Float Patents (Class 137/192)
  • Patent number: 4624278
    Abstract: Apparatus for regulating the flow of a subject fluid which includes immiscible fluids having differing densities such as oil and water, wherein plug means are provided which sink in oil and float in water, said plug means being positioned to control the flow of fluids through a scupper aperture. The plug means cause a sealing surface to move in and out of contact with the scupper aperture. Means are provided to enhance the separation of the sealing surface from the scupper aperature when fluid flow is to be permitted, and to increase the fluid tightness of the seal when fluid flow is to be prevented. Means are also provided for reducing the effects of turbulence in the subject flow, and hence to enhance the separation of the immiscible fluids from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Inventor: John L. Delwiche
  • Patent number: 4623091
    Abstract: This invention pertains to a float and thermostatic steam trap with an improved mechanism less subject to failure than previous designs. In this design the venting and trapping functions are served by the same valve and a thermostatic actuator acts on the float or float linkage when temperature is below a predetermined value. In normal operation the float controls the discharge of condensate and the thermostatic actuator is out of contact with the float assembly and therefore is free to move. When the temperature within the trap housing drops below the predetermined value, the thermostatic actuator engages the float assembly, forces the valve opening and raises the float above the condensate level. This allows the removal of condensate and of the noncondensible gasses from the trap. This design eliminates the stressing of the thermostatic actuator by static or vibration loads at high temperatures and thereby reduces the fatigue failure of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Inventor: Marcel Stein
  • Patent number: 4606365
    Abstract: This buoyant blood stop valve is in the blood line to the patient to stop flow to prevent air embolism when the blood is exhausted from the oxygenator reservoir. The stop valve comprises a downwardly directed hemispherical cup next to the downwardly directed tubular inlet. The top of the cup is open to the inlet to permit free passage of air in and out of the top of the cup. The cup and inlet are formed in the upper valve body, and the lower valve body is secured thereto and faces the upper valve body. The bottom of the lower body has an outlet, and above the outlet is a circular valve seat, such as an O-ring in a recess. Above the O-ring the lower body has a curved bottom, but vanes are formed in the lower body and inwardly directed toward the outlet valve seat at the O-ring. Upper vanes adjacent the inlet are sloped toward the hemispherical cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1986
    Inventor: George G. Siposs
  • Patent number: 4585022
    Abstract: An arrangement for cleaning fuel has a housing, a deflecting member in the housing and forming an annular gap extending between a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet and also a water storing chamber separated from the fuel inlet, and electrical water-level-indicating device including a rod-shaped impulse generator extending through the deflecting member into the interior of the water storing chamber and a one-piece float located in the water storing chamber and cooperating with the impulse generator, and a water discharge device provided with a throttle valve which includes a water discharge opening in the bottom of the housing and a throttle valve member cooperating with the water discharge opening, wherein the float forms the throttle member and has a guide opening and a closing surface cooperating with the water discharge opening, the guide opening goes completely through the float and the rod-shaped impulse generator extends into the throughgoing guide opening in condition of the closed throttle valve so as to g
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Haas, Willi Muller, Hans Schacht, Erich Scholz
  • Patent number: 4545397
    Abstract: A float valve assembly capable of operating as a steam trap for discharge of fluid from a system wherein a float operates to open and close an orifice located in a valve seat, the valve assembly being adapted to be easily converted for use in either horizontal flow lines or vertical flow lines by altering the relative position of internal components of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1985
    Assignee: TLV Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Yumoto
  • Patent number: 4535799
    Abstract: A valve for incorporation in a gas line through which liquid entrained gas passes, positions a valve seat across the line and arranges a sump adjacent to and upstream of the valve seat. A spherical valve element of a specific gravity less than the entrained liquid in the gas stream is positioned in the sump on a second valve seat therein communicating with a liquid outlet. Entrained liquid in the gas stream collects in the sump, floats the spherical valve element upwardly where the gas flow moves it horizontally into the valve seat in the gas line thus closing the gas line and opening the liquid drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Inventor: Robert E. Boley
  • Patent number: 4535800
    Abstract: A system for automatic evacuation of sewage from a holding tank or tanks in a vacuum operated sewage system provides in preferred embodiment a spherical holding tank with laterally located port for sewage intake, bottom port for sewage discharge to a vacuum main and detachably-covered top port for installation, inspection and maintenance. A float covers the bottom port until sufficient sewage collects to buoy it up, uncovering the bottom port and permitting vacuum discharge of the sewage in the holding tank. Ballast orients the float at all times. Rings of grooves in the lower exterior of the float insure sufficient leakage past the float to maintain portage in the vacuum discharge line. Simple ballast adjustment is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Inventor: Edward H. Leech
  • Patent number: 4529122
    Abstract: A steam trap valve assembly designed to be connected to a steam piping system to trap and remove water of condensation, air and other gasses from the steam piping system while preventing the escape of steam therethrough. The assembly comprises a housing having an upper inlet and a lower outlet, a buoyant float element within the housing and movable between raised, outlet-open position and lowered, outlet-closed position in which it seals the outlet in the absence of sufficient condensate in the housing to float the buoyant element. The float element is connected to the housing by means of a thermostatic member which maintains the float element in a raised, outlet-open position when cool but which releases the float element into lowered position, when heated, to seal the outlet in the absence of sufficient condensate in the housing to float the buoyant element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1985
    Assignee: Seymour-Sheridan, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Morgan
  • Patent number: 4527584
    Abstract: The condensation discharger comprises a tank (1) including a float (8) and an elastic cut-off blade (14) the blades of which being connected in such a way to the forked arm (6) of the float (8) that the discharge orifice is opened when the float is moved beyond a certain level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: Hiross International Corp., S.A.
    Inventor: Allan S. Miller
  • Patent number: 4449976
    Abstract: A device for reducing the rate of flow from a reservoir as the reservoir empties requires only a single chamber having an input, for receiving fluid from a reservoir, and an output port. There is a provision for sensing fluid level in the chamber, and a separate provision for reducing the flow through the output port when fluid level in the chamber has fallen to a predetermined level. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, fluid level is sensed by a float, which, after falling to a predetermined level, actuates a plunger that reduces flow through an aperature at the bottom of the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1984
    Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Dean L. Kamen
  • Patent number: 4413652
    Abstract: An accumulator having a housing, a spring-loaded liquid inlet-outlet valve, a gas charging and release valve, and a gas-liquid separator in which a top is provided releasably connected to the housing for servicing the accumulator from the top. The top is slidably insertable into the top of the housing and a releasable lock is positioned externally of the top for locking the top in the housing. The lock is prevented from releasing while the top is held in an upward position by pressure in the housing and can only be released when the pressure in the housing is reduced and the top is moved downwardly. The locking means includes a notch in the exterior of the housing, a locking ring, and a backup shoulder on the exterior of the top. An anti-extrusion ring is bonded on the bottom edge of the top and slidably engages the interior of the housing for preventing damage to the separator. Preferably the top includes a dome and an annular flange extending around the lower end of the dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1983
    Assignee: Oil Air Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Murry Allewitz
  • Patent number: 4396016
    Abstract: An automatic intravenous flow regulator for regulating the infusion rate of a parenteral solution flowing from an intravenous fluid container to a patient. When the level of parenteral solution in the container is above a threshold level, the infusion takes place at a first flow rate. When the level of fluid in the container drops below the threshold level, fluid flow continues but at a second flow rate less than the first flow rate. The flow rate is controlled principally from outside the IV container; while in a second embodiment, the flow rate is controlled from within the IV container. Other embodiments are disclosed including one in which the initial flow rate may be adjusted; one in which the fluid is filtered prior to delivery to the patient; one in which the initial flow rate is maintained at a constant value with time, secondary flow rate remains fixed, and complete filtration of the intravenous solution being infused is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1983
    Inventor: Karl E. Becker
  • Patent number: 4327764
    Abstract: The float valve assembly is mounted in a liquid drain trap housing having an upper centrally located orifice and a lower centrally located outlet orifice and includes a float, an upper pin fixed to the top of the float and received in the upper orifice, a lower pin fixed to the bottom of the float in axial alignment with the upper pin and received in the lower orifice, a conical or semispherical valve seat at the lower end of the lower pin, and a mating valve seat-forming O ring clamped in the lower orifice. The upper and lower orifices are in axial alignment and form an alignment configuration for the float valve assembly by receiving therein the upper and lower pins and maintain them in generally vertical alignment. This ensures proper vertical seating and unseating of the conical or spherical valve seat on the O ring valve seat which is clamped within the lower orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Superpressure, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Biederman, Ronald A. Zurawski
  • Patent number: 4306580
    Abstract: An overflow return tank, especially for receiving return fuel at internal combustion engines with fuel gauge, comprising a receptacle (20, 21, 22) with an inlet (23) located upwardly for a return flow and an outlet (25) and an air bleed hole (24), and with a float (30) located within the receptacle for controlling a valve (26, 36, 31a) located at the outlet of the receptacle. The valve comprises a soft, elastic diaphragm (36), which is connected to the float (30) and upon lifting of the float gradually exposes the outlet (25) by being bent, so that fuel can be taken out from the overflow return tank. Owing to the design of the valve only a small lifting force from the float is required, whereby the fuel amount in the overflow return tank can be maintained substantially constant even at great variations in the return flow. The overflow return tank, besides, can be given small dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Assignee: Haldex AB
    Inventors: Sven Wallquist, Rune Sund
  • Patent number: 4304206
    Abstract: In a vehicle with a vapor fuel vent conduit between the fuel tank and a vapor storage means, a liquid fuel condensate trap and dump valve which opens in response to a given liquid level to discharge liquid fuel back to the fuel tank or to the fuel pump. The preferred embodiment provides a hollow housing with three ports and containing a float type valve which moves from a valve seat in response to liquid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventor: John F. Hall
  • Patent number: 4301827
    Abstract: A guided-float accumulator suitable for use with a hydraulic system for an oil well blowout preventer is provided with a wing shut-off valve. Radially inwardly directed outlet parts are aimed at the bottom of the valve wing to generate unbalanced reaction forces which oppose the bernoulli effect forces caused by rapid movement of fluid through the chamber of the shut-off valve, thus preventing premature closing of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1981
    Assignee: Koomey, Inc.
    Inventors: Rajam R. Murthy, Billy J. Rice
  • Patent number: 4294288
    Abstract: A guided-float accumulator suitable for use with a hydraulic system for an oil well blowout preventer is provided with a vented float movable along a transversely centered, normally vertical guide rod according to the level of the liquid fill within the vessel. The vent outlet for the float and a ballast weight for the float are positioned on opposite sides of the guide rod and the float is mounted for free turning around the guide rod. Whatever the degree of liquid fill of the vessel, sidewise tilting of the vessel will be accompained by rotation of the vent outlet to the then-high side of the guide rod to maintain the float directly vented to the ullage space of the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1981
    Assignee: Koomey, Inc.
    Inventor: Rajam R. Murthy
  • Patent number: 4276354
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a housing in which any one of a plurality of steam trap valve assemblies may be installed and which may be machined to accommodate a plurality of different inlet and outlet conduit configurations. The housing includes a main body through which a central cylindrical passage extends. Flanges extend radially outward from the main body at opposite ends of this passage and serve to connect the main body with the top and bottom members. The main body also includes a pair of additional passages which are parallel to the central cylindrical passage and a pair of bosses which extend radially outward. The top and bottom are made from identical castings and each comprises a circular portion adapted to mate with a flange on the main body and a boss extending diametrically from the perimeter of the flanges across at least past its center. The bosses on both the main body and the top and bottom may be machined to provide a plurality of different fluid flow paths and inlet and outlet connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1981
    Assignee: The Clark-Reliance Corporation
    Inventor: Michael E. Winiasz
  • Patent number: 4245663
    Abstract: A pressure relief valve of the diaphragm type having a condensate recovery device. The condensate recovery device is connected to the disc of the relief valve and provides means for moving condensate from an upper control chamber to either an inlet chamber or to a discharge chamber depending upon the relative pressures of the inlet and discharge chambers. Condensate from the control chamber enters a passageway in the recovery device through an inlet check valve and flows from the passageway through one of two inlet check valves into another chamber having a pressure higher than the pressure in the passageway. Each of the check valves includes a valve seat connected to one of the chambers and a ball which sits on the seat during the absence of any condensate in the passageway. Any condensate in the control chamber causes the ball at the inlet valve to float off the inlet seat and allows the condensate to enter the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1981
    Assignee: FMC Corporation
    Inventor: Jean Solowy
  • Patent number: 4193417
    Abstract: A fluid check valve device for use with a gas precharged fluid storage tank comprising a valve body including a float chamber having an upper and lower check valve assembly formed at opposite ends thereof wherein the lower check valve assembly comprises a lower float member movable between a sealed and unsealed position and a lower valve seat and the upper check valve assembly comprises an upper float member movable between a sealed and unsealed position with a first and second upper valve seat together with antivortex flow apertures formed in the lower portion of the lower float chamber immediately above the lower valve seat and a plurality of float control apertures formed on the mid-portion of the float chamber such that as the gas precharged fluid storage tank is filled with fluid the lower float member is unseated from the lower valve seat permitting the gas precharged fluid storage tank and lower float chamber to be filled through the antivortex flow apertures and wherein the upper float member is moved
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Inventors: George F. Bowman, Kenneth A. Prescher
  • Patent number: 4192341
    Abstract: A float actuated valve mechanism for automatically removing a predetermined amount of accumulated liquid condensate from a sump area of a gas pressurized drain trap or the like so as to regulate the level of liquid in such a sump area. A four-bar linkage between a float and a valve plug provides a non-linearly varying mechanical advantage throughout the movement of the float. In a closed position the valve plug mates with a rigid seating surface and an elastomeric seating surface to provide a wear-resistant seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1980
    Assignee: Sarco Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Milton Hilmer
  • Patent number: 4173222
    Abstract: An apparatus for administering parenteral liquids from a parenteral fluid container which provides a sufficient quantity of parenteral liquid to be administered at a slower than normal rate so as to afford a keep-vein-open (KVO) means. The apparatus utilizes a first orifice to afford a faster flow rate than a second orifice spaced away from the first orifice. The preferred means for regulating different flow rates of fluid through the two orifices are the dimensions of the orifices and filters having different mesh sizes. When the parenteral liquid is maintained in the reservoir in contact with the first orifice with the faster flow rate, liquid will pass through both orifices at a predetermined regular rate. When liquid no longer contacts the first orifice, as when the fluid container is depleted of liquid, the second orifice then comes into effect to afford a slower rate of liquid until a new container can be supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1979
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventor: Andrew J. Muetterties
  • Patent number: 4132238
    Abstract: A mechanical valve used to stop unwanted discharge of liquids less dense than water, principally oil, which may be present in waste water flows. The valve is closed by sinking of a float less dense than water but more dense than the liquid whose discharge is to be stopped. The float is surrounded by a housing. Variations in the location of holes in the housing determine the depth of liquid which is required before the valve will close. Simple glass or other containers may be converted to serve as grease traps by installing the valve which has its discharge outlet above the valve orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1979
    Inventor: Earl A. Clark
  • Patent number: 4080788
    Abstract: An improved dividing assembly, useful in dividing the high pressure gas system from the lubricating system in a regenerative type Stirling engine, is disclosed. The closed thermally cycled gas system of a Stirling engine may vary between 20-200 atmospheres which complicates sealing and separation problems between fluid systems in the engine. One interface between said fluid occurs at the piston rods which reciprocate between an oil flushed environment within the driven assembly and the pure high pressure gas environment of the thermal cycling assembling. The two systems must be separated and yet allow access of each system to said rods. A piston rod sealing assembly is employed which uses a bleed of high pressure gas to (a) assist in forcing a tighter wiping of the piston rod surfaces, and (b) to convey wiped oil as a mixture away from the sealing assembly. A separator assembly is employed to reclaim substantially pure gas from said mixture and return separated oil to the oil system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1978
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Don B. Kantz
  • Patent number: 4079743
    Abstract: An automatically operating air bleeding device for a liquid supply system, especially a fuel supply system for a diesel engine, comprises a tank having a fuel inlet, an upper air outlet valve, a lower fuel outlet valve, a pivotally mounted float and a pivotally mounted follower member resting on the float for effecting opening of the air outlet valve if the fuel in the tank falls to a first predetermined level due to the entry of air into the tank, and for closing the fuel outlet valve if the fuel falls to a second and lower predetermined level, and a magnet on the follower for actuating a switch for a warning device prior to the fuel lowering to said second level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1978
    Assignee: Bridgemore Engineering Limited
    Inventor: William Augustus Weston
  • Patent number: 4078563
    Abstract: An improved disc valve in a container for dispensing liquids is disclosed. The disc valve comprises at least two upstanding posts adjacent an outlet passage in the bottom of the container and a floatable disc member with apertures near its periphery through which the posts extend. The posts further have disc-retaining stops at their upper ends. The posts position the disc and the relationship between the size of the apertures and the thickness of the posts assures the disc will seat over the outlet passage to prevent the passage of air when all the liquid has been dispensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1978
    Assignee: Cutter Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Tuseth
  • Patent number: 4030516
    Abstract: A float controllable valve responsive to the level of condensate having a housing with an internal chamber including an input supply opening and a discharge opening. There is a membrane capsule disposed in the interior of the housing and formed with at least a first throttle inlet bore communicative to the interior of the membrane capsule with the internal chamber of said housing at a pressure side. The membrane capsule includes a rigid inlet nozzle extending into the interior of the membrane capsule and has a nozzle bore communicating with the discharge channel. The inlet nozzle has a valve seat in the interior of the membrane capsule between the throttle bore and the nozzle bore. A locking member is slidably disposed and extends into the interior of the membrane capsule and has one end in sealing contact with the valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1977
    Assignee: Gestra-KSB Vertriebsgesellschaft mbH & Co. Bremen
    Inventor: Werner Foller
  • Patent number: 3973582
    Abstract: A force translator in the form of an S-shaped flexible band is connected at its center by a double pivot linkage to an axially movable actuator which, in an air eliminator, is a float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1976
    Assignee: Liquid Controls Corporation
    Inventor: Howard E. Siebold