GB2425582A

GB2425582A - Fluid level control valve

Info

Publication number: GB2425582A
Application number: GB0508521A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Mayes
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-04-27
Filing date: 2005-04-27
Publication date: 2006-11-01
Also published as: GB0508521D0

Abstract

This control valve includes one or more levers with a float attached at one end and the valve located at the opposing end. The valve consists of a shaft (3) that will allow fluid past and a stop cap (4) which is wider than the outlet hole. The float may vary in weight; in distance from the valve along the lever (2); and in height in relation to the valve. When the fluid reaches the full level the valve seals shut between the rim of the outlet hole (6) and the stop cap. This is caused by the pressure of the inlet fluid and the rising float. When the fluid level drops the weight of the falling float opens the valve, the extent of which may be limited by a stop end (15, FIG.12). The outer rim of the outlet hole may hold a skirt (13, FIG. 13) which acts to prevent any Anti-Siphon or Backflow and spray.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Fluid Level Control Valve

Background

This device will allow fluid to fill a vessel to a preset level and keep it at that level. It has been developed with common water plumbing applications in mind (e.g. cisterns and storage tanks), but could be used for many other fluid handling purposes.

It includes one or more levers with a float attached at one end and the valve located at the opposing end. The valve consists of a shaft that will allow fluid past and a stop cap which is wider than the outlet hole. The incoming fluid is allowed to pass through the outlet hole by any design of narrowings, cut-outs or grooves in the plunger shaft. The float may vary in weight; in distance from the valve along the lever; and in height in relation to the valve.

When the fluid reaches the full level the valve seals shut between the rim of the outlet hole and the stop cap. This is caused by the pressure of the inlet fluid and the rising float. When the fluid level drops the weight of the falling float opens the valve, the extent of which may be limited by a stop end. The outer rim of the outlet hole may hold a skirt or sleeve which acts to prevent any Anti-Siphon or Backflow and spray. There may also be a shield cover the area of the outlet valve to stop the travel of spray. A filter may be placed across the path of the incoming fluid directly before the valve to remove foreign matter and particles.

The valve system will be made of plastic or metal, or a combination of both, along with rubber.

The Drawings What the Numbers describe: 1/ The inlet fluid carrier which would usually be a pipe.

2/ The main lever with float attached at one end.

3/ Main shaft of the valve which can move in and out of the outlet hole.

4/ Top stop cap of the valve.

5/ Inset rubber washer fitting around "3" and into "4".

6/ Raised rim around outlet hole.

7/ Fixed pivot point / fulcrum.

8/ Pins.

9/ Inlet filter / mesh.

10/ Hole in main shaft of valve for a pin.

11/ Grooves.

12/ Second lever used when inlet is coming upwards.

13/ Additional skirt / sleeve to prevent any Anti-Siphon or Backflow.

14/ Shield to catch any fluid spray.

15/ Lever Stop End.

DESCRIPTION

Fluid Level Control Valve What the Figures describe FIG. 1 Vertical cross section of the valve with the inlet coming from the top.

FIG. 2 View from below the valve with the inlet coming from the top.

FIG. 3 Vertical cross section of the main shaft and cap which could be called a plunger.

FIG. 4 Same as FIG. 3, but turned through 90 and showing two scoops having been taken out of opposing sides of the shaft to allow the flow of fluid.

FIG. 5 Horizontal cross section of FIG. 4 as indicated.

FIG. 6 Same as Fig. 3, but showing grooves cut out of the main shaft to allow the flow of fluid as an alternative to the scoops shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 Same as FIG. 6, but turned through 90 .

FIG. 8 Horizontal cross section of FIG. 7 as indicated.

FIG. 9 Horizontal cross section of FIG. 7 as indicated.

FIG. 10 Vertical cross section of the valve with the inlet coming from the bottom.

FIG. 11 View from above the valve with the inlet coming from the bottom.

FIG. 12 Vertical cross section of the valve with the inlet coming from the side showing a Stop End which prevents the lever moving any further when it reaches it.

FIG. 13 Vertical cross section of the valve showing the additional skirt / sleeve to prevent any Anti-Siphon or Backflow and a shield to catch any fluid spray.

Method of Operation When the fluid in the holding vessel is below the full level the weight of the float will force the main shaft of the valve (3) into the inlet pipe (1) by using the main lever (2). This breaks the seal of the rubber washer (5) and the raised rim of the outlet hole (6) allowing the fluid from the inlet to pass through the outlet hole past the narrowed valve shaft (3) and into the holding vessel.

When the fluid in vessel starts to reach its full level the float raises which causes the main lever (2) to pull the main shaft of the valve (3) out of the inlet pipe (1). When the fluid in the holding vessel then reaches its full level the valve is closed and sealed tightly between the rubber washer (5) and the raised rim (6). The pressure of the inlet fluid and the force of the float through the main lever (2) make for this tight seal.

Fluid Level Control Valve 1/ A valve that uses one or more levers to push a plunger against the pressure of the incoming fluid to open, and uses the opposing action of the lever together with the pressure of the incoming fluid to seal itself closed.

2/ A valve as claimed in Claim 1 where the main lever has a float at the opposing end to where the valve is situated 3/ A valve as claimed in any preceeding claim where the float has adjustable weight.

4/ A valve as claimed in any preceeding claim where the float has adjustable height in relation to the valve.

5/ A valve as claimed in any preceeding claim where the float has adjustable distance in relation to the valve.

3/ A valve as claimed in any preceeding claim where the lever moves around one or more fixed pivot points (fulcrums) held by pins.

4/ A valve as claimed in any preceeding claim where the moving part of the valve consists of a plunger with a stop cap.

5/ A valve as claimed in any preceeding claim where the plunger can move into or away from the incoming fluid through an outlet hole in the incoming fluid carrier.

6/ A valve as claimed in any preceeding claim where the stop cap of the plunger retains a rubber washer to aid the closed seal.

7/ A valve as claimed in any preceeding claim where the rim of the outlet hole of the incoming fluid is raised toward the stop cap of the plunger to aid the closed seal.

8/ A valve as claimed in any preceeding claim where a Stop End is used to limit the movement of the plunger away from the closed position.

9/ A valve as claimed in any preceeding claim where a shield can be used to cover the area of the outlet valve to stop the travel of spray.

10/ A valve as claimed in any preceeding claim where the incoming fluid is allowed to pass through the outlet hole by any design of narrowings, cutouts or grooves in the plunger shaft.

Claims

Fluid Level Control Valve 11/ A valve as claimed in any preceeding claim where a filter is placed across the path of the incoming fluid directly before the valve to remove foreign matter and particles.

12/ A valve as claimed in any preceeding claim where the outer rim of the outlet hole holds a skirt or sleeve which acts to prevent any Anti-Siphon or Backflow and also to prevent spray.

13/ A valve as claimed in any preceeding claim which is made from metal or plastic and rubber or from a combination of these materials.

14/ A valve substantially as herein described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.