Liquid containing apparatus

Abstract

A liquid containing apparatus includes a first vessel for containing a main body of liquid and a second vessel, which is in fluid communication with, and located below, the first vessel. The second vessel has means for draining liquid therefrom and a vessel wall allowing the liquid within the vessel to be viewed. The liquid containing apparatus may be, for example, a support system for a mechanical seal in which a vessel contains a reservoir of a liquid, such as water, for providing a barrier or cooling fluid to the seal.

1 . A liquid containing apparatus, comprising:
 a first vessel for containing a main body of liquid; and,   a second vessel, in fluid communication with, and located below, said first vessel, said second including means for draining liquid therefrom and a vessel wall allowing the liquid within said second vessel to be viewed.   
     
     
         2 . The liquid containing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first vessel is a bearing chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The liquid containing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said first vessel is a reservoir for a liquid support system for a mechanical seal. 
     
     
         4 . The liquid containing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said second vessel includes a top plate, a bottom plate and, extending therebetween, a cylindrical wall. 
     
     
         5 . The liquid containing apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said cylindrical wall is at least partially transparent or translucent. 
     
     
         6 . The liquid containing apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said cylindrical wall has ends, each end being located in a groove provided in respect of one of said top plate and said bottom plate. 
     
     
         7 . The liquid containing apparatus according to  claim 6 , further comprising a sealing washer provided between each end of said cylindrical wall and the respective one of said top plate and said bottom plate. 
     
     
         8 . The liquid containing apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein said top plate and said bottom plate are interconnected via a plurality of elongate fastening means arranged the outside of the cylindrical wall. 
     
     
         9 . The liquid containing apparatus according to  claim 8 , further comprising a helical coil for providing protection to said cylindrical wall. 
     
     
         10 . The liquid containing apparatus according to  claim 4 , further comprising a magnet at a base of the cylindrical wall. 
     
     
         11 . The liquid containing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising isolation means between said second vessel and said first vessel. 
     
     
         12 . A device for in combination with a liquid containing apparatus including a first vessel for containing a main body of liquid, said device comprising:
 a second vessel, in fluid communication with, and located below, said first vessel, said second vessel having means for draining liquid therefrom and a vessel wall allowing the liquid within said second vessel to be viewed.   
     
     
         13 . The device according to  claim 12 , wherein said second vessel includes a top plate, a bottom plate and, extending therebetween, a cylindrical wall. 
     
     
         14 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein said cylindrical wall is at least partially transparent or translucent. 
     
     
         15 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein said cylindrical wall has ends, each end being located in a groove provided in respect of one of said top plate and said bottom plate. 
     
     
         16 . The device according to  claim 15 , further comprising a sealing washer provided between each end of said cylindrical wall and the respective one of said top plate and said bottom plate. 
     
     
         17 . The device according to  claim 13 , wherein said top plate and said bottom plate are interconnected via a plurality of elongate fastening means arranged the outside of the cylindrical wall. 
     
     
         18 . The device according to  claim 17 , further comprising a helical coil for providing protection to said cylindrical wall. 
     
     
         19 . The device according to  claim 13 , further comprising a magnet at a base of the cylindrical wall. 
     
     
         20 . The device according to  claim 12 , further comprising isolation means between said second vessel and said first vessel.