Diaphragm valve
AssigneeKohler Mira Limited
InventorsDaniel Paul Griffiths, Benjamin Lea, Mitchell Connor Hobbs
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A diaphragm valve is provided, and includes a diaphragm moveable over a range from a first position to a second position, to open and close an outlet. A control bleed hole extends from a first side of the diaphragm to a second side, opposite the first side. A closing member is moveable to open and close the control bleed hole, to modify the pressure on either side of the diaphragm, and to cause the movement the diaphragm over at least part of the range. A mechanical means is arranged to move the closing member to open and close the control bleed hole. The mechanical means is configured to engage the diaphragm and cause movement of the diaphragm over at least part of the range.
Claims20
A diaphragm valve comprising:
- a diaphragm moveable over a range from a first position to a second position, to open and close an outlet;
- a control bleed hole extending from a first side of the diaphragm to a second side, opposite the first side;
- a closing member moveable to open and close the control bleed hole, to modify pressure on either side of the diaphragm, to cause the movement the diaphragm over at least part of the range along a linear direction;
- and
- an elongate member having an axis extending perpendicular to a direction of movement of the closing member, wherein when the elongate member rotates about the axis, the closing member is configured to open and close the control bleed hole,
- wherein the elongate member engages the diaphragm and causes movement of the diaphragm over at least part of the range.
An ablutionary fitting comprising:
- a body;
- one or more inlets;
- and
- one or more outlets, at least one of the one or more outlets having a diaphragm valve arranged to open and close the outlet, the diaphragm valve comprising:
- a diaphragm moveable over a range from a first position to a second position, to open and close an outlet;
- a selectively closeable control bleed hole extending from a first side of the diaphragm to a second side, opposite the first side, wherein opening and closing the control bleed hole modifies pressure on either side of the diaphragm to cause the movement the diaphragm over at least part of the range;
- and
- an elongate member having an axis extending perpendicular to a direction of movement of the closing member, wherein when the elongate member rotates about its axis, a closing member is configured to cause opening and closing of the control bleed hole,
- wherein the elongate member engages the diaphragm and causes movement of the diaphragm over at least part of the range.
A diaphragm valve comprising:
- a diaphragm moveable over a range from a first position to a second position, to open and close an outlet;
- a control bleed hole extending from a first side of the diaphragm to a second side, opposite the first side;
- a closing member moveable to open and close the control bleed hole, to modify pressure on either side of the diaphragm, to cause the movement the diaphragm over at least part of the range;
- and
- an elongate member having an axis extending perpendicular to a direction of movement of the closing member, wherein when the elongate member rotates about the axis, the closing member is configured to open and close the control bleed hole, the elongate member including:
- a first formation engaging an actuator mechanism and configured to convert linear movement of the actuator mechanism to rotation of the elongate member;
- and
- a second formation engaging the closing member and configured to convert rotation of the elongate member to linear movement of the closing member;
- wherein over at least part of the range, movement of the diaphragm is driven by a combination of the elongate member and a pressure difference of the pressure on either side of the diaphragm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.