US2303712A - Fluid eduction - Google Patents

Description

s. L. suNDsTRo'M FLUID EDUCTION Filed May l5. 1940 &

Patented Dec. l1, 1942 FLUID superiori Savin L. Sundstrom, Chicago, Ill., assignor to The Bastian-Blessingompany, Chicago, lll., a corporation of Illinois Application May 15, 1940, sesamo. 335,303

' (ci. ca -1).

14 Claims.

This invention relates to fluid educticn and to means for removing uid-either liquid vor vapor-from a tank. It has for one object to provide in a. single fitting selective means for rel -moving liquid either from the bottom of the tank or for removing vapor from the upper portion'of the tank. Another object is to provide them.

means for combining in a single tting a plurality of independent outlets and means for controlling the passage of iluid through a predetermined path. Another object is to provide in a unitary iitting having a single :final outlet a plurality of independent takeo passages and means for selectively utilizing one or the other.

Other objects will appear from time to time throughout the specication and the claims.

The invention is illustrated more or less diathe present invention. It is taken on a largev scale withrespect to the showing of Figure l. Like parts are designated by like characters throughout the specication and the drawing.

In the particular form of the invention here shown a, tank l is, when in use, more or less full of a liquid-2'. 'Ihe tank may or may not be buried as desired. Frequently, such tanks are buried in the ground and frequently below frost level. The liquid whichis contained may be of any desirednature but will frequently be liquefled hydrocarbon. One frequent use of such apparatus is in the storage and dispensing of butane, propane and similar gases and mixtures of A standpipe 3 is secured to the tank l and is in communication with its interiorthrou'gh a suitable opening. A unitary head 4 may be used to contain the various lling, gauging and outlet connection means. The invention is not limited to this particular association .but is shown thus for convenience. The unitary head 4 has a. number of passages through it and valves in it which need not be shown in detail. It is interiorly threaded as at 5 to engagecorresponding threading on the upper end of the standpipe l3. In the portion 6 of the member 4 is formed a iller connection. In the portion 1 is formed a vapor return connection. 8 and 9 are, respecmembers 6 and l. 'Ihese ,are not shown in detail as the invention is not limited to them nor to association with them. The upper end of the unitary head i may be perforated and closed by a plate I0 which has a perforation or passage Il formed in it. i2 is a seat member which is preferably threaded in the perforation il and pro- .vides a bearing and seat for the gauge tube i3 which is provided with a removable closure member it at its upper end. The gauge tube is calibrated as shown in Figure 1 and may be provided with a foot portion I5 which may include, if desired, an excess flow check valve to limit the iiow of fluid outwardly through the gauge tube An outlet duct or passage I6 is formed in vthe unitary head'li. It is interiorly threadedas at Il to receive a correspondingly threaded outlet tube i8 which is preferably opened at its bottom as at I9 and may have secured to it a spring 2B which rests against the bottom of the tank l to prevent excess vibration of the tube with respect to the tank.

The duct or passage I6 is enlarged as at 2i. From the enlargement 2i a short passage l22 leads to a space 23 formed in an extension of the main head t. An outlet duct or passage'24 leads from the space 23 to a chamber 25'formed in the extension 26 which is preferably integral with the head t. This extension is threaded exteriorly as at 21 to receive a tube through which gas or liquid is conveyed lto a point of use or further treatment. A check 4valve seat 28 is adjustably threaded in corresponding threading 29 in the housing extension 26. The check valve seat member is perforatedfas at 30. A check valve 3l is vslldably mounted in the chamber 25. It may have grooves 32ron its exterior or may be of hexagonal or other angular shape to provide clearance past its sides. A perforation 33 is formed in the check valve 3|. A spring 34 is mounted in the check seat 28 and holds the cheek `valve 3l in the raised position under normal conditions. The valve is thus held upwardly to contact the stop 35 which projects inwardly into the chamber 25.

f a space or chamber 38' formed in the head 4. It

is providedwith an enlarged threaded portion tively, closures for the connections formed in the 39 Whih engages corresponding threading 40 in the space 38. In its lower end the stem 31 carries a tapered or more or less conical valve portion 4I which is separated from the threaded portion 39 by a reduced portion 42. At its upper end the stem 31 is preferably given an angular shape as at 43 to permit of rotation by a suitable tool. Packing and packing retainers 44 are positioned about the stem 31 and a removable cover or cap 45 is provided to cover the upper end of the stem 31.

A cutoff valve stem 46 is mounted for movement within the space 23. At its inner end it has removably secured to it a valve disc 41 which is held in place by a' disc retainer 48. As shown in Figure 2, the disc 41, when the valve is closed, is seated against a raised seat 49. The valve stem 46 is reduced and threaded as at 50 and is provided with a head I which rotatably engages an operating stem 52 which has secured to its outer end a hand wheel 53. The portion 52 is thread.- ed and engages corresponding threading in a bonnet 54 which is itself in threaded engagement I at 55 with threads formed in the head 4. A diaphragm 56 is positioned about the stem 46. At its outer edges the diaphragm is held in place by the inner end of the bonnet.54. At its inner edges it is held against the stem 46 by a nut and washer 51.

Although there is shown an operative form of the device, it will -be understood that many changes in the form,'shape and` arrangement of parts might be made without departing from the spirit of this invention, and it is wished that the showing be taken as, in a sense, iagrammatic.

The use and operation of this @vice are as follows:

As above mentioned, the passage and controlling members of this invention, which are particularly shown in Figure 2, may be associated with a tank in which liquid and vapor are present under pressure and they are not limited in their use to association with any other control or ll- 111g or emptying or gauging means. Means of this latter group, whichaie shown herewith, appear merely because for some purposes it is convenient to make a unitary assembly including all' of such parts in addition to the control apparatus and features of the present invention. l

` As the parts are shown in Figure 2, nothing is leaving the tank. This is because the valve 46,

41 is seated. If that valve were opened by rotation of the hand wheel 53, the passage 22 would become open'vand liquid would be forced by pressure within the tank into and through the pipe I6, through the spaces or ducts I6, 2I, 22, 24 un-A til the liquid reaches the check valve 3|. If the liquid flows properly, it will pass down the portions 32 land through the perforation 3U into the pipe which is secured to the threads 21, and will flow to the point of use or to the point of further treatment.

If it is desired to cause vapor to flow, the valve 4I will be opened by rotation of the stem 31,

which causes the valve 4I to back away from the seat, and then vapor would escape from the top of the tank I and, passing upwardly through the standpipe 3, would flow into the passage 36, thence through'2l to 22 and through 24 to the check valve, and it would ow through the pipe secured to the threads 21 outwardly to the point of ''se.

'I'he movement of the valve in the passage just suggested would not close the liquid passage, which remains open, but pressure equalization across the liquid passages would keep the liquid down in the pipe I8 at the same level in which the liquid settlesin the tank as a whole and, thus, with the valve open, only vapor would pass out of the tank.

Should excess flows of fluid through the passage 24 occur, the check valve will close upon the oc' currence of predetermined flow conditions and the valve member 3I will yield downwardly against the resistance of the spring 34 until lt is seated against the upper face of the seat member 28. This will close the passages 32 but the opening 33 in the check valve 3| remains clear because it has been moved away from contact with the projection 35. With the parts in this position fluid is not entirely cut off but is restricted because the cross'sectional area of the perforation 33 is less than the combined cross sectional areas of the spaces 3I. Upon-the establishment of proper` now-conditions the check valve is re and the structure of the present invention makes' that simple. To empty the tank, the operator will close the valve 4I and will disconnect the regulator which will usually have been attached to the threads 21 or in the line of fluid flow somewhere between the structure shown and the point of use. He will then open the valve' 46, 41, a hose will be attached to the connection 21 and ,liquid'cf'n be discharged through the hose to a pump which will force it into a tank truck or other-suitably safe movable receptacle. Thus, the entire contents may be removed simply and safely. Heretofore it has been the usual practice, where a tank must be moved, to permit the contents to be exhausted to the atmosphere. This is wasteful and dangerous because frequently a combustible mixture is formed which lies on the surface of the ground and constitutes a serious hazard.

I claim:

l. In combination in a fluid storage and dispensing system, a tank adapted to contain a quantity of liquid and a quantity of vapor under pressure, a plurality of discharge members, one extending from said tank and to a point adjacent to the bottomof said tank, the other extending from a point adjacent to the top of said tank in communication `with the vapor space at all times, and a single control housing member, a plurality of passages through said housing member, one in communication, respectively, with each of said discharge members, and a single control chamber, each of said passages communicating therewith, and a control valve positioned in said control chamber to close one of said passages without aifecting communication with the other, a singleI discharge passage extending from said control chamber and comprising a fluid outlet connection, a shuto valve in said outlet connection adapted to be moved to close said discharge passage,and an excess flow check valve in said outlet connection responsive to excess flow of vapor and liquid.

2. In combination in a fluid storage and dispensing system, a tank adapted to contain a quantity of liquidand a quantity of vapor under pressure, a plurality of discharge members, one

extending from said tank and to a point adjacent to the bottom of said tank, the other extending communication, respectively, with each of said discharge members, and a single control chamber, each of said passages communicating therewith, a discharge passage extending from said control chamber and comprising a iiuid outlet connection.

3. In combination in a fluid storage and dispensing system, a tank adapted to contain a quantity of liquid and a` quantity of vapor under pressure, a plurality of discharge members, one extending from said tank and to a point adjacent to the bottom of said tank, the other extending from a point adjacent to the top of said tank, the

rst discharge member lying within the second, and a single control housing member comprising a unitary construction, each of said discharge members secured thereto, a plurality ofpassages through said housing member, one in communication, respectively, with 'each of said discharge members, and a single control chamber, each of said passages communicating therewith, and a control valve positioned in said control chamber a single control housing member, each of said disv charge members secured thereto, a plurality of ,passages through said housing member, one in communication, respectively, with each of said discharge members, and a single control chamber,

each of said passages communicating therewith,

and -a control valve in the housing member positioned in said control chamber to close one of said passages, a single discharge passage extending from said control chamber and comprising a fluid outlet connection, a shutoff valve in said outlet connection adapted to be moved to close said discharge passage, and a check valve in said outlet connection.

5. In combination `in 'a fluid storage and dispensing system, a tank adapted to contain a quantity of liquid and a quantity of vapor under pressure, a plurality of tubular discharge members, oneexte'nding from said tank and to a point adjacent to the bottom of saidtank, the other extending from a point adjacent to the top of said tank-the first discharge member lying within the second, and a single control housing member, each of said discharge `members secured" thereto, a plurality of passages through said housing member, one in communication, respectively, with each of said discharge members, and a single control chamber, each of said passages communicating therewith, and a control valve positioned in said control chamber to close one of said passages,` a single discharge passage extending from said control chamber and comprising a I uid outlet connection, a shutoff valve in the housing member in said outlet connection Jadapted to be moved to close said discharge passage, and a check valve in said outlet connection.

6. In combination ina system for storing and dispensing liquid andvapor under pressure, a tank, a standpipe extending therefrom and in communication with the interior thereof, a consaid standpipe, a passage through said housing member in communication with the interior of said standpipe, a discharge tube extending to a point adjacent the bottom of said tank, a second passage in said housing, said discharge tube in communication therewith, and a control chamber within said housing, the two said passages being in communication with said chamber, means for controlling the iiow of vapor through said second passage, an outlet connection from said control chamber, a valve for opening and closing said outlet connection.

7. In combination in a system for storing and dispensing liquid and vapor under pressure, a

tank, a standpipe extending therefrom and in communication with the interior thereof, a control housing member secured to the outer end of said standpipe, a passage through said housing member in` communication with the interior of said standpipe, a discharge tube extending to av point adjacent the bottom of said tank, a second `passage in said housing, said discharge tube in communication therewith, and acontrol chamber withinsaid housing, the two said passages being in communication with said chamber, an outlet connection from said control chamber, avalve for 'l opening and closing said outlet connection, means deiining a iinal discharge passage and an excess flow check valve positioned therein.

8. In combination in a system for storing and dispensing liquid and vapor under "pressure, a

tank, a standpipe extending therefrom and in communication with the interior thereof, a unitary control housing member secured to the outer end of said standpipe, a passage through said housing member incommunication with the interior of said standpipe, a discharge tube extending to a point adjacent the vbottom of said tank, a second passage in said housing, said discharge tube Yin communication therewith, and a control chamber within said housing, the two said passages being in communication with said chamber, and ja valve adapted to be moved to close one of said passages, an outlet connection from said control chamber, a valve for opening and closing said outlet connection.

9. In combination in a system for storing and dispensing liquid `and vapor under pressure, a- Atank. a standpipe -extending therefrom and in therewith, and a controlchamber within said housing, the two said passages being in communication withsaid chamber, and a valve adapted to be moved to close one of said passages, a

. single outlet connectionfrom said control chamtrol housing member secured to the outer end of ber, a valve for opening and closing said outlet connection, means defining a naldischarge passage and an excess flow check valve positioned therein. i

10. In combination, a pressure vessel, an outforming members, a control chamber in said housing member, all of said fluid passages communicating therewith, a valve positioned within said control chamber and adapted to close one of said uid passages, a single main outlet from said control chamber, a cutoff valve positioned to control said outlet, a discharge passage beyond said cutoff valve, and an excess ow check valve positioned in said discharge passage.

11. In combination in a system for storing and dispensing liquid and vapor under pressure,` a tank, a fitting, means for removably securing the fitting to the tank including an intermediate member fastened to the tank, a passage through said fitting in communication with the tank for eductingvapor, a second passageway, a discharge tube connected thereto and extending to a point adjacent the bottom of the tank for educting liquidfrom the tank, a third passageway in said fitting terminatingin an outlet adapted to receive a service pipe connector, manually controlled valve means for selectively controlling the flow of gas and liquid throughA said third passageway, and excess flow check valve means for controlling the flow of fuel through said third passageway.

l2. In combination in a system for storing and dispensing liquid and vapor under pressure, a tank, an annular element secured to the tank in communication with the interior thereof, a control housing member removably secured to the outer end of said element, a passage through said housing member in communication with the tank through said element, a discharge vtube mounted on said housing member and extending through said element to a point adjacent the bottom of said tank, a second passage in said housing in communication with the tube, a third passage within said housing, the rst two passages being in communication with the third, a valve at one end of the third passage adapted to close one of the first two passages, a valve at the other end of said third passage for controlling the flow of fuel through the third passage in relation to the position of the rst valve, and means for obstructing excess ow of fuel through said passages includingexcess flow check valve means.

13. In combination in a system for storing and dispensing liquid and vapor under pressure. a tank, a unitary tting body, means for securing the body at an opening and in communication with the tank, a passage through said bodyin communication with the tank for educting vapor from the tank, means for educting liquid from the tank including a second passage and a discharge tube mounted upon the body in communication with the second passage and extending to the bottom of the tank, a third passage within said body, the rst two passages being in communication with the third, a manually controlled valve at one end of the third passage for controlling the ow of vapor through the first passage, a second manually controlled valve at the other end of the third passage for controlling the iiow of liquid through the third passage when the first valve is closed, and means for obstructing excess ow of fuel through said passages including excessjflow check valve means.

14. For use with a tank for storing liquefied petroleum gas under pressure, a tting body adapted to be received tothe tank for dispensing said gas comprising a service outletI adapted to receive a service conduit to convey fuel from the tank to a place of consumption, branch passageways leading from the service conduit to the interior of the tank, means for placing one of the passageways in open communication with the bottom of the tank including a conduit extending to the bottom of the tank, the other passageway being in communication with the top of the tank for educting vapor, a manual cutoi valve in the last passageway'ito induce flow of liquid through the-other passageway, a filler opening including a back iiow check valve, excess ow check valve means in the body controlling the flow of fuel into the service conduit, and a safety relief valve in said body including passageways opening into the top of the tank independently of the branch passageways.

` SAVIN L. SUNDSTROM.

Images