Valve system

• US 8,375,970 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2010
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC (Alticor Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lautzenheiser, Terry L., Godfrey, David O., Miles, Michael E., Mork, Steve O., Bylsma, Richard B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hepperle, Stephen M
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARSS, KEVIN R
• Application Number:
  US12/706,181
• Publication Number:
  US 20100139779A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 137/110, 137/599.14, 137/599.15, 137/599.11, 137/87.01, 137/78.1, 137/495, 137/487.5, 137/505.14, 137/87.04, 137/544, 137/597, 137/594, 137/505.21, 137/505.22, 137/505.38, 137/12
• US Class Current: 137/12
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/04 Water-basin installations specially adapted to wash-basins or baths valves, faucets, mixing valves, taps F16K
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 2201/40 Arrangement of water treatment devices in domestic plumbing installations
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 15/18 with actuating mechanism; Combined check valves and actuated valves
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 7/12 with flat, dished, or bowl-shaped diaphragm
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0379 By fluid pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0396 Involving pressure control
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/2496 Self-proportioning or correlating systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7782 With manual or external control for line valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7837 Direct response valves [i.e., check valve type]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7904 Reciprocating valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87048 With preselecting means for plural valve actuator
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87153 Plural noncommunicating flow paths
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87249 Multiple inlet with multiple outlet

Abstract

A valve system enables use of a standard single line faucet with a water treatment system, protects water treatment systems and other fluid flow devices from unnecessary fluid pressure, and regulates or prevents fluid flow to a dispenser or outlet in response to a particular event, such as a leak. The valve system includes a housing having ports for: (1) receiving a supply fluid, (2) supplying the fluid to a device, such as a water treatment system, (3) receiving the fluid from the device and (4) supplying fluid to a dispenser. The valve system also includes an automatic shutoff device within the housing that prevents water from flowing into the housing and the water treatment system when the dispensing outlet is closed and that allows water to flow through the housing and into the water treatment system when the outlet is open. The valve system may also include a second actuator connected to the automatic shutoff that is capable of moving the automatic shutoff to a partially or fully closed position.

Claims

1. A valve system for protecting a fluid flow device from pressure comprising:

a housing;

a first flow path extending through said housing, said first flow path including a first inlet and a first outlet, said first outlet in fluid communication with the fluid flow device;

a second flow path extending through said housing, said second flow path including a second inlet and a second outlet, said second inlet in fluid communication with the fluid flow device;

a check valve, wherein said check valve prevents fluid flow from said housing through said second inlet;

a shutoff valve within said housing capable of being switched between an open position and a closed position, said open position allowing fluid flow through said first flow path and said second flow path, said closed position prohibiting fluid flow through said first flow path; and

a second actuator connected to said shutoff valve, said second actuator capable of moving said shutoff valve to the closed position.

2. The valve system of claim 1 including a pressure relief mechanism in fluid communication with said housing and the fluid flow device for relieving pressure from said fluid flow device.

3. The valve system of claim 1 wherein a pressure differential is defined between a first pressure within said first flow path and a second pressure within said second flow path, said shutoff valve switched between said open position and said closed position as a function of said pressure differential.

4. The valve system of claim 3 wherein said second outlet is in fluid communication with a dispenser, said dispenser including an open position in which fluid is capable of flowing through said dispenser and a closed position in which fluid is prevented from flowing through said dispenser.

5. The valve system of claim 4 wherein movement of said dispenser from said closed position to said open position changes said pressure differential such that said shutoff valve moves from said closed position to said open position.

6. A valve system for protecting a fluid flow device from pressure comprising:

a housing;

a first flow path extending through said housing, said first flow path including a first inlet and a first outlet, said first outlet in fluid communication with the fluid flow device;

a second flow path extending through said housing, said second flow path including a second inlet and a second outlet, said second inlet in fluid communication with the fluid flow device;

a check valve, wherein said check valve prevents fluid flow from said housing through said second inlet;

a shutoff valve within said housing capable of being switched between an open position and a closed position, said open position allowing fluid flow through said first flow path and said second flow path, said closed position prohibiting fluid flow through said first flow path;

a second actuator connected to said shutoff valve, said second actuator capable of moving said shutoff valve; and

a sensor connected to said second actuator, said sensor capable of sending a signal to said second actuator, said signal operating said second actuator to move said shutoff valve,

wherein a pressure differential is defined between a first pressure within said first flow path and a second pressure within said second flow path, said shutoff valve switched between said open position and said closed position as a function of said pressure differential,

wherein said second outlet is in fluid communication with a dispenser, said dispenser including an open position in which fluid is capable of flowing through said dispenser and a closed position in which fluid is prevented from flowing through said dispenser,

wherein movement of said dispenser from said closed position to said open position changes said pressure differential such that said shutoff valve moves from said closed position to said open position.

7. The valve system of claim 6 wherein said sensor is configured to detect at least one of temperature, moisture and pressure.

8. A method for operating a valve system comprising:

providing a housing defining a first flow path and a second flow path;

providing a shutoff valve within said housing, said shutoff valve operable to move between an open position allowing fluid flow through said first flow path and said second flow path and a closed position preventing fluid flow through said first flow path;

connecting a fluid supply to said first flow path;

connecting said first flow path to said second flow path;

moving said shutoff valve as a function of the pressure differential between said first flow path and said second flow path; and

providing a second actuator connected to said housing; and

moving said shutoff valve to the closed position with said second actuator.

9. The method of claim 8 including connecting said second flow path to a dispenser that can be opened and closed.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the opening of the dispenser causes the pressure differential between said first flow path and said second flow path to change and moves said shutoff valve.

14. The method of claim 10 including connecting said first flow path and said second flow path to a fluid flow device, opening said dispenser to move said shutoff valve to said open position to allow fluid to flow from said first flow path to said fluid flow device, and closing said dispenser to move said shutoff valve to the closed position to prevent fluid flow to said device.

11. A method for operating a valve system comprising:

providing a housing defining a first flow path and a second flow path;

providing a shutoff valve within said housing, said shutoff valve operable to move between an open position allowing fluid flow through said first flow path and said second flow path and a closed position preventing fluid flow through said first flow path;

connecting a fluid supply to said first flow path;

connecting said first flow path to said second flow path;

moving said shutoff valve as a function of the pressure differential between said first flow path and said second flow path; and

providing a second actuator connected to said housing;

moving said shutoff valve with said second actuator;

connecting said second flow path to a dispenser that can be opened and closed; and

connecting a sensor to said second actuator, said sensor sending a signal to said second actuator upon said sensor detecting at least one of a change in moisture levels, a change in temperature, a change in mechanical position, and a change in pressure, said second actuator moving said shutoff valve upon receiving said signal;

wherein the opening of the dispenser causes the pressure differential between said first flow path and said second flow path to change and moves said shutoff valve.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said shutoff valve is moved completely to said closed position upon said sensor sensing a change in moisture.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said shutoff valve is moved partially toward said closed position upon said sensor sensing a change in pressure within said second flow path.

15. A valve system comprising:

a valve housing defining a first flow path having a first inlet and a first outlet, and a second flow path having a second inlet and a second outlet, said valve housing including a shutoff valve within said housing, said shutoff valve capable of moving between an open position in which fluid can flow through said first flow path and said second flow path and a closed position in which fluid is prevented from flowing through said first inlet, said shutoff valve moving from said open position to said closed position as a function of the pressure differential between said first flow path and said second flow path; and

a second actuator connected to said housing, said second actuator including a drive element operably connected to said shutoff valve such that movement of said drive element causes movement of said shutoff valve to the closed position.

16. The valve system of claim 15 including a fluid flow device in fluid communication with said first flow path and said second flow path, a check valve positioned between said fluid flow device and said second flow path, said check valve preventing fluid flow from said second inlet to said fluid flow device, and a pressure relief mechanism in fluid communication with said fluid flow device, said pressure relief mechanism venting fluid pressure from said fluid flow device when said shutoff valve is in said closed position.

19. The valve system of claim 15 wherein said second actuator includes a control rod and a plunger, said control rod movable between a first position and a second position, wherein movement of second control rod to said second position drives said plunger to move said shutoff valve to said closed position.

17. A valve system comprising:

a valve housing defining a first flow path having a first inlet and a first outlet, and a second flow path having a second inlet and a second outlet, said valve housing including a shutoff valve within said housing, said shutoff valve capable of moving between an open position in which fluid can flow through said first flow path and said second flow path and a closed position in which fluid is prevented from flowing through said first inlet, said shutoff valve moving from said open position to said closed position as a function of the pressure differential between said first flow path and said second flow path;

a second actuator connected to said housing, said second actuator including a drive element operably connected to said shutoff valve such that movement of said drive element causes movement of said shutoff valve; and

a sensor connected to said second actuator, said sensor capable of sending a signal to said second actuator upon a predetermined occurrence, said second actuator operable to move upon receiving said signal.

18. The valve system of claim 17 wherein said sensor is at least one of a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a position sensor, and a moisture sensor.