Short-length reduced-pressure backflow preventor
First Claim
1. A double check valve, reduced-pressure backflow preventor assembly comprising:
- a single housing having an in-line axis and defining an inlet opening having a first inlet direction and an outlet opening having a second outlet direction, coaxial with said first inlet direction;
first and second serially-connected check valves respectively defining first and second check valve movement axes wherein said first and second check valve movement axes define first and second angles, respectively, with respect to said in-line axis, each of said first and second angles being substantially greater than 45°
; and
a first stop valve between said inlet opening and said first check valve; and
a second stop valve between said second check valve and said outlet opening, wherein said single housing substantially encloses said first and said second check valve and said first and second stop valves.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A double check valve reduced pressure backflow preventor assembly is configured to have a relatively small length, volume and/or weight. The assembly defines parallel, preferably coaxial, inlet and outlet directions. In one aspect, first and second check valves are at an angle, preferably of 90°, to the in-line axis and preferably intersect the in-line axis. In one aspect, a relief valve is positioned spaced from the in-line axis. First and second shutoff valves are enclosed in the same integral, unitary housing which encloses the check valves and, preferably, some or all of the relief valve. The shutoff valves are preferably positioned along the in-line axis.
93 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A double check valve, reduced-pressure backflow preventor assembly comprising:
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a single housing having an in-line axis and defining an inlet opening having a first inlet direction and an outlet opening having a second outlet direction, coaxial with said first inlet direction;
first and second serially-connected check valves respectively defining first and second check valve movement axes wherein said first and second check valve movement axes define first and second angles, respectively, with respect to said in-line axis, each of said first and second angles being substantially greater than 45°
; and
a first stop valve between said inlet opening and said first check valve; and
a second stop valve between said second check valve and said outlet opening, wherein said single housing substantially encloses said first and said second check valve and said first and second stop valves. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for backflow prevention between a flow source and coaxial flow sink defining a flow axis comprising:
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positioning first and second check valves within a single housing having an inlet and an outlet, to define first and second check valve movement axes wherein said first and second check valve movement axes define first and second angles, respectively, with respect to an in-line axis of said single housing defined by coaxial inlet and outlet axes, each of said first and second angles being substantially greater than 45°
;
positioning a first stop valve between inlet and said first check valve;
positioning a second stop valve between said second check valve and said outlet; and
coupling said single housing such that said inline axis is coaxial with said flow axis, wherein said first and second check valves and said first and second stop valves are positioned within said single housing. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
positioning a relief valve at least partially within said housing, said relief valve configured to controllably release fluid to a region exterior to said assembly.
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15. A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein said relief valve has at least a portion moveable along a relief valve axis from a first closed-valve position to a second open-valve position.
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16. A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein said step of positioning said relief valve comprises positioning said relief valve such that said relief valve axis is substantially perpendicular to said in-line axis.
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17. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein said relief valve is positioned such that said relief valve axis is spaced from said in-line axis.
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18. A double check valve, reduced-pressure backflow preventor assembly comprising:
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a single housing having an inlet means for defining a first inlet direction and an outlet means for defining a second, coaxial, outlet direction;
first receiving means in said single housing for receiving a first check valve to define a first check valve axis and a second receiving means to receive a second check valve defining a second check valve axis, wherein said first and second check valve axes define first and second angles, respectively, with respect to an inline axis which lies along said first inlet direction and second outlet direction, each of said first and second angles being substantially greater than 45°
;
third receiving means in said single housing for receiving a first stop valve between said inlet means and said first check valve; and
fourth receiving means in said single housing for receiving a second stop valve between said second check valve and said outlet means. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification