U.S. patent application number 17/248893 was filed with the patent office on 2022-03-24 for normally closed valve having a closure delay system and a method thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is COMETFLO LTD.. Invention is credited to Yoseph FELDMAN, Emanuel MENDES.
Application Number | 20220090693 17/248893 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-03-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220090693 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FELDMAN; Yoseph ; et
al. |
March 24, 2022 |
NORMALLY CLOSED VALVE HAVING A CLOSURE DELAY SYSTEM AND A METHOD
THEREOF
Abstract
A normally closed valve according to the invention comprises a
closure delay system utilizing the effect of vacuum on a flexible
suction cup to generate a force that keeps the valve open when in
an open orientation for a preset time period. The valve further
comprises a closure delay mechanism including an actuator shaft and
a suction cup disposed in a cavity, being configured for downward
reciprocating movement, wherein the suction cup engages the cavity
top wall when the valve is in closed orientation thereby closing
the valve, and adhering to a suction surface of the cavity when the
actuator shaft moves under pressure for switching the valve from
closed to open orientation thereby opening the valve. The suction
cup automatically disengages the suction surface a preset time
period after pressure ceases to be applied to the actuator shaft
and reengages the cavity top wall thereby closing the valve.
Inventors: |
FELDMAN; Yoseph; (Tel Aviv,
IL) ; MENDES; Emanuel; (Petach Tikva, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
COMETFLO LTD. |
Petach Tikva |
|
IL |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/248893 |
Filed: |
February 12, 2021 |
International
Class: |
F16K 21/16 20060101
F16K021/16; F16K 31/48 20060101 F16K031/48; F16K 31/60 20060101
F16K031/60; F16K 3/28 20060101 F16K003/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 24, 2020 |
IL |
277616 |
Claims
1. A normally-closed valve having a closure delay system,
comprising: a housing; a liquid inlet chamber defined in the
housing including an inlet opening in an outside wall of the
housing, a liquid outlet chamber defined in the housing having an
outlet opening in the outside wall of the housing and a passage
defined in the housing between the inlet chamber and the outlet
chamber; and a cavity defined in the housing in flow communication
with the inlet chamber, the outlet chamber and the passage when the
valve is in an open orientation, the cavity comprising a bottom
wall having a top suction surface and a cavity top wall; a closure
delay mechanism comprising an actuator shaft having a lower portion
and an upper portion, and a suction cup, the actuator shaft lower
portion fixedly coupled to the suction cup and the suction cup
being adapted and configured to open and close the passage; wherein
the actuator shaft and the suction cup are disposed in the cavity
being adapted and configured for longitudinally downward
reciprocating movement of the actuator shaft and the suction cup
therein; and wherein the suction cup is sealingly engaging the
cavity top wall when the valve is in a normally-closed orientation
thereby closing the passage; disengaging the cavity top wall and
engaging the top suction surface and adhering thereto when the
actuator shaft moves longitudinally downward by pressure applied
thereto for switching the valve from the normally-closed
orientation to the open orientation thereby opening the passage;
automatically disengaging the top suction surface a preset time
period after pressure ceases to be applied to the actuator shaft
and sealingly reengaging the cavity top wall thereby closing the
passage and switching the valve from the open orientation to the
normally-closed orientation.
2. A normally-closed valve having a closure delay system according
to claim 1, wherein the suction cup further comprises a flexible,
resilient lower portion having a bell-like shape curved wall
configured to engage the top suction surface and adhering thereto
and a neck upper portion having a top rim being configured to
sealingly engage and disengage the cavity top wall.
3. A normally-closed valve having a closure delay system according
to claim 2, wherein the bell-like shape curved wall is having a
soft sealable bottom rim ending.
4. A normally-closed valve having a closure delay system according
to claim 2, wherein the neck upper portion is having a neck opening
defined by the inside wall of the neck upper portion, sized and
configured for receiving the actuator shaft lower portion for
affixed coupling to substantially the center of the suction
cup.
5. A normally-closed valve having a closure delay system according
to claim 1, wherein the cavity further comprises: a cavity first
upper portion in flow communication with the inlet chamber; a
cavity second upper portion separated from the cavity first upper
portion by an actuator seal disposed therebetween; and a cavity
lower portion including the cavity bottom wall and the cavity top
wall; wherein the cavity first upper portion, the cavity lower
portion, the inlet chamber, the outlet chamber and the passage are
in flow communication when the valve is in the open
orientation.
6. A normally-closed valve having a closure delay system according
to claim 5, wherein the cavity bottom wall is configured for
replacement by a cavity bottom wall, a top suction surface texture
of which is selected from a group consisting of flat, smooth,
nonporous, porous, rigid, permeable, rough or uneven textures;
wherein each of said top suction surface texture provides a
different degree of adherence of the suction cup to the top suction
surface, resulting in different periods of time for the suction cup
to reassume its original bell-like curved shape in the rest
position thus the valve to close; and wherein the cavity bottom
wall includes a circumferential groove for holding a cavity seal
disposed therein for sealing the cavity lower portion.
7. A normally-closed valve having a closure delay system according
to claim 5, wherein the cavity bottom wall include a bottom
opening.
8. A normally-closed valve having a closure delay system according
to claim 1, wherein the closure delay mechanism further comprises
an actuation button fixedly coupled to the actuator shaft upper
portion or integrally formed therewith, and projecting from the
cavity second upper portion for applying pressure to the actuation
shaft when switching the valve from the normally-closed orientation
to the open orientation.
9. A normally-closed valve having a closure delay system according
to claim 1, wherein the closure delay mechanism further comprises
an actuator coil spring having a first end seated in or on the
housing and a second end engaging an actuation button; and wherein
the actuator coil spring is biased when pressure is applied to the
actuation button to switch the valve from the normally-closed
orientation to the open orientation thereby generating a recoil
tension urging the closure delay mechanism to return to an original
rest position and the valve to the normally-closed orientation.
10. A normally-closed valve having a closure delay system according
to claim 1, further comprising: a closure delay adjusting mechanism
for adjusting the longitudinal downward distance of movement of the
actuator shaft in the cavity prior to actuation, thereby adjusting
the preset time period, the delay adjusting mechanism comprising:
an adjustment rod having a tapered portion, a non-tapered portion
and a cylindrical coupling shank, the coupling shank including
external screw threads; an adjusting body having a cylindrical
complementary coupling slot, the coupling slot including an
internal wall having screw threads matching the coupling shank
external screw threads, for coupling the adjusting body to the
coupling shank, the adjusting body configured to be rotated;
wherein the closure delay adjusting mechanism is disposed in a
tunnel defined in a lower portion of the housing, extending
substantially horizontally from an adjustment opening in the
outside wall of the housing to a point substantially under the
bottom opening of the cavity bottom wall, the tunnel having a
tunnel opening in an upper wall of the tunnel, in registration with
the bottom opening, sized and configured for allowing the actuator
shaft lower portion to move reciprocally through the tunnel opening
for abutting the adjustment rod when the valve is actuated to
switch from the normally-closed orientation to the open
orientation; and wherein the tapered portion is positioned under
the tunnel opening by rotating the adjusting body in a first
direction, thereby allowing the actuator shaft to move
longitudinally downward a longer distance, thus exerting greater
compression to the suction cup, than when the non-tapered portion
is positioned under the tunnel opening by rotating the adjusting
body in a direction opposite the first direction, thereby
increasing the preset time period of the closure delay of the
valve.
11. A normally-closed valve having a closure delay system according
to claim 10, wherein the adjusting body includes a circumferential
groove and an adjusting seal disposed therein, for sealing the
tunnel.
12. A normally-closed valve having a closure delay system according
to claim 1, further comprising a deactivating mechanism comprising
a deactivating lever, the lever being pivotally mounted in or on
the housing; wherein a first end of the deactivating lever extends
under the actuation button; and wherein applying pressure to a
second end of the deactivating lever when the valve is in the open
orientation, the first end of the deactivating lever configured to
operatively engage and push against the actuation button thereby
overcoming the suction force adhering the suction cup to the top
suction surface urging the valve to return to the normally-closed
orientation.
13. A normally-closed valve having a closure delay system according
to claim 12, wherein the deactivation mechanism further comprises:
a push button affixed to the deactivating lever second end; and a
deactivating coil spring having a first end seated in or on the
housing and a second end engaging a bottom wall of the deactivating
lever, for biasing the deactivating lever to retract to the
original non-operative position when the valve is in the
normally-closed orientation.
14. A normally-closed valve having a closure delay system according
to claim 4, further comprising: at least one recess defined in the
actuator shaft lower portion; and at least one inward protrusion
defined in the suction cup and configured to be seated in the
recess for firmly affixing the suction cup to the actuator
shaft.
15. A normally-closed valve having a closure delay system according
to claim 14, wherein the recess is being circumferentially defined
in the actuator shaft lower portion and the inward protrusion being
circumferentially inwardly defined in the suction cup and
configured to be seated in the circumferential recess and wherein
the inward protrusion is being integrally formed with the suction
cup.
16. A normally-closed valve having a closure delay system according
to claim 4, wherein a support flange defined in the actuation shaft
lower portion and disposed inside the suction cup, the support
flange is configured to push up the suction cup to sealingly engage
the cavity top wall when the suction cup springs back to the
original bell-like shape or when pressure is applied to a
deactivating lever, thereby closing the valve.
17. A normally-closed valve having a closure delay system according
to claim 1, further comprising: a closure delay adjusting mechanism
for presetting the longitudinal position of the actuator shaft in
the cavity prior to actuation, thereby adjusting the preset time
period, the delay adjusting mechanism comprising: a cylindrical
adjusting head including external screw threads, cylindrical
adjusting head being fixedly coupled to the actuator shaft upper
portion; a cylindrical sleeve including internal screw threads
complementary to the external screw threads of the adjusting head
for rotational coupling thereto, the cylindrical sleeve being
disposed in the actuation button; wherein the cylindrical adjusting
head is rotationally disposed in the cylindrical sleeve and so
configured that when the cylindrical adjusting head is rotated
relative to the actuation button in a first direction the actuator
shaft moves longitudinally downward in the cavity and is positioned
lower therein than when cylindrical adjusting head is rotated in a
direction opposite to the first direction thereby moving actuator
shaft upwardly in the cavity and is positioned higher therein,
thereby exerting greater compression to the suction cup thus
increasing the closure delay time of the valve.
18. A normally-closed valve having a closure delay system according
to claim 17, wherein the adjusting head is being integrally formed
with the actuator shaft upper portion.
19. A method for delaying closure of a normally-closed valve having
a closure delay system, comprising: providing a housing; defining
in the housing a liquid inlet chamber including an inlet opening in
an outside wall of the housing, a liquid outlet chamber having an
outlet opening in the outside wall of the housing, a passage
between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber and a cavity
comprising a bottom wall having a top suction surface and a cavity
top wall, wherein the cavity is in flow communication with the
inlet chamber, the outlet chamber and the passage when the valve is
in an open orientation; providing a closure delay mechanism
comprising an actuator shaft having a lower portion and an upper
portion, and a suction cup; fixedly coupling the actuator shaft
lower portion to the suction cup wherein the suction cup is adapted
and configured to open and close the passage; disposing the
actuator shaft and the suction cup in the cavity wherein the cavity
is adapted and configured for longitudinal downward reciprocating
movement of the actuator shaft and the suction cup therein;
sealingly engaging the cavity top wall by the suction cup when the
valve is in a normally-closed orientation; moving the actuator
shaft longitudinally downward by applying pressure to the actuator
shaft when switching the valve from the normally-closed orientation
to the open orientation, wherein the suction cup disengages the
cavity top wall, engages the top suction surface and adheres
thereto thus opening the passage; automatically disengaging the
suction cup from the top suction surface a preset time period after
pressure is ceased to be applied to the actuator shaft, wherein the
suction cup sealingly reengages the cavity top wall thereby closing
the passage thus switching the valve from the open orientation to
the normally-closed orientation.
20. A method for delaying closure of a normally-closed valve having
a closure delay system according to claim 19, further comprising:
providing a closure delay adjusting mechanism for adjusting the
longitudinal downward distance of movement of the actuator shaft in
the cavity prior to actuation, thereby adjusting the preset time
period, wherein the closure delay adjusting mechanism includes an
adjustment rod having a tapered portion, a non-tapered portion and
a cylindrical coupling shank, the coupling shank including external
screw threads; providing an adjusting body having a cylindrical
complementary coupling slot, the coupling slot including an
internal wall having screw threads matching the coupling shank
external screw threads for coupling the adjusting body to the
coupling shank, wherein the adjusting body is configured to be
rotated; disposing the closure delay adjusting mechanism in a
tunnel defined in a lower portion of the housing, the tunnel
extending substantially horizontally from an adjustment opening in
the outside wall of the housing to a point substantially under a
bottom opening in the cavity bottom wall, wherein the tunnel is
having a tunnel opening in an upper wall of the tunnel, in
registration with the bottom opening; moving actuator shaft lower
portion reciprocally through the tunnel opening for abutting the
adjustment rod when the valve is actuated to switch from the
normally-closed orientation to the open orientation; positioning
prior to actuation the tapered portion under the tunnel opening by
rotating the adjusting body in a first direction, thereby allowing
the actuator shaft to move longitudinally downward a longer
distance than when the non-tapered portion is positioned under the
tunnel opening by rotating the adjusting body in the opposite
direction; and exerting greater compression to the suction cup
thereby increasing the preset time period of the closure delay of
the valve.
21. A method for delaying closure of a normally-closed valve having
a closure delay system according to claim 19, further comprising:
providing a closure delay adjusting mechanism for presetting the
longitudinal position of the actuator shaft in the cavity prior to
actuation, thereby adjusting the valve closure delay time, wherein
the closure delay adjusting mechanism includes a cylindrical
adjusting head including external screw threads, the cylindrical
adjusting head being fixedly coupled to the actuator shaft upper
portion, a cylindrical sleeve including internal screw threads
complementary to the external screw threads of the adjusting head
for rotational coupling thereto, the cylindrical sleeve being
disposed in the actuation button; rotationally disposing the
cylindrical adjusting head is in the cylindrical sleeve; moving the
actuator shaft longitudinally downward in the cavity by rotating
the cylindrical adjusting head relative to the actuation button in
a first direction, thereby positioning the actuator shaft prior to
actuation lower in the cavity, than when moving actuator shaft
upwardly in the cavity by rotating the cylindrical adjusting head
relative to the actuation button in a direction opposite to the
first direction, thereby positioning the actuator shaft higher in
the cavity; and exerting greater compression to the suction cup
thereby increasing the preset time period of the closure delay of
the valve.
22. A normally-closed valve having a closure delay system,
comprising: a housing including: a liquid inlet chamber, a liquid
outlet chamber and a passage therebetween; and a cavity in flow
communication with the inlet chamber, the outlet chamber and the
passage when the valve is in an open orientation, the cavity
comprising a suction surface and a cavity top wall; a closure delay
mechanism comprising an actuator shaft and a suction cup, the
actuator shaft fixedly coupled to the suction cup and the suction
cup comprises a flexible, resilient lower portion having a
bell-like shape curved wall ending in a soft sealable bottom rim,
and an upper portion neck having a top rim being adapted and
configured to open and close the passage; wherein the actuator
shaft and the suction cup are disposed in the cavity which is
adapted and configured for allowing reciprocating longitudinal
movement of the actuator shaft and the suction cup in the cavity;
wherein the suction cup is further adapted and configured for
sealing engagement with the cavity top wall when the valve is in
the a normally-closed orientation thereby closing the passage; for
disengagement from the cavity top wall and engagement of the
suction surface and adherence thereto when pressure is applied to
the actuator shaft for switching the valve from the normally-closed
orientation to the open orientation thereby opening the passage;
and for automatic disengagement from the suction surface and
detachment therefrom and sealing reengagement with the cavity top
wall thereby closing the passage; and wherein, the closure delay
system is configured so as to maintain the normally-closed valve at
the open orientation for a preset time during which liquid flows
through the valve from the time the valve is actuated until the
valve automatically shuts off following the lapse of the preset
time period.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates
to a normally closed valve having a closure delay system. more
particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a
normally closed valve including a closure delay system configured
for delaying the closure of the valve for a preset time period,
when in open orientation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A conventional valve is a mechanism for controlling flow of
liquid for filling water tanks, such as those found in flush
toilets, operating mechanisms which are controlled by a liquid
flow, etc. Preferably, in the mechanism for controlling flow in a
valve the period of time of the flow from actuation to closure can
be preset and the valve can automatically close once the time has
elapsed. This way, the time in which the liquid flows into the tank
i.e. the quantity of liquid can be automatically controlled to
avoid overflow. Similarly, the time in which a mechanism based on
liquid flow is operative, can be automatically controlled. For
example, a conventional valve for controlling the quantity of water
filling water tanks consists of a valve which is engaged and
disengaged by means of a pivotally mounted lever configured to
close and open the valve, respectively. The lever typically
comprises a rod, having a hollow sealed float often ball-shaped,
mounted on one end, and a second end is placed in proximity to the
valve so as to engage it when the float rises as the water level
rises in the tank to a pre-set level, thereby applying pressure on
the valve to close it and shut off the flow of the incoming water.
Toward the end of the discharge process, the drop in water level
lowers the float thereby disengaging the second end of the lever
from the valve allowing it to open to the incoming water flow.
Thus, these conventional valves mechanisms which rely on water
level in a tank for operation must consist of relatively large
floats in order to contact the water at a relatively large surface
area, so that the rising water in the tank will create sufficient
force on the lever to close the valve and shut off the water flow.
Thus, such conventional valve mechanisms are cumbersome and require
a tank and liquid in it for changing the valve from open to close
orientation. They fail at times when the float frictionally engages
a wall of the water tank or an overflow tube in the tank,
preventing the float from rising and closing the valve, thus much
water is wasted.
[0003] Water conservation is becoming more and more important. In
response to the need for water conservation, it is imperative that
the valve mechanism is reliable and failsafe to the highest degree
particularly in respect of closure of the valve. It will be
appreciated that water conservation includes prevention of water
flow due to unreliable closure of valves that may cause waste of
large quantities of water in view of their widespread use.
[0004] It is therefore a long felt need to provide a valve
mechanism and method for controlling the flow of a quantity of
liquid, which is of simple construction and small in size and that
requires hardly any maintenance or replacement. And it would be
very desirable to have such a device that provides failsafe and
reliable operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by
way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0006] Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by
way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a normally closed valve having
a mechanical closure delay system, constructed and operative in
accordance with some embodiments of the present invention in an
open orientation;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a normally closed valve having
a mechanical closure delay system, constructed and operative in
accordance with some other embodiments of the present invention,
utilizing the principles of construction and operation described in
connection with FIG. 1, in a close orientation;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a normally closed valve having
a mechanical closure delay system of FIG. 2, constructed and
operative in accordance with some embodiments of the present
invention, in an open orientation;
[0010] In the several figures, like parts are given the same
reference signs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Introductory Overview
[0011] The normally closed valves having a closure delay systems
according to the present invention utilize the effect of vacuum on
a flexible suction cup having a curved bell-like shaped wall to
generate a force that acts to keep a normally-closed valve open
when in an open orientation for a preset period of time thereby
delaying closure of the valve. The invention will be described in
that context.
[0012] A suction cup is a flexible object having a curved bell-like
shaped wall having a soft sealable rim and some springiness to the
cup when in a compressed orientation that forces it back to its
original curved shape in its rest orientation. The working face of
the suction cup is formed of elastic, flexible material such as
elastomeric materials including but not limited to silicone rubber,
and has a curved surface. Modern suction cups are made of highly
flexible synthetic materials such as PVC plastic or neoprene.
Prized for their reliability, these materials are preferred to
natural rubber because they are stronger and more resistant to
sunlight, abrasion and temperature extremes.
[0013] In particular, when a user applies pressure to the center of
the suction cup against a relatively smooth, flat, rigid nonporous
surface, the lower portion of the cup is compressed and the volume
of the space between the suction cup and the flat surface is
reduced, forcing the air or water between the cup and the surface
to be expelled past the circular rim of the cup. The cavity which
is created under the pressure between the cup and the flat surface
has little to no air or water in it because most of the fluid has
already been forced out of the cup, creating a vacuum or nearly
vacuum in the cup. The pressure difference between the atmosphere
on the outside of the cup and the vacuum or low-pressure in the
cavity on the inside of the cup results in a suction force which
keeps the cup adhered to the surface. The suction cup uses the
suction force of the negative fluid pressure of air or water
created by a vacuum or at least a partial vacuum.
[0014] When the user ceases to exert physical pressure to the
outside of the cup, the elastic substance, which the cup is formed
of and its resilience property, forces it back to reassume its
original bell-like shape and disengage the surface. The length of
time for which the suction effect on the cup is maintained before
the cup fully reassumes its original shape, i.e. the speed in which
it springs back to its bell-like shape or rest orientation and
disengages the surface, depends mainly on how long it takes for air
or water to leak back into the cavity between the cup and the
surface, equalizing the pressure with the surrounding atmosphere.
This is a function of the porosity and flatness of the surface, the
properties of the material of the cup's rim and the degree to which
the cup has been flattened, i.e. the size of the cavity between the
cup and the surface thus the force of the negative pressure. The
cup's resilience then tries to spring back to the curved shape, but
since there is a seal between the surface and the cup's rim, the
outside air cannot get back into the space between the surface and
the inside of the cup and vacuum or partial vacuum is maintained
therein. With no (or little) air within the cavity, ambient air
will continue to press against the outside of the cup and the
springiness or resilience of the cup, holding it against the
surface.
[0015] Ideally, a suction cup should mate against a smooth,
nonporous surface. Then, when vacuum is created the cup rim
completely seals against atmospheric air and the interior air is
quickly evacuated, resulting in a firm grip of the cup on the
surface. However, surfaces of materials which are permeable, rough
or uneven to a given degree may be selected to create non-ideal
conditions whereby the suction cup cannot provide a complete seal
thus the suction force is lower. The same is true when the working
face of the suction cup is roughened to a given degree to create
non-ideal conditions whereby the suction cup cannot provide a
complete seal. In such a cases, the outside air continually enters
the cavity under the suction cup, thereby causing it to spring back
to the bell-like curved shape and disengage the surface at a time
period which is shorter than when a smooth surface is used. It will
be appreciated that one way in which to set the period of time for
the suction cup to reassume its original shape is by selecting the
material of the surface with a given degree of permeability or
roughness or by selecting the degree of roughness of the working
face of the suction cup, or both. Other ways in which to set this
period of time is by selecting the material of the suction cup
having a given degree of flexibility, which provides resilience to
the cup when in a compressed orientation that forces it back
towards its original bell-like shape and/or by adjusting the degree
to which the cup is to be flattened, i.e. the size of the cavity
volume between the cup and the surface. As will be described in
detail below, optionally, the valve closure delay system according
to the present invention may include a spring that is used to bias
the actuator shaft in the open orientation of the valve forcing the
suction cup back to its original curved shape and disengagement
from the surface. The period of time delay can be preset by
selection of a spring having a given recoil strength.
[0016] The valve according to the present invention utilizes a
suction force created in a suction cup to delay the closure of the
valve for a preset period of time, which is required for the vacuum
or little air in the cavity under the suction cup to equalize with
the atmospheric pressure of the ambient air, allowing the suction
cup to spring back to its original shape, disengage from the
surface and close the valve. Thus, the closure delay is used to
keep the valve open for a preset period of time.
[0017] The suction cup according to the present invention may be
formed, for example, of elastic, flexible material such as
elastomeric materials including but not limited to silicone rubber,
highly flexible synthetic materials such as PVC plastic or
neoprene, and has a curved wall.
[0018] In preferred embodiments according to the present invention,
the valve having a closure delay system includes a housing
including a liquid inlet chamber defined in the housing, a liquid
outlet chamber defined in the housing, a passage defined in the
housing between the inlet and the outlet chambers, and a cavity
defined in the housing having a suction surface; a suction cup and
an actuator shaft fixedly coupled substantially to the center of
the suction cup, and disposed in the cavity; and a sealing member
disposed in the cavity in sealing engagement with the actuator
shaft and the wall of the cavity. In preferred embodiments of the
invention, the normally closed valve having a closure delay system
may include a spring element for biasing the actuator shaft in the
open orientation of the valve driving it back to the
normally-closed orientation or rest position. When a user applies
pressure to the actuator shaft it moves longitudinally downward,
compressing the center of the suction cup and flattening it so that
the suction cup engages the suction surface and adheres to it
thereby holding the valve in an open orientation. The valve is kept
open for the time required for the suction cup to automatically
spring back to its original bell-like shape, disengage the suction
surface thus returning the valve back to the its normally-closed
orientation.
[0019] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the valve closure
delay system includes an adjusting mechanism, which permits a user
to adjust the time duration in which the suction cup engages the
suction surface and adheres to it before reassuming its original
bell-like curved shape thus the period of time during which closure
of the valve is being delayed.
[0020] Additionally, the present invention relates to a
normally-closed valve having a closure delay system, comprising a
housing including a liquid inlet chamber defined in the housing
including an inlet opening in the outside wall of the housing, a
liquid outlet chamber defined in the housing having an outlet
opening in the outside wall of the housing and a passage defined in
the housing between inlet and outlet chambers. The valve further
includes a cavity defined in the housing in flow communication with
the inlet chamber, outlet chamber and passage when the valve is in
open orientation, wherein the cavity comprises a bottom wall having
a top suction surface and a cavity top wall; a closure delay
mechanism comprising an actuator shaft having a lower portion and
an upper portion, and a suction cup, the actuator shaft lower
portion fixedly coupled to the suction cup and the suction cup
being adapted and configured to open and close the passage; wherein
the actuator shaft and suction cup are disposed in the cavity being
adapted and configured for longitudinally downward reciprocating
movement of the actuator shaft and suction cup therein; and wherein
the suction cup is sealingly engaging the cavity top wall when the
valve is in the normally-closed orientation thereby closing the
passage; disengaging the cavity top wall and engaging the top
suction surface and adhering thereto when the actuator shaft moves
longitudinally downward by pressure applied thereto for switching
the valve from normally-closed orientation to open orientation
thereby opening the passage; automatically disengaging the top
suction surface a preset time period after pressure cease to be
applied to the actuator shaft and sealingly reengaging the cavity
top wall thereby closing the passage and switching the valve from
open orientation to normally-closed orientation.
[0021] According to some embodiments of the invention, the suction
cup further includes a flexible, resilient lower portion having a
bell-like shape curved wall configured to engage the top suction
surface and adhering thereto and a neck upper portion having a top
rim being configured to sealingly engage and disengage the cavity
top wall.
[0022] According to some embodiments of the invention, the
bell-like shape curved wall is having a soft sealable bottom rim
ending.
[0023] According to some embodiments of the invention, the neck
upper portion is having a neck opening defined by the inside wall
of the neck upper portion, sized and configured for receiving the
actuator shaft lower portion for affixed coupling to substantially
the center of the suction cup.
[0024] According to some embodiments of the invention, the cavity
further comprises a cavity first upper portion in flow
communication with the inlet chamber; a cavity second upper portion
separated from the cavity first upper portion by an actuator seal
disposed therebetween; and a cavity lower portion including the
cavity bottom wall and the cavity top wall; wherein the cavity
first upper portion, the cavity lower portion, the inlet chamber,
the outlet chamber and the passage are in flow communication when
the valve is in open orientation.
[0025] According to some embodiments of the invention, the cavity
bottom wall is configured for replacement by a cavity bottom wall
the top suction surface texture of which is selected from a group
consisting of flat, smooth, nonporous, porous, rigid, permeable,
rough or uneven textures, wherein each said top suction surface
texture provides a different degree of adherence of the suction cup
to the top suction surface, resulting in different periods of time
for the suction cup to reassume its original bell-like curved shape
in the rest position thus the valve to close, and wherein the
cavity bottom wall includes a circumferential groove for holding a
cavity seal disposed therein for sealing the cavity lower
portion.
[0026] According to some embodiments of the invention, the closure
delay mechanism further comprises an actuation button fixedly
coupled to the actuator shaft upper portion or integrally formed
therewith, and projecting from the cavity second upper portion for
applying pressure to the actuation shaft when switching the valve
from the normally-closed orientation to the open orientation.
[0027] According to some embodiments of the invention, the cavity
bottom wall include a bottom opening.
[0028] According to some embodiments of the invention, the closure
delay mechanism further comprises an actuator coil spring having a
first end seated in or on the housing and a second end engaging
actuation button, wherein the actuator coil spring is biased when
pressure is applied to actuation button to switch the valve from
normally-closed orientation to open orientation thereby generating
a recoil tension urging the closure delay mechanism to return to an
original rest position and the valve to normally-closed
orientation.
[0029] According to some embodiments of the invention the closure
delay system further includes a closure delay adjusting mechanism
for adjusting the longitudinal downward distance of movement of the
actuator shaft in the cavity prior to actuation, thereby adjusting
the valve closure delay time, the delay adjusting mechanism
including an adjustment rod having a tapered portion a non-tapered
portion and a cylindrical coupling shank, wherein the coupling
shank includes external screw threads; an adjusting body including
a cylindrical complementary coupling slot, the coupling slot
including an internal wall having screw threads matching the
coupling shank external screw threads, for coupling the adjusting
body to the coupling shank, the adjusting body configured to be
rotated; wherein the closure delay adjusting mechanism is disposed
in a tunnel defined in a lower portion of the housing, extending
substantially horizontally from an adjustment opening in the
outside wall of the housing to a point substantially under the
bottom opening of the cavity bottom wall, the tunnel having a
tunnel opening in an upper wall of the tunnel, in registration with
the bottom opening, sized and configured for allowing actuator
shaft lower portion to move reciprocally through the tunnel opening
for abutting the adjustment rod when the valve is actuated to
switch from normally-closed orientation to open orientation; and
wherein the tapered portion is positioned under the tunnel opening
by rotating the adjusting body in a first direction, thereby
allowing the actuator shaft to move longitudinally downward a
longer distance thus exerting greater compression to the suction
cup, than when a non-tapered portion is positioned under the tunnel
opening by rotating the adjusting body in a direction opposite to
the first direction, thereby increasing the time period of the
closure delay of the valve.
[0030] According to some embodiments of the invention, the closure
delay system further includes a deactivating mechanism including a
deactivating lever, the lever being pivotally mounted in or on the
housing, wherein a first end of the deactivating lever extends
under the actuation button, and wherein applying pressure to a
second end of the deactivating lever when the valve is in open
orientation, the first end of the deactivating lever configured to
operatively engage and push against actuation button thereby
overcoming the suction force adhering the suction cup to the top
suction surface urging the valve to return to its normally-closed
orientation.
[0031] According to some embodiments of the invention, the valve
having a closure delay system further includes at least one recess
defined in actuator shaft lower portion and at least one inward
protrusion defined in the suction cup and configured to be seated
in the recess for firmly affixing the suction cup to the actuator
shaft. According to some embodiments of the invention, the recess
is being circumferentially defined in the actuator shaft lower
portion and the inward protrusion being circumferentially inwardly
defined in the suction cup and configured to be seated in the
circumferential recess and wherein the inward protrusion is being
integrally formed with the suction cup.
[0032] According to some embodiments of the invention, the valve
having a closure delay system further includes a support flange
defined in the actuation shaft lower portion and disposed inside
the suction cup, the support flange is configured to push up the
suction cup to sealingly engage the cavity top wall when the
suction cup springs back to its original bell-like shape or when
pressure is applied to the deactivation lever, thereby closing the
valve.
[0033] According to some embodiments of the invention, the valve
having a closure delay system further includes a closure delay
adjusting mechanism for presetting the longitudinal position of the
actuator shaft in the cavity prior to actuation, thereby adjusting
the valve closure delay time, the delay adjusting mechanism
including a cylindrical adjusting head including external screw
threads, cylindrical adjusting head being fixedly coupled to the
actuator shaft upper portion, and a cylindrical sleeve including
internal screw threads complementary to the external screw threads
of the adjusting head for rotational coupling thereto, the
cylindrical sleeve being disposed in the actuation button, wherein
the cylindrical adjusting head is rotationally disposed in the
cylindrical sleeve and so configured that when the cylindrical
adjusting head is rotated relative to the actuation button in a
first direction the actuator shaft moves longitudinally downward in
the cavity and is positioned lower therein than when cylindrical
adjusting head is rotated in a direction opposite the first
direction thereby moving actuator shaft upwardly in the cavity and
is positioned higher therein, thereby exerting greater compression
to the suction cup thus increasing the closure delay time of the
valve.
[0034] There is also provided according to the invention, a method
for delaying closure of a normally-closed valve having a closure
delay system, the method including providing a housing; defining in
the housing a liquid inlet chamber including an inlet opening in
the outside wall of the housing, a liquid outlet chamber having an
outlet opening in the outside wall of the housing, a passage
between the inlet and outlet chambers and a cavity comprising a
bottom wall having a top suction surface and a cavity top wall,
wherein the cavity is in flow communication with the inlet chamber,
outlet chamber and passage when the valve is in open orientation;
providing a closure delay mechanism comprising an actuator shaft
having a lower portion and an upper portion, and a suction cup;
fixedly coupling the actuator shaft lower portion to the suction
cup wherein the suction cup is adapted and configured to open and
close the passage; disposing the actuator shaft and suction cup in
the cavity wherein the cavity is adapted and configured for
longitudinal downward reciprocating movement of the actuator shaft
and suction cup therein; sealingly engaging the cavity top wall by
the suction cup when the valve is in the normally-closed
orientation; moving the actuator shaft longitudinally downward by
applying pressure to the actuator shaft when switching the valve
from normally-closed orientation to open orientation, wherein the
suction cup disengages the cavity top wall, engages the top suction
surface and adheres thereto thus opening the passage; and
automatically disengaging the suction cup from the top suction
surface a preset time period after pressure is ceased to be applied
to the actuator shaft, wherein the suction cup sealingly reengages
the cavity top wall thereby closing the passage thus switching the
valve from open orientation to normally-closed orientation.
[0035] According to embodiments of the invention, the method for
delaying closure of a normally-closed valve having a closure delay
system further includes providing a closure delay adjusting
mechanism for adjusting the longitudinal downward distance of
movement of the actuator shaft in the cavity prior to actuation,
thereby adjusting the valve closure delay time, wherein the closure
delay adjusting mechanism includes an adjustment rod having a
tapered portion, a non-tapered portion and a cylindrical coupling
shank, the coupling shank including external screw threads;
providing an adjusting body having a cylindrical complementary
coupling slot, the coupling slot including an internal wall having
screw threads matching the coupling shank external screw threads
for coupling the adjusting body to the coupling shank, wherein the
adjusting body is configured to be rotated; disposing the closure
delay adjusting mechanism in a tunnel defined in a lower portion of
the housing, the tunnel extending substantially horizontally from
an adjustment opening in the outside wall of the housing to a point
substantially under a bottom opening in the cavity bottom wall,
wherein the tunnel is having a tunnel opening in an upper wall of
the tunnel, in registration with the bottom opening; moving
actuator shaft lower portion reciprocally through the tunnel
opening for abutting the adjustment rod when the valve is actuated
to switch from normally-closed orientation to open orientation;
positioning prior to actuation the tapered portion under the tunnel
opening by rotating the adjusting body in a first direction,
thereby allowing the actuator shaft to move longitudinally downward
a longer distance than when the non-tapered portion is positioned
under the tunnel opening by rotating the adjusting body in a
direction opposite the first direction; and exerting greater
compression to the suction cup thereby increasing the time period
of the closure delay of the valve.
[0036] According to other embodiments of the invention, the method
for delaying closure of a normally-closed valve having a closure
delay system further includes providing a closure delay adjusting
mechanism for presetting the longitudinal position of the actuator
shaft in the cavity prior to actuation, thereby adjusting the valve
closure delay time, the closure delay adjusting mechanism includes
a cylindrical adjusting head including external screw threads, the
cylindrical adjusting head being fixedly coupled to the actuator
shaft upper portion; a cylindrical sleeve including internal screw
threads complementary to the external screw threads of the
adjusting head for rotational coupling thereto, the cylindrical
sleeve being disposed in the actuation button; rotationally
disposing the cylindrical adjusting head is in the cylindrical
sleeve; moving the actuator shaft longitudinally downward in the
cavity by rotating the cylindrical adjusting head relative to the
actuation button in a first direction, thereby positioning the
actuator shaft prior to actuation lower in the cavity, than when
moving actuator shaft upwardly in the cavity by rotating the
cylindrical adjusting head relative to the actuation button in a
direction opposite to the first direction, thereby positioning the
actuator shaft higher in the cavity; and exerting greater
compression to the suction cup thereby increasing the time period
of the closure delay of the valve.
[0037] The method according to preferred embodiments of the present
invention, involves providing a housing including a liquid inlet
chamber defined in the housing, a liquid outlet chamber defined in
the housing, a passage defined in the housing between the inlet and
outlet chambers, and a cavity defined in the housing having a
suction surface; providing a suction cup and an actuator shaft
fixedly coupled substantially to the center of the suction cup, and
disposed in the cavity; and providing a sealing member disposed in
the cavity in sealing engagement with the actuator shaft and the
wall of the cavity. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the
method may include providing a spring element biasing the actuator
shaft to retract to the normally-closed non-operational mode or
rest orientation when the combined effect of the spring biasing
force, resilience property of the suction cup which forces it back
to reassume its original bell-like curved shape, and air or liquid
leaking back into the cavity between the suction cup and the
suction surface of the housing, is sufficient to overcome the
suction force adhering the suction cup to the suction surface. When
a user applies pressure to the actuator shaft it compresses the
center of the suction cup and flattens it so that it engages the
suction surface and adheres to it thus holding the valve in an open
orientation. The valve is kept open for the period of time required
for the suction cup to spring back to its original shape and
disengage the suction surface thus driving the valve back to the
normally-closed orientation.
[0038] According to embodiments of the invention, the invention
also provides a method of delaying the closure of a normally-closed
valve for a preset time period when in open orientation thereby
controlling the amount liquid flowing through the valve. The method
according to embodiments of the present invention utilizes a
suction cup and the effect of the pressure difference between the
atmosphere on the outside of the suction cup and the vacuum or
low-pressure in the cavity formed between the cap and the suction
surface to create a suction force, i.e. a negative fluid pressure
of air or water, when the center of the suction cup is depressed
against a suction surface, to keep the suction cup engaged to the
suction surface and adhered to it thereby keeping the valve in the
open orientation and delaying the return of the valve to the
normally-closed orientation for the preset time period.
[0039] The valve having a closure delay system according to the
present invention is characterized by simplicity, compactness, low
cost, long-term reliability, and fail-safe operation. Systems and
devices in which the mechanical closure delay system according to
the present invention can be used, are toilets, faucets and
industrial process of various kinds that require automatic
mechanical closure which is delayed for a preset time period in
order to control the amount of liquid flow into a vessel.
[0040] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific
terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by
one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains.
In case of conflict, the patent specification, including
definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and
examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be
necessarily limiting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE
INVENTION
Embodiments of the Invention
[0041] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a
preferred embodiment of a normally-closed valve having a closure
delay system and method according to the present invention and the
principles underlying thereof, in an open orientation. A
normally-closed valve having a closure delay system is indicated in
FIG. 1, generally by the reference character 10. A closure delay
mechanism is indicated generally by the reference character 12.
Closure delay valve 10 of the preferred embodiments comprises a
housing 14 including a liquid inlet chamber 16 defined in the
housing having an inlet opening in the outside wall of the housing,
a liquid outlet chamber 18 defined in the housing having an outlet
opening in the outside wall of the housing and a passage 28 defined
in the housing therebetween, all in flow communication in the open
orientation of the valve. In FIG. 1 arrow "A" indicates inflow of
liquid into the valve and arrow "B" indicates outflow of liquid
from the valve. Housing 14 further includes a cavity 20 defined in
the housing having a cavity first upper portion 20' in flow
communication with inlet chamber 16, a cavity second upper portion
20'' separated from cavity first upper portion 20' by an actuator
seal 44, and a cavity lower portion 20''' in flow communication
with outlet chamber 18. Cavity lower portion 20''' comprises a
cavity bottom wall 22 having a top suction surface 24 and a cavity
top wall 26. Cavity first upper portion 20' and cavity lower
portion 20''' are in flow communication through passage 28 in open
orientation of the valve. Optionally, cavity bottom wall 22 may
include a bottom opening 30. Additionally, cavity 20 is adapted and
configured to hold closure delay mechanism 12 disposed therein.
Optionally, cavity bottom wall 22 may be configured for replacement
by another cavity bottom wall selected from a group consisting of
cavity bottom walls having different top surface textures.
Additionally, cavity bottom wall 22 may include a circumferential
groove 32 for holding a cavity seal 34 disposed therein for sealing
cavity lower portion 22'''.
[0042] Closure delay mechanism 12 includes an actuator shaft 36
having a lower portion 36' and an upper portion 36'', a suction cup
38 and an actuation button 40. Actuator shaft lower portion 36' is
fixedly coupled substantially to the center of suction cup 38 and
actuation button 40 is fixedly coupled to an upper end 42 of the
actuator shaft. Actuator shaft 36 is disposed in cavity 20 wherein
actuator shaft lower portion 36' and suction cup 34 affixed thereto
are disposed in cavity lower portion 20''' and actuator shaft upper
portion 36'' is disposed in cavity first and second upper portions
20' and 20'', respectively, whereas actuation button 40 affixed to
the actuator shaft upper end 42 projects outside cavity second
upper portion 20''. Additionally, cavity first and second upper
portions 20' and 20'', respectively, are adapted and configured for
disposing therebetween actuator seal 44 in sealing engagement with
the peripheral wall of actuator shaft 36 and with inner wall 46 of
cavity 20 at a point where actuator seal 44 seals liquid passage
between the cavity first upper portion and the cavity second upper
portion yet allows cavity first upper portion 20' to be in flow
communication with inlet chamber 16 in open and closed orientations
of the valve and with outlet chamber 18 only in open orientation of
the valve.
[0043] Suction cup 38 comprises a flexible, resilient lower portion
having a bell-like shape curved wall 48 illustrated in FIG. 1 in a
deformed flattened shape when it is compressed by the actuator
shaft in an open orientation of the valve. Wall 48 of the suction
cup ends in a soft sealable bottom rim 50. Wall 48 provides a
certain degree of springiness to the suction cup in the compressed
orientation so that when the suction force adhering the suction cup
to the suction surface is diminished and overcome by the resilience
of suction cup wall 48, said springiness forces the suction cup
back to its original bell-like curved shape in the rest
orientation. Suction cup 38 further comprises an upper portion neck
52 having a neck opening 54 defined by the inside wall of neck
upper portion 52 which is sized and configured for receiving
actuator shaft lower portion 36' for affixed coupling to
substantially the center of suction cup 38. A top rim 56 of upper
portion neck 52 is configured and sized for sealing engagement with
cavity top wall 26 in the closed orientation of the valve (not
shown). Bottom rim 50 of the suction cup is made of elastic,
flexible material such as elastomeric materials including but not
limited to silicone rubber.
[0044] Preferably, actuator shaft 36 may include at least one
recess 58 defined in lower portion 36' and at least one inward
protrusion 60 defined in suction cup 38 configured to be seated in
recess 58 for firmly affixing the suction cup to the actuator
shaft. Optionally, recess 58 may be circumferentially defined in
actuator shaft 36 and inward protrusion 60 may be circumferentially
inwardly defined in suction cup 38 and configured to be seated in
circumferential recess 58. Optionally, protrusion 60 may be
integrally formed with suction cup 38.
[0045] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that for
best adherence of a suction cup when compressed to a surface, thus
for longest period of time for the suction cup to return to its
original bell-like shape in the rest orientation, both the suction
surface and the bottom rim of the suction cup need to be as smooth
and nonporous as possible. However, according to preferred
embodiments of the present invention, top suction surface 24 of
cavity bottom wall 22 or the bottom rim 50 of suction cup 38, or
both, may comprise a top surface texture selected from a group
consisting of flat, smooth, nonporous, porous, rigid, permeable,
rough or uneven, at a given degree. Each such surface texture may
provide a different degree of adherence of the suction cup to top
suction surface 24, resulting in different periods of time for the
suction cup to return to its original bell-like curved shape in the
rest position, thereby forcing the actuator shaft to retract to the
rest position thus the valve to close. Hence, according to the
present invention the time period of the closure delay of the
valve, can be preset by mere selection of the top suction surface
texture of the cavity bottom wall or of the surface of the bottom
rim of the suction cup or both, or in combination with other means
as will be further illustrated and described below.
[0046] In the normally closed orientation of the valve according to
an embodiment of the present invention (not shown in FIG. 1 but
illustrated in FIG. 3 and described in detail below), top rim 56 of
suction cup 38 sealingly engage cavity top wall 26 when in relaxed
bell-like curved shape orientation, thereby sealing passage 28
between cavity lower portion 20''' and cavity first upper portion
20', preventing flow communication between inlet chamber 16 and
outlet chamber 18, thus closing the valve.
[0047] To switch the delay valve according to an embodiment of the
present invention from normally-closed to open orientation, a user
applies pressure to actuation button 40 thereby pressure is applied
to actuator shaft 36 causing it to move longitudinally downward and
compress the center of suction cup 38 thus flattening lower portion
48 of the suction cup so that bottom rim 50 of the suction cup
engages top suction surface 24 of cavity bottom wall 22 and adheres
to it. In this position of the suction cup, top rim 56 of the
suction cup is disengaged from the top wall 26 of the cavity lower
portion 20''' thereby opening passage 28 and inflow of liquid "A"
can flow from a source (not shown) into inlet chamber 16, through
passage 28 into outlet chamber 18, and outflow of liquid "B" can
flow out of the valve. When the user ceases to apply pressure to
the actuation button 40, the valve is kept in open orientation for
the preset period of time required for suction cup 38 to
automatically spring back to its original bell-like shape. During
this period of time, the closure of the valve is delayed for the
preset period of time and liquid can flow through the valve. It
will be appreciated that the period of time during which the
closure of the valve is delayed determines the quantity of water
flowing through the valve. When suction cup 38 springs back and
reassumes its original bell-like curved shape top rim 56 of the
suction cup is configured to disengage top suction surface 24 and
sealingly reengage cavity top wall 26, thereby sealing passage 28,
and the valve is back to normally-closed orientation wherein the
liquid flow through the valve is stopped.
[0048] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that one
way of presetting the time delay of the valve closure according to
an embodiment of the invention, is by configuring the actuator
shaft 36 longitudinal downward reciprocating movement in cavity 20
when a user applies pressure to actuation button 40. The lower
actuator shaft 36 is configured to move the stronger is the
adherence of suction cup 38 to top suction surface 24 thus a longer
period of time is required for suction cup 38 to spring back and
reassumes its original bell-like curved shape, thereby
automatically disengage top suction surface 24 and sealingly
reengage cavity top wall 26, thus the longer is the period of time
the closure of the valve is being delayed. Accordingly, in order to
determine the longitudinal downward reciprocating movement of
actuator shaft 36, optionally the delay valve according to
preferred embodiments of the invention may include a closure delay
adjusting mechanism indicated generally by the reference character
62, for adjusting the longitudinal distance of motion of actuator
shaft 36 thereby adjusting the delay period of time.
[0049] Delay adjusting mechanism 62 is disposed in a tunnel 64
defined in a lower portion of housing 14, extending substantially
horizontally from an adjustment opening 66 in the outside wall of
housing 14 to a point substantially under bottom opening 30 in
bottom wall 22 of cavity lower portion 20'''. Tunnel 64 having a
tunnel opening 68 in an upper wall 70 of tunnel 64, in registration
with bottom opening 30 in bottom wall 22. Tunnel opening 68 is
sized and configured for a bottom end 72 of actuator shaft 36 to
move reciprocally through tunnel opening 68 for abutment with
adjusting mechanism 62 when valve 10 is actuated to switch from
normally-closed orientation to open orientation. Adjusting
mechanism 62 comprises an adjustment rod 74 having a tapered
portion 76, a non-tapered portion 75 and a cylindrical coupling
shank 78. Coupling shank 78 comprises external screw threads 80.
Adjusting mechanism 62 further comprises an adjusting body 82
including a cylindrical complementary coupling slot 84. The
internal wall of coupling slot 84 includes internal screw threads
86 matching external screw threads 80 for coupling adjusting body
82 to coupling shank 78. The coupling shank and the coupling slot
are configured so that when adjusting body 82 is rotated in a first
direction, coupling shank 78 moves into coupling slot 84 thereby
placing tapered portion 76 of rod 74 under tunnel opening 68 prior
to actuation, and when rotated in the direction opposite to the
first direction, coupling shank 78 moves out of coupling slot 84
thereby placing non-tapered portion 75 of rod 74 under tunnel
opening 68, prior to actuation. Optionally, body 82 may include a
circumferential groove 88 for holding an adjusting seal 90 disposed
therein, for sealing tunnel 64. Adjusting body 82 may further
include at a groove 92 configured to allow for rotating body 82 by
means of a screw driver, thus causing reciprocal movement of
adjustment rod 74.
[0050] Preferably, in order to adjust the valve so as to increase
the closure delay time of the valve according to an embodiment of
the present invention, adjustment mechanism 62 is configured to
allow actuator shaft 36 to move longitudinally downward in the
cavity for a longer distance. This is accomplished by rotating
adjusting body 82 in a first direction which drives adjustment rod
74 closer to adjusting body 82 so that tapered portion 76 is
positioned under tunnel opening 68, prior to actuation. It will be
appreciated that at this position of the adjustment rod 74 when
pressure is applied to actuation button 40, actuator shaft 36 can
move longitudinally downward through bottom opening 30 and tunnel
opening 68 until its bottom end 72 abuts tapered portion 76, for a
longer distance than when the adjusting body 82 is rotated in the
opposite direction which drives adjustment rod 74 away from
adjusting body 82 so that non-tapered portion 75 is positioned
under tunnel opening 68, prior to actuation. In the first case, the
longer motion of actuator shaft 36 exerts greater compression to
suction cup 38 against top suction surface 24 and as a result a
stronger adherence of the suction cup to the suction surface.
Such stronger adherence provides for a longer time for the suction
cup to return to its bell-like curved shape, thus the closure of
the valve is delayed for a longer time.
[0051] In open orientation of the valve, the degree of flatness of
the suction cup as a result of compression by the actuator shaft
determines the force of adherence of the suction cup to the suction
surface, thereby the period of time that is required for the
suction cup to reassume its bell-like curved shape, thus the period
of time that the valve remains in open orientation. As described
above, the closure delay time of the valve according to the present
invention can be adjusted by the adjusting mechanism.
[0052] Optionally, according to preferred embodiments of the
invention, delay mechanism 12 may include an actuator coil spring
94 having a first end seated in housing 14 and a second end
engaging bottom wall 96 of actuation button 40. Optionally,
actuation button 40 may comprise a groove 98 for seating second end
of actuator coil spring 94 therein. When pressure is applied to
actuation button 40 actuator coil spring 94 is biased thereby
applying a recoil tension to closure delay mechanism 12 urging it
to return to the original rest position and the valve to the
normally-closed orientation. When the combined effect of: the
recoil force of actuator coil spring 94; the resilience property of
suction cup 38; the air or liquid leaking back into the cavity
between the suction cup and top suction surface 24 of cavity bottom
wall 22; is sufficient to overcome the suction force adhering the
suction cup to the suction surface, the closure delay mechanism
will automatically return to the original non-operational position
and the valve to the normally-closed orientation. It will be
appreciated by those skilled in the art that according to preferred
embodiments of the invention, one way in which to preset the period
of time for the suction cup to reassume its original shape, i.e.
the delay period of time of the valve, is by selecting the degree
of the recoil force of actuator coil spring 94. The larger the
recoil force of the coil spring the shorter the closure delay
time.
[0053] Optionally, according to preferred embodiments of the
present invention, delay valve 10 may further include a
deactivating mechanism indicated in FIG. 1 generally by the
reference character 100, comprising a deactivating lever 102, the
lever being pivotally mounted in or on housing 14. A first end 106
of lever 102 extends under bottom wall 96 of actuation button 40,
and a second end 108 of lever 102 includes a push button 104
affixed thereto. When a user desires to close the valve in open
orientation, he or she may apply pressure to button 104 causing
second end 108 of deactivating lever 102 to operatively engage and
push against bottom wall 96 thereby overcoming the suction force
adhering suction cup 38 to top suction surface 24. Thus, urging
actuator shaft 36 to retract to its original position, top rim 56
of suction cup 38 to sealingly reengage cavity top wall 26, and the
valve to reassume its normally-closed orientation.
[0054] Optionally, deactivating mechanism 96 may include a
deactivating coil spring 110 having a first end seated in housing
14 and a second end engaging a bottom wall 112 of deactivating
lever 102, biasing the lever to retract to its original
non-operative position when the user ceases to apply pressure to
button 104.
[0055] Optionally, actuator shaft 36 may include a support flange
114 defined in the actuation shaft lower portion 36', disposed
inside suction cup 38 and configured for pushing up the suction cup
to sealingly engage cavity top wall 26 thereby sealing passage 28,
when the suction cup is springing automatically back to its
original bell-like shape or when pressure is applied by the user to
push button 104, thereby urging actuator shaft 36 to retract to its
non-operation position thus closing the valve.
[0056] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a normally-closed valve having
a closure delay system and method, constructed and operative in
accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention,
utilizing the principles of formation, construction and operation
described above in connection with FIG. 1, in a normally-closed
orientation. FIG. 2 shows a valve having a closure delay system
generally referenced 200 and a closure delay mechanism generally
referenced 202. Valve 200 comprises a housing 204 including a
liquid inlet chamber 206 defined in the housing having an inlet
opening in the outside wall of the housing, a liquid outlet chamber
208 defined in the housing having an outlet opening in the outside
wall of the housing and a passage 220 defined in the housing
therebetween, all in flow communication in the open orientation of
the valve. In FIG. 2 arrow "A" indicates inflow of liquid into the
valve. Housing 204 further includes a cavity 210 defined in the
housing having a cavity first upper portion 210' in flow
communication with outlet chamber 208 in the valve open orientation
(not shown), a cavity second upper portion 210'' separated from
cavity first upper portion 210' by an actuator seal 232, and a
cavity lower portion 210''' in flow communication with inlet
chamber 206. Cavity lower portion 210''' comprises a cavity bottom
wall 212 having a top suction surface 214 and a cavity top wall
218. Cavity first upper portion 210' and cavity lower portion
210''' are in flow communication through passage 220 in the open
orientation of the valve (not shown). Additionally, cavity 210 is
adapted and configured to hold closure delay mechanism 202 disposed
therein. Optionally, cavity bottom wall 212 may be configured for
replacement by another cavity bottom wall selected from a group
consisting of cavity bottom walls having different top surface
textures. Additionally, cavity bottom wall 212 may include a
circumferential groove 216 for holding a cavity seal 222 disposed
therein for sealing cavity lower portion 212'''.
[0057] Closure delay mechanism 202 includes an actuator shaft 224
having a lower portion 224' and an upper portion 224'', a suction
cup 226 and an actuation button 228. Actuator shaft lower portion
224' is fixedly coupled substantially to the center of suction cup
226 and actuation button 228 is rotatably coupled to an adjusting
mechanism indicated generally by the reference character 230. The
adjusting mechanism is coupled to actuator shaft upper portion
224'' for presetting the longitudinal position of actuator shaft
224 in the cavity prior to actuation, thereby adjusting the delay
time period as will be described below.
[0058] Actuator shaft 224 is disposed in cavity 210 wherein the
actuator shaft lower portion 224' and suction cup 226 affixed
thereto are disposed in cavity lower portion 210''', and actuator
shaft upper portion 224'' is disposed in cavity first and second
upper portions 210' and 210'', respectively, whereas actuation
button 228 rotatably coupled to adjusting mechanism 230 projects
outside cavity second upper portion 210''. Additionally, cavity
first and second upper portions 210' and 210'', respectively, are
adapted and configured for disposing therebetween actuator seal 232
in sealing engagement with the peripheral wall of actuator shaft
224 and with inner wall of cavity 210 at a point where actuator
seal 232 seals liquid passage between the cavity first upper
portion and the cavity second upper portion yet allows cavity first
upper portion 210' to be in flow communication with outlet chamber
208 in open and closed orientations of the valve and with inlet
chamber 206 only in open orientation of the valve (not shown).
[0059] Suction cup 226 comprises a flexible, resilient curved lower
portion having a bell-like shape curved wall 234 (illustrated in
FIG. 2 in the non-compressed shape when the valve is in a
normally-closed orientation), ending in a soft sealable bottom rim
236. Suction cup 226 further comprises an upper portion neck 238
having a neck opening 240 defined by the inside wall of neck upper
portion 238 which is sized and configured for receiving actuator
shaft lower portion 224' for affixed coupling to substantially the
center of suction cup 226.
[0060] A top rim 242 of neck upper portion 238 is configured and
sized for sealing engagement with cavity top wall 218 in the
normally closed orientation of the valve, sealing passage 220 as
shown in FIG. 2, thereby blocking the liquid flow between inlet
chamber 206 and outlet chamber 208 of the valve. As described in
the foregoing, the bottom rim 236 of the suction cup is made of
elastic, flexible material such as elastomeric materials including
but not limited to silicone rubber.
[0061] Adjusting mechanism 230 comprises a cylindrical adjusting
head 244 a first end of which is fixedly coupled to a top end 246
of actuator shaft 224 and includes external screw threads 248, and
a cylindrical sleeve 250 disposed in actuation button 244 and
includes internal screw threads 252 complementary to the external
screw threads 248 of the adjusting head, for rotationally coupling
thereto. It will be appreciated that adjusting head 244 can be
integrally formed with actuator shaft upper portion 224''. Internal
screw threads 252 and complementary external screw threads 248 are
so configured that when adjusting head 244 is rotated relative to
actuation button 228 in a first direction actuator shaft 224 moves
longitudinally downward in cavity 210 and is positioned lower in
the cavity prior to actuation, and when rotated in the direction
opposite to the first direction actuator shaft 224 moves upwardly
in cavity 210 and is positioned higher in the cavity than in the
first direction of rotation, prior to actuation. Optionally, the
same can be accomplished by rotating actuation button 228.
Additionally, a second end of adjusting head 244 may include a
groove 254 configured to allow for rotating adjusting head 244 by
means of a screw driver, thereby causing reciprocal longitudinal
motion of actuator shaft 224 in the valve.
[0062] Preferably, in order to adjust the delay mechanism so as to
increase the closure delay time of the valve according to an
embodiment of the present invention, adjusting head 244 is rotated
in a direction which moves actuator shaft 224 longitudinally
downward thereby positioning it lower inside cavity 210 (as
illustrated in FIG. 3 and described in detail below). At this
position of actuator shaft 224, when pressure is applied to
actuation button 228 the actuator shaft moves lower in the cavity
than prior to the rotation of the adjusting head thereby allowing
for greater compression of suction cup 226 against top suction
surface 214 and as a result a stronger adherence of the suction cup
to the suction surface. Such stronger adherence provides for a
longer time for the suction cup to return to its bell-like curved
shape, thus the closure of the valve is delayed for a longer time.
In open orientation of the valve, the degree of flatness of the
suction cup as a result of compression by the actuator shaft
determines the force of adherence of the suction cup to the suction
surface, thereby the period of time that is required for the
suction cup to automatically reassume its bell-like curved shape,
disengage the suction surface and sealingly reengage the cavity top
wall, thus the period of time that the valve remains in open
orientation.
[0063] Optionally, according to preferred embodiments of the
invention as illustrated in FIG. 2, closure delay mechanism 202 may
include an actuator coil spring 256 seated in housing 204 and
engaging actuation button 228. Actuator coil spring 256 is
utilizing similar principles of formation, construction and
operation as described above in connection with actuator coil
spring 94 illustrated in FIG. 1, thus for the sake of simplicity a
detailed description of actuator coil spring 256 will be
omitted.
[0064] Optionally, according to preferred embodiments of the
invention, valve 200 may further include a deactivating mechanism
indicated in FIG. 2 generally by the reference character 258,
comprising a deactivating lever, a push button and a deactivating
coil spring. Deactivating mechanism 258 is utilizing similar
principles of formation, construction and operation as described
above in connection with deactivating lever 100 illustrated in FIG.
1, thus for the sake of simplicity the detailed description of the
deactivating mechanism 258 will be omitted.
[0065] Preferably, according to preferred embodiments of the
invention as illustrated in FIG. 2, actuator shaft 224 may include
at least one recess 260 defined in actuator shaft lower portion
224' and at least one inward protrusion 262 defined in suction cup
226 and configured to be seated in the recess for firmly affixing
the suction cup to the actuator shaft. Recess 260 and protrusion
262 are utilizing similar principles of formation, construction and
operation as described above in connection with recess 60 and
protrusion 58, respectively, as illustrated in FIG. 1, thus for the
sake of simplicity the detailed description of recess 260 and
protrusion 262 will be omitted.
[0066] Optionally, according to preferred embodiments of the
invention as illustrated in FIG. 2, actuator shaft 224 may include
a support flange 264 defined in the actuation shaft lower portion
224', disposed inside suction cup 226 and configured for pushing up
the suction cup to sealingly engage cavity top wall 218 thereby
sealing passage 220, when the suction cup is springing
automatically back to its bell-like shape or when a user operates
deactivation mechanism 258, thereby urging actuator shaft 224 to
retract to its non-operational position thus closing the valve.
[0067] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a sectional view of
a normally-closed valve having a closure delay system and method,
constructed and operative in accordance with preferred embodiments
of the present invention, utilizing the principles of formation,
construction and operation described above in connection with FIG.
1, in open orientation. FIG. 3 illustrates a valve having a closure
delay system generally referenced 300 and a closure delay mechanism
generally referenced 302. Valve 300 comprises a housing 304
including a liquid inlet chamber 306 defined in the housing having
an inlet opening in the outside wall of the housing, a liquid
outlet chamber 308 defined in the housing having an outlet opening
in the outside wall of the housing and a passage 318 defined in the
housing therebetween, all in flow communication in the open
orientation of the valve, as shown. It will be appreciated that
inlet chamber 306 and outlet chamber 308 are interchangeable, i.e.
inlet chamber 306 may be configured as an outlet chamber and outlet
chamber 308 may be configured as an inlet chamber.
[0068] Housing 304 further includes a cavity 310 defined in the
housing having a cavity first upper portion 310' in flow
communication with inlet chamber 306, a cavity second upper portion
310'' separated from cavity first upper portion 310' by an actuator
seal 332, and a cavity lower portion 310''' in flow communication
with outlet chamber 308. Cavity lower portion 310''' comprises a
cavity bottom wall 312 having a top suction surface 314 and a
cavity top wall 316. Cavity first upper portion 310' and cavity
lower portion 310''' are in flow communication through passage 318
in open orientation of the valve. Additionally, cavity 310 is
adapted and configured to hold closure delay mechanism 302 disposed
therein. Optionally, cavity bottom wall 312 may be configured for
replacement by another cavity bottom wall selected from a group
consisting of cavity bottom walls having different top surface
textures. Additionally, cavity bottom wall 312 may include a
circumferential groove 320 for holding a cavity seal 322 disposed
therein for sealing cavity lower portion 312'''.
[0069] Closure delay mechanism 302 includes an actuator shaft 324
having a lower portion 324' and an upper portion 224'', a suction
cup 326 and an actuation button 328. Actuator shaft lower portion
324' is fixedly coupled substantially to the center of suction cup
326 and actuation button 328 is rotatably coupled to an adjusting
mechanism indicated generally by the reference character 330. The
adjusting mechanism is coupled to actuator shaft upper portion
324'' for adjusting the longitudinal distance of motion of actuator
shaft 324 in the cavity thereby adjusting the delay time
period.
[0070] Adjusting mechanism 330 is utilizing similar principles of
formation, construction and operation as described above in
connection with adjustment mechanism 230 illustrated in FIG. 2, and
therefore, for the sake of simplicity a detailed description of the
adjusting mechanism 330 as illustrated in FIG. 3, will be
omitted.
[0071] Actuator shaft 324 is disposed in cavity 310 wherein the
actuator shaft lower portion 324' and suction cup 326 affixed
thereto are disposed in cavity lower portion 310''', and actuator
shaft upper portion 324'' is disposed in cavity first and second
upper portions 310' and 310'', respectively, whereas actuation
button 328 rotatably coupled to adjusting mechanism 230 projects
outside cavity second upper portion 310''. Additionally, cavity
first and second upper portions 310' and 310'', respectively, are
adapted and configured for disposing therebetween actuator seal 332
in sealing engagement with the peripheral wall of actuator shaft
324 and with inner wall of cavity 310 at a point where actuator
seal 332 seals liquid passage between the cavity first upper
portion and the cavity second upper portion yet allows cavity first
upper portion 310' to be in flow communication with inlet chamber
306 and with outlet chamber 308 through passage 318 in open
orientation of the valve as shown.
[0072] Suction cup 326 comprises a flexible, resilient curved lower
portion having a bell-like shape curved wall 334 ending in a soft
sealable bottom rim 336 which is illustrated in FIG. 3 in a
flattened shape as it is being compressed in the open orientation
of the valve. Suction cup wall 334 is formed, constructed and
operational as described above in connection with FIG. 1. Suction
cup 326 further comprises an upper portion neck 338 formed,
constructed and operational as described above in connection with
FIG. 1. A top rim 340 of neck upper portion 338 is configured and
sized for sealing engagement with cavity top wall 316 in the
normally-closed orientation of the valve (not shown).
[0073] Optionally, cavity bottom wall 312 may include a bottom
opening 342. Optionally, housing 304 may include a bore 344 in the
lower portion of housing 304 having a bore opening 346 in
registration with bottom opening 342 in cavity bottom wall 312. The
bore and its opening are sized and configured for allowing a bottom
end 348 of actuator shaft 324 to pass through the bore opening and
be seated in the bore when a user applies pressure to actuation
button 328 to switch the valve from a normally-closed orientation
to an open orientation, thereby pressure is applied to actuator
shaft 324 causing it to move longitudinally downward in the cavity.
Thus, in the open orientation (as shown in FIG. 3), actuator shaft
bottom end 348 is seated in bore 344 thereby obtaining greater
stability of the actuator shaft in the cavity.
[0074] Optionally, delay valve 300 may further include an actuator
coil spring 350, a deactivation mechanism 352, a recess 354 defined
in the actuator shaft lower portion of 324' and an inward
protrusion 356 defined in suction cup 326, and a support flange 358
defined in actuator shaft lower portion of 324', all are utilizing
similar principles of formation, construction and operation as
described above in connection with actuator coil spring 94, recess
60, inward protrusion 58 and support flange 114 illustrated in FIG.
1, thus, for the sake of simplicity a detailed description of the
actuator coil spring, recess, inward protrusion and support flange
as illustrated in FIG. 3, will be omitted.
General Comments
[0075] The terms "comprises", "comprising", "includes",
"including", "having" and their conjugates mean "including but not
limited to".
[0076] As used herein, the singular form "a", "an" and "the"
include plural references unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise.
[0077] The section headings used herein are intended only as
informative and as a convenience for the reader, and they should
not be construed as limiting the scope of the description in any
way.
[0078] Although the invention has been described in conjunction
with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace
all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall
within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *