With Liquid Emptying Means Patents (Class 137/203)
  • Patent number: 11207620
    Abstract: A filter assembly includes a drain port comprising a top portion and at least one surface modification along the top portion. The drain port defines an aperture therein and is alignable with an outlet port. The outlet port includes a seal member that is attachable to an end portion of the outlet port. A portion of the aperture of the drain port is sealable to the seal member when the drain port and the outlet port are aligned such that the at least one surface modification of the drain port does not abut the seal member of the outlet port, thereby creating a sealed connection between the drain port and the outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: CUMMINS FILTRATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Pravin S. Kadam, Wassern Abdalla, Manolito D. Mendoza, Peter K. Herman, Kevin C. South, Ismail C. Bagci, Deeksha Shukla
  • Patent number: 10006829
    Abstract: The state of sediment can be estimated based on an initial power supply frequency at which a diaphragm resonates in an initial state in which sediment is not accumulated and a power supply frequency at which the diaphragm resonates after the sediment is accumulated, the state of the sediment can be estimated even in a stage in which the sediment is slightly accumulated on the diaphragm and a zero-point shift does not occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Azbil Corporation
    Inventors: Hidenobu Tochigi, Takuya Ishihara
  • Patent number: 9999793
    Abstract: A dry sprinkler includes a flexible tube section that maintains a pressurized fluid, such as a liquid antifreeze solution, between a first end and a second end. A first seal prevents fluid from a supply line from entering the flexible tube section. The first seal is maintained in a sealed position by a pressure of the pressurized fluid. A sprinkler head is coupled to the second end of the flexible tube section, and includes a frame, an output orifice, a deflector, a second seal that seals the output orifice, and a thermally responsive element configured to maintain the second seal in a sealed position when the thermally responsive element is in a non-responsive state. A differential pressure controller maintains a ratio between the pressure of the pressurized fluid in the flexible tube section and a pressure of a supply fluid in the supply line to at least a certain ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Multer
  • Patent number: 9964082
    Abstract: A diesel fuel filter for removing foreign substances and water contained in fuel used in a high-pressure fuel pump upon lubricating and cooling the high-pressure fuel pump is provided. The diesel fuel filter includes a lower cap for draining water including a double-lock cover and a double-lock pin to provide a double-lock structure to prevent fuel leakage caused by unfastening of the lower cap due to impact or vibration during driving of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Cheol Hun Cho, Ju Tae Song, Woo Jin Shin, Sung Woo Choi
  • Patent number: 9115821
    Abstract: A condensate valve for condensate that is connectable to the inlet side of at least one oil/water separator of a compressor. The condensate valve is triggered for opening and closing via a blocking element. The outlet of the condensate valve discharges directly into a condensate collecting tank. The condensate valve also forms a pressure reducer for reducing the pressure of the outflowing condensate and discharges directly to the condensate collecting tank. Preferably, the condensate valve comprises a movable piston which can be pressed against a small-diameter opening of the valve seat when the condensate valve is closed by a blocking element. The piston has a larger cross-sectional area at its outlet side than at its inlet side on which condensate acts via an overflow line when the condensate valve has been opened. The overflow line can be formed by at least one through channel which extends axially through the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Bauer Kompressoren GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Bauer, Josef Winnerl
  • Patent number: 8387649
    Abstract: A drain for a pressure vessel includes a valve, a knob, a tube, a passageway, and a drain cup. The valve is coupled between an interior surface and an exterior surface of a tank. The knob is coupled to the valve for opening and closing the valve. The tube has a top end and a bottom end and is coupled to the valve at an interior surface of the tank at the top end and extends into a bottom of the tank at the bottom end. The passageway extends through the valve and has an opening coupled to the tube at a first end and an exit at a second end. The passageway is openable and closeable by the knob. The drain cup is associated with the exit of the passageway and is positioned on an exterior surface of the tank for collecting condensation from the interior of the tank. The valve is positioned at a height that is vertically higher than the bottom end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Campbell Hausfeld/Scott Fetzer Company
    Inventors: Berlie E. Parks, William Alan Bryant
  • Patent number: 8225811
    Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the removal of moisture from a compressed air tank has a tank with an interior volume, a tubular member positioned in communication with the tank and having an end adjacent the bottom of the tank, an air compressor interconnected to the tubular member for passing compressed air into the interior volume of the tank, a check valve positioned at an opposite end of the tubular member, a head pressure relief valve in communication with the tubular member, and a pressure switch cooperatively connected to the air compressor. The pressure switch opens the head pressure relief valve when an air pressure in the tank reaches a desired level so as to cause air and water in the tank to pass through the tubular member. The check valve serves to stop the passing of air and water after a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: Max Lieber
  • Patent number: 8122903
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for an integrated fluid and vapor delivery system design that optimizes vapor delivery. The method and system utilize a purgeable valve assembly which is closely coupled to a vaporizer. The purgeable valve assembly includes a liquid control valve and a purge gas valve which are connected by an outlet to the vaporizer in a manner minimizing the dead volume of the liquid supplied to the vaporizer. The system does not require the liquid precursor to be subjected to vacuum prior to entry into the vaporizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen D. Loeffler, Seth B. Wolf, Charles W. Albrecht
  • Publication number: 20110209776
    Abstract: A drain for a pressure vessel includes a valve, a knob, a tube, a passageway, and a drain cup. The valve is coupled between an interior surface and an exterior surface of a tank. The knob is coupled to the valve for opening and closing the valve. The tube has a top end and a bottom end and is coupled to the valve at an interior surface of the tank at the top end and extends into a bottom of the tank at the bottom end. The passageway extends through the valve and has an opening coupled to the tube at a first end and an exit at a second end. The passageway is openable and closeable by the knob. The drain cup is associated with the exit of the passageway and is positioned on an exterior surface of the tank for collecting condensation from the interior of the tank. The valve is positioned at a height that is vertically higher than the bottom end of the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Berlie E. Parks, William Alan Bryant
  • Publication number: 20090199907
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for removing condensate and unwanted gas from vapor/liquid systems while preventing steam loss are provided. The steam trap apparatus replaces the automatic valve type, non-sanitary steam trap with an efficient, controllable, and sanitary steam trap. In addition, the improved steam trap apparatus allows for real-time data collection and eliminates the need for additional piping and actuated valves for sterilization and cleaning purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Yehoshua Aloni
  • Patent number: 7568494
    Abstract: A vent apparatus is opened to allow free flow of fuel vapor from a vehicle fuel tank through the vent apparatus to a fuel vapor recovery canister during tank refueling until a predetermined level of liquid fuel is reached in the vent apparatus. Once refueling has been completed, the vent apparatus is closed to block or limit further flow of liquid fuel to the vent apparatus. At the same time, fuel vapor discharge passageways in the vent apparatus that had been closed once the fuel tank had been filled to a predetermined capacity with liquid fuel are reopened so that fuel vapor can flow freely from the fuel tank to the canister even though the volume or height of liquid fuel in the fuel tank has not decreased since the tank was filled during refueling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Stant Manufacturing Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey E. Devall
  • Publication number: 20090183780
    Abstract: A water trap shut-off assembly wherein accumulated water inside the canister is capable of lifting a float. The float is adapted to achieve a sealing interface with a seal gasket, thereby interrupting fluid flow in a fluid passageway therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventor: John Tiwet
  • Publication number: 20090025796
    Abstract: A method and system are provided for an integrated fluid and vapor delivery system design that optimizes vapor delivery. The method and system utilize a purgeable valve assembly which is closely coupled to a vaporizer. The purgeable valve assembly includes a liquid control valve and a purge gas valve which are connected by an outlet to the vaporizer in a manner minimizing the dead volume of the liquid supplied to the vaporizer. The system does not require the liquid precursor to be subjected to vacuum prior to entry into the vaporizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Stephen D. Loeffler, Seth B. Wolf, Charles W. Albrecht
  • Patent number: 7314509
    Abstract: A gas/liquid phase separator includes a fluid inlet, a vapor outlet, a liquid outlet, and first and second valves disposed in fluid communication with the liquid outlet. Both valves are controllable in response to a fluid level in the gas/liquid phase separator. Both valves are further disposed in parallel fluid communication with each other. A method of controlling a liquid level in the phase separator includes sensing an amount of liquid in the phase separator, sensing a system pressure, and selectively opening a valve disposed in fluid communication with the phase separator to drain the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Proton Energy System, Inc.
    Inventors: A. John Speranza, Andrzej E. Stanek, Angelo A. Morson, Justin D. Baltrucki
  • Patent number: 6810901
    Abstract: A foot-actuated condensate drain for an air compressor tank. The foot-actuated condensate drain includes a lever that is connected to a valve on the bottom of the air compressor tank. Movement of the lever, for example by a user's foot, causes the drain valve to open. The lever may be moved to a locked position where the drain valve is held in an open position, even if the user releases his or her foot. The valve stem of the valve is hollow and includes a seal for closing off the opening, and radial holes below the seal and in fluid communication with a hollow interior portion of the stem. When moved away from the closed position, fluid in the compressor tank flows out of the opening, around the seal, into the radial holes, through the stem, and out of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Powermate Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy W. Burford
  • Patent number: 6694999
    Abstract: Well gas collection systems and methods for improved efficiency, structural integrity, and convenient application provide a multiple well header system, a header element with upper and lower ends and a plurality of inlets in fluidic communication with the interior chamber through a sidewall and a gas outlet positioned through the header element in fluidic communication with the interior chamber wherein each inlet pipe comprises a merged fluidic flow path in fluidic communication with the interior chamber arranged to provide optimal collection of produced gas from wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Hettinger Welding, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark D. Hettinger
  • Publication number: 20030230341
    Abstract: A foot-actuated condensate drain for an air compressor tank. The foot-actuated condensate drain includes a lever that is connected to a valve on the bottom of the air compressor tank. Movement of the lever, for example by a user's foot, causes the drain valve to open. The lever may be moved to a locked position where the drain valve is held in an open position, even if the user releases his or her foot. The valve stem of the valve is hollow and includes a seal for closing off the opening, and radial holes below the seal and in fluid communication with a hollow interior portion of the stem. When moved away from the closed position, fluid in the compressor tank flows out of the opening, around the seal, into the radial holes, through the stem, and out of the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Applicant: Coleman Powermate, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy W. Burford
  • Patent number: 6431194
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus and method for protecting a condensate removal device from damage that may be caused when the condensate removal device comes into contact with foreign objects. The present invention discloses placing a shield around the condensate removal device to help prevent the condensate removal device from coming into contact with any foreign object. The present invention also discloses placing a removable cap around the condensate removal device and a condensate removal device that may recess within a mounting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: DeVilbiss Air Power Company
    Inventors: John W. Hardin, Mark W. Wood
  • Patent number: 6257210
    Abstract: A CNG fueling system includes a plurality of CNG tanks for storing compressed natural gas, a supply pipe for connecting the tanks to a combustion chamber of a internal combustion engine, valves provided in the supply pipe, a low pressure regulator for regulating low pressure, and a gas mass sensor for sensing the mass of the gas. The CNG fueling system further includes a lubricant drainage device connected with the low pressure regulator for draining lubricant that has infiltrated into the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yu-Kyeom Kim
  • Patent number: 6119711
    Abstract: A multiple well header system includes an upright header, a plurality of inlet pipes and an outlet pipe. The header has a substantially vertical orientation relative to the ground. The inlet pipes are for interconnection with separate gas wells to allow for passage of methane coal gas and water vapor entrained with the gas therethrough. Each inlet pipe is mounted to a continuous sidewall of the header through an inlet opening of the header. Each inlet pipe is in communication with an interior chamber of the header. The water vapor enters the interior chamber of the header through the inlet pipes and separates from the gas and falls to and condenses above and within a water collection area of the header. The gas enters the interior chamber of the header through the inlet pipes and rises to an upper end of the header. The inlet pipes are arranged in series vertically and in a plurality of horizontal pairs on the header. The outlet pipe is for interconnection with an external location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Inventor: Greg A. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 6109289
    Abstract: A drain valve of an air braking system for vehicles has a drainage piston, a main sump and auxiliary sump. Moisture passes from the main sump to the auxiliary sump in response to pressure at a signal port which closes off air supply through ports. A reduction in pressure at the signal port causes the ports to be reconnected and allows moisture to be expelled through the drainage outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Wabco Automotive UK Limited
    Inventors: Brian Frank Firth, Barry David Thomas
  • Patent number: 5935427
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system which makes it possible to remove undesirable liquids, generally an aqueous phase, which precipitate to the bottom of tanks for storing liquid products. Use is made of a drainage device (30) which comprises a concave body (31), a seat (26), and an interface float (8) which has a plug portion (25). This interface float (8) is designed to sink into the product and to float on the aqueous phase. As the level of the aqueous phase drops, the plug portion (25) settles sealingly on the seat (26), halting the drainage operation since all the accumulated aqueous phase has already been drained off. The drainage system may be automatic or manual. In the former case, use is made of a sensor (12) for detecting the presence of an aqueous phase and commanding the process of opening a shut-off valve (11) and allowing drainage of the accumulated aqueous phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Petoleo Brasileiro SA--Petrobras
    Inventors: Aldyr Witter, Antonio Jorge Leitao Schilling, Claudio Camilo Da Silva, Edu Correa Francisco, Artur Rogerio Monteiro Marinho
  • Patent number: 5893385
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a liquid discharging device for discharging liquid stored on a bottom wall of an interior of a compressed natural gas tank of a vehicle, comprising a liquid discharging pipe for discharging the liquid from the compressed natural gas tank to an outside of the compressed natural gas tank. The liquid discharging pipe has an open end which is open into the interior of the compressed natural gas tank at a position adjacent to an inner face of the bottom wall of the compressed natural gas tank. Further, the liquid discharging device comprises a liquid discharging control valve arranged in the liquid discharging pipe to discharge the liquid due to the pressure of the natural gas when the liquid discharging control valve is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kouhei Igarashi
  • Patent number: 5606989
    Abstract: A self-venting valve having its principal parts molded of nylon reinforced with glass fibers is mounted in the bottom of a fuel filter assembly to drain water and other contaminants from the assembly. The self-venting valve includes a plunger portion with a bore therethrough for draining water from the fuel filter assembly and a valve body member which receives the plunger. The valve body member has a vent hole therein which communicates with the interior of the housing to let air into the housing so that as the water drains from the housing a partial vacuum is not created which might interrupt the flow of water. The plunger is biased to the valve closed position by a coil spring, however the valve may be held in the open position by misaligning lugs on the plunger with slots in the valve body member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Roll, Willie L. Stamey, Christopher L. Loafman
  • Patent number: 5391361
    Abstract: A condensate separator includes a vertically oriented cylindrical body with an inlet at its bottom and an outlet at its top. The cross-section of the body is at least an order of magnitude larger than the cross-section of the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: MDT Corporation
    Inventors: Bhabesh K. Thakur, Leonard L. Hallings
  • Patent number: 5285809
    Abstract: A drain discharge device for discharging effluent comprises a valve with a single outlet and a plurality of inlets that selectively connects the single outlet to one of inlets in turn. The inlets, each of which corresponds to an outlet of an effluent discharging device, such as an air compressor or an after cooler, are each sequentially connected to the single outlet in order to drain effluent. Due to the sequential connection of the drain points to the outlet, the drain discharge device operates irrespective of air pressure differences at the drain points. In addition, since each drain point is connected to the outlet in sequence, the system avoids clogging by particulate foreign substances or lubricants. One embodiment discloses a device having a single valve serving three or more inlets. Embodiments employing a rotary ball valve and a linearly moving valve are both disclosed. In one ball valve embodiment, inlets and outlet are in the same plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Fukuhara Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Shimoguri
  • Patent number: 5205315
    Abstract: The manual valve normally attached to the wet tank of an air pressure system in a motor vehicle which accumulates moisture is replaced by an automatic valve which has an inlet port connected to the drain line from the wet tank and an outlet port vented to the atmosphere. This valve is operable between an open position where the inlet and outlet ports are interconnected and a closed position where these two ports are isolated from each other. An air line which is used to activate the valve is interconnected to the parking brake of the motor vehicle and is operable to move the valving means to the closed position during normal operation of the vehicle and to the open position whenever the parking brake is engaged to thereby automatically drain moisture from the wet tank while the vehicle is parked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Inventor: Wayne R. Margerum
  • Patent number: 5205314
    Abstract: An expansion chamber is attached between two air compression stages of an air compressor or between an air compression stage and the air holding tank of the air compressor. The expansion chamber has a cylindrically shaped wall with top and bottom portions attached so as to define an enclosed inner chamber. The enclosed inner chamber may have one or more baffle plates located therein. Various designs of baffle plate arrangements provide different air circulating patterns within the expansion chamber. Since the expansion chamber is exposed to the ambient environment, the compressed air heated in the compression process is cooled down in the expansion chamber. This cooling down of the compressed air as well as the expansion of the compressed air as it circulates within the enclosed inner chamber causes any moisture suspended in the compressed air to drop out and go to the bottom of the expansion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: James A. Kyer
    Inventor: Odis A. Moore
  • Patent number: 5154204
    Abstract: A pneumatically actuated drain valve device for venting the moisture in an air dryer to atompshere including a rolling diaphragm for linearly moving a piston stem assembly to unseat a spring and pressure biased stainless steel ball valve from its conically shaped valve seat to permit the collected moisture in an accumulation chamber to pass through a sintered exhaust muffler to the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Company
    Inventor: Michael V. Hatzikazakis
  • Patent number: 4896692
    Abstract: A pilot operated control valve particularly adapted for automatic periodic operation to bleed condensate from compressed air lines or periodically supply lubricant to desired locations in various machines may be actuated electrically by sensors, timers, or manually operated switches. The valve is normally maintained in closed position by the pressure of the compressed air in the line to which it is connected or it may be operated by a separate compressed air, gas or liquid source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Inventor: Daniel Baun
  • Patent number: 4881567
    Abstract: A liquid removal system particularly adapted to remove water from a gas main. The system includes the combination of highly flexible, low-friction tube fitted with an internal stainless steel stiffener, this assembly having a weighted nose guide to ensure that the assembly remains at the bottom of the gas main. The assembly is inserted into the gas main through a tap hole using an insertion guide to ensure that the assembly is inserted at a proper angle into the gas main.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1989
    Assignee: Brooklyn Union Gas
    Inventor: Gerald Rockower
  • Patent number: 4877218
    Abstract: A drain valve device mounted on the bottom of a pressure tank for the purpose of disposing of unwanted, accumulated waste liquids in the tank. The valve portion of the device is of a type comprising a stem-mounted disc moving longitudinally against, or away from a valve seat in the process of closing or opening the valve, rspectively. Movement of the stem is achieved by means of a pivotally mounted valve operating lever, or by air pressure. The valve includes as special features thereof limited contact between the disc and the valve seal; a specially positioned valve seat which provides a pressure relief safety feature; a non-jamming spring configuration with positioning means therefore, and a self-aligning stem. In one of the preferred embodiments, a constricted opening is provided in the outlet of the valve to create an audible signal and to reduce loss of pressure when the valve is in its open position, draining the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Design Improvement Corporation
    Inventor: Clayton S. Kasner
  • Patent number: 4855041
    Abstract: A drain assembly for diesel engine fuel filters and the like consists of separate drain and vent valves mounted closely adjacent one another in the bottom wall of the collection bowl of the filter and intercoupled so that actuation of the drain valve also actuates the vent valve after the drain valve has been opened. The vent valve is a spring biased valve located higher than the drain valve and preferably is a tire core type valve. The drain valve may be a spring biased push type valve or a valve threadedly mounted in the bottom wall of the collection bowl for vertical movement to open a valve seat in the collection bowl and in either embodiment includes a shoulder interengageable with the vent valve for actuation of the latter. Both drain valves include a hose connector which rotates relative to the collection bowl or cartridge assembly to facilitate replacement of the latter, the threaded type drain valve including a snap-in type swivel for the hose connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Parker Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: John F. Church, Steve A. Neff
  • Patent number: 4838299
    Abstract: Pulsation dampener apparatus includes a cylindrical housing having three baffles dividing the interior of the housing into four chambers. A conduit within the apparatus connects the top and bottom chambers, and a second conduit connects the second, third, and fourth chambers. Pressurized air for operating a pneumatic tool, such as a drill or the like, is connected to the top chamber from a main air line or manifold. The pressurized air flows from the bottom chamber directly to the tool. Back pressure pulsations caused by the tool, are dampened within the second and third chambers of the cylinder so that the pulsations are not fed back into the main air line or manifold, where they may cause problems with other pneumatic tools connected to the main air line or manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Inventor: Robert N. Behrens
  • Patent number: 4733686
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus comprises means for effectively removing excess moisture from compressed air such as employed, for example, in spray painting applications. The outlet line from an air compressor is connected to the inlet of hollow coil of metal with good heat conductivity, such as copper or aluminum, having an outlet connected to an air manifold. The coil and manifold are both immersed in chilled water, whereby the temperature of the air and its capacity to hold water vapor are significantly lowered to cause the water to be condensed in liquid form and collect at the bottom of the manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Inventor: William E. Cosselmon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4724862
    Abstract: There is disclosed an automatic drain valve which consists of a control block with a central bore and a coaxial inlet bore. The central bore and the inlet bore are divided from each other by a seal which is seated in the inlet bore and held in place by a threaded fitting. An outlet bore communicates with the central bore at a position displaced from the seal, and a gauge bore intersects and communicates with the central bore at a position between the inlet bore seal and the outlet bore. The seal has an opening with a beveled edge that matches the beveled leading edge on a valve stem which is slidably mounted within the central bore and operated by means of pneumatic cylinder which is in turned controlled by solenoid operated either by a conventional timer or by a humidity sensor. The seal is placed out of the direct line of flow of the water and air being drained and the valve stem is closed at high velocity in order to minimize the wear on the round seal and extend the life of the drain valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1986
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1988
    Inventor: Don N. Chamberlain
  • Patent number: 4637440
    Abstract: A first low pressure storage tank is provided including a liquid inlet and a valved liquid outlet as well as a vapor outlet. Gas pump structure is also provided including suction and discharge ports and a high pressure storage tank is provided including a gas inlet and a gas outlet. First pipe structure is provided including an inlet end for communication with the liquid trap or sump of a gas transmission pipe line and an outlet end communicated with a gas inlet for the low pressure storage tank. A second pipe communicates the vapor outlet of the low pressure tank with the suction port of the gas pump and a third pipe communicates the discharge port of a gas pump with the gas inlet for the high pressure tank. Further, the second pipe includes a gas/liquid separator including a valved out communicated with the first pipe and the high pressure storage tank includes a lower valved liquid outlet communicated with the first pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Inventor: Troy J. Potter
  • Patent number: 4595030
    Abstract: A fuel tank comprising a wall forming a main container for fuel, and a lateral extension from said main container. The extension is located adjacent the bottom of the main container, and the extension has at least one tranparent or translucent wall so that any water accumulated at the bottom of the tank and in the extension may be visibly detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Yazaki
  • Patent number: 4592381
    Abstract: A condensate drainage device for a steam system which includes a series-connected arrangement of orifice-type devices particularly suitable for relatively small condensate drainage capacity. The orifice-type devices are selected for installation in housings or bodies having advantageously placed heat exchanger fins which cooperate with the size of orifice devices installed for desired condensate drainage over a range of different steam system pressure and volumetric capacities requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Assignee: Engineering Resources, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Troy
  • 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: 4473092
    Abstract: A drain for a compressed air system which drains the condensate without losing compressed air. The drain has a valve member with a cavity rotatable from a condensate receiving position to a condensate emptying position and a standpipe with its lower end communicating with the cavity in both positions and its upper end closed so that the compressed air which accumulates in the upper end of the standpipe expels the liquid from the cavity in the emptying position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Assignee: Valex, Inc.
    Inventor: Philip S. Becker
  • Patent number: 4409005
    Abstract: A separator device, and a method, for removing water and foreign matter entrained in a compressed fluid is disclosed. The device includes a housing having an inlet port fluidly connected to the compressed fluid source, an outlet port and a chamber fluidly connected to the inlet and outlet ports. A mechanism is provided for separating water entrained in the compressed fluid and for collecting the separated water. Finally, a mechanism periodically purges the collected separated water from the device. The water is, preferably, atomized as it is released from the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1983
    Inventor: Lorne J. McKendrick
  • Patent number: 4353387
    Abstract: The drainage device includes a drainage chamber (9) which communicates via an inlet pipe (20) with a compressed air tank and is provided with an outlet orifice (16), elements (5,24) for closing the outlet orifice and elements (5,19,1,21) for opening the outlet orifice while partially closing off the inlet pipe. Application to gas-blast circuit breaker installations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1982
    Assignee: Delle-Alsthom
    Inventors: Pierre A. Bouygues, Jean-Marie Delcoustal
  • Patent number: 4234008
    Abstract: A fluid choke for controlling fluid flow, such as condensate draining from a high pressure steam line, that does not require the use of any separate filters and constructed entirely from a section of bar stock including a reduced diameter inlet section having a small orifice extending axially therethrough with a plurality of radially extending openings from the orifice to its outer diameter to prevent the accumulation of foreign matter in the orifice, and a larger diameter outlet section having a larger diameter and longer orifice extending axially therethrough communicating with the inlet section orifice that serves to provide a pressure drop permitting the inlet section orifice to be somewhat larger in diameter, further reducing the possibility of foreign matter accumulation in the inlet orifice section and also reducing the amount of flashing in the inlet section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1980
    Inventor: Ramsey L. Cronfel
  • Patent number: 4079744
    Abstract: This invention relates to a drain valve and is particularly adapted for draining water or other liquid from the bowl of a filter for pneumatic systems. The valve includes a bendable tubular body of flexible material and there is a poppet for normally closing a drain passage through the body. The valve has a stem in the passage which is deflectable by manual bending of the body to unseat the valve for opening the drain passage. There is a means for holding the valve seated when the body is not bent, and a portion of the passage constantly bypasses such means to permit drainage flow when the valve is unseated, regardless of whether there is pressure in the bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1978
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: David Craig Franson, Duane David Gilger
  • Patent number: 4030517
    Abstract: A condensate valve comprising a housing having a chamber for the accumulation of liquid and an outlet passage from the chamber leading to a central chamber from which liquid is discharged to the atmosphere. A double-acting valve member controls the outlet passage. A diaphragm closes the central chamber and separates it from a pressure chamber. A manually operable device is provided for holding the valve member in a shut-off position or in a position to drain the condensate valve. A separate annular heater assembly is disposed upon the housing in encircling relation to the liquid accumulation chamber to prevent freezing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1977
    Assignee: Reef-Baker Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Pyle
  • Patent number: 4018579
    Abstract: Apparatus for producing dry compressed air comprises a compressor, a separator to remove condensates, an adsorption filter to filter and dry the air and a storage tank. A valve for controlling reverse flow of air from the storage tank through the filter to the atmosphere to regenerate the adsorption filter when the compressor stops is controlled by a moisture sensitive device so that reverse flow is permitted only if the moisture control of the compressed air is above a predetermined value. The opening of a tap to discharge collected liquid from the separator is controlled by a pneumatically operated valve system so that no electrical control is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1977
    Assignee: Durr - Dental KG
    Inventor: Hans-Joachim Hofmann