US2713874A - Filler valves - Google Patents

Description

July 26, 1955 s. l.. suNDs'rRoM 2,713,874

FILLER VALVES Filed June e, 195o 'Herrn/'f United States Patent() Ill., assignor to The Bastian- Blessing Company,

inois Chicago, Ill., a. corporation of Application June 6, 1.950, Serial No. 166,407 1'0 Claims (Cl. 137e513)' This invention relates generally to valves and more particularly to an limproved ller valve intended primarily for use in conjunction with liquefied petroleum gas storage tanks.

In home installations, liquefied petroleum gas such as butane or propane is commonly stored under pressure in large tanks. A service line provided with appropriate pressure reducers extends from the tank to the gas consuming appliances in the home. Either vapor or liquid which is subsequently vaporized is educted from the storage tank through the service conduit `as required. From time to time as the fuel is consumed, the supply of liquefied gas in storage tanks is replenished, in most cases liquid fuel being delivered under pressure in a tank truck. The valve of this invention is intended primarily for use in the filling conduit of such storage tanks. It may also be used, however, to good advantage on the tank trucks and -in the primary storage tanks from which the tank trucks are filled, as well as in storage tanks for other fluids than liquefied petroleum gases.

Because of the relatively high vapor pressures of liquefied petroleum gas fuels it is essential that the pressure storage tanks remain completely sealed at all times, and the customary practice is to provide a vapor return line which connects the tops of the two containers in addition to the liquid filling conduit. Thus the liquid is pumped or ilows by gravity from the filling container to the tank being filled, and the vapor which it displaces ows back through the vapor return line to the filling. container.

To provide a means of. quickly emptying thel storage tank of liquid should suchy be necessary, the usual practice is to provide a permanent dip tube in the tank which extends the filling conduit to a` point adjacent to the bottom of the storage tank. Then liquid may be pumped out of the tank through the dip tube, or allowed to ow out under superior pressure into another container.

The valve of this invention is intended primarily for use at the upper end of the dip tube at the point where it enters the storage tank to seal the tank asv a check valve when the filling hose is disconnected. The valve may be a unitary fitting or may be one element of a multiple purpose fitting which may also have incorporated therein the liquid or vapor eduction conduit, a liquid level gauge, excess fill indicator, vapor return valve, safety valve, etc. The valve may also be used on `s`y's-'y tems not equipped' with a dip tube, beingmerel'y mounted in the wall of the tank.

Since liquefied petroleum gases are' highly inflammable, it is imperative that the filler check valve be tightly sealed at all times when the filling hose is not connected thereto, andl to effect such a seal the usual practice has been to provide a resilient sealing element which seats against a mental seat. From time to time, however, the resilient element must be replaced as it vbecomes worn or deteriorates under the action of theY fuel. To avoid the necessity `of" emptying the storage tank' during'replacement of the sealing element, double checkvalve arrangements have been employed in which two check valves were provided in the line, one of which sealed the conduit during the time that the sealing element in the other was replaced. Several forms of valves of this class are disclosed in Patents Nos. 2,361,865 and 2,361,866 for Liquefied Petroleum Gas System and for Valve Construction, respectively, granted October '31, 1944 to H. L. Norway. The valve of this invention is an improved form of this type of valve.

An important object of this invention is to provide a double check valve suitable yfor liquefied gases which, although relatively small in size, has a high flow capacity in either direction and a large cross sectional area on each of the valve members subject to closing pressure, resulting in quicker closing and tighter seating of the valve elements.

Another object is to provide a double check valve arrangement in which the downstream check valve element, during filling, is quicker to close than the upstream check, whereby damage to the seat and sealing element of the upper check due to high velocity closing is much less likely to occur. v

Another object is to provide a valve having an improved downstream check arrangement, whereby that member effects a sealing relationship by line Contact rather thansurface contact for better sealing, should foreign particles be present in athe fluid, and -in which Vthe downstream check is free to orient itself for optimum sealing without affecting vthe action of the upstream check valve. v p l Another important object is to provide a dual check valve in which the valve elements are s`o assembled and arranged in relation to each other that depression ofthe upper valve element effects an opening of the lower valve element by virtue of 'engagement of the two valves during the opening movement of the upper valve element.

A further object is to provide a valve 'structure which may be easily fabrica/ted and in which there is no ,possibility of parts becoming loose and dropping into thev container on which the valve is mounted.

A further object is to provide a filler valve which may be thoroughly serviced with ut removal of the body' from. the filling conduit or tank, the sealing elements being readilyreplaceable and the valve being characterized by relatively large diameter closing springs and valve ports for longer wear.

A further object is to provide a double' chock' vaive which effects a r'ni'nimum pressure' drop on flowing 'id passing therethrough whether the tank is being filled o"r` evacuated. Y l l A Other objects and advantages of this invention will present themselves to those familiar with the a'r't on reading the following specification in conjunction with the drawing and the appended claims.

Inl th'e drawing, l i

Eig. l is a vertical section of a storage tank 'e'qliipped with a multiple purpose fitting having the' filler Vvalve of this. invention incorporated therein; l I

Fig. 2` is a vertical section of another embodiment o`f` thewfillerV valve` of this invention; l

Fig. s Yio a vertical seotion'ror rhe-i1ervaiveof` Fig; 2" with a Afilling hose connected thereto, the' valve* eterne ts being shown in the positions they occupy during airing; and

Fifg. 4 is a vertical section ofthe yfiller valve` and an unloading ada'ptor connected thereto, the: valve elements being shown in th'e positions they occupy during the emptying of the tank. g

Oh'e manner in which the` filler valve 10 of this" invention is 'seo in connection vvi'ta a storage tank 11 is shown in'Fig. l ofthedrawngl The filler v'alve 10'i's a part'of a unitary head 14 which also contains a vapor return valve 12 and an eduction valve 13. The unitary head 14 may also contain a liquid level gauge, a safety valve, a pressure gauge, etc., if desired. From the head 14 ,a dip tube 15 extends downwardly to a point near the bottom of the tank 11. The upper end of this tube is in direct communication with the filler valve and may be connected to the eduction valve 13 if liquid is to be withdrawn from the tank through the service line 16 which extends to the appliances using the fuel. In the case of liquid eduction it is usually desirable to employ a vaporizer in the service line 16.

If desired, the valve 10 of this invention may be used without the dip tube which extends to the bottom of the tank 11, the valve merely opening into the top of the tank. In such installations, however, the valve 10 may not be used to withdraw liquid from the tank. In some above ground tank installations the filler valve may be installed in the tank wall at the bottom, permitting draining of the tank without the use of a dip tube.

The internal construction of the valve is shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the valve 10 being shown in these figures as a unitary fitting which must be separately installed in the tank wall or at the top of the dip tube. The internal construction of the valve, however, is substantially the same whether it is a part of a multiple fitting as shown in Fig. l or is a separate fitting.

The valve 16 comprises an upper body 17 and a lower body 18 which are threaded together by threads 20. The bottom of the lower body is provided with an external pipe thread 21 which may be threaded into a flange mounted in the tank wall or in the top of the dip tube 15 extending to the bottom of the tank 11. The upper portion of the body 18 is preferably hexagonal in cross section for wrenching, as is the middle portion of the upper body 17. The top of the body 17 is provided with a coarse thread 23 to which the filling hose coupling nut 24 is threaded during filling, as shown in Fig. 3.

At the juncture between the two bodies, a sealing washer 25 is provided in a recess to prevent any leakage through the thread 20. Each of the bodies is axially bored as shown to provide a passageway therethrough for the fluid. The upper portion of the bore in the upper body 17 is substantially smaller in diameter so as to form a valve port 26 and is internally threaded as indicated at 27 so that the protective cap 28 may be installed when the ller valve is not connected to a hose.

The portion of the bore below the valve port 26 is cylindrical and receives the upper valve member 39 which cooperates with the port 26. The bore in the lower body 18 is larger in diameter at its upper end to accommodate the lower check valve member 31, and the bottom of this bore is internally machined to provide a shoulder 32 which supports the end of the valve spring 33. The upper end of this spring bears against the bottom of the lower valve member 31. As will be seen in the drawing, the spring 32 is quite large in diameter so as to support the valve member 31 against tilting in the bore even when the member 31 is forced downwardly by flowing uid or by mechanical pressure exerted through the upper valve member 3) when evacuating, as shown in Fig. 4. Also, the spring and valve assembly are operative in effecting better alignment of the two check valves and, furthermore, to accommodate any slight misalignment of the upper check valve in the event it does occur, which ordinarily would prevent its sealing, and at the same time accomplishing an effective sealing of the lower check valve under such conditions.

As a further precaution the sides of both valve members 30 and 31 are tinted, as indicated at 34 in Fig. 2, preferably by machining these members from uted bar stock. The flutes act to guide the members during travel by engaging the sides of the bores should the members be displaced from the axial position. Actually the utes are rarely necessary once the filler valve is installed because of the centering effect of the conical contour of the lower valve member 31 and the large diamu eter of the spring 33, but they serve to prevent misalignment due to cocking of the valve members during shipment and installation when mechanical shocks are likely to be encountered.

To provide a port or seat for the lower valve member 31 a threaded ring 35 and elastomer washer 36 are supported in the bore, the periphery of the washer being clamped tightly against a shoulder 37 by the ring 35. To provide for tightening the ring 35, a pair of wrench sockets 38 is provided in the conical upper face of the ring 35.

The conical upper face of the valve member 31 makes a narrow contact with the edge of the washer 31, thereby insuring that a tight seal will be effected even if foreign particles are present in the fluid. It also operates as an aligning means for the valve 31 in its support of the upper check valve 30. In the event of wear on the washer element the valve member 31 is free to move a corresponding amount to compensate for the wear and still effect a seal. Furthermore, as wear occurs, the member 31 is free to move upwardly a greater distancev to make a tight seal regardless of the extent of the wear.

The bottom of the lower valve member is hollow as indicated at 40, and a plurality of radial holes 41 extend outwardly from this hollow between the flutes 34 to provide additional passages for the fluid. The arrangement is such that fluid flowing down the upper face of the valve will be reflected off the side wall of the bore and through the holes 41 with a minimum resistance to its flow. Were the holes 41 not provided, the resistance would be substantially increased because of the relative narrowness of the spaces between the flutes 34 and the side wall.

The upper valve member 30 is supported solely by the lower member 31. An integral axial stem 42 is provided on the upper member and is loosely received in an axial bore 43 in the lower member 31. A light coil spring 44 surrounds the stern and urges the two members apart, tending to move the upper member toward its valve port 26. This spring is purposely made much lighter than the spring 33 so that the upper check valve will open a substantial distance before the lower check is opened and so that the lower check will close first on cessation of fluid ow. This tends to increase the life of the resilient sealing disc 45 in the upper valve for part of the closing pressure is absorbed by the lower check valve with the result that the upper valve cannot 'ce moved toward the port at too high a velocity. Since the upper valve is the primary sealing element, it is particularly important that this valve continue to form an absolutely tight seal for as long a life as possible. An important function of the lower valve, therefore, is to protect the upper valve against sudden closing and there-v by prolong its life. The fact that the diameter of the lower valve port is greater than that of the upper port aids in this respect, for not only is the closing force greater on the lower valve but also the upper valve opens a greater distance under flow conditions and must travel a greater distance in closing.

An equally important function of the lighter spring in the upper check vvalve is to permit it to be opened part way before effecting any opening of thc lower check valve. This function is important for several reasons, among which are, to permit assembly of an unloading adaptor without interfering with the seal of the lower check valve, and to make it possible to maintain a seal of the lower check valve should the upper valve be held open because of foreign material. ln this way there is accomplished a dual seal, each valve acting independently of the other, and any interference with the sealing of the upper check valve does not affect or hinder the sealing of the lower check valve.

Another important function of the lower valve is, of

course, toformf a secondary seal which willil stop enough. of` the iiuidflowl so that the sealing di'sc` 45 of` the upper valve mayi be, replacedf without emptying the storagetank- 1L This i'saccomplished` byI unthreadingthe upper body! 17. from` the lower body` 18, removingfthe screw'46` and'washer 47 which. hold the disc 45in. place,- replacing the disc1 4S, and: reassembling the elements. Since the procedure is so. simple, it may. be accomplishediu ai, Very short'time, with the result; that littlegaszis lost. In some cases it has, proved desirable tot employ an upper valve. member havingthe sealing disc molded-therein, the; screw. 46. being eliminated and a\ central metal: boss, beingpro.-I videdinstead against which the. unloading adaptor may operate. replaced when the sealing disc; becomes; worn..

' The: onlyreason: that gas: islost; when the disc, 45 is replaced is that a; small; diameter opening 48 is provided. through the lower valve` member int-.0 the bottom. of

the stein receiving bore 43. No liquid will escape during; replacement of the disc 45, because the dia-meterpofthe opening 4.8= is; such that the rate of., vapor flow therethrough is, less than, the; r-ate of vaporization of fuel ini the d ip tube,4 15. Thus heat; is, transferred to; the liquid* in the tube at a rate high` enough tofvaporze Liquid` at the; Same rate as it flows through the opening; 48 Theprirnary purposev of theV opening 4,8v is. to; insure, the; grad.

ual application of tank pressure .ont theupper valve member if).` so that it will be,1 urged solidly= against t-hejvalve porgtf26and'cannotstick inanopen positiontoncethe lower valvehas; closed. This pressure of the storage,V tank is transmitted initially through the/opening 48to the base.- ofthe stem 42'` which acts asfavpistonY in acylinderto exert an upward force ont the valve-member 30, rlEhe size of theopening 43 is. suchthat the gasows therethrough comF paratively slowly so that once-the lower valve member is closed there is` no. application of pressure exerted upon,

the upper-valve member 30 whiclL cause it to slam,

closed and become damaged thereby. Int one form,V of

valve. of this, inventionv the opening 48-has; a diameter of .040, inch. However., some variationinsize is found to be permissible without loss of the functions mentioned.

The operation of. the filler valve. 1,0.v should be readily apparent from; the drawing andthe foregpingdescription. of the construction', In Fig, 2l thevalve isshown. the. closedposition. with the. protective cover, 218, iuplace., In.; Fig. 3,A the valve is shown with thel fillingA hose. 5.0, conf nected. thereto with the valve elements. inf the onen pesiftion they Occupvwhen. fluidunder pressure siicwinginto. the storage tank 11 from. the hose..

Bothof the valve members iand.; 3.1 movedownward- 1v a slight. distance under uid, pressure to. permit the uidto pass` through the ports and out the.. bottom of.Y the valve into the tank. The extent of downward movement` depends on the Velocity ofuid How, through the valve. The greater the pressure differential and, velocity, the farther the members will movedownwardly. When fluid flow ceases, the lower member 31due to its heavier springV 33 and'larger port area, moves upwardly first. Then the upper valve member 30 moves upwardly to close the port 26 under the iniiuence of the light springl 44` and' fluid pressure beneath the stemA 42; The hose 24 may then be disconnected and the cover 28lrei'nsta1led`. Shouldy the operatorforget to detach the hose and drive off in the tank truck, the undercut 51 at the end of-'theahose thread- 23 insures that the valvebodyfwill fracture at thisv point andl that the tank 11 will remaintightlyK sealed.

To empty the storage tank 11', anunloading adaptor.- 52 is employedf such as is shown in Fig. 4. The details of construction of a preferred formV of' unloading adaptor are fully disclosedi in the patentl application of Norman S. Blaydes for Unloading Adaptor, Serial No. 755,997,

filed' Junev 20, 1947, now Patent No. 2,620,817 grantedl Dec. 9, 1952, and need not be repeatedlhere. The'adaptor 51 is connected, tothe end of a hose (-nottshown) leading tothecontainer into which the fluid is to be. transferred? In, suchvalvesf the whole,- upper; member is.

from the tank 1'-1, and when` the connections have been completed the axial actuator rod, 53 is movedA downward ly to the position shown in Fig. 4, causing the-uppervalve member 30 to move awayfrom its seat. After this member has moved a short distance, a shoulderV 544 on itsv lower surface engages the top of the lower valve memberv 31 to move it downwardly and open the lower valve. Then iuid may be pumped from the tank 11 through the, dip tube either by a pump in the hose line leading to the fluid receiving container or by applying pressure above the liquid level in the storage tank 11. Upon retraction of' the rod 53 the Valve members move upwardly under spring; pressure tothe positions shown in Fig. 1*.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that an improved filler valve has` been provided forming a 1 body having an opening therethrough with a shoulder on' the wall' thereof, the lower portion of said opening being of alesser diameter to define an internal integral shoulder, anV uppery body received inthe top of said opening, said upper body also having an opening therethrough, a ring element supported in the first mentioned opening inter-` mediate the first shoulder and the upper body to divide the, openings into compartments, a resilient element compressed at its peripheral edge between the rst shoulder; andi ring element for sealing said compartments from.. each other, said resilient element defining a valve4 port, a valve member in the first mentioned opening: of a diameter greater than said lower portion ofsaid: opening having a lesser diameter than the outside of said ring element so as to be removable through theV openingl only when the upper body and ring element are. removed, a helical spring resting upon saidV shoulder for urging said valve member upwardly to closeV said port, said springbeing the sole support for said. valve, a second; valve member resiliently supportedgby the first mentionedr valve2 member, the second' opening. having-a lesser diameterportion. atA the upper-end of the body defining a valve port adapted: to be closed; by the. second valve member.,

2; A valve off the class. described,` comprising: a. lower body, having an, opening therethrough, the lower-portion; of;- said-L opening being of a lesser diameter to'. define an. integral shoulder, an. upper body threadably received; in. the topof' said opening, said upper body also having.l an. openingitherethrough, an: externally threaded ring element: supported-in. the first mentionedI opening intermediate the shoulder andi the upper body, said element defining a: valveport, a` valve member in the first mentioned opening of a. diameter greater than saidl integral shoulder and: having iluted' sides` contacting the wall of the. first opening in, guidedf relationship of a` lesser diameter than said.- ring element' but a4 greater diameter than said shoulder, a: helicalj spring resting upon said. shoulder. and engaging the valve; member at approximately the level ofv` said: fiuted sides for urging said valve member upwardly.V to. close said? port, said: spring being the sole support forsaid. valve, a second; valve member resiliently supported bythe first mentionedV valve member, the second opening havin-g alesser diameter portion at the upper endof the body defining a valve port adapted to be closed by the second valve member- 3. ini a double check valve, the combination including a body.l having a pair of axially spaced valve ports, one of. saidports havinga resilienty elementy defining a circular sealing edge, a conical; valve. element'for closing against-l sai'cl circular edge a helical? spring for urging said e-lement toward theport', said-spring being the sole supportmeans for said element whereby said valve element is free to shift laterally and angularly to effect the best possible closure, a second valve element having a fiat sealing disc for closing the other port, said second valve element being solely supported by the lirst mentioned element, said valve elements closing against their respective ports in the same direction and being larger in diameter than either of said ports, a stem on said second element loosely received in a bore in the end of the first element, said bore having a minor diameter orifice portion extending through the valve element whereby fluid pressure is transmitted to said stem when the valve is closed, and a second helical spring substantially smaller than the first mentioned spring for urging the second element away from the first toward the second port.

4. A filler valve comprising an upper body and a lower body threadably connected together in sealed relationship, said bodies having passage means therein for the ow of liuid including: a large diameter cavity opening into the lower body from the top, a second large diameter cavity opening into the upper body from the bottom and smaller diameter openings from the ends of said cavities through the bodies, a downwardly facing valve port surrounding the opening at the top of the upper cavity, an elastomer ring forming a second downwardly facing valve port supported in the lower body dividing said cavities in peripherally sealed relationship, a valve member disposed in the lower cavity cooperating with said second port and closing same when moved upwardly,

said valve member having a conical sealing surface for engaging said ring, a helical spring disposed in the lower cavity below said valve member and bearing against said member and the bottom of said cavity to urge said member upwardly against said ring, a second valve member mounted upon the first mentioned valve member and carried solely thereby for sealing the upper port, a second helical spring for urging said second member upwardly away from the first member, said second spring being much more readily compressible than the first spring, said valve elements and elastomer ring being greater in diameter than either of said smaller diameter openings and means including a projecting stern on one valve member received in an opening in the other for maintaining the two in axial alignment.

5. A filler valve comprising an upper body and a lower body threadably connected together in sealed relationship, said bodies having passage means therein for the liow of fluid including: a cavity opening into the lower body from the top, a second cavity opening into the upper body from the bottom and smaller diameter openings from the ends of said cavities through integral portions of the bodies, a valve port surrounding the opening at the top of the upper cavity, an elastomer ring forming a second valve port supported in the lower cavity, a valve member disposed in the lower cavity cooperating with said second port and closing same when moved upwardly, said valve member having a conical sealing surface for engaging said ring, a helical spring disposed in the lower cavity below said valve member and bearing against said member and the bottom of said cavity to urge said member upwardly against said ring as the sole support thereof, a second valve member mounted upon the first mentioned valve member for sealing the upper port, a second helical spring for urging said second member away from` the first member, said second spring being much more readily compressible than the first spring, and means including a projecting stem on the upper valve member received in an opening in the other member for maintaining the two in axial alignment, the lower end of said last mentioned opening extending through the lower valve member and being of a relatively small diameter to provide a restricted passage for fluid past the lower valve to insure tight sealing of the upper valve.

6. A double check valve comprising a body having a passage for fluid therethrough, an integral valve seat near one end of said passage, a moveable valve member having a flat resilient surface cooperating with said seat to close the passage, a shoulder in the wall of the passage spaced from said valve seat, a retainer means above said shoulder, a removable ring shaped element mounted in said passage between said shoulder and retainer means to establish a seal therebetween and forming a valve port having a contacting edge defining a circle smaller than said valve member, a valve element having a conical surface thereon for closing said port, resilient means for urging said valve element toward said port, one of said elements being formed of a resilient material and the other of a hard material whereby a tight line contact seal is effected when the two are in contact, said resilient means being the sole support of the valve element to permit a lateral shifting thereof, a second resilient means disposed between said moveable valve member and said valve element, said moveable valve member being supported solely by said resilient means so as to be moveable independently of the valve element.

7. A double check valve comprising a body having an upper member and a lower member joined together to form a passage for uid therethrough, an integral valve seat near the top of said passage, a moveable valve cooperating with said seat to close the passage, a ring shaped resilient element mounted in said passage below said seat and moveable valve dividing the passage into two compartments sealed thereby from each other at the wall of the passage, said element forming a valve port having a contacting edge defining a circle, a valve element having a conical surface thereon for closing said port, said element having a hollow therein opening from the bottom and a plurality of radial openings through externally fluted side walls of said hollow for the passage of fluid flowing off said conical surface, and a coil spring for urging said valve element toward said port, said spring being substantially the same diameter as said hollow to define a cylindrical passage within it for the flow of fluid out of said hollow when said spring is completely compressed and constituting the sole support of said valve element and valve.

8. A double check valve comprising a body having an upper member and a lower member joined together and defining a passage therethrough, an integral valve seat in the upper member defining a port near one end of the passage, a radial tiange integral on the lower member detining a reduced opening at the other end of the passage, a ring shaped means mounted in said passage intermediate said valve seat and flange including a resilient element forming a second valve port dividing the passage into two compartments, said resilient element sealing the compartments from each other at the walls of said passage and being held against removal by the joining of the two t., members, a moveable valve member cooperating with said valve seat to close that end of the passage, a valve element having a conical surface thereon cooperating with said ring shaped element to close the second valve port, tiuted sides closely adjacent to said conical surface for contacting the side of the passage in guided relationship, means for supporting the valve member on the valve element including telescoping elements and a compression spring, a second compression spring disposed between said ange and valve element, the upper end of the second spring engaging the valve element at approximately the level of said uted sides and constituting the sole support for said valve element.

9. A valve of the class described comprising a lower body having an opening therethrough, the lower portion of said opening being of a lesser diameter to define an internal shoulder, means on said lower body for externally supporting the lower body in sealed relationship with respect to said opening, an upper body threadably received in the top of said opening, said upper body also having an opening therethrough, a ring element supported in the opening of the lower body in spaced relationship to the internal shoulder, said element defining a valve port held against removal by the joining of the upper and lower bodies, a valve member in the iirst mentioned opening cooperating with said port, a helical spring resting upon said internal shoulder for urging said valve member upward to close said port, said spring being the sole support for the valve and said valve when closed against said port dividing the openings of the two bodies into two compartments, and a second valve member of a diameter greater than said valve port resiliently supported by the first-mentioned valve member, the opening of the upper body having a reduced diameter portion at the upper end thereof defining a valve port adapted to be closed by the second valve member.

10. A valve of the class described comprising a lower body having an opening therethrough, the lower portion of said opening being offset to dene an internal shoulder, means on said lower body for externally supporting said lower body in sealed relationship with respect to said opening, an upper body threadably received in the top of said opening, said upper body also having an opening therethrough, said opening being of reduced diameter at the upper end of the body to define a valve port, a ring element supported in the opening of the lower body in spaced relationship to the internal shoulder, said element dening a valve port held against removal by the joining of the upper and lower bodies, a valve member in the rst-mentioned opening cooperating with said port, a helical spring resting upon said shoulder for urging said valve member upwardly to close said port, said spring being the sole support for the valve, said valve when closed against said port dividing the openings of the two bodies into two compartments, a second valve member,

of a diameter greater than said valve port, for closing References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 529,133 McIntosh Nov. 13, 1894 751,005 Philip Feb. 2, 1904 1,080,369 Rollwing Dec. 2, 1913 1,144,758 Desmond June 29, 1915 1,165,026 Schreidt Dec. 21, 1915 1,350,407 Haight Aug. 24, 1920 1,383,272 Woore June 28, 1921 1,498,358 DeKraft June 17, 1924 1,954,662 Bond Apr. 10, 1934 2,069,366 Heerdt Feb. 2, 1937 2,361,866 Norway Oct. 3l, 1944 2,463,493 Norway Mar. 9, 1949 2,516,424 Roney July 25, 1950 2,550,373 Ortlol Apr. 24, 1951 2,590,408 Henneman Mar. 25, 1952

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