US2119433A - Automatic fluid strainer - Google Patents

Description

May 31, 1938. T. E. HAUGHT I 2,119,433

AUTOMATI C FLUID STRAINER Filed Nov. 25, 19 36 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS Z Filed Nov. 25, 1956 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS WV, m a m 3 0d a 4 m \1 3 JIHHIII 0 T r NM, Z I J u 4 Fl.

May 31, 1938.

T. E. HAUGHT AUTOMATIC FLUID STRAINER Filed Nov. 25, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet :5

' lllllllllllllllll T. \wsm INVENTOR ATTOR N EIS Patented May 31, 1938 UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

The invention relates to a'fluid strainer and more especially to an automatic fluid strainer involving refinements over the subject matter of an application for United States Letters Patent filed on or'about the sixth day of August,

1935, and serially numbered 35,011.

' The primary object of the present invention is the provision of a device of this character, wherein fluid underpressure when flowing will be cleaned by relieving the same from leaves or other foreign'matter; such fluid will be automatically strained and the leaves or other foreign matter collected therefrom will be discharged when relieved from the flow of fluid.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a strainer of this character, wherein the same is entirely automatic in the working thereof and avoids any undue waste of the fluid during the cleaning operation of the same, the automatic action taking place in a novel manner and through mechanism novel and unique in assembly.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a strainer of this character, wherein the 2 permanent chocking of the flow of fluid will be eliminated and debris or foreign matter relieved therefrom so that such fluid will be cleaned during flow activity thereof.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a strainer of this character, wherein refinements are arrived at over the subject matter of an application for United States Letters Patent filed on or about the sixth day of August, 1935, bearing Serial Number 35,011, and also which is comparatively simple in construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient in operation, automatically acting, strong, durable, and inexpensive to manufacture and install.

With these and other objects in view, the in- :vention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which disclose the preferred embodiment of the invention and 1 pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of a strainer constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof ;taken on'the line 2--2 of Figure 1 and showing diagrammatically the motor and the switch control for the latter in association with said strainer. Figure 3 is a top planview. Figure 4 is a sectional View on the line 4-4 of .Figure 2'.

Figure 5 is a-sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 5-6 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 7 is a bottom plan view of one of the driven elements of the strainer.

Figure 8 is a side elevation of the valve lifting cam.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the valve closing cam.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the strainer comprises a cylindrical body or casing l0 having at opposite openends, which may be termed the top and bottom, annular flanges I I against which are seated end heads l2 and I3 respectively. The end head [3 is formed with a stufiing box or packing gland I4 through which is passed the stem l5 of a reticulated or perforated strainer cylinder I'B held centered within the casing or shell Ill by a lateral annular flange l! which is formed atthe top of this cylinder l6 and is engaged uponan annular shoulder or seat l8 formed interiorly of the casing or shell l0 andin this instance is intermediate thereof. Integralwith the cylinder I6 is a spider formation interiorly thereof providing radial walls or parti- 'tion's l9 dividingthe said cylinder into a plurality of segmental shaped chambers 20, these being concentric to the axis of movement of said cylinder. This cylinder at opposite ends is opened and by reason ofthe location of said cylinder within the casing or shell I!) the lower ends of the chambers 20 will at all times be closed by the end head l2 next thereto, the opposite upper end of the said cylinder being open establishes communication of the chambers 20 with the easing or shell l0 above the flange I! of said cylinder. Thus the upper open ends of the chambers 20 lead directly to a flow space 2| constituted above the said cylinder l6 within the casing or shell Ill and with which communicates a fluid inlet 22. The inlet 22 is uppermost to an outlet 23 leading from the casing or shell I0 and is above the seat or shoulder l8 for the flange I! of the cylinder l6.

The cylinder [5 is of considerably less diameter than the casing or shell Ill so that when the flange I1 is engaged with theseatlB there will be afluid space 24 concentrically of the cylinder. The outlet 23 leads from this space 24. The spacev 24 has communication with the'space 2| through rthe perforations provided in the cylinder |6 of those chambers 20 uncovered at their upper ends in a manner presently described.

As has been previously stated, the lower open end of the cylinder. I6 is confronted'by the end head l2 serving to close it, while within the flow space 2| and built into the' casing or ,shell |9 is an upper baflie 26 which serves 'to close one of the chambers 20 in the cylinder l6 at the upper open end of the latter whereas the other chambers 20 of this cylinder remain open to the space 2| when such cylinder isfat rest or rotating. The I baflie 26 is fixed or'stationarily held in the'casing orshell I0. r 15 Arranged abovethe end-head |3 is a support 21 carryinga bearing bracket 28 in which, is -journaled a worm screw 29 driven from an electric 7 motor 39 included in a power circuit 3|. The Worm screw 28 meshes with a'worm gear 32 fixed to a stud shaft 33 provided with a beveled pinion '34 meshing'witha beveled gear 35 fixed to the stem I5 of the cylinder l6.

is active power therefrom is transmitted to the the worm screw 29 and worn i'gear meshing is journaled a shaft 36 having fixed thereto valve wheel 39 diametrically opposite to each other,

and next 'tothe striker pins 40 onsaidwheel, 1

' close under the action ofv these cams.

- coupling 48 is to avoid damage to the valvewithcylinder l6 for the rotation of the same within" the casing or shell Hi. When the cylinder [6 is operated by the motor 30-the said cylinder will rotate slowly by reason of the gear ratio between therewith.

'Thesupport 21 includes abearing 35 in which opening and closing cams 3'! and 38, respectively. On the stem l5 ofthe cylinder I6 is fixed acombined actuator and holding wheel 39 which at theunder side thereof carries dependingdiametrically opposite striker pins 40 for'engaging stepping projections 4|uniformly spaced to each:

other and extending from one faceiof a feed wheel 42 fixed to the, shaft 36." This Wheel; at the periphery thereof has holding pins 43' which are uniformly spacedfrom eachother and each is adapted to be accommodated in single order in keeper notches 44 cut into the periphery; of; the

.Opening'through the lower end head 12 of *the casing or shell ll] 'is a discharge 'pipel45 which leads from a single chamber 20 within the cylinder, 6 for communication with these chambers 29 in single'order; The pipe 45 is equipped with a valve working within the valve casing 46 and the stem 41 of this:valve through 'a slip coupling 48 is connected with a throw rod 49 formed with an upper forked end 50 straddlingthe shaft 36 1 and having the tines of the fork thereof slidably' engaged in guides 5| formed in the extension 52 from the supportZ'l. The'tines of the forked end 59 are provided with abutments 53 and 54, respectivelyI The abutment 53 is commonto the opening cam 31 while the abutment 54 is common to theclosing cam 38 so that the Valve will open and The rod 49-carries a collar 55 for a coiled compression spring! 56 about said rod 49 and playing against the coupling 48 "to hold the latter yieldably fixed' with respect to said rod 49. The purposeof this in its casing 46*when being closed through excessive closing'stroke of the rod 49 under the action of the cam 38. 7

j At that side of the cylinder |6 where one of the? V chambers 26 establishes communication with'the 1 pipe 45 is located anarcuate shaped baflie 51 which is stationarily supported-by holding webs" 58 joined therewith and. with the casing 0 Shell When the motor 30 l9. This baflie 51 extends from the lower end head l2 to the flange I! on the cylinder 16 and is outside of the latter so as to close the perfora-- V tions 25 next'thereto in said cylinder l6. This bafiie 57'is formed with a slot 59 carried into a spread clearance 60 in the inner face of. the said 7 baiile 51 and inthis manner communication will be had between the fluid space 24 a'n'd'the cylinder I6. 7

The electric, circuit 3| for the motor ,30 includes a fluid pressure switch 6| and fluid pressure controlling the same is delivered thereto through a lead 62 opening into the casing or shell ID at the .side having the outlet 23; This switch under normal pressure within the casing or shell ||l remains open so that the" motor 30 will be passive. When pressure of fluid is reduced within the shell or casing 19 the said switch 6| closes for the starting of the motor'30. V g

The switch 6| has coacting therewith an auto- 'matic latching device 63 controlled by a cam 64 on the rod 49. V The purpose of the device 63 is to'maintain the switch6| closedandthus assur- I ance will be'had that 'the:mot or 30-will operate for the required period of timef0r the com of the operation of the strainer.

pletiorr I In the operation of the strainer, assumin that V debris or foreignmatter and fluid under normal.

pressure is flowing from the inlet 22 through the.

casing or shell ID to the outlet 23, the switch;6|'

is open and the motor 30 passive. At this'time the valve in the casing 46 is closed shutting ofi' '1 discharge through pipe 45 from the casing or shell. Ill. 7 Now fluid flow exists from the inletside of the casing or shell I0 to the outlet sidether'eof. This flow passes 'through'the chambers 29 exceptingthe one covered by the baffles 26; and

51 thence through the perforations 25, the spacev 24 and discharged at the outlet side of the said casing or shell. 1

Now when leaves 'or other foreign matter col "the chambers 20 in the cylinder I6 are freeof 1 lect within the uncovered chambers 20 in the 7 cylinder |6 ,to clog the perforations 25 in this cylinder; there will be a' drop in'the' pressure of fluid in the pipe 62thus the'iswitch 6| will close the circuit 3| and start the motor 30. Y The start ing of themotor 3|] drivesthe cylinder l6 causing a it to turn' thus bringing the normally covered f chamber 20 which is entirely free of leaves or foreign matter into a position to restore normal;

pressure within the pipe-62. As the cylinder l6.

turns the wheel 39 rotates and on every half revolution. thereof drives the wheel 42 turning the shaft '36 so. thatthe cams 31 and 38 will operate, these successively working for the opening and closing of the valve in the casing 46;

On the opening of the valve inthe casing 46, the leaves or other foreign matter can be dis charged, through the pipe 45 from each chamber 29 when covered. When the switch 6| is closed the motor'will continue to be active or running. During the rotary cycle of the cylinder IB'the respective chambers 20. therein will 'be cleaned and. this is brought about by fluid under pressure being admitted through the'slot 59 and clearance 66 in the bafile 51 when the perforations 25 confront the said slot 59 and the clearance 60 while the cylinder 6 is moving; The flow of fluid through these perforations 25 from without to within the chamberfcovered will cause a dislodging of foreign matter and leaves from'the said perforations 25 "and this dislodgedmatter will pass from the said coveredchamber into the pipe 45' and flow away therein. In this instance there are shown six chambers 20 which receive pressure from the inlet side of the strainer and of. this series fluid under pressure is admitted to five of these chambers directly to have such fluid pass from within outwardly through the perforations common to the said five chambers, that is to say, those uncovered.

When normal pressure of fluid exists in the casing or shell II] the switch 6| remains open and the discharge pipe 45 is closed by the valve within the casing 46. When leaves or other foreign matter accumulate within those chambers 20 in the cylinder IE not covered, then pressure of the fluid drops within the casing or shell I0 and likewise a drop of pressure occurs within the pipe 62 whereupon the switch 6| instantly closes and the motor starts so that this cylinder I6 will turn and the successive chambers 20 within said cylinder becoming cleaned and the debris or foreign matter therein discharged through the open pipe 45. Subsequent to the return of fluid pressure to normal the motor 30 is stopped and the valve in the casing 46 closes shutting off further discharge through pipe 45.

It is, of course, to be understood that through the wheel 42 in its coaction with wheel 39 a timing is set up so that at a determined period subsequent to the restoring of pressure in the casing or shell ID the switch 6| will become opened and in this manner the motor 30 stopped thereby giving to the cylinder IS the required number of revolutions to enable a thorough cleaning of the chambers 20 in this cylinder and the discharge of the collected matter therein through pipe 45. Further, it is to be understood that through this timing the valve is likewise operated for the closing thereof in the pipe 45 and thus avoiding any waste of the fluid after the cleaning of the chambers 20 in the cylinder IS.

The cleaning cycle requires two and one-half turns of the cylinder l6 constituting the strainer while the valve in the casing 45 is open somewhat less than this turning cycle of said strainer, the valve being wide open through about one and three-fourths turns of the said cylinder although the extent of opening of thev valve can be increased yet it does not appear necessary or desirable.

The cylinder I6 is driven directly from the motor 30 while the wheel 42 in cooperation with the wheel 39 effects a proper timing for the operation of the valve in the casing 46 and also for the control of the device 63 while the cams 31 and 38 in cooperation raise and lower the said valve for the opening and closing thereof.

The particular combination of the electrical and mechanical features of the strainer constitute a full automatic control of the cleaning stream and cleaning action to the complete cessation of both, except when cleaning is needed. In the working of the strainer the debris is conveyed into chambers within the cylinder l6 Without liability of scraping and wedging of the dirt in the conduit from which the same is being cleared.

What is claimed is:

1. In a strainer of the kind described, a fluid flow means, a rotatable strainer intersecting the flow means and having a portion shut ofi therefrom, a drain communicating with the shut off portion, a valve normally closing the drain, means operatively associated with the valve and strainer for opening and closing said valve and active for holding the latter open during the rotation of the strainer, an electric motor driving the strainer for opening the shut off portion thereof to the fluid flow means, a pressure operated switch controlling the motor and regulated by pressure in the flow means, and a latch coacting with the switch to hold the latter closed for the operation of the motor until full pressure has been established in the fluid flow means and thereafter until the cycle of operation is complete.

2. In a strainer of the kind described, a fluid flow means, a rotatable strainer intersecting the flow means and having a portion shut off therefrom, a drain communicating with the shut off portion, a valve normally closing the drain, means having connections with the strainer and operatively associated with the valve and said strainer for opening and closing said valve and active for holding the latter open during the rotation of the strainer, an electric motor driving the strainer for opening the shut oiI portion thereof to the fluid flow means, a pressure operated switch controlling the motor and regulated by pressure in the flow means, a latch coacting with the switch to hold the latter closed for the operation of the motor until full pressure has been established in the fluid flow means, and valve opening and closing cams included in said second-named means.

3. In a strainer of the kind described, a fluid flow means, a rotatable strainer intersecting the flow means and having a portion shut off therefrom, a drain communicating with the shut off portion, a valve normally closing the drain, means having connections with the strainer and operatively associated with the valve and said strainer for opening and closing said valve and active for holding the latter open during the rotation of the strainer, an electric motor driving the strainer for opening the shut off portion thereof to the fluid flow means, a pressure operated switch controlling the motor and regulated by pressure in the flow means, a latch coacting with the switch to hold the latter closed for the operation of the motor until full pressure has been established in the fluid flow means, valve opening and closing cams included in said second-named means, and means operating with said second-named means for relieving excessive closing movement to the valve.

THOMAS E. I-IAUGHT.

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