SHUTTLE VALVE STABILIZATION THROUGH PRESSURE DIFFERENTIAL AND SHUTTLE VALVE WITH HOLLOW POPPET WITH WEEP HOLE

• US 20160281865A1
• Filed: 03/21/2016
• Published: 09/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
• Original Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
• Inventors: Morgan, Aaron Michael, Bresnahan, Kevin Lawrence, Kooser, Tyler James
• Granted Patent: US 10,012,318 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/028 Shuttle valves
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 13/0407 Means for damping the valve member movement
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/3052 Shuttle valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/044 with movable valve members positioned between valve seats
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2567 Alternate or successive inflows
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2572 One inflow supplements another

Abstract

A shuttle valve has a valve body including a first valve seat defining a first fluid inlet, a second valve seat defining a second fluid inlet, and a center portion that is connected to the valve seats, the center portion defining a fluid outlet and a bore. A moveable is moveable within the bore between a first position against the first valve seat and a second position against the second valve seat to control the flow of fluid from either of the first or second inlet to the outlet. The moveable member may be configured to have a unitary construction formed of a single component, by which a unitary shell defines a substantially hollow interior. The moveable member has a hollow interior and a weep hole for equalizing pressure between the hollow interior and exterior of the moveable member.

Claims

1. A shuttle valve comprising:

a valve body comprising;

a first valve seat defining a first fluid inlet;

a second valve seat defining a second fluid inlet; and

a center portion that is connected to the first valve seat and the second vale seat, the center portion defining a fluid outlet and a bore; and

a moveable member that is moveable within the bore between a first position against the first valve seat and a second position against the second valve seat, wherein when the moveable member is in the first position, the second fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet and when the moveable member is in the second position, the first fluid inlet is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet;

wherein the moveable member has a substantially hollow interior.

2. The shuttle valve of claim 1, wherein the moveable member has a weep hole for equalizing pressure between the hollow interior and an exterior of the moveable member.

3. The shuttle valve of claim 1, wherein the moveable member is configured to have a unitary construction formed of a single component.

4. The shuttle valve of any of claim 1, wherein the fluid outlet is perpendicular to the bore.

5. A moveable member for use in a shuttle valve, the moveable member comprising:

a shell that defines a substantially hollow interior, and the shell is configured to have a unitary construction formed of a single component.

6. The moveable member of claim 5, wherein the shell comprises a first head portion, a second head portion, and a barrel portion between the first and second head portions, wherein the shell of unitary construction comprises the first head portion, the second head portion, and the barrel portion formed as the single component.

7. The moveable member of claim 5, wherein the moveable member has a weep hole for equalizing pressure between the hollow interior and an exterior of the moveable member.

8. A moveable member for use in a shuttle valve, the moveable member comprising:

a first component and a second component that are fitted together, wherein the moveable member has a substantially hollow interior.

9. The moveable member of claim 8, wherein the first component is a male component and the second component is a female component, and the male component is inserted into the female component.

10. The moveable member of claim 9, wherein:

the male component comprises a first head portion and a base portion, the base portion defining a first hollow bore; and

the female component comprises a second head portion and a barrel portion, the barrel portion defining a second hollow bore;

wherein the base portion of the male component is inserted into the barrel portion of the female component, the first and second hollow bores joining to form the hollow interior of the moveable member.

11. The moveable member of claim 10, wherein the first hollow bore extends into the first head portion, and the second hollow bore extends into the second head portion.

12. The moveable member of claim 10, wherein the moveable member has a weep hole for equalizing pressure between the hollow interior and an exterior of the moveable member.