Port protector

2,299,472

Oct. 20, 1942.

Z. F. EDMUNDSON

PORT PROTECTOR

Filed Feb: 28, 1941

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3 17 IS

INVENTOR

ZERAH REDMUNDSON ' ATTORNEY

Patented Oct. 20, 1942

2,299,472

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE

2,299,472

PORT PROTECTOR

Zerah F. Edmundson, McKeesport, Pa., assignor to The Westinghouse Air Brake Company, Wilmerding, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania

Application February 28, 1941, Serial No. 381,058

Claims. (

This invention relates to an attachment for the atmospheric passage of a fluid pressure brake valve device to prevent the obstruction of this passage by foreign matter.

It is well known, that insects such as mud wasps, sand daubers, bees and the like will enter a fluid pressure brake valve device through the atmospheric port therein and deposit solid matter in the inner, smaller ports, which in some instances cause a subsequent failure cf opera- ; tion of the valve device. An object of my invention is to provide an improved device effective to positively prevent the entry of such insects without interfering with the normal functioning of the valve device. i

Another object of my invention is to provide an attachment that will effectively cover the atmospheric port so as to eliminate the collection of dirt or foreign matter in the passage, or in the attachment itself, and which will not pro- 2 trade unduly from the device.

Other objects include providing a device which will prevent the blowing of rain or water into the atmospheric passage of a valve device; which will break ice formations that are sometimes in- 2 curred in the cold season and which prevent the exhaust of fluid under pressure from the valve device; which is adapted to be applied to those fluid pressure valve devices which are already in service, without modification of the valve device; and which is simple, durable, inexpensive, and will serve the purpose set forth in the foregoing objects effectually.

Further Objects and advantages will be apparent from the following more detailed description 2 of my invention.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of a fluid pressure brake valve body having therein an atmospheric port and showing a port protector embodying the ·! invention disposed in the port, with the parts thereof in normal position. Fig. 2 is an illustration of the same embodiment with parts shown in the venting position. Fig. 3 illustrates the same embodiment disposed in an atmospheric i port having the mouth thereof recessed, with the parts shown in normal position. Fig. 4 illustrates the same adaptation as in Fig. 3 with the parts shown in the venting position.

Considering now more in detail the invention s illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2,1 have shown in fragmentary form a valve device I provided with a discharge passage 2 terminating in an atmospheric port 10. This valve device is intended to be representative of the various types of valve 5ί

Cl. 303—1) devices employed in fluid pressure brake equipments having an exhaust passage and port. As will be evident presently, the size and shape of the exhaust port is immaterial, as the invention ; can be adapted to any size and shape.

In Figs. 1 and 2 I have designated by the numeral 3 a port protector embodying features of the invention. This port protector is provided with a main or body portion 4 in the form of a ο hollow cylinder. This cylinder terminates at one end in a retaining ring portion 5, and at the other end in an outwardly flaring annular portion 5, which at its periphery joins an imperforate diaphragm portion 7. The portions referred to are .-, preferably integral and the entire port protector device is preferably molded from a resilient composition material, such as rubber or similar flexible material.

The annular portion 6 is provided with a plu(; rality of circularly spaced apertures 8. When the port protector is to be inserted into the exhaust port 10, it is distorted sufficiently so that the ring 5 and body 4 may be pressed into the port and then allowed to expand until they as., sume the position shown in Fig. 1. The exhaust port 10 is in most instances provided with an internal shoulder 9 against which the ring 5 will clamp in its expanded position, so that the port protector will be held firmly in the exhaust port 0 19. When in this position, the annular portion will be drawn snugly against the surface immediately surrounding the port 10 so that communications between the passage 2 and the atmosphere which might be effected through the

.., apertures S is normally closed.

It will be seen that with a port protector of the design described inserted in the exhaust port, the exhaust port is completely closed so that insects and foreign matter cannot enter the port, ο The port will thus be held closed until it is desired to have it open to permit fluid under pressure to be discharged therefrom.

In operation, when fluid is supplied to passage 2 under pressure, the pressure of the fluid Is im5 posed on the inside surface of the diaphragm 7 and causes the diaphragm to be distended outwardly of the port 10, the diaphragm assuming the position somewhat as shown in Fig. 2. As the diaphragm 7 moves to this distended position, 0 it separates the annular portion 6 from the surface contiguous to the port 10 and permits fluid under pressure in the passage 2 to escape to the atmosphere by way of the apertures 8.

It will be understood that since the diaphragm and flared portion 6 are flexible any ice or dirt

2,299,472 which may collect on the outer surface of the diaphragm or which may tend to secure the flared portion 6 or diaphragm to the casing will be broken away when fluid under pressure is supplied to the passage 2, thus ensuring the proper 5 operation of the protector.

It should be observed that the port protector device may be formed to suit any size or shape of exhaust port, and that it may be applied to existing valve devices or newly designed valve devices. ¹⁰Screw threads are shown in the exhaust port because they are frequently provided to give the user the option of piping the fluid pressure discharge to a remote point. It will readily be seen that these screw threads do not interfere with 15 the application of the port protector, since the port protector provides its own securing means. Hence, the exhaust port need not be threaded in order to retain the port protector in applied position, nor are screws or other attaching devices 20 required. This highly desirable adaptability of the port protector is further illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, I have illustrated in fragmentary form a valve device 11 hav- 25 ing a discharge passage 12 and an atmospheric port 13 as in the valve device illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. In addition, however, the mouth of the discharge port 13 is provided with a recess II, wherein an annular chamfered seating surface 14 30 is disposed intermediate the outer end 15 and the inner end 15 of the recess. This valve device is representative of the design which would preferably be employed in new devices. It would protect the diaphragm portion of the port protector 35 from driving rain, cleansing steam or flying bodies.

The port protector is distorted and applied to this modified form of valve device in the same manner as previously described in connection ⁴⁰with Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 3 illustrates the application of the port protector to this valve device, the several parts of the protector being shown in their normal position in which communication between apertures 8 and the atmosphere is closed ⁴⁵by the engagement of the flared portion 6 with the chamfered area i 4.

Operation in this adaptation is substantially the same as that previously described in connection with the adaptation illustrated in Figs. 1 and ⁵⁰2, the diaphragm I being distended in the same way and communication to atmosphere being established through the apertures 8 when the annular portion 6 is withdrawn from closing engagement with the chamfered area 14. '^,5

The protector when applied to this design of valve device will exclude entry of insects, dirt, water or other foreign matter just as effectively as when applied to the valve device shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Also, in its recessed position, the port ⁶⁰protector is itself protected from rain, cleansing steam or flying bodies. In addition, the machined surface of the annular chamber provides an excellent sealing surface. There is also little likelihood of, or opportunity for, ice or mud to ⁶⁵seal the diaphragm sufficiently to cause a failure of valve operation.

While only two embodiments of the improved port protector provided by this invention, has been illustrated and described in detail, it should be ⁷⁰understood that the invention is not limited to these details of construction, and that numerous changes and. modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims. -.