Buoyancy flushing apparatus and method thereof
US6886588B2 · kind B2 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 17, 2003 |
| Grant date | May 3, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 17, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/7436
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A buoyancy flushing apparatus is disclosed which comprises a reservoir for accumulating liquid, having an inlet for receiving liquid and an outlet chamber recessed in a bottom wall of the reservoir. The outlet chamber includes an outlet for draining liquid out of the reservoir. The apparatus further comprises an outlet valve movable between a down position where liquid accumulates in the reservoir and a raised position where liquid accumulated in the reservoir is flushed out via the outlet. The outlet valve comprises a ballast unit sized and shaped to fit loosely in the outlet chamber when said valve is in the down position; and a float unit topping the ballast unit to move the valve in the raised position by buoyancy when a sufficient amount of liquid is accumulated in the reservoir, thereby providing a passageway for liquid between the bottom wall of the reservoir and the valve leading to the outlet in the outlet chamber to flush liquid out of the reservoir. Guiding means are provided for guiding the outlet valve between the down position and the raised position. The apparatus can be used for applications such as water treatment and irrigation. It could advantageously be used for…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.