US5406979A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valve and sensor arrangement
Assignee: AGF Manufacturing Inc
•
Filing: 1992-08-10
•
Granted: 1995-04-18
•
Expires: 2012-08-10
Abstract
Abstract A valve and sensor arrangement includes a valve which has a valve member. A sensor such as a sensor for detecting a flow of water through the valve is provided within the valve member and is preferably aligned with a turning axis of the valve member. The sensor is preferably a flow sensor which is rotated by flow through the valve and the sensor arrangement may be provided in a valve of general utility.
Inventors
- 👤 George J. McHugh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 01:56
CPC Classifications
A; A62; A62C; A62C35/00; A62C35/58; A62C35/68; A62C37/00; A62C37/50; G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/20; G01F1/28; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8158; Y10T137/8326; Y10T137/8359
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A valve and sensor arrangement, comprising: a valve including a housing and a valve member, said housing comprising an interior chamber and an inlet and an outlet, said valve member being provided within said interior chamber and comprising a passageway, said valve member being movable between a first position which provides communication between the inlet and the outlet of the housing and a second position which prevents communication between the inlet and the outlet of the housing; and sensor means for sensing a condition of the passageway of the valve member, said sensor means including a sensor element which is provided within said passageway of said valve member, said sensor means being releasably mounted on said housing of the valve with said sensor element being provided within said passageway of said valve member; means for removing said sensor element from said passageway while said valve member is in said second position preventing communication between said inlet and said outlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A valve and sensor arrangement, comprising: a valve including a housing and a valve member, said housing comprising an interior chamber and an inlet and an outlet, said valve member being provided within said interior chamber and comprising a passageway, said valve member being movable between a first position which provides communication between the inlet and the outlet of the housing and a second position which prevents communication between the inlet and the outlet of the housing; and sensor means for sensing a condition of the passageway of the valve member, said sensor means including a sensor element which is provided within said passageway of said valve member, said sensor means being releasably mounted on said housing of the valve with said sensor element being provided within said passageway of said valve member; means for removing said sensor element from said passageway while said valve member is in said second position preventing communication between said inlet and said outlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said sensor element senses temperature.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said sensor element senses pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said sensor element senses a flow through the passageway.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said sensor element senses a flow through said interior chamber of said housing, said sensor element extending within the valve member coaxially with a turning axis of the valve member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The arrangement of claim 5 wherein the sensing element is arranged to be deflected by a flow through the valve member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The arrangement of claim 6 wherein said valve member prevents communication between the inlet and the passageway of the valve member when the valve member is in the second position and wherein said valve member prevents communication between the outlet and the passageway when the valve member is in the second position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said sensor element is arranged to be rotated about a longitudinal axis of said sensor element by a flow through the passageway.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said valve member has an axis of rotation and wherein said means for removing said sensing member includes an accessway through said housing and through said valve member, said accessway being substantially parallel with said axis of rotation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
47 words
The arrangement of claim 9 wherein said sensor element is arranged to be rotated about a longitudinal axis of said sensor element by a flow through the passageway, said longitudinal axis of said sensor element being substantially parallel to said axis of rotation of said valve member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The arrangement of claim 10 wherein said sensor element includes a shaft having a vane, said longitudinal axis of said sensor element being along said shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The arrangement of claim 10 wherein said sensor element includes a shaft having first and second vanes, one of said first and second vanes being fixed to said shaft and the other of said vanes being hinged to said shaft.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The arrangement of claim 12 further comprising resilient means for urging said vanes apart from one another.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
54 words
The arrangement of claim 6 wherein said valve has first and second outlets and wherein said sensing element is arranged to sense a flow through the first outlet and to provide an indication characteristic thereof and is also arranged to sense a flow through the second outlet and to provide an indication characteristic thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The arrangement of claim 9 wherein said accessway is provided opposite to an actuator for said valve member whereby said sensing element may be removed from within said valve member through said accessway while said valve member is preventing communication between said inlet and said outlet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The arrangement of claim 15 wherein said accessway is threaded, said sensing element being threadably received by said threaded accessway.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
152 words
A valve and sensing arrangement, comprising: a housing defining an interior chamber having an inlet and at least one outlet, a valve member provided within said interior chamber, the valve member having at least one passageway through the valve member, means for selectively moving said valve member within said interior chamber whereby communication between said inlet and said outlet may be prevented; means for sensing a flow through said interior chamber of said housing, said means for sensing a flow including a sensing member which extends from said housing to within said valve member, coaxially with a turning axis of said valve member, and means for removing said sensing member from within said valve member while said valve member is preventing communication between said inlet and said outlet, said sensing member being arranged to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the sensing member in response to said flow through the valve member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
152 words
A valve and sensing arrangement, comprising: a housing defining an interior chamber having an inlet and at least one outlet, a valve member provided within said interior chamber, the valve member having at least one passageway through the valve member, means for selectively moving said valve member within said interior chamber whereby communication between said inlet and said outlet may be prevented; means for sensing a flow through said interior chamber of said housing, said means for sensing a flow including a sensing member which extends from said housing to within said valve member, coaxially with a turning axis of said valve member, and means for removing said sensing member from within said valve member while said valve member is preventing communication between said inlet and said outlet, said sensing member being arranged to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the sensing member in response to said flow through the valve member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
The valve of claim 17 further comprising access means provided opposite to said valve member whereby said sensing member may be removed from within said valve member while said valve member is preventing communication between said inlet and said outlet through said access means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The valve of claim 18 wherein said access means includes a threaded passageway, said sensing means being threadably received by said threaded passageway of said access means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
148 words
A valve and sensing arrangement, comprising: a housing defining an interior chamber having an inlet and at least one outlet, a valve member provided within said interior chamber, the valve member having at least one passageway through the valve member, said valve member having an axis of rotation; means for selectively moving said valve member within said interior chamber whereby communication between said inlet and said outlet may be prevented; means for enabling a condition in said interior chamber of said housing to be sensed; access means for communicating said means for enabling a condition in said interior chamber to be sensed with said passageway of said valve member, said access means including an accessway through said housing and through said valve member, said accessway being selectively closed by a member which is releasably received by said housing, said accessway being substantially parallel with said axis of rotation.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
148 words
A valve and sensing arrangement, comprising: a housing defining an interior chamber having an inlet and at least one outlet, a valve member provided within said interior chamber, the valve member having at least one passageway through the valve member, said valve member having an axis of rotation; means for selectively moving said valve member within said interior chamber whereby communication between said inlet and said outlet may be prevented; means for enabling a condition in said interior chamber of said housing to be sensed; access means for communicating said means for enabling a condition in said interior chamber to be sensed with said passageway of said valve member, said access means including an accessway through said housing and through said valve member, said accessway being selectively closed by a member which is releasably received by said housing, said accessway being substantially parallel with said axis of rotation.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
62 words
The arrangement of claim 20 wherein said means for enabling a condition in said interior chamber of said housing to be sensed includes a sight glass provided in said accessway, said sight glass enabling a condition within said passageway of said valve member to be sensed when the valve member is providing communication between said inlet and said outlet through the passageway.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The arrangement of claim 20 wherein said means for enabling a condition in said interior chamber of said housing to be sensed includes a sensor element which senses temperature.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The arrangement of claim 20 wherein said means for enabling a condition in said interior chamber of said housing to be sensed includes a sensor element which senses pressure.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The arrangement of claim 20 wherein said means for enabling a condition in said interior chamber of said housing to be sensed includes a sensor element which senses a flow through the passageway.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
125 words
A valve, comprising: a housing defining an interior chamber having an inlet and at least one outlet, a valve member provided within said interior chamber, the valve member having at least one passageway through the valve member, means for selectively moving said valve member within said interior chamber whereby communication between said inlet and said outlet may be prevented, means for sensing a flow through said interior chamber of said housing, said means for sensing a flow including a sensing member which extends from said housing to within said valve member, coaxially with a turning axis of said valve member, and means for removing said sensing member from within said valve member while said valve member is preventing communication between said inlet and said outlet.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
125 words
A valve, comprising: a housing defining an interior chamber having an inlet and at least one outlet, a valve member provided within said interior chamber, the valve member having at least one passageway through the valve member, means for selectively moving said valve member within said interior chamber whereby communication between said inlet and said outlet may be prevented, means for sensing a flow through said interior chamber of said housing, said means for sensing a flow including a sensing member which extends from said housing to within said valve member, coaxially with a turning axis of said valve member, and means for removing said sensing member from within said valve member while said valve member is preventing communication between said inlet and said outlet.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
27 words
The valve of claim 25 wherein said sensing member which extends within said valve member is arranged to be deflected by a flow through the valve member.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
55 words
The valve of claim 26 wherein said valve has first and second outlets and wherein said means for sensing is arranged to sense a flow through the first outlet and to provide an indication characteristic thereof and is also arranged to sense a flow through the second outlet and to provide an indication characteristic thereof.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
44 words
The valve of claim 25 further comprising access means provided opposite to said valve member whereby said sensing member may be removed from within said valve member while said valve member is preventing communication between said inlet and said outlet through said access means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The valve of claim 28 wherein said access means includes a threaded passageway, said sensing means being threadably received by said threaded passageway of said access means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
167 words
A ball valve and sensor arrangement, comprising: a ball valve including a housing and a ball valve member, said housing comprising an interior chamber and an inlet and an outlet, said ball valve member being provided within said interior chamber and comprising a passageway, said ball valve member being movable between a first position which provides communication between the inlet and the outlet of the housing and a second position which prevents communication between the inlet and the outlet of the housing; and sensor means for sensing a condition of the passageway of the valve member, said sensor means including a sensor element which is provided within said passageway of said valve member, said sensor means being releasably mounted on said housing of the ball valve with said sensor element being provided within said passageway of said ball valve member; means for removing said sensor element from said passageway while said ball valve member is in said second position preventing communication between said inlet and said outlet.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
167 words
A ball valve and sensor arrangement, comprising: a ball valve including a housing and a ball valve member, said housing comprising an interior chamber and an inlet and an outlet, said ball valve member being provided within said interior chamber and comprising a passageway, said ball valve member being movable between a first position which provides communication between the inlet and the outlet of the housing and a second position which prevents communication between the inlet and the outlet of the housing; and sensor means for sensing a condition of the passageway of the valve member, said sensor means including a sensor element which is provided within said passageway of said valve member, said sensor means being releasably mounted on said housing of the ball valve with said sensor element being provided within said passageway of said ball valve member; means for removing said sensor element from said passageway while said ball valve member is in said second position preventing communication between said inlet and said outlet.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
11 words
The arrangement of claim 30 wherein said sensor element senses temperature.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
11 words
The arrangement of claim 30 wherein said sensor element senses pressure.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
The arrangement of claim 30 wherein said sensor element senses a flow through the passageway.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
38 words
The arrangement of claim 30 wherein said sensor element senses a flow through said interior chamber of said housing, said sensor elements extending within the ball valve member coaxially with a turning axis of the ball valve member.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
The arrangement of claim 34 wherein the sensing element is arranged to be deflected by a flow through the ball valve member.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
57 words
The arrangement of claim 35 wherein said ball valve member prevents communication between the inlet and the passageway of the ball valve member when the ball valve member is in the second position and wherein said ball valve member prevents communication between the outlet and the passageway when the ball valve member is in the second position.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
The arrangement of claim 30 wherein said sensor element is arranged to be rotated about a longitudinal axis of said sensor element by a flow through the passageway.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
46 words
The arrangement of claim 30 wherein said ball valve member has an axis of rotation and wherein said means for removing said sensing member includes an accessway through said housing and through said ball valve member, said accessway being substantially parallel with said axis of rotation.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
48 words
The arrangement of claim 38 wherein said sensor element is arranged to be rotated about a longitudinal axis of said sensor element by a flow through the passageway, said longitudinal axis of said sensor element being substantially parallel to said axis of rotation of said ball valve member.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
The arrangement of claim 39 wherein said sensor element includes a shaft having a vane, said longitudinal axis of said sensor element being along said shaft.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
40 words
The arrangement of claim 39 wherein said sensor element includes a shaft having first and second vanes, one of said first and second vanes being fixed to said shaft and the other of said vanes being hinged to said shaft.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
The arrangement of claim 41 further comprising resilient means for urging said vanes apart from one another.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
55 words
The arrangement of claim 35 wherein said ball valve has first and second outlets and wherein said sensing element is arranged to sense a flow through the first outlet and to provide an indication characteristic thereof and is also arranged to sense a flow through the second outlet and to provide an indication characteristic thereof.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
49 words
The arrangement of claim 38 wherein said accessway is provided opposite to an actuator for said ball valve member whereby said sensing element may be removed from within said ball valve member through said accessway while said ball valve member is preventing communication between said inlet and said outlet.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
The arrangement of claim 44 wherein said accessway is threaded, said sensing element being threadably received by said threaded accessway.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
162 words
A ball valve and sensing arrangement, comprising: a housing defining an interior chamber having an inlet and at least one outlet, a ball valve member provided within said interior chamber, the ball valve member having at least one passageway through the ball valve member, means for selectively moving said ball valve member within said interior chamber whereby communication between said inlet and said outlet may be prevented; means for sensing a flow through said interior chamber of said housing, said means for sensing a flow including a sensing member which extends from said housing to within said ball valve member, coaxially with a turning axis of said ball valve member, and means for removing said sensing member from within said ball valve member while said ball valve member is preventing communication between said inlet and said outlet, said sensing member being arranged to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the sensing member in response to said flow through the ball valve member.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
162 words
A ball valve and sensing arrangement, comprising: a housing defining an interior chamber having an inlet and at least one outlet, a ball valve member provided within said interior chamber, the ball valve member having at least one passageway through the ball valve member, means for selectively moving said ball valve member within said interior chamber whereby communication between said inlet and said outlet may be prevented; means for sensing a flow through said interior chamber of said housing, said means for sensing a flow including a sensing member which extends from said housing to within said ball valve member, coaxially with a turning axis of said ball valve member, and means for removing said sensing member from within said ball valve member while said ball valve member is preventing communication between said inlet and said outlet, said sensing member being arranged to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the sensing member in response to said flow through the ball valve member.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
48 words
The ball valve of claim 46 further comprising access means provided opposite to said ball valve member whereby said sensing member may be removed from within said ball valve member while said ball valve member is preventing communication between said inlet and said outlet through said access means.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ball valve of claim 47 wherein said access means includes a threaded passageway, said sensing means being threadably received by said threaded passageway of said access means.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
156 words
A ball valve and sensing arrangement, comprising: a housing defining an interior chamber having an inlet and at least one outlet, a ball valve member provided within said interior chamber, the ball valve member having at least one passageway through the ball valve member, said ball valve member having an axis of rotation; means for selectively moving said ball valve member within said interior chamber whereby communication between said inlet and said outlet may be prevented; means for enabling a condition in said interior chamber of said housing to be sensed; access means for communicating said means for enabling a condition in said interior chamber to be sensed with said passageway of said ball valve member, said access means including an accessway through said housing and through said ball valve member, said accessway being selectively closed by a member which is releasably received by said housing, said accessway being substantially parallel with said axis of rotation.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
156 words
A ball valve and sensing arrangement, comprising: a housing defining an interior chamber having an inlet and at least one outlet, a ball valve member provided within said interior chamber, the ball valve member having at least one passageway through the ball valve member, said ball valve member having an axis of rotation; means for selectively moving said ball valve member within said interior chamber whereby communication between said inlet and said outlet may be prevented; means for enabling a condition in said interior chamber of said housing to be sensed; access means for communicating said means for enabling a condition in said interior chamber to be sensed with said passageway of said ball valve member, said access means including an accessway through said housing and through said ball valve member, said accessway being selectively closed by a member which is releasably received by said housing, said accessway being substantially parallel with said axis of rotation.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
64 words
The arrangement of claim 49 wherein said means for enabling a condition in said interior chamber of said housing to be sensed includes a sight glass provided in said accessway, said sight glass enabling a condition within said passageway of said ball valve member to be sensed when the ball valve member is providing communication between said inlet and said outlet through the passageway.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
29 words
The arrangement of claim 49 wherein said means for enabling a condition in said interior chamber of said housing to be sensed includes a sensor element which senses temperature.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
29 words
The arrangement of claim 49 wherein said means for enabling a condition in said interior chamber of said housing to be sensed includes a sensor element which senses pressure.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
33 words
The arrangement of claim 49 wherein said means for enabling a condition in said interior chamber of said housing to be sensed includes a sensor element which senses a flow through the passageway.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
134 words
A ball valve, comprising: a housing defining an interior chamber having an inlet and at least one outlet, a ball valve member provided within said interior chamber, the ball valve member having at least one passageway through the ball valve member, means for selectively moving said ball valve member within said interior chamber whereby communication between said inlet and said outlet may be prevented, means for sensing a flow through said interior chamber of said housing, said means for sensing a flow including a sensing member which extends from said housing to within said ball valve member, coaxially with a turning axis of said ball valve member, and means for removing said sensing member from within said ball valve member while said ball valve member is preventing communication between said inlet and said outlet.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
134 words
A ball valve, comprising: a housing defining an interior chamber having an inlet and at least one outlet, a ball valve member provided within said interior chamber, the ball valve member having at least one passageway through the ball valve member, means for selectively moving said ball valve member within said interior chamber whereby communication between said inlet and said outlet may be prevented, means for sensing a flow through said interior chamber of said housing, said means for sensing a flow including a sensing member which extends from said housing to within said ball valve member, coaxially with a turning axis of said ball valve member, and means for removing said sensing member from within said ball valve member while said ball valve member is preventing communication between said inlet and said outlet.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
30 words
The ball valve of claim 54 wherein said sensing member which extends within said ball valve member is arranged to be deflected by a flow through the ball valve member.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
57 words
The ball valve of claim 55 wherein said ball valve has first and second outlets and wherein said means for sensing is arranged to sense a flow through the first outlet and to provide an indication characteristic thereof and is also arranged to sense a flow through the second outlet and to provide an indication characteristic thereof.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
48 words
The ball valve of claim 54 further comprising access means provided opposite to said ball valve member whereby said sensing member may be removed from within said ball valve member while said ball valve member is preventing communication between said inlet and said outlet through said access means.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ball valve of claim 57 wherein said access means includes a threaded passageway, said sensing means being threadably received by said threaded passageway of said access means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-04-17 | 1998-10-17 | 1999-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-04-17 | 2002-10-17 | 2003-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-04-17 | 2006-10-17 | 2007-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |