US2966891A - Simplified power relay assembly - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 3, 1961 J. a. WILLIAMS 2,966,891

SIMPLIFIED POWER RELAY ASSEMBLY Filed Nov. 4, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 SIGNAL POWER FLUID FLUID.

JOHN G.WILLIAMS INVENTOR. FIG. 3 BY p A Jan. 3, 1961 J. G. WILLIAMS 2,966,891

SIMPLIFIED POWER RELAY ASSEMBLY J'OHN G. WILLIAMS United States Patent Q SIMPLIFIED POWER RELAY ASSEMBLY John G. Williams, 11 Lyons Place, Springfield, NJ.

Filed Nov. 4, 1958, Ser. No. 771,872

4 Claims. (Cl. 12141) The present invention relates to a simplified power relay of the type applicable for flow control, in the operation of which it is provided that in response to low power input signals corresponding to line pressure variations, related but higher power impulses are transmitted to position a valve or other control mechanism to achieve this flow control.

Most prior art power relay assemblies used for the above purpose are similar to that disclosed in Patent 2,814,183, issued November 26, 1957, and are characterized by their use of the well known pivoting hydraulic jet pipe mechanism.

In contrast, it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide a greatly simplified structure for handling the pressurized high power fluid and controlling its effect in regulating flow control or some similar application.

A further object is to provide a power relay assembly having no mechanical linkage and thus no mechanical linkage pivot points, thereby eliminating error heretofore unavoidably introduced by bearing clearances in these pivot points and by wear of the bearings of these pivot points. I

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is an end view of one embodiment of the power relay of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view of the embodiment of Figure 1 taken on line 22.

Figure 3 is a view of the embodiment of Figure 1 taken on line 33.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the power relay of the present invention.

With particular reference to Figure 2, the power relay of the present invention is shown to have an outer casing structure 1 in which is formed a cylinder 2. A cylinder head casing 3 is connected by bolts 50 to casing structure 1 and defines a cylinder head chamber 4 to the right of cylinder 2. Disposed transversely of the cylinder 2 are a pair of telescoped sleeves 5 'and 6, the inner sleeve 5 being stationarily mounted in a head plate 7 at one end of cylinder 2, and the outer sleeve 6 being slidably disposed on said inner sleeve 5 and having a power takeolf end 8 extending through an opening 9 in an end plate 10 at the other end of cylinder 2. A piston 11 on outer sleeve 6 divides cylinder 2 into chambers 12 and 13, and by selectively admitting power fluid, such as high pressure air, to one of the said chambers 12 and 13 While exhausting the other, a flow control valve or other control mechanism (not shown) suitably connected to the power take-01f end 8 of outer sleeve 6 can be operated by the movement imparted to the said power take-01f end 8 by the power fluid acting on piston 11.

One embodiment In the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, pressure air is also used as the signal fluid, although of substantially smaller magnitude than that of the power fluid. In this said embodiment, the cylinder head plate 7 is counterbored forming stepped ble medial portion 17 is connected by circumferentially spaced screws 18 to surface 14 while a diaphragm 19, functioning as the operating element or element sensitive to signal fluid pressure changes, is similarly connected by circumferentially spaced screws 20 to surface 15. Thus, within the cylinder head chamber 4, a signal fluid pressure chamber 21 is formed between ring 16 and diaphragm 19 adjacent the end of inner sleeve 5. Signal fluid is continuously delivered to chamber 21 through a radial passageway 22 in the cylinder head plate 7. As a result, variations in signal fluid pressure or signal force will cause movement of the said movable element or diaphragm 19 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the telescoped sleeves 5 and 6. i

The cylinder head casing 3 is provided with a central bore 23 which houses a conventional four-way valve com prised of a cylindrical liner 24 force fit in the said bore 23 and a slidably disposed valve element 25. To insurethat the valve element 25 and movable element or diaphragm 19 move in unison, they are joined together by the bolt and nut arrangement 26. One end of a feedback spring member 28 disposed in the telescoped sleeves 5 and 6 is connected to the bolt 27 of arrangement 26 while the other end of spring member 28 is connected in a suitable manner to the slidable outer sleeves 6 as at 29.

Operation 7 The movable element or diaphragm 19 and the valve element 25 are in their neutral positions as shown in- Figure 2. That is, the pressure of the signal fluid in signal fluid chamber 21 urging diaphragm 19 to the right is balanced by the force in spring member 28 urging the said diaphragm to the left. admitted through a passageway 30 in cylindrical head casing 3 and through an opening 31 in cylindrical liner 24 is thus confined to a central annular chamber 32 formed about valve elements 25 between the larger two of four shoulders 33 on valve element 25. At all times,

chamber 34 to the right of diaphragm 19 communicates with the atmosphere through one of several radial passages 35 leading to a central passage 36 in valve element 25, which central passage in turn leads to an opening 37 in a cap 38 connected by screws 39 to cylinder head casing 3.

Let it now be assumed that there is a decrease in signal fluid pressure, signalling a decrease in line pressure, and

further let it be assumed that corrective action requires movement of the power take-off end 8 to the right in order to open a flow control valve (not shown) and thus restores the line pressure. This said corrective movement by the power take-off end 8 occurs due to the following: When signal fluid pressure is decreased, the spring member 28 is then able to urge both the diaphragm 19 and the valve element 25 to the left. This movement in the valve element 25 uncovers an opening 40 in the cylindrical liner 24 and thus allows passage 'of the power fluid from chamber 32 into a passageway 41 leading into chamber 12. At the same time, and as more clearly shown in Figure 3, any power fluid in chamber 13 is exhausted to atmosphere passing through a passageway 42 and an opening 43 in the cylindrical liner 24 into an annular exhaust chamber 44 formed about valve element 25 to the right of central annular chamber 32, and from thence passing through radial passage 35 and central passage 36 to the opening 37. Thus the entry of power fluid into chamber 12 while chamber 13 is exhausted to atmosphere will result in the power fluid causing the desired corrective movement of the power take-01f end 8 of outer sleeve 6 to the right.

However, this corrective movement of the power takeoff end 8 of outer sleeve 6, being dependent upon the Patented v Jan. 3, 1961 7 Power fluid being- 3.1 entry, of power fluid into chamber 12, can COIltillllelOIllY, as long as the overbalance of spring force relative to that of the decreased signal fluid pressure in signal fluid chamber 21 maintains valve element 25 out of its neutral position. Yet, as the power takeaolf" end flmoves. to the right the force "of spring: member 28 is decreased by con-w traction and a point is soon reached when it strikes a.

balance'with the decreasedsignal fluid pressure, whereupon the diaphragm 19 and valve element 25 move back totheir neutral position'cutting oil the supply. of power fluid. to chamber 12.

An increase in signal fluid pressure, signalling an increase in line pressure, will on the other hand require corrective movement of the power take-off end 8 to the left. Thissaid corrective movement occurs due to the following: When-signal fluid pressure is increased, it will result in' both the-diaphragm 19 andv valve element ZS moving. to the right. As best seen in Figure 3, thismovement in the valve element 25 uncovers-the cylindrical liner opening,43 and thus allowspassage of the power fluid from.

chamber 32' into passageway 42 leading to chamber 13.

At the same time, chamber 12 is exhausted toatmospherei.

through passageway 41 and liner opening 40 into aisecond annular exhaust chamber 45. formed. about valve element 25 to the left of central annular chamber 32, and.

from thence through radial passage35 and central pas sage'36 to the opening 37. Thus, in this instance, the

power take-off end 8 of outer sleeve 6 will move to the left under the urgency of ithe power fluid.

Here too, however, corrective movement of the power take-off end 8 of outer sleeve 6 to the left can continue only'as long as valve element 25 is maintaIned' out of its neutral position. Yet, as the power take-01f end 8 moves tO'theleft, the force of spring-member 28 is increased by extensionand a point is soon reached when it strikes a balance with the increased signal fluid pressure, whereupon diaphragm 19 and valve element 25 move back to their neutral position cutting off the supply of power fluid to chamber 13.

Thus it is-seen that the simplified power relay of the" present invention accomplishes the desired'result of regulating a high power impulse in response to a low power impulse without resorting to any mechanical linkage or pivot points therefor, thus eliminatingerror heretofore introduced by wear of these elements;

Another embodiment.-

In the embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 4, it is preferred to regulate the power flu.d in response to variations in electrical impulses rather than in'response to variations in pressure of a signal fluid. Thus, instead of providing a diaphragm adjacent the end oftheinner sleeve within the cylinder head chamber and are designated by the same but primed reference numerals.

Operation The valve element 25 and the operating element which in this instance is the valve element extension 47 are intheir neutral position as shown in Figure 4. Thus, the power fluid is confined to central annular chamber 32' and the force exerted by the solenoid 48 on extenson 47 by reason of the electrical signal input thereto balances the opposing force of the spring member 28. Assuming at this time there is a decrease in the electrical signal input to the solenoid 48, valve elementZS' moves to the left under the urgency of spring member 28. In the manner previously described, this movement in valveelement 25' permits the power fluid to enter. chamber 12' through passageway 41' while chamber 13': is: exhausted to atmosphere. Accordingly, under the urg of 11116 power fluid, the. power take-off end 8' of outer sleeve; 61 partakes a corrective movement to the right. This in turn decreases the force of spring member 28 by contraction and a point is soon reached when it strikes a balance with the decreased modulated force of solenoid 48, whereupon the valve element 25' and valve element extension 47 move back to their neutral-position cutting off the sup ply of power fluid to chamber 12'.

On the other hand, if'instead of a decrease in the electrical signal input to solenoid 48 there is-an increase in this signal, the increased force exerted by the solenoid "48 on extension 47 will cause valve element 25' to move to the right. In the manner previously described, this movement in valve element 25 will resultin the power fluid urging the power take-off end 8' of outer sleeve 6' to the left. This in turn increases the force of spring member 28 by extension and a point is soon reached when it strikes a balance with the increased modulated force of solenoid 48, whereupon the valve element 25' and valve element extension 47 move backtotheir neutral position cutting off the supply of power fluid tol'chan ber 13'.

Thus, this embodiment of the present inventionalso" constitutes a simplified power relay in which high power-- impulses are regulated in response to low power signals, which in this instance are electrical impulses.

It will be understood that the invention is not to bej, limited to the specific construction or arrangement of parts shown, but that they may be widely modified within the invention definedby the claims.

What is'claimed is:

l. A power relay assembly comprising, a casing; in; which isformed afirst and a second chamber, saidicasingfi defining a hole between said chambers, a pair of. telescoped sleeves disposed within said first chamber, the inner sleeve r mounted stationary about said hole; the: outersleeve freely slidable on said inner sleeve and hav-- inga' power take-.ofl extending from said first chamber, a piston connected to said outer sleeve and operatively'disa= posed in said first chamber, a'movable element disposed within said second chamber, avalve element adapted to move in unison with said movable element in a direction parallel to the axis of said telescoped sleeves from a neutral position in response to a signal force acting on saidmovable element, pressurized power fluid communicating with said valve element, conduit means communicating;v said valve element with one side of said piston, said valve element when moving from saidneutral position permitting communication of power fluid to said one side of said piston forcing movement of the power take-olf, a spring 1 member disposed in said telescoped sleeves and connected at one end to said slidable outer sleeve and penetrating. said hole so that the other end is attached to'said movable element-whereby on movement of said piston said spring;

member is stressed to oppose said signal force and urge: said valve element to return to its neutral position-upon the diminution of said signal force thereby curtailing the communication of power fluid to said side of the piston,-a= sealing membrane connected to the end of said" second chamber adjacent said first chamber to seal said hole.

2. A power relay assembly comprising a casing inwhich is formed a first'and a second chamber, said casingf defining a hole between said chambers, a pair of tele-. scoped sleeves disposed within said first chamber, the inner sleeve mounted stationary about said hole, the outer. sleeve freely slidable on said inner sleeve and having a power take-off extending from said first chamber, a-pis ton connected to said outer sleeve and operativelydisposed in said first chamber, a first and a second side of said piston, a movableelement disposed within said secand: chamber, a slide valve adapted to move in unison with said movable element in-a direction parallel'to the axisiof saiditelescoped sleeves from a neutral position in. response touaisignal force acting on said vmovable element, pressurized. power; fluid communicatingwith said valve; first conduit means communicating said slide valve with said first side of the piston, second conduit means communicating said slide valve with said second side of the piston, exhaust means communicating with said valve, said valve when moving from said neutral position permitting communication of power fluid to either of said sides of the piston while exhausting the other side thereby forcing movement of said power take-oft, a spring member disposed in said telescoped sleeves and connected at one end to said slidable outer sleeve and penetrating said hole so that the other end is attached to said movable element whereby on movement of said piston said spring member is stressed to oppose said signal force and urge said valve to return to its neutral position upon the diminution of said signal force thereby curtailing the communication of power fluid to said first chamber, a sealing membrane connected to the end of said second chamber adjacent said first chamber to seal said hole.

3. The power relay assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein said movable element is a flexible diaphragm disposed normal to the axis of said telescoped sleeves and spaced from one end of said second chamber to define a pressure compartment in which signal fluid impulses are received from a variable signal source to move said diaphragm from a neutral position in response to said fluid impulses in a direction parallel to the axis of said telescoped sleeves, said valve element comprising a slide valve connected to said diaphragm in close proximity therewith.

4. A power relay assembly comprising a casing with a first chamber and a second chamber, a piston in said first chamber, said second chamber connected to a variable fluid signal source, a movable element in said second chamber comprised of a diaphragm, said diaphragm disposed transverse to the direction of motion of said piston in said first chamber, said diaphragm including a flexible membrane and a plate means centrally mounted on said flexible membrane, said plate means extending a portion of the radial distance from the center of said flexible membrane to the periphery of said flexible membrane, a

pair of concentric telescoped sleeves disposed longitudinally in said first chamber, said telescoped sleeves comprising a first sleeve and a second sleeve, said first sleeve being stationary and connected to said casing on the side of said piston adjacent said second chamber, said second sleeve slidably mounted on said first sleeve, said piston is formed on said second sleeve, the end of said second sleeve remote from said piston extends out of said casing and is connected to a power take-off, a spring housed in said telescoped sleeves connected at one end to said slidably mounted second sleeve and to the other end of said plate means of said diaphragm, a valve element connected to the plate means of said diaphragm, said valve element connected to move in unison with said plate means of said diaphragm in a path parallel to the longitudinal axis of said telescoped sleeves in response to a change in the pressure transmitted by the signal fluid, said valve element connected to an entrance port means for power fluid and connected to an exit port means for power fluid and said valve element connected to passage means communicating with each side of said piston, said valve element when moving from a neutral position permitting entrance of said power fluid to one of the sides of said piston and the exhaustion of power fluid fromthe opposite side of said piston forcing movement of said piston opposite the direction of the motion of said valve, said spring member disposed in said telescoped sleeves is contracted or extended to cause said plate means of said diaphragm and said valve to return to their neutral position after each movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS France July 11, 1949

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