US2487517A

US2487517A - Contactor

Info

Publication number: US2487517A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward L Brazil
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-06-30
Filing date: 1947-06-30
Publication date: 1949-11-08
Anticipated expiration: 1966-11-08

Description

E. L. BRAZIL CONTACTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 50, 1947 5, w a Wu 3 (fI'V INVENTOR .E. L..BrazL 4171i, Tm

Patented Nov. 8, 1 949 "OFFICE 2,487,517; ICQNTACTIOIRI i Edward L. Brazil, Crows Landing, cm;

1947, Serial No. 758,120

Application June so,

11 Claims. (Cl. -200- 152) This invention is directed to, and it isl'an object to provide, a novel switch'or'contactor operative to recurringly make and break the circuit fora pump motor in a" liquid pumping system; the contactor being responsive to the'le'vel of'a liquid in a reservoir to which the pump'is'connested. In'certain liquid pumping systems, as for example in milk processing plants, the liquid is fed from one source to a receiving reservoir and then intermittently pumped from the reservoir for subsequent handling; the pump being started each time the liquid in the reservoir reaches-a predetermined high level, and stopped when the liquid is at a predetermined low level. i The present invention thus has for another of its objects the provision of a novel float valve controlled contactor for the circuit of a pump motor in a liquid pumping system as above; the float valve being arranged in a unique-manner to cause the contactor to close the pumpmotor actuating circuit each time thatthe high level is reached in the reservoir, and to open such circuit when the liquid is pumped down to the low level.

Another object of this invention is'to provide a float valve controlled jco'ntactor, as above, wherein opening of such contactor to break the circuit and stop the pump motor is accomplished, at the correct time, by what may be'termed"delayed action of the float valve, and which function will hereinafter appear in detail.

An additional object of the instant invention is to provide a contactor, for the purpose, which includes normall spaced contact elements; the circuit between which is adapted to be closed by liquid in the reservoir; access of such liquid to the elements being controlled by the novel arrangement of the float valve therewith.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple, practical and convenient contactor which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose f or which it is designed. N p k A I I H These objects are accomplished byrneans of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

. In the drawings: L

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of the contactor with the float controlled valve open.

but shows the valve Fig. 2 1s a similar view, closed.

Fig. 3 is an elevation of-the device assuspended in a reservoir for use;. thereservoir being shown through the bottom 6.

an upwardly projecting stem 2. in section, and the "pumpmotor con-trolcircuit diagrammatically. Referring nowmoreparticularly to the characters of reference on; the drawings, the'contactoris constructed in themanner shown in Figs. l-and'2, and comprisesan upstanding tubular body I fitted, at the upper end, with a dielectric head 2 removably held'in place by' a top retaining nut 3.

An electrode 4 is mounted in connection with the dielectric head 2 and'depends therefrom'into the tubular body I in clearancerelation to the sides thereof; the electrode terminating adjacentmbut shorter, the "lower end of said body. Above the dielectric h'ead'2 theelectr'ode 4 is formed with an "electrical connection fitting 5." The lower end of the tubular body I isnormally closed by a removable bottom 6 heldin place We bottom retaining nut'1; The bottom Bis formed, centrally thereof; with a downwardly opening tapered valve-seat 8, and a bore '9 leads from such seat axially upwardly A tapered plug valve ill cooperates with the tapered seat "8, and includes 7 II which slidably engages in the bore 9 and terminates thereabove. A cross pin |2,"through the=stem"lI above the bottom 6, permits'the tapered "plug valve II) to move vertically between open and closed positions without escape from the device; 1 The bottom *6 is formed with ableed'passage l3 which-leads downwardly from the top surface of said bottom 6 to' entry-into the tapered seat [0 intermediate its ends. With "this arrange.-

. ment liquid can flow from within the tubular body lgthrough the bleed passage 13, and escape only when the tapered plug valve In is open, as in Fig. -1; the flow beingcontrolledby the diameter-of such bleed passage. "When the tapered plug valve is closed, as in Fig. 2, the bleed passage I3 is also effectively closed.

At'its lower end the tapered plug valve I0 is formed with an air bell or float M which depends therefrom in actuating relation'to said valve.

- Adjacent but short of its'upper end the tubular body 1 is formed with a circumferential row of spaced ports [5 of relatively small diameter. Abovethis row of ports l5 the tubular body I includes a single vent port I6.

The abovedescribed the manner shown in Fig. 3,'wherein said contactor is suspended by any suitable means, as for example abracket I! in a reservoir. Hi from which .a liquid l9isto bepumpedq... s .13. 1;.The; .liquidrl 9 is .fed,.,into the reservoi s] 8, by

contactor is employedin through the medium of a main circuit 23.

means not shown, and is pumped out of said reservoir through a pipe 20 connected to the reservoir adjacent the bottom thereof. A pump 2| is interposed in the pipe 20 and is adapted to be driven by an electric motor 22 energized main circuit 23 has a control switch 24 interposed therein, and such switch is of relay type, including a coil '25 adapted to control opening and closing of" the switch 24. The coil 25' works at extremely low voltage, and is interposed in a control circuit 26. The control circuit is energized by a transformer 21 interposed therein, which transformer is fed from the main circuit 23 ahead of the switch 24. The control circuit includes a lead 28 attached to the electrical connection fitting 5 of the electrode 4. The reservoir I8 is grounded, as is one side of the transformer 21, to complete the control circuit 26. This control circuit 26 is initially open.

When the contactor is suspended in the reservoir I 8, the float I 4 depends slightly below predetermined low level 25 for the liquid i9, while the row of ports I5 is disposed closely adjacent a predetermined high level 30.

Assuming that the liquid if] in the reservoir is at the low level 29, but additional liquid is flowing into such reservoir, the contactor works as follows to control operation of the pump 2i, which is initially notin operation:

As the liquid I 9 rises above the low level 29, the float correspondingly rises, closing the tapered plug valve IQ ahead of the liquid level. Thus, as the liquid level rises beyond the lower end of the tubular body I, the valve Ill is closed and no liquid can enter said body.

The liquid level continues to rise in the reservoir l8 until the high level 38 is reached, andwhen this occurs liquid flows through the row of ports I 5, filling the. tubular body I up to such row; the vent port sure in said body.

With liquid filling the body I, the control circuit 26 is closed between the electrode 4 and tubular body I; i. e. between such electrode 4 and the grounded reservoir I8. This causes energization of the coil 25 and closing of the relay switch 24. With switch 24 closed, the main circuit 23 energizes the motor 22, with resultant operation of the pump 2 I.

The pump 2| then functions to withdraw the liquid I9 from the reservoir until such liquid lowers from the high; level 36 to adjacent the low level 29; the float i l holding the valve Iii closed durin this period. When the liquid. I9 approaches the low level 29 the. float IA- drops open by gravity, opening the valve Ill and permitting the liquid within the tubular body I to drain out through the bleed passage I3 and the open valve seat 8. When this occurs the control. circuit 2.6 between the electrode 4 and tubular body I breaks, deenergizing the coil 25 and permitting opening of the switch 24. As the switch 24 opens, motor 22 and pump 2i cease operation and no further pumping takes place until the reservoir I8 is again filled to the high level 3b. The contactor thus provides a very well timedcycling of operation of the motor driven pump 2! at not too frequently recurring times; i. e. the motor can be brought into operation at a predetermined high level of the liquid and taken out of operation at a predetermined low level in an effective manner. Further, the described float valve arrangement, in combination with the tubular body I, provides the de1ayed-action means necessary l5 preventing. any back preswhich might otherwise impair proper operation of the contactor.

The contactor while working in the liquid I9 is safe for the reason that the control circuit 26 works on a very lo voltage, as described, and there is no risk to any attendent who may come in contact with the reservoir I8 or other part of the control circuit.

The electrode 4 is elongated and terminates adjacent, but short of, the bottom 6, for the following reason:

As the liquid approaches the low level and the valve I0 opens, with resultant draining of the liquid from the tubular body I through bleed passage I3, the control circuit remains closed and does not break until the liquid in said tubular body breaks away from the lower end of the electrode 4. In this manner the motor driven pump is actuated somewhat longer than would be the case if the electrode 4 terminated closely adjacent the row of ports I5.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that there has been produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention, as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from. the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, the following is claimed as new and useful, and upon which Letters Patent are desired:

1. A control circuit contactor adapted to be mounted in a liquid reservoir in responsive relation to predetermined high and low levels therein, said contactor including spaced elements initially open in the control circuit, but arranged to be closed in said control circuit by liquid contact therebetween upon the liquid reaching the high level, and delayed-action means operative to then maintain said. liquid contact between the elements until the liquid in the reservoir approaches said low level, said delayed action means including a float valve.

2. A control circuit contactor adapted to be mounted in a liquid reservoir in responsive relation to predetermined high and low levels therein, said contactor including an upstanding, hollow body in the reservoir in position to fill with liquid when the same reaches said high level, a float valve in communication with the body adjacent its lower end adapted to release liquid from the bod when the liquid in the reservoir approaches said low level, and an electrode in the body in dielectric relation thereto.

3; A contactor adapted to be closed by entry of liquid thereinto and opened upon discharge of the liquid, comprising an upstanding, hollow body, a float valve communicating'with the body at one point, the body having means for liquid entry above said point, and an electrode inthe body, in dielectric relation: thereto, below said entry means but terminating above said point.

4. A contactor adapted to be closed by entry of liquid thereinto and opened upon discharge of the liquid, comprising an upstanding, hollow'body, a float valve communicating with the body at one point, the body having means for liquid entry above said point, and an electrode in the body, in

dielectric relation thereto, below said entry means but terminating above said point; said entry means bein a circumferential row of ports in the body.

5. A contactor adapted to be closed by entry of liquid thereinto and opened upon discharge of the liquid, comprising an upstanding, hollow body, a float valve communicating with the body at one point, the body having means for liquid entry above said point, and an electrode in the body, in dielectric relation thereto, below said entry means but terminating above said point; said entry means being a circumferential row of ports in the body, said ports having a relatively small diameter.

6. A contactor adapted to be closed by entry of liquid thereinto and opened upon discharge of the liquid, comprising an upstanding, hollow body, a bottom in the body, said bottom having a valve seat in communication with the interior of the body, a valve cooperating with th seat and movable upward to closed position, a float below the valve and connected thereto, the body having liquid entry means therein some distance above the bottom, and an electrode in the body, in dielectric relation, terminating at its lower end between the entry means and said bottom.

7. A contactor adapted to be closed by entry of liquid thereinto and opened upon discharge of the liquid, comprising an upstanding, hollow body, a bottom in the body, said bottom havin a valve seat in communication with the interior of the body, a valve cooperating with the seat and movable upward to closed position, a float below the valve and connected thereto, the body having liquid entry means therein some distance above the bottom, and an electrode in the body, in dielectric relation, terminating at its lower end between the entry means and said bottom; the valve seat and valve being tapered, and a bleed passage in the bottom thereof extending between its top surface and a point on the valve seat intermediate its ends.

8. A contactor adapted to be closed by entry of liquid thereinto and opened upon discharge of the liquid, comprising an upstanding, hollow body, a

dielectric head on the body, an electrode depending from the dielectric head into the body in spaced relation, a float valve in communication with the body below the lower end of the electrode, and the body having liquid entry means therein intermediate the ends of the electrode.

9. A contactor adapted to be closed by entry of liquid thereinto and opened upon discharge of the liquid, comprising an upstanding, hollow body, a dielectric head on the body, an electrode depending from the dielectric head into the body in spaced relation, a float valve in communication with the body below the lower end of the electrode, and the body having liquid entry means therein intermediate the ends of the electrode; said liquid entry means being a circumferential row of ports in the body.

10. A contactor adapted to be closed by entry of liquid thereinto and opened upon discharge of the liquid, comprising an upstanding, hollow body, a dielectric head on the body, an electrode depending from the dielectric head into the body, an electrode depending from the dielectric head into the body in spaced relation, a float valve in communication with the body below the lower end of the electrode, and the body having liquid entry means thereinintermediate the ends of the electrode; said liquid entry means being a circumferential row of ports in the body, the latter having a, vent port above said row.

11. A contactor, as in claim 8, in which the body includes a bottom with which the float valve is connected, both the dielectric head with the electrode, and the bottom with the float valve, being removable from the body.

EDWARD L. BRAZIL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name .Date

2,110,313 Warrick Mar. 8, 1938 2,297,680 Alling Oct. 6, 1942 2,424,657 Goodman July 29, 1947