Valve for controlling connection to branch passage

Details Valve for controlling connection to branch passage Valve for controlling connection to branch passage

1992-02-14

1993-06-29

Fox, John C.

Fluid handling

Systems

With flow control means for branched passages

251331, F16K 712

Patent

active

052225232

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a valve for controlling connection to a branch passage, and in the preferred embodiment provides a valve which is particularly suitable for providing drainage and sampling facilities in a pipeline system.
Conventionally if it is necessary to provide for the drainage of pipework system, or to provide facility for taking a sample of the fluid within the system, a Tee fitting is provided within the pipework system. Two legs of the Tee constitute a through passage of the pipework system and the third leg of the Tee is directed vertically downwards and is provided with a stop valve which can be opened to take samples or drain the system through the third leg of the Tee. This arrangement has the disadvantage that during normal operation of the system when the stop valve is closed the third leg of the Tee forms a dead leg within the fluid system.
Any fluid contained in the dead leg can become stagnant and act as a site to harbor foreign material, particularly suspended solids and bacterial contaminants. This is particularly a problem in relation to food processing equipment and pipework systems of biochemical installations. If the fluid contained within the pipework systems carries suspended or viscous thixotropic matter such matter may collect within the dead leg so that when the stop valve is opened no fluid is able to flow therethrough. Additionally it is often necessary to clean (CIP) or steam (SIP) in place process pipework systems and valves of conventional design connected to Tee-pieces in pipework cannot be effectively cleaned or sterilised.
According to one aspect of the present invention a valve comprises: a valve body defining a through passage, a branch passage, and an aperture in the wall of the through passage; and a closure member movable between a first position in which the closure member seals the aperture and a second position in which the closure member establishes communication between the through passage and the branch passage.
Such a valve may be mounted in a pipework system with the through passage of the valve body forming part of a flow passage of the pipework system. When the closure member is in the first position the aperture in the wall of the through passage is sealed and accordingly no dead leg exists opening onto the through passage. When the closure member is moved to the second position communication is established between the through passage and the branch passage to enable fluid to flow from the through passage into the branch passage for complete drain down, sampling, or other purposes.
Preferably the closure member is a diaphragm which is sealingly secured to the valve body and, in the first position thereof, engages a seat formed on the valve body. In this case, the aperture is common to the seat and to the through passageway so that when the diaphragm is in the first position the diaphragm forms part of the wall of the through passage. The branch passage can conveniently open onto the diaphragm seat at a point spaced from the aperture whereby when the diaphragm is in the second position communication between the aperture and the branch passage is established via a chamber defined between the diaphragm and the diaphragm seat.
The invention will be better understood from the following description of a number of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the valve body of the valve of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view on line IV--IV of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view on line V--V of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view on line VII--VII of FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view on line VIII--VIII of FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a further embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view on line X--X of FIG. 9.
The

REFERENCES:
patent: 2695156 (1954-11-01), Ivanek
patent: 2989282 (1961-06-01), White
patent: 4597412 (1986-07-01), Stark
patent: 4721133 (1988-01-01), Sundblom
patent: 4977929 (1990-12-01), Chinnoch et al.
Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 11, No. 380, Dec. 11, 1987 & JP, A, 62151676 (Sekisui Chem. Co. Ltd) Jul. 6, 1987.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Valve for controlling connection to branch passage does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Valve for controlling connection to branch passage, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Valve for controlling connection to branch passage will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-1748556