Valve with energy dissipation chamber

Claim 1

A liquid energy dissipating free discharge valve comprising: walls defining a liquid energy dissipating chamber having inlet and discharge ports, the cross sectional area of said chamber being substantially greater than the cross sectional area of either of said ports, said chamber having an end wall connected to said inlet port disposed at an acute angle with the horizontal axis of said valve; a cylindrical closure member located within said chamber adapted for reciprocating movement into and out of engagement with said end wall to interrupt and permit the flow of liquid into said chamber, said closure member when in an open position defining a circular orifice with said end wall wherein the incoming liquid is forced into a fan shape; and power operating means supported within said energy dissipating chamber adjacent the inlet port and operatively connected to said closure member for moving same between open and closed positions; and an annular baffle member connected to said power operating means and coaxially aligned with said inlet port, said closure member slidably supported on the peripheral surface of said baffle member.