IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO STEAM AND HOT-WATER APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING HEAT TO AND UTILIZING, MEASURING, AND REGULATING THE SAME IN DWELLING HOUSES OR OTHER BUILDINGS." PROVISIONAL SPATION
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Eugene Florence Osborne, of Saint Paul, State of
Minnesota, United States of America, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN AND RELATING TO STEAM AND HOT-WATER APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING
HEAT TO AND UTILIZING, MEASURING, AND REGULATING THE SAME IN
DWELLING HOUSES OR OTHER BUILDINGS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Eugene Florence Osborne
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th January 1881.
EUGENE FLORENCE OSBORNE, of Saint Paul, State of Minnesota, United States
of America. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO STEAM AND HOT WATER
APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING HEAT TO AND UTILIZING, MEASURING, AND
REGULATING THE SAME IN DWELLING HOUSES OR OTHER BUILDINGS."
In apparatus and systems heretofore employed for furnishing heat to several
buildings through the medium of steam derived from a common source of supply,
numerous serious faults are observable.
Among these may be mentioned, first, the want of accuracy in methods and
means employed to determine the amount of heat supplied to the individual
buildings or consumers. Failure in this essential respect has arisen generally
from the mistaken effort made to measure the steam itself, which, owing to its
varying attenuation pressure and hydrous conditions is utterly impracticable within
the limits of cost and space imposed by the nature of the case. Whenever the
attempt has been made to measure the waters of condensation, equally serious error
has arisen from the failure on the one hand to limit the measurement to the water
condensed within the building, or on the other hand to include in the measurement
a body of water, which by its temperature and volume represents or forms a proper
basis for determining the amount of heat supplied.
A second objection common to methods of general steam heat supply hitherto
adopted is that of water wastage, by reason of which the cost of boiler plant is
greatly enhanced, and the expense of fuel is made disproportionately large. When
the water to be used is hard, such wastage additionally increases very largely the

page_text: cost of running, and the outlay for repairs, in consequence of constant accretions
of lime and other impurities in the boilers and pipes. In many localities the
question of water waste alone may therefore become vital to success, while in all
cases alike it is of the highest import as bearing on economy in working. Other
equally serious practical objections present in existing modes of general steam
heating might be cited, all of which, with those mentioned, are attributable to the
error of attempting to supply steam instead of the heat of steam from the general
to the local system of distribution.
According to my Invention I employ a method and apparatus in which this
radical error is avoided, and I am able thereby not only to obviate the faults
specified, but to secure many advantages in other respects. I have particularly
sought to attain therein cheapness in original construction, simplicity, effectiveness,
economy, and reliability in operation, and practical accuracy in apportionment of
changes for heat supplied. .
My said Invention comprises several novel features of construction and operation
hereinafter set forth.
In carrying the said Invention into practice I provide two mains connecting
with each other at one extremity through a steam generator, and at the other
through service connections; one of the said mains is a steam supply main, and
the other is the water return main. The mains themselves, or the mains with the
services, constitute a closed circuit continually circulating steam from the generator
outward to the extremity of the supply main or supply service, and the water of
condensation from this point back to the generator. As a whole, this system is
herein designated the "main circuit." A closed circuit is located in the building
to which heat is supplied, and having connections to form a circuit through
radiators or other appliances for heating, cooking, and the like, or through
connection with each other outside of or beyond such appliances. This last named
system of pipes with their communications with each other is herein called a
"local circuit."
The two circuits, main and local, are interlinked, but have no interior connections,
that is to say, the fluid of one circuit does not mingle with that of the other; or, in
other words, the two circulations are entirely separated and distinct. By means of
devices located at the junction of the two circuits the heat of the steam supplied
by the main circuit is transmitted to the contents of the local circuit. The principle
of heat supply in this system is therefore that of a transmission, and not of
transfusion; in other words, I supply heat and not steam.
The apparatus or transmitter through the medium of which heat is transmitted
from the one to the other may, for example, correspond with the tubular boiler of
an ordinary house steam-heating apparatus. Instead of passing flame and heated
gases from a furnace fire through the boiler tubes to make steam for the local
distribution, steam is passed through the tubes for precisely the same purpose.
By means of a closed circuit embracing the main and service pipes and the
generator, the same water (which is the vehicle of heat) is continually heated over
and over, and circulated throughout the main system. Being inaccessible to the
users, such water is or may be maintained at a constant and identical quantity,
except so far as it unavoidably escapes by leakage. It thus becomes free from
such impurities as injure the boilers and pipes, thereby greatly reducing the cost of
repairs, and the expense of running, as well as diminishing the original outlay for
boiler plant. By reason, moreover, of having a closed circuit distinct from the
local distribution, it becomes entirely practicable to accurately determine the
amount of heat supplied to the individual consumer.
The steam generators or boilers may be of any approved construction. The
steam pipe or "supply main" leads at a depth of about four feet beneath the
surface of the street from the boilers out of the building in which they are situated
The "return main" is connected with the supply main at its outer extremity, and
enters the building immediately over the supply main. Both mains are encased in
one and the same box. The return main enters a tank near its bottom, and ha

page_text: continuation through the medium of the tank and a pipe to a pump, and thence to
the generator. The pump serves to force the water of the tank (that is, of the
return main) to the boiler, and thus maintain the circulation through the main
circuit. The pump water feed is above the entrance of the return main, and below
the proposed water-line of the tank.
The pump is made automatic in its operation, as follows:-
The steam supply pipes from the boilers to the pump are provided with a valve
chest within which is a double poppet valve operated by a float within the tank
to which the valve chest is attached. There is a horizontal shaft near the bottom,
and at one side of the valve chest, passing through said chest and into the tank,
and closing the passage between the two by a ground joint. Within the tank said
shaft has an arm, to the extremity of which is attached a float, which 'float rides
the water of said tank and oscillates the shaft. Within the chest the said shaft
has a second horizontal arm pivotted to the rod of the double poppet valve seated
in the upper and lower walls of the interior valve chamber. The steam supply
pipe enters the outer chamber, and the other steam supply pipe leads from the
inner chamber. When the water in the tank rises above its proper level the valve
is raised by the float and the steam always on full head in the outer chamber is let
on to the pump. The speed of the pump is thus constantly regulated by the water
of the tank, and operates to maintain the same at a constant level.
Within the tank the return main pipe has a horizontal extension below the water
line, closed however as an outlet by a check valve. The discharge of the return main
is through a vertical extension and horizontal extensions at the upper part of the
tank, the vertical extension being provided with a check valve opening upward.
By means of these valves, arranged as described, if steam should be liberated and
then suddenly condensed at any point in the return main, the water of the tank
will flow back into the said main through the valve. An extension or spray pipe
is perforated or otherwise fitted to discharge in a spray to condense the steam from
the exhaust if admitted, or the stream from a pipe which will be further mentioned.
A water main or other general source of water supply, drawn upon from time to
time as required to replenish the small but inevitable wastage from leakage in the
main circuit, or from loss in the boiler and tank room, is connected with the interior
of the tank through the said spray pipe.
Automatic supply of water of this main is provided for by a regulator connected
with the boilers. A float chamber is provided communicating with the boiler by
means of pipes above and below the range of water line in said boilers, and a wing
of this chamber has secured externally thereto a double valve chamber. The
construction and operation of this device is substantially identical with that of the
regulator already described in connection with the tank and pump for regulating
the supply of steam to the latter. A float rides the water of the chamber, and
there is a shaft oscillated by said float and working a double poppet connecting
the aforesaid chamber with another chamber. The water from the main. is
admitted to the double valve chamber through a pipe; it enters the other chamber
through passages opened by a valve when raised, and has outlet to the tank
through a pipe. This mode of automatic water supply is practical only when the
pressure on the water main is sufficient to feed against that of the tank.
It is desirable that the temperature of the water of condensation returned to
the boilers shall as nearly equal that of the steam when it leaves the boilers as is
consistent with the working of the main circuit. The difference necessary to this
end, represented by the difference of pressure, varies with the contour of the lines,
elevation of the transmitters, relative size of the supply and return mains, and
other conditions not necessary to here mention. For the purpose of maintaining a
practically constant difference in pressure, and therefore of temperature, at the
head of the main circuit between the mains of said circuit, which difference shall
be the minimum that will permit the proper return of the water of condensation
hrough the return main, I provide a pipe which leads from the supply main in the
enerator room to the tank. Said pipe is provided with a reducing valve

page_text: automatically controlled by a diaphragm regulator, the weight arm of which bears
upon the valve rod. The diaphragm of this regulator is subject on one side to
pressure from the supply main through pipes, and on the other to pressure from
the tank through another pipe. The desired difference between tank pressure and
main pressure, or in other words, between the pressure of the supply and that of
the return mains, is obtained by properly locating a weight on a lever. The tank
is provided with a safety valve and water gauge, and it may in some instances be
prudently provided with a vacuum valve.
The supply and return mains are conducted through the streets at a suitable
distance beneath the surface, and are arranged in a novel manner; that is to say,
the return pipe being placed above the supply pipe. They are together incased in
a strong box of wood or other suitable material, and are separately covered in any
suitable way to ensure the retention of their heat. I prefer as a covering for the
several pipes next to the pipe a coating of paper, say 1/8 inch in thickness; outside
of this a body of felt or similar material about 1 inch thick, and finally, a double
The box is laterally
covering of heavy paper tubing saturated with coal tar.
stayed at intervals if necessary by transverse streets passing between the pipes
and bearing against vertical supports.
The box is accessible at suitable points through manhole-boxes having several
close fitting covers one above the other enclosing dead air-spaces between them.
The return main of this duplex distributing system is generally smaller than the
supply main, and in locating said return main over the supply as described, any
heat given off from the supply contributes to maintain the temperature of the
return by rising to the top of the box.. In the arrangement of the mains the steam
supply main pipe is supported upon transverse rollers resting on the bottom of the
bux, or on an intermediate iron plate laid thereon. The return main pipe is
similarly supported on rollers interposed between the mains. By this means any
longitudinal movement of the pipes growing out of expansion and contraction
is provided for. For the purpose of keeping the mains in proper relative position,
and of affording suitable bearings for the rollers, the mains are sealed in saddles,
and the steam supply main is provided with an upper saddle, all having inner
projections which pass through the outer coverings of the pipes and bear upon the
pipes themselves. Said saddles or plates are also provided with longitudinal
V-shaped flanges forming tracks which enter corresponding grooves in the rollers.
To still further ensure stability in the position of the mains the saddles of the
While pro-
supply main meet, and are bulted together at the side of the main.
viding in the length of the tracks on the saddle plates for all probable movement
of the rollers thereon, displacement of the rollers is made impossible by projections
at the ends of the plates.
I further provide for expansion and contraction in the pipe lines by means of
slip joints. I also provide for deflections from the horizontal by means of the
familiar ball and socket or common flexion joint.
Since the flexion and slip joints will ordinarily be required about equally often
in the course of a pipe line, and since they may preferably be located at the same
points in the line, I have, with a view to economy, devised a novel "fitting" or
coupling adapted to both the slip and the flexion movements. It consists of a
casting, having a packing bulb at one end and ball at the other end. Within the
bulb is a double convolute or double curved wedge-shaped chamber intended to
receive the packing. The outer and wider ends of the chamber open on the
circumference of the bulb through threaded passages which admit the packing
and receive thick screws. The inner and narrower parts of the chamber open
about the central pipe passage of the fitting. There is a short section of pipe made
of suitable non-corrosive material, and smoothly finished on its outer surface. It
is fitted to slip freely in the central passage of the casting, is threaded at its outer
extremity, and is packed to make a close slipping joint with the casting by running
in the screw upon the packing. At the ball end the fitting is interiorily threaded
to connect rigidly with the next section of pipe, in case a flexed joint is not there

page_text: required. I provide a cast socket, cupped in the broad face, to receive a ball and
the interposed packing. The ball is held in place by a divided claniping plate,
the edges of whose parts meet and interlock. A recess in the socket head permits
considerable deflection of the joint without contraction of the central passage.
5 The fitting is provided with lateral wings for branch pipe connections. Said wings
consist simply in lateral projections cast on the body of the fitting and tapped to
receive the connections, the general passage through the casting being extended
into the wings so as to be reached by the taps.
It is required that the duplex main systein, consisting of the supply and return
mains, shall be at intervals rigidly connected with each other; that provision shall
be made at low points in the line for the transfer of water of condensation from
the steam supply main to the return main above it; that in case of accident to a
section of the supply main in the line, the steam may be diverted to the return
main, to be used temporarily as a supply or by-pass, and that under certain
circumstances the duplex line may be terminated at a point between its extremities,
and a shorter complete main circuit established by the connection of the supply
and return mains at such intervening point.
For these purposes, and also for the purpose of a branch or service connection,
I provide a novel fitting or coupling. This coupling is a double chambered
casting. A lower chamber receives at its opposite ends the contiguous sections of
the supply main, and an upper chamber similarly receives and connects the
contiguous sections of the return main. Preferably one end of the coupling has its
head cupped to seat the balls of the fittings already described, for the reason that
usually or often at the points where the coupling will be used there will be occasion
for either a slip or flexion joint, or both. The opposite head may also be of the
same description, but will usually be tapped to receive rigidly the threaded main
pipes. The lower chamber is shewn to be square and the upper one cylindrical.
For the purpose of giving access to the chambers, and also of utilizing the
coupling to make a by-pass without the expense of gates or valves, the upper
chamber is provided with a large plugged opening, and the lower one with another
plugged opening. By means of these plugs the ends of the main pipes are
accessible and may be stopped off, or a passage may be opened between the
chambers, and other obvious changes made as occasion may require. The steam
chamber is separately accessible through a hand hole. .
The said coupling is held stationary in the line by means of an anchor, which
is a heavy bar of wood or iron extending on both sides, and solidly embedded in
the earth, or secured to the sides of the encasing box.
The service pipes are respectively connected with the coupling, the same relative
position being maintained in said services as in the mains described. To give
space for the stop valves in the service, and to afford convenient access thereto,
the service supply pipe has an offset.
At whatever other points the coupling may be placed it will be required usually
at the low and high points in the line. To fit the same for use as a drip transfer
at the lower points of the main line, pipes are made to connect the chambers, and
are provided with a float valve and check valve.
The float valve is operated by a float located in the lower chamber and connected
with the float valve by a pivotted rod. The excess of pressure in the supply main
will always in operation be sufficient to raise water of condensation through the
pipes, and from said main to the return main above it when the float valve is open.
The float which controls this valve is preferably adjusted to never permit the
water to rise above the lower inner surface of the supply main. For exceptional
use a set screw is arranged to hold the check valve closed.
To fit the coupling to discharge air from the return main at high points in the
line, it is tapped to receive a float air-valve. Air chambers, which it is proposed to
locate at suitable intervals along the main line in connection with the return main,
may also be connected to this coupling.
It is not always necessary to use the flexion joint in connection with the coupling,

page_text: wherefore both ends of said coupling may sometimes be made with both heads
tapped to connect rigidly with threaded sections of pipe.
For smaller or branched mains I provide a novel fitting, consisting of a cast
coupling provided with lateral chambered wings, the latter tapped on the top to
receive the service pipe. This coupling, intended for use more commonly on branch
pipes, is provided with a novel device whereby connection therewith may be
readily made while it is under pressure. This device consists in a plug or bush
having a threaded aperture of proper size to admit the proposed connecting pipe.
Said bush bears against an annular shoulder narrower than the thickness of the
bush. Between the bush and shoulder is interposed a disc of india rubber packing
having a metal disc, which is larger than the aperture of the bush, and bears upward
against the said bush, making by means of the intervening packing a close joint
therewith when the line is under pressure. A tap or nipple by which connection
is, to be made, with the coupling is bevelled outwardly at its lower end.
the connection is to be made this nipple is run down against the packing and is
worked backwards and forwards and gradually inward until the packing is cut
through by the nipple edge, whereupon the piece cut out having a disc attached
thereto falls to the bottom of the chamber, leaving the connection complete. By
means, of, this device the line of pipes may be prepared, when laid to receive
connections at all desired points and at any time without taking off pressure there-
from. Obviously, if deemed necessary, the device described may also be applied to
the main coupling.
When
In running long lines of incased service pipes, provision may sometimes be more
economically made for, expansion and contraction of said pipes as follows:-A space
is provided between the short sections of pipe at right angles with the line, sufficient
to permit the direct line to approach without striking in any possible elongation
thereof, by expansion; and the length of the said short section is sufficient to allow
the same to spring in the elongation of the direct line without opening the joints.
As to the box it is simply made large enough at the angles of the pipe to give
room for the movement of the pipes in the act of expanding or contracting.
On the smaller branches and service lines the separation and relative position of
the two pipes, supply and return, need not require the use of rollers, but the
saddles, preferably interposed at intervals and having broad and flat faces, may
meet and slip one upon the other.
It is of the first importance that there shall be as few points of connection as
may be for many reasons besides economy in construction of plant. I therefore
provide an arrangement by which a single central connection and a man hole
giving access, thereto may be made to serve in many instances for four entire
squares of business buildings. This arrangement consists in locating a coupling at
the intersections of alternate streets, taking four pairs of supply and return services
therefrom, and running one of them entirely around each square beneath the side
walks. From this general or main service pipe of each square the individual
services are taken off to the interior apparatus of the several buildings on the
square the duplex services are carried along parallel (and in the same box) with
the mains to points opposite the side walks, whence they deflect at right angles
with the mains and enter the space beneath the walks. In business blocks this
space is almost invariably excavated and forins an outer extension of the cellar or
basement space of the buildings, affording ample and available space for the
location of the pipes, and ready and convenient access to the connections of the
individual services leading therefrom.
Another part of my said Invention relates to the transmitting, measuring, and
other apparatus in the main circuit at and near the point of its junction with the
distributing apparatus of the individual buildings. I provide an hydrator, a
transmitter, and a meter through which the service pipes connect with each other,
completing a branch of the main circuit. In this arrangement of the apparatus
there is a rectangular cast box which forms a base for the remaining parts. The
supply service communicates with the top of the chamber or tank-trap through an

page_text: hydrator. On entering the chamber the separated water falls to the bottom and
the dry steam passes upwards from the top of the chamber to the transmitter.
The transmitter consists of a closed vertical metal cylinder supported from the box.
or chamber by a frame and interiorly divided by parallel diaphragms. The upper
and lower chambers of the transmitter cut off by these diaphragms are connected
with each other by numerous tubes like those of a tubular boiler. The steam
supply enters the upper chamber of the cylinder, and the return pipe leads from
the lower chamber thereof, carrying the water of condensation to the meter. The
meter discharges by a pipe into the chamber, whence the water is forced out
through a pipe having a float valve into the service return pipe.
The anhydrator consists of a cylindric shell enclosing a fixed worm which gives
the steam a spiral direction. In accordance with the well known principle of this
appliance, the water of hydrous steam having greater specific gravity than the
steam itself, is separated by centrifugal action from the latter, and on entering the
chamber falls to the bottom. Only dry steam therefore enters the transmitter
through the pipe. The central chamber of the transmitter, bounded by the
diaphragms and penetrated by the tubes, is in direct communication with the local
circuit.
In parting with its heat of vaporization the steam supplied is condensed. As a
consequence the top of the transmitter is occupied by steam and the lower portion
by the water of condensation. It is proposed that the water line shall usually be
above the bottom of the tubes. The heat imparted in the transmitter, from the
contents of the main circuit to the contents of the local circuit or system is not only
the heat of vaporization in the steam but is also the heat or a portion of, the heat of
the condense water. For, as is well known, the temperature of the condense water at
the instant of condensation is equal to that of the steam from which it is condensed.
But the water quickly gives off its heat to a contiguous body of lower temperature,
so that it is only at the surface of the water that the high temperature mentioned
prevails. For the purposes of this description, a plane, located a short distance
below the water surface, may therefore be imagined to exist above, which plane
heat is transmitted from the main to the local circuit or system, and below which
heat is not transmitted. It is clear that if this plane or the parallel water surface be
raised and lowered in the tubes the area of heat transmitting tube surface will be
varied, and the amount of heat transmitted will be correspondingly varied.
For the purpose of automatically raising and lowering the water level in the
tubes and thereby automatically regulating the amount of heat transmitted from
the main to the local circuit or system, and for the further purpose of effecting this
regulation with reference to the varying expenditure of heat throughout the local
circuit, an ordinary pressure diaphragm regulator may be employed as follows:-
The upper face of the diaphragm is subjected to pressure from a chamber of the
local circuit through a pipe. In another pipe is located a valve, whose stem
connects directly or through the medium of a weight arm with a diaphragm pin,
so that pressure from the local circuit on said diaphragm tends to close the valve.
A weight on the other hand operates through the arm to oppose the pressure of
the diaphragm and to open the valve, said arm being for this purpose' appropriately
connected with the valve stem and diaphragm pin. The pressure on the local
circuit being proportionate with the heat of said circuit, when the latter is less
than the degree at which the regulator is set, the valve will be opened, and vice
The degree of heat required in the local circuit may be varied at will by:
shifting the position of the weight.
versa.
Obviously, instead of the regulator described, the unequal expansion of different
metals may be utilized to effect the regulation required. Any reliable fluid meter.
adapted to hot water may be used. I however provide a special device for this
purpose, which I prefer, on account of its cheapness, strength, and simplicity, to
others, and which I will now describe.
I provide a cast iron case that may be fastened to the top plate of the tank; the
discharge pipe which leads from the transmitter enters this case centrally at its

page_text: top. Within the case and beneath the pipe, so as to receive its discharge, is pivotted
a vibrating spout, open at its lower and smaller end. Beneath this spout is located
a fixed partition which divides the lower portion of the meter enclosure or case
transversely into two equal compartments, both open at the top. The spout is
adapted to vibrate on its pivotal bearings, and, while receiving a continuous stream
if need be from the pipe, to alternately direct the water so received to the two
compartments. Over and in line with the upper edge of the partition and beneath
the spout is located a hollow shaft, which is supported at its rear end within the
casing, and at its front end protrudes through said case with which it has at this
point a ground or packed joint. Rigidly attached to the said shaft, near its middle,
is a sleeve from which project hollow arms which support hollow floats. . Said
arms open into both the shaft and the floats, giving interior communication from
the latter to the former. Upon the shaft are fitted loose sleeves having inde-
pendent movements, but constructed to engage with each other at their meeting
ends. Projecting from the forward sleeve is a vertical arm rising in proximity to
the pivotted spout, and slotted longitudinally to receive the pin wich projects from
the back side of the said spout below its pivotal point. From the same sleeve
project lateral arms, to which are pivotted vertical rods carrying discharge valves.
From the rear sleeve projects a vertical arm which sustains a ball or weight.
To secure the cooperation of the parts mentioned, the sleeve having hollow arms
has two lugs on its opposite sides, which as the shaft is oscillated by the floats,
strike adjusting screws set in rear projections of the aforesaid rear sleeve. The
front end of this sleeve' on its lower side is extended forward, and the rear end of
the forward sleeve on its upper side is extended backward, so that the rear sleeve,
after a free movement on the shaft of about 18°, will engage and rotate the forward
sleeve.
In making and fitting the meter for use, the quantity of water passed through it
at each cycle of events is accurately measured, and preferably the contents of the
compartments are equalized to give regularity of throb by putting a body of putty
or other substance in the larger one. The aggregate contents of the two
compartments may be adjusted by the set screws.
A counting attachment of any ordinary or preferred construction is connected
with the protruding end of the shaft, by which attachment the cycles of events are
duly registered. The indicators on the dial may be made to show either the
quantity of water passed through the meter, or the money value of the heat
abstracted therefrom, as desired, reference being had to the average pressure at
which the steam is supplied, and to the predetermined capacity of the meter. The
connection between the oscillating shaft and the dial indicators is an adjustable
contrivance consisting of a horizontal slotted arm fixed to the shaft; a ratchet wheel
having, say, 200 teeth, fixed to the protruding end of the main or driving shaft of
the clock work inclosed within the register case; a horizontal slotted arm fixed to
said ratchet having a spring pawl; a stationary detent engaging the ratchet, and
a rod connecting the slotted arms, and adapted to be set at any points on said arms
by ordinary clamping pivots -which slide in their slots. If the meter is desired to
show the money value of heat furnished, one arm is graduated to correspond
with a possible range of charges, say, in pence,. for the heat supplied, say, per
hundred pounds of water of condensation.
Heat is taken from the hot water as well as from the steam within said
transmitter. As so far described the meter measuring only the condense water of
the transmitter would not record the heat taken from said condense water, but only
that taken from the steam. This would obviously be inaccurate and insufficient.
Moreover in parting with heat said condense water is reduced in volume some-
what, which fact would increase the inaccuracy of the measurement.
this inaccuracy steam is admitted from the supply of the main circuit to the meter,
or to the condense-water pipe leading thereto, for the purpose of restoring to the
condense-water about to be measured the temperature lost subsequently to
condensation. The restoration of this temperature by the means stated involves
To correct

page_text: the condensation of the steam by which the restoration is effected; and the
measurement of the water so condensed together with that originally condensed
is the true measurement from which to register the heat given off by both the
steam and hot water in the transmitter. Thus raising the temperature also
3 restores the original volume of the condense-water from the transmitter, and
therefore makes the measurement perfect. The heat transmitted to the local
circuit is therefore the heat of vaporization of the water passed through the meter.
For thus admitting steam from the supply of the main circuit water meter, I provide
a passage leading from the tank-trap upward within the meter at the rear and to
the top of the latter, or a pipe leading from the supply pipe to the top of the
meter. Another office of this connection or steam passage is to equalize the
pressure between the meter and the tank-trap, whereby the meter is enabled to
discharge freely into said trap. Between the transmitter and the meter a return-
bend trap of suitable head is inserted in a pipe to prevent the passage of steam
under all circumstances.. The presence of this trap necessitates the application of
of an air valve to the lower chamber of the transmitter, which valve should
discharge into the meter.
For an exceptional use of the return main and return service pipes as supply
pipes, a connection provided with a stop valve unites the return service pipe and
the supply service pipe near the transmitting and metering apparatus.
:
I next proceed to describe some forms of local circuit construction adapted to be
used in connection with the main circuit described, and desire to remark that the F
local circulation may be either steam or hot water as desired. In either case there
will be an outlet from the transmitter conveying the steam or water to the several
heating appliances in the circuit, and there will be a return pipe leading from such
appliances back to the transmitter, and returning water thereto to be reheated or
revaporized, as the case may be. When steam is made the medium of heat dis-
tribution the chamber of the transmitter is filled to a proper height indicated by
a gauge which connects with said chamber. If a water supply having sufficient.
pressure is available an automatic feed may be applied to the circuit. There is a
small tank for this purpose communicating by pipes with the chamber of the local
circuit above and below its proper water line. Another pipe discharges into a
tank from the source of water supply under the control of a float valve within :
said tank. The water line in the tank being the same as that in the chamber the
quantity of water in the latter will be maintained substantially on this line. In
the absence of a connection with a water source of sufficient head the local circuit
will be supplied from time to time by means of a suitable pump.
The steam local circuit embraces the supply and return pipes, the water heater
(also connected with the stove), a cooking apparatus, and a radiator, which several
appliances may stand together for the general working apparatus of an entire
building. The only novel feature requiring additional description here is in the
said water heater, which, for the purpose of connection with the closed circuit, is
provided with an outer jacket or shell, between which and the inner water vessel
is a chamber connected in said local circuit. The inner or water chamber is con-
nected with the water back of the stove or range in the usual manner. The hot
water circuit in the front or main portion of the building has a separate transmitter
connected with the main circuit through horizontal extensions. The vertical
supply pipe of this limited local circuit leads up from the top of the chamber of the
transmitter; horizontal pipes run therefrom to the several radiators or other
appliances to be heated, and the general return pipe leads back from said appliances
to the bottom of the chamber of the transmitter. Above the highest radiator in
the building and connected with the supply pipe is an expansion tank provided
with a gauge.
The circuit is filled from the water supply tank. From the
expansion tank rises a pipe open at the top and having a cock. The circuit is
filled to show a water line above the bottom of the expansion tank by a gauge.
The transmitter of the circuit has a diaphragm pressure regulator. When the
cock is open a regulator is subject to pressure due to the head of water.
This

page_text: head will vary with the temperature of the water in the circuit, and a weight is
set on the regulator arm to balance the head when said water is of the temperature
required to heat the building. Two weights may preferably be used, one to
balance the natural head, or that of the water in the circuit when cold, and the
other to be variably set to balance the increase of head due to raised temperature
from time to time required in the circuit.
If a temperature is required in a hot water circuit materially greater than that
due to atmospheric pressure, it will only be necessary to close the valve or cock
when the specific office of the expansion tank will appear. Said tank being of
proper dimensions and inclosing a body of air above the water line the compression
of said air body will permit any expansion of the water and increase of pressure in
the circuit within the limits of strength of the pipes.
The pressure upon the diaphragm regulator when the valve is closed is steam
pressure and not hydraulic.
It is apparent that both steam and water need not be used, but that the entire
working apparatus of a building may be either for steam or water, as required.
When special reasons exist for so doing steam may be taken from the main circuit,
run through a local circuit and back, as water through a meter, for measurement
into the main circuit.
I may make the following arrangement for two limited local circuits, one a closed
circuit from the transmitter, as already set forth, and the other circulating steam
from, and therefore being in fact in the main circuit. The latter has a tank con-
nected with a supply pipe and return pipe of this limited circuit on the equalized
pressure principle.
There are, however, serious objections to the direct circulation of steam from the
main through the local circuit. Among these may be mentioned, first, the necessity
of using the steam at the pressure on the mains, or of reducing the pressure by a
reducing valve, the use of which occasions an almost intolerable noise; second,
liability of loss to the supplier by the abstraction of steam or of water of con-
densation in the course of the local circuit; third, in the use of reduced pressure
in the local circuit it would be impracticable, except by a pump or its equivalent,
to return the water of condensation to the return pipe. This would compel,
fourth, the discharge of the local circuit without such return, which in itself entails
numerous objectionable results, besides the very serious one of losing the pure
water of the circuit and supplying its place from the general source of supply.
An engine may be placed in the basement of a building, and as a novel and
desirable provision for such building an individual circuit and meter for a suite of
three connected rooms may be provided. When an engine is to be run requiring a
higher pressure of steam than would be needed for heating purposes alone, the
steam may be raised in the transmitter to nearly the pressure on the main circuit,
the steam taken from the transmitter to the engine, the exhaust from the engine
sent to radiators for heating the whole or a part of the building, and the con-
densation therefrom returned to the transmitter to be reconverted into steam by a
pump run by the engine. If only a part of the building is heated, or if the
building is only partly heated from the engine exhaust, additional heating apparatus
may take its supply from the transmitter. In this case the radiators of such
supplemental circuit would be smaller than otherwise, having a radiating surface
in inverse ratio to the higher pressure in such circuit. When the engine is not
running this exhaust system or circuit can be connected with that just mentioned
as leading from the transmitter by simply cutting out the engine.
In connection with a small class of engines likely to be much used in conjunction
with a general steam heat supply, such as is herein contemplated, an engineer and
expensive automatic contrivances will not usually be afforded. I therefore provide
a device which may be called a combined trap and relief. It consists essentially
of a tube of any desired height let into the ground when practicable, and connected
directly or indirectly with a tank at the level. of the proposed highest water line
in said tank. Said tube is provided with a discharge pipe not higher than the high

page_text: water line of the tank, which pipe may lead to the sewer or elsewhere, and which
takes from the tube at a depth from its outlet fixed according to the maximum
pressure required in the tank. The connection with the tank being at the highest
water level in said tank when the water is at a lower level the relief will not
come into play except by a steam pressure equal to or in excess of the hydraulic
head represented by the vertical height of the discharge pipe within the tube.
In the use of this relief device the tank and connections cannot fill with the water
should the pump become deranged, nor can the engine fill and suffer injury
thereby.
When the exhaust circuit mentioned is connected in the general local circuit, the
relief device described should be cut off therefrom.
For a limited office circuit having an individual meter, the supply and return
pipes are carried up from the transmitter in the basement. The leaders from these
pipes are in practice preferably taken off above the floor of the rooms to be
heated; a small tank receives the water of condensation, and discharges by over-
flow through the meter back into the vertical return. The said small tank connects
also with the supply pipe leading to the radiators for the purpose of equalizing the
pressure to ensure discharge and work the meter. The immediate supply
connections to the radiators serves as a return for the water of condensation from
the radiators. There are air pipes leading from the top of the radiators and
connecting with the return pipes. These air pipes are connected with the supply
connection by pipes, and at the junction of said pipes with other pipes are located
three way valves. The supply connections are as usual provided with valves. In
the return pipe leading from the radiators and near its point of discharge into the
tank, is located an air bulb having an automatic air valve connected therewith
which serves for all the radiators on the line. The air is found in practice to
discharge perfectly from the radiators by the arrangement described. In case the
radiator connections are long and the radiator is cut off, a circulation may be
maintained through the pipe connecting them to avoid freezing of the valves, the
three-ways being properly turned for this purpose.
The duplex system of mains forming the main circuit described has many
advantages of economy both in construction and operation, and will ordinarily be
used in the manner set forth, that is to say, as a sealed or closed circuit. In the
summer season when consumation of heat on the lines is light, it may be temporarily
advantageous not to run the main circuit as described, but to supply through the
return main instead.
In order to provide for this alternative use of the return main either throughout
its whole length in the summer or by and beyond a break in the main supply pipe
at any season, connecting pipes are introduced and provided with a stop valve; a
pipe leading from the chamber in that case discharges into the sewer or elsewhere
instead of into the return service pipe. To provide for this alternative use of the
return pipes a pipe leading from the supply main to the return main in the boiler-
room is provided, and suitable stop valves are inserted in these main pipes and in the
said pipe connecting them.
Valves may be inserted in the main at any points where required, but by reason
of the construction of the chambered couplings the number of such valves need not
be great.
Air or steam chambers for the usual purpose may be located on the main return,
the latter or steam chambers if employed being supplied from the main by suitable
automatic devices. Their presence is less essential however, since the circuit is
otherwise planned to secure steady and constant motion in one direction. In the
use of the main circuit as a circuit the return main will normally be constantly full
of water and the supply main full of steam.
In the transmitter the inlet and outlet of the several circuits are arranged in
accordance with the natural courses of the circulations; thus in the tubes which
are part of the main circuit the course of the fluid is downward, or in the natural
direction of such fluid as it cools. In the local circuit the direction of movement

page_text: is upward which is its natural course as the fluid is heated. It may also be
properly explained that instead of making the coupling stationary when used in
the main line by means of an anchor, as described, the entire length of main may
be free to move under expansion and contraction. In providing for such movement
the ship-joint should be employed at each side of the coupling; and to prevent too
great movement of a single point and the drawing out of any one of the slip
sections, each of said sections should be provided with a lug or eye and a short
chain or link should connect said eye with a similar eye on the casting. The
movement of each joint will be thus restricted within a safe and proper limit.
The duplex main should be always directly connected at their outer extremities. 1
This will generally be done by means of the coupling through the float valve
and connections, or otherwise by a suitable trap connection operating to the same
purpose as such valve and connections.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Eugene Florence Osborne in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
1st July 1881.
EUGENE FLORENCE OSBORNE, of Saint Paul, State of Minnesota, United States
of America. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO STEAM AND HOT-WATER
APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING HEAT TO AND UTILIZING, MEASURING, AND
REGULATING THE SAME IN DWELLING HOUSES OR OTHER BUILDINGS."
In apparatus and systems heretofore employed for furnishing heat to several
buildings through the medium of steam derived from a common source of supply
numerous serious faults are observable.
Among these may be mentioned, first, the want of accuracy in methods and
means employed to determine the amount of heat supplied to the individual
buildings or consumers. Failure in this essential respect has arisen generally from
the mistaken effort made to measure the steam itself, which, owing to its varying
attenuation, pressure, and hydrous conditions, is utterly impracticable within the
limits of cost and space imposed by the nature of the case. Whenever the attempt
has been made to measure the waters of condensation equally serious error has
arisen from the failure on the one hand to limit the measurement to the water
condensed within the building, or on the other hand to include in the measurement
a body of water which by its temperature and volume represents or forms a proper
basis for determining the amount of heat supplied.
A second objection common to methods of general steam heat supply hitherto
adopted is that of water wastage, by reason of which the cost of boiler plant is
greatly enhanced, and the expense of fuel is made disproportionately large. When
the water to be used is hard such wastage increases very largely the cost of running
and the outlay for repairs in consequence of constant accretions of lime and other
impurities in the boilers and pipes." In many localities the question of water waste
alone may therefore become vital to success, while in all cases alike it is of the
highest import as bearing on economy in working. Other equally serious practical
objections present in existing modes of general steam heating might be cited, all of
which with those mentioned are attributable to the error of attempting to supply
steam instead of the heat of steam from the general to the local systems of
distribution.
According to this Invention however I employ a method and apparatus in which
this radical error is avoided, and I am able thereby not only to obviate the faults
specified, but to secure many advantages in other respects. I have particularly
sought to attain cheapness in original construction, simplicity, effectiveness,
economy, and reliability in operation, and practical accuracy in apportionment of
changes for heat supplied.
The said Invention consists in the several novel features of construction and
operation hereinafter set forth.
In the accompanying Drawings,—
Figure 1 represents the central idea of my Invention by a simple delineation of
two totally distinct but interacting circuits, one connected with the generator, and
conducted through the streets, and the other located in a building to be heated.
The former circuit is herein denominated the "main circuit," and the latter "the
local circuit."
Figure 2 is an elevation of the apparatus located at the generating station
together with a vertical section of a portion of the main circuit.
Figure 3 is a vertical section of the tank shewn in Figure 2, representing
certain features of interior construction having reference to some of the tank
connections.

page_text: Figure 4 is a central vertical section, drawn to an enlarged scale, of the valve
chest or chamber shewn in Figure 2, on line y', y¹, Figure 5.
Figure 5 is a horizontal section of the said chamber on the line y, y, Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a transverse section, drawn to an enlarged scale, of the projecting
portion of an automatic water supply regulator, connecting the street main or
other source of water supply with the generators and main circuit.
Figure 7 represents on an enlarged scale an apparatus shewn in Figure 2 as
.connecting the aforesaid tank with the main circuit supply pipe for the purpose of
maintaining a substantially constant minimum difference of pressure between the
supply and return pipes of the main circuit.
Figure 8 is a vertical transverse section of the pipes of the main circuit, arranged
as proposed, and incased in a box beneath the street surface.
Figure 9 is a side elevation of the mains and other parts, shewn in Figure 8,
with the box in section.
Figure 10 is a vertical section of an uneven street, shewing the direction of the
pipes laid therein.
Figure 11 is a side view, partly in section, of a "fitting" or special casting and
parts connected therewith, to form a "slip" or "expansion" joint in a pipe line.
Figure 12 is a transverse section of the packing bulb of the fitting, shewn in
Figure 11.
Figure 13 shews the fitting represented in Figure 11 applied to form a flexible
joint, and also (at the right) a modification thereof to permit the connection of
branch pipes.
Figure 14 is a side elevation of a duplex-main coupling of peculiar construction,
which forms at once a connection for adjacent pipes in both the supply and return
mains of the main circuit, a rigid connection between the supply and return
mains, and a means of interiorly connecting the two mains at will, besides serving
other offices in connection with elevated and depressed points in the main lines, as
hereinafter explained.
Figure 15 is a central longitudinal vertical section of the said coupling.
Figure 16 is a transverse section of the said coupling on the line x1, x¹,
Figure 15.
Figure 17 is a central section, drawn to an enlarged scale, of an air-valve to be
sometimes used on the duplex main coupling above mentioned, and shewn in place
in Figure 14.
Figure 18 is a plan of a minor branch coupling of novel construction, adapted for
a single one of the mains or a principal branch thereof, being more especially
intended for and here shewn in the supply main.
Figure 19 is a vertical transverse section on the line x2, x2, Figure 18.
Figure 20 is a plan; partly in horizontal section, of the coupling shewn in the
last two Figures detached, shewing the interior side wings thereof.
Figure 21 is a side elevation of the said coupling.
Figures 22 and 23 are sectional detail views of the said coupling, shewing devices
for tapping the same under pressure for branch service.
Figures 24, 25, and 26 shew familiar methods of casing underground service
pipes and leaders to provide for expansion and contraction therein.
Figure 27 shews in plan a business section and also a residence section of
buildings in a city, and the main pipe lines and branches leading thereto, as herein
described.
Figure 28 is an enlarged view of the coupling intended for the intersection of
streets and branches leading therefrom to the four adjacent squares of business
buildings.
Figure 29 illustrates my improved method of supplying an entire business square
from a single connection with the main circuit.
Figure 30 is a plan or top view.
Figure 31, a front elevation partly in section; and
Figure 32, a side elevation of the apparatus by which the main and local circuits

page_text: again and circulated throughout the main system. Being inaccessible to patrons
such water is or may be maintained at a constant and identical quantity, except so
far as it unavoidably escapes by leakage. It thus becomes free from such
impurities as injure the boilers and pipes, thereby greatly reducing the cost of
repairs and the expense of running, as well as diminishing the original outlay for
boiler plant. By reason, moreover, of having a closed circuit distinct from the
local distribution it becomes entirely practicable to accurately determine the
amount of heat supplied to the individual consumer, as will be fully hereinafter
explained with reference to devices designed for this purpose.
Having thus given a compendious-description of the distinctive feature of my
system I will now proceed to explain, 1st, the boiler house plant, which embraces
the generators and other apparatus located at the generating station and necessarily
beneath the eye and control, of the engineer in charge; 2nd, the general distributing
plant, embracing the main and service pipes from the boiler house to the building
to be supplied; 3rd, the transmitting and metering plant; and 4th, the various
details and modifications of interior apparatus suited to a variety of situations
and to some special purposes.
In Figure 2 is shewn a room containing steam generators, a tank, a pump, and
the supply and return mains leading from the room outward beneath an adjacent
street. The said appliances are all in the main circuit.
S, S, are steam generators or boilers of any approved construction; A is a steam
pipe or supply main leading from the boilers S, and out of the building at a depth of
about four feet beneath the surface of the street; B is a water pipe or "return
main" having connection with the supply main at its outer extremity, and entering
the building immediately over the supply main, as shewn. Both mains are encased
' in the same box X. The pipe B enters the tank F near its bottom, as indicated
in Figure 2, and has continuation through the medium of the tank and the pipe B
to the pump P, and thence through the pipe B³ to the generator S. The pump P
serves to force the water from the tank F (that is to say, the water from the
return main B) to the boiler S, and thus maintain the circulation through the
main circuit. The pump water-feed pipe B2 is above the entrance of the pipe B,
and below the proposed water line of the tank F.
The pump P is made automatic in its operation as follows:-S' and S2 are steam
supply pipes from the boilers S to the pump. The said supply pipes are provided
with a valve-chest C, within which is a double poppet valve operated by a float
within the tank F, to which the valve chest is attached. The details of
construction and mode of operation of this valve are shewn in Figures 3, 4, and 5;
C is a horizontal shaft near the bottom and at one side of the valve chest C,
passing through the said chest and into the tank F, and closing the passage
between the two by the ground joint c³. Within the tank the said shaft has an arm c¹,
to the extremity of which is attached the float F, which float rides the water in
the said tank, and oscillates the shaft C¹. Within the chest C the said shaft has a
second horizontal arm c² pivotted to the rod of the double poppet valve C³ seated
in the upper and lower walls of the interior valve chamber c, as seen Figure 4.
The steam supply pipe S' enters the outer chamber of the valve chest C, and the
pipe S leads from the inner chamber c. When the water in the tank F rises above
its proper level (indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 3) the valve C is raised
by the float F2, and the steam, always on full head in the outer chamber C, is let
into the pump. The speed of the pump is thus constantly regulated by the water
in the tank F, and operates to maintain the same at a constant level.
The exhaust pipe P¹ of the pump P is shewn as leading to the tank F where the
steam is condensed.
Within the tank F the pipe B has a horizontal extension B' below the water line,
closed however, as an outlet by a check valve f. The discharge of the return
inain B is through the vertical extension B and horizontal extension B6 at the
upper part of the tank, the vertical extension B5 being provided with a check
valves opening upward. By means of these valves, arranged as described in the

page_text: pipes B and B5, if steam should be liberated and then suddenly condensed at
any point in the return main B, the water of the tank will flow back into the said
main through the valve f³. The extension Be is perforated or otherwise fitted to
discharge in a spray to condense the steam from the exhaust pipe P¹ if admitted,
or the steam from a pipe A² hereinafter described.
W is a water main or other general source of water supply, drawn upon from
time to time, as required, to replenish the small but inevitable waste from leakage
in the main circuit or from loss in the boiler and tank room. It is connected with
the interior of the tank through the spray pipe B6, as clearly shewn in Figure 3.
The automatic supply of water from this main W is provided for by the
regulator U, U¹, connected with the boilers and the pipe W and tank F, as will
now be described by reference to Figures 2 and 6.
.
U is a float chamber communicating with the boiler S by means of the
pipes u, u, above and below the range of waterline in the said boilers. U is a
wing of this chamber U, having secured externally thereto (on the further side, as
U, U¹, are shewn in Figure 2) a double valve chamber U, shewn in Figure 6, in
vertical section through the line x, x, Figure 2. The construction and operation of
this device is substantially identical with that of the regulator C, already described
in connection with the tank F and pump P for regulating the supply of steam to
the latter. U³ is a float riding the water in the chamber U, and u³ is a shaft
oscillated by the said float and working the double poppet valve U connecting the
chambers U2 and U. The water from the main W is admitted to the chamber U*
through the pipe w, and enters the chamber U2 through passages opened by the
valve U when raised, and has outlet to. the tank F.through. the pipe w₁. This
mode of automatic water supply is practical only when the pressure on the main W.
is sufficient to feed against that of the tank F.
It is desirable that the temperature of the water of condensation returned to the
boilers shall as nearly equal that of the steam when it leaves the boilers as is con-
sistent with the working of the main circuit, or, in other words, with the proper
return of the water of condensation gathered in the line of the return main. The
difference necessary to this end represented by the difference of pressure varies with
the contour of the lines, the elevation of the transmitters, the relative size of the
supply and return mains, and other conditions not necessary to be herein
mentioned, for the purpose of maintaining a practically constant difference in
pressure and therefore of temperature at the head of the main circuit between the
inains of the said circuit, which difference shall be the minimum that will permit
the proper return of the water of condensation through the return main, I provide
the pipe A² which leads from the supply main A in the generator-room to the
tank F. The said pipe is provided with a reducing valve L (shewn in section in
Figure 7) automatically controlled by the diaphragm regulator L', the weighted
arm of which bears upon the valve rod l. The diaphragm of this regulator is
shewn as arranged to be subject on one side to pressure from the supply main A
through the pipes A2 and A³, and on the other side to pressure from the tank F
through the pipe f¹. The desired difference between the tank-pressure and the
main pressure, or, in other words, between the pressure of the supply and that of
the return mains is obtained by properly locating the weight L2 on the lever l'.
While I have for greater clearness shewn the connection A³3 as leading from the
supply main A through the pipe A³ in the boiler room, it is preferably taken from
the said supply main at the outer extremity of the main circuit. This may be
accomplished by means of a small pipe laid in the box X from the said extreme
point of the main circuit to the boiler room and here connected, as shewn, with the
regulator L', the said pipe being filled with water. The tank F is provided with a
safety valve F¹ and a water gauge f, and it may in some instances be prudently
provided with a vacuum valve not shewn.
The distributing plant consists, as above stated, of the supply main A, the return
main B, the service supply A¹, and the service return B¹.
The latter or service pipes extend from the main pipes A and B to the interior of

page_text: the buildings to be heated; and they there connect with each other through the trans-
mitting, metering, and other apparatus, which will form a separate branch of this
description.
The supply and return mains are conducted through the streets at a suitable
distance beneath the surface, and are arranged in the novel manner indicated in
Figures 2, 8, 9, and other Figures, that is to say, the return pipe is placed above the
supply pipe. They are together encased in the strong box X of wood or other
suitable material, and are separately covered in any suitable way to ensure the
retention of their heat. I prefer as a covering for the several pipes, next to the pipe,
a covering of paper, say 1/8 inch in thickness; outside of this a body of felt or
similar material about 1 inch thick, and finally a double covering of heavy paper
tubing saturated with coal tar. The box X is laterally stayed at intervals if
necessary by transverse struts ✗' passing between the pipes and bearing against
the vertical supports X². The box is accessible at suitable points through manhole-
boxes X3 (Figure 2) having several close fitting covers one above the other enclosing
dead-air spaces between them.
The return main of this duplex distributing system is generally smaller than the
supply main, and in locating the said return main over the supply main, as above
described, any heat given off from the supply main contributes to maintain. the
temperature of the return main by rising to the top of the box. In the arrange-
ment of the mains the pipe A is supported upon transverse rollers A* resting on the
bottom of the box X, or on the intermediate iron plate Is laid thereon. The pipe B
is similarly supported on rollers B7 interposed between the mains. By this means
any longitudinal movement of the pipes growing out of expansion and contraction
is provided for. For the purpose of keeping the mains in their proper relative
position and affording suitable bearings for the rollers, the said mains are seated
in saddles I, I, and the main A is provided with the upper saddle I¹, all of these
saddles having inner projections & which pass through the outer coverings of the
pipes, and bear upon the pipes themselves. The said saddles or plates are also
provided with longitudinal V-shaped flanges forming tracks which enter
corresponding grooves in the rollers A and B7, as clearly shewn in Figure 8.
To still further ensure stability in the position of the mains, the saddles I and I'
of the supply main A meet and are bolted together at the side of the main, as
shewn in Figures 8 and 9. While providing in the length of the tracks i¹ on the
saddle plates for all probable movement of the rollers thereon, displacement of the
rollers is made impossible by projections 2 at the ends of the plates.
In accordance with obvious necessity and with the usual practice from time
immemorial in constructing long lines of steam pipes both above and beneath
ground, I further provide for expansion and contraction in the pipe lines by means
of slip joints. I also provide for deflections from the horizontal by means of the
familiar ball and socket or common flexion joint.
"
Since the flexion and slip joints will ordinarily be required about equally often
in the course of a pipe line, and since they may preferably be located at the same
fitting or
points in the line, I have with a view to economy devised a novel
coupling adapted to both the slip and the flexion movements. This device is
specially illustrated in Figures 11, 12, and 13 of the Drawings, and incidentally
shewn in other Figures. It consists of the casting J having a packing bulb J¹ at
one end and a ball Jo at the other end. Within the bulb J₁ is a double convolute
or double curved wedge-shaped chamber J' intended to receive the packing J. The
outer and wider ends of the chamber J open on the circumference of the bulb
through screw threaded passages, which admit the packing J5 and receive the thick
screws J³. The inner and narrower parts of the chamber open about the central
pipe passage of the fitting; J is a short section of pipe made of suitable non-
corrosive material, and smoothly finished on its outer surface. It is fitted to slip
freely in the central passage of the casting, J is screw threaded at its outer
extremity, and is packed to make a close slipping joint with the said casting J by
running in the screws Js upon the packing J5. At the ball end the fitting is

page_text: interiorly screw threaded to connect rigidly with the next section of pipe in case a
flexion joint is not there required. At the left hand in Figure 13 the fitting is
shewn in connection with a socket applied to the ball Jo, thus forming both a slip
and a flexion joint; J8 is a cast socket cupped in the broad face to receive the
ball Je and the interposed packing ¹. The ball is held in place by the divided
clamping plate J10, the edges of whose parts meet and interlock, as shewn at j,
Figure 14. The recess J, Figure 13, in the socket head permits considerable
deflection of the joint without contraction of the central passage. At the right in
Figure 13 the fitting is provided with lateral wings J11 for branch-pipe connections.
The said wings consist simply in lateral projections cast on the body of the fitting,
and tapped or screw threaded to receive the connections, the general passage
through the casting being extended into the wings.
It is required (1) that the duplex main system, consisting of the supply main A
and the return main B, shall be at intervals rigidly connected with each other;
(2) that provision shall be made at low points in the line for the transfer of water
of condensation from the steam supply main to the return main above it; (3) that
in case of accident to a section of the supply main in the line, the steam may be
diverted to the return main to be used temporarily as a supply or bye-pass; and
(4) that under certain circumstances the duplex line may be terminated at a point
between its extremities, and a shorter complete main circuit established by the
connection of the supply and return mains at such intervening point.
For these purposes, and also for the purpose of a branch or service connection, I
have devised a novel fitting or coupling, specially illustrated in Figures 14, 15,
and 16 of the Drawings. This coupling is a double-chambered casting D. The
lower chamber D₁ of this casting receives at its opposite ends the contiguous
sections of the supply main A, and the upper chamber D similarly receives and
connects the contiguous sections of the return main B. Preferably one end of the
coupling has its head D¹ cupped to seat the balls of the fittings J; already
described, for the reason that usually or often at the points where the coupling D
will be used there will be occasion for either a slip, or flexion joint, or both. The
opposite head may also be of the same description, but will usually be tapped or
screw threaded, as shewn, to receive rigidly the screw threaded pipes A and B. The
lower chamber D¹ is shewn to be square, and the upper one cylindrical. This
construction is favorable to the application to the couplings of the drip transfer
device that will be hereinafter described, and also to the connection of branch or
service pipes, as will readily appear.
For the purpose of giving access to the chambers D', D2, and also of utilizing the
coupling to make a bye-pass without the expense of gates or valves, the upper
chamber is provided with the large plugged opening D³, and the lower one with
the plugged opening D. By means of these plugged openings the ends of the
pipes A and B are accessible, and may be stopped off, as shewn in dotted lines,
Figure 15; or a passage may be opened between the chambers, and other obvious
changes made as occasion may require. The steam chamber D¹ is separately
accessible through the hand hole D⁹.
The said coupling D is held stationary in the line by means of the anchor D¹¹,
which is a heavy bar of wood or iron extending on both sides of the coupling, and
solidly embedded in the earth or secured to the sides of the encasing box X.
The service pipes A', B', are respectively connected with the coupling D in the
manner shewn in Figures 14 and 16, the same relative position being maintained
in the said services as in the mains described. At the right, in Figure 16, the
service supply connection A¹ is shewn, as an exceptional case, run down to near
the bottom of the chamber D' in order to take water of condensation through
the service if required. for a special purpose. To give room for the stop valves
shewn in the service, and to afford convenient access thereto, the service supply
pipe A¹ has an offset, more clearly seen in Figure 14.
At whatever other points the coupling D may be placed it will be required
usually at the low and high points in the line. To fit the same for use as a drip

page_text: transfer at the lower points of the main line the pipes D5, D6, and D², are made to
connect the chambers D¹ and D2, and are provided with the float valve d² and
check valve d³. The valve d². is operated by the float Ds located in the chamber D¹,
and connected with the valve d² by the rod d pivotted at d¹. The excess of
pressure in the main A will always while in operation be sufficient to raise water
of condensation through the pipes D5, D6, and D' from the said main to the return
main B above it when the valve d² is open. The float D. which controls this valve
is preferably adjusted to never. permit the water to rise above the lower inner
surface of the main A. For exceptional use a set screw d' is arranged as shewn in
Figures 14 and 16 to hold the check valve d³ closed.
To fit the coupling to discharge air from the return main B at high points in the
line it is tapped or screw threaded at D2 (Figure 15) to receive the float air-valve,
shewn enlarged in vertical section in Figure 17. When it is remembered that the
return main B is intended to be kept full of water in the operation of the circuit,
this air valve having the float D14 in the main bulb D¹s and in the escape pipe, the
valve do, and check valve d' opening upwards, need not be in further detail
described. Air-chambers, which it is proposed to locate at suitable intervals along
the main line in connection with the return main, may also be connected to this
coupling, using preferably the opening D³ for this purpose.
. It is not always necessary to use the flexion joint in connection with the
coupling D, wherefore both ends of the said coupling may sometimes be made
with both heads tapped or screw threaded to connect rigidly with screw threaded
sections of pipe, as shewn at one end in Figures 14 and 15.
For smaller or branched mains I have specially shewn in Figures 18, 19, 20, 21,
22, and 23 a novel fitting consisting of a cast coupling E provided with lateral
chambered wings E¹, the latter being tapped or screw threaded on the top. to
receive the service pipes. This coupling being intended for use more commonly in
branch pipes is shewn provided with a novel device whereby connection therewith
may be readily made while it is under pressure. This device consists in a plug or
bush E having a screw-threaded aperture of proper size to admit the proposed
connecting pipe. The said bush E² bears against the annular shoulder e, which is
narrower than the thickness of the said bush. Between the said bush E² and
shoulder e is interposed a disc of india-rubber packing e' having the metal disc e³
which is larger than the aperture of the bush E2, and which bears upward against
the said bush, making by means of the intervening packing e¹ a closed joint
therewith when the line is under pressure. The tap or nipple E³, by which con-
nection is to be made with the coupling E is bevelled outwardly at its lower end,
as shewn at es in Figure 23. When the connection is to be made this nipple E³ is
run down against the packing. e¹, and is worked backward and forward and
gradually inward until the packing is cut through by the nipple edge e³, whereupon
the piece cut out having the disc e² attached thereto falls to the bottom of the
chamber, as shewn in Figure 23, leaving the connection complete. By means of
this device the line of pipes may be prepared when laid to receive connections at
all desired points, and at any time without taking off pressure therefrom. Obviously
if deemed necessary the device just described may also be applied to the main
coupling D.
In running long lines of incased service pipes provision may sometimes be more
economically made for expansion and contraction of the said pipes by the con-
struction shewn in Figures 24, 25, and 26, which will be recognized by those
acquainted with the art as very. ancient and familiar devices.. In Figure. 24 the
space between the short sections of pipe at right angles with the line is sufficient
to permit the direct line to. approach without striking in any possible elongation
thereof by expansion; and the length of the said short section is sufficient to allow
the same to spring in the elongation of the direct line without opening the joints.
The box X in these Figures is simply made large enough at the angles of the pipe
to give room for the movement of the pipes in the act of expanding or contracting.
On the smaller branches and service lines the separation and relative position of

page_text: the two pipes, supply and return, need not require the use of rollers, as shewn in
Figures 8 and 9, but the saddles preferably interposed at intervals, and having
broad and flat faces, may meet and slip one upon the other.
Having now described the general details of construction in the underground
street mains, branches, and services, and their connections with each other, I next
proceed to point out preferred methods for their arrangement and direction in the
streets and passages where laid.
It is of the first importance that there shall be as few points of connection as
may be for many reasons besides economy in construction of plant. I have therefore
provided an arrangement by which a single central connection and a man-hole
giving access thereto may be made to serve in many instances for four entire
squares of business buildings. This arrangement is shewn in general plan in
Figure 27. It consists in locating a coupling D at the intersections of alternate
streets, taking four pairs of supply and return services therefrom, and running one
of them entirely around each square beneath the side walks. From this general
or main service pipe of each square the individual services are taken off to the
interior apparatus of the several buildings on the square; Figure 28 is an enlarged
view of the connection in the street intersection shewing the duplex services carried
along parallel (and in the same box) with the mains A and B to points opposite
the side walks, whence they deflect at right angle with the mains and enter the
space beneath the walks. In business blocks this space is almost invariably
excavated and forms an outer extension of the cellar or basement space of the
buildings, affording ample and available space for the location of the pipes and
ready and convenient access to the connections of the individual services leading
therefrom. In Figure 29 a portion of the walk or flagging is removed, shewing in
plan the general direction and position of this general service and an individual
service leading from it in view.
::
In these several Figures 27, 28, and 29, M represents the duplex main lines
consisting of the supply main A and the return main B; M¹, the duplex branch
lines formed of the general service supply A¹ and corresponding return B', and m
the individual duplex service formed of the supply and return pipes A¹ and B¹
leading from M' to the interior of individual buildings. The large couplings D, D,
are shewn in the street (at the right in Figure 27) as adapted for intersecting
mains or as four-way couplings. The four squares at the left in Figure 27 are
intended to represent residence blocks in which the general duplex service branch
line M¹ runs from one main line to the next parallel line through the alleys of the
intervening squares, and the individual service lines m are shewn in dotted lines.as
entering the several buildings at the rear.
Another part of the said Invention relates to transmitting, measuring, and other
apparatus in the main circuit at and near the point of its juncture with the distri-
buting apparatus of the individual buildings. In Figures 30, 31, 32, and 33, I have
shewn a complete unitary construction of apparatus embracing an anhydrator, a
transmitter, and a meter, through which the service pipes A¹ and B' connect with
each other, completing a branch of the main circuit. In this arrangement of
apparatus, K is a rectangular cast metal box which forms a base for the remaining
parts. The supply service A¹ communicates with the top of the chamber or tank-
trap K through an anhydrator K'. On entering the chamber K the separate water
falls to the bottom, and the dry steam passes upwards from the top of the chamber
through the pipe A³ to the transmitter. The transmitter here shewn consists of a
closed vertical metal cylinder T supported from the box. K by the frame T2, and
interiorly divided by parallel diaphragms t, t. The upper and lower chambers
of the transmitter, cut off by these diaphragms, are connected to each other by the
numerous tubes t¹ like those of a tubular boiler. The steam supply pipe A³ enters
the upper chamber of the cylinder T, and the return pipe B leads from the
lower chamber thereof, carrying the water of condensation to the meter N. The
meter discharges by a pipe. B into the chamber K, whence the water is forced out
through the pipe B10 having the float valve.k² into the service return B¹.

page_text: The anhydrator K¹ consists of a cylindrical shell k enclosing a fixed worm k¹
which gives the steam a spiral direction. In accordance with the well known
principle of this appliance, the water of hydrous steam, having greater specific
gravity than the steam itself, is separated by centrifugal action from the latter, and
on entering the chamber K falls to the bottom. Only dry steam therefore enters
the transmitter through the pipe A5. The central chamber T¹ of the transmitter T,
bounded by the diaphragms t, t, and penetrated by the tubes t¹, is in direct
communication with the local circuit, as distinctly shewn in Figures 31 and 32,
wherein a is the supply pipe, and 6 is the return of the local or distributing system.
In the operation of the apparatus, the beat of vaporization due to a given pressure
of the steam supplied through the pipes A¹, A5, as described, is transmitted to the
fluid contained in the local circuit T, a, b, through the walls of the tubes t' and the
diaphragms t, t; in parting with its heat of vaporization the steam supplied is
condensed. As a consequence the top of the transmitter is occupied by steam, and
the lower portion by the water of condensation. It is preferred that the
water line shall usually be above the bottom of the tubes t¹. The heat imparted
in the transmitter from the contents of the main circuit to the contents of the local
circuit or system, is not only the heat of vaporization in the steam, but is also the
heat or a portion of the heat of the condense water. For, as is well known, the
temperature of the condense water at the instant of condensation is equal to that
of the steam from which it is condensed. But the water quickly gives off its heat
to a contiguous body of lower temperature, so that it is only at the surface of the
water that the high temperature inentioned prevails. For the purposes of this
description, a plane located a short distance below the water surface may therefore
be imagined to exist, above which plane, heat is transmitted from the main to the
local circuit or system, and below which heat is not transmitted. It is clear that
if this plane or the parallel water surface be raised and lowered in the tubes t¹, the
area of heat transmitting tube surface will be varied, and the amount of heat
transmitted will be correspondingly varied.
For the purpose of automatically raising and lowering the water level in the
tubes t¹, and thereby automatically regulating the amount of heat transmitted from
the main to the local circuit or system, and for the further purpose of effecting this
regulation with reference to the varying expenditure of heat throughout the local
circuit, an ordinary pressure diaphragm regulator G may be employed as follows,
that is to say-The upper face of the diaphragm g (Figure 35) is subjected to
pressure from the chamber T' of the local circuit through the pipe g. In the
pipe B8 is located a valve G¹, whose stem g¹ connects directly or through the
medium of the weight arm g² with the diaphragm pin g³, so that pressure from
the local circuit on the said diaghragm g tends to close the valve. The weight G²
on the other hand operates through the arm g² to oppose the pressure on the
diaphragm and to open the valve G³, the said arm g² being for this purpose suitably
connected with the valve stem g¹ and diaphragm pin g³. The pressure in the local
circuit being proportionate with the heat of the said circuit, when the latter is less
than the degree at which the regulator is set the valve G¹ will be opened, and
vice versa.
The degree of heat required in the local circuit may be varied at will
by shifting the position of the weight G2 on the arm g².
Instead of the regulator described the unequal expansion of different metals may
be utilized to effect the regulation required.
For the general purpose of measurement in my system any reliable fluid meter
adapted to hot water may be used. I have however shewn a special device for this
purpose in Figures 39 to 51 inclusive of the accompanying Drawings, which I
prefer by reason of its cheapness, strength, and simplicity, and which I will now
proceed to describe. In the said Figures the meter is supposed to be located on
the top of the tank K, as seen in Figures 30, 31, and 32; but it may be otherwise
located, for example, as shewn in Figure 34.
N is a cast iron case that may be fastened to the top plate of the tank K. As
seen in Figures 39 to 43 inclusive, the discharge pipe B8 which leads from the

page_text: transmitter enters the case N centrally at its top. Within the case N and beneath
the pipe B8, so as to receive its discharge, is pivotted the vibrating spout N' open
at its lower and smaller end. Beneath this spout is located a fixed partition N³,
which divides the lower portion of the meter inclosure or case N transversely into
two equal compartments N³ and N', both open at the top. The spout N¹ is adapted
to vibrate on its pivotal bearings n**, Figure 43, and while receiving a continuous
stream if need be from the pipe B8 to alternately direct the water so received to
the compartments N° and N. Over and in line with the upper edge of the
partition N2 and beneath the spout is located a hollow shaft N5, which is supported
at its rear end within the casing N, and at its front end protrudes through
the said case, with which it has at this point a ground or packed joint. Rigidly
attached to the said shaft near its middle portion is a sleeve N10, from which
project hollow arms which support the hollow floats No and N. The said arms
open into both the shaft N5 and the floats permitting inter-communication from
the latter to the former, so that water leaking into the said floats may evaporate
and escape through the said arms and shaft. Upon the shaft N' are fitted the loose
sleeves N8 and No having independent movements, but constructed to engage with
each other at their meeting ends, as will be hereinafter described. Projecting from
the forward sleeve N° is a vertical arm n rising in proximity to the pivotted
spout N', and slotted longitudinally to receive the pin n' which projects from the
back side of the said spout below its pivotal point n2*. From the same sleeve
project the lateral arms n², n³, to which are pivotted vertical rods carrying the
discharge valves n², n³. From the sleeve N8 projects a vertical arm, which sustains
the ball or weight N". To secure the co-operation of the parts mentioned the
sleeve No has two lugs n on its opposite sides, which as the shaft is oscillated by
the floats No and N' strike the adjusting screws ns set in rear projections of the
sleeve N, as seen in Figures 43, 44, and 45. The front end of the sleeve N8 on
its lower side is extended forward, and the rear end of the sleeve N° on its upper
side is extended backward, so that the sleeve N8 after a free movement on the shaft
of about 18° will engage and rotate the sleeve Nº.
The operation of the meter is as follows, that is to say :-Water discharged from
the pipe B is directed by the spout N' into one or the other of the compartments
N³, N, of the meter. The float in that compartment is gradually raised by the
water, and the lug n on the side of the rising float strikes the screw ns on the
sleeve N8, and lifts or swings up the ball N. When the ball passes its vertical
position it falls over on the other side of the shaft, and when inclined about 9°
from the vertical its sleeve N8 by its forward projection no strikes and rotates the
sleeve No, thereby simultaneously opening the valve of the full compartment,
closing that of the empty compartment and shifting the spout N' by means of the
slotted arm n from the full to the empty compartment.
In making and fitting the meter for use, the quantity of water passed through it
at each cycle of events is accurately measured, and preferably the contents of the
compartments are equalized to give regularity of throb by putting a body of putty
or other substance on the larger one. The aggregate contents of the two com-
partments may be adjusted by means of the set screws n³.
A counting attachment of any ordinary or preferred construction is connected
with the protruding end of the shaft N³, by which attachment the cycles of events
are duly registered. The indicators on the dial n¹º may be made to shew either
the quantity of water passed through the meter, or the money value of the heat
abstracted therefrom, as desired, reference being had to the average pressure at
which the steam is supplied, and to the predetermined capacity of the meter.
The connection between the oscillating shaft and the dial indicators is shewn.in
Figures 43 and 51. The said connection is an adjustable contrivance consisting of
a horizontal slotted arm n¹¹ fixed, to the shaft N5;.a ratchet wheel n having, say,
200 teeth fixed to the protruding end of the main or driving shaft of the clock-
work inclosed within the register case; a horizontal slotted arin n fixed to the
said ratchet wheel, having a spring pawl n¹³; a stationary detent n engaging

page_text: with the ratchet wheel, and a rod ne connecting the slotted arms n¹ and n¹s, and
adapted to be set at any points on the said arms by ordinary clamping pivots which
slide in their slots. If the meter is desired to shew the money value of the heat
furnished, the arm n¹¹ is graduated to correspond with a possible range of charges,
say, in pence, for the heat supplied, say, per hundred pounds of water of conden-
sation. To set and adjust these arms with a view to the registration of a money
value of the heat supplied, I proceed as follows:-Assuming twenty pence to be the
proposed charge for the heat due to a hundred pounds of water of condensation,
the upper pivotted end of the rod n¹6 should be set at the point 20 on the scale of
arm n, and the lower end is for the time being set indifferently at any convenient
point on the arm n¹s for the purpose of trial. One hundred pounds of water of the
proper temperature is then passed through the meter. If the dial indicator does
not register twenty pence, the lower end of the rod 16 is shifted to the right or
left, until the indicator registers correctly..
Should it be at any time desired to change the charge from twenty pence for one
hundred (100) pounds of water of condensation, the upper end only of the rod n¹6
will be shifted to the proper figure on the scale arm n, the said arm having been
graduated when made, and tested to read correctly for such changes from the
standard position of twenty pence.
The maximum variation of the meter from truth with 200 teeth on the ratchet
is 21 per cent. This variation or any part thereof that may be found to exist is
extinguished by adjusting the screws n³ on the sleeve N8.
In case the quantity of water of condensation is to be registered instead of its
money value, the scale on the arm n¹ may be omitted, and one setting of the
rod nie will serve for the life of the meter, except as it may be necessary to shift
the same for the correction of errors.
It has been stated above that heat is taken from the hot water as well as from
the steam within the transmitter, and as so far described, the meter measuring only
the water of condensation of the transmitter would not record the heat taken from
the said water of condensation, but only that taken from the steam. This would
obviously be inaccurate and insufficient. Moreover, in parting with heat, the said
water of condensation is reduced in volume somewhat, which fact would increase
the inaccuracy of the measurement. To correct this inaccuracy, steam is admitted
from the supply of the main circuit to the meter, or to the condense-water pipe
leading thereto, for the purpose of restoring to the said condense-water about to be
measured the temperature lost subsequently to condensation. The restoration of
this temperature by the means stated, involves the condensation of the steam by
which the restoration is effected, and the measurement of the water so condensed,
together with that originally condensed, is the true measurement from which to
register the heat given off by both the steam and hot water in the transmitter.
Thus raising the temperature also restores the original volume of the water of
condensation from the transmitter, and therefore makes the measurement of the
said water perfect. The heat transmitted to the local circuit is therefore the heat
of vaporization of the water passed through the meter. Provision for thus admitting
steam from the supply of the main circuit to the meter is shewn at n!7, which in
Figure 40 consists of a passage which leads from the tank-trap K upward within
the meter at the rear, and to the top of the latter; and in Figure 34 consists of a
pipe leading from the supply pipe A³ to the top of the said meter, the rear passage
in the meter of Figure 40 being absent.
+
Another object of this connection or steam passage is to equalize the pressure
between the meter and the tank-trap, whereby the meter is enabled to discharge
freely into the said trap. Between the transmitter and the meter a return bend
trap n¹s of suitable head is inserted in the pipe B8 to prevent the passage of steam
under all circumstances. The presence of this trap necessitates the application of
an air valve to the lower chamber of the transmitter, which valve should discharge
into the meter.
For an exceptional use of the return main and return service pipes as supply

page_text: pipes, which will be hereinafter described, the connection B" provided with the
stop valve B12 unites the return service pipe B' and the supply service pipe A¹ near
the transmitting and measuring apparatus, as seen in Figure 31. Other parts, shewn
in Figures 30, 31, and 32, and not yet described, will be explained in connection
with later remarks upon the exceptional or alternative use of the return mains and
branches as steam supply pipes.
I will now proceed to describe some forms of local circuit construction adapted
to be used in connection with the main circuit above described. The local
circulation may be either steam or hot water, as may be desired, and in either
case a will represent the outlet pipe from the transmitter T conveying the steam
or water to the several heating appliances in the circuit, and b will be the return
pipe leading from such appliances back to the transmitter, and returning water
thereto to be reheated or re-vaporized, as the case may be.
When steam is made the medium of heat distribution the chamber T' of the
transmitter T (see Figure 31) is filled to a proper height, indicated by the gauge t²
which connects with the said chamber. If a water supply having sufficient
pressure is available, an automatic feed may be applied to the circuit, as also
shewn in Figure 31, where T³ represents a small tank for this purpose communi-
cating by the pipes t³ with the chamber T¹ of the local circuit above and below its
proper water line. The pipe w² discharges into the tank T³ from the source of
water supply under the control of a float valve within the said tank. The water
line in the tank T³ being the same as that in the chamber T', the quantity of
water in the latter will be maintained substantially on a level with this line. In
the absence of a connection with a source of water of sufficient head, the local
circuit will be supplied from time to time by means of a suitable pump.
To avoid multiplicity of Drawings I have shewn in Figure 36 two local
circuits in one building, one in the rear part of the building for steam, and the
other heating the front part by hot water." At the right of the said Figure, near
the entrance of the service pipes A' and B', are shewn the transmitting and
measuring appliances separately illustrated in Figures 30, 31, and 32. The steam
local circuit embraces the supply and return pipes a and b, the water heater R²
(also connected with a stove), a cooking apparatus R', and a radiator R, which
several appliances may stand together for the general working apparatus of an
entire building. The only novel feature requiring additional description here is
in the water heater R2, which for the purpose of connection with the closed
circuit a, b, is provided with an outer jacket or shell, between which and the inner
water vessel is the chamber r connected in the said local circuit. The inner or water
chamber is connected with the water back of the stove or range in the usual manner.
The hot water circuit in the front or main portion of the building has a separate
transmitter T, shewn at the left of that already mentioned, and connected with the
main circuit through the horizontal extensions A5 and B8, as clearly shewn. The
vertical supply a of this limited local circuit leads up from the top of the chamber T¹
of the transmitter; horizontal pipes run therefrom to the several radiators or
other appliances to be heated, and the general return leads back from the said
appliances to the bottom of the said chamber T' of the transmitter.
Above the highest radiator in the building and connected with the supply a is
an expansion tank w provided with a gauge w³. The circuit is filled from the
water supply tank W through the water feed pipe w². From the expansion
tank Wrises the pipe w open at the top and having a cock w³. The circuit is
filled to shew a water line above the bottom of the expansion tank W4 by the
gauge w³. The transmitter T of the circuit has a diaphragm pressure regulator of
the character, and connected, as above described with reference to Figure 35.
When the cock w³ is open the regulator G is subject to pressure due to the head
of water in the pipe a and its vertical extension. This head will vary with the.
temperature of the water in the circuit, and the weight G2 is set on the regulator
arm to balance the head when the said water is of the temperature required to
heat the building. Two. weights may preferably be used, one to balance the

page_text: natural head or that of the water in the circuit when cold, and the other to be
variably set to balance the increase of head due to the raised temperature from
time to time required in the circuit.
If a temperature is required in a hot water circuit materially greater than that
due to atmospheric pressure, it will only be necessary to close the valve w³, when
the specific office of the expansion tank W will appear. The said tank being of
proper dimensions and enclosing a body of air above the water line, the compression
of the said air body will permit any expansion of the water, and increase of
pressure in the circuit within the limits of strength of the pipes. The pressure
upon the diaphragm regulator G when the valve w³ is closed is steam pressure and.
not hydraulic.
In thus illustrating the conjoined use of steam and hot water circuits in one
building, it is apparent that both need not be used, but that the entire working
apparatus of a building may be either for steam or for water as required. When
special reasons exist for so doing, steam may be taken from the main circuit, run
through a local circuit and back, as water through a meter for measurement into
the main circuit. In Figure 34 I have shewn an arrangement for two limited
local circuits, one a closed circuit from the transmitter T, as already set forth, and
the other circulating steam from and therefore being in fact in the main circuit.
The latter has the tank F3 connected with the supply a¹ and return 61 of this
limited circuit; a² is an equalizing pipe.
There are, however, serious objections to the direct circulation of steam from the
main through the local circuit. Among these may be mentioned, first, the necessity
of using the steam at the pressure in the mains, or of reducing the pressure by a
reducing valve, the use of which occasions an almost intolerable noise; second, the
liability of loss to the supplier by the abstraction of steam or of water of conden-
sation in the course of the local circuit; third, in the use of reduced pressure in the
local circuit, it would be impracticable, except by means of a pump or its equivalent,
to return the water of condensation to the return pipe. This would compel, fourth,
the discharge of the local circuit without, such return, which in itself entails
numerous objectionable results, besides the very serious one of losing the pure
water of the circuit and supplying its place from the general source of supply..
When an
In Figure 37 I have shewn in vertical section a business block provided with an
engine in the basement, and as a novel and desirable provision for such building,
an individual circuit and meter for a suite of three connected rooms.
engine is to be run requiring a higher pressure of steam than would be needed for
heating purposes alone, the steam may be raised in the transmitter to nearly the
pressure on the main circuit, the steam taken from the transmitter to the engine,
the exhaust from the said engine sent to radiators for heating the whole or a part
of the building, and the water of condensation therefrom returned to the transmitter
by a pump run by the engine to be re-converted into steam. This arrangement
is shewn in Figure 37, wherein O represents an engine, P² a pump run thereby, and
F the tank of a limited local circuit heated from the engine exhaust. If only a
part of the building is heated, or if the building is only partly heated from the
engine exhaust, additional heating apparatus may take its supply from the trans-
mitter. In this case the radiators of such supplemental circuit would be smaller
than otherwise, having a radiating surface in inverse ratio to the higher pressure
in such circuit. When the engine is not running this exhaust system or circuit
can be connected with that just mentioned as leading from the transmitter by
simply cutting out the engine.
'
In connection with small engines likely to be much used in conjunction with a
general steam heat supply, such as is herein contemplated, an engineer and
expensive automatic contrivances will not usually be afforded. I therefore provide
a device which may be called a combined trap and relief, shewn in Figure 37, but
better illustrated in the enlarged detached, Figure 38. It consists essentially of
a tube H of any desired height let into the ground when practicable, and connected
directly or indirectly with the tank F at the level of the proposed highest water

page_text: line in the said tank. The said tube or relief trap H is provided with a discharge
pipe h not higher than the high water line of the tank F, which pipe may lead to
the sewer or elsewhere, and which extends from the tube H at a depth from its
outlet, fixed according to the maximum pressure required in the tank F. The
connection with the tank being at the highest water level in the said tank when
the water is at a lower level, the relief will not come into play except by a steam
pressure equal to or in excess of the hydraulic head represented by the vertical
height of the discharge pipe within the said tube H. In the use of this relief
device the tank and connections cannot fill with the water should the pump become
deranged, nor can the engine fill and suffer injury thereby.
When the exhaust circuit above mentioned is connected in the general local
circuit, the relief device described should be cut off therefrom.
For a limited office circuit, shewn in Figure 37 as having an individual meter,
the supply and return pipes a and b are carried up from the transmitter T in the
basement. The leaders from these pipes are in practice preferably taken off above
the floor of the rooms to be heated; but for the purpose of greater clearness of
illustration, they are herein shewn as being taken off beneath the said floor. For
the same reason some of the parts are exaggerated in relative size. F5 is a small
tank receiving the water of condensation, and discharging by overflow through the
meter N back into the vertical return pipe b. The tank F5 connects also with the
supply pipe a leading to the radiators, for the purpose of equalizing the pressure to
ensure the discharge and working of the meter. The immediate supply connections a³
to the radiators R³ serves as a return for the water of condensation from the
radiators. The pipes leading from the top of the radiators are air pipes
connecting with the return pipe b. These air pipes are connected with the supply
connection a³ by the pipes 2, and at the junction of the said pipes with the
pipes are located three-way valves. The supply connections a³ are as usual
provided with valves . In the return pipe b leading from the radiators, and near
its point of discharge into the tank F5, is located an air bulb R³ having an automatic
air valve connected therewith, which serves for all the radiators on the line.
The air is found in practice to discharge perfectly from the radiators by the
arrangement described. In case the radiator connections a³ and r¹ are long, and
the radiator is cut off, a circulation may be maintained, through the pipe ²
connecting them to avoid freezing of the valves, the three-way valves 3 being
properly turned for this purpose.
The duplex system of mains forming the main circuit above described, has many
advantages of economy, both in construction and operation, and will ordinarily be
used in the manner above set forth, that is to say, as a sealed or closed circuit. In
the summer season, when consumption of heat on the lines is small, it may be
temporarily advantageous not to run the main circuit as described, but to supply
steam through the return main B instead. The reason for this is that the
summer season is the appropriate time for general repairs, extensions, alterations,
and similar operations, and by using the return main as a supply, such changes may
then be made without cutting off consumers, whose patronage will necessarily
largely depend on the certainty of their supply. In order to provide for this
alternative use of the return main B, either throughout its whole length in the
summer, or by and beyond a break in the supply main A at any season, the
connecting pipes B", Figure 31, are introduced and provided with the stop valve B¹³.
The pipe B leading from the chamber K in that case discharges through B¹s into
the sewer or elsewhere, instead of into the return main B¹. To provide for this
alternative use of the return pipes, the pipe A1, Figure 2, leading from the main A
to the main B in the boiler-room is provided; and suitable stop valves 1, 2, and 3
are inserted in the pipes A, B, and A, as shewn in the said Figure 2.
Valves may be inserted in the main at any points where required, but by reason
of the construction of the chambered couplings D above described, the number of
such valves need not be great.
Air or steam chambers for the usual purpose may be located on the return

page_text: main B, the latter or steam chambers if employed, being supplied from the main A
by suitable automatic devices. Their presence is less essential however since the
circuit is otherwise designed to secure steady and constant motion in one direction.
In the use of the main circuit as a circuit, the return main B will normally be
constantly full of water, and the supply main A full of steam.
In the transmitter T the inlet and outlet of the several circuits are arranged in
accordance with the natural courses of the circulations. Thus, in the tubes t' which
are part of the main circuit, the course of the fluid is downward or in the natural
direction of such fluid as it cools. In the local circuit the direction of movement is
upward, which is its natural course, as the fluid is heated.
Instead of making the coupling D stationary when used in the main line by
means of an anchor as above described, the entire length of main may be free to
move under expansion and contraction. In providing for such movement the
slip-joint should be employed at each side of the said coupling D, and to prevent
too great movement at a single point and the drawing out of any one of the slip
sections J4 each of the said sections should be provided with a lug or eye, and a
short chain or link should connect the said eye with a similar eye on the
casting J. The movement of each joint will be thus restricted within a safe and
proper limit.
The duplex mains should always be directly connected at their outer extremities.
This will generally be done by means of the coupling D through the float valve
and connections D5, D6, D7, or otherwise by a suitable trap connection operating to
the same purpose as such valve and connections.
Having thus fully described my said Invention and the manner of performing
the same, I wish it understood that I claim,―
First. In a general steam heating system, the combination with a street or main
supply pipe connected with the steam space of a generator of a local distributing
pipe situated in a building to be heated, the contents or circulation of the said
local distributing pipe being separate from that of the main supply pipe and the
apparatus for transmitting heat from the contents of the main to that of the local
pipe, and operating to condense the supply steam in the act of transmission,
substantially as above set forth.
Second. The combination with a main or general steam supply pipe, a local
distributing pipe having no interior connection with the said supply pipe, and
apparatus for transmitting heat from the contents of the former to the contents of
the latter, and operating to condense the steam of the supply in the act of trans-
mission of mechanism, whereby the amount of heat transmitted may be varied at
will, substantially as above set forth.
Third. In a general steam beating system, the combination with a street or main
supply pipe connected with the steam space of a generator of a local distributing
pipe situated in a building to be heated, the contents or circulation of the said
local distributing pipe being separate from that of the main supply pipe, apparatus
for transmitting heat from the contents of the said main supply pipe to the contents
of the local pipe, and operating to condense the supply steam in the act of trans-
mission and a meter arranged to pass the water of condensation from the supply
steam, substantially as above set forth.
Fourth. In combination with a main or general steam supply pipe or circuit a
local distributing pipe or circuit and apparatus for transmitting heat from the
former to the latter, of regulating mechanism adapted to be set at will to secure
the transmission of any desired amount of heat from the steam of the main supply
pipe or circuit to the contents of the local distributing pipe or circuit, and also
adapted to automatically maintain a practically constant pressure or heat in the
local pipe or circuit of the degree required, substantially as above set forth.
Fifth. In a general steam heating system, a main circuit comprising a steam
generator, a steam supply pipe or pipes, a pipe or pipes for the return of water
of condensation, and apparatus for forcing the water of condensation from the
return pipe back to the generator, the pipes of the said main circuit extending in

page_text: proximity with each other from the steam source to the building or buildings to be
heated, and combined with local heating apparatus, either for steam or hot water,
located in the said building or buildings, substantially as above set forth and for
the purpose specified.
Sixth. In a steam heating system for large districts, the combination with the
main circuit containing a steam generator, a steam supply pipe, and a condense-
water return pipe, operated substantially as described, the said pipes being
arranged in proximity throughout the heated district and connected at the several
buildings heated, of a local circuit situated in a building to be heated, and adapted
to be closed so as to continually circulate its contents, means for transmitting heat
from the main circuit to the local circuit, and means for measuring the amount of
heat transmitted, substantially as above set forth.
Seventh. The combination with a steam generator, a steam supply pipe, and a
condense-water return pipe belonging to a steam heating main circuit, the said pipes
being arrranged in close proximity throughout the heated district, and with a local
heating apparatus having a circulation distinct from that of the main circuit of a
transmitter placed at the junction of the main circuit with the local heating
apparatus connected to receive, and operating to condense the steam from the
supply main, and also connected to discharge the water of condensation into the
return main, and a meter arranged to pass the water of condensation after it has
left the transmitter and before it enters the return main, substantially as above set
forth.
•
Eighth. The combination with a steam supply pipe, a local heating apparatus
operating to condense the steam supplied, and a meter arranged to pass the water
of condensation of a pipe or passage n" conducting steam from the said supply pipe
to the meter or to the water of condensation pipe leading to the meter for the
purpose of restoring to the water of condensation the temperature and volume
lost subsequent to condensation in its passage through the heating apparatus, and
thereby securing accurate measurement of the heat supplied, substantially as above
set forth.
Ninth. In the measurement of heat supplied from steam to a heating apparatus
by measuring the water of condensation, the method herein described, which
consists in practically restoring the water of condensation after it leaves the heating
apparatus and before it passes the meter to the original temperature and volume it
possessed at the instant of condensation, substantially as above set forth and for the
purposes specified.
Tenth. In combination with the generator S and the duplex system of mains A
and B, the tank F, and the pump P connected between the return main B and the
generator, substantially as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Eleventh. In combination with the generator S, the pump P, and the tank F,
the latter directly furnishing water for the generator through the said pump-
mechanism adapted to automatically control the speed of the pump in accordance
with the quantity of water in the said tank, substantially as above set forth.
Twelftb. The combination with the generator S, the tank F, and the pump P of
the steam pump supply pipes S1, S2, having the valve-chamber C and valve C² (the
latter being worked by the float F2 within the tank F), substantially as above set
forth and for the purpose specified.
Thirteenth. In combination with the generator S, the tank F, the source of the
water supply W having a pressure greater than that of the tank. F, and automatic
mechanism controlling the passage of water from the tank to the generator,
mechanism whereby the passage of water from the source W to the. tank is
controlled by the height of the water in the said generator, substantially as above
set forth.
Fourteenth. In combination with the tank F, the generator S, the pump P, and
automatic mechanism for regulating the speed of the pump, of the water source W
connected with the tank through the pipes W₁, w, w, and the float valve U³, the
said valve being controlled by the float Us in the chamber U connected with the

page_text: generator in such a manner as to have a common water line therewith, substantially
as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Fifteenth. In combination with the steam supply main A and the return main B
of the main circuit embracing the tank F and the generator S and mechanism for
forcing the water of condensation from the said tank to the generator, the con-
necting pipe A having the reducing-valve L controlled through suitable mechanism
by pressure from the supply main to maintain a desired difference in pressure
between the tank and the supply A. at the head of the main circuit, substantially as
above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Sixteenth. The combination with the tank F and the steam supply main A of
the main circuit described of the pipe A2 having the valve L, the diaphragm
regulator L', of which the weight arin is arranged to bear on the valve rod l, and
in which the diaphragm is exposed on one side to the pressure of the tank, and on
the other to that of the supply main A at a chosen point on the said main, sub-
stantially as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Seventeenth. In the main circuit of a general steam heating system the supply
main A and the return main B arranged one above the other in the box X, as shewn
and for the purpose specified.
Eighteenth. In combination with the mains A and B arranged as described one
above the other, the rollers A and B, and the saddles I and I', constructed and
combined to retain the mains in proper relation, and at the same time permit relative
longitudinal movement, substantially as above set forth.
Nineteeth. In combination with the thick covering of the main pipe and the
supporting roller the interposed saddle I, having the projections i which pass through
the pipe covering and bear upon the pipe itself, substantially as above set forth.
Twentieth. In combination with the mains A and B, arranged one above the
other, as shewn, the saddles I, I', of the lower pipe extended about the said pipe to
afford mutual support to each other, substantially as above set forth.
Twenty first. The slip joint fitting J having the packing bulb J¹ provided with a
curved chamber J2 narrowed towards the central pipe passage and with the packing
screws Js, substantially as above set forth.
Twenty second. The combined slip and flexion joint fitting J having the packing
bulb J chambered as shewn at one end and the spherical bulb Je at the other end,
whereby the fitting is adapted to be combined with a suitable socket to make a
flexion joint, substantially as above set forth.
Twenty third. In combination with the duplex main system above described, the
coupling D having the chambers D' and D2, and adapted to receive the mains A
and B one above the other, and to be rigidly or flexibly connected therewith, and to
afford communication between these mains by the plugged opening D*, all sub-
stantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Twenty fourth. In combination with the steam supply main A and water return
main B the duplex chambered coupling D, having its chambers connected by a pipe
or passage D5, D6, D7, provided with a valve controlled by a float in the steam
chamber of the coupling, whereby the coupling may serve as a drip transfer, auto-
matically discharging the water of condensation in the main A into the return B,
substantially as above set forth.
Twenty fifth. In combination with the double chambered coupling D rigidly
connecting the mains A and B, the anchor bar D", substantially as shewn and for
the purpose specified.
Twenty sixth. The double chambered coupling D provided with the hand hole D
opening into the lower chamber D¹, combined with the mains A and B, substantially
as above set forth.
Twenty seventh. The duplex main system described, consisting of the supply
main A. and the return main B, arranged parallel with each other and in proximity,
the said pipes being rigidly connected with each other at intervals and provided
with slip joints between the points of connection, substantially as above set forth.
Twenty eighth. In combination with a steam supply pipe, the coupling E having

page_text: lateral chambered wings E¹ adapted to admit the branch connections vertically
outside of the course of the main passage of the coupling, substantially as above
set forth.
Twenty ninth. In a pipe coupling the combination of the bush E², exteriorly and
interiorly screw threaded as shewn, the shoulder e and the packing disc e¹ having
the rigid disc e², substantially as above set forth and for the purposes specified.
Thirtieth. In combination with a pipe coupling having a bush E³, the shoulder e
and the packing e¹ provided with a rigid disc e², the nipple or pipe section E³
having an annular edge e³ on its entering end, substantially as above set forth and
for the purpose specified.
Thirty first. In a system of general steam heat supply the combination with the
supply main, of a supply branch leading from the said main and extending around
an entire square or block of buildings, whereby all the buildings in the said square
or block are supplied from a single connection with the main, the said branch being
arranged beneath the side walks or buildings, so that the connections with the
interior heating apparatus of the several buildings are accessible without opening
or taking up the road way, substantially as above set forth.
Thirty second. In combination with the supply main of a general steam heating
system, two or more supply branches connected with the said main at the inter-
section of streets, and each leading to and around an adjacent square to serve as
a general branch supply, furnishing heat to all the buildings in the said square
heated from the said system, the said branches being arranged beneath the walk or
buildings, substantially as above set forth.
Thirty third. In a general steam heating system, the apparatus shewn in
Figure 31 and comprising the tank-trap K, the transmitter T, the meter N, and
the connections for the admission and passage of steam into the transmitter through
the tank trap, and the water of condensation from the said transmitter through the
meter and tank-trap, the said transmitter being adapted to be connected with a
local distribution system, substantially as above set forth.
Thirty fourth. The anhydrator K¹ combined with the supply pipe A¹, the
transmitter T, and the meter N, substantially as above set forth and for the
purpose specified.
Thirty fifth. In combination with the tank trap K, connected to receive the
pressure of the steam supply pipe A¹, and also connected to receive the water of
condensation from the transmitter T or the meter N, the discharge pipe B10 having
the valve k² operated by a float and located beneath the water line of the said
tank, substantially as above set forth, and for the purposes specified.
Thirty sixth. In combination with the transmitter T having the passages or
tubes in the main circuit through or contiguous to the chamber T¹ in the local
circuit, the valve G¹ in the discharge pipe B8 of the main circuit governed by the
pressure in the chamber T¹, so as to raise or lower the water of condensation in
the passages t¹, and thereby expose more or less of the surface of the said passage
to the steam of the main circuit, substantially as above set forth and for the
purpose specified.
Thirty seventh. In combination with the local hot water circuit, shewn in
Figure 36, having a pipe extending a suitable distance above the highest radiator
in the said circuit, the said pipe being either open at the top or provided with a
valve whereby it may be opened or closed, the transmitter T connected with the
said circuit, and also with the steam supply and return pipes, and the regulator G
connected with the transmitter and' with the return steam pipe, whereby varying
pressure in the local hot water circuit, arising either from the varying column due
to changed temperature therein or from the confinement of its contents, operates to
control the heating effect of the said transmitter, all substantially as above described.
Thirty eighth. In combination with the meter N, receiving the discharge water
from the transmitter T and discharging into the tank K (the latter being subject
to the pressure of the steam supply), the pipe or passage 17 connecting the top of
the said meter with the pipe A, or other pipe or space having the pressure of the
steam supply, substantially as above set forth and for the purpose specified.

page_text: Thirty': ninth. In combination with the meter N connected at its top to receive
steam from the steam supply pipe, as shewn, the trap bend n18 in the pipe B³
discharging into the meter, substantially as above set forth and, for the purpose
specified.
::
Fortieth. In combination with the main steam supply or with the main circuit
described, the local hot water circuit, shewn in Figure 36, combined with the
expansion tank W, the open pipe w, and the cock w, substantially as above set
forth.
Forty first. In combination with a general steam source and a transmitter
"connected therewith, an engine having its steam supply pipe connected with the
transmitter, a local heating circuit supplied from the exhaust of the said engine,
and a pump driven by the engine and connected to force the water of condensation
from the exhaust of the said heating circuit back into the transmitter, substantially
as shewn and described.
Forty second. In combination with the transmitter T connected with the main
circuit or steam supply, shewn in Figure 37, and with the engine O, the pump P²,
and the tank F4, respectively connected, as shewn, the safety relief trap H connected
with the tank F and provided with a discharge pipe h arranged in the said trap,
as above set forth and for the purpose specified.
Forty third. In combination with the radiators R4, R4, and the supply pipe a,
and return pipe b, the connecting pipes a³ and r¹, arranged as shewn with reference
to Figure 37, and the air valve on the return pipe 6, substantially as above set
forth and for the purpose specified.
Forty fourth. The double chambered.meter N having the oscillating shaft N³,
the floats No and N7 secured to the said shaft and riding in the chambers of the
meter, the inlet pipe B8, the outlet pipe B, the vibrating spout N, the discharge
valves n and n³, the swinging weight N", and the supporting sleeves N8 and N³,
constructed and arranged to co-operate substantially as above set forth and for the
purpose specified.
Forty fifth. In the double chambered meter N having the shaft N³, the floats
No and N' and the devices therewith, combined to simultaneously shift the inflow
from one chamber to the other, and open and close discharge valves as described,
the overswinging weight N" supported from the sleeve N8 which has a free
movement for a portion of its arc of motion, and is arranged to actuate the shifting
parts and valves above mentioned by its gravity and momentum as above set forth.
Forty sixth. In the above described meter the combination with the oscillating
shaft No having floats N, N7, attached thereto, and projections ne, of the weight
sleeve N provided with adjusting screws n³, substantially as above set forth and
for the purpose specified.
Forty seventh. In the meter for measuring hot water of condensation, the open
hollow shaft N5, the hollow floats N, N7, and hollow arms interiorly connecting
the said shafts and floats, whereby water leaking into the floats may evaporate
and escape through the said arms and shafts, substantially as above set forth.
Forty eighth. In combination with the oscillating shaft N* of the meter N and
the ratchet wheel m¹ connecting with suitable registering devices, the arms
n1 and 15 secured respectively to the shaft N°5 and the shaft of the ratchet wheel,
and the movable rod 16 connecting the said arms, 'substantially as above set forth
and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said Eugene Florence Osborne, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty sixth day of February, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.