DESC:FIELD OF INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a drain valve in automobile. More particularly, the present invention relates to an automatic drain solenoid valve with integrated manual drainage mechanism.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION:
Mixing of water in the fuel especially during monsoon season is a major concern for the automobile industries. There are different methods available for detecting the accumulation of water in fuel and separating water from fuel for proper functioning of the engine of automobile. The problem can be solved by draining water out of the fuel tank either manually or automatically. There are various methods adapted for the separation of water from fuel.

The US patent US8409446B2 discloses an automatic draining system is provided. The system includes a floating valve having a density less than a first fluid and greater than a second fluid. The floating valve has a floating position that allows the first fluid to pass through a floating valve opening when the floating valve compartment is filed with the first fluid, and a sealing position that prevents the first and second fluids from passing through the floating valve opening when the floating valve compartment is not filled with the first fluid. Also included is a solenoid valve in fluid communication with the floating valve compartment. The solenoid valve has a solenoid opening that is open when the solenoid valve is energized and is closed when the solenoid valve is de-energized. Further included is a filter media downstream of the solenoid valve that filters the first liquid prior to the first fluid exiting the system.

The US patent US4328825 discloses a vehicle driven by a diesel engine, a sensor is activated by an accumulation of water in the fuel tank and another sensor is activated when the engine temperature is at a level, less than normal operating level, indicating that the vehicle and its fuel tank have been stationary for a period sufficient to permit separation of the fuel from the water in the tank. A solenoid is energized upon activation of both sensors and opens a drain valve to permit the water to be drained from the tank.

The Chinese patent CN102772965B discloses an automatic drainage device with a manual drainage function and aims to provide the automatic drainage device, which has the manual drainage function and requires a small force to press down a button. The automatic drainage device with the manual drainage function comprises a water collection cup, a drainage base is arranged at the bottom of the interior of the water collection cup, a drain hole is arranged on the drainage base and used for draining water stored in the water collection cup to outside, the drainage base is connected with a cylinder body, a slideable piston is arranged in the cylinder body, a floater, which can vertically move following with the water stored in the water collection cup is sleeved on the outside of the cylinder body, a control component which is linked with the floater and capable of controlling the piston to close or open the drain hole is arranged on top of the cylinder body, a push rod, which is capable of vertically sliding and penetrates through the cup bottom of the water collection cup is arranged at the bottom of the water collection cup, and the top surface of the push rod corresponds to the bottom surface of the floater. The automatic drainage device with the manual drainage function has the advantages that when the manual drainage is performed, the required force is small, and the device can be widely applied to a drainage system of gas pipelines.

The Chinese patent CN203702675U discloses an automatic drainage device which is characterized by comprising an upper tank and a lower tank, wherein the upper part of the upper tank is provided with an air suction hole and an upper tank air inlet; the upper tank air inlet is connected with an upper tank air inlet pipe; sewer pipe is connected between the bottom of the upper tank and the top of the lower tank; the upper part of the lower tank is provided with a lower tank air inlet which is connected with a lower tank air inlet pipe; the upper tank air inlet pipe and the lower tank air inlet pipe are respectively connected with one end of a vapour header pipe; the lower tank air inlet pipe is provided with an electric three-way valve; the bottom of the lower tank is provided with a drainage hole; a drainage pipe is provided with a drainage pipe electromagnetic valve. The automatic drainage device has the advantages that the device is good in continuity; a machine is not needed to be stopped for draining in the machining process, so that the manpower is saved, and the using efficiency of equipment can be increased.

The Chinese patent CN204083461U discloses manual-automatic integrated formula drainage means, comprise cup, the plunger core running through bottom of cup and the float that can slide up and down along plunger core, the plunger core discharge channel of vertical direction is provided with in plunger core, the bottom of plunger core discharge channel is provided with the manual drainage joint be threaded, the water outlet with plunger core water drain leads is provided with in manual drainage joint, the top of plunger core discharge channel is provided with weep hole, be provided with draining chock plug above weep hole and be connected with float, draining chock plug is driven to close or open the linkage rod of weep hole, plunger core is provided with the automatic water-discharge hole that is communicated with weep hole when draining chock plug opens weep hole and the manual drainage hole with plunger core water drain leads, the top of manual drainage joint is respectively equipped with groove in the both sides up and down in manual drainage hole and is arranged in the seal ring of groove. The utility model aims to provide that a kind of manual drainage is comparatively labour saving, processing and assembling conveniently Manual-automatic integrated formula drainage means.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION:
The principal object of the present invention is to separate water from fuel automatically and manually using an Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve with integrated manual drainage mechanism. The Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve with integrated manual drainage mechanism consists of fuel chamber, solenoid assemble and outlet assembly. The Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve with integrated manual drainage mechanism automatically separates water from fuel and drains out water from the fuel chamber when the Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve with integrated manual drainage mechanism is in energised state. The integrated manual drainage mechanism is operated when the Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve with integrated manual drainage mechanism is in de-energised state.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus to separate water from fuel using both automatic and manual draining mechanism.

Another object of the present invention is to provide integrated manual draining mechanism into the automatic draining mechanism.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a same drain path in both automatic draining and manual draining mechanism.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a drain valve that performs draining operation when assembled in inclined position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mounting bolt through which the apparatus is mounted on the fuel tank.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a floater in the fluid chamber, which allows the water to flow through the fluid chamber and stops the fuel from flowing out of the fluid chamber.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a spool, which slides in upward direction when the solenoid assembly is activated.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide compression rings, which gets compressed due to upward lifting of the spool resulting in opening of the sealing point and draining of water.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an orifice, which allows water to drain out through the drain channel.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stopping ring, which prevents the fuel from draining out of the fuel tank when whole water is drained out from the drain channel.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a bore in the solenoid assembly to allow water to flow through solenoid assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a flange to mount the outlet assembly with the solenoid assembly.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a bore in the outlet assembly, which allows water to drain outside through outlet assembly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an outlet port of the outlet assembly, which is rotated in clockwise direction resulting in upward sliding of the plunger, guide and spool allowing the water to drain out and rotation of outlet port in anti-clockwise direction resulting in downward sliding of plunger, spool and guide, which stops the water from draining out. The outlet port of the outlet assembly is operated for manually draining out the water when the solenoid assembly is de-activated.

The present invention is an Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve with integrated manual drainage mechanism. The present invention separates water from fuel and drains out the water from the fuel tank. The present invention is operated both automatically and manually. The present invention drains out water automatically when the solenoid assembly is activated when the solenoid assembly senses the level of water in the fluid chamber and the water is drained out manually when the solenoid assembly is de-activated. The present invention consists of fluid chamber, solenoid assembly and outlet assembly. The fluid chamber contains water and fuel. The floater in the fluid chamber allows the water to drain out and prevent the fuel from flowing out when the solenoid assembly is activated. The manual drainage mechanism is operated in the condition when the solenoid assembly is de-energised. The outlet port of the outlet assembly is rotated in clockwise direction resulting in upward sliding of the plunger, guide and spool allowing the water to drain out and the said outlet port is rotated in anti-clockwise direction resulting in downward sliding of plunger, spool and guide, which stops the fuel from draining.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING:
Figure 1:- Illustrates cross sectional view of an automatic drain solenoid valve with integrated manual drainage mechanism.
Figure 1A:- Illustrates cross sectional view of de-energised state of automatic drain solenoid valve.
Figure 1B:- Illustrates cross sectional view of activation of manual drainage mechanism when automatic drain solenoid valve is de-energised.
Figure 1C:- Illustrates activation of automatic drain solenoid valve.
Figure 1D:- Illustrates closed view of outlet assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION:
The present invention is an Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism. The apparatus is mounted on the fuel tank through mounting bolt 17. The present invention consists of fluid chamber 90, solenoid assembly 20 and an outlet assembly 70. The solenoid assembly 20 is mounted on the fluid chamber 90 through sleeves 10. The outlet assembly 70 is attached to the solenoid assembly 20 through outlet disk 8. The outlet assembly 70 consists of an outlet port 9, which is operated when the solenoid assembly 20 is in de-energised state. The apparatus consists of a drain channel 100, which allows the water 18 to drain out.

As shown in Figure 1 of the present invention, it relates to the Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism. The Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism consists of a fluid chamber 90, a solenoid assemble 20 and an outlet assembly 70.

The fluid chamber 90 is mounted with the fuel tank through mounting bolt 17. The fluid chamber 90 consists of a bowl 14, which holds water 18 and fuel 19. The water 18 settles at the bottom of the bowl 14 due to higher density of water 18 and the fuel 19 rises up in the bowl 14. The fluid chamber 90 further comprises a floater 15 supported by a plurality of vertical stands 30. The fluid chamber 90 is covered from the top by a header 16. The floater 15 allows the water 18 to flow through the fluid chamber 90 and prevents the fuel 19 from draining out with water 18. Further, the fluid chamber 90 consists of a supporting member 60 disposed on sleeves 10 and the supporting member 60 is supported by plurality of compression rings 11.

As shown in Figure 1A of the present invention, it relates to the cross-sectional view of solenoid assembly 20 and outlet assembly 70 when the Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism is in de-energised/de-activated state. The solenoid assembly 20 is covered by an encapsulation 1. The solenoid assembly 20 comprises of an energizer 2, which energizes the solenoid coil 3. The solenoid coil 3 is wound on bobbin 4. The plunger 5 is attached with bobbin 4 through flange 5b. The plunger 5 comprises of flange 5b and second bore 5a. The bobbin 4 is mounted on the guide 6. The spool 7 is positioned in the guide 6 and the spool 7 extends to the flange 5b of plunger 5 and hence opens the sealing point 140. The spool 7, the plunger 5 and the outlet assembly 70 are co-axial. The spool 7, the plunger 5 and the outlet port 9 are arranged in such a way that the first bore 7a of the spool 7, the second bore 5a of the plunger 5 and the third bore 9a of the outlet port 9 form a drain channel 100.

As shown in Figure 1B of the present invention. It relates to the activation of manual drainage mechanism when the automatic drain solenoid valve is de-energised. When the automatic drain solenoid valve 50 is de-energised, the manual drainage mechanism is operated to drain out water 18 from the fuel tank through outlet assembly 70. The outlet port 9 of the outlet assembly 70 is attached with the outlet disk 8. The outlet port 9 comprises of third bore 9a. The outlet port 9 is rotated in clockwise direction resulting in upward sliding of plunger 5, guide 6 and spool 7 allowing drainage of water 18 outside the outlet assembly 70 through third bore 9a. The outlet port 9 is rotated in anti-clockwise direction resulting in downward sliding of plunger 5, guide 6 and spool 7 resulting in stopping of fuel 19 from draining.

As shown in Figure 1C of the present invention, it relates to the activated Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism. The energiser 2 energises the solenoid coil 3. The solenoid coil 3 is wound on bobbin 4. The plunger 5 is attached with bobbin 4 through flange 5b. The plunger 5 comprises of flange 5b and second bore 5a. The bobbin 4 is mounted on the guide 6. The spool 7 is positioned in the guide 6 and the spool 7 extends to the flange 5b of plunger 5 and hence opens the sealing point 140. The spool 7, the plunger 5 and the outlet assembly 70 are co-axial. The spool 7, the plunger 5 and the outlet port 9 are arranged in such a way that the first bore 7a of the spool 7, the second bore 5a of the plunger 5 and the third bore 9a of the outlet port 9 form a drain channel 100. The energisation of solenoid coil 3 results in sliding of plunger 5 in upward direction. The sliding of plunger 5 results in upward sliding of guide 6 and spool 7. The sliding of spool 7 compresses the compression rings 11 hence opening the sealing point 140. The opening of sealing point 140 results in draining of water 18 through orifice 120. The water 18 drains out from the drain channel 100 through orifice 120.

As shown in Figure 1D of the present invention, it relates to the closed view of the outlet assembly 70. The outlet assembly 70 comprises of outlet disk 8 attached with the plunger 5. The outlet disk 8 is attached with the outlet port 9. The outlet port 9 comprises of third bore 9a, which drains out water 18 from the drain channel 100. The outlet port 9 is operated when the Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 is in de-energised state. The outlet port 9 is rotated in clockwise direction resulting in upward sliding of plunger 5, guide 6 and spool 7 allowing the water 18 to drain out of the outlet assembly 70. The said outlet port 9 is rotated in anti-clockwise direction resulting in downward sliding of plunger 5, guide 6 and spool 7 resulting in stopping the fuel 19 from draining out of the outlet assembly 70.

The present invention related to the Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism. The Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 comprises of a fluid chamber 90, a solenoid assembly 20 and an outlet assembly 70. The fluid chamber 90 is covered with header 16. The fluid chamber 90 is attached to the fuel tank through mounting bolt 17. The fluid chamber 90 comprises of a bowl 14. The bowl 14 contains water 18 and fuel 19. Further, the fluid chamber 90 comprises of a floater 15 supported by the plurality of vertical stands 30. The floater 15 allows water 18 to flow out of the bowl 14 and prevents the fuel 19 from flowing out of the bowl 14. The bowl 14 is supported on the sleeves 10 and plurality of compression rings 11.

The solenoid assembly 20 is housed in an encapsulation 1. The solenoid assembly 20 comprises of an energiser 2. The energiser 2 energises the solenoid coil 3. The solenoid coil 3 is wound on bobbin 4. The bobbin 4 is mounted on plunger 5 through flange 5b.Tthe bobbin 4 is attached with guide 6. The guide 6 is attached with spool 7. The solenoid coil 3 slides the plunger 5 in upward direction resulting in sliding of guide 6 and spool 7 in upward direction. The sliding of spool 7 compresses the compression rings 11 resulting in opening of the sealing point 140. The water 18 is drained out of the orifice 120 through the sealing pint 140. The water 18 from the orifice 120 drains out through drain channel 100.

The outlet assembly 70 comprises of an outlet disk 8 attached with the plunger 5. The outlet port 9 is mounted with the outlet disk 8. The outlet port 9 comprises of third bore 9a through which water drains out of the outlet assembly 70. The outlet port 9 is operated in the condition when the Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 is in the de-energised state and to activate the manual drainage mechanism. The outlet port 9 is rotated in clockwise direction to drain out water 18 from the drain channel 100. The outlet port 9 is rotated in anti-clockwise direction to stop the fuel 19 from draining.

In one of the preferred embodiment, the Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism is mounted in the inclined position with the fuel tank.

In one of the preferred embodiment, the Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism is mounted on the fuel tank through a mounting bolt 17. Other than that, the Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism is also mounted on the fuel tank through threads or flange.

In one of the preferred embodiment, the bowl 14 of the fluid chamber 90 is covered with header 16. The header 16 is of plastic or aluminium. The bowl 14 is of iron or aluminium. The floater 15 allows the water 18 to drain out and prevents the fuel 19 from draining out of the bowl 14. The floater 15 is supported by plurality of vertical stands 30. The floater 15 slides down and rests on the stopping ring 40 hence preventing the fuel 19 from draining. The bowl 14 is supported on the sleeves 10 and plurality of compression rings 11.

In one of the preferred embodiment, the solenoid assembly 20 is housed in an encapsulation 1. The encapsulation 1 is of iron, aluminium, high carbon steel or low carbon steel. The energiser 2 is housed in the encapsulation 1. The energiser 2 energises when the energiser 2 senses the water level in the fluid chamber 90 the solenoid coil 3. The solenoid coil 3 is wound on the bobbin 4.

In one of the preferred embodiment, the bobbin 4 is attached with the plunder 5 through flange 5b. The energised solenoid coil 3 slides the plunger 5 in upward direction. The plunger 5 comprises of second bore 5a. The second bore 5a allows water to flow through it. The guide 6 is slidably attached with the bobbin 4.

In one of the preferred embodiment, the spool 7 is slidably attached with the guide 6. The spool 7 comprises of first bore 7a, which allows water to flow through the bore 7a. The guide 6 and spool 7 slides in upward direction with the plunger 5. The plunger 5 is attached with outlet disk 8.

In one of the preferred embodiment, the outlet port 9 is attached with the outlet disk 8. The outlet port 9 comprises of third bore 9a. Third bore 9a allows the water 18 to flow through the drain channel 100.

In one of the preferred embodiment, the first bore 7a, second bore 5a, third bore 9a and orifice 120 are co-axial with the drain channel 100.

In one of the preferred embodiment, the outlet port 9 is operated for manual drainage of water in condition when the Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism is in de-energised state.
,CLAIMS:CLAIMS:

WE CLAIM,

CLAIM 1:- An Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism comprises of:
a) the fluid chamber 90 attached with solenoid assembly 20 through sleeves 10 and compression rings 11, wherein the solenoid assembly 20 is housed by an encapsulation 1;
b) the solenoid assembly 20 is attached with outlet assembly 70 through outlet disk 8;
c) outlet assembly 70 comprises of outlet disk 8 and outlet port 9;
d) outlet port 9 is mounted on the outlet disk 8;
e) clockwise rotation of outlet port 9 slides the plunger 5 in upward direction resulting in sliding of guide 6 and spool 7 in upward direction;
f) the upward sliding of guide 6 and spool 7 compresses the compression rings 11 open sealing point 140; the opening of sealing point 140 allows the water 18 to drain through orifice 120 and drains out through drain channel 100;
Wherein the outlet port 9 is operated when the solenoid assembly 20 is in de-energised state for manual drainage of water 18; the outlet port 9 is rotated in clockwise direction to allow water 18 to drain out through drain channel 100.

CLAIM 2:- The Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the fluid chamber 90 comprises of:
a) the bowl 14 to contain water 18 and fuel 19, wherein the bowl 14 is covered by header 16;
b) the floater 15 is placed in the bowl 14 allowing the water 18 to drain out and prevents the fuel 19 from draining out; the floater 15 is supported by vertical stand 30;
c) the floater 15 rests on the stopping ring 40 when the water 18 is drained out;
d) the stopping ring 40 is positioned on the sleeves 10.

CLAIM 3:- The Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the bowl 14 is of iron or aluminium.

CLAIM 4:- The Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the header 16 is of plastic or aluminium.

CLAIM 5:- The Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the solenoid assembly 20 comprises of:
a) an energiser 2 to energise solenoid coil 3;
b) the solenoid coil 3 is wounded on bobbin 4;
c) the bobbin 4 is mounted on plunger 5;
d) the guide 6 and spool 7 are slidably positioned in the bobbin 4;
e) the plunger 5 is attached with outlet disk 8.

CLAIM 6:- The Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism is mounted on the fuel tank through mounting bolt 17 or flange.

CLAIM 7:- The Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the encapsulation 1 is of iron, aluminium, low carbon steel or high carbon steel.

CLAIM 8:- A method of draining water from the fuel tank using Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism comprises:
a) energiser 2 energises the solenoid coil 3;
b) solenoid coil 3 is wounded on bobbin 4, wherein the guide 6 and spool 7 are slidably positioned in bobbin 4; the bobbin 4 is mounted on plunger 5;
c) the solenoid coil 3 slides the plunger 5 in upward direction resulting in sliding of guide 6 and spool 7 in upward direction;
d) the sliding movement of guide 6 and spool 7 compresses the compression rings 11 resulting in opening of sealing point 140; the water 18 drains out of the sealing point 140 through orifice 120;
e) the plunger 5 is mounted on outlet disk 8;
f) the outlet disk 8 is attached with outlet port 9 to allow water 18 to drain out through drain channel 100; the outlet port 9 is operated when the Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 is in de-energised state;
g) the outlet port 9 is rotated in clockwise direction resulting in upward sliding of plunger 5, guide 6 and spool 7 allowing the water 18 to drain out through drain channel 100 and the outlet port 9 is rotated in anti-clockwise direction resulting in downward sliding of plunger 5, guide 6 and spool 7 resulting in stopping of fuel 19 from draining out of the drain channel 100.

CLAIM 9:- The method of draining water from the fuel tank using Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the plunger 5 comprises of second bore 5a and flange 5b.

CLAIM 10:- The method of draining water from the fuel tank using Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the spool 7 comprises of first bore 7a.

CLAIM 11:- The method of draining water from the fuel tank using Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the compression rings 11 are attached with sleeve 10.

CLAIM 12:- The method of draining water from the fuel tank using Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the outlet port 9 comprises of third bore 9a.

CLAIM 13:- The method of draining water from the fuel tank using Automatic Drain Solenoid Valve 50 with integrated manual drainage mechanism as claimed in Claim 8, wherein the drain channel 100 is co-axial with first bore 7a, second bore 5a, third bore 9a and orifice 120.

Dated this 15th day of December 2020.