US3066689A

US3066689A - Relief valve for a drum

Info

Publication number: US3066689A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lisciani Constantine
Original assignee: Protectoseal Co
Current assignee: Protectoseal Co
Priority date: 1958-10-21
Filing date: 1958-10-21
Publication date: 1962-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 1979-12-04

Description

Dec. 4, 1962 C, L lsclANl 3,066,689

RELIEF VALVE FOR A DRUM Filed Oct. 2l, 1958 s-W; @Emu itx 4 6% United States Patent Giice 3,066,689 Patented Dec. 4, i952 3,@e6,69 REUEF VALVE FR A DRUM Constantine Lisciani, Chicago, ill., assigner to The Protectoseai Company, Chicago, 1li., a corporation oi illinois Filed Get. 21, 1953, Ser. No. '768,752 9 Claims. (Cl. 137-73) The invention relates generally to drum iittings and the like and more particularly to a venting iitting therefor. Drums for inflammable fluids and the like often are utilized with the drum sitting on its side and having a valve or spigot in one end adjacent the bottom thereof. Such drums usually are provided with a vent opening which often is also in the end of the drum adjacent the top thereof in diametrical opposition to the spigot. The vent opening is normally closed by a suitable cap or plug screwed into the bung fitting forming such opening and when liquid is to be withdrawn from the tank the operator unscrews the plug to a point which will permit air to enter the tank and thus prevent the drum from being air-locked. Often the liquid level in the drum when the latter is completely filled is such that when the drum is tipped on its side the liquid level will be above the bottom of the vent opening, in which case upon unscrewing the plug or cap, leakage would ensue. in such cases, however, the liquid level Will normally fall somewhere Within the vent opening rather than extend above the same, so that suitable venting means can be applied thereto.

The present invention contemplates the production of a drum fitting for use in venting a drum under such conditions, wherein the fitting may be applied tightly to the drum end and provided with means for venting the drum both as to internal pressure as well as breaking the vacuum when liquids are withdrawn therefrom.

Another object of the invention is the production of such a fitting having adequate iire protection and which may also be provided with emergency venting means of a size to insure sufficient venting in case of fire or the like to prevent bursting of the drum.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a drum tting Which is relatively simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and very eiiicient for the purposes intended.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a drum fitting embodying the present invention taken approximately on the line 1 1 of FIG. 2; v

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of a portion of a drum structure with the drum fitting mounted thereon.

The present invention contemplates the production of a drum fitting which is so designed that it may be readily inserted into the tting on the drum, with a venting opening positioned above the bung iitting of the drum whereby adequate venting may take place Without leakage or spillage even though the liquid level within the drum is up into the bung iitting thereof.

Referring to the drawings and particularly FlG. 1, the reference numeral 1 indicates a drum iitting having a body portion 2 from which extends a tubular extension 3 having external threads 4 thereon adapted to engage the threads of the bung fitting 5 which is operatively connected to the end wall 6 of a drum 7. The body member 2 is provided with an annular liange 8 adjacent the portion 3 which is adapted to be engaged by the face 9 of a gasket member 11 which encircles the portion 3 and has its opposite face 12 engaging the adjacent face 13 of the bung fitting 5. As illustrated in FIG. l, the gasket member 1l may be of generally X-shape in cross section, the various -faces of the gasket being concave to provide a high degree of compression in the gasket member.

Extending outwardly from the face 14 of the fitting is an extension 15 having a tubular portion lr6 extending upwardly from the top thereof which is provided with external threads i7 thereon adapted to receive an internally threaded cap member 18, the portion 16 being provided with a bore 1.9 therein operatively connected with the interior 2i of the 4fitting by a bore or passageway 22. The bore 19 is also provided with a discharge or vent opening 23 through which vapor may be discharged from the passageway 22 and interior of the drum to the exterior thereof. The portion 15 of the fitting is also provided with a bore 24 operatively communicating with the interior 21 and the exterior of the iitting, the bore 2d normally being closed by a plug 25 adapted to seat on an annular flange 26 and secured in position in the counterbore 27 by suitable material 25a which will fuse at a relatively low temperature, permitting the plug to be blown out upon the build up of pressure in the tank and providing an additional relatively large vent opening in an emergency.

The passageway 22 is normally closed by a valve member 28 having a stern 29 extending through the cap 1S and provided at its upper free end with a knob 31. The valve member 28 is urged into a sealing or closing position by suitable means such as a compression spring 32 positioned in the bore i9 in concentric arrangement with respect to the stem Z9, one end of the spring engaging the adjacent surface of the valve member 28 and the opposite upper end engaging the inner face of the cap i8. Thus normal pressure relief may be obtained through the passageway 22 and portion 23 whenever the pressurev within the drum exceeds the force exerted upon the valve member 28 by the spring 32, and in like manner the point at which the vent will be opened may be readily varied by varying the characteristics of the spring. Normally the spring will be so designed that venting will occur at approximately five pounds.

When it is desired to break a vacuum in the drum, as for example, when liquid is to be drawn from the drum, such vacuum breaking may be readily accomplished by moving the valve member 23 oft of its seat whereby air may liow into the drum. Suitable means may be provided to retain the valve member in open position when desired, such means comprising a pin 33 carried by the knob 31 and extending toward the cap 18 in substantially parallel relation with respect to the Stem 29. The pin 33 is adapted to normally be positioned in a recess 34 in the cap 18, the :recess being of sufficient depth to permit the valve member 28 to fully seat in a closed position. However, when desired' to maintain the valve in open position, the latter may be raised by means of a knob 3l and by partially rotating the knob, the pin 33 will engage the upper face of the cap 18, preventing the valve member from returning to a closed position and maintaining the same in venting relation.

To provide adequate iire protection at all times, the Venting passageways may be suitably screened with a iire baffle or screen, as for example, the screen 35, illustrated as a more or less conical shaped member having a relatively large end 36 and a smaller end 37. The inner end 37 is adapted to seat in a complementa] recess 38, while the outer end is clamped in operative position by a Suitable iiange or beading 39, beingintegrally formed from the body member and rolled over a fiange 4l `formed on the outer end 36 of the screen. The latter is, of course, provided with a plurality of small perforations 42 which are too small to support combustion from one side of the screen to the other and thus prevent any possibility of ignition of the contents of the drum through the vent opening.

In use the fitting is applied to the drum by screwing the same into the bung opening, in the case of a full drum, with the end face of the drum to which the fitting is applied being uppermost. The fitting is screwed into the bung hole to a point where adequate compression of the gasket member 1l takes place to provide an adequate seal between the fitting and the bung hole, the gasket member 11 having suiiiciently resiliency to permit the fitting to be turned with the portion 16 uppermost, as illustrated in FIG. 2, following which the drum may be tipped on its side.

Pressure venting of the drum will take place automatically in the manner heretofore described in the event the pressure reaches the predetermined amount.

During normal storage periods the knob 31 will be positioned with pin 33 positioned as illustrated in FIG. 1, seated in the recess 34, thereby permitting the valve memI ber to close on its seat and seal the drum interior. In the event pressure inside the drum increases beyond that determined by the spring 32, the valve member 28 will be moved upwardly under such pressure, permitting the escape of vapor until the pressure within the tank drops to the predetermined level as established by the spring 32. When liquid is to be withdrawn from the drum, the operator merely grasps the knob 3l, lifting the same upwardly in opposition to the spring 32 and gives the knob a slight twist to rotate the pin 33 out of alignment with the recess 34, so that upon release of the knob the pin 33 will engage the top of the cap 18, preventing the valve from moving downwardly into its normal sealing position and thereby opening the passageway from the exterior into the drum and permitting air to enter the drum as liquid is withdrawn.

ln the event of an external lire adjacent the drum, whereby heat is applied to the drum, resulting in an increase in internal pressure, the valve 28 will open in the manner heretofore described, permitting the discharge f vapor from the tank. However, if the heat applied to the drum reaches a temperature which would increase the pressure within the drum to a degree that the automatic venting structure cannot handle the volume of vapor and thus reduce the internal pressure in the tank sufficiently to prevent bursting, such undesirable temperature will fuse the material a, thus permitting the internal pressure to blow out the plug 25 and thus provide adequate venting of the tank to prevent bursting thereof. At the same time, ignition of the liquid within the drum is prevented by the screen 35, the perforations of which provide suflicient area to facilitate adequate venting of the drum under all conditions which could be normally expected.

It will be noted that I have provided a drum fitting which is relatively very simple in construction and yet very eicient for `the purposes intended, providing pressure relief as well as vacuum breaking during withdrawal of liquid from the tank and in the event of an emergency an increased amount of venting to eliminate any danger of bursting of the drum, both normal and emergency vent openings being protected by a suitable fire screen.

Having thus described my invention it will be obvious that various immaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing from the spirit of my invention; hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts herein shown and described, or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. An air vent device comprising a hollow body member including an open ended externally threaded portion engaging the threads of a complementally formed bung fitting, gasket means complementally formed to said threaded portion and mounted thereon for sealing the connection between said air vent device and said bung fitting, said hollow body member having an air vent opening therein operatively communicating with the interior of the hollow body member and operatively opening on the exterior thereof at a point radially spaced from the axis of the threaded portion, normally closed valve means for operatively closing said air vent opening, a bore including a valve seat contiguous to said air vent opening and operatively connecting the interior of the hollow body member to said air vent opening, manual opening means operatively associated with said valve means for manually opening said valve means, said valve means including a valve member complementally formed to said valve seat and operative to close said bore and seal the bung fitting interior, said manual opening means including a Valve stem connected to said valve member, a cap member closing the outer end of said bore and through which said valve stern extends, a compression spring positioned in said bore and bearing on said 'valve member and said cap member operative to urge said valve member in a closing direction, an actuating knob connected to the free end of said valve stem including means extending toward said cap member and said cap member complementally formed to said last-mentioned means and operative to engage a portion of the cap member and retain said valve member in an open position and said cap member complementally formed to receive said last-mentioned means whereby said valve member may assume a closed posi tion, said manual opening means operatively arranged to allow independent opening of the valve means by predetermined iiuid pressure in said body interior with said air vent device operatively connected to said bung fitting.

2. An air vent device comprising a hollow body member including an open ended externally threaded portion engaging the threads of a complementally formed bung fitting, gasket means complementally formed to said threaded portion and mounted thereon for sealing the connection between said air vent device and said bung fitting, said hollow body member having an air vent opening therein operatively communicating with the interior of the hollow body member and operatively opening on the exterior thereof at a point radially spaced from the axis of the threaded portion, said gasket sealing means cornprising an annular-shaped gasket member having suicient compressibility to permit rotation of the air vent device after threaded engagement thereof with said bung iitting in tight sealing relation with respect thereto, to position said air vent opening at maximum height with respect to the axis of said threaded portion, normally closed valve means for operatively closing said air vent opening, a bore including a valve seat contiguous to said air vent opening and operatively connecting the interior of the hollow body member to said air vent opening, manual opening means operatively associated with said valve means for manually opening said valve means, said valve means including a valve member complementally formed to said valve seat and operative to close said bore and seal the bung fitting interior, said manual opening means including a valve stern connected to said valve member, a cap member closing the outer end of said bore and through which said valve stem extends, a compression spring positioned in said bore and bearing on said valve member and said cap operative to urge said valve member in a closing direction, an actuating knob connected to the free end of said valve stem including means extending toward said cap member and said cap member complementally formed to said last-mentioned means and operative to engage a portion of the cap member and retain said valve member in an open position and Said cap member complementally formed to receive said lastementioned means whereby said valve member may assume a closed position, and said manual opening means operatively arranged to allow independent opening of the valve means by predetermined uid pressure in said body interior with said air vent device operatively connected to said bung fitting.

3. An air vent device comprising a hollow body member including an open ended externally threaded portion engaging the threads of a complementally formed bung tting, -gasket means complementally formed to said threaded portion and mounted thereon for sealing the connection between said air vent device and said bung fitting, said hollow body member having an air vent opening therein operatively communicating with the interior of the hollow body member and operatively opening on the exterior thereof at a point radially spaced from the axis of the threaded portion, normally closed valve means for operatively closing said air vent opening, a bore including a valve seat contiguous to said air vent opening and operatively connecting the interior of the hollow body member to said air vent opening, said normally closed valve means including a compression spring operatively biasing said valve means in closed position, manual opening means operatively associated with said valve means for manually opening said valve means, said valve means including a valve member complementally formed to said valve seat and operative to close said bore and seal the bung iitting interior, said manual opening means including a valve stern connected to said valve member, a cap member closing the outer end of said bore and through which said valve stem extends, said compression spring positioned in said bore and bearing on said valve member and said cap member operative to urge said valve member in a closing direction, an actuating knob connected to the free end of said valve stem including means extending toward said cap member `and said cap member complementally formed to said last-mentioned means and operative to engage a portion of the cap member and retain said valve member in an open position and said cap member complementally formed to receive said last-mentioned means whereby said valve member may assume a closed position, said manual opening means operatively ararnged to allow independentopening of the valve means by predetermined fluid pressure in said body interior with said air vent device operatively connected to said bung fitting.

4. An air vent device comprising a hollow body member including an open ended externally threaded portion engaging the threads of a bung tting, said body member including an annular llange adjacent the inner end of the threaded portion and receiving a gasket member constructed for compression between said annular ange and the adjacent face of said bung fitting to form a seal therebetween, a radial extension integrally formed with said body member and having a bore therein, said body member having a passageway therein operatively connecting the body interior with said bore, said radial extension including a tubular portion having a vent opening therein radially spaced from the axis of said threaded portion operatively connecting said bore with the fitting exterior, a valve seat in said bore and cooperative with a valve member to operatively close said passageway and seal the tting interior, 'a valve stem connected to said valve member and extending outwardly from said extension, a cap member closing the outer end of said bore and through which said valve stem extends, a compression spring positioned in said bore and bearing on said valve member and said cap operative to urge said valve member in a closing direction, an actuating knob connected to the free end of said valve stem and having a pin extending therefrom toward said cap member, said pin being operative to engage a portion of the cap member and retain said valve member in an open position, said cap member having a recess in the upper face thereof adapted to receive said pin whereby said valve member may assume a closed position.

5. An air vent device as defined in claim 4, wherein said gasket member received on said body member adjacent said ange has opposed bearing faces concave in transverse cross-section to provide suicient compressibility therein to permit rotation of said hollow body member to said air vent device for disposing said tubular portion of said radial extension in an upwardly extending direction to position said vent opening at maximum height with respect to the axis of the threaded portion.

6. An air vent device comprising a hollow body member including an open ended externally threaded portion engaging the threads of a bung tting, said body member including an annular flange adjacent the inner end of the threaded portion and receiving a gasket member constructed for compression between said annular iiange and the adjacent face of said bung fitting to form a seal therebetween, la radial extension integrally formed with said body member and having a bore therein, said body member having a passageway therein operatively connecting the body interior with said bore, said radial extension having a vent opening therein radially spaced from the axis of said threaded portion and operatively connecting said bore with the exterior of the air vent device and with the open ended portion, a valve seat in said bore and cooperative with a valve member to operatively close said passageway and seal the interior of said lair vent de vice, a valve stem connected to said valve member and extending outwardly from said extension, a cap member closing the outer end of said bore and through which said valve stem extends, a compression spring positioned in said bore and bearing on said valve member and said cap member operative to urge said valve member in a closing direction, an actuating knob connected to the free end of said valve stem and having a pin extending therefrom towards said cap member, said pin being operative to engage a portion of the cap member and retain said valve member in an open position, said cap member having a recess in the upper face thereof adapted to receive said pin whereby said valve member may assume a closed position, and a cone-shaped perforated re protective screen substantially completely disposed within the body member and having the end of larger diameter secured in sealing relation to the body member adjacent the open end of the threaded portion and the end of smaller diameter engaged with a portion of the body member to operatively extend between said open end of the body member and said passageway.

7. An air vent device as defined in claim. 6, wherein said body member has an opening therein of greater area than that of the vent opening, for providing pressure relief, a closure member for said opening, and said closure member being secured to the body member to seal said opening with a material which will fuse in the event of tire upon the yapplication of a predetermined amount of heat thereto to release said closure member.

8. An air vent device comprising a hollow body member including an open ended externally threaded portion engaging the threads of a complementally formed bung fitting, gasket means complementally formed to said threaded portion and mounted thereon for sealing the connection between said air vent device and said bung fitting, a tubular radial extension integrally formed with said hollow body member and having a bore therein, `said bore of said tubular radial extension being perpendicular to the axis of said open ended externally threaded portion and extending beyond the radius of the threaded portion, said hollow body member having a passageway therein operatively connecting the interior of the hollow body member with said bore, said tubular radial extension having an alr Vent opening in the periphery thereof .and operatively communicating through said bore and said passageway with the interior of the hollow body member and operatively opening on the exterior thereof at a point radially spaced from the axis of the threaded portion, the axis of said air vent opening being in a plane including the axis of the tubular radial extension and 4also being perpendicular to the axis of the tubular radial extension, said air vent opening of said tubular radial extension radially disposedJ from the axis of said threaded portion ay distance greater than the radiusof said threaded portionto positionsa'idf air vent openingatrnaximum height with respect to theaxisfot thethr'e'aded portionpon the vair vent device being'operativelyassembled.'to'said bung iitting ofthe drum, normallyclosed valve means' 'for` operatively'closing vsaid air vent opening'and the upper end of said bore of s aid tubular radial extension, said'air vent opening being contiguous to said normally cl'sedy valve means Vopera-v tively rnounted lat the upper end of said bore of said tubular radial extension, said vseatv of said normally "closed valve means formed at the upper end of said bore of said tubular radial extension and positioned above the radius of the'open endedI externally threaded portion, and manual opening means operatively associated With said valve means for manually opening said valve means, said manual opening means operatively arranged to allow independent opening of'thevalvemeans by predetermined uid pressure in said tbody interior with said' air vent device operatively connected to said bung fitting.

9,. An air ventdevice comprising a hollow body member including an open endedexternally threaded portion engaging a complementally formed threaded opening of a Ebung 'tting, said hollow body member including an annular il'ang'e adjacent the inner end of the threaded portion, a tubular radial extension integrally formed with said hollow body member and having a' bore therein,said bore of said tubularv radial extension being perpendicular to the axis of said open ended externally threaded portion and extending Ibeyond the radius of the threaded portion, said hollow body member having a passageway therein operatively connecting the body interior withv said bore, said tubular radial extension having a vent opening therein radially spaced from the axis 4of said threaded portion and operatively connecting said bore with the exterior of pletely disposed within the hollow body member and havthe air vent device, the axis of said'air `vent opening being in a plane including the axis of the tubular radial extension :and'also being perpendicular to the'axis of the tubular radial extension, a valve seat at the upper end of said bore and cooperative with a valve member toI operatively close said passageway and seal the interior of said air vent device, said air ventopening being contiguous to said valve member'operatively mounted upon the valve seat in yits normally closed position, said valve seat positioned above ing the end of larger diameter secured in sealing relation to the hollow body member adjacent the open end of the threaded portion and the end of smaller diameter engaged with a portion of the hollow body member to operatively extend between said open end of the hollow bodyv member and said passageway providing an enlarged annular passage formed by the perforated re protective screen operatively 'connected to said passageway ofy the hollow body mem'ber and the bore of the tubular radial extension through said cone-shaped perforated dire protective screen.

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