US3690616A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pilot-operated valves
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-11-18
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Granted: 1972-09-12
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Expires: 1990-11-18
Abstract
Abstract A pilot-operated valve having a body with an inlet and an outlet and a chamber telescopically mounting a piston for displacement in alternate directions toward or away from the outlet to block or afford fluid flow through the valve is provided. The piston has an axial bore mounting ball check means and the chamber has vent means and a closure plate normally covering the vent means. A plunger connected to a valve actuator extends through an orifice in the chamber wall to engage across the bore in the piston in its forward limit position and to close the orifice in its rearward limit position. When in its forward limit position, the plunger causes the chamber to be pressurized and closes the valves. With fluid pressure applied at the inlet, the ball check vents fluid from the chamber and to the outlet to disengage the piston from the outlet and to open the valve with fluid pressure at the outlet, the ball check cooperates with the vents and closure plate to vent fluid from the chamber and to the inlet to disengage the piston from the outlet and to open the valve.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald E Lewis
- 👤 Douglas A Biesecker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 21:02
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/12; F16K31/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
365 words
In a valve, comprising: a valve body having a cavity and means providing an inlet and an outlet for said cavity, a piston mounted in said cavity for displacement in alternate directions between a forward limit position engaging one end against said body around said outlet to block fluid flow through the valve and a rearward limit position spacing said one end from said outlet to afford fluid flow through said outlet, a wall confronting the other end of said piston and cooperating therewith to define a fluid expansion chamber to cause forward displacement of said piston upon the introduction of pressure fluid into said chamber, bore means affording fluid flow through said piston between said chamber and said outlet, an orifice providing a first fluid flow passage between said inlet and said chamber, a plunger extending through said orifice and mounted for displacement in said chamber between a forward limit position engaging said other end of said piston around said bore means to block fluid flow therethrough and a rearward limit position engaging said wall around said orifice to block fluid flow through said first flow passage into said chamber, said plunger having a reduced portion cooperating with said orifice when in its forward position to admit fluid to the chamber, the improvement comprising: vent means in said wall affording a second fluid flow passage between said inlet and said chamber, check means mounted in said bore means permitting fluid flow from said chamber and to said outlet and preventing fluid flow in the opposite from said outlet and to said chamber, closure means mounted in said cavity and adjacent said wall for displacement away from said wall to permit fluid to flow through said vent means and to said inlet when said piston is being displaced in said opposite direction, whereby the piston is displaced into seating engagement with the outlet when the plunger engages across the bore means and fluid is flowed into the chamber through the orifice and the piston is displaced out of seating engagement with the outlet when the plunger is disengaged from the bore means and a fluid pressure differential is applied between the inlet and the outlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
365 words
In a valve, comprising: a valve body having a cavity and means providing an inlet and an outlet for said cavity, a piston mounted in said cavity for displacement in alternate directions between a forward limit position engaging one end against said body around said outlet to block fluid flow through the valve and a rearward limit position spacing said one end from said outlet to afford fluid flow through said outlet, a wall confronting the other end of said piston and cooperating therewith to define a fluid expansion chamber to cause forward displacement of said piston upon the introduction of pressure fluid into said chamber, bore means affording fluid flow through said piston between said chamber and said outlet, an orifice providing a first fluid flow passage between said inlet and said chamber, a plunger extending through said orifice and mounted for displacement in said chamber between a forward limit position engaging said other end of said piston around said bore means to block fluid flow therethrough and a rearward limit position engaging said wall around said orifice to block fluid flow through said first flow passage into said chamber, said plunger having a reduced portion cooperating with said orifice when in its forward position to admit fluid to the chamber, the improvement comprising: vent means in said wall affording a second fluid flow passage between said inlet and said chamber, check means mounted in said bore means permitting fluid flow from said chamber and to said outlet and preventing fluid flow in the opposite from said outlet and to said chamber, closure means mounted in said cavity and adjacent said wall for displacement away from said wall to permit fluid to flow through said vent means and to said inlet when said piston is being displaced in said opposite direction, whereby the piston is displaced into seating engagement with the outlet when the plunger engages across the bore means and fluid is flowed into the chamber through the orifice and the piston is displaced out of seating engagement with the outlet when the plunger is disengaged from the bore means and a fluid pressure differential is applied between the inlet and the outlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said vent means includes a plurality of apertures extending through said wall and located outwardly of said orifice and said vent closure means includes a plate mounted in said cavity on the side of said wall opposite said chamber, said plate surrounding said plunger and extending outwardly across said apertures, and including shoulder means located in said cavity a spaced distance from said side of the wall to engage said plate for limiting its displacement away from said wall during displacement of the piston in said opposite direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 including conduit means providing a fluid flow passage between said inlet and said vent means and orifice, said conduit means being located intermediate said side of the wall and said shoulder means so as to cause fluid flowing from said inlet and across said side of the wall to displace said plate against said side of the wall for closing said apertures.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
102 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said check means includes an enlargement in said bore means intermediate said piston ends, a check element mounted in said enlargement for displacement in alternate directions axially of the piston, the end of said enlargement adjacent said other end of the piston being shaped to engage said check element and prevent fluid flow to sAid chamber from said outlet and the end of said enlargement adjacent said one end of the piston being shaped to engage said check element and cooperate therewith to define a channel permitting fluid flow from said chamber and to said outlet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said check element includes a ball and the ends of said enlargement each have a conical shape to engage said ball with said one end of said enlargement having a transverse slot confronting said ball and cooperating therewith when the ball is seated thereagainst to define said fluid flow channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including an actuator mounted to said valve body, said actuator having a stem extending substantially coaxially with said plunger, and including means coupling said plunger to said stem to permit limited transaxial displacement of said plunger relative to said stem, whereby the plunger is self-aligning with respect to the orifice in the wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said plunger has a periphery flange on the end adjacent said stem and said plunger coupling means includes a cap surrounding said flange and mounted on said stem, said cap having an aperture smaller than the flange on said plunger and larger than said plunger forwardly of said flange to permit limited transaxial displacement of said plunger relative to said stem.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
89 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said stem is hollow and extends into said cavity and has a port located rearwardly of said coupling means in said cavity to provide fluid communication between said cavity and the interior of said stem, and said actuator surrounds the uncoupled end of said stem and cooperates therewith to define a compartment, so that pressure fluid communicated to the compartment from the valve cavity operates to equalize the pressure axially of the actuator stem to balance the forces required to operate the valve.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said actuator includes a diaphragm chamber surrounding said stem intermediate its ends and a diaphragm mounted in said chamber for flexure upon admission of pressure to one side thereof in said chamber, and including means connecting said diaphragm to said stem intermediate its ends for displacing said stem upon flexure of said diaphragm.
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) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |