US2743078A - Suction device for the transfer of liquid from one container to another - Google Patents

Description

April 24, 1956 w. JORDAN 2,743,078

SUCTION DEVICE FOR THE TRANSFER OF LIQUID FROM ONE CONTAINER TO ANOTHER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 10, 1954 QIIAVIIIIIIIIIIIl/ M I am Apnl 24, 1956 w. JORDAN 2,743,078

SUCTION DEVICE FOR THE TRANSFER OF LIQUID FROM ONE CONTAINER TO ANOTHER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 10, 1954 United States Patent SUCTION DEVICE FOR THE TRANSFER OF FROM ONE CONTAINER TO AN- Walter Jordan, Braunschweig, Germany Application November 10, 1954, Serial No. 468,093 Claims priority, application Germany December 17, 1953 5 Claims. (Cl. 251-65) The present invention relates to a suction device for drawing off liquid from containers, or for transferring liquid from one container to another, for instance from barrels to tanks or vice versa. For certain liquids, such as gasoline, diesel oil, petroleum or the like, it is undesirable or even dangerous, if during the transfer of the liquid from one container to another, air is sucked into the container.

It is necessary, therefore, that the suction device, be tightly closed and reliably safeguarded against undesired opening when it is removed from one container for use in another. This is particularly important for suction plants having a plurality of suction devices connected to a common suction conduit, and where one or more of the suction devices may be in action simultaneously, while the remaining suction devices may be at rest or ready for transfer to another container.

According to the invention the suction device consists of a bottom-valve, provided at that end of a suction conduit which rests against the bottom of the container to be emptied when the device is in action.

The bottom-valve consists of a tubular body which has one of its ends connected to the suction end of a suction conduit in such manner that it is in open communication therewith and which has its opposite end open for the admission of the liquid and provided with a conical valve-seat. A closing element for the free open end of the tubular body is provided with a conical surface portion adapted to fit the conical valve seat. When actuated by the force of gravity, the closing element can automatically move in wedge-like fashion into self-locking, air-tight closing position on the conical valve-seat of the tubular body.

The closing member is further provided with a bodyportion which in closing position of the member projects from the free end of the tubular body in outward or downward direction. Fastened to said free end of the tubular body is further a helical compression spring which surrounds the downwardly projecting portion like a protective cage, and which is of such height and strength that the closing element is thereby enabled to move into its closing position even when the I bottom-valve rests against the bottom of the container to be emptied, since the spring is compressed only slightly by the weight of the bottom-valve and its component parts. I

The valve is so constructed that only a vigorous mechanical blow of the free end of the bottom-valve against the bottom of the container will push the closing element out of its conical valve-seat in the tubular body. When that happens, the compression spring becomes compressed to such an extent that the portion of the closing element projecting from the tubular body hits against the bottom of the container with the result that the closing element is thereby dislodged from the conical valve-seat.

In open position, the closing element is supported by the flow-pressure of the liquid sucked into'the tubular body as long as this flow-pressure continues, that is to say, until the container is empty. For this purpose the to the pressure of the flowing fluid and acting to assist in the opening of the valve.

In an earlier application Serial No. 345,753, filed on March 30, 1953, these lifting surfaces are formed on a drop-weight which is loosely shiftably mounted on a valve-stem fastened to the closing element and guided in guide-collars fastened by means of supporting strips to the inner wall of the tubular body. A shade, fastened to the valve-stem at a suitable height of the latter, acts as an anvil for the drop-weight, onto which it drops as soon as the container is empty.

In order to make the aforesaid drop-weight drive the conical surface portion of the closing element tightly enough in wedge-like and air-tight fashion into the conical valve-seat of the tubular body, the height of fall must not be too small. On the other hand, the dead weight of the drop-weight must not exceed a certain limit, in view of the fact that it has to be lifted and to be supported in said lifted position by the liquid, sucked into the tubular body.

Now, if the transfer equipment is so devised that the speed of flow is only a comparatively small one, that is to say, when a low-speed pump is being used, then the closing element will only be lifted and supported by the flow-pressure just slightly above its valve-seat, while an additional lifting of the drop-weight to a suitable height above the closing element may in some cases not take place at all.

In cases like this, a blow-like closing of the valve by means of a mechanical blow which forces the closing element into self-locking air-tight closing engagement with the valve seat may be rather doubtful.

Hence, the object of the present invention is to eliminate this uncertainty, and to simultaneously simplify the construction, as compared with the construction disclosed in the aforesaid earlier application Serial No. 345,753.

According to the invention this is achieved by substituting for the aforesaid axially shiftable drop-weight, a permanent magnet which is rigidly mounted on the valvestem and which guarantees a mechanical blow of such force that the closing element is thereby automatically forced into self-locking clamping engagement even at comparatively small height of fall. a

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which an embodiment of the invention has been shown by way of example. However, it should be understood that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawings, but may be changed or modified, so long as such changes or modifications mark vention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings, in which like parts are referred to by the same reference numerals,

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view showing the bottomvalve in closed position;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing the bottomvalve in open positon;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view showing the bottom-valve in operating position within a gasoline tank; and

Fig. 4 is a top-view of the magnet-keeper.

Referring now to the drawings: the bottom-valve consists of a pipe 1 corresponding in length to the height of the containers to be emptied, for instance a gasoline tank B (Fig. 3). The valve pipe 1 is provided with a handle G, by means of'which it can easily be withdrawn from one container and introduced into another one.

The handle G is fastened at a curved tubular member R provided with a connecting socket T for fastening the member R to the suction end of a suctionconduit S.

Patented Apr. 24, 1956 Fastened to the free lower end of the pipe 1 is a tubular body 14 in such a way that it is in open communication with pipe 1. Screwed into the opposite free open end of the tubular body 14 is a sleeve-like member 2 having a conical valve-seat 3 for a closing member 4. The closing member 4 is formed with a conical surface portion 4a fitting into the conical valve-seat 3; this enables member 4 to move automatically in wedge-like fashion into self-locking air-tight closing engagement with the conical valve-seat 3 under conditions to be discribed here inbelow. The closing member 4 is further provided with a portion 11 which, when the member 4 is in closed posi' tion in valve-seat 3, freely projects in downward direction from the lower end of the sleeve-like member 2 (see Fig. l).

A helical spring 12 fastened at and embracing the lower end of the member 2 surrounds the outwardly projecting portion 11 of the closing member 4. The helical spring 12 is of such height and strength that. the closing member 4 can move into its closing position (shown in Fig. 1) even though the bottom valve may rest lightly upon the bottom of the container B with the aforesaid spring 12 loosely resting upon the bottom of the container B. Only a powerful mechanical blow will compress the spring 12 to such an extent that the projecting portion 11 of member 4 can hit against the bottom of the container and thus dislodge the conical surface portion 4a of the member 4 from its valve-seat 3 (see Fig. 2).

In its open position member 4 is supported by the flowpressure of the liquid sucked into the tubular body 14 as long as there is liquid in the container.

Fastened to the inner end of the closing member 4 is a stem 5 which is guided in an upper and a lower guidecollar 6 and 7, said collars being held in position by transversely extending supporting members 13 and 19 of the tubular body 14.

According to the invention the guide-collar 6 carries on its upper surface a magnet-keeper 8 for a permanent magnet 9 fastened on the upper reduced end portion of valve-stem 5 by means of a nut 5a and a counter nut 5b and which on its circumference is preferably provided with a plurality of annular shade-like lifting surfaces It) extending in a direction opposed to that of the flow of the liquid in the suction pipe 1.

The lifting surfaces 10 cooperate with the flow-pressure in the displacement of the closing member in upward direction.

Tests made with bottom-valves of this kind have taught that, even in cases where the speed of flow and the flowpressure of the liquid are small, the valve-cone 4, due to the force of the magnet 9 will drop with blow-like force as soon as the flow-pressure ceases, so that cone 4 will thereby be forced into self-locking clamping engagement with the valve-seat 3 for completely hermetic sealing and will be reliably protected against unintended opening, for instance through the suction-eflect of the pump.

According to the invention the construction is further so devised that, when valve-cone 4 is in closing position, there is always a slight air-gap of about 0.1 to 0.55 mm. between the magnet 9 and the keeper 8, so that under all circumstances a perfect closing and wedge-like looking engagement is guaranteed.

In order to prevent impurities or foreign bodies from coming between the magnet 9 and the keeper 8, the latter is made according to the invention in the shape of a disc provided with segment-like openings 16, and ribs thereby produced are made with acute-angled upper edges, as shown in Fig. '4. Foreign bodies cannot adhere to such acutely shaped ridges as are formed by ribs 15; they slide down and drop out of the openings 16 into container B.

The operation of the suction device according to the invention is as follows:

An operator grips the suction pipe 1 at the handle 6 andpasses it through an opening at the top of the filled container B (Fig, 3), Spring 12 is pushed with a heavy impact against the bottom of container B and is thereby compressed to such an extent that the projecting portion 11 of valve cone 4 will likewise strike against the bottom of container B and will be made to slide into the tubular portion 2. As a result, the conical surface 4a of cone 4 is driven out of its seat 3, the valve is opened and simultaneously the permanent magnet 9 is lifted from the magnet keeper 8 by valve rod 5, so that the magnetic force between these two parts is interrupted.

Gasoline, which is sucked off by means of a pump (not shown) through hose S, starts now to flow and the pressure of How maintains valve cone 4 in its open position, as shown in Fig. 2, by acting upon the projecting portion 11 of the valve cone 4 and on the lifting faces 1% of magnet 9.

Immediately after having hit the bottom of container 3, spring 12 is released so far that, in spite of the weight of suction pipe 1 with bottom valve, cone 4 with its projection 11 is capable of emerging from the tubular part 2 and of testing with its conical portion 4a on seat 3 without pipe 1 having to be lifted from the bottom of container B; in other words, the valve closes automatically without any action or attention from the operator, in the same moment in which the flow of liquid ceases. Furthermore, due to the magnetic attraction between parts 8 and 9, the valve will close abruptly by the conical portion 4a becoming seated on valve seat 3 when, immediately before complete emptying of container B, cone 4 has become lowered so far that it will only be held above seat 3 by a weak pressure of flowing liquid which is due to the diminishing force of the flowing gasoline about to become exhausted.

What I claim is:

I. In a suction device for the transfer of liquid, such as gasoline, diesel oil, petroleum or the like, from one container to another, the combination with the suction end of the suction conduit of the device, of a tubular member at one end connected to and in communication with said suction end of said suction conduit and at its opposite free end open for the admission of liquid and formed with a conical valve-seat; closing means for said free open end of said tubular member, said closing means having a conical surface portion fitting said conical valve seat at the free end of said tubular member and being provided with expelling means projecting when said clos- 1g means is in closing position on said conical valve seat, out of said free end of said tubular member in downward direction; springy safeguarding means provided at the free end of said tubular member and loosely surrounding said projecting expelling means in cage-like fashion, said springy safeguarding means being of such strength that unintended expulsive pressure against said expelling means is thereby prevented and that expulsive pressure against said expelling means is normally possible only through blow-like compression of said springy safeguarding means; and magnetic means including a permanent magnet connected with said closing means and adapted to return said closing means automatically in blow-like fashion onto said conical valve-seat in such manner that selflocking closing engagement with said valve-seat is thereby reliably guaranteed.

2. A suction device as specified in claim 1, in which said closing means has the shape of a valve-cone provided with a valve-stem slidingly guided within said tubular member, and said permanent magnet is rigidly arranged on said valve-stem above said valvecone; said magnetic means including a magnet-keeper rigidly arranged within said tubular member and loosely surrounding said valve-stem between said permanent magnet and said valve-cone, said magnet keeper being capable of attracting the permanent magnet shortly before said valve cone engages the valve seat.

3. A suction device as specified in claim 1, in which said closing means has the shape of a valve-cone provided with a valve-stem ,slidingly guided within said tubular member, and said permenant magnet is rigidly arranged on said valve-stem above said valve-cone and provided with lifting surfaces exposed to the pressure of the flowing fluid and acting to assist in the opening of the valve, the magnetic means further including a magnet-keeper ri idly arranged within said tubular member and loosely surrounding said valve-stem between said permanent magnet and said valve-cone, said magnet keeper being capable of attracting the permanent magnet shortly before said valve cone engages the valve seat.

4. A suction device as specified in claim 1, in which said closing means has the shape of a valve-cone provided with a valve-stem slidingly guided within said tubular member, and said permanent magnet is rigidly arranged on said valve-stem above said valve-cone and provided with lifting surfaces exposed to the pressure of the flowing fluid and acting to assist in the opening of the valve, the magnetic means further including a magnetkeeper rigidly arranged within said tubular member and loosely surrounding said valve-stem between said permanent magnet and said valve-cone, said magnet-keeper having the shape of a circular plate provided with segment-like openings and having the ribs positioned between said segment-like openings provided with acute-angled upper edges, said magnet keeper being capable of attracting the permanent magnet shortly before said valve cone engages the valve seat.

5. A suction device as specified in claim 1, in which said closing means has the shape of a valve-cone provided with a valve-stem slidingly guided within said tubular member and said permanent magnet is rigidly arranged on said valve-stem above said valve-cone and provided with lifting surfaces exposed to the pressure of the flowing fluid and acting to assist in the opening of the valve; said magnetic means including a magnet-keeper rigidly arranged within said tubular member and looselyrsurrounding said valve-stem between said permanent magnet and said valve-cone, said magnet-keeper being arranged at such distance from said permanent magnet that when said valve-cone is in self-locking closing engagement with said valve-seat there still is a slight gap between said permanent magnet and said magnet-keeper, said magnet keeper being capable of attracting the permanent magnet shortly before said valve cone engages the valve seat.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 442,696 Thompson Dec. 16, 1890 FOREIGN PATENTS 498 Great Britain 1905

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