Fluid flow regulator

Claim 2

A rate of flow regulator for use in a gravity assisted fluid delivery system, the regulator comprising a first upper fluid chamber having a fluid inlet, fluid outlet means, and means for maintaining a predetermined level of fluid in said upper chamber; a second lower fluid chamber having an inlet lower than said outlet means and disposed to gravitationally receive all fluid from said upper fluid chamber outlet means and having a fluid outlet; and vent means for establishing uninterrupted communication between each said chamber and the atmosphere exterior of the regulator.

Claim 3

The regulator of claim 1 further comprising automatically operating means to detect a changed fluid condition in the second chamber.

Claim 4

The regulator of claim 1 further comprising automatically operating means for blocking the second chamber fluid outlet when fluid in the second chamber is exhausted.

Claim 5

The regulator of claim 3 wherein said automatically operating means comprise a float valve.

Claim 6

The regulator of claim 1 wherein said chambers are contiguous, said first chamber having a bottom wall which also forms a second chamber top wall.

Claim 7

The regulator of claim 5 wherein said vent means comprise an air passage extending through said first chamber from said top wall to said bottom wall, a first opening in said passage communicating with said second chamber and a second opening in said passage communicating with said first chamber.

Claim 8

The regulator of claim 6 wherein said vent means further comprise valve means for blocking said communication between each said chamber and the exterior of the regulator.

Claim 9

The regulator of claim 1 wherein said first fluid chamber includes a transparent side wall having indicia thereon, said indicia providing a measure of the flow of fluid through the regulator.

Claim 10

The regulator of claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining a predetermined level are adjustable whereby any of a plurality of predetermined levels may be maintained.

Claim 11

A rate of flow regulator for use in a gravity fed fluid delivery system, the regulator comprising a first upper fluid chamber having a fluid inlet, fluid outlet means, and adjustable means for maintaining any of a plurality of predetermined levels of fluid in said first chamber; a second lower chamber fixed with respect to said first chamber and having an inlet which is lower than said outlet means and which is disposed to gravitationally receive all fluid from said outlet means and having a bottom wall with a fluid outlet therein, said fluid outlet including a float valve, whereby said outlet is blocked when fluid in said second chamber is exhausted; and vent means for establishing uninterrupted communication between each said chamber and the atmosphere exterior of the regulator and including valve means for blocking said communication.

Claim 12

A rate of flow regulator for use in a gravity fed fluid delivery system, the regulator comprising a first upper fluid chamber having a fluid inlet, fluid outlet means, and adjustable means for maintaining any of a plurality of predetermined levels of fluid in said first chamber; a second lower chamber fixed with respect to said first chamber and having an inlet which is lower than said outlet means and which is disposed to gravitationally receive all fluid from said outlet means and having a bottom wall with a fluid outlet therein, said fluid outlet including a float valve, whereby said outlet is blocked when fluid in said second chamber is exhausted; and vent means for establishing uninterrupted communication between each said chamber and the atmosphere exterior of the regulator and including valve means for blocking said communication.