System and method for automatically filling a liquid receptacle
AssigneeAllied Precision Industries, Inc.
InventorsThomas K. Reusche, Philip E. Chumbley, James McHugh
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An automatic liquid filling system including a liquid supply, a liquid-retaining structure, and a filling apparatus in fluid communication with the liquid supply and the liquid-retaining structure. The filling apparatus is configured to automatically supply liquid to the liquid-retaining structure when the liquid recedes below a low level that is based on a position of the filling apparatus in relation to the liquid-retaining structure.
Claims24
A system for automatically filling a liquid receptacle, comprising:
- a water reservoir having a water inlet;
- a mounting bracket secured to said water reservoir, wherein said mounting bracket is configured to movably engage a support structure so that said water reservoir may be adjusted to various levels;
- an inlet valve connected to said water inlet, wherein said inlet valve is configured to receive water through said water inlet;
- a lever positioned on said inlet valve, said lever configured to selectively open and close said inlet valve, wherein water is prevented from passing through said inlet valve when said inlet valve is closed;
- a buoyant member positioned within said water reservoir;
- and
- a translation member operatively connected to said buoyant member and said lever, wherein said buoyant member is configured to actuate said lever to open said inlet valve by exerting a force on said translation member when said buoyant member is below a certain level.
A filling apparatus for fully automatically filling and continuously maintaining a water-retaining structure absent manual actuation of the apparatus to initiate the filling of the water retention structure, comprising:
- a water reservoir having a water-retaining cavity;
- a mounting bracket secured to said water reservoir, wherein said mounting bracket is configured to movably engage a support structure so that said water reservoir may be adjusted to various levels;
- an inlet valve connected to said water reservoir;
- a buoyant member positioned within said water-retaining cavity, said buoyant member configured to float within said water-retaining cavity;
- and
- an outlet valve tube connected to said inlet valve, wherein said outlet valve tube is configured to receive water from said inlet valve.
A system for automatically filling a liquid receptacle, comprising:
- at least one liquid receptacle;
- a water reservoir having a water inlet, said water reservoir being connected to said at least one liquid receptacle through a water supply line;
- an inlet valve connected to said water inlet, wherein said inlet valve is configured to receive water through said water inlet;
- a lever positioned on said inlet valve, said lever configured to selectively open and close said inlet valve, wherein water is prevented from passing through said inlet valve when said inlet valve is closed;
- a buoyant member positioned within said water reservoir;
- a translation member operatively connected to said buoyant member and said lever, wherein said buoyant member is configured to actuate said lever to open said inlet valve by exerting a force on said translation member when said buoyant member is below a certain level;
- a shut-off valve disposed within said water supply line;
- and
- an outlet hose connected to said shut-off valve, said shut-off valve being configured to close said water supply line, wherein water within said liquid receptacle may drain through said outlet hose when said shut-off valve is in a closed position.
A filling apparatus for fully automatically filling and continuously maintaining a water-retaining structure absent manual actuation of the apparatus to initiate the filling of the water retention structure, comprising:
- a water reservoir having a water-retaining cavity;
- at least one liquid receptacle connected to said water reservoir through a water supply line an inlet valve connected to said water reservoir;
- a shut-off valve disposed within said water supply line;
- a buoyant member positioned within said water-retaining cavity, said buoyant member configured to float within said water-retaining cavity;
- and
- an outlet valve tube connected to said inlet valve, wherein said outlet valve tube is configured to receive water from said inlet valve.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.