US3601140A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Liquid trap
Assignee: Torginol LLC
•
Filing: 1969-06-03
•
Granted: 1971-08-24
•
Expires: 1989-06-03
Abstract
Abstract Liquid trap for use in vacuum systems where liquid flow is induced by the application of a vacuum, for the purpose of preventing accidental flow of liquid to the vacuum source. The trap incorporates a chamber connected in the vacuum line, and having an automatic drain valve closed by the application of the vacuum and opening when the vacuum is terminated, the chamber being also provided with an additional safety valve closing the vacuum line if any small quantity of liquid should escape from the chamber into the vacuum line.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Edward Hooper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 05:20
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16T; F16T1/00; F16T1/12; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2496; Y10T137/2544; Y10T137/2557; Y10T137/2931; Y10T137/3003; Y10T137/3084; Y10T137/309; Y10T137/3102; Y10T137/3105; Y10T137/3109
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
256 words
Liquid trap apparatus for use in association with a vacuum system and comprising: a chamber adapted to be subjected to reduced pressures; air inlet port means communicating with said chamber and adapted to be connected into said vacuum system; an inlet airflow conduit communicating between said inlet port and said chamber; liquid flow velocity reduction means within said chamber to reduce the velocity and droplet size of liquid droplets entrained with air entering said chamber; outlet port means communicating with said chamber and adapted to be connected to said vacuum system; an outlet valve housing having upper and lower ends in direct gravity flow liquid communication with said chamber; valve seat means at said housing upper end and defining an air outlet opening; a valve closure member within said housing movable upward and downward in said housing between closed and open positions to close and open said air outlet opening, said housing, when said valve closure member is in its upper position, being open for direct gravity flow of liquid therein into said chamber; valve support means at said lower end of said outlet valve housing; air passageway means at said lower end of said outlet valve housing communicating with interior of said chamber; liquid baffle means within said chamber directly beneath and spaced below said outlet valve housing in registration with said air passageway means to deflect liquid droplets from entering said passageway means; and, automatic drain means for said chamber operable to release liquid therefrom upon termination of said reduced pressure in said chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
256 words
Liquid trap apparatus for use in association with a vacuum system and comprising: a chamber adapted to be subjected to reduced pressures; air inlet port means communicating with said chamber and adapted to be connected into said vacuum system; an inlet airflow conduit communicating between said inlet port and said chamber; liquid flow velocity reduction means within said chamber to reduce the velocity and droplet size of liquid droplets entrained with air entering said chamber; outlet port means communicating with said chamber and adapted to be connected to said vacuum system; an outlet valve housing having upper and lower ends in direct gravity flow liquid communication with said chamber; valve seat means at said housing upper end and defining an air outlet opening; a valve closure member within said housing movable upward and downward in said housing between closed and open positions to close and open said air outlet opening, said housing, when said valve closure member is in its upper position, being open for direct gravity flow of liquid therein into said chamber; valve support means at said lower end of said outlet valve housing; air passageway means at said lower end of said outlet valve housing communicating with interior of said chamber; liquid baffle means within said chamber directly beneath and spaced below said outlet valve housing in registration with said air passageway means to deflect liquid droplets from entering said passageway means; and, automatic drain means for said chamber operable to release liquid therefrom upon termination of said reduced pressure in said chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
Liquid trap apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said valve housing is of predetermined width and height, and wherein said valve closure member is of spherical shape of predetermined diameter and mass, arranged to permit free flow of air or the like around said closure member within said housing, while being responsive to entry of liquid within said housing, to move upwardly therein and make sealing engagement with said valve seat.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
Liquid trap apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said liquid drain means includes a generally concave-shaped drain recessed at the lower end of said chamber, and a drain hole at the lower most point of said drain surface, and valve means automatically closing said drain hole in response to the vacuum in said chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
Liquid trap apparatus as claimed in claim 1 including a liquid drain valve chamber of predetermined height and width, and in communication through an opening with said chamber, a valve seat around said drain opening in said valve chamber, and a valve closure member movable between upper and lower positions within said chamber of predetermined dimensions and mass, the weight and size of said valve member being arranged to cause said valve member to move into its upper position in sealing engagement with said valve seat in response to evacuation of said chamber, and liquid outlet means at a lower portion of said valve chamber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
Liquid trap apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said valve seat is arranged in a predetermined plane at the upper eNd of said valve chamber and wherein the lower end of said valve chamber is arranged in a plane angled relative to the plane of said valve seat.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
Liquid trap apparatus as claimed in claim 4 including a liquid flow channel formed at one side of said valve chamber, and a liquid drain conduit formed in the lower end of said valve chamber in registration with said flow channel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
Liquid trap apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said liquid flow reduction means comprises a plug of porous material fastened within said inlet liquid flow conduit, said plug permitting free flow of air therethrough, while restricting flow of liquid therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
149 words
Liquid trap apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said chamber comprises a substantially cylindrical tubular member, a generally disc-shaped upper closure member for said chamber, said inlet and outlet port means being formed integrally therewith side by side along substantially parallel axes, and wherein said outlet valve housing is formed integrally with said upper closure member and depends downwardly into said chamber; and wherein said automatic drain means includes a generally disc-shaped concave drain member fitting snugly within the lower end of said chamber, and having a drain hole at the lowermost point thereof, and including a downwardly dependent drain valve housing formed integrally with said drain member and located within said chamber, and generally disc-shaped lower closure member for the lower end of said chamber mating with said downwardly dependent drain valve housing, and sealing and enclosing said drain member and drain valve housing within said chamber.
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) | 1974-08-23 | 1975-02-22 | 1975-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-23 | 1979-02-22 | 1979-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-23 | 1983-02-22 | 1983-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |