Improvements in or relating to Instantaneous Water-heaters.
Year: 1893

page_text: COME DETE
Improvements in or relating to Instantaneous Water-heaters.
A communication from SAMUEL BERNSTEIN, of 141, Ontario Street, Chicago,
Cook County, Illinois, U.S.A., Manufacturer.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex,
Chartered Patent Agent 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 apparatus of the kind known as "instantaneous water-
heaters," designed especially for heating cold water as rapidly as it passes through
the apparatus. It is particularly useful where hot-water circulation is not provided
for or is temporarily out of use. The heat is obtained from any convenient fuel,
although it is usual to beat with gas, vapor or oil, which may be readily ignited and
extinguished.
The improvements which form the subject matter of this invention relate
principally to the construction, the general mode of operation, except as hereinafter
pointed out, being substantially similar to the operation of other apparatus of this
class.
The construction comprises an outer shell in which are two conical shells, one
within the other, with an aperture between them at the top for the emergence of
products of combustion, the inner conical shell being closed to constitute a water
chamber, while the space between the intermediate shell and the outer walls
constitutes also a water chamber, the two chambers communicating. Water is
admitted in a spray to both water chambers, between which the heat passes from a
burner below. The outer water chamber is of a capacity to permit it, when
desired, to hold a large quantity of water, although the arrangement is such that
the water may, if desired, be withdrawn in a heated condition as fast as it enters in
a cool condition.
Especially where a gas burner is used for heating, it is found that injury to the
apparatus frequently arises from the failure of careless users to shut off the gas
when the water is shut off, or to turn on the water when the gas is lighted. To
obviate this the present invention employs a construction by which the movements
of the gas and water turn-cocks are united when the gas is turned on, although the
water may still be turned on without turning on the gas.
The invention will be better understood from the accompanying drawings, in
which―
Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of an instantaneous water-heater showing
the improvements;
Figure 2 is a plan sectional view of the water spraying device, taken on the
line 2 of Figure 1, and viewed in the direction of the arrow; and
Figure 3 an enlarged perspective view of the water and gas cocks, showing
the mode of connecting them.
A is the outer shell, which is preferably of uniform diameter throughout. At its
bottom it is perforated, as at t, to admit air to assist combustion, and at its top it is
contracted to form the chimney outlet s. Within the shell A is the open conical
shell B, the lower end of which is brazed or otherwise secured to the shell A at r,
in such a manner as to produce a water tight joint. Within the shell B, and
secured to the latter at the upper contracted end by bolts p, is a shell C, having the
dished bottom q. The bolts p, between the shells, are formed to afford struts p',
either by employing sleeves or shoulders, or in any other suitable manner.
space is provided between the shells at their upper ends through which the products
of combustion may pass. A pipe D extends from a union at the center of the
Thus a

page_text: dished bottom g to a sleeve o brazed to the shell B, and affords free communication
between the shell C and the water space a between the shells A and B. The
pipe D has right and left threads at its ends, respectively to fit corresponding
threads in the union and sleeve.
A water pipe E enters the shell A at a suitable point and terminates at a point
near the top of the inner shells, in the spraying ring n and spray nozzle m, the
former directing the spray against the outer surface of the shell B, and the latter
directing the spray against the inner surface of the shell C. A faucet F is located
at the lowermost point of the water space a, and is provided with the usual turn-
cock l, and an overflow pipe G extends from a point about the level of the nozzle m
to the faucet.
His the gas burner, in the form of an annular, perforated pipe, receiving its
supply through a pipe I. Above the level of the burner H the shell A is per-
forated for the admission of the pilot flame, as shown at k. From the gas-admitting
pipe K extends upward the pilot burner i, of the usual kind. The turn cock of the
gas pipe K is of the usual kind, and has a handle h, but in addition thereto has the
extending finger L. The water cock g has the handle M, located in position to be
engaged by the finger L as the gas cock is turned.
The operation is as follows: Water may be admitted freely to the water spaces,
through the spraying devices m n, whether the gas be turned on or off; but gas
can not be admitted to the burner H without turning on the water. The gas being
therefore turned on and lighted, a constant stream of water passes to the faucet F,
being effectually and rapidly heated by contact with the heated walls of the
shells, B and C. If the water is to be used as fast as heated, the faucet F is left
open. If not, it is closed, and water, to the level of the overflow is retained in a
heated condition in both shells. The steam generated, if any, passes out through
the chimney. Thus a means is provided for obtaining a quantity of heated water
which may be discharged from the apparatus more rapidly than is practicable
where it is used as fast as heated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion (as communicated to me by my foreign correspondent) and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The water heater having the large water space a and overflow G, in
combination with the conical shells, B and C, between which pass the products of
combustion from a gas or other burner H, as shown and described.
2. In a water-heater, a connection between the water-cock and the gas-cock,
whereby the gas can not be turned on without turning on the water, while the
water may be turned on without turning on the gas, substantially as described.
Dated this 7th day of July 1893.
W. P. THOMPSON & BOULT,
Agents for the Applicant.