US1798275A - Water-supply system - Google Patents

Description

March 31, 1931 v H. w. ROTTEL 1,

WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM Filed Sept 28, 1929 5 Sheets-Sheet l March 31,1931. H. w. ROTTEL WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM 5 SheetS-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 28, 1929 Patented Mar. 31 1931 HERMAN W. ROTTEL, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN WATER-SUPPLY SYSTEM Application filed September 28, 1929. Serial No. 395,876.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in water supply systems and refers more particularly to systems wherein a tank is provided to store a quantity of water under air pressure.

The success of systems of this type depends largely upon the constant maintenance of the proper proportion of air and water, and as it is impossible to maintain an exact proportion of air to water as it is pumped into the tank, means must be provided for insuring the presence of suh'icient air at all times. Heretofore, numerous methods have been provided for accomplishing this result,

all of which however, have been. objectionably complicated and subject to frequent adj ustment.

It is, therefore an object of this invention to provide means for insuring the proper proportion of air to water in a storage tank of the character described which is simplified in construction and is positive in action.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of means for insuring the proper proportion of air to water in a storage tank of the character described, which has no connection with the supply pump.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of an auxiliary air charging tank to force air into the storage tank when the water in the storage tank exceeds a predetermined level.

And a further object of this invention resides in the provision of an air charging means for storage tanks of the character dc scribed which is operable by water flowing from an overflow outlet in the storage tank.

WVith the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated two complete examples of the physical embodiment of my invention constructecl according to the best modes I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational view with parts broken away and in section of an air charging apparatus constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken through Figure l on the plane of the line 22;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view with parts broken away and illustrating the valves and their actuating means, said View being taken on the plane of the line 33 of Figure 4:;

Figure 4,- is an enlarged fragmentary detall view similar to Figure 2 with parts broken away and in section to illustrate structural details; and

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 of a slightly modified form of my invention.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, the numeral 6 represents a conventional air and water storage tank having an inlet 7 connecting it with a pump or other means of supply, not shown, and an outlet 8 connected with the water distribution system, also not shown. An overflow outlet 9 is also provided and is so positioned that when the water level in the tank reaches the same, the desired proportion of air to water will be attained.

The overflow outlet 9 which consists of a short section of pipe 10 to which a s} 1eciai T fitting 11 is connected, is communicated with the interior of an air charging or auxiliary tank 12 through a pipe line 13, in a manner to be later described.

The auxiliary or air charging tank 12 is completely closed and is mounted between upright bracket members 14 for pivotal movement for a purpose to be later described. The bracket members 14 have their lower ends fixed to a base 15 and their upper ends are enlarged to form shelves 16, for the reception of bearing members 17 and 18 in which a transverse shaft idextending through the auxiliary tank is journaled. The bearing member 17 is of any suitable construction and the bearing member 18 forms a valve housing.

The shaft 19 consists of a section of pipe 20 extended diametrically across the tank 12 and welded or otherwise secured in aligned apertures in its opposite walls. That end of the pipe 20 adjacent the bearing member 17 is closed by a solid stub shaft 21 fixed in the pipe and projected beyond the end thereof to be received in the bearing 17. The opposite open end of the pipe 20 is journaled in the rear wall 22 of the valve housing 18 to communicate its interior with the interior of the tank 12 through a plurality of apertures 23 formed in the medial portion of the pipe. A conventional packing gland 24 mounted in the rear wall 22 provides a fluid tightjoint between the wall and the pipe.

The valve casing 18 is substantially cylindrical and is closed by an outer cover 25 secured to its flanged marginal edge 26 by screws 27 or the like. The cylindrical wall 28 of the casing is provided, at diametrically opposite points, with a valve chamber 29 and a bearing portion 30.

The valve chamber 29 has inner and outer substantially horizontal walls which are the valve casing 18 and receives the adjacent end of the pipe line 13 to communicate therethrough with the overflow drain The interior of the tank 12 thusoommunicates with the overflow through the pipe line 13, the valve chamber 29, the valve casing, and the pipe 20.

As stated, the valve seat 33 is of tubular construction having a central large bore and a small bore 36 in its closed end to form a guide for the stem 37 of a valve 38. A plurality of radial apertures 39 are formed in the wall of the seat 33. The valve 38 is of conventional construction and is yieldably urged to closed position by an expansive spring 40 confined between the end 01 the valve seat 33 and a pin 41 carried by the valve stem. The action of the spring 40, however, is opposed and the valve maintained in open position during the time the tank 12 is in its normal position, by a stop member 42 fixed to the end of the pipe 20 within the valve casing. The lowermost end of the valve 38 is provided with radial fins 43 which are received in a suitable aperture in the cap member 34 to guide the movement of the valve, as will be readily apparent.

The stop member 42, being fixed to the end of the pipe 20, is thus rigid with respect to the tank 12 to be movable therewith and comprises two oppositely extended arms 44 and 45. The arm 44 engages the end of the valve stem 37 to hold the valve 38 open and the arm 45 engages the end of the stem 46 of a second valve 47 which normally connects the interior of the tank 12 with the interior oi the storage tank in a manner now about to be described.

The valve 47 is similar in construction to the valve 38 and is mounted within a housing 48 supported from the casing 18 by a short section of pipe 49 whose lowermost end is threaded in the projecting portion 30 of the annular wall of the casing. The valve stem 46 however is considerably longer than the stem 37 and passes through the pipe 49, being guided for movement by an aperture 50 in the inner wall of the portion 30.

The valve seat 51 with which the valve 4? cooperates is also of tubular construction similar to the seat 33 and is mounted within the housing 48 to divide the interior thereof into an upper chamber 52 and a lower chamber 53. The lower chamber 53 comu'iunicates with the interior of the tank 12 through a flexible hose 54 andthe upper chamber 52 is connected with the interior of the storage tank 6 above the water level by a pipe line One end or" the pipe line 55 is threaded in an aperture in the housing 48 and the other end has a special fitting 56 fixed thereto which connects it with the T fitting 11. The special fitting 56 however, is not in communication with the interior of the T fitting, but has one end of a right angle section of pipe 57 fixed thereto, whose other open end is directed upwardly to project above the water level and connects the pipe line 55 with the tank interior thereabove.

Under normal conditions, that is as long as sufficient air is present in the storage tank 6 and the water level does not rise above the overflow 9, the tank 12 is inoperative and remains in its normal horizontal position at which position it is held by counter-balance weights 58 and 59. The weights 58 and 59 are connected with the tank by an arm 60 cured to the outermost end of the section of solid shaft 21, the weight 58 being adjustably mounted on the arm ()0 and the weight 59 being connected with the arm through a link 60 pivotally connected with the arm 60 a" eitherof a number of points along its length.

The position of the weights with respect to the tank is calculated to maintain the mechanism in its normal position until the tank 12 is filled with water from the overflow 9, and when the tank is filled it overbalauces the weights and tilts to its dotted line position illustrated in Figure 1. As the water out the tank 12 the air therein is n *cessarily displaced and forced through the pipe line 55 into the storage tank.

To insure the auxiliary tank remaining in its horizontal position sufiiciently long to force practically all of the air therein into the storage tank, a partition wall 81 formed therein at a point spaced slightly from the end which is lowermost when the tank is tilted, to divide the interior of the tank into compartments 62 and 63, respectively. The position of the partition 61 is such that the tank will remain in its horizontal position until the entire compartment 62 is filled and the water level therein reaches a small. opening 64 at the top of the partition 61 which then permits the water to flow into the smaller compartment 63. As the compartment 63 fills, the equilibrium of the tank 12 is destroyed and it swings to its dotted line position illustrated in Figure 1.

Simultaneous with the tilting of the tank 12, the stop member 42 turns in a counterclockwise direction to release the energy of the springs of the valves 38 and 17 to permit them to close their respective valves. The interior of the tank 12 is thus cut oil from communication with the storage tank 6. A

. drain valve 65 and an air inlet valve 66 are also opened by the tilting of the tank, to permit the water to be drained therefrom.

The outlet valve 65 communicates with the small compartment 63 and is controlled by a weight 67 mounted on a lever 68 medially pivoted, as at 69, from a member 70. The member 7 0 is mountedon the outer end of a cap 71 threaded on a tubular member welded or otherwise fixed to the adjacent end wall of the tank and having its inner peripheral edge formed with a valve seat with which the valve 65 cooperates. The stem 7 3 of the valve 65 is extended axially through apertures in the cap 71 and the member 70 to be connected at its outer end with the short arm of the lever 68.

The position of the weight 67 and the in clination of the lever 68 is such that when the tank 12 is in its normal horizontal position, the valve 65 is maintained closed and when the tank is tilted it is opened. The cap 71 has a. plurality of radial apertures in which outlet tubes 7a are secured to conduct the water passing through the open valve 65 outwardly, as will be readily apparent. i

- After the tank hastipped the water drains therefrom into .a substantially rectangular pan 75 mounted on arms 76 which are pivoted, as at 77, between upstanding brackets 78. The opposite ends of the arms 76 have a weight 79' fixed thereto which is heavier. than the pan 75 and normally maintains the same in an elevated position a stop 80 being provided to hunt its movement. As thewater flows intothe pan 75 its increasing weight overbalances the weight 7 9 and causes the same to tilt downwardly to its dotted line position also illustrated in Figure 1. r

The movement of the pan 75 is utilized to lock the tank in its tilted position to insure all of the water being drained therefrom before the weights 58 and 59 return it to its normal horizontal nosition.

This is accomplished by a ratchet 81 fixed to the pipe 20 adjacent the tank 12 and with which a pawl 82 cooperates, the pawl 82 being pivoted upon a stud 83 fixed in the rear wall of the valve casing 18. An arm 84: extends from the pawl 82 and is connected at its outer end with a vertical rod 85 whose lowermost end is pivotally connected with the arms 76 carrying the pan 75 by a shaft 86, as best illustrated in Figure 2.

From this it follows that as the pan 75 tilts downwardly the rod 85 moves the pawl into engagement with the ratchet 81 and thus prevents clockwise rotation of the ratchet and the tank. T0 cushion the movement of the pan 75 and to prevent damage to the pawl and the ratchet, a spring 86 is confined between the upper face of the extended arm 84: and a pin 87 fixed in the upper end of the rod 85, a pin 88 secured in a rod beneath the arm 84 insuring the disengagement of the pawl from the ratchet upon upward movement of the rod 85. i

The pan 75 has an upstanding overflow pipe 89 whose top is so positioned that when the pan is fill-ed the water will flow therethrough into the base 15 from which it may be drained in any desired manner. An additional drain opening 90 at the lowermost portion of the pan when in its tilted position permits all of the water to drain from the pan. This opening however is comparatively small to retard the fiow of water from the pan which thus holds the tank 12 in its tilted position until all of the water is drained therefrom. In returning to its normal horizontal position, the movement of the tank 12 is arrested by a stop 91 in the form of a yoke 92 supported by an upright rod 93 having its lower end threaded in the base 15.

In the modification illustrated in Figure 5, the valve casing 18 is replaced by a bracket member 94 and the transverse shaft 19, one end of which is journaled in the bracket member, is of solid construction. The air and water valves a7 and 38 are mounted with in housings 95 and 96 respectively. The housing 95 is mounted at the upper end of the bracket and communicates with the interior of the tank 12 through the flexible hose 54 and with the pressure tank 6 through the pipe line 55. The housing 96 of the water valve 38 is similarly mounted from a projecting portion 97 of the bracket member and is communicated with the interior of the tank 12 through a flexible hose connection 98 and with the interior of the tank 6 through the pipe line 13. i

. Briefly, the operation of the air charging mechanism is as follows: As the pressure within the tank 6 falls below the predetermined point the pump which supplies the water and builds up the pressure begins to operate. As the water level rises the air within the tank 6 compresses and if an insufficient amount of air is present the water will continue to rise until it reaches the overflow 9. If the pump action is not interrupted, at this point its continued operation causes the water to flow through the overflow 9 into the auxiliary tank 12 and as the water flows into the tank 12 the air therein is forced into the storage tank 6.

If the proper pressure is reached before the tank fills with water the operation of the pump will be interrupted before the tank 12 tilts, but if this critical pressure is not reached until after the tank is practically filled with water and all of the air therein is forced into the tank 6, the tank 12 will over-balance to its substantially vertical position.

This movement of the tank 12 closes off communication between the tank 6 and the tank 12 and opens the outlet valve and the air inlet or relief valve (56. The water then begins to drain from the tank 12 into the pan to cause the ratchet mechanism to function and lock the tank against return movement until it is entirely emptied. As the water flows from the tank, it again charged with air and after the ratchet mechanism is released, it is returned to its normal position by the weights 58 and 59.

The return of the tank to normal horizontal position reconnnunicates its interior with the storage tank interior by again opening the valves 38 and 17 so that the mechanism is returned to its position ready for the next operation.

It will be noted that as the tank 12 tilts the weight 59, being supported upon a pivoted link, swings toward the axis about which the tank pivots to reduce its effectiveness and facilitate holding of the tank in its tilted position by the ratchet mechanism. It is also noted that the partition 61 is slightly inclined so that when the tank 12 is tilted its outlet opening 6 1 will be at annppermost point, to prevent the trapping of air in the compartment 63.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which an invention of the character described appertains, that I provide a novel means of insuring the proper proportions of air to water in a storage tank which operates entirely independent of the pump and which is of simplified construction and has few movin elements to preclude the possibility of s cking or otherwise retarding its proper operation.

lVhat I claim as my invention is:

1. The combination with a storage tank adapted to receive liquid and air under pressure, of means for introducing air into the storage tank and including an auxiliary tank normally filled with air, and means for conducting liquid from the storage tank when it exceeds a predetermined level into the auxiliary tank to force the air therein into the storage tank.

2. The combination with a storage tank adapted to receive liquid and air under pres sure, of means for introducing air into the storage tank and comprising an auxiliary tank normally filled with air, and means communicating the interior of the auxiliary tank with the interior of the storage tank at different levels whereby liquid in rising beyond the lowermost level flows into the auxiliary tank and causes the air therein to be forced into the storage tank.

3. The combination with a storage tank adapted to store liquid and air under pressure, of means for introducing air into the storage tank and comprising an auxiliary tank, means movably mounting the auxiliary tank, means communicating the interior of the auxiliary tank with the storage tank at differentlevels, whereby liquid in rising beyond the lowermost level flows into the auxiliary tank and causes the air therein to be forced into the storage tank, said auxiliary tank moving out of its normal position upon being filled with liquid, means whereby the communication between the two tanks is closed by said movement of the auxiliary tank, and means whereby the liquid is drained from the auxiliary tank when in said position.

1. The combination with a storage tank of the character described, of means for forcing air thereinto, including an auxiliary tank normally filled with air, means pivotally mounting the auxiliary tank, means for fill ing the auxiliary tank with liquid to force the air therein into the storage tank, means whereby the auxiliary tank swings out of normal position upon being filled with liquid, and means for retaining the auxiliary tank in its normal position until practically all of the air therein has been forced into the storage tank.

5. In a device of the character described, a pivotally mounted tank normally filled with air, means for introducing liquid into the tank to force the air therein out of the tank, means for yieldably maintaining the tank in its normal position, said means being overbalanced by the filling of the tank with liquid to cause the tank to move to another position, and means for insuring the expulsion of practically all of the air within the tank before it overbalances.

6. In a device of the character described, a pivotally mounted tank normally filled with air, balancing means for maintaining the tank in a predetermined position, means for filling the tank with liquid to expel the air therein, the tank swinging out of said predetermined position upon being filled with liquid to a liquid discharging position, and means within the tank which causes the same to be substantially filled with fluid before it swings to said discharging position.

7. In a device of the character described, a tank, means pivotally mounting the tank, said means being located nearer one end of the tank than the other, balance means counter-acting the longer end of the tank to maintain the same in a predetermined normal position at which it is filled with air, means for introducing liquid into the tank to expel the air therefrom, said filling of the tank with liquid causing the same to overcome the balance means to tilt the tank out of normal position, and means within the tank for preventing the liquid from filling the longest end portion of the tank until practically all of the air therein has been expelled from the tank.

8. In a device of the character described, a tank, means pivotally mounting the tank, said means being located nearer one end of the tank than the other, balance means counteracting the longer end of the tank to maintain the same in a predetermined normal position at which it is filled with air, means for introducing liquid into the tank to expel A the air therefrom, said filling of the tank with liquid causing the same to overcome the balance means to tilt the tank out of normal position, and a partition formed in the tank adjacent its longest end portion, said partition having an opening at its top whereby liquid entering the tank is prevented from filling said end portion which causes the overbalancing of the tank until practically all of the air therein has been forced out of the tank.

9. In a device of the character described, an air charging tank, means pivotally mounting the tank at a point nearer one end han the other whereby the longer end of the tank tends to tip it to a substantially vertical position, balance means counter-acting said tendency of the longer end and maintaining the tank in a normal substantially horizontal position at which it is filled with air, a partition within the tank dividing it into a small and large compartment, the partition being spaced from the point of pivot approximately the same distance as the short end of the tank, and means for introducing liquid into the large compartment to expel the air from the tank, said partition having an opening communicating the two compartments adjacent its top, whereby the liquid flows into the small compartment only after the large compartmcnt is practically filled to insure the tank being retained in its normal substantially horizontal position until practically all of the air therein has been expelled, and the filling of the small compartment increasing the weight of the longer end of the tank to overcome the balance means and cause the tank to tip to a substantially vertical position.

10. In a device of the character described,

a pivotally mounted tank normally filled 'with air, means yieldably maintaining the tank in a normal substantially horizontal po sition, means for introducing liquid into the tank to expel the air therefrom, means whereby the filling of the tank with liquid causes the same to overcome the balance means and tilt the tank to a substantially vertical position, means whereby the liquid within the tank is drained therefrom when the tank reaches said substantially vertical position, and means for holding the tank in said substantially vertical position against the action of the balance means to insure the complete draining of liquid therefrom before the tank is again returned to its normal substantially horizontal position by the balance means.

11. In adevice of the character described, a pivotally mounted tank normally filled with air, means yieldably maintaining the tank in a normal substantially horizontal position, means for introducing liquid into the tank to expel the air therefrom, means whereby the filling of the tank'with liquid causes the same to overcome the balance means and tilt the tank to a substantially vertical position, means whereby the liquid within the tank is drained therefrom when the tank reaches said substantially vertical position, and means operable by the liquid drained from the tank for holding the tank in its substantially vertical position long i enough to permit all of the liquid to be drained from the tank.

12. The combination with a tank adapted to store liquid and air under pressure, of means for introducing air into the tankj when needed, comprising an auxiliary tank,

means pivotally mounting the auxiliary tank, balance means normally maintaining the auxiliary tank in a predetermined position at which it is filled with air, means communicating the auxiliary tank with the storage tank whereby the liquid within the storage tank upon rising above a predetermined level flows into the auxiliary tank and'forces the air therein into the storage tank, means whereby the filling of the auxiliary tank with liquid overcomes the balance means and causes the tank to tilt on its pivotal mounting out of its predetermined normal position, and means whereby said movement of the auxiliary tank closes the communication between it and the storage tank and permits the liquid to drain from the auxiliary tank.

- 13. In a device of the character described, a pivotally mounted tank normally filled with air, means normally maintaining the tank in a predetermined balanced position, means for introducing liquid into the tank to expel the air therefrom, anormally closed liquid outlet valve connected with the tank, an air inlet valve for the tank, and means whereby the tank in filling with liquid tilts out of its normal balanced position to open the liquid outlet valve and the air inlet valve to permit the liquid to drain from the tank.

{14. The combination with a storage tank adapted to receive air and water under press'ure, of means for maintaining a predetermined amount of air within the storage tank, including an auxiliary air charging tank, means for connecting the air charging tank with the storage tank, said auxiliary air charging tank being normally filled with air whereby the water in the storage tank in rising above a predetermined level flows through one of the said connecting means into the air charging tank to force the air therein into the storage tank through another of said connecting means, means pivotally mounting the auxiliary air charging tank, means for yieldably maintaining the air charging tank in its normal position until it is practically filled with water at which time it o'verbalances and assumes a substantially'vertical position, means whereby said movement of the auxiliary tank closes 'said connecting means between it and the storage tank, and means for draining the water from the auxiliary air charging tank when in a substantially vertical position to recharge the same with air; 7

15. In a device of the character described,

a tank, means pivotall'y mountingthe tank air therefrom, the filling of the tank with liquid causing it to tip against the ction of its balance means to a substantiallyvertical position, means whereby the liquid in the tank is drained therefrom when in said substantially vertical position to recharge the same with air, and means for preventing the return of the tank to its normal substantially horizontal position before all of the liquid is drained therefrom, said means including a normallyelevated container'which is filled with liquid drained from the tank to cause the same to be lowered by the weight of the liquid.

16. In a device of the character described, a main tank adapted to store liquid and air under pressure and having an overflow through which liquid exceeding a predetermined quantity flows, an auxiliary tanknormally filled with air and connected with the overflow to receive the liquid therefrom, means connecting the auxiliary tank with the main tank above the overflow whereby the air in the auxiliary tank is forced into the main tank as the auxiliary tank fills with HERMAN ROTTEL.

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