Valve assembly

• US 6,032,691 A
• Filed: 03/29/1999
• Issued: 03/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kaylynn, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Kaylynn, Inc.
• Inventors: Powell, Jonathan S., Modesett, Dean
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, KEVIN L
• Application Number:
  US09/280,095
• Time in Patent Office: 344 Days
• Field of Search: 137/614.02, 137/614.03, 137/614.04, 137/614.05
• US Class Current: 137/614.04
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 29/04 with a cut-off device in each of the two pipe ends, the cut-off devices being automatically opened when the coupling is applied
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87949 Linear motion of flow path sections operates both
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87957 Valves actuate each other

Abstract

A valve assembly used to minimize chemical loss during the transfer of chemicals from one container to another is disclosed herein. The valve assembly minimizes chlorine or other process material loss to the environment by sealing the manifold and the cylinder to be filled from the environment while the valve assembly is connected or disconnected. The valve assembly includes an inlet valve connectable to an outlet valve, the inlet valve comprising a first plug positioned in a bore extending between an inlet and outlet port and a transfer tube engaging a bore of a first insert positionable within the bore of the inlet valve. The outlet valve comprises a second plug positioned in a bore extending between an inlet and outlet port and a second insert positionable within the bore of the outlet valve. The transfer tube has a first and second end configured to be insertable at least partially within respective bores of the first and second inserts, the first and second ends each having at least one port. A bore extends through the transfer tube to allow fluid communication between the first and second ends.

Claims

1. A valve assembly comprising:

(a) an inlet valve connectable to an outlet valve comprising;

(i) a first end adapted to engage a receptacle for holding process material, said first end configured to have an inlet port;

(ii) a second end adapted to engage a second end of an outlet valve, said second end configured to have an outlet port;

(iii) a bore extending between said inlet port and said outlet port;

(iv) a first plug movably positioned in said bore, said first plug having an open and a closed position, said first plug sealing said inlet port from said outlet port when in a closed position;

(v) a first spring positioned within said bore of said inlet valve so that said first spring biases said first plug in a closed position;

(vi) a first insert positionable within said bore of said inlet valve, said first insert having a seat end and a face end, said seat end engaging said inlet plug when said inlet plug is in a closed position, said first insert having a bore extending therethrough to allow fluid communication between said inlet port and said outlet port of said inlet valve; and

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(vii) at least one seal adapted to form a seal between a transfer tube and said bore of said first insert when a transfer tube engages said bore of said first insert

(b) an outlet valve comprising;

(i) a first end adapted to engage a source of process material, said first end configured to have an inlet port;

(ii) a second end adapted to engage said inlet valve, said second end configured to have an outlet port;

(iii) a bore extending between said inlet port and said outlet port; and

,

(iv) a second plug movably positioned in said bore, said second plug having an open and a closed position, said second plug sealing said inlet port from said outlet port when in a closed position;

(v) a second spring positioned within said bore of said outlet valve so that said spring biases said second plug in a closed position, wherein a spring constant of said second spring is greater than a spring constant of said first spring;

(vi) a second insert positionable within said bore of said outlet valve, said second insert having a seat end and a face end, said seat end engaging said outlet plug when said outlet plug is in a closed position, said second insert having a bore extending therethrough to allow fluid communication between said inlet port and said outlet port of said outlet valve; and

,

(vii) at least one seal adapted to form a seal between said transfer tube and said bore of said second insert;

(c) a transfer tube comprising;

(i) a first end configured to be insertable at least partially within said bore of said first insert, said first end configured to have at least one port;

(ii) a second end slidably positioned at least partially in said bore of said second insert, said second end configured to have at least one port and,

(iii) a bore extending through said transfer tube, said bore allowing fluid communication between said at least one port in said first end and at least one port in said second end; and

(d) a coupler adapted to join said inlet valve and said outlet valve.

2. The valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein said coupler is rotatable mounted on said outlet valve.

3. The valve assembly according to claim 1 wherein said transfer tube further comprises at least one sealing member positioned thereon, said sealing member forming a seal between said transfer tube and said first insert when said transfer tube engages said bore of said first insert.