Patent ID: 7748402
Filing Date: 2010-07-06
Classification: F16K,F17C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A valve assembly for use in fluid-containing vessels for controlling the filling thereof, comprising: a main body having an inlet opening and an outlet opening and defining a fluid flow path therebetween; a movable valve member movable from an open position to a closed position against a valve seat defined in the fluid flow path and biased towards a closed position by a resilient member; and a valve control mechanism having a float attached to a distal end of a float arm which is pivotable about a pivot axis, a retaining member mounted for pivotal movement about the pivot axis and driven by the float arm through a limited portion of the range of float arm rotation, a cam surface acting against the valve member to move it to the open position against said resilient member when the float arm moves to a lowered position and the retaining member being driven by the float arm to a retaining position holding the valve member open when the float arm is moved to the lowered position allowing fluid to enter the vessel, and as the float arm is raised as the vessel fills, the float arm pivots until the float arm travels to a predetermined angle associated with a predetermined high fluid level, at which point the float arm engages and rotates the retaining member to release and close the valve member under the force of said resilient member.