Volume control device

A volume control device for an oil reservoir which holds oil under pressure comprising, a container defining the reservoir, a dump port for flow of oil from the reservoir, a check valve positioned to prevent flow of oil through the dump port and spring-urged to a closed position against the pressure of oil in the reservoir, a movable rod in said reservoir movable to a position to engage add open the check valve whereby oil can flow through said dump port, a bellows assembly connected to said rod whereby an increase in oil volume in the reservoir contracts the bellows assembly to move the rod, and pressure-responsive means connected to said rod and operative to oppose contraction of said bellows assembly.

A volume control device for a reservoir which holds liquid under pressure comprising, a dump port for flow of liquid from the reservoir, a normally closed check valve positioned to prevent flow of liquid through the dump port, a bellows assembly in said reservoir whereby an increase in liquid volume in the reservoir contracts the bellows assembly, pressureresponsive means operative to oppose contraction of said bellows assembly, and means operable by a predetermined contraction of the bellows assembly to open the check valve.

A supply system for a closed oil circuit having a sealed reservoir stored full of oil and a pump having an inlet connected to the reservoir for supplying oil under pressure to a user device with return of oil from the user device to the reservoir comprising, an expansible bellows positioned in the reservoir, a rod connected to the bellows, a piston and cylinder in said reservoir with said piston being on said rod, means connecting the pressure side of the pump to said cylinder whereby oil under pressure acts on said piston in a direction to expand said bellows to increase the pressure of the oil in the reservoir upon start-up of the pump and resists contraction of the bellows during operation, and volume-responsive means for limiting the increase of volume of oil in the reservoir during operation of the pump.

A liquid volume control device for a sealed reservoir stored full of liquid and used with a pump having an inlet connected to the reservoir for supplying liquid under pressure to a user device with return of liquid from the user device to the reservoir comprising, an expansible member positioned in the reservoir, a piston and cylinder in said reservoir, means connecting the pressure side of the pump to said cylinder whereby liquid under pressure urges said piston in one direction, means interconnecting the expansible member and the piston to resist contraction of said expansible member during operation, and means responsive to contraction of the expansible member for limiting the increase of volume of liquid in the reservoir during operation of the pump.

A method for controlling the volume of oil in a reservoir which during operation holds oil under pressure and supplies oil to a pump in a closed circuit which returns the oil to the reservoir by use of a bellows assembly connected to a member- and which contracts to move the member to open a dump valve for dumping oil from the reservoir upon a predetermined increase of oil volume comprising, positioning the bellows assembly in the reservoir with said member positioned to, upon movement, open the dump valve whereby an increase in oil volume causes contraction of the bellows assembly to open the dump valve, and applying the pressure of pumped oil to said member to oppose contraction of said bellows assembly whereby contraction of said bellows assembly is not dependent on the pressure of oil within the reservoir.

A method for controlling the volume of liquid in a reservoir which during operation holds liquid under pressure by use of a bellows assembly connected to a member and which contracts to move the member to open a dump valve for dumping liquid from the reservoir upon a predetermined increase of liquid volume comprising, positioning the bellows assembly in the reservoir whereby an increase in liquid volume causes contraction of the bellows assembly, and exerting a force on said member to oppose contraction of said bellows assembly with said force related to the liquid pressure in the reservoir whereby contraction of said bellows assembly is not dependent on the pressure of liquid within the reservoir.