Automatic valving device

Claim 2

In an automatic valving device, the combination comprising a receiver for liquid, an elongated float structure disposed generally vertically in said receiver and including an upper float portion positioned in an upper region of said receiver and a lower float portion positioned in a lower region of said receiver, said lower float portion being spacedly secured to said upper float portion, inlet and outlet port means for said receiver, discharge valve means for said receiver coupled to said outlet port means, said float structure being coupled to said discharge valve means for opening and closing said discharge valve means in response to changes in liquid level in said receiver, biasing means coupled to said discharge valve means for urging said discharge valve means to a closed position, the buoyancy of said float structure lower portion although submerged being insufficient to overcome said biasing means and to open said discharge valve means when closed, the buoyancy of said float structure lower portion when fully submerged together with the buoyancy of said float structure upper portion when at least partially submerged being sufficient to overcome said biasing means when said discharge valve means are closed and to open said discharge valve means at an upper limit level of liquid in said receiver, the buoyancy of said lower portion when fully submerged being sufficient to overcome said biasing means and to support at a portion of the weight of said upper float portion when said discharge valve means have been opened and to maintain said discharge valve means in an opened condition at intermediate levels of said liquid, and the total weight of said float structure and of the coupling thereof to said discharge valve means in conjunction with said biasing means being capable of closing said discharge valve means at a lower limit level of liquid in said receiver against any residual buoyancy of said float structure lower portion.

Claim 3

In an automatic valving device, the combination comprising a receiver for liquid, a float structure including a main float positioned generally in an upper region of said receiver and an auxiliary float positioned in a lower region of said receiver, said auxiliary float being spacedly connected to said main float for movement therewith, inlet and outlet port means in said receiver, discharge valve means coupled to said outlet port means, said float structure being coupled to said discharge valve means for opening and closing said discharge valve means in response to changes in liquid level in said receiver, biasing means coupled to said discharge valve means for urging said discharge valve means to a closed position, the buoyancy of said auxiliary float alone although fully submerged being insufficient to overcome said biasing means and to open said discharge valve means when closed, the combined buoyancy of said auxiliary float when fulLy submerged and the buoyancy of said main float when at least partially submerged being sufficient to overcome said biasing means when said discharge means are closed and to open said discharge valve means at an upper limit level of liquid in said receiver, the buoyancy of said auxiliary float when fully submerged being sufficient to overcome said biasing means and to support at least a portion of the weight of said main float when said discharge valve means have been opened and to maintain said discharge valve means in an opened condition at intermediate levels of said liquid, and the total weight of said float structure and its coupling to said discharge valve means in conjunction with said biasing means being capable of closing said discharge valve means at a lower limit level of liquid in said receiver against any residual buoyancy of said auxiliary float.

Claim 4

In an automatic valving device, the combination comprising a receiver for liquid, a float structure including a main float positioned generally in an upper region of said receiver and an auxiliary float positioned in a lower region of said receiver, said auxiliary float being spacedly connected to said main float for movement therewith, inlet and outlet port means in said receiver, discharge valve means coupled to said outlet port means, said float structure being coupled to said discharge valve means for opening and closing said discharge valve means in response to changes in liquid level in said receiver, biasing means coupled to said discharge valve means for urging said discharge valve means to a closed position, the buoyancy of said auxiliary float alone although fully submerged being insufficient to overcome said biasing means and to open said discharge valve means when closed, the combined buoyancy of said auxiliary float when fulLy submerged and the buoyancy of said main float when at least partially submerged being sufficient to overcome said biasing means when said discharge means are closed and to open said discharge valve means at an upper limit level of liquid in said receiver, the buoyancy of said auxiliary float when fully submerged being sufficient to overcome said biasing means and to support at least a portion of the weight of said main float when said discharge valve means have been opened and to maintain said discharge valve means in an opened condition at intermediate levels of said liquid, and the total weight of said float structure and its coupling to said discharge valve means in conjunction with said biasing means being capable of closing said discharge valve means at a lower limit level of liquid in said receiver against any residual buoyancy of said auxiliary float.

Claim 5

In an automatic valving device, the combination comprising a receiver for liquid, a float structure including a main float positioned generally in an upper region of said receiver and an auxiliary float positioned generally in a lower region of said receiver, said auxiliary float being spacedly connected to said main float for movement therewith, an outlet structure for said receiver disposed adjacent the bottom thereof and including a discharge valve, a pilot valve, pressure sensitive means coupling said pilot valve and said discharge valve for opening and closing said discharge valve, an inlet port in said receiver for admittance of a pressurized medium, said float structure being connected to said pilot valve for opening and closing said pilot valve in response to changes in liquid level within said receiver, biasing means connected to said pilot valve and to said float structure for urging said pilot valve to a closed position, the buoyancy of said auxiliary float alone although fully submerged being insufficient to overcome said biasing means and to open said pilot valve when closed, the combined buoyancy of said auxiliary float when fully submerged and of said main float when at least partially submerged being sufficient to overcome said biasing means when said pilot valve is closed and to open said pilot valve at an upper limit level of liquid in said receiver, the buoyancy of said auxiliary float when fully submerged being sufficient to overcome said biasing means and to support at least a portion of the weight of said main float when said pilot valve has been opened and to maintain said pilot valve in an opened condition at intermediate levels of said liquid, and the combined weights of said float structure and of the connection thereof to said pilot valve in conjunction with said biasing means being capable of closing said pilot valve at a lower limit level of liquid in said receiver against any residual buoyancy of said auxiliary float.

Claim 6

In an automatic valving device, the combination comprising a receiver for liquid, a float structure including a main float positioned generally in an upper region of said receiver and an auxiliary float positioned generally in a lower region of said receiver, said auxiliary float being spacedly connected to said main float for movement therewith, an outlet structure for said receiver disposed adjacent the bottom thereof and including a discharge valve, a pilot valve, pressure sensitive means coupling said pilot valve and said discharge valve for opening and closing said discharge valve, an inlet port in said receiver for admittance of a pressurized medium, said float structure being connected to said pilot valve for opening and closing said pilot valve in response to changes in liquid level within said receiver, biasing means connected to said pilot valve and to said float structure for urging said pilot valve to a closed position, the buoyancy of said auxiliary float alone although fully submerged being insufficient to overcome said biasing means and to open said pilot valve when closed, the combined buoyancy of said auxiliary float when fully submerged and of said main float when at least partially submerged being sufficient to overcome said biasing means when said pilot valve is closed and to open said pilot valve at an upper limit level of liquid in said receiver, the buoyancy of said auxiliary float when fully submerged being sufficient to overcome said biasing means and to support at least a portion of the weight of said main float when said pilot valve has been opened and to maintain said pilot valve in an opened condition at intermediate levels of said liquid, and the combined weights of said float structure and of the connection thereof to said pilot valve in conjunction with said biasing means being capable of closing said pilot valve at a lower limit level of liquid in said receiver against any residual buoyancy of said auxiliary float.

Claim 7

The combination according to claim 1 wherein counterweight means are attached to said discharge valve means-float structure coupling to counterbalance the weight of said float structure to permit closure of said discharge valve means at a correspondingly lesser submergence of said float structure lower portion auxiliary float.

Claim 8

The combination according to claim 2 wherein said float structure includes an elongated connecting member joining said main float and said auxiliary float for substantially common movement of said floats longitudinally of said connecting member.

Claim 9

In an automatic valving device, the combination comprising a receiver for liquid, a float structure including a main float positioned generally in an upper region of said receiver and an auxiliary float positioned generally in a lower region of said receiver, said auxiliary float being connected to said main float for movement therewith, an outlet structure for said receiver disposed adjacent the bottom thereof and including a discharge valve, a pilot valve, pressure sensitive means coupling said pilot valve and said discharge valve for opening and closing said discharge valve, an inlet port in said receiver for admittance of a pressurized medium, said float structure being connected to said pilot valve for opening and closing said pilot valve in response to changes in liquid level within said receiver, biasing means connected to said pilot valve and to said float structure for urging said pilot valve to its closed position, the buoyancy of auxiliary float alone although fully submerged being insufficient to overcome said biasing means and to open said pilot valve when closed, the combined buoyancy of said auxiliary float when fully submerged and of said main float when at least partially submerged being sufficient to overcome said biasing means and to open said pilot valve at an upper limit level of liquid in said receiver, the combined weights of said float structure and of the connection thereof to said pilot valve in conjunction with said biasing means being capable of closing said pilot valve at a lower limit level of liquid in said receiver against the buoyancy of said auxiliary float when at least partially submerged, said pressure sensitive means including an orifice tube extending from said pilot valve to actuating means coupled to said discharge valve and likewise forming part of said pressure sensitive means, said floats being joined by an elongated connecting member, said orifice tube and said elongated connecting member extending substantially parallel, and stabilizing means secured to said orifice tube for loosely engaging said connecting member to permit relative longitudinal movement therebetween but to restrain lateral movement of said connecting member and said auxiliary float relative to said orifice tube.

Claim 10

In an automatic valving device, the combination comprising a receiver for liquid, a float structure including a main float positioned generally in an upper region of said receiver and an auxiliary float positioned generally in a lower region of said receiver, said auxiliary float being connected to said main float for movement therewith, an outlet structure for said receiver disposed adjacent the bottom thereof and including a discharge valve, a pilot valve, pressure sensitive means coupling said pilot valve and said discharge valve for opening and closing said discharge valve, an inlet port in said receiver for admittance of a pressurized medium, said float structure being connected to said pilot valve for opening and closing said pilot valve in response to changes in liquid level within said receiver, biasing means connected to said pilot valve and to said float structure for urging said pilot valve to its closed position, the buoyancy of auxiliary float alone although fully submerged being insufficient to overcome said biasing means and to open said pilot valve when closed, the combined buoyancy of said auxiliary float when fully submerged and of said main float when at least partially submerged being sufficient to overcome said biasing means and to open said pilot valve at an upper limit level of liquid in said receiver, the combined weights of said float structure and of the connection thereof to said pilot valve in conjunction with said biasing means being capable of closing said pilot valve at a lower limit level of liquid in said receiver against the buoyancy of said auxiliary float when at least partially submerged, said pressure sensitive means including an orifice tube extending from said pilot valve to actuating means coupled to said discharge valve and likewise forming part of said pressure sensitive means, said floats being joined by an elongated connecting member, said orifice tube and said elongated connecting member extending substantially parallel, and stabilizing means secured to said orifice tube for loosely engaging said connecting member to permit relative longitudinal movement therebetween but to restrain lateral movement of said connecting member and said auxiliary float relative to said orifice tube.

Claim 11

In an automatic valving device, the combination comprising a receiver for liquid, a float structure including a main float positioned generally in an upper region of said receiver and an auxiliary float positioned in a lower region of said receiver, said auxiliary float being connected to said main float for movement therewith, inlet and outlet port means in said receiver, discharge valve means coupled to said outlet port means, said float structure being coupled to said discharge valve means for opening and closing said discharge valve means in response to changes in liquid level in said receiver, biasing means coupled to said discharge valve means for urging said discharge valve means to its closed position, the buoyancy of said auxiliary float alone although fully submerged being insufficient to overcome said biasing means and to open said discharge valve means when closed, the combined buoyancy of said auxiliary float when fully submerged and the buoyancy of said main float when at least partially submerged being sufficient to overcome said biasing means and to open said pilot valve at an upper limit level of liquid in said receiver, the total weight of said float structure and its coupling to said discharge valve means in conjunction with said biasing means being capable of closing said discharge valve means at a lower limit level of liquid in said receiver against the buoyancy of said auxiliary float when at least partially submerged, said float structure including an elongated connecting member joining said main float and said auxiliary float for substantially common movement of said floats longitudinally of said connecting member, said connecting member including means for adjusting the length thereof in order to correspondingly adjust the distance between said main float and said auxiliary float and the distance between said upper and lower liquid levels.

Claim 12

In an automatic valving device, the combination comprising a receiver for liquid, a float structure including a main float positioned generally in an upper region of said receiver and an auxiliary float positioned in a lower region of said receiver, said auxiliary float being connected to said main float for movement therewith, inlet and outlet port means in said receiver, discharge valve means coupled to said outlet port means, said float structure being coupled to said discharge valve means for opening and closing said discharge valve means in response to changes in liquid level in said receiver, biasing means coupled to said discharge valve means for urging said discharge valve means to its closed position, the buoyancy of said auxiliary float alone although fully submerged being insufficient to overcome said biasing means and to open said discharge valve means when closed, the combined buoyancy of said auxiliary float when fully submerged and the buoyancy of said main float when at least partially submerged being sufficient to overcome said biasing means and to open said pilot valve at an upper limit level of liquid in said receiver, the total weight of said float structure and its coupling to said discharge valve means in conjunction with said biasing means being capable of closing said discharge valve means at a lower limit level of liquid in said receiver against the buoyancy of said auxiliary float when at least partially submerged, said float structure including an elongated connecting member joining said main float and said auxiliary float for substantially common movement of said floats longitudinally of said connecting member, said connecting member including means for adjusting the length thereof in order to correspondingly adjust the distance between said main float and said auxiliary float and the distance between said upper and lower liquid levels.

Claim 13

In an automatic valving device, the combination comprising a receiver for liquid, an elongated float structure disposed generally vertically in said receiver and including an upper float portion positioned in an upper region of said receiver and a lower float portion positioned in a lower region of said receiver, inlet and outlet port means for said receiver, discharge valve means for said receiver coupled to said outlet port means, said float structure being cOupled to said discharge valve means for opening and closing said discharge valve means in response to changes in liquid level in said receiver, biasing means coupled to said discharge valve means for urging said discharge valve means to its closed position, the buoyancy of said float structure lower portion although submerged being insufficient to overcome said biasing means and to open said discharge valve means when closed, the buoyancy of said float structure lower portion when fully submerged together with the buoyancy of said float structure upper portion when at least partially submerged being sufficient to overcome said biasing means and to open said discharge valve means at an upper limit level of liquid in said receiver, the total weight of said float structure and of the coupling thereof to said discharge valve means in conjunction with said biasing means being capable of closing said discharge valve means at a lower limit level of liquid in said receiver against the buoyancy of said float structure lower portion when at least partially submerged, skimming means disposed adjacent said outlet port means for skimming an overlying layer of lighter liquid, said float structure and said discharge valve means being so related that upon lowering of said float structure and imminent closure of said valve means thereby said liquid level is slightly above the top of said skimming means.

Claim 14

In an automatic valving device, the combination comprising a receiver for liquid, an elongated float structure disposed generally vertically in said receiver and including an upper float portion positioned in an upper region of said receiver and a lower float portion positioned in a lower region of said receiver, inlet and outlet port means for said receiver, discharge valve means for said receiver coupled to said outlet port means, said float structure being cOupled to said discharge valve means for opening and closing said discharge valve means in response to changes in liquid level in said receiver, biasing means coupled to said discharge valve means for urging said discharge valve means to its closed position, the buoyancy of said float structure lower portion although submerged being insufficient to overcome said biasing means and to open said discharge valve means when closed, the buoyancy of said float structure lower portion when fully submerged together with the buoyancy of said float structure upper portion when at least partially submerged being sufficient to overcome said biasing means and to open said discharge valve means at an upper limit level of liquid in said receiver, the total weight of said float structure and of the coupling thereof to said discharge valve means in conjunction with said biasing means being capable of closing said discharge valve means at a lower limit level of liquid in said receiver against the buoyancy of said float structure lower portion when at least partially submerged, skimming means disposed adjacent said outlet port means for skimming an overlying layer of lighter liquid, said float structure and said discharge valve means being so related that upon lowering of said float structure and imminent closure of said valve means thereby said liquid level is slightly above the top of said skimming means.

Claim 15

The combination according to claim 8 wherein said skimming means are mounted on said outlet port means and spacedly surround said discharge valve means.

Claim 16

The combination according to claim 9 wherein said discharge valve means includes a valve member and a valve seat positioned within said receiver and adjacent the bottom thereof, and said skimming means include a tubular member having an open top projecting above said valve seat and lateral flow apertures juxtaposed to said valve seat so as to be disposed substantially at the same elevation of said valve seat, said tubular member spacedly surrounding said valve member.

Claim 17

The combination according to claim 9 wherein said skimming means include a tubular member having an open top projecting above said discharge valve means and lateral flow apertures juxtaposed to said discharge valve means, said lateral tubular member apertures being less in total flow area than that of said tubular member top opening.

Claim 18

The combination according to claim 11 wherein the spacing between said tubular member and said discharge valve means is about equal to the total area of said tubular member lateral apertures.

Claim 19

The combination according to claim 10 wherein a discharge valve opening between said valve member and said valve seat at the open position of said discharge valve is about equal to the spacing between said valve member and said tubular member.

Claim 20

The combination according to claim 13 wherein said tubular member opening and apertures, said spacing, and said discharge valve opening are proportioned within a range of respective shapes such that a deviation of said proportioning from said range in one direction produces a too rapid drop in liquid level during discharging for effective skimming action and a deviation of said proportioning in the opposite direction from said range produces too slow a drop in said liquid level for effective skimming action.

Claim 21

The combination according to claim 14 wherein the inner horizontal dimensions of said receiver are interrelated with said proportioned shapes to effect a predetermined rate of fall in liquid level to effect an optimum duration of skimming action.

Claim 22

In a valving device, the combination comprising a receiver for liquid, an outlet structure positioned in the bottom portion of said receiver and including a discharge valve, means including a float structure for opening and closing said discharge valve, said outlet structure comprising a skimmer tube communicating with said outlet structure and mounted adjacent said discharge valve for skimming a layer of lighter liquid Overlying a volume of heavier liquid contained within said reservoir, said skimmer tube including a top opening positioned above said discharge valve and lateral flow aperture means juxtaposed to said discharge valve, and said float structure and said discharge valve closing means being so related that upon lowering of said float structure and imminent closure of said discharge valve thereby said liquid level is slightly above said skimmer tube top opening.

Claim 23

In a valving device, the combination comprising a receiver for liquid, an outlet structure positioned in the bottom portion of said receiver and including a discharge valve, means including a float structure for opening and closing said discharge valve, said outlet structure comprising a skimmer tube communicating with said outlet structure and mounted adjacent said discharge valve for skimming a layer of lighter liquid Overlying a volume of heavier liquid contained within said reservoir, said skimmer tube including a top opening positioned above said discharge valve and lateral flow aperture means juxtaposed to said discharge valve, and said float structure and said discharge valve closing means being so related that upon lowering of said float structure and imminent closure of said discharge valve thereby said liquid level is slightly above said skimmer tube top opening.

Claim 24

The combination according to claim 16 wherein the area of said lateral aperture means is less than that of said skimmer tube opening.

Claim 25

The combination according to claim 17 wherein the spacing between said skimmer tube and said discharge valve is about equal to the total area of said lateral aperture means.

Claim 26

The combination according to claim 18 wherein said skimmer tube spacedly surrounds said discharge valve, and a discharge flow passage through said valve at the open position thereof is about equal to the spacing between said discharge valve and said skimmer tube.

Claim 27

The combination according to claim 19 wherein said skimmer tube top opening and lateral aperture means, said spacing, said discharge valve passage are proportioned within a range of shapes such that a deviation of said proportioning from said range in one direction produces a too rapid drop in liquid level during discharging for effective skimming action and a deviation of said proportioning in the opposite direction from said range produces too slow a drop in liquid level for effective skimming action.

Claim 28

The combination according to claim 20 wherein the inner horizontal dimensions of said receiver are interrelated with said proportioned shapes to effect a predetermined rate of fall in liquid level to effect an optimum duration of said skimming action.