U.S. patent number 3,642,176 [Application Number 05/027,759] was granted by the patent office on 1972-02-15 for means for storing and dispensing heated liquid and system therefor.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Delta-T-Inc.. Invention is credited to Richard C. Dreibelbis, Warren E. Turner.
United States Patent |
3,642,176 |
Dreibelbis , et al. |
February 15, 1972 |
MEANS FOR STORING AND DISPENSING HEATED LIQUID AND SYSTEM
THEREFOR
Abstract
A system for dispensing a supply of instant hot fluid more
particularly water wherein a hot fluid storage tank having an
expansion and accumulation chamber may be operatively associated
with either an adjacent or a remotely disposed dispensing and
control mechanism. The dispensing and control mechanism has a first
connection to a source of fluid to be heated and dispensed normally
maintained at pressures above that of atmospheric pressure, a
second connection with valve means therein to direct and regulate
the flow of source water to the hot water storage tank for
displacement of heated water therefrom, a third connection between
the outlet for the hot fluid storage tank and a spout means on the
dispensing and control mechanism to permit heated fluid displaced
from said hot fluid storage tank outlet to be passed to and
discharged from the spout means, the third connection has port
means therein disposed so that the expansion and accumulation
chamber will collect backflow water from the spout and the third
connection when dispensing is terminated or expanded hot fluid from
the hot fluid storage tank when the system is at static conditions
of operation, and a fourth connection between the upper end of the
expansion and accumulation chamber and the spout means but isolated
from said third connection to vent the expansion and accumulation
chamber and act to maintain the entire system at atmospheric
pressure. Additionally, the system includes in the dispensing means
a valve means normally biased closed to block flow of water from
the source into the system and cammed to move axially against the
bias to an open position by an axial-acting actuator. The valve
means disposed to be removably mounted through the upper face of
the dispensing means. The spout is mounted by a tapered wring fit
connection to allow for easy removal along the longitudinal line of
the connection whereby access to the valve means for service,
repair and replacement is facilitated.
Inventors: |
Dreibelbis; Richard C.
(Fairlawn, NJ), Turner; Warren E. (Succasunna, NJ) |
Assignee: |
Delta-T-Inc. (Cedar Grove,
NJ)
|
Family
ID: |
21839621 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/027,759 |
Filed: |
April 13, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
222/146.5;
222/146.1; 222/318; 392/451 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24D
17/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F24D
17/00 (20060101); B67d 005/62 () |
Field of
Search: |
;222/566,567,569,570,108,146,318 ;285/332,DIG.12 ;251/251,263
;219/312 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Tollberg; Stanley H.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a fluid-dispensing system to be operated at atmospheric
pressure:
a. a dispensing means including a normally closed control valve
means having an inlet connected to a source of fluid to be
dispensed and an outlet spaced from said inlet, and a spout means
forming a discharge passage for fluid to be dispensed from said
system,
b. storage means for fluid to be dispensed including, a storage
chamber having an outlet, and an expansion and accumulation chamber
operatively associated with said storage chamber,
c. means for heating and maintaining fluid in said storage chamber
within a predetermined temperature range,
d. first passage means connected between the outlet of said control
valve means and the storage means to deliver fluid to be dispensed
to the lower portion of said storage chamber,
e. second passage means connected between the outlet for the
storage chamber and said discharge passage in the spout means and
disposed to extend through said expansion and accumulation chamber
for a portion of its length,
f. port means in said second passage means to permit continuous and
direct flow communication between the expansion and accumulation
chamber and the outlet for said storage chamber whereby fluid from
said storage chamber and from said second passage means can pass
freely to and from said expansion and accumulation chamber when
said control valve means is opened and closed,
g. and vent means connected at one end of the expansion and
accumulation chamber and open to atmosphere at the end remote
therefrom for maintaining the operation of said fluid-dispensing
system at atmospheric pressure.
2. In a fluid-dispensing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said
storage means has means providing a common wall between said
expansion and accumulation chamber and said storage chamber to
permit fluid in said expansion and accumulation chamber to be
maintained at substantially the same temperatures fluid in said
storage chamber.
3. In a fluid-dispensing system as claimed in claim 2 wherein,
a. tank means defines said storage chamber,
b. said tank means including, a cylindrical member, and end closure
means at each end of said cylindrical member, one of said end
closure means of said tank means constitutes the common wall,
c. said common wall end closure means domed,
d. cup-shaped end closure means sealingly connected to the
periphery of said common wall to define said expansion and
accumulation chamber,
e. said common wall end closure means forming the bottom wall for
expansion and accumulation chamber lowest at its periphery to
provide a trap for foreign materials,
f. and the outlet for the storage chamber at the highest point on
the domed common wall.
4. In a fluid-dispensing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
vent means comprises, conduit means, and said conduit means extends
through said spout means to provide a vent flow path within and
isolated from the fluid being discharged through said spout means
from the storage means.
5. In a fluid-dispensing system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the
dispensing means includes:
a. body member having at least two spaced bores therein,
b. one of said bores having the inlet communicating with the source
of fluid to be dispensed, and the outlet for delivering fluid to
said storage means,
c. said control valve means axially mounted in said last-mentioned
bore and axially movable in said bore to control flow of fluid to
be dispensed from the inlet to the outlet associated with said
bore,
d. at least one other bore having a tapered seat at the upper end
thereof,
e. and said spout means having a tapered portion at the inlet end
thereof adapted to be seated in any given circumferential position
in said tapered bore to facilitate dispensing of fluid from said
system.
6. In a fluid-dispensing system in accordance with claim 5
wherein:
a. cam means is connected to said body member at the end of said
bore remote from the inlet,
b. said control valve means having a valve stem extending through
the cam means and a valve head on said valve stem,
c. spring means normally biasing said valve head to maintain the
inlet closed,
d. cam member means on said valve stem disposed to engage said cam
means,
e. and means mounted on said body member operatively connected for
axial movement relative the longitudinal line of the valve stem to
operate said cam means whereby the valve stem will be moved against
the bias of the spring to provide a progressively increasing fluid
flow path between said inlet and outlet for the bore in which the
control valve is located.
7. In a fluid dispensing system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said
dispensing means includes:
a. a control valve body member,
b. said control valve body member connected to said tank means and
disposed to extend for at least a portion of its length through
said expansion and accumulation chamber.
8. In a fluid-dispensing system as claimed in claim 7 wherein said
vent means comprises a passage means in said control valve body
member.
9. In a fluid-dispensing system operated at atmospheric
pressure:
a. closed storage means for fluid to be dispensed having means
thereon for heating and maintaining said fluid within a
predetermined temperature range,
b. means forming a closed expansion and accumulation chamber
connected in heat exchange relation with said storage means,
c. a dispensing means including a normally closed control valve
means to regulate flow of fluid in said system, and a spout means
having a discharge passage for dispensing fluid from said
system,
d. said control valve means including, a body member having an
inlet connected to a source of fluid to be dispensed and an outlet
for said fluid,
e. said body member connected to the upper end of said closed
storage chamber means and the upper end of said means forming said
expansion and accumulation chamber so that portion of the body
member lies in the expansion and accumulation chamber,
f. means for delivering fluid to be dispensed from the outlet in
said body member to the lower portion of the storage chamber
means,
g. said body member having restricted outlet means for said storage
chamber means, and a connecting passage in the body member
communicating at one end with the restricted outlet means and at
the other end with the discharge passage in said spout for passing
heated fluid from said system,
h. port means in the body member to provide communication between
the lower portion of said expansion and accumulation chamber means
and said discharge passage to coact with the restricted outlet
means to permit expansion fluid from said storage chamber and
backflow fluid from said discharge passage in the spout to collect
in and to pass from the expansion and accumulation chamber means
when the control valve means is opened and closed,
i. and vent means in said body member communicating with the
expansion and accumulation chamber at one end and open to
atmosphere at the end remote therefrom maintaining the operation of
the fluid-dispensing system at atmospheric pressure
10. In fluid-dispensing system as claimed in claim 9 wherein:
a. said closed storage means is defined by tank means having a
cylindrical member, and end closure means for each respective end
of said cylindrical member,
b. cup-shaped chamber means connected to the periphery of one of
said end closure means to define said expansion and accumulation
chamber whereby said end closure means form a wall common to both
the storage chamber means and the expansion and accumulation
means,
c. and said common wall is domed to trap foreign matter in said
expansion and accumulation chamber at a point therein remote from
the port means.
11. In a fluid-dispensing system operated at atmospheric
pressure:
a. closed storage means for fluid to be heated,
b. means forming a closed expansion and accumulation chamber
mounted in heat exchange relation with said storage means,
c. a dispensing means including a normally closed control valve
means to regulate flow of fluid in said system, and a spout means
having a discharge passage for dispensing fluid from said
system,
d. said control valve having an inlet connected to a source of
fluid to be dispensed and an outlet for said fluid,
e. first conduit means operatively connecting the outlet of said
control valve means to said closed storage means to deliver fluid
to the lower portion of said tank means,
f. said storage means having an outlet with a restricted orifice
therein,
g. discharge conduit means connecting the outlet of said storage
means to the spout means whereby fluid will pass through the
discharge passage of said spout means when said control valve is
actuated to an open position.
h. port means in said discharge conduit means adjacent the outlet
for said tank and coacting therewith to provide communication
substantially adjacent the bottom of said expansion and
accumulation chamber means to permit expansion fluid from said tank
and backflow fluid from said discharge passage to collect in said
expansion and accumulation chamber when said control valve is
closed and to pass therefrom when said control valve is opened,
i. and vent means adjacent to top of said expansion and
accumulation chamber to maintain the system at atmospheric
pressure.
12. In a fluid-dispensing system as claimed in claim 11 wherein the
vent means comprises, conduit means, and said conduit means extends
through said spout means to provide a vent flow path within and
isolated from the fluid being discharged through said spout means
from the storage means.
13. A storage means for a fluid-dispensing system to be operated at
atmospheric pressure comprising:
a. tank means forming a storage chamber for fluid to be dispensed
defined by a cylindrical shell, an upper closure means, and a lower
closure means connected to opposite ends of said cylindrical
shell,
b. means on said tank means disposed to form an inlet to deliver
fluid to the lower portion of said tank means,
c. said upper closure having an outwardly domed configuration, and
outlet means for the storage chamber formed at the highest point of
the domed portion of said upper closure member,
d. cuplike closure means having its open end connected in
fluid-type relationship with the periphery of said upper closure
member to define an expansion and accumulation chamber,
e. discharge connecting means connected to said outlet and
extending a portion of its length through said expansion and
accumulation chamber to provide a discharge flow path for fluid to
be dispensed from said tank means,
f. and port means in said discharge connecting means communicating
between said expansion and accumulation chamber and said discharge
connecting means to permit expansion fluid from the storage chamber
of the tank and return fluid from said discharge connecting means
collected in said expansion and accumulation chamber to be passed
therefrom on discharge of fluid through said discharge connecting
means.
14. A storage means for fluid to be dispensed as claimed in claim
13 wherein:
a. the outlet constitutes a restricted orifice,
b. and the port means coacts with the outlet when fluid is passed
from the tank to move fluid from the expansion and accumulation
chamber and mix the same with the fluid being passed to the
discharge-connecting means.
15. Means for controlling fluid flow in a fluid dispensing system
comprising:
a. valve body member defining a valve chamber having an inlet port
at one end and a discharge outlet axially spaced from said inlet
port,
b. control valve means axially moveable in said valve chamber for
controlling the rate of fluid flow from said inlet port to said
discharge outlet,
c. means biasing said control valve means towards said inlet port
to maintain said inlet port normally closed,
d. manually operable means mounted for axial movement on the end of
said housing means opposite from said inlet,
e. said control valve means extending through the end of said
chamber opposite from said inlet and towards said manually operable
means,
f. and cam means provided at the end of said housing means opposite
from said inlet causing one of said control valve means and said
manually operable means to move axially in one direction in
response to axial movement of the other in the opposite
direction.
16. In the means for controlling fluid flow in a fluid-dispensing
system as claimed in claim 15 wherein said cam means comprises:
a. pair of diverging annular cam surfaces one encircling the
other.
b. one of said cam surfaces being provided by said control valve
means and the other being provided by said manually operable
means,
c. a plurality of cam members constrains between said cam surfaces
and move towards each of said cam surfaces by axial movement of the
other of said cam surfaces causing said control valve means to move
axially away from its closed position against said biasing means
when said manually operable means is moved axially towards said
housing means,
d. said manually operable means to move axially away from said
housing means when said control valve means is moved towards its
normally closed position by said biasing means,
e. and means providing a surface transverse to the axis of movement
of said control and manually operable means which engages and
constrains said cam members between said cam surfaces.
17. Connecting means for the spout in a dispensing system
including:
a. dispensing valve body,
b. a plurality of longitudinally disposed bores in said dispensing
valve body,
c. at least one of said bores having control valve means disposed
to be mounted in and removed from the upper face of said dispensing
valve body,
d. at least one of said bores spaced from said control valve bore
having tapered seat adjacent the upper face of the
e. and spout means having a tapered section herein mated for a
wring fit connection in said tapered seat to permit removal of said
spout means along its longitudinal axis,
f. removably mounted cover means on the upper face of the
dispensing valve body having openings therein disposed in alignment
with said bores,
g. an actuator operatively and removably connected to said control
valve means and in pivotal engagement with the cover means in
assembled position,
h. and said actuator formed to extend in part about said spout
means to prevent rotation of the actuator when said spout is in
assembled position in the tapered bore.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Pat. No. 3,202,321 relates to a hot-water-heating and dispensing
apparatus operating at atmospheric pressure in which the dispensing
head is disposed remotely from the hot water storage tank. The
dispensing head of the system shown in this patent acts as means
for regulating the discharge of the heated water as needed and
permits the dispensing head to serve in the capacity of an overflow
control device and venting means all of which is accomplished
solely through the dispensing means for the heated fluid. In this
last-mentioned capacity the dispensing head has a relatively small
built-in chamber calibrated to operate at a predetermined
volumetric capacity dependent largely on the temperature of cold
water introduced into the system. Therefor, if the volumetric
capacity of the system increases or additional expansion of heated
water occurs, the excess water must pass from the system by way of
the normal dispensing passage or spout.
In systems where the temperature of the water source varies over
wide ranges from very cold in the winter to moderately warm in the
summer it is clear that a calibrated expansion chamber in the
dispensing head will from time to time produce inconvenient
dripping of overflow water and consequently waste water in the
system.
Other hot water dispensing systems operating at atmospheric
pressure are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,903,551 and 3,089,941.
The present invention contemplates a hot-water-dispensing system to
overcome this problem and to provide an improved system operated at
atmospheric pressure in which a hot water storage tank having an
associated expansion and accumulation chamber is connected to
either a remote or an adjacent dispensing head and control
mechanism so as to provide for regulation and control of the
dispensing of heated water, to permit expansion of heated water or
accumulation of backflow water in said expansion and accumulation
chamber, and the expansion and accumulation chamber is operatively
connected to an independent and isolated venting arrangement which
also serves to maintain the system at all times at the desired
atmospheric pressure operating conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, the present invention contemplates a fluid-dispensing system
operating at atmospheric pressure for dispensing quantities of hot
water or other fluids at temperatures between given hot and cold
temperature limits which system includes, a fluid reservoir or
storage tank having means thereon for maintaining the fluid stored
therein at a predetermined temperature, a dispensing head adjacent
to or remotely disposed from said fluid reservoir or storage tank
having an inlet connected to a source of fluid to be heated, a
valve member and an outlet connected to deliver said fluid from
said inlet to the lower portion of said fluid reservoir whereby
controlled dispensing of fluid from said fluid reservoir will occur
by positive displacement when said valve passed fluid thereto, a
spout means connected to one end of a discharge conduit having its
inlet connected to the outlet for said storage tank near the upper
end thereof, a means connected to said tank, about the point where
said outlet is connected to said discharge conduit, forming an
expansion and accumulation chamber and coacting with said discharge
conduit to receive expansion fluid from said fluid reservoir or
backflow fluid from said spout means and to maintain the collected
fluid at substantially the same temperature as the fluid in said
storage tank, and a vent means connected between said means forming
said expansion and accumulation chamber and said spout means which
vent means acts to maintain said system at atmospheric
pressure.
Additionally, the present invention contemplates a fluid reservoir
or storage tank assembly for maintaining the fluid stored therein
at a predetermined temperature which is adapted more particularly
for use in an atmospheric-type fluid-dispensing system. The storage
tank assembly includes a storage section having an inlet for fluid
to be heated and an outlet at the upper end thereof connected to a
discharge conduit, an expansion and accumulation means having at
least one wall common to the storage section or tank and
operatively associated with the outlet and said discharge conduit,
means for maintaining fluid stored in said storage chamber at a
predetermined temperature, means connected between said outlet for
the storage tank and said discharge conduit to permit expansion
fluid from said storage section or tank and backflow fluid from
said discharge conduit to accumulate and collect in said expansion
and accumulation means, and a vent means at the upper end of said
expansion and accumulation section to maintain the operation of
said fluid reservoir or storage tank assembly at atmospheric
pressure.
Additionally, the present invention contemplates a fluid reservoir
or storage tank assembly for maintaining fluid stored therein at a
predetermined temperature as above described in which the common
wall between the expansion and accumulation chamber and the storage
section for heated water is constructed to provide means for
trapping foreign matter collected in the accumulation chamber.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a hot
water dispensing system having a hot water storage tank with an
associated expansion and accumulation chamber, the tank and chamber
also being associated with either an adjacent or a remote
dispensing head operable to control the flow of water into and from
the tank; said system being normally maintained at atmospheric
pressure by suitable venting means associated with the expansion
and accumulation chamber and the dispensing means.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a hot
water storage tank with an improved expansion accumulation chamber
which is adapted to be maintained at substantially the same
temperature as the fluid in the storage tank and provides a trap
for foreign matter therein.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a hot water
dispensing system in which the dispensing means has a spot
providing a flow path for fluid to be dispensed which is conducted
to the discharge connection or conduit from the hot water storage
tank in the hot water dispensing system and the system is provided
with an improved venting means for maintaining the system at
atmospheric pressure in the form of a vent connection between the
expansion and accumulation chamber means for the hot water storage
tank and the spout which is isolated from the fluid flow path
between the hot water storage tank and the spout.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a hot
water dispensing system in which the dispensing means includes an
improved normally closed flow control means manually operated to an
open position for dispensing fluid in the hot water dispensing
system.
And another object of the present invention is to provide in a hot
water dispensing system a flow control means in which
manual-operating means moves axially in a direction opposite from
the means for controlling the flow and cam means is disposed
between the respective elements so that response to the movement of
one will cause movement of the other.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an
improved hot water storage tank having an associated expansion and
accumulation chamber in which the accumulation chamber is
operatively disposed to receive expansion water from the storage
tank and is vented to atmosphere so as to maintain the hot water
storage tank operation at atmospheric pressure.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from a study of the following specification taken in
connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a view and side elevation of a hot water fluid-dispensing
system in accordance with the present invention installed in a
commode with portions of the sink and cabinet thereof broken away
to show installation details.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the dispensing head for the form of
hot water dispensing system shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.
FIG. 3 is a cross section taken on line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the heating and storage tank
assembly in accordance with the present invention with portions
thereof broken away.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken on
line 5--5 of FIG. 4.
FIGS. 6 and 7 are side elevational views and bottom plan views
respectively of the heating and storage tank assembly in accordance
with the present invention with portions thereof broken away.
FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic illustration of the fluid heater circuit
for the fluid reservoir or storage tank shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and
6.
FIG. 9 is a view and side elevation of another form of hot water
dispensing system in accordance with the present invention as
installed in a commode with portions of the sink and the cabinet
thereof broken away to more fully show installation details.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevational view of the pushbutton-type
dispensing means of the hot water dispensing system of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the dispensing means as shown in FIG.
9, showing a fragment of the spout means.
FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view taken on line 12--12 of the body of
the dispensing means of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 9
and 10 of these drawings to illustrate the various fluid
connections in the system.
FIG. 13 is a view and side elevation of still another form of hot
water dispensing system in accordance with the present invention as
installed in a commode with portions of the sink in cross section
and portions of the heating and storage means broken away.
FIG. 14 is an enlarged view partly in vertical section of the
dispensing means and the upper portion of the heating and storage
means for the form of the invention shown in FIG. 13.
FIG. 15 is a vertical section of the body member of the dispensing
head with the valve elements and spout removed to show the passages
and ports therein more clearly.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 16--16 of FIG.
14.
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 17--17 of FIG.
14.
FIG. 18 is a side elevational with portions broken away and exposed
in vertical section of the valve body and the heating and storage
means.
SYSTEM WITH LEVER-OPERATED DISPENSING MEANS
Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1 an
atmospheric-type fluid-dispensing system in accordance with the
present invention is shown as installed in a commode generally
designated C. The system consists of two major assemblies: One is
the dispensing means generally designated 10 mounted adjacent the
sink S and the other being a storage means for fluid generally
designated 11 with heating means thereon more fully described
hereinafter, the storage means being mounted on a vertical wall W
of the commode.
The dispensing means and the storage and heating means are
connected to each other by suitable conduits so that a fluid to be
dispensed from the system may be taken at ambient temperature from
any suitable source (not shown) heated in the storage means and
moved therefrom by positive displacement to the dispensing means by
a suitable control valve for passing ambient fluid to the storage
tank to be heated.
In FIGS. 2 to 5, the dispensing means 10 is shown as including a
body 12 having a reduced threaded portion 13 which extends through
an opening as at 14 in the upper surface of the sink S and permits
the body to be locked and sealed in place by a suitable seal means
15 and a retaining nut 16. The top portion of the body 12 is
enclosed within a finishing cover 17 generally made of stainless
steel or other metal adapted for this purpose.
The body 12 of the dispensing means 10 is provided with a control
valve generally designated 18 and spout 19 having a generally
inverted J-shaped construction with the long leg of the J-shaped
spout tapered at the end 20 to permit the spout to extend through
an opening 21 in the finishing cover 17 and into a mating tapered
bore 22 in the body so that the spout will have a wring fit
connection and be adapted to be fixed at any angular position to
permit the discharge end remote therefrom provided with the
discharge outlet 23 for the dispensing system to be fixed with
respect to the sink S when the hot water dispensing system is in
assembled position. Further, this construction and the wring fit
connection permits the spout to be removed on its longitudinal axis
with minimal angular rotation and this facilitates easy service,
repair and replacement of the control valve 18 or elements therefor
now to be described, from the top or upper face of the control body
12.
The body 12 is provided with a bore 25 which extends through the
longitudinal line of the body 12 spaced form and substantially
parallel to bore 22. The bore 25 is closed at one end by a fitting
26 having an inlet passage 27 therein which connects at one end to
the supply conduit 28 in turn connected at the end remote therefrom
to any suitable source of water or fluid at some given source
temperature. The inlet passage 27 extends through a projection 29
at the end of the fitting 26 remote from the end connected to the
supply conduit 28 so that valve stem 30 having a valve head 31
slidably mounted in the bore 25 will on movement as hereinafter
described cause the valve head 31 to engage and disengage the
projection 29 to open and close the end of the inlet passage
27.
Valve stem 30 extends through the bore 25 in the body 12 and an
opening 32 in the finishing cover 17 and is connected by a suitable
means 33 to a lever arm 34 which is pivoted as at 35 on the upper
face of the finishing cover 17. The lever arm 34 can be manually
actuated to move the valve stem 30.
A backup nut 36 mounted at the end of the bore 25 remote from the
inlet passage 27 retains backup member 36a so that spring member 37
mounted about the valve stem 30 will engage the valve head 31 and
normally maintain the control valve 18 closed. That is, it will
normally maintain the valve head 31 in engagement with the end of
projection 29 so as to close the inlet passage 27.
When the lever arm 34 is manually operated it will pivot about the
point 35 to move the end thereof connected to the valve stem so as
to compress the spring 37 and thus lift the valve head 31 off of
the projection 29. When this occurs fluid from the source will pass
freely into the bore 25 and this will continue as long as the lever
34 is maintained in the depressed condition.
When the lever 34 is released the spring 37 expands and moves the
valve head 31 into engagement with the projection 29 and thus inlet
passage 27 will once again be maintained closed until the lever arm
34 is again depressed.
FIG. 2 further shows that the body 12 of the dispensing head has a
first crossover passage 40 which communicates at one end with the
bore 25 and at the end remote therefrom with a conduit 41 connected
to the body member 12 by any suitable means such as welding. The
opposite of the conduit 41 is in turn connected to the bottom of a
storage tank 42 forming part of the heating and storage means 11.
The heating and storage means more fully described hereinafter is
maintained atmospheric pressure by a suitable independent and
isolated venting means or conduit 43 as is more fully described
hereinafter.
The conduit 41 opens adjacent the bottom of the storage tank 42 as
at 44, so that when water from the source enters the bore 25 the
same can be passed freely through the first crossover passage 40
and conduit 41 to the lower portion of the storage tank 42 all of
which is clearly shown by FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings.
Centrally in the end of the storage tank a fitting 45 is provided
with a restricted outlet orifice 45a. The fitting or connector 45
is connected to a discharge conduit 46 which is connected at the
end remote from the fitting 45 to the body member 12 so as to
communicate with a second crossover passage 47 in the body member
12.
The crossover passage 47 extends through the body 12 into
communication with the lower end of the tapered bore 22 and the
tapered bore 22 communicates with the discharge passage 48 through
the spout 19. The discharge passage 48 is provided with discharge
outlet 23 which is disposed over he sink S all of which is shown in
FIG. 2 of the drawings.
Thus when the lever arm 34 is depressed, fluid will pass into the
bore 25, more particular water from any suitable source, at source
temperature and at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, and
as above described will flow freely into the bottom of the storage
tank 42. Since the system is maintained at atmospheric pressure the
incoming fluid will displace the heated fluid in storage tank 42
and force heated fluid from the storage tank 42 through outlet
orifice 45a, discharge conduit 46 and crossover passage 47 to the
discharge passage 48 in the spout for discharge through discharge
outlet 23 to any use as may be desired.
When the lever arm 34 is released the valve head 31 closes the
inlet passage 27 as above described and no further fluid is
dispensed from the system.
However, by reference the drawings, it is clear in this form of the
invention that the storage tank 42 is remote from the spout 19.
Therefor, when the lever arm 34 is released to close control valve
18, a quantity of fluid will be left in the discharge conduit 46,
crossover passage 47 and the discharge passage 48 in the spout
19.
If this quantity of fluid remains standing in the conduit and
passages then expansion of the fluid due to heating thereof by the
heating and storage means will cause the water to drip from the
discharge outlet 23.
To meet this problem the heating and storage means 11 is provided
with a suitable expansion and accumulation means now to be
described.
HEATING AND STORAGE TANK ASSEMBLY FOR REMOTE DISPENSING MEANS
Thus, referring to FIGS. 4 to 8 of the drawings, the Heating and
Storage Tank Assembly 11 consists of a storage chamber section
generally designated 50 formed by the storage tank 42 and an
expansion and accumulation chamber or section generally designated
51. The storage tank 42 is defined by a hollow cylindrical shell or
member 52 closed at each respective end by a lower cover 53 and an
upper cover 54 which members are domed or cup-shaped identical to
each other during the initial stages to facilitate manufacture of
the heating and storage tank assembly 11 in various sizes and for
reasons which will appear clear from the description below.
A second domed upper end cover 55 deeper along its longitudinal
line then the other end covers connected in fluidtight engagement
about the periphery of the first upper end cover 54 will define the
expansion and accumulation chamber 51. However, in this arrangement
the first upper end cover 54 forms one wall of the expansion and
accumulation chamber and thus is common to both the storage tank 50
and the expansion and accumulation chamber 51. It is however domed
in shape as is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and since it forms a flow or
bottom in assembled position which is lowest at the peripheral
edge, a trap for foreign matter which may enter or accumulate in
the expansion and accumulation chamber 51 will be provided.
The conduit 41 passing fluid to the heating and storage tank
assembly is connected in fluid tight engagement in the lower cover
53 and extends in a curved manner only a short distance into tank
50 so that the outlet 44 for conduit 41 is adjacent the lowermost
portion of the tank 50, so that fluid from the source will be
discharged into the lower section of the tank and heated fluid
displaced therefrom through outlet orifice 45a.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show that the first upper cover 54 at the highest
point of the domed configuration is provided with the fitting or
connector 45 and the restricted outlet orifice 45a in the fitting
or connector 45 provides communicating and passage means from the
storage chamber or tank 50 to permit fluid to pass through the
fitting 45 to conduit 46 which is formed with an annular collar 56
connected at the end remote from the outlet orifice 45a to the
discharge conduit 46. The discharge conduit 46 extends through the
second upper end cover 55 by means of any suitable type of
fluidtight connection and connects into the body member 12 of the
dispensing head 10 to deliver heated fluid thereto as has been
above described.
However, by reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 it will be noted that
fitting 45a is provided with a plurality of ports 57 which provide
communication between the expansion and accumulation chamber 51 and
the passage formed by the discharge conduit 6. Thus when flow
through the outlet orifice 45a discharge conduit 46 begins due to
displacement of heated fluid, any fluid in the expansion and
accumulation chamber 51 will be aspirated and mixed with the heated
fluid passing to the spout 19 for discharge from the system.
However, because the first upper cover member 54 forms a common
wall for both the storage chamber 50 and the expansion and
accumulation chamber 51 the accumulated fluid will be at
substantially the same temperature as the heated fluid being
discharged from the system. Conversely when the flow of fluid into
the storage tank 50 is stopped as has been described the standing
fluid in the discharge conduit 46 and the spout 19 can backflow
through the ports 57 and collect in the expansion and accumulation
chamber 51 where by direct conduction of heat through the common
wall 54 the temperature of this fluid will be maintained.
In order to heat fluid delivered to the heating and storage tank
assembly 11, a U-shaped resistance heating element 58 is also
disposed in the lower section of the storage chamber or tank 50.
The resistance heating element is connected in fluidtight
engagement to and extends through the lower cover 53, as is shown
in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings and forms part of an electrical
circuit which as is diagrammatically illustrated at FIG. 8 of the
drawings includes a thermostat assembly generally designated 59
having a sensing element 60 connected to the side of the tank 50 so
to extend into the medial portion of fluid stored in said tank. The
sensing element 60 can be of the bimetal or other type and is
operably connected to a switch means 61. The switch means 61 is
connected in series with the resistance heater 58, a pair of
terminals 62 and 63 and a suitable source of electrical power. The
dotted lines of FIG. 8 shows the switch means in the open position
and the solid lines show the switch means in closed position. When
the switch means 61 is closed, the electrical power to circuit will
flow to the resistance heater 58.
The switch means 61 includes a calibrating mechanism (not shown)
for adjusting the switch setting to maintain the fluid in the tank
at a predetermined temperature.
This above-described system is substantially identical with that
shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,202,321 hence it is not more
fully described herein as it is considered one known expedient for
the automatic heating of fluid in the storage tank of a
fluid-dispensing system. It will be understood that other and
different means for the automatic heating of fluid in such storage
tank are also known and could be incorporated in the present system
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
The system in order to operate properly and to prevent any pressure
from building up at any point in the system is vented to atmosphere
by means of the venting conduit 43 which is connected in fluidtight
engagement one end to the second upper end cover 55 and at the end
remote therefrom to the body member 12 where it extends upwardly
therethrough by means of vent conduit extension 43a which in turn
passes into and through the tapered bore 22 and the discharge
passage 48 in the spout 19 to a point short of the discharge outlet
23. The end of the vent conduit extension 43a terminates at the
vent outlet 65 so as to vent the expansion and accumulation chamber
51 and the remaining portions of the system connected thereto and
thus maintain the system at atmospheric pressure at both static and
dynamic conditions of operation.
SYSTEM WITH PUSHBUTTON-OPERATED DISPENSING MEANS
FIGS. 9 to 12 show a system substantially identical with that
above-described. It differs in that the dispensing means has an
improved pushbutton operated means for the control valve.
Since all the parts and elements of this form of the invention are
otherwise identical they will not be described except as they may
relate to the pushbutton actuator and such parts will be given the
same numbers as is shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 of the drawings.
Thus referring to FIGS. 9 to 12, the dispensing means 10 is
provided with a body 12 having a reduced threaded portion 13 which
extends through an opening as at 14 in the upper surface of the
sink S. The body 12 is locked ans sealed to the sink by seal means
15 and a retaining nut 16.
In assembled position the body 12 is enclosed with a finishing
cover 17 generally made of stainless steel or a coated plastic or
other material adapted for this purpose.
As in the form of the invention shown in FIG. 1 the dispensing head
10 is provided with the control valve generally designated 18 and a
spout 19 which elements are identical and fit into the body 12 in
the same manner above described, for the body 12 shown in FIGS. 11
and 12.
A knob or cap means 70 having a peripheral recess 71, as shown in
FIG. 10 and 11 of the drawings is provided for manually operating
the control valve 18. Note that the spout 19 fits into the recess
71 and rotation of the cap or knob means is prevented in both the
nonoperating position or when the cap or knob means 70 is depressed
to operate the control valve 18 as is hereinafter described.
The valve stem 30 extends through the bore 25 in body 12, a bore 72
in a backup unit 73 which is threadably mounted in and coacting
with a gland 74 to seal and close the bore 25 in the body member 12
and connects a spaced distance beyond the upper surface of body 12
to a nut member 75 which is tapered as at 76 on its inner face and
provided with a plurality of spaced upper races 77 for ball bearing
members 78 which act to move the nut member 75 and the valve stem
30 connected hereto as will be described.
The backup member 73 has a projection 79 thereon which extends
beyond the upper face of the body member 12 and receives thereon an
annular inner member 80 and an annular outer member 81. The inner
member 80 and outer member 81 are spaced from each other to form an
annular recess or space 82.
The inner member 80 extends longitudinally upward parallel to the
valve stem 30. At the upper end it provides the needed plurality of
lower races 83 for the ball bearing member 78 to permit the ball
bearing member 78 to move freely in and out when force is exerted
and released by means assembled and connected to the pushbutton
knob or cap means 70.
Thus the pushbutton knob or cap means 70 has tubular actuating
sleeve or annular actuating member 84 fixedly connected thereto as
at 85. The actuating member 84 is stepped as at 86 on its outer
wall and tapered as at 87 on the inner wall adjacent the open end.
The annular actuating member 84 is sized to be slidably mounted for
guided movement along the inner wall of the outer annular member 81
and the outer annular member 81 is provided with a stop means as at
88 so that in assembled position the stop means 88 will engage the
stepped portion 86 of the actuating member 84 and thus limit the
upward movement of the pushbutton knob or cap member 70 as well as
the downward movement as it will also engage the inner face of the
knob or cap member 70 all of which is shown in FIG. 10 of the
drawings.
FIG. 10 further shows that in assembled position when the control
valve is not depressed the outermost end of the tapered portion 87
just rests on the ball bearing member 78. Ball bearing member 78
are forced radially outward in the upper and lower races 77 and 83
by the action of the spring means 37 of the control valve 18 which
normally moves the valve stem 30 and valve head 31 to maintain the
inlet passage 27 in normally closed position.
When it is desired to operate the system the pushbutton knob or cap
means 70 is depressed. The taper surface 87 exerts force radially
inward on the ball bearing members 78 and the ball bearing members
sliding in the upper and lower races 77 and 83 move the nut member
75 longitudinally upward. Since the nut member 75 is connected to
the valve stem 30 and valve head 31 the inlet passage 27 will be
opened and fluid to be heated from the source to which the inlet
conduit 28 is connected will enter the bore 25 in the body member
12.
Fluid introduced in bore 25 will then pass to the heating and
storage tank assembly means 11 to displace assembly fluid from the
system in the identical manner as has been described above for the
form of the system shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 of the drawings.
COMPOSITE DISPENSING MEANS AND HEATING AND STORAGE TANK
ASSEMBLY
In the respective forms of the invention described above, the
dispensing means and the heating and storage tank assembly are
disposed remote from each other and conduits are provided to
connect those portions of the system and to vent the system to
atmosphere.
In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 13 to 18, the
dispensing means generally designated 110 is connected directly and
integrally with the heating and storage tank assembly means
generally designed 111 to form a composite or combined single unit
which is compact and can be directly mounted under the sink in the
same manner as the unit shown and described in U.S. Pat. No.
2,903,551. Further, as in the earlier forms of the invention
described this form of the invention is also maintained and
operated at atmospheric pressure in the manner to be desired.
Thus referring to FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 the dispensing means 110 in
accordance with this form of the invention includes an elongated
body member 112 which is connected directly and in fluidtight
engagement with the heating and storage tank assembly 111 as will
be described.
The elongated body member 112 has a transverse flange 113 connected
thereto by any suitable means such as a weldment 114 a spaced
distance inwardly from the end thereof and the said end is threaded
as at 115 so that the elongated body may be extended through an
opening 116 in the upper surface of a sink or other device and
sealed and connected to said sink S as by the gasket 117 and
locking nut 118 to provide a simple and easy mounting for the
entire composite unit.
A finishing cover made of stainless steel or other material is
disposed and connected to the upper end of the elongated body
member 112.
The body member 112 has two substantially parallel bores thereon as
at 120 and 121. Bore 120 is tapered as at 122 at its upper end to
receive the mating tapered end 123 of an inverted J-shaped spout
member 124. The tapered connection permits the spout 124 to be
securely mounted in any of a variety of radial-dispensing positions
and this permits the discharge end remote from the connected end
with the discharge outlet 125 therein for the dispensing system to
be fixed in any given position with respect to the sink S when the
dispensing system of the present form of the member is in assembled
position.
The bore 121 is countersunk to receive an insert 126 which has an
inlet port 127 and a valve seat 128 about said inlet port. The
inlet port 127 communicates with an inlet opening 129 in turn
connected to an inlet conduit 130 in communication with a source
(not shown) of fluid to be heated which fluid is maintained at
pressures above atmospheric pressure. Inlet conduit 130 is
connected to the body member 112 so as to communicate with the
inlet opening 129 and to deliver the fluid to be heated to the
inlet opening for discharge through the inlet port 127 into the
bore 121 whenever the same is opened.
The inlet port or passage 127 is normally closed by a control valve
generally designated 131 which is slidably mounted in the bore 121.
The control valve 131 includes a valve stem 132 having valve head
133 connected to the end thereof which valve head is normally
disposed to meet and engage the valve seat 128 on the insert 126
and to open and close the inlet port or passage 127.
The valve stem 131 extends through the bore 121 in body member 112
and a bore 134 in a backup member 135 to the exterior of the body
member 112. The backup member 135 closes the bore 121 and coacts
with an "O"-ring member 136 to provide a fluidtight seal for the
bore 121 to prevent escape of fluid therefrom. The spring member
137 about the valve stem 132 acts to urge the valve head 133 into
engagement with the inlet port 127 so as to normally maintain the
inlet port 127 closed.
Valve head 133 is milled, chamfered or formed as shown in FIG. 17
so that the sides 133a thereof are flat. Thus in assembled position
only the corners 133b are in sliding contact with the inner wall of
bore 121 and forms spaces 133c therewith. When the valve head 133
is lifted off of the valve seat 128 fluid from the inlet port or
passage 128 can flow freely and substantially noiselessly into the
bore 121, through the spaces 133c.
The end of the valve stem 132 remote from the valve head 133 also
extends through an opening 138 in the finishing cover 117 and is
connected at the exterior of the body member 112 to a lever arm 140
by any suitable pivoted connecting means such as is shown at 141.
The lever arm 140 is an L-shaped member which can be pivoted about
the point 142.
When the end 143 of the lever arm 140 remote from the pivoted
connecting member 141 is depressed the lever arm pivots about the
point 142 and moves the end of the valve stem 132 to which it is
connected longitudinally upward. This compresses the spring member
137, lifts the valve head 133 off the valve seat 128 and opens the
inlet port or passage 127 so that fluid may flow from the source
about the valve head 133 into the bore 121 in the body member 112.
On release of the lever arm 140, the spring member 137 expands and
forces the valve stem 132 and valve head 133 longitudinally
downward thus bringing the valve head 133 back into engagement with
the valve seat 128 and thus the control valve is returned to the
normally closed position for the inlet port or passage 127.
It will be noted that the lever arm 140 is provided with a recess
at 144 which fits loosely about the spout means 124. This recess
acts to prevent rotating of the lever arm 140 after it is in
assembled position as was described above with respect to the
recess 71 in pushbutton member 70.
Once the fluid enters bore 121 it will pass to the heating and
storage tank assembly 111 through a longitudinal-disposed
connecting passage 145 which communicates therewith at one end
through an opening 146 in the lower side wall of bore 121 and at
the end remote from the opening opens on the inner face 147 of the
elongated body member 112 in the storage chamber or section 148 of
the heating and storage tank assembly 111, where it is connected to
an elongated inlet conduit 149 which extends downward so as to
deliver incoming water or other fluid through the outlet 150 of the
inlet conduit 149 adjacent to the bottom of the storage chamber or
section 148 of the heating and storage tank assembly 111.
When water or other fluid is delivered to the storage chamber or
section 148 it will displace heated water through an outlet orifice
151 also in the inner face 147 of the body member 112. Outlet
orifice 151 communicates through aspirating chamber 152 with the
bore 120 in the body member 112.
HEATING AND STORAGE TANK ASSEMBLY FOR ADJACENT DISPENSING MEANS
The heating and storage tank assembly 111 of this form of the
invention is substantially similar to that of the form of the
invention having a remote dispensing head.
Thus, referring to FIGS. 13 and 18, the heating and storage tank
assembly 111 is shown as consisting of the storage chamber or tank
section 148 and an expansion and accumulation chamber or section
generally designated 153. The storage tank 148 is defined by a
hollow cylinder shell or member 154 closed at each of its
respective ends by a lower cover 155 and an upper cover 156. The
members 155 and 156 are domed for the same reasons above-described
with respect to the storage tank 42 of the remote dispensing means
form of the present invention.
A second domed upper end closure 157 which is also deeper along the
longitudinal line than the other end closures 155 and 156 when
connected in fluidtight engagement with the periphery of the upper
end closure 156 will define the expansion and accumulation chamber
153. This arrangement also provides the single common wall between
the means defining the storage chamber 148 and the expansion and
accumulating chamber 153 and once again this construction not only
permits collected fluids in the expansion and accumulation chamber
153 to be maintained at substantially system temperature but
further because the upper end closure 156 is domed and serves as
the bottom or floor for the expansion and accumulation chamber 153
it will act trap any foreign matter which may enter with or be
formed in the collected water or other fluid in the expansion and
accumulation chamber.
FIGS. 13, 14, 15 and 18 further shows that the elongated body
member 112 is connected by any suitable means such as weldments 158
and 159 to the respective first upper end cover 156 and second
upper end cover 157.
This arrangement disposes at least the lower portion of the bore
120 so that it lies within the expansion and accumulation chamber
153. The aspirating chamber 152 which communicates between bore 120
and the outlet orifice 151 for the storage chamber 148 is disposed
adjacent to the highest point of the domed portion of the first
upper end cover 155 and is brought into communication with the
expansion and accumulation chamber 153 by means of an aspirating
and return port or passage 160 in the body member 112, all of which
is clearly shown in FIGS. 14 and 17 of the drawings.
When water or other fluid is displaced from the storage chamber
section 148 of the heating and storage tank assembly 111, collected
water or fluid in the expansion and accumulation chamber 153 will
be aspirated and mixed with the heated fluid passing through the
outlet orifice, the aspirating chamber and bore 120 to the
discharge passage 161 formed through the spout 124. Conversely when
the displacement of heated fluid from the storage chamber 148
terminates the standing water or other fluid remaining in the bore
120 and discharge passage 161 will flow backwards through the
aspirating and return port 160 to collect again in the expansion
and accumulation chamber 153 where the temperature of the fluid
will be maintained until the fluid is aspirated again on further
operation of the system.
The heating of the fluid stored in the storage chamber 148 is
accomplished by resistance heater 165 which is connected in an
electrical circuit identical with that above described for the form
of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 to 8 and 9 to 12. Hence it is not
deemed necessary to describe the structure and operation again for
the heating means illustrated for this form of the invention.
As in the other forms of the system it is necessary to maintain the
composite dispensing means and heating and storage tank assembly at
atmospheric pressure and for this purpose a passage or bore 166 is
provided in the body members 112, one end of which communicates
through an opening 167 with the upper end of the expansion and
accumulation chamber 153 and the other end through a port 168
opening on the external face 169 of the body member 112 so that
atmospheric pressure will be acting there through at all times.
This venting arrangement is clearly shown in FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 of
the drawings.
From the foregoing an improved convenient system to provide an
instant supply of hot water or other heated fluid for a commercial,
industrial or a domestic installation has been described which is
characterized by the fact that the system operates at atmospheric
pressure, is adapted to handle the heating of water or other fluids
over a wide temperature range without exceeding the volumetric
capacity for the system and provides means to exceed the volumetric
capacity of known prior art heating and dispensing systems for
providing instant hot water or other heated fluids.
While the foregoing description illustrates various preferred
embodiments of apparatus and systems in accordance with the present
invention, it will be appreciated that certain changes and
modifications may be made in the structure of these disclosed
arrangements without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention and that the same is defined by the claims as hereinafter
set forth.
* * * * *