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US 2020/0025300 A1Published application
Accuracy enhancing valve assembly and method
AssigneeWater Management Solutions, LLC
InventorFABIAN MAURICIO BARREDA
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device and method to improve accuracy of a water meter where a fluid is introduced into a valve assembly having an external casing. The fluid contacts a toggle stopper having a shaft, plate, and guides. A calibrated spring positioned around the shaft in contact with the plate assesses if the desired fluid meets a predetermined pressure. If yes, the calibrated spring compresses thereby toggling the plate within the chamber to allow desired fluid to enter the chamber. If no, the calibrated spring remains in an expanded state to seal the valve assembly. Upon such seal, there is an equalizing of both the desired and undesired fluids to the same pressure by decreasing the volume of the undesired fluid, causing the calibrated spring to compress and reopen.
Claims20
A valve assembly to improve accuracy of a water meter installed within a water line, the valve assembly comprising:
- a one-piece external casing having an inlet and an outlet;
- the casing defining a first internal chamber and a second internal chamber, the second internal chamber extending from the outlet of the casing to an intermediate point within the casing, the first internal chamber extending from the intermediate point to the inlet of the casing, the second internal chamber having a first diameter and the first internal chamber having a second diameter smaller in size than the first diameter, the diameter of the first internal chamber being smaller than the diameter of the second chamber to create an internal wall at the intermediate point within the external casing;
- a stopper including a shaft and a plate having a first side and a second side, the shaft extending outward from the first side of the plate, the stopper positioned within the external casing;
- and
- a spring positioned around the shaft capable of exerting force on the first side of the plate;
- wherein the spring in an expanded position causes the second side of the stopper to contact the internal wall and effectively seal off fluid communication between the first internal chamber and the second internal chamber.
3 more elements
A valve assembly to improve accuracy of a water meter installed within a water line, the valve assembly comprising:
- a one-piece external casing having an inlet and an outlet;
- the casing defining a first internal chamber and a second internal chamber, the second internal chamber extending from the outlet of the casing to an intermediate point within the casing, the first internal chamber extending from the intermediate point to the inlet of the casing, the second internal chamber having a first diameter and the first internal chamber having a second diameter smaller in size than the first diameter, the diameter of the first internal chamber being smaller than the diameter of the second chamber to create an internal wall at the intermediate point within the external casing;
- a stopper including a shaft and a plate having a first side and a second side, the shaft extending outward from the first side of the plate, the stopper positioned within the external casing;
- wherein the plate of the stopper is positioned within the second chamber, the plate having an exterior diameter proximate to that of the diameter of the second chamber and larger than the diameter of the first chamber
- a spring positioned around the shaft capable of exerting force on the first side of the plate;
- wherein the spring in an expanded position causes the second side of the stopper to contact the internal wall and effectively seal off fluid communication between the first internal chamber and the second internal chamber;
- and
- a connector secured to the external casing at the inlet of the external casing, the connector comprising an outer flange and a lip member, the outer flange extending outwardly and perpendicular to the external casing, the lip member extending outwardly from the inlet and perpendicular to the outer flange and the lip member defining an opening having a diameter larger in size than the diameter of the first internal chamber, the opening of the lip member in communication with the first internal chamber, the opening of the lip member having a curved inner surface beginning at a lip member outer end and terminating at the first internal chamber.
5 more elements
A valve assembly to improve accuracy of a water meter installed within a water line, the valve assembly comprising:
- a one-piece external casing having an inlet and an outlet;
- the casing defining a first internal chamber and a second internal chamber, the second internal chamber extending from the outlet of the casing to an intermediate point within the casing, the first internal chamber extending from the intermediate point to the inlet of the casing, the second internal chamber having a first diameter and the first internal chamber having a second diameter smaller in size than the first diameter, the diameter of the first internal chamber being smaller than the diameter of the second chamber to create an internal wall at the intermediate point within the external casing;
- a stopper including a shaft and a plate having a first side and a second side, the shaft extending outward from the first side of the plate, the stopper positioned within the external casing;
- a spring positioned around the shaft capable of exerting force on the first side of the plate;
- wherein the spring in an expanded position causes the second side of the stopper to contact the internal wall and effectively seal off fluid communication between the first internal chamber and the second internal chamber;
- and
- a positioning member having at least one fluid flow openings secured directly to an inner surface of the casing within the second internal chamber and proximate to the outlet of the external casing, the positioning member having a central opening having a size sufficient to receive the shaft of the stopper, wherein the spring rests upon the positioning member, and wherein the one or more fluid flow opening allow fluid to flow through the outlet of the casing for removal from the valve assembly;
- wherein the spring is capable of being compressed when the desired fluid flowing into the inlet is at a predetermined sufficient pressure such that the shaft of the stopper will be inserted and move within the central opening of the positioning member.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.