US832081A - Liquid-level controller. - Google Patents

Description

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 PATENTBD 001-2, 1906. s. A. REEVE & E. P. NOYES. LIQUID LEVEL CONTROLLER.

APPLIOATION FILED APR.23.1904

No. 832,081. PATENTED OCT. 2, 1906. S. A. REEVE & B. P. NOYES.

LIQUID LEVEL CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED APR.23, 1904.

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SIDNEY A. REEVE, OF WORCESTER, AND EDWARD P. NOYES, OF WINCHES ER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS TO- CHARLES F. 'BROVZN, TRUSTEE, OF READING, MASSACHUSETTS.

LEQUED=LEVEL QQNTRQLLER Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Got. 2, 1.906.

Application filed April 23, 1904. Serial No. 204,592.

To all whom it nuty concern.-

Be it known that we, SIDNEYA. REEVE, of Worcester, in the county of lVorcester, and EDWARD P. NoYEs, of Winchester, in the county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful 1mprovements in Liquid-Level Controllers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for controlling the inflow to or exit from a pressure chamber or vessel of liquid or gaseous fluid; and its object is to provide an improved device of this kind whereby a predetermined liquid-level or a predetermined volume of gaseous fluid may be automatically maintained in the pressure vessel or other useful function performed with reference to the vessel.

The invention as hereinafter specifically described involves the differential action 'of a constant pressure and a variable ressure on opposite sides of a movable mem er, such as a diaphragm, and it further involves the action of means such as a dip-tube attached tothis diaphragm, whereby the opening or closing movements of the valves or other mechan ism controlled by the diaphragm is rendered uniform instead of jerky and spasmodic.

The invention still further involves, the employment of a'plurality of devices of the described kind in combination in such manner as to control one by the action of the other and provide for various conditions within and without the pressure vessel, as will more fully a pear.

Of t 1e accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a sectional dia rammatic view of, an apparatus constructe according to our invention. Fig. 2 represents a section on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 represents a detail side elevation of the upper part of the diptube in one of the controlling devices and of meansfor rotating said tube to adjust'its ver tical height. Fig. 3 represents a section on line 3 3 of Fig. 3. Figs. 4 to 7, inclusive, are dia rammatic sectional views representing modifications.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all the figures.

In the drawings, 1 is a pressure vessel adapt.- ed to inclose liquid and gaseous contents in the lower and upper portions thereofirespectively. The liquid might be water and same level in vessel 1.

the gaseous fluid steam, as in a steam-boiler. The gaseous fluid may be other than the Vapor of a liquid, as would be the case, for example, in one of the two chambers shown in Reeve patent, No. 588,178, August17, 1897,

, showing air and gas chambers connected by water seal. A pump 3 supplies liquidto the vessel 1 from a suction-pipe 130 through a' delivery-pipe 4.

100 is a second inflow-pipe for liquid or gaseous fluid, which might come from a conensing or other system, 200 is a main exitpipe for the gaseous fluid, and 300 is an inlet to the lower part of the vessel adapted to connect, for instance, with a chamber such as hereinbefore mentioned, as described in the aforesaid Patent No. 588,178.

2 is a chamber connecting by pipes 120-150 with the lower and upper parts of the vessel 1, whereby liquid is maintained at the The chamber 2 we consider practically a part or extension of the vessel 1 by reason of the pipes 120 150,

and in someinstances the controller may be built directly on the vessel whose contents are to be controlled, in which case the chamber 2 would merge with said vessel. Said chamber 2 connects at its upper end with a lower diaphragm-chamber 22, the chambers 2 and 22 being ractically'one chamber. The

latter is inclu ed in a ca'sih containing the- .diaphragm 6, on the upperside of which is a second or upper diaphragm chainber 23-. A hollow rod or tube7, having hole's 8 8;, making it a skeleton structure, connects with the diaphragm at its upper end, and its extension!), passing with a snug fitthrough a partition 10, connects with a by-pass valve 11. The latter controls the exit from a chamber 5,.con-

necting b pipe 140 with the delivery of the pump an a by-pass pipe 33, leading back to I the suction side of the pump.

18 20 represents a double dip-tube composed of outer and inner sections connected by bridges-21 and supported by the diaphragm- 6, said tube having a threaded connection 160 with the hub of the diaphragm and pass.- ing through a stufiinglbox 19 thereon to prevent leakage from c amber to chamber of.

the diaphragm-casing. A connection permitting upward and downward movement and rotary ad'ustment of the tube 18 20 for the purpose 0 adjusting its vertical position with respect to the 'diaphra m 6 is afforded by hand-wheel 24, having a orked extension 27 within the dome of the upper diaphragmchamber engaging pins 28'on the tube 18. A column 12, erected on the diaphragm, supports a valve 14, which controls a valve-seat at the bottom of a duct in the stem of the hand-wheel 24, said valve being formed on a plate 13, which is rotatable on the column 12 and has apertures for the passage of the forked extension 27. A spring 15, hearing on the upper end of the column 12, tends to hold the valve 14 open and the valve 11 closed. An extension 29 of the stem of valve 11 passes through the lower end of the controler-casing and is connected by lever with a clutch 230, which affords a connection between the pump 3 and its (hiring-shaft. The duct through the stem 25 of hand-wheel 24 connects by a swivel-joint 26 with a leakpipe 34, having stop-valve 35.

Assuming a small vent through valve and assuming that the vessel 1 were a steamboiler with the water-level below the orifice of dip-tube 18 2,0 and the pump 3 delivering water to the vessel 1, so as to raise the waterlevel, it is evident that when the water-level has risen to cover the ends of tube 18 20 the steam-pressure in vessel 1 and chamber 2 will be shut ofi from the upper diaphragm-chamber 23 and the pressure in said diaphragmchamber will be reduced by leakage past valve 35. While a minute leakage is the preferred means of reducing the pressure in the upper diaphra chamber after the water has covered thei et to said chamber andwe consider that this expedient has many advantages, we do not wholly confine ourselves thereto. .(Jondensation of the steam will also of course aid in reducing the pressure. The water then rises in tube 18 20 to a height dependin upon the difference in the fluid-pressures afiove and below the diaphragm. The predominatin pressure in the lower diaphragm-cham er 22 tends to raise the diaphragm 6 and. open the by-pass valve 11. Elevation of the diaphragm brings the lower end of tube 18 20 out of the water in the chamber 2, thus vent' said tubes of their water column, and te rl ds to establish pressure equality in the upper and lower diaphragm-chambers 23 22. The valve 11 will therefore open only all htly. If the waterlevel continues to rise, 1: e above action is repeated and a further opening of the valve 1]. takes place until such opening is suflicient to bypass enough water from the delivery of pump 3 to prevent further rise in the vessel' 1 and chamber'2. Thus it will be seen that the dia hragmhas a plurality of positions of e u' 'brium or balanced pressure correspon g to slightly diflerent liquid-levels. The covering of the dip-tube destroys the pressure e uilibrium and the raisin of the inlet of sai tube out of water neutra 'zes the eeaosr force which destroyed said equilibrium. This is an important feature, for although our invention is operative and useful without it the use of the movable inlet prevents seesawing of the diaphragm and enables it to work frequently and without violent move. ments. It will be noted that the dip-tube 18 20 constitutes a temporary reservoir for the storage of some of the water in vessel 1 and chamber 2 when the lower end of said tube is covered. Continued upward movement of the diaphragm 6 releases clutch 230 and stops the action of the pump. Extreme upward movement of the diaphragm closes the valve 14 against its seat and prevents any further venting of steam through the pipe 34, which latter, it may be remarked, leads to any suitable locality of lower pressure than the pressure carried in the vessel 1. Vertical adjustment of the dip-tube 18 20 in the diaphragm 6 effected by rotating the handwheel 24 obviously varies the normal water level by varying the normal position of the lower end of tube 18 20.

37 is a second chamber connected by pipes 210 220 with the upper and lower parts of the vessel 1 for keeping a level in'37 the same as in 1, said chamber 37 connectin with a chamber 42 on the under side of a iaphragm 40. 43 is a chamber above said diaphragm communicating with the lower part of chamber 37 through the interior of a double dip-tube 38 380, similar to tube 18 20, and preferably having its inlet end at a slightly lower level than the inlet end of tube 18 20. Diaphragm carries a downwardly-seating valve 39, controlling exit from chamber 43 to an outletpipe 41, which may connect with any lowerressure locality or with the pipe 34, and-on its lower side through an extension 180 of the outer tube 38 the diaphragm connects with an upwardly-seating valve 51, controlling inflow to vessel 1, but not controlling the feed-water in pipe 130. Extension-rod 180 has va sliding fit in a downwardly-seating check-valve 50, which prevents backflow from vessel 1 into the suction-pipe 130. A downwardly-acting s ring 44 tends to seat valve 39 and open va vs 51. A minute vent from chamber 43 to pipe 41 is controlled by a valve 47, and the latter connects by rod 55, bellcrank 56, rod 57, and bell-crank 58 with the stem 29, attached to diaphragm 6. A rise of the rod due to depression of diaphragm 6 tends to open vent-valve 47. There may be a slight differential of upward pressure causing valve 39 to act as a'safetyvalve, if desired.

The diaphragm 40 is connected by a stem 46, assing outside of the upper end of control er-casing with a vent-valve 36 in the pipe 34, which is normally closed when dia phragm 40 is depressed and opens when said diaphragm rises.

53 is a valve in the suction-pipe 130 of the esaos r pressure in 130, at which time the pipe 130 acts asa natural-flow conduit, the valve 51 has no function.

In the conjoint operation of the two diaphragm devices shown on opposite sides of the vessel- 1 the leakage -'valve is preferably wide open and its function performed by the automatically-controlled valve 36. It is evident that the diaphragm 6 cannot operate until there is a vent through 36, and this will not occur unless the li uid is above the level of'the lower end of ip tub'e 38 380.

When such condition occurs,

there bein a vent through valve47, the lower end of tube 38 380.is covered, pressure decreases in diaphragm-chamber 43, and liquid rises in the dip-tube. The diaphragm'40 rises, opening va ves 39 and 36, and the diaphragm G is put in condition for operation. arts may be so proportioned that the mainsdeterrent to furacting as that of a gas-trapthat is to say,-

ther rise of liquid-level in 1 is at first an es ca 9 ofliquid through pipe 41 past the open va vs 39, said liquid rising through the tube 38 380. resulting in the covering of t e lower endof diptube 18 20 is 'followedb rise of the diaphragm 6 and by-passing 0 liquid from the pump-delivery past valve 11. An extreme rise of diaphragm 6 results in disengaging.

clutch 230 and stopping the urn in the manner hereinbeiore described. diich extreme rise further results in closing the valve 14 and the valve 47 thus stopping all vent past these valves.

In the event of superior pressure in supplypipe 130 the valve 53 closes and cuts out the pump, and entrance of liquid from pi e 130 into the vessel 1 is controlled by va vs 51, said valve tending to close when the liquidlevel has risen to cover the end oidip-tube 38 380 and cause the rise of diaphragm 40.

If it is desired to control the volumes of a gaseous fluid entering the vessel 1, the valve 14 controls the exit of said fluid, saidvalve when gaseous ressure depresses the liquidlevel in vessel 1, forcing the liquid out through 300,. tube 18 20 will be uncovered and diaphra m 6 depressed, permitting the aseous flui to escape past valve 14. When iquid-level is restored to normal by a reduction of gaseous pressure and volume, the liquid covers inlet of tube 18 20 and diaphragm A further rise of li uid in vessel 1 f'double dip-tube.

above the diaphragm is no disadvantage; but the pipe "-330, hereinafter described, might obviously have its upper end at alower level than shown to fully drain the uptr ation.

rises and closes valve 14. It will thus be seen that under various conditions of supply and pressure in the interior of and external to the vessel 1 theap aratus described effectively controls both 1 quid-level and gaseous volume.

Should the vessel 1 be an internal-combustion generator, suchas shown in the aforesaid Patent No. 588,178, having an output of non-condensable products of combustion, a supplemental action takes place in the chamber 23 or 43 when the inlet end of either dip-tube 18 20 or 38 380 is covered. In such case the pressure drop in 2301 43 is aided by the cooling of the non-condensable gases in said chamber. The. abstraction of dition of fins to the walls of the chambers, as represented at 111 in connection with the chamber 28 in Fig. 1.

It will be noted that the tubes 20 and 380 have their inlets sli htly below the inlets of tubes 18 and 38. T e object of this is to facilitate the emptying of these tubes of liquid when their ends are uncovered. Thegaseous fluid and the liquidhave separate avenues of ascent and descent, the former tending to ascend through the outer tube 18 or 38 and the latter'to descend through the inner tube -20 or 380. When the water-level falls below '18, the pressure blows the contents of tube 18 up into the upper diaphragm-chamber 23, while the contents of tube 20 fall back into the lower part of chamber 2. This construction greatly facilitates the venting of the A body or lake of water per diaphragm-chamber, if desired.

Figs. 4 to'7, inclusive, represent various combinations of valves controlled according to our invention. In these "figures, 1 indicates the pressure vessel in each instance, the

inflow and outflow pipes for the supply and exit of fluids being omitted from the illus- In Fig. 4 the diaphragm conheat from these gases is facilitated by the adtrols oppositely-seating valves 61 62, similar to the valves 11 and 14 in Fig. 1, the valve 61, however, being above the level of. liquid in vessel 1. The upper diaphragmchamber is connected with vessel 1 by pipe 63v at a lower level Z, and the lower diaphragm-chamber is connected b pipe 64 at an upper level Z. If li uid is be ow the level Z or above the level I, t e fluid-pressures are equalized on opposite sides of the diaphragm and spring 65 closes valve 61 and opens valve 62. When the liquid-level is between the lines l and Z, the pressure below the diaphragm predominates, closing upper valve v82 andopenin'g lower valve 61. Fig. 5 shows an upper downwardly-closing valve 66 and a lower upwardly-closing valve 67. Fig. 6

illustrates upper and lower upwardly-closing valves 62 and 67. Fig. 7 shows upper and lower downwardly closing valves 66 61.

Thus far the apparatus has been described as maintaining a substantially constant liq-,

uid-level. Either controller, however, may be equipped as a trap adapted to effect an intermittent discharge between predetermined maximum and minimum liquid-levels. To efiect this, the upper diaphragm-chamber 23 inaddition to the inlet which it has from the vessel 1 through tube 18 20 by way of certain openings 342 343, near the upper ends of said tubes, has a lower-level inlet from the pressure vessel by way of a pipe 330, connecting chamber 23 with the lower part of chamber or casing 2. Pipe 330 has a stop-valve 335 and several branches 331, connecting with chamber 2 at different heights and equipped with stop-valves 332, whereby a single one only of these branches may be in use at one time.

334, Fig. 3, represents .one of two valve portions on the forks of the tube-rotating member 27, which act as valves controlling the ports or openings 342. By the rotation of member 27 these valve portions may be brought either. into or out of line with the path of movement of ports 342, thus making the valve portions operative or inoperative at will. Wide slots 336 for the pins 23 afford lost motion, which allows the valve-adjusting rotary movement of member 27 to take place without rotating the tube 13.

When the pipe 330 and the valve portions 334 are in commission, the valve 11 may be utilized to control the discharge from vessel 1 and chamber 2 through pipe 33 and valved discharge branch 340, the pump 3, if desired, being cut out by stop-valves 337 338. When the valve 11 acts as .a dischargavalve, it is necessary to open communication between chambers 2 and 5, for which purpose there is provided a passage 350 in'the partition 10, controlled by a stop-valve 351. This passage is preferably of smaller aperture or cross section than the outlet controlled by valve 11., but is sufilcient to handle the maximum discharge for which the trap is designed. This reduces the velocity past the valve by a contracted passage antecedent to the valve, and thus avoids cutting of the valve-seat, which is an objection in many traps.

Assuming one of the branches 331 of pipe 330 to be opcnand the others closed, it is evident that as liquid accumulates and rises in chamber 2 it will have no eifect on the pressure in-chamber 23, as this is maintained through the ports 342. Vihen liquid has accumulated enough to cover the of diptube 18 20, a difference of pressure established between chambers and 23 and the diaphragm 6 rises and opens the discharge valve ll. This rise of the diap gm also 65 causes valve portions 334 to sine orts 342 ssacsi without affecting the pipe 330, since the diaphragm independently controls the dip-tube inlet to the upper diaphragm-chamber. It is now evident that the normal pressure in chamber 23 can only be restored througlh pipe 330, and therefore when the liquid. fa below tube 18 20 the diaphragm 6 does not drop, but keeps the valve 11 open until that branch 331 which is open has been uncovered. Pressure is then restored in chamber 23 and valve 11 closed.- The pipe 330 may be kept open through one or more of its branches even whenthe apparatus is not acting as a trap in order to drain the upper diaphragm-chamber 23, as previously described.

A useful feature in the construction and arrangement of our controller consists in the location of the diaphragm and the pumpvalve'at remote points, so that the former may be above the water-level and the latter below, making it unnecessary to carry the water-pipe and valve above the water-line, and also the provision of a simple hydraulic packing in the partition separating the boiler section of the controller-casing from the pump-valve chamber which enables the valvestem to work with great freedom, but which would be diiiicult to maintain if the valve were at the same end of the casing as the unsubmerged diaphragm.

In. this application we do' not broadly claim the controller in its generic form, but have confined ourselves to certain specific features and combinations thereof. The main structure although here shown together with said features and combinations is made the subject of a separate application, Serial. No. 282,286, filed in part substitution for the resent application.

l. in a liquid-level controller, the combination of a pair of pressure-chambers, one of which has an inlet subject to the level at the liquid to be controlled and a leakage-outlet, and means subject differentially to the pressures in said chambers for controlling said outlet. I

2. In a liquid-level controller, the combination of a pair of pressurechambers, movable partition separating a two, an inlet to one of said chambers a apted to be alternately covered and uncc erred by liquid whose level is to be controlled, e outlet from said chamber, and a valve act said partition and adapted to close let by the movement of said partition caused by the covering of said In a liquid-level co oller, the

combinep-ion of casing provi L with r hers relative pressure is ontrolle liquid-level, one of said chambers he.

connection therewith, an externally-acces sible rotary adjuster mounted on said casing and having a connection with said tube for to the liquid-level therein and an outlet, and

means operated by diiierences in pressure in said chamber caused by variations in the liquid-level in said vessel for controlling said outlet.

5. In a liquid-level controller, the combination of a pressure vessel, a pluralit of devices separately controlled by the lhvel of liquid in said vessel and controlling said level, and means whereby one of said devices renders the other operative and inoperative. 6. In a liquid-level controller, the combi' nation of a pressure vessel, a chamber having an inlet from said vessel subject to the liquidlevel therein and an outlet, a differential member actuated by the pressure in said chamber and controlling said level, a second differential member subject to the vesselpressure and controlled by the liquid-level,

and a valve controlled by said second member and controlling said outlet.

7. In a liquid-level controller, the combination of a pressure vessel having an outlet and a liquid-inlet, and devices, one of which controls the operation of the other and both controlled by the level of liquid in said chamber for controllin inflow of liquid thereto and outflow of fluid therefrom.

8. In a liquid-level controller, the combination of a pressure vessel having means to suppl it with liquid, a li uid-outlet, and a lura ity of devices contro ed by the liquidevel in said vessel, one of which controls the supply of liquid to said chamber and the ot er the exit of liquid therefrom, one of said devices controlling the operation of the other.

9. In a liquid-level controller, the combination of a pressure vessel, a plurality of chambers havin inlets from said vessel adapted to be a ternately covered and uncovered by the liquid therein, a plurality of movable members subject to the pressures in said chambers, outlets-from said chambers, and valves controlling said outlets, the valve of each chamber being controlled by the movable member of the other chamber.

10. In a liquid-level controller, the combination of a pressure vessel having a naturalilow liquid-supply conduit, a ump connected with said vessel for supp ying liquid to the latter, means controlled by the liquidlevel in said chamber and controlling the pump-supply ofliquid, and means controlled by said liquid-level and controlling the natural-flow supply of liquid.

11. In a liqu1d-levelcontrolling apparatus, the combination of a pressure vessel and its liquid-supply conduit adapted to contain varying relative pressures, a pump in said conduit, and means controlled differentially by the pressures in said vessel and saidconduit for controlling the supply of liquid to the pump.

12. Ina liquid-level controller, the combination of apressure vessel having a naturalflow liquid-supply conduit, a ump connected with said vessel for supp ying liquid thereto from the natural-flow conduit, means. controlled by the liquid-level in said chamber and controlling the pump-supply of liquid, means controlled by'said liquid-level and controlling the natural-flow supply of liquid, and a valve controlled differentially by the. pressure in said vessel and in said natural-flow supply-conduit for controlling. the supply to the ump.

13. In a liquidevel controller, the combination of pressure-chambers, one of which has inlets at different levels subject to the liquid to be controlled, and means controlled differentially by the pressures in said chambers for controlling one of said inlets independently of the other.

14. In a liquid-level controller, the combination of a pressure vessel, a chamber ha'vin inlets from said vessel at different levels, and liquid-level-controlled means for automaticall closing one of said inlets during movemen of the liquid-level in one direction and direction.

15. In a liquid-level controller, the combination of two pressure-chambers, a differential member interposed between the two, and liquid level-controlled means for automatically changing the pressure relation between said chambers at one level of the liquid, maintaining the changed relation during a predetermined change in level, and restoring the original relation at a dfierent level,

whereby said differential member is operated to perform its function.

16. In a liquid-level controller, the combination of two pressure-chambers, a differential member interposed between the two, a di -tube carried by said member, forming an i et from the pressure vessel to be con trolled to one of said chambers and'subject to the liquid-level, a second inlet to said chamber subject to the liquid at a different level, and, valve mechanism actuated by movement of the differential member for controlling communication between-said diptube and its said chamber.

17. In a liquid-level controller, the combination of two pressure-chambers, a difierential member between them, a dip tube havopening it during movement in the opposite ing a threaded adjusting connection with said member and subject to the liquid-level at its lower end, said tube having an opening to one of said chambers, an inlet-to the latter chamber subject to the liquid at a difierent level, and an externally-accessible tuberotating member having a valve portion controllin said opening.

18. n a liquid-level controller, the combination of a ress ure vessel having a drainageoutlet, a di erential member controlling said outlet and subject on one side to the pressure in said vessel, a chamber for containing an opposing ressure having inlets from said vessel at iflerent levels, and valve mechanism actuated by movement of said differential member controlling one of said inlets;

19. In a device of the character specified, the combination of a ressure vessel, a controller actuated accor ing to the liquid-level in said vessel, a forced-feed device, a by-pass conduit for diverting the feed from said vessel, a valve actuated by said controller and controlling the by-pass, a passage connecting the liquid-space of the pressure vessel with the by-pass at a point antecedent to said valve and adapted to conduct a liquidoutfiow from the vessel under control of said valve, and means for opening and closing said passage. 1 20. In a liquid-level controller, the combination of a variablelevel chamber, a controller actuated according to the level in said chamber, a discharge-outlet, a valve controlling said outlet and actuated by said controller, and a discharge-passage leading from said chamber to the valve and of an aperture smaller than that of the discharge-outlet.

In testimony whereof we have affixed our signatures in presence of two Witnesses.

SIDNEY A. REEVE. EDWARD P. NOYES.

' l/Vitnesses:

R. M. Prnnson, A. O. RATIGAN.

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