US1213117A - Vacuum feed device. - Google Patents

Description

0, L. LOUGHED.

VACUUM FEED DEVICE. M'PLmATroN HLED'MAR.H.1915.

Patented Ian. 16, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET mmm? 0. L. LOUGHEAD.

VACUUM FEED DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAII. II, 1916.

LNAH.. PaIenIed hummm 3 SHEETS-SHEET 2. 5,?/38

0. L. LOUGHEAD.

VACUUM FEED DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED IIIAII. II. IsIs.

Patented 1an. 16, 1917.

I'IIIIII VENTO/C? Mmc-Ml cfg-magg ATTRN: YE

@SCM 14. LUUGHEAD, 01E' RACINE, WISCUNSXN'.

yacen-rr rnrn neuron.

Specincation of Letters Patent.

Patented dan.. 1h, 11211'.

Application tiled March 11, 1916. Serial No. tatto.

The invention relates to vacuum feed devices.

'llhe invention isdesigned more particularly to provide a vacuum feed device for feeding combustible fluid from a source of supply to an explosion engine.

Vacuum feed devices for feeding combustible Huid from a tank to the carburetcr of an internal 'combustion engine are now ern-V f ployed, particularly on automobiles, where," the Huid tank is mounted below the level the carbureter and the present inventionfisv provide a simple device of this designed kto character.

The present vacuum feed devicesa're oli-l jectionable because of the use of an upper or Heat chamber and a lower of fsupe ply chamber. The present invention is de# signed to obviate these difficulties by the use of a single chamber which forms both a float and supply chamber.

'lhe invent-ion is further designed to provide a device of the type described which may be made as a separate unit and con-r nected up tothe carbureter andthe en ine or which may be made to' form apart ol the carbureter itself by attaching.l it to the bowl of the carbureter. y

rl`he invention is further designed-to provide a new and improvedform of fluidgfuel feeding device for internal cOmbustionen# nes. y glr1`he invention further consists in thefseveral features hereinafter set forth and more particularly clusion hereof. 1- l ln the drawings: lFigurel is a plan-view of the devicey embodying the invention,

- showing it incorporated with the carbureter, parts being broken away and partsb'eing shown in section; Fi 2 `is a section taken on the line 2-2 of dfi a section taken on the line 3 3 of-lFig. 1;

Fig. 4C is a section taken on the line 4 4 ofV Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional defined by claims 'at' the con-l view of a device embodying the invention, showing it as a separate unit.

1n general, the device comprises a chamber into which the combustible Huid is moved or carried from the supply tank by the partial vacuum created in the engine cylinder' or cylinders of an explosion engine by the reciprocation lof the piston or pistons therein so that it will flow by gravity from this chamber into the carbureter.

'llhe device comprises a reservoir or combined supply and tioat chamber 8, a suction conduit, a valve in said suction conduit, an air conduit, a valve in said air conduit, float controlled means for operating said valves, a fuel supply conduit, a carbureter-supply conduit, a valve in said carbureter-supply conduit and when used directly with the carbureter a doat chamber and valve con- Structed as hereinafter described.

The reservoir 8 comprises a circular base 9,. a tubular casing 10, preferably of glass Seated within the annular flange portion 11 of said base upon a washer 12, a circular top 13 having a depending annular flange 14 for receiving the top of the casing 10 and a washer 15. 'lhe casing 10 is hrmly fheld between the base 9 and top 13 by an upright member 20 which has its lower threaded end `17 engaging in a centrally dis- Xposed threaded aperture 18 in the base 9 and has its upper, threaded eind 19 engaging in a centrally disposed threaded aperture 20 in the top 13, said washers 12 and 15 being firmly compressed between the top and bottom members and the casing to form a sealed container. r1`he upright member, for

fconvenience in assembling, is made up of ltwo parts, a lower partI 21 andan upper 'part 22.

rllhe suction 'conduit comprises an inclined channel 23 in the base member 9 connecting with an annular channel 2t therein which in turn communicates with an inclined channel 25 inthe part 21 of the upright member 20 which leads into' a vertical channel 26 in said part 21, .which channel 26 inturn communicates with a vertical channel 27 in the part 22 of the upright member 20 provided with openings 28 leading into the reservoir 8. A ipe 29 is connected to the channel 23 int e base and passes through a portion of the-carbureter C and through a notch o ',in the butterfly valve V of said carbureter when the device is used directly with the carbureter. When the device is used as a separate unit a pipe 29 connects the channel 23 with the intake-manifold of the engine cylinder (not shown).

The air conduit comprises a hood 30 having an aperture 31 therein'and in threaded engagement with .the upper end of the part 22, and an air channel within said part 22 communicating with the reservoir 8 through the channel 27 and the openings 28. It will be noted that this air conduit is formed in the reservoir itself. p

As the valves for they suction and air conduits are both mounted onV the same stem they will be described together. The suction valve comprises a valve seat 33 at the top of the channel 26 in the member 21 and a conical valve head 39 formed on the lower end of the valve stem 35. 'lfhe upper end 36 of the stem 35 is in threaded engagement with a sleeve 37 whereby the position ofv the head 39 may be adjusted with respect to the seat 33. The air-valve comprises a valve head 38 formed on'the upper end of the stem and adapted to be seated in the aperture 31. The hood 30-'being'movably secured to the member 2,2 provides for adjusting the air-valve. y

The oat controlled means for moving the stem 35 and' thus simultaneouslyv operating the suction and air valves comprises a pair of arms 34 pivotally mounted at their -inner forked ends 42 upon pins 41 inounted in forked arms 43 on the member 22 adjacent the openings 28. r1`he forked ends 42 of'sa'id arms engage between anges 44 formed on the lower end of the sleeve 37 so that movement of said arms will raise or lower said sleeve and consequently the stem 35 with which it is in threaded engagement. The arms are raised and lowered by a float loosely mounted on the members 21 and 22 and having tubular guides 45 for receiving guide andstop rods 46 provided with lower stops 47 and upper `stops 48, said rods being pivotally mounted on pins 49 mounted in the forked outer ends 50 of the arms 34. Springs 51 are connected at their ends to the ends of the pins 49 so as to provide a quick movement of arms and consequently the valve whensaid arms are moved to either side of dead center. When the float 40 reaches its lowermost position, as shown in Fig. 3, it engages the stops 47 and moves the arms 34 downwardly thus movingr the sleeve 37 and stem 35 upwardly to close the air valve and open the suction valve and this movement of the valve is assisted by the springs 51. When the float is in its lower position and the suctionvalve is open communication is established between the reservoir and the engine cylinder or cylind ers through the suction conduit and the reclprocation of the piston or pistons within the cylinder or cylinders exhausts the air from the reservoir thus creating a vacuum within'the reservoir and thus causing the combustible fuel to move from the supply tank (not shown) through the fuel supply conduit and into the reservoir. As the reservoir lls up during the suction action the float rises moving up on the rods 46 until in its uppermost osition it strikes the stops 48`and then quiclfly moves the arms 34 upwardly assisted by. the springs 51 and con sequently moves the stem 35 downwardly to open the air valve and close the suction valve. Thisl permits air to enter into the container and the fluid therein then flows 80 by gravity through the carbureter supply conduit hereinafter described. Thus the float and the linkage operatively connected thereto close the air valve and open the suction valve when the Heat is'in its lowest 85 position and open the air valve and close the suction valve when the reservoir has received its supply of fuel and the float is in its highest position.

The fuel supply conduit 52 is located in the base 9 and leads from the outside to a point at the Ibottom of the container. A pipe 53 connects said conduit with the supply tank (not shown). The supply conduit leads in at the bottom of the reservoir and below the float so as to prevent vaporized gas from escaping through the air conduit at the top of the reservoir and it permits the combustible fuel or Huid to flow in beneath 'the fioat and upon the base of the reservoir instead of dropping from the top of the reservoir over the float and onto the base. While the fuel supply conduit 52 is shown as open at all times this does not prevent the fuel within the reservoir from flowing into the carbureter supply conduit when the air valve is open for at that time the fuel will flow through both the fuel supply conduit and the carbureter supply conduit. Though a check valve may be used in the conduit 52, I have found that the device works easier without it.

The carbureter supply conduit comprises a channel 54 communicating with the reservoir and a channel 55 communicating with said channel and a pipe 56 leading directly to the float or feed chamber 57 of the carbureter, as shown in Fig. 2, or a coupling 58 to which a pipe (not shown) connects the device with the feed chamber of the carbureter when the device is used as a separate unit. In order that the combustible fluid' will not be sucked back into the reservoir during the'suction operation a check valve, such as a ball valve 59, is disposed in the carbureter supply conduit. When the device is used as a separate unit, as shown in Fig. 6, it should be mounted above the carbureter feed chamber so that when the air valve is open and the suction valve is closed nalaat? the Huid in the reservoir Will flow bypgravity through the carbureter supply conduit into the carbureter.

When the device is used directly with the carbureter, as shown in lligs.' l to 5, the reservoir 8 is mounted directly upon the feeding chamber or float chamber 57 of the carbureter. The I'ioat chamber 57 comprises 6 8 of the base 9. A threaded screw plug 69l is centrally disposed in the base 61 and the pipe 56 is in threaded engagement with said plug at its lower end and in threaded en? gagement with the member 21 at its upper end the connection between the two bases permitting them to be brought up tight on the washers adjacent the edges of the casing 64 to form a fluid tight chamber. This Hoat chamber is provided with a float controlled valve comprising an inverted conical valve head 70 mounted on a stem 71 having threaded engagement with a sleeve 72 mounted in the pipe 56 to permit adjustment of said valve with respect to its seat 73 in the top of the pipe 56. rllhe means for operating the feed chamber control valve as it will be called, comprises a pair of forked arms 74 Whose forked ends 75 engage spaced apart' flanges 76 on the sleeve 72, said arms being pivotally carried by pins 7 7 mounted on forked arms 78 formed on the pipe 56 adjacent the outlet 79. Outlets 80 are also provided in the lower end of the pipe 56.

' The arms 74 have weighted ends 81 which are adapted to normally open the feed chamber supply valve through the connection with the stem 71, but which are adapted to be closed" by the float 82 looselymounted and guided on the pipe 56. To permitthe gravity feed of the fluid from the chamber 57 a vent 83 is formed in the base 9 leading from the outside of said base to the chamber '57.

Considering the device as a separate unit, the operation is as follows z-On the reciprocation ofthe piston or pistons within the engine cylinder or cylinders, the float 40, being in its lowered position, the suction conduit being open and the air-conduit be* ing closed, the combustible liquid fuel passes through the fuel supply conduit into the reservoir due to the vacuum created in the reservoir. Under these conditions the check valve in the carbureter-supply conduit autoymatically closes to prevent back-feed from the carbureter. As the reservoir fills up the float is carried up by the Huid and Wherf ,it has reached the desired height the position of the valveV stern is reversed by the action of thisk float on the valve operating mecha-A nism, previously described and on its reversal, the suction conduit is closed and the air conduit opened. @n the opening of the air conduit the combustible fluid is free to move under the action of gravity through the carbureter supply conduit to the car,-v bureter. rlhough the fuel is continually being used by the engine and thus being exhausted from the carbureter, this Will not in' anyway affect the operation of the device as the supply tank is filled so rapidly that the operation of the carbureter check valve due to the decrease of gas in the carbureter will not destroy the vacuum in Vthe supply` tank nor hinder the'proper supply of fuel to the carbureter. Before the engine can exhaust enough gas to cause the check valve in the carbureter inlet boWl to open the suction action in the device itself and the opening of the air valve therein has taken .place to replenishthe supply of gas used by the engine. j

Considering the device as incorporated with the carbureter its action is the same as when used as a separate unit but the fluid through the carbureter supply conduit passes directly into the float chamber of the carbureter, the bottom of the reservoir forming the top of the float chamber, and the lioat controlled valve for said chamber being disposed inthe carbureter supply conduit.

rllhe invention thus exemplifies` a new and f improved form of vacuum feeddevice which is well adapted for the purpose described.

i rllhe invention is not to beV restricted .to

the details of construction, unless necessary,

it being my intention to claiml it as broadly as will be permitted by the state of the art.

What l claim as my invention is:

l. ln a vacuum feed device, the combination of a reservoir comprising a base, a top, a casing interposed between said base and top, and means for detachably securing said base,

top, and casing together, comprisinga memv ber detachably secured to the top and base,

a casing interposed between said base and,

top, and means for securing said base, top, andv casing together comprising a member detachably secured to the top and base, alined air and suction conduits in said member, valves in. said alined conduits, doat controlled means for operating said valves, a fuel supply conduit leadingl to the reserk i i A Lamai? voir, a carbureter supply conduit leading from the reservoir, and a valve in said carbureter supply conduit for preventing backiiow of the fuel into the reservoir.

3. In a vacuum feed device, the combina-r tion of a reservoir, a fuel supply'conduitV leading thereto, alined air/and suction conduits communicating with the reservoir and provided with valve seats, a valve sleeve member within said alined conduits, a valve stem adjustably mounted in said sleeve member and carrying valve heads for engagement with said valve seats, float controlled means for operating said valve stem, a carbureter supply conduit leading from the reservoir` and a suction operated valve in said carbureter supply conduit.

4. In a vacuum feed device, the combination, of a reservoir, a fuel supply conduit leading thereto, an air conduit leading thereto, an engine suction conduit leading therefrom, a valve in said air conduit, a valve in said suction conduit, a member operatively connected to said valves, a iioat within said reservoir, means for operating said member including lever arms engaging said member. guide rods for said iioat carried by said lever arms, resilient means connected to Said lever arms for assisting the action of the float, stops on said rods for engaging said float, a carbureter supply conduit leading from the reservoir, and means for preventing back feed of the fuel in the carburetersupply conduit to the reservoir.

5. Ina vacuum fluid fuel feed device, the combination of a reservoir, a fuel supply conduit leading thereto, an upright member disposed within the reservoir and having a channel therein provided with an opening communicating with said reservoir, an air conduit and a suction conduit communicating with said channel, a valve in the air conduit, a valve in the suction conduit, ioat controlled means simultaneously operating both of said from, a valve in said air conduit, a valve in said suction conduit, 'a member operatively connected to said valves, a float within said reservoir, means controlled by the float `for operating said member including lever arms engaging said member, guide rods for said iioat carried by said lever arms, stops on said rods for engaging saidl ioat, a carbureter supply conduit leadlng from the reservoir, and means for preventing back feed of the fuel in the carbureter-supply conduit toA the reservoir.

7. The combination, with the inlet bowl of a carbureter, of a vacuum fluid fuel device detachably mounted on and forming the top of said bowl comprising a reservoir having its lbase detachably secured to the inlet bowl to form the top thereof, a carbureter supply conduit leading from the reservoir to said inlet bowl, a fuel inlet valve in said carbureter supply conduit to regulate the amount of fuel supplied to bowl, a fuel supply conduit leading to said reservoir, an air conduit leading to said reservoir, an engine suction conduit leading from said reservoir, a valve in the air conduit, a valve in the suction conduit, means within the reservoir for operating said valves, and a valve in the carbureter supply conduit for preventing backflow of the fuel into the reservoir.

8. 'Ihe combination, with the inlet bowl of a carbureter, of a reservoir comprising a base, a top, a casing interposed between said base and top, means for detachably securing said base, top and casing together, said base forming the top of the inlet bowl, means for detachably securing said base to said bowl, a fuel supply conduit leading to said reservoir, an air conduit and a suction conduit leading to said reservoir, valves in said air and suction conduits respectively, float controlled means for operating said valves, a carbureter supply conduit leading from the reservoir direct to the bowl, a check valve in said -carbureter supply conduit, and means for controlling the flow of fuel from the reservoir to the bowl.

9. The combination, with the inlet bowl of a carbureter, of a reservoir comprising a base, a top, a casing interposed between said base and top, means for detachably securing said base, top and casing together, said base forming the top of the inlet bowl, a carbureter supply conduit leading from the reservoir into the bowl and including a pipe having a detachable connection with the reservoir base and the bowl to secure the reservoir on the bowl,`a fuel supply conduit leading to said reservoir, an air conduit and a suction conduit leading to said reservoir, valves in said air and suction conduits respectively, float-controlled means for operating said valves, a check-valve 1n the carbureter supply conduit, and means for controlling the flow of fuel from the reservoir to the bowl.

In testimony whereof, I aiiix my signature.

OSCAR L. LOUGHEAD.

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