US2262722A

US2262722A - Liquid discharge apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2262722A
Application number: US255606A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jr Harry C Grant
Original assignee: Specialties Development Corp
Current assignee: Specialties Development Corp
Priority date: 1939-02-10
Filing date: 1939-02-10
Publication date: 1941-11-11
Anticipated expiration: 1958-11-11

Description

Nov. 11, 1941. I H. c. GRANT, JRI- 2,262,722.

LIQUID DISCHARGE APPARATUS Filed Feb. 10, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Harry G. Grantfi ATTORNEY.

Nov. 11, 1941. t A c, QRANT JR 2,262,722

LIQUID DI S CHARGE APPARATUS M 1 u Mk U s;

........... H 33 20 13 62 26 51 32 1'1 18 zg 736 333 12 INVENTOR. Harry 6'. Granz, J11 9; M CQMW ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 11, 1941 mourn DISCHARGE arraaa'rns New York, N. Y., assignor to eat Corporation, Bloom- Harry 0. Grant, Jr.,

Specialties .Developm fleld, N. 1., a corporation or New Jersey Application February 10, 1939, Serial no; 255,000

- 19 Claims. (01. 137521) The'present invention relatm to means for rapidly discharging the contents of a liquid storage tank, more particularly referring to the discharge or liquid fuel from the fuel tanks of aircraft in order to render such iuel tanks available for service as flotation members to buoyantly support the aeroplane and prevent it from sinking when its landing on water has become necessary. More specifically, the present invention has ref", erence to the liquid dumping method disclosed in the copending application 01 Henry Ernest Heigis, serial No. 74,45 2,-flled April 15, 1936, now Patent No. 2,195,213, granted March 26, 1940; and constitutes an improvement of the liquid discharge disclosed, use is made of fluid under pressure, speciflcally liquid carbonic acid, stored for that purpose on the aeroplane to operate the system and its elements.

As distinguished from the device of the second named application, in which a diflerenc'e in pressure created with respect to the two sides or a fluid pressure operated piston due to the removal by fluid pressure of the closure of the tank discharge opening results in the redirection oi the flow oi the fluid medium under pressure to carry out the other steps of the method as referred to above, the present inventioncontemplates the use. of structural means in conjunction with the fluid pressure operable closure means of the tank to control the redirection of the flow of fluid'medium and thereby the steps subsequent to the removal of the closure means.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a liquid discharge device for a liquid storage tank adapted to be'used as a flotation member which will prevent, under all cir cumstances, the entrance of fluid medium under pressure into the tank unless the closure of 5 plane flotation system the 6 5.

device has been removed to permit facile discharge of the liquid.

It is another object of the invention to provide a liquid fuel dumping device as part of an aeromedium flow control device, the operation or which is controlled by the closure of the tank opening.

. Another provide a fuel tank dumping device which will control the operative flow of the fluid medium under pressure by which it is operated. 1

become apparent as the invention is described in device shown and described in another copending greater detail in connection with the drawings, application of Henry Ernest Heigis, Serial No. f wherein: 139,710, now Patent No. 2,200,922, granted May Figure 1 is a view in section of a fuel storage 14, 1940, which-was divided out of the flrst named tank including a plan view 01 the tank contents application and flied April 29, 1937. dumping equipment constructed in accordance The present invention has been based on the with the present'invention and applied to a fuel broad method illustrated in the flrst named an a tank in the wing of an aeroplane, the latter indiplication wherein the opening of a closure concated diagrammatically. trolling a discharge opening in the tank deter- Figure 2 is a view in section of the liquid dumpniines the subsequent steps of closing of the tank ing valve device whichis the subject 01 themesvent, the admission of fluid medium under prescut disclosure, while Figure 3 is a top plan view sure into the tank to aid in the evacuation thereof the dumping device of Figure 2. of, and therendering impervious of said tank Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, wherein like after the evacuation of the liquid to maintain the numerals designate like elements, the reference buoyancy ol the tank, now a flotation member. numeral I indicates'an aeroplane liquid fuel tank In the preferred embodiment of the method, as mounted in the wing of a plane,.2 the iuel dumping device as arranged in the tank. -3.the pressure fluid medium inlet of the device, the fluid pressure medium outlet of thedevice, 5 the fluid pressure medium storage container, 8 the fluid release or the container, 1 the pressure medium conduit from the container 5 to inlet fluid pressure medium outlet (to control and fluid which operates to medium admission device 9,

close the vent and to open the id medium admission valve to the tank, and III the air vent pipe to conduct air to the tank through the venting control. The details or the venting and fluid medium admission device will'not be gone into, as

it forms no part 01 the present invention and is iull disclosed in the above mentioned application, Serial No. 74,452, now Patent No. 2,195,213.

In Figure 2, the dump valve 2 is shown mounted inside the tank I, part of the wall of which is illustrated in section, ring mounting l I being welded into the tank surrounding a corresponding circular hole therein. This ring comprises a horizontal base flange portion which is welded to the wardly tank wall, a vertical portion and an inprojecting horizontal flange onto which which comprises a fluid" object of the present invention is, to

3, 8 the conthe stem 24 whichis This arrangement ot about pin 25 and the lower end of stem 24 to,

concave,

jcarries secured between gasket .1 4|, made of some easily rupturable material such as that known under the tively connected. The tank opening control portion consists of acircular valve II which seats with the circumferential gasket-like valve ring I8 on the valve seat l9 formed by the device body l3. Rivets secure said valve ring I 8 to the valve IT. The structure of the valve itself consists of a base ring 15 on which rests a spider-like formation having a central elevated body part 2| from which radiate eight legs or supports 22 as shown in'Figui-e 3. spider has a central bore 23 adapted to receive anchored by means of a pin 25 in a central recess 25 in the upper central part of valve 1. In an annular groove 27 formed concentrlcally with the bore 23 on the upper side of the body part 2| rests the expansion spring 28, the upper end of which bears against a collar 29 secured by a pin 30 to the uppermost part of stem 24. The flat upper side of valve bears against a corresponding flat lower surface I5 of the spider body part 2|. It will be seen that this arrangement permits of a movement of the stem and valve relative to the device body |3 downward and away from the seat I 9 as a consequence of any pressure acting upon the surface of valve 1 and able to overcome the force of sprin 28. also permits 01' valve IT to pivenable it toseat properly on seat l9 as an accurate alignment of the cooperating parts is not alwayscbtainable. The lower side of valve I1 is permitting the formation of a chamber 1 3|, separated from the outside by the circular. metallic disc closure 32 which is preferably of a non-ductile, crystallinea'nd brittle-nature and which is circumferentially secured to device body l3 by means of screws 33 and made leak-proof toward the outside by means of gasket 34. A cir- 1 cumferential, ring-like portion of disc 32 is separated from its main central portion by a deep circular groove 35 which has the purpose of weakening the disc along this line. The disc has riblike formations 52 which serve to give added strength to its central portion relative to the grooved portion at inside groove 35 is Jection 35. Coaxially with stud 35, device body I3 is formed with a cylindrical formation 31 having a main'chamber 50 and a connecting passage 5| between said chamber 60 and chamber 3| referred to above. Passage. 6| is recessed and threaded to receive a hollow bushing 38 which 39 and 40 disc 35. The disc, at a point just trade-mark Celeron, or the like. Thisis to prevent entry into chamber of any liquid that may have seeped past valve due to vibrations during flight or,a large liquid head'on valve I 1 and which would be filling chamber 3|. Stud 35 is seen to be placed so as to partially extend intothe hollow of bushing 38, occupying a center of frangible disc 4|.

50 is recessed and threaded at plug 42 which with gasket 43 closure of cylinder chamber within tank I. A knob like support 44 formed on the lower face of closure plug 42 carries detach y pen ed y means of two springs 45, which position directly underneath the Cylinder chamber forms a leak-proof Said body part 2| of the formed with a stud-like proits top to receive a wall I between suspended from support 44; theother, 49, on the lower side, projects into connecting pasage 5| in exact juxtaposition to stud 35 on the other side of frangible disc 4|. Piston head 41 is Provided with masses 50, adapted to establish a fluid medium conductive commimication between the spaces separated by piston head 41. The tubular piston'itself forms a snug working fit within I cylinder 31, chamber 50 of which has a cylindri- "cal lining 5|, held in place by aset screw 52 screwed into the wall of the cylinder, and preferably made of corrosion resisting metal, such as the alloy known as Monel-metal. At the bottom of chamber 56 within'cylinder 37 is placed the discoid gasket 53 which is formed with a central opening to accommodate the stud-projection 49 and is adapted to cooperate with the valve-like seat 54 formed on the underside of piston head 41. At right angles to cylinder 31, and forming an integral upper portion thereof, is cylindrlcal'member 53 formed with

passages

54 and 55 providing, respectively, an inlet and outlet for the fluid pressure medium with respect to chamber 50 through openings in cylinder 31 and its lining 5| provided therefor. Inlet and outlet conduits and dare connected with passages 54:

and 55 through connectors 3 and 4 which are threaded into corresponding recesses of the passages. Cylinder formation 53 terminates within tankwalllwithaflat is adaptedtolie flat and flanged end 55 which flange 55 and bolt-ring 51; leakproof connection is attained by provision of a gasket 53 between flange 55 and tank wall I.

The whole device may be removed from inside the tank when desired bysimply unscrewing ,screws l2 and disconnecting screws 55 and boltllft it out through the device, pressure fluid ring 51. It is then possible to the opening of base ring I In order to operate medium is released from container 5 by actuation, manual or automatic. of its release 5. Pressure fluid nwdium now enters cylinder 3'! by way of conduit I, connector 3and passage 54, and by its pressure causes suspended piston 46 to be disengaged from its support 44 and to descend 50 against any liquid toward frangible disc 4|, thereby" breaking the disc until stud 49 comes ,to rest upon stud 38 of the disc closure 32. enter and passes from above piston 45 through passages 50, through connecting passage 8| into chamber 3| until the pressure therein forces out the disc closure 32, rupturing it at its weakest p1ace,,along groove 35. This deprives piston and stud 49 of their support-namely stud 35, and the fluid pressure above piston head fi'l-now causes the piston to descendall the way to the bottom of chamber 50, and by means of coaction between seat 5% and gasket 53 eife'ctively closing passages 55 and thus preventing any loss of the fluid -medium to the opening in the tank wall now created by removal of disc 32. At the' same time, pressure medium inlet pesage .54 is put in operative connection with outlet passage 55 into which the fluid d medium continues to medium is now made to flow. Thence, the fluid medium passes through connector 4. and conduit 8 to venting and fluid medium admission device I, causing tank vent pipe It to be closed to the atmosphere and the fluid medium admission valve therein, leading into tank l to be-opened. When the pressure in tank I acting on valve l1 and made up of the head of the liquid and the pressure of the fluid medium in thetank is suflicient to overcome the tension of spring 28, valve l1 will be forced from its seat ll,-and the liquid will drain to'the atmosphere. It may be pointed out here that'sprlng 28 is relatively quite weak,

a proper liquid headin the tank being suflicient to permit drainage by gravity when disc 32 is re moved. The gas admitted abovejzhe liquid into the tank under pressure is used to accelerate the charge opening, the main function of valve l1 being to prevent the loss of any gaseous fluid medium'from the tank and to isolate the tank; inside from any outside medium such as water. It is assisted in, the latter function by the vent closing and fluid medium admission mechanism referred to above.

In order to make the device operative again, piston 46 is pushed upward until springs 45 catch hold of support 44 to keep the piston again suspended in its non-0' rated position; bushing 38 is replaced by another carrying a new frangible disc ll, and finally a new closure disc 32 is put in place of the remaining ring of the oldone.

From the above, it may be seen that I have invented a device to quickly and positively drain a liquid from a tank at the sametime making it possible to use the tank as a float.

It will be seenfurther that my invention accomplishes the various objects pointed outat the beginning of this specification, Finally,

while my invention has been illustrated and described with specific reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention resides in certain principles of operation and construction which may be embodied in various forms of con-- struction without departing in any manner from the spirit and scope of the invention, and Itherefore do not wish to be limited to the specifl'c disclosure, but rather to the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a discharge apparatus fora tank storing a liquid having a discharge opening, drainage control means for the tank including a closure associated with the opening adapted to be un- 'closed by fluid pressure, a source of fluid pressure, fluid medium conducting means from said source of fluid to said closure, fluid flow control means in said conducting means nonnally permitting the flow of fluid medium through said conducting means toward said closure and having a fluid medium outlet normally pbstructed,

and means associated with said closure to control said fluid flow control means.

2. In a discharge apparatus for a tank storing a liquid having a discharge opening, drainage control means for the tank including a closure associated with the opening-adapted to be unclosed by fluid pressure, fluid medium admission means for said tank, a source of fluid under pressure, fluid medium conducting means from said source of fluid -to said closure, fluid medium conducting means from said source of fluid to said fluid-admission means, means in'said first named conducting means adaptedto control the flow of fluid medium to the closure, and means associated with said closure to control said fluid flow control means.

, 3. In a discharge apparatus for a tank storing a liquid having adischarge opening, drainage control means for the tank including a closure associated with the opening adapted to be unclosed by uid pressure, fluid medium admission means for said tank, a source of fluid under pressure, fluid medium conducting means from said source of fluid tosaid closure, fluid medium conducting means from said source of fluid to said fluid admission means, means common to both said conducting means adapted to control the flow of fluid medium through both of said conducting means, .and means associated with said closure to control said fluid flow control means. I

4. In a discharge apparatus for a tank storing a liquid having a discharge opening, drainage control means for the tank including a closure associated with the opening adapted to be unclosed by fluid pressure, fluid medium admission means for said tank, a source of fluid under pressure, fluid medium conducting meansfrom said source of fluid to said closure, fluid medium conducting means from said source of fluid to said fluid admission means, partly in common with said first named conducting means, means common to both said conducting means adapted to control the flow of fluid medium through both of said conducting means, and means associated with said closure to control said fluid flow control means.

5. In a discharge'apparatus for a tank storing a liquid having a discharge opening, drainage control means for the tank including a closure associated with the opening adapted to he unclosed by fluid pressure, fluid medium admission means for said tank, a source of fluid under pressure, fluid medium conducting means from said source of fluid to said closure, fluid medium conducting means from said source offluid to said fluid admission means, partly in common with said first named conducting means, means common to both said conducting means adapted to control the flow of fluid medium through both of said conducting means, and normally obstructing communication through said second named conducting means, and means associated with said closure to control said fluid flow control means.

6. In a discharge apparatus for a tank storing a liquid having a discharge opening, drainage control means for the tank including a closure associated with the opening adapted to be unclosed by fluid pressure, fluid medium admission means for said tank, a source of fluid under pressure, fluid medium co ducting means from said source of fluid to said "closure, fluid medium conducting means from said source of fluid to said fluid admission means, partly in common with said first named conducting means, means common to both said conducting means adapted to control the flow 'of fluid medium through both of said conducting means and permitting communication through 'said first named conducting.

means, and means associated with said closure to control said fluid flow control means; 7. In a discharge apparatus for a tank storing through said second named a liquid having a discharge opening, drainage control means for the tank including a closure associated with the opening adapted to be unclosed by fluid pressure, fluid medium admission means for said tank, a source of fluid under pressure, fluid medium conducting means from said source of fluid -to said closure, fluid medium conducting means from said source of fluid to said fluid admission me partly in common with said first named conducting means, means common to both said conducting means adapted to control the flow or fluid medium through both of said conducting means normally permitting communication through said flrst named conducting means and obstructing communication through said second named conducting means, and means associated with said closure to control said fluid flow control means,

8. In a discharge apparatus for a tank storing a liquid having .a discharge opening, drainage control means for the tank including a closure associated with'the opening adapted to be unclosed by fluid pressure, fluid medium admission means for said tank, a source of fluid under-pressure, fluid medium conducting means from said source, of fluid to said closure, fluid medium conducting means from said source of fluid to said fluid admission means, partly in common with fluid pressure with unclosing of the closure, whereby control means is free to be moved to obstruct communication in the first and] to free communication in the second named conducting means.

12. In combination a fluid flow control valve, a liquid flow impeding member secured adjacent to the valve forming a chamber therewith and adapted to be rendered inoperative by fluid pressure, means defining a fluid flow conducting path into said chamber, fluid flow control means in said path, fluid medium flow outlet means associated with said control means, and means on said flow impeding member to control said control means.

13. In combination a fluid flow control valve, a

' flow impeding member secured adjacent to the said flrstnamed conducting means, means common toboth' said conducting means adapted to control the flow of fluid medium through both 01' said conducting means normally permitting communication through said first named conducting means and obstructing communication conducting means, and means associated with said closure adapted by its position thereon to assure said normal position of the control me 9. In combination drainage control means for a tank having an opening associated with said opening including a, closure for the opening adapted to be unclosed by fluid pressure, means.

defining "a fluid flow conducting path. to said closure, means in said path adapted to ontrol the. flow of fluid medium to the closure, and means on said closure to control said control means. 5 10. In combination a fluid flow control valve, a liquid flow impeding member secured adjacent to the valve forming a chamber therewith and adapted to be rendered inoperative by fluid pressure, means deflning a fluid flow conducting path into said chamber, fluid flow control means in said path normally nonobstructive thereto, and vmeans on said flow impeding member to control said control means.

11. In a discharge apparatus for a tank adaptd to store a liquid having a discharge op, drainage control means for the tank including a closureassociated with the opening adapted to be unclosed by fluid pressure, fluid medium admission means ior said tank, a source of fluid under pressure, fluid. medium conducting means from said source of fluid to said closure, fluid medium conducting means from said source of fluid to said fluid admission means partly in common with said first named conducting means, fluid flow control means common to both said conducting means movable by fiuid pressure and initially set so as to permit communication through said first named conducting means and to obstruct communication through said second named" conducting means, and movement limiting means for said flow control means on said closure adapted to be rendered inoperative by ing member to valve forming a chamber therewith and adapted to be rendered inoperative by fluid pressure, means defining a fluid flow conducting path into said chamber, fluid'flow control means in said path, fluid medium flow outlet means associated with said control means normally obstructed thereby, and means on said flow impeding membet to control said control means.

14. In combination a fluid flo'w control valve, a flow impeding member secured adjacent to the valve forming a chamber therewith and adapted to be rendered inoperative by fluid pressure, means de g a fluid flow conducting path into said chamber normally unobstructed, fluid flow control means in said path normally in a nonoperated position adapted to be operated by fluid pressure, fluid medium flow outlet means associated with said control means, normally obstructed thereby, andmeans on said flow impedlimit the operative movement of said control means adapted to become inoperative with unclosing of said member.

. 15. In combination a fluid flow control valve, a flow impeding member secured adjacent to the valve iorminga chamber therewith and adapted to be rendered inoperative by fluid pressure, means defining a fluid medium conducting path into said chamber normally unobstructed, fluid flow control means in said path, normally in a i said control means normally obstructed thereby adapted upon operation of said control means to be put in communication with said conducting path, and means on said flow impeding member to limit the operative movement of said control means adapted to become inoperative with unclosing of said member.

16. A spring controlled fluid flow control valve, having a body structure, a flow impeding member secured to said body structure forming a chamber therewith having a projection and adapted to be removed by fluid pressure, fluid flow distribution means on said body structure and forming a part thereof having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet port, a fluid flow control piston operable by fluid pressure in said control means lightly held in an unoperated position in exact juxtaposition to said projection and in that position permitting fluid flow communication between said inlet port and said chamber and obstructing communication between said inlet and said outlet ports, whereby upon admission of fluid medium under pressure said piston is moved until further movement is' stopped by said projection and upon removal of said projection with the flow impeding member upon unclosing of the closure, said flowdue to pressure in said chamber the piston is moved to the limits of said distribution means to interrupt said first named communication and to free said last named communication.

'17. In a liquid flow control device operable by a fluid medium under pressure forming a cham ber, a flow impeding member forming a closure for said chamber adapted to become inoperative upon applicationof fluid pressure in said chamber, means defining a'fluld flow conducting path to said chamber including a control chamber, in-

. let means and outlet means for said control chamber, said outletmeans a second outlet means fluid pressure operable movable in said control chamber between said inlet and outlet means normally leading into said chamber, for the control chamber, a

structing passage of fluid medium between said inlet and said second outlet means, and means associated with said flow impeding member adapted to obstruct operative movement of the control member, whereby upon application of fluid pressure through said inlet means said movement obst'ructing means becomes inoperative and the control member is operated to obstruct communicafluid flow control member a liquid having a discharge opemng, drainage. con

permitting free passage of fluid medium therebetween and.ob-

trol means for the tank including a closure asso ciated with the opening adapted to be unclosed b fluid pressure,- a source of fluid pressure, fluid me dium conducting means from said-source of flui to said closure, fluid flow control means in. saii. conducting meansnormally permitting the flov of fluid medium through said conducting meam toward said closure, and means associated with said closure to control said fluid flow control means.

HARRY C. GRANT, JR

for' preventing operation-