Valve Opened By External Means, Closing Or Closing Control By Float Patents (Class 137/410)
  • Patent number: 5159950
    Abstract: A fountain faucet is comprised of a housing defining a water chamber and having an inlet communicating the water chamber and an outlet communicating the water chamber through an opening a float valve hinged within the water chamber for a swinging movement between valve open and valve closed positions. A control unit engaged in the housing by means of a thread operable to retain the float in its closed position or allow the float valve swingable freely between valve open and valve closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1992
    Inventor: Wen-Chang Wang
  • Patent number: 5044397
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling flow of liquid through an aperture. The apparatus includes a housing and a float valve disposed in and unattached to the housing. The float valve is formed to include a float chamber and is movable in the housing between an aperture blocking position and an aperture unblocking position. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for controlling movement of the float valve by selectively venting fluid from the float chamber to reduce the buoyancy of the float valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Inventors: Emil Szlaga, Robert S. Harris, Jeffery Griffin
  • Patent number: 5031250
    Abstract: The mechanism comprises an inlet valve assembly which admits water into a toilet tank under the control of a valve plug mounted on the end of a vertical axle having a float on its upper end. The valve plug is unseated, to admit water, when the axle is tilted, and the plug is pulled into seated position by the float when the tank is filled. A drainage buoy, in cooperation with a buoy base, allows discharge of water from the tank when the buoy is pulled from the base. Pull chains are used, from a toilet handle, to tilt the axle and pull the buoy. The inlet valve includes a water pressure reducer, and a non-return valve assembly to prevent return of water to the water supply in the event of a loss of water supply pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Inventor: Manuel Garcia De Couto
  • Patent number: 4998571
    Abstract: An overfill valve apparatus for use in a liquid storage container having a fill pipe includes an upper fill tube and a lower drop tube. A closure valve is positioned intermediate the fill tube and the drop tube. The valve includes a valve head moveable between a first open position and a second closed position. A float is attached to the valve head and is moveable from a first position when the container liquid level is less than a predetermined level and a second position when the container fills with fluid to a predetermined level. Movement of the float towards its second position produces movement of the valve head toward its closed position. The float also is moveable within an envelope corresponding to a diameter less than the diameter of the fill pipe to facilitate apparatus installation and removal. The valve head is mounted internally of a hollow shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Inventors: Barry M. Blue, James P. Blue
  • Patent number: 4991615
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for controlling flow of liquid through an aperture. The apparatus includes a housing and a float valve disposed in and unattached to the housing. The float valve is formed to include a float chamber and is movable in the housing between an aperture-blocking position and an aperture-unblocking position. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for controlling movement of the float valve by selectively venting fluid from the float chamber to reduce the buoyancy of the float valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Stant Inc.
    Inventors: Emil Szlaga, Robert S. Harris, Jeffery Griffin
  • Patent number: 4965891
    Abstract: A tank valve for a toilet tank is controlled by an axially vertically movable float. A releasable latch holds the float in an upper position which closes the tank valve to flow, and prevents opening of the valve to flow except when an intended mechanical flush operation is made. This prevents refill of the tank to replace water which has leaked out, rather than being released for the flushing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Inventor: Bruce A. Antunez
  • Patent number: 4858252
    Abstract: A trim assembly for a water closet is disclosed. The water closet includes a tank, a bowl, a passage communicating the tank and bowl, a plurality of rim wash ports in the bowl and a trap between the bowl and an outlet. The trim assembly includes a manifold with an inlet and first and second outlets. The first outlet is coupled to a control valve with a main valve controlling flow to a control valve chamber. The control valve chamber includes first and second outlets and pressurized fluid introduced in the control valve chamber is simultaneously communicated to these outlets. The first outlet in the valve chamber is in fluid communication with the rim wash ports and the second outlet in the valve chamber is in fluid communication with a jet ring. Flow to the first and second outlets in the valve chamber is simultaneously commenced by lifting a valve member off a pilot port in the valve chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: Masco Corporation of Indiana
    Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4843657
    Abstract: A catch mechanism is provided for use in a toilet tank flushing arrangement that includes a tank for storing water, a manually operated flush lever for causing the water to drain from the tank to flush the toilet, and a float means for detecting the presence of a low tank water level and causing the tank to refill when the low tank water level is detected. The catch mechanism is adapted to engage the float means to prevent it from causing the tank to refill, unless the flush lever has been operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Inventor: James W. Orr
  • Patent number: 4842011
    Abstract: An improved flushing means is disclosed for use in water tanks such as are for flushing toilets. The flushing means has a water inlet with an improved two-stage valve using inlet line pressure for operating the two stages. A float is movably mounted on the inlet for controlling the valve with a lever operatively coupling the float to the first stage of the valve. A cooperating vertical hollow and floating overflow tube including an adjustable bowl filling siphon controls the tank discharge to the bowl. These improvements to the tank discharge to the bowl are also to be incorporated into the commonly used flapper-type flush valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignees: Elwyn V. Harp, Glen H. Baron
    Inventor: Vernon D. Roosa
  • Patent number: 4840196
    Abstract: A flush valve system for a water storage tank. The system includes a standpipe which establishes both an upper water level and a repose water level. A tank valve receives water for the tank. It includes bi-stable control means which retains the most recent condition pertaining to a level higher than the repose level, or a lower level respective to drainage of stored water. The valve will therefore remain closed while the water is drained, until the water level reaches the lower level. The standpipe may include foldable segments which enable its length to be adjustably varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1989
    Inventor: Bruce A. Antunez
  • Patent number: 4811754
    Abstract: A fluid-flow control valve comprises a valve housing bounding a chamber and defining an inlet port for entry of fluid into the chamber and a control port for egress of fluid from the chamber. The control port is of reduced cross-sectional area relative to the chamber. The valve also comprises a valve closure member disposed in the chamber. The valve closure member is less dense than the fluid that the valve is to be used to control, so that when the chamber contains that fluid and the control port is above the closure member, the valve closure member is urged toward the control port so as to obstruct the control port. The closure member can be displaced away from the control port so as to allow fluid to flow through the control port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Oy Wartsila Ab
    Inventor: Raymond L. Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 4649898
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for controlling the level of steam condensate in a steam retort wherein sealed cans of food are exposed to incoming steam. The apparatus comprises a pneumatically actuated condensate drain valve which is controlled by a solenoid valve and opens to drain condensate if it reaches a dangerously high level, an alarm to indicate when the high level is reached, a recorder to provide a continuous permanent record of condensate level and drain valve status, and an electric control system for sensing condensate level and operating the solenoid valve, the alarm and the recorder in accordance therewith. The electric control system includes a condensate level sensor in the form of a one or more float-operated magnetically-responsive reed switches mounted in the retort. The sensor comprises a hollow stem in which a reed switch is potted in elastomeric non-displaceable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1987
    Assignee: Martinson Monitors Inc.
    Inventor: Edward D. Martinson
  • Patent number: 4646369
    Abstract: A flushing cistern to produce an energetic flush with a reduce volume of water, some 5 or 6 liters for low-level use. The cistern has a housing supporting a rotatable water holder having a large flow aperture in a curved surface and otherwise closely conforming to the inside of the housing. The flush outlet is a large tapering outlet of hydraulically-efficient form to which the aperture matches when the holder is rotated to produce a flush. The filling of the water holder can be arranged to occur only when the holder is in the correct position. Fault conditions are indicated by a warning flow of water from an overflow or elsewhere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: National Research Development Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey J. Brown, John C. Griggs, John Hall
  • Patent number: 4601071
    Abstract: A flushing system for rapidly delivering a given volume of water supplied to an accumulating chamber (5) from an automatically or manually operated valve (6) has a float-controlled discharge valve (19) which is arranged to be opened when said given volume of water has been delivered to the accumulating chamber (5) and the float is located at a corresponding level in said chamber. A supply pipe (13) extends downwardly in the accumulating chamber (5) towards the outlet (3), and a valve housing (19) is slidably arranged, together with the float, on the water supply pipe. In a closing position of the valve housing, the lower edge part of the valve encircles the outlet. In an opening position of the valve housing, with water in the accumulating chamber, the valve housing is lifted from the seating. The lower end of the supply pipe is formed with a valve body (17) arranged, together with the valve housing, to form a pressure chamber (24) having a leakage opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Inventor: Bengt A. Persson
  • Patent number: 4601177
    Abstract: In an air cooling system including a compressor, a condenser, a liquid tank, an expansion valve and an evaporator which are connected through conduits to form a closed circuit refrigeration system, there is provided a refrigerant over-charging checking system for preventing the system from being overcharged with the refrigerant. The checking system comprises a service valve mounted in a conduit of the system and having therein a refrigerant inlet passage for flowing the refrigerant into the closed refrigeration system, a check mechanism associated with the service valve to block the refrigerant inlet passage when electrically energized, and a liquid level sensor associated with the liquid tank to electrically energize the check mechanism when a refrigerant level in the liquid tank rises to a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mikio Tanino, Eiji Tada, Tsutomu Takano
  • Patent number: 4495960
    Abstract: A suds return valve for automatic washers is provided in which a flapper valve can be manually set to save suds water for subsequent use, the valve being automatically returned to direct rinse liquid to drain after the suds water has reached a predetermined height in a storage receptacle. The valve can be manually set to use suds water in a wash cycle and the valve would be automatically returned to send water to the drain after a predetermined amount of suds water has been removed from the storage receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Roger J. Cartier, Victor W. Cuthbert, Anthony Mason
  • Patent number: 4420845
    Abstract: A valving system capable of maintaining a substantial flow rate to a low profile toilet bowl during bowl wash, bowl flush and refill, and storage tank refill. The system includes a tank refill tube and a bowl wash tube, with an adjustable restriction in one of them to balance the flow between them. When the toilet is flushed, water from the storage tank is emptied into the toilet bowl, causing the bowl contents to start to siphon out. A level-responsive valve opens when the tank level lowers, and supplies water both to the tank to refill it, and to the rim. It flows from the rim to wash the walls, to continue the flush, and to refill the bowl. A flow control can usefully be placed upstream from the valve so that a substantially constant flow rate results which is able to be accurately divided between the tank and the bowl, so that all functions are completed by the time the tank is refilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Inventor: Bruce A. Antunez
  • Patent number: 4341238
    Abstract: An improved flushing device is disclosed for use in tanks such as are used for flushing toilets. The flushing device has an inlet means including an improved two-stage valve which uses inlet line pressure in operating each of the two stages. A float is movably mounted on an inlet fixture for use in controlling the tank filling operation with a lever operatively coupling the float to the first stage of the valve. A vertical hollow overflow tube including a bowl filling aperture cooperates with a liquid operated variable buoyancy means on the float and alternatively a tube connects the inlet means with an overflow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1982
    Inventors: Vernon D. Roosa, Peter V. Roosa
  • Patent number: 4340006
    Abstract: A semi-automatic boiler plug assembly having a mounting plate with a central hole aligned with a bailer hole on a boat transom is described. Attached to the mounting plate is a cylinder and piston therein made of a resilient material which seats in the central hole of the mounting plate in a closed position. Two arms extending to either side of the piston, and through slots on opposite sides of the cylinder, guide the piston in its travel back and forward in the cylinder. Immediately behind the piston is a spring to bias the piston forward in the cylinder toward the closed position. On the outside of the cylinder are two hinge plates attached to the piston by guide arms and by hinge pins that pass through a hole in the hinge plates and into the piston guide arms. Formed onto the outboard side of the hinge plates are hollow chambers which form floats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1982
    Inventors: William C. Patriarca, Leonard J. McGraw
  • Patent number: 4318194
    Abstract: A water closet flushing system of a type employing a float-controlled valve through which water is supplied to refill the tank after the water in the tank has been dumped into the bowl to flush the bowl. A diverter valve is interposed in the line leading from the ballcock valve through which the tank is refilled and is operable to divert this flow of water under line press to outlets or nozzles disposed around the upper rim of the bowl as soon as the flushing process begins to provide a complete pressurized washing of the bowl. After the tank empties, the diverter valve automatically shifts to a position which directs the water to refill the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Assignee: Masco Corporation
    Inventor: David L. Pinkston
  • Patent number: 4312083
    Abstract: A flush valve for a toilet having a tank and a bowl including a valve housing connected to a source of water, a valve stem operatively connected to a float and a piston operatively connected through a cam to a flush lever, the valve stem and piston movable independently to provide a valve for the admission of water to the tank and bowl together with a syphon having a tube therein for breaking the syphon action at a predetermined level of water in the tank, a float operatively connected to the valve stem which automatically varies the float level action and an arm connected to the cam for actuation by the float to return the flush lever to an inoperative position and another valve operated by the piston to interrupt the flow of water into the valve housing to prevent back syphonage of tank water into the water supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1982
    Inventor: Carl E. Imler
  • Patent number: 4230145
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a pressure activated fluid control system particularly adapted for use as a flushing mechanism for toilets of the water tank type. This system includes a push button actuated control valve assembly which, in the shutoff position, urges a needle valve against a movable valve seat; a pressure actuated direction flow valve; and a tank ball lifting mechanism. The direction flow valve is in fluid communication with the control valve assembly which upon actuation of the control valve, allows incoming water under line pressure to pass to the lifting mechanism, raise a lift piston and lift the tank ball from the cistern drain. The tank ball depends from a piston disposed within a water filled lower cylinder and following the draining of the cistern, the tank ball slowly and precisely returns to the cistern drain as the water below the piston head within the lower cylinder passes from the cylinder through a check valve disposed about the piston rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1980
    Inventor: Edwin T. Badders
  • Patent number: 4198918
    Abstract: A semi-automatic bailer plug assembly for attachment to the transom of a boat having a bail hole therein for receiving the bailer plug assembly is described. The bailer plug is normally spring biased into a closed position to plug the bail hole until it is manually retracted by a plunger disposed in opposition to the spring. When the plunger is pulled back and the boat transom is out of the water, a pair of stop members engage the plug and hold the plug in an open position permitting the boat to be drained of water. The stop members are coupled to a pair of float members. When the transom of the boat is placed in the water a buoyant force acting against the floats releases the spring biased plunger from engagement with the stop members and permits the bailer plug to automatically close the bail hole in the boat transom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1980
    Assignee: Pat-N-Mac, Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Patriarca, Leonard J. McGraw
  • Patent number: 4193145
    Abstract: A flushing mechanism is disclosed for use in the tank of a toilet, utilizing a spool valve to accommodate various fluid pressures and to accomplish accurate control of volumetric flow. A housing is provided in the toilet tank, defining an inlet port which is adapted to be connected to the source of flushing fluid, e.g. water, and also defining a vertical valve chamber extending somewhat transverse to the inlet port and connected to control the discharge of water from the valve and out of the tank to the toilet bowl. The spool valve is provided in the valve chamber such that the facing surfaces of lands on the spool are subjected to the pressure of the flushing water source, to maintain a balance. Manual means is disclosed for displacing the spool valve to supply flushing water from the source while activating a hydraulic timer which, in due course, resets the spool valve. In the disclosed embodiment, the hydraulic timer involves a bleed tube for supplying water to the tank which contains a float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1980
    Assignee: Garon Processing Co.
    Inventors: Gary Gross, James F. Thies
  • Patent number: 4170049
    Abstract: An accessory incorporated between a toilet tank and a toilet, the accessory including a float chamber, into which rising water from the toilet is accessible, so as to lift a float attached to an upwardly extending rod which extends into the toilet tank, so as to pivot a swivel arm against a drain valve ball, in order to move the ball into a close position over the tank drain, and thus stop additional water from flowing from the tank into the toilet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1979
    Inventor: Elbert G. Gilliland
  • Patent number: 4114208
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a ballcock type flush valve that has all moving parts above the water line of the tank, thereby eliminating corrosion. The valve configuration is such that it is designed to shut-off the flow of water, thereby providing a positive shut-off, and further it is unique in that it has no seat or seal to leak that is below the water line. Fail safe features include a flush mechanism that will remain inoperative until the tank has regenerated its water supply, thereby providing a full flush. Anti-syphon means are included in addition to prevent back flow of bowl water into the water system. The ballcock flush valve combination is so constructed that ingress of additional water due to a faulty seal is impossible thereby conserving water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1978
    Inventor: Carl E. Imler
  • Patent number: 4109834
    Abstract: A device for discharging a constant volume of fluid which is relatively simple in construction and requires little space. The device comprises a cylindrical chamber with a tangential inlet to induce vortical fluid motion. Within the chamber is a ball having a specific gravity different from that of fluid and adapted to block an outlet which is disposed at the vertex of a cone-like surface disposed at one end of the chamber. When displaced from the outlet by a suitable mechanism, a combination of fluid and gravitational forces cause the ball to follow a spiral path and return to block the outlet, having discharged a certain amount of fluid. Two embodiments are described utilizing a ball having a specific gravity greater than, and less than, that of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1978
    Assignee: Canadian Patents and Development Limited
    Inventors: Clyde C. K. Kwok, Essam A. Farag
  • Patent number: 4079748
    Abstract: An automatic stop valve mounted in a liquid supply port of a container to be supplied with pressurized liquid, which valve ensures that liquid supply is automatically and instantaneously stopped when the liquid surface reaches a predetermined level. The valve comprises a hollow valve body with at least one liquid supply port formed at one end and one or more liquid discharge ports formed in the vicinity of the other end, a valve cylinder loosely engaged with the valve body and adapted to be movable axially of the valve body as the level of the pressurized liquid supplied into the container rises and a valve release mechanism for opening the valve by pressing the valve cylinder downwardly. The valve body has a pair of axially spaced seal members secured on the periphery of the valve body with the liquid discharge ports positioned between the seal members, and wherein the valve cylinder may contact the seal members liquid-tightly at both axial ends when the liquid level reaches a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1978
    Assignee: Masuda Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Masuda
  • Patent number: 4055164
    Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for automatic gas ignition control for igniting an auxiliary fire nozzle and main fire nozzle in a water heater, to precisely, safely and automatically ignite the gas. The apparatus for automatic gas ignition control according to the present invention provides an alarm to give early warning if the unit is not being fed a sufficient amount of gas. Further, this invention provides a gas flow controller to control the flow rate of gas dependent upon the change of water level or pressure requirements. Also this invention provides an electric circuit for igniting the auxiliary fire and the main fire. If any component in the electric circuits is damaged, the circuit will cease to operate or function and no gas will flow. This provides an absolute protection avoiding accidents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1977
    Inventor: Tu Wu-Heng
  • Patent number: 3963041
    Abstract: A safety shutoff valve for fuel storage tanks and the like includes a housing with a float controlled valve member which closes in response to the rising liquid level in the tank to which the valve is attached. An elongated tubular member is attached to the valve outlet and projects an appreciable distance below the valve member that when the liquid level is high enough to close off the opening in the elongated member, a back pressure is developed within the elongated member and valve housing which causes the valve member to close and seat relatively gently under high pressure fill conditions. Special openings are provided in a baffle over the valve member to allow a portion of the incoming liquid to impinge upon the valve member to help urge it beyond the baffle whereupon it is driven to its closed position by the incoming liquid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1975
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1976
    Assignee: McGillis Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Hugh D. McGillis