US2983216A - Engine exhaust rain cap - Google Patents

Description

May 9, 1961 B. STADE ETAL ENGINE EXHAUST RAIN CAP Filed April 4, 1960 INVENTORS: BERTlL STADE EDWARD HOGLUND ATT'YS BY SW41 United States Patent ENGINE EXHAUST RAIN CAP Berti! Stade, Oak Park, and Edward Hoglund, Park Ridge, 111., assignors to Mercury Metal Products, Inc., Hillside, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Apr. 4, 1960, Ser. No. 19,604

Claims. (Cl. 98-59) This invention relates generally to protective covering devices for the open ends of upstanding conduits carrying combustive exhaust fumes so as to prevent entry therein of rain, dust, insects and the like during periods when said exhaust fumes are not being discharged. More particularly, the invention is concerned with providing a protective cover assembly of the gravity actuated type which is characterized by a cover member adapted to seat over the open end of said conduit, said cover having secured thereto a counter balanced member which is pivotally supported in such a manner as automatically to raise said cover to an open position during the discharge of said exhaust gaseous products and to return same to a closed position substantially instantaneously with the cessation of flow of said exhaust gases.

Substantial problems have been encountered in the utilization of upstanding exhaust conduits of internal combustion engines employed for operating machinery such as stationary engines, bulldozers, tractors, reapers, combines and the like, said problems involving damage to the engine caused by the entry of rain water, insects fumes prevents any foreign material from entering said conduit but,-with the cessation of the engines operation, there is no deterrent to such entry.

Covering devices heretofore used have generally comprised two distinct types. adapted to be secured over the open end of said upstanding exhaust conduit and which-remained partially open to allow for escape of exhaust gases and provided a partial bafiie against the entry of foreign material therethrough. These covers comprised screens to prevent passage of insects and dirt, but which allowed rain to enter. Some covers of this type were adapted to be clamped in a position spaced from the end of said conduit thus serving-as a mere bafile to rain and non-preventive to' the entry of insects. In cases of-a winddriven rainfall, the preventive action of" suchtype cover assemblies were practically, useless. V 1

"A second class of protective-cover devices heretofore I utilized comprised a cover member to which was attached apivotal y secured balance arm said arm being pivotally; secured ;to upstanding bifurcated bracket member, the latter being .welded to aclamp member.

: The clamp-is sec'm'edon the peripheral SlllfffiCB, of the conduit adjacent the open end thereof so thatlth'e. cover; 'ppigtiori isintjto'ntact. witli' the'npper edge of the-clamp;

ov'ei thefopeniexhaustconduit to'fcllose ofij same:

'lzhe c The first type were coverstightenediriposition by means op-.

Patented May 9, 1961 'ice posite the position of the bracket member. 'lhe balance arm is pivoted so that the weight of the cover just slightly overbalauces said arm so as to remain in a rest position over said conduit. When the engine is started a pocket of exhaust gas forms at the top of the conduit and upsets the balance to raise the cover into an open position. The pressure of the exhausting gases prevents the cover from closing.

Certain disadvantages have been encountered in the last mentioned cover assemblies; namely, the tendency of the cover to remain in open position upon the cessation of the operation of the engine due primarily to the failure of the balance arm to sufficiently force said cover to return against a slight opposite wind pressure; the

weakness at the pivot linkage due to thetendency of the arm to move laterally relative the bifurcated portions, the exposure of the inner portions of the pivot means to the elements thereby increasing chances for corrosion damage,

and the provision of manyexposed upstanding wind-,

Another object of the invention is to provide a gravity actuated pivotally supported cover assembly structure offering substantially little resistance to wind pressure and whose operation is not affected thereby.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of i such a cover assembly wherein the pivot point is below the level of the conduits open end and the greatest portion of the weight of the balance arm is distributed below said level whereupon the upraised position of the cover is such as to be little afiected by wind pressure and thus is substantially instantaneously returned to a closed position upon cessation of the passage of discharge gases.

An important object of the invention is,to provide, in

a cover assembly of the "character described, a single piece combination clamp and pivot support'characterized of pivot to reduce lateral i novement ofthecov a 7' interfering in any manner 'withj'the rotations moyemen by locating the tightening means for the clamp and the] pivot point on the same side of the clamp thereby reducing the exposure of the individual elements to exterior conditions, as well as reducing the number of juncture points capable of weakening or becoming subject to corrosion damage. The resulting clamp structure is char acterized by a substantially even distribution of clamping pressure during operation and is of a construction wherein there-is a material cost saving during the manufacturing 7 process. 7

A still further object of the invention isthe provision of such anovel balance arm and pivot combination which sharply reduces the lateral movement of 'said balance" arm and which is capable of instant reaction toth'e cessa- 'f I tion of gaseous flow through'said exhaust'system'j said} balancearmbeing characterized by an integral double" wall construction having; an extension therefrom to which is secured a cover; and said "pivot means being chapacter-f 'ized by a staked construction whereby eachwal1 of-the balance warm exerts aresilient,;force against'dhe point} of said balance H I a iqi s'a fl h f vie g gve t w l aprsat'stth ssss i l l connection with which a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detail in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing. .It is con-. templated that minorzvaria tions in the structure embodyingthe invention may occur to the skilled artisan without departing; from the scope or sacrificingany' of the advantage thereof. i

Referring nowto the drawing wherein:

Fig. lis .a perspective view of a tractor whereon the protective cover assembly embodying the invention is shown installed inclosed position upon the upstanding exhaust conduit thereof.

Fig.2 is a fragmentary enlarged. elevational view of said exhaust conduit shown in Figu l, the broken lines illustrating the cover device in partially open position.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the protective cover device shown'in Fig. 2. a I

Big. 4 is a section taken through line 4-4.of Fig. 2 and in the direction indicated.

- The invention basically comprises 'a protective cover device for the prevention of the entry of rain and the like into the interior of an internal combustion engine such as used in machinery such as tractors and the like, saidengines having open ended upstanding exhaust conduits. Although described in connection with'such farm equipment, the invention finds substantial application whenever any combustive system requires the presence ofan upstanding exhaust conduit the end of which is open. The invention is particularly characterized by the provision of clamp means having integrally secured thereto r neans for pivotally supporting a balance armor body member, the latter being: attached to a cover plate adapted to fit over the openend of an exhaust conduit to which said clamping means are secured. .The balance body-cover combination is so counter balanced by location of its pivot point below the plane of said open conduit that the cover is held biased in contact with the peripheral edge of said conduit to cover same. Pressure of the-exhaust gases exerted when theeugine is operated is suflicient to overcome the inertia of the balance body and raise the cover from said closed position and hold same in said open position until the flow of gases cease. Stop means are provided to prevent the cover from being forced back past the said pivot point, and suflicient weight is carried by the portion of the balance body below the pivot point immediately and instantly to cause the cover to returnto its rest position upon cessation of gaseous exhaust flow. Novel pivot means to be later described are provided to reduce the lateral movement of the cover relative the conduit and to allow for permanent installa- 0 tion thereof. 7 s

Fig. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention as installed upon the upstanding exhaust pipe 11 of atractor 10, the said tractor shown in inoperative condition with the covering assembly 20 embodying the inven- 5 tion'shown-in closed position- 1 By reference to Fig. 2, the important details of construction of th e protective cover device 20' may be ascertainedrand described. The device 20 comprises a clamp 12, balance arm'body 14,;and cover 16 secured toone upper end corner of said balancearm .body 14 by means V of welded-flange 18.,A portion of said-balancearm body extends over said cover 1 4 at ;the'periphery thereof,

. likewise a small portion ofsaidbalance arm body extends" vertically above the horigontal plane of said cover.

j The-clamp comprises ;a metal band portion 22*vv adapted to substantially encircle the outer, peripheral sur-.-

. 'faceof'the exhaustcopduitfll,said band22 having a. j pa la ra est fnsions 4. ie s h i a157- aperture] h .to a ntm da s 'ghte'ping bolt 23 therethrough,1,70

bejnt'portion 32 and ears ZSinayfibe fo r j operationlf ,ltii'salsofa arent tidng'thatlth tendency of the pla .sfolded fconsjtr assau ts tensions 24. A pair of ears 28 is provided spaced outwardly ofiset from the extensions 24, and at parallel horizontal planes relative thereto. Each ear 28 is connected to an extension 24 by a bent portion 32. Each eat 28 is provided with an aperture seating therebetween the pivot means generally shown at- 34.

The balance. arm body 14 comprises a pairpf spaced juxtaposed polygonal plates 36 of like configuration,

each of said plates 36 having generally the configurationof an'iirregular rectangle, the horizontal edges thereof being substantially parallel in contrast to. the non-parallel vertical edges. The said member 14 is formed preferably from a single blank ofs'teel or the like reverse bent on the fold 38. A pairof circular openingsfare punched in said plates, each opening opposite the other. A lateral extension of the fold 38 protrudes in overlapping relation to a portion of said cover 16 spacedinward from its, edge.

The cover overlapping portion of fold 38 is provided with an integral outwardly extending flange member 18,

said flange 18 being in surface to surfacecontact'with the top surface of said cover 16 and is permanently secured thereto by means such as welding or the like as indicated at 41.

The pivot means 34 is utilized to pivotally support the balance arm body 14 between thefears 28 so, that the cover 16will be biased in contact with the top edge of I the exhaust conduit 11 when the clamp 12 has been secured upon said conduit near the upper portion thereof but spaced from the open end to allow the overlapping cover 16 to be in contact with the top circumferential edges of said open end. Referring to Fig. 4, the pivot means 34. comprise a rivet 42 adapted to pass through the apertures 44 in ears 28, said rivet 42 having a pair of rounded head portions 46 engaging the outer surface of said ears 28 to join said earsin spaced apart relation.

Cylindrical bearing member 48 bridges the gap between the pair of ears 28 and is of a length to maintain the gap distance between said cars 28. A bushing 52 is iournalled for rotation on the bearing member 48. The

0 length of the member 52 is slightly less than the'gap distance between the ears 28 .to. enable free rotation thereof on said'innerbearing member 48 and its inner bore is of suitable diameter to permit this. The bushing 1 member 52 has enlarged portion 54 at one end thereof anda reduced diameter portion 56 at the other.

The openings which are punched in each of the plates 3610f member 14 are of suitable diameter to pass por- 'tion 55 of bushing 52 with the enlarged portion 54 abut ing the outer surface of one ofsaid plates 36. The bushing 52 is mounted bypassing same through said openings 1n plates .36 as described and'the other plate is secured in place thereby securing the member 14 in ,position by staking the said plate to reduced section 56 "of bushing;

52 as indicated at 58. This type er -connection formed by forcibly inserting'bushing52 through the openings in the plates 36 and forming a thickened portion 58 in said. bushing 52 adjacent one of the openings will be referred toasa staked; connection and is to be. sointer preted throughout the application. The inner bearing 48 is telescopically fitted into the interior of bushing '52,: all openings are aligned, thesaid assembly is placedbe; tween the pairfof'ears 28; all openings are aligned and; the rivet i42 slipped through said 'ali'gned'openings and permanently secured therein. 1

The location of the pivot point 34" must be, so chosen as to be in the-upper quadrant ofsaid balance arm-body 14 spaced from'the edges adjacent the conduitlll Thai 1 greatest portion of the balance army body-Lil s found ne t roar, tr v It .is also apparent that Ithe 'glarnp '1 a force to be exerted against the inner walls of the cars 28 thus maintaining the lateral stability of said cover. From the description of the above structure, the method of operation of the device is believed to be evident. Nevertheless, a brief explanation thereof is included at this time. After the protective cover device 20 has been assembled, the device is ready for use. Band 22 is slipped over the periphery of the exhaust conduit 11, bolt 23 being tightened, by manipulation of nut 26 by any known means, at a point along the length of said conduit closely adjacent the open end thereof, but spaced therefrom so that the cover 16 is in contact with the top edges of said conduit at said open end. Now the device 20 is in covering position preventing the entry of any foreign material into said conduit.

When the engine is turned on, gaseous exhaust fumes are developed which travel through said conduit 11 and are to be discharged at the open end thereof. The gas pressure thus created at the mouth of said conduit forces the cover 16 to raise upwards as indicated by the arrows. The raising of the cover causes the balance arm body 14 to pivot along the axis shown at 34 forcing the lower left hand portion thereof (in Fig. 2) to move downward and toward the conduit, the right hand corner moving toward the conduits peripheral surface until it is stopped by the bolt 23 acting as stop means. The open position v of the'balance arm body is thus unnatural, the same being biased to maintain the cover in closed position. Therefore, upon cessation of the gas pressure from the engine, the balance arm immediately returns to its normal position, forcing the cover quickly to assume the former closed position.

An additional feature may be added to the device in order to reduce wear upon the bolt 23 and edges of plates 34 as it acts as a stop member. This feature comprises a small bar of metal welded or integrally formed in position between the plates 36 at 72 which is shown in dotted outline.

The use of said peripheral band structure 22 for'the clamp 12, with the tightening means therefor and the pivot supporting structure being located on the same side thereof provide for a uniform distribution of clamping pressure over the entire surface of the clamp without any sharp points of stress as found in prior devices.

Attention is also called to the effective economy of manufacture of the invention due to the substantial reduction in the number of connections necessary to assemble said cover-clamp assembly and install same in operative position.

It is believed that the invention hasbeen sufiiciently explained to enable those skilled in the artto understand the same and construct the structures taught thereby, and it is again desired to reiterate that the structure of the invention is capable of wide variation without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A cover assembly adapted to be secured upon upstanding exhaust conduits in fuel combustion systems to prevent entry of extraneous material therethrough during the inoperative stages of said systems and comprising: clamp means for securing said assembly to said conduit adjacent the upper end thereof, a cover member seated self to form a pair of irregular rectangular wall mem bers connected by an integral fold portion and said clamp means being disposed between the pivot means and the conduit.

2. A structure as claimed in claim 1 wherein said clamp means comprise an open end band portion adapted to substantially encircle the peripheral surface of said conduit adjacent the top thereof, a pair of lateral extensions integal with said band ends, each said extension having an aperture therein to accommodate means for tightening said band, a pair of offset ear members integrally secured to and extending from said extensions parallel thereto, and said ear members comprising said pivot support means. 1 a

3. A structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said pivot means comprise a pair of-cylindrical bushing members telescopically engaged one within the other, said inner bushing being of uniform diameter, said outer bushing having an enlarged diameter portion at one end thereof and a narrow diameter portion at the other end, and said balance arm being provided with a passageway accommodating said pair of bushings, said pivot means being secured to said balance arm by meansof .a staked connection with said, narrow diameter portion of said outer bushing.

4. A gravity actuated protective cover device adapted to be secured upon the upstanding exhaust conduit of an internal combustion engine to prevent the entry of extraneous matter therein during the inoperative stage of said engine, said protective cover device comprising a clamp member having a band portion and a bracket portion integral therewith, the band portion adapted to substantially encircle the peripheral surface of said conduit, the bracket portion carrying means thereon for tightening said band portion, pivot support means carried by said bracket at a point spaced outward from said tightening means, an elongate balance member supported upon said pivot means in a vertical plane relative said clamp, a dish shapedcover member secured to the upper portion of said balance member and seated over the mouth of said conduit in over-hanging relation thereto, the point of pivot of said balance member being chosen below the level of the mouth of said conduit and the major portion of said balance member extending below said point of pivot whereby the cover is biased against the mouth or said conduit, and balanced to open by the pressure of the discharge gases during the engines operation and to immediately return to its original position over said mouth upon the cessation of discharge flow.

5. An automatic self closing protective cover assembly adapted to operate in consort with the upstanding exhaust conduit of a fuel combustive system to prevent the entry therein of extraneous material such as rain, in-- sects and the like while said fuel combustrve system is in-,

65 operative, said assembly comprising a cover member seated overthe discharge end of said conduit closing off same,

and secured at one end thereof to said cover member, said member pivotally mounted for limited rotation around its minor transverse axis, and said member. being mounted 'over the open end of said conduit, a balance arm extending laterally and'downw'ard relative to and connected means for pivota-lly'supporting saidbalanc'e whereby said cover is biased .in seated position, pivot means sup--.

- to said cover-member, means integral with said clamp at a point spaced outwardly from. and below-the horizontal level of the discharge. end of said conduit, and means secured 'to said clamp means on the'same side thereof and laterally spaced therefrom for supporting said counte r-balanced member, 'theyweight of said' counter-balanced member being so distributed as to'bias 1 said cover in aseatedposition and to permit said cover. 1 9 i to b'eraiseda'nd held in raised position by the pressure of exhaust gases'asgsame are discharged from the conduit, e cessation'df the now reaid gases'immediately'resultg edposi rng'inthe resumption of the covers' laiiiied wherein s'a a} clainp ma -ta compr ses a metal bandhaving its endsjspaced one from the other; eachend' havingan' outwardly'facing extension, I said extension having matched apertures accommodating tight m'ngmeansror said'clamp; and ear portions interimy secured't'o said'extensionand 'said balance arm beirig'f iiivotally supported for vertical movement between said secondeaiportions;

,7. A structure as claimed inclaim 6 in which said a means forjtightenin'gs'aid" band comprise a threaded bolt adapted-to be passed through preformed openings in said first'paifjofie'ar's andjsecui e'd therein by a nut, said tighteniiigmeans also servingas stop means for said balance arm preventing same ;from rotatingpast a position wherein {transverse plane drawn throughfthelongest diagonal portionof said balance armisparallel to the vertical plane' offsaid conduit. 1 1

8(A structure as wherein said 7 balance arm comprises donble walled resilient plate memes-per irreghlar re'tangular configuration, said membefhavin'gitop and'bottom edges' parallel "one to the other, said'top' portion closedofi by an integral arcuate fold portion; said 'fold' portion haying 1 an extension 7 secured to the said cover,"and each plate member "is provided withan equaldiameter opening, onelopposite the othe'r 'and located in theiuppefqua'drant portion thereof,

aridsaid pivot means:is'passedtherethrough and staked therein.

' 9. A structure as claimed in claim 5 wherein'said" pivot means "comprises a rivet member, and a pair of telescopically engaged bearing members 'rotatably supported thereon, the inner member being of hollow cylin drical construction and the outer bearing member having anffenlarg'ed portion adjacentone end thereof and a decreased-diameter portion adjacent'theother, said pair of bearing 'm'embersadapted toj'bej inserted in preformed openings in the balance" member body With one portion thereof'beingstaked in' placeat said narrow diameter portion.

1 -634 l ma to operate in consort vvith the npstanding exhaust conduit 70f a fuel combustion system for preventing the said cover having a down-turned saucer-likeconfigflration and havingFits circumferential edge comprising arfiafig'e overhanging said-discharge end, a clamp member for securingsaid' assembly upon the upper portionof' said exhaust conduitclosely adjacent 'said' dischar'ge end, said a clamp :member comprising a band portion-having its: 1 n endsspaced one fromthe other-and adapted to substantiallyfit a round the periphral surface of said conduit;

, 15" a pair of outvvardlyi extending bracket portions each--in tegral withone end of said band po'rtiodsaid bracket 'tions having integral 1 and parallel" extensions therefrom adapted to carry'pivof means therein, an irregularly shapecl balance arm secured at one end to said cover and mounted for pivotal rotation between-said extensions, 1

pivot means supporting said'balance arm/the location of the pivot point being chosen'whereby the cover is biased in said seated'position, the; balance arm being so counter balanced to bias .saidcover in seated position and permit same to be actuated=to anfopen position 'under themcessationof flow of said exhaust gases.

References Cited in thefile-of this patent f 35 UNITEDsTATES PATENTS protective covr asselmbly adapted enti ydherein of e nt rarieo'usf rhaterial'such as "rain, insects f 5 the likegsaidi' eoven assembly comprising: a cover member seated over-the discharge end of saidco'nduit; 1

portions extending in planes parallel one to the other, said bracket portions carrying means thereon for tighten ingsaid bandportion in position," and said bracket 1 fiu'ence of thee rrhaust gases being discharged and to im- 'mediate1y return saidv-cover'to its seatedposition upon 2,637,264 Harmon May'5, 1953' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent Noc 2983 216 May 9 1961 Bertil Stade et a1.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 6, line 57, before "means" insert we clamp column '7 line 1, for "member" (SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer DAVID L. LADD Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC

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