U.S. patent number RE32,981 [Application Number 07/137,993] was granted by the patent office on 1989-07-11 for anti-siphon and anti-knock diverter valve.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Masco Corporation. Invention is credited to Garry R. Marty.
United States Patent |
RE32,981 |
Marty |
July 11, 1989 |
Anti-siphon and anti-knock diverter valve
Abstract
A diverter valve 10 has a two piece housing 22 including a lower
member 24 and an upper member 26 securely snap fitted together
within a cavity 12 of a faucet body 14. The housing 22 has a piston
valve assembly 28 slidably mounted therein for movement between a
first position which allows water to flow through a spout and a
second position which allows water to flow to a spray head. The
diverter valve has prongs 72 which resiliently bias the spool
assembly 28 to the first position to reduce chattering of the valve
assembly and to provide a back-up anti-siphon system.
Inventors: |
Marty; Garry R. (Noblesville,
IN) |
Assignee: |
Masco Corporation (Taylor,
MI)
|
Family
ID: |
26835775 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/137,993 |
Filed: |
December 28, 1987 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
509302 |
Jun 30, 1983 |
04577653 |
Mar 25, 1986 |
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
137/119.04;
137/454.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16K
19/00 (20130101); F16K 31/36 (20130101); Y10T
137/2683 (20150401); Y10T 137/7504 (20150401) |
Current International
Class: |
F16K
31/36 (20060101); F16K 011/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;137/119,116,315,454.2
;251/366,367 ;285/DIG.22 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
876502 |
|
Jul 1971 |
|
CA |
|
1223276 |
|
Feb 1971 |
|
GB |
|
Other References
Delta Faucet Co.: Routine Maintenance Instructions. .
Bahroos, Diverter valve drawing..
|
Primary Examiner: Cohan; Alan
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Permut; Steven L. Sutherland;
Malcolm L.
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A diverter valve assembly characterized by:
a housing having an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet;
said housing comprising a first member and a second member
snap-fitted to said first member;
said second member including said inlet and said second outlet;
said first member includes said first outlet;
a valve element mounted in said first .[.section.].
.Iadd.member.Iaddend.movable between a closed position and an open
position with respect to said first outlet;
a piston means for moving said valve element and positioned in said
second .[.section.]. .Iadd.member .Iaddend.with said piston means
being responsive to pressure differential between said second
outlet and said inlet for movement to a first and second position
such that when a lower pressure exists at said second outlet, said
piston means moves to said second position and moves said valve
element to said closed position;
means for passing fluid from said inlet to said second outlet by
said piston means;
said housing positionable in a body defining a valve chamber having
a first body outlet, a second body outlet; and a body inlet; said
housing seated in said chamber; said valve chamber being open to
said inlet or said outlets through said body and capable of being
totally filled with fluid flowing from said inlet to both outlets;
said second .[.section.]. .Iadd.member .Iaddend.includes an end
section fixedly engageable to said second body outlet; said end
section has a longitudinal aperture therethrough defining said
second outlet; and
sealing means associated with said housing for sealing said body
inlet from said body outlets such that fluid flowing from said body
inlet, through said chamber and to said body outlets flows through
said housing.
2. A diverter valve assembly characterized by:
a housing having an inlet, a first outlet and a second outlet;
said housing comprising a first member and a second member
snap-fitted to said first member;
said second member including said inlet and said second outlet;
said first member includes said first outlet;
a valve element mounted in said first .[.section.]. .Iadd.member
.Iaddend.movable between a closed position and an open position
with respect to said first outlet;
a piston means for moving said valve element and positioned in said
second .[.section.]. .Iadd.member .Iaddend.with said piston means
being responsive to pressure differential between said second
outlet and said inlet for movement to a first and second position
such that when a lower pressure exists at said second outlet, said
piston means moves to said second position and moves said valve
element to said closed position;
means for passing fluid from said inlet to said second outlet by
said piston means;
said housing positionable in a body defining a valve chamber having
a first body outlet, a second body outlet; and a body inlet; said
housing seated in said chamber; said valve chamber being open to
said inlet or said outlets through said body and capable of being
totally filled with fluid flowing from said inlet to both outlets;
said second .[.section.]. .Iadd.member .Iaddend.includes an end
section fixedly engageable to said second body outlet; said end
section has a longitudinal aperture therethrough defining said
second outlet;
sealing means associated with said housing for sealing said body
inlet from said body outlets such that fluid flowing from said body
inlet, through said chamber and to said body outlets flows through
said housing;
said second member has an enlarged section with an internally
facing circumferential groove;
a plurality of circumferential shoulders are positioned below said
groove and are spaced apart to form gaps therebetween;
said first member has an outwardly extending rim sized to fit in
said groove; and
a plurality of tabs extend below said rim and are sized to fit in
said gaps to non-rotatably secure said first and second members
together.
3. A diverter valve as defined in claim 2 wherein:
said second member includes a fitting pressed fitted at an end
thereof; and
said fitting has a longitudinal aperture therethrough defining said
second outlet with said fitting threadably engageable to said
second body outlet.
4. A diverter valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said first member
has an integral stop means for stopping movement in one direction
of said piston means and said valve element when said piston means
and valve element are in their respective first and open
positions.
5. A diverter valve as defined in claim 1 wherein:
said second member has its end section including a pressed fitting;
and
said fitting has a longitudinal aperture therethrough defining said
second outlet with said fitting threadably engageable to said
second body outlet.
6. A diverter valve assembly characterized by:
a hollow housing having an inlet, a first outlet, and a second
outlet;
a valve element movable between a closed position and an open
position with respect to said first outlet;
a piston means for moving said valve element and positioned in said
housing between said inlet and said second outlet with said piston
means being responsive to a pressure differential between said
second outlet and said inlet for movement between a first position
and second position such that when a lower pressure is at said
second outlet, said piston moves to said second position and moves
said valve element to said closed position;
passage means for passing fluid from said inlet to said second
outlet by said piston means;
a resilient biasing means for biasing said valve element and said
piston means to said respective open and first positions when the
pressure at said second outlet is not lower than the pressure at
said inlet by a predetermined amount;
said resilient biasing means including axially extending and
resiliently flexible prongs;
said prongs being mounted about said first outlet and having outer
ends frictionally engaging a tapered surface of a spool connecting
the valve element to the piston for biasing said spool and damping
motion of said spool; and
said stop means including said prongs engaging a flange on said
spool adjacent said tapered section of said spool.
7. A diverter valve assembly as defined in claim 6 further
characterized by:
a stop means for limiting movement of said valve element when said
piston means and valve elements in one direction are in said
respective open and first positions.
8. A diverter valve assembly as defined in claim 6 wherein:
said piston means includes a resiliently flexible check valve means
for allowing fluid to flow from said inlet to said second outlet at
a predetermined pressure differential between said inlet and said
second outlet; and
said resiliently flexible prongs having a greater resilient rate
than said resiliently flexible check valve such that, said pressure
differential between said second outlet and said inlet causes said
resiliently flexible check valve to let fluid pass thereby to said
second outlet.
9. A diverter valve assembly characterized by:
a hollow housing having an inlet, a first outlet, and a second
outlet;
a valve element movable between a closed position and an open
position with respect to said first outlet;
a piston means for moving said valve element and positioned in said
housing between said inlet and said second outlet with said piston
means being responsive to a pressure differential between said
second outlet and said inlet for movement between a first position
and second position such that when a lower pressure is at said
second outlet, said piston moves to said second position and moves
said valve element to said closed position;
passage means for passing fluid from said inlet to said second
outlet by said piston means;
a resilient biasing means for biasing said valve element and said
piston means to said respective open and first positions when the
pressure at said second outlet is not lower than the pressure at
said inlet by a predetermined amount;
said resilient biasing means including axially extending and
radially inwardly extending resiliently flexible prongs; and
said prongs being mounted about said first outlet and an outer end
of said prongs frictionally engaging a tapered section of a spool
connecting the valve element to the piston for biasing said spool
and damping motion of said spool.
10. A diverter valve assembly characterized by:
a housing having an inlet and first and second outlets;
said housing comprising a first section and second section;
said first section including said first outlet circumscribed by a
valve seat;
said second section including said inlet and said second
outlet;
a valve element mounted in said first housing section movable
between a seated closed position on said valve seat and an open
position;
a piston means for moving said valve element and slidably mounted
in said second section;
said piston means being responsive to a pressure differential
between said second outlet and said inlet for movement between a
first and second position such that when a lower pressure exists at
said second outlet and said inlet, said piston means moves to said
second position and moves said valve element to said closed
position;
means for passing fluid from said inlet to said second outlet by
said piston means;
said housing positionable in a body defining a valve chamber having
a first body outlet and second body outlet and a body inlet;
said housing sealing said body inlet from said body outlets such
that fluid flowing from said body inlet to said body outlets flows
through said housing;
a resilient biasing means for biasing said valve element and said
piston means to said respective open and first positions when a
pressure at said second outlet is not lower than the pressure in
said inlet by a predetermined amount;
said resilient biasing means includes axially extending and
resiliently flexible prongs;
said prongs mounted about said first outlet and having outer ends
frictionally engaging a tapered section of a spool connecting the
valve element to the piston means for biasing said spool and
damping motion of said spool.
11. A diverter valve assembly characterized by:
a housing having an inlet and first and second outlets; said
housing comprising a first section and second section;
said first section including said first outlet circumscribed by a
valve seat;
said second section including said inlet and said second
outlet;
a valve element mounted in said first housing section movable
between a seated closed position on said valve seat and an open
position;
a piston means for moving said valve element and slidably mounted
in said second section;
said piston means being responsive to a pressure differential
between said second outlet and said inlet for movement between a
first and second position such that when a lower pressure exists at
said second outlet and said inlet, said piston means moves to said
second position and moves said valve element to said closed
position;
means for passing fluid from said inlet to said second outlet by
said piston means;
said housing positionable in a body defining a valve chamber having
a first body outlet and second body outlet and a body inlet;
said housing sealing said body inlet from said body outlets such
that fluid flowing from said body inlet to said body outlets flows
through said housing; and
a resilient biasing means for biasing said valve element and said
piston means to said respective open and first positions when a
pressure at said second outlet is not lower than the pressure in
said inlet by a predetermined amount;
a stop means for stopping movement in one direction of said valve
element and said piston means when said valve and said piston means
are in said respective open and first positions;
said resilient biasing means including axially extending and
radially inwardly extending resiliently flexible prongs;
said prongs being mounted about said first outlet and having free
ends engaging a tapered surface of a spool connecting the valve
element to the piston; and
said stop means including said prongs engaging a flange adjacent
said tapered section on said spool.
12. A diverter valve assembly as defined in claim 11 wherein:
said piston means includes a valve resiliently flexible check means
for allowing fluid to flow from said inlet to said second outlet at
a predetermined pressure differential between said inlet and said
second outlet;
said resiliently flexible prongs having a greater resilient rate
than said resiliently flexible check valve such that said pressure
differential between said second outlet and said inlet causes said
resiliently flexible check valve to let fluid pass thereby to said
second outlet. .Iadd.
13. A diverter valve assembly characterized by:
a valve seat member positionable in a valve chamber within a
body;
said valve chamber having a first body outlet, a second body
outlet, and a body inlet;
a valve element movably mounted to one of an open or closed
position with said valve seat member such that when in the open
position, fluid is allowed to flow from said inlet to said first
outlet and when in the closed position, fluid does not flow from
said inlet to said first outlet;
a pressure responsive means for moving said valve element between
said closed and open position with said pressure responsive means
being responsive to a pressure differential between said inlet and
said second outlet such that when a lower pressure is at said
second outlet, said pressure responsive means moves said valve
element to said closed position such that flow from said inlet is
directed through said second outlet;
a resilient biasing means for biasing said valve element to said
open position when the pressure at said second outlet is not lower
than the pressure at said inlet by a predetermined amount;
said resilient biasing means including axially extending and
resiliently flexible prongs depending from said valve seat member
and having a section frictionally engaging a tapered surface of a
spool connected to said valve element for biasing said spool and
for damping motion of said spool. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. A diverter
valve assembly as defined in claim 13 further characterized by:
said spool having a flange adjacent said tapered section for
engaging said prongs and providing a stop for said spool to limit
motion of the valve in one direction when said valve is in its open
position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. A diverter valve as defined in claim
13 further characterized by:
said spool connecting said valve element to said pressure
responsive means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16. A diverter valve assembly
characterized by:
a valve seat member positionable in a valve chamber within a
body;
said valve chamber having a first body outlet, a second body
outlet, and a body inlet;
a valve element movably mounted to one of an open or closed
position with said valve seat member such that when in the open
position, fluid is allowed to flow from said inlet to said first
outlet and when in the closed position, fluid does not flow from
said inlet to said first outlet;
a pressure responsive means for moving said valve element between
said closed and open position with said pressure responsive means
being responsive to a pressure differential between said inlet and
said second outlet such that when a lower pressure is at said
second outlet, said pressure responsive means moves said valve
element to said closed position such that flow from said inlet is
directed through said second outlet;
a resilient biasing means for biasing said valve element to said
open position when the pressure at said second outlet is not lower
than the pressure at said inlet by a predetermined amount;
said resilient biasing means being integrally formed with said
valve seat member. .Iaddend.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to valve assemblies and more particularly to
a diverter valve that incorporates an anti-siphon mechanism and an
anti-knock mechanism.
DISCLOSURE INFORMATION
A diverter valve is commonly used in a faucet assembly to divert
water to either the spout or hand spray. In kitchen .[.sinks.].
.Iadd.faucets .Iaddend.it is common to have the water pass through
a spout or a separate hand spray. The diverter valve assembly shuts
off the flow through the faucet spout when the spray is operated.
When the spray is shut off, the diverter valve automatically
repositions to allow flow of water to the spout.
Diverter valve assemblies have been made in cartridge form. The
cartridge slips into a cavity within the faucet body. Often the
inlet to the cavity is on a side wall of the cavity and a first and
second outlet, leading to the spout and spray respectively, are on
opposite ends of the cavity.
Diverter valves have also incorporated a check valve or similar
mechanism which prevents siphoning of water back through the hand
spray and through the inlet to the water supply lines if per chance
there is a negative pressure in the water supply lines and the hand
spray is simultaneously submerged in water.
Many diverter valves have a problem with knocking, commonly
referred to as chattering. Knocking occurs when a valve spool is
quickly moved from one position to the second position and rebounds
back thereby producing an audible hammering effect in the water
line. The shuttling of the valve spool can occur a multiple number
of times with the knocking loud enough that a person may believe
that the faucet assembly needs immediate repair.
What is needed is an inexpensive diverter valve .[.cartridge.].
which prevents siphoning and reduces knocking.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to .Iadd.one embodiment of .Iaddend.the invention, a
diverter valve assembly includes a housing comprising a first
member snap fitted to a second member. A valve assembly is mounted
in the housing to divert fluid flow to either a spray outlet or a
spout outlet. The housing fits within the cavity of a faucet body.
The cavity has an inlet in communication with an inlet of the
housing. The cavity also has at opposite ends thereof a spout
outlet and spray outlet in communication with respective first and
second outlets in the housing. The housing sits in the cavity
associated with a seal to seal the cavity inlet from the cavity
outlets such that fluid must flow through the housing to get from
the cavity inlet to either of the cavity outlets.
In one embodiment, the first member of the housing includes a first
outlet circumscribed by a valve seat. The second member includes an
inlet and a second outlet. The valve assembly includes a valve
element mounted at the first outlet and movable between a seated
closed position on the exterior side of the first outlet and an
open position. The valve element is connected via a spool extending
through the first outlet to a piston operably slidable within the
second member. The piston is movable between a first and second
position and is responsive to a pressure differential between the
second outlet and the inlet such that when a lower pressure exists
at the second outlet, the piston moves to the second position and
causes the valve element to move to its closed position
.Iadd.against the valve seat.Iaddend.. The piston includes an
annular lip valve such that when in the second position, fluid can
pass by the lip valve from the inlet to the second outlet.
The resilient biasing mechanism biases the valve to its open
position and the piston to its first position to open the valve and
allow water to flow to the faucet spout when the pressure
differential between the inlet and second outlet is below a
predetermined minimum. The biasing mechanism preferably includes a
plurality of axially extending prongs integral with the first
member of the housing. The prongs are circumferentially spaced
about the first outlet and engage a tapered section of the spool.
The prongs are resiliently flexible and press against the tapered
section to force the spool upward to open the valve and lift the
piston to its first position. The prongs abut a flange on the spool
adjacent tapered section to limit the opening motion of the valve
and the lifting of the piston.
In broader terms, one aspect of the invention relates to a diverter
valve assembly having a housing with an inlet and first and second
outlets. A valve element is mounted about the first outlet and
movable between a seated closed position and an open position. A
piston mechanism is operably connected to the valve element and is
slidable within a section of the housing in response to a pressure
differential between the second outlet and the inlet to move the
valve element to its closed position. A resilient biasing means
biases the valve element and piston to the respective open and
first positions when a pressure differential below a predetermined
minimum exists between the inlet and the second outlet of the
housing. The housing is constructed to fit within a cavity of a
faucet body to seal the body inlet from the body outlet such that
fluid must flow through the housing. .Iadd.In broader terms,
another aspect of the invention relates to a diverter valve mounted
in a cavity of a faucet body. The faucet body has a first and
second outlet. The diverter valve includes a valve seat member
having an aperture in selective communication with said first
outlet and a valve element mounted for movement to one of a closed
or open position to open or close said aperture to said first
outlet. A pressure responsive mechanism is operably connected to
said valve element and operable to a first and second position in
response to a pressure differential between the second outlet in
said faucet body and an inlet in said faucet body. A resilient
biasing means biases the valve element and pressure responsive
mechanism to the respective open and first positions. .Iaddend.
The invention provides for a diverter valve that reduces chattering
i.e. knocking.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Reference now will be made to the accompanying drawings in
which:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of a diverter
valve according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side elevational view of the lower
housing member and fitting assembly;
FIG. 3 is an end view of the bottom housing member taken along
lines III--III shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional side elevational view of
the upper housing member shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an end view of the housing taken along line V--V in FIG.
4; and
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the diverter valve in a
second position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, a diverter valve 10 fits within a cavity 12
within a faucet body 14. The diverter valve 10 controls the flow of
water from inlets 16 and 17 to either a spout outlet 18 or a spray
outlet 19. Commonly inlets 16 and 17 are operably connected to
valved hot and cold water supplies respectively. Diverter valve 10
includes a two piece housing 22 comprised of a lower member 24 and
an upper member 26 snap fitted together. Each member 24 and 26 is
made from a resilient plastic material such as celcon M90-04 which
provides the necessary deformation of the housing members in order
for them to snap fit together. A valve spool assembly 28 has a
valve element 30 and an elastomeric lip valve member 32. The valve
spool 28 is slidably mounted within the housing 22.
In more detail, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the lower member 24
has a plurality of inlets 34 on a side wall 36 thereof. At the
lower end 38, a brass fitting 40 is pressed fitted therethrough.
The brass fitting 40 has serrations 41 that engage the plastic
material to prevent the fitting 40 from rotating within member 24.
In addition, the brass fitting has a flange 39 which snap fittingly
engages the end 38 of member 24. The brass fitting 40 has threaded
section 43 threaded into the threaded spray head outlet 19 in
faucet body 14. The fitting 40 has an aperture 42 to allow water to
flow to outlet 19 from housing member 24. The wall 34 has an outer
diameter smaller than the lower portion 44 of cavity 12 such that
an annular clearance 46 exists therebetween.
The top portion 48 of member 24 has an enlarged diameter and forms
a shoulder 50 which is seated on an annular seal 52. The seal 52
rests on a shoulder 54 of cavity 12 to seal the lower portion 44 of
cavity 12 from the upper portion 56 of cavity 12. The enlarged top
portion 48 has an interior facing circumferential groove 58.
Radially inwardly extending shoulders 60 are interposed between the
inlets 34 and extend above the inlets 34. The shoulders 60 form
gaps 59 therebetween.
Referring now to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the upper member 26 has a
generally tubular section 66 having notches 61 at the upper end for
engagement with a screwdriver. An annular valve seat 64 is at the
lower end with an aperture 62 therethrough. An annular rim 68 is
complementarily sized to groove 58 of lower member 24. Downwardly
extending from rim 68 are depending tabs 70 which are sized to fit
in the gaps 59 between adjacent shoulders 60 in the lower member 24
to prevent rotation of the two members 24 and 26. Depending from
the valve seat 64 and circumferentially spaced about aperture 62
are a plurality of downwardly extending resiliently flexible prongs
72. Each prong 72 radially extends inwardly as well as downwardly.
Each prong 72 has a lower flange 74 which radially inwardly extends
toward the longitudinal axis of the housing 22. Each flange 74 has
a flat lower side 73 and a canted upper side 75.
The valve spool assembly 28, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a brass
spool 76 which incorporates the valve element 30, a cylindrical
section 78, a tapered section 80, an outwardly annular flange
section 82, and semispherical head section 84. The valve element 30
is seatable on valve seat 64. The spool 76 extends through aperture
.[.84.]. .Iadd.62.Iaddend.. Tapered section 80 abuts lower flanges
74 of prongs 72.
The lip valve member 32 has a tubular inner section 86 which is
seated between the flange section 82 and head section 84 of spool
76. The lip valve member 32 has an outer flexible lip 88 slidably
engaging the inner wall 90 of the lower member 24. The tubular
section 86 has .[.a.]. .Iadd.an .Iaddend. annular shoulder 89 that
acts as a stop for lip 88 when it flexes inward.
The valve spool .Iadd.assembly .Iaddend.28 .[.creates.].
.Iadd.defines in part .Iaddend.three separate chambers.[.,.].
.Iadd.; .Iaddend.chamber 91 above valve element 30 and in
communication with outlet 18, chamber 93 below lip valve member 32
and in communication with outlet 19, and chamber 95 between valve
element 30 and lip valve member 32 and in communication with inlets
16 and 17.
.[.Assemblage.]. .Iadd.Assembly .Iaddend.of the diverter valve 10
is a simple five step process. Firstly, the brass fitting 40 is
pressed fit into the end 38 of member 24. Secondly, the brass spool
76 is inserted through the tubular section 66 of upper member 26.
The canted upper side 75 of the prongs 72 allows the prongs to flex
away when they engage the semi-spherical head section 84 and the
flange section 82 of brass spool 76. The lip valve member 32 is
then assembled onto the spool 76. The upper member 26 is then snap
fitted to the lower member 24 to form housing 22. The annular seal
52 is then positioned about the housing 22 and the housing 22 is
placed within the cavity 12 and rotated by a screw driver such that
the brass fitting 40 is threaded into the spray outlet 19. The
thread connected between the fitting 40 and outlet 19 is
leakless.
In operation, when the water is shut off, the valve head is in the
upper position as shown in FIG. 1. When the faucet is first turned
on and the spray (not shown) is shut off, water flows through the
inlets 16, 17 and 34 creating a high pressure in chamber 95.
Chambers 91 and 93 are initially at ambient pressures. Because the
lip valve has a larger diameter than the valve element 30, the
spool 76 initially moves downward. Water is able to be displaced in
chamber 93 by the downward movement of spool 76 because of the
flexibility of the tubing (not shown) connecting outlet 19 to the
spray (not shown). The prongs 72 are constructed to be stiffer than
lip 88 of lip valve 32 so that, simultaneous to the donward
movement of spool assembly 28, water passes by lip 88 equalizing
the pressure in chambers 95 and 93. The upward bias of prongs 72,
the frictional engagement of prongs sections 74 on tapered section
80, and the relative flexibility of lips 88 compared to prongs 72
allow the chambers 95 and 93 to equalize before the valve element
30 of spool 76 becomes seated on seat 64 about aperture 62.
As the pressure differential between chambers 93 and 95 drops below
a predetermined minimum, the prongs 72 bias the valve spool
assembly 28 upwardly. As the lip valve member 32 moves upwardly,
the pressure differential is again increased which again reverses
the direction of motion and a second, downward movement of lesser
magnitude occurs. The shuttling may normally occur two to six times
before finally ceasing. However, the first and subsequent shuttles
of the spool assembly 28 are normally restrained within limits that
prevent the closing off of chamber 91 from chamber 95 which could
cause a knock or severe vibration.
The valve spool assembly 28 attains the position shown in FIG. 1
after its shuttling is finally dampened. The prongs 72 have flat
ends 73 abut flange 82 on spool 76 to define the upward limit of
movement of valve spool assembly 28. .Iadd.Water flows from one or
both inlets 16 and 17 through inlets 34 and out through aperture 62
which functions as an outlet for chamber 95 which allow fluid flow
to outlet 18. .Iaddend.
The lower the pressure differential between chambers 93 and 95, the
more effective the prongs 72 are in preventing undesirable
knocking. The prongs are effective to a pressure of about 50 psi, a
pressure above most water supplies. Above 50 psi, the pressure
differential acting on lip valve member 32 becomes excessive and
overcomes the upward bias of the prongs 72 and damping effect of
flanges 74 thereby causing the valve element 30 to hit against
shoulder 64 resulting in a single knock. Even with water supply
having excessive pressure, as pressure differential between
chambers 93 and 95 becomes less, the prongs regain their
effectiveness to prevent further repetitive knocks.
If the spray is turned on, water supplied from the inlets 16 and 17
creates a high pressure in chamber 95 while a low pressure is
created in chamber 93 which allow the pressure from the water
supply to press down on the lip valve member 32. The water supply
should be at least 15 psi in order for the valve 10 to operate
effectively. The lip valve member 32 functions as a piston and
moves the spool assembly 28 downwardly until it retains the
position shown in FIG. 6. The lip 88 deflects inwardly toward
shoulder 89 and water is allowed to pass by the lip 88 into chamber
93 and through the outlet 19. The valve element 30 is seated on
valve seat 64 closing off the aperture 62 leading to chambers 91
and outlet 18. The spout outlet 18 therefore receives no water when
the spray is turned on.
When the spray valve (not shown) is closed, chambers 93 and 95 are
momentarily equalized. The pressure acts upon the valve element 30
to force the spool 76 upwardly. As soon as the spool 76 moves
upwardly, the chamber 93 becomes a low pressure area that wants to
pull down on the valve spool assembly 28. The prongs 72 resist the
downward movement of valve spool assembly 28 as described before
for when water is initially turned on and allows water to pass by
lip 88 before the valve element 30 bottoms against seat 64. After
the shuttling ceases, the valve spool assembly 28 again attains the
position shown in FIG. 1.
The prongs 72 are resiliently flexible such that when the water
supply is shut off, the valve .[.piston.]. .Iadd.spool
.Iaddend.assembly 28 is biased to the position shown in FIG. 1. In
addition, engagement of the flange 74 with the tapered section
provides for a certain amount of friction which dampens the motion
of the valve spool assembly 28. In this way, excessive shuttling of
the valve spool assembly 28 is eliminated thereby preventing the
valve element 30 from closing on shoulder 64 and eliminating
repetitive hammer-like knocking.
In adddition, the diverter valve 10 has an anti-siphon feature.
Firstly, the lip 88 acts as a check valve and allows water to flow
only from the inlets 16 and 17 to the outlet 19. If the water
supply attains a negative pressure and the spray head is
accidentally left in an open position in a sink full of water, the
lip 88 prevents siphoning of the sink water back to the water
supply.
In addition, the prongs 72 provides a backup anti-siphon mechanism.
If per chance the lip is faulty and allows water to leak in the
upstream direction, the valve element 30 is biased to the open
position by prongs 72 such that if there is any negative pressure
in the water supply, air is aspirated through the outlet 18 and
through the open aperture 62. The aspiration of air prevents water
from flowing backward from outlet 19 and by the lip 88.
The prongs 72 provide three distinct advantages. Firstly, they
prevent excessive shuttling of the valve member and the
consequential repetitive knocking. Secondly, the prongs act as a
stop for limiting the upward movement of the valve member and
piston. Thirdly, the prongs provide a backup anti-siphon feature by
opening the valve for allowing air to be aspirated if
necessary.
In this fashion, a diverter valve assembly is easily and
inexpensively manufactured while providing both an anti-chatter
feature and an anti-siphon feature. In addition, the cartridge
provides for easy installation in a faucet body.
Variations and modifications of the present invention are possible
without departing from its spirit and scope as defined by the
appended claims.
* * * * *