Improvements in Water Heaters.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 25th May, 1897-Accepted, 21st Aug., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Water Heaters.
I, JON CHARLES BECKFIELD, Manufacturer residing at No. 130 South Negley
Avenue, in Pittsburg, in the County of Allegheny, State of Pennsylvania, and
United States of America, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what inanner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to certain improvements in water heaters, whereby the
application of heat to the water receptacle is controlled by the opening and closing of
the faucets in the outlet pipes connected to such receptacle. It consists in a heater
composed of a heating device, such as a gas burner, a water receptacle adapted to
contain the water under pressure, which receptacle may be in the form of a tube,
pipe, cylinder or coil, a water valve or regulator or motor adapted to be operated by
the pressure or flow of water throngh the water conduit, a gas valve or other regulator
for turning on and shutting off the supply of heat, devices connecting the water
valve or motor with the heat supply regulator, and a faucet or faucets at different
points in the delivery conduit whereby water may be drawn from the water heater,
and by the flow of water through the heater the heat regulator is opened, allowing
heat to be applied to the water as it flows through the heater, so long as the faucet
remains open. As soon as the faucet is closed and the flow of water ceases the heat
is automatically shut off. Owing to this combination it is possible to place the
heater in the basement or cellar of a building and to operate the same by means of
faucets arranged in the hot water pipe at numerous points on the various stories or
floors of the building, or several buildings may be supplied with hot water from a
single heater situate at any desired point, the heater being automatically set in
operation by the opening of the faucet at any point in the building, and automatically
shut off by the closing of the faucets.
In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification Figure 1 is a
view showing three stories of a building provided with my improved water heating
system; Figure 2 is an elevation in section, showing the heating device; Figure 3 is
a vertical sectional view of a water supply valve of slightly different form to that
shown in Fig. 2; Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the same; Figure 5 is a
sectional plan view, the plane of section being indicated by the line II-II, Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a sectional elevation of the heating coil, the plane of section being
indicated by the line III-III, Figure 5; Figure 7 is a view partly in elevation and
partly in section, of a heater having my improved valve motor applied thereto;
Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of my improved regulator for water heaters;
Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the regulator and the gas valve; Figure 10 is a
longitudinal sectional view of a modification; Figure 11 is a plan view; Figure 12
is a side elevation, and Figure 13 is a sectional view of a modification; Figure 14 is
a sectional elevation of the burner; Figure 15 is a top plan view of the same, and
Figure 16 is a sectional detail view of the mixer of the gas burner.
In the drawings I have shown my improved heater adapted to use of gas as a
heating agent, the gas being led to a burner situate in proper proximity to a coil

page_text: containing the water under pressure, the coil forming part of the conduit from the
city main and faucet by which the hot water is drawn from the pipe.
The base 1 of the heater is formed with a central standard or support 2, preferably
formed hollow, but closed at a suitable point to prevent any flow of air therethrough.
On the upper end of the hollow support is fitted a frame consisting of a ring or
collar 3 provided with a series of radial wings 4, adapted to support the heating
coil 5. This coil is formed by bending a length of pipe (preferably formed of copper)
spirally first in and then out, thereby producing two or more vertical series of coils,
the coils of one series lying in one vertical cylinder, while the coils of the other
series will be in cylinders approximately co-axial to that of the first series. After the
pipe has been bent in the manner described, endwise pressure is applied thereto to
force the adjacent coils of each series into or approximately into contact with each
other, so that each vertical series will form a solid walled cylinder, except where the
pipe passes from one series to the next in or out.
The coil thus constructed is supported by the wings 4 as stated and within the
coil is placed a cylindrical shell 6, which is supported by the central standard 2, as
shown in Fig. 2. Outside of the coil is placed a cylindrical shell 7, which extends
down to and is supported by lugs 8ª projecting radially from the outer rim of the
annular burner 8. This burner is arranged around the central post or standard and
is provided with ears or lugs 9, whereby it can be attached to the standard. It will
be observed that the burner is so located as regards the central post or standard, that
air can flow up between the post and burner, further the shell 7 is so supported by
the lugs 8 that air can flow in between the burner and the lower edge of the shell.
The cylindrical shell 7 and the standard 2, with the shell 6, form a combustion
chamber having the burner 8 arranged at or near its lower end and the coil 5 in its
upper portion. It will be observed that the cylindrical walls formed by the vertical
series of coils divide the upper portion of the combustion chamber into a series of
annular flues through which the products of combustion pass from end to end without
liability of divergence as the coils forming the walls of the flues are in such proximity
as to practically prevent the flow of the products of combustion from one annular
flue to another.
The upper end of the shell 7 is closed by a cap 10, having a flue ferule for
connection with the chimney. A jacket 11 is arranged outside of the shell 7, between
which and the jacket is placed non-conducting material to prevent loss of heat by
radiation.
In the drawing, 12 represents a water pipe, leading from a source of supply, such
as the city main, to the coil 5 in the water heater. A gas burner 8, is situated at the
base of the casing 7, and connected with the gas supply pipe 11ª. The gas supply
pipe 11 is provided with the usual mixer, and in the outer jacket 11 are air inlet
openings 14. Leading from the coil 5 is the hot water pipe 15, provided with a
faucet 16, at the point where it is desired that the water be delivered. The water
supply pipe 12, instead of leading directly to the coil 5, leads to a regulating valve
chamber 17, in which is the valve 18, arranged to close the flow of water from the
mouth of the pipe 12. In the side of the valve chamber, is a tapered passage 19,
for the flow of water from below to a point above the valve head. Seated in the
stem of the valve is one end of a lever rod or arm 20, the outer end of which arm is
keyed to a spindle 21, that extends out through the stuffing box 22. This spindle
is keyed to the crank lever 23, at the outer end of which is a fork 24, that engages
with the arm 25, of the gas supply cock 26, in the gas supply pipe 11ª. Extending
from the gas supply pipe 11, is the gas pipe 27, which is connected to burner for the
pilot light, or an electric lighter may be employed with mechanism connected with
the levers.
The valve shown in Fig. 2. differs from that shown in Fig. 3, in that the valve is
formed with a stem extending from it which enters the supply passage and serves
as a guide to steady the valve in its up and down movement.
The operation is as follows: When it is desired to draw hot water from the heater,
the faucet 16 is opened, thereby permitting water to flow from the coil 5, whereby the

page_text: When the
pressure of the water above the valve 18 is lessened and the pressure of water in the
pipe 12 raises the valve 18, allowing the water to flow from the pipe 12, through
the passage 19 and the valve chamber 17, to the coil 5.
The upward movement of
the valve 18 raises the lever arın 20 and thereby opens the gas cock 26, allowing gas
to pass to the burner 8, where it is ignited by the pilot flame, and, as the water
passes through the coil 5, it is heated by the flame from the burner 8.
faucet 16, is closed, and the flow of water through the coil 5 ceases, the pressure of
water above the valve 18 being restored, the valve 18 drops of its own weight,
thereby shutting off the supply of gas to the burner 8. In practice it has been found
that with a heater such as is shown in the drawings, water may be raised to
temperature of 212 degrees Fahrenheit in one minute.
In Figure 1, I show the heater located in the basement and arranged to be
operated by the faucets 16 in the laundry, in the basement, by the faucet 16 in the
kitchen on the first floor, or by the faucet 16 in the bath-room on the second floor.
In the same manner, the pipes inay lead to any number of rooms from any one of
which the heater may be operated by simply opening the faucet and allowing the
water to flow from the pipe.
The tapering passage or supply port 19 is so proportioned and located with
reference to. the travel of the piston or abutment 18, that the movement of the
valve or piston and consequently the opening of the gas valve, will be approximately
in direct proportion to the volume of flow through the faucets. The tapering passage
or port has its lower end so located that it will not be entirely closed at any time by
As water is
the piston, so as to compensate for leaky or partially closed faucets.
drawn from one or more faucets, the piston or abutment is raised by pressure in the
supply pipe until the passage or port 19 has been opened sufficiently far to permit of
the passage of a volume equal to that flowing from the open faucets. As soon as the
flow through the port or passage equals that through the faucet or faucets, equilibrium
of pressure on each side of the piston or abutmeut will be established and the latter
will cease to move. If, however, more faucets be opened, the piston will be forced
further up until the volume of water passing through the groove 18 will equal the
volume flowing from the open faucets. And further, if a number of faucets are
opened and then one or more of them be closed, the piston or abutment will be forced
down a proportional distance. As the piston or abutment controls the heat generator,
the heat applied to the coil will be proportioned to the flow of water. In lieu of the
motor shown in Figs. 2, 3, 4, for operating or controlling the gas valve, the mechanism
shown in Figs. 7 to 13, inclusive, may be employed. This mechanism consists,
generally stated, in a movable vane or abutment arranged in a chamber, which is
located in the line of flow of water from the supply pipe to the heater, in such
position as to be shifted by the stream of water flowing to the heater, and a valve or
other device for controlling the application of heat to the heater, connected to the
vane or abutment.
In the drawing 12 represents a water conduit leading from the city main or source
of supply, and 28 is a jet or nozzle on the end of the conduit and extending into
the chamber 29, which is also connected to a suitable coil of pipe in the heater.
This coil is constructed and arranged in such relation to a heat generator, i.e., a gas
burner, that the water flowing through the coil will be sufficiently heated.
A vane
or abutment 30, is movably arranged in the chamber in front of and preferably at
right angles to the axis of the nozzle 28. In the construction shown in Figs. 7 to 12,
the vane or abutment is attached to a spindle 31, having one end loosely mounted in
a socket in one of the side walls of the chamber, while the opposite end projects
through a stuffing box 32, on the other wall of the chamber. The projecting end of
the spindle is operatively connected to a controller for the heat generator, as a
valve 33 in a gas supply pipe 34. Secured to the shaft 31 in the chamber 29, is a
weight 35, the purpose of which is to present a yielding resistance to any force
exerted against the vane tending to move the vane out of its vertical position. This
resisting force may be regulated by placing the weight 36 adjustably on the arm 37,
which is keyed to the shaft 31, outside of the chamber 29. The pipe 38, connecting

page_text: chamber 29 with the heating coil, is preferably made somewhat larger than the
nozzle 28, so as to avoid any back pressure against the vane or movable abutment.
This regulator is arranged in such relation to the heating device, which may be of
any suitable construction, as, for example, a coil of pipe and a gas burner, that the
vane or abutment will be shifted by the movement of fluid through the heater, and
thereby permit of the operation of the heat generator.
The operation of this regnlator is as follows:
When water is drawn from the pipe 38 through the faucet, water flows from the
nozzle 28 and striking against the vane 30, deflects the same from a vertical position
and thereby causes the spindle 31 to turn on its axis and open the gas valve 33, so as
to permit a flow of gas to the gas burner and the amonnt of gas passing through the
valve will be regulated by the amount of water drawn from the conduit, for if the
faucet in the water pipe is opened wide, thereby avoiding any back pressure and
allowing a free flow of water through the heater, the jet from the nozzle 28 will be strong
and will deflect the vane 30 sufficiently to entirely open the gas valve. By adjusting
the weight 37, the relative amount of flow of water and gas may be regulated so as to
admit only a sufficient quantity of gas to the burner, to heat the water as it passes
through the water conduit whether the flow of water be large or small.
In Figure 10, I have shown a spindle provided with a series of vanes, so that, as the
first vane is moved away from the jet, another vane comes under its force and the
power of the jet on the regulator is not lessened.
Although I have described a weight as the resisting force I do not desire to limit
myself thereto. In lieu of an abutment or vane moving in the arc of a circle, as
shown in Figs. 7 to 12, the vane or abutment may be arranged to move in a straight
line, as shown in Fig. 13, in which the spindle 31, for operating the gas valve, is
provided with a crank loosely connected to the vane or abutment.
The nozzle and outlet pipe may be connected to the chamber on opposite sides of
the vane or movable abutment, as shown in Figs. 7 to 12, inclusive, or may be located
on the the same side of the vane or abutment, as shown in Fig. 13. When the nozzle
and outlet pipe are arranged on opposite sides of the vane or abutment, it is preferred
that the latter should be so constructed as to permit of a slight flow of fluid past it so
as to compensate for leaky or slightly open faucets, without shifting the vane or
abutment. Where the nozzle and outlet pipe are connected to the chamber on the
same side of the vane or abutment, provision should be made, as by holes through the
vane or abutment to permit of an equalization of pressure on both sides of the vane
when the faucets are closed, and also to permit of the escape of fluid past the vane to
the outlet pipe when the jet of water impinges thereon, on the opening of the
faucet.
As shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the burner is made in the form of an annulus and
divided horizontally into two sections for convenience of manufacture. The lower
section of the burner is formed with an enlargement 39 for the reception of the
mixer, which consists of a shell 40, having one end closed and having its side walls
slitted for the escape of mingled gas and air, and having its opposite end partially
closed by a nipple 41, having perforations in one end and its opposite end connected
to the gas supply pipe 11". As shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the outer end of the
shell 40 is flared or enlarged so as to form passages on opposite sides of the nipple 41,
for the flow of air into the shell.
The burner for the pilot light is formed on the upper section of the annular or
main burner and consists of a passage 42 in the wall of the upper section, forming a
mixing chamber which is connected to the branch gas pipe 27 by a nipple 44, having
a contracted passage for the gas and provided with perforations for the inflow of air,
as shown in Figs. 14 and 15. The burner proper consists of a concavo-convex disk 45,
fitting around the upper end of a nipple 46, connected to the mixing chamber and a
flat disk or spreader 47, resting on the edges of the disk 45 and the upper end of the
nipple, whose edges and also those of the disk 45, are notched for the escape of gas
and air. This burner is arranged within an annular rim 48 formed on the upper
section of the main burner, and above the recess thus formed is placed a concavo-

page_text: convex disk 49, the edges of which project slightly beyond and below the edge of the
rim. The purpose of this construction is to deflect the flame down onto the main
burner, and also to protect the flame of the pilot light from currents of air, it being
understood that combustion occurs within the chamber or recess formed by the rim 48,
and its covering plate or disk. As shown in Figs. 2 and 14, the wall of the main
burner, which forms the bottom of the combustion chamber of the pilot light, is per-
forated so as to allow air to pass through the mixer of the main burner into such
chamber to support combustion and also to allow mixed gas and air to flow through
the chamber when the valve of the main burner is opened. As shown in Fig. 2, the
branch pipe 27 for the pilot light is provided with a regulating valve 50, and is
connected to the main supply pipe 11ª, outside of the valve 51, regulating the flow of
gas to the main burner.
It is characteristic of the form or construction of the heating coil and its arrange-
ment within the combustion chamber, that the products of combustion are brought
into contact with approximately all parts of the coil, regardless of the location of
chimney or escape flue with relation thereto; and also characteristic of the improve-
ment thut the flues forined by the coils are approximately equal in transverse
dimensions, so that the resistance to the flow of the products of combustion through
said flues will be approximately the same, and by reason of the proximity or practical
contact of adjacent coils forming the several walls of the flues, the products of com-
bustion having entered either one of the flues will be compelled to continue through
said flue to its upper end and cannot be caused to move transversely from one flue to
an adjacent flue even if the draft in one flue be stronger than in the others.
It is also characteristic of the improved heater that the water flowing through the
coil will be raised to and maintained at approximately the desired temperature
regardless of the volume passing through the coil.
The advantages of my invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The
water heater may be left undisturbed, ready to be set in operation by merely
drawing water from the pipes at any distance from the heater, and, as the gas is
only turned on during the time that water is being drawn from the pipes, the usual
loss of heat by radiation where a storage of hot water is kept, is obviated. My device
is designed not merely as a safety appliance attached to water heaters, but as a new
and useful apparatus or mechanical means whereby the apparatus may be operated
and water may be heated by merely opening the faucet at the point of delivery,
however remote the faucet may be from the heater.
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:
1. The combination of a fluid receptacle having a supply and one or more outlet
pipes, a heat generator and means controlled by the flow of fluid through the
receptacle for regulating the heat generator proportionally to such flow, substantially
as set forth.
2. The combination of a fluid receptacle having a supply and one or more outlet
pipes provided with faucets, a heater and a movable abutment or piston in the supply
pipe for regulating the heat generator constructed to be shifted in proportion to the
flow of water through the receptacle, substantially as set forth.
3. The combination of a fluid receptacle having a supply and one or more outlet
pipes, a heater, a case or shell in the supply pipe provided with a taper passage or
port, a valve or piston controlling the flow of fluid through said passage, and means
controlled by the valve or piston for regulating the heat generator, whereby the heat
generated will be proportional to the flow of water. through the receptacle, substan-
tially as set forth.
4. The combination of a fluid receptacle having a supply and one or more outlet
pipes, a gas burner for heating the receptacle having a valved supply pipe, a
movable abutment or piston in the supply pipe of the receptacle constructed to be

page_text: shifted in proportion to the flow of fluid through the receptacle and connected to the
valve in the gas supply pipe, substantially as set forth.
5. In a regulator for water heaters, the combination of a conduit connected to the
heater, a rotatable shaft, a vane or abutment fitting loosely in the conduit and
connected to the shaft, and a controller for the heat generator also connected to the
shaft, substantially as set forth.
6. In a regulator for water heaters, the combination of a conduit connected to the
heater, a rotatable shaft, a vane or abutment connected to the shaft, means for
resisting the movement of the vane or abutment, and a controller for the heat
generator also connected to the shaft, substantially as set forth.
7. A heater for water consisting of a pipe arranged in two or more. vertical series
of coils, forming a continuous passage for water, the series of coils being separated
from each other, and the adjacent coils of each series in or approximately in contact,
thereby forming one or more annular flues or passages for the products of combustion,
substantially as set forth.
8. In a heater for water, the combination of an annular combustion chamber, a
length of pipe arranged in said chamber in two or more vertical series of coils, so as to
form a continuous passage and forming one or more annular flues for the products of
combustion, and a burner located in the combustion chamber, substantially as set forth.
9. A heater for water consisting of a pipe arranged in two or more vertical coils,
separated from each other and having the coils of one series connected to the
corresponding coils of adjacent series, and the adjacent coils of each series being in
or approximately in contact, thereby forming one or more annular flues or passages
for the products of combustion, substantially as set forth.
10. In a water heater the combination of a base having a central post or standard
forming the inner wall of the combustion chamber, an annular burner supported by
the post or standard, a shell supported by the burner and forming the outer wall of
the combustion chamber, and a coil of pipe arranged in the combustion chamber,
substantially as set forth.
11. In a heater for water, the combination of a main burner, a valve controlling
.the flow of gas to the main burner, and a burner for the pilot light having a limited,
independent supply pipe and communicating with the main burner, substantially as
set forth.
TUCI
1
A D 1007
Witnesses
:-
DARWIN S. WOLCOTT.
F. E. GAITHER.
JOHN CHARLES BECKFIELD.