Winterizing bypass valve system

• US 10,648,752 B1
• Filed: 03/15/2019
• Issued: 05/12/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2018
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Chiang
• Original Assignee: River Rock Inc.
• Inventors: Chiang, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Sanchez-Medina, Reinaldo
• Application Number:
  US16/354,841
• Time in Patent Office: 424 Days
• Field of Search: 13759911, 13759914
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/085 with cylindrical plug
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/522 comprising a tap or cock
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/60 Handles form, features or function of taps or faucet handles for domestic plumbing installations E03C1/04
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/602 Pivoting levers, e.g. single-sided F16K31/605 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 2250/06 Derivation channels, e.g. bypass
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 27/02 for controlling the distribution of heat-exchange media between different channels static flow control means in header boxes F28F9/026; arrangements of guide plates or guide vanes F28F9/22, F28F25/12
• CPC Class Codes: F28F 9/0246 Arrangements for connecting header boxes with flow lines

Abstract

A bypass system for a water heat exchanger is disclosed. The water heat exchanger has a water heat exchanger inlet attached to a feed valve and a water heat exchanger outlet attached to an exit valve. The feed valve and the exit valve are three-way bypass valves attached to a bypass line. When the feed valve and the exit valve are in the flow through position, fluid will flow into and out of the water heat exchanger. When the feed valve and the exit valve are in the bypass position, fluid will not enter nor exit the water heat exchanger, but fluid will flow through the bypass line.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a water heat exchanger comprising a water heat exchanger inlet and a water heat exchanger outlet;

a feed valve coupled to a feed line and directly attached to the water heat exchanger inlet;

an exit valve coupled to an exit line and directly attached to the water heat exchanger outlet;

a bypass line coupled to the feed valve and the exit valve;

wherein the feed valve and the exit valve both comprise;

a bypass valve, configured to move between a flow-through position and a bypass position, comprising;

a housing comprising a first port, a second port, and a third port;

wherein the second port is in direct communication with the water heat exchanger;

a T-port actuating member located within the housing, wherein the T-port actuating member defines an internal passageway with three openings that selectively align or not align with the first port, the second port, and the third port; and

an actuator coupled to the T-port actuating member;

in the flow-through position, the bypass valve is configured to allow for fluid communication between the first port and the second port;

in the bypass position, the bypass valve is configured to allow for fluid communication between the first port and the third port and through the bypass line.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bypass valve further comprises an o-ring located about the T-port actuating member and is made of an elastomer.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bypass valve further comprises a stopper located within the T-port actuating member and is flush with the inside of the housing, and the stopper is made of an elastomer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bypass valve further comprises a stopper located within the T-port actuating member and is flush with the inside of the housing, and the bypass valve further comprises an o-ring located about the T-port actuating member, and the stopper and the o-ring are made of an elastomer.