Float and hinge for a valve
AssigneeWalbro Corporation
InventorsElton J. Fisch, Jeffrey D. Hanby
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In at least some implementations, an assembly includes a float having a void with an inlet leading into the void in a first direction, and at least one retention surface that is not parallel to the first direction and a hinge received at least partially within the void. The hinge has at least one retention feature that cooperates with the at least one retention feature of the float to inhibit removal of the hinge from the float in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and the hinge is formed from a polymeric material. In at least some implementations, the hinge has a melting point similar to or lower than the melting point of the material of the float, and the hinge is formed separately from and is pressed into the void in the float.
Claims20
An assembly, comprising:
- a float having a void with an inlet leading into the void in a first direction, and at least one retention surface that is not parallel to the first direction;
- a hinge received at least partially within the void and having at least one retention feature that cooperates with the at least one retention feature of the float to inhibit removal of the hinge from the float in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the hinge is formed from a polymeric material.
A liquid vapor separator, comprising:
- a body defining at least part of an interior volume;
- a float received within the interior volume, the float being buoyant in liquid that may be received in the interior volume, and the float having a void with an inlet leading into the void in a first direction, and at least one retention surface that is not parallel to the first direction;
- a hinge received at least partially within the void and having at least one retention feature that cooperates with the at least one retention feature of the float to inhibit removal of the hinge from the float in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the hinge is formed from a polymeric material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.