Antisurge flow control device for a drinking fountain or the like
Abstract
Abstract A flow-control device to prevent surging of the water discharge from a drinking fountain or the like. The device is particularly useful in association with freeze-proof drinking fountains that necessarily have a relatively long supply conduit extending between the elevated discharge nozzle of the fountain and the control valve thereof which is buried within the ground at a depth below the frostline. In fountains of this type, the supply conduit is substantially drained of water following each use, thereby causing it to contain a long column of air at the initiation of each cycle of use that tends to be compressed in front of and entrained within the water flowing upwardly toward the nozzle. Such compressed and entrained air causes surging or irratic behavior of the water discharge from the fountain. The flow-control device is located along such water supply conduit and provides a relatively long chamber having an inlet communicating with the supply conduit on the valve side thereof, and an outlet through which a flow tube extends into the chamber toward adjacency with the inlet but not in direct alignment therewith. The flow tube also communicates with the supply conduit but on the nozzle side thereof. Water discharging from the inlet into the chamber tends to have trapped and entrained air removed therefrom so that the flow of water leaving the chamber via the flow tube is substantially surgeless.
Inventors
- 👤 Allen C Wright
Bibliographic Details
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-22 | 1974-08-24 | 1975-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-22 | 1978-08-24 | 1979-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-22 | 1982-08-24 | 1983-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |