Witness drain valve

For regulating engine exhaust and for environmental reasons, aircraft users are restricted from expelling engine fluids from engines onto airport ramps. All such fluid must be collected and subsequently burned or properly disposed of. The present invention installs witness drain valves in the drain...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author WILCOX DAVID E
Format Patent
LanguageEnglish
Published 03.06.2003
Edition7
Subjects
ACTUATING-FLOATS
BLASTING
COCKS
CRANKCASE VENTILATING
DEVICES FOR VENTING OR AERATING
ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL
ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS
GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS
HEATING
LIGHTING
LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES
LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL
MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
STEAM ENGINES
TAPS
THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
VALVES
WEAPONS
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Summary:For regulating engine exhaust and for environmental reasons, aircraft users are restricted from expelling engine fluids from engines onto airport ramps. All such fluid must be collected and subsequently burned or properly disposed of. The present invention installs witness drain valves in the drain lines between seal cavities and environmental collector tank. The witness drain valves have a small reservoir that will retain a known volume of fluid. As fluid passes from a leaking seal to the collector tank, a small sample is captured in the witness drain valve. Once the witness drain valve reservoir is full, the leaking fluid then flows on to a collector tank, which is also provided. During regular engine maintenance, technicians push on a spring loaded drain valve located on the witness drain valve reservoir. If fluid is detected, the seal is beginning to leak, and corrective maintenance may be scheduled while the leak rate is still within operational limits.
Bibliography:Application Number: US20010973394