Patent GB-276096-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in suction intake pipes and valve mechanisms therefor
IPC: F16K31/122
Filed: 1926-06-01
Abstract: 276,096. Blackeborough, R. A., (Larner Engineering Co.). June 1, 1926. Regulating or controlling.-The suction intake pipe is flared the smaller end constituting the intake mouth and being provided with a valve to control the intake. The flared intake pipe 1, Figure 1, with an intake 2 disposed below the water level 3, is connected with a pump 4. The valve comprises a casing with an annular flaring inlet 7 beneath which, supported by webs, is a guide member 11 in which works a hollow plunger 17 having an orifice 18 controlled by a ball valve 20. The orifice 18 is in communication with the chamber A of the plunger by way of a tube 22 which is externally fluted and is guided in the tube 14. Tubes 32, 33, 34 in communication respectively with the hollow portion 14, the chamber A and the chamber B located between the plunger 17 and the casing 11, are connected up with the four way valve 35 and the pump 4 by means of the system of pipes and throttle valves shown in Figure 1 including a solenoid valve 43. In one method of operating the system, the intake liquid flow up the passage 10 and past the orifice 18 causes a reduction of pressure in the chamber A and the valve is held away from its seat 9. To close the valve, pressure may be supplied to the chamber A by opening one or all of the valves 43, 44, 47. Initially pressure is supplied through both ducts 16 and 30 but flutes on the valve stem 22 close the central orifice and thereafter the valve closes at a slower rate. If a breakdown of the plant occurs, the solenoid valve 43 closes and effects the closure of the plunger valve, the pump will however remain pressed as the tail pipe 1 remains full of water. Reversal of fluid flow in the tank-pipe closes the valve owing to pressure being communicated to the chamber A through the orifice 18 passage 22 and the pipe system. In a variation the rod 58, Figure 3, operating the valve 56 which controls the inlet of the tail pipe 50 carries at its upper end a piston 59 working in a cylinder 60. Pipes 64, 70 in communication with the cylinder above and below the piston may be put into communication with the pump discharge line and the atmosphere respectively. A pipe 72 provided with a throttle valve 73 allows communication between the intake pine and the cylinder end 63. In operation, with the pump running, the suction in the intake pipe is communicated beneath the piston 59 and the valve is held open. Stoppage of tne pump causes the solenoid valve 65 to open and admit pressure fluid beneath the piston and so closes the valve. In a variation on this modification, a solenoid valve 97 is placed in a drain pipe 96 in communication with the upper end of a cylinder 87 whilst a pipe 99 leading from pipe 96 leads to a supplemental drain control valve. The pump when running creates a suction beneath the piston 104 and so holds the valve open. If the pump stops, static pressure is built up in the pipe 84 and is communicated beneath a cylinder 106, Figure 7, in the supplementary valve device. This movement is transmitted by a suitable linkage to open the valve 103 and permit drainage of the chamber 87 and consequent closure of the intake pipe control valve. In a further modification, the control cylinder is located below the intake pipe control valve, and in another form a needle valve is employed. In a variation in which a butterfly valve 161, Figure 8 is employed operated by linkwork from the control cylinder 166, a flow record device is employed comprising cylinders 167, 168, in which work pistons 172, 173 the rods of which carry a scale 174 and index 175 respectively. Cylinders 168, 167 are in communication respectively with the tailwater by way of the pipe 170 and with the restricted neck of the suction pipe by the pipe 171.