US2958291A

US2958291A - Compact liquid dispenser

Info

Publication number: US2958291A
Application number: US576842A
Authority: US
Inventors: Howard E Rittenhouse
Original assignee: Tokheim Corp
Current assignee: Tokheim Corp
Priority date: 1956-04-09
Filing date: 1956-04-09
Publication date: 1960-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 1977-11-01

Description

Nov. 1, 1960 H. E. RITTENHOUSE COMPACT LIQUID DISPENSER 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 9, 1956 flitt v INVENTOR. Howard E. Klttcnhousc ATTORNEY 61 243! LJJJ Nov. 1, 1960 H. E. RITTENHOUSE 2,958,291

COMPACT LIQUID DISPENSER Filed April 9, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 1 Hpwdrd [.Riltcnhousfl BY 3 WK v AT TORNE Y Nov. 1, 1960 w H. E. RITTENHOUSE 2,958,291

COMPACT LIQUID DISPENSER Filed April 9, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Howard E. R-L ttenhousc A TTORNEY Nov. 1 1960 H. E. RITTENHOUSE cqmmcw uqum msmxsza e Sheets-Sheet 4 l I [Iki39 Filed April 9, 1956 INVENTOR. Howard E. Ri ttcnhoase Him ATTORNEY Nov. 1, 1960 H. E. RITTENHOUSE CQMPACT LIQUID DISPENSER 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 9, 1956 INVEN TOR.

A T TORNE Y W Howard ERHtcnh we Nov. 1, 1960 H. E. RITTENHOUSE 2,958,291

COMPACT LIQUID DISPENSER Filed April 9, 1956 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. Howard E.RlllC71}l0l-(;c

BY %//%W ATTORNEY COMPACT HQ illnrsr-nNsER Howard E. Rittenliouse, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Tokheim Corporation, Fort Wayne, End, a corporation of Indiana Filed Apr. 9, 1956, Ser. No. 576,842

6 Claims. (Cl. 10'3--42) This invention relates to a compact, liquid dispenser. More specifically it relates. to a liquid dispenser which is especially adapted for use in dispensing fuels for farm use. It is usableeither in connection with an underground tank or directly upon the usual steel barrel.

it is an object of the invention to. produce a dispenser of the kind describedwhich is compact and economical to manufacture.

Another object of theinvention' is to provide a structure which is long lived and of rugged construction.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser having a motor operated lay-pass valve which will reduce the loadon the motor, during by-passing, below that imposed on it during dispensing.

Yet another object of'the invention is to provide a simplified switch control and'nozzle support.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a compact pump, motor and valve arrangement.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel hose support and'hose arrangement which will enable a relatively long hose to be supported on arelatively low structure.

A further object of 'the invention is to provide apump apparatus coupling whichwill permit the apparatus to be rotated to and'held in any desired rotation position.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a coupling which is provided with vent ports for admitting air to the tank throughthe space between the suction and supporting pipes.

Still another object ofthe invention, is to provide a coupling of the kind described in. which shielding means are provided exteriorly of the ports to prevent the entrance of snow and rain.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a coupling ofthe kind described inwhichmeans' are provided. to screen the ports to prevent the entrance offoreign objects.

A further object of theinvention is to provide a simple These and other objects will become apparent after a study of this specification. and the drawings which are attached hereto, made a part hereof and in which:

Figure 1 isa front elevation of the upper portion of the dispenser with parts shown in section.

Figure 2 is asectional view of the lower portion of the dispenser taken substantially on the line 2--2 of Figure 4.

Figure 3v is a sideelevation ofthev device of Figure 1 with parts shown in section to expose the switch mechanism.

Figure4 is a side elevation of the lower portion of the dispenser viewed from the left of Figure 2 and partially sectioned to show the check valve.

Figure 5 is a sectional view ofthe dispenser taken substantially on line 5-5-of- Figure 2.

Figure 6 isatop plan'viewof thedispenser:

2,958,291 Patented N ov. 1, 1960 Figure 7 is .a'detailed view of thenozzle support and switch actuator, and.

Figure Sis a front elevation of the dispenser showing the'storedarrangement of the hose on the dispenser.

General structure Referring first to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, the numeral 1 represents a supporting pipe which may be screwed into a suitable fitting at the top of anunderground tank, in a suitablebase orwhich may be set in a cement slab (not shown). An air vent and screen coupling 3 is screwed on the upper end of the pipe and is adapted to receive the threaded boss 5 on the manifold casting 7 which forms a part of the dispenser. The thread on the boss is preferably a straight thread and a wing nut 9 is mounted thereon to act as a jam nut for holding the boss against rotation in the coupling after the dispenser has been rotated to face in the desired direction.

The vent ports 11 in the couplingare shielded by the conical flange or shield 13and a cylindrical screen 15 is insertedin a recess 16 formed thecoupling, .in a posi tion to cover the ports. Grooves 17 are formed in the coupling to form seats for. the screen which is heldexpanded'and in position by the snap. rings 19. The ends of the screen abut the ends of therecess;

The flange or shield 13 prevents the direct entrance of Water, ice: and snow into the pipe 1 andthe associated tank .while the. screen prevents the entrance ofxdirt,

insectsand other foreign objects Whilepermitting the entrance of air to replace the liquid withdrawn by the pump or the discharge of air while the tank is being filled.

Boss Sis also internally threadedat 21 to receive the suction pipe '23 the lower end of .which'may be provided with a. foot valve of any suitable. typetnot shown).

It should also be noted at this point that the. pipe 1 and coupling fimay be omitted and that'the boss-5 carrying pipe 23, may be screwed directly into the bung ofa steel barrel containing the fuel.

Pump, motorand manifold" structure The manifold. 7 defines an inletchamber 25. which communicates. with the suction pip eandwith a.checkvalve'chamber. 27-through the channel29" (see. also. Fig ure..5). A checkvalve assembly-3l of any suitable. de-- sign ismounted inthe chamber to prevent drainageof liquid. from the. dispenser.

at. its. upper end and. a.spring-.- seatv 38- at:.the. other.

guide.

A-tire valveAiZ is mounted-in thesterniandiserves as a relief .valve.

A flange. 460m casting7 extends radiallyjinto the chamber '27 and the O-ring.44-:restsagainst thelower side of. the. flange. The flanges 50 andtS Z of the Valve seat and guide contact the other side ofithe, o ring-and acylindrical sleeve 54having a number of-ports 56:rides on thebottorn face of the. flange 5th The sleeve isguided in a .bore 58 inthe manifold and acover plate 60 which.

is sealingly held on the manifold by screws 62..moves the sleeve, guide and seat upwardly as the screws'are drawn up, to compress the gasket and seaLthe. joint at the flange at the other end of the chamber. A counterbore 59 re A bore 57 which leads to the exteriorof-the.manifoldis disposedceives an O-ring gasket 61 which seals between the manifold and a cover plate 63. The plate is held on the manifold by suitable screws 65 which serve to compress the gasket.

The strainer comprises a pair of concentric

cylindrical screens

67, 69 which have their ends disposed in U- shaped grooves 71 in the heads 75 which are held compressed on the ends of the screens by a tie rod 77. Ports 79 are formed in the heads to pass liquid to the interior of the inner screen 67. Screen 69 may be of finer mesh than screen 67 if desired or either screen may be used alone.

The peripheral portions of the heads 75 fit closely in the recess 55 and bore 57 to prevent liquid from by-passing the strainer. The strainer is removable as a unit through the bore 57 when the plate 63 has been removed and the strainer is readily taken apart for cleaning or replacement of the screens by merely removing a nut from one end of the tie rod.

By-pass valve structure As shown particularly in Figure 5, the suction chamber 53 has a first opening 81 and a second opening 83 which pass through the wall of the manifold which is also provided with a valve port 85, surrounded by a seat 87, disposed immediately adjacent 83, to serve as the inlet to the discharge chamber 89.

A cover 91 is fixed to the exterior of the manifold so as to overlie the

openings

81, 83 and 85. A diaphragm member 93 is clamped to the manifold by the cover.

The cover has partition means 95 which, with the cover defines

chambers

99 and 101 and which in effect outline two

diaphragms

103 and 105 on the member 93.

A tubular valve 1117 is passed through an opening in diaphragm 103 and is clamped thereto by the washers 109 and nut 111. The left end 112 of the valve (Fig. seats in a recess 113 in the cover. The valve has a central bore 115 which connects the suction chamber 53 in communication with a branch 117 of chamber 101 when the diaphragm 103 is moved to the right to open the valve. A compression spring 119 is supported at one end on the projection 121 in chamber 53 and at the other end on a washer 109 and serves to urge the valve closed.

A valve disc 123 together with suitable discs 125 are mounted on the diaphragm 105 with disc 123 in a position to sealingly engage seat 87 to close port 85. A compression spring 127 seats on the cover and on one disc 125 to urge the valve 123 toward its seat 87.

A channel 129, shown diagrammatically in Figure 5, connects the discharge chamber 89 with the chamber 99. The opening 133 in the wall of this chamber is slightly larger than the exterior of the valve 107 so that a restricted passage is formed between the valve and the opening 133 which connects chamber 99 in communication with the branch 117 of chamber 101.

As shown in Figure 2., chamber 53 is connected by a channel 135 to the suction chamber of the pump 139 while a channel 141 connects the discharge chamber of the pump with the discharge chamber 89.

The valves and diaphragms are shown in their normal positions in Figure 5, that is, they are shown in the positions they occupy when the pump 139 is idle or delivering liquid through the nozzle at substantially near the maximum rate. When the flow is materially throttled, the pump will tend to deliver the same quantity of liquid per revolution and pressure in the discharge chamber 89 will rise. If no by-pass were provided, the pump and motor would eventually stall and the motor would heat and possibly burn out.

In the disclosed structure, the pressure in chamber 89 is transmitted through channel 129 to chamber 99 and through the restricted passage 133, branch 117 to chamber 101. Thus under normal pressure conditions the pressure across diaphragm 105 is balanced. However,

when the pressure in chamber 89 is sufficient to displace diaphragm 103 against the resistance of spring 119, the valve 112 moves away from its seat in recess 113 so that the chamber 101 is connected in communication with the suction chamber 53 through branch 117 and bore of the valve. The pressure in chamber 89 now being substantially greater than that in chamber 101, the spring 127 will be overcome and valve 123 will leave seat 87 so that liquid may now circulate from the discharge chamber 89 through

ports

85, 83 chamber 53, suction: channel 135, pump 139, and discharge channel 141 to chamber 89.

Since the opening of valve 123 exposes a considerably greater area of diaphragm 105 to the pressure from chamber 89, the valve, once it opens, will remain open without fluttering until the pressure condition in chamber 89 drops to a value which can be overcome by spring 119. When this occurs the pressures in

chambers

101 and 89 again equalize and spring 127 will close the valve. Since the effective area of the valve 123 now exposed to the pressure in chamber 89 is small, the valve will have no tendency to flutter. It will stay definitely closed.

It has been found by test that the by-pass wattage of the motor is substantially less than the normal operating wattage. The valve is substantially noiseless and is positive in operation.

Pump and motor The pump 139 may be of any desirable positive displacement type. The pump shown in the drawings is an internal gear type comprising the pump body 151, a port plate 153 which is contained within the body, rests on the manifold 7 and is pinned thereto by pin 155. The plate 153 has the ports and 141, noted above, formed therein. It is also provided with an eccentrically disposed spindle 157 which rotatably carries the internal pinion 159 of the pump. Further it is also provided with an upwardly directed crescent shaped projection 161 which extends into the clearance space between the pinion 159 and the external gear 163 which is mounted on the shaft 165 of the electric motor 167.

A rotary seal 169 of any desired style may be disposed between the gear and the end bell 171 of the motor. The pump body is fastened to the manifold and motor by

suitable screws

173, 175. A drain passage 177 is provided in the end bell and communicates with the rotary seal at one end and is open to atmosphere at the other to permit the escape of any liquid which passes the seal. A slinger ring 179 is provided on the shaft for throwing liquid therefrom. These devices are used to prevent liquid from getting into the motor.

Discharge structure As shown in Figures 2 and 5, the manifold 7 is provided with an upwardly directed outlet 181 from the discharge chamber 89 which is threaded to receive the discharge pipe 183 which has its upper end screwed into the inlet connection 185 of a meter 187 of any desired type. The meter outlet 189 contains a nipple 190 which screws into an outlet and hose supporting fitting 191. The fitting is tapped at 193 to receive the coupling 195 of a hose 197 (Figures 1 and 3).

The discharge fitting 191 is provided at its upper side with a cradle 199 to retain a bight of the hose 197. As seen in Figure 3, the Walls of the cradle are curved to conform to the periphery of the hose and also curved longitudinally as shown at 201 in Figure 1 to conform somewhat to the curvature of the bight of the hose.

The meter 187 is preferably provided with a register 200 having a graduated dial 203 and fast and

slow indicators

205, 207 which are resettable by the knob 209 which extends through the dial glass 211.

The free end of the hose 197 is provided with a valved nozzle 213 as shown particularly in Figure 7. The stem 215 of the valve is actuated by a trigger 217 which is pivotally mounted at 219 on the guard 211. The nozzle includes a spout 223 which-is adapted to entera boot 225'which is fixed to'the end of a rock shaft 227.

The nozzle is provided with a hook 229 which is adapted to be inserted'through an opening 231- formed in the'upper, projecting portion 233 ofthe boot and to engage-said projecting portion to support the nozzle.

The shaft 227 (Fig. 1) is rotatably mounted in a suitable boss 235 of the switch box 237 which is supported on'the upper end bell 239 of the motor 167'by the bolts 230 and nuts 232 as shown in' Figure 3; A- washer' 241 and a pair of curved or

hook levers

243, 245 are fixed to the end of shaft 227 by a screw 247. This structure holds the shaft in place in the boss.

The switch b'ox is'provided, on the side adjacent the boot with a pairiof stops 249, 251. The lugs merge into a projection 253 which is perforated at 255 to receive the bolt of a padlock 263.

A-stop lug 257 is formed on the boot in a position to be moved into contactwith the

lugs

249, 251 as the boot pivots with the rock shaft'and thus limits the pivotal motion of the boot.

A locking lug-259 extends upwardly'from the boot, parallel to the lug253 and is perforated at 261. The

holes

255, 251 are aligned when the stop 257 is in contact with'the stop 251; The lock 263 is received in the holes to lock the boot in the described position.

Referring to Figures 1 and 3, a double pole single throw switch mechanism 265 is mounted in the switch box. The switch actuator 267 when moved to the right in Figure 2 opens the switch and closes it when moved to the left.

The switch actuator is moved to the right by lever 243 when the shaft 247 is rotated clockwise (Figure 3) and to the left by the lever 245 when the shaft is rocked counter-clockwise.

A terminal strip 269 is mounted in the switch box for convenience in wiring the switch to the main line. The terminal 279 is connected by wire 281 to one blade 275 of the switch 277 while the other terminal 271 is connected by wire 273 to blade 283 of the other switch 284.

Wires

285 and 287 connect the

other blades

289, 291 of the

switches

277 and 284 to the motor 167.

The switch box is provided with an outlet 293 which is adapted to receive a conduit 295 for the power line not shown.

As shown in Figure l, the switch box is provided With a removable cover 297 which is held in sealing relation on the box by screws 299. Access is thus provided to the interior of the box to facilitate the connecting of the power line to the terminal block.

Operation Assuming that the pump has been connected with a suitable liquid supply either directly to a suction pipe at the boss 5 or to a supporting pipe such as 1 with the suction pipe 23 immersed in the liquid to be pumped, the operator will first reset the register 200 to zero by rotating knob 209 in the proper direction. He will then grasp the nozzle 213 and disengage hook 229 from the boot 225 by tilting the nozzle slightly in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 7) and moving it to the left. When the nozzle is free from the boot he may rotate boot 225 counterclockwise to close the motor switch 265, which closure is effected by the rotation of shaft 227 and arm 245 with the boot.

Stops

249, 257 limit the rotation of the boot to prevent damage to the switch. The boot and switch are held in the position described by the weight of the closed end of the boot.

It should be noted that the removal of the nozzle and the rotation of the boot may be accomplished simultaneously with one hand if desired.

The pump being driven by the motor draws liquid up through the suction pipe, through the check valve 31,

strainer

67, 69 and chamber 53 into the pump 139. The pump then discharges the liquid, under pressure, through chamber 89; pipe 183', connection 185-, meter 187, conduits' 189, 190,; 193 and hose 197 to the nozzle 213. Since" the nozzle valveis usually closed for the period required by the operator .to reach the fuel'tank, the pressure in chamber 89'will reach a maximum so that the by-pass valve will opento preventstalling of the motor. As described above, the discharge pressure will be transmitted to diaphragm 103 by duct 129 and will depress valve 107 against the action of spring 119. This vents chamber 101 to the suction chamber 53 so' that the pressure in chamber 89 may overcome spring 127 and valve 123 will open the by-pass' port and allow liquid to circulate to the suction chamber 53 and'the pump.

When the nozzle valve -is opened, liquid will be discharged to the container andv the'pressure inchamber 89 will drop. Thistpressure being insufficient to overcome spring 119, the pilot valve 107 will be closed. The pressure in chamber 101'wi1l become equal to that in chamber 89 by. the leakage through clearance 107-133. Spring 127 and diaphragm will'now. overcome. the pressure in chamber 89 and close valve 123.

It will be understood that as the nozzle valve is throttled the pressure in .chamber 89 will buildup and'when the bypass pressure. is reached the by-pass valve will reopen a distance suflicient to prevent the motor from stalling.

In the structure shown in the drawings, the liquid is displaced from the tank by air which enters the ports 11 of coupling 3 and passes between the

pipes

1 and 23 to the tank. The incoming air is filtered by the screen 15 and entrance of water, snow, etc., through the ports 11 is prevented by the conical shield 13.

When the dispensing operation is completed, the nozzle is inserted in the boot and hook 229 is engaged with the boot. The weight of the nozzle will rotate the boot, shaft 227 and arm 243 clockwise (Figures 3 and 7) and open switch 265 to stop the pump motor. The rotation of the boot is limited by contact of

stops

251 and 257.

It should be noted that the boot may be manually rotated to the switch-off position and the nozzle may be inserted thereafter.

Further, as shown in Figure 8, the hose is draped down from the outlet connection 193 in a loop, is carried over the cradle 199, thence down in another loop to the nozzle boot. A long hose may thus be used with the apparatus and may be stored out of contact with the ground.

The quantity of liquid dispensed is indicated on the register at the completion of the operation.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the form, structure and arrangement of parts of the specific embodiments of the invention disclosed herein for purposes of illustration, without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, applicant does not desire to be limited to such specific embodiments but desires protection falling fairly within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a power operated by-pass mechanism, the combination of a pump having suction and discharge openings, a manifold having suction and discharge chambers communicating with the corresponding openings, said manifold defining a by-pass port in said discharge chamber which communicates with the suction chamber, a cap mounted on said manifold adjacent said port, a diaphragm mounted between said cap and port and defining with said cap a diaphragm chamber, a by-pass valve mounted on said diaphragm for actuation by said diaphragm to close said port against the pressure in said discharge chamber, yieldable means on said manifold for urging said valve closed, means defining a conduit connecting said suction and diaphragm chambers, a pilot valve mounted on said manifold for movement to open and close said conduit, biasing means for normally urging said pilot valve closed, a fluid motor mounted on said manifold and connected to actuate said pilot valve, means defining a conduit for connecting said motor With said discharge chamber to apply discharge pressure in a direction to open said pilot valve, means defining a conduit for connecting said motor with said suction chambet to apply suction pressure in a direction to close said pilot valve, said motor serving to open and close-said valve in response to the direction of unbalance of the forces exerted by discharge pressure, suction pressure and biasing means, and means including a continuously open restricted passage connecting said diaphragm chamber with the discharge chamber for applying discharge pressure to said diaphragm chamber to hold said by-pass valve closed when said pilot valve is closed and to stabilize the operation of the by-pass valve when the pilot valve is open.

2. The structure defined by claim 1 in which said yieldable means for urging said by-pass valve closed comprises a spring exerting a force on said valve which is sufficient to overcome a discharge chamber pressure capable of producing a substantial delivery but which is less than by-pass pressure.

3. The structure defined by claim 1 wherein said'cap defines a seat and a guide for said pilot valve, said guide and valve defining said restricted passage.

4. The structure defined by claim 1 wherein said fluid motor comprises a second diaphragm, and which includes a gasket disposed between said cap and said manifold, said gasket and diaphragms being integral.

5. The structure defined by claim 1 wherein said cap includes a seat for said pilot valve and said pilot valve comprises a hollow member which communicates at one end with said suction chamber and at the other end with said diaphragm chamber, said hollow member and the passage between said pilot valve and said seat when the valve is open, serving to constitute said conduit defining means,

6. The structure defined by claim 5 wherein said cap defines a guide for said hollow member, and wherein said guide and member cooperate to define said restricted passage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,021,613 Sheppard Nov. 19, 1935 2,160,028 Moore May 30, 1939 2,267,793 Hazard Dec. 30, 1941 2,397,267 Jauch et al. Mar. 26, 1946 2,409,975 Curtis Oct. 22, 1946 2,493,929 Rittenhouse et al. Jan. 10, 1950 2,584,638 Staude Feb, 5, 1952 2,639,725 Albright May 26, 1953 2,745,425 Jensen May 15, 1956