Patent US3635599A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3635599A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flame-arresting vent valve
Assignee: Airco Inc
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Filing: 1969-04-04
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Granted: 1972-01-18
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Expires: 1989-04-04
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a flame-arresting vent valve which is positioned to communicate with the uppermost portion of the motor casing of a submersible pump. The vent includes a pressureactuated valve member and a flame arrester made of porous material to prevent the propagation of flame across the valve. This invention is especially suited for use in pumps which deliver combustible fluids.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald T Bryant
- 👤 James L Mayfield
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:15
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04D; F04D13/00; F04D13/02; F04D13/06; F04D13/08; F04D13/086; F04D15/00; F04D15/0077; F04D29/00; F04D29/06; F04D29/061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A submersible pump system comprising a pump and motor assembly positioned in a liquid storage tank, discharge means leading from said pump and motor assembly, vent means to vent the air in the motor casing of said motor assembly as the pump and motor assembly is submerged in the liquid, said vent means comprising a flame-arresting vent valve having a body portion, an opening extending though said body portion and communicating with the uppermost portions of the interior of the motor casing whereby as the liquid level rises in said motor casing the displaced air is forced through said vent means and flamearresting means positioned in said opening to prevent the passage of flame through said opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A submersible pump system comprising a pump and motor assembly positioned in a liquid storage tank, discharge means leading from said pump and motor assembly, vent means to vent the air in the motor casing of said motor assembly as the pump and motor assembly is submerged in the liquid, said vent means comprising a flame-arresting vent valve having a body portion, an opening extending though said body portion and communicating with the uppermost portions of the interior of the motor casing whereby as the liquid level rises in said motor casing the displaced air is forced through said vent means and flamearresting means positioned in said opening to prevent the passage of flame through said opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The pump system of claim 1 having means to lubricate the bearings of said pump and motor assembly with the liquid product being pumped.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The pump system of claim 2 having flame path means allowing restricted communication between the interior of the motor casing of the motor assembly and the storage tank.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The pump system of claim 1 in which said flame-arresting means comprises a sintered metal block which extends across a portion of said opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The pump system of claim 4 in which the sintered metal block contains openings of a nominal diameter of from about 10 to about 500 microns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The pump system of claim 4 in which the sintered material is made of material taken from the class consisting of sintered bronze, sintered stainless steel and sintered copper.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The pump system of claim 1 in which said vent means further comprises a spring-loaded vent valve positioned in said opening between said flame-arresting means and said motor casing, said valve being normally urged toward an open position by said spring.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of starting and operating a submersible pump having a motor comprising the steps of submersing the pump in liquid, displacing the air in the motor casing of said pump with said liquid, venting the air so that it escapes from said pump, starting the pump motor, vaporizing at least part of the liquid in said casing and maintaining a pressure therein which substantially prevents the entry of further liquid into said motor casing.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
75 words
A method of starting and operating a submersible pump having a motor comprising the steps of submersing the pump in liquid, displacing the air in the motor casing of said pump with said liquid, venting the air so that it escapes from said pump, starting the pump motor, vaporizing at least part of the liquid in said casing and maintaining a pressure therein which substantially prevents the entry of further liquid into said motor casing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as defined in claim 8 characterized by supplying liquid to bearings of the pump to lubricate the same.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
95 words
A motor driven pump comprising a motor casing, vent means communicating with the interior of said motor casing to allow the escape of fluid from said motor casing, said vent means including flame-arresting means to prevent the passage of flame from the interior of the motor casing, said vent means further including pressure-responsive means adapted to maintain said vent means open while the pressure in said motor casing remains substantially equal to the pressure without said motor casing and to close said vent means in response to a predetermined pressure buildup in said motor casing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
95 words
A motor driven pump comprising a motor casing, vent means communicating with the interior of said motor casing to allow the escape of fluid from said motor casing, said vent means including flame-arresting means to prevent the passage of flame from the interior of the motor casing, said vent means further including pressure-responsive means adapted to maintain said vent means open while the pressure in said motor casing remains substantially equal to the pressure without said motor casing and to close said vent means in response to a predetermined pressure buildup in said motor casing.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The motor driven pump of claim 10 in which said pressure-responsive means includes a spring-loaded valve which closes in response to a buildup of pressure in the motor casing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
76 words
A motor-driven submersible pump comprising a pump assembly, a motor assembly having a motor casing, means to lubricate the bearings of said pump with the fluid being pumped, vent means communicating with said motor casing to permit fluid to displace the undesired gases in said casing when the pump is submersed in fluid, said vent means including pressure-responsive means adapted to close said vent means when a predetermined differential pressure across said pressure-responsive means is reached.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
76 words
A motor-driven submersible pump comprising a pump assembly, a motor assembly having a motor casing, means to lubricate the bearings of said pump with the fluid being pumped, vent means communicating with said motor casing to permit fluid to displace the undesired gases in said casing when the pump is submersed in fluid, said vent means including pressure-responsive means adapted to close said vent means when a predetermined differential pressure across said pressure-responsive means is reached.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The pump of claim 12 in which said vent means further comprises flame arresting means to prevent the passage of flame from the interior of the motor casing.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
72 words
A motor-driven submersible pump for delivering combustible fluids comprising a pump assembly, a motor assembly having a casing, means to lubricate the bearings of the pump with the combustible fluid being pumped, vent means connected to said motor casing to vent air from said casing as said pump is submersed in said combustible fluid, said vent means including valve means responsive to pressure buildup in said casing to close said vent means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
72 words
A motor-driven submersible pump for delivering combustible fluids comprising a pump assembly, a motor assembly having a casing, means to lubricate the bearings of the pump with the combustible fluid being pumped, vent means connected to said motor casing to vent air from said casing as said pump is submersed in said combustible fluid, said vent means including valve means responsive to pressure buildup in said casing to close said vent means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
A motor driven pump as defined in claim 14 in which said vent means further comprises flame-arresting means to prevent the passage of flame from the interior of the motor casing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
100 words
A motor-driven pump comprising a motor assembly and a pump assembly, said motor assembly including a motor casing defining a cavity, a stator and a rotor positioned in said cavity, means to lubricate the pump bearings with the fluid being pumped, vent means connected to said motor casing to vent gas in said cavity, said vent means including flame-arresting means to prevent the passage of flame through the vent means and valve means operable in response to a predetermined pressure increase in said casing to close said vent means and thereby prevent the passage of fluid through said vent means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
100 words
A motor-driven pump comprising a motor assembly and a pump assembly, said motor assembly including a motor casing defining a cavity, a stator and a rotor positioned in said cavity, means to lubricate the pump bearings with the fluid being pumped, vent means connected to said motor casing to vent gas in said cavity, said vent means including flame-arresting means to prevent the passage of flame through the vent means and valve means operable in response to a predetermined pressure increase in said casing to close said vent means and thereby prevent the passage of fluid through said vent means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-17 | 1975-07-19 | 1976-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-17 | 1979-07-19 | 1980-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-17 | 1983-07-19 | 1984-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |