US2847036A - Automatically self-conforming fluid pressure reducer - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 12, 1958 v 1 DA. Dow

AUTOMATICALLY SELF-CONFORMING FLUID PRESSURE REDUCER Filed April 1a. 1955 United States Patent This invention relates to fluid pressure reducers and "moreparticularly to automatically self-conforming fluid pressure reducers through which an elongated body' passes in the direction of its major axis between zones of different fluid pressures.

In the manufacture of filamentary articles having cov- *er-ingsof vulcanizable compounds disposed over a core, the compound is extruded over the core, the sheathed core passed through a fluid filled vulcanizing chamber,

"then advanced directly to a fluid filled cooling chamber and then allowed to emerge into the atmosphere. The apparatus and process for the manufacture; of articles ofthis type are described, for example, in U. S. Patent 2,642,622, issued June 23, 1953, to D. D. Jones. As described-in the above patent, it'is necessary to-provide fluid pressure reducers between zones in the mechanism in order to prevent the rupture of the covers disposed on the core.

Since it is necessary to allow the fluid between zones to circulate, a predetermined space has to be allowed between the outer surface of the article and the edge of the orifice of the reducer. This space has to be increased to allow lumps or agglomerations to pass through the reducers orifice. Since this space is fixed in accordance with the maximum size of the irregularities, a considerably larger amount of fluid between zones is lost than would be the case if the spaces were adjusted individually to the particular size of each irregularity.

Since the liability of rupturing the covering over the core of the article depends on the rate of the reduction of the fluid pressure between zones, and on the necessity of making the space, between the outer surface of the article being advanced and the edges of the reducers orifice, greater than is required for the circulation of the fluid, this liability is increased over that which would occur if the space could be made'variable with respect to the size of the irregularities.

It is an object of this invention to provide an improved fluid pressure reducer for employment between zones of different fluid pressures in apparatus used in the continuous vulcanization of insulating compounds on a core.

It is another object of this invention to provide a fluid pressure reducer having improved fluid saving characteristics when employed between zones of different fluid pressures in apparatus used in the continuous vulcanization of insulating compounds on a core.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a fluid pressure reducer which, when employed between zones of different fluid pressures in apparatus used in the continuous vulcanization of insulating compounds on a core, has improved characteristics with respect to the prevention of the rupturing of the covering disposed on the core.

These and other objects of this invention are obtained, in one embodiment of the invention, by providing an automatically self-conforming fluid pressure reducer, for

Limited, Montreal, Queice use in apparatus used in the continuous vulcanization of define a central orifice, the finger plates being urged, by

resilient members, into a closed position to form an orifice of apredetermined size.

Abetterunderstanding of the invention may be obtained-by referring to thefollowing description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in elevation of the fluid pressure reducer embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the fluid pressure reducer shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 'is anenlarged view, in plan, of a fingerplate forming part of'the fluidpressufe reducer of the invention',

'Figs. 4 and 5 are side and end views thereof respectively, in elevation, of a finger plate forming part of the fluid pressure reducer of the invention; and

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal viewin elevation taken through a section of an'apparatus, used in the continuous vulcanization of compounds on a core, in which fluid pressure reducers of the invention are incorporated.

Considering Figs. 1, 2, 3, '4 and 5 of the drawings, the fluid pressure reducer ger'ierally shown by the numeral 1 consists of a circular mountingplate2, having a central aperture 3, on which is mounted a plurality of finger plates 4 having their inner edge face 5 reduced in thickness, by overcutting and undercutting the face 5, at the selected portions 6 and 7 respectively, the face 5 being bevelled to a sharp edge so that when the plates 4 are assembled together, the selected portions 6 and 7 are joined in overlapping and abutting relation, which permits the formation of a circular orifice 8 of a predetermined minimum diameter through which an elongated body may pass. A sharp edged orifice is desirable since, as is well known, such surfaces have an optimum fluid leakage characteristic. The outer edge face 5 of the finger plate 4 has a predetermined configuration the purpose of which will be described hereinafter.

The finger plates 4 are pivoted on plate 2 by pivots 9 engaging plate 2 through openings 10 and are spring loaded by springs 11 one extremity of which is attached to the finger plates 4 by fastenings 12 and held in position by elements 13 which are secured to finger plates 4 by fasteners 14. The other extremity of springs 11 is in slidable engagement with adjustable studs 15.

Considering Fig. 6, the reducers 1 are contained within a tubular element 16 being separated therein so that expansion chambers 17 are formed therebetween.

In operation, while an elongated body 18 passes from one zone to the succeeding zone through a series of fluid pressure reducers 1 in a manner as heretofore described, the reducers 1 expand and'contract with a snap action to permit any irregularities, such as lumps or agglomerations, to pass therethrough thus minimizing the leakage of fluid between zones but causing a gradual reduction in pressure. There may be a plurality of series of reducers, if desired.

Since an irregularity comes into contact with the inner surfaces 5 of the finger plates 4 with a considerable force, the core of the body 18 would be liable to be broken if the springs 11 were to exert too great a force, against the expansion of the finger plates 4, in relation to the size of the irregularity passing through the reducers 1. Therefore, in order to avoid this possibility, the stud 15 of reducer 1 is adjustable so that the force to be exerted by the springs 11, which simultaneously slide on stud 1S and rock on the outer shaped edge face 5' of plate 4, may be selected to suit requirements.

What is claimed is:

1. An automatically expandable fluid pressure reducer conforming to an elongated body which passes therethrough in the direction of its major axis between zones of dilferent pressures comprising in combination a mounting plate having a centrally located aperture, a plurality of rigid finger plates individually pivoted near the periphery of said mounting plate, spaced apart around said aperture, each finger plate having an inner edge face thereat in abutting relation with a selected portion of a similar face on an adjacent finger plate arranged to define a central orifice of a predetermined diameter concentric with said aperture, individual resilient means in association with each of the finger plates for urging the finger plates into closed relation with the elongated body a it advances through the orifice.

2. An automatically expandable fluid pressure reducer in accordance with claim 1 in which a selected portion of an inner side face of each of the finger plates opposite their pivoted ends is in overlapping relation with a similar portion of an inner side face of an adjacent finger plate.

3. An automatically expandable fluid pressure reducer in accordance with claim 1 having in combination therewith means for adjusting the force of said individual resilient means.

4. An automatically expandable fluid pressure reducer conforming to an elongated body which passes therethrough in the direction of its major axis between zones of different pressures comprising in combination: an annular mounting plate having a centrally located circular aperture, a plurality of elongated fiat rigid finger plates, each having a curved outer edge face, individually pivoted at a point near the periphery of the mounting plate and spaced around the aperture and arranged so that a selected portion of the inner edge face and inner side face thereat of one plate is in abutting and overlapping relation respectively with a similar portion of an adjacent plate so as to define a central orifice concentric with the aperture, individual resilient means clamped at one of its extremities to the pivoting point of the finger plate, stationary means disposed on the mounting plate at the other extremity of the resilient means, the resilient means being arranged to simultaneously rock on the outer edge face of the finger plate and in slidable engagement with the stationary means.

5. An automatically expandable fluid pressure reducer in accordance with claim 4 having in combination therewith: adjusting means in association with the said stationary means arranged to adjust the force of the said resilient means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 250,287 Roberts Nov. 29, 1881 1,689,206 Lamplough Oct. 30, 1928 2,303,640 Hogg Dec. 1, 1942 2,458,162 Hagerbaumer Jan. 4, 1949 2,553,938 Pierce May 22, 1951 2,579,098 Scofield Dec. 18, 1951 2,608,718 Berggren Sept. 2, 1952 2,642,622 Jones June 23, 1953 2,649,272 Barbato Aug. 18, 1953

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