Improvements in Apparatus for Heating Liquids and for Regulating the Temperature of the same.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 7th Apr., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 28th Dec., 1896-Accepted, 27th Mar., 1897
Improvements in Apparatus for Heating Liquids and for Regulating
the Temperature of the same.
I, MOSES GRANT WILDER, of 816 Cherry Street, in the City and County of
Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, one of the United States of America,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in liquid heaters and more particularly to
a combined instantaneous and circulating heater. In carrying out the invention
I employ a storage tank or reservoir, a beating vessel, which is preferably a coil
of pipe, and circulating pipes leading from the tark to the lower part of the coil
or heating vessel and returning from the upper part of the coil to the tank. I also
employ a thermostat located in the circulating system for automatically regulating
the fuel supply to the burner; a valve for drawing water warmed to the temperature
for which the thermostat is adjusted; a hot water valve and a conne ting pipe for
drawing hot water directly from the coil or heating vessel; and a connection from
the hot water valve to the valve which controls the supply of fuel to the burner so
arranged that the act of opening the hot water valve will also open the fuel valve
ard increase the fuel supply to the burner beyond the amount normally allowed by
the thermostat, whereby the water will be rapidly heated as it passes through the
coil, making my apparatus an instantaneous as well as a circulating heater. I also
provide means by which the warm water from the tank may be drawn at about the
temperature at which it is maintained automatically by the thermostat. This
warm water is drawn from the return pipe which leads from the tank to the heater.
In using the apparatus as an instantaneous heater the hot water is drawn from
the outgoing circulating pipe which leads from the heater to the tank instead of
being permitted to go to the tank, and, the fuel valve being opened, this water is
much hotter than that which ordinarily circulates through the return pipe.
The coil of pipe forming the heating vessel is enclosed within a cylindrical
casing of suitable non-conducting material. This casing is closed at the top and
open at the bottom, and it rests upon a suitable base. Within the casing and
centrally located within the coil forming the heating vessel is a burner of the
ordinary Bunsen type which is used to heat the coil and the liquid within it. It
will be understood that the heating vessel may be of another forin than a coil of
pipe and that the burner may be other than a Bunsen, these particular forms being
mentioned because they are in the majority of cases the best for my purpose.
The heating vessel is supplied with liquid from the storage tank or reservoir,
the liquid passing from said tank through a pipe to the thermostat jacket and
theuce through another pipe to the heating vessel: it returns from the top of the
heating vessel through a suitable pipe to the top of the reservoir.
The thermostat consists of a central tube or rod, preferably of zinc, which is
surrounded by a tube and this tube is surrounded by a second tube forming between
them a jacket which forms part of the circulating system. The upper end of the
zine rod bears against a stationary support carried by two non-expanding rods.
These rods rest upon the bracket which carries the heater. The lower end of the
thermostat rod, which is free to move lengthwise, rests against a plate spring which

page_text: is rigidly attached to a lever which is connected to a fuel valve. When the liquid
becomes heated to a predetermined point the thermostat rod expands, the fuel
valve is closed, and as the liquid cools this action is reversed, the liquid being
thereby kept at an even temperature.
The thermostat may be set to operate at different degrees of temperature by
means of a suitable adjusting screw.
The burner tube extends upwards from below the casing which surrounds the
heating vessel to a point midway of said vessel. This tube is surrounded with a
chimney preferably of non-conducting material.
The upper portion of the burner where the light is applied is more or less
inaccessible and in order to light it conveniently I furnish my apparatus with a
pilot light which is carried by a collar sliding on the burner tube. Gas is
conducted in a suitable manner to the pilot light which may be lowered, lighted,
and then raised to light the main burner. A spring is used for holding the pilot
light in its raised position.
The liquid may be drawn from the reservoir at the reservoir temperature, or
boiling water may be drawn from the top of the heating vessel. In using the
apparatus as an instantaneous heater the water, previously heated to the temperature
for which the thermostat is adjusted, is caused to pass directly to the outlet valve
instead of going to the reservoir and the fuel valve is opened simultaneously with
the opening of the outlet valve and a stream of boiling water is maintained so long
as the outlet valve is open and there is water in the reservoir. The route of the
water in this case is from tank to thermostat, to foot of heating vessel or coil and
through latter to outlet valve.
My heater is further provided with means for throwing it out of operation, these
means include two valves, one in the circulating pipe the other in the fuel supply
pipe, so connected that the operation of one operates the other.
Dated this 16th 1
MOSES GRANT WILDER.
D. Young & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Apparatus for Heating Liquids and for Regulating
the Temperature of the same.
I, MOSES GRANT WILDER, of 816 Cherry Street, in the City and County of
Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, one of the United States of America,
Mechanical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
My invention relates to improvements in liquid-heaters, and more particularly
to a combined instantaneous and circulating heater. In carrying out the invention
I empley a storage tank or reservoir, a heating vessel, which is preferably a coil
of pipe, and circulating-pipes leading from the tank to the lower part of the coil
or heating vessel and returning from the upper part of the coil to the tank. I also
employ a thermostat located in the circulating system for automatically regulating
the fuel supply to the burner, a valve for drawing water warmed to the temperature
for which the thermostat is adjusted, a hot-water valve and a connecting-pipe for
drawing hot water directly from the coil or heating vessel, and a connection from

page_text: the hot-water valve to the valve which controls the supply of fuel to the burner, so
arranged that the act of opening the hot-water valve will also open the fuel-valve
and increase the fuel supply to the burner beyond the amount normally allowed by
the thermostat, whereby the water will be rapidly heated as it passes through the
coil, making my apparatus an instantaneous heater as well as a circulating-heater.
I also provide means by which warm water from the tank may be drawn at about
the temperature at which it is maintained automatically by the thermostat. As
shown, this warm water is drawn from the return-pipe which leads from the tank
to the heater. In using the apparatus as an instantaneous heater the hot water is
drawn from the outgoing circulating-pipe which leads from the heater to the tank
instead of being permitted to go to the tank, and, the fuel-valve being opened,
this water is much hotter than that which ordinarily circulates through the
return-pipe.
In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, and in which
similar letters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views,
Figure 1 is a side elevation of my combined instantaneous and circulating
heater.
Fig. 2 is a section through the controlling-valve on line 12, Fig. 3.
Fig. 3 is a section of Fig. 2 on line 3 4.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the heater, the thermostat, and the gas and liquid
pipes and cocks.
Fig. 5 is a front elevation of Fig. 4, the jacket of the heater and the other parts
being shown in section.
Fig. 6 is a view of the thermostat, the upper part being shown in elevation and
the lower part in central sectional elevation.
Fig. 7 is a plan of bracket which supports and guides the upper end of the.
pilot-light.
Fig. 8 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of the burner and its connections,
the lower part of the burner being shown in central sectional elevation.
Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the lower part of the thermostat, the gas-burner,
the boiling-water faucet, and the levers connecting these parts.
The water-heater proper consists of a coil C of pipe inclosed within a cylindrical
casing A, of suitable non-conducting material, resting upon a base B. The casing
is closed at the top and open at the bottom. Within the casing and centrally
located within the coil C is a burner E of the ordinary Bunsen type. The tube h
of the burner extends from below the casing to a point about midway of the height
of the coil.
While I have shown a coil and a Bunsen burner for sake of illustration, it will
be evident that for the purposes of certain leading features of my invention it is
immaterial what form of vessel is used in heating the water or liquid, and also
what form of burner is employed.
I shall hereinafter designate the heating vessel as the "coil," intending
thereby to include any form of heater which can be suitably employed with my
invention.
The coil C is supplied with liquid from a tank F through a pipe I, thermostat-
jacket G, and pipe J, and the liquid retures from the top of the coil through a
pipe L to the upper portion of tank F. The pipes 1, J, and L, I shall hereinafter
designate as "circulating pipes." The thermostat consists of a central tube or
rod M, preferably of zinc, (best shown in Fig. 6,) the upper end of which bears
against a stationary support N, carried by two non-expanding rods U. As shown,
the rods U rest upon the bracket S, which carries the heater. The lower end
of the thermostat-rod M bears upon a plate-spring b rigidly attached to a lever a.
The rod M is free to move length-wise within a tube O. Surrounding the tube O
is a second tube or pipe R, forming between them a jacket G, in which the water
circulates from the pipe I to the pipe J. The tubes O. and R are secured to
casings P P. The pipe I leads into the casing P' and the pipe J. communicates
with the casing P. The outer tube R is sustained in a collar T by a set-screw, the

page_text: collar resting upon the bracket S. The lever a is pivoted, as shown, to a lug V
upon the lower head or casing P.
The fuel used in the illustrated apparatus is gas, and the supply is controlled by
a fuel-valve e, which is normally forced away from its seat by a spring f, as shown
in detail in Fig. 8, the spring facting upon a collar f' on the valve-stem d. One
end of the lever a bears upon the valve-stem d and tends to close the valve as the
thermostat-rod M expands. In order to vary the effect of the thermostat, I
provide the lever a with an adjusting screw c, which forms the seat for the valve-
stem d.
The burner tube extends upward from a point below the casing A to a point
midway of the height of the coil. This burner-tube is surrounded by a chimney D.
preferably of non-conducting material, and the lower half of the coil is located
between said chimney and the casing A. The upper portion of the burner, where
the light is applied, is more or less inaccessible, and in order to light it conveniently
I have provided a pilot-light r. This light is carried by a collar t, which slides
upon the burner-tube 4, and gas is supplied to the light by a flexible tube S, which
is connected to a projecting tube on the lower side of the collar t. The collar tis
sustained by an operating-rod having a knob or handle u.
This rod is attached
to the collar in any suitable manner, and it slides through a perforation in a
bracket R upon the burner. When raised, the knob u engages frictionally with a
spring v, and the light is thus held at a position even with the top of the main
burner. The gas to the main burner is turned off independently of the pilot-light
by means of a valve Y, and the pilot-light is intended to burn permanently.
Hence when the gas is turned on from the main burner it lights instantly from
the pilot-light. When it is desired to light the latter, the rod is drawn down
until the upper end of the tube R is accessible below the base of the apparatus.
By means of the apparatus described the water in the tank F may be kept
uniformly at any temperature for which the thermostat is adjusted by means of the
set-screw c. If set for 180 degrees, for instance, the fuel-valve will be gradually
closed as thetemperature of the water circulating through the jacket of the
thermostat increases, and when the temperature reaches the predetermined point
the opening of the valve will be approximately what is necessary to maintain the
temperature at that point.
There is a connection H from the main or source of supply to the tank F.
When it is desired to draw water from the tank at the tank temperature, it
may be drawn through the circulating-pipe I and, as shown, through a connecting-
pipe n and a valve o When the valve o' is opened, the reduced pressure in the
pipe R and coil will cause the valve p' to close and water will pass to the valve o'
only through the pipe I. When boiling-hot water is required, it is drawn directly
from the upper portion of the coil, or, as shown, from a pipe i, connecting with
the coil and pipe L through a valve j. In the pipe L, between its junction with
the pipe and the tank, there is a check-valve pl to prevent water from passing
through the pipe L directly to the pipe i when the valve j is opened. As shown,
this check-valve is inclosed in a casing K having a compartment L2, with which
the pipes i and the coil C communicate, a chamber L, in which the valve is
located, the valve-opening L' between the chambers L L2, and a chamber L³
communicating with the chamber L' and with the pipe L. When the hot-water
valve is closed, the water circulates from the coil C through the opening L
and the chambers of the casing to the pipe L, and thence to the tank, the valve pl
opening freely. When, however, the valve j is opened, the pressure in the
chamber L2 is reduced and the preponderating pressure in the chamber L' closes
the valve. The valve-chamber L' is closed by a screw-cap K', which permits of
ready access to the valve. When water hotter than the water in the tank is
required, it may be instantly furnished by increasing the heat of the burner, so as
to heat the water rapidly in the coil, and drawing the water from the valve j, as
above described.
In order to increase the effect of the burner, I provide means for automatically

page_text: opening the fuel-valve when the hot-water-delivery valve is opened, said means
working independently of the thermostat. As shown, this means consists of a
cam k, which is attached to and turns with the hot-water valve i, and a cam-
lever 1, pivoted at m, one end of the lever bearing upon the cam and the other end
bearing upon the lever a, as best shown in Fig. 9.
When the heater is used as a circulating-heater under the control of the
thermostat, spring b is stiff enough to move the lever a and the fuel-valve, the
lever being lowered, so as to not interfere with the movements of lever a.
When, however, hot water is wanted instantaneously and the valvej is opened, the
cam rocks the lever 1, which in turn rocks the lever a, the spring yielding to
permit lever a to move under the influence of the cam-lever. These parts constitute
a train of mechanism hetween the hot-water valve and the fuel-valve, which is
operated positively by the cam, said cam operating to lock the fuel-valve in its
open position when the hot-water valve is open. The effect of this movement is
1o open the fuel-valve and to largely increase the supply of fuel to the burner
while the hot-water valve is open.
In using the apparatus as an instantaneous heater the water, previously heated
to the temperature for which the thermostat is adjusted, is causel to pass directly
to the outlet of valve j instead of going to the tank through the pipe L, and as the
fuel-valve is opened simultaneously with valvej the water within the cuil (which is
supplied from the tank through pipe I and the thermostat) is rapidly heated by the
full power of the fuel-burner as long as valve j remains open. Thus a boiling
temperature is readily reached, and a stream of boiling water can be secured so
long as the valve remains open, the route of the water being from tank to
thermostat through pipe I, thence to the foot of coil and upward through the coil
to pipe i, and to valve j.
1 provide means for throwing the heater out of use which includes two valves-
one in the circulating-pipe and another in the fuel-supply pipe-so connected that
the operation of one will effect the operation of the other.
As shown, there is a valve X in the circulating-pipe J and a valve Y in the
fuel-supply pipe. The stems of these valves are respectively provided with arms a
and y, which arms are connected by a rod z. The valve X is provided with a
handle. When this handle is operated to open the valve X, the valve Y is
simultaneously opened through the connection, and by reverse movement of the
handle the two valves are closed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. In a liquid-heater, the combination with a coil, and a hot-water-delivery
valve for drawing water from said coil, of a burner for heating the coil, a fuel-
valve for regulating the supply of fuel to the burner, a cam connected to and
turning with the said water-valve, and connections between said cam and the fuel-
valve whereby the amount of fuel supplied to the burner is increased when the
water-valve is opened, substantially as described.
2. In a liquid-heater, the combination with a coil, a hot-water-delivery valve
for drawing water from said coil, a burner for heating the coil, and a valve for
regulating the supply of fuel to the burner of a thermostat acted upon by the
water circulating through the coil, a connection between the thermostat and the
fuel-valve to regulate the supply of fuel automatically, and means controlled by
the said water-valve for shifting said connection to pan the fuel-valve when the
water-valve is opened, substantially as described.
3. In a liquid-heater, the combination with a coil, a hot-water-delivery valve
for drawing water from said coil, a burner for beating the coil, and a fuel-valve
for regulating the supply of fuel to the burner, of a thermostat, connections between
the thermostat and the fuel-valve through which the thermostat auto.natically
regulates said valve, said connections having a yielding portion, and a positive

page_text: connection between the hot-water valve and said fuel-valve, whereby the said
yielding portion is overcome, and the fuel-valve opened, when the hot-water valve
is opened, substantially as described.
4. In a liquid-beater, the combination of a coil, a hot-water-delivery valve for
drawing water from said coil, a burner for heating the coil, and a fuel-valve for
regulating the supply of fuel to the burner, with a thermostat having an expansible
rod, a lever a provided with a spring upon which said rod bears, one end of said
lever being arranged to operate upon the fuel-valve, a cam connected to and
turning with the water-valve, and a cam-lever operated by said cam and operating
upon the lever a whereby the fuel-valve is opened upon the opening of the water-
valve, substantially as described.
5. In a liquid-heater, the combination with the vertical casing closed at the
top, of a burner within and located about midway of the height of the casing, and
a pilot-light consisting of a small burner vertically movable from the bottom of
the casing to the top of the main burner, means for supporting and guiding said
pilot-light adjacent to the main burner, and means for holding said light in its
elevated position, substantially as described.
6. The combination with a water-heater provided with a discharge-valve, of
a gas-burner provided with a valve and situated contiguous to said water-heater,
a thermostatic device contiguous to the water heater, a train of mechanism
extending between the discharge-valve and the valve of the gas-burner, and
a yielding connection between the thermostatic device and said train of mechanism,
substantially as described.
7. The combination with a water-heater provided with a discharge-valve, of a
gas-burner provided with a valve and situated contiguous to said water-heater,
a thermostatic device contiguous to the water-heater, a train of mechanism
..extending between the discharge-valve and the valve of the gas-burner, a yielding
connection between the thermostatic device and said train of mechanism, and
means for locking said train of mechanism when the discharge-valve is open,
substantially as described.
Dated this 12th day of December 1896
MOSES GRANT WILDER.
D. Young & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
MOSES GRANT WILDER.
D. Young & Co.,
11 & 12 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.