Flow control/shut-off valve assembly

• US 9,410,636 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2015
• Issued: 08/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Drexel University
• Original Assignee: Drexel University
• Inventors: Older, John
• Primary Examiner(s): MCCALISTER, WILLIAM M
• Application Number:
  US14/659,756
• Publication Number:
  US 20150211650A1
• Time in Patent Office: 511 Days
• Field of Search: 137/459, 137/460
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/071 Arrangement of safety devices in domestic pipe systems, e.g. devices for automatic shut-off
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 7/072 Arrangement of flowmeters
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/32 acting on a servo-mechanism or on a catch-releasing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 17/34 in which the flow-energy of the flowing medium actuates the closing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 21/16 closing after a predetermined quantity of fluid has been delivered F16K21/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/1262 one side of the diaphragm being spring loaded
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 7/0106 the sensing element being a flexible member, e.g. bellows, diaphragm, capsule
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/15 Leakage reduction or detection in water storage or distribution
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0324 With control of flow by a condition or characteristic of a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7726 Responsive to change in rate of flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7727 Excessive flow cut-off
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7759 Responsive to change in rate of fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7761 Electrically actuated valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/777 Spring biased
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7784 Responsive to change in rate of fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7785 Valve closes in response to excessive flow
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7787 Expansible chamber subject to differential pressures
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7788 Pressures across fixed choke
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8158 With indicator, register, recorder, alarm or inspection means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87298 : Having digital flow controller
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87354 : Including flowmeter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/87507 : Electrical actuator

Abstract

A flow valve assembly includes a valve operable between an open position and a closed position and a controller operatively coupled to the valve to operate the valve between the open position and the closed position. A mechanically or electrically operated assembly is provided to determine an amount of fluid flow through the valve when the valve is in the open position. A mechanically or electrically operated mechanism moves the valve from the open position to the closed position when the amount of fluid flow exceeds a predetermined value. A method of operating the valve is also provided.

Claims

1. A flow valve assembly comprising:

a piston operable between an open position and a closed position;

a controller mechanically coupled to the piston to operate the piston between the open position and the closed position when the rate of fluid flow exceeds a predetermined value, the controller comprising;

a first linkage member operable between a first position in which the piston is in the open position, and a second position in which the piston is in the closed position;

a second linkage member having a first end pivotally coupled to the first linkage member to move the first linkage between the first position and the second position and a second end;

a first biasing member having a first end coupled to the second linkage member between the first end and the second end a second end connected to a support such that, when the first linkage member is in the second positon, the first biasing member biases the first linkage member toward the first position.

2. The flow valve assembly according to claim 1, wherein the controller comprises a diaphragm.

3. The flow valve assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a second biasing member operatively engaged with the piston such that, when the first linkage member is in the second position, the second biasing member biases the piston from the valve-open position to the valve-closed position.

4. A method of operating a valve, the method comprising:

a. providing the valve assembly according to claim 1;

b. allowing a fluid to flow through the valve assembly; and

c. biasing the piston to the closed position with the second biasing member when the diaphragm releases the first linkage arm from the piston.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, prior to step b, the valve assembly is set at a baseline condition and wherein, prior to step c, if the fluid flow stops prior to reaching the predetermined value, returning the valve assembly to the baseline condition.

6. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of:

d. manually resetting the piston to the open position.

7. The flow valve assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a vacuum chamber in fluid communication with a flow path through the valve assembly, the vacuum chamber comprising a diaphragm coupled to the second linkage member.

8. The flow valve assembly according to claim 7, wherein the piston is biased toward the closed position.

9. The flow valve assembly according to claim 7, wherein the first biasing member is coupled to the diaphragm, the first biasing member adapted to bias the first linkage member toward engagement with the piston.