Patent GB-530515-A (GB)
Title: Device for automatically measuring and introducing liquid supplies to processing tanks or apparatus
IPC: D06F39/02
Filed: 1939-06-06
Abstract: 530,515. Supplying liquids to washing &c. machines; dispensing liquids. BRAITHWAITE & SON ENGINEERS, Ltd., I., and BANKS, W. June 6, 1939, No. 16520. [Class 138 (ii)] [Also in Group XVIII] An apparatus for automatically feeding measured quantities of a liquid or liquids to processing tanks, such as washing machines, comprises a tank containing a float and fitted with one or more inlet valves through which the various liquids are supplied and an outlet valve, each inlet valve being opened by a toggle actuated from a cam rotated by ratchet pins from a motor arranged to stop after each movement of the ratchet and being closed by the action of the float tripping the toggle when the predetermined quantity of liquid has entered the tank, the outlet valve being then opened by a cam operated by the ratchet. In one form, Fig. 1, the apparatus is operated by an electric motor which is started by momentary manual or automatic closure of a switch F<SP>2</SP> in parallel with a switch F' and drives a shaft D carrying a crank disc d<SP>1</SP> whereby a roll e<SP>2</SP> on a pivoted lever E rides out of a notch in the disc and the switch F<SP>1</SP> is closed to maintain the motor circuit for a revolution of the disc during which the crank through link d<SP>3</SP> and bell crank G carrying a pawl g<SP>1</SP> drives a ratchet wheel g<SP>2</SP> on a shaft H. This shaft carries several cams k' and is movable longitudinally to position any one so that projections k<SP>1</SP> thereon operate through levers m<SP>1</SP>, link m<SP>2</SP> and lever M to straighten a toggle L<SP>1</SP>, L<SP>2</SP> so as to open an inlet valve C<SP>1</SP> to the tank A containing a float a<SP>1</SP> connected by a cord a<SP>2</SP> to a guided counterweight B carrying a finger b<SP>1</SP>. This finger engages one of a series of radial arms n<SP>5</SP> on a shaft N to depress this shaft when the predetermined quantity of liquid has entered the tank whereby the shaft rocks a counter-weighted arm o causing a cam o<SP>2</SP> to break the toggle L<SP>1</SP>, L<SP>2</SP> and permit the supply valve C' to close. After each revolution of the crank disc d' the roll e<SP>2</SP> enters the recess and the switch F<SP>1</SP> opens to stop the motor. Further operation of the motor by again closing the switch F<SP>2</SP> causes a cam J on the shaft H to open the discharge valve C<SP>2</SP> to empty the tank and then close the valve after which the supply valve C' is again opened as before by another projection on a cam k' to supply a predetermined quantity of a further liquid according to the position of another arm r<SP>3</SP> on the shaft H which has been brought into the path of the finger b<SP>1</SP> by actuation of a ratchet wheel P operated by lever Q from the cam J. Liquids to a desired formula are thus supplied according to the projections on a cam k' and the arms n<SP>5</SP> on the shaft N. Supplies according to other formulae can be provided by sliding the shaft H so that another cam effects the functions of the cam k<SP>1</SP> and another set of arms n<SP>5</SP> are operative owing to a partial rotation of the shaft N. In modifications several supply pipes, for different liquids, with valves each controlled by its own set of cams may deliver into the tank A or into a common manifold leading to the tank. and may be provided with a switching arrangement to adapt it for use with the automatic controllers described in Specificaions 452,938 and 498,129 whereby supplies accordding to various formulae and at predetermined intervals of time can be effected.