US 5,522,415 A · Automatic shut-off valve for liquid storage tanks and method of installation

Abstract

An automatic shut-off valve assembly for controlling the fill level in liquid storage tanks, sized to fit through existing filler pipes, includes a tubular body having a flow-blocking diverter plate on the lower end, a series of peripheral through-ports disposed upstream of the diverter plate and a concentric sleeve slidably mounted on the valve body and responsive to longitudinal forces transmitted through a pivotable linkage from a cantilevered float. The linkage permits the float to be extended downward along the valve axis for insertion into the tank, then to rotate outward into a cantilevered position. As the float rises in response to the buoyant force of the rising liquid, the sleeve is urged downward by the linkage to sealingly block the ports and limit flow of liquid through the valve. The tank fill level can be selected by adjusting lengths and angles of linkage members or by manipulating the angle and depth of the valve assembly in the tank.

Claims28

Dependent claims

An automatic shut-off valve assembly for preventing flow into a liquid storage tank above a preselected level comprising:

a tubular valve body having an axis, an exterior, an interior, an upper portion terminating at an open upper end to receive liquid, a lower portion terminating at a closed lower end and a plurality of flow ports in said lower portion;
a tubular sleeve slidably movable along said valve body between an open position disposed above said flow ports and a closed position surrounding said flow ports;
an elongate float rod having a first end and a second end;
a float attached to said float rod first end;
and
a linkage coupling said float rod second end to said tubular sleeve permitting extension of said float rod below said lower end of said valve body in a generally axial alignment thereto during insertion of said valve assembly into a tank and permitting pivotal movement of said float rod to selective, adjustable positions extending angularly from said valve body after said insertion for moving said tubular sleeve from said open position to said closed position when liquid in said storage tank reaches said preselected level and said float rod is moved from said axial alignment position after said insertion to said generally angular position as said liquid level approaches said preselected level.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatic shut-off valve for liquid storage tanks and method of installation

Life of this patent

Automatic shut-off valve for liquid storage tanks and method of installation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims28