US3003663A - Automatic metering system - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 10, 1961 w. E. STEEN AUTOMATIC METERING SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 26, 1958 INVEN TOR. WILLIAM E. STEEN Attorneys Oct. 10, 1961 w. E. STEEN AUTOMATIC METERING SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 26, 1958 N 0 m7 w 15. fl

"ra w m j Efa U m x W a Q w FIG'JZ.

FIG. 3.

Oct. 10, 1961 w. E. STEEN 7 AUTOMATIC METERING SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 26, 1958 INVHV'TOR. WILLIAM. E. sTEEN FIG. 4.

Attorneys Oct. 10, 1961 w. E. STEEN AUTOMATIC METERING SYSTEM 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 26, 1958 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM E STEEN FIG. Z

Attorneys Oct. 10, 1961 w. E. STEEN 3,003,663

AUTOMATIC METERING SYSTEM Filed June 26, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR. WILLIAM E. STEEN BY 7L 'valve position due to its own bias.

3,003,663 AUTOMATIC METERING SYSTEM William E. Steen, South Pasadena, Calif., asslgnor to A. 0. Smith Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of New York Filed June 26, 1958, Ser. No. 744,808 19 Claims. (Cl. 222-2) This invention relates to anautomatic fluid metering system and particularly to such a metering system which is selectively controlled by authorized personnel through suitable code means to withdraw fluid in the absence of a supervisory attendant.

Normally, in the distribution of petroleum products and the like, the withdrawal from bulk stations or systems is under the control of an attendant. It has been more recently suggested that key or token operated control devices be provided to allow authorized persons to Withdraw fluid from the system, in the absence of a supervisory attendant, by use of coded keys or tokens.

The present invention is particularly directed to a simple and reliable unattended metering system employing coded keys or other suitable means to control the withdrawal of products from a bulk station.

In accordance with the present invention, a code operated lock means is provided to control withdrawal of fluid without the presence of an attendant by those certain parties having control of coded means which are adapted to operate a corresponding lock means. The coded means are adapted to operably release switch means to a motor-pump circuit and to a manuallyoperable and electrically-controlled valve mechanism. The motor-pump circuit must be completed and the valve mechanism separately actuated before fluid can be withdrawn from the system. An interlock between the valve mechanism and the lock means prevents operative actuation of the valve mechanism without prior actuation of the lock.

In another aspect of the invention, the valve operating mechanism is continuously biased to a closed valve position. The interlock allows manual positioning to an open valve position. An electromagnetic control is provided for the interlock and is remotely controlled to deactivate the interlock and allow the valve to assume the closed Consequently, in an emergency the valve may be closed without approaching the delivery station.

The drawings furnished herewith illustrate the best mode presently contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention.

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of an unattended metering station;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the unattended metering station shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a schematic circuit diagram showing the valve and motor-pump control;

FIGURE 4 is an inverted bottom view taken on a horizontal section of a keylock totalizing mechanism;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical section taken on line 55 of FIGURE 4, with parts broken away to more clearly illustrate certain parts of the keylock totalizer;

FIGURE 6 is a vertical section taken on line 6-6 of FIGURE 4, with parts broken away to more clearly show certain parts of the keylock totalizer;

FIGURE 7 is an elevational view of a key for operating a keylock totalizer;

FIGURE 8 is a view in elevation showing the valve actuating mechanism in a non-actuated position;

FIGURE 9 is a view taken on line 9-9 of FIGURE 8;

FIGURE 10 is a simplified elevational view of the valve actuating mechanism with the actuating mecha- U rd S at s Patent 0 nism, in part, moved to an open valve position without opening of the valve;

FIGURE 11 is a view similar to FIGURE 10 with the valve moved to an open position; and

FIGURE 12 is a view taken on line 12-12 of FIG- URE 4.

Referring to the drawings and particularly FIGURES 1. and 2 thereof, the unattended metering station includes a conventional fluid meter 1 shown in elevation in the drawings. An input conduit 2 is connected from the main bulk source of the fluid, not shown, to the meter and an output conduit 3 is connected from the meter 1 to the storage or transporting device, not shown.

A motor-pump unit 4 is connected in the input conduit to drive fluid through the meter 1. An electrically latched and manually operable valve 5 is connected in the output conduit 3 and must be opened before the motor-pump unit 4 can pass fluid through the meter 1 and the conduit 3.

The meter 1 is any conventional device adapted to measure the quantity of fluid passing therethrough, such as oil, gas and other products. For example, a suitable meter is shown in United States Patent No. 2,362,778 which issued to W. E. Steen on November 14, 1944, and which includes a rotor mechanism within a measuring chamber to measure the volume of fluid passing therethrough. A vertical take-0E is provided from the rotor mechanism to a vertically extending shaft 6.

The vertical shaft 6 extends upwardly from within the meter 1 through a protective tubular housing 7. The shaft 6 rotates in synchronism with the meter to provide a mechanical movement which is proportional to the fluid passing through the meter.

The tubular housing 7 is provided at its upper end with a supporting ledge 8 which serves to support a setstop counter 9 and a plurality of key operated totalizers 10 secured thereto in vertically stacked relation.

The set-stop counter 9 is secured between the stacked keylock totalizers 10 and the supporting ledge 8. The

set-stop counter 9 is of any suitable construction, shown generally for purposes of illustration as including a manually operable dialing knob 11 by which the party withdrawing fluid from the system sets up the amount of fluid to be withdrawn in a counting mechanism, not shown. A glass covered opening 12 visually shows the quantity being set in the mechanism. The counting mechanism is interconnected with the shaft 6 and when the shaft 6 is driven by the flowing fluid in meter 1, the counting mechanism is reversely driven toward a zero reading. The counting mechanism is also adapted to open a switch 13, shown schematically in FIGURE 3, to stop the motorpump unit 4 and close the valve 5 when in a zero reading position and thereby establish an accurate shut-off of fluid delivery when the pre-set quantity of fluid has been delivered.

Each of the totalizers 10 is adapted to control a switch 14 in the operating circuit for the valve 5 and a switch 15 in the operating circuit for the motor-pump unit 4. Each totalizer 10 is also adapted to indicate and to visually establish through a glass covered opening 16 the quantity of fluid being withdrawn from the main bulk.

I source.

A conventional cumulative totalizer 17 is secured at the uppermost end of the stack of the keylock totalizers 10 and is interconnected therewith to indicate the total of the fluid withdrawn by individual actuation of the separate keylock totalizers 10.

The solenoid 19 controls valve as subsequently described. A suitable source of power, not shown, is connected to the power lines 18 to operatively energize the motor-pump unit 4 and solenoid 19 whenever'switch 13 is closed by the setting of the set-stop. counter 9 and switches 14 and 15 are closed by actuation of a totalizer 10. The switches 14 and 15 are actuated by a manual operation of any one of the keylock totalizers in the following manner. 7 1

Referring to FIGURES 4-6, each keylock totalizer It) includes a standard key tumbler 20, such as shown in United States Patent 2,777,555 to T. A. Banning, Jr., supported in the forward wall of a totalizer casing or enclosure. Each key tumbler 20 is adapted to receive a key 21 having a predetermined notched surface or edge 22, as shown in FIGURE 7. The key 21 is adapted to move locking pins or the like, ,not shown, within the tumbler 20 to actuate the corresponding totalizer l0 and 'movable sleeve 29.

The sleeve 29 is slidably journaled upon a shaft 32 which is rotatably supported in an embossment 33 in the sidewall of the totalizer casing and an intermediate wall within the casing. A key 34 is integrally formed on the surface of shaft 32 and is disposed within an aligned keyway in the sleeve 29 to interlock the members together such that rotation of the shaft 26 is transmitted .to the sleeve 29. The key 34 is formed adjacent the intermediate wall and the sleeve keyway is open adjacent the wall to allow the sleeve 29 to slide longitudinally on the shaft 32.

A fan-shaped arm or cam 35 is integrally formed with rthersleeve 29 for simultaneous rotation with the shaft 32 and is adapted to be moved into and out of opera- .ti ve engagement with a switch actuating link 36. A locking pin 37 extends inwardly from the inner end of shaft embossment 33. When the sleeve 29 ismoved to the right, the pin 37 extends into an opening '38 in the 'arm 35 and prevents rotation of the arm 35 and shaft 32.

A suitable actuating handle 39 is secured to the outer end of shaft 32, as by a press fit, for selective rotation .of the shaft 32 and sleeve '29 after key-controlled movement of the sleeve 29 disengages the pin 37 from arm 35. 'In the turning of the key 21, the sleeve 29 is moved lto the left in the drawing and pin 37 disengages the arm .35 to allow rotation of shaft 32 and therefore the fanshaped arm 35.

A roller assembly 40 is secured to the outer peripheral margin of the arm 35. When the sleeve 29 is moved to the left by actuation of key 21, the'roller assembly 40 is disposed within a slot in one edge of a cam fol lower 41 which is secured to one end of link 36.

The link 36 is slidably disposed within an arcuate opening 42 in a guide member 43 which is secured to the wall of the totalizer casing. The end of link 36 opposite the follower 41 is pivotally attached to a switch actuator 44 by a connecting member 45. As the cam and attached roller assembly 40 are rotated by movement of shaft 32, the assembly 40 engages the follower 41 and pulls thefollower 41 and attached link 36 toward the shaft '32 to pivot the actuator 44. The arcuate opening 42 in guide member 43 allows the link 36 to rock with the movement of the actuator 44.

The switch actuator 44 is rigidly attached to a pivotal protrusion 48 engaging a switch button 49 which is 4 1 adapted tosimultaneously actuate switches 14' and 15, shown in FIGURE 3. As the switch actuator 44 pivots due to rotation of shaft 22 by pivotal actuation of handle '39, the button 49 rides down and disengages the protrusion 48 and thereby closes the associated contacts of switches 14 and 15, shown in Figure 3.

The shaft 46 is journaled within the walls of the totalizer casing and extends through each of the keylock totalizers 10 with a switch actuating link, not shown, secured thereto. Each link, not shown, is connected to a key controlled link similar to illustrated link 36. Consequently, only one switch button 49 is provided and one switch actuating protrusion 48, as shown. When any other keylock totalizer is actuated, the shaft 46 is rotated and moves the actuator '44 to actuate switches 14 and 15.

The key sliding movement of the sleeve 29 to effect engagement of roller assembly 40 and follower 41 isalso transmitted to a lever arm 50 which is pivotally supported at one end on the switch actuator shaft 46. A pin 51 extends laterally from the opposite end of the lever arm 50 into an annular slot 52 on the sleeve 29 and the lever arm 50 is therefore positioned in accordend and secured within a corresponding opening in the lever 50 by a cotter pin 54 extending through an opening in the bent end of the rod. The opposite end of the rod 53 is journaled within an opening 55 in a deflection plate 56. The extended end of the rod 53 isthreaded as at 57 to receive a pair of hex-nuts 58 of a greater outside diameter than the'opening 55 to prevent the rod 53 from being withdrawn from the plate 56. A movable collar 59 is secured on the rod 53 intermediate the plate 56 and the lever 50 by a setscrew 60 .or the like. A stiff coil spring 61 encircles rod 53 and collar 59 and acts between the plate 56 and a flange 62 on collar 59 to provide a resilient connection between the rod and plate and to a coupling-mechanism hereinafter described. As the rod 53 moves in the direction of the plate 56 under the pivoting movement of lever50, the spring 61 pushes on the plate 56 and resiliently forces it in the direction of the movement of the rod. As the rod53 is retracted to its initial position, the coil spring 61 and hexnuts 58 insure the return of the plate 56 to a normal non-actuated position.

p The plate 56 is generally angle-shaped and has a nonapertured arm 63 rigidly secured as by brazing to one leg 64 of a generally U'shaped rocker arm assembly 65. The rocker leg 64 is secured to a second rocker leg 66 by a plate member 67. A pivot shaft 68 passes through aligned openings in the rocker legs 64 and 66 to pivotally support the assembly 65. The shaft 68 is journaled at extend inwardly toward each other and are disposed within an annular slot 74 formed in the central outer surface of the gear carrier 71. The movementof deflection plate 56 pivots the rocker arm assembly 65 and selectively positions the gear'carrier 7-1 and a plurality of gears on the gear carrier asfollows.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 5 and 6, the gear carrier 71 is slidably journaled upon a hollow shaft 75 which is secured within an enlarged portion of the wall of the totalizer casing. The lower portion of the gear carrier 71,'shown to the right in FIGURES 4 and 5, is cylindrically recessed and a ring member 76 of a dog clutch is secured or directly formed on the inner peripheral surface ofthe recess. The teeth of ring member 76 are adapted to selectively. mesh with corresponding openings in a disc-shaped clutch member 77 which is coupled to an incoming shaft 78 byia collar and pin coupling assembly 79. The adjacentfaces of clutch members76 and are generally smooth, unobstructed plane surfaces to allow sliding engagement under the action of spring 61 until the respective teeth and recesses of the members are in registration. The shaft 78 is coupled to the drive shaft 6 in a manner not shown and the shaft 6 extends upwardly from meter 1 to drive the gear carrier 71 through shaft 78 in synchronism with the meter shaft 6 when members 76 and 77 are in engagement. 7

The clutch member 77 is rigidly secured to a shaft .80 which extends through and is journalled within the hollow shaft 75. V

flhe opposite or upper end of shaft 80 extends outwardly of the upper wall 81 of the totalizer casing and is coupled to a similar shaft 82 for the next succeeding keylock totalizer 10 by a collar and pin coupling assembly 83, similar to assembly 79, as shown in FIG. 5. Each keylock totalizer 10 is consequently driven in synchronism with the metershaft 6.

1 Referring particularly to FIGURES 4 and 6, a large drive gear 84 is secured to one end of the gear carrier 71 and engages a driven gear 85 having a substantial axial depth to maintain engagement between gears 84 and 85 regardless of the position of the gear carrier 71. The gear 85 is carried on a common shaft 86 with a worm 87 which engages and drives a worm gear 88.

Gear 88 in turn drives a gear train, shown as comprising three gears 89, 90 and 91, having the final gear 91 rotating a plurality of counter wheels 92, as shown in FIGURE 4. a

The counter wheels 92 are of any conventional variety adapted to show the quantity of fluid being withdrawn through the window 16 in the casing 20. Thus, the illustrated counter wheels are adapted to show the withdrawal in the decimalsystem and includes six significant places, the first or right handmost of which is normally a tenths figure. I g

The clutch and gear mechanism coupling the shaft 6 to the counter wheels '92 constitutes a registering mechanism driven by the rotor mechanism of the meter 1 and is in effect a rotor revolution counter. The registering mechanism is calibrated in any desired volumetric units or the like and in consonance with the volume of fluid represented by the amount passed through the measuring chamber per rotor revolution of meter 1.

The keylock totalizers 10 are mechanically interlocked with the valve such that unauthorized persons cannot withdraw fluid from the system by tampering with the motor-pump unit 4.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, the keylock totalizers are mechanically interlocked with the main valve 5 through a mechanical linkage as well as electrically interlocked through the action of switch 15, as hereinafter described.

The connecting mechanical linkage includes a manually operable lever 93 pivotally attached between a bifurcated outerend 94 of a bracket 95 which is secured to the ,supporting ledge 8.

A vertical member 96 is pivotally connected at the upper end to a horizontal car 97 of the lever 93 and at the .lower end to one arm 98 of a V-shaped crank. The crank is pivotally connected at 99 to the horizontal leg 100 of an L-shaped support bracket 101 which is secured ,to the housing 7 as by a U-shaped bolt and nut assembly .102. A link 103 is connected to the other arm 104 of r the V-shaped crank and to the input lever arm 105 of a valve actuating mechanism 106. When lever 93 is pivoted, the linkage assembly moves to pivot the lever arm 105 and thereby actuate the valve mechanism 106 which is secured to the housing of valve 5.

Referring to FIGURES 8 and 9, the actuating mechi anism 106 for valve 5 is shown. The input lever am 105 is clamped to an input shaft 107 which is iournaled :in the wall of the housing for mechanism 106 and has .a crank member 108 clamped thereto. The crank memzber 108 is secured by a generally c-shaped link connector 109. to one end of free-flbating link 110 which is prm vided with a central protrusion 111 journaledon a valve operating shaft '112 to' rotatably support the link. 'A pair of links 113 and 114 are series'connected as at 115 in a collapsible arrangement to the link 110' and to a shaft operating lever 116 which is rigidly secured or clamped to the valve shaft 112.

The link 113 is somewhat shorter than the link 114 and extends from link 110. The'link 114 is generally C-shaped and is secured to the outer end of link 113 and extends around and generally back over the 113 to the operating lever 116. The links 113 and'114 are arranged such that the pivot attachment of. link 113 to link 110 never passes a line extended between the pivot connections of link 114 to link 113 and to lever 116.

Referring to FIGURE 10, the lever arm is shown in an actuated position. The crank member 108 and C-shaped link connector 109 are moved thereby to rotate the free-floating link 110. The 113 simultaneously pivots about the connection to link and the C-shaped link 114. The C-shaped link 114 pivots slightly about the connection to the lever 116 to allow movement of the 113. However, no'movement is transmitted to the lever 116 or, therefore, to the valve shaft 112. Thus, movement of the input lever arm 105 merely pivots link 114 without transmittingthe movement'to the lever 116. r

To efiect operative movement of lever 116'and consequently the valve shaft 112, 'the common pivot connection is supported against translation relativeto the outer pivot connections of links 113 and 114. As a. result, movement of link 113 is "transmitted by theflink 114 to lever 116 to move shaft 112 to avalve opening position, as follows.

A t-ripper plate 117 is selectivelyi'noved beneath .the translatable linkage connection 115 and isa'd apte'd to support the linkage and effect movement of shaft 112 in response to movement of lever arm 105.

The tripper plate 117 is a generally T-shaped member with the upper portion provided with a pair of spaced and slotted support protrusions 11S and 119 which pivotally support the plate upon a shaft 120 'A channelshapel bracket 121 is securedvto the casing and the shaft 120 in support between the arms of the bracket."

The depending leg 122 of the plate 117 is bifurcated as at 123 and secured to the end of an armature 124 of the solenoid 19 by a pin 125 which extends'laterally through aligned openings in th'depending leg 1 22'and a vertical slot 126 in the armature 124. Y 'i A spring 127 is secured at one end to the depending leg 122 of plate 117, intermediate the shaft 120 and"the pin 125, by a cotter pin 128 and at the opposite end to a stationary bracket 129 by a cotter pin 130. The spring 127 normally holds the tripper plate 117 upon the pivot shaft 120 and, as subsequently described, allows limited displacement of tripper plate 117 withrespect to the shaft 120 in the event of abnormal operation of the solenoid 19 and valve mechanism 106.

The cross member of plate 117 includes an upper convex surface 131 which is adapted to support a roller 132 secured to junction 115 of links 113 and 114 when the surface 131 is disposed beneath the roller. When the plate 117 is moved to dispose the cam surface .131 beneath the roller 132, the link 114 rides on the convex surface 131 and rotates the lever 116 and the attached valve shaft 112.

The supporting cam surface 131 prevents the necessary downward translation of the pivot connection 115 to establish thetranslatory and pivotal movement of links 113 and 114, as shown in FIGURE 10. Therefore, link 113 cannot pivot about the connection 115. The link 113 then pushes on the link 114 to rotate the link 114 about the shaft 112 and thereby simultaneously rotate the lever 116 and attached shaft 112 to the position shown in FIG, 11. v 1 1 Referring to FIGURE 9, the solenoid 19 is mounted on the valve casing with the armature 123 extending through the wall of the valve casing. When the, solenoid 19is energized, the armature 123 retracts and pivots the plate 117 about the supporting shaft 120 to dispose the cam surface 131 beneath the roller 132, as shown in phantom, in FIGURE 9.

Referring to FIGURE 3, the totalizer contacts 14 and solenoid 19 are connected across power lines 18 in series with a normally closed manually operated switch 133 physically located remotely from the meter 1. In the event of an emergency, the switch 133 may be opened to remove the supporting surface 131 from beneath roller 132. The linkage 113 and 114. then collapses and the valve is closed without approaching the metering station.

The operation of the illustrated keylock totalizer is described as follows. 7

When a'party wishes to withdraw fluid from the sysitem, the set-stop counter 9 is manually set by movement of knob 11 to the amount of fluid to be withdrawn and a key 21 is inserted in the corresponding keylock totalizer 10. The key is turned and the sleeve 29 moves to the left as shown in FIGURE 4, withdrawing the locking pin 37 from opening 38. V

In moving to the left the sleeve 29 pivots lever 50 about the shaft 46. Themovement of arm 50 is transmitted to the gear carriage arm 64 and 66 through the plate 56 which is moved by the link rod 53. The gear carrier 71 then slides on shaft 75 and effects engagement between the clutch members 76 and 77 such that the gear'carrier 71 moves in synchronism with the meter shaft '6 as fluid flows through the meter 1.

If the clutch members 76 and 77 are not in register, thefaceof member 76 is held in touching relation to the face of member 77 by the spring 61 and the member 77 rotates until the members 76 and 77 do register. The spring 61 then forces member 76 to mesh with member 77 md couple shaft78 to gear carrier 71.

Rotation of the gear carrier 71 is trammitterl to the counting wheels 92 through the gear mechanism previous ly described.

When the operator turns handle 39 to rotate shaft 32 and the attached cam member 35, the roller assembly 40 :carried by the cam 35 engages the bracket 41 and there "by moves the link 36. The link 36 pivots the switch actuating member 44 which discngages the switch actuating protrusion 48 from switch button 49 to allow inward movement of switch button 49 into the casing. In moving inwardly, the switch button 49 actuates the associated contacts 14 and and moves them to a closed circuit position.

The movement of cam member 35 by turning'of handle 39 also moves the slot 38 out of alignment with pin 37. The key 21 can not .be returned to the 011 position because of this disalignment. Consequently, the key 21 can 'notbe'removed unless the handle 39 is returned to its 011 position to realign pin 37 and slot 38 and also locate the switch button 49 to open the associated contacts 14 and 15.

When contacts 15 close, the circuit through the motor tacts .15, the contacts 14 close and complete the circuit to the solenoid 19. The armature 123 of the solenoid is moved from left to right as shown in FIGURE 9' and pivots tripper plate 117 about the shaft 120.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 9 and 11, the tripper plate 117 moves its cam surface 131 beneath the cam roller 132. The operator now actuates the lever 93 and in so .doing actuates the valve mechanism. The collapsible links 113 and 114 are supported by the cam surface 131 and effect rotation of the lever 116 to move the valve shaft 112 and open the valve 5. Fluid then flows through the meter 1 and through the discharge outlet 3.

' As the fluid flows through the meter, it drives the shaft 6 at a rate which is proportional to the amount of fluid flowing through the meter 1. The shaft 6 is coupled to the counting wheels 92 through the gear carrier 71 and also to the set-stop counter 9.

The set-stop counter 9, which was originally set to the desired quantity of fluid to be withdrawn, is driven in a reverse direction and when the set-stop counter reaches a zero setting, it automatically opens the contacts 13, in a manner not shown, which stops the motor-pump unit '4 and closes valve 5 thereby accurately discontinuing discharge of fluid.

At the same time the amount of fluid withdrawn is set up on the counting wheels 92. The amount of fluid withdrawn is also recorded in the totalizing recorder 17 which may also print a ticket disclosing the amount of fluid withdrawn.

After the motor-pump unit 4 is de-energized, the handle 39 is turned to the olf position and the key 21 is turned to a normal position and withdrawn, The turning of key 21 to the original position engages locking slot 38 and locking pin'37 and disengages coupling members '76 and 77.

As the handle 39 is turned to the'off position, the contacts 15 open and prevent energization of the motor-pump unit 4- until another key is inserted into a corresponding keylock totalizer 10 and handle 39 moved to the on positron.

When the solenoid 19 is tie-energized, the associated armature 123 is returned to the original position by a suitable spring or the like, not shown. The tripper plate 117 pivots about shaft 120 and the support surface 131 is removed from the roller 132.

The valve 5 which is normally biased to a closed position then actuates the shaft 112 and the arm 1.16 to close the valve. This is possible because the linkage 113 and 114 are now unsupported and allows individual movement of the lever arm and the valve actuating lever 116 independently of each other to the position shown in FIG. 10.

A helical spring 134 is secured at one end to a relative stationary member such as the end of shaft and at the opposite end to a lug 135 which is secured to the central portion of link 169'. The spring 134 biases the 50 f control arm and the interconnecting linkage of valve Consequently, when the solenoid 19 is tie-energized, and

mechanism 106 to the normal position shown in FIG. 8.

the linkage 113 and 114 collapses to the position of FIG. l0 to rapidly close valve 5, the spring 134 returns the linkage and lever arm 10-5 to the position of FIG. 8.

The force of spring 134 is insuflicient to move the linkage mechanism and the valve 5 with the tripper plate 117 in the supporting position shown in FIG. 11. Therefore, the valve 5 is held open as long as the tripper plate 117 is maintained the supporting position.

Referring to FIG. 10, the linkage of the valve mechanism 136 is shown in the position assumed if lever 105 is actuated with the tripper plate 117 in a nonactuated position. This also corresponds to the position immediately following automatic shutoff of a predetermined delivery, as previously described.

If the solenoid 19 is energized with the linkage in the position of FIG. 19, the tripper plate 117, in pivoting ab-out shaft 129, strikes the roller 132.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 8 and 9, after the tripper plate 117 engages the roller 132, the continued movement of the armature 123 pivots the tripper plate 117 about the upper end against the action of spring 127 which expands. The slots in the support protrusions 118 75 and 119 permit the plate 117 to move linearly with respect to the shaft 120' and thus to pivot. about the roller 132. Consequently, the solenoid armature 123 is per-- mitted to complete its movement with a minimum strain on the plate 117 and valve linkage.

If for any reason an emergency should arise which requires closing of the valves and in which an operator does not have time to manually effect the desired closing, the switch 133, shown in FIGURE 3, may be opened to immediately de-energize solenoid 19 and close the valve 5.

The present invention provides a coded means for preventing unauthorized withdrawal of fluids from a metering system and also provides for a simple, reliable safety apparatus in the case of unforeseen occurrences.

Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.

I claim:

1. A key operated control mechanism for a fluid dispensing system having a fluid meter and electrical means for operating a pump and a manually operated valve to control fluid flow, which comprises circuit means for said electrical means, electrically controlled interlocking means for controlling manual operation of said valve, switch means adapted to simultaneously control said cir cuit means and said electrically controlled interlocking means, key operated means adapted to actuate said switch means, counting means to register fluid flow in said dispensing system, normally disengaged coupling means connecting said counting means to said fluid meter, and means operably connected to said key operated means and said coupling means to establish engagement of the coupling means incident to movement of said key operated means to a switch actuated position.

2. A key operated control mechanism for a fluid dispens ng system having a fluid meter and an electrical means for operating a pump and a manually operated valve, circuit means for said electrical means, an electrically controlled interlocking means for preventing manual operation of said valve, switch means adapted to simultaneously control said circuit means and said electrically controlled interlocking means, a switch actuator for said switch means, key operated means adapted to engage and operate said switch actuator, counting means, a ring clutch member, a disc clutch member aligned with said ring clutch member for relative axial movement into and out of operative engagement with said ring clutch member, means to connect the clutch members one each to the counting means and to the fluid meter, a sliding gear carriage for one of said clutch members, a lever means connected to position said sliding gear carriage and biased to a position holding said clutch members disengaged, and means connected to said lever and to said key operated means and moved by key actuation to position the carriage to a position holding said clutch members engaged.

3. A key operated control mechanism for a fluid dispensing system having a fluid meter and having a motor for driving a pump and a manually operated valve to control fluid flow, which comprises first circuit means for said motor, second circuit means for said valve, switch means adapted to simultaneously make and break said first and second circuit means, a switch actuator, key operated means adapted to engage said switch actuator and move the same in response to actuation, counting means adapted to register fluid flow, a ring clutch member having clutch teeth, a disc clutch member aligned with said ring clutch member for relative movement into and out of said ring clutch member and having clutch openings adapted to register with the clutch teeth of said ring clutch member, means to connect the clutch members one each to the counting means and the fluid meter,

1-0 bers disengaged, and resilient means connected to saidlever and to said key operated means to bias said clutch members into engagement incident to coded key actua tion.

4. A key operated control mechanism for controllinga fluid dispensing system having a fluid meter and a motor driven pump and a manually operated and electrically controlled valve, which comprises first circuit means for said motor, second circuit means for said valve, switch means adapted to simultaneously make and break said first and second circuit means, a switch actuator, key operated means adapted to engage said switch actuator and move the same, counting means adapted to register the fluid flow through said system, a ring clutch member having clutch teeth, a disc clutch member aligned with said ring clutch member for relative movement into and out of said ring clutch member and having clutch teeth adapted to mesh with the clutch teeth of said ring clutch member, means to connect the clutch members. one each to the counting means and to the fluid meter, a sliding gear carriage for one of said clutch members, a.

rocker arm assembly coupled to said gear carriage and.

biased to hold said clutch members disengaged, a lever arm on said assembly, a lever pivotally supported int spaced relation to said lever arm and operably connected to the key operated means for selective positioning of the lever, and a resilient means interconnecting said lever and said lever arm to resiliently bias the lever arm in accordance with the position of said lever and to pivot the rocker arm assembly to engage said clutch members incident to actuation of said key operated means.

5. A key operated control mechanism for controlling a fluid dispensing system having a fluid meter and a motor driven pump and a manually operated and electrically controlled valve, which comprises first circuit means for said motor, second circuit means for said valve, switch means adapted to simultaneously make and break said first and second circuit means, a switch actuator, key operated means adapted to engage said switch actuator and move the same, counting means adapted toregister the fluid flow through said system, a ring clutch member having clutch teeth, a disc clutch member aligned. with said ring clutch member for relative movement into and out of said ring clutch member and having ChltChi teeth adapted to mesh with the clutch teeth of said ring: clutch member, means to connect the clutch members one each to the counting means and to the fluid meter, a sliding gear carriage for one of said clutch members,. said carriage being generally tubularly shaped and having an annular groove, a shaft with said carriage slidably journalled thereon, a rocker arm assembly including a pair of spaced aligned arms terminating adjacent diametrically opposite points of said annular groove, pivot pins secured to said arms and extended into said groove to slidably support the carriage for selective clutching and declutching of said clutch members, a lever arm on said rocker arm assembly, a lever pivotally sup-- ported in spaced realtion to said lever arm and operably' connected to the key operated means for selective posi-- tioning of the lever, and a resilient means interconnecting said lever and said lever arm to resiliently bias the: lever arm in accordance with the position of said lever and to pivot the rocker arm assembly to engage said clutch members incident to actuation of said key operated means.

6. A self-service fluid dispensing and metering apparatus having a motor-pump unit adapted to impel a fluid through a conduit means and a manually controlled valve holding said control means inoperable and responsive to,

subsets a predetermined coded actuation to release said control means. V

7. A fluid dispenser controlled by coded token means and having separately operable fluid pump means and a valve means, which comprises electrically controlled means for actuating said fluid pump means, manually operable means to actuate said valve means, electrically controlled disenabling means adapted to operatively disconnect said last named means from said valve means, circuit means for said electrically controlled means and said electrically controlled disenabling means, manually operable means to complete said circuit means, and means normally holding said last named means inoperable and responsive to predetermined receipt of said coded token means to release said last named means to allow completion of the circuit means. v

8. An actuating apparatus for a valve disposed in a transporting means for a fluid material, said apparatus being adapted to be electrically interlocked with a prime mover for said material, which comprises a manual con trol for said valve, a mechanical linkage operably connecting said control and said valve and including a collapsible linkage to normally prevent movement of said valve, a movable support adapted to be moved into supporting engagement with said collapsible linkage to prevent collapse thereof and to transmit movement of the manual control to the valve, and an electrical control circuit to simultaneously control said prime mover and said movable'support.

9. A token controlled fluid dispenser having separate- 1y operable fluid pump means and a valve means, which comprises electrically controlled means for actuating said fluid pump means, manually operable means to actuate said valve means including a pair of collapsible links, cam means adapted to be disposed beneath said collapsible links to support the links against collapse and prevent relative movement therebetween, electromagnetic means operably associated with the cam means, circuit means for said electrically controlled means and said electromagnetic means, manually operable switch means in said circuit means to selectively complete said circuit means, and means operable by predetermined token means normally holding said switch means inoperable and responsive to receipt of said token means to release said last named means.

10. An actuating apparatus for a valve mechanism in a fluid transporting means and adapted to be electrically interlocked with a prime mover for said fluid, which comprises a manual control for said mechanism, a mechanical linkage operably connecting said control and said valve mechanism and intermediately including at least a one pair of collapsible links having a common pivotal connection adapted to freely move and establish pivotal movement of the collapsible links without transmitting movement to the succeeding linkage to prevent movement of the valve, a movable support having an arcuate surface adapted to be moved beneath said common pivotal connection of the collapsible links to prevent the free movement of said common connection and restrict the movement in a path to transmit movement of the manual control to the valve mechanism, and an electrical control circuit to simultaneously control said prime mover and said movable support.

11. A self-service fluid dispensing and metering apparatus having a motor-pump unit adapted to impel a fluid through a conduit means and a valve disposed in said conduit means normally preventing fluid passage and having a manual valve control, which comprises a collapsible linkage between said valve and said manual control, support means adapted to engage said linkage and prevent collapse thereof to allow operative actuation of the valve, electrical control means adapted to actuate said motor-pump unit to move the fluid and to actuate said support means to engage said linkage and release said "valve for manual operation, and coded means holdo 12 ing said electrical control means inoperable and being responsive to a predetermined coded actuation to release said electrical control means.

12; A self-service fluid dispensing and metering apparatus having a motor-pump unit adapted to impel a fluid through a conduit means and a manually operable valve in said conduit means biased to a closed position to normally prevent fluid passage, which comprises disenabling means biased to prevent manual opening of the valve, interlock means adapted to operate said disenabling means and allow manual opening of said valve, said valve being biased to an open position after initial manual opening thereof, and remote control means for said interlock means to release said interlock means and return said valve to closed position independently of the manual control thereofl 13. An unattended fluid dispensing system, which comprises a plurality of stacked control units each including coded lock means, switch means adapted to control dispensing of fluid from the system, a switch actuator for said switch means in each of said control units, and coupling means rigidly connected to said switch actuator and each coded lock means and extending into each of said control units and moved in response to coded actuation of the coded lock means in any control unit to actuate said switch.

14. An unattended fluid dispensing system, a plurality of vertically stacked releasably locked control units, switch means mounted on one of said control units and having a movable contact extending into the unit, a vertical shaft means journaled in all of said control units, a switch actuator secured to the shaft in actuating position adjacent said movable contact, and code controlled lock means in each of said units to selectively position'said shaft to selectively operably engage and disengage said switch actuator and said movable contact.

15. A valve mechanism comprising a pivotal shaft biased to a predetermined position, a control lever secured to the output shaft to move the shaft from said predetermined position, a crank pivotally supported adjacent the shaft and extending laterally of said shaft, a first link pivotally secured to the crank and extending laterally acutely therefrom, a second link pivotally secured to the outer end of said first link and to an outer portion of the control lever with the centerline through the pivotal connections of said second link angularly spaced from the center line through thepivotal connections of said first link, means to pivot said crank in a direction which tends to increase the angular spacing between the centerlines of said first and second links, and support means selectively positionable beneath the common pivotal connection of said first and second links and adapted to prevent relative movement between said first and second links.

16. A valve mechanism comprising a pivotal shaft, a control lever rigidly secured to the shaft to position the shaft, a link member journalled for free pivotal movement about the shaft, means to pivot the member, a pair of series connected control links having a common pivotal connection and arranged in generally super-imposed relation, said series connected links being pivotally connected at opposite ends to the link member and to the control lever, the common pivotal connection translating relative to the pivotal connections to said shaft and said link member to allow pivotal movement of the control link connected to the control lever incident to movement of the link member in a direction to open the control links, and an arcuate support surface adapted to be selectively disposed immediately beneath said common pivotal connection with the control links in a closed position, said support preventing the translation of tie common pivotal connection and thereby pivoting said control link connected to the control lever about the axis of the shaft and pivoting the attached lever and shaft.

17. A valve control mechanism comprising a rotatable input shaft selectively positionable, a rotatable output shaft biased to a predetermined position, a plurality of series-connected link members secured at opposite ends to the input shaft and the output shaft and including at least one pair of adjacent control link members supported in relatively superimposed relation, said pair of adjacent link members having a common pivotal connection and an outer pivotal connection to difierent link members having predetermined confined pivoting paths, one of said last-named link members being biased to a first position and the other of said last-named link member being freely positionable in response to movement of said input shaft whereby said control link members pivot with respect to each other about the respective outer connections and said common pivotal connection translates in accordance therewith whereby actuation of the input shaft is inoperative to move the output shaft, and support means selectively positionable with respect to said common pivotal connection to prevent the relative pivotal movement of the control link members and to thereby transmit movement of said input shaft to said output shaft.

18. A token controlled fluid dispenser having separately operable fluid pump means and a valve means, which comprises electrically controlled means for actuating said fluid pump means, manually operable means connected to said valve means and including a pair of collapsible links movable relative to each other to prevent actuation of the valve means, cam means adapted to be disposed in the path of said collapsible links to support the links against relative movement and allow actuation of the valve means, a prime mover, a resilient coupling operably connecting said prime mover and said cam means to selectively position said cam means and to prevent application of the full force of the prime mover to said collapsible links incident to actuation of the prime mover with said collapsible links moved relative to each other, and means operable by predetermined token means normally holding said prime mover inoperable and responsive to receipt of said token means to release said prime mover.

19. An actuating apparatus for a valve mechanism connected in a fluid transporting means and adapted to be electrically interlocked with a prime mover for said fluid, which comprises a manual control for said mechanism, a mechanical linkage operably connecting said control and said valve mechanism and intermediately including at least one pair of collapsible links having a common pivotal connection adapted to translate relative the opposite connections of the links and establish pivotal movement of the collapsible links without transmitting movement to the succeeding linkage to prevent movement of the valve, a casing for said linkage, a support member, a cooperating shaft means and slotted bearing means connecting said support member to said casing to pivotally support the support member, said support member having a supporting surface adapted to be positioned beneath the location of the common pivotal connection corresponding to the non-actuated position of said manual control, said support member preventing the translation of said common connection with respect to the opposite connections of the links and restricting movement in a path to transmit movement of the manual control to the valve mechanism, power means adapted to selectively position said movable support, and a resilient biasing means holding said cooperating shaft means and slotted bearing means in a normal position and permitting relative translatory movement therebetween incident to actuation of the power means with said common connection disposed in the path of said movable support member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,890,078 Enochs et a1. Dec. 6, 1932 1,915,493 Hotchkiss June 27, 1933 1,948,984 Granberg Feb. 27, 1934 2,087,665 Green July 20, 1937 2,272,460 Green Feb. 10, 1942 2,320,033 Davis May 25, 1943 2,362,778 Steen Nov. 14, 1944 2,384,585 Alexander Sept. 11, 1945 2,577,115 Eichner Dec. 4, 1951 2,777,555 Banning Ian. 17, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 468,245 Germany Nov. 10, 1928 STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, 3,003,663 October 10 1961 William E. Steen It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 12, line 30, after "the" insert same Signed and sealed this 17th day of April 1962.,

(SEAL) Attest:

ESTON e. JOHNSON DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

Images