GB2336193A

GB2336193A - Rapid float

Info

Publication number: GB2336193A
Application number: GB9807430A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis Raymond Henson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-04-08
Filing date: 1998-04-08
Publication date: 1999-10-13
Also published as: GB9807430D0

Abstract

As liquid is drawn off tank 6 the float 5 and arm 4 will fall, opening valve 3 partially. Liquid is discharged into container 1 (FIG 2). When container 1 is filled to overflowing the weight of liquid therein causes float 5 to sink further into main body of liquid in tank 6, rapidly opening valve 3 fully (FIG 3). Float 5, now less buoyant with its extra weight, will rise as tank 6 fills, until the container 1 spills liquid from of the end thereof, which end is adjacent valve 3 (FIG 4). Float 5 now more buoyant, with less weight of liquid to lift, will rise shutting off valve 3 quickly (FIG 1). Float 5 with container 1 can be affixed to, or part thereof a lever that is attached to a valve body by a pivot.

Description

2336193 " 1 - RAPID FLOAT This invention relates to a rapid float.

As far as 1 am aware there are no inexpensive rapid floats in existence that can carry out the functions 1 require. This invention works in conjunction with float valves. Float valves are well known and comprise of a valve, lever and float. There are various types in existence for example, piston, ceramic disc, equilibrium or diaphragm. There purpose is to automatically discharge liquid into a tank. Float valves are usually secured to the tank by the valve body. The valve body contains therein a valve, by which the flow of liquid may be started, stopped or regulated by temporarily opening or closing a passage or orifice by the movement of a lever. The lever is attached at one end to the valve body by a pivot, at the other end it is attached to, or part thereof, a float. The float is, by way of liquid levels in a tank, able to raise or lower the lever, thus opening or closing the valve.

Float valves are, however, noisy when closing, relatively slow in operation and take time to finally stop flowing. When a small quantity of liquid is drawn off the tank, the valve opens at a trickle and is very slow to close again. There are, h6Wever, various ways to overcome this problem by using electrical valves, mechanical devises and delayed action valves. 1 wanted an inexpensive way to accelerate a valve to both full flow and drip tight closure. This is because 1 wanted to speed up the time a tank took to fill, reducing the time valves are noisy.

According to the present invention there is provided a rapid float which consists of a specially shaped float with a container affixed to or part thereof, the float rides upon the surface of the tank liquid, the container part is strategically sited to collect, contain or spill liquid and is mounted above the tank liquid level is, in use, affixed to and works in conjunction with conventional valves.

-2" A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, using a diaphragm type valve, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows in perspective the container 1 attached (not shown) to the float arm 4. The container, as described, empty after the initial fill. The float 5 at its highest trajectory. The liquid level in tank 6 at its full level. The valve 3 closed.

Figure 2 illustrates a small quantity of liquid has been drawn off tank 6. The float 5 failing through its trajectory. The valve 3 just opening. A trickle of liquid flowing from discharge nozzle 2. Liquid being contained in container 1. The container 1 increasing in weight.

Figure 3 shows valve 3 fully open showing maximum flow from discharge nozzle 2 into container 1 and liquid cascading over brim of container 1 into tank 6. The float 5 is lower in the liquid than in figure 2. The container 1 is at its maximum weight. The liquid in tank 6 is rising as compared to figure 2.

Figure 4 shows liquid in tank 6 at full level. Container 1 getting lighter as liquid spills out. The float 5 now more buoyant, rising higher from surface of liquid in tank 6 as compared to figure 3. The valve 3 closing as float 5 continues to rise to position shown in figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, they have been drawn in such a manner as to allow the internal viewing of the tank 6 and container 1. The diaphragm type float valve has a top discharge conforming to British Standard 212. The rapid float, as described, works as follows. Liquid is drawn off tank 6, eventually the float 5 will fall, opening valve 3 partially. Liquid is discharged into container 1 figure 2. When container 1 is filled to overflowing the weight of liquid therein causes the float 5 to sink further into main body of liquid in tank 6, thus rapidly opening valve 3 fully figure 3. The float 5, now less buoyant with its extra weight will rise as tank 6 fills, until the container 1 spills liquid from the end thereof which end is adjacent valve 3 figure 4. The float 5 now more buoyant with less weight to lift will continue to rise quickly shutting off valve 3 tight, figure 1.

"3"

Claims

1 A Rapid float comprising a specially shaped float with a container affixed to or part thereof, the float rides upon the surface of the tank liquid, the container part is strategically sited to collect, contain or spill liquid and 'is mounted above the tank liquid level is, in use, affixed to and works in conjunction with conventional valves.

2 A rapid float as claimed in Claim 1, which by way of increasing the weight of water in the container will, in use, assist the rapid opening to full flow of the valve.

3 A rapid float as claimed in Claim 1, which by way of decreasing the weight of water in the container will,'in use, assist the rapid closing of the valve.

4 A rapid float as claimed in Claim 1, which by virtue of the action as described in Claim 3 will, in use, reduce the time the valve is noisy when closing.

A rapid float as claimed in Claim 1, which by virtue of the action as described in Claim 2 will, in use, reduce time the valve is noisy when opening.

6 A rapid float as claimed in Claim 1, which by virtue of its claim in Claim 2, will reduce time the tank takes to fill.

7 A rapid float as claimed in Claim 1 which will, in use, by abnormally affecting the buoyancy of the float allow the drip tight closing of the valve.

8 A rapid float substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-4 of the accompanying drawings.