Isolation valve with integral pressure relief

• US 20070107789A1
• Filed: 10/02/2006
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NIBCO Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Webstone Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Reck, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 7,789,106 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 137/887
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/0873 the plug being only rotatable around one spindle
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/0876 one connecting conduit having the same axis as the spindle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86871 Plug
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87837 Spring bias
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87909 Containing rotary valve

Abstract

A fluid isolation valve having a valve body with a first fluid flow port, a second fluid flow port and a fluid drain port with a valve in the fluid drain port. The valve body also defines a fluid flow channel, a drain flow channel and a valve portion, wherein the valve portion is disposed in the valve body to be communicated with the first fluid flow port, the second fluid flow port and the fluid drain port. A flow diversion device is also provided and is disposed within the valve portion. The flow diversion device is configurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, such that when the flow diversion device is in the first configuration the first fluid flow port is communicated with the second fluid flow port. Consequently, when the flow diversion device is in the second configuration the first fluid flow port is communicated with the fluid drain port. The fluid flow can be decrease or stop by use of the valve within the fluid drain port.

Claims

1. A fluid isolation valve comprising:

a valve body, said valve body having a first fluid flow port, a second fluid flow port a fluid drain port, and a hot water relief port; and

a flow diversion device disposed within said valve portion, said flow diversion device being configurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, such that when said flow diversion device is in said first configuration said first fluid flow port is communicated with said second fluid flow port and said hot water relief port and when said flow diversion device is in said second configuration said first fluid flow port is communicated with said fluid drain port and said hot water relief port.

2. The fluid isolation valve according to claim 1, wherein said flow diversion device is a ball valve unit comprising:

a ball section, said ball section defining a stem chamber and a ball chamber, said stem chamber disposed adjacent to and extending outwardly from said ball chamber;

a stem disposed within and extending outwardly from said stem chamber and connected to said ball disposed within said ball chamber, an exposed portion of said stem extending beyond said stem chamber;

a handle connected to said exposed portion of said stem disposed within said stem chamber and connected to said ball, wherein actuation of said handle effects actuation of said ball for operating said ball valve unit; and

a main section disposed separate from and adjacent to said ball section; and

a drain port communicating with said main section.

3. The fluid isolation valve according to claim 2, wherein said drain port has drain port valve disposed within.

4. The fluid isolation valve according to claim 3, wherein said drain port valve is a ball valve unit.

5. The fluid isolation valve according to claim 3, wherein said drain port valve is a stem and seat valve.

6. The fluid isolation valve according to claim 1, further including an end cap attached to at least one of said main section and said ball section.

7. The fluid isolation valve according to claim 6, wherein said main section is made of brass.

8. The fluid isolation valve according to claim 1, wherein said first fluid flow port is fitted with a union connection and said second fluid flow port is fitted with a threaded connection.

9. The fluid isolation valve according to claim 8 wherein said union connection further comprises a union connection insulator.

15. The fluid isolation valve according to claim 1 wherein said hot water relief port includes a pressure relief valve incorporated therein.

16. The fluid isolation valve according to claim 1 further comprising:

a hot water relief valve in communication with said hot water relief port.

10. A fluid isolation valve comprising

a valve body, said valve body having a first fluid flow port, a second fluid flow port a fluid drain port, wherein and a hot water relief port;

and

a flow diversion device comprising;

a ball rotatable about an axis of rotation;

a through hole perpendicular to said axis of rotation and extending through the center of said ball;

a first blind hole coaxially aligned with said axis of rotation and extending through the surface of said ball to the center of the said ball; and

a second blind hole aligned perpendicular to said axis of rotation and said through hole and extending through the surface of said ball to the center of said ball.

11. The fluid isolation valve according to claim 10 wherein said first blind hole is aligned with said hot water relief port.

12. The fluid isolation device according to claim 11 wherein said flow diversion device is selectable between a first configuration wherein said through hole is aligned with said first fluid flow port and said second fluid flow port and a second configuration wherein said through hole is aligned with said first fluid flow port and said second blind hole is aligned with said fluid drain port.

13. The fluid isolation device according to claim 10 further comprising:

a handle attached to the ball on said rotational axis to allow manual rotation of the ball about the rotational axis.

14. The fluid isolation device according to claim 12 wherein in said second configuration, said ball is angularly displaced by about 90 degrees about said rotational axis relative to the balls orientation in said first configuration.