Innovative two-stage pressure control water valve
AssigneeAquaflow Technologies, LLC
InventorAron Aharonoff
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A novel valve device and related method of using that can provide for real-time pressure control adjustments and accurate meter reading when installed in a waterline. A two-stage pressure control system can comprise a dual-spring mechanism engineered for precise and adaptive water flow regulation. Water can enter the valve through the one or more inflow ports at an inlet end, travel through the body, and exit through the one or more outflow ports at an outlet end or through side windows in the valve body for certain embodiments. As a result, the dual-spring mechanism can generate backpressure. When water mixed with air flows through the waterline, the valve can create backpressure upstream causing the air at or near the meter to compress for a more accurate meter reading.
Claims20
A valve for controlling pressure of a liquid flowing through a conduit, the valve comprising:
- a body having an inflow port at an inlet end and having an opening at an outlet end;
- a shaft having a shaft arm and a shaft head, the shaft head having a top surface and a bottom surface;
- a first spring disposed around the shaft arm and contacting the bottom surface of the shaft head;
- a second spring disposed around the shaft arm and within an interior space of the first spring;
- a bushing;
- and
- a top shaft guide having one or more outflow ports;
- wherein the bushing is secured to or at least partially positioned within the top shaft guide forming a bushing-shaft guide assembly;
- wherein the shaft is disposed within the body such that the shaft head is positioned between the inflow port and the bushing-shaft guide assembly;
- wherein the first spring has a greater free length than the second spring such that, during inward movement of the shaft head, the first spring compresses prior to engagement and compression of the second spring;
- wherein, after the first spring is compressed to a predetermined extent corresponding to a calibrated tension, the second spring engages and compresses along with the first spring to create a second pressure stage;
- wherein transition between a first pressure stage and the second pressure stage occurs automatically in response to pressure without manual adjustment.
A liquid pressure control valve comprising:
- a body having an inflow port at an inlet end and having an opening at an outlet end and an internal retaining groove near the outlet end;
- a shaft having a shaft arm and a shaft head;
- a first spring disposed around the shaft arm;
- a second spring disposed around the shaft arm and within an interior space of the first spring;
- a bushing;
- a top shaft guide having one or more outflow ports;
- and
- a retaining clip disposed within the retaining groove;
- wherein the bushing is secured to or at least partially disposed within the top shaft guide forming a bushing shaft guide assembly;
- wherein the shaft head is positioned between the inflow port and the bushing-shaft guide assembly;
- wherein the first spring has a greater free length than the second spring such that compression of the first spring occurs before engagement of the second spring;
- wherein the second spring becomes operational only after the shaft travels a predetermined distance;
- wherein the retaining clip prevents the shaft, the first spring, the second spring and the bushing shaft guide assembly from exiting the body.
A method of controlling pressure of water flowing through a water line through real-time pressure control adjustments comprising:
- a. providing a valve body having an internal passageway;
- b. disposing a movable shaft within the internal passageway;
- c. disposing a first compression spring around the shaft;
- d. disposing a second compression spring around the shaft and within an interior space of the first compression spring;
- e. allowing water to enter the valve body and act upon the shaft to move the shaft in a direction of water flow;
- f. compressing the first compression spring in response to movement of the shaft to create a primary pressure stage;
- g. after the first compression spring has been compressed to a predetermined extent corresponding to a calibrated tension, engaging and compressing the second compression spring to create a secondary pressure stage;
- and
- h. automatically transitioning from the primary pressure stage to the secondary pressure stage in response to water pressure without manual adjustment.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.