US1097595A - Diaphragm and casing construction. - Google Patents

Description

F. N. ROEHRICH.

DIAPHRAGM AND CASING CONSTRUCTION.

APPLIGATION FILED'AUG.12, 1913.

1,097,595, Patented May19, 1914,-

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DIAPHRAGM AND CASING CONSTRUCTION.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 12, 1913.

1,097,595. Patented May 19,1914.

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P. N. ROBHRIOH. DIAPHRAGM AND GASING CONSTRUCTION APPLICATION FILED AUG. 12, 1913. 1,097,595. Patented May 19, 1914.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK N. ROEHRICI-I, 0F JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO GEORGE P. CARROLL, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

DIAPHRAGM AND CASING CONSTRUCTION.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK N. Rommiorr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jersey City, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Diaphragm and Casing Construction, 01'' which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to means for connecting together the casings and the edge of the slightly flexible diaphragm that form parts of numerous pressure controlled devices, that are especially used as constituent members of automatic refrigerating machines, both of the absorption and the compression type. Such devices are illustrated in the patents to Carpenter, 946,771, Jan. 18, 1910; to Carroll, 978,557, Dec. 13, 1910, (especially in Figs. 24 and 20) and to Culver, 985,1at7, Feb. 28, 1911; and also in a number of pending applications in which I am the sole or a joint inventor. In such devices, there are a main or lower casing, usually flanged around its top, having a passage downward for connection with other parts of the machine, a diaphragm of thin metal with its edge resting adjacent to the flange and usually inside a rim around the flange, a gasket, usually of lead, below or above the diaphragm at its edge (or else two gaskets, one below and the other above the diaphragm), an upper casing resting above the edge of the diaphragm and its adjacent gasket or gaskets, and means for clamping the parts together. In such a construction, therefore, a gasket lies between the diaphragm and a casing. There is also a motor member, above or below the central part of the diaphragm, and provided with a resisting spring device, that moves in unison with the diaphragm and communicates its motion to other mechanism. In the space within the lower casing and the diaphragm is confined some high tension vapor or gas, such as ammonia, carbon d1- oXid or compressed air, the pressure of which varies from time to time.

In the construction above described, various difliculties are encountered in practice. First, in order to make a gas tight joint the casings have to be clamped together so tightly as to compress the gasket or gaskets and thus to diminish the height of the same. Consequently the longitudinal position of the diaphragm, when in a neutral position, in re- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed August 12, 1913.

Patented May 19, 1914.

Serial No. 784,317.

lation to the casings, is altered when the easlngs are clamped together. Such alteration pre udicially affects the structure and makes it impossible to predetermine the position of the motor member in relation to its connected mechanism. Second, the gasket being soft and yielding, under heavy pressures within the casings, the diaphragm is distorted and arched outward so as to acquire a permanent set that destroys the sensitiveness of the de' vice. And, third, incidentally, the gasket or gaskets become so misshapen that a second use thereof, after disconnecting the parts, is impossible.

The purpose of my invention is to make a construction that will obviate all these dii flculties and that will be simple, compact and economical in manufacturing. The means employed for accomplishing these purposes are disclosed in the accompanying drawings and in the description relating thereto. There are also certain detail improvements of construction as will also so appear.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical section of one form of my invention through the line 1-1 of Fig. 2, looking upward, with certain parts, however, shown in elevation. Fig. 2 is a. plan view of the structure of the preceding figure, with, however, parts of an upper casing and of a compressing ring broken away. Fig. 3 is a partial plan view of the lower casing shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a View, similar to that in Fig. 1, of a second form of my invention. Fig. 5 is a view, similar to that in Fig. 1, of a third form of my invention. Fig. 6 is a view, similar to that in Fig. 1, of a fourth form of my invention. Fig. 7 is a vertical section of a fifth form of my invention, with certain parts, however, shown in elevation. Fig. 8 is a view from beneath of the construction of the preceding figure. Fig. 9 is a vertical section of a sixth form of my invention, with certain parts, however, shown in elevation, the structure being, in the drawing, turned through a right angle. Fig. 10 is a view from beneath of the construction of the preceding figure.

First considering the first form of construction, shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3: An upper casing 1 has, in its central under side, a shallow cylindrical recess 2; it has, at its center on top, a hub 3, through which is a vertical cylindrical opening in axial alinement with the recess 2 and connecting with it; it has a rim 1, forming an annular wall outside of the recess 2 and perfectly flat and smooth at its under surface; it has, in its under side around the rim 4, a high annular ring recess 5; it has small threaded bolt holes 6, say six in number, extending from on top, immediately above the recess 5, to points somewhat below the top of the latter recess; it has, outside of the recess 5, a. much shallower annular rim recess 7 it has the under side of its outer part, beyond the recess 7, cut away somewhat, so as to be a little above the under surface of the rim 4; and it has outer bolt holes, say six in number, extending vertically through the outer part of the casing. A compressing ring 8 has much less height than the height of the recess 5, measured from the under surface of the rim 4i, and can be moved up or down within the recess. Bolts 9 screw into the holes 6 and at their lower ends bear upon the ring 8. A flanged motor member 10 has its flange, flat on the under side, within the recess 2, the flange being I :of somewhat less diameter than the recess,

and it has a stem 11, extending upward through the opening in the hub 3 and free to reciprocate therein.

A gasket 12, preferably of lead, surrounds the extreme lower end of the rim 4' and has, bearing upon it, the ring 8. A diaphragm 13, preferably of very thin vanadium steel, has its circumference resting against the under sides of the rim d and the gasket 12 and has its central part in contact with the flat under surface of the member 10. hile, for use with ammonia, the diaphragm 13 is preferably of vanadium steel, yet with other fluids, such as carbon dioxid or compressed air, it may be of phosphor bronze. A lower casing 14, of the same circumference as the casing 1, has bolt holes registering with the other bolt holes of the casing 1; it has, within the bolt hole circle, an annular rim 15, adapted to be slid into the recess 7 outside of the gasket 12 and the ring 8; it has, within the rim 15, an annular clamping surface 16, bearing against the part of the diaphragm 13 in contact with the rim 1 and the gasket 12; it has, within the sur face 16, a very shallow recess 17, of the same diameter as the recess 2; it has, within the recess 17, four quarter circle stops 18, extending upward for a distance slightly less than the height of the surface 16 and of the same diameter as the flange of the mem ber 10; it has radial channels 19 between the stops 18; it has, within the stops 18, a central recess 20; it has on its under side an externally threaded hub 21 with a vertical fluid transmitting passage 22 extending through the hub and communicating with the recess 20. After the ring 8, the gasket gether by bolts and nut-s 23, the bolts passing through the holes near the circumference of the casings. The casings are so formed that, while the rim 4 and the surface 16 make tight contact with the diaphragm 13, the outer parts of the casings cannot be clamped into contact. The bolts 9 are then screwed down until the ring 8 firmly presses the gasket 12 against the diaphragm 13 between the rims 4 and 15. By this construction, the diaphragm 13 is firmly clamped between the rims 4 and 15 so that its edges cannot be drawn inward even although the pressure against the diaphragm is very great, whether such pressure is exerted by fluid entering the passage 22 or by the member 10; the longitudinal position of the gasket, in relation to the casings 1 and 1 1, is abso lutely maintained except as affected by forces exerted on its central part; the slight lateral spreading of the gasket 12 effectually prevents the escape of any fluid within the casings, whether such fluid is below or above the diaphragm; and, incidentally, when it is necessary to disconnect the parts, by removing the bolts and nuts 23 and loosening the bolt 9, the gasket is available for further use. It will be noted that the gasket 12 is boxed in, as it were, on four sides. Such a construction is necessary in order to make an ammonia tight joint.

The central part f the casing 1, above the recess 2, constitutes a stop to prevent an excessive upward movement of the flange of the member 10, when the diaphragm 13 is forced outward by the pressure of fluid entering the aassage 22. T he stops 18 prevent an excessive inward movement of the diaphragm 13. And the channels 19 permit a free passage of fluid into and from the recess 17. It is assumed, as shown in the pressure controlled devices previously re ferred to, that the unshown part of the stem 11., or some part of its connected mechanism, is brovided with a resisting spring device tending to oppose the upward movement of the diaphragm, but yielding thereto at a predetermined pressure.

Next considering the second form of construction, shown in Fig. 1: Here the parts, that are so similar to the corresponding parts of the preceding figures as to require no further description, are indicated by the same numerals with the addition of an a A casing 2d, having certain parts, as indicated, similar to the casing 1, has around its recess 5 a rim 25, similar to its rim at and extending as far downward it is cut away beyond the rim 25 so as to form a flange; and

it has outer bolt holes extending vertically through its flange. A casing 26, having certain parts, as indicated, similar to the easing 14:, has an annular clamping surface 27, bearing against the part of the diaphragm 13 in contact with the rims 4 and. 25 and the gasket 12; it has in the surface 27 an annular gasket recess containing the gasket 28, preferably of lead, registering with the gasket 12 and it has, beyond the surface 27, an annular rim 29 that fits around the rim 25 and approaches the flange of the easing 24- when the casings are clamped together by bolts and nuts 23 This second form of construction requires the extra gasket 28 and its containing recess. Otherwise there would be a chance for fluid, from the passage 22, to escape between the edge of the diaphragm 13 and the rim 29.

Next considering the third form of con struction, shown in Fig. 5: Here the parts, that are so similar to the corresponding parts of Figs. 1, 2 and 3 as to require no further description, are indicated by the same numerals with the addition of a b A casing 30, having certain parts, as indicated, similar to the casing 1, has a rim 31, somewhat broader than the rim 4, around its recess; 2"; it is cut away beyond the rim 31. so as to form a flange; and it has bolt holes extending vertically through its flange. A casing 32, having certain parts, as indicated, similar to the casing 141-, has an annular clamping surface 33, outside of its recess 17 and bearing against only a part of the diaphragm 13 in contact with the rim 31; it has, in its top beyond the surface 33, a deep annular ring recess 3st, corresponding to the recess 5 it has small threaded bolt holes 35 extending from beneath immediately below the recess 34-, to points somewhat above the bottom of the latter recess; it has, outside of the recess 34, an annular rim 36, provided with vertical bolt holes, that fit around the rim 31 and approaches the flange of the casing 30 when the casings are clamped together by bolts and nuts 23 This third form of construction is like the first formv in requiring only one gasket and it has the same advantages, except that the positioning of the recess 34 and the holes 35 in the lower casing necessitates the positioning of the bolts 9 in a slightly less accessible place.

Next considering the fourth form of construction, shown. in Fig. 6: Here the parts, that are so similar to the corresponding parts of Fig. 5 as to require no further description, are indicated by the same numerals with the addition of a c. The diaphragm 37, corresponding to the diaphragm 3 is of sufficient diameter to extend fully over the surface 33, but it does not extend fully across the recess 34". Consequently the gasket 38, corresponding to the gasket 12",

bears against the extreme outer part of the rim 31 and also against the edge of the diaphragm 37. In all other respects the observations as to the third form of construction here apply.

Next considering the fifth form of construction, shown in Figs. 7 and 8: Here the parts, that are so similar to the corresponding parts of F ig. 5 as to require no further description, are indicated by the same numerals with the addition of a d A casing 39, having certain parts, as indicated, similar to the casin g 30, has a clamping surface 40, similar to the corresponding surface of the rim 31; it has, beyond the surface l0, a rim a1, projecting below the surface 40; and it is threaded around its circumference. A casing 42, having certain parts, as indi' cated, similar to the casing 32, has a high internally threaded rim 4.3, that screws around the casing 39. In this fifth form of construction, the screwing together of the casings 39 and l2 effectually clamps the diaphragm 13 between the surfaces 10 and 33 and the gasket 12 when compressed by the ring 8 and the bolts 9", effectually prevents any escape of gas from either side of the diaphragm. This form is especially adapted for pressure devices, of medium size, where the casings are not of diameters too great for screwing together. Under such conditions this form has all the advantages of the first form and dispenses with the outer bolts and nuts.

Finally considering the sixth form of con struction, shown in Figs. 9 and 10: This form is adapted for pressure devices of small size and is conspicuous for the simplicity and compactness of its construction. An upper casing 44 has, in its central under side, a somewhat arched cylindrical recess A5, of relatively small diameter; it has, at its center on top, a hub 46, through which is a cylindrical opening in axial alinement with the recess 45 and connecting with it; it has, around the recess A5, a quite wide clamping surface l? it has, beyond and below the surface 47, a step 48; and it has, beyond and below the step 48, a deep internally threaded rim 49. A slightly flanged motor member 50 has its flange, flat on the underside, within the recess 45, the flange being of much less diameter than the recess, and it has its stem part extending through the opening in the hub 46 and free to reciprocate therein. A diaphragm 51, preferably of a material previously stated, rests against the surface 47 and the flat surface of the member 50. A lower casing 52, threaded around its circumference, screws into the rim 4-9 nearly as far as the step l8; it is cut away to form a shoulder on top and has a clamping surface 53, registering with the surface l7; it has a shallow central cylindrical recess 54; on top, of the same diameter as the recess 45;

it has a fluid transmitting passage 55, in axial alinement with the recess 54; it has, in the surface 53, a deep annular recess; and it has two small bolt holes, threaded at their outer ends, a half circle distant from each other, extending from beneath into the recess. A gasket 56, preferably of lead, occupies the recess in the casing 52 and preferably rises a trifle above the casing before the parts are assembled. Two somewhat plastic balls 57, preferably lead shot, are inserted through the bolt holes in the casing 52 so as to be in contact with the ring 56. Finally two threaded bolts 58 are screwed into the bolt holes of the casing 52 upon the balls 57, until the balls and the gas :et 56 are pressed into one indistinguishable mass and any escape of fluid, from the recess 5%, through the oint between the diaphragm 51 and the casing, is effectually prevented.

lVhile all the drawings disclose the motor member positioned above the diaphragm and with its flan e within the upper casing, it is equally practicable to employ my construction in connection with pressure controlled devices where the motor member is positioned below the diaphragm and where the resisting spring device is above and bears upon the diaphragm, as illustrated in Fig. 20 of the patent to Carroll, previously referred to.

Except as particularly noted, all the forms of my invention have the advantages previously stated in reference to the first form: and they each have their peculiar advantages.

What I have invented and what I desireto have protected by L tters Patent is expressed in claims as follows:

I claim:

1. In combination a chamber casing having a space for containing fluid, a clamping surface around the space and a passage communicating with the space, a diaphragm on one side near its edge bearing against said surface, a cover casing secured to said chamber casing, having a space adjacent to said diaphagm and clamping the diaphragm on the other side thereof near the edge thereof to said surface, there being in one of said casings a gasket recess adjacent to said diaphragm beyond the clamped part thereof, a gasket in said recess, and means for pressing said gasket upon said diaphragm.

2. In combination a chamber casing having a soace for containing fluid, a clamping surface around the space and a passage communicating with the space, a diaphragm on one side near its ed e bearing against said surface, a cover casing secured to said chamber casing, having a'space adjacent to said diaphragm and clamping the diaphragm on the other side thereof near the edge thereof to said surface, there being in one of said casings a gasket recess adjacent to said diagasket in said recess, means for pressing said gasket upon said diaphragm, and a motor member having a flange within one of said spaces bearing against the central part of said diaphragm.

3. In combination a chamber casing hav ing a space for containing fluid, a clamping surface around the space and a passage communicating with the space, a diaphragm on one side near its edge bearing against said surface, a cover casing secured to said chamber casing, having a space adjacent to said diaphragm and clamping the diaphragm on the other side thereof near the edge thereof to said surface, there being in one of said casings a gasket recess adjacent to said diaphragm beyond the clamped part thereof and threaded bolt holes extending from the opposite surface of that casing to points past the innermost wall of the recess, a gasket in said recess, intermediate compressing means bearing upon said gasket upon the bolt hole side thereof, and threaded bolts in said holes for pressing said means upon said gasket and the gasket upon said diaphragm.

4. In combination a chamber casing having a space for containing fluid, a clamping surface around the space and a passage communicating with the space, a diaphragm on one side near its edge bearing against said surface, a cover casing secured to said chamber casing, having a space adjacent to said diaphragm and clamping the diaphragm on the other side thereof near the edge thereof to said surface, there being in one of said casings a gasket recess adjacent to said diaphragm beyond the clamped part thereof and threaded bolt holes extending from the opposite surface of that casing to points past the innermost wall of the recess, a gas ket in said recess, intermediate compressing means bearing upon said gasket upon the bolt hole side thereof, threaded bolts in said holes for pressing said means upon said gasket and the gasket upon said diaphragm, and a motor member having a flange within one of said spaces bearing against the central part of said diaphragm.

5. In combination a chamber casing having a space for containing fluid, a clamping surface around the space and a passage communicating with the space, diaphragm on one side near its edge bearing against said surface, a cover casing secured to said chamber casing, having a space adjacent to said diaphragm and clamping the diaphragm on the other side thereof near the edge thereof to said surface, t iere being in one of said casings a gasket recess adjacent to said diaphragm beyond the clamped part thereof, a gasket in said recess, and means for pressing said gasket and said diaphragm together so as to prevent an escape of fluid through the joint between the diaphragm and said chamber casing.

6. In combination a chamber casing having a space for containing fluid, a clamping surface around the space and a passage com municating with the space, a diaphragm on one side near its edge bearing against said surface, a cover casing secured to said chamber casing, having a space adjacent to said diaphragm and clamping the diaphragm on the other side thereof near the edge thereof to said surface, there being in one of said casings a gasket recess adjacent to said diaphragm beyond the clamped part thereof, a gasket in said recess, means for pressing said gasket and diaphragm together so as to prevent an escape of fluid through the joint between the diaphragm and said chamber casing, and a motor member having a flange within one of said spaces bearing against the central part of said diaphragm.

7. In combination a chamber casing having a space for containing fluid, clamping surface around the space and a passage communicating with the space, a diaphragm on one side near its edge bearing against said surface, a cover casing secured to said chamber casing, having a space adacent to said diaphragm and clamping the diaphragm on the other side thereof near the edge thereof to said surface, there being in one of said casings a gasket recess adjacent to said diaphragm beyond the clamped part thereof and threaded bolt holes extending from the opposite surface of that casing to points past the innermost wall of the recess, a gasket in said recess, intermediate compressing means bearing upon said gasket upon the bolt hole side thereof, and threaded bolts in said holes for pressing said means upon said gasket and the gasket and said diaphragm together so as to prevent an escape of fluid through the joint between the diaphragm and said chamber casing.

8. In combination a chamber casing having a space for containing fluid, a clamping surface around the space and a passage communicating with the space, a diaphragm on one side near its edge bearing against said surface, a cover casing secured to said chamber casing, having a space adjacent to said diaphragm and clamping the diaphragm on the other side thereof near the edge thereof to said surface, there being in one of said casings a gasket recess adjacent to said diaphragm beyond the clamped part thereof and threaded bolt holes extending from the opposite surface of that casing to points past the innermost wall of the recess, a gasket in said recess, intermediate compressing means bearing upon said gasket upon the bolt hole side thereof, threaded belts in said holes for pressing said means upon said gasket and the gasket and said diaphragm together so as to prevent an escape of fluid through the joint between the diaphragm and said chainb er casing, and a motor member having a flange within one of said spaces bearing against the central part of said diaphragm.

9. In combination a chamber casing hav ing a space for containing fluid, movement stops within said space and a passage communicating with the space within the stops, a diaphragm forming the wall of said casing opposite to said stops, a cover casing secured to said chamber casing, clamping the ed e of said diaphragm thereto and having a space adjacent to the diaphragm, and a motor member having a flange within one of said spaces bearing against the central part of said dia 'ihragm.

10. In combination a chamber casing having a space for containing fluid, quarter circle movement stops within said space, channels between the stops and a passage communicating with the space within the stops, a diaphragm forming the wall of said casing opposite to said stops, a cover casing secured to said chamber casing, clamping the edge of said diaphragm thereto and having a space adjacent to the diaphragm, and a motor member having a flange within one of said spaces bearing against the central part of the diaphragm.

FRANK N. ROEHRICH.

Witnesses KARL REINHARDT, CHARLES VVALLIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Gommissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

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