Patent Application
20130037132
Water filtration systems typically include a filter medium contained within a housing. If attached to an unregulated water supply, it may be possible for pressure (e.g., from sustained or short high pressures spikes) within the housing to exceed designed operating limits, which may lead in turn to failure of the housing.
In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a pressure-control valve comprising:
a housing comprising a sidewall defining a conduit connecting an inlet opening and an outlet opening, wherein the housing has a pressure vent extending through the sidewall;
a valve assembly at least partially disposed within the housing, wherein the valve assembly comprises:
In some embodiments, the valve assembly further comprises an inlet port proximate the inlet opening. In some embodiments, the pressure-control valve further comprising a third sealing member disposed between the inlet port and the valve support. In some embodiments, the inlet port comprises a first tubular insert and a first annular member, wherein the first tubular insert engages the first annular member.
In some embodiments, the valve assembly further comprises an outlet port proximate the outlet opening. In some embodiments, the outlet port comprises a second tubular insert and a fourth annular member, wherein the second tubular insert engages the second annular member.
In some embodiments, the valve assembly further comprises a valve seat support adjacent the valve seat. In some embodiments, the pressure-control valve further comprises a fourth sealing member disposed between the outlet port and the valve seat support.
In some embodiments, the biasing member comprises a coil spring. In some embodiments, the valve seat is integrally formed with the housing adjacent to the conduit. In some embodiments, the slidable member is tubular and the conduit extends longitudinally therethrough. In some embodiments, the valve assembly further comprises a valve seat support adjacent the valve seat.
Pressure-control valves according to the present disclosure are responsive to inlet pressure. Pressure-control valves according to the present disclosure are useful, for example, to regulate fluid pressure within a specified pressure range, thereby eliminating pressure overages that may cause harm to downstream fluid handling components such as, for example, cartridge filters. Advantageously, at least some pressure-control valves according to the present disclosure can be manufactured as simple compact devices.
As used herein:
the term “downstream” means positioned relatively closer to the outlet opening than the inlet opening; and
the term “upstream” means positioned relatively closer to the inlet opening than the outlet opening.
The foregoing embodiments may be implemented in any combination thereof, unless such combination is clearly erroneous in view of the teachings of the present disclosure. The features and advantages of the present disclosure will be further understood upon consideration of the detailed description as well as the appended claims.
While the above-identified drawing figures set forth several embodiments of the present disclosure, other embodiments are also contemplated; for example, as indicated in the discussion. In all cases, this disclosure presents the disclosure by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art, which fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of the present disclosure. The figures may not be drawn to scale. Like reference numbers may have been used throughout the figures to denote like parts.
Referring now to
Slidable member 130 is reversibly slidable between an open position (shown in
Pressure vent 119 serves to equalize pressure during sliding of the slidable member. Absent the pressure vent, the volume of the space defined by the first and second seals, the slidable member, and the sidewall would increase in that portion of the conduit in contact with the larger. Accordingly, the pressure would rise and/or fall as the slidable member is moved between the open and closed positions, which could lead to problems in proper valve assembly operation.
Valve seat 140 (see
Biasing member 150 may be any device that will permit passage of fluid and urge the slidable member toward the closed position. Typical examples include springs (e.g., coil springs).
Referring now to
Optional outlet port 180 is disposed proximate to outlet opening 118. As shown, optional outlet port 180 has a second tubular insert 182 that engages second annular member 184. Second spring clips 185 on second tubular insert 182 retain the second tubular insert 182 within the opening of second annular member 184. Similarly, second spring tabs 187 engage housing 110 and serve to retain optional outlet port 180 within outlet opening 118.
While shown in interchangeable forms, the inlet port and the outlet port may have different shapes and/or sizes. Of course, manufacturing simplicity may favor interchangeable configurations. Similarly, the optional inlet and outlet ports may comprise single bodies or combinations of several component parts.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Referring again to
The first second, third, and fourth sealing members may comprise any suitable material and be of any suitable shape and/or size that will effectively form the intended seal. In general the seals should remain fluid tight over the intended operating fluid pressure of the pressure-control valve. Examples of suitable sealing members include elastomeric o-rings, gaskets, and pressure packing. Typically, a grease (e.g., a silicone grease or a petroleum-based grease) or other lubricant may be used in conjunction with the sealing member to facilitate movement and sealing.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 7A-7C, slidable member 130 is tubular and the conduit extends longitudinally therethrough. However, it is envisioned that other configurations that capture the essential principle of operation may also be used. For example, fluid may flow through the slidable member through multiple conduits and/or channels. The slidable member is generally cylindrical, except that different regions have different diameters. For example, the diameter of the slidable member is smaller toward its downstream end than toward its upstream end. Accordingly, the diameter of the generally cylindrical conduit within the housing is correspondingly larger at its upstream end than at its downstream end. First and second sealing members (136, 138), shown as elastomeric o-rings, are circumferentially disposed around the slidable member and disposed within the conduit such that pressure vent 119 is disposed within the seals formed by the first and second sealing members.
Notably, the slidable member has a greater upstream effective cross-sectional than its downstream effective cross-sectional area, resulting in a pressure gradient across the length of the slidable member that opposes the force applied by the biasing member. Hence, if a pressure spike should occur in the inlet fluid pressure, the slidable member is urged toward the closed position of the valve assembly. As the spike in pressure subsides, the slidable member is urged away from the valve seat by the biasing member and fluid flow through the pressure-control valve resumes.
Referring now to
The various components of the pressure-control valve may be fabricated of any suitable material such as, for example, plastic, metal, and rubber. Engineering thermoplastics that are approved for food contact are typically desirable. Examples include nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyimide, polyethersulfone, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyphenylene oxide, polytetrafluoroethylene, and acetal copolymer.
Pressure-control valves according to the present disclosure are suitable for use with fluids such as, for example, potable water, coolant fluid, waste water, and fermentation broth.
Various modifications and alterations of this disclosure may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure, and it should be understood that this disclosure is not to be unduly limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US11/33174 | 4/20/2011 | WO | 00 | 9/12/2012 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61328701 | Apr 2010 | US |
