Patent ID: 6164313
Filing Date: 2000-12-26
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A float-operated valve for controlling the flow of a liquid under pressure to a vessel, comprising:an inlet conduit carrying said liquid terminating in a first flange of selected diameter D1;an elongated tubular elastomeric insert replaceably received within said inlet conduit through which said liquid flows and having a liquid outlet end forming a contoured liquid outlet seat, the liquid outlet seat having a diameter D2, where D1 is large compared to D2;an external shell surrounding a rearward surface of said first flange, the external shell having a flow channel extending therefrom by which liquid is carried out of the external shell and the external shell having a small diameter vent opening of about 1/10 to 1/18 of an inch, the vent opening being spaced from said flow channel, the vent opening being constantly open to the interior of the vessel to permit air therefrom to enter said external shell to alleviate a vacuum condition therein and to thereby prevent liquid from being siphoned into said external shell through said flow channel;a flexible diaphragm adapted to be clamped over said flange, said diaphragm comprising an elastomeric closure plate normally disposed against said seat to close off flow through said conduit;a first small orifice of selected diameter D3 though the center of said diaphragm and having an area A3, where D3 is small compared to D2;a second flange clamped over said diaphragm to said first flange, enclosing said diaphragm thereby defining a pressurized and liquid tight chamber therebetween, liquid from said inlet conduit entering said pressurized chamber through said first small orifice, said second flange having an opening, and attached over A opening is a first end of a short second pipe;a second small orifice of area A4 closing off a second end of said short second pipe, where A4 is larger than A3; anda float-operated closure means for varying the area of said second small orifice as a function of liquid level in said vessel, for maintaining or relieving the liquid within said pressurized chamber and in which said second small orifice comprises at least two smaller orifices in parallel, a first of which terminates outwardly farther than at least a second of the orifices being sequentially closed or opened by said closure means as it moves in response to the liquid level for closing or opening said closure plate to shut off or open flow communication between the inlet conduit and said liquid outlet seat to the vessel.