Improvements in Reversing Valves for Regenerative Furnaces and the like.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 29th June, 1897-Accepted, 31st July, 1897
[Communicated from abroad by JAMES PURVES, of Sharpsburg, in the County of
Allegheny, State of Pennsylvania, one of the United States of America,
Engineer.]
Improvements in Reversing Valves for Regenerative Furnaces and
the like.
I, WILLIAM BURGELAND JOHNSON of 4 Clayton Square, Liverpool, in the
County of Lancaster, 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, reference being had to the
accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which:-
Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of my improved reversing valve in position
in furnace flues; Figure 2 is a vertical cross section on the line II-II of
Figure 1, showing the valve partly raised, and Figure 3 is a view similar to
Figure 1, showing another arrangement of the valve.
My invention relates to the valves whereby the currents are reversed in
regenerative and other furnaces, and is designed to provide an improved con-
struction of such valves by which short-circuiting of the air and gases is prevented
and a perfect sealing of the valves is effected. It is also designed to prevent
warping and destruction of the valves due to the impinging of the hot gases
thereon, as well as to provide sealed valves which are so arranged that the operator
may inspect the sealing portions during the operation of the furnace and without
exposure to the hot gases.
In the drawings, in which similar numerals indicate corresponding parts,
referring to the form of Figures 1 and 2, 2 represents the chimney Hue, and
3 and 4 the regenerator flues; the open tops of these flues being covered by a
casing 5 of general rectangular shape, having an intermediate partition 6 dividing
the casing into upper and lower chambers. Through this partition move the
valves 7, 7, one for each regenerator flue, each valve consisting of a metal ring,
or cylinder, having secured to its lower end an annular trough 8. Around the
upper end of this ring or cylinder is also secured a trough 9 having a depending
flange 10 which, when the valve is in its lowermost position, enters an annular
trough 11 forming the valve seat in the partition 6, this trough also having a
depending flange 12 arranged to enter the trough 8 of the valve when the same is
in its upper position. Each of the regenerator flues is provided with an annular
trough 13 of sufficient size to receive the trough 8 at the lower end of the valve
and seal this end of the valve when in its lowermost position.
The upper head of the casing is provided above each valve with an opening
surrounded by an annular trough 14, having a depending flange 15 arranged to
en ter the trough 9 of the valve and seal the same when in its upper position, the
opening being closed by a circular flanged lid 16 seating in the trough. The
central portion of the casing head is also provided with the usual gas or air inlet
valve 17, through which the currents enter the space above the partition G and
thence pass to either regenerator.
Each valve is raised and lowered by a valve spindle 18. having at its lower end

page_text: an eye taking about a pin 19 secured between transverse braces 20, and these
valve-spindles may be operated by a wire rope 21 connecting their upper ends
and passing over pulleys 22, this rope being actuated by a suitable lever 23:
In using these valves, the sealing troughs are supplied with either water or
leese powdered material such as sand, but I prefer to use a liquid, such as water,
because of its cooling effect upon the valves and the seats. Where water is used,
I preferably cut notches in the lower edges of the lids 16, and also notch the upper
inner portions of the troughs in which these lids 'seat, so 'that the water, which
is supplied by any suitable means to these upper troughs will flow over through
the notches and thence drop into the troughs 9 upon the valves, whence it over-
flows into the troughs 11 in the partition 6, thence overflowing into the lower.
troughs 13. These troughs 13 are notched at the point a through which the
liquid flows into a receptacle 24, having a drain pipe 25."
I
In the side of the casing I provide doors 26 through which access may be had
to the interior of the casing below the partition.
The operation of the valves will be apparent to those skilled in the art. When
the valves are in the position shown in Figure 1, the gas or air entering the casing
through the valve 17, passes down through the hollow valve at the left hand of
the figure, and thence to the regenerator; while the waste gases rising through
the right hand flue, pass directly to the chimney flue 2, the currents being reversed
by operating the lever 23 to reverse the positions of the valves. When the valves
are in the position shown in Figure 1, it is evident that the seals of the left hand
valve may be inspected by opening the loft hand door 26 while the furnace is in
Gperation and without exposure to the hot gases passing to the chimney, while the
upper seals of the other valve may be easily, inspected in this position by lifting
the light lid 16. Similarly, in the reversed position of the valves, the other seals
may be inspected through the other door and by the lifting of the other top lid.
Any leakage owing to the troughs not being properly filled with, the sealing
medium, may thus be easily detected while the furnace is in operation, and without.
the observer being exposed to the air or gases passing either to the regenerator or
to the chimney.
In Figure 3 I show my improved valve as applied to regenerators using gas and
air. In this form I divide the chamber above the partition 6 into two chambers
by a partition wall 27, located at one side of the gas valve 17, thus forming a
separate chamber for one of the rings 7', which is in this form the air valve. Both
rings being lowered at one end of the furnace, as shown in this figure, and the
d' 16' being lifted to admit air, the air passes down through the left hand valve
to the regenerator, while the gas entering through the valve 17. passes down
passes
through the other valve to its regenerator. The corresponding valves for the
other end of the furnace are both lifted, and both lids 16 at such end being seated
the waste gases will rise from each regenerator into the space below the partition GL
of the valve and thence pass down into the chimney flue 21. In this form the
valves may be worked separately if desired, or one of the rings of one set may be
connected to one of the other set, so that as one is lowered the other is raised.
The advantages of my invention are numerous, since the sealing of the valves
is perfectly effected under any expansion or contraction due to the heat of the
gases, the life of the valves is much longer than those now used, the seals may all
be quickly and easily inspected without interfering with their operation, and the
sealing medium is easily and automatically supplied from one valve seal to the
others.
Many variations will suggest themselves to the skilled mechanic without
departure from my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:
In zorging valize the combination with a sing of a valve therain

page_text: consisting of a ring through which the gases pass; means for moving the ring
endwise, and means for sealing one end of the ring at one point in the stroke of
the valve and the other end at another point.
Second. In a reversing valve, the combination with a casing, of a valve therein
consisting of a ring through which the gases pass, means for moving the ring
endwise, and means for sealing both ends of the ring at two different points in its
stroke.
Third. In a reversing valve systom, a casing having an intermediate partition
dividing it into chambers, a ring movable through the partition and through
which the gases pass, and seals for the end portions of the ring at each end of its
stroke.
Fourth. In a reversing valve system, a casing over the flues, said casing having
an intermediate partition dividing it into compartments, a ring movable through
the partition, a seal' in the partition for the hollow drum, and seals for the ends of
the drum whon in its different positions.
Fifth. A regenerative valve comprising a casing, a valve moveable endwise
therein, said valve consisting of a ring having annular trough secured thereto near
it upper and lower ends and rings arranged to enter the said troughs and seal the
valves.
Sixth. The combination with a casing, of a ring shaped reversing valve therein
and having annular troughs secured thereto near its upper and lower ends, one
of said troughs having a depending flange, rings arranged to enter the valve
troughs when the valve is in one position, and a trough which the flange of the
valve trough enters when in its reversed position.
Seventh. The combination with a casing, of a reversing valve therein and com-
prising a ring having annular troughs secured thereto near its upper and lower
ends, one of said troughs having a depending flange, rings arranged to enter the
valve trouglis when the valve is in one position, and troughs which the valve
flanges and one of the valve troughs enter when the valve is in its reversed
position.
Eighth. In a reversing valve system, a casing enclosing the upper ends of the
flues, an intermediate partition in the casing dividing it into two chambers, and
valves movable through the partition, each valve consisting of a ring movable
endwise, the casing having seats for the valve.
Ninth. In a reversing-valve system, a casing having an intermediate partition,
dividing it into compartments, valves movable through the partition, each valve
consisting of a ring through which the gases pass alternately, and seals for the
end portions of the drums in both positions thereof.
Tenth. In a reversing-valve system, a casing having an intermediate partition,
a valve in the form of a ring movable through the partition, water seals for the
valve in both positions, and a sealed removable lid in alignment with the valve.
Eleventh. In a reversing valve sytem, a casing having an intermediate partition
dividing it into compartments, a cross-partition dividing one of said compartments
into separate chambers, valves movable through the intermediate partition, each
valve consisting of a ring movable endwise, the casing 'having seats for the valve,
and an air inlet on one side of the cross-partition.
Twelfth. In a reversing valve system, the combination with three Hues, of a
casing covering their ends, two ring-valves within the casing through which the
currents alternately pass and seats for the valves, said valves being arranged to
reverse the current for the three flues.
Ex
T
1007