Dual speed flow control valve

• US 6,378,552 B1
• Filed: 11/10/2000
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dielectrics Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dielectrics Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Pekar, Robert W., Schild, Rolf
• Primary Examiner(s): Chambers, A. Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Krishnamurthy, Ramesh
• Application Number:
  US09/710,986
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 137/223, 137/512, 137/512.4, 137/493, 137/843, 137/493.1, 565/22, 565/53, 128/DIG.20, 297/DIG.8, 501/150, 501/152, 606/202, 446/224
• US Class Current: 137/512.4
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/135 inflatable for measuring blood pressure A61B5/022; inflatable pressure pads A61F5/34
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/1402 having an integral flexible member cooperating with a plurality of seating surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/202 and with flexible valve member
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/20 Inflatable splint
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3584 Inflatable article [e.g., tire filling chuck and/or stem]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7771 Bi-directional flow valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7772 One head and seat carried by head of another
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7843 Integral resilient member forms plural valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7879 Resilient material valve

Abstract

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is a dual speed air control valve including a first sheet having an aperture therein and a second sheet continuously secured to the first sheet along a periphery of the first and second sheets. Further, a third sheet in continuously secured to the second sheet along a periphery of the third and second sheets. The first sheet defines at least one aperture in fluid communication with the third sheet. The third sheet defines at least one aperture in fluid communication with the first sheet.

Claims

1. A dual speed flow control valve comprising:

a first sheet having an intake aperture therein;

a second sheet continuously secured to said first sheet along a periphery of said first sheet and said second sheet;

a third sheet continuously secured to said second sheet along a periphery of said second sheet and said third sheet; and

said third sheet having an exhaust aperture therein.

2. The dual speed flow control valve of claim 1 wherein:

in a first state, said exhaust aperture is closed; and

in a second state said intake aperture is closed.

3. The dual speed flow control valve of claim 2 wherein:

said first state occurs when a first pressure acting on a first side of said first sheet is greater than a second pressure acting on a second side of said first sheet.

4. The dual speed flow control valve of claim 2 wherein:

said second state occurs when a first pressure acting on a first side of said first sheet is less than a second pressure acting on a second side of said first sheet.

5. The dual speed flow control valve of claim 1 wherein:

an area of said intake aperture is less than the area of said exhaust aperture.

6. An inflatable bladder having chambers comprising:

a first chamber;

a second chamber;

a dual speed flow control valve positioned in said first chamber and said second chamber, said dual speed flow control valve including;

a first sheet having an intake aperture therein;

a second sheet secured to said first sheet continuously along a periphery of said first and second sheets;

a third sheet having an exhaust aperture therein; and

said third sheet secured to said second sheet continuously along a periphery of said second sheet and said third sheet.

7. The inflatable bladder of claim 6 wherein:

said dual speed flow control valve is positioned across a seam that partitions said first chamber and said second chamber.

8. The inflatable bladder of claim 6 further comprising:

a release material that prevents the three layers of the flow control valve from fusing to the outer layer of the bladder or each other.

9. The inflatable bladder of claim 6 wherein:

in a first state, said exhaust aperture is sealed; and

in a second state said intake aperture is open.

10. The inflatable bladder of claim 9 wherein:

said first state occurs when a first pressure acting on a first side of said first sheet is greater than a second pressure acting on a second side of said first sheet.

11. The inflatable bladder of claim 9 wherein:

said second state occurs when a first pressure acting on a first side of said first sheet is less than a second pressure acting on a second side of said first sheet.

12. The inflatable bladder of claim 6 wherein:

said inflatable bladder is used to apply pressure to a body of a patient in stages thereby stimulating blood circulation.