Liquid shut-off valve

A valve for controlling fluid flow, said valve comprising:

• an elongated outer cylinder having an inlet at one end and an outlet at an opposite end;
• a nozzle in fluid communication with said outlet and projecting from said opposite end;
• an inner cylinder positioned within said outer cylinder, said inner cylinder being substantially lengthwise aligned with said outer cylinder, said cylinders cooperating to define a duct therebetween, said duct being in fluid communication with said inlet and said outlet;
• a valve seat positioned within said outer cylinder downstream of said inner cylinder;
• a piston positioned within said inner cylinder, said piston being reciprocably movable between a closed configuration wherein said piston sealingly engages said seat thereby preventing flow of said fluid through said outlet, and an open configuration wherein said piston is in spaced relation away from said seat;
• a biasing member positioned within said inner cylinder for biasing said piston into said open configuration;
• a cup having a first end positioned outside of said outer cylinder adjacent to said outlet and a second, open end, positioned distally to said outlet, said nozzle extending into said cup through an opening in said first end, said cup being slidably movable along said nozzle;
• and
• a tether having a first end attached to said cup, said tether extending through said nozzle and having a second end attached to said piston, flow of fluid entering said duct through said inlet and exiting said duct through said nozzle creating a partial vacuum within said cup when said open end engages a fluid surface, said vacuum drawing said cup along said nozzle away from said outer cylinder, said tether drawing said piston into said closed configuration in sealing engagement with said seat, thereby halting the flow of fluid through said valve.

A battery having an aqueous electrolyte, a cell of said battery having a valve positioned in a vent port for controlling flow of water to said cell for replenishment of said electrolyte, said valve being connectable to a source of water and comprising:

• an elongated outer cylinder having an inlet at one end and an outlet at an opposite end;
• a nozzle in fluid communication with said outlet and projecting from said opposite end;
• an inner cylinder positioned within said oar cylinder, said inner cylinder being substantially lengthwise aligned with said outer cylinder, said cylinders cooperating to define a duct therebetween, said duct being in fluid communication with said inlet and said outlet;
• a valve seat positioned within said outer cylinder downstream of said inner cylinder;
• a piston positioned within said inner cylinder, said piston being reciprocably movable between a dosed configuration wherein said piston sealingly engages said seat thereby preventing flow of said water through said outlet, and an open configuration wherein said piston is in spaced relation away from said seat;
• a biasing member positioned within said inner cylinder for biasing said piston into said open configuration;
• a cup having a first end positioned outside of said oar cylinder adjacent to said outlet and a second, open end, positioned distally to said outlet, said nozzle extending into said cup through an opening in said first end, said cup being slidably movable along said nozzle to engage said electrolyte within said cell;
• and
• a tether having a first end attached to said cup, said tether extending through said nozzle and having a second end attached to said piston, flow of water entering said duct through said inlet and exiting said duct through said nozzle creating a partial vacuum within said cup when said open end engages said electrolyte within said cell, said vacuum drawing said cup along said nozzle away from said chamber, said tether drawing said piston into said closed configuration in sealing engagement with said seat, thereby halting the flow of water through said valve into said cell.