US2389058A - Control valve device - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 13, 1945. c. s. KELLEY 2,389,058

, CONTROL VALVE DEVICE Original Filed 0ct.'30, 1942 NEUTRAL STOP 1 STOP 'SLOWK/ /-5Low oswmnm W2;

IN V EN TOR.

Cecz'Z S Kelley BY v ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 13, 1945 CONTROL VALVE DEVICE Cecil S. Kelley, Forest Hills, Pal, assignor to The Westinghouse Air Brake Company, Wilmerding, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Original-application October 30, 1942, Serial No.

163;915. Divided and this application February 28; 1945, Serial No. 580,258

Claims.

defining a maximum pressure position of the manual operating lever and for automatically moving saidlever out of said position upon relief of manual force on thelever, and also embodying means adapted to render the control valve device ineffective to limit pressure of delivered fluid when said pressure exceeds a chosen degree. Other objects and advantageswi-ll be apparent from the following more detailed description of theinven-tion;

In the accompanying drawing, the single figure is a sectional view of a control valve device embodying the invention;

Description As shown in. the drawing, the improved. control device comprises a bracket I upon the upper face of which is secured a base member. 3, by cap screws 4. A casing section 5 is. secured by cap screws (not shown) to the lower face of the base member 3 within the bracket I.

The base member 3' has two vertically extending parallel arranged end walls only one of which is shown in the drawing and designated by the numeral 8, and betweenthese end walls the base member is provided with araised portion 9. The raised portion 9 has a chamber I I1 adaptedto be connected to a .device (not shown)v to be controlled by variations in'pressure of fluid, and separated by a wall I2 from a chamber I3 provided above a flexible diaphragm Id. The two chambers I land I3 are in permanent communication with" each other through a stabilizing choke I5.

The diaphragm I4 is'clamped around its edge between the lower face of the base member 3 and the adjacent end of the casing section 5. An oppositely arranged and axially aligned flexible diaphragm I6 is clamped around its edge" between the opposite end of casing section 5 and a cover IT. A chamber IB- is formed between the diaphragm I6 and cover IT and is in constant communication with the atmosphere through an opening provided in an insect exclud-er I9'. The adjacent faces of the, two diaphragms I- I- and It are open to chambers and 2|, respectively,

which are in permanent communication with each other through a passage 22 provided in an annular rib 23 projecting inwardly from the casing section 5 above the diaphragm. I5. In use, chamber 20 is constantly supplied with fluid under pressure from any suitable source by way of a supply pipe I'l' connected to the bracket I and opening to a passage 18 in the base member 3 which passage in turn opens to a passage 19 in the casing section 5, the passage 19 leading to chamber 20. I

The rib 23 supports in chamber 2!] one end of a control spring 38 the opposite end of whichbears against an annular spring seat 39. The seat 39 is mounted on a stem 21 and urged by spring 38 against a shoulder 48' on said stem. Th spring 38 is fully expanded with the parts of the device in the position shown and is operative to oppose downward movement of the stem 21 and thereby of diaphragms I4 and It from this position, as will be hereinafter described.

The central portion of diaphragm I4 is clamped between two followers 24 and 25, the follower 25 engaging an annular collar 26 provided on "stem 21, which stem extends through the chamber'ZB and said followers and diaphragm into chamber I3. A nut 28 disposed in chamber I3 has screwthreaded engagement with the wall of a bore 29 provided in the end of stem 21 and is tightened against the follower 24. r

The rib 23 has a bore lined with a wear bushing 30 arranged in axial alignment with the two diaphragms I4 and" i6, and the stem 21 extends through this bushing and centrally through the diaphragm I6 into chamber I8. Above the rib 23- thestem 21 is reduced in section to provide a shoulder 32; and a wear sleeve 3| is mounted on this reduced portion of the stem with one end in engagement with said shoulder. The sleeve 3! extends through bushing 39" in sliding contact therewith and its opposite end contacts a follower 33 which is disposed in chamber 2! in contact with the upper side of the diaphragm I6. The stem 21 extends through follower 33 and a follower 34 mounted against the opposite face'of the diaphragm I6, and a nut 35 providedon the end of stem 21 in chamber I8 is tightened against the follower 34" clamping same centrally to one side of the diaphragm I6 and thereby securing the follower 33 against the opposite side of the diaphragm.

An adjusting screw 36 having a screw-threaded connection with cover I! extends through said cover into chamber I8 in alignment with nut 35 forengagement thereby. A look nut 31 is'provided on screw 36 for en agement with the ex terior of the .cover I! to lock said screw in an adjusted position.

The nut 28 above diaphragm I4 has an upwardly extending sleeve-like projection 40 the end of which is mounted to slide in one end of a sleeve 4|. This end of sleeve M is secured in a hole through wall I2 and the sleeve extends through chamber I I and the opposite wall thereof in the raised portion 9 of the base member I to a point above said raised portion.

The bore 29 in the diaphragm connecting stem 21 is in permanent communication through a smaller bore 42 and one or more radial ports 43 with chamber 20 and contains a fluid pressure supply valve 44 having a fluted tem 45 extending through an axial bore provided in nut 28 into the projection 40 thereof wherein it contacts a fluid pressure release valve 46. The nut 28 is.

provided with a seat for engagement by the valve 44 and a spring 49 extending through bore 29 and -42 acts on said valve for urging same into contact with said seat.

A plunger 50 is slidably mounted in sleeve 4I above the release valve 46 and is provided with an annular groove in which there is disposed a sealing ring 52 contacting the bottom of said groove and the wall of said sleeve for preventing leakage of fluid under pressure from a chamber 53 below the plunger to an annular chamber 54 above the plunger. The chamber 53 is in permanent communication with the interior of the sleeve projection 40 of nut 28 and through one or more radial ports 55 in sleeve 4| with chamber II. The chamber 54 is constantly open to the atmosphere through one or more radial ports 55 provided in sleeve 4| above the plunger 50.

The .plunger 50 has a portion 51 of reduced section depending therefrom into chamber 53 and provided with an axial bore opening through a valve seat on it lower end which is provided for engagement by the release valve 45. .The release valve 46 has a fluted stem 58 extending through this bore into a bore 59 of larger diameter in which there is slidably mounted a spring seat 60 having one or more openings 6| adjacent its peripheral edge connecting the spaces at opposite sides of said seat. The plunger 50 also h'as an upwardly projecting portion 62 of reduced section extending through chamber 54 and in sliding engagement with an inturned collar 63 provided at the upper end of sleeve 4 I. 59 extends to a point above collar 53 where it joins a screw-threaded bore 64. Just below the end of the screw-threaded bore 64, the portion 52 of plunger 50 has two oppositely arranged radial bores 55 in which are disposed pins 65 extending from opposite ends ofa cylindrical spring seat 51 which is of slightly smaller diameter than bores 55 so that said seat may be inserted into bore 59 through either of the bores 55. A coil spring 68 is disposed in bore 59 under pressure and acts at one end on the spring seat 61 and at the opposite end on the spring seat 60, this spring biasing the release valve 45 to its open position shown and moving the spring seat 61 upwardly until the pins 56 engage the uppermost portions of the bores 65 in which position the spring seat 61 is held against longitudinal movement and thus secured within the bore 59.

An operating screw I0 is threaded into bore 64 and on its outer end is provided with a head II. A look nut I2 on screw is arranged to engage the end of the extended portion 62 of plunger 50 for securing the screw I0 in an adjusted position.

A coil bias spring I3 under pressure encircles the portion of sleeve 4| extending above the raised portion 9 of the base member I and is supported at one end on said member while its opposite end bears against a ring-shaped seat 14 secured on the portion 62 of plunger 50 by suitable interlocking means 15. r

Directly above the operating screw 10 and extending at right angles to the axis thereof is an operating shaft I which is journaled at opposite ends in the two end walls including the end wall 8. A cam I is mounted on shaft I20 above the screw 10 and a, key I29 secure said am for rotation by said shaft. A manual operating lever I3I is provided for turning the shaft I20 and cam' I26 to a neutral position in which it is shown in the drawing and out of said position in either direction. For the purpose of illustration the lever I3I may be turned from neutral position in an ahead zone or direction to stop, slow, full and start positions, and in an astern zone or direction to reversely arranged like positions, which positions are indicated by legends in the drawing.

A fulcrum bar I48 extends between and is carried by the end walls including the end wall 8, and an end of said arms is rockably mounted on said rod.- The opposite or free end of said arm is disposed between the peripheral surface of cam I26 and the head II of the adjusting screw I0 in the upper end of plunger 50, said free end being provided on one side with a rounded surface 200 having sliding contact with the screw head 'II. In the opposite side of the free end of arm I52 is a recess formed between two jaws 20I and in which is disposed a roller 202 mounted to r011 on a pin 203 carried by said jaws. The roller 202 is thus aligned for contact with the peripheral surface of cam I26 and it is constantly maintained in contact therewith by the pressure of spring 13 applied through seat 14 to the extension I2 of plunger 50 and thus through the surface 200 on arm I52 to the roller 202.

In the peripheral surface of cam I26 is a recess 204 arranged to receive the roller 202 with the operating lever I 3I in its neutral position. The screw 10 in the extension 52 of plunger 50 is so adjusted that with the lever I3I in neutral position and with the diaphragms I4 and I5 in their normal positions and with the supply valve 44 seated as shown in the drawing, the release The bore 0 valve seat on the depending portion 51 of the plunger 50 will be spaced from the release valve 46 a chosen distance due to the action of spring 58 on the stem 58 of said valve which maintains same in constant contact with the stem 45 of the supp y valve 44.

At one side of the recess 204 the cam I26 is provided with a surface 205 for contacting the roller 202 while at the opposite side of the recess is an identical surface 206 for contacting said roller, these two surfaces being arranged reversely so that the surface 205 will displace the roller 204 and thereby the plunger 50 from normal position shown in the drawing in a downwardly direction upon movement of the operating lever |3I from neutral position into the "ahead zone, while the surface 206 is provided to accomplish the same result upon movement of lever I3I in the opposite direction from neutral position into the astern zone.

Referring particularly to surface 205. When the control lever I3I is turned into the ahead zone, this surface is arranged to move the depending portion 51 of the plunger 50 into engage- --1et it be assumed that the operating 16V61'fjl3l -is:in.neutrali positionand that the adjusting screw TD has been adjusted to allow, in said posi- 'ment'with the release valve 46 and to then actuate said valve toopen the supply valve 44 to a .certain extent by the time the operating handle attains the stop position. Further movement of the operating lever l3l from stop position to full position in the "ahead? zone will-then provide gradually an increased displacement of the plunger 50 in a downwardly direction. Continued movement of the operating lever from full to start position in the ahead zone will'then provide still further downward movement of, the plunger 50 and preferably of a greater degree for the extent of lever movement than obtained between the slow and "full positionsfor-corresponding movement of the operating lever. The end of surface 285 opposite recess 2B4 joins an. abrupt rise 29! formed substantially at the radius of roller 292 and which is provided for contact with said roller in the start position of the operating lever i3! for defining such position and preventin movement of said lever past same.

The portion of surface 205 engaged by roller 294 between the full. and start positions is of such slope that the pressure of spring 13 applied through the roller. 2B2to said surface tends to return the lever l3! from the start position to the full position. The purpose of this tendency is to automatically return lever I31 from start position to full position upon removal.

of manual force from said lever and this may be obtained by the sole action of spring 13 as just described.

From the above description it will now be seen that plunger 50 will occupy its most elevated position with respect to cam 126 when the operating lever i3! is in its neutral position and due to action of cam surface 2'55 upon movement of said lever out of said position into the ahead zone, said plunger will be displaced downwardly from its normal position to an extent dependent upon the position of the operating lever away from neutra position, the maximum displacement of said plunger being attained in the.start position.

Upon movement of lever I3 from' neutral position into the "astern zone the cam surface 205 and an abrupt rise 208. at the end of said surface opposite recess 204 is arranged to function identically to surface 2B5 and rise upon movement of the operating lever l3l in the ahead zone as above described.

An inverted substantially U-shaped cover 2!!) extends over and is carried by the end walls including wall 8 and is secured at opposite ends to the base member 3 by screws 2 l2.

Certain parts of the structure'shown in: the drawing have not been described since-a description thereof is not essential to a clear understanding of the invention, but, if desired, reference may be made to the parent application hereinbefore referred to for a complete description thereof.

Operation ance that acting on the other diaphragm; Also tiomiunseating of the release valve 46 with the control spring 38 fully expanded. As a result, chamber H' and chamber 13 will be open to at- 'mosphere past the release valve 46, spring seat chamber 54 surrounding the-extension 62 of plunger 52 and thence through port 56.

Now let it be assumed that the operator moves the operating lever [3! to "stop position in the ahead zone. This movement-actuates the cam i2ii-to move plunger 5!] into seating engagement with the release valve 46 and to then move said valve tounseat the supply valve 44 to a slight extent. Fluid under pressure supplied to chamber 2i1- between the two diaphragms then flows past the supply valve 44 to chamber H and thence to the device (not shown) to be controlled by such pressure. fluid; is thus supplied to chamber ll it also flows from said chamber through the stabilizing choke 15 to chamber l3 above the diaphragm [4 wherein the pressure increases substantially. with the increase in chamber H. When the pressure thus obtained in chamber 13 and acting on the upper face of diaphragm i4 becomes increased to a sufilcient degree to overcome spring 38, the diaphragms 14 and I5 are deflected downwardly relative to the supply valve 44 and finally moves nut 28 into" engagement with said valve for preventing further flow of fluid under pressure to chambers II and 13'. The supply valve 44 is thus closed in a position of the diaphragms' I4 and IS and in a pressurecondition of spring 38 determined by the extent of downward movement of said valve by the cam I26 and therefore by the position of lever HI, and it may be assumed that this occurs when the pressure in chambers H and I3 is increased to a degree such as ten pounds. with the operating lever in the stop position;

If? the lever is now moved from stop position'to slow position in the ahead zone the supply valve 44 is displaced downwardly'further and out of seating contact with nut 28 following which fluid will again flow from diaphragm chamber 20 to chamber H and thenceto chamher is; The consequent increase in pressure. in chamber i3 will then move the diaphragm l4 downwardly to again cut-off thesupply of fluid past the valve 44 when thepressure in chamber t l" isincreased to a degree corresponding to the new position of the supplyvalve 44 as determined by the control lever I31 in the" slow position.

the end of nut 28 will occur to allow further flow of fluid under pressure from chamber to chamher I! and thence to chamber l3 at the upper side of diaphragm i4 and as a result the diaphragm i l will be deflected downwardly further againstspring 38 and again cause seating ofthe nut 28 against the supply valve 44 when the pressure in chambers H and I3 is increased to the degree called for by the position of the operating lever. The pressure attained in chambers H and IS in slowr position of lever It' l may for instance be twenty pounds per square inch'while that attained-in full position may be of a degree such as sixty pounds. If'instead of being moved to the full position the lever 1 3i ismoved to a position intermediatetth'e slow At the same time as 'and full positions, in the ahead zone, the

-slow position of the operating lever.

' will again be unseated for increasing the pressure of fluid in chambers II and I3 which will cause further downward movement of the diaphragms.

However, upon a slight downward movement of the diaphragms in response to this increase in pressure in chamber I3 the nut 35 on the end of the diaphragm connecting stem 2| will preferably engage the adjusting screw 36 and limit such downwardmovement to a position in which the supply valve 44 will be maintained open in order that the pressure in chambers II and I3 may increase to the maximum degree effective in chamber 20 between the diaphragms, or to a pressure such as eighty-five pounds.

' Upon removal of manual force on lever I3I "in' the start position, said lever will automatL cally be returned to "full position by forces hereinbefore described and aided by the pressure of fluid in chamber I I acting in the plunger 50. Since the pressure in chamber I3 will initially hold'the diaphragms I4 and I6 against movement by spring 38 upon such movement of lever I3I, spring 41 will hold the supply valve 46 seated and the depending portion 51 of plung- -er 50 will therefore be moved by spring I3 and the pressure of fluid in chamber II acting on I said plunger away from the release valve 46 which at this time will be held against movement by spring 68. As a result, fluid under pressure will flow from chamber II and chamber I3 past the release valve 46 to the atmosphere. When the pressure of fluid in chamber I3 above diaphragm 'I 4 is thus reduced sufliciently, the spring 38 will move the diaphragms I4 and I6 in an upwardly direction and through the supply valve 44move' the release valve 46 into seating engage- -ment with the depending portion 5'! of plunger 50 at the time the pressure of fluid in chambers II and I3 becomes reduced to the degree (sixty pounds) called for with the operating lever I3I in the full position.

If the operating lever I 3| is now returned from full to slow position the consequent upward movement of plunger 50 by spring I3 will again unseat the release valve 46 as a result of which the pressure in chamber I I and in chamber I3 above the diaphragm I4 will again reduce past the release valve 46 and as this reduction takes place the diaphragm spring 38 will move the diaphragms I4 and I6 upwardly to cause seating of 'the release valve 46 at the time the pressure of fluid in said chamber becomes reduced to the degree (twenty pounds) corresponding to the If the operating lever is returned only part way from full position toward slow position the pressure in chambers II and I3 will be correspondingly reduced, as willbe apparent. If the lever is now returned from slow position to stop position, the plunger 50 will again be moved away -from the release valve 46 by spring 13 and the pressure of fluid in chamber II and chamber I3 -above the diaphragm I4 will then reduce and the spring 38 will act through spring 41 to seat the release valve 46 when this pressure is' reduced .to the degree (ten pounds) determined by the position of the operating lever. Return of the operating lever I3I to neutral position will permit plunger 50 to move to a position in which the release valve 46 will remain open a shown in the drawing and above described.

Since the surfaces 206 and 208 in the cam I26 are the same as the surfaces 205 and 201 except for being reversed, it will be evident that if the handle I3I is moved into the astern" zone, the valve structure, including plunger 50, diaphragms I4 and I6 and the supply and release valves 44 and 46 respectively, will operate in the same manner as above described to provide in chambers I I and I3 the same pressures of fluid in the cor responding but reversely arranged positions of lever I3I. Also, engagement between the cam surface 208 and roller 264 will define the astem start position of lever I 3I, and upon removal of manual force from said lever, the pressure of spring 13 and of fluid in chamber 53 on the end of plunger 50 urging the roller 200 against surface 208 will automatically return said lever to the adjacent full position.

Summary From the above description it will now be seen that the valve structure including the diaphragms I4, I6, the supply valve 44, release valve 46 and plunger 50 constitutes a self-lapping valve mechanism which is operable to provide fluid in chamber I I, for controlling a device (not shown) which may be connected to said chamber, at a pressure which increases in proportion to the extent of movement of the manually operable lever out of neutral position in either direction to the respective full position. Upon movement of lever I3I past either full position to the respective start position, the stop 36 becomes effective to maintain the supply valve 44 open so that the pressure of the supply fluid in chamber 20 may become efiective in chambers I I and I3. The parts 266 and 20'! in the cam I26 define and prevent movement of the lever I3I beyond either of the start positions, and engagement between the roller 202 and either of said parts under the pressure of spring I3 and of fluid in chamber 53 on plunger 50 is adapted to automatically move said lever out of either of said positions to the adjacent full position upon removal of manual pressure on said lever.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A control device comprising in combination, a self-lapping valve device including a'movable abutment subject on one side to pressure of fluid in a chamber and operable with said abutment in a normal position to open said chamber to atmosphere and upon movement of said abutment from said normal position in one direction to provide fluid in said chamber at a pressure proportional to such movement, a cam operative to control movement of said abutment. and a lever for operating said cam, said lever and cam having a normal position providing for normal positioning of said abutment and being movable from said'normal position to a second position to actuate said abutment to provide fluid at a certain pressure in said chamber and being further movable to a third position for providing fluid at a reater pressure in said chamber, means arrangedto resiliently secure said cam and lever in said second position against movement by pressure of fluid in said chamber on said abutment, said cam being so designed as to render pressure of fluid in said chamber acting on saidabutment in said third position effective to urge said cam and lever from said third position to said second position.

2. A control device comprising in combination, a self-lapping valve device including a plunger subject on one side to pressure of fluid in a chamber and operable with said plunger in a normal position to open said chamber to atmosphere and upon movement of said plunger from said normal position in one direction to provide fluid in said chamber at a pressure proportional to such movement from normal position, a roller engaging said plunger, a cam having a cam surface engaging said roller, a lever for turning said cam, said lever and cam having a normal position providing for movement of said plunger to normal position and being movable from said normal po sition to a second position for actuating said roller to move said plunger against pressure of fluid in said chamber to a second position for providing a chosen increase in pressure in said chamber, said lever and cam being movable to a third position for effecting a greater movement of said plunger against pressure of fluid in said chamber for providing a further increase in such pressure, the surface of said cam engaging said roller being so designed that in said third position said roller is engaged by said cam over substantially a quarter of its circumference to prevent movement of said cam and lever past said third position and for defining such position, means for resiliently securing said cam and lever in said second position against pressure of fluid in said chamber acting through said plunger and said roller, the surface of said cam between said second and third positions being so formed as to render pressure of fluid in said chamber acting on said plunger effective to urge said cam and lever from said third position to said second position.

3. A control device comprising in combination, a self-lapping valve device including a movable abutment subject on one side to pressure of fluid in a chamber and operable with said abutment in a normal position to open said chamber to at mosphere and upon movement of said abutment in one direction from said normal position to provide fluid in said chamber at a pressure proportional to such movement, a manually operable lever, a cam secured to turn with said lever and arranged to control the position of said abutment, said cam and lever having a neutral position providing for movement of said abutment to normal position and being operable upon movement from neutral position in one direction to efiect movement of said abutment against pressure of fluid in said chamber to a degree proportional to the extent of movement of said lever from said neutral position and being operable upon movement from neutral position in the opposite direction to effect like movement of said abutment against pressure of fluid in said chamber, a roller engaging said cam providing the operating connection therebetween and said plunger, the surface of said cam at each extreme position from neutral position of said lever cooperating with said roller to define and prevent movement of said cam and lever past such position.

4. A control valve device for regulating the pressure of fluid in a chamber comprising in combination, a plunger subject on one side to pressure of fluid in a chamber, a control spring, a movable abutment subject to the opposing pressure of said spring and of fluid in said chamher, and valve means operable by said plunger upon movement of said plunger in the direction against pressure of fluid in said chamber to supply fluid from a source to said chamber and upon movement in the opposite direction to release fluid under pressure from said chamber, said abutment being movable against said spring upon an increase in pressure in said chamber and by said spring upon a reduction in pressure in said chamber to effect operation of said valve means to either cut off the supply of fluid under pressure to said chamber or the release of fluid under pressure therefrom at a pressure in saidchamber corresponding to the position of said plunger, and means operative to render said abutment immovable by fluid pressure in said chamber upon increase in such pressure above a chosen degree to thereby render said plunger operative to maintain said valve means in the condition opening said, chamber to said source of fluid pressure.

5. The combination with a self-lapping fluid pressure control valve device of the type comprising a casing, two spaced coaxially aligned diaphragms in said casing means connecting said diaphragms for movement together, said casing having intermediate said diaphragms a wall, and a spring supported on said wall and acting against the adjacent face of one of said diaphragms the opposite face of which is subject to variations in fluid pressure in a pressure chamber, of a cover member secured to said casing over the opposite face of the other diaphragm and cooperating with said other diaphragm to form a chambe open to the atmosphere, and an adjusting screw having screwthreaded engagement with said cover and arranged for engagement by the diaphragm connecting means to limit downward movement of said diaphragm by pressure of fluid in said pressure chamber.

CECIL S. KELLEY.

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