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 first orifice, a second orifice, and a flexible wall section;
- a diaphragm within the internal space;
- a main valve having a shaft that is connected to the diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm is movable between a closed position, in which the main valve prevents fluid flow between the first orifice and the second orifice, and an open position, in which the main valve permits fluid flow between the first orifice and the second orifice;
- and
- an actuator configured to apply a force to the flexible wall section to cause the flexible wall section to contact the shaft of the main valve to selectively arrest the diaphragm in the closed position or in the open position.
A method comprising:
- forming, as a unitary structure, valve internals including:
- an inner housing defining an internal space, the inner housing including a flexible wall section,
- a diaphragm within the internal space, and
- a main valve having a shaft that is connected to the diaphragm;
- providing an actuator system that is configured to apply a force to the flexible wall section of the inner housing to cause the flexible wall section to contact the shaft of the main valve;
- and
- applying a rigid outer housing over the inner housing and at least a portion of the actuator system.
A valve system, comprising:
- an inner housing defining an internal space, the inner housing including a first orifice, a second orifice, and a flexible wall section;
- a diaphragm within the internal space;
- a main valve having a shaft that is connected to the diaphragm, wherein the diaphragm is movable between a closed position, in which the main valve prevents fluid flow between the first orifice and the second orifice, and an open position, in which the main valve permits fluid flow between the first orifice and the second orifice;
- an actuator configured to apply a force to the flexible wall section to cause the flexible wall section to contact the shaft of the main valve to selectively arrest the diaphragm in the closed position or in the open position;
- and
- a rigid outer housing providing a support structure for the inner housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.