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US 11,921,528 B2Granted
Fluid flow control based on a liquid level in a container
OwnerJustin C. Sitzinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for fluid flow control. A container is shaped to receive a liquid. An inlet is configured to allow the liquid to enter the container. An outlet is configured to allow the liquid to exit the container. A float is disposed within the container. A valve is actuated based on a position of the float within the container to open the valve at a first liquid level within the container and to close the valve at a different liquid level within the container.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising:
- a container shaped to receive a liquid;
- an inlet configured to allow the liquid to enter the container;
- an outlet configured to allow the liquid to exit the container;
- a valve configured to control fluid flow from a main flow line, the valve actuated to open at a first liquid level of the liquid within the container to allow fluid flow from the main flow line and to close at a different liquid level of the liquid within the container to prevent fluid flow of the main flow line, the valve controlling fluid flow from the main flow line independent of the flow of the liquid in the container out of the outlet, the different liquid level is at least a predefined distance higher in the container than the first liquid level, a timing during which the valve is open based at least partially on the predefined distance;
- a float disposed within the container between upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface comprising an interface point for the float, the interface point in contact with the float in response to the liquid reaching the first liquid level;
- and
- a magnet coupled to the float, the magnet actuating the valve based on a position of the float within the container such that a distance between the first liquid level and the different liquid level is defined at least partially based on a distance between the upper and lower surfaces.
4 more elements
A valve comprising:
- an inlet configured to allow fluid into the valve from a fluid flow;
- an outlet configured to allow fluid out of the valve from the fluid flow;
- a chamber;
- an actuator disposed within the chamber and coupled to a magnet such that the actuator moves within the chamber in response to a magnetic field, the magnetic field is provided by a different magnet external to the chamber, the different magnet actuated by movement of a float to an interface point such that the magnetic field opens the valve at a first liquid level and closes the valve at a different liquid level based on a position of the float, the different liquid level is at least a predefined distance higher than the first liquid level, a timing during which the valve is open based at least partially on the predefined distance;
- a diaphragm disposed along one side of the chamber and actuated by movement of the actuator within the chamber to open the valve at a first position of the actuator within the chamber and to close the valve at a different position of the actuator within the chamber;
- a bleed-off outlet that directs at least a portion of the fluid flow from a location between the inlet and the outlet to a secondary location that is different from the outlet;
- and
- an adjustment element for the bleed-off outlet that is manually adjustable to set a flow rate at which the at least a portion of the fluid flow is directed from the fluid flow to the secondary location.
5 more elements
A method comprising:
- receiving a liquid in a container, the container comprising an outlet;
- allowing the liquid to exit the container via the outlet;
- and
- actuating a valve configured to control fluid flow from a main flow line based on a liquid level in the container to open the valve at a first liquid level within the container to allow fluid flow from the main flow line and to close the valve at a different liquid level within the container to prevent fluid flow of the main flow line, the valve controlling fluid flow from the main flow line independent of the flow of the liquid in the container out of the outlet, the different liquid level is at least a predefined distance higher in the container than the first liquid level, a timing during which the valve is open based at least partially on the predefined distance, wherein a float is disposed within the container between upper and lower surfaces, the upper surface comprises an interface point for the float, the interface point is in contact with the float in response to the liquid reaching the first liquid level, a magnet is coupled to the float, the magnet actuates the valve based on a position of the float within the container such that a distance between the first liquid level and the different liquid level is defined at least partially based on a distance between the upper and lower surfaces.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.