Claims
- 1. A one-way fluid valve member to be mounted on a valve body having a valve opening surrounded by a valve seat, said valve member including:
a valve closure part to be movably mounted on said body for movement relative thereto between a first position engaging said seat to prevent movement of fluid through said opening in a predetermined direction, and a second position spaced from the seat to allow fluid to pass through said opening in a direction opposite said predetermined direction; and wherein said valve closure part has a convex surface to engage said seat so as to project into said opening.
- 2. A one-way fluid valve member to be mounted on a valve body having a valve opening surrounded by a valve seat, said valve member including:
a valve closure part to be movably mounted on said body for movement relative thereto between a first position engaging said seat to prevent movement of fluid through said opening in a predetermined direction, and a second position spaced from the seat to allow fluid to pass through said opening in a direction opposite said predetermined direction; a hinge member to mount said valve part on said body, said hinge member being resiliently deformed to provide for said movement; and wherein said valve closure part maintains its configuration during movement as said hinge resiliently deforms.
- 3. A one-way fluid valve member according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said valve seat is located in a plane, and said valve member is connected to said body by a pivot spaced from said plane opposite said predetermined direction.
- 4. A one-way fluid valve member according to claim 3, wherein said valve closure part includes a pair of longitudinally extending arms connected to said pivot.
- 5. A one-way fluid valve member according to claim 4, wherein said arms are flexible.
- 6. A one-way fluid valve member according to claim 3, wherein said space defines a channel for fluid flow.
- 7. A one-way fluid valve member according to anyone of claims 1 to 6, wherein said valve member is of a unitary construction.
- 8. A one-way fluid valve member, substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
PR5343 |
May 2001 |
AU |
|
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] Common valve assemblies (such as that disclosed in the Applicant's International Application PCT/AU93/00086 (WO9318305)) are generally made in three pieces and include a first hinged plate, a valve, a further hinged plate and nuts cooperating with screw inserts to form a valve assembly. Under the influence of pressure, the hinge valve (or flap) pivots to open or close the valve opening. In this type of “threepiece” arrangement it has been found that problems arise when solids are caught under the hinge plate (flap). The obstructions have been found to prevent complete closure, resulting in a loss of vacuum causing the pump to stop.
[0002] It is therefore desirable to provide a one-piece valve assembly which overcomes these problems by having a higher hinge point and a more penetrating closure mechanism. This type of arrangement would also be effected less by the build up of solids due to its better clearance.