Abstract:
The invention is a ball valve for controlling the flow of fluids between one of two inlets and an outlet. The two inlets are substantially coaxially located, permitting a single inlet point in a fuel supply vessel, yet still allowing two pickup points from within the vessel, such as for a “main” and a “reserve” source. The invention has a particular utility in fuel tanks for providing both a “main” and a “reserve” fuel source, such as for internal combustion engines.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is related to, and claims the benefit of priority from, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/297,700, filed Jun. 12, 2001. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to fuel selector valves for fuel storage tanks, and more particularly to fuel selector valves having a main and reserve position. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Operators of motorcycles, snowmobiles, other motorized equipment and vehicles having the need for flexibility in the operation of the fuel delivery system installed in those vehicles. One important such need is to provide the means for maintaining a reserve supply of fuel. The use of separate primary and reserve fuel reservoirs for motor vehicles has long been abandoned in favor of the selective placement of main and reserve fuel pickup points in the same tank. It has long been known to incorporate selectable reserve valves in a fuel storage tanks to provide access to a reserve supply of fuel. Utilizing this technique, a single fuel tank provides both main and reserve supplies of fuel for the motor, simply by virtue of the placement of multiple fuel feed points at different fuel level locations in that tank. 
     Typical of such fuel valves is my ball fuel valve with reserve position shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,837, entitled “Ball Fuel Valve With Reserve Position.” A rotatable ball-type valve is retained within a valve body. By positioning the ball within the valve body, fuel may be drawn from one of two locations in the same tank by selecting between one of two feed points in the ball valve housing. 
     While this device has proven acceptable, there are numerous problems associated with it and with other similar valves. In particular, the casting and machining of the dual feed point valve body elements is expensive, and the utilization of two separate pickup points necessitates the use of separate filtering elements. Also, the passageways within said valves can be unduly complex, and accordingly expensive to manufacture. 
     It is preferable to locate the pickup points in such valves coaxially, as taught by Pingel in U.S. Pat. No. 4,250,921 and Hoeptner, U.S. Pat. No. 4,890,644. The foregoing valves, however, are restricted in the amount of fuel which can be passed through the reserve inlet, and because they arc not ball valves, are prone to poor sealing, allowing both fuel and air to bypass the desired fuel pathways. 
     The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the prior art by providing an inexpensive, relatively maintenance-free ball valve which has the capability of providing a positive selection of main fuel flow, reserve fuel flow and flow shutoff positions. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an improved fuel valve adapted for use in the fuel system of a motorized device of the type utilizing liquid fuels. The improved fuel valve generally includes a valve body, main and reserve inlet passageways coaxially located and attached to the valve body, a ball valve assembly disposed within the valve body, and a plurality of o-lings to seal the ball valve assembly within the valve body. 
     The valve body defines an internal valve chamber and a threaded external element adapted to be inserted into a corresponding and mating threaded element on the fuel tank of a motor-powered device. 
     The valve further includes main and reserve inlets and an outlet, all adapted to communicate with the internal valve chamber. The main fuel inlet and the reserve fuel inlet both communicate with the internal valve chamber in a coaxial configuration. The fuel outlet communicates with the chamber and opens outwardly at a location apart from the fuel inlets. A ball valve assembly is disposed within the internal valve chamber, and is provided with an inlet and outlet which may be selectively positioned to communicate with the fuel tank and the fuel outlet to the motor. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the invention and its components. 
     FIG. 2 is a view of a ball valve according to the present invention viewed from the inlet side. 
     FIG. 3 is a cutaway perspective view of a ball valve according to the present invention showing the main components and one path for the flow of fuel. 
     FIG. 4 is a cutaway view of a valve according to the present invention showing the position of the valve in relation to a typical fuel tank, and a second path for the flow of fuel. 
     FIG. 5 is a cutaway view of a valve according to the present invention showing fuel flow through the reserve entry passageway. 
     FIG. 6 is a cutaway view of a valve according to the present invention showing the valve in the shut-off position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention will best be understood by reference first to FIG. 1, FIG.  3  and FIG.  5 . 
     The ball valve assembly  10  comprises a substantially monolithic valve body  12  provided with a dual inlet passageway  14 , which communicates with a valve chamber  18  formed in the valve body  12  and an outlet passageway  37 . The valve body  12 , in one embodiment, has a main portion  13  of generally cubic configuration having a right facet  20 , a rear facet  22 , a left facet  24 , a top  26 , a bottom  28  and a front  30 . Contiguous with front  30  is a threaded boss  32  comprising an inlet inner circumference  34  and threaded portion  35 . The bottom  28  of main portion  13  has formed therein outlet passageway  37  to which communicates with outlet pipe  36 . Preferably, threaded boss  32  and outlet pipe  36  are either machined as an integral element of valve body  12  or are attached thereto by pressure fits, brazing, welding or other techniques to insure a fluid-tight seal between threaded boss  32  and body main portion  13 , as well as between outlet pipe  36  and body main portion  13 . The dual inlet passage  14  communicates with valve chamber  18 ; likewise, outlet pipe  36  includes an outlet passageway  37  which communicates with valve chamber  18 . The outlet passageway  37  of outlet pipe  36  likewise communicates with outlet  38  formed in the wall of outlet pipe  36 , thereby permitting fluid within outlet passageway  37  to flow through outlet  38 . The outlet element  56  comprises an outlet barrel  58 , and an outlet nipple  52  provided with outlet barbs  54 . The outlet barrel  58  has an inner circumference  60  which slides over and engages outlet pipe outer o-ring  40 , outlet pipe inner o-ring  42  and threaded portion  44 . The upper annular surface  50  of the outlet element  56  preferably contacts the bottom  28  of valve body main portion  13 . The outlet barrel inner circumference  60  engages the outer circumference of outlet pipe o-rings  40  and  42 , thereby creating a fluid-tight seal between the outlet barrel inner circumference  60  and the outer circumference of outlet pipe o-rings  40  and  42 . O-rings  40  and  42  also create a fluid-tight seal between their inner circumference and the outer circumference of outlet pipe  36 . The outlet element  56  further comprises an outlet passageway  19  which communicates with outlet passageway  37 . When outlet element  56  is engaged with outlet pipe  36  as above-described, it is secured against the bottom  28  of main body portion  13  by lock nut  62  which engages outlet pipe threaded portion  44 . In this embodiment, the outlet element  56  is free to rotate about the central axis  65  of outlet pipe  36 , thereby permitting the outlet nipple  52  to be oriented at any angle in relation to the axis  65  of main body portion  13 . 
     With reference now to FIG.  1  and FIG. 2, the dual inlet passageway  14  has an inlet inner circumference  34  selected to accommodate a main inlet insert  88 . Inlet insert  88  comprises a barb  92 , block portion  96 , bearing portion  98  and pipe  94  having main inlet  15 . The block portion  96  is essentially square in cross-section, and the diagonal dimension of said cross-section corresponds to the inner diameter dimension of main inlet passageway  14 , which is essentially circular in cross-section. Coaxial placement of the main inlet insert  88  within the inlet inner circumference  34  creates reserve passageways  16  for fuel flow which will be described herein in further detail. The main inlet insert  88  is provided with main inlet  15  which will communicate with valve chamber  18  in a manner which will be described Main inlet insert is a secure press fit into passageway  14 , and is secure from movement once assembled into passageway  14 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, FIG.  3  and FIG. 6, it will be seen that a principal operative element of the invention is ball valve element  66 , which is positioned within valve chamber  18  via ball valve entry  46 . As can be appreciated from reference to both FIG.  1  and FIG. 6, the valve chamber  18  is substantially cylindrical, having an inner diameter which corresponds to the outer diameter of the ball portion  68  of ball valve element  66 . Ball valve element  66  is provided with a ball valve inlet  70  and outlet  72 , interconnected by passageway  74 . Preferably, ball valve element  66  is monolithic, and includes a stem  76  located at one portion of the circumference of the ball portion, and a plug  77  located at a diametrically opposite portion of the ball portion  68 . In this fashion, ball valve outlet  72  is formed within plug  77  and communicates with passageway  74  of ball portion  68 , which in turn, communicates with ball valve inlet  70 , thereby creating a flow path for fluid from the ball valve inlet  70  through the ball valve passageway  74  formed inside a ball portion  68 , which further communicates with outlet  72 . Ball valve element  66  is captured within the valve body  12 . Plug  77  engages outlet  39  formed in the bottom  28  of valve body  13 . Seal  82  surrounds the outer circumference of stem  76  and engages the valve entry inner circumference  48  as well as the top  26  of main valve portion  13 . Preferably, the seal  82  is a press fit into the valve entry inner circumference  48  to create a fluid-tight seal with valve body  12 . 
     The assembled orientation of the various components will be appreciated by reference to FIG.  2  and FIG.  3 . When assembled, ball valve element  66  is pivotably disposed within valve chamber  18  by engagement of plug  77  with outlet  39  and the engagement of the outer circumference of stem  76  with the inner circumference of the opening in seal  82 . This configuration permits ball valve element  66  to be rotated about an axis  65  which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main inlet insert  88  as positioned within the dual inlet passageway  14 . Pivotal movement of ball valve element  66  serves to orient the ball valve inlet  70  in relation to the main inlet insert  88  as will be described in further detail herein. Rotation of the ball valve element  66  is facilitated by the inclusion of operating handle  80  affixed to stem  76 . 
     The placement of main inlet insert  88  within main inlet passage  14  creates a plurality of reserve inlet passageways  16  positioned circumferentially around the central axis of the dual inlet passageway  14  as shown in FIG.  2 . The square cross-section of the main inlet insert  88  juxtaposed with the circular cross-section of the dual inlet passageway  14  creates four reserve inlet passageways  16  having sufficient cross-section to permit necessary fuel flows as will be described. 
     An understanding of the function of the ball valve assembly  10  in relation to a typical fuel tank is depicted in FIG.  4 . Preferably, the ball valve assembly  10  is threadably engaged to a threaded fitting  102  affixed to a fuel tank wall  100 . In this embodiment, the valve body  12  is mounted utilizing the threaded boss  32  within a threaded fitting  102  on the bottom of a fuel tank. As can be readily perceived from the drawing, it is equally feasible to mount the ball valve assembly in the top of the tank, assuming that suitable adjustments are made in the overall length of the various inlet components herein described. Typically, a screen filter  120  is fitted to enclose the inlet elements of the assembly. 
     The ball valve assembly  10  may be likewise mounted to the tank utilizing a mounting nut and sealing washer to establish a fluid-tight seal between the valve body and the tank wall  100 . When the level of fuel in the tank is at or above a reference level A, it can be seen that fuel can readily follow main flow path M within riser  104 . At the same time, fuel is permitted to flow through reserve flow path R and through the reserve inlet passages  16 . However, since the position of ball valve element  66  is such that ball valve inlet  70  is in axial alignment with dual inlet passageway  14 , fuel flow through reserve inlet passages  16  enters valve chamber  18 , but is prevented by the configuration of the ball portion  68  of ball valve element  66 , together with its associated o-rings, from passage out of valve chamber  18 , by virtue of the alignment of the valve inlet  70  with the axis of insert  88 . 
     Once the level of fuel has dropped below reference line A, it will readily be seen that with the level of fuel below the lip  106  of riser  104 , fuel can no longer follow main flow path M to enter main inlet passage  14 , and the supply of fuel within the passageway will soon be exhausted. Such interruption in the supply of fuel may be anticipated by providing an appropriate gauge with a “empty” or “reserve” marking in association with the fuel tank levels, or may be annunciated by the stoppage of the engine being fed through the ball valve assembly  10 . In any event, when it is desired to be able to utilize that portion of the fuel in the tank below reference line A, ball valve element  66  may be rotated  900 , thereby positioning the ball valve inlet  70  perpendicular to the flow path of fuel through the main inlet passage  14 . Such position is indicated in FIG.  5 . In this position, portions of the outer surface of ball portion  68  engage bearing portion  98  of insert  88 , and sealing o-rings  114 , thereby closing off further possible flows through the main flow path M. This sealing is desirable to prevent the introduction of air into the fuel flow path through the main fuel flow path M. Still, in this position, fuel entering the valve chamber  18  through the reserve inlet passages  16  is free to flow into ball valve inlet  70  through passageway  74  to outlet  72 . In this fashion, a “reserve” level of fuel within the fuel tank may be selected to permit continued engine operation. 
     To interrupt all fuel flow through the valve assembly  10 , ball valve element  66  is rotated an additional 90° to the position depicted in FIG.  6 . In this orientation of ball valve element  66 , it can be seen that the central axis of ball valve inlet  70  is oriented opposite to the central axis of main inlet  15 , thereby sealing the circumference of ball valve inlet  70  from valve chamber  18 . In this valve position, although fuel may enter the valve chamber  18  though reserve inlet passages  16 , fuel is not permitted to pass to the ball valve inlet  70 , as o-rings  114  seal the surface of ball portion  68  against the wall of valve chamber  18 , thereby shutting off all fuel flow from both the main inlet  15  and the reserve inlet passages  16 . In this fashion, fuel flow can be selectively stopped. 
     It is desirable in this embodiment of my invention to provide the ball valve assembly  10  with a combined indicator/stop plate  130  surrounding stem  76  and affixed to top  26  and seal  82 . This plate  130  which is secured from rotational movement in relationship to stem  76 , but located coaxially therewith, is provided with legends “on”, “off”, and “reserve”. Further, such element may be provided with stops  132  which limit the travel of operating handle  80 , and thereby limit the operating travel of ball valve element  66 , through an arc of 180°. The legends on the plate  130  correspond with the positions of the operating handle  80 , and, accordingly, the position of the ball valve inlet  70  in relation to the valve chamber  18 , the reserve inlets  16  and main inlet  15 . One or more detents  134  may be formed in the plate  130  to engage handle  80 . Utilizing legends on this plate  130 , the operator can correctly select the position of the ball valve element  66  to permit flow of fuel from either the main inlet passage  15  or the reserve inlet passages  16 , or to shut off the flow of fuel altogether. 
     The threaded boss  32  and riser pipe  104 , are preferably provided with filter  120  as shown in FIG. 4, to prevent contaminants within the fuel tank from passing to the motor. At the discharge or outlet side of the assembly the outlet nipple  52  is provided with barbs  54  designed to engage flexible hose (not shown) to further route the fuel flowing through the assembly to its desired destination. 
     By positioning the main and reserve inlet passages as above-described, it can be seen that the assembly may provide both main and reserve fuel flow passages within a single essentially cylindrical element which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and simpler to install in fuel tanks than those valve assemblies currently known. 
     Having thus described my invention, numerous modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the invention herein described, which