Liquid circulation apparatus and method
US4507056A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 3, 1983 |
| Grant date | Mar 26, 1985 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 3, 2003 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/86332
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Method and apparatus for reducing the resistance to the flow of a liquid from an upper liquid supply container to a lower vacuum receptor tank through an interconnecting port while permitting air displaced from said tank to enter said container through said port. The apparatus includes a valve element which is mounted for opening and closing movement with respect to the port and is biased into normal closed position. The valve element comprises a lower buoyant seating member or ball located in said lower tank and designed to seal said port from below, and an air conduit attached to the seating member or ball for movement therewith. The lower end of the air conduit is open adjacent the ball in the lower tank and the upper end is open to an air space above the liquid level within the upper supply container. Preferably, the valve element also includes a splash member to disrupt the liquid flow from the upper container and facilitate the air flow from the lower tank into and through the air conduit.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.