Apparatus and method for valve cartridge extraction
AssigneeWatts Regulator Co.
InventorsPeter P. Bouchard, Jason Doughty
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for valve cartridge extraction from a valve assembly, wherein the assembly includes a valve member body, a cartridge, and a valve cartridge extraction (VCE) tool comprising at least one pin disposed on the upper surface of the VCE tool. During cartridge removal, the VCE tool is uncoupled from the valve member body and is coupled to the cartridge with the at least one pin. The cartridge is rotated with the coupled VCE tool to assist in cartridge removal. The valve assembly may also include a hood covering the VCE tool.
Claims30
A valve assembly, comprising:
- a valve member body with an opening defined therethrough;
- a cartridge configured to fit into the valve member body through the opening;
- an extraction tool with one or more pins defined on an upper surface, the tool configured to couple the cartridge to the valve member body and wherein the pins are configured to engage the cartridge to aid in coupling and decoupling the cartridge and the body.
A water control device, comprising:
- a member body defining a flow path extending between an inlet and an outlet;
- a port defined in the member body and extending into the flow path;
- a component lodged in the port;
- and
- an extraction tool removably secured to the member body to retain the component in the port, the tool including one or more pins, each pin having a free distal end configured to interact with the component;
- whereby the extraction tool can be unsecured from the member body and the one or more pins then used to dislodge the component from the port.
An extraction tool, comprising:
- a hollow cylindrical body having an upper surface, a cylindrical outer sidewall, and an inner surface;
- one or more pins perpendicularly disposed on the upper surface of the body, each pin having a free distal end configured to interact with a cartridge;
- and
- one or more outward protrusions extending from the cylindrical outer sidewall, wherein each protrusion corresponds to a respective pin.
A method of removing a valve cartridge from a valve assembly, wherein:
- the valve assembly comprises:
- a valve member body with an opening defined therein;
- the valve cartridge disposed in the opening;
- a valve cartridge extraction tool, comprising one or more pins defined on an upper surface of the tool, coupled to the valve member body to maintain the cartridge in the opening;
- and
- the method comprising:
- uncoupling the tool from the valve member body;
- coupling the one or more pins to the cartridge;
- rotating the cartridge with the extraction tool to uncouple the cartridge from the valve member body;
- and
- removing the uncoupled cartridge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.