US 4,056,118 A · Syphon tube and vent valve assembly

Abstract

An improved radiator vent valve and syphon tube assembly is provided, the vent valve including a valve body and a threaded valve nipple adapted to engage a wall of a radiator. The nipple defines a passage communicating between the interior of the radiator and the interior of the valve body and the syphon tube drains condensate from the interior of the valve body into the radiator. The syphon tube includes a tubular portion adapted to be inserted into the passage defined by the nipple, the tubular portion including resilient tabs about its outer surface which permit insertion of the tubular portion into the nipple and after insertion, yieldably engage an inner surface of the nipple. The syphon tube also includes a generally trough-shaped portion coplanar with the tubular portion and another trough-shaped portion oriented to direct the flow of condensate downward when the tubular portion is horizontal. The three portions of the syphon tube provide a substantially continuous flow path. The syphon tube may be inserted into the valve nipple of a fully assemble vent valve which facilitates assembly, handling and shipping of the valve and substantially eliminates the scrapping of vent valves as a result of damaged syphon tubes. Preferably, the syphon tube is injection molded from a plastic such as polypropylene.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A radiator vent valve including a valve body and a threaded valve nipple adapted to engage a wall of a radiator and define a passage communicating between the interior of the radiator and the interior of said valve body, said vent valve including a syphon tube for draining condensate from the interior of said valve body into the interior of said radiator, said syphon tube comprising:

a. a tubular first portion adapted to be inserted into said passage defined by said valve nipple, said tubular first portion including resilient tab means formed of resiliently deformable material disposed in circumferentially spaced arrangement about the outer surface of said tubular first portion, said resilient tab means deforming to permit insertion of said tubular first portion into said passage and after said insertion, resiliently recovering from said deformation and engaging an inner surface of said valve nipple for resisting removal therefrom;
b. a generally trough-shaped second portion providing a continuous flow path with said tubular first portion and oriented generally coplanar therewith;
and
c. a generally trough-shaped third portion providing a continuous flow path with said trough-shaped second portion, said third portion being oriented relative to said second portion to direct the flow of condensate downwardly when said tubular first portion is oriented generally horizontally.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Syphon tube and vent valve assembly

Life of this patent

Syphon tube and vent valve assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6