Claims
- 1. A flow control device, comprising:
- a body having sidewalls which define a fluid-holding chamber;
- inlet means opening into the chamber for supplying a fluid flow into the chamber under a positive pressure;
- outlet means opening into the chamber and including an outlet opening in the body;
- a collapsible tubing having one end sealingly attached to the outlet opening and an opposite end extending into the chamber, said opposite end having an inlet; and
- means for selectively blocking and unblocking the inlet of the opposite end of the collapsible tubing to block and unblock fluid flow from the chamber through the outlet means wherein blocking the inlet of the collapsible tubing causes a decrease in pressure in the collapsible tubing downstream of the inlet which causes the fluid pressure in the chamber to collapse a portion of the collapsible tubing in the chamber downstream of the inlet, the collapse of the collapsible tubing cooperating in conjunction with the blocking and unblocking means to further block fluid flow from the chamber through the outlet means.
- 2. The flow control device of claim 1 wherein the means for selectively blocking and unblocking the inlet of the opposite end of the collapsible tubing includes means for insertion into the inlet of the opposite end of the collapsible tubing to block it when inserted and cause the collapsible tubing to collapse around the insertion means, and means for inserting and withdrawing the insertion means into and from the inlet of the opposite end of the collapsible tubing.
- 3. The flow control device of claim 2 wherein the insertion means comprises a piston and the means for selectively blocking and unblocking the inlet of the opposite side of the collapsible tube includes means for moveably mounting the piston in the chamber.
- 4. The flow control device of claim 3 wherein the inserting and withdrawing means comprises a cam for biasing the piston into the inlet of the opposite end of the collapsible tubing when in a first position and means for biasing the piston out of the inlet of the opposite end of the collapsible tubing when the cam is in a second position.
- 5. The flow control device of claim 4 wherein the means for biasing the piston out of the inlet of the opposite end of the collapsible tubing when the cam is in the second position comprises a spring.
- 6. The flow control device of claim 3 wherein the piston is tapered and the collapsible tubing has a tapered bore extending therethrough which conforms with the tapered piston when the piston is inserted in the inlet of the opposite end of the collapsible tubing.
- 7. The flow control device of claim 3 and further comprising means responsive to an increase in temperature for automatically causing the inserting and withdrawing means to withdraw the insertion means from the inlet of the opposite end of the collapsible tubing to allow fluid flow from the chamber through the outlet means when the temperature of the flow control device increases beyond a predetermined value.
- 8. The flow control device of claim 2 wherein the insertion means prevents the collapsible tubing from being completely pinched shut when it is inserted in the collapsible tubing.
- 9. A flow control device, comprising:
- a body having sidewalls which define a fluid-holding chamber;
- inlet means opening into the chamber for supplying a fluid flow into the chamber under a positive pressure;
- a plurality of outlet means opening into the chamber, each outlet means having an outlet opening in the body;
- a plurality of collapsible tubings, each collapsible tubing having a first end sealingly attached to the body around one of the outlet openings;
- each collapsible tubing having an opposite end extending into the chamber, the opposite end having an inlet;
- means associated with each collapsible tubing for insertion into the inlet of that collapsible tubing to block the inlet to cause a decrease in pressure in that collapsible tubing wherein the fluid pressure in the chamber causes a portion of that collapsible tubing downstream of its inlet to collapse around the insertion means; and
- means for inserting and withdrawing each insertion means into and from the inlet of its collapsible tubing to selectively block and unblock fluid flow from the chamber through the outlet means whose outlet opening the first end of that collapsible tubing is sealingly attached wherein the collapse of each collapsible tubing around its associated insertion means inserted therein cooperates with that insertion means to block fluid flow from the chamber through the outlet means to which that collapsible tubing is sealingly attached to the associated outlet opening thereof.
- 10. The flow control device of claim 9 wherein each insertion means comprises a piston moveably mounted in the chamber and the inserting and withdrawing means comprises means for selectively biasing each piston into the inlet of its associated collapsible tubing and withdrawing it therefrom.
- 11. The flow control device of claim 10 wherein the means for selectively biasing each piston into the inlet of its associated collapsible tubing and withdrawing it therefrom comprises a spring for each piston which biases it out of the inlet of its associated collapsible tubing and a cam which depending upon its position biases the piston into the inlet of its associated collapsible tubing or allows the spring for that piston to bias it out of the inlet of its associated collapsible tubing.
- 12. The flow control device of claim 10 wherein each piston is tapered and each collapsible tubing has a tapered bore corresponding to the tapered piston.
- 13. The flow control device of claim 10 and further comprising means responsive to an increase in temperature for automatically causing the inserting and withdrawing means to withdraw at least one piston from the inlet of its associated collapsible tubing to allow fluid flow from the chamber through the outlet means whose outlet opening the first end of that collapsible tubing is sealingly attached when the temperature of the flow control device increases beyond a predetermined value.
- 14. The flow control device of claim 9 wherein the insertion means prevent the collapsible tubings from being completely pinched shut when they are inserted in the collapsible tubings.
- 15. A flow control device, comprising:
- a valve having a valve body with a fluid-holding chamber therein;
- inlet means opening into the chamber for supplying a fluid flow into the chamber under a positive pressure;
- outlet means opening into the chamber and having an outlet opening in the body;
- a collapsible tubing having one end sealingly attached to the outlet opening and an opposite end extending into the chamber, the opposite end having an inlet;
- a piston moveably mounted in the chamber in spaced relation to the inlet of the collapsible tubing for insertion into and withdrawal from the inlet;
- a shaft having a cam mounted thereon having a first position where it biases the piston into the inlet of the collapsible tubing to block fluid flow from the chamber through the outlet means wherein insertion of the piston into the collapsible tubing causes a pressure decrease in the collapsible tubing downstream of the inlet wherein the fluid pressure in the fluid chamber causes a portion of the collapsible tubing downstream of its inlet to collapse around the piston, the collapse of the collapsible tubing around the piston cooperating in conjunction with the piston to block fluid flow from the chamber through the outlet means, the cam having a second position where it permits the piston to be biased out of the inlet of the collapsible tubing by bias means for biasing the piton out of the inlet to unblock fluid flow from the chamber through the outlet means;
- second bias means for rotating the shaft from a first position to a second position to rotate the cam from its first position to its second position;
- a temperature sensitive link mechanically coupling the shaft to the body to prevent the shaft from rotating when the temperature to which the flow control device is exposed is less than a predetermined temperature, the link decoupling the shaft and body when the temperature to which the flow control device is exposed reaches or exceeds the predetermined temperature which permits the shaft to be rotated by the second biasing means to its second position to pen the valve by permitting the collapsible tubing to uncollapse.
- 16. The flow control device of claim 15 and further including a handle attached to the shaft for manually rotating the shaft between its first and second position to manually open and close the valve; the temperature sensitive link including the handle having a recess opening toward the valve body, the valve body having a recess opening toward the handle, and a pin received in the recesses in the handle and valve body to prevent the handle from rotating to prevent the shaft from rotating.
- 17. The flow control device of claim 16 wherein the handle has first and second legs pivotally coupled at one end, one leg being adjacent the valve body and interposed between the valve body and the other leg, the leg adjacent the valve body having the recess of the handle which receives the pin of the temperature sensitive link, and a spring disposed between the first and second legs of the handle to urge them apart which urges the recess in the leg adjacent the valve body onto and over the pin.
- 18. The flow control device of claim 16 wherein one of said recesses includes temperature sensitive material for holding said pin in place, the temperature sensitive material melting when the temperature to which it is exposed reaches or exceeds the predetermine temperature thereby releasing the pin to allow the shaft to rotate.
- 19. The flow control device of claim 16 wherein the pin of the temperature sensitive link is formed from temperature sensitive material, the temperature sensitive material melting when the temperature to which it is exposed reaches or exceeds the predetermined temperature thereby allowing the shaft to rotate.
- 20. The flow control device of claim 15 wherein the biasing means comprises a coil spring coupled to the shaft and to the valve.
- 21. The flow control device of claim 15 wherein the piston prevents the collapsible tubing from being completely pinched shut when it is inserted in the collapsible tubing.
- 22. A flow control device, comprising:
- a valve having a valve body which has a fluid-holding chamber therein;
- inlet means opening into the chamber for supplying a fluid flow into the chamber under a positive pressure;
- first and second outlet means opening into the chamber and each including an outlet opening in the body;
- first and second collapsible tubings having first ends sealingly attached to the outlet openings of the first and second outlet means, respectively, each collapsible tubing having an opposite end having an inlet;
- first and second pistons moveably mounted in the valve body for insertion into and withdrawal from the inlets of the first and second collapsible tubings, respectively; and
- a shaft extending into the valve body and having a cam mounted thereon within the valve body, the cam having a first position for biasing the first piston into the inlet of the first collapsible tubing to block fluid flow from the chamber through the first outlet means wherein insertion of the first piston into the first collapsible tubing causes a pressure decrease in the first collapsible tubing downstream of its inlet wherein the fluid pressure in the chamber causes the first collapsible tubing to collapse around the first piston, the collapse of the first collapsible tubing around the first piston cooperating in conjunction with the first piston to block fluid flow from the chamber through the first outlet means, the cam when in its first position also allowing the second piston to be biased out of the inlet of the second collapsible tubing by means for biasing the second piston out of the inlet of the second collapsible tubing to unblock fluid flow from the chamber through the second outlet means, the cam having a second position where it biases the second piston into the inlet of the second collapsible tubing to block fluid flow from the chamber through the second outlet means wherein insertion of the second piston in the second collapsible tubing causes a pressure decrease in the second collapsible tubing downstream of its inlet wherein the fluid pressure in the chamber causes the second collapsible tubing to collapse around the second piston, the collapse of the second collapsible tubing around the second piston cooperating in conjunction with the second piston to block fluid flow from the chamber through the second outlet means, the cam when in its second position also allowing the first piston to be biased out of the inlet of the first collapsible tubing by means for biasing the first piston out of the inlet of the first collapsible tubing to unblock fluid flow from the chamber through the first outlet means.
- 23. The flow control device of claim 22 wherein the first and second pistons are tapered and the first and second collapsible tubings have tapered bores corresponding to the first and second tapered pistons.
- 24. The flow control device of claim 22 wherein the first and second pistons prevent the collapsible tubings from being completely pinched shut when they are inserted in the collapsible tubings.
- 25. A flow control device, comprising:
- a valve having a valve body which has a fluid-holding chamber therein;
- inlet means opening into the chamber for supplying a fluid flow into the chamber under a positive pressure;
- first and second outlet means opening into the chamber and each including an outlet opening in the body;
- first and second collapsible tubings having first ends sealingly attached to the outlet openings of the first and second outlet means, respectively, each collapsible tubing having an opposite end having an inlet;
- first and second pistons moveably mounted in the valve body for insertion into and withdrawal from the inlets of the first and second collapsible tubings, respectively;
- a shaft extending into the valve body and having a cam mounted thereon within the valve body, the cam having a first position for biasing the first piston into the inlet of the first collapsible tubing to block fluid flow from the chamber through the first collapsible tubing wherein insertion of the first piston into the first collapsible tubing causes a pressure decrease in the first collapsible tubing downstream of its inlet wherein the fluid pressure in the chamber causes a portion of the first collapsible tubing in the chamber downstream of the inlet of the first collapsible tubing to collapse around the first piston, the collapse of the first collapsible tubing around the first piston cooperating in conjunction with the first piston to block fluid flow from the chamber through the first outlet means, the cam when in its first position also allowing the second piston to be biased out of the inlet of the second collapsible tubing by means for biasing the second piston out of the inlet of the second collapsible tubing to unblock fluid flow from the chamber through the second outlet means, the cam having a second position where it biases the second piston into the inlet of the second collapsible tubing to block fluid flow from the chamber through the second outlet means wherein insertion of the second piston into the second collapsible tubing causes a pressure decrease in the second collapsible tubing downstream of its inlet wherein the fluid pressure in the chamber causes a portion of the second collapsible tubing in the chamber downstream of the inlet of the second collapsible tubing to collapse around the second piston, the collapse of the second collapsible tubing around the second piston cooperating in conjunction with the second piston to block fluid flow from the chamber through the second outlet means, the cam when in its second position allowing the first piston to be biased out of the inlet of the first collapsible tubing by means for biasing the first piston out of the inlet of the first collapsible tubing to unblock fluid flow from the chamber through the first outlet means;
- a spring coupled to the shaft and to the valve body to rotate the shaft to rotate the cam from its first position to its second position; and
- a fusible link coupled to the shaft and to the valve body for preventing the shaft from rotating from its first position, the fusible link melting when the temperature to which the valve is exposed reaches or exceeds a predetermined temperature which releases the shaft for rotation wherein the spring rotates the shaft to rotate the cam from its first position to its second position to open the valve.
- 26. The flow control device of claim 25 and further including a handle coupled to the shaft to permit the shaft to be manually rotated between its first and second position to permit the valve to be manually opened and closed.
- 27. The flow control device of claim 25 wherein the spring comprises a coil spring.
- 28. The flow control device of claim 26 wherein the handle has a recess opening toward the valve body and the valve body having a recess opening toward the handle, the valve further including a pin received in the recesses for preventing the handle from rotating to prevent the shaft from rotating.
- 29. The flow control device of claim 28 wherein the fusible link includes one of said recesses having temperature sensitive material therein for securing the pin in place, the temperature sensitive material melting when the temperature to which it is exposed reaches or exceeds the predetermined temperature thereby releasing the pin to allow the shaft to rotate.
- 30. The flow control device of claim 28 wherein the fusible link comprises the pin being formed from temperature sensitive material which melts when exposed to a temperature which reaches or exceeds the predetermined temperature to allow the shaft to rotate.
- 31. The flow control device of claim 25 wherein the first and second pistons prevent the collapsible tubings from being completely pinched shut when they are inserted in the collapsible tubings.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 427,255 for a Flow Control Device filed Oct. 25, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,886, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 341,474, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,595 for a Flow Control Device filed Apr. 21, 1989 and issued Dec. 5, 1989.
The present invention relates generally to flow control devices, and more particularly to devices, such as valves, which are well-suited for controlling the flow of liquids, gases, slurries, suspensions, mixtures and other fluid or fluidized streams, collectively referred to below as "fluids" or "media." Devices constructed in accordance with the present invention are especially well-suited for controlling the flow of a fluid or medium which is contaminated with, or which includes by design, sand, sediments, and/or other solid particulate matter having abrasive properties.
A variety of valves suitable for controlling the flow of liquid and gaseous fluids are available. Such valves typically incorporate sealing surfaces or elements which may include diaphragms, O-rings, pistons, disks or specially machined tapered seats. The ability of such devices to function properly when exposed to sediment, sand, dirt, metal chips or other particles in the fluid flow varies with specific design parameters and operating conditions, but in general is not good. Such contaminants tend to clog, score, or otherwise damage sealing surfaces in the valves, leading to degradations in performance, or outright failures, of the valves.
One particular application for valves in which the above problems have been identified relates to large, ocean going vessels, and particularly to navel warships. Warships are typically provided with sprinkler systems which are intended to dowse fires in or around the ship's magazine, fuel supply, and other installations. Such ships may also be provided with wash-down systems which are used in decontaminating surfaces which have been exposed to chemical clouds, radioactive fallout, or other hazards. Water to supply such systems is generally drawn from the sea through one or more large water inlets located below the water line of the ship. Sea water may also be drawn in through these or other inlets to provide water for use in maintenance, cooling and other applications where clean, fresh water is not required. Although these inlets may be provided with strainers to keep out seaweed and other large objects, sand, sediments, and other smaller contaminants are often drawn into these systems. This is particularly true when the ship is required to sail or dock in relatively shallow waters or harbors.
Accordingly, a need exists for valves which can control the flow of media which may be contaminated with sand, sediments, or other solid particulate matter. Such a need was met by the flow control device which is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,595.
The flow control device which is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,595 comprises a body having side walls which define a fluid holding chamber, at least one inlet opening into the chamber, at least one outlet opening into the chamber and having an outlet opening in the valve body, collapsible tubing means sealingly attached to the outlet opening and extending into the chamber, and means for selectively collapsing and uncollapsing the tubing means to block and unblock the flow of fluid from the chamber through the outlet opening. The means for collapsing the tubing means comprises a mechanical device disposed adjacent the tubing means at a first location spaced apart from the side walls of the chamber. The fluid or media flow enters the chamber under a positive pressure. When the mechanical device collapses the tubing at the first location, the pressure of the surrounding fluid in the chamber exerts a collapsing force on that portion of an outer surface of the tubing means between the mechanical device and the side wall of the chamber, causing that portion of the tubing means to collapse. The mechanical device may comprise a camming device and an operator for the camming device, such as a handle and a shaft which extends through the side wall of the chamber. In one embodiment, the valve includes at least two outlets, each having collapsible tubing means attached thereto. In this embodiment, both tubing means are commonly collapsed by operation of a single camming device.
The mechanical device illustratively includes a pair of closure members oppositely disposed on either side of the tubing means. At least one of the members is movably mounted and situated adjacent a camming surface of the camming device. The movable members cooperate with the camming device to collapse the tubing means when the camming device is operated.
One means for uncollapsing the tubing means comprises pressure exerted by the fluid or media on an inner surface of the tubing means. When the mechanical device is moved to a position which does not collapse the tubing means at the first location, the pressure of the fluid or media in the chamber causes the tubing means to return to an uncollapsed (open) condition. The tubing means may be formed from a natural or synthetic rubber, or a functionally equivalent material, having a durometer hardness rating which is selected on the basis of at least one characteristic (such as specific gravity, viscosity, etc.) of a fluid flow controlled by the device. In one embodiment, the hardness rating is selected for the sizes and types of particulate matter expected in the fluid flow. In one application involving a sand and sediment contaminated flow of water, tubing formed of a synthetic rubber, marketed under the name VITON and having a durometer hardness rating in the range of 60-90 was found acceptable. Proper selection of the material and hardness rating assures that the tubing means will adequately surround and encapsulate particles which may be carried by particular media flows, and that an undue amount of force or pressure will not be required to collapse the tubing.
Such devices may further comprise means responsive to an increase in temperature for automatically returning the tubing means to an uncollapsed state to allow fluid to flow from the chamber through the outlet means when the temperature of the device increases beyond a predetermined value. The means responsive to an increase in temperature may incorporate a metal (or other material) having a relatively low melting point which corresponds to the selected predetermined value. In one embodiment the means for selectively collapsing the tubing means includes a movably mounted member disposed adjacent the tubing means, biasing means for urging the member against the tubing means to collapse the tubing and block the flow of fluid from the chamber, and means for selectively moving the member against the biasing means and away from the tubing means to allow the tube to return to an uncollapsed state so that fluid may flow from the chamber through the outlet means. In this embodiment, the low melting point metal forms a supporting base for the biasing means (e.g., a coil spring) such that when the temperature of the device increases beyond the predetermined value, the supporting base for the biasing means melts and the biasing means sinks into the base and ceases to urge the member against the tubing means. This allows the tubing to return to the uncollapsed state so that fluid may flow from the chamber through the associated outlet.
In another embodiment, an improved means for automatically opening the valve when it is exposed to a temperature which reaches or exceeds a predetermined temperature is provided such as is described in U.S. Ser. No. 427,255. The valve has two portions which define two valve chambers. An inlet, which is coupled to a source of pressurized fluid, opens into one of the valve chambers and an outlet coupled to downstream devices opens into the other valve chamber. A piece of collapsible tubing couples the two valve chambers. A shaft extends into the valve and is provided with a mechanism for pinching the collapsible tubing shut which causes the collapsible tubing to collapse due to the pressure exerted on its exterior by the pressurized fluid surrounding it. A coil spring is attached to the shaft and the valve body. When the valve is closed, i.e., the collapsible tubing collapsed, the coil spring is biased to cause the shaft to rotate if released. The shaft is prevented from rotating by a fusible link. When the temperature reaches or exceeds a predetermined temperature, the fusible link melts. This releases the shaft and the coil spring rotates the shaft which permits the collapsible tubing to uncollapse, thus opening the valve.
A problem with the flow control devices just described arises when the collapsible tubing is pinched shut for a long period of time such as several days or more. When this occurs, the collapsible tubing tends to take on a set shape, i.e., "pinched shut." When the member which has pinched the tubing shut to cause it to collapse is moved away from the tubing to allow it to uncollapse, the "pinched shut" set shape of the collapsible tubing causes a delayed response in the tubing uncollapsing. While this delayed response is only in the order of seconds, it is undesirable since one application for such flow control devices is the control of sprinkler systems to douse fires.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improvement to the mechanism heretofore used in the flow control devices described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,595 and U.S. Ser. No. 427,255 to prevent the collapsible tubing from taking on a set "pinched shut" shape.
This and other objects of the present invention are attained in a flow control device as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,595 and U.S. Ser. No. 427,255, which are incorporated by reference, by an improved means for selectively collapsing and uncollapsing the collapsible tubing to block and unblock the flow of fluid from the chamber through the outlet opening. In an embodiment, this improved means comprises a piston having a tapered end. The piston is mounted within the chamber with its tapered end adjacent the inlet of the collapsible tubing. Means are provided for moving the piston toward the inlet of the collapsible tubing to insert the tapered end of the piston into the inlet of the collapsible tubing. When this occurs, fluid is blocked from entering the collapsible tubing from the chamber. The pressure in the chamber then causes the collapsible tubing to collapse around the tapered end of the piston which has been forced into the inlet of the collapsible tubing. This blocks the flow of fluid from the chamber into the collapsible tubing.
Means are provided for moving the piston away from the inlet of the collapsible tubing to uncollapse the collapsible tubing by drawing the tapered end of the piston out of the inlet of the collapsible tubing. Since the collapsible tubing collapsed around the tapered end of the piston and was not pinched together, it does not take on a set "pinched shut" shape. Consequently, as soon as the tapered end of the piston is drawn out of the inlet of the collapsible tubing, fluid will flow from the chamber through the collapsible tubing.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
US Referenced Citations (11)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
| Number |
Date |
Country |
| 1257738 |
Feb 1961 |
FRX |
Continuation in Parts (2)
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Number |
Date |
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| Parent |
427255 |
Oct 1989 |
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| Parent |
341474 |
Apr 1989 |
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Patent Grant
5007446
