Improvements in Automatic Water Heaters.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Aug., 1898-Accepted, 19th Nov., 1898
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Automatic Water Heaters.
We, WILLIAM LAURENCE MILLER, Machinist, of City of Pittsburgh, County
of Allegheny, State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, and HARRY
PRESCOTT SIMPSON, Manufacturer, of City of Pittsburgh, County of Allegheny,
State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The object of the invention is to provide an improvement in automatic water
heaters; to this end, the present invention consists in new and improved means
for regulating the supply of heat to the water receptacle, in new and improved
burners and in certain combinations and features of construction all as herein-
after fully set forth.
The present invention particularly relates to certain improvements in an in-
stantaneous water heater in which the supply of heat to a water receptacle in
which the water is to be heated, is controlled by variations in the pressure of the
water in the outlet pipe or a passage from the water receptacle, caused by open-
ing or closing, or partly opening or closing one or more valves or faucets, in the
outlet pipe or passage.
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an application of the invention,
Figure 1, is a central vertical sectional view constructed in accordance with my
invention; Figure 2, a top plan view of the regulator casing and of the burners
attached thereto, and Figure 3, a central vertical section through a modified form
of regulator.
Referring to the drawings, a heating coil, 1, is shown enclosed in a casing, 2,
preferably lined with non-conducting material, 3, and supported on standards, 4.
In the drawings, I have shown the heating coil formed of a tube, or pipe, which
is flattened or approximately elliptical in cross section, but having its end
portions, 5, and 56, circular in cross section. This tube, or pipe, is made of thin
copper or other good conducting material. This particular form of tubing or
piping is preferable to the usual piping heretofore employed in water heaters,
and the object in giving the piping the particular form referred to, is to increase
the heating effect by increasing the heating surface relative to the quantity of
water contained in the coil without increasing the length of the pipe. We do
not, however, desire to be limited to the particular form of piping or tubing above
described, as it may sometimes be more convenient to employ the usual style of
piping, which is circular in cross section throughout its length.
The inlet end, 5, of the coil, is connected with one end of the branch pipe from
the water supply main and these pipes are at all times in open communication
with one another through passage, G. The outlet end, 5b, of the coil is also con-
nected with the regulator and in open communication through passage, 6ª, with
an outlet pipe which leads to the outlet valves, or faucets, through which the hot
water is drawn for use. As shown in Figure 1, the regulator comprises an upper
portion, 7, and a lower portion, 8; the upper portion, 7, is provided with means
CD 077

page_text: for connecting the inlet end, 5", of the coil, and the end of the branch pipe from
the water supply main with the regulator and lower portion, 8, is provided with
similar means for connecting the outlet end 5b, of the coil and the outlet pipe
which leads to the outlet valves, or faucets, with the regulator. The connecting
means comprise unions, 9, and 93, rigidly secured to the lower ends of the coil;
and are each respectively connected with screw-threaded short pipes, 10, and 10".
The inlet end, 5, of the coil and the branch pipe from the water supply main
are connected with the regulator by union, 9; and the outlet end, 5b, of the coil
and the outlet pipe which leads to the valves or faucets by the union, 9". The
upper and lower portions, 7, and 8, of the regulator, are secured together by
bolts, 11, and between them is clamped a movable abutment, or diaphragm, 12,
which divides the interior into two chambers, 13, and 14. The upper chamber, 13,
is at all times in open communication with the water supply main and the inlet end
of the heating coil, through the passages, 6, and 15, and a very small passage, 16.
The object in making the passage, 16, of such small diameter, will be fully
hereinafter pointed out, as this passage forms a characteristic feature in the
present invention.
The lower chamber, 14, is at all times in open communication through
passage, 17, with the outlet pipe which leads to the valves, or faucets, through
which hot water is drawn for use.
Above the movable abutment or diaphragm, 12, is a small diaphragm, 18,
securely held in place between the upper portion of the regulator and an annular
plate, 19, by small screws, 20. The two diaphragms, 12, and 18 are connected
together by means of a stem, 21, and plates and nuts, or they may be connected
by any suitable means which will cause them to move together. A gas control-
ling valve, 22, is secured to the upper end of the stem, 21, and is adapted to be
moved by the diaphragms. The small diaphragm, 18, separates the upper water
chamber, 13, from the gas valve chamber. The valve is normally held closed by
the upward pressure of the water on the underside of the diaphragm, 12, and
by the upward pressure of the spring, 23, and in case of the water being shut off
from the main or of any breakage of the pipes, the gas valve will be closed by
the spring, 23.
A gas supply pipe is connected with a passage, or opening, 24, in the upper
portion of the regulator casing; gas passes from the passage, 24, through a
passage, 25, into the valve chamber. The valve, 22, controls the supply of gas
to the cylindrical distributing chamber, 26, from which chamber some of the gas
flows through passage, 27, to jet orifice, 28, and thence to the central burner, 30,
and some through the radial passages, 31, to the several jets, 32, of the nipples, 32",
secured to the upper portion of the regulator, and thence to the burners, 33.
The central burner, 30, as well as the other burners, 33, are preferably cylindrical
in shape and are provided with openings, 34, through which the mixed air and
gas pass from the interior of the burners and at which openings gas is ignited.
All of the burners are provided near their lower ends with openings, 35, through
which air is admitted. The air openings in each burner being on about the
same plane as the horizontal plane on which the jet orifice of the burner is
situated. The upper portion 34 of the burners is preferably shaped so as to form
The openings
crescent openings; these openings are clearly shown in Figure 2.
at the upper ends of the burners are formed by compressing the edges of an
ordinary piece of pipe so as to reduce the size of the opening to any desired
degree so
The upper end of the central
a8 to obtain the best results."
burner has its opposite sides pressed toward one another so as to bring the
opening in a central position, and the other burners have the openings formed
in them by indenting one side only. The outer circle of burners all have their
crescent shaped openings all turned in different directions so as to provide a good
distribution of flame.
A pipe, 36, leads from the interior of the passage, 24, and is provided at its
upper end with a pilot burner having a plug-cap with a curved or hooded extension
thereon forming a flame spreader and deflector, 38, and a deflector, 39, for protect-

page_text: ing the flame from currents of air. The pipe, 36, is provided with air
openings, 39, and a jet orifice for gas is located near the lower end of the pipe.
The small light from this pilot burner is kept constantly burning for the pur-
pose of igniting the gas from the openings of the burner, 30, and the burners 33.
In case of any explosion of gas in the upper part of the chamber or any down-
ward or upward drafts of air, the flame of the pilot light will be protected by
the deflectors, 38, and 39, and the form of the upper hood or cap, 38, such that
it will also prevent the flame from being blown out by any lateral draft of air,
the inner surface of the hood acting as a deflector.
In Figure 3, of the drawings, I have shown a modified form of heat regulator,
the essential difference being, that in this instance, I employ a piston, 42, for
moving the valve, 22, in place of the diaphragms, 12, and 18, above described.
A characteristic feature of the present invention is the means shown for main-
taining the desired pressure of water in the upper water chamber, 13, and the
primary object of this construction is to maintain a uniform pressure within the
chamber, said pressure being practically unaffected by the variation of the pres-
sures in the coil or in the lower water chamber, 14, or the pressure in the outlet
from the coil. This construction renders the regulator exceedingly sensitive to
the variations in the pressure of water in the outlet pipe, caused by opening or
closing, or partly opening or closing, a valve, or faucet, through which hot water
is drawn for use. I am enabled to maintain this uniform pressure in the upper
water chamber, 13, by means of the small passage, 16, the cross section of which
is considerably less than the cross section of the passage, 15, which latter passage
is much less in cross section than the passage, 6, with which it is in open com-
munication. As the variation in the pressure within the chamber, 13, in the
construction of the regulator, and its passages above described, depends on the
size of the passage in immediate communication with the chamber, it is evident
that the smaller this passage, the less liable is the pressure within the chamber
to variation. By making this passage, 16, quite small, as shown, the pressure
within the chamber, 13, is practically invariable so long as the pressure in the
main is constant, and no sudden variation in the pressure in the chamber, 13, will
be caused by the variations of the pressure in the coil. The constant pressure acting
on the upper side of the diaphragm, 12, will unseat the gas valve, when a reduc-
tion of pressure is made in the pipe leading to the faucet, and this movement will
be effected immediately on such reduction, and independently of the flow through
the passage, 6, or through the coil.
The branch pipe from the water supply main, with which the passage, 6, com-
municates, is usually connected with the cold water faucets, and when those
faucets are opened or closed, a sudden variation of pressure is liable to be effected
in the passage, 6, but with my improved construction, no such sudden variation
is felt above the abutment, 12, on account of the restricted passage, 16. Any
reduction of pressure in the passage, 6, caused by opening one or more faucets,
even if it should be felt above the abutment, or diaphragm, 12, would, ordinarily,
not cause any objectionable effects as it would only cause the gas valve to be held
more tightly to its seat, and the reduction would not be sufficient to prevent the
opening of the gas valve when one or more of the hot water faucets were opened.
But it often happens that in closing the cold water faucets a sudden rise of pres-
sure is caused in the passage, 6, by what may be termed a ramming action of
the water, the flow of which has been suddenly checked by closing the faucet,
and it is in this connection that my improvement is specially advantageous, as the
restricted passage, 16, prevents a corresponding rise, or sudden variation of
pressure above the diaphragm, 12, and thereby prevents the unseating of the
gas valve by any manipulation whatever of the cold water faucets.
The new and improved burners above described, form an important feature in
the present invention, and their arrangement under the heating coil, as shown
in the drawings, is a very desirable arrangement, enabling the flame to come
in contact with the coil at various points along the surface of the coil, thereby

page_text: insuring a very quick heating of the water, passing through the coil. I have
shown a central burner, and a series of burners arranged in a circle having as
its centre the centre of the central burner.
The outer burners are secured to the upper part of the regulator casing, by
means of the screw-threaded nipples, 32", and project into the interior of the
casing, 2, through holes in the base, 40. The upper portion of the regulator
casing is secured to the base plate, 40, by means of the screw-threaded nipple, 41,
which forms the nozzle of the central burner, and when the ends of the coil are
secured, as shown, to the regulator, the coil, the regulator, and the burners are
supported from the nipple, 41. By removing the lower nuts, 42, and 42, and
the lead or other suitable washers 43, the coil may be lifted out through the top
of the casing, 2, and the regulator may then be detached from the base, 40.
The parts, 9, and 9ª, are rigidly secured to the lower ends of the pipes, 5ª,
and 5b, by brazing or otherwise, and a tight joint is made around the short
pipes, 10, and 10", by means of the washers, 43, and nuts, 42.
By the construction of my heater, as herein described and shown by the draw-
ings, the water from the supply main has a free and uninterrupted passage to
the faucet in the service pipe through which hot water is drawn for use. Water
from the main is supplied to the heater through the branch pipe from the main,
through passage, 6, and will fill the water chamber, 13, above the diaphragm, 12,
and the heating coil, 1; the chamber, 14, below the diaphragm, 12, the outlet
pipe from the coil and the service pipe in which the faucets for drawing off the
hot water from the heater are located. When no water is being drawn from the
heater, the pressure in both the chambers, 13, and 14, is such that the gas
valve, 22, will be kept closed by the differential water pressure on the diaphragms
and by the pressure of the springs, 23. When it is desired to use hot water an
outlet valve is opened, this immediately causes a reduction of pressure in the
lower water chamber, 14, causing the opening of the gas valve, 22, and permit-
ting gas to flow to the distributing chamber, 26, and from thence through
passage, 27, to the central burner, 30, and through pipes, 31, to burners, 33. Air
is admitted to the several burners through openings, 35, and as the mixed air and
gas escape through the openings in the top of the burners, the mixture will be
ignited by the flame from the pilot burner on the small pipe, 36.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In an automatic water heater, the combination, with a receptacle for water
to be heated having an inlet and an outlet pipe, of a heat regulator comprising
an abutment or diaphragm, whose movement controls the supply of heat, a
restricted passage for the admission of water from the inlet pipe to the chamber
on one side of the abutment, and a comparatively free passage through which
the chamber on the other side of the abutment communicates with the outlet
pipe, or passage, substantially as set forth.
2. In an automatic water heater, the combination, with a heating coil, of a
1covable abutment, for controlling the supply of heat thereto, one side of which 4
is exposed to pressure from the inlet to the coil by means of a restricted passage
for preventing sudden variations of pressure on that side of the abutment by
variations of the pressure or flow in the inlet passage or coil, and the other side
of the abutment being exposed to the pressure in the outlet, substantially as
set forth.
J
3. In an automatic water heater, the combination, with the water receptacle
having an inlet and an outlet pipe, a heat regulator comprising a movable abut-
ment adapted to be operated by variation of pressure in the outlet, said regulator
having passages communicating with the inlet and outlet pipes, the passage in
immediate communication with the regulator from the inlet being much smaller 5
than the corresponding passage from the outlet, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 4. In an automatic water heater, the combination, with a water receptacle having
an inlet and an outlet pipe, a heat regulator adapted to be operated by variation
of pressure in the outlet, said regulator connected with the inlet and outlet pipes,
an abutment or diaphragm dividing the interior of the regulator into an upper
and a lower water chamber, passages communicating with the two chambers from
the inlet and outlet pipes, a passage from the inlet in immediate communication
with the upper water chamber being much smaller than the corresponding
passage from the outlet to the lower water chamber, substantially as set forth.
5. In an automatic water heater, the combination, with a water receptacle
having inlet and outlet passages of a heat regulator, a movable abutment divid-
ing the interior of the regulator into an upper and a lower water chamber res-
pectively communicating with the inlet and outlet passages, a fuel passage in the
regulator casing above the upper water chamber, and separated therefrom by a
diaphragm, a fuel distributing chamber in the regulator above the fuel passage,
a valve for controlling the admission of fuel to the distributing chamber operated
by the movable abutment, substantially as set forth.
6. In an automatic water heater, the combination, with the water receptacle
having inlet and outlet pipes, of a heat regulator in communication with the
inlet and outlet pipes, a movable abutment within the regulator casing, a fuel
supply passage and a fuel distributing chamber in the regulator, passages
through the regulator connecting the distributing chamber with the burners,
and a valve for controlling the supply of fuel to the distributing chamber and
operated by the movable abutment, substantially as set forth.
7. In an automatic water heater, the combination, with the water receptacle
having inlet and outlet pipes, of a heat regulator, an abutment or diaphragm
dividing the interior of the regulator into an upper and a lower water chamber, a
second diaphragm connected to the first, so as to form a differential pressure
device passages communicating with the two chambers from the inlet and outlet
pipes, a fuel passage in the regulator casing communicating with the fuel dis-
tributing chamber, a valve for controlling the supply of fuel to the distributing
chamber, and means connecting the diaphragm or abutments and the valve, sub-
stantially as set forth.
8. In an automatic water heater, the combination, with a water receptacle
having inlet and outlet passages, a heat regulator, a fuel passage and a fuel dis-
tributing chamber in said regulator, a valve between the fuel passage and a
distributing chamber, a movable abutment within the regulator casing controlled
by variations of pressure in the outlet passage, a stem connecting the valve and
the movable abutment whereby the movement of the abutment governs the move-
ment of the valve, burners, and means of communication between the fuel dis-
tributing chamber and the burners, substantially as set forth.
Signed at Pittsburgh, County of Allegheny, State of Pennsylvania, United
States of America, this 1st day of August 1898.
WILLIAM LAURENCE MILLER.
HARRY PRESCOTT SIMPSON.