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US 6,886,580 B2Granted
Frost proof valve
OwnerDavid Jobe, Robin Jobeinventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a valve assembly for use in below freezing conditions which includes a valve housing with a connection to a supply of fluid, and a primary chamber, and a secondary chamber, and a flexible diaphragm, and an equalisation port, and a safety port the valve assembly characterised in that has a safety port associated with the secondary chamber wherein the safety port is configured to have a lower flow-rate than that through the equalisation port.
Claims22
A valve assembly, comprising:
- a valve housing connectable to a supply of fluid,
- a flexible diaphragm dividing an internal space of said valve housing into a primary chamber having a fluid inlet and outlet, and a secondary chamber having a safety port,
- an equalization port communicating the fluid from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber, and
- a safety port configured with an aperture from the secondary chamber to the outside of the valve housing to allow a continuous seepage of fluid from the valve to ensure the valve does not freeze;
- wherein the safety port associated with the secondary chamber is configured to have a non-zero flow-rate lower than that through the equalization port.
2 more elements
A valve assembly, comprising:
- a valve housing connectable to a supply of fluid;
- a flexible diaphragm dividing an internal space of said valve housing into a primary chamber having a fluid inlet and outlet, and a secondary chamber having a safety port;
- an equalization port communicating the fluid from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber;
- a safety port, wherein the safety port associated with the secondary chamber is configured to have a lower flow-rate than that through the equalization port;
- and
- a sensor inserted into the fluid in the secondary chamber, via the safety port, for monitoring or controlling at least one parameter of the fluid within the valve assembly.
3 more elements
A valve assembly, comprising:
- a valve housing connectable to a supply of fluid;
- a flexible diaphragm dividing an internal space of said valve housing into a primary chamber having a fluid inlet and outlet, and a secondary chamber having a safety port,
- an equalization port communication the fluid from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber;
- a safety port, wherein the safety port associated with the secondary chamber is configured to have a lower flow-rate than that through the equalization port;
- and
- a sensor inserted into the fluid in the secondary chamber, via the safety port, for monitoring the position of the valve assembly from its open to its closed position.
3 more elements
A valve assembly, comprising:
- a valve housing having a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and a safety port;
- a flexible diaphragm dividing an internal space of said valve housing into a primary chamber having said fluid inlet and outlet, and a secondary chamber having said safety port;
- an equalization port communicating a fluid from the primary chamber to the secondary chamber;
- wherein
- the safety port is configured to have a lower flow rate than the equalization port;
- and
- the safety port communicates the secondary chamber with an outside of said valve housing at all times, whereby fluid within the secondary chamber is allowed to seep from the valve assembly at all times to prevent freezing.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.