US2299666A - Gas valve - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 20, '1942. I Q F TURNER ETAL 2,299,666

GAS VALVE Filed Feb. l2, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zit/dgl@ 561,25.

Patented Oct. 20, 1942 GAS VALVE George F. Turner and Vincent C. Peterson, Chicago, lll., assigner:

Harper-Wyman Company, Chicago, lll., a corporation of Illinois Application February 12, 194i, sensi No. 378,511

(ci. 'J4- 504) 15 Claims.

The present invention pertains -to gas valves and more particularly to the provision of gas valves with new and improved valve position indicating and determining means. This means is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with a double gas valve, that is, a gas valve having two outlet passageways through which gas 'may be selectively supplied to the simmer section or to both the simmer and main burner sections of a double gas burner. More specically, the present invention is directed to the provision of a position indicating and determining mechanism for a gas valve operable from an oil to full on positions through a plurality of intermediate positions.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a valve position indicating and determining means which is capable of producing an audible click for one intermediate position and resisting turning movement of the valve for a plurality of other intermediate positions.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a valve mechanism having stops for determining the off and full on positions and having associated therewith means providing an audible click when the valve is operated to an intermediate simmerposition and resistance to turning of the valve for two other intermediate positions of the valve.

A further and more specific object of the pres'- ent invention is to provide a valve of the type described with position determining and indicatproducing an audible sound ing means capable of when the valve is rotated in either direction to a simmer position.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensu- Fig.,9 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of a modiiled form of closure member; and

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of a modified form of detent plate to be used in conjunction with the closure member illustrated in Fig. 9.,

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 3A, the double gas valve with which the position indicating and determining means of the present invention are utilized is indicated by reference character i0. It comprises a. valve body i2 within which is mounted -a rotatable control member illustrated 'as a tapered plug i4. 'I'he tending projections 32 and 33 and surrounds the` ing description, in the course of which reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a top'plan view, partly broken away, of a gas valve embodying the present invention, the valve being illustrated in its oil position;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation, on an enlarged scale, of a closure member forming part of the position indicating and determining means illustrated in Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 to 8 are cross-sectional views on an eniarged scale taken along the line 3-3' of Fig. 1, .llustrating various positions of the valve plug. )f these iigures, 4 to 8, inclusive, are fragmenlary;

Figs. 3A to 8A are cross-sectional views taken ilong the line A-A of Fig. 1, illustrating the cor- 'esponding positions of the position indicating md determining mechanism; e

' threaded bosses plug is provided with an axial passageway i6 providing communication between the interior of the valve plug and a chamber i1 (see Fig. 1)

within which the plug is mounted. The plug is provided also with a pair of main radially disposed passageways i8 and 20 located approximately from each other and a small auxiliary passageway 22 located between the main radial passageways. The end of passageway 22 at the outer surface of the valve plug is enlarged, as indicated by reference character 23, for a purpose to be described hereinafter. The valve plug is rotatable by a` handle 24 secured to a valve stem 26 formed integrally with the plug and having a substantially D-shaped cross section.

The position indicating and determining mechanism of the Qpresent invention comprises a detent plate or washer 28 surrounding and movable.

by the valve stem and a closure plate 30. The latter is provided with a pair of inwardly exvalve stem but is fixedly secured to the valve body. Plate 28 isurged toward plate 30 by a spring 34 surrounding the valve stem and serving also to urge the valve plug toward its seat. The speciiic construction and operation of the position indicating and determining mechanism will be described in greater detail after brief consideration is had of the valve which, while forming no part ofthe present invention, should be understood in order that a better understanding may be had of the present invention. The valve construction itself forms the subject matter of the co-pending application of Philip S. Harper, Gas valves, tiled contemporaneously herewith.

The valve body is provided with a gas inlet passageway 36 formed as by a drilling operation in a boss 38 that is exteriorly threaded for attachment to the usual gas supply manifold, not shown. The valve body is also provided with a pair of axially extending. spaced apart, exteriorly 40 and 42 that are drilled to form gas outlet passageways 44 and 46 through 2 a aaoaeoe l which gas is supplied tothe simmerY and main sageway 48 communicates with the plug surfacev through a passageway 48 drilled into a boss I0 also formed integrally with the valve body but closed as by a plug 52. Adiustably mounted hoods 54 provided with orifices and cooperating with xed needle valves, not shown but oi conventional construction, are secured to the outer ends of bosses 40 and 42 to provide nozzles Ithrough which gas is supplied to the burner sections at suitable velocities when the valve is in its full on position.

The valve body is provided also with a further boss 86 within which is mounted a valve member 58 adjustable to vary the amount oi.' gas supplied to the simmer section when the valve plug islrotated into its low simmer position, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. Any suitable valve mechanism may be employed to provide the adjustment, although theone illustrated is of an improved construction. forming the subject matter of the co-pending application of Turner et, al., led contemporaneously herewith. The valve member 58 is adjustabiy Vmounted in an insert 59 to vary the ow of gas through a small passageway 60 formed at the reduced end portion of the insert and communicating with the valve plug surface through a passageway 62. The interior of the insert communicates with the inlet passageway 36 througha passageway 04 formed in the lnsert, an annular Achamber 86 formed by the reduced end portion of the insert and the interior of boss 54, and a passageway 68leading to the inlet passageway. Leakage of gas and undesired movement of the adjustable valve 58 are prevented by a cap and a sealing gasket 12.

The construction ofy the position indicating and determining mechanism may best be ascertained from Figs. 2 and 3A to which reference will now be had. The closure plate 30, illustrated in Fig. 2, has a substantially diamondshaped contour and is secured to the. valve body by a pair o! screws 14 and 16 in such manner that the projection 32 is located near the topl of lthe valve and approximately 20 to the left of the vertical center line of the valve, the projection 33 being diametrically opposite projection 32. The plate 30 is also provided with a central circular aperture 18 of a diameter slightly larger than that of the valve stem. The

movement being approximately 36. The portion of the detent cooperating with the dat side of the valve stem comprises a rounded apex 80 and ilat portions 82 and 84 defining surfaces at angies of about 18 to a line' tangential to the apex 98. The detent plate 28 also comprises a pair of opposed arcuate projections |80 and |82 equidistant radially from the axisloi' the valve and valve stem and adapted to clear the shoulvalve.

is such also that an audible click is given when front end oi the valve body proper is cut away to provide a space `y80 for Vthe reception oi the projections 32, 33, the plate 30, and spring 34. The space or recess is also cut to provide a shoulder 82 cooperable with the detent plate 20 to determine the on' position of the valve, and a second shoulder 84 likewise cooperable with the plate to determine the full on position of the valve. l

The detent plate is provided Vwith a relatively short arcuate projection 86 including an angle of about 42 for engaging the shoulders 82 and 84 at the limiting of! and full on positions of the valve. The detent plate 28 is also provided with a substantially centrally located aperture 88 of a diameter slightly greater than that or the valve stem and defining an angular opening sufiicient to permit relative movement between ders 82 and 84. The previously referred to projection 86 is located substantially centrally of arcuate projection |02, thus constituting a reduced extension of the latter. Projection |00 defines a pair of shoulders |04 and |06 and the arcuate portion |00 similarly deiines shoulders |08 and ||0 for cooperation with projections 32 and 33 to indicate and determine the heretofore referred to intermediate valve positions. Shoulders |04 and |l8 and shoulders |00 and |08 are diametrically opposite each other, respectively. Shoulders |04 and |08 on the one hand. and shoulders |08 and ||0 on the other maybe considered as formed by arcuate recesses in the detent plate.

The operation of the valve and the position and determining mechanism may best be understood by'considering the various positions of the In introduction it` may be stated that the valve illustrated may supply a double burner with sufficient gas to provide from 9.000 to 12,000 B. t. u. when the valve is in its full on position, the gas being supplied to both the main. and simmer burner sections. It may also supply gas sufficient to furnish about 1200 B. t. u. in its simmer position, the gas being supplied only to the simmer section. In the low simmer position the amount of gas supplied to the simmer` section may be suiiicient to provide heat at a rate of about 250 B. t. u. These rates, it should be understood, are intended merely to be illustrative.

From the foregoing it may be noted that only a very limited amount of gas is supplied to the burner in the low simmer position,l and when supplied is not enough always to insure proper lighting of the burner by the usual automatic lighting means. It is, therefore, preferable that the valve be operated to its simmer position when initially lighting the burner. In order to enable the users of the valve to do this, the position indicating and determining means is so constructed and arranged as to provide an audible sound or click when the valve is operated from its ci! to its simmer position. The construction the valve is operated to a simmer position after having been turned to its full on position.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 3 to 8 and 3A to 8A, both inclusive, it may be noted that they illustrate various positions of the valve and corresponding positions of the position indicating and determining mechanism.

The on position of the valve and corresponding position of the position indicating and determining mechanism are illustrated in Figs. 3 and 3A, respectively. Upon reference to Fig. 3, it may be noted that the main and branch inlet passageways are sealed from both the simmer f and main burner section outlet passages. At`

this time the outermost projection 86` oi' the detent plate 28 abuts against the shoulder 82, and projections |00 and |02 are over Iprojections 32 and 33 of closure plate 3,0, against which they are urged by the spring u. The position of the valve operating -handle 24 obtaining when the plate and valve stem, the extent of relative '(5 the valve is in its oil' position is indicated by the simmer burner outlet passageway burner section outlet passageway ftion of the burner to insure ignition thereof by automatic lighting means. The position of the burner is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 4A. From Fig. 4 it may be noted that the main gas inlet passage 38 communicates with the axial passage I8 of the valve plug through radial passageway I8 and thereby with the simmer section gas outlet passageway 4I. No gas, however, is supplied to the main burner section, the passage of gas thereto being prevented by the valve plug. As the valve plug is rotated in a counterclockwise direction from the off position indicated in Fi'g. 3.

to the simmer position indicated in Fig. 4, initial movement of the operating handle 28 results in rotating of the valve plug but not of the detent plate 28 by reason of the lost motion connection between the valve stem and detent plate. However, upon continued rotation o1' the valve, the ilat surface of the valve stem engages the portion 82 of the detent plate to eiect rotation of the latter. counterclockwise direction, the shoulders |06 and |08 of arcuate projections |00 and |02, respectively, reach the edge of the projections 32 and 33, and the spring 34 effects rapid movement of the detent plate toward and against the olate 30, the lost motion connection between the detent plate and valve stem permitting rapid movement and the jumping of the plate a slight distance beyond the projections as illustrated in Fig. 4A.

From the simmer position the valve may be operated further in a counterclockwise direction or it may be moved in a clockwise direction to.

the low simmer position indicated in Figs. 8 and 8A. However, it will ybe assumed that the valve is operated further in a counterclockwise direction. Continued operation of the valve in this direction results in the continued supply of gas to the simmer section. When the valve is rotated to the position indicated in Fig. 5, that is, somewhat less than 180 from its off position, the lost motion between the valve stem and detent plate resulting from the jumping of the latter is taken up and the detent plate shoulders and |04 are moved against projections 32 and 33, respectively. The projections serve moderately to restrict movement of the valve operating handle, thereby indicating to the operator that further movement will result in the supply of gas to both the main and simmer burner sections at a low rate.

The valve'may beoperated further in a counter-l clockwise direction until the arcuate projections |02 and |00 overlie projections 32 and 33, respectively. thereby to supply gas to the valves at a regulatable rate until the projection 86 strikes shoulder 8l to indicate the full on position. 'I'his position of the valve is indicated in Fig. 6. Gas is supplied to both the simmer and main burner section outlet passageways 44 and 48 through the main inlet passagewayl 33, the gas flowing to the through the to the main through the radial passageway I8. The auxiliary radial passageway 22-23 in the valve plug serves to prevent sealing of the main gas inlet passageway 36 by the valve surface between radial passageways I8 and 20 as the valve is operated from its simaxial passageway in the plug and As the detent plate is rotated in a mer to its full on position. In other words, it

provides an even tlnal or low turn down range when gas is being supplied to both burner secons.

When it is desired to reduce the quantity of gas supplied to the burner, say to a point where gas is supplied to the simmer section only, the valve is rotated in a clockwise direction until an audible click is heard.V The click results in the same manner as heretofore described, although at this time the valve is at a slightly different angle than in the simmer position illustrated in Figs. 4 and 4A. However. in this second simmer position, gas is again supplied solely to the simmer section oi' the burner, as indicated in Fig. 7. The click results from the movement of arcuate projections |02 and |00 01Tl the projections 32 and 33, respectively, by the action of the spring 34, the detent plate then occupying the position illustratedinFlg. 7A.

To operate the valve into its low simmer position from either of the simmer positions, that is, the simmer positions of Figs. 4, 4A, and 7 and 7A, the valve is rotated in a clockwise direction until movement of the valve is restricted by detent plate shoulders |06 and |08 striking projections 32 and 33, respectively, as indicated in Fig. 8A. At this time gas is supplied to the simmer section through the branch passageway 88 and at a rate determinedby the adjustment of valve 58. l

When the valve is returned 'to its off position, the valve and position indicating and determining mechanism occupy the positions illustrated in Figs. 3 and 3A, and which have already been described.

From the foregoing description of'the operation of the valve and position indicating and determining mechanism, itis to be noted that an audible click is given at one of the several intermediate positions and that movement of the valve is restricted in lother intermediate positions. While Ain the instant embodiment restriction of movement occurs at two different angular positions to indicate the simmer position of the valve, it should be understood that the second simmer position might very well be some other operative position of the valve which could be indicated by the restriction of movement. Consequently, while the present invention has been described in conjunction with a speciilc form of valve, it should be understood that it is applicable to other forms of valves as well. Furthermore,

the construction of the two plates may be reversed, i. e., the-shoulder dening closure plate may be iixedly secured relative to the valve body and the movable detent disc may be provided with the projections. f

A construction of this type is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 to which reference will now be had. The ilxedly secured plate ||2iilustrated .in Fig. 9 is provided with a central aperture I4 through whi-ch the valve stem extends. It is also provided with diametrically opposite arcuate apertures or recesses ||6 andv ||8 providing four spaced apart shoulders |20, |22, |24 and |26. The apertures are so located that the shoulders are positioned in the same places as the shoulders ofthe detent plate of the'previously described embodiment when the plate is in its oil' position.

The detent plate |28 illustrated in Fig. 10 is provided with a central aperture |30 corresponding in construction with the aperturel of detent plate 28. The plate is constructed with opposed arcuate portions |32 and |34 provided sitions of 4- jacent shoulders tance such that ofthe stem may arcuate portions are embodiment for determining the uma positions of the valve. v

The detent plate |28, in the of! position of the valve, occupies aposition corresponding to the detent plate 28 shown in Fig. 3A, in which position the projections |36 and |38 are centrally located relative to portions of the plate H2 between the apertures. The other operative pothe valve detent plates correspond to those of the previously described embodiment so that further description thereof is not deemed to be necessary.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. A position indicating and determining mechanism fora valve comprising a body and I operable by a rotatable stem extending outside the body, including in combination, a first plate flxedly secured relative to said body and aper- -t'ured for the passage of the stem therethrough,

a second plate located adjacent said plate and rotatable by said stem, and spring means for urging said second plate toward said nrst plate, one of said plates being provided with substan- 'j tially diametrlcally opposite projections of relatively narrow arcuate extent and the other with substantially diametrlcally opposite portions each deiiznlng a pair of shoulders cooperable with said projections to` restrict rotation of the stem, said shoulders being spaced apart a distance such that substantial unrestricted rotation of the stem may be effected in eitherv direction when the projections are between a pair of shoulders defined by one portion or between addenned by both portions.

2. A position mechanism for a valve comprising a body and operable by a rotatable stem extending outside the body, including in combination, a first plate flxedly secured relative to said body and apertured for the passageof the stemtherethrough,

a second plate located adjacent said plate rotatable by and having a loose connection relative -to said stem, and spring means for urging said second plate toward said ilrst plate, one of said plates being provided with a projection of relativelv narrow arcuate extent facing toward the other plate, and said other plate with a pair of substantially diametrlcally opposite arcuate portions of greater arcuate extent than said projection and adapted to displace said first plate against said spring when positioned over said projection, each of said portions defining a pair of spaced apart projection moderately to restrict rotation of the stem, said shoulders being spaced apart a dissubstantial unrestricted rotation be effected when the projection is between certain pairs of adjacent shoulders until said projection abuts against a shoulder,

vwhereupon further movement is moderately restricted, and such that substantialy unrestricted rotation of the stem may be effected when said over the projection until said projection slides off said shoulders, whereupon said spring means each other to provide audible indications.

3.'In a valve according to claim 2 wherein the plate rotatable with said stem is rotatable a limited extent relative to the stem.

shoulders cooperable with said' 4. In a valve according to claim 2 wherein the plate rotatable with said stem is provided with astop denning portion engageable with shoulders fixed relative to the body to determine amd of the closure and indicating and determiningv forces said plates toward l the limits of movement of said stem.

5. A position indicating and determining mechanism for a valve comprising a body and operable by a rotatable stem extending outside the body. including in combination, a first plate xedly secured relative to said body and apertured for the passage of the stem therethrough, a second plate located adjacent said plate rotatable by and to a limited extent relative to said stem, and spring means or urging said second plate toward said nrst plate, one of said plates having a pair of diametrically opposite projections of narrow arcuate extent facing toward the other plate, and the other plate having opposed diametrlcally opposite shoulders de- 4xined by arcuate recesses, said first plate being so located with respect to the stem and second plate, that inA one position'of the stem the projections of one plate abut against the other plate thereby forcing the movable plate away from the other against the spring means, and that when the stem is rotated in one direction from said one position to a second predetermined position the movable plate is rotated and the projections fall oil said shoulders and the spring eiIects rapid movement of the movable' plate toward the nxed plate to provide an audible indication, the stem being thereafter movable in the opposite direction to a third predetermined position determined by moderate restriction of movement thereof by engagement of said projections with said shoulders.

6. A position indicating and determining mechanism for a valve comprising a body and operable by a rotatable stem extending outside the .body including in combination, a first plate fixedly secured relative to said body and apertured for the passage of the stem therethrough, a second plate located adjacent said plate rotatable by and to a limited extent relative to said stem, and spring means for urging said second plate toward said 'first plate, one of said plates having a pair of diametricaliy opposite projections of narrow arcuate extent -facing toward the other plate, and the other plate having two pairs of opposed diametrically opposite shoulders dened by opposed arcuate recesses, said shoulders being spaced apart distances substantially greater than the arcuate extent of said projections, said first plate being so located with respect to the stem and second plate that in one position of the stem the projections of one plate abut against the other plate thereby forcing the movable plate against the spring means, and that when the stem is rotated in one direction from said one position to a second predetermined position the movable plate is rotated and the projections fall oil one pair of diametrically opposite shoulders and the spring effects rapid movement of the movable plate toward the iixed plate to provide an audible indication, the stem being thereafter movable in the same direction to a third predetermined position determined by moderate restriction of movement thereof by engagement of said projections with another pair of diametrlcally opposite shoulders.

'L A position indicating and determining mechanism for a valve comprising a body having spaced apart nxed shoulders and operable by a rotatable stem extending outside the body, including in combination, a first plate flxedly secured relative to said body and apertured for the extent of said projections, said first plate being so located with respect to the stem and second plate, that in one position of the stem the projections of one plate abut against the other plate thereby forcing the movable plate against the spring means, and that when the stem is rotated in one direction from said one position to a sec ond predetermined position the movable plate is rotated and the projections fall ofi one pair of diametrically opposite shoulders and the spring effects rapid movement of the movable plate toward the fixed plate to provide an audible indication, the stem being thereafter movable in the same direction to a third predetermined position determined by moderate restriction of movement thereof by engagement of said projections with another pair of diametrically opposite shoulders, and finally to a fourth predetermined position wherein the projections of said one plate abut against the other plate, said movable plate having a stop defining shoulder engageable with a fixed shoulder on the body for determining said fourth position.

8. A position indicating and determining mechanism for a valve comprising a body and operable by a rotatable stem extending 'outside the body, including in combination, a iirst plate fixedly secured relative to said body and apertured for the passage of the stem therethrough, a second plate4 located adjacent said plate rotatable by and to a limited extent relative to said stem,

and spring means for urging said second plate l toward said first plate, one of said plates having a pair of diametrically opposite projections of narrow arcuate extent facing toward the other plate, and the other plate having two pairs of opposed diametrically opposite shoulders defined by arcuate recesses, said shoulders being spaced apart distances substantially greater than the arcuate extent of said projections, said first plate being so located with respect tothe stem and second plate, that in one position of the stem the projections of one plate abut against the other plate thereby displacing the movable plate against the spring means and, that when the stem is rotated in one direction from said one position to a second predetermined position the movable plate is rotated and the projections fall off one pair of diametrically opposite shoulders and the spring effects rapid movement of the movable plate toward the fixed plate to provide an audible indication, the stem being movable further in the same direction to a third predetermined position determined by moderate restriction of movement thereof' by engagement of said projections with another pair of diametrically opposite shoulders, and thereafter to a position wherein the projections of said one plate abut against the other plate to displace said movable plate, said stein thereafter being movable in the opposite direction to a position wherein the projections fall off said other pair of shoulders and the spring again eiiects rapid movement of the movable 5 plate toward the fixed plate to provide an audible indication.

9. A position indicating and determining mechanism Xfor a valve comprising a body-having spaced apart fixed shoulders and operable by a rotatable stem extending outside the body. including in combination, a first plate fixedly secured relative to said body and apertured for the passage of the stem therethrough, a second plate located adjacent said plate rotatable by and to a limited extent relative to said stem, and spring means for urging said second plate toward said first plate, one of said plates having a pair of diametrically opposite projections of narrow arcuate extent facing toward the other plate, and

the other plate having two pairs of opposed diametrically opposite shoulders defined by arcuate recesses, said shoulders being spaced apart distances substantially greater than the arcuate extent of said projections, said first plate being so located with respect to the stem and second plate, that in one position of the stem thel projections of one plate abut against the other plate thereby displacing the movable plate against the spring means and that when the stem is rotated in one direction from said one position to a second predetermined position the movable plate is rotated and the projections fall on one pair ofV diametrically oppositeshoulders and the spring effects rapid movement of the movable plate toward the fixed plate to provide an audible indication, that pair of'diametrically opposite shoulders, that the stem is thereafter rotatable in the same direction with the projections of one plate abutting against and displacing the other plate to a fourth predetermined position, said movable plate being provided with a stop defining shoulder engageable with a fixed shoulder on the body for determinfourth position, the stem thereafter being movable in the opposite direction to a fifth predeter-mined position determined by the falling of the projections from said other pair of shoulders whereupon the spring means again effects rapid movement of the movable plate toward the fixed plate to provide an audible indication, to a sixth predetermined position determined by moderate restriction to further movement resulting from engagement of said projections with said one pair of diametrically opposite shoulders, and finally to said one position as determined by engagement of said stop defining shoulder with another fixed shoulder on the body.

10. A position indicating and determining mechanism for a valve comprising a body and operable by a rotatable stem extending outside the body, including in combination, a first plate fixedly secured to said body and apertured for the passage of the stem therethrough, a second plate located between said plate and body and rotatable by and to a limited extent relative to said stem, and spring means for urging said second plate toward said first plate, said iirst plate having a pair of diametrically opposite projections of narrow arcuate extent facing toward the second plate, and the second plate having two pairs of opposed diametrically opposite shoulders defined by arcuate recesses, said shoulders being spaced apart distances substantially greater than the arcuate extent of said projections, said fixed plate being so located with respect to the stem and movable plate, that in one position of thesecond predetermined stem the projections of the xed plate abut against the movable plate thereby displacing the latter against the spring means, and that when the stem is rotated in one direction from said one position to a second predetermined position the movable plate is rotated and its projections fall off one pair of diametrically opposite shoulders and the spring effects rapid movement of the in the projections fall off said other pair of shouleffects rapid movefixed plate ders and the spring again ment of the movable plate toward the to provide an audible indication.

11. A position indicating and determining mechanism for a valve comprising a body having spaced apart fixed shoulders and operable by a rotatable stem extending outside the body, including in combination, a first plate iixedly secured to said body and apertured for the passage of the stern therethrough, a second plate located between said plateand body and rotatable by and to a limited extent relative to said stem, and spring means for urging said movable plate toward said-fixed plate, said fixed plate having a pair of diametrically opposite projections of narrow arcuate extent facing toward the movable plate, and the movable plate having two pairs of opposed diametrically opposite shoulders defined by arcuate recesses, said shoulders being spaced apart distances substantially greater than the arcuate extent of vsaid projections, said fixed plate being so located with respect to theA stem and second plate, that in one position of thestem the projections of the fixed plate abut against the movable plate to displace the latter against the spring means and that when the stem is rotated in one direction from said one position to a position the movable plate is rotated and the projections fall off one pair of diametrically opposite shoulders and the spring effects rapid movement of the movable plate toward the fixed plate to provide an audible indication, that when the stem is rotated further in the same direction to a third predetermined position further movement is moderately restricted by engagement of said projections with another pair of diametrically opposite shoulders, that the stem is thereafter rotatable in the same direction with the projections of said fixed plate abutting against the movable plate to a fourth predetermined position. said movable plate being provided with a stop defining shoulder engageable with a fixed shoulder on the body for determining said fourth position, the stem thereafter i being movable in the opposite direction to a fifth predetermined position determined by the falling o f the projections from saidyother pair of shoulders whereupon the spring means again effects rapid movement of the movable plate toward the fixed plate to provide an audible indication, to a 'sixth predetermined position determined by moderateY restriction to further movement resulting from engagement of said projections with said one pair of diametrically opposite shoulders, and finally to said one position as determined by said l stop defining shoulder engaging a second fixed shoulder on the body. v

12. A position indicating and determining mechanism for a valve comprising a body and operable by a, rotatable stem extending outside the body, including in combination, a first plate fixedly secured the passage of the stern therethrough, a second plate located between said plate and body and ro-v tatable by and to a limited extent relative to said stem, and spring means for urging said second plate toward said fixed plate, said movable plate having a pair of diametrically opposite projections of narrow arcuate extent facing toward the fixed plate, and the fixedr plate having a pair of arcuate apertures defining two pairs of opposed diametrically opposite shoulders, said shoulders being spaced apart distances substantially greater than the arcuate extent of said projections, said fixed plate being so located with respect to the stem and movable plate, that in one position of the stem the projections of the movable plate abut against the fixed plate thereby displacing when the stem is rotated in one direction from said one position to a second predetermined position the movable plate is rotated and the projections thereon fall ofi one pair of diametrically opposite shoulders and the spring effects rapid movement thereof toward the fixed plate to provide an audible indication, the stem being movable further in the same direction to a third predetermined position determined by moderate restriction of movement thereof by engagement of said projections with another pair of diametrically opposite shoulders, and thereafter to a position wherein the projections of said movable plate abut against the fixed plate to displace the former, said stem thereafter being movable in the opposite direction to a position wherein the projections fall off said other pair of shoulders and the spring again effects rapid movement of the movable plate toward the fixed plate to provide an audible indication.

13. A position indicating and determining mechanism for a valve comprising a body having spaced apart xed shoulders and operable by a rotatable stem extending outside the body, including in combination, a first plate xedly secured to said body and apertured for the passage of the stem therethrough, a second plate located between said plate and body and rotatable by and to a limited extent relative to said stem, and springmeans for urging said-movable plate toward said fixed plate, said movable plate having a pair of diametrically oposite projections of narrow arcuate extent facing toward the xed plate, and the fixed plate having a pair of opposed arcuate apertures deiining two pairs of opposed diametrically opposite shoulders, said shoulders being spaced apart distances substantially greater than the arcuate extent of said projections, said fixed plate being so located with respect to the stem and movable plate, that in one position of the stem the projections of the movable vplate abut against the fixed plate thereby displacing the former against the spring means and that when the tion from said one position to a second predetermined position the movable plate is rotated and the projections thereon fall off one pair of diametrically opposite shoulders and the spring effects rapid movement thereof toward the xed plate to provide an audible indication, that when the stem is rotated further in the same direction stem is rotated in one direc' to said body and apertured for the latter against the spring means and, that to a third predetermined position further movement is moderately restricted by engagement of said projections with another pair of diametrically opposite shoulders, that the stem is thereafter rotatable in the same direction with the projections abutting against and displacing the movable plate to a fourth predetermined position, said movable plate being provided with a stop defining shoulder engaging a fixed shoulder on the body for determining said fourth position, the stem thereafter being movable in the opposite direction to a fifth predetermined position determined by the falling of the projections from saidv other pair of shoulders whereupon the spring means again effects rapid movement of the movable plate toward the iixed plate to provide an audible indication, to a sixth predetermined position determined by moderaterestriction to further movement resulting from engagement of said projections with said one pair of -diametrically opposite shoulders, and iinally to said one position as determined by said stop dening shoulder engaging a second xed shoulder on the body.

14. A position indicating and determining tion falls into said erable by a rotatable stem extending outside the body, including in combination, a first plate .iixed relative to the body and a second plate rotai...=.ele with and loosely connected relative to the stem, one of said plates having an arcuate recess therein of substantial arcuate extent defining a pair of spaced apart shoulders, the other of said plates having a projection adapted to slide oil said shoulders when the stem is rotated in either direction, and spring means urging said movable plate toward the fixed plate, whereby an audible indication of the stem position is\giv en as the stem is rotated in either direction to move said movable plate into positions wherein the projecrecess.

15. A mechanism according to claim 14, wherein limited relative movement is provided between the plate movable by the stem and the stem, whereby two additional positions of the valve are indicated by restriction of movement of the stem when-said projection strikes said shoulders.

i GEORGE F. TURNER.

VINCENT C. PETERSON.

lmechanism for a valve comprising a body and opy

Images