U.S. patent number RE30,224 [Application Number 05/874,575] was granted by the patent office on 1980-03-11 for valve construction.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Purex Corporation. Invention is credited to Robert Ortega.
United States Patent |
RE30,224 |
Ortega |
March 11, 1980 |
Valve construction
Abstract
A valve having a valve body, a valve cavity, a first opening and
a second opening with a valve member rotatably positioned within
the valve cavity. The valve member may have a generally cylindrical
hollow configuration with an end opening in alignment with the
first opening, and a side opening with the valve member positioned
for rotation to bring the side opening into or out of alignment
with the second opening. A seal means is supported by the valve
member in slidable contact with the valve cavity with the seal
means enclosing the end opening and side opening of the valve
member. The valve body may also include a valve member opening in
alignment with the valve member. A removable closure member is
positioned over the valve member opening. On removal of the closure
member, the valve member may be removed from the valve cavity by
withdrawing the valve member through the valve member opening. The
valve body may also include a third opening with rotation of the
valve member providing flow communication between the first and
second openings or between the first and third openings. The seal
means may enclose the second and third openings when the side
opening of the valve member is in communication with either of the
second or third openings.
Inventors: |
Ortega; Robert (Fountain
Valley, CA) |
Assignee: |
Purex Corporation (Lakewood,
CA)
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Family
ID: |
27022315 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/874,575 |
Filed: |
February 2, 1978 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
413841 |
Nov 8, 1973 |
03938553 |
Feb 17, 1976 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
137/625.47;
137/625.43; 137/876 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K
11/085 (20130101); Y10T 137/86871 (20150401); Y10T
137/86839 (20150401); Y10T 137/8782 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
F16K
11/085 (20060101); F16K 11/02 (20060101); F16K
011/085 () |
Field of
Search: |
;137/625.41,625.47,876
;251/310,DIG.1 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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899757 |
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May 1972 |
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CA |
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1650382 |
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Oct 1970 |
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DE |
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Primary Examiner: Rosenthal; Arnold
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Haefliger; William W.
Claims
I claim:
1. A valve comprising:
a valve body having a cavity, a first opening, a second opening and
a third opening;
a valve member rotatably positioned within said cavity;
said valve member having a generally cylindrical exterior surface
and a hollow configuration with an end opening in alignment with
said first opening;
a side opening in said valve member positioned at substantially a
right angle with respect to said end opening with the valve member
positioned for rotation about a cylindrical axis to bring the side
opening into or out of alignment with the second opening or the
third opening so as to establish flow communication between said
first and second openings or between said first and third
openings;
said side opening having a width which is sufficient to span the
distance between said second and third openings such that the valve
is always open with flow communication being provided between said
first opening and both said second and third openings when the
valve member is in an intermediate position in which said side
opening is out of alignment with said second opening and out of
alignment with said third opening;
a first groove in said exterior surface positioned in a
substantially uniform spaced relation with respect to said end
opening;
a second groove in said exterior surface positioned in a
substantially uniform spaced relation to said side opening;
a portion of said second groove positioned at substantially a right
angle to said first groove and a portion of said second groove
being common to said first groove;
a third groove in said exterior surface;
said third groove positioned in a substantially uniform spaced
relation about said third opening when said side opening is in
alignment with said second opening;
said third groove positioned in a substantially uniform spaced
relation about said second opening when said side opening is in
alignment with said third opening;
said second groove positioned in a substantially uniform spaced
relation about said third opening when said side opening is in
alignment with said third opening;
a portion of said third groove positioned at substantially a right
angle to said first groove;
a portion of said third groove being common to said first
groove;
seal means retained in said first, second and third grooves;
the portion of said second groove which is substantially
perpendicular to said first groove being common to the portion of
said third groove which is substantially perpendicular to said
first groove;
the seal means in the common portion of said second and third
grooves performing a dual function of forming a positive seal about
said side opening and also forming a positive seal between said
second and third openings;
the seal means in the common portion of said first and second
grooves serving a common function of maintaining a positive seal
about both said end opening and said side opening;
the seal means in the common portion of said first and third
grooves serving a common function of maintaining a positive seal
about said end opening while maintaining a positive seal about said
second or said third openings depending upon the rotational
position of the valve member, and
said common portion of said second and third grooves being
positioned approximately midway between said second and third
openings when said valve member is rotated to a position in which
said side opening is in alignment with either said second or said
third openings.
2. The valve of claim 1 including
stop means associated with said valve member to fix the rotational
position of said valve member with said side opening in alignment
with either said second or said third opening.
3. The valve of claim 2 including
a valve member opening in said valve body in alignment with said
valve member;
said valve member opening positioned generally opposite said first
opening; and
a removable closure member positioned over said valve member
opening,
whereby said valve member may be removed from the valve cavity by
removing the closure member and withdrawing the valve member
through the valve member opening.
4. The valve of claim 1 including
a constricted opening in said first groove;
a constricted opening in said second groove;
a constricted opening in said third groove, and
said seal means retained within said first, second and third
grooves by engagement with said constricted openings.
5. The valve of claim 1 wherein said seal means includes:
a first continuous seal member positioned in said second
groove;
a second continuous seal member positioned in said third
groove;
said first seal member lying in the portion of said first groove
which is common to said second groove, and
said second seal member lying in the portion of said first groove
which is common to said third groove.
6. The valve of claim 5 including
a constricted opening in said first groove;
a constricted opening in said second groove;
a constricted opening in said third groove, and
said first and second continuous seal members positioned on said
exterior surface and retained within said second and third grooves
by engagement with said constricted openings. .Iadd. 7. A valve
comprising
(a) a valve body having a cavity, and first, second and third flow
openings,
(b) a valve member rotatably positioned within said cavity, said
valve member having a generally cylindrical hollow configuration
with an end opening in alignment with the body first opening,
(c) the valve member having a side opening characterized in that
the side opening is openly aligned with only the second body
opening when the valve member is in a primary position whereby flow
communication is provided between said first and second openings,
and the side opening is openly aligned with only the third body
opening when the valve member is rotated about 180.degree. to a
secondary position, whereby flow communication is then provided
between said first and third openings,
(d) the side opening further characterized in that it becomes
openly aligned with both the second and third body openings when
the valve member is rotated intermediately of said primary and
secondary positions,
(e) the valve member having an outer surface substantially the
entirety of which is everywhere cylindrical about one axis defined
as an axis of rotation of said valve member in said body, the
second and third flow openings being substantially coaxial,
(f) and seal means sealing off between the body and valve member
characterized in that a seal is established about the side opening
and second opening in said primary position, and a seal is
established about the side opening and third opening in said
secondary position,
(g) the seal means located between the body and valve means and
including two annular sealing surfaces extending about an axis
defined by the cylindrical valve member, and two straight sealing
surfaces intersecting the two annular sealing surfaces at opposite
sides of said axis, said side opening in said member being
cylindrically arcuate about said axis and extending into proximity
to said two straight sealing surfaces. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 8. The
valve of claim 7 including stop means associated with the valve
member to limit rotation thereof at each of said primary and
secondary positions. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 9. The valve of claim 7
wherein said seal means is carried by the valve member to be
removable therewith upon removal of the valve member from the body.
.Iaddend. .Iadd. 10. The valve of claim 7 wherein said side opening
in said member is cylindrically arcuate about said axis of rotation
defined by said member, and terminates at locations at generally
opposite sides of said axis of rotation. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 11. The
valve of claim 10 wherein the valve body defines an additional
opening in axial alignment with the valve member, there being a
removable closure positioned over said additional opening and
removably attached to said body to allow withdrawal of the valve
member from said body when the closure is detached therefrom.
.Iaddend. .Iadd. 12. The valve of claim 11 including stop means
associated with said closure and the valve member to limit rotation
of the valve member at each of said primary and secondary
positions. .Iaddend..Iadd. 13. The valve of claim 11 including a
valve member actuating handle attached to the valve member and
projecting through said closure. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 14. The valve of
claim 7 wherein said second and third body openings are at opposite
sides of said axis of rotation defined by the cylindrical valve
member, and said first body opening is in axial alignment with said
axis of rotation. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 15. The valve of claim 7
wherein, said outer cylindrical surface is imperforate except at
said side opening. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 16. A valve comprising
(a) a valve body having a cavity, and first, second and third flow
openings,
(b) a valve member rotatably positioned within said cavity, said
valve member having a generally cylindrical hollow configuration
with an end opening in alignment with the body first opening,
(c) the valve member having a side opening characterized in that
the side opening is openly aligned with only the second body
opening when the valve member is in a primary position whereby flow
communication is provided between said first and second openings,
and the side opening is openly aligned with only the third body
opening when the valve member is rotated to a secondary position,
whereby flow communication is then provided between said first and
third openings,
(d) the side opening further characterized in that it becomes
openly aligned with both the second and third body openings when
the valve member is rotated intermediately of said primary and
secondary positions,
(e) the valve member having an outer surface substantially the
entirety of which is everywhere cylindrical about one axis defined
as the axis of rotation of said valve member in said body, the
second and third flow openings being substantially coaxial,
(f) seal means sealing off between the body and valve member
characterized in that a seal is established about the side opening
and second opening in said primary position, and a seal is
established about the side opening and third opening in said
secondary position, said seal means being carried by the valve
member to be removable therewith upon removal of the valve member
from the body, the seal means also sealing off between the valve
member and body about the third opening in said primary position,
and about the first opening in said secondary position,
(g) and grooves in the valve member to receive the seal means, the
grooves including two annular grooves extending about an axis
defined by the cylindrical valve member, and two straight grooves
interconnecting the two annular grooves at opposite sides of said
axis, said side opening in said member being cylindrically arcuate
about said axis and extending into proximity to said two straight
grooves..Iaddend.
Description
The present invention pertains to a valve with a valve member
having a generally cylindrical hollow configuration rotatably
positioned within a valve body. The valve body includes first and
second openings and a cavity in engagement with the valve member.
An end opening in the valve member is in alignment with the first
opening and a side opening in the valve member may be brought into
or out of alignment with the second opening in the valve body. A
seal means supported by the valve member is in slidable contact
with the valve cavity with the seal means enclosing the end opening
and the side opening. Thus, on rotation of the valve member, the
side opening is brought into alignment with the second opening in
the valve cavity to provide flow communication between the first
and second openings while maintaining a positive seal between the
valve member and the valve cavity about the end opening and side
opening.
The valve body may also include a valve member opening positioned
in alignment with the valve member with the valve member opening
positioned generally opposite to the first opening in the valve
body. A removable closure member is positioned over the valve
member opening. On removal of the closure member, the valve member
may then be withdrawn from the valve cavity through the valve
member opening. This provides easy maintenance of the valve without
having to disconnect the valve body from the piping with which it
may be joined.
The present valve may also include a third opening in the valve
body with rotation of the valve member providing flow communication
between either the first and second openings or the first and third
openings. When the valve contains a third opening, the seal means
may enclose the third opening as well as the end opening and side
opening in the valve member.
In providing a seal between the valve member and the valve cavity,
the exterior surface of the valve member may include a first groove
positioned about the end opening and a second groove positioned
about the side opening with a portion of the second groove being
common to the first groove. With seal means retained in the first
and second grooves, the seal means lying in the common portion of
the first and second grooves, thus, serves a common function in
maintaining a positive seal with respect to both the end opening
and side opening.
Additionally, a third groove may be formed in the exterior surface
of the valve member with the third groove positioned about a third
opening in the valve body when the side opening of the valve member
is in alignment with the second opening in the valve body. A
portion of the first groove may be common to the second groove, a
portion of the first groove may be common to the third groove, and
a portion of the second groove may be common to the third
groove.
A first continuous seal member may be positioned in the second
groove and a second continuous seal member may be positioned in the
third groove. The first seal member will lie in the portion of the
first groove which is common to the second groove. Similarly, the
second continuous seal member will lie in the portion of the first
groove which is common to the third groove. In this manner, the
first and second continuous seal members may function to form a
positive seal about the second and third openings in the valve body
and also to form a positive seal about the first opening in the
valve body. In forming a seal about the first opening in the valve
body, the continuous seal members will also form a seal about the
end opening in the valve member in alignment with the first opening
in the valve body.
In further illustrating an embodiment of the invention, reference
is made to the enclosed drawing in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a valve with a substantially
cylindrical valve member positioned for rotation within a valve
body with seal means on the valve member to maintain a positive
seal between the valve member and openings in the valve body;
FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the valve of FIG. 1
illustrating grooves in the exterior surface of the valve member
with seals positioned within the grooves;
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1 to
illustrate a groove in the exterior surface of the valve member
with inward projections adjacent the groove opening for retention
of a seal member within the groove, and
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 1 to
illustrate the retention of two seals within a grooved region in
the surface of the valve member which is common to separate grooves
which contain the individual seals.
Turning to FIG. 1, a valve 2 includes a valve body 4 with a valve
member 6 retained within the body. The valve member 6, which is of
a hollow, generally cylindrical construction, may be inserted
within the valve body 4 through a valve member opening 8. After
insertion of the valve member 6 within the valve body 4, the valve
member is retained within the body by a removable closure 10. The
closure 10 may be secured to the valve body 4 through any
convenient means such as screws 12 which pass through apertures in
the closure and engage threaded openings 14 in the valve body.
The valve body 4 includes a first opening 16, a second opening 18,
and a third opening 20. The valve member 6 includes a side opening
24 and an end opening 22 in alignment with the first opening 16. On
rotation of valve member 6 within the valve body 4, the side
opening 24 may be brought into or out of alignment with either the
second opening 18 or third opening 20. With side opening 22 in
alignment with the third opening 20, liquid may flow through the
valve 2 in the direction of the arrows denoted B. Liquid entering
the first opening 16 may, thus, flow through end opening 22, side
opening 24 and be discharged through the third opening 20. Liquid
may, of course, also flow in the reverse direction, entering the
valve 2 through third opening 20 and being discharged through the
first opening 16.
On rotation of valve member 6 from its position indicated in FIG.
1, the side opening 24 may be brought into alignment with the
second opening 18. With valve member 6 in this position, liquid may
flow through the valve 2 in the direction indicated by arrows C
with liquid entering through first opening 16, flowing through
openings 22 and 24 in valve member 6, and being discharged through
second opening 18. Again, of course, the flow of liquid may be
reversed with liquid entering through second opening 18 and being
discharged through the first opening 16.
The valve member 6 includes a closed cylindrical surface 26 which
may be positioned opposite the side opening 24. Thus, when side
opening 24 is in alignment with the third opening 20, the flow of
liquid through second opening 18 is blocked by the surface 26.
Conversely, when side opening 24 is in alignment with second
opening 18, the flow of liquid through the third opening 20 is
blocked by surface 26.
In forming a seal between the valve member 6 and valve body 4, a
first groove 28, a second groove 30, and a third groove 32 may be
formed in the exterior cylindrical surface of the valve member. As
indicated, the first groove 28 surrounds end opening 22 in the
valve member 6. Similarly, second groove 30 surrounds the side
opening 24 while third groove 32 is positioned to surround either
the second opening 18 or third opening 20 depending upon the
position of the valve member 6.
The grooves 28, 30 and 32 have certain portions which are in
common. Thus, the portion of second groove 30 which is positioned
transverse to the axis of valve member 6 adjacent the end opening
22 is common to the first groove 28. Similarly, the transverse
portion of third groove 32 adjacent the end opening 22 is common to
first groove 28. The portions of second groove 30 and third groove
32 which are parallel to the axis of the valve member 6 are joined
with the joined portions being common to both second groove 30 and
third groove 32.
A first continuous seal member 34 is positioned within second
groove 30 and a second continuous seal member 36 is positioned
within third groove 32. Due to the construction of grooves 28, 30
and 32, the portion of the seal member 34 which lies in groove 28
performs a dual function in serving to maintain a positive seal
about end opening 22 and also about side opening 24. Similarly, the
portion of the seal member 36 which lies in the first groove 28
performs a dual function in providing a seal about end opening 22
and about second opening 18 or third opening 20 depending upon the
position of valve member 6 within the valve body 4.
The portions of the first and second seal members 34 and 36 which
are in juxtaposition in the common region where grooves 30 and 32
are joined also perform a dual function. In the common region, the
effect of seal members 34 and 36 reinforces each other so as to
form a double seal between second opening 18 and third opening
20.
To provide rotation of valve member 6 within valve body 4, a handle
38 may be provided with the handle connected to a crank end 40
which extends through an aperture 42 in the closure 10 to engage a
crank opening 44 in the valve member. With the crank end 40 in
engagement with crank opening 44, as indicated in FIG. 1, movement
of handle 38 in the direction of the arrow A will cause a
corresponding rotation in the crank end 40 which is also indicated
by an arrow denoted A. Rotational movement of crank end 40 will, in
turn, cause rotational movement of valve member 6 in the direction
of an arrow denoted A. If handle 38 is moved in a direction
opposite to that indicated by arrow A, this will, of course, cause
a corresponding opposite rotation of crank end 40 and valve member
6.
In rotatably positioning valve member 6 within the valve body 4, a
positioning groove 46 may be provided on the undersurface of
closure 10. A stop screw 48 in the end surface of valve member 6 is
retained within groove 46 such that the degree of rotation
permitted the valve member is determined by terminus surface 50 and
terminus surface 52 which demark the ends of the groove. With side
opening 24 in alignment with third opening 20, as indicated in FIG.
1, the stop screw 48 will contact terminus surface 50. On rotation
of the valve member 6 in the direction of the arrow A, the stop
screw 48 is moved to the position indicated in phantom line drawing
as 48'. At this point, stop screw 48 contacts the terminus surface
52 and the side opening 24 is then in alignment with second opening
18 such that the openings 16 and 18 are in flow communication.
When the stop screw 48 is positioned within groove 46 at a point
intermediate terminus surface 50 and terminus surface 52, all of
the openings 16, 18 and 20 will be in flow communication since a
portion of side opening 22 will communicate with third opening 20
while a portion of the side opening communicates with second
opening 18. The valve 2 is not generally designed for operation in
this position and, thus, the stop screw 48 will generally be
positioned at the ends of the groove 46 in contact with either
surface 50 or surface 52.
FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the valve 2 in assembled
condition with the parts of the valve positioned as indicated in
FIG. 1. With the valve member 6 positioned within valve body 4, the
exterior cylindrical surface of the valve member is positioned
closely adjacent a cylindrical surface 49 defined by valve member
opening 8 and also adjacent an upstanding cylindrical support
surface 51 adjacent first opening 16. The upper end surface of
valve member 6 also lies closely adjacent to the undersurface of
closure 10 while the lower end surface of the valve member slidably
engages a support surface 53 positioned adjacent opening 16.
With the valve member 6 positioned as shown in FIG. 2, the portions
of seal members 34 and 36 which lie in planes transverse to the
axis of the valve member are in contact with either cylindrical
surface 49 or cylindrical surface 51. A partial cylindrical surface
55 formed within the valve body 4 is positioned closely adjacent
the outer surface of the valve member 6. Contact of the seal
members 34 and 36 with surface 55 provide a positive seal about the
side opening 24 and a positive seal between the second opening 18
and third opening 20.
The handle 38, as described previously, is connected to crank end
40 through aperture 42. In securing handle 38 to the crank end 40,
the crank end may be made integral with a crank arm 54 which
extends through aperture 42. The crank arm 54 may be secured within
an aperture 56 in handle 38 by any convenient means such as a pin
connection 58. With crank arm 54, thus, held within handle 38, a
lower handle surface 62 contacts an upper surface 60 of a
supporting boss 64 on the closure 10. A seal member 59, such as an
O-ring, may be positioned about the arm 42 between the lower
surface of closure 10 and the upper surface of the crank end 40 to
provide a seal around aperture 42.
FIG. 3, which is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1,
shows an enlarged view of the second groove 30 with the first
continuous seal member 34 positioned within the groove. As shown,
the groove 30 includes inward projections 66 formed by the groove
sidewalls 68 adjacent the opening into the groove. The inward
projections 66 grip the seal member 34 which is conveniently made
of a resilient material such that the seal member can be pressed
into groove 30 and held in place by projections 66.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the common region formed by joinder
of the grooves 30 and 32 and is taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 1.
The third groove 32, as well as first groove 28, may contain inward
projections of the type illustrated in FIG. 3. Thus, in the common
region formed by joinder of grooves 30 and 32, an inward projection
70 of the groove 32 may coact with the inward projection 66 on
groove 30 in retaining seal members 34 and 36 within the common
region. Both seal members 34 and 36 may be formed of a resilient
material such that the seal members may be forced into position in
the common region formed by grooves 30 and 32 and held therein by
projections 66 and 70.
* * * * *