Float Rigid With Valve Patents (Class 137/433)
  • Patent number: 6886588
    Abstract: A buoyancy flushing apparatus is disclosed which comprises a reservoir for accumulating liquid, having an inlet for receiving liquid and an outlet chamber recessed in a bottom wall of the reservoir. The outlet chamber includes an outlet for draining liquid out of the reservoir. The apparatus further comprises an outlet valve movable between a down position where liquid accumulates in the reservoir and a raised position where liquid accumulated in the reservoir is flushed out via the outlet. The outlet valve comprises a ballast unit sized and shaped to fit loosely in the outlet chamber when said valve is in the down position; and a float unit topping the ballast unit to move the valve in the raised position by buoyancy when a sufficient amount of liquid is accumulated in the reservoir, thereby providing a passageway for liquid between the bottom wall of the reservoir and the valve leading to the outlet in the outlet chamber to flush liquid out of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventors: Marc-André Malenfant, Yves Bérubé, Nicolas Viel, Roger Lacasse, Jean-Pierre Dautais
  • Patent number: 6874529
    Abstract: The invention concerns a level limit valve for the fuel tank of a vehicle. Such valves serve the purpose, that upon the filling of the fuel tank, the filled quantity of the fuel is limited. The proposed level limit valve possesses a valve body 1 which can be positioned within the fuel tank at the end of a filling pipe. The valve body is equipped with an intake port 22 which is connectable with the said filling pipe and an outlet port 21 emptying into the interior of the fuel tank. Further, in the valve body 1 is found a flap 4, which is pivotally movable between a position tightly sealing the outlet port 21 and a position wherein this is opened. The float 3 is movably connected to said flap 4 by means of a lever rod 5. The lever rod 5 penetrates the outlet port 21 at least in the opened position of the flap 4 and is connected by means of linkage with that outer side 28 of the flap 4 which is proximal to the outlet port 21.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Alfmeier Prazision AG, Baugruppen und Systemlosungen
    Inventors: Markus Gebhardt, Helmut Kalb, Günter Strauss, Stefan Kirchdorfer, Thomas Theuer
  • Patent number: 6848465
    Abstract: A dual-action vent check valve is disclosed. The valve includes a first check valve which is responsive to elevated fluids inside the valve. A second check valve is responsive to elevated fluids external to the valve. The first check valve prevents overflow from a vented structure, such as a sewer out-fall line, from passing through and out of the valve, thereby preventing spills. The second check valve operates to prevent floodwater from passing into an underground structure, such as a sewer, through the vent. One embodiment of the invention includes a basket for enclosing a deodorizing material inside the valve for deodorizing gases which pass through the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Robert H. Wager Co., Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan T. Ledbetter
  • Patent number: 6810904
    Abstract: A lavatory flush tank silent-operating fill device has a silencer extending along an axis and through which a stream of water flows; a number of channels are defined inside the silencer by a bundle of substantially straight, parallel tubes housed inside the silencer and parallel to the axis, and into which the stream of water is divided; and the flow section of the channels is such that flow of the water inside is substantially laminar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Oliveira & Irmao, S.A.
    Inventors: Noe Figueiredo, Antonio Manuel Gameiro Lopes, Victor Antonio Ferreira Da Costa, Antonio Manuel Moura De Oliveira
  • Patent number: 6779553
    Abstract: An emergency backflow system includes a drain bowl and a holding tank fluidically connected to a utility sewer line. The holding tank is connected to the sewer line via a drain line, and the drain line can be fluidically separated from the drain bowl by a conduit having a float ball therein. The holding tank has a large capacity relative to the drain bowl and thus can accommodate large overflow situations which would otherwise overwhelm the drain bowl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Inventor: Michael A. Heidger
  • Patent number: 6749743
    Abstract: A device for diverting the flow of liquid in a wastewater treatment system in flow communication with effluent returning from a recirculating treatment section and in flow communication with a discharge line for removing a portion of treated effluent to a receiving body. The device also has openings for returning a percentage of the effluent back to the wastewater treatment system. A valve operatively responsive to a float in the treatment system whereby when the effluent level in the system falls below a critical point, all of the effluent is recirculated back into the treatment system and when the effluent level rises sufficiently a percentage of cleaned effluent exits the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignees: Zabel Industries International, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Rohrer, Theophilus B. Terry, III
  • Patent number: 6695004
    Abstract: A magnetic automatic stop valve formed in a container of a medical fluid administration system has one magnetic element located in a float and another magnetic element located proximate a valve seat. As the fluid level in the container decreases, the magnetic field established between the float and the valve seat eventually overcomes the buoyancy of the float in the fluid and attracts the float into the valve seat at which position the flow of fluid from the container is stopped. The float is formed of two identical halves each of which has one half of an internal post. When joined together to make the float, the internal post is fully formed and extends from one end of the float to the other. One magnetic element is slid over the post during manufacture and is free to slide from one end of the float to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Alaris Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Raybuck
  • Patent number: 6688330
    Abstract: A valve (10) for a fluid tank, comprising a housing formed with one or more inlet (28) and outlet (20) ports, side walls and a seating wall (14) portion supporting a float-type valve member. The valve member is axially displaceable within the housing responsive to fluid level within the tank, between an uppermost position and a lowermost position, and has a top and a bottom end and a bearing portion facing the seating wall portion of the housing. Either one or both of the seating wall portion of the housing and the bearing portion of the valve member, are fitted with one or more dampening members (46) for diminishing impacting noise of the valve member encountering the housing upon displacement into the lowermost position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Raval Agriculture Cooperative Societies Ltd.
    Inventors: Moshe Ehrman, Ehud Orenstein, Zohar Moalem, Yoav Livne, Valdimir Olshanetsky
  • Patent number: 6615862
    Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a float for a liquid waste disposal apparatus having a simple structure for enabling the content inside a container to be easily visually recognizable and allowing a faster and steadier solidification of an absorbed liquid waste. A water-absorptive material 6 is retained inside a spherical float 5 in a manner where a water-absorptive material 6 is wrapped by a water permeable sheet 22 inside a hemispherical primary structural portion 5a and a secondary structural portion 5b capable of being separated into two portions, and thus structured, a circle shaped hole 5c or a square shaped hole 5d of the float 5 serving as a flow path for flowing downward a liquid waste 21 absorbed from an upper portion into a lying member L is formed at the surface of the float 5. The float 5 is contained inside the lying member L in a floatable manner permitted to revolve in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Assignees: Gunma Koike Co., Ltd., Koike Medical Co., Ltd., Koshin Chemical Co., Ltd., Showa Jushi Kogyo, Inc.
    Inventors: Masao Takahashi, Nobuo Murata, Masashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6564820
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reliable regulating device that permits liquids, such as fuel oils, to be drained into the enclosure while preventing the flow of gases into the enclosure. The device includes a valve housing having a chamber for receiving the liquids and the gases and a drain valve means in open flow communication with the liquids and gases. The drain valve means includes a valve seat and a float member both located within the valve housing. The float member has a specific gravity less than the liquids passing through the device. The float member floats off the valve seat when the liquids flow through the valve housing and engages the valve seat when gases are present in the chamber preventing the gases from entering the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Christman
  • Patent number: 6551504
    Abstract: A valve in a fluid treatment system adapted for controlling the flow of fluid between a source and a treatment media disposed in a treatment chamber. The valve includes a housing having a fluid passageway between an inlet and an outlet; a containment chamber; and a sealing member reciprocal between a first position in which the sealing member is retained in the containment chamber out of the flow of fluid in the passageway and a second position that seals the outlet. The containment chamber also includes a drain opening, which can be a venturi, for emptying the containment chamber of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: USF Consumer & Commercial Watergroup, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth Orr Reed
  • Publication number: 20030066561
    Abstract: The present invention provides a reliable regulating device that permits liquids, such as fuel oils, to be drained into the enclosure while preventing the flow of gases into the enclosure. The device includes a valve housing having a chamber for receiving the liquids and the gases and a drain valve means in open flow communication with the liquids and gases. The drain valve means includes a valve seat and a float member both located within the valve housing. The float member has a specific gravity less than the liquids passing through the device. The float member floats off the valve seat when the liquids flow through the valve housing and engages the valve seat when gases are present in the chamber preventing the gases from entering the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventor: Stephen Christman
  • Patent number: 6427719
    Abstract: Hydromagnetic Toilet Valve, constituted by a body, a magnet cluster, an assembly consisting of shaft with a closing gasket and a floater to open and close the valve; it uses three forces: magnetic, exerted by the floater with the tank's water level and the force of the exterior line pressure; we achieve a closure that does not permit water in or out, when the closing is done, it immediately turns into an anti-syphoon valve because it does not allow the liquid in the deposit to be dragged out by gravity in absence of water on the line. Upon finding vacuum the deposit indicates that water was used for a normal bowl discharge or because the liquid leaked by the drain pipe because of anomalies in the discharge system, this valve will supply only what's necessary to fill the toilet bowl and tank to do a required flush, this valve won't supply water if the knob is not actuated to open the valve, or the lever to perform the same function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: Edmundo Simental Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 6394129
    Abstract: Device for preventing the overfilling of a fuel tank (1) provided with a filler neck and a filling vent line (6), an operational vent line (11), which leads to the outside or to a collecting tank, opening into the fuel tank above the opening into the filling vent line, in which operational vent line there is connected a valve device (13) which is closed during filling of the fuel tank and is open in the remaining time, the valve device having a valve closing member (13′) which can be engaged with a valve seat (19′) in the direction leading away from the fuel tank, is preloaded into the open position and is bridged, at least in the blocked state, by a flow-restricting partial-flow path (14), the valve seat (19′) for its part being movably mounted, forming a pressure relief valve clearance (25) with an inner shoulder (24) of the valve device (13), and being preloaded into the closed position and in the direction of the valve closing member (13′).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Tesma Motoren-und Getriebetechnik Ges. M.B.H
    Inventors: Stefan Feichtinger, Sandor Palvolgyi
  • Publication number: 20020023678
    Abstract: The object of this invention is to provide a float for a liquid waste disposal apparatus having a simple structure for enabling the content inside a container to be easily visually recognizable and allowing a faster and steadier solidification of an absorbed liquid waste.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Masao Takahashi, Nobuo Murata, Masashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6341618
    Abstract: A method for installing plumbing fixtures in a multi-story building having a waste stack includes a stop valve between the waste output of each fixture and the waste stack, the valve allowing the waste water to flow from the fixture toward the waste stack, but preventing flow from the waste stack back into the plumbing fixture. The valve has a cylindrical body, a lower assembly and an upper assembly, which together form a water-tight structure, with threaded outlets in each assembly. Within the body there is suspended a stop ball having a diameter larger than that of the ball seat in the upper outlet. When water attempts to back up from the waste stack in the direction of the stop valve, the ball is forced against the upper seat and blocks the water flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Inventor: Rudolph V. Ricci
  • Patent number: 6336467
    Abstract: An improved float and valve assembly for a liquid-gas accumulator including a buoyant float having a density selected in accordance with the working pressure, a float which can be lengthened or shortened, and friction and drag is reduced by optimizing the bore to rod length, honing coacting parts, providing a crown engaging the spring, and providing grooves in the exterior of the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Accumulators, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffry A. Schneider
  • Patent number: 6325094
    Abstract: A bubbler container assembly particularly adapted for use in vapor generating systems comprising a main outer vessel, an inner bubbler vessel, a carrier gas inlet and a vapor outlet such that the inner bubbler vessel is contained within the main outer vessel and the bubbler container assembly is constructed so as to self-meter an incoming supply of vaporizable liquid during the introduction of a carrier gas and extraction of resulting vapor. Preferably, the system further provides for magnetic induced centering and positioning of the inner buoyant bubbler vessel, fluid temperature sensing and control, connection of a fluid makeup supply, carrier gas inlet supply, and vapor extraction outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Icon Dynamics, LLC
    Inventor: Donald B. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 6314988
    Abstract: A flood control valve assembly designed to be removably connected to the outer or exposed end of a drain pipe and structured to allow water to enter the drain pipe in the conventional fashion but prevent water from issuing from the open, outer end of the drain pipe such as during heavy rain and/or flood conditions. The valve assembly includes a tubular housing having a hollow interior and oppositely disposed open ends which define a path of liquid flow through the housing. The housing is removably secured on the interior of the drain pipe immediately adjacent to the open end thereof and further includes a buoyant material valve member movably mounted within the housing and being positionable into an out of a closed position relative to a valve seat secured adjacent to the outer end of the housing dependent upon the direction of water flow through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Inventor: Karl Smith
  • Publication number: 20010000578
    Abstract: A water management system for a motor vehicle in which water is collected from the condenser (1) of the air-conditioning unit, stored in a master water tank (5) and distributed therefrom to the battery (15), screen wash jet (27) and radiator (37). The vehicle owner is thus spared the inconvenience of regularly checking and topping up the water supply for these items. The risk of breakdown is also reduced. In another aspect of the invention, a wet battery (15) incorporates a plurality of float valves (75) for regulating the fluid level in respective cells (61, 63) of the battery. Water is passed through a common channel (23) into which the float valves (75) open when the fluid level is below a preset limit. The battery fluid is thereby automatically kept at the required level for optimum performance and lifetime of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: May 3, 2001
    Inventor: Chin Lye Chau
  • Patent number: 6209570
    Abstract: An automatic flush water distribution system for use in an evaporative cooling system includes a water distribution pipe adapted to be connected to a source of pressurized water. The pipe has a plurality of water distribution ports formed therein and a vertical flush pipe is connected at a first end to the water distribution pipe in liquid communication therewith. The flush pipe includes a second lower end and contains at least one valve seat and at least one buoyant float valve located therein between the valve seat and the water distribution pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Munters Corporation
    Inventor: Frederick B. DeBello
  • Patent number: 6138707
    Abstract: An air transfer valve is disclosed comprising a housing (8) having an inlet (21) and an outlet (22), the outlet being controlled by a first non-return, valve (28) which is biased to its closed position and the outlet being controlled by a second valve (30) which is normally in its open position, the first valve being caused to open by an increase in air pressure within the valve but closing in response to reduced pressure. The valve is intended to be fitted into a fill pipe (1) of a fuel storage tank so that the outlet communicate with the tank ullage through an aligned hole in the wall of the fill pipe. In this situation, the valve transfers air from the fill pipe into the ullage and reduces turbulence which would otherwise cause excessive generation of vapor during tank filling (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: W & J Risbridger Limited
    Inventor: Graham M. Stuart
  • Patent number: 6131605
    Abstract: A container having a floor with an upper inner face and a lower outer face is provided with a drain having a tubular housing extending between the faces and a partition formed with a hole, subdividing the housing into an upper compartment and a lower compartment, and forming at the hole an upper valve seat and a lower valve seat. Respective floatable upper and lower valve bodies in the compartments sealingly engageable with the respective valve seats. Thus with this system when the upper compartment fills with liquid it floats up the upper ball to unblock the hole in the partition and let this liquid drain out. If, however, water rises in the lower compartment, it will float up the lower ball to block the passage and prevent this liquid from flowing up through the passage into the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Waggonbau Elze GmbH & Co. Besitz KG
    Inventors: Horst Kothe, Stephan Teepe
  • Patent number: 6129110
    Abstract: A fluid level management system for controlling a fluid level contained within a reservoir housing is described. The fluid level management system utilizes two separate predetermined fluid levels, a first and a second spaced below the first, to create a fluid level differential though which a control apparatus actuates a single activation switch. Use of the fluid level management system in conjunction with a pump for removing the fluid contained within the housing is further described. The pump is responsive to the control apparatus actuating and deactuating the switch depending on the fluid being at the first or second predetermined fluid level, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Milton Roy Company
    Inventor: Kemp Bennett Kolb
  • Patent number: 6095179
    Abstract: A flood control valve assembly designed to be removably mounted within the outer or exposed end of a vertically or horizontally oriented drain pipe and structured to allow water to enter the drain pipe in the conventional fashion but prevent water from issuing from the open, outer end of the drain pipe such as during heavy rain and/or flood conditions. The valve assembly includes a tubular housing having a hollow interior and oppositely disposed open ends which define a path of liquid flow through the housing. The housing is removably secured on the interior of the drain pipe immediately adjacent to the open end thereof and further includes a buoyant material valve member movably mounted within the housing and being positionable into an out of a closed position relative to a valve seat secured adjacent to the outer end of the housing dependent upon the direction of water flow through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Karl Smith
  • Patent number: 6092547
    Abstract: A combination valve and trap device is described for use in liquid supply and liquid disposal systems. Floats of various size, weight and shape are encased in cylindrical housings with inverse funnel inlets and outlets. The device functions as a valve, trap and back-flow safety device, depending on the float configuration, requiring neither mechanical apparatus nor external power supply for functionality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventors: Keinosuke Komiya, Ken Komiya
  • Patent number: 6085779
    Abstract: A draining gutter, which is adapted to be placed in a floor of a space inside a building for conducting drain water away from the space through a draining conduit (3) connected thereto, has channel (15) adapted to conduct air from the space to the draining conduit upon influence of air present in the conduit away from the space. The draining gutter has also an arrangement (11, 13, 14) for adjusting the air flow resistance of the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Inventor: Bertil Eriksson
  • Patent number: 6058964
    Abstract: A multi-level fuel pickup system has a float valve in communication with a first fuel passage having an open end disposed at a first height within the fuel tank spaced from the bottom of the fuel tank to prevent fluid flow through the first fuel passage when liquid fuel is absent adjacent its open end. A second fuel passage communicates adjacent the bottom of the fuel tank and below the first height and fuel is drawn through this fuel passage when a low level of fuel remains in the fuel tank. A fuel control valve is manually adjustable to control through which of the fuel passages fuel is drawn. Preferably, each of the fuel passages is at least partially formed in a valve body mounted within the fuel tank and the float valve comprises a spherical float received in a bore in the valve body and is responsive to the level of fuel within the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Cotton, Ronald H. Roche
  • Patent number: 6019114
    Abstract: A bubbler container assembly particularly adapted for use in vapor generating systems comprising a main outer vessel, an inner bubbler vessel, a carrier gas inlet and a vapor outlet such that the inner bubbler vessel is contained within the main outer vessel and the bubbler container assembly is constructed so as to self-meter an incoming supply of vaporizable liquid during the introduction of a carrier gas and extraction of resulting vapor. Preferably, the system further provides for magnetic induced centering and positioning of the inner buoyant bubbler vessel, fluid temperature sensing and control, connection of a fluid makeup supply, carrier gas inlet supply, and vapor extraction outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Icon Dynaamics, LLC
    Inventor: Donald B. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 6016828
    Abstract: A vault suitable for underground burial, having a vent capable of passing air into and out of the vault and excluding rising external water from entering the vault through the vent, and a valve assembly for accomplishing this exclusion. The vault has walls enclosing an open interior storage space. The vent has a conduit communicating between the interior space and the outside atmosphere. The valve assembly is located at the free end of the conduit. The valve assembly comprises a vertical, cylindrical chamber having a lower opening open to the atmosphere and an upper opening connected to the conduit. Two spherical floats of unequal diameter are occupy the chamber, with the smaller float located above the larger float. The upper float is a valve cooperating closely with a valve seat located at the upper opening. A grate or screen retains the floats in the chamber. When rising waters threaten to flood the vault, the floats rise, the upper float seating in the seat and closing the upper opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Inventor: Charles G. Machledt
  • Patent number: 6012481
    Abstract: A constant level of fluid (8 or 106) in vessel (1 or 104) is maintained using a reservoir (5 or 102) and a tank (4 or 101). Float valves (9 or 107) which raise and lower with the level of fluid in the reservoir are used to selectively close off fluid passages (13 or 109) from the tank into the reservoir. Until the desired level of fluid is reached in the reservoir, the reservoir continuously provides fluid to the vessel. Once fluid flow into the reservoir is stopped, flow from the reservoir into the vessel also stops. The vessel can be positioned adjacent to or remote from the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2000
    Inventor: John J. Lenart
  • Patent number: 6003542
    Abstract: An automatic shut-off valve for regulating the flow of beer or other liquid from its container, whereby a float is kept away from the outlet by directing some of the liquid upwardly against the float while most of the liquid is being discharged. The discharge of liquid is usually accompanied by a suction about the outlet which tends to suck the float downwardly to seal the outlet prematurely. By the present valve and the location of the float during discharge of liquid, premature sealing is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventors: Dominic Pizzacalla, Alastair Knott
  • Patent number: 5942105
    Abstract: A float actuated water level control valve has a sliding valve tube depending from a float to meter the amount of water flow through the valve proportionally in response to the position of the float. The valve is especially useful for controlling the water level in an aquarium overflow filter system. The valve inlet has an adjustable flow area which is defined as the area between a lower edge of the sliding valve tube and an upper edge of a drain. The configuration of the lower edge of the sliding valve tube and the upper edge of the drain are selected to provide increased flow area linear to the position of the float. The valve inlet is submerged, and drain gurgling sounds are thereby muffled. In addition, the valve maintains the water level within the reservoir at a height above the valve inlet, which is especially useful for reducing splashing sounds from water spilling over an overflow wall in an aquarium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: All-Glass Aquarium Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth K. Leis
  • Patent number: 5915408
    Abstract: A float valve assembly has a liquid passage with upper and lower ends opening to upper and lower liquid receiving spaces, valve seats about the upper and lower ends of the passage, and upper and lower float valves within the spaces movable into and from seating contract with the valve seats to open and close the passage ends in response to rising and lowering liquid levels in the spaces. The opening movement of one float valve is adjustable to regulate flow rate through the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Vortox Company
    Inventor: Lynn A. Dudley
  • Patent number: 5894695
    Abstract: A tree watering device comprises a funnel having an aperture at one end coupled to an elongated tubing which extends horizontally for a predetermined distance and then downwardly into a tree stand which contains water for the base of a tree mounted therein. The hollow tubing includes an aperture in the wall thereof in the portion mounted within the stand and a C-shaped element protruding through the wall of the tubing opposite the aperture. The C-shaped element restricts the movement of a float between the legs which protrude through the wall. The aperture emits a gurgling sound when water is poured into the funnel until the water level rises causing the float to cover the hole causing the gurgling to cease and indicating that it is time to cease adding water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Inventor: Andrew Stellatos
  • Patent number: 5857624
    Abstract: A windshield washer nozzle with a drain port is disclosed. In the nozzle with liquid inlet and outlet ports, a partition wall is formed in the middle portion of the passage between the two ports, thus branching a drain port from the main passage. A pressure float valve is movably positioned in the middle portion of the main passage. The valve moves upward or downward under the guide of the partition wall in accordance with the pressure of the liquid in the passage, thus selectively closing the drain port or the passage. The drain port automatically drains the liquid from the nozzle at the end of a liquid ejecting operation, thus allowing the nozzle to be free from any deposits and preventing the nozzle from being blocked or unexpectedly frozen up in cold weather.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Kil-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 5842500
    Abstract: An overfill preventing valve (20) is adapted to be operatively interposed in a flow path between a fluid source (21) and a compressed fluid storage cylinder (22) to prevent the cylinder from being overly filled. The improved valve includes an elongated tubular body having a first seat (25), a first space (26), a second space (28), a second seat (29), a third space (30), a third seat (31), a fourth space 37 and an entrance portion (32) communicating with a source. A passageway (33) continuously communicates the first and fourth spaces. The second and fourth spaces communicate with the interior of the cylinder. A float (36) is contained within the body for movement toward and away from the first seat in response to the liquid level in the cylinder. A valve member (38) is mounted on the body for sealed movement toward and away from the second seat. This valve member separates the first space from the second space. The valve member is biased to move away from the second seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Harsco Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James Michael Rockwood, Paul Joseph Smith, David Earl Nitchke, John Michael Janak, Steven Francis Hawkes
  • Patent number: 5832953
    Abstract: An improved overfill shut-off system for a liquid storage tank includes a passage having an inlet end and an outlet end, a valve seat in the passage, a plunger that is movable within the passage for the purpose of engaging the valve seat to impede flow of liquid in the passage, and a guide member for guiding movement of the plunger. The plunger and the guide member are sealed with respect to each other and together define a control space. A first port is defined in the plunger for communicating the control space with an upstream end of the passage, and a second port is defined in the guide member for communicating the control space with a downstream end of the passage. A valve is provided for selectively impeding fluid flow through the second port in response to the level of a float member within the storage tank. When liquid level in the storage tank reaches a predetermined maximum, liquid flowing through the passage will be permitted through the first port, but not through the second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventors: Michael D. Lattner, Daniel T. McDonell
  • Patent number: 5830128
    Abstract: A liquid feed device for feeding a liquid to an endoscopic or ultrasound insertion instrument or the like from a liquid feeder tank containing a supply of a feed liquid. A liquid feed pipe and an atmospheric pipe which are led into the feeder tank are provided with flexible pipe portions formed of a flexible material of greater specific gravity than the feed liquid in the tank and suspended flexibly within the feeder tank to hang down always in a vertical position by gravity and in such a way as to hold a liquid intake end of the liquid pipe in a deeper position than a pressure discharge opening of the atmospheric pipe relative to the liquid surface even when the feeder tank is turned from an upright position into a tilted position through a certain angle or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshizumi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5803114
    Abstract: A flush toilet system includes a bowl that is drained in a flush operation through a flow path including a trap and a siphon. A bypass passage supplies a back jet of water in the reverse flow direction in the flow path. A back jet valve assembly opens to permit back jet flow during only the first part of the interval during which flush water is supplied to the system from a water supply. The kinetic energy of the back jet is converted to static pressure to block or impede flow of flush water through the flow path. Water level increases in the bowl, and when the back jet flow is discontinued a siphon flush operation proceeds. The back flush valve assembly also releases water after the flushing operation in order to reseal the trap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: American Standard Inc.
    Inventor: Dwight N. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5797426
    Abstract: A combination check valve and fluid trap device for connection to the outflow aperture of a condensate moisture drain system on an air conditioner, ice maker, cooler or like apparatus, the device comprising a ball float sealingly seated on a float seat within a housing, the float seat being connected to the outflow conduit of a generally U-shaped fluid trap having an inflow conduit for connection to the drain system, whereby water and gas are prevented from entering the fluid trap through the outflow conduit but excess water will move the ball float from the float seat to allow water to flow out of the outflow conduit. Preferably the fluid trap is provided with rotation means whereby the longitudinal axis of the inflow conduit can be adjusted relative to the longitudinal axis of the outflow conduit so that the two axes are not aligned in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Inventor: Edwin O. Powell
  • Patent number: 5771596
    Abstract: A first liquid container has therein a level control including a float valve, a storage tank or second container and a third container having therein a liquid which is maintained at a fixed liquid level. The third container is connected to the liquid in the first container by the float valve, and is replenished by the liquid in the storage tank. Preferably the storage tank is designed as an evaporator, with a condensate separator plate or surface arranged above the third container which also has an overflow to the storage tank. A temperature stabilizer keeps the liquid in the first liquid container at a temperature above ambient, and the storage tank is in contact with the liquid in the first container to be warmed thereby, and the condensate separator is cooled by ambient air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Raytheon Anschuetz GmbH
    Inventor: Ulf Bey
  • Patent number: 5734996
    Abstract: A detergent dispenser including a container having a bottom formed with a downwardly depending tubular portion provided with external threads thereon, a plug having a plurality of longitudinal grooves and an enlarged annular node at an intermediate portion, an upper packing ring mounted on a top of the enlarged annular node of the plug, a lower packing ring mounted on a bottom of the enlarged annular node of the plug, an internally threaded sleeve having an upper opening and a lower opening which is smaller than the upper opening and the enlarged annular node of the plug in diameter, and a buoy threadedly engaged with the lower end of the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventor: Kun-Chang Lee
  • Patent number: 5725018
    Abstract: My invention is a gravity check valve 20 that will have a relatively low back flow of liquid when the sealing seat 2 is positioned above the porous seat 8 and the direction of back flow of liquid is opposite to the direction of the force of gravity 18.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Inventor: Joseph R. Paczonay
  • Patent number: 5722961
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flow control device for use with an intravenous set to control the flow of medicinal fluid in a barrel into patient's body. The flow control device comprises a floating member capable of being supported for floating by the buoyancy of the medicinal fluid and having a first hollowed portion facing upwards so that the hollowed portion can contain medicinal fluid and a second hollowed portion facing downwards. A linkage bar is secured to the floating member by insertion into the second hollowed portion. A membranous member is coupled via the linkage bar to the floating member such that the membranous member moves along with the floating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: King-He Hung
    Inventor: Cheng-Kuo Fan
  • Patent number: 5718261
    Abstract: A cleaning solution dispenser installed in a water tank 2 includes a container 3 and a tubular flow regulator 4. The container receives cleaning solution therein and is formed with a downwardly opening outlet 31. The flow regulator extends into the outlet of the container and is divided by a partition plate 40 into upper and lower chambers 41, 42. The upper chamber has a closed top end and a surrounding wall formed with at least one radial port 43 opening adjacent to the partition plate. The flow regulator further has first and second tubes 44, 45 which extend upwardly from the partition plate into the upper chamber. The second tube is shorter than the first tube and has a top end which is located at a level higher than that of the port opening. The first and second tubes communicate the upper chamber with the lower chamber. The lower chamber has an open bottom end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 17, 1998
    Assignee: Bobson Hygiene International Inc.
    Inventor: Cheng-Chang Chen
  • Patent number: 5711339
    Abstract: A fuel outflow preventing valve device of the invention is formed of a housing, a plurality of valves, and a plurality of energizing members. The housing has a flow path, a plurality of orifices communicating with the flow path, a plurality of cavities, and a plurality of openings communicating with the cavities. Each cavity communicates with each orifice. Each valve is situated in each cavity and moves to open or close the corresponding orifice. Each energizing member is situated in each cavity to support each valve and has strength such that each energizing member can not move the valve toward the orifice to close the orifice by its own force, but each energizing member can move the valve toward the orifice to close the orifice when fluid enters into the cavity to provide buoyancy to the valve. Therefore, the fuel outflow preventing valve device has a simple structure, and each valve is prevented from being stuck to a valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Kazumasa Kurihara
  • Patent number: 5662138
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a water drop structure which not only functions as a water drop but also prevents pests from intruding indoors, smell from leaking indoors, and sewage back flow when the robe is clogged. It has a main body, main drum, control floating ball, upper partition, and an upper cover. The main body has a positioning flange, main through hole, let-in sheet to form a let-in slot, and a main drum having a lower through hole, union sheet, and upper partition having a spacer with a recess, upper through hole, and its peripheral having union sheet, the upper cover having water drop hole, and the bottom having extension hood with inside diameter smaller than that of upper partition. The main drum and upper partition may be set in the main drum, and an upper cover can be assembled in the upper partition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Inventor: Wen-Hsing Wang
  • Patent number: 5657494
    Abstract: The flushing device has an actuating device for optionally triggering a complete or partial flushing. A valve body of drain fittings is raised for this purpose. In the case of a partial flushing, the valve body is raised with a weight body, which loads the valve body with the valve body raised and brings same prematurely into the closed position against the lifting force of a float after a flushing process has been triggered. A coupling device has a switching member mounted on the weight body in its lower area. This switching member automatically connects the weight body to the valve body during the raising of the weight body with a pulling element connected to the weight body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1997
    Assignee: Geberit Technik AG
    Inventor: Alois Diethelm
  • Patent number: 5653252
    Abstract: In a housing to be fastened to the bottom of a flushing tank, a float, which is arranged approximately centrally on a closing member mounted displaceably in the housing, is arranged under a partition extending horizontally in the flush tank. A sealing body is arranged at a lower end of the closing member. The partition forms a unit with a chamber arranged on its underside, and the unit is detachably inserted from the top into the housing, which is open at the top. The present invention simplifies the automatic mounting as well as the inspection of the drain valve and the more universal and therefore less expensive use of the valve housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Geberit Technik AG
    Inventors: Marco Steg, Alois Diethelm