Untitled record

Application filed March 24, 1887. Serial No. 232,212. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, William P. Patton, of Harrisburg, in the county of Dauphin and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain 5 new and useful Improvements in Car-Heaters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use ro the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in car-heaters, and more particularly to a heater that is suspended beneath the body of a railroad-car to warm the interior.

The primary object of my present invention is to provide a car-heating device that will generate gaseous fuel from hot water and hydrocarbon oil, ranging in specific gravity from 27° to 75°, hydrometer gage, to produce a 20 fixed gas that is generated in volume in a close retort and supplied as it is required for consumption, the heat evolved by combustion of the fuel being utilized to raise the temperature of water in a proper heater, the water 25 being distributed in tubular coils that are located in a car, the circulation of the heated water or low-pressure steam warming the car by radiation, the construction of the apparatus being such that the process of gas-generation 30 and consequent combustion of same will be instantly arrested in case a car is thrown from the track and falls upon either of its sides.

A further object is to provide a car-heating device that maybe located beneath the car by 35 suspension and be supplied with materials from which to generate gaseous fuel from nonexplosive oil or water in proper volume, the fuel being also an illuminant, that may be employed to light the car as well as heat it.

A farther object is to so construct a carheating apparatus, which is supported beneath a car, that convenient tanks for the supply of fuel-generating materials may be combined with the same and both the tanks and the 45 water-heating chamber be compactly and securely sustained in position to operate properly while the car is in motion.

A further object is to provide a means whereby the feeding of water from a supplywater tank to the water-heater will be self- 50 regulating and be effected when the generation of steam creates a pressure in the heating-chamber above a fixed degree.

A further object is to provide a means whereby the feeding of water and carbona- 55 ceous material from which the gaseous fuel is generated may be regulated from the interior of the car.

A further object is to construct the water and carbon liquid supply tanks of a depend- 60 ing car-heater that they may be compactly located to feed the liquids to the heating apparatus by gravity, and that this feeding action may be controlled from the interior of the car. 65

With these ends in view my invention consists in certain features of construction and combination of parts that will be hereinafter specifically described, and pointed out in the claims. ?_c

Referring to the drawings making a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation in section of the water-heater in position beneath a car. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the water-heating apparatus with the end re- 75 moved to show interior mechanism. Fig. 3 is a front end elevation of the water-heater, showing its exterior. Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the device on a line, x x, Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the device showing the So water-regulating mechanism. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the water-heater and tanks, showing oil-feeding device in position on side of heater opposite to the water-regulating mechanism. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the heater 85 with the top plate removed. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the heating-coils in a car. Figs. 9 and 10 show side and front views of the oilfeeding automatic shut-off valve respectively. Fig. 11 is an elevation in section of the feed- 90 water regulator. Fig. 12 is a sectional elevation of the gas generating and consuming mechanism.

A represents the outer shell of the waterheater. This is made of plate-irou, and is of 95 suitable width and length to receive the water2

368,488 chambers A' A². The upper chamber, A', is made of plate-iron to neatly fit the rectangular shell A. It is of comparatively shallow depth, and is stayed by the rigid insertion of 5 the stay-bolts a a, &c., into the top and lower plates. The chamber A² is of the same width as the upper chamber, A', and somewhat shorter than it to afford room for a combustion-chamber, A³, in front of it.

io Between the chambers A' and A² a space,&, intervenes. This is afforded by the insertion into the adjacentsheets ofthe threaded nipples c c, that are re enforced by jam-nuts c', which have bearing contact upon each sheet, the nipples affording water-passages between these chambers.

The lower chamber, A², is provided with a number of regularly-spaced flues d d, that extend between and into the upper and lower so sides, and are secured in the same rigidly to produce water-tight joints. A space, d', for heat circulation is made between the lower surface of the shell A and the lower side of the chamber A², the connected chambers A' A²25 being supported upon the brackets d², at each end of the same, a vertical wall, e, that is erected at the front end of the chambers, aiding to retain them in this position.

A safety-valve, B⁵, is attached to the sides 30 of the upper chamber, A'. This is secured by a bracket, B⁶, which is bolted to the shell A, and is adapted to receive a spiral spring, e⁴, that is of such relative proportion in diameter of the body of its coil as to afford a ten35 sional strength sufficient to hold the valve e³in proper closed engagement with its seatuntil an objectionable pressure is developed in the water-heating chambers A' A², when it will rise and relieve this excess of pressure.

The gas generator and consumer 0 is located in the combustion-chamber A³. It consists of a metallic retort, D, of a proper size, preferably rectangular in form, to which is attached the gas-conducting pipes/, that lead 45 the gas as it is evolved in the retort to the burners g, which are adapted to mix air with the current of hydrocarbon gas, and by reason of the oxygen thus combined cause a smokeless combustion of the gaseous fuel.

In Fig. 12 the interior construction of the gas generating and consuming device is shown enlarged. The retort D is made, preferably, as shown, and has the pipes// attached to its sides and ends. These pipes have diminished 55 gas-passages formed at the points 3 3, that inject gas generated in the retort into the burners g g, &c., which are perforated on their top surfaces to permit a combustion of the mixed gas and hot air. The upright pipes// are 60 perforated at opposite points,/',above the jetorifices 3 3, to admit atmospheric air to mix with the gaseous product evolved by heating the retort and injecting water and carbonaceous liquid in graduated quantity into this hot retort. A similar burner, h, is secured to the pipes/ at a point below the retort D. It is of sufficient size to heat the retort and generate hydrocarbon gas therein in volume when the proper materials are introduced. The oil or other carbonaceous liquid is fed into the re- 70 tort D by a pipe, L, which connects the retort with an oil-tank, S', located above it. The valve P' is so connected with the pipe L that the supply of oil fed into the retort may be regulated by the hand-wheel m from the out- 75 side of the car, and also by a similar wheel, m², located within the car,this wheel or handle being secured to the vertical rod m', which is an extension of the stem of the valve P' above the wheel m. 80

A means of cutting off the oil-supply from the retort D, when an accident derails the car and throws it over on one of its sides, is shown at R. (See Figs. 2 and 8.) This valve is made to close on its seat by the spring 0. 85 It is held open by the yoke o', which is connected to the valve-stem 0² of the valve, and is made to rest upon the toe of the swinging weighty, that retains it in a raised position with the attached valve r when the car is in 90 normal position on the track. When the car is made to assume a position exceeding fortyfive degrees of inclination from a perpendicular line, or is thrown over on its side from accidental causes while in motion, the action of 95 gravity will swing the pendent weight p and cause it to disengage its toe s from the yoke o', releasing the latter and permitting the spring - actuated valve 0 to close instantly. The closure of the valve R will at once cut off icc the supply of oil, and in consequence the flame in the combustion-chamber A³ will be extinguished upon the derailment of a car that upsets the same, or a collision that crushes it, thus obviating danger from fire. - 105

Free access to the combustion-chamber A³is afforded by the door E. A grate, i, is provided to hold materials to start a light fire, which is necessary to heat the retort when the heating apparatus is to be put into operation. 110

I preferably locate this heating device about the center of the ear, below the body, and suspend it by looped bars I, which secure the shell A in suspended position to the truss rods H of the car. 115

The combined water and oil tanks (shown in Figs. 7 and 10) are supported upon the truss rods H of the car, and are secured to these rods by any suitable method. In order to make these devices compact and render the 120 transportation of the carbonaceous liquid safe from fire, I prefer to construct the oil or benzine tank inside the water-tank, and thus envelop the former-named receptacle with water when in use. The pipe L, which conducts the oil 125 from the tank S' to the retort D, is inserted through the wall of the water-tank S, a watertight joint being secured by any proper method.

The water and oil tanks are each provided 13c with a stop-cock, H', at one end to permit the filling of these tanks- expeditiously at a station, and I prefer to make the tanks of such a capacity that a supply sufficient to last for

368,488 twenty-four hours’ use of the heater will be held by them.

It is essential that water from the tank S be fed at proper intervals to the water-heat5 ing chambers A' A², and to accomplish this from the interior of the car the connectingpipe W' is attached to the lower portion of the water-chamber A² and water-tank S, upon one sideof the same, this pipe having a valve, :o W, introduced in its line to graduate the flow of water into the chamber A² by use of the vertical rod w and its handle.

In case of neglect to feed water at a proper time, and the heat evaporation, together with 15 the use of water to generate gas, reduces the quantity of water in the chamber A', au automatic valve will open when the pressure rises above a proper degree in the chambers A' A³. _ An enlarged view of this device is 20 shown in Fig. 11, which will now be described.

.The cylindrical valve U is constructed having a removable cap, w, on its upper end, a stuffing-box, y, on its lower end, and an inlet branch pipe, u², upon its side, the latter hav. 25 ing a flange, u³, to connect the chamber U to the side of the water-tank S. The interior-of the chamber U is made cylindrically true,and is fitted with a spring plunger-valve, u, that is of sufficient length to cover the opening u²30 of the branch pipe where it intersects the chamber. An outlet,u', is made in the chamber U below the inlet branch u², a pipe,®,of proper size,being secured to the outlet-orifice to conduct water to the upper heating-chamber when 35 the valve w is made to slide upward and uncover the inlet-opening u².

A rod, w⁴, extends downward to enter the flattened spherical chamber K. This is constructed of two dished and flanged portions 40 that mate each other in diametrical size and concavity of interior surface. The flanges z z' are perforated to be screw-bolted together, and have a thin diaphragm,n,preferably made of metal,interposed between them before they 45 are connected.

Upon the top surface of the diaphragm n a spiral spring, ri, is seated to have bearing contact with the inner surface of the chamber K, this spring being made of proper tension to 50 hold the valve u over the inlet-pipe opening and prevent an influx of water when pressure in the upper chamber, A', does not go above a predetermined degree. Upon the bottom of the chamber K the pipe N is attached. 55 This extends through an opening in the side of the combustion-chamber A³, thence upward to penetrate the lower sheet of the chamber A' and enter this chamber. A branch pipe, v, is connected to the upright part of pipe N, 60 and extends to enter the retort D at ν', this branch v serving to supply the necessary feedwater for gas-generation.

It is evident that when a higher pressure is attained in the chamber A' than is desirable, 65 due to want of water-supply and consequent free generation of steam, the diaphragm n and attached valve u will be raised sufficiently to allow water to enter the chamber U, and from thence passing through the opening in the ringvalve u fill the chamber and be forced through 70 the pipeN into the heating chamber A'. When sufficient water has entered the chamber A' to lower the temperature by condensation of steam, the diaphragm n and attached valve u will resume their normal position and cut off ₇t the water-feed. '°

It should be distinctly understood that the gas generated in the retort D is a fixed gas, and not a mere vapor of the 1 ighter hydrocarbon liquids, such as gasoline. I prefer to use coal- 80 oil of such a density as will not vaporize in the atmosphere without heat. This may range in specific gravity from 27° to 72°, or from heavy coal-oil to crude benzine, preference being given to oil of about 54°, hydrometer gage. 85 The use of water is necessary to dissociate the oil and furnish oxygen and hydrogen in volume to combine with the carbon of the oil to evolve gas. The proportion of water may be as high as two volumes of water to one of car- no bon, and thus furnish a gaseous fuel of great ^Jheating power. The use of water cuts down the cost of gas-generation and affords a very economical gaseous fuel.

Two heat-distributing coils, A⁶, are placed 95 each in a box, which is preferably made to extend from end to end of the car beneath the floor, with a register at each seat. This is optional, as the coils A⁶ may be placed at the sides of the car in boxes or recesses provided ico to receive them. The boxes in which the coils are placed may be lined with metal to reflect the heat, and the contact with the wood be protected by asbestus boards or felt cloth, to prevent charring. The coils are attached to 105 the branch pipe Y in the upper chamber, A', and a similar pipe, Y', to return the cooled water to the lower chamber, A².

In some cases it may be preferred to use two water-heating appliances, they being sup- i_IOported in a line across the bottom of the car as shown in Fig. 5. When two heaters are used, a heat - distributing coil is attached to each heater, one on each side of the car. A steam-gage may be connected to the heating- 115 chambers A' to indicate when pressure is increased above a desirable point, and a spring safety-valve, B^s, set to raise and relieve this excess of pressure, is attached upon the side of the chamber A'to have a proper connec- 120 tion with its interior, as previously stated.

In operation the valve P' is opened to permit oil to enter the retort D. After a light ffire of wood or charcoal has been started a Sufficient length of time to heat the retort, the 125 carbon vapor thus produced will issue from the burner h and be ignited. Water is now introduced by opening valve v², (see Fig. 2 ) that is located in the pipe v. This will be instantly vaporized, and having chemical affinity 130 for the carbon atoms, will combine with them. The absorption of carbon by the oxygen of the vaporized water will effect a decomposition of the superheated steam aud a recomposition

368,488 takes place, producing an oxy hydrocarbon gas. ...

A continuation of the operation just described will force gas in volume from the burn5 ers g. This will be ignited and burn with an intense heat, which, impinging upon the adjacent surface of the water-heating chamber A', the heat developed by the burners,/; will extend rearward into the space b, thence downio wardly through the flues d into the space d', and from thence through the perforations d? into the combustion - chamber A³. The nipples e affording communication-passages for water between the lower chamber, A², and upper chamber, A'; the cooler water in the lower chamber will rise as the hot water is made to enter the distributing-coils, and after parting with its heat by radiation is returned to the lower chamber, A². In this manner a 20 constant circulation of the water is maintai ued.

In case steam is formed that doesnot exceed the maximum pressure allowed in the chambers, the heating of the car will as effectually be accomplished by the radiation of its con25 tained heat from the distributing - coils into which it rises.

As the candle-power of the gas produced in the retort D may be made sufficiently high to be serviceable as an illuminant, an outlet, J, 30 may be made in the wall of the retort to allow a proper gas - service pipe to be attached thereto, which pipe maybe extended toproper points in the car to furnish gas to light the interior of the same. In case it is desired, 35 there may be a branch conductor-pipe led to a proper point to supply gas to a gas-range for cooking purposes, the latter - named feature being particularly available in the cooking department of a dining-room car.

The novel gas-generating retort aud its connected burner, which are employedin combination with other devices to produce this safety ear-heater, I do not desire to claim, broadly, at this time, but reserve the right to 45 make a subsequent application fora divisional patent on the device for generation of hydrocarbon gas and burners that are adapted to directly consume the gas as evolved, mixing the gas with atmospheric air in proper volume 50 to afford an economical result as to consumption of carbonaceous liquid. I do not wish to vitiate my right to secure this device, per se, and therefore make no specific claims for its construction in this connection.