US1821248A - Multiple effect gas compressing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 1, 1931. G. T. VOORHEES MULTIPLE EFFECT GAS COMPRESSING' APPARATUS 4, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec.

INVENTOR,

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MULTIPLE EFFECT GAS COMPRESSING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 4, 1922 2'SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR Patented Sept. 1, 1 931" GARDNER TUFTS VOORHEES, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS MULTIPLE EFFECT GAS COMPRESSING APPARATUS Application filed December 4, 1922. Serial No. 604,917.

My invention relates to multiple effect gas compressing apparatus, particularly to compressors for refrigerating systems, particularly to volatile liquid refrigerating systems.

Its objects are to make new uses of and to simplify multiple eiifect compressors and to more easily change ordinary compressors to multiple effect compressors by the insertion V s of an improved multiple effect compressor device in the suction pipe of an ordinary compressor.

The nature of the invention enables an ordinary compressor of a given displacement,

w by being made multiple effect, to have greater capacity or economy or both. This is accomplished by enabling the compressor to take into its cylinder, gas or vapor and liquid at two or more different suction pressures, seriatim, in the increasing order of said pres- F22) sures, so that a higher pressure fluid compresses a lower pressure fluid by mixing with it.

In the draw1ngs:-F1g. 1 1s a diagrammatic p part sectional view of a compression system.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic part sectional view of the high pressure suction piston actuated valve aru,L its liquid pressure operating means.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic part sectional view of the high pressure suction piston actuated *alve and its gas pressure operating means.

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic part sectional view of a special form of a multiple effect compressor device.

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic part sectional view of a special form of a multiple effect compressor device.

Figs. 6 and 7 are each diagrammatic views of a cam and its roller, used to directly or indirectly operate the high suction piston valve of a multiple effect compressor device.

Fig. 8 is a part sectional view of a practical form of a multiple effect compressor device in detail.

Figs. 9 and 10 are part sectional views of a practical form of pressure actuating means for one or more multiple effect compressor devices, Fig. 9 being more particularly for a hydraulic type and Fig. 10 being more particularly for a pneumatic type of pressure actuating means, as later more specifically described.

Fig. 11 shows a multiple effect compressor device at each end of a doubleacting cylinderand Figs. 12 and 12a show a multiple efiect compressor device on each of two single acting cylinders.

Figs. 13 and 14 are diagrammatic part sectional views of a four pressure multiple effect compressor device, Fig. 13 being a section on line 13, 13 of Fig. 14 and Fig. 14 bemg a section on line 14, 14 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic elevationof a multiple effect compression system.

In all the figures similar parts usually have like letters or numbers, sometimes with different subscripts.

In Fig. 1, ordinary double acting compressor cylinder A has its piston h reciprocated by its rod 9 by means of cross head f, connecting rod 6, crank pin 14a, crank 14 and main shaft 15.

D and D are multiple effect compressor devices each having low pressure suction inlets 5 leading from a low pressure refrigerator E (shown for D but not for D) and high suction inlets 6 leading from a high pressure refrigerator F or from some other source of high pressure gas as from ordinary compressor A shown for D but not for D. Outlets 0 7 lead to compressors suction valves 2'. Under certain conditions, described later, E is a high pressure and F a low pressure refrigerator. The compressor A has discharge valves and discharge outlets 7? which lead via a pipe to condenser C. A liquid pipe leads from the condenser to expansion valves for the low and high pressure refrigerators, as will be clear to those skilled in the art without more detailed description. In operation gas enters 5 and passes valves 1 and 71 during any desired portion of the pistons low suction stroke, usually just before or at its end, then high pressure suction valve 2 in multiple effect compressor device D is opened by means of cam 3, roller 4, shaft 9 in bearings 10, gears 19, and crank arm 12, engaging pin 13 in crank pin 14a, or in multiple effect compressor device D by pressure on piston 8 via pipe 17 leading from outlet 16a, Z), (see also 10f Fig. 15), of actuating means 16 actuated by shaft 9. W hen valve 2 is so opened it allows high suction pressure gas to fiow via inlets 6 and compressor valves 71 into compressor cylinder to join with and compress the low pressure gas therein and so make room for itself and when the cam 3 and roller l of D or the piston 8 of D cease to lift valve 2, it is reseated by any desired means 8, such for example, as a sprin I-Ieretofore I have used mechanical means to actuate valve 2', as in multiple effect compressor device D I found that this usually required about one lever arm, 10 gears, 12 bearings and three couplings for each pair of multiple effect compressor devices, Whether for a single acting or double acting compressor. I have found that this considerable quantity of operating mechanism required special supports and I found it very diliicult to clear the many pipes and other existing parts of an ordinary compressor and I found that a specially designed layout was required and that the multiple effect compressor de vices had to have supports because of their weight and to align them with their shafts and because of vibration of the operating mechanism. In fact, the usual arrangement as for D and its operating mechanism required too much time to study and lay out, had too many parts that were difiicult to place and support and that were not pleasing to the eye When so installed and that required a specially trained man to plan for and erect same.

By this invention I overcome these difficulties as follows: In multiple ei'lect con pressor device D I omit the cam and its rol er and shaft and guides and supply a piston ror valve 2 and actuate valve 2 by means of iris piston (hereafter called piston actuated valve) by means of a pipe leading from pressure imposing means actuated from the compressors motive means as for example from its crank shaft. Such a pressure pipe is readily installed and can go around all kinds of parts that Were so ditficult to doege with the shafts and gears, etc., of D This requires no special time to plan for its layout and is quickly and easily installed by an unskilled man and the pressure tuating means 16 is easily installed in like manner. The forms that multiple effect compressor device D or pressure actuating means 16 may have are many under the principle of this invention as will be clear to those skilled in the art without further detailed description. I may use the puppet type of valve as shown in D, or a type of valve as shown in 4, or in fact any known type of valve without departing from the method of this invention.

In Fig. 4, 5 is a low suction and 6 a high suction inlet and 7 the outlet to compressor and where piston 1-2 acts both as a suction and a discharge valve according to its pos tion as shown by the full or dotted lines. 1-2 may be pushed in one direction by piston 8 from pressure via pipe 17 and may be returned by any desired means 8. It is evidentthat the simple multiple effect compressor device I) of Fig. 1 can replace the complicated multiple eli'ect compressor (ievice D Qrdinary compressor A of Fig. 1 may be double acting, or by removing valves 2' and j on one side may be single acting and by the addition of one or more multiple effect compressor devices may be made multiple effect. In Fig. 1 the discharge gas from it goes to condenser C and liquefied and flows past expansion valve to low pressure refrigerator E and is vaporized and flows to low suction inlet 5 and liquid also flows past expansion valve 7 and is vaporized in high pressure refrigerator and flows to high sucti a inlet 3 of D,

A booster an ordinary CORHPICSSOI that low pressure to a higher discharges into the suction of compressor. So a booster sysa compound compression sys- New in 1 if A, r presents ch a booster and if i were an ordinary compressor, then it is evi- .ent that the whole capacity of A would he i d to take care of the discharge fr m the booster A But if A is a multiple chcct compress-or, then if F is a low pressure refrigerator and E is a high pressure refrigerator, then, he low pressure vapor from F is compressed by booster A to a pressure sup ri or to that of the vapor from E and so We have A, as a multiple effect compressor, havin full capacity for vapor from E, and in ads tion. ta care of all of the compressed vapor from via booster A This, by this invention, quite an important improvement both to capacit and economy, of a booster system.

Any desired pressure imposing fluid may be used to :1 :t on piston S, such for example er or vapor or such as water, brine, oil or liquid.

The pressure of this fluid to move piston 8 may be imposed through the compressors motive means by any other means, timed to the compressoi"s pistons motion.

If a fluidl that would contaminate the refrigerant is used, hen, a separate cylinder and stufiing box are required for piston 8 as, for example, Be in Figs. 2 and 3. Means, as vents 32 may be used, if piston 8a is used, to vent the back side of piston 860. These vents inay ven to any desired source of pressure and may help to assist or replace inc-ins s. I prefer to use a fluid which is either the refrigerants. gas or else is oil as used in lubrication of the compressors piston, so to 1. extra cylln ders 8a and their stuffing boxes and still not contaminate the the lower-end of tank 27viacheck valve 23 to pressure imposing means 16, and liquid 31 follows piston 22, actuated in any desired manner. Then: the motion of piston 22 is reversed and the liquid is pushed by piston 22 via pipe 17 to cylinders 18 and so pushes pistons 8 and 8a and so lifts valves 2 from their seats. 1 Excess of liquid (there should be some excess) is vented via pipe 17 and pressure regulating valve 24, having adjusting means 24a, and pipe 26, back to tank 27. Liquid 31 may be cooled or heated by means of a cooling or heating fluid circulated through coil 29, 30, to warm the liquid if it is over-cooled in its operation of pistons 8 and 8a, or to cool the liquid if itis over-heated by friction or other causes. Liquid 31'may be water or brine, in which case piston 8a is used and 28 may vent to the air. Liquid 31 may belubricating oil, in which case piston 8 is used and 28 may vent into a refrigerant vapor pipe.

In Fig. 3, any gas or vapor may be used; if the refrigerants gas. is used then piston 8 is used and if other gas is used then piston 8a is used. This fluid may be air or steam or any other gas. 5a is a low pressure and 6a a high pressure opening in 16 and 5a or Get may'op'en to opening 165 and so act via pipe 17 to cylinder 18 on piston 8 or 8a.

If refrigerant gas is used inlet 5a may connect to the high suction pipe or to the discharge pipe direct or via a pressure reducing valve (not shown) and outlet6a may connect to'the low suction pipe or to thehigh suction pipe.

In Figs. 6 and 7, shaft 9 rotates cam 3, of any desired shape to suit requirements, and so reciprocates roller 4 backand forth on line a, b, roller 4 being heldin contact with cam by any desired means 8; Such a cam and roller are used in D and 16 of Fig. 1 and in 16 of Figs. 9 and 10.

In Fig. 8 the multiple effect compressor device D has low suction inlet- 5 and high suction inlet 6 and outlet to compressor 7, the low suction valve 1 has cage and seat 20, cover and spring .9 and the high pressure valve 2 has cage and seat 21, cover 36 with opening 18, spring a or vents 32, or both, and

-' piston 8.

Low suction vapor enters 5 into chamber a and passes valve 1 and chamber 0 and outlet 7 to compressor. High suction vapor enters 6 to chamber 0 and passes out 7 to compressor.

Valve 2 is opened by piston 8.11aving packing rings 33 by fluid pressure via opening 18.

Two multiple effect compressor devices like that of Fig. 8 are shown at DD in Fig. 11 at each end of a double acting compressor and at DD in Figs. 12 and 12aon each cylinder of the two cylinder single acting compressor.

In Fig. 1 two couplings 11 are shown.- These couplings may be of any desired shape or type as in halves, bolted-together. Either of these couplings if unbolted, stops rotation of shaft 9, beyond that point and allows for the relative adjustment of position of piston 72. and the cam 3 in D or 16, so as to cause valve 2 to open at any desired position of piston 'h.

In Fig. 9, 40. is a key for one-half ofa coupling 11.0f Fig. 1, shaft 9 has key 39 for cam 3, cam 3 is in contact with roller 4 on pin 34 in piston 22 having packing rings 33 and opposed as by spring 8 in cap 37 having opening 16a, cam 3'may have one or more other rollers like 4 to actuate one or more pistons 22 like 22. If pistons 22 and 22 are used, each serves to actuate a high pressure valve in each device as in D, D of Figs. 11 or 12 and 12a. v

In Fig. 10, cam 3 and roller 4 actuate piston valve 22a, which because of its part 1-2 opposed as by spring 8, can alternately open communication between ports 16?) and6a or between 16? and 5a to allow high or low pressure fluid to flow to or from opening 18 of Fig. 8 to actuate piston'8 of high pressure valve 2. v

In Figs. 13 and 14 a four pressure multiple efiect compressor device and its pressure imposing means 16 are shown. Here, for example, 0, 5, 10 and 15 pound pressures may be handled as shown, the 0 pressure (gage pressure) entering at 5 and then 5, 10, 15 pressures entering at 6, 6m and 6y, respectively, a

cam in 16 varying pressure to pipes 17 and so actuatingthe piston actuated suction valves for 5, 10 and 15 pound pressure in the order named, the non-piston actuated valves for. O, 5, and 10 pound pressures, preventing back flow of the5, 10 or 15-pound pressure to-a lower pressure, as will be clear to those skilledin thefart'without further detailed description.

In Fig. 15, compressor A is of any desired type and is here shown as a conventional enclosed type of single acting compressor. Shaft 15 is revolved in any desired manner as by pulley 14a, from any desired source of power as by a belt. (not shown) on 14a. Shaft 15 has'conventional reciprocating means (not shown) for reciprocating a conventional piston (not shown) in. cylinder Aa, provided with conventional suction and discharge valves (not shown), all of which will be clear to those skilled-in the art, without furtherdetail-ed description. F andF are refrigeia tors having expansion valves 3 ancly All other parts are shown in former figures or combinations thereof. For example, 16 is as shownin Fig. 9 or Flor. 10 or a combination thereof. D may act as a two,.three or four pressure multiple effect compressor device. The casing of .D Figs. 13, 14, may be used omitting or not operating one or two of the piston actuated valves therefor or therein. Valved conduits 28a and28b connect with refrigerators E and F and with conduit 28 and may cause pressure of E or F to be in 27 and valved conduit 28c connects 28 with the atmosphere so atmospheric pressure may be in 27. Any one of conduits 17 may actuate any one of piston actuated valves in D, either by gas or hydraulic pressure action. Valved conduits to 5a and 6a are so that these conduits may or may not be used as may be desired, for any one or more of conduits 17, via 16.

In operation, any compressed refrigerant gas, for example, as ammonia, is discharged via 76 to condenser C and is therein liquefied by the removal of heat therefrom and then flows to expansion valves 00, y, y y and therethrough' and through refrigerators E, F F F wherein it is vaporized by the addition of heat thereto.

Ordinary compressor A may, or may not, be used, as is desired and when not in use it becomes a part of the conduit from F to D. Let A be not in use, then any desired pressures may be used in the refrigerators by the regulation of the expansion valves and by the quantities of heat given to the refrigerators. For example these gauge pressures may be 0 lbs. in E. 5 lbs. in F, 10 lbs. in F and 15 lbs. in F If expansion valves ?/a and r are closed then refrigerators F and F are out of action. Refrigerators E and F may operate at any desired pressures and with A in action then E may operate at say 15 lbs. and F at say 0 lbs. and A may compress vapor from F from 0 lbs. to any desired pressure greater than that in E, as say 20 lbs. Varia tions of a fluid pressure in conduits 17, via 16, actuate piston valves in D. If hydraulic pressure is used in conduits 17 then it is preferable to use a tank 27 and its pipes 26 are also in use for each conduit 17 so used. If gas pressure is used in conduits 17 then conduits 25, 26 are blanked off and not in use.

VJ hen a piston actuated valve in D is hvdraulically operated in conjunction with tank 27, then provided no gas trap is caused thereby, conduits 25 and 17'may oin and communicate with opening' 16a. 6 as shown in Fig. 15, or each may enter the upper end of cylinder 22 as shown in Fig. 2.

As. shown in Fig. 15, the left hand vertical conduit 17, from 16, is used hydraulically and the other two conduits 17 are used pneumatically or all three conduits 17 may be used hydraulically by adding two other tanks 27 for the two other conduits 17 or all three conduits 17 may operate pneumatically, as by gas, with tank 27 not in use, either by blanking off its pipes 25, 26. or by closing regulating valve 24 and causing valve 23 not to act.

Referring again to Fig. 2, it is seen that conduits 17, 25, 26 are either horizontal or vertical so as not to form any place wherein air or gas could accumulate to form gas traps. The piston actuated valves cylinder and conduit 17 are so disposed that air or gas could not be trapped in said cylinder and 23 and 2a are so disposed as to be free from gas traps. Such gas traps would, because of alternate compression and reexpansion of air or gas therein, cause the high pressure suction valves piston to function improperly or not at all. Similarly in Fig. 15, such conduits are either vertical or horizontal or slope up from 16 to D and 27 and from D to 27. All so adapted that any air or gas in the pressure imposing pipes and their connections will work its way up into 27 and from there into the atmosphere or into a refrigerator. It is obvious that with A in use that A will have greatercapacity and economy than if it discharged directly into. the higher pressure of a condenser and if it discharges into a higher pressure than that of E, that I then have compressor cylinder A, full at E pressure and then its full capacity, less the reduced volume at E pressure, for vapor from F, at such a pressure from A as will adjust itself so that vapor from A can get into the compressor via D after having compressed the vapor from E in the cylinder to its pressure, i. e. the pressure from A In the claims where I use the words piston valve I'mean a high pressure suction valve adapted to be opened by a piston directly or indirectly connected thereto, by means of afiuid pressure exerted on said piston.

WVhat I claim is:

1. A multiple effect compressor device for gas compressors comprising a main chamber and two pressure chambers, an opening in each chamber for'connection of a suction conduit thereto, each of said pressure chambers having a port openingtherefrom into the main chamber, a valve governing one port, a piston actuated valve governing the other port, a spring causing said piston actuated valve to cover its port, a cylinder for said piston actuated valves piston and an opening in the cylinder for connection of a conduit thereto.

2. A multiple effect compressor device for gas compressors comprising a main chamber and two pressure chambers, an opening in each chamber for connection of a suction conduit thereto, each of said pressure chambers having a port opening therefrom into the main chamber, a valve governing one port, a piston actuated valve governing the other port, means to cause the piston actuated valve to cover its port, a cylinder for said piston, actuated valves piston, an opening in the cylinder for connection of a conduit thereto, said piston actuated valve, its port and cylinder being so disposed that an increase of fluid pressure to the opening of said cylinder will cause said piston actuated valve to uncover its port.

3. A multiple effect compressor device for gas compressors comprising a main chamber and a plurality of pressure chambers, each chamber having an opening therein for connection of a suction conduit thereto, each of the pressure chambers having a passage to the main chamber, the lowest pressure chamber having a nonreturn valve governing its passage, the other pressure chambers having piston actuated valves governing their inlets to their passages and nonreturn valves for all but the highest pressure passages outlets, springs causing said piston actuated valves to cover the inlets to their passages, a cylinder for each piston actuated valves piston and an opening in each cylinder for connection of a conduit thereto.

4. A multiple effect compressor device for gas compressors comprising a main chamber and a plurality of pressure chambers, each chamber having an opening therein for connection of a suction conduit thereto, each of the pressure chambers having a passage to the main chamber, the lowest pressure chamber having a nonreturn valve governing its passage, the other pressure chambers having piston actuated valves governing their inlets to their passages and nonreturn valves for all but the highest pressure passages outlets, means causing said piston actuated valves to cover the inlets to their passages, a cylinder for each piston actuated valves piston, an opening in each cylinder for connection of a conduit thereto, said piston actuated valves and their passages and their cylinders, being so disposed that an increase of pressure to the openings of said cylinders will cause said piston actuated valves to uncover the inlets to their passages.

5. A fluid pressure imposing means for a multiple effect compressor devices piston actuated valves piston comprising a casing and an extension of a compressors shaft, said shafts extension having means causing a change of pressure of a fluid in said casing during a portion of the shafts revolution.

6. A fluid pressure imposing means for a multiple effect compressor device, piston actuated valves piston comprising a cam shaft forming an extension of a gas compressors shaft, a casing, a stufling box therein for the shaft, a cam on the cam shaft, piston, a cam roller for the piston, means to press the roller against the cam, a pistons cylinder having an opening therein for connection of a conduit thereto, all so combined that a revolution of the cam shaft will cause the cam to cause the roller to reciprocate the pistons to cause a change of pressure of a fluid in the cylinder for a portion of the revolution of the cam shaft.

7. A fluid pressure imposing means for a multiple efiect' compressor device, piston actuated valves pistons comprising a cam shaft forming an extension of a gas compressors shaft, a casing, a stuffing box therein for the shaft, a cam on the cam shaft, a plurality of pistons, a plurality of rollers for the pistons, means to press the rollers against the cam, a plurality of pistons cylinders, each having an opening therein for connection of a conduit thereto, all so combined that a revolution of the cam shaft will cause the cam to cause the rollers to reciprocate the pistons to cause a change of pressure of a fluid in each cylinder for a portion of, the revolution of the cam shaft.

8. In a gas compressing system, the combination of a eompressors cylinder and a piston therein, a suction and a discharge valve therefor, a shaft to actuate-the piston, a multiple effect compressor device having a low pressure suction valve and a high pressure suction piston actuated valve, a passage from these valves to the compressors suction valve, and a fluid pressure imposing means comprising an extension of the shaft of the compressor connected to a movable means causing a fluids pressure to change during a portion of the shafts revolution, a conduit from the fluid pressure imposing means to the piston actuated valve.

9. A multiple efl'ect compressor device for gas compressors comprising a main chamber and two pressure chambers, an opening in each chamber for connection of a conduit thereto, each of said pressure chambers having a port opening therefrom into the main chamber, a valve governing one port, a piston actuated valve governing the other port, means, other than a fluid pressure on said piston, causing said piston actated valve to cover its port, a cylinder for said piston actuated valves piston having an opening in the cylinder for connection of a conduit thereto.

10. A multiple effect compressor device for gas compressors comprising a main chamber and two pressure chambers, an opening in :each chamber for connection of a conduit gas compressors comprising a main chamber and two pressure chambers, an opening in each chamber for connection of a conduit thereto, each of said pressure chambers having a port opening therefrom into the main chamber, a valve governing one port, a piston actuated valve governing the other port,

' means, other than a fluid pressure on said piston, causing said piston actuated valve to cover its port, the piston actuated valve having a stem extending. through the mainconduit or cylinders to the pressure imposchamber, joining its piston and its valve, a cylinder for said piston having an opening in the cylinder for connection of a conduit thereto.

12. A multiple effect compressor device for gas compressors comprising a main chamber and two pressure chambers, an opening in each chamber for connection of a conduit thereto, each of said pressure chambers having a port opening therefrom into the main chamber, a valve governing one port, a piston actuated valve governin the other )ort said piston actuated valve having a stem extending from its valve to its piston, a stuiiing box for said stem, a cylinder for said piston actuated valves piston having an opening in the cylinder for connection of a conduit thereto.

13. In a multiple suction system comprising multiple effect compressor device, a pressure imposing means and a liquid tank, a liquid conduit from the pressure imposing means to a multiple effect compressor device and from the multiple effect compressor device to the liquid tank and from the liquid tank to the pressure imposing means.

14. In a multiple suction system, the combination of a liquid conduit extending from a pressure imposing means to a piston actuated valves piston, and means venting gas and some liquid from said conduit during its pressure imposing period or during movement of the piston by the liquid or during its cycle of operations.

15. In a valve actuating system, the combination of a piston actuated valve, means to cause said valve to close, a pressure imposing piston, cylinders for said pistons, a conduit extending from the pressure imposing cylinder to the valve cylinder, a conduit extending from the highest portion of said con duit .or cylinders to the pressure imposing cylinder, a regulating valve venting said highest portion to a return conduit, a return conduit leading from said regulating valve to the pressure imposing cylinder, a check valve in said conduit, said conduits, valves and cylinders being so disposed that gas or vapor that might otherwise tend to accumulate in any portion thereof Will accumulate and vent itself either through the regulating valve or check valve or both into the return conduit.

16. In a valve actuating system, the combination of a piston actuated valve, means to cause said valve to close, a pressure imposing piston, cylinders for said pistons, a conduit extending from the pressure impos ing cylinder to the valve cylinder, a conduit extending from the highest portion of said ing cylinder, a regulating valve venting said highest portion to a return conduit, a return conduit leading from said regulating valve to the pressure imposing cylinder, a check valve in said conduit, said conduits, valves and cylinders being so disposed that gas or vapor that might otherwise tend to accumulate in any portion thereof Will accumulate and vent itself either through the regulating valve, or check valve, or both, into the return conduit, a liquid receiver in said return conduit between said valves.

17. In a valve actuating system, the combination of a piston actuated valve, means to cause said valve to close, a pressure imposing piston, cylinders for said pistons, a conduit extending from the pressure imposing cylinder to the valve cylinder, a conduit extending from the highest portion of said conduit or cylinders to the pressure imposing cylinder a regulating valve venting said highest portion to a return conduit, a return conduit leading from said regulating valve to the pressure imposing cylinder, a check valve in said conduit, said conduits, valves, and cylinders being so disposed that gas or vapor that might otherwise tend to accumulate in any portion thereof will accumulate and vent itself either through the regulating valve or check valve, or both, into the return conduit, a liquid receiver a portion of which is located higher than the vent to the regulating valve in said return conduit between said valves.

18. In a valve actuating system, the combination of a piston actuated valve, means to cause said valve to close, a pressure imposing piston, cylinders for said pistons, am

conduit extending from the pressure imposing cylinder to the valve cylinder, a conduit extending from the highest portion of said conduit or cylinders to the pressure imposing cylinder, a regulating valve venting said highest portion to a return conduit leading from said regulating valve to the pressure imposing cylinder, a check valve in said conduit, said conduits, valve, and cylinders being so disposed that gas or vapor that might otherwise tend to accumulate in any portion thereof will accumulate and vent itself either through the regulating valve or check valve, or both, into the return conduit, a vent from said return conduit.

19. In a valve actuating system, the combination of a piston actuated valve, means to cause said valve to close, a pressure imposing piston, cylinders for said pistons, a conduit extending from the pressure imposing cylinder to the valve cylinder, a conduit extend ing from the highest portion of said conduit or cylinders to the pressure imposing cylinder, a regulating valve venting said highest portion to a return conduit, a return conduit leading from said regulating valve to the pressure imposing cylinder, a check valve in said conduit, said conduits, valves, and cylinders being so disposed that gas or vapor that might otherwise tend to accumulate in any portion thereof Will accumulate and vent itself either through the regulating valve or check valve or both into the return conduit, a liquid receiver a portion of which is located higher than the vent to the regulating valve in said return conduit between said valves, a vent from said return conduit.

20. In a multiple efiect compressor device, the combination of a longitudinal chamber having a closed and an open end, the open end being adapted for connection to a suction conduit leading to a compressor, three side openings in the chamber, each being adapted for connection of a conduit thereto, two of the side openings being near the chambers open end, a low pressure puppet suction valve in the chamber near its closed end, a piston actuated high pressure suction valve in the chamber near its open end, the side opening near the chambers closed end communicating with the puppet suction valves inlet side, one of the other side openings communicating with the high pressure suction valves piston and the other communicating with the inlet side of its valve, the chamber, valves, and openings being so disposed as to form a main chamber communicating with the longitudinal chambers open end and two chambers each communicating with the main chamber via a suction valve.

21. In a multiple elicct compressor device, the combination of a longitudinal chamber having a closed and an open end, the open end being adapted for connection to a suction conduit leading to a compressor, three side openings in the chamber, each being adapted for connection of a conduit thereto, two of the side openings being near the chambers open end, a low pressure puppet suction valve in the chamber near its closed end, a piston actuated high pressure suction valve in the chamber near its open end, the side opening near the chambers closed end communicating with the puppet suction valves inlet side, one of the other side openings communicating with the high pressuresuction valves piston and the other communicating with thelinlet side of its valve, the chamber, valves, and openings being so disposed as to form a main chamber communicating with the longitudinal chambers open end, and two chambers each communicating with the main chamber via a suction valve, two of the side openings being in line and one of these openings being opposite the other opening, near the longitudinal chambers open end.

GARDNER TUFTS VOORHEES.

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