US1524658A - Drain cock - Google Patents

Description

J. F. KELLEY Feb. 3. 192s.

DRAIN COCK HEAT/NG ELEMENT Filed Dec. 26. 1922 Patented Feb. 3, 1925.

UNITED STATES JOHN F. KELLEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DRAIN COCK.

Application filed December 26, 1922.

To afi ici/lam t may conce-WL.'

Be it known that I, JOHN F, KELLEY, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Drain Cocks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to drain cocks for water circulating systems, suc-h as automobile radiators and the like, wherein the drain cock is equipped with means for automatically releasing the water from the system when the atmospheric temperature would otherwise cause the water to freeze.

The main objects of this invention are to provide a drain cock having an improved form and arrangement of part for normally closing the liquid passage and which is adapted to automatically open the cock when acted upon by ice formed wit-hin the `liquid passage; to provide a drain cock having a fragile partv arranged to be fracturet by the formation of ice within the cock so as to permit the draining' of the stem; to provide a fragile element of the :.,oove character which is readily replaceable; to provide a drain cock of the above character having an improved form of heater arranged for automatic operation upon the formation of ice within the fragile element so as to melt any ice which may remain in the cock after the fragile element has been broken; to provide improved mechanism for automatically operating a switch which controls the heater; and to provide an improved construction and arrangement of thern'iostatic means for automatically disconnecting the heater from the electric circuit when the liquid passage within the drain cock reaches a predetermined temperature.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in the accompanying drawings wherein lligure l is a fragmentary side elevation of a drain cock embodying this invention.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of the upper part of the casing, showing the thermostatic means for controlling the heater.

Fig. d is a diagrammatic view of the invention in an electric circuit.

Drain cocks Vembodying the present invention are adapted for use in any liquid Serial No. 608,962.

circulating system wherein it is desired to drain the system when the atmospheric temperature would otherwise cause thc liquid to fi'eeze,resulting in possible serious damage to the pipes. The invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with automobile radiators.

In the form shown, the ydrain cock comprises a casing provi-ding a liquid chamber and having an outlet at its lower end, which is normally closed by a fragile element in the form of a replaceable receptacle adapted to be broken by the forn'iation of ice within the receptacle so as to automatically open the cock, ln order to prevent the accumulation of ice within the cock after the outlet has been opened, an electric heater is arranged adjacent the liquid passage, and is controlled by a switch, which is automatically operated upon `the formation of ice within the receptacle. rThe switch also controls a signal which may be either visible or audible for giving notice that` the system is drained. Mechanism in the form of a piston for operating the switch is arranged within the casing in position to be urged upwardly for closing the switch by the formation of ice within the fragile element.

Referring to the drawings, the drain cock is in the form of a fitting comprising a casing l, having a liquid passage 2 extending axially therethrough. and having an outlet 3 at its lower end which is normally closed by a replaceable fragile cup-shaped element t. Mounted on the casing, is an electric heater 5 arranged adjacent the liquid passage 2, and being controlled by a switch (i, which is automatically operated by an improved form of mechanism T, arranged within the casing. The switch G also controls a signal 8.

In the form shown, the casing i comprises a body part 9, and an enlarged base part lO provided with a depending peripheral flange. ll, which is interiorly threaded to receive a retaining ring 12, for detachv ably securing the fragile element 4 to the casing. The upper end of the casing is formed to provide a threaded nipple i3 for attachment to the drain pipe, not shown, of theautomobile. radiator or other water circulating system. Mounted within the threaded nipple 13 is a short perforated tube 14., which is arranged to project upwardly into the reservoir of the radiator,

not shown, so that in the event that a thin layerrof ice forms on the bottom of the reservoir, the liquid above the ice will drain through the tube 14. The tube 14 also serves to conduct the heat from the heater 5 to the reservoir for melting any ice which may have formed on the bottom of the reservoir.

The heater 5, which is arranged for automatic operation upon the opening of the cock to prevent the accumulation of ice within the liquid passage 2, is in the form of an electric unit, including an insulating block 15, on which is mounted aresistance element 16 arranged within a groove 17 Y formed in the upper face of the body part 9, and surrounding the nipple 18. Formed in the body part 9 and extending inwardly from the groove 17 is a recess forming a heating` chamber 18, surrounding the central liquid passage 2.

Mounted within the heating chamber 18 is a thermostatic element 19, which is arranged in the electric circuit for cutting off the heater 5 when the heating chamber 18 reaches a predetermined temperature. One

end ofthe thermostat 19 is rigidly connected Y to a bindingpost 20, and its other end is arranged to coact with another binding post 21. Pivotally mounted on the body part 9 and extending into the Vheating chamber 18 is a detent 22, which is arranged to move byV Y gravity into position for holding the thermostatic element 19 retracted when the f latter has moved away from the bindingY post 21.

The outer end of the detent projects through the body part 9 to form a handle 28, whereby the detent may be manually lifted to permit the thermostatic element to again contact with the binding post 21.

Y Manual control of the liquid passage 2 is provided by means of a plug valve 24, which is seated in a tapered opening 25, extending transversely'through the body part 9. rlhe valve 24 is normally left open so as to permit communication between the liquid passage and the fragile element 4. at one end of the valve 24 is a suitable handle 26,.whereby the plug valve may be manually turned to bring the central orice Y the valve 24, and is arranged to be shifted into and out of engagement with a terminal block 8O mounted on an insulating disk 81.

' The switch bla-de 28 includes an arm 32 pivotally'connected to the operating mechamsm for closing. the switch when said Vmechanism is actuated by the pressure of ice Mounted formed within the fragile element 4. Mounted on the valve 24 is a pin 83, adapted to coact with a pin 34 mounted on the blade 28, for movingthe latter to its normal open position when the plug is manually closed after the system has been drained.

The cup-shaped fragile element 4 ts within the base'part 10, so as to normally close the outlet 3 o-f the casing, and is provided at its upper end with an annular flange 35, which is clamped to the base part by the retaining ring 12. The cup-shaped element 4A forms a receptacle for receiving water from the liquid passage 2, and is preferably made of glass so as to be readily broken by the formation of ice within the ing of the system. Arranged within the upper part ofthe fragile cup 4 is a bushing in the form of a nieta-l sleeve-36, having an annular flange 87, which is clamped between i the flange and a gasket 38. Y

The switch operating mechanism 7 is in the form of a spring actuated plunger comprising a hollow stem 39, on which is loosely mounted an vaxially shifta-ble piston 40, whichis movable between shoulders 41 and 42 on Vthe stem 89. The upper end of the stem 8971's loosely supported in the lower end of the liquid passage 2 and its lower end bears against the base of the fragile element 4. Communication between the liquid passage 2 and fragile receptacle 4 is provided through an orifice 48 formed in the hollow 'stem 89 adjacent its lower end. The fragile element 4 coacts with the stem 89 to hold the plunger in a retracted position against the action of a helical spring 44 surrounding the'stem 89 and bearing between the base part 10 of the casing and the piston 40. Resting upon the piston 40 is a rod 45 which projects upwardly through a stuffing box Vmounted in the base part 10. rIhe upper end of the rod 45 is pivotally connected to the arm 32 of the switch blade 28, so that when the piston 40 is urged upwardly under pressure of ice formed within the fragile element 4, the rod 45 moves upwardly and actuates the blade 28 to close the switch. Y

In order to permit the free circulation of water through the cup-shaped receptacle 4. abrcather tube 4G extends into the fragile receptacle through the base part 1Y0. The upper end of the breather tube is connected tothe liquid circulating system 47, and its lower end extends downwardly through the piston 40 in sliding engagement therewith.

The signal, 8 may be of any desired form. When the drain coclr is used on an automobile'radiator,the signal is preferably in the form of Va small incandescent lamp, which may he mounted on the instrument board ofthe vehicle. inthe event vthat the device Vis'used in connection with the radiator of an automobile it may beelect-rically connected wit-h the electric starter ofthe vehicle in such mannerthat the starter is rendered inoperative upon the closing of the switch 6. Y

In operation, the plug valve 24 is normally left open so as to permit the water to circulate freely through thehollow stem 39 of the plunger and into the fragile element 4. Due to the exposure of the lower part of the cup-shaped receptacle 4, the water in said receptacle freezes before the temperature ofthe water in the system falls to the freezing point, With t-he result that the piston 40 and rod 45 are forced upwardly to close the switch 6. The closing of the switch 6 places the signal 8 and heater 5 in operation. When the piston 40t has moved upwardly to the limit of' its movement, further pressureof the ice below the piston 4t) breaks the fragile element 4f, which opens the pet-cock to drain the system. 'lhe thermostat 19 then operates to open the circuit controlling the heater when the heating chamber-18 reaches a predetermined temperature. If it is desired to replenish the system before replacing-the fragile element the plug valve 24 is closed.y In closing the plug valve 24; the pin33 coactswith the pin 34 to open the switch 6` and restore the rod i5 to normal position.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details ofv the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the followingclaims.

I claim:

l. A drain cock-'comprising aA casing providing a liquid passage, an electric heater located in position to heat said passage, a switch connected in. circuit with said heater and being normally open, and operating n'iechanism for said switch, said mechanism being located in said casing so as to be direitly actuated by the expansion of ice formed in said casing for closing said switch.

Q. A drain cock comprising a casing providing a liquid passage, an electric heat-er located in position to heat said passage, a switch connected in circuit with said heater and being normally open, operating mechanism for said switch, said mechanism being located in said casing so as to be directly actuated by the expansion of ice formed in said casing for closing said switch, and a thermostat mounted on said casing and connected in circuit with said heater and switch, said thermostat being movable into retracted posit-ion for breaking the circuit when said casing reaches a` predetermined temperature.

A drain cock comprising a casing providing a liquid passage and having. a heating chamber adjacent said passage, an electric heater locatedin said heating chamber, a switch connected in circuit with said heater and being normally open, operating mecha-nism for. saidV switch, said mechanism being located` in said; casing-so as to be directly actuated. by the expansion of rice formed' in said casing for .closing said switch, and a. thermostat located in` said heating chamber and connected in circuit with said heater andV switch, said thermostat being movable into retracted position for breaking the circuit when said chamber reaches a predetermined temperature.

4f. A drain cock comprising a casing providing a liquid passage, an electric heater located in position to heat said passage, a switch connected in circuit with said heater and being normally open, operating mechanism for said switch, said mechanism being located in said casing so as to be directly actuated 'by the expansion. of icc formedy in said casing for closing said switch, a thermostat mounted on said casing and conuected in circuit with said heater and switch, said thermostat beingr movable into retracted position for breaking the circuit when said casing reaches a predetermined temperature, and a detent mounted on said casing and adapted to hold said thermostat in said retracted position.

5. A drain cock comprising a casingv providing a liquid passage and having a. heating chamber adjacent said passage, an electric heater located in said heat-ing chamber, a switch connected in circuit with said heater and being normally open, operating mechanism for; said,r switch, said mechanism being located in said casing so as to be directly7 actuated by the expansion of ice formed in said casing for closing said switch, a thermostat located' in said heating chamber and connected in circuit with said heater and switch, saidr thermostat being movable into retracted position for breaking the circuitwhen said chamber reaches a predetermined temperature, and a detent pivotally mounted on said casing and adapted to hold said thermostat in said retracted position, one end of said detent projecting through said casing to form a handle whereby said detent may be manually shifted out of engagement with said thermostat.

6. A drain cock comprising a casing providing a liquid passage, a valve in said casing for controlling said passage, an electric heater located in position to heat said passage, a switch connected in circuit with said heater and being normally open, operating mechanism for said switch, said mechanism being located in said casing so as to be directly actuated by the expansion of ice formed in said casing for closing said switch, and means on said valve adapted ltl5 llt)

to coact With said switch fork opening'the latter- When said valve is manually shifted into position for closingisaid passage.

7. A drain rcock comprising a casing providing a liquid passa-ge, an electric heater located in position' to heat said passage, a switch connected in circuit. with said heater and being normally open, a spring pressed plunger arranged Within said casing and adapted to be retracted by the expansion of ice formed inv-said casing, and means operable by said plunger for closing said when said plunger is retracted.

8.V A drain cock comprising a casing providng a liquid passage, an electric heater located in position to heat said passage, a switch connected in circuit With said heater and being normally open, a spring pressed plunger arranged Within said casing and adapted to be retracted by the expansion of ice formed in said casing, and a rod slidably mounted in said casing and pivotally7 connected to said switch, said rodV coacting with said plunger so as to be actuated-'thereby for closing said switch when said plunger is retracted.

9. A drain cock comprising acasing having a liquid passage extending axially therethrough, a. valve extending t"a.nsversely through said casing for controlling said passage, an electric heater located iny position to heat said passage, a switch Vconnected in circuit with said heater and being normally open, said switch including a blade loosely mounted on one end ofsaidfvalve and insulated therefrom, ali/axially movable spring' pressed'plunger arranged Within said casing and adapted to be retracted by the expansion of ice formed in said casing, and a rod slidably mounted in said casing and having one end pivotally connected to said switch' blade, the other end of said rod coacting with said plunger so as to be actuswitch ated thereby for closing said switch when said plunger is retracted. Y,

10. In a liquid circulating system, a` drain cock having a fragile part arranged to form a liquid chamber, said fragile part being adapted to be broken by the Huid in said chamber when said fluid expands during freezing, said chamber having a. liquid inlet passage communicating with said system, and' a return conduit leading from said chamber tosaid system to permit a free circulation of liquid through said chamber.

ll. vA drain cock comprising a casing providing a liquid passage, a cup-shaped fragile element detachably secured to said casing to form a liquid chamber Vcoacting with said passage, said fragile element being adapted to be broken bythe expansion of ice formed in said chamber for opening said passage, an electric heater located in position to heat said passage, a switch connected in circuit.

with said heater and being normally open, a spring pressed plunger located Yin said chamber and arranged to be retracted by the expansion of ice formed in said chamber, and means operable bysaid plunger for closing said switch when said plunger is retracted. Y

12. A drain cock comprising a casing providing a liquid passage, a cup-shaped Yfragile element detachably secured to said' casing to form a liquid chamber coacting with said passage, said 'fragile element being adapted to be broken by the expansion of ice formed in said chamber for opening saidpassage', a threaded nipple on `said casing at one end of saidpassage, and a perforated tube in said passage projecting beyond the outer end of said nipple. .y l

Signed at Chicago this 20th day of December, 1922.

JOHN F. KELLEY.

Images