Diaphragm valve
First Claim
1. A diaphragm valve comprising:
- A. valve body means defining a first flow passage, a second flow passage and a valve seat means between the first and second flow passages;
B. diaphragm means comprised of an elastomeric material sealingly engageable with the valve seat means to prevent passage of fluid between the first and second flow passages;
C. retractable means for releasably biasing the diaphragm means against the valve seat means to sealingly engage therewith and control the flow of fluid through the valve; and
D. means for subjecting the diaphragm means to radial compression sufficient to cause the diaphragm means to disengage from the valve seat means when the biasing means is retracted.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A bidirectional diaphragm valve is presented in which the flat, disk shaped diaphragm formed of elastomeric material is biased against the valve seat by means of a plunger which is not attached to the diaphragm. The diaphragm is clamped between the valve body and a bonnet member providing compression and confinement of the perimeter of the diaphragm, resulting in radial compression of the diaphragm which is expressed inwardly as the expansion and buckling of the central portion of the diaphragm whereby the valve opens passively in response to pressure from the flow medium when the plunger is retracted. The preferred embodiment of the valve is of miniature size and compact configuration adapted for use in multi-valve banks and all parts having wetted surfaces are formed of materials of suitable chemical inertness compatible with the fluid media.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A diaphragm valve comprising:
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A. valve body means defining a first flow passage, a second flow passage and a valve seat means between the first and second flow passages; B. diaphragm means comprised of an elastomeric material sealingly engageable with the valve seat means to prevent passage of fluid between the first and second flow passages; C. retractable means for releasably biasing the diaphragm means against the valve seat means to sealingly engage therewith and control the flow of fluid through the valve; and D. means for subjecting the diaphragm means to radial compression sufficient to cause the diaphragm means to disengage from the valve seat means when the biasing means is retracted. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A diaphragm valve comprising:
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A. valve body means formed of a relatively chemically inert material defining a first flow passage, a second flow passage and valve seat means between the first and second flow passages; B. diaphragm means comprised of a relatively chemically inert elastomeric material sealingly engageable with the valve seat to prevent passage of fluid between the first and second flow passages; C. retractable biasing means for releasably biasing the diaphragm means against the valve seat means to sealingly engage therewith and control the flow of fluid through the valve; and D. means for subjecting the diaphragm means to radial compression sufficient to cause the diaphragm means to disengage from the valve seat means when the biasing means is retracted. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. The method of controlling the flow of a fluid media through a fluid system comprising
A. connecting a diaphragm valve comprising valve body means defining a first flow passage, a second flow passage and a valve seat means between the first and second flow passages, diaphragm means comprised of an elastomeric material sealingly engageable with the valve seat means to prevent passage of fluid between the first and second flow passages, retractable means for releasably biasing the diaphragm means against the valve seat means to sealingly engage therewith and control the flow of fluid through the valve, and means for subjecting the diaphragm means to radial compression sufficient to cause the diaphragm means to disengage from the valve seat means when the biasing means is retracted, to the fluid conduit of a fluid system, B. opening the valve to allow flow through the valve and release the pressure differential across the valve as the operation of the system requires, and C. closing the valve to prevent flow through the valve as the operation of the system requires.
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20. The method of controlling the flow of a fluid media through a fluid system comprising
A. connecting a diaphragm valve comprising valve body means defining a first flow passage, a second flow passage and a valve seat means between the first and second flow passages, diaphragm means comprised of an elastomeric material sealingly engageable with the valve seat means to prevent passage of fluid between the first and second flow passages, retractable means for releasably biasing the diaphragm means against the valve seat means comprising a plunger blade adapted to cause a line seal between the diaphragm means and the valve seat means to sealingly engage therewith and control the flow of fluid through the valve, a spring for driving the plunger blade against the diaphragm means and a solenoid for retracting the plunger blade away from the diaphragm means, and means for subjecting the diaphragm means to radial compression sufficient to cause the diaphragm means to disengage from the valve seat means when the biasing means is retracted, to the fluid conduit of a fluid system, B. causing electrical current to pass through the solenoid sufficient to open the valve to allow flow through the valve and release the pressure differential across the valve as the operation of the system requires, and C. discontinuing the passage of electrical current through the valve allowing the valve to close and prevent flow through the valve as the operation of the system requires.
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21. The method of controlling the flow of a fluid media through a fluid system comprising
A. connecting a diaphragm valve comprising valve body means defining a first flow passage, a second flow passage and a valve seat means between the first and second flow passages, diaphragm means comprised of an elastomeric material sealingly engageable with the valve seat means to prevent passage of fluid between the first and second flow passages, retractable means for releasably biasing the diaphragm means against the valve seat means comprising a plunger blade adapted to cause a line seal between the diaphragm means and the valve seat means to sealingly engage therewith and control the flow of fluid through the valve, a solenoid for driving the plunger blade against the diaphragm means and a spring for retracting the plunger blade away from the diaphragm means, and means for subjecting the diaphragm means to radial compression sufficient to cause the diaphragm means to disengage from the valve seat means when the biasing means is retracted, to the fluid conduit of a fluid system, B. causing electrical current to pass through the solenoid sufficient to close the valve and prevent flow through the valve as the operation of the system requires, and C. discontinuing the passage of electrical current through the valve allowing the valve to open to allow flow through the valve and release the pressure differential across the valve as the operation of the system requires.
Specification