Патент USA US2546435

March 27, 1951
Filed Oct
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9, 1945
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March 27, 1951
R. E. FARNSWORTH
2,546,434
AUTOMATIC LIQUID DRAIN
Filed Oct. 9, 1945
2 Sheets-Sheet 2
INVENTOR
R.E- EZIRNSWORTH
My 919W?
ATTORN EY
Patented Mar. 27, 1951
2,546,434
4
UNITED STATES rATENT OFFICE
2,546,434
AUTOIVIATIC LIQUID DRAIN
Roscoe E. Farnsworth, Oakland, Calif.
Application October 9, 1945, Serial No. 621,325
8 Claims.
(Cl. 183—39)
2
3
provided chemically or electrolytically usually
The invention relates to a device for draining‘
liquids from closed chambers of systems con
taining gas under pressure.
contain water vapor or other vapors 01' gases
which may condense under the pressure ?nally
imposed on the gas being compressed. The pres
ent method and means has been particularly de
signed for automatically removing any liquid from
A general object of the invention is to provide
means for effecting the removal of any liquid,
without involving a loss of gas or the lowering of
its pressure.
the bottom of a purge tank or the like without
any loss of the gas or affecting the pressure in
Another object is to provide a liquid drain de
vice which is constantly conditioned for the auto
matic removal of liquid from a chamber contain
ing a gas under relatively high pressure.
A more speci?c object is to provide for the re
moval of liquid from a purging or liquid-trapping
tank of a gas-compressing system.
The invention possesses other objects and fea
tures of advantage, some of which, with the fore
going, will be set forth or be apparent in the fol
lowing description thereof, and in the accom
the compressor system including the tank, it
being noted that compression pressures up to
3,000 pounds per square inch are frequently used
charging free containers with compressed gas.
In the illustrated apparatus, the bottom l3’ of
the tank It is formed as a liquid-collecting basin
having a bottom drain opening at which a drain
_ pipe !5 is connected, said pipe having a T ?tting
panying drawings, in which,
Figure l is an elevation of a gas-compressing
system embodying the features of present inven—
tion, portions of certain elements of the appara~ _
tus being shown in section.
7
Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional
view at the stepped line 2-—2 in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a top view of a liquid trap element
of the apparatus, the view being taken at the
line 3—3 in Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional elevation
taken at the line 4-43 in Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a section at the line 5-5 in Figure 4.
Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view at a
balance beam of the system, liquid and gas valves
interposed therein at its lower point and having
the lowest opening thereof closed by a screw plug
It; the plug it may be removed for a gravity
draining of the tank l3 when the tank pressure
is relatively low or completely relieved. A nor
mally open shut-off valve H is provided in the
pipe l5 for closing when the pipe i5 is not to be
used or when the tank 13 is to be drained by a
removal of the screw plug it’. The gas supply
pipe i2 is shown as extending substantially to
the bottom of the tank cavity, While the tank
discharge pipe It extends from an upper point
of the tank cavity; this is a usual arrangement for
purge tanks receiving and discharging gases un
der pressure and facilitates the separation of any
liquid from the incoming gas.
'
The drain pipe [5 discharges into a gravity
trap unit l8, and the top of the trap cavity is con
nected by means of a pipe 26 through a normally
of the structure being shown in axial section,
and said valves being conditioned as when the
' open valve 59 and a valve 25 to atmosphere or to
liquid-removing means is inoperative.
the intake 22 for the compressor, the latter being
Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 5, but shows
shown. The bottom of the trap cavity is con
the liquid valve conditioned for a liquid ?ow
nected by a pipe 23 to a valve 24 through which
therethrough and the gas valve in side elevation.
The liquid-draining device of my invention is 40 trapped liquid may be discharged through a pipe
25 under atmospheric pressure and into a pipe
particularly disclosed as being applied in a gas
compressing system wherein a compressor II of
26 through which the liquid may be conveyed to
multi-stage type is arranged to supply compressed
a- point where it is wasted or used; the pipe 26
is shown as comprising a stand-pipe providing
gas through a pipe i2 into a tan; 83 from which
a funnel 26’ at its top for receiving liquid falling
the gas may be distributed under pressure through
a discharge pipe it while any liquid carried by
from the bottom end of the pipe 25. It will be
the inflowing gas collects in the bottom of the
understood that the trap unit it and valve it
are interposed in the liquid flow line provided by
tank, such a tank being known in the art as a
the pipes 15 and 23 and 25 taken in order.
distributing or purge tank. One usual source of
liquid deposited in a purge tank is the lubricant 50
used in the compressor; said lubricant may, for
instance, comprise water or an aqueous soap solu
tion used as a lubricant in compressors for oxygen,
or other lubricants used in compressors for other
It will now be particularly noted that the trap
unit it comprises a flask member 21 provided
with a bail 28 by which it is suspended from one
end of a, beam member 29 which is pivotally
supported at an intermediate point thereof from
gases. Furthermore, air or supposedly pure gases 55 a ?xedly disposed hanger 3|, the beam being
2,546,434
3
maintained in a generally horizontal position by
a suitable means such as a counterweight 32
45 for securing the valve body in a longitudinally
adjusted position on the hanger.
The body 2d’ of the valve 2% is generally tubular
mounted on its other end. The present counter
and has a stepped bore providing a seat for the
weight 32 comprises a cylindrical bucket which
conical tip of a reciprocable valve plug 1H» which
is provided with a supporting bail 33
which it
is movable through the larger bore portion, the
is hung on the beam end, and the cavity of the
valve assembly functioning as a needle valve. A
counterweight 32 may contain sand 36 and/or
compression connection a5 is provided for the
other suitable materials for providing an adjusted
pipe 23 at the extremity of the smaller bore por
counter-balancing of the ?ask unit for its lower
ing after a predetermined weight of liquid is in 10 tion, the arrangement'being such’ that the pres
sure in the pipe 23 is arranged to urge an un
the ?ask cavity. The weight of liquid required
seating of the valve plug lit. The larger body
in the container 2? for lowering the trap unit it
bore portion is enlarged immediately adjacent
is preferably such as will substantially half. fill
the valve seat, and the pipe
is connected to
the container, and such a lowering of the trap
unit is arranged to open the normally closed valve 15 the body at said enlarged bore portion for a
lateral discharge or" liquid from t. e body through
2!; for the escape of liquid through the pipes 23
i this pipe. The stem of the plug lit extends axial"
and 25 at a rate determined by the degree of
1y from the valve body 24 through a suitable pack
opening of the valve 24 operating as aneedle
ing or stuffing box it.
valve.
It will now be noted that the extending end
To permit the required up and down move 20
of the valve plug ill-lie arranged for its constant
.ment of the trap .unit, its connections with the
bearing engagement with an upward extension
pipes 15 and 2t and 23 must be appropriately
or arm :31 of the beam ‘29, said extension pro
?exible, and offer aminimum or" resistance to
‘viding a flat plug~contacting face lil” extending
the movement of the trap unit as the amount
of liquid therein varies. ,As particularly illus~ ' in a plane which preferably includes the axis of
swinging and center of gravity of the beam.
trated, portions of the pipes 55 and 25 immedi
When no liquid is to escape through the valve
. ately adjacent their connections to the flask ill
24, the beam is arranged to be so positioned that
are respectively formed as helical coils l5’ and
the beam extension ill is operative to hold the
20' which have their axes substantially parallel
to the upright line of possible movement of the 30 valve shut against any liquid flow from the pipe
'23. When the beam is rocked by reason of the
trap unit and offer a minimum resistance to such
sufficient accumulation of liquid in the ?ask '2?
.movement; the present coils i5’ and 20' are axi
to pull down the beam‘end which carries the
ally aligned and generally alike whereby an axial
?ask, the needle valve plug’ it is released for
compression of one is generally compensated for
its pressure displ cement to ‘ the escape of liquid
, by a like axially stretching of the other as the trap
through and from the pipe 25.
,unit moves. The liquid discharge pipe 23 is given
The valve is is arranged to be open continu
the required ?exibility
the provision therein
ously during the operation of the present ap
of. a helical portion 23', having its axis generally
paratus for effecting a very slight relief 0:‘ the
perpendicular to the line of movement of the
tank pressure through the pipe ill whereby the
trap unit. The pipes l5 and 2e and 23 may com
tank pressure may cause the expulsion of liquid
prise relatively small and flexible tubing of re
from the bottom of the tank through the pipe
quired strength for the pressures which may
portion leading to the ?ask’ Z? for its trapping
exist therein.
in the'?ask. It‘ will be'understood that t‘. e pres
In the disclosed trap. structure, the connections
for the pipes 15 and 28 and 23 are provided 45 sure in the trap system is arranged to be just
enough lower than that in the tank l3 that the
through a plug or cork’ 35 sealediy ?xed in the
pressure di?erential between the tank and flask
neck 2'?’ of the flask 21, and said neck provides
is suf?cient to expel liquid’ from the tank bottom
oppositely directed earstt to which the ends
as it is deposited thereat, said liquid being ac
of the bail 28 are rigidly attached by and between
nuts 3‘! threadedly engaging the ears. The top 50 companied by a certain amount of the gas for
escape through the valve It in accordance with
of the bail 28 is swinga‘oly looped over a suitable
the setting of the latter.
seat provided across onebeam end, a sininar
The valve 2i normallyprovides an open pas
mounting being provided for the counterweight
sage for the gas therethrough and
arranged
‘ bail at’ the other beam, end. lvlutually aligned
trunnions 38 extend oppositely from an inter 55 to be automatically closed by thev action of the
mediate point of thebeam 29 above the center
of gravity of the beam and its load, said trun
nions providing downwardly-directed knife edges
beam 2% as controlled by the position of the trap
unit when the ?ask contains appreciably more
than .the desired limited amount of liquid, as
‘may tend to occur on account of a pressure dis
38’ for engaging seats at the bottoms of V notches
60 charge of liquid from the bottom of the tank
39 provided by members fill or the hanger 3 !.
E3 following an accumulation of liquid in the
By particular reference to the showings of
tank 53 while there is no liquid ?ow through the
Figures 2 and 6, it will be noted that the present
apparatus, it being necessary that the liquid level
- hanger 3% comprises a-base member
by which
in the flask be prevented from reaching the flask
vthe hanger may be secured to a fixed support
65 outlet to the pipe‘?t through which gas normally
(not shown), and the members Ill, which are
escapes from the flask to, and through the valve
_ generally C-shaped, are. bolted to the base
at
Hi. When the valve ii is closed, the valve 2:3
transverse ?ange portions 4!’ at their tops and
is fully open, whereby the tank pressure will force
provide. the notches 3?; at top points of their
the liquid from the trap to eventually so lower
‘lower ends to provide a horizontal support axis 70 the liquid level in the trap‘as topermit a raising
for the beam. The hanger members ill mount
of the unit under the in?uence of the counter
the valve 2?! by a clamped engagement of the
weight 32 to ?nally eilect an'opening of the valve
valve body 242' between them in adjusted posi
21 for the resumption of gas ?ow through the
~-tion in a generally horizontal line; bolts 113 ex
valve is and the func ioning of the rimary
' tend through" and between ‘the hanger members
automaticcontrbl. ~It will-be understood that
2,546,434
5
when the present apparatus is operating for com‘
pressing a gas and delivering the same through
the tank l3, the trap unit will constantly “hunt”
a position in which the drainage action there
through is generally continuous, whereby the
action comprises an automatic weighing-out
process, and the bottom of the tank I3 is kept
6
I now consider to comprise a preferred embodi
ment thereof, I desire to have it understood that
the disclosure is primarily illustrated, and that
such changes and developments may be made,
when- desired, as fall within the scope of the
following claims.
>
I claim:
1. In combination with a vessel in a flow line
clear of liquid.
for compressed gas and in which liquid carried
The present valve 2! comprises a body having
threadeolly engaged sections lit and
defining‘ 10 by the gas may be deposited, a discharge pipe
for the deposited liquid, a liquid-discharge valve
a chamber 5! which is partitioned by a ?exible
diaphragm or disc
Inlet and discharge open~
for said pipe, a liquid trap interposed in said
ings 53 and 5!! are provided in the bottom‘ of the
pipe between its discharge valve and the vessel
section 49 at tubular nipples for connecting the
to receive the liquid, mealns supporting said trap
valve at a point in the pipe 23 between the valve 15 for its lowering displacement as a unit when the
trap contains more than a predetermined weight
19 and the compressor intake 22. The inlet open
of the liquid, and means utilizing the position of
ing 53 is opposite the center of the disc 52 and
the trap to so control said liquid-discharge valve
terminates in a tubular boss 55 providing a valve
that the weight of liquid in the trap is automati
seat at its end against which the disc
is ar
ranged to be mechanically engaged to close the 20 cally held to a predetermined value.
gas escape line from the flask through the valve
2. In combination with a flow line for com
l9 and so prevent any ?ow of liquid into the
pressed gas, a vessel providing a basin in which
pipe 20.
liquid carried by the gas may be deposited, a ?uid
The diaphragm 52 is normally spaced from
discharge pipe from the bottom of the basin, a
the boss 55, and a member 56 is slidably engaged 25 liquid-discharge valve in said pipe, a liquid trap
through the section Lid for projection against
interposed in said pipe, and a valve means pro
the diaphragm center to positively seat a di
viding for a regulated constant and limited es~
aphragm against tie boss in its passage
cape of gas from the trap whereby the ?uid
closing position. The member 5% has a disc
pressure in the trap is maintained at a value
engaging head 56' and a smaller stern portion
very slightly less than that of the vessel to pro
56” extending from the section 48 for depressing
vide a continuous limited flow of gas with the
engagement when the passage through the valve
deposited liquid from the vessel into the trap
is to be closed. In the assembly of the present
while its normal gas pressure is maintained in
apparatus, the valve 2i is fixedly mounted with
the vessel and the liquid-discharge valve is open.
the upper end of its stem 5%" disposed for dis
3. In combination with a flow line for com
placing engagement by the beam arm which car
pressed gas, a vessel providing a basin in which
ries the trap unit should the flask of the unit
liquid carried by the gas may be deposited, a
contain more than a permitted weight of liquid.
?uid-discharge pipe from the bottom of the basin,
The valve 2! may be ?xedly supported in its op
an adjustable liquid-discharge valve in said pipe,
a liquid trap interposed in said pipe, a gas-dis
erative position in any suitable manner, its ver
tically adjusted support from an arm 5? depend
charge pipe leading from said trap, and a regu
ing from a hanger member ?ll being particularly
lator valve means in said gas-discharge pipe pro
shown whereby this valve is unitarily associated
viding for a constant and adjustably limited es
cape of gas therethrough from the trap whereby
with the valve 21%.
It will now be particularly noted and under
the trap pressure is enough lower than the pres
stood that the present device is usable in con
sure in the vessel as .to provide a continuous and
nection with purge tanks from which many dif
limited flow of gas and the deposited liquid from
ferent kinds of gases are supplied for supplying
the vessel into the trap.
free containers with the gas. For example, a gas
4. In combination with a ?ow line for 06h
to be so handled may comprise acetylene, oxygen,
pressed
gas, a vessel providing a basin in which
nitrogen, helium, hydrogen, sulphur dioxide, car 50 liquid carried by the gas may be deposited, a
bon dioxide, and others, most of such gases being
iluid~discharge pipe from the bottom of the
either injurious to life and/or being too valuable
basin, a liquid-discharge valve in said pipe, a
to waste; the disclosed connection of the pipe
unitary liquid trap interposed in said pipe and
20 to the intake of the compressor ii is there
yieldingly supported for its lowering when it c0n~
fore usually desirable as a means to salvaging
tains a predetermined weight of liquid, means
the gas escaping through the valve l9. Also, in
providing for a constant and limited escape of
applying the present device to gas-compressing‘
gas from the trap for producing a flow of gas
systems handling different gases, the delivery
with deposited liquid from the vessel thereinto,
pressures of the different gases handled may vary
and means whereby a lowered disposal of said
considerably, hence the disclosed use of a regula
trap conditions the liquid-discharge valve for the
tor type valve for controlling the gas and liquid
discharge of the liquid from the trap at a uni
flow to and through the weighing-out flask 2?
form rate when and while the weight of liquid
provides for a ready adaptation of the same device
in the trap has a predetermined value.
to high-compression apparatus for different gases 65
5. In combination with a flow line for highly.
by reason of the permitted adjustability of the
compressed gas, a vessel providing a basin in
valve [9 to provide an appropriate liquid-purg
which liquid carried by the gas may be depos.
ing action with respect to a tank l3.
ited, a ?uid-discharge pipe from the bottom of
From the foregoing description taken in con
the basin, a liquid-discharge valve in said pipe, a
nection with the accompanying drawings, the ad 70 liquid trap interposed in said pipe, a gas-dis»
charge pipe leading from said trap, a valve means
vantages of the construction and use or" the pres
in said gas-discharge pipe providing for a con
ent device will be readily understood by those
stant and adjustably limited escape of gas there
skilled in the art to which the invention apper
through from the trap, means supporting said
tains. While I have described the principle of
operation, together with an arrangement which 75 trap for its lowering as a unit when the weight
2,546,434
8
7
ofliquid therein reaches a predetermined value,
and means for actuation by the lowered trap to
open the liquid-discharge valve for the discharge
of liquid from the trap by the action of the trap
pressure.
6. A structure in accordance with claim 5
wherein the means supporting the trapv for its
lowering for opening the liquid-discharge valve
fecting an opening of the liquidedischarge valve.
8. A structure in accordance with claim 7
wherein the means supporting the trap for its
lowering for opening the liquid-discharge valve
comprises a counterbalanced beam member, and
the means for closing the gas-discharge pipe
comprises a valve arranged for closing bythe
beam member when the latter is sui?ciently dis,
placed by reason of the Weight of liquid in the
comprises a counterbalanced beam member.
7. In combination with a flow line for com 10 trap.
pressed gas, a vessel providing a basin in which
liquid carried by the gas maybe deposited, a
ROSCOE E. FARNSWORTH.
REFERENCES CITED
?uid-discharge pipe from the bottom ofthe basin,
a liquid-discharge valve in said pipe, a liquid trap
The following references are of record in the
interposed in said pipe, a gas-discharge pipe lead 15 ?le of this patent:
ing from said trap, means in said gas-discharge
UNITED STATES PATENTS
pipe providing for a constant and limited escape
of gas therethrough from the trap, means sup
porting said trap for its lowering when the Weight
of liquid therein exceeds a predetermined value, 20
means for normal actuation by the lowered trap
to open the liquid-discharge valve for the dis
charge of liquid from the trap by the action of
the trap pressure, and means automatically op
erative to close said gas-discharge pipe beyond
said opening when the weight of liquid in the
trap substantially exceeds that required for ef
Number
399,427
609,284
855,243
925,438
1,450,561
1,547,429
1,581,636
1,941,030
1,995,075
Name
Date
Moore __________ __ Mar. 12, 1889
Losure __________ __ Aug. 16, 1898
Green et al. ______ __ May 28, 1907
Mount __________ __ June 15,
Parker ____________ __ Apr. 3,
Ludeman _________ __ July 28,
Hilger ____________ __ Apr. 20,
Williams _________ __ Dec. 26,
Murphy __________ __ Mar. 19,
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