U.S. patent application number 09/897894 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-09 for multi passage valve.
Invention is credited to Johann, Dimeder.
Application Number | 20030005966 09/897894 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25408610 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030005966 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johann, Dimeder |
January 9, 2003 |
MULTI PASSAGE VALVE
Abstract
A multi-port valve has a housing, a flow plug and a stop. The
housing defines a valve cavity and has at least three ports. The
flow plug is positionable within the valve cavity between a first
position, wherein the flow plug is adapted to prevent flow through
a selected first port and a second position wherein the flow plug
is adapted to prevent flow through a selected second port. The stop
is attachable to the housing so that the stop extends into the
cavity and is adapted to engage the flow plug to prevent the flow
plug from blocking flow through a selected third port.
Inventors: |
Johann, Dimeder; (Coldwater,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Philip Mendes Da Costa
Bereskin & Parr
Box 401
40 King Street West
Toronto
ON
M5H 3Y2
CA
|
Family ID: |
25408610 |
Appl. No.: |
09/897894 |
Filed: |
July 5, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
137/625.47 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 137/86863 20150401;
F16K 11/0853 20130101; F16K 11/076 20130101; Y10T 137/86871
20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
137/625.47 |
International
Class: |
F16K 011/076 |
Claims
1. A multi-port valve, comprising: (a) a housing, said housing
defining a valve cavity and having at least three ports; (b) a flow
plug moveably mounted within said valve cavity between a first
position wherein said flow plug prevents flow through at least a
portion of a first port and a second position wherein said flow
plug prevents flow through at least a portion of a second port; and
(c) a stop associated with said housing to interact with said flow
plug to prevent said flow plug from blocking flow through all of a
third port.
2. The multi-port valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stop
extends into said cavity.
3. The multi-port valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stop is
removably mounted in said multi-port valve.
4. The multi-port valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stop is
associated with said third port.
5. The multi-port valve as claimed in claim 4 wherein said stop is
mounted in said third port.
6. The multi-port valve as claimed in claim 4 wherein said stop
extends into said cavity from said third port.
7. The multi-port valve as claimed in claim 1 wherein said stop is
received in said third port and has a portion which extends into
said cavity to engage said flow plug whereby said flow plug is
prevented from blocking said third port.
8. The multi-port valve as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a lid attachable to said housing for covering said valve cavity,
said lid having a hole; a shaft attached to said flow plug, said
shaft adapted to pass through said hole in said lid; and said stop
is mounted to a portion of said multi-port valve other than said
lid.
9. The multi-port valve as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least the
third port includes an internal shoulder and said stop includes a
flange portion which is configured to abut against said internal
shoulder, said flange portion being adapted to permit the passage
of a fluid therethrough.
10. The multi-port valve as claimed in claim 9, wherein the third
port has a width and said stop includes a stopper portion, said
stopper portion extending into said valve cavity for engaging with
said flow plug to prevent said flow plug from blocking said
selected first port.
11. The multi-port valve as claimed in claim 10, wherein said
stopper portion extends substantially across the width of said
port.
12. The multi-port valve as claimed in claim 9 wherein each of the
ports is similarly configured so that the stop is receivable in any
selected port.
13. A multi-port valve, comprising: (a) a housing, said housing
defining a valve cavity and having at least three ports; (b) a flow
plug moveably mounted within said valve cavity between a first
position wherein said flow plug prevents flow through at least a
portion of a first port and a second position wherein said flow
plug prevents flow through at least a portion of a second port; and
(c) a stop positioned proximate a third port and having at least a
portion in said cavity to interact with said flow plug to prevent
said plug from blocking said third port.
14. The multi-port valve as claimed in claim 13 wherein said stop
is removably mounted in said multi-port valve.
15. The multi-port valve as claimed in claim 13 wherein said stop
extends into said cavity from said third port.
16. A method of preventing flow blockage of a selected port in a
multi-port valve, the valve comprising a housing and a flow plug,
said housing defining a valve cavity and having at least three
ports, said flow plug positionable within said valve cavity between
a first position wherein said flow plug is adapted to prevent flow
through a first port and a second position wherein said flow plug
is adapted to prevent flow through a second port, the method
comprising: (a) attaching a stop into a third port so that said
stop extends into said cavity to contact said flow plug to prevent
said flow plug from blocking flow through said third port; and (b)
attaching a conduit to each of said ports.
17. A method of preventing flow blockage of a selected port in a
multi-port valve as claimed in claim 16, wherein said stop is
attached to said third port by inserting said stop into said third
port.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-port valve, and in
particular, to a multi-port valve that prevents the blockage of
flow through a pre-selected port.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In a fluid or solids pumping system, it is potentially
damaging to the system if a pumping source is dead-headed, that is,
if the pumping source pumps into a blind conduit or if the inlet
port to the pump is closed. This situation can arise, for example,
if a valve within the system is adjusted incorrectly so that the
fluid flow passage into or out of the pump is blocked.
[0003] Some valves have been developed to prevent a passage from
being blocked, in an effort to prevent subsequent damage to the
pump or other system components caused by a blocked passage. An
example of such a valve is disclosed by Johnson in U.S. Pat. No.
4,470,429. Johnson discloses a three-way valve, having an inlet
port and two exit ports. A fluid flowing into the valve can be
directed to exit the valve through a selected one of the exit ports
by blocking off the other exit port. This is achieved by rotating a
flow plug inside the valve to block the other non-selected port.
The flow plug is mounted on a shaft and an engageable stop is
mounted on the closure lid of the valve. As the shaft is rotated,
the stop on the closure lid engages a stop member on the shaft,
preventing the flow plug from being rotated into a position wherein
the inlet port is blocked.
[0004] A disadvantage with Johnson is that when the valve is
disassembled for maintenance, a maintenance person can
inadvertently reattach the lid in the wrong orientation so that the
stop member on the lid is not positioned to prevent the flow plug
from blocking the inlet port.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with a first preferred embodiment, the present
invention is directed to a multi-port valve, comprising a housing,
a flow plug and a stop. The housing defines a valve cavity and has
at least three ports. The flow plug is moveably mounted within the
valve cavity between a first position wherein the flow plug
prevents flow through at least a portion of a first port and a
second position wherein the flow plug prevents flow through at
least a portion of a second port. The stop is associated with the
housing to interact with the flow plug to prevent the flow plug
from blocking flow through all of the third port.
[0006] In accordance with a second preferred embodiment, the
present invention also is directed to a multi-port valve comprising
a housing, a flow plug and a stop. The housing defines a valve
cavity and has at least three ports. The flow plug is moveably
mounted within the valve cavity between a first position wherein
the flow plug prevents flow through at least a portion of a first
port and a second position wherein the flow plug prevents flow
through at least a portion of a second port. The stop is positioned
proximate a third port and has at least a portion in the cavity to
interact with the flow plug to prevent the plug from blocking the
third port.
[0007] In accordance with a third preferred embodiment, the present
invention also is directed to a method of preventing flow blockage
of a selected port in a multi-port valve. The valve comprises a
housing and a flow plug. The housing defines a valve cavity and has
at least three ports. The flow plug is positionable within the
valve cavity between a first position wherein the flow plug is
adapted to prevent flow through a first port and a second position
wherein the flow plug is adapted to prevent flow through a second
port. The method comprises:
[0008] attaching a stop into a third port so that the stop extends
into the cavity to contact the flow plug to prevent the flow plug
from blocking flow through the third port; and
[0009] attaching a conduit to each of the ports.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The present invention will now be described by way of
example to the attached drawings which show a preferred embodiment
of the instant invention in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a valve according to the
instant invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a cross-section along line 2-2 in FIG. 1 showing
the interior of a valve;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the valve shown in
FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the stop shown in FIG. 3;
and
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the flow plug shown in FIG.
3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Reference is first made to FIG. 1 which illustrates a
multi-port valve shown generally at 10, in accordance with a first
preferred embodiment of the present invention. Valve 10 includes
means for preventing the blockage of a selected port. In
particular, this is useful to reduce the risk of dead-heading a
pumping device connected to the selected port. Valve 10 permits a
maintenance person to disassemble the valve for maintenance and
reassemble the valve, without risk that the valve will subsequently
permit the blockage of the selected port.
[0017] Valve 10 is a multi port valve. In the figures it is shown
as a three-way valve. However, it will be appreciated that valve 10
may have any number of ports 20, 22 and 24. Further, valve 10 may
be of any construction known in the art which utilizes a rotary
flow plug 60. In the preferred embodiment shown in the figures,
valve 10 has a housing 12 which has a cylindrical interior surface
14. About the periphery of housing 12 are a plurality of threaded
holes 16. For example, housing 12 can have eight threaded holes 16,
as shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, holes 16 are positioned
symmetrically about housing 12. It is alternatively possible,
however, for holes 16 to be positioned asymmetrically.
[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, housing 12 defines a valve cavity 18
and has three ports 20, 22 and 24. Any of ports 20, 22 and 24 can
be selected as an inlet port. For example, as shown, port 20 can be
selected as the inlet port. With port 20 selected as the inlet
port, direction arrows 26, 28 and 30 indicate the direction of flow
of a substance through ports 20, 22 and 24. Each port includes an
optional internal shoulder 32. Port 20 has a width `W`. "Inlet" is
used to define the directions of flow into valve 10. Thus, as shown
in FIG. 2, port 20 is positioned upstream of valve 10 and
downstream from a pump. It will be appreciated that port 20 could
be positioned upstream of the valve 10 so as to be the outlet with
ports 22 and 24 functioning as inlets to valve 10.
[0019] Stop 34 is associated with a port 20, 22 and 24 to interact
with flow plug 60, to prevent flow plug 60 from closing off the
selected port 20, 22, 24. Stop 34 may be of any construction that
interacts with flow plug 60. As shown in FIG. 2, stop 34 extends
outwardly from port 20 to physically engage flow plug 60 and
prevent flow plug 60 from closing off port 20 (see FIGS. 2 and 4).
Stop 34 may be mounted to port 20 by any means known in the art
such as using an adhesive, a bayonet or threaded mount, by
integrally molding it as part of housing 12, as part of conduit 48
or any other suitable attachment means which will provide
sufficient rigidity to secure stop 34 in position.
[0020] Stop 34 is configured to engage flow plug 60 to prevent flow
plug 60 from fully closing port 20. Stop 34 may prevent part of
port 20 from being closed and preferably prevents all of port 20
from being closed. It will be appreciated that the exact shape of
stop 34 may vary depending on the shape of flow plug 60. For
example, stop 34 may be one or more relatively small protrusions on
inner surface 14 adjacent to port 20. Alternatively, as show in
FIG. 4, it may be associated with port 20 to extend inwardly into
cavity 18 from port 20. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, stop 34
includes an annular flange portion 36 and a stopper portion 38.
Flange portion 36 has a front face 40 and a rear face 42. Stop 34
is positioned within port 20 so that front face 40 abuts shoulder
32 of port 20. Stopper portion 38 comprises two arms 44 and 46.
Arms 44 and 46 extend into cavity 18 (see FIG. 2). Preferably, as
exemplified by the embodiment of FIG. 4, stop 34 is removably
associated with port 20. In this way, stop 34 may be inserted in
position when valve 10 is being installed. Thus it is not necessary
for an installer to mount valve 10 in a particular orientation.
Instead, valve 10 may be mounted with any orientation and stopper
34 inserted once the desired orientation has been selected.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 2, ports 20, 22 and 24 are connected in
flow communication with flow conduits 48, 50 and 52 respectively.
Conduits 48, 50 and 52 have ends 54, 56 and 58 respectively. Ends
56 and 58 of conduits 50 and 52 abut against shoulders 32 of ports
22 and 24 respectively. End 54 of conduit 48 abuts against rear
surface 42 of annular flange 38 of stop 34. Thus, stop 34 is
mounted in position and can not be dislodged when lid 84 is opened
to service valve 10. Conduits 48, 50 and 52 may be secured in ports
20, 22 and 24 by any means known in the art such as a bayonet or
threaded mount or by an adhesive without the need for shoulders
32.
[0022] The other end of conduit 48 (not shown) can be fluidly
connected to a source (not shown), such as a pump for the pumping
of a substance (not shown) through valve 10. The pumped substance
may be a fluid, such as water or some other liquid, air or some
other gas, or alternatively the pumped substance may be any
combination of a fluid and a solid, such as, for example, air mixed
with a granular product. In a preferred embodiment, the valve is a
valve for use with a swimming pool.
[0023] Flow plug 60 is rotatably mounted in cavity 18 to
selectively close all or a part of a port. Flow plug 60 may be
infinitely adjustable, as shown in FIG. 3, or adjustable in
step-wise increments. Reference is now made to FIG. 5. Flow plug 60
includes a body 62, an upper shaft 64 and a lower shaft 66. Body 62
has a sealing face 68. Sealing face 68 defines a groove therein, in
which is located a seal 70. Seal 70 mates with interior surface 14
of housing 12, (see FIG. 2), to block flow through a selected port.
Alternatively, a single bearing may be used if it provides
sufficient stability.
[0024] Arms 72 and 74 extend from sealing face 68 to the center of
rotation of flow plug 60, and connect with upper and lower shafts
64 and 66 respectively. Lower shaft 66 fits within a recess (not
shown) in housing 12, for rotation therein (see FIG. 2).
[0025] Reference is now made to FIG. 3. Upper shaft 64 extends
upwards out of cavity 18. Upper shaft 64 has a splined upper
portion 76, and a smooth lower portion 78. Shaft 64 ends in an end
face 80, which has a threaded hole 82 therein.
[0026] A lid 84 mounts to housing 12. Lid 84 includes a smooth,
cylindrical surface 86, which defines a circular hole 88 through
which shaft 64 passes and for receiving lower portion 78 of shaft
64. Lid 84 also defines a plurality of peripheral holes 90, which
align with holes 16 in housing 12. Fasteners 92 are used to secure
lid 84 to housing 12. Other fastening means may be used but the
fastening means preferably allow lid 84 to be removably mounted to
housing 84. For example, lid 84 may have a threaded flange to
engage a mating thread on housing 12. It will be appreciated that
lid 84 may alternately be welded or glued to housing 12.
[0027] A handle 94 mounts to shaft 64 and is used for positioning
flow plug 60 in cavity 18. Handle 94 has a splined hole 96 which
mates with splined portion 76 of shaft 64. A position indicator 98
is included on handle 94, indicating the position of sealing face
68 of flow plug 60 inside valve cavity 18. A lock-down fastener 100
threads into threaded hole 82 in end face 80 of shaft 64, securing
handle 94 to shaft 64.
[0028] Flow plug 60 is positioned in cavity 18 and is relatable
therein. Flow plug 60 can be rotated to a first position, (wherein
flow plug 60 is shown in solid outline in FIG. 2), wherein flow
plug 60 prevents flow out of port 24. Flow plug 60 can also be
rotated to a second position, (wherein flow plug 60 is shown in
phantom outline in FIG. 2), wherein flow plug 60 prevents flow out
of port 22. Flow plug 60 may also be positioned along the arc of
inner source 14 between ports 22 and 24 such that at least part of
each port and preferably all of the ports are open. Stopper portion
38 of stop 34 extends into cavity 18, to prevent flow plug 60 from
rotating to a position wherein the flow is blocked through inlet
port 20. This is advantageous since blocking the flow through inlet
port 20 can lead to dead-heading of the pumping source.
[0029] It will be noted that, because stopper portion 38 extends
substantially across the width `W` of port 20 in the preferred
embodiment, flow plug 60 cannot block any portion of port 20. In an
alternate embodiment, stop 34 can have a different stopper portion
that permits a partial, but not complete blockage of port 20.
Another alternative stop can include a single continuous tubular
arm, rather than arms 44 and 46.
[0030] Reference is made to FIG. 3. To assemble and install valve
10, a user determines which port 20, 22 or 24 is to be prevented
from being blocked. Once the port is selected, for example port 20,
stop 34 is inserted into inlet port 20, and is preferably affixed
therein using a suitable adhesive or mechanical fastening means. In
various possible orders, flow plug 60 is inserted into cavity 18.
Lid 84 is attached to housing 12 using fasteners 92. Handle 94 is
attached to splined portion 76 of shaft 64, and lock-down fastener
100 is threaded into hole 82 to secure handle 94 on shaft 64.
Conduits 48, 50 and 52 are fitted into ports 20, 22 and 24
respectively.
[0031] During a typical inspection or maintenance task, valve 10 is
opened. Thus, lock-down fastener 100 and handle 94 are removed from
shaft 64. Fasteners 92 and lid 84 are removed from housing 12. Flow
plug 60 may then be removed from cavity 18.
[0032] During reassembly after the inspection or maintenance is
completed, flow plug 60 is re-inserted into cavity 18. Lid 84 is
mounted to housing 12 using fasteners 92. Because lid 84 and
housing 12 have eight symmetrical holes for example, lid 84 can be
mounted to housing 12 in eight different orientations. It will be
noted that lid 84 can be mounted to housing 12 in any orientation,
and stop 34 will still prevent flow plug 60 from blocking inlet
port 20. Thus, valve 10 prevents a maintenance worker or other
person from inadvertently reassembling valve 10 in such a way that
inlet port 20 can be blocked.
[0033] It is particularly advantageous for the housing 12, stop 34,
lid 84, flow plug 60, handle 94, and lock-down fastener 100 to be
made from a suitable plastic. However, any other suitable material
of construction may alternatively be used, such as aluminum,
stainless steel or other metals.
[0034] In the preferred embodiment, stop 34 is fixedly attached to
the selected port, by means of, for example, an adhesive or a
fastener. Alternatively, stop 34 can be inserted into the selected
port by friction fit. Alternatively, stop 34 can be positioned
within port 20 abutting shoulder 32 and the conduit can be inserted
into the selected port behind stop 34, thus pinning stop 34 in
place.
[0035] In a preferred embodiment, stop 34 is incorporated for use
with three-way valve 10. Alternatively, however, stop 34 can be
used with other multi-port valves having more than three ports,
such as four-way valves having four ports. Further, more than one
stop 34 may be included in a multi-port valve 10.
[0036] It will be appreciated that various changes and modification
to valve 10 may be made and that each is within the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *