Abstract: An adjustable height fill valve for controlling the water level in a storage tank for a toilet includes a riser mounted in the tank and connected to a pressurized water supply. The riser includes an anti-siphon body telescopically mounted over a fixed shank. The anti-siphon body telescopically adjusts between retracted and extended positions. A pilot valve is mounted on the anti-siphon body in fluid communication with the water supply. A float is mounted in association with the pilot valve to selectively open or close the pilot valve depending on the water level in the tank. A latch on the anti-siphon body and a series of stops on the shank are releasably engageable to adjustably fix the position of the body on the shank between the retracted and extended positions. The stops comprise first and second sets of axially spaced and interleaved fingers which define a serpentine track into which the latch extends.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 19, 1999
Date of Patent:
April 11, 2000
Assignee:
Moen Incorporated
Inventors:
Larry D. Gish, Tim A. Frick, Ross E. Kingman, Edward D. Kastelic
Abstract: In a hydraulic pump (P) comprising at least one piston pump element whose ston (11) is oriented towards an eccentric (E) of a drive shaft (2), and being equipped between the eccentric (E) and a bearing ring (R) rotatable on the eccentric (E) with an eccentric slide bearing (G) having a bearing bush (B) fixed in the bearing ring (R), the bearing bush (B) and the bearing ring (R) each have molded and locally meshing stop portions (A1, A2) which positively fix the bearing bush (B) in the bearing ring (R) in rotational and axial direction. (FIG. 1).
Abstract: An apparatus for and method of isolating an enclosed metal hydride container from an apparatus which uses hydrogen gas during periods of dormant or inactive storage of the device, including a constricted opening having a dual one way check valve arrangement to selectively open or close the hydrogen gas communication between the hydrogen storage container and the apparatus using the hydrogen. The dual check valve arrangement provides for constricting hydrogen gas flow between the chambers unless the device is in the process of charging or discharging, either of which process causes a differential pressure to develop across the dual check valve arrangement which is greater than a predetermined threshold pressure, e.g., 1-2 p.s.i. The hydrogen storage material within the hydrogen storage container comprises mixture of metal hydride particles with interspersed water adsorbing particles, such as silica gel desiccant.
Abstract: A multi-layer tubing for use in fluid transport applications. The tubing is suitable for conveying fluids containing hydrocarbons. The tubing comprises an extrudable adhesive layer of multi-phase polymer blends or alloys which is coextruded around a permeation-resistant layer of fluoropolymer. An outer layer of foamed polyamide is coextruded around the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer of polymer blends or alloys has a multi-phase morphology wherein one phase is miscible with the fluoropolymer for forming the permeation-resistant layer and another phase is miscible with the polyamide for forming the foamed outer layer.
Abstract: A sweeper movable over a surface to be swept includes a frame having a longitudinal axis parallel to the direction of sweeper movement and a debris hopper mounted on a front portion of the frame. There is an opening in the rear of the debris hopper to admit debris. A first brush rotates about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame and is located behind the debris hopper and has a motor for rotating the brush to throw surface debris forward into the hopper. There is a second brush which is also rotatable on an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the frame, with the second brush being positioned away from the surface to be swept and in front of the first brush. There is an auxiliary sweeping lip positioned closely adjacent to the second brush, which lip and the second brush add momentum to debris swept by the main brush into the hopper, so that the hopper is more fully loaded. The improvement is especially notable when sweeping light debris such as crumpled paper, leaves, etc.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 12, 1998
Date of Patent:
March 14, 2000
Assignee:
Tennant Company
Inventors:
Michael T. Basham, Christopher M. Danielson, Joseph F. D'Costa
Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling plumbing fixtures includes an electronic control board having a microprocessor that accepts four inputs and produces four outputs. Inputs at other than the microprocessor's operating voltage are converted thereto. Outputs having different voltages are controlled by latching relays. The control board can be used with a Smart Sink that requires a sequenced hand washing. The control board can form a node on a network that monitors and controls the functions of multiple boards throughout a facility.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 31, 1997
Date of Patent:
March 14, 2000
Assignee:
Sloan Valve Company
Inventors:
Jerome M. Gauthier, Nhon T. Vuong, Mark J. Sippel
Abstract: A combination ultra-low volume aerosol generator and thermal fogger for dispensing a mosquito killing insecticide includes a power source which may be a gasoline driven engine and an air pump connected to the power source. The air pump drives a turbine pump which has a rotatable turbine wheel. There is a fluid pump connected to and driven by rotation of the turbine wheel. An insecticide formulation tank is connected to the fluid pump and provides insecticide to an atomizing nozzle and a thermal fog muffler and fog discharge. There is a flow selector valve connected to the fluid pump to determine which discharge device receives fluid insecticide. There is a volume control valve connected between the fluid pump and the flow selector valve.
Abstract: A pressure flushing system for use within a toilet tank includes a pressure tank which has a predetermined volume. There is a water outlet for the tank, a water inlet for the tank, and an air inlet for the tank. The air inlet is associated with the water inlet whereby water flowing into the tank draws air into the tank. A portion of the tank is thus occupied by water and a portion is occupied by air, with the air applying pressure to the water. There is a valve within the tank which controls the flow of water from the tank through the outlet. The volume of water within the tank which may flow through the outlet at any one operation of the valve is limited by a dam which is located within the tank and surrounds the outlet.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 8, 1998
Date of Patent:
February 29, 2000
Assignee:
Sloan Valve Company
Inventors:
Ming Ge, Erik J. Oberg, Danny G. Orlowski, Jr.
Abstract: A pressure flushing system for use in a toilet tank includes a housing with a water inlet conduit, an air and water inlet assembly connected to the conduit and to the housing, and a water outlet for the housing. There is a flush valve within the housing for controlling flow of water from the inlet to the housing outlet. The air and water inlet assembly includes a chamber, with a water inlet connected to the chamber, and an outlet connected to the chamber. There is an air inlet accessible to air at atmospheric pressure and a passage between the air inlet and the chamber. A check valve is located in the passage, with the check valve opening in response to a venturi effect caused by water flow through the chamber to draw air into the chamber to mix with water flowing through the chamber and to the outlet. The check valve includes an elastomeric sleeve positioned within the passage and having normally closed flexible lips extending toward the chamber.
Abstract: For a plug connector for card-edge mounting, in particular a plug connector with 2 or more rows, it is proposed that the printed circuit board connection side of the plug connector should have at least one press-on body which is connected to the insulating body of the plug connector so as to be capable of rotating or hinging and in which the soldering connections of the contacts of the plug connector are held.