Abstract: This invention is a freeze protection valve assembly for preventing the freezing of water in pipes of residential and the like water systems. The valve is positioned in a reservoir containing water of the water system. If the water temperature falls below a predetermined minimum, the valve opens discharging water from the system at the same time bringing into the system the warmer waters from the underground supply. Since the valve is activated by the temperature of the water itself, water waste is minimized.

Abstract: A Solar Heater system including an absorber panel having an inlet and an outlet connected to a water supply tank. A valve is located in both the inlet and outlet connections and at least the inlet valve is temperature responsive so as to close when the temperature of the panel contents falls below a first predetermined temperature. The outlet valve may be temperature or flow responsive so as to close under the temperature or flow conditions prevailing when the inlet valve closes and thereby isolate the panel from the tank. A temperature responsive dump valve is connected to the panel and opens when the temperature of the panel contents falls below a second predetermined temperature which is lower than the first predetermined temperature and thereby empties the panel contents. The inlet and dump valves are preferably formed by a single combination valve having a temperature responsive element which controls both a primary valve member and a secondary valve member.

Abstract: A freeze protection valve can be reset under cold ambient conditions without the need for artificial heating of the valve's temperature sensor. An auxiliary latch is used to hold the valve element closed. The auxiliary latch is automatically released as the primary latching mechanism of the valve becomes operative upon an increase in temperature of the liquid system served by the valve. Release of the auxiliary latch is effected by virtue of a small downward movement of the valve stem resulting from a camming action inherent in the operation of the valve's primary latch.In one version of the valve, a simple, drop-away key temporarily holds the valve stem down until the primary latch becomes operative. In another version, the valve stem is reset remotely through a bowden wire, and the resetting mechanism automatically engages an auxiliary latch.

Abstract: A self-actuating drip valve for attachment to a standard faucet for the prevention of freezing of exposed water pipes. An elongated housing includes means for securing one end of the housing about the open end of the faucet. A valve seat is provided within the housing so that it is substantially adjacent to the faucet when the device is in use. Substantially concentric extendible walls extend between the elongated housing and a base plate. A valve stem, terminating in a valve tip, is secured to the base plate and extends within the extendible walls. The base plate may be adjusted by threadable means for moving the valve relative to the valve seat.

Abstract: A snap-acting drain valve for draining a fluid system upon the occurrence of a predetermined temperature condition of the fluid. A spring-loaded valve is held closed against the spring force by a latching mechanism comprising a spring loaded latching lever engaging a shoulder on the valve stem, and a temperature sensitive actuator controlling movement of the latching lever. Upon occurrence of the predetermined fluid temperature, the actuator permits the latching lever to disengage from the valve stem shoulder, thereby releasing the valve which opens under spring force. The valve is non-modulating and will not close until manually reset even if the fluid temperature should increase to a level above the predetermined level.

Abstract: A water or other fluid containing system is protected by a thermostatically controlled drain valve having input, output, drain and control ports. A slideable barrier within the valve selectively directs the flow within the valve between the ports. A small coupling orifice through the barrier and a particularly designed closure for the orifice are provided. A thermosensitive mechanism delivers pressure to the control port to open this closure when ambient temperature drops below a predetermined level. Equal static pressures developed by flow through the orifice in turn develop unequal forces on opposite sides of the barrier, to shift the barrier, redirecting the flow within the valve.

Abstract: The temperature controlled valve mechanism herein comprises a valve housing, a valve inlet in the housing for connection with a fluid source, a valve outlet in the housing for draining fluid from the housing and a valve closure member supported for movement toward and away from the valve outlet between closed and opened positions. The valve closure member blocks and closes the valve outlet when it is in the closed position. A biasing spring is provided for urging the valve closure member away from the closed position. An expansion chamber is formed within the housing. Apparatus for introducing a pressure into the expansion chamber is provided for moving the closure member to a closed position against the force of the biasing spring upon entry of a pressurized medium into the expansion chamber. A temperature-activated venting mechanism for venting and depressurizing the expansion chamber upon occurrence of a predetermined temperature drop is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for connection to an outdoor water line carrying water at a selected pressure, for producing a selected low flow rate of water from the water line when the outdoor temperature drops below a selected temperature, which comprises an orifice in the end of the water line of selected small diameter, a closed chamber means having an expansible portion, filled with a selected condensible gas, for which the vapor pressure varies with temperature in a known manner, and closure means positioned adjacent the orifice and means connecting the expansible portion of the chamber to the closure means to shut off the flow of water when the temperature is above a selected value, and to open the orifice to a small trickle flow of water, whenever the temperature outdoors is less than a selected value, such as the freezing point of water.

Abstract: A water or other hydraulic system is protected by a thermostatic drain valve having a bimetal disc arranged with a three port cavity and a specially designed and compliantly sealed valve core so that the spring action of the disc acting together with the pressure of the fluid in the system constitutes the only power required to operate the valve.

Abstract: The pipe bleeder includes a small holding tank and a sample tube, both of which are filled with water and exposed to the ambient atmospheric temperature. The water in the sample tube freezes first when the ambient temperature is at freezing, which in turn causes a piston and then a push rod in the sample tube to move, the top of the push rod acting against a small cover plate in the holding tank, moving it away from a drain connection. When the cover plate is so moved, water from the water supply pipe will flow at a relatively slow but steady rate through the drain connection to the environment, maintaining a flow of water through the supply pipe and thus preventing the water in the water supply pipe upstream of the pipe bleeder from freezing. An exterior thaw tube is also attached to the drain connection in the holding tank.

Abstract: A temperature responsive drain valve (10) is disclosed for draining fluid lines (12) to prevent freeze up damage. The valve includes a housing (14) having a fluid passageway (15) therethrough. A temperature responsive thermal actuator (20) is mounted to the housing adjacent fluid inlet passageways (34). The actuator includes a temperature sensitive portion (22,23), which extends exteriorly of the valve housing and an output member which extends into the fluid passageway. A poppet valve member (42) has a self-aligning valve surface (46) and is mounted in the fluid passageway and biased toward a valve seat by a conical spring (47) which extends over a cylindrical portion (43) of the valve member. Cylindrical portion (43) is also guided by and extends through an opening (49) in a reaction plate (48). An outer biasing spring (51) reacts against the output member through a cage arrangement (54, 58, 67).

Abstract: A gate valve, mounted in a drain pipe connected to a downstream exposed end of a part of a plumbing system subject to occasional freezing, is controlled to open and close by opposed pressures of a spring and a temperature controlled pressure of a refrigerant fluid in an expansible and contractable bellows, the respective pressures being equalized at 33 degrees F. with gate valve closed, the pressure differentials therebetween resulting from temperature changes progressively opening and closing valve at temperatures below 33 degrees F. and closing it and keeping it closed at 33 degrees F. and above, and thereby preventing the plumbing from freezing, by allowing water to flow therethrough at and below freezing.

Abstract: An animal watering system with automatic protection from electrical power failure, over heating, water supply failure, or restriction and air build-up in the system consisting briefly of a closed loop recirculating water system buried beneath the frost line, a water pump recirculating the water, an electrical heater in the recirculation system, an air storage tank, an air supply line connecting the air storage tank with the recirculating water supply line, a normally closed valve in the air line connecting the air storage tank and the circulating water line, a normally closed drain valve in the recirculating water line, a normally open valve in the line supplying water to the recirculating distribution line and a control circuit for closing the supply valve and opening the drain valve and the air valve in the event of electrical power failure. The system may also include an air vent for automatically purging air from the system so that the water pump may operate efficiently.

Abstract: A solar heating system for a swimming pool and the like is disclosed. The system includes a circulation circuit having a pump by which water is withdrawn from the pool, passed through a filter and returned to the pool. A solar collector assembly is provided and has flow and return lines connected in said circuit. The flow line is connected to a venturi unit in the main circuit and a control valve is provided immediately downstream of the venturi unit. When the control valve is closed, water is diverted through the venturi unit and into the solar collector assembly for heating. When the valve is open, the venturi unit induces a suction effect in the flow line which causes the solar collector assembly to be positively drained into the circuit. A vacuum breaker admits air to the collector assembly at this time.

Abstract: A water or other fluid containing system is protected by a thermostatically controlled drain valve having input, output, drain and control ports. A slideable barrier within the valve selectively directs the flow within the valve between the ports. A small coupling orifice through the barrier allows equal static pressures to develop on opposite sides of the barrier, and a thermosensitive relief mechanism at the control port relieves the pressure on one side of the barrier when ambient temperature drops below a predetermined level. Unequal pressures upon the barrier shift the barrier, redirecting the flow within the valve.

Abstract: A drain valve for use in the cooling system of a diesel engine for a locomotive including a valve body having a drain fitting mounted in the bottom portion thereof and a solenoid operated valve assembly mounted therein for opening and closing the drain fitting. A thermostat assembly is removably mounted on the exterior of the valve body in close thermal relationship to the interior of the valve, said thermostat operable to energize the solenoid and open the drain fitting when the temperature inside the valve reaches a predetermined minimum.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns apparatus for draining coolant from the liquid cooling system of a locomotive. The apparatus includes an automatic control which is armed upon shut-down of the engine and drains the cooling system upon the occurrence of freezing temperature conditions. The apparatus must be reset manually, and this requires two distinct manipulations, one of which effects override of the automatic control. Such override action is limited in duration to prevent inadvertent, prolonged disabling of the automatic control. The drain valve is a pilot operated, rotary plug valve. Preferably, the apparatus includes provisions for manually draining the cooling system, for effecting automatic draining by the combined effects of gravity and compressed air, and for providing visual indications of its operating state. Moreover, as far as practical, it is desirable to package the components in a unitary assembly which can be replaced easily and bench serviced and tested.

Abstract: A system to protect piping and containers from damage by freezing of contained aqueous liquid includes a temperature-actuated SPDT switch connected at its movable contact to a rechargable battery. The fixed contacts of the switch are connected to two input terminals of a DC motor of a motor-actuated valve having its valve opened or closed depending upon the operation of the switch. The movable contact normally engages the fixed contact that provides voltage to close the valve, if open, as the sensed temperature is above about 35.degree. F., but moves to the other fixed contact when the temperature drops to 35.degree. F. to open automatically the valve. A relay having a coil energized by AC power has a normally open contact coupling the motor and the fixed contact used to close the valve so that closing is inhibited, if the AC power is off, until power is on.

Abstract: An improved device for easy attachment to an external water spigot, which is designed to allow a slight dripping of water when ambient temperatures drop below a point at which there is a danger of water freeze, within house pipes or spigot. The present device has a simple moving valve, or water release shaft, which extends axially between a closed volume of a particular fluid, and a valve seat proximate the connection of the device to the spigot outlet. The improved temperature responsive valve taught herein ensures a most efficient opening function, during temperature drops below approximately 32.degree. F. by employing a closed fluid volume that is unaffected by the temperature of any released water. Further, the particular improvements involve a specially configured liquid chamber piston which ensures a large opening excursion, at desired temperature range.

Abstract: Redundant freeze protection having primary and secondary protection modes is provided for a solar heating system, such as a solar water heating system, of the kind whose normal operation involves circulation of a heat transport liquid through a solar collector and a solar energy storage tank to store solar thermal energy in the tank. The primary protection mode is triggered in response to the collector liquid temperature, T.sub.c, dropping to a selected freeze protection trigger level, T.sub.f, and involves termination of liquid circulation through and draining of liquid from the collector. The secondary or back up freeze protection mode occurs upon failure of the collector drainage means to drain the collector in the primary mode in response to the freeze protection trigger condition T.sub.c .ltoreq. T.sub.f and involves continued circulation of liquid through the collector and solar energy storage tank to warm the collector.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns apparatus for draining coolant from the liquid cooling system of a locomotive. The apparatus includes an automatic control which is armed upon shut-down of the engine and drains the cooling system upon the occurrence of freezing temperature conditions. The apparatus must be reset manually, and this requires two distinct manipulations, one of which effects override of the automatic control. Such override action is limited in duration to prevent inadvertent, prolonged disabling of the automatic control. The drain valve is a pilot operated, rotary plug valve. Preferably, the apparatus includes provisions for manually draining the cooling system, for effecting automatic draining by the combined effects of gravity and compressed air, and for providing visual indications of its operating state. Moreover, as far as practical, it is desirable to package the components in a unitary assembly which can be replaced easily and bench serviced and tested.

Abstract: A backflow preventer in a fluid conduit permits flow from the inlet to the outlet of the preventer when the inlet is pressurized and prevents reverse flow upon termination of flow through the preventer. An apertured diaphragm between the inlet and outlet closes a valve seat between the outlet and a vent passage when the inlet is relatively pressurized. A check member upstream of the diaphragm closes the diaphragm aperture if the outlet is relatively pressurized and maintains the diaphragm aperture closed upon pressurization of the inlet until after closing of the vent valve seat. A second vent communicates with the interior of the preventer and is closed by a portion of the diaphragm upon pressurization of the interior. A relief port in the chamber includes a temperature responsive element that opens the relief port once ambient temperature reaches a preselected level. The inlet includes an internally threaded sleeve within the housing that may be secured to an externally threaded fluid hydrant.

Abstract: Water cock has non-freezing valve. Though temperature of the water flowing through the cock is lowered below the freezing point owing to the severe surrounding condition in the winter, the improved cock having a non-freezing valve does not stop its flowing of water. The cock has a thermo-element sensing the surrounding temperature and driving the non-freezing valve to shut and open according to the temperature. The thermo-element consists of a base portion containing heat-sensitive-material and a cylinder containing jelly-like material for transferring the expanding force of the heat-sensitive material to a shaft buried in the jelly-like material.