Pumps – Expansible chamber type – Having pumping chamber pressure responsive distributor
Utility Patent
1999-03-02
2001-01-02
Hepperle, Stephen M. (Department: 3753)
Pumps
Expansible chamber type
Having pumping chamber pressure responsive distributor
C137S454200, C137S493800
Utility Patent
active
06168400
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to check valves.
Check valves are designed to control the direction of flow of a liquid or gas through a conduit. A typical check valve permits flow in one direction, but prohibits flow in an opposite direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In general, in one aspect, the invention features a check valve module including a body having a first fluid communicating surface and a second fluid communicating surface, and two one-way check valves in the body controlling flow between the first and second surfaces. One of the valves permits flow from the first surface to the second surface, and the other valve permits flow from the second surface to the first surface.
Embodiments of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The module body has a first end and a second end. The first fluid communicating surface is on the first end, and the second fluid communicating surface is on the second end. The body also has an outer sealing surface between the first and second fluid communicating surfaces. The outer sealing surface is cylindrical, and has a sealing member, such as an O-ring. The first and second surfaces are circular.
The module includes an inlet and an outlet which communicate with the first fluid communicating surface. The inlet can, e.g., be larger than the outlet. The module also has a registration structure for aligning the inlet with an input flow assembly, and the outlet with an output flow assembly. The registration structure is, e.g., a threaded bore offset from the inlet and outlet. The threaded bore also communicates with the first fluid communicating surface.
The first fluid communicating surface is flat, and has a diameter greater than the diameter of the second fluid communicating surface.
Each one-way check valve in the module has a flow through channel which includes an upstream region, a downstream region, and a blocking structure. The blocking structure permits flow from the upstream region to the downstream region, but prohibits flow from the downstream region to the upstream region. The flow channel further includes a sealing structure, e.g., an inner O-ring, which forms a seal with the blocking structure to prohibit flow from the downstream region to the upstream region.
The blocking structure includes, e.g., a ball disposed within the downstream region. The ball has a diameter greater than the diameter of the inner O-ring, but less than the width of the downstream region. The ball forms a seal with the inner O-ring in the event of flow from the downstream region towards the upstream region. The blocking structure further includes a spring. The spring biases the ball towards the upstream region.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features a bi-directional flow-through assembly. The bi-directional flow-through assembly includes a flow-through conduit having an inner wall and a two-way check valve module disposed within the conduit. The two-way check valve includes a body having a first fluid communicating surface, a second fluid communicating surface, and an outer sealing surface for sealing the body to the inner wall of the conduit. In the body, two check valves control flow between the first and second surfaces. One check valve permits flow from the first surface to the second surface, and the other valve permits flow from the second surface to the first surface.
Embodiments of this aspect of the invention can include one or more of the following features. The outer sealing surface of the body includes an O-ring for forming a seal between the outer sealing surface and the inner wall of the conduit. The first fluid communicating surface has a width greater than the width of the conduit, such that the first fluid communicating surface remains outside of the conduit when the module is disposed within the conduit.
The assembly further includes a piston disposed within the conduit for pumping fluid through said module, and a top plate. The top plate has a first fluid communicating end and a second end for mating with the first surface of the check valve body. The first surface of the module has an inlet and an outlet, and the top plate has an inflow channel and an outflow channel for aligning with the inlet and the outlet. The first surface also has a threaded bore, and the top plate has a clearance hole for aligning with the threaded bore.
Embodiments of the invention have the advantage of including two one-way check valves in the same unitary piece, reducing the number of components needed for the flow assembly. The module is easy to replace, and does not require adjustment.
The registration structure for aligning the inlet with an input flow assembly prevents improperly connecting the input flow assembly to the outlet.
The module can be sealingly engaged to the interior of a rigid tubing, e.g., a cylinder of a positive displacement pump.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1638114 (1927-08-01), Dunlap et al.
patent: 3250225 (1966-05-01), Taplin
patent: 4862911 (1989-09-01), Yie
patent: 5011382 (1991-04-01), Thompson
Horsman Jeffrey A.
Schnoebelen William
Van Davelaar Peter C.
Dyax Corporation
Fish & Richardson P.C.
Hepperle Stephen M.
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