US 6,385,787 B1Granted

Tank fill and discharge mechanism

OwnerKurt L. VanVoorhiesinventor

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Abstract

An inlet valve and a discharge valve are operatively coupled by a coupling element so that when the discharge valve is closed, the inlet valve is open, and when the inlet valve is closed, the discharge valve is open. A biasing element biases the inlet valve closed. Upon closure of the discharge valve, a releasable retaining element retains the inlet valve open and the discharge valve closed against the action of the biasing element, thereby enabling the inlet valve to fill a tank with a fluid. A float responsive to the level of fluid in the tank engages and releases the retaining element when the tank is full, thereby enabling the biasing element to close the inlet valve and open the discharge valve, thereby discharging the fluid from the tank. In one aspect, the retaining element comprises a clamp mechanism that releasably clamps either the coupling element, the inlet valve, or the discharge valve. In another aspect, the coupling element comprises a rod in translation and the retaining element comprises a latch mechanism operatively coupled thereto.

Claims44

Dependent claims

A tank filling and discharge mechanism, comprising:

(a) an inlet valve comprising a housing, a valve seat, and a first valve element moveable relative to said valve seat for opening and closing said inlet valve, wherein said inlet valve is operatively coupleable to a tank and to a source of fluid, whereby when said inlet valve is operatively coupled to said tank and to said source of fluid, said inlet valve admits said fluid to said tank when said inlet valve is open;
(b) a discharge valve comprising a second moveable valve element, wherein said discharge valve is operatively coupleable to said tank, whereby when said discharge valve is operatively coupled to said tank and said discharge valve is opened, said fluid can discharge from said tank through said discharge valve;
(c) a coupling element operatively coupled to said first moveable valve element of said inlet valve and to said second moveable valve element of said discharge valve so that when said discharge valve is closed, said inlet valve is open;
and when said inlet valve is closed, said discharge valve is open;
(d) an activation element operatively coupled to at least one of said coupling element, said inlet valve, and said discharge valve, whereby when activated, said activation element causes said inlet valve to open and said discharge valve to close;
(e) a first biasing element operatively coupled to at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element and said discharge valve, whereby said first biasing element applies a biasing force to close said inlet valve;
(f) a retaining element operatively coupled to at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element, and said discharge valve, wherein said retaining element comprises a clamp mechanism that releasably engages said at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element, and said discharge valve;
and
(g) a float, wherein said float is moveable relative to said coupling element;
a position of said float is responsive to a fluid level in the tank;
for said position below a first position, when said discharge valve is closed, said retaining element engages at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element, and said discharge valve, so as to prevent said inlet valve from closing and said discharge valve from opening;
for said position above said first position, said float engages said retaining element so as to cause said retaining element to release said at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element, and said discharge valve, thereby enabling said first biasing element to close said inlet valve and open said discharge valve.

9 more elements

A tank filling and discharge mechanism, comprising:

(a) an inlet valve comprising a housing, a valve seat, and a first valve element moveable relative to said valve seat for opening and closing said inlet valve, wherein said inlet valve is operatively coupleable to a tank and to a source of fluid, whereby when said inlet valve is operatively coupled to said tank and to said source of fluid, said inlet valve admits said fluid to said tank when said inlet valve is open;
(b) a discharge valve comprising a second moveable valve element, wherein said discharge valve is operatively coupleable to said tank, whereby when said discharge valve is operatively coupled to said tank and said discharge valve is opened, said fluid can discharge from said tank through said discharge valve;
(c) a coupling element operatively coupled to said first moveable valve element of said inlet valve and to said second moveable valve element of said discharge valve so that when said discharge valve is closed, said inlet valve is open;
and when said inlet valve is closed, said discharge valve is open;
(d) an activation element operatively coupled to at least one of said coupling element, said inlet valve, and said discharge valve, whereby when activated, said activation element causes said inlet valve to open and said discharge valve to close;
(e) a first biasing element operatively coupled to at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element and said discharge valve, whereby said first biasing element applies a biasing force to close said inlet valve;
(f) a retaining element operatively coupled to at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element, and said discharge valve, wherein said coupling element comprises a rod operatively coupled between said first valve element of said inlet valve said second valve element of said discharge valve, said retaining element comprises a clamp mechanism that releasably engages said at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element, and said discharge valve, said clamp mechanism comprises at least one pawl that clamps said at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element and said discharge valve, and said clamp mechanism comprises a plurality of pawls;
and
(g) a float, wherein said float is moveable relative to said coupling element;
a position of said float is responsive to a fluid level in the tank;
for said position below a first position, when said discharge valve is closed, said retaining element engages at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element, and said discharge valve, so as to prevent said inlet valve from closing and said discharge valve from opening;
for said position above said first position, said float engages said retaining element so as to cause said retaining element to release said at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element, and said discharge valve, thereby enabling said first biasing element to close said inlet valve and open said discharge valve.

9 more elements

A tank filling and discharge mechanism, comprising:

(a) an inlet valve comprising a housing, a valve seat, and a first valve element moveable relative to said valve seat for opening and closing said inlet valve, wherein said inlet valve is operatively coupleable to a tank and to a source of fluid, whereby when said inlet valve is operatively coupled to said tank and to said source of fluid, said inlet valve admits said fluid to said tank when said inlet valve is open;
(b) a discharge valve comprising a second moveable valve element, wherein said discharge valve is operatively coupleable to said tank, whereby when said discharge valve is operatively coupled to said tank and said discharge valve is opened, said fluid can discharge from said tank through said discharge valves
(c) a coupling element operatively coupled to said first moveable valve element of said inlet valve and to said second moveable valve clement of said discharge valve so that when said discharge valve is closed, said inlet valve is open;
and when said inlet valve is closed, said discharge valve Is open, wherein said coupling element comprises a rod operatively coupled between said first valve element of said inlet valve and said second valve element of said discharge valve, and said rod comprises a second flange,
(d) an activation element operatively coupled to at least one of said coupling element, said inlet valve, and said discharge valve, whereby when activated, said activation element causes said inlet valve to open and said discharge valve to close;
(e) a first biasing element operatively coupled to at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element and said discharge valve, whereby said first biasing element applies a biasing force to close said inlet valve;
(f) a retaining element operatively coupled to at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element, and said discharge valve, wherein said retaining element comprises a clamp mechanism that releasably engages said at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element, and said discharge valve;
and
(g) a float, wherein said float is disposed about said coupling element, said float is moveable relative to said coupling element;
a position of said float is responsive to a fluid level in the tank;
for said position below a first position, when said discharge valve is closed, said retaining element engages at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element, and said discharge valve, so as to prevent said inlet valve from closing and said discharge valve from opening;
for said position above said first position, said float engages said retaining element so as to cause said retaining element to release said at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element, and said discharge valve, thereby enabling said first biasing element to close said inlet valve and open said discharge valve, said float comprises a first lip, and said second flange and said first lip are adapted so that said first lip engages said second flange when said float is above said first position, so as to increase said biasing force against said first valve element.

9 more elements

A tank filling and discharge mechanism, comprising:

(a) an inlet valve comprising a housing, a valve seat and a first valve element moveable relative to said valve seat for opening and closing said inlet valve, wherein said inlet valve is operatively coupleable to a tank and to a source of fluid, whereby when said inlet valve is operatively coupled to said tank and to said source of fluid, said inlet valve admits said fluid to said tax when said inlet valve is open;
(b) a discharge valve comprising a second moveable valve element, wherein said discharge valve is operatively coupleable to said tank, whereby when said discharge valve is operatively coupled to said tank and said discharge valve is opened, said fluid can discharge from said tank through said discharge valve;
(c) a coupling element operatively coupled to said first moveable valve element of said inlet valve and to said second moveable valve element of said discharge valve so that when said discharge valve is closed, said inlet valve is open, and when said inlet valve is closed, said discharge valve is open, wherein said coupling element comprises a rod operatively coupled between said first valve element of said inlet valve said second valve element of said discharge valve, whereby said first and second moveable valve elements are moved by a translation of said rod;
(d) an activation element operatively coupled to at least one of said coupling element, said inlet valve, and said discharge valve, whereby when activated, said activation element causes said inlet valve to open and said discharge valve to close;
(e) a first biasing element operatively coupled to at least one of said inlet valve, said coupling element and said discharge valve, whereby said first biasing element applies a biasing force to close said inlet valve,
(f) a retaining element operatively coupled to said rod, wherein said retaining element is comprises a latch mechanism operatively coupled between said rod and said housing of said inlet valve that releasably engages said coupling element, and (g) a float, wherein said float is moveable relative to said coupling element;
a position of said float is responsive to a fluid level in the tank;
for said position below a first position, when said discharge valve is closed, said retaining element engages said coupling element so as to prevent said inlet valve from closing aid said discharge valve from opening;
for said position above said first position, said float engages said retaining element so as to cause said retaining element to release said coupling element, thereby enabling said first biasing element to close said inlet valve and open said discharge valve.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/630,395Filed 2 Aug 2000 · us provisional application
Priority: 2 Aug 1999
Granted: 14 May 2002
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification3 codes

E03D 1/186
Cisterns empty when not in action , e.g. with pressure tanks, with swivel-mounted cisterns: with flushing valves
E03D 1/36
Valves for high or low level cisterns; Their arrangement ; Flushing mechanisms in the cistern, optionally with provisions for a pre-or a post-…:…
E03D
Water-closets or urinals with flushing devices