Tap valve
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A tap valve, comprising:
- a throughput tube having a longitudinal axis and including first and second ends, said throughput tube providing a fluid flow channel between said first and second ends;
a housing for mounting a rotatable valve member which has a generally circular cross-section, said circular cross-section being perpendicular to an axis of rotation of said rotatable member, said housing including a tapping port having an end which terminates at said rotatable member, said rotatable valve member mounted in fluid communication with said fluid flow channel at a predetermined location thereon, and having an exterior surface which is laterally spaced from an interior wall of said fluid flow channel at said predetermined location to permit fluid flow therebetween, said axis of rotation being offset from said longitudinal axis of said throughput tube, said member having multiple positions, including a first position for orienting passage to permit fluid flow between said throughput tube and said tapping port without closing of said fluid flow channel at said predetermined location, and a second position which seals said tapping port to prevent fluid flow between said throughput tube and said tapping port without closing of said fluid flow channel at said predetermined location.
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Abstract
A tap valve selectively taps a line while maintaining fluid continuity within the line. The valve comprises a throughput tube and a tapping port which terminates at a rotatable member. The rotatable member has a generally circular cross section and may be oriented either to provide fluid communication between the throughput tube and tapping port or to seal off the tapping port.
172 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A tap valve, comprising:
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a throughput tube having a longitudinal axis and including first and second ends, said throughput tube providing a fluid flow channel between said first and second ends; a housing for mounting a rotatable valve member which has a generally circular cross-section, said circular cross-section being perpendicular to an axis of rotation of said rotatable member, said housing including a tapping port having an end which terminates at said rotatable member, said rotatable valve member mounted in fluid communication with said fluid flow channel at a predetermined location thereon, and having an exterior surface which is laterally spaced from an interior wall of said fluid flow channel at said predetermined location to permit fluid flow therebetween, said axis of rotation being offset from said longitudinal axis of said throughput tube, said member having multiple positions, including a first position for orienting passage to permit fluid flow between said throughput tube and said tapping port without closing of said fluid flow channel at said predetermined location, and a second position which seals said tapping port to prevent fluid flow between said throughput tube and said tapping port without closing of said fluid flow channel at said predetermined location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of selectively tapping fluid, comprising:
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(a) providing a tap valve having a throughput tube and a rotatable member, said rotatable member mounted at a predetermined location on said tube; (b) flowing fluid through said throughput tube between an exterior surface of said rotatable member and an interior surface of said throughput tube (c) rotating said rotatable member to orient a passage for fluid communication between said throughput tube and a tapping port without closing off said tube at said predetermined location; (d) rotating said rotatable member to orient said passage for fluid communication exclusively with said throughput tube; and (e) flowing fluid in said throughput tube through said passage while said rotatable member is oriented as defined in step (d) to prevent stagnation of fluid in said passage. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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20. An apparatus, comprising:
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first and second throughput tubes; a tapping port; and a rotatable member having a first position which provides fluid communication between said first throughput tube and said tapping port without closing off either of said throughput tubes, and having a second position which provides fluid communication between said second throughput tube and said tapping port without closing off either of said throughput tubes. - View Dependent Claims (19, 21, 22)
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Specification