This application relates to a check valve which pivots about an axis which is offset from a center of the check valve disc in two directions.
Check valves are known, and utilized in many fluid flow applications. Essentially, a check valve allows flow of a fluid in one direction, but is forced to a sealing position if flow moves in the opposed direction.
In one known type of check valve, a disc pivots about an axis, from a first sealing position at which the disc seats on a valve seat, and to an open position. If such a disc valve pivots about an axis which extends through a center of the disc, then the fluid forces acting on the disc to open or close the disc will be balanced. The speed of movement to the open position can thus only be controlled by the force of the fluid.
It has been proposed to move the hinge axis off of the center line of the disc. In this manner, fluid forces acting on the disc on opposed sides of the hinge axis are unequal, and thus the fluid forces on the two sides of the axis can be controlled to control the opening and closing speed by selecting the amount of offset.
Still, there are deficiencies in the proposed check valve.
Various other offset angled valves are known, and have been used in particular in butterfly valves. Butterfly valves are typically driven by a motor, and thus, the challenges mentioned above with regard to a check valve are not as applicable.
A check valve has a valve seat defining an inner peripheral bore. A valve disc is positioned within said inner peripheral bore, and mounted for pivotal movement about a hinge axis. A first central plane separates the valve disc along a diameter, and a second central plane dividing the valve disc along a thickness. The hinge axis is offset from both of the central planes.
These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
A check valve 20 is illustrated in
The valve disc 26 pivots about a hinge axis 28 mounted within an ear 30 for defining the axis 28. As can be appreciated, a central plane P of the disc 32, defined through a thickness, is offset from the hinge axis 28 by a distance d1. As can also be seen in
The offset d1 moves the hinge axis away from the sealing seal as the hinge pin will increase the difficulty of providing sealing.
As shown in
As can appreciated, the stop pin 100 is positioned such that a flat face 110 on the ear 30 contacts the stop pin to prevent further movement of the valve disc 32. This will avoid transmitting the loads through stress concentrations in the valve disc.
As can be appreciated from
Although an embodiment of this invention have been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.