US856550A - Valve mechanism for tanks and reservoirs. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED JUNE 11; 1907.

J. P. SENTER.

VALVE MEGHANIS APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 4, 1906.

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PATENTED JUNE 11, 19077 J. F. SENTBR. VALVE MECHANISM FOR TANKS AND RESERVOIRS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-4.1906.

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-No. 856,550. PATENTED JUNE 11, 1907. I J. F.'SBNTER.

VALVE MECHANISM FOR TANKS AND RBSERVOI APPLIUATION FILED SEPT. 4. 1906.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN F. SENTER, OF CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE, ASSIGNOR. OF ONE-HALF TO MORGAN LLEWELLYN, MICHAEL G. WVEIDNER, AND JOSHUA HARRY STREET, OE CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 11, 1907.

Application filed September 4,1906. Serial No. 333,109.

T0 (at!) 10/1/0177 it 710mg concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN F. SEN'rEn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chattanooga, in the county of Hamilton and State of Tennessee, have invented a new and useful Valve Mechanism for Tanks and lies ervoirs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to valve mechanism for flushing tanks, whether of the automatic or manually actuated type, and for other purposes where a predetermined supply of water or liquid is desirable or necessary in a reservoir.

One of the principal objects is to provide novel and simple valve controlling mechanism that will obviate the necessity of floats, and will also eliminate siphons in flushing tanks, yet securing the complete discharge of the contents of the tanks and the automatic filling thereof.

Several embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view through a manually actuated flushing tank. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through an automatic flushing tank. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view through the same. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view through a reservoir,

in which a constant level of water may be maintained. Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the same.

Similar reference numerals designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

Referring first to the embodiment disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, an outer casing 7 of any suitable shape and structure is emloyed, within which is mounted. a reservoir 8. This reservoir has a bottom discharge nipple 9 to 'which is connected an overflow pipe 9*, and an upper inlet or supply nipple 10, the latter being connected to the upper portion thereof, and having a delivery pipe 11 that extends into the lower portion of the reservoir. An upwardly opening valve 12 controls the discharge, and an inwardly opening valve 13 controls the supply or inlet, the latter valve having a stem 14 that projects into the upper portion of the reservoir. A lever 17 is fulcrumed, as shown at 18, between its ends on the top of the reservoir, and extends in a substantially horizontal direction thereover. One arm of this lever projects beyond the reservoir, and has suspended therefrom, a vertically movable gravity tank 19. The lower end of this tank is in communication with the lower end of the reservoir 8, through a flexible conduit 20 of any suitable character, and thus it will be evident that the liquid in the tank and reservoir will be at the same level. The other arm of the lever terminates in a spindle 21, on which is slidably mounted a counterweight 22 that is secured against sliding movement by a set screw 23. Secured to the arm of the lever carrying the spindle 21, is a depending link 24 that extends downwardly through the top of the reservoir, and is connected at its lower end to one arm of a bell crank lever 25, the other arm of this lever operating against the valve stem 14, as shown. An overbalancing device is employed, in the form of an upstanding stem 26 pivotally mounted on the fulcrum 18 of the lever and having a weight 27, adjustably secured thereon by means of a set screw 28. The stem 26 is offset from the fulcrum 18, and is provided with a horizontally disposed lug 29. Between this lug and the base of the stem is a pin 30 carried by the lever 17.

The discharge controlling valve 12 is carried by the lower end of a stem 31. that proj ects upwardly through the top of the reservoir, and has its upper end connected to one end of a lever 32, fulcrumed on the top of the casing. A suitable handle 33 has a link connection 34 with the other end of this lever. The stem 31 extends transversely of the arm of the lever 17 to which the counterweight 22 and link 24: are connected, and the portion disposed directly adjacent to said lever 17, has a slot 35, in which is located a pin 36 secured to the adjacent arm of the lever. 4

. Assuming the tank to be empty, the coun terweight 22 is su'llicient to raise the tank 19 and swing the overbalancing weight 27 to a substantially vertical position, When the parts are so disposed, the valve 12 will be closed, inasmuch as the pin 36 will be at the lower end of the slot 35. The inlet valve 13, however, will be in open position. There 7 weight 27.

fore, Water supplied to the inlet 10 will flow consequently 'maintain the valve 47 in closed freely into the reservoir, and also-into the gravity tank 19, through the conduit 20. When the Water reaches a predetermined level, that which is in said gravity tank will overbalance the weight 22and cause the arm of the lever carrying it to be raised. The pin 36 will therefore ride up in the slot 35, and will not affect the position of the valve 12, but the link 24 will be also elevated, thereby moving the depending arm of the bell crank lever 25, and allowing the valve 13 to close, cutting off the supply of water.

To operate the device, the handle 33 is drawn downwardly, thereby unseating the valve 12, and permitting the discharge of water through the outlet 9. The weight of the parts 33, 34 and the lever 32 are suflicient to maintain the valve 12 in open condition.

The water therefore flows freely from the reservoir 8, and tank 19, the latter being held in its lowered condition by the overbalancing As soon, however, as suflicient water has passed from the tank 19, so that the counterweight 22 will overbalance the weight 27 and tank, then such tank will be raised, the stem 26 will be swung until it is in substantially vertical position. The pin 36 being in the lower end of the slot 35 and moving downwardly, will force the valve 12 to closed position, and the bell crank lever 25 will be operated to move the supply controlling valve to open position. Therefore the tank will automatically refill until the supply is again out ofl, as above described.

An automatic flushing tank is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. The outer casing is designated 37, and located within the same is a reservoir 38, having a bottom discharge 39, to which is connected an overflow 40, while a supply pipe 41., extends through the upper portion of the casing. The reservoir has a downturned delivery nozzle 42. A suitable manually actuated controlling valve 43 is located in the supply pipe. A lever 44 is fulcrumed between its ends, as shown at 45 on the top of the reservoir, and from one arm of this lever depends a link or stem 46, carrying it. It also has a valve 47 that controls the discharge 39. The samearm of the lever has a reduced spindle 48, on which is adjust ably mounted a counterbalancing weight 49. From the other arm of the lever is suspended a gravity tank 50, having a flexible conduit connection 51 with the bottom ofthe reservoir 38. An upwardly extending stem 52 is pivoted on the fulcrum 45 of the lever, and an overbalancing weight 53 'is adjustably mounted thereon. The base of this stem is provided with an offset lug 54, and between said lug and base, is a pin 55 carried by the lever.

WVith this construction, when there is little or no water in the gravity tank 50, the weight 49 will hold the same in raised position, and

condition. Wateris continuously supplied through'the pipe 41, and as this level raises in the reservoir and tank, the weight of the latter will overbalance the weigh-t 49, thereby swinging the lever and elevating or opening the valve 47. At the same time, the overbalancing stem 52 is swung so that the weight 53 thereof through the pin 55, will hold the lever and tank depressed until nearly all the water is out of the reservoir, whereupon the weight 49 will overcome the weight 53 and tank 50, again depressing the link 46 and closing the valve 47. It will be evident therefore that this structure constitutes simple means for effecting automatic and periodical flushing operations.

In Figs. ,5 and 6 there is disclosed mechanism for maintaining a constant level within a reservoir, as for instance in the tank of a hot water heating system. The reservoir is des ignated 56, andhas a bottom discharge 57 connected to the hot water system or other apparatus, in which a constant supply of water is to be maintained. The inlet is designated 58, and has the usual depending discharge pipe 59, arranged Within the reservoir. The inlet is controlled by a valve 60, having a stem 61 that projects into the reservoir, and is disposed in the path of movement of the downturned end 62 of a bell crank lever 63. A lever 64 is fulcrumed between its ends on thetop of the reservoir, and one end of the lever 64 is connected by the link 65 with a bell crank 63. The same arm is provided with a reduced spindle 66, on which is adjustably mounted a counterbalancing weight 67. A gravity tank 68 is suspended from the other arm of the lever, as shown at 69, and a flexible or other suitable conduit 70 connects the lower end of the tank with the bottom of the reservoir. l/Yith this arrangement, it will be evident that as long as there is a predetermined amoimt of liquid within the reservoir 56, and tank 68, the weight of the latter will overbalance the weight 67, and hold the link 65 in raised position. The arm 62 of the bell crank 63 will therefore permit the valve 60 to remain closed, but when the level of the water lowers beyond a predetermined point, then the weight 67 will overbalanc-e the gravi ty tank 68, the link 65 will be moved downwardly, and the bell crank 63 swung in a direction to force the valve 60 to open position. \Vater or liquid will thus be supplied to the reservoir 56, and will continue to flow thereinto until the gravity tank 68 overbalances the counterweight 67.-

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction, operation, and many advantages of the herein described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without further description, and it will be understood that various changes in the size, shape,

proportion, and minor details of construc- Y tion, may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, oi'valve mechanism as sociated with one, a movable gravity tank, a flexible conduit having one end secured to and communicating with the lower portion of the tank and its other end secured to and communicating with the lower portion of the reservoir, and operating means ior the valve mechanism connected to the tank and movable with the same.

2. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a reservoir. having an inlet and an outlet, of valve mechanism associated with one, a movable gravity tank located exteriorly of the reservoir, a conduit connecting the lower portion oi the tank with the reservoir, and a lever i'ulcrumed between its ends, one arm of the lever being connected to the tank, the other being connected to the valve mechanism.

3. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, of'valve mechanism controlling the inlet and outlet, a lever fulcrumed between its ends above the top of the reservoir, connections between one arm of the lever and the valve mechanism, a movable gravity tank suspended from the other arm of the lever and located exteriorly thereof and alongside the reservoir, and a flexible conduit connecting the lower portion of the tank with the lower portion of the reservoir.

4. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a reservoir having an upper inlet, and a lower outlet, oi a movable gravity tank having a flexible connection with the reservoir, a lever fulcrumed above the tank and between its ends, said gravity tank being suspended from one arm of the lever, a valve controlling the inlet and hav ing a connection with the other arm of the lever, a valve controlling the outlet and having a stem that slidably engages said latter arm of the lever, and an actuating handle connected to the stem for opening the discharge controlling valve.

5. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, of valve mechanism associated with one, a lever having a connection with the valve mechanism, a movable gravity tank having communication with the reservoir and constituting operating means for the valve mechanism, a movable arm associated with'the lever and disposed in angular relation thereto, and overbalancing means connected to said arm.

6. In apparatus of the character described,

l l l the combination with a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, of valve mechanism associated with one, a lever having a connection with the valve mechanism, a movable gravity tank having communication with the reservoir and constituting operating means for the valve mechanism, a S\Vll'l 2,'i11g arm associated with the lever and disposed in angular relation thereto, said arm being movable to positions on opposite sides of ,a vertical plane passing through the fulcrum of the lever, and an overbalancing weight connected to said arm 7. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet, of valve mechanism as sociated with one, a lever .tulcrumed between its ends and having one arm connected to the valve mechanism, a gravity tank suspended from the other arm of the lever and having communication with the reservoir, an upright arm pivoted on the i'ulcrum oi the lever and engaged with said lever, said arm being movable to positions on opposite sides of a vertical plane passing through the iulcrum, and overbalancing means connected to said arm.

8. In apparatus oi the character described, the combination with a reservoir having a discharge, of a lever i ulorumed between its ends, a movable gravity tank suspended from one arm of the lever and having a flexible pipe connection with the reservoir, a valve controlling the discharge and connected to the other arm, of the lever, an upstanding swinging overbalancing arm mounted on the fulcrum oi the lever and having an engagement with said lover, a weight adjustably mounted on the same, and a counterbalancing weight mounted on the arm of the lever to which the valve is connected.

9. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a reservoir having an outlet, of a valve controlling the outlet, manually actuated means for moving the valve to open position, a device connected to the valve for closing the same and having a limited movement independently thereof to per mit the actuation of the valve independently of the movement of said device, and a movable gravity tank having communication with the reservoir, said tank being connected to the valve closing device and holding it inactive as long as there is a predeterminei'l amount of water in the reservoir but permitting said device to move the Valve to closed position when the water level falls below said predetermined amount.

10. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a reservoir having an outlet, oi a valve controlling the outlet, manually actuated means having a connection with the valve for moving the same to open position, a weighted lever having a limited sliding engagement with the connection and constituting means for moving the of the lever, a flexible conduit having one end 0 valve to closed position, and a gravity tank connected to the lower portion of the tank hung from said lever and having communiand the other connected to the lower portion cation with said reservoir, said tank holding of the reservoir, a valve controlling the inlet, the lever inactive as long as there is a prel and a bell crank lever, one arm of which is determined amount of water in the reservoir, i connected to the valve, the other arm being but permitting said lever to move the valve connected to the opposite arm of the lever to to closed position When the Water level falls, that from which the tank is suspended.

the slidable engagements of the lever with the 13. In apparatus of the character deconnection permitting the opening movement scribed, the combination with a reservoir havof the valve independently of the movement ing an inlet, of a lever fulcrumed between its 40 of the lever.

11. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a reservoir having a lower discharge, of a lever fulcrumed between its ends, a gravity tank having a flexible conduit connection with the reservoir and suspended from one arm of the lever, a counterbalancing weight adjustably mounted on the other arm of the lever, an overbalancing device associated with the lever, a

I tank, a flexible conduit connecting the lower portion of the gravity tank with the-lower portion of the reservoir, said tank being suspended from one arm of the lever, a valve I controlling the inlet, a bell crank lever asl sociated with the valve, a link connection between the bell crank lever and the other arm of the first mentioned lever, and a counterweight adjustably mounted on said other valve controlling the discharge, a stem conarm.

nected to the valve and having a slidable con- In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as nection with the lever, and an actuating I my own, I have hereto a'ffixed my signature handle connected to the stem. in the presence of two witnesses.

12. In apparatus of the character del JOHN F. SENTER. scribed, the combination with areservoir hav- Witnesses:

ing an inlet, of a lever fulcrumed between its I l/V. C. VVESTER,

ends, a gravity tank suspended from one arm I E. A. PEALER.

ends on the top of the reservoir, a gravity

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