Valve over-travel mechanism
First Claim
1. A valve mechanism comprising:
- a valve body;
a valve stem situated in the valve body and moveable in first and second directions of a longitude dimension of the valve stem;
a main plate attached to the valve stem with the valve stem perpendicular to the main plate, wherein the main plate has a first surface and a second surface;
an over-travel spring having a first end attached to the second surface of the main plate;
a valve seal structure having a first surface attached to a second end of the over-travel spring, with the valve stem perpendicular to the first surface of the valve seal structure; and
a single valve seat attached to a rigid support of the valve body, facing a second surface of the valve seal structure; and
wherein moving the valve stem in the first direction of the longitudinal dimension of the valve stem results in movement of the main plate pushing the over-travel spring and in turn pushing the valve seal structure towards the single valve seat to reduce or stop a flow of a fluid between the valve seal structure and the single valve seat,further comprising one or more additional valve seals situated in the second surface of the valve seal structure for coming in contact with the single valve seat to reduce or stop a flow of the fluid between the one or more additional valve seals and the single valve seat,wherein a contact of a first seal of the one or more seals with the single valve seat can reduce the flow of the fluid between the first seal and the single valve seat to X cubic feet per hour (CFH); and
a contact of a second seal of the one or more seals with the single valve seat can reduce the flow of the fluid between the first seal and the single valve seat to Y CFH; and
X>
Y.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A valve having an over-travel spring that does not necessarily need an excessively additional force to further close the valve once its valve seal comes into contact with a valve seat. The feature may be achieved by inserting an over-travel spring between a plate or stop attached to a valve stem, and a valve seal. The valve seal may come in contact with a valve seat when the valve is closed with movement of the valve stem. The valve stem may continue to travel after contact between the valve seal and the valve seat without additional force, other than that added by compressing the over-travel spring, and with a proof-of-closure sensor indicating valve closure. The valve stem may be moved in either direction for closing and opening the valve with an assist, such as a solenoid or other mechanism.
403 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A valve mechanism comprising:
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a valve body; a valve stem situated in the valve body and moveable in first and second directions of a longitude dimension of the valve stem; a main plate attached to the valve stem with the valve stem perpendicular to the main plate, wherein the main plate has a first surface and a second surface; an over-travel spring having a first end attached to the second surface of the main plate; a valve seal structure having a first surface attached to a second end of the over-travel spring, with the valve stem perpendicular to the first surface of the valve seal structure; and a single valve seat attached to a rigid support of the valve body, facing a second surface of the valve seal structure; and wherein moving the valve stem in the first direction of the longitudinal dimension of the valve stem results in movement of the main plate pushing the over-travel spring and in turn pushing the valve seal structure towards the single valve seat to reduce or stop a flow of a fluid between the valve seal structure and the single valve seat, further comprising one or more additional valve seals situated in the second surface of the valve seal structure for coming in contact with the single valve seat to reduce or stop a flow of the fluid between the one or more additional valve seals and the single valve seat, wherein a contact of a first seal of the one or more seals with the single valve seat can reduce the flow of the fluid between the first seal and the single valve seat to X cubic feet per hour (CFH); and a contact of a second seal of the one or more seals with the single valve seat can reduce the flow of the fluid between the first seal and the single valve seat to Y CFH; and X>
Y. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A valve assembly comprising:
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a valve housing; a single valve seat attached to the valve housing and having an opening for a flow of fluid through the single valve seat; a valve seal having a position proximate to the single valve seat to reduce or stop a flow of fluid through the single valve seat; an over-travel spring having a first end attached to the valve seal; and a valve control rod attached to a second end of the over-travel spring; and wherein; a first direction of movement of the valve control rod results in moving the over-travel spring which moves the valve seal closer to or in contact with the single valve seat; and a second direction of movement of the valve control rod results in moving the over-travel spring and the valve seal away from the single valve seat, wherein the first direction of movement of the valve control rod results in moving the over-travel spring and in turn the valve seal having a first increment seal in contact with the single valve seat to reduce a leakage of the fluid through the opening of the single valve seat to no more than X CFH; the first direction of additional movement of the valve control rod results in moving the over-travel spring and in turn the valve seal having a second increment seal in contact with the single valve seat to reduce a leakage of the fluid through the opening of the single valve seat to less than X CFH; and X is a number. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification