Z valve

A valve for controlling a flow though a pipe having a diameter, comprising:

• a valve body positioned adjacent to the pipe, where the valve body has a diameter that is approximately one-half the diameter of the pipe;
• a valve stem engaged with the valve body;
• vanes engaged with the valve stem;
• a drive component coupled to the vanes by a crank arm and connecting rods, wherein the drive component moves the crank arm and connecting rods to fold the valve stem and the vanes into a z-shape, such that z-shape fits within the valve body when the valve is in an open position;
• and
• a valve cap having a saddle shape, wherein the cap is rotated 90° between the open position of the valve and a closed position of the valve.

A valve for controlling a flow though a pipe having a diameter, comprising:

• a valve body positioned adjacent to the pipe, where the valve body has a diameter that is approximately one-half the diameter of the pipe;
• a valve stem engaged with the valve body;
• vanes engaged with the valve stem, wherein the valve stem and the vanes fold into a z-shape, such that z-shape fits within the valve body when the valve is in an open position;
• a valve cap having a saddle shape;
• and
• a drive component coupled to the valve cap by a rotor arm and a flange bearing, wherein the drive component rotates the valve cap 90° between the open position of the valve and a closed position of the valve.

A method for controlling a flow through a pipe, comprising:

• providing a valve having a valve body positioned adjacent to the pipe, a valve stem engaged with the valve body, vanes engaged with the valve stem, and a valve cap having a saddle shape;
• and
• regulating the flow through the pipe by opening and closing the valve,
• wherein the valve is opened by actuating a crank arm to fold the vanes into a z-shape with the valve stem, retracting the folded valve stem and vanes into the valve body and rotating the valve cap 90° to align with an inner surface of the pipe, such that the valve cap is coplanar and coaxial with an inner surface of the pipe and flow through the pipe is unimpeded, and
• wherein the valve is closed by elevating the folded valve stem and vanes out of the valve body, rotating the valve cap 90° to align with a top portion of the pipe, and extending the vanes to block a cross-section of the pipe such that flow through the pipe is stopped.

A method for controlling a flow through a pipe, comprising:

• providing a valve having a valve body positioned adjacent to the pipe, a valve stem engaged with the valve body, vanes engaged with the valve stem, and a valve cap having a saddle shape;
• and
• regulating the flow through the pipe by opening and closing the valve,
• wherein the valve is opened by:
• actuating a first drive component to rotate a crank arm to move connecting rods coupled to the vanes,
• folding the vanes into a z-shape with the valve stem,
• actuating a first limit switch to retract hydraulic cylinders coupled to the folded valve stem and vanes,
• retracting the folded valve stem and vanes into the valve body,
• actuating a second limit switch to engage a second drive component, and
• rotating the valve cap 90° to align with an inner surface of the pipe, such that the valve cap is coplanar and coaxial with an inner surface of the pipe and flow through the pipe is unimpeded;
• and
• wherein the valve is closed by:
• actuating the second limit switch to engage the second drive component,
• rotating the valve cap 90° to align with a top portion of the pipe,
• actuating the first limit switch to extend the hydraulic cylinders,
• elevating the folded valve stem and vanes out of the valve body,
• actuating the first drive component to rotate the crank arm to move the connecting rods coupled to the vanes, and
• extending the vanes to block a cross-section of the pipe such that flow through the pipe is stopped.