Backflow preventer valve

A fluid handling assembly comprising:

• a modular strut comprising:
• an inlet body having a force member receiving surface and forming a fluid inlet channel;
• an outlet body forming a fluid outlet channel and a valve body receiving surface;
• a pair of spacers, each of said pair of spacers having a first end a second end, said first end of each of said pair of spacers is connected to said inlet body and said second end of each of said pair of spacers is connected to said outlet body, wherein said pair of spacers separates said inlet body from said outlet body;
• a force member positioned adjacent said inlet body, said force member forming a third orifice;
• a mount positioned adjacent said force member, said mount forming a first mount surface, a second mount surface, a first orifice, and an externally-threaded orifice;
• and
• an externally-threaded member received by said internally-threaded orifice formed in said mount and said third orifice in said force member, and
• a valve, said valve comprising:
• a removable valve body, said valve body having a first end, a second end, and forming an internal flow channel, wherein said second mount surface of said mount is positioned adjacent said first end of said valve body and said second end of said valve body contacting said valve body receiving surface, whereby said pair of spacers are positioned external of said internal flow channel.

A method of changing a valve that is part of a fluid handling assembly including said valve and a modular strut, said modular strut having an inlet body, an outlet body, a pair of spacers each of said pair of spacers having a first end a second end, said first end of each of said pair of spacers is connected to said inlet body and said second end of each of said pair of spacers is connected to said outlet body, a force member positioned adjacent said inlet body, said force member forming a third orifice, a mount forming an internally-threaded orifice, said mount positioned adjacent said force member, and an externally-threaded member threadedly received by said internally-threaded orifice in said mount, comprising the steps of:

• rotating said externally-threaded member in a first direction to loosen said externally-threaded member;
• removing said force member;
• moving said mount in a direction toward said inlet body of said modular strut;
• and
• removing said valve from said modular strut.

A fluid handling assembly comprising:

• a modular strut comprising:
• an inlet body having a force member receiving surface and forming a fluid inlet channel;
• an outlet body forming a fluid outlet channel and a flow member body receiving surface;
• a pair of spacers, each of said pair of spacers having a first end a second end, said first end of each said pair of spacers is connected to said inlet body and said second end of each of said pair of spacers is connected to said outlet body, wherein said pair of spacers separates said inlet body from said outlet body;
• a force member positioned adjacent said inlet body, said force member forming a third orifice;
• a mount positioned adjacent said force member, said mount forming a first mount surface, a second mount surface, a first orifice, and an internally-threaded orifice;
• and
• an externally-threaded member received by said internally-threaded orifice formed in said mount and said third orifice in said force member, and
• a flow member, said flow member comprising:
• a flow member body, said flow member body having a first end, a second end, and forming an internal flow channel, wherein said second mount surface of said mount is positioned adjacent said first end of said flow member body and said second end of said flow member body contacting said flow member body receiving surface, said flow member removably secured to said modular strut, and wherein said pair of spacers are positioned external of said internal flow channel.