US845618A - Automatically-operated liquid-rheostat. - Google Patents

Description

110 845,618. PATENTE'D FEB. 26, 1907.

0. DE KANDO. AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED LIQUID RHEOSTAT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

1c 15 12 ii Ze i I I liiui w 1&1/9 f llzveaor: ['aloruauDt/fanda PATENTED FEB. 26, 1907.

0. DE KANDO. AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED LIQUID RHEOSTAT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6, 1905.

Invcntor C'oiom an Dalian/do By lanai-1%; 9M

3 SHEETSSHEET Z.

PATENTED FEB. 26, 1907. C. DE KANDO. AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED LIQUID RHEOSTAT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 6, 1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEBT a. Q

Lave/war C'olamanZJe mad/r;

By iwlsAiiar/ zeag UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.-

i COLOMAN DE KANDO, OF BUDAPEST, AUSTRIAHUNGARY, ASSIG'NOR,BY

.MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO WESTINGHOUSE MACHINE COMPANY, A COR- PORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMATlCAL LY-CPERATED LlQUID-RHEOSTAT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 26, 1907 Application filed May 6, 1905. Serial 110259.245.

T (ti-Z- wlwm, it 7n//r, u(1r1 cer11,.-

Be it known that I, COLOMAN DE Karmic a subject of the King of Hungary, and a' resident of Budapest, in the Kingdom Ans tria- Hungary, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatically-Opcr atcd Liquid-Rheostats, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates to liquid- 1:: rheostats: and it consists of certain novel parts and combinations of parts particularly pointed out in the claims concluding these specifications.

In the accon'ipanying drawings 1 have shown my invention embodied in the form at present preferred by me; but it wili be understood that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention and without exceeding the scope of my claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of the controlling device. Fig. 2 is a detail of the same. Fig. 3 is a sectional elevation of the rheostat-controlling valve; Fig. 4, a sectional elevation on a plane perpendicular to Fig. 3, the valves bemg omitted. Fig. 5 is a diagrammatical sectional elevation of the iiquid-rheostat. Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Pig. 7. lug. 7

is a plan view of Fig. 6. Fig- Sis a front elevation of the Heat shown in Fig. 6.

Referring to Fig. 1, 1 is the reservoir containing compressed air, only a part of which is shown in .the drawings.

3 5 valve controlling the passage of compressed air from the reservoir 1 toward the rhcosta-t.

3 is the casing of the valve 2, said casing be ing connected above the valve by means of the pipe 4. to the reservoir 1. :7 is a support 111 which the spindle 8 is journalcd. The upper end of said spindle bears the controllingever 9 with a handle 9, and on the lower end of the spindle is secured a cam 10. die 11. of the sliding valve is provided with a double cam 12 12, (see Fig. 2,) engaged by a stud 13, extending downward from the handle 9. The valve 2 is provided with two openings 2, Fig. 2, corresponding to the two I openings 2 of the sliding face 3 of the valvecasing. The openings 2 are connected by means oi a channel 3 and a pipe-joint 5 to a pipe (not shown) leading to a pipe-joint 6 of the rheosiat valvc .l i The slidm lace l l l 1 the valve correspond with the openings 3*, of l l l l 2 is a sliding l l l l the chamber 33. l l The spmr l l l l of the valve-casing has further openings 3 communicating with the atmosphere. it hen the slide valve is in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the cavities 2 of the valve establish communication between the openings 3 and 3 of the sliding face, thus connecting; the pipe leading to the rheostat or rheostats with the atmosphere. By turning the valve to the position in which the openings 2" oi the sliding face compressed air is admitted through the valve from the pipe 1 to the rheostat.

The lower part of the support 7.lS pro vided with a bracket, on which is formed a hollow cylinder 14, closed by a cover 15. Between the flanges of the cylinder and the cover is titted a membrane 16, forming, with the cover, a chamber 17. In the center of the membrane is fixed a plug 18 with a central boring 19 and with radial borings 20, establishing communication beta een the boring of the plug and the cylinder 14, which latter connnunicates with the atmosphere through the opening 21. A. piston 22 is ar- 1 ranged to slide in the cylinder 14, and a s1 ring 23 is located between the plug 18 and piston 22. The cover 15 is provided with a central boring 24, controlled by a valve 25, subjected to the pressure of a spring i T he stud 27 oi the valve 25 projects with 1L3 tapered end into the opening of the boring 1 $1 and acts as a valve suutting said boring tonard the chamber 17. A channel 29 and a. pipe 30 connect the valve-chambe 28 of the cover 15 with the compressed-air conduit 4-.

channel 31, by means oi a pipe, (not shown) connected to the pipe-joint 32, Fig. 3, with The automatic controlling device (she i in ligs. 3 and ll, comprises a casing 34 w th an upper valve-chamber 235, closed by brane 36 and the mcmbrane-cham formed bet ccn the membrane at, the ring 38, secured to the upper flange of the casing 34, and the membrane 37 of somewhat larger diameter than the membrane 36 and hold in place by a ring 39. The membranes 3G and 37 are connected to each other by a hollow plug 41), passing air-tight through said mem- 1 by the spring 12, interrupting til!l l lilij it'z The chamber 17 communicates, through the tion between the valve-chamber 35 and the atmosphere. The lower valve-chamber is divided by the division-wall 45 in two parts 43 44, and communication between the two parts is controlled by a valve 46, lifted by a spring 47. The valve 46 is provided with a central boring 48, shut by a small springcontrolled valve 49, thestem of which is guided in an axial boring of the stud of the valve 46and projects out of the same. Between the upperand lower valve-chambers a piston 50 is fitted in a cylindrical chamber 51 and bears on the valve 46. This latter chamber communicates, through two valves 52 and 53, with the upper valve-chamber, the former valve shutting and the latter valve opening toward the valve-chamber A valve 54 controls the communicatien between chamber 35 and chamber 44. In an axial boring of the stem of the valve'54 is fitted a small valve 55, the stem of which l i l i drawings the motor is at rest.

of'the rheostat, and the chamber 44, Fig. 4,

z of the rheostat-head is directly in communication with the chamber 83, Fig. 5, of the rheostat. Hence the diaphragm 45, Fig. 4, of the rheostat-head abuts against the diaphragm between the chambers 72 and 83 of Fig. 5 of the rheostat.

The operation of the device may be thus describe In the position shown in the Communication between the compressed-air reservoir projects from the lower end of the stem of the i and the rheostat is then closed by the valve valve 54 and bears on the twoarmed lever 56. l 2, and the rheostat is connected, through the On the casing 34 is pivoted a lever 57, with an armature 58 on its free end, (see Fig. 4,) controlled by an elcctromagnet 59, mounted on a bracket 60 of the casing 34. On the lever 57 projections 51 are provided, which bear against the plug of the membranes 36 37. A piston 62, Fig. 3, actuating a switclnplate 63, is fitted in a cylinder 64, communicating w ith the upper valvechamber 35. 63 is one of the contact-brushes, connected with the secondary windings of the induction-motor to be controlled, shortcircuiting the secondary windings when the "chamber 76. 79 engages with-its bifurcated end 80 a pin" switch-plate 63 is in contact therewith.

The flange 65 of the valve-casing, Fig. 3, is secured to the flange 66 of the rheostatchamber, Fig. 5. The rheostat comprises an airchamber 67, forming the upper part of the ater-tank 68 and the rheostat-room 69,

containing the well-know nrheostat-plates 70, (shown only schematically,) connected in the usual manner with the secondary winding of the induction-motor to be controlled. The lower part of the rheostat-room commu nicates through an opening 71 with the lowest part of the water-tank. When the valve-casing 34 is mounted on the rheostat, the lower valve-chamber 44, Fig. 3, connects with the air-chainber 67, Fig. 5, of the rheostat', while the chamber 43, Fig. 3, connects with the chamber 72, l ig. 5, of the rheostat. This latter chamber 72 communicates through the opening 73, channel 74, and opening 75 with the rhe stat-room 69.

The ,rher' gt T iprises, further, a floatchamber 7mm in detail 'in Figs. 6 and 7,) which chamber is arranged on the up er end of the rheostat and communicateswith the bottom with the rheostat-room 69. The float 77 is j ournaled by pivots 7 Sin the float- A downwardly-projecting arm at atmospheric pressure.

valve .2, with the atmosphere.

The valve 25 is closed, and the chamber 72, Fig. 5,

stem of said valve leaves free the opening of the boring 19, so that the chamber 17, and thus the membrane-chamber 33, Fig. 3, are At this time the spring 47 holds the valve 46 open, thereby putting the rl'ieostat-chambers 67 and 69 in communication, so that the water will be on the same level in the chamber 69 and the tank 68 and will not touch the rheostatplates 70.- The float-chamber 76 is empty and the float 77 is in its lowest position, and hence the lever arm 56'i's in its highest position, lifting the valve 54 from its seat. The short-circuiting switch 63 63 is open, the piston 62 being held in the position illustrated by a spring. (Not shown.) For starting the motor the level-'9 is turned in the direction of the arrow 84, (on the shaft 8, Fig. 1,) whereby the pin 13 acts on the cam 12 and turns the slidingvalve 2 in the position establishing communication between the compressed-air reservoir 1 through the channel 3 with the chamber 51 of the rheostat-valve, Fig. 3. The compressed air arriving in the chamber 51 exerts a pressure on the. piston 50, which presses the valve 46 on its seat, thus interrupting the communication between the. rheostat-chambers 67 and 69, Fig. 5. The compressed air is then lifting the throttle-valve 53 and is passing through it and through the valve 54, which is held open by the float in the chamber 76, Fig. 6. The compressed air therefore enters chamber 67,

Fig. 5, exerting a pressure on the liquid in flow into the rheostat-roorn 69. The air, throttled by the valve 53, which valve has only a slight lay, isfinding free through the va ve 54, st that while full pres sure will bein the. chamber 51, *yetin' the the tank 68 and causing it to passage ICC saaeie l i l plates 70 current begins to flow through the rheostat, and therefore through the windings of the electromagnet or solenoid 59, arranged in the rheostat-circuit. The electromagnet excited by this current begins to attract its armature 53, and thus to exert a certain )ressurefdepending on the current strengt i, on the plug 40, transmitted by the valve 41, standing under the pressure of the spring 42, to the throttle-valve 53. The strength of the current will thus balance the admission of the compressed air through the throttle-valve to the rheostat, admitting a certain constant starting-current intensity that is, aconstant starting eilort. However, it may be required to vary this constant startingcurrent intensity or starting el'l'ort. For this purpose the controlling-lever Q is turned [urther in the direction ol the arrow Fig. 1, when the pin 13 will come out of engagement with the cam 12. The valve 2 will then keep the position to which it was set and may be .lixcd in that position in any suitable manner. Herealfter the cam 10, turning with the spindle 8 oi the controlling-lever, begins to engage with the piston 22 and to push it forward, compressing the spring 23 and ushing the plug 18 against the stem 27 o the valve 25, the reflect off which is to close boring 19 and to open valve 25. The compressed air now passes 'l'rom pipe 30 through channel .29 and chamber 28 into the chamber 17 and thence through the channel 31 and a connecting-pipe leading to the pipe-joint 32, Fig.3, into the membrane-chamber The pressure in chamber 17 exerted on the membrane 16 is equal to the pressure of the spring-23. Hence the pressure on the opposite sides ol the membrane is balanced, and the membrane tends to return to its initial position, while the stem 27 holds the boring 19 still closed. At this moment the valve 25 closes, intqrrupting communication between the chamber 17 and the compressed-air supply. The pressure in the membrane-cham ber 33 corresponds to the pressure in the chamber 17, because they are in tree coininunication, and therefore to the tension ol the spring '23. it the pressure in the chambers-33 and 17 is decreased owing to escape of air, the pressure of the spring 23 overcomes that of the compressed air and opens again the valve 25 until the pressure in chambers 33 and 17 corresponds tothe tension ol spring 23. ()wing to the fact that the upper i-nembrane 37 is ol larger diameter than the lower membrane 36, the pressure in the chamber 33 will produce an inflation of the whole chamber toward the larger membrane, thereby lifting the plug 40 against the pressure produced by the electromagiiet 59, and hence allow the throttle-valve a larger hit and permit a more ample admission oi' compressed air to the rheostat. It the starting-current is too great and should be decreased, the lever 9 will be turned in the reverse direction and the pressure of the spring diminished. The pressure of the compressed air acting on the membrane 16 then removes the stud 18 from the stem 27, so that compressed air can escape through the borings 19, 20, and. 21 until the pressure in the membrane-chamber 33 corresponds to the diminished pressure of the spring 23. When the starting-currei'it increases, the pressure exerted by the electromagnet on the plug 40 is transmitted by the stem of the valve $1 on the throttle-valve 53, so that, this latter diminishes or interrupts totally the admission ol compressed air to the rheostat until the speed or the motor increases and the starting-current decreases correspondingly. it the current rise is very considerable, as when the resistance of the rheostat liquid is decreased by reason of heating, the plug 40 will be pressed so far down by the action of the electromagnet that the stem of the valve 41 abuts on the valve 53, whereupon the plug 40 leaves the valve 41, and compressed air 9 will escape from the'rheostat through this valve until the lever 01 the rheostat liquid has dropped in the chamber 69, Fig. 5, tar enough to increase the resistance to the required degree. The liquid rising in the rheostat-room 69 enters the float-chamber 7 6 and hits the float. The movement of the float is transmitted by the bifurcated arm 79, pin 81, and arm 82 to the spindle 83, carrying on its end(projecting into the v alve-chamber 44) the lever 56 56. This latter is thereby rotated in such a sense that the ar1n'56 descends and closes the v'alve 54 whenthe liquid in the rheostat-room 69 reaches its normal maximum height. W hen the valve 54 is closed, turther admission of compressed air to reservoir 63. 1S prevented and the liquid will remain at rest. Up to this time the air in chamber 35 is only slightly above atmospheric pressure; but now the air having no more escape from said chamber the pressure will increase to the full value of the reservoirpressure, whichpressure is suflicient to put the piston 62 outwardly, actuating the switch 63 (53 and short-circuiting the rheostat. The startingci" the motor is now completed. When the pressure in the chamber 35 has reached its full value, the pressure acting on the membrane 36 against the attractive force of the electromagnet is so strong that the electromagnet is no longer able to close the throttle-valve, which thereafter remains open. I

The means which insure a constant level of liquid in the ll'lOOb'tttt-IOOIH 69, notwithstanding leakage of air from the chamber 67 or notwithstanding the increasing pressure in will sink and the arm 56 of the lever 56 56 will accordingly rise, thus lifting the valve 55.

This valve must be of suliiciently small cross section to be readily lifted by the float and suiiiciently large to allow the passage of compressed air in quantities large enough to com pensate for the leakage, &c. If, on the other hand, the level of the liquid rises in the rheostat-room and in consequence in the.

float-chamber, the float will rise and the lever 56 56 will be turned in such a way as to lift the valve 49. This valve has to be of sufliciently small crosssection to be lifted readily by the float. Through the opened valve 49 air will enter the room 69 from the chamber 67 until the level of liquid falls to its normal height.

For stopping the motor the lever 9 is turned back in its initial position, whereby the tension of the spring 23 is released and the membrane-chamber 33 put in communi cation with the atmosphere. The valve 2 is then returned by the pin 13 engaging with the cam 12 ot' the valve to the position shown in the drawing, connecting the chamber 51, Fig. 3, of the rheostat-valve through the pipe, joint 5, channel 3 boring 3,cavities 2, and channel 3 with the atmosphere. The compressed air escapes through the valve 52 from the. upper valve-chamber 35 and the cylinder 64 and the switch members 63 63 will be separated. The pressure ceases to act on the piston 50, permitting the spring 47 to open valve 4 6, and thus restablishes'communication between the chambers 67 and'69 of the rheostat, whereupon the liquid-level the liquid will fall in room 69 to the level of in room 65, and the whole apparatus returns to its initial position. (Shown in the drawings.)

Having thus described a structure embodying my invention in the form at present preferred by me, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A liquid-rheostat having a plurality of liquid-containing chambers, a connection between the air-spaces of said chambers above the maximum liquid-level therein, a valve controlling said connection, and means for actuating said valve to open and close the communication between the airspaces of said chambers.

2. A rheostat having a plurality of liquid containing chambers, a connection between said chambers, a valve for said connection, and fluid-pressure means adapted tofoperate said valve to close theconnection between said chambers.

seams 3. A rheostat comprising a plurality of liquid-containing chambers, a connection between said chambers, the liquid of said chambers being normallyat the same level, means for cutting o'il' the communication between said chambers, and means for varying the height of the liquid within said chambers.

4. The combination of a liquid-rheostat having a plurality of connected chambers, a reservoir containing a supply oi compressed air, a connection between said reservoir and rheostat, a valve for controlling the connection between the chambers, a valve for con trolling the admission of air to the rheostat from the reservoir, and a float device operated by the rise and fall of the liquid in'the rheostat adapted to actuate said controllingvalve and said air-admitting valve.

5. The combination of a liquid-rheostat having a plurality of chambers, a valve con trolling the connection between said cham-' bers, a starting-device admitting the com pressed air to the rheostat, a throttle-valve controlling the admission of said compressed air, and an electromagnetic device, regulated by said rheostat adapted to close the throttle valve against the pressure of the admitted compressed air.

6. In combination with a liq uid-rheostat, a reservoir of compressed air, means for admitting compressed air to said rheosiat when the pressure therein-falls below a stated pressure, and for permitting the escape of compressed air therefrom when the pressure rises above a stated pressure.

7. In combination with a liquid-rheostat having a plurality of chambers and a reservoir of com ressed air, means for admitting air to said r ieostat and closing communication between said chambers when the pressure therein is below a stated pressure, and for permitting the escape of compressed air therefrom when the pressure rises above a stated pressure.

S. In combination with a liquid-rheostat and a reservoir of compressed air, of a float andmechanism operated by the float for admitting compressed air to said rheostat when the pressure therein is below a stated pressure and for permitting the escape of compressed air therefrom when the pressure is above a stated pressure.

9; In combination with a liquid-rheostat and a reservoir of compressed air, a float, a rockerarm operated by'said float, a plurality of valves operated by said rocker-arm to admit com pressed air to said rheostajt when the pressure therein is below a stated pressure, and to permit the escape'of air from said The ostat when the pressure is above a stated pressure.

10. In combination with a liquid-rheostat,

' a reservoir of coinpressedair, a'slide-valve alternately connecting said rheostat with the air and wlth said reservoir, a cam mechanism r to see,

' connected with said valve, a cam for operating mechanism for variably throttling the admission of compressed air to said rheostat, and a controller-handle actuating both of said cam mechanisms.

12. In combination with a liquid-rheostat and a reservoir of compressed air, a controllerhandle provided with a projection engaging -w1th mechanism ior operatlng the valve controlling communication between said reser voir and said rheos-tat, said controller being provided with a cam mechanism controlling the operation of mechanism for variably throttling the admission of compressed air to said rheostat.

l3. In combination with a liqu1drheostat containing a plurality of chambers and a reservoir of compressed air, or a valve automatically closing communication between said chambers when compressed air is admitted to the rheostat, float and mechanism operated by the float to establish communication. between said chambers when the float assumes a given position. 7

let. In combination with a liquid-rheostat having a plurality of chambers, a float, mechanism o erated by said float for automatically a mitting compressed air to the rheostat when the float is in one position, the communication between said chambers being at that time interrupted, and permitting the escape of air from said chamber when the float is in another position.

15. In combination with a liquid-rheostat having a plurality of chambers and a reservoir of compressed air, a float, a rocker-arnr connected with said float, which arm in one position opens communication between the reservoir and the rheostat while interrupting communication between the said chambers, and in another position establishes communication between said chambers.

16. In combination with a liquid-rheostat a reservoir of compressed air, means for ads mitting air to said rheostat when the level of liquid therein falls below a statedlevel and for permitting the escape of compressed air therefrom when the level of" liquid rises above a stated level:

17. In combination with a liquid-rheostat having a plurality of chambers and a reservoir of compressed air, means for admitting stat and a reservoir of compressed air, of a float and mechanism operated by the float for admitting compressed air to said rheostat when the level of liquid therein is below a stated level and forpern'ntting the escape of compressed air therefrom when the level of liquid is above a stated level.

19. In combination with a liquid-rheostat and a reservoir of compressed air, a float, a rocker-arm operated by said float, a plurality of valves operated by said rockerarm to ad mit compressed air to said rheostat when the level of liquid therein is below a stated level, and to permit the escape of air from said rheostat when the level. of liquid is above a stated level. V

20. A liquid-rheostat having a plurality of liquid containing chambers, a connection between said chambers, a main valve and a supplemental valve controlling said connection, and means for actuating both said valves to open and close said communication.

21. A liquid-rheostat having a plurality oi liquid-containing chambers, a connection between said chambers, a main valve and a supplemental valve controlling said connection,

said main valve being controlled by air-pressure and said supplemental valve being controlled by the level of the liquid within said chamber.

22. A liquid rheostat, a reservoir contain ing a supply of compressed air, a connection between said reservoir and said rheostat, a main valve and a supplemental valve controlling said connection, and means for operating both said valves to open-and close said connection.

A liq uid-rheostat, a reservoir containing a supply of compressed air, a connection between said reservoir and said rheostat, a main valve and a supplemental valve, means operated by the level of liquid in the rheostat for controlling both said valves.

24. A liquid-rheostat, a reservoir contain ing a supply of compressed air, an exit for the compressed air from said rheostat, main valves controlling the entrance and exit of compressed air to and from the rheostat, and supplemental valves controlled by the level of the fluid in the rheostat for automatically maintaining said level substantially constant.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

(JOLOMAN DE KANDO.

Wi tncsses:

lf-nluvn l5. hIALLETT, Louis Vlmnonr.

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