US2691475A - Inflation device for jet engine containers - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 12, 1954 M. JORDAN 2,691,475 INFLATION DEVICE FOR JET ENGINE CONTAINERS Filed Nov. 7, 1952 IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Oct. 12 1954 UNITED STATES PATNT DFFICE INFLATION DEVICE FOR JET ENGINE CONTAINERS Leo M. Jordan, South Bend, Ind, assignor to The Studebaker Corporation, South Bend, Ind., a

corporation of Delaware Application November 7, 1952, Serial No. 319,377

(Cl. 2Z6-2t.6)

having particular utility for automatically filling large containers, such as are used for the storage and shipping of jet engines or the like, with fluid such as air at a designated pressure.

The apparatus of my present invention is designed and constructed for automatically filling or charging containers from a source of pressurized fluid, for example, compressed air, and includes valve means for isolating my device from the source of pressurized fluid, automatically actuated charging control valve means, additional control valve means automatically actuated to isolate a measuring section wherein the pressure of the fluid charged to a container is to be measured, a cam actuated contact system for automatically and sequentially operating the charging and measuring control valve means, an electrical circuit associated with the cam actuated contact system for operating the same and a pressure responsive switch means capable of deenergizing the circuit to stop the charging operation of my apparatus under certain conditions.

Although the apparatus disclosed herein has particular adaptability for charging large containers such as are employed for housing and shipping jet engines, it is also capable of being utilized for charging and dispensing pressurized fluid to other styles of containers such as pneumatic tires, balloons, storage cylinders, etc. Be that as it may, it will be appreciated from a description of my apparatus which follows, that the same is distinguished by its simplicity of construction and dependability of operation thereby readily lending itself to a variety of uses and having particular adaptability in production line work of industrial mass production systems.

The main object of my present invention is to provide a new and improved fluid dispensing apparatus capable of automatically charging containers to a predetermined pressure level.

A further object of my present invention is to provide a new and improved fluid dispensing apparatus in which means are provided for automatically charging a container with pressurizedfluid and measuring the pressure of the fluid in the container so charged.

The above and further objects, features and advantages of my present invention will be recognized by one familiar with the art from the following detailed description and specificafidn therefor and with reference to the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing, the single figure shown sets forth a schematic representation of a device embodying the features of my present invention and showing in diagrammatic set up the functional interrelation between the various mechanical ele ments and the electrical circuit associated therewith whereby I accomplish the correlated and sequential operation of the various valving means employed to bring about the above set forth objects of my invention.

- Referring now to the drawing, it will be recognized that a conventional compressor and storage tank system H), constructed and arranged to supply pressurized fluid, such as air, at pressures in the neighborhood of lbs. per square inch for example, is connected by suitable piping II to a manually operated shut-off control valve [2. Connected to control valve I2 is a charging chamber l3 comprising suitable piping, or the like, fitted with a flexible filling hose 1 4. Filling hose I4 is fitted with a hose connector valve I5 of con ventiona1 design adapted to engage a charging connection on the container being filled. Disposed at one end of the charging chamber 13 and intermediate the filling hose l4 and the manually actuated line control shut-off valve 2, is a high pressure charging control valve l6 actuated by a solenoid ll. At the opposite end of the charging chamber i3 is a measuring control valve [8, similar to Valve l6, and having associated therewith a second electrical solenoid l9. Both of the solenoids I1 and IQ, of course, are electrically responsive to energization and deenergizaticn of the respective circuits associated therewith as will be described herein presently. Leading from the right hand end of the charging chamber l3, as shown, and communicating with chamber l3 via the measuring control valve :8, is a pressure measuring chamber indicated generally by numeral 20. Chamber 20 comprises a substantially straight length of piping, or the like, fitted with a pressure responsive gauge 24 and a pressure release safety valve 22, labeled PR in the drawing. Leading from the right hand end of the measuring chamber 20, as viewed in the drawings, is a pipe section 23 communicating between the measuring chamber and a pressure responsive switch means indicated generally at 25. Switch 25 is fitted with a contact arm 26 and is adapted to interrupt the circuit of my device in the presence of excessive pressure within measuring chamber 20 as wi l be related presently. Switch 25 is further of a conventional known'variety and has means embodied therewith whereby the pressure at which such will actuate the contact carrying arm 26 to an open circuit position may be regulated as desired.

Turning now to the electrical portion of the device of my present invention, it will be recognized from the circuit in the drawing that I have embodied therein a normally open start switch 30, a normally closed stop switch 3|, a solenoid relay 32, cam actuated contact arms 33 and 34, an electrical motor 35 designed to rotate cam members 36 and 31, the pressure responsive switch means 25 and the valve actuating solenoids I1 and 19. A source of electrical potential for supplying the circuit is harnessed by means of a wall plug 38 or the like. In detail, plug 38 is of a conventional variety adapted to connect the apparatus of my present invention to a source of electrical potential such as a 110 volt, 60 cycle, A. 0., conventional power supply. Leading from plug 38 are two line conductors 39 and 49. Condoctor 39 is interconnected with one contact 4! of the start switch 39 by means of a branch conductor 42. It will be recognized that the start switch 30 is adapted to bridge contacts 4| and 43 to supply current to a short conductor 44 which is connected to a secondary conductor 45 joined be.- tween one contact 46 of the normally closed stop switch 3| and the solenoid coil 41; of the relay 32. Coil 41 further connects to the terminal end of the, line conductor 40 to which wall plug 38 is attached. It will thus be recognized that with the wall plug 38 joined to the source of electrical potential, closure of start switch 33 to bridge con: tacts 4i and 43 permits energization of coil 4.? of

the solenoid relay 32 thereby to close contact arm 48 with contact 49. Contact arm 48 is also di-. rectly connected to line conductor 39. Contact 49 is in circuit with a conductor 50 leading to a secondary conductor 5! interposed between con-.. tact 52 of stop switch 3! and contact 53 of the pressure responsive switch 25. It will thus be recognized that with the stop switch 3! in its normally closed position across contacts 52 and 4.6. thereof and the relay arm 48 in circuit closed relation with the contact 43, opening of the start switch 30 will permit the continued energization of coil 41 of relay 32 via the. circuit through the closed stop switch 3i by way. of line conductor 35, relay arm 48, contact 49, conductor 50, conductor 51, stop switch 3! and contacts 52 and 46 thereof, and conductor 45 leading to relay coil 4! con-.-. nected to line conductor 49. Thus the. circuit through the start switch, including conductors 39, 42, 44 and 45 constitutes a temporary holding cire cuit for the initial electrical energization of my apparatus.

As will be recalled, one side of the. pressure responsive switch 25 is in circuit with the stop switch 3| by means of conductor 5!. Therefore, closure of the switch arm 26 with contact 53 permits energy to flow across the pressure responsive switch 25 to conductor 55. to energize. motor 35, which is joined to the negative, side of the line or conductor 40 by conductor 56 at junction 5].. Branching off of conductor 55, is a conductor 58 connected by branch conductors 59, and 60 to the solenoid coils SI and 62 of solenoids. ii and 59, respectively. Coil 61 of the valve actuating solenoid I! is joined by conductor 64 to the cam ac-. tuated contact arm 34 which is adapted to be actuated on rotation of cam member 3 8 A ree t t ct ca r n a m. ver i s he m actuated contact arm 34 for cooperation therewith and is i d t th ne ative n cen ime lllby ashortconductor 3 5 Solenoidcoil 32. likes s s l y. i ee t we we e c ntest arm 33 by conductor 61 and contact carrying arm 68 associated therewith is joined to conductor 46 by a short lead conductor 69. An indicating light H3 is jumped across the line by means of conductors H connected to conductor 56 and conductor l2 connected to the negative conductor 49.

From an inspection of the cam members 35 and 37, which are rotatably driven by means of motor 35, it will be recognized that cam 36 is provided with a notch portion 16 in its periphery while cam 31 is provided with a projecting ear portion Ti in its periphery. It will further be understood that the showing of the cam members 36 and 3'! is schematic herein and designed only to represent any suitable camming arrangement whereby the solenoid coils 6i and 62 of the valve actuating solenoids H and [9 may be alternately energized. In this regard it may be pertinent to observe that in the preferred arrangement of the motorized camming system of my instant apparatus, I prefer that circuit closure through contact arm 34, in circuit with the charging valve solenoid ll, be maintained for approximately eight or nine times the length of time that circuit closure to solenoid I9 is effected by closure of contact arm 33. Further it is pertinent to observe that, in effect cam members 36 and 3.1. are respectively formed to function in direct opposition to one another. That is to say, closing con--. tact between contact arm 34 and the contact carrying arm 65 will take place throughout almost an entire revolution of cam 36 with interruption of circuit to solenoid ll through these two contact members occurring only when the follower of the cam actuated contact arm 34 falls downwardly into the notch or depression 15 of cam 36. Conversely, circuit closure between contact arms 33 and 68 for energizing solenoid I9 occurs only during that portion of the rotational movement of cam 31 wherein the projecting ear member 1! engages the contact arm 33 to raise the same upwardly into circuit closing engagement with the overlying contact carrying member 68. Obviously, the length of time during which either of the solenoids I! or 19 are energized may be regulated by appropriate design of the cam actuators as desired, with the only essential feature necessary to successful operation of my present device residing in the feature of alternately energizing the two valve actuating solenoids l1 and !9 so that the valves associated therewith are alternately opened and closed.

Use and operation From the above detailed description oi the several mechanical features and the electrical circuit employed in my present apparatus, it will be recognized that successful operation of the device takes place somewhat as follows:

To operate my new device, it is first necessary to insert wall plug 38 into a suitable receptacle for connecting the same to the source of electrical potential, for instance to volt, 60. cycle, A. C. source. Electrical energization of the device. and motorizing oi cam members 3% and 31 is, then accomplished by plunging starter switch 3.0. to close circuit between contacts 41 and 43 thereof. This permits the flow of energy via conductors 39, 42, 44 and 45 to relay coil 47 connected to, the negative side of the line by conductor 49. Flow of energy through relay coil 41, of course, actuates he m to t a rel arm .3. 1 m; Gl i E os r h. c c t us ermitt n e aay' &9 flow via conductors 39, 50 and 5| to terminal 52;

the stop switch is normally in its closed condi tion or bridgedbetween contacts 52 and 46 there-- of, the second supply circuit to relay coil 41 will be completed through conductor 45. Release of the normally open start switch will then deenergize the starting holding circuit therethrough with the circuit through the relay solenoid 32 being maintained through normally closed stop switch 3|, as above explained. Closure of relay contact arm 48 with contact d9 permits energiza tion of motor 35 via conductors 50', 5l,'switch '25 and conductors 55 and 56. Conductor 55 also supplies energy to the coils of the two valve actuating solenoids Hand [9 via conductors 58,

59 and 58, 60 respectively. With the motor ener gized, cams 36 and 31-will be rotated and in the particular situation illustrated in the drawings wherein cam 36 is positioned so that the contact follower of contact arm 34 is, engaged with the greater diametered portion of its surface, circuit will be completed through coil iii of solenoid I! to line conductor 46, thus permitting energization of the solenoid I! and the opening of the charging control valve l6. Air or like compressed fluid at a desired supply pressure, for example, 100 p. s. i. will then flow through open line control valve I? by means of conduit II. The charging chamber [3 will then be filled with the pressurized fluid which is transmittable therefrom to the container being charged by means of hose connector lfi-and hose [4. As heretofore explained, cam 36 is so designed that energization of solenoid I! takes place during a time interval approximately nine times the length of the energization period of solenoid 19. Therefore, so long as solenoid l1 remains energized pressurized fluid will continue to flow through charging chamber [3 to a con- .tainer connected to the charging hose connec tion Hi. When the cam follower on contact arm 34 falls downwardly into recess 16 of cam 36, circuit through solenoid coil. 6| will be interrupted and valve l 6 will close to interrupt the supply of pressurized fluid to charging chamber [3. Due to the arrangement of the cam members 36 and 31 with the closing of valve E6, the measuring control valve I8 will simultaneously be lifted as projection H of cam 3'! raises contact arm 33 to close circuit with contact carry-- ing arm 68 and energize solenoid coil 62. Upon this occurrence the pressurized air in chamber l3 and the container being'filled will flow into measuring chamber 26 where its pressure will be registered on the scale of pressure gauge 2!. If p'erchance the pressure of the fluid thus measured in chamber 20 is excessively high, the same will be vented off by lifting of the pressure responsive safety valve 22. her 20 will also simultaneously pass to the dia-- phragm of pressure responsive switch by means of conduit 23. If the pressure of the fluid acting on switch 25 is in excess of the predetermined value set thereon, the same will force contact arm 26 thereof to break circuit connection with contact 53 andthus interrupt ener-- gization of motor to interrupt the cyclic operation of valves it and. i8 by halting the rotational functioning of cams 76 and 17. In the normal operation of a device of this character wherein a jet engine storage or shipping tank is to'be charged with air at 5 p. s. i., the cyclic opening and closing of charging valve l6 and the subsequent measuring of the pressure in thecontainer by lifting of the measuring valve l6 Pressure in chainto emit fluid from chamber l3- to chamber 26 will" take place many times before the desired 5 pound level isreached to cause interruptionof the circuit by the actuation of the pressure responsive switch 25. As a further guarantee against overcharging of the container and to permit the manual interruption of the devices operation as desired, opening of the stop switch 3| likewise stops the device by interrupting the circuit to the relay- 32.

It will be thus recognized that I have provided a new and improved fluid charging apparatus capable of automatic and safe operation of the charg-- ing of containers to a desired pressure level. Itfurther will be appreciated that the motorized camming arrangement by which the alternate and time sequential operation of the charging control and pressure measuring control valvesof my device takes place, permits a wide rangea'nd variation in the charging and pressure measuring periods of an apparatus of this character by merely changing the cam design. Thus a range of utility for specific instances and operations in adapting my device "to awide variety of uses is readily apparent. Further, while K have herein described and illustrated by device as related to particular embodiment thereof, it will be appreciated that numerous changes, modifications and substitions of equivalents may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I therefore do not wish to be limited to the specific embodiment of my invention herein illustrated and described except as may appear in the following appended claims.

I claim:

1. Fluid dispensing apparatus of the class described, comprising in combination, a charging chamber, means for supplying pressurized fluid to said charging chamber, charging control valve means for controlling the admission of fluid to said charging chamber, filling connective means: for interconecting said chamber with a containerto be filled with pressurized fluid, a pressure measuring chamber communicating with said charging chamber, measuring control valve means for controlling the admission of fluid to said measuring chamber, pressure measuring means communicating with said measuring chamber, pressure responsive electrical switch means arranged to operatively respond to a preselected fluid pressure in said measuring chamber, cam means arranged to cause the alternate opening and closing of said two named control valve means, and a motor in circuit with said switch means and having driving connection with said cam means; charging and measuring of fluid to the container being alternated in response to the sequential opening and closing of said two named control valve means with such functioning being interrupted when the fluid in said container has attained said preselected pressure whereby said switch means will open circuit to said motor;

2. A fluid dispensing apparatus of the class described for filling a container with pressurized fluid, comprising, a charging chamber having connection with a source of pressurized fluid, a first solenoid actuated control valve operable to periodically admit pressurized fluid to said charging chamber, means having connection with said charging chamber for transmitting fluid therefrom to a container to be filled, a pressure measuring chamber communicating with said charging chamber, pressure measuring m a s o muni at n -,w th@ aid Pre ur s ne ha er eson l e idi swat d rq a erab o peri d call dmit re two named solenoidactuated valves by alternately closing electrical contact means in circuit with the actuating solenoids thereof, and pressure responsive switch means in circuit with I said Q Ql nd anged 1 2ml Tp i i l t y? preselected pressure in said measuringchamber whereby said container will be chargedwithfiuid untilrsaid pre ecte s r s mie as, b en. ched h r i Fluid d s en in ena tusoi hfi la s d r d for u tiqe l har i g anemia-man with pressurized fluid at a preselected pressure,

comprising in combination, a charging chamber having connection with a source of pressurized fluid, first solenoid actuated valve means in said chamber for controlling the admission of pressurized fluid thereto, container filling. connective means communicating- With said charging chain; ndg qnst s d o Qnne t nwit 6 ine r i l e fa sssut e mea r mbe f communicating with saidcharging chamber and I having neans for measuring the pressure of fluid therein second solenoid actuated valve means disposed between; said two named chambers for controlling the admission of fluid to said measuring chamber, pressure responsive switch means responsive toa preselected pressure within said measuring chamber, and motor driven cam means sequentially controlling actuation of said twov named solenoid actuated valve means I and 7 having circuit connectionwith said pressure responsive switch means whereby, opening ot said first valve means will permit charging of fluid to said container, closing of said first valve means d'c p ninso sa d sew da mea s w l c se measuring of the fluid pressure within said-com tainer and opening of said switchmeans will,

altf he opera i n aid t r n p means No references cited.

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