Valve assembly

• US 7,793,682 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2003
• Issued: 09/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Weir Minerals Australia Limited (WEIR Group PLC)
• Original Assignee: WEIR Minerals Australia Pty Limited
• Inventors: Smit, Peter Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Rivell; John
• Assistant Examiner(s): PRICE, CRAIG JAMES
• Application Number:
  US10/533,164
• Publication Number:
  US 20060162774A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,511 Days
• Field of Search: 137/43, 137/202, 137429-433, 137/442, 137/493, 137/510, 137/587, 137/391, 137/588, 123/516, 123/518, 123/519, 123/520, 123/198.D
• US Class Current: 137/391
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/365 using floats
• CPC Class Codes: B67D 7/367 the float acting pneumatically on a shut-off valve
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/26 operating in either direction
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 24/044 the float being rigidly connected to the valve element, the assembly of float and valve element following a substantially translational movement when actuated, e.g. also for actuating a pilot valve
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/20 actuating a lift valve
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/22 with the float rigidly connected to the valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0874 Vent opening or closing on tipping container
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3099 Float responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7303 Control of both inflow and outflow of tank
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7358 By float controlled valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7465 Assembly mounted on and having reciprocating valve element coaxial with inlet pipe
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86332 Vent and inlet or outlet in unitary mounting

Abstract

A valve assembly (10) able to be mounted with a liquid container, the valve assembly comprising: a housing (20) having a passageway (60) that extends through the housing; a breather float valve (80) mounted within the housing, the breather float valve movable between an open position to allow gas to pass through the passageway and a closed position that prevents liquid from passing through the passageway; a liquid inlet (30), forming part of the housing, the liquid inlet allowing fluid to pass into the housing; and an inlet float valve (41) mounted within the housing, the inlet float valve movable between an open position that permits the flow of liquid through the liquid inlet and a closed position that prevents the flow of fluid through the liquid inlet.

Claims

1. A valve assembly able to be mounted with a liquid container, the valve assembly comprising:

a housing having a passageway that extends through the housing, and having openings for liquid in the container to pass in and out of the passageway;

a liquid inlet, forming part of the housing, the liquid inlet allowing fluid to pass into the passageway of the housing;

an inlet float valve mounted within the housing, the inlet float valve movable between an open position that permits the flow of liquid through the liquid inlet and into the passageway and a closed position that does not permit the flow of liquid through the liquid inlet and into the passageway; and

a breather float valve mounted within the housing, the breather float valve movable with liquid level in the housing between an open position to allow gas to pass through the passageway and out of the housing, and a closed position that prevents liquid from passing through the passageway and out of the housing;

the valve assembly characterized in that it includes a relief valve that is movable between an open position and a closed position to allow pressure to be relieved from the container.

2. The valve assembly of claim 1 wherein the housing is cylindrical.

3. The valve assembly of claim 1 wherein inlet float valve includes a float and a stem.

4. The valve assembly of claim 3 wherein a valve seal is located adjacent the end of the stem.

5. The valve assembly of claim 4 wherein a fuel chamber is located adjacent the liquid inlet in which fuel is passed.

6. The valve assembly of claim 5 wherein a shelter is provided within the fuel chamber in which an end of the stem is located when the float valve assembly is in the open position.

7. The valve assembly of claim 1 wherein the breather float valve includes a rod and breather float.

8. The valves assembly of claim 7 wherein a spring engages the breather float valve.

9. The valve assembly of claim 1 wherein the relief valve includes a relief plate, a spring and a cap.

10. An assembly able to be mounted with a liquid container, the assembly comprising:

a housing having a passageway that extends through the housing;

a liquid inlet, forming part of the housing, the liquid inlet allowing fluid to pass into the passageway of the housing;

an inlet float valve mounted within the housing, the inlet float valve movable between an open position that permits the flow of liquid through the liquid inlet into the passageway and into the liquid container and a closed position that does not permit the flow of liquid through the liquid inlet into the passageway and into the liquid container; and

wherein the assembly is adapted to receive a breather float valve, the breather float valve movable between an open position to allow gas to pass through the passageway and a closed position that prevents liquid from passing through the passageway.

11. A valve assembly able to be mounted with a liquid container, the valve assembly comprising:

a housing that is hollow and substantially cylindrical in shape said housing having at least two openings that allow fluid located within the container to pass in and out of the housing;

a liquid inlet located at the lower end of the housing, the liquid inlet allowing fluid to pass into a passageway of the housing;

an aperture that is in fluid communication with the liquid inlet through a bleed conduit;

an inlet float valve assembly that includes a float, a stem and a valve seal that is located adjacent the end of the stem, and said inlet float valve assembly is mounted within the housing, the inlet float valve assembly movable between an open position that permits the flow of fluid through the liquid inlet and into the passageway and a closed position that does not permit the flow of fluid through the liquid inlet and into the passageway; and

a chamber that is located adjacent the liquid inlet in which fluid is passed and a shelter is provided within the chamber in which an end of the stem is located when the float valve assembly is in the open position.

12. The valve assembly of claim 11 wherein the valve assembly is adapted to receive a breather float valve, the breather float valve movable between an open position to allow gas to pass through a passageway and a closed position that prevents liquid from passing through the passageway.

13. The valve assembly of claim 12 wherein the valve assembly includes a relief valve that is movable between an open position and a closed position to allow pressure to be relieved from the liquid container.

14. A valve system for controlling the flow of liquid into a tank, comprising:

a control valve assembly that is capable of being mounted to a liquid container;

a conduit that provides for fluid communication between the control valve assembly and a fluid valve sensor assembly, said a-fluid valve sensor assembly capable of being mounted to a liquid container, the fluid valve sensor assembly comprising;

a housing that is hollow and substantially cylindrical in shape said housing having at least two openings that allow fluid located within a tank to pass in and out of the housing;

a liquid inlet located at the lower end of the housing, the liquid inlet allowing fluid to pass into a passageway of the housing;

an aperture that is in fluid communication with the liquid inlet through a bleed conduit;

an inlet float valve assembly that includes a float, a stem and a valve seal that is located adjacent the end of the stem, and said inlet float valve is mounted within the housing, the inlet float valve assembly movable between an open position that permits the flow of fluid through the liquid inlet and into the passageway and a closed position that does not permit the flow of fluid through the liquid inlet and into the passageway; and

a chamber that is located adjacent the liquid inlet in which fluid is passed and a shelter is provided within the chamber in which an end of the stem is located when the float valve assembly is in the open position.

15. The valve system of claim 14 wherein the fluid valve sensor assembly is adapted to receive a breather float valve, the breather float valve movable between an open position to allow gas to pass through a passageway and a closed position that prevents liquid from passing through the passageway.

16. The valve system of claim 15 wherein the fluid valve sensor assembly includes a relief valve that is movable between an open position and a closed position to allow pressure to be relieved from the liquid container.