Float assisted automatic driptrap
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to automatic driptraps for fluid handling systems which respond to a predetermined level of liquid that is collected within a float chamber to permit float actuated automatic discharge of the collected liquid into a receiving line. More particularly, the present invention is directed to the provision of a float assisted automatic driptrap mechanism which is specifically designed to achieve bubble tight sealing within its service pressure range and for achieving efficient operation even when the float controlled valve mechanism thereof is subjected to relatively high working pressure. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Historically float actuated automatic driptraps tend to be designed with the axis of the float in the horizontal position so that as it rises and falls typically with a pivotal movement in response to the liquid level within the float chamber, its horizontal actuating shaft applies force to a pivotal valve actuator lever to provide for seating and unseating forces of a valve element such as a valve plunger which seats against an internal valve seat. The sealing components of such automatic driptraps are typically constructed of steel and are arranged to form a metal-to-metal seal. The maximum working pressure of driptrap valves of this type is normally about 5 PSIG, and on special applications up to 25 PSIG. With the metal-to-metal seat design that is typically used in conventional driptraps, leakage is typically expected and accepted in the waste water treatment industry. At the higher working pressures, i.e. in the range of 25 PSIG, conventional driptrap valve mechanisms will not operate properly to achieve absolute sealing capability and thus will leak a considerable amount. This is also considered acceptable at the present time in the waste water treatment industry. 
     It is desirable to provide a float energized automatic driptrap mechanism that is capable of providing improved performance in comparison with existing float operated automatic driptrap devices, specifically related to achieving bubble tight sealing capability and providing for efficient and effective valve operation even when the valve is subjected to relatively high working pressure. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a principle object of the present invention to provide a novel float energized automatic driptrap mechanism having a float that is vertically movable within a float chamber and which achieves vertical movement of a valve stem and plug relative to a valve seat. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a novel float energized automatic driptrap mechanism having a valve seat and valve plug that are arranged to establish line contact sealing when the valve plug is in its closed position relative to the valve seat. 
     It is an even further object of the present invention to provide a novel vertically oriented float operated automatic driptrap mechanism having a lower axial guide stem and low friction stem guide assembly which permits the float to be efficiently responsive to liquid level within the float chamber. 
     It is also an object of this invention to provide a novel vertically oriented float energized automatic driptrap assembly wherein the discharge opening that is controlled by the valve plug and valve spat is located sufficiently below the level of the float that liquid remains within the float chamber when the valve plug is caused to establish seating with a valve seat, thus preventing air or other gases from being discharged from the float chamber as collected liquid is being discharged therefrom. 
     It is an even further object of the present invention to provide a novel float energized automatic driptrap assembly which ensures against the discharge of debris from the float chamber through the open valve and discharge opening in the event the automatic driptrap assembly is being utilized in relatively dirty liquid applications. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a novel float energized automatic driptrap assembly having an internal diffuser at the inlet thereof to ensure against impingement of incoming liquid onto the float where it might otherwise cause premature closure of the seat plug at high working pressures. 
     Briefly, the various objects identified above, together with other features and objects which will become apparent upon a thorough understanding of the present invention, are realized through the provision of a float assisted automatic driptrap assembly that is provided with a driptrap body housing structure having a base and body which define respective fluid inlet and outlet openings. The body housing structure defines an internal float valve chamber within which is received a float which is vertically movable within the chamber responsive to the level of collected liquid contained therein. At the upper portion of the body housing, a diffuser is positioned within the float chamber and is supported by the body housing structure and serves to direct incoming liquid, especially at relatively high velocity, so that it does not impinge directly upon the float and thus does not influence the liquid level induced closing force to which the float is subjected. 
     Within the base a valve seat is disposed in fixed relation with the housing structure and is located within an internal receptacle defined by a guide housing. A valve stem projects downwardly from the float and is movably received in guided relation by a vertically oriented guide passage of the guide housing. The float actuated valve stem is guided by a low friction bushing of the guide housing which defines the vertically oriented guide passage and is movable vertically relative to the valve seat. A valve plug is connected at the lower portion of the valve stem and includes a tapered lower extremity which is received in guided relation with respect to a tapered valve seat surface of the valve seat. Differing tapers are defined by tapered lower extremities of the valve plug and the tapered surface of the valve seat thus causing a circular line contact sealing to be established. 
     A filter screen is arranged exteriorly of the guide housing and serves to filter fluid passing from the float chamber through the open valve seat such as when the driptrap mechanism is being utilized in relatively dirty fluid handling conditions. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. 
     It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
     In the Drawings: 
     FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a vertically oriented float energized driptrap assembly that is constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and represents the preferred embodiment. 
     FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the driptrap assembly of FIG. 1 illustrating the valve mechanism thereof in detail. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings and first to FIG. 1 a vertically oriented float energized automatic driptrap assembly is shown generally at 10 and includes a tubular body housing section 12 and base 16 which are maintained in sealed relation by means of circular sealing element such as resilient O-ring seal 20 which is received within a circular seal recess. The base and body are secured in assembly by means of a plurality of hex bolts 22 having hex nuts 24 threadedly connected at flanges thereof. The body 12 and base 16 may also be provided with externally accessible access or drain plugs 17 and 19 respectively to enable release of gases, draining of liquid or other servicing activities to be conducted without requiring the opening of the housing or removal of the driptrap apparatus from the inlet and discharge lines. It should be appreciated that top and bottom closure members could be provided for base 16 rather than the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 where a cast body 12 is closed only by a bottom base member 16. 
     The body 12 and base 16 respectively define integral bosses 26 and 28 which project inwardly from respective end walls 30 and 32. The bosses 26 and 28 define internally threaded inlet and outlet openings 34 and 36 respectively, which are adapted to receive suitable inlet and discharge piping for connection of the driptrap assembly into drip collection and discharge lines. Within the inlet opening of the inlet boss 26 is provided a diffuser 38 having an internal diffuser passage defined by a vertically oriented passage section 40 in communication with the inlet opening 34 and a lateral diffuser passage section 42 having laterally oriented openings that direct inlet fluid toward the internal wall surface 44 of the body housing section 12. The diffuser 38 may be connected to the boss 26 by threading, press fitting or by any other suitable means. A lock nut and washer assembly 54 is provided to secure a valve stem 56 in threaded assembly with the float 50 as shown in FIG. 1 and also shown in detail in FIG. 2. 
     As shown in detail in FIG. 2 the upwardly projecting boss 28 defines a vertically oriented discharge passage 60 having an upper portion thereof internally threaded as shown at 62 for receiving an externally threaded seat bushing 64. The seat bushing defines a centrally located, vertically oriented passage 66 and also defines a tapered or conical upwardly directed seat recess or surface 68 against which is adapted to seat the tapered or conical lower external portion 70 of a valve plug 72 which is secured within a plug receptacle 74 of the valve stem 56 by means of a spring pin 76 which extends through registering apertures defined in the lower extremity of the valve stem. The valve plug 72 is loosely received within the receptacle 74 and thus is allowed some degree of lateral movement within the receptacle and pivotal movement with respect to the mounting pin 76 so as to permit the valve plug to have substantially omnidirectional movement for seeking optimum seating relation with respect to the tapered seat surface 68. Further, the conical tapers of the surfaces 68 and 70 may be different so as to permit circular line contact seating of the seat plug 72 relative to the seat surface 68. This feature enhances the sealing capability of the valve plug and seat at a wide range of sealing pressure conditions. 
     The driptrap mechanism is provided with a valve guide housing 78 having an internal vertically oriented passage 80 within which is received a valve guide bushing 82 composed of a low friction material such as polytetrafluoroethylene such as is sold by E. I. Dupont under the registered trademark &#34;Teflon&#34;. The valve stem 56 includes a large diameter section 84 which extends in efficient close fitting guided relation through a vertically oriented guide passage 85 of the Teflon bushing 82. The low friction character of the guide bushing 82 also enhances the responsiveness of float movement to liquid level changes. For the purpose of limiting upward movement of the float 50, the valve stem 56 is provided with a stop 86 in the form of a split snap ring which is received within a circular external groove defined by the valve stem. The stop 86 is oriented to contact the downwardly directed internal shoulder 88 of the stem guide housing 78 when the float and valve stem have moved upwardly to the desired maximum extent thereof. 
     For assembly of the stem guide housing 78 to the upwardly projecting boss 28, the boss defines a reduced diameter annular upper portion 90 which defines a circular external retainer groove 92. A set screw 94 or other suitable retainer extends through a threaded opening of the lower extremity of the guide housing as shown and is received in restraining relation within the groove 92. Obviously more than a single set screw may be utilized for securing the guide housing to the internal boss if desired. 
     Externally, the stem guide housing 78 defines a reduced diameter section 96 enabling a generally cylindrical filter screen to be secured externally thereof by upper and lower filter clamps 100 and 102. The stem guide housing 78 also defines a pair of opposed fluid entry ports 104 and 106 which are positioned intermediate a centrally oriented annular recess 108 and which permit the filter 98 to have annular standoff intermediate its extremities from the external wall surface of the recess 108. In the event a dirty fluid is being handled by the driptrap mechanism and tends to build up on the filter immediately opposite the entry ports 104 and 106, the fluid can enter the recess 108 at any portion about the periphery of the filter and thus flow to the inlet ports. This will minimize the frequency of periodic maintenance of the filter when the driptrap mechanism is being utilized in relatively dirty fluid handling conditions. 
     OPERATION 
     When the valve plug 72 is positioned by the valve stem 56 and float 50 as shown in FIG. 2, any fluid within the chamber 58 of the driptrap mechanism will be permitted to flow through the filter screen 98 and through the inlet ports 104 and 106 to the valve seat opening 68. The collected fluid will then exit through passage 66 of the seat bushing 64 and through the appropriate discharge line that is coupled with the internally threaded receptacle 36. As the fluid level within the chamber 58 descends, the float 50 also descends, thereby moving the valve plug 72 toward its seated relation with the tapered seat surface 68. At a point where significant liquid level exists in the chamber 58 to position the liquid gas interface well above the valve seat 68 to thus prevent any gas from exiting through the valve mechanism, the valve plug 72 will move into seated, line sealing contact relation with respect to the tapered seat surface 68. As mentioned above, the valve plug 72 has sufficient degree of lateral and pivotal movement relative to the valve stem that it will seek optimum seating relationship with respect to the tapered valve seat 68. The circular line contact seating relation of the valve plug relative to the valve seat, and the fact that the valve plug has substantially omnidirectional movement relative to its valve stem, ensures that the tapered sealing surface of the valve plug can establish optimum seating relation with the valve seat so as to enable the valve mechanism to establish optimum sealing even under a wide range of pressure conditions, including relatively high pressure. 
     After the valve plug has become seated against the tapered valve seat 68, the liquid level will begin to rise within the float valve chamber 58. As the liquid level rises, its upwardly directed force on the float 50 increases. When such force on float 50 exceeds the seating force of the valve plug against the valve seat, the valve plug will suddenly be unseated from the valve seat, and the float will quickly move upwardly to the position shown in FIG. 2 thus fully opening the driptrap valve mechanism for efficient discharge flow therethrough. The presence of the vertically oriented valve stem 56, together with the presence of the low friction Teflon bushing 82 provides the float with efficient responsiveness to liquid level. The automatic driptrap mechanism of this invention is therefore capable of providing improved performance in comparison with existing float assisted driptrap devices and is capable of achieving bubble tight sealing and achieving efficient operation even when the valve mechanism is subjected to relatively high working pressure. 
     Since certain changes or modifications may be made in the disclosed embodiment without departing from the inventive concepts involved, it is the aim of the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications falling within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.