US3910497A

US3910497A - Hydraulic valve operator and remote control

Info

Publication number: US3910497A
Application number: US381079A
Authority: US
Inventors: Paul A Manor
Original assignee: Rockwell International Corp
Current assignee: Boeing North American Inc
Priority date: 1971-11-01
Filing date: 1973-07-20
Publication date: 1975-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 1992-10-07

Abstract

A mobile machine for cleaning sewer and like pipes has a water reservoir connected through an engine driven pump and plumbing to one end of a hose coiled on a rotatable reel, the other end of the hose having a discharge nozzle for entering the pipe to be cleaned. A hydraulic ciricuit is provided for actuating a water shut off valve in the plumbing and for control of speed and direction of rotation of the reel, and a remote control device is provided for operating solenoid valves in the hydraulic circuit. The water shut off valve may be operated by electric motor independently of the hydraulic circuit.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Manor Oct. 7, 1975 HYDRAULIC VALVE OPERATOR AND REMOTE CONTROL [75] Inventor: Paul A. Manor, Lima, Ohio [22] Filed: July 20, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 381,079

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 194,320, Nov. 1

abandoned.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Reed 239/127 X Hammelmann 239/198 X Heinicke et a1 239/172 3,372,875 3/1968 Torrey 239/126 X 3,600,225 8/1971 Parmelee 134/168 C X 3.635230 l/l972 Kirschke 134/168 C 3,658,589 4/1972 Shaddock 134/168 C X OTHER PUBLICATIONS VactorSales Brochure by Meyes-Sherman Co.

Streater, Illinois.

Primary Exa minerJohn J. Love [57] ABSTRACT A mobile machine for cleaning sewer and like pipes has a water reservoir connected through an engine driven pump and plumbing to one end of a hose coiled on a rotatable reel, the other end of the hose having a discharge nozzle for entering the pipe to be cleaned. A hydraulic ciricuit is provided for actuating a water shut off valve in the plumbing and for control of speed and direction of rotation of the reel, and a remote control device is provided for operating solenoid valves in the hydraulic circuit. The water shut off valve may be operated by electric motor independently of the hydraulic circuit.

8'Claims, 4 Drawing Figures I 7 US. Patent Oct. 7,1975 Sheet1of2 3,916,497

FIG. I"

v 5 I z I I2 I I T FIG. 2

IN VENTOR 64 PAUL A. MANOR MWW ATTO 5Y5 U.S. Patent Oct. 7,1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,910,497

L FIG. 4 I 3e I N VEN TOR ea -i 2- PAUL A. MANOR .9 9' 75 45 A BY HYDRAULIC VALVE OPERATOR 'AND REMOTE CONTROL This is a continuation of application Ser. No. l94,320, filed Nov. 1, 1971, now abandoned.

This invention relates to control of theflow of water or a like cleaning liquid between a source' such as a reservoir connected pump and a discharge device suchas a self propelled nozzle, and includes not only a special water control valve but a system for hydraulic actuation of the valve and a remote control for the system.

Vehicle mounted pipe cleaning machines aregenerally known wherein water is pumped through a hose mounted on a rotatable reel to discharge at high velocity within a sewer or like pipe to be cleaned, but the water control valves and plumbing and the controls for the valves are relatively complex and must be actuated at a control panel at the rear of the truck. Examples of sewer cleaning machines of the general type are disclosed in Hammelmann US. Pat. No. 3,165,109 and Goss US. Pat. No. 3,321,184.

The present invention contemplates an improved sewer cleaning machine having a water control valve of novel structure and mode of operation, and this is a major object of the invention.

It is a further object of the invention to. provide a novel water control valve for use at the outlet of a pump in a sewer or like cleaning machine wherein a sleeve valve element is displaced between one position wherein it blocks flow of water from the pump to a hose having a discharge nozzle and diverts water to a bypass, and another position wherein it'blocks the bypass and permits water under pump pressure to enter the hose.

A further object of the invention is to' provide a novel valve having a movable element adapted to be displaced in opposite directions between two operative positions where line fluid is differently directed, said element being'responsive to line fluid pressure to displace it in one direction and being hydraulically actuated in the other direction.

Another object of the invention is to'provide a novel valve assembly wherein a slidable port closure sleeve is operatively connected to a piston subject at opposite sides to hydraulic actuating pressure and fluid pressure of the line in which the valve is'installed.

It is another major object of the invention to provide a simplified water control system embodying anovel water pressure responsive valve and a hydraulic actuator therefor. l g

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel hydraulic systemfor selective actuation of a water supply valve'and a hydraulic hose reel drive motor in a vehicle mounted sewer or like pipe cleaning machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel remote control for selective actuation of hydraulic circuit componentslcontrolling water flow and hose movement in a vehicle mounted sewer or like pipe cleaning machine. 7 e I Further objects of the invention willappear as the description proceeds in connection with the appended claims and the annexed drawings.

In its preferred embodiment, the invention will be disclosed as incorporated in a vehicle mounted seweror like pipe cleaning machine wherein the valve assembly is disposed between a motor driven pump and tl'i'einner end of a hose wound on a hydraulic motor driven reel. In-this embodiment a common hydraulic circuit is provided for the valve actuator and the reel motor, and

the circuit 'includesh ieans' for selecting the direction and speed of the reel motor. Solenoid operated valves in the hydraulic'systerii disposed in hydraulic lines leadiifg to the valve operator and the reel motor respectively are actuated from a remote control unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a-generallyperspective pictorial view showing a vehicle equipped with the invention according to a preferred embodiment; I

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of part of the vehicle with the top removed and the cab broken away, showing the various "components.

FIG. 3 is a'partly diagrammatic and partly sectional view showing the hydraulically operated water control valve and the associated controls; and

'FIG.- 4 is a fragmentary section illustrating other means for operation of the control valve.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a roadwayvehicle ll stopped near av manhole 12 leading to a sewer or drain (not shown) to be cleaned. A door 13 swingable about a horizontal hinge 14 provides access to a control panel 15 and a reel 16 rotatable about a horizontal axis and about which is wound a hose 17 having a discharge nozzle 18. A remote control unit 19 is stored when not in use in a compartment 21 at the bottom of the panel 15, and it is connected by electric conductor means 22 to effect solenoid control of valves in the hydraulic circuit of FIG. 3 as will appear.

Hose 17 in coming off the reel passes over a free guide roller 23 on a bracket 24 at the end of a rod 25 suitably adjustable in a socket 26 for movement toward or away from the vehicle.-

Referring to FIG. 2, a transverse motor 27, usually an internal combustion engine unit within the vehicle body drives a water pump 28 through a clutch 29 and a belt 31 extending between

pulleys

32 and 33. Clutch 29 is engaged or disengaged through a rod 34 passing below pump 28 and terminating in a knob 35 at the panel. Disengagement of the clutch 29 enables the pump 28 to be stopped while the hydraulic system remains energizedf The discharge side of water pump 28, shown as conduit 36 in FIG. 3, is connected into a water control valve 37 having an outlet water conduit 38 leading to the interior of reel 16' where itis connected, by some suitable means such as a conventional manifold (not shown) to the inlet end of the hose 17 on reel 16. When valve 37 is open as will appear, water is pumped through hose l7 and discharged through the nozzle 18. When valve 37 is closed no water is discharged through the hose -17.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the valve 37 comprises a tubular body 39 having one end partially closed by an annular plate 30 and the other end threaded at 41 into 1 the pump discharge conduit 36 so as to be supported oi; the water pump. Intermediate its ends body 39 has a lateral outlet port collar 42 which is connected to hose l '7by conduit 38. Body 39 also has a bypass outlet collar 43 connected to the water supply reservoir on the truck body and a gauge port collar 44 cona suitable conduit to a water pressure gauge one end pivotally connected at48'to sleeve 46 on a diameter of the sleeve 46.,Rod 47 is rigid with a plunger 49 which extends through end plate 30 to a rigid con- 52 secured at one end on the end of tubular body 39 which is partially closed by plate 30. The other end of cylinder52 is closed by a circular plate.

Plunger 49 is mounted for sliding movement through the aperture of end plate where the plunger is sealed by suitable means such asO-ring 30 to prevent leakage, across the plate 30. The periphery of piston 51 is sealed by similar means 51' to prevent leakage across the piston. Cylinder 52 is vented to atmosphere-asshown at 52, thereby providing an interior chamber at atmospheric pressure between annular end plate .30 and moveable piston 51. 7

When sleeve 46 is in the position shown in FIG. 3, the valve is closed and no water is pumped through hose 17 but instead the water is bypassed through port 43 and a conduit (not shown) back to the water reservoir tank 40. As will appear sleeve 46 may be displaced to the right in FIG. 3to uncover port 42 and thereby connect hose 17 to the pump outlet and to close the bypass port 3, to establish communication between conduit 56 and reservoir R. Valve 55 is displaced to the open position. to the right shown in FIG; 3,to establish hydraulic

communication'between conduits

54 and 56 by energization of a solenoid 59.

Conduit 53 is connected through a variable orifice device 61 and a flow controlvalve 62 to a reelcontrol valve 63. The orifice size at 61 is adjusted to maintain fluid pressure in. line 54 above theminimum pressure required to drive piston 51 against the water pressure present in tubular body 39. Flow control valve 62is provided with a rotary knobcontrol 64 mounted on the control panel 15 to permit the operator to vary the How of hydraulic fluid to reel'control valve 63.

Valve 63 is illustrated in the closed position in FIG. 3 where fluid flowing through the conduit 53 is returned to the hydraulic fluid reservoir R and no hydraulic fluid is supplied to the hydraulic reel motor 66. Oppositely disposed

solenoids

67 and 68 may be selec tively energized to shift valve 63 in one direction or the other to drive the reel motor 66 in opposite directions.

The speed at which the reel motor is driven in either direction is controlled by dialing the rotary control knob 64 to adjust the flow of fluid through valve 62.

Solenoids 67 and 68 are connected by conductors69 and 71 respectively of conductor means 22 to

contacts

72 and 73 of remote control unit 19. A switch arm 74 is connected by conductor 75 to a source of electrical power 76. When arm 74 is turned to engage contact 72, solenoid 67 is energized to displace valve 63 to connect reel motor 66 to be driven in one direction, and when arm 74 is turned to engage contact 73, solenoid 68 is energized to displace valve 63 to connect reel motor66 to be driven in the other direction. Thus the remote control unit selects the direction of rotation of reel 16 7 57 back to the reservoir R. This movement continues and therefore thewinding andunwinding of hose 17 at the reel. When switch arm 74 is not engaged with either 1 contact as shown in FIG. 3, the valve 73 is centered in closed position by opposed springs (not shown) and reel motor 66'is not'driven.'

A second switch arm 76 is providedat the remote 1 control unit 19 to open valve 55. The switch arm 76 is connected to conductor 75 andmay be closed to en-' gage a contact 77 which is connected by aconductor 78 to solenoid 59 of valve 55.. Switch 76 is illustrated in the open position in FIG. 3 but it may be closed to energize solenoid59 and open valve 55. When switch arm 76 is disengaged from contact 77 solenoid 59 is deenergized and spring 58 displaces valve to the closed 7 position. The controlof the flow of water from pump 28 to the hose 17 is thus effected by closing switch arm 76 at the remote control unit 19.

The operation of the pipe cleaning machine will now' be described. The engine 27 is started to drive hydraulic pump 50 and water pump 28 to' develop hydraulic fluid pressure in the conduit 53 and water pressure at the pump outlet 36. At this time switch arms 74 and 76 i are both open and the various components are in their respective positions illustrated in FIG. 3. The open ended sleeve element 46 of valve 37 is disposed in closing position over port 42 and water discharged at the pump outlet 36 flows through bypass outlet port 43 and a conduit back to the water tank 40. Solenoid actuated hydraulic valves 55 and .63 are both closed and hydrau-.

lic fluid delivered to conduit 53 is returned to the hy-. draulic fluid reservoir R.

When it is desired to supply water to hose 17, switch arm 76 is moved to engage Contact 77 thereby energizing solenoid 59 to open valve 55' and providccommunication between hydraulic

fluid conduits

54 and 56. In

this position valve 55 supplies hydraulicfluid under.

pressure to actuator chamber-57 of cylinder 52 where the'fluid displaces piston 51 to the right as shown in 9 FIG. 3. The hydraulic fluid pressure, available through" conduit 54 is pre-set by means of the orifice 61 to insure that the pressure developed in actuator chamber 57 is greater than the water, pressure acting on rod 47 and plunger 49. As the piston 51 movesto the right it displaces sleeve 46 to. the right until it uncovers port 42 and blocks bypass port43. With the sleeve 46 closing port 43, the valve 37 is open and watervdischarged at the pump outlet 36 flows through the sleeve 46, port 42 and conduit 38 to the hose l7 wherejt is discharged at the nozzle 18.

The rate of water flow through hose l7 may be varied acting on the. rod 47 and the plunger head 49 drivesv the piston 51 to the left. as shown in FIG. 3.and displaces the hydraulic fluid present in actuator chamber until the shoulder provided by plunger head 49' is stopped by end plate 30 which in turn positions sleeve 46 to close port 42. Any additional water delivered to the valve 37at. the pump outlet 36 passes through bypass port 43 to the water tank 40.

terminated by open I Switch arm76 may be spring biased to its opened or disengaged water bypass position to prevent inadvertent emptying of water tank 40.

Reel 16 may be rotated to pay out hose 17 or reel in the hose by engaging switch arm 74 with

contact

72 or 73. 1

an operator standing near the manhole to better observe progress of the hose may carry theremote control unit with him to reel or unreel the hose and to effect on-off controlof water through the hose. It will be noted that water pressure gauge 45 is always operative regardless 'of the position of valve sleeve'46 FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the'invention wherein the same numbers will be used to designate components already described in connection with the foregoing description of the embodimentshown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment it will be understood that hydraulic actuator cylinder 52, valve 55 and the

conduits

54 and 56 are eliminated from the circuit of FIG. 3 which is otherwise used.

In FIG. 4 sleeve 46 is actuated by a rod 81 that is pivoted to the sleeve at 82 and extends slidably through a plug 83 at the end of valve body 39. An O-ring seal 84 prevents water leakage around the rod 81. A peripheral seal ring 85 is also provided to prevent leakage into hose port 42 when sleeve 46 has been shifted to close port 42.

Rod 81 is formed outside the valve body with rack teeth 86 meshed with a gear 87 driven by an electric motor 88 which in this embodiment is connected to be controlled by a switch arm 91 of the remote control unit 19. Switch arm 91 is biased by a spring 94 to a neutral open position, but may be moved to momentarily engage

contact

92 or 93 which are wired to drive the motor 88 in opposite directions. Momentary engagement of switch arm 91 with

contact

92 or 93 will suffice to drive the motor 88 and gear 87 in one direction or the other to move rod 81 and sleeve 46 to open and

close ports

42 and 43.

While I have indicated the remote control unit as comprising switches connected by flexible, extensible conductors to the various solenoid valves and/or the electric motor 88, it will be understood that remote control may be effected by providing suitable radio or sonic wave transmitters at remote control unit 19 and coacting receivers at the solenoids and/or motor to be controlled.

The above described valve 37 which permits water' from the pump outlet to bypass the hose conduit 38 and be returned directly to the wate reservoir also permits the elimination of clutch 29 in some embodiments of this invention. The primary function of the clutch 29 is to permit the operator to disengage the pump 28 while the engine 27 remains in operation to drive the hydraulic pump 50. The bypass valve 37 which pemiits the operator to return water directly to the water tank 40 eliminates the need for a clutch. The engine 27 can be provided with a direct drive to pump 28 which will result in substantial savings in the cost of the pipe cleaning machine and insure that suitable 'water pressure is available at the pump outlet when solenoid actuated valve 55 is energized.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being intherefore intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a system for controlling the flow of water from a pump connected to a reservoir to a hose having a discharge nozzle, a valve having a body containing movable piston means, means whereby said piston means is exposed at one end to water at pump pressure, means defining anactuator chamber at the other end of said piston means, means providing hydraulic pressure distinct from said pump pressure in said actuator chamber, means providing spaced ports in said body connected to said hose and a bypass to saidreservoir respectively, had a valve element in said body connected to said piston means so that when there is effective bydraulic pressure in said chamber the piston means is displaced in one direction to dispose said valve element to close the bypass port and permit water to be pumped through said hose and when there is no effective hydraulic pressure in said chamber water under pump pressure is operative to oppositely displace said piston means to dispose said valve element to close the port leading to the hose while permitting bypass of water from the pump to the reservoir.

2. In the system defined in claim I, said system comprising a source of hydraulic pressure connected by a passage to said chamber, and a solenoid operated valve in said passage.

3. In the system defined in claim 1, a rotatable reel on which part of said hose is wound, and means for rotating said reel to feed or retract said hose comprising a hydraulic motor connected to a conduit from a source of hydraulic pressure to drive the reel and adjustable valve means in said conduit for selecting the direction of drive of said reel or for stopping rotation of the reel.

4. In the system defined in claim 2, a hydraulic motor connected to drive a reel on which part of said hose is wound, a hydraulic line connecting said motor to a source of hydraulic pressure, and means in said line adjustable for regulating the speed of said motor.

5. In the system defined in claim 4, said speed adjustment means being a flow control valve in said line.

6. In the system defined in claim 1, adjustable means for setting the effective hydraulic pressure in said actuator chamber above the minimum pressure required to shift said piston means against the water pump pressure.

7. A machine for cleaning sewer or like pipes and including a hose wound on a rotatable reel and having a discharge nozzle at its free end and water conduit means connecting the other end of said hose through a water pump to a water reservoir on the machine, said machine being mounted on a mobile support adapted to be located near an access opening through which said hose may be extended to dispose the nozzle in cleaning relation relative to said pipes, characterized by a first means for controlling the direction of rotation of the reel comprising a hydraulic motor for rotating said reel, a hydraulic pump providing a cource of hydraulic fluid under pressure, hydraulic fluid conduit means between said hydraulic pump and motor and a solenoid valve in said conduit means, a second means including a water valve in said water conduit, hydraulic actuator means operated by a second solenoid operto both of said solenoid valves through said cable means and having switch devices connected for selectively, reversibly actuating each of said solenoid valves.

8. A machine for cleaning sewer or like pipesand including a hose wound on a rotatable reel and having a discharge nozzle at its free end and water conduit means connecting the other end of said hose through a water pump'to a water reservoir on the machine,

characterized by a first means for controlling the direction of rotation of the reel comprising a hydraulic motor for rotating said reel, a hydraulic pumpproviding a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, hydrau- "lic fluid conduit means between said hydraulic pump and motor anda first solenoid valve in said conduit means, a second means including a water valve in said water conduit means having a hydraulic actuator unit operated by an electrical actuator device comprising a second solenoid operated. valve for controlling flow of water from the water pump to the hose, and a remote control unit disposed in spaced relation to said discharge nozzle having switch devices connected for selectively actuating said solenoid valve andsaid electri cal actuator device.

Claims

1. In a system for controlling the flow of water from a pump connected to a reservoir to a hose having a discharge nozzle, a valve having a body containing movable piston means, means whereby said piston means is exposed at one end to water at pump pressure, means defining an actuator chamber at the other end of said piston means, means providing hydraulic pressure distinct from said pump pressure in said actuator chamber, means providing spaced ports in said body connected to said hose and a bypass to said reservoir respectively, had a valve element in said body connected to said piston means so that when there is effective hydraulic pressure in said chamber the piston means is displaced in one direction to dispose said valve element to close the bypass port and permit water to be pumped through said hose and when there is no effective hydraulic pressure in said chamber water under pump pressure is operative to oppositely displace said piston means to dispose said valve element to close the port leading to the hose while permitting bypass of water from the pump to the reservoir.

2. In the system defined in claim 1, said system comprising a source of hydraulic pressure connected by a passage to said chamber, and a solenoid operated valve in said passage.

7. A machine for cleaning sewer or like pipes and including a hose wound on a rotatable reel and having a discharge nozzle at its free end and water conduit means connecting the other end of said hose through a water pump to a water reservoir on the machine, said machine being mounted on a mobile support adapted to be located near an access opening through which said hose may be extended to dispose the nozzle in cleaning relation relative to said pipes, characterized by a first means for controlling the direction of rotation of the reel comprising a hydraulic motor for rotating said reel, a hydraulic pump providing a cource of hydraulic fluid under pressure, hydraulic fluid conduit means between said hydraulic pump and motor and a solenoid valve in said conduit means, a second means including a water valve in said water conduit, hydraulic actuator means operated by a second solenoid operated valve for controlling flow of water from the water pump to the hose, and a remote control unit for control of said solenoid valves at a point spaced from said support disposed in spaced relation to said discharge nozzle and adapted to be normally stored on said support independently of hose movement in spaced relation to said hose and being connected to said support by flexible cable means, said unit being electrically connected to both of said solenoid valves through said cable means and having switch devices connected for selectively reversibly actuating each of said solenoid valves.

8. A machine for cleaning sewer or like pipes and including a hose wound on a rotatable reel and having a discharge nozzle at its free end and water conduit means connecting the other end of said hose through a water pump to a water reservoir on the machine, characterized by a first means for controlling the direction of rotation of the reel comprising a hydraulic motor for rotating said reel, a hydraulic pump providing a source of hydraulic fluid under pressure, hydraulic fluid conduit means between said hydraulic pump and motor and a first solenoid valve in said conduit means, a second means including a water valve in said water conduit means having a hydraulic actuator unit operated by an electrical actuator device comprising a second solenoid operated valve for controlling flow of water from the water pump to the hose, and a remote control unit disposed in spaced relation to said discharge nozzle having switch devices connected for selectively actuating said solenoid valve and said electrical actuator device.