US2101316A - Valve - Google Patents

Description

mammals Dec. 7, 1937 A. E. KETTNICH VALVE Filed March 2, 1936 a Q l B 8 I 7. M11 1 E Patented Dec. 7, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

The invention broadly concerns valves.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a steam radiator valve which will not only control the pressure of said steam automatically,

5 but will also act as a humidifier.

Another object is to simplify its construction so that there may be fewer parts which may be easily assembled at a lower cost.

A still further object is to manufacture a valve 10 of comparatively rugged construction which will never require adjustment and which is practically indestructible.

Other objects of this invention will appear as we proceed with the specification that will be 15 more particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring now specifically to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view of my device in use with a conventional steam radiator.

20 Fig. 2 is a sectional view of my valve on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with the parts shown in a different position.

A tubular casing l is closed at the top by a cap 25 2 and is fixed at its lower end to an elbow 3, having a threaded connection to a radiator 4. Centrally of the cap 2 is an elongated sleeve indicated generally by the numeral 5 which may be screwed into the cap as by threads 6. The upper 30 end of the sleeve is formed with a nut l, and has a longitudinal hole 8 therein extending vertically. The lower portion of the sleeve has a bore 9 caxial with the hole 8 but of a somewhat larger diameter.

35 A valve stem Ill, provided with spheres or ball members i l and I2, is located in the bore 9 so as to coact with the double valve seat l3. The ball l2 is at the lowermost end of the stem I!) while the ball l l is located approximately midway of its 0 ends, and is confined within the bore 9.

The double valve seat l3 surrounds the lower portion of the stem l0 between the ball check valves II and I2 and has a fixed press fit connection in the hollow lower portion of the valve sup- 45 port or sleeve 5. The valve seat I3 is also provided with a vertical hole I4, slightly larger than the stem Ill and with top and bottom valve seats l and [6, respectively. Near the bottom seat I6 is a vent I1, the purpose of which will appear from 50 the operation of my improved radiator valve,

which is as follows:

Ordinarily when a radiator is turned off and begins to cool, the air in the room will enter thru its valve and help in the formation of moisture 55 within the radiator through the condensation of the steam. The instant the steam pressure is shut ofi in a radiator equipped with my improved valve so that the pressure in the radiator approximates that of the room, my valve will assume the position shown in Fig. 2. The ball II 5 will seat itself automatically on the seat [5 effectively sealing the steam in the radiator from direct contact with the air outside. This will allow a very gradual condensation of the steam, the water of course, being gradually returned to 10 the boiler and the radiator cooling very gradually. When the steam is again turned on, the air in the radiator will be at less than atmospheric pressure. With the increase in pressure due to the steam, the air may escape through the hole M by fluttering the ball H on its seat I5. When the steam pressure has increased a predetermined amount, the ball H, fixed on the stem I0, will be lifted off its seat and raised to the position shown in Fig. 3. The ball [2 will now seat itself on I6 effectively sealing the hole l4, against the escape of any large amount of steam, and will be kept in this position by the steam pressure in the radiator. However, a certain amount of steam is allowed to escape into the room to keep the air moist through the very small opening I1. It may be noted that the ball valves are very slightly smaller in circumference than the opening 9. I find that a difference in diameter of one sixtyfourth of an inch is very effective and causes the closing of the valve at the proper time.

The valve itself is constructed of only three very simple and sturdy parts, very readily assembled and inserted into the average valve housing now in use. It constitutes a very simple humidifier and may be manufactured at a very low price.

While the drawing discloses preferred embodiments of the invention, numerous changes and alterations may be made without departing from 40 the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not limit myself to the sequence of steps described nor to the particular means shown, but claim my invention as broadly as the state of the art permits.

I claim:

1. A radiator valve, including a hollow body portion defining a chamber, a cap closing the same, a vertical sleeve projecting through said cap into said chamber, a plug closing the lower sleeve end and provided with a vertical bore, a seat on the lower and upper ends of said plug about the bore, a stem adapted to move in said bore and carrying a pair of valves of greater d ameter than said bore adapted to coact with 5 said seats, and a vent between said seats leading from said bore to said chamber to establish constant atmospheric communication for said chamber upon the upper valve being open.

2. A radiator valve, including a hollow body portion defining a chamber, a cap closing the same, a vertical sleeve projecting through said cap and in threaded engagement therewith, said sleeve projecting into said chamber and conimunicating with the atmosphere, a plug closing the lower sleeve end' and provided with a vertical bore, said plug having a seat on the lower and upper ends about said bore, a pair of connected valves movable to coact with said'seats, and a vent in said plug between said seats providing communication between the chamber and. the atmosphere when the lower valve seat is closed.

ALBERT E. KEI'INICH.

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