Two-way orifice seat

Claim 2

A fluid flow control valve for controlling a flow of fluid, the valve comprising: a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow passage extending therebetween; an orifice disposed in the fluid flow passage of the housing, the orifice having a first end defining a first seat and a second end defining a second seat, each seat having a main support surface defining at least one channel therein, each channel extending in a generally radial direction of the orifice; and a deformable and bendable elastomeric diaphragm disposed in the fluid flow passage of the housing, the diaphragm having an end face that is urged against a respective one of the seats of the orifice by the flow of fluid through the valve, wherein the orifice is configured to be positioned in either a first orientation or a second orientation, the first orientation having the first seat opposing the diaphragm, and the second orientation having the second seat opposing the diaphragm.

Claim 3

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 1 wherein the first and second seats define similar contours such that the valve provides a first controlled flow rate when the orifice is positioned in either the first or second orientation.

Claim 4

A fluid flow control valve according t o claim 1 wherein the first and second seats define dissimilar contours, such that the valve provides a first controlled flow rate when the orifice is in the first orientation and the valve provides a second controlled flow rate when the orifice is in the second orientation, the second controlled flow rate being different than the first controlled flow rate.

Claim 5

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 1 wherein the orifice has an outer surface defining first and second frustoconical portions, the first frustoconical portion tapering in a direction toward the first seat and the second frustoconical portion tapering in a direction toward the second seat, and wherein the housing has an inner surface defining a mating portion configured to engage a respective one of the frustoconical portions of the orifice to prevent fluid flow between the mating portion and the respective frustoconical portion.

Claim 6

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 1 wherein the orifice has an outer surface defining a groove for receiving a sealing ring and the housing has an inner surface defining a mating portion configured to engage the sealing ring to prevent fluid flow between the mating portion and the orifice.

Claim 7

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 1 further comprising a retainer having a plurality of legs extending from the diaphragm to the housing and configured to engage the housing and thereby retain the diaphragm in a coaxially aligned configuration with the orifice.

Claim 8

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 1 further comprising a retainer having a plurality of legs extending from the diaphragm to the housing, the housing including a holder nut defining a connection portion and a grip portion, the connection portion configured to engage an outer portion of the housing and the grip portion being proximate to and relatively wider than the connection portion, each leg having a flange configured to extend proximate to the grip portion such that the flanges are engaged between the holder nut and the outer portion of the housing when the holder nut is engaged with the outer portion of the housing, thereby retaining the diaphragm in a coaxially aligned configuration with the orifice.

Claim 9

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the seats defines a slot formed in at least one of the channels.

Claim 10

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the seats defines at least two protrusions extending from the respective main support surface for contacting the diaphragm when the diaphragm is urged against the respective seat and holding the diaphragm off the respective main support surface at low pressure differentials.

Claim 11

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 1 wherein said diaphragm has first and second end faces of identical contour such that both end faces of the diaphragm are configured to engage either of the seats of the orifice.

Claim 12

A fluid flow control valve for controlling a flow of fluid, the valve comprising: a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow passage extending therebetween; an orifice disposed in the fluid flow passage of the housing, the orifice having a first end defining a first seat and a second end defining a second seat, each seat having a main support surface defining at least one channel therein, each channel extending in a generally radial direction of the orifice; an elastomeric diaphragm disposed in the fluid flow passage of the housing, the diaphragm having an end face that is urged against a respective one of the seats of the orifice by the flow of fluid through the valve; and a retainer having a plurality of legs extending from the diaphragm to the housing and configured to retain the diaphragm in a coaxially aligned configuration with the orifice, wherein the first and second seats define dissimilar contours and the orifice is configured to be positioned in the housing in either a first orientation or a second orientation, the first orientation having the first seat opposing the diaphragm, and the second orientation having the second seat opposing the diaphragm, the valve thereby configured to provide a first controlled flow rate when the orifice is in the first orientation and a second controlled flow rate when the orifice is in the second orientation.

Claim 13

A fluid flow control valve for controlling a flow of fluid, the valve comprising: a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow passage extending therebetween; an orifice disposed in the fluid flow passage of the housing, the orifice having a first end defining a first seat and a second end defining a second seat, each seat having a main support surface defining at least one channel therein, each channel extending in a generally radial direction of the orifice; an elastomeric diaphragm disposed in the fluid flow passage of the housing, the diaphragm having an end face that is urged against a respective one of the seats of the orifice by the flow of fluid through the valve; and a retainer having a plurality of legs extending from the diaphragm to the housing and configured to retain the diaphragm in a coaxially aligned configuration with the orifice, wherein the first and second seats define dissimilar contours and the orifice is configured to be positioned in the housing in either a first orientation or a second orientation, the first orientation having the first seat opposing the diaphragm, and the second orientation having the second seat opposing the diaphragm, the valve thereby configured to provide a first controlled flow rate when the orifice is in the first orientation and a second controlled flow rate when the orifice is in the second orientation.

Claim 14

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 1 wherein the orifice has an outer surface defining first and second frustoconical portions, the first frustoconical portion tapering in a direction toward the first seat and the second frustoconical portion tapering in a direction toward the second seat, and wherein the housing has an inner surface defining a mating portion configured to engage a respective one of the frustoconical portions of the orifice to prevent fluid flow between the mating portion and the respective frustoconical portion.

Claim 15

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 11 wherein the orifice has an outer surface defining a groove for receiving a sealing ring and the housing has an inner surface defining a mating portion configured to engage the sealing ring to prevent fluid flow between the mating portion and the orifice.

Claim 16

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 11 wherein at least one of the seats defines a slot formed in at least one of the channels.

Claim 17

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 11 wherein at least one of the seats defines at least two protrusions extending from the respective main support surface for contacting the diaphragm when the diaphragm is urged against the respective seat and holding the diaphragm off the respective main support surface at low pressure differentials.

Claim 18

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 11 wherein said diaphragm has first and second end faces of identical contour such that both end faces of the diaphragm are configured to engage either of the seats of the orifice.

Claim 19

An orifice for a fluid flow control valve having a diaphragm that is urged against one of two seats of the orifice by fluid flow through the valve, the orifice comprising: a tubular support portion extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and defining a first seat at the first end and a second seat at the second end, each seat extending circumferentially around a central longitudinal axis of the orifice and having a main support surface defining a plurality of channels therein, the channels extending in a generally radial direction of the orifice.

Claim 20

An orifice for a fluid flow control valve having a diaphragm that is urged against one of two seats of the orifice by fluid flow through the valve, the orifice comprising: a tubular support portion extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end and defining a first seat at the first end and a second seat at the second end, each seat extending circumferentially around a central longitudinal axis of the orifice and having a main support surface defining a plurality of channels therein, the channels extending in a generally radial direction of the orifice.

Claim 21

An orifice according to claim 17 wherein the first and second seats define similar contours such that the valve provides a controlled flow rate when the diaphragm is urged against the first seat and the valve provides the same controlled flow rate when the diaphragm is urged against the second seat.

Claim 22

An orifice according to claim 17 wherein the first and second seats define dissimilar contours, such that the valve provides a first controlled flow rate when the diaphragm is urged against the first seat and the valve provides a second controlled flow rate when the diaphragm is urged against the second seat.

Claim 23

An orifice according to claim 17 wherein the orifice has an outer surface defining first and second frustoconical portions, the first frustoconical portion tapering in a direction toward the first seat and the second frustoconical portion tapering in a direction toward the second seat, the frustoconical portions configured to engage a housing of the valve to prevent fluid flow between the housing and the orifice.

Claim 24

An orifice according to claim 17 wherein the orifice has an outer surface defining a groove that extends circumferentially around the orifice, said groove configured to receive a sealing ring for sealing the orifice with an inner wall of a housing and thereby preventing fluid flow between the orifice and the housing.

Claim 25

An orifice according to claim 17 wherein at least one of the seats defines a slot formed in at least one of the channels.

Claim 26

An orifice according to claim 17 wherein a respective main support surface of at least one of the seats defines at least two protrusions extending from the respective main support surface for contacting the diaphragm when the diaphragm is urged against the respective seat and holding the diaphragm off the respective main support surface at low pressure differentials.

Claim 27

A fluid flow control valve for controlling a flow of fluid, the valve comprising: a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow passage extending therebetween; an orifice disposed in the fluid flow passage of the housing, the orifice having a first end defining a first seat and a second end defining a second seat, each seat having a main support surface defining at least one channel therein, each channel extending in a generally radial direction of the orifice; and a resiliently deformable non-foraminous diaphragm disposed in the fluid flow passage of the housing, the diaphragm having an end face that is urged against a respective one of the seats of the orifice by the flow of fluid through the valve, wherein the orifice is configured to be positioned in either a first orientation or a second orientation, the first orientation having the first seat opposing the diaphragm, and the second orientation having the second seat opposing the diaphragm.

Claim 28

A fluid flow control valve for controlling a flow of fluid, the valve comprising: a housing defining an inlet, an outlet, and a fluid flow passage extending therebetween; an orifice disposed in the fluid flow passage of the housing, the orifice having a first end defining a first seat and a second end defining a second seat, each seat having a main support surface defining at least one channel therein, each channel extending in a generally radial direction of the orifice; and a resiliently deformable non-foraminous diaphragm disposed in the fluid flow passage of the housing, the diaphragm having an end face that is urged against a respective one of the seats of the orifice by the flow of fluid through the valve, wherein the orifice is configured to be positioned in either a first orientation or a second orientation, the first orientation having the first seat opposing the diaphragm, and the second orientation having the second seat opposing the diaphragm.

Claim 29

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 24 wherein the first and second seats define similar contours such that the valve provides a first controlled flow rate when the orifice is positioned in either the first or second orientation.

Claim 30

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 24 wherein the first and second seats define dissimilar contours, such that the valve provides a first controlled flow rate when the orifice is in the first orientation and the valve provides a second controlled flow rate when the orifice is in the second orientation, the second controlled flow rate being different than the first controlled flow rate.

Claim 31

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 24 wherein the orifice has an outer surface defining first and second frustoconical portions, the first frustoconical portion tapering in a direction toward the first seat and the second frustoconical portion tapering in a direction toward the second seat, and wherein the housing has an inner surface defining a mating portion configured to engage a respective one of the frustoconical portions of the orifice to prevent fluid flow between the mating portion and the respective frustoconical portion.

Claim 32

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 24 wherein the orifice has an outer surface defining a groove for receiving a sealing ring and the housing has an inner surface defining a mating portion configured to engage the sealing ring to prevent fluid flow between the mating portion and the orifice.

Claim 33

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 24 further comprising a retainer having a plurality of legs extending from the diaphragm to the housing and configured to engage the housing and thereby retain the diaphragm in a coaxially aligned configuration with the orifice.

Claim 34

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 24 further comprising a retainer having a plurality of legs extending from the diaphragm to the housing, the housing including a holder nut defining a connection portion and a grip portion, the connection portion configured to engage an outer portion of the housing and the grip portion being proximate to and relatively wider than the connection portion, each leg having a flange configured to extend proximate to the grip portion such that the flanges are engaged between the holder nut and the outer portion of the housing when the holder nut is engaged with the outer portion of the housing, thereby retaining the diaphragm in a coaxially aligned configuration with the orifice.

Claim 35

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 24 wherein at least one of the seats defines a slot formed in at least one of the channels.

Claim 36

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 24 wherein at least one of the seats defines at least two protrusions extending from the respective main support surface for contacting the diaphragm when the diaphragm is urged against the respective seat and holding the diaphragm off the respective main support surface at low pressure differentials.

Claim 37

A fluid flow control valve according to claim 24 wherein said diaphragm has first and second end faces of identical contour such that both end faces of the diaphragm are configured to engage either of the seats of the orifice.