Sturtevant’s Patent Model of a Compound Air-Heater and Steam-Condenser – ca 1870
date: label: date made
content: ca 1870
label: date made
content: ca 1870
label: patent date
content: 1870-02-22
name: label: inventor
content: Sturtevant, B. F.
notes: label: Description
content: This model was filed with the application to the U.S. Patent Office for Patent Number 100,242 issued to B.F. Sturtevant of Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts on February 22, 1870. The patent was for an improvement in compound air-heaters and steam-condensers.
label: Description
content: The primary elements of the patent were a centrifugal fan, a heat exchanger case and associated ductwork. The fan (based on a previous patent by Mr. Sturtevant) drew air through the heat exchanger and was intended to exhaust the heated air into distribution ductwork. The heat exchanger consisted of an inner cylinder enclosing a large number of horizontal air tubes. Steam was introduced into the cylinder via a nozzle at the top. Steam and water condensed from steam within the cylinder exited via a like nozzle at the bottom. Plates at each end sealed the cylinder to prevent steam escaping while allowing air to flow through the tubes.
label: Description
content: Mr. Sturtevant claimed as new and improved his concept of providing an outer cylinder that enclosed the inner. This increased efficiency by causing air to flow both over the heated inside and outside surfaces of the inner cylinder. He also increased efficiency by placing deflector plates inside the steam nozzles to improve the distribution of steam across the air tubes and also to reduce the splashing of condensate at the exit. He provided for improved access for cleaning and repairs by including space between the fan housing and the heat exchanger and providing removable panels.
label: Description
content: Sturtevant enjoyed significant commercial success with this and his other patents (no less than 10 patents dealing with heating and ventilation were granted to him on the same day as this patent). In 1860 he founded the B. F. Sturtevant Co. which was extremely successful and long lived; Westinghouse bought the company in 1945, and operations continued at the Hyde Park, MA factory until its closing in 1989. The company’s equipment was installed in many public and private buildings including the U.S. Capitol and the “New National Museum, Washington, D.C” – now the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
label: Description
content: The patent model is shown in the image. The model is highly detailed and is constructed of metal castings and brass plate. It illustrates most of the key elements of the patent to include the details of the steam nozzles, deflector plates, and the provisions for access for maintenance. Diagrams showing the complete design of the heater can be found in the patent document online (www.USPTO.gov).
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States: Massachusetts, Boston
label: associated place
content: United States: Massachusetts, Boston, Jamaica Plain
topic: label: Subject
content: Heating
label: Subject
content: Patent Models
setName: label: See more items in
content: Work and Industry: Mechanical and Civil Engineering
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content: Engineering, Building, and Architecture
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content: Patent Models
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: ER.309240
label: accession number
content: 89797
label: catalog number
content: 309240
label: patent number
content: 100,242
objectType: label: Object Name
content: air heater and condenser, model
label: Object Name
content: patent model, condenser, steam & air heater
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: brass, metal (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 11 1/2 in x 10 in x 15 1/2 in; 29.21 cm x 25.4 cm x 39.37 cm