US 6,009,898 AGranted

Valve assembly for preventing liquid ingestion and methods

AssigneeDonaldson Company, Inc.

InventorsDaniel T. Risch, Gary R. Gillingham, Fred H. Wahlquist, Wayne M. Wagner, Joseph C. Tokar, Bernard A. Matthys, Pete A. Betts

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Abstract

A valve assembly includes a housing and a float. The housing is constructed and arranged to inhibit movement of the float between a resting position to a position where it is situated in its valve seat, unless a selected liquid volume within the valve housing is attained. In one embodiment, a series of projection members or rings creates a tortuous path, such that there is no clear path for the float to reach the valve seat. In another embodiment, vacuum pressure is created between the float and its cup support. Still other embodiments utilize magnets, springs, linkages, and bent wires. Methods for preventing liquid ingestion into an engine through an air intake are also provided.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A valve assembly comprising:

(a) a valve housing defining an open interior;
an inlet port;
a valve seat having an outlet port extending therethrough;
and a float support region;
(i) said inlet port and said outlet port being in fluid communication with said open interior;
(ii) said housing including a cage assembly and projection members;
(b) a float within said housing;
said float being movable between first and second positions along a float path;
said cage assembly configured and arranged to keep said float within said float path;
(i) said first position including said float being positioned within said float support region of said housing;
(ii) said second position including said float being positioned within said valve seat to obstruct said outlet port in response to a selected liquid volume within said housing;
and
(iii) said projection members of said housing being constructed and arranged to inhibit movement of said float along said float path to said second position, unless said selected liquid volume within said housing is attained.

10 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/154,993Filed 17 Sep 1998
Granted: 4 Jan 2000
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

F02M 35/168
Having outboard engines; Jet-skis: with means, e.g. valves, to prevent water entry
F02M 35/10255
Devices or means connected to or integrated into air intakes; Air intakes combined with other engine or vehicle parts: arrangements of valves;…
F02M 35/02
Combustion-air cleaners, air intakes, intake silencers, or induction systems specially adapted for, or arranged on, internal-combustion engines:…
F02M 35/164
Characterised by use in vehicles: heavy duty vehicles, e.g. trucks, trains, agricultural or construction machines