Pinch valve

A pinch valve, comprising:

• a valve body including an inner surface extending about and defining a main passage extending in a flow direction through the valve body, the inner surface including a lateral opening connecting the main passage with a lateral passage extending in a first direction lateral to the flow direction, the valve body having side surfaces facing in the first direction bounding opposite side portions of the lateral passage, respectively;
• a resiliently compressible tubular element extending through and substantially occupying the main passage, including a sidewall bounding and defining a flow passage through the tubular element configured to carry a fluid in the flow direction;
• a pinch valve member disposed in the lateral passage, including a pinch head facing the main passage and pinch shoulders adjacent opposite sides of the pinch head, respectively, the pinch valve member having a full open position wherein the pinch head is at least largely withdrawn from the main passage, a full closed position wherein the pinch head extends a maximum extent into the main passage, when the pinch valve member is in the full closed position the pinch head bearing against and holding a center portion of the tubular element in substantially conforming relation against a portion of the inner surface opposite the lateral opening to close a substantial portion of the flow passage, and the pinch shoulders bearing against and pinching opposite lateral end portions of the tubular element in substantially conforming relation against the side surfaces, respectively, to close remaining portions of the flow passage.

A pinch valve, comprising:

• a valve body including an inner surface extending about and defining a main passage extending in a flow direction through the valve body and configured to receive a resiliently flexible tubular element to carry a fluid through the valve, a portion of the inner surface bounding a lateral opening connecting to a lateral passage extending in a first direction laterally relative to the flow direction, the lateral passage having a sideward extent greater than a sideward extent of the main passage parallel thereto and terminating at side surfaces facing at least generally in the first direction and located adjacent to opposite sides of the main passage and bounding opposite sides of the lateral opening, respectively;
• and
• a pinch valve member disposed in the lateral opening and having a pinch head disposed for movement through the lateral opening relative to the main passage, the pinch head having a shape when viewed in the flow direction generally the same as but smaller than a shape of the inner surface opposite the lateral opening, the pinch valve member having pinch shoulders spaced in the first direction from the pinch head and extending sidewardly so as to be generally aligned with the side surfaces, respectively, the pinch valve member having:
• i. a full open position with the pinch head at least substantially retracted from the main passage into the lateral passage such that the tubular element will be in a generally free state shape to allow at least generally full flow therethrough;
• ii. a range of partially open positions wherein the pinch head will deform the tubular element by folding opposite lateral end portions thereof into overlaying relation to form the tubular element into a generally crescent shape when viewed in the flow direction;
• and
• iii. a full closed position wherein the pinch head will extend into the main passage between the lateral sides of the lateral passage in a manner such that the folded opposite lateral end portions of the tubular element are pressed by the pinch head into the lateral sides, respectively, and are pinched closed therein against the side surfaces by the pinch shoulders, respectively, to completely close and prevent flow through the tubular element.