Check valve having temperature response
AssigneeTherm-O-Disc, Incorporated
InventorDonald E. Place
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A thermally sensitive check valve is disclosed in which a bimetallic snap disc functions in one position as the check valve element and in another position to either maintain the valve open as in one illustrated embodiment, or to maintain the valve closed as illustrated in another embodiment. By combining the check valve function and the valving function in a single bimetallic snap disc, a simple and reliable device is provided.
Claims16
A thermally responsive check valve comprising a body assembly providing a chamber open for flow of fluid therethrough and a port open to said chamber through a valve seat, a bimetallic snap disc in said chamber movable with snap action between first and second positions upon reaching predetermined operating temperatures, said disc in said first position operating as a check valve and being movable into and out of engagement with said valve seat to allow flow only from said port to said chamber, said disc in said second position terminating said check valve operation and rendering said valve in the same condition with respect to flow in both directions through said valve seat.
A thermally responsive check valve comprising a body assembly defining a valve chamber and providing first and second ports open to said chamber with a circular valve seat around said first port, a bimetal snap disc in said chamber movable with snap action between first and second positions of stability upon reaching predetermined operating temperatures, said disc in said first position of stability providing check valve operation by engaging said seat and preventing flow from said chamber into said first port when the pressure in said chamber exceeds the pressure in said first port and being unseated and allowing flow from said first port to said chamber when the pressure in said first port exceeds the pressure in said chamber, movement of said disc to said second position terminating said check valve operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.