Multi-operational valve
AssigneeMilwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
InventorJames O. Myrhum, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A valve for selectively fluidly communicating a first fluid volume and a second fluid volume includes a valve body, an inlet orifice in fluid communication with the first fluid volume, and an outlet aperture in fluid communication with the second fluid volume. The valve also includes an activation member axially movable relative to the valve body. The valve is operable in a first mode in which the valve opens in response to manual actuation of the activation member. The valve is operable in a second mode in which the valve opens when a pressure difference between the first and second fluid volumes reaches a predetermined value, and the valve closes when the pressure difference between the first and second fluid volumes is less than the predetermined value.
Claims19
A valve for selectively fluidly communicating a first fluid volume and a second fluid volume, the valve comprising:
- a valve body;
- an inlet orifice in fluid communication with the first fluid volume;
- an outlet aperture in fluid communication with the second fluid volume;
- an activation member axially movable relative to the valve body;
- a first plunger axially movable within the body, the first plunger including a central aperture that provides a fluid flow path between the first and second fluid volumes;
- a second plunger including a contact surface, the second plunger being axially movable relative to the first plunger between a sealed position in which the contact surface engages the central aperture to form a seal with the central aperture that prevents fluid flow through the central aperture, and an unsealed position in which the contact surface is spaced from the central aperture to permit fluid flow through the central aperture;
- and
- a biasing member that biases the second plunger toward the sealed position,
- wherein the valve is operable in a first mode in which the valve opens in response to manual actuation of the activation member, and
- wherein the valve is operable in a second mode in which the valve opens when a pressure difference between the first and second fluid volumes reaches a predetermined value, and the valve closes when the pressure difference between the first and second fluid volumes is less than the predetermined value.
A valve for selectively fluidly communicating a first fluid volume and a second fluid volume, the valve comprising:
- a valve body;
- an inlet orifice in fluid communication with the first fluid volume;
- an outlet aperture in fluid communication with the second fluid volume;
- an activation member axially movable relative to the valve body;
- a first plunger axially movable within the body, the first plunger including a central aperture that provides a fluid flow path between the first and second fluid volumes;
- and
- a second plunger at least partially received within a hollow cylindrical portion of the first plunger, the second plunger including a distal portion extending through the central aperture to define a gap therebetween, the second plunger being axially movable relative to the first plunger,
- wherein the valve is operable in a first mode in which the valve opens in response to manual actuation of the activation member, and
- wherein the valve is operable in a second mode in which the valve opens when a pressure difference between the first and second fluid volumes reaches a predetermined value, and the valve closes when the pressure difference between the first and second fluid volumes is less than the predetermined value.
A valve for selectively fluidly communicating a first fluid volume and a second fluid volume, the valve comprising:
- a valve body;
- an inlet orifice in fluid communication with the first fluid volume;
- an outlet aperture in fluid communication with the second fluid volume;
- an activation member axially movable relative to the valve body;
- a first plunger axially movable within the body between a first position in which a portion of the first plunger at least partially blocks the outlet aperture to inhibit fluid from flowing between the first and second fluid volumes through the outlet aperture and a second position in which the outlet aperture is unblocked to permit substantially unimpeded fluid flow between the first and second fluid volumes through the outlet aperture, the first plunger including a central aperture that provides a fluid flow path between the first and second fluid volumes;
- and
- a second plunger including a contact surface, the second plunger being axially movable relative to the first plunger between a sealed position in which the contact surface engages the central aperture to form a seal with the central aperture and prevent fluid flow through the central aperture, and an unsealed position in which the contact surface is spaced from the central aperture to permit fluid flow through the central aperture,
- wherein the valve is operable in a first mode in which the valve opens in response to manual actuation of the activation member,
- wherein the valve is operable in a second mode in which the valve opens when a pressure difference between the first and second fluid volumes reaches a predetermined value, and the valve closes when the pressure difference between the first and second fluid volumes is less than the predetermined value,
- wherein, in the first mode, the first plunger is axially movable independently of the second plunger member as the first plunger moves from the first position to an intermediate position between the first position and the second position, and wherein the second plunger is axially movable with the first plunger as the first plunger moves from the intermediate position toward the second position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.