US3578016A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Antisiphon fluid inlet means
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1968-12-26
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Granted: 1971-05-11
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Expires: 1988-12-26
Abstract
Abstract An antisiphon fluid inlet means is provided to minimize the possibility of reverse flow of washing liquid from an automatic washer into the water piping of the building in which the washer is installed. The means comprises a housing defining an arcuate chamber therein having a tangential inlet and a tangential outlet thereto, and a vent to the atmosphere formed centrally within the housing. A flow direction means, which, in one embodiment includes a cusp formed adjacent the outlet opening from the chamber, directs a substantial portion of the fluid circulating within the chamber to the outlet opening, and directs the remainder of the fluid into the chamber for continued circulation therein. The vent is positioned out of the path of fluid circulating within the chamber and is adapted to admit air from the exterior of the housing should a suction force be exerted on the inlet, and to drain to the exterior of the housing a sufficient amount of any fluid which may backflow through the outlet to prevent fluid discharge from the chamber back through the inlet and into the water supply connected thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald J Kushner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 04:10
CPC Classifications
F; F15; F15D; F15D1/00; F15D1/0015; D; D06; D06F; D06F37/00; D06F37/42; D06F39/00; D06F39/08; D06F39/088; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/3149; Y10T137/3185
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
240 words
An antisiphon fluid inlet means comprising: a housing defining a chamber therein; inlet means positioned to direct fluid from a source of fluid under pressure tangentially into said chamber for circulation therein in one direction; said inlet means comprising at least one inlet opening into said chamber, said inlet opening being directed substantially horizontally and positioned adjacent to the uppermost point of said chamber; outlet means positioned to discharge tangentially from said chamber at least a portion of the fluid circulating therein in said one direction; said outlet means comprising at least one outlet opening into said chamber, said outlet opening being directed substantially vertically downwardly and being positioned below said inlet opening, the area of said outlet opening being greater than the area of said inlet opening; vent means venting said chamber to the exterior of said housing, said vent means being positioned out of the path of fluid circulating in said one direction to admit air from the exterior of said housing should a suction force be exerted on said inlet means, and to drain to the exterior of said housing a sufficient amount of any fluid backflowing through said outlet to prevent such fluid from backflowing into said inlet means and the source of fluid associated therewith; and flow direction means to direct at least a portion of the circulating fluid flow into said outlet opening and to recirculate the remainder of said flow within said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
240 words
An antisiphon fluid inlet means comprising: a housing defining a chamber therein; inlet means positioned to direct fluid from a source of fluid under pressure tangentially into said chamber for circulation therein in one direction; said inlet means comprising at least one inlet opening into said chamber, said inlet opening being directed substantially horizontally and positioned adjacent to the uppermost point of said chamber; outlet means positioned to discharge tangentially from said chamber at least a portion of the fluid circulating therein in said one direction; said outlet means comprising at least one outlet opening into said chamber, said outlet opening being directed substantially vertically downwardly and being positioned below said inlet opening, the area of said outlet opening being greater than the area of said inlet opening; vent means venting said chamber to the exterior of said housing, said vent means being positioned out of the path of fluid circulating in said one direction to admit air from the exterior of said housing should a suction force be exerted on said inlet means, and to drain to the exterior of said housing a sufficient amount of any fluid backflowing through said outlet to prevent such fluid from backflowing into said inlet means and the source of fluid associated therewith; and flow direction means to direct at least a portion of the circulating fluid flow into said outlet opening and to recirculate the remainder of said flow within said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vacuum break of claim 1 additionally comprising conduit means to drain noncirculating fluid from the lowermost point of said chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The vacuum break of claim 2 wherein said conduit means drains into said outlet means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The vacuum break of claim 1 wherein said flow direction means includes a cusp formed adjacent said outlet opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
184 words
A vacuum break comprising: a housing comprising first and second substantially vertically disposed end walls and an arcuate sidewall connecting with said end walls to define an arcuate chamber therein; inlet means adapted to connect to a source of fluid under pressure, and comprising an opening through said arcuate sidewall to direct fluid tangentially into said chamber for circulation therein in one rotational direction; outlet means comprising an opening through said arcuate sidewall to discharge tangentially from said chamber at least a portion of the fluid circulating therein in said one rotational direction; flow direction means to direct a substantial portion of the circulating fluid flow within said chamber into said outlet opening and to recirculate the remainder of said flow within said chamber; conduit means formed within said housing to drain noncirculating fluid flow from the lowermost point of said chamber into said outlet means; and at least one opening to the atmosphere from said chamber positioned out of the path of the circulating flow at a location spaced upwardly from said lowermost point of said chamber and downwardly from said inlet means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
184 words
A vacuum break comprising: a housing comprising first and second substantially vertically disposed end walls and an arcuate sidewall connecting with said end walls to define an arcuate chamber therein; inlet means adapted to connect to a source of fluid under pressure, and comprising an opening through said arcuate sidewall to direct fluid tangentially into said chamber for circulation therein in one rotational direction; outlet means comprising an opening through said arcuate sidewall to discharge tangentially from said chamber at least a portion of the fluid circulating therein in said one rotational direction; flow direction means to direct a substantial portion of the circulating fluid flow within said chamber into said outlet opening and to recirculate the remainder of said flow within said chamber; conduit means formed within said housing to drain noncirculating fluid flow from the lowermost point of said chamber into said outlet means; and at least one opening to the atmosphere from said chamber positioned out of the path of the circulating flow at a location spaced upwardly from said lowermost point of said chamber and downwardly from said inlet means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The vacuum break of claim 5 wherein the area of said opening to the atmosphere is at least as large as the area of said outlet opening which, in turn, is greater than the area of said inlet opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The vacuum break of claim 6 wherein said inlet opening is directed substantially horizontally and said outlet opening is directed substantially vertically downwardly, said outlet opening being positioned at a location below said inlet opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vacuum break of claim 7 wherein said opening to the atmosphere is formed through at least one of said end walls substantially centrally thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The vacuum break of claim 8 wherein said flow direction means includes a cusp formed adjacent said outlet opening.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The vacuum break of claim 8 additionally including a drip lip to prevent fluid falling from said inlet opening from entering said opening to the atmosphere.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-10 | 1974-11-09 | 1975-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-10 | 1978-11-09 | 1979-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-10 | 1982-11-09 | 1983-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |