Patent ID: 6742543
Filing Date: 2004-06-01
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for reducing operating costs and emissions in a pumping installation, comprising:a body having a single inlet and at least two outlets, the single inlet has an inlet passage that extends into the body, the inlet passage continuously communicates simultaneously with each of at least two connective passages, the connective passages extend through the body and communicate with a discharge passage that branches off from the connective passage; a threaded inlet coupling on the single inlet whereby an input conduit from a pump is coupled to the single inlet; threaded outlet couplings on each of the at least two outlets whereby an output conduit is coupled to each of the at least two outlets; a ball valve positioned in each of the connective passages, the ball valve has a ball and seat, a compression spring positioned in the connective passage exerts a biassing force upon the ball to maintain the ball engaged with the seat until a predetermined pump pressure is exerted to overcome the biasing force and permit the ball to be displaced; an externally accessible rotatable pressure member extends into each of the connective passages and acts upon the compression spring, rotation of the rotatable pressure member in a first rotational direction extends the pressure member further into the connective passage to increase the compressive force upon the compression spring, rotation of the rotatable pressure member in a second rotational direction partially retracts the pressure member out of the connective passage to decrease the compressive force upon the compression spring, such that adjustment of the rotatable pressure members in each of the connective passages alters relative flow output through the at least two outlets; and a pressure gauge positioned on each of the at least two outlets whereby relative flow output pressure is determined.