IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING, UTILIZING, AND MEASURING STEAM FOR HEATING, MOTIVE-POWER, AND OTHER PURPOSES IN TOWNS AND OTHER PLACES
Year: 1881

page_text: County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING, UTILIZING, AND MEASURING
STEAM FOR HEATING, MOTIVE-POWER, AND OTHER PURPOSES IN TOWNS AND
OTHER PLACES." A communication from abroad by Birdsill Holly, of
Lockport, in the County of Niagara, State of New York, United States of
of America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th June 1881.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING OR
DISTRIBUTING, UTILIZING, AND MEASURING STEAM FOR HEATING, MOTIVE
POWER, AND OTHER PURPOSES IN TOWNS AND OTHER PLACES." A communication
from abroad by Birdsill Holly, of Lockport, in the County of Niagara, State of
New York, United States of America.
This Invention relates to methods of supplying large districts of dwellings and
other buildings in cities and villages with steam for the purpose of heating, for
driving machinery in buildings within such district, and other purposes for which
steam is adapted.
The system consists generally of a battery of boilers placed at a central or
convenient point, from which the steam is led in underground main pipes throughout
the city, village, or district. From these mains the buildings are supplied by service
pipe. The necessary adjuncts of such system are traps for discharging the water
of condensation, pressure regulating valves, meters, and means to prevent loss of
heat by radiation, and it is to these adjuncts of the system that the Invention
particularly relates.
I will first describe the system with reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the
Drawings, Figure 1 of which illustrates a section or district of a city or town
having streets A, B, C, D, E, and A², B¹, C', D¹, E', intersecting as shown. From a

page_text: central, or nearly central, point of such section or district to any given point of
its boundary I intend shall be a distance of about one half mile. At this central
point, and within a building designated A², I erect a necessary boiler works for the
generation of steam to be distributed throughout the district. The steam from the
building A is conveyed by a proper pipe or pipes from the boilers therein to, a
main pipe F, which connects with, and through which steam is supplied to, all the
other street main pipes, as shown at F. All these street mains are laid underground
on the line of the several streets, preferably about 4 feet below the surface, and
service pipes as at a, also laid ungerground, convey steam from the mains into the
buildings situate on the street.
The capacity of the steam boilers in the boiler house A2 should be sufficient to
afford a steady supply of steam to the pipes at a pressure within said pipes of
about from 40 to 60 pounds to the square inch, which pressure will be sufficient for
the various uses desired in a district of the dimensions named.
The steam mains F, F', throughout their entire length are protected so as to
prevent condensation by a covering of asbestos, paper, or other nonconducting
material, as shown in Figures 2 and 5. This material is wound to the thickness of
about one quarter of an inch, and secured by a winding of copper wire as at b.
Outside the winding and lengthwise of the pipe there are placed strips c of wood or
iron secured by a second winding of wire. The pipes covered in this manner are
placed within outer pipes d of wood that have a bore larger than the interior metal
pipe. Below the wooden pipe there is placed tiling e or other drain pipe to carry
off water that might accumulate in the trenches in contact with the pipe. A
connection to a sewer g is shown in Figure 4 for discharge of such water
whereby the trench is kept free. This is indispensable, as water must not come in
contact with any of the heated surfaces underground. In place of the outer
wooden pipe there may be used a covering formed of wood, brick, and iron, as
shown in Figures 2 and 4. This is constructed by first laying a brick floor in the
trench; rollers h are then laid down for supporting the steam pipe, and on each
side of the pipe are placed timbers of wood. Within the timbers brick is laid in
mortar, and the space between the brick and steam pipe may be filled with some
light nonconducting material, such as saw-dust. The brickwork and timber are
covered by cast iron plates k, locked together and covered with hydraulic cement
to exclude water.
With the
It is necessary to provide against longitudinal expansion and contraction of the
pipes due to changes of temperature in order to avoid breakage of the mains,
leakage of steam, or other damage. To this end I provide at convenient points,
about 100 or 200 feet apart, junction service boxes D, in which provision is made
for the longitudinal movement of the end of a section which enters the expansion
chamber of such box while the chamber itself is not moved. Figure 2 is a longi-
tudinal section of one of such service boxes; Figure 4 is a cross section of the
same; and Figure 3 is a side view. m is the box or chamber provided at one end
with a stuffing box r. The arriving steam pipe from the boiler is fitted with a
screw collar o that is bolted to a short section of pipe, to which is connected a
section q of nickle plated pipe that enters the stuffing box. The short section p
allows removal of the slip section q for repairs and other purposes.
timber and brick outer covering the box m is connected thereto, as shown in
Figures 2 and 3 by a short section or coupling 7 screwthreaded on the inside to
receive the end of the iron steam pipe, and bolted to box m either in a straight
line or at an angle by means of the ball and socket joint l'. When round covering
pipes are used they will be connected to the boxes m by braces n as shown in
Figure 3. These braces are firmly bolted to the bed plate and extend to a wedge
driven between the end of the brace and the end of the wood pipe forming the
abutment. Wood being non-expansive forms an abutment to hold the junction box
from moving with the iron pipe as it expands and contracts. The boxes can also
be held by anchoring to the earth or in other ways independently of the wood
pipe. A simple and efficient method of anchoring the main is illustrated in

page_text: Figures 12 and 13. F is the main; g is a saddle upon or around the main and
firmly sustained by being bolted to a silly. These saddles will be placed at
distances apart, say, of 100 feet, and the sections of the main will have their
ends connected by sliding joints which allow movement at the joint. The longi-
tudinal expansion and contraction will thus be to and from the saddles, and be
divided equally. The movement being slight at or near the saddles service pipes
may be there connected, as shown at a. The junction service boxes m also receive
-the service pipes a. Such service pipe, as shown in Figure 4, is screwed into the
end of a hood or elbow 8 that may be set with its mouth either up or down. For
heating purposes it would be the best down, to take out the water of condensation.
For running an engine it would be turned up so as to take dry steam. Each service
box is provided with a stop valve a¹ that can be operated by removing the man hole
plate t The service pipes should extend to the side walk or into the basement
of a building, and then branch off either way to furnish consumers between the
junction boxes.
Within the building, as shown in Figure 6, there is fitted a meter I, the construction
of which is described hereinafter, and from thence the steam goes to radiators K,
or to an engine, as the case may be. If ordinary radiators be used the steam and
water will be returned to the basement to a steam trap L of any suitable character.
The water from the trap may then enter a hot water coil, as at u in Figure 6,
where the heat can be utilised to warm a current of air to registers v. The water
leaves the coil at a low temperature, and may be used for any purpose.
When the
steam is used for power the exhaust should in all cases be used for warming. In
this case an automatic valve will be used to allow escape of surplus steam to the
outer air, and an atmospheric radiator, such as shown in Figure 9, should also be
used. The steam entering this radiator at the top is all condensed therein, and
returns to the basement by a pipe t¹, no trap being required. The pipe t' has a
branch, which may remain open into the room, so that if more steam enters tho
radiators than will condense it will escape by pipe t2. By using a radiator at
atmospheric pressure, as described, the quantity of steam can be regulated according
to the temperature required in the room, while with old methods requiring full
pressure to return the water to the boiler the steam had to be entirely off or on.
It is desirable not only to regulate the supply of heat to a given building, but also
to ascertain the amount of steam supplied under pressure, and also to record such
supply in order that a proper price may be charged for the steam used. To this
end I apply the meter I in the service pipe a in such a manner that the steam is
caused to pass through the same. The meter may be of any suitable construction,
and indicate by hands upon a dial, or by a record made by a pencil on a moving
strip of paper. The passage of steam will be regulated by a cone valve operated
by a screw or lever to close the valve more or less.
I will state here that while the steam in the mains is always at high pressure
yet by being "wire drawn" around the cone valve the steam is reduced to low
pressure, and in this condition can be safely used for warming the building. The
object in using high pressure in the mains, and low pressure in the dwellings is to
keep the mains as small as possible on account of expense and loss by condensation,
while the low pressure in the building is not as liable to cause leakage at the joints,
valves, and packings, besides being considered safer.
For regulating the pressure within the building I use the regulator K, Figure 14.
This is of simple construction, having a steam chamber c³ receiving the steam, and
a flexible diaphragm c held in place by an annular ring c. A lever 3 is pivoted
at its rear end to an upright projection of the ring, and has a downward projection (+
resting on a boss secured to diaphragm c. The lever is provided with a movable
weight, which may be slid on the lever. A cord is connected to the levers, and
has a weight on its end; 1 is a key upon the arbor of the cone valve r, before
mentioned as being used to regulate the flow of steam, and the key is provided
with a sheave over which the cord 15 passes. Supposing the valve to be closed,
and steam at a pressure of two pounds is desired, the valve will first be opened

page_text: by hand until the pressure gauge indicates the required pressure. The cord 15 is
then to be placed on the sheave of the key, and the weight adjusted on lever 18
until the lever assumes a horizontal position. This will ensure a steady heat at
the pressure indicated. Now suppose additional radiators be opened, that act will
reduce the pressure in the chamber of the regulator K¹; whereupon lever 1³ will
fall below a horizontal position, draw on the cord, and raise the weight 7º, thereby
opening the valve until the given pressure is reestablished. If at any time the
steam pressure be increased by shutting off a radiator, a reverse offect takes place
on the lever, and the valve is closed more or less.
is
The trap L is shown in Figures 7 and by an elevation and vertical section,
and is constructed and operated as follows:-The case is of cylindrical form, and
has the pipe 83 for the steam and water connected at the top; ¹ is a float of
bucket form hung on the end of an arm ¹ that is upon a shaft e'. The shaft
extends through a stuffing box to the outside, and has on its end an arm m¹.
A link n¹ connects the arm m³ to the short arm of a lever o¹ that is hung on the
side of the case. To the longer arm of lever o¹ a balance weight pis hung;
the outlet pipe fitted with a valve q' that connects by an adjustable rod s¹ to the
arm m¹. The weight pl is graduated to raise the float i about half its length out
of water, as shown by the dotted line. The steam and water enter by pipe s³, and
the float being open at the top remains full of water. In case some of the radiators
are shut off after being used the valve q¹ would discharge more water than comes
into the trap until, by the lowering of the water line and the descent of the float,
the weight p¹ is raised and the discharge valve partially closed, when the equilibrium
will be restored. A reverse effect takes place in case the quantity of steam used is
increased.
With these arrangements one or more of the buildings in the district may be
heated by steam or hot water, or steam supplied for driving engines and machinery.
I will now describe one practical plan for utilising the steam from the mains for
other purposes.
The arrangements are shown in Figures 10 and 11; N represents the street, and
O the sidewalk. Beneath the roadway is the steam main F1 fitted with one of the
junction service boxes before described, from which a service pipe a passes to a
hydrant P located on the sidewalk; R indicates an ordinary water main from
which, through a pipe 2, water is supplied to a street hydrant P¹, from which
water can be taken by a fire engine; and in order to prevent the water in the
hydrant from freezing the steam pipe a is made to impinge against such hydrant,
as shown; represents a fire engine constructed as usual, except that the boiler
and fire box may be omitted, which engine takes its steam from the hydrant P
through a hose y₁ simultaneously with its supply of water from the hydrant P¹ by
hose y².
The advantages are apparent in that the water in the hydrant is never frozen,
and steam is always ready for the engine. Besides this the cost and weight of the
fire engine can be reduced about one half.
I state here that the steam admitted to the hydrant will be a high pressure, and
suitable cocks are to be provided for regulating the supply. I provide also in
connection with the apparatus described means for utilising the steam for removing
snow and ice from the streets, as indicated in Figures 10 and 11. At one side of
the street N an opening f5 is made, and such opening fitted with a. removable
cover f. The opening leads to a large underground tank or box B³, having an
exit pipe no to a sewer. This box may be located near one of the steam hydrants P,
or a special hydrant may be provided. A pipe n is provided for connection to the
hydrant, and leading into the box B³, which pipe is coiled within the box, and may
be perforated or not. The snow and ice are to be dumped into the box, and steam
being let into the coil the snow and ice will be melted rapidly and run to the
sewer. The section of pipe me between the hydraut and box will be made
removable, so that it can be disconnected and placed in the box when not required
for use.

page_text: In the above description I have illustrated and described a practical way of
distributing steam throughout a district of buildings, but I do not limit myself to
the relative location of the several devices employed for such purpose, as the same
may be varied according to locality and surrounding circumstances without
departing from the Invention. It is evident that in cases where the steam is to
be used with a motor for propelling machinery, and under a higher pressure than
necessary for simply warming a building, the steam may be conducted directly
to the engine, and a meter of suitable capacity used for passing and measuring the
steam.
Having described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters
Patent is,―
1st. An underground steam street-main in combination with steam supplying
apparatus, and with a meter constructed to control the pressure of steain in a
building, and also to record the consumption of steam from such main, substantially
as described.
2nd. Underground street mains connected with steam supplying apparatus, and
with expansion joints which permit expansion and contraction of the mains longi-
tudinally, and with heat radiators in buildings contiguous to streets where the
mains are laid, substantially as and for the purposes described.
3rd. In combination with steam-conveying pipes of a building for conveying
steam to heat the building, and for other purposes, a steam meter constructed to
control the pressure of steam in such pipes; and also record the consumption of
steam in the building, substantially as described.
4th. An underground steam strect main in combination with steam supplying
apparatus, and with a heat radiator of a building, and with a meter, substantially
as described.
"
5th. Underground street mains connected with steam supplying apparatus, and,
with a heat radiator and with a steam trap, which answers the double purpose of a
reheater and a steam trap, substantially as described.
6th. An underground steam street main in connection with steam supplying
apparatus, and with a heater of a building, and with a water hydrant, substantially
as and for the purpose described.
7th. An underground steam street main connected with steam supplying apparatus,
and with a heater of a building, and with a street steam hydrant, substantially as
and for the purpose described.
8th. Underground street mains connected with steam supplying apparatus, and
with a heat radiator, and with an automatic steam regulator or governor, substan-
tially as and for the purpose described.
9th. Underground steam street mains connected with steam supplying apparatus,
and with a beat radiator of a building, and with underground snow and ice reservoirs
having open ended or perforated steam pipes in said reservoirs for the escape of
steam therein, substantially as and for the purposes described.
10th. A steam street main expansion chamber D, substantially as described.
11th. An adjustable hood S in combination with street main F', service pipe a,
and an expansion chamber, which serves as a steam chamber, substantially as
described.
12th. The combination of the expansion chamber D, the street main F1 screw-
threaded, the adjustable ring ", and the follower 1, substantially as and for the
purpose described.
13th. The wall of the expansion chamber of the junction box made to support
the inner end of a section of the steam main and the outer covering of the steam
main, substantially as described.
14th. Steam street mains insulated as described, and underdrained as at e, sub-
stantially as and for the purpose described.
15th. One or more than one radiator heated by steam supplied through the
passage of the cone valve r³, in combination with the regulator K³, whereby the

page_text: same determined pressure of the steam is practically maintained, either in one
radiator or more than one radiator, whether only one radiator or more than one
radiator is in use at the same time, substantially as described.
16th. A street steam hydrant connected with the street main F, and located in
close contiguity to a water hydrant, which is warmed by a pipe connected to said
main F', whereby steam and water may at all times be simultaneously supplied
from the same locality to an engine for extinguishing fires, substantially as
described.
17th. A contrivance or contrivances for supplying steam for warming districts of
dwellings in cities and towns, and for driving machinery and for other purposes in
said districts, consisting of steam supplying apparatus, street mains having expansion
junction service boxes, service pipes having connecting pipes, and meters, substan-
tially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty third day of June, A.D. 1881.