US2630018A

US2630018A - Plural selective position cam actuator for valves

Info

Publication number: US2630018A
Application number: US126375A
Authority: US
Inventors: Theodore N Hannant
Original assignee: Specialties Development Corp
Current assignee: Specialties Development Corp
Priority date: 1949-11-09
Filing date: 1949-11-09
Publication date: 1953-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 1970-03-03

Description

March 3, 1953 T. N. HANNANT PLURAL SELECTIVE POSITION CAM ACTUATOR FOR ALVES i. SHEETS--SHEET 1 Filed Nov. 9, 1949 ATTORNEY INVENTOR. WIEODORE A! HAMYHNT March 3, 1953 HANNANT 2,630,018

PLURAL SELECTIVE POSITION CAM ACTUATOR FOR VALVES Filed Nov. 9, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 I 1 5 INVENTOR. Weapons /V. /'/4/v/w9/v7 ag ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 3, 1953 :BLURAL; SELECTIVE ROS ITIQNLCAM AGEUATDR FOR {VALVES Theodore N. 'Ha-nnant, CedarGrove,"N.,iI., as-

-sign0rto Specialties Development Corporation, Bellev'ille, N. .1. 3, corporatiom of New Jersey Application November 9, 1949,=S,erialrNo.126,375

IZCIaims.

11 This invention relates to improvements "in control devices,.and is particularly directed .to

such devices which are adapted to beusedffor effecting the release ,offfiuid. pressure .medium from. containers.

While the .fluid release l control .device .or the present invention has manifold applications, "it is particularly adapted for use with ,containers for fluid medium under pressure, .sucnas carbon dioxide, employed. for inflatin rafts and the'jlike.

Release control devices of .the character .infdicated are employedfor operating avalve .to release medium froma container vand generally comprisea pull cable wrap eduabout asheave, which sheave when rotated lby pullin on .the cable, actuates the .valve to effect .thereleaseoif the medium. Thehousing of the ,devicehas-a cable outlet with an openingtdisposed in the general direction of thecable, or inlother words, in the direction of pullho'f the cable.

Inflatable rafts .of the character with which ithe fluid release control devices of ,the present in vention are suitable for use. are generallyreferred to as packrafts, forthe reasonthat they are each folded or packed in their deflzitdcondition into a compact unit when notin use. One or more containers offididpressurelmediumare secured. in the packedra'ft, each container'having its discharge outletleading to the interioroflthe raft, and eachhaving apnll cable, .Oneend of which is operatively connected to the release control device of the container .and'theotherjen'd of which extends to the ,outsi'de o f the packeld unit, whereby, upon pullingthe cable, therelease control device is operate'cl'to efiec'tthe discharge of the fluid pressurem'edium into "the raft 'to inflate the same. In such rafts, the direction of pull of the cable is predetermined by the position the container is to assume, within the packed unit, relative to the position or location 'of-tthe outer end of the pull ,cable. In some raftsthe pull is downwardly, that is in a-direction down along the body of the container, inwhich casea release control "device having-its cable "outlet-disposed in that "direction is employed, while other rafts the pullmay-be upwardlyfltthat is'in the opposite directionyin-which case a release control device having-its cable outlet disposed" in that directionis employed. Some such rafts employ-morethan one-container which --may be -so disposed .aS to require release control devices operable by cables "adapted toxbepulle'dfin-dlfferent directions.

Insecurin the container and itsirelea'se 10011- trol device in the raft, itis impOrtantthaVthe .p iqper release .control device be employed, so that thepullwillhe direct, ,asdistinguished from a pull .which.,is indirect. ,Should a release control device having its cable outlet disposed in a down- ,wardly ,directionbe used where a pullin an fupwardly direction is desired, a kink in the cable would result upon pulling the cableand thereby prevent ready operation of .therelease ,control .device, resulting in failure to inflate the raft. .Eorthe ifore oingreason, several types ,of release control devices have beensupplied with containers .for lin'fiating rafts, ,each having its cable outlet in a fixed position, hence operable in one direction .oniy,,res11lting.in thenecessityjfor a larger .number "of release control .devices ,and containers to be on, hand than is, actuallyrequired.

Accord ngl one ,of'the objects of thepresent invention is to provide a release control device ,of-the,characterindicatedwhich canbe operated from a selected oneof aplurality, of positions.

Another ,objectof the invention resides inthe provision. of .arelease control device of the character indicated which is so constructed that it ,willoperate efiiciently regardless of the selected position. from which it. is operated.

Another object is ,theprovision of means for readily threadingacable about'the sheaveof the device.

A ,furthertobject resides in the provision of meansior, indicating whether or not the fluid release ,mechanism has beenoperated.

,A stillfurther object of the, present invention isithe provision .of a. release control device which is readilyconvertible for operation from different directions.

'Otherandfurther objects of the present invention willbe obvious'irom the following description and ,the accompanying drawings.

TGenera1ly,the ,jfluid .release control device of thegpresent, invention comprises a housing for attachment to a container ofjfiuid medium under pressureand having a valvefor controlling .the release ofgthe .mediumifrom the container. The housing provides 'a chamber which encloses the operating 'mechanismjfor the valve, which mechanism includes a platehavinga cam securedto one facethereof, and an eccentrically disposed stud projecting-from the other face thereof for mounting a sheave removably on the plate, and a cam follower. adapted to be moved by the cam into engagement with the "stem of the valveto effect the opening of'th'e' valve,-whereby'to permit the discharge of the-medium into a raft with which the container-isassociated. Agpull cable'is provide'dfor"operatingthesheave and has one ofits 3 ends detachably connected to the sheave, so that when the other end of the cable is pulled the sheave will be rotated and the cable pulled free of the release control device, the rotation of the sheave effecting the rotation of the plate and cam. The housing has a pair of cable outlets disposed substantially opposite each other for selectively accommodating the cable in one of two selected positions. In order that the sheave may accommodate the pull cable, in either posi- I tion selected, the sheave has a pair of apertures extending therethrough and disposed substantially 180 apart for the mounting the sheave in one of two selected positions on the aforesaid plate with the eccentric stud in either of the apertures. The sheave is provided with a cam face which normally is in register with the cable outlet after operation of the release control device,

whereby to facilitate threading the cable about the sheave in conditioning the device for operation.

A preferred embodiment of a fluid release control device in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the release control device of the present invention, shown secured to a container for storing fluid medium under pressure.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view, partly in elevation, of the device as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, taken at right angles to the view shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 with certain of the parts in different positions; and

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the valve operating mechanism of the release control device.

Referring to the drawings in detail, a valve body H! is provided with a connecting portion l2 internally threaded for attachment to the neck 14 of a container ['6 for a fluid pressure medium, such as carbon dioxide.

The body l6 has a valve seat l8 formed therein on which a valve member 20 is normally held by means of a spring 22 when the container is empty, and which is held thereon by the pressure of the medium when the container is charged to form a closure for the outlet of the container. The valve member 20 has one end of a valve stem 26 secured thereto, the other end of which extends into a chamber 26. This stem serves as a closure opening or valve unseating member. The valve stem is adapted to operate in a bore 28 which is of larger diameter than the stem, the stem being provided with a collar 33 slidably fitting in the bore. A discharge outlet 32 communicates with the bore and is provided with a threaded nipple for the attachment of a connection (not shown) which leads to the interior of an inflatable raft (not shown).

A cam follower is disposed in the chamber 26 comprising an arm 34 pivotally mounted on the valve body by means of a screw threaded stud 36. The cam follower arm 34 has a roller 38 at its free end and is provided with a spring member 40 adapted normally to bias the arm away from the end of the valve stem and into engagement with a cam 42. r

The cam 442 is carried on a plate M having a central bore for rotatably mounting the same on a shaft 48 secured to the valve body and extending into the chamber 26. The cam is permanently secured to the plate 44 in a fixed position thereon 4 by a stud or pin 46. The plate 44 has an eccentrically mounted stud 50 secured thereto, which stud projects from the face thereof opposite the cam face.

A sheave 52, as shown in Figure 5, has a central opening for mounting the same rotatably on the shaft 48, and has a pair of diametrically opposite apertures M and 56 on either side of the central opening, whereby the sheave may be mounted on the shaft 48 and the stud 59 in two different positions, as will be described more fully hereinafter. The sheave also has a transverse cut-out portion 58 providing a space between the periphery of the sheave and the inner wall of the chamber 26, the cut-out portion also providing a shoulder 6d. The sheave also has a diagonal cutaway portion 62 adjacent the cut-out portion 58 which extends from one face of the sheave to the other at about an angle of 45 to the face of the sheave, providing a cam face, the purpose of which will be described presently. A peripheral other at about an angle of 45 to the faces of the sheave, one end of which terminates at the shoulder 6E), and a short groove '56 is formed in the periphery of the sheave adjacent the shoulder. The sheave is held in place by a screw 53 screwed into the outer end of the central shaft 48.

As shown in Figure 2, the valve body is provided with an internally threaded pull cable outlet opening 58 for receiving a flexible conduit if! having a coupling nut 12 thereon exteriorly threaded for threading into the opening 58. The cable outlet 68 communicates with the chamber 26 and is adapted to receive a flexible cable M loosely threaded through the flexible conduit and having a ball 16 and an integral guide piece or handle 18 carried on its inner end,

the said ball 16 providing anchoring means for detachably connecting that end of the cable to the sheave at the cut-out 58 and in engagement with the shoulder of the sheave. The other end of the pull cable has a clip 19, which may be attached to a handle (not shown) at the outside of the packed raft, or to an extension cable (not shown) extending to the outside of the packed raft. v

The valve body I0 is provided with another internally threaded pull cable outlet similar to the outlet 68 and disposed substantially opposite the latter outlet. The outlet 80 normally is blocked, as shown in Figure 2, by a removable stud 82 having a bevelled face and being held in place by a threaded plug 84. This stud and the flexible conduit are interchangeable, whereby the cable may extend out of the valve bod in either direction, as will be more fully described hereinafter. A split spring obturating ring 85 is disposed in a groove formed on the inner wall of the chamber 26, the purpose of which will be described presently.

The chamber 25 has an open end which is normally closed by a cover plate 86 having a flange 88 and held in place by screws 90.

In assembling the fluid release device of the present invention, the cam follower arm 34 is secured in the bottom wall of the chamber 26 by means of the screw threaded stud 35 on which the arm is pivotally mounted, and at the same time the spring 40 is inserted in place. The plate 54 carrying the cam 42 is then set in position on the shaft 48 with the cam follower roller 38 in engagement with the cam and with the stud 50 on the plate E4 projecting outwardly of the chamber. The sheave 52 is then placed on the shaft 43 and superimposed on the plate with the with its ball and guide piece leading. sheave is in properposition forthreading of the answers stud =58 in one of the apertures 54 or .56mi the sheave, depending =upon which cable outletds to "beutilized, as will bedescribed presently, after which the retaining screw 53 for the sheave is secured in place. Phe obturating IlIlg -85 lSthBn set in its groove, and the pull cable inserted through the :llexible conduit, whereby the ball 6 is in engagement with the shoulder 61) of the sheave 52 and with the "portion of the cable adjacent the ball in the short groove 66=and the cable wrapped about the sheave.

Assuming that the valve assembly o'f'the present-inventionisto be operated-bythe pull cable arranged in the positionshown'in Figure l, the sheave 52 will be in the position shown-in

F igures

2 and 3 with the stud 5B in the aperture 56. Shouldit bedesired to-convert thereleasedevice whereby to reverse the directionof pull the flexible conduit Wand itsnut 12 are removed from the position shown'in 'Figure lgthebloczking plug il andthe blocking-stud. -82 are *removed from the cable outlet 8 and transferred to the cable outlet 68, and the flexibleconduitis-secured in the cable outlet Bil, as shown in Figure l. The sheave 52 is then removedfromthe shaft 48 and the stud 5E! and turned around about 180 degrees and replaced with the s'tud bfl entering the aperture 5 5 in the sheave, atter which the retaining screw is replaced to "hold thensheave in its new position.

In threading the cable about the sheave #52, the cable is pushed thrcughtheflexible-conduit If the cable through the selected cable outlet the cam faceprovided by the 45 degree cut-away portion 62 of the sheave Will be in register with the-cable outlet, so that the guidepiece-and the ball will engage the cam face-andwill be guided thereby toward the open end of the chamber 2 6,'-whereby it can readily be grasped by hand and wrapped about the sheave with-the ballpositioned'in engagement with the shoulder 60 -of the sheave. The cover plate 86 may then be'placed in position to cover the open end of the chamber 26.

The portion of the ring 85 adjacent the cable outlet prevents the threading of the cable about the sheave, except when the sheave is in the proper position to receive the cable through that outlet, the proper positionbeing determined by the cam face 62 of the sheave being in alignment with the cable outlet.

The outer end of the stud 50 is preferably 001- ored, green for example, and the outer face of the sheave 52 is of a distinctive color red for example. The cover plate has a Window 92therein with which the stud '50 is in register when the valve is closed, so that there is a visible indication of the position of the valve. In other words, when the stud, or the green color of the stud end, is seen through the window it will be an indication that the valve is closed. However, when the valve has been operated, the stud is no longer in register with the window, because of the rotation of the sheave, and the red color of the outer face of the sheave is visible through the window thereby indicatingthat the valve has been operated and is open.

In use, the container [6, with its valve assembly id, is attached to a pack raft, in its deflated condition, with the discharge outlet 32 of the release control device in communication-with the interior of the raft. The clasp 19 at the outer end of the cable is attached to a handle at the outside of the packed raft, or to -an ex- "same. will-be understood from the foregoing,

the cable will be completely pulled out .of the =val-ve assembly which serves'as an additional indieation that the release-control device has been operated.

Insome rafts, wherein more than one container .of fluid pressure medium is employed, the outerendof thepull cable'of the release con- *trol device df one containeris attached to a portion of the raft which is first inflated upon the discharge of "the other container, so that the said-cable is pulled automatically by the raft itself upon its initial-inflation. The "present invention, obviously, is suitable "forluse-with such rafts.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention provides a fluid release control device for a container of fluid pressure medium capable of being mountedon-an inflatable raft, whereby the device can be readily converted for operation from a plurality :of positions, which device willoperate efficiently regardless of the position from which it is operated.

It will also be seen-that visual indicating means are "provided whereby it can-readily be determined whether or not the valve=has been opened and the contents of the container discharged.

From the'foregoing description, and the 'accompanying drawings, itwill also be seen that the valve-assembly of the presentinvention includes a sheave having means to facilitate threading of the cable about the sheave.

Likewise, it will be seen that-the operation of the valve by engagement of the valvestem by a pivoted cam follower results in a moreefiicient operable device than where the cam itself engages a valve stem.

While I have illustrated and describeda'pre- 'ferred embodiment of my invention,'it is to 'be understood that I do not wish to be'limited to that precise structure and arrangement of parts, as obviously various changes .and'm'odifications may be made .therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof my invention.

I claim:

1. In a fluidrelease control device "for effecting movement of a closure opening member, the combination of a housing; a pull cable; a rotatable member mounted withinlthe housing and having means for connecting the pull cable there- .to; a cam for operating the closure opening member; .and means for operatively connecting the rotatable member to the cam in one of a plurality of "relative positions, "said housing having a plurality of spaced apertures for selectively accommodating the pull cable, the selected aperture being determined by the position of the rotatable member relative "to the cam.

2. In'ailuidrelease controldevice for effecting movement of a closure opening member,-the combination of ahousing; a pull cable; a rotatable member 'mounte'dwithin the housing and"having means for detachably connecting one end of the pull cable thereto; 'a'camfor-operating' the closure opening member; and means for operatively connecting the rotatable member to the cam in a selected one of two relative positions, said housing having a pair of substantially oppositely disposed apertures for selectively accommodating the pull cable, the selected aperture being determined by the selected position of the rotatable member relative to the cam.

3. In a fluid release control device for effecting movement of a closure opening member, the combination of a housing; a pull cable; a rotatable member mounted within the housing and having means for detachabl connecting one end of the pull cable thereto; a cam for operating the closure opening member; means for operatively connecting the rotatable member to the cam in a selected one of two relative positions, said housing having a pair of substantially oppositely disposed apertures for selectively accommodating the pull cable, the selected aperture being determined by the selected position of the rotatable member relative to the cam, and means in said housing preventing the connection of the cable to the rotatable member unless inserted in the selected aperture.

4. In a fluid release control device for effecting movement of a closure opening member, the combination of a housing; a pull cable; a rotatable member mounted within the housing and having means for detachably connecting one end of the pull cable thereto; a cam for operating the closure opening member; means for operatively connecting the rotatable member to the cam in one of two relative positions, said housing having a pair of substantially oppositely disposed apertures for selectively accommodating the pull cable, the selected aperture being determined by the position of the rotatable member relative to the cam, and a flexible conduit for the cable having means for attachment of one end of the conduit in a selected aperture.

5. In a fluid release control device for effecting movement or" a closure opening member, the combination of a housing; a pull cable; a rotatable member mounted Within the housing and having means for detachably connecting one end of the pull cable thereto; a cam for operating the closure opening member; means for operatively connecting the rotatable member to the cam in one of two relative positions, said housing having a pair of substantially oppositely disposed screw threaded apertures for selectively accommodating the pull cable, the selected aperture being determined by the position of the rotatable member relative to the cam, a flexible conduit for the cable having screw threaded means for attachment of one end of the conduit in a selected aperture, and means for closing the other of said apertures.

6. In a fluid release control device for effecting movement of a closure opening member, the combination of a housing; a pull cable; a sheave mounted within the housing and having means for detachably connecting one end of the pull cable thereto; cam means for efiecting operation of the closure opening member; and a stud associated with said cam means; said sheave having a pair of apertures disposed substantially 180 degrees apart adapted to receive said stud, whereby to operatively connect the sheave to the cam in one of two selected positions relative to the cam; said housing having a pair of substantially oppositely disposed apertures for selectively accommodating the pull cable, the selected aperture being determined by the selected position of the sheave relative to the cam.

7. In a fluid release control device for effecting movement of a closure opening member, the combination of a housing; a pull cable; a sheave mounted within the housing and having means for detachably connecting one end of the pull cable thereto; a cam for effecting operation of the closure opening member; a plate disposed between the sheave and cam on one side of which the cam is mounted; and a stud carried by said plate on the side thereof opposite the cam; said sheave having a pair of apertures disposed substantially degrees apart adapted to selectively receive said stud, whereby to operatively connect the sheave to the plate and cam in one of two selected positions relative to the cam; said housing having a pair of substantially oppositely disposed apertures for selectively accommodating the pull cable, the selected aperture being determined by the selected position of the sheave relative to the cam.

8. In a fluid release control device for efiecting movement of a closure opening member, the combination of a housing providing a chamber; a pull cable; a shaft in said chamber; a sheave rotatably mounted on said shaft and having means for detachably connecting one end of the pull cable thereto; a cam rotatably mounted on said shaft for effecting operation of the closure opening member; a plate rotatably mounted on said shaft and disposed between the sheave and cam on one side of which the cam is mounted; a stud carried by said plate on the side thereof opposite the cam; said sheave having a pair of apertures disposed substantially 180 degrees apart adapted to selectively receive said stud, whereby to operatively connect the sheave to the plate and cam in one of two selected positions relative to the cam; and means for securing said sheave in its selected position; said housing having a pair of substantially oppositely disposed apertures for selectively accommodating the pull cable, the selected aperture being determined by the selected position of the sheave relative to the cam.

9. A fluid reiease control device for eiiecting movement of a closure'opening member comprising in combination, a housing, a sheave rotatably mounted in the housing, a pull cable adapted to be wrapped about said sheave and having anchor means on one end thereof, said housing having an aperture formed therein through which the pull cable extends, means formed on the sheave for detachably connecting the anchor means of the cable to the sheave, means associated with and operable by the sheave for effecting movement of the closure opening member upon pulling the cable, and guide means on said sheave for guiding the anchor means to facilitate wrapping of the cable about the sheave.

10. A fluid release control device for effecting movement of a closure opening member comprising in combination, a housing having a chamber provided with an open end; a cover for said open end; a sheave rotatably mounted in said chamber; a pull cable adapted to be wrapped about said sheave and having anchor means on one end thereof; said housing having an aperture formed therein through which the pull cable extends; means formed on the sheave for detachably connecting the anchor means of the cable to the sheave; cam means associated with and operable by the sheave for effecting movement OJ. the CLOSRI'G opening member upon pulling the cable, and guide means formed on one face of said sheave in alignment with said aperture for guiding the anchor means outwardly of said open end to faciiitate grasping the cable and wrapping the same about the sheave.

11. A fluid release control device for effecting movement of a closure opening member comprising in combination, a housing having an open end, rotatable sheave means removably mounted in the housing, a pull cable adapted to be wrapped about said sheave and having anchor means on one end thereof, said housing having an aperture formed therein through which the pull cable extends, shoulder means formed on the sheave for detachably connecting the anchor means of the cable to the sheave, means associated with and operable by the sheave for effecting movement of the closure opening member upon pulling the cable, and bevelled guide means formed in one face of said sheave adjacent said shoulder means for guiding the anchor means outwardly of the open end of the housing to facilitate gripping the cable and wrapping the same about the sheave with the anchor means in engagement with said shoulder.

12. A fluid release control device for effecting movement of a closure opening member compris- 25 the housing, a pull cable adapted to be wrapped about said sheave and having anchor means on one end thereof, said housing having an aperture formed therein through which the pull cable extends, shoulder means formed on the sheave for detachably connecting the anchor means of the cable to the sheave, means associated with and operable by the sheave for effecting movement of the closure opening member upon pulling the cable, and a cover plate for said open end having a window disposed in a predetermined position therein; said sheave means being provided with two distinctive indicia means, one of which is visible through said window when the release device has not been operated and the other being visible through the window when the device has been operated.

THEODORE N. HANNANT.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Grant Oct. 9, 1935 Number