Modular check valve

Claim 2

A fluid check valve comprising: a generally cylindrical tubular body member including a central longitudinal bore defining a fluid flow passage, valve seat means disposed in said bore, a closure disc pivotally mounted within said bore and operable to be pivoted between an open position and a closed position in engagement with said seat means to prevent fluid flow in one direction through said valve, opposed internally threaded portions extending toward said bore from opposite ends of said body member and opposed generally conical surfaces formed in opposite transverse end faces of said body member; opposed head members removably secured to said body member at opposite ends of said body member, respectively, each of said head members including a longitudinally extending flow passage adapted to be in communication with said bore and externally threaded portions cooperable with said internally threaded portions on said body member; means on said respective head members for coupling said valve to fluid conduit means; substantially fluid tight seal means formed between each of said head members and said body member between said bore and said threaded portions, respectively, and locknuts disposed on said externally threaded portions of said head members and including portions forcibly engageable with said conical surfaces on said body member for locking the threaded connection between said body member and said head members, respectively, said portions on said locknuts including annular axially extending collar portions including conical surfaces engageable with said conical surfaces on said body member, respectively, and delimited by transverse end faces on said collar portions dimensioned to provide for engagement between said conical surfaces on said body member and said collar portions, respectively, without engagement of said transverse end faces on said collar portions with said body member to permit radial deflection of said collar portions, respectively.

Claim 3

A fluid check valve comprising: a generally cylindrical tubular body member including a central longitudinal bore defining a fluid flow passage; opposed head members removably secured to said body member at opposite ends of said body member, respectively, and interchangeable in said body member, each of said head members including a longitudinally extending flow passage adapted to be in communication with said bore in said body member, and an annular valve seat surface on each of said head members and disposed in said bore; means on said respective head members for coupling said valve to fluid conduit means; a closure disc pivotally mounted within said bore and operable to be pivoted between an open position and a closed position in engagement with said seat surface on one of said head members to prevent fluid flow in one direction through said valve; and a generally cylindrical wear ring including a transverse web portion, said ring being removably retained in said bore by the other of said head members such that said web portion overlies said seat surface on said other head member.

Claim 4

A fluid check valve comprising: a generally cylindrical tubular body member including a central longitudinal bore defining a fluid flow passage; opposed head members removably secured to said body member at opposite ends of said body member, respectively, and interchangeable in said body member, each of said head members including a longitudinally extending flow passage adapted to be in communication with said bore in said body member, and an annular valve seat surface on each of said head members and disposed in said bore; means on said respective head members for coupling said valve to fluid conduit means; a closure disc pivotally mounted within said bore and operable to be pivoted between an open position and a closed position in engagement with said seat surface on one of said head members to prevent fluid flow in one direction through said valve; and a generally cylindrical wear ring including a transverse web portion, said ring being removably retained in said bore by the other of said head members such that said web portion overlies said seat surface on said other head member.

Claim 5

A fluid check valve comprising: a generally cylindrical tubular body member including a central longitudinal bore defining a fluid flow passage; opposed head members removably secured to said body member at opposite ends of said body member, respectively, and interchangeable in said body member, each of said head members including a longitudinally extending flow passage adapted to be in communication with said bore in said body member, and an annular valve seat surface on each of said head members and disposed in said bore; means on said respective head members for coupling said valve to fluid conduit means; a separate support member removable from said body member for pivotally supporting a closure disc within said bore, said closure disc being operable to be pivoted between an open position and a closed position in engagement with said seat surface on one of said head members to prevent fluid flow in one direction through said valve; and a generally cylindrical wear ring including a transverse web portion, said ring being removably retained in said bore by the other of said head members such that said web portion overlies said seat surface on said other head member.

Claim 6

A fluid check valve comprising: a generally cylindrical tubular body member including a central longitudinal bore defining a fluid flow passage; opposed head members removably secured to said body member at opposite ends of said body member, respectively, and interchangeable in said body member, each of said head members including a longitudinally extending flow passage adapted to be in communication with said bore in said body member, and an annular valve seat surface on each of said head members and disposed in said bore; means on said respective head members for coupling said valve to fluid conduit means; a separate support member removable from said body member for pivotally supporting a closure disc within said bore, said closure disc being operable to be pivoted between an open position and a closed position in engagement with said seat surface on one of said head members to prevent fluid flow in one direction through said valve; and a generally cylindrical wear ring including a transverse web portion, said ring being removably retained in said bore by the other of said head members such that said web portion overlies said seat surface on said other head member.

Claim 7

A fluid check valve comprising: a generally cylindrical tubular body member including a central longitudinal bore defining a fluid flow passage; opposed head members removably secured to said body member at opposite ends of said body member, respectively, each of said head members including a longitudinally extending flow passage adapted to be in communication with said bore in said body member; means on said respective head members for coupling said valve to fluid conduit means; valve seat means disposed in said bore in said body member; a closure disc pivotally mounted within said bore and operable to be pivoted between an open position and a closed position in engagement with said seat means to prevent fluid flow in one direction through said valve; and interconnecting means including a plurality of pins projecting axially from a flange on at least one of said head members into cooperating pin receiving bores in said body member, and interconnecting said one head member and said body member for preventing the rotation of said one head member while permitting axial movement of said one head member with respect to said body member for removal of said one head member from said body member, and a retaining nut threadedly engageable with said body member for securing said one head member to said body member and whereby torque exerted on said one head member is transmitted to said body member through said interconnecting means, said nut including an inward projecting circular flange delimited by an inner circumferential surface, said flange on said one head member having a maximum diametral dimension less than the diameter of said inner surface, and an axially split two part ring having a portion disposed between and engageable with said respective flanges for securing said one head member to said body member by said nut.

Claim 8

A fluid check valve comprising: a generally cylindrical tubular body member including a central longitudinal bore defining a fluid flow passage; opposed head members removably secured to said body member at opposite ends of said body member, respectively, each of said head members including a longitudinally extending flow passage adapted to be in communication with said bore in said body member; means on said respective head members for coupling said valve to fluid conduit means; valve seat means disposed in said bore in said body member; a closure disc pivotally mounted within said bore and operable to be pivoted between an open position and a closed position in engagement with said seat means to prevent fluid flow in one direction through said valve; and interconnecting means including a plurality of pins projecting axially from a flange on at least one of said head members into cooperating pin receiving bores in said body member, and interconnecting said one head member and said body member for preventing the rotation of said one head member while permitting axial movement of said one head member with respect to said body member for removal of said one head member from said body member, and a retaining nut threadedly engageable with said body member for securing said one head member to said body member and whereby torque exerted on said one head member is transmitted to said body member through said interconnecting means, said nut including an inward projecting circular flange delimited by an inner circumferential surface, said flange on said one head member having a maximum diametral dimension less than the diameter of said inner surface, and an axially split two part ring having a portion disposed between and engageable with said respective flanges for securing said one head member to said body member by said nut.

Claim 9

A fluid check valve comprising: a cylindrical tubular body member having a longitudinal bore defining a fluid flow passage; opposed counterbores formed in said body member at opposite ends of said body member; a pair of opposed head members removably mounted on opposite ends of said body member, respectively, and each including a longitudinal flow passage adapted to be in communication with said bore in said body member, each of said head members including a cylindrical portion extending into one of said counterbores, and valve seat means on each of said head members and disposed in said bore; resilient seal means disposed between said cylindrical portions and said counterbores; a protective wear ring mounted in one of said counterbores and covering said valve seat means on one of said head members; and a closure disc support member removably mounted in the other of said counterbores and supporting a valve closure disc adjacent said valve seat means on the other of said head members for movement between valve open and closed positions.

Claim 10

A fluid check valve comprising: a cylindrical tubular body member having a longitudinal bore defining a fluid flow passage; opposed counterbores formed in said body member at opposite ends of said body member; a pair of opposed head members removably mounted on opposite ends of said body member, respectively, and each including a longitudinal flow passage adapted to be in communication with said bore in said body member, each of said head members including a cylindrical portion extending into one of said counterbores, and valve seat means on each of said head members and disposed in said bore; resilient seal means disposed between said cylindrical portions and said counterbores; a protective wear ring mounted in one of said counterbores and covering said valve seat means on one of said head members; and a closure disc support member removably mounted in the other of said counterbores and supporting a valve closure disc adjacent said valve seat means on the other of said head members for movement between valve open and closed positions.

Claim 11

The check valve set forth in claim 5 wherein: said head members each include means thereon for coupling said check valve to a fluid conduit, said head members being interchangeably mountable on said opposite ends of said body member.

Claim 12

The check valve set forth in claim 5 wherein: said wear ring and said support member are interchangeably retained in said counterbores by said head members, respectively.

Claim 13

The check valve forth in claim 5 together with: a removable wear sleeve disposed in said bore in said body member.

Claim 14

A fluid check valve comprising: a body member including a bore defining a fluid flow passage; at least one head member removably secured to said body member at one end of said body member, said head member including a longitudinally extending flow passage adapted to be in communication with said bore in said body member; means on said head member for coupling said valve to fluid conduit means; valve seat means disposed in said body member; a closure member pivotally mounted within said body member and operable to be pivoted between an open position and a closed position in engagement with said seat means to prevent fluid flow in one direction through said valve; pin means projecting axially between said head member and said body member and into recess means on one of said head member and said body member to interconnect said head member and said body member so as to prevent rotation of said head member while permitting axial movement of said head member with respect to said body member for removal of said head member from said body member; a retaining nut threadedly engageable with said body member for securing said head member to said body member and whereby torque exerted on said head member is transmitted to said body member through said pin means, said nut including an inward projecting circular flange delimited by an inner circumferential surface; a circumferential flange on said head member having a maximum diametral dimension less than the diameter of said inner surface; and retainer ring means disposed around said head member and having a maximum diamter greater than the diameter of said inner surface, said retainer ring means being releasably mountable between and engageable with said flanges on said head member and said nut for securing said head member to said body member with said nut, said retainer ring means being removable from said head member to permit separation of said head member and said nut upon removal of said head member from said body member.

Claim 15

A fluid check valve comprising: a body member including a bore defining a fluid flow passage; at least one head member removably secured to said body member at one end of said body member, said head member including a longitudinally extending flow passage adapted to be in communication with said bore in said body member; means on said head member for coupling said valve to fluid conduit means; valve seat means disposed in said body member; a closure member pivotally mounted within said body member and operable to be pivoted between an open position and a closed position in engagement with said seat means to prevent fluid flow in one direction through said valve; pin means projecting axially between said head member and said body member and into recess means on one of said head member and said body member to interconnect said head member and said body member so as to prevent rotation of said head member while permitting axial movement of said head member with respect to said body member for removal of said head member from said body member; a retaining nut threadedly engageable with said body member for securing said head member to said body member and whereby torque exerted on said head member is transmitted to said body member through said pin means, said nut including an inward projecting circular flange delimited by an inner circumferential surface; a circumferential flange on said head member having a maximum diametral dimension less than the diameter of said inner surface; and retainer ring means disposed around said head member and having a maximum diamter greater than the diameter of said inner surface, said retainer ring means being releasably mountable between and engageable with said flanges on said head member and said nut for securing said head member to said body member with said nut, said retainer ring means being removable from said head member to permit separation of said head member and said nut upon removal of said head member from said body member.

Claim 16

A fluid check valve comprising: a body member including a central longitudinal bore defining a fluid flow passage, said body member being of a uniform cylindrical tubular configuration and substantially symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of said central bore, valve seat means disposed in said body member, a closure disc pivotally mounted in said body member and operable to be pivoted between an open position and a closed position in engagement with said seat means to prevent fluid flow in one direction through said central bore, opposed counterbore in said body member extending from said central bore toward opposite ends of said body member, respectively, and opposed internally threaded portions of said body member extending toward said counterbores from opposite ends of said body member; opposed head members removably secured to said body member at opposite ends of said body member, respectively, each of said head members including a longitudinally extending flow passage adapted to be in communication with said central bore, an integral cylindrical portion extending into one of said counterbores from an end of said body member and an externally threaded portion cooperable with an internally threaded portion on said body member adjacent said one counterbore so that said head member can be mounted on and removed from said body member from said end, respectively; substantially fluid tight seal means formed between each of said head members and said body member along cooperating portions of said counterbores and said cylindrical portions of said head members, respectively, and between said central bore and said threaded portions, respectively; means on said respective head members for coupling said valve to fluid conduit means; and locknut means disposed on said externally threaded portions of each of said head members and including a portion forcibly engageable with said body member for releasably securing each head member on said body member, respectively.

Claim 17

A fluid check valve comprising: a body member including a central longitudinal bore defining a fluid flow passage, said body member being of a uniform cylindrical tubular configuration and substantially symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of said central bore, valve seat means disposed in said body member, a closure disc pivotally mounted in said body member and operable to be pivoted between an open position and a closed position in engagement with said seat means to prevent fluid flow in one direction through said central bore, opposed counterbore in said body member extending from said central bore toward opposite ends of said body member, respectively, and opposed internally threaded portions of said body member extending toward said counterbores from opposite ends of said body member; opposed head members removably secured to said body member at opposite ends of said body member, respectively, each of said head members including a longitudinally extending flow passage adapted to be in communication with said central bore, an integral cylindrical portion extending into one of said counterbores from an end of said body member and an externally threaded portion cooperable with an internally threaded portion on said body member adjacent said one counterbore so that said head member can be mounted on and removed from said body member from said end, respectively; substantially fluid tight seal means formed between each of said head members and said body member along cooperating portions of said counterbores and said cylindrical portions of said head members, respectively, and between said central bore and said threaded portions, respectively; means on said respective head members for coupling said valve to fluid conduit means; and locknut means disposed on said externally threaded portions of each of said head members and including a portion forcibly engageable with said body member for releasably securing each head member on said body member, respectively.

Claim 18

A fluid check valve comprising: a body member including a central longitudinal bore defining a fluid flow passage, said body member being of a uniform cylindrical tubular configuration with respect to a longitudinal central axis of said bore, valve seat means disposed in said bore, a closure disc pivotally mounted within said bore and operable to be pivoted between an open position and a closed position in engagement with said seat means to prevent fluid flow in one direction through said valve, opposed threaded portions formed on said body member and extending toward each other from opposite ends of said body member, and opposed counterbores extending from said bore toward said opposite ends of said body member, respectively; a pair of opposed head members removably secured to said body member at opposite ends of said body member, respectively, each of said head members including a longitudinally extending flow passage adapted to be in communication with said bore and an integral cylindrical portion extending into one of said counterbores in said body member, respectively, so that said head members may be mounted on and removed from said body member from said ends of said body member, respectively; means cooperable with respective ones of said threaded portions on said body member for retaining said head members on said body member, respectively; substantially fluid tight seal means formed between each of said cylindrical portions of said head members and said counterbores in said body member and between said bore and said threaded portions, respectively; and means on said respective head members for coupling said valve to fluid conduit means.

Claim 19

A fluid check valve comprising: a body member including a central longitudinal bore defining a fluid flow passage, said body member being of a uniform cylindrical tubular configuration with respect to a longitudinal central axis of said bore, valve seat means disposed in said bore, a closure disc pivotally mounted within said bore and operable to be pivoted between an open position and a closed position in engagement with said seat means to prevent fluid flow in one direction through said valve, opposed threaded portions formed on said body member and extending toward each other from opposite ends of said body member, and opposed counterbores extending from said bore toward said opposite ends of said body member, respectively; a pair of opposed head members removably secured to said body member at opposite ends of said body member, respectively, each of said head members including a longitudinally extending flow passage adapted to be in communication with said bore and an integral cylindrical portion extending into one of said counterbores in said body member, respectively, so that said head members may be mounted on and removed from said body member from said ends of said body member, respectively; means cooperable with respective ones of said threaded portions on said body member for retaining said head members on said body member, respectively; substantially fluid tight seal means formed between each of said cylindrical portions of said head members and said counterbores in said body member and between said bore and said threaded portions, respectively; and means on said respective head members for coupling said valve to fluid conduit means.

Claim 20

The check valve set forth in claim 11 wherein: said seal means comprise an annular seal ring disposed on one of said body member and said head members, respectively, and in sealing engagement with the other of said members, said seal means forming the only fluid seal points in said body member.

Claim 21

The check valve set forth in claim 12 wherein: said body member includes passage means opening into a fluid flow space between said seal means and said internally threaded portions, respectively for draining fluid from said valve which has leaked past said seal means.

Claim 22

The check valve set forth in claim 11 wherein: said check valve includes a support member for pivotally supporting said closure disc within said bore in said body member, said support member being a separate member removable from said body member.

Claim 23

The check valve set forth in claim 11 or 14 wherein: said seat means comprises an annular surface formed on one of said head members and engageable by said closure disc in the valve closed condition.

Claim 24

The check valve set forth in claim 14 wherein: said support member comprises a generally cylindrical ring retained in said bore by one of said head members.

Claim 25

The check valve set forth in claim 16 wherein: said seat means comprises an annular surface formed on one of said head members and engageable by said closure disc in the valve closed condition.

Claim 26

The check valve set forth in claim 15 wherein: both of said head members include an annular seat surface formed thereon, said head members being interchangeable in said body member.

Claim 27

The check valve set forth in claim 16 wherein: said closure disc includes a radially projecting lug portion disposed between opposed bosses formed on said ring and supported between said bosses by a pivot pin loosely retained in elongated slots formed in said bosses, respectively.

Claim 28

The check valve set forth in claim 19 wherein: said closure disc includes an elastomeric coating formed on the closure face thereof.

Claim 29

The check valve set forth in claim 14 wherein: said seat means includes a removable seat insert mounted on one of said head members and including a generally annular seating surface formed thereon.

Claim 30

The check valve set forth in claim 21 wherein: said seat insert includes means for pivotally supporting said closure disc.

Claim 31

The check valve set forth in claim 21 wherein: said seat insert includes a threaded portion engaged with a cooperating threaded portion on said one head member.

Claim 32

The check valve set forth in claim 21 together with: a removable seat insert mounted on the other head member interchangeable with said seat insert mounted on said one head member.

Claim 33

The check valve set forth in claim 11 together with: a support cradle for said check valve comprising a cylindrical tubular axially split sleeve, a base portion of said cradle fixed to said sleeve and having a flat bottom surface, a pair of opposed bracket portions fixed to said sleeve adjacent to an axial gap formed in said sleeve, and fastener means for drawing said bracket portions toward each other to secure said sleeve to said body member in surrounding relationship thereto.

Claim 34

A fluid check valve comprising: a generally cylindrical tubular body member including a central longitudinal bore defining a fluid flow passage, valve seat means disposed in said bore, a closure disc pivotally mounted within said bore and operable to be pivoted between an open position and a closed position in engagement with said seat means to prevent fluid flow in one direction through said valve, and opposed internally threaded portions extending toward said bore from opposite ends of said body member; a support member for pivotally supporting said closure disc within said bore in said body member, said support member being a separate member removable from said body member; a pair of opposed head members removably secured to said body member at opposite ends of said body member, respectively, each of said head members including a longitudinally extending flow passage adapted to be in communication with said bore and an externally threaded portion cooperable with an internally threaded portion on said body member so that said head members may be mounted on and removed from said body member from said ends of said body member, respectively; said seat means including a removable seat insert mounted on one of said head members and including a generally annular seating surface formed thereon; a removable wear ring mounted on said other head member at the end of said flow passage in said other head member which opens into said bore; substantially fluid tight seal means formed between each of said head members and said body member between said bore and said threaded portions, respectively; means on said respective head members for coupling said valve to fluid conduit means; and locknut means disposed on said externally threaded portions of each of said head members and including a portion forcibly engageable with said body member for locking the threaded connections between said body member and said head member, respectively.

Claim 35

A fluid check valve comprising: a generally cylindrical tubular body member including a central longitudinal bore defining a fluid flow passage, valve seat means disposed in said bore, a closure disc pivotally mounted within said bore and operable to be pivoted between an open position and a closed position in engagement with said seat means to prevent fluid flow in one direction through said valve, and opposed internally threaded portions extending toward said bore from opposite ends of said body member; a support member for pivotally supporting said closure disc within said bore in said body member, said support member being a separate member removable from said body member; a pair of opposed head members removably secured to said body member at opposite ends of said body member, respectively, each of said head members including a longitudinally extending flow passage adapted to be in communication with said bore and an externally threaded portion cooperable with an internally threaded portion on said body member so that said head members may be mounted on and removed from said body member from said ends of said body member, respectively; said seat means including a removable seat insert mounted on one of said head members and including a generally annular seating surface formed thereon; a removable wear ring mounted on said other head member at the end of said flow passage in said other head member which opens into said bore; substantially fluid tight seal means formed between each of said head members and said body member between said bore and said threaded portions, respectively; means on said respective head members for coupling said valve to fluid conduit means; and locknut means disposed on said externally threaded portions of each of said head members and including a portion forcibly engageable with said body member for locking the threaded connections between said body member and said head member, respectively.