US3491911A - Sensing valve - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 27, 1970 FIG. 'I

J. R. FRAYLICK ETAL SENSING VALVE Filed June 22, 1356 INVENTORS. JOHN S. MANN, JOHN R. FRAYLICK 8 WILLIAM J. HANKEY BY [M .Z. @W'

, AT ORNEY United States Patent 3,491,911 SENSING VALVE John R. Fraylick, Lakewood, William J. Hankey, Brecksville, and John S. Mann, Medina, Ohio, assignors to The Standard Oil Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed June 22, 1966, Ser. No. 559,501 Int. Cl. B65d 87/18 US. Cl. 220-26 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A safety valve wherein a body of preferentially soluble material maintains the valve in an open condition. The valve closes when the body is dissolved by the preferential fluid. A baflle is provided in the outlet portion of the valve for the purpose of creating a reservoir of fluid flowing through the valve for at least partially submerging the soluble body. The valve has particular utility in the drain conduit for a floating roof of a storage vessel whereby the valve will provide for drainage of water accumulated on the roof but will close when the stored fluid enters the line, e.g., as a result of a rupture in the conduit.

This invention relates to a fluid sensing valve utilizing a foam block soluble in the fluid being sensed, to prop open the valve stem.

The invention constitutes an improvement of the impact check valves disclosed in Patent Nos. 2,910,080 and 2,962,035. The improved valves find unique application in volatile and non-volatile liquid storage tanks utilizing floating roofs which cover and ride up and down on the surface of the liquid.

The floating roofs, of which there are many varieties, serve three primary purposes: (1) reduce costly evaporation losses; (2) greatly increase safety from fire; and, (3) prevent contamination of the volatile liquid by rain Water, sleet, or snow.

The water accumulating on a floating roof is discharged outside of the tank by means of a drainage system of which there are several types. For our purpose, we will be concerned only with the pipe and the flexible hose types of drainage systems.

In a pipe or a flexible hose drainage system, a pipe or a flexible hose is secured to the floating roof, generally at the center, extending downwardly into the interior of the storage tank, and out through the wall at the bottom portion thereof.

The modified valve is provided in the drain line portion extending outside of the tank. The valve remains open as long as only water is being drained. Should the drainage system rupture or develop a leak, the volatile liquid, for instance gasoline, will enter the drain line and will flow out of the tank through the valve. If an unmodified valve were used, the contents of the entire tank would be lost. In the modified valve, use is made of a gasoline soluble block which props open the valve stem. When gasoline enters the valve, it will dissolve the soluble block with the result that the spring-loaded valve stem will be urged into its closed position, thus preventing loss of the valuable volatile liquid.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a floating roof-top tank with a drainage system and the gasoline sensing valve in the drain conduit extending outwardly of the tank.

FIG. 2 is an elevation view of a valve in its open position, partially in section.

Referring to FIG. 1, 1 is a storage tank with a double deck floating roof 2. One end of the flexible hose 3 com- Inunicates with a drain opening in the floating roof, and the other, with the shell nozzle in the side wall of the tank. Shut-off valve 4, which may be a lb. or lb. gate or globe valve, is coupled to the flanged shell nozzle. The gasoline sensing valve 5 is connected to valve 4 by means such as a screwed flange, a bushing, and a close nipple.

FIG. 2 illustrates valve body 6 which is provided with an internally threaded inlet 7 leading to a valve chamber 8. A radially, inwardly directed flange 9 of the body defines a passage 10 which communicates with the central chamber 11 having a bore 12 at its upper end, coaxial with the inlet, and a lateral bore 13 disposed at one side. A normally closed drain hole 55 is provided in body 6 for draining the liquid.

The flange 9, on the side adjacent chamber 11, is provided with a shallow counterbore 14 to form supporting surfaces for an O-ring gasket 16 and a valve retaining ring 15, respectively.

A unitary valve assembly indicated generally by numeral 17 comprises a valve seat or thimble member 18 having a radial flange 19 adapted to rest upon the O-ring 16; a valve stem guide and spring seat 20 which nests in the top of the member 18; a valve stem 21 which slides through the guide, carries a spring seat 22 intermediate its ends, and carries a valve 23 at its lower end. The upper end of the stem has a bearing plate 24 disposed normally to the axis of the stem. A helical compression spring 25 is disposed around the stem and has its ends bearing on spring seats 20 and 22.

The retainer ring 15 is drawn down on the body by suitable screws which enter the body from chamber 11, and since the ring overlaps flange 19 of the thimble member 18, it serves to depress the latter so as to compress the O-ring 16 to seal the joint.

Bore 12 is counterbored at 26 to form a recess for the O-ring gasket 27. A cover or plug 28 has an axial pilot boss 29 which fits in the bore 12 to complete the valve casing. A radial flange 30 extends outwardly over the counterbore 26, and has an axially upwardly directed discharge boss 31 which defines an internally threaded outlet 32. A baflle plate 54 is provided in the internally threaded outlet 32, to trap liquid to about one-half of the diameter of the valve for the purpose of submerging the foam block 40. The cover 28 is held in place on the upper end of the body 6 by screws which, when drawn down, cause flange 30 to compress gasket 27 to seal the joint. The cover 28 is bored at 33 on the side adjacent chamber 11 and has a counterbore 34 in which is seated a spider 35 having a bearing boss 36. At one end, threaded bolt 37 has a perforated bearing plate 38, while the other end is disposed within bearing boss 36 and is held rigidly in position by a pair of nuts 39. A gasoline soluble block 40, such as Styrofoam (polystyrene), is disposed between the perforated bearing plate 38 and the bearing plate 24 and is maintained in the position shown in FIG. 2 by means of the coil spring 25.

The lateral bore 13 terminates in a planar surface 41 on the exterior of body 1 and a cap 42 fits on said surface and is held in place thereon by screws. The cap is provided with a groove 43, which encircles the opening 13 and receives an O-ring gasket 44 which is held compressed between the bottom of groove 43 and surface 41 by screws so as to seal the joint.

The cap 42 is provided with a boss 45 and a stepped internal boss 46 which is substantially aligned with boss 45.

The bosses 45, 46 are provided with a bore which receives rotatable shaft 47. The outer end of the shaft is threaded and receives a nut 48 which serves to clamp an indicator 49 on the shaft. The indicator is mounted on the shaft to show either open or closed positions of the valve. The threaded end of the shaft is preferably provided with flats which enter a hole of the same outline in the indicator so that the shaft and the indicator rotate in unison. The free end of the indicator is provided with an outwardly bent projection 50.

As shown in FIG. 2, the inner end of shaft 47 has pinned to it a follower or lever 51 which is bent so that its free end extends inwardly and abuts the bearing plate 24. One end of spring 52 is attached to the projection 50, while the other end is attached to an attachment screw 53. The function of spring 52 is to spring-bias indicator 51 and shaft 47 against the frictional engagement of lever 51 against the underside of the bearing plate 24.

The operation of the valve is as follows: FIG. 2 shows the valve in its open position, in which the foam block 40 interposed between bearing plates 24 and 38 maintains spring 25 in a compressed condition and the valve 23 in an open position spaced away from the valve seat thimble 18. Should the drainage hose or pipe rupture, gasoline will enter chamber 11 to dissolve the gasoline soluble block 40. Spring 25 Will then urge valve stem 21 into the dotted position of FIG. 2, in which position, valve 23 will seat on the seat thimble member 18 to shut off the flow. Horizontal movement of bearing plate 24 disengages it from follower 51. This permits shaft 47, indicator 49 and projection 50 to rotate under the influence of spring 52. In this manner indicator 49 will show the valve to be in its closed position.

To reset the valve, it is necessary to open the cover 42, drain the gasoline from the chamber through normally closed drain opening 55, interpose a gasoline soluble block between bearing plates 24, 38 and reset follower 51.

We claim:

1. A fluid sensing device comprising a body defining an open-ended chamber; a valve seat disposed in said chamber; a valve means, including a stem, mounted in said chamber for cooperation with said valve seat; means for urging said valve means toward said valve seat; a rigidly mounted member extending into said chamber and being disposed in opposed relationship to said valve means; a mass of material, soluble in the fluid being sensed, interposed between seaid member and said stem to maintain said valve means unseated; and a baflie means provided in said chamber downstream of said mass of material for the purpose of creating a reservoir of fluid flowing through said chamber for at least partially submerging said mass of material therein.

2. A fluid sensing device comprising an open-ended body; a valve seat disposed near one end of said body; a valve means, including a stem, mounted in said body for cooperation with said valve seat; means for urging said valve means toward said valve seat; a rigidly mounted member extending into said body from the other end of said body; a mass of material, soluble in the fluid being sensed, interposed between said member and said stem to maintain said valve means unseated; and a baifle means provided near said other end for the purpose of creating a reservoir of fluid flowing through said device for at least partially submerging said mass of material.

3. Device of claim 2 including a discharge boss di'sposed adjacent the other end of said body and being in direct communication therewith wherein said baflie means is located.

4. A fluid sensing device comprising a body defining an open-ended chamber; a valve seat disposed in said chamber; a valve means, including a stem, mounted in said chamber for cooperation with said valve seat; means or urging said valve means toward said valve seat; a

rigidly mounted member extending into said chamber and being disposed in opposed relationship to said valve means; a mass of material, soluble in the fluid being sensed, interposed between said member and said stem to maintain said valve means unseated; an opening in said body in communication with said chamber providing ingress into said chamber; a removable cover for said opening; a rotatably mounted shaft projecting into said chamber through said cover; an indicator mounted on said shaft exterior of said chamber; means for effecting rotation of said shaft and said indicator in unison; a follower mounted within said chamber on said shaft; and means on said follower cooperating with said stem for transmitting the position of said stem to said indicator.

5. Device of claim 4 including a baflle means provided in said chamber downstream of said mass of material for the purpose of creating a reservoir of fluid flowing through said device for at least partially submerging said mass of material therein.

6. Device of claim 5 including a discharge boss disposed adjacent said outlet and being in direct communication therewith wherein said baffle means is disposed.

7. A combination comprising a storage vessel containing a fluid to be sensed; a floating roof within said storage vessel supporting a body of contaminating fluid; a nozzle at the lower portion of said vessel communicating with the interior of said vessel; a drain conduit connected to said roof and said nozzle for draining said contaminating fluid from said roof; a sensing device positioned in downstream communication with that conduit portion disposed in the vessel which is subject to inflow of the sensed fluid comprising a body defining an open-ended chamber; a valve seat disposed in said chamber; a valve means, including a stem, mounted in said chamber for cooperation with said valve seat; means for urging said valve means toward said valve seat; a rigidly mounted member extending into said chamber and being disposed in opposed relationship to said valve means; and a mass of material, soluble only in the fluid being sensed, interposed between said member and said stem to maintain said valve means unseated.

8. Device of claim 7 including a baffle means provided in said chamber downstream of said mass of material for the purpose of creating a reservoir of fluid flowing through said chamber for at least partially submerging said mass of material therein.

9. Device of claim 8 including a discharge boss disposed adjacent downstream end of said device and being in direct communication with said chamber, said baffle means being disposed in said discharge boss.

10. Device of claim 9 including a shut-0E valve between said nozzle and said device.

References Cited 3 UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,801,172 4/1931 Patterson. 2,347,204 4/1944 Lindsay 13767 2,630,346 3/1953 Carlson 137-67 2,765,805 10/1956 Guyton 137553 XR 2,962,035 11/1960 Wright et al. 13775 XR 3,074,587 1/1963 Jennings.

WILLIAM F. ODEA, Primary Examiner RICHARD GERARD, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 13767; 5.53

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