DRAIN VALVE
First Claim
1. A drain valve for use in dishwashing machines in which there may be debris entrained in the liquid, comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet in general alignment so flow through the housing is essentially straight through, a valve seat in the housing disposed at an obtuse angle of about 135* to the incoming flow, a valve stem guided in the housing and projecting through the housing for actuation externally of the valve, said housing including a main housing and a separate guide member in which said stem moves and through which the stem projects, a bellows having a flange portion at one end positioned between the guide member and the main housing to function as a seal and surrounding the stem with the other end of the bellows being connected to said valve stem to function as a valve in regulating flow past the valve seat, a vent from the exterior of the housing to the interior of the bellows, rigid rings within and supported by the bellows convolutions preventing inward collapse of the bellows convolutions onto the stem, a bracket securing the guide member to the main housing, a solenoid mounted on the bracket and having its armature pivotally connected to the stem to open the valve when the solenoid is energized, and a spring urging the valve to the seat.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The dishwasher drain valve provides straight through flow with the valve seat at about 45* to the flow to provide increased velocity tending to straighten the flow of elongated objects (toothpicks, etc.) and decrease chances of such debris becoming lodged in the valve housing. A bellows seals the stem and solenoid from contact with liquids and entrained contaminants. The end of the bellows functions as the valve. Collapse of the bellows onto the stem is prevented by stiffening rings. The stem is guided for linear movement and tolerates some degree of misalignment with the solenoid.
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Citations
1 Claim
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1. A drain valve for use in dishwashing machines in which there may be debris entrained in the liquid, comprising a housing having an inlet and an outlet in general alignment so flow through the housing is essentially straight through, a valve seat in the housing disposed at an obtuse angle of about 135* to the incoming flow, a valve stem guided in the housing and projecting through the housing for actuation externally of the valve, said housing including a main housing and a separate guide member in which said stem moves and through which the stem projects, a bellows having a flange portion at one end positioned between the guide member and the main housing to function as a seal and surrounding the stem with the other end of the bellows being connected to said valve stem to function as a valve in regulating flow past the valve seat, a vent from the exterior of the housing to the interior of the bellows, rigid rings within and supported by the bellows convolutions preventing inward collapse of the bellows convolutions onto the stem, a bracket securing the guide member to the main housing, a solenoid mounted on the bracket and having its armature pivotally connected to the stem to open the valve when the solenoid is energized, and a spring urging the valve to the seat.
Specification