US 4,338,964 A · Side inlet ballcock having flow and structural improvements

Abstract

A horizontal water inlet tube is inwardly connected reversely through a valve within a horizontal valve housing and from the valve housing downwardly into a generally vertical water outlet tube. The valve is controlled by a valve control arm projecting generally horizontally from the valve housing downwardly connected through a float connector to a float vertically slideable on a float guide extending downwardly from the valve housing. A diverter at the upper end of the water outlet tube receives water flow generally horizontally from the valve housing into a pair of spaced, downward helical grooves directing the flow spirally into a pair of spaced vertical grooves for ultimate discharge downwardly through the water outlet tube. The diverter vertical grooves are larger in cross-section than the respective helical grooves and are formed by radial plates converging centrally to a cylinder at groove upper portions and an inverted cone at groove lower portions, each vertical groove occupying in the order of 120.degree. of the outlet tube circumference. For shipment, the float guide may be pivoted upwardly at its connection to the valve housing simultaneously carrying the float and float connector without disrupting assembly placing these elements approaching horizontally parallel to the inlet tube, valve housing and valve control arm. The outlet tube is selectively disconnectable adjacent the valve housing for positioning thereof generally horizontal.

Claims9

Dependent claims

In a side inlet ballcock of the type having a generally horizontal valve inlet portion directing water through a float controlled valve into a generally horizontal valve outlet portion and from said valve outlet portion downwardly into a generally vertical outlet tube;

the improvements including:
a flow diverter at upper initiation of said outlet tube having a progressively downwardly extending, generally helical groove formed therein terminating downwardly in a generally vertical groove formed therein, said helical groove having an upper, generally horizontally extending inlet positioned receiving a generally horizontal flow of water from said generally horizontal valve outlet portion directly into a spiral flow pattern and a lower outlet directing said spiral flow into an upper inlet of said vertical groove, said vertical groove having a lower outlet directing said flow downwardly into said outlet tube, said vertical groove being of greater horizontal cross-section throughout than cross-section of said helical groove and of less horizontal cross-section throughout than horizontal cross-section of said outlet tube;
said horizontal flow of water from said valve outlet portion being first directed horizontally into a downward spiral by said diverter helical groove and ultimately into a straight downward expanded flow by said diverter vertical groove for substantially straight downward and further expanded flow through and from said outlet tube.

the improvements including:
a flow diverter at upper initiation of said outlet tube having a progressively downwardly extending, generally helical groove formed therein terminating downwardly in a generally vertical groove formed therein, said helical groove having an upper inlet positioned receiving a generally horizontal flow of water from said valve outlet portion and a lower outlet directing said flow in a spiral into an upper inlet of said vertical groove, said vertical groove having a lower outlet directing said flow downwardly into said outlet tube;
said diverter helical groove being one of a pair of vertically adjacent helical grooves having upper inlets spaced apart and each positioned receiving said generally horizontal flow of water from said valve outlet portion, said vertical groove being one of a pair of horizontally adjacent vertical grooves each having an upper inlet receiving said flow from a lower outlet of one of said helical grooves, each of said vertical grooves having a lower outlet directing its flow downwardly into said outlet tube, said vertical grooves being separated horizontally by generally radially extending and generally vertically extending flat blades terminating centrally of said outlet tube in a vertical cylindrical portion at an upper part of said vertical grooves and an inverted conical portion at a lower part of said vertical grooves;
said horizontal flow of water from said valve outlet portion being first directed into a downward spiral by said diverter helical grooves and ultimately into a straight downward flow by said diverter vertical grooves for substantially straight downward flow through and from said outlet tube.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Side inlet ballcock having flow and structural improvements

Life of this patent

Side inlet ballcock having flow and structural improvements

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9