Self-centering water drain valve

Details Self-centering water drain valve Self-centering water drain valve

2000-07-10

2001-05-29

Fox, John (Department: 3753)

Fluid handling

Systems

System with plural openings, one a gas vent or access opening

C137S625470

Reexamination Certificate

active

06237628

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to fuel filters with a water separation capability and the cooperating components and subassemblies used with such fuel filters. More specifically the present invention relates to the design of a water drain valve for draining accumulated water from within a fuel filter which is designed with a water separation capability. As used herein, the reference to a “drain” includes the flow passageway from the filter housing into the drain valve and the outlet passageway or aperture of the drain valve which empties the draining water from the drain valve. The structural remainder of the drain valve controls the flow of water from the flow passageway of the filter housing to the outlet passageway of the drain valve. Venting air is introduced by the drain valve as the water empties.
One of the concerns when draining accumulated water is the possibility that there will be a spillage of fuel from the drain valve. There are also design considerations in the construction of water drain valves including how to vent the drain valve. Related to the venting consideration is whether a check valve is needed so that drainage does not occur until the drain (valve) is deliberately opened in order to drain the accumulated water.
Whatever the desired specifics might be for the design of the drain valve, the aspects of reliability, ease of use, and low cost remain important considerations. The present invention provides the novel design of a water drain valve which takes into consideration each of these important considerations. In addition, the water drain valve of the present invention provides a vented, water drain valve which is suitable for use in both non-pressurized and pressurized configurations without the unwanted spillage of fuel. The water drain valve of the present invention is also designed without the added cost of a check valve. These various design features are enabled by combining the vent portion of the assembly into a drain port by way of a separate passageway to provide atmospheric air for venting. All of this is configured in a novel and unobvious manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A water drain valve for use in cooperation with a fuel filter having a water separation capability according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a valve housing having a sidewall defining a first flow aperture therethrough and a second flow aperture therethrough and further defining a hollow interior extending into a drain opening, a flow-control piston positioned within the hollow interior and including a first portion defining a water drain passageway leading to the drain opening and a second portion defining an air flow passageway leading from the drain opening, a first sealing grommet assembled into the first flow aperture and having a sidewall defining a water flow path into the drain valve and being constructed and arranged to sealingly engage the first portion, a second sealing grommet assembled into the second flow aperture and having a sidewall defining an air flow path from the drain valve and being constructed and arranged to sealingly engage the second portion, and a spring biased control lever assembled to the valve housing and being constructed and arranged to rotate the flow-control piston from a drain valve normally-closed condition wherein the water flow path through the first sealing grommet is blocked by the first portion and the air flow path through the second sealing grommet is blocked by the second portion to a drain valve opened condition wherein the water drain passageway is aligned with the water flow path and the air flow passageway is aligned with the air flow path.
One object of the present invention is to provide an improved water drain valve for use with a fuel filter.
Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description.


REFERENCES:
patent: 347131 (1886-10-01), Scoville
patent: 620262 (1899-02-01), Tong
patent: 2665879 (1954-01-01), Housekeeper et al.
patent: 2788016 (1957-04-01), Scherer
patent: 3378035 (1968-04-01), Waddington et al.
patent: 4078763 (1978-03-01), Yamamoto
patent: 4549716 (1985-10-01), Warren
patent: 4602657 (1986-07-01), Anderson, Jr. et al.
patent: 4976285 (1990-12-01), Church et al.
patent: 5038670 (1991-08-01), Roe
patent: 5653420 (1997-08-01), Sell

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