Air heater

Application filed June 21,

This invention relates to air heaters and it is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus of this kind wherein the steam is employed as the heating medium.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this kind wherein the desired steam is generated through the instrumentality of a flash system and wherein the action of the heating member or plate is 10 under control of the steam pressure. .

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this kind wherein air may be- effectively heated with tne elimination of smoke, fumes and odor.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several'parts.of-my-..improved air heater whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device ren20 dered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein:—

Fio-ure 1 is a view partly in vertical sec30 tion 'and partly in elevation illustrating an air heater constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention:

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2—2 of Figure 1.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawing, C denotes a casing of requisite dimensions and which is intersected by the, vertically spaced partitions 1 and 2 providing a lower cold air chamber A, an upper hot air chamber H and an intermediate steam chamber S. The chambers A and H are in communication one with the other through the medium of the vertically disposed tubes 3 extending through the steam chamber S and having their extremities suitably affixed to the partitions 1 and 2.

The chamber A also has in communication therewith a cold air inlet flue 4 and the chamber H has in communication therewith 50 the carry-off flues 5.

Arranged within the lower portion of the chamber S adjacent to the bottom partition 1 is a plate 6' with which coacts an electric heating element 7. This element 7 is adapted 55 to heat the plate 6 to such degree as to cause the water dropping thereon being substan.1927. Serial No. 200,451.

tially instantaneously converted into steam. The water drops upon the plate 6 from a nozzle 8 depending from the inserted end portion of a pipe 9 leading from a suitable 60 source of water supply. This pipe 9 exteriorly of the casing C has interposed therein a regulating valve 10 whereby the flow through the pipe 9 may be readily controlled as the requirements of practice may necessitate.

The electric heating element 7 is interposed in a circuit leading from a desired source of electrical energy and a leg: a of this circuit has interposed therein a nor- 7() mally closed circuit closer B.

This closer B as. herein set forth,, comprises a stationary contact 11 and a movable contact 12. The movable contact 12 is operatively engaged with a stem 14 of a piston 75 15 working in a cylinder 16, said cylinder 16 being in communication with the upper end of tbe chamber S. Arranged within the cylinder 16 and interposed between the piston 15 and the outer closed end 17'of the 8i> cylinder is an expansible member 18, herein disclosed as a coil spring of requisite tension, encircling the portion of the stem 14 within the cylinder 16.

The central portion of the upper partition 85 2 is formed to provide a steam dome 19 extending upwardly within the hot air chamber H whereby desired heating of the air is further effected.

In practice, as the water drops upon the. oo plate 6, the resultant steam fills the chamber S and dome 19 and surrounds the tubes 3, said tubes being formed of copper or other material which will assure heating of the air as it passes upwardly through the tubes 95 from the lower cold air chamber A to the upper hot air chamber H. The further heating of the air within the chamber II is effected by the steam within the dome 19.

The spring or expansible member 18 here- 100 inbefore referred to normally maintains the movable contact 12 in closed position with respect to the contact 11 but upon steam within the chamber S obtaining an excessive pressure the piston 15 moves outwardly re- 105 suiting in breaking of the engagement between the contacts 11 and 12. This serves to eliminate the liability of the casing C bursting.

To further assure safety I also find it of no advantage to place in communication with * the chamber S a blow-off valve 20 operating

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2to relieve tile pressure within the chamber S when such pressure registers a predetermined degree. Also in communication, with the lower portion of the chamber 8 and pref5 erably through the lower partition 1 is a drain pipe 21 normally closed by a valve 22. This pipe 21 is adapted.when desired, to carry-off such water of condensation which may be collected within thi: cham10 her II.

From the. foregoing description: it is thought to be obvious that an air heater constructed· in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use. by 15 reason of tile convenience and facility with, which it may be assembled and operated,.' and'it; will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the prin20 ciples and spirit thereof and'for this , reason

I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts; herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except 25 as hereinafter claimed.