Valve assembly for preventing liquid ingestion and methods

US6213146A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Donaldson Company, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Daniel T. Risch · Burnsville, US
• Gary R. Gillingham · Prior Lake, US
• Fred H. Wahlquist · Bloomington, US
• Wayne M. Wagner · Apple Valley, US
• Joseph C. Tokar · Apple Valley, US
• Bernard A. Matthys · Apple Valley, US
• Pete A. Betts · Prior Lake, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 7, 1999
• Grant date: Apr 10, 2001
• Expiry date: Dec 7, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/794
• WIPO field: Engines, pumps, turbines
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A valve assembly includes a housing and a float. The housing is constructed and arranged to inhibit movement of the float between a resting position to a position where it is situated in its valve seat, unless a selected liquid volume within the valve housing is attained. In one embodiment, a series of projection members or rings creates a tortuous path, such that there is no clear path for the float to reach the valve seat. In another embodiment, vacuum pressure is created between the float and its cup support. Still other embodiments utilize magnets, springs, linkages, and bent wires. Methods for preventing liquid ingestion into an engine through an air intake are also provided.