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US 11,157,026 B1Granted
Apparatus, systems and methods for managing fluids comprising a two-stage poppet valve
Assignee3A Holdings, LLC
InventorsDaniel Handley, Michael Morris
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatuses manage the flow of fluids, such as, for example, water, through pipes. Specifically and without being bound by theory, the apparatuses of the present invention creates a backward pressure in fluid traversing a pipe, wherein the backward pressure within the pipe provides compression to the fluid effectively compressing entrapped gas bubbles within the fluid, allowing more accurate water meter measurements. The apparatus comprises a two-stage poppet valve for regulating the flow of fluids through a pipe.
Claims20
A poppet valve apparatus in-line with a pipe configured for liquid water flow therethrough comprising:
- a housing comprising a first end and a second end, the first end having a fluid inlet and the second end comprising an outlet having a fluid outlet;
- an annular valve seat proximal to the first end of the housing, the annular valve seat having a valve seat surface and further comprising an aperture configured for the flow of water therethrough;
- a valve head shaped to mate with and close upon the valve seat surface, the valve head further comprising a valve stem extending through the housing from the valve head toward the second end of the housing;
- a first base fixed proximal the second end of the housing, the first base having at least one aperture configured for water flow therethrough, and a valve stem aperture configured to receive and allow the valve stem to travel therethrough;
- a medial seat element having a first side and a second side between the valve head and the first base and having a valve stem aperture therein configured to allow the valve stem to travel therethrough;
- a first spring positioned between the valve head and the first side of the medial seat element;
- and
- a second spring positioned between the second side of the medial seat element and the first base,
- wherein the first spring has a first spring constant configured to cause the valve head to open at the valve seat when acted upon by a water pressure from the liquid water sufficient to allow the water to flow therethrough and to close upon the release of the water pressure, and further wherein the first spring has a spring constant configured to cause the valve head to repeatedly open and close on the valve seat in an oscillating manner when the liquid water flows therethrough.
6 more elements
A system for regulating liquid water flow through a pipe comprising:
- a first pipe segment;
- a second pipe segment;
- and
- a poppet valve apparatus disposed between the first pipe segment and the second pipe segment, the poppet valve apparatus comprising a housing comprising a first end and a second end, the first end having a fluid inlet and the second end comprising an outlet having a fluid outlet;
- an annular valve seat proximal to the first end of the housing, the annular valve seat having a valve seat surface and further comprising an aperture configured for the flow of water therethrough;
- a valve head shaped to mate with and close upon the valve seat surface, the valve head further comprising a valve stem extending through the housing from the valve head toward the second end of the housing;
- a first base fixed proximal the second end of the housing, the first base having at least one aperture configured for water flow therethrough, and a valve stem aperture configured to receive and allow the valve stem to travel therethrough;
- a medial seat element having a first side and a second side between the valve head and the first base and having a valve stem aperture therein configured to allow the valve stem to travel therethrough;
- a first spring positioned between the valve head and the first side of the medial seat element;
- and a second spring positioned between the second side of the medial seat element and the first base, wherein the first spring has a first spring constant configured to cause the valve head to open at the valve seat when acted upon by a water pressure from the liquid water sufficient to allow the water to flow therethrough and to close upon the release of the water pressure, and further wherein the first spring has a spring constant configured to cause the valve head to repeatedly open and close on the valve seat in an oscillating manner when the liquid water flows therethrough.
7 more elements
A method for regulating liquid water flow through a pipe comprising the steps of:
- providing a first pipe segment;
- providing a second pipe segment;
- providing a poppet valve apparatus comprising a housing comprising a first end and a second end, the first end having a fluid inlet and the second end comprising an outlet having a fluid outlet;
- an annular valve seat proximal to the first end of the housing, the annular valve seat having a valve seat surface and further comprising an aperture configured for the flow of water therethrough;
- a valve head shaped to mate with and close upon the valve seat surface, the valve head further comprising a valve stem extending through the housing from the valve head toward the second end of the housing;
- a first base fixed proximal the second end of the housing, the first base having at least one aperture configured for water flow therethrough, and a valve stem aperture configured to receive and allow the valve stem to travel therethrough;
- a medial seat element having a first side and a second side between the valve head and the first base and having a valve stem aperture therein configured to allow the valve stem to travel therethrough;
- a first spring positioned between the valve head and the first side of the medial seat element;
- and a second spring positioned between the second side of the medial seat element and the first base, wherein the first spring has a first spring constant configured to cause the valve head to open at the valve seat when acted upon by a water pressure from the liquid water sufficient to allow the water to flow therethrough and to close upon the release of the water pressure, and further wherein the first spring has a spring constant configured to cause the valve head to repeatedly open and close on the valve seat in an oscillating manner when the liquid water flows therethrough;
- connecting the first end of the housing of the poppet valve apparatus to the first pipe segment;
- and
- connecting the second end of the housing of the poppet valve apparatus to the second pipe segment.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.