Float Responsive Patents (Class 137/202)
  • Patent number: 9016303
    Abstract: The present invention is an air evacuation apparatus that prevents the accumulation of air inside a swimming pool or spa filter by allowing any air to be removed from inside the filter every time the swimming pool pump is turned on. By allowing air to be removed from the filter, the present invention prevents the build-up of dangerous levels of potential energy caused by compressed air inside the filter that can lead to the violent separation of the filter. More important, the air evacuation apparatus of the present invention allows air to be safely and automatically removed from inside of the filter without interfering with the functionality of the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Vaccare, LLC
    Inventors: Hassan Hamza, Garrett James Burkitt, III
  • Publication number: 20150107690
    Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for venting pressure in a fuel tank. The valve assembly includes a float member that is movable between a first position and a second position. A flexible seal is supported on the float member. The valve assembly also includes a valve port that may define an orifice and a closure surface surrounding the orifice. The closure surface may include textured features that are configured to engage a surface of the seal when the float member is in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Paul D. Walkowski
  • Publication number: 20150107689
    Abstract: A flapper valve assembly is provided for venting pressure in a tank. The flapper valve assembly includes a float assembly that is configured to be disposed within a valve housing. The float assembly may have a plurality of guide supports that extend from an end portion of the float assembly. A flapper member is movably supported on the float assembly. The flapper member may include a plurality of guide legs that correspond with the guide supports of the float assembly to maintain proper alignment of the flapper member relative to the float assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Inventor: Paul D. Walkowski
  • Publication number: 20150096625
    Abstract: A valve assembly for a tank of a vehicle and a method of creating a vacuum are disclosed. A valve body defines a cavity and an outlet in fluid communication with the cavity for venting the tank. The assembly includes a seat disposed in the cavity of the valve body. The seat separates the cavity into first and second cavity portions. The seat defines an aperture to provide fluid communication between the first and second cavity portions. The assembly includes a cover device disposed between the seat and the outlet. The cover device defines at least one hole therethrough. The cover device is movable between a rest position engaging the seat to minimize fluid communication between the aperture and the hole and an actuated position spaced from the seat to increase fluid communication between the aperture and the hole when a vacuum is created in the first cavity portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Vaughn Kevin Mills
  • Patent number: 8997780
    Abstract: In one example, a fuel system includes a fuel tank having a wall with an opening. A fuel float valve has a float and a seal plate on opposing ends of a beam. The fuel float valve also includes a fulcrum about which the beam is configured to pivot in response to a change in fuel level. The fuel float valve is movable between unsealed and sealed positions in which the seal plate is respectively unsealed and sealed relative to the opening. The seal plate includes first and second portions. The first portion seals against the wall, and the second portion is movable relative to the first portion in the sealed position from a closed position to an open position with respect to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: William Beeson
  • Publication number: 20150090346
    Abstract: A valve assembly is provided for venting pressure in a fuel tank. The valve assembly includes a housing that defines a passage and a valve seat provided at one end of the passage. A float assembly is disposed within the housing. The float assembly includes a flexible membrane seal that seals against the valve seat when the float assembly rises in response to a rising fuel level in the fuel tank, and a reopen profile that applies a reopening force along a select portion of the membrane seal to release the membrane seal from the valve seat when the float assembly drops in response to a falling fuel level in the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew L. Erdmann, Paul D. Walkowski
  • Patent number: 8978684
    Abstract: Apparatus for stopping fluid flow when liquid is present in the fluid flow. The apparatus generally includes two parts, an internal structure with a float valve, and an external tank. The internal structure includes a plurality of fluid entry holes positioned, sized, and numbered relative to a drain hole. The design is generally thread less, and the preferred process used for making the apparatus includes welding and promotes the conservation of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: Mike McKenzie
  • Patent number: 8967181
    Abstract: An exhaust after-treatment system associated with a diesel engine includes a diesel exhaust fluid storage unit. The storage unit includes a diesel exhaust fluid tank and a vent system coupled to the tank and configured to regulate flow of air into the tank and fluid vapor out of the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Stant USA Corp.
    Inventors: Paul C. Wetzel, Jason M. Crawford
  • Publication number: 20150047716
    Abstract: A pipeline vent valve is disclosed having a housing that includes an upper portion defining an outlet and a lower end defining an inlet. A body disposed in the housing is movable between a first position and a second position. In the second position, the body affects the close of the outlet and the outlet is offset from a longitudinal axis of the body. A valve assembly is supported by an upper end of the housing and is movable between a closed position where the valve assembly is disposed in sealing engagement with the outlet and an open position where the valve assembly is out of sealing engagement with the outlet. The valve assembly is responsive to a level of fluid in the housing and includes an arm that is pivotally secured adjacent the outlet for movement in only one plane relative to the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: P.I.H.A. Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Jeffrey Muir, Aaron John Roy Goodwin
  • Publication number: 20150047569
    Abstract: A breather cap assembly is provided which is configured to be connected to a stand-tube used in a watering system. When the watering system is in normal operation, the breather cap assembly is configured to allow for air to flow between the outside the assembly and the stand-tube. The breather cap assembly also provides for structure which acts as a baffle to minimize the introduction of foreign material from outside the breather cap assembly into the stand-tube. When the watering system is in flushing operation, the breather cap assembly is configured to seal off the stand-tube in order to minimize the possibility of water leaving the stand-tube. The breather cap assembly further also provides for structure which acts as a baffle to collect and retain a majority of any water that does leave the stand-tube during a flushing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Allen Orgill, Christopher Richard Roes, Roger Steven Kiphart, Grant Alexander White
  • Publication number: 20150047717
    Abstract: A breather cap assembly is provided which is configured to be connected to a stand-tube used in a watering system. When the watering system is in normal operation, the breather cap assembly is configured to allow for air to flow between the outside the assembly and the stand-tube. The breather cap assembly also provides for structure which acts as a baffle to minimize the introduction of foreign material from outside the breather cap assembly into the stand-tube. When the watering system is in flushing operation, the breather cap assembly is configured to seal off the stand-tube in order to minimize the possibility of water leaving the stand-tube. The breather cap assembly further also provides for structure which acts as a baffle to collect and retain a majority of any water that does leave the stand-tube during a flushing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Allen Orgill, Christopher Richard Roes, Roger Steven Kiphart, Grant Alexander White
  • Publication number: 20150034174
    Abstract: A valve device is attached to a fuel tank. The valve device includes a case including a vent valve port communicating outside of the tank at an upper portion, and including an inflow portion for a fuel below the vent valve port; and an upper floor body inside the case and rising by the fuel flowing into the case to be seated in the vent valve port. In a face portion facing a bottom portion of the upper float body in the case, an elastic piece is formed by a first arc-shaped split groove such that a center side of the face portion becomes a curvature inner side, and a second arc-shaped split groove formed such that a center of the face portion becomes a curvature inner side outside the first arc-shaped split groove. One portion of the elastic piece abuts against the bottom portion of the upper float body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Xiaohui Sui
  • Patent number: 8925569
    Abstract: Disclosed is a safety valve of a low-pressure gas pipe which can be installed in a large-scale pipeline through which waste gases generated in a large-scale factory such as a steel mill flow and can reduce maintenance/management costs. The safety valve of a low-pressure gas pipe installed in a waste gas pipeline to discharge condensate includes: a first pipeline connected to a bottom surface of the waste gas pipeline and having a waste gas outlet on an inner wall thereof at one side thereof; a second pipeline extending from the first pipeline to be bent and extending in a direction parallel to the first pipeline; and an opening/closing unit for opening or closing the waste gas outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Postech Academy—Industry Foundation
    Inventors: Woon Bong Hwang, Jeong Hwa Seo, Wan Kyun Chung, Dong Seob Kim
  • Publication number: 20150000754
    Abstract: An air release vent valve used to vent air from a liquid filled pipeline, the air release vent valve having a float valve deployed in a float valve housing extending from the pipeline and a surge suppressing shutter valve deployed in a vent passageway extending from said float valve housing such that said surge suppressing shutter valve is downstream from said float valve. The surge suppressing shutter valve includes an elastic shutter element that is pre-shaped to a normally open position and is configured to gradually deform to a closed position as a velocity of air flowing through said vent passageway increase so as to dampen the force of the closure of air release vent valve and prevent a pressure surge within the pipeline. Once a liquid level in the pipeline reaches the float valve, a float is raised so as to fully closes the vent passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventor: Zvi Weingarten
  • Patent number: 8910652
    Abstract: A fuel system vent valve comprises a housing with a first opening, and a float inside the housing. The float is movable between a first position in which the valve is open and a second position in which the float covers the first opening such that the valve is closed. The valve further comprises a liquid trap arranged above the housing such that it covers the first opening. The liquid trap comprises a housing in which is arranged a perimeter wall surrounding the first opening, the perimeter wall being arranged at a distance from the liquid trap housing thereby creating a first volume inside the wall and a second volume outside the wall. The first volume is larger than the second volume and the two volumes are connected via at least one gap between a top of the wall and a top of the liquid trap housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventor: Christoffer Nemeth
  • Patent number: 8869818
    Abstract: A noiseproof vent valve for a fuel tank is provided. A damping member installed in the vent valve has at least two elastic pieces, preferably the four elastic pieces. The movement of the float is absorbed by elastic deformation of the elastic pieces, and thus the float is prevented from coming into contact with a lower end forming the bottom of a valve body. However excessively the float fluctuates, no “clicking” contact noise occurs at the vent valve. As a result, the merchantability of a hybrid vehicle sensitive to low noise can be greatly increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Dong Hee Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyeong-Do Ko, Kyun-Bum Park, Tae-Hong Kye, Jong-Mo Yang
  • Patent number: 8869817
    Abstract: A sealing and drainage device for a motor vehicle transmission is located in a wall approximately near the bottom of the transmission housing and includes a ball and a plate that encloses the ball in a bore through the housing wall. The plate has an opening on which the ball sits under normal operating conditions. During unexpected flooding conditions, water flows through the opening into the bore. The ball floats on the water such that as the water rises in the bore, the ball rises as well to the top of the bore to seal the bore from the interior of the housing, preventing water from flowing into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Henryk Sowul, Kristopher Villegas
  • Publication number: 20140311588
    Abstract: A device for accumulating, isolating, indicating and venting accumulated gas in a fluid system pipe includes a main pipe fitting affixed to a system pipe in which a hole has been drilled. A standpipe attached to the pipe fitting houses a magnetic float. A magnetic-float level indicator exterior to the pipe indicates the magnetic float's level. A valve attached to the standpipe above the magnetic float allows controlled ventilation of the gas in the standpipe and thus in the piping system. G ras from the system pipe accumulates in the standpipe, removed from the primary fluid flow path of the system pipe. In the standpipe, as the liquid/gas interface drops, the float drops to a pre-determined level, at which point the user vents the gas from the piping system, causing the magnetic float to rise indicating that gas is again at acceptable levels in the piping system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: Willie Turner Wood, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140305514
    Abstract: A valve unit includes a housing which has a partition wall in which an opening portion is formed, a float valve which is disposed within a valve chamber R1 thereof, and a check valve which is disposed within a valve chamber R2. A valve seat is provided on a lower surface side of the partition wall, and plural radially-extending thin ribs are formed therearound. Plural axially-extending check valve guide ribs are provided at predetermined circumferential intervals with in the vent chamber R2, and plural axially-extending float valve guide ribs are provided at predetermined circumferential intervals within the valve chamber R1. The thin ribs and the check valve guide ribs are formed circumferentially alternately so as not to be superposed on each other when viewed from an axial direction of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: Kenta Mihara
  • Patent number: 8844557
    Abstract: A space in a housing is defined into a lower space and an upper space by a partition wall, and an opening portion is provided in the partition wall. A vertically slidable float is housed in the lower space of the housing and on an upper portion of the float, a movable valve is mounted so as to be movable relatively to the float in a vertical direction and a lateral direction. A protruding portion is provided on the upper portion of the float, and a receiving portion on which the protruding portion abuts is provided on a lower surface of the movable valve. A center hole is provided in a center of the receiving portion. When the float comes up, a peripheral portion of a top portion of the protruding portion of the float is adapted to abut on an inner circumference periphery of the center hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Piolax Inc.
    Inventor: Shinichi Matsuo
  • Patent number: 8826947
    Abstract: A valve device used by being attached to a fuel tank includes a case provided with an airflow valve opening which communicates with the outside of the tank, on an upper portion, and also provided with a fuel inflow section located on a lower side of the airflow valve opening, and a float body housed in the case so as to be vertically movable, and also seated in the airflow valve opening by being elevated by the fuel flowed into the case through the inflow section. In the case, an airflow section which interconnects the inside of the tank and the inside of the case is formed in a higher side than a waterline of the float body at the seating time, and also at the seating time, this airflow section is restricted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Takatsugu Hirose, Itsuo Honda, Motoharu Takai, Shinzo Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20140238501
    Abstract: A method of controlling a flow rate of inerting gas introduced into a vented aircraft fuel tank, the method comprising: monitoring changes in a quantity of a fuel in the aircraft fuel tank; monitoring changes in the ambient air pressure external to the aircraft fuel tank; and actively controlling a flow rate of inerting gas, {dot over (m)}(I), introduced into the aircraft fuel tank based upon changes in the quantity of fuel in the fuel tank and changes in the ambient air pressure, p. Also, an aircraft including a vented fuel tank, a supply of inerting gas for rendering inert the fuel tank ullage, and a controller for performing the method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicants: AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH, AIRBUS OPERATIONS LIMITED
    Inventors: Franklin TICHBORNE, Brian HUGHES, Gwènaëlle Marie Lucette RENOUARD-VALLET, Stephen Edward BURNELL
  • Patent number: 8807162
    Abstract: A gas fuel tank with an internal emission fuel system includes a fill-and-vent valve system inside the fuel tank that controls fuel vapor through an exterior carbon canister and prevents spit back. This inventive system prevents exposure of the carbon canister to liquid or fuel. The fill valve assembly has a nylon wedge float that causes the fuel fill nozzle to shut off once the liquid level seals the valve opening. The vent valve assembly also has a nylon wedge float that shuts off vapor once the liquid level seals the valve opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Florida Marine Tanks, Inc.
    Inventor: Orestes Y. Monterrey
  • Patent number: 8807156
    Abstract: A gas vent valve has a valve body having a first end, a second end, and a sidewall having a generally constant inner diameter from the first end to a normal operating liquid level. A spacer is positioned within the valve body and has an aperture formed therethrough. A control float is positioned within the valve body and has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the valve body and larger than the inner diameter of the spacer. A top float is positioned within the valve body, above the control float, and has an outer diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the spacer. A side port can extend from the sidewall and be positioned below the spacer and generally adjacent the top float with the valve in the open condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: International Valve Manufacturing, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Rudolph Joseph Lang, III, Anthony John Witheridge
  • Publication number: 20140209175
    Abstract: An air valve includes a valve body having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface and the outer surface defining an inlet and an outlet; a seat mounted within the valve body and having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface facing the outlet of the valve body, the upper surface and the lower surface defining a bore extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, the upper surface further defining a first sealing ridge and a second sealing ridge; and a float moveable within the valve body and engageable with the bore of the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: Mueller International, LLC
    Inventors: Sean A. Cardia, Timothy Q. Fallon
  • Publication number: 20140208703
    Abstract: According to the present disclosure gas/liquid separator assemblies, such as crankcase ventilation filter assemblies, and components are described. Also described are liquid flow control arrangements for facilitating liquid flow from a region of first effective pressure to a region of second higher effective pressure are described. In examples, the flow control arrangements are configured so they can be used in association with a gas/liquid separator, managing separation of liquids from crankcase ventilation gases, for example for internal combustion engines. Example arrangements are described, used with crankcase ventilation gas filter assemblies. Combinations of equipment, and various components usable in those combinations, are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: DONALDSON COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Gert Willems, Miloslav Krystufek
  • Patent number: 8776823
    Abstract: A fuel shut-off valve includes a casing defining therein a valve chamber communicating between inside and outside of a fuel tank. A bottom wall member defines a bottom of the valve chamber and has communication holes formed therein, so that the valve chamber communicates with the inside of the fuel tank via the communication holes. A valve mechanism is disposed within the valve chamber and capable of preventing fuel from flowing from the valve chamber to the outside of the fuel tank depending of a fuel level within the fuel tank. A flow area of each of the communication holes decreases in an outflow direction of the fuel from the valve chamber to the inside of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yujiro Suehiro
  • Patent number: 8770218
    Abstract: A casing has a vessel portion, in which a float valve unit is arranged. A fuel drain through-hole having a small diameter is formed at a closed end bottom of the vessel portion. A cross sectional area of the fuel drain through-hole is extremely smaller than an opening area of an inlet port, so that fuel discharging speed of the liquid fuel from the vessel portion through the fuel drain through-hole is suppressed to a small value. As a result, a fuel holding time of the liquid fuel in the vessel portion, which has entered into the vessel portion from the inlet port, is made longer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kyosan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroya Tagami, Keiji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8763646
    Abstract: Functional components which are stationarily mounted in a fuel tank and connected together by way of a connecting line can be damaged by a change in size and shape of the fuel tank. The invention concerns a fuel tank, in particular of thermoplastic material, comprising at least two functional components such as for example venting valves, pumps, containers or the like, which are stationarily arranged in a fuel tank and which are connected together by way of a connecting line. To avoid damage, in accordance with the invention one connecting line includes at least a first portion and a second portion, wherein the stiffness of the first portion is less than the stiffness of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Timo Kraemer
  • Patent number: 8763626
    Abstract: Ventilation valve for a liquid tank comprising: an housing comprising a side wall provided with ventilation openings, a cover provided with a ventilation aperture which may be connected to a venting circuit of the tank, and a base pierced with at least one drainage aperture; and a float capable of closing off the ventilation aperture, such float being able to slide vertically inside the housing depending on the level of liquid therein, the valve also comprising a drainage chamber located underneath the housing in which the valve slides, the chamber also comprising at least one drainage aperture that is not aligned with the drainage aperture of the base of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Inergy Automotive Systems Research (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Vincent Cuvelier, Emmanuel Stiers
  • Patent number: 8720472
    Abstract: A fuel cutoff valve comprises a casing main body with a connecting hole and a valve chamber, a cover forming the tube member, and the float housed in the valve chamber. The valve comprises, above the casing main body, the liquid closure member forming the retaining chamber for temporarily retaining liquid fuel flown out of the connecting hole and the partition member formed in plurality in a ridge form on the upper surface of the upper wall within the retaining chamber. Each partition member is arranged radially so as to be connected to the liquid closure member from the near center of the connecting hole, and configured in such a way that the retaining chamber is divided into multiple divided chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignees: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kito, Kenichiro Kaneko, Kenta Kuwayama, Toru Matsuzaki, Kazunari Nakaya
  • Patent number: 8720471
    Abstract: A fuel cutoff valve has a housing defining therein a float chamber and a float disposed in the float chamber. The housing defines a connection passage positioned above the float chamber and fluidly connecting the float chamber with outside of the housing and a hole positioned below the fluid chamber fluidly connecting the float chamber with outside of the housing. The float has a valve part that is configured to close the connection passage and defines therein a first passage passing through the float in a vertical direction and a second passage extending from a part of the first passage to an outer surface of the float in a substantial horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Yasuda, Kazumi Haruta, Takashi Kato
  • Patent number: 8701695
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wastewater valve arrangement. The valve arrangement includes a first receptacle for receiving a filter to filter wastewater. A second receptacle receives the filtered wastewater. A valve is provided for impeding the egress of filtered wastewater from the second receptacle. In one embodiment, the valve is configured to be normally open, and is configured to permit the release and ingress of air relative to the second receptacle. The valve may include a float that defines a recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Odour Technologies Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Peter Beetham
  • Publication number: 20140096840
    Abstract: An air release vent valve having a valve body with an inlet port and a venting orifice; a direct float configured with an axial passageway; and a displaceable orifice closure rod deployed in at least a portion of the axial passageway, the displaceable orifice closure rod being longitudinally displaceable therein, wherein at least of portion of the displaceable orifice closure rod extends above the direct float and at least a portion of the displaceable orifice closure rod is configured to close the venting orifice when the water level in the valve body reaches a predetermined level. Also disclosed is a suspended surge prevention element that is suspended within the valve body at an adjustable distance from the venting orifice and configured to seal the initial vent orifice in response to a velocity of the flow of air through the valve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: BERMAD CS LTD.
    Inventor: Zvi Weingarten
  • Patent number: 8689816
    Abstract: A vent valve assembly includes a first housing component, a second housing component, and a third housing component, as well as a first valve and a second valve. The first, second, and third housing components are configured to assemble together along one directional axis with the second housing component, the first valve and the second valve between the first and third housing components and with the second valve laterally-spaced from the first valve. The assembled first, second, and third housing components define a nonlinear vapor flow path that redirects vapor from the first valve to the second valve, thereby reducing an overall height of the vent valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Lee Pifer
  • Patent number: 8689815
    Abstract: An air release vent valve having a valve body with an inlet port and a venting orifice; a direct float configured with an axial passageway; and a displaceable orifice closure rod deployed in at least a portion of the axial passageway, the displaceable orifice closure rod being longitudinally displaceable therein, wherein at least of portion of the displaceable orifice closure rod extends above the direct float and at least a portion of the displaceable orifice closure rod is configured to close the venting orifice when the water level in the valve body reaches a predetermined level. Also disclosed is a suspended surge prevention element that is suspended within the valve body at an adjustable distance from the venting orifice and configured to seal the initial vent orifice in response to a velocity of the flow of air through the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Bermad CS Ltd.
    Inventor: Zvi Weingarten
  • Patent number: 8678218
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a fuel tank for a vehicle equipped with a valve housing and a ventilation opening that has a ventilation valve placed on an upper opening of the tank and which projects into the tank interior. Additionally, the wall of the valve housing is interspersed with at least one wall opening, and a float has been arranged in the valve housing that can be moved from a resting to a closing position and has a sealing element on its upper end. The float is in a lower place in the valve housing when it is in its resting position and the sealing element releases the ventilation opening. The float, when in a closing position, closes the ventilation opening with its sealing element as soon as the closing level is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Alfmeier Präzision AG Baugruppen und Systemlösungen
    Inventors: Richard Roscher, Jurgen Theissler
  • Publication number: 20140060665
    Abstract: A fuel tank vent apparatus for controlling discharge of fuel vapor from an interior region in a fuel tank includes a housing and a valve received in the housing that moves between an open position and a closed position. The valve assumes the open position when the fuel level in the fuel tank is relatively low and the valve assumes the closed position when the fuel level in the fuel tank is relatively high.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventor: Jimmy D Gamble
  • Publication number: 20140034147
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure equalizing valve (5) for a fuel tank or secondary fluid tank on a motor vehicle, comprising at least one valve housing (10), at least one valve body movably arranged in the valve housing (10), at least one venting opening on the tank side and on the connection side or on the atmosphere side, which form a venting path (16) which may be opened or closed by the valve body depending on the position of the tank, when a predetermined transverse force is exceeded relative to a normal force which holds the valve body in a valve seat, the valve body being able to be lifted or deflected from the valve seat and thus opening the venting path (16) and when falling below said transverse force automatically adopting again the position closing the venting path (16). The valve body is configured as a ball (15) and arranged so that when pressure prevails on the tank side, said valve body is held in the valve seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Volker Treudt
  • Patent number: 8636023
    Abstract: A fire suppression wet pipe system air vent assembly and method of venting air from a fire suppression wet pipe system includes providing a primary air vent valve having an inlet and an outlet. The primary air vent inlet is adapted to be connected with a fire suppression wet pipe system and is configured to vent air, but not water, from its outlet. A secondary air vent valve having an inlet and an outlet is provided. The secondary air vent valve is configured to vent air, but not water, from its outlet. A fluid conduit connects the primary air vent valve outlet with the secondary air vent valve inlet. The second air vent valve provides failsafe air venting upon the failure of the primary air vent valve. A fluid indicator may be provided that indicates the presence of fluid in the conduit. The presence of an appreciable amount of fluid in the conduit is an indication of likely failure of the primary air vent valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Engineered Corrosion Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Burkhart, Edward A. Schultz
  • Patent number: 8622074
    Abstract: A venting system for a fuel tank may include a first vent valve having an inlet, an outlet through which fuel vapor may be vented from the fuel tank, and a valve. The first vent valve may be located within a first chamber of the fuel tank. A second vent valve may have an inlet, an outlet through which fuel vapor may be vented from the fuel tank, and a valve. The second vent valve may be located within a second chamber of the fuel tank that is separate from the first chamber during at least certain fuel levels within the fuel tank. The support may carry both the first and second vent valves within the fuel tank and be movably carried within the fuel tank to vary the height of the first and second valves within the fuel tank as the support moves relative to the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: TI Automotive Technology Center GmbH
    Inventors: Andrej Hochstein, Bernd M. Nickel, Martin Stickel
  • Patent number: 8616232
    Abstract: A fuel cut-off valve includes a case having a first opening communicated with the inside of a fuel tank and a second opening communicated with a canister; a lower float that is provided so as to move up and down inside the case and has a first valve member above the lower float; an upper float that is provided so as to move up and down above an upper portion of the lower float and has a second valve member and a third opening communicated with the canister; a first valve seat provided on the upper float, against which the first valve member abuts to close off the third opening; a second valve seat against which the second valve member abuts to close off the second opening; and a guide member that guides the upper float when the upper float moves up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Kyosan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Suzuki, Norikazu Sugimura
  • Patent number: 8578959
    Abstract: The apparatus and method of the invention provides for a rinse valve for controlling the flow of rinse fluid to a vacuum waste receptacle. The rinse valve comprises a primary rinse fluid flow path and a poppet assembly intersecting the primary rinse fluid flow path. The rinse valve also comprises a solenoid-driven fluid control device having a solenoid armature movable between an inactive state in which the armature engages the poppet assembly to block flow of the rinse fluid through a poppet channel and an active state in which the solenoid armature is disengaged from the poppet assembly to allow flow of the rinse fluid through the poppet channel to raise the poppet assembly, permitting the flow of the rinse fluid through the primary rinse fluid flow path and out of the valve, the armature being located at all times out of the primary flow path of the rinse fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: Thao Hoang, Mark A. Pondelick, Christopher Hardwick
  • Patent number: 8573183
    Abstract: Systems and methods for fuel tank tube routing and valve placement to prevent fuel leaks into the evaporative emissions system are disclosed. An embodiment provides a vehicle fuel tank venting system that uses strategically placed valves and a low profile tube routing to prevent the leakage of liquid fuel to an evaporative emission system in the event of a valve failure. In one aspect, a first and second outlet valve may be positioned such that at least one of the valves is above a full fuel level for a desired range of fuel tank tilted positions. Among the desired range, when the first valve is submerged in fuel, at least a portion of the first outlet tube may be above the full fuel level, and when the second valve is submerged, at least a portion of the second outlet tube may be above the full fuel level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason Anthony Graham, Scott Jeffrey Volchko, Tetsuhiro Ito, Hisayuki Goma
  • Patent number: 8561657
    Abstract: A ullage system for a marine fuel tank that maintains an exact ullage space in all marine refueling situations including refueling in moving or pitching and rolling situations. The invention includes two ball valve assemblies that are inserted into a fuel tank at approximately the same level. The two assemblies typically are at opposite ends of the tank. One of the ball valves is smaller than the other in diameter. The smaller valve is coupled to an air vent; the larger valve is coupled to the filler tube. An important feature of the present invention is that it can typically be made to fit any marine fuel tank simply by changing the length of a vent tube to reach the correct ullage level for the tank at hand. The components of the present invention can be made from standard fuel valve materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Bluskies International, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Brown, Marvin Peplow
  • Publication number: 20130263935
    Abstract: A combination float control module and fluid flow control valve for use in high pressure, high flow rate refueling systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: Michael J. Mitrovich
  • Patent number: 8550107
    Abstract: A ventilation device includes a ventilation opening closable by a float in a valve housing interior, an inflow opening in an upper portion, at least one outflow opening in a lower portion that can be closed by a sealing element of a shut-off valve. A storage container is connected through a conduit to the valve housing interior so that fuel can flow from the housing interior into the storage container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Alfmeier Prazision AG Baugruppen und Systemlosungen
    Inventors: Richard Roscher, Jürgen Theissler
  • Patent number: 8528526
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a vapor vent system for an internal combustion engine such as an outboard marine fuel injected engine. The vapor vent system includes a snap assembly decoupled float vapor vent in order to vent vapors from the vapor separator. The snap assembly design reduces costs, vibration and assembly requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle Achor, Jerry Hayes, Michael Richards
  • Publication number: 20130220442
    Abstract: An air release valve which includes a housing, an inlet, an outlet, a valve seat, a buoyant closure member and a variable throttle arrangement is provided. The housing defines a chamber and the buoyant closure member is positioned in the chamber and is displaceable between a lower position in which it is clear of the valve seat and permits the flow of fluid through the chamber and an upper position in which it seats sealingly against the valve seat to interrupt the flow of fluid through the chamber, the closure member being displaced, in use, from its lower position to its raised position by the buoyant forces acting thereon as a result of the entry of liquid into the chamber through the inlet. The throttle arrangement is configured to throttle air flow and inhibit premature closing of the closure member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventor: Allistair Potroneus Balutto
  • Patent number: 8505568
    Abstract: A device for accumulating, isolating, indicating and venting accumulated gas in a fluid system pipe includes a main pipe fitting affixed to a system pipe in which a hole has been drilled. A stand pipe attached to the pipe fitting houses a magnetic float. A magnetic-float level indicator exterior to the pipe and responsive to the magnetic float indicates the magnetic float's level. A valve attached to the stand pipe above the magnetic float allows controlled ventilation of the gas in the standpipe and thus in the piping system. Gas from the system pipe accumulates in the standpipe, removed from the primary fluid flow path of the system pipe. In the standpipe, as the liquid/gas interface drops, the float drops to a pre-determined level, at which point the user vents the gas from the piping system, causing the magnetic float to rise to a level indicating that gas is again at acceptable levels in the piping system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Nuccorp, Inc.
    Inventor: Willie Turner Wood, Jr.