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US 2009/0152481 A1Published application
Diaphragm-sealed valve with process purging groove
AssigneeMecanique Analytique In.
InventorsYves Gamache, Andre Fortier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A diaphragm-sealed valve provided with a valve cap and a valve body, a diaphragm and a plunger assembly. The diaphragm is compressibly positioned between the valve cap and the valve body. The valve body comprises a process purging channel extending along a main recess of the valve body, under a pre-formed deformation of the diaphragm. A process purging inlet passage and a process purging outlet passage, both opening on the process purging channel, allow for a purging gas to flow in the process purging channel.
Claims16
A valve comprising:
- a valve cap having a first interface and a plurality of process conduits extending therethrough, each process conduit ending in a process port opening at the first interface;
- a valve body having a second interface facing the first interface of the valve cap, the second interface being provided with a main recess aligned with said process ports, the valve body comprising a plurality of passages each extending in the valve body and opening in the main recess between two of the process ports;
- a diaphragm having a first surface facing the valve cap and a second surface facing the valve body, the diaphragm being compressibly positioned between the first and the second interfaces, the diaphragm having a pre-formed deformation lying within the main recess of the valve body, the first surface of the diaphragm defining with the first interface of the valve cap a communication channel between the process ports;
- a plunger assembly comprising a plurality of plungers each placed in one of said passages and being slideable therein between a closed position where said plunger projects towards the first interface pressing the diaphragm against the first interface of the valve cap between two adjacent ports for interrupting communication there between, and an open position where said plunger is retracted within said valve body, extending away from the diaphragm for allowing communication between the two adjacent ports;
- the valve body further comprising a process purging channel extending along the main recess under the pre-formed deformation of the diaphragm, a process purging inlet passage and process purging outlet passage, both opening on the process purging channel.
2 more elements
A method for collecting leaks from a communication channel in a valve, the valve having:
- a valve cap having a first interface and a plurality of process conduits extending therethrough, each process conduit ending in a process port opening at the first interface;
- a valve body having a second interface facing the first interface of the valve cap, the second interface being provided with a main recess aligned with said process ports, the valve body comprising a plurality of passages each extending in the valve body and opening in the main recess between two of the process ports;
- a diaphragm having a first surface facing the valve cap and a second surface facing the valve body, the diaphragm being compressibly positioned between the first and the second interfaces, the diaphragm having a pre-formed deformation lying within the main recess of the valve body, the first surface of the diaphragm defining with the first interface of the valve cap the communication channel between the process ports;
- a plunger assembly comprising a plurality of plungers each placed in one of said passages and being slideable therein between a closed position where said plunger projects towards the first interface pressing the diaphragm against the first interface of the valve cap between two adjacent ports for interrupting communication there between, and an open position where said plunger is retracted within said valve body, extending away from the diaphragm for allowing communication between the two adjacent ports;
- the valve body further comprising a process purging channel extending along the main recess under the pre-formed deformation of the diaphragm, a process purging inlet passage and process purging outlet passage, both opening on the process purging channel;
- said method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing the valve body with a process purging channel extending along the main recess under the pre-formed deformation of the diaphragm, a process purging inlet passage and a process purging outlet passage, both opening on the process purging channel;
- b) circulating purging gas in the process purging channel from the process purging inlet passage to the process purging outlet passage.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.