US1450158A - Valve-actuating mechanism - Google Patents

Description

Mar. 27,A 1923. 1,450,158

v C. E. CHAFFIN n VALVE ACTUATING ME'CHANISM Filed Nov. 19, 1920 4 sheets-sheet l A TT HNE V8 Mar. 27, 1923- 1,450,158 c. E. CHAI-'FIN VALVE ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 19, 1920 4 sheets-sheet 2 A TTOHNEYS Mar. 27, 1923 c. E. CHAI-*FIN VLVE ACTUATING MECHANISM Filed Nov. 19, 1920 4 sheets-sheet I3 A TTORNEYS Mar. 27, 1923.

c. E. CHAI-'FIN VALVE AGTUATING MECHANISM Filed N6v. 19, 1920 v4 sheets-sheet 4 Unwin@ ATTURNEYS of fluid through a conduit;

Patented lidar. 27, 1923.

UNITED STM-ES PATENT cnnnnns EDWARD cr-IAFFIN, On NEW YORK, N. Y., AssIGNOn To THE GENERAL ENGI- NEERING COMrANY, or NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF UTAH.

VALVE-ACTUATNG MECHANISM.

application led November 19, 1920. Serial No. 425,259.

To all ywhom t may concern.'

' 'Be it known lthat I, CHARLES EDWARD CHAFFIN,'a citizenof the United States, residing at New York, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inValve-ctuating Mechanism, of which the following is a description.

This invention relates to improvements in valve actuating mechanism adapted for use in connection .with various styles and types of'valves, v.and the like, and has for its object to pro-vide mechanism ofthis character which is simple in construction, and positive and eliicient in operation.

' More particularly" the invention relates to valve actuating mechanism which is automaticallyactuated, and by means of which the .shiftingof the valve is effected in a sudden and rapid 'mannen thus increasing ythe efliciency of the valve bydecreasing the interval of time during which the valve moves from one position to another. Furthermore, theactuating mechanism is so constructedl as to fp'rovide for periodical pauses, ofa desired interval of time, between successive shifting movements vof the valve.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, wherein are shown several preferred `embodiments ofthe inven tion for the purposef'of illustrating the prin- Iciple thereof,

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, parts being lbroken away, of a valve actuating mechanism embodying my invent-ion, the same being shown in connection with a tank outlet valve.`

Figure 2A is a front view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, parts being broken away;

.Figures Band 4 are side and front views, respectively,of a slightly modied form of yvalve actuating mechanism shown in conne'iction'with a valvevf'or controlling the flow Figures V5 and 6 are side and front views showing a further modified form of valve actuating' mechanism in connection with a three-way valve;

" ""F'igures and 8 are views similar to Figurels'iffand "6' showingy ai'vslightly different Fi ire9 is a plan View showing a :still further" modification ofv valve" actuating Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line X-X of Figure 9, and' Figure 1l is a frontview ofthe apparatus shown in Figure 9.AY i* "i" Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, 1 indicatesthe lower portionof a tank having a discharge nozzle 2 at its lower end the opening and closing of which is controlled by a ball valve 3 operatively connected by arms 4to oneend of a'y lever 5 'pivotally supportedupon a bracket 6 secured to the tank. The other end of the lever carries aV weight 7 which serves to maintain the valve normally in its closed position. An adjustable actuating member S has one of its ends operatively connected to the'v lever 5 and its other connected to a housing9 provided with vertical lregisterin'g'slots 10 *formed in its side walls through which extends a shaft 11l supported in bearings 12 carried by brackets 13 mounted uponiafsuitable frame 1li whichY is'shownas being supported upon the tank, `1. The shaft 11' is rotated at a uniform rate in one direction'in any suitable manner, as for example, by means of a driven wormv lineshing with Va worm gear 16 fixed to the shaft. i

' Rotatably mounted upon the shaft 11, and extending through the 4slots 1 of the 1ho'using 9, is a sleeve 17 I'carrying a cam 18 positioned within the housing 9r and adapted to engage a block 19 adjustably supported within the housing :by means of a' vertically adjustable screw 2O adapted tofloe 'rotated by a hand wheel 21 to vary the position of the block within thehousing. A weighted arm 22 carried b v tie' sleeve 17, is secured thereto so as to rotate therewith as bymeans of a bolt 23 engaging any one'of plurality of holes 24 formedv ina quadrant secured Ato the sleeve.i The weightedi arm will normally be suspended from theshatt llf'in a vertically downward positionand the cam 18 will be out of engagement 'with the block 19, thus .permitting'the housing "9 to occupy its normal position withv the/Lipper ends: of the slots10 engaging'the sleeve 17, as shown. Vifhcn the housing-9 'is in this position `the ball valve 3 closes the discharge'nozzlel. Fixedto the shaft 11"adjacent'the'weighted armA 22 is a disc 26 carrying #horizontally-- extending pin 27 adapted, as't-he"disc"rotates, to engage the normally suspended 'weighted varm 22 and cause' 1t, togeth-er'with .y .4 ,l l .Vm w.

,the sleeve 17 and cam 18, to rotate in -then move downwardly., due to the laction ofgravity, the sleeve 17 to which it is secured rotating about the shaft`11. During this movement of the arm and sleeve, relative to the shaft 11', the cam 18 will engage the block 19 thus raising the housing 9 with respect to the shaft 11, which movement is permitted by reason of the vertical slots through which the shaft extends. As the housing is thus raised by the cam, the lever 5 will be actuated by the member 8 to cause'the ball valve 3 to be moved away from the discharge nozzle 2 whereupon the contents of the tank will be discharged. As the cam 18 moves out of engagement with the bloclr 19 thehousing 9 and the lever 5 are restored to their normal positions by the action of gravity, thereby causing the ball v-valve 3 to againclose the discharge nozzle v2. The interval of time that the discharge nozzle is opened yby the downward movement of the valve may be varied by varying the position of the adjustable block 19 within the housing 9 or by varying the point of connection between the actuating member 8 and the lever 7. The interval of time that the discharge nozzle is opened may also be varied by varying thefpoint of connection between the weighted arm 22 and the quad rant 25. If, for example, the bolt 23, which ,connects these members, engages the right hand hole of the series of holes 24 in the quadrant, as seen in Figure 1, the arm 22 will begin its downward movement before the cam 18 `engages the block 19 and therefore the block` 19 will be raised to open the valve solely during the downward movement of the arm. If,'on the other hand, the bolt 23 engages the left hand hole of the series, the cam 18 will engage the block 19 during the upward movement of the arm 22 and will remain in engagement with the bloclr during a portion of the downward movement of the arm. In order to permit the weighted arm 22/ to come to rest without shock as it reaches its normal or suspended position, itis preferably provided with a dash pot 28 adapted to receive a plunger 29 carried by the disc'26. The arm will remain in its normal'suspended position until the pin 27 secured to theV disc 26, which continues .to rotate at a uniform rate, is again brought into engagement with the weighted arm 22, whereupon the operation is repeated,

' Referring to Figures 3 and 4, 30 indicates a frame upon which is supported a shaft 31 having a gear wheel 32r secured thereto adapted to engage a driven gear wheel, not shown, whereby uniform rotation of the shaft is effected. ,Botatably mounted upon the shaft is a sleeve 33 to which a weighted arm 34 isv secured by a'set screw 34. Fixed to the sleeve, preferably integral therewith, is a cam 35. A disc 36 secured to the shaft carries va pin 37 adapted to engage the weighted arm and raise it from its normally suspended position to a vertically upright position, as explained above in connection with Figures 1 and 2. yAs the arm passes its vertically upright position it moves rapidly downwardly, owing to the action of gravity, until it engages the pin 37 carried by the disc 36 and during such movementthc cam is caused to `engage and depress lone end of apivotally supported .lever 38 which is operatively'connected to lever 38 returns the valve toits normal position, when the cam 35kmoves out of engagement with the lever, and maintains thevalve in such position until 'the weighted arm is again actuated to jcausefthe camto actuatc thel lever. As the armn 34 is;A rotatably mounted upon the sleeve 33, being secured in position with respectthereto by the set screw 34', the/position vof the arm relative to the cam 35 may be varied to vary the length of time that the cam will engagel the lever 38, whereby the interval of ktime that the valve 40 is maintained in its alternatel position may be varied. V1

Referring to Figures' and6, the ,valve actuating mechanism is shownv in connection `with a three-way valve liavingtwo spring pressed valves 43 and 44 adapted to be actuated by means of a pivotally mounted lever 45 alternately engaging the valve stems; A spring pressed rod 46, securedto the lever45 normallyholds the leverin` engagement with the stem ofthe valve 43 to hold the same open, thevalvev 44 being normally closed. gAs .the weighted arm 47 moves downwardly from itsk vertical position, to which it is raised thedisc 48 as above described. the cam 49, which .moves in unison with the arm, engages the lever 45,

moving it out of engagementwith the stem of valve`43 Vand into engagement with the Vstem ofvalve 44, whereupon valve 44 Awill be Yopened and'v valve 43 will be permitted ,to

close. y rPheweighted armis shownas' being provided with a cushioning device 5() adapted to engage a stop 51 carried by the disc 48 while the cam 49 is still in engagement With the lever 45 whereby the valve 44 Will be held open until the disc rotates a `sullicient distance to permit the cam to move out of engagement with the lever. As soon as the cam is disei'igaged from the lever the spring pressed rod 46 moves the lever to its normal position thus opening the valve 43 and per.- mitting the valve 44 to close. As the disc continues to rotate the Weighted arm is again raised to its vertical position by the pin 52 and the above described operation is repeated. The position of the arm 47 relative to the arm 49 may be varied to vary the interval of time that the valve 44 is held open in the manner above explained in connection With Figures 3 and 4. In order to permit the members to be adjusted with accuracy a micrometer adjustment 47 is provided upon the arm 47 adapted to co-act with a lug 49 on the sleeve which carries the cam 49.

The valve actuating mechanism shown in Figures 7 and 8 comprises a Weighted arm 53 and a cam 54 rotatably mounted upon a uniformly driven shaft 55 to which is secured an arm 56 adapted to .engage the weighted arm 53 and raise it to its vertical position from Which it falls by gravity to its normally suspended position. During the upward movement of the Weighted arm the operative face 57 of the cam 54 engages the lever 58 and forces it into engagement with the stem of valve 59 thus opening the valve and permitting the valve 60 to Close. lVhen the Weighted arm moves beyond the vertical position it falls, by gravity, and during this movement the cam is carried out of engagement with the lever 58 which is thereupon moved by the spring pressed rod 6l to its normal position in engagement With the stem of valve 60.` thus opening such valve and permitting the valve 59 to close. The position of the arm 53 relative to the position of the cam 54 may be varied to vary the interval of time that the valves are opened or closed, as above set forth in connection With Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6.

ills shown in Figures 9, l0v and l1, the uniformly driven shaft 62 carries a bevel gear 63 meshing with bevel gears 64 and 65 which are rotated in opposite directions, and which carry pins 66 and 67 adapted to co-act With uf'eighted arms 68 and 69 rotatably mounted upon a shaft 70. The arms are provided -at their lower ends With studs 7l and 72 adapted to engage arms 73 and 74 secured to a shaft 75 carrying a crank 76 operatively connected to avalve actuating arm 77. As the bevel gears 64 and 65 rotate lthey alternately raise the(I weighted arms 68 and 69 to their vertical positions from Which. they fall by gravity in the manner above explained. As the Weighted arms fall the arms 78 and 74 are alternately engaged by the studs 71 and 72 to effect a back and forth rocking movement of the shaft 75 and crank 76, and of the valve actuating arm 77, whereby the valve is alternately shifted from one position to the other. The bevel gear 64 is preferably Aprovided with a series of holes 78 any one of which is adapted to receive and hold the pin 66, and by varying the position of the pin upon the bevel gear the interval between the alternate shifting movements of the valve may be varied. If desired, the bevel gear 65 may also be provided With a similar series of holes to permit of the adjustment of the pin 67 with respect thereto.

From the above it Will be seen that the valve actuating mechanism isr so constuct.- ed as to provide for a sudden and rapid shifting of the valve or the like from one position to another and that there Will be a pause of any desired interval of time, between the successive movements of the same. The number of times that the valve is shifted during any period of time7 Will of course depend upon the speed of rotation of the shaft which carriles the member for raising the Weighted arm from its normally suspended position, and such speed of rotation may be varied as desired.

It will of course be understood that valve actuating mechanism embodying the invention may be employed for actuating valves, cocks or pilot devices, of types other than those shown and described.

lVhile the invention is illustrated and described in connection With several preferred embodiments thereof, it ivill be understood that I do not intend to limit myself to the specific embodiment shown, but that I intend to cover the invention broadly in Whatever form its principles may be employed.

Having thus described my invention, I claim V 1. In mechanism of the character described, completely rotatable valve-actuating means, and means for moving the same through a portion of its travel, said valve actuating means being movable through the remaining portion of its travel independently of said moving means. i

2. In mechanism of the character described.r completely rotatable wxlve-actuating means, and uniformly rotating means for moving the same through a portion of its travel. said valve actuating means being movable through the remaining portion of its travel independently of said moving means. i

3. In mechanism of the character described, completely rotatable valve-actuating means, and means for moving the same through a. portion of its travel, said valve actuating means being movable through the remaining portion of its travel independently of said moving means.

Ll'. In mechanism of the character described, completely rotatable valve actuating means, and uniformly rotating means for moving the same through a portion of its travel, said valve actuating means being movable through the remaining portion of its travel independently of said moving means and at a higher `rate of .speed than the speed of said moving means. i

5. In mechanism of the character described, completely rotatable valve actuating means movable by gravity through a portion of its travel, and means for moving the same through the remaining portion of its travel.

6. In a mechanism of the class described, v alve actuating means mounted for complete rotary movement about a horizontal axis, and means for inovingsaid actuating means from its lowermost to its uppermost position, said actuating means being movable from its uppermost position to its lowermost position independently of said moving means.

7. In mechanism of the character described, a shaft, valve actuating means rotatably supported thereon and normally occupying a suspended position with respect thereto, and means adapted to engage said actuating means and move the same upwardly about said shaft, said actuating means moving downwardly to its normal position independently of said moving means.

S. In mechanism ofv the character described, a shaft, valve actuating means'rotatably supported thereon, including'a rotatable weighted arm normally extending downwardly with respect to said shaft,'and means free from connection with said arm for rotating it upwardly to carry it past a vertically upright position whereby it will return by gravity to its normal position.

9. In mechanism of the character described, a rotatable shaft, valve actuating means including a weighted arm rotatably supported thereon, and means rotatable with said shaft adapted to engage said arm and move it through a portion of its travel, said arm moving through the remaining portion of its travel independently of said moving means.

10. In mechanism of the character described, a rotatable shaft, a' weighted arm rotatably supported thereon, a valve actuating ymember movable with said arm, a

member secured to said shaft and rotatable therewith, and means carried by said memberadapted to engage said arm and move it through a portion of its travel, said arm moving ,through the remaining portion of its travel independently of said arm engaging means.

1l. In mechanism of the character described, a rotatable shaft, a weighted arm rotatably supported thereon and normally suspended therefrom, a valve actuating member rotatable with said arm, and means rotatable with said shaft for periodically engaging said arm and moving it to an upright vertical position, said arm moving to its suspended position independently of said moving means and remaining in such position until it is again engaged thereby.

l2. In mechanism of the character described, a shaft, valve actuating means rotatably supported thereon including a valve actuating member and a weighted arm, and means rotatable with said shaft for controlling the movement of said valve actuating means. f

13. In mechanism of the character described, a shaft, valve actuating means rotatably supported thereon including a valve actuating member and a weighted arm, and means rotatable with said shaft for controlling the movement of said valve actuating means, said valve actuating member and said weighted arm being adjustable relative to one another.

14. In mechanism of the character described, a shaft, valve actuating means rotatably supported thereon including a valve actuating member and a weighted arm, and means rotatable with said shaft adapted to co-act with said weighted arm to control the operation of 'said valve actuating means and to maintain said `valve actuating member in operative position during an interval of time.

l5. In mechanism of the charactery described, a shaft, valve actuating means rotatably supported thereon including a valve actuating member and a weighted arm, and means rotatable with said shaft adapted to co-act with said weighted arm to control the operation of said valve actuating means and to maintain said valve actuating member in operative position during an interval of time, said weighted arm being adjustable relative to said valve actuating member whereby said interval of .time may be varied.

In testimony whereof -I have affixed my signature to this specification.

CHARLES EDVARD CHAFFIN.

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