Diaphragm latch valve
First Claim
1. A valve for controlling fluid flow, said valve comprising:
- a chamber having an inlet and an outlet;
a closure member movably mounted within said chamber, said closure member being movable between a closed position blocking said inlet, and an open position away from said inlet;
a flexible diaphragm deformable in response to fluid pressure applied against said diaphragm; and
a latch movably mounted within said chamber, said latch having a first portion engageable with said diaphragm and a second portion engageable with said closure member, said latch being engaged with said closure member by said diaphragm deforming in response to said fluid pressure and thereby maintaining said closure member in said closed position, said latch moving out of engagement with said closure member upon deformation of said diaphragm in response to a release of said fluid pressure thereby allowing said closure member to move into said open position.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A valve for fire suppression sprinkler systems is disclosed. The valve has a chamber with an inlet and an outlet. A closure member, positioned within the chamber, is movable to close and open the inlet. A latch engages the closure member to hold it in the closed position. The latch also engages a deformable diaphragm. The diaphragm deforms in response to pressure applied to it and allows the latch to move between a latched position engaged with the closure member and an unlatched position away from the closure member. When the diaphragm is depressurized it allows the latch to move and disengage from the closure member, which opens under fluid pressure from the inlet and allows fluid to flow through the valve.
39 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A valve for controlling fluid flow, said valve comprising:
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a chamber having an inlet and an outlet;
a closure member movably mounted within said chamber, said closure member being movable between a closed position blocking said inlet, and an open position away from said inlet;
a flexible diaphragm deformable in response to fluid pressure applied against said diaphragm; and
a latch movably mounted within said chamber, said latch having a first portion engageable with said diaphragm and a second portion engageable with said closure member, said latch being engaged with said closure member by said diaphragm deforming in response to said fluid pressure and thereby maintaining said closure member in said closed position, said latch moving out of engagement with said closure member upon deformation of said diaphragm in response to a release of said fluid pressure thereby allowing said closure member to move into said open position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A valve for controlling fluid flow, said valve comprising:
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a first chamber having an inlet and an outlet;
a closure member positioned within said first chamber, said closure member being movable between a closed position blocking said inlet, and an open position away from said inlet;
a second chamber having a flexible diaphragm, said diaphragm comprising a fluid tight interface between said first and second chambers, said diaphragm being deformable upon pressurization and depressurization of said second chamber; and
a latch movably positioned within said first chamber, said latch having a first portion engageable with said diaphragm and a second portion engageable with said closure member, said diaphragm deforming and moving said latch into engagement with said closure member and thereby maintaining said closure member in said closed position when said second chamber is pressurized, said diaphragm deforming and allowing said latch to move out of engagement with said closure member when said second chamber is depressurized thereby allowing said closure member to move into said open position. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A valve for controlling fluid flow, said valve comprising:
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a first chamber having an inlet and an outlet;
a closure member pivotably mounted within said first chamber, said closure member being movable between a closed position blocking said inlet, and an open position pivoted away from said inlet;
a second chamber having a flexible diaphragm, said diaphragm being positioned between said first and second chambers, said diaphragm being deformable upon pressurization and depressurization of said second chamber; and
a latch pivotably mounted within said first chamber, said latch having a first portion engageable with said diaphragm and a second portion engageable with said closure member, said latch engaging and maintaining said closure member in said closed position when said second chamber is pressurized, said latch moving out of engagement with said closure member when said second chamber is depressurized thereby allowing said closure member to move into said open position. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A fire suppression sprinkler system comprising:
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a plurality of sprinkler heads;
a piping network in fluid communication with said sprinkler heads;
a source of pressurized water in fluid communication with said piping network;
a valve in fluid communication with said piping network and said pressurized water source, said valve controlling fluid flow to said sprinkler heads and comprising;
a first chamber having an inlet and an outlet;
a closure member positioned within said first chamber, said closure member being movable between a closed position blocking said inlet, and an open position away from said inlet;
a flexible diaphragm deformable in response to fluid pressure applied against said diaphragm;
a latch movably mounted within said chamber, said latch having a first portion engageable with said diaphragm and a second portion engageable with said closure member, said latch being engaged with said closure member by said diaphragm deforming in response to said fluid pressure and thereby maintaining said closure member in said closed position, said latch moving out of engagement with said closure member upon deformation of said diaphragm in response to a release of said fluid pressure thereby allowing said closure member to move into said open position; and
an actuator controlling pressurization of said diaphragm for opening said valve in response to a parameter indicative of a fire condition. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification