With Float Leakage Disposal Patents (Class 137/427)
  • Patent number: 8360093
    Abstract: A pilot fill valve includes a float that is separated into upper and lower cavities by an angled partition through which a drain outlet and an overflow outlet are disposed. When the level of the float drops, a portion of the water supplied to the fill valve is diverted to a tank to raise the float, while the remainder is diverted to the upper cavity increasing the weight of the float. As the float begins to rise, the water in the upper cavity drains through the drain outlet and overflow outlet, making the float lighter, and causing the float and pivot arm to rotate with increased velocity, allowing the pilot cap carried by the pivot arm to fully shut off the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Mansfield Plumbing Products, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Conrad, Wilson Enrique Sandoval Medina
  • Patent number: 5787942
    Abstract: A snap-action flow interrupt device for terminating flow into a cryogenic storage container utilizes the momentum of the incoming liquid spray as a means of maintaining a float in a submerged position until the proper liquid level is attained. The incoming spray of liquid exerts a downward impact force on a surface of the float. The rising liquid level exerts an upward and increasing buoyant force on the float. When the rising liquid in the tank disrupts the spray, the buoyant force snaps the float upwards to interrupt the flow of liquid. The abrupt motion of the float generates a pressure spike and flow reduction, either of which may be easily detected by automatic fill termination devices or by a human operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: MVE, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane Preston, Paul Drube, Thomas Drube
  • Patent number: 5769111
    Abstract: Leak detector apparatus (40) is provided for use with a toilet inlet valve assembly (12) that includes a float (30) slidable along a vertical post (32), which can be easily installed by a handyman. The leak detector apparatus includes a buoyant body (42) and a mount (44) that pivotally supports the body about a body axis (54) on the float (30). The body has a forward end portion (56) that can engage the post to prevent the float from moving down until a chain device (60) attached to the rear of the body is pulled to pivot the body. The body has a center of buoyancy (80), when immersed in water, which lies forward of the body axis, so when immersed the body urges its forward end portion against the post to prevent the float from moving down. The forward portion of the body can include a metal strip with a sharp edge (74) that "digs" into the inlet valve plastic post. The mount includes a pair of upstanding mount posts (114) that project into air holes (112) on the float.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Assignee: Fluidmaster, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph U. Han
  • Patent number: 4419773
    Abstract: A discharge valve closure of the type which has a bleeder port to permit the conservation of water by causing the closure to shut the discharge valve prior to the draining of all water from the water tank. The discharge valve closure features an adjustment which permits at least a portion of the buoyancy chamber to be pivoted about the axis of the closure to position the bleeder port at a selected angular spacing from its top dead center position. This adjustment allows the tank water level at which the closure shuts off the discharge valve to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1983
    Inventor: Donald E. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 4112968
    Abstract: A drain valve for a compressed air system automatically discharges liquid separated from system air from a container in which the separated liquid is trapped when the trapped liquid activates the drain valve. A spring biases the valve element of the drain valve to an open position to drain the trapped liquid during system shut-down and is positioned in an outlet passage of the container so that the spring is accessible for replacement without dissassembly of the drain valve. A float in the container is responsive to the level of trapped liquid to open communication between the system pressure and a chamber on the upper side of a diaphragm type valve actuator to offset the system pressure in a chamber on the lower side of the valve actuator so that the spring and the pressure on the upper side of the valve actuator acting on the valve element moves the valve element to its open position for discharging the trapped liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Robert K. Hoffman, David C. Franson
  • Patent number: 4080788
    Abstract: An improved dividing assembly, useful in dividing the high pressure gas system from the lubricating system in a regenerative type Stirling engine, is disclosed. The closed thermally cycled gas system of a Stirling engine may vary between 20-200 atmospheres which complicates sealing and separation problems between fluid systems in the engine. One interface between said fluid occurs at the piston rods which reciprocate between an oil flushed environment within the driven assembly and the pure high pressure gas environment of the thermal cycling assembling. The two systems must be separated and yet allow access of each system to said rods. A piston rod sealing assembly is employed which uses a bleed of high pressure gas to (a) assist in forcing a tighter wiping of the piston rod surfaces, and (b) to convey wiped oil as a mixture away from the sealing assembly. A separator assembly is employed to reclaim substantially pure gas from said mixture and return separated oil to the oil system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1978
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Don B. Kantz