US1550882A

US1550882A - Method of and machine for homogenizing liquids

Info

Publication number: US1550882A
Application number: US652425A
Authority: US
Inventors: John M Colony
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1923-07-18
Filing date: 1923-07-18
Publication date: 1925-08-25
Anticipated expiration: 1942-08-25

Description

J. M. COLONY METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR HOMOGENIZING LIQUIDS Filed July 18, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORLI r'rdRA/EY Aug. 25, 1925. 1,550,882

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J. M. COLONY METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR HOMOGENIZING LIQUIDS Filed July 18, 192:: 2 Sheath-Shut 2 o s, w

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IQ. (U I r "I/g E1 ATTORNEY IWIII- a.

l atented Aug. 25, 1925.

UNITED STATES trait:

JOHN M. COLONY, OF NEWTON CENTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR HOMOGENIZING LIQUIDS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN M. COLONY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newton Center, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in a Method of and Machine for Homogenizing Liquids, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specificalo tion like characters on the drawings repre senting like parts.

This invention relates to a method of and a machine for homogenizing liquids.

One of the objects of the invention is to successively and repeatedly homogenize while subjected to an original pressure, whereby the liquid is forced successively through homogenizing treatments.

In accordance with the method of the present invention the liquid to be homo enized is subjected to an original pressure by any suitable means, and while under the original pressure is homogenized succes sively, that is the liquid is first hOIllOgGIliZBri and then while still subjected to the origina pressure is further homogenized whereby thg liquid is finally brought into the desire viscosed condition. In carrying out the method of the present invention various types of mechanism may be employed, but a novel and effective apparatus for carrying out the method has been devised so that by the operation of the one concrete mechanism the successive homogenizing treatments of the liquid is secured and the final product given 1ts desired viscosity.

The various features and novel characteristics of the invention will best be made clear from the followingdescription and accompanying drawings of one good practical form of the mechanism containing novel features for carrying the invention into effect.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a. machine containing the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the machine represented in Fig. 1, showing more particularly the liquid pressure means and the valve controlling devices.

Fi 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view on the line 4-4, Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

In accordance with the present invention Application filed July 18, 1923. Serial No. 652,425.

the liquid to be homogenized is subjected to an original or initial pressure, and while still under the influence of such pressure it is successively and repeatedly homogenized. 1n the machine which constitutes an important feature of the present invention, the liquid to be homo enized is subjected to an original pressure by means of a pum constructed and arranged to draw the liqui from a source of supply and force it through the successive homogenizing devices or valves, but so far as the broader aspects of the invention are concerned, the original or initial pressure may be exerted upon the liquid by any suitable means, although the machine of the present invention is especially well fitted and organized to carry out the method through the novel means contained in the mechanism.

The operating parts of the machine are shown as supported upon a suitable stand or frame-work 10 upon which is mounted a pump 11 preferably havin three plunger pistons 12 which extend through suitable stufling-boxes 13 into the chambers 14. The pistons or plungers 12 are each secured to a cross-head 15 which slide in the guides 16 and are operated by the connecting rods 17 through the eccentrics 18 mounted on a transverse shaft 19. The shaft 19 may be operated from an suitable source and is shown as provided with a toothed-wheel or gear 20 which meshes with a pinion 21 mounted on shaft 22 journalled on the machine frame. The shaft 22, as shown has secured thereto the band pulley 23 which is driven by an electric motor 24; conveniently supported upon a stand 25. The motor shaft 26 is provided with a small band pulley 27 and about the pulleys 27 and 23 the driving band 28 passes, the construction being such that upon rotation of the shaft 26, either through the motor or other operating means, the pump shaft 19 will be rotated to cause actuation of the pump.

The liquid to be homogenized may be delivered to the pump from a suitable source of supply through the

conduits

29 and 30, the latter of whlch extends transversely to and may be conveniently formed as part of the casing 31.

Connecting the conduit 30 with each of the chambers 14 of the pump plungers or pistons, is a port or opening 30 in which is seated a valve 32 opening upwardly, the construction being such that on each retreating movement of the pump plungers or pistons, the valves 32 will be lifted and liquid drawn from the source of supply into the chambers 14.

Communicating with each of the chambers 14 is an upwardly extending conduit or chamber 33 in each of which is mounted a valve 34 which opens upwardly under the pressure upon the liquid exerted by the ump. The chambers 33, as indicated in ig. 3, communicate above the valves 34 through the conduits or openings 35 which are shown as formed in the machine casing by a drillhole extending entirely through the casing and closed at its outer ends by the closing blocks 36. The liquid to be! homogenized is directed from the conduit or chambers 33 to a single conduit or opening 37, and from this point the liquid is delivered to the first of the homogenizing valves.

The pumping mechanism and its various details of construction as described constitutes a good form of means for delivering the liquid from a. source of supply and delivering it under pressure to the homogenizing valves, the latter of which and their relation and connection, constitute an important feature of the present invention.

In the form of the invention shown a metal casing 38 is provided with a flange 39 which is secured to the face of the casing 31 over the conduit or port 37 by bolts 40, so that the opening in the casing 38 may communicate with the conduit or port 37 when the valve, to be described, is opened by liquid pressure.

The homogenizing valves may be variously contrived, the essentials being that liquid forced through one of the valves and homogenized thereby shall be further delivered to one or more other homogenizing valves for successively subjecting the liquidto homogenizing treatments while under the original pressure.

In the form of the homogenizing valve shown as directly communicating with the port or conduit 37, a valve seat 41 is mounted in a pocket formed partly in the casing 31 and partly in the casing 38, and has a seat against which normally I'uSlIS the valve 42 mounted for bodily movement towards and from its seat. The valve 42 is shown as formed cylindrical and preferably has extending therefrom a central guide member 43 provided with radial flanges which fit the opening in the seat 41, the construction being such that the guide member 43 directs the valve 42 in its opening and closing movements. In order that the seat 41 may be liquid tight between the

casing

31 and 38 suitable gaskets or washers 44 are provided between the lateral flanges of the valve seat and the adjoining surfaces of the

casing

31 and 38, as more clearly indicated in Fig, 4.

Extending through the casing 38 is a valve seating plunger or member 45 capable of longitudinal movement in the casing and stufiing-box 46.

The rod or plunger 45 normally bears upon the valve 42 and by movement longitudinally the rod 45 may control the opening of the valve. The controlling means for the rod or plunger 45 may be variously formed and adjusted to regulate the valve opening, but in the present instance of the invention as shown the rod or plunger 45 is normally urged in the direction of the valve 42 by a heavy spring 47, one end of which bears upon a collar 45 secured to the rod 45 outside the casing, and the other end of which bears upon a ball thrust bearing 48 which is mounted upon an adjusting screw 49 threaded in an opening in the yoke 50, and provided with a hand wheel 51, whereby the tension of the spring 47 may be adjusted to exert more or less pressure upon the valve 42. A light spring 52 is interposed between the collar 45 and the stufiing-box or casing 38, so that when the tension of the heavy spring 47 is removed the rod or plunger 45 will be moved longitudinally in a direction away from the valve seat. The construction and arrangement of parts is such that the screw 49 may be adj usted to hold the valve 42 yieldingly against its seat, in the present instance, with any desired degree of pressure, and consequently homogenizing action of the valve 42 may be regulated at will.

Communicating with the valve chamber of the first homogenizing valve 42 is a conduit or chamber 57 which may be conveniently formed in a casing 58 extending from the casing 38, as indicated in Fig. 4, and communicating with the conduit or chamber 57 is an opening or port 59 for delivering the liquid homogenized by the valve 42 to a second homogenizing valve, whereby the liquid homogenized by the first valve and while still under the influence of the initial pressure may be further homogenized and given its desired viscosity.

The second homogenizing valve, to which reference has been made, may, if desired, be of substantially the same construction as the homogenizing valve already described, and in the present instance the second homogenizing valve comprises a valve seat 54 and a valve having ground contacting surfaces which are normally held in contact by the rod or plunger 53 having a collar between which and the ball thrust bearing ing opening of each valve may be regulated and adjusted at will. While it is preferable to employ a valve which is yieldingly held to its seat as described, the invention is not necessarily restricted in this respect because in the broad conception of the in- *vention it is suflicient if the homogenizing valves are constructed and arranged for adjustment to regulate the opening for the passage of the liquid and shall act successively to homogenize th liquid under the original pressure.

The invention as herein shown comprises two homogenizing valves, related as described for repeatedly and successively acting upon the liquid while subject to the original pressure, but any desired number of such valves may be employed within the scope of the present invention.

From the construction described as one good practical form of machine for carrying out the method of the present invention it will be apparent that the liquid to be homogenized is subjected to an initial or original pressure, and while under the action of such pressure the liquid is first homogenized by one valve and then without release of the original pressure the already homogenized liquid is subjected to the homogenizing action of a second valve whereby the desired viscosity or character of the final product may be secured.

Where two homogenizing valves are employed as shown, the final product may be delivered from the second homogenizing valve through a conduit or discharge 60.

In order that the adjustment of the homogenizing valves may be regulated in accordance with the initial or original pressure it is desirable that the original or initial 7 pressure be known, and also that the presand then repeated sure on the liquid homogenized by the first valve may be readily ascertained for regulating the pressure of the second valve. To this end the chamber or conduits 33 into which the liquid is discharged under pressure by the pump, is provided with a registering gauge 61, and similarly the casing or extension 58 leading to the second valve is provided with a gauge 62, so that by inspection of the liquid pressure registered by each gauge, the machine attendant may readily adjust the two homogenizing valves.

Vhat is claimed is:

y iomogenizing the liquid under the action of the initial pressure but with independently 0perated means.

2. The method of homogenizing liquids which consists in subjecting the liquid to an initial pressure, forcing it through a homogenizing member by the action of the original pressure, maintaining the homogenized liquid under pressure and while so maintamed forcing the liquid through another and independent homogenizing member by the same pressure exerting means.

' 3. The method of homogenizing liquids which consists in subjecting the li uid to an initial pressure and then repeated y homogenizing the liquid under the action of the initial pressure against a yielding back pressure, the yielding back pressure in the several homogenizations being independently controlled.

4. In a machine for homogenizing liquids, the combination of means for exerting pressure upon the liquid, and two independent homogenizing valves, through which the liquid is successively forced by the pressure exerting means.

5. In a machine for repeatedly homogenizing a liquid, the combinationof means for exerting pressure upon the liquid, two independent homogenizing valves, means for adjusting each valve independent of the other, and a connection between the valves for delivering liquid homogenized by one valve for the homogenizing action of the other valve.

6. In a machine for homogenizing liquids, the combination of means for exerting pressure upon the liquid, and two independently yielding homogenizing valves through which the liquid is successively forced by the pressure exerting means.

7. In a machine for homogenizing liquids, means for exerting pressure upon the liquid, two independent homogenizing valves through which the liquid is forced by the pressure exerting means, and a conduit between the valves for delivering the liquid homogenized by one valve to the other valve under the action of the pressure exerting means.

8. 'In a machine for repeatedly homo enizing liquids, the combination of means %or exerting pressure upon the liquid, a homogenizing valve, means for yieldingly adjusting the valve to vary the homogenizing action thereof, a. conduit to receive the liquid homogenized by said valve, a second homogenizing valve connecting with said conduit and means for adjusting the homogenizing action of the second valve independent of the first valve.

9. In a machine for homogenizing liquids, the combination of means for exerting pressure upon the liquid, two independent homogenizing valves through which the liquid is successively forced by the pressure exerting means, and means for indicating the pressure of the liquid delivered to each valve.

10. In a machine for homogenizing liquids, a homogenizing valve, a second homogenizing valve, means for independently adjusting the valves, a communication between said valves for receiving the liquid homogenized by the first valve, and means for delivering the liquid under sufficient pressure to force it successively through both valves.

11. In a machine for homogenizing liquids, a yielding homogenizing valve, a second yielding homogenizing valve, means for varying the yielding pressure of each valve, a communication between said valves, and means for delivering the liquid'to the first valve under sufiicient pressure to force it successively through both valves.

12. In a machine for homogenizing liquids by repeated action thereon, the combination of a pressure chamber, a second pressure chamber, a homogenizing valve between the two chambers, an independent homogenizing valve communicating with the second chamber, and means for exerting pressure on the liquid to force it through both chambers and the two independent homogenizing valves.

13. In a machine for homogenizing liquids, a pressure chamber, a second pressure chamber, a yielding homogenizing valve between said chambers, means for forcing the liquid into the first chamber to force it through the valve into the second chamber, a second yielding homogenizing valve leading from the second chamber and through which the liquid is forced by the pressure within the second chamber, means for varying the yielding pressure of each valve, and pressure indicators for indicating the pressure within said chambers.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

JOHN M. COLONY,