Position indicating check valve
First Claim
1. A check valve comprising:
- a valve body comprising an inlet and an outlet and defining a flow path therebetween, the valve body further comprising a recess for accommodating a hinge disposed transverse to said flow path,said hinge being connected to a disc for pivotal movement of said disc between a closed position isolating said outlet from said inlet and an open position providing communication between said inlet and outlet,an indicating device having an exposed element extending outside of said valve body to provide a visual indication of a position of said valve disc, an engaging element, connected to said exposed element, positioned within said valve body to engage the valve disc, a movable seal member to provide an interface between an interior of said valve body and an exterior of said valve body, with said engaging element and said exposed element being connected to said seal member, and a mechanism to hold said engaging element in contact with said valve disc.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for visually indicating a position of a check valve disc within the check valve is provided. The indicating device has an exposed element extending outside of the valve body to provide a visual indication of a position of the valve disc, an engaging element, connected to the exposed element, positioned within the valve body to engage the valve disc, a movable seal member to provide an interface between an interior of the valve body and an exterior of the valve body, with the engaging element and the exposed element being connected to the seal member, and a mechanism to hold the engaging element in contact with the valve disc. An electrical switch may be provided for detecting the position of the exposed element and for transmitting an appropriate signal.
52 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A check valve comprising:
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a valve body comprising an inlet and an outlet and defining a flow path therebetween, the valve body further comprising a recess for accommodating a hinge disposed transverse to said flow path, said hinge being connected to a disc for pivotal movement of said disc between a closed position isolating said outlet from said inlet and an open position providing communication between said inlet and outlet, an indicating device having an exposed element extending outside of said valve body to provide a visual indication of a position of said valve disc, an engaging element, connected to said exposed element, positioned within said valve body to engage the valve disc, a movable seal member to provide an interface between an interior of said valve body and an exterior of said valve body, with said engaging element and said exposed element being connected to said seal member, and a mechanism to hold said engaging element in contact with said valve disc. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18)
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16. A check valve comprising:
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a valve body comprising an inlet and an outlet and defining a flow path therebetween, the valve body further comprising a recess for accommodating a hinge disposed transverse to said flow path and a threaded opening through a wall of said body, said hinge being connected to a disc for pivotal movement of said disc between a closed position isolating said outlet from said inlet and an open position providing communication between said inlet and outlet, an indicating device comprising a plug threaded on an exterior surface for threaded engagement with said threaded opening in said valve body, a rod having a first end and a second end, said first end in engagement with said valve disc and said second end extending out of said valve body, a movable seal member comprising a pivotable ball captured in said plug to provide an interface between an interior of said valve body and an exterior of said valve body, said rod extending through and being captured in said ball, and a spring attached at one end to said rod and held at an opposite end stationary to said valve housing to hold said engaging element in contact with said valve disc. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of providing a visual indication of a position of a valve disc in a check valve comprising the steps:
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providing an opening in a body of the check valve, inserting and securing an indicating device in said opening, said indicating device comprising a plug and a rod having a first end and a second end, positioning said first end of said rod in engagement with said valve disc and extending said second end out of said valve body, capturing a movable seal member comprising a pivotable ball in said plug to provide an interface between an interior of said valve body and an exterior of said valve body, extending said rod through and capturing said rod in said ball, and attaching a spring at one end to said rod and holding an opposite end of said spring stationary to said valve housing to bias said rod into contact with said valve disc.
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Specification