Fluid flow control valve

• US 6,199,584 B1
• Filed: 05/19/1998
• Issued: 03/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whetstone Group International Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Whetstone Group International Incorporated
• Inventors: Gyben, Christopher J., Brown, Joseph P., Norum, Edward M. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rivell, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHOENFELD, MEREDITH HOPE
• Application Number:
  US09/081,960
• Time in Patent Office: 1,029 Days
• Field of Search: 239/203, 239/204, 239/205, 239/206, 239/533.15, 239/569, 239/570, 239/571, 239/572, 137/519, 137/519.5, 137/513.5, 137/517, 137/513.7, 137/68.11, 137/533.13, 137/533.15, 137/71
• US Class Current: 137/519.5
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/74 driven by the discharged fluid
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/34 in which the flow-energy of the flowing medium actuates the closing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/1789 Having pressure responsive valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7849 Bypass in valve casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7873 Ball valves

Abstract

A flow control valve arrests fluid flow from a primary line to a branch line when flow into the branch line exceeds a predetermined flow rate. In one embodiment for use with an irrigation system, the valve includes a T-fitting. The fitting defines a primary passage, which communicates with irrigation pipes, and a branch passage, which communicates with a riser and sprinkler assembly. A valve seat is located within a housing that couples with the fitting. The valve seat is located within the T-fitting when the valve is assembled. The location of the valve seat within the fitting allows the valve to function even when the riser and/or a portion of the housing is sheared off.

A stopper selectively engages a valve seat to inhibit water flow through the branch passage when the flow rate through the branch passage exceeds the predetermined flow rate. In one embodiment, a biasing device prevents the stopper from engaging with the valve seat while the predetermined flow rate through the branch passage is momentarily exceeded by transient flow conditions.

Claims

1. A fluid flow control valve for controlling a fluid flow through a fluid delivery passage and a fluid delivery device of a fluid delivery system, the fluid delivery device being connected to an effluent end of the fluid delivery passage, the valve comprising:

a valve seat arranged between a main passage of the fluid delivery system and the fluid delivery device;

a stopper movable between a first position located a distance away from the valve seat and a second position seated against the valve seat; and

a keeper positioned downstream from the stopper, the keeper including a first portion, a second portion, and a spring fixing the first portion to the second portion so as to allow the distance between the first and second portions to vary, the first end being, configured to act against the stopper and the second end being configured to act against the fluid delivery device.

2. The fluid flow control valve of claim 1, wherein the keeper comprises at least one elongate rod adapted to be sized to a length approximately equal to the distance between the stopper and the fluid delivery device coupled to the fluid delivery section.

3. The fluid flow control valve of claim 2, wherein the keeper comprises a plurality of rods stacked lengthwise within the fluid delivery passage.

4. The fluid flow control valve of claim 2, wherein the rod includes one or more grooves spaced longitudinally along the rod, whereby the grooves facilitate in sizing the rod to fit within a fluid delivery passage having a length less than the length of the rod.

5. The fluid flow control valve of claim 1, wherein the keeper additionally comprises a plurality of fins extending from the rod, the fins being sized and positioned along the rod to generally position the rod in the center of the fluid delivery section.

6. The fluid flow control valve of claim 1, wherein the keeper additionally comprises a compression spring.

7. The fluid flow control valve of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the keeper comprise at least two elongated rods, respectively, the compression spring being interposed between the rods.

13. The fluid control valve of claim 1 additionally comprising a plurality of grooves spaced from each other longitudinally along the keeper, each groove defining a weakened portion of the keeper.

14. The fluid control valve of claim 1, wherein the spring is arranged adjacent the first end of the keeper.

15. The fluid control valve of claim 14, wherein the grooves are arranged between the spring and the second end of the keeper.

8. A valve assembly kit for use in a branch section of a fluid delivery system with a fluid delivery device connected to the branch section, the kit comprising:

a valve seat member adapted to cooperate with the branch section of the fluid delivery system;

a stopper adapted to cooperate with the valve seat; and

a keeper having a compressible portion, a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to act against the stopper and the second end being configured to act against a fluid delivery device, the keeper including at least one rod extending from at least one of the first and second ends.

9. The valve assembly kit of claim 8 additionally comprising a cap releasably attachable to the at least one rod, the cap being configured to allow fluid to flow through the cap.

10. The valve assembly kit of claim 8, additionally comprising a plurality of grooves spaced longitudinally along the at least one rod, whereby the grooves facilitate in breaking off a portion of the rod to size the rod to fit within the branch section of a fluid delivery system.

11. The valve assembly kit of claim 8, wherein the at least one rod comprises at least two rods which differ in length from one another.

12. The valve assembly kit of claim 8, wherein the compressible portion comprises an integral spring configured to allow the effective length of the rod to vary.

16. The valve assembly kit of claim 8, wherein the keeper is configured to extend through a riser pipe of the fluid delivery system.

17. The valve assembly kit of claim 16, wherein the fluid delivery device is a sprinkler head.

18. The valve assembly kit of claim 8, wherein the compressible portion is arranged adjacent the first end of the keeper.

19. The valve assembly kit of claim 18, wherein the grooves are arranged between the compressible portion and the second end of the keeper.

20. A fluid flow control valve for controlling a fluid flow through a fluid delivery passage and a fluid delivery device of a fluid delivery system, the valve comprising a valve seat arranged between a main passage of the fluid delivery system and the fluid delivery device, a stopper movable between a first position located a distance away from the valve seat in a second position seated against the valve seat, and a keeper positioned downstream of the stopper, the keeper comprising a first elongated body configured to extend between the stopper and first fluid delivery device, and at least a first and a second group of fins which extend radially from the elongated body, the first and second group of fins being spaced from each other longitudinally along the first elongated body, each fin of the first and second groups of fins have a semi-circular shape.

21. The fluid flow control valve of claim 20, wherein the first elongated body is configured to be sized to a length approximately equal to the distance between the stopper and the fluid delivery device.

22. The fluid flow control valve of claim 20 additionally comprising a plurality of grooves formed on an outer surface of the first elongated body, and being spaced longitudinally from each other, each groove defining a weakened portion of the elongated body.

23. The fluid flow control valve of claim 20, wherein at least one groove of the plurality of the grooves is disposed between the groups of fins.

24. The fluid flow control valve of claim 20, wherein the groups of fins are arranged at predetermined intervals along a longitudinal axis of the first elongated body.

25. The fluid flow control valve of claim 20, wherein the fins are sized so as to maintain the first elongated body in a position which is substantially centered along a longitudinal axis of a riser pipe which defines the fluid delivery passage of the fluid delivery system.

26. The fluid flow control valve of claim 20 additionally comprising a cap engaged with an upper end of the first elongated body and configured to act against the liquid delivery device, the cap including an aperture configured to allow liquid to flow through the cap.

27. A fluid flow control valve for controlling a fluid flow through a fluid delivery passage and a fluid delivery device of a fluid delivery system, the valve comprising a valve seat arranged between a main passage of the fluid delivery system and the fluid delivery device, a stopper movable between a first position located a distance away from the first seat and a second position seated against the valve seat, a keeper positioned downstream from the stopper, the keeper comprising a first elongated body configured to extend between the stopper and the fluid delivery device, and at least a first and a second group of fins which extend radially from the elongated body, the first and second group of fins being space from each other longitudinally along the first elongated body, and a foot portion provided at a lower end of the first elongated body and a head portion provided at an upper end of the first elongated body, the head and foot portions being configured such that a second elongated body may be stacked longitudinally with the first elongated body.

28. The fluid flow control valve of claim 27 wherein the second elongated body is substantially identical to the first elongated body.

52. The fluid flow control valve of claim 27 additionally comprising a plurality of grooves formed on an outer surface of the first elongated body, and being spaced longitudinally from each other, each groove defining a weakened portion of the elongated body.

53. The fluid flow control valve of claim 27 additionally comprising a cap engaged with an upper end of the first elongated body and configured to act against the liquid delivery device, the cap including an aperture configured to allow liquid to flow through the cap.

29. A fluid flow control valve for controlling a fluid flow through a fluid delivery passage and a fluid delivery device of a fluid delivery system, the valve comprising a valve seat arranged between a main passage of the fluid delivery system and the fluid delivery device, a stopper movable between a first position located a distance away from the valve seat and a second position seated against the valve seat, and a keeper positioned downstream from the stopper, the keeper comprising a first elongated body extending between the stopper and the fluid delivery device, and a plurality of grooves defining weakened portions of the elongated body, the grooves being spaced longitudinally along the elongated body, and a foot portion provided at a lower end of the first elongated body and a head portion provided at an upper end of the first elongated body, the head and foot portions being configured such that a second elongated body may be stacked longitudinally with the first elongated body.

30. The fluid flow control valve of claim 29, wherein the grooves are arranged at predetermined positions along the first elongated body.

31. The fluid flow control valve of claim 29 additionally comprising a cap engaged with an upper end of the first elongated body, configured to act against the liquid delivery device, the cap including an aperture configured to allow liquid to flow through the cap.

32. The fluid flow control valve of claim 29, wherein the second elongated body is substantially identical to the first elongated body.

33. A fluid flow control valve for controlling a fluid flow through a fluid delivery passage and a fluid delivery device of a fluid delivery system, the valve comprising a valve seat arranged between a main passage of the fluid delivery system and the fluid delivery device, a stopper movable between a first position located a distance away from the valve seat and a second position seated against the valve seat, and a keeper positioned downstream from the stopper, the keeper comprising a first elongated body and a second elongated body extending between the stopper and a fluid delivery device, the second elongated body including a foot portion provided at a first end thereof and the first elongated body including a head portion provided at a second end thereof, the head and foot portions being configured such that the first elongated body and the second elongated body can be stacked between the stopper and the liquid delivery device.

34. The fluid flow control valve of claim 33, wherein the second elongated body is substantially identical to the first elongated body.

35. The fluid flow control valve of claim 33 additionally comprising a cap engaged with an upper end of the first elongated body, configured to act against the liquid delivery device, the cap including an aperture configured to allow liquid to flow through the cap.

36. A fluid flow control valve for controlling a fluid flow through a fluid delivery passage and a fluid delivery device of a fluid delivery system, the valve comprising a valve seat arranged between a main passage of the fluid delivery system and the fluid delivery device, a stopper moveable between a first position located a distance away from the valve seat and a second position seated against the valve seat, a keeper positioned downstream from the stopper comprised of a first elongated body extending between the stopper and a fluid delivery device, and a cap engaged with an upper end of the first elongated body, configured to act against the fluid delivery device, the cap including an aperture configured to allow liquid to flow through the cap, a sleeve configured to receive the upper end of the first elongated body, an annular top portion defining the aperture, and a plurality of arms connecting the sleeve with the annular top portion.

37. The fluid flow control valve of claim 36 wherein an outer diameter of the annular top portion is greater than an outer diameter of the sleeve.

38. A valve assembly kit comprising a valve housing having a valve seat and configured to engage a fluid delivery passage of a fluid delivery system, a stopper adapted to cooperate with the valve seat, and at least one keeper having a plurality of grooves each of which define a weakened portion, the grooves being spaced longitudinally along the keeper, the keeper further including a spring portion.

39. The kit according to claim 38, wherein the housing is configured to restrict movement of the stopper between a first position in which the stopper is spaced from the valve seat, and a second position in which the stopper is seated against the valve seat.

40. The kit according to claim 38, wherein the housing is configured to fit between an inner end of a branch passage and an end of a riser pipe engaged with the branch portion, the branch portion and the riser pipe defining the fluid delivery passage.

41. The kit according to claim 38, wherein the spring portion is provided adjacent a first end of the keeper.

42. The kit according to claim 41, wherein the grooves are arranged between the spring and a second end of the keeper which is opposite the first end.

43. The kit according to claim 38 additionally comprising a plurality of radially oriented groups of fins spaced longitudinally along the keeper.

44. The kit according to claim 43, wherein each group of fins comprises a plurality of fins, each extending generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rod and each passing through a common plane.

45. A valve assembly kit comprising a valve housing having a valve seat and configured to engage a fluid delivery passage of a fluid delivery system, a stopper adapted to cooperate with the valve seat, at least one keeper having a plurality of grooves each of which define a weakened portion, the grooves being spaced longitudinally alone the keeper, the keeper including a plurality of radially oriented groups of fins that extend along the keeper, each group of fins comprising a plurality of fins and each fin extending generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the keeper, wherein the housing is configured to restrict movement of the stopper between a first position in which the stopper is spaced from the valve seat and a second position in which the stopper is engaged with the valve seat, the keeper additionally comprising a foot provided at one end of the keeper, the foot being sized so as to pass through the valve scat, and wherein one of the groups of fins is arranged adjacent to the foot and is sized such that an our periphery of the group of fins is larger than the valve seat, the foot and the group of fins being spaced longitudinally such that when the foot is inserted through the valve seat, the group of fins prevents the foot from contacting the stopper when the stopper is in the second position.

46. The kit according to claim 45, wherein a plurality of the grooves are arranged between the plurality of groups of fins.

47. A method of installing a valve into an irrigation system which includes a main flow passage, at least one fluid delivery passage extending from the main passage at an inlet of the fluid delivery passage, and a fluid delivery device provided at an effluent end of the fluid delivery passage, the method comprising the steps of inserting a valve seat member which defines a valve seat into the irrigation system between the main flow passage and the fluid delivery device, inserting a stopper into the fluid delivery system such that the stopper is moveable between a first position in which the stopper is spaced from the valve seat and a second position in which the stopper is engaged with the valve seat, inserting a keeper which includes first and second ends into the fluid delivery passage such that the first end is arranged proximate to the stopper, connecting the fluid delivery device to the effluent end of the fluid delivery passage, and sizing the keeper to approximately the distance between the stopper and a lower surface of the fluid delivery device.

48. A method of installing a valve into an irrigation system which includes a main flow passage, at least one fluid delivery passage extending from the main passage at an inlet of the fluid delivery passage, and a fluid delivery device provided at an effluent end of the fluid delivery passage, the method comprising inserting a valve seat member which defines a valve seat into the irrigation system between the main flow passage and the fluid delivery device, inserting a stopper into the fluid delivery system such that the stopper is moveable between a first position in which the stopper spaced from the valve seat and a second position in which the stopper is engaged with the valve seat, inserting a keeper which includes first and second ends into the fluid delivery passage such that the first end is arranged proximate to the stopper, connecting the fluid delivery device to an effluent end of the fluid delivery passage, and sizing the keeper to approximately the distance between the stopper and a lower surface of the fluid delivery device by compressing a compressible portion of the keeper such that the distance between the first and second ends of the keeper are moved closer together.

49. The method according to claim 48, wherein the step of compressing comprises compressing a spring provided between the first and second ends of the keeper.

50. The method according to claim 48, wherein the step of sizing comprises breaking the keeper at one of a plurality of grooves provided on the keeper, thereby forming a broken end of the keeper.

51. The method according to claim 50 additionally comprising installing a cap over the broken end of the keeper, the cap being configured to engage a lower surface of the fluid delivery device.