US3624801A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible tube valve
Assignee: Grove Valve and Regulator Co
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Filing: 1970-04-03
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Granted: 1971-11-30
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Expires: 1990-04-03
Abstract
Abstract A flexible tube valve including a core having an annular series of longitudinal ribs, the outer surfaces of which define an interrupted frustoconical surface that merges with an annular sealing surface on a barrier between the inlet and outlet flow passages. The barrier includes a reinforcing conical portion integral with the ribs and extending toward the outlet, with spaces between the ribs forming outflow passages around the cone. A frustoconical expansible tube is stretched around the ribs and the sealing surface with a control pressure around the tube normally causing it to seal against flow.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas E Gannon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:30
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/12; F16K31/36; F16K31/365; F16K7/00; F16K7/02; F16K7/04; F16K7/07; F16K7/075
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A fluid flow control device comprising: a housing having inlet and outlet flow passages at opposite ends thereof, a core in said housing having: a generally cylindrical surface extending downstream from said inlet passage, a generally conical surface extending downstream toward said outlet passage, said cylindrical and conical surface merging into an intermediate sealing surface, and an annular series of longitudinal ribs around said core with the outer surfaces thereof defining a frustum of a cone merging with said sealing surface, an expansible, frustoconical tube sealed at both ends to said housing and carried on said ribs to seal around said sealing surface, said tube defining with said ribs fluid flow passages communicating with said inlet and outlet passages controlled by movement of said tube relative to said sealing surface, and means for introducing a control pressure fluid into said housing around said expansible tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A fluid flow control device comprising: a housing having inlet and outlet flow passages at opposite ends thereof, a core in said housing having: a generally cylindrical surface extending downstream from said inlet passage, a generally conical surface extending downstream toward said outlet passage, said cylindrical and conical surface merging into an intermediate sealing surface, and an annular series of longitudinal ribs around said core with the outer surfaces thereof defining a frustum of a cone merging with said sealing surface, an expansible, frustoconical tube sealed at both ends to said housing and carried on said ribs to seal around said sealing surface, said tube defining with said ribs fluid flow passages communicating with said inlet and outlet passages controlled by movement of said tube relative to said sealing surface, and means for introducing a control pressure fluid into said housing around said expansible tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
52 words
The fluid flow control device defined by claim 1 wherein: the spaces between said ribs and around said cylindrical surface define with said tube progressively increasing inflow passages in the upstream direction, and the spaces between said ribs and around said conical surface define progressively increasing outflow passages in a downstream direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The fluid flow control device defined by claim 1 wherein: said expansible tube is normally stretched around said ribs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The fluid flow control device defined by claim 1 wherein: said expansible tube has a radial flange at the inlet end thereof, and including a closure at the inlet end of said housing clamping said radial flange.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fluid control device defined by claim 1 including a thick wall portion at the outlet end of said expansible tube clamped between said ribs and the wall of said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fluid flow control device defined by claim 2 wherein: said expansiblE tube is weaker in hoop tensile strength around said inflow passages.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
131 words
A fluid flow control device comprising: a housing having inlet and outlet flow passages at opposite ends thereof, a barrier in said housing intermediate said inlet and outlet flow passages, a sealing surface around said barrier, an annular series of ribs around said barrier with the outer surfaces thereof defining a frustum of a cone merging with said sealing surface and extending toward said outlet passage, an expansible, frustoconical tube sealed at both ends to said housing and carried on said ribs to seal around said sealing surface, and said tube defining with said ribs fluid flow passages communicating with said inlet and outlet passages controlled by movement of said tube relative to said sealing surface, and means for introducing a control pressure fluid into said housing around said expansible tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
131 words
A fluid flow control device comprising: a housing having inlet and outlet flow passages at opposite ends thereof, a barrier in said housing intermediate said inlet and outlet flow passages, a sealing surface around said barrier, an annular series of ribs around said barrier with the outer surfaces thereof defining a frustum of a cone merging with said sealing surface and extending toward said outlet passage, an expansible, frustoconical tube sealed at both ends to said housing and carried on said ribs to seal around said sealing surface, and said tube defining with said ribs fluid flow passages communicating with said inlet and outlet passages controlled by movement of said tube relative to said sealing surface, and means for introducing a control pressure fluid into said housing around said expansible tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The fluid flow control device defined by claim 7 including: an annular reinforcing core connecting and supporting the radially inner edges of said ribs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The fluid flow control device defined by claim 8 wherein said reinforcing core comprises: a conical member integral with said barrier and ribs, merging into said sealing surface, and extending toward said outlet flow passage at a steeper angle with respect to the axis of said flow passage than that of said cone frustum.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
The fluid flow control device defined by claim 9 wherein said ribs extend from said sealing surface toward said inlet flow passage and including an annular reinforcing core integral with said barrier and ribs, merging into said sealing surface, and extending toward said inlet flow passage at a lesser angle with respect to the axis of said flow passage than that of said cone frustum.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-29 | 1975-05-31 | 1975-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-29 | 1979-05-31 | 1979-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-29 | 1983-05-31 | 1983-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |