# US 2014/0196651 A1 · Valve Assembly for a Bilge Pump System > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0196651 A1 - Document ID: US20140196651A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/938,035 - Filed: 2013-07-09 - Published: 2014-07-17 - Earliest claimed: 2012-07-09 - Assignees: Lake Red Rock LLC - Inventors: David B. Nirenberg - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140196651A1 ## CPC - B63B 17/06: Refuse discharge, e.g. for ash ({arrangements of installations for treating refuse or sludge, e.g. tank washing sludge B63J4/00; } removal of domestic or like refuse B65F) - B63J 4/002: {for treating ballast water} - F16K 15/044: {spring-loaded} - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) - B63J: AUXILIARIES ON VESSELS - F16K: VALVES; TAPS; COCKS; ACTUATING-FLOATS; DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING {(devices for emptying and evacuating the excess liquid in valves or conduits F16L55/07)} ## Abstract A valve assembly for a bilge pump system having first and second bilge pumps each connected to a single hull outlet includes a valve body having a first inlet port for connection to the first bilge pump, a second inlet port for connection to the second bilge pump, and an outlet port for connection to the hull outlet. A first one-way valve operates at the first inlet port for allowing flow into the first inlet port to the outlet port and preventing flow out of the first inlet port from the second inlet port and/or the outlet port. A second one-way valve operates at the second inlet port for allowing flow into the second inlet port to the outlet port and preventing flow out of the second inlet port from the first inlet port and/or the outlet port. The valve assembly enables the second bilge pump to be connected to the single hull outlet and eliminates the need to cut an additional outlet opening in the hull. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A valve assembly for a bilge pump system having first and second bilge pumps each connected to a hull outlet, the valve assembly comprising, in combination: a valve body having a first inlet port for connection to the first bilge pump, a second inlet port for connection to the second bilge pump, and an outlet port for connection to the hull outlet; a first one-way valve operating at the first inlet port and configured to allow bilge water to flow in through the first inlet port and out through the outlet port, and to prevent bilge water from flowing in through the second inlet port and out though the first inlet port; and a second one-way valve operating at the second inlet port and configured to allow bilge water to flow in through the second inlet port and out through the outlet port, and to prevent bilge water from flowing in through the first inlet port and out though the second inlet port. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the valve body is Y-shaped. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second one-way valves are each ball valves. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second one-way valves are each threaded onto external threads of the valve body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second one-way valves are each threaded onto internal threads of the valve body. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first and second inlets ports are each provided with a barbed connection for receiving a bilge hose. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The valve assembly according to claim 6, wherein the barbed connection is sized for a 1⅛ inch diameter bilge hose. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The valve assembly according to claim 7, further comprising an adapter having barbs for receiving a ¾ inch diameter bilge hose and secured to one of the first and second inlet ports so that a ¾ inch bilge hose can be connected to the respective one of the first and second inlet ports. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The valve assembly according to claim 8, wherein the adapter is threaded onto internal threads at the barbed connection. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The valve assembly according to claim 8, further comprising another adapter having barbs for receiving a ¾ inch diameter bilge hose and secured to the other one of the first and second inlet ports so that a ¾ inch diameter bilge hose can be connected to each of the first and second inlet ports. ### Claim 11 A bilge pump system comprising, in combination: a hull outlet located in a wall of a hull; a first bilge pump located in a bilge and having an outlet; a second bilge pump located in the bilge and having an outlet; a valve assembly comprising a valve body having a first inlet port for connection to the first bilge pump, a second inlet port for connection to the second bilge pump, and an outlet port for connection to the hull outlet; a first one-way valve operating at the first inlet port and configured to allow bilge water to flow in through the first inlet port and out through the outlet port, and to prevent bilge water from flowing in through the second inlet port and out through the first inlet port; and a second one-way valve operating at the second inlet port and configured to allow bilge water flow in through the second inlet port and out through the outlet port, and to prevent bilge water flow in through the first inlet port and out through the second inlet port; a first bilge hose connecting the outlet of the first bilge pump with the first inlet port of the valve assembly; a second bilge hose connecting the outlet of the second bilge pump with the second inlet port of the valve assembly; and a third bilge hose connecting the outlet port of the valve assembly with the hull outlet. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein the valve body is Y-shaped. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein the first and second one-way valves are each ball valves. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein the first and second one-way valves are each threaded onto external threads of the valve body. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein the first and second one-way valves are each threaded onto internal threads of the valve body. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein the first and second inlets ports are each provided with a barbed connection for receiving a bilge hose. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The valve assembly according to claim 16, wherein the barbed connection is sized for a 1⅛ inch diameter bilge hose. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The valve assembly according to claim 17, further comprising an adapter having barbs for receiving a ¾ inch diameter bilge hose and secured to one of the first and second inlet ports so that a ¾ inch bilge hose can be connected to the respective one of the first and second inlet ports. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The valve assembly according to claim 18, wherein the adapter is threaded onto internal threads at the barbed connection. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The valve assembly according to claim 18, further comprising another adapter having barbs for receiving a ¾ inch diameter bilge hose and secured to the other one of the first and second inlet ports so that a ¾ inch diameter bilge hose can be connected to each of the first and second inlet ports.