The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 02, 1997
Filed:
Dec. 03, 1996
William R Walters, Cleveland, OK (US);
Other;
Abstract
Apparatus for automatically opening an orifice to allow flow when ambient temperature drops below a predetermined level, such as the freezing point of water. The apparatus is for connection to a liquid line that carries liquid at a selected pressure for producing a selected low flow rate of liquid from the liquid line when the ambient temperature drops below a selected temperature. The apparatus comprises an orifice in the end of the liquid line of selected small diameter, a closed chamber means having an expansible portion filled with a selected condensible gas, for which the vapor pressure varies with temperature in a known manner. The apparatus further comprises a valve assembly selectively positioned adjacent the orifice and at a specific distance from the expansible portion of the closed chamber. The closure means is selectively positioned by means of spacers positioned adjacent the valve assembly. A means connecting the expansible portion of the chamber to a closure means in the valve assembly is provided to shut off the flow of liquid by sealing an orifice when the temperature is above a selected value, and to open the orifice to allow a small trickle flow of liquid whenever the ambient temperature is less than a selected value, such as the freezing point of water.