Check valve and siphon tube assembly employing same

• US 4,095,615 A
• Filed: 05/21/1976
• Issued: 06/20/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ramco Manufacturing Company, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ramco Manufacturing Company, Inc.
• Inventors: Ramsauer, Larry R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohan, Alan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Michalsky, Gerald A.
• Application Number:
  US05/688,837
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 137/140, 137/146, 137/151, 137/521, 137/527, 137/527.2, 137/527.4, 137/527.6, 137/527.8
• US Class Current: 137/527.8
• CPC Class Codes: F04F 10/00 Siphons
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/03 with a hinged closure member or with a pivoted closure member
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/033 spring-loaded
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2829 With strainer, filter, separator or sediment trap
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/287 Plunge or immersion starting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2911 With valve or closure in-flow passage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7898 Pivoted valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7903 Weight biased

Abstract

A check valve for substantially preventing fluid flow in a first direction, but allowing a substantially unrestricted fluid flow in a second, opposite direction, the check valve including a tubular body and a flapper valve hingedly disposed within the tubular body so that the flapper valve, which is formed from a diagonally-cut section of tubing, may substantially block the tube by sealing its cut edges against a first inner wall portion of the tubular body and so that its cut edges may also lie substantially flush along a second inner wall portion of the tubular body allowing for substantially unimpeded fluid flow.

Claims

1. A check valve comprising:

a generally tubular retaining member having a first end, a first inner diameter, a collar formed proximate said first end and a key extending from said collar to a location beyond said first end;

a generally tubular body having an axis therethrough and including an inner surface having a second inner diameter that is slightly larger than said first inner diameter, said body further having a second end and a slot extending from said second end, said slot serving to receive said key when said collar abuts said second end; and

a flapper valve formed from a portion of a tube having a third inner diameter that is substantially equal to said first inner diameter and having an outer diameter that is substantially equal to said second inner diameter, said valve having an outer surface that is symmetrical in plan view and is tapered between a first end and a second end, said valve further being generally triangular in side view so as to form a periphery between and including said first end and said second end, said outer surface extending a dimension such that when said valve is disposed in said body said outer surface forms a predetermined angle in side view relative to said axis and said periphery contacts said inner surface, said valve further including a slot-engaging member hingedly disposed in said slot adjacent said key such that said valve is movable between an open and a closed position, whereby when said valve is in said open position said outer surface is adjacent said inner surface and said third inner diameter lies on an imaginary cylindrical surface substantially corresponding to said first inner diameter such that fluid entering said retaining member and flowing in a direction through said body is capable of substantially unrestricted flow, and whereby when said valve is in said closed position said outer surface in side view lies at said predetermined angle relative to said axis and said periphery contacts and forms a seal with said inner surface such that when fluid flow is in an opposite direction it moves said valve to said closed position which substantially restricts fluid flow in said opposite direction.

2. A check valve as recited in claim 1 wherein said flapper valve further includes a stand-off member extending outwardly from said outer surface, said stand-off member serving to maintain said outer surface slightly spaced from said inner surface when said valve is in said open position, whereby when fluid flows in said opposite direction a portion of such fluid flows between said inner and outer surfaces and forces said valve into said closed position.

3. A check valve as recited in claim 1 and further comprising means formed of an elastomeric material disposed between said periphery and said inner surface when said valve is in said closed position for improving the seal.

4. A check valve as recited in claim 3 wherein said means formed of an elastomeric material is disposed on said periphery.

5. A check valve as recited in claim 3 wherein said means formed of an elastomeric material is disposed on said inner surface of said body.