VALVE CONSTRUCTION

• US 3,791,619 A
• Filed: 01/31/1972
• Issued: 02/12/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alfred W. Pett
• Original Assignee: Alfred W. Pett
• Inventors: Pett, Alfred W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rosenthal, Arnold
• Application Number:
  US05/222,101
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 251/45,44 138/43
• US Class Current: 251/45
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/402 acting on a diaphragm

Abstract

A solenoid operated valve construction for controlling flow of a fluid therethrough and including a diaphragm assembly, the movement of which is responsive to a pressure differential thereacross, means being associated with the diaphragm assembly for producing a change in the differential pressure thereacross at a controlled rate, wherein the kinetic energy of the fluid in the pipes interconnected to the valve construction is effectively absorbed, thereby preventing damage to the system and at least preventing the occurrence of water-hammer on the system.

Claims

1. A valve construction for controlling flow of a fluid therethrough comprising a body portion to which an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe are connected, an inlet chamber communicating with said inlet pipe and an outlet chamber communicating with said outlet pipe, a movable diaphragm located in said body portion and normally sealing communication between said inlet and outlet chambers, an interior chamber formed in said body portion between said diaphragm and a wall of said body portion, an interior pilot valve located in said body portion and that is operable to induce flow of fluid to and from said interior chamber for controlling the pressure differential across said diaphragm wherein the diaphragm is flexed in accordance with the pressure differential thereacross to control communication between said inlet and outlet chambers, and means communicating with said inlet chamber and said interior chamber for restricting flow of fluid to and from said interior chamber so as to prevent too rapid closing of said diaphragm and thereby preventing waterhammer from occurring in said pipes, said flow restricting means including an elongated cylindrical control chamber that directly communicates with said pilot valve and in which a restrictor member is located, said restrictor member cooperating with the interior of said control chamber to define a spirally extending restricted passage for restricting flow of fluid therethrough, wherein flow of fluid to and from said interior chamber is restricted to produce gradual changes in the differential pressure across said diaphragm, said flow restricting means further including a cylindrical secondary chamber, the longitudinal axis of which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said control chamber, said secondary chamber having an end wall that is located adjacent to and forming a part of a wall of said control chamber, an orifice that is restricted relative to said control and secondary chambers extending through the end wall of said secondary chamber for communication with said control chamber to provide for direct communication between said secondary and control chambers and for restricted flow of fluid from said secondary chamber to said control chamber, said secondary chamber directly communicating with said inlet chamber, wherein restricted flow of fluid from said inlet chamber to said control chamber and to said interior chamber is provided for supplying line pressure therein, thereby locating the diaphragm in the closed position thereof.

2. A valve construction as set forth in claim 1, said fluid inducing means further including a passage formed in said body portion that communicates directly with said outlet chamber, said pilot valve controlling communication between said passage and said flow restricting means.

3. A valve construction as set forth in claim 1, an interior passage interconnecting said pilot valve to said control chamber, wherein direct communication between said control chamber and outlet chamber is provided when said pilot valve is moved to the open position thereof, thereby reducing the pressure in said interior chamber with respect to the pressure in said inlet chamber, to cause the diaphragm to move to the open position

4. A valve construction as set forth in claim 1, a screen located in said secondary chamber and adjacent to said restricted orifice for screening the fluid passing therethrough.

5. A valve construction as set forth in claim 1, the spirally extending restricted passage in said control chamber being formed by an internally threaded portion formed in the walls thereof, a restrictor member located in said control chamber and having a shank which includes an externally threaded portion formed thereon, said shank being threadably received in the internally threaded portion of the walls of said control chamber.

6. A valve construction as set forth in claim 5, one of the threaded portions that define said restricted passage in said control chamber including threads that have a flat tooth configuration, wherein the threads of the other threaded portion and the threads that are formed with the flat tooth configuration define said restricted passage therebetween which in cross section is substantially triangular.

7. A valve construction as set forth in claim 6, the threads that define the threaded portion as formed in the walls of the control chamber having the flat tooth configuration.