US3825027A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic multiple fuel tank control valve
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-06-11
•
Granted: 1974-07-23
•
Expires: 1993-06-11
Abstract
Abstract A float controlled fuel tank control valve assembly is provided for automatically supplying fuel to an engine from one of several fuel tanks connected to the engine through a tank selector valve when the fuel in the selected tank is exhausted. The float controlled valve has a separate chamber containing a ball type float valve for each fuel tank in the fuel supply system. Fuel outlet passages communicating with a fuel pump open into the bottom of each chamber, with the fuel inlet passage from each fuel tank communicating with its corresponding chamber at a level above the outlet opening. A valve seat is provided in each chamber between the inlet and outlet openings for the float valve, so that the float valve will act to block the outlet passage when the fuel in the corresponding tank and chamber is exhausted. Spring biased one-way valves interconnecting the outlet passages are provided to permit the fuel from the tank containing fuel to be supplied to the tank selector valve or bypassed around the tank selector valve and supplied directly to the fuel pump.
Inventors
- 👤 J Henderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:46
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02M; F02M37/00; F02M37/0011; F02M37/0023; F02M37/0047; F02M37/007; F02M37/0076; F02M37/0088; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/12; F16K31/18; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/4673; Y10T137/4841; Y10T137/7287; Y10T137/7313; Y10T137/7323; Y10T137/7722; Y10T137/7837; Y10T137/7838
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
An automatic liquid supply control valve for use in a multiple tank liquid supply system having a tank selector valve comprising: at least a first and a second valve chamber; separate inlet passage means opening into each valve chamber, each inlet passage means adapted to communicate with a separate tank; separate outlet passage means opening into the bottom of each of said valve chambers below the opening of said inlet passage means; a valve seat located in each of said valve chambers between the openings of said inlet and said outlet passage means; a float valve movably contained in each of said valve chambers, each of said float valves adapted to seat against its corresponding valve seat to block the opening of the corresponding outlet passage means when no liquid is present in the corresponding valve chamber; passage means intercommunicating each of said outlet passage means; first and second biased oneway valve means located separately in said intercommunicating passage means, said first and second biased one-way valve means being in parallel, opposed flow relationship with each other to permit flow from the outlet passage means of a valve chamber connected to a non-selectEd tank to the outlet passage means of a valve chamber connected to a selected tank when the liquid supply in a selected tank is exhausted and the corresponding float valve blocks the outlet passage from the corresponding float chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
An automatic liquid supply control valve for use in a multiple tank liquid supply system having a tank selector valve comprising: at least a first and a second valve chamber; separate inlet passage means opening into each valve chamber, each inlet passage means adapted to communicate with a separate tank; separate outlet passage means opening into the bottom of each of said valve chambers below the opening of said inlet passage means; a valve seat located in each of said valve chambers between the openings of said inlet and said outlet passage means; a float valve movably contained in each of said valve chambers, each of said float valves adapted to seat against its corresponding valve seat to block the opening of the corresponding outlet passage means when no liquid is present in the corresponding valve chamber; passage means intercommunicating each of said outlet passage means; first and second biased oneway valve means located separately in said intercommunicating passage means, said first and second biased one-way valve means being in parallel, opposed flow relationship with each other to permit flow from the outlet passage means of a valve chamber connected to a non-selectEd tank to the outlet passage means of a valve chamber connected to a selected tank when the liquid supply in a selected tank is exhausted and the corresponding float valve blocks the outlet passage from the corresponding float chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
An automatic liquid supply control valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said float valves is of a spherical configuration, and each of said valve seats have an inwardly tapering, circular cross-sectional configuration to allow the corresponding float valve to sealingly rest thereon when no liquid is present in the corresponding valve chamber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
An automatic liquid supply control valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said valve chambers is of a vertical cylindrical configuration, each float valve having a spherical configuration and adapted for cooperation with an inwardly tapering valve seat positioned at the bottom of each cylindrical valve chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An automatic liquid supply control valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein each valve chamber is formed in the same housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An automatic liquid supply control valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein each valve chamber is formed in a separate housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
81 words
An automatic liquid supply control valve as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a one-way by-pass valve means, the inlet of said one-way by-pass valve means communicating with one of said outlet passage means downstream of said biased one-way valve means and the outlet connected with a liquid supply conduit downstream of a tank selector valve, whereby, liquid will flow through said one-way by-pass valve and by-pass said tank selector valve to supplement the liquid flow through said tank selector valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
268 words
An automatic multiple tank liquid supply system adapted for use as an aircraft fuel supply system comprising; at least a first and a second liquid supply tank; a tank selector valve connected with each of said tanks; an automatic liquid supply control valve means connected between each of said tanks and said tank selector valve; said automatic liquid control valve means including at least a first and a second valve chamber; separate inlet passage means opening into each valve chamber; inlet conduit means connecting said first and second tanks with said inlet passage means of said first and second valve chambers, respectively; separate outlet passage means opening into the bottom of each of said valve chambers below the openings of said inlet passage means; a valve seat located in each of said valve chambers between the openings of said inlet and said outlet passage means; a float valve movably contained in each of said valve chambers, each float valve adapted to seat against its corresponding valve seat to block the opening of the corresponding outlet passage means when no liquid is present in the corresponding valve chamber; passage means intercommunicating each of said outlet passage means; first and second biased one-way valve means located separately in said intercommunicating passage means, said first and second biased one-way valve means being in parallel, opposed flow relationship with each other to permit flow from the outlet passage means of the valve chamber connected to a selected tank when the liquid supply in a selected tank is exhausted and the corresponding float valve blocks the outlet passage from the corresponding float chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
268 words
An automatic multiple tank liquid supply system adapted for use as an aircraft fuel supply system comprising; at least a first and a second liquid supply tank; a tank selector valve connected with each of said tanks; an automatic liquid supply control valve means connected between each of said tanks and said tank selector valve; said automatic liquid control valve means including at least a first and a second valve chamber; separate inlet passage means opening into each valve chamber; inlet conduit means connecting said first and second tanks with said inlet passage means of said first and second valve chambers, respectively; separate outlet passage means opening into the bottom of each of said valve chambers below the openings of said inlet passage means; a valve seat located in each of said valve chambers between the openings of said inlet and said outlet passage means; a float valve movably contained in each of said valve chambers, each float valve adapted to seat against its corresponding valve seat to block the opening of the corresponding outlet passage means when no liquid is present in the corresponding valve chamber; passage means intercommunicating each of said outlet passage means; first and second biased one-way valve means located separately in said intercommunicating passage means, said first and second biased one-way valve means being in parallel, opposed flow relationship with each other to permit flow from the outlet passage means of the valve chamber connected to a selected tank when the liquid supply in a selected tank is exhausted and the corresponding float valve blocks the outlet passage from the corresponding float chamber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
A liquid supply system as set forth in claim 7, wherein each of said float valves is of a spherical configuration, and each of said valve seats has an inwardly tapering, circular cross-sectional configuration to allow the corresponding float valve to sealingly rest thereon when no liquid is present in the corresponding valve chamber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A liquid supply system as set forth in claim 7, wherein each valve chamber is formed in the same housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A liquid supply system as set forth in claim 7, wherein each valve chamber is formed in a separate housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
A liquid supply system as set forth in claim 7, further comprising a one-way by-pass valve means, the inlet of said one-way by-pass valve means communicating with one of said outlet passage means downstream of said biased one-way valve means and the outlet connected with a liquid supply conduit downstream of said tank selector valve, whereby, liquid will flow through said one-way by-pass valve and by-pass said tank selector valve when said tank selector valve is in a closed or an intermediate position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-22 | 1978-01-21 | 1978-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-22 | 1982-01-21 | 1982-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-22 | 1986-01-21 | 1986-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |