Importance

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Abstract

An improved freezeproof valve assembly is provided for a water hydrant, such as an outdoor drinking fountain or the like. The valve assembly comprises a sump housing for installation below the ground frost line and for connection between a water supply pipe and a standpipe, the latter being coupled in turn to a fountain bubbler head or the like. A control valve within the sump housing is opened pneumatically upon depression of an actuator button on the fountain to permit water flow from the supply pipe through a main jet pump which draws an induced water flow from within the sump housing through an induction port thereby providing a combined water flow through the standpipe to the bubbler head. This combined water flow is maintained substantially constant by a float-activated refill valve which permits a refill water flow from the supply pipe into the sump housing sufficient to maintain the housing water level above the main jet pump induction port. This refill water flow passes through a refill jet pump having an induction port through which a vacuum is drawn within a control line for pneumatically closing the control valve when the actuator button is released. When the control valve is closed, water within the standpipe drains through the main jet pump induction port into the sump housing.

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First Claim