Fluid cutoff system

• US 6,006,779 A
• Filed: 08/12/1998
• Issued: 12/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John W. Nowlin
• Original Assignee: John W. Nowlin
• Inventors: Nowlin, John W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak, David J.
• Application Number:
  US09/133,366
• Time in Patent Office: 503 Days
• Field of Search: 137/446, 137/434, 137/409, 137/440, 137/386, 137/410, 137/416, 137/420
• US Class Current: 137/446
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/18 actuated by a float floats F16K33/00; float-actuated valves in steam-traps F16T1/20, in boilers F22D5/08
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7439 Float arm operated valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7478 With interposed cam, gear or threaded connection

Abstract

A fluid cutoff system for preventing fluid flow through a hose whenever a desired amount of fluid has been deposited onto an area is comprised of a tube having a valve therein. An accumulator has a float floatably disposed therein with an extension attached to the float. The extension interacts with the valve such that whenever the float is in a relatively low position the extension holds the valve in an open position and whenever the float is in a relatively high position--corresponding to fluid being deposited in the accumulator--the extension disengages from the valve and the valve closes and prevents water flow through the tube.

Claims

1. A fluid cutoff system comprising:

A tube having a first end and a second end;

a first valve secured to the tube and operable between a first open position permitting fluid flow through the tube and a first closed position preventing fluid flow through the tube, the first valve comprised of a plate rotatably mounted within the tube and a cam attached to the plate disposed external of the tube such that the cam rotates with rotation of the plate and the extension engages the cam whenever the first valve is in an open position;

a connector having a third end and a fourth end disposed within the second end such that the plate abuts the connector whenever the first valve is in the closed position;

an accumulator having closed bottom and an open top;

a float disposed within the accumulator; and

an extension, attached to the float, engaging the first valve to hold the first valve in the first open position and disengaged from the first valve when the first valve is in the first closed position.

2. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 1 wherein the fourth end is threaded.

3. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 1 wherein the first end is threaded.

4. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 1 wherein the open top of the accumulator has a lip.

5. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of openings disposed within the float such that the extension is removably disposed within one of the plurality of openings.

6. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 1 further comprising a notch located on the accumulator such that the extension travels within the notch.

7. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 1 further comprising a guide attached to the accumulator for guiding travel of the extension.

8. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 1 further comprising a base attached to the tube and to the accumulator.

9. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 1 further comprising a second valve disposed within the tube and operable between a second open position permitting fluid flow through the tube and a second closed position preventing fluid flow through the tube.

10. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 9 further comprising a knob operatively connected to the second valve.

11. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 10 further comprising a pressure relief system for relieving pressure from the interior of the tube, the pressure relief system being in a third closed position whenever the second valve is in the second open position and the pressure relief system being in a third open position whenever the second valve is in the second closed position.

12. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 11 wherein the pressure relief system is comprised of:

a relief chamber, having a fifth end and a sixth end, extending between the interior of the tube and the exterior;

and a ball valve, attached to the knob, that covers the fifth end whenever the pressure relief system is in the third closed position and does not cover the fifth end whenever the pressure relief system is in the third open position.

13. A fluid cutoff system comprising:

A tube having a first end and a second end;

a first valve secured to the tube and operable between a first open position permitting fluid flow through the tube and a first closed position preventing fluid flow through the tube;

an accumulator having closed bottom and an open top;

a float disposed within the accumulator; and

a plurality of openings disposed within the float such that the extension is removably disposed within one of the plurality of openings;

an extension, attached to the float, engaging the first valve to hold the first valve in the first open position and disengaged from the first valve when the first valve is in the first closed position.

14. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 13 wherein the first valve is comprised of:

a plate rotatably mounted within the tube; and

a cam attached to the plate disposed external of the tube such that the cam rotates with rotation of the plate and the extension engages the cam whenever the first valve is in an open position.

15. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 14 further comprising a connector having a third end and a fourth end disposed within the second end such that the plate abuts the connector whenever the first valve is in the closed position.

16. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 15 wherein the fourth end is threaded.

17. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 13 wherein the first end is threaded.

18. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 13 wherein the open top of the accumulator has a lip.

19. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 13 further comprising a notch located on the accumulator such that the extension travels within the notch.

20. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 13 further comprising a guide attached to the accumulator for guiding travel of the extension.

21. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 13 further comprising a base attached to the tube and to the accumulator.

22. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 13 further comprising a second valve disposed within the tube and operable between a second open position permitting fluid flow through the tube and a second closed position preventing fluid flow through the tube.

23. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 22 further comprising a knob operatively connected to the second valve.

24. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 23 further comprising a pressure relief system for relieving pressure from the interior of the tube, the pressure relief system being in a third closed position whenever the second valve is in the second open position and the pressure relief system being in a third open position whenever the second valve is in the second closed position.

25. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 24 wherein the pressure relief system is comprised of:

a relief chamber, having a fifth end and a sixth end, extending between the interior of the tube and the exterior;

and a ball valve, attached to the knob, that covers the fifth end whenever the pressure relief system is in the third closed position and does not cover the fifth end whenever the pressure relief system is in the third open position.

26. A fluid cutoff system comprising:

A tube having a first end and a second end;

a first valve secured to the tube and operable between a first open position permitting fluid flow through the tube and a first closed position preventing fluid flow through the tube;

an accumulator having closed bottom and an open top;

a float disposed within the accumulator;

a second valve disposed within the tube and operable between a second open position permitting fluid flow through the tube and a second closed position preventing fluid flow through the tube; and

an extension, attached to the float, engaging the first valve to hold the first valve in the first open position and disengaged from the first valve when the first valve is in the first closed position.

27. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 26 wherein the first valve is comprised of:

a plate rotatably within the tube; and

a cam attached to the plate disposed external of the tube such that the cam rotates with rotation of the plate and the extension engages the cam whenever the first valve is in an open position.

28. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 27 further comprising a connector having a third end and a fourth end disposed within the second end such that the plate abuts the connector whenever the first valve is in the closed position.

29. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 28 wherein the fourth end is threaded.

30. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 26 wherein the first end is threaded.

31. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 26 wherein the open top of the accumulator has a lip.

32. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 26 further comprising a plurality of openings disposed within the float such that the extension is removably disposed within one of the plurality of openings.

33. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 26 further comprising a notch located on the accumulator such that the extension travels within the notch.

34. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 26 further comprising a guide attached to the accumulator for guiding travel of the extension.

35. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 26 further comprising a base attached to the tube and to the accumulator.

36. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 35 further comprising a knob operatively connected to the second valve.

37. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 36 further comprising a pressure relief system for relieving pressure from the interior of the tube, the pressure relief system being in a third closed position whenever the second valve is in the second open position and the pressure relief system being in a third open position whenever the second valve is in the second closed position.

38. The fluid cutoff system as in claim 37 wherein the pressure relief system is comprised of:

a relief chamber, having a fifth end and a sixth end, extending between the interior of the tube and the exterior;

and a ball valve, attached to the knob, that covers the fifth end whenever the pressure relief system is in the third closed position and does not cover the fifth end whenever the pressure relief system is in the third open position.