Valve assembly

• US 8,375,991 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2010
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Watts Regulator Company (Watts Water Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Watts Regulator Company (Watts Water Technologies Incorporated)
• Inventors: Erhardt, James
• Primary Examiner(s): FOX, JOHN C
• Application Number:
  US12/693,592
• Publication Number:
  US 20100193043A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,120 Days
• Field of Search: 137/625.47, 137/887, 237/66, 237/69
• US Class Current: 137/625.47
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/0873 the plug being only rotatable around one spindle
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 3/10 Feed-line arrangements, e.g. providing for heat-accumulator tanks, expansion tanks ; Hydraulic components of a central heating system
• CPC Class Codes: F24H 9/13 for water heaters
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3149 Back flow prevention by vacuum breaking [e.g., anti-siphon devices]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86493 Multi-way valve unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/86871 Plug
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87909 Containing rotary valve

Abstract

A valve assembly including a body having a first end, a second end, a passageway extending between the first and the second ends, and four ports defined by the body and connected to the passageway. The assembly also has a first valve member received in the passageway at an intersection of the passageway and the first port, the valve member including a tee shaped passage such that in a first position the valve member opens the passageway and the first port, in a second position closes the passageway and connects the first end to the first port, in a third position closes the passageway and connects the first port to the second end, and in a fourth position opens the passageway and closes the first port. The assembly also includes a second valve member for opening and closing the third port.

Claims

1. A valve assembly comprising:

a body including,

a first open end,

a second open end,

a passageway extending between the first and the second open ends,

a first port defined by the body and connected to the passageway,

a second port defined by the body and connected to the passageway adjacent the first port,

a third port defined by the body and connected to the passageway, and

a fourth port defined by the body and connected to the passageway;

a first valve member received in the passageway at an intersection of the passageway and the first port, the valve member including a tee shaped passage such that, in a first position the valve member opens the passageway and the first port, in a second position the valve member closes the passageway d connects the first open end to the first port, in a third position the valve member closes the passageway and connects the first port to the second open end, and in a fourth position the valve member opens the passageway and closes the first port;

a second valve member for opening and closing the third port;

an expansion tank connected to the second open end of the body of the valve;

a fill valve and backflow preventer assembly connected to the first port of the body of the valve assembly; and

an air separator connected to the first open end of the body of the valve assembly.

2. A valve assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure gage secured in the fourth port.

3. A valve assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an annular end cap received in the first end of the body, securing the first valve member in the body.

4. A valve assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a valve stem connected to the first valve member and extending through the second port to a distal end, and a handle connected to the distal end of the valve stem.

5. A valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the body is of unitary construction.

6. A valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the second valve member is received in housing secured in a socket formed around the third port.

7. A valve assembly comprising:

a unitary body having a first open end, a second open end, a passageway extending between the first and the second open ends, a first port defined by the body and connected to the passageway, a second port defined by the body and connected to the passageway adjacent the first port, a third port defined by the body and connected to the passageway, and a fourth port defined by the body and connected to the passageway;

a first valve member received in the passageway at an intersection of the passageway and the first and the second ports, the valve member including a tee shaped passage such that, in a first position the valve member opens the passageway and the first port, in a second position the valve member closes the passageway and connects the first open end to the first port, in a third position the valve member closes the passageway and connects the first port to the second open end, and in a fourth position the valve member opens the passageway and closes the first port;

an annular end cap received in the first end of the body, securing the first valve member in the body;

a valve stem connected to the first valve member and extending through the second port to a distal end;

a second valve member for opening and closing the third port;

a pressure gage secured in the fourth port;

an expansion tank connected to the second open end of the body of the valve;

a fill valve and backflow preventer assembly connected to the first port of the body of the valve assembly; and

an air separator connected to the first open end of the body the valve assembly.

8. A valve assembly according to claim 7, wherein the second valve member is received in housing secured in a socket formed around the third port.

9. A valve assembly comprising:

a body having a first open end, a second open end, a passageway extending between the first and the second open ends, a first port defined by the body and connected to the passageway, a second port defined by the body and connected to the passageway adjacent the first port, a third port defined by the body and connected to the passageway, and a fourth port defined by the body and connected to the passageway;

a first valve member received in the passageway at an intersection of the passageway and the first and the second ports, the valve member including a passage such that, in a first position the valve member opens the passageway and the first port, in a second position the valve member closes the passageway and connects the first open end to the first port, in a third position the valve member closes the passageway and connects the first port to the second open end, and in a fourth position the valve member opens the passageway and closes the first port;

a valve stem connected to the first valve member and extending through the second port to a distal end;

a second valve member for opening and closing the third port;

an expansion tank connected to the second open end of the body of the valve;

a fill valve and backflow preventer assembly connected to the first port of the body of the valve assembly; and

an air separator connected to the first open end of the body of the valve assembly.

10. A valve assembly according to claim 9, further comprising a pressure gage secured in the fourth port.

11. A valve assembly according to claim 9, further comprising an end cap received in the first end of the body, securing the first valve member in the body.

12. A valve assembly according to claim 9, wherein the second valve member is received in housing secured in a socket formed around the third port.

13. A valve assembly according to claim 9, wherein the body is of unitary construction.