US869337A - Pneumatic-despatch-tube apparatus. - Google Patents

Description

No. 869,337. PATENTED OUT. 29. 1907. G. P. STODDARD. PNEUMATIC DESPATOH TUBE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28, 1906.

4 SHBETSSHEET 1.

rm: NORRIS PEYERS co.. wasmuuron, n! u 4 SHEETSSHEET 2 No. 869,387. PATENTBD OCT. 29. 1907. C. F. STODDARD. PNEUMATIC DESPATGH TUBE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION I'ILED JULY 28, 1906.

m2 mamas psrsres co.. WA: ura'v No. 869,337. PATENTED OCT. 29, 1907. 0-. F. STODDARD. DESPATOH TUBE APPARATUS.

APPLIQ AV'EIO-N FILED JULY 28, 1906.

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4 flaw THE NORRIS PETERS co. WASHINGTON, D. c

No. 869,337. PATENTED 0011.29. 1907. 0. F. STODDARD. PNEUMATIC DESPATGH TUBE APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28, 1906.

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UNITED STATES OlElEllClE.

CHARLES E. STODDARD, Ol BOSTON, MASSAGEUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO AMEltlOAN lNl YUMATlC SERVICE COMPANY, OF DOVER, DELUYARE, A (JOltlOltAlllON OF DELAWARE.

PNEUTLEATIC-DESPATCH-TUBE APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 29, 1907.

Application filed July 28. 1906- Serlal No. 328.195.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, (".imatins F. S'ronoano, ol .l5os ton in the county of Suffolk and State ol Massachusetts, have invented certain new and usel'ul lmprovcments in Pneumatic-Despatch-Tube \pparatus, ol which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in receiving terminals for pneumatic despatch tube apparatus, and especially to a device for controlling the position ol the carrier between the gates until the lront or outer gate is wide open ready to discharge the carrier.

1n the accompanying drawings which illustrate a construction embodying my invention, Figure l is a longitudinal section of the double-sluice gate closed receiver showing the dil't'erent members ol the terminal in their relative positions when the terminal is ready to receive the carrier. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same terminal showing the dit't'erent members in their relative positions just alter a carrier has entered the terminal. Fig. .3 is a longitudinal section ol the same terminal showing the dil'lereut members in their relative positions alter a carrier has entered the terminal and the back gate is closed but the front gate has not opened. Fig. l is a longitudinal section ol the same terminal showing the dil'lerent members in their relative positions as the terminal is discharging a carrier.

Like letters oi reference reler to like parts throughout the several views:

The main transmission tube is located in alinement with the ct'mi inession or receiving chamber A of the terminal and beyond the slotted easing A through which the pressure passes into the returntube A. Located on the upper side ol the compresy sion or receiving chamber r\-' is the cylinder l) connected with the compression or receiving chamber A by the pipes C and O and located within said eylinder .is the piston D", connected by the rod 1) with the piston valve 1) which in turn connected by the rod D to the rod D by the pivot joint D, The rod D is pivotally connected with the linger I) at E and this linger l) swings on the bracket 1i to which it is pivotally connected at E and said linger extends into the path of travel of the discharging carrier (Fig. 23).

The air supply for operating the inner and outer gates l5 and B" in the terminal enters through the pipe 0 into the valve casing l) and is conveyed to the tops of the inner and outer cylinders ii and ll by the pipes C and 0-, and operates the pistons I1 and [3 to which are respectively connected the gates it and I end of the cylinder D as shown in Fig. 2. This movement oi the-piston l)' moves the piston valve 1) l'rom the position shown in Fig. l to that shown in Fig. 2 and also moves the linger D into the position shown in Fig. 2.

The air supply entering the valve casing D through the pipe 0 passes through the pipe 0 to the upper side of the piston 15" in the cylinder 15 and closes the gate l5. As the piston 13" reaches the lower end of the cylinder ll, it passes the port 1 which admits the pressure-to the under side of the piston B in the cylinder B through the pipe O. This pressure raises the piston .15 to the upper side 01' the cylinder B causing the raising ol' the gate 13'' which is connected to piston l) by the piston rod 13. From the return tube A is a pipe or by-pass Q leading to the compression or receiving chamber A". The opening in this pipe Q is controlled by the buttcrlly valve Q pivoted at Q and operated by the piston rod O which is secured to the piston Q" which operates in the cylinder Q The hunt side ol the cylinder Q is connected with the pipe Q by means of the port P on the side of the butterlly valve Q nearest the compression or receiving chamber A The opposite side 01' the cylinder Q is connected by the pipe Q to the cylinder 13 anti this pipe Q enters the cylinder 13 at a point l which is just below the under side of the piston 13- when the piston 15 is in its extreme upper position as shown in Fig. l. The spring S tends to force the piston Q" into the position shown in Fig. 1.

lclerring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the pressure coming through the pipe G into the valve casing l) is transmitted through the pipe (I to the upper side-cl the cylinder 13 and through the pipe Q to the cylinder Q tending to hold the piston Q in the position shown in Fig. l, and the pressure in the receiving chamber A is connnunicated to the opposite side oi the piston Q through port 1, and as the pressure in the receiving chamber A and the supply pipe O are the same, the piston Q" is in balance as far as the pressure on either side of it is concerned, and the spring S holds it; in the position shown in Fig. l.

\\'hen the carrier enters the terminal, the valve D is thrown into the position shown in Fig. 2 as before explained, and the top ol the cylinder i5" is connected to the atmosphere through the pipe 0 and the valve case .D, the ends of which are open to the atmosphere. The pressure in the side of the cylinder to which the pipe Q is attached is always the same as at the point in the cylinder lf where the pipe Q" enters the same, so that as soon as a carrier enters the terminal and the pressure in the upper part of the cylinder B is reduced to atmospheric pressure, the pressure on the side of the cylinder Q to which the pipe Q is attached, is also reduced to atmospheric. As the piston Q was already in the )osition shown in Fig. 1 this reduction I )i e R with the back end of the receivin chamber A s l 1 l P a:

of the pressure on the side of the cylinder Q to which the pipe Q is attached, does not change the position of the piston Q but allows the pr ssure in the pipe Q which is the same as in the receiving chamber A to augment the pressure ot' the spring S and tends to hold the piston Q more securely to the side ol the cylinder Q onwhich the pipe Q is attached. As soon as the gate B is closed, communication between the trans mission tube A and the receiving chamber A is shut off. Communication between the return tube A and the receiving chamber A is already closed by the butterfly valve Q in the pipe .Q. As soon as the gate 13 opens slightly, the pressure in the receiving chamber A is precipitated into the atmosphere through this slight opening and the pressure in the part oi the tube Q on the side of the butterfly valve Q nearest the receiving chamber A is also reduced to atmospheric. The piston Q is now in balance as far as the pressure is concerned and the spring S holds it in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. When the piston 13'" reaches the position shown in Fig. 4, the gate B entirely opens the passage between the receiving chamber A and the table A*. When the piston B is in its uppermost position, the pressure under the piston B is communicated to the cylinder Q through the pipe Q and the piston Q" is forced into the position shown in Fig. 4 thereby opening the butterfly valve Q and admitting pressure from the return tube A to the receiving chamber A back of the carrier, and this pressure discharges the carrier lrom the receiving chamber A onto the table A.

In the position of the parts shown in Fig. 3, the linger D is in the path oi the carrier which strikes it as it comes onto the table A. This linger D moves the piston D from the position shown in Fig. 2 to that shown in Fig. 1 thereby opening the pipe G to the at mosphere to allow the pressure in it and the cylinder B to exhaust to the atmosphere. The pressure in the pipe C then passes through the pipe 0 to the cylinder B above the piston B and forces it down into the position shown'in Fig. 1. As the piston B reaches the lower end 01' the cylinder l5 it passes the port I which allows the pressure to pass through the pipe C to the under sideot the piston l3" in the cylinder B, thereby raising the piston B to the position shown in Figs] which places the apparatus in a position to receive another carrier, and the pressure on each side of the piston Q being equal, the spring S throws the piston Q to the position shown in F ig. l and the counterweight Q attached to the butterfly valve Q returns the butterfly valve Q to the position shown in Fig. 1. The pipe 0 is connected with the cylinder 1)" and is for the purpose of balancing the piston D when the machine is not in operation, and is in communication with the inner end of the receiving chamber A-'. A is a suitable bumper to stop the carrier as it reaches the end of the table A. E is the floor line. A A, A and A are suitable supports.

The operation and construction so far described are similar to that shown and described in my application Serial No. 328,194 filed July 28, 1906.

The pipe R is connected on one side with the pipe Q between the butterfly valve Q and the receiving chamber A This is an indirect means of connecting the At the other end,-the pipe it is connected with the atmosphere through the valve R which is controlled by the piston R which operates in the cylinder R The spring S tends to hold the piston R in the position shown in Fig. l. The side of the cylinder R upon which is placed the spring S is connected with the top oi the cylinder B through the pipe R to the pipe Q The opposite side of the cylinder R is connected with the lower side oi the cylinder B by the pipe R which enters the cylinder 13 at a point just above the piston B when it is in the position shown in Fig. 3. When this receiving terminal is used at a point of the pneumatic tube line where the pressure is excessively high, a condition arises which is not met with except under high pressure, and this condition is as follows: After the carrier is stopped in the receiving chamber, as shown in Fig. 3, the pressure, both in iront oi the carrier and back the carrier, is the same. When the gate 13 reaches the position shown in Fig. 3, the pressure in iront oi the carrier and back of the carrier, provided there is no valve R is the same as in the transmission tube A. As soon as the front or outer gate l3 opens slightly, the pressure in Iront oi the carrier is dissipated into the atmosphere, and the air back oi the carrier which is at the same pressure (as before explained,) as in the transmission tube A, suddenly expands and forces the carrier against the gate 13 beiore the gate B can rise to the position shown in Fig. 4 to allow the carrier to discharge under it. It is to overcome the striking of the carrier against this gate that the valve R is placed in the position shown.

The operation oi the valve R is as iollows: When the terminal is in its normal position as shown in Fig. 1, the pressure in the pipe Q which in communication with the upper end of the cylinder 13" is the same as the pressure in the pipe R which is in communication with the lower side of the cylinder B and the piston R is in balance as far as the pressure is concerned. The valve R, however, is held to its seat by the pressure from the receiving chamber A and by the spring S When a carrier enters the terminal and throws the valve D to the position shownin Fig. 2, the pressure in the pipe R through Q and the pipe R5 is reduced to atmospheric, leaving the piston R still in balance. When the piston B reaches the position shown in Fig. 3, the pressure on top 01' the piston B is communicated through the pi e R to the side ol the piston R which is nearest the valve R and this pressure throws the piston R to the position shown in Fig. 3, thcreb y opening the valve R and reducing the pressure in the rear end oi the receiving chamber A to atmospheric. At practically the same instant the gate 13 opens, thereby allowing'the pressure in iront oi the carrier to precipitate into the atmosphere and reducing the pressure in lront oi' the carrier to atmospheric pressure, thereby leaving the carrier in balance with no tendency to iorce it against the gate B while it is opening. When the piston B reaches the position shown. in Fig. i, the pressure under the piston B passes through the pipe Q to the pipe R to the side oi the piston R on which is located the spring S thereby bringing the piston R into balance as far as pressure is concerned. The spring S then throws the piston R into the position shown in Fig. 1 closing the valve B. At this same instant, the pressure in the pipe Q forces the piston Q into the position shown in Fig. 4 and the carrier is discharged upon the table, as before explained, by the pressure from the tube A through the pipe or bypass Q.

Having thus described the nature of my invention and set forth a construction embodying the same, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent oi the United States:

1. In an apparatus oi the character described, a trans mission tube, a terminal communicating with said tube, an inner and an outer gate closing the same. a source of air pressure for operating said gates, at by-pass ior leading, the pressure of the transit tube to the terminal between said gates, a valve controlling said hy-pass, an opening iroin said by-pass to the atmosphere, a valve controlling said air opening and adapted to open to relieve the pressure behind the carrier in the terminal upon the closing oi the inner gate and to close upon the opening oi the outer gate, and mechanism for operating said bypass valve to admit the pressure of the transit. tube to the terminal to dis cha-ige a carrier upon the outer gate reaching its open Di, ition.

. In an apparatus oi the character described, a transit tube, a terminal communicating with said tube, an inner and an outer gate closing the same, an inner and an outer cylinder each having a piston connected to said gates, at source oi airpressure tor operating said pi :ous, communication between said cylinders and lid source oi. air pressure, a valve for opening and closing said communication to each cylinder alternately, mechanism operated by the pressure in the tube for normally closing communication between said source oi compressed air and the inner cylinder, :1 connection between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder for leading the pressure from the outer cylinderto the inner cylinder to open the inner gate after the outer gate is closed, a by-pass leaving the pressure oi the transit tube to the terminal between said gates. a valve control ling said hy-pass, an opening iroin said by-pass to the atmosphere, a valve controlling said air opening and adapted to open to relieve the pressure behind the carrier in the terminal upon the closing oi the inner gate and to close upon the opening of the outer gate, and mechanism ior operating said by-pa s to admit the pressure oi the transit. tube to the terminal to discharge a carrier upon the outer gate reaching its open position.

:2. in an apparatus oi the character described, a trans mission tube, a terminal communicating with said tube, an inner and an outer gate closingthe same, an inner and an outer cylinder each having a piston connected t0 said gates, a source oi air pressure [or operating said pistons, communication between said cylinders and s: d source oi air pressure, a valve for opening and closing id communicaiion to each cylinder alternately, mechanism operated by the pressure in the tube [or normally closing communication between said source oi compressed air and the inner cylinder, mechanism operated by air compressed by the carrier for operating said valve to open communicaiion between said source 01 comprcsscd air and the inner cylinder to close the inner gate and to close communh tion between said source of compressed air and the outer cylinder to open the outer gate. a connection between the inner cvlinder and the outer cylinder for leading, the pressure ironi the outer :ylindcr to the inner iinder to open the inner gate aiter the outer gate is closed, a by-pass lor leading the pressure oi the transit tube to the terminal between said gates, a valve controlling said by-pnss, an opening from said by-pass lo the atmosphere, a valve controlling said air opening ainl adapted to open to relieve the pressure behind the carrier in the terminal upon the closing oi the inner gate and to close upon the opening of the outer gate, and mechanism [or operating said by-pass valve to admit the pressure 01 the transit tube to the terminal to discharge a carrier upon the outer gate reaching its open position.

i. in an apparatus 01 the character described, a trans mission tube. a terminal communicating' with said tube, an inner and an outer gate closing the same, an inner and an outer cylinder each having a piston connected to said gates, a source or air pressure [or operating said pistons, cominnnication between said cylinders and said source 01 air pressure, a valve [or opening and closing said communi cation to each cylinder alternately, mechanism operated by the pressure in the tube [or normally closing communication between said source oi compressed air and the iuiicr cyliinler, connections between said cylinders for leading the pressure.therei'rom alternately to one another, a bypass for leading the prt ure oi the transit tube to the ierminal between said gates, a valve controlling said hypass. an opening iroin said by-pass to the atmosphere, a valve controlling said air o 'lening and adapted to open to relieve the pressure hehiinl the carrier in the terminal upon the closing ot the inner gate and to close upon the opening oi the outer gate. and mechanism for operating said bypass valve to admit the pressure oi the transit lube to the terminal to discharge a carrier upon the outer gale reaching its open position,

'3. in an apparatus of the character described, a transmission tube. a terminal communicating with said tube, an inner and an outer gale closing the same, an inner and an outer cylinder each having a piston connected to said gates. a source oi air pressure for operating said pistons, conununication between said cylinders and said source of air pressure, a valve for opening and closing said commu nication to each cylinder alternately, mechanism operated by the pressure in the tube for normally closing communi cation between said source oi compressed air and the inner cylinder, mechanism operated by air compressed by the carrier [or operating said valve to open communication between said source oi compressed air and the inner cylinder to close the inner gate and to close communication between said source oi compressed air and the outer cylinder to open the outer gate, a connection between the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder ior leading the pres sure irom the inner cylinder to the outer cylinder aiter the inner gate is closed to open the outer sale. a hy-pass ior leading ilic pressure oi the transit tube to the terminal between said gates. a valve controlling said by-pa an opening iroin said by-pass to the aimosphcre, a valve con trolling said air opening; and adapicd to open to relieve the pressure bchiml the carrier in the terminal upon the closingoi the inner gate and to close upon the. opening oi the outer gate, and mechanism for operating said bypass valve to admit the pressure oi the transit tube to the terminal io discharge a carrier upon the outer gate reaching its open position.

in testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this spcciiicaiion in the presence oi iwo subscribing witnesses, this twcnly-iirsl day oi .luly A. ll. ilili'lil.

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