US1058319A - Plural alternating siphons. - Google Patents

Description

S. F. MILLER 6: J. W. COX.

PLURAL ALTERNATING SIPHONS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 28, 1912.

Patented Apr. 8, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 s. P. MILLER & J. w. 00):.

PLURAL ALTERNATING SIPHONS. APPLIOATIQN FILED JUNE 28, 1912.

Patented Apr. 8, 1913.

MJZ

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL F. MILLER, 01? NEW YORK, N. Y., AND JAMES W. COX, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

ASSIGNORS TO PACIFIC FLUSH TANK COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPO- RATION OF ILLINOIS.

PLURAL ALTERNA'IING SIPHONS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 8,1913.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that we, SAMUEL F. MILLER and JAMES WV. Cox, citizens of the United States, and residents, respectively, of New York city, in the county of New York and State of New York, and of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Plural Alternating Siphons; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in siphonie apparatus, designed for controlling the intermittent flow of liquid from a main tank to a plurality of associated tanks or receptacles and so arrangedthat said tanks or receptacles may be filled or charged in a predetermined successive or rotative order from the said main tank.

Our improvement is particularly applicable for use in connection with systems adapted for the septic treatment of sewage, for the filtration of water, and the like, in which the liquid to be treated is distributed from a main tank to a plurality of receptacles, commonly called contact-beds and which will be hereinafter referred to as such. It is necessary to the proper treatment of the liquid that the flow upon a single contact bed shall be intermittent, that is, a period of time must elapse between the emptying and charging of a contact bed in order that the purifying material (usually a layer of broken stone) may be aerated or exposed to the atmosphere, in order to oxidize the impurities deposited thereon. Our invention therefore relates to an automatically controlled system of siphons lo cated conveniently between the septic tank and the several contact beds, operating in much the same manner as described in the prior U. S. Letters Patent No. 857,355, and embodying an improved means of controlling the operation of the several siphons and means whereby one or more contact beds may be put out of and into service without disturbing the successive or rotative order of operation of the remaining contact beds.

The invention consists in the matters hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings-Figure 1 is a plan view of the main or inlet tank containing a plurality of alternating siphons, adapted to control the supply of liquid to a like number of contact beds, adjacent to and charged from the main tank; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the main tank, taken on line 22 of F 1g. 1; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a detail crosssection of one of the three-way cocks used in connection with the apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, the main tank, or what may be termed the distributing tank, A is adapted to be filled from an eX- ternal source by means of the inlet A, located in the wall of said tank, and through which the liquid constantlyflows. The walls and floor of the tank are of concrete or similar material adapted to render the same water-tight. The liquid contents of the tank A are distributed to the several contact beds by means of automatically operated siphons B B B B B B shown herein as arranged in two rows of three siphons each, although they may be otherwise disposed. Each siphon controls the supply of liquid to a single contact bed, and all of said siphons being similar, a description of one will suffice for all, so far as the siphon and its associated operating apparatus is concerned.

Referring to the siphon E the same comprises an intake limb 5, consisting of an inverted dome-shaped vessel, properly supported upon the floor of the tank. Extending upwardly into the said intake limb b and terminating near its top is the outlet limb Z). Said outlet limb communicates with a deep seal trap having a return limb 6 which empties into a conduit C, which in turn discharges to one of the contact beds.

The conduit C is provided with a vertical vent pipe C open to the atmosphere and extending to the surface of the ground outside of the distributing tank A. The said deep seal trap and the outlet limb Z) are em bedded in a foundation of concrete. A pipe D, of inverted U-form, has its longer limb extending through the top of the intake limb b and downwardly into the outlet limb 7). Its shorter limb projects downwardly outside of the said intake limb I). Said pipe D is adapted to vent the siphon after each of its operations in a manner common to siphons of this, type. Located within the tank is a plurality of chambers E E E E E and E, each one of which is placed adjacent to and associated with one of the siphons. Said chambers are adapted to be filled by the liquid that fills the tank and each chamber is provided with means whereby said chamber may be emptied after each operation of the siphon. This means comprises in the case of each chamber a U- shaped pipe F, one limb of which extends downwardly to approximately the floor of the-said chamber, and the other limb of which isconnected with the intake limb Z) of the main siphon at'a point near the floor of the tank. It will be not-iced that the floors of the" chambers E to E are somewhat below the level of the tank in order that the extremity of the limb of the pipe F extending into the said chamber may be sealed. at all times. The chamber also contains a downwardly opening dome-shaped vessel or starting bell G, connected with the lower end% ofa vertical air pressure transmitting pipe I. Said starting bell is adapted to communicate with a blow-cit, or W- trap, H (Fig. 3), by means of said pipe I, a main pressure transmitting pipe K, hereinafter more fully described, and a horizontal air pressure transmitting pipe I. This type of blow-off or W-trap (Fig. 3), with which each of the siphons B to B, inclusive, is provided, comprises an upward opening vertical limb h extending upwardly into the intake limb b of the si phon and an outer vertical limb 7& open to the. atmosphere and extending above the maximum water level, as shown. Said vertical limb 72, is also provided with an L- shapedidrainage pipe I? (Fig. 2), by which said'limb communicates with the discharge limb b of the mainsiphon. A third vertical limb h ofthe blow-off trap is connected with the air pressure transmitting pipe I. The lower extremities of the three vertical limbs 72., h and 7?, are connected at their lower ends by a horizontal pipe H (Fig. 3).

Referring again to the chambers E to E, the startingbellsGr contained therein and the vertical pipes I, with which each of the siphons are equipped, a normally open valve or single-way cock J (Fig. 2) is placed in each of the said vertical pipes I at a point adjacent to its upper extremit and above the maximum water level in the main tank, such valve being manually operable and so placed as to be easily accessible to the operator. Said Vertical pipes I communicate with the main pressure transmitting pipe K (Fig. 1), which is arranged horizontally and is shown herein as having the form of a rectangular loop. Said pipe K is located above the maximum water level in the tank A. Branching outwardly from the said main pipe line K are the horizontal air-pressure transmitting pipes I, I, hereinbefore mentioned. Each of said pipes I communicates with the limb 71. of the blowoff orW-trap H of one of the main siphons. At the junctions of the pipes I with the main pipe K are provided threeway cocks, L L L, L, L and L, (Figs. 1 and 4t). Said cocks are normally in such position that the air pressure of any starting bell G will be transmitted through the medium of the air pressure transmitting pipes only to the blow-0H H of the main siphon next in advance (considered with respect to the rotative order of operation of the siphons) of the main siphon withwhich such starting bell is associated.

The operation of the siphonic apparatus thus described may be briefly stated as follows: The deep seal trap and the blow-oli' or W-traps are filled with the liquid prior to the filling of the tank A, and likewise all of the chambers E to E are filled, with the exception of one. Let it be assumed that the chambers E to E are filled and that chamber E remains empty. Let it also be assumed that all of the valves J are open and the three-way cocks L to L so arranged that chamber E operates the siphon B chamber E operates siphon B and so on, throughout the cycle of operations, until finally chamber E operates the siphon B thus beginning a new cycle. By adjusting the several three-way cocks L to L", as described, it is evident the order of operation will be a rotative one in a clockwise direction, as the system appears in Fig. 1.

To give a better understanding of the operation of the device, it may be stated that the use of the several valves described and the pipe line K, is adapted to give flexibility to the system, as well as to provide means for cutting out one or more siphons without disturbing the rotative operation of the remaining siphons. Since this phase of the operation of the apparatus is to be hereinafter taken up more fully, one of the pipes I, together with one of the pipes I, and the part of the pipe line K, connecting or joining them, may be here considered as separate and independent pipes, adapted to transmit air pressure from a starting bell G to the blow-off trap II operating the siphon next to be brought into operation, that is to say, a pipe leading from the starting bell G in chamber E to siphon B from the starting bell in chamber E to siphon B, and so on.

Taking into consideration the above assumptions and noting that all of the chainbers E to E are filled with the liquid with the exception of E, the apparatus operates as follows: The liquid is allowed to flow into the tank A through the inlet A and if the tank has been filled to the level of the tops of the several chambers E to E, the liquid overflows into and fills the empty chamber E During the filling of the said chamber and the continued rise of the liquid in the tank, the liquid rises in the lower end of the starting bell G therein, thus displacing the air and causing air pressure to be transmitted through its pipe I to the blow-oft trap H of the siphon B in this instance the one next to be brought into operation. By reason of the fact that all of the chambers save chamber E and the starting bells therein, are already filled with liquid, little pressure is transmitted through the pipes I, associated with the filled chambers, as the liquid rises above said chambers. During the filling of the empty chamber, however, the air in its bell is imprisoned so that the liquid head exerted on the air in the last mentioned starting bell and its pressure transmitting pipe is superior to that exerted on the air in the other transmitting pipe and in the main siphons. Therefore, the main siphons associated with the bell within the chamber last filled is brought into action. During the time the siphon B is operating to empty the tank the chamber E associated therewith is emptied through the connecting Siphon F to a level below the sealing level of the starting bell therein. After the tank is thus emptied, the chambers E to E remain filled while the chamber E is empty. During the next filling of the tank the flow of the liquid into said chamber E operates through the starting bell G and the pipe I connected with the blow-off trap of the siphon B to bring the latter into operation to empty the tank. This rotative order of operation of the siphons is continued throughout the series of siphons so long as the operation of the apparatus continues.

The operation of the blow-off or W-trap H and the emptying siphons F of the chambers E to E, which are fully described in the prior U. S. Letters Patent to Miller, No. 727,991, may be briefly described as follows: The air pressure in the bell G of one of the chambers E to E being transmitted to the blow-off trap H, forces the water with which it is sealed, from the same either through the limb if or [2/ By so doing the siphon is vented-and immediately put into operation. At the same time the liquid is drawn from said chamber through the siphon F to the approximate level of the tank floor, there still remaining suificient liquid in the said chamber to always seal the extremity of pipe F. It is for this purpose that the floor of the chamber is somewhat lower than that of the tank. During the discharge of the liquid by means of the siphon, the blowotf trap H is again filled from the siphon through the pipe it. Thus the bell G is vented and the blow-off trap refilled after each operation of the siphon and the same will be in readiness to perform its function at the time of the next operation of the siphon with which it is associated.

It is frequently necessary in the operation of the siphonic apparatus that one or more of the contact beds be cut out of service for repairs or other reasons, as is often the case in sewage purification systems, in which the purifying material in the contact beds must be renewed or one or more of the siphons repaired. This must be done without dist-urbing the rotative operation of the system, and to do so, it is necessary to short-circuit, so to speak, the particular siphon or siphons to be thrown out of operation. It is for this purpose that the cut-off valves J, the three-way valves L to L and the common air pressure transmitting pipe K are provided. Referring then to the apparatus as described above, a siphon may be cut out or short circuited as follows: Assuming that it is desired to cut out of service the siphon B the valve J located in the vertical air pressure transmitting pipe I, communicating with the bell G of the associated chamber E and which would be normally open, is closed. The siphon next in advance of B in this instance B is normally operated by the air pressure transmitted from the starting bell G of the chamber E and likewise the siphon B about to be cut out of service, is normally operated by the air pressure transmitted from the starting bell G of the chamber E It is therefore only necessary to direct the air pressure from the siphon B to siphon B This is accomplished by means of the three-way valve L which is turned so that the air pressure is transmitted in a direct line through the valve and at the same time out 01f from entering the horizontal pipe I leading to the blow-off trap H of the siphon B now no longer operative, whereby its action is transferred to operate siphon B now the next in line of operation. Similarly, any other siphon or siphons may be cut out of service, and furthermore, the direction of rotation of operation of the apparatus may be entirely reversed by the proper manipulation of the valves L to L".

It will be noticed that in this construc tion all of the valves are locatedabove the maximum level of the liquid in the tank, thus making them easily accessible to the attendant, and furthermore, they remain free from the deposits of refuse matter that would collect on them were they placed in a position to be immersed in or covered by such liquid. This would be particularly true in instances where this apparatus is used in connection with a sewage purifica-. tion system.

The advantages of a siphonic apparatus, as have been pointed out above, are chiefly, the flexibility of its mode of operation, the ease with which a siphonor siphons may be cut out of the operating series, and the accessibility of'the controlling valves.

We do not desire that the invention be limited to the particular construction, arrangement and details of the siphons shown herein, inasmuch as an apparatus of this type may be variously changed or modified in construction without departure from the spirit of the invention. For this same reason wedo not wishto limit the application of the invention to any particular use, as it may be employed in connection with any system in which the distribution of a liquid is automatically controlled by atmospheric and-hydrostatic pressure.

We claim as our invention 1. As a means for emptyinga liquid tank the combination of a plurality of deep seal siphons, each provided with a blow-off trap adapted to start the siphon, a-chamber associated witheach of said siphons, and adapted'to be filled by the liquid supplied to the tank, means by which each of said chambers may be emptied by the action of its associated siphon, means contained'in each chamber whereby an air pressure may be created by the rise of the liquid in said chamber, and means whereby said air pressure may be transmitted to the blow-oft" trap operas ing either of the other siphons.

2. As a means for emptying a liquid tank the combination of a plurality of deep sea-l siphons provided with blow-ofi" traps, a plurality of chambers, each of said chambers be ing associated with one of said siphons, a plurality of starting bells severally located in said chambers, and provided with air pressure transmitting pipes adapted to transmit air pressure to the blow-ofi' trap associated with an adjacent siphon, and a plurality'of'constantly sealed emptying siphons, each communicating between one of said chambers and its associated main siphon, and adapted to empty the said chamber during the act-ion of said associated si hon.

3. As a means for emptying a liquid tank, the combination of a plurality of deep seal siphons, each of which is provided with a blow-off trap adapted to start the siphon with which it is associated and provided with air pressure transmitting pipe leading thereto, a plurality of chambers each of which-is associated with one of said siphons and provided with means communicating with its associated siphon and adapted to empty the chamber by the action of the said siphon, a startingbell in each of said chambers having an air pressure transmitting pipe leading therefrom, a main air trans mitting pipe, with which communicate all of said air pressure transmitting pipes lead- Zing to said blow-off traps and from said starting bells, and valves in said air pres-- of deep seal siphons, each of which is provided with a blow-off trap, having an air pressure transmitting pipe leading thereto,

a plurality of chambers adapted to be'filled with the liquid supplied to the tank, each one of which is associated with one of said siphons and provided with means adapted to empty the chamber by the action of its associated siphon, starting bells located severallyin said chambers, each having an air pressure transmitting pipe leading therefrom, a cut-off valve located in each of said last named air pressure transmitting pipes, a main air pressure transmitting pipe with which communicate the air pressure transmittingpipes leading to said blow-cit traps and'trom said starting bells, and a plurality of tliree-way valves located at the junctions of said main transmission pipe with said transmission pipes leading to the blow-off traps.

5. As a means for emptying a liquid tank or receptacle, the combination of a plurality of deep seal siphons, blow-ofi' traps adapted to start said siphons and provided with air pressure transmitting pipes leading thereto, a plurality of chambers adapted to be filled with the liquid supplied to the tank, each one of which communicates with one only of the said siphons by means of an emptying siphon, starting bells contained severally in said chambers and provided with air pressure transmitting pipes leading therefrom, cut-oltvalves in said air pressure transmitting pipes leading from said starting bells and located above the maximum liquid level. in said tank, a main air pressure transmitting pipe with which communicate the air pressure transmitting pipes leading to said blow-ofttraps and from said starting bells, and aplurality of three-way valves located at the junctions of said main pipe with said pipes leading to said blow-oil traps, said three-way valves being located above the maximum liquid level in the said tank.

6. As a means for emptying a liquid tank or receptacle, the-combination of a plurality of deep seal siphons, a blow-oi? trap associated with each of said siphons and provided with air pressure transmitting pipes leading thereto, a plurality of chambers adapted to be filled by the liquid supplied to the tank, each one of which communicates with one of'the said siphons by means of an emptying'siphon, whereby the said chamber may be emptied only by the action of its associated siphon, starting bells located severally in said chambers, and each provided with an air pressure transmitting pipe leadin upwardly therefrom, a cut-off valve in eadli of said pipes, located above the maximum liquid level in the tank, a main air pressure transmitting pipe arranged horizontally above the maximum water level in the tank, and with which communicate the said air pressure transmitting pipes leading to said blow-off traps and from said starting bells, and a plurality of three-Way valves located at the junctions with the said main air pressure transmitting pipe of the pressure transmission pipes leading to said blowoff traps.

In testimony, that we claim the foregoing as our invention and afiix our signatures in the presence of two witnesses, this 24th day of June, A. D. 1912, and 25th day of June A. D. 1912, respectively.

SAMUEL F. MILLER. JAMES W. COX. Witnesses to the signature of Samuel F. Miller:

RUSSELL BUNoE, E. M. FLUGGE. OWitnesses to the signature of James W.

CHARLES H. PooLE, EUGENE C. WARNER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

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