US2117563A - Automatic pumping mechanism - Google Patents

Description

May W, W38. J. o. MOMILLAN 2,117,563

I AUTOMATiC PUMPING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 17, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. o. MQMILLAN AUTOMATIC PUMPING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 17, 1954 May E7, 1938.

L-LAJ VII/ll Patented May 17, 1938 AUTOMATIC PUMPING MECHANISM James 0. McMillan, Wichita, Kans.

Application Dec'ember 11. 1934, Serial No. 757,946

6 Claims. (01. 103-150) This invention relates to a pumping mechanism and aims generally to provide a construction especially, but not necessarily, adapted for embodiment in an automatic domestic or housepulsating, positive displacement type, operating with minimum friction, havingits moving parts isolated from contact with the material being pumped and so assembled as not to req l Ye additional lubrication after leaving the factory.

The invention enables me to dispense with the use of leather cups and associated parts, cylinders, cross-heads, wrist pins, packing glands,-

springs if desired, and the replenishing of lubricant in the crank case, by employing a crankshaft and a connecting rod and suitable bearings as the sole movingparts for the diaphragm employed; the connecting rod preferably being relatively long to eliminate strain and undue wear on the diaphragm.

A prime object is to provide a construction of pump of the class referred to having the diaphragm uprightand the connecting rod substantially horizontal, with all parts readily accessible for inspection and repair, as well as simple, dur able and efficient in operation. 7 Another important object is to' provide means for automatic-ally permitting escape of excess air and for maintaining a predetermined amount of cushioning air in the storage tank. A further object is to provide means in such a system whereby the motor may store up excess energy during that cycle of operation which requires very little power andapply such stored up energy duringthe period required most, aiding in smoother and quieter operation.

Additionally! aim to provide such a pumping system as has the operating parts resiliently or equivalently mounted and wherein the pump is embodied in an automatic apparatus as shown in accompanying drawings and hereinafter more hereinafter be pointed out and others will become .apparentfrom a consideration of said drawings taken in connection with the accompanying description.

In'said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a view of one form ofthe improved apparatus, partly in elevation and partly in sec-" tion; j

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail section particularly illustrating .the valves of said apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken adjacent the crank shaft of said apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken across the diaphragm, pumping chamber and priming chamberj. i

Fig. 5 is a view of a modified form, partly in side elevation and partly in section; 5

Fig. 6 is a central vertical section through one of the valve devices used in said modifiedform, and

I Fig. '7 is a detail section taken on the line I-Tof Fig. 6. 1 10 Referring specifically to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts, It) designates a pumping unit having a casing l I, preferably of suitable sectional construction, having apriming chamber 15 i2 with which a suction inlet pipe I3 isconnected and which pipe communicates with a well or other source of water or fluid supply. In priming chamber l2, a removable bucket strainer l4 is'preferabiy disposed, while a vacuum chamber 20 I5 caps the priming chamber.

Said casing II has a diaphragm or suction chamber l6 communicating with the priming and I Q' by expansivesprings 22 engaging the same and also "engaging heads 23jon.studs 24,

- which the 'springssurround, and on which said valves 2| and 2| are slidable. Studs 24 may be scrcwed'to the walls If! as shown at 25. The outlet or discharge pipe of the pump is shown at 26 leading from the chamber l8 close to the valve 2|. therein;

Particular attention is directed to the fact that the casing l l is formed with a vertical open side, being the left hand side in Figure 1 and this side or opening is closed water-tight by a diaphragm 22' of rubber or other suitable flexible material 45 and which is. operable to'actuate the pump by providing the necessary pulsations. Said diaphragm preferably has a leather backing to increase'its life by minimizing chafing and wear.

phragm thus functioning asa closure for the open side of the casing, and also as a gasket, as well as being readily accessible for inspection and replacement.

An L-shapedvalve body or tube 30 is con nected to and communicates with the casing between the valves 2| and 2|, with the suction chamber l6, having a ball check valve 3| therein urged to its seat to cut off the inlet of air by an expansive spring 32, Another 'ball check valve 33 is located in tube 30 and movable to and from seats 34 and 35. On the suction stroke of the pump, air is drawn into the suction chamber through tube 30, past valves 3| and 33, the latter valve being loose in the tube and moves from seat 34 to seat 35. When it engages the seat 34, the intake of air through the tube 36 is cut off. Thus the amount of air permitted to enter is limited. It is controlled by the extent of the movement of said valve 33 between its seats. On the opposite stroke of the pump, valve 33 is forced against its seat 35 to prevent the escape of water or other fluid to the atmosphere.

Attention is directed to .another valve or ball 36 carried by a cage 31 disposed in an interior wall of chamber l8, the ball being loose in the cage and movable between a seat 38 and a pin 39,- the seat being grooved or channeled at 46 whereby it is never fully closed by the ball so that water may leak from chamber l8 past the ball 36. This leakage occurs below the point where water enters discharge pipe 26 so as to keep the entrance "to the pipe sealed with water to maintain a high suction efliciency.

' Said casing II and crank case 21 have legs- 4| and 42, respectively bolted or otherwise secured at 43 to a platform or base 44.

A transversely disposed crank shaft 45 is journalled in a plurality of lubricant-filled and sealed ball bearing devices or equivalent at 46 and the 'crank 41 of. that shaft is disposed within the crank case 21. On said crank, a sleeve 48 is disposed by means of an eccentric bore 49 and which sleeve is fastened rigidly in place, in any adjusted position by a nut 50 threaded on a stud 5| on the crank, a lock washer 52 preferably being interposed. A horizontal connecting rod or pitman' 53 -is journalled on said sleeve 48 and is -connected to the diaphragm. The adjustment of the sleeve 48 previously referred to, controls the throw of the connecting rod. Said parts are accessible for adjustment through an opening in the crank case at 21 which is closed by a plate 21 bolted tothe crank case at 21; Said plate, about the bolt holes thereof, has bosses 21 to space the plate between the bolts from, the crank case at 21 to enable breathing of the device to relieve any pressure or? partial vacuum on the diaphragm.

Reverting to the connection of the connecting rod and diaphragm, an abutment 54 is formed on the connecting rod beyond which a stud 55 extends. On this stud 55, two reversely dished washers or plates 56-of bronze or other suitable metal, with the diaphragm 22' therebetween, are strung and then clamped tightly together and against the abutment 54 by a nut 51 screw threaded on the stud 55. This construction permits access to all of the parts for inspection and repair and as all of th variousbearings, such as 46 are filled at the factory with suitable lubrifrom an electric motor 66, whose shaft 6| carries afly-wheel 62. Feet 63 on said motor 60 are bolted as at 64 to the base 44.

Said base 44 is mounted directlyover a hydropneumatic tank 65 supported by feet 66 or otherwise. on a suitable foundation. The base and tank have aligned studs 61 and 68, respectively. over which are'telescoped, removable rubber or other resilient tubes 68 longer than the two studs engaged thereby so that the studs of the tank and of the base cannot touch through vibration.

The discharge pipe 26 has a lower section," disposed out of metallic contact therewith, connected to the tank 65 so as to dischar into the latter.. A rubber or other flexible hose 11 is removably telescoped over the free ends of discharge pipe sections 26 and 10, with the aid of conventional clamps 12. 7

A pipe 13 rises from and communicates with the interior of tank 65, being unconnected to platform 44 and carrying a switch 14 of conventional form to control the supply of electric current from a suitable source, operable by the pressure in tank 45 communicated through'pipe- 13. From the switch 14, a flexible conducting cable connection leads to the motor 60. As far as my invention is concerned, element 14 need be merely any conventional type of pressure-operated switch. However, in actual practice, it pref-,-

say of a spigot Should an excess of air be pumped into the being closed) into suction chamber I6, air tofa limited extent also being drawn in through tube ,30 under control of the valves therein, the vacuum chamber l5 insuring a steady suction and the pulsatingshocks being cushioned by the air in chamber l8. Leakage occurs past valve 36 because of groove 46. On the discharge stroke of the diaphragm, valve 2| seats and valve 2| opens, the water passing through ports 20' into chamber l8 and thence through pipes 26-10 into tank 65 from which it iswithdrawn through pipe 15. When valve 2| is open, valve 33 closes tube 38 against the escape of water. Because-of the withdrawal of water through pipe 25, the pressure in the tank 65 fluctuates and as the operation of switch 14 is dependent upon that pressure, due to withdrawal within a limited range,

l it operates automatically to drive the motor 60,

belt 59, pulley 58, crank shaft 45, connecting rod 53; diaphragm 22 and 'all other parts of the apparatus.

Various changes will be apparent and may', be

' resorted to within the spirit and, scope of my invention. For instance, I may use the modified form illustrated in the figures not heretofore specifically referred to. The pump casing88 of this form has an inlet at 8|, priming chamber 7 82, .vacuum chamber 83, passage 84, suction chamber and discharge and air chamber 86,

corresponding to and operating like the parts,

Bald valve structures 81 and 88 consist of cages ll fastened to the casing 80 and contain ports O therethrough. About saidports, the cages have annular "concave seats alengaged by contractile rubber ring valves 92. A diaphragm 22! similar to the leather backed diaphragm 22' is mounted and driven by the same means as in the preceding form. on its suction stroke, the lower ring valve 92 is dilated to open the ports of its seat while on the otherstroke the remaining ring valve 92 dilates to open its ports while the first mentioned ring valve contracts and closes its ports. In this form, the tube 30 and valves therein, and the valve 36 and cage 3'! may be omitted. The casing 80, crank case 95 and motor 96 of this form, are bolted as at 9!, 98 and 99 to a base 93 having supporting legs 8d. The switch I00, functioning like that at I4, is supported on the base, having a pipe IOI, communieating with the pumping chamber of the pumpintermediate the valves 81 and 88 to function like that at I3. A discharge pipe I02 leadsirom chamber 85 to a tank l03,like that atv 65, having a draw-oil? or outlet pipe Ind.

Itis obvious that the principles of the apparatus may be used not only to pump water but may be adapted for any fluid, air or other gas or mixture of them.

I claim as my invention:-

1. An apparatus of the class described having a pump casing open at one side, a diaphragm closing said side, means to actuate said diaphragm, said casing having a priming chamber, a suction chamber and a discharge chamber, two valves, one to open as the other closes, controlllng communication between the chambers and coacting with the diaphagm on the opposite strokes thereof to effect pumping, the casing having a passage for the intake of air into the suction chamber, said passage having two seatstherein, a valve movable from one of the said seats to the other seat, said valve being movable through operation of the diaphragm and against one seat to limit the intake of air and. against the other seat to prevent discharge through the passage.

2. An apparatus of the class described having a pump casing open at one side, a diaphragm closing said side, means to actuate said diaphragm, said casing having a priming chamber,

a suction chamber and a discharge chamber, two

valves, one to open as the other closes, controlling communication between the chambers and coacting with the diaphragm on theopposite strokes thereof to effect pumping. the casing having a passage for the intake of air' into the suction chambe said passage having two seats therein, a valve movable from one of the said seats to the other seat, said valve being movable through operation of the diaphragm and against one seat to limit the intake of air and against the other seat to prevent discharge through the passage, said discharge chamber having an outlet, a pasthe suction chamber adjacent said outlet having a seat therein provided with a groove, and a ball to engage the last mentioned seat on the suction stroke of the pump.

3. In combination with an upright flexible diaphragm and means to flex the same, a pumping unit comprising a casing, said casing having a suction chamber closed at one side by said diaphragm', a vertically disposed priming chamber forming part of said casing, a vacuum chamber capping said priming chamber, said casing having 1 the said lower wall, the said upper wall having a] port therein above the first mentioned port communicating with the lower portion of said air and discharge chamber, and valves for said ports coacting with the diaphragm one to open as the other closes.

4. In, combination with an upright flexible diaphragm and means to flex the same, a pumping unit comprising a casing, said casing having a suction chamber at one side thereof, a vertically disposed priming chamber forming part of said casing, a vacuum chamber capping said priming chamber, said casing having an 'air and discharge chamber substantially parallel to the priming chamber and disposed on a line passing between the priming chamber and diaphragm, said casing having an upper and a lower substantially horizontal wall in the suction chamber in relatively close relation to each other, said casing having a passage leading from adjacent the base of the priming chamber to a port in the said lower wall, the said upper wall having a port therein above, the first mentioned port communicating with the lower portion of said air and discharge chamber, the wall of said casing having a part projecting laterally beyond the air and discharge chamber and disposed about the suction cham-, ber outwardly of said upper and lowerwalls and in direct engagement with the diaphragm.

5. The combination of claim 3 having a conduit forming part of the said passage, said conduit spacing the priming chamber from the suction chamber, and normally closed means connected to the suction chamber in the space between the latter and the priming chamber operable on the suction stroke of the apparatus to enable thediaphragm to draw air into the suction chamber.

6. The combination of claim 4 having a conduit forming part of the said passage. said conduit spacing the priming chamber from the suction chamber, and normally closed means connected to the suction chamber in the space between the latter and the priming chamber orper-.

able on the-suction stroke of the apparatus to enable the diaphragm to draw air into the suction chamber.

JAMES O. McliflLLAN.

rage for leakage r m said discharge chamber to

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