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US 12,339,683 B2Granted
Fluid flow control based on a liquid level in a container
OwnerJustin C. Sitzinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed for fluid flow control. A container is shaped to receive a liquid, and includes an outlet configured to allow the liquid to exit the container. The outlet may be user-adjustable to adjust a rate at which the liquid exits the container. A valve is configured to control a fluid flow based on a liquid level in the container. An output line coupled to the valve is configured to convey the fluid flow from the valve to a location outside the container. The location outside the container does not receive the liquid directly from the outlet.
Claims17
An apparatus comprising:
- a container shaped to receive a liquid, the container comprising an outlet configured to allow the liquid to exit the container;
- a valve configured to control a fluid flow based on a liquid level in the container, the fluid flow comprising a fluid that is separate from the liquid in the container;
- an output line coupled to the valve, the output line configured to convey the fluid flow from the valve to a location outside the container without mixing with the liquid in the container, wherein the location outside the container does not receive the liquid directly from the outlet;
- and
- a drain valve operable to drain the liquid from the container, the drain valve adjustable to control a first rate at which the liquid drains from the container;
- and
- a fill valve coupled to an inlet and manually operable to fill the container with liquid from the inlet regardless of the liquid level in the container, the fill valve located prior to the valve along the fluid flow and adjustable to control a second rate at which liquid fills the container.
4 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;
- actuating a valve, based on a liquid level in the container, to control a fluid flow, the fluid flow comprising a fluid that is separate from the liquid in the container;
- using an output line coupled to the valve to convey the fluid flow from the valve to a location outside the container without mixing with the liquid in the container, wherein the location outside the container does not receive the liquid directly from the outlet;
- using a drain valve operable to drain the liquid from the container, the drain valve adjustable to control a first rate at which the liquid drains from the container;
- and
- using a fill valve coupled to an inlet and manually operable to fill the container with liquid from the inlet regardless of the liquid level in the container, the fill valve located prior to the valve along the fluid flow and adjustable to control a second rate at which liquid fills the container.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.