Float unit for controlling the filling level of liquid gases in vessels

• US 5,992,445 A
• Filed: 07/23/1998
• Issued: 11/30/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cavagna Group Switzerland S.A.
• Original Assignee: Cavagna Group International B.V. (Parteca SpA)
• Inventors: Pagani, Angela
• Primary Examiner(s): Walton, George L.
• Application Number:
  US09/121,782
• Time in Patent Office: 495 Days
• Field of Search: 137/442, 137/444, 137/446, 137/434, 137/15, 137/315, 137/443, 137/439, 141/198, 73/322.5
• US Class Current: 137/599.01
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/26 with the valve guided for rectilinear movement and the float attached to a pivoted arm
• CPC Class Codes: F17C 2250/0413 with floats
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7472 Vertical inlet riser
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7478 With interposed cam, gear or threaded connection
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87265 Dividing into parallel flow paths with recombining

Abstract

A float unit for controlling the filling level of liquid gases in vessels,ylinders and the like, comprises a valve body which can be associated with a cylinder and defines a fork body whereto a float member is swingably connected, the float unit further comprising a coupling element for removably coupling the float member to the fork body.

Claims

1. A float unit for controlling the filling level of liquid gases in vessels, comprising:

a valve body being associable to a vessel body;

a fork body provided on a portion of said valve body, said fork body having a seat portion formed therein, said seat portion including an entrance portion tapering to a narrow groove portion contiguous thereto; and

a float member being swingably and removably coupled to said fork body within said seat portion, said float member being removably inserted through said entrance portion and into said narrow groove portion, wherein said float member has a securing member extending therefrom, said securing member being snap-fitted into said narrow groove portion to fixedly secure said float member to said fork body.

2. The float unit of claim 1, wherein said narrow groove portion of said seat flares outwards in lead-in countersinking.

3. The float unit of claim 1, further comprising:

a central pin associated to said float member, said central pin being coupleable with said fork body by snap fitting into said seat.

4. The float unit of claim 3, wherein said float member further comprises:

a cam body, said central pin protruding centrally from said cam body.

5. The float unit of claim 3, wherein said cam body includes:

a stop peg provided at said float member for limiting upward oscillation thereof; and

a stop lug for limiting downward oscillation of said float member.

6. The float unit of claim 1, wherein said seat is formed on branches of said fork body.

7. The float unit of claim 1, wherein said float member includes:

an arm at one end of said float member, wherein said arm terminates with a cam body having a central pin protruding centrally from said cam body, said pin received in said seat for snap fitting engagement between said float member and said fork body.