harris & Mills,
23, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents.