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US 9,989,161 B2Granted
Systems and methods for a reed valve module and valve assembly
AssigneeZahroof Valves, Inc.
InventorZahroof Mohamed
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Reed valve modules and corresponding reed valve assemblies are disclosed. In one embodiment, the reed valve module includes a body having a single or a plurality of sealing faces, a seat and flow passages from the seat to the sealing face(s). The reed valve module also includes one or a plurality of petals. In some embodiments, the module further includes a petal guard. Novel reed valve assemblies are disclosed incorporating the reed valve modules. One embodiment of the reed valve assembly includes a seat with a plurality of fluid conduits, a retainer plate with a plurality of fluid conduits and a means for receiving recesses between the seat plate and retainer plate. Other devices, systems, and methods related to reed valve modules and valve assemblies are also disclosed.
Claims50
A reed valve module, comprising:
- a module body comprising a seating surface that surrounds an entire periphery of a flow inlet, one or more first sealing faces on an outer surface of a first side of the module body and one or more second sealing faces on an outer surface of a second side of the module body, and one or more fluid flow passages, each of the one or more fluid flow passages leading from the flow inlet at the seating surface to a flow outlet passing through one of the one or more first and second sealing faces, wherein one of the one or more first and second sealing faces completely surrounds and encloses a respective flow outlet passing therethrough, and wherein an inside surface of the module body defines a cavity;
- a plurality of transverse ribs inside of the module body and reinforcing the cavity, wherein at least one rib of the plurality of transverse ribs extends across the cavity from the first side of the module body to the second side of the module body and has an exposed end surface that is positioned proximate and substantially aligned with one of the one or more first and second sealing faces;
- a plurality of lateral ribs positioned inside of and reinforcing the module body cavity, each of the plurality of lateral ribs extending laterally between and laterally supporting an adjacent pair of the plurality of transverse ribs;
- and
- one or more reed petals that are adapted to be positioned on the outer surface of the module body, wherein each of the one or more reed petals is adapted to be positioned over a respective one of the one or more first and second sealing faces and over the exposed end surface of at least one rib of the plurality of transverse ribs, to extend across and cover an entirety of at least one flow outlet, and to close off fluid flow through the at least one flow outlet when the respective reed petal contacts and seals against the respective one of the one or more first or second sealing faces surrounding the at least one flow outlet while the respective reed petal is in a closed position, wherein the respective one of the one or more first or second sealing faces and the exposed end surface of the at least one rib are adapted to support the respective reed petal when the respective reed petal is in said closed position, and wherein a spacing between each of the plurality of transverse ribs is adapted to enable each of the one or more reed petals to withstand a differential pressure acting thereon when the respective reed petal is in said closed position.
2 more elements
A reed valve module, comprising:
- a module body, the module body comprising:
- one or more fluid inlets;
- a seating surface surrounding the one or more fluid inlets;
- one or more sealing faces on an outer surface of the module body;
- one or more fluid outlets passing through each of the one or more sealing faces, the one or more fluid outlets comprising a first fluid outlet through a first side of the module body and a second fluid outlet through a second side of the module body that is opposite of the first side;
- one or more fluid flow passages, each one of the one or more fluid flow passages leading from at least one of the one or more fluid inlets to at least one of the one or more fluid outlets, wherein one of the one or more sealing faces completely surrounds and encloses one of the one or more fluid outlets passing therethrough;
- and
- one or more spaced-apart ribs separating each of the one or more fluid outlets into a respective plurality of spaced-apart fluid outlet ports, wherein each of the respective one or more spaced-apart ribs has an exposed outside support surface that is substantially flush with one of the one or more sealing faces and an inside surface that is substantially flush with an inside surface of the module body;
- and
- one or more reed petals that are adapted to be positioned on the outer surface of the module body, wherein each of the one or more reed petals is adapted to be positioned over at least one of the one or more sealing faces and over the exposed outside support surface of at least one of the one or more spaced-apart ribs, wherein the respective sealing face and the exposed outside support surface of at least one of the one or more spaced-apart ribs are adapted to support the respective reed petal when the respective reed petal is in a closed position, and wherein a spacing between the at least one of the one or more spaced-apart ribs and an adjacent one of the one or more sealing faces is adapted to enable one of the one or more reed petals to withstand a differential pressure acting thereon when the respective reed petal is in said closed position.
7 more elements
A reed valve module, comprising:
- a module body having an inside surface that defines a module body cavity, wherein the module body comprises:
- a first fluid flow outlet through a first side of the module body;
- a first sealing face on an outside surface of the first side of the module body, the first sealing face surrounding an entire periphery of the first fluid flow outlet;
- a second fluid flow outlet through a second side of the module body;
- a second sealing face on an outside surface of the second side of the module body, the second sealing face surrounding an entire periphery of the second fluid flow outlet;
- a fluid flow inlet through a third side of the module body;
- a seating surface on an outside surface of the third side of the module body, the seating surface surrounding an entire periphery of the fluid flow inlet;
- a plurality of spaced-apart transverse ribs reinforcing and extending across the module body cavity from the first side to the second side, at least a first rib of the plurality of spaced-apart transverse ribs having a first exposed rib end surface that is positioned proximate and substantially aligned with the first sealing face and a second exposed rib end surface that is positioned proximate and substantially aligned with the second sealing face, wherein the plurality of spaced-apart transverse ribs divide the module body into a plurality of flow passages, at least one of the plurality of flow passages providing fluid communication between the fluid flow inlet and at least one of the first and second fluid flow outlets;
- and
- a plurality of lateral ribs positioned inside of and reinforcing the module body cavity, each of the plurality of lateral ribs extending laterally between and laterally supporting an adjacent pair of the plurality of transverse spaced-apart ribs;
- a first reed petal that is adapted to be positioned over the first sealing face and over the first exposed rib end surface, wherein the first sealing face and the first exposed rib end surface are adapted to support the first reed petal when the first reed petal is in a closed position;
- and
- a second reed petal that is adapted to be positioned over the second sealing face and over the second exposed rib end surface, wherein the second sealing face and the second exposed rib end surface are adapted to support the second reed petal when the second reed petal is in a closed position.
10 more elements
A method of assembling a reed valve module, the method comprising:
- obtaining one or more reed petals;
- obtaining a module body, the module body comprising:
- a seating surface that surrounds an entire periphery of a flow inlet;
- one or more first sealing faces on an outer surface of a first side of the module body;
- one or more second sealing faces on an outer surface of a second side of the module body;
- one or more fluid flow passages, each of the one or more fluid flow passages leading from the flow inlet at the seating surface to a flow outlet passing through one of the one or more first and second sealing faces, wherein one of the one or more first and second sealing faces completely surrounds and encloses a respective flow outlet passing therethrough, and wherein an inside surface of the module body defines a cavity;
- a plurality of transverse ribs inside of the module body and reinforcing the cavity, wherein at least one rib of the plurality of transverse ribs extends across the cavity from the first side of the module body to the second side of the module body and has an exposed end surface that is positioned proximate and substantially aligned with one of the one or more first and second sealing faces, and wherein a spacing between each of the plurality of transverse ribs enables a reed petal that is positioned over one of the one or more first and second sealing faces to withstand a differential pressure acting thereon when the reed petal is in a closed position;
- and
- a plurality of lateral ribs positioned inside of and reinforcing the module body cavity, each of the plurality of lateral ribs extending laterally between and laterally supporting an adjacent pair of the plurality of transverse ribs;
- and
- positioning one of the one or more reed petals over a respective one of the one or more first and second sealing faces and over the exposed end surface of at least one rib of the plurality of transverse ribs so that the respective reed petal extends across and covers an entirety of at least one flow outlet, closes off fluid flow through the at least one flow outlet when the respective reed petal contacts and seals against the respective one of the one or more first or second sealing faces surrounding the at least one flow outlet while the respective reed petal is in a closed position, and is supported by the respective one of the one or more first or second sealing faces and the exposed end surface of the at least one rib when the respective reed petal is in said closed position.
8 more elements
A reed valve assembly, comprising:
- a seat plate comprising one or more fluid conduits;
- one or more receiving recesses, wherein each of the one or more receiving recesses is positioned proximate at least one of the one or more fluid conduits;
- and
- one or more reed valve modules sized to fit within each of the one or more receiving recesses and adapted to receive a fluid flow from a respective one of the one or more fluid conduits, wherein each of the one or more reed valve modules comprises:
- a module body comprising a seating surface that surrounds an entire periphery of a flow inlet, one or more first sealing faces on an outer surface of a first side of the module body and one or more second sealing faces on an outer surface of a second side of the module body, and one or more fluid flow passages, each of the one or more fluid flow passages leading from the flow inlet at the seating surface to a flow outlet passing through one of the one or more first and second sealing faces, wherein one of the one or more first and second sealing faces completely surrounds and encloses a respective flow outlet passing therethrough, and wherein an inside surface of the module body defines a cavity;
- a plurality of transverse ribs inside of the module body and reinforcing the cavity, wherein each respective rib of the plurality of transverse ribs extends across the cavity from the first side of the module body to the second side of the module body and has an exposed end surface that is positioned proximate and substantially aligned with one of the one or more first and second sealing faces;
- a plurality of lateral ribs positioned inside of and reinforcing the module body cavity, each of the plurality of lateral ribs extending laterally between and laterally supporting an adjacent pair of the plurality of transverse ribs;
- and
- one or more reed petals that are positioned on the outer surface of the module body, wherein each of the one or more reed petals is positioned over a respective one of the one or more first and second sealing faces and over the exposed end surface of at least one rib of the plurality of transverse ribs, to extend across and cover an entirety of at least one flow outlet, and to close off fluid flow through the at least one flow outlet when the respective reed petal contacts and seals against the respective one of the one or more first or second sealing faces surrounding the at least one flow outlet while the respective reed petal is in a closed position, wherein the respective one of the one or more first or second sealing faces and the exposed end surface of the at least one rib support the respective reed petal when the respective reed petal is in said closed position, and wherein a spacing between each of the plurality of transverse ribs enables each of the one or more reed petals to withstand a differential pressure acting thereon when the respective reed petal is in said closed position.
6 more elements
A method of assembling a reed valve assembly, the method comprising:
- obtaining one or more reed valve modules, each of the one or more reed valve modules comprising:
- a module body comprising a seating surface that surrounds an entire periphery of a flow inlet, one or more first sealing faces on an outer surface of a first side of the module body and one or more second sealing faces on an outer surface of a second side of the module body, and one or more fluid flow passages, each of the one or more fluid flow passages leading from the flow inlet at the seating surface to a flow outlet passing through one of the one or more first and second sealing faces, wherein one of the one or more first and second sealing faces completely surrounds and encloses a respective flow outlet passing therethrough, and wherein an inside surface of the module body defines a cavity;
- a plurality of transverse ribs inside of the module body and reinforcing the cavity, wherein each respective rib of the plurality of transverse ribs extends across the cavity from the first side of the module body to the second side of the module body and has an exposed end surface that is positioned proximate and substantially aligned with one of the one or more first and second sealing faces;
- a plurality of lateral ribs positioned inside of and reinforcing the module body cavity, each of the plurality of lateral ribs extending laterally between and laterally supporting an adjacent pair of the plurality of transverse ribs;
- and
- one or more reed petals that are positioned on the outer surface of the module body, wherein each of the one or more reed petals is positioned over a respective one of the one or more first and second sealing faces and over the exposed end surface of at least one rib of the plurality of transverse ribs, to extend across and cover an entirety of at least one flow outlet, and to close off fluid flow through the at least one flow outlet when the respective reed petal contacts and seals against the respective one of the one or more first or second sealing faces surrounding the at least one flow outlet while the respective reed petal is in a closed position, wherein the respective one of the one or more first or second sealing faces and the exposed end surface of the at least one rib support the respective reed petal when the respective reed petal is in said closed position, and wherein a spacing between each of the plurality of transverse ribs enables each of the one or more reed petals to withstand a differential pressure acting thereon when the respective reed petal is in said closed position;
- obtaining a structure comprising one or more receiving recesses that are adapted to be positioned proximate one or more respective fluid conduits;
- and
- inserting one of the one or more reed valve modules into a respective receiving recess of the one or more receiving recesses so as to position the seating surface of each of the one or more reed valve modules to receive a fluid flow from a respective one of the one or more fluid conduits.
6 more elements
A mechanical device, comprising:
- a frame comprising at least two fluid chambers;
- and
- one or more reed valve modules connected to the frame, wherein the one or more reed valve modules are adapted to control a flow of a fluid between the at least two fluid chambers, each of the one or more reed valve modules comprising:
- a module body comprising a seating surface that surrounds an entire periphery of a flow inlet, one or more first sealing faces on an outer surface of a first side of the module body and one or more second sealing faces on an outer surface of a second side of the module body, and one or more fluid flow passages, each of the one or more fluid flow passages leading from the flow inlet at the seating surface to a flow outlet passing through one of the one or more first and second sealing faces, wherein one of the one or more first and second sealing faces completely surrounds and encloses a respective flow outlet passing therethrough, and wherein an inside surface of the module body defines a cavity;
- a plurality of transverse ribs inside of the module body and reinforcing the cavity, wherein each respective rib of the plurality of transverse ribs extends across the cavity from the first side of the module body to the second side of the module body and has an exposed end surface that is positioned proximate and substantially aligned with one of the one or more first and second sealing faces;
- a plurality of lateral ribs positioned inside of and reinforcing the module body cavity, each of the plurality of lateral ribs extending laterally between and laterally supporting an adjacent pair of the plurality of transverse ribs;
- and
- one or more reed petals that are positioned on the outer surface of the module body, wherein each of the one or more reed petals is positioned over a respective one of the one or more first and second sealing faces and over the exposed end surface of at least one rib of the plurality of transverse ribs, to extend across and cover an entirety of at least one flow outlet, and to close off fluid flow through the at least one flow outlet when the respective reed petal contacts and seals against the respective one of the one or more first or second sealing faces surrounding the at least one flow outlet while the respective reed petal is in a closed position, wherein the respective one of the one or more first or second sealing faces and the exposed end surface of the at least one rib support the respective reed petal when the respective reed petal is in said closed position, and wherein a spacing between each of the plurality of transverse ribs enables each of the one or more reed petals to withstand a differential pressure acting thereon when the respective reed petal is in said closed position.
5 more elements
A reed valve module, comprising:
- a module body having an inside surface that defines a cavity, the module body comprising:
- a seating surface;
- a plurality of adjacent sealing surfaces on an outer surface of the module body;
- and
- one or more fluid flow passages, each of the one or more fluid flow passages leading from a flow inlet at the seating surface to a flow outlet passing through one of the plurality of adjacent sealing faces, wherein one of the plurality of adjacent sealing faces completely surrounds and encloses a respective flow outlet passing therethrough;
- a plurality of transverse ribs inside of the module body and reinforcing the cavity, wherein at least one rib of the plurality of transverse ribs extends across the cavity from the first side of the module body to the second side of the module body and has an exposed end surface that is positioned proximate and substantially aligned with one of the plurality of adjacent sealing faces;
- and
- a plurality of contiguous reed petals that are adapted to be positioned on the outer surface of the module body, a portion of each of the plurality of contiguous reed petals being attached to a corresponding portion of an adjacent one of the plurality of contiguous reed petals, wherein each of the plurality of contiguous reed petals is adapted to be positioned over and cover at least a respective one of the plurality of adjacent sealing faces and over the exposed end surface of at least one rib of the plurality of transverse ribs, to extend across and cover an entirety of at least one flow outlet, and to close off fluid flow through the at least one flow outlet when the respective reed petal contacts and seals against the at least one of the plurality of adjacent sealing faces surrounding the at least one flow outlet while the respective reed petal is in a closed position, wherein the respective one of the plurality of adjacent sealing faces and the exposed end surface of the at least one rib are adapted to support the respective reed petal when the respective reed petal is in said closed position, and wherein a spacing between each of the plurality of transverse ribs is adapted to enable each of the plurality of contiguous reed petals to withstand a differential pressure acting thereon when the respective reed petal is in said closed position.
5 more elements
A reed valve module, comprising:
- a module body having an inside surface that defines a cavity, the module body comprising:
- a seating surface;
- one or more sealing faces on an outer surface of the module body, said one or more sealing faces comprising:
- a first sealing face on a first side of the module body, the first sealing face having a first flow outlet passing therethrough;
- a second sealing face on a second side of the module body that is opposite the first side, the second sealing face having a second flow outlet passing therethrough;
- a third sealing face on a third side of the module body that is adjacent to the first side, the third sealing face having a third flow outlet passing therethrough;
- a fourth sealing face on a fourth side of the module body that is opposite the third side, the fourth sealing face having a fourth flow outlet passing therethrough;
- a fifth sealing face on a fifth side of the module body that is adjacent to the third side, the fifth sealing face having a fifth flow outlet passing therethrough;
- and
- a sixth sealing face on a sixth side of the module body that is opposite the fifth side, the sixth sealing face having a sixth flow outlet passing therethrough;
- and
- one or more fluid flow passages, each of the one or more fluid flow passages leading from a flow inlet at the seating surface to a flow outlet passing through one of the one or more sealing faces, wherein one of the one or more sealing faces completely surrounds and encloses a respective flow outlet passing therethrough;
- a plurality of transverse ribs inside of the module body and reinforcing the cavity, wherein at least one rib of the plurality of transverse ribs extends across the cavity from the first side of the module body to the second side of the module body and has an exposed end surface that is positioned proximate and substantially aligned with one of the one or more sealing faces;
- and
- one or more reed petals that are adapted to be positioned on the outer surface of the module body, wherein each of the one or more reed petals is adapted to be positioned over a respective one of the one or more sealing faces and over the exposed end surface of at least one rib of the plurality of transverse ribs, to extend across and cover an entirety of at least one flow outlet, and to close off fluid flow through the at least one flow outlet when the respective reed petal contacts and seals against the respective one of the one or more sealing faces surrounding the at least one flow outlet while the respective reed petal is in a closed position, wherein the respective one of the one or more sealing faces and the exposed end surface of the at least one rib are adapted to support the respective reed petal when the respective reed petal is in said closed position, and wherein a spacing between each of the plurality of transverse ribs is adapted to enable each of the one or more reed petals to withstand a differential pressure acting thereon when the respective reed petal is in said closed position.
12 more elements
A reed valve assembly, comprising:
- a seat plate comprising one or more fluid conduits;
- a separate structure having one or more receiving recesses, each of the one or more receiving recesses being positioned proximate at least one of the one or more fluid conduits, wherein the separate structure is sandwiched between the seat plate and a retainer plate and held together by one or more fasteners;
- and
- one or more reed valve modules sized to fit within each of the one or more receiving recesses and adapted to receive a fluid flow from a respective one of the one or more fluid conduits, wherein each of the one or more reed valve modules comprises:
- a module body comprising a seating surface, one or more first sealing faces on an outer surface of a first side of the module body and one or more second sealing faces on an outer surface of a second side of the module body, and one or more fluid flow passages, each of the one or more fluid flow passages leading from a flow inlet at the seating surface to a flow outlet passing through one of the one or more first and second sealing faces, wherein one of the one or more first and second sealing faces completely surrounds and encloses a respective flow outlet passing therethrough, and wherein an inside surface of the module body defines a cavity;
- a plurality of transverse ribs inside of the module body and reinforcing the cavity, wherein each respective rib of the plurality of transverse ribs extends across the cavity from the first side of the module body to the second side of the module body and has an exposed end surface that is positioned proximate and substantially aligned with one of the one or more first and second sealing faces;
- and
- one or more reed petals that are positioned on the outer surface of the module body, wherein each of the one or more reed petals is positioned over a respective one of the one or more first and second sealing faces and over the exposed end surface of at least one rib of the plurality of transverse ribs, to extend across and cover an entirety of at least one flow outlet, and to close off fluid flow through the at least one flow outlet when the respective reed petal contacts and seals against the respective one of the one or more first or second sealing faces surrounding the at least one flow outlet while the respective reed petal is in a closed position, wherein the respective one of the one or more first or second sealing faces and the exposed end surface of the at least one rib support the respective reed petal when the respective reed petal is in said closed position, and wherein a spacing between each of the plurality of transverse ribs enables each of the one or more reed petals to withstand a differential pressure acting thereon when the respective reed petal is in said closed position.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.