US3027746A - Flow control device - Google Patents

Description

April 3, 1962 J. R. KAPPEL 3,027,746

FLOW CONTROL. DEVICE Filed Nov. 16, 1959 @www A 7' TOR/VE V5 3,027,746 FLDW CONTROL DEVICE Joseph R. Kappel, Fairfax, Calif., assigner to Kappel Corporation, San Raiael, Caiif., a corporation of California Filed Nov. 16, 1959, Ser. No. 353,291 11 Claims. (Cl. 70-267) The present invention relates to devices for controlling the volume ilow of fluid per unit of time at a given pressure 'and is particularly directed to a device of this class for time control or delay applications.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for producing a time delay which is determined by the time required for a predetermined volume of air or other uid at a given pressure to pass through the device.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class described of subminiature size.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a rugged time delay device which is extremely stable 4and accurate in its operation.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of an extremely simple yet precision time delay device which may be readily manufactured without cornplicated precision machinery on a mass production basis at a comparatively low cost.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device of the class described which is readily adapted to time controlled latching, switching, and a wide variety of other time controlled triggering applications.

An even further object of my invention is the provision of a device of the class described as arranged to eect a time delayed opening of a container such as a cigarette case.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of the preferred form of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the specification. It is to be understood, however, that variations in the showing made by the said drawings and description may be adopted within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

FIGURE l is an elevational sectional view of one embodiment of the time controlled ow device of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken at line 2-2 of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is an elevational sectional view of another embodiment of the time controlled dow device.

FIGURE 4 is an elevational sectional view of still another modification of the time controlled flow device as embodied in a timer mechanism.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a cigarette case having a time operated latch controlled by a timer mechanism in accordance with the present invention.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken 'at line 6-6 of FIGURE 5 illustrating the latching mechanism in locked condition.

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6, but with t the latching mechanism in open condition.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGURES 1 to 4 in particular, the time controlled flow device of the present invention is seen to generally comprise a hollow container 11, e.g., a length of tubing, having an inlet 12 and youtlet 13 for the passage of air or other fluid therethrough. Within the container between the inlet and outlet thereof there is disposed a core 14 of porous material. The porous material may be of any suitable variety having interstices between its constituents and as herein employed is to be taken as including in addition arent:

invention is depicted in FIGURE 3.

to powdered or granulated materials such as talc, powdered or granulated ceramic and the like, natural or synthetic tibrous material such as cotton, kapok, etc. In addition, the core material is preferably non-hydrous. The core 1.4 is permanently retained within the container by sealing means 16 which restrict expansion of the core material from a ixed state of compression such that a fixed value of porosity is maintained. The degree of compression of the core material as well as the thickness of the core in the direction of flow determines its porosity, and therefore a fixed value of resistance to the flow of air or other liuid between the inlet l2 and outlet 13 of container 11. Such flow resistance of the core in turn controls the volume of air or other fluid which will tiow through the container 11 per given time interval at a given pressure. It is particularly important to note that the flow resistance of the compressed porous core material is held to extremely small tolerances inasmuch as temperature, shock, and other environmental conditions have a negligible effect thereon. Consequently, the volume ow of air or other fluid through the device alfords an extremely accurate parameter which can be used in conjunction with bellows, diaphragms, pistons, and the like in a manner which is subsequently detailed herein for a variety of delay or other time control applications.

Considering the tlow control `device of the present invention in particular detail as to structure, it is to be noted that a variety of configurations are possible, all of which may be readily made in miniature or sub-miniature sizes. The container 1I may be provided as a uniform diameter thin-walled tube 17 of brass or the .like as depicted in FIGURES 1 and 2. The tube may be, for example of 9/16" diameter and /f," length. The interior of the tube 17 is preferably knurled, corrugated or tapped as shown generally at 18 to coact with apertured end plugs i9 and 2i in providing the sealing means I6 for retention of the material of the core 14 in a xed state of compression.

More specifically the end plugs 19 and 21 are best formed of soft metal such as lead. The end plugs may then be compressed simultaneously with the core I4 into the tube and be permanently ahxed by engagement with the tapped surface i8 in positions commensurate with the desired degree of compression of the core material. The apertures 22 and 23 in plugs 19 and 21 respectively constitute the inlet 12 and outlet 13 to the device. It vwill be appreciated that the ow control device described above may be readily mass produced to possess a wide range or" precise time rate of iiow parameters with nonprecision equipment or methods. The lower end plug 21 may be, for example, inserted into the tube 1S and supported upon a die holder. The core material is then inserted into the top of the tube together with the upper plug I9. A press die may then be applied to the plug i9 with a pressure for compressing the material of core 14 to an extent commensurate with the desired flow rate through the end device. The plugs `19 and 21 by virtue of tapped bore surface 18 will assume iixed positions in the tube 17 corresponding to the applied pressure peak and therefore at the desired compression of the core material.

Modified structure for the tiow control device of the As illustrated therein, the container 11 is provided as a tube 24 having a reduced end section 26 to facilitate one end seal for the porous core 14 as Well as ready plug in of the device into auxiliary equipment. The other end seal for retention of the material of core 14 in a fixed state of compression is provided in the present embodiment by an apertured nut 27 in threadable engagement with tapped threads 28 at the enlarged end of the tube. The nut 27 facilitates adjustment of the degree of compression of the core material and therefore the flow rate parameter of the device. By tightening the nut the ow rate is decreased Whereas the ilow rate is increased by loosening the nut.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, an even further embodiment of the flow control device is seen to include a uniform diameter tube 29 having an externally threaded flange 3l at one end to facilitate screw-in attachment to auxiliary equipment. in this embodiment the sealing means for the core I4 comprises an apertured plate or screen 32 secured within the flanged end of tube 29 and a solid sealing plug 33 secured within the opposite end of the tube. Outlet is provided by the screen 32 whereas inlet is provided by a plurality of longitudinally spaced apertures 34 through the wall of tube Z9. The apertures 34 are preferably covered, however, by a strip of perforable tape 36 or the like such that the flow rate of air or other lluid through the device may be adjusted as desired by punching through selected ones of the apertures. More particularly, the flow rate varies with the thickness of the porous core 14 through which the airA flows, hence with the longitudinal distance between the inlet and outlet of the tube. Consequently, the apertures 34 at Varied longitudinal distances from screen 32 may be punched through to produce correspondingly varied flow rates.

The above described flow control device structure of FIGURE 4, by way of example only, is embodied in a particular type of timer mechanism 37. As employed therein, the ow control device regulates the flow of air at atmospheric pressure to a bellows 3S having provision for exhaustion to a substantially fixed low pressure commensurate with complete collapse of the bellows. By means of the ilow control device, a precise time interval is required for a predetermined volume of air to flow into the bellows commensurate with expansion thereof to a predetermined length. Upon expansion to such length, the end of the bellows contacts a suitable correspondingly located triggering mechanism (not shown) for actuating an electrical circuit, latch, or other mechanism, after the time interval effected by the ilow control device.

As regards more specifically the timer mechanism 37, the bellows 3S thereof is preferably mounted in upright position upon a at base 39. A vertical passage 41 is provided centrally of the base in communication with the interior of the bellows. Interior-ly of the base the passage 41 communicates with an inlet passage 42 extending longitudinally inward to the passage 41 from one end of the base. In addition, passage 41 communicates with an outlet passage 43 which extends longitudinally towards the opposite end of the base to terminate at the top surface thereof adjacent the bellows. The end of inlet passage 42 is preferably tapped as shown generally at 44 to receive the threaded flange 31 of tube 29 of the last described embodiment of the flow control device. However, it will be appreciated that the inlet passage may be otherwise adapted to receive the other embodiments of the flow control device described herein.

In order that the outlet passage 43 may be selectively opened to permit exhaustion of bellows 38 during collapse thereofl and closed during controlled passage of air to the bellows through the flow control device, a suitable valve means 45 is provided in the outlet passage. The valve means may be of any suitable check valve configuration. However, a valve which has proven particularly advantageous in practice comprises a drop of heavy viscous oil 46 covering the opening of outlet passage 43 in the upper surface of base 39, a sheet of thin film 47 such as cellophane disposed on the base surface and overlying the drop of oil, and a resilient sheet 48 of sponge rubber or the like covering the film 47 and clamped to the base as by means of a clamp 49. Hence upon depressing the bellows 38, the pressure of the air therein as transmitted to the film 47 and resilient sheet '48 urges these elements from the base surface, thus opening outlet passage 43 and permitting escape of the air from the bellows. When the bellows is in fully collapsed exhausted condition, there is no longer suicient pressure applied to the valve elements to raise same from the base. At this time the lm and drop of oil form an air tight seal at the opening of passage 43, thus closing same. Thereafter, air enters the bellows through the flow control device of the present invention disposed in inlet passage 42 at a precise ilow rate determined by the compression and thickness of the porous mass 14- of the device as detailed hereinbefore. As the air flows into the bellows at this precisely controlled rate, the bellows expands upwardly at a proportionate rate. Finally, after a time interval precisely determined by the air llow rate, a volume of air is contained within the bellows cornmensurate with an expanded length thereof at which a suitable triggering mechanism correspondingly spaced from the base is contacted for actuation.

inasmuch as the timing mechanism 3'7 described hereinbefore can be readily made extremely small, the mechanism may be advantageously utilized for miniature or subminiature applications wherein space is severely limited. By way of example, one such application is in connection with a time delayed opening latch for a small container such as a cigarette case. In FIGURES 5, 6, and 7 such a latch embodying the timing mechanism 37 is shown incorporated in a cigarette case which may be opened only after predetermined time intervals such that an individuals smoking habit is correspondingly Curbed. As illustrated in the drawings, a cigarette case 51 is provided which includes a hollow generally rectangular boxlike body 52 open at the top as shown at 53 and at one end as shown at 54. Spaced inwardly from the open end 54 there is secured between the side walls of the body a partitioning wall 56 which divides the body into a cigarette compartment 57 and an end pocket 58'. The cigarette compartment is of a size to hold a predetermined quantity of cigarettes 59 amounting to a daily supply, eg., twelve, in upright position. In addition, the inner faces of the side Walls of the body are provided with longitudinal grooves 61 at their upper ends or other- Wise arranged to slidably receive a flexible tongue 62 forming the lid of the case.

The tongue 62 is secured to the upper end of an elongated hollow lever handle 63 vertically disposed within the pocket 5S is closing relation thereto. The inner end of the handle is open such that the interior thereof communicates with the pocket and forms therewith a compartment for housing time controlled latching mechanism. The side walls of the handle 63` are positioned interiorly adjacent the projecting ends of the side walls of the body 52 and pivotally connected thereto as by means of a transversely extending pin 64. In addition the inner edges of the handle side walls are outwardly stepped as shown at 66 vertically between the pin 64 and bottom edges thereof. The lower end of the handle may thus be pivoted about pin 64 to thereby drawing tongue 62 outwardly and open the top of cigarette compartment 57 (see FIGURE 7). To maintain the tongue 62 in closed position the handle is loaded as by means of a return spring 67 disposed longitudinally between. the lwall 56 and end wall of the handle at a position spaced vertically upward from the pin. The upper end of the handle is thus normally urged inwardly by the spring such that the tongue 62 closes the top of the cigarette compartment S7.

Considering now the manner in which the timing mechanism 37 of the present invention is employed in the cigarette case to effect time controlled opening thereof, the tongue 62 is provided with a catch 68 at its undersurface in the portion thereof overlying the pocket 581. A locking pin 69 is reciprocably mounted upon the partitioning wall 56 as by means of perforated vertically spaced brackets 71 secured thereto. Such pin is normally urged into stopping engagement with the catch 68 by a return spring 72 disposed between brackets 71 whereby opening of the tongue 62 is prevented until the pin is retracted from engagement with the catch.

In order that retraction of the pin 69 be time controlled, the timing mechanism 37 is secured at its base to the lower portion of the end wall of handle 63l with the bellows 38 projecting longitudinally inward into close proximity to a string 73 tautly vertically secured between the end of the pin and a bracket 74 secured to the partitioning wall 56. The bracket 74 includes vertically spaced raised portions 76 and 77 supporting a short section 78 of the string. The end of the bellows passes longitudinally between the raised portions upon expansion and in so doing urges the section 78 of string 73 inward to thus pull the end thereof downward and retract the locking pin 69 (see FIGURE 7). With the bellows 38 expanded, the tongue 62 is thus unlatched and the cigarette compartment 5.7 may be opened by depressing the lower end of the handle 63. In depressing the handle, the bellows 38 is simultaneously exhausted by compression thereof between the wall 56 and end wall of the handle. The fully compressed bellows also acts as a stop to rotation of the handle beyond an amount at which the tongue 62. is opened just sufficiently to permit extraction of a single cigarette through the opening.

Upon releasing the handle 63 the return spring 67 forces the upper end of the handle as well as the tongue 62 inwardly into closed position. The collapsed exhausted bellows 38 is also disengaged from the string 73 and longitudinally spaced therefrom whereby the pin 69 is returned into locking engagement with catch 68 by spring 72l (see FIGURE 6). The case cannot now be opened until a precise time interval has elapsed commensurate with a flow of a volume of air through the flow control device of the timing mechanism 39 sufficient to expand bellows 3S into engagement with section 78 of string 73 at which time the pin 69 is disengaged from the catch 68.

It will be appreciated that course control of the opening interval may be effected by replacing the flow control device of the timing mechanism 37 with one of different flow resistance or otherwise varying the flow resistance of the flow rate device. Vernier adjustment of the time interval is effected by varying the spacing between the string 73 and the collapsed bellows. To this end the bracket 74 is made of bendable material such that the y lower raised portion 77 may be readily bent to different positions of displacement from the partitioning wall 56. By varying this displacement the spacing of string 73 from the bellows is also varied and therefore the expanded length of the bellows at which contact with the string is made is correspondingly varied. To provide access to the bracket 74 for purposes of adjustment, an access hole 79 is provided through the bottom wall of the case in the portion thereof underlying pocket 58.

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid flow control device comprising a tube having an inlet and an outlet, a core of porous material compressed by a predetermined fixed amount commensurate with a predetermined value of low resistance and disposed within the tube between the inlet and outlet, and retaining means disposed at the opposite ends of the tube for permanently restricting expansion of said core material from the predetermined fixed amount of compression thereof.

2. In a timing mechanism including a bellows having an inlet and a valved outlet for permitting passage of fluid only upon compression of the bellows, and triggering means responsive to expansion of the bellows to a predetermined length, the combination comprising a container having an inlet and an outlet, said outlet disposed in sealed communication with the inlet of said bellows, and a core of porous material disposed within said container between the inlet and outlet thereof and establishing a fixed resistance to fluid flow in precise proportion to the compression and thickness of the core material.

3. A timing mechanism comprising a base having a vertical passage through the top surface thereof and interiorly communicating with inlet and outlet passages, a bellows mounted in upright position upon the top surface of said base with the interior of the bellows in sealed communication with said vertical passage, a check valve disposed in sealed communication with said outlet passage to open the passage during depression of the bellows and seal the passage the remainder of the time, a container having an inlet and an outlet, said outlet disposed in sealed communication with said inlet passage, and a core of porous material disposed Within said container between the inlet and outlet thereof and retained against expansion from a fixed state of compression proportional to a flow resistance commensurate with expansion of the bellows from depressed length to a predetermined length during a precise predetermined time interval.

4. A timing mechanism according to claim 3, further defined by said outlet passage terminating at the top surface `of said base and said check valve comprising a drop of viscous material covering the terminal opening of said outlet passage, a sheet of thin film overlying said drop, and a resilient sheet overlying the lm and clamped to said base.

5. In a time opening latching mechanism for a case including a rectangular box-like body open at the top with side walls projecting longitudinally beyond a transverse partitioning end wall dividing the body 4into a compartment and an end pocket, a liexible tongue slidably longitudinally disposed between the side walls of the body at the top thereof and forming a lid for said compartment, a hollow lever handle vertically disposed within said pocket and open at its inner end, said handle pivotally connected to the side walls of the body and secured at its upper end to said tongue to thereby draw the tongue outwardly upon rotation of the lower end of the handle inward toward said partitioning end wall, and a return spring disposed between the end Wall of said handle and the partitioning end wall of the body to urge the lower end of the handle outwardly, the combination comprising a catch at the undersurface of said tongue, a locking pin reciprocably mounted upon said partitioning wall and spring loaded for stopping engagement with said catch to prevent movement of the tongue until the pin is retracted from engagement with the catch, a string tautly vertically secured between said pin and the lower end of the partitioning wall, a bellows projecting inwardly from the lower portion of the end Wall of said handle and upon expansion engaging the string to thereby retract the pin, said bellows having an inlet and a valved outlet for permitting passage of fluid only lupon compression of the bellows, a container having an inlet and an outlet, said outlet disposed in sealed communication with the inlet of said bellows, and a core of porous material disposed within said container between the inlet and outlet thereof and establishing a fixed resistance to fluid flow in precise proportion to the compression of the material and thickness of the core.

6. A cigarette case comprising a rectangular box-like body open at the top with side walls projecting longitudinally beyond a transverse partitioning end wall dividing the body into a cigarette compartment and. an end pocket, a flexible tongue slidably longitudinally disposed between the side walls of the body at the `top thereof and forming a lid for said compartment, a hollow lever handle vertically disposed within said pocket and open at its inner end, said handle pivotally connected to the side walls of the body and secured at its upper end to said tongue to thereby draw the tongue outwardly and open the cigarette compartment upon rotation of the lower end of the handle inward toward said partitioning wall, a return spring disposed between the end wall of said handle and the partitioning end wall of the body to urge the lower end of the handle outwardly, a catch projecting from the undersurface of said tongue in the region of said pocket, a vertical locking pin reciprocably mounted upon said partitioning Wall and spring loaded for stopping engagement with the catch to prevent opening of the cornpar-tment until the pin is retracted downward, a bracket secured to the lower end of the partitioning wall and having a pair of vertically spaced raised portions, a string tautly secured between said pin and the lower one of the raised portions of the bracket while passing freely over the upper one thereof, a base secured to the end wall of the handle in the lower portion thereof, said base having a central passage extending from its surface interiorly thereof into communication with exteriorly extending inlet and outlet pasages, a bellows mounted upon the surface of said base with the interior of the bellows in sealed communication with said central passage, said bellows projecting longitudinally inward from the base to upon expansion contact said string in the section thereof disposed between the raised portions of said bracket, check valve means disposed in sealed communication with said outlet passage to open'the passage during depression of the bellows and seal the passage the remainder of the time, a container having an inlet and an outlet, said outlet disposed in sealed communication with said -inlet passage, and a core of porous material disposed in sealed communication with said inlet passage, said core of porous material disposed within said container between the inlet and outlet thereof and retained against expansion from a fixed degree of compression.

7. A cigarette case according to claim 6, further defined by said bracket being of bendable material to permit bending of the lower raised portion to different positions of displacement from the partitioning wall.

8. A device for controlling the volume ow of liuid per unit of time at a given pressure comprising a tube having gripping protuberances on its interior wall surface adjacent its ends, a core of compressible porous material `disposed within said tube, and a pair of apertured end plugs respectively disposed within the ends of said ytube and engaging said gripping protuberances to be thereby secured within the tube at fixed axial positions thereof, said end plugs bearing at their interior faces against the opposite ends of said core to compress the core therebetween and maintain the core material in a xed state of compression commensurate Iwith a predetermined value of flow resistance.

9. A device for controlling the volume ow of fluid per unit of time at a given pressure comprising a tube having an exteriorly threaded flange at one end for screwin attachment to auxiliary equipment and closed by a seal at the other end, said tube having a row of longitudinally spaced apertures through the wall thereof, means defining a perforated closure at the open end of said tube, a core of porous material disposed within said tube between the closed end thereof and said perforated closure and establishing a fixed resistance to uid flow in precise proportion to the compression and thickness of core material in the direction of flow therethrough, and a strip yof perforable tape secured to said tube in covering relation -to said apertures.

l0. A Huid flow control device comprising a tube closed at one end and perforable along its length between its closed and open ends, and a core of porous material disposed within said tube and extending along the entire length of the tube between the ends thereof and establishing a fixed resistance to fluid flow in precise proportion to the compression of the core material and thickness thereof between a point of perforation along the length of the tube and its open end.

l1. In a timing mechanism the combination comprising means defining an enclosed volume of fluid with a ow path communicating therewith and having a pressure which changes in accordance with the rate at which the fluid flows through said flow path, triggering means actuatable in response to a predetermined change in the pressure of said enclosed volume of fluid, a container having an inlet opening and an outlet opening disposed in communication with said flow path, and a core of porous material disposed within said container between the inlet and outlet openings thereof and establishing a fixed resistance to fluid flow in precise proportion to the porosity and thickness of the core material.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,482,021 Little Jan. 29, 1924 2,304,689 Hanson Dec. 8, 1942 2,327,195 Kosky et al Aug. 17, 1943 2,837,907 Halling et al .Tune 10, 1958 2,857,927 Pardee Oct. 28, 1958

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