SNAP ACTION VALVE

• US 3,722,850 A
• Filed: 11/13/1970
• Issued: 03/27/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MAG Aerospace Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: James M. Kemper
• Inventors: Kemper, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenthal, Arnold
• Application Number:
  US05/089,376
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 251/50,75,65,52
• US Class Current: 251/52
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 21/16 closing after a predetermined quantity of fluid has been delivered F16K21/10 takes precedence

Abstract

A snap action valve mechanism includes a spool to which is coupled a magnetizable piston. A permanent magnet in a control chamber holds the spool in a first configuration. A pneumatic fluid is applied to the control chamber to act upon the piston, forcing the spool to snap into the second configuration.

Claims

1. In a fluid control system, a snap-action valve for returning the valve to a predetermined state after operation, comprising:

a. a valve body adapted to be connected between a fluid supply and a utilization device;

b. a movable valve element having at least a first position and a second position, respectively connecting and disconnecting the utilization device and the supply;

c. a servo chamber in said valve body adapted to receive fluid with said valve element in a predetermined one of said first and second positions;

d. piston means in said servo chamber coupled to said movable valve element and movable therewith;

e. magnetic holding means in said servo chamber including a first element mounted in said chamber and a second element connected to said piston means, one of said first and second elements being a magnet, said magnetic holding means being arranged to maintain said movable valve element in the predetermined one of said first and second positions; and

f. manually operable push button means for moving said valve element into said predetermined one of said first and second positions to bring the elements of said magnetic holding means into operational proximity, whereby said valve element is manually placed in said predetermined one of said first and second positions enabling a flow of fluid to said servo chamber for actuating said piston means, thereby moving said valve element into the other of said first and second positions when the fluid force acting on said piston means is greater than the magnetic attractive force of said magnetic holding means, thereby interrupting the fluid supply to said servo chamber.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, above, further including a controllable restriction adjacent said servo chamber for regulating the rate of fluid flow thereto.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1, above, wherein the predetermined one of said positions is the first position and said piston means are operable to move said valve element into said second position.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1, above, wherein said magnetic holding means first element is a permanent magnet.