Piston-driven valves

Claim 2

In a piston driven valve of the type including a valve body provided with inlet and outlet openings, communicating between which may be interrupted by a valve including a valve member which is integral with a rod which is connected to a piston which is subjected to a control pressure, the improvement comprising: a reversible head having opposite ends, said piston being mounted in said head; first, low pressure reset spring means directly acting on said piston for moving said piston, and thereby said valve, in a first direction toward a first said end of said head; second, high pressure reset spring means, positioned between two spring support members, for selectively acting on said piston for moving said piston, and thereby said valve, in said first direction, thus providing a high pressure resistance to movement of said piston in a second direction toward said second end of said head; means for selectively removing the action of said second spring means on said piston, thus providing a low pressure resistance to movement of said piston in said second direction; said head having therein a control opening for the selective supply of a control pressure medium for moving said piston in said second direction against the force of said first or second spring means; and fastening means at said first and second ends of said head for selectively mounting said head on said valve body in one of a normally closed operating position, whereat said first end of said head is connected to said valve body and said spring means urge said piston to normally close said valve, and a normally open operating position, whereat said second end of said head is connected to said valve body and said spring means urge said piston to normally open said valve.

Claim 3

The improvement claimed in claim 1, further comprising optical indicator means, connected to said rod, for providing a visual indication of whether said second spring means is acting on said piston.

Claim 4

In a piston driven valve of the type including a valve body provided with inlet and outlet openings, communication between which may be interrupted by a valve including a valve member which is integral with a rod which is connected to a piston which is subjected to a control pressure, the improvement comprising: a reversible head having opposite ends, said piston being mounted in said head; first, low pressure reset spring means directly acting on said piston for moving said piston, and thereby said valve, in a first direction toward a first said end of said head; first and second spring support means mounted within said head, said first spring support member being movable with respect to said second spring support member between a first position abutting said piston and a second position spaced from said piston; second, high pressure reset spring means, positioned between said first and second spring support members, for selectively acting on said piston for moving said piston, and thereby said valve, in said first direction, thus providing a high pressure resistance to movement of said piston in a second direction toward said second end of said head; means for selectively removing the action of said second spring means on said piston, thus providing a low pressure resistance to movement of said piston in said second direction, and removing means comprising a selecting cap mounted on said head for selective rotation with respect thereto, at least one axially inclined surface formed on said cap, and at least one lug extending from said first spring support member and abutting said inclined surface, such that rotation of said cap causes movement of said first spring support member from said first position thereof to said second position thereof; and said head having therein a control opening for the selective supply of a control pressure medium for moving said piston in said second direction against the force of said first or second spring means.

Claim 5

In a piston driven valve of the type including a valve body provided with inlet and outlet openings, communication between which may be interrupted by a valve including a valve member which is integral with a rod which is connected to a piston which is subjected to a control pressure, the improvement comprising: a reversible head having opposite ends, said piston being mounted in said head; first, low pressure reset spring means directly acting on said piston for moving said piston, and thereby said valve, in a first direction toward a first said end of said head; first and second spring support means mounted within said head, said first spring support member being movable with respect to said second spring support member between a first position abutting said piston and a second position spaced from said piston; second, high pressure reset spring means, positioned between said first and second spring support members, for selectively acting on said piston for moving said piston, and thereby said valve, in said first direction, thus providing a high pressure resistance to movement of said piston in a second direction toward said second end of said head; means for selectively removing the action of said second spring means on said piston, thus providing a low pressure resistance to movement of said piston in said second direction, and removing means comprising a selecting cap mounted on said head for selective rotation with respect thereto, at least one axially inclined surface formed on said cap, and at least one lug extending from said first spring support member and abutting said inclined surface, such that rotation of said cap causes movement of said first spring support member from said first position thereof to said second position thereof; and said head having therein a control opening for the selective supply of a control pressure medium for moving said piston in said second direction against the force of said first or second spring means.

Claim 6

The improvement claimed in claim 3, further comprising optical indicator means, connected to said rod, for providing a visual indication of whether said second spring means is acting on said piston.