Year: 1888

page_text: Wisconsin, United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6 Bank Street, Manchester, both in
the County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
In buildings of modern construction it is customary to heat a number of apartments
by a single heating apparatus, such for example, as a furnace with hot air flues
leading to the individual apartments, or a steam boiler connected with radiators
located in or adjacent to the apartments. Various automatic devices have been
employed to shut off the heat from each apartment when the temperature therein
exceeded the proper limit, and to check the action of the heater whenever the
temperature in any one of the apartments became too high.
Arrangements of this character are imperfect in that they permit the heater to
operate to its full capacity notwithstanding the fact that one or all of the apartments
may be closed against the admission of heat; and in that the action of the heater is
frequently stopped by the rising temperature in one apartment, while the temperature
in others is far below the required point.
Now it is the aim of the present invention to provide an automatic system under
which the temperature in each apartment is independently controlled and the action
of the heater stopped only when the temperature in all the apartments has reached the
required limit. Under this system an excess of temperature in any apartment is
followed by a stoppage in the supply of heat thereto, but it is only when the
temperature reaches the required point in all the apartments that the heat is stopped,
and thus it is that the heater is enabled to continue its action so long as the
temperature in any apartment of the service is below the predetermined limit.
In the most highly developed form of the apparatus excessive temperature in any
apartment is followed by the shutting off of the heat therefrom, and by a corre-
sponding reduction in the action or effect of the heater, so that the action of the
heater and the amount of heat developed thereby is varied in accordance with the
number of apartments; or the amount
space to be heated.

page_text: V
The invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms which will suggest
themselves to persons skilled in the art, but for use under ordinary conditions, the
particular constructions herein described are recommended.
In the apparatus, a thermostat in each room controls an electric valve, which in
turn, admits fluid under pressure to an expansion chamber or fluid pressure device
controlling the register through which the heated air enters the room, so that when
the temperature rises to the proper limit the thermostat acts through the intermediate
devices to stop the admission of hot air. The furnace doors are connected with
controlled by a fluid-pressure device, which receives its actuating fluid through a
valve or valves controlled indirectly by the joint action of the above mentioned
thermostats, so that the furnace controlling valve is adjusted to stop the action of the
furnace only when an excess of temperature in all the apartments causes the action
of all the thermostats at one time.
The fluid-pressure devices are in fact, but motors to move the registers and the
draught regulator of the furnace, and it is to be understood that they may like the
devices used to move the valves, be replaced by any other suitable motors which will
in the same combination answer the same purpose.
In carrying out the invention, a hot air furnace is connected by air-conducting
flues with the apartments to be heated; registers or valves control the admission of
the heated air from the flues to the respectivo apartments; an opening in the draught
door of the furnace accelerates combustion, and a check-door retards combustion
when opened. All of the foregoing parts are of ordinary construction and arrange-
ment.
To each of the registers a spring is connected by which it is opened, and a fluid-
pressure device by which it is closed. The closing device consists of a lever,
connected at one end to the register, and provided with an arm or plate, hearing
against a flexible diaphragm, which forms a movable wall of an expansion chamber,
so that when a fluid, as air, is admitted under a suitable pressure into the chamber
it will force the diaphragmn downward, and, through the intermediate parts, close
the register and prevent the further admission of heated air to the apartments.
The expansion chambers of the devices, are connected independently by pipes with
a reservoir containing a constant supply of the fluid under pressure. The pipes
are provided with electric valves hereinafter described in detail, by which the
delivery of the fluid through either pipe may be controlled independently, and thus
the heat shut off from or admitted to either apartment without affecting the
delivery to the others. The valves are controlled as hereinafter explained, by
thermostats in the several apartments.
A pipe provided with an electric valve leads from the delivery side of one of the
valves to a fluid pressure device, connected with the furnace doors so that when two
valves are open the fluid will pass from the receiver to the device and check the
action of the furnace. The pressure device resembles those controlling the registers
and consists, of a chamber having one side formed by the yielding wall or diaphragm
which acts through the plate on a lever, one end of which is weighted while the other
is attached to a chain passing over an elevated pulley and attached at its extremities
to the furnace door. When the fluid enters the expansion chamber the weight is
lifted, the upper door opened, and the lower door closed, thus checking combustion,
and, on the other hand, when the fluid is permitted to escape, the weight
acts to open the draught door and close the check door thus increasing the
combustion.
The valve which controls the furnace, is connected electrically with the thermostats
which control the registers in such manner that the valve can open and effect the
stoppage of the furnace only when the temperature in all the apartments is up to the
required limit, and when all the registers are closed. As long as the temperature in
any apartment is below the proper degree, the furnace controlling valve remains
closed and the furnace continues its action.
In order that the action of the valves and their electrical connections may be
understood the parts will be described first in detail and then in their relations to

page_text: each other. The several electric valves may be of any construction which will
admit of their being controlled electrically so that when turned in one position they
will deliver the fluid through and beyond them, and that when turned in another
position they will not only stop the further delivery of fluid, but permit that which has
already passed to retreat, and escape to waste after the manner of what are commonly
known in the art as three-way waste valves.
Thermostats are located in the different apartments and serve to control the
respective register-operating valves. The thermostats which are of ordinary con-
struction consist each of a compound metallic bar fixed at one end, and arranged at
the opposite end to make contact with the conductors, according as it is thrown
to the right by an increase in temperature, or to the left by a decrease in
temperature.
A battery, grounded on one side, is connected on the opposite side by a conductor
with the arms of all the thermostats. From the two conductors of each thermostat,
conductors are extended to opposite sides of the corresponding valves, whence they
are grounded through the pipes or otherwise. When, therefore, the temperature in
any apartment becomes as high as desired, an arm closes the circuit through the
conductors to the valve, causing the latter to open and admit the fluid to the
register-closing device. When, on the contrary, the temperature descends, the ther-
mostat opens the first circuit, and, closing the circuit through the conductor to the
opposite side of the valve permits the fluid to retreat or escape from the register-
closing device so that the spring may open the register.
It will be perceived that the above actions have as far as explained, no influence
In order that
on the valve, or on the furnace, which latter continues its action.
the valve may open and stop the furnace whenever the three valves have opened
to close the registers, circuit-controlling devices are connected in the circuit which
controls the furnace-controlling valve, which are actuated to close the circuit by air
admitted through the register operating valves.
Two expansion chambers are connected respectively with the connecting pipes, so
as to receive the fluid-pressure whenever the aforesaid valves are opened. The
chamber has its movable wall or diaphragm provided with an arm, acting against a
conducting finger, while another chamber acts in like manner upon another conducting
finger. The first named finger vibrates between conducting points standing normally
in contact with the first, while the last named finger vibrates in like manner between
two conducting points standing normally in contact with the first. A finger is
connected permanently with the battery wire. One of the conducting points is
connected permanently by a conducting wire with one of the fingers. The conducting
points are permanently connected with a conductor leading to one side of the furnace
controlling valve, and thence to the ground for the purpose of closing the valve. One
of the conducting points is connected permanently to a conductor leading to the
opposite side of the furnace controlling valve, and thence to the ground for the
purpose of opening said valve. When the thermostats have opened both regi-ter-
operating valves, both chambers will be ex- the finger forced into contact with one of
the conducting points, and the other finger forced into contact with the other point.
The current will now pass froin the battery wire through the conducting points,
fingers, and conductors, to the furnace controlling valve and thence to the ground
causing the valve to open and admit air (if the register operating valve has already
been opened by its thermostat and not otherwise) to the pressure device which acts to
check the furnace. The above action can occur only when the temperature in all the
rooms is up to the proper limit. If the temperature in either room is below the
proper limit, its thermostat will act to close the corresponding register operating
valves. If one of said valves is closed the circuit controlling the inain valve will
be broken, and consequently the said main valve will fail to open. If the said valvo
is closed it prevents the passage of the fluid into pipe and therefore prevents the
operation of the furnace controlling devices although the register operating valves
and main valve may all be open. If another of the register operating valves is closed
the circuit will be broken.

page_text: When the temperature in the apartment falls below the proper limit its thermostat
will close the valve, whereupon the first chamber being relieved of internal pressure
will permit the finger to make contact with the conducting point, thus breaking the
circuit to the opening side of the main valve and completing the circuit to the closing
side of the valve. A similar action will occur through the other chamber if the valve
is closed by its thermostat.
It will be perceived from the foregoing that the circuit to open the main valve is
completed only when the thermostats are actuated by an increasing temperature.
Referring now to the details of the valves hereinbefore alluded to, the rotary valve
plug or valve proper is provided as usual in three-way valves, with a port or passage
diametrically through it from side to side, and also with a side port at right angles
thereto, so that when placed in one direction, it will permit the fluid to flow forward
through the pipe, but when placed in an opposite direction, will check the further
advance and permit that which has previously passed to retreat and run to waste.
Fluid-receiving chambers with movable walls in the form of diaphragms and in the
form of movable pistons are now well known in the art and are used in many places
for imparting motion to other devices. They are commonly known as "fluid-pressure
devices," and to avoid repetition therefore, this name has been adopted throughout the
specification.
The valve-plug is expanded in the form of a shaft or spindle which is provided at
one end with a pawl, engaging a ratchet wheel, on the end of a loose winding collar
encircled by a coiled spring, which is attached at one end to the collar and at the
opposite end to a fixed support so that the spring tends when wound to revolve the
plug and thus alternately open and close the valve. The spindle carries also a collar
with two shoulders, at diametrically opposite points to engage a stopping lip on the
armature located in the field of an electro-magnet, and drawn forward by a spring.
The armature engaging one or the other of the shoulders, holds the valvo at rest in
its open or its closed position, but whenever the magnet is excited it attracts the
armature and permits the valve-plug to make a half revolution under the influence of
its motive spring. Thus it is that at each action of the magnet the valve turns from the
open to the closed or from the closed to the open position. In order to prevent the
continuous action of the battery two conductors are provided for connecting the same
with opposite sides of the thermostat, and there with an automatic switch is combined,
which breaks the connection with one conductor as soon as the valve is moved and
establishes connection with the other conductor. These devices consist in an eccentric
carried by the valve plug or spindle and working in the forked end of the pivoted
switch or conductor, which is connected with the battery wire and arranged to make
contact alternately with the terminal plates on the ends of the conductors leading to
opposite sides of the thermostat.
For illustration, one of the register operating valves have been selected. When the
thermostat closes the circuit at a high temperature the current passes to the magnet
through a conductor and switch, and the valve turns to the open position, at the
same time throwing the switch over to a conductor, thus breaking the circuit just
employed and leaving the parts in position for the use of the other circuit when the
thermostat closes it under a falling temperature.
Like connections are made between the other register operating valves and their
thermostat, and between the main valve and its current-controlling devices.
Instead of actuating the furnace-controlling valve electrically and through the
medium of expansion chambers these expansion chambers may be applied to operate
directly upon the valves upon the pipe, so that fluid may pass to the pressure device
when all the chambers are expanded, and not otherwise.
The expansion chambers constructed and communicating with the delivery side of
the register operating valves, have their movable walls arranged to actuate levers,
which in turn actuate plugs or spindles of three-way or waste valves located on the
pipe. These valves are held normally shut by springs. If the register operating
valves are all opened by a high temperature in the rooms with which they com-
municate as before explained, both chambers will be expanded, and both of the waste

page_text: valves will be open so that fluid passing through one of the operating valves will flow
thence through the pipe past both waste valves to the pressure device, and thus stop
the action of the furnace. If, however, there is a low temperature in either room the
corresponding waste valve will remain closed, and the passage of the fluid to the
furnace controlling device will be prevented.
The waste valves are of the ordinary three-way or waste valve type before alluded
to, so that when closed they permit the fluid which had previously passed to the
device to retreat therefrom.
The furnace-controlling device in the form heretofore described embraced but a
single expansion chamber, and when this chamber was brought into action by the
joint influence of the thermostats it caused the draught of the furnace to be wholly
stopped. In order that the draught may be gradually increased or diminished
according to the number of rooms receiving heat at the moment, it is proposed to
construct the pressure device with a series of expansion chambers each of which acts
to partly check the draught but all of which must be brought into action at one time
to wholly stop the same.
A series of expansion chambers cach having one wall formed by a flexible
diaphragm, are placed one on top of another, the movable wall of one resting against
the rigid wall of the next, and are guided by side rods on which they slide. The
upper chamber of the series rests against a rigid top support, while the lower chamber
rests against a plate, acting upon a lever, which is weighted and connected with the
furnace.
The several chambers communicate by independent flexible pipes, with the delivery
side of the register operating valves, so that whenever one of the valves is opened
through its appropriate thermostat, the fluid will flow not only to the register-closing
device, but also through the independent flexible pipe into one of the chambers,
expanding this chamber which, acting through the chambers thereunder, and forcing
them downward, operates the lever and partly closes the draught thus diminishing or
lessening the action of the furnace to compensate for the lessened demand thercon in
consequence of the fact that communication with one of the rooms has been closed.
The action of each thermostat inclosing the register results in like manner in the
expansion of one of the chambers, and in a corresponding diminution of the draught,
so that the furnace remains in action as long as it has any connection with any one or
more of the compartments. The combustion is lessened in proportion to the decrease
in number of rooms with which it is for the time being in communication. When all
the thermostats are actuated by an increase of temperature, the chambers are all
expanded and operating jointly they carry the lever downward until it wholly closes
the draught-door.
A compound expansion chamber such as above described, may be arranged to
operate an electric conductor, controlling a circuit for operating the main valve. The
circuit remains open until all of the chambers are expanded when the conductor will
make contact with a plate and cause the operation of the main valve.
When this
device is used, the connection between its chambers with the air supply, and the
arrangement of the circuits to the main valve may be identical with those heretoforo
described.
It will be perceived that the essence of the invention resides in combining ther-
mostats in series with a heating apparatus through intermediate devices controlled by
the joint action of the thermostats as distinguished from an apparatus in which a
series of thermostats are connected to and operate individually upon the heater, and it
is to be noted that the intermediate devices through which the joint action of the
thermostats is secured may be constructed in various forms, several of which,
mechanical equivalents of each other, are described in detail herein.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: A communication from abroad by WARREN SEYMOUR JOHNSON, of Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6 Bank Street, Manchester, both in
the County of Lancaster, and 323 High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil
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 :-
In buildings of modern construction it is customary to heat a number of apartments
by a single beating apparatus, such, for example, as a furnace with hot-air flues
leading to the individual apartments, or a steam boiler connected with radiators
located in or adjacent to the apartments. Various automatic devices have been
employed to shut the heat off from each apartment when the temperature therein
exceeded the proper limit, and to check the action of the heater whenever the
temperature in any one of the apartments became too high.
Arrangements of this character are imperfect, in that they permit the heater to
operate to its full capacity, notwithstanding the fact, that one or all of the apartments
may be closed against the admission of heat and in that the action of the heater is
frequently stopped by the rising temperature in one apartment, while the temperature
in others is far below the required point.
Now, it is the aim of the present invention to provide an automatic system under
which the temperature in each apartment is independently controlled, and the action
of the heater stopped only when the temperature in all the apartments has reached the
required limit. Under this system an excess of temperature in any apartment is
followed by a stoppage in the supply of heat thereto, but it is only when the
temperature reaches the required point in all the apartinents that the heat is stopped,
and thus it is that the beater is enabled to continue the action so long as the
temperature in any apartment of the service is below the predetermined limit.
In the most highly developed form of the apparatus, excessive temperature in any
apartment is followed by the shutting off of the heat therefrom, and by a corresponding
reduction in the action or effect of the heater, so that the action of the heater, and
the amount of heat developed thereby, is varied in accordance with the number of
apartments, or the amount of space to be heated.
The invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms which will suggest
themselves to persons skilled in the art, but for use under ordinary conditions, the
particular constructions represented in tho accompanying drawings are recommended.
In the apparatus shown in the drawings, a thermostat in each room controls an
electric valve, which in turn, admits fluid under pressure to an expansion chamber or

page_text: fluid pressure device controlling the register through which the heated air enters the
room, so that when the temperature rises to the proper limit, the thermostat acts
through the intermediate devices to stop the admission of hot air. The furnace doors
are connected with and controlled by a fluid pressure device, which receives its
actuating fluid through a valve or valves controlled indirectly by the joint action of
the above mentioned thermostats, so that the furnace controlling valve is adjusted to
stop the action of the furnace only when an excess of temperature in all the
apartments causes the action of all the thermostats at one time.
The fluid pressure devices are in fact, but motors to move the registers and the
draught regulator of the furnace, and it is to be understood that they may, like the
devices used to move the valves, be replaced by any other suitable motors which will,
in the same combination, answer the same purpose.
In the accompanying drawings:-
Figure 1. represents a sectional elevation of a portion of a building provided with
a hot air furnace, and with the automatic temperature regulating apparatus.
Figure 2 is a vertical section of the fluid pressure device for controlling the action
of the heater.
Figure 3 is a central cross section of one of the fluid pressure devices for controlling
the admission of heat to the apartment.
Figure 4 is an elevation partly in section of the devices for obtaining the cumulativo
effect of the thermostats or regulators in the several apartments, in controlling the
heater.
Figure 5 is an elevation partly in section of another device for the same purpose.
Figure 6 is a vertical section on the line of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a top plan view of one of the expansion chambers and valves embraced
in the device shown in Figures 5 and 6.
Figure 8 is a side elevation of a cumulative fluid pressure device combined with
the heater to vary its action according to the changing number of apartments, which
receive heat therefrom.
Figure 9 is a central cross section of said device.
Figure 10 is a top plan view of the same.
Figure 11 is an elevation of a similar cumulative device, to act indirectly and
through electric circuits on the heater.
Figures 12, 13, and 14 are respectively a side, an end, and a plan view of an
electrically controlled valve which it is preferable to use in this system.
Figures 15 to 20 are sections of the same on the lines thereon indicated.
Referring to Figure 1, A, B, and C, represent distinct rooms or apartments to be
heated, D, a hot-air furnace, connected by air conducting, flues with the apartments;
E, E, E³, registers or valves controlling the admission of the heated air from the
flues to the respective apartments; F the draught door of the furnace, the opening
of which accelerates combustion, and F¹, a check door, the opening of which retards
combustion. All of the foregoing parts are of ordinary construction and arrangement.
To each of the registers E E¹, etcetera, a spring a is connected, by which it is
opened, and a fluid pressure device G, by which it is closed. The closing device
consists as shown in Figure 3,.of a lever b, connected at one end to the register, and
provided with an arm or plate c, bearing against a flexible diaphragm d, which forms
a movable wall of an expansion chamber, e, so that when a fluid, as air, is admitted
under a suitable pressure into the chamber it will force the diaphragm downward,
and, through the intermediate parts, close the register and prevent the further
admission of heated air to the apartments. The expansion chambers of the
devices G, G¹, G³, etcetera, are connected independently by pipes I, I', 1², with a
reservoir H, containing a constant supply of the fluid under pressure. The pipes
are provided with electric valves J JJ, hereinafter described in detail, by which
the delivery of the fluid through either pipe may be controlled independently, and
thus the heat shut off from or admitted to either apartment without affecting the
delivery to the others. The valves J J' etcetera, are controlled as hereinafter
explained, by thermostats in the several apartments.

page_text: A pipe K provided with an electric valve L, leads from the delivery side of valve J'
to a fluid pressure device M, connected with the furnace doors, so that when the two
valves J and L, are open the fluid will pass from the receiver to the device M and
check the action of the furnace. The pressure device M resembles those controlling
the registers and consists, as shown in Figure 2, of the chamber e having one side
formed by the yielding wall or diaphragm d, which acts through the plate con a
lever, f, one end of which is weighted while the other is attached to a chain g, passing
over an elevated pulley and attached at its extremities to the furnace door. When
the fluid enters the expansion chamber the weight is lifted, the upper door opened
and the lower door closed, thus checking combustion, and, on the other hand,
when the fluid is permitted to escape the weight acts to open the draught-door
and close the check door, thus increasing the combustion.
The valve L which controls the furnace, is connected electrically with the thermo-
stats, which control the registers in such manner that the valve can open and effect
the stoppage of the furnace only when the temperature in all the apartments is up to
the required limit, and when all the registers are closed. As long as the temperature
in any apartment is below the proper degree, the valve L remains closed, and the
furnace continues its action.
In order that the action of the valves and their electrical connections may be
understood, the parts will be described, first, in detail and then in their relations to
each other. The several electric valves may be of any construction which will admit
of their being controlled electrically, so that when turned in one position they will
deliver the fluid through and beyond them, and that when turned in another position,
they will not only stop the further delivery of fluid, but permit that which has already
passed to retreat and escape to waste after the manner of what are commonly known
in the art as three-way waste valves.
0, 0, 0, are thermostats located in the different apartinents, and serving to
control the respective register operating valves J, J₁, etcetera. The thermostats
which are of ordinary construction consist each of a compound metallic bar i fixed at
one end, and arranged at the opposite end to make contact with the conductors; or j¹
according as it is thrown to the right by an increase in temperature, or the left by a
decrease in temperature.
A battery, P, grounded on one side, is connected on the opposite side by ณ
conductor k, with the arms of all the thermostats. From the two conductors j, j, of
each thermostat, conductors m, m³, are extended to opposite sides of the corresponding
valves J J whence they are grounded through the pipes or otherwise. When,
therefore, the temperature in any apartment becomes as high as desired, the arm i
closes the circuit through j¹ and m¹ to the valve, causing the latter to open and admit
the fluid to the register closing device G. When, on the contrary, the temperature
descends, the thermostat opens the first circuit, and, closing the circuit through j¹ to
the opposite side of the valve, permits the fluid to retreat or escape from the register
closing device so that the spring may open the register.
It will be perceived that the above actions have, as far as explained, no influence
on the valve L or on the furnace, which latter continues its action. In order that
the valve L may open and stop the furnace, whenever the three valves J J¹ J' have
opened to close the registers, circuit controlling devices are connected in the circuit
which controls the valve L, which are actuated to close the circuit by air admitted
through the valves J J¹ as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4.
Two expansion chambers R R¹ are connected respectively with the pipes I and I'
so as to receive the fluid pressure, whenever the valves J J¹ are opened. The
chamber R has its movable wall or diaphragm provided with an arm p, acting
against a conducting finger 9, while the chamber R¹ acts in like manner upon a
finger g'. The finger g vibrates between the conducting points and r², standing
normally in contact with the first, while the finger q¹ vibrates in like manner
between two conducting points and ³, standing normally in contact with the
first. The finger is connected permanently with the battery wire k. The point r
is connected permanently by a conducting wire with the finger q'. The conducting

page_text: points and, are permanently connected with a conductor t leading to one side
of the valve L, and thence to the ground for the purpose of closing the valve.
The conducting point, is connected permanently to a conductor t, leading to
the opposite side of the valve L and thence to the ground for the purpose of
opening said valve. When the thermostats have opened both valves J and JI, both
chambers R and R¹ will be expanded, the finger q forced into contact with the
point and the finger q¹ forced into contact with the point r. The current will
now pass from the battery wire through 7, 1, and to the valve L and
thence to the ground causing the valve to open and admit air (if the valve J
has already been opened by its thermostat and not otherwise) to the pressure
device M which acts to check the furnace. The above action can occur only when
the temperature in all the rooms is up to the proper limit. If the temperature
in either room is below the proper limit, its thermostat will act to close the
corresponding valve J, J', or J2. If the valve is closed the circuit controlling
the main valve L will be broken at and consequently the valve L will fail to
open. If the valve J' is closed the circuit will be broken at ³. If the valve J
is closed it prevents the passage of the fluid into pipe k, and therefore prevents
the operation of the furnace controlling devices although the valves J J¹ and L
may all be open.
When the temperature in apartment A falls below the proper limit, its thermo-
stat will close the valve J, whereupon the chamber R being relieved of internal
pressure will permit the finger to make contact with the point r, thus breaking
the circuit to the opening side of the valve L and completing the circuit through
finger 9, point r, and conductor t. to the closing side of the valve. A similar
action will occur through chamber R if the valve Jis closed by its thermostat.
It will be perceived from the foregoing that the circuit to open the valve I. is
completed only when the thermostats are actuated by an increasing temperature.
Referring now to the details of the valves hereinbefore alluded to, attention is
directed to Figures 12 to 20, in which w represents the rotary valve plug or
valve proper, provided as usual in three-way valves, with a port or passage dia-
metrically through it from side to side, and also with a side port at right angles
thereto so that when placed as in Figure 19, it will permit the fluid to flow
forward through the pipe, but when placed as in Figure 20, will check the further
advance, and permit that which has previously passed to retreat and run to waste.
Fluid-receiving chambers with movable walls in the form of diaphragms and in
the form of movable pistons are now well known in the art, and are used in
many places for imparting motion to other devices. They are commonly known
"fluid pressure devices," and to avoid repetition, therefore, this name has been
adopted throughout the specification.
as
The valve plug is expanded in the form of a shaft or spindle which is provided
at one end with a pawl a² engaging a ratchet wheel 63, on the end of a loose
winding collar, encircled by a coiled spring d2, which is attached at one end
to the collar and at the opposite end to a fixed support so that the spring tends,
when wound, to revolve the plug, and thus alternately open and close the valve.
The spindle carries also a collar with two shoulders e, at diametrically opposite
points to engage a stopping lip on the armature f2, located in the field of an
electro magnet g, and drawn forward by a spring. The armature engaging
one or the other of the shoulders e, holds the valve at rest, in its open or its
closed position, but whenever the magnet is excited, it attracts the armature and
permits the valve plug to make a half revolution under the influence of its motive
spring. Thus it is that at each action of the magnet the valve turns from the
open to the closed, or from the closed to the open position. In order to prevent
the continuous action of the battery, two conductors are provided for connecting
the same with opposite sides of the thermostat, and therewith an automatic switch
is combined, which breaks the connection with one conductor as soon as the valve
is moved and establishes connection with the other conductor. These devices are
shown in Figures 12 to 17, in which is an eccentric carried by the valve

page_text: plug or spindle and working in the forked end of the pivoted switch or conductor 1,
which is connected with the battery wire and arranged to make contact alternately
with the terminal plates on the ends of the conductors m and m¹ leading to opposite
sides of the thermostat.
For illustration the valve J has been selected. When the thermostat O closes the
circuit at a high temperature, the current passes to the magnet through conductor m
and switch and the valve turns to the open position shown in Figure 19, at the
same time throwing the switch over to the conductor m', thus breaking the circuit
just employed and leaving the parts in position for the use of the other circuit when
the thermostat closes it under a falling temperature.
While the particular connections incident to valve J have been shown, it is to be
understood that like connections are made between the valves J and J¹ and their
thermostat, and between the valve L and its current controlling devices.
Instead of actuating the furnace controlling valve L, electrically and through the
medium expansion chambers R and R', these expansion chambers may be applied as
shown in Figures 5, 6 and 7 to operate directly upon valves upon the pipe k, so that
fluid may pass to the device M when all the chambers are expanded, and not
otherwise.
Referring to Figures 5, 6 and 7 the expansion chambers constructed, and communi-
cating with the. delivery side of the valves J and J, have their movable walls
arranged to actuate levers o² and p², which in turn actuate the plugs or spindles q²,
of three-way or waste valves located on the pipe K. These valves are held normally
shut by springs 2. If the valves J J J are all opened by a high temperature
in the rooms with which they communicate, as before explained, both chambers R
and R¹ will be expanded, and both of the valves q will be open, so that fluid
passing through the valve J2 will flow thence through the pipe K past both
valves q to the device M, and thus stop the action of the furnace. If, however,
there is a low temperature in either room, the corresponding valve q² will remain
closed and the passage of the fluid to the furnace controlling device will be
prevented.
The valves are of the ordinary three way or waste valve type before alluded
to, so that when closed they permit the fluid which had previously passed to the
device to retreat therefrom.
a
The furnace controlling device M in the form heretofore described embraced but
single expansion chamber and when this chamber was brought into action by the
joint influence of the thermostats it caused the draught of the furnace to be wholly
stopped. In order that the draught may be gradually increased or diminished
according to the number of rooms receiving heat at the moment, it is proposed to
construct the device M¹ in the form shown in Figures 8 and 9, with a series of
expansion chambers each of which acts to partly check the draught, but all of which
must be brought into action at one time to wholly stop the same.
As shown in Figures 8 and 9, e represents a series of expansion chambers, each
having one wall formed by a flexible diaphragm d. These chambers are placed one
on top of another, the movable wall of one resting against the rigid wall of the next,
and are guided by side rods 2, on which they slide. The upper chamber of the
series rests against a rigid top support while the lower chamber rests against the
plate c, acting upon the lever which is weighted and connected with the furnace
as shown in Figure 8, the arrangement being the same as that in Figure 1.
The several chambers e communicate by independent flexible pipes w³ with the
delivery side of the valves J J etcetera, so that whenever one of the valves is open
through its appropriate thermostat, the fluid will flow, not only to the register closing
device, but also through the pipe to, into one of the chambers e, expanding this
chamber, which, acting through the chambers thereunder, and forcing them down-
ward, operates the lever and partly closes the draught, thus diminishing or lessening
the action of the furnace to compensate for the lessened demand thereon, in con-
sequence of the fact, that communication, with one of the rooms has been closed.
The action of each thermostat in closing the register results in like manner in the

page_text: expansion of one of the chambers e, and in a corresponding diminution of the draught,
so that the furnace remains in action as long as it has any connection with any one
or more of the compartments. The combustion is lessened in proportion to the
decrease in number of rooms, with which it is for the time being in communication.
When all the thermostats are actuated by an increase of temperature, the chambers e
are all expanded, and operating jointly they carry the lever f downward, until it
wholly closes the draught door.
In Figure 11, a compound expansion chamber such as above described is
represented, arranged to operate an electric conductor ³, controlling a circuit for
operating the valve L. The circuit remains open until all of the chambers are
expanded, when the conductor will make contact with the plate y' and cause the
operation of the valve L. When this device is used, the connection between its
chambers with the air supply will be identical with that described in connection with
Figures 8 and 9, and the arrangement of the circuits to the valve L may be identical
with those described in connection with Figures 1, 12, etcetera.
It will be perceived that the essence of the invention resides in combining thermo-
stats in series with a heating apparatus through intermediate devices controlled by
the joint action of the thermostats as distinguished from an apparatus in which a
series of thermostats are connected to and operate individually upon the heater, and it
is to be noted that the intermediate devices through which the joint action of the
thermostats is secured may be constructed in various forms, several of which,
mechanical equivalents of each other, are illustrated and described in detail herein.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. A heat regulating system, substantially as set forth, wherein thermostatic devicos
controlling the delivery of heat to different apartments, are connected through inter-
mediate devices with a heating apparatus so that they operate jointly to control its
action whereby the adirission of heat to each apartment is independently controlled
by its thermostat, but the development of heat controlled by the united or cumulative
action of the series of thermostats.
2. A heater such as a steam boiler or hot air furnace with a valve or damper to
control its action, in combination with a series of thermostats, and intermediate
connections through which the thermostats act jointly, but not separately, to control
said valve.
3. In combination with a heating apparatus and its controlling valve or damper, a
series of non-communicating expansion chambers, and a series of independently and
thermostatically controlled valves regulating the admission of a fluid under pressure
to the respective chambers.
4. The registers, the fluid pressure devices by which they are individually actuated,
the valves JJJ2, controlling the delivery of a fluid to said devices, the fluid
pressure device M connected with and controlling the action of a heater or
furnace, a pipe K, through which fluid is received from valve J, and conducted to
pressure device M, an auxiliary valve L, in said pipe K and connections substantially
as shown, whereby the valve L is permitted to open only when the valves J J' j³
are all opened, as and for the purpose described.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.