US1417439A - Liquid-vending apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Patented May 23, 1922.

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F. WOODRUFF. LIQUID VENDING APPARATUS.

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APPLICATION FILED OCT. 30. I920- fil.

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LIQUID V ENDING APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED OCT. 30. 1920.

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discharge indicator.

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LIQUID-VENDING APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23, 11922.

Application filed October 30, 1920. Serial No. 420,603.

T 0 all whom i't may concern: v

Be it known that I, FRANK \VooDRUFF, residin at Rochester, in the county of Beaver and tate of Pennsylvania, a citizen of the United States, have invented or discovered certain new and useful Improvements in' Liquid-Vending Apparatus, of which improvements the following is a specification.

The invention described herein relates to certain improvements in apparatus for 'dispensing gasoline and other liquids and has for its object a construction -wherein the quantity. of liquid to be dispensed at any one time is determined by the position in the measuring chamber of a displacement bo'dyrelative to a fixed discharge or overflow port.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an indicator whereby the progressive and complete discharge of the measured liquid is shown, and also to provide a lock for the dispensing valve controlled by the It is also an object ofthe invention to enclose the measuring mechanism within a case or shell having a door which can be closed only when the valve for draining the measuring chamber is in open position. The invention is hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, Fig. 1 is a view partly in elevation andpartly in section of the improved dispensing apparatus; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same, the plane of section being indicated by the line 11-11, Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section indicating a modification in the manner of controlling theposition of the displacement body or plunger; Fig. 4 is a sectional .elevation showing the discharge indicating mechanism and the lock for the dispensing valve; Fi 5 is an elevation, of the construction s own in Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a detail view of the lock for holding the displacement body or plunger in desired positions; and Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation illustrating further modifications of the improvement.

The improved apparatus consists of a measuring cylinder 1 preferably formed of metal but having portions of its side walls,

formedv of glass plates 2. 'The liquid is forced preferably by a pump (not shown) through a pipe 3 connected to the lowerend of the cylinder. The cylinder is provlded with a constantly open outletor overflow pipe arranged at a height above the bottom of the cylinder corresponding to the level to which the liquid will rise for the different quantities of liquid to be measured. It is preferred that this outlet port should be formed by an open end of a pipe 4 extending up lnto the cylinder a predetermined height regardless of the quantity of liquid to be measured and sold. 01', if desired. the outlet port may be formed in the side of the cylinder and connected by va pipe 4 with the storage tank as shown in Fig. 3. A displacement block or plunger '5 is arranged within the cylinder, said block having, in the form of apparatus shown in Figs. 2 and 4, an opening 6 therethrough for the reception of the overflow pipe 4, said opening or passage having a diameter substantially greater than the external diameter of the pipe 4, sothat liquid can flow up in the space around the pipe 4. The external diameter of the block or plunger 5 is sufficiently less than the internal diameter of the cylinder 1 as to permit a free movement of the plunger or block. When the overflow port is arranged in the side wall of the cylinder, as shown in Fig. 3, the block or displacement body need not be made annular, but should be made sufli'ciently smaller than the cylinder to permit a free flow of liquid to the overflow port.

The position of the block or plunger within the cylinder which will determine the amount of liquid to be dispensed at any time, is controlled by a rod 7 which extends up through! the overflow pipe 4 passing through a stufiing box 8 at the lower end of said pipe and is either connected directly to the block or plunger, or if the block or plunger be made buoyantso as to 'float it! the liquid, then the controllin rod 7 is provided with means such as the dread or spider 7 for controlling and limiting the upward movement of the block or plunger. The

position of the block or plunger for measuring a predetermined amount of liquid is fixed by a locking device secured to the rod 7 and adapted to engage notches in the edge of a bar 9 which are spaced distances apart, such distances having a definite relation to the quantities of liquid to bev sold. While this locking device ma-y be of any suitable form or construction, that shown in Fig. 6 has been found well adapted for the purpose and consists of a finger 10 having a yoke at its rear end, said yoke surrounding a cam 11 mounted on a revoluble pin 12 connected to the controlling rod 7 so that by the rotation of this pin the finger 11 can be moved into and out of engagement with the notches in the measuring rod. In lieu of controlling the position of the block or body 5 by a rod extending down through the overflow pipe. any other suitable means may be employed for that purpose. such for example. that shown in Fig. 3. The spider or head 7 is connected to the lower end of :1 rack bar 32 adapted to intermesh with a pinion 33 on the shaft 34. which is mounted in suitable hearings in the upper portion of the chamber or cylinder and extends out through a stufiing box A pinion 36 is secured on the outer portion of the shaft 34 and intermeshes with the teeth on the positioning rod 37, which is provided at its lower end with means such as that shown in Fig. 6 for engaging the notches in the measuring bar 9. The cylinder has at its lower end an outlet passage 13 for the discharge of the measured quantities of liquid, said passage being controlled by a valve 14.

The block or plunger is .made of such a length that when in its lowest position it will extend above the overflow port so that when in any one predetermined position, the liquid below the plunger and in the spaces between the plunger or block and the cylinder and between the plunger or block and the overflow pipe up to the level of the outlet port, will equal a predetermined quantity of liquid. If a different quantity is required then the controlling rod is shifted and its lock is placed in engagement with a different notch. thereby changing the distance between the lower end of the plunger or block and the cylinder, but the level of the liquid which corresponds with the outlet does not afford any indication as to the quantity of liquid in the cylinder as a portion of the block or plunger will occupy a portion of the space below the level of the liquid. The quantity of liquid contained in the spaces between the block and the cylinder and the block and the overflow pipe will form only a small portion of the quantities of liquid measured and disensed as such s aces are desi ned merel plunger or block and the overflow as connections between the space below the port. It will be readily understood that this block or plunger may be made of greater specific gravity than the liquid, in which case it will be positively connected to the controlling rod 7 so as to be raised and lowered thereby, or if theblock or plunger has a less specific gravity than the liquid, then it will be constantly pressed upward against the head or spider at the upper end of the controlling rod.

It is usually the practice in dispensing gasoline to maintain in the cylinder the maximum quantity of liquid permitted, and to charge the cylinder with this maximum quantity, the controlling rod will be raised until its lock will engage the top notch in the measuring bar 9. \Vhen the controlling rodis in this position, the-block will be in the highest position and the liquid in the cylinder will be on a level with the overflow pipe. If it is'desired. to dispense a smaller amount than that contained in the cylinder, the block or plunger is drawn down, thereby displacing the liquid below the plunger and causing it to flow up to the overflow port until the level of the liquid in the cylinder corresponds with the overflow-port.

As it is undersirable to allow liquid to stand overnight or for any considerable time in the measuring chamber. provision is made for the return of the liquid to the storage tank. In the construction shown, this return is effected through a pipe 15 connected to the feed pipe 3 and provided with'a valve 16 which will control the flow of liquid from the cylinder to and through the overflow pipe 4 to the storage tank. as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and '2. In order to insure the opening of the return valve, the door 17 in the supporting casing 18 through which access is had to the controlling rod and the return valve, is provided on its inner side with a swell or enlargement 19 in which is formed a. recess 20 for the. reception of the operating handleof the return valve when the latter is in open position. It the valve is in closed position, then this swell or enlargement will strike against the handle and prevent the closing or locking of this door, but if the valve is in open position, then the handle will enter the notch or recess in the enlargement, thus permitting the door to be mloved to closed position and locked.

In the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the position of the lock on the controlling rod 7 or the measuring bar is the only means giving an indication of the amount of liquid charged into the cylinder, but as these parts are enclosed in the casing 18, provision is made for showing to the purchaser the amount of liquid charged into and discharged from the cylinder. In the construction of apparatus shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the block or plunger is made buoyant and its position is determined by the position of the controlling rod and its head or spider 7. After an amount of liquid corresponding to the position of the lock on the controlling rod 7 relative to the measuring rod, has been charged into the cylinder, the controlling rod 'is raised to its highest position so that the block or plunger 5 will also'rise up a distance proportional to its buoyancy relative to the liquld. The block or plunger has connected thereto one end of a chain 21- passing over guide pulleys 22 and has its opposite end connected to an indicating weight 23 movable in a ,tube 24 outside of the cylinrtr and having at intervals openings-or le ses 25 which correspond in position to the severalquantities of liquid to be dispensed. WVh'en the block; or plunger is shifted by the flow of liquid into the cylinder, the indicating weight or measure will be shifted, but the position of the indicating member at that time affords no indication of the quantity of liquid=in the cylinder. After the cylinder has been charged, the controlling rod is shifted to its highest position permitting the block or plunger to rise to its maximum height due to its buoyancy. The indicating member will move down so that the lower end will be in line with one or the other of the lenses corresponding to the quantity of liquid to be dispensed. As the liquid passes out of the container, the block or plunger 5 will move down, therebv raising .the'indicating memher past intermediate lenses to its top position so that the purchaser will be assured that the amount of liquid he desires has been discharged from the cylinder. In order to insure that the indicating weight or memher has been moved only by the unrestrained or buoyant movement of the block or plun ger to a point corresponding to the amount of liquid charged at anyone time, provision is made for locking the dispensing valve 14 until the controlling rod has been moved upward sufiiciently far to permit the block or plunger assuming its normal buoyant position. A construction suitable to this end consists in providing an extra notch 26 in the measuring bar 9 for the reception of the locking finger 10 on the controlling rod 7, the position of this notch corresponding to a position of the controlling'rod where its head or spider 7 will be above the lnghest buoyant movement of-the block or plunger 5. A slide passes through the measuring bar and into this neutral notch so as to be shifted when the locking finger 10 enters the notch. The outer endfof this slide is connected by a lever 28 to a spring-actuated locking pin 29 which is normally in engagement with, the stem 30 of the dispensing valve 14 to prevent the rotation of the same. In the construction shown the valve stem 30 is provided with a block 31 having an opening, said block being so positioned on the stem of the valve that this opening will be in line with the locking pin 29 only when the valve is closed. When the controlling rod is moved upward so as to bring its locking finger in line with its neutral notch, the movement of the finger 10 into this notch 26 will Withdraw the locking pin 29 from the block 31 and permit the opening of the dispensing valve.

In Fig. 7 is illustrated a form of apparatus in which the dispensing chamber is formed by a horizontally arranged cylinder 38, having therein a piston 39 operative by a rod 40 extending through one end of the cylinder. :The cylinder is provided at the end opposlte that through which the piston rod extends with an overflow port and with a valved discharge spout 41. The overflow may consist of-a port in the side or end of the cylinder, as shown in Fig. 3, or the overflow may be formed by connecting one leg of a U'-shaped pipe 42 to the discharge spout 41, the leg connected to the spout extending to a height corresponding to the level of liquid in the cylinder.-

I c aim herein as my invention:

1. In an apparatusfor dispensing liquids the combination of a chamber having a normally open overflow port or opening, a valve controlled outlet or discharge port, a displacement body movable to vary the quantity of liquid below the level determined by the overflow.

2. In an apparatus for dispensing liquids, the combination of a chamber having an outlet or discharge port and an overflow port at a predetermined distance above the outlet port and means for changing the capacity of the portions of the chamber intermediate horizontal planes coincident with the overflow and outlet ports.

3. In anapparatus for dispensing liquids, the combination of a chamber or cylinder provided with a discharge port or outlet at its lower end and having an overflow port a predetermined distance above the discharge port,'a displacement body vertically movable in the cylinder changing the capacity of the portion of the cylinder below the overflow and means for controlling the position of said body.

4. In an apparatus for vending liquids the combination of a chamber or cylinder having a discharge port at its lower end and an overflow port located above'the discharge port, a displacement body vertically movable in the chamber for changing the capacity of the portlon of'the cylinder below the level 'of the overflow port, and a passage permitting the liquid to flow from the portions of the cylinder below the displacement body to the overflow port. v

5. In an apparatus for vending liquids, the combination of a chamber or cylinder having a capacity greater than the maximum volume of liquid to be dispensed, means for supplying said liquid to said chamber or cylinder, means for "preventing the liquid rising in the chamber above a predetermined level, and a displacement body movable in said chamber to vary the capacity of the portion of the chamber below the said predetermined level;

6. In an a plication for vending liquids the combination of a chamber or cylinder,

4 overflow pipe exten mg up into the chamber,

and annular displacement body having an opening tor'the reception of the overflow pipe, the diameter of the said opening being greater than'the external diameter of the overflow ipe and means operative from outside the chamber for controlling the position of the displacement body.

7. Inan apparatus for vending liquids the combination of a chamber or cylinder having a discharge port adjacent to its lower end, an overflow pipe extending up into the chamber, an annular displacement body having an opening for the reception of the overfiow pipe, the diameter of said opening being greater than the external diameter of the overflow pipe, a rod extending up through the overflow pipe and provided with means for engaging the displacement body to de-v termine its vertical position, and means for locking said rod in different vertical positions.

8. In an apparatus for vending liquids the combination of a chamber or cylinder havin a dischar e port adjacent to its lower en an overfIow port or opening located above the discharge port, a buoyant displacement body, releasable means for holding said body at a predetermined height within the chamber and means operative by the displacement body for indicating the amount of liquid discharged from the chamber.

9. In an apparatus for vending liquids the combination of a chamber or cylinder having a normally closed and locked discharge valve adjacent to its lower end, an overflow port located above the discharge valve, a buoyant displacement body, releasable means for holding said body at a predetermined height within the chamber, means for locking said holding ineans. and adapted to release the discharge valve when shifted to lock the holding means in neutral position, and means operative by the buoyant body for indicating the amount of liquid discharged from the chamber.

10. In an apparatus for vending liquids the combination of a chamber or cylinder having a discharge valve adjacent to its lower end, an overflow port located above the discharge valve, a buoyant displacement,

body, means for holding the buoyant body from upward movement as liquid flows into the chamber to a predetermined height, an

annular buoyant body, a rod extending up through the overflow pipe and having means for engagement with the buoyant body, means for locking the rod in difl'erent positions, and an indicating-mechanism operative by the buoyant body as it moved down during the discharge of the liquid.

.12. In an apparatus for vending liquids,

the combination of a measuring chamber, means for supplying liquid to said chamber, a valve for controlling the discharge of measured quantities of liquid from the chamber, a pipe permitting the drainage of liquid from the chamber to the storage tank, a valve controlling the drainage of the liquid, a shell or casing surrounding said drainage valve and provided with a door permitting .access to said valve, and means for preventing the closing of said .door while said valv is in closed position.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

FRANK WOODRUFF.

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