US2373697A

US2373697A - Electrical apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2373697A
Application number: US333696A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edgar E Littlefield
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1940-05-06
Filing date: 1940-05-06
Publication date: 1945-04-17
Anticipated expiration: 1962-04-17

Description

APl 17', 1945. E, E. LlTTL .EFlE| D 2,373,6 97

ELEQTRICA'L APPARATUS Filed May 6. 1940 5g l 54 Q 5f .62

nvenar# Patented Apr.17,-194s vUNrriaD STATES APAT|'=;1\1T OFFICEn Application May 6, 1940, Serial No. 333,696

12 Claims.

This invention relates to an electrical valve apparatus. One of the objects is to vprovide an improved flushing system while an additional object is the provision of an improved valve for use with the same or for such other uses as may be found for it.

Besides reducing the heating effect to a minimum, the valve in question possesses numerous advantages including a simplified construction that in operation is quick acting and does not permit leakage of iiuid'when closed. Moreover, the valve seats without an objectionable hammer blow and does not stick under ordinary use.

Certain modications will appear in the draw-` Numerous objects and advantages of the improvements will become obvious upon consideration of the following description and the accompanying drawing.

Fig 1 shows an improved electrical control system with one form of improved valve incorporated therein, the latter being shown partly in cross-sectional elevation.

In Fig. 2 is shown a modified form of valve element and piston which may be utilized in the valve combination.

In Fig. 3 is shown, partlyin cross-sectional elevation, the upper part of a modified valve construction.

In the various views like numerals refer to like parts.

An arrow (Fig. 1) indicates direction of fluid flow.

Referring to Fig. l, a step-down transformer I, having primary andsecondary windings 2 and 3, respectively, is connected with a suitable* source of current, such as an ordinary alternating current service main, by means of circuit 4, having switch elements 5 and 6 therein and additional switch elements 'l and 8 which are normally closed, so that when element 6 is open and 5 closed, the load current owing in circuit 4 sup'- plies heat for the coil 9 encircling the movable contact arm I0 of a temperature responsive device, causing the former to move into contact with terminal I2, thus closing branch circuit I3 on the secondary side of the transformer. By closing -the switch 6 and opening 'I and 8 the temperature responsive device may be made to respond to heat obtained from an extraneous source or to .that obtained from the secondary side of the transformer.`

Obviously, the primary winding 2 of the transformer is connected for energization by circuit 4.

On the secondary side of the transformer, and to secondary winding 3, is connected secondary circuit I4, having branches I3, previously referred to, I5, .I6 and I1, the latter beingcontrolled by means of a relay I8, preferably of the Telecode type, which, in turn, is controlled by the electrodes 2| and 22 together with the uid at times interposed therebetween. In case it is desired to cut out relay I8, switch element I9, which is normally open under the circumstances, may be closed. Instead of the means indicated, or as additionalmeans therefor, the valve operating circuit may-be controlled by means of a push button 20, through branch circuit I6. Circuit interrupters 23 and 24, normally closed, provide means for opening theirrespective circuits when necessary or desirable.

When switch 25 is closed, as well as interrupter 6, and 1 or 8, or both, are opened, circuit I5 may be employed to heat the coil 9 of the temperature responsive device upon opening interrupter 23.

In this way heat may be applied from the low tension side of the transformer, the voltage of which, at least for certain purposes, is preferably 18 to 24 volts. A transformer supplying from 50 to 150 watts has been found suitable for quite a number of purposes. The operation of the ushing system, as such, will be appreciated by reference to my prior Unitedv States Patent No.

1,709,083. The Telecode relay referred to is known by that name and is a product 'of the Benjamin Electric Mfg. Co. of Des Plaines, Ill., the same being made in accordance with the disclosure in Patent 1,272,432, dated July 16, 1918.

Included in circuit I4 is a valve 26 which is also shown and described in my Patent No. 1,862,937 and which has been found very satisfactoryy when incorporated in the above combination. The casing 21 is provided with a seat 28 and a bonnet 29 with a cylindrical extension 30 and an extension at the top in the form of a tubular member 3l, closed at the top, .said parts being formed of brass or other non-magnetizable material., v

Arranged to co-operate with seat 28 is a piston valve 32 having a tubular extension 33, formed integral with the former or threaded therein, if desired, and having a seat 34 at its upper end, said parts being formed of non-magnetizable material of any suitable type. 'I'he tubular extension and piston provide a by-pass 35 within which a non-magnetizable valve stem 36 reciprocates and which is resiliently mounted at the lower end of the piston by means of the coiled the stem is threaded a magnetizable valve member 39. Resting on the upper end of the tubular.

extension 33 is a lever device 40 formedoi magnetizable material and having an adjustable head 4I threaded thereon. Valve 39 and lever arm 40 are preferably made of stainless iron or its equivalent. A coil 42, having core m'ember 43, is adjustably mounted on the tubular extension 3|, in position, when energized, to attract lever arm 40, when the piston valve is in seated position. In this drawing, however, the valve is shown in open position.

If we assume that the valve is closed or in seated position and that energy is applied to the coil 42, the arm 40 will be attracted `to the core 43 thus unseating the by-pass valve 39 and opening the by-pass 35 permitting release of pressure from chamber 44 causing the piston valve to be unseated. Obviously, during the operation of the valve the lever arm 40 slides along the wall of the tubular extension 3l adjacent core 43.

By modifying the construction of the piston valve 32 somewhatas inFig. 2, the part forming the valve head 45 maybe adjustably threaded on to the stem part 46, thus permitting regulation of the fluid now.

Fig. 3 illustrates a sectional view of a valve,A

shown partly cut away, similar to the type shown .in Fig. 1 of my Patent 1,862,937, in which 54 is a tubular extension which may rest loosely on the upper end of a fluid operated piston valve 55. Within this tubular member is a tubular extension 56 of the piston valve 55 which extension may be formed integral therewith or as a separate piece threaded into the piston valve. The piston itself, of course, supplies the remainder of the by-pass. At the upper end of 56 is a seat 51 for a pilot valve 58 arranged to co-operate with a plug 59 resting on the upper end of 54, the latter, as well as 56, being formed of non-magnetizable material. Pilot valve 58 and plug 59 are preferably formed of stainless iron. The valve is shown in elevated position. A` coil 60 is adjustably mounted on the extension 6I of the bonnet 62. An opening 63 in the side wall of 54 provides communication with the by-pass through the piston. When the main valve lis closed the pilot valve 58 rests on its seat 51 while the plug 59 rests on the upper end of the tubular member 54, moving freely therewith'. It Will be understood that the bonnet 62 together with the extension 6l are formed of brass or other nonmagnetizable material. In the seated position of the main valve the magnetizable parts 58 and 59 will occupy positions within the coil 60 in such way that a maximum magnetizing effect may be applied thereto. However, upon operation of the valve, these magnetizable parts m'ove to a position designed to develop such reactance in the coil that overheating is prevented. Preferably, the magnetizablc parts are moved, through the release of iluid, to a position without the` energizing Winding, if the arrangement is such as to permit it. Much less energy is lrequired to hol'i the valve open than is required toopen it. f This fact is Well known. This type of valve may, if desired, under certain conditions, be substituted for the one previously described. I have found it desirable, in certain instances, to employ an auxiliary or pilot valve the weight of which is less than that of the valve it controls. It is also desirable under certain conditions to have the auxiliary or pilot valve displace less fluid than the controlled valve.

While I have shown and described certain embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that I am not limited to the details thereof, but

cover all modifications that fall within the terms of the claims.

I claim:

1. A valve structure including a valve housing having a. chamber open to line pressure when communication through thc valve is interrupted; a fluid operated valve responsive to'the pressure condition of said chamber; an auxiliary valve controlling the fluid operated valve; an armature for operating the auxiliary valve and a winding for energizing the armature; the armature normally occupying a position in substantially the densest portion of the field of the Winding and, upon `operation of the valve, assuming a position in a substantially less dense portion of the iield.

2. A valve structure including a valve housing having a chamber open to line pressure when communication through the valve is interrupted; a fluid operated valve responsive to the pressure condition of said chamber; an auxiliary valve controlling the fluid operated valve; an armature for operating the auxiliary valve; and a winding surrounding the armature; the armature normally occupying a position in substantially the densest portion of the eld of the winding and, upon operation of the valve, being moved to a position in a substantially less dense portion of the eld by the fluid controlled by said valve.

3. A valve mechanism including a housing having a chamber open to line pressure when communication through the valve is interrupted, a magnetizing coil adjacent the chamber adapted to produce therein a relatively dense local magnetic eld and a less dense field adjacent thereto, a fluid operated motor movable in the chamber operating to open and close the valve as conditions in thc chamber vary, an auxiliary valve within the chamber mounted on and carried by the uid operated motor controlling the pressure within the chamber, and magnetic means for operating the auxiliary valve also within the chamber and likewise carried by the fluid operated motor so -as to bebe moved into the dense part of the magnetic eld when the fluid operated motor has closed the valve and into the less dense part of the field when the motor has opened the valve.

4. A valve structure comprising a valve housing, a cylinder open to the line pressure when communication through the valve is interrupted, and an auxiliary nonmagnetic chamber communicating with the rst mentioned chamber, a magnetizing coil adjacent the auxiliary chamber and adapted to produce therein a relatively dense local magnetic field and a less dense eld adjacent the dense field, a piston movable in the cylinder for operating the valve to open and close the same as pressure conditions in the cylinder vary, an auxiliary valve within the cylinder mounted on and carried by the piston controlling the pressure within thecylinder, and magnetic means within the auxiliary nonmagnetic chamber for operating the auxiliary valve also mounted on and carried by the piston so as to be moved into the dense magnetic eld when the piston has closed the main valve and into the lessdense part of the field when the'piston has opened the main valve. f v

5. A valve structure comprising a housingpr'ovided with a cylinder which is open'to linepressure when communication through the valve is interrupted, and an auxiliary non'magnetic cylinder approximately in line with the first mentioned cylinder; a piston in said cylinder for operating the valve in accordance with the pressure conditions in the cylinder; a magnetizing coil adjacent the auxiliarynonmagnetic cylinder for producing `a relatively dense magnetic eld within theauxiliary cylinderand a less dense iield adjacent the dense field; a magnetizable auxiliary valve within' the cylinder mounted on and movable with the piston for controlling the pressure in the cylinder;

and an elongated magnetizable armature of a diameter substantially less than the diameter of the auxiliary nonmagnetizable cylinder, mounted on andl carried by the piston, and projecting into the nonmagnetic cylinder and into the field of 'A the magnetizing coil adjacent the same, for operating the magnetizable auxiliary valve, substantially as described.

6'. A valve structure comprising a housing proditions of said chamber, the .closure having a. bypass with a' valve seat at one end thereof; a controlling auxiliary valve the weight of which is supported by said seat; a tiltable armature controlling the auxiliary valve, the armature being supported by the closure; and electrical means l without the chamber to inductively control said armature.

9. A valve structure including a casing having a pressure chamber with a seat arranged to support the weight cfa closure; a closure within said chamber the weight of which is supported by said seat, said closure having a by-pass; an auxiliary valve; a tiltable armature controlling theauxiliary valve, the armature being carried by the the closure; and electrical means without said chamber adapted to inductively control therarmature.

vided with a cylinder which is open to line pres- 4the dense field; a magnetizable auxiliary valve within the cylinder mounted on and movable with the piston for controlling the pressure in the cylinder; and an elongated magnetlzable armature having a pointed end, the armature being of a diameter substantially less than thev internal diameter of the auxiliary nonmagnetic cylinder,

resting on the magnetizable auxiliary valve, and tiltable within the cylinder under the inuence of themagnetizing coil, the actuate the magnetic auxiliary valve, and also mounted on. the piston so as to be moved thereby into and out of the dense field of the magnetizing coil, substantially as described.

7. A valve mechanism including a housing having therein a pressure chamber; a tiltable armature within the chamber; an auxiliary valve controlled by said armature; a closure responsive to the pressure conditions in said chamber and controlled by the auxiliary valve, the auxiliary valve being supported by the closure; and electrical controlling means without the chamber adapted to inductively control the armature.

8. A valve structure including a casing having a chamber open to line pressure when the valve is closed; a closure responsive to the pressure conoperation of the valve,

10. A valve structure including a valve housing l having a chamber open to line pressure when communication through the valve isinterrupted; a fluid operated valve responsive to the pressure condition of said chamber; an auxiliary valve controlling the iluid operated valve; an armature for operating the auxiliary valve; and a winding surrounding the armature; the armature normally occupying a position in the densest portion of the field of the winding and upon operation of the valve assuming a position in a substantially less dense portion-of the ileld.

11. A valve structure including a valve housing having a chamber open to' line pressure when communication through the valve is interrupted; a. fluid operated valve responsive tothe pressure condition of thechamber; an auxiliary valve controlling ythe uid operated valve; an armature for operating the auxiliary valve; and a winding surrounding the armature; the armature normally occupying a position in substantially the densest portion of the field of the winding and, upon being moved to a position in a substantially less dense portion oi.' the eld by the fluid controlled by said valve.

12. An electrically controlled valve combination including, a pressure chamber; an elongated auxiliary chamber in communication with the pressure chamber; a fluid operated valve responsive to the pressure conditions in the pressure chamber; a piston in the pressure chamber for operating the valve; a controlling pilot valve, and tiltable electrically controlled operating means therefor within said auxiliary chamber; vand electrical means operative to inductively control said tiltable means from without said auxiliary cham-