# US 8,967,178 B2 · Saturation valve assembly for electric cables

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 8,967,178 B2
- Document ID: US8967178B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/452,474
- Filed: 2012-04-20
- Published: 2013-10-24
- Granted: 2015-03-03
- Earliest claimed: 2012-04-20
- Assignees: UTILX Corporation
- Applicants: James Steele; William R. Stagi; Alexander Babchanik
- Inventors: James Steele; William R. Stagi; Alexander Babchanik
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8967178B2

## CPC

- F16L 55/10: Means for stopping flow in pipes or hoses (F16L29/00, F16L37/28 take precedence; valves F16K)
- Y10T 137/1624: Destructible or deformable element controlled
- Y10T 137/86035: Combined with fluid receiver
- Y10T 137/86187: Plural tanks or compartments connected for serial flow
- Y10T 137/86196: Separable with valved-connecting passage
- F16L: PIPES; JOINTS OR FITTINGS FOR PIPES; SUPPORTS FOR PIPES, CABLES OR PROTECTIVE TUBING; MEANS FOR THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A valve assembly configured to close off the flow of fluid within a fluid injection assembly includes a fluid column having a first open end and a second open end. A fluid flow path is defined between the first and second open ends of the fluid column, and a saturation valve portion is disposed within the fluid flow path. The saturation valve portion is a first configuration when no fluid is flowing through the fluid flow path, and the saturation valve portion transitions to a second configuration when fluid is flowing through the fluid flow path.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A valve assembly configured to close off the flow of fluid within a fluid injection assembly, the valve assembly comprising:
(a) a fluid column having a first open end and a second open end;
(b) a fluid flow path defined between the first and second open ends of the fluid column; and
(c) a saturation valve portion disposed within the fluid flow path, wherein the saturation valve portion is a first configuration when no fluid is flowing through the fluid flow path, and wherein the saturation valve portion transitions to a second configuration when fluid is flowing through the fluid flow path, wherein the saturation valve portion is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber, nitrile rubber, polychoroprene, butyl rubber, and fluoroelastomer, and any combination thereof.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the saturation valve portion substantially closes off flow within the fluid flow path in the second configuration.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow path is defined by a longitudinal axial opening of the fluid column.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The valve assembly of claim 3, wherein the saturation valve portion is an elongated plug, and in the first configuration the elongated plug has an external diameter that is less than an internal diameter of the longitudinal axial opening of the fluid column, and in the second configuration the elongated plug has an external diameter that is substantially equal to the internal diameter of the longitudinal axial opening of the fluid column.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The valve assembly of claim 4, further comprising first and second end plugs received within the longitudinal axial opening of the fluid column on opposing ends of the elongated plug, wherein the first and second end plugs are configured to allow fluid to pass therethrough while limiting the transition of the elongated plug between the first and second configurations to the radial direction.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow path is further defined by a first transverse opening in fluid communication with the first open end of the fluid column, a second transverse opening in fluid communication with the second open end of the fluid column, and a sealed gap extending between the first and second transverse openings.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the saturation valve portion is in one of granule and powder form.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the saturation valve portion increases in volume by at least 10% in the second configuration.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The valve assembly of claim 1, wherein the saturation valve portion increases in volume by at least 20% in the second configuration.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8, 9)

The valve assembly of claim 8 or 9, wherein the saturation valve portion is formed from a material having a rate of diffusion of at least 1×10^-7 cm2/s.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The valve assembly of claim 1, further comprising a fluid absorbent assembly disposed within the fluid flow path.

### Claim 12

A discard/vacuum tank subassembly, comprising:
(a) a discard tank configured to receive fluid from a source;
(b) a valve assembly, comprising:
(i) a fluid column having a first open end and a second open end, the first open end in fluid communication with the discard tank and configured to receive fluid from the discard tank when fluid within the discard tank reaches a predetermined threshold;
(ii) a fluid flow path defined between the first and second open ends of the fluid column;
(iii) a saturation valve portion disposed within the fluid flow path, wherein the saturation valve portion is a first configuration when no fluid is flowing through the fluid flow path, and wherein the saturation valve portion transitions to a second configuration when fluid is flowing through the fluid flow path; and
(c) a vacuum tank in fluid communication with the second open end of the fluid column.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The discard/vacuum tank subassembly of claim 12, wherein the saturation valve portion substantially closes off flow within the fluid flow path in the second configuration.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The discard/vacuum tank subassembly of claim 12, wherein the fluid flow path is defined by a longitudinal axial opening of the fluid column.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The discard/vacuum tank subassembly of claim 14, wherein the saturation valve portion is an elongated plug, and in the first configuration the elongated plug has an external diameter that is less than an internal diameter of the longitudinal axial opening of the fluid column, and in the second configuration the elongated plug has an external diameter that is substantially equal to the internal diameter of the longitudinal axial opening of the fluid column.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The discard/vacuum tank subassembly of claim 15, further comprising first and second end plugs received within the longitudinal axial opening of the fluid column on opposing ends of the elongated plug, wherein the first and second end plugs are configured to allow fluid to pass therethrough while limiting the transition of the elongated plug between the first and second configurations to the radial direction.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The discard/vacuum tank subassembly of claim 16, wherein the fluid flow path is further defined by a first transverse opening in fluid communication with the first open end of the fluid column, a second transverse opening in fluid communication with the second open end of the fluid column, and a sealed gap extending between the first and second transverse openings.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The discard/vacuum tank subassembly of claim 17, further comprising a column sleeve disposed over the fluid column, wherein an internal diameter of the column sleeve is larger than an external diameter of the fluid column to define the sealed gap extending between the first and second transverse openings.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The discard/vacuum tank subassembly of claim 18, wherein the saturation valve portion is an O-ring disposed between the first and second transverse openings on an exterior surface of the fluid column.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The discard/vacuum tank subassembly of claim 19, wherein the O-ring is disposed within an annular groove defined within the exterior surface of the fluid column.

### Claim 21 (depends on 18)

The discard/vacuum tank subassembly of claim 18, wherein the column sleeve is moveable on the fluid column between a first position, wherein the column sleeve defines the sealed gap extending between the first and second transverse openings, and a second position.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The discard/vacuum tank subassembly of claim 21, further comprising a locking assembly for selectively locking the column sleeve in the first position.

### Claim 23 (depends on 12)

The discard/vacuum tank subassembly of claim 12, further comprising a column sleeve securable to the fluid column, the column sleeve having a longitudinal axial opening at a first end, a bore at a second end, and a fluid passageway extending between the longitudinal axial opening and the bore.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The discard/vacuum tank subassembly of claim 23, wherein the fluid flow path extends within the longitudinal axial opening, the fluid passageway, and the bore of the column sleeve when the column sleeve is secured to the fluid column.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

The discard/vacuum tank subassembly of claim 24, wherein the saturation valve portion is disposed within the bore of the column sleeve.

### Claim 26 (depends on 12)

The discard/vacuum tank subassembly of claim 12, wherein the saturation valve portion is in one of granule and powder form.

### Claim 27 (depends on 12)

The discard/vacuum tank subassembly of claim 12, wherein the saturation valve portion increases in volume by at least 10% in the second configuration.

### Claim 28 (depends on 12)

The discard/vacuum tank subassembly of claim 12, wherein the saturation valve portion increases in volume by at least 20% in the second configuration.

### Claim 29 (depends on 27, 28)

The discard/vacuum tank subassembly of claim 27 or 28, wherein the saturation valve portion is formed from a material having a rate of diffusion of at least 1×10^-7 cm2/s.

### Claim 30 (depends on 12)

The discard/vacuum tank subassembly of claim 12, wherein the saturation valve portion is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber, nitrile rubber, polychoroprene, butyl rubber, and fluoroelastomer, and any combination thereof.

### Claim 31 (depends on 12, 30)

The discard/vacuum tank subassembly of claim 12 or 30, wherein fluid flowing through the fluid flow path is selected from the group consisting of phenylmethyldimethoxysilane, dimethyldimethoxysilane, trimethylmethoxysilane, dimethyldibutoxysilane, tolylethylmethyldimethoxysilane, dimethoxymethyl[2-(methylphenyl)ethyl]silane, cyanobutylmethyldimethoxysilane, 2-(4-methylphenethyl)methylbis(2-ethylhexoxy)silane, di(2-ethylhexoxy)methyl[2-(methylphenyl)ethyl]silane, 3-cyanobutylmethylbis(2-ethylhexoxy)silane, and acetephenone, and any combination thereof.

### Claim 32 (depends on 12)

The discard/vacuum tank subassembly of claim 12, further comprising a fluid absorbent assembly disposed within the fluid flow path of the valve assembly.

### Claim 33

A fluid injection assembly, comprising:
(a) a cable having first and second ends;
(b) a fluid feed tank in communication with the first end of the cable and configured to inject fluid into the cable;
(c) a discard tank in communication with the second end of the cable and configured to receive fluid flushed from the cable;
(d) a valve assembly, comprising:
(i) a fluid column having a first open end and a second open end, the first open end in fluid communication with the discard tank and configured to receive fluid from the discard tank when fluid within the discard tank reaches a predetermined threshold;
(ii) a fluid flow path defined between the first and second open ends of the fluid column;
(iii) a saturation valve portion disposed within the fluid flow path, wherein the saturation valve portion is a first configuration when no fluid is flowing through the fluid flow path, and wherein the saturation valve portion transitions to a second configuration when fluid is flowing through the fluid flow path; and
(e) a vacuum tank in fluid communication with the second open end of the fluid column.

### Claim 34 (depends on 33)

The fluid injection assembly of claim 33, wherein the saturation valve portion substantially closes off flow within the fluid flow path in the second configuration.

### Claim 35 (depends on 33)

The fluid injection assembly of claim 33, wherein the fluid flow path is defined by a longitudinal axial opening of the fluid column.

### Claim 36 (depends on 35)

The fluid injection assembly of claim 35, wherein the saturation valve portion is an elongated plug, and in the first configuration the elongated plug has an external diameter that is less than an internal diameter of the longitudinal axial opening of the fluid column, and in the second configuration the elongated plug has an external diameter that is substantially equal to the internal diameter of the longitudinal axial opening of the fluid column.

### Claim 37 (depends on 36)

The fluid injection assembly of claim 36, further comprising first and second end plugs received within the longitudinal axial opening of the fluid column on opposing ends of the elongated plug, wherein the first and second end plugs are configured to allow fluid to pass therethrough while limiting the transition of the elongated plug between the first and second configurations to the radial direction.

### Claim 38 (depends on 33)

The fluid injection assembly of claim 33, wherein the fluid flow path is further defined by a first transverse opening in fluid communication with the first open end of the fluid column, a second transverse opening in fluid communication with the second open end of the fluid column, and a sealed gap extending between the first and second transverse openings.

### Claim 39 (depends on 38)

The fluid injection assembly of claim 38, further comprising a column sleeve disposed over the fluid column, wherein an internal diameter of the column sleeve is larger than an external diameter of the fluid column to define the sealed gap extending between the first and second transverse openings.

### Claim 40 (depends on 39)

The fluid injection assembly of claim 39, wherein the saturation valve portion is an O-ring disposed between the first and second transverse openings on an exterior surface of the fluid column.

### Claim 41 (depends on 40)

The fluid injection assembly of claim 40, wherein the O-ring is disposed within an annular groove defined within the exterior surface of the fluid column.

### Claim 42 (depends on 39)

The fluid injection assembly of claim 39, wherein the column sleeve is moveable on the fluid column between a first position, wherein the column sleeve defines the sealed gap extending between the first and second transverse openings, and a second position.

### Claim 43 (depends on 42)

The fluid injection assembly of claim 42, further comprising a locking assembly for selectively locking the column sleeve in the first position.

### Claim 44 (depends on 33)

The fluid injection assembly of claim 33, further comprising a column sleeve securable to the fluid column, the column sleeve having a longitudinal axial opening at a first end, a bore at a second end, and a fluid passageway extending between the longitudinal axial opening and the bore.

### Claim 45 (depends on 44)

The fluid injection assembly of claim 44, wherein the fluid flow path extends within the longitudinal axial opening, the fluid passageway, and the bore of the column sleeve when the column sleeve is secured to the fluid column.

### Claim 46 (depends on 45)

The fluid injection assembly of claim 45, wherein the saturation valve portion is disposed within the bore of the column sleeve.

### Claim 47 (depends on 33)

The fluid injection assembly of claim 33, wherein the saturation valve portion is in one of granule and powder form.

### Claim 48 (depends on 33)

The fluid injection assembly of claim 33, wherein the saturation valve portion increases in volume by at least 10% in the second configuration.

### Claim 49 (depends on 33)

The fluid injection assembly of claim 33, wherein the saturation valve portion increases in volume by at least 20% in the second configuration.

### Claim 50 (depends on 48, 49)

The fluid injection assembly of claim 48 or 49, wherein the saturation valve portion is formed from a material having a rate of diffusion of at least 1×10^−7 cm2/s.

### Claim 51 (depends on 33)

The fluid injection assembly of claim 33, wherein the saturation valve portion is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of silicone rubber, nitrile rubber, polychoroprene, butyl rubber, and fluoroelastomer, and any combination thereof.

### Claim 52 (depends on 33, 51)

The fluid injection assembly of claim 33 or 51, wherein fluid flowing through the fluid flow path is selected from the group consisting of phenylmethyldimethoxysilane, dimethyldimethoxysilane, trimethylmethoxysilane, dimethyldibutoxysilane, tolylethylmethyldimethoxysilane, dimethoxymethyl[2-(methylphenyl)ethyl]silane, cyanobutylmethyldimethoxysilane, 2-(4-methylphenethyl)methylbis(2-ethylhexoxy)silane, di(2-ethylhexoxy)methyl[2-(methylphenyl)ethyl]silane, 3-cyanobutylmethylbis(2-ethylhexoxy)silane, and acetephenone, and any combination thereof.

### Claim 53 (depends on 33)

The fluid injection assembly of claim 33, further comprising a fluid absorbent assembly disposed within the fluid flow path of the valve assembly.

### Claim 54

A valve assembly configured to close off the flow of fluid within a fluid injection assembly, the valve assembly comprising:
(a) a fluid column having a first open end and a second open end;
(b) a fluid flow path defined between the first and second open ends of the fluid column; and
(c) a saturation valve portion disposed within the fluid flow path, wherein the saturation valve portion is a first configuration when no fluid is flowing through the fluid flow path, and wherein the saturation valve portion transitions to a second configuration when fluid is flowing through the fluid flow path, wherein the fluid flowing through the fluid flow path is selected from the group consisting of phenylmethyldimethoxysilane, dimethyldimethoxysilane, trimethylmethoxysilane, dimethyldibutoxysilane, tolylethylmethyldimethoxysilane, dimethoxymethyl[2-(methylphenyl)ethyl]silane, cyanobutylmethyldimethoxysilane, 2-(4-methylphenethyl)methylbis(2-ethylhexoxy)silane, di(2-ethylhexoxy)methyl[2-(methylphenyl)ethyl]silane, 3-cyanobutylmethylbis(2-ethylhexoxy)silane, and acetephenone, and any combination thereof.

### Claim 55 (depends on 54)

The valve assembly of claim 54, wherein the saturation valve portion closes off flow within the fluid flow path in the second configuration.

### Claim 56 (depends on 54)

The valve assembly of claim 54, wherein the fluid flow path is defined by a longitudinal axial opening of the fluid column.

### Claim 57 (depends on 56)

The valve assembly of claim 56, wherein the saturation valve portion is an elongated plug, and in the first configuration the elongated plug has an external diameter that is less than an internal diameter of the longitudinal axial opening of the fluid column, and in the second configuration the elongated plug has an external diameter that is substantially equal to the internal diameter of the longitudinal axial opening of the fluid column.

### Claim 58 (depends on 57)

The valve assembly of claim 57, further comprising first and second end plugs received within the longitudinal axial opening of the fluid column on opposing ends of the elongated plug, wherein the first and second end plugs are configured to allow fluid to pass therethrough while limiting the transition of the elongated plug between the first and second configurations to the radial direction.

### Claim 59 (depends on 54)

The valve assembly of claim 54, wherein the saturation valve portion is in one of granule and powder form.

### Claim 60 (depends on 59)

The valve assembly of claim 59, wherein the saturation valve portion is formed from a material having a rate of diffusion of at least 1×10^−7 cm2/s.

### Claim 61 (depends on 54)

The valve assembly of claim 54, wherein the saturation valve portion increases in volume by at least 20% in the second configuration.

### Claim 62 (depends on 54)

The valve assembly of claim 54, wherein the saturation valve portion increases in volume by at least 10% in the second configuration.

### Claim 63 (depends on 62)

The valve assembly of claim 62, wherein the saturation valve portion is formed from a material having a rate of diffusion of at least 1×10^−7 cm2/s.

### Claim 64 (depends on 54)

The valve assembly of claim 54, further comprising a fluid absorbent assembly disposed within the fluid flow path.

### Claim 65

A valve assembly configured to close off the flow of fluid within a fluid injection assembly, the valve assembly comprising:
(a) a fluid column having a first open end and a second open end;
(b) a fluid flow path defined between the first and second open ends of the fluid column; and
(c) a saturation valve portion disposed within the fluid flow path, wherein the saturation valve portion is a first configuration when no fluid is flowing through the fluid flow path, and wherein the saturation valve portion transitions to a second configuration when fluid is flowing through the fluid flow path, wherein the fluid flow path is further defined by a first transverse opening in fluid communication with the first open end of the fluid column, a second transverse opening in fluid communication with the second open end of the fluid column, and a sealed gap extending between the first and second transverse openings, wherein a column sleeve is disposed over the fluid column, wherein an internal diameter of the column sleeve is larger than an external diameter of the fluid column to define the sealed gap extending between the first and second transverse openings.

### Claim 66 (depends on 65)

The valve assembly of claim 65, wherein the saturation valve portion is an O-ring disposed between the first and second transverse openings on an exterior surface of the fluid column.

### Claim 67 (depends on 66)

The valve assembly of claim 66, wherein the O-ring is disposed within an annular groove defined within the exterior surface of the fluid column.

### Claim 68 (depends on 65)

The valve assembly of claim 65, wherein the column sleeve is moveable on the fluid column between a first position, wherein the column sleeve defines the sealed gap extending between the first and second transverse openings, and a second position.

### Claim 69 (depends on 68)

The valve assembly of claim 68, further comprising a locking assembly for selectively locking the column sleeve in the first position.

### Claim 70

A valve assembly configured to close off the flow of fluid within a fluid injection assembly, the valve assembly comprising:
(a) a fluid column having a first open end and a second open end;
(b) a fluid flow path defined between the first and second open ends of the fluid column; and
(c) a saturation valve portion disposed within the fluid flow path, wherein the saturation valve portion is a first configuration when no fluid is flowing through the fluid flow path, and wherein the saturation valve portion transitions to a second configuration when fluid is flowing through the fluid flow path, wherein a column sleeve is securable to the fluid column, the column sleeve having a longitudinal axial opening at a first end, a bore at a second end, and a fluid passageway extending between the longitudinal axial opening and the bore.

### Claim 71 (depends on 70)

The valve assembly of claim 70, wherein the fluid flow path extends within the longitudinal axial opening, the fluid passageway, and the bore of the column sleeve when the column sleeve is secured to the fluid column.

### Claim 72 (depends on 71)

The valve assembly of claim 71, wherein the saturation valve portion is disposed within the bore of the column sleeve.