Improvements in Means or Apparatus Employed in Heating Railroad Cars or other Vehicles.
Year: 1888

page_text: Improvements in Means or Apparatus Employed in Heating
Railroad Cars or other Vehicles.
I JAMES HALE SEWALL of Portland, in the State of Maine, one of the United
States of America, Mechanical 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 :-
This invention relates to improvements in means or apparatus for heating railroad
cars and other vehicles of the character described in the specification of Letters Patent
granted to ine No. 7510 dated May 25, 1887, and consists in
First, a circulating system for cars, consisting of two pipes extending from the
centre of the car in opposite directions toward the ends thereof and inclining upwardly,
one or more connecting pipes connecting the outer or extreme ends of the two
upwardly inclined pipes, and a receiver at the centre of the car for receiving the
water of condensation from the entire circulatory system, substantially as will be
described.
Second, in a circulatory heating system for cars, two independent sets of circulation
pipes, one at each side of the car, each set having its lowermost pipes pitched, and
terininating at or near the centre of the car, and connecting pipes joining each set
with a single source of supply, substantially as will be described.
Third, a main controlling valve, having inlet and outlet ports combined with the
controlling device consisting of an auxiliary valve having inlet and outlet ports, and
the outer ports communicating with the main controlling valve through the ports
aforesaid inlet and outlet ports, substantially as will be described.

page_text: Fourth, the main controlling valve having inlet and outlet ports combined with the
auxiliary valve comprising the valve case having inlet and outlet ports and other
ports to be described, the disc and the valve stem for moving it and means controlled
from within the car for moving said valve stem, substantially as will be described.
Fifth, the main controlling valve having inlet and outlet ports and the auxiliary
valve having the inlet and outlet ports and ports communicating with the main valve
disc or piston moving within the auxiliary valve case with relation to the ports and
means for moving it controlled from within the car combined with an indicator for
determining the position of the disc or piston of the auxiliary valve case, substantially
as will be described.
Sixth, the main controlling valve having inlet ports, the auxiliary valve with which
the inlet and outlet ports of the main valve communicate, said auxiliary valve having
main steam supply pipe, the piston or disc moving within the auxiliary valve case
with relation to the ports and means for moving it combined with the outlet port and
the steam trap substantially as will be described.
Seventh, a two-part hose coupling composed of like halves or portions, each half
consisting of the internally recessed shell, the flanged gasket, the nozzle having the
externally recessed end which enters the shell and the nozzle flange and fastening
for securing the nozzle firmly to the shell or casing, substantially as will be
describe.l.
Eighth, a two-part hose coupling composed of two like halves or portions, each
half consisting of the shell, and nozzle attached thereto, and means for attaching the
shell and nozzle, substantially as will be described.
Ninth, a two-part hose coupling composed of like halves or portions, each half
consisting of the shell, a detachable nozzle fitted therein and having a recess
between the nozzle or shell provided with a drip passage, substantially as will be
described.
Tenth, the two-part hose coupling composed of like halves or portions each half
having a steam passage through it and an air space surrounding the steam passage,
substantially as will be described.
Eleventh, a two-part. hose coupling composed of like halves or portions each half
having a steam passage through it and a drip passage leading from the steam passage
at the lowest point thereof for the escape of water of condensation and a controlling
device for the said drip passage, substantially as will be described.
Twelfth, the two-parts or halves of the hose coupling and hose to which they are
attached, combined with a chain connected with the hose, substantially as will be
described.
Thirteenth, in a steam trap, the thermostatic vessel composed of the hollow shell,
the diaphragm and a retaining nut or ring substantially as will be described.
Fourteenth, in a steam trap, the thermostatic device composed of the hollow shell,
the diaphragm retaining nut or ring, and a guard plate, for limiting the movement
of the diaphragm substantially as will be described.
Figure 1 shows in perspective a suitable arrangement of circulating pipes for the
car together with a portion of the main steam pipe, the controlling valve, and means
for operating it.
Figure 2 shows in horizontal section the controlling valve and the au i
u-iliary
controlling device for controlling the passage of steam when the car is placed at the
rear of the train.
Figure 3 a side elevation and partial section of the valve and controlling device
shown in Figure 2.
Figure 4a plan view of the indicator to be described.
Figure 5 a top view of a hose-coupling also embodying this invention.
Figure 6 a longitudinal section of the coupling shown in Figure 5.
Figure 7 a top view of a modified form of hose-coupling.
Figure 8 a longitudinal section of the coupling shown in Figure 7.
Figure 9 a vertical section of a spring controlled valve controlling the drip passagė.

page_text: Figure 10 shows in vertical section the steam trap employed in carrying out this
invention.
Figure 11 a side elevation of the head piece and operating parts of the steam trap
attached thereto removed from the shell or case, and
Figure 12 a top view of the steam trap.
The circulation pipes comprise two independent sets of pipes each consisting of
two upwardly inclined pipes w, extending from at or near the centre of the car to the
opposite ends thereof, and one or more connecting pipes as w¹ connecting the upper
ends of the inclined pipes w.
Suitable connecting pipes w² connect the ends of the inclined pipes w at the centre
of the car to the main or single source of supply which is herein shown as taken from
the main steam pipe.
The inclined pipes w terminating as will be seen at the centre of the car provides
an escape for the water of condensation contained within the circulating pipes,
irrespective of the position of the car, and said water of condensation is delivered
into the auxiliary boiler which it will be understood is employed, when desired, as
a heater to generate steam when the main supply pipe is shut off, and by employing
two sets of circulating pipes as shown no connecting pipe or part of the heating
pipes is exposed to the cold atmosphere to hasten the accumulation of water of
condensation.
It has been found necessary to control the escape of the steam at the rear end of
the train, and as it is not known what car may be placed at the rear of the train, nor
which end of the car will be the forward end, the device shown in Figures 2 and 3 is
employed.
b
Referring to said Figures 2 and 3 the valve case having the main outlet and inlet
ports 3, 4, and the outlet and inlet ports 5, 5, 6, 6, communicating with the circulation
pipes contained within the car, the ports 7, 8, for the escape of water of condensation,
the stem d having the discs d, d', secured thereto and moving within the valve case b,
the limiting stop e, and the toothed sector d', which engages teeth cut in the
stem d², are all as in the patent referred to.
b
The valve-case 30, herein termed for distinction the auxiliary valve-case, and
forming a part of the controlling device for the main valve, is attached to the valve-
case preferably at its under side, said auxiliary valve-case having inlet and outlet
ports 3, 32, communicating with the main steam supply pipe, and also the outlet and
inlet ports 33, 34, which communicate by the inlet and outlet ports 3, 4, with the
valve-case b.
A disc or piston attached to a valve-stem is adapted to move within the
auxiliary valve-case 30 with relation to the several ports.
The valve-stem i moves in a suitable stuffing-box 120 at the end of the valve-case 230,
and said stem has attached to its outer end a bent arm which arm is provided at its
outer end with teeth, as at , engaged by a toothed sector 100 pivoted to a suitable
arm, see dotted lines Figure 2.
The sector is attached to a vertical shaft 23 having its upper end squared to be
engaged by a suitable wrench to turn it, and will preferably have fitted upon it a
cap see Figure 4, which is fitted into the ring or frame 30 which latter is secured
to or within a recess cut in the floor,
*14
The cap is provided with a pointer and the ring has marks, indications, or
graduations with which the dot pointer 23 co-operates to determine the position of the
disc with relation to the ports of the auxiliary valve-case d.
The auxiliary valve serves as a controlling device for the main valve it controlling
the passage of steam thereto, for instance when the disc i³ is in the position shown by
full lines Figure 3, the steam from the main steam supply pipe enters the port ¿3³
passing thence through the ports and into the main valve-case b through the port 4
returning to the anxiliary valve-case 30 through the port 33 leaving the said valve-
case from the outlet port 3, or if the valve is placed end for end the course of the
steam will necessarily be reversed.

page_text: When the disc is moved into the position indicated by the dotted line 25, the
steam may enter the inlet port 32 and continue in the manner above described, but
upon returning to the auxiliary valve-case its onward movement is checked by the
disc while if the valve should be turned end for end the disc in order to
accomplish the result just named will keep a position indicated by the dotted line 30.
These two extreme positions of the disc are indicated upon the indicator within
the car by the word rear." while the intermediate position, such for instance as
shown in full lines Figure 3, is indicated by the word "intermediate" or "middle"
or some equivalent word.
When the disc is in either of its extreme positions checking the progress of
steam, a port n at the lower side of the auxiliary valve-case 30 is open permitting the
steam to pass through the said port into a steam trap T as an escape.
Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the two halves of the coupling 0, 0¹, being made
substantially alike one only will be described, together with its co-operation with the
other half.
The portion or half O of the coupling is composed of the shell or casing o bored to
receive the end o¹ of the tubular nozzle o².
The nozzle o, is provided with a flange o³ which abuts against the end of the shell
or casing o when the portion o¹ of the nozzle is seated within said shell.
Bolts of pass through the flange o³ of the nozzle into the shell or casing which
secure the latter firmly in position. A flanged gasket o' is fitted into the shell or
casing o slightly protruding from that face of the shell against which the opposing
half of the coupling abuts, the end of the nozzle o' being firmly pressed down against
the gasket o by the bolts of to thereby keep the gasket in fixed position.
An air space o is formed between the outer side of the nozzle o¹ and the inner side
of the shell o which is herein shown as made by recessing both the outer surface of
the nozzle and the inner surface of the shell or casing such air space aiding to prevent
quick condensation.
A drip passage of leads from the air space of to provide suitable escape for any
foreign matter that may possibly enter the space through the joint connections.
The shell or casing is provided upon one side with a projection of having a
groove o³ upon one side and extending in the arc of a circle about the hinge joint
connection to be described as a centre, and the said shell or casing o is provided at the
opposite side with a broad extension o¹0 which is provided with a recess o¹¹ of suitable
shape to receive the projection of the recess formed in the extension 10 being of such
shape as to leave a rib or flange of which enters the groove o³, of the projection of
the opposing half of the coupling.
о
The shell is provided with a transverse rib o¹³ at the lower side of the abutting
faces, and in line with the said projection o", the shell is grooved to receive a
projection similar to o¹³, of the opposing section, the two projections and grooves
co-operating together to form a hinge joint about which the sections or halves may be
turned as a centre or in one direction only, namely upwards.
By providing the coupling with locking devices 010 and 08, as described the
coupling is locked against lateral and downward separation and can only be separated
by an upward movement, and by the construction shown of each half, the coupling
may be made cheaply and very durable.
Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the two halves P, P1, of the coupling are sub-
stantially alike only one will be described.
The half or portion P of the coupling is composed of the shell or casing p having
attached to or cast integral with it, the nozzle p' the whole having a passage or
opening through it for steam.
The shell or main body p of the portion P is provided around the steam passage
with a groove or recess p² having at one side a drip passage or opening p³, which
presents an air-space adjacent to the steam passage, which prevents or effectually
retards condensation of steam.
The end portion or piece p⁰ having a hole through it and reamed out to receive a

page_text: flanged gasket, and also to fit upon the end of the shell p as best shown in
Figure 8, is secured thereto by screws p¹³ to thereby form a rigid part of the
shell.
The shell p is provided at one side with a projection p', extending in the arc of a
circle about the hinge joint connection to be described as a centre, and the end piece
or portion po attached to the shell is provided at the opposite side with a broad
extension p which is provided with a recess po of suitable shape to receive the pro-
jection p, the recess formed in the extension p being of such shape as to leave a rib
or flange p' which enters the groove p³ of the projection p' of the opposing half of the
coupling.
The abutting face of the end piece p, is provided at its lower side with a transverse
rib p, and in line with or in continuation of said rib, the end piece is grooved as
at 16, to receive the rib of the opposing half of the coupling, corresponding to the
rib ps, while the said rib p, enters the groove in the opposing half of the coupling
corresponding to the groove, so that the two ribs and grooves co-operating
together form a hinge joint about which the sections or halves may be turned as a
centre in one direction only, namely upward.
The locking devices herein shown lock the coupling against lateral and downward
separation thereby only permitting it to be separated by an upward movement.
The locking devices herein shown are also shown in the patent referred to, so I do
not lay claim thereto.
The shell p is tapped at its underside coincident with the opening p³, to receive a
nipple po, passing through the opening p³, which opening is somewhat larger in
diameter than the nipple, and a small steam trap p is secured to the nipple to thereby
provide an automatic controlling device for the drip passage.
In lieu of the steam trap, a spring controlled valve such as shown in Figure, 9, may
be used, it being screwed into the shell to communicate with the steam passage.
I have herein shown the hose to which the halves of the coupling are attached as
provided with a ring as p, having eyes p17, to which is attached a chain p" to be
connected to any stationary part of the platform, and thereby keep the halves of the
coupling from hanging down sufficiently to strike a guard rail or obstruction upon
the track.
Referring to Figures 10, 11, and 12, the main shell or case 50 of the steam trap,
having the outlet 53, the head-piece 51, having the inlet 52; the frame 54 having the
cylindrical opening 55, near the head piece; the piston 56, 57, moving in said
cylindrical opening 55; the outlet 59 in the frame beneath the piston; the arm 61 of
the frame to which is pivoted the operative lever L, the outer end of which is
connected with the piston, are all as in the patent referred to, to which reference may
be had.
1:
The thermostatic device or vessel consists of a hollow shell having an open side or
face, said shell being formed integral with or attached to a screw-threaded pin or
stud adjustably attached to the frame 54.
An expansible diaphragm or plate 2 covers the open side or face of the hollow
shell, and to the outer side of said diaphragm an ear is secured which is connected
with the operating lever L.
The diaphragm is held in place by a locking ring or nut which has formed
integral with, or attached to it, a convex guard plate ³, which covers the diaphragm
and has a hole cut through it for the passage of the ear 3, the said guard plate serving
to limit the expansion of the diaphragm to thereby prevent bursting when the vessel
is exposed to excessive heat.
It will be seen that the outer edge of the guard plate at its junction with the nut or
ring bears against and holds the diaphragm in position.
It is obvious that the guard plate may be omitted and the retaining nut be
provided with a narrow flange to hold the diaphragm in place, which construction
produces a tight vessel which under ordinary circumstances prevents leakage.
Any usual expansible material is placed in the vessel as now common.

page_text: I do not desire to limit my invention to the particular manner in which the convexed
guard plate is attached to the nut or ring. The operation of the steam trap herein
described is substantially the same as that described in the specification of the
said patent.
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 means or apparatus employed in heating railroad cars or other vehicles
1. A circulating system for cars, consisting of two pipes extending from the
centre of the car in opposite directions toward the ends thereof and inclining
upwardly, one or more connecting pipes connecting the outer or extreme ends of the
two upwardly inclined pipes, and a receiver at the centre of the car for receiving the
water of condensation from the entire circulatory system, substantially as and for
the purpose specified.
2. In a circulatory heating system for cars, two independent sets of circulation
pipes, one at each side of the car, each set having its lowermost pipes pitched, and
terminating at or near the centre of the car, and connecting pipes joining each set
with a single source of supply, substantially as described.
3. The main controlling valve, having the inlet and outlet ports 3, 4, combined
with the controlling device consisting of an auxiliary valve having inlet and outlet
ports, and the ports 33, 34, communicating with the main controlling valve
through the ports 3, 4, substantially as described.
4. The main controlling valve having the inlet and outlet ports 3, 4, combined
with the auxiliary valve comprising the valve case having the inlet and outlet
ports and the ports, the disc and the valve stem for moving it and
means controlled from within the car for moving said valve stem, substantially as
:
described.
5. The main controlling valve having the inlet and outlet ports 3, 4, and the
auxiliary valve having the inlet and outlet ports 31, 32, and ports communicating
with the main valve disc or piston moving within the auxiliary valve case with
relation to the ports and means for moving it controlled from within the car
combined with an indicator for determining the position of the disc or piston of the
auxiliary valve case, substantially as described.
6. The main controlling valve having inlet ports, the auxiliary valve with which
the inlet and outlet ports of the main valve communicate, said auxiliary valve having
main steam supply pipe, the piston or disc³ moving within the auxiliary valve case
with relation to the ports and means for moving it combined with the port n and
the steam trap T, substantially as and for the purposes described.
7. A two-part hose coupling composed of like halves or portions, each half
consisting of the internally recessed shell o, the flanged gasket o³, the nozzle o²,
having the externally recessed end of which enters the shell o and the nozzle
flange and fastening for securing the nozzle firmly to the shell or casing,
substantially as described.
8. A two-part hose coupling composed of two like halves or portions, each half
consisting of the shell, and nozzle attached thereto, and means, as the fastening of
for attaching the shell and nozzle, substantially as described.
9. A two-part hose coupling composed of like halves or portions, each half
consisting of the shell o, a detachable nozzle fitted therein and having a recess
between the nozzle or shell provided with a drip passage o', substantially as and for
the purpose set forth.
10. The two-part hose coupling composed of like halves or portions each half
having a steam passage through it and an air space surrounding the steam passage,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
11. A two-part hose coupling composed of like halves or portions each half having
a steam passage through it and a drip passage leading from the steam passage at

page_text: the lowest point thereof for the escape of water of condensation, and a controlling
device for the said drip passage, substantially as described.
12. The two parts or halves of the hose coupling and hose to which they are
attached, combined with a chain connected with the hose, substantially as and for
the purpose specified.
13. In a steam trap, the thermostatic vessel composed of the hollow shell e, the
diaphragm, and a retaining nut or ring ³, substantially as described.
14. In a steam trap, the thermostatic device composed of the hollow shell v, the
diaphragm, retaining nut or ring v. and a guard plate, substantially as described
for limiting the movement of the diaphragm substantially as described.
Dated the 2nd day of January 1888.
WM. BROOKES & SON,
55 & 56, Chancery Lane, London,
Agents for the Applicant.