U.S. patent number 3,633,635 [Application Number 05/041,858] was granted by the patent office on 1972-01-11 for filling element for counterpressure filling machines.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Seitz-Werke GmbH. Invention is credited to Klaus Kaiser.
United States Patent |
3,633,635 |
Kaiser |
January 11, 1972 |
FILLING ELEMENT FOR COUNTERPRESSURE FILLING MACHINES
Abstract
The specification discloses a filling element for the filling of
vessels with liquid, while employing a gas under pressure during
the filling operation. The filling element has a body and has gas
and liquid passages extending therethrough from a chamber
containing the liquid and gas to a filling head. The filling head
is arranged for sealingly engaging the opening in the vessel to be
filled. Two concentric conduits on the body extend into the filling
opening of the vessel and form therebetween an annular space which
is part of the liquid passage while forming an annular space with
the filling head which is a part of the gas passage. Valves control
the gas and liquid passages and a filler element extending axially
through the filler element and on the axis of the inner one of said
conduits is arranged to detect the liquid level in the vessel and
to control the valves in conformity therewith. An exhaust passage
extends from the space on the inner side of the conduit to the gas
passage and then to the outside of the filling element and is under
the control of an exhaust valve.
Inventors: |
Kaiser; Klaus (Bad Kreuznach,
DT) |
Assignee: |
Seitz-Werke GmbH (Bad
Kreuznach, DT)
|
Family
ID: |
5735740 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/041,858 |
Filed: |
June 1, 1970 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
May 31, 1969 [DT] |
|
|
P 19 27 821.8 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
141/40; 141/59;
137/392; 141/302 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B67C
3/06 (20130101); Y10T 137/7306 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
B67C
3/02 (20060101); B67C 3/06 (20060101); B65b
031/00 (); B67c 003/06 () |
Field of
Search: |
;141/4-7,37,39-64,94,95,96,192-229,291-310 ;340/236 ;137/392 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Bell, Jr.; Houston S.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a filling element for a counterpressure filling machine: a
body, chamber means associated with said body and containing gas
under pressure and liquid, a filling head on the lower end of said
body adapted for sealing engagement with the filling opening of a
vessel to be filled, separate gas and liquid channels in said body
leading from said chamber means through said head for the supply of
gas and liquid respectively to said vessel, liquid and gas valves
in the body controlling said passages, and control means sensitive
to the liquid level in said vessel for controlling the operation of
said liquid and gas valves, said control means comprising a rodlike
element extending axially through said body and having a lower end
adapted to be introduced into said vessel when the vessel sealingly
engages said filling head, a first conduit portion surrounding said
rodlike element and forming therewith a first annular space which
is closed at the top and open at the bottom, a second conduit
portion surrounding said first conduit portion in spaced relation
thereto and forming a second annular space therewith, said first
and second conduit portions having ends adapted to be inserted into
said opening in said vessel, an exhaust passage leading from said
first annular space above the level of the said opening in said
vessel to a region of low pressure, an exhaust valve controlling
said exhaust passage, said liquid passage including said second
annular space, said second conduit portion defining a third annular
space with said filling head and said gas passage including said
third annular space.
2. A filling element according to claim 1, in which both of said
first and second conduit portions terminate in substantially the
same plane at the lower ends thereof.
3. A filling element according to claim 1, which includes a
distributor member to which the upper ends of said first and second
conduit portions are connected, said distributor member having
separate liquid and gas channel means therein leading to said
second and third annular spaces respectively, said filling head
comprising an axially movable vessel centering member at the lower
end and an axially movable intermediate member disposed between
said centering member and the said body of said filling element,
and sealing means sealing between said body and intermediate member
and between said intermediate member and said centering member when
a vessel is pressed upwardly against said centering member.
4. A filling element according to claim 1, in which said exhaust
passage extends from the upper end of said first annular space
substantially horizontally through said distributor member to the
outside of said body and also communicates with said gas passage on
the downstream side of the valve controlling the said passage.
5. A filling element according to claim 4, in which said exhaust
passage comprises a first portion leading from said first annular
space to said third annular space and a second portion coaxial with
said first portion and leading from said third annular space to
said exhaust valve.
6. A filling element according to claim 5, in which said exhaust
valve is normally closed, electromagnetic means operable for
opening said exhaust valve briefly during the supply of liquid of
vessel being filled, and a restricted passage leading up from the
upstream side of said exhaust valve to exhaust.
7. A filling element according to claim 3, which includes a pipe
connected to and extending upwardly from said distributor member
and at the lower end communicating with said gas channel means in
the distributor member, said pipe extending upwardly to a level
substantially above the liquid level in said chamber means, said
liquid valve comprising a first valve seat in said body immediately
above said distributor member and a tubular first valve member in
the body engageable with said first seat from above, said liquid
passage leading from said chamber means to the region directly
above said first seat, said gas valve comprising a second seat on
the upper end of said first valve member and a second valve member
engageable with said second seat from above, said gas passage
leading from said chamber means to the region directly above said
second seat.
8. A filling element according to claim 7, in which there is radial
clearance between said pipe and the inside of said first valve
member for the flow of gas axially in said pipe.
9. A filling element according to claim 8, in which said radial
clearance is reduced in the region of the upper end of said first
valve member to form a restriction.
10. A filling element according to claim 7, in which said first and
second conduit portions and said pipe and said distributor member
are formed as a unit.
11. A filling element according to claim 7, which includes means
biasing said first valve member in the upward direction toward open
position, abutment means limiting the stroke of said first valve
member in opening direction, and actuating means for moving said
second valve member between upper and lower positions for opening
and closing said gas valve, said second valve member when moved
downwardly to its lower closed position by said actuating means
also moving said first valve member downwardly to closed
position.
12. A filling element according to claim 11 in which said second
valve member in the upper position thereof will engage said second
seat when said first valve member is moved upwardly to its open
position.
13. A filling element according to claim 11, in which said abutment
means comprises an abutment in said body engaged by said first
valve member in open position thereof.
14. A filling element according to claim 11, which includes a
piston connected to said second valve member, a cylinder in which
said piston is reciprocable, and means for supplying fluid under
pressure to the opposite ends of said cylinder for moving said
second valve member in opening and closing directions.
15. A filling element according to claim 14, which includes
electromagnetically operable valve means controlling the supply of
fluid to said cylinder.
16. A filling member according to claim 7, which includes a
ringlike member having said first valve seat formed therein, said
ringlike member telescopically engaging the lower end of said body,
said head comprising a tubular member in which said distributor
member is mounted, said tubular member being secured to the lower
end of said body and clamping said ringlike member in place in said
body.
17. A filling element according to claim 1, in which said rodlike
element includes electrically operable sensing means on the lower
end sensitive to the liquid level in the vessel being filled, and
control means operated by said sensing means for controlling said
liquid and gas valves.
18. A filling element according to claim 17, in which said
electrically operable sensing means includes a switch and a float
operable for actuating said switch.
19. A filling element according to claim 1, in which said rodlike
element extends axially completely through said body, and adjusting
means connected to the upper end of said rodlike element for axial
adjustment thereof in said body.
20. A filling element according to claim 1, in which said rodlike
element is tubular, and a pressure operable switch on the upper end
of said rodlike element closing the upper end thereof and confining
a column of gas in said rodlike element which will cause actuation
of said switch when liquid closes the lower end of said rodlike
element and rises therein.
21. A filling element according to claim 20, which includes means
for adjusting said rodlike element axially in said body.
22. A filling element according to claim 20, in which said pressure
operable switch comprises a housing and a diaphragm dividing the
housing into a first chamber communicating with the inside of said
rodlike element and a second chamber communicating with said gas
channel downstream of the gas valve, said switch being actuated
upon a condition of pressure in said first chamber exceeding the
pressure in said second chamber.
23. A filling element according to claim 19, in which said
adjusting means comprises a nut threaded on said second valve
member and connected to said rodlike element.
24. A filling element according to claim 23, which includes a
pinion connected to said nut, and drive means engaging said pinion
and adapted to engage other like pinions of other filling elements
whereby the said rodlike elements in a plurality of filling
elements can be adjusted simultaneously and equally.
25. A filling element according to claim 24, in which said pinion
is in the form of an inverted cup and encloses said nut, and means
slidably keying the inside of said cup to the outside of said
nut.
26. A filling element according to claim 24, which includes an
actuating motor connected to said drive means.
27. A filling element according to claim 3, which includes a
proximity switch operated by movement of said intermediate member
upwardly into sealing engagement with said body and operable for
controlling the actuation of said gas valve.
28. A filling element according to claim 3, which includes a
proximity switch operated to movement of said first valve member
upwardly to open position and operable to cause movement of said
rodlike element into proper position to sense the liquid level in
the vessel being filled.
29. A filling element according to claim 28, in which said
proximity switch is also operable to cause opening of said exhaust
valve.
30. A filling element according to claim 1, which includes an
electrical control system, circuit cord means forming a part of
said system, said gas and exhaust valves being electrically
operated and under the control of said control system, and
proximity switches forming a part of said system and sensitive to
the pressing of a vessel against said filling head and to the
opening of said liquid valve.
Description
The present invention relates to filling elements for
counterpressure filling machines of the one-chamber or multichamber
system with a filling pipe which extends into the pressed-on vessel
to be filled and to be shipped and with a control device which
initiates the closing impulse for the liquid valve, the closing
device being adapted to be controlled by the liquid level which
rises in the interior of the vessel to a predetermined height.
Instead of the heretofore known mechanical devices for
automatically closing the liquid valves customary in filling
elements after the respective liquid has completely been filled-in
into the pressed-on vessel to be shipped, such as bottles, cans, or
the like, also magnetically or pneumatically operable control
devices have been employed. For purposes of closing the liquid
valves, the latter receive the control impulse from a control
device which is introduced into the pressed-on vessel and is
controlled by the liquid level rising in the interior of the vessel
to the predetermined height. It is also known to introduce into a
vessel, which is open during the filling operation, a pipe
connection which is associated with the control device, the control
device being located outside the path of the liquid.
It is an object of the present invention to improve the
above-mentioned filling elements, particularly with regard to a
safe and trouble-free operation and a precise and uniform filling
of the vessel to be shipped.
In an effort to realize the above-mentioned object, the present
invention takes into consideration that it will be necessary to see
to it that the liquid conveyed through the filling pipe to the
vessel to be filled will, during the filling operation proper, be
kept away from the control device or from the pipe connection of
the control device which pipe connection leads into the vessel, in
order to prevent a premature initiation of the closing impulse for
the liquid control valve. On the other hand it will be necessary
that the liquid which rises in the vessel will at least within the
range of the control device or the pipe connection be quieted down
so that the control device and pipe connection will be influenced
only by the rising liquid level while the surface of the liquid is
as calm as possible.
These requirements have been met according to the present invention
by the fact that the control device or the pipe connection
associated therewith is coaxially arranged in the filling pipe and,
while an annular gap is maintained, is surrounded by a riser which
in its turn with a further annular gap extends between the adjacent
pipe walls in the interior of the filling pipe and above the
pressed-on area of the vessel has at least one conduit adapted to
be connected to the return path of the gas. Starting with this
advantageous solution, the present invention furthermore comprises
advantageous designs of the riser and also comprises a combination
of the riser with important parts of a filling element and
additionally concerns the design of the filling element.
The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying
drawings in connection with a filling element for one-chamber
counterpressure filling machines having a long filling pipe and a
control device which is adapted electrically to be controlled by
the filling material in the manner of a probe adapted to be
introduced into the vessel, and in connection with a filling
element of the same type but with a pneumatically operable control
device and a connecting line adapted to be introduced into the
vessel. More specifically:
FIG. 1 illustrates a section through a filling element according to
the invention with an electric control device.
FIG. 2 is a section taken along the line II--II of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 represents a section taken along the line III--III of FIG.
1.
FIG. 4 represents an adjusting device for the control device
associated with a plurality of elements.
FIG. 5 illustrates a detail of the filling element according to the
invention.
FIG. 6 shows a further detail of the filling element according to
the invention.
FIG. 7 shows a section through a filling element according to the
invention with a pneumatic control device.
Of a rotating one-chamber counterpressure filling machine equipped
with a plurality of filling elements according to the invention,
the drawing shows only those parts which are essential for the
understanding of the present invention. The arrangement shown in
FIGS. 1 and 7 comprises a vessel or container 10 for liquid and
tension gas and also comprises a vessel supporting table 11. The
circumference of the table 11 is provided with a plurality of
lifting members 12 with dish-shaped surfaces 13 for placing the
vessels thereon. Each lifting member 12 has oppositely arranged
thereto a filling device 15 which is flanged to a filling container
10, which filling device 15 is by means of separate gas and liquid
passage means 16 and 17 respectively connected to corresponding
outlets of the liquid container 10 in a gastight and liquidtight
manner respectively. The gas inlet passage means 16 is designed in
the manner of a plug connection to be plugged into the container
outlet.
At that end of the filling device or housing 15 of the filling
element which is adjacent to the vessel to be filled there is
provided a valve seat 18 having an opening 19. Adjacent thereto
there is provided a liquid distributor 20 and a filling pipe 21.
The distributor 20 and the filling pipe 21 expediently form a
single structural unit and are detachable connected to the valve
seat 18 on the housing 15 while a sealing ring 22 is interposed.
The detachable connection 23 includes a fitting 24 which extends
around the liquid distributor 20 and the upper portion of the
filling pipe 20. The inside diameter selected for the fitting 24
leaves an annular gap 25 between the wall of the fitting 24, the
wall of the oppositely located distributor 20 and the filling pipe
21.
The distributor 20 connected to the filling pipe 21 has, as shown
in FIG. 2, two liquid passages 27 and 28 which are separated from
each other by a web 26 and furthermore, below the web 26, has a
funnel-shaped chamber 29 (FIG. 1). Liquid feeding passages 27, 28
(FIG. 2) lead into the chamber 29. The narrower end of chamber 29
has connected thereto the filling pipe 21. Furthermore, a riser 30
is arranged on the distributor 20. This riser 30 passes through the
chamber 29 and while maintaining a further annular gap 55 extends
to the adjacent filling pipe wall coaxially in the filling pipe 21
and is flush with the lower end thereof.
In alignment with the riser 30, the distributor 20 carries on that
side thereof which is located opposite to the filling pipe 21 on
web 26 a tension gas pipe 31. By means of inclined bores 32 within
the distributor 20, the pipe 31 communicates with the annular gap
25, said gap is by means of a seal 33 within the range of the bores
32 closed relative to the liquid path 19 above the distributor 20.
The annular gap 25 communicates with the riser 30 through a further
bore 34 in the distributor 20. Bore 34 expediently extends
horizontally and leads into the wall of the riser 30 above the
widening portion 29 of the filling pipe.
Adjacent the fitting 24 there is provided an intermediate member 35
and a centering member 37 provided with the pressing seal 36. The
intermediate member 35 as well as the centering member 37 surround
the filling pipe 21 in spaced relationship thereto so as to form an
annular gap 38 and 39 and by any standard holding means are
connected to the fitting 24. Mounted on the fitting 24 is
furthermore a control device 40 which extends into the range of the
intermediate member 35 and expediently may be an approximation
switch. The bottom side of the fitting 24 and intermediate member
35 which is directed toward the vessel each carries a sealing ring
53 and 54 respectively.
As will be seen in particular from FIG. 2, the fitting 24 has an
extension 41 for receiving a magnetic valve 42. The valve body 45
which is longitudinally movable in a chamber 43 and is biased by a
spring 44 is arranged opposite a bore 47 provided with a seat 46,
said bore leading from chamber 43 into the annular gap 25.
Expediently, bore 47 is located in the same plane as bore 34 which
leads from the riser 30 into the annular gap 25. The chamber 43
communicates with the atmosphere through a coaxial bore 48 in the
valve body 45 with an exit 49 to the chamber 43 and a bore 50
provided in the valve housing 42 and leading into the
atmosphere.
A portion of the bore 50 is expediently designed as a throttle 51.
A connection or nipple 52 at the exit of the conduit 49, 48, 50
serves for connection with a hose to discharge liquid particles
which have been carried away during the relief operation.
A valve body 60 which together with the valve seat 18 forms the
liquid valve 18, 60 extends vertically in the housing 15 and is
provided with a seal 61. Valve body 60 is at its upper end which is
located opposite to the seat 20 widened so as to form a collar 62
by means of which it is guided in the interior of the housing 15
and rests against a spring 63 which in turn rests against a member
64. An extension 65 which is provided at the upper end of the
collar 62 and which has arranged opposite thereto a seal 66
provided in the housing 15, forms a further supporting member for
the valve body 60. Below the extension 65, the collar 62 is
additionally provided with a construction 67. This constriction is
within the range of the seal 66 conical and tapers in downward
direction. Coaxially arranged in the collar 62 is a pot-shaped
recess 68 with a larger diameter. The plane bottom surface of the
recess 68 supports a valve seat 69. The valve body 60 itself
extends through a bore 70 which leads into the recess 68 and is
coaxial therewith. The inner diameter of bore 70 is so dimensioned
that between the tension gas pipe 32 and the adjacent wall of the
valve body 60 there is formed an annular gap. A protrusion 71
provided where the bore 70 leads into the recess 68 of collar 62
narrows at the area of the annular gap which extends over the
entire length of the bore 70.
A further approximation switch 72 is connected to the housing 15
and extends into the path of the extension 65 which path is limited
by an abutment 89. Furthermore, a valve body 73 in the form of a
tubular member is arranged in the housing 15. The valve body 73
together with the pertaining seat 69 in the recess 68 of collar 62
forms the tension gas valve 69, 73, said seat 69 being supported by
the valve body 60 of the liquid valve 18, 60. The upper end of
valve body 73 carries a piston 74 which is longitudinally movable
in a chamber 77 of a magnetic valve 78, said chamber 77 being
provided with inlet openings 75 and 76.
A threaded sleeve 80 provided with opposite located longitudinal
slots 81 is by means of a crown nut 79 connected to that end of
piston 74 which protrudes from the chamber 77, while a seal 82 is
interposed. Threadedly mounted on sleeve 80 is control wheel 83
which has an inner recess 84 in the manner of an annular groove.
The width of the recess 84 is adapted to the diameter of a bolt 85
which in its turn is adapted to be plugged or slipped onto an
extension at the upper end of a shaft 86, the bolt 85 being
fastened by means of a nut 87. The bolt 85 extends beyond the
sleeve slots 81 and has both ends extending into the recess 84, the
opposite plane annular surface of which being engaged by the bolt
ends (FIG. 3). For introducing the bolt 85 into the annular chamber
84, the control body 83 is provided with a bore 88.
The shaft 86 extends coaxially through the sleeve 80, the piston
74, the valve body 73 of the tension gas valve 69, 73 and the
tension gas pipe 32. Shaft 86 subsequently extends through the
distributor 20 into the riser 30 and has its lower end which is
provided with an insulation 91 equipped with a control device 90
between which and the adjacent riser pipe wall 90 there is provided
a further annular gap 56. The control device 90 advantageously
comprises an electric feeler which is adapted to be actuated by the
filling medium and which together with associated electric control
means connected to the connection 92 and with the shaft 86 forms a
so-called probe. The control means of the feeler 90 which are not
illustrated in detail are combined with the control means for the
magnetic valves 42 and 78 so as to form a structural unit in the
manner of a control card 93 (Steckkarte). This card is expediently
exchangeably connected to the filling container 10.
The control rod 83 of the probe 86, 90 may form a hand-wheel if
each filling element 15 has its filling height adjusted manually.
Instead of the thus obtained individual adjustment of the filling
elements 15, the present invention also permits the common
adjustment of the probes 86, 90 of all filling elements. In this
instance, the control rod 83 respectively associated with a filling
element 15 is formed by a pinion which is coupled in the above
referred to manner to the probe 86, 90.
As is shown in FIG. 4, the pinion 83 meshes with the inner teeth 95
of a hollow wheel 94 which expediently is in the shape of a hood
and covers up the wheel 83a together with the coupling connection
84, 85 of the probe 86, 90. Wheel 94 has its circumference provided
with further teeth 96 which mesh with a gear ring 98 driven by a
common drive 97, said gear ring 98 surrounding the gears 94 of all
filling elements 15 in the manner of an arc and meshing with the
same. Supporting and guiding means 99 for the gear ring 98 are
mounted on the filling container 10.
The operation of a rotating filling machine equipped with the
above-mentioned filling elements is as follows: When the probes 86,
90 of all filling elements 10 are adjusted individually by hand by
means of the control wheel 83 or are adjusted in common by means of
the drive 97, 98 for the required filling height in the respective
vessels, these vessels will, after the machine has been turned-on
by means of a customary feeding turnstile, move onto the lifting
members 12. In the course of the upward movement of the lifting
members 12, when viewing an individual filling element 10, first
the vessel is centered by the centering member 37 while the filling
pipe 21, the riser 30 and the probe 86, 90 are introduced into the
interior of the vessel. During the further upward movement of the
vessel, the centering member 37 lifts the intermediate member 35
and together with the latter will eventually engage the filling
pipe fitting 24. In this position, the vessel is pressed against
the rubber 36 of the centering member 37. At the same time, the
annular gaps 25, 38 and 39 form a passage which communicates with
the interior of the vessel and which is closed toward the outside
by seals 53 and 54.
The switch 40 which is controlled by the intermediate member 36
during the upward movement of the vessel will through control means
of the card 93 energize the magnetic valve 78 which opens the inlet
75 to permit the liquid medium to enter the chamber 77. With the
beginning of the upward movement of the piston 74, the valve body
73 is lifted off the seat 69 so that tension gas will flow into the
pressed-on vessel from the filling container 10 through conduit 16,
the opened tension gas valve 69, 73, the gas pipe 31, the bores 32
and the annular passage 25, 38, 39. Tension gas furthermore passes
through bore 34 and riser 31 into the vessel while liquid residues
which may stick to the probe 86, 90 will be blown off.
When approximately equilibrium has been established between the
tension gas pressure in the pressed-on vessel and in the filling
container 10, the spring 63 opens the liquid control valve 18, 60.
The valve body 60 which has been moved upwardly will by means of
its extension 65 engage the abutment 89 while the tension gas valve
69, 73 further remains open. In the course of the upward movement
of the valve body 60, its extension 65 also controls the
approximation switch 72 which brings about the movement of the
probe 86, 90 into position of readiness by control means of the
card 93. Through the opened liquid control valve 18, 60, and
without affecting the probe 86, 90, the filling medium passes
through the opening 19 and the guiding means 27 and 28 of the
liquid distributor 20 and enters the vessel. The tension gas
displaced in this way returns through the annular passage 25, 28,
39, the bores 32, the pipe 31, the opened valve 69, 73, the recess
68 and the conduit 60 into the gas chamber of the filling container
10. Also the tension gas in the riser 30 escapes through bore 34
into the annular passage 35, 38, 39 and through the tension gas
path 32, 31, the open valve 69, 73 and the passage 68, 16 into the
filling container 10.
When the liquid level which rises in the riser 30 with calmed down
surface reaches the feeler 90, the latter will influence the
control means of the card 93 which control means are associated
with the magnetic valve 78. The magnetic valve 78 which has again
been actuated, blocks the flow of the liquid to the inlet 75 and
connects the latter to the atmosphere. Piston 74 which is acted
upon by the liquid in view of the simultaneously opened inlet 76,
moves the valve body 73 onto the seat 69 and subsequently also
moves the valve body 60 back to the seat 18 so that the tension gas
valve 69, 73 and the liquid control valve 18, 60 are closed. The
magnetic valve 42 which, after an adjusted or set time has expired,
is energized and opens the bore 47 which communicates with the
annular passage 25, 38, 39 and the riser 30 in view of the change
in the position of its valve body 45. As a result thereof, the gas
chambers communicating with the pressed-on vessel will through the
gas passage 43, 49, 48, 50 and 51 drop the gas pressure to
atmospheric pressure. During the subsequent removal or withdrawal
of the vessel from the filling element 10 by lowering the lifting
element 12, the centering member 37 and the intermediate member 35
will again occupy their starting position. In this connection, the
intermediate member 35 moves out of the range of the approximation
switch 40 which by control means of the card 93 places the magnetic
valve 42 into the currentless position. In view of the effect of
spring 44, the valve body 45 thereof will close the bore 47.
If, for instance, in a damaged vessel no tension gas pressure
builds up which equals the liquid pressure, the extension 65 will
not move into the range of the approximation switch 72. The control
impulse previously released by the approximation switch 40 will
within predetermined time be cleared and the magnetic valve 78 will
be deenergized. The liquid medium which acts upon the piston 74
through the inlet 76 will move the piston 74 back to its starting
position while the tension gas valve 69, 73 will be closed.
When employing the filling element according to the invention for a
filling method with separate tension gas and return gas passage
means and with a discharge of the return gas into a chamber
separated from the filling container or into the atmosphere, the
magnetic valve 42 will perform the function of a return gas valve.
In this last-mentioned design, the magnetic valve 42 is, as shown
in FIG. 5, additionally provided with a relief bore 100 which
branches off from bore 47 and leads into the atmosphere, the bore
100 being provided with a throttling area 101. The operation of a
filling element equipped with a return gas valve of the type just
mentioned, in which the abutment 89 is omitted, is as follows and
is similar to the operation described above. After the vessel has
been pressed-on, the valve body 60 which has been lifted by the
thrust of spring 63 and which pertains to the liquid valve 18, 60
will engage the valve seat 69 at the valve body 73 still occupying
its opening position, and the tension gas valve 69, 73 will close.
The approximation switch 72 which is influenced by the extension 65
of the upwardly moving valve body 6 simultaneously with the probe
86, 90 will through an adjustable delaying member close the circuit
of the magnetic valve 72. The tension gas which escapes after the
circulation of the liquid from the pressed-on vessel has started,
will first pass through the annular passage 39, 38, 25, the bore
47, the throttling area 101 and the bore 100 into the atmosphere so
that a careful inflow of the liquid takes place. After the delaying
period has expired, approximately up to the rise of the filling
liquid to the intersection with the filling pipe, the valve body 45
relieves the bore 47. The tension gas now flows through chamber 43,
conduits 49, 48, 50, 51 and 52 into the atmosphere or into the
separate return gas chamber. After a preselected opening period
selected for the magnetic valve 42, during which period the valve
42 remains energized, approximately until the filling liquid enters
the narrowed vessel neck but prior to reaching the probe feeler 90,
the valve body 47 will, in view of the thrust of spring 44 close
the bore 47. Up to the time when the filling is completed, the
returned tension gas will again through bores 101; 100, through
which also the relief of the gas chambers is effected, escape in a
throttled condition into the atmosphere.
A simplified return gas valve for withdrawing the tension gas into
the atmosphere or into a separate chamber is shown in FIG. 6.
According to FIG. 6, the magnetic valve 42 is replaced by a
throttle 102 which is adapted to be screwed into the housing
extension 24 while the tension gas will during the entire filling
operation escape through bore 103 of throttle 102, and subsequently
the relief will be effected through said bore.
According to a further embodiment of a filling element according to
the invention as shown in FIG. 7, instead of the electric contact
member 90 at the end of the vessel near the shaft 86, there is
provided a pneumatic switch 105. The switch 105 is arranged at the
upper end of the shaft 86a which protrudes from the filling element
15 and for which a tubular cross section has been selected. The
switch 105 primarily comprises a diaphragm 106 equipped with a
contact 107 and inserted horizontally into the switch housing 105.
The diaphragm 106 separates the interior of the housing into an
upper and a lower pressure chamber 108 and 109 respectively. The
hollow shaft leads into the lower chamber 109. The upper chamber
108 communicates through a conduit 110 which extends laterally
through the piston 74 with the interior of the valve body 73 of the
tension gas valve 69, 73. A contact 111 extends into the chamber
108 connected through line 92 to the control means of card 93. The
diaphragm contact 107 is arranged opposite to the contact 111 in
slightly spaced relationship thereto.
This filling element which as far as construction is concerned
corresponds to the element of FIG. 1 and for adjusting the hollow
shaft selectively as to height, likewise comprises a hand wheel
corresponding to the hand wheel 83 or a pinion 83a meshing with the
driving device 97, 98, 96, therefore operates as follows: When
pretensioning a vessel pressed against the member 37 tensioning gas
will, through the valve 69, 73, open by magnetic valve 78, and
through conduit 110 flow into the chamber 108 above the diaphragm
106. Simultaneously, tensioning gas from the vessel passes through
the shaft 86a into the chamber 109 below the diaphragm 106. In view
of the fact that the same pressure prevails at both sides of the
diaphragm 106, the two contacts 107 and 110 remain contactless.
With the progressing filling operation which, following the
pretensioning of the vessel, occurs in the manner described above
and during the start of which the switch 105 is, by means of the
approximation switch 72, energized by the upwardly moving valve
body 60 placed into readiness, the liquid rises in the vessel and
also in the riser 30 and through a predetermined passage enters
that end of the shaft 86a which is adjacent to the vessel. This
path is adapted to the respectively desired filling height in the
vessel and is furthermore so dimensioned and adapted to the
sensitivity of the diaphragm 106 that the latter will, under the
influence of the gas column in shaft 86a and chamber 109, which gas
column is slightly compressed in view of the entered liquid, bring
about a change in the position in the direction of the contact 111
so that contact 111 engages the contact 107. Thus, in view of the
pressure difference between the gas chamber 108 and 109 at both
sides of the diaphragm 106, a contact is established which, through
the control mans of the card 93, causes actuation of the magnetic
valve 78 which in conformity with the description of FIG. 1, closes
the tension gas and fluid valve 66, 73 and 18, 60 and subsequently
causes the further functions described above to occur.
The increasing differential pressure which occurs during the rise
of the filling material within the range of that shaft end 86a
which is adjacent the vessel, in view of the compression of the gas
column below the switch diaphragm 106, is relatively low but in
each instance is sufficient to actuate the switch 104 for the same
liquid level in the vessels to be filled, particularly since the
hollow shaft 86a is selectively adjustable as to height in
conformity with the characteristics of the diaphragm 106. Also, in
this instance, the riser 30 is employed advantageously. It likewise
extends around the vessel-near opening of the hollow shaft 86a in
spaced relationship thereto as to define therewith an annular gap
56 and, above all, will assure the uniform compression of the gas
column necessary for the control movement of the diaphragm 106, by
a quiet rising of the filling material in the interior of the shaft
86a.
It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is,
by no means, limited to the particular showing in the drawings, but
also comprises any modifications within the scope of the appended
claims. Thus, the invention is also applicable in connection with
switches operable by a float, or the like.
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