Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 29th June, 1897-Accepted, 31st July, 1897
I, GEORGE BRINTON FRALEY, of 147 North 12th Street, Philadelphia, Penn-
sylvania, United States of America, Electrical 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:-
The invention consists of an improved construction of electric heater, which is
simple in construction and effective and economical in its operation, provision
being made for enabling the blocks, spheres or other shaped cléments, which may
be carbon or other conductive material, to be automatically fed and readily visible
when the current is passing through the same, thereby adding a pleasing effect to
the apparatus while in operation, and thus affording a source of light as well as
heat.
It also consists of novel means for causing the conductive elements to automatic-
ally contact with each other until thoy are entirely used up or disintegrated,
provision being made for removing the particles or refuse of disintegration without
interrupting the operation of the heater.
It further consists of novel details of construction, all as will be hereinafter set
forth.
Referring to the drawings:
Figure represents a front elevation of an electric heater embodying my
invention.
Figure 2 represents a section on line a, a, Figure 1.
•
Figure 3 represents a modified form of conductive elements which may be
employed.
Figure 4, 5 and 6 represents modified constructions of heating blocks which may
be employed.
Figures 7 and 8 represent modified constructions of blocks having heating
devices located therein, to be hereinafter referred to.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.
A designates the base of the heater, and B the lower casing which is supported
thereupon, the upper casing B being supported upon said lower casing B'.
C designates a triangular or other shaped hollow block, which may be of fire-
brick or other suitable material, the same consisting of the base portion E, the
upright wall D and the inclined wall, which is provided with a U-shaped
channel G' therein, whose contour will be apparent from Figure 1, the block C
in the present instance having substantially the form of a right-angled triangle of
which the long side or wall T is the hypothenuse, although it will of course be
evident that said block may have other shapes, and that the channel need not
necessarily be of U-shape in every instance.
J designates a slot in the rear of the wall through which particles fall from
the elements H, which are supported in the U-shaped channel G during the opera-
tion of the apparatus, all the refuse and products of disintegration, etc., being
received upon the base E, and readily removed therefrom by suitable doors or
openings, not shown, in the back of the apparatus, or by other convenient means.
ED
01
I

page_text: The front of the wall F is partially open, so that the conductive elements or
spheres H can be seen therethrough, as indicated in Figure 1, thereby enabling the
same to be visible when heated of incandescent, and to radiate the heat from the
apparatus with great effectiveness, thereby adding to the cheerfulness of the apart-
ment in which the heater may be located.
K designates shells or tubes of metal or other suitable material which are sup-
ported upon the upper portion of the block C and are adapted to also receive a
portion of the elements H, all of the latter being held in juxtaposition by means of
the blocks or weights L, which are constructed of suitable conductive material and
are placed in the upper portion of said tubes K, which latter it will be seen form a
continuation of the U-shaped 'channel G.
M designates a pin or stud which is attached to each of the blocks L, and is
adapted to slide in the upright slot N, the walls of which latter serve as a guide
therefor, the descent of said blocks being limited by the contact of said pin with
the lower wall of said slot.
P designates a series of covers or caps which are suitably supported, and permit
access to the interior for the purpose of inspection, repairs, etc.
Q designates doors which are mounted upon the wall of the casing A, so as
to cover the channels G, said. doors being provided with mica or similar trans-
parent material, through which the effect of the incandescent or highly heated
elements can be readily observed.
R.designates a modified form of blocks of suitable conductive material which may
be used instead of the spheres H if desired, said blocks consisting of the body
portion S and the pointed, tapered or truncated ends T, which are adapted to con-
tact with each other when the apparatus is in operation.
U and V designate respectively conductors for ingress and egress of electricity.
The operation is as follows:
The current is conducted into one of the blocks L through one of the conductors
as U. and after passing through the elements H is then conveyed from the adjacent
block L of the circuit through the other conductor as V, whereupon the conduc-
tive elements contained in the channels will be heated to incandescence, and, will
effectively and economically afford heat as well as light, especial, attention being
called to the fact that as the said elements in said channel or channels disintegrate,
they still by reason of the force of gravity continue their contact with each other,
whereby it will be seen that the apparatus is automatic and self-feeding by reason
of the contour of the channels G within which the conductive elements are .con-
tained, it being necessary when it is desired to replenish said recess or channel G
to merely remove the caps P, and the weights or blocks L and insert additional
elements in place.
The descent of the blocks or weiglits L is limited by the contact of the pins M
with the lower wall of the recesses N. of the tubes K, as stated, thus indicating
when it is time to replenish the chamber G with the conductive elements.
It will of course be understood that any desired. number, of, the channels or
recesses G may be assembled in proximity to each other according to the size of the
'heater required, and that although I have shown two in the present instance as
in Figure 1, the number of the same may be, increased or diminished according
to requirements, and that when the heater is in operation, the parts are all practi-
cally inclosed air tight within the casing, and a partial combustion takes place
behind the elements. H as. is evident..
;
It will be understood that although I have shown the channel within the block
as U-shaped, I do not desire to be limited thereto in every instance.
If desired, I may employ for the heating and conducting device in the place of
the ecggregated or independent elements seen in Figures. 1 to 3 inclusive, the
blocks seen in Figures 4 to 8 inclusive, it being of course, understood that the
necessary changes will be made in, the casing seen in said Figures 1 to 3, to enable
said blocks to be placed in position.
,,

page_text: • Referring first to Figure 4, A¹ designates one form of heating block, the same
consisting of the members B, C and D which have the, sinuous grooves..or
channels F, C and H therein, the general arrangement and contour thereof being
evident from said Figure 4, said grooves terminating in the terminals J, Ki
and the members composing said 'block in which said grooves are, located, being
held in assembled position by the rods' or bolts E¹.
In Figure 5, L¹ designates another form of heating block, the same consisting
of the members M, N and P1, which are held together by bolts or rods Q', said
block L having an angular shaped groove R therein which is provided with the
terminals Si T. The heating device. U seen in Figure 6, is composed of a
plurality of blocks V₁, which are held together by the bolts Wi, said blocks having
the sinuous groove X' therein, which is provided with the terminals Y¹, Z'.
It will be understood that the conductor X' last referred to, is formed by groov-
ing or recessing the assembled blocks to the desired depth, and painting the same
with a composition of plumbago or carbon, which is pulverized and commingled
by the medium of any suitable saccharine material.
The grooves or recesses seen in the blocks A and U¹ are usually in practice
painted every time said blocks are used with the composition of plumbago or
carbon and saccharine material above referred to.
In the construction seen in Figure 4, the sinuous grooves shown in the block A,
extending intermediate of the terminals J, X' are filled with carbonized paper,
silk or other suitable analogous conductive material.
I
In the construction seen in Figure 7, A³ designates another form of heating
device, the same consisting of the blocks Ds which are held in juxtaposition in
any suitable manner, said blocks having held there between the conductor E³,
which has the projecting legs Fa, said conductor being struck up from a plate of
metal or other conductor by any suitable means.
In like manner, the heating device G2 seen in Figure 8, consists of a plurality
of blocks H2, held in assembled position by any suitable means, and having
embedded therein in an analogous manner to Figure 7, the conductor J³, the
latter consisting of a body portion or strip, which has the projecting legs K³
attached thereto, the current passing through the conductor E and Ja in each
instance, and by reason of the resistance of the latter heating the same to a high
degree, and consequently the contiguous blocks between which the conductor is
held.
The function of the legs For K³ is to assist in the retention of the strips or
conductors E8, J2 in position, it being of course understood that in practice, the
top of the strip or conductor preferably terminates near or projects slightly beyond
the top of the contiguous blocks, and that a plurality of blocks and conductors is
employed which can be arranged in substantially the manner seen in Figures 5
and 6 if desired; the current being conducted to and from the above heating devices
in any suitable manner.
It will of course be understood that if desired, the pair of blocks seen in
Figures 4 to 6 inclusive, may be placed oppositely to each other, and electricity
conducted thereto by any suitable means, said blocks then being capable of being
utilized as broilers to cook or heat the articles held there between.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I, declare that what I
claim is:
1. In an electric heater, a block having a substantially upright channel therein,
independent elements of conductive material located in said channel, means for
causing said elements to contact with each other throughout the operation of the
heater and means for supplying electricity to said'elements.
2. In an electric heater, a block of fire-brick or other suitable material having a
channel located in the same; in combination with conductive elements located
within said channel, the front of the latter being cut away so that said elements

page_text: are visible therethrough, while the rear of the channel is slotted so as to permit
the refuse: products of disintegration; etc., to fall therefrom!
3. In an electric heater, a block of fire-brick or similar material, a U-shaped
cliannel therein, tubes suitably supported above said channel and 'forming continua-
tions of the latter, conductive elements located in said channel, a weight or block
held in each of said tubes and adapted to bear upon said elements, and a casing
for said heater.
:
い
4. In an electric heater, a block of fire-brick or similar material having an
inclined side, a U-shaped channel therein, elements of conductive material con-
tained in said chamber, the latter being open at its top and slotted at its rear
doors of transparent material attached to said side, and means for causing said
elements to always contact with each other."
5. In an electric heater, a block having a channel therein, elements of 'conduc-
tive material located in said block, a chamber in the rear of said channel and in
communication with the latter, and means for causing said elements to always
contact with each other.
1
6. In an electric heater, a block having a channel therein open in front and rear
and suitably inclosed; a plurality of conductive clements located in said channel,
means for keeping said elements in contact with each other, and means for con-
ducting electricity through said elements.
7. In an electric heater, a block having an upright U-shaped channel, a plurality
of elements contained therein, means for causing said elements to automatically
contact with each other and means for indicating, when said channel should be
replenished.
8. In an electric heater, a block having a channel and a plurality of conductive
elements contained therein, in combination with means for indicating when said
channel should lie replenished, and means for causing said elements to contact
with each other.
9. In an electric heater, a block having a plurality of channels therein upright
tubes forming continuations thereof, a plurality of elements of conductive material
contained in said channel, weights resting on said material and contained in said
tubes, slots in the latter, and projections on said weights adapted to pass through
said slots.
10. In an electric heater, a block having an upright channel therein, conduc-
tive elements located in said-channel, weights resting on said elements, means for
supplying electricity to the latter, and means for limiting the downward' movement
of said weights.
1
11. In an electric heater, a block having a channel therein, and elements of
conductive material located in said channel, in combination with means for causing
said elements to contact with each other, and means for supplying an electric
current to said elements.
12. In an electric heater, a series of independent elements of conductive material,
means for holding said elements in juxtaposition, and means for causing said
elements to contact with each other, in combination with means for supplying
electricity to said elements.
'
13. In combination with an electric heater, a plurality of heating blocks, a
conductor embedded in said blocks, said conductor; having projecting legs, and
means for electrically heating said conductor.
919
14. In an electric heater, a heating device consisting of a plurality of blocks and
a conductor held therebetween, said conductor consisting of a strip of suitable
material having its edge terminating near the face of said blocks, ineans for hold-
ing the latter and said strip in assembled position, and means for electrically
heating said strip.
15. In an electric heater, a heating device consisting of a plurality of blocks,
and' a conductor held therebetween, said conductor consisting of a strip of suitable
material having its edge terminating at or near the face of said blocks, legs
1

page_text: attached to said strip, means for holding the latter and said blocks in assembled
position, and means for electrically 'leating said strip.
16. In an electric heating device, a plurality of blocks, means for holding said
blocks in assembled position, and a sinuous or other shaped groove located in the
faces of said blocks, said grooves being painted with a composition of plumbago or
carbon, the latter being pulverized and commingled by means of any suitable
saccharine material.
17. In an electric heating device, a plurality of blocks means for holding the
same in assembled position, and grooves in said blocks, said grooves being filled
with carbonized paper, silk or other analogous conducting material:
Dated in 90.1 of Tu 1907
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.