Universal control valve

Claim 2

In a valve assembly wherein a body contains a valve seat opening disposed between inlet and outlet ports and a pressure responsive valve member associated with said opening to control flow of fluid therethrough, a pressure responsive element connected to actuate said valve member and having one side exposed to a control chamber within said body, a further port in said body comprising an outer section having means for attaching a control fluid pressure conduit or for mounting a closure device, and an inner section, control passage means within the body connecting said outlet passage with said control chamber through said inner section, and means for mounting a device in said inner section to close said passage means when a control fluid pressure conduit is connected to said outer section.

Claim 3

In a valve assembly defined in claim 1, said further port also comprising an intermediate section, and further control passage means connecting said intermediate section to the control chamber when a closure device is mounted in said inner section.

Claim 4

In a valve assembly wherein a body contains a valve seat opening disposed between inlet and outlet ports and a pressure responsive valve member associated with said opening to control flow of fluid therethrough, a pressure responsive element connected to actuate said valve member and having its opposite sides exposed to first and second control chambers respectively within said body, a first further port in said body connected by a passage to said first chamber and having means for attaching a first control fluid pressure conduit or for mounting a closure device, a second further port in said body adapted to connect a second control fluid pressure to said second chamber whereby said fluid pressure responsive element may be responsive to the differential of said control fluid pressures, control passage means within the body connecting said outlet with said first control chamber, and means for removably mounting a device in said control passage means to close said control passage means and prevent the application of outlet pressure to said first control chamber when differential control fluid pressures are connected to actuate said fluid pressure responsive element.

Claim 5

In a valve assembly wherein a body contains a valve seat opening disposed between inlet and outlet ports and a pressure responsive valve member associated with said opening to control flow of fluid therethrough, a pressure responsive element connected to actuate said valve member and having its opposite sides exposed to first and second control chambers respectively within said body, a first further port in said body connected by a passage to said first chamber and having means for attaching a first control fluid pressure conduit or for mounting a closure device, a second further port in said body adapted to connect a second control fluid pressure to said second chamber whereby said fluid pressure responsive element may be responsive to the differential of said control fluid pressures, control passage means within the body connecting said outlet with said first control chamber, and means for removably mounting a device in said control passage means to close said control passage means and prevent the application of outlet pressure to said first control chamber when differential control fluid pressures are connected to actuate said fluid pressure responsive element.

Claim 6

A pilot-operated control valve system comprising a main valve including a body having inlet and outlet ports intersecting a valve chamber, closure means mounted in said valve chamber and having a seating surface cooperating with a body seat formed at the intersection of said inlet port and valve chamber to control the fluid flow therebetween, actuating means acting against a rear surface of and biasing said closure member to a closed position, first conduit means connecting said inlet port with a pressure chamber at said valve chamber to apply fluid pressure against said rear surface, second conduit means connecting said pressure chamber with said outlet port, a pilot valve connected in said second conduit means, said pilot valve comprising a pilot body having a pilot valve chamber, reversible seat means positioned in said valve chamber and having opening means through which fluid passes through said pilot body, a stem having one end positioned for movement in said pilot valve chamber and its other end extending outwardly of said pilot body, a reversible valve closure assembly removably mounted on said one stem end and operable to control the fluid flow through said seat opening means, and resilient means connected to said other stem end and operative to bias said valve closure assembly to a normally open or normally closed position depending upon the cooperative assemblage of said reversible seat and reversible valve closure assembly.

Claim 7

A pilot-operated control valve system comprising a main valve including a body having inlet and outlet ports intersecting a valve chamber, closure means mounted in said valve chamber and having a seating surface cooperating with a body seat formed at the intersection of said inlet port and valve chamber to control the fluid flow therebetween, actuating means acting against a rear surface of and biasing said closure member to a closed position, first conduit means connecting said inlet port with a pressure chamber at said valve chamber to apply fluid pressure against said rear surface, second conduit means connecting said pressure chamber with said outlet port, a pilot valve connected in said second conduit means, said pilot valve comprising a pilot body having a pilot valve chamber, reversible seat means positioned in said valve chamber and having opening means through which fluid passes through said pilot body, a stem having one end positioned for movement in said pilot valve chamber and its other end extending outwardly of said pilot body, a reversible valve closure assembly removably mounted on said one stem end and operable to control the fluid flow through said seat opening means, and resilient means connected to said other stem end and operative to bias said valve closure assembly to a normally open or normally closed position depending upon the cooperative assemblage of said reversible seat and reversible valve closure assembly.

Claim 8

A universal control valve comprising a main body having means defining fluid inlet and outlet passages intersecting a valve chamber, reversible seat means positioned in said valve chamber and having an opening communicating with said inlet and outlet passages, means defining a fixed substantially annular surface in said main body, said reversible seat means being adapted to abut said surface in either of its reversed positions, a stem having one end positioned for movement in said valve chamber and its other end extending outwardly of said main body, a reversible valve closure assembly removably mounted on said one stem end and operable to control the fluid flow through said seat opening, pressure-actuated means connected to said other stem end and operable to move said valve closure assembly between open and closed positions, means providing an access opening in said body, said access opening being so disposed and of such size that said reversible seat means may be inserted or withdrawn therethrough, a cover member removably mounted over said access opening, and means on said cover projecting to engage and hold said reversible seat means in either of its reversed positions.

Claim 9

A universal control valve comprising a main body having means defining fluid inlet and outlet passages intersecting a valve chamber, reversible seat means positioned in said valve chamber and having an opening communicating with said inlet and outlet passages, means defining a fixed substantially annular surface in said main body, said reversible seat means being adapted to abut said surface in either of its reversed positions, a stem having one end positioned for movement in said valve chamber and its other end extending outwardly of said main body, a reversible valve closure assembly removably mounted on said one stem end and operable to control the fluid flow through said seat opening, pressure-actuated means connected to said other stem end and operable to move said valve closure assembly between open and closed positions, means providing an access opening in said body, said access opening being so disposed and of such size that said reversible seat means may be inserted or withdrawn therethrough, a cover member removably mounted over said access opening, and means on said cover projecting to engage and hold said reversible seat means in either of its reversed positions.

Claim 10

In the universal control valve defined in claim 5, said surface being provided as a shoulder in a recess within the body, in which recess said reversible seat is slidably inserted in both of its reversed positions.

Claim 11

A universal control valve comprising a body having means defining fluid inlet and outlet passages intersecting a valve chamber, reversible seat means positioned in said valve chamber and having an opening communicating with said inlet and outLet passages, a stem having one end positioned for movement in said valve chamber and its other end extending outwardly of said body, a reversible valve closure assembly removably mounted on said one stem end and operable to control the fluid flow through said seat opening, pressure-actuated means connected to said other stem end and operable to move said valve closure assembly between open and closed positions, whereby when said seat and valve closure assembly are positioned in a first corresponding cooperating assemblage said valve may act as a normally open pressure-reducing valve and when in another cooperating assemblage said valve may act as a normally closed pressure relief valve, said pressure-actuated means comprising an actuator housing mounted on said body and separated therefrom by a pressure responsive flexible diaphragm to which said other stem end is connected, said diaphragm and valve body defining a pressure chamber therebetween and said diaphragm and actuator housing defining an actuator chamber therebetween, actuator means in said actuator chamber to apply a predetermined thrust on said diaphragm to maintain said valve closure assembly in said normally open or normally closed position, and fluid passage means in said valve body for conducting the fluid to be controlled to said fluid pressure control chamber, whereby said diaphragm responds to said fluid pressure to position said valve closure assembly, said fluid passage means including a first passageway connecting said outlet passage with said fluid pressure chamber and a second passageway adapted to connect an external fluid source with said fluid pressure chamber, and removable plug means for selectively preventing fluid flow through one of said passageways when it is desired to control the pressure of fluid flowing through the other passageway.

Claim 12

A universal control valve comprising a body having means defining fluid inlet and outlet passages intersecting a valve chamber, reversible seat means positioned in said valve chamber and having an opening communicating with said inlet and outLet passages, a stem having one end positioned for movement in said valve chamber and its other end extending outwardly of said body, a reversible valve closure assembly removably mounted on said one stem end and operable to control the fluid flow through said seat opening, pressure-actuated means connected to said other stem end and operable to move said valve closure assembly between open and closed positions, whereby when said seat and valve closure assembly are positioned in a first corresponding cooperating assemblage said valve may act as a normally open pressure-reducing valve and when in another cooperating assemblage said valve may act as a normally closed pressure relief valve, said pressure-actuated means comprising an actuator housing mounted on said body and separated therefrom by a pressure responsive flexible diaphragm to which said other stem end is connected, said diaphragm and valve body defining a pressure chamber therebetween and said diaphragm and actuator housing defining an actuator chamber therebetween, actuator means in said actuator chamber to apply a predetermined thrust on said diaphragm to maintain said valve closure assembly in said normally open or normally closed position, and fluid passage means in said valve body for conducting the fluid to be controlled to said fluid pressure control chamber, whereby said diaphragm responds to said fluid pressure to position said valve closure assembly, said fluid passage means including a first passageway connecting said outlet passage with said fluid pressure chamber and a second passageway adapted to connect an external fluid source with said fluid pressure chamber, and removable plug means for selectively preventing fluid flow through one of said passageways when it is desired to control the pressure of fluid flowing through the other passageway.

Claim 13

The universal control valve of claim 7, said actuator means comprising spring means connected at one end to said diaphragm, and adjusting means mounted on said actuator housing and engaging the other end of said spring means, said adjusting means being effective to adjust the bias of said spring means and thereby adjust the predetermined thrust applied to said diaphragm to place said valve closure assembly in said normally open or normally closed position.

Claim 14

The universal control valve of claim 8, said adjusting means comprising screw means threaded through an opening in said actuator housing with its end engaging the other end of said spring means.

Claim 15

A universal control valve comprising a body having means defining fluid inlet and outlet passages intersecting a valve chamber, reversible seat means positioned in said valve chamber and having an opening communicating with said inlet and outlet passages, a stem having one end positioned for movement in said valve chamber and its other end extending outwardly of said body, a reversible valve closure assembly removably mounted on said one stem end and operable to control the fluid flow through said seat opening, pressure-actuated means connected to said other stem end and operable to move said valve closure assembly between open and closed positions, whereby when said seat and valve closure assembly are positioned in a first corresponding cooperating assemblage said valve may act as a normally open pressure-reducing valve and when in another cooperating assemblage said valve may act as a normally closed pressure relief valve, said pressure-actuated means comprising an actuator housing mounted on said body and separated therefrom by a pressure responsive flexible diaphragm to which said other stem end is connected, said diaphragm and valve body defining a pressure chamber therebetween and said diaphragm and actuator housing defining an actuator chamber therebetween, actuator means in said actuator chamber to apply a predetermined thrust on said diaphragm to maintain said valve closure assembly in said normally open or normally closed position, fluid passage means in said valve body for conducting the Fluid to be controlled to said fluid pressure control chamber, whereby said diaphragm responds to said fluid pressure to position said valve closure assembly, said actuator means comprising spring means connected to one end to said diaphragm, adjusting means mounted on said actuator housing and engaging the other end of said spring means, said adjusting means being effective to adjust the bias of said spring means and thereby adjust the predetermined thrust applied to said diaphragm to place said valve closure assembly in said normally open or normally closed position, and said adjusting means comprising an extension housing connected to said actuator housing with sealing means therebetween, an extension rod having one end engaging said spring means and the other end extending outwardly through said actuator housing and into a bore in said extension housing and being movable therein, sealing means between said rod and the wall of said bore, adjusting screw means passing through said extension housing and engaging the other end of said rod, whereby the bias of said spring means is adjusted by adjustment of said screw means and said extension rod, and an aperture in said actuator housing for supplying fluid pressure to said actuator chamber so that said valve may act as a pressure differential control valve in response to the pressure differential across said diaphragm.

Claim 16

A universal control valve comprising a body having means defining fluid inlet and outlet passages intersecting a valve chamber, reversible seat means positioned in said valve chamber and having an opening communicating with said inlet and outlet passages, a stem having one end positioned for movement in said valve chamber and its other end extending outwardly of said body, a reversible valve closure assembly removably mounted on said one stem end and operable to control the fluid flow through said seat opening, pressure-actuated means connected to said other stem end and operable to move said valve closure assembly between open and closed positions, whereby when said seat and valve closure assembly are positioned in a first corresponding cooperating assemblage said valve may act as a normally open pressure-reducing valve and when in another cooperating assemblage said valve may act as a normally closed pressure relief valve, said pressure-actuated means comprising an actuator housing mounted on said body and separated therefrom by a pressure responsive flexible diaphragm to which said other stem end is connected, said diaphragm and valve body defining a pressure chamber therebetween and said diaphragm and actuator housing defining an actuator chamber therebetween, actuator means in said actuator chamber to apply a predetermined thrust on said diaphragm to maintain said valve closure assembly in said normally open or normally closed position, fluid passage means in said valve body for conducting the Fluid to be controlled to said fluid pressure control chamber, whereby said diaphragm responds to said fluid pressure to position said valve closure assembly, said actuator means comprising spring means connected to one end to said diaphragm, adjusting means mounted on said actuator housing and engaging the other end of said spring means, said adjusting means being effective to adjust the bias of said spring means and thereby adjust the predetermined thrust applied to said diaphragm to place said valve closure assembly in said normally open or normally closed position, and said adjusting means comprising an extension housing connected to said actuator housing with sealing means therebetween, an extension rod having one end engaging said spring means and the other end extending outwardly through said actuator housing and into a bore in said extension housing and being movable therein, sealing means between said rod and the wall of said bore, adjusting screw means passing through said extension housing and engaging the other end of said rod, whereby the bias of said spring means is adjusted by adjustment of said screw means and said extension rod, and an aperture in said actuator housing for supplying fluid pressure to said actuator chamber so that said valve may act as a pressure differential control valve in response to the pressure differential across said diaphragm.

Claim 17

A universal control valve comprising a body having means defining fluid inlet and outlet passages intersecting a valve chamber, reversible seat means positioned in said valve chamber and having an opening communicating with said inlet and outlet passages, a stem having one end positioned for movement in said valve chamber and its other end extending outwardly of said body, a reversible valve closure assembly removably mounted on said one stem end and operable to control the fluid flow through said seat opening, pressure-actuated means connected to said other stem end and operable to move said valve closure assembly between open and closed positions, whereby when said seat and valve closure assembly are positioned in a first corresponding cooperating assemblage said valve may act as a normally open pressure-reducing valve and when in another cooperating assemblage said valve may act as a normally closed pressure relief valve, said reversible seat means being received in a bore in said body and retained therein by removable cover means connected to said body, said valve closure assembly including a sealing member received in a retainer ring reversibly mountable on said one stem end, and removable means holding said ring on said one stem end and permitting ready removal and reversal thereof to change the operating control function of said valve.

Claim 18

A universal control valve comprising a body having means defining fluid inlet and outlet passages intersecting a valve chamber, reversible seat means positioned in said valve chamber and having an opening communicating with said inlet and outlet passages, a stem having one end positioned for movement in said valve chamber and its other end extending outwardly of said body, a reversible valve closure assembly removably mounted on said one stem end and operable to control the fluid flow through said seat opening, pressure-actuated means connected to said other stem end and operable to move said valve closure assembly between open and closed positions, whereby when said seat and valve closure assembly are positioned in a first corresponding cooperating assemblage said valve may act as a normally open pressure-reducing valve and when in another cooperating assemblage said valve may act as a normally closed pressure relief valve, said reversible seat means being received in a bore in said body and retained therein by removable cover means connected to said body, said valve closure assembly including a sealing member received in a retainer ring reversibly mountable on said one stem end, and removable means holding said ring on said one stem end and permitting ready removal and reversal thereof to change the operating control function of said valve.