US1610774A - Suction-producing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 14 .1926. 1,610,774

C. H. HANSON SUCTION PRODUCING APPARATUS Filed NOV. 28. 1924 Patented 13st. 14, 19225.

UNITED STAT EST;

1,610,774 P tE-NT F CE,

CLINTON H. HANSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 'IO MGTGR PLiYY ERCOR-PGRh- TION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COBYQRATION OF ILLINOIS,

SUCTIONJRODUCING APPARATUS.

Application filed November 231924. Serial No. 752,656.

This invention relates .to suction produc: ing. apparatus.

The general object of my invention is to produce a suction producing device which is especially adapted for use in connection with automatic. or. player pianos. to create the necessary vacuum for actuating the hammers, expression devices and other pneuinatically operated instrumentalities, commonly. employed with player pianos.

Another object of my invention is to, provide a. device, of the character, indicated which will operatenoiselesslyso as topic vent any. interference withthe proper rendition of the music.

Another object of. my inventionis to. provide an apparatus of the char acter indicated which is particularly adapted, because of its compactness and extremely shallow height, for installation in player pianos of the socalled grandtyp e where very little space is available for devices of this character and, more particularly, such a device which has a container conforming to the esthetic requirements of the manufacturers andusers.

A. specific object of my invention is, to provide, in an apparatus of the character in dicated, especially efficient means for mountingthe suction unit proper within the container. therefor in such manner that all mechanical vibrations and consequent noises that would otherwise arise therefrom, are completely dampened or dissipated entirely within the container and without being transmitted in any wise to the container proper, thereby preventing any sounds arising from, or being set up by, the container which would militate against the desired musical effect of the player piano.

Another specific ob ect.of my invention is to provide an arrangement within the con,- tainer such that the intake conduit for the air being exhausted from the piano pneu matics can accommodate itselfby flexing to all possible vibratory moveinentsof the suction unit so that no mechanical vibrations and consequent sounds that would be gen? erated thereby, can be transmitted through saidconduit to the eXteriorof thecontainer, or to the container itself.

Still another object ofthe invention is to provide novel sound-insulating means, for the container, including an arrangement whereby the fluid drawn through the suction unit, enters the same at onepoint, is dis charged at another point, and thence travels in atortuous path through the container before emergence therefrom, sounchdamping or insulating means being provided throughout such passages for deadening or absorbing the sound waves, thereby offering an increased area of soundinsulated surfaces over which the sound waves mustltravel before their exit from the container.

Other and further objects of myinvention will more fully and clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter, follow- In the drawing, Figure 1 illustrates a top plan View of the invention with the cover of the container removedto clearly illustrate the disposition of the variouslparts of the suction unit. Figure 2 is a longitudinal, vertical, part sectional View on the line 2 2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a transverse, sectional view of the invention on the line 3 3 of Figure 2, and Figure tis an enlarged, detail view of a cushioningniember used in connection with the invention.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a sound-proof container, B the suction, unit comprising the usual motor and fan, and C the flexible suction conduit connected to the suction unit and extending exteriorly of the container. i V

The container A preferably includesa box-like receptacle Which is preferably of Wood, although the same may be of any other suitable material. Such receptacle preferably comprises a bottom wall. 5, side walls 6, and end walls 7 and 8.. The top innor edges of the end walls 7 and S are preferably providedwith spaced recesses Sand 10, each of which is shaped and arranged to snugly accommodate a cushioning member llof the type illustratedinFigure 4. Each of the cushioning members 11 is preferably in the form of .a rubber pad provided with a recess. 12 extending front the'top to a point adjacent the bottom, the bottom of suchrecess being preferablyv rounded as indicated at 18, and therecess isfof such depth as to leave a rear walll-i of substantial thick ness.

The means for supporting the suction unit B in the receptacle preferably comprises metal rods 15, the opposite ends of eachof which fit snugly into the recesses 12 of 'the cushioning members 11,th'e cushioning me1nhere turn, of course, restingnpon the wane Jun ill

. provided by the recesses 9 and 10. Each rod is preferably provided at spaced points with grooves 16, each of which is arranged to receive a looped portion of one end of a coil spring 17. The opposite ends of the springs 17 are secured to ears 18 formed on the suction unit, and it will be noted that the springs resiliently suspend the suction. unit B from the rods 15, so that vibration of the apparatus incident to its operation is absorbed by such springs It should also be observed that the supporting rods are themselves supported on the cushions 11, permitting slight cushioned lateral and longitudinal movement of the rods 15 should any occur, so as to still further absorb all mechanical vibrations set up by the operation of the suction unit.

The suction unit B comprises any suitable, high speed motor 19, the outlines only of which are indicated in the drawings. such motor having electric wires 19 connected therewith and extending outwardly beneath a removable block 20, disposed in a suitable recess in the end wall 7 of the receptacle, such block being adjustably pressed against said wires by means of a screw 21 as shown. Connected to such motor is a hollow inlet or vacuum chamber member 20, secured at one end thereof by suitable fastening means, such as bolts 21, the chamber member 20 being provided with a reduced portion 22 having a nipple 23 formed thereon. A sectional housing 24 is secured to the other end of the motor 19 by any suitable means, such housing being provided with spring controlled flap valves 25 to provide openings for the fluid drawn through the motor, and such housing encloses a multi-stage fan, the motor of which is indicated conventionally at 26, connect-ed to the armature shaft 27 of the motor.

The suction conduit C is of flexible mate rial comprising a portion 28 extending substantially parallel to the suction unit, and a curved portion 29 connected to the nipple 23 on the vacuum chamber member 20. as clearly shown in Figure 1 of the drawing. The portion 28 of the conduit C is connected to a. short length of pipe 30 which is secured in the end wall 7 of the receptacle. such pipe 30 being fitted snugly in such end wall and held in position by a suitable bracket 31. The exterior portion 32 of such pipe is connected to a conduit which extends to the musical instrument, not shown, in a well-known manner. It should be noted that by reason of the disposition of the conduit 0, lateral movements or vibrations of the suction unit in all directions are permitted by lateral flexing of the portion 28 of the conduit. and lateral flexing of the curved portion 29 of such conduit, whereas longitudinal vibrations of the suction unit in all directions are also permitted by similar flexing of the condnit. In other words, the universal move ment or vibration of the suction unit is pernitted by the universal flexible movement of the suction conduit C without injury to tlhe conduit, or the communication of the vibra tions of the suction unit to the container.

While I have shown the conduit C as composed of a single section of flexible mate rial, nevertheless it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the same eflicient results can be obtained with other constructions, the important feature residing in the fact that there are at least two portions of the conduit, considered as an entirety, which extend at angles to each other and therefore permit of flexibility both vertically and horizontally, or a combination thereof without the possibility of transmitting mechanical vibrations and accompanying noises through such conduit to the container or exteriorly thereof.

The lateral swinging of the suction unit is limited by the adjacent side wall 6, and by upstanding posts 38 which are preferably disposed between the suction unit and the flexible conduit C as shown in Figure 8, each of such posts having a base portion 34 resting on top of the bottom layer of felt 37 and secured to the bottom wall 5 of the container A by screws 35 or other suitable fastening means. Each of the posts33 is covered with a thick layer 36 of sound-insulating material for the purpose of preventing noise due to striking of the suction unit against the posts during operation of the suction unit, or when the suction apparatus is being handled.

The bottom wall 5 of the receptacle is provided with a relatively thick layer of soundinsulating material 37, preferably felt, and the side walls 6. and the end wall 7. are provided with similar layers 39. of sound-insulating material, the layers 38 of the material. extending upwardly to points closely adjacent to the edges of the side walls 6 and end wall I as indicated at 33 The end wall 8 of the receptacle has secured adjacent its upper edge, preferably at a height slightly above the bottom walls of the recesses 10 in the wall 8 of. the casing. a supporting \X'Qlfi 10 extending inwardly from the wa l 8 in a horizontal direction for a suitable distance. and formed on the inner end of such web is: a downwardly projectirn ballle .llll or partition 41 which extends transversely across the container A, and has its lower end spaced a relatively small distance from the layer 37 of the insulating material on the bottom wall 5 of the container. Such web 4.0 and parti tion 4-1 are covered on all sides with soundinsulating material, preferably felt. A sep arate, oppositely disposed, upstanding battle wall or partition 43 is disposed between the end wall 8 and the baflle wall 11, and has its lower end tightly fitting against the layer 36 inn otiinsiilating material on the bottom Wall ot' the container, and its upper end-4A spaced a relatively short distance fronrthe under surface of the \vebf lO, thepartltion 43 e':& tending transversely across the container and having its end portions curved inwardly as shown at 45 and secured to the endwall 8 of the-receptacle. "The palrtition 43-is'also entirely covered with sound-insulating material, pre feably 'i elt. The end Wall'S is provided \vith'a plurality of openings 46,

-.-and on the inner surface of such end Wall is disposed alayer o't' sound-insulating material 47 which substantially entirely covers said all exceptovertheopenings d6. On theouter SIClG'Of the wall 8 is provided a resilient plate48 secured'itothe Wall 8 by a suitablescreiv-el), there beingra spacing mem- "her 50 interposed between the plate 458 and the outer-surface of the Wall28, as clearly "the Walls of'the container, and of-a thickness as to bear snugly against the top edges of 'the-layers'SS o'l' insulating materral onthe sidewalls 5,-'end Wall? and Web lOWhen the cover is secured'in positiomthereby pressing against the upper surfaces of supporting rods '15, and clampin'g the electriewires 19 between the layer 54': ofinsulating material on the cover 52 andth'e no ie'r ed' 'es o'f-the insulating material 38 upon the end 'Wall 7, the block 20 servingalso-to press-the wires against the upper edges of "the insulating uaterial 3S.

hen the suetion'unit' is operated the fans QG-are rapidly rotatedby the motor. causing a suction in the unit, and due to the operationotthe motora-nd fan, considerable vibration 1S normally setup, which vibration is absorbed by the supporting coil springs 17, by the-combined swinging and yielding properties-or said springs, sothatsuch v1- brations otthe suction unit are nottransmi'tted to thesupportingrods 15., and evenif such vibrations reach the supporting rods, 1t 'Wlll be appreciated that they are greatlylessened in power, and any vibration set up in the rods 15 is absorbed by the rods themselves which are flexible and the'cushioning members 11 in which the rods are mounted. It is thus apparent'that all of the mechanical vibrations clue to the -'operation of the sucsorbed' Within the container.

tion 'unit'are 'eliectually dampened 01' absorhedso that none of the same reach the walls ofthe container A "and hence no 'syn'n pathetic vibrations are setupin such eontainer.

The soundWVavessetup by operation of "the'suction unit areabsorbed on 'all sides by the thick layers of sounil-lnsnlating materlal,

and the fluid exhausted from thesuction unit "Which probably conducts a large ppr- "non of the sound Waves, is'enhausteil' at the closed end of the container-andthence travels'ito'wajrd the other end "otthe'container,

bcingdetle'ctetl by the partition ll'and comp elie'd to travel heneath such partition,

the'n'ce upwardly between the partitions ll and l3fand 'down'w'vardlybetween thepartitron 43andtl'1e'layer l! of insulatmginaterial onthe end-Wall 8. The air then passes out through theseries of openings [4:61, Where it is again interceptedor fretardedby the soundfabsorbing' pads 51 Which are, yieldinglyhld overthe op'enings-bytlre 15late4t8. Fromthe preceding description, it \villbe seen that,'by dischargingthe air atthe 'le i't hand end'o'f'thesuction unit asviewed in "Figure 1, and then requiring that air to finally passout at the-opposite end ort'the container. I -provide themaximuin possible area! of sound-absorbing surfaces for that alr to 'come'in" contact Within its travel s'othat the noise is,-as has been demonstrated inactual practice, completely eliminated r ab- Stat'ed in another manner, the entire interior"surface-area of the container is provided with sound-ab "s'orbi'ng material so that the sounds "carried by the 21 11 are "most eifeenvely dampened or "absorbed and this, in combination with the mounting of "the'su'ction unit seats to F prevent transmission of an mechanical Wihr ati'ons to the container, provides a more l ierfectly noiseless apparatus for the purpose indicated, than any heretofore Another um'port-an't feature of my 1111- *provements resides in the particular method of suspending the suction unit within the container. Upon removing the cover of th e "COIltfllllBI, it is evident that the entire suctionunit can be bodily lifted out' by grasping the rods 15, after-the conduitC hasbeen tlisconnected from the nipple 2B, the Wire retaining block 2O removed. This is of greatimportance both in assembling the parts and in ta'cilitati'np; the oiling or inspection of the apparatus after it is in service and it will be noted that "no part is destroyed insuch removal of the unit, and the parts may be re-placed Without the aid of any tools or-p-artic'u'lar experience *on the partof-the user. Further. when the suction unit is removed from the container, by simply disconnecting the suspension springs 17 from the rods 15, the suction nnit "can be handled with the greatestfacility either for iill ticularly advantageous for use in grand pianos where the space available for apparatus of this kind is very definitely limited. Furthermore, as will be evident from an inspection of the drawings, while the suction unit may move in any direction either vertically, laterally or longitudinally, nevertheless there are provided cushioned surfaces against which the suction unit will come in contact with, regardless of the position in which the apparatus may be placed in shipment or in handling, thereby preventing any injury to the parts while at the same time confining such possible movement to relatively small, predetermined limits.

While I have herein shown and described what I now consider the preferred manner of carrying out my invention, the same is merely illustrative, and I contemplate all changes and modifications that come within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

I claim:

1. In a suction apparatus of the character described, the combination with a container, of a suction producing unit disposed within said container, a flexible tube for conducting air from the exterior of the container to the interior of said unit, flexible vibration insulating means for suspending said unit within the container, the air after being acted upon by said unit being delivered therefrom under pressure into the space surrounding said unit and tube.

2. In a suction apparatus of the character described, th combination with a container embodying a box-like member open at the top, said container having spaced recesses opening upwardly adjacent the upper end thereof, supports mounted in said recesses, a suction producing unit carried by said supports, and a cover providing a closure for said container.

3. In a suction apparatus of the class described, the combination with a container; of a suction producing unit therein; means carried by said container and arranged to support said unit for universal vibratory movement;'and a suction conduit extending through the container and connected to said unit and flexibly partaking of the movements thereof.

4. In a suction apparatus of the class described, the combination with a container; of a suction producing unit; means carried by said container and arranged to support said unit for vibratory movements; and a flexible conduit connected to said suction unit, said conduit being provided with a bend within said container to permit flexing of said conduit in consonance with the movement of said suction unit.

5. In a suction apparatus of the class described, the combination with a container; of a suction producing unit disposed in said container; of means arranged to support said unit for vibratory movements; and a flexible conduit-within said container and having a portion curved about a portion of said suction producing unit.

6. In a suction apparatus of the class clescribed, the combination with a container comprising a receptacle having its walls provided with layers of sound-insulating material; cushioning members supported by the walls of said receptacle; supporting elements mounted in said cushioning members in such manner that the unit may be moved universally witl reference to the elements; a suction producing unit carried by said elements, said unit including a motor; electric wires connected to said motor and extending exteriorly of said receptacle; and a cover for said receptacle having a layer of sound-insulating material secured thereto and arranged to fit within the walls of said receptacle and bear against said electric wires.

7. In a suction apparatus of the class described, the combination with a sound-insulated container; of a receptacle having its walls provided with layers of sound-insulating material; cushioning members supported by the walls of said receptacle; supporting elements mounted in said cushioning members; a suction producing unit disposed in said receptacle; yieldable means mounted on said supporting elements and arranged to permit universal movement of said suction producing unit with reference to the container and prevent transference of any vibrations to the container; and a cover for said receptacle having a layer of sound-in sulating material secured thereto and arranged to fit. within the walls of said receptacle.

8. In a suction apparatus, the combination. with a sound-insulated container having openings at one portion thereof; of a suction producing unit disposed in said container; a plurality of yieldable means swingably supported in said container and arranged to carry said suction unit; a flex-- ible conduit providing communication be tween the exterior of the container and the interior of the unit, and baflle walls arranged adjacent said openings.

9. In a suction apparatus of the class described, the combination with a sound-insulated container having openings at one por tion thereof; of a suction producing unit disposed in said containergswi-ngably mounted, :yieldab-le.ineanssupported by said con-- tainer and arranged to carry said suction unit; a flexible conuuit communicating with the exterior. of said container. andhaving a portion withinsaid container provided with a bend; and sound-insulated batll'e'walls arranged adjacent the openings in said container.

10. In a suction apparatus of the character described, the combination with a container comprising a receptacle having its walls provided with layers of sound-insulating material, said receptacle having a portion provided with openings cushioning members supported by the walls of said receptacle; supporting elements mounted in said cushioning members; a suction producing unit disposed in. said receptacle; yieldable means swingably connected to said support and ca 'rying the said suction unit; an in wardly disposed extension upon said receptacle having a depending projection providing sound-insulated battle wall; an oppositely disposed bafile wall spaced from said first wall and the wall of said container adjacent said openings; and a cover for said receptaclehaving a layer of sound-insulating material secured thereto, and arranged to it within the walls of said receptacle.

ll In a. suction apparatus of the class described, the combination with a container comprising a receptacle having its walls provided with layers of sound-insulating material, said receptacle having a portion provided with openings; cushioning meinbers supported by the walls of said receptacle; supporting elements mounted on said cushioning members; a suction producing unit disposed in said receptacle; yieldable means sivingably connected to said supporting elements and carrying said suction unit; sound-insulated baflle means disposed adjacent said openings; and a cover for said receptacle having sound-insulating material secured thereto arranged to fit within the walls or said receptacle.

12. In a suction producing apparatus of the class described, the combination with a container, of a suction producing unit disposed in said container and yielding means sivingably supported by the container and arranged to carry the suction unit, rigidly supported pads of resilient material normally slightly spaced from the suction unit and allowing limited movement of the suction unit in any direction.

13. In a suction producing apparatus, the combination with a container, a suction producing unit therein, means carried by the container and arranged to support said unit for a universal vibratory movement, resilient pads arranged within the container and rigidly carried closely adjacent to the unit and normally spaced therefrom and acting to limit the swinging movement within the container.

14; In asuction apparatus with a conunit mounted therein, a resilient means for supportin g a suction producingunit normal ly out of contact with said walls, and means tainerhaving rigid walls, a suction producing includingpadson the walls for limiting swingingimovement of the container in any direction during handling .or transporting of the container with the unit therein.

15. In a suction apparatus of the class deembed, the combination ot a boxlilre' container having top, bottom, side and end walls, a suction producing unit fth'erein; means carried by the container and arranged to support said unit for universal"vibratory movement, the top, bottom and end Walls being spaced slightly away from-the unit when so supported,-a flexib lesuction con duit connected to the unit, and leading to one of the walls and rigid stop meinbe'rs'having resilient means thereonserving to limit lat eral swinging movement, said stoprmemhers being positioned between and awaytainer whereby air flowing from the unit is reversed with respect to the general direction 0t flow through the unit and moves over substantially the entire outer surface of said unit, and a flexible air inlet conduit extending through one of the walls of the container and connected to the unit.

17. In combination, a container, a suction producing unit therein, said unit having an air inlet in one end and an air outlet in the other end, means for so positioning the unit within the container that a passageway is provided for air to flow from the unit and in a reverse direction to the general direction of air flow through the unit, whereby the air exhausted from the unit is caused to move along the outer surface of the unit, said container having an opening through whichair flowing from the unit may be discharged, and a flexible tubular air conduit extending through the container and operanow from the conduit and unit when the appatively connected to the inlet end of said unit.

19. In a suction apparatus of the character described, the combination with a container embodying a box-like member open at the top and having a plurality of spaced recesses opening upwardly adjacent the upper portion thereof, spaced rods resting in said recesses, a suction producing unit within the container, yieldable means connecting the unit with the rods in such manner that the unit is held in spaced relationship to the walls of the container, and a cover for the container, said cover having a layer of noninsulating material on the inner side thereof engaging the rods for holding them in adjusted relationship to the container.

20. In a suction producing apparatus of the character cescribed, the combination with a container comprising a box-like section open on one side thereof and a closure therefor; a device insertable and removable through the open side of said section and supported by the latter when in place; a suction producing unit adapted to be like wise inserted and removed through said open side of the container; and means for suspending said unit from said device whereby said device, means and unit may be simultaneously inserted within and removed from the said box-like section when the cover is removed.

21. In a suction producing apparatus of the character described, the combination with an elongated container having an air direction on the interior thereof, and in the opposite direction lengthwise thereof on the exterior, thereby absorbing the maximum amount of heat from the interior and exterior of said unit in its passage into and out of the container.

In asu'ction producing apparatus the combination w'th a container of a suction producing unit therein having motor and fan elements, there being an air inlet conduit eading from the exterior of the container to the interior of the unit, and the direction of air liow being such that the air is caused to pass in two directions across the motor, one direction being within the unit and the other direction being outside the unit.

in witness that 1 claim the foregoing l have hereunto subscribed my name this 8th day or h ovember, 1924:.

CLINTON H. HANSON.

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