US2351331A - Liquid dispensing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

June 1944- M. J. GOLDBERG ,351,331

LIQUID DISPENS ING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 2, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet l A m/l f/vme llmeki Gamma-2 -gg i June 13, 1944. M. J. GOLDBERG 2,351,331

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Gttorneg June 13, 1944. M J, GOLDBERG 2,351,331

LIQUID DISPENS ING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 2, 1959 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 HG. 1P.

3nventor fifmek J. 60405506 3g %rneg June 13, 1944. M. J. GOLDBERG LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS I 6 I 5 w w m m m m m w m l l l f 1 f A I m a w 8 w WM 7 ll! 5 ii r w rt w Flled Nov 2, 1939 June 13, 1944. M. J. GOLDBERG 2,351,331

'LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 2, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Brwcntor June 13, 1944. M. J. GOLDBERG 2,351,331

LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 2, 1939 '7 Sheets-Sheet '7 I I (Z Patented June 13, 1944 2,351,331 LIQUID DISPENSING APPARATUS Mark J. Goldberg, to John Wood Mich., assign or g Company, Inc.,

Conshohocken, Pa., a corporation of Delaware Application November 2, 1939, Serial No. 302,524 7 Claims. (Cl. 222-72) My invention is particularly applicable to apparatus for dispensing volatile liquid, for instance,motor gasoline. Such gasoline is usually dispensed from an underground tank through apparatus including a pump driven by an electric motor, a flow meter, having volume indicating means operated by the passage of liquid through the meter, and a flexible dispensing hose connected with the outlet from the meter and having a manually operative nozzle valve at its free end. Gasoline is not only volatile, but contains more or less atmospheric air occluded therein; so that unless means are provided to eliminate air and gaseous vapors from it before it is passed through the meter, the indicating means does not show the actual volume of liquid dispensed through the hose, but a greater volume including entrained air and vapor, and, consequently, the customer is cheated.

Therefore, it is one object and effect of my invention to provide simplified means to eliminate such lighter fluids from the gasoline thus dispensed, returning any liquid precipitated therefrom to the suction side of the pump, and venting the lighter fluids to the atmosphere.

As ordinarily constructed, such apparatus is provided with an outer casing of thin sheet metal mounted upon an internal framework including vertical columns, rigidly connected by a vertical series of transversely extending frame members, and separately supports by such trahsverse frame members the pump, the electric motor, a distinct casing in which the lighter fluids are separated from the liquid, the flow meter, and the volume indicating means. Such ordinary construction and arrangement, wherein the several distinct and primarily separate elements of the apparatus must be separately mounted upon the frame members aforesaid and connected by cut sections of ordinry pipe and pipe fittings, entails an excessive amount of labor and consequent expense in not only primarily assembling the apparatus, but in eifecting any repairs with respect to any of the several separate elements. Therefore, the

principal object and effect of my invention is to provide an integrated structure wherein the aforesaid ordinarily distinct and separate elements oi theapparatus are connected as a unit,

entirely independent of any frame members to which the outer casing is attached and supported. Such construction and arrangement are advantageous not only in the saving ofthe time and labor necessary to separately mount the several elements aforesaid upon respective transverse frame members, but also saves the expense of making the cut sections of pipe and assembling them with ordinary pipe fittings as required by said ordinary construction and arrangement.

My invention includes the various novel features of construction and arrangement hereinafter more definitely specified.

In said drawings;

Fig. I is a perspective view of a unitary structure including a single base member entirely supporting in rigid relation the electric motor and a single unitary casing in which the pump and the several valves leading to and from the same and the means for separating the lighter fluids from the liquid and separately discharging them are included; the flow meter being rigidly connected with that unitary casing; and all entirely independent of the outer casing and its supporting frame which are not shown in Fig. I.

Fig. II is a front elevation of the integrated structure shown in Fig. I, showing two of the four vertical angle bar columns of theframe for supporting the outer casing, which is omitted from Fig. I.

Fig. III isa plan sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. I; including in section the four vertical angle bar columns, of which two are shown in Fig. II, and also showing in section the outer sheet metal casing supported by those columns and showing in section the unitary casing which contains the pump and the rating the lighter fluids.

Fig. IV is a vertical sectional view of said unitary casing taken on the line IV, IV in Fig. III in the direction 01 the arrows on said line, but on a large scale.

Fig. V is a sectional view to the same scale as Fig. IV taken on the line V, V in Fig. III in the direction of the arrows on said lines.

Fig. VI is a vertical sectional view taken on the lines VI, VI in Figs. II and V in the direction of the arrows on said lines, but on a larger scale than Fig. V.

Fig. VII is a vertical sectional view taken on the line VII, VII in Figs. II and V in the direction of the arrows on said line, but on the same scale as Fig. VI.

,Referring to Figs. 1 and II; i is conveniently formed as a rigidly connected by four bolts frame 2 which is of inverted U-shape. The single unitary casing 3 is rigidly mounted upon the top of said bridge frame, conveniently by four bolts 3' at the respective corners thereof, and contains the pump and'the several valves leading to and from the same and the means for sepmeans for sepathe base member single iron casting I with the bridge I arating the lighter fiuidsfrom the liquid and separately discharging them as hereinafter described. The head 3- which covers said casing 3 is rigidly connected with the flow meter 4, conveniently by several bolts 3".

Said flow meter includes four cylinders l having respective heads 4, three of which are indicated in Fig. I. Four pistons are respectively mounted to reciprocate in said cylinders and are operatively connected with the crankshaft I. Said shaft 5 is provided with the coupling I at the top thereof for flexible connection with a computing registering mechanism or other indicating means. not shown.

As shown in Figs. I and 11; said bridge frame 2 has mounted within it the electric motor 1 rigidly connected therewith by bolts I. Said motor is supplied with electrical energy through the conduits: and 9,;shown in Fig. II, which extend upwardly through said base I in engagement with the junction box it which has the removable screw cover l0. L The left-hand end of said junction box, as shown in Fig. II,'communicates with the conduit in through which the electrical conductors extend within the'casing of said motor I. The clamp iii which is rigidly connected with said frame 2 by the bolt lfl supports the junction of said box It with said conduit ill.

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Said pump shaft i3 carries the pump'rotor 23 conveniently of the type which is mounted eccentrically in said pump chamber It and provided with a circumferential series of blades 23' which are free to reciprocate so as to continually bear upon the "inner cylindrical surface of said chamber II and sweep the liquid from said passageway it through said pump chamber is and out into the pump discharge chamber 2i and thence through the passageway 22 into the liquid and lighter fiuid separating chamber 23. As shown in Figs. III and IV, said chamber 23 is sub- ;stantially cylindrical and includes the removable plate 23', conveniently formed of pressed sheet izretal rigidly secured to said casing 3 by bolts ing chamber 23 has the port :4 leading into the The right-hand end of said junction box it is connected with the conduit iii through which electrical conductors may be extended to switch- Ii with the pulley i2 on the pump shaft l3 whereby said shaft I3 is rotated whenever said motor I is energized,

Referring to Fig. II; the liquid supply pipe I! leads from an underground tank to said casing inlet coupling. l5. Said coupllngconnects with 3 with which it is conveniently connected by the control valve chamber 28. As shown in Fig. VII, said control valve chamber has the discharge port 23' leading into the liquid discharge chamber 23. Said port 25' is normally closed by the control valve 25*. The spring :1 insaid liquid discharge chamber continually tends to close said control valve and prevent it from opening until it is subjected to a predetermined pressure desired for dispensing liquid. The outer end of said spring 21 bears upon the cover 28 which is removably fixed upon said casing3 by a plurality of bolts 23, one of which is shown in Fig. VII and others in Fig. II. I find it convenient to provide said cover 28 with the removable plug 28" shown in Figs. II and VII normally closing an opening through which the meter! may be drained, by way of said liquid discharge chamber 28. I also find it convenient to provide the separating chamber 23 with the removable drain plug 23".

As shown in Figs. V and VII, said liquid dis- ,charge chamber 28 leads to the dispensing outlet 26 in said head 3' on said casing 3.

Referring to Figs. III and IV; said liquid and lighter fiuid separating chamber 23 is continuf ally in restricted communication with the lighter the liquid inlet ll shown at the bottom of said casing 3 in Figs. V and VI. Liquid rising through said inlet ii is received in the inlet screen chamber it which, as shown inFigs. V and VI, contains the removable cylindrical perforated screen ll carried by the hollow screen frame I'l which isslidably fitted on the bolt ll which, at its inner end, is screwed into rigidconnection with said casing 3. Said screen chamber Ills open at its left-hand end shown in Fig. VI, which is provided with the removable cover i'l normally held in closed position by the nut engaging the outer end of said bolt ll". Said nut may be conveniently retained in said cover i'| by the spring ring ll' encircling its inner end. Said nut bears against the collar II by which the spring I'l is compressed in said screen frame and presses the latterinto fluid-tight relation with the inner end of said chamber i8.

The liquid passes through said screen frame and the port It at the inner end of said chamber it, into the passageway is shown in Fig. VI leading to the pump chamber is shown in Figs. IV and V.

As shown in Fig. IV, said pump shaft |3is Journaled atits inner end in the bearing 13' in said casing 3, and at its outer end in the cover l3, which latter is rigidly heldon said unitary casing a bythe ringit secured bythe its [3 shown in Fig. I. As shown in Fig. IV, d bear ing in cover i3 is sealed at its opposite ends by spring-pressed rings i3 and I3.

' fluid discharge chamber as through the port 33' which-is normally closed by the float valve 3i per end and continually open for restricted communication between said separating chamber 23 and said lighter fluid discharge chamber 30. Said ficat valve 3i is operatively connected by the cross pin 3 I with the lever 33 which is fulcrumed .55 on the pin 32' in said bracket 32 and carries the float 33', conveniently formed of a piece of cork which is cylindrical as shown in F18. III. I find it convenient to provide said chamber 33 with a removable plug 33 which may be removed to 00 drain said chamber 30.

Referring to Figs. V and VI; the by-pass valve chamber 33in the unitary casing 3, is in communicationwith the suction side of the pump chamber I! through the passageway l3, and includes the port 22- communicating with the pump discharge port 22. Said port 22' is normally 7s 38" shown in Fig. VI, which nut is sealed in nor- As indicated in Figs. III and VII, said separatmay be poured into said mal position by the screw plug 33, the latter being removable when it is desired to etl'ect adjustment of said screw Il I iind it convenient to provide said cover 35' with the liquid inlet 35' through which liquid by-pass valve chamber 35 and thence into the pumpchamber to prime the latter. That priming inlet 35' is normally closed by the screw plug 35". The purpose and effect of said by-pass valve 36 is that when an abnormal pressure is created on the discharge side of the pump in the pump discharge chamber 2| and the other chambers in communication therewith, the abnormal pressure upon the right hand side of the port 22, shown in Fig. VI, opens said valve 36 against the pressure of said spring 36' and relieves the pressure by thus establishing communication between theinlet and outlet sides of the pump rotor 20.

Referring to Figs. III to VI inclusive; the lighter fluid discharge chamber receives not only the small amount of liquid which passes through the continually open restricted passageway 30', but also air and gasoline vapor which may be entrained in the liquid drawn up, through the supply pipe l5, by the operation of the pump rotor 20. Said chamber 30 is made of such large dimensions as shown for the purpose of permitting such gasoline vapor to condense and precipitate therein before the discharge of the separated air to the atmosphere through the vent 30 which is at the upper end of said chamber 30 and conveniently formed in the head 3' of said casing 3. In order to return to the suction side of the pump chamber l9 any gasoline which may accumulate in said chamber 30, I provide the latter with the port 30 at the bottom thereof, as shown in Fig. V, leading directly into said by-pass valve chamber from which it may overflow into the pump chamber, as indicated by the arrow in Fig. V. However, that port 30' is normally closed by the float valve 38 which is mounted to reciprocate in the valve casing 38' fixed in registry with said port 30', as shown in Fig. V. Said valve is. operatively connected by the cross pin 38 with the lever 38 which is fulcrumed on the pin 38 in said valve casing 33' and rigidly connected with the float 38. Said float is conveniently formed of a rectangular block of cork. The construction and arrangement are such that when the liquid accumulates above a predetermined level in said lighter fluid chamber 30, said float 38 is lifted thereby and said valve 38 opened to permit the liquid to gravitate through said port 30', as above contemplated.

As may be observed with reference to Fig. III; the construction and arrangement of the unitary casing 3 and the chambers therein are such as to afford the maximum freedom of movement for the operation of the floats 33' and 38 in a minimum space.

Gasoline is readily expansible by increment of temperature and consequently if the apparatus above described stands idle when initially charged with cold gasoline from a subjacent reservoir and exposed to the summer sun, swch expansion will increase the pressure in the liquid discharge chamber 26 and beyond it above the desired pressure for dispensation. Therefore, I provide the control valve 25' with the relief duct 25 extending therethrough from the discharge side thereof to the pressure side thereof, and, as shown in Fig. VII, provide the inner end of said duct with the relief valve 25 which is continually stressed by the spring 25 to close it. Said spring is carried communication with the by said control valve, in its stem 25', and abuts at'its inner end against the screw plug 25'. Said stem 25' has the port 25 opening from the spring chamber, laterally, into the control valve chamber 25 in communication with the pump chamber It. said spring is of such strength that upon being subjectedto the excess back pressure from the chamber 23, upon the relief valve 25, itpermits that valve to open and the expanded gasoline to pass through said duct 25" and port 25' back into the control valve chamber 25 in pump chamber l9, and thus relieves any such abnormal pressure of the liquid on the discharge side of said control valve 25.

Said liquid supply pipe I5 is provided with the usual so-called foot valve at the lower end thereof, submerged in a subiacent reservoir of gasoline; said valve is merely a check valve which opens upward to permit the passage of gasoline to the pump when subjected to the partial vacuum created by the pump but which closes to prevent the gasoline from passing downward through said pipe l5 when the pump is not operating. When it is desired to effect dispensation of the liquid; the operator closes the electric switch to energize the motor 1 and the consequent operation of the pump creates a partial vacuum on the inlet side thereof and compresses the liquid in the pump discharge chamber 2| until such pressure is suflicient to open the control valve 25, whereupon, the liquid under the desired pressure for dispensation passes through the dispensing outlet 26 which is conveniently connected with a flexible dispensing hose having at the end of it the usual nozzle containing a check valve which normally closes it but which may be manually opened to effect dispensation. When as is usually the case, the operator permits that nozzle valve to close before he manipulates the switch to stop the electric motor and pump; the pressure of the pump upon the liquid increases to such a degree as to open the by-pass valve 36, so that the operation of the pump merely by-passes the liquid from the outlet to the inlet until the operator stops the motor and pump. Such construction and arrangement retain the liquid "under the desired pressure for dispensation throughout the apparatus from the pump chamber ill to the dispensing nozzle, so that dispensation may be instantly effected when the motor is started by the operator and the nozzle valve opened. Such apparatus is usually located at a curb or elsewhere accessible, to motor vehicles, and consequently exposed to sunlight. The heat of the summer sun will expand the gasoline in the apparatus thus exposed. Therefore, if dispensation is not eifected at short intervals to relieve such pressure of expansion by discharge of the gasoline through the hose, the pressure of such expansion will open the relief valve 25 to permit the expanded gasoline to pass through the duct 25" and thus relieve such abnormal pressure in the chamber 26 as above described. As above indicated, the pump may be primed, initially or at any time found necessary, by removing the plug 35" and pouring gasoline through the priming inlet 35' and valve chamber 35 in the casing 3 into the passageway i8 shown in Figs. V and VI, which is in communication with said supply pipe l5.

However, I do not desire to limit myself to the precise details of construction, arrangement, or method of operation herein set forth as it is side of the pump chamber l9.

obviousthatvarious modiflcationsmay be made therein without departing from the'essential features of my invention as dei'lned in the appended claims 1 Iclaima. i k 1. In liquid dispensing apparatus: a single uni tary. casing including an inlet screen chamber, a pump inlet chamber, a pump discharge chamber, a liquid and lighter fluid separating chamber in unrestricted communication with said pump discharge chamber, a control valve chamber in communication with said'separating chamber at the bottom of the latter, a liquid discharge chamber leading from said control valve chamber to a dispensing outlet, a lighter fluid discharge chamber continually in restricted 'communica-' tion with ,said separating chamber at the top thereof, and having a vent from the upper portion thereof to the atmosphere; a by-pass, valve cha'm-k ber leading from said pump discharge chamber to said. pump chamber, at the inlet side thereof; a pump in said pump chamber: a control valve in said control-valve chamber: a spring in said liquid discharge chamber continually tending to close said control valve andxpreventing it from opening until it is subjected to a predetermined pressure desired for dispensing liquid; a float valve in the upper portion of said separating chamber, controlling ,the restricted communication between said separating chamber and the lighter fluid discharge chamber; a float valve in the last-named chamber controlling a port leading into said by-pass chamber and normally closing said port but serving to open'it when any liquid precipitated in said lighter fluid discharge chamber rises above a predetermined level; a spring normally closing said by-pass valve but permitting'said valve to open under abnormal pressure of the pump caused by prevention of dispensation of liquid through the liquid dis- 4o charge outlet at thetop of i said casing; a head covering for said casing rigidly connected therewith. 2. In liquid dispensing apparatus; a single integral casing including a pump chamber, a liquid and lighter fluid separating chamber, acontrol .valve chamber, 'a liquid discharge chamber,

, an overflow and atmosphere chamber, and a bypass valve chamber; amultiplicity of partition walls within said integral casing wherein each 60 partition forms, a wall for'at least two of said chambers.

3. In liquid dispensingapparatus which includes a frame member support for an outer housing;"a rlsl yjintegrated structure includins a single base member, an electric motor, a single unitary casing including a pump and the several valves leading to and from the, same, and means for separating lighter fluids from the liquid and separately'discharging them; a flow meter rigidly'connected' with said single unitary casing and operatively connected with said pump; means operatively connecting said electric motor with said pump; and-an inverted U-shaped bridge frame for supporting said motor, unitary casing, and flow meter solely'by said base member and 7 independently of said frame member support.

4. A structure as in claim 2, including a U- shaped base member for supporting both said single integral and a motor operatively connected to apump in said pump chamber.

5. In liquid dispensing apparatus, a base plate for supporting the framework and easing of the apparatus, an inverted U-shaped frame member located within the casing and framework and separately supported by the base member, and a combined pump and air separator unit mounted on and supported by said frame member.

6. In liquid dispensing apparatus, a base plate for supporting the framework and easing of the apparatus, an inverted U-shaped frame member located within the casing and framework and separately supported by the base member, a combined pump and air separator unit mounted on and supported by said frame member and a meter unit including a casing'removably mounted directly on and supported by the pump and separator casing. I

7. In a liquid dispensing apparatus, a base plate for supporting the framework and casing of the apparatus, an inverted ,U-shaped frame member located within the casing and framework and separately supported by the base member, a combined pump and air separator unit removably unit including a casing removably mounted directly on said pump and separator casing, and

anelectric motor within the inverted U-shaped frame and operatively connected to the pump. MARK J. GOLDBERG.

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