US2328812A

US2328812A - Venting apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2328812A
Application number: US434926A
Authority: US
Inventors: Victor G Klein
Original assignee: Lincoln Engineering Co
Current assignee: Lincoln Engineering Co
Priority date: 1942-03-16
Filing date: 1942-03-16
Publication date: 1943-09-07
Anticipated expiration: 1960-09-07

Description

p 1943- v. s. KLEIN VENTING APPARATUS 'Filgg March 16, 1942- 2 Sheets-Sheet 1K AIR SUPPLY Se t. 7, 1943. v. e. KLEIN VENTING APPARATUS Filed March 16, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 7, 1943 .VENTING APPARATUS Louis, Mo., asaignor to Victor G. Klein, St.

Lincoln Company, St. Louis, Mo.,

a corporation of Misso Application March 16, 1942, Serial No. 434,926

llclnlms.

This invention relates to venting apparatus, and with regard to certain more specific features, to venting apparatus for injector pressure tems and the like. I

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of means for positively venting an injector system when its vent is in communication with a substantial back pressure: the provision of venting apparatus of the class described which will positively hold shut under certain conditions and which will positively remain completely and continuously open upon release; and the provision of apparatus of the class described which is simple and dependable in operation. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangementsof parts which will be exemplified in the'structures hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated one of various possible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic layout showing the mechanical, pneumatic and electrical features: and,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view, parts being broken away showing mechanical details.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

In most single-line injector systems for lubricants and the like, the injector'valves are operated by line pressure which line pressure, after an injection has been made, increases to a predetermined high limit. It is then necessary to relieve or bleed the line, preferably back to the lubricant supply, because the injector valves usually require such pressure relief in order to Various exambecome subsequently operative. ples of such systems are shown in the following United States patents: Klein 2,122,177, dated June 28, 1938; Rotter 2,141,022, dated December 20, 1938; and Rotter et a1. 2,206,335, dated July 2, 1940. r

In those patents, various forms of relief valves are shown. In the present disclosure, a' relief system is employed for particular use where relief or bleeding must be accomplished against pressure in containers which are filled with relatively heavy fluid from which pumping is effected by a lance pump, sometimes using an atmospheric follower. These involve high relief line friction and pressure, involving difllculties for properly venting the injector line.

Examples of the lance type of pump contemplated are shown in the following United States patents: Rotter 2,136,636, dated November 15, 1938; Barks 2,122,020, dated June 28, 1938; Barks 1,970,591, dated August 21, 1934; Barks 1,893,464, dated January 3, 1933. Other equivalents may be used.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown at numeral I a commercial container or drum for lubricants having a cover 3 upon which is mounted a pump and power assembly 5.

The assembly 5 consists of a frame 1 at the lower end of which is a pump 9 carried on said cover 3. The pumping unit 9 is operated by an air engine II, also carried upon the frame I. The pump rod l3 which is reciprocated by the engine reaches down into a lance pump cylinder IS, the lower end II of which is near the bottom of the container The cylinderli is part of the pump 9. Sliding on the cylinder I5 is a follower plate H which rests upon the surface of the material in the container and follows this surface down as lubricant is withdrawn from the container I through the cylinder l5. Atmospheric pressure and its own weight drive the follower l9 down to follow the descending surface of the material. I

The outlet of the pump 9 is indicated at 2| over which material is forced under pressure into the line 23. Thence it proceeds to the injectors (not shown). As above indicated, the injectors in the line 23 operate by means of pressure in said line 23, and after they have delivered a charge, the line 23 must be relieved of pressure to permit further operation of the injector.

The line for supplying air under pressure to the engine H is indicated at numeral 25. This line 25 has in it a solenoid-operated control valve 21 and the control compartment of a vent device 29.

In the cylinder 29 is a relatively large aircontrolled piston 3| which is on its upper side subjected to the pressure of air in the line 25.

Forming an extension from the piston 3| is a relatively small piston valve 33, the lower end of which is subject to pressure in the line 23.

When the piston 3| is down, the piston valve 33 covers a relief line 35. This line 35 passes from line 23 through the cover 3 and down through the follower iii. A sliding joint at 31 provides the requisite connection. The lower end 390i the relief line 35 is'near the bottom of the condown. When the valve stem 4| isdown, but only then, an exhaust 45 from line 25 is opened to bleed ofi the part of the line 25 beyond 21, that is, bleed off the pressure on piston 3|. The stem is shown up and about to drop (for convenience).

The valve stem 4| is drawn up to the position shown in Fig. 1, when a solenoid 41 is energized;

otherwise it is biased downward'by gravity as indicated. Or, downward bias may be effected by means of a suitable spring.

The winding of the solenoid 41 is in a line circuit indicated by heavy lines at 49. Ihis line circuit 49 passes through a relay switch 5|. The switch 5| has contacts 53 adapted to be closed by a button 55. The button arrangement 55 may be operated manually, or automatically if desired.

Closure of the contact 53 by means or the starter button 55 energizes a circuit 51 which is connected across the line 49 as indicated, and which includes a closing and holding coil 59. As soon as this coil 59 is energized it magnetically operates'a switch 6| which closes contacts 63 in the main circuit 49. This energizes the solenoid 41 from line 49. In addition, when the switch 6| closes, it also connects across the line 49 the circuit 51 and the holding coil 59. This is done by meansof a connection 65. Thus, when the switch 6| is once closed across the contact 63, it is held closed by the holding coil 59, although the button 55 may be released to re-open. Hence the solenoid 41 maintains the line 25 open in communication with the cylinder 29 and the pump II'. This depresses and holds down the piston 3| and also the piston valve 33. Therefore the release line 35 is positively held shut, even under pressure in the line 23 caused by the now operating pump 9.

At numeral 61 is shown a pressure-operated switch connected into line 23, consisting of contacts 69 in the circuit 51. Contacts 69 are adapted to be closed by means of a switch blade 1|. This blade 1| is operated by a piston 13 which at its lower end 15 is exposed to pressure in line 23. At its upper end the piston 13 contacts the blade 1| and under increased pressure in line 23 raises the blade to open the contacts 69 and circuit 51. Raising is accomplished against a bias, such as from a spring 11. When the pressure decreases, the spring 11 recloses the con- I tacts 69.

energize the holding coil 59 and to close the line circuit 49. Thus the line circuit 49 is held closed even though the button 55 is permitted to spring open again.

When the line 49 is closed, the solenoid 41 draws up the valve 4| so that the supply portion of line 25 is opened. This is the position at the valve 4| shown-in Fig. 1. This action also closes off the exhaust line 45. Hence air passes to the reciprocating air pump via the vent cylinder 29.

The air pressure in the vent cylinder 29 pushes down the relatively large piston 3| with substantial force. This pushes down the plunger 33 to shut ofi the relief line 35.

Operation of the reciprocating air pump causes reciprocating operation of the pump 9 to draw material through the inlet H at the bottom of the container I, driving this material from the outlet 2| and over the line 23 to the injectors in said line.

The spring 11 in the pressure valve 61 is such that, under pumping pressure for operating the injectors, the plunger 13 does not open the contact 69. Hence the injectors are driven to operate. When these injectors, as is known, come to the .endof their strokes, they stop and further operation of the pump 9 builds up pressure in the line 23 to a value whichultimately causes lifting of the plunger. 13 which opens the switch contacts 69. This breaks the circuit 51 and deenergizes the holding coil 59,'whereupon the switch 6| in the main line circuit 49 automatically opens, by gravity or a spring. When the circuit 49 opens, the solenoid 41 is deenergized, thus dropping the valve stem 4| and cutting off air pressure which feeds the cylinder 29 and the reciprocating pump At the same time the line 25 is exhausted over the air exhaust line 45. The

reduction of pressure in the cylinder 29unbalances the pressure in the line 23 exerted upon I the lower end of the plunger 33. Thus the plunger 33 and piston 3| are pushed to open the relief vent line 35. Excess lubricant is pushed down to the outlet 39 at the bottom of the container against even substantial back-pressure. It will be understood that the expansive properties of lubricants are relatively small and that the volume relieved is due to the spring return or similar action of parts in the injectors.

Desirable physical relationships are as follows:-

The ratio of the pressure required to operate the reciprocatingengine II to the pressure engendered by the pump 9 in line 23 is for example 1:40, accomplished by differential piston areas of the engine and pump in a manner which is obvious from a study of the patents above identified as illustrating the engine and pump details. The ratio of the area of piston 3| to the area of the end of plunger 33 is 100:1. Thus the pressure in the air line 25 which will provide a given pressure in the lubricant line 23 willpositively hold shut the plunger 33, so long as the contacts 69 in the pressure switch 61 are closed. This relationship also gives some leeway for the desired pressure rise in the line 23, after the injectors have reached the ends of their strokes,

in order to raise the plunger 15 to open the contacts 69, without raising the plunger 33. The switch 61 in releasing pressure in the line 25 does two things: first, it shuts off the air engine II and second it positively releases pressure on the piston 3|. Thereafterthe release vent line 35 is definitely open. The friction between the piston 3| and the cylinder 29 holds the piston assembly 3|, 33 in any position into which it may be placed by differential pressure. Thus, when air pressure is relieved of the cylinder 29 and the material in the line 23 opens the plunger 33 to vent, a full venting cross section is maintained even though the pressure is reduced in the line 23, because the assembly 3|, 33 maintains its displaced position until air pressure re-enters line 25, whereupon the vent 35 is reclosed.

- It is in respect-to having the line definitely open at all times after initial relief occurs that the invention difiers from prior relief valves. which depend for opening upon a. spring and various semi-open conditionsof relief ports. In

the present case, the relief port in the line 33 is definitely all the way openqafter relief first occurs. Thus better and freer relief can be obtained in view of the adverse conditions of emptying the relief material into the bottom of a container such as I, usually having therein a high head of heavy material a'ndthe load of the follower Ill. The invention is also particularly, applicableto heavy fluids which are quite critical toward frictional obstructions in relief lines and the like.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim: I

1. A pressure relief system for use in a vented, fluid material line supplied by a pumpoperated' from an air line; comprising. movable means at the vent having anarea presented to pressure in the materia1 line and having a larger area presented to pressure in the air line, said vent air line pressure, and pressure-operated switch means responsive to pressure-in said fluid line. and adapted to control said electric valve inresponse to excess pressure in the fluid lineto open said air line and to relieve pressure on said pis-.

ton to a value where pressure in the fluid line may move said vent valve to venting position. 4. Pressure relief apparatus for a fluid pressure line leading from a pump which is operatedby. an air engine, the latter having an air pressure supply line; comprising a vent member having a vent and a pressure com'partment'in the fluid pressure line with a second compartment in one portion of the air pressure line, said vent member having a relatively large movable piston-exposed to the air pressure, a plunger connected to said pistonhaving a relatively small area exposed to the pressure in the fluid pressureline and normally biased by the air pressure to close off said vent, the fluid pressure in said line being adapted to move the plunger to venting position in the absence of pressure in the air line, a valve in the air line normally biased to'a position to cut off pressure, said valve having an exhaust operative beyond the cut-oft means being normally biased by the air line pressure to close the vent, a solenoid valve in the air line, said solenoid valve normally being biased to close the air line and to, release the pressure in the part .of said. airline containing the larger area of the vent means.

2. A pressure relief system for use in a vented fluid material line supplied by a pump operated by an air engine having an air line; comprising movable means at the vent having an area presented to pressure in the material line and having a larger area presented to pressure in the air line, said vent means being normally biased by the air line pressure to close the vent, a solenoid valve in the air line, said solenoid valve.

normally being biased to close the air line and to release the pressure in the part of said air line containing the larger area of the vent means, an electric circuit for operating said solenoid valve to open the air line and close the air release, whereby said vent in the material line is positively closed by said air pressure on said larger area, self-holding means for maintaining said circuit, a pressure switch normally biased also to hold said circuit closed and having means for opening the circuit which means is exposed to the pressure in said material line, pressure of predetermined value in said material line being unable to actuate the vent valve or the pressure switch but a certain higher pressure above said predetermined pressure while unable per se to open the vent valve being enabled to actuate said pressure switch to open said circuit, whereby the solenoid is'biased to a position to cut oil the pressure in the air line and to release, whereby the air engine becomes inoperative and said vent becomes responsive to pressure in the material line positively to vent the same;

3. Pressure relief apparatus for use in a fluid pressure line from a pump operated by an air engine, said engine having an air line; comprising a vent valve adapted to be moved by prespoint which is opened when pressure is blocked, and a pressure switch having a plunger with an area exposed to pressure in said fluid pressure line, contact means normally biased to closed positions and adapted to be opened by pressure actuation of said plunger, a solenoid for operating said air valve, a circuitwhich when closed energizes said solenoid to open the airline and to close the air exhaust, said pressure switch being adapted to open said circuit to de-energiae said solenoid.

5. Venting apparatus for use in the fluid pressure outlet, of a, pump operated by an an engine, the latter being supplied from an air pressure line; comprising a vent member having a compartment in the fluid pressure line and a compartment in the air line and a vent, a

.plunger adapted to open and close the vent and having an area exposed to pressure in the fluid pressure line, a relatively largepiston movable with the plunger and exposed to pressure in the air line, the ratio of the area of the piston to thearea of the plunger being larger than the ratio of the pressure in the fluid supply line to the pressure in the air line, whereby said vent is normally held shut by the air line pressure on said piston.

6. Venting apparatus for use in the fluid pressure outlet of a pump operated by an air engine, the latter being supplied from an air pressure line; comprising a vent member having a com-- partment in the fluid pressure line and a compartment in the air line and a vent, a plunger adapted to open and close the vent and having an area exposed to pressure in the fluid pressure line, a relatively largepiston movable with the plunger and exposed to pressure in the air line, the ratio of. the area of the piston to the area of the plunger being larger than the ratio of the pressure in the fluid supply line to the pressure in the air line, whereby said vent is normally held shut by the air line pressure on said piston, and means responsive to increased pressure in said sure ing-the fluid line, i a piston. of larger area connected with the said valve adapted under" pressure to prevent said motionsaid piston being'j I fluid pressure line adapted tocut off pressure in the air line and to release pressure on the piston.

7. Venting apparatus for use in the fluid pressure outlet of a pump operated by an air engine, the latterbeing energized from an air pressure line; comprising a 'vent member having a compartment in the fluid pressure line and a compartment in the air line and a vent, a plunger adapted to open and close the vent and having an area exposed to pressure in the fluid pressure line, a relatively large piston movable with the plunger and exposed to pressure in the air line, the ratio of the piston area' to said plunger area being larger than the ratio of the pressure in the fluid line to the pressure in the air line, whereby said vent, is normally maintained shut by the air line pressure, and means responsive to a predetermined higher pressure in the pressure line for relieving the pressure in said air line against said piston, whereby a lower pressure in the fluid line will be enabled to hold said plunger in venting position.

8. Venting apparatus for a fluid pressure line from a motor operated pump; comprising a venting member having a vent, aplunger adapted to cover and uncover said vent and having an area exposed to pressure in said fluid supply line, means for biasing said plunger toward vent closing position comprising the motivating means for said motor, a second plunger having an area exposed to pressure in said fluid pressure line and normally biased to a position to maintain flow of the motivating means for said motor, and adapted under a predetermined high pressure in said fluid line to cut off flow of said motivating means to the motor and to reduce its biasing effect upon said flrst-named plunger, whereby said first-named plunger ismoved by the pressure in the fluid pressure line to expose said vent to venting of fluid from the last-named line.

9. Venting apparatus for a fluid pressure line from a motor operated pump including motivating means for the motor; comprising a means providing a vent for the fluid line, a plunger adapted to cover and uncover the vent and ex- 'posed to pressure lnsaid fluid line; means responsive to the motivating means for the motorfor biasing said plunger to vent-closing position while the motor is operating, and a second means responsive to pressure in the fluid line adapted under excess pressure in the fluid line to cut 011: the motivating means for the motor and release the means for biasing the plunger so that under pressure in the fluid line said plunger may move to a position to uncover said vent.

. 10. Venting apparatus for the fluid pressure outlet line of a pump operated by an air engine supplied from an air pressure line; comprising vent means having a vent from the fluid pressure line of the pump and having a covering plunger for the vent, the plunger having an area exposed to the pressure in said outlet line, piston means associated with'the plunger and having a larger area exposed to pressure in theair line, valve means in the air line including an exhaust for the portion of the air line in which said piston is exposed, said valve being'movable to a position to open the air line and close the exhaust or vice-versa.

11. Venting apparatus for the fluid pressure outlet line of a pump operated by an air engine supplied from an air pressure line; comprising vent means having a vent from the fluid pressure line-of the pump and having a covering plunger for the vent, the plunger having an area exposed to the pressure in said'outlet line, piston means associatedwith the plunger and having a larger area exposed to pressure in the air line, valve means in the air line including an exhaust'for 1 the portion of the air line in which said piston is exposed, said valve being movable to a position to open the air line and close the exhaust or viceversa, said valve being normally movable to the last-named position, control means for holding said valve in its other position against said bias, and means responsive to one pressure in the outlet line of the pump adapted normally to release the valve to move with its bias.

VICTOR G. KLEIN.