Flow control device
AssigneeLane Enterprises, Inc.
InventorsTimothy Joel Lang, Patrick X. Collings, Douglas K. Graham
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flow control device includes a float that moves vertically in response to changes in water level, a valve body that moves between extended and retracted positions, and a mechanism interconnecting the float and the valve body wherein changes of position of the float in response to changes in water level changes the position of the valve body. The valve body is placed adjacent a discharge pipe to change the effective intake area of the discharge pipe with changes in water level.
Claims21
A flow control device for variably changing the effective area of an intake opening submerged under water and responsive to changes in water level in the vicinity of the opening, the flow control device comprising:
- a housing, a float, a crank-slide mechanism, and a valve body;
- the housing comprising an elongated tubular body extending along a vertical axis, the body having an interior, the interior in fluid communication with the surrounding water when the housing is submerged in water;
- the float in the interior of the housing body, the float capable of floating in water and configured to be movable along the vertical axis in response to changes in water level in the housing, the float movable between a first float position corresponding to a higher water level and a second float position corresponding to a lower water level in the housing;
- the crank-slide mechanism in the housing, the crank-slide mechanism comprising an elongated crank, a slide, and a guide surface, the crank pivotally mounted to the housing for pivotal movement about a pivot axis, the crank extending into the housing body to a free end portion, the guide surface fixed to the crank and extending along the crank, the valve member connected to the free end portion of the crank for conjoint movement of the valve member with the crank;
- the slide attached to the float for conjoint vertical movement with the float, the slide engageable against the guide surface as the float moves between first and second float positions wherein movement of the float between first and second positions causes pivotal movement of the crank about the pivot axis;
- the valve member configured and adapted to be placed facing the intake opening whereby movement of the valving member varies the intake area.
A method for variably throttling an intake area of a discharge pipe, having an intake opening submerged under water, in response to changes in water level in the vicinity of the intake opening, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) placing a float in the water in the vicinity of the intake opening, the float capable of rising and falling between an upper float position when the water level is a first, higher water level and a lower float position when the water level is a second, lower water level;
- (b) engaging a guide surface against the float, the guide surface having a length, the float engaging the guide surface and moving along the length of the guide surface as the float moves between upper and lower float positions;
- (c) displacing the guide surface in response to movement of the float between upper and lower float positions, the displacement of the guide surface being a function of float position between the upper and lower float positions;
- (d) placing a valve member adjacent the intake opening, the valve member and the pipe cooperatively defining the intake area;
- (e) connecting the valve member to the guide surface wherein displacement of the guide surface moves the valve member relative to the intake opening;
- whereby movement of the valve member with respect to the intake opening varies as a function of float position along the guide surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.