Embodiments of a flow control apparatus of the present invention generally include a vessel equipped with a substantially vertical, bottom-feeding liquid inlet line, a vapor space pressure equalization line, and a liquid outlet, wherein the vessel contains a pair of connected, horizontally oriented, O-ring and/or piston ring equipped sealing plates that are designed to rise and fall as a pair in response to gravity provided liquid pressure in the sump of the vessel, whereby an elevation of the sealing plates provides the liquid in fluid communication with the liquid outlet via internal orifices fluidly connected to one or more fluid conduits. Embodiments of a method of using embodiments of an apparatus of the present invention to control liquid flow are also provided.

Embodiments of a flow control apparatus of the present invention generally include a vessel equipped with a substantially vertical, bottom-feeding liquid inlet line, a vapor space pressure equalization line, and a liquid outlet, wherein the vessel contains a pair of connected, horizontally oriented, O-ring and/or piston ring equipped sealing plates that are designed to rise and fall as a pair in response to gravity provided liquid pressure in the sump of the vessel, whereby an elevation of the sealing plates provides the liquid in fluid communication with the liquid outlet via internal orifices fluidly connected to one or more fluid conduits. Embodiments of a method of using embodiments of an apparatus of the present invention to control liquid flow are also provided.

A storm water management system includes a flow control device that includes a float in a storage chamber responsive to changes in water level and a valve disposed between the storage chamber and a discharge. The valve includes a relatively movable valving member connected to the float and a fixed valving member. Each valving member has a through opening that receives storm water flowing between the storage chamber and the discharge. The through-openings overlap one another whereby relative displacement of the valving members caused by float movement defines a variable-sized orifice between the storage chamber and the discharge that regulates the discharge rate of storm water from the system. The shapes of the overlapping openings enable the valve to closely follow the ideal output hydrograph and maximize the discharge rate as a function of storm intensity, thereby minimizing the required volume of the storage chamber.

A storm water management system includes a flow control device that includes a float in a storage chamber responsive to changes in water level and a valve disposed between the storage chamber and a discharge. The valve includes a relatively movable valving member connected to the float and a fixed valving member. Each valving member has a through opening that receives storm water flowing between the storage chamber and the discharge. The through-openings overlap one another whereby relative displacement of the valving members caused by float movement defines a variable-sized orifice between the storage chamber and the discharge that regulates the discharge rate of storm water from the system. The shapes of the overlapping openings enable the valve to closely follow the ideal output hydrograph and maximize the discharge rate as a function of storm intensity, thereby minimizing the required volume of the storage chamber.

A drain valve (10) includes a housing (11), a fluid inlet (12), a gas outlet (13) and at least one liquid outlet orifice (19) arranged in a liquid outlet member (20) of the housing (11). The drain valve (10) furthermore includes a float (16) connected to a lever (17) on a first end (18). The float (16) is arranged in a float chamber (15) of the housing (11). The float chamber (15) is connected to the fluid inlet (12), the gas outlet (13) and the at least one liquid outlet orifice (19). The liquid outlet orifice (19) may be opened or closed by a closing member (21) that is connected to a second end (22) of the lever (17) and is rotatably connected to the liquid outlet member (20).

A drain valve (10) includes a housing (11), a fluid inlet (12), a gas outlet (13) and at least one liquid outlet orifice (19) arranged in a liquid outlet member (20) of the housing (11). The drain valve (10) furthermore includes a float (16) connected to a lever (17) on a first end (18). The float (16) is arranged in a float chamber (15) of the housing (11). The float chamber (15) is connected to the fluid inlet (12), the gas outlet (13) and the at least one liquid outlet orifice (19). The liquid outlet orifice (19) may be opened or closed by a closing member (21) that is connected to a second end (22) of the lever (17) and is rotatably connected to the liquid outlet member (20).

Embodiments of a flow control apparatus of the present invention generally include a vessel equipped with a pre-filter assembly, a substantially vertical, bottom-feeding liquid inlet line, a vapor space pressure equalization line, and a liquid outlet, wherein the vessel contains a pair of connected, horizontally oriented, O-ring and/or piston ring equipped sealing plates that are designed to rise and fall as a pair in response to gravity provided liquid pressure in the sump of the vessel, whereby an elevation of the sealing plates provides the liquid in fluid communication with the liquid outlet via internal orifices fluidly connected to one or more fluid conduits. Embodiments of a method of using embodiments of an apparatus of the present invention to control liquid flow are also provided.

Embodiments of a flow control apparatus of the present invention generally include a vessel equipped with a pre-filter assembly, a substantially vertical, bottom-feeding liquid inlet line, a vapor space pressure equalization line, and a liquid outlet, wherein the vessel contains a pair of connected, horizontally oriented, O-ring and/or piston ring equipped sealing plates that are designed to rise and fall as a pair in response to gravity provided liquid pressure in the sump of the vessel, whereby an elevation of the sealing plates provides the liquid in fluid communication with the liquid outlet via internal orifices fluidly connected to one or more fluid conduits. Embodiments of a method of using embodiments of an apparatus of the present invention to control liquid flow are also provided.

A sewage backflow prevention device is installed in a gravity flow waste pipe, particularly for a residence or residences. The device includes a cylindrical body with a closed top, outflow holes in the sides, and an open bottom to be secured to the upper end of a Tee in the gravity flow sewage pipe, between the residence and the sewer. Within the cylindrical body is a hollow, floatable disk or float ball that normally closes the bottom of the backflow device preventing escape of gases. When a downstream blockage occurs, liquid rises into the device, floats the closure disk or ball upward and flows outwardly through the openings. At valve closure position the valve closure disc or ball is mostly below the outflow holes such that rats or other rodents cannot push under and lift the ball or disc.

A sewage backflow prevention device is installed in a gravity flow waste pipe, particularly for a residence or residences. The device includes a cylindrical body with a closed top, outflow holes in the sides, and an open bottom to be secured to the upper end of a Tee in the gravity flow sewage pipe, between the residence and the sewer. Within the cylindrical body is a hollow, floatable disk or float ball that normally closes the bottom of the backflow device preventing escape of gases. When a downstream blockage occurs, liquid rises into the device, floats the closure disk or ball upward and flows outwardly through the openings. At valve closure position the valve closure disc or ball is mostly below the outflow holes such that rats or other rodents cannot push under and lift the ball or disc.