US4018244A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic switchover valve and system utilizing same
Assignee: Airco Inc
•
Filing: 1975-09-10
•
Granted: 1977-04-19
•
Expires: 1995-09-10
Abstract
Abstract An automatic switchover valve is described having a unique venting system whereby any areas which may cause a buildup in pressure during shuttling are normally vented to atmosphere. The shuttle is of a simple, easy to manufacture design having a central inwardly tapered portion which allows communication with internal parts of the valve to atmosphere. The valve also features sealing means which seal against moving surfaces without being subjected to rubbing on sharp surfaces or orifices, thus prolonging seal life.
Inventors
- 👤 James A. Burns
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:57
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K11/00; F16K11/02; F16K11/06; F16K11/065; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/2496; Y10T137/2544; Y10T137/2559; Y10T137/2564; Y10T137/2567; Y10T137/2569
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
328 words
An automatic switchover valve for changing from a relatively depleted to a fully pressurized gas supply, comprising: a valve housing having a bore extending between opposed ends thereof, first and second inlets at opposite ends of said bore for connection to alternate gas supply sources, and first and second outlets extending transverse to said bore intermediate said inlets for providing said gas to a utilization point; a shuttle body moveable in said bore by the differential pressure of said alternate supplies between a first position whereat said first inlet is placed in communication with said first outlet, and a second position whereat said second inlet is placed in communication with said second outlet; first sealing means acting at said first inlet when said shuttle body is in said second position for sealing said first inlet from said bore; second sealing means acting at said second inlet when said shuttle body is in said first position for sealing said second inlet from said bore; a venting outlet being formed through said housing between said first and second outlets; third sealing means acting at said bore intermediate said venting outlet and said first inlet and outlet when said body is in said first position for sealing said first inlet and outlet from said venting outlet and said second outlet; fourth sealing means acting at said bore intermediate said venting outlet and said second inlet and outlet when said body is in said second position for sealing said second inlet and second outlet from said venting outlet and said first outlet; and said shuttle body being tapered inwardly toward the center thereof to interconnect the venting space defined in said bore between said second and third sealing means with said venting outlet when said shuttle body is in said first position, and to interconnect the venting space defined in said bore between said first and fourth sealing means with said venting outlet when said shuttle body is in said second position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
328 words
An automatic switchover valve for changing from a relatively depleted to a fully pressurized gas supply, comprising: a valve housing having a bore extending between opposed ends thereof, first and second inlets at opposite ends of said bore for connection to alternate gas supply sources, and first and second outlets extending transverse to said bore intermediate said inlets for providing said gas to a utilization point; a shuttle body moveable in said bore by the differential pressure of said alternate supplies between a first position whereat said first inlet is placed in communication with said first outlet, and a second position whereat said second inlet is placed in communication with said second outlet; first sealing means acting at said first inlet when said shuttle body is in said second position for sealing said first inlet from said bore; second sealing means acting at said second inlet when said shuttle body is in said first position for sealing said second inlet from said bore; a venting outlet being formed through said housing between said first and second outlets; third sealing means acting at said bore intermediate said venting outlet and said first inlet and outlet when said body is in said first position for sealing said first inlet and outlet from said venting outlet and said second outlet; fourth sealing means acting at said bore intermediate said venting outlet and said second inlet and outlet when said body is in said second position for sealing said second inlet and second outlet from said venting outlet and said first outlet; and said shuttle body being tapered inwardly toward the center thereof to interconnect the venting space defined in said bore between said second and third sealing means with said venting outlet when said shuttle body is in said first position, and to interconnect the venting space defined in said bore between said first and fourth sealing means with said venting outlet when said shuttle body is in said second position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said shuttle body includes shoulder portions to alternate sides of said tapered portion, one of said shoulder portions cooperating with one of said third and fourth sealing means when said body is in said first or second positions, and the inwardly tapered portion being disposed in opposition to and spaced from said alternate of said third or fourth sealing means to at least partially define said venting space.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
189 words
An automatic switchover valve for changing from a relatively depelted to a fully pressurized gas supply, comprising: a valve housing including a continuous bore and first and second inlet/outlet pairs disposed toward opposed ends of said bore; a shuttle body moveable in said bore between first and second positions, where at each said position one of said pairs is open for gas flow, and the other said pair is closed to gas flow by sealing effected between said body and the inlet member of said pair; sealing means in said bore sealing with said shuttle body at each of said first and second positions for isolating the inlet-outlet pair open to gas flow from the portion of said housing communicating with the inlet/outlet pair closed to gas flow; a venting outlet being formed through said housing and transversely intersecting said bore intermediate said inlet/outlet pairs; and said shuttle body being configured to define with said housing at either said first or second positions, a venting space communicating with said venting outlet and including at least the said portions of said housing between said venting outlet and said closed inlet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
189 words
An automatic switchover valve for changing from a relatively depelted to a fully pressurized gas supply, comprising: a valve housing including a continuous bore and first and second inlet/outlet pairs disposed toward opposed ends of said bore; a shuttle body moveable in said bore between first and second positions, where at each said position one of said pairs is open for gas flow, and the other said pair is closed to gas flow by sealing effected between said body and the inlet member of said pair; sealing means in said bore sealing with said shuttle body at each of said first and second positions for isolating the inlet-outlet pair open to gas flow from the portion of said housing communicating with the inlet/outlet pair closed to gas flow; a venting outlet being formed through said housing and transversely intersecting said bore intermediate said inlet/outlet pairs; and said shuttle body being configured to define with said housing at either said first or second positions, a venting space communicating with said venting outlet and including at least the said portions of said housing between said venting outlet and said closed inlet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
A device in accordance with said claim 3, wherein said shuttle body includes toward opposite ends thereof, surfaces for sealing closed the said inlet member of a said inlet/outlet pair; said body further, having an inwardly tapered central portion adjoined on opposite sides by shoulder portions adapted for engaging with the said sealing means isolating said open inlet/outlet pair, and said venting space including the portions of said valve housing intermediate the shoulder portion engaging said sealing means and the said surface sealing closed the said inlet member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device in accordance with claim 4, wherein said outlet member of the inlet/outlet pair closed comprises part of said venting space.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
267 words
An automatic switchover valve for changing from a relatively depleted to a fully pressurized gas supply, comprising: a valve housing having a continuous bore extending therethrough; a venting outlet transversely intersecting said bore toward the mid-point thereof; a first inlet for a first gas supply, and a first outlet, being disposed at one side of said venting intersection; a second inlet for said alternate gas supply, and a second outlet, being disposed at the side of said venting intersection opposite said first inlet and outlet; and a shuttle body including a plurality of sealing surfaces being disposed in said bore and moveable by the pressure differential of said alternate supplies between first and second positions; first and second of said sealing surfaces respectively coacting with said bore at said inlets for alternately sealing said first or second inlets in accordance with said body position; a further of said body sealing surfaces engaging and sealing with said bore at one side of said venting outlet in either said first or second body position, for isolating the inlet and outlet at the end of said bore opposite said closed inlet from said venting outlet and from the portions of said housing residing between said area of said further sealing surface engagement and the end of the said bore having said closed inlet; and the central portion of said shuttle body being tapered towards its axis, said tapered portion being disposed opposite said venting outlet in either said first or second position, to enable venting of said housing portions residing between said engaged further sealing surface and said closed inlet.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
267 words
An automatic switchover valve for changing from a relatively depleted to a fully pressurized gas supply, comprising: a valve housing having a continuous bore extending therethrough; a venting outlet transversely intersecting said bore toward the mid-point thereof; a first inlet for a first gas supply, and a first outlet, being disposed at one side of said venting intersection; a second inlet for said alternate gas supply, and a second outlet, being disposed at the side of said venting intersection opposite said first inlet and outlet; and a shuttle body including a plurality of sealing surfaces being disposed in said bore and moveable by the pressure differential of said alternate supplies between first and second positions; first and second of said sealing surfaces respectively coacting with said bore at said inlets for alternately sealing said first or second inlets in accordance with said body position; a further of said body sealing surfaces engaging and sealing with said bore at one side of said venting outlet in either said first or second body position, for isolating the inlet and outlet at the end of said bore opposite said closed inlet from said venting outlet and from the portions of said housing residing between said area of said further sealing surface engagement and the end of the said bore having said closed inlet; and the central portion of said shuttle body being tapered towards its axis, said tapered portion being disposed opposite said venting outlet in either said first or second position, to enable venting of said housing portions residing between said engaged further sealing surface and said closed inlet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2300694A
Cited
US2440478A
Cited
US2641273A
Cited
GB970307A
Cited
FR1490561A
Cited
US3633606A
Cited
US3628556A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-04-18 | 1980-10-18 | 1981-04-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-18 | 1984-10-18 | 1985-04-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-18 | 1988-10-18 | 1989-04-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |