US254887A - Kopff - Google Patents

Description

2 Sheets-Sheet l.

Patented Mar. 14,1882

N4 PETERS, Pvwxmmwgnphnr. wahingwn. D. C.

(No Modvel.)

R. SGHWARTZKOPPP.

' SAFETY APPARATUS POR STEAM BOITIERS.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

R. SGHWARTZKOPFF.

SAFETY APPARATUS TOR STEAM BOTLBRS.

No. 254,887. Patented Mar.14,1882

ib 55555545 ff $54554.T55551/175555ralf/$15.9515555515,ff/5.15 511551 N4 PETERS, mmwuuwgmpmr. washingwn, D. Cv

UNITED` STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD SOHWABTZKOPFF, OF BERLIN, GER-MANY.

SAFETY APPARATUS FOR STEAM-BOILERS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 254,887, dated March 14, 1882,

Application tiled October 18, 1881.

(No model.) Patented in Germany August 10, 1880, and April 30, 1881, in France May l, 1881,

in Belgium May 4, 1881, in Great Britain May 5, 1881, and in Austria July 4, 1881.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, RICHARD SCHWARTZ- KOPFF, of Berlin, Germany, engineer, have invented an Improved Safety Apparatus for Steam -Boilers and for other Purposes, (for which l have received a patent in Germany August 10, 1880, No. 12,591 in Great Britain May 5, 1881, No.1,953; in France May 4,1881, No. 142,670; in Belgium May 4, 1881, No. 54,552, in Austria July 4, 1881, Tome XXI, folio 1,384, and an additional patent in Germany April 30, 1881, No. 155634,) and of this invention the following is aspecitication.

The subject-matter of my invention consists in an apparatus by means of which an electric current is established for the purpose ot' giving a signal, or of causing any other suitable ell'ect when the lowest admissible water-level or a certain mmrimum temperature resulting either from an excess of pressure or from retarded ebullition occurs in a steam-boiler, the electric contact being made by the melting of an easily-fusible metal. The apparatus may, however, also be used for controlling temperatures in other cases,and,in a somewhat modied form, even such temperatures as are below the point of fusion ot' metallic alloys. This apparatus is represented on the annexed two sheets of drawings.

Figure 1 is a vertical section of the apparatus arranged for controlling the temperature as well as the water-level in a steam-boiler. Fig. 2 shows a modification ot' parts thereof. Fig. 3 is a simpliled arrangement adapted to indicatea certain maximum oftemperature not being below the point of fusion of metallic alloys. Fig. 4 represents a modification of the latter arrangement applicable for temperatures lower than the foregoing. Figs.5 and 6 are respectively an outside view and a vertical section of the upper portion of a modification of the first arrangement.

The apparatus represented by Fi g.1 consists of two metal tubes, c andf, ot' different diameter, the narrower tube, e, being inserted concentrically into the wider tube,f. Both tubes are so connected together at their upper end that the annular space between them is hermetically closed at the top, whereas the inside tube, e, which should project with its lower end from the outside tube, f, is closed at `the bottom. rllhe tubcfis fixed in such a manner in the crown ot' the boiler that its lower edge is at the height ot' thelowestadmissible waterlevel, L W. Its length outside of the boiler must be such as to allow its upper end to remain comparatively cool, four l'eet heilig ordinarily sufficient for this purpose. lithin the inside tube, @,there are two insulated conducting-wires or thin rods, a a., by preference of copper, which carry two cups or hcllow disks, I) and b, of porcelain or other suitable insulating material, the cup b being near the bottom of the tube and the cup b near its top. Each of these cups is placed in a metal ring, 7;, somewhat longer than the cup, so as to form a projecting rim ofthe same. rlhe wires traverse the upper cup and pass into the lowerone, which is tixed to their ends. For the purpose of preventing the wires from touching each other and thetube e, they arecoudncted through a cylinder, d, and a plug, d', made ot wood or other insulating material. Instead of this cylinder d, a number ot' insulating disks suoli as shown in Fig. 6, together with a short plug similar to the plug d', may, however, be applied. The outer end ot the wires a a is connected by means of other wires with an electric battery and an electro-magnet, which may be used for operating an alarm-bell or other signaling device, or an arrangement for eX- tinguishing the (ire or droppingthegrate-bars, Src.

Into the metal rings 7:, forming the rims of the cups or disks b and b', are placed the rings c and c, respectively, made ot' an easilyfusible metal or alloy. The pointot' fusion ot' the lower ring, o, should be slightly higher than the temperature which the water in the boiler has at the maximum degree ot'steam-pressure allowed, whereas the upper ring, c', must melt by the heat of the steam when at its lowest pressure. These rings are made to tit closely to the rim 7o in order to prevent their outer surface from being oxidized. On the inside they may be similarly protected bythe end ot' the cylinder d and ot' the plug d. lt is, however, not absolutely necessary that the rings annular shape, may be employed.

c and c be constructed exactly as described. Their form and arrangement may he modified, and even a fusible metallic body, not heilig of Also, the wires a a may be insulated in a different man ner.

The action of the apparatus is as follows: While the water-level in the boiler is higher than the lower edge otl the tubef water will be pressed by the steam into the annular space between the two tubes as far up as the air contained in this space permits. apparatus outside of the boiler being sufficiently long, the surrounding air will keep the temperature of' its top end considerably below the temperature of the steam when at its lowest degree oi" pressure. Under normal circumstances the upper ring, c', whose point ot' fusion may be, for instance, at 000 centigrade, (1940 Fahrenheit,) will therefore not melt; but when the water-level sinks below thelower edge ofthe tube/'steam will enter into the annular space between c andf, and by its heat melt the ring. The molten metal t'lows into the cavity hot' the cup and produces contact between the two wires a a, whereby the electric apparatus is put into operation. lVhen, on the other hand,thesteam-pressure,and consequently the temperature ot' the water, become excessive, the lower ring, c, will melt and cause the electric contact between the wires a a in a similar manner as in the rst case. The same ei'ect is produced by an excess of temperature caused by retarded ebullition.

In order to prevent bubbles of steam from entering into the annular space between the two tubes during the regular working of the boiler, the projecting part of the tube e may be provided with a collar, m, which directs these bubbles sidewise.

It the apparatus is to be used for controlling the height ot' water-level only, the cup b and the ring c are left away; but the tubecshould not be made shorter, as otherwise the water would iill out the whole area of the tubef, which might cause a prejudicial heating of the upper' part of the apparatus. Vhen a fusion otl either of the rings c or c has taken place 'the wires, together with the cups, dac., are withdrawn from the tube c, the metal which had been melted is removed from the cup, and a new fusible ring is introduced.

rlhe conducting` wires or rods a a may be made in sections jointed or screwed together, as shown in Fig. 2, whereby their insertion into and withdrawal from the apparatus are facilitated when there is but little room above the boiler.

XVhen a maximum degree of temperature only is to be indicated the upper part ot the apparatus, with ring cf, cup L', &c., and also the tube f, may beleft away, or the apparatus represented by Fig. 3 may be used. In this modification the tube c is inverted, the cup b is placed on top of the insulating-cylinder d, or the ripper end of this cylinder forms the cup,

rlhe part of the while the fusible metallic body c is made in the shape ot'a disk pressed by the top edges ot' the cylinder d (or of the cup b) against the top et' the tube c. 'lhe apparatus arranged in this form is introduced from below orobliquely from the side into the vessel, the contents of which are to be controlled with regard to their temperature. If this temperature is to be maintained below the degree ot' heat at which easily-fusible alloys melt, the arrangement shown by Fig. 4 will be found available. The electric contact between the two wires u. a is in this case obtained by a metallic plug, c, which is kept suspended above the ends ot' the wires by means ot' tallow, wax, parat'line, stearine, or any othereasily-fusible substance, such sub stance heilig poured in melted state or pressed into the cavity It ofthe cup b and into the groove with which the plug 0" is provided. When the tallow, tvc.. in h becomes sul'lciently 'soft troni an excess ot' temperature above the degree desired theplug cdcscendsand causes contact between the conducting-wires.

In thearrangementofapparatusrepresented by Figs. 5 and G the tube j" is divided into two parts, the upper one of which is liernietically attached to the tube c at the top as well as at the bottom, whereas the lower partis thus fixed atthe top only. lThe two parts ot' j" are put in communication with each other by a comparatively narrow pipe, Z, which is bent spirally or in other suitable manner, so as to allow a certain length to be condensed into a small space. This pipe, presenting a considcrable cooling-surface for the water which enters into the same, admits a reduction ot' the total length ot' the apparatus outside ot' the boiler.

Vhen in any works two or more boilers are provided with the controlling apparatus all these apparatuses maybe put in relation with the same alarm-bell, provided that a small electro-magnet be inserted into cach circuit previous to its connection with the other conducting-wires. the power ot' this electro-magnet being utilized for indicating the number or other 'designation of the controlling apparatus by which the current has been established. As in other arrangements of this kind, the electro-magnet may, for instance, be employed for opening a hinged plate which covers the number, the., arranged together with the other numbers on a register-board.

The described apparatus presents the advantage that it is not subject to such inconveniences as often occur with the safety apparatuses at present applied to steam-boilers. It is not liable to become inoperative or to stick, as is often the case with steam-gages, iioats, and safety-valves. Its fusible rings are notexposed to incrustation, as the ordinary fusible plugs, and its action does not give rise to any esca-pe ot' steam. It is, on the contrary, always in a state to indicate with certainty and in due time all causes ot danger ot' an explosion, including the retarded ebullition, for the IOO IIO

IIS

indication ot' which no appropriate instrument has heretofore been in existence.

I claim as of my inventionl. The combination, within a tube, c, ot' an insulating-cup, b, of two insulated conductingwires, a a, connected with an electric alarm-bell or other electric receiver and passing into the said cup, and of a metallic body so arranged with regard to the wires a c that it will cause contact between them either by its own fusion or by the fusion of tallow, wax, paraftne, stearine, or any other 4easily-fusible substance by which the said metallic body is kept suspended, substantially' as and Jfor the purpose described.

2. The combination, with the tube c, coiltaining in its upper part the insulating-cup b', the two insulated conducting-wires a c, c'onnected with an electric alarm-bell or other receiver and passing into the said cup, and the easily-fusible metallic ring or body e', arranged as described, ot the tube f,` surrounding the tube e and hermctically attached to the saine at the top, as hereinbefore described, and for the purpose spe ited.

3. The combination, with the tubes e andf and the two conducting-wires c a, of the two insulating-cups b and b and the two easilyfusible metallic rings or bodies c and c, the wires c a., passing into or through the cup b and into the cup b, substantially as described, and for the purpose stated.

4. The combination7 with the tube e, containing the cups b and b', the conducting-wires c c and the fusible metallic rings or bodies c and c', and with the tubef, made of two parts, of the pipe l., as hereinbet'ore described, and for the purpose specih'ed.

5. The combination, with the tube c, surrounded by the tubef and 'containing the described parts a a, I) b', c, and c', ofthe collar m, as and for the purpose stated.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RICHARD SCIIWARTZKOPF F.

Witnesses:

BnnTHoLD ROI, CARL NEUER.

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