Diaphragm valve formed using additive manufacture
AssigneeNeptune Technology Group Inc.
InventorJeffrey M. Fowler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An oscillating diaphragm valve is provided. The valve is configured such that, when the diaphragm is in a closed position, pressure of a fluid supply opens the valve, and when the diaphragm is in an open position, the pressure of the fluid closes the valve. The valve internals are formed as a single, enclosed piece, with openings provided only for supply and consumption. The pilot-operated diaphragm-type valve uses a return spring for the diaphragm that applies a biasing force to an outside surface of the valve internals. Additionally, an actuator is provided to selectively arrest the diaphragm in an open or closed position by applying force to a different outside surface of the valve internals.
Claims20
A valve, comprising:
- an inner housing defining an internal space, the inner housing including a supply orifice to receive fluid, a consumption orifice to expel fluid, and a first flexible wall section;
- a diaphragm dividing the internal space into a first volume and a second volume, wherein the supply orifice is configured to supply fluid into the first volume;
- a pilot channel connecting the second volume to the consumption orifice, wherein the pilot channel includes a smaller inner diameter than a diameter of the supply orifice;
- a main valve connected to the diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm moves between a closed position, which causes the main valve to prevent fluid flow through the first volume from the supply orifice to the consumption orifice, and an open position, which causes the main valve to permit fluid flow through the first volume from the supply orifice to the consumption orifice;
- and
- a return spring, external to the inner housing, wherein the return spring applies pressure near the first flexible wall section of the inner housing to bias against expansion of the diaphragm into the second volume.
A method comprising:
- forming, as a unitary structure, valve internals including:
- an inner housing that has a first flexible wall section,
- a flexible diaphragm,
- a main valve, and
- a pilot valve;
- adding a return spring adjacent to the first flexible wall section of the inner housing and outside the inner housing;
- adding an actuator system adjacent to a second flexible wall section of the inner housing and outside the inner housing;
- and
- applying a rigid outer housing over the inner housing, the return spring, and the actuator system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.