US1866000A - Gauge for ascertaining the lift of compressor air valves - Google Patents

Description

July 5,1932- P. A. ALONZO 1,866,000

GAUGE FOR ASCERTAINING THE LIFT COMPRESSOR AIR. VALVES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 15. 1950 3 m B ierAAla n z 0 P. A. ALONZO GAUGE FOR ASCERTAINING THE LIFT OF COMPRESSOR AIR VALVES July 5, 1932.

Filed Nov. 15, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

Patented July 5, 1932 PATENT oF cr:

rnzrnn l m, or evnnnteaanamnxxoo Gauge .1103, ascnnramme rnn LIFT or oonrnnssqn Am VALVE S Application filed November 15, 1930. Serial No. 495,982.

Thls invention relates to gauges generally,

unskilled person may easily ascertainthe exact lift of the upper and lower air valves of-the compressor.

The invention hasfor a further object to provide gauges of the character stated which shall be capable of being used efliciently by those engaged in the daily repairing of theair compressors in railroad shops and" by those engaged in the up-keep of thecompressors in round houses.

The invention has for afurther object to provide gauges of the character stated which shall be simple, strong and durable, which shall be uniformily accurate, which shall be capable of being manufactured at a low cost and which shall be adapted to be maintained in a highly Iefficient condition with little labor and at low cost. 5

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the natureof which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view partly in vertical section'and partly in elevation illustrating the first step of the method of using the upper air valve gauge to ascertain the lift of this valve.

Figure 2 is a similar view illustrating the second or final stepof the method of using this gauge to ascertain the'lift of this valve.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of this gauge.

Figure l is a sectional view taken on" the horizontal plane indicated by the line l-d of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the horizontal plane indicated by the line 5-'- 5 of Figure .2. Y

Figure 6'is aview partly in vertical section and partly in elevation illustrating the first step of the method of using the lower air valve gauge-to.ascertain the-lift ofthis valve.

Figure 7 is a similar view illustrating the second or final step of the method of using this gauge to ascertain the liftof' thisvalve,

and I Figure'8 is a top plan view of this gauge. Referring in detail tothe drawings, and

particularlyto Figures 1 and 2, 1 designates a fragmentary portion of'the upper'end of the cylinder of a Westinghouse steam driven air compressor, 2 the upper'air valve of the compressor, 3 the seat for the valve and 4 the a cap for the valve.

An opening5'formed in the upperendof the compressor cylinder directly above the valveQ, is provided for the reception ofthe cap 4: which is screw threadedly engaged with the wall 'of'the opening. The cap 4: is provided with an outer annular flange 6" and "an upwardly extending wrench engagin'g boss 7 The flange 6 contacts withthe upper end of thefcompressor cylinder, and as the cap 4 is turneddownwardly to compensat'e for wear therein, and inthe valve'2, the flange wears an annular groove in said end of the cylinder. The groove, which sur, rounds the opening 5 is designated 8.

The gauge, through the medium of which the lift of the valve2 may be ascertained, and which is shown in'Figures 1 to'5, comprises a metal body 9 of U-form in elevation and of suflicient' thickness to give it the re-' quired strength and rigidity. The cross bar 10 of the body 9 is, provided centrally between its ends with an opening 11 which is arranged in a planeparallel to the planes of the legs 12 of the body. The cross bar 10 has its outer corners notched, as at'18, to provide outwardly facing shoulders 14 which are curved and arrangedconcentrie cally to the axis of the openings '11; The shoulders 1d are spaced apart for a distance slightly less than the diameter groove 8. Thelegs .12 have their inner sides curved transversely, as shown at, 15, and jthese curved sides are concentric to the axis of the opening 11., The distance between the curved sides 15 is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the standardair valve cap 4, and also greater than the correseponding dimensions ofover s1ze-a1r valve caps foun in old Westinghouse air compressors, so as to adapt the gauge for application to either of the caps.

The opening 11 is cylindrical and its diametrical dimension is large as compared with the thickness of the cross bar 10. To permit the opening 11 to be formed therein without weakening the same, the cross bar 10 is of increased thickness at its transverse center, as shown at 16. A tube 17, which is greater in length than the width of the cross bar 10, is slidably mounted in the opening 11. The tube 17 is held against rotation with respect to the cross bar 10, by a rib 18 formed on the wall of the opening 11 and engaging in a groove 19 formed in the outer side and extending longitudinally of the tube. The tube 17 is held against accidental endwise movement with respect to the cross bar 10 by a set screw 20 carriedby the enlarged cross bar portion 16 and contacting with the tube at a point diametrically oppo site the rib 1 8 and groove 19. That end of the tube 17' located between the legs 12 is of conical formation, as shown at 21, and the I other end of the tube is closed by a plug 22 which is screw-threadedly engaged in the tube and provided with a milled operating head 23.

, A cylindrical bar 24 is slidably mounted in the tube 17, and'extends through and beyond the conical end portion 21 of the tube. The bar 24 is provided at its inner end with a cylindrical head 25 which contacts with the inner surface of the tube 17 to hold the bar against any tilting movement with re spect'to the tube. The bar 24 is held against rotation with respect to the tube 17 by a rib 26 which is carried by the head 25 and fits in a groove 27 formed in the inner side of the tube and extending longitudinally thereof, the groove 27 being arranged at from the groove 19.

A coil spring 28 which is located within the tube 17 between the plug 22 and rod head 25, functions to constantly urge the bar 24 into its outermost position with respect to the tube. When the bar 24 is in this posi tion the conical outer sides 29 of the head 25 contacts with the conical end 21 of the tube 17. The bar 24is provided at diametrically opposite sides thereof with seriesof graduations 30 which are spaced one-thirty-second of an inch apart. The outermost graduation is marked zero, the third graduation from the zero graduation is marked three, and the fifth graduation from the zero graduation is marked five. The outer and smaller end of the conical tube portion 21 functions in connection with the graduations 30 as a pointer or marker.

V The valve 2is provided in-thecenter of the upper side thereof with a one-quarter of an inch tappedfhole 31. During the unseating thereof,-the valve 2 contacts with the 4 so as to enable the lift of the valve to be accurately ascertained.

To ascertain the lift ofthe upper air valve 2, the valve cap 4 is removed from the cylinder, and the gauge is applied to the cylinder in a manner to position its cross bar 10 upon theupper end thereof and across the opening 5, asshown in Figure 1. In applying the gauge care must be taken to arrange the shoulders'14 in the groove 8 worn in the upper end of the cylinderby the cap flange 6. After the gauge is applied to the cylinder, the set screw 20. is turned back so as to free the tube 17 fordownwardmovement to position the plughead 23 in contact with the center of the upper side of the valve 2. The set screw 20 is now'turned up to secure the tube 17 against movement from the position it now occupies on the cross bar 10. After this has beendone, the gauge is applied to the valve cap 4 in a manner to position the free ends of its legs 12 in contact with the lower side of the flange 6. While this is being done the graduated bar 24 is held pressed into the tube 27 so as to insure the full contact of these ends of the legs 12 with the-cap flange 6. 7 After the gauge has been applied to the valve cap 4, the graduated bar 24 is released so as to permit it to be moved by the spring 28 intocontact with the center of the lower side ofthe valve cap. When the graduated bar 24 comes to rest by contacting with the lower side of the valve cap 4, that graduation 30 located nearest the smaller end of the conicaltube portion 21 will indicate the lift of the upper air valve 2. The space between the zero and the third graduations is used for the purpose of ascertaining when an upper air valve is blind; that is, when the air valve lifts less than three-thirty-seconds of an inch. When the graduated bar 24 comes to rest with its third graduation in alinement with the lower end of the tube portion 21, the lift of the valve is correct; The space between the third and innermost graduations is for the purpose of determining the over lift that all worn valves generallyhave.

Referring to Figures 6, 7 and 8, 1a designates a fragmentary portion of the lower end of the compressor cylinder, 34- the lower air valve of the compressor,'35 the chamber of the cylinder in which the valve works and 36 the cage for the valve. An opening 37 in the lower end of the compressor cylinder is provided for the reception of thecage 36 which is screw-threadedly engaged with the wall of the opening. The cage 36 isprovided with an outer annular flange 38 and a downwardly extending wrench engagin boss 39. The flange 38 contacts with the l ower end of the cylinder, and as the cage 36 is turned upwardly, to compensate for wear thereon and in the valve 34, the flange wears an annular groove in the lower end of the cylinder. The groove surrounds the opening 37 and is designated 40.

The gauge for ascertaining the lift of the lower air valve 34 is shownin Figures 6, 7 and 8 and embodies parts similar e'xceptas to size to the corresponding parts of the gauge for ascertaining the lift of the upper air valve 2. The cross bar 10a of the lower air valve gauge is shorter than the cross bar 10 of the upper air valve gauge, the legs 12a of the lower air valve gauge are longer than those of the upper air valve gauge and are provided with concave inner sides 15a, the tube 17a of the lower air valve gauge is longer than the tube 17 of the upper air valvegauge and the plug 22a of the lower air valve gauge'is longer than the plug 22 of the upper air valve gauge. The other parts of the lower air valve gauge are similar to the corresponding parts of the upper air valve gauge and are designated by corresponding reference characters. The shoulders 14 of the lower air valve gauge are spaced apart for distances less than the diameter of the groove 40 so as to permit the gauge to be applied to'the lower end of the cylinder as shown in Figure 6.

To ascertain the lift of the lower air valve 34, the valve cage 36 is removed from the cylinder, and the gauge is applied to the cylinder in a manner to position its cross bar 10a against the lower end thereof and across the opening 37, as shown in Figure 6. In applying the gauge care must be taken to arrange the shoulders 14 in the groove 40 worn in the lower end of the cylinder by the cage flange 38. As the gauge is applied to the cylinder, the set screw is turned back so as to free the tube 17a for upward movement to position the plug head 23 in contact with the cylinder of the upper wall of the valve chamber 35. The set screw 20 is now turned up to secure the tube 17a against movement from the position it now occupies on the cross bar 10a. After this has been done, the gauge is applied to the valve cage 36 in a manner to position the free ends of its legs 12a in contact with the upper side of the cage flange 38. WVhile this isbeing done the graduated bar 24 is held pressed into the tube 27a so as to insure the full contact of the legs 12a with the cage flange 38. After the gauge has been applied to the valve cage 36, the graduated bar 24 is released so as to permit it to be moved by the spring 28 into cpntact with the center of the upper side of the valve 34. When the graduated bar 24 comes to rest by contacting with the upper side of the valve 34, that graduation 30 locatedinearest the small end of the conical with its third graduation in alinement with the lower end of the tube portion 21, the lift of the valve is correct. The space between the third: and innermost graduations is for the purpose of ascertaining the over lift that all worn valves generally have. Y

From the foregoingdescription, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it should be apparent that the upper air valvegaugeiand the ,lower air valve gauge are similar except as to the relative proportions of certain parts thereof, that both gauges are used in substantially the same manner to ascertain the lift or lifts of the valves, and that both gaugesprovidea simple and easily taining the'lift or lifts of the valves. As the bar 24 is provided atdiainetrically opposite sides thereof with graduations, each] gauge may be read from either side thereof. By removing the plugs 23 and 23a, the springs 28 and graduated bars 24 may be removed from the tubes 17 and 17 a for the performed method of ascerpurpose of cleaning the springs, bars and the inner sides ofthe tubes. The lower air valve 34 wears away the top wall of the chamber 35 during the unseating thereof, and the tapped hole 41 in the upper side of this valve forms a projection 42 on the cylinder of said chamher which is received the recess of the plug cap 23 when the lower air valve gaugeis applied to the cylinder.

While I have described the principle of the invention, together with the structure which I now consider the preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that the structure shown is merely illustrative and that such changes may be made, when dev sired, as fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimedis 1 1. A; gauge of the character set forth, comprising a bar, legs extending in a common direction from one side of the bar, a tube passing through the bar for endwise adjustment with respect to the opposite side of the bar, means for securing the tube in adjusted position, and a graduated bar slidable freely in the tube and extending from one end thereof in the general direction of'the extension of the legs, said end of the tube cooperating with the graduations on the bar as a pointer. V

2; Agauge of the character set forth, comprislng a bar, legs extending in a common direction from one side of the bar, a tube passing through the bar for endwise adjustment with respect to the opposite side of the its bar, means for securing the tube in adjusted position, .a graduated bar slidably freely in the tube and extending from one end thereof in the general direction of the extension of the legs, said end of the tube cooperating with the graduations on the bar as a pointer, and a, spring holding the graduated bar in extended position with'respect to the tube.

3. A gauge of the character set forth, comprising a bar, le s extending in a common direction from one side of'the bar, a tube passing through the bar for endwise adjustment with respect to the opposite side of the bar, the tube being provided in its outer side with a longitudinal groove, an element carried by the bar and engaging in the groove to hold the tube against rotation with respect to the bar, means for securing the tube in adjusted position, and a graduated bar slidable freely in the tube and extending from one end thereof in the general direction of the extension of-the legs, said end of the tube cooperating with the graduations on the bar as a pointer.

4. A gauge, of the character set forth, com prising a bar having an enlarged central portion provided with'an opening, legs extending in a common direction from one side of the bar and arranged at opposite sides of said opening, a tube mounted in said opening for endwiseadju-stment with respect to the opposite side of the bar, the tube being provided in its outer side with a longitudinal groove, a rib on the wall of said opening and engaging in said groove to hold the tube against rotation with respect to the bar, a set screw carried by the enlarged portion of the bar and engaging the tube to secure the latter in adjusted position, and a graduated bar carried by the tube and extending therefrom in the general direction of the extension of the legs. 7

5. A gauge of the character set forth, con1- prising a bar, legs extending in a common direction from one side of the bar, a tube extending through the bar and adjustable in an endwise direction with respect to the opposite side of the bar, that end of the tube tending through the bar and adjustable in an endwisedirection with respect to the opposite side of the bar, that end of the tube located beyond said first side of the bar being reduced and of conical formation, a graduated bar carried by the tube and extending through said end thereof which co-operates with the graduations as a pointer, the tube being provided in its inner side with a longitudinal groove, ahead secured to the inner end of the graduated bar and provided with arib slidably engaging in said groove to hold the tube against rotation with respect to the bar, a plug carried bythe opposite end of the tube, a spring positioned between the plug and the head of the graduated bar, and means for securing the tubejagainst rotation with respect to the bar. j

7. A gauge of the character set forth, comprising a bar, legs extending in aconnnon di rection from one side of the bar, a tube extending through the bar and adjustable in an endwise directionwith respect to the opposite side of the bar, that end of thetube located beyond said first side of the bar being reduced and of conical forn1ation,'a graduated bar carried by the tube and extending through said end thereof which co-operates with the graduations as a pointer, the tube being provided in its inner side with a longitudinal groove, a head secured to the inner end of the graduated bar and provided with a rib slidably engaging in said groove to hold the tube against rotation With respect'to the bar, a plug carried by the opposite end of the tube, a spring positioned between the plug and the 7 head of the graduated bar, means for securing the tube against rotation with respect to the ban-the legs being provided with concave inner sides and the bar being provided at said 1 opposite side thereof with inwardly offset arcuate shoulders, and the graduated bar and plug being provided in their outer ends with concave recesses.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aihx my signature.

PETER A. ALONZO.

located beyond said first side of the barbeing I reduced and of conical formation, a graduated bar carried by the tube and extending through said end thereof which co-operates with'the graduations as a pointer, the tube being provided in its inner side with a longitudinal groove, a head secured to the inner end of the graduated bar and provided with a rib slidably engaging in said groove to hold the tube against rotation with respect to the bar, a plug carried by the opposite end of the tube, a spring positioned between the plug and the head of the graduated bar, and means for securing the tube in adjusted posiiton.

6. A gauge of the character set forth, comprising a bar, legs extending in a common direction from one side of the bar, a tube ex-

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