Patent ID: 7243669

Claim:
A float-responsive valve comprising: (A) a valve body that has a flow passage formed therein, said flow passage having first and second portions; (B) a valve seat that is disposed in the flow passage between said first and second portions; (C) a valve element that is disposed in said flow passage and that is movable between a closed position in which said valve element seats on said valve seat to prevent fluid flow through said flow passage and an open position in which said valve element unseats from said valve seat and permit fluid flow through said flow passage; and (D) a float-responsive valve actuator that is selectively responsive to operation of a float to move from a first position to a second position in which said valve actuator holds said valve element in said open position thereof, wherein said valve actuator is dimensioned and configured relative to said valve element such that, when said valve actuator is in said second position thereof, fluid pressure in said second portion of said flow passage is incapable of closing said valve element.