Improvements in Apparatus for Regulating Temperature.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Mar., 1893-Accepted, 20th May, 1893
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Regulating Temperature.
I, JOSEPH EDWIN WATTS of 137 Oxford Street, Lawrence, Essex County,
State of Massachusetts, United States of America, Mechanic, 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 for regulating temperature, and comprises
primarily a series of radiators or heat distributors, a thermostat in the apartment
where the radiators are located and a heat generating source, as a steam or hot
water system; secondly, an electric generator with conducting wires, a damper
regulator, composed of a diaphragm with an adjustably weighted lever, and a
controlling valve, which has no positive mechanical connections, but is energized
and controlled solely by fluid pressure and electrical currents. Moreover in con-
nection with the above elements is a second thermostat for the heat generating
agent by means of which the temperature of said heat generator serves to short
circuit the electric current and thereby close the damper independently of the
temperature in the apartment to be heated. This latter contrivance is to prevent
excessive temperature or activity within the generator, which might easily be
produced in case the room thermostat demanded a great, sudden, or long continued
call for increase in temperature. All these several elements, their relation to each
other, together with their respective functions will be hereinafter fully explained
and described.
The drawings accompanying this Specification represent in Figure 1, a general
view of the entire apparatus embodying my invention, showing the relation of the
respective instrumentalities.
Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional elevation of the independent valve
and valve-case, the flanges of the latter being shown in broken lines.
Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the diaphragms which controls the damper.
Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the room-thermostat indicating its position when a
desired temperature has been reached.
Fig. 5 is a section of the valve case on line - Fig. 2.
In the drawings, see Fig. 1, the apartment to be heated is shown at A equipped
with a system composed of the usual radiator or radiators B, and supply and return
pipes respectively a b, which connect with a heat generator C. The latter may-be
a steam boiler or a hot water system, preferably the latter.
Within the apartment A, and in any desired location is placed a thermostat D:
this may be of any approved form or type. In the present instance I use a
bimetallic arm or rod 2, in which the metals composing it have unequal coefficients
of expansion. Under ordinary existing conditions the room-thermostat D is to
control the damper door E of the heat-generator C.
Extending from the damper-door is a rope or flexible connection 3 suitably hung
upon rollers; said rope is secured to the free end of a weighted lever 4 which
controls in part but is actuated by the impulses of a diaphragm 5. The latter is
to be located by preference in the basement, and is to be actively operated by a
valve 7, which in its turn is permitted to move through the agency of the room
thermostat D. This valve constitutes one of the prime features of my invention,
and consists in a rectangular valve-case 8 adapted to resist high pressure, and pre-
ferably of non-magnetic material; longitudinally within said valve-case is the
valve 7 which is a cylindrical rod mounted loosely in the extremities of two
nipples 9, 10 connecting with pipes 91 10¹, said nipples serve as valve-seats in order
to allow the valve to perform two offices, one of which is to allow a fluid under
pressure to enter the valve-chamber through the pipe 9¹. This pipe communicates

page_text: with a water system 12, in the present instance, as the high service of a city or
town. When the valve is in its opposite position fluid under pressure is allowed to
escape by way of the pipe 10¹ to waste or to a trap 13.
Interconnecting the valve case 8 and the diaphragm is a pipe 14. Moreover
upon the valve is fastened an iron armature plate 15, which is operated by two
electro-magnets 16, the cores 17 of which extend through the valve-case. Said
magnets are energized by a current through a circuit composed of a battery of
cells 18 and wires 19, 20: respectively by wire 19 through the electro-magnets to
the terminal or contact point 21, of the room-thermostat by wire 20 from the
battery to the movable arm 2 of said thermostat.
The respective functions and correlations of the above described instrumentalities
are as follows, reference being had to Fig. 4, where the assumption is that the
room-thermostat D is set for a temperature say of 70°, but that the then existing
temperature is 65° in which event the movable arm 2 has then closed the circuit.
The result has been to energize the electro-magnets 16, the current flowing from
battery to wire 19, thence through magnets by wire 19 to terminal 21, through
arm 2, wire 20 to battery. This activity of the electro-magnets attracts the
armature 15, moves the valve 7 and opens the discharge pipe 10', while simul-
taneously, the supply through pipe 9¹ is shut off. As a result the influence of the
weighted lever 4 upon the diaphragm serves to eject the fluid from beneath the
latter, hitherto under pressure, and permits the diaphragm to move and upon
the descent of the lever 4, the damper E is opened and so held, as long as the
temperature is less than that predetermined by the adjustment of the room
thermostat. When such degree of heat, say 70° is attained the circuit is opened
by expansion or movement of the arm 2; the current through the electro-magnet
ceases. The fluid pressure from the service pipe 12 by way of pipe 91 now moves
the valve to admit fluid, which latter is free to flow into pipe 14, and beneath the
diaphragm. At the same time the exhaust pipe 10 is closed and the accumulated
pressure from the pipe 12 lifts the diaphragm and closes the damper partially or
entirely. The action of the diaphragm consequent upon the service fluid pressure
is regulated by the weights on the lever 4. Conversely by reference to Fig. 4,
whenever the existing temperature say 65° is in excess of that required say 60° the
room thermostatic arm 2, is separated from its co-operating terminal 21, in which
event, as premised in the previous instance, the electro-magnets are inactive, the
exhaust-pipe 10, is closed, the supply pipe 91 is open, and the diaphragm 6 is
subjected to fluid pressure to close or partially close the damper. The relative
positions of the several elements now continue until the temperature of the room
has been reduced to 60°. When the circuit is closed, the electro-magnet excited
and the valve 7 actuated to shut off the fluid pressure and allows the diaphragm to
collapse when the lever 4 drops and the damper is opened or partially so, sufficient
to maintain the temperature at the desired point.
In this invention I have shown the diaphragm 4 as operated by fluid pressure
from a water system, but this was instanced as a ready expedient, since the cost is
small and but little water is used. However fluid pressure from any source may
he employed with equally good results.
As before explained I consider the primary feature in my invention to consist in
'a valve freely mounted in bearings without any positive mechanical attachment for
actuating or controlling it, but in lieu thereof I employ fluid pressure to move it
into one position, and electrical energy to complete the other and reverse
movement.
Another prominent feature in my invention is in the use of a thermostat F upon
the heat generator or other agency. This may be of a form preferably of the
class shown in Letters Patent of Great Britain No. 22176, issued in my name on
the 18th day of December, 1891, and its object is to control a loop circuit 30, by
which the main current operating the independent valve 7 is short circuited at
certain times in order thereby to prevent excessive temperature being created in
the heat generating agency.
Such excessive temperature is liable to occur in case

page_text: a window or door is left open in the apartment where the thermostat D may be
located. It is evident under such a condition the room thermostat tends to keep
the damper or door E, wide open and very excessive temperature is generated,
which in some instauces might easily exceed the bounds of safety. The same
result can happen where a room in which the temperature is much below the normal
will cause the damper or door E to be kept open longer than is really necessary,-
that is, the heat generated rapidly to cause a sudden rise in the temperature will
be greatly in excess of that actually demanded for such rise. My invention is
intended to check this excessive demand and cause an interval of time in which the
heat already generated may be enabled to cause a rise in the temperature of the
room. In the present instance this thermostat at F is applied to the heating
source C, and is furnished with an expansion tube 24, together with a pivotal
lever 25, and to be operated by said tube. This lever or post thereon is insulated
and connected by the wire 26 to the wire 20 to the battery; moreover a second
wire 27 interconnects the wire 19 with an adjustable contact post 28. Thus
expansion of the tube 24 of this thermostat F causes the lever 25 to move and
closes it against the post 28, with the result to short circuit the current upon the
line as follows: Battery 18 wires 19 to 27, thence to lever 25, wires 26 and 20 again
to battery. In this way the current through the electro-magnets is weakened and
the latter are rendered inactive; this permits the valve 7 to be moved by fluid
pressure, the exhaust pipe 10 is thereby closed and the supply 9 opened, when the
diaphragm again lifts its lever and the door or damper E is shut regardless of the
position of the room-thermostat, which is in such position as calls for an open
damper. This relation of elements now continues, until the excessive temperature
in the heating source is somewhat modified, when the contraction of the tube 24
allows the lever 25 to break contact with the terminal 28. The short circuit on
the loop ceases, the current resumes its course through the magnets, the valve is
again moved to open the exhaust pipe 10, the diaphragm and weighted lever 4 drop
and the damper door is again opened and so remains until the room thermostat
operates it. This is a very convenient and practical method of controlling the
independent valve 7 and rendering it operative either for the heat creating source
or for the apartment to be supplied with heat.
In lieu of the thermostat operating a loop circuit to short circuit the main current
and thus prevent the operation of the independent valve 7, the lever 25 may be
located in the main circuit and be so positioned as to break the main current when
the temperature in the heat generating agency becomes excessive.
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. In apparatus for regulating temperature, a valve loosely mounted upon its
bearings and adapted to be operated in one direction by fluid pressure, in the other
by electrical energy, induced by a controlling agent as a thermostat in the
apartments to be heated, substantially as described.
2. In apparatus for regulating temperature, the combination with a series of
radiators, a heating agency communicating therewith, a room thermostat, and an
operating weighted diaphragm connected with the damper of the heating agency,
of a valve loosely mounted upon its bearings and adapted to be operated in one
direction by fluid pressure, in the other by electrical energy, and an electric
current and circuit therefor which includes the room thermostat, the movement of
the independent valve serving to control the pulsations of the diaphragm, sub-
stantially as specified and stated.
3. In a temperature regulator, the combination with a loose valve controlled
solely by fluid pressure and electrical energy, a room thermostat, a pulsating
diaphragm operated by the movement of the independent valve, conducting wires
from the current generator interconnecting the room thermostat and electro-
magnets which operate in part said valve, of loop circuit, a second thermostat

page_text: attached to the heating agency, and a lever operated by the second thermostat to
short circuit the current and operate the independent valve by fluid pressure
regardless of the room thermostat, substantially as described.
4. In a temperature regulator, a heating agency an electric generator-as a
battery two conducting wires therefrom, a room thermostat, and one or more
electro-magnets likewise in the same circuit, combined with an independent valve,
a loop circuit, a second thermostat, and lever upon the heating agency adapted to
short circuit the main conducting wires, together with mechanism to operate the
damper of the heating agency by movement of the independent valve consequent
upon the short circuit, substantially as explained.
5. In apparatus for regulating temperature, the combination with an independent
valve, a heating agency, an electric generator, a room thermostat, and conducting
wires to the independent valve and room thermostat, of a valve loosely mounted
within a valve chamber and provided with an armature, said valve adapted to be
alternately reciprocated by electrical energy and fluid pressure, and the inter-
connecting mechanism whereby the damper of the heating agency is controlled upon
movement of the independent valve, substantially as specified.
6. The apparatus for controlling temperature, composed of a room thermostat, an
electrical generator, a heat creating and distributing agency, a weighted diaphragm
to control the damper of the heating agency, an independent valve, and a fluid
pressure system communicating with the diaphragm, together with means for
electrically operating the independent valve to actuate the diaphragm and close
the damper, as likewise with means to operate the independent valve by fluid
pressure and thereby open the damper, substantially as herein set forth and stated.
7. The combination with a heating agency, a weighted diaphragm, an electric
generator, and suitable conducting wires, of a valve chamber, supply and exhaust
pipes therefrom, a loosely mounted armature-equipped valve therein to open and
close said pipes, electro-magnets controlled by the room thermostat together with
means to unite said diaphragm with the valve chamber, substantially as set forth.
8. In apparatus for regulating temperatures, heat generating and distributing
agencies, a room thermostat, an electric generator, conducting wires to a valve
operated by said room thermostat, combined with a second thermostat actuated by
the heat generating agency, and a loop-circuit to weaken the main current, and
thereby render the room-thermostat inoperative to prevent the heating agency from
exceeding the limits of safety, substantially as specified.
Dated this Third day of March 1893.
JOSEPH EDWIN WATTS.