Float-actuated fluid valve assembly
A float-actuated fluid valve assembly is disclosed that controls fluid flow from one or more fuel holding tanks, comprising a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port, a floating piston movably disposed within the valve body, a poppet positioned within the valve body and configured to selectively seal against a valve seat to control fluid flow between the inlet port and the outlet port, a float assembly operatively connected to the floating piston through a wire rope, cable or cord wherein the float assembly responds to changes in fluid level to actuate movement of the floating piston, which controls positioning of the poppet relative to the valve seat, and a set of compression springs positioned to bias the floating piston. The float assembly in ruggedized form includes a float cage having a top cap and a bottom cap connected by connecting rods.
1 . A float-actuated fluid valve assembly, comprising:
a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port;
a floating piston movably disposed within said valve body;
a poppet positioned within said valve body and configured to selectively seal against a poppet valve seat that controls fluid flow between said inlet port and said outlet port;
a float assembly operatively connected to said floating piston through a connecting mechanism, wherein said float assembly responds to changes in fluid level that actuates movement of said floating piston, which controls positioning of said poppet relative to said poppet valve seat; and
at least one piston closing spring and at least one poppet closing spring that provides compression and release capability of a floating piston actuator area and a floating piston drive area respectively, so that as fluid fills a floating piston chamber said floating piston changes position in order to release said poppet from its poppet valve seat and wherein said floating piston actuator area reduces in fluid volume that reduces said floating piston actuator area that allows said floating piston drive area to increase in fluid volume and allows more fluid to fill said float-actuated fluid valve assembly wherein fluid flows from one or more fluid holding tanks or reservoirs into said float-actuated fluid valve assembly and wherein said piston closing spring(s) and said poppet closing spring(s) are positioned to control said floating piston wherein said connecting mechanism extends between said float assembly and said floating piston and wherein fluid is drained from said float-actuated fluid valve assembly and said floating piston chamber when said floating piston actuator area increases in fluid volume and said floating piston drive area decreases in fluid volume to provide controlled cyclic fill and depletion of said float-actuated fluid valve assembly so that said float-actuated valve assembly receives some or no fluid from said one or more fluid holding tanks or reservoirs.
2 . The float-actuated fluid valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said fluid is a fuel and wherein said fuel can be any fuel of any density and wherein said float-actuated fluid assembly controls said cyclic fill so that neither underfill or overfill of said fluid holding tank(s) occurs.
3 . The float-actuated fluid valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said connecting mechanism comprises a wire rope, cable, and/or cord that is secured with compression sleeves positioned at both ends of said connecting mechanism.
4 . The float-actuated fluid valve assembly of claim 3 , wherein said compression sleeves are mechanically compressed and create permanent attachment points that resist pullout forces.
5 . The float-actuated fluid valve assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a poppet guide directing movement of said poppet within said valve body.
6 . The float-actuated fluid valve assembly of claim 1 , further comprising multiple O-rings providing sealing between various components of said valve body.
7 . The float-actuated fluid valve assembly of claim 6 , wherein said O-rings are constructed from Buna-N material with 70 durometer hardness.
8 . The float-actuated fluid valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said at least one piston closing spring and said at least one poppet closing spring are constructed of stainless steel.
9 . The float-actuated fluid valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein said float assembly includes a float cage having a top cap and a bottom cap connected by connecting rods.
10 . The float-actuated fluid valve assembly of claim 9 , wherein said connecting rods are secured to both said top cap and said bottom cap through threaded connections.
11 . The float-actuated fluid valve assembly of claim 10 , wherein said threaded connections comprise hex nuts that create threaded engagement with corresponding threaded features on said connecting rods.
12 . The float-actuated fluid valve assembly of claim 1 , further comprising multiple sealing rings that provide fluid-tight seals between various components of said valve body.
13 . The float-actuated fluid valve assembly of claim 12 , wherein said sealing rings are constructed from elastomeric thermoplastics with a durometer hardness within a range of 40-90 that allows for adjustment of said float-actuated fluid valve assembly to operate for different fluids with different fluid densities.
14 . A fluid system valve assembly, comprising:
a valve housing defining a flow path between an inlet portion and an outlet portion;
a movable valve element disposed within said valve housing and configured to control fluid flow through one or more flow paths;
a float mechanism responsive to liquid level changes and including a float cage having a top cap and a bottom cap connected by connecting rods;
a mechanical linkage that operatively couples said float mechanism to said movable valve element, wherein said mechanical linkage includes a flexible cable connection comprising a wire rope, cable, and/or cord secured with compression sleeves at both ends; and
a compressive spring system comprising two compression springs constructed of stainless steel material that bias said movable valve element toward predetermined positions.
15 . The fluid system valve assembly of claim 14 , wherein said wire rope has a length selected that is at least six inches long.
16 . The fluid system valve assembly of claim 15 , wherein said compression sleeves are mechanically compressed to create permanent attachment points that resist pullout forces.
17 . The fluid system valve assembly of claim 16 , wherein said connecting rods are secured to both said top cap and said bottom cap through threaded connections comprising hex nuts.
18 . A float-controlled valve apparatus, comprising:
a valve body assembly having fluid inlet and outlet connections;
a piston mechanism movably positioned within said valve body assembly;
a valve closure element configured to engage a sealing surface to regulate fluid flow;
a buoyant actuator assembly responsive to liquid level variations and optionally including a float cage having a top cap and a bottom cap connected by connecting rods;
a wire rope, cable and/or cord coupling system connecting said buoyant actuator assembly to said piston mechanism, wherein vertical displacement of said buoyant actuator assembly causes corresponding movement of said piston mechanism and valve closure element; and
a sealing system with multiple O-rings constructed from thermoplastic materials that provides fluid-tight seals between components of said valve body assembly.
19 . The float-controlled valve apparatus of claim 18 , wherein said wire rope coupling system includes compression sleeves securing said wire rope at connection points.
20 . The float-controlled valve apparatus of claim 19 , wherein said compression sleeves are positioned at both ends of said wire rope that provide secure mechanical attachment.
21 . The float-controlled valve apparatus of claim 20 , wherein said compression sleeves are mechanically compressed to create permanent attachment points that resist pullout forces.
22 . The float-controlled valve apparatus of claim 18 , wherein said connecting rods are secured to both said top cap and said bottom cap through threaded connections.
23 . A float-actuated fluid valve assembly, comprising:
a valve body having an inlet port and an outlet port;
a floating piston movably disposed within said valve body and having a cross-sectional area;
a poppet positioned within said valve body and configured to selectively seal against a poppet valve seat to control fluid flow between said inlet port and said outlet port, said poppet having a poppet rod extending therefrom;
a poppet guide directing movement of said poppet within said valve body;
a float assembly operatively connected to said floating piston through a wire rope connecting mechanism wherein said float assembly includes a float that is replaceable with floats of different sizes, weights and cross-sectional areas; and
a flow restricted pressure balancing channel providing a controlled fluid path for pressure equalization during valve operation, wherein said cross-sectional area of said floating piston is greater than a cross-sectional area of a poppet piston chamber where said poppet operates.
24 . The float-actuated fluid valve assembly of claim 23 , wherein said wire rope connecting mechanism comprises a wire rope secured using compression sleeves positioned at both ends of said wire rope.
25 . The float-actuated fluid valve assembly of claim 24 , wherein said compression sleeves are mechanically compressed to create permanent attachment points that resist pullout forces.
26 . The float-actuated fluid valve assembly of claim 23 , further comprising a set of compression springs biasing said poppet toward a closed position.
27 . The float-actuated fluid valve assembly of claim 26 , wherein said set of compression springs is constructed of stainless steel, wherein said set of compression springs is replaceable with compression springs having different spring constants as required by various fluid densities.
28 . The float-actuated fluid valve assembly of claim 23 , wherein said float assembly includes a float cage having a top cap and a bottom cap connected by connecting rods.
29 . The float-actuated fluid valve assembly of claim 28 , wherein said connecting rods are secured to both said top cap and said bottom cap through threaded connections.
30 . The float-actuated fluid valve assembly of claim 23 , further comprising a poppet valve flow channel extending around said poppet and said poppet rod that provides controlled fluid flow during valve operation.
31 . A fluid system valve assembly, comprising:
a valve housing defining a flow path between an inlet portion and an outlet portion;
a floating piston disposed within said valve housing and configured to move axially in response to pressure differentials;
a poppet valve element positioned within said valve housing and configured to control fluid flow through a flow path;
a poppet valve flow channel extending around said poppet valve element;
a float mechanism responsive to liquid level changes;
a wire rope that connects said float mechanism to said floating piston; and
a flow restricted pressure balancing channel configured such that said flow restricted pressure balancing channel provides controlled fluid communication between chambers within said valve housing and provides an ability for fluid to flow or be stopped as needed to ensure fluid flow regulation from one or more fluid holding tanks.