Fluid level sensing assembly for motorised valve

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11815190-B2
Application number	US-202117550031-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 14, 2021
Priority date	Dec 22, 2020
Publication date	Nov 14, 2023
Grant date	Nov 14, 2023

Abstract

A fluid level sensor assembly includes a first pipe component defining a flow path for the fluid and configured to be attached to a valve to control flow of the fluid from the first pipe component, and a fluid level sensor arranged in or on the first pipe component to detect a level of fluid in the first pipe component and to generate a command signal for operation of the valve according to the level detected. The assembly also includes an insert fitted to an end of the first pipe component and extending axially from the end to be fitted to an inlet of the valve, in use, wherein the insert is configured to secure the first pipe component against rotation relative to the valve inlet when the insert is fitted to the inlet.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A fluid level sensor assembly comprising:
a wye fitting having a main branch defining a fluid path for a fluid to flow from an inlet end to an outlet end arranged to be connected to an inlet of a valve, and a second branch opening from the main branch at a position intermediate the inlet end and the outlet end;
a level sensor is located in the second branch to detect a level of fluid in the second branch and to generate a command signal for operation of the valve according to the level detected; and
a nozzle defining a channel outside the main branch, the channel having a first opening into the main branch, at a position intermediate the inlet end and the second branch, and a second opening into the second branch, the second opening being smaller than the first opening.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising an insert fitted to the outlet end of the wye fitting and extending axially from the end to be fitted to an inlet of a valve, in use, wherein the insert is configured to secure the wye fitting against rotation relative to the valve inlet when the insert is fitted to the valve inlet.

3. The assembly of claim 2 , wherein the insert comprises locking features to provide an anti-rotation fit between the outlet end and the valve inlet.

4. The assembly of claim 3 , wherein the locking features comprise teeth.

5. The assembly of claim 3 , wherein the locking features comprises latches configured to latch into corresponding openings formed in a receiving part.

6. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the insert comprises a polymer.

7. A fluid management system comprising:
the valve; and
the assembly as claimed in claim 1 .

8. The system of claim 7 , further comprising a waste pipe arranged for connection with the valve via the assembly.

Assignees

• Goodrich Corp

Inventors

• Kroczek Piotr
• Sapija Dariusz
• Kurowska Agata

Classifications

• F16K21/18 Primary

  closed when a rising liquid reaches a predetermined level (float-actuated valves F16K31/18) · CPC title

• F16K31/36

  in which fluid from the circuit is constantly supplied to the fluid motor · CPC title

• Y10T137/7761

  Electrically actuated valve · CPC title

• G01F23/0007 Primary

  for discrete indicating and measuring (G01F23/02 - G01F23/28 take precedence) · CPC title

• F16L41/023

  Y- pieces (F16L41/025, F16L41/026, F16L41/028 take precedence) · CPC title