System for controlling fluid flow to an appliance

• US 7,621,295 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2007
• Issued: 11/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NIBCO Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Webstone Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Reck, Michael E.
• Primary Examiner(s): FOX, JOHN C
• Application Number:
  US11/927,045
• Publication Number:
  US 20080142103A1
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 137/625.22, 137/625.24, 137/625.47, 122/13.01, 122/13.3, 122/14.3, 122/14.31, 251/310, 237/8.R, 237/8.A, 237/8.D, 237/56
• US Class Current: 137/625.47
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/0873 the plug being only rotatable around one spindle
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/0876 one connecting conduit having the same axis as the spindle
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 5/0605 with particular plug arrangements, e.g. particular shape or built-in means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0508 Ball valve or rotary ball valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86863 Rotary valve unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86871 Plug
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87169 Supply and exhaust
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87909 Containing rotary valve

Abstract

A fluid isolation valve having a valve body with a first fluid flow port, a second fluid flow port and a fluid drain port with a valve in the fluid drain port. The valve body also defines a fluid flow channel, a drain flow channel and a valve portion, wherein the valve portion is disposed in the valve body to be communicated with the first fluid flow port, the second fluid flow port and the fluid drain port. A flow diversion device is also provided and is disposed within the valve portion. The flow diversion device is configurable between a first configuration and a second configuration, such that when the flow diversion device is in the first configuration the first fluid flow port is communicated with the second fluid flow port. Consequently, when the flow diversion device is in the second configuration the first fluid flow port is communicated with the fluid drain port. The fluid flow can be decrease or stop by use of the valve within the fluid drain port.

Claims

1. A system for isolating and controlling a flow of fluid comprising:

an appliance having an inlet port and an outlet port;

a first valve having a first flow port, a second flow port, and a drain port formed in a unitary valve body, said first flow port of said first valve in fluid communication with a fluid source and said second flow port said first valve in fluid communication with said inlet port of said appliance, said first valve being configurable between a first and second position in the unitary valve body, when said first valve is in said first position said fluid source is in fluid communication with said appliance and when said first valve is in said second position said appliance is in fluid communication with said drain port of said first valve; and

a second valve having a first flow port, a second flow port and a drain port formed in a unitary valve body, said first flow port of said second valve in fluid communication with said outlet port of said appliance and said second flow port of said second valve in fluid communication with a plumbing system, the second valve being configurable between a first and second position in the unitary valve body, when the second valve is in said first position said appliance is in fluid communication with said plumbing system and when said second valve is in said second position said appliance is in fluid communication with said drain port of said second valve.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said second valve further comprises a relief port in said unitary valve body and wherein when said second valve is in said first position said appliance communicates with said plumbing system and said relief port, of said second valve and when said second valve is in said second position said appliance communicates with said drain port and said relief port of said second valve.

3. The system according to claim 2, further comprising:

a first flow diversion device disposed within said first valve, said first flow diversion device defining said first position and said second position of said first valve; and

a second flow diversion device disposed within said second valve, said second flow diversion device defining said first position and said second position of said second valve.

4. The system according to claim 2 wherein said relief port of said second valve contains a threaded portion for the attachment of a first relief valve.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said drain port of said first valve has a drain port valve disposed within and said drain port of said second valve has a drain port valve disposed within.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said drain port valve of the first valve and the second valve are ball valve units.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein said first flow port of said first valve is fitted with a first union connection and said second fluid flow port of said first valve is fitted with a first threaded connection;

and

said first flow port of said second valve is fitted with a second union connection and said second flow port of said second valve is fitted with a second threaded connection.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said appliance is a tankless water heater.

9. A system for isolating and controlling a flow of fluid to a tankless water heater comprising:

a tankless water heater having an inlet port and an outlet port;

a first valve having a first flow port, a second flow port, and a drain port formed in a unitary valve body, said first flow port of said first valve in fluid communication with a fluid source and said second flow port of said first valve in fluid communication with said inlet port of said tankless water heater, said first valve being configurable between a first and second position, when said first valve is in said first position said fluid source communicates with said tankless water heater and when said first valve is in said second position said tankless water heater communicates with said drain port of said first valve; and

a second valve having a first flow port, a second flow port and a drain port formed in a unitary valve body, said first flow port of said second valve in fluid communication with said outlet port of said tankless water heater and said second flow port of said second valve in fluid communication with a plumbing system, the second valve being configurable between a first and second position such that when the second valve is in said first position said tankless water heater communicates with said plumbing system and when said second valve is in said second position said tankless water heater communicates with said drain port of said second valve.