Abstract:
A fill valve assembly comprises a valve body extending along a longitudinal axis and defining a fluid inlet, a valve seat and at least one fluid outlet, an axially slidable valve element arranged for axially slidable movement along the longitudinal axis, into and out of sealing engagement with the valve seat, the axially slidable valve element defining a first upstream conical surface having a first surface area and a second downstream conical surface having a second surface area, greater than the first surface area, and a fill sensor operative below a predetermined fill threshold to prevent the axially slidable valve element from establishing sealing engagement with the valve seat.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to fill valve assemblies generally 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following U.S. Patents, which include patents of the present applicant, are believed to represent the current state of the art 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 582,911, 1,266,637, 1,983,0612, 2,504,638, 2,550,313, 3,324,878; 3,756,269, 4,064,907, 4,177,829, 4,483,367, 4,541,464, 5,072,751; 6,026,841, 6,227,233 and 6,308,729 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention seeks to provide an improved fill valve assembly 
     There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a fill valve assembly including a valve body extending along a longitudinal axis and defining a fluid inlet, a valve seat and at least one fluid outlet, an axially slidable valve element arranged for axially slidable movement along the longitudinal axis, into and out of sealing engagement with the valve seat, the axially slidable valve element defining a first upstream conical surface having a first surface area and a second downstream conical surface having a second surface area, greater than the first surface area, and a fill sensor operative below a predetermined fill threshold to prevent the axially slidable valve element from establishing sealing engagement with the valve seat. Preferably, the at least one fluid outlet comprises a pair of oppositely directed fluid outlets arranged to direct fluid at an angle of preferably 45 degrees below the horizontal axis. 
     There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a fill valve assembly including a valve body extending along a longitudinal axis and defining a fluid inlet, a valve seat and a pair of oppositely directed fluid outlets arranged to direct fluid at an angle of preferably 45 degrees below the horizontal axis, an axially slidable valve element arranged for axially slidable movement along the longitudinal axis, into and out of sealing engagement with the valve seat, and a fill sensor operative below a predetermined fill threshold to prevent the axially slidable valve element from establishing sealing engagement with the valve seat 
     Preferably, the axially slidable valve element is arranged for axially slidable movement along the longitudinal axis, along first and second guides, into and out of sealing engagement with the valve seat 
     There is further provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a fill valve assembly including a valve body extending along a longitudinal axis and defining a fluid inlet, a valve seat and at least one fluid outlet, an axially slidable valve element arranged for axially slidable movement along the longitudinal axis, along first and second guides, into and out of sealing engagement with the valve seat, and a fill sensor operative below a predetermined fill threshold to prevent the axially slidable valve element from establishing sealing engagement with the valve seat Preferably, the at least one fluid outlet comprises a pair of oppositely directed fluid outlets arranged to direct fluid at an angle of preferably 45 degrees below the horizontal axis Preferably, the first guide comprises a plurality of guide fingers disposed above the valve seat Additionally, the second guide comprises a guide bore defined by the valve body below the valve seat. 
     In accordance with another preferred embodiment, the fill sensor comprises a float assembly operative within a predetermined range of float orientations relative to the longitudinal axis to prevent the axially slidable valve element from establishing sealing engagement with the valve seat. Preferably, the float assembly includes a hollow float element having an opening arranged at a bottom, outwardly extending location thereon 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified exploded view and sectional illustration of a fill valve assembly constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, 
         FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C are simplified pictorial illustrations of the fill valve assembly of  FIG. 1  in three different operative orientations, 
         FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C,  3 D and  3 E are simplified partially sectional, partially pictorial illustrations of the fill valve assembly of  FIG. 1  in five different operative orientations, 
         FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C are simplified pictorial illustrations of the fill valve assembly of  FIG. 1  in three different operative orientations during filling, 
         FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  5 C are simplified pictorial illustrations of a variation of the fill valve assembly of  FIG. 1  in three different operative orientations during filling; and 
         FIGS. 6A ,  6 B,  6 C,  6 D and  6 E are simplified pictorial illustrations of the fill valve assembly of  FIG. 1  in five different operative orientations during filling at an angle 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 1 , which is a simplified exploded view and sectional illustration of a fill valve assembly constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention 
     As seen in  FIG. 1 , there is provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a fill valve assembly preferably comprising an internally threaded coupler  100  which is adapted for connection to a fill pipe (not shown) Coupler  100 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , preferably includes a first generally cylindrical portion  102  having a relatively large inner and outer diameter, which is integrally formed with a second generally cylindrical portion  104 , having inner and outer diameters which are small than those of portion  102   
     Cylindrical portion  102  preferably is formed with threading along its inner surface  106 , while cylindrical portion  104  preferably is formed with threading alone its outer surface  108  Depending from cylindrical portion  104  and integrally formed therewith there is preferably formed a guide  110 , preferably formed by a plurality of guide fingers  112  which extend inwardly with respect to cylindrical portion  104 , thereby to define a guide for axial motion of an axially slidable valve element  114  along an axis  116   
     Axially slidable valve element  114  is preferably a rotationally symmetric integrally formed element and preferably includes top and bottom shaft portions  118  and  120 , the top shaft portion  118  being arranged for slidable motion relative to guide  110  Disposed below top shaft portion  118  and separated therefrom by a shoulder  122  is a first intermediate shaft portion  124  having an outer diameter slightly greater than that of top shaft portion  118 . 
     Intermediate shaft portion  124  terminates in a first generally conical portion  126 , which preferably defines a 120 degree truncated cone. Disposed below conical portion  126  is a relatively narrow circularly cylindrical band  128  from which depends a second generally conical portion  130 , which preferably defines a 90 degree truncated cone and terminates in a second intermediate shaft portion  132 . 
     Intermediate shaft portion  132  preferably terminates in a spring seat  134 , which is typically of truncated conical configuration and defines a generally flat spring seat surface  136  from which extends the bottom shaft portion  120   
     A compression spring  138  is arranged to be disposed about bottom shaft portion  120   
     A valve body  140  is arranged for threaded attachment to coupler  100 . The valve body preferably is of generally circularly cylindrical configuration and has first and second generally oppositely facing outlet apertures  142  and  144  formed therein Integrally formed with the valve body and depending therefrom are a pair of mutually aligned mounting lugs  146 , preferably formed with coaxial apertures  148   
     The interior of valve body  140  preferably includes a central bore  150 , which is preferably formed with internal threading at the top thereof for threaded engagement with corresponding threading on the outer surface  108  of coupler  100  Central bore  150  preferably leads to a generally conical valve seat portion  152 , which matches the conical configuration of second truncated conical surface  130  of slidable valve element  114  and thus defines an angle of 90 degrees. 
     Below valve seat portion  152  is an intermediate bore  154 , having a diameter which is less than that of central bore  150  and communicating with outlet apertures  142  and  144  Disposed below intermediate bore  154  is a spring seat defining bore  156 , having an diameter which is less than that of intermediate bore  154  Disposed below spring seat defining bore  156  is a guide bore  158  which serves as a guide for bottom shaft portion  120  of slidable valve element  114  and has a diameter which is less than that of spring seat defining bore  156  A shoulder  160  defined by the intersection of bores  154  and  156  defines a spring seat for spring  138   
     A cam  162  is pivotably attached to valve body  140  by means of a pin  164  which extends along a pivot axis  166  through coaxial apertures  148  of mutually aligned mounting lugs  146  and through a first aperture  168  formed in cam  162 . 
     Cam  162  is preferably an integrally formed element comprising an asymmetrical upper portion  170  lying above aperture  168  and including a bottom shaft engagement surface  172  and a valve body engagement surface  174  adjacent to bottom shaft engagement surface  172  and spaced therefrom 
     Integrally formed with upper portion  170  is an intermediate portion  176  extending generally from aperture  168  down to a second aperture  178  and defining a first float engagement surface  180  Integrally formed with intermediate portion  176  is a bottom portion  182 , extending downwardly from aperture  178  and defining a second float engagement surface  184   
     A float assembly  186  is pivotably mounted onto cam  162  by means of a pin  188  extending through aperture  178  and through coaxial apertures  190  formed in float assembly  186  along a pivot axis  192  Float assembly  186  preferably comprises a generally hollow cylindrical portion  194 , having an opening  195  at a bottom outwardly extending location thereon Cylindrical portion  194  is rigidly coupled to a float coupling element  196 , which is pivotably mounted via apertures  190  formed therein to cam  162 . 
     The float coupling element  196  preferably includes a first generally cylindrical portion  198 , which is sealed to cylindrical portion  194  Integrally formed with first cylindrical portion  198  is a second cylindrical portion  200  of smaller diameter that first cylindrical portion  198  and having formed therein a slit  202  which defines a bifurcated mounting including apertures  190  and a cam engagement surface  204   
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C, which are simplified pictorial illustrations of the fill valve assembly of  FIG. 1  in three different operative orientations  FIG. 2A  shows an initial fill operative orientation, wherein float assembly  186  is in its most downward facing orientation and hollow cylindrical portion  194  is filled with air When float assembly  186  is in the orientation shown in  FIG. 2A , fluid supplied under pressure to valve body  140 , as indicated by arrows  206  is allowed to exit the valve body through oppositely facing outlet apertures  142  and  144  formed therein, as indicated by arrows  208   
       FIG. 2B  illustrates an intermediate operative orientation wherein the float assembly  186  is partially raised by the level of liquid (not shown) lying therebelow The orientation of opening  195  in cylindrical portion  194  ensures that the cylindrical portion remains generally filled with air. It is seen that also when float assembly  186  is in the intermediate orientation shown in  FIG. 2B , fluid supplied under pressure to valve body  140 , as indicated by arrows  206  is allowed to exit the valve body through oppositely facing outlet apertures  142  and  144  formed therein, as indicated by arrows  208   
       FIG. 2C  illustrates a full raised operative orientation wherein the float assembly  186  is fully raised by the level of liquid (not shown) lying therebelow The orientation of opening  195  in cylindrical portion  194  ensures that the cylindrical portion remains generally filled with air It is seen that also when float assembly  186  is in the fully raised orientation shown in  FIG. 2C , fluid supplied under pressure to valve body  140 , as indicated by arrows  206  is not allowed to exit the valve body through oppositely facing, outlet apertures  142  and  144  formed therein 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C,  3 D and  3 E, which are simplified partially sectional, partially pictorial illustrations of the fill valve assembly of  FIG. 1  in five different operative orientations  FIG. 3A  shows an orientation of the fill valve assembly of  FIG. 1  wherein the float assembly  186  is in its most downward facing orientation, with cam engagement surface  204  of float coupling element  196  being in engagement with second float engagement surface  184  of cam  162 , and hollow cylindrical portion  194  is filled with air, as shown in FIG.  2 A. In this orientation the valve body engagement surface  174  of cam  162  engages a bottom surface of valve body  140 , thus limiting the downward facing movement of the float assembly  186 . However in the orientation of  FIG. 3A  no fluid is supplied under pressure to valve body  140   
     In the operative orientation of  FIG. 3A , and in the absence of downward fluid pressure, compression spring  138  raises axially slidable valve element  114  along axis  116  so that second conical surface  130  is spaced from valve seat  152  of valve body  140   
       FIG. 3B  similarly to  FIG. 2A , also shows the float assembly  186  is in its most downward facing orientation and hollow cylindrical portion  194  filled with air Here fluid is supplied under pressure to the fill valve assembly as indicated by arrows  206  and is allowed to exit the valve body through oppositely facing outlet apertures  142  and  144  formed therein, as indicated by arrows  208  It is a particular feature of the present invention that the ratio of surface areas of first and second conical portions  126  and  130  respectively is such that the surface area of the underlying conical surface  130  of slidable valve element  114  exceeds that of the upward facing conical surface  126  thereof This relationship causes a certain amount of lift of the slidable valve element  114  to result from passage of fluid along underlying conical surface  130  and thus limits or decreases the net axial downward force along axis  116  exerted by the pressurized fluid on valve element  114  The reduction in this force has positive implications on the efficiency of the fill valve assembly 
       FIG. 3C  shows the float assembly  186  in the intermediate operative orientation shown also in  FIG. 2B  wherein the float assembly  186  is partially raised by the level of liquid (not shown in  FIG. 2B ) lying therebelow The orientation of opening  195  in cylindrical portion  194  ensures that the cylindrical portion remains generally filled with air It is seen that cam engagement surface  204  of float coupling element  196  lies in engagement with first float engagement surface  180  of cam  162  It is appreciated that further clockwise rotation of the float assembly  186  about pivot axis  192  produces clockwise rotation of cam  162  about pivot axis  166   
     It is seen that also when float assembly  186  is in the intermediate orientation shown in  FIG. 3C , fluid supplied under pressure to valve body  140 , as indicated by arrows  206  is allowed to exit the valve body through oppositely facing outlet apertures  142  and  144  formed therein, as indicated by arrows  208 . This fluid flow is maintained by the engagement of bottom shaft engagement surface  172  of cam  162  with the bottom shaft portion  120  of slidable valve element  114 , thus preventing downward axial motion of slidable valve element  114  along axis  116 , notwithstanding the net axial downward force along axis  116  exerted by the pressurized fluid on valve element  114   
       FIG. 3D  shows the float assembly  186  in the fully raised operative orientation shown also in  FIG. 2C  wherein the float assembly  186  is fully raised by the level of liquid (not shown in  FIG. 2C ) lying therebelow The orientation of opening  195  in cylindrical potion  194  ensures that the cylindrical portion remains generally filled with air It is seen that the further clockwise rotation of the float assembly  186 , while cam engagement surface  204  of float coupling element  196  lies in engagement with first float engagement surface  180  of cam  162  produced clockwise rotation of cam  162  about pivot axis  166   
     It is seen that this rotation causes bottom shaft engagement surface  172  of cam  162  to rotate out of engagement with the bottom shaft portion  120  of slidable valve element  114 , thus allowing downward axial motion of slidable valve element  114  along axis  116  in response to the net axial downward force along axis  116  exerted by the pressurized fluid on valve element  114  This downward displacement of slidable valve element  114  along axis  116  causes sealing engagement between conical surface  130  of the slidable valve element  114  and the valve seat  152  of valve body  140 , thus preventing exit of fluid supplied under pressure to the fill valve assembly through oppositely facing outlet apertures  142  and  144   
     As noted above the relationship between the surface areas of the conical surfaces  126  and  130  produced by their respective conical angles causes a certain amount of lift of the slidable valve element  114  to result from passage of fluid along underlying conical surface  130  and thus limits or decreases the net axial downward force along axis  116  exerted by the pressurized fluid on valve element  114 . The reduction in this force reduces the friction between the bottom of the bottom shaft portion  120  and the bottom shaft engaging portion  172 , which friction resists the clockwise rotation of the bottom shaft engagement portion, which clockwise rotation is produced by the lift of float assembly  186   
     By reducing the frictional resistance to this rotation, the lift required from float assembly  186  is reduced and thus a relatively smaller float assembly  186  may be employed than would otherwise be required 
       FIG. 3E  shows the fill assembly once fluid flow therethrough has been terminated The slidable valve element  114  has been displaced upwardly along axis  116  in response to the action of compression spring  138 , notwithstanding the fully raised orientation of the float assembly  186   
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  4 C, which are simplified pictorial illustrations of the fill valve assembly of  FIG. 1  in three different operative orientations during filling,  FIG. 4A  corresponds generally to  FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 4B  corresponds generally to FIG.  2 B and  FIG. 4C  corresponds generally to  FIG. 2C  It is seen in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  that a spray of fluid is provided generally sideways from apertures  142  and  144  when the float assembly  186  is in a fully or partially downward orientation As seen in  FIG. 4C , when the float assembly  186  is in its fully raised orientation, the spray or fluid is terminated 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  5 C, which are simplified pictorial illustrations of a variation in the fill valve assembly of  FIG. 1  in three different operative orientations during filling. In this variation, which is not preferred, only one aperture  542  is provided and that aperture is located on valve body  140  at a location intermediate apertures  142  and  144   FIG. 5A  corresponds generally to  FIG. 2A ,  FIG. 5B  corresponds generally to FIG.  2 B and  FIG. 5C  corresponds generally to  FIG. 2C  It is seen in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  that a spray of fluid is provided generally sideways from aperture  542  when the float assembly  186  is in a fully or partially downward orientation As seen in  FIG. 5C , when the float assembly  186  is in its fully raised orientation, the spray of fluid is terminated 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 6A ,  6 B,  6 C,  6 D and  6 E, which are simplified pictorial illustrations of the fill valve assembly of  FIG. 1  in five different operative orientations during filling at an angle and correspond generally to respective  FIGS. 3A-3E .  FIGS. 6A-6E  illustrate the utility of guide  110 , formed by guide fingers  112 , and guide bore  158  in facilitating slidable movement of the axially slidable valve element  114  along axis  116  notwithstanding the fact that axis  116  is angled from the vertical, typically by up to 45 degrees 
     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the specification and which are not in the prior art.