US1670745A - Safety mechanism for oil burners - Google Patents

Description

May 22, 1928.

1,670,745 0. c. SCHROEDER SAFETY MECHANISM FOR OIL BURNERS Filed Oct. 17, 1924 I I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 22, 1928. 1,670,745

0. C. SCHROEDER SAFETY MECHANISM FOR OIL BURNERS Filed Oct. 17, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z;2 venz or; Z

Patented May 22, 1928.

UNITED STATES OSCAR C, SCHROEDER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SAFETY mscna'msm F03 0111. BUBNERS.

- Application filed October 17, 1924. Serial No. 744,168.

My invention relates, more particularly, to devices for automatically discontinuing the flow of oil to the burner when conditions render such stoppage of flow desirable.

One of my 0 jects is to provide an automatically operating the oil overflow the float-chamber of the burner, or the burner itself, as for example in the case of the extinguishment of the flame, the flow of oil to the burner Will be automaticall discontinued.

Another 0 jectis to provide a construction wherein the oil-valve controlling the flow of oil to the burner, after being closed,

v1 cannot be'reset'in the open condition, unless the element of the safety structure which is actuated 'by overflowing oil, is in operative position. Another object is to provide an automati- 2 cally operating device whereby should the oil become ignited before it reaches the burnertip, the flow of oil to-the burner will be automaticall I discontinued.

Still urther objects are generally to pro- 2 vide such improvements in the safety features of oil burners that the latter may be operated, with the minimum danger from overflow or accidental ignition of the oil.

Referring to the accompanying drawings:

igure 1 is a view, in vertical sectional elevation of a burner-structure, equipped with my improved safety device. Figure 2 is an enlarged view, in elevation, of the safety device. Figure 3 is a section taken at the irregular hne 3-3 on Fig. 2 and viewed in the direction of the arrows. I, Figure 4 is a section taken at the irregular line 4-4.- on Fig. 3 and viewed in the direction of the arrows; and Figure 5, an edge view of a fusible link forming an element of the apparat-us.

I have chosen to illustrate my invention as embodied in an oil-burner structure. involving, as an element thereof, a rotatable, substantially vertically disposed, hollow shaft 5, shown as forming the armature shaft of an electric motor the armature and field windings of which are represented at 6 and so 7, respectively, the opening through the shaft, represented at 8, extending from end to end thereof. The opening 8 at the extreme lower end of the shaft 5 is constricted, as compared with the opening at the exdevice whereby should' treme upper end thereof and which communicateswith burner-proper 9 to be supplied with liquid fuel through the shaft 5, whereh rotation of the shaft causes oil so plied t ereto to flow to the burner. T e

lower end of the shaft 5 opens into a receptacle 10 forming a float-chamber, in position therein to be continuously immersed in the oil supplied tothis chamber through a pipe 11, under the control of a valve (not shown) controlled by a float 12 in the chamber 10, and a valve 13 in the pipe 11, the receptacle 10 containing an overflow opening, such as indicated at 14. Located directly beneath the receptacle 10 is a basin 15 shown as spaced vertically fromthe receptacle 10 and provided to receive any oil overflowing the burner-proper or the receptacle 10, this basin containing an outlet 16 for directing the overflowing oil into the safety-bucket hereinafter referred to.

My improved safety device comprises a bucket 17 rigidily secured to the lower end of a rod 18, by a fitting 19, the upper end of the .rod 18 being connected with a bracket 20 releasably engaging at its upper end with, and pivoted on, a shaft 21 rigidly secured to,

and projecting laterally from, a'dependin'g ear 22 on the casing of the valve 13 which is rigidly supported by its connection with the sections of the pipe 11, the parts described being so roportioned and arranged that the bucket 1? extends into a osition in which it is directly below the out at 16 and receives any oil flowing therethrough from the basin 15.

Pivotally connected between its ends with the bracket 20, as indicated as 23, is a bent lever 24, the rearwardly deflected end of which is weighted, as represented at 25, and the other end of which, represented at 24:, is connected with the bracket 20 by means of a fusible link 26, shown as formed of a pair of parallel plates 27 and 28 secured to the lever 24 and bracket 20, respectively, and overlappin each other at adjacent ends, as represente in Fig. 5, at which overlapped portions these plates are secured together by solder having the desired melting point, the arrangement of these parts being such that the lever 24: extends substantially. horizontally as shown, in the operative position of the parts.

The bracket 20 is provided with a 100king shoulder 29 shown as extending upwardly and carried by the outer end of an arm 30 projecting substantially radially from the opening 31 in the bracket at which the latter receives the pivot-shaft 21, this shoulder co-operating with a tooth 32 shown as forming the terminal portion of one end of a lever 33 operatively connected between its ends, with the outer end of a rotatable valve element 34 forming a part of the valve 13. The opposite end-portion of the lever 33 is of the angular shape to provide the rearwardly offset portion 33 the terminal portion of which carries a weight 35 which is rearwardly oil'set relative to the weight 25.

' In the particular construction shown the valve-element 34 is in the form of a rod rotatable in a hollow boss 36 extending laterally of, and communicating with, the interior of the casing of the valve 13, the in terior of this easing containing a partition 37 having an opening 38 forming a port through which all of the oil flowing through the valve 13 must pass. The inner end of the rod 34, which is provided with a threaded portion 39 between its ends engaging a similar thread 40 in the boss 36, is in direct axial alinement with the opening 38 with which it co-operates to control the flow of oil through the valve 13, it being understood that when the rod 34 is rotated in clockwise direction in Fig. 2 from the position shown therein and in Fig. 3, it will move the rod 34 to the right in Fig. 3 to a position in which the openin 38 is closed.

As above stated the bracket 20, together with the parts carried thereby, is removably pivotally supported on the shaft 21 and to prevent accidental disengagement of this bracket from the shaft 21 I provide a spring detent 41 shown as of U-shape one arm 42 of the detent being secured to the bracket 20 and its other, free, arm 44 extending across the shaft 21 and, under its spring tension, into an annular groove 45 provided in the periphery of this shaft, the bracket being slotted at 46 to receive the arm 44 of this spring and permit of"'its defiection.

The shaft 21 is shown as provided, adjacent the bracket 20, with a collar 47 ri id thereon and containing the groove 45, etween which and the ear 22 an upwardlyextending plate 48 through which the shaft 21 passes and a sleeve 21 encirclin this shaft, are clamped by a nut 49 screwe upon the outer, threaded, end of this shaft, the upper end of the late 48 abutting the outer end of a stuffing ox 36* on the boss 36 and containing an opening 50 in which the rod 34 is journaled.

The normal condition of the safety device is that shown in the drawings in which the lever 33 is in engagement at its tooth 32 with the shoulder 29 on the swinging bracket 20, in which position of the parts the valve-rod 34 is in spaced relation to the partition 38 and oil may flow through the valve 13 to the burner structure, the lever 33 being held by the shoulder 29 against its tendency, under the action of the weight 35,-

of rocking t e bracket 20 in counter-clockwise direction in Fig. 2 and lowering the shoulder 29 out of engagement with the lever 33, whereupon the latter under the action of the weight 35, swings in clockwise direc tion rotating the valve-rod 34 to valve-closing position.

Should the oil at the burner structure become ignited before it reaches the burnerhead 9 the heat generated thereby will soften the solder connecting the plates 27 and 28 of the fusible link, which will permit the lever 24 to rock in clockwise direction in Fig. 2, under the action of the weight 25, to a position in which the bucket 17 will cease to be counterbalanced, with the same result as in the case of the flowing of oil into the bucket 17, as above explained, whereby the valve 13 becomes closed. By

preference a cup represented at 51 is 'con-' nected with the bucket 20 in a position to extend immediately below the fusible link, this cup to be charged with oil which be comes ignited in case of accidental fire at the burner-structure and ensures the melting of the solder referred to.

The lever 33: is preferably provided with a finger 52 so positioned that it will extend into the path ofithe end 24* of the lever 24, in the swinging of the latter, when released by the melting of the solder as above explained, and thus ensure the swinging of the lever 33 to a position in which t is lever is disengaged from the shoulder 29.

- It will be noted that the bracket 20, lever 24 and bucket 17, in effect,'form a unitary structure, removable from, and replaceable on, the shaft 21, as a unit and that it is not possible to set the valve 13in open position unless this unitary structure is so positioned that the bucket 17 will catch the overflow and the fusible link is conditioned for operation, this being a very desirable feature as it serves to minimize danger from overflow and fire.

While I have illustrated and described a particular construction embodying my inlimiting it thereto as the same may be variously modified and altered .without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through which the oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil to said burner structure, of means controlling said first-named means comprising a. movably supported element, a bucket operatively engaging said element and positioned to receive oil overflowing said burner structure, a movable member operatively engaging said element, and means operatively engaging'said member and element for hold-v ing said member against movement relative to said element and having a fusible portion, said second named means when oil flows into said bucket, or said fusible portion becomes fused, moving to a position in which said first-named means become positioned for discontinuing the flow of oil to said burner structure.

2. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through which the oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil to said burner structure and tending to move, when in open position, to closed position, of means controlling said firstnamed means comprising a movably supported element, a bucket operatively engaging said element and positioned to receive oil overflowing the burner structure, said element being movable uiider the weight of oil flowing into said bucket and having a portion operating toreleasably hold said firstnamed means in a position for supplying oil to the burner structure, a movable member operatively engaging said element, and means operatively engaging said member and element for holding said member against movement relative to said element and having a fusible portion which, when fused, re leases said member for movement on said element, said element in said movement of said member moving said portion out of engagement with said first-named means.

3. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through which the oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil to said burner structure and tending to move, when in open position, to closed position, of means controlling said firstnamed means comprising a bucket-equipped element, counter-balancing means for said element and fusible means controlling the position of said counter-balancing means.

4. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through which the oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil to said burner structure and tending to move, when in open position, to closed position, of means controlling said firstnamed means comprising a bucket equipped element, counter-balancing means for said element, and fusible means controlling the position of said counter-balancing means, said second-named means being removable from, and replaceable in, o erative position for holding said first-name means in open condition only as a unitary structure and only when said fusible means are in operative condition.

5. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through which the oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil to said burner structure, of means controlling said first-named means comprising a pivoted bucket-equipped element, counterbalae-ing means for said element and fusible means controlling the position of said counter-balancing means, for the purpose set forth.

6. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through which the oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil to said burner structure, of means controlling said first-named means comprising 'a pivoted bucket-equipped element, counter-balancing means ivoted formovement independently of said element, and fusible means controlling the position of saidv counter-balancing means, for'the purpose set forth.

7. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through which the oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil to said burner structure, of means controlling said first-named means comprising a movably supported element, a bucket operatively engaging said element and positioned to receive oil overflowing saidburner structure, a counter-weight member pivoted on said element, and means operatively engaging said counter-weight member and element for holding said member against movement relative to said element and havinga fusible portion, said second named means when oil flows into said bucket, or said fusi ble portion becomes fused, moving to a position in which said first-named means become positioned for arresting the flow of oil to said burner structure.

8. The combination With an oil-burner structure, a pipe through which the oil is supplied thereto. and means controlling the flow of oil to said burner structure, ofmeans controlling said first-named means comprising a movably supported element, a bucket operatively engaging said element and positioned to receive oil overflowing said' burner structure, a counter-balancing lever pivoted on said element, fusible connecting means connecting said lever with said element and releasably holding said lever in counter-balancing position, the parts being so constructed and arranged'that when oil overflows into the bucket the efiect of said counter-balancing lever will be overcome and said second-named means will move to a come positioned for arresting the flow of oil to said burner structure, and when said fusible connecting means become fused said lever Will rock to a position in which it ceases to counter-balance said bucket and said second-named means will move-to said last-referred-to position.

9. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through which the oil is supplied thereto, a valve controlling the flow of oil to said burner structure and tending to move, when in open position, to closed position, of means controlling said valve comprising a pivotally supported latch member adapted to interlock with said valve and hold it in open position, a bucket carried by said latch member and positioned to receive oil over-flowing the burner structure, said member, when oil over-flows into said bucket, being movable in a direction to disengage from said valve, a counter-balancing lever pivotally connected with said member, and fusible connecting means engaging said member and lever and holding said lever in counter-balancing position, the parts being so constructed and arranged that when said fusible connecting means become fused said lever will rock to a position in which it is ineffective to counter-balance said bucket, whereupon said latch member disengages from said valve.

10. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through which the oil is supplied, and means controlling the flow of oil to said burner structure, of means controlling said first-named means comprising a pivoted bucket-equipped element, counter-balancing means for said element movably supported and tending to move to a position in which it does not counterbalance said element, and fusible means holding said counter-balancing means in counter-balancing position.

11. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through which the oil is supplied to said burner-structure and means controlling the flow of oil to said burnerstructure, of means controlling said firstnamed means comprising a pivoted bucketequipped element, counterbalancing means for said element movably supported and tending to move to a position in which it does not counterbalance said element, fusible means holding said counterbalancing means in (ounterba-lancing position, and means for maintaining a body of inflammable material so positioned that when ignited it subjects said fusible means to heat.

12. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through which the oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil to said burner structure and tending to move, when in a position in whichoil flows to said burner structure, to a position in which the flow of oil is discontinued, of means controlling said first-named means comprising a receptacle positioned to receive oil overflowing from the burner structure and movable under the weight of oil flowing into it, and an element operatively and permanently connected with said receptacle and operating to releasably hold said first-named means in a position in which oil is supplied to the burner structure, said receptacle and element being removable from, and replaceable in, operative position, only as a unitary structure, for the purpose set forth.

13. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through which the oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil to said burner structure and tending to move, when in a positionin which oil flows to said burner structure, to a position in which the flow of oil is discontinued, of means controlling said first-named means comprising a supporting member, a recep tacle pivotally supported on said supporting member and positioned to receive oil overflowing the burner structure and movable under the weight of oil flowing into it, and an element operatively and permanently connected with said receptacle and operating to releasably hold said first-named means in a position for supplying oil to the burner structure, said receptacle and element being removable from and replaceable on, said supporting member, only as a unitary structure, for the purpose set forth.

14. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through which the oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of pil to said burner structure and tending to moireywhenjn a position in which oil flows to said burner structure, to a position in which the flow of oil is discontinued, of means controlling said first-named means comprising a pivotally supported member. a receptacle for receiving oil overflowing the burner structure operatively connected with said member and extending at one side of the pivotal axis of said member, means controlled by the position of said receptacle and operating to releasably hold said first-named means in a position for supplying oil to the burner structure, and means extending at the opposite side of said pivotal axis for substantially eounterbalancing said receptacle when the latter is empty, said second-named means being removable from, and replaceable on, said member, only as a unitary structure.

15. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through which the oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil to said burner structure and tending to move, when in a position in which oil flows to said burner structure, to a positlon in which the flow of 011 15 discontinued,

of-means controlling said first-named means comprising a bucket-equipped element, counterbalancing means for said element and fusible means controlling the position ofsaid counterbalancing means.

16. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through which the oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil to said burner structure and tending to move, when in a position in which oil flows to said burner structure, to a position in which the flow of oil is discontinued, of means controlling said first-namcd means comprising a bucket-equipped element, counterbalancing means for said element, and fusible means controlling the position of said counterbalancing means, said second-named means being removable from, and replaceable in, operative position for holding said first-named means in open condition only as a unitary structure and only when said fusible means are in operative condition.

17. The combination with an oil-burner structure, a pipe through which the oil is supplied thereto, and means controlling the flow of oil to said burner structure and comprising a controlling element tending to move, when in a position in which oil flows to said burner structure, to a position in which the flow of oil is discontinued. of means controlling said controlling element comprising a pivotally supported latch member adapted to interlock with said element and hold it in a position in which oil is supplied to said burner structure, a bucket carried by said latch member and positioned to receive oil overflowing the burner structure, said latch element, when oil overflows into said bucket, being movable in a direction to disengage from said element, a counter balancing lever pivotally connected with said member, and fusible connecting means engaging said member and lever and holding said lever in counter-balancing position, the parts being so constructed and arranged that when said fusible connecting means become fused said lever will rock to a position in which itis ineffective tocounterbalance said bucket whereupon said latch member becomes disengaged from said controlling element.

OSCAR C. SCHRO EDER.

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