Steam or water boiler that can operate on gas / oil or electricity

Abstract

The present invention is a tri-fuel boiler that fires oil, natural gas or electricity.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit to and priority of U.S. Application Ser. No. 63 / 596,891 filed Nov. 7, 2023, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to tri-fuel boiler that fires oil, natural, gas or electricity.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] U.S. Patent Publication 2019 / 0302706 relates to a system and method for power cogeneration. The cogeneration systems includes one or more units that are modalized and in some embodiments the modules contain components integrated and ready for use with control systems that optimize a result with the cogeneration plant. The cogeneration system is part of a network of cogeneration systems.

[0004] U.S. Patent Publications 2012 / 0227389 and 2008 / 0141921 relate to a reciprocating fluid working device that includes internal combustion engines, compressors and pumps. The system is used in IC engines operating without cooling. Included are toroidal combustion or working chambers, some with fluid flow through the core of toroid, a system piston reciprocating between a pair of working chambers, tensile valve actuation, tensile links between piston and crank shaft, energy absorbing piston crank links, crank shaft supported on gas bearings, cylinders rotating in housings, injectors having components which reciprocate or rotate during fuel delivery.

[0005] U.S. Patent Publication 2005 / 0142250 relates to fuels used which may be derived from existing waste streams. A method of processing the waste into fuel includes homogenizing the waste products. The waste products are heated and pressurized. Water is removed from the waste products. The waste stream is blended with a fuel to form a biofuel mixture.

[0006] U.S. Patent Publication 2008 / 0092544 relates to a premixer for gas and fuel for use in combination with energy release / conversion device having a high intake velocity.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention relates to a 4 Pass Design, tri fuel boiler capable of firing #2 oil, natural gas or full electric.

[0008] It is an object of the present invention for the boiler to be field erected or standard shop built design.

[0009] A field erected device is built in a building's boiler room located anywhere on site or offset to connect to the buildings existing steam or hydronic heating lines.

[0010] It is an object of the present invention for the boiler to be field fabricated with the use of a standard door way.

[0011] It is an object of the present invention for the boiler to be suitable for steam of hydronic water systems and also be capable of providing domestic hot water through a coil installed in the boiler

[0012] The boiler of the present invention has been tested and passed UL up to 100 HP. It is an object of the present invention for the boiler capabilities to be greater than 100 HP which requires additional voltage and has the range to go up to 900 HP.

[0013] It is an object of the present invention for the 4 pass design to utilize a coil in the front of the boiler and flue outlet for combustion gases in the front.

[0014] It is an object of the present invention to have electric elements either back or front mounted.

[0015] During boiler operation, the boiler fires on either oil, gas, or electric by the transfer of a switch. No fuels can simultaneously run at the site time presently. The operator can change between fuel sources based on availability. In an embodiment, the switching of fuels is done by a switch located on the gas / oil burner. The burner is mounted on the boiler. The boiler is an all steel vessel which is field or factory wired with control panels for the changeover between oil, gas or electric.

[0016] In oil mode the operator fires the boiler on oil only. This would entail the burner being placed to the oil circuit and all safeties and interlocks come into play pertaining to oil operation such as oil valves, oil pressure switches and standard boiler safety and limit controls. The boiler is cycled from an outside weather control / bms system or thermostat system. On a switch over to gas a time delay takes place allowing the boiler to purge, then the sequence of startup would begin when firing gas. All gas interlocks, gas pressure switches and gas valves as well as standard boiler safeties and limit controls. On a switch to electric mode the boiler is only capable of operating off of the electric control system and the electric heating elements. The electric control panel takes over operation of the boiler and all for operation of the boiler utilizing the boilers electric safety devices, and all standard boiler limit and interlocks.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1a is a front view of a boiler.

[0018] FIG. 1b is a rear view of a boiler.

[0019] FIG. 1c is a side view of a boiler.

[0020] FIG. 2a is a front view of a boiler system shell assembly.

[0021] FIG. 2b is a side view of a boiler system shell assembly.

[0022] FIG. 2c is a rear view of a boiler system shell assembly.

[0023] FIG. 2d is an isometric view of a boiler system shell assembly.

[0024] FIG. 3a is a front view of a shell assembly.

[0025] FIG. 3b is a side view of a shell assembly.

[0026] FIG. 4a is a side view of a shell plate.

[0027] FIG. 4b is a front view of a shell plate.

[0028] FIG. 4c is a detailed view through section A of FIG. 4b.

[0029] FIG. 4d is a flat plate of a shell plate.

[0030] FIG. 5a is a front view of a furnace.

[0031] FIG. 5b is a side view of a furnace.

[0032] FIG. 5c is a detailed view through section B of the furnace of FIG. 5a.

[0033] FIG. 5d is a flat plate of a furnace.

[0034] FIG. 6a is a front tube sheet assembly of a boiler.

[0035] FIG. 6b is a detailed view of section A of FIG. 6a of the front tube sheet assembly.

[0036] FIG. 7a is a front internal view of a tube sheet boiler.

[0037] FIG. 7b is a detailed section A of FIG. 7a of tube sheet boiler.

[0038] FIG. 8a is a rear view of rear tube sheet assembly boiler.

[0039] FIG. 8b is a rear side view of a tube sheet assembly boiler.

[0040] FIG. 8c is a detailed section A of FIG. 8a showing rear tube sheet assembly boiler.

[0041] FIG. 9a is a front view reverse chamber side wall boiler.

[0042] FIG. 9b is a side view reverse chamber side wall boiler.

[0043] FIG. 9c is a detailed view of Section A of FIG. 9a of reverse chamber side wall.

[0044] FIG. 9d is a flat rear view of the reverse chamber side wall.

[0045] FIG. 10a is a front view of the rear chamber rear wall.

[0046] FIG. 10b is a side view of the rear chamber rear wall.

[0047] FIG. 11a is a front saddle assembly of a boiler.

[0048] FIG. 11b is a plate of saddle assembly of a boiler.

[0049] FIG. 12a is a left front smoke door.

[0050] FIG. 12b is a side view of front smoke door.

[0051] FIG. 12c is a right front smoke door.

[0052] FIG. 12d is a door panel of front smoke door.

[0053] FIG. 12e is a door panel of front smoke door.

[0054] FIG. 13a is a top view front smoke box walls.

[0055] FIG. 13b is a front view front smoke box walls.

[0056] FIG. 13c is a side view front smoke box walls.

[0057] FIG. 14a is a front smoke box rim assembly.

[0058] FIG. 14b is a side view of a front smoke box rim assembly.

[0059] FIG. 15a is a top view of a front smoke box assembly.

[0060] FIG. 15b is a front view of front smoke box assembly.

[0061] FIG. 15c is a side view of a front smoke box assembly.

[0062] FIG. 15d shows an isometric view of the front smoke box assembly.

[0063] FIG. 16a is a left rear smoke box door assembly.

[0064] FIG. 16b is a side view rear smoke box door assembly.

[0065] FIG. 16c is a side view of a rear smoke box door assembly.

[0066] FIG. 16d is a right rear view of a rear smoke box door assembly.

[0067] FIG. 17a is a top view of a rear smoke box wall assembly.

[0068] FIG. 17b. is a front view of a rear smoke box wall assembly.

[0069] FIG. 17c. is a side view of a rear smoke box wall assembly.

[0070] FIG. 18a is a front view of a rear smoke box rim assembly.

[0071] FIG. 18b is a side view of a rear smoke box rim assembly.

[0072] FIG. 19a is a rear smoke box assembly.

[0073] FIG. 19b is a front view of a rear smoke box assembly.

[0074] FIG. 19c is a side view of a rear smoke box assembly.

[0075] FIG. 19d is an isometric view of a rear smoke box assembly.

[0076] FIG. 20a is a front view rear access door assembly.

[0077] FIG. 20b is a front rear access door assembly.

[0078] FIG. 20c is a top view hinge plate assembly.

[0079] FIG. 20d is a front view hinge plate assembly.

[0080] FIG. 20e is a side view of a hinge plate assembly.

[0081] FIG. 20f is a top view of a hinge plate assembly.

[0082] FIG. 20g is a front view of a hinge plate assembly.

[0083] FIG. 20h is a side view of a hinge plate assembly.

[0084] FIG. 21a is a top view of a rear smoke box hinge assembly.

[0085] FIG. 21b is a side view of a rear smoke box hinge assembly.

[0086] FIG. 21c is a front view of a rear smoke box hinge assembly.

[0087] FIG. 21d is a top view of a rear smoke box hinge assembly.

[0088] FIG. 21e is a front view of a rear smoke box hinge assembly.

[0089] FIG. 21f is a side view of a rear smoke box hinge assembly.

[0090] FIG. 22a is a top view of a front smoke box hinge.

[0091] FIG. 22b is a side view of a front smoke box hinge.

[0092] FIG. 22c is a front view of a front smoke box hinge.

[0093] FIG. 22d is a top view of a front smoke box hinge.

[0094] FIG. 22e is a front view of a front smoke box hinge.

[0095] FIG. 22f is a side view of a front smoke box hinge.

[0096] FIG. 23a is a top view of a front smoke box exhaust outlet assembly.

[0097] FIG. 23b is a front view of a front smoke box exhaust outlet assembly.

[0098] FIG. 23c is a side view of a front smoke box exhaust outlet assembly.

[0099] FIG. 23d is an isometric view of a front smoke box exhaust assembly.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0100] FIG. 1a is a front view of a boiler comprising a steam separator 10, FLG supply 12, CPLG washout 14, CPLG return 16, CPLG Blowdown 18, CPLG Washout 20 and CL Furnace 22.

[0101] FIG. 1b is a rear view of a boiler comprising a CPLG washout 24 and a CPLG inspection 26.

[0102] FIG. 1c is a side view of a boiler comprising a CPLG inspection 30, a CPLG safety valve 32, a rear smoke box height 34, a CPLG washout 36, a CPLG blowdown 38, a CPLG aquastat 40, CPLG control trim 42, distance from the element and tubesheet 44 and CPLG return 46.

[0103] FIG. 2a is a front view of a boiler system shell assembly comprising a front smoke box assembly 50.

[0104] FIG. 2b is a side view of a boiler system shell assembly comprising a shell assembly 52, a reverse chamber side wall 54, a long tube 56, a rear smoke box assembly 58, a flange gasket 60, a hex bolt 62 and a hex nut 64, a pipe 66, a rear tube sheet 68, a reverse chamber rear wall 70, an intermediate tube sheet 72, a saddle assembly 74, a front tube sheet 76, a short tube 78 and a furnace 80.

[0105] FIG. 2c is a rear view of a boiler system shell assembly comprising stud 82, door lugs 84, plain washer 86 and hex nut 88, rear access door 90, stay bolts 92 and an electric element 94. Electric element 94 is one of the elements referred to in the Summary of the Invention.

[0106] FIG. 2d is an isometric view of a boiler system shell assembly of FIGS. 2a-2c.

[0107] FIG. 3a is a front view of a shell assembly comprising a half coupling 100, a half coupling 102, a half coupling 104, a full coupling 106, a half coupling 108, a steam separator plate 110, and a flange 112.

[0108] FIG. 3b is a side view of shell assembly in FIG. 3a comprising half couplings 102, flange 112, shell plate 114, half coupling 118, half coupling 116, half coupling 106, half couplings 104 and half coupling 100.

[0109] FIG. 4a is a side view of a shell plate 200.

[0110] FIG. 4b is a front view of a shell plate 200.

[0111] FIG. 4c is a detailed view through section A of FIG. 4b of shell plate 200.

[0112] FIG. 4d is a flat plate of a shell plate 200 having bevel sides 202 and 204.

[0113] FIG. 5a is a front view of a furnace 220.

[0114] FIG. 5b is a side view of a furnace 220.

[0115] FIG. 5c is a detailed view through section B of FIG. 5a of furnace 220.

[0116] FIG. 5d is a flat plate of a furnace 220 having bevel sides 222 and 224.

[0117] FIG. 6a is a front tube sheet assembly 228 of a boiler having a plate 230 and a coupling 232.

[0118] FIG. 6b is a detailed view of section A of FIG. 6a of the front tube sheet assembly 228 of a boiler having holes 234.

[0119] FIG. 7a is a front internal view of a tube sheet boiler 240 having a plate 242.

[0120] FIG. 7b is a detailed view of section A of FIG. 7a of tube sheet boiler 240 having holes 244.

[0121] FIG. 8a is a rear view of rear tube sheet assembly boiler 250 having a plate 252, a coupling 254 and a coupling 256,

[0122] FIG. 8b is a rear side view of a tube sheet assembly boiler 250 having a plate 258 and a flange 260.

[0123] FIG. 8c is a detailed section A of FIG. 8a showing rear tube sheet assembly boiler 250 having holes 262.

[0124] FIG. 9a is a front view reverse chamber side wall 270 of a boiler having a plate 272.

[0125] FIG. 9b is a side view reverse chamber side wall 270 of a boiler.

[0126] FIG. 9c is a detailed view of Section A of FIG. 9a of reverse chamber side wall 270 of a boiler.

[0127] FIG. 9d is a flat rear view of the reverse side wall 270 of a boiler.

[0128] FIG. 10a is a front view of the reverse chamber rear wall 280 having a plate 282 and holes 284.

[0129] FIG. 10b is a side view of the reverse chamber rear wall 280.

[0130] FIG. 11a is a front saddle assembly 300 of a boiler having plate 302, 304, 306 and 308.

[0131] FIG. 11b is a side view of saddle assembly 300 of a boiler having a plate 310.

[0132] FIG. 12a is a left front smoke door 320 having a door plate 322, door insulation 324 and 326.

[0133] FIG. 12b is a side view of front smoke door 320 having threaded rod 328, pipe 330, door panel 332, plate 334, door panel 336, stud 338, plain washer 340 and hex nut 342, and gasket 344.

[0134] FIG. 12c is a right front smoke door 350.

[0135] FIG. 12d is a door panel 352 of front smoke door.

[0136] FIG. 12e is a door panel 354 of front smoke door.

[0137] FIG. 13a is a top view front smoke box walls 360.

[0138] FIG. 13b is a front view front smoke box walls 360 having plates 362, 364, 366, 368, 370, 372 and 374.

[0139] FIG. 13c is a side view front smoke box walls 360 having an opening for exhaust outlet 376.

[0140] FIG. 14a is a front smoke box rim assembly 380 having a plate 382.

[0141] FIG. 14b is a side view of a front smoke box rim assembly 380 having 15 studs 384.

[0142] FIG. 15a is a top view of a front smoke box assembly 400.

[0143] FIG. 15b is a front view of front smoke box assembly 400 having an FSB rim 402, a right hinge assembly 404, an FSB right door 406, a plain washer 408 and a hex locking nut 410, a left hinge assembly 412, and a FSB left door 414.

[0144] FIG. 15c is a side view of a front smoke box assembly 400 having an FSB wall assembly 416, a front smoke box exhaust outlet assembly 418 and door lugs 420, plain washer 422 and hex nut 424.

[0145] FIG. 15d is an isometric view of a front smoke box assembly 400.

[0146] FIG. 16a. is a left rear smoke box door assembly 440 having a plate 442.

[0147] FIG. 16b is a side view of a rear smoke box door assembly 440 having plate 444, a threaded rod 446, a pipe 448, a door panel 450, a gasket 452, and a stud 454, plain washer 456 and hex nut 458.

[0148] FIG. 16c is a side view of a rear smoke box door assembly 440.

[0149] FIG. 16d is a right view of rear smoke box door assembly 440.

[0150] FIG. 17a is a top view of a rear smoke box wall assembly 470.

[0151] FIG. 17b. is a front view of a rear smoke box wall assembly 470 having plates 472, 474, 476 and 478.

[0152] FIG. 17c. is a side view of a rear smoke box wall assembly 470.

[0153] FIG. 18a is a front view of a rear smoke box rim assembly 490 having a plate 492.

[0154] FIG. 18b is a side view of a rear smoke box rim assembly 490 having a stud 494.

[0155] FIG. 19a is a rear smoke box assembly 500.

[0156] FIG. 19b is a front view of a rear smoke box assembly 500 having a RSB left door assembly 502, a RSB left hinge assembly 504, a hex locking nut 506 and a plain washer 508, an RSB right hinge assembly 510, a an RSB rim assembly 512 and an RSB right door assembly 514.

[0157] FIG. 19c is a side view of a rear smoke box assembly 500 having a RSB wall assembly 516 and lugs 518, plain washer 520 and hex nut 522.

[0158] FIG. 19d is an isometric view of a rear smoke box assembly 500.

[0159] FIG. 20a is a front view rear access door assembly 540 having a plate 542, a sight glass 544, a coupling 546, a gasket 548 and a refractory 550.

[0160] FIG. 20b is a front view of a rear access door assembly 540 having a plate 552, a plate 554, a plate 556, and a rivet 558, and a plate 560.

[0161] FIG. 20c is a top view of a hinge plate 570.

[0162] FIG. 20d is a front view of a hinge plate assembly 570.

[0163] FIG. 20e is a side view of a hinge plate assembly 570.

[0164] FIG. 20f is a top view of a hinge plate assembly 575.

[0165] FIG. 20g is a front view of a hinge plate assembly 575.

[0166] FIG. 20h is a side view of a hinge plate assembly 575.

[0167] FIG. 21a is a top view of a rear smoke box hinge assembly 580.

[0168] FIG. 21b is a side view of a rear smoke box hinge assembly 580.

[0169] FIG. 21c is a front view of a rear smoke box hinge assembly 580 having a plate 582, a pipe 584, a pipe 586, a plate 588 and a clevis pin 590.

[0170] FIG. 21d is a top view of a rear smoke box hinge assembly 580.

[0171] FIG. 21e is a front view of a rear smoke box hinge assembly 580.

[0172] FIG. 21f is a side view of a rear smoke box hinge assembly 580.

[0173] FIG. 22a is a top view of a front smoke box hinge 600.

[0174] FIG. 22b is a side view of a front smoke box hinge 600.

[0175] FIG. 22c is a front view of a front smoke box hinge 600.

[0176] FIG. 22d is a top view of a front smoke box hinge 600.

[0177] FIG. 22e is a front view of a front smoke box hinge 600.

[0178] FIG. 22c is a side view of a front smoke box hinge 600.

[0179] FIG. 23a is a top view of a front smoke box exhaust outlet assembly 620 which is also found in FIGS. 15b and 15d.

[0180] FIG. 23b is a front view of a front smoke box exhaust outlet assembly 620 which is also found in FIGS. 15b and 15d.

[0181] FIG. 23c is a side view of a front smoke box exhaust outlet assembly 620 which is also found in FIGS. 15b and 15d.

[0182] FIG. 23d is an isometric view of a front smoke box exhaust assembly 620 which is also found in FIGS. 15b and 15d.

Claims

1. A 4 pass design, tri fuel boiler comprising:a boiler that fires oil, natural gas or full electric at different times on the same boiler;said boiler having an oil mode, natural gas mode and an electric mode.

2. The boiler of claim 1 wherein said boiler is field erected.

3. The boiler of claim 1 wherein said boiler is a shop built design.

4. The boiler of claim 2 wherein said boiler is built in a building's boiler room located anywhere on site or offset to connect to said building's existing steam or hydronic heating lines.

5. The boiler of claim 2 wherein said boiler is field fabricated with use of a standard door way.

6. The boiler of claim 1 wherein said boiler is suitable for steam of hydronic water systems and provides domestic hot water through a coil installed in said boiler.

7. The boiler of claim 1 wherein said boiler is capable of a UL of up to 100 HP.

8. The boiler of claim 1 wherein said boiler is capable of a UL of up to 900 HP with additional voltage.

9. The boiler of claim 1 wherein said boiler utilizes a coil in front of said boiler and flue outlet for combustion gases.

10. The boiler of claim 1 wherein said boiler comprises electric elements either back or front mounted.

11. The boiler of claim 1 wherein during operation said boiler fires on either oil, gas, or electric by the transfer of a switch;no fuels can simultaneously run at same time in said boiler.

12. The boiler of claim 1 wherein said boiler allows an operator to change between fuel sources based on availability.

13. The boiler of claim 1 wherein said when said boiler is in said oil mode an operator fires said boiler on oil only;a burner is placed to an oil circuit and all safeties and interlocks come into play pertaining to oil operation, including oil valves, oil pressure switches and standard boiler safety and limit controls.

14. The boiler of claim 1 wherein said boiler is cycled from an outside weather control / bms system or thermostat system.

15. The boiler of claim 1 wherein on a switch over to gas, a time delay takes place allowing said boiler to purge, then the sequence of startup would begin when firing gas.

16. The boiler of claim 15 wherein all gas interlocks, gas pressure switches and gas valves and boiler safeties and limit controls are used for firing said gas.

17. The boiler of claim 1 wherein said boiler comprises a switch to change the operation of the boiler to electric mode so that the boiler is only capable of operating off of an electric control system and electric heating elements;said electric control panel takes over operation of said boiler for all operation of said boiler utilizing boilers electric safety devices, and all standard boiler limit and interlocks.

18. The boiler of claim 1 comprising;a shell plate;furnace;front tube sheet assembly;rear tube sheet assembly;reverse chamber side and rear wall;saddle assembly;smoke box door assembly;front smoke box walls;front smoke box assembly;rear access door assembly;hinge plate assembly.rear smoke box hinge assembly;front smoke box exhaust outlet assembly.

19. The boiler of claim 1 further comprising:a steam separator,FLG supply;CPLG washout;CPLG return;CPLG blowdown;CL furnace;CPLG inspection;CPLG safety valve;CPLG aquastat;CPLG control trim;CPLG return;shell assembly comprising a front and rear smoke box assembly and reverse chamber walls;saddle assembly, steam separator plate;front and rear tube sheet assembly;front smoke doors and walls; andfront and rear smoke box assembly.

Images