US2405639A - Vacuum breaker - Google Patents

Description

1946. E. w. N. BOOQSEY ,4

VACUUM BREAKER Filed Feb. 19; 1944 INVENTOR. [DA/659D. M A/. a os-zr BY Patented Aug. 13, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VACUUM BREAKER Edward W. N. Boosey, Detroit, Mich.

Application February 19, 1944, Serial No. 523,110

. 3 Claims.

This invention relates to a vacuum breaker for use in the water supply system of a building ineluding a container in which water may be contaminated as for instance through the washing of air from atmosphere to the water supply conduit in the event of a less than atmospheric pressure condition occurring in the supply conduit thereby preventing withdrawal of contaminated water from a container into the supply system under influence of the reduced pressure condition in the supply system.

In many instances in homes, hospitals, or other buildings in which various types of articles require to be cleaned, water is supplied thereto through a conduit opening to the container below the liquid level therein and a less than atmospheric pressure condition in the supply conduit tends to draw impure water from the container into the supply line and thus contaminate water in the supply system as is hereinafter more fully described.

A structure embodying my invention is shown in the accompanying drawing in which- Fig. 1 is a vertical section showing the preferred form of my improved automatic relief valve. I r

Fig. 2 is a cross section of the regulator mechanism taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross section taken on line 3-3 of Fig.

In the preferred form of the invention shown in Fig. 1 the Water supply conduit is indicated at l to which my improved vacuum relief valve is connected by the threaded hub 2 of the valve body 3. The regulator mechanism is indicated generally at 4 and includes a cylindrical body provided with a rectangular projecting end portion 5 which may be rotated by the nut-like lement 6 having a rectangular recess in its inner end in which the end 5 of the valve is positioned. The element 6 is also provided with a squared I end portion 1 by which it may be turned. Other means for rotation of the member 6 may be utilized.

The valve body 3 is of a chambered form and has a recess on the side opposite the nut 6 to receive the rounded end 8 of the body of the regulator which has an opening in its inner end as indicated by dotted lines 9 and through which the ball [0 may be introduced into the interior thereof. The regulator body has an elongated slot II in its lower side, in the position shown 2 in Fig. 1, of less width and greater length than the diameter of the ball. The opposite side of the regulator body has an aperture l2 of a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the ball and additional apertures l3 and M on opposite sides thereof, the purpose of which is hereinafter described;

The said valve body 3 has a threaded terminal conduit portion l5, which may be of any desired length and functions as an extension of the conduit 2, on which is threaded a chambered member It having a series of apertures ll adjacent its larger upper end and above the lower end of the threaded terminal portion l5.

The said conduit portion l5 adjacent its upper end is provided with a transverse wall having apertures l8 therein and a central internally threaded aperture to receive the threaded upper end of a tube l9 centrally disposed in the body and terminating at its lower end at or adjacent to the lower end of the body or casing Hi. The said lower end of the body I6 is threaded to receive the threaded end of the discharge conduit 20 leading to a container, not here shown. The tube [9 has a series of vertically spaced apertures 2| therein preferably arranged spirally about the tube as indicated.

Under the described arrangement of parts and with the valve member 4 in the position shown, a pressure condition less than atmospheric pres sure in the conduit l tends to draw air through the ports I! and thence through the apertures l8 and thence through the slot I I in the regulator. If the reduced pressure condition in the supply conduit is sufliciently great, the ball 10 is moved to close the aperture l2. Under such condition however air continues to pass through the apertures I3 and M to the supply conduit. The purpose of this arrangement is to gradually eliminate the detrimental eifect of a less than atmospheric pressure condition in the supply conduit.

It is further to be observed that air may also pass through the apertures I! in the body member l6 and thence through the apertures 2| to the interior of the tube l9. These apertures 2| are preferably arranged in longitudinally spaced relation and as the water level in the coned member I6 is lowered, an increasing number of the apertures 21 are opened to flow of air.

This arrangement for air flow, which includes the apertures l1, l8 and 2| arranged as hereinbefore described, provides for an increase in volume of flow of air to the supply conduit as the water level in the body [6 decreases. The introduction of air eliminates the detrimental effect of a less than atmospheric pressure condition in the supply conduit.

It is further preferable to provide an air deflecting rib or ribs 22 in the body member 16 below the air inlet apertures H. The said rib or ribs provide an air deflection means tending to direct the same to the passageway 23 to which the apertures I8 are open.

By the arrangement of parts as described the air flow'into" the plunibing system"through'the aperture 2| is increased in volume as the water level in the chambered member i6 is lowered by reason of its flow by gravity to the container.

It is also to be observed that the tube ['9 having the apertures 2| therein adapts the device for use with a closed container with which the conduit 20 may be connectedand wherein air-under pressure may accumulate. The arrangement provides for an escape of air from the-container without the necessity'of use of a separate relief 'valve as is'commoniy theipractice. It is also pointed out that the film of water on the exterior of the tube l9 during discharge of water to either an open or closed container'tends toprevent'discharge of water from-the interior of the' tube;-

through the apertures 2| and'also'tends to prevent splashing which would ordinarily "occur "without the described arrangement which provides a film of waterfrom' the'apertures 23 around the exterior-of the inlet end of the tube l9.

Having thus fully described "my invention, its utility and mode'of operation, what I claim'and "desire to secure-by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A vacuum breaker I positionable between spaced parts ofawa'ter supply conduit having a terminal portion discharging'toa containerbelow the liquid'level therein,- cbihprisinga chambered body member having apertures adjacent its upper and providing for flow of air thereinto' and supported in spacedrelationon'the conduit,

said supply conduit terminating *in said body "member below the apertures" thereim an "open f ended tube supportedwithin said terminal-portion of the conduit in"peripherally spaced rela a tion therewith and providing for; flow of air through the apertures and thence to between the terminal portionof the conduit andthe tube, to "the" supply conduit under in'fluen'ce- *of reduced atmospheric pressure condition in the supply conduit, the supply conduit extending into the body member to a point below the said apertures, an openendedtube supported in peripherally spaced relation with the" last named portion of the conduit and extending into said body member to a point adjacent the lower end thereof, the said tube having a series of apertures in its-wall in longitudinally spaced relation, thearrangement providing for now of air-into the body-member and thence through the space between the conduit and the tube into the supply conduitunder influence of aless than atmospheric pressure con dition therein the said apertures inthe tube providing for increased flow of air to the supply conduit as the water level decreases in the body member.

--3; A vacuum breaker positionable between vertically spaced parts of awater supply conduit having a terminal portion discharging to acontainer below the normal liquid level therein, comprising a chambered body member supported between the spaced partsof; theeonduitand-having apertu-res therein adjacent its upper end,- the conduit terminating within the body member below -theupper 'end thereoi,- an open endedtube supported within saidterminal portion of I the conduit inperipherally spaced relation therewith and providing for flow ofairfrom atmosphere to --of air tothe supply conduit.

*the supply conduit-under infiuence'of a pressure condition therein below atmospheric pressure, the

said tube having a series ofapertures therein in longitudinally spaced relation providing for flow EDWARD w. N. BOOSEY.

Images