US2327601A

US2327601A - Air volume control

Info

Publication number: US2327601A
Application number: US434409A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter E Kent
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1942-03-12
Filing date: 1942-03-12
Publication date: 1943-08-24
Anticipated expiration: 1960-08-24

Description

W` E. KENT Aug. 24, 1943.

AIR VOLUME CONTROL Filed March l2, 1942 l @a ,0, 0 u f 5 d fm J Z /M JEZ m W E w y v V D M M w w A@ M Mw@ 7 U im un inlihnl Patented Aug. 24, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE AIR VOLUME CONTROL Walter E. Kent, Decatur, lll; Application March 12, 1942, Serial No. 434,409

20 Claims.

My invention relates to automatic controls for self-contained water systems of the type in which distribution is eiected by pressure established in the storage tank, as distinguished from gravity now systems.4 Arrangements of this character are vcustomarily used in country districts or in other locations which do not have access to central pumping stations.

Cardinal requirements of such a system are an automatic introduction of air into the storage tank and the maintaining of this air above a predetermined pressure over the surface of the water to insure adequate iiow at the various outlets of the system. Failure to introduce air in proper amounts results in water logged tanks, sluggish distribution in the system, increased wear of the motor and pump, and higher operating costs. One objection to existing systems is that the air is forced into the tank at or near the shut-o pressure which is ordinarily of the order of forty pounds per square inch.

It is therefore one object of my invention to devise a fully automatic air control for introducing air into the storage tank at the allowable minimum tank pressure or a pressure close thereto, i. e., when the pump is operating at full capacity and highest emciency.

A further object is to provide a control which automatically interrupts the flow of air into the tank at a pressure materially less than the shutoil pressure of the pump.

These and further objects of my invention will be set forth in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and the novel means by which said objects are eiectuated will be definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is an elevation showing a characteristic water system equipped with my-automatic air control device.

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of shown in Fig. 1.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are similar elevations showing various modications.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, the numeral Ill designates a pressure tank which supplies water to any desired number of ou lets through a pipe Il and to whichvwater is delivered through a pipe I2 by means of a pump I3 connected to a suction pipe It that may extend into awell. The pipe Iii may include a check valve I5 arid the pump I3 may be of any standard type provided that it is capable of pumping some air. The pump is driven by a the control motor I6 under the control of a pressure switch IJ, as commonly used in systems of this character, which is electrically connected to the motor and to an electrical supply by a circuit I8.

'I'he switch I1 is responsive to the pressure in the pipe I2 and While it may be adjusted to stop and start the motor at any desired pressure limits, it will be considered for purpose of example and not by way of limitation that the motor will start when the Ipressure in the tank falls to twenty pounds `per square inch and will stop when the pressure in the tank reaches forty pounds per square inch. Water levels in the tank corresponding to these pressures, respectively, and with a normal air supply in the tank, are indicated by the numerals I9 and 2li in Fig. 1.

The control for automatically introducing air into the tank is designated by the numeral 2| in Fig. 1 and is shown in section in Fig. 2 to which reference will now be made. The control comprises abutting

casing parts

22 and 23 between which are clamped a diaphragm 24 and a 'stiff plate 25 which defines with the casing part 22 a suction chamber 26. This chamber communicates through a port- 21 with a pipe 28 which is connected to the suction pipe I4.

An air inlet nipple 29 is provided to permit under certain conditions the entrance of atmospheric air into the chamber 26 and its inlet end includes a passage 30 that is closed by a ball V valve 3l under the impulse of a light spring 32,

except when a partial vacuum is created in the chamber 26 as hereinafter described.

A valve 33 provided with guide ribs 33 is disposed in operative relation to the port 21 and is carried by one end of a stem 34 whose opposite end extends freely through the plate 25 for securement to the diaphragm 24. A spring 35 encircles the stem 34 with its opposite ends abutting the casing part 22 and diaphragm 24, respectively, and acts to maintain the valve 33 in the open position and the diaphragm in the bowed position as shown. The free portion of the diaphragm includes an aperture 36 which may be of any desired size, depending upon the conditions of operation, but which in any case provides a restricted means of communication between the chamber 26 and a chamber 3l in the casing part 23., Under the specic conditions assumed hereii'r, the diameter of the aperture may be of the order of 3/64". The chamber 31 connects through a pipe 38 with the tank preferably at the low pressure water level I9 and Pump through the pipe I4 and delivering it to the tank by way of the pipe I2. The pump establishes a ture 36 by the plate 25.

a pressure gage 39 may be mounted on the part 23 to indicate tank pressures.

In describing the operation of my improved control and system, it will be assumed that the pump I3 is not running. The pressures in the chambers 2,6 and 31 are then equalized so that the valve 33 is held open by the spring and the diaphragm occupies the bowed position shown in Fig. 2, i. e., the aperture 36 is not masked by the plate Z5. g

When the tank pressure falls to twenty pounds, the pressure switch I1 closes and the I3 begins operating, drawing water partial vacuum in the chamber 26 which tends to unseat the valve 3l and permit a ilow of atmospheric air into the system, but whether this condition results depends upon the location of the water level in the tank when the pump starts. If this level is substantially as indicated by the numeral I9, i. e., below the aperture 36, no partial vacuum will be created in the chamber 26, because air iiowing through the aperture will break the suction in the chamber 26 and will be recirculated by the pump back to the tank. The

ball 3I remains seated during this period.

However, if the water level in the tank is above the aperture 36 when the pump starts, the ow of water through the aperture from the tank is insuilicient by reason of its restricted area to destroy the partial vacuum in the chamber 26, so that the valve 3| is pulled open and air is drawn into the system from the atmosphere.

The loading applied by the spring to the diaphragm is preferably such that when a tank pressure of twenty-three or twenty-four pounds is reached, the diaphragm 24 is iiexed to the left to close the valve 33 and to also mask the aper- This action occurs in either of the above two modes of operation and the valve 33 remains closed until the pump is stopped by the establishment of the high pressure limit in the tank. When the pump stops, the pressure in the control equalizes on both sides of the diaphragm, whereupon the spring 35 opens the valve 33 in preparation for the next cycle.

It will be particularly noted that the air is introduced into the system within a tank pressure range of twenty to twenty-four pounds, or generally at a pressure substantially closer to the low tank pressure than to the high, that is, during the period when the pump is operating at the fullest capacity and highest efficiency. Such an arrangement `contrasts advantageously with other types of systems in which the air is introduced at or near the high pressure limit.

In Fig. 3 is illustrated a modification of the control wherein the diaphragm is eliminated in favor of a stiff plate 40 which is clamped between the

casing parts

22 and 23 and includes an aperture 4I corresponding in size and function to the aperture 36. As before, the valve 33 is operably related to the port 21 and is mounted on one end of a stem 42 whose opposite end extends slidably a spring 44 whose opposite ends abut, respectively,

an interior wall of the casing part 22 and a washer 45 xed to the stem 42. Otherwise, this form of the control is identical with that illustrated in Fig. 2 and its operation is similar in that, when the -pump is started, the creation of a partial vacuum in the chamber 26 depends upon the relation of the water level in the tank to4 the aperture 4I. Above a tank pressure of twenty-three or twenty-Q four pounds, the head 43 is moved towards the left to close the valve 33 and mask the aperture 4I, the spring' 44 being sized in relation to the area of the head 43 to accomplish this result. When the pump stops, pressure is equalized in the

chambers

26 and 31 whereupon the valve 33 and head are moved to the open positions shown by the spring 44.

The modification shown in Fig. 4 is in many respects the most preferable. This structure utilizes a diaphragm 46 to which is secured one end of a valve stem 41 whose opposite end carries the usual valve 33 for controlling ilow through the port 21. As in the other forms, the valve 33 is biased to an open position by a spring 48 whose ends abut the casing part 22 and the diaphragm 46. An aperture 49, corresponding in size and function to the previously noted apertures, is provided in the stem 41 to establish a restricted means of communication between the

chambers

26 and 31. The operation of this device is the same as that illustrated in Fig. 2, the diierence being that the aperture 49 is always o pen. In this form, the aperture 49 could be located in the diaphragm, if desired.

In Fig. 5 which shows only a portion of a still further modification, the arrangement and operation is identical with the form shown in Fig. 4, except that an aperture is not provided in either the diaphragm 50 or the valve stem 5I. Hence, there is no direct communication between the

chambers

26 and 31 and it would be necessary to use a relief valve (not shown) with the tank to periodically discharge excess air.

I claim:

1. An air volume control for a liquid system having a tank for storing the liquid under pressure and a pump for supplying liquid to the tank comprising a casing provided with a suction chamber having an outlet port communicating with the pump and an air inlet, the inlet being open when a suction is established in the chamber and closed at all other times, a valve for controlling iiow through the port, and a movable member connected to the valve and responsive to a predetermined tank pressure for closing the valve.

2. An air volume control for a liquid system having a tank for storing the liquid under pressure and a pump for supplying liquid to the tank comprising a casing provided with a suction chamber having an outlet port communicating with the pump and an air inlet, the inlet being open when a suction is established in the chamber and closed at all other times, a -valve for controlling ow through the port, a movable member connected to the valve and responsive to a predetermined tank pressure for closing the valve, and spring means interposed between the casing and member and operative to hold the valve open below said pressure.

3. An air volume control for a liquid system having a tank for storing the liquid under pressure and a pump for supplying liquid to the tank comprising a casing provided with a suction chamber having an outlet port communicating with the pump and an air inlet, the inlet being open When a suction is established in the chamber and closed at al1 other times, a valve for controlling flow through the port, a diaphragm connected to the valve and exposed on one side to the tank pressure and on the opposite side to the suction pressure, and spring means interposed between the casing and diaphragm and operative to hold the valve open below a predetermined tank pressure and yielding to 'permit the closing of the valve by the diaphragm at said pressure.

ber and closed at all other times, a valve forI controlling ow through the port, and a movable member connected to the valve having an aperture providing a restricted means of communication between the suction chamber and tank and responsive to a predetermined tank pressure for closing the valve.

5. An air volume control for a liquid system having a tank for storing the liquid under pressure and a pump for supplying liquid to the tank comprising a casing provided with a suction chamber having an outlet port communicating with the pump and an air inlet, the inlet being open when a suction is established ln the chamber and closed at all other times, a valve for controlling flow through the port, and a movable member connected to the valve having an aperture providing a restricted means of communiproviding a restricted means of communication between the suction chamber and tank, the aper- Y ture being sized to admit liquid from the tank'in a quantity insuilicient to destroy the suction in the suction chamber when the liquid in the tank is at an elevation above the aperture and airfrom the tank to break the suction when the liquid in the tank is at the same elevation as or below the aperture, spring means interposed between the casing andv diaphragm and operative to holdthe valve open below a predetermined tank pressure and yielding to permit the closing of the valve by the diaphragm at said pressure, and closure means overlying the aperture when the diaphragm is`-fiexed to close the valve.

8. In a liquid pressure system, the combination of a tank, a pump for supplying liquid under pressure to the tank, means for starting and stopping the pump at predetermined minimum and maximum tank pressures, respectively, a suction chamber having an outlet port communieating with the pump and an air inlet, the inlet being open when a suction is established inv the chamber and closed at all other times, a valve for controlling i'low through the port, a passage including a restricted portionv connecting the chamber with the tank substantially atvthe low pressure liquid level, the portion being sized to admit liquid from the tank in a quantity insu-fcation between the suction chamber and tank and responsive to a predetermined tank pressure for closing the valve, the aperture being sized to admit liquid from the tank in a quantity insuflcient to destroy the suction in the suction chamber when the liquid in the tank is at an-elevation abovethe aperture and air from the tank to relieve the suction when the liquid in the tank is at the same elevation as or below the aperture.

6. An air volume control for a liquid system having a tank for storing the liquid under pressure and a pump for supplying' liquid to the tank comprising a casing provided with a suction chamber having an outlet port communicating with the pumpand an air inlet, the inlet being open when a suction is established in the chamber and closed at all other times, a valve for controlling ilow through the port, a. diaphragm connected -to the valve and having an aperture providing a restricted means of communication between the suction chamber and tank, the aperture being sized to admit liquidfrom the tank in a quantity insufficient to destroy the suction in the suction chamber when the liquid in the tank is at an elevation above the aperture and air from the tank to relieve the suction when the liquid in the tank is at the same elevation as or below the aperture, and spring means interposed between the casing and diaphragm and operative to hold the valve open below a predetermined tank pressure and yielding to permit the closing of the valve by the diaphragm at said pressure.

7. An air volume control for a liquid system having a tank for storing the liquid under pressure and a pump for supplying liquid to the tank comprising a casing provided with a suction chamber having an outlet port communicating with the pump and an air inlet, the inlet being open when a suction is established in the chamber and closed at all other times, a valve for controlling ow through the port, a diaphragm connected to the valve and having an aperture flcient to destroy the suction in the suction chamber When the liquid in the tank is at an elevation above the portion and air from the tank to break the suction when the liquid in the tank is at the same elevation as or below the portion, and means including the valve responsive to a tank pressure substantially less than the maximum tank pressure for interrupting the air supply.

9. An air volume control for a liquid system having a tank for storing the liquid under pressure and a pump for supplying liquid to the tank comprising a casing provided with a suction chamber having an outlet port communicating with the pump and an air inlet, the inlet being open when a suction is established in the chamber and closed at all other times, a valve for controlling flow through the port, a wall portion separating the chamber from a passage communicating with the tank, a movable member exposed to the tank pressure in the passage and connected to the valve, and springmeans abutting the casing and connected to the valve, the spring means being operative to hold the valve open below a predetermined tank pressure and yielding to permit the closing of the valve by the member at said pressure.

10-. An air volume control for a liquid system having a tank for storing the liquid under pressure and a pump for supplying liquid to the tank comprising a casing provided with a suction chamber having an outlet port communicating with the pump and an air inlet, the inlet being open when a suction is established in the chamber and closed at all other times, a valve for controlling ow through the port, a wall portion separating the chamber from a passage communicating with the tank and having an aperture providing a restricted means of communibelow the aperture, a movable member extending through the wall portion for exposure to the tank pressure in the passage and connected to the valve, and spring means abutting the casing and connected to the valve, the spring means being operative to hold the valve open below a predetermined tank pressure and yielding to permit the closing of the valve by the member at said pressure.

11. An air volume control for a liquid system having a tank for storing the liquid under pressure and a pump for supplying liquid to the tank comprising a casing provided with a suction chamber having an outlet port communicating with the pump and an air inlet, the inlet being open when a suction is established in the chamber and closed at all other times, a valve for controlling flow through the port, a passage including a portion providing a restricted means of communication between the suction chamber and tank, and means connected to the valve and responsive to a predetermined tank pressure for closing the valve.

12. An air volume control for a liquid system having a tank for storing the liquid under pressureand a pump for supplying liquid to the tank comprising a casing provided with a suction chamber having an outlet port communicating with the pump and an air inlet, the inlet being open when a suction is established in the chamber and closed at all other times, a valve for controlling flow through the port, a passage including a portion providing a restricted means of communication between the suction chamber and tank, theportion being sized to admit liquid from the tank in a quantity insufficient to destroy the suction in the chamber when the liquid in the tank is at an elevation above the portion and air from the tank to relieve the suction when the liquid in the tank is at the same elevation as or below the portion, and means connected to the valve and responsive to a predetermined tank pressure for closing the valve.

13. An air volume control for a liquid system having a tank for storing the liquid under pressure and a pump for supplying lliquid to the tank comprising a casing provided with a suction chamber having an outlet port communicating with the pump and an air inlet, the inlet being open when a suction is established in the chamber and closed at all other times, a valve for controlling ow through the port, a diaphragm connected to the valve, a passage including a portion providing a restricted means of communication between the chamber and tank, the portion being sized to admit liquid from the tank in a quantity insumcient to destroy the suction in the chamber when the liquid in the tank is at an elevation above the portion and air from the tank to relieve the suction when the liquid in the tank is at the same elevation as or below the portion, and spring means interposed between the casing and diaphragm and operative to hold the valve open below a predetermined tank pressure and yielding to permit the closing of the valve by the diaphragm at said pressure.

14. An air volume control for a liquid system having a tank for storing the liquid under pressure and a pump for supplying liquid to the tank comprising a casing provided with Aa suction chamber having an outlet port communicating 'with the pump and an air inlet, the inlet being open when a suction is established in the chamber and closed at all other times, a valve for controlling ilow through the port, a passage including a portion providing a restricted means of communication between the chamber and tank, the portion being sized to adm-lt liquid from the tank in a quantity insumcient to destroy the suction in the chamber when the liquid in the tank is at an elevation above the portion and air from the tank to break the suction when the liquid in the tank is at the same elevation as or below the portion, spring means interposed be tween the casing and valve and operative to hold the valve open below a predetermined tank pressure andv yielding to permit the closing o! the valve at said pressure, and closure means connected to the valve and exposed to the tank pressure and adapted to overlie the portion when the valve is closed.

l5. An air volume control for a liquid system f having a tank for storing the 'liquid under pressure and a pump for supplying liquid to the tank comprising a casing provided with a suction chamber having an outlet port communicating with the pump and air inlet, the inlet being open when a suction is established in the chamber and closed at all other times, a valve for controlling flow through the port, and a movable member connected to the valve and responsive to a predetermined tank pressure for closing the valve, the member being biased to a position opening the valve below said pressure.

16. An air volume control for a liquid system having a tank for'storing the liquid under pressure and a pump for supplying liquid to the tank comprising a casing provided with a suction chamber having an outlet port communicating with the pump and an air inlet, the inlet being open when a suction is established in the chamber and closed at all other times, a valve for ccntrolling flow through the port, and a diaphragm connected to the valve and exposed on one side to the tank pressure and on the opposite side to the suction pressure, the diaphragm closing the valve at a predetermined tank pressure and biased .to a position opening the valve below said pressure.

17. An air volume control for a liquid system having a tank for storing the liquid under pressure and a pump for supplying liquid to the tank comprising a casing provided with a suction chamber having an outlet port communicating with the pump and an air inlet. the inlet being open when a suction is established in the chamber and closed at all other times, a valve for controlling iiow through the port, and a diaphragm connected to the valve and having an aperture providing a restricted means of communication between the chamber and tank, the aperture being sized to admit liquid from the tank in a quantity insuiilcient to destroy the suction in the chamber when the liquid in the tank is at an elevation above the aperture and air from the tank to relieve the suction when the liquid in the tank is at the same elevation as or below the aperture, the diaphragm closing the valve at a predetermined tank pressure and biased to a position opening the valve below said pressure 18. An air volume control for a liquid system having a tank for storing the liquid under pressure and a pump for supplying liquid to the tank comprising a casing provided with a suction chamber having an outlet port communicating with the pump and an air inlet, the inlet being open when a suction is established in the chamber and closed at all other times, a valve for controlling flow through the port, a diaphragm connected to the valve and having an aperture means overlying the aperture when theV diaphragm is flexed to close the valve'.

19. An air volume control for a liquid system having a tank for storing the liquid under pressure and a pump for supplying liquid to the tank comprising a `casing provided with a suction chamber having an outlet port communicating with the pump and an air inlet, the inlet being open when a suction is established in the chamber and closed at all other times, a Valve for controlling ow through the port, a Wall portion separating the chamber from a passage communicating with the tank, and a movable member exposed to the tank pressure and connected to the valve, the member closing the valve at a predetermined tank pressure and biased to a position opening the valve below said pressur chamber having an outlet port communicating with the pump and an air inlet, the inlet being open when a suction is established in the chamber and closed at all other times, a valve for controlling iiow through the port, a wall portion separating the chamber from a passage communicating with the tank and having an aperture providing a restricted means of communication betweenthe chamber and passage, the aperture being sized to admit liquid from the tank in a quantity insuiiicient to destroy the suction in the chamber when vthe liquid in the tank is at an elevation above the aperture and air from the tank to relieve the suction when the liquid in the tank is at the same elevation as or below the aperture, and a movable member extending through the wall portion for exposure to the tank pressure and connected to the valve, the member closing the valve at a predetermined tank pressure and biased to a position opening the valve below said pressure.

WALTER E. KENT.