US704908A - Art of generating steam or vapor. - Google Patents

Description

no. 704,90 Patented my :5, I902. E. c. uawcoms.

ART OF GENERATING STEAM 0R VAPOR.

(Application filed Apr. 8, 1902.]

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ABTDF GENERATING STEAM on VAPOR.

(Application filed Apr. 3, 1902.)

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No. 704,908. Patented July I5, 2902.

c. mzwcoms. r ART DFGENEBATING STEAM OR VAPOR.

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No. 704,908 Patented July I5, I902.

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ART OF GENERATING STEAM 0R VAPOR.

(Application filed Apr. 3, 1902.)

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UNITED S'rA-Tns PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD G. NEWCOMB, OF JAMAICA PLAIN, MASSACHUSETTS.

ART OF G ENEliA TlNG'STEAM oh'vA oR.

SPECIFICATION at mg art of iietters Patent No. 704,908, dated July is, 1902.

Original application filed June 7; oi'fse'riiiuo. 63,555. Divided and this application filed April 3, 1902. Serial No.101,261 (Nomodeh) To all whont it ntcty concern H Beit known that I, EDWARD C. NEWCOMB, a

citizen of the United States, and a residentof Jamaica Plain, county of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Art of Generating Steam O1 Vapor, f which h owingis a specification.

My invention relates to the art of generat-; ing'steam or vapor, and while it has chara'c teristics which render it particularly edectifve when applied for the generation of steamer vapor and delivering it in a superheated condition the invention as to some of its features,

at least, may be advantageously employed'fo'r other purposes than generating steam,.such

as for heating air, Water, or other" fluids for;

domestic or other purposes.

In order to maintain a supply of steam at a substantially uniform pressure and temperature, it has been the universal practice here tofore to utilize potentially-active reserve enl ergy in one form or another to compensate for sorbs the heat suppliedin excess of that necessary to generate thesteam being used, and

when the demand for steam exceeds that'geni erated by the normal source of heat the heat. stored-in the water supplies the deficiency.

According to another type of steam-generator a supply of heat is maintained which is in excess of that necessary to generate sufficient steam to meet the maximum demand of the apparatus, and the water is supplied to the generator in limited quantities, the attempt being to generate only sufiicient steam to meet the demand from time to time. In order to meet variations in the demand for steam in generators of this latter type Without maintaining the source of heat at its maximum, a supply of heat in reserve is always maintained in practice by providing a body of a suitable heat-absorbing material, which acts as a reservoir of heat to supplement the normal source of heat when the demand for steam is in excess of the normal. Generators of the first type are dangerous, especially in the hands of carelessor inexperienced operators, by reasonof the explosive nature of the body of water therein, as when suddenly released from pressure. Generators of the second type are unreliable in operation,and they are shortlived, and when used for motive powerthey require engines and other. apparatus of special construction, jwhich apparatus is also short-lived and unreliable in operation. Generators of both types, moreover,'require'considerable experience and skill for their succes sful manipulation. They are also more or less ineflicient as to the absorptionand utilization of the heat, and they are more or less bulky and heavy and expensive to construct and maintain. It has been foundimpractical, furthermore, to deliver'steam from generators ofv either class hitherto devised at a substantially uniform degree of superheat, although it is well known that for power purposes steam in a substantially uniform superheated condition'is moreeii'icient than whenin a saturated or "a nearly-saturated condition;

My invention has for an object to provide a method of generating steam by which the defects above referred to are practically overcome. My invention is more particularly addressed to the provision of a method of generating steam or vapor whereby superheated steam or vapor may be supplied in a condition which as to temperature or pressure, or both, is substantiall y un varying or bears some other definite or predetermined quantitative relation to the demand for energy regardless of any variations in the demand within the capacity of the apparatus and regardless of the suddenness of said variation; also, to provide for the generation of steam or vapor Without the employment of any considerable quantity of potentially-active reserve energy either in the form of a highly-heated liquid under great pressure or in the form of a highly-heated body of metal or other substance.

In accordance with my invention the generation of thermal energy is varied in substantial unison with the variations of demand for thermal energy and in substantially the same degree with said variations. In carry ing out my invention this result is attained by varying the supplies of a fluid to be heated and an agent for heating the same in substantial unison with the variations in the demand forthe thermalenergycontained in the heated fluid and each according to a definite quantitative relation to said variations-that is to say, for every variation in the rate of delivery of the thermal energy contained in the heated fluid discharged from a given apparatus there are variations produced in the respective supplies of the fluid to be heated and the agent for heating the same, and these variations are produced in such time with relation to the variations in the demand for the thermal energy contained in the heated fluid and in such definite quantitative relations to said variations that the rate of generation of the thermal energy equals the rate of delivery thereof. For example, if an existing demand or rate of delivery of the thermal energy of the heated fluid is doubled the supplies of the fluid to be heated and the heating agent are both so increased that double the amount of thermal energy is generated per unit of time. Should it be desired to have the condition of the heated fluid vary as to temperature or pressure, or both, with different rates of delivery of thermal energy, the quantitative relations of the respective supplies of the fluid to be heated and the agent for heating the same to the demand for thermal energy would be so determined as to bring about this result. Where it is desired to deliver the heated fluid in a substantiallyunvarying condition as to both temperature and pressure, the supplies of both the'fluid to be heated and the agent for heating the same are varied in such manner that the effective supplies of both vary in sub stantial unison with the variations of demand for the thermal energy of the heated fluid delivered and in substantially the same degree with said variations.

As applied for the generation of steam or other vapor my invention would be carried into eli'ect as follows: A liquid to be heated is supplied to a suitable generator, a suitable heating agent is supplied for heating the generator, and the effective supplies of both the liquid to be heated and the agent for heating the same are varied in substantial unison with the variations of demand for the thermal energy of the steam or vapor delivered and according to definite quantitative relations to said variations. For the sake of clearness and brevity I have herein referred to the variations of the thermal energy of the steam or vapor delivered per unit of time as the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy. Preferably the regulation of the supply of the liquid to be heated is effected by variations in the condition of the fluid being heated in such manner that the effective supply of the liquid varies in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and according to a definite quantitative relationto said variations, and

the effective supply of the heating agent is so regulated that it varies in substantial unison with the variations of the flow of the liquid being heated and according to a predetermined quantitative relation to said variations. Preferably, also, the temperature at which the steam or vapor is delivered is regulated by varying the relation between the supplies of the liquid and the agent for heating the same, and Where a very accurate regulation of the temperature of the steam or vapor is desired this regulation is effected by variations of the temperature of the steam or vapor. The condition selected for controlling the supply of liquid to be heated should be such that under the circumstances of its use it shall vary inversely and simultaneouslyor in substantial unison with the demand for the heated fluid and such as that it shall vary also in a regular way or according to a known law, so that the effective supply of the liquid may be Varied in the manner described. Where a generator of the type shown in the drawings and hereinafter described is used, the condition of the fluid therein as to pressure may be used for controlling the supply of liquid, or under proper circumstances the temperature may be used.

. The supply of the heating agent may be regulated in the manner described by variations in a condition of the fluid being heated resulting from variations in the flow of said fluid or by variations in any other condition of that fluid which varies simultaneously with the flow and according to a known law, as, under proper circumstances, the temperature or pressure. In practice a fluid-heating agent or a heating agent which can be controlled as fluids are controlled should be used in order that the quantity of the heat developed may be accurately regulated and quickly varied to'correspond with the variations of demand for the thermal energy of the heated fluid. It is not to be understood by the term substantial unison that the relative variationsin the supply, demand, or condition of the various fluids are strictly simultaneous. The essential in this regard is that the variations are produced promptly enough to maintain the apparatus in a practically predetermined condition. The expressions definite quantitative relation and predetermined quantitative relation as used herein are not to be understood as necessarily referring to unchanging relations between the supplies or flows of the fluids and the demand for energy,for that relation may be made a varying one. It is intended that this expression shall include within its scope such a relation between the supplies of the fluids as will produce practically uniform results. Where, for example, the efficiency of the apparatus varies materially with the demand, the predetermined relation between the supply of the fluid to be heated and the heating agent may be so established as to compensate for the variations in the efficiency of the apparatus and deliver the heated fluid at the desired temperature at all times notwithstanding the variations in the demand. I

In order that my invention may be more fully understood, I have shown in the accompanying drawings an apparatus adapted for carrying my invention into efiect and will describe the invention in detail in connection with such apparatus. The apparatus shown and herein described forms the subject-matter of another application, Serial No. 63,555, filed June '7, 1901, of which this application is a division.

While my invention in some of its features is applicable to heating fluids for various purposes, it is especially adapted for generating steam or other vapor and delivering the same under high pressure and in a uniformly superheated condition as is. required for the efficient use of such fluid for motive power. I have therefore illustrated an apparatus adapted for the generation of superheated steam.

Of the drawings, Figure. 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the apparatus as a whole. Fig. 2isa plan viewof the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical central section of the generator and the burner, forming parts of the apparatus. Figs. l and 5 are sectional views illustrating details. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the pump forming part of the apparatus. Fig. 7 is a similar view of the devices for automatically regulating the flow of the fuel. Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating, on a large scale, a form of valve-needle adapted to be used with the regulator shown in Fig.

7. Fig. 9 is a sectional view illustrating anotherform of regulator. Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a form of valve-needle adapted to be used with the regulator shown in Fig. 9; and Figs. 11 and 12 are elevations, partly in section, illustrating modifications of the apparatus.

Like reference-numerals refer to like parts wherever they occur throughout the several figures.

The apparatus illustrated comprises a generator arranged in cooperative relation to a combustion-chamber, means for supplying a liquid to the generator, means for supplying afuel to thecombustion-chamber, and means for automatically varying the supplies of both the liquid and the fuel in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and according to definite laws with relation to said variations. The means for supplying liquid to the generator are constructed to supply the liquid at a substantially predetermined pressureto wit, the pressure at which it is desired to operate the apparatus-and to vary the effective supply in substantial unison with the variations of the demand for steam or vapor energy and in a substantially definite quantitative relation to said variations, and the means for supplying a fluid fuel to the burner are controlled by a device for maintaining a predetermined quantitative relation between the supply of are also provided for varying the predetermined relation between the supplies of the liquid and the fuel.

Referring now to the drawings and in general at first to Figs. 1 and 2, 1 represents a suitable frame, upon which the various parts of the apparatus are mounted. The generator is mounted in a suitable casing 2 and is connected by'a pipe 3 to a suitable motor 4, the exhaust-pipe 5 of which passes to a suitable muffler 6 and from the muffler to the escape-pipe or chimney 7 of the generatorcasing 2. Suitable feed-water and fuel supply tanks are indicated at 8 and 9, respectively.

While some of the advantages of my invention may be realized by the use of various types of generators in connection with apparatus for carrying my invention into efiect, the best results can'only be attained, as will hereinafter more fully appear, by the use of a generator in which the liquid is gradually or progressively heated from its point of entrance to the point where it is substantially all transformed into vapor and in which only a small quantity of liquid is maintained at the temperature of vaporization corresponding to the pressure at which the apparatus is operated. Where the condition of the fluid in the generator is utilized to control the supply of the liquid or the fuel, or both, the generator should, be so constructed that the rate of variation of the controlling condition varies nected to and is adapted to form a part of the vaporizing portion. These conditions are best realized in a generator consisting of a continuous pipe or passage which forms the liquid-heating as well as the vaporizing and superheating portionsof the generator and which receives the water or other liquid to be vaporized at one end and delivers the superheated steam or vapor at the other end, said pipe or passage being so arranged with relation to the source of heat that the fluid therein is gradually heated from the point of entrance to the point of exit. As shown in the drawings, (see Fig. 3,) the generator is formed of a plurality of pipe-coils 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, which are preferably frusto-conical in form and so arranged vertically, one within the other, around a combustion chamber asto present the greatest mass or depth of heatabsorbing surface to the direct or natural path of the heated gases and products of combustionas they flow from the combustion-chamber. The coils are connected together in series, preferably by separable connections 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22, all of which, as shown, are arranged at the outer part of the mass of heat-absorbing surfaces in such a position as not to be subjected to the hottest portions of the products of combustion. The outermost coil 11 is connected at the top to the feed-water-supply pipe 17, and the innermost coil is connected to the steam-pipe 3. The outer coils thus constitute the liquidheating portion and the inner coils the vaporizing and superheating portions of the generator. By reason of this construction the water is caused to flow gradually and uniformly from the outer coil toward the inner coil in a direction opposite to that of the flow of the products of combustion, and is thus gradually and uniformly heated, and the stream is prevented from breaking up, so that bodies of water as such are not driven to the inner coil or coils, as might happen if the coils were less uniformly heated, and water is prevented from fiowing by gravity to the inner coil or coils, as it would if the coils were arranged one above another and directly connected. With this construction also the products of combustion are uniformly subjected to the action of successively cooler heat-absorbing surfaces, the heat being thus very perfectly absorbed. As shown, all the coils are substantially the same in diameter at their lower ends and are successively shorter from the inner one toward the outer one, so that when assembled they substan-, tially conform to the shape of the cylindrical casing. By this arrangement, moreover, the greatest mass of the heating-surfaces is located in the upper part of the casing directly in the path of the largest volume of the products of combustion, and all the products of combustion must pass between the turns of all the coils in succession from the innermost coil coils should be so connected that the water cannot flow directly from a colder portion to a much hotter portion of the heating-surfaces and that the water should be brought to the boiling-point at some part of the generator where its fiow at that point is not appreciably affected by gravitation.

The casing 2 is provided near the top with a suitable outlet for the waste gases, which outlet, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4, communicates with the vertically-arranged escapepipe or chimney 7. The chimney 7 is open at the bottom and the exhaust-pipe 5 of the engine is terminated in the chimney with a series of downwardly-projecting nozzles 5 through which the exhaust-steam is ejected when the engine is running, a draft being thus created to carry away the waste gases. A tube 5 is preferably arranged below each of the nozzles 5 in such a manner as to increase the aspirating effect of the steam-jets, and thus improve the draft. The top of the chimney is provided witha pivoted cover 7, whereby the chimney may be opened to provide a free outlet for the waste gases when the apparatus is being started.

The burner for heating the generator is located below the lower turn of the inner coil 16 within and concentrically with said lower turn, so that the space inclosed by all the turns of said inner coil forms a tapering combustion-chamber of ample dimensions to permit complete combustion and insure uniform heating of the tubes. Any suitable form of burner may be used. That shown consists of two plates 25 and 26, separated to form a chamber for the fuel mixture, said plates being connected by a multiplicity of tubes 27, which-form passages for the air necessary to support combustion. As shown, each of the tubes 27 is corrugated at its upper end, so as to form between it and the edge of the opening in the plate 25 an annular series of passages to admit the fuel mixture to the combustion-chamber. The fuel mixture is supplied to the burner by a combining-tube 28,

which, as shown, passes down through the combustion-chamber and enters the burner at a central point and at right angles to the general plane thereof. The tube 28 is shielded from the direct heat of the combustionchamber by a tube 29, which is somewhat larger than the tube 28 and is arranged concentrically therewith, so as to form an airchamber around the inner tube. In order that the air supplied to the combining-tube 28 may be suitably heated, the top of said tube is inclosed, as by a casing 28 and the air-chamber formed between the tubes 28 and 29 is placed in communication with the top of the tube 28, the lower end of said airchamber being connected to a central series of air-tubes 27, as shown. The fuel is discharged into the mixing-tubeby a nozzle 30, the flow through which is regulated, as hereinafter described, by a suitable valve member, as the needle 31. The nozzle 30 is formed on a suitable casing 32, which is secured in a recess centrally formed in the top of the easing 2. The fuel is supplied to the nozzle through a pipe 35, and where a liquid fuel is used the pipe 35 is passed into the combustion-chamber, and, as shown, is coiled around the tube 29, so as to form a vaporizer for the fuel. A supply-tube 36 for a pilot-burner around the lower end of the tube 28, and is adapted to hold a small quantity of a suitable inflammable liquid, which may be supplied through a pipe 39. A substantially uniform pressure is maintained on thesupply of fuel in the tank by any suitable means, as by an air-pump. (Not shown.)

For the purpose of preventing drafts of air from extinguishing the flame or otherwise interfering with the operation of the burner the bottom thereof is inclosed in a shield, which, as shown, consists of a plate 4:0,secured at a central point to the center of the burner and tapering downwardly and outwardly, so as to form an annular chamber, which tapers from the outer edge of the burner to the center thereof. The periphery of this tapering chamber is covered by a suitable screen 41, which acts to break up any blast of air and destroy its force before it reaches the air-passages of the burner. This shield, moreover, absorbs heat radiated from the burner and serves to heat the air and evenly distribute it to the air-passages of the burner.

With a burner connected as described the vaporized fuel is at all times, before and after it is mixed with the air, maintained at a temperature above that at which it condenses, and by reason of the fact that the air is heated before it is brought into contact with the fuel the latter does not have to be superheated to such a high degree as would otherwise be necessary to prevent condensation. Objectionable coking, either in the fuel-vaporizer or in the combining-tube, is thus 0bviated. By reason of this fact a comparatively heavy oil, askerosene, maybe successfully used. \Vhen a heavier oil than gasolene is used, however, it is desirable to start the burner with a more volatile fluid, as gasolene or alcohol. To this end, the tank 9 is divided into two compartments, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2, a smaller compartment for the more volatile fluid and a larger compartment for the less volatile fluid, the two compartments being connected to the supply-pipe by suitable branch pipes and a three-way valve 42. By reason of the fact, moreover, that the fuel is admitted to the combining-tube ata uniform pressure a uniform mixture of air and gas for all loads is secured, and by reason of the fact that the combining-tube enters the burner at a central point and atright angles to thegeneral plane thereof a very even distribution of the fuel mixture is obtained, thus enabling the burner to be operated with a very low flame without liability of objectionable smell due to imperfect combustion or of being extinguished by gusts of wind and without danger of back-firing.

The means herein shown for supplying the water to the generator consists of a device which is constructed to supply the water at a predetermined pressure and to be rendered operative by variations in the pressure of the steam or vapor. While one of the forms of the device illustrated is preferred, my invention is not limited to the use of such a device, as the essential features of the invention may be carried into-effect by the use of any means for supplying water to the generator which is adapted to automatically vary the effective supply ofwaterin a definite quantitative relation andin substantial unison with variations of demand for steam or vapor energy.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 6, 45 indicates the casing, which, as shown, is attached. to one end of the motor-casing. This casing45 is provided with abore 46, in which a plunger 47 is fitted. The plunger 47 is connected by a link 48 to a crank 49, carried by one end of the motor-shaft. provided with inlet and outlet passages in which are arranged suitable check-valves 50 and 51, respectively, the inlet-passage being connected with the feed-water tank by a pipe 52 and the outlet-passage being connected with the feed-pipe 53. A piston 54:, which is preferably somewhat larger in diameter than the plunger 47, is fitted in a suitable bore 55, which has free communication with the bore 46. The piston 54 is held at the inner limit of its stroke by means of a compressionspring 56, which is confined between a hearing member 57, suitably seated on the piston 54:, and an extension-casing 58, which is threaded on the casing 45 and held in its adjusted position by means of a lock-nut 59. The spring 56 is so adjusted that it will require a pressure equal to the pressure which it is desired to maintain in the generator to move the piston 54. It follows from this construction that when the apparatus has been.

started and the pressure in the generator rises toa predetermined point the piston 54 will be moved on each stroke of the pump and more Or less of the water displaced by the plunger 47 will be forced into the bore 55 instead of through the check-valve 51 into theifeedztive by variations in the pressure of the steam or vapor to vary the effective displacement of the pump inversely and in the same degree as the pressure varies between such predetermined limits. With a generator in which during changes of demand the pres- The bore 46 of the pump is When the pressure in the generator sure tends to vary promptly to the extent, at least, of the limitsifixed by the device described and inversely with relation to the rate of delivery of steam drawn therefrom the device will act to vary the supply of water directly and in a substantially definite quantitative relation to the variations of demand for steam energy.

In accordance with my invention, broadly considered, any suitable means maybe used for maintaining a predetermined relation between the supply of the fuel and the supply of the liquid to the generator. WVith a device similar to the one above described for supplying the water to the generator the supply of the fuel may be regulated, directly or indirectly, by the variations in the pressure of the steam or vapor, or where the water is supplied at a substantially unvarying pressure the supply of the fuel maybe regulated by variations of pressure alone or by variations in some other condition of the steam which varies directly with the pressure. In the embodiment illustrated of this feature of the apparatus the flow of the fuel is regulated by the flow of the feed-water to the generator. A suitable form of the flow-regulating device is illustrated in detail in Fig. 7. As shown, this device consists of a casing 60, which is attached by a lug 61 to any suitable part of the apparatus, as to the casing 2 of the generator. (See Figs. 1 and 2.) The casing is provided with a suitable bore 62, in which is fitted a piston 63. The bore 62 is closed by a head 64, through which is passed a piston-rod 65, by means of which the motion of the piston is communicated to the mechanically-coacting parts of the device. A tension-spring 66 is arranged in a casing extension 67 on the opposite side of the piston from the pistonrod and is adj ustably secured by means of the threaded bolt 68, which passes through the lower end of the extension 67 and is engaged by nut 69. A restricted passage 70 is formed in the casing 60 at one side of the 'bore 62, and in order that the area of the passage 70 maybe regulated a valve member 71 is threaded in the casing, as shown, and is provided with a suitable hand-wheel 72. The bore 62 at opposite sides of the piston 63 is connected with the opposite sides of the passage 70 by suitable ports 73 and 74. The feed-water pipe 53 communicates with one side of the passage 70, the opposite side of whichis connected to the inlet end of the generator by pipe 75, in which a suitable airchamber 76 is preferably interposed. The feed-pipe 53 is preferably connected to the casing extension 67, and the piston 63 is provided with a seat 77, which is adapted to contact with the end of the casing 60 and cut off the communication between the extension 67 and the passage 70.

It will be seen that the entire upper area of the piston 63, less the area of the pistonrod 65, is at all times subjected to the pressure in the generator and that the entire lower area of the piston 63 when it is out of contact with the casing 60 is subjected to a pressure equal to that of the generator plus an amount sufficient to overcome the resistance offered by the passage 70. The tension of the spring 66 is so adjusted that when the piston 63 is at the lower limit or zero-point of its stroke the force of the spring will equal the force exerted by the pressure in the generator upon an area equal to that of the piston-rod 65. It follows from this construction and arrangement that whenthe pump is started the piston-63 will be lifted from its seat and a flow of water from the pump to the generator will take place. The restricted passage 70 will then give rise to a difference in pressure on opposite sides of the piston 63, which will cause it to move, and with the spring 66 connected and adjusted as described the distance of the piston 63 from the zero-point will be directly proportional to this difference in pressure. As the velocity ofa fluid through a passage varies as the square root of the difference in pressure on opposite sides of the passage, it will be seen that the distance of the piston 63 from the zero-point will vary directly as the square of the velocity of the fluid flowing through the passage 70 and for any adjustment of the area of the passage directly as the square of the volume of the flow through said passage. The movement of the piston 63 is communicated to the member 31 of the fuel-regulating valve bylever 78, which, as shown, is fulcrumed at one end on a suitable support 79 on the casing 2 and is pivoted at the opposite end to the piston-rod 65, the member 31 being connected to the lever at an intermediate point. The pressure on the fuel-supply being uniform the fuel-valve should be so constructed that the effective opening therethrough will vary with the square root of the distance moved thereby as measured from the closed position, in order that the volume of the flow of the fuel may vary directly with the volume of the flow of the feed-water to the generator and in the same degree. In Fig. 8 is diagrammatically illustrated a valve member shaped to produce this result. Assuming that the orifice of the nozzle 30 presentsa thin circular edge, as indicated in this figure, the valve member should have a circular cross-section which decreases in diameter from the base of the valve toward the apex, the law of the decrease in diameter being expressed by the formula cl:-/ in which (1 is the diameter of the valve at any pointandmis the correspondingdistance from the base or zero-point a of the opening of the valve. As, however, the controlling forces actuating this form of regulator are slight for small loads, the error of friction of the moving parts for such loads is great. To obviate this difficulty, I prefer in practice to use a regulator in which the proportional movement of the piston for small loads is greater than it is in the regulator just described. For instance, the regulator may be so constructed that the movement of the piston will be directly proportional to the flow of water to the generator. Such a regulator is shown in detail in Fig. 9. In accordance with this construction the piston 63 is provided with an extension 80, which passes down into the easing extension 67. In this form of regulator the side passage '70 and valve member 7i are dispensed with, and in place thereof the piston extension 80 is provided with a restricted passage 81, which communicates at its upper end with the upper side of the piston 63 and is terminated at its lower end in a valve-seat 82. A valve member 83 for varying the area of the passage 81 is threaded into the head 84 of the extension 67 and is provided with a hand-wheel 85, whereby it may be adjusted. A tension-spring 86 is secured at its upper end to the upper end of the piston extension 80 and at its lower end to the head 84:, which head is threaded into the lower end of the casing 67 and maybe adjusted therein for the purpose of adjusting the tension of the spring 86. The upper and lower sides of the piston 63 are placed in communication spectively, and the tension of the spring 86 is so adjusted as to equal the pressure acting on the piston-rod 65, as before. If now the valve member 83 is so formed and adjusted that the edective opening between it and the seat 82 is proportional to the square root of the extent of the movement of the piston, the volume of the flow through the passage 81 will be directly proportional to the extent of the movement of the piston. This will be apparent when it is observed that with a spring connected and adjusted as described the difference in pressure at opposite sides of the restricted passage will be directly proportional to the distance of the piston from the I zero-point, that the velocity of the fluid flowing through the restricted passage will be proportional to the square root of the difference in pressure at opposite sides thereof, and consequently to the square root of the extent of the movement of the piston also, and that the volume of the flow through the restricted passage will equal the velocity of the fluid multiplied'by the area of the opening. Thus it will be seen that the volume of the flow will vary as the square of the square root of the movement of the piston or directly as that movemeutitself. To secure this result, therefore, the proper form for the valve member 83 is the same as that of the valve member 31 used in connection with the regulator previously described. The supply of fuel being under uniform pressure, a proper form of the member 31 of the fuel-valve to be used in connection with this form of regulator to cause the flow of fuel to yary in the same degree as the flow of water varies is that of a paraboloid or such as that produced by the revolution around its axis of a parabolic curve, the general formula of which is 31 :2 p as. Such a form of valve member is diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 10. It will be noted that while the area of the opening of the restricted passage 81. varies greatly in proportion to the movement of the regulator the flow through the said passage is directly proportional to the movement of the piston and the area of the opening in the fue1 valve is directly proportional to the movement thereof. With this form of regulator, therefore, the control of the fluids for small flows, as well as for large ones, can easily be made Very accurate.

It will be seen from the above that the form of regulator and the form of the valve members used for controlling the flow of water through the regulator and for controlling the flow of the fuel may be greatly varied without departing from the principles of my invention. It may be further observed, however, in connection with the form of regulator last described, that for every form of valve for controlling the low of one fluid a corresponding valve should be provided for controlling the flow of the other fluid, having regard to the movement of the valve members and to the pressure or the variations in pressure of the fluid flowing through them. It is to be observed also that the piston in either regulator constitutes a motor for operating the fuel-valve and that the motor is operated by variations in a condition of the fluid flowing through the generator resulting from or coincident with the variations of the flow of said fluid. Where the water is supplied to the generator under a substantially uniform pressure, it is to be noted, moreover, that the motor is in efiect operated directly with the variations of the pressure in the generator. While in each instance the needle member is moved with relation to its seat, it is obvious that this relation may be reversed, if

valve member codperating with the nozzle of the burner is regarded as an important feature of the apparatus, as by this arrangement not only is a more perfect regulation of the fuel secured,due to the fact that a uniform difference of pressure is maintained on opposite sides of the valve, but the supply of air to the burner is accurately maintained in the proper proportion to the supply of fuel the fuel within the working capacity of the apparatus, as the velocity of the fuel being constant the quantity of the air entrained thereby tends to vary directly with the volume or mass of the fuel.

Where the efficiency of the apparatus varies with the variations in the demand for steam energy, the shape of the fuel-valve in either form of regulator or of the valve member 83 in the second form may be suitably varied to compensate for the variations in the efficiency of the apparatus or to maintain the effective supplies of the liquid and fuel in the desired quantitative relation to the demand for steam or vapor energy.

desired. The regulation of the fuel by a irrespective of the variations in the flow of In order that the steam generated by the apparatus may be delivered at various predetermined degrees of superheat, it is necessary that the ratio between the How of the fuel and the flow of the water to the generator may be varied and accurately adjusted. The reason for this is that the quantity of heat necessary to superheat the steam is very small as compared with the quantity of heat necessary to transform the water into steam. If therefore the exact proportions between the fuel and the water are not obtained and maintained irrespective of variations in the demand, the steam will either have little or no superheat or will be so highly superheated as to injure the apparatus. The regulation of the ratio may be accomplished in any suitable way. In the regulator shown in Fig. 7 the ratio between the flow of the fuel and the flow of the water may be perfectly regulated by varying the opening of the restricted passage 70, as by means of the valve 71. In the form of the regulator shown in Fig. 9 the relation between the flows of the fluids may be changed by means of the valve member 83; but the ratio will be approximately correct for small adjustments only. In either form of regulator the ratio may be perfectly regulated by changing the leverage between the piston and the fuel-valve, as by shifting the fulcrum 79 toward or away from the valve 31. The fulcrum 79 is to this end adjustably mounted on the top of the casing 2, as indicated.

With the apparatus constructed as thus far described slight variations in the tem perature of the steam delivered by the apparatus are apt to occur due to inaccuracies in the construction or to variations in the efficiency of the apparatus at various loads. Where it is desired, therefore, to deliver the steam at a very uniform temperature, means should be provided for automatically varying the ratio between the flow of the water and the flow of the fuel in accordance with the variations in the temperature of the steam as it issues fromthe generator. This may be accomplished in various ways. A suitable way of accomplishing this result is illustrated in Fig. 11. As here shown, the needle-valve 90, which regulates the by-pass of a regulator of the form shown in Fig. 7, is automatically controlled by a thermostat, which is rendered operative by variations in the temperature of the steam. In accordance with the construction shown a suitable receptacle 91, capable of withstanding great internal pressure and having walls which are adapted to rapidly transmit heat to the interior of the receptacle, is so located in the steam-pipe as to be impinged upon by the steam flowing therethrough. This receptacle is partially filled with a fluid which vaporizes at a temperature considerably below that at which it is desired to deliver the steam, so that when the liquid is heated to the temperature of the steam a portion of it will be vaporized and create a high pressure in the receptacle. The receptacle is provided with an opening through which the liquid may be admitted, said opening being hermetically closed by a screw-plug 92. For the purpose of preventing the receptacle 91 from being completely filled the mouth of the opening is extended for a suitable distance into the receptacle, as indicated at 93. The interior of the receptacle is connected by a suitable pipe 94 with any desired form of motor device adapted to operate the Valve member 90, which regulates the area of the restricted passage of the regulator. Anordinary Bourdon tube 95 is preferably employed for this purpose on account of its accuracy and reliability in operation. As shown, the Bourdon tube 95 is constructed in the form of a half-circle, one end of which is fixed to the top of casing 63 in line with the axis of valve 90, the other end being free and connected to the valve below the casing by means of a stem 96 and a pivot 97. It will be seen that as the pressure varies in the receptacle 91 the valve 90 will be so operated as to vary the opening therethrough directly as said pressure varies. It follows from this construction that when the temperature of the steam flowing from the generator rises beyond a predetermined temperature the passage through the valve 90 will be enlarged, thereby reducing the difference in pressure on the opposite sides of the piston 63 and permitting the same to move under the influence of the spring in such a direction as to decrease the flow through the f uel-valvecarried by the lever 78. The ratio between the flows of the water and the fuel will thus be increased and will continue to increase until the relative flow of water is increased to the point required to deliver the steam at the desired lower temperature. On the other hand, it will be seen that if for any reason the temperature of the steam should drop below the predetermined degree the ratio between the flows of the water and the fuel will be de-' creased until the flow of water is cut down to the point required to deliver the steam at the desired higher temperature. The predeter mined degree of superheat may be adjusted by varying the position of the valve with relation to the Bourdon tube, as by screwing the stem 96 into or out of the pivot-block 97. It is to be noted that this auxiliary thermostatic regulation would not be practiced when the apparatus is subjected to sudden variations, for the reason that the temperature of the, superheated steam varies directly with the rapidity of its flow past the superheatingsurfaces and independently of the heat supplied by the burner during the variations in the flow of the steam. This thermostatic regulation therefore will not operate in substantial unison with the variations of demand when these variations are sudden.

In Fig. 12 a'different form of regulator and a different method of applying the thermostat are illustrated. In accordance with the con- IIO struction here shown the Water is supplied to the generator through a casing 100, having a restricted passage, the opening through which may be varied by a needle member 101. The movement of the member 101 is controlled by means of apiston 102, which is fitted in a casing 103 and exposed on its upper side to the full pressure in the generator, as through a pipe 104. The movement of the pistonin the opposite direction is controlled bya tensionspring 105, which is connected at one end to the piston and at the opposite end to an adjusting-plug 106, threaded into the upper end of the casing 103. The piston 102 is connected to the member 101 and to the stem 107 of a suitable valve for controlling the flow of the fuel by a lever 108, which is pivoted at one end to the member 101 and fulcrumed at the opposite end and connected at intermediate points to the stem of a suitable valve for controlling the flow of the fuel and to a stem 109, carried by the piston 102. The needles 101 and 107 being given a suitable relative form it will be seen that as the pressure in the generator varies the said needles will be so moved as to vary the flows of the water and the fuel and to maintain apredetermined relation between the flows of said fluids. By mounting the fulcrum of the lever 108 on a thermostatic device 110, such that variations in the temperature of the steam will change the relation between the needles 101 and 107 in such away as to decrease the flow of fuel relatively to that of the water when the temperature increases and vice versa when the temperature decreases, it will be seen that any desired re lation between the effective supplies of the two fluids and between those supplies and the variations of demand for steam energy will be automatically maintained.

The operation of the various mechanical features of the apparatus shown having been described in connection with the construction thereof, it only remains to point out how the diiferent parts of the apparatus cooperate to produce the desired result.

In the generator shown and described the in flowing liquid is gradually heated, and only a small portion of it is maintained at the temperature of vaporization. It results from this that when a flow of steam or vapor is created or when an existing flow is increased the pressure immediately begins to fall and the liqquid which is at the tem perature of vaporization corresponding to the higher pressure immediately begins to vaporize and also to fall in temperature corresponding to the temperature of vaporization of the vapor at the reduced pressure. This process continues until respond to the new flow or demand.

form of a spray toward the delivery-orifice and to such a distance along the tube as to render eifective asufticient area of heatingsurface to supply the demand forsteam, and if the generator is sufficiently heated the vapor will pass the saturated point and become superheated. If less steam is drawn from the generator,the rate of vaporization and the rate of flow of the fluid will not be so great'and the spray will not be projected so far along the tube and more superheating-surface will be available, but this is as it should be, as the capacity of vapor to absorb heat from a given su rface varies directly with the rate of flow of the vapor past the surface. As the quantity of the liquid in the vaporizer which is maintained at the temperature of vaporization is small, the point in the vaporizer where the liquid is changed into spray is sharply defined, and as the mixed spray and steam cannot absorb heat from a surface as readily as the unmixed liquid a considerably greater difference in.

farther along the vaporizing portion of the generator, due to an increase in the demand upon the vapor, thehotter portions of the metal are brought promptly into action to momentarily supply the increase in the demand and to prevent such a sudden drop in the temperature and pressure as would temporarily destroy the proper relation between the supply and demand. On the other hand, the vaporizing portion of the generator should be gradually heated in such manner that when the water is projected along the tube by an increase of demand it will not enter the spheroidal state, for if this happens too great a quantity of water will be projected into the IIO vaporizing portion of the generator before the increase the pressure and prevent the proper coaction of the parts. When a decrease in the demand occurs, the spray which has been projected along the vaporizing portionof the generator and is suspended in the vapor contained therein will be more rapidly precipitated upon the hotter metal and cause a prompt rise in temperature and pressure, and this process will continue until the supplies of liquid and heat are decreased by the action of the regulating devices to correspond to the new demand. Thus prompt and active forces are developed that can be made and are made by the apparatus described to accurately control the flows of the fluids. In order that these forces may be uniformly and reliably developed as required to secure an even and efficient performance of the apparatus, the incoming liquid should be kept in a substantially unbroken column until the temperature of vaporization is reached. To insure this, the generator should be so proportioned that the point of vaporization will always occur at a part of the vaporizer where the flow of the liquid at that point is not appreciably affected by gravityas, for instance, at some point in the coil numbered 14 of the generator shown.

With agenerator constructed and heated as herein described the quantity of liquid therein will for a given ratio between the supplies of liquid and fuel remain practically fixed irrespective of any variations in the demand for steam or vapor within the capacity of the apparatus. This will be obvious when it is noted that should the quantity of liquid in the generator for any reason be greater than the quantity normal to a given ratio the vaporizing portion of the generator will be immersed in an abnormally hot region and the temperature potential of the metal will be abnormally high. This will result in the maintenance of a higher average of pressurethan normal, as will clearly appear by a consideration of the effect of changes in demand. For example, the drop in pressure, due to an increase of demand, will be less in degree than normal and less prompt than normal, and the increase in pressure, due to a decrease of demand, will be greater in degree and more prompt. It follows that by reason of their cooperation with the generator the regulating devices will cause less fluid to be supplied to the generator than is taken therefrom while there is too much liquid in the generator. On the other hand, should the quantity of liquid in the generator be less than the quantity normal to a given ratio the vaporizing portion of the generator will be immersed in a cooler region and the temperature potential of the metal will be below normal. On an increase of demand, therefore, the drop in pressure will be greater in degree and more prompt than normal and the increase in pressure, due to the increase of demand, will be less in degree and less prompt. In other words, the average pressure will be less than normal. Consequently the supply of liquid to the generator will be greater than normal and will so continue until a condition of equilibrium is attained. It will thus be seen that the rate of variation in the controlling condition of the fluid in the generator varies inversely as the quantity of liquid in the generator varies, the tendency being to normally maintain such a quantity of liquid in the generatoras will cause the regulating devices to vary the supply of liquid to the same extent, weight for Weight, that the demand for steam or vapor varies. It is clear, therefore, that so long asaproper predetermined relation is maintained between the effective supplies of liquid and fuel and so long as the supplies of both fluids are varied in unison with the variations of demand the in ternal condition of the generator remains substantially fixed and the steam or vapor is delivered at a practically uniform temperature and pressure, and this irrespective of any variations of demand within the capacity of the apparatus and also that the capacity of the apparatus is only limited by the capacity of the liquid and fuel supplying devices and the degree of heat that may be developed in the combustion-chamberand still maintain a substantially uniform distribution of the heat throughout the generator.

It will be obvious that the quantity of liquid in the generator will vary with variations in the ratio which is maintained between the supplies of liquid and fuel, the point of vaporization always being located in a 'region of the generator the temperature of which closely approximates the temperature of vaporization corresponding to the pressure at which the apparatus is operated.

As before indicated, the point where superheating begins automatically adjusts itself 'for varying loads to maintain the proper proportion between the vaporizing and superheating surfaces, the reason being that the efficiency of the vaporizing-surfaces varies inversely as the flow of fluid past it, whereas the efficiency of the superheating-surface variesin the same direction as the flow of fluid past it varies. Where the correlation between the vaporizing and superheating portions of the generator is not such as to produce the desired uniformity in the temperature of the superheated steam at various loadsand where the variations in the load are not too sudden, the thermostatic regulator may be used. Where, however, the load varies suddenly through a wide range, the thermostatic regulator will so interfere with the action of the pressure-regulator as to make the use of the former impracticable.

It is to be observed that the difference in temperature between the metal and the fluid in the vaporizing portion of the generator must not be excessive, as it usually is, for in stance, in the flasher or the so-called semiflasher type of generator, for in this case the water which is projected into the vaporizing portion of the generator upon an increase in the load would eventually be so rapidly evaporated that the temperature and the pressure would increase rather than decrease, or at least it would not decrease in such relation tov the load as to cause substantial unison between the operation of the regulating mechanism and the variations of demand and bring about the remedial effect in-time to keep the apparatus in a practically operative condition.

I claim- 1. The method of generating superheated steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, and varying the supplies of both the liquid and IIO the fuel in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in definite quantitative relations to said variations.

2. The method of generating superheated steam or'vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, and by variations in the condition of the fluid being heated varying the supplies of both the liquid and the fuel in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in definite quantitative relations to said variations ofdemand.

3. The method of generating superheated steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator at a substantially predetermined pressure, sup plying a fuel for heating the generator, and by variations in the condition as to pressure of the fluid being heated varying the supplies of both the liquid and the fuel in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in definite quantitative relations to said variations of demand.

4. Themethod of generating superheated steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, and varying said supplies in such manner that the effective supplies of both the liquid and the fuel vary in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in substantially definite quantitative relations to said variations.

5. The method of generating superheated steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, and varying said supplies by variations in the condition of the fluid being heated in such manner that the effective supplies of both the liquid and the fuel vary in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in substantially definite quantitative relations to said variations of demand.

6. The method of generating superheated steam or vapor, which method consistsin supplying a liquid to a suitable generator at a substantially predetermined pressure, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, and varying said supplies by variations in the condition as to pressure of the fluid being heated in such manner that the effective supplies of both the liquid and the fuel vary in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in substantially definite quantitative relations to said variations of demand.

7. The method of generating superheated steam or vapor, which methodjconsist s in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, and varying the supplies of both the liquid and the fuel in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in the same degree with said variations. 8..The method of generating superheated steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, and by variations in the condition of the fluid being heated varying the supplies of both the liquid and the fuel in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in the'same degree with said variations.

9. The method of generating superheated steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator at a substantiallypredeterminedpressure,supplying a fuel for heating thegenerator, and by variations in the condition as to pressure of the fuel being heated varying the supplies of both the liquid and the fuel insubstantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in the same degree with said .variations of demand.

10. The method of generating superheated steam or vapor and delivering the same in a substantially unvarying condition as to the energy thereof, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, and varying said supplies in such manner that the efitective supplies of both the liquid and the fuel vary in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in substantially the same degree with said variations.

11. The method of generating superheated steam or vapor and delivering-the same in a substantially unvaryin g condition as to the energy thereof, which method consists in sup-.

plying a liquid to a suitable generator, supplyinga fuel for heating the generator, and varying said supplies by variations in the condition of the fluid being heated in such a manner that the effective supplies of both the liquid and the fuel vary insubstantial unison with the variations of demand'for steamer vapor energy and in substantially the same degree with said variations'ofdemand.

12. The method of generating superheated steam or vapor and delivering same inasubstantiaily unvarying condition as to temperature and pressure, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator at a substantially predetermined pressure, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, and varying said supplies by variations in the condition as to pressure of the fluid being heated in such'manner that the effective supplies of both the liquid and the fuel varyin substam tial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in substantially the same degree with said variations of demand.

13. The method of generating superheated steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, varying the supply of the liquid in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in a substantially definite quantitative relation to said variations, and maintaining a predetermined q uaning the supply of the liquid by variations in the condition of the fluid being heated in such manner that the efiective supply of the liquid varies in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in a substantially definite quantitative relation to said variations of demand, and maintaininga predetermined quantitative re lation between the supplies of the liquid and the fuel. e i

15. The method of generatingsuperheated steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator at a substantially predetermined pressure, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, varying the supply of the liquid by variations in the condition as to pressure of the fluid being heated in such mannerthat the effective supply of the liquid varies in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy, and in a substantially definite quantitative relation to said variations of demand,and maintaininga predetermined quan titative relation between the supplies of the liquid and the fuel.

16. The method of generating superheated steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, varying the supplyof the liquid in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in substantially the same degree with said variations, and maintaining a predetermined quantitative relation between the supplies of the liquid and the fuel.

17. The method of generating superheated steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, varying the supply of the liquid by variations in the condition of the fluid being heated in such manner that the effective supply of the liquid varies in substantial unison ,with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in substantially the same degree with said variations of demand, and maintaining a predetermined quantitative relation between the supplies of the liquid and the fuel.

18. The method of generating superheated steam or vapor, which method consistsin supplying a liquid to a suitable generator at a substantially predetermined pressure, sup-.

plying a fuel for heating the generator, varying the supply of the liquid by variations in the condition as to pressure of the fluid being heated in such manner that the effective supply of the liquid varies in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in substantially the same degree with said variations of demand, and maintaining a predetermined quantitative relation between the supplies of the liquid and the fuel.

19. The method of generating superheated steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, varying the supply of the liquidin substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in a substantially definite quantitative relation to said variations, and

l regulating the supply of fuel by variations in the condition of the fluid flowing through the generator in such manner that the effective supply of the fuel varies in substantial unison with the variations of the flow of fluid through the generator and according to a predetermined quantitative relation to said variations of flow.

20. The method of generating superheated steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, Varying the supply of the liquid in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in a substantially definite quantitative relation to said variations, and regulating the supply of fuel by variations in a condition of the fluid flowing through the generator resulting from variations in the flow of said fluid in such manner that the effective supply of the fuel varies in substantial unison with the variations of the flow of fluid through the generator and according to a predetermined quantitative relation to said variations of flow.

21. The method of generating superheated steam or vapor, which method consistsin supplying a liquid to a suitable generator at a substantially predetermined pressure, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, varying the supply of the liquid by variations in the condition as to pressure of the fluid being heated in such manner that the effective supply of the liquid varies in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in a substantially definite quantitative relation to said variations of demand, and regulating the supply of fuel byvariations in the condition as to pressure of the fluid flowing through the generator in such manner that the eifective supply of the fuel varies in substantial unison with the variations of the flow of fluid through the generunison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in substantially the same degree with said variations, and regulating the supply of fuel by variations in the condition of the fluid flowing through the generator in such manner that the efiective supply of the fuel varies in substantial unison with the variations in the flow of fluid through the generator and in substantially the same degree with said variations of flow.

23. The method of generating superheated steam or vapor and delivering the same in a substantially unvarying condition as to the energy thereof, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitablegenerator, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, varying thesupply of the liquid in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in substantially the same degree with said variations, and regulating the supply of fuel by variations in a condition of the fluid flowing through the generator resulting from variations in the flow of said fluid in such manner that the efiective supply of fuel varies in substantial unison with the variations in the flow of fluid through the generator and in substantially the same degree with said variations of flow.

24. The method of generating superheated steam or vapor and delivering the same in a substantially unvarying condition as to temperature and pressure, said method consisting in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator at a substantially predetermined pressure, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, and varying the supply of the liquid by variations in the condition as to pressure of the'fluid being heated in such manner that the effective supply of liquid varies in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in substantially the same degree with said variations of demand, and regulating the supply of fuel by variations in the condition as to pressure of the fluid flowing through the generator in such manner that the effective supply of the fuel "aries in substantial unison with the variations of the flow of fluid through the generator and in substantially the same degree with said variations of flow.

25. The method of generating steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, varying the supply of the liquid in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in a substantially definite quantitative relation to said variations, establishing a predetermined quantitative relation between the supplies of the liquid and the fuel, and regulating the temperature of the steam or vapor by varying the relation between said supplies.

26. The method of generating steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, supplying a fuel forheating the generator, varying the supply of the liquid in substantial, unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in a substantially definite quantitative relation to said variations, regulating the supply of fuel by variations in the condition of the fluid being heated in a manner tending to maintain a predetermined quantitative relation between the supplies of the liquid ature of the steam or vapor by varying the relation between said supplies.

28.- The method of generating steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, varying the supply of the liquid in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in substantially the same degree with said variations, regulating the supply of fuel by variations in a condition of the fluid flowing through the generator resulting from variations in the flow of said fluid in a manner tending to maintain a predetermined quantitative relation between the supplies of the liquid and the fuel, and regulating the temper ature of the steam or vapor by varying the re-' lation between said supplies.

29.- The method of generating steam or vapor, and delivering the same at a substantially uniform temperature, said method consisting in supplyingaliquid to a suitable generator, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, varying the supplyot the liquid in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in a substantially definite quantitative relation to said variations, establishing a predetermined quantitative relation between the supplies of the liquid and the fuel, and varying the relation between said supplies by variations in the temperature of the steam or vapor.

30. The method of generating steam or va- 'por and delivering the same at a substantending to maintain a predetermined quantitative relation between the supplies of the liquid and the fuel, and Varying the relation between said supplies by variations in the temperature of the steam or vapor.

31. The method of generating steam or vapor and delivering the same at a substantially unvarying temperature, said method consisting in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, varying the supply of the liquid in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in sub stantially the same degree with said variations, establishing a predetermined quantitative relation between the supplies of the liquid and the fuel, and varying the relation between said supplies by variations in the.

temperature of the steam or vapor.

32. The method of generating steam or vapor and delivering the same at a substantially unvarying temperature and pressure, said method consisting in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator at a substantially predetermined pressure, supplying a fuel for heating the generator, varying the supply of the liquid by variations in the pressure of the fluid being heated in such manner that the effective supply of the liquid varies in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam orv vapor energy'and in substantially the same degree with said variations of demand, regulating the supply of the fuel by variations in a condition of the fluid flowing through the generator resulting from variations in the flow of said fluid in a manner tending to maintain a predetermined quantitative relation between the supplies of the liquid and the fuel, and varying the relation between said supplies by variations in the temperature of the steam or vapor,

The method of generating steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, heating the generator in such manner that only a small quantity of the liquid is maintained at the temperature of vaporization,varying the supplies of both the liquid and the heat in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in definite quantitative relations to said variations.

34:. The method of generating steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, heating the generator in such manner that only a smallquantity of the liquid is maintained at the temperatu re of vaporization by variations in the condition of the fluid being heated, varying the supplies of both the liquid and the heat in substantial unison with the variations of demand forsteam or vapor energy and in definite quantitative relations to said variations.

The method of generating steam or vapor, which method consistsin supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, heating the generator in such manner that only a small quantity of the liquid is maintained at the temperature of vaporization by variations of the condition as to pressure of the fluid being heated, varying the supplies of both the liquid and the heat in substantial unison with the variations of demand. for steam or vapor energy and in definite quantitative relations to said variations.

36. The method of generating steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, heating the generator in such manner that only a small quantity of the liquid is maintained at the temperatu re of vaporization, varying the supplies of both the liquid and the heat in such manner that the effective supplies of both vary in substantial unison with the variations in demand for steam or vapor energy and in substantially definite quantitative relations to said variations.

37. The method of generating steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, heating the generator in such manner that only a small quantity of the liquid is maintained at the temperatu re of vaporization,varying the supplies of both the liquid and the heat by variations in the condition of the fluid being heated in such manner that the effective supplies of both vary in substantial unison with the variations in demand for steam or vapor energy and in substantially definite quantitative relations to said variations.

38. The method of generating steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, heating the generator in such manner that only a small quantity of the liquid is maintained at the temperature of vaporization,varying the supplies of both the liquid and the heat by variations in the condition as to pressure of the fluid being heated in such manner that the efiective supplies of both vary in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in substantially definite quantitative relations to said variations.

39. The method of generating steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, heatingv the generator in'such manner that only a small quantity of the liquid is maintained at the temperature of vaporization, varying the supplies of both the liquid and the heat in substantial unison with the variations in demand for steam or vapor energy and in substantially the same degree with said variations.

40. The method of generating steam or vapor, which method consists in supplying a liquid to a suitable generator, heating the generator in such manner that only a small quantity of the liquid is maintained at the temperature of vaporization by variations in the condition of the fluid being heated, varying the supplies of both the liquid and the heat in substantial unison with the variations of demand for steam or vapor energy and in substantially the same degree with said variations.

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