US 6,299,132 B1Granted

Reflux valve

AssigneeHalkey-Roberts Corporation

InventorsJacek M. Weinheimer, Gregory S. Jordan

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Abstract

A reflux valve engageable with corresponding structure, such as with another corresponding valve or instrument. The reflux valve includes an actuator which is located in, and shiftable in, a valve body. When the corresponding structure is engaged with the actuator, the actuator shifts in the valve body, and pushes a valve stem out of engagement with a valve seat. As a result, liquid is allowed to flow, in one direction, through the actuator, past the valve seat, along an area adjacent a periphery of the valve stem, and out the valve body. Preferably, when the valve stem is unseated from the valve seat, liquid can also flow in an opposite direction, i.e. along an area adjacent a periphery of the valve stem, past the valve seat, through the actuator, and out the valve body. Preferably, a spring or an extended end portion of the valve stem biases the valve stem into the valve seat. Regardless, preferably the valve stem unseats from the valve seat only upon the actuator being engaged by the corresponding structure. Preferably, the actuator is configured such that guide structure which is typically provided on prior art valves can be eliminated.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A reflux valve engageable with corresponding structure, said reflux valve comprising:

a valve body;
an actuator at least partially disposed in said valve body;
a valve stem in said valve body, said valve stem biased into a valve seat in said valve body, said actuator shiftable relativc to said valve body upon the corresponding structure being engaged with said actuator, wherein said actuator pushes said valve stem out of engagement with said valve seat in said valve body, whereafter liquid is flowable, in one direction, through the actuator, past said valve seat, along an area adjacent a periphery of the valve stem, and out said valve body, and in an opposite direction, along said area adjacent said periphery of said valve stem, past said valve seat, through said actuator, and out said valve body;
a first retainer disposed on said actuator and configured to engage the corresponding structure upon the corresponding structure being engaged with said actuator;
and a second retainer disposed on said actuator and engaged with an internal wall of said valve body, said valve stem including an integral frusto-conical portion which engages said valve seat to prevent liquid from flowing therepast, said actuator including a notch proximate said valve stem, said notch configured to facilitate the flowing of liquid between said actuator and said valve stem.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.