US2925836A - Fluid transfer system - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 23, 1960l J. B. scHAUB FLUID TRANSFER SYSTEM Filed Jan. 2,v 1957 3 Sheets-'Sheet 1 INVENT OR.

James Benton Schaub myw ATTO RN EYS Feb. 23, 1960 J. B. scHAuB FLUID TRANSFER SYSTEM Filed Jan. 2, 1957 INVENTOR.

James Benon Schaub BY, J1 Nw! TTORNE YS Feb. 23, 1960 J. B. scHAuB v 2,925,836

' FLUID TRANSFER SYSTEM Filed Jan. 2, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

James Bemon Schaub ATTORNEYS United S'ftates Patent O FLUID TRANSFER SYSTEM James Benton Schaub, Chicago, Ill.

Application January 2, 1957, Serial No. 632,145

1 Claim. (Cl. 141-96) This invention concerns improvements in methods of controlling the placing of fuel oil in the storage tanks of diesel locomotives and other fluid containers. It applies primarily to the operation of fueling diesel locomotives and related devices and apparatus.

It is a prime object of the invention to control automatically the ow of the lluid into the storage tank, thereby relieving an attendant from the necessity of closely supervising the transfer operation.

:It is an object of the invention to provide means to save labor expense in the fueling operation or in any fluid transfer operation.

' It is an object of the invention to eliminate the waste of fuel oil or other liquids that are frequently spilled in the .fuelingor transfer -operation due to lack of close supervision,` and the related hazards such as re, contamination, or the like.

It'is an'object of the Vinvention to provide a safety cutoff :for a fuel supply line supplying the fuel tank of a diesel `locomotive by the provision of additional safety means which kautomatically `disconnects and shuts olf the flow :of fluid in the event the locomotive is prematurely moved-from lilling position during fuel flow.

lt is .an vobject of the invention to make certain that in the'fueling `or transfer operation the tank or iluid container is filled to maximum desired capacity and not beyond.

. It v.is an object of `the invention to perform .this lilling operation in a minimum of `time.

`The invention lends itself to use by railroads using liquid fuels .that are placed in fuel tanks on locomotives, self-.propelled coaches, diesel motor units, and the like. It also :lends itself to use in connection with many industrial or .commercial operations involving .the transfer of fluids from a bulkor large supply to a relatively limited capacity container.

The accompanying drawings are intended to -be iliustrative .offfa preferred form of the invention, and are not to. `be construed as limiting in any way. Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several figures and specific-ation.

Figure l is a schematic elevation partly in section, showingthe invention applied to a railroad diesel Vlocomotive and fueling station. A diesel locomotive or similar rpowevdriven unit isshown in cross-section on a rail-` road track, and the adjacent fueling station is shown in elevation.

` Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of one form of Wiring .circuit which may be used in supplying electric current to equipment in various operations, including Figure l.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an alternate wiring circuit of a very simple arrangement.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram 'showing a portion of Figure 1 'in which a transparent tube `and'photoelectric cell detector has been "substituted for a float circuit-breaker.

"Figure `5 is a schematic diagram lshowing a portion of Figure l 'and an enlarged arrangement of a valve that .may b'lloca'ted on the Adischarge end of the lllu'id line.

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Figure 6 is a schematic wiring diagram showing one form of circuit which may be used in applications where the valve arrangement is at the discharge end of the fluid line, as shown in Figure 5.

In Figures 1 and 2, a Afuel tank 3 is mounted on the under-frame of a locomotive 2 that travels on a track 1. The fuel for operating locomotive 2 is placed in tank 3 by means of conduit or tube 4 leading from a suitable opening in the side Wall of locomotive 2 to an opening in tank 3 at or near the top of the tank. The opening may have a closure such as a cap to prevent the entry of dirt. The cap may be' threaded or hinged and springbiased.

Fuel oil from a suitable source, such as a ground tank, is pumped through pipe 7 by means of electrically operated pump 31. The fuel oil, after passing through an optional hand-operated valve 8, passes up a column 6 to an automatic power-operated valve 27. When valve 27 is open the fuel oil can pass through a exible conduit 10, conduit 4 and into tank 3; said flexible conduit being connected to the oil line by means of a suitable coupling 9, and to conduit 4 by means of a suitable coupling or nozzle at the discharge end of said conduit.

It will be observed that any time the motorized pump 31-is in operation and hand-operated valve 8 is open, there would be a tendency for fuel oil to ilow into tank 3 if automatic valve 27 were not in the line, or if open. Under present conditions at many fueling stations it is necessary for an attendant, after opening hand-operated valve 8 or a valve located on the nozzle end of ilexible conduit 10, to stay nearby and closely supervise the ow of the fuel in order to close .olf its ow to prevent an overow of tank 3 and a spillage of oil. In many instances the attendant is so occupied by other duties that he cannot closely supervise the fuel oil ilow and as a consequence much fuel oil is spilled on the ground. This results in a waste of oil and the creation of re and other hazards.

`In this invention a float of proper size and shape in a housing 11 of suitable `design is installed at a desired level in relation to tank 3 to cause the oat to change position when fuel oil is `at a predetermined level (normally f-ull) in tank 3. As the oil level in tank 3 rises, the fuel oil enters oat housing 11 by means of conduit connection 13 Within or to tank `3 at any level below float housing 11. lFloat housing 11 may be vented by means of conduit l14 connected to fuel tank vent 5, or other suitable vent outlet. The float lin housing 11 is operationally connected to a -suitable explosion or vapor-proof circuit-breaker 12 lo cated in y.housing 11. When Ifuel oil rises in conduit 13 and `into housing 11 to a Vpredetermined level, the iloat rises, and in so doing operates circuit breaker 12, causing the circuit to open. When Ifuel oil is used from tank 3 and the oil level is lowered below a predetermined level, the operation of the oat in housing 11 acting on circuit breaker 12, causes the circuit to close. Wires 15 and 16 lead from circuit-breaker 12 to explosion-proof electrical connection receptacle 17 constructed to receive a readily separable plug the separation of which from receptacle 17 will break the circuit just as in the case of circuit breaker `12 when the oat in housing 11 rises to the predetermined level corresponding to a full tank of fuel. Wires 19 and .20 lead from .a source of electrical current having desired characteristics, and supply a cabinet 18 which houses a relay-operated system of circuit-breakers; and, if desired, a transformer to provide different electrical current characteristics. Wires 23 and 24 connect a chosen circuit from cabinet 1S to an lelectrically operated valve 27 in fuel oil line 6. Wires 21 and 22 lead from a chosen circuit in cabinet 18 to an explosion-proof plug 30 that 70 matches receptacle 17. The receptacle 17 and the plu-g- 30 form la `circuit coupling means, yreceptacle 17 being part of the locomotive and plug 30- being part of the ground installation.

As will be apparent fromy Fig. 1, the plug 30 and .receptacle 17 provide an additional safety factor and function just as effectively in shutting oif fuel ilow at valve 27 as does the float actuated circuit breaker 12. In the event that the locomotive inadvertently moves from lling position while fuel oil is flowing through exible conduit and into tank 3 so that the hose connection between flexible conduit 1t) and tube 4 within the locomotive is broken, no substantial amount of oil will be spilled upon the ground or permitted to run along the right-of-way. As the locomotive is inadvertently moved from filling position not only will the llexible conduit 10 be separated at its junction with tube 4, but plug 30 will pull out of receptacle 17, thus breaking circuit 15, 21, 23, 24 which controls valve 27 in the same manner as circuit breaker 12 would have broken that circuit had float 13 risen to a position corresponding to a full position. Wires 25 and 26 lead lfrom a chosen circuit in cabinet 18 to propel an electrical motor pump 31. Likewise wires 32 and 33 as well as 34 and 3S may lead from chosen circuits in cabinet 18 to operate sound signal 36 or light signal 37, or any other auxiliary features having any desired function in connection with the operation of the invention.

From the above description it will be seen that with circuit-breaker 12 so set that it will be closed when fuel oil in tank 3 causes float 11 to be below a desired or normally full position and plug 30 is inserted in receptacle 17 with an electrical current in wires 19, 20, the relay in cabinet 18 will close and thereby cause valve 27 to open, motor 31 to start the pumping operation, signal 36 to sound and light -signal 37 to operate. Fuel oil flows into tank 3 until float 11 rises and causes circuit-breaker .12 to open or inadvertent movement of the locomotive from filling position separates plug 30 and receptacle 17. Thereafter, in turn, valve 27 closes, motor 31 stops, and signals 36 and 37 go olf.

It will be observed that by this operation there will not be any loss of fuel oil due to over supply, and also tank 3 can always be filled to a desired level and without an attendant being present. It will also be observed that the method of circuit operation may be reversed in part or arranged in any desired combination in keeping with the function that the control circuit of valve 27 is constructed to fail safe in the event of inadvertent movement of the locomotive while the filling operation is in process and before tank 3 is filled to a desired level. As an example, the `sound and light signals may be made to operate when the tank has become filled rather than cease operation at that time or in selective sequence. Likewise, any or all of the auxiliary circuits may be omitted. If it is desired to operate on a low or some other voltage through wires 15, 16 and 21, 22, than is carried in wires 19, Z0, a transformer may be cut into the line and, if desired, located in cabinet 18. In an installation where the supply of fuel oil does not need to be controlled at the dispatching terminal and it is not desired to have any signals or other features in the line, the Wiring circuit may be simplifled as indicated in Figure 3.

In installations where it would be advantageous to install oat 11 inside of tank 3, it is evident float housing 11 and conduit connection 13 and vent conduit 14 will be omitted.

In the description, reference has been made to the use of explosion-proof plugs, receptacles, switches, etc. It is to be understood that these are not essential to the functioning of the invention, but are desirable features where inflammable liquids are involved. The illustration and description covers a dispensing station having an elevated column 6 and automatically operated valve 27 at or near the top of the column. It is to be understood that this arrangement is not necessary, for in some installations it may be more advisable, for clearance or other reasons, to have pipe 7, leading from the oil source, kept at or below grade level. In such cases, valve 27 may be located in a box or pit and flexible conduit 10 connected at that point.

The foregoing description of the method of operation pertains to a single installation. It is evident that in installations dispensing fluid at more than one point, and where flow of fluid is dependent upon pump 31, it will be necessary to have a pump at each dispensing point, or arrange the power Wiring so that pump 31 will continue to operate until the uid ow has been cut oi at all dispensing points. This can easily be raccomplished by having power supply wires 2.5 and 26 duplicated to cabinet 18 of each dispensing station.

A receptacle member 28 may be conveniently located to hold and protect plug 30 when not in operational position. A receptacle member 29 may be conveniently located near receptacle 28, having its poles so connected that when plug 30 is inserted into receptacle 17 it will energize lines 21 and 22, thereby operating power-operated valve 27 and making it possible to have a flow of liquid without the Float-controlled circuit. The advantage of this arrangement will be recognized when it is noted that some tanks 3 may not be equipped with a float circuit-breaker system and yet require lling.

It is to be noted that oat-operated circuit-breaker 12 may be located as indicated by economy and convenience, restriction being limited only by the vertical relationship of the float to the desired ultimate level of iluid fuel in tank 3. Automatically power-operated valve-27 may also be located at a position in the uid fuel line dictated by economy and convenience.

Another method of operation is to have the poweroperated iluid valve 27, of the type that is normally closed, manually opened, and power released to revert to closed position. In this combination, the circuit-breaker 12 'would be in open position when float 11 registers fluid at a lower level in container 3 than is desired when it is in ful-l register. When iluid oat 11 registers fluid in container 3 to be at a predetermined level, the circuit-breaker 12 will close, and power release will permit fluid valve 27 to close. In this combination, the power wiring for auxiliary operations will be substantially `as noted in the foregoing description, altered only to suit the combinations desired.

Referring to Figure 5, another method of operation is to replace power-operated fluid valve 27 and apply a novel design valve 40 at the discharge or nozzle end of exible conduit 10. This valve, in operation, is similar to the above-described valve, in that it is normally in a closed position and must be opened manually. The opening operation consists of manually pressing hand lever 44 closer to the body part of the valve 40 and to a position such that it is retained in that position by ratchet 43.

vRatchet 43 may be of the type having two teeth and spring-biased to bring it back to the normal position shown. The ratchet cannot completely rotate, but can move clockwise and counter-clockwise a suicient distance to permit valve hand lever 44 to pass in either'- direction. A pin or shoulder on a bracket may be provided to prevent the ratchet from complete rotation. It will be noted that when valve hand lever 44 is in a position near the body of valve 40, such that the swinging end of it presses against ratchet 43, the valve plunger 45 will be compressed and valve 40 will be open for the passage of fluid. Hand lever 44 will be retained in said position as long as trigger 42 prevents ratchet 43 from rotating. An electromagnetic coil 41 is located in proper relationship to trigger 4Z that it may have an operating inuence on trigger 42.

From the foregoing description, it becomes evident that actions and reactions must occur as follows: With plug 50 inserted into receptacle 46, and assuming the fluid level in tank or container 3 is such that the oat in housing 11 will operate a single pole double throw circuitbreaker in housing 12 to complete a circuit between wires With the nozzle of valve 4l) inserted in conduit 4, and I with hand lever 44 compressed to the dotted line position, or Valve-open position, fluid will flow into tank 3. The nozzle may be latched into position by a suitable hook or bayonet connection. When iiuid in tank 3 rises to a predetermined level, the float in housing 11 will trip the double-throw circuit-breaker 12 in housing 11 causing contact to be made between wires 47 and 49 closing the circuit in wires 51, 52, and 53, and energizing magnetic coil 41. The magnetized coil 41 will cause trigger 42 to release ratchet 43 which in turn releases hand lever 44, permitting plunger 45 to move and close uid flow valve 40. The throw in circuit-breaker 12 will break the circuit between wires 47 and 48 thereby stopping the operation of pump 31 and disconnecting signals 36 and 37.

Pump 31, signals 36 and 37, may be omitted when not desired, or other circuits may be added, as found desirable or necessary. The ratchet 43 may be circular in construction, and may have many teeth; and in that design it would be arranged to make a complete rotation in either direction when not engaged. In order to permit passage of hand lever 44 or trigger 42 in a reverse direction from positive contact, there would be two sets of teeth set in parallel but not in coincident planes.

Another method of constructing the operating parts of valve 40 is to use a plunger type magnetic coil 41 so arranged as to have the plunger either operate the trigger 42 by means of `a liexible connection between the plunger and trigger, or by having the plunger of the magnetic coil directly engage the ratchet. The part of the mechanism of valve 40 which permits or prevents the passage of fluid, i.e. lever 44 and plunger 45, can be any one of a number of arrangements. This fact is well known to those familiar with this type of device and is not claimed as being novel per se.

An extension 55 to trigger 42 is made in any convenient manner, to permit the release of ratchet 43 by hand when when so desired, or when auxiliary power control circuits are not used.

Another method of operation is to replace iiuid float 11 and iiuid-oat operated circuit-breaker 12 with a photoelectric cell indicator 38, shown in Figure 4, which can be located in conjunction with a transparent conduit 39, in a manner such that presence or absence of iiuid fuel in conduit 39 will cause current iiow in conductors 15 and 16, thereby to control the action of fluid valve 27 and auxiliary operations noted in the foregoing description, as desired. It is evident that transparent conduit 39 and photoelectric cell indicator 38 may be located in any desired and convenient relationship to container 3, limited only by the vertical relationship of iiuid level in the container.

The float control member contained in housing 11, the explosion-proof circuit-breaker 12 in housing 11, the explosion-proof receptacle 17 and matching plug 30, as well as relay circuit-breakers, transformers and the like, that may be housed in cabinet 18, are all items available in the market, and are products well known to those familiar with this field of operation.

The foregoing description is presently considered to be the preferred embodiment of my invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art of using the described and referred to device, as well as the results to be attained, that in the light of the foregoing description various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, the appended claim has been variously worded in generic terms to include modifications and structures that fall within the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

In a railway diesel locomotive fueling facility, in combination, a mobile unit having a fuel tank, a stationary supply unit having a source of liquid fuel, a source of electric power, a liquid conduit connected to said fuel source and having a power operated valve mounted therein, and a control circuit means for said valve having a iirst part forming part of said stationary supply unit and comprising a relay operated circuit breaker means having a warning lamp, a sound signal and a motor driven pump for said first conduit connected to and controlled by said breaker means, solenoid actuating means for said valve and one part of a readily connectable and disconnectable pull-apart connector means comprising three circuit completing elements one of which is mounted on each side of said mobile unit and the third of which is part of said stationary unit, said mobile unit elements being constructed to connect with said third element to help complete said control circuit and to break said control circuit and cause said valve to close and interrupt fuel ow through said conduit upon movement of said mobile unit from filling position with respect to said stationary unit during the filling operation, said control circuit means having a second part mounted on and movable with said mobile unit, comprising a small float chamber fixed within said tank and connected in fuel level measuring relation to said fuel tank, a iioat mounted in said chamber, a circuit atfecting element, actuated by said oat and connected to said second part of said pull-apart connector unit whereby said valve is automatically actuated to closed position by the action of said float actuated circuit aecting element and the separation of said pull-apart connector means whichever action takes place and whereby said valve permits liquid fuel ow into said fuel tank of said mobile unit only when said connector means and said circuit affecting means both act to maintain the control circuit of said control circuit means, said mobile unit circuit completing elements being carried by said mobile unit outside of said liquid conduits whereby the danger of the ignition of explosive fumes by sparking is minimized.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 987,518 Wendling Mar. 21, 1911 1,346,898 Kingsbury July 20, 1920 2,543,522 Cohn Feb. 27, 1951 2,764,178 Paul et al. Sept. 25, 1956 2,777,461 Wildhaber Ian. 15, 1957

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