US2679260A - Liquid control - Google Patents

Description

Patented May 25, 1954 LIQUID CONTROL Richard B. Esselman, Manhattan Beach, Calif., assignor to Farr Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Original application M 213,986. Divided and 1952, Serial No. 281,284

11 Claims. (Cl. 137-412) This invention relates to a liquid control suitable for controlling liquid handled by a tank or like container, and it is a, general object of the invention to provide a simple, eifective, dependable valve operating mechanism forming a unit, with parts of the valve detachable from the container and the remainder of the valve and having electrical operating parts maintained above the level of liquid in the container.

This application is filed as a division of application Serial No. 213,986, filed March 5, 1951, entitled Control for Liquid Container.

The mechanism as provided by the present invention is applicable to a liquid container and may, for example, be applied to an open topped tank or like vessel. The mechanism of the invention provides an operating mechanism combined with parts of a drain valve adapted to control flow through a drain opening provided in the bottom of the tank. The drain valve involves a bowl-like body fixed to the bottom of the carrier to depend therefrom. A head is engaged with the body and is releasably supported on an upwardly facing shoulder in the rim portion of the body and is sealed therewith by a washer. Twofluid passages are provided through the head, one an outlet passage communicating with the bottom of the tank and the other an overflow opening. The valve proper is a disc-shaped member in the body cooperating with a downwardly facing seat provided on the head and surrounding the outlet opening. A stem carries the valve and is guided by a projection provided on a boss that projects up from the head. A tubular standard projects up from the head and is carried by the boss in communication with the overflow opening of the head. An overflow inlet opening is provided in the standard at a point of maximum liquid level in the tank. Operating means for the stem is provided at the upper end of the standard and involves a housing fixed on the standard and also releasably held by a supplemental support that is located on the tank. A shiftable element is provided in the housing and has a normal up position and an actuated down position. A resilient coupling is provided between the shiftable element and the stem. The coupling involves a stop on the stem, a yoke-type link or bracket slidable on the stem and attached to the shiftable element, and a spring acting under compression between the stop and the link. The shiftable element is a core to be operated by a coil which is under control of a switch operated by a suitable timing device. A manuarch 5, 1951, Serial No. this application April 9,

ally operable switch is provided for operating the coil independently of the timer. A fluid supply line is provided and is under control of an electrically actuated valve and a float controls the actuator so that when the tank is drained to a predetermined level fluid is supplied to it. The supply valve closes when the liquid reaches the maximum level in the tank.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a mechanism of the general character referred to, characterized by a unitary assembly of electrical elements normally releasably held in operating position above the tank, so that it is accessible and can be easily and quickly detached for purpose of removal when it is desired to effect replacement, repair, or cleaning.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the general character referred to in which there is a simple, practical, improved arrangement and combination of parts including electrical elements operating the inlet and drain valves.

It is another object of the invention to provide a mechanism of the general character referred to having a simple, effective, dependable operating means including a coil actuated core and a coupling connecting the core with the stem of the valve and providing for overtravel of the core after the valve has been closed.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a practical and compact unitary structure including drain valve parts, operating means for the drain valve, and a float control for an actuator operating an inlet valve, which elements form a simple, unitary structure having the electrical elements clear of the liquid being handled.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a portion of a tank showing the mechanism of the invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 22 on Fig. 1. dicated by line 33 on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view taken as indicated by line 44 on Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the circuit provided by the invention, and Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 6-6 on Fig. 1.

The mechanism of the present invention is adapted to be applied to a suitable liquid carrier Fig. 3 is an enlarged view taken as in body and releasable means or vessel such as a tank A, and it is such as to control flow of fluid to the tank from a supply line 93 and from the tank through an opening It] in the bottom thereof. The particular tank illustrated in the drawings is of simple or conventional form and has a side wall |2 projecting up from the edge of the bottom to a point somewhat above the maintained in the tank.

The mechanism provided by the present invention involves, generally, adrain valve l3 located at or carried by the bottom of the tank A and serving to control flow or passage of fluid through the opening H]. A standard C is carried by and projects upwardly from the drain valve B and supports an operating means D which is located at the upper end of the standard and at a point above the level of the liquid L.

The drain valve B, as provided by the present invention, involves, generally, abody 29 having a bowl portion 2! and a rim portion 22. The valve B furtherin'cludes a head 23 carried by the 24 normally securing the head onor in connection with the body. The head of the drain valve is characterized by a drain opening that provides communication between the interior of the tank and the bowl 2| of the head, and by an overflow opening 3| that provides communication between the standard C and the bowl of the body, as hereinafter described. In the particular case illustrated the bowl 2| of the valve body 2|! has a lateral outlet extension 33 from which fluid drained from the tank can be discharged or delivered to a drain line 34, as shown in Fig. l of the drawings.

In the particular case illustrated the body 28 of the drain valve has a mounting flange 35 at the upper periphery of the rim portion 22 and the flange 35 may be secured to the bottom I of the tank, as by welding, -or the like. In the particular arrangement illustrated the flange 35 is applied to the bottom or lower side of the bottom H and as a result the bowl portion of the body depends below the bottom I Through this arrangement all of the fluid or liquid carried in the tank can be drained into the body of, the valve for discharge therefrom.

The head 23 of the valve is preferably a unit,

say, for example, a casting, and it is supported in the rim portion 22 of the body 20. In the preferred arrangement an upwardly facing shoulder 38 is provided in the rim portion of the body and a suitable seal or washer 39 is provided between the peripheral portion of the head 23 and the shoulder 38, as shown in the drawings. The releasable means 24 connecting the head 23 and body 20 is shown as involving screw fasteners. In the case illustrated there are two screw fasteners rat diametrically opposite points and each involves a bolt/4|) engaged with a bifurcated lug 4| projecting upwardly and outwardly from the head and is threaded into an opening 42 provided in the rim portion 22 of the body. The bifurcated lugs 4| project up from the head 23 occurring within the rim portion of the body and they project laterally to overlie theportions of the rim in which the openings 42 occur. The bolts are vertically disposed and their heads 44 are at their upper ends so that they are readily accessible from the interior of the tank.

The valve proper, 45, is a disc-like element located in the bowl portion 2| of body 20, and it is normally engaged with a seat '46 projecting downwardly from the head 23 and surrounding of the tank.-

level of liquid L to be normally the outlet opening 30. The valve 45 which may be of any suitable material that will effectively seal with the seat 46 is carried by a stem 48 and it is preferred that the valve be adjustably secured on the stem. In the case illustrated spaced nuts 49 are threaded on the lowerend portion of the stem 48 and washer-like plates 58 are carried on the stem at opposite sides of the valve where they are retained by the nuts.

The stem 48 projects vertically from the valve to a point above the level of liquid L in the tank and its lower end portion is slidably supported by a guide t-l shown projecting from a boss 52 that projects upwardly from the head 23 at the drain opening 3|.

The standard C is a tubular support carried by the boss 52 "provided on head 23 to be in communication with the overflow opening 3| provided in the head 23. The standard projects upwardly to apoint well above thelevel of liquid L and at the point where it isfdesired to maintain the level of liquid the standard is provided with an 'overflow opening 55. In practice a plurality of openings can be provided in the standard at or above this point to assuredrainage through the standard rather than overflow of liquid from the tank. The lower end portion of the tubular standard is tight or fixed in the boss 52, and as a result the standard not only forms a support for the operating means D, as will be hereinafter described, but it also forms a drain or overflow duct that prevents flooding of thetank. p

The operating means D is shown as involving a housing 66 supported by and fixed on the upper end of the standard C, a vertically shiftable element 6| and a connecting means 62 between the shiftable element 6| and the upper end portion of the valve stem 48. I M

The housing 160 is shown as including a'casting having a boss 19 that holds or tightly receives the upper end of the standard C, The housing has a downwardly projecting skirt 80 that cooperates with a supplemental support 8|. The support 8| is in the nature of a bracket fixed to the upper edge portion of the wall |2 of the tank and carries one or more screw fasteners 82 received by downwardly opening notches 84 provided'in the skirt 8 0. V

Through thejcon'struction provided when the fastening means24 is released and the fasteners 82 loosened, the unit formed by the valve head 23, the valve 45 stem 48, the standard and the operating means D can be freely lifted away from or clear of the valve body, the tank and the bracket 8| 0n the tank. It is to be understood that the supplemental support formed by the bracket 8| can be used or'not, as circumstances require, since the standard C may be or such construction and formation as to be an adequate support for the means D under most circumstances.

It is to be observed that in accordance with'the general construction and arrangement provided by the invention'the standard projects not only above the level of liquid in the tank but actually above the upper edge 85 of the tank, and as a result the operating means D is located'well above and clear of liquid in the tank so that it i's'not affected or contamin'ated'thereby.

The operating means D involves a vertically shiftable element 6| and a means for operating the element 6 The element 6 'isconnected with the 'sterh'48 bythe'connectin'g means 62 and is in the formof'aicore. A coil'or winding fixed in the housing 60 surrounds the core and isprovided for operating'the core. The coil'is adapted 5 to be energized'from a power line L under control of a switch S. The coil and core cooperate to form an electrical actuating means for the drain valve.

Switch S, as shown in the diagram, Fig. 5, is incorporated in or as a part of a timer T which includes a constantly operating timer motor M. The coil Ed is connected in parallel with the motor M and the switch S controlling the coil is normally closed so the coil is normally energized and the core 6| held up so the valve operated by stem 48 is normally closed. The motor M is such as to operate or open switch S at suitable or predetermined time intervals and for suitable or redetermined periods of time.

When switch S is opened the core drops and the stem t8 opens the valve. The valve stays open until the switch S is closed by the motor M causing the coil 6 to be energized and the core to be lifted.

A normally open, manually operable switch S is connected in parallel with switch S so that if circumstances so require the coil 54 can be energized or held energized independently of the operation of switch S by motor M.

A fluid supply line 99 is provided and is arranged to deliver fluid into tank A, preferably adjacent the control D. An inlet valve I controls flow through line 99 and is operated by an electrical actuator I0! under control of a float 90. The circuit to the actuator I0! is carried by a flexible line I08 of suitable length and is controlled by a switch S" operated by the float.-

The float Si! is carried by a lever 65 pivotally supported by or in the housing 68 which also carries the coil 64, core switch S and. switch S, and other electrical elements, as desired. The lever 66 is shown as carried by a pivotal support 69 and as having a projecting arm 68 for operating the switch S.

The lever 66 depends from the housing 60 into the tank so the float is located in the tank. The parts are related so that the valve I00 is open when the float 90 is down. When liquid in the tank elevates the float to a predetermined level switch s is closed and actuator Hll is energized so that valve I00 is closed. v

The housing 60 is preferably a downwardly opening box-like element or structure and the switch S and the float carrying lever 66 are preferably mounted in the case so that a protective guard or shield 9! of rubber, or the like, may be arranged to project from the switch and engage around the lever to effectively protect the switch against exposure to moisture.

Further, a guide I95 for lever 66 preferably depends from within the housing to a point where it serves to eflectively guide the pivotal movement of the lever 66. The guide M5 is shown depending from the switch S and as having a slot we in which the lever 66 operates.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the control means D includes not only the coil and core that operate the valve stem 48, but also the switch controlling the inlet valve and the float mechanism operating that valve. Further, other electrical elements may be carried by the housing as desired. The switch S is shown carried by the housing and, if desired, the timer M and switch S may also be carried by the housing.

The connecting means 62 is shown as including a pivotal pin 65 carried-by element BI and pivotally holding a yoke-like bracket 10 which is slidably engaged with stem 48. The bracket closing of the drain valve.

10 engages the stem 48 below a stop H provided on the stem and a compression spring 72 is carried on the stem between the stop and the bracket. This construction provides for a cushioning of the action and the element 6| may over-travel or move beyond aposition that eflects The element 6| is preferably in line with the valve stem. However, through the connecting means 62 a certain amount of movement may occur between the parts so that there is no danger of parts binding or becoming stuck.

It will be apparent that with the mechanism just described the timer M causes the switch S to be opened at predetermined intervals so that the element BI is operated to open the drain opening 311'. When the level of liquid in the tank drops below the predetermined level the switch S is closed by action of float 90, causing the valve I00 to open and pass fluid into the tank. It will be apparent that with the mechanism that I have provided various actions can be obtained, as circumstances may require.

By providing a drain valve of substantial capacity and by providing a timer causing the' drain valve to be held open a predetermined length of time, the inlet valve may operate in conjunction with the drain valve so that the desired draining and flushing action is obtained, and there may be some overlap in the action of the valves so that they are both open for a time.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. In combination with a liquid supply line and a tank having a drain opening, a drain valve controlling the opening, a supply valve controlling the supply line, and a single control means including a first electrical actuating means adapted to operate the drain valve, a second electrical actuating means adapted to operate the supply valve, a switch controlling said first actuating means, a timer controlling only said switch, a switch controlling said second actuating means, and a float controlling only the last mentioned switch.

2. In combination with a liquid supply line and a tank having a drain opening, a drain valve controlling the opening, a supply valve controlling the supply line, and a control including a first electrical actuating means adapted to operate the drain valve, a second electrical actuating means adapted to operate the supply valve, a switch controlling the first mentioned actuating means, a switch controlling the second actuating means, and two switch actuators adapted to operate independently of each other, one a timer controlling the switch for the actuating means of the drain valve, and the other a float controlling the switch for the actuating means of the supply valve.

3. In combination with a liquid supply line and a tank having a drain opening, a drain valve controlling the opening and having an operating stem, a supply valve controlling the supply line, and a control means including a first electrical actuating means adapted to operate the drain valve and including a coil actuated core, means yieldingly coupling the core x'zand body,

, tank, a supplyvalve controlling the supply line,

- and' means: releasably coupling irtoiithehstem, arsecond; electrical. actuatingrlmeans adapted to operate athesupply :valve; 3;;SWi'bOh controlling ithellfil'st. actuating. ,m-eana; a timer controlling 'said-cswitch, :a switchrcontrolling the "second actuatingrzmeans, and afloat controlling r-.;:only. the iast mentionedwswitch.

4. :Incombination with a'liquidsupply line and 'afitank. having adrain. opening, a; drain valve ,1 adapted to control,-the1;opening-;-andV including an overflowstandarci andeanoperating stem, a,.-$.upply, a;,'alve' controlling :thezsupplyrline, and a control including a first electricalzactuating smeans vwopera'ting the ,-"drain .-.valv.e;, a-second electrical ractuatingmeans-:operating the supply 'yalve, a switch, adaptedto .control the; first actuating .":means-, a timer 7 :adapted to :control the, second actuating 211163.115,

controlling said switch, a 'switch zsaandc a :float. controlling ;the' :last-rmentioned :switch, the first actuating :means, the switches wand the float being carried bythe standard.

.' .;5.--;In combination with a liquid supply line sand a tank having-azdrain-ropening, adrain.valve controlling the; opening :and including .a body :fixed .to Lthe .tank,.a head, astandardprojecting ."up from theihead, aisstemsguided by the "head, :andsmeans relea'sably coupling the head to :the body, 'a-supply valve controlling the supply line,

a :control including a afirst .electrical actuatl'ingJneans adaptedto .operate'the stem of the iidrain-.valve,.a secondelectrical actuating means i adapted to operate the supply valve, a switch controlling the first actuating means, a timer :controlling 'said':switch,- a switch controlling the second actuating i means,. and ::.the :last maentioned switch; the first actuating 4 a float controlling :means, the switches and the float being carried by 'theistandard.

6; Incombin ation with a liquid supply line and a tank having admin-opening, a drain valve controlling the openingand:including a body fixed to theitank, a head, astandard projecting up from thehead-and a stem guided by the head, and'meansrreleasably couplingthe head to the a housing carried by the standard above the s and a control including a first electrical actuat- -;,ing.-means operating the stem of the drain valve, a'second electrical actuating means'operating the ssupply valvega switch controlling'the first actu- :atingmeans, a timer controlling said switch, a

5,;SWit0hfCOIllllfO11ing .the second. actuating means, and a float controlling the last mentioned switch,

1:i'thetfirstactuating means, the switches-and the :5. float ,abeingecarried. by-the housing.

7. In combination-witha liquid supply lineand-fi a tankhaving .a ,drain; opening, a-idrain -valve ..';control'ling the opening andincluding -a body :fixed to thetank, ahead, 2. standard projecting iup from the head, a stem;guided by thehead, the head to the body a housing carried by thestandardabove the tank,means releasably' coupling the housing to' the tank, a supply'valvecontrolling the supply line; and a control includinga-first electrical ac:

tuating means operatingthe stem; a secondelectrical *actuating *means operating the supply valve, a switch controlling 1 the "first actuating '--.oon tro11ing thesecond v float-controlling the last mentioned switch, the

actu t me s a d. a

; first actuating means, the switches and ,the float a tank-having a drain controlling the Opening, ling the supply line, and a control includi a first electrical actuating means operating the ating means, and

being carried by the housing.

8. In combination withaliquid supply,lin e;and opening, a drain-valve a supply valve controldrain valve, a second electrical actuating means operating the supply valve, a switch controlling -the ;first,-act uating means, a-gtimer controlling said switch, a switchcontrollingthe second-actua float means operating the last mentioned switch; thefioatrneansincluding apivoted lever carrying theflpat and carrying a :switch operating arm and a ing, the lever and shielding the last mentioned .ating the supply valve, a

flexible shield enga "switch operating arm-and a guide cooperatively related to the lever.

10. A control for a-tank having-an outlet opening including, a drain valve having a body carried by the tank and defining a fluid receiving chamber, a head engaged with the body separating the tank and-the chamber and having apassage therethrough between the tank and chamber, a valve member controlling flow through said passage,--and-astein operating the valve member,

, by the upperend portion a standardcarriedbythe head-and projecting upwardly therefrom to the upperportion of the tank and-operatingmeans for the stem carried of the standard including, a: core, a link-connecting the'coreand stem ingincluding, -r-ied by'the tank and defining a-fluid receiving chamber, -a head engaged ingthe- -tank-and the chamber and having a and a coil operating the core.

=11. A-controlfor a tank having an outletopena drainvalve having -a body carwith the body separatpassage" therethrough between the tank and -chamber, a-valve member controlling flow through said passage,-and astemoperating the valve member, a standard oarriedby the head and projecting upwardly therefrom to the upper portion ofthe tank, and

operatingmeans for the stem --carried by the-upperend-portion of the standard connecting the core and -the-core,- and a switch including, acore, a link stem, at coil-operating -controlling the coil.

mileferencesacitediin the file; of this patent "UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date ,l,999,439 ,Braun Apr. 30, 1935 2,133,174 .,;Minich.v l-, Oct. 11,,1938

means; a' timer controlling saidswitch, a switch

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