Two stage variable flow valve assembly
AssigneeMott's LLP
InventorsNicholas P. Edwards, Paul Summers, Donald Lafayette
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to a two stage variable flow valve assembly for use in fluid handling. The valve assembly includes a body with a flow restrictor disposed therein to define two internal chambers which are closed at one end by a wall and open at the opposite end by a discharge opening. A valve having a bulb and a profiled valve stem extends axially through and is movable within the internal chambers to open and close the valve assembly for flow therethrough. Flow is halted through the valve assembly when a portion of the profiled valve stem enters the flow restrictor, prior to the bulb's closing of the discharge opening.
Claims20
A valve assembly comprising:
- a body defining an internal chamber having a fixed wall at a first end and a discharge opening at a second end, said internal chamber being divided into a first chamber and a second chamber by an inwardly extending flow restrictor portion, said first chamber being located adjacent said wall and having an inlet for receiving a fluid, and said second chamber being located adjacent said discharge opening;
- a valve extending axially through and being movable within said internal chamber, said valve having a shaft of varying diameter operatively associated with the flow restrictor portion, with one end of the shaft connected to a bulb, said bulb being positioned in said second chamber, and said shaft extending from said bulb and second chamber through said first chamber via said restrictor portion and through said wall, said bulb being engagable with said discharge opening to seal said discharge opening when at least a portion of said shaft of varying diameter is in sealing association with at least a portion of the flow restrictor portion;
- and
- means for actuating said valve between a first fixed position, wherein fluid does not flow through the body, and a second fixed position, wherein the flow of fluid through said flow restrictor portion and discharge opening is permitted, said actuating means further providing means for variably selecting-the second fixed positions,
- wherein in the second position, the flow restrictor portion and discharge opening are held open to allow fluid to flow through the body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.