Self vent drain valve

Details Self vent drain valve Self vent drain valve

2000-05-30

2001-07-10

Lithgow, Thomas M. (Department: 1724)

Liquid purification or separation

With drip, overflow or content draining feature

C210S313000, C210S436000, C137S588000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06258269

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to fluid filters, and more particularly to drain assemblies for such filters, which allow contaminants and/or fluid in the filters to be periodically removed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Filter are commonly used to separate contaminants from a fluid stream passing through a fluid system. Many fluid filters use a filter media which has a structure that traps the contaminants either within the media, or causes the contaminants to collect on the outer surface of the media. In certain applications, for example in some fuel systems, a filter will collect particulate matter and/or water on the outside surface of the filter media. The contaminants will then drain or fall down under gravity to a lower chamber in the filter. A drain assembly is provided in the lower chamber to allow such contaminants to be removed. Some applications also require fluid in the filter to be removed prior to an element change. The drain assembly is also used for this purpose.
Many filters include a collection bowl screwed onto the lower end of the filter can to collect the contaminants. A removable collection bowl generally allows the filter element to be removed and discarded and the collection bowl to be re-used. This reduces cost and material waist. Many of such collection bowls are transparent to allow visual confirmation of the contaminants in the collection bowl. Other filters simply have the chamber integral with a lower end wall of the filter can to collect the contaminants.
A common type of drain assembly for such fluid filters includes a valve cap or knob which can be rotated to open a valve and allow the fluid/contaminants to drain out. Such a drain assembly is shown, for example, in Schaupp, U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,074. The Schaupp patent shows a conventional filter element with a removable collection bowl. Popoff, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,740,299; Church, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,764 and Wilson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,956 show similar types of filter elements, with and without separate collection bowls, where a drain assembly is provided for removing fluid and other contaminants from the filter.
Many of such drain assemblies are self-venting, that is, they allow air to enter the filter when the valve is opened. This prevents a vacuum from forming within the filter, and facilitates the rapid out-flow of fluid and contaminants from the filter.
While the above-identified drain assemblies are appropriate for many applications, it is believed that there continues to be a demand for drain assemblies that are low in cost, simple to use, and easy to manufacture and assemble.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The present invention provides a new and unique drain assembly for a fluid filter that is low in cost, simple to use, and easy to manufacture and assemble.
According to the principles of the present invention, the drain assembly includes a female valve portion having a socket integral with the end wall of a collection bowl. The socket includes a cylindrical sidewall extending inwardly into the bowl to a distal inner end wall. The inner end wall of the socket includes a plug extending in an axially-outward direction. A vent opening is provided in the end wall radially outward from the plug. A drain opening is provided in the end wall of the bowl radially outward from the socket and fluidly separate from the vent opening. An annular, outwardly-facing sealing surface is defined on the bowl end wall radially outward from the drain opening. A cylindrical threaded sleeve is provided radially outward from the annular sealing surface and extends axially outward from the end wall of the bowl.
The drain assembly further includes a male valve portion received in the female valve portion. The male valve portion has a valve body with an integral valve seal. The valve seal includes a cylindrical sidewall, which is closely received within the cylindrical sidewall of the socket. The cylindrical sidewall of the valve seal defines a central vent passage, and a vent opening is provided at the distal inner end of the valve seal into the vent passage. The valve seal is positioned such that the plug at the end of the socket can be received in, and close, the vent opening in the valve seal. An annular, inwardly-facing sealing surface is defined on the valve body radially outward from the cylindrical sidewall of the valve seal. The annular sealing surface of the valve body is sealable against the annular sealing surface on the end wall of the bowl, and has an outer diameter sufficient to cover (and close) the drain opening in the end wall of the bowl. The valve body further includes an annular drain opening radially outward and fluidly separate from the vent passage in the vent seal.
The valve body includes a cylindrical threaded sleeve radially outward from the annular drain opening in the valve body. The cylindrical sleeve on the valve body cooperates with the cylindrical sleeve of the female valve portion to enable the male valve portion to be screwed into and outwardly from the female valve portion.
When the male portion is screwed into the female valve portion, the vent opening in the valve seal is closed by the plug in the socket, and the annular sealing surface on the valve body seals against the annular sealing surface of the bowl end wall and covers the drain opening in the end wall to prevent fluid flow through the drain assembly. When the male valve portion is screwed outwardly from the female valve portion, contaminants and fluid can flow from the collection bowl through the drain opening in the bowl and through the drain opening in the valve body; and air can flow through the vent passage in the vent seal and through the vent opening in the socket into the collection bowl. The plug of the socket is long enough such that the annular sealing surface of the valve body moves away from the annular sealing surface on the end wall of the bowl prior to the valve seal becoming unsealed from the plug such that fluid drains out of the collection bowl through the drain openings before the air is allowed to enter through the vent openings.
The female valve portion, including the socket and the threaded sleeve, is preferably formed unitary (e.g., molded) with the end wall of the collection bowl. The valve seal and the valve body of the male valve portion are preferably formed separately, and fixed together, such as with a catch on the valve seal being press-fit into an opening in the valve body. The valve seal is preferably formed of an elastomeric material to facilitate creating a fluid-tight seal with the socket. The user simply screws the male valve portion into and outwardly from the female valve portion to allow contaminants and fluid to drain from the filter.
Thus, as described above, the various components of the drain assembly are low in cost, easy to use, and simple to manufacture and assemble.
Further features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the following specification and attached drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 732122 (1903-06-01), Schneider
patent: 1456883 (1923-05-01), Deeks
patent: 2036990 (1936-04-01), De Faveri
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patent: 2333890 (1943-11-01), Russell
patent: 2533266 (1950-12-01), Kovacs et al.
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patent: 3322168 (1967-05-01), Kitabayashi
patent: 3540402 (1970-11-01), Kocher
patent: 3606096 (1971-09-01), Campbell
patent: 4276161 (1981-06-01), Matsui et al.
patent: 4292179 (1981-09-01), Stone et al.
patent: 4314689 (1982-02-01), Wilson
patent: 4440193 (1984-04-01), Matheson
patent: 4502956 (1985-03-01), Wilson et al.
patent: 4515690 (1985-05-01), Yasuhara
patent: 4611627 (1986-09-01), Eidsuoog et al.
patent: 4619764 (1986-10-01), Church et al.
patent: 4624779 (1986-11-01), Hurner
patent: 4708171 (1987-11-01), Cudaback
patent: 4724074 (1988-02-01), Schaupp
patent: 4740299 (1988-04-01), Popoff et al.
patent: 4893651 (1990-01-01), Herman et al.
patent: 4922960 (1990-05-01)

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