US3885743A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flow control device for providing low flow rates
Assignee: Apache Corp
•
Filing: 1974-09-05
•
Granted: 1975-05-27
•
Expires: 1994-09-05
Abstract
Abstract A flow control device comprises a hollow cylindrical female member with one open end having smooth internal walls, an inlet at the end opposite the open end and an outlet intermediate of the two ends. A male insert comprises a handle and a solid cylindrical portion having helical threads formed thereon and protuberance which at least partially circumscribes the male insert. When the device is in its assembled position, the protuberance frictionally engages the female member to seal the open end of the female member and to maintain the device in its assembled position and the helically threaded portion of the male insert cooperates with the female member to form a helical flow path between the inlet and outlet. The device may be partially or fully disassembled by using the handle. Rotation of the handle, without complete disassembly, is also possible. Such partial disassembly or limited movement can be utilized to clear the helical flow path without disrupting the flow through the device.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold E Wake
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:27
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01G; A01G25/00; A01G25/02; A01G25/023; Y; Y02; Y02A; Y02A40/00; Y02A40/10; Y02A40/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
A flow control device of the type suitable for use in a flow system which is supplied with fluid through a main hose comprising: a. a female member having an open end and including inlet means for communicating with the main supply hose, outlet means and a portion having smooth internal walls disposed between said inlet means and said outlet means; b. a male insert including a handle for assembling and disassembling the device and a helically threaded portion wherein, when the device is in its assembled position, said handle is disposed exteriorly of said open end, said helically threaded portion is disposed interiorly of said female member and cooperates with said portion thereof having smooth internal walls to form a helical flow path between said inlet means and said outlet means, and the device is capable of selective limited movement without disruption of the flow through the device; and wherein said male insert and said female member include interengaging frictional retaining means which, when the device is in its assembled position, hold said male insert and said female member in engagement to seal said open end, prevent undesired movement of said male insert, and maintain the seal of the open end during limited movement of said male insert.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
A flow control device of the type suitable for use in a flow system which is supplied with fluid through a main hose comprising: a. a female member having an open end and including inlet means for communicating with the main supply hose, outlet means and a portion having smooth internal walls disposed between said inlet means and said outlet means; b. a male insert including a handle for assembling and disassembling the device and a helically threaded portion wherein, when the device is in its assembled position, said handle is disposed exteriorly of said open end, said helically threaded portion is disposed interiorly of said female member and cooperates with said portion thereof having smooth internal walls to form a helical flow path between said inlet means and said outlet means, and the device is capable of selective limited movement without disruption of the flow through the device; and wherein said male insert and said female member include interengaging frictional retaining means which, when the device is in its assembled position, hold said male insert and said female member in engagement to seal said open end, prevent undesired movement of said male insert, and maintain the seal of the open end during limited movement of said male insert.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The device recited in claim 1 further comprising an additional male insert for replacing said first-mentioned male insert wherein said helically threaded portion of said first-mentioned male insert comprises threads having a first predetermined pitch and said helically threaded portion of said additional male insert comprises threads having a second predetermined pitch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A drip irrigation system including the device recited in claim 1 and further including: a. a main supply hose for carrying irrigating fluid therethrough wherein said inlet means communicates with said main supply hose to supply irrigating fluid to said helical flow path; and b. a local supply hose communicating with said outlet means for carrying irrigating fluid from said outlet means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The drip irrigation system recited in claim 3, wherein said inlet means communicates with said main supply hose at a predetermined location, further including a filter for permitting passage therethrough only of particles small enough to pass through said helical flow path wherein said filter is disposed in said main supply hose upstream of said predetermined location.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The drip irrigation system Recited in claim 4 wherein said filter comprises an elongated filter media disposed interiorly of and extending longitudinally within a section of said main supply hose.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The drip irrigation system recited in claim 5 wherein said helical flow path has a minimum cross-sectional area of 0.022 square inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device recited in claim 1 wherein said inlet means comprises a tube extending from said female member and terminating at a head for securing said female member to the main supply hose.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device recited in claim 7 wherein said head is substantially frusto-conical in configuration with a portion thereof removed at an oblique angle to form a flat surface terminating in a sharp edge for easing penetration of the main supply hose.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A drip irrigation system including the device recited in claim 8 and further including a main supply hose wherein said head is disposed interiorly of said main supply hose and said flat surface faces downstream of the flow in said main supply hose.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device recited in claim 1 wherein said handle has identifying indicia thereon for indicating the flow rate through said helical flow path.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device recited in claim 1 wherein said outlet means comprises a tube extending from said female member and terminating in a head for securing a hose to said tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device recited in claim 11 wherein said outlet means comprises a plurality of said tubes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device recited in claim 1 wherein said interengaging frictional retaining means comprises a protuberance circumscribing said male insert wherein, when the device is in its assembled position, said protuberance frictionally engages said smooth internal walls of said female member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
99 words
The device recited in claim 13 wherein: a. said female member comprises a hollow cylinder wherein said inlet means is disposed at the end of said cylinder opposite said open end and said outlet means is disposed intermediate of both ends and communicates directly with said helical flow path; and b. said male insert comprises a solid cylindrical portion including said helically threaded portion wherein said protuberance circumscribes said solid cylindrical portion and further comprises a flange for cooperating with said open end to limit the movement of said male insert when said device is in its assembled position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
106 words
The device recited in claim 14 wherein said hollow cylinder further includes an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion of smaller diameter and concentric therewith wherein an internal shoulder is formed where said upper and lower wall portions meet and, when the device is in its assembled position, said protuberance engages said upper wall portion and said internal shoulder and said helically threaded portion cooperates with said lower wall portion, and wherein said upper wall portion cooperates with said protuberance to provide support therefor and maintain the seal of said open end of said female member during limited axial movement of said male insert.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
109 words
The device recited in claim 1 wherein: a. said female member includes a hollow, cylindrical upper wall portion one end of which comprises said open end having a predetermined internal diameter and an internal slot formed partially around the circumference thereof; b. said male insert comprises a solid cylindrical portion having an outside diameter substantially the same as said predetermined internal diameter of said cylindrical upper wall portion of said female member and a protuberance extending partially around the circumference thereof; and c. said interengaging frictional retaining means comprises said slot and said protuberance wherein said protuberance cooperates with said slot when the device is in its assembled position.
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) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |