Chesterton International Company

Other

Kohler Company

John Crane Inc.

Michael H Ostrowski

James Robert Lewis

Jeffrey L Mueller

John H Schott

Stanley P Kaymen

An assembly for rapidly filing bathtubs, whirlpools, spas, washing machine drums and the like includes a basin, water storage tank(s) (such as hot and cold water storage tanks), and a system for controlling the filling of the basin from the tank(s). When it is desired to supply water to the basin, this is expedited by placing the tank(s) above the basin, using connecting piping with extra large area, using a pressure pump, and/or providing extra large delivery ports. The tank(s) are dedicated to the assembly, and preferably are closely adjacent thereto. Controls are provided to avoid excess weight gathering adjacent the basin.

High flow rate water supply assembly

A water-powered sump pump that utilizes a relatively higher pressure water ported through a self-reversing valve to a reversible stroke power cylinder having a movable member mechanically coupled to a pumping chamber for movement of a movable pumping member in the pumping chamber, movement of the movable pumping member forcing sump water to a discharge. The volumes of the power cylinder and pumping chamber are different such that relatively high pressure, low volume flow to the power cylinder results in relatively high volume, low pressure flow from the sump pumping chamber. The discharge from the power cylinder is backflow prevented with respect to the discharge from the sump pumping chamber.

Water-powered sump pump

A mechanical end face seal for sealing between a housing and a relatively rotating shaft which includes a pair of relatively rotating annular rings having seal faces in sealing contact with each other to define a seal interface. A generally annular flexible metal diaphragm is secured between an axially movable ring and either the housing or shaft in a configuration such that it is placed in tension to achieve a preload or initial closing force upon the seal faces. In one form the seal components are unitized into a single assembly. A retainer is adapted to be disposed in a bore of the housing in surrounding relation to the shaft. The seal rings are disposed intermediate the axial ends of the retainer with the generally annular flexible metal diaphragm secured to one end of the retainer to define one closure wall of the assembly and to capture the ring components within the retainer.

Mechanical seal with flexible metal diaphragm

A seal arrangement for a stuffing box, the stuffing box having an outboard seal an inboard seal exposed to process fluid, and a volume pressurized with barrier fluid in which the inboard seal and the outboard seal are disposed, has a container divided into at least two non-communicating chambers by a movable wall, with a first of the chambers being supplied with barrier fluid and communicating with the space in the stuffing box in which the outboard seal is disposed, and a second of the chambers communicating with the stuffing box so as to be at the stuffing box pressure. The movable wall constantly strives to assume an equilibrium position wherein substantially no pressure differential exists across the inboard seal. Due to the absence of such a pressure differential, substantially no contamination of the barrier fluid by the process fluid occurs, and vice versa. Additionally, due to the extremely small amount of clean barrier fluid which is lost during continued operation, barrier fluid replenishment is highly simplified and maintenance-free. The container may also house a barrier fluid reservoir.

Dual seal with clean barrier fluid and dynamic pressure control

A seal arrangement for a stuffing box, the stuffing box having an outboard seal an inboard seal exposed to process fluid, and a volume pressurized with barrier fluid in which the inboard seal and the outboard seal are disposed, has a container divided into two non-communicating chambers by a movable wall, with a first of the chambers being supplied with barrier fluid and communicating with the space in the stuffing box in which the outboard seal is disposed, and a second of the chambers communicating with the stuffing box so as to be at the stuffing box pressure. The movable wall constantly strives to assume an equilibrium position wherein substantially no pressure differential exists across the inboard seal. Due to the absence of such a pressure differential, substantially no contamination of the barrier fluid by the process fluid occurs, and vice versa. Additionally, due to the extremely small amount of clean barrier fluid which is lost during continued operation, barrier fluid replenishment is highly simplified and maintenance-free.

Growing community of inventors

Lake Forest, IL, United States of America

Michael H Ostrowski