US1789864A - Siphon apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 20, 1931. A. DAVIS. JR 1,789,864

S IPHON APPARATUS Filed Sept. '28, 1928 a Sheets-Sheet 1 2 uvl izvrokfi 2 ATTZ ZNEY Jan.20, 1931. ADAWS, JR 1,789,864

S IPHON APPARATUS Filed Sept. .28.- 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 11v VE'N 7016' M q I M m I AT'ORA'EY A. DAVIS, JR

SIPHON APPARATUS Jan. 20, 1931.

28, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet x000 xom kmxuam Wm Filed Sept.

INVENTOR ATTORNEY mEDL 53cm v=5u E moon xom 553m It; 33355.

w m m Patented Jan. i0, 1931 AUGUSTINE DAVIS, 31%., OF CINCINNATI, OHIO SIPHON APPARATUS Application filed September 28, 1928.; Serial No 309,105.

The invention relates to siphon apparatus. V Siphonic discharge as applied to-multiple compartment tanks, such as the tanks oi tank trucks, is now carried outin the following 6 manner. Conduits extend upward from near the bottoms of the several compartments to a point above the liquid level, whence they are carried downward for a distance to join a common conduit or manifold running lengthwise oi the series of compartments, the delivery hose being attached to the rear end of this common conduit. Flow is started in this branched siphon by means of a hand pump placed in a by-pass of the outer portion of the rommon conduit, a manually operated valve being placed in parallel with the pump, and a check-valve being placed in the conduit beyond the pump. Inorder to withdraw liquid from one of the compartments and not from others it is necessary to providevalves for the several branches ofthe siphon, which can be opened and closed independently. The compartments contain measured quantities or liquid, and in order to avoid delivering either more or less than the proper amount to a customer, it obviously necessary that all branches of the siphon but the one from which a delivery is being made be tightly closed.

Furthermore, starting the siphonic flow by a hand pump is made more difficult, or impossible, and the flow, when started, may stop, if there are leaks in the siphon or around the valves. The operativeness of such a plan is dependent, therefore-,on the tightness of these valves, which as usually located have to be tight, not against liquid, but against air. The valves some times are not tight, or it originally tight may not remain so.

An object of the present invention is to provide a more satisfactory siphon system, in which the siphons of the several tank chamhers are independent in respect to starting, or at least not dependent on the tightness of large valves in the siphons between the suction producing means and the compartments. A single exhausting or suction producing means is employed, with means for operatively connecting it with any one of the 0 siphons, and a common discharge conduit is preferably provided for permanent connection of a hose. The several siphon lines are provided, beyond the points of connection with the exhausting means, with checkvalves, or other suitable valves, for preventing the inflow of air whenthe siphon isbeing started.

While it is true that these valves should be tight, which is even'more necessary in the case of the single check valve of the existing system, there is an. advantage in providing each siphon line with its check valve, since if one of V thesevalves should leak it \v uld afliect only one siphon and not others. I

lhe provisions for operatively connecting the exhausting means with the siphons may be varied. They preferably comprise permanent suction lines connecting the exhausting means with the several siphons at points between the air-excluding valves and the tank chambers, together with valve means for opening any one of the suction lines, the others remaining closed. i

Vith such an arrangemei'r; I provide a selective valve control capable of opening, or permitting the opening, of any one of the suction lines to thecxclusion of others, thcrcby guarding against discharging the contents of more than one tank chamber at a time. v I

Furthermore, I provide a selective control tor-the air-excluding valves.

In the e.. sting system, gasoline is drawn through the pump at the beginning of flow. In accordance with my invention, the eX- hausting means is not in the path of liquid flow. 1 I provide means which is controlled by the liquid to shut off the communication to the exhausting means, Whatever its nature, automatically, so that the liquid does not enter or passthrough the exhauster.

Another object of the invention is to obviate the laboriousoperation oi working hand exhaust pump to start the siphon. To this end I provide a vacuum chamber, which can be exhausted either by power pump on t he vehicle at a time when deliveries are not being made, or which can be exhausted before the truck starts on its rounds. his chamber is connected with the siphons to exhaust air therefrom, and constitutes a reservoir of potential energy sufiicient for numerous siartings.

Other aspects of the invention, however, are not necessarily limited to the use of a vacuum reservoir, and the term exhausting means in the claims is intended to cover either such a chamber or a pump.

Other features of the invention will be described in the body of the specification.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a truck tank embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a detail view principally in vertical section, at the top of one of the siphons;

Fig. 3 is a rear end elevation looking at the face of the control-box, part of the wall of the control-box and most of its door being broken out to show parts within, and an enclosure in the interior being also paitly broken away.

Fig. l is a side elevation of the tank with most of its intermediate part broken out, the control-box being broken away and in sec tion; and

Fig. 5 is a schematic View.

The drawing represents a truck tank 2 divided by partitions 3 into a number of separate chambers 4. At the rear end there is a control box 5 having a door 6.

Pipes 7 extend upward from points near the bottom of the several chambers & to points above the liquid level. These siphon lines are preferably carried to the rear end and down into the box 5, where they are marked 8.

In the lower part of the box there is a com mon pipe 9, to which all the siphon lines are connected, the end of this pipe having a connection to which a delivery hose 10 is at tached.

11 is a vacuum chamber or reservoir of.

suflicient size, which maybe located in the box or elsewhere. 12 is a suction line entering the vacuum chamber, and 13 are branches to the several siphon pipes 8. The siphon lines are normally closed off fron'i the vacuum chamber by spring-closed valves 1 1 placed in the several suction lines 13.

This valve means is of a selective nature, or of such nature that any .one of the valves can be opened, but not more than one at a time. In the arrangement illustrated, an operating lever 15 is slidable along a shaft 16 to any one of a number of positions, in which it can be rocked to act upon any one of the valves 14 and not upon others, a shield or enclosure 17 being preferably provided to guard against undesired access to the valves.

The vacuum chamber has a line 18 which with the exhausting means, these check valves i bein ada ited to close automaticall to inflow of air and to open automatically to outflow of liquid. The said valves may have light springs 2 1, and are located between the suction lines 13 and the common discharge pipe 9.

Means are preferably provided for holding these check valves closed against liquid flow and for pern'iitting any one of them to be released. at a time, the others continuing to be held closed. In other words, as in the case of the valves 14, a selective control is preferably arranged for. The particular construction may be widely varied. Each of the bodies 25 of the check-valves is shown provided with a rock-shaft 26 passing through a stalling-box and carrying arms 27 and 28, inside and outside the valve-body, respectively. The arm 27 is positioned so that itmay bear against the valve stem to hold the valve forcibly to its seat under the action of a strong spring 29 connected to the arm 28. An operating lever 30 slidable along a shaft 31 is adapted to act on any one of the arms 28, to the exclusion of others. A suitable catch which can be engaged with the lever 30 will hold any one of the springs 29 out of action, leaving the corresponding valve free to open to outflow of liquid.

2' The connections 13 from the siphon lines 8, tlirough'whic-h air is exhausted from these lines, are provided with float-valves 34 which close automatically on the arrival of liquid, so as to prevent the liquid reaching the chamber 11 or the pump.

he chamber 11 is provided with a valved drain pipe 35, which, as a matter of convenience, may enter the discharge pipe 9. This drain may be opened occasionally to draw oif any condensation of vapors.

The operation of the system as described thus far will be evident. The chamber 11 having been previously exhausted to a suficiently low pressure or partial vacuum, one of the check-valves 23 is unlocked or released, the'others remaining locked or held closed by powerful spring pressure. Then the corresponding suction valve l is opened.

Air is thereby exhausted from the siphon line of the tank chamber which it is desired to empty, and the siphonic flow is started. lVhile the term exhausted or exhausting is used in this connect-ion, it Will be understood that it is necessary to reduce the pressure in the siphon only suiiiciently to enable atmospheric pressure to raise the liquid over the highest point of the siphon. By means of the vacuum tank this is accomplished very quickly and without effort on the part of the attendant.

As soon as the liquid reaches the float valve 34, this valve closes, and the attendant then closes the valve 14, or permits that valve to close under the action of its spring. The check-valve 23, which closed against the inflow of air, automatically opens to allow the liquid to flow through into the discharge pipe 9 and thence into the hose.

Manifestly, the check-valve 23 need not be released until after the liquid has arrived at this valve and has closed the float-valve 34.

The discharge pipe is provided with a shut-off valve 36.

Certain of the aspects of the invention are not limited to the employment of a. vacuum chamber. It will. be understood, therefore, that this chamber may be omitted with its advantages, and that the hand pump may be connected directly with the suction line It is not desirable to have the engine of the vehicle running while deliveries are being made, or are about to be made, but a power pump driven from some source of power other than the engine might be directly connected with this line, if the vacuum chamber is not used.

It is customary to provide siphons with siphon-breaker valves. I have illustrated a special arrangement designed for the present system and having certain features of novelty.

Two sets of siphon-breaker lines are connected with the upper portions of the si phons 7, 8. One siphon-breaker line 37 extends rearward from each siphon into the control-box 5, there being as many of these lines asthereare tank chambers. The other set of siphon-breaker lines 38, each connected with a different siphon, extend forwardly to the region of the front end of the tank, or to the vehicle cab. At the rear ends of the lines 3?, inside the box, are valves 39. These valves have handles 40 for manual operation, which handles are in such relation to the door 6 that when the door is closed the valves 39 must all be open. lVhen the control-box door is opened preparatory to making a delivery, the attendant must close the siphonbreaker valve 39 pertaining to the siphon of the tank chamber from which the delivery is to be made. The other valves 39 are left open.

A thermal device 41 is associated with the valves 39, or with parts operatively related thereto, so as to bring about automatically, in case of fire, the opening of any ofthese valves that may be closed at the time. The device illustrated comprises a movable part 42 in operative relation to the handles 40, a sufficiently strong spring urging this part, a. trigger 44 restraining the part against movement, and a. fusible element 45 holding the trigger. lVhen the element 45 is fused, thespring 43 is released to cause the part 12 to act on the lover of any one or more of the valves 39 that may be closed,- to open them.

The siphon-breaker lines 38 have valves 46 at their'forward ends. These valves are ordinarily closed,-whereas thoseat the rear end are ordinarily open. The valves 46 have handles 47 so that any or all of them can be quickly opened in case of emergency. Furthermore, a thermal device 50, similar to the thermal device 41, is provided for bringing about automatically the opening of these valves in event of fire or dangerous heat at this region. a

A feature notheretofore referred to is the provision of check valves 48 in the upper portions of the uptake limbs 7 of the sipho-ns.

These valves may be in the form of fairly heavy balls resting at a distance below seats 49, against which they will close in event of the tank overturning. They are not affected either by suction in starting the siphon action or by the flow of liquid while a delivery is being made.

What I claim as new is: 1

1. In a system for dischargingliquid from any-one of the plurality of tank chambers by siphon action, a plurality of siphons havi' uptake limbs communicating with the several tank chambers, a. common discharge conduit connected with the doWnta-ke limbs i of all the siphons, means for exhausting air from the siphons, and means for operatively connecting the aforesaid means ith any one of the siphons at points in the several siphons between the common conduit and the tank chambers. q I

2. In a system for discharging liquid from any one of a plurality of tank chambers by siphon action, a plural ty of sipho-ns having uptake limbs communicating with the several tank chambers, a common dischai conduit connected with'the downtake lim Jh of all the siphons, means for exhausting air from the siphons, means for operatively connecting the aforesaid means with any one of the siphonsat points in the several siphons between the common conduit and the tank chambers, and valve means for closing each siphon against entrance of air and against intercomn'iunication with v other siphons through the common conduit while air is being exhausted from the siphon. V

3. In a system for discharging liquid from any one. of the plurality of tank chambers by siphon action, a plurality of siphons having uptake, limbs communicating with the several tank chambers, a common discharge conduit connected with the dovvntake limbs of all the siphons, means for exhausting air from the siphons, means for operatively con necting the aforesaid means with any one of the sipho-ns at points in the several siphons between the common conduit and the tank chambers, valves in the several siphon lines between said points and the common conduit,

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and a. selective means for operating the valve of any line to the exclusion of others.

4. In a system for discharging liquid from any one of a plurality of tank chambers by siphon action, a plurality of siphons having uptake limbs connnunicating with the several tank chambers, a common dischargeconduit connected with the downtake limbs of all the siphons, means for exhausting air from the siphons, means for operatively connecting the aforesaid means with any one of the siphons at points in the several siphons between the common conduit and the tank chambers, automatic check valves in the several siphon lines between said points and the common conduit adapted to close against inflow of air and to open to outflow of liquid, means for holding said check valves closed againstouttlow of liquid, and means for releasing the check valve of any line so that said valve will open to the outflow of liquid.

5. In a system for discharging liquid from any one of a plurality of tank chambers by siphon action, a plurality of siphons having uptake limbs communicating with the several tank chambers, a common discharge conduit connected with the downtake limbs of all the siphons, means for exhausting air from the siphons, means for operatively connecting the aforesaid means with any one of the siphons at points in the several siphons between the common conduit and the tank chambers, automatic check valves in the sev= eral siphon lines between said points and the common conduit adapted to close against inflow of air and to open to outflow of liquid, means for holding said check valves closed against outflow of liquid, and an operating device capable of releasingthe check valve of any one of said lines to the exclusion others. V

6. In a system for discharging liquid from any one oi a plurality of tank chambers by siphon action, a plurality of siphons having upta re limbs connnunicating with the several tank chambers, a common discharge conduit connected with the downtake limbs of all the siphons, means for exhausting air from the siphons, and valved suction lines connecting said means with the several siphons at points letween the common conduit and th tank chambers.

'7. In a system for discharging liquid from any one of a plurality of tank chambers by siphon action, a plurality of siphons having uptake limbs communicating with the several tank chambers, a common discharge conduit connected with the downtake limbs of all the siphons, means for exhausting air from the siphons, suction lines connecting said meanswith the several siphons at points between the common conduit and the tank chambers, valves in said suction lines, and a selective means for bringing about opening of the valve of any one of said suction lines to the exclusion of others.

8. In a system for discharging liquid from any one of a plurality of tank chambers by siphon action, a plurality of siphons having uptake limbs communicating with the several tank chambers, a common discharge conduit connected with the downt'ake limbs of all the siphons, means for exhausting air from the siphons. suction lines connecting said means with the several siphons at points between the common conduit and the tank chambers, valves in said suction lines, a selective means for bringing about opening of the valve of any one of said lines to the exclusion of others, valves in the several siphon lines between the suction lines and the common conduit, and a selective means for bringing about opening of any oneof the last-named valves to the exclusion of others.

9. Ina system for discharging liquid from any one oi a plurality of tank chambers by siphon action, a plurality of siphons having uptake limbs communicating with the several tank chambers, means for exhausting air from the siphons, a plurality of suction lines connecting said means with the several siphons, and valve means controlling said suction lines so that any one of them can be opened.

10. In a system for discharging liquid from any one of a plurality of tank chambers by siphon action, a plurality of siphons having uptake limbs communicating with the several tank chambers, means for exhausting air from the siphons, a plurality of suction lines connecting said means with the several siphons, and a selectivevalve means for opening any one of said suction lines to the exclusion of others. 7

11. In a system for discharging liquid from any one or" a plurality of tank chambers by siphon action, a plurality of siphons having uptake limbs communicating with the several tank chambers, means for exhausting air tromthe siphons, a plurality of suction lines connecting said meansvwith the several siphons, a selective valve means for bringing about opening of any one of said suction lines-to the exclusion of otaers, valves in the siphon lines at points beyond said suction lines, and a selective means for bringing, about opening of any one of the last-namcd alves to the exclusion of others.

12. In a systen'i for discharging liquid from any one of a plurality of tank chambers by siphon action, a plurality of siphons having uptake limbs communicating with the several tank chambers, means for exhausting air from the siphons, means for operatively connectingthe aforesaid means with anyone of the siphons, valves in the siphon lines beyond the points of connection for said exhausting means, and a selective control for said valves. I

13. In a system for discharging liquid from any one of a plurality of tank chambers by siphon action, a plurality of siphons having uptake limbs communicating with the several tank chambers, means for exhausting air from the siphons, means for operatively connecting the aforesaid means with any one of the siphons, check valves in the siphon lines beyond the points of connection for said exhausting means, means for holding said check valves closed against outflow of liquid, and a selective means for releasing any one of said check valves to the exclusion of others so that it will open to the outflow of liquid.

14. In a system for discharging liquid from any one of a plurality of tankchambers by siphon action, a plurality of siphons having uptake limbs connnunicating with the several tank chambers, means for exhausting air from the siphons, means for operatively connecting the aforesaid means with any one of the siphons, and means influenced by the arrival of liquid for automatically closing the communication between any of the siphons and said exhausting means.

15. 4 In a system for discharging liquid from any one of a plurality of tank chambers by siphon action, a plurality of siphons having uptake limbs communicating with the several tank chambers, a vacuum chamber with means for exhausting the same and means for holding the vacuum in the chamber, and means for operatively connecting any one of the siphons with said vacuum chamber.

16. In a system for discharging liquid from any one of a. plurality of tank chambers by siphon action, a plurality of siphons having uptake limbs communicating with the several tank chambers, a vacuum chamber with means for exhausting the same and means for holding vacuum in the chamber, means for operatively connecting any one of the siphons with said vacuum chamber, and means influenced by the arrival of liquid for automatically closing the communication between any siphon and the vacuum chamber.

17. The combination with a tank, of asl-c phon communicating therewith, a rigid walled vacuum chamber of sufficient capacity for numerous operations of the siphon, means for exhausting said chamber, means for holding vacuum therein, means for operatively connecting said. chamber with the siphon, and

means controlled by the liquid thus drawn from the body of liquid in the tank for automatically bringing about the closing of the communication between the siphon and said chamber.

18. In a system for discharging liquid from any one of a plurality of tank chambers by siphon action, a plurality of siphons having uptake limbs communicating with the several tank chambers, a common discharge conduit connected with the downtake limbs of all the siphons, means for exhausting air from the siphons, means for operatively connecting the aforesaid means with any one of the siphons at pomts 1n the several siphons between the common conduit and the tank chamber, valve means for closing each siphon against entrance of air and against intercommunication with other siphons through the common conduit while air is being exhausted from the siphon, siphon-breaker lines connected with the several siphons, and siphonbreaker valves'in said siphon-breaker lines.

19. In a system for discharging liquid from any one of a plurality of tank chambers by siphon action, a plurality of siphons communicating with the several tank chambers, means for exhausting air from the siphons, means for ope 'atively connecting the afore said means with any one of the siphons exclusively, siphon-breaker lines connected with the several siphons, siphon-breaker valves in said siphon-breaker lines, manual control means for said siphon-breaker valves, thermal means adapted to bring about automatic opening of said siphon-breaker valves, and a controlbox door to which the valves of all said siphon-breaker lines are related in such manner that said valves must be open when the door is closed.

20. In a system for discharging liquid from any one of a plurality of tank chambers by siphon action, a plurality of siphons communicating with the several tank chambers, means for exhausting air from the siphons, means for operatively connecting the aforesaid means with any one of the siphons, siphon-breaker lines connected with the siphons and running in two sets to opposite ends of the tank, siphon-breaker valves in the remote portions of the two sets of siphon-breaker lines, manual means for controlling each set of siphon-breaker valves, and thermal means adapted to bring about opening of the valves of each set.

' AUGUSTINE DAVIS, JR.

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