US2949275A

US2949275A - Valve mechanism for cement gunning machines

Info

Publication number: US2949275A
Authority: US
Inventors: George M Pro
Original assignee: AIR PLACEMENT EQUIPMENT CO
Current assignee: AIR PLACEMENT EQUIPMENT CO
Priority date: 1955-03-07
Filing date: 1955-03-07
Publication date: 1960-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 1977-08-16

Description

ug. 16, 1960 G. M. PRO

vALvE MECHANISM FOR CEMENT GUNNING MACHINES Filed March '7, 1955 United States 'Patent' OE ice VALVE MECHANISM FOR CEMENT GUNNING MACHINES George M. Pro, Leawood, Kans., assignor to Air Placement Equipment Company, Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Mar. 7, 1955, Ser. No. 492,397

6 Claims. (Cl. 251-86) This invention has to do with improvments in closuremechanism and more particular to novel arrangement of parts for tightly sealing a port for a receptacle or the like and including manually operable means for moving the closure to and from a closed position.

It is the most important object of the present invention to provide valving mechanism that is particularly adapted for use in connection with machines for handling cementitious materials and capable of closing an inlet port of a hopper or other receptacle forming a part of the machine in a substantially air-tight condition without interference by the gritty or sandy characteristics of the materials being handled which normally render it diflicult to provide a satisfactory seal and render it diicult also to move the valve mechanism to and from the closed position.

Another important object of the instant invention is to provide closure means especially adapted for the aforementioned uses and having the unique advantage of being easily manipulated by virtue of its shape, configuration and manner of movement, permitting the closure to slide easily through the materials as the same is shifted to and from a closed position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a closure that is mounted for oating movement in a manner to permit shifting thereof into tight sealing relationship with a compressible seat as the receptacle is pressurized and which closure automatically shifts away from the seat upon release of the pressure to avoid all ditiiculty of movement thereof to and from the port-closing position.

A further object of this invention is the provision of mechanism of the aforementioned character which utilizes the advantages inherent in cooperative sealing relationship made .possible by the use of a closure consisting of a segment of a sphere presenting a convex surface that engages a circular, compressible seat or seal when the closure is in closed relationship to the port `of the receptacle.

' A still further o-bject of the instant invention is to provide a closure and seat of the character just above described wherein the said closure consists of a segment of aA hollow sphere and wherein such closure is swingable to and from a closed position whereby it effectively slides through the cementitious materials and thereby facilitates the opening and closing operations.

Other objects include the way -in which `the closure 4is mounted on a rotatable shaft for swinging movement to and vfrom a closed position as the shaft is rotated; the Way in which the closure is shiftable with respect to the shaft radially thereof toward and away from the aforementioned compressible seat; the manner of rotatably mounting the closure with respect tothe shaft; the way in which there is provided adjustable stopmeans for limiting the extent of radial movement ofthe closure toward and away from the shaft; the manner of utilizing relatively telescoped, tubular elements for mounting the closure on the shaft; the way in which the seat or seal aforementioned is mounted for quick and easy replacement; and many additional more minor objects including important details of construction, all of which will be made clear as the following specification progresses, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, wherein the single gure is a fragmentary, vertical, substantially central, cross-sectional view through a machine for handling cementitious materials and showing a pair of valve mechanisms embodying the principles of the instant invention.

The machine shown by the drawing and chosen for illustration of the novel Ivalve or closure mechanism of the instant invention, consists of three conical hoppers 10, 12 and 14, superimposed and in communicating relationship. Hoppers 12 and 14 are provided with domeshaped tops 16 and 18 respectively that are in turnprovided with

inlet ports

20 and 22 respectively, and the lowermost open ends of hoppers 10 and 12 register directly with

ports

20 and 22 respectively.

The lowermost hopper 14 is provided with stationary shelf 24 and a feed Whee126, together with an agitator 28 that are operably mounted on a driving stud 30. The stud 36 is in turn attached to a shaft 32 emanating from a gear box 34 and rotated by a suitable prime mover such as an air motor 36. Cementitious materials Within the hopper 14 are delivered to a position 4beneath the shelf 24 and thence into a discharge 38.

Compressed air is directed to the system through a pipe 40 coupled with a suitable source of air pressure (not shown) through pressure regulators and the like, which compressed air ows through a valve 42 when the latter is opened and thence through a hose 44 to the discharge '38 and thence through a material-receiving hose,

not shown, to the atmosphere for high velocity placement of the material on any surface to be coated therewith.

Compressed air also enters the hopper 12 througha valve 46 when the latter is opened and into the hopper 14 through a pipe 48. An outlet pipe S0 communicating with the hopper 12, exhausts the system of compressed air upon opening of a control valve 52. The material to be handled Vthrough use of a machine of this type is initially fed into the open top hopper 10.

The valving or closing mechanisms broadly `designated by the

numerals

54 and 56 for

ports

20 and 22 respectively, are identical and therefore, the same identifying numerals will hereinafter be employed and differentiated by use of the letter a with vrespect to the component parts of valve mechanism 56. Valve 5S consists of a segment of a hollow sphere presenting therefore, a con- Vex, uppermost surface 60 that cooperates with a seat or seal 62 to close the port 20 when in the position illustrated in the drawings. g g

A ring 64 mounted on the innermost face of top 16 of hopper 12 in concentric relationship to the port 20, has a frustoconical innermost edge 66 provided with a circular groove 68 that is semi-circular or slightly greater than semi-circular in cross-sectional configuration for receiving the seal 62. Seal 62 is in the nature of a continuous circular O-ring of compressible material such as rubber and remains seated within the lgroove 68 without need of additional attachment thereof to the ring 64. Consequently, when the seal 62 becomes suftciently worn to require replacement, it can be easily slipped from place and la new seal or seat 62 snapped into place Within the groove 68.

The diameter o f the sealing member 62 should be slightly less than the diameter of the closure 58 at its circular peripheral edge 70 so that the closure 58v en the diameter of the sealing member 62 is greater tharrthel `ralentit Aeg.A is, v196.0l

3 minimum diameter of ring 64 and the diameter of port 20.

Closure 58 is mounted upon a horizontal shaft 72 extending transversely of the hopper 12 and rotatably carried thereby through any suitable bearing structure which will additionally present an adequate seal when the system is pressurized with compressed air. Shaft 72 is rotated through the medium of a manual handle 74 secured thereto exteriorly of the hopper 12,A the extent of swinging movement of the handle 74 being limited by outwardly extending stops 76 and 78 mounted on the hopper 12.

A radially extending tube Si! within the hopper 1 2 is secured at one end thereof rigidly to the shaft 72 and` telescopically receives a sleeve 82 for free reciprocjable and rotative movement with respect to tube 89. One end of the sleeve 82 extends into a tubular stud 84 forming a part of the closure '58 within which the sleeve 82 tightly lits.

A radial pin 86 Within the tube 80 intersects the shaft 72 and is threaded within the latter. lOne end of the pin 86 extends beyond the tube 80 for engagement by the closure 58 and a lock nut S8 at the opposite end of the pin 86 holds the latter in pre-selected adjusted positions with respect to the shaft 72.

' In normal operation, valve 58 is closed and valve 58a is open as illustrated. Valves 42 `and 46 are both open andthe exhaust valve 52 is closed. Under such conditions the hoppers 12 and 14 are pressurized equally and the valve 58 is held tightly sealed against its seat 62 by such pressure Within the system.

lvlaterial within the hopper 14 is fed to beneath the shelf 24 by agaitator 28 and in turn fed to the discharge 38 by feeder 26 upon operation of the prime mover 36. Such material is forced from` the discharge 38 to the material-handling hose aforementioned by airpressure within the hose 44, it beingA understood that the latter is operably coupled with such materialrfeeding hose.

While die closure 58 is thus closed, additional material, which consists of sand, cement and the` like, may be fed into the hopper 10 rand ultimately fed to the hoppers 12 and 14 in the following manner, all without interrupting the continued placement thereof on surfaces being coated therewith.

Closure 58a is first moved to the closed position seated against its seal 62a by manipulation of the handle 74a and into engagement with stop 76a. Thereupon, the valve 46 is closed and the valve 5,2 isV opened to exhaust the air pressure from hopper 12. Pressure is maintained in` the hopper 14 by virtue of the pipe 48 communicating withV pipe 40 and such pressure within the hopper 14 acts upon the closure 58u to hold the latter sealed tightly against the seat 62.

Phe closure 58 is thereupon opened by swinging the handle 74 from its position against stop 78. The material in hopper l is thereby'permitted to drop into the hopper 12, whereupon the closure 58 is again moved to the position engaging' seat 62 and closing Lport 20.

Thereupon, the operator closes valve 52 and opens the valve 46, thereby equalizing the pressure within hoppers 12 and 14 land causing the closure 58 to seat tightly against the seal 62. 'llhe handle 74a may thereupon be again manipulated to swing the same against the stop 78a and open the closure 58a. The material within the hopper 12 then drops through the port 22 and into the hopper 14. Y Y f It is to be noted `that the stops 78 and 78a are so positioned as to maintain closures 58V and 58a in partial engagement with their seats 62 and 62arespectively, Wheuftfhe closures are in open positions.

It is particularly notable that the closures` S8. and 58a may beiswung to Yand from their closedV positionsrwithout the necessity of waiting until the respective hoppers *1 ing with the resilient seats 62 and 62a, effective prevent lodgment of the particles of the materials between the seats and the valves such as to prevent the establishment of an air-tight closure for the

ports

20 and 22.

The extent of drag or frictional engagement between the surfaces 60 and 60a and their seats 62 and 62a may be adjusted by manipulation of the pins 86 and 86a, thereby limiting the extent of movement of the valves toward the shafts 72 and 72a. After adjustment, the lock nuts 88 and 88a may be tightened to hold the pins S6 and 86a. These pins however, have no effect upon movement of the valves away from the shafts '72 and 72a toward the seats `62 and 62a and, therefore, when the hoppers 12 and 14 are pressurized, the valves will be forced tightly into closed positions as above indicated. The valves not only float with respect to the shafts 72 and 72a toward and away from the latter in a radial direction, butare freely rotatable about such radial axes and therefore, during continued use of the machine the valves will seat in different positions and thereby prevent grooving, as well as maintain the surfaces 64B and 60a smooth and slick. Since there is -no differential pressure upon the valves 58 and 58a during manipulation thereof to and from their closed positions, they will slide through the material and with respect to the seals 62 and 62a without diiiiculty.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new land desired to 'be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine for handling particulate material, the combination of Ia pressure hopper for said material having `a material inlet port and a circular seat in the hopper adjacent the port; a valve in the hopper having an inner `face and a convex outer face shaped substantially in conformity with a sector of 4a sphere, said outer face normally bearing against the seat in closing relationship to the port; a shaft traversing the hopper andV rotatably carried thereby; a lateral extension mounted on the shaft Within the hopper; and means on said inner face 4of the valve mounting the latter on the extension for radial movement relative to the shaft toward and away from the seat, and swinging movement with the extension to and from a position opening the port upon rotation of the shaft, said seat being resilient whereby material Ibecoming lodged ybetween the seat and the valve when the latter is closed is pressed into the seat by pressure in the hopper acting on the valve, thereby maintaining a seal around the seat.

2. In a machine for handling particulate material, the combination 'of a pressure hopper Yfor said material having a material inlet port Iand a circular seat in the hopper adjacent the port; a valve in the hopper shaped substantially in conformity with a sector of a hollow sphere, presenting `a concave inner face, and a convex outer face normally bearing against the seat in closing relationship to the port; a shaft traversing the hopper and rotatably carried thereby; a lateral extension mounted on the shaft within the hopper; and means on said inner face of the valve mounting the latter on the extension for nadia-l movement relative to the shaft toward and away from the seat, and swinging movement with the extension to and from a positionopening the port upon rotation ofthe shaft, said valve having a relatively sharp, circular, peripheral edge capable of sliding easily through the material in the hopper upon rotation of the shaft,

said seat being resilient whereby material becoming lodged between the seat Iand the valve when theV latter is closed is pressed 'into the seat by pressure in thehopf.

per acting on the valve, thereby maintaining a seal around the seat.

3. In a machine for handling particulate material, the combination of a pressure hopper for said material having a material inlet port and a circuit seat in the hopper adjacent the port; a valve in the hopper having an inner face and a convex outer face shaped substantially in conformity with a sector of a sphere, said outer face normally bearing against the seat in closing relationship to the port; a shaft traversing the hopper and rotatably carried thereby; a lateral extension mounted on the shaft within the hopper; and a tube secured to said inner face of the valve and loosely telescoped on said extension for mounting the valve on the extension for radial movement relative to the shaft toward and away from the seat, rotation relative to the extension, and swinging movement with the extension to and from a position opening the port upon rotation of the shaft, said seat being resilient whereby material becoming lodged between the seat and the valve when the latter is closed is pressed into the seat by pressure in the hopper acting on the valve, thereby maintaining a seal around the seat.

4. In a machine -for handling particulate material, the combination of a pressure hopper for said material having a material inlet port and a circular seat in the hopper adjacent the port; la valve in the hopper having an inner face and Ia convex outer -face shaped substantially in conformity Iwith a sector of a sphere, said outer face normally bearing against the seat in closing relationship to the port; a shaft traversing the hopper and rotatably oarried thereby; a lateral, tubular extension mounted on the shaft within the hopper; -a tube secured to said inner face of the valve and loosely telescoped on said extension for mounting the valve on the extension for radial movement relative to the shaft toward and away from the seat, rotation relative to the extension, and swinging movement with the extension to and from a position opening the port upon rotation of the shaft; and a radial rod secured to the shaft and extending through the extension toward the valve for engagement thereby to limit the extent of radial movement of the valve toward the shaft.

5. In a machine for handling particulate material, the combination of a pressure hopper for said material having a material inlet port and a circuit seat in the hopper adjacent the port; a valve in the hopper having an inner face and a convex outer face shaped substantially in conformity with `a sector of a sphere, said outer face normally bearing against the seat in closing relationship to the port; `a shaft traversing the hopper and rotatably carried thereby; a lateral, tubular extensionmounted on the shaft within the hopper; a tube secured to said inner face of the valve and loosely telescoped on said extension for mounting the valve on the extension for radial movement relative to the shaft toward and away Afrom the seat, rotation relative to the extension, and swinging movement vwith the extension to and from a position opening the port upon rotation of the shaft; and a radial rod secured to the shaft and extending through the extension toward the valve for engagement thereby to limit the extent of radial movement of the valve toward the shaft, said rod intersecting the shaft and being shiftable transversely thereof whereby to vary the extent of movement of the valve toward the shaft.

6. In a machine for handling particulate material, the combination of a pressure hopper for said material having a material inlet port and a grooved ring in the hopper adjacent the port; la circular 0-ring seat detachably secured to the ring within the groove thereof; a valve in the hopper having an inner face and a convex outer face shaped substantially in conformity with a sector of a sphere, said outer face normally bearing against the seat lin closing relationship to the port; a shaft traversing the hopper and rotatably carried thereby; a lateral extension mounted on the shaft within the hopper; and means on said `inner face of the valve mounting the latter on the extension for radial movement relative to the shaft toward and -away from the seat, and swinging movement with the extension to and 'from a position opening the port upon rotation of the shaft, said seat being resilient whereby material Ibecoming lodged between the seat and the valve lwhen the latter is closed is pressed into the seat yby pressure in the hopper acting on the valve, thereby maintaining a seal around the seat.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 730,646 Havekotte lune 9, 1903 960,857 Eggert June 7, 1910 1,105,209 Sauchereau Iuly 28, 1914 1,122,499 Haynes Dec. 29, 1914 1,654,015() Page Dec. 27, 1927 2,602,498 Overton July 8, 1952 2,654,517 Corradini et al. Oct. 6, 1953 2,694,414 Seyferth Nov. 16, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 22,922 Great Britain of 1910 468,991 Great Britain of 1937