US2664829A

US2664829A - Pumping mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2664829A
Application number: US223118A
Authority: US
Inventors: Horton Ralph; Jr Newton E Spiess; Kenneth R Weaver
Original assignee: NAT DAIRY RES LAB Inc
Current assignee: NAT DAIRY RES LAB Inc; NATIONAL DAIRY RESEARCH LABORATORIES Inc
Priority date: 1951-04-26
Filing date: 1951-04-26
Publication date: 1954-01-05
Anticipated expiration: 1971-01-05

Description

PUMPING MECHANISM 77 T5. LI.

Filed April 26. 1951 RHLPH New-row E. SHEss. JR.

5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS HORTON BY KENNETH R. WEavER THEIR HTTORNEVS Jan. 5, 1954 R. HORTON ET AL PUMPING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 26, 1951 g m Z INVENTORS RALPH HORTON Ncw'row E. SPIE$8, JR. y KENNETH R. WEQVER THEIR HTTORNEVS Jan. 5, 1954 R. HORTON ETAL 2,664,829

PUMPING MECHANISM Filed April 26, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet s INVENTORS RH LPH HORTON NEWTON E. SPIESS, JR.

BY KENNETH R. WEHVER W W W THEIR ATTORNEYS Jan. 5, 1954 R. HORTON ETAL PUMPING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 26. 1951 R 5 JR R ,E 5 ON 5 V Y w M W E W W v R 5 m M R T E AH H PI -m R L O E D HT H R WW T M W 1954 R. HORTON ET AL 2,664,829

PUMPING MECHANISM Filed April 26, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 J C) C) INVENTORS Rm. PH Ho RT'ON NEWTON E. SP/ESS, JR. BY KENNETH R. WEHVER THE? FITT ENQ W vw 4 l av Patented Jan. 5, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PUMPING MECHANISM corporation of Delaware Application April 26, 1951, Serial No. 223,118

The present invention relates to fluid pumping mechanisms and, more particularly, to mechanisms of such character wherein the pumping operation is effected by means of the application of fluid pressure to the fluid to be pumped. In certain operations, for example, in the dairy industry, it is desired to transport a fluid, such as cream, from one location to another. In this operation, the cream (or other fluid that is to be pumped) should be subjected to as little agitation as possible. For example, a satisfactory operating condition exists when the condition of the fluid and its agitation is no more than occasioned in flowing through a pipe line at normal velocities. It is also important to avoid the entrainment of air in the fluid and the rate of pumping should be capable of being controlled so that it will agree with the available volume of fluid that is supplied to the pump.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pumping mechanism utilizing a fluid under pressure as the source of pumping energy and being of such character that the pumped fluid is maintained at desired optimum conditions throughout the pumping operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a pumping mechanism of the above character wherein the entrainment of air in the fluid being pumped is avoided.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a pumping mechanism of the above character by means of which the rate of pumping may be controlled effectively in accordance with the volume of fluid available to be pumped at any given time.

Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism of the above character wherein agitation of the fluid being pumped is reduced to a minimum during the pumping operation.

Other and further objects of the inveniton will be apparent as it is described in greater detail in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is a plan View of a pumping mechanism constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation showing the pumping mechanism of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in end elevation, partly broken away, to illustrate the interior of a portion of the pumping mechanism;

Figure 4 is a partial view in section, taken on the plane indicated by line 4-4 of Figure 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a partial view in section, taken on 6 Claims. (01. 103-241) the broken plane indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, taken on the line 68 of Figure 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Figure 7 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the control circuits and mechanism by means of which the pumping mechanism of Figures 1 to 4 is controlled during its operation.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 to 6, the pumping mechanism will be seen as comprising a housing It formed in such fashion as to provide adjacent pump chambers H and i2. It will be observed that the bottoms l3 and M of these respective chambers slope downwardly and away from the common central portion l5 thereof. In this fashion fluid may be drained effectively from the chambers when the end plates (presently to be described) are removed therefrom. Reinforcing bands It and II, respectively, extend about the chambers II and i2 and, at their lower portions, carry supporting feet l8 and [9, respectively.

End plates 29 and 2| serve to close the respective chambers II and I2, being secured in position by means of the two series of

clamps

22 and 23, respectively. Fluid to be pumped is supplied to an inlet manifold 24 (see particularly Figure 4), the manifold being closed at one end by a plug or cap 25 and being provided with connections 2 6 and 2'! that connect with

inlet valves

28 and 29, respectively, these valves being provided with extensions 30 and 31'! into the respective chambers H and [2, thus insuring that the fluid introduced into the pumping chambers is flowed easily th-erethrough at the bottom portions thereof. The

valves

28 and 29 receive ball members 32 and 33, respectively, these ball members being of such weight that they float in the fluid being pumped. In this fashion, the ball members are readily displaced by the force of the flowing fluid, as illustrated by the position of the ball 32 in Figure 4, but when the fluid is static, the ball members seat against the valve seat to close the valve, as illustrated by the position of the ball member 33 in Figure 4. In order to avoid the possibility of fluid flow causing the valves to seat in the wrong direction, mechanical stops 34 are provided to limit the travel of the balls away from their seats.

Fluid is discharged from the chambers through an outlet pipe 34 that communicates with a discharge manifold 35 having

connections

36 and 31 that communicate with valves 38 and 39, respectively (see Figure 5), these valves being formed with extensions lfi and d I respectively, which extend downwardly adjacent the bottoms of the respective chambers H and [2. Ball members 32 and 43 are received in the respective valve chambers 33 and 39 and are of such weight that they sink in the static body of fluid that is to be pumped. Their mass is such, however, that they may be displaced upwardly to open the valves by the force of the fluid flowing upwardly as it is pumped out of the bumping chambers.

In order that a suitable pumping fluid under pressure may be supplied to the pumping chambers,

fluid pressure connections

44 and 45 are provided with the respective chambers H and i2. These connections are formed with fittings as and ill, respectively, each of which in turn is connected respectively to vent

valves

48 and 49 operated by the respective solenoids 59 and 5]. The vent valves thus enable the chambers to be vented to the atmosphere.

The fittings 56 and t? are also connected by means of connections 52 and 53 to

air valves

54 and 55, respectively, these valves being controlled by the

respective solenoids

56 and 51. The

valves

56 and 55 thus serve as a means of supplying a pumping fluid under pressure to the respective pumping chambers H and [2.

In order that the pumping operation may be controlled effectively, the chambers El and E2 are provided with

fittings

58 and 59, respectively, fitting 58 carrying a low level probe 60 and a high level probe or electrode 6!, while fitting 59 carries high and low level probes or electrodes 6'2 and 63 (inasmuch as this mechanism is directly behind the corresponding elements in Fig ure 3, it is not shown other than to refer to it diagrammatically in Figure 7).

Referring to Figure 7, there is illustrated diagrammatically the electrical mechanism and circuits by means of which the pumping mechanism hereinabove described is operated in order to cause fluid to be pumped to accomplish the objects hereinabove mentioned as sought to be attained by the present invention. A suitable source of electricity is derived from an external circuit E i and transmitted to supply wires 65 and 66. These supply wires furnish power to the primary windings of transformers E5! and 65, one secondary winding 69 of which is connected through electrical circuits W to the heater elements of the respective vacuum tubes H and E2. The vacuum tubes H and 72 operate, or cause the operation of, a plurality of relays R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6.

Inasmuch as the circuit of each of the vacuum tubes TI and E2 is identical, the description of the parts of one circuit will be made with simultaneous reference to the counterparts in the other circuit. To this end, circuits [3 and 14 connect the primaries of the respective transformers 6'? and 6 3 to the supply wires 65 and 66, thus energizing the transformers and supply heater current for the heater elements of the vacuum tubes '5'! and 72 and also current in the other secondary windings of these transformers for purposes presently to be described. Connecting wires l5 and I6 also connect the respective solenoids 5B, 56, and 5!, 5?, to the supply wire 65. The operating coils of the relays R3, R6, and R4, R1 are energized, respectively, by the vacuum tubes H and '12. Current for this purpose is supplied from the plates of these respective tubes through the respective circuits TI and 18 and

wires

19 and 80. The return of the circuit is completed 4 through the wires 8| and 82, respectively, and Wires 83 and as which are connected to one of the secondary windings of the respective transformers El and 98. These windings are grounded at 85 and 83 as are the cathodes 8! and 83 of the respective vacuum tubes El and l2.

The screen grids of the vacuum tubes ii and T2 are connected to the wires El and 18 by the respective wires 39 and 90. The control grids of these vacuum tubes are connected through wires 9| andilz to the respective high level probes or electrodes 6! and 63. These grids are also con nected to the other end of the secondaries of the transformers 6? and E58 by means of wires 93 and 9 1.

The'low level probes 653 and 62 are connected to normally open contacts 95 and 9% of the respective relays R6 and R1 by means of wires 9? and 98. These contacts also are connected to the respective wires 9! and 92 by means of wires 99 and I130.

The vent valve solenoids 5b and 5| are connected to the normally closed contacts iill, 532, by means of the respective wires 5%, lt i, these normall closed contacts also being connected to the supply wire 66 by means of the respective wires I05 and 5%.

The

air solenoid valves

56 and 51 are connected to the normally open contacts till and H33 of the respective relays R5 and R2 by means of wires I09 and H9, these contacts also being con nected by the respective wires HI and H2 to the respective wires H3 and H4 which are connected to the normally closed contacts H5 and I 18, respectively, of relays R4 and R3; to the normally open contacts H1 and N3 of the respective relays Re and R1; and to the normally open contacts H9 and E28 of the respective relays R5 and R2.

The operating coils of the respective relays R; and R2 are connected to the wire 65 by wires and through the wires [25 and H2, respectively, with the respective open contact I is and 520 by means of the wires E23 and 25., respectively, and with the closed contacts H5, H6 through the respective Wires 25 and H6. The closed contacts H5 and H5 of the respective relays R4 and R3 and the open contacts H9 and 12% of the respective relays R5 and R2 are connected together by means of respective wires 12? and I28, these wire also being connected to the respective wires I 83 and i it previously referred to.

To facilitate the manual operation of the pumping mechanism in order to empty and drain the system, manually operated switches I29 and 30, both of which are grounded, are connected. to the respective wires 9! and 92.

Referring to the elements of Figure 6, it is to be observed that the vent valves and air valves controlled by the

solenoids

50, 51 and 5? are open when the solenoids are energized. Moreover, the operation of the system causes the vent valves to be normally open. This results in a condition in which the chambers will immediately be filled with the fluid that is being pumped as soon as they are emptied.

It Will further be observed that the relays R4 and R3 will be energized when the respective vacuum tubes 12 and ll are energized, that is, when the respective tanks to which those vacuum tube pertain are pumping. For example, when chamber H is pumping (exhausting itself), the vacuum tube ll and relay R3 are energized. Contrarywise, when chamber i2 is pumping, the vacuum tube 12 and the relay R4 are energized.

5 Therefore, under these circumstances, the normally closed contacts H6 and H5, respectively, are open during the times that the respective chambers II and I2 are pumping.

The vacuum tubes II and I2 are passing current when the respective electrodes 6| and B3 are grounded by the fluid in the respective chambers II and I2, and also when electrodes 60 and 62 are grounded by said fluid, providing

contacts

95 and 95 are closed. In other words, when chamber I I is filled and the electrode 6| grounded, the vacuum tube II passes current and causes the air valve 56 to admit air into the chamber I I to force the fluid in such chamber out through the discharge port when relay R5 is also energized.

The relays R4, R3, R2, and R5 control the air solenoids so that only one cylinder is pumping at a time. In other words, when one chamber is being emptied, the air solenoids prevent the other chamber from being emptied simultaneously.

The normally open contacts I I I and I I8 of the respective relays Re and R1 are closed when the respective vacuum tubes II and I2 are passing current. Under this condition, these contacts supply current to the respective relay R5 and R2 (provided the contacts of the respective relays R4 and R3 are closed). Actuation of the relays R5 and R2 closes the contacts It! and I08, respectively, to energize the

respective air valves

56 and 57 to cause, respectively, a pumping opration to take place in the respective chambers It and I2.

The secondaries of the transformers 61 and 63 provide a negative bias through current limiting resistors 93' and 94 on the control grids of the vacuum tubes II and I2, and under normal conditions these tubes will not be conducting. Inasmuch as the plate output of these tubes is connected to the relays R1, R4, R3, and Rs, these relays will normally be de-energized. Under such condition, the normally closed contacts I III and I02 of the relays R6 and R1 will energize the vent valves 59 and 5|, respectively, allowing the chambers to fill with liquid.

If it be assumed that chamber II fills to the level of the electrode 6|, the control grid of the tube II will be grounded and its negative bias removed so that the tube II will conduct. As a result, the relays R6 and R3 Will be energized, and current will flow through the normally open contacts of the relay R6 and through the normally closed contact of relay R4. This results in energizing relay R5 which closes contact I01, thus energizing the air solenoid 5B, admitting compressed air into the chamber II, and forcing its fluid through the outlet 3d. Current will also flow through the coil of the relay R5 closing the normally open contacts I! and I I9. The normally open contact 95 of relay Re will also close, grounding the control grid of the tube 'II through the electrode 60 which is immersed in liquid.

While chamber II is emptying, chamber I2 will be filling, and the electrode 63 will be grounded when the chamber I2 is filled. Grounding of the electrode 83 will remove the negative bias from the control grid of the vacuum tube 72 and cause it to pass current and energize relays R4 and R1. This will de-energize the vent valve solenoid (causing the vent valve to close and air binding the chamber I2). The air valve 5i of chamber I2 will not open because the Voltrelay R1 will be unable to reach the air solenoid because of the open contact IIB of the relay It will be recalled that this contact was opened when chamber I I began to empty.

As a result of this tie-in or interlock, it is impossible for both tanks to empty simultaneously. As a result, the action of the two sets of the solenoid valves is synchronized. It will be observed that the opening of the contact H5 under these circumstances does not de-energize the air solenoid 56 because the contact II9 of the relay R5 is connected in parallel with the contact of the relay R4 and, being closed at this time, serves to hold the relay R5 energized.

Turning back to the chamber I I, it will be seen that when the liquid level drops below the electrode 60, the grid of the vacuum tube 'II will again be biased negatively, cutting oil the operation of this tube and de-energizing the relays R3 and Re. This will result in opening the normally open contacts of these relays, thus closing the air valve, deenergizing the relay R5 and closing the normally closed contact IIII of the relay Rs. This energizes the vent valve solenoid 50 and allows the chamber I I to refill. 'Re-eontact of the liquid with the electrode as will not ground the grid of vacuum tube 'II, because contact of the relay R6 is now open. As soon as the relay R3 is deenergized, its contact I I6 is allowed to close. Closing of the contact IIe of relay R3 energizes the relay R-z, opening the air valve 51 so that chamber I2 begins to pump. If chamber I2 should empty before chamber II has been filled, the electrode 62 will break contact with the liquid in chamber I2 and remove the ground from the grid of the tube 12 and cut ofi the actuation of the tube. This will de-energize relays R1 and R4 and energize the vent valve El and allow the chamber to begin filling. However, compressed air will not be applied to chamber I I until it is filled sufficiently to allow the level to reach the electrode 6 I. At this point, chamber II will begin to empty at once, since the contact of relay R4 will be closed, allowing voltage to be applied to air solenoid 56.

It will be seen that the circuits hereinabove described p-rovide complete and efiective synchronization of the rise and fall of liquid in the two chambers, resulting in a reasonably smooth flow of liquid from the pumping unit.

In order that the rate of flow of fluid from the chambers may be controlled, an air pressure regulating mechanism I3I is provided in the compressed air line that furnishes operating fluid to the pumping mechanism. Such a mechanism will permit the rate of pumping to be varied in accordance with the available quantity of fluid to be pumped. At the end of an operation, the charm-- bers may be emptied by closing the switches I29 and I30, thus forcing fluid from both of the chambers.

While the invention has been described with specific reference to the accompanying drawings, it is not to be limited save as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Fluid pumping mechanism, comprising two pump chambers, a first supply pipe communicating with the chambers for supplying a fluid to be pumped, a second supply pipe communicating with the chambers for supplying a pumping fluid thereto, a discharge pipe communicating with the chambers for discharging pumped fluid, first check valves in the connections of the first supply pipe with the respective chambers, second check valves in the connections of the discharge pipes to the respective chambers, vent means for'each of the chambers, first valves to control the respective vent means, second valves to control the second supply pipe to the respective chambers, high liquid level actuated means and-10w liquid level actuated means in each ofthe chambers, means actuated by said respective high level means to close said respective first valves,-means actuated by said respective low level meansto open said respective first valves and-closesaid respective second valves, and means actuated-by said respective high level means and the low level means in the other chamber for opening-said respective second valves.

2. Fluid pumping. mechanism, comprising two pump chambers, a first supply pipe communicat ing with the chambers for supplying a-fiuid to be pumped, a second supply pipe communicating with the chambers for supplying a pumping fiuid thereto, a discharge pipe communicating with the chambers for discharging pumped fluid, first check valves in the connections of the first supply pipe With the respective chambers, second check valves in the connections of the discharge pipes to the respective chambers, vent means for each of the chambers, first valves to control the respective vent means, second valves to control the second supply pipe to the chambers, high liquid'level actuated electrode and low liquid actuated electrode in each of the chambers, an electronic amplifier associated with each or" the chambers, a first set of relay contacts actuated by each of said amplifiers in response to the respectivehigh liquid level actuated electrode for closing said respective first valves for opening said respective second valves to furnish pumping fluid to the respective chamber and for rendering the respective low liquid level actuated electrode effective, and a second set of relay contacts actuated by each of said amplifiers to render ineffective the opening of the second valve associated with the other chamber.

3. Fluid pumping mechanism, ccmprisingtwo pump chambers, a first supply pipe communicating with the chambers for supplying a fluid to be pumped, a second supply pipe communicating with the chambers for supplying a pumping fluid thereto, a discharge pipe communicatingwith the chambers for discharging pumped fluid, first check valves in the connections of the first supply pipe with the chambers, second checkvalves in the connections of the discharge pipes to the chambers, means to open the second supply'pipe to furnish pumping fluid to the chambers when the chambers are filled With fluid to be pumped,

vacuum tubes associated with the chambers, cir-i cuits to energize the tubes, a first set of relay contacts actuated by each of the tubes controlling the valves for admitting pumping fluid and the vent valves of the respective chambers, a second set of relay contacts actuated by each of the tubes for preventing another of the tubes from causing its respective chamber to pump, and a third set of relay contacts for each of the tubes having circuits to maintain such last mentioned relay contacts in actuated condition and to complete the actuating circuit of the valves for admitting pumping fluid into the chambers.

4. Fluid pumping mechanism, comprising first and second pump chambers; first and second inlet check valves through which fluid to be pumped may be supplied to said first and second chambers, respectively; first and second outlet check valves through which the pumped fiuid may be discharged from said first and second chambers, respectively; first and second vent valves for venting to the atmosphere said first and second chambers, respectively; firstand second supply valves for supplying a pumping fluid to saidfirst and second chambers, respectively; first and second high liquid level actuated means in said first and second chambers, respectively; first and second low liquid level actuated means in said first and second chambers, respectively; means responsive to said first and second high liquid level actuated means for closing said first and second vent valves, respectively; means responsive to said first and second low' liquid level actuated means for opening said first and second vent valves, respectively, and for closing said first and second supply valves, respectively; and means responsive to both a respective high liquid level actuated means and an opposite low liquid level actuated means for opening said first and second supply valves, respectively.

5. Fluid pumping mechanism, comprising first and second pump chambers; first and second inlet check valves through which fluid to be pumped may be supplied to said first and second chambers, respectively; first and second outlet check valves through which the pumped fluid may be discharged from said first and second chambers, respectively; first and second vent valves for venting to theatmosphere said first and second chambers, respectively; first and second supply valves for supplying a pumping fluid to said first and second chambers, respectively; first and second high liquid level actuated electrons in said first and second chambers, respectively; first and secand low liquid level actuated electrodes in said first and second chambers, respectively; first and second amplifiers associated with said first and second chambers, respectively; first and second sets of relaycontacts actuated by said respective first and second amplifiers inresponse to'said respective high liquid level actuated electrodes for closing said respective first and. second vent valves, for opening said respective first and secondsupply valves, and for rendering said respective low liquid level actuated electrodes eiiective; and third and fourth sets of relay contacts actuated by said first and second amplifiers for rendering inefiective the opening of second and first supply valves, respectively, whereby only onechamber can be pumped at a time.

6. A mechanism according to claim 5 wherein the amplifiers are electron tubes having control grids and include means for normally biasing the control grid of each tube negatively to prevent the respective tubes from conducting and means for grounding the negative bias through the respective high liquid level actuated electrodes when the respective chambers are full to permit the respective tubes to conduct and thereby actuate the relay contacts.

RALPH HORTON. NEWTON E. SPIESS, JR. KENNETH R. WEAVER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 992,711 Freeman May 16, 1911 1,025,079 Wills Apr. 30, 1912 1,097,143 Singleton May 19, 1914 1,591,318 Johansen July 6, 1926 2,300,039 Yeomans et al Oct. 27, 1942