What is this?!?!

JimW

I've been asked to provide a quote to replace a residential steam boiler that was flooded during a recent storm.  No magic to that, but the owner tells me that since the existing boiler was installed a few years ago, (as a result of ANOTHER flood!), there have been some distribution & banging issues.  He only lived in the home a few weeks before the 1st storm.  The radiators don't have any traps, and no traps on the return piping.  BUT, there are these cute little "things" in the return fittings at each radiator.   They are about 5/8" in diameter, "conical" in shape (like a flare on a copper tube) with a little flap that swings open/closed with no sort of temperature activation, only gravity.  There are two little "slots" in the flap, one on each side, that prevents the flap from closing completely.  There's a patent #9-21-08 stamped on the one we looked at.  I have attached a picture of the device laying on the floor with the flap "open".   <img src="file:///C:/Users/JWETHE~1/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" />Any ideas?



Dan, I've attended your class many years ago in Norfolk, VA, and own several of your books, two hats and a belt buckle.  But STILL can't figure this out!!

Unknown

"Baffler"?

It looks like a "Baffller" on a Kriebel System. Page 261 - (Figure 45 -  in "The Lost Art..")  I've just read the book. Steamhead or Gerry Gill would know for sure.

- Rod

Steamhead

I think you're right, Rod

looks like a Kriebel baffler. Does the return ell look like the one in the pic? 

JimW

Thank you

Unfortunately, the ONE book I can't seem to put my hands on is my copy of "The Lost Art".  I have my "Companion", but the Kriebel system isn't discussed or referenced.  As to the return connection, I can't tell if they are similar.  I tried to "zoom in" but the pic gets blurry.  The pics I have of "my" radiator don't show enough detail of the return connection.  Could you email me a "full size" pic?  jwetherbee@eehc.net  Thanks very much!!