Patent US3603336A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3603336A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluidically controlled refill mechanism with backflow preventer
Assignee: Trane US Inc
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Filing: 1970-05-05
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Granted: 1971-09-07
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Expires: 1990-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A refill mechanism, for example, a water closet tank refill apparatus is provided with a fluidically controlled valve which maintains itself in the ''''on'''' position once the fluid flow starts and switches to the ''''off'''' position in response to the attainment of a predetermined liquid level. The flowing fluid in the control chamber of the mechanism, acts as a wall or air barrier. When the fluid flow stops, the barrier is eliminated leaving a substantial distance between the maximum water height and the lowest ''''siphon'''' inlet to the valve, thereby preventing accidental backflow of water from the tank into the main waterline.
Inventors
- 👤 Barry S Fichter
- 👤 Edward H Bell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:42
CPC Classifications
E; E03; E03D; E03D1/00; E03D1/30; E03D1/32; F; F16; F16K; F16K21/00; F16K21/04; F16K21/18; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/731
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A water closet refill mechanism having a fluidic valve and a backflow preventer, comprising: A. a fluidic valve, said fluidic valve having a control port and being automatically closed in response to the termination of air being aspirated through said control port into said fluidic valve; and B. a backflow preventer and liquid-level-sensing chamber, said sensing chamber having a water inlet in an upper region, means for providing communication between said control port of said fluidic valve and a region of said chamber which is below said upper region, an air inlet in a lower region of said chamber, and a backflow preventer port at least intermediate said upper region and said lower region, communicating with said control port, said water inlet and said backflow preventer port being relatively positioned such that water flowing into said chamber through said water inlet forms a curtain across said backflow preventer port.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A water closet refill mechanism having a fluidic valve and a backflow preventer, comprising: A. a fluidic valve, said fluidic valve having a control port and being automatically closed in response to the termination of air being aspirated through said control port into said fluidic valve; and B. a backflow preventer and liquid-level-sensing chamber, said sensing chamber having a water inlet in an upper region, means for providing communication between said control port of said fluidic valve and a region of said chamber which is below said upper region, an air inlet in a lower region of said chamber, and a backflow preventer port at least intermediate said upper region and said lower region, communicating with said control port, said water inlet and said backflow preventer port being relatively positioned such that water flowing into said chamber through said water inlet forms a curtain across said backflow preventer port.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein said backflow preventer port is an elongated, vertically extending port.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein said backflow preventer and liquid-level-sensing chamber has an open bottom end, said open bottom end being said air inlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein said backflow preventer and liquid-level-sensing chamber is provided with a conduit which extends through a first wall of said chamber to a point proximate said water inlet, said conduit being at least part of said means for providing communication between said control port of said fluidic valve and said region of said chamber which is below said upper region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The structure of claim 1, wherein said water inlet supplies water to a region intermediate two opposite walls of said backflow preventer and liquid-level-sensing chamber, said two opposite walls being spaced apart a distance such that water from said water inlet substantially completely fills a vertically extending region between said two walls, said rEgion being intermediate said backflow preventer and liquid-level-sensing chamber which is in communication with said control port of said fluidic valve.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The structure of claim 5, wherein said backflow preventer and liquid-level-sensing chamber is provided with a vertically extending slot in each of said two opposite walls, the slots serving as means for mounting said backflow preventer and liquid-level-sensing chamber on a water closet overflow tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The structure of claim 6, wherein said slots are positioned such that the region between said slots and another wall of said backflow preventer and liquid-level-sensing chamber constitutes said air inlet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
The structure of claim 7, wherein said backflow preventer and liquid-level-sensing chamber is provided with a conduit which extends through said another wall of said chamber to a point proximate said water inlet, said conduit being at least part of said means for providing communication between said control port of said fluidic valve and said region of said chamber which is below said upper region.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The structure of claim 8, wherein said slots are located in a vertically extending plane which is substantially intermediate of said water inlet and said air inlet.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-06 | 1975-03-08 | 1975-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-06 | 1979-03-08 | 1979-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-06 | 1983-03-08 | 1983-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |