US2957490A

US2957490A - Fluid segregators

Info

Publication number: US2957490A
Application number: US544668A
Authority: US
Inventors: George B Richards
Original assignee: Liquid Controls Corp
Current assignee: Liquid Controls Corp
Priority date: 1955-11-03
Filing date: 1955-11-03
Publication date: 1960-10-25
Anticipated expiration: 1977-10-25

Description

Oct. 25, 1960 G. B. RlHARDs 2,957,490

FLUID SEGREGATORS Filed Nov. 3, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 MENmH..

Oct. 25, 1960 G. B. RICHARDS 2,957,490

FLUID SEGREGATORS Filed Nov. 3, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Geofgejmm'd@ FLUID SEGREGATORS George B. Richards, Deerfield, 111., assigner, by mesne assignments, to Liquid `Controls Corporation, North lChicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed Nov. 3, 1955, Ser. No. 544,668

8 Claims. (Cl. 137-172) This invention relates to fluid segregators and has to do more particularly with a segregator for `separating two immiscible liquids or a liquid and a gas, of diiierent `specific g-ravities wherein a flow-actuated valve is em- -products and are usually installed in a sump at the bottom of a storage tank. In liquid segregators as heretofore constructed segregation is effected by causing the liquid to ow into a container whereby the heavier of the two liquids settles to the bottom of the container and accordingly may be withdrawn, while the lighter of the two liquids rises to the `upper portion of the container and oats on the heavier liquid. The separation is effected by vcontrolling the outilow of the heavier liquid from the container by means of a Heat-controlled valve so that the heavier liquid flows out of the container until `such-time as the heavier liquid is substantially entirely 'withdrawn from the container, 'whereupon the valve is closed to prevent the lighter liquid from ilowing out of the container. Liquid segregators `as heretofore constructed, have included a casing located at the bottom of the tank to receive liquid therefrom. The casing is formed with a discharge outlet or orice and a discharge valve for controlling the ow of liquid through the outlet, which valve is actuated by a float so constructed as to float in the heavier of the two liquids, but to sink in the lighter ,of the two liquids. The arrangement is such that when .there is no heavier liquid present in the tank, or only a small quantity, the oat sinks to its lowermost position and .the discharge valve is closed. When the quantity of heavier liquid increases and the level thereof rises the float is thereby buoyantly supported and is caused to rise until such time as it reaches `a predetermined elevation when it causes the discharge vvalve to open and allow the heavier liquid to ll-oiw from the tank in which the segregator is located.

vIt has been found that where the flow of liquid through the discharge outlet is `at a substantial rate and the velocity is relatively high the Bernoulli effect causes a reduction in pressure over the Valve which exerts a closing force on the valve and the v alve may be closed even though the level of the liquid is such as to dictate that the valve remain open. In other words the Bernoulli or suction effect is suhcient to overcome the buoyancy or lifting eiect of the heavier liquid on the float and to cause the valve to flow and pull down the iloat below its proper position. l

An object of the present invention is to provide Ia new and improved liquid segregator.A

' Another object is to provide a liquid segregator where- W United States Patent 2,957,490 Ptented oct. 25, 1960 in the operation of the discharge valve is independent of the rate of flow of the liquid through the discharge outlet.

Another object is to provide a liquid segregator of the type having a float-actuated valve and a discharge valve controlled by the float-actuated valve and of such construction that it is closed solely under the control of the oat-actuated valve and its operation is entirely independent of the rate of ilow of liquid through the discharge outlet.

A further object is to provide a liquid segregator which is simple and inexpensive to make, is effective in operation and requires a minimum of attention, adjustment repair and replacement of parts.

Another object is to provide a liquid segregator of the type employing a strip or reed type valve wherein the closing of the valve is solely under the control of a oat and is independent of the rate of ow of the liquid through the discharge outlet.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a liquid segregator constructed in raccordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View through the segregator of Fig. l taken along line 2-*2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken along line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4 4 of Fig. 2; i

Fig. 5 is a sectional View taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-'6 of Fig. 2.

A fluid segregator 100 constructed in accord-ance with the present invention is disposed at the lower portion of a liquid tank or container 101 of any suitable form and preferably in a sump portion thereof. The segregator is disposed in an outlet opening 102 leading from the bottom of the tank 101. The segregator includes a iirst, cup-like housingmembcr or base 103 having a flange 104 by which the segregator is secured to the tank 101 as by screws 108 extending through the ange 104 and into the bottom wall of the container or tank 101.

The segregator also includes a second housing member or casing dening a float chamber 106 which casing 105 is supported on a ledge or shoulder 107 formed on the flange 104 yand underlying the opening 102 in the bottom wall of the tank 101. The casing 105 is rigidly secured in position by a rod 110 which extends through the casing 105 and downwardly into the base 103 the rod being threaded into the bottom wall of the base and secured at its upper end by a nut 112. The base 103 delines a valve chamber which is disposed below and forms a continuation of the float chamber `106.

The casing 105 is of lesser diameter than the opening 102 in the bottom: wall of the tank 101 and therefore there is provided an annular passage 116 leading to the interior of the tank 101 into the chamber 115. In order to provide communication between the passage 116 and the chamber 115 a plurality of bosses 117 are provided on the flange 104 which support the lower edge of the casing 105 above the top surface of the shoulder 107 whereby a plurality of passages 118 are provided which connect the passage 116 withv the chamber 115 to thereby allow free ow of liquid from the interior of the tank 101 into the chamber 115. f

The base 103 is provided with

side openings

120 and 121 providing outlets from the chamber 115. Secured to the base 103 over the opening 120 is an end plate 122. The end plate 122 which is secured to the base 103 as by screws 123 may be formed with a threaded opening 124 adapted to receive a pipe 125 lfor a purpose hereinafter descnibed or it may be made imperforate and without any threaded opening therein if the functions of the pipe 125 are not desired. Secured between the end plate 122 and the base 103 is a plate 130 pro- .vided with a pair of openings 131 (Fig. 6) therethrough to permit the passage of liquid therethrough from the chamber 115. The size of the openings 131 is not critical but they are of sufficient size to allow relatively free Vpassage of liquid therethrough from the chamber 115. Moreover the openings 131 are spaced apart sufficiently so as to provide a central vertically extending strip-like portion 132 of the end plate 130 of sufficient width to provide a backing stnip capable of functioning as hereinafter explained. interposed between the plate 130 and the base 103 and the end plate 122 respectively are ring gaskets 133 and 134 formed of suitable sealing material.

The opening 121 is closed by a valve housing 140 hereinafter described more in detail. The valve housing is secured to the casing in a `suitable manner as by screws 141. Secured between the base 103 and the valve housing 140 is an orifice plate 145 (Pig. 3) formed with a central vertically elongated orifice 1'46 and a pair of openings 152 spaced laterally on either side of the orice 146 providing a vertically extending central backing strip -148 similar to the strip 132, except that it is provided with the orifice 146. The strip 148 is of sufiicient width to provide sealing surfaces on either side of the orifices for the valve element 225 hereinafter described.

Interposed and secured between the orifice plate 145 and the base 103 is a gasket 150 which overlies the inner face of the plate 145 except the openings in the Ilatter. It will be understood that where I refer hereinafter to the face of ythe orifice plate 145 this diesignates the face as covered by the gasket except as otherwise expressly indicated. The gasket 150 has an orifice 151 therein corresponding in shape and registering with the orifice 146 and openings 1'47 corresponding in shape and registering with the openings 152 respectively of the orifice plate 145.

Secured against the outer face of the orifice plate 145 is the valve housing 140 now to be described. The valve housing is formed preferably by an inner end plate 160, a body member 161 and an outer end plate 162 ali of which members are secured together and to the base 103 by the screws 1'41. The inner end plate 160 is. provided with openings 165 corresponding in shape to and registering with the openings 152 in the orifice plate 145 and together with such openings providing communica- Vtion between the chamber 115 and a valve chamber -166 provided between the end plate 160 and the body 161.

The body 161 is formed with a partition 170 which is formed with a valve seat 171 through which extends an outlet or discharge orifice or port 172 leading to an outlet chamber 173 defined by the body 161 and by a diaphragm 174 hereinafter described. Leading from the discharge chamber 173 is a discharge outlet 175 in which preferably an outlet or discharge pipe 176 is threaded.

A poppet valve 180 is provided for closing the valve orifice 172 and to this end is formed with a head portion 181 adapted to seat on the valve seat 171 in position closing the orifice 172 and with a stem portion 182 carrying the head for sliding movement into and out of closed position. The valve stem is secured in the diaphragm 174 in a suitable manner as by a pair of

metal plates

185 and 186 between which the diaphragm is clamped by means of a nut 187 threaded on the stem 181 and a shoulder 188 formed on the stem.

The diaphragm 174 is formed from a suitable resilient, water-impervious material which is inert to the water or to any other liquid materials which might enter the segregator. While the diaphragm may be made of rubber or synthetic rubber I prefer to form it from a suitable plastic and preferably the material sold under the trade name Tefiorr The diaphragm 17l4 is clamped between the :body 161 and the end plate 162 and divides the chamber 173 into two portions namely an inner portion 173a communicating with the orifice 172 and the outlet 175 and an outer portion 173b, the purpose of which will be explained hereinafter. The diaphragm 174 is formed with a bleeder orifice 190 providing limited communication between the chamber portions 173a and 173b sufficient to permit the diaphragm to be restored to its normal position after displacement but not sufficient to permit any substantial flow of liquid between the chamber portions 173:1 and 173b. In lieu of the orice 190 in the diaphragm an equivalent orifice (not shown) may be provided in the wall of the body member 161 positioned to provide communication between the bore 202 and the chamber portion 173a.

Instead of providing the diaphragm 174, I may employ a piston to perform a similar function. Such piston (not shown) is slidable in the chamber 173 and is connected to the valve stem 182 for actuating the valve 180 in a manner equivalent to the operation of the diaphragm 174.

The valve 180 is normally urged to closed position by a spring 191 seated at one end against the face of the partition 170 and at the outer end against the disc 186. Means are provided for opening the valve 180 against the closing force of the spring 191 when it is desired to allow the liquid to flow from the chamber 115. To this end communication between the chamber and the chamber 173b is provided, whereby pressure of the liquid within the chamber 115 is applied to the face of the diaphragm 174 in a direction to urge the valve 180 off its seat and allow the liquid to fiow from the chamber 115 through the orifices 152 and 165, the chamber 166, the

-valve orifice 172, the chamber 173a and the outlet 175.

Vably includes a portion defined by a groove 200 formed in the inner face of the plate 160y extending verticallyof the plate 160 from the orifice 146, a bore 201 in the end plate 160, a bore 202 extending in the body 161 and a passage 203 in the cover plate 162 and opening into the chamber portion 173b. Thus it will be seen that when the orifice 146 is open the pressure of the liquid in the chamber 115 is transmitted through the passages just described to the chamber portion 173b and accordingly is applied to the corresponding face of the diaphragm 174 to urge the valve toward open position.

Means are provided for controlling the opening and closing of the orifice 146 in accordance with the level of the heavier liquid in the segregator. Such means includes a valve which preferably is generally similar to the valves described and claimed in the copending applications of Henry Robert Billeter and George B. Richards, Serial No. 775,077, filed November 19, 1958, and Serial No. 775,045, filed November 19, 1958, each being a division of their application Serial No. 512,551, filed June 1, 1955, now abandoned, and which application also discloses and claims certain other features in common with the features of the segregator herein disclosed.

The valve 225 takes the form yof an elongated flat strip of flexible, resilient material, preferably metal, which is inert to the liquid with which the segregator is adapted to be used. While any spring material having suitable fiexibility, resiliency and inertness may be used, we have found that a spring steel alloy sold under the trade name Elgiloy provides excellent results.

The valve 225 is of sufficient width to extend across and completely close the orifice 146 when the valve is in closed .position and is of sufficient length to permit it to be mounted and actuated as hereinafter described.

The valve strip or element 225 is rigidly secured to the casing at a point above the orifice 146 and in such position that the adjacent portion of the strip lies against the face of :the cover gasket at all times. To this end the upper end of the strip is secured, as by a machine screw 226 to a boss 227 projecting from the base 103 in position to suitably support the upper end of the valve element in the desired position.

degrees as explained hereinafter. The face 231 extends parallel to the inner face of the gasket 150 overlying thev oriflce plate 145 for a purpose which will appear hereinafter; It. should be noted at this point that the orice plate .1,45 preferably is arranged in a vertical position so that its' innerfface extends vertically and accordingly the inner face of the gasket 150 similarly extends vertically. .f The stop 230 is connected to a guide stem 232 formingV a'portion of a float 235. The stern 232 extends through and is suitably secured in the ball portion 236 of the oat and projects therefrom at both ends. At its lowerend the stem 232 is inserted into the stop 230 and is-connected thereto by screws 237 which extend through these 4members and through clips 239 which serve to* retain the ends of the

valve elements

225 and 250 against twisting out of position relatively to the stop 230.

The stem 232 is hollow and it is telescoped over the p'ost 110 and thus serves to guide the float 235 for movement in a vertical direction within the iloat member 106.

The valve element 225 is so secured to and supported by:` the casing and the oat that in all positions thereof throughout its range of movement from its upper, openposition (shown in broken lines in Pig. 2) to its lower, closed- ;position (shown in full lines in Fig. 2) it has a free portion extending between the portion which bears against the face of the oritice plate and the portion which bears against the face 231 of the stop, which free portionkis bent back upon itself and assumes a curved shape. Moreparticularly the element 225 assumes a symmetrical, curved shape in which each portion on opposite sides of the 'vertical medial plane through the elements 225 are similar. This shape is retained in all positions of the oat although the location of the bend in the strip v'arie'swith the position of the float. The bending is effected by attaching the valve element 225 to the face andstop only at its ends, disposing the face 231 of the stop 230 and the face of the orice plate 145 in parallelism'j'and providing for movement of the oat in a direction parallel to these two faces.

Ar secondelement 250 is provided which is secured to the face and to the stop in a manner similar to that in which the valve element 225 is secured, except that the element' 250 isr disposed oppositely to the valve element 225.'A The element 250 is positioned to bear against the inner face of the closure plate 130 in a manner equivalent to'that in4 which the valve element 225 bears against the oriiiceplate 145.` However, as stated above the closure plate-1301is notrp'rovided with any orifice corresponding rtfthe"o`rifice 146 and the valve element 250 therefore d'oesfnfot Vfunction to close any oriice. The function of thet valve element 250 is to provide for a balanced constructionlas will now be explained. Accordingly, the e1ement'250 isreferred to as a balancing element. "fl'Thetwo'

elements

225 and 250 are connected `to the base7 103 and to the stop 230 at diametrically opposite points whereby they are disposed in opposition. Accordingly, they exert on the stop 230, and consequently on the loat 235, equal and opposite forces so that the float is jgiositione'tl centrally in the oat chamber and normally "doesnot bear against the guide stem 110. The guide 'stem' 110 however is provided so as to insure true vertical movement of the float 23S in a direction parallel to the faces of the orifice plate 145 and the face of the closure plate A130. 1

Since the assembly consisting of the valve elements 22`5 ""`a`nd 250, the stop 230 and the float 235 is freely p'o'sitioned, the forces exerted by the respective valve `elements 2 25 and 250 against their respective plates 145 and `1.50 are equal 'and the elements therefore are completely balanced.

l* 'Moreoven the arrangement is such that each of the elements 22S and 250 is under stress throughout its entirel rangev yof vmoveni'ennwhich stress causes the elements'toA be urgedV against its corresponding plate throughout at least a portion of the element during its entire range ofmovement. yAs will beseen from theA drawings, when the, oat is in-its upper position, the

elements

225 and 250 bear against the faces of their respective plates' throughout only the lower portions of the elements AandV at an area on the orifice plate 145 above the orice 146` andthe corresponding rarea on the plate 130. However, as the float 235 falls to its lower position, as established by the abutment ofthe stop 230 against the lower wall of the chamber 115 the

elements

225 and 250 bear against greater areas of theirV respective plates and the rvalve 225 closes the orifice 146, and also bears against the plateV 145 at aportion abofve and below the orifice in order to provide complete closure for the orifice. Thus it willV be seen that the elements are urged into positions wherein the valve element 225 closes and seals the orice 146 by its own resilience.

In the operation of the liquid segregator in accord' ance with the invention the tank 101 is connected to a liquid line which may contain liquids of two diierent specific gravities (or a gas and a liquid). As the liquids pass into the container or casing 105 the heavier liquid' settles to the bottom of the casing and passes into the chamber through the

passages

116 and 118. When this 'occurs any of the lighter liquid which may have entered the chamber 115 is forced upwardly through the iloat chamber 106 and passes out of the casing 105 through suitably provided openings 113 which preferably are formed in the upper wall or roof of the casing 105, and entersthe chamber defined by the tank 101. It will be understood that the float 235 is so constructed that it is buoyant in the heavier of the two liquids but is not buoyant in the other and lighter liquid (or gas) and thus the oat rises'and falls in accordance with the rising and falling of the level of the heavier liquid. In other words when there is a suicient quantity of the heavier liquid in the float chamber 106, the float 235 is buoyantly supported in an upper position whereby the Valve 2,25 and the cooperating element 250 are retained in their upper positions and the` oriice 146 is opened. With the valve 225 in open position the liquid exerts' a pressure on the liquid in the passages 200 and the chamber-portion 173k to apply a force on the diaphragm 174 in a direction to open the valve 180. The oriiice 172 is thus opened and the heavier liquid may flow freely from the chamber 115. When the level of the heavier liquid falls Ato the lower predetermined level, the float 235 falls with the level of the heavier liquid and if the levelfcontinues to fall the oat reaches the position in which it closes the valve 225. No further pressure will then be applied on the diaphragm to hold the valve open and the spring 191 will move the valve to closed position. The small orifice 190 in the diaphragm l174 permits this to take place.

It will be seen that the 'operation of the controlvalve 225 is independent of the rate of How of liquid through the` valve seat 171 and is subject only to the height of the float 235 as dictated by the level of the heavier liquid; Accordingly the valve 180 will remain openV regardless of the rate of ow yof liquid through theA scat l171 and there will be no tendency for the valve to be closed bowing to the Bernoulli effect produced by the ilow of liquid to the valve seat 171.

The pipe is employed as a backwash connection through which flushing liquid may be passed to Hush out the segregator and the tank with which it is associated. Where it is not necessary or desirable to provide such a backwash connection the opening 124 may be closed by a plug (not shown). Where this is done, the plate may be made imperforate if desired, instead of being provided with the openings 131 as shown.

It will be understood that while I have described the invention particularly in connection with its application Y t 7 Y to the separation or segregation of two immiscible liquids of' different speciic gravities, it also may be employed for separating a gas and a liquid. Y

I claim:

1. A segregator for separating two immiscible fluids of different specific gravities at least the heavier of which is a liquid, comprising a casing defining a chamber having an inlet opening into said chamber and a discharge opening leading from said chamber, a discharge Valve for closing said discharge opening, and means for controlling the operation of said discharge valve in accordance with the level of the heavier of the two uids in said chamber, said last means comprising a pressure-actuated member connected to said discharge valve, a passage leading from said chamber below the level of the heavier fluid to a rst face of said pressure actuated member for applying the pressure of the heavier iiuid to said face of said pressureactuated member in a valve-opening direction and having an inlet orifice in a wall of said chamber, a constantly open bleeder passage providing restricted communication between said passage and a second face of said pressureactuated member, a float guided for movement in said chamber in a direction parallel to said wall and a valve element including a exible, resilient member secured at one portion to said float and at another portion to said casing in a position whereby a portion of said valve element intermediate said secured portions is curved back upon itself and another portion lies against said wall in sealing relation to said inlet oriiice when said float is in one position and is displaced from said inlet orice -'when said float is in another position.

2. A segregator for separating two immiscible uids of different specific gravities at least the heavier of which is 'a liquid, comprising a casing defining a chamber having an inlet opening into said chamber and a discharge opening leading from said chamber, a discharge valve for closing said discharge opening, and means for controlling the operation of said discharge valve in accordance with the level of the heavier of the two uids in said chamber, said last means comprising a pressure actuated member connected to said discharge valve, a passage leading from said chamber below the level of the heavier fluid to a iirst face of said pressure actuated member for applying the pressure of the heavier iiuid to said face of said pressure-actuated member in a valve-opening direction and having an inlet orifice in a wall of said chamber, a constantly open bleeder passage providing restricted communication between said passage and a second face of said pressure-actuated member, a oat, means guiding said ioat for movement in said chamber in a direction parallel to said wall, a valve element including a exible, resilient member secured at one portion to said float and at another portion to said casing in a position whereby a portion of said valve element intermediate said secured portions is curved back upon itself and another portion lies against said wall in sealing relation to said inlet orifice when said float is in one position and is displaced from said inlet orifice when said float is in another position, and a balancing element similar to said valve element and secured in a similar manner to said oat and to said easing in a position diametrically opposite said valve element and positioned to bear against a wall of said chamber oppo- .site said first wall.

3. A segregator for separating two immiscible iuids of different speciiic gravities at least the heavier of which .is a liquid, comprising a casing defining a chamber having an inlet opening and an outlet opening at a level below .said inlet opening, a oat adapted to be supported by the heavier of the said fluids and guided for vertical movement in said chamber, a discharge valve for closing said outlet opening, a spring urging said valvetinto closed position, and means in said casing for controlling the operation of said discharge valve in response to movement of said iioat to an appropriate level, said means 'including a pressure-responsive element connected to said-discharge valve and cooperating therewith, means defining a passage leading from said chamber below the level of the heavier uid to one face of said pressure-responsive element for applying thereto the pressure of the heavier iluid in said chamber in a valve-opening direction, said passage having an inlet oriiice leading from said chamber and ahead of said pressure-responsive element, means actuated by said float for opening or closing said orifice in accordance with the level of the heavier iiuid in said chamber, and means for equalizing the pressures on both faces of said pressureresponsive element when said orifice is closed including a constantly open, restricted bleeder passage leading from said first passage to the interior of said casing on the other side of said pressure-responsive element.

4. A segregator for separating two immiscible fluids of different specific gravities at least the heavier of which is a liquid, comprising a casing defining a chamber having an inlet opening and an outlet opening at a level below sai'd inlet opening, a iloat adapted to be supported by the heavier of the said fluids and guided for vertical movement in said chamber, a discharge valve for closing said outlet opening, a spring urging said valve into closed position, and means for controlling the operation of said discharge valve in response to movement of said float to an appropriate level, said means including a llexible diaphragm connected to said discharge valve and cooperating therewith, means deiining a passage leading from said chamber below the level of the heavier iluid to one face of said diaphragm for applying the heavier fluid thereto, said passage having an inlet orifice leading from said chamber, and means actuated `by said float for opening or closing said oriice in accordance with the level of the heavier fluid in said chamber, said diaphragm having a constantly open bleeder oriiice operative for relieving any dilierential of pressure on the two faces of said diaphragm when said passage orifice is closed.

5. A segregator for separating two immiscible fluids of different specific gravities at least the heavier of which is a liquid, comprising a casing defining a control valve chamber having an inlet opening and a discharge opening, a discharge conduit leading from said discharge opening, a discharge valve in said discharge conduit, resilient means urging said discharge valve toward one position, means defining a discharge chamber in said discharge conduit, a pressure-responsive element operatively connected to said valve and dividing said discharge chamber into a pressure section and a discharge section, a discharge outlet leading from said discharge section, means defining a passage leading from said control valve chamber below the level of the heavier fluid to said pressure section for applying the pressure of the heavier fluid in said control valve chamber to a face of said pressure-responsive element acting in opposition to said resilient means, said passage having an inlet orifice opening into said control valve chamber, a control valve for closing said inlet oritice, a iloat in said casing positioning said control valve in accordance with the level of the heavier iiuid in said valve chamber and means for equalizing the pressures on both faces of said pressure-responsive element when said inlet orifice is closed including a constantly open bleeder opening connecting said passage and said discharge section.

6. A segregator for separating two immiscible fluids of different specific gravities at least the heavier of which is a liquid, comprising a casing defining a iioat chamber having an inlet opening and an outlet opening at a level below said inlet opening, a oat supported by the heavier of the said fluids and guided for vertical movement in said chamber, a discharge valve controlling said outlet opening, spring means urging said valve into one position, a control chamber within said casing, a diaphragm dividing said control chamber into a pressure section and a dis- -charge section and operatively connected to said discharge valve, a passage within the walls of said casing, said pas- .Sgeriuterconnecting said iioat chamber and said pressure section for applying the pressure of the heavier of said fluids to said diaphragm in opposition to said spring means, an orice in said passage communicating into said iioat chamber Ibelow the level of the heavier fluid, a constantly open bleeder passage providing restricted communication between said rst passage and said discharge section, and a control valve element including a flexible, resilient strip secured at one end to said iloat and the other end to` said casing whereby a first portion of said element lies against the oat surface and a second portion lies against said wall portion in sealing relation to said orifice when said oat is in one position and in displaced relation to said orifice when said oat is in another position, said strip being bowed between said rst and second portions in all float positions.

7. A segregator for separating two immiscible uids of diterent specific gravities at least the heavier of which is a liquid, comprising a casing defining a oat chamber having an inlet opening and an outlet opening at a level below said inlet opening, a float supported by the heavier of the said -iiuids and guided for vertical movement in said chamber, a discharge valve controlling said outlet opening, spring means urging said valve into one position, a control chamber within said casing, a diaphragm dividing said control chamber into a pressure section and a discharge section and operatively connected to said discharge valve, a passage within the walls of said casing, said passage interconnecting said float chamber and said pressure section for applying the pressure of the heavier of said fluids to said diaphragm in opposition to said spring means, an orifice in said passage communicating into said casing chamber below the level of the heavier iluid, a constantly open bleeder passage providing restricted communication between said rst passage and said discharge section, a control valve element including a flexible, resilinet strip secured at one end to said float and at the other end to said casing whereby a rst portion of said element lies against the iioat surface and a second portion lies against said wall portion in sealing relation to said orifice when said iloat is in one position and in displaced relation to said orifice when said float is in another position, said Strip being bowed between said rst and second portions in all oat positions, and a balancing element similar to said control valve element and secured in a similar manner to said float and to said casing in position whereby all the horizontal forces exerted on said tloat by said control valve and balancing elementare balanced.

8. A segregator for separating two immiscible fluids of different specic gravities, at least the heavier of which is a liquid, comprising a casing dening a chamber having an inlet opening into said chamber and a discharge opening leading from said chamber below said inlet, a discharge valve for closing said discharge opening, and means for controlling the operation of said discharge valve including a pressure-responsive member in said casing and connected to said discharge valve, a control passage leading from said chamber to a face of said pressure-responsive member and having an inlet orice opening from said chamber, a control valve for closing said inlet orifice, said pressure-responsive member being exposed on its other face to the pressure in said casing on the discharge side of said discharge Valve, a oat in said chamber for opening and closing said control valve in accordance with the level of the heavier iluid in said chamber, said tloat being of such buoyancy that it closes said control valve when at a level of said heavier fluid above said discharge opening, and said inlet orifice, and means for equalizing the pressure on both faces of said pressure-responsive member when said control valve is closed including a constantly open, restricted passage connecting said control passage and the interior of said casing on said other face of said pressure-responsive member.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 969,282 Humberstone Sept. 6, 1910 1,529,334 Winkeleer Mar. l0, 1925 1,890,126 Moore Dec. 6, 1932 2,064,962 Waters Dec. 22, 1936 2,664,170 Walker et al Dec. 2, 1953 2,679,863 Tucker June 1, 1954 2,758,717 Kenney Aug. 14, 1956