Patent ID: 6273128
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
Apparatus for controlling the flow of fluid, said apparatus comprising, in combination:fluid flow passageway defining means defining a fluid flow passageway having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet and said said outlet being spaced from one another;a gravity sensitive valve located between said inlet and said outlet for controlling flow of fluid through said fluid flow passageway, said gravity sensitive valve including a valve housing defining a valve housing interior, a valve inlet in communication with said valve housing interior, a valve outlet spaced from said valve inlet and in communication with said valve housing interior, a sealing seat at said valve outlet and a valve member moveable within said valve housing interior between said valve inlet and said valve outlet and sufficiently heavy to prevent buoying of the valve member by fluid in said housing interior, said valve housing surrounding said valve member between said valve inlet and said valve outlet for retaining fluid in said valve housing interior, and said valve member responsive to positioning of said gravity sensitive valve with the valve inlet thereof disposed at a higher elevation than the valve outlet thereof to move to said sealing seat under the influence of gravity and seat in said sealing seat to prevent fluid flow from said gravity sensitive valve through said valve outlet of fluid disposed in said valve housing interior above the valve member; anda pressure activated valve connected to said fluid flow passageway defining means spaced from said gravity sensitive valve.