Flow Control/Shut-off Valve Assembly

• US 20150211650A1
• Filed: 03/17/2015
• Published: 07/30/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Drexel University
• Original Assignee: Drexel University
• Inventors: Older, John, Farouk, Bakhtier, Jones, La'Shell, Kern, Jared, Scholl, Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 9,410,636 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/071 Arrangement of safety devices in domestic pipe systems, e.g. devices for automatic shut-off
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/072 Arrangement of flowmeters
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/32 acting on a servo-mechanism or on a catch-releasing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/34 in which the flow-energy of the flowing medium actuates the closing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 21/16 closing after a predetermined quantity of fluid has been delivered F16K21/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/1262 one side of the diaphragm being spring loaded
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0106 the sensing element being a flexible member, e.g. bellows, diaphragm, capsule
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/15 Leakage reduction or detection in water storage or distribution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0324 With control of flow by a condition or characteristic of a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7726 Responsive to change in rate of flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7727 Excessive flow cut-off
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7759 Responsive to change in rate of fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7761 Electrically actuated valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/777 Spring biased
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7784 Responsive to change in rate of fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7785 Valve closes in response to excessive flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7787 Expansible chamber subject to differential pressures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7788 Pressures across fixed choke
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87298 : Having digital flow controller
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87354 : Including flowmeter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87507 : Electrical actuator

Abstract

A flow valve assembly includes a valve operable between an open position and a closed position and a controller operatively coupled to the valve to operate the valve between the open position and the closed position. A mechanically or electrically operated assembly is provided to determine an amount of fluid flow through the valve when the valve is in the open position. A mechanically or electrically operated mechanism moves the valve from the open position to the closed position when the amount of fluid flow exceeds a predetermined value. A method of operating the valve is also provided.

Claims

1. A flow valve assembly comprising:

a valve operable between an open position and a closed position;

a controller mechanically coupled to the valve to operate the valve between the open position and the closed position

when the amount of fluid flow exceeds a predetermined value.

8. The flow valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a diaphragm.

9. The flow valve assembly according to claim 8, wherein the controller comprises a linkage arm operatively coupled to the diaphragm such that, when the linkage arm is in a first position, the valve is in the open position and when the linkage arm is in a second position, the valve is in the closed position.

10. The flow valve assembly according to claim 9, further comprising piston operable between a valve-open position and a valve-closed position and a biasing member operatively engaged with the piston such that, when the linkage arm is in the second position, the biasing member biases the piston from the valve-open position to the valve-closed position.

11. The flow valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a porous block disposed within the valve.

12. The flow valve assembly according to claim 11, wherein the porous block is operatively coupled to a biasing member such that, as fluid flows through the valve, the fluid biases the porous block against the biasing member.

13. The flow valve assembly according to claim 12, wherein, after a predetermined amount of the fluid has flowed through the valve, the porous block is moved to a location in the valve such that the valve moves to a closed position.

14. A method of operating a valve, the method comprising:

a. providing the valve according to claim 1;

b. allowing a fluid to flow through the valve; and

c. moving the valve to the closed position when the amount of fluid flow exceeds a predetermined value.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, prior to step b, the valve is set at a baseline condition and wherein, prior to step c, if the fluid flow stops prior to reaching the predetermined value, returning the valve to the baseline condition.

16. The method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of:

d. manually resetting the valve to the open position.

18. The method according to claim 14, further comprising, prior to step c, determining a flow volume of fluid through the valve, and wherein the predetermined value comprises a value of the flow volume.

2-7. -7. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

21. A flow valve assembly comprising:

a flow path having a supply end and a discharge end;

a valve operable between an open position and a closed position wherein when the valve is in the closed position, the valve is disposed in the flow path between the supply end and the discharge end;

a vacuum chamber in fluid communication with the flow path, the vacuum chamber comprising a diaphragm and a linkage having a first end connected to the diaphragm and a second end releasably engaged with the valve when the valve is in the open position such that, when an amount of fluid flow through the flow path exceeds a predetermined value, the diaphragm moves the linkage such that the linkage is disengaged from the valve and the valve moves from the open position to the closed position.

22. The flow valve assembly according to claim 21, wherein the valve is biased toward the closed position.

23. The flow valve assembly according to claim 21, further comprising a biasing member coupled to the diaphragm, the biasing member adapted to bias the linkage toward engagement with the valve.