Method and apparatus for triggered discharge of reservoir

Abstract

A method and device for triggered discharge of a reservoir includes a primary float for producing a primary float force to open an outlet valve of the reservoir. The primary float force is releasably restrained to prevent opening of the outlet valve until triggering of a release commences discharge of the reservoir using potentially significantly less force than the force to required to lever open the outlet valve itself.

1 . A device for triggered discharge of a reservoir; the device comprising: 
 a primary float for producing a primary float force to open an outlet of said reservoir;    a primary restraining means for releasably restraining said primary float force to prevent opening of said outlet valve; and    a triggerable release means adapted to cooperate with said primary restraining means such that triggering of said release means releases the restraint of the primary float force and discharges said reservoir.    
   
   
       2 . A device for triggered discharge of a reservoir; the device comprising: 
 a primary float for producing a primary float force to open an outlet valve of said reservoir; and    a primary restraining means for releasably restraining said primary float force to prevent opening of said outlet valve, and a primary release means adapted to cooperate with said primary restraining means such that the triggering of said release means releases the restraint of the primary float force; and    a second float for producing a secondary float force to trigger said primary release means; and    a secondary restraining means for releasably restraining said secondary float force to prevent triggering of said primary release means; and    a secondary release means adapted to cooperate with said secondary restraining means such that triggering of said secondary release means releases the restraint of said secondary float force thereby releasing the restraint of said primary float force and discharging said reservoir.    
   
   
       3 . A device according to  claim 2 , wherein means is provided to produce said secondary float force only when the reservoir content exceeds the partial level at which unchecked operation may occur.  
   
   
       4 . A device according to  claim 3 , wherein said means is the positioning of said secondary float proximal to a full level of said reservoir.  
   
   
       5 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said primary float is mounted on a primary lever arm adapted for opening said outlet valve such that said primary flotation force serves to lever open said outlet valve.  
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said primary restraining means is a primary leg comprising pivotally connected first and second primary leg portions with said first primary leg portion braced to prevent axial movement of said primary leg, said second primary leg portion being adapted to engage said primary lever arm such that when said primary leg is in a straight position said primary float is restrained by the braced axis of said primary leg, and such that when said primary leg pivots off-axis said primary float force is released.  
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 6 , wherein said first and second primary leg portions are hinged in a manner to only allow movement of said first and second primary leg portions substantially within a nominal plane; and 
 wherein said hinging allows movement of said first and second primary leg portion only to a first side of the primary leg axis.    
   
   
       8 . (canceled)  
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 1 , wherein said primary restraining means is configured to re-straighten under gravity during discharge of said reservoir.  
   
   
       10 . A device according to any one of  claims 2  to  9   claim 2 , wherein said secondary float is mounted onto a secondary lever arm such that the secondary float force provides a lever action for triggering said release of said restraint of said primary float force.  
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 10 , wherein said secondary restraining means is provided by a secondary leg comprising pivotally connected first and second secondary leg portions and first secondary leg portions being braced to prevent axial movement of said secondary leg and said second secondary leg portion engaging the secondary lever arm such that when the secondary leg is in a straight position said secondary float force is restrained by the braced axis of the secondary leg such that when said secondary leg pivots off-axis said secondary float force is released.  
   
   
       12 . A device according to  claim 11  wherein said first and second secondary leg portions are hinged in a manner to only allow movement of said first and second secondary leg portions substantially within a nominal plane.  
   
   
       13 . A device according to  claim 12 , wherein said hinging allows movement of said first and second leg portions only to a first side of said secondary leg axis.  
   
   
       14 . A device according to  claim 2  wherein said secondary restraining means is configured tore-straighten under gravity during discharge of said reservoir.  
   
   
       15 . A device according to  claim 1 , including a partial flush mechanism to selectively apply a weight to said outlet valve.  
   
   
       16 . A device according to  claim 15  wherein said weight is the primary float.  
   
   
       17 . A device according to any  claim 1 , wherein said triggerable release means is activated by a force less than the lifting force required to open said outlet valve.  
   
   
       18 . A method for triggering the discharge of a reservoir; the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing producing a primary floatation force to open an outlet valve of said reservoir;    (b) releasably restraining said primary float force to prevent opening of said outlet valve; and    (c) triggering release of the restraint of said primary float force.    
   
   
       19 . A method for triggering the discharge of a reservoir wherein said step (c) comprises 
 producing a secondary float force for triggering release of said restraint of said primary forces    (d) releasably restraining said secondary float force;    (e) triggering release of said restraint of said secondary force.    
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein said secondary float force is provided only when said reservoir content exceeds the partial lever at which unchecked operation may occur.  
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 20 , wherein said secondary float force is not provided when said reservoir is empty or only partially full.  
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein said primary floatation force serves to lever open said outlet valve.  
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein restraint of said primary float force is effected by a primary restraining means comprising a pivotally connected first and second primary leg portions, said first primary leg portion being braced to prevent axial movement of the primary leg and said second primary leg portion engaging the primary lever arm such that when said primary leg is in a straight position, the primary float force is restrained by the braced axis of the primary leg, and such that when the primary leg pivots off-axis, said primary float force is released.  
   
   
       24 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein said first and second primary leg portions are hinged in a manner to only allow movement of said first and second primary leg portion substantially within a nominal plane; and 
 wherein the restraining means used to releasably restrain said primary float is configured to re-straighten under gravity during discharge of said reservoir.    
   
   
       25 . (canceled)  
   
   
       26 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the restraining means used to releasably restrain said primary float is configured to re-straighten under gravity during discharge of said reservoir.  
   
   
       27 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein a secondary float is mounted on a secondary lever arm such that the secondary force provides a lever action for triggering of said restraint of said primary float force.  
   
   
       28 . A method according to  claim 27 , wherein said secondary restraining means may be provided by a secondary leg, said secondary leg comprising pivotally connected first and second secondary leg portions, said first secondary leg portion being braced to prevent axial movement of said secondary leg and the second secondary leg portion engaging said secondary lever arm such that when said secondary leg is in a straight position, said secondary float force is restrained by the braced axis of the secondary leg, and such that when said secondary leg pivots off-axis, said secondary float force is released.  
   
   
       29 . A method according to  claim 28  wherein said first and second leg portions are hinged in a manner to only allow movement of said first and second secondary leg portions substantially within a nominal plane.  
   
   
       30 . A method according to  claim 29 , wherein said movement of said first and second secondary leg portions only occurs to a first side of said secondary leg axis.  
   
   
       31 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein said secondary restraining means is configured to re-straighten under gravity during discharge of said reservoir.  
   
   
       32 . A method according to  claim 18 , including a partial flush of said reservoir wherein said partial flush is effected by selective application of the weight of the primary float to said outlet valve such that when a level of said reservoir falls below said primary float, the primary float ceases to apply a float force to open said outlet valve and starts to apply a weight to close said outlet valve.  
   
   
       33 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein said triggering release is activated by a force less than the lifting force required to open said outlet valve.  
   
   
       34 - 35 . (canceled)