US1837203A - Liquid tank for concrete mixing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 22, 1931. J. E. BUSHNELL 1,337,203

LIQUID TANK FOR CONCRETE MIXING APPARATUS Filed April 27, 1928 anoen'toz Patented Dec. 22, 1931 UNITED ATES PATENT] OFFICE JAMES E. BUSHNELL, or'rron'rn rLAmFIELn, mzw 1mm, assmnon'ro RANBOME CONCRETE MAUHINEBY COMPANY, 01?; PLAINHELD, NEW JERSEY; A. CORPORATION or NEW Jnnsnr Application filed A pri1 2 192s; SeidaLNo. 273,215. g

The present improvements relate, primarily, to concrete mixing apparatus and more particularly to a water measuring means used in conjunction therewith; They may be utilized, however, for the dispensing of liquids for various purposes. 7

In devices adapted for preparing, freshly mixed concrete for placement, it has become of increasing importance that a definite proportion of water and dry aggregates, etcrbe maintained for each given batch, 'Asthe proportions. for each batch to -be mixed may vary, it is essential that a measuring means for the water bejprovidedwhi'ch, not only will accurately measure the quantityto be discharged intothe mixer but also will be rugged and durable, simpleto operate,have a minimum of parts and function'withiequal accuracy onall grades inwhich the apparatus may be positioned. v

The present improvements a have as their primary object, among others, the provision of a measuring tankembodying the features above set forth. A furtherobj'ect is to provide means for predetermining the tank discharge including an adjustable outlet means for the tankadapted to be set in a plurality of positions, Various other objects and advantages will occur to those skilledin the art upon reference to the accompanying drawing in which i i 7 A tank is illustrated in section, embodying one form of the present improvements, parts being broken away.

In theillustration, the measuring tank 1 may be of any sturdy and durableconstruction and is preferably mounted on the frame of a concrete mixer (not shown), adjacent thereto, or in any other suitable position for facilitating discharge of its contents into the mixer. r

A coupling 2 is mounted in air and water tight relation through tank top 3,"havi'ng pipe sections 4 and 5 communicably connected therewith. As illustrated, pipe section 5 communicates with sections 6 and 7 through suitable elbows 8 and 9. The arrangement of the sections just described provides a siphon structure comprising an intake or short leg 4, crest 6 and longer discharge accordingly leg 7, as more fully hereinafte'rreferred to. A suitable three way valve 10 is provided, as illustrated, at the juncture of water supply inlet 11, and discharge pipe 12. In one position of valve 10, pipefll andpipe 7* are in communication while-pipe 12 is closed to both, in, another position pipes 7 p and 12 are in communicatiomwhile pipe 11 is closed to both.

The pipe section 4 of theshorter orintake leg of thesiphon is provided with an elongated intake port or slot l3-,fextending substantial distance throughout the length of the section 4, as illustrated. The endoi said section 4, is provided with aisup ort or hearing 14, secured thereto in any esired manner and serves to support a movable sleeve 15 surrounding pipe section 4. In the present instance, said sleeve 15 is mounted for rotation with respectto pipe 4, having snugfairtight contact therewit As illustrated, s1eeve 15 has a spiral slot or port 16 which describes one complete revolution minus the width of port 13, around the sleeve within the limits of slot 13 in pipe 4. Fixed to the upper end of sleeve 15, is a gear 17 in mesh with gear 18 of an actuating mechanism. Said gear 18 is suitably mounted on shaft 19, which extends through tank top 3 in air and water tight relationship and bears in a'housing 2( l conveniently mounted on the tank." The shaft'19 is provided with abevel gear 21 in meshfwith'a similar gear 22 on shaft 23,which is provided with a hand wheel 24. Suitable indicating means 25 are provided as illustrated. An air vent valve (not shown) is provided in the tank top 3.

Due to the arrangementof slots 13 and 16, a

water inlet and outlet for the tank is afforded by the registrationof said slots. To charge the tank and then the air vent valve (not shown) is automatically closed by the water. controlled by plug 26. Any convenient means The tank 1 and siphon comprising pipes 4 to 7 are filled with water and in this state are ready for operation. It is thus seen that since supply pipe 11 is always in communication with the tank and siphon in. this ready position of the system, the siphon discharge means is constantly primed.

The predetermined amount of water to be discharged from the tank for commixture with the dry aggregates in the mixer (not shown) is now set by actuating the hand wheel 24. The latter is thus rotated until the indicator 25 registers the amount desired. This rotation of wheel 24, through the actuating mechanism above described, operates gears 18 and 17 thus causing sleeve 15 to rotate with the consequent movement of slot 16. Since pipe 4 having slot 13, remains fixed, the point of register of slots 13 and 16 will accordingly he changed and the port 16, established by the coincidence of these two slots, maybe positioned at any level in the tank within the limits, of the vertical slot 13.

y In the presentillustration, it may be assumed that the sleeve 15 has been set, and accordingly the port 16 provides an outlet for the tank and an intake port for the siphon. The valve .10 is now actuated to cut oil supply pipe 11 and establish communication between pipes 12 and 7. Thesiphonic discharge is immediately incepted and the water from tank 1 discharges through the siphon and pipe 12 into-the mixer (not shown). Obviously, accompanying this initial discharge the airvent valve (not shown) will admit air to the top of the tank and the water level in the tank will lower until the level of port 16 is reached. At this point air will enter port 16' and break the siphon, thereby permitting no more water to discharge from the tank. Should it be necessary to supply a smaller quantity of water with the next batch to be mixed, the hand wheel 24 may be rotated until the port 16' (established by registration of slots 13 and 16) is positioned, say, at 16". Upon openingof va'lve10, admitting water from supply pipe 11, the tank will fill through the port at 16 When full, the valve 10 may be actuated to close oil supply pipe 11, and the siphon will function as before, but only that water in the tank above the level of 1 6 will be discharged. When said level is reached, air will enter the port at 16", breaking the siphon and no further discharge from the tank will be possible.

' It is thus seen that a measuring tank has been devised, the discharge from which is controlled by a movable intake on the short leg of the siphon. This movable intake, obviously also provides a movable inlet for the tankas wellas a movable outlet therefor. A drain or clean out for the tank 1 may be provided and in the present illustration is for maintaining an air tight relation between pipe 4 and sleeve 15 may be provided, as for example, grease ducts or grooves on one or both sides of slots 13 or 16 paralleling same, said grooves obviously being on either the internal face of sleeve 15, or the external face of pipe 4, or on both.

The air vent valve (not shown) may be of any suitable design but preferably is of the type set forth in applicants copending application filed May 2, 1928, Serial No. 27 4,416.

In assembling the device herein disclosed, the indicating means is, of course, adjusted to compensate for that amount of water contained in the legs of the siphon.

Any valve arrangement for controlling pipes 11 and 12 may be substituted for that illustrated, so long as the functioning thereof is substantially the same as that herein set forth.

Various modifications within the scope of the present improvements, will occur to those skilled in the art and may be employed without departing from the purview of the invention. 7

What I claim is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a water tank having a charging means, a siphon communicating therewith having an elongated port through the intake leg thereof. a movable sleeve intimately associated with said leg and closing a portion of said port, and actuating means for said sleeve to vary the position thereof relative to said port.

2. In a device of the character described the combination of a water tank, a siphon communicating therewith affording charging and discharging means for said tank. a three way valve controlling said siphon normally permitting charging of said tank and prim.- ing of'said siphon and a member in telescopic association with the shorter. leg of said siphon and movable with respect thereto for 1 predetermining the tank discharge.

3. A water tank. siphon means afi'ording charging. and discharging means for said tank whereby charging of said tank automatically primes said siphon, and means movable relative to the shorter leg of the siphon for lengthening or shortening the effective length thereof. said movable means surroun ding the axis of said leg.

4. A liquid measuring device comprising a tank, siphon means communicating therewith, a rotatable sleeve intimately associated with the shorter leg of said siphon, said sleeve and leg being perforated with a portion of a leg perforation registering with a portion of a sleeve perforation.

5. A device of the character described comprising a water tank, siphon discharge means therefor, said means having'an elongated tubular member associated therewith, said member having an aperture between its ends, said member being movable relative to the shorter leg of the siphon.

6. A device of the character described comprising a water tank, siphon means for charging and discharging said tank, means movable concentrically with respect to the shorter leg of the siphon for lengthening or shortening the effective length of same, and actuating means for said second named means.

7. A liquid measuring device comprising a tank, siphon means communicating therewith, a movable sleeve intimately associated with the intake leg of said siphon means, said sleeve and leg each having an elongated aperture, one of the apertures being angularly disposed to the other aperture, and means for actuating said sleeve for causing registration of portions of said apertures.

8. A liquid measuring device comprising a tank, siphon means communicating therewith, a rotatable sleeve associated with the intake leg of said siphon means, said sleeve and leg each having an elongated aperture, one of the apertures being helical, and means for actuating said sleeve for causing com munication between portions of said apertures.

9. In a device of the character described the combination of a water tank, a siphon communicating therewith afli'ording charging and discharging means for said tank, and a member in telescopic association with the shorter leg of said siphon and movable with respect thereto for predetermining the tank discharge.

10. A water measuring tank having a charging and discharging mechanism comprising a siphon and adjustable means intimately associated with a leg of the siphon and surrounding the axis thereof for varying the effective length thereof.

11. A water tank, siphon discharge mechanism therefor having an intake leg, means for breaking the siphonic action thereof comprising a member movable over a portion of said leg, said leg and member having cooperating means defining an opening therethrough.

12. A water tank, siphon discharge mechanism therefor having an intake leg, means for breaking the siphonic action thereof comprising a tubular member surrounding the axis of said leg and intimately associated therewith, said leg and member having cooperating means defining an opening for breaking the siphon, one of the elements, having part of the cooperating means, being movable relative to the other.

13. A water tank, siphon means affording charging and discharging means for said tank whereby charging of said tank automatically primes said siphon and fills the tank to a level above the intake port of the short leg of the siphon and movable means for varying the position of the said port of the siphon relative to the said level for lengthening and shortening the effective length of the short leg of said siphon.

14. A water tank, siphon means aifording charging and discharging means for said tank whereby charging of said tank automatically primes said siphon and fills the tank to a level above the intake port of the short leg of the siphon and movable means for varying the position of the said port of the siphon relative to the said level for lengthening and shortening the efiective length of the short leg of said siphon, said movable means including a tubular member in communication with the long leg of the siphon and having said intake port, and means for adjusting the effective intaking position.

Witness my hand this 25th day of April, 1928, county of Middlesex, State of New Jersey.

JAMES E. BUSHNELL.

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