US2214844A - Automatic drain device - Google Patents

Description

AUTOMATIC DRAIN DEVICE Filed Feb. l0, 1939 9 z4 JZ IN V EN TORIS'.

A TT ORNE YS.

, Patented Sept. 17, 1940 PATENT OFFICE 2,214,844 AUTOMATICI DRAIN DEVICE Herbert Van Keuren and Archibald C. Wilkins, Kingstree, S. C.

Application February 1o, 1939, sena1N0.255,73s

2 Claims.

This invention relates to an automatic drain device, designed primarily for use in the cooling systems of internal combustion engines, the primary object of the invention being to provide 5 thermostatically controlled means for automatically releasing the water of the system when the temperature of the water of the systems approaches the freezing point or reaches a dangerously low degree.

10 An important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be adjusted to operate when the water reaches a predetermined temperature, means being also provided for holding the discharge or drain opening of the device closed, should it be desired to use an anti-freeze solution in the cooling systems.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds,. the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed. without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure l is an elevational View of a device constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the device.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the device comprises a body portion indicated generally by the reference character 5, and while the body portion in the present showing is restangular in formation, it is to be understood that the general construction of the body portion may be changed 40 to meet various requirements, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The reference character 6 designates a pipe that extends into the top of the body portion, at a point intermediate the ends thereof, while 45 the numeral 'I designates a pipe that extends into one end of the body portion. In connecting the device in the cooling system of an internal combustion engine, either of the pipes 6 or 'I may be connected with the cooling system, the other pipe or opening being closed. Should it be' desired, both pipes may be connected with the cooling system to allow .a circulation of water through the body portion.

Formed in the bottom of the body portion is an outlet or drain opening 4Il which is provided (Cl. IS7-34.3)

With a valve seat 9 at the upper end of the opening, to be engaged by the valve disk I0, which normally holds the opening 8 closed.

One Wall of the body portion 5 is provided with a threaded opening in which the arm I I is positioned, the arm being formed with a threaded extension to screw through the said threaded opening Where it accommodates the nut I2, holding the arm in position. This arm I I provides a support for the coil I3 which is constructed of bimetal commonly used in the construction of thermostats, and as shown, this coil I3 is provided with an extension I4 that extends to a position directly over the outlet or drain opening 8, where it is provided with an opening for the reception of the bolt I5 which is secured thereto, by means of the nuts I 'I positioned on the threaded end of the threadedy bolt I5. This bolt also extends through the valve disk I0, and through the metallic disk I 8 that backs up the valve disk I insuring a close contact of the valve disk Ill and its seat, to cut off the flow of water through the opening 8. A nut indicated at I9 is mounted on the bolt I 5, and bears against the lower surface of the valve disk I0.

This bolt I is of a length to extend an appreciable distance below the discharge end of the opening 8, where it is formed with a right angled end 20 on which the latch 2I is pivotally mounted. This latch 2I is substantially triangular in formation, the wide surface or end 22 thereof being designed to contact with the body portion 5 at a point adjacent to the outlet opening 8, when the latch member is moved to the dotted line position shown by Figure 2 of the drawing, thereby holding the valve I0 to its seat at all times, against the action of the thermostat or coil I3.

Secured to the inner end of the arm I I, is a lever 25, which has a wide end 26 disposed adjacent to the screw 2l, that screws into a threaded opening in the inner end of the bolt 23, the head oi the screw adapted to engage the lever, securing the lever in various positions of adjustment. Thus it will be seen that by moving the lever 25,

the thermostat may be adjusted, regulating the operation of the valve.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described, we have provided an automatically controlled device for positioning in the pipe-line or drain of the usual cooling system of an internal combustion engine, and that because of the construction, the water in the body portion will control the action of the thermostat. When the water in the system cools to a degree approaching the freezing point, the thermostat will be caused to move, opening the valve l0, whereupon the water of the cooling system will drain into the body portion 5, through pipes 6 or 1, from where the water will pass through the Idrain opening 8 clearing the system of cooling water.

A cover plate indicated by the reference character 23 is removably held on the body portion 5, by means of the screws 24, to the end that ready access may be had to the interior of the body portion to repair or adjust the elements thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for controlling the cooling liquid of an internal combustion engine, comprising a body portion, pipes connected with the body portion and adapted to be connected in the cooling system whereby cooling liquid of the system flows into said body portion, said body having a drain opening in the bottom thereof, a valve normally closing the drain opening, a thermostat comprisinga member sensitive to heat and cold mounted in the body portion, a bolt connecting the Valve to said thermostat, said bolt extending through said drain opening, and a latch on said bolt and adapted to engage the body portion vto hold the valve closed against the action of the thermostat. 2. A device for contro-lling the cooling liquid of an internal combustion engine, comprising a body portion, pipes connected with the body portion and adapted to be connected in the cooling system whereby cooling liquid of the system flows into said body portion, said body portion having f opening, the lower end of the rod terminatingan appreciable distance below the drain opening, a pivoted member mounted on the lower end of the rod and adapted to swing upwardly to engage the body portion and restrict upward movement of the valve, a thermostat mounted within the body portion, lone end of the thermostat being connected with the valve, and said thermostat adapted to operate to open the valve when the latch member is moved to disengage the body portion.

HERBERT VAN KEUREN..

ARCHIBALD C. WILKINS.

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