Single Float Controls Plural Valves Patents (Class 137/411)
  • Patent number: 10920406
    Abstract: Disclosed is a leak-proof device for a water inlet valve. A control valve is installed in a valve body for opening and closing a water inlet channel and a water outlet channel. An outer water tank and a leak-proof water tank are installed on the valve body. An inner water tank is disposed in the outer water tank, with the height of the inner water tank being lower than that of the outer water tank. The leak-proof water tank is in communication with the inner water tank via a water-passing channel A lever is pivotally connected to the valve body. Two ends of the lever are connected with an outer float and an inner float. The inner float is provided with a plug that is movable to block the water-passing channel. The leak-proof float is connected to the control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: LAB (XIAMEN) SANITARY FITTINGS INC.
    Inventors: Yongmao Liu, Zipeng Zhang
  • Patent number: 9731813
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to control aircraft horizontal stabilizers are described herein. One described method includes calculating, using a processor, a desired movement of a horizontal stabilizer of an aircraft to counteract a pitching moment of the aircraft, and controlling the horizontal stabilizer based on the desired movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jonathan Kyle Moore, Brian Charles Bock, Edward E. Coleman
  • Patent number: 9663897
    Abstract: A method of and an arrangement for introducing fiber suspension or pulp from a pulp vessel to a washing and/or filtering apparatus is based on simultaneous division and degassing of pulp at immediately upstream of the washing and/or filtering apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: SULZER MANAGEMENT AG
    Inventors: Reijo Vesala, Vesa Vikman
  • 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: 8215335
    Abstract: A fluid control device for a fluid supply includes a housing (31) defining a fluid supply channel (34) with a fluid inlet (35) for coupling to a fluid supply and a fluid outlet (36) for coupling to an appliance. The housing additionally defines a chamber (44) with an inlet (40) for coupling to an overflow and an outlet (41) for coupling to a drain. A valve (55) is located in the fluid supply channel (34) and is moveable from a first open position to a second closed position where fluid flow through the channel (34) is substantially restricted. An actuator (52) is provided in the chamber (44) and is moveable from a first position to a second position. The valve (55) and actuator (44) are magnetically coupled to one another such that movement of the actuator (44) from the first position to the second position causes the valve (55) to move from the open position to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Inventor: James Wesley Barnham
  • Patent number: 7931045
    Abstract: A water sensor apparatus used in connection with a watering system. The water sensor apparatus includes a main housing comprising an inlet and an outlet. A valve mechanism is provided inside the main housing. The valve mechanism opens and closes the outlet of the main housing in response to a water level collected in the main housing and a water pressure entering the inlet of the main housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Melnor, Inc.
    Inventors: Juergen Nies, Ha Van Duong, Chunling Zhao
  • Patent number: 7921868
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airing and venting valve for pipes and fittings carrying fluid, comprising a substantially cup-shaped valve body becoming smaller in cross-section towards the bottom for closing and opening a valve outlet, with a seal cup co-operating with a float of the valve, and a cup seal which is disposed between the valve body and seal cup and is able to move into different closing and opening positions lying across passage orifices of the valve body. By virtue of one aspect of the invention, the seal cup has an internal contour which becomes wider towards the top conforming to the external contour of the valve body. By virtue of another aspect, the valve body is disposed so that it is able to move against its seat at the valve outlet so that it can release and close a passage in the region of the valve body seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: HAWLE Armaturen GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Goetzinger, Helmut Grassl
  • Patent number: 7661438
    Abstract: An improved fill valve has a pivot valve body that is pivotally suspended immediately below a float housing and is movable between two positions. In a first position, the pivot valve body blocks the flow of water from the float housing. In a second position, the pivot body allows the flow of water from the float housing. The pivot valve body has two top compartments, each separated from the other by a wall. The first compartment retains an amount of water in it. The second compartment functions as a water flow restriction apparatus and includes an upwardly-extending member for sealing off a check valve that is disposed within the bottom of the float housing. The fill valve also includes structural elements that allow the water to trickle into the float housing at a very slow rate. The fill valve can be re-set for normal toilet tank operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventors: David Nichols-Roy, Dennis D. Woods, Alberto C. Torres
  • Publication number: 20080078454
    Abstract: An improved fill valve has a pivot valve body that is pivotally suspended immediately below a float housing and is movable between two positions. In a first position, the pivot valve body blocks the flow of water from the float housing. In a second position, the pivot body allows the flow of water from the float housing. The pivot valve body has two top compartments, each separated from the other by a wall. The first compartment retains an amount of water in it. The second compartment functions as a water flow restriction apparatus and includes an upwardly-extending member for sealing off a check valve that is disposed within the bottom of the float housing. The fill valve also includes structural elements that allow the water to trickle into the float housing at a very slow rate. The fill valve can be re-set for normal toilet tank operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: David Nichols-Roy, Dennis D. Woods, Alberto C. Torres
  • Patent number: 7334600
    Abstract: A vacuum assisted priming system for a fluid pump including a housing defining a hopper that communicates with a pump inlet. The housing mounts a first port that communicates with the source of vacuum and a second port that communicates with atmosphere. A check valve allows atmospheric air to flow into the housing under certain operating conditions but inhibits reverse flow. A valve member pivotally mounted within a valve chamber carries first and second sealing elements that are engageable with first and second seats. The lever arm is operatively connected to a float via a lost motion connection. When the fluid level in the hopper rises to a predetermined level, an actuating rod moves the lever arm to a first sealing position. When the fluid level falls to a predetermined level, the actuating rod moves the lever arm to a second sealing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: The Gorman-Rupp Company
    Inventor: Thomas M. Scott
  • Patent number: 7168441
    Abstract: A fuel cutoff valve of the invention includes a casing body having a valve chamber and a holder element, a float having a seat member on its top, a movable valve element that is fitted in the holder element in a vertically movable manner, and a first connection conduit and a second connection conduit that connect inside of the valve chamber with outside. When the fuel level in a fuel tank rises to a preset first fluid level, the float moves up to shut off the first connection conduit. When the fuel level further rises to a preset second fluid level, the float further moves up to press the movable valve element up and shut off the second connection conduit. The fuel cutoff valve of this simple structure effectively prevents a blowing back flow of fuel in the course of fuel supply without requiring any subtle setting of a spring load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiji Miyoshi, Hiroshi Nishi
  • Patent number: 6712944
    Abstract: A gas/liquid phase separator for an electrolysis cell includes a vessel and a float in operable communication with each other. The vessel includes a fluid inlet and first and second fluid outlets. A fluid stream comprising gas and liquid is received in the vessel through the fluid inlet, and at least a portion of the gas exits the vessel through the second fluid outlet. The float is configured to interface with the first fluid outlet and either maintain or prevent fluid communication across the first fluid outlet when the float is in at least partial contact with the first fluid outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Proton Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Byron, Jr., Michael J. Brown
  • Patent number: 6076547
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for operating a mechanism (5) of a rinsing fixture, in particular for operating a closing and opening mechanism or a locking mechanism of a rinsing fixture. It shows a float (28) and a first hydraulic or pneumatic force means (15) that shows a regulating unit (16) that is controllable through a float. A second hydraulic or pneumatic force means (9), which has a regulating unit (8) that is connected hydraulically or pneumatically with the regulating unit of the first force means, has an active connection with the mechanism (5).According to the invention it is planned that upon rising the float, in opposition to a restoring force, drives the regulating unit of the first force means for operating the mechanism, that the float upon sinking is uncoupled from the regulating unit of the first force means, and that a valve (12) is arranged in the connection (11, 13) of the two force means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventors: Lothar Steinhardt, Jorg-Michael Steinhardt
  • Patent number: 5511577
    Abstract: The air release valve comprises a valve chamber (36) having an inlet (20) and an outlet (24). Inside the chamber is a control float (38) which is responsive to changes in liquid level in the chamber. There is also a a stack of valve members (40, 42, 44) in the chamber above the control float. The valve members have vent passages through them which increase in size with increasing height in the stack but which are smaller than the outlet (24). The top valve member (44) in the stack is designed to be lifted up, by differential air pressures acting on it, to seat on the outlet (24) and thereby reduce the effective size of the outlet when a pipeline served by the air release valve is filling with liquid and the liquid displaces air through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Mulric Hydro Projects (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Kevin Richards, Michael P. Muller
  • Patent number: 5174345
    Abstract: A drop tube employed in the discharge of fuel into a storage tank of the type having an inlet, riser pipe is described. The drop tube a tubular member and an overfill valve. The overfill valve comprises a valve member having open and closed positions which is controlled by a float mounted thereon. The drop tube is insertable through the riser pipe to a position wherein the float displaces the valve member towards its closed position when the fuel in the tank reaches a desired level. A depression in the tubular member receives the float to facilitate insertion of the drop tube through the riser pipe. The valve member is freely pivotal from its open position to its closed position, being displaced thereto by the force of fuel discharged into the tank. A pressure relief valve provided to reduce the forces on the valve. A bleed valve is also provided for bleeding fuel from above the valve when it is in its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Dover Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Kesterman, Jack A. McMath
  • Patent number: 5088133
    Abstract: A flush mechanism for toilets comprises a water supply control device and a water escape control device independently disposed in a flush tank. The mechanism is actuated to flush by raising a plunger to lift a piston of the water escape position from its normally closed position to its open position allowing water flow from the tank to a toilet bowl associated therewith and maintain that position by vacuum suction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Inventor: Tsai-An Chen
  • Patent number: 5035346
    Abstract: The invention relates a combined liquid level and pressure regulator for separators, comprising a liquid level sensing float connected through a rigid vertical shaft with two discharge cross section controlling valves. The essence of the invention is that the discharge cross section controlling valves are pressure-compensated slide valves arranged so as to control the discharge cross sections of the gas outlet and the liquid outlet of the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Vegyimuveket Epito es Szerelo Vallalat
    Inventor: Pinter Kalman
  • Patent number: 4986320
    Abstract: A drop tube employed in the discharge of fuel into a storage tank of the type having an inlet, riser pipe is described. The drop tube a tubular member and an overfill valve. The overfill valve comprises a valve member having open and closed positions which is controlled by a float mounted thereon. The drop tube is insertable through the riser pipe to a position wherein the float displaces the valve member towards its closed position when the fuel in the tank reaches a desired level. A depression in the tubular member receives the float to facilitate insertion of the drop tube through the riser pipe. The valve member is freely pivotal from its open position to its closed position, being displaced thereto by the force of fuel discharged into the tank. A pressure relief valve is provided to reduce the forces on the valve. A bleed valve is also provided for bleeding fuel from above the valve when it is in its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Inventors: James E. Kesterman, Jack A. McMath
  • Patent number: 4671317
    Abstract: A water supply system for supplying water at a substantially constant low pressure. The system includes a reservoir with an inlet for high pressure water and an outlet for lower pressure water. An equalising valve assembly is coupled to the inlet. The valve assembly has a plurality of passages each of which is individually closed or opened by controlled valve means according to prescribed water level limits in the reservoir. The passages can be progressively opened so as to admit high pressure water to the reservoir on low pressure water draw off and can be progressively closed as the reservoir is filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Inventor: Donald H. C. MacKay
  • Patent number: 4615056
    Abstract: A flushing cistern includes a flushing device which is located in a liquid-containing cistern. The device includes a hollow tube and a closure member carried by the tube. The tube can be moved in the cistern between open and closed positions in which the closure member is clear of, and seals the cistern outlet. A float is mounted on the tube to hold the tube in the open position while flushing takes place and which causes the tube to resume its closed position at the end of the flush. The device also includes a float arm carrying a float. The float arm is pivoted to a control arm of the inlet valve to the cistern, and there is a detent on the tube which engages the float arm and pulls it downwardly when the flush is over, so operating the control arm and opening the inlet valve to admit further liquid to the cistern. When the cistern has again filled up, the float arm detaches itself from the detent, and permits the inlet valve to close again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Max Rudman
    Inventor: Rixwell S. Grant
  • Patent number: 4535799
    Abstract: A valve for incorporation in a gas line through which liquid entrained gas passes, positions a valve seat across the line and arranges a sump adjacent to and upstream of the valve seat. A spherical valve element of a specific gravity less than the entrained liquid in the gas stream is positioned in the sump on a second valve seat therein communicating with a liquid outlet. Entrained liquid in the gas stream collects in the sump, floats the spherical valve element upwardly where the gas flow moves it horizontally into the valve seat in the gas line thus closing the gas line and opening the liquid drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1985
    Inventor: Robert E. Boley
  • Patent number: 4391673
    Abstract: A basementless separator system for removing liquid from a liquid/gaseous mixture. The system includes a separator for separating the liquid and gas therein. A first conduit communicates the separator with the source of the liquid/gaseous mixture. A secnd conduit communicates the separator with a vacuum source to draw the liquid/gaseous mixture into the separator and to remove the separated gas from the separator. A first valve is on the separator in alignment with a liquid storage tank to open and close a discharge opening for separated liquid from the separator to be collected in the storage tank. A second valve is on the storage tank to open and close a drainage opening in the tank to control drainage of liquid therefrom. A level sensor is on the tank to indicate a predetermined level of collected liquids stored in the tank. Controls are responsive to the liquid condition in the tank to open and close the valves and periodically drain from the tank the liquid collected therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Assignee: Albany International Corp.
    Inventors: Jeffrey B. Duncan, Joseph A. Bolton
  • 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: 4209032
    Abstract: An air-relief valve is described comprising a housing having a large orifice at its upper end for releasing or admitting air when filling or emptying the water line to which it connected; a float formed with an axial bore; a first valve member having a head at its upper end disposed between the float and the large orifice, the first valve member further having a depending stem disposed in the axial bore of the float, and a small orifice communicating with the large orifice of the housing; a second valve member actuated by the float such that when the float rises it causes the second valve member to close the small orifice in the first valve member, the rising of the float also causing the first valve member to rise and to close the large orifice in the housing; and an abutment carried by the first valve member engageable by the float during the descent of the float to apply its weight to the first valve member tending to move same away from the large orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1980
    Inventor: Mordeki Drori
  • Patent number: 4173255
    Abstract: A low well yield control system and method for preventing over pumping of wells and other fluid reservoirs. The control is positioned in the reservoir and includes a plurality of relief valves which are opened to replenish liquid in the reservoir from the pumped liquid in the event the liquid level is lowered relative to a float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1979
    Inventor: Richard W. Kramer
  • Patent number: 4034026
    Abstract: A fuel carburetor structure is shown having a main fuel bowl or reservoir with a second fuel reservoir therein; a fuel inlet valve assembly for controlling the rate of fuel flow to both the main and second or auxiliary reservoirs is shown as having a needle-like inlet valve positioned by a float carried within the main reservoir and responsive to the level of the fuel contained therein; additional valving means resiliently resists the flow of fuel into the main reservoir and the degree of such resilient resistance is reflective of the degree to which the needle-like inlet valve has been moved toward its fully closed position; the additional valving means also serves to cause a flow of fuel from the needle-like inlet valve to the auxiliary reservoir via related conduit means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1977
    Assignee: Colt Industries Operating Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Miller
  • Patent number: 3960164
    Abstract: A device for mixing gases with liquids is disclosed, which is characterized by the use of gas inlet and vent valves of unique construction and highly efficient in operation, and the use of a unique toggle mechanism for opening and closing said valves which consists of a minimum number of parts arranged to form a compact unit. The device further includes a fully enclosed or hollow float which coacts with the valve opening and closing mechanism, and a rigid metallic gas inlet tube which functions as a support for a gas diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1976
    Inventor: Zar W. Kelley