Improvements in Apparatus for Automatically Regulating Tem- peratures in Ships, Buildings, Rooms, and other interiors or places.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Oct., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 29th Apr., 1892-Accepted 1th June. 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Automatically Regulating Tem-
peratures in Ships, Buildings, Rooms, and other interiors or
places.
I, ALEXANDER SHIELS, of 190 Bath Street, Glasgow, M.B., C.M., B.Sc., do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:—
This invention relates to certain improvements in apparatus for automatically
regulating temperatures in ships, buildings, rooms and other interiors or places.
The improvements are specially designed for regulating the temperature of
refrigerating chambers for meat etc.
In carrying out my invention, I use a syphon or its equivalent, which contains
mercury or other fluid. Working in the syphon or its equivalent is a piston or
plunger, to which is connected or fitted a piston rod. Connected with or leading
to the syphon or its equivalent, is a pipe or a number of pipes which are filled or
partially filled with an agency, which is very sensible to and expands and contracts
under changes of temperature. As the sensitive agency expands and contracts, it
acts on the fluid in the syphon or its equivalent and raises or lowers the piston and
piston rod. The movement of the piston rod is communicated to a lever or arm
which is or may be bent and have a slot in it. In the slot may work a pin or
projection on the piston rod. As the lever or arm is raised or lowered, as the case
may be, by the action of the piston rod, it cuts off or turns on the steam or other
pressure fluid to the refrigerating engines, or the supply of refrigerating fluid to
the meat chamber.
The top of the piston is or may be weighted, and this weight may have arms on
it, which work in guides; or a spring may be used.
There may be duplicate bent arms with slots for steadiness in the working. The
shape of the arms and the slots therein, enable the piston to rise any desired
height, above the normal, after the steam or the refrigerating fluid valve is fully
open and it also keeps said valve open, until the piston again falls to its normal
working position.
It may also be arranged that when the piston rises a certain height, an alarm is
given in the engine room or other place. To effect this, an electric circuit closer
is fitted on or to the piston rod or other suitable part. This circuit closer comes in
contact with two electric terminals and closes an electric circuit, which rings a bell
in the engine room or other place. The terminals, and also the circuit closer,
are made so as to override one another, should the piston rise above a certain
height.
When using a sensitive fluid tank, as described in the Specification of my prior
Patent No. 6035 of 1891, I, under this invention, may use an automatically acting
ball, cone, or other valve, which opens and allows excess of fluid, to pass into the
tank, when exceptional expansion takes place in the sensitive fluid pipe or pipes.
Compressed air is or may be admitted to the sensitive fluid tank, for the purpose
of pressing on the fluid in the tank and so filling the sensitive fluid pipes at any
time. A valve is or may be used for turning on or cutting off the compressed air.
The sensitive fluid pipes or tubes may be arranged to run perpendicularly up one
or more of the sides of the chamber and be connected or fitted at their ends to a
joining pipe or box or equivalent. Or a single pipe may be made to perform a
serpentine or zig-zag course around the chamber.
When a number of pipes or tubes are used, they may be braced or bound
together

page_text: At suitable places on the sensitive pipe or pipes, small vent cocks or taps may be
fitted for allowing any contained air in said pipe or pipes to escape, when they are
being filled.
The steam supply valve or the refrigerating fluid supply valve, may be operated
by bevel gearing or cog wheels or by a rack and cog wheel, or equivalent.
A safety valve may be fitted on or to the sensitive fluid tank.
Under a modification the piston rod of the syphon may be made to work a single
or double crank or arm of the fluid or steam valve or of a connection thereto. The
crank or arm, which is preferably slightly bent at its end, may be grooved or
slotted so as to receive a projection on the piston rod. Should the piston continue
to rise, after having fully opened the valve, the projection on said piston rod will
pass out of connection with the crank of the valve and it would therefore be liable
to fall down and shut the valve. To prevent this a long rod or pin is or may be
fitted on the piston-rod or other part, which enters a hole in the crank and retains
it in position.
If desired, two or more syphons may be used with the apparatus.
Dated this ofth das Antahan 1001
H. D. FITZPATRICK,
Glasgow and London, Agent.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Automatically Regulating Tem-
peratures in Ships, Buildings, Rooms, and other interiors or
places.
I, ALEXANDER SHIELS, of 190 Bath Street, Glasgow, M.B., C.M., B.Sc., 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:—
This invention relates to certain improvements in apparatus for automatically
regulating temperatures in ships, buildings, rooms and other interiors or places.
The improvements are specially designed for regulating the temperature of
refrigerating chambers for meat etc.
In carrying out my invention I use a syphon or its equivalent, which contains
mercury or other fluid. Working in the syphon or its equivalent is a piston or
plunger, to which is connected or fitted a piston rod. Connected with or leading
to the syphon or its equivalent, is a pipe or a number of pipes which are filled or
partially filled with an agent which is very sensible to and expands and contracts
under changes of temperature. As the sensitive agency expands and contracts, it
acts on the fluid in the syphon or its equivalent and raises or lowers the piston and
piston rod.
The movement of the piston rod is communicated to a lever or arm
which is or may be bent and have a slot in it. In the slot may work a pin or
projection on the piston rod. As the lever or arm is raised or lowered, as the case
may be, by the action of the piston rod, it cuts off or turns on the steam or other
pressure fluid to the refrigerating engines, or the supply of refrigerating fluid to
the meat chamber.
The top of the piston is or may be weighted, and this weight may have arms on
it, which work in guides; or a spring may be used.
There may be duplicate bent arms with slots for steadiness in the working. The
shape of the arms and the slots therein, enable the piston to rise any desired
height above the normal, after the steam or the refrigerating fluid valve is fully
open and it also keeps said valve open, until the piston again falls to its normal
working position.
It may also be arranged that when the piston rises a certain height, an alarm is
given in the engine room or other place. To effect this, an electric circuit closer
is fitted on or to the piston rod or other suitable part. This circuit closer comes in

page_text: contact with two electric terminals and closes an electric circuit, which rings a bell
in the engine room or other place. The terminals and also the circuit closer, are
made so as to override one another, should the piston rise above a certain height.
When using a sensitive fluid tank, as described in the Specification of my prior
Patent No. 6035 of 1891 I, under this invention may use an automatically acting
ball, cone, or other valve, which opens and allows excess of fluid to pass into the
tank, when exceptional expansion takes place in the sensitive fluid pipe or pipes.
Compressed air is or may be admitted to the sensitive fluid tank, for the purpose
of pressing on the fluid in the tank and so filling the sensitive fluid pipes at any
time. A valve is or may be used for turning on or cutting off the compressed air.
The sensitive fluid pipes or tubes may be arranged to run perpendicularly up one
or more of the sides of the chamber and be connected or fitted at their ends to a
joining pipe or box or equivalent. Or a single pipe may be made to perform &
serpentine or zig-zag course around the chamber.
When a number of pipes or tubes are used, they may be braced or bound
together.
At suitable places on the sensitive pipe or pipes, small vent cocks or taps may
be fitted for allowing any contained air in said pipe or pipes to escape, when they
are being filled.
The steam supply valve or the refrigerating fluid supply valve may be operated
by bevel gearing or cog wheels or by a rack and cog wheel or equivalent.
A safety valve may be fitted on or to the sensitive fluid tank.
Under a modification the piston rod of the syphon may be made to work a single
or double crank or arm of the fluid or steam valve or of a connection thereto. The
crank or arm, which is preferably slightly bent at its end, may be grooved or
slotted so as to receive a projection on the piston rod. Should the piston continue
to rise, after having fully opened the valve, the projection on said piston rod will
pass out of connection with the crank of the valve and it would therefore be liable
to fall down and shut the valve. To prevent this a long rod or pin is or may be
fitted on the piston-rod or other part, which enters a hole in the crank and retains
it in position.
If desired, two or more syphons may be used with the apparatus.
And in order that my said invention may be properly understood, I have
hereunto appended two explanatory sheets of drawings, whereon :-
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus, with the door of the enclosing
casing removed.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the casing in section.
Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view.
Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are detail views.
Figs. 7 and 8 show different methods of turning on or off the steam or refrige-
rating fluid supply.
Fig. 9 shows a sensitive fluid pipe.
Fig. 10 shows an arrangement of sensitive fluid pipes.
Fig. 11 shows a modification of the apparatus.
Referring to the drawings, whereon the same reference letters, wherever
repeated, indicate similar or like parts :-
In carrying out my invention, I use a bent or syphon-shaped tube A, or its
equivalent, which is fitted to a bracket piece B, secured by bolts or screws B¹ to
the enclosing casing or box C. The method of securing the syphon A in place, is
shown more particularly, in sectional view, at Fig. 3. A ring or collar A' is
cemented or otherwise secured to the short leg of the syphon tube A, which latter
may be of glass or steel or other suitable metal or material. The collar A¹ has a
flange A' on it, which fits against the underside of the bracket B, and, at its upper
end, it is screwed for the reception of a jamb nut A. The long leg of the syphon
has cemented or secured to it a long collar A', with a flange A' at its lower end,
which fits against the underside of the bracket B. The collar A is screwed at A*
and A'. On the sorewed part A', a jamb nut A' is fitted. On the end Aº, a

page_text: сард 15 вcrewed. by screwing up the jamo nutɛ A” and A', the syphon is secured
in place.
The syphon A, which is partially filled with mercury or other suitable fluid D,
has a piston E working therein. To the piston E is fitted a piston rod F and on
the top of the piston rod is a weight G, which slides in a pair of vertical
guides H, H¹. These guides are secured at top to the casing C and, at the bottom,
to the bracket B.
Fitted on the piston rod F, is a cross bar I, having projecting pins I' at each
side. The pins I', which may have rollers on them, project through slots J in the
two arms or forks J, J, of a bent lever L. The slotted arms J', J, are
strengthened by straps K, K. The straps are bent in the form shown at Fig. 4,
80 as to allow the pins to pass under them. The bent lever L is fitted to and
fulcrumed on the short shaft M, which is carried in bearings M¹, M². At the back
end of the bent lever L, is fitted a counter-balance weight N. There is fitted to
the shaft M, a crank arm O, to which is pinned a rod P. This rod P is made to
actuate the valve, for turning the steam for the engines on or off, or the valve for
turning the refrigerating fluid on or off.
Qis a pipe leading from the sensitive fluid pipes in the refrigerating chamber,
which latter may be arranged in the manner described in the Specification of my
prior Patent, No. 6035 of 1891. The pipe Q has a flange Q' (Fig. 3) at its lower
end, to enable it to be tightly jointed to the long collar A. Q' is a washer. By
screwing down the cap A³, the pipe Q is firmly jointed to the collar A*, and so to
the tube A.
R is a sensitive fluid tank, semi-circular in shape, and secured to the casing C,
by screws or otherwise. R' is a filling cup with valve R. R' is a pipe connection
with valve R, for allowing fluid to pass from the tank to the pipe Q.
R' is a
casing, having an automatically working valve R7 (see Fig. 5) in it, which is fitted
to a pipe connection R°, between the pipe Q and the tank R. The valve casing is
shown in section to an enlarged scale at Fig. 5. The valve R' may be a ball valve,
as shown, or it may be of conic or other suitable shape. The valve may fall into
its seat by gravity, or be forced down by a spring R³. A guide rod R
used, if desired.
may be
The pipe S, Fig. 1, connects the sensitive fluid tank Q, with an air compressor,
or a reservoir of compressed air. S¹ is a stop-cock on the pipe S.
T is a small metal circuit-closer, shown more particularly in side view at
Fig. 6, which is fitted on an insulated projection T, secured to the weight G.
As the piston F and weight G rise, the circuit-closer T, which is rounded at
its under side, presses on and over-rides two spring terminals U, U₁. These
terminals are connected to the wires U³, U, forming part of an electric circuit,
for ringing an alarm bell in the engine room or other place. As the circuit
closer Toverrides and presses on the spring terminals U, U₁, the circuit is
closed and the bell is rung. The dotted lines at Fig. 6, show the circuit closer.T
overriding the spring terminals. The terminals U, U¹, may,, as, shown, be in
the form of plate springs, with rounded heads. They are secured in place by
small screws U, U
The pipe Q is connected to the sensitive fluid pipe Q, Fig. 9. The pipe Q'
is led around the interior of the refrigerating or other chamber in a sinuous, or
serpentine conformation. The bends of the pipe Q'preferably extend up and down
the walls, from the ceiling to the floor. q are escape cocks or taps, fitted on top of
the bends, for the purpose of allowing any air contained in the pipe, to escape, when
it is being filled with sensitive fluid.
"s
Instead of using the serpentine arrangement of pipe, as shown at Fig. 9, the
pipe Qmay be connected to a gridiron" arrangement of sensitive fluid pipes.,
The arrangement is shown at Fig. 10. rare the sensitive fluid pipes, which extend,
preferably vertically, up the sides of the chamber, and are connected at top and.
bottom by means of horizontal boxes or pipes s. q is an air escape or vent, cock.
t is a junction pipe for connecting the "gridiron" series, of pipes, together, A.,

page_text: CE
"gridiron" series of pipes, similar to that shown, may be fitted against each wall
of the chamber, and connected by the junction pipes t.
Instead of arranging the sensitive fluid pipes as shown, they may be arranged in
any other suitable and convenient manner.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:-
Sensitive fluid (which may be alcohol) from the tank R is allowed to pass by the
valve R and pipe Q into the sensitive fluid pipe or pipes arranged in the
refrigerating chamber. Compressed air may be admitted, by the pipe S, into
the tank R, so as to force the fluid into the sensitive fluid pipes in the chamber.
As soon as the sensitive pipes have been properly filled, the cock R is turned
off; so also is the cock S¹. Should the temperature now begin to rise within
the chamber, it will heat, and consequently expand the sensitive fluid within the
sensitive fluid pipe or pipes. This expansion is communicated, by the pipe Q,
to the mercury D, contained in the bent or syphon-shaped tube A. The effect
of the expansion on the mercury is to force it to rise up the empty leg of the
syphon. The rising of the mercury in the empty leg, lifts up the piston E,
piston rod F and weight G. As the piston rod rises, the pins 1', connected to
said piston rod are caused to travel along the slots J in the bent lever L, at
the same time, lifting up or moving said lever slightly, and also turning the
shaft, M, thereby actuating the lever O and rod P. The movement of the rod P
is communicated to the valve for controlling the steam supply to the engines or the
supply of refrigerating fluid to the chamber. Should the temperature in the
chamber still continue to rise, the bent lever M will be turned until the slots J are
in a vertical position. When the slots J reach the vertical position, the steam or
refrigerating fluid valve, would be, by the action of the rods O and P, fully
opened. At the same time the projection T¹ and circuit closer T would override
the contacts U, U', and sound an alarm in the engine room or other place. Should
the temperature in the chamber rise very much above the normal, the pins I', I¹,
merely travel up the now vertical slots J, without turning the lever L any further.
It is necessary that the lever should not be turned further, as otherwise it would
affect the already fully opened steam or refrigerating fluid supply valve. To
prevent the sensitive fluid expanding to such an extent that it would either force
the piston out of the tube A, or burst some of the pipes, the safety valve R' is
provided. Immediately the fluid reaches a certain degree of expansion and
pressure, it can lift up the valve R' and so pass into the reservoir or tank R and
expand itself.
When the temperature in the chamber begins to fall, the piston E, by the action
of the weight G, also begins to fall or sink down again into the syphon tube A.
The sinking of the piston rod F causes the pins I' to force down the lever L and so
gradually turn off the steam or refrigerating fluid supply valve.
As the apparatus is automatic in its action, it is able to regulate the temperature
of the refrigerating chamber to a nicety.
Fig. 7 shows a method of turning on and off the valve V', of the pipe
connection V, for admitting refrigerating fluid to the chamber (or it may be the
valve for admitting steam to the engines). The valve spindle has a pinion V' on
its end, which gears with a vertically moving rack V, secured in any convenient
and suitable place. The rack V' may slide in guides V, V. V is a second pinion,
fitted on the end of the axle or shaft M of the thermostat, which also gears with
the rack V. When the axle M is turned, the pinion V also turns thus moving
the rack and consequently the pinion V' and valve V¹, so as to control the supply
of refrigerating fluid (or steam).
Fig. 8 shows a different arrangement of gearing, wherein the axle M has its
pinion V geared directly with the pinion V' of the valve V' on the pipe V.
The modification shown at Fig. 11 consists of the bent lever L, which is, in this
case, connected directly to the refrigerating or steam supply valve V'. The bent
end of the lever L is slotted or cut vertically as far back as the dotted line it is
also slotted horizontally at d, so as to form two jaws b, b', at cach side of the piston

page_text: rod. The pins I' fitted to the piston rod, project through the slots d on either side.
There is also fitted to the piston rod, a long rod or pin c, having a triangular shaped
head on it, with an inclined face c. As will be seen, the dotted line e
representing the end of the slot d is cut at an angle to the bar L so that when the
bar rises to the position shown in dotted lines the part e will be vertical. When
the piston rod rises, the pins I' lift up the bar L and turn the valve V', until the
bar is in the position, indicated in dotted lines, at which time the valve is fully
turned. Should the piston still continue to rise, the pins l' will eventually pass
out of the slots, and the bent lever L would then naturally, unless prevented, fall
down to its original position. The bar c with head c¹, however, prevents the bar
falling down before the proper time, as it enters into the slot d in the lever
and bears against its end e so as to lock the lever in position, until the piston
again falls.
Instead of slotting the bent lever L it may be grooved for the reception of the
pins I¹.
The apparatus may be altered in its details of construction, without departing
from the invention.
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. The general arrangement and combination of parts of the improved apparatus
for automatically regulating temperatures, substantially as herein before described
and shown on the drawings annexed.
2. In apparatus for automatically regulating temperatures, the application and
use of a bent slotted lever (L) or its equivalent, substantially as hereinbefore
described and shown on the drawings annexed.
3. The combination with the bent or syphon tube A, of a piston working therein,
a piston rod attached to the piston, and a weight G, fitted thereon, having arms,
which slide in guides, substantially as hereinbefore described and shown on the
drawings annexed.
4. The combination with the bent or syphon tube A, of the piston E and piston
rod F, weight G, or its equivalent, fitted on top of said piston rod, slotted bent
lever Land pins I', or their equivalent, fitted to the piston rod and working in the
slotted lever, substantially as herein before set forth.
5. The combination with an apparatus for automatically regulating temperatures,
of an electrical device for sounding an alarm in the engine room or other place,
substantially as hereinbefore described and shown.
6. In an apparatus of the class hereinbefore set forth, the application of com-
pressed air to the sensitive fluid tank, for the purpose of forcing the sensitive fluid
into the sensitive fluid pipes, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.
7. In an apparatus of the class hereinbefore set forth, the application to the
Bensitive fluid cistern, of a safety valve arrangement (R'), substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
8. The modified construction of bent lever and its accessories, substantially as
hereinbefore described, with reference to Fig. 11 of the annexed drawings.
9. The combination with the hereinbefore described apparatus, of a serpentine
or gridiron arrangement of sensitive fluid pipes, fitted in the refrigerating chamber,
substantially as hereinbefore described and shown on the drawings annexed.
Dated this 26th day of April 1892.