Fluid handling – Diverse fluid containing pressure systems – Liquid filling by evacuating container
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-06
2001-11-06
Michalsky, Gerald A. (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Diverse fluid containing pressure systems
Liquid filling by evacuating container
C137S907000, C251S029000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311718
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The field of the invention is pneumatic control valves and the invention relates more particularly to valves which provide a timed vacuum at an output port in response to an external force.
A valve which has many of these characteristics are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,838. A diaphragm in the middle of the first chamber moves when the vacuum on one side of the diaphragm is released by movement of a sensor diaphragm as the result of a small increase in pressure on one side of the sensor diaphragm. This increase in pressure on one side of the sensor diaphragm causes a slotted shaft to move laterally permitting the vacuum to be drawn on an output port. A needle valve draws a vacuum on one side of the first chamber returning the diaphragm to its original position and moving the slotted stem to its original closed configuration. This returns the output port to atmospheric pressure.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an activator valve which subjects an output port to a timed temporary vacuum in response to an external force. The external force may be a slight increase in pressure in a chamber or may be the manually pressing of a button.
The present invention is for an activator valve providing a timed temporary vacuum in an output port which output port is normally at atmospheric pressure. The valve has an interruptible vacuum chamber connected to an activator passageway. The interruptible vacuum chamber is connected to a vacuum source conduit through a restricted orifice. The vacuum source conduit is connected to a vacuum source port. The interruptible vacuum chamber has a magnet supporting member sealingly and movably held by biasing means in a normally raised position sealing a floor of said interruptible vacuum chamber. Said magnet supporting member has a magnet held thereby. A magnet draw-down chamber has said magnet supporting member over an upper end thereof. Said magnet draw-down chamber is connected to a vacuum source by a magnet draw-down chamber vacuum source conduit and said magnet draw-down chamber has a rigid floor. An upper valve activation chamber is sealed from said magnet draw-down chamber by said rigid floor. The upper valve activation chamber contains a ferro-magnetic member and said ferro-magnetic member is movable between a raised position and a lowered position and is normally oriented in a lowered position. A valve activation member is operably moved by the movement of said ferro-magnetic member. A lower valve activation chamber is positioned below said ferro-magnetic member and is connected to a controlled source of atmospheric air. The valve activation member is operably connected to a main vacuum valve which, when in a closed position, seals a main vacuum source port from said lower valve activation chamber. When the main vacuum valve is opened by the attraction and upward movement of the ferro-magnetic member and its controlled valve activation member, the main vacuum source port is connected to said lower valve activation chamber. The output port of the valve is also connected to at least one of the upper and lower valve activation chambers, whereby when said activator passageway is open and is then closed, the pressure in said interruptible vacuum chamber increases, moving the magnet down and thereby lifting the ferro-magnetic member and opening the main vacuum valve. After the activator passageway is closed, a vacuum again begins to be drawn in the interruptible vacuum chamber through the restricted orifice in the timed manner and when the vacuum reaches a sufficient level, the magnet supporting member rises, thereby raising the magnet and releasing its attraction of the ferro-magnetic member, thereby closing the main vacuum valve, and returning the outport to atmospheric pressure. Preferably, the restricted orifice is adjustable in size, such as by a needle valve. The activator passageway may be opened by an air pressure operated valve or can be manually operated by utilizing a stand pipe in a sump and connecting the stand pipe to a closed chamber above a flexible diaphragm. The diaphragm may be caused to bow downwardly when the pressure in the stand pipe increases as the result of the increase in liquid level. If the air pressure operated valve is connected to a lever moved by the downward bowing of the diaphragm, the increased pressure in the stand pipe will operate the air pressure operated valve, thereby triggering a vacuum at the output port.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4373838 (1983-02-01), Foreman et al.
Hafner V. Walter
Hahn Ron
Loreto Enrique P.
Acorn Engineering Co.
Averill, Jr. Edgar W.
Michalsky Gerald A.
LandOfFree
Activator valve for providing a timed vacuum at an output port does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Activator valve for providing a timed vacuum at an output port, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Activator valve for providing a timed vacuum at an output port will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2584545