GB2289091A - Fluid release or drainage device - Google Patents

Abstract

A drainage device is intended primarily for a beer pump of the kind - having a non-return inlet valve (18). The device includes two relatively movable, telescopically-received cylinders (2, 4) each having an air bleed aperture (12, 13). To achieve drainage relative movement between the cylinders (2, 4) is effected to align the bleed apertures (12, 13), and simultaneously cause displacement means, in the form of a push rod (7), to unseat the non-return valve (18) in the beer pump. Thus beer stored in the pump can drain downwardly through the valve (18) because the aligned apertures (12, 13) allow the introduction of atmospheric air. Drained beer returns to the beer barrel or other storage device. <IMAGE>

Description

Title - Fluid Release or Drainage Device The present invention relates to a fluid release or drainage device and particularly, but not exclusively, a fluid release device for a beer engine to enable beer to be drained from the engine when beer is no longer to be dispensed.

A typical beer engine incorporates a lift or suction pump in which fluid, normally liquid, to be lifted, in this case beer, is introduced by atmospheric pressure into a cylinder in which a partial vacuum has been created by a retreating valved piston on the upstroke, reflux of the beer being prevented by a nonreturn valve, typically a spool valve, located in the pump inlet.

When beer is no longer to be dispensed, for example when a bar in which the beer engine is located is to be closed, it is desirable to drain beer from the system back into the barrel or other beer storage device. Hitherto, beer has been drained from the piping for example by venting the piping thus permitting the beer to fall back into the barrel under atmospheric pressure.

However, beer has been retained within the engine itself, which can only be removed once the engine has again been made ready for use.

One aspect of the present invention, is to provide a fluid release or drainage device for a lift or suction pump enabling the pump and any associated piping to be drained of pumped fluid.

According to the present invention there is provided a fluid release or drainage device for a fluid supply pipeline comprising two telescopically-received cylinders movable one relative to the other, an air bleed aperture located in each cylinder, the bleed apertures being in spaced apart locations when fluid is to be passed through the pipeline, means for moving one cylinder relative to the other to align the two bleed apertures and thus permit air to enter the pipeline.

Also according to the present invention there is provided a fluid release or drainage device for a lift or suction pump supplied from a fluid supply pipeline, said device comprising two telescopically-received cylinders movable one relative to the other, an air bleed aperture located in each cylinder, the bleed apertures being in spaced apart locations when fluid is to be passed through the pipeline, means for moving one cylinder relative to the other to align the two bleed apertures thus permitting air to enter the pipeline, and disbursement means forming part of or being connected to the movable cylinder, said displacement means being operative to unseat the non-return valve in the lift or suction pump to permit fluid stored in the pump, device and pipeline to drain upon alignment of said bleed apertures.

The invention will now be described further by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing the single figure of which is a sectional elevation of a fluid release device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The lower part of a known beer engine is shown at 17. The engine consists of a lift or suction pump, the non-return valve in the pump inlet being shown at 18. A threaded bore 20 is formed in the base of the pump in axial alignment with the valve 18.

A fluid release device is shown generally at 22 in longitudinal alignment with the beer engine. The device consists of two cylinders 2, 4 which are telescopically movable one relative to the other. The inner cylinder 2 has an open-ended base and a closed top having an apertured, externally threaded spigot 1 which forms an outlet for the device. The fluid release device is connected to the beer engine by a pipe adaptor 16 which is appropriately threaded at either end for connection respectively with the threaded bore 20 and the threaded spigot 1. The upper side wall df the cylinder 2 includes å first bleed aperture 12.

The outer cylinder 4 is essentially the inverse of the inner cylinder a generally open upper end and a generally closed lower end which includes an apertured spigot which is offset from the longitudinal axis of the device and which provides an inlet. A push rod 7 is fixedly mounted on a centre boss 6 and this extends along the device axis. It will be observed that the push rod extends into the beer engine and in the position viewed lies just short of the valve 18. Also in the in the position shown an annular sealing ring 3 seals the upper ends of the cylinders 2, 4 one relative to the other. The cylindrical walls are sealed by a lower and two upper '0' ring seals 9 and 10, 11 respectively.

Spaced slightly from the top of the cylinder 4 at a level, in the position as viewed, below that of the first bleed aperture 12 lies a second bleed aperture 13.

Relative movement between the two cylinders, more specifically of the cylinder 4 relative to cylinder 2, is created by operation of a pair of toggle levers 15. In a normal or use position in which beer can be dispensed, the toggle levers lie in the lowered position illustrated. However, when the toggles are raised (not illustrated), the outer cylinder is raised relative to the inner one. This produces two effects, firstly the first and second bleed apertures are aligned and, secondly the push rod 7 unseats the non-return valve 18. Hence the reduced pressure present in the system is returned to atmospheric pressure by the introduction of air through the two bleed apertures and, because the valve 18 is unseated, beer present in the lift pump is released for return to the beer barrel or other storage device.

Hence, all beer whether in the lift pump, release device or piping is returned gently and slowly to the beer barrel so that the barrel contents are not unduly disturbed.

In the drawing, a helical spring 8 is mounted around the push rod 7 and serves to bias the two cylinders apart. This spring however is not essential to the invention especially if a device such as a toggle is used to limit cylinder movement.

It will be appreciated also that means other than toggles can be used for providing the necessary cylinder movement. In its simplest form, the cylinder 4 can simply be pushed upwards by hand, for example by a handle or any other convenient means.

Alternatively the required movement can be created by pneumatic, hydraulic or electrical arrangements which are applicable if several pumps are arranged in side-by-side relationship. A still further alternative is for the device to be in the described twopart form but with the parts in threaded engagement. Thus, when the parts are rotated one relative to the other the push rod 7 is caused to move towards or away from the non-return valve 18 according to requirement. In a variant of this alternative, one part is fixed and the second part includes a sleeve which is longitudinally displaceable upon rotation of the sleeve which carries the push rod in a rectilinear path.

Whereas in the described embodiment reference has been made to beer it will be understood that any other liquid, for example soft drinks may be dispensed in the manner described. Similarly the invention may be applied to a gas or gas mixture which is denser than air.

Claims (10)

1A fluid release or drainage device for a fluid supply pipeline comprising two telescopically-received cylinders movable one relative to the other, an air bleed aperture located in each cylinder, the bleed apertures being in spaced apart locations when fluid is to be passed through the pipeline, means for moving one cylinder relative to the other to align the two bleed apertures and thus permit air to enter the pipeline.

2 A fluid release or drainage device for a lift or suction pump supplied from a fluid supply pipeline, said device comprising two telescopically-received cylinders movable one relative to the other, an air bleed aperture located in each cylinder, the bleed apertures being in spaced apart locations when fluid is to be passed through the pipeline, means for moving one cylinder relative to the other to align the two bleed apertures thus permitting air to enter the pipeline, and disbursement means forming part of or being connected to the movable cylinder, said displacement means being operative to unseat the non-return valve in the lift or suction pump to permit fluid stored in the pump, device and pipeline to drain upon alignment of said bleed apertures.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1A fluid release or drainage device for a lift or suction pump supplied from a fluid supply pipeline, said device comprising two telescopically-received cylinders movable one relative to the other, an air bleed aperture located in each cylinder, the bleed apertures being in spaced apart locations when fluid is to be passed through the pipeline, means for moving one cylinder relative to the other to align the two bleed apertures, and displacement means forming part of or being connected to the movable cylinder, said displacement means being operative to unseat the non return valve in the lift or suction pump to permit fluid stored in the pump, device and pipeline to drain upon alignment of said bleed apertures.

2 A fluid release or drainage device as claimed in claim 1 in which when the two bleed apertures are aligned, air, gas or a gas machine is permitted to enter the pipeline.

3 A fluid release or drainage device as claimed in claim 1 or

2 in which the two telescopically-received cylinders move axially one relative to the other.

4 A fluid release or drainage device as claimed in claim 3 in which axial movement is provided by toggle levers connected between the two cylinders.

5 A fluid release or drainage device as claimed in claim 3 in which axial movement is provided by pneumatic, hydraulic or electrical means.

6 A fluid release or drainage device as claimed in claim 1 in which the two telescopically-received cylinders are in threaded engagement, rotational movement between which cylinders creates said relative movement.

7 A fluid release or drainage device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 in which the displacement means comprises a push rod.

8 A fluid release or drainage device as claimed in claim 7 in which a spring is placed around part of the length of the push rod with its ends in respective contact with the ends of the two cylinders, the spring serving to bias the two cylinders apart.

9 A fluid release or drainage device substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

10 A fluid release or drainage device wherever used in combination with a beer engine to dispense beer.