US2606696A - Dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

Filed Aug. 29, 1949 2 SHEET -SHEET 1 4 v m I 6 ETQW E: WW 5* E QJ? 1: 2; A: m. I n mg m 4 u- RM 2 8 3 2 I. M w I A r J My 3 s m W Q.

ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 12, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPENSING DEVICE Earl W. Miner, Denver, 0010. Application August 29, 1949, Serial No. 112,941

This invention relates to dispensing devices and more particularly to a dispensing pump for liquids such as lubricating oil.

One of the objects of the inventionis to provide a lubricating oil dispenser for automobile service stations which is operated by'air pressure.

Another object is to provide a dispenser of the foregoing type which may be installed in a present type of oil tank, replacing the manually operated pump employed therewith.

Another object is to provide a dispenser which may be installed in oil tanks of diiierent heights.

Another object is to provide a double acting expansible chamber air motor which operates a piston type dispensing pump.

A further object is to provide the expansible chamber motor with a simplified control device which effects operation of the pump;

Further objects are to provide a dispensing device which is simple in construction, economical of manufacture, accurate in dispensing a predetermined quantity, and foolproof in operation.

Still further objects, advantages, and salient features will become more apparent from a consideration of the description to follow, the appended claims, and'the accompanying drawing, in which: t

Figure 1 is an isometric view of the dispensing device shown installed on a conventional oil tank; 7

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical section through the device taken on line 2-2, Figure 3;

Figure 3 is a section taken on line 3--3, Figure 2, a portion being broken away;

Figure 4 is a section taken on line 4-4, Figure .2; i

Figures 5a, 5b, and 5c are enlarged sections taken on line 5--5, Figure 3, showing the control valve in various operative positions; Figure 6 is a section taken on line 6B, Figure 2; and t Figure '7 is a Figure 2.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the device comprises in general, a double acting expansible chamber air motor ill, a single "acting oil dispensing pump device II, a delivery tube 12, and a control and support device 13 for actuating the air motoras desired. Air-motor ll] comprises a cylindrical'tube I 4' having its upper end threadedly engaging the control "and Support device 13 which forms the upper cylinder head of the tube and also containscertain valve mechanism which will be section taken on line 1-1,

5 Claims. (Cl. 222-334) hereinafter described, The lower end of the cylindrical tube, or air cylinder I4, is provided with a cup shaped cylinder head l5 which threadedly engages the lower end of the tube and closes same. A piston I6 is slideably mountedin the air cylinder andis provided with an O-ring I! to prevent leakage of air past the piston. O-rings are formed of rubber, toroidal in shape, fitting within a rectangular groove, as is well known in the art of piston seals. An oil) resisting material is employed, such as neoprene. A piston rod I8 is secured at its upper end to piston IS in any suitable manner, such as by threaded connection |9, and extends downwardly through the lower cylinder head, a similar 0,-ring' 28 being employed to prevent air leakage from the cylinder. It will be apparent that the construction just described provides a chamber 2! above the piston and a chamber 22 below it and that the piston may be reciprocated by the application of air under pressure to one or the other of these chambers.

Oil dispensing device I l comprises a cylindrical tube 23 having a cup shaped cylinder head 24 threadedly engaging its upper end, this cylinder head having a plurality of apertures 25 therein which permit free ingress and egress of oil through the cylinder head. The cylinder head is apertured at its center and slideably receives piston rod'l8, the principal purpose of this cylinder head being to guide the pistonrod. The lower end of piston rod IBis connected to a piston'l'fia. similar to piston I 6 which is provided with an O-ring Ila, similar to ring H. The lower end of cylinder 23 threadedly engages a cylinder head 26 which is provided with an intake check valve 21, disposed in a passageway 28 having a valve seat 29. A snap ring 30, or any" other suitable abutment member may be provided to retain the check valve within the passageway. The cylinder head 26 is provided with a boss 3| which contains an outlet check valve32, this valve'being disposed in a passageway33 which communicates with lower chamber 34 of the oil dispensing device.

Deliverytube I2, previously'referred to, is secured at its lower end to bo'ss 3| and at its upper end to control device l3, by threaded con nections as shown, or in any other manner which will become apparent to those skilled in'the art of pipe connections. A split clamp 35, in the form of a band, (see Figures 2 and 6) engages cylinder 2.3 and pipe l2, and is drawn together by a suitable bolt 36.

The lower end of tank r is provided with a U-shaped strap 31 having an aperture 38 therein, this strap being provided on the tank for receiving the lower end of the dip tube of the pump device which this invention replaces. This strap is utilized to restrain the lower end of the dispensing device from lateral movement, a cylindrical projection 39 being provided on cylinder head 26, of the same size as the dip tube referred to. The dispensing device is restrained from verticalmovement by pipe |2, andclamp 35 also aids in retainin'g the dispensing device in its proper fixed position.

Control device l3, previously referred to, is a plate-like member having apertures which receive screws S, the latter securing this member to the upper surface of tank T. The shape of the lower surface of this member and the arrangement of the screw apertures is the same as the corresponding member of the hand operated pump which this invention replaces, so that no changes are required in the securing structure of the tank.

The control device I3 is provided with an upstanding boss 40 in which is rotatably mounted a frusto conical valve 4| (see Figure 4), the latter having a valve stem 42 to which is connected an operating lever 43. A packing 44 is disposed around the stem and'is compressed as desired by'pack nut 45, this construction preventing air leakage along the stem.-

A horizontal air channel o port 46 communicates at one end with the left end (Figure 4) of valve 4| and at its other end with a vertical part 41 which communicates with chamber 2| Valve 4| is provided with a port 48, extending longitudinally of the valve which communicates at one end with port 45 and at its other witha transverse port 49 (see Figures a, 5b, 50). A cross port 50 is alsov provided in the valve which is disposed in the same transverse plane as port 49. Four ports are disposed within the bOSs 40 in 90 relationship to the valve, these being an air supply port 5|, a bleed port 52, a second bleed port 53, and a port 54 which communicates with chamber 22 by pipe 55, the lower end of which connects with cylinder-head |5 (Figure2).

Assuming that chamber 34 is full of oil and lever 43 is moved to the position shown in Figure 5a, air from pipe 5|a will enter port 5|, port 49, port 48, port 43, and poi-t4! to chamber 2| thus forcing piston |5 downwardly and thus delivering oil from chamber 34 to deliverytube l2. Cross port 50 is now communicating with bleed port 53 and port 54 which connects with pipe 55 to lower chamber 22. Thus, as piston l6 descends, the air in chamber 22 is exhausted or bled to atmosphere; When piston Ilia reaches the bottom of its stroke lever 43 is moved to the position shown in Figure 5?). Air now enters port 5|, cross port 53, port 54 and pipe 55 which delivers air to'chamber 22, forcing ipiston l6 upwardly. Simultaneously, ports 52, 49, 48, 46, and 41' are in series communication and air is bled from chamber 2|. When piston I6 reaches the .top of its stroke lever 43 may be moved to the position shown in Figure 5a if it be desired to dispense another predetermined quantit of oil.

While not essential to the invention in its broadest aspect, it is desirable to shut off the air supply when the device is to remain inoperative for any considerable length. of time. For this purpose, a third positionof valve 4| is shown in Figure 50. In this position it will be observed that valve 4| has been rotated counterclockwise a slight amount from that shown in Figure 5b. In this position port 5! is closedand cross port 50 communicates with port 54 and a small bleed groove 56, the upper end of which communicates with bleed port 52. This permits air in chamber 22 to be exhausted or bled to atmosphere.

The valve may be provided with any suitable means to locate the three positions of lever 43 such as a spring urged detent 51, which engages in suitable depressions '58 in the valve, it being understood that when the valve is in one of the positions shown in Figures 5a, '5b,"or 5c, the detent will be aligned with a corresponding detent depression in valve 4|. Suitable stop means may also be provided to limit movement of the valve beyond the extreme positions of the detent depressions so that an operator may not inadvertently move the valve beyond either extreme position. This structure has been omitted in the interests of clarity since it will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Delivery tube l2, previously described, delivers oil to a gooseneck extension |2a which is secured at one end to control device i3. As shown in Figure 7 the nozzle end 59 is provided with a check valve 50 which is normally held on a seat 6| by a spring 62. The lower end of nozzle 59 may be provided with a plurality of ridges 63 which provide a broken surface which effects adherence of oil thereto, thus eliminating dripping at the nozzle after dispensing is completed.

The oil dispensing device is constructed to have a volume of exactly one quart since this is the customary unit of dispensing lubricating oil. It may, of course, have any otherpredetermined unit of volume such as a liter, gallon, etc. If desired, it may be made adjustable to properly calibrate it by utilizing an adjustable stop screw to regulate the length of stroke or piston IBa.

To render the unit installable'in tanks of different heights it is only necessary to choose a piston rod of proper length and provide a corresponding length of pipe l2, all other parts remaining the same. It becomes apparent, therefore, that the unit may be installed in present tanks, utilizing the support 3'! at the bottom, and the same flange holes at the top, without changing the tank, and tanks of different height will require only the selection of the proper length of piston rod and oil delivery pipe.

It will'now become apparent that many modifications will all within the purview of the invention. The control valve, for example, may be any suitable type of valve, other than rotary, which will perform the same function. While it has been found expedient to utilize delivery pipe |2 to hold the oil dispensing device II in proper position, it will be apparent that a suitable spacer could be employed between cylinder heads l5 and 24, in which case delivery pipe l2 could be made either rigid or flexible. While the device is described for use in dispensing lubricating oil it will be apparent that it may have utility in dispensing other liquids besides hydrocarbons. The various other details are to be regarded as exemplary only and the spirit of the invention to be determined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is:

1. Apparatus comprising a lubricating oil tank having substantially parallel upper and lower walls, a relatively large aperture in its upper wall, an upstanding member secured to the lower wall on the inside .of the tank having a relatively small aperture therein, the axis of the small aperture being parallel to that of the large aperture, a liquid dispensing unit having a support member at its top including a flange secured on the upper surface of the tank, other portions of the unit extending through the large aperture and into the small aperture, said liquid dispensing unit including an air motor and a predetermined quantity oil dispensing pump operated thereby both disposed within the tank and interposed between said flange and the small aperture, manually operated means for controlling operation of the air motor, and conduit means connected with the predetermined quantity oil dispensing pump disposed outside thereof having an end terminating above the tank in spaced relation thereto adapted to discharge oil downwardly into a receptacle.

2. Liquid dispensing apparatus comprising; a .ipport and control device adapted to be secured on a substantially horizontal upper wall of a tank, an air motor cylinder disposed substantially vertically having its upper end secured to said device, an oil dispensing cylinder disposed below the air motor cylinder in axial alignment therewith, both cylinders adapted to be disposed within a tank, a piston in each of the cylinders, a piston rod connecting the pistons, an oil delivery pipe disposed outside of the cylinders having its lower end secured to the oil dispensing cylinder and its upper end secured to the support and control device, an oil delivery pipe extending upwardly from said support and control device having its lower end in communication with said first named delivery pipe and its upper end terminating in a downwardly ranging portion adapted to deliver liquid downwardly into a receptacle, a check valve operatively associated with the end of the oil dispensing cylinder below its piston, adapted to open when its piston moves upwardly and remain closed when its piston moves downwardly, a normally closed check valve disposed within the downwardly ranging portion of the second named delivery pipe adapted to open when oil is being dispensed, a check valve disposed near the lower end of the first named delivery pipe adapted to open when oil is being dispensed and close when the piston of the oil dispensing cylinder is inoperative, whereby the first and second named delivery pipes will remain full of liquid at all times, an air control valve carried by said support and control device, a pressure source of air supply, conduit means connecting said air control valve with the upper and lower ends of the air motor cylinder associated with the valve in such manner that when the valve is in one position the piston of the air motor cylinder moves upwardly, and in another position moves downwardly, and manual means for selectively operating said valve between the two positions.

3. Apparatus comprising; a conventional oil dispensing tank of the type having substantially parallel top and bottom walls, the top wall having an opening for receiving a hand operated pump, a plurality of bolt receiving apertures in the top wall spaced angularly aboutthe opening for securing the hand operated pump on the top wall, the bottom wall having upstanding means secured to its upper surface having an aperture therein for receiving the lower end of a dip tube depending from the pump, the combination with said tank, of a replacement power operated oil dispensing unit having a support member secured on top of the tank by bolts extending into said bolt receiving apertures, an air motor having a cylinder disposed within the tank and depending from said member, an oil dispensing pump having a cylinder disposed below the cylinder of the air motor, means on the lower end of the unit engaging the means for receiving the lower end of the dip tube for preventing lateral movement of the lower end of the unit in the tank, a piston in the cylinder of the air motor, a piston in the cylinder of the oil dispensing pump, a piston rod interconnecting the two pistons, an oil discharge pipe extending from the oil dispensing cylinder upwardly adapted to discharge oil through said support member, manually operated control means including a valve carried by said member and interposed between a source of air under pressure and the air motor adapted to control operation of the latter.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said means on the lower end of the unit comprise a cylinder head secured to the lower end of the cylinder of the oil dispensing pump having a downwardly extending projection disposed within said aperture in said upstanding means.

5. Apparatus comprising; a conventional oil dispensing tank of the type having substantially parallel top and bottom walls, the top wall having an opening therein for receiving a hand operated pump, a plurality of bolt receiving apertures in the top wall spaced angularly about the opening for securing the hand operated pump to the top wall, the combination with said tank, of a replacement power operated oil dispensing unit having a support member secured on top of the tank by bolts extending into said bolt receiving apertures, an air motor having a cylinder disposed within the tank, the upper end of the cylinder being secured to and depending from said member, an oil dispensing pump having a cylinder disposed within the tank adjacent the bottom Wall thereof and below the cylinder of the air motor, a piston in the cylinder of the air motor, a piston in the cylinder of the oil dispensing pump, a piston rod interconnecting the two pistons, an oil discharge pipe disposed outside of both cylinders communicating the oil dispensing cylinder with a discharge nozzle outside of the tank adapted to discharge oil downwardly into a receptacle, and manually controlled means carried by said member movable between two positions and including a valve interposed between a source of air under pressure and the air motor, adapted to selectively actuate the pistons in one direction or the other in response to movement to said positions.

EARL W. MINER.

REFERENGES CE'EED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 368,983 Thompson Aug. 30, 1887 552,158 Wallingford Dec. 31, 1895 1,527,061 Munson Feb. 17, 1925 1,767,354 Eastes June 24, 1930 1,776,416 Cornell Sept. 23, 1930 1,893,464 Barks Jan. 3, 1933 1,953,222 Gordon April 3, 1934 1,984,005 Young Dec. 11, 1934 2,168,493 Plews Aug. 8, 1939 2,235,544 Wold Mar. 18, 1941 2,284,316 Glass May 26, 1942 2,352,958 Louer et al. July 4, 1944 2,357,029 Smith Aug. 29, 1944 2,387,234 Clapp Oct. 23, 1945

Images