US 2014/0150894 A1 · FLOW CONTROLLED SWITCHING VALVE

Abstract

A flow path switching valve is disclosed that can be operated remotely simply by turning flow on and off. A mid portion of the body has at least one passage therein leading from a central axial bore to one or more external ports each having a tractor nozzle. The valve outlet connects the axial bore to a cleaning nozzle. A poppet member is received in the central axial bore. In a first position, the poppet member directs fluid flow through the outlet to the cleaning nozzle connected to the outlet. The poppet member, when in a second position, closes the central axial bore through the outlet end of the valve body and permits fluid flow through the tractor nozzles. Selection of the different flow paths is made by simply reducing flow through the valve below a predetermined fluid flow threshold and then increasing the flow rate above the threshold.

Claims20

Dependent claims

In a piping cleaning apparatus having a high pressure fluid cleaning nozzle attached to a flexible hose for passage through a length of piping to a location requiring cleaning, a flow actuated switching valve connected between the hose and the cleaning nozzle, the switching valve comprising:

a valve body having an inlet portion configured to be connected to the hose, a mid portion, an outlet portion configured to be connected to the cleaning nozzle, and a central axial bore therethrough, the mid portion having a plurality of rearwardly directed ports connected by passages to the central axial bore;
an elongated poppet member slidably disposed in the central axial bore, the poppet member having a rear portion, a spool portion for selectively opening and closing the passages in the mid portion of the valve body and a closed end portion forming a valve disc for closing the outlet portion of the valve body;
a bias member between the poppet member and the valve body biasing the poppet member rearward;
and
a guide member between the rear portion of the poppet member and the valve body for guiding the poppet member between first and second rotary positions when fluid flow through the valve drops below a predetermined flow rate threshold and then returns above the flow rate threshold.

2 more elements

a hollow valve body having an inlet end, an outlet end, a mid portion, and a central axial bore through the inlet end, the mid portion, and the outlet end, the mid portion having at least one passage therein leading from the central axial bore through the valve body to at least one external port;
a poppet member received in the central axial bore, the poppet member having an open tubular rear end portion, a spool portion and a closed end valve disc portion, the valve disc portion selectively closing the central axial bore through the outlet end of the valve body, the poppet member having an axial bore extending through the rear portion and the spool portion of the poppet member, the spool portion having at least one or more radial arms extending to the mid portion of the valve body;
a biasing member between the valve body and the poppet member biasing the poppet member toward the inlet end of the valve body;
and
a guide member between the rear end portion of the poppet member and the valve body for guiding the poppet member between first and second rotary positions when fluid flow through the valve drops below a predetermined flow rate threshold and then returns above the flow rate threshold.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Flow controlled switching valve

Life of this patent

Flow controlled switching valve

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20