US2438714A - Carbonator - Google Patents

Description

Mrch 30, 1948. .1. o. MGMILLAN CARBONATOR.

Fild sept. 9, 194e Y n/ Oma l1 NN mv New III x March 30, '1948.

J. o. MCMILLAN CARBONATOR Filed Sept. `9, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (fa/2266 /I/c/zZ/a//z Mdm Patented Mar. 3 0, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT EFICE CARBONATOR James O. McMillan, Wichita, Kans., assigner to Frank J. Ablah, Wichita., Kans.

Application September 9, 1946, Serial No. 695,647

l2 Claims.

This invention relates to a carbonator.

The invention is more particularly concerned with a motor-driven carbonator adapted for use within a soda fountain and it consists inthe combinations, constructions, and arrangements herein described and claimed.

A primary object of the invention is the provision of a carbonator which comprises relatively few parts but which is capable of carbonizing water in a shorter period of time than is possible with carbonators of the same general character, now in USB.

A further and more specific object of the invention is the provision vof a carbonating unit which provides three stages of deaeration, agitation, a spray effected simultaneously with the agitation, and a second and adjustable sheet spray and which sprays are effected in a ,chamber lled with carbon .dioxide gas.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a motor driven carbonator which is fully automaticv and having a dependable constant delivery pressure effected by a regenerative turbine pump, the impeller of which functions as a pump on one side and as an agitator on the other side, thus eliminating the use of a speed reducer as well as many `other moving parts common in motor driven carbonators.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a carbonator including AAa ohznnber filled with al carbon Vdioxide gasat a predetermined pressure and into which chamber water is sprayed at selective adjustable pressures whereby the pressure of the water spray .iS maintained at approximately fteen pounds above that of the gas pressure for eiectivesaturation .of the water by the gas.

A still further object of the invention Vis the provision of la carbonating unit including an impeller which jointly functions as a pump and as an agitator, together with .an'adjustable spray means to which water is delivered by the pump.

A still further object vof the invention is the provision of a carbonating unit comprising a carbon dioxide chamber, a pumping and agitating means at one end yof the chamber and a relatively simple liquid level control at the other end of the chamber.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the course of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. wherein- Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the improved carbonator structure, in accordance with a preferred embodiment thereof.

Fig. 2 is ya left end elevational View of the structure illustratedin Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse verti'ca1 sectional View in the plane of line 3 3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational View of the left end portion of the carbonator structure.

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical sectional View in the plane of line 5;-15, Fig. 1.

Fig, 6 is a right hand end elevational View as observed in the plane' of line Eil-.5, Fig. 1.

Fig. '7 is an end elevational View of a pump impeller forming one of theyessential elements .of ,the invention.

Fig. 8 is Aa vertical axial section of the structure of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is an elevational View of the end of the pump iinpeller opposite to that of Fig. 7.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein like reference charactersv designate like parts in the different views, I0 designates a pump housing and VI l designates a liquid control housing which housings are provided with facing concentric circular channels I2 and I3 respectively, in which are received the opposite ends of a stainless steel cylinder it. Soft rubber gaskets I5 are disposed in the bottoms of the channels I2v and I3 and against which the ends of the cylinder Id are forced by means of a pair of tie rods I6 having nuts I1 and washers I8 on their opposite ends.

The end faces of the housings I@ and II are preferably ofthe form of a segment of a sphere (indicated on housing Il only) whereby to prevent distortion upon drawing up the nuts Il on the tie rods I6. I

At this point it is to be particularly noted that the improved carbonating structure includes only three main Structures, two housings and the linterposed cylinder which are capable of expeditious assembly or disassembly by means of only two .tie rods it and the housings support the essential operating elements for effecting carbonization of the water.

The pump housing Iii includes a central cylindrical chamber I9 in which is rotatably supported a shaft 2i) by means of ball bearing assemblies 2l and 22 and connected to the inner end of the shaft 20 by means of a key 23 is the hub 24 of a pump impeller 25.

The hub 24 of the impeller is disposed between a-nut 2t on the inner end of the shaft 25J and one end of a spring 2l whose opposite end seats against a packing 23 in thebottoin of a shaft cupshaped seal 29 Whose base rests on a seat member 55 pivotally supported on the housing by means of a screw 51 and which is tiltable by a screw 58 connected to a collar 59 on a oat stem 60 which is sealed by a packing 5| and washer 62, the washer being engaged by a spring 63 backed by a. packing nut 64.

Attached to the float stem 59 is a small stainless steel float 65 which ytiltsthe mercury switch 55to shut off the motor when the carbonator is fully charged and to switch on .the motor when the water level reaches a pre-determined low.V

face 31 for cooperation with the face 33 on the" housing I9.

Cooperating with the semi-elliptical raceway 34 in the housing, is a similar raceway `38 inthe face 31 of the impeller and which-cooperating raceways jointly define a substantially elliptical raceway co-axially of the shaft 20.

.Y At this point it is to be particularlynoted that .the cooperating faces 33 and 31v on the housing and impeller respectively as considered in any axial section of .the structure, are disposed substantially at an 'angle'of V30 to a vertical plane and it is to be furthernoted that the major axis of the 'elliptical racewayV extends at a slightly greater angleV to the vertical plane.

The impeller is provided with a circumferential series of vanesj orblades 39 which are set in the racewa'y`38 and whose free edges are flush with the face 31 of `the impeller.

A highly important feature of the inventionis the disposition of such vanes and as will be seen from Figs. '1 and 8, they extend at an angle of 30 in the directionof rotation of the impeller. The vanes also aredisposed at a small angle to the axis of the impeller (Fig. 8) and are inclined to therespective radii of the impeller in the direc- /tionlof rotation thereof (Fig. 7).

The impeller'25 is further provided with agitator vanes 49 onV the face thereof opposed to the vanes 39. The vanes 40 are covered by a plate 4l Yhaving a water inlet 42 and a water outlet 43 (see Fig. 3). i

Water is delivered yfrom the outlet 36 into a priming chamber 44 which is sealed by a plug 45 Ywhichfas shown, is tapped to receive a safety valve and manual means for draining off trapped air released from the incoming water.

Water delivered intothe chamber 44 by the pump including the impeller25 passes into a tube lr6-and thence into a spray head 41. Y The spray head 41 includes a bolt 43 extending vertically through a chamber in the head. A

Y sprayY regulating plate 49 is supported on the bolt Y the agitator vanes 40 passes out through the port 43 in the form of a spray as does also the water from the spray head 41.

The liquid control housing ll is provided with an outlet 53 for the carbonated water leading to the draft ann of the soda'fountain. The housing Ii isv further provided with a passage 54 for an electric conduit extendingY from a drive motor to a mercury switch 55 which is mounted'in a bracket A plate 56 covers and protects the mercury switch which is accessible from the end of .housing H upon removal of the plate. .i5 Y

Theicarbonating unit according to this invention is adapted to operate in a soda fountain of relatively low temperature and is provided with suitable bases or feet 61 for the reception of suitable bolts for securing the unit to the floor of the fountain. Y

The shaft-20 is adapted for operative connection with a motor disposed outside the soda fountain by means of a suitable drive Ycoupling which extends through a tubeV in th'e'fountain whereby the heat of lthe motor has no VeffectV on the temperature of the fountain.; A f Y i In the installationof the imprvedcarbonating unit, it is secured `to the iloor ofthe fountain and the motor located externally of the fountain is connected -to the shaft 29. A water line is connected to thepump inlet 35 (see Fig. 2) and carbon dioxide gas from a tank with a regulator valve is connected to the ,connection 52,;the water andthe gas -both passing throughr cooling coils in the soda fountain-prior to entering the carbonator and at a of about 39degrees. i Y Y l. Y

With the unit thus'installed; the floatV 65 will be at a low level and accordingly the mercuryV switch 55 .will betilted to a position toV start the motor which through shaft 20 will cause rotationY of theimpeller 25. j i

with the unit thusr set into operationwater will enter the elliptical' raceway V34-f-38 from theV inlet 35 and the vanes 39 in theV raceway 38 will ward inclination of the vanes 39 the centrifugal and forcedA into aV spiral direction downward andV back into the path ofthe vanes39 for again being impelled atan accelerated's'peedand force for augmenting theV pressure. i f

i v'rnisfaetnm'on the water is due tothe elliptical Y shape of the raceway and theiangulandisposil Y,tioncf its transverse major axis to theuface 31 ofthe impeller together with thespecic angular Vdisposition Yof `theAAvan'es in the semi-elliptical the housing I0 vfrom the inner portion ofthe raceway,` to the outer portion Vthereof which changes the course Vof 'the Water Ibeing 'impelled andcon- Y vertin'g lits motion into that of Ya spiral whereby the water is returned for further, action Lby the Valles.

temperature Y arida? 1'21 5 4.5 and the .Water is 'thenprepared for absorption of the carbon dioxide gas. y l

As the water enters thev priming chamber 44 which functions to prevent 4the pump from becoming air-locked, it` enters the tube 46 A'and When the carbonated water has reached a prev determined level in the lcylinder M the switch 55 will be operated by the float 65 to shut off the motor.

The carbonated Water is drawn from the outlet 53 and when the level of the water in the lcylinderl reaches a predetermined low, the switch 55 through action of the iioat 65 will again set the unit into operation.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that a carbonating unit has been provided which is relatively simple in construction and which is capable of being mounted in a soda fountain with the expenditure of a minimum of time and effort.

The unit is highly efficient in that the carbonation of the water is effected by a triple action which comprises agitation and a 'double spray of the Water.

By maintaining the water pressure of the spray head 41 at I5 or more pounds above that of the gas a high velocity spray and agitation of liquid in the gas lled cylinder I4 is provided such that the globules of water will be forced to take courses so strenuous and speedy that the impact of same against other globules and the walls of the cylinder will cause rapid absorption of the gas.

In the event 0f wear .between the faces 33 and 3l of the housing I0 and impeller 25 respectively proper adjustment can readily be made by means of the nuts 3l and 32.

While I have disclosed my invention in accordance with a single specific embodiment thereof, V

such is to be considered as illustrative only, and not restrictive, the scope 0f the invention being defined in the sub-joined claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A motor driven carbonator unit comprising an elongated cylinder, a housing supporting one end of, the cylinder, an inlet for carbon 'dioxide gas in said housing, a water inlet in said housing, a rotary pump in said housing for delivering water from said inlet into said cylinder, a second housing supporting the other end of the cylinder, and water level control means supported by the second housing.

2. A motor driven carbonator unit comprising an elongated horizontally disposed cylinder supported by a housing at each end thereof, an inlet connection in one of the housings for admitting carbon dioxide gas into the cylinder, said one housing having a water raceway concentric with said cylinder and a Water inlet thereto, a rotary pump supported by a horizontal shaft within said one housing and concentric with said cylinder and operative to force water from said inlet through said raceway, a spray head supported in the upper portion of said cylinder, and a water connection from said raceway to said spray head and water level control means supported by the other housing.

3.' A motor driven Icarbonator unit according to claim 2 wherein saidrotary pump includes a circular wall portion having vanes on one side thereof for forcing water through said raceway, and vanes on the other 'side of the wall portion operative to agitato water within the cylinder.

4. A motor driven carbonator unit comprising an elongated horizontally disposed cylinder having a supporting housing ateach end thereof, the housing lat one end of the cylinder having a frusto-conical face converging toward the 4other Vend of the cylinder, a circular water raceway in said face concentric with `the cylinder and semielliptical in cross section, a shaft rotatably supported by said last housing, an impeller drivingly supported by said shaft and having a frust-oconical face engaging vthe face on the housing, a senil-elliptical raceway in said last face and forming with the first raceway, a raceway of elliptical form in cross section of the housing, an inlet in said last housing for admitting carbon dioxide gas into the cylinder and an inlet for admitting water to said elliptical raceway, said impeller .having vanes Within the raceway therein for forcing water from said water inlet through the elliptical raceway, a spray head supported within the cylinder adjacent the upper wall thereof, a water connection between the raceway and spray head, and water level control means supported by the other housing.

5. The structure according to claim 4 wherein said faces are disposed at an angle of substantially 30 to a vertical plane and wherein the major axes of the elliptical raceway extend at an angle to the vertical plane slightly greater .than

6. The structure according to claim 4 wherein said vanes have their free edges flush with sai-d faces and wherein the vanes are inclined substantially 45 to the bottom of the raceway with the vanes diverging in the direction of rotation of the impeller.

7. The structure according to claim 4 wherein said impeller is provided with radially disposed vanes projecting axially of said cylinder and away from said face thereof, and a plate covering the last named vanes and having water inlet and outlet openings therein whereby the impeller simultaneously forces water .to said spray head, agitates the water and forces it out through said outlet opening in spray formation.

3. rIhe structure according to claim 4 wherein said spray head includes a yieldably and adjustably supported plate for maintaining the spray at a pressure in excess of that ofthe carbon dioxide gas within the cylinder.

9. In a carbonating structure, an elongated closed cylinder having a housing at one end thereof, a motor driven shaft coaxial with the cylinder and rotatably supported in the housing, the housing having a frusto-conical face adjacent the corresponding end of the cylinder, and converging toward the opposite end of the cylinder, an impeller supported by the shaft for rotation thereby and including a frusto-conical wall portion having one face conforming with and engaging the face 0n the housing, a circular raceway concentric with the shaft and of elliptical form in axial section of the housing and impeller, the raceway being formed in mating half portions in the face of the housing and the corresponding face -of the impeller, circumferentially spaced vanes in the portion `of the raceway in the impeller and terminating ush with said faces, a water inlet in said housingto said-race- Way, a spray head supported inthe upper portion of .the cylinder, a water outlet connection from said raceway to said spray head,a disc-like plate supported by saidhousing and disposed between said wall portion of theimpeller and the cylinder, water inlet and outlet'openings in thev plate, and radially disposed vanes on the opposed `face of the Wall portionof the impeller for agtating the water and. forcing it through said outlet opening in spray form, simultaneously with the pumping ofr water by the first vanes to the spray head, and a carbon dioxide gas connection inthe lower portion of said housing.

10. The structure according to claim 9 wherein said shaft israxially-adjustable for taking up wear between said faces. Y

11. The structure according to claim gwherein said first vanes are inclined laterally outwardly and forwardly in the direction of rotation of the impeller for forcing the-waterin the racev REFERENCES CITED] The following referencesare of record'in the ille of this patent: Y

1 UNITEDV` STATES PATENTSY Name Date Bastian May 12, 1903 Number 20 2,248,184 Newton A July 8,1 941

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