Bypass strainer valve assembly and method
AssigneeHoffman Enclosures, Inc.
InventorRichard Raisanen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A bypass strainer valve assembly can be used for controlling the flow of a fluid. The bypass strainer valve assembly can have a valve body with a valve body inlet, a valve body outlet, and a filter chamber. A first valve element can be moveable within the valve body between a first position and a second position, and a second valve element can be moveable within the valve body between a first position and a second position. The first valve element in the first position and the second valve element in the first position can be configured to cooperatively direct fluid through the filter chamber, as the fluid flows from the valve body inlet to the valve body outlet.
Claims20
A bypass strainer valve assembly for controlling the flow of a fluid, the bypass strainer valve assembly comprising:
- a valve body with a valve body inlet, a valve body outlet, a filter chamber adapted to receive a removable filter, and a bypass chamber;
- a first valve element moveable within the valve body between a first position and a second position;
- and
- a second valve element moveable within the valve body between a first position and a second position;
- the first valve element and the second valve element being movable within the valve body between:
- respective first positions, in which the first valve element and the second valve element are arranged to cooperatively direct fluid from the valve body inlet, through the filter chamber, and out the valve body outlet;
- and respective second positions in which the first valve element and the second valve element are arranged to cooperatively direct fluid from the valve body inlet, through the bypass chamber, and out the valve body outlet;
- the second valve element being secured within the bypass strainer valve to be movable from the second position to the first position by force exerted by the flow of fluid through the valve body when the first valve element is in the first position, and movable from the first position to the second position by force exerted by the flow of fluid through the valve body when the first valve element is in the second position, and
- the second valve element preventing fluid from flowing from the first valve element into the bypass chamber when the first and second valve elements are in the first positions, and preventing fluid from flowing from the first valve element into the filter chamber when the first and second valve elements are in the second positions.
A liquid cooling system for cooling components housed within a server rack, the liquid cooling system including a piping system and a pump for moving a liquid through the piping system, wherein the liquid cooling system further comprises:
- a bypass strainer valve assembly comprising:
- a valve body with a valve body inlet coupled to the piping system, a valve body outlet coupled to the piping system, a filter chamber, and a bypass chamber;
- a first valve element within the valve body and movable between a first position and a second position;
- a second valve element within the valve body and movable between a first position and a second position;
- and
- a filter removably positioned within the filter chamber;
- wherein, when the first valve element and the second valve element are in the respective first positions, a first liquid flow path is provided along a first flow direction from the valve body inlet, through the filter in the filter chamber, and out through the valve body outlet, and the second valve element blocks fluid entry from the first valve element into the bypass chamber from a second direction opposite the first flow direction;
- and
- wherein, when the first valve element and the second valve element are in the respective second positions, a second liquid flow path is provided along the first flow direction from the valve body inlet, through the bypass chamber, and out through the valve body outlet, and the second valve element blocks fluid entry from the first valve element into the filter chamber from the second direction.
A method for servicing a filter in a high density liquid cooling system with coolant fluid and a bypass valve assembly that includes a valve body, the method comprising:
- with a first valve element in a first position and a second valve element in a first position, such that coolant fluid flows through the valve body from a valve body inlet through a filter chamber and out of a valve body outlet, and the second valve element prevents fluid from flowing from the first valve element into a bypass chamber, moving the first valve element to a second position to bypass the filter chamber by routing the coolant fluid to flow through the valve body from the valve body inlet through the bypass chamber, move the second valve element to a second position, and flow out of the valve body outlet;
- while the flow bypasses the filter chamber with the first and second valve elements in the second positions such that the second valve element prevents fluid from flowing from the first valve element into the filter chamber, removing an access cap from the valve body to access the filter chamber from outside the valve body and thereby service a filter;
- after accessing the filter chamber, reinstalling the access cap onto the valve body;
- and
- after reinstalling the access cap onto the valve body, moving the first valve element back to the first position to reroute the coolant fluid through the filter chamber and thereby move the second valve element back to the first position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.