Back to results
US 9,874,287 B2Granted
Service valve for a valve body
AssigneeKohler Co.
InventorsDouglas J. Brouwer, Michael W. Smith, Michael A. Niver, Chad J. Cochart
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A service valve for a valve body includes a base rotatable between an open orientation and a closed orientation relative to the valve body. When the base is in the open orientation, the service valve allows fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve. When the base is in the closed orientation, the service valve blocks the fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve. The service valve further includes a tab extending from the base. The tab prevents removal of a cover from the valve body when the base is in the open orientation.
Claims21
A service valve for a valve body, the service valve comprising:
- a base rotatable between an open orientation and a closed orientation relative to the valve body, wherein rotation of the base by 180 degrees rotates the base between the open orientation and the closed orientation, wherein the open orientation allows fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve and the closed orientation blocks the fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve;
- and
- a tab extending from the base, the tab preventing removal of a cover from the valve body when the base is in the open orientation.
A valve assembly comprising:
- a valve body having an inlet port, an outlet port, and an opening for receiving a valve cartridge selected from a set of interchangeable cartridges;
- a cap configured to releasably couple to the valve body, wherein the cap covers the opening in the valve body when coupled to the valve body;
- a service valve having an open position and a closed position, wherein when the service valve is in the open position, fluid may flow through the service valve, and when the service valve is in the closed position fluid is blocked from flowing through the service valve, wherein a tab extending from the service valve prevents removal of the cap from the opening in the valve body when the service valve is in the open position;
- a bore extending through the service valve and defining a fluid flow path through the service valve;
- and
- a unidirectional valve disposed within the bore, wherein the tab is aligned with a direction of fluid flow allowed by the unidirectional valve such that the tab extends radially away from an axis of rotation of the service valve in the direction of fluid flow allowed by the unidirectional valve.
3 more elements
A service valve for a valve body, the service valve comprising:
- a base rotatable between an open orientation and a closed orientation relative to the valve body, wherein the open orientation allows fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve and the closed orientation blocks the fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve;
- a bore extending through the base and defining a fluid flow path through the base, the bore rotating along with the base between the open orientation and the closed orientation;
- and
- a tab extending from the base, the tab preventing removal of a cover from the valve body when the base is in the open orientation, wherein the tab is aligned with the bore such that the tab extends radially away from an axis of rotation of the base in a same direction as the bore extends through the base.
1 more element
A service valve for a valve body, the service valve comprising:
- a base rotatable between an open orientation and a closed orientation relative to the valve body, wherein the open orientation allows fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve and the closed orientation blocks the fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve;
- a tab extending from the base, the tab preventing removal of a cover from the valve body when the base is in the open orientation;
- a bore extending through the base and defining a fluid flow path through the base, the bore rotating along with the base between the open orientation and the closed orientation;
- and
- a unidirectional valve disposed within the bore, the unidirectional valve allowing fluid flow through the bore in a first direction and preventing fluid flow through the bore in a second direction opposite the first direction.
2 more elements
A service valve for a valve body, the service valve comprising:
- a substantially cylindrical base rotatable between an open orientation and a closed orientation relative to the valve body, wherein the open orientation allows fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve and the closed orientation blocks the fluid flow into the valve body through the service valve;
- a tab extending from the base, the tab preventing removal of a cover from the valve body when the base is in the open orientation;
- a retaining clip configured to releasably couple the service valve to the valve body;
- and
- a lip extending radially outward from the base and defining a space between the lip and a circular surface of the substantially cylindrical base, wherein the retaining clip is configured to fit within the space.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.