Self-regulating fluid control valve

Abstract

Self-regulating tide gates comprise a door pivotally mounted to the end of a conduit connecting two separated bodies of water. The door is held open to permit full reciprocal flow between a protected one of the bodies of water and the other body of water until the flow would cause an undesirably high water level in the protected body of water. A float senses the water level and releases the door, which then closes a cut off further flow of water. In some embodiments, the door is hingedly connected to the lower edge of the conduit, is buoyant, and is retained in its open position until the float releases it for self-closing. A latching mechanism is employed to hold the door open, or the weight of the float and its connecting float rod accomplish this purpose. In other embodiments, the door is pivotally hinged to the upper edge of the conduit and is provided with counterweights to maintain it in its open position. A float operates against the counterweight to release the door for closing. A stilling well comprising a vertical shaft intersecting the conduit connecting the two bodies of water provides an installation site for the self-regulating tide gates, and the water level in the stilling well follows the water level in the protected body of water during flow thereto. The float is also positioned in the stilling well to secure this level. A vacuum break conduit comprising an upwardly extending conduit intersecting the conduit connecting the two bodies of water adjacent the door provides an air passageway to the conduit which prevents formation of a vacuum behind the door upon closing, and thereby also prevents the damage to the door which would otherwise occur because of the formation of such a vacuum.