FR2521252A1 - Air eliminator for fluid pipelines - has float operated valves with lateral movement from seats to control outlet ports - Google Patents

Abstract

The air eliminator is built into a standard pipe tee, fitted with a cover (11) at one end and an inlet flange (14) at the other. The top of the tee carries a mounting flange (9) and a cover (19) incorporating two air outlet ports (27). The float arms (35) carry slightly pivoting valve discs (31). The float is fitted between the two arms, which are hinged at the lower ends (43). When the eliminator operates the valves move from their seats laterally, ensuring uninterrupted flow for the exhausting air.

Description

 "Automatic device with high flow rate".

 The present invention relates to a device forming an automatic suction cup allowing, during the filling of an enclosure or a pipe with a liquid, the evacuation of the air which it contains or, during its emptying, the return of air .

 Automatic suction cup devices are already known. However, these devices have the drawbacks of a low speed of air flow through the device and of an untimely closure as soon as the air speed increases.

We have also sought to avoid this last drawback by protecting the moving equipment of the device. However, in this case, the device is relatively complicated and the pressure drops created in this device limit the speed of air flow.

 The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks and proposes a device forming an automatic suction cup of simple structure allowing large air flow rates and having the advantage of not closing unexpectedly. In addition, it can have a modular structure facilitating its establishment on a remote site.

 The device forming an automatic suction cup according to the present invention, which allows, when filling an enclosure or a pipe with a liquid, the evacuation of the air which the island contains or, during its emptying, reentry air, comprises a hollow body fixing to said pipe and having in its upper part at least one outer opening surrounded on the inside of said body by a valve seat and at least one opening for communication with said pipe and, at the inside said body, at least one valve capable of closing said opening by resting on said valve seat and at least one float connected to said valve for actuation of the latter for closing and maintaining when filling said body and its opening when emptying the latter.

 According to the present invention, said valve and said float are mounted on at least one lever which is articulated on said body so as to be able to pivot about an axis arranged so that said valve performs an upward or downward movement combined with lateral movement with respect to said opening.

In this way, the flow of air through said opening 'is' not disturbed by the valve which is released.

 In an alternative embodiment, said body has a lateral flow channel opening out below said valve. In this case, said axis of articulation of said lever is preferably disposed on the side of this flow channel so that when said valve is open, the latter and the float at least partially release said flow channel in a directions which move them away from said lateral flow channel, the flow of air in this flow channel rather tending to move said valve away from its seat.

 According to the present invention, said float is preferably fixed to said lever between said valve and the hinge pin of this lever.

 According to the present invention, said hollow body may advantageously have a cavity in which is housed said float in order to increase the opening movement of said valve.

 According to the present invention, said hollow body can advantageously be formed at least in part from standard pipe elements.

 According to the present invention, the device can further comprise at least one balancing spring which acts in the direction of closing said valve, this spring at least partially balancing the weight of the valve, of the float and of the lever.

 The present invention also relates to a device capable of being associated with a hollow body having an upper opening and another opening and between these openings a flow channel opening laterally below said upper opening, in form? an automatic suction cup.

 According to the present invention, this device comprises a plate capable of being fixed on said hollow body so as to close off the upper opening of the latter and having at least one opening and a valve seat surrounding this opening and formed on the face of said plate to be turned towards the inside of said hollow body, at least one lever, at least one valve formed to bear on said seat and mounted or capable of being mounted on one of the ends of said lever, a joint mounted or susceptible to be mounted on the other end of said lever and capable of being fixed in said body so that said valve is supported on said valve seat and so that it performs, by pivoting of said lever around its articulation, an upward movement or lowering combined with a lateral movement relative to said opening, and a float mounted or capable of being mounted on said lever between its ends.

 According to the present invention, said lever is formed so that its articulation is capable of being fixed in said lateral flow channel and on the side of the lateral end of the latter.

 The present invention also relates to a hollow body capable of receiving the above device.

 According to the present invention, this hollow body is formed from standard pipe elements assembled for example by welding.

 According to the present invention, this body is preferably formed by a T-shaped pipe element whose end of the central branch carries an annular flange intended to receive said plate, whose end of one of the branches is closed by a cover and the end of the other branch of which carries an annular flange intended for mounting said body on a pipe.

 According to the present invention, this body may also have a second central branch opposite said central branch, this second central branch being closed at its end by a cover and forming an interior cavity opposite said central branch in order to increase the possible descent of said valve and said float.

 The present invention also relates to a pipe for transporting a liquid to which the automatic suction device device according to the present invention is laterally connected and to which a second automatic suction device device is connected, in its upper part, these devices being connected on a section of said pipe so that the valve of the lateral device closes before the valve of the upper device during filling of said pipe with said fluid.

 This method of connection according to the present invention is particularly advantageous. Indeed, during a rapid filling of said pipe, the air flows very quickly and, when the valve of the lateral device closes, the air which remains in the upper space of the pipe constitutes a buffer of damping preventing water hammer, the upper valve allowing the complete filling of the pipe.

The present invention will be better understood from the study of an automatic suction cup device described by way of nonlimiting example and illustrated by the drawing in which
- Figure 7 shows a large pipe on which is connected laterally the device forming an automatic suction cup according to the present invention and on which is connected, in its upper part, a second device forming an automatic suction cup;
- Figure 2 shows in axial section along II-II of Figure 3 the device forming an automatic suction cup according to the present invention
- Figure 3 shows a section III-III of the automatic suction cup device shown in Figure 2;
and FIG. 4 represents an alternative embodiment of the device shown in FIG. 2.

 With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, we will describe the automatic suction cup device which is designed to be constructed in a modular fashion so that it can be manufactured either entirely in the factory or partly in the factory and partly directly on the site where it is to be installed, as will be seen on reading the description which follows.

 The automatic suction cup device shown, generally indicated by the reference], comprises a hollow body generally indicated by the reference 2 and a movable assembly generally identified by the reference 3 and mounted at the inside the hollow body 2.

 The body 2 has an elbow-shaped flow channel 4, the branch 5 of which is vertical and the branch 6 of which is horizontal and extends laterally to the vertical branch 5.

 In the example shown, the hollow body is formed at least in part using standard pipe elements.

 In fact, it comprises a tee-shaped element 7, the central branch 8 of which is vertical and carries at its end an annular mounting flange 9, the lateral branch 10 of which is closed by a cover li and the other lateral branch of which 12 is extended by a pipe portion 13 which carries an annular mounting flange 14 at its end, the lateral branch 12 and the pipe portion 13 delimiting the lateral channel 6.

 In its lower part opposite its vertical branch 8; the tee-shaped element 7 has an opening 15 which is surrounded by a pipe portion 16 which extends towards the outside and the end of which is closed by a cover 17, this pipe element 16 delimiting an internal cavity 18.

 Usually, parts 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16 and 17 are assembled by welding.

 The hollow body 2 is further delimited, at its upper part, by a circular plate 19 which is fixed to the flange 9 by means of studs 20 regularly distributed, an annular seal 21 being disposed between the plate 19 and the flange 9 .

 As can be seen in FIG. 2, the plate 19 has two vertical openings 22 and 23 which are in the form of a cone open upwards and which are arranged perpendicular to the flow channel 4.

 Arranged respectively around its openings 22 and 23, the plate 19 carries tubes 24 and 25 which extend inside the vertical channel 5. The orifice 22 and the tube 24 delimit an opening 26 and the orifice 23 and the tube 25 delimits an opening 27, these openings opening downwards into the flow channel 4 above the lateral channel 6.

 The tubes 24 and 25 carry at their lower ends respectively annular rings 28 and 29 intended to form valve seats. These rings 28 and 29 are for example made of plastic or rubber and are in the example shown arranged inside annular grooves provided on the end edge of the tubes 24 and 25.

 In the example shown, the moving element 3 of the device forming an automatic suction cup 1 comprises two valves 30 and 31 which are capable of closing off the openings 26 and 27 by bearing on the valve seats 28 and 29. In order to improve sealing, the valves 30 and 31 respectively have annular bosses 32 and 33 which are intended to come to bear on the valve seats 28 and 29.

 The moving element 3 also comprises two levers 34 and 35 which are parallel and which are tubular. These levers 34 and 35 respectively carry said valves and are mounted, by means of an articulation 43a, in the body 2 of the side of its lateral channel 6, the levers 34 and 35 being integral in rotation for a movement joint of valves 30 and 31.

 As can be seen in FIG. 2, the levers 34 and 35 are welded and respectively have branches 36 and 37 which are substantially perpendicular to the valves 30 and 31 and the ends of which carry these valves 30 and 31 respectively through articulated connections formed in the example represented by axes 38 and 39 on yokes, these articulated connections allowing a slight movement of each valve relative to the lever which carries it.

 The branches 36 and 37 extend downward respectively by branches 40 and 41 which are inclined in the direction of the lower part of the lateral channel 6. The lower ends of the branches 40 and 41 are mounted on an axis 42 and are fixed to this the latter for example by welding. The axis 42 extends substantially perpendicular to the flow channel 4 and is carried, between the lower ends of the branches 40 and 41 of the levers 34 and 35 by a yoke 43 open upwards. The axis 42 is held between the branches of this yoke 43 by pins 44 and 45 which extend above the axis 42, this axis 42 being able to pivot easily inside the yoke 43. The axis 42 and the yoke 43 form the joint 43a.

 The moving element 3 also includes a float 46 which is fixed to the levers 34 and 35 between the valves 30 and 31 and the articulation 43a. In the example shown, the float 46 is fixed in the vicinity of the bend of the levers 34 and 35 and below.

 The yoke 43 is fixed to the body 2 in the lower part of the lateral channel 7, for example by welding.

 The float 46 is, in the example shown, in the form of a sphere. It can be either a plastic material or a metallic material.

 As can be seen in the figures, the plate 19 carries on its outer face a protective grid 47 preventing the penetration into the flow channel 4 of unwanted solid bodies.

 We will now describe how the automatic suction cup device shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 works.

 The movable assembly 3 of the device forming an automatic suction cup shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 can oscillate between two extreme positions, a closed or high position shown in strong lines in FIG. 2 in which the valves 30 and 31 are supported on their seats respective and the float 46 is in the air and an open or low position shown in drawn lines in FIG. 2 in which the float 46 is supported on the bottom formed by the cover 17 of the cavity and the valves 30 and 31 are distant from their respective seats in order to free the openings 26 and 27 of the plate 19. The movements of opening and closing of the valves 30 and 31 are normally ensured by the liquid which enters the body 2 through the end of the lateral channel 6 and the position of the float 46 and consequently that of the valves 30 and 31 is conditioned by the level of the liquid in this body 2.

 As designed and shown in the figures, the moving element 3 is such that when the valves 30 and 31 are closed or opened, the levers 34 and 35 pivot in the yoke 43 by means of the axis 42 in one direction or the other so that the valves 30 and 31 and the float 46 effect a downward or upward movement combined with a lateral movement relative to the openings 26 and 27, lateral movement which, at least in the first part of the opening of the valves 30 and 31, moves these valves 30 and 31 and the float 46 away from the lateral channel 6. In the example shown, the float 46 and the valves 30 and 31 are, in their low position, in the position furthest from the lateral channel 6.

 This arrangement has a particularly interesting advantage. In fact, when the valves 30 and 31 are completely open, an air flow in the flow channel 4 and through the openings 26 and 27 both in one direction and in the other acts on the moving element 3 and in particular on the float 46 in a direction which tends to make it descend so that it is kept in the low position in a secure manner. In addition, due to the lateral movement of the valve and the float in a direction which moves them away from the central part of the flow channel 46, the air flow is little disturbed.

 In order to further improve the air flow and the maintenance of the moving element in its low position, a deflector could be provided which is substantially perpendicular to the flow channel 4, this deflector possibly for example extending above and along. levers 34 'and 35 and be fixed to these.

 Referring to Figure 1, we will show a particular mode of mounting the device forming an automatic suction cup 1 shown in Figures 2 and 3 on a pipe.

 There is shown in Figure 1, a large d-dimension pipe 48 for transporting a liquid such as water over long distances. As shown, this pipe 38 has a high portion or elbow 49 in an arc. If one wishes to fill the pipe with a liquid, it is necessary on the one hand to provide for a flow of the air which it contains and on the other hand - to eliminate the air which could remain in the part upper elbow 49.

 In order to obtain these results, the automatic suction cup device i shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is mounted on a lateral connection 50 provided in the upper part of the arc 49, so that its openings 26 and 27 are substantially vertical and turned upwards so that the float can go up or down.

 A vertical nozzle 51 is provided at the top of the elbow 49 and an automatic suction cup device 52 is mounted on this nozzle 51 via an elbow 53. This device 52 can be the same as the device 1 but it can also be similar to it and present for example only one valve, or even be of another type.

 When the pipe 48 is filled with water, the air discharged by the water can be evacuated very quickly and with a large flow rate through the device forming the lateral automatic suction cup 1.

When the water level reaches the device 1, the water enters the body 2 of the latter and causes the closing of its valves by the rise of its float. When these valves are closed, the volume of air remaining in the upper part of the elbow 49 acts as a shock absorber and advantageously prevents water hammer.

 After closing the valves of the device 1, the air remaining in the elbow 49 is evacuated through the upper device 52 which closes when the water enters the interior, the pipe then being full.

 In practice, it is preferable that the device connected laterally to the pipe 48 be used for the most significant evacuation of air, the upper device 52 being in fact provided only for the evacuation at low speed of the air remaining after closing the device and to perform purges.

 It is obvious that it is possible to connect devices forming an automatic suction cup to each location of the pipe where it is necessary to provide for an evacuation or an air intake.

 In Figure 4 is a device forming a suction cup, generally identified by the reference 54 which differs from the device 1 shown in Figures 2 and 3 only by the fact that it further comprises a balancing system generally identified by reference 55. This is why all of its elements bear the preceding references, without change.

 In the example shown, the balancing system is constructed as follows. The levers 34 and 35 have, beyond the articulation axis 42, inside the branch 6 of the flow channel 4 and substantially parallel, extensions of which only the extension 56 of the lever 35 is visible on the figure 4.

A cross member 57 parallel to the articulation axis 42 joins said extensions. The lower part of the wall of the branch 6 has an opening surrounded by a pipe portion 58 which extends outwards. The end of the pipe portion 58 carries a device 59 which has a central threaded hole in which is mounted a screw 60, this screw carrying, on the outside, a locking lock nut 61. Between the inner end of the screw 60 and the cross-member 57 is provided a tension spring 62, the tension of which can be adjusted by means of the screw 60. The spring 62 has for bit to balance at least partially the weight of 11 moving assembly 3 of so as to limit the impact of the valves 31 and 31 on the respective seats 28 and 29, in particular during rapid filling of the body 2.

 As just described, the automatic suction cup devices 1 and 54 can be manufactured either completely in the factory or in several stages.

 Indeed, one can plan to manufacture the mobile assembly 3 and the plate 19 provided with the elements that it carries in the factory and one can manufacture on the site, with the control elements which are generally available, the rest of the body 2 It then remains simply to mount the plate 19 on the flange 9 and to fix the yoke 43 in a suitable position so that the valves come to bear on their respective seats. This second solution of mounting in several stages makes it possible to considerably limit in particular the transport costs.

 The present invention is obviously not limited to the example described above. Many variant embodiments are possible and it can be used whenever there is a need to degass pipes or enclosures, whatever or the liquid product transported in the pipes.

Claims (13)

Rl. CLAIMS  1. Device forming an automatic suction cup, allowing, during the filling of an enclosure or a pipe with a liquid, the evacuation of the air which it contains, or during its emptying, the return of air, comprising a hollow body fixing to said pipe and having in its upper part at least one external opening surrounded on the inside of said body by a valve seat and at least one opening for communication with said pipe, and, inside said body, at least one valve capable of closing said opening by resting on said valve seat and at least one float connected to said valve for actuation of the latter with a view to closing and maintaining it during filling of said body and its opening during emptying of the latter, characterized in that said valve (31) and said float (46) are mounted on at least one lever (35) which is articulated on said body (2) so as to be able to pivot around an axis (42) arranged é so that said valve performs an upward or downward movement combined with a lateral movement relative to said opening (27).  2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said body (2) has a lateral flow channel (6) opening below said valve, said axis of articulation of said lever being disposed on the side of this channel d flow so that when said valve is open, the latter and the float at least partially release said flow channel in a direction away from said lateral flow channel.  3. Device according to one of claims i or 2, characterized in that said valve is mounted on said lever in an articulated manner.  4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said float is fixed to the said lever between the said valve and the articulation axis of the latter.  5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said hollow body has a cavity (18) in which the said float is housed in order to increase the opening movement of the said valve.  6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hollow body is formed at least in part of standard pipe elements (7, 9, 11, 13, 14 16, 17).  7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one balancing spring acting in the direction of closing of said valve.  8. Device capable of being associated with a hollow body having an upper opening and another opening and between these openings a flow channel opening laterally below said upper opening, with a view to forming an automatic suction cup, characterized by the fact that it comprises a plate (19) capable of being fixed on said hollow body (2) so as to close the upper opening of the latter and having at least one opening (27) and a valve seat (31) surrounding this opening and formed on the face of said plate to be turned towards the inside of said hollow body, at least one lever, at least one valve formed to bear on said seat and mounted or capable of being mounted on one of the ends of said lever (35), a hinge (43a) rises or can be mounted on the other end. Said lever and can be fixed in said body so that the valve rests on said valve seat and so that this valve performs an upward or downward movement combined with a lateral movement relative to said opening of said plate and a float (46) mounted to be capable of being mounted on said lever between its ends.  9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that said lever (35) is shaped so that its articulation (43a) is capable of being fixed in said lateral flow channel (6) and on the side of the side end of the latter.  10. Hollow body capable of receiving the device according to one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that it is formed from assembled standard pipe elements.  11. Hollow body according to claim10 'characterized in that it is formed by a tee-shaped pipe element (7) whose end of the central branch (8) carries an annular flange (9) intended for the mounting of said plate (19), the end of one of the lateral branches (10) of which is closed by a cover (11) and the end of the other branch (12) of which carries an annular flange (14) intended for the mounting said body on another flange.  12. Hollow body according to claim] 1, characterized in that said pipe element also has another branch (16) closed at its end by a cover (17) so as to form a cavity (18) opposite said central branch.  13. Line (48) for the transport of a liquid on which are connected to a section (49) of the latter, on the one hand laterally and on the other hand in its upper part, devices forming automatic suction cups' (1 , 52l at least the laterally connected device (1) being a device according to any one of the preceding claims; the valve of the laterally connected device (1) closing before the valve of the upper device (52) when filling said pipe with said liquid.