Abstract: Device for the regulation of the concentration of a product in a liquid and, most specifically, of an alcohol used in the composition of a varnish contained in a varnishing vat for optical glasses or other substrates. The vat comprises an overflow tray and a sealed alcohol reservoir. The reservoir is installed higher than the overflow tray so that when level of the varnish in the overflow tray drops sufficiently low, an air bubble is created that rises to the alcohol reservoir, thus creating additional pressure in the alcohol reservoir and forcing a drop of alcohol into the overflow tray until the level of the varnish in the overflow tray recovers its normal level above the junction point between the second pipe and the overflow tray.

Abstract: An automatic shut-off valve suitable for watering of batteries is disclosed. The valve is formed by a chamber having an inlet and an outlet. A seat surrounds the outlet. A spring biased piston within the cylinder is movable into and out of sealing engagement with the seat to open and close the valve. A flow deflecting surface is positioned between the inlet and the piston. Water flow is directed around the piston to eliminate drag that would force the piston into engagement with the seat. A second deflector surface directs flow against the piston to bias it open. An actuator cup, fed by a nozzle extending from the outlet, draws the piston into engagement with the seat when the cup is sealed by engagement with the electrolyte surface. The valve may also employ a float actuator connected to the piston.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for controlling the flow of fluids through a conveyance with a hydraulic valve including a flexible portion. The flexible portion is positioned in the conveyance so that fluid enters the membrane from an upper containment space and the expansion of the flexible portion causes the valve to restrict or block the flow of fluid being controlled through the conveyance.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for controlling the flow of fluids through a conveyance with a hydraulic valve including a flexible portion. The flexible portion is positioned in the conveyance so that fluid enters the membrane from an upper containment space and the expansion of the flexible portion causes the valve to restrict or block the flow of fluid being controlled through the conveyance.

Abstract: A closed &Dgr;Pstat-installation is disclosed for the potential-independent control of the pressure difference for continuous column tests under high hydrostatic pressure, as well as a pressure difference control process useful in particular for carrying out migration tests in pressure columns. By coupling two potential bottles into a closed vessel system, the gas or fluid pressure required to carry out the continuous column tests can be regulated at any desired height independently of outer influences. The pressure difference required to move the liquid is adjusted by setting the potential bottles at predeterminable heights.

Abstract: A low-noise liquid distribution system for delivering a liquid to a user on demand includes a reservoir and a tank oriented in an inverted position over the reservoir for distributing liquid from the tank to the reservoir. A vent tube has an inlet end that is located outside of the tank and an outlet end that is located in the tank above the liquid level. With this arrangement, when an opening of the tank and the vent tube are at, or immersed below, a level of liquid in the reservoir, the liquid is held within the tank by a combination of vacuum pressure acting on the liquid in the tank and atmospheric pressure acting on the liquid in the reservoir. However, when at least the vent tube is above the level of liquid in the reservoir, the vacuum within the tank is broken as air travels into the tank by way of the vent tube. Accordingly, liquid in the tank is delivered to the reservoir without the formation of air bubbles and their associated noise.

Abstract: A cleaning solution dispenser installed in a water tank 2 includes a container 3 and a tubular flow regulator 4. The container receives cleaning solution therein and is formed with a downwardly opening outlet 31. The flow regulator extends into the outlet of the container and is divided by a partition plate 40 into upper and lower chambers 41, 42. The upper chamber has a closed top end and a surrounding wall formed with at least one radial port 43 opening adjacent to the partition plate. The flow regulator further has first and second tubes 44, 45 which extend upwardly from the partition plate into the upper chamber. The second tube is shorter than the first tube and has a top end which is located at a level higher than that of the port opening. The first and second tubes communicate the upper chamber with the lower chamber. The lower chamber has an open bottom end.

Abstract: A multi-purpose automatic filing basin is provided for containing a selected amount of water which is used for various purposes. The water may be transferred from the basin by wicks or by a pump to water using devices such as plant pots or toys or may be provided for direct use from the basin for devices such as animal feeders and habitats. The basis is kept supplied with water from a pressurized source by a specialized valve which opens in response to a drop in water level below a first selected level and closes in response to the water level reaching as second selected level.

Abstract: A concrete mixing system includes reservoirs of liquid additives, where the additives are combined with concrete mix to add desired properties thereto. These reservoirs of liquid additive are connected to a storage chamber and a controller which controls and sequences various pumps, valves and sensors to attain the desired quantity of liquid additive for introduction to the concrete mix. The sensors measure pressure in the storage chamber, which the controller correlates to the volume therein for later mixing with the concrete mix. In situations where a back pressure in the chamber is a concern, a sensing tube is employed within the chamber. A differential pressure transducer, which has one sensor within the sensing tube and one sensor within the chamber, accurately determines the pressure and thus the volume received within the storage chamber. A modified sensing tube can also be employed to increase the sensitivity and the accuracy of the pressure measurement within the sensing tube.

Abstract: For use in a water cooler having a reservoir adapted to receive the neck portion of an inverted water tank, a filter system comprising an attachment removably connected to the neck and forming a water-tight seal therewith, a sleeve projecting from the attachment for receiving a replaceable water filter adapted to pass water from the tank into the reservoir, and a one-way valve projecting from the attachment for admitting air into the tank responsive to water flowing out of the tank via the water filter, the one-way valve including a movable bead adapted to prevent water from flowing therethrough while permitting air to pass therethrough.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for restoring a fluid level in a fluid receptacle to a predetermined level when the fluid level falls below the predetermined level, said device including: a closed vessel for containing a fluid supply, the vessel having an aperture allowing the fluid supply to be in communication with fluid in the fluid receptacle, and an air inlet tube extending into the vessel; wherein, in use, the inlet tube is positioned such that air is drawn into the vessel when the level in the fluid receptacle falls below the predetermined level thereby allowing fluid to pass through the aperture into the fluid receptacle until the fluid level is restored.

Abstract: An ultrasonic humidifier having a pair of water tanks which release their water into a reservoir in a staggered sequence. The staggered emptying of the water tanks enables the tanks to be refilled in a more efficient manner. Several different embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An intermittently operating watering device has a water reservoir for supplying successive flows of water to a pair of receptacles which are separated from one another by a weir. The water also flows into an air space where it covers the lower end of an air passage communicating with an air space at the top of the interior of the water reservoir so that, each time evaporation of the water uncovers the lower end of the air passage to allow the inflow of air, water is able to flow out from the water reservoir to the receptacles. The reservoir is in one of the receptacles and a plant in the other receptacle is irrigated at successive intervals of time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for irrigating plants in a controlled manner. The method includes the alternate steps of moving the irrigating liquid from a reservoir containing the liquid to a plant-accommodating container situated at a level higher than that of the reservoir by using pressurized air to displace the liquid from the reservoir, and then of terminating the flow of displacing air to permit excess liquid to return from the container to the reservoir under gravity. These alternate steps are carried out automatically in accordance with a predetermined cycle.

Abstract: A liquid level control apparatus which detects a liquid level in a tank employed, for example, in ice making equipment, to thereby trigger a control operation. The level control apparatus comprises a tank containing a body of liquid, a float movable in response to the vertical movement of the surface of liquid within the tank, a hollow case having a closed top and an open bottom, and a guide member disposed within the case for guiding the vertical movement of the float. The hollow case is arranged so that the open bottom thereof is closed by the rising liquid to thereby from a hermetically closed chamber within the case. An upstanding tubular member extends into the hollow case such that the lower end of the tube defines a level of liquid at which the hermetically closed chamber is formed. The chamber thus formed is effective for preventing the guide member from being immersed in the liquid to assure smooth movement of the float.

Abstract: A pool water regulator has two vertical pipes which indicate the pool water level. Each pipe has a floating element disposed therein, and each float element has a switch secured to a distal end protruding from the vertical pipes. Brackets are mounted adjacent the switches so that as the float elements rise and fall, the switches are turned ON and OFF thereby activating either pool draining or pool filling means.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the flow of liquid from a conduit into a tank to maintain a selected level, which is an improvement on the conventional type of float-operated flow valves which use a diaphragm clamped between two flanges and positioned over the end of the conduit through which liquid is supplied at a selected pressure. There is a small opening in the center of the diaphragm and there is a second small opening in the second flange of the flow means. The improvement of this invention, is the use, instead of a float mechanism, a pressure-sensitive diaphragm which is responsive to the hydrostatic pressure in the liquid at the level of immersion of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is adapted to close and open the second small opening, and thus to control the flow through the first valve.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a liquid utilizing surface tension of the liquid for control of amount dispensed.

Abstract: An upper sealed reservoir and a lower vented reservoir are connected by a conduit and tube extending into the lower reservoir. A shroud forms a chamber around the end of the tube within the lower reservoir and is vented at its upper end. Openings are provided in the tube and the shroud and are indexed in diametrically opposite relation, with the opening in the tube pointing in the direction of the center of the lower reservoir. The arrangement maintains proper hydraulic fluid level balance between the two reservoirs under a wide range of vehicle attitudes and accelerations. When either the vehicle attitudes or acceleration, or both, momentarily reorients the actual fluid level in the lower reservoir and the shroud, trapped fluid within the shroud chamber prevents air from entering the upper reservoir through the tube and conduit so that excess fluid cannot flow into the lower reservoir from the upper reservoir.

Abstract: A device for the storage and dosed delivery of liquids, comprising a tank for containing a liquid, the tank having at least one opening for filling with the liquid and for discharge of the liquid from the tank, the tank being movably mounted in relation to a surrounding vessel so that the opening can be brought into a lower, operative, position, the liquid then passing from the tank into the surrounding vessel until the level of the liquid in said vessel reaches the level of said opening, the device then maintaining this liquid level.

Abstract: A watering system for flower pots and plant boxes which uses watering cylinders located adjacent to the plant roots with the watering cylinders connected to a water supply unit through a closed pipeline system with the water supply unit maintaining a constant supply of water to the watering cylinders. One can regulate or control the water level in the watering cylinders by vertically adjusting the ventilation tube located within a transparent water pipe in the water supply unit.

Abstract: A constant level oiler is disclosed which includes an adjustable nozzle assembly for establishing the operating or working level of the oil lubricant in the oil chamber and to a user assembly. A tool is further disclosed which is insertable into the oiler chamber for making the desired nozzle assembly adjustments.

Abstract: In this invention yarn finish is supplied to the yarn applicator supply pan with the level controlled by intermittent admission of air to the top of a distribution tank through an air tube which is intermittently submerged and sealed with yarn finish at the same level as the supply pan. The tube opening is located within another tube connected to the bottom of the distribution tank with a tee which also connects to the supply pan. As the level of yarn finish in the supply pan drops due to use by the finish applicator, the level in the bottom tube also drops, uncovering the opening at the end of the top tube, permitting flow of air into the top of the distribution tank, releasing an equal amount of yarn finish through the tee and conduit to the supply pan, raising the level in the supply pan and the bottom tube until the opening of the top tube is covered and sealed preventing further flow of air until the level drops again due to use by the finish applicator, repeating the same intermittent supply process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a self-contained evaporator type humidifier adapted to be positioned at an outlet opening of a warm air heating system and operated solely by an air stream issuing therefrom. The humidifier includes a housing provided with an air inlet opening and an exhaust air grill. A water receptacle, an adjustable water supply means, and an adjustable air-water contacting member are provided within the housing. The air-water contact member comprises a frame having a water-absorbent covering thereon and has an overall shape which is approximately that of a propeller which has been twisted at the midpoint of its longitudinal axis so that the end portions which are substantially in the shape of an elongated S, lie in planes which are generally perpendicular to each other. The air-water contact member is mounted for free rotation in journals at each end of the interior of the housing and is rotated around its longitudinal axis by the direct impingment thereon of the air stream from the heating system.

Abstract: A liquid level control for a transmission sump wherein excess fluid is stored in an external reservoir. The external reservoir is connected to a vacuum source, such as the engine manifold, above the liquid level in the external reservoir. The external reservoir is connected through a passage to the transmission sump. The passage is connected to the external reservoir at a position above the liquid level, such that the vacuum in the external reservoir can be imposed upon the passage and terminates in the transmission sump at the desired level. The vacuum is thus transmitted to the transmission sump to withdraw liquid when the level therein is above the desired level whereby the sump liquid level is determined at a substantially constant level dependent upon the position of the passage in the transmission sump. If the sump level is below the passage terminus, fluid enters the sump, from the external reservoir, through a fill passage connected at the bottom of the external reservoir.

Abstract: A dispensing valve for controlling the flow of a liquid from a container into a receptacle is described. Such valve is designed to terminate liquid flow automatically when the liquid level within the receptacle reaches a predetermined height. It includes a cap to be secured hermetically on the mouth of a liquid container and a stud to project axially from the cap into the interior of such container. At least two passages extend through the stud, one of such passages being a liquid passage for the flow of liquid from the container and the other being an air passage for the flow of air in the container to replace the liquid. A conduit projects outwardly from the cap to have its free end immersed by liquid within the receptacle being filled when the liquid therein reaches the desired height. Such conduit has an air inlet in its free end which communicates with the air passage extending through the stud.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for coating workpiece members fed one at a time to a coating station whereat individual workpiece members are coated with a viscous coating medium supplied from a reservoir under constant hydrostatic pressure to ensure coating of said workpiece members with a predetermined amount of the viscous medium of such viscosity as to be suspended, without dropping, from the opening of tubes depending from a coating applicator at the coating station supplied with viscous medium from the reservoir at constant hydrostatic pressure. The workpiece members thus coated are moved along a track, preferably rolling about their axes, dried and collected.

Abstract: A rotary vacuum filter having a barometric or drop leg for generating vacuum in the filtration cycle of the filter wherein the end of the leg immersed in the seal pit is formed to a frustro-conical configuration for both reducing turbulence in the seal pit as the air-liquid mixture exits therefrom and for recovering a portion of the energy in the velocity head of the air-liquid mixture flow.

Abstract: A liquid level sensing probe for gravity induced flow liquid level regulators used for maintaining a desired level of a liquid in a sump of a device having moving components within or adjacent the sump, such as maintaining a desired oil level in the crankcase of an engine, increases the accuracy of the regulator by being resistant to wind forces which impinge upon the liquid and gases entrained within the liquid.

Abstract: A rate of flow regulator comprising upper and lower fluid chambers, the upper chamber having a double acting float valve to maintain a predetermined level of fluid therein, vent means venting each chamber to atmosphere, and metering means for regulating fluid flow to the lower chamber, the height of said upper chamber being adjustable relative to said metering means to change the fluid flow rate.

Abstract: A pressured gas in a control chamber is used to repetitively change the levels of liquid in a container up and down between two levels and holding at the two levels for predetermined time intervals to permit a function, such as a plurality of soldering operations, to be accomplished.

Abstract: A gravity feeder for a liquor distribution system includes a manifold having a vented chamber, there being a series of vertically extending nipples on the manifold that are of different lengths. Interchangeable feeder caps detachably secured to individual bottles telescope over the manifold nipples to support the bottle in inverted position. Each feeder cap has a feeder tube that projects into the manifold chamber with its lower end at a level corresponding to the different lengths of the nipples themselves. A feeder system is established in which the bottles go on line in sequence. An uncomplicated and efficient system is provided.

Abstract: A strip of sheet metal moves horizontally between upper and lower felt rollers, turning them in opposite directions so that the lower roller continuously picks up oil from an oil bath. Oil is dripped down onto the upper roller from a device which is continuously provided with oil from a reservoir. The distribution device provides for an excess of oil to be bypassed and deposited into the oil bath below, and the level of the oil in the bath is used to control the flow of oil to the distribution device. The device comprises a tension spring so supported above the upper roll that oil from the reservoir flows into one end, and depending upon the spacing between the spring convolutions, a portion flows out through these convolutions, and the remainder is bypassed through the other end into the oil bath. A uniform distribution of oil along the axial extent of the upper roller is made possible by the spring type distribution device.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for attachment to a bearing housing through an access conduit, which provides means for allowing observation of the lubricating oil in the bearing housing, ascertaining the level of oil in the lubricating housing, and maintaining a desired fluid level in the bearing. The apparatus provided has an upper chamber and lower chamber, separated by a partition. An opening in the partition allows fluid communication between the upper and lower chambers with a tube connected to the opening and extending a distance into the lower chamber. An aperture through the housing in the lower chamber above the lower end of the tube allows ambient pressure in the lower chamber. Lubricating oil in the two chambers may be pushed from the chambers through the access conduit by a plunger in the upper chamber when the aperture is covered by the hand to remove any blockage of the conduit and then upon withdrawal of the plunger bringing fluid back into the lower and upper chamber.

Abstract: A level control device for pickling, degreasing, nickel-plating baths or the like, comprising at least two baths of different specific gravities, wherein the two baths are joined to a connecting pipe and the connecting pipe runs into the bath of lower specific gravity just below the bath level so that level control is possible without pumps or float switches or the like.