Back to results
US 7,364,609 B2Granted
Method and kit for use with standard pipe couplings to construct a de-aerator
OwnerJames MacDuffinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A kit for constructing a de-aerator for a fluid distribution system includes a gas concentrator adapted to be received in chamber of a T-coupling provided with the kit. A cap is provided that closes a cap connector integrally formed with the T-coupling. The cap supports a valve that opens and closes in response to fluctuations of a level of the fluid in the cavity as air is accumulated in the cavity and discharged by an opening of the valve.
Claims18
A kit for assembling a de-aerator for removing gas from a liquid distribution system comprising:
- a T-coupling for installation in a run of pipe in the liquid distribution system, the T-coupling providing a chamber defined by a cylindrical wall that is axially aligned with a cap connector and a pipe connector of the T-coupling, the cylindrical wall being interrupted only by one cylindrical opening passing transversely through the cylindrical wall, the cylindrical opening being defined by a second pipe connector and the chamber providing an unobstructed fluid path through the T-coupling;
- a cap having a mating surface for sealed connection to the cap connector;
- a valve in fluid communication with the chamber, and a valve stem connected to a float for selectively opening the valve only when the liquid in the chamber is displaced by the gas below a predetermined level;
- and
- a gas concentrator for extracting gas from the liquid flowing through the chamber, the gas concentrator retained within the chamber below the valve to ensure that extracted gas rises into a space below the valve.
2 more elements
A kit for assembling a de-aerator for removing gas from a liquid distribution system comprising:
- a T-coupling for installation in a run of pipe in the liquid distribution system, the T-coupling providing a chamber defined by a cylindrical wall that is axially aligned with first and second pipe connectors of the T-coupling, the cylindrical wall being interrupted only by a cylindrical opening passing transversely through the cylindrical wall, the cylindrical opening being defined by a cap connector, the chamber providing an unobstructed fluid path through the T-coupling;
- a cap having a mating surface for sealed connection to the cap connector;
- a valve in fluid communication with the chamber, and a valve stem connected to a float for selectively opening the valve only when the liquid in the chamber is displaced by the gas below a predetermined level, wherein the float is connected to the valve stem by a lever arm that is pivotally connected by a pivot bracket to the cap, and wherein the valve is supported by the cap and the lever arm is connected to a pivot that is also supported by the cap;
- and
- a gas concentrator for extracting gas from the liquid flowing through the chamber, the gas concentrator retained within the chamber below the valve to ensure that extracted gas rises into a space below the valve.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.