Electrically operable valve assembly having an integral pressure regulator

• US 6,832,625 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2002
• Issued: 12/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Brent Ford
• Original Assignee: Michael Brent Ford
• Inventors: Ford, Michael Brent
• Primary Examiner(s): Hepperle, Stephen M.
• Application Number:
  US10/122,879
• Publication Number:
  US 20030192596A1
• Time in Patent Office: 985 Days
• Field of Search: 137/495, 137/505, 137/505.14, 137/484.8, 137/624.12, 137/599.13
• US Class Current: 137/495
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/24 with magnetic or electric coupling to the indicating device
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 1/26 of the valve type
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/005 Valves valves in general F16K
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 5/00 Measuring a proportion of the volume flow
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 16/2097 using pistons within the main valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7782 With manual or external control for line valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7809 Reactor surface separated by apertured partition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8242 Electrical
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87354 Including flowmeter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/88054 Direct response normally closed valve limits direction of flow

Abstract

An electrically operable valve assembly having an integral pressure regulator provides ease of installation and compact packaging for a water supply control system. The valve assembly is particularly useful for systems that control household water supplies to prevent flooding, but is also useful in other applications such as agricultural and industrial systems where water pressure determined water flow volume must be predicted accurately. The valve may also incorporate a flow meter having a positive flow characteristic permitting determination of very low flow rate flow and the valve may incorporate a manual control. All of the controls and features are integrable within a compact package that occupies essentially the same volume and piping space as a conventional electrically operable valve.

Claims

1. An electrically operable valve assembly for controlling a household water supply, said valve assembly comprising:

a water supply inlet;

a water supply outlet;

a pressure regulator for reducing a water pressure level of said water supply inlet;

a piston disposed between said water supply inlet and said water supply outlet for controlling a flow of said household water supply, wherein said piston is opened by a pressure drop introduced in the flow of said water supply;

a bypass channel extending between said water supply inlet and said water supply outlet for reducing said pressure drop, whereby said piston is allowed to close;

an electrically operable valve element for controlling a flow of said household water supply by interrupting flow through said bypass channel;

a housing for containing said pressure regulator, said piston, said bypass channel and said electrically operable valve element, whereby said electrically operable valve assembly valve assembly comprises an integral assembly attachable between a water supply via said water supply inlet and a household water system via said household water supply outlet; and

a ball disposed within said bypass channel, and wherein said bypass channel defines a chamber having a diameter larger than a diameter of said ball wherein said ball may move and an inlet having a diameter smaller than said diameter of said ball whereby said ball may seat against said inlet, blocking a reverse flow through said bypass channel from said water supply outlet to said water supply inlet.

2. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 1, further comprising a spring mechanically coupled to said piston for resisting movement of said piston in response to said pressure drop, and wherein said spring is set to a predetermined compression for producing a regulated pressure drop.

3. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 2, further comprising an adjustment shaft for setting said predetermined compression, providing manual adjustment of said regulated pressure drop.

4. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 2, wherein the electrically operable valve element further comprises:

a solenoid; and

a solenoid piston mechanically coupled to said solenoid for blocking said bypass channel, whereby flow may proceed through said main channel due to a pressure drop compressing said spring.

5. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 1, further comprising a backflow preventer within said housing for preventing a flow from said household water supply outlet to said water supply inlet.

6. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 5, wherein said backflow preventer comprises:

a second piston for controlling a flow of said household water supply, wherein said second piston is opened in a forward flow direction by a pressure drop introduced in the flow of said water supply, and wherein said second piston seats against a seat located between said water supply inlet and said water supply outlet when said reverse flow begins, whereby said reverse flow is stopped; and

a spring for moving said second piston.

7. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 1, further comprising a flow meter integral to said housing.

8. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 7, wherein said flow meter comprises a sensor for detecting a position of a movable indicator disposed within a channel of said electrically operable valve assembly, whereby an electrical output is provided indicating a flow through said electrically operable valve assembly.

9. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 8, further comprising:

a backflow preventor; and

a second bypass channel bypassing said backflow preventor, and wherein said channel is said second bypass channel, said movable indicator is a ball disposed within said second bypass channel, and wherein said second bypass channel includes a seat whereby said ball seals said second bypass channel against reverse flow.

10. An electrically operable valve assembly for controlling a household water supply, said valve assembly

a water supply inlet;

a household water supply outlet;

a plunger for reducing a flow through said valve assembly;

a pressure regulating diaphragm mechanically coupled to said plunger for controlling a position of said plunger;

a control diaphragm coupled to said plunger for opening and closing said plunger;

an electrical control element for controlling a water pressure supplied to said control diaphragm; and

a housing for containing said pressure regulator and said electrically operable valve element, whereby said electrically operable valve assembly valve assembly comprises an integral assembly attachable between a water supply via said water supply inlet and a household water system via said household water supply outlet.

11. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 10, wherein said control diaphragm and said pressure regulating diaphragm are coupled to said plunger by a concentric piston and sleeve.

12. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 11, wherein said sleeve is coupled to said pressure regulating diaphragm and said piston is disposed within said sleeve and coupled to said control diaphragm.

13. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 10, wherein said electrical control element is a solenoid for controlling flow from said water supply inlet to a side of said control diaphragm.

14. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 13, wherein said solenoid opens a second channel for venting pressure from said side of said diaphragm when said flow from said water supply inlet is cut-off.

15. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 14, further comprising a venturi within a region of said water supply outlet coupled to said second channel for withdrawing water from said side of said diaphragm.

16. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 10, further comprising a second plunger for preventing a backflow of water from said household water supply outlet to said water supply inlet.

17. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 16, further comprising:

a bypass channel around said second plunger; and

a movable indicator disposed within said bypass channel for providing a flow indication.

18. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 17, wherein said bypass channel further comprises a seat for preventing a backflow around said moveable indicator.

19. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 17, further comprising a sensor for detecting a position of said movable indicator, whereby an electrical output indicating a flow through said bypass channel is provided.

20. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 10, further comprising a bypass channel extending between said water supply inlet and said household water supply outlet for reducing a pressure drop between said water supply inlet and said household water supply outlet, whereby said plunger is allowed to close.

21. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 10, wherein said electrical control element further controls a flow through said bypass channel, whereby said pressure drop is reduced in response to an action of said electrical control element.

22. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 20, further comprising a ball disposed within said bypass channel, and wherein said bypass channel defines a chamber having a diameter larger than a diameter of said ball wherein said ball may move and an inlet having a diameter smaller than said diameter of said ball whereby said ball may seat against said inlet, blocking a reverse flow through said bypass channel from said household water supply outlet to said water supply inlet.

23. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 10, further comprising:

a bypass channel bypassing at least a portion of a primary channel of said electrically operable valve assembly; and

a movable indicator disposed within said bypass channel for providing a flow indication.

24. The electrically operable valve assembly of claim 23, further comprising a sensor for detecting a position of said movable indicator, whereby an electrical output indicating a flow through said bypass channel is provided.