US3873059A — Pilot operated fluid control valve

Claim 1

Independent Claim 203 words

A pilot operated fluid control valve comprising a valve body having an inlet and an outlet with a valve seat therebetween, a flexible diaphragm cooperating with said seat to control the flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet and having means defining a bypass port, a movable valve member supported for movement between an open position and a closed position relative to said port to control the movement of said diaphragm by differential pressure across said diaphragm, a bimetallic actuating element supported by said valve body, means for connecting said actuating element as a resistance within an electrical circuit to effect heating of said actuating element and movement between a normal position and a heated position, an actuating lever having one end portion connected to said valve member, means including a flexible seal means for pivotally supporting said lever, a compression spring connected to the opposite end of said lever, and means supporting said spring for over-center toggle actuation of said lever in response to movement of said bimetallic actuating element between said normal and heated positions to produce relatively rapid movement of said valve member between said open and closed positions in response to slower movement of said actuating element.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 203 words

A pilot operated fluid control valve comprising a valve body having an inlet and an outlet with a valve seat therebetween, a flexible diaphragm cooperating with said seat to control the flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet and having means defining a bypass port, a movable valve member supported for movement between an open position and a closed position relative to said port to control the movement of said diaphragm by differential pressure across said diaphragm, a bimetallic actuating element supported by said valve body, means for connecting said actuating element as a resistance within an electrical circuit to effect heating of said actuating element and movement between a normal position and a heated position, an actuating lever having one end portion connected to said valve member, means including a flexible seal means for pivotally supporting said lever, a compression spring connected to the opposite end of said lever, and means supporting said spring for over-center toggle actuation of said lever in response to movement of said bimetallic actuating element between said normal and heated positions to produce relatively rapid movement of said valve member between said open and closed positions in response to slower movement of said actuating element.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 82 words

A fluid control valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said bimetallic actuating element is elongated and includes generally parallel leg portions integrally connected by a head portion to define a generally U-shaped configuration, terminal means for connecting said leg portions within the electrical circuit, means for securing each of said leg portions to said valve body to effect cantilever support of said head portion, and means connecting said head portion of said element to said means for moving said valve member.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 100 words

A fluid control valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said valve body includes a base section having said inlet and said outlet and said valve seat, a closure section secured to said base section and having a chamber for supporting said valve member, said bimetallic actuating element having generally parallel leg portions integrally connected by a head portion, means for securing said leg portions to said closure section, a tab member projecting from said head portion of said actuating lever, and means defining an opening within said tab portion for receiving said outer end portion of said actuating lever.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 159 words

A fluid control valve as defined in claim 1 wherein said valve body includes an externally threaded tubular portion defining said inlet, a tubular metal fitting having a first internally threaded portion engaging said tubular portion of said valve body, said fitting including a second internally threaded portion projecting integrally from said first portion and having a smaller inside diameter to form an annular shoulder, a resilient sealing ring between said shoulder and said tubular portion of said valve body, a flange portion projecting outwardly from said second threaded portion of said fitting, a support bracket having an opening for receiving said second portion of said fitting, spline means including peripherally spaced teeth on said flange portion of said fitting and connecting said flange portion to said bracket to provide for the transfer of torque from said fitting directly to said bracket, and said spline means providing for adjustable angular oRientation of said valve body relative to said bracket.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 215 words

A pilot operated fluid control valve comprising a valve body having an inlet and an outlet with a valve seat therebetween, a flexible diaphragm cooperating with said seat to control the flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet and having means defining a bypass port, a movable valve member supported for movement between an open position and a closed position relative to said port to control the movement of said diaphragm by differential pressure across said diaphragm, a bimetallic actuating element supported by said valve body, means for connecting said actuating element as a resistance within an electrical circuit to effect heating of said actuating element and movement between a normal position and a heated position, means for moving said valve member between said open and closed positions in response to movement of said actuating element between said normal and heated positions and including an elongated pin-like actuating lever, means including a flexible seal mounted on said valve body and pivotally supporting an intermediate portion of said lever, means connecting an inner end portion of said lever to said valve member, means connected to said bimetallic actuating element for engaging the outer end portion of said lever, and said latter means providing for movement of said actuating element without moving said actuating lever.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 215 words

A pilot operated fluid control valve comprising a valve body having an inlet and an outlet with a valve seat therebetween, a flexible diaphragm cooperating with said seat to control the flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet and having means defining a bypass port, a movable valve member supported for movement between an open position and a closed position relative to said port to control the movement of said diaphragm by differential pressure across said diaphragm, a bimetallic actuating element supported by said valve body, means for connecting said actuating element as a resistance within an electrical circuit to effect heating of said actuating element and movement between a normal position and a heated position, means for moving said valve member between said open and closed positions in response to movement of said actuating element between said normal and heated positions and including an elongated pin-like actuating lever, means including a flexible seal mounted on said valve body and pivotally supporting an intermediate portion of said lever, means connecting an inner end portion of said lever to said valve member, means connected to said bimetallic actuating element for engaging the outer end portion of said lever, and said latter means providing for movement of said actuating element without moving said actuating lever.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 20 words

A fluid control valve as defined in claim 5 wherein said actuating lever has a diameter less than one-eighth inch.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 34 words

A fluid control valve as defined in claim 6 wherein said valve member includes means defining an opening extending laterally therethrough, and said inner end portion of said actuating lever projects into said opening.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 20 words

A fluid control valve as defined in claim 5 wherein said actuating lever has a diameter less than one-sixteenth inch.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 59 words

A fluid control valve as defined in claim 5 including a compression spring connected to said outer end portion of said actuating lever, and means supporting said spring for over-center toggle actuation in response to movement of said bimetallic actuating element to effect relatively rapid movement of said valve member in response to slower movement of said actuating element.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 246 words

A pilot operated fluid control valve comprising a valve body having means defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet with a valve seat therebetween, a flexible diaphragm positioned adjacent said seat for movement between a closed position engaging said seat and an open position spaced from said seat, means for directing fluid from said inlet to both sides of said diaphragm, means defining a bypass port within said diaphragm and providing for a flow of fluid through said diaphragm, a valve member supported for movement between a closed position closing said port and an open position spaced from said port to control movement of said diaphragm by differential pressure, an elongated generally U-shaped bimetallic actuating element having leg portions secured to said valve body, a head portion connecting said leg portions and being movable between a normal position and a heated position in response to heating and cooling of said actuating element, lever means for moving said valve member from said closed position to said open position in response to movement of said head portion of actuating element from said normal position to said heated position, terminal means for connecting said actuating element as a resistance within an electrical circuit to effect resistance heating of said actuating element, and spring means for moving said lever means and said valve member at a rate faster than said head portion of said actuating element to effect relatively rapid movement of said valve member to said closed position.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 246 words

A pilot operated fluid control valve comprising a valve body having means defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet with a valve seat therebetween, a flexible diaphragm positioned adjacent said seat for movement between a closed position engaging said seat and an open position spaced from said seat, means for directing fluid from said inlet to both sides of said diaphragm, means defining a bypass port within said diaphragm and providing for a flow of fluid through said diaphragm, a valve member supported for movement between a closed position closing said port and an open position spaced from said port to control movement of said diaphragm by differential pressure, an elongated generally U-shaped bimetallic actuating element having leg portions secured to said valve body, a head portion connecting said leg portions and being movable between a normal position and a heated position in response to heating and cooling of said actuating element, lever means for moving said valve member from said closed position to said open position in response to movement of said head portion of actuating element from said normal position to said heated position, terminal means for connecting said actuating element as a resistance within an electrical circuit to effect resistance heating of said actuating element, and spring means for moving said lever means and said valve member at a rate faster than said head portion of said actuating element to effect relatively rapid movement of said valve member to said closed position.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 39 words

A fluid control valve as defined in claim 10 including means forming a cup-like liquid retaining chamber on said valve body for receiving said bimetallic actuating element, and means defining an opening for directinG a liquid into said chamber.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 238 words

A pilot operated fluid control valve comprising a valve body having an inlet and an outlet with a valve seat therebetween, a flexible diaphragm cooperating with said seat to control the flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet and having means defining a bypass port, a movable valve member supported for linear movement on an axis between an open position and a closed position relative to said port to control the movement of said diaphragm by differential pressure across said diaphragm, an elongated pin-like actuating lever, means including a flexible seal mounted on said valve body and supporting an intermediate portion of said lever for pivotal movement of said lever, means connecting one end portion of said lever to said valve member, an elongated bimetallic actuating element mounted on said valve body and extending generally parallel to said lever and generally normal to said axis, means for heating said actuating element to effect movement of an actuation portion of said actuating element between a normal position and a heated position, means connecting said actuating portion to the opposite end portion of said lever for moving said valve member between said open and closed positions in repsonse to movement of said actuating portion between said normal and heated positions, and spring means for causing relatively rapid movement of said lever and said valve member in response to slower movement of said actuating portion of said actuating element.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 238 words

A pilot operated fluid control valve comprising a valve body having an inlet and an outlet with a valve seat therebetween, a flexible diaphragm cooperating with said seat to control the flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet and having means defining a bypass port, a movable valve member supported for linear movement on an axis between an open position and a closed position relative to said port to control the movement of said diaphragm by differential pressure across said diaphragm, an elongated pin-like actuating lever, means including a flexible seal mounted on said valve body and supporting an intermediate portion of said lever for pivotal movement of said lever, means connecting one end portion of said lever to said valve member, an elongated bimetallic actuating element mounted on said valve body and extending generally parallel to said lever and generally normal to said axis, means for heating said actuating element to effect movement of an actuation portion of said actuating element between a normal position and a heated position, means connecting said actuating portion to the opposite end portion of said lever for moving said valve member between said open and closed positions in repsonse to movement of said actuating portion between said normal and heated positions, and spring means for causing relatively rapid movement of said lever and said valve member in response to slower movement of said actuating portion of said actuating element.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 52 words

A fluid control valve as defined in claim 12 wherein said spring means include a compression spring connected to said opposite end portion of said lever, and means supporting said spring for over-center toggle actuation of said lever in response to movement of said actuating portion between said normal and heated positions.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 273 words

A pilot operated fluid control valve comprising a valve body including a base section and a closure section, said base section having an inlet and an outlet with a valve seat therebetween, a flexible diaphragm cooperating with said seat to control the flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet and having means defining a bypass port, a valve member supported by said closure section for generally linear movement on an axis between an open position and a closed position relative to said port to control the movement of said diaphragm by differential pressure across said diaphragm, an elongated actuating lever extending generally normal to said axis, means including a flexible seal on said closure section of said valve body for supporting an intermediate portion of said lever for pivotal movement of said lever, means connecting the inner end portion of said lever to said valve member, an elongated bimetallic actuating element supported by said closure section of said valve body and positioned generally normal to the axis of said valve member, means for heating said actuating element to effect movement of a portion of said element between a normal position and a heated position, means for moving the outer end portion of said lever in response to movement of said portion of said actuating element between said normal and heated positions to effect movement of said valve member between said open and closed positions, and said latter means including spring means connected to said lever and effective to cause relatively rapid movement of said lever and said valve member in response to slower movement of said portion of said actuating element.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 273 words

A pilot operated fluid control valve comprising a valve body including a base section and a closure section, said base section having an inlet and an outlet with a valve seat therebetween, a flexible diaphragm cooperating with said seat to control the flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet and having means defining a bypass port, a valve member supported by said closure section for generally linear movement on an axis between an open position and a closed position relative to said port to control the movement of said diaphragm by differential pressure across said diaphragm, an elongated actuating lever extending generally normal to said axis, means including a flexible seal on said closure section of said valve body for supporting an intermediate portion of said lever for pivotal movement of said lever, means connecting the inner end portion of said lever to said valve member, an elongated bimetallic actuating element supported by said closure section of said valve body and positioned generally normal to the axis of said valve member, means for heating said actuating element to effect movement of a portion of said element between a normal position and a heated position, means for moving the outer end portion of said lever in response to movement of said portion of said actuating element between said normal and heated positions to effect movement of said valve member between said open and closed positions, and said latter means including spring means connected to said lever and effective to cause relatively rapid movement of said lever and said valve member in response to slower movement of said portion of said actuating element.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 231 words

A pilot operated fluid control valve comprising a valve body having an externally threaded inlet portion and a tubular outlet portion with a valve seat therebetween, a flexible diaphragm cooperating with said seat to control the flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet and having means defining a bypass port, a movable valve member supported for movement between an open position and a closed position relative to said port to control the movement of said diaphragm by differential pressure across said diaphragM, electrically actuated means supported by said valve body for moving said valve member, a tubular support fitting for said valve body and including a first internally threaded end portion engaging said inlet portion of said valve body, a second internally threaded tubular portion projecting from said first end portion of said fitting and adapted to receive a fluid supply line, said second portion having a diameter smaller than that of said first portion to form an internal annular shoulder, means forming a fluid-tight seal between said shoulder and said inlet portion of said fitting, a flange portion projecting outwardly from the end of said second tubular portion and having peripherally spaced teeth, a support bracket having a splined cavity for receiving said flange portion of said fitting and said teeth in interfitting relation, and means for securing said flange portion of said fitting to said support bracket.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 231 words

A pilot operated fluid control valve comprising a valve body having an externally threaded inlet portion and a tubular outlet portion with a valve seat therebetween, a flexible diaphragm cooperating with said seat to control the flow of fluid from said inlet to said outlet and having means defining a bypass port, a movable valve member supported for movement between an open position and a closed position relative to said port to control the movement of said diaphragm by differential pressure across said diaphragM, electrically actuated means supported by said valve body for moving said valve member, a tubular support fitting for said valve body and including a first internally threaded end portion engaging said inlet portion of said valve body, a second internally threaded tubular portion projecting from said first end portion of said fitting and adapted to receive a fluid supply line, said second portion having a diameter smaller than that of said first portion to form an internal annular shoulder, means forming a fluid-tight seal between said shoulder and said inlet portion of said fitting, a flange portion projecting outwardly from the end of said second tubular portion and having peripherally spaced teeth, a support bracket having a splined cavity for receiving said flange portion of said fitting and said teeth in interfitting relation, and means for securing said flange portion of said fitting to said support bracket.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-03-24	1978-09-23	1979-03-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-03-24	1982-09-23	1983-03-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-03-24	1986-09-23	1987-03-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Pilot operated fluid control valve

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag