US1965054A

US1965054A - Valve assembly

Info

Publication number: US1965054A
Application number: US448131A
Authority: US
Inventors: Milton A Powers
Original assignee: Timken Silent Automatic Co
Current assignee: Timken Silent Automatic Co
Priority date: 1930-04-28
Filing date: 1930-04-28
Publication date: 1934-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 1951-07-03

Description

POWERS VALVE ASSEMBLY Filed April 28, 1930 i INVE'NTOR #225043 pan/6,5

ATTORNEYS I Patented July 3, 1934 PATENT; OFFICE VALVE ASSEMBLY Milton A. Powers, Detroit, Mich assignor to The Timken Silent Automatic Company, Detroit, Mich a corporation of Michigan Application April 28, 1930, Serial No. 448,131

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in valve.

assemblies comprising a plurality of valve units and has particular reference to improved means for actuating said units.

5 The invention, while capable of many and diversified uses, finds particular utility when used in connection with fluid burner systems for controlling the fiow of fuel from the supply side of the system to the distributing side thereof and has as one of its principal objects to provide an efficient, compact and unitary valve assembly for accomplishing the above purpose which lends itself to economical manufacture owing to the comparatively few parts involved and to the expedient manner in which the same may be assembled and installed.

A further advantageous feature of this invention which contributes materially to the reduction in cost of manufacture and to the efficiency thereof resides in the provision of a valve assembly comprising a series of valve members cooperating to control communication from the fluid supply side of the system to the distributing side thereof together with means for simultaneously and automatically actuating the valve members.

With the foregoing as well as other objects in view, the invention resides in the peculiar construction of the valve assembly and the actuating means therefor which will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure-1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a fuel burner system with which my improved valve assembly is adapted to be used.

Figure 2 is a sectional view through a valve assembly constructed in accordance with this invention, and

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawing, it will be noted that there is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 1 a liquid fuel burner system of the gravity feed type including a burner 10 driven by a suitable electric motor 11 and communicating with a fluid supply reservoir 12 by means of a supply conduit 13 and a distributing conduit 14. The outlet for the liquid in the reservoir 12 is preferably positioned above the fluid inlet to the burner 10 with the result that the fluid in the reservoir flows to the burner by gravity.

In fluid burner systems of the type specified above, it is highly essential that means be provided for closing communication between the fluid reservoir and burner when operation of the latter is discontinued or, in other words, when the circuit to the electric motor 11 is broken. The foregoing is accomplished in the present instance by providing a unitary valve assembly 15 comprising generally a plurality, herein shown for the purpose of illustration as two,

valve members

16 and 17 normally urged to a position wherein communication between the fluid reservoir and burner is closed by the action of gravity. The valve assembly 15 is further provided with electro-magnetic means 18 connected to the electric circuit to the motor so as to be controlled thereby and arranged in the assembly above the

valve members

16 and 17 for moving the same to open position wherein communication between the reservoir 12 and burner 11 is established. The arrangement is such that upon breaking the circuit to the motor 11, the electro-magnetic means 18 is immediately de-energized permitting the

valve members

16 and 17 to move under the action of gravity to the positions illustrated in Figure 2 wherein communication between the fluid supply and distributing lines is closed. On the other hand, when the circuit to the motor is closed, the electro-magnetic means 18 is energized and is of sufficient strength to immediately and simultaneously move the

valve members

16 and 17 to their uppermost position wherein communication between the reservoir and burner 10 is established. By controlling. communicatior from the reservoir to the burner with at least two valve members, as specified above, flooding of the system is eliminated since, if for any reason the valve member 16 does not seat properly, the fluid escaping thereby will be prevented from flowing into the distributing conduit by the valve member 17.

In detail, my improved valve assembly, as shown in Figure 2, comprises a body portion 20 preferably cast in one piece and provided with inlet and

outlet openings

21 and 22, respectively, communicating with the fluid supply and distributing conduits 13 and 14. The body portion 20 is further formed with a pair of spaced chambers 23 and 24 respectively communicating with the inlet and

outlet openings

21 and 22 and with each other by means of a passage 25 also formed in the body portion 20. Arranged within the chambers '23 and 24 intermediate the ends thereof are suitable valve seat members 26 and 2'7, respectively, having restricted

passages

28 and 29 therethrough establishing communication between the lower portions of the chambers and the upper portions thereof.

As shown particularly in Figure 2 of the drawing, the valve seat member 26 is disposed within the chamber 23 above the inlet opening 21 and below the point of communication between the chamber 23 and passage 25. The valve seat member 27, on the other hand, is arranged within the chamber 24 above the point of communication between the passage 25 and chamber 24 and below the outlet opening 22. The arrangement is such as to compel fluid flowing into the valve assembly to pass upwardly through both of the valve seat members permitting any foreign matter carried by the fluid to deposit upon the bottom walls of the chambers and thereby minimize the tendency of foreign matter to accumulate upon valve seats.

As previously specified, the flow of fluid through the valve assembly is controlled by the

gravity seatingvalve members

16 and 17. As will be apparent from Figure 2 of the drawing, the

valve members

16 and 17 are mounted for sliding movement within the chambers 23 and 24 longitudinally thereof and are provided with tapered lower end portions or valve members, for engaging the

seat members

26 and 27 to seal the

passages

28 and 29 therethrough. Both of the

valve members

16 and 17 are of sufficient width'to insure a tight sealing engagement between the tapered end portions thereof and the valve seat members without the assistance of springs or similar means. The upper portions of valve members 16 and 1'? constitute valve actuating elements and are accurately guided into engagement with the seat members by means of tubular guides 30 having the lower ends thereof sleeved within the chambers 23 and 24 and having closed upper ends projecting above the body portion 20.

Referring now more in detail to the electromagnetic device 18 for simultaneously actuating the

valve members

16 and 17, it will be observed from Figure 2 that this device comprises a pair of coils 33 and 34 electrically connected in series by means of a conductor 35. The two are thus ordinarily connected in parallel with the motor circuit to insure simultaneous operation of valves and motor. 33 and 34 surround the

magnetic valve members

16 and 17, respectively, which, like the

end plates

37 and 38, are preferably made of material of high magnetic permeability. The plates extend across the ends of both coilsto reduce flux leakage. Cup-shaped members 41 and 42, also preferably made of magnetic material, are suitably secured to the plate 37 and closely embrace the upper ends of tubular valve guides 30 and effectively shorten the air gap between plate 37 and

members

16 and 17. When the motor circuit 36 is closed, the coils 33 and 34 are energized, establishing magnetic flux through a magnetic'circuit common to both of the valve members 16 and 1'7 in which the valve member 17 forms a magnetic return for coil 33 and valve member 16 forms a magnetic return for coil 34. The flux established by energizing coils 33 and 34 couples the valve members 16 and 1'7 together magnetically causing them to move upwardly as a unit away from the

seat members

26 and 27 thereby permitting the fluid to flow from the supply line 13 to the distributing line 14. The

valve members

16 and 17 will remain in their uppermost-positions until the circuit to the motor is opened at which time the electro-magnet 18 will be de-energized permitting the valve members to move to the positions illustrated in Figure 2 under the action of gravity. Since the

valve members

16 and 17 are mechanically independent of each other, upon de-energization of the electromagnetic means, they are free to close independently, and if a foreign par- Still referring to Figure 2, the coils ticle should get between one of the members and its respective valve seat the other member will nevertheless close and shut off communication between lines 13 and 14. 4

It is to be noted that the lower end plate 38, having a higher magnetic permeability than the valve body 20, shunts the magnetic flux substantially directly from the mid-portion of one valve member to the mid-portion of the other valve member and diverts or prevents the flux leaking I through the valve tips which might cause magnetic particles to adhere to the valve tips and to interfere with the proper operation of the valves.

Particular attention is called to the novel combination of the two coils energizing a common magnetic circuit whereby the two valves are operated simultaneously with the same degree of reliability and approximately the same consumption of power as has heretofore been required for a single valve member. In illustration the two coils being connected in series across the usual 110 volt power line, have the same total characteristics as a single coil connected directly across the power line operating the conventional single valve member. The available number of ampere turns is divided equally between the two coils and the coils so inserted in the single magnetic flux circuit that the forces produced by each are additive. Thus even though but one coil is located in close proximity to its valve plunger the flux from the distant coil must likewise flow through the same plunger insuring reliable operation. When one or both of the valve members is lifted from its valve seat, under the influence of coil 33 or coil 34, the effective air gap in the path of the common magnetic circuit is decreased, thereby decreasing the magnetic reluctance thereof. The decrease in the magnetic reluctance will increase the magnetic force on each of the valve members. This is a very desirable feature as it insures reliable operation of both valves. Should one of the valves stick when coils 33 and 34 are energized, the free valve will move upwardly, and reduce the total air gap in their common magnetic circuit, with the result that a materially amplified magnetic force is applied to the valve, which may be stuck, thereby insuring operation thereof.

The magnetic valve operating means, specified above, is positioned upon the top of the body portion 20 and is normally concealed by means of a suitable cover 39 of non-magnetic material removably secured in place in any suitable manner.

In order to regulate the amount of fluid discharged from the supply line to the distributing line, I provide a regulating valve 40 illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing. As shown in this latter figure, the valve 40 is adapted to extend within the passage 25 intermediate the ends thereof and preferably projects out of the body portion 20 so as to permit the same to be manually adjusted.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided a magnetically operated multiplevalve unit assembly for controlling the flow of fluid from a source of supply to a point of distribution which is not only compact and simple in construction, but is also eflicient and economical in operation.

While in describing the present invention particular stress has been placed upon the use of two valve members and electro-magnets in the assembly for controlling communication between a fluid supply reservoir and a point of distribution, it should be understood that the number of. valve members and magnetic actuating units therefor may be varied as found desirable for efllcient operation and accordingly reservation is made to make such changes as may come within the purview of the accompanying claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A unitary valve assembly comprising a plurality of laterally spaced independent valve members cooperating with each other and adapted to control communication between a source of fluid supply and a point of delivery, and means for simultaneously operating said valve members including an electro-magnet having coils corresponding in number to the valve members and associated with the latter to establish a common magnetic circuit therethrough.

2. A valve assembly comprising a plurality of valve members arranged in series with each other in a fluid supply line for independently closing communication through said line, and an electro-magnetic device comprising a plurality of coils corresponding in number to the number of valve members and located in a common magnetic circuit for actuating the valves in accordance with the flow of current through the coils.

3. In a valve mechanism, means providing a plurality of valve seats; a plurality of laterally spaced valve members mounted for movement toward and away from said valve seats; a plurality of elongated, magnetic, valve actuating elements operably connected to said valve members and mounted for synchronous movement therewith; and electro-magnetic means for causing said elements to undergo substantially simultaneous valve-member-actuating movements, comprising at least two electro-magnetic coils for establishing a series magnetic circuit through at least two of said actuating elements.

4. Ina valve mechanism, means providing a pair 01 valve seats; a pair of laterally spaced valve members mounted for movement toward and away from said valve seats; a pair of elongated, magnetic, valve actuating elements opersaid valve members are disposed in contact with their seats, said elementsbeing adapted to approach said magnetizable member when they undergo valve opening movements, and means, comprising a pair of electro-magnetic coils, for causing magnetic flux to take a series path which is common to both of said actuating elements and said magnetizable member, whereby valve opening movement of either one of said actuating elements reduces the reluctance of said flux path.

5. In a valve mechanism, in sub-combination, a valve casing having a fluid passage and a plurality of valve seats communicating with said fluid passage; a plurality of valve members 0perably disposed in said casing and mounted for movement toward and away from said valve seats -for arresting fluid flow through said passage;

a plurality of elongated magnetic valve actuators operably connected to said valve members and adapted to undergo endwise, valve-member-