Improvements in Apparatus for Preventing the Bursting of Water- Pipes by Freezing.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Dec., 1898-Accepted, 11th Feb., 1899
CUMPLEIE
Improvements in Apparatus for Preventing the Bursting of Water-
Pipes by Freezing.
I, NEVIL MONROE HOPKINS, a citizen of the United States, residing at No. 1833,
Jefferson Place, in the City of Washington, District of Columbia, U S. A, Elec-
trician, 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
In order to canly out my invention in the most efficient manner, I have in-
vented certain novel combinations, constructions and organizations of instrumen-
talities hereinafter set forth and specifically designated in the claims at the end
of this specification
The accompanying drawings show several convenient and effective devices for
practising my invention in the best way now known to me.
Figure 1 represents a view in elevation of a horizontal pipe provided with
several of what I term my improved expansion chambers or joints,
Fig 2 a vertical ceutial longitudinal section through one such expansion
chamber or joint with its couplings and pipes,
Fig 3, a plan view of the above named parts, with the expansion chamber in
section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and
Fig 4, a vertical, central, cross section through the expansion-chamber, on
the line 44, of Fig. 2,,
Figs 2, 3 and 4 are on an enlarged scale
Fig represents a central longitudinal section through a vertical pipe having
the expansion-chamber in line with the inlet pipe, and with the outlet pipe in a
different axial plane on line from the inlet,
Fig. 6 represents a central longitudinal section through a straight pipe having
a laterally aanged expansion-chamber
Figs 1 to 4, both inclusive, sbow sections, a, of a horizontally arranged pipe, A,
connected at suitable intervals with the expansion-chamber, B, by the usual
screw-couplings, C, or other suitable connections
These expansion-chambers, B, are shown as constructed with domes, b, extend-
ing laterally above the axial line of the conduit or pipe to constitute chambers
to contain air The bottom or opposite face of the expansion-chamber is pro-
vided with an inwardly on upwardly projecting transveise flange or rib b¹, form-
ing a double inclined plane, Fig 2, to deflect the expanding ice laterally or ver-
tically in the expansion-chamber. This rib or flange greatly facilitates lateral
deflection of the ice, and relieves the pressure onl the pipe
obtained the best results by making the rib extend entirely across
the side of the chamber or pipe. I have also obtained better results by
enlarging the expansion chamber laterally both horizontally, and vertically, as
shown in Fig 3, so that the chamber shall be larger than the pipe in both
directions.
I have
I have found, in practice, that a pipe one inch in diameter and five feet long,
will, when the water therein is frozen, cause a column of ice about two inches

page_text: long to be forced out of the tube This result, considered in connection with the
well known law of the rate of expansion of water in freezing, affords a basis
for readily calculating the amount of space to be provided, and the necessary
capacity of the expansion-chamber. I have produced effective results with a one
inch pipe provided with expansion-chambers at intervals of five feet
Figs 5 and 6 show my invention as adapted to vertical pipes. In Fig 5 it
will be seen that the inlet and outlet pipes, a, al, of the conduit are arranged in
different planes, and the expansion-chamber, B, is arranged in the line of the
inlet-pipe, a. This organization enables me to dispense with the deflecting
flange, hereinbefore described. as the column of water is deflected laterally
while the expansion is longitudinal in the pipe, a, below the dome, while the
expansion in the pipe, a', 18 taken up by the next dome above, not shown in the
drawing, however
The deflecting-flange, b¹, is, however, necessary in the modification shown in
Fig 6, as the pipe is straight or continuous, and the expansion-chamber, B, ia
arranged on one side of the pipe, as in Figs 1, 2, 3 and 4, instead of being in
the direct line of the inlet-pipe, as in Fig. 5
I have described my invention with reference to the straight, horizontal or
vertical pipes shown in the drawings, but the organization 14 obviously equally
applicable to pipes curved in any desired duertion, or inclined at any desired
angle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is.-
1. The combination of a water--pipe, an expausion-chamber connected there-
with and a trausverse rib or flange therein to deflect the freezing water or ice
laterally
2 The combination of a water-pipe, a separate expansion-chamber opening
thereinto, and a deflecting-flange or rib in the pipe opposite the mouth of the
expansion-chamber.
3. The combination of a water-pipe composed of connected sections arranged
in different axial planes, and an expansion-chamber forming a prolongation of
one of the sections to receive the end of the column of the expanded freezing
water or ice.
4. The means for preventing water pipes from freezing, substantially as herein
described.
DI
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