Butterfly valve

• US 6,343,615 B1
• Filed: 10/29/1998
• Issued: 02/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hale Products, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Hale Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Miller, David L., Wentz, Paul R., Sclafani, Frank A. Jr., Carpenter, Paul D.
• Primary Examiner(s): RIVELL, JOHN A
• Application Number:
  US09/182,727
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 137/202, 137/554, 137/899, 137/351, 137/354, 137/355, 137/881, 137/878, 137/877, 137/115.26, 251/96, 251/129.03, 251/129.12, 251/249.5, 169/24, 169/52, 417/296, 417/309
• US Class Current: 137/202
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 35/68 Details, e.g. of pipes or valve systems valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3099 Float responsive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6892 Floor or frame
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8242 Electrical
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87861 Spring coaxial with valve

Abstract

A butterfly valve and associated controls for controlling the flow of water from a large diameter fire hose to the inlet of a fire pump is disclosed. The valve is installed between the suction tube and the suction tube extension of a midship mounted fire pump on a fire truck in a location such that the valve is positioned behind the pump operator panel. A pressure relief valve and an air bleed are mounted on the body of the valve.

Claims

1. An inlet valve of a butterfly valve construction for controlling the flow of water from a large diameter fire hose to the suction of a fire pump mounted on the chassis of a fire truck wherein a suction tube extension is arranged to be connected to the suction of the fire pump and a suction tube is arranged to extend outwardly of an operator panel on the side of the fire truck for connection to the large diameter hose,

said inlet valve comprising

a valve body mounted between said suction tube and said suction tube extension and behind said operator panel,

said valve body being constructed and arranged to define an internal valve chamber in flow communication between said suction tube and said suction tube extension,

a valve seat located within said valve chamber, and

a valve member cooperable with said valve seat to control the flow through said valve chamber between said suction tube and said suction tube extension, said valve member being movable between a plurality of flow control positions including a fully open position, a plurality of partially open positions and a fully closed position, and

manually operable means for actuating said valve member to said flow control positions thereof.

2. An inlet valve according to claim 1 wherein said inlet valve comprises a gear actuator mechanism operatively connected to said valve member for causing movement thereof between said flow control positions, said gear actuating mechanism comprising a gear set comprising a worm gear and a worm wheel gear.

3. An inlet valve according to claim 1 including power operated means for actuating said valve member to said flow control positions thereof.

4. An inlet valve according to claim 3 wherein said power operated means for actuating said inlet member comprises an electric motor and means for controlling the operation of said electric motor from a location remote from said valve body.

5. An inlet valve according to claim 4 comprising a gear actuator mechanism operatively connected to said valve member for causing movement thereof between said flow control positions, said gear actuating mechanism comprising a gear set comprising a worm gear and a worm wheel gear.

6. An inlet valve according to claim 5 wherein said manually operable means for actuating said inlet valve comprises a first shaft portion extending in a first direction from said worm gear to a location in front of said operator panel and including a handle engaged with said first shaft portion at said location in front of said operator panel, and wherein said power-operated means for actuating said inlet valve comprises a second shaft portion extending from said worm gear in a direction opposite to said first direction to a location behind said operator panel, said electric motor being operatively engaged with said second shaft portion at said location behind said operator panel.

7. An inlet valve according to claim 1 comprising a pressure relief valve mounted on said inlet valve body and constructed and arranged to communicate with said internal valve chamber at a location upstream of said valve member to discharge water therefrom in response to the occurrence of an excessive water pressure condition therein.

8. An inlet valve according to claim 7 comprising an air bleed means mounted on said inlet valve body and constructed and arranged to communicate with said internal valve chamber at a location upstream of said valve member, said air bleed means being movable between a closed position blocking the flow of air from said internal valve chamber to atmosphere and an open position permitting a flow of air from said internal valve chamber to atmosphere for bleeding air from the upstream side of said inlet valve.

9. An inlet valve according to claim 1 wherein said valve member is disk-shaped, said valve member and said valve body being constructed and arranged to withstand a hydrostatic pressure of 600 PSIG.

10. An inlet valve according to claim 1 wherein said valve member is disk-shaped and is constructed and arranged to provide a minimum obstruction to flow to thereby achieve a minimum pressure drop as the water flows through said inlet valve to the fire pump.

11. An inlet valve according to claim 1 including electrically operable means for indicating the flow control position of said valve member including three lights of different colors mounted on the operator panel at a location to be visible to the operator during operation of the inlet valve, a first of said lights providing indication of the valve closed position, a second of said lights providing an indication of the valve open position, and a third one of said lights providing an indication of a partially open valve position.

12. An inlet valve according to claim 3 wherein said manually operable means for actuating said inlet valve comprises a first shaft portion extending from said worm gear to a location in front of said operator panel, a handle mounted on said first shaft portion at said location, said handle being mounted on said first shaft portion for movement between a first position out of driving engagement with said first shaft portion and a second position in driving engagement with said first shaft portion, and including means for biasing said handle to said first position thereof.

13. An inlet valve according to claim 5 wherein said electric motor is constructed and arranged to operate at a speed to actuate said shaft portion at a rate that causes the valve member to move between said open and closed flow control positions at a predetermined time period.

14. An inlet valve according to claim 1 comprising an air bleed means mounted on said inlet valve body and constructed and arranged to communicate with said internal valve chamber at a location upstream of said valve member and to be movable between an open position permitting the flow of air from said valve chamber to atmosphere for bleeding air from said internal valve chamber and a closed position blocking the flow of air from said internal valve chamber to atmosphere, said air bleed means including a float mounted in said air bleed means to be responsive to the accumulation of water therein to actuate said air bleed means to said closed position thereof.

15. An inlet valve of a butterfly valve construction for controlling the flow of water from a large diameter fire hose to the suction of a fire pump mounted on the chassis of a fire truck wherein a suction tube extension is arranged to be connected to the suction of the fire pump, said inlet valve being located behind an operator panel on the side of the fire truck,

said inlet valve comprising

a valve body mounted between said suction tube and said suction tube extension and behind said operator panel,

said valve body being constructed and arranged to define an internal valve chamber in flow communication between said suction tube and said suction tube extension,

a valve seat located within said valve chamber, and

a valve member cooperable with said valve seat to control the flow through said valve chamber between said suction tube and said suction tube extension, said valve member being movable between a plurality of flow control positions including a fully open position, a plurality of partially open positions and a fully closed position, and

power-operated means for actuating said valve member to said flow control positions thereof.

16. An inlet valve according to claim 15 wherein said power-operated means for actuating said valve member comprises an electric motor and means for controlling the operation of said electric motor from a location remote from said valve body.

17. An inlet valve according to claim 16 comprising a gear actuator mechanism operatively connected to said valve member for causing movement thereof between said flow control positions, said gear actuating mechanism comprising a gear set comprising a worm gear and a worm wheel gear.

18. An inlet valve according to claim 15 comprising a pressure relief valve mounted on said inlet valve body and constructed and arranged to communicate with said internal valve chamber at a location upstream of said valve member to discharge water therefrom in response to the occurrence of an excessive water pressure condition therein.

19. An inlet valve according to claim 18 comprising an air bleed means mounted on said inlet valve body and constructed and arranged to communicate with said internal valve chamber at a location upstream of said valve member, said air bleed means being movable between a closed position blocking the flow of air from said internal valve chamber to atmosphere and an open position permitting a flow of air from said internal valve chamber to atmosphere for bleeding air from the upstream side of said inlet valve.

20. An inlet valve according to claim 16 comprising a power supply circuit for connecting said motor to a source of power, said power supply circuit comprising a flasher unit serially connected therein for providing a momentary interruption of the current flow to said motor.

21. An inlet valve according to claim 15 wherein said power-operated means for actuating said valve member to said flow control positions thereof comprises a reversible electric motor having a rotatable motor shaft, said motor being constructed and arranged to cause rotation of said motor shaft in either direction in response to the polarity of the electric current supplied thereto, means for controlling operation of said electric motor, and means operatively engaged between said motor shaft and said valve member for causing movement of the valve member including a rotatable actuator shaft, said means for controlling operation of said electric motor comprising means constructed and arranged to sense the position of said actuator shaft.

22. An inlet valve according to claim 21 wherein said means for sensing the position of said actuator shaft comprises a plurality of limit switches cooperable with a cam surface on said actuator shaft.

23. A butterfly inlet valve assembly for controlling the flow of water from a large diameter fire hose to the suction of a fire pump mounted on the chassis of a fire truck behind the operator panel, said assembly comprising a suction tube extension connected to the pump, a suction tube extending outwardly from behind said operator panel for connection to a large diameter hose, and an inlet valve mounted between said suction tube and said suction tube extension and behind said operator panel, said inlet valve comprising:

a valve body mounted between said suction tube and said suction tube extension and behind said operator panel,

said valve body being constructed and arranged to define an internal valve chamber in flow communication between said suction tube and said suction tube extension,

a valve seat located within said valve chamber, and

a valve member cooperable with said valve seat to control the flow through said valve chamber between said suction tube and said suction tube extension, said valve member being movable between a plurality of control positions including a fully open position, a plurality of partially open positions and a fully closed position,

a pressure relief valve constructed and arranged to communicate with said internal valve chamber at a location upstream of said valve member to discharge water therefrom in response to the occurrence of an excessive water pressure condition therein, and

means for actuating said valve member to said flow control positions thereof,

said valve assembly constructed and arranged so that only said suction tube is located on the outside of said operator panel when said valve assembly is connected to said pump.

24. The valve assembly recited in claim 23, including a gear actuator mechanism operatively connected to said valve member for causing movement thereof between said flow control positions, said gear actuating mechanism comprising a gear set having a worm gear and a worm gear wheel.

25. The valve assembly recited in claim 23, including power means for actuating said valve member to said flow control positions.

26. The valve assembly recited in claim 23, including manual means for actuating said valve member to said flow control positions, said maual means being operable from the outside of said operator panel.

27. The valve assembly recited in claim 25, said power means including means for controlling the operation of said power means from a location remote from said valve body.

28. The valve assembly recited in claim 23, including both power means and manual means for actuatin said valve member to said flow control positions.

29. The valve assembly recited in claim 23, including an air bleed means constructed and arranged to communicate with said internal valve chamber at a location upstream of said valve member, said air bleed means being movable between a closed position blocking the flow of air from said internal valve chamber to atmosphere and an open position permitting a flow of air from said internal valve chamber to atmosphere for bleeding air from the upstream side of said inlet valve.

30. The valve assembly recited in claim 23, wherein said valve member is disk-shaped, said valve member and said valve body being constructed and arranged to withstand a hydrostatic pressure of 600 PSIG.

31. The valve assembly recited in claim 23, wherein said valve member is disk shaped and is constructed and arranged to provide a minimum obstruction to flow and to maintain the N.F.P.A rating of the pumb when installed on the pump.

32. The valve assembly recited in claim 23, including means for indicating the flow control position of said valve member.

33. The valve assembly recited in claim 23, wherein said actuating means is constructed and arranged to operate at a controlled speed between open and closed positions to prevent formation of a water hammer or shock in a hose connected to the pump.

34. A butterfly inlet valve assembly for controlling the flow of water from a large diameter fire hose to the suction of a fire pump mounted on the chassis of a fire truck behind the operator panel, said assembly comprising a suction tube extension connected to the pump, a suction tube extending outwardly from behind said operator panel for connection to a large diameter hose, and an inlet valve mounted between said suction tube and said suction tube extension and behind said operator panel, said inlet valve comprising:

a valve body mounted between said suction tube and said suction tube extension and behind said operator panel,

said valve body being constructed and arranged to define an internal valve chamber in flow communication between said suction tube and said suction tube extension,

a valve seat located within said valve chamber, and

a valve member cooperable with said valve seat to control the flow through said valve chamber between said suction tube and said suction tube extension, said valve member being movable between control positions,

a pressure relief valve constructed and arranged to communicate with said internal valve chamber at a location upstream of said valve member to discharge water therefrom in response to the occurrence of an excessive water pressure condition therein, and

means for actuating said valve member to said flow control positions thereof,

said valve assembly constructed and arranged so that only said suction tube is located on the outside of said operator panel when said valve assembly is connected to said pump.

35. The valve assembly recited in claim 34, including a gear actuator mechanism operatively connected to said valve member for causing movement thereof between said flow control positions, said gear actuating mechanism comprising a gear set having a worm gear and a worm gear wheel.

36. The valve assembly recited in claim 34, including power means for actuating said valve member to said flow control positions.

37. The valve assembly recited in claim 34, including manual means for actuating said valve member to said flow control positions, said maual means being operable from the outside of said operator panel.

38. The valve assembly recited in claim 36, said power means including means for controlling the operation of said power means from a location remote from said valve body.

39. The valve assembly recited in claim 34, including both power means and manual means for actuatin said valve member to said flow control positions.

40. The valve assembly recited in claim 34, including an air bleed means constructed and arranged to communicate with said internal valve chamber at a location upstream of said valve member, said air bleed means being movable between a closed position blocking the flow of air from said internal valve chamber to atmosphere and an open position permitting a flow of air from said internal valve chamber to atmosphere for bleeding air from the upstream side of said inlet valve.

41. The valve assembly recited in claim 34, wherein said valve member is disk-shaped, said valve member and said valve body being constructed and arranged to withstand a hydrostatic pressure of 600 PSIG.

42. The valve assembly recited in claim 34, wherein said valve member is disk shaped and is constructed and arranged to provide a minimum obstruction to flow and to maintain the N.F.P.A rating of the pumb when installed on the pump.

43. The valve assembly recited in claim 34, including means for indicating the flow control position of said valve member.

44. The valve assembly recited in claim 34, wherein said actuating means is constructed and arranged to operate at a controlled speed between open and closed positions to prevent formation of a water hammer or shock in a hose connected to the pump.