Float assisted automatic driptrap
First Claim
1. A float assisted automatic driptrap mechanism, comprising:
- (a) a tubular body housing having upper and lower opposed end walls defining a float valve chamber therebetween, said upper end wall having an inwardly projecting upper boss defining an internally threaded fluid inlet inwardly of said upper end wall and said lower end wall having an integral inwardly projecting lower boss defining an internally threaded fluid outlet inwardly of said lower end wall;
(b) a float being movably disposed within said float valve chamber and having a valve stem projecting downwardly therefrom;
(c) a valve seat on said lower boss being disposed in fixed relation with said body housing and being located within said float valve chamber; and
(d) a valve plug element being provided at the lower end of said valve stem and being disposed for sealing engagement with said valve seat when said float is at its lowermost position within said float valve chamber, said valve plug element becoming unseated from said sealing engagement with said valve seat when said float is moved upwardly responsive to the force of buoyancy when the liquid level within said float valve chamber reaches a sufficient level that the force of buoyancy thereof exceeds the seating force of said valve plug element against said valve seat;
said valve plug being supported for substantial pivotal movement relative to said valve stem and thus being movable into optimum sealing relation with said valve seat upon contact with said valve seat.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vertically oriented float assisted automatic driptrap mechanism having a float valve chamber defined by a body section and base is disclosed. A float is located for vertical liquid level responsive movement within the float valve chamber and reciprocates within a valve stem float guide. A diffuser is provided at the inlet of the chamber to prevent impingement of incoming fluid on the float. The valve stem guide also serves as a filter support for a filter which filters out contaminants that might interfere with the valving action of the driptrap mechanism. A valve seat having a tapered seat surface and a self-positioning valve plug movably supported by the valve stem and having a differently tapered sealing surface establish line contact sealing to ensure effective valve operation under high pressure conditions.
16 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A float assisted automatic driptrap mechanism, comprising:
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(a) a tubular body housing having upper and lower opposed end walls defining a float valve chamber therebetween, said upper end wall having an inwardly projecting upper boss defining an internally threaded fluid inlet inwardly of said upper end wall and said lower end wall having an integral inwardly projecting lower boss defining an internally threaded fluid outlet inwardly of said lower end wall; (b) a float being movably disposed within said float valve chamber and having a valve stem projecting downwardly therefrom; (c) a valve seat on said lower boss being disposed in fixed relation with said body housing and being located within said float valve chamber; and (d) a valve plug element being provided at the lower end of said valve stem and being disposed for sealing engagement with said valve seat when said float is at its lowermost position within said float valve chamber, said valve plug element becoming unseated from said sealing engagement with said valve seat when said float is moved upwardly responsive to the force of buoyancy when the liquid level within said float valve chamber reaches a sufficient level that the force of buoyancy thereof exceeds the seating force of said valve plug element against said valve seat;
said valve plug being supported for substantial pivotal movement relative to said valve stem and thus being movable into optimum sealing relation with said valve seat upon contact with said valve seat. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A float assisted automatic driptrap comprising:
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(a) an outer tubular housing having closed upper and lower end walls defining a float valve chamber therebetween, said upper end wall having a ;
fluid inlet and said lower end wall having an integral inwardly projecting lower boss with a fluid outlet therein;(b) a lower stem guide positioned on said lower boss in fixed relation within said float valve chamber; (c) a valve seat supported in fixed relation on said lower boss within said float valve chamber and disposed in fluid communication with said fluid outlet; (d) a float movably disposed within said float valve chamber and having a downwardly projecting valve stem having a lower end and disposed in guided relation with said lower stem guide; (e) a valve plug supported by said lower end of said valve stem and being substantially omnidirectionally movable relative to said valve stem and valve seat so as to be movable into optimum seating and sealing relation with said valve seat upon contact therewith, wherein said valve plug is supported for limited lateral movement with respect to said valve stem and thus being movable into optimum sealing relation with said valve seat upon contact with said valve seat; a valve stem guide housing supported on said lower boss within said float valve chamber and having a laterally extending entry port to permit flow of fluid from said fluid valve chamber to said valve seat; and a filter assembled to said valve stem guide housing to filter fluid flowing from said float valve chamber through said entry port; said valve stem guide housing having an annular external recess surrounding said entry port and communicating with said entry port, said filter positioned about said annular recess adjacent said entry port and spaced by said valve stem housing from said entry port to permit flow of fluid through said filter into the space formed by said annular recess and thence to said entry port. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A float assisted automatic driptrap comprising:
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(a) an outer tubular housing having closed upper and lower ends defining a float valve chamber therebetween, said upper end having a fluid inlet and said lower end having an inwardly projecting lower boss with a fluid outlet therein; (b) a lower stem guide supported by said lower boss and positioned in fixed relation within said float valve chamber; (c) a valve seat supported in fixed relation on said lower boss and located within said float valve chamber, said valve seat defining a discharge passage disposed in fluid communication with said fluid outlet; (d) a float movably disposed within said float valve chamber and having a downwardly projecting valve stem having a lower end and disposed in guided relation with said stem guide; (e) a valve plug supported by said lower end of said valve stem and being substantially universally movable relative to said valve stem and valve seat so as to be movable into optimum seating and sealing relation with said valve seat upon contact therewith; (f) said stem guide enclosing said valve seat and valve plug and defining at least one laterally extending port permitting flow of liquid from said float valve chamber to said valve seat, said stem guide further having a low friction insert defining a valve stem guide passage within which said valve stem is movable in guided relation; and (g) a cylindrical filter secured at spaced lower and upper ends thereof about said stem guide and said port for filtering fluid flow from said float valve chamber through said port of said stem guide, said filter spaced laterally from said port and defining an annular recess between said filter and said port to permit flow of fluid into said annular recess prior to entering said port. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification