Directional valve

Details Directional valve Directional valve

1999-06-09

2002-04-16

Weiss, John G. (Department: 3761)

Surgery

Respiratory method or device

Face mask covering a breathing passage

C128S205240

Reexamination Certificate

active

06371117

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a directional valve of the type suitable for use in a breathing apparatus, the directional valve having a valve seat with a valve port and a valve plate resting loosely on the valve seat.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Directional valves are used in breathing apparatuses for e.g. controlling flow to and from the user of the apparatus (usually a patient) to prevent or minimize re-breathing of expired gas.
Special demands are made on these directional valves in anaesthetic machines. The valve must seal over a wide dynamic counter-pressure range, typically from 1-2 mbar up to 200 mbar. At the same time, it must open to allow the passage of a flow at low pressure differences, typically a few mbar. This corresponds to a total force of a few tenths of a newton on the valve plate. Valve opening must be as independent of moisture (present at high levels in anaesthetic machines) as possible.
The valve's components also must be capable of withstanding an aggressive environment (anaesthetic gases and autoclaving) and feature an environmentally and economically advantageous design.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a directional valve which satisfies the aforementioned demands.
The above object is achieved in accordance with the principles of the present invention in a directional valve for a breathing apparatus having a valve seat with a valve port and a valve plate resting loosely on the valve seat, the valve plate having a soft, pliable area on its surface in contact with the valve seat, and a relatively stiff area extending across the valve port.
By using a valve plate with a soft and pliable area in contact with the valve seat, the latter can be devised with less surface precision. As a result, more economical materials and fabrication procedures, such as injection molded plastic, can be used. The stiffer area across the valve port keeps the valve plate from being drawn or forced down into the valve port when large pressure differences prevail.
As the description above indicates, the valve plate must be very light. This is achieved in an embodiment wherein the valve plate is a membrane, with a thin, soft outer edge, whose thickness increases in toward the center of the membrane.
Alternatively, the valve plate can be a thin, soft membrane on which a rigid plate is attached to provide stiffness. The plate should not be too heavy.


REFERENCES:
patent: 675622 (1901-06-01), Clinton
patent: 1156837 (1915-10-01), Doan
patent: 1657741 (1928-01-01), Carrey
patent: 2520771 (1950-08-01), Martin et al.
patent: 2960994 (1960-11-01), Shaffer
patent: 3158153 (1964-11-01), Bloom et al.
patent: 3219030 (1965-11-01), Bartlett, Jr.
patent: 3247866 (1966-04-01), Sanz
patent: 3670757 (1972-06-01), Quian
patent: 3788071 (1974-01-01), Brewer
patent: 3871373 (1975-03-01), Jackson
patent: 4190045 (1980-02-01), Bartels
patent: 4232706 (1980-11-01), Ericson
patent: 4249528 (1981-02-01), Mathes
patent: 4499916 (1985-02-01), Hanson et al.
patent: 4527558 (1985-07-01), Hoenig
patent: 4558708 (1985-12-01), Labuda et al.
patent: 4575042 (1986-03-01), Grimland et al.
patent: 4622964 (1986-11-01), Flynn
patent: 4699137 (1987-10-01), Schroeder
patent: 4712580 (1987-12-01), Gilman et al.
patent: 4830047 (1989-05-01), Hodge
patent: 5020532 (1991-06-01), Mahoney et al.
patent: 5176658 (1993-01-01), Ranford
patent: 5189877 (1993-03-01), Wells et al.
patent: 5205820 (1993-04-01), Kriesel
patent: 5379762 (1995-01-01), Kobayashi
patent: 5408995 (1995-04-01), Contino et al.
patent: 5456249 (1995-10-01), Kirk
patent: 5501214 (1996-03-01), Sabo
patent: 5562093 (1996-10-01), Gerson
patent: 5575279 (1996-11-01), Beplate
patent: 5630409 (1997-05-01), Bono et al.
patent: 5630411 (1997-05-01), Holscher
patent: 5653223 (1997-08-01), Pruitt
patent: 5653226 (1997-08-01), Heyer et al.
patent: 5687767 (1997-11-01), Bowers
patent: 5724961 (1998-03-01), Tistrand
patent: 5735265 (1998-04-01), Flynn
patent: 5738087 (1998-04-01), King
patent: 5787882 (1998-08-01), Hamilton
patent: 5813401 (1998-09-01), Radcliff elt al.
patent: 5829433 (1998-11-01), Shigematsu et al.
patent: 5839435 (1998-11-01), Matsuoka et al.
patent: 5878743 (1999-03-01), Zdrojkowski et al.
patent: 5881718 (1999-03-01), Mortensen et al.
patent: 5896857 (1999-04-01), Hely et al.
patent: 5897305 (1999-04-01), Roddis
patent: 5937855 (1999-08-01), Zdrojkowski et al.
patent: 5950623 (1999-09-01), Michell
patent: 5954051 (1999-09-01), Heinonen et al.
patent: 6047698 (2000-04-01), Magidson et al.
patent: 6058933 (2000-05-01), Good et al.
patent: 6065948 (2000-05-01), Brown
patent: 6067984 (2000-05-01), Piper
patent: 6073630 (2000-06-01), Adahan
patent: 6095140 (2000-08-01), Poon et al.
patent: 6116233 (2000-09-01), Denyer et al.
patent: 6293279 (2001-09-01), Schmidt et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Directional valve does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Directional valve, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Directional valve will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2819679