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:
Jan. 04, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 17, 1998
Daniel T Risch, Burnsville, MN (US);
Gary R Gillingham, Prior Lake, MN (US);
Fred H Wahlquist, Bloomington, MN (US);
Wayne M Wagner, Apple Valley, MN (US);
Joseph C Tokar, Apple Valley, MN (US);
Bernard A Matthys, Apple Valley, MN (US);
Pete A Betts, Prior Lake, MN (US);
Donaldson Company, Inc., Minneapolis, MN (US);
Abstract
A valve assembly includes a housing and a float. The housing is constructed and arranged to inhibit movement of the float between a resting position to a position where it is situated in its valve seat, unless a selected liquid volume within the valve housing is attained. In one embodiment, a series of projection members or rings creates a tortuous path, such that there is no clear path for the float to reach the valve seat. In another embodiment, vacuum pressure is created between the float and its cup support. Still other embodiments utilize magnets, springs, linkages, and bent wires. Methods for preventing liquid ingestion into an engine through an air intake are also provided.