Patent ID: 6385787
Filing Date: 2002-05-14
Classification: E03D

Abstract:
A tank filling and discharge mechanism, comprising:(a) an inlet valve comprising a housing, a valve seat, and a first valve element moveable relative to said valve seat for opening and closing said inlet valve, wherein said inlet valve is operatively coupleable to a tank and to a source of fluid, whereby when said inlet valve is operatively coupled to said tank and to said source of fluid, said inlet valve admits said fluid to said tank when said inlet valve is open; (b) a discharge valve comprising a second moveable valve element, wherein said discharge valve is operatively coupleable to said tank, whereby when said discharge valve is operatively coupled to said tank and said discharge valve is opened, said fluid can discharge from said tank through said discharge valve; (c) a coupling element operatively coupled to said first moveable valve element of said inlet valve and to said second moveable valve element of said discharge valve so that when said discharge valve is closed, said inlet valve is open; and when said inlet valve is closed, said discharge valve is open; (d) an activation element operatively coupled to at least one of said coupling element, said inlet valve, and said discharge valve, whereby when activated, said activation element causes said inlet valve to open and said discharge valve to close; (e) a first biasing element operatively coupled to at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element and said discharge valve, whereby said first biasing element applies a biasing force to close said inlet valve; (f) a retaining element operatively coupled to at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element, and said discharge valve, wherein said retaining element comprises a clamp mechanism that releasably engages said at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element, and said discharge valve; and (g) a float, wherein said float is moveable relative to said coupling element; a position of said float is responsive to a fluid level in the tank; for said position below a first position, when said discharge valve is closed, said retaining element engages at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element, and said discharge valve, so as to prevent said inlet valve from closing and said discharge valve from opening; for said position above said first position, said float engages said retaining element so as to cause said retaining element to release said at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element, and said discharge valve, thereby enabling said first biasing element to close said inlet valve and open said discharge valve.