Disc type check valve

A check valve allowing fluid flow in a first direction and preventing fluid flow in a second direction comprising:

• a housing including an inlet and an outlet;
• a disc-shaped valve member located within said housing between said inlet and said outlet;
• first and second valve supports supported on said housing;
• and
• said valve member being formed with symmetrical opposing first and second sides, said first and second sides each including a protrusion engaged by said first and second valve supports, respectively.

A check valve allowing fluid flow in a first direction and preventing fluid flow in a second direction comprising:

• a housing including a first portion and a second portion;
• said first portion including an annular wall defining a fluid inlet, an inlet portion flange extending radially outwardly from said wall of said first portion, and a first annular lip extending axially from an outer edge of said inlet portion flange;
• said second portion including an annular wall defining a fluid outlet, an outlet portion flange extending radially outwardly from said wall of said second portion, and a second annular lip extending axially from an outer edge of said outlet portion flange and including an inner surface engaging an outer surface of said first annular lip;
• said first portion including a first inner circumferential wall forming an upstream chamber adjacent said fluid inlet and defining a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of said fluid inlet, and a valve seat defined on said inlet portion flange and extending radially outwardly from said upstream chamber;
• first rib members extending radially inwardly from said first inner circumferential wall;
• a first valve support supported by first said rib members in spaced relation to said first inner circumferential wall, said first valve support including a surface facing away said fluid inlet and having a circular recess formed in said surface;
• said valve seat including a stepped portion located intermediate said upstream chamber and said first annular lip;
• said first annular lip including an inner wall defining a valve chamber and a plurality of protruding, circumferentially spaced tabs on said inner wall which angle radially outwardly in direction from said fluid inlet;
• said second portion including a second inner circumferential wall forming a downstream chamber adjacent said fluid outlet and defining a cross-sectional area greater than a cross-sectional area of said fluid outlet;
• second rib members extending radially inwardly from said second inner circumferential wall;
• a second valve support supported by said second rib members in spaced relation to said second circumferential wall and extending from said downstream chamber through said valve chamber, said second valve support including an end surface facing toward said upstream chamber and having a circular recess formed in said end surface;
• a disc-shaped elastomeric valve member having opposed, substantially planar first and second surfaces and a centrally located spherical portion engaged within said recesses in said first and second valve supports wherein said first surface of said valve member is normally engaged with said stepped portion of said valve seat such that said valve seat biases an outer portion of said valve member toward said fluid outlet and said second surface of said valve member is concave;
• said valve member being forced into engagement with said valve seat when a fluid pressure is applied to said valve member through said fluid outlet which is greater than a fluid pressure applied to said valve member through said fluid inlet, such that a seal preventing fluid flow is formed between said valve member and said valve seat;
• and
• said outer portion of said valve member being moved toward said fluid outlet and out of engagement with said valve seat when a fluid pressure is applied to said valve member through said fluid inlet which is greater than a pressure applied to said valve member through said fluid outlet, such that fluid is permitted to flow from said fluid inlet to said fluid outlet.