Fluid handling – Larner-johnson type valves; i.e. – telescoping internal valve...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-25
2001-04-10
Michalsky, Gerald A. (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Larner-johnson type valves; i.e., telescoping internal valve...
C251S063500, C251S252000, C251S342000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213144
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to flow valves. More particularly, the invention relates to valves for use in applications where high purity and low turbulence fluid flow is desirable.
2. Description of the Related Art
In many industrial applications, the control of fluid flow is necessary, and a wide variety of valve designs for performing this control are well known. In some applications, the dispensing of well controlled volumes of pure chemical reagents in liquid or gaseous form is required. Such applications include chemical and pharmaceutical processing, semiconductor manufacture, as well as many others. In these applications, low turbulence and minimal contamination in the fluid distribution process are significant concerns.
Currently available valves, however, generally include internal seals, non-linear flow pathways, and other features that increase the potential for contamination and turbulence. Although a linear fluid path valve without internal seals is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,780 to Miller et al., this valve includes a large number of parts, and requires magnetized metallic elements in the fluid flow stream. Thus, the Miller et al. valve design results in a high manufacturing cost, increased maintenance, and internal components which may be incompatible with the fluid in the valve. Accordingly, what is needed in the art are fluid flow valves which are inexpensive to manufacture, which allow low turbulence flow, and which are less susceptible to leakage or contamination of the flowing fluid.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment, the invention comprises a valve including a one-piece housing defining a fluid flow path. The one-piece housing comprises one or more deformable portions thereof coupled to a valve seat and a poppet so as to allow relative motion therebetween.
Methods of controlling fluid flow are also provided. In one embodiment of the invention, a method of closing a valve comprises deforming a portion of a solid one-piece valve body so as to engage a poppet with a valve seat.
Furthermore, in accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of making a valve includes defining a substantially linearly extending flow path with a side wall made from a single, solid piece of material, and thinning a portion of the side wall such that a portion thereof is deformable. The method further comprises coupling a valve seat or a poppet to the deformable portion of the side wall such that deformation of the thinned side wall portion produces movement of the valve seat and/or the poppet to allow or restrict fluid flow through the housing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3265084 (1966-08-01), Wagner
patent: 3534763 (1970-10-01), Lucardie
patent: 3587156 (1971-06-01), Sorenson
patent: 4116212 (1978-09-01), Cooper
patent: 4117859 (1978-10-01), Illy
patent: 4137933 (1979-02-01), Culpepper
patent: 5407329 (1995-04-01), Bueser et al.
patent: 5715857 (1998-02-01), Gill
patent: 0 566 543 (1993-10-01), None
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
Michalsky Gerald A.
Micro)n Technology, Inc.
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