CHAPTER IV

TEMPERATURE REGULATION

The method used for regulating the temperature of a house will depend on its size, the conditions under which it is to be used and the method of heating. In small houses the temperature may be satisfactorily governed entirely by hand, that is, the furnace drafts may be changed by hand to suit the varying conditions of temperature. A more satisfactory method is that of thermostatic regulation, in which a thermostatic governor and a motor automatically control the furnace dampers so as to keep a constant temperature at one point, generally the living room. Where hot-water or steam heating plants are used, another device is frequently employed to keep the temperature of the heat supply at a constant degree. This is known as the automatic damper regulator. The damper regulator is one of the boiler accessories which so governs the drafts of the furnace as to keep a constant water temperature in the hot-water heater or a constant steam pressure in the steam boiler.

In some cases both the damper regulator and the thermostat are used as a more complete means of temperature control.

=Hand Regulation.=--As a means of changing the dampers of the furnace from the floor above, to suit the prevailing conditions, the arrangement shown in Fig. 49 does away with the necessity of a journey to the basement, to remedy each change of temperature.

A plate is fastened to the wall at any convenient place, to which the end of a chain is attached as shown in the figure. This connects with a second chain, the ends of which are fastened, one to the direct draft or ash-pit damper _F_, and the other to the check draft _E_, in the chimney. As the furnace appears in the drawing, the direct draft is closed and the check draft is open. By changing the ring from _G_ to _H_, the movement of the chain opens _F_, and closes _E_, admitting air to the furnace. When the temperature of the room is raised sufficiently, the drafts are restored to their original position by replacing the ring at _G_. Sometimes one or more intermediate points are made on the plate between _G_ and _H_, which permits both drafts to be kept partly open and fewer changes are required to keep the temperature approximately normal.

=Damper Regulator for Steam Boiler.=--The damper regulator used on a steam boiler is a simple device that automatically controls the draft dampers by reason of the changing pressures of the steam. The object of the damper regulator is to prevent the generation of steam in the boiler beyond a certain pressure at which the valve is set. This point is usually 3 or 4 pounds below the pressure at which the safety valve would act. If in proper working order the damper regulator will so control the dampers that the boiler will always contain a supply of steam, but the pressure will not reach a point requiring the action of the safety valve. Fig. 51 illustrates its connections with the furnace dampers. In Fig. 18 the regulator appears at _D_. In external appearance and in operation of the dampers, it is the same as the regulator for a hot-water boiler but its internal construction is simpler. Fig. 50 shows its construction. It is attached to the steam space of the boiler at _E_. The steam pressure acts directly on the flexible metallic diaphragm _B_. As the pressure of the steam approaches the desired amount the diaphragm is raised and with it the lever _V_. A chain _D_, attached to the end of the lever, opens the check draft, and another at _C_ closes the draft damper. When the steam pressure falls, the diaphragm lowers the lever and the dampers are restored to their original position. The same movements are repeated with each rise and fall of the steam pressure.

=Damper Regulators for Hot-water Furnaces.=--The damper regulator for a hot-water boiler automatically controls the dampers of the furnace so as to keep the water of the boiler approximately at a constant temperature. The regulator is shown in Fig. 52. The ends of the lever are connected to the direct-draft and check-draft dampers, as in the case of the damper regulator for the steam plant. A cross-section of the working parts shows the details of construction. The lever _d_ is operated by a diaphragm _g_, which tightly covers a brass bowl, containing a mixture of alcohol and water, of such proportions as will produce a vapor pressure at the desired temperature, say 200°. The hot water from the boiler passes through the valve, entering at _a_ and leaving at _b_. When the water reaches the desired temperature, the contained liquid vaporizes and a pressure is produced that is sufficient to lift the diaphragm and the lever. The chain attached to the right-hand end closes the direct-draft damper; at the same time the other end of the lever opens the check draft, and the supply of air to the furnace fire is entirely cut off. As soon as the water has cooled sufficiently, the vapor pressure in the bowl is reduced, allowing the weight _W_ to depress the diaphragm and the lever is restored to its first position. The weight _W_ is for adjusting the valve to the desired temperature. The plug _f_ tightly closes the orifice through which the liquid is introduced into the bowl.

The object of the damper regulator on a hot-water boiler is to govern the fire of the furnace so as to keep the water in the boiler at the desired temperature. In case there is a demand for heat at any part of the house, a supply of hot water will always be on hand. It has nothing to do with the regulation of the temperature of the house. The control of the house temperature is the office of the _thermostat_.

=The thermostat= is a mechanical device for automatically regulating temperature. It may be arranged to operate the valve of a single radiator or register and so control the temperature of a room, or as commonly used in the average dwelling, the controller may be placed to govern the temperature of the living room and in so doing keep the furnace in condition to satisfactorily heat the remainder of the house.

Thermostats are made in a variety of forms by different manufacturers but they may be divided into two general classes: the electric, and the pneumatic types. The electric thermostat depends on an electric current as a means of controlling the action of the motor which in turn operates the furnace dampers so as to maintain a constant heat supply. The pneumatic thermostat regulates the supply of heat by means of pneumatic valves. It will be considered later in discussing mechanical ventilation. This type of temperature regulation is particularly adapted to large buildings.

Fig. 53 illustrates one style of electric thermostat that is very generally used for temperature regulation in the average dwelling. It consists of three distinct parts--the controller, the electric battery and the motor. In the drawing the motor is shown connected with a steam valve, such as may be used for furnishing steam for a series of radiators. It may with equal facility be attached to the dampers of a furnace or other heating apparatus.

The controller occupies a place on the wall of the room to be heated and makes electric connections between the battery and the motor. Whenever the temperature varies from the required degree, a change of electric contact in the controller starts the motor, and the radiator valve or the furnace drafts are opened or closed as occasion requires.

The controller appears in Fig. 54 as commonly seen in use. The upper part carries a thermometer and the pointer _A_ indicates the temperature to be maintained in the room. The middle division indicates 70°F. Each division to the right of the middle point raises the temperature 5°. Each division to the left lowers the temperature a like amount.

In addition to the ordinary type this controller is furnished with a time attachment by means of which the controller may permit the temperature of the room to fall to any desired degree at night and raise it again in the morning at the time for which it is set.

This is accomplished by a little alarm clock shown at the bottom of the controller in Fig. 54. The indicator _B_ is arranged to correspond with the indicator _A_; the middle point representing 70°F. To set the time attachment, the alarm is wound and set as in any alarm clock, 1/2 hour earlier than the desired time for rising. The indicator _B_ is set for the day temperature and _A_ is set for the temperature desired during the night. At the appointed time the alarm moves the indicator _A_ to the desired point for the day and the controller raises the temperature accordingly.

Fig. 55 shows the mechanism that is exposed to view when the cover of the controller is removed. The bent strip _C_ is the part that is influenced by the change of temperature. It is made of two thin strips of metal, one of brass and the other of steel. The two strips are soldered firmly together. Any change in temperature will affect the strip and cause it to bend and touch the contact point--_K_ or _J_. The bending of the strip is due to the unequal expansion of the brass and steel due to the change of temperature. Brass expands 2.4 times as much as steel with the same change of temperature. The amount of bending is sufficient to make an appreciable movement in a small fraction of a degree change. The brass part of _C_ is on the left and since it expands the greater amount, a rising temperature causes _C_ to come into contact with the point _J_. When this happens the motor is started and makes one-half cycle. In so doing it shuts off the air supply of the furnace, opens the check draft and at the same time the motor changes the electric contact from _J_ to _K_. When the temperature begins to fall, the brass contracts in the same ratio to the steel as it expands during the rising temperature and as a consequence the bar bends to the left. When the strip touches the point _K_ the motor again makes one-half circle, admitting air once more to the furnace, closes the check draft and shifts the electric contact back to _K_. When properly started the thermostat will regulate the temperature within a degree of temperature.

=The Thermostat Motor.=--The thermostat motor automatically opens and closes the furnace dampers or the valve that admits steam to the radiators as heat is demanded by the controller.

The motor, as shown in Fig. 53, consists of a system of gears and a brake _S_, which regulates the speed, a cam _M_, and armature _I_, for starting and stopping the motor, and the electromagnet _H-H_ which operates the bar _I_. Two lever arms _L_, one in front and the other at the back of the motor furnish means for attachment to the valve or furnace dampers. An emergency switch at _D_ is shown in detail in Fig. 56. The battery _B_ furnishes the current which energizes the magnets and an iron weight supplies the motive power for the motor.

The description of the operation of the motor applies to the steam valve shown in Fig. 53. The same motor might be used for opening and closing of the dampers of the furnace in any kind of heat supply. The method of communicating the motion of the motor arms to the dampers of the furnace will be described later. The connections with the furnace drafts are shown in Figs. 3, 6, 8, 34, etc.

Suppose that the valve for admitting steam to the radiators, as that in Fig. 53, is closed and that the temperature of the house is falling. The strip _C_ of the thermostat controller is moving toward _J_. When contact is made, the current from the battery _B_ energizes the magnets _H-H_ and the bar _I_ is lifted. As the bar _I_ is raised the catch _J_ is released and permits the motor to start. The bar _I_ is held suspended by the cam _M_ until the arm _L_ has made one-half revolution, when the lug _K_ drops into the depression in the cam made to receive it and the catch _J_ engages with the brake and stops the motor.

During this movement the arm _L_ has lifted the valve arm _N_ and the valve admits steam to the radiators, at the same time the contact _M_ has been shifted from the right-hand contact to the left, and the electric circuit is ready to be made in the controller at the point _K_. When the temperature has fallen a sufficient amount the controller bar _C_ will make contact at _K_ and the motor will again make a half cycle, changing the valve back to its original position. This process will be kept up so long as the motor is wound and there is sufficient fuel in the furnace to raise the temperature.

Fig. 55 shows the method of connecting the electric wires from the battery to the controller. A three-wire cable connects the battery, and makes contacts as indicated at _H_, _K_ and _J_. The wires are shown attached to the motor as in Fig. 55. A wire is taken from either pole of the battery and attached to one of the ends of the magnet coil. Passing through the magnet the wire is attached to the frame of the motor. This makes the cam _M_ a part of the electric circuit. The other two wires are attached to the brass strips on each side of the arm _L_. The strips are insulated from the frame. The electric circuit through the magnet is made alternately by contact with the strips at right and left of the arm _L_.

In case the motor, through neglect, runs down, a safety switch at _D_ (Fig. 53) disconnects the battery and keeps it from being discharged. This switch is shown in detail in Fig. 56. When the weight has reached its limit, the piece _C_ on the chain comes into contact with _D_ and lifting it out of contact, breaks the circuit. When the motor is again wound, _C_ engages with _E_ and restores the contact. The switch is so arranged that when open, the valve will always be closed.

=Combined Thermostat and Damper Regulator.=--It is evident that, in heating a house by steam, the _damper regulator_ governs only the steam pressure of the boiler. In the use of a thermostat alone, the regulation is that of the temperature of the rooms only, and has nothing to do with the steam pressure. As an example: Suppose that in cold weather the house is cold and that the gage of the steam boiler shows no pressure. The desire is to get up steam as soon as possible. In so doing a hot fire is made with a large amount of fuel. As soon as the steam begins to form, the pressure rises rapidly. When the radiators have become hot and the steam is no longer taken away as fast as it is formed, the pressure of the steam in the boiler keeps on rising. The thermostat will not close the furnace dampers until the temperature of the rooms is normal. This may require so great a length of time as to produce a great excess of steam that cannot be used at the time and the pressure will be relieved by the safety valve. This may not be dangerous but it is disagreeable. To prevent the safety valve from blowing except in case of emergency, a combined thermostat and draft regulator is used. In such a combination, the draft regulator closes the draft as soon as the pressure reaches the desired point, after which the thermostat does the regulating according to suit the temperature of the house.

In Fig. 2 is shown such a combination attached to a boiler. The cord from the regulator, instead of extending directly to the direct-draft damper, passes over the pulley _P_ and connects to the thermostat cord. The regulator may now close the damper to suit the steam pressure, but after the temperature in the rooms is normal, the amount of heat necessary to maintain the desired degree is regulated entirely by the thermostat which opens and closes the dampers regardless of the position of the damper regulator.

If occasion should require but a very slight amount of steam to keep the house at the desired temperature, the thermostat will govern the drafts aright. If the steam pressure is in danger of becoming excessive, the damper regulator will govern the drafts.

=Thermostat-motor Connections.=--The arrangement of cords and pulleys used for attaching the thermostat motor to the furnace dampers will depend very much on local conditions. The motor can be placed in any convenient position so that the connecting cords will act most directly. The motor opens and closes the direct draft and check draft in accordance with the demand for heat. The connections for all kinds of furnaces are made in much the same manner. The pulleys supplied with the motor are placed to work as freely, and the cords to pull as directly as possible.

In Fig. 57 the motor is connected with a hot-air furnace. The cord _D_ is attached to the front arm of the motor and connects with the direct-draft damper _F_. The cord _C_ connects the rear arm of the motor with the check-draft damper at _E_. In the position of the dampers shown, the direct-draft damper is closed and the air is entering the chimney through the check draft _E_. While this damper is open there is very little induced draft to supply the fire with air that might leak through the crevices around the ash-pit door, but the gases from the furnace are completely carried away to the chimney by the air entering at _E_.

In Figs. 3, 6, 8, 34, etc., the same motor is connected with the furnaces of various other systems of heating. The object is the same in all; when less heat is required, the air supply is cut off and the furnace fire subsides; when more heat is demanded the air is again admitted to produce greater combustion. The check draft is an important feature as it checks the flow of air through the furnace regardless of the position of the direct-draft damper. Even should the direct draft be left open, the check draft when open would destroy in a great measure the supply of air entering the furnace.