US3533433A

US3533433A - Water ejection valve for vehicle brake system

Info

Publication number: US3533433A
Application number: US742867A
Authority: US
Inventors: Arthur A Berg
Original assignee: Berg Manufacturing and Sales Co
Current assignee: Echlin Inc; Berg Manufacturing and Sales Co
Priority date: 1968-07-05
Filing date: 1968-07-05
Publication date: 1970-10-13
Anticipated expiration: 1987-10-13

Description

United States Patent Inventor Arthur A. Berg Lincolnwood, Illinois Appl. No. 742,867

Filed July 5.1968

Patented ()ct. l3, i970 Assignee Berg Manufacturing and Sales Company Des Plaines, Illinois a corporation of Illinois WATER EJEC'I'ION VALVE FOR \lilllCLli BRAKE SYSTEM 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl .4

Int.(1l

i .o'o' 159 143? [Sill Field ofSeareh H l37/l82. l8 30-1; $5/2lii [56] References Cited UNl'lI-ll) S'lA'i'liS PA'I'IiN'lS 946.970 l/l9l0 Lcuthesser l37/l82X 2534.697 l2/l950 llruestlo 137/204 1662.544 l2/l953 ilall a. l37/2iH ABSTRACT: A valve for automatically ejecting water from the air tanks of a vehicle brake system. The valve operates responsive to air tank depressurization to release the water. Another valve is provided between the air tank and first valve to prevent a loss of tank pressure below safe levels Patented Oct, 13, 1970 3,533,433

Sheet of 2 MALHINE FOR ERECTING CASES SUMMARY OF INVENTION Loading.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a machine for erecting cases having many of the advantages of a the machine disclosed in the above-mentioned patent, that is,

having an improved case erecting and case transferring means both of which are operable in timed relationship with one another and with the plunger and drop-off mechanism of a conventional case packer.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a case erecting machine having an improved vacuum operated means for opening or erecting the case, which improved means is operable in cooperation with the vacuum operated and case camming means for erecting eases disclosed in the above-mentionedpatent.

The drawings show apreferred embodiment of the inventionand such embodiment will be described, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the construction disclosed, and that the drawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon forthat purpose.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a machine for erecting cases, with portions ofa case packer being indicated schematically at the downstream or lefthand end, which case packer may be identical to that described with reference to the abovementioned patent.

FIG. 2 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the various limit switches and some of the relays for automatic operation of the upper and lower vacuum means used to erect cases in the machine of FIG. I. The relays and switches required for operation of the components of the machine with are similar to those disclosed in the above-mentioned patent are shown in block diagram form for simplicity.

FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 show the sequence of operation of the upper vacuum means illustrating the manner in which said vacuum means is timed with respect to the lower vacuum means of the type described in the above-mentioned patent application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Turning now to the drawings in greater detail, FIG. I shows, inside elevation, a machine for erecting or opening flat cardboard shipping cases and for positioning in each open case on the packing funnel of a conventional ease packing machine. The machine shown comprises a fixed frame having four legs l0, 10 which legs are interconnected by shelf brackets 12, and carry at their upper ends a table portion 14. Six post members l6, 16 are attached to the side edges of the table portion 14 and extend upwardly to support the case magazine, indicated generally at 18. The case magazine 18 comprises four corner posts 19, I9, each of which is supported on an upper frame 20 carried at the upper end of the

post member

16, 16, This upper frame'20 also carries an upper vacuum means 22 to be described in greater detail hereinbelow.

Means is provided for cyclically stripping the lowermost case from the magazine and moving said case in its flat condition from right to left in FIG. 1 from a lowermost position at the bottom of the magazine to a case erecting position just below the upper vacuum means 22. Preferably and as shown in FIG. 1, said means comprises a split carriage assembly which is mounted in the fixed frame ofthe machine for movement between the case erecting position shown and a "loading" position to the left of the illustrated position. The

carriage assembly portion illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a longitudinally extending member 24 upon which are rotatably 'mounted three pairs of

rollers

26, 26 all of which rollers ride on a longitudinally extending guide rod 28 mounted in the fixed frame of the machine. The carriage member 24 carries upright stanchions 30, 30 at its right hand end. The upper ends.

of the stanchions 30 carry stripper plates 33, 33 mounted thereon for stripping the lowermost case from the magazine and moving said case toward the left in response to movement.

of the carriage assembly from the position shown. While one side of the split carriage assembly has been described hereinabovc, it will be appreciated that the opposite side is similarly constructed and can be adjusted toward and away from the portion shown for accommodating cases of various widths. The reader is referred to the above-mentioned copending application of the applicant herein for a more complete description of the split carriage construction. Horizontal reciprocatory movement of the carriage assembly is achieved through horizontally disposed air cylinders 34, 34.

which have a fixed portion carried in the machine frame and a movable portion connected to the carriage assembly as indicated at 36. Various limit switches 1|.S, 5I.S and 7I.S to be discussed in greater detail hereinbclow are associated with reciprocatory motion of the piston rod 38 to detect various positions of the carriage assembly.

As described more completely in the above-mentioned copending application of the applicant herein, vertically reciprocable means is mounted in the fixed frame of the machine for drawinga horizontally disposed case, indicated generally at C, which case will have been previously stripped from the magazine, generally downwardly onto a stationary platform 40. The platform 40 is fixed to the table portion 14 of the frame and has an opening (not shown) through which said means moves. The vertically rcciprocablc means preferably comprises a fluid motor 41 having a cylinder which is vertically disposed and attached to the fixed frame of the machine by a bracket 42. The bracket 42 is connected at its upper end to the table portion 14 and carries forwardly extending legs 44, 44 fixedly attached to the upper and lower ends of the fixed cylinder portion of the fluid motor. The fluid motor 41 also includes a movable portion including a piston rod 46 connected to a horizontal plate 48 upon which are mounted four vacuum cup assemblies 50, 50. Two guide rods 52,52 are con nectcd at their upper ends to the plate 48 and at their lower ends to a second plate 54. A slide block 56 is secured to the bracket 42 and defines guide openings for slidably receiving the guide rods 52, 52. A limit switch 218 is provided with an actuating arm which is moved in response to initial upward movement of the plate 48 and is returned to the position shown when the plate 48 and its associated vacuum cups 50, 50 are retracted. The vacuum cups 50, 50 and their associated plate 48 move through the opening (not shown) in the stationary platform 40. As so arranged, the cups 50, 50 serve to engage the underside of the stripped ease positioned thereabovc, and to draw it downwardly as best shown in FIGS. 3,4, 5,and 6.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 3 through 6 inclusivcly, a camming surface 60 is preferably provided below the stripped case C (FIG. 3) for causing the downwardly moving case to be erected or opened as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. As described in the aforementioned patent application said camming surface 60 comprises an arcuate side wall which is adjustably supported on suitable means extending respectively from a post 16 and from the frame 20 so as to permit cases of various size to be accommodated.

in accordance with the present invention, vacuum cups 50, 50 are provided for engaging the underside of the flat folded case C so as to draw the case downwardly as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, and in addition second vacuum means 22 are provided for releasably engaging the upper side of the Hat folded ease (I so as to assist in the case erection function performed by the camming surface 60. As shown schematically in these views, said upper vacuum means 22 comprises a plurality of vacuum is reached, valve 21 will assume a shutoff position. As air is let in through opening 26, entrained water will be transferred into chamber 25'. g

When tank pressure drops, e.g.. when braking occurs, the equilibrium on piston is unbalanced so that it moves upwa'rdly along with cone 23. Thislifts valve 21 so that the water in chamber is ejected through outlet 16'. This in turn changes the equilibrium pressure so that the tank pressure is able to compress spring 24 and move piston 20 downwardly. Valve 21 then seats to close the water outlet so that tank pressure can again build up. Thus, in normal operation whenever the tank pressure rises air and water will feed through valve 22 into chamber 25, and when tank pressure decreases chamber 25 pressure will decrease while water is ejected through opening 16.

Referring to FIG. 3 another form of the invention is illustrated generally at 108. Valve 108 comprises a housing 110 communicating with the underside of an air tank through connection 113. The dewatering path B leads from connection 113 into passage 114 under control of valve 123. Valve 123 is urged to its closed position by means of piston 111 biased by spring 112. Passage 114 communicates with chamber 116 formed between bell-shaped member 115 on the housing and slidable piston 117.'Piston 117 is provided with rubber plates having an annular resilient lip 118 contacting housing 115 to function as a one-way valve permitting flow of air and water from chamber 116 into chamber 119. Closure member 120 on piston 117 operates as a valve to control the flow of water through discharge opening 126 in the bottom of the housing. A valve release pin 21 mounted on button 122, which in turn is mounted on a plurality of ribs 125, affords manual water ejection.

The diameter of piston 111 and the spring rate of spring 112 are selected so that valve 123 opens only when tank pressure is above a predetermined amount, e.g., more than 3.5 atmospheres above one atmosphere. When this'pressure is exceeded air and entrained water enter passage 114 under tank pressure to urge piston 117 downwardly until closure member 120 seats against discharge opening 126.

Assuming that the tank is initially pressurized so that closure member 120 is seated as described, tank pressure will exist in passage 114 and

chambers

116 and 119. When the tank pressure drops slightly by a given amount, e.g.; 0.3 atmospheres. annular lip 118 will seal against the pressure in chamber 119 so that piston 117 is urged upwardly, carrying with it closure member 120 which releases chamber 119 pressure through opening 126. Piston 117 then moves rapidly downwardly to close opening 126 while air and entrained water fiow around lip 118 into chamber 119. Water retained in chamber 119 will be ejected during subsequent valve cycles as tank pressure is again lowered. Air dome 124 communicates with chamber 119 and provides a compressible air pocket.

Referring to FIG. 4 another modified valve is illustrated generally at 130. Valve 130 comprises a housing 132 communicating with the underside of an airtank through connection 134. Air and entrained water from the tank flow through transverse passage 136 into chamber 138. A valve member 140 controls air flow between chamber 138 and chamber 142 by means of piston 144 urged to its close position by spring 146. Chamber 142 is formed between bell-shaped housing 147 and piston 148. Annular resilient lip 150 of valve 148 functions as a one-way valve to direct air and water into chamber 152. Closure member 154 on piston 148 controls air and water flow through housing opening 156.

Pin 158 and button 160 provide manual water ejection features. A chamber 162 in communication with chamber 152 functions as an airdome providing a compressible air pocket.

A manually operated valve 164 having a valve stem 166 seating against the end of passage 136 is provided in housing 132. The stem is formed with a bore 168 leading from the em larged valve seat to atmosphere. Outward displacement of stem 166 provides communication between passage 136 and bore 168. Tank pressure will thus force air and water through passage 136 out of the valve. This provides a convenient and accessible means to manually drain the tank. and also permits the operator to activate and check the valve for Water ejection without applying the brakes.

The operation of valve is essentially similar to that of valve 108 of FIG. 3. Valve remains closed until tank pressure is above a predetermined minimum. When this is exceeded pressure transmitted through passage 136 into chamber 138 will act against piston 144 and overcome the force of spring 146. With piston 144 and valve 140 disposed vertically in the chamber, water and other contaminants will easily move downwardly into chamber 142 for delivery into chamber 152. This prevents water and contaminants from interferring with the operation of valve 140.

When tank pressure drops piston 148 and closure member 154 move upwardly so that water and air in chamber 152 are ejected through opening 156. If closure member 154 were to be accidentally lodged open, such as by a piece of foreign matter, valve 140 will prevent tank pressure from dropping below the predetermined minimum. Without valve 140 tank pressure would be free to flow past lip to atmosphere and completely drain the tank. The provision of valve 140 thus provides an important safety feature preventing complete loss of air.

lclaim:

1. A water ejection valve for a compressed airtank comprising the combination of a housing having an outlet for ejecting the water, an inlet connected with the airtank, a first chamber in communication with the inlet and a second chamber in communication with the outlet, a closure member movable to and from the outlet to control fluid flow therethrough, a piston movable between the first and second chambers and opera tively connected with the closure member, one-way valve means providing communication from the first chamber to the second chamber, second valve means providing communica tion between the tank and first chamber only when the tank pressure exceeds a predetermined value, the second valve means being disposed between the tank and first chamber, a third chamber communicating between the inlet and first chamber, a piston slidably mounted in the third chamber to a first position closing said communication and to a second position opening said communication, and means to urge the piston to its first position with a predetermined force.

2. The invention of claim 1 further characterized in that the piston in said third chamber is vertically disposed and the communication to the first chamber is at the bottom of the third chamber whereby water and contaminants are moved into the first chamber when the piston is in its second position.

3. The invention of claim 2 and further including a transverse passage communicating between the inlet and the third chamber whereby tank pressure feeds through the passage to the third chamber and moves the piston therein to its second position when the tank pressure exceeds said predetermined value.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent 3,533 ,4315 Dat d October 13, 1970 lnventor(s) ARTHUR A BERG It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Cancel

columns

1 and 2 and substitute the following:

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to water ejection valves for compressed air tanks and more particularly relates to water ejection valves for a vehicle compressed air brake system in which a valve located near the bottom of the air tank normally closes a water outlet opening and is automatically opened to release the water when pressure drops in the tank.

Conventionally, an ejection valve of the type described is actuated manually by a lever or the like so that pressurized tank air can escape through the valve and throw out any water accumulated in the tank.

The present invention improves on this in that a fully automatic water ejection valve is provided which is actuated responsive to pressure variation in the compressed air tank. This is accomplished by operatively connecting a valve with a piston so that one side of the piston communicates with tank pressure while the other side communicates with pressure in a chamber which is connected to atmosphere through a water outlet normally closed by the valve. A one-way valve provides communication from the first piston side to the chamber.

In one form of the invention, the disc connected to the piston is formed with an annular overflow lip to serve as the one-way valve. In another form a cradle piston is provided with a double cone member, one portion controlling the water outlet while the other portion is biased for closing a FORM PO-1050 (10-69) uscMM Dc 603764359 us oovzmmzm rum'rmc OFFICE In! o-us-su.

PATENT NO. 3,533,433 2 valve in the piston for connecting the tank and chamber. An initial. buildup of tank pressure closes the water outlet and opens the piston valve until pressure is equalized on both sides of the piston valve. With the cradle piston embodiment the valve can be spring biased against tank pressure.

In another form of the invention, an upper space of the valve chamber comprises an air chamber or aid dome. This air dome entraps an air pocket which is compressible and insures that the piston is free to move. Otherwise, if the chamber were completely filled with water displacement of the piston upon a rise in tank pressure would be precluded due to the incompressibility of the water.

In another form of the invention the piston is provided with a resilient abutment or stop at the side opposite the chamber. In the event the chamber is completely filled with water which then freezes the resilient step would prevent destructive movement of the piston against the housing.

In another form of the invention a second valve opens only when a predetermined pressure in the tank is exceeded. If the water outlet valve is prevented from closing properly, the second valve will operate to ensure that main tank pressure does not drop below the predetermined value. The second valve may comprise a piston resiliently urged to a position closing communication between the tank and first valve, with tank pressure operating to move the piston and open this communication. In another form, the piston is disposed vertically so that contaminants from the tank may pass freely through without hindering operation of the valve.

Further advantages and objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following specification is read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a sectional view of a water ejection valve incorporating features of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a modified form of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of another modified. form of the invention; and,

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of another modified form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to the drawings and particularly FIG. I, one form of the water ejection valve is illustrated generally PATENT NO. 3,533,433 3 at 6. Valve 6 comprises a housing 9 having an inlet connection 8 mounted underneath the compressed air tank of a vehicle air brake system. A piston 10 is slidably mounted within cylindrical flange 15 of the housing. A plate or disc 12 preferably having rubber surfaces is rigidly mounted at one end of piston 10. The resilient edge of the lower rubber surface of plate 12 comprises an overflow lip 13 acting against an inner surface of housing flange 15 to define a one-way valve. The top of plate 12 has a ring 19 which comprises a resilient stop limiting movement of the piston against the top side of the housing.

A chamber 25 formed in the bottom of the housing communicates with the one-way valve. When the pressure in chamber 25 of the housing is lower than tank pressure, air and entrained water move in the direction of arrow B past lip 13 into chamber 25.

A water outlet 16 in the bottom of chamber 25 is opened and closed by means of valve 11 formed on the lower end of piston 10. When the piston moves downwardly responsive to tank pressure valve 11 closes outlet 16. Pin 17 mounted on button 18 is loosely mounted in outlet 16. This button can be manually operated to move pin 17 and lift valve 11 so that water in the chamber is ejected along path E.

Flange 15 defines an annular space 14 in communication with chamber 25. Space 14 comprises an air dome so that when chamber 25 is completely filled with water the compressability of the air in this space will permit piston 10 to continue to function.

The operation of valve 6 will now be described. Assume that the tank is depressurized and that piston 10 is in the position of FIG. 1. As tank pressure build up the piston moves downwardly until valve 11 closes outlet 16 Pressure builds up in chamber 25 by flowing past lip 13 until the pressure on both sides of plate 12 is equalized. As air is used in the brake system tank pressure drops somewhat so that the higher pressure in chamber 25 acts against piston 10 and plate 12. This raises valve 11 to open outlet 16 and reduce the pressure in chamber 25. The piston again moves downwardly so that the air and entrained water flow past the lip until tank pressure is present in chamber 25. The water entrained with the air flowing past lip 13 accumulates in the bottom of chamber 25. As the piston is lifted following a slight drop of tank pressure to open valve 11, the pressure in chamber 25 will eject the water out through outlet 16. Following this the pressure in chamber 25 is again lower than tank pressure so that valve 11 closes and PATENT NO. 3,533,433

air again flows past lip 13 until the chamber pressure equals tank pressure. Valve 6 is now ready for another cycle upon a further drop in tank pressure.

Referring to FIG. 2 a modified form of the water ejection valve is illustrated generally at 21. Valve 21 comprises a cradle piston 20 slidably mounted within annular flange 15' of housing 9'. A double cone member 23 is mounted in piston opening 26 provides a valve 22 to control the flow of air and water into chamber 25' A valve disc 23a at the lower end of cone 23 controls water flow through outlet 16' in the manner of the embodiment of FIG. 1. Pin 17' and button 18' provide manual release operation for the valve. An air dome 14' is formed in the housing to provide a compressible air pocket.

Cradle piston 20 is biased upwardly against tank pressure by spring 24 in the chamber. A resilient stop for the piston comprises a rubber O-ring 27 mounted at the top of the piston.

In the operation of valve 21, assume that the elements are initially in the position of FIG. 2 with tank pressure at a low value. After the pressure builds up, cradle piston 20 is urged downwardly until the force against the pressure side of the piston is in equilibrium with the force of spring 24. At a predetermined pressure valve 21 will seat to close opening 16' At a further rise in pressure valve 22 will open so that tank air and entrained water will enter chamber 25' through opening 26. The force against the underside of piston 20 resulting from chamber 25' pressure will combine with the force of spring 24 to equalize tank pressure. A lower pressure thus ail in chamber 25' while the tank pressure continually rises. When the maximum service pressure in the tank Signed and sealed this 27th day of November 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD T LFLETCHER,JR. RENE D. TEGTMEYER Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents