Patent GB-525050-A (GB)
Title: Apparatus for the control of chemical reactions by the timed operation of electrically-controlled valves
IPC: F16K31/02
Filed: 1939-02-13
Abstract: 525,050. Timed control of electrically-operated valves. HOUDRY PROCESS CORPORATION, THOMAS, H., PEARSON, J. M., and NOPPER, E. J. Feb. 13, 1939, No. 4677. [Classes 38 (iii) and 38 (v)] In apparatus for controlling chemical reactions in which, e.g., vapour, steam and air are successively passed through a chamber 165, Fig. 9, through valves 171, 172, 173, 177, 178, 179, the valves are motor-driven and controlled electrically by impulses from a hand or motor-driven distributer, Fig. 2, the distributer also sending impulses through test circuits at appropriate times to indicate by the ringing of an alarm if any valve has not been completely closed or opened. In the particular construction shown, the distributer completes a cycle in 45 minutes, during 15 minutes of which chemical vapours are passed through the chamber 165 Steam is then passed through for 6¢ minutes to remove the vapours, after which heated air is passed through for 15 minutes to regenerate the catalyst in the chamber. The air in turn is cleared out by steam for 5¢ minutes after which the cycle begins again. Fig. 1B shows diagrammatically the control circuits for the six valves. The arm 12 of the distributer sends impulses at timed intervals through contacts 2. When an impulse is sent through the contact 2 connected to line 117, coil 50 of a switch is energized causing the circuit from a source 125 to be completed to a motor 48 which operates the " steam out" valve. The switch closes a retaining circuit for itself so that the motor continues to run till the circuit to the coil 50 is broken at 121 by a valve-driven member 46. A short time later the arm 12 engages the contact 2 connected to a line 149. If the valve has been operated correctly it will, at the end of its movement, have opened contacts 148, but if this has not been done, a circuit will now be completed through 148 and test bus 113 to a trip relay which will de-energize an alarm relay which will close the alarm circuit and also de-energize another relay which will cut the circuit to the distributer. The movement of the valve also controls, by means of the member 46, the opening and closing at 142 and 145 of red and green light circuits. In the midposition of a valve, both red and green lights show. A single red or green light shows that it is completely closed or open. At a still later time, the arm 12 engages a contact 2 connected to a line 150 which causes the motor 48 to turn in the opposite direction. The motor is stopped as before when the movement is complete and a test circuit is closed when the arm 12 energizes another line 110. The other valves are controlled in a similar way, though there is also an electrical interlocking arrangement preventing the vapour " valves being operated until the " air " valves are closed and vice versa. The distributer, Fig. 2, comprises a shaft 9 which may be driven by a hand crank 28 or synchronous motor 40 through gearing and clutches and an arm 12 which passes over a series of contacts 2 on the edge of a fixed disc 1. There is also in series with the arm 12 a switch comprising two cooperating contact strips 44, 45, Fig. 6, which engage two series of teeth 11<1>, 11" rotating with the shaft 9. Circuit is thus only closed when the arm 12 is on a definite portion of a contact 2.