USRE20246E - Valve - Google Patents

Description

F. c. BINNALL VALVE Original Filed Oct. 5, 1932 m w WW w v I by N I Q\ g R N 2 Sheets-Sheet l 9415 Grimm/1J Jan. 19, 1937. NNA Re. 20,246

I VALVE ori in-a1 Filed Oct. 5, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 i y 25% L 4 3% CZAMJ/LJ M 1E5 Moi/M44 15 Ren ued Jen. 19, 193v Re, 20,246

UNITED STATES P TENT OFFICE Fredei'ickC. B i:i: llY:V h inmn,Del.

Serial No. 636,060, October 3, 1932. Application for reissue November 14, 1936, Serial No. 110,944

so (c1. ra'Lss) My invention relates to improvements in valves duction methods fora fraction of the cost of such and has .to do, more particularly, with valves for prior art devices. controlling the flow ofwater and other liquids. It is an object of my invention to provide a It is the primary object of my invention to silencer for liquid-flow controlling valves which provide a valve construction for checking or may be made to precision form by production 5 throttling liquid flow in supply lines which 'is methods for an extremely low cost. completely silent in operation. Further objects, and objects relating to details It is an object of my invention to provide a and economies of construction and operation will flush valve construction of general application .deflnitely appear to those skilled in the art from which will not generate line or other noises, even the detailed description eto follow. .'In one in--. 10 when used on supply lines having pressures up stance, I accomplish the objects of my invention to several hundred pounds per square inch; by the devices and means set forthln the follow- It is an object of my invention to provide a ing specification. My invention is clearly defined self-meteringdlush valve of general application, and pointed out in the appended claims. A the flush of which may be regulated, and which structure constituting a preferred embodiment of 15 e will provide uniformity of flush within extremely 'my invention isillustrated in the accompanying close limits, regardless of: the manner'in which drawings forming a part of this specification in the device is tripped.- f v I which:-

, It is an object of .my invention to provide a Figureljs a vertical sectional view of a'fiush -33 self-metering flush valve which is not subject to valve construction -c nstituting a p ef d the f rmat f osit upon t working parts, .bodiment of my invention, the piston valve and. and in which the timing passages are selfthrottle valve being shown in elevation; cleaning and free from tendency to clog. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on It is-an object of my invention to provide a 11118 0 .i flush valve employing a vulcanized rubber seat 8- 8, yV fl ct o al View member and a valve element seatable thereon ough the valve shown in Fig. 1, disclosing the which w111 n tb pitted by the sulphur g fent piston valve and the relationship existing between of the rubber seat member. t parts thereof when in closed position;

It is an object of my invention to provide, in a 3 8- 4 s a ho izontal sectional view taken on :If) flush valve, a tiltable timing'chamber relief valve the'line H of Fige having a telescoping stern which is adjustable to Fig 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken g regulate the flush and which isfree from tend- 0n the 5 B- ,-showing t fr ency to bind or stick. V cleaning chamber cha g n duct;

n It is an object of my invention to provide a Fla 6 1s a ho izontal s ctional view of a part flush valve for closet bowls which will silently 1 the throttle Valve and taken on the line provide a uniform refill therein after the flush- 8. 1 m operation h t k place, Fig. '1 is a view in perspective of the throttle It is an object of my invention to provide a Valve ca y ng head member; e

combined cut-off and "adjustable throttle valve 8- 318 3 ertical Sectional view of the throtfor use in conjunction with the supply line of a tie valve a showing e nstruc ion or the 40 flushing valve, which throttle valve, when em- 51161101118 member thereof; and ployed to choke down a 'highpressure supply, 9 fragmentary View Of a portion of will not set up so-called "wire drawing" noises the disc-like core of the throttle-valve encin 5 characteristic of prior art devices heretofore used $2 2 Showing milled or mined peripheral 4 Thesame reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several views.

for the same pu 7 It is an object of'my invention to provide a I flush valve, the several moving Parts Of h c sense are ass as a single unit capable of m the chh si is zf o l l l l i zi h hi :0 ing as a replacement element, which unit may be devices for throttling or choking down liquid flow L replaced without spe 170015 Skillfrom high pressure sources of supply, and in the It is an object 01 my n en o to provide a provision of means capable of original incorpoflush'valve which is less subject to wear and the ration or subsequent installation in such devices development of trouble than similar devices now for precluding the generation of such sounds. m e, and which may be manufactured by pro- Fundamentally, my invention consists in so de- 55 signing the walls of the throttling throat as to preclude the formation of the fluid stream into a sharply. defined high velocity jet, which design consists, m a large part, in the provision of porosity or liquid perviousness in a portion of the throat-defining wall structure. While not so limited, my invention has especial merit in connection with liquid-metering flush valves and preferably includes, in such valves, the provision of means for assuring uniformity of flush:and freedom from clogging.

More specifically and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which I have disclosed a typical embodiment of my invention in a flush valve, there is shown a valve casing Ill having an inlet port I I, an outlet port l2 and a convex main valve seat portion l3 intermediate the inlet .and outlet ports merging, with a" slight straight tapered portion l4, into the casing wall constituting the port l2. A detachable casing cap |5 is provided which has a depending cylindrical flange l6 formed integral therewith, the lower portion of which extends partially across the inlet port II and is spaced from the valve seat l3 and v the walls of the casing ID to constitute a baille for the inlet port providing an annular passageway by which the infiowing liquid is gently and uniformly directed around and through the valve seat I3 and port.|2 when the valve is open. The cap IS, with its cylindrical flange l6, also constitutes a timing chamber within which the main valve plunger is disposed and slides vertically in accordance with changes in pressure within the timing chamber. The main valve plunger comprises a head member I B, a skirt member 20, both preferably of molded synthetic resin derived from --phenol-formaldehyde condensation, a packing member l3 intermediate said head and skirt portions, 2. valve-constituting member 2| of semihard vulcanized -rubber received within the base 'of the skirt member 20, and a silencing, member 22. Each of the above named plunger parts are centrally apertured and are held in assembly by a tubular element 23, the upper end of which is molded into the head member l8 and the lower end ofwhich is provided withthreads upon which is mountedthe assembly nut 24. The upper portion of the plunger head I8 is provided with a through the tubular portion 23 of the plunger valve and has its lower portion internally r threaded to longitudinally adjustably receive the bushing 26d. A control valve stem has a top portion 26c seatable upon the top of the bushing 26d, and a shank portion 26 slidable therein constitutes the lower end of the control valve stem and is adapted to be operatively engaged solely by the endof the manually operable trip mechanism 21 l to tilt the stem and unseat the valve head 26a. A clip 28 of resilient non-corrosive metal, such as Monel, has its ends received within notches formed in the plunger head l8 and is provided with afcentral depending portion 28a. engageable witha central upstanding tilt 26g formed on the For the purpose of venting the tubular stem section 26b so as to per- 7 tubular stem section 26.v

The timing chamber mit free movement of the stem extension'26f in the bushing 26d, a vent aperture 26h is provided adjacent the spider portion 260. Bushing 26d is maintained in its adjustment relative to stem section 26b by a lock nut 26:. A series of ducts are provided in the plunger valve for timingly recharging the timing chamber after the control valve has been operated to lift the plunger valve.

'The several ducts constituting the series are profrom the inlet port ll enters therethrough and passes to the annular recess formed immediately beneath the skirt of the packingmember l9, from whence it passes by a diametrically opposed pair of similar ducts 23 having a diameter of approximately 1/10 of an inch to a second and internal annular recess 30 of larger size than the previous passageways. Plunger head I8 is formed with a tubular projection 3| which is received in an enlargement 32 in the recess 30 and prevents relative rotation between the head member l8 and skirt member I9 of the plunger. The passageway through the member 3| is substantially 3/32 of an inch in diameter and is disposed substantially intermediate the ducts 29. The passageway in member 3| is eccentrically connected to a ballreceiving recess 33. in the head l8, which recess 33 is bushed at its upper end with-a thin metallic sleeve3l molded into the head l8. Two balls 35 loosely disposedtherein, retained by a tubular member 36 press fitted into the bushing 33. The ball-retaining member 36 is provided with an outlet bore having a diameter substantially 1/8 of an inch, which bore is countersunk at its inner end, and which countersink is slotted at diametrically opposite sidesto provide a liquid by-pass or chamber refill leak of definite, predetermined capacity when the upper of the balls 35 rises under the impulse of the liquid flowing in the recess 33 and seats in the countersunk portion of the member 36.

A major feature of the flush valve construction above described ,is its silent action during all stages of operation. This silence of action, is due primarily to the flange 5 of the cap providing an annular passageway from the inlet port H to the valve seat l5 and outlet port l2, and the joint form of the valve member and associated silenc- 1 ing member 22. As has been stated, the valve seat I3 is convex in form and merges with the casing wall defining the outlet port with a slight straight taper, that is a taper of from 5% to 10%, preferably about 7%. The semi-hard vulcanized rubber valve ring 2| and'its contiguous silencing member 22 are complementary to the valve seat l3 and the adjacent tapered casing portion; the member 2| having its valve-seat-engaging face of concave form and its subjacent portion of slightly conical form, merging with the conical form of the member 22. The conical portion of the member 2| is solid in character, whereas the member-'22 consists of a wire gauze annulus 22a die pressed about a core 22b of solid metal but extended therebelow at its periphery to constitute a hollow portion 220 of greater porosity. The disclosed member 22 is thus increasingly pervious to liquid from its upper, valve-member-adjacent end to its lower hollow extremity, and, when more of' somewhat less diameter than the recess 33 are i past the stem. A cap 64 encloses the end of the stem 69 and head 6|. A spider 65 having radially.

and more deeply inserted in the port l2 by theplunger, gradually permits less and less liquid to pass the valve seat I3 and adjacent tapered portion ll of the casing wall.

The complementary formation of the valve I seat I3 and the adjacent portion of .outlet passage noise and, in some cases, the pressure peak ore-1 ated by the surge has been great enough "to burst the pipe, I have found that this may be prevented, to a very large extent, by makingfthe valve seat and the seating portion of the valve of complementary form. and, likewise, the periphery of. the refill member 22 and the portion of the outlet passage with which it cooperates.

The fiush valve construction above described will function with complete silence at all stages in its operation when employed with an unthrottled water supply of proper delivery, that is, from E 25 to 30 gallons perminute. However, due to the extreme difierences in water pressure in various localities as well as at different levels in the same locality, some means of throttling or regulating liquid delivery to the valve must be provided. Moreover, a cut-off should also be installed in the supply line so that the valve may be inspected or repaired without shutting off the main water supply main of the building. Accordingly, in Fig. 1, I have disclosed, as a part of my flush-metering device, a combined means for completely cutting off the supply of liquid to the flush valve proper as well as for silently regulating the rate of delivery to the valve so that the valve, when flushed, may supply to the bowl, or other toilet fixture, a flushing stream amounting to between 25' and 30 gallons per minute regardless of the pressure in the supply main. These means connected to the inlet end of. the fiushvalve by means of a coupling 5|, and the, inlet end 52 of which is provided with threads for attachment to the supply main. The casing 50 is of angular configuration, and is provided with a valve seat 53' and a throat portion or constriction 54. A vdisc.- like valve member is provided, which member is tallic washer 56 and the shoulder of the valve stem 59. The several washers 5 5, 56, 51 and 58 are held in concentric assembly upon the shouldered valve stem 59 by a nutjll threaded thereon. The stem 59 is provided, adjacent its upper end, withthreads by which it is adjustably mount-l ed in the head 6| threaded into the casing 50. The stem 58 is slotted at its upper end for reception of a screwdriver blade for adjustment purposes, and a packing washer 62 and nut 6,3 maintain the adjustment and preclude leakage extending vanes a is formed on the head member 6| and serves to break up the stream of liquid issuing through the constriction 54. In Fig. 8,

the details of construction of the disc-like cut ofi arid throttling member are shown. It will .be noted that the silencing washer 58 is similar in construction to the silencing member 22 of the.

flush valve, in that it comprises a two-ply annulus 58a of wire gauze pressed about a core 581; of solid metal,,but spaced therefrom at its extremity to define a hollowspace 58c. One dis tinction exists, however,- this being that the core 581) is provided with a serrate peripheral edge, thus increasing the water-perviousness of the washer at this point, an essential feature of the device when used for its present purpose. It might also be explained that the extreme lower edge of the wire-gauze washer 22 and the extreme upper edge of the inverted wire-gauze washer 58 are, though well defined .by the dies by which they are formed, not so sharply folded as to render them materially less porous in character than the adjacent unfolded portions of the wire gauze constituting the bodies of. the 'washers. Repeated tests have established that too sharp formation of these edges will provide washers which are not stages of throttling.

'Another distinction between the wire gauze washer 22 disclosed as a part of the flush valve and the wire ,gauze washer 58 employed in the throttling device is that the wire gauze portion 22a completely silent inall of the former has superposed thereon, and pressed over-all porosity of .the wire gauze portion 58a. Moreover,-in order not to impede liquid flow through the serrations, the washer 56, by which the portion 58a is he'ldlin assembly with the core 58b, is of. less diameter than the said portions 58a Thejmode of operation of the disclosed device, and the manner in which its highly advantageous results are accomplished, is as follows. Assuming the rate of delivery of the supply mainis such,

peripheral serrations which increase the effective consist of a casing 50, the outlet end of which is (25 to 30 gallons per minute) that the supply to e the flush valve need not be choked down,,the water passes through the'casing inlet 52,'valve When the plunger pin 21 is manually caused to be projected, the-valve/stem 28 is tilted, 'unseating the head 26a of thecontrol valve and allowing a portion of the'fluid within the cap I5 to be discharged through the central portin the plunger. The plunger thereupon rises, due to seat 53, around the unseated cut-off and silencing device consisting of parts 51,55, 56 and 58,

through the constricted portion 54, past the' vaned spider 65, and to the flush valve inlet greater pressure upon its under side, and the of the plunger is almost instantaneous, and liquid.

is gently and uniformly directed, by the depending flange l6 of the cap I5, around the annular space between the intermediate portion of the valve casing II) and the flange I6, from whence it passes or spills, directed by the lower portions of ,the raised plunger, into and through the convex valve seat I 5, the adjacent tapered portion ll of the casing and the outlet port l2. As is obvious, the extent to which the plunger will rise in the cap I5 is dependent upon the effective length of the control valve stem, and may be regulated by the degree of threaded association of the bushing 26d with the tubular stem section 26b. Should the control valve tripping plunger 21 be maintained in projected position, no prolongation of the flushing period will be effected, due tothe freely slidable disposition of the section 26f within the bushing 26d, and the venting opening 26h.

With the valve provided with the baffle flange l6 spaced from the casing wall as shown, and with the plunger lifted to permit free and fullrate flushing, no sound will beemitted, due to the absence of throttling or flow-restricting throats. However, as the timing chamber within the cap 15 begins to refill through thecharging ducts communicating with the inlet port II, the

plunger is slowly caused to descend, and the flow from the inlet port H to the outlet port I2 is gradually and progressively checked between the valve seat l3 and the approaching. lower portions of the members 22 and 2|. The initial reduction in the rate of flow iseffected by the approach of the hollow portion of the wire gauze washer 22 to .the seat |3, and throttling or flow checking is thus accomplished by a, throat, one wall or which is porous, restrictively liquid pervious, or "indistinct as distinguished from a solid or distinct wall. A small fringing portion of the stream al- "lowed to pass the valve seat I3;is thus separated from the main body of the stream and is of. lower velocity than the main body.'. It is this partial separation or bleeding off", of an edge portion of the flowing jetzby the porous throat-fringing wall which, in some as yet not thoroughly understood manner, deprives the jet of its common characteristic of setting up whistling or singing sounds.

As the plunger descends further and further, and the lower edge of the wire gauze washer 22 extends into the convex valve seat l3 and the subjacent tapered portion I4 of the casing wall, the core 22b becomes the innermost wall of the throttling throat and the flowing stream is re-' stricted to passage through the diminishing clearance space between the foraminous portion 220 and the adjacent casing portions 13 and I4, and through the internal pores or foramina of. the portion 22a itself. In this and further lower positions, due to the disposition of the hollow portion 220 .of the washer 22below the zone of greatest restriction, and the increasingly narrow annular throat limits defined by the valve member 2|, lead washer 22d and core 221) on one side,

and the casing portions I3 and M on the other,

flow is so reduced that syphon action in the dis-- charge trap of the toilet fixture or other appliance is unmaintainable, andthe final leak, ai'te'r syphon action has ceased or broken, is employed to refill the trap. From the time that flow has been so reduced as to preclude syphon action, to the time of the final seating of the concave portion of the member 2| upon its seat l3, the throttling throat is constituted primarily by the lower I straight tapered portionof the memberfl, the

lead washer 22d,and the complementarily tapered casing portion I4. 'As has been stated before, the taper, for complete siler'ice should be approximately 7 The position of the parts in'completely closed position is illustrated in Figs. 1

completely successful in operation, being even more quiet than the troublesome and unsightly conventional low tank for which it is intended to be substituted- The feature of gradually decreasing liquid perviousness from the entrant to the valve-adjacent portion of. the porous silencing element is probably the most important factor in obtaining silent action in all stages of throttling. While this may be effected in a number of ways, the die-formation of the silencing element as a hollow, partially cored multiple wire-gauze annular washer has proven most successful from the standpoint of quantity production. Moreover,-this form of silencing member has the additional characteristic advantage of being self-cleaning; any material, solid or plastic, lodging therein or thereon being automatically removed by the high-velocity stream passing across and through the element when, in use.

However, I have found that desirable silencingv may be obtained when the hollow annular washer formed or. wire gauze is completely filled with a solid core, so as not to leave any space such as that indicated by the reference numeral 220. From this I am led to believe that the silencing is due to the surface characteristics of the member'and that the provision on the silencing member of an irregular surface having the characteristics of the surface of a sheet of woven wire gauze is of prime importance. Whenever, in this specification and claims, I refer to a hollow annular washer of wise gauze, it is to be understood that I have reference to the fact that the wire gauze is so formed as to provide a space in the interior of the annular washer, which may be filled fully or in part by a. core.

Another feature of the disclosed flush valve is the uniformity of fiushaccomplished thereby.

A common'source of impaired action in similar devices results from the tendency of the timing chamber refill. ducts to become partially clogged with solid, particles or impurities suspended in the water from the supply main. This tendency is precluded in the present construction by reason of three features therein embodied. First, the several passages comprising the charging duct are, in the order of their sequence, progessively enlarged, the inlet end constituted by the 1/64' of an inch clearance between the plunger skirt member 20 and the flange I6 being so small as to preclude the entry of any but the very finest particles; the branch ducts 29 being 1/16.

ments dislodge any deposit tending to form in the recess 33. And thirdly, any tendency of particles to become lodged at the inlet end of the charging duct or to collect in the form of a deposit around the piston skirt 20 is' precluded by the wiping action of the flange i5 thereagainst. By reason. of the diametrically opposed relationship of the ducts 29 with respect to each other, the plunger may be rotated to any position in the cylinder. l6; and the greater proximity of one duct 10 29 to the inlet port. Ii will be compensated by the reduced proximity of the other-duct 29 thereto. In this way substantially 'perfectbalance is effetced and the valve, once the bushing 25d is set to provide a predetermined optimum flush, will continue to do so with a variation of less than a pint fromthe setting. I consider this construction, providing effective flushing without waste of water, to be one of the salient features or my invention.

Another very important feature of my invention is 'the disclosed pitless control valve. of the most common troubles in valves of similar design is that due to pitting of the seating vedge of the chamber relief or control valve head usually made of brass. ThisI have found to'be due, not so much. to the corrosive nature of the water employed for flushing, but rather. to the sulphur content of the vulcanized rubber washer commonly employed as its valve seat. Numerous expedients. have been tried to eliminate this cause of failure, among them being the use of special non-corrosive metals as the valve material and as coatings therefor. These expedients, however,

have met with but partial success. My control 3 valve comprises a metallic stem formed into a spider at its upper end, and having'its head molded thereon of sulphuror sulphurous-acidresistant phenol -tormaldehyde composition.

' Prolonged use has demonstrated conclusively that 40-the present control valve will not pit, warp, or

chip in use.

Whfle the flush valve construction, the opera tion of which has just been explained, iscompletely quiet and satisfactory when supplied with a normal liquid delivery of 25 to 30 gallons per minute, such deliveries are the exception rather than the rule in large cities, and some means mustgenerally be used therewith to reduce the normally high delivery rate from the usual city mains. Such an auxiliary deviceis shown associated with the flush valve disclosed in-Fig. 1 and has been described. In its position shown in Fig. 1, that is, with the parts-55, 5G and 58 disposed substantially midway between the valve j' seat 53 and constriction 54, little or no reduction in flow will be eflected. However, upon bringing these parts more closely toward the constriction 54', throttling or reduction of the flow through the casing will be effected; It is to be noted that i so the throat thus constituted will, by reason of the bulbous character of the casing wall intermediate the seat 53 and constriction 54, cause the liquid to flow centripetally as well as axially with respect to the stem 59, so that an 'edge'portion of 05 the liquid Jet confined by thec'asihg wall with its constriction 5!, and the solid washers 55, 55 and tent oi throttling is determined by the proximity of the parts 55, 56 and 58 to the casing constriction 54, maximum throttling for extremely high main pressures being eifected with the washer 58 partially disposed within the constriction 54, and

flow therethrough for the most part than taking While Ihave disclosed and described my in-- -vention as embodied in a liquid-metering flush valve construction, it is to be clearly understood that the silencing feature thereof is in no sense limited to use inliquid flush valves. In its broad sense my silencing device is applicable to all forms of devices in which throttling of a liquid stream is eifected by a constricted casing or -throat-deflning element, either of fixed or adjustable character. Likewise, the wire gauze disc-like silencing element which I regard as the preferred embodiment of my invention is,not

limited to original installation in new valves, but may be instailedin valves of conventional form already in service. I therefore claim my invention broadly, as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is: 1. A silent throttling device for a high-pressure liquid supply line comprising a castng adapt- 1 ed for connection intosaid line and provided with a passageway constituting, when installed, a portion of said line, .a throttling member disposed within said casing and extending partially across said passageway to define a restricted throat cross-sectional area of the supply line, and silencing means for precluding the emission of sound at said throat due to high-velocity liquid flow therethrough, comprising a liquid-pervious element fringing the throat-defining wall.

2. A silent throttling device for a high-pressure liquid supply line comprising a casing adapted for "connection into said line and provided with a passageway constituting, when installed, a portion of said line, a throttling member disposed within said casing-and extending partially across said passageway. to define a restricted throat v therein, the cross-sectional area or effective oriflce ,of which throat is materially less than the mean cross-sectional area of the supply line, and

silencing means for precluding the emission of souiidat said throat due to high-velocity liquid flow therethrough, comprising a facing for a portion of said throat having an irregular wall of the character of the surface of woven wire gauze,

said passageway to define a restricted throat" therein, the cross-sectional area or; effective oriflce 'of which is materially less' than the meancross-sectional area of the supply line, and silencing means for precluding the emission of sound at said throat due to high-velocity liquid flow throat by which liquid fiow is choked'down and means associated with said member for precluding the emission of sound due to liquid flow through said throat, said means comprising an annular member formed of woven wire fabric concentrically assembled with said disk-like member in fringing relation thereto, and constituting an indistinct throat-defining wall.

5. A device for reducing the rate of flow in liquid supply lines connected to high-pressure sources of supply without the emission of sound comprising a casing having a liquid passageway therethrough and adapted for interposition in the supply line as part thereof, which casing is provided with an internal shoulder defining a circular constriction in said passageway inter-,

mediate its inlet and outlet ends, av disk-like member disposed in said passageway at the inlet side of saidshoulden-said disk-like member being concentrically disposed with respect to said shoulder and defining therewithan annular flowchoking throat and means associated with said disk-like member for precluding the emission of sound due to liquid flow through said annular throat, said means comprising a washer of i'braminous material concentrically carried by said disk-like member and extending partially into the annular space intermediate said disk-like member and said shoulder to' constitute an indistinct throat-defining wall.

6. An adjustable valve for reducing the rate of flow in liquid supply lines connected to highpressure sources of supply without the emission of sound comprising a valve casing having a liquid passageway therethrough and adapted for interposition in the supply line as a part thereof, which casing is provided with an internal shoulder defining a circularconstriction in said passageway intermediate its inlet and outlet ends, a flow-reducing valve element associated with said s 'oulder, said valve element comprising a disk-like head portipn disposed in said passageway at the inlet side of said shoulder and a valve stem threaded through said casing for adjustably and concentrically spacing said head portion with respect to said shoulder to define an annular flow-choking throat, and means associated with saiddisk-like head portion for precluding the emission of sound due to liquid flow through said annular throat, said means comprising a washer formed of foraminous material, concentrically carried by said disk-like head portion and extending partially into the annular space intermediate said disk-likehead portion and said shoulder to constitute an indistinct throat-defining wall.

'7. A silent valve for liquid supply lines com'-- prising .a valve casing having a liquid passageway therethrough, which casing is provided with an internal shoulder constituting an annular valve seat, a disk valve cooperative with said seat, and means for precluding the emissionof sound due to liquid flow through the space between said 30,246 a between the walls thereof, said silencing means seat and valve, when the latter is unseated, said means comprising an annular member having a peripheral surface of the character of the surface of -a sheet of woven wire gauze, concentrically attached to the seating side of said disk valve within the confines of its annular seating face and snugly but freely receivable within the internal shoulder of said valve casing when said valve is in partially seated positon.

- 8. A silent valve for liquid supply lines comprising a valve casing provided with an internal shoulder constituting an annular valve seat, a disk valve cooperative with said'seat to completely cut off liquid flow therethroughand retractable from said seat in substantially non-restrictive positon, and means for precluding the emission of sound due to restricted liquid flow as said valve approaches its seat, said means comprising an annular core and a hollow annular washer of wire gauze embracing said core, concentrically attached to the seating side of said disk valve, within the confines of its annular seating face, and snugly but freely receivable within the internal shoulder of 'said valve csaing as said valve closely-approaches its seat.

9. A silent valve for liquid supply lines comprising: a valve casing having a liquid passageway therethrough, which casing is provided with an internal shoulder constitutingan annular valve seat, a disc valve cooperative with said seat to completely stop liquid flow through said passageway andretractible from said seat into substantially non-restrictive position, and, means for precluding the emission of sound due to restricted liquid flow when said valveis in an intermediate position, said means comprising a hollow annular washer of wire gauze concentrically attached to the seating side of said disc valve within the confines of its annular seating face and snugly but freely receivable within the internal shoulder of said valve casing as said valve closely approaches its seat.

10. A device for adjustably controlling the rate of liquid delivery to metering flush. valves and similar devices without the emission of wiredrawing and other noises comprising: a casing mounted at the inlet side of said shoulder and adjustably spaceable with respect thereto to' control the rate of liquid flow through said passageway, and means for precluding the emission of sound due to.liquid, flowing in jet formation through said passageway,said means comprising a foraminous washer concentrically carried by said. disc-like member and extending into the annular space defined by said member and said shoulder, and a radially vaned spider disposed insaid passageway between the outlet end thereof and said shoulder to break up the unitary form of the liquid jet issuing from said constriction. l 11. A combined shut-oil and regulatingde-,

vice for adjustably controlling the rate' ofliquid,

delivery to metering fiush valves and similar devices without the emission of wire-drawing and other noises comprising: a casing adapted for disposition intermediate the fiush valve and its liquid supply line, which casing has a liquid passageway therethrough provided, intermediate its inlet and outlet ends with a spaced pair of internal shoulders, one of which constitutes a valve seat for the shut-off element, and the other of which constitutes a 'flow-deter mining constriction in said passageway, a disc-like member concentric'ally'mounted in the space between said shoulders and selectively seatable against said valve-seat-constituting shoulder to completelyshut off flow to said flush valve or adjustably I spaceable with respect to said other shoulder to' regulate the rate of flow to said flush valve, and

means for precluding the emission a: sound due to high-velocity liquid flow through the annular space between said disc-like member and said constriction-constituting shoulder, said means comprising a hollow foraminous washer concentrically carried bysaid disc-like member and extending into said annular space.

12. A combined shut-on and regulating device for adjustably controlling. the rate of liquid de livery to metering flush valves and similar devices without the emission of wire-drawing and other noises comprising; a casing adapted for disposi tion intermediate the flush valve and its liquid supply line, which casing'dias a liquid passageway therethrough provided, intermediate its inlet and outlet ends, with a spaced'pair 01 internalshoulders, one of which constitutes a valve seat for the shut-off element, and the other 01' which constitutesv a flow-determining-constriction in said passageway, a disc-like member concentrically mounted in the space between said shoulders and selectively seatable against said valve-seat-..

constituting shoulder to completely shut ofl' flow to said flush valve or adjustably spaceable with respect to said other shoulder to regulate the rate of flow to said flush valve, and meansfor pre-. cluding the emission 01' sound due to highvelocity liquid flow through the annular space between said disc-like member and said constriction-consti'tu-ting shoulder, said means compris- .ing a hollow and porous member consisting of an annulus of wire gauze die-formed about a core having the form of a peripherally serrate disc,

said hollow and porous member being concen-- trically carried by said dis c-like member and extending into said annular space. 1

18. A silencing element for eliminating throt--- tling sounds in valves of the type having a casing provided with'an internal annular shoulder and a. disc-like valve element adjustably spaceable with respect to said shoulder comprising:- a

Washer 01' substantially the same size asthe internal diameter of said shoulder, and adapted for concentric attachment to the shoulder-adjacent face of said valve element, said washer having a peripheral'surface of the character of a sheet of woven wire gauze.

14. A silencing element for eliminating throttling sounds in valves of the type having a casing provided with an internal annular shoulder and a disc-like valve element adjustabiy spaceable with respect to said shoulder comprising: a hollow wire-gauze washer of substantially the same size as the internal diameter of said shoulder and adapted for con'centricattachment to the shoulder-adjacent face of said valve element.

15.'A silencing element for eliminating throttling sounds in valves of the type having acasing provided with an internal annular shoulder and a disc-like'valve element adjustably spaceable with respect to said shoulder comprising: a 'hollow-wire-gauze washer of substantially the a same size as the internal diameter of said shoulder 'and adapted for'concentricattachment to the shoulder-adjacent face of said valve element, said washer having its greatest thickness adja cent its periphery and having incorporated therein a solid disc-like core which fills the central portion of the. hollow space within the washer.

16. A silencing element for'eliminating throttling sounds'in valves of the type-having a casing provided with an internal annular shoulder and a disc-like valve element adjustably spaceable with respect to saidshoulder comprising: a hol-- low wire-gauze washer of substantially the same size as the internal diameter of said shoulder and adapted for concentric attachment to the shoultier-adjacent face of said valve element, said washer having its greatest thickness adjacent its periphery and I having incorporated therein a solid, peripherally serrate, disc-like core which fills a portion of the hollow space within the' washer and renders thev washer decreasingly liquid-pervious from its periphery to its central portion.'

17. In a liquid-meteringfiush valve, a casing having an inletport, an outlet port and a valve seat intermediate said ports, a main valve element associated with said seat; a timing chamber connected with said inlet port by a restricted charging duct, a control valve governing a discharge'port in said chamber, said discharge port being of greater .capacity than the charging capacity of said duct and, when opened, eflecting a reduction of fluid pressure in said chamber, hydrostatic means associated with said timing chamber and subject to pressures therein, said hydrostatic means opening said main valve when the chamber pressure falls below the pressure in the inlet port and" closing said main valve as the chamber pressure becomes equalized with the pressure in the inlet port, and means for .pre--, eluding the emission of sound due to the throttling action of said main valve while in partially closed position comprising a hollow washer of wire-gauze. carriedby said main valve and movable, in accordance with the position thereof relative to its valve seat, into and out of close association with the casing wall defining the outlet port of the main valve. g

18. In a liquid-metering flush valve, a casing having an inlet port, an outlet port and an annular valve seat intermediate said ports, said valve seat having a convex seating edge merging,

with a slight straight taper, into the casing wall defining said-outlet port, a timing cylinder disposed, over andalined with said valve seat, a plunger movable in' -said:cylinder, said plunger comprising a body po'rtionsnugly and guidingly receivedin said cylinder, a concave valve. portion seatable upon said valve seat and a slightly conical sound-precludingportion beneath said valve portion and snugly receivable within said outlet port when said valve portion is seated, said soundprecluding portion having a peripheral surface of "the character ofthe surface of a's'heet of woven wire gauze, and means for effecting pressure changes within said timing chamber to actuate said plunger.

19. In a liquid-metering flush valve, a casing having an outlet port, an inlet port disposed at an angle with respect to said outlet port, and an annular valve seat adjacent said'outlet port, sai'l valve seat having a convex seating edge merging, with a slight straight taper, into the casing wall defining said outlet port, a detachable cap for sa d casing, which cap is provided with a cylindrica! flange alined with said valve seat and extending partially across said inlet port in spaced relation with the walls of'said casing proper to constitute a baiile providing an annular passageway for gently directing liquid entering through said inlet port substantially uniformly around and through said valve seat and outlet port, said ing "in a slightly conical portion,and a valve inlet port in spaced relation with the walls of the a casing proper to constitute a baille providing silencing portion consisting of a furtherconical element having a peripheral surface of the character of the surface of a sheet of woven wiregauze and constituting an extension of said valve portion, said valve and silencing portions being complementary to said valve seat and adjacent tapered casing wall, and means for effecting pressure changes within said timing cylinder to actuate said plunger. t

20. In a liquid-metering flush valve, a casing having an outlet port, an inlet port and an annular valve seat adjacent said outlet port, a detachable cap for said casing, which cap is provided with a cylindrical flange alined with said valve seatand extending partially into said inlet port andconstituting a timing cylinder, a plunger valve having ahead portion slidably received in said timing cylinder, a skirt portion-beneath said head portion; a valve portioniseatable upon said valve seat and means formedtherein for charging said timing chamber with liquid from said inlet port, said means comprising an annular recess 'formed in said skirt portion above its lower exmeans for venting said timing cylinder at a higher rate than the charging rate of said duct to lift said plunger and unseat said valve.

21. In a liquid-metering flush valve, a casing having an outlet port, an inlet portdisposed at an angle with respect to said outlet port andv an annular valve seat adjacent said outlet port,

a detachable cap for said casing, which cap is provided with a cylindrical flange alined with said valve seat and extending partially across said annular passageway for gently and substantially uniformly directing liquid entering through said inlet port around and through said valve seat and outlet port, said cap with its flange also constituting a timing cylinder, a plunger valve having a head portion slidably received in said timing cylinder, a skirt portion beneath said head portion, a valve portion seatable upon said valve seat, and means formed therein for charging said timing chamber with liquid from said inlet port, said means comprising an annular recess formed in said skirt portion above" its lower extremity and encircled by the lower extremity of said cap flange, and a plurality of timing-cylinder charging ducts communicating with said annular recess at uniformly spaced points about its circumference so that the rate of timing-cylinder charging is uniform regardless of the position of a 3?; of said duets with respect to the inlet port, and means for venting said timing cylinder at a higher rate than the combined charging rate of said ducts to lift said plunger and unseat said valve.

22. In a liquid-metering flush valve, a casing having an outlet port, an inlet port disposed at an' angle with respect to said outletport and an annular valve *seat adjacent said outlet port, a detachable cap for said casing, which cap is provided with a cylindrical flange alined with said valve seat and extending partially across said inlet port in spaced relation with the walls of the casing proper to' constitute a baiile providing annular passageway for gently and substantially uniformly directing liquidv entering through said inlet port around and through said valve seat and outlet port, said cap with its flange also constituting a timing cylinder, a plunger valve having a head portion slidably-received in said timing cylinder, a skirt portion beneath said head portion, a valve portion seatable uponsaid valve seat, and self-cleaning means formed therein for charging'said timing chamber with liquid from said inlet port, said means comprising an annular recess formed in said skirt portion above its lower extremity and encircled by the lower extremity of said cap flange, and a plurality of timing-cylinder. charging ducts communicating with said annular recess at uniformly spaced points about its circumference so that the rate of timing-cylinder charging is uniform regardless of theposition of any of said duets with respect to the inlet port, said skirt portion and adjacentportion of said cap flange having a clearance less than the diameter of-said ducts and constituting a selfcleaning filter therefor, precluding the entry of solid particles capable of clogging either of said ,ducts, and means for venting said timing cylinder at a higher rate than the combined chargunseat said valve.

23. A main valve unit for liquid-metering flush valves comprising: a body portion having a cen Y tral aperture therethrough and provided at its upper end with an annular recess, an annular vulcanized rubber ring retained within said recess and constituting a seat for the timing chamber control valve, a control valve comprising a me tallic stem portion terminating, at its upper end, in a central knob and a radially extending spider and a head portion of sulphur-resistant phenol-formaldehyde composition molded about said spider and seated upon said vulcanized rubber ring, and a U--shaped spring clip of noncorroslve resilient metal having its ends detachably engaged with said plunger body and having its central portion bearing upon said valve knob and holding said control valve and plunger body in assembly with said control valve head in yielda'bly seated relation with said rubber ring.

24. An adjustable timing chamber control valve for liquid-metering flush valves comprising a head portion and an adjustably extensible depending stem, said stem consisting of an internally threaded tubular portion rigid with said head portion, a bushing threaded into the lower portion of said tubular portion and adjustable lengthwise thereof, a locking member for main \taining said adjustment, and a pin-like stem section having a shank portion snugly disposed and slidable-within said bushing and having a' 35 ing rates of said ducts to lift saidplunger and V v 20,245 and so formed as-to'gently and smoothly direct valve seat having its rounded edge merged with the adjacent walls 'of said inlet and outlet ducts and oifering no sharp obstruction to liquid flow 10 from said inlet to said outlet duct, said valve-seatadjacent portion of said outlet duct being somewhat enlarged and having a slight straight taper in the direction of flow and merging at its large end with said convex valve seat and at its small 15 end with said outlet duct proper,- and a valve member axially movable into and out of seating relation with said valve seat, said valve member comprising a slightly conical pre entrant throttling portion complementary to said valve-seatflll'adjacent straight tapered portion of said outlet duct, anda final seating portion of concave crosssection complementary to said convex annular valve seat and merging with said conical preentrant throttling valve portion.

26. In a liquid-metering valve of the type emplaying hydrostatic means. actuated by supply line pressure to close the valve proper, clog-resistant timing means for uniform restrictive delivery of liquid from the supply hne to said 30 hydrostatic means comprising: a metering chain'- her and 'a metering ball loosely disposed within said chamber, said'chainber having, adjacent its bottom, an inlet duct communicating with said supply line and having, at its top, an outlet duct- 35 communicating with said hydrostatic means and terminating at its chamber en in an imperfect seat against which said metering bah is lifted and held by liquid flow through said chamber, said outlet duct being larger than the clearance be- 40 tweensaid ball and chamber,'said inlet duct being progressively larger from its intake to its outlet ends, and the clearance between said ball and chamber beingsuch as to preclude permanent edging-therein of any particle capable of entry 45 through said inlet duct.

27. In a hquid-metering valve of the type employing hydrostatic means actuated by supply line pressure ,to close the valve proper, clog-rej sistant timing means for uniform restrictive ,dei) livery of liquid from the supply line to said hydrostatic means comprising: a metering chamber and a metering ball loosely disposed within said chamber, said chamber having, adjacent its be m, an inlet duct communicating with said sssupplyhne and having, at its top, an outlet duct communicating with said hydrostatic means and I through said inlet .duct, and means for eifectingscouring of the chamber walls comprising a sec- 0nd ball, similar to the first and disposed therebeneath in said chamber.

28. A unit-replaceable piston valve for liquidmetering flush valves of the type including a main valve seat intermediate inlet and outlet" L ports and a timing cylinder 'alined with said valve seat, comprising: a piston. snugly receivable and axially movable in the cylinderof such a flush valve and having a central timing chamber discharge port therethrough normally closed by a mushroom valve seatableupon the piston head and having a tiltable stem depending through and below said discharge port and adapted for valve-head-unseating engagement by the conventiohal trip plunger of such a flush valve, said piston having its side wall provided with a plurality of shallow slots extending downwardly from its head, each terminating at its lower end in a radially inwardlypextending notch several the'head of said piston,.said means comprising a spring clip of non-corrosive resilient materialhaving leg portions snugly disposed wholly within said slots. and terminating in inturned toe portions engaged under tension within the notches of said piston, and a central portion overlying the piston head in spaced relation thereto resiliently contacting the head of said mushroom valve sole-' 1y at its center [29. A unit-replaceable piston valve for liquidmetering flush valves of the type including a main valve seat intermediate inlet and outlet ports and a timing chamber above said valve seat, comprising: a main valve member adapted for installation in said timing chamber. and movable into and out of seating relation with said valve seat in accordance with differential pressures, said main valve having a timing chamber discharge port therethrough and an'annular recess formed about said discharge port, an annular semi-hard vulcanized rubber ring retained within said recess and constituting a yieldable control valve seat, and a tiltable mushroom valve normally seated upon said rubber ring to, maintain said timing chamber filledwithliquid and comprising a metallic stem depending through said discharge port for engagement by the conventionaltrip means of such a flush valve, a spider portion radiating from the upper end of said stem and a disk-like head portion of sulphurous acid resistant phenol-formal-.

dehyde composition integrally molded about and encasing said spider and provided with an annular seating face normally contacting said Vulcanizer rubber ring'in the presence of a film of water. 1

30. A device as specified in claim'2, adapted for use as a metering flush valve, in which the said casing. includesa part forming a wall portion of an outlet-port portion of saidpassageway and having a valve-seat shoulder extending about said outlet-port, and in which said throtthng member comprises a valve part which is,

adjustable axially relativelto said port into and out of positionio close said port and which includes a shoulder in abutting relation with the first mentioned shoulder, and which also includes a portion moved into and out of said port as said valve part is adjusted into and out-of its port closing position, said last mentioned por-

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