April 6, 1943.
F. N. OSTERKORN
2,315,541 ,
HEATING SYSTEM
Filed Dec. 10, 1937
3 Sheets-Sheet 1
65K
‘ INVENTOR.
Fzzwzxzcx Maszmmwv.
BY
.
Z
.
.
.
ATTORNEYS
April 6, 1943- _
7
F. N. osTERKoRN ‘
'
HEATIYNG
SYSTEM
2,315,541
‘
Filed Dec. 10, 1937
z
_3 Sheets-Sheet 2
INVENTOR.
FREDERICK/Z USIERKW
BY
ATTORNEYS
Ap ' .6, 1943._
2,315,541
F. N. OSTERKORN
HEATING SYSTEM
Filed Dec. 10, 1957
3 Sheets-Sheet 3
‘
_
INVENTOR.
FREDERIcK 1V. asrzzzxamv
BY
ATTORNEYS
2,315,541
Patented Apr. 6, 1943
UNITED STATES PATENToFFICE
HEATING SYSTEM
Frederick N. Osterkorn, Freehold, N. J., assignor
to Economy Valve Company, a copartnership
consisting of Herman D. Ja?'e, Nathan Feld
‘stern, and said Frederick N. Osterkorn
Application December 10, 1937, Serial No. 179,056
10 Claims. (01. 237-468)
The present invention concerns itself with
heating systems and has particular reference to
heating systems of the type wherein the heating
both the air-venting and air-inlet valves are pro-_
vided with means to seal the valves and thus the
system against the escape of steam.
The concept and operative principle underlying
the invention is capable of being embodied in one
pipe heating systems as well as in two-pipe sys
tems and in systems which combine certain of the
features of one and two-pipe systems.
Referring brie?y to the drawings,
medium is steam, as well as to air-venting and
air-inlet valves for use in such systems.
The invention is based upon the observation
that there exists in steam heating systems an al
ternating or spasmodic surge or pulsation which
can be controlled or regulated in such a way as
to create a suction pulling in the direction‘ of the
radiators, and that the suction thus produced can
be utilized as a motive force for conveying heated
vapor or steam from the boiler to the radiators
Figure 1 is a view, more or less diagrammatic
or schematic in its representation, of a one-pipe
system embodying the inventive concept and
operative principle 01' my invention;
Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view
even when the ?re is banked.
The surge or pulsation to which I have refer 15 through one of the air-venting valves showing its
ence can be observed by ‘carefully watching the
connection to one 01' the'radiators; ,
water glass or gauge on the boiler of a heating
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken sub
system. It also manifests itself as an alter
I stantially along line 3-4 of Figure 2;
hating ?ow or pulsation of air through the air
Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the de
vents of the radiators which can be actually heard 20 tails of the air-venting valve shown in Figure 2;.
as a slightly perceptible sound Just before steam
Figure 5 is a perspective view of .the valve disk
temperature is reached in the boiler.
V
of the air-venting valve;
In one of its aspects, the invention is directed
to a heating system provided with means for con- »
trolling or regulating the surge or pulsation in
such a way as to create a suction pulling in, the
7
I,
Figure 6 is a perspective view of another detail
of the air-venting valve;
Figure '7 is a vertical cross-sectional view
, through the air-inlet valve and showing its con
direction of the radiators, thereby drawing from
nection to the boiler;
‘
Figure 8 is a perspective fragmentary view of.
tors. The means for controlling or regulating
the valve disk of the air-inlet valve; and
the surge or impulse is in the form of'an air 30
Figure 9 is a perspective fragmentary viewoi
venting valve adapted to be connected to the
another detail of the air-inlet valve.
Referring to the drawings in greater detail-and
radiators of a conventional steam heating system
more particularly to Figure 1 thereof, the refer
and being of such construction and mode of
operation as to permit the escape of air from the
ence numerals I, 2 and 3 denote a series of radia
radiator corresponding to the outward impulse
tors located in the different rooms of the building
the boiler heated vapor or steam to all the radia
of the surge or pulsation while preventing the
'
return of air to the radiator corresponding to the
inward impulse of said surge or pulsation, there
by suppressing the return impulse and convert
ing the alternating surge to a unidirectional series 40
40f impulses in the direction of the radiators.
of steam such as a boiler 4 by means of a steam
main 5 and a number of branch pipes 8, ‘I and 8. -
The boiler may be of conventional construction
and is shown as being provided with a conven
tional form of fire box 9, a'water glass or gauge
I 0 and a steam gauge II. It is to be noted that
. In a preferred-embodiment of the invention,
the heating system is provided with means for
automatically controlling or regulating the de
gree of suction or vacuum produced by the air
to be heated and connected to a common source
the steam gauge is connected to the boiler above -
45
the water level by means oi a pipe I2.
The numeral l3 designates the air-venting
venting valve. The means for controlling or regu
lating the degree of suction or vacuum is in the
valve of the invention. ,Such a valve may be con
nected to each radiator at the end opposite the
form of , an air-inlet valve, adapted to be con-y
steam inlet. The numeral M denotes the air
nected to the boiler above the water level.
inlet valve of the invention which is shown as
In another of_ its aspects, the invention is di 5o being connected to-the pipe I! below the steam
rected to‘ the construction of the air-venting
gauge II.
I
Reference will now be had to Figures 2 to 6
In still another of its aspects, the invention is
wherein is illustrated ‘a preferred formpf air- _
directed‘ to the construction of the air-inlet valve.
venting valve [3. As shown in Figures 2 and 3,
In the preferred embodiments of the invention, 55 the valve has an outer shell or vcasing which may '
valve.
-
’
,
2,315,541
2
balanced so that it will be moved away from the
advantageously take the form of a bell jar. The
casing is shown as being made in two parts, which
face of the plug by the outward impulse of the
alternating surge or pulsation previously referred
' for convenience will be referred to as the body
to. To this end the entire valve disk unit includ
portion i5 and the ?at bottom l6. As shown the
bottom has an upstanding ?ange I'I ?tting about
the lower periphery of the body portion to which
ing valve disk, extension and ?nger hold is made
as light in weight as possible.
, '
The reference numeral 38 denotes a cylindrical
it may be connected in any suitable. manner.
cap which ?ts over the outer face of the plug 28
Connected to the casing near the bottom thereof
to provide a housing or enclosure for the valve
is the threaded nipple l8 which serves to connect
disk 36. Its structure is shown in Figure 6. As
10
the valve to the radiator.
,
shown
it has ‘a central aperture 39 through which
Positioned within the outer shell or casing is an
is adapted to extend the extension 35 of the valve
inner ‘shell which consists of the substantially
cylindrical base portion IS, the intermediate sub
disk.
Theaperture should be of a size su?icient '
This element is substantially cylindrical and is
provided below its middle with an enlarged por
shown as being provided with a plurality of
apertures. The two metals of which the disk is
to receive the extension and to permit the escape
, stantially frusto-conical portion 20 and the upper I
reduced substantially cylindrical portion 2|. The 15 of air passing by the valve disk, and may be
smaller than the diameter of the ?nger hold 35,
inner shell may rest upon the bottom of the outer
thereby preventing the accidental misplacement
shell or be somewhat spaced therefrom. The
of the valve disk when the valve is taken apart.
. base portion i9 is of a somewhat smaller diameter
The cap may be connected or attached to the plug
than the outer casing and ?ts snugly therein by
28 in various ways well known to the art. For
virtue o.f_a number of vertical corrugations 22. 20 most
purposes, it is su?icient to make the cap of
The vertical wall of the base may also be provided
such dimensions as to fit snugly about the plug
with a number of apertures for a purpose to be
28 when forced thereon and to provide free play
hereinafter pointed out.
for
the valve disk.
As shown in Figure 2, the conical portion 213
It will be noted that the vertical aperture 26
may be provided with a number of apertures ‘23 25
in the plug 215 has an enlarged frusto-conical
also for a purpose to be pointed out in the follow
lower
end ?it which receives the upper conical end
ing description. Fitted within the reduced upper
or point it of a vertical rod or stem 62. To the
portion 2!! ofv the inner shell and extending up
lower end of the rod 52 is secured in a suitable
wardly through an aperture provided for the pur
pose in the top of the outer shell is the block 253. 30 manner a bimetallic concave disk 53, which is
tion 213 which rests on the upper reduced portion
iii of the inner casing and ?ts tightly against the
made are so chosen that the dist: will change
from the concave form shown in Figure 2 to a
outer casing, thereby sealing the aperture through 35 convex form when its temperature reaches 205°
F., and will change back again to the concave
form when its temperature falls to a predeter
mined lower limit. A suitable lower limit for the
with a vertical aperture 26 and a communicating.
purposes of the present invention is 110° F. has
aperture 2i which is slightly inclined to the hori
aontal. The aperture 2i is threaded to receive 40 Shown in Figure 2. when the disk is of concave
form there is a considerable clearance between
the
which
threaded
is illustrated
portiontooiathe
larger
plugid.
scale The
in Figure
plug A.
the upper end of the rod 62 and the walls of the
aperture Gil. When the disk changes to its con
is shown as vhaving a cylindrical centrally aper
vex form the upper end of the rod will be instan
tured head 29 and a threaded portion
which is
taneously forced against the walls of the aperture
' received within the inclined aperture 27. At this
so as to seal it against steam, and when the disk
point it may be stated that the aperture it is
changes back to its concave form the upper end
inclined at a very small angle (about 5°) from the
of the rod will be instantaneously pulled away
horizontal. Hence, the outer face of the head oi‘
from
the walls of the aperture to permit the pas
the plug is inclined to the same extent from the
sage of air and vapor.
vertical.
The bimetallic disk is shown as being supported
The numerals M, 32 and designate three pins
about its outer periphery on the annular flange of
oi very small diameter which extend at right
the supporting element iii-i, so that it is absolutely
angles from the outer face oi’ the plug
These
free to change its cross-section when the prede
pins are spaced about the central aperture at
equal distances from the center of the aperture, 55 termined temperature limits are reached. The
supporting element M is shown as having a base
the two upper pins 36 and 32 being more closely
portion which is raised in the center as shown at
spaced from each other than they are‘ from. pin
$5 thereby providing an annular runway 436.
33, thus forming the apices of an isoceles triangle.
Suitable apertures til are shown provided in the
The numeral M denotes a valve disk which is
shown to a larger scale in Figure 5. This disk is 60 raised portion and the annular runway is shown‘
as being provided with radially disposed raised
made of skeletonizedyery light metal or alloy
ribs or corrugations 48. Connected to the annu- I
such as aluminum, Duralumin, Dow metal etc.,
which the element 24 extends.
_
‘
As shown in Figure 2, the block it is provided
and is provided with an. extension 35 which ter
lar wall of the support 6d and extending through
suitably provided apertures in both the inner and
urinates in a knurled ?nger hold {it}. The disk
itseli’ tapers very markedly from the extension 65 outer shells of the valve is a drain tube (39 which
extends through the nozzle l into the radiator i.
thereby providing a sharp outer edge'ili which
it is thought to be clear from the ‘foregoing de
is preferably as ?ne as lrriiie edge so that when
scription that air or vapor reaching the radiator
placed against the outer face of the plug 2i} Toe~
to which is connected one of the air-venting
tween the pins
3‘2 and
valve disk will be
delicately balanced on the lower pin
As has “id valves of this invention will pass through the nor
ale it into the valve and will find its way through
been stated, the two upper pins 33 and iii are
the various apertures and spaces in the various
more closely spaced to each other than they are
elements to the lower enlarged end fit of the ver
to the lower pin 33. This arrangement eliminates
tical aperture
Assuming that the parts are
any tendency of the pins to bind the valve disk,
it being essential that the valve disk be delicately 75 positioned as shown in Figure 2; the air or vapor
2,315,541
will pass up through the communicating aper
tures 26 and 21 and through the aperture in the
plug 28 to the valve disk 34 which, as has been
pointed out, is very delicately balanced on the
lower pin 33. Due to the slight inclination of
the plug 28 the disk presses against the outer face
of the plug thereby sealing the aperture. Since
the air or vapor issuing from the radiator comes
in short spasmodic impulses, the valve disk will
move back and forth between the guide pins 3l,.
32 and 33 in synchronism with the impulses
thereby permitting the escape of air on the
outward impulses but sealing the
plug 28
3
of the valve into the nozzle 58 and down into the
connecting pipe 59.
The reference numeral 60 denotes a horizon
tally disposed tube which is screw-threadely en~
0
gaged with the block in registration with the
horizontal aperture 54. Connected to the outer
or free end of the tube is a right-angled elbow 6|
which carries a cap 62 at its lower end. The el
bow 6| may be formed integrally with the tube
80 or it ‘may be screw-threadedly connected there
with as shown.
The cap 62 is shown in larger scale in Figure
9 and has a bottom 63 and an annular upstand
against the return‘ of air on the inward
ing rim B4. The bottom is provided with a cen
impulses. This action will continue as long as 15 tral aperture 65 and the upper surface of the
the bimetallic disk 43 is in its concave form as
bottom, which mayfor convenience be termed
shown. When steam reaches this disk, the tem
perature will rise above the upper limit (205° F.)
and the disk will thereupon instantaneously snap
into its convex shape, forcing the stem or rod 42
upwardly into sealing position with reference to
the vertical aperture 26. Thereafter, impulses of
air, vapor or steam will be unable to pass up
through the block 24 and hence will not actuate
the valve disk 34. As soon as the temperature
of the bimetallic disk 43 drops to its lower limit
(110° F. in the preferred embodiment), it will
snap back into its concave shape, thereby posi
tively and forcibly pulling the upper end of the
stem 42 away from the aperture 26 and again
opening the aperture to the impulses of air or
vapor. It is to be noted that water resulting
from the condensation of steam will, because of
the structure of the various elements,-collect in
the runway 48 of the supporting element 44 and
will be returned to the radiator through the drain
tube 49. It is also to vbe noted that the valve
the floor, slopes from the aperture toward the
rim, to provide a valve seat for the valve disk 61.
The inner surface of the rim is provided with
screw threads 66 so that the cap can be detach
ably connected to the lower end of the elbow Bl.
The numeral 6‘! denotes the valve disk which is
shown to a larger scale in Figure 8. The valve
disk is provided with a disk portion 68, an exten
sion 59 and a ?nger hold 10. The disk portion
may have a ?at upper surface as shown and its
lower surface is preferably sloped from its outer
periphery toward the center to conform with the
sloping floor of the cap 62. As shown in Figure
7, the disk portion is housed within the space bee
tween the lower end of the elbow 6i and the cap
82, resting freely upon the slanting ?oor of the
cap 62 with the extension 59 projecting through
the aperture 65 and the finger hold 10 accessible
below the cap.
It will be understood from the. foregoing de
scription of the air-inlet valve that the valve disk
‘disk 34 by reason of its'?nger hold 35 can be
61 normally closes the aperture in the cap 62 pre
readily handled, as when it is desired to grind
venting the admission of air and the escape of
down its knife edge or to turn the valve disk on 40 vapor or steam. When the parts are positioned
its seat for adjustment or other purpose.
.as shown in Figure 7, i. 0. when. the bimetallic
Referring now to Figures 7, 8 and 9, it will be
disk is in its concave form, air and vapor can
seen that the air-inlet valve has an outer shell or
freely pass through the plug 52 into the space
casing 50 and an inner shell 51, both of which
above the valve disk 57. Likewise, any suction
may advantageously be of the same construction
or vacuum existing in the system will communi
as the corresponding elements of the air-venting
cate itself to the upper surface of the disk and
valve. The numeral 52 denotes a block posi
will tend to lift the disk from its seat. When the
tioned within the reduced upperend of the inner
suction or degree of vacuum is su?iciently great
shell and extending through an aperture in the
to overcome the weight of the disk, the disk will
top of ’ the outer shell in a manner similar to the
rise thereby permitting the entrance of atmos
corresponding block- of ‘the other valve. This
block is also of similar construction to the other
block, being provided with the two communicat
ing apertures 53 and 54. The aperture 53 is ver
pheric air. ‘- It is thought to be clear therefore
that by using a valve disk of a given weight. it is
tically disposed and has a lower enlarged frusto- ,
conical portion, but the aperture 54 instead of
being inclined at a slight angle to the horizontal
, may be horizontal.
The numeral 55 denotes a
vertical rod or stem having an upper pointed or
possible to predetermine the degree of suction
necessary to actuate the air-inlet valve. This
provides a very convenient way for controlling
or regulating the degree of vacuum produced in
the system by the air-venting valve. _
It will be understood that when steam reaches
the bimetallic disk 56, the disk will instantane
conical end to cooperate with the enlarged lower
ously snap into its convex shape thereby pushing
end of the aperture 53. The vertical rod is con— 60 the conical end of the stem 55 against its seat in
nected at its lower end to the bimetallic disk 56
the plug 52 and shutting off the valve disk from '
which is supported about its outer periphery by
the effects of pressure changes in the system.
the annular ?ange of the supporting element 57.
Also that when the temperature ,of the disk
Both the bimetallic disk and its supporting e1o~
drops to its lower limit the disk will snap back
ment may advantageously be of the same con
to its concave form and the conical end of the
struction as the corresponding elements of the >
air-venting valve. The bimetallic dirk may have
the same temperature limits as the correspond
ing disk of the other valve. The valve is pro
vided with a nozzle 58 for connection to the pipe
l2 which connects the pressure gauge All to the
boiler 4. The valve may also be provided with 'a
drain tube 59 which is connected to the support
ing element 5'! and extends through the two shells
stem will be forcibly and positively pulled away
from its seat in the plug, thereby again exposing
the valve disk to the effects of pressure changes.
It will also be understood that condensed steam
will be collected and returned to the radiators
from the air-inlet valve.
I
‘It is thought that the operation of the system
will be readily understood from the foregoing de
scription, particularly in the light of the follow
4.
2,315,541
associated with said radiator and actuated by said
pulsations to permit the escape of air correspond
ing to the outward impulses of the alternating or
ing additional explanation. Assuming that in the
system illustrated in Figure 1, the ?re is banked
for the night and the temperature of each of the
radiators has dropped below that obtaining in
the boiler, each of the air-venting valves will be
actuated in the manner previously described to
create a suction pulling in the direction of all of
spasmodic surges or pulsations in said system,
and an air-inlet valve connected to the boiler to
control the amount of suction in said system pro
duced by said air-venting valve.
3. In a vapor heating system, in combination
with a boiler adapted to contain a body of water
the radiators. The amount or degree of the suc
tion will be regulated or controlled Within desired
limits by the actuation of the air-inlet valve on '10 to be heated, a radiator located at a distance
The suction within the system will
from said boiler, and connections between said
cause the flow of heat to the radiators thereby
raising their temperature. In case steam starts
?owing in the system and reaches the bimetallic
disk of any of the valves, the bimetallic disk will
instantaneously snap into its convex shape, there
boiler and said radiator to convey vapor from
said boiler to said radiator, a light-weight valve
member associated with said radiator, said valve
' the boiler.
member being sensitive to thealternating pulsa
tions that continuously take place in water that
is at least moderately heated and being actuated
vby said pulsations to permit the escape of air
by sealing the particular valve against the escape
of steam. When the temperature or" the bimetal—
lic disk drops again to its lower limit, the disk
will snap back into its concave iorm thereby ren
corresponding to the outward impulses of said
20
dering the valve operative again for the escape
of air corresponding to the outward impulses.
The foregoing system is very ?exible in that it
will take care of the operating requirements of all
the radiators in the system, which depend upon 25
such factors as their distance from the boiler and
pulsations.
4. In a vapor heating system, in combination
with a boiler adapted to contain a body of water
to be heated, a radiator located at a distance
from said boiler, andconnections between said
boiler and said radiator to convey vapor from
said boiler to saidradiator, a light-weight valve
member associated with said boiler, said valve
member being sensitive to the alternating pulsa
the particular temperatures in the rooms where
the radiators are located. For though each air
venting valve is a cooperative part of the entire ' tions that continuously take place in water that
system, it will be actuated in accordance with the 30 is at least moderately heated and being actuated
by said pulsations to permit the entrance of air
conditions obtaining in the particular radiator to
into the boiler, and a light-weight valve member
which it may be connected. For instance, at any
in communication with said radiator, said valve
particular moment, one or more of- the air-vent
member being sensitive to said alternating pulsa
ing valves may be operating to discharge air in
synchronism with the surge, while the others may - tions and being actuated thereby to permit the
escape of air corresponding to the outward im
have been rendered ine?ective insofar as the dis:
pulses of said impulses.
charge of air is concerned by the change in shape
5. The heating system de?ned in claim 3, said
.of their bimetallic disks and the consequent seal
ing of the valves against the escape of steam.
valve member being provided with thermostati
It is to be noted that in actual practice the air» 4.0 cally controlled means to prevent the escape of
steam. if and when it arrives at the valve mem
inlet valve is not indispensable, but I have found
her.
it advantageous to provide systems having sev=
6. The heating system de?ned in claim 4, at
eral radiators with an air-inlet valve in order to
least one of said valve members being provided
control or regulate the degree of suction created
by the air-venting valves.
4.5 with thermostatically controlled means to prevent
the escape of steam, if and when it arrives at
The foregoing disclosure and description con~
the valve member.
tain the essential and distinctive thought and
7. In a vapor heating system, in combination
concept which characterize my invention, but it
with a boiler adapted to contain a body of water
is to be understood that my inventive thought
to be heated, a radiator located at a distance
and concept may be combined with other concepts
from said boiler and connections between said
and that its details may be modi?ed in various
boiler and said radiator to convey vapor from
ways or replaced by other details without a?ect=
said boiler to said radiator, a light-weight valve
ing the peculiar results obtained and without de
member associated with said radiator for pass
parting from the spirit and the scope of the fol
ing air only in one direction, said valve member
lowing claims, in which I intend to claim all the
comprising a disk mounted for free movement
patentable novelty inherent in rny-invention.
and suiilciently light to be sensitive to the alter
I claim:
.
nating pulsations that continuously take place
1. In a heating system, in combination with
in Water that is at least moderately heated, and
a boiler adapted to contain a body of water,
means to heat the water contained in said boiler 60 being actuated by said pulsations to permit the
escape of air corresponding to the outward im
to cause alternating or spasmodic surges or pul~
pulses of said pulsations.
sations in said water, a radiator located at a dis
8. In a vapor heating system, in combination
tance from the boiler, and connections between
with a boiler adapted to contain a body of water
said boiler and said radiator, an air-venting valve ,
associated with said radiator and actuated by said 65 to be heated, a radiator located at a distance
from. said boiler and connections between said
pulsations to permit the escape of air correspond
boiler and said radiator to convey vapor from
, ing to the outward impulses oi the alternating or
said boiler to said radiator, a light-weight valve
spasmodic surges or pulsations in said system.
member associated with said boiler [or passing
2. In a heating system, in combination with
air only in one direction, said valve member com
a boiler adapted to contain a body of water,
prising a disk mounted for free movement and
means to heat the water contained in said boilerv
sufficiently light to be sensitive to the alternating
to cause alternating or spasmodic surges or pul
pulsations that continuously take place in water
sations in said water, a radiator located at a dis
that is at least moderately heated, and being ac
tance from the boiler, and connections between
said boiler and said radiator, an air-venting valve 75 tuated by said pulsations to permit the entrance
2,810,541
of air into' said boiler, and a light-weight valve
member associated with said radiator for pass
ing air only in one direction, said valve member
comprising a disk mounted for free movement
and su?lciently light to be sensitive to the alter
cally controlled means to prevent the escape of
steam, if and when it arrives at the valve member.
10. The heating system de?ned in claim 8, at
least one of said valve members being provided
with thermostatically controlled means to pre
vent the escape of steam, if and when it arrives
at the valve member.
nating pulsations that continuously take place
in water that is at least moderately heated, and
being actuated by said pulsations to permit the
escape or air corresponding to the outward im
pulses of said pulsations, 1 -
5
9. The heating system de?ned in claim 7, said
valve member being provided with thermostati
V
10
FREDERICK N. OS'IERKORN.