Patent ID: 6336469
Filing Date: 2002-01-08
Classification: F16K,F24H,Y10T

Abstract:
A mechanism for opening or closing a valve through which a liquid can flow when open, the mechanism having valve actuation means for moving said valve from a first position to a second position under the urging of urging means, trigger means which, when activated, trigger operation of said valve actuation means, said trigger means including retainer means which ordinarily hold said valve in said first position against the force applied by said urging means, and sensor means arranged so as to be displaced by a rise in the level of the liquid when it is suitably contained, whereby displacement of said sensor means provides a stimulus which is transmitted through a mechanical interaction to said trigger means so as to release said trigger means, and wherein said valve actuation means comprises a rotor connected to a spindle adapted for operative association with said valve and said urging means comprises a torsion spring adapted to act on said rotor, and further comprising a locking cap which extends over and around said rotor and holds the torsion spring in a compressed configuration in order to prevent the induction of rotary motion in said spindle until said trigger means is released.