Expanding systems for break check water dampening
AssigneeMueller International, LLC
InventorsSean Michael Allen, Sean Gant, David Latimore Hughes, Jr., Walter Pierce Wojick, Christopher Joseph Duckett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valve member for a break check valve coupled to a pipe system fitting includes a valve member positioned in fluid communication with a piping system and configured to move from an open position to a closed position in response to a break between the pipe system fitting and the break check valve.
Claims30
An expansion device for a break check valve that is coupled to a pipeline and to a pipe system fitting, the expansion device comprising:
- a valve member configured to move from an open position to a closed position only when the pipe system fitting is separated from the break check valve;
- and
- a bladder coupled to the valve member, the bladder defining:
- a bladder body, the bladder body defining an interior, the interior being an adjustable volume in response to fluid pressure;
- and
- an inlet configured to provide fluid communication between the pipeline located outside the bladder body and the interior of the bladder body.
A method of using a break check valve that is coupled to a pipe system fitting, the method comprising:
- keeping the break check valve open when the pipe system fitting remains coupled to the break check valve;
- initiating closure of the break check valve upon decoupling of the pipe system fitting from the break check valve by movement of a valve member;
- and
- expanding a bladder of the break check valve after closure of the valve member of the break check valve.
A break check valve comprising:
- a valve body;
- a valve member coupled to the valve body and configured to move from an open position to a closed position only when a pipe system fitting is separated from the break check valve;
- and
- a bladder coupled to the valve member, the bladder defining:
- a bladder body, the bladder body defining an interior, the interior being an adjustable volume in response to fluid pressure;
- and
- an inlet configured to provide fluid communication between a pipeline located outside the bladder body and the interior of the bladder body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.