Multifunction valve

Details Multifunction valve Multifunction valve

1999-05-11

2001-07-24

Walberg, Teresa (Department: 3742)

Pumps

Motor driven

Fluid motor

Reexamination Certificate

active

06264436

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to valving apparatus, and more particularly, to a multifunction valve for fluids.
BACKGROUND ART
Valves are frequently used in fluid handling devices, such as metering pumps. In such an environment, a relief valve is often provided to provide a fluid pressure relief function when fluid pressures exceed a maximum value. Further, an automatic air bleed valve separate from the relief valve is also typically provided to allow continuous bleed off of small amounts of air liberated from the working fluid which would otherwise accumulate and be trapped in the working chamber of the pump. Still further, a purge valve may be included to permit rapid purging of relatively large amounts of air from the working chamber.
In at least one type of pump design as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,860,793, the purge valve function is incorporated into the automatic air bleed valve. Specifically, the automatic air bleed valve comprises a ball disposed in a valve body and movable between a lower valve seat and an upper valve seat. A rod is disposed on the top of the ball and is movable therewith. During each discharge stroke of the pump, the ball and rod move upwardly away from the lower seat toward the upper seat. During travel of the ball, a small amount of air and working fluid escape out of the working chamber. Once the ball moves into engagement with the upper seat, further escape of air and working fluid is prevented. On the subsequent suction stroke, the ball moves downwardly back into sealing engagement with the lower seat. The purge function is effected by depressing a pushbutton on the valve, thereby limiting the upward movement of the rod and preventing the ball from reaching the upper seat during the upward travel thereof. Because the ball is not sealed, a larger quantity of air and working fluid can escape from the working chamber. While a purge function can be undertaken in this fashion, the amounts of air that be purged are limited owing to the small clearances between the ball and the valve body. In addition, the pump disclosed in the '
793
patent requires the relief valve in addition to the valve that accomplishes the automatic bleed and purge functions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a multifunction hydraulic valving apparatus includes a relief valve, a gas purge valve and a bleed valve. The relief valve, the gas purge valve and the bleed valve are disposed in a single bore. The apparatus is preferably, although not necessarily, adapted for use in fluid communication with a pump.
Preferably, the bleed valve comprises a ball disposed in a valve chamber and is movable into and out of engagement with a valve seat during suction and discharge strokes of the pump. Also preferably, the purge valve comprises a movable valve element which is manually displaceable away from a sealing position in engagement with a valve seat. Still further in accordance with the preferred embodiment, the relief valve comprises a spring-loaded poppet which is movable in response to an elevated fluid pressure condition away from a sealing surface.
The relief valve, the gas purge valve and the bleed valve may have coaxial sealing surfaces and the bleed valve may be disposed within the gas purge valve. In addition, the gas purge valve may be disposed within the relief valve. Still further, the purge valve may comprise a movable valve element and the bleed valve may include a ball movable within a valve chamber disposed in the movable valve element.
According to a highly preferred embodiment, the relief valve includes a spring-loaded poppet which is movable in response to an elevated fluid pressure condition, the purge valve comprises a movable valve element disposed in the poppet and the bleed valve includes a ball movable within a valve chamber disposed in the movable valve element.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a multifunction hydraulic valving apparatus includes a relief valve, a gas purge valve and a bleed valve all disposed in a single bore. The relief valve, the gas purge valve and the bleed valve have a common center axis and the bleed valve is disposed radially inside the gas purge valve and the gas purge valve is disposed radially inside the relief valve.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, hydraulic apparatus includes a fluid pump and multifunction valving apparatus in fluid communication with the fluid pump and disposed in a single bore in the fluid pump. The valving apparatus includes a relief valve, a gas purge valve and a bleed valve wherein the relief valve, the gas purge valve and the bleed valve have coaxial sealing surfaces. The bleed valve is disposed radially inside the gas purge valve and the gas purge valve is disposed radially inside the relief valve and the relief valve includes a spring-loaded poppet which is movable in response to an elevated fluid pressure condition. The gas purge valve comprises a movable valve element disposed in the poppet and the bleed valve includes a ball movable within a valve chamber disposed in the valve element.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following drawings and detailed description.


REFERENCES:
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patent: 4116004 (1978-09-01), Geary
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patent: 4328827 (1982-05-01), Enjolras
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patent: 4951701 (1990-08-01), Boehmer
patent: 5372484 (1994-12-01), Briggs et al.
patent: 5647733 (1997-07-01), Augustyn et al.
patent: 5860793 (1999-01-01), Muscarella et al.
patent: 4036696 (1991-10-01), None
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patent: 641 936 B1 (1995-03-01), None
patent: 2775750 (1999-10-01), None
patent: 08334090 (1996-12-01), None
patent: 09079402 (1997-03-01), None
patent: 720 188 (1980-03-01), None
Milton Roy Metering Pump Technology—Bulletin 210 (dated Jul. 1998).
Pulsar brochure—Time and Again Pulsafeeder Sets the Standard—(dated Nov. 1995).

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