Hydroponic irrigation valve and system
First Claim
1. A valve for use in a vessel to control the filling of the vessel with liquid to a predetermined level and the draining thereof, comprising:
- A. a lifting rod havingi. a closure member fixed to a lower portion of said rod, andii. intercepting means fixed to an upper portion of said rod;
B. a valve chamber havingi. a top wall witha. a first opening for passage of said liquid andb. a second opening with said lifting rod slidably extending therethrough, andii. a side wall having an inlet port positioned below said top wall a distance greater than the thickness of the edge of said closure member; and
C. a float positioned to move vertically above said top wall and adapted to engage said intercepting means at an upper position in the vertical movement of said float, said closure member being moveable into its uppermost position to seal said first opening, after said float has reached its uppermost position, by a lost-motion connection with said float.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A valve for controlling the level of solution in a plant container of a hydroponic irrigation system is disclosed. The valve includes a chamber having a top wall with an opening for the passage of liquid therethrough and having an inlet port below the top wall. Hydroponic irrigation solution is pumped into the container by way of the inlet port. A closure member within the chamber is moveable into a position blocking the flow of liquid through the opening by a lost-motion connection to a float and is held in its blocking position, so long as the pump continues to operate, by the pressure of the liquid in the chamber.
40 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A valve for use in a vessel to control the filling of the vessel with liquid to a predetermined level and the draining thereof, comprising:
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A. a lifting rod having i. a closure member fixed to a lower portion of said rod, and ii. intercepting means fixed to an upper portion of said rod; B. a valve chamber having i. a top wall with a. a first opening for passage of said liquid and b. a second opening with said lifting rod slidably extending therethrough, and ii. a side wall having an inlet port positioned below said top wall a distance greater than the thickness of the edge of said closure member; and C. a float positioned to move vertically above said top wall and adapted to engage said intercepting means at an upper position in the vertical movement of said float, said closure member being moveable into its uppermost position to seal said first opening, after said float has reached its uppermost position, by a lost-motion connection with said float. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification