LU85064A1 - AUTOMATIC DEVICE FOR OPENING AND CLOSING THE PASSAGE OF A LIQUID ACCORDING TO DETERMINED TEMPERATURES - Google Patents

Description

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Automatic device for opening and closing the passage of a liquid according to determined temperatures

The present invention relates to an automatic device for the immediate opening and closing of the passage of a liquid, according respectively to whether this liquid has reached a determined temperature and has dropped below a certain temperature or vice versa.

There are already a number of so-called "thermal regulation" devices which aim to open or close the passage to a liquid according to its temperature.

These are generally devices comprising an electric or lever control member.

»If we also know the use of membranes for thermostats like the possibilities of distortion, of certain 'metal alloys ^ depending on the temperature and which make a membrane pass from a convex shape to a concave shape or vice versa , and similarly, if the siphon principle has been used for a long time, there are still quite a few difficulties in priming siphons of known type; indeed, always reach the Λ * - 2 - maximum suction or pressure level first,

The present invention overcomes these drawbacks, while proposing a particularly simple and reliable device, which is characterized in that it is formed by a submerged siphon constituted by a chamber comprising at its lower part one or more inlets for the liquid and chamber which, internally, contains a vertical duct, generally centered in the chamber, the opening of which opens near the upper end of the chamber and opening which will allow the exit of the liquid, and which is normally closed by a curved plate, membrane metallic one. surface slightly smaller than the interior surface of the chamber on the upper level and membrane which can freely change from a convex shape, rounded down, position where. it closes the opening of the vertical duct, to a concave shape, rounded up, position where it releases the opening of the vertical duct, the changes in its shape of the metal membrane being at determined and desired temperatures and such that 'from a desired working temperature, the metal membrane will take a concave shape and vice versa, when the temperature has dropped below or above the working temperature, the metal membrane will resume its initial convex shape.

Preferably, a spring system is provided at the rear of the metal membrane, for example a ratchet with two blades, one blade of which forms a spring, pushes against the central part of the membrane, so as to maintain the latter when it has the convex shape, on and against the

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- 3 - verture of the vertical duct, and secondly, to maintain the peripheral edge of the same metal membrane during-. that it has the concave shape ”against a peripheral rim provided at the upper part of the siphon chamber, so as to seal it upwards.

By the choice of the membrane, its material, its initial shape and the constant pressure exerted by the spring, one can precisely program the temperature from which the membrane will change with a dry movement from its convex shape to its shape concave and vice versa.

The invention can be used in particular in machines and dispensers of coffee and other hot drinks, washing machines, dishes, machines or drain pumps for hot liquids, corrosives, · mordants.

In order to better understand the invention and to bring out its other characteristics and advantages, it is now described by way of example, with reference to a drawing, which represents: in FIG. 1, a schematic sectional view of the device in position shutter; in Figure 2, same view as in Figure 1, but the device * letting the liquid pass.

Referring to these two figures, there is shown a siphon (1) embedded in a liquid (2), constituted by a circular chamber (3) provided at its lower part with lateral openings (4) for entering the liquid, which are placed, of course, at the bottom of the container (not shown) of liquid (2) in which is provided the siphon (1).

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In the center of the circular chamber (3), there is shown a vertical circular duct (5), of diameter substantially smaller than the inside diameter of the chamber, the opening (6) of which opens near the upper end. of the chamber (3).

This opening (6), which will allow the liquid to exit through the conduit (5), is in particular, as visible in FIG. 1, closed by the curved circular plate (7), a metal membrane having a downward convexity. metallic. (7) is placed behind a first edge or rim (8) · in a housing (9) provided at the upper part of the chamber (3).

Behind this plate (7) a metal pawl (10) has been placed, a blade (10 ') of which is free and forms a spring and bears against the central part of the membrane or plate (7), while the other ( 10 ") is held behind a second edge or flange (11) set back from the first (8) provided in the housing (9), the distance between the two flanges (8 and 11) being substantially greater than the thickness of the plate or membrane (7) so as to allow it to keep its curvature and its freedom of movement.

The housing (9) can, as visible, be reached from the outside from above, so that the plate or membrane (7) can be placed there and then the pawl (10).

There is provided, as visible, a closure cover (12) screwed or held in any other known manner.

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As can be seen in FIG. 2, on the other hand, as soon as the liquid (2) has reached a determined temperature and this at the upper level of the chamber (3), under the effect of this temperature, the plate, membrane (7 ) will react, that is to say undergo a distortion which causes it to pass from a convex form to a concave form (as visible in FIG. 2).

This passage will be done at once and with a dry movement, due to the presence at the rear of the pawl plate (10); the edge (7 ') of the plate or membrane (7) is perfectly held against the rim (8) of the chamber and the sealing of the latter upwards ensured. The opening (6) of the conduit (5) will therefore be accessible * to the liquid (2) at once.

Conversely, if the temperature of the liquid should drop below a determined temperature and / or if the chamber (3) becomes empty, the plate or membrane (7) will also react and undergo a distortion which will cause it to pass from a concave shape to a convex shape.

This passage will also be done at once and with a dry movement, due to the presence at the rear of the plate or membrane (7) of the pawl (10); the plate or membrane (7) will rest on the opening (6) of the conduit (5) e * - 6 -

As can be seen in FIG. 1, in order to obtain perfect hermeticity and to preserve the membrane plate (7), provision has been made to have in the opening (6), that is to say at the mouth of the conduit (5), a ring (13) of extensible material, a straight cutout (14) being provided to do this at the mouth (6) of the conduit (5), the height of this cutout (14) and the thickness of the ring (13) being such that the ring (13) will be slightly flush with the conduit (5).

The device described therefore has a certain number of advantages, which are furthermore as the opening and closing are carried out at once, the flow of passage of the liquid is constant and it does not start until the liquid has reached a higher level, the temperature determined so that even the first drops are already at the determined temperature. In addition, if this temperature of the liquid falls below a determined value, the passage is closed.

Because the closing and opening means is located at a fairly high level of the liquid, it is much less likely to be reached by solid particles.

The device described is moreover simple, simple and therefore inexpensive and easy to maintain; it is also hygienic and can therefore be used for edible liquids or for medical use and moreover, it can resist corrosive liquids.

Claims (4)

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that a spring system is provided at the rear of the metal membrane, for example a ratchet with two blades of which a blade, forming a spring, pushes against the central part of the membrane, so as to maintain the latter when it has the form - V - 8 - me convex, on and against the opening of the vertical duct, and on the other hand, to maintain the peripheral edge of this. same metal membrane when it has the concave shape * .. has against a peripheral rim provided at the upper part * of the siphon chamber, so as to seal it upwards. 3. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that by the choice of the membrane, its material, its initial shape and the constant pressure exerted by the spring, the temperature is precisely programmed from which the membrane will change with a dry movement from its convex shape to its concave shape and vice versa. 4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that both the metal membrane and the pawl placed at the rear thereof, can rest on respective flanges in a housing provided at the upper end from the bedroom, accommodation which can be reached from the outside from above. 5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in the opening, that is to say the mouth of the vertical duct, is arranged a ring made of: extensible material which poses in a cut-out provided at the mouth of the duct, and a ring whose thickness is slightly greater than the cutter.