US3580267A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Condensate valve
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-09-26
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Granted: 1971-05-25
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Expires: 1989-09-26
Abstract
Abstract A condensate valve for connection to a compressed fluid tank, specifically an air tank associated with a compressor, to eject accumulated condensate in the tank, comprising a multiple piece valve body made of a tough, high impact plastic such as polycarbonate, each valve body section or part being internally configured to provide a passage for condensate through the valve normally closed by check valve means, and a chamber within which is disposed a diaphragm means having check valve actuating means responsive to diaphragm movement to momentarily open the check valve to exhaust condensate from the air mask.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph J Baker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:45
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16T; F16T1/00; F16T1/12; F16T1/14; F16L; F16L55/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2931; Y10T137/3003; Y10T137/3102; Y10T137/6416; Y10T137/6606
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
217 words
A condensate valve for connection to a compressed fluid tank comprising: a valve body made of a plastic material including three separate body sections sealingly welded together to provide a fluidtight unitary structure, a first of said sections having a fluid passage therethrough and a fitting sealingly welded therein for connection to said fluid taNk, an intermediate section having a fluid passage therethrough defining a valve chamber having a valve seat at one end thereof, and a third section defining a fluid chamber having a fluid outlet opening laterally through a sidewall thereof and a passage opening through the exposed end wall of the section; check valve means in said valve chamber biased into engagement with said valve seat; diaphragm means extending across said fluid chamber spaced below said fluid outlet having an upstanding peripheral lip sealingly entrapped between said intermediate and third valve body sections and an axially extending post on each side of the diaphragm, one post projection toward said check valve means for shifting said valve away from the valve seat upon flexure of said diaphragm and the opposite post projecting through said third body section passage; and means operatively coupled to said diaphragm means to flex the latter for momentarily actuating said check valve, thereby exhausting condensate from said tank through said outlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
217 words
A condensate valve for connection to a compressed fluid tank comprising: a valve body made of a plastic material including three separate body sections sealingly welded together to provide a fluidtight unitary structure, a first of said sections having a fluid passage therethrough and a fitting sealingly welded therein for connection to said fluid taNk, an intermediate section having a fluid passage therethrough defining a valve chamber having a valve seat at one end thereof, and a third section defining a fluid chamber having a fluid outlet opening laterally through a sidewall thereof and a passage opening through the exposed end wall of the section; check valve means in said valve chamber biased into engagement with said valve seat; diaphragm means extending across said fluid chamber spaced below said fluid outlet having an upstanding peripheral lip sealingly entrapped between said intermediate and third valve body sections and an axially extending post on each side of the diaphragm, one post projection toward said check valve means for shifting said valve away from the valve seat upon flexure of said diaphragm and the opposite post projecting through said third body section passage; and means operatively coupled to said diaphragm means to flex the latter for momentarily actuating said check valve, thereby exhausting condensate from said tank through said outlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The invention defined in claim 1 characterized in that said valve body sections each exhibit corresponding peripheral sidewalls having cooperating end portions for mating engagement with cooperating portions on adjacent sections to maintain the sections in predetermined relative position prior to their being welded together to form a fluidtight valve body structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 characterized in that said diaphragm means has an upstanding circumferential flange fixedly entrapped between said mating surfaces of said second and third valve body sections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention defined in claim 1 characterized in that said third body section includes an inlet for connection to a source of fluid under pressure, and said opposite post includes a portion normally blocking said section passage and shiftable with said diaphragm in response to fluid pressure thereagainst to open said passage to atmosphere.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The invention defined in claim 1 characterized in that said third body section includes a recess below said diaphragm, an electromagnet in said recess, and a magnetic core within said electromagnet for moving said diaphragm upon actuation of the electromagnet.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention defined in claim 5 characterized in that said diaphragm means includes an integral axial post projecting toward said electromagnet, and said magnetic core includes a part projecting toward the diaphragm post for moving the diaphragm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
The invention defined in claim 1, characterized in that said check valve comprises a generally T-shaped valve element in cross section having a flat resilient face for sealing engagement against said valve seat, said element being made of urethane, and spring means encircling the base portion of said T-shape and bearing against the head portion to resistingly urge the valve element into engagement with said seat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
The invention defined in claim 1 characterized in that said check valve comprises a generally T-shaped valve element in cross section having a cylindrical recess in the head portion thereof, a cylindrical resilient sealing member fixed in the recess for sealing engagement against said valve seat, and spring means encircling the base portion of said T-shaped valve element and bearing against the head portion thereof to resistingly urge the element into engagement with said seat.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention defined in claim 1 characterized in that said diaphragm means comprises an integral structure including a flexible, platelike diaphragm portion having an upstanding circumferential flange extending therearound, and a substantially rigid central hub portion having rigid postlike elements projecting axially from opposite sides of said diaphragm portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention defined in claim 1 characterized in that said intermediate valve body section comprises an annular recess extending in spaced-apart relation to said valve chamber, and an electric heating element disposed in said recess.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The inVention defined in claim 10 characterized in that said electric heating element is of a self current limiting type.
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) | 1974-05-24 | 1974-11-23 | 1975-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-24 | 1978-11-23 | 1979-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-24 | 1982-11-23 | 1983-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |