Pilot operated diaphragm fill valve

• US 5,836,346 A
• Filed: 10/28/1997
• Issued: 11/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lavelle Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Hunter Plumbing Products Co.
• Inventors: Nichols-Roy, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Walton, George L.
• Application Number:
  US08/959,187
• Time in Patent Office: 385 Days
• Field of Search: 137/315, 137/414, 137/217, 137/218, 137/426, 137/428, 137/434, 137/435, 137/436, 137/437
• US Class Current: 137/414
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 1/32 Arrangement of inlet valves devices for reducing noise E03D9/14 ; noise-reducing means E03D11/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/34 acting on pilot valve controlling the cut-off apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/3331 With co-acting valve in liquid flow path
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6004 Assembling or disassembling float or float valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7043 Guards and shields
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7374 Flexible diaphragm valve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7413 Level adjustment or selection means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/742 In separate communicating float chamber
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7442 With valve retarder or cushion means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7446 With flow guide or restrictor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7449 External hood or deflector or annular outlet surrounding the inlet pipe
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8049 Movable strainer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/8122 Planar strainer normal to flow path

Abstract

An adjustable height fill valve assembly for controlling water level in a storage tank, comprises a lower riser assembly comprising concentrically disposed inlet riser and an outer riser housing, each having an upper end and a lower end, the inlet riser and the riser housing connected together at the lower ends, the inlet riser being adapted for mounting in a hole in a flush tank, an upper riser assembly comprising concentrically disposed inner supply tube and an outer tubular valve housing, each having an upper end and a lower end, a main valve seat at the upper end of the inner supply tube, the upper riser assembly telescopically mounted on the lower riser assembly, a latch between the riser housing and the tubular valve housing for latching the upper and the lower riser assemblies in selected extended and retracted positions, the latch disengageable upon rotation of the upper riser assembly in either direction from a central position, a valve housing cap having a bayonet lock connection for quick connect detachable connection to an upper end of the tubular valve housing, a pilot operated main diaphragm valve mounted in the valve housing cap and engageable with the valve seat for controlling flow of water into the valve housing from the supply tube, a pressure control chamber in the housing cap above the main diaphragm valve in communication with the inlet tube, a vent port having a vent valve seat in the housing cap for venting the pressure chamber, a unitary float and float arm pivotally mounted on the cap and having a vent valve member mounted thereon for engaging the vent valve seat for closing the vent port.

Claims

1. A pilot operated diaphragm fill valve for controlling water level in a storage tank, comprising:

an elongated outer tubular riser and valve housing having an upper end and a lower end, a radial flange at said upper end;

an elongated inner riser and supply tube having an upper end and a lower end, concentrically disposed in said outer riser tube and having a main valve seat at said upper end, said inner supply tube being adapted for connection to a source of water;

a valve housing cap having means for detachable connection to said upper end of said tubular valve housing, and an annular recess in said housing cap, said valve housing cap includes a vacuum port in a top thereof;

a main diaphragm valve mounted in said annular recess in said valve housing cap and engageable with said valve seat for controlling flow of water into said valve housing from said supply tube said main diaphragm valve includes a radially extending thin peripheral lip engaging with said vacuum port as a vacuum break valve;

a pressure control chamber in said housing cap between said main diaphragm valve and said housing cap;

a pin extending through said diaphragm and having a groove therein for communicating said control chamber with said inlet tube;

a vent valve port having a valve seat in said housing cap for venting said pressure chamber;

a float having a float arm pivotally mounted on said cap; and

a vent valve member mounted on one end of said float arm for engaging said vent valve seat for selectively closing said vent port.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said valve housing cap is connectable to and removable from said valve housing by means of a bayonet connector with less than a quarter turn rotation relative to said valve housing.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a float housing integral with said valve housing, said float housing having a dam for controlling inlet water to said housing to a position above the normal level of said float.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said float housing having a bottom and a check valve in said bottom for controlling flow of water from said housing until water in said reservoir falls to a position below the normal level of said float to thereby provide a delayed turn on of said main valve.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4 said further comprising an elongated combined strainer and noise suppressor removeably mountable in said supply tube, said combined strainer and noise suppressor comprising an elongated member having an inlet end and an outlet end, said inlet end divided longitudinally extending walls having narrow slots into a pair of inlet quadrants and a pair of collector quadrants, a combined diffuser and restrictor section extending from said collector quadrants to said outlet end.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said combined diffuser and restrictor section includes a series of oppositely directed curved walls defining a tortuous path.

7. An apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising:

a lower riser assembly comprising concentrically disposed inlet riser and an outer riser housing, each having an upper end and a lower end, said inlet riser and said riser housing formed as separate members and connected together at said lower ends, said inlet riser being adapted for mounting in a hole in a flush tank;

said valve housing and said supply tube define an upper riser assembly which is adjustably mounted on said upper end of said lower riser assembly; and

latch means between said riser housing and said tubular valve housing for latching said upper and said lower riser assemblies in selected extended and retracted positions, said latch means disengageable upon rotation of said upper riser assembly in either direction from a central position, said latch means comprises a series of inverted V shaped ridges on one of said riser housing and valve housing, and of series of projections of the other of said riser housing and valve housing for latching between said ridges.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said valve housing cap is removable from said valve housing with less than a quarter turn rotation relative to said valve housing.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said groove in said pin is formed as a spiral along an outer surface of said pin.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said pin is integral with said housing cap.

11. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

said annular recess is in a lower surface of said housing cap; and

,

said sealing flange extends upward from an upper surface of said diaphragm.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein:

said thin peripheral lip extending radially outward from said sealing flange break valve.

13. A pilot operated diaphragm valve assembly for controlling water flow from an inlet to an outlet, comprising:

a generally circular lower valve housing member having a central inlet forming a main valve seat and upwardly extending segmented peripheral wall;

a generally circular valve housing cap having a downwardly depending peripheral wall portion disposed in aligned engagement with said upwardly extending peripheral wall for defining a valve chamber;

an annular recess in a lower surface of said housing cap, said valve housing cap includes a vacuum port in a top thereof;

a main diaphragm valve having an upwardly extending sealing flange mounted in said annular recess in said valve housing cap and engageable with said valve seat for controlling flow of water into said valve chamber from said inlet said main diaphragm valve includes a radially extending thin peripheral lip engaging with said vacuum port as a vacuum break valve;

a pressure control chamber in said housing cap between said main diaphragm valve and said housing cap;

a pin extending through a hole in a center of said diaphragm and having a groove therein for communicating said control chamber with said inlet;

a vent valve port having a valve seat in said housing cap for venting said pressure chamber;

a float having a float arm pivotally mounted on said cap; and

a vent valve member mounted on one end of said float arm for engaging said vent valve seat for selectively closing said vent port.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said pin is extends from said lower surface of said valve cap and said groove in said pin is formed as a spiral along an outer surface of said pin.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said pin is integral with said housing cap.

16. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein:

said thin peripheral lip extending radially outward from said sealing flange break valve.

17. An apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said thin peripheral lip is engaged between said upwardly extending segmented peripheral wall downwardly depending s peripheral wall.

18. An apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising an outer valve housing member, and wherein said valve lower valve housing member is clamped between said valve cap and said outer valve housing.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said valve cap and said outer valve housing includes a bayonet connector, and said valve housing cap is connectable to and removable from said outer valve housing with less than a quarter turn rotation relative to said valve housing.

20. An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said outer valve housing further comprises a float housing integral therewith, said float housing having a dam for controlling inlet water to said housing to a position above the normal level of said float.

21. An apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said float housing having a bottom and a check valve in said bottom for controlling flow of water from said housing until water in said reservoir falls to a position below the normal level of said float to thereby provide a delayed turn on of said main valve.

22. A pilot operated diaphragm valve assembly for controlling water flow from an inlet to an outlet, comprising:

a generally circular lower valve housing member having a central inlet forming a main valve seat and upwardly extending segmented peripheral wall;

a generally circular valve housing cap having a downwardly depending peripheral wall portion disposed in aligned engagement with said upwardly extending peripheral wall for defining a valve chamber;

an outer valve housing member, said valve cap and said outer valve housing including a bayonet connector, and said valve housing cap connectable to and removable from said outer valve housing with less than a quarter turn rotation relative to said outer valve housing, and said valve lower valve housing member is clamped between said valve cap and said outer valve housing;

a main diaphragm valve having an upwardly extending sealing flange mounted in said annular recess in said valve housing cap and engageable with said valve seat for controlling flow of water into said valve chamber from said inlet;

said valve cap includes a vacuum port in a top thereof outward from said peripheral wall portion and

said main diaphragm valve includes a thin peripheral lip extending radially outward from said sealing flange engaging vacuum port as a vacuum break valve;

a pressure control chamber in said housing cap between said main diaphragm valve and said housing cap;

a pin from a lower surface of said valve cap and extending through a hole in a center of said diaphragm and having a groove therein for communicating said control chamber with said inlet;

a vent valve port having a valve seat in said housing cap for venting said pressure chamber;

a float having a float arm pivotally mounted on said cap; and

a vent valve member mounted on one end of said float arm for engaging said vent valve seat for selectively closing said vent port.