Abstract:
Apparatus, methods, and systems are provided for venting gases and removing sediment from a liquid comprising a body containing a flow through passageway running from a top end of the body to a bottom end of the body, adapted to sealably attach to an opening of a liquid container at a top end; a substantially annular secondary valve positioned within the flow through passageway adapted to selectively seal flow around the outside of the secondary valve; a primary valve contained within the secondary valve configured to selectively seal flow through a tubular shaft formed down an axis of the primary valve; an air breather valve attached to the body adapted to selectively seal an air vent formed in the body, wherein the air breather valve is attached to the body such that liquid leakage from the air vent is minimized; and a reservoir adapted to sealably engage to the bottom end of the body; wherein the reservoir is configured to cause the primary valve to unseal flow through the tubular shaft when the reservoir is at least partially engaged to the body, and wherein the reservoir is configured to unseal flow around the outside of the secondary valve when the reservoir is fully engaged to the body.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is related to co-pending patent application PCT/AU2006/001291, U.S. provisional application entitled Improved Apparatus and Method for Extraction or Addition of Substances from or to a Body of Liquid filed on Aug. 1, 2007. The entire contents of these applications are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Means for separating substances from fluids have been employed in a wide variety of fluidic applications including brewing of alcoholic beverages, hydraulic systems, fuel systems, and engine lubrication systems. 
         [0003]    In some applications, fluid filters may include fuel/water separators or sediment pots. In a fuel/water separator, water and sediments such as dirt, sand and grit are separated from a fuel/water mixture, in order to prevent damage to downstream engine components. Fluid filters which remove water will tend to accumulate the separated water and sediment by gravity at the bottom of the housing. The water should eventually be removed from the housing. Some models of liquid filters incorporate a mechanism to remove the water from the housing by using a pipe plug or a petcock. Often, the device begins to drain fluid as soon as it becomes unseated or loosened. The leaking fluid may run onto the operator&#39;s hand and down the arm as the device is turned the additional revolutions to the open, or separated, position. When the mechanism is to be closed, the operator is exposed to the fluid as the threaded shaft or plug is rotated several turns before it becomes closed or seated. 
         [0004]    In other applications, for example, brewing of beer, wine, and other bottle-conditioned alcoholic beverages, i.e., beverages which are fermented, aged and naturally carbonated in the bottle may require the removal or addition of substances from the product. In the fermentation process used to prepare such beverages, yeast causes sugars in the liquid to ferment into carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) and ethyl alcohol (C 2 H 6 O). During fermentation, the carbon dioxide may cause a relatively high pressure to build-up, in some cases up to 12 atmospheres. There are also various unwanted by-products of fermentation that vary according to the chemical composition of the liquid and the rate and manner of fermentation. These by-products either dissolve in the wine or precipitate as sediments. Various methods have been employed to remove excess carbon dioxide and unwanted by-products from the beverage or to add products to the beverage. 
         [0005]    In the case of champagne making, for example, the bottle may be inverted or turned upside down to allow the sediment to collect in the tip region of the neck of the bottle. The bottle neck may then be placed in a freezing brine solution until the liquid in the tip region is frozen solid. The bottle may then be warmed slightly to loosen the frozen sediment plug, after which the bottle cap is removed and the pressure of the natural carbonation blows the sediment plug out of the bottle. Then the bottle may be recapped. This method, however, is complicated and time-consuming. 
         [0006]    For the foregoing reasons, it is desirable to have a superior apparatus, method and system for venting and removing sediment from a liquid than what is currently available. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The present disclosure is directed to an apparatus, method and system that may satisfy this need and provide numerous other advantages as described below. 
         [0008]    In certain embodiments, the apparatus comprises a body containing a flow through passageway running from a top end of the body to a bottom end of the body, adapted to sealably attach to an opening of a liquid container at a top end; a substantially annular secondary valve positioned within the flow through passageway adapted to selectively seal flow around the outside of the secondary valve; a primary valve contained within the secondary valve configured to selectively seal flow through a tubular shaft formed down an axis of the primary valve; an air breather valve attached to the body adapted to selectively seal an air vent formed in the body, wherein the air breather valve is attached to the body such that liquid leakage from the air vent is minimized; and a reservoir adapted to sealably engage to the bottom end of the body; wherein the reservoir is configured to cause the primary valve to unseal flow through the tubular shaft when the reservoir is at least partially engaged to the body, and wherein the reservoir is configured to unseal flow around the outside of the secondary valve when the reservoir is fully engaged to the body. 
         [0009]    In other embodiments, the apparatus comprises a body containing a flow through passageway running from a top end of the body to a bottom end of the body, adapted to sealably attach to an opening of a liquid container at a top end; a secondary valve means positioned within the flow through passageway for selectively sealing flow around the outside of the secondary valve means; a primary valve means contained within the secondary valve means for selectively sealing flow through a tubular shaft formed down an axis of the primary valve means; an air breather valve means attached to the body for selectively sealing an air vent formed in the body, wherein the air breather valve means is attached to the body such that liquid leakage from the air vent is minimized; and a reservoir adapted to sealably engage to the bottom end of the body; wherein the reservoir is configured to cause the primary valve to unseal flow through the tubular shaft when the reservoir is at least partially engaged to the body, and wherein the reservoir is configured to unseal flow around the outside of the secondary valve when the reservoir is fully engaged to the body. 
         [0010]    Still other embodiments comprise a method of separating at least one substance from a liquid in a container using the apparatus described above. 
         [0011]    Certain embodiments of the disclosure may be used to separate substances, fluids, sediments, or combinations thereof from a beverage such as beer or wine. Certain embodiments may also be used to add substances, fluids, or combinations thereof to a beverage such as beer, wine, other alcohols, other liquid systems. Certain embodiments may be used to separate liquids (such as water) and/or sediments (such as sand, grit, or dirt) from a fuel, oil, or other hydrocarbon-based liquid. Certain embodiments may be used to vent gases from a liquid (such as CO 2  or air). 
         [0012]    Certain embodiments may be used to separate substances, fluids, sediments, or combinations thereof from a liquid. 
         [0013]    Certain embodiments may be used to separate substances, fluids, sediments, or combinations thereof from liquids wherein the substances, fluids, sediments or combinations thereof have a different density from a liquid. 
         [0014]    Certain embodiments may be used to separate substances, fluids, sediments, or combinations thereof from a liquid wherein the substances, fluids, sediments or combinations thereof have a different density and/or different immiscibility from the liquid. 
         [0015]    Certain embodiments may be used to separate substances, fluids, sediments, or combinations thereof from a liquid wherein the substances, fluids, sediments or combinations thereof have a different immiscibility from the liquid. In addition, methods and systems are disclosed that use any of the above apparatus to remove substances, fluids, sediments, or combinations thereof from a liquid. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  shows an exterior side view of the assembly according to certain embodiments; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates the body of the assembly according to certain embodiments; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates the body of the assembly with the reservoir fully disengaged according to certain embodiments; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  illustrates the body of the assembly with the reservoir partially engaged according to certain embodiments; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  illustrates an exterior isometric view of the assembly with the air breather valve being actuated according to certain embodiments; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  illustrates the body of the assembly with the reservoir partially engaged and the air breather valve being actuated according to certain embodiments; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  illustrates the body of the assembly with the reservoir fully engaged according to certain embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to an assembly for removing sediment and water, and venting gases from a liquid (e.g., fuel or fermented beverages).  FIG. 1  shows an exterior side view of the assembly according to certain embodiments. The assembly comprises a cylindrical block body  10  having a perpendicular bore with a cylindrical air breather valve  24  therein, and a reservoir  50  adapted to attach to the body  10 . The body  10  is adapted to attach to the bottom of a fuel filter  12  or liquid storage tank (not shown). The air breather valve  24  is adapted to selectively seal an air breather outlet (i.e., air vent)  34 . 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the body  10  may have an external threaded portion  14  adapted to threadably attach to an internal threaded portion  14  of the fuel filter  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the body may also have an external threaded portion  20  adapted to threadably attach to an internal threaded portion  52  of a reservoir  50 . The body may contain a flow through passageway  18  containing the primary fuel valve  38  and the secondary sediment valve  40 . The body  10  may have one or more sealing members  22  (e.g., o-rings, x-rings, or gaskets) adapted to minimize leakage from joints of the assembly. The body  10  may be attached to the opening of the liquid container in various ways. For example, it could be attached using a screw thread, hinge members and springs, pushfit, clamp, clip, swivel fitting, bayonet, plug or insert. 
         [0026]    The air breather valve  24  comprises a handle  26  attached to a rod  28  that is in turn attached to a piston  30 . In the fully engaged position, the piston  30  is configured to substantially seal the air vent  34 . The piston  30  may have an o-ring  36  or other gasket designed to minimize air leakage past the piston. The piston  30  may be biased into the fully engaged position by a spring  32 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , when the handle  26  of the air breather valve is pulled outward, it causes the piston  30  to uncover the air vent  34 . This vents any gases (e.g., air or CO 2 ) that may be trapped in the body  10  or reservoir  50  to atmosphere or any other suitable gas container. 
         [0027]    The secondary sediment valve  40  is substantially annular in shape. It comprises a secondary valve head  54  sealed against the interior of the flow through passageway  18  above the bore for the air breather valve  24 , and a substantially cylindrical shaft  56  with a bore down its length. The secondary sediment valve  40  may be biased into a fully shut position by a biasing spring  60 . The primary fuel valve  38  is contained within the cylindrical shaft  56  of the secondary sediment valve  40 . 
         [0028]    The primary fuel valve  38  comprises a primary valve head  42  attached to a tubular shaft  44  containing a bore down its length. At the upper end, the tubular shaft  44  has one or more orifices  46  that permit flow from below the primary valve head  42  into the tubular shaft  44 . The primary fuel valve  38  may be biased into a fully shut position by a biasing spring  48  pressing against an internal lip  58  of the secondary sediment valve  40 . 
         [0029]    The reservoir  50  may comprise a void space  62  and a valve actuator  64 . The valve actuator  64  may have a bore  66  configured to convey fluid from the outlet of the primary valve shaft  44  into the void space  62 . The void space  62  may be any suitable shape and size suitable for containing the sediment, by-product, or other liquid. For example, in a bottle brewing application the void space  42  may be an annulus between 0.1 ml and 10 ml, 0.25 ml and 25 ml, 0.25 and 0.5 ml and 10 ml in volume. In other embodiments, the void space  42  may be a spherical hole or any other shape. 
         [0030]    The valve actuator  62  causes the primary valve  38  and the secondary valve  40  to permit flow through the flow-through passageway  18 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the valve actuator  62  may be an actuating pin.  FIGS. 4 and 6  illustrate the operation of the primary valve when the reservoir  50  is partially engaged (e.g., half threaded) onto the body  10 . When the actuating pin  62  bears down against the lower end of the primary valve  38  and secondary valve  40  as the reservoir  50  is screwed down onto the body  10 , the pin  62  causes the primary valve head  42  to lift to an open position, thereby allowing flow through the primary valve shaft  44 . However, in the partially engaged position, the secondary valve  40  remains in the shut position, thereby preventing flow around the outside of the secondary valve. 
         [0031]      FIG. 7  illustrates the operation of the primary valve  38  and secondary valve  40  when the reservoir  50  is fully engaged (i.e., fully threaded) onto the body  10 . When the actuating pin  62  bears down further against the lower end of the primary valve  38  and secondary valve  40  as the reservoir  50  is fully screwed down onto the body  10 , the pin  62  causes both the primary valve head  42  and the secondary valve head  54  to lift to an open position, thereby allowing flow through the primary valve shaft  44  and around the outside of the secondary valve  40 . 
         [0032]    In an exemplary application, the assembly may be used for extracting sediment and venting gases from a fuel filter. First, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the body  10  of the apparatus may be threaded onto a low portion of the fuel filter  12 . The air breather valve  24  may be pre-installed in the body  10  or may be installed separately. Next, as shown in  FIG. 3 , an operator may begin to thread the reservoir  50  onto the body  10 . At this point the valve actuator  64  is fully disengaged from the primary valve  38  and the secondary valve  40  and both are fully shut. 
         [0033]    Then, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the operator may partially thread the reservoir  50  onto the body  10 . At this point the valve actuator  64  has engaged with the primary valve  38 , causing it to open and allow flow from the fuel filter  12 , through the primary valve  38 , and into the reservoir  50 . However, valve actuator has not engaged the secondary valve  40  and it remains shut. Also, air or other gases may be trapped in the reservoir  50 , thereby building up pressure and preventing the reservoir  50  from being completely filled with fuel. 
         [0034]    Next, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the operator may pull the handle  26  of the air breather valve outward, causing the piston  30  to uncover the air vent  34 . This effectively vents any gases (e.g., air or CO 2 ) that may be trapped in the body  10  or reservoir  50  to atmosphere or any other suitable gas container. Advantageously, because the secondary valve  40  remains shut at this point, the amount of fuel that may escape through the air vent  34  is reduced and/or minimized. 
         [0035]    Finally, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the operator may fully thread the reservoir  50  onto the body  10 . At this point the valve actuator  64  has engaged both the primary valve  38  and the secondary valve  40  causing both to open. Therefore fuel may flow through the primary valve shaft  44  and around the outside of the secondary valve  40 . 
         [0036]    While the primary valve  38  and secondary valve  40  remain open, sediment  68  and water from the fuel collect in the bottom of the reservoir  50 . When the reservoir  50  needs to be emptied, the process may be reversed. The reservoir  50  may be partially disengaged, thereby shutting the secondary valve  40 . The air breather valve  24  may then be operated to vent the assembly as necessary. Finally the reservoir  50  may be fully disengaged, thereby shutting the primary valve  38  and sealing the body  10 . Advantageously, embodiments of the present disclosure minimize and/or reduce the amount of fuel leakage from the system when the reservoir  50  is installed and removed. 
         [0037]    Although the invention has been described with regard to specific embodiments, aspects may be modified as necessary for different applications. For example, the body may be any suitable shape. In certain embodiments, the body  10  may be cylindrical as shown in  FIG. 1 . In alternative embodiments, the body could be square, triangular, oval or any other shape. The body  10  could be segmented, for example, it could be composed of two or more pieces joined together either fixedly or removably. 
         [0038]    Components of the embodiments (i.e., the body  10 , the air breather valve  24 , and the reservoir  50 ) may be constructed of any suitable material or combinations of materials. For example, they could be made of a transparent, translucent or opaque polymeric material such as acrylic, epoxy resin, phenolic resin, fluoroplastic, nylon, rubber, plastic, polyvinylchloride, Terlux®, Xylex™, or polystyrene (e.g., Styrofoam). In certain embodiments, constructing components with transparent or translucent materials could advantageously enable visual inspection of the operation of the apparatus. Alternatively, components could be made of other materials, for example, metal such as steel, iron or copper; a wood such as pine or oak; a mineral such as glass, silicon, or quartz; or a ceramic or any desired combination of materials. Porous materials could be sealed with resin, wax or other suitable sealant to prevent or minimize leakage. The components may be sterilizable to allow repeated use. The components may also be disposable so that they could be cheaply and easily manufactured. 
         [0039]    The components may be any suitable size. For example, the body  10  may be between 0.1 inches and 4 inches, between 0.25 inches and 3 inches, between half an inch and 4 inches in diameter and between half an inch and 6 inches, between 1 inch and 4 inches, or between 2 inches and 4 inches in length. The reservoir may be any suitable size and may be varied depending on the application. In certain aspects, between 0.5 inches and 4 inches in diameter and between 0.5 inches and 6 inches in length, 0.1 inches and 8 inches in diameter and between 0.1 inches and 10 inches in length, and between 1 inch and 3 inches in diameter and between 1 inch and 4 inches in length. 
         [0040]    Additionally, the exemplary embodiments described above could be modified or added to. For example, a filter could be added to the apparatus in such a manner that only certain substances (e.g., sediment below a certain size) could pass from the fuel filter  12  to the reservoir  50 . Any suitable filter could be used such as mesh, paper, cloth, activated charcoal, and cartridge. 
         [0041]    Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the present invention many variations and modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as herein set forth in the following claims. 
         [0042]    The previously described embodiments of the present invention have many advantages. However, the invention does not require that all the advantageous features and advantages described be incorporated into every embodiment. 
         [0043]    One advantage is that certain embodiments automatically cause the assembly to open when the reservoir is sufficiently engaged to the body. This may allow quick and easy operation of the apparatus to remove sediment and by-products. It also reduces the need for manual intervention to operate the apparatus and the need to find a place to stow sediment and by-products. Further, the reservoir may easily be removed and emptied at the user&#39;s convenience, and then re-installed without risk of causing any spillage of liquids. 
         [0044]    Another advantage is that, because the secondary valve of the body may remain shut during venting of gases, the amount of fuel that may escape through the air vent is reduced and/or minimized. 
         [0045]    Yet another advantage is that certain embodiments are reusable and sterilizable. This also reduces the user&#39;s cost by allowing continuous reuse without requiring additional investments. 
         [0046]    Still another advantage is that certain embodiments are transparent, thereby allowing a user to visually monitor the operation of the apparatus. For example, if used for removing sediment, transparency may allow the user to remove sediment when a certain amount has accrued. 
         [0047]    Another advantage is that certain embodiments may be used both for removing sediment and excess gases. This may facilitate the brewing process and make it more desirable for home brewers. 
         [0048]    Another advantage is that certain embodiments used for removing sediment and water from a hydrocarbon liquid such as fuel or oil prevent and/or minimize leakage from the tank while installed. 
         [0049]    Another advantage is that certain embodiments used for removing sediment and water from a hydrocarbon liquid such as fuel or oil prevent and/or minimize leakage from the tank and the assembly when the reservoir is disconnected. 
         [0050]    Still another advantage is that certain embodiments used as a detachable assembly or a safety valve for hose lines will prevent and/or minimize the spillage of fuel when the line is attached and/or disconnected. 
         [0051]    Another advantage is that certain embodiments used for separating liquids (such as water) and/or sediments (such as sand, grit, or dirt) from a fuel, oil, or other hydrocarbon-based liquid prevent and/or minimize leakage from the tank and the assembly when the reservoir is disconnected. 
         [0052]    The invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments. However, it will be readily apparent that it is possible to embody the invention in specific forms other than those of the embodiments described above. The embodiments are merely illustrative and should not be considered restrictive. The scope of the disclosed inventions are given by the appended claims, rather than the preceding description, and all variations and equivalents which fall within the range of the claims are intended to be embraced therein. 
         [0053]    The reader&#39;s attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.