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US 2003/0192593 A1Published application
An axially rotated valve and method
AssigneeBighorn Valve, Inc.
InventorsDavid E. Walrath, William R. Lindberg, Robert K. Burgess
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AssigneeBighorn Valve, Inc.
InventorsDavid E. Walrath, William R. Lindberg, Robert K. Burgess
Estimating the term…
The present invention provides an axially-rotated valve which permits increased flow rates and lower pressure drop (characterized by a lower loss coefficient) by using an axial eccentric split venturi with two portions where at least one portion is rotatable with respect to the other portion. The axially-rotated valve typically may be designed to avoid flow separation and/or cavitation at full flow under a variety of conditions. Similarly, the valve is designed, in some embodiments, to produce streamlined flow within the valve. A typical cross section of the eccentric split venturi may be non-axisymmetric such as a semicircular cross section which may assist in both throttling capabilities and in maximum flow capacity using the design of the present invention. Such a design can include applications for freeze resistant axially-rotated valves and may be fully-opened and fully-closed in one-half of a complete rotation. An internal wide radius elbow typically connected to a rotatable portion of the eccentric venturi may assist in directing flow with lower friction losses. A valve actuator may actuate in an axial manner yet be uniquely located outside of the axial flow path to further reduce friction losses. A seal may be used between the two portions that may include a peripheral and diametrical seal in the same plane.
An axially-rotated split venturi valve comprising:
A method of improving flow from an axially-rotated valve using a split venturi comprising:
A method of providing improved flow from a valve using a split venturi comprising:
A split venturi valve comprising:
A method of providing improved flow from a valve using a split venturi comprising:
A split venturi valve comprising:
A method of providing improved flow from a valve using a split venturi comprising:
A split venturi valve comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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Hydrants; Arrangements of valves therein; Keys for hydrants: taps specially designed for outdoor use, e.g. wall hydrants, sill cocks
Methods or installations for drawing-off water: hydrants; Arrangements of valves therein; Keys for hydrants
With pivoted discs or flaps: with axis of rotation crossing the valve member, e.g. butterfly valves
With circular plates rotatable around their centres: the axis of supply passage and the axis of discharge passage being coaxial and parallel to…
Term end not estimated
The present invention relates to an improved flow rate valve system and valve, especially for axially-rotated valves and includes both apparatus and methods. In particular, the present invention has applicability where a freeze resistant valve is preferred.
Valves have been used for many centuries in a variety of applications. As the technology has progressed, more sophisticated uses have been found for valves. For instance, various improvements have been made in methods of actuation of the valve. Some of these methods include motor driven actuation, solenoid actuation and more recently, computer controlled actuation, and so forth. However, the essential flow design of valves has stayed relatively constant along four basic designs.
One type of valve used is a gate valve. It is simple in design, inexpensive, and can be used in a variety of applications. A gate valve typically contains a circular disk, known as a gate, mounted transverse to a conduit or pipe which engages a seat to block or restrict flow. A gate valve is generally known to those in the art as being poor for controlling flow other than in a fully-opened or fully-closed position. The interface between the gate and its seat generally erodes and is prone to maintenance.
FIG. 1a shows a graph of pressure drop as a function of flow rate test results of the present invention compared to some commercially available axially-rotated valves to show some of the significant improvements.
FIG. 1b shows a graph of measured loss coefficients as a function of Reynolds number for the present invention compared to some commercially available axially-rotated valves and other types of valves, again to show some of the significant improvements of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross section of the present invention from a side perspective in a fully-opened orientation.
As mentioned earlier, the present invention includes a variety of components that may be used in various combinations, depending on the application that needs to be addressed. This invention is intended to encompass a wide variety of embodiments of an axially-rotated valve. In particular, the invention is designed primarily to take advantage of low friction loss, high efficiency, high flow through an eccentric split venturi of a particular and novel design and combine and modify as needed for a variety of shapes, sizes and orientations, as will be explained in more detail as the figures are described. Elements, functions and procedures that distinguish the present invention will be noted where appropriate.
As can be easily understood, the basic concepts of the present invention may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involves both methods and devices to accomplish the appropriate method. In this patent, the methods are disclosed as part of the results shown to be achieved by the various devices described and as steps that are inherent to utilization. They are simply the natural result of utilizing the devices as intended and described. In addition, while some devices are disclosed, it would be understood that these not only accomplish certain methods, but also can be varied in many ways. Importantly, as to the foregoing, all these facets should be understood to be encompassed by this disclosure.
FIG. 2 shows a fully-opened eccentric split venturi axially-rotated valve in a cross-section side view. Starting from the left of the valve (2), a flow (4) enters the valve. The valve may have a central axis (6) which for a typical valve may operate as a center line of the valve. As the flow (4) enters the valve (2), the flow may first encounter a first portion (8) having a first longitudinal axis (10) and a first flow path (12). The flow (4) may progress across an interface (14) along a first flow axis (11) in a transition flow zone (16) and into a second portion (18). The second portion (18) may have its own second flow axis (21), a second longitudinal axis (20), a second flow path (22), and a diameter (24). As the flow continues, it may exit through an exit port (26). The exit port in some embodiments may include an internal elbow (28) to help direct the flow (4) into a valve outlet (30).