AU2002100069A4 - A diverter valve - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Applicant: EBONY WOOD PTY LTD Invention Title: "A DIVERTER VALVE" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: A Diverter Valve The present invention relates to a diverter valve for diverting fluid flow to one of two outlets. The diverter valve has particular application in the diversion of fluid flow in a septic water system.

An existing diverter valve, currently on the market, corresponds with the diverter valve described in Australian Patent No. 646075 (803713/91). This diverter valve suffers from the disadvantage that a standard Y-shaped junction pipe must be modified by removing a ridge extending from a junction between the two outlets of the diverter valve to create a flat surface for a valve member to move across. It is more desirable to apply simple modifications to existing components rather than requiring more extensive costly modifications or creating a new die for moulding suitable components for construction of a diverter valve.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a diverter valve having a configuration suitable for construction from "off the shelf' components.

According to the present invention there is a diverter valve comprising at least: a body provided with an inlet, a first outlet, a second outlet and an upper opening, the opening being situated above a junction between the first outlet and the second outlet; a valve member for closing the first outlet when the valve member is in the first position and for closing the second outlet when the valve member is in a second position; a coupling member concentrically located within the opening; and a shaft coupled to the valve member by the coupling member, the coupling member moveable with rotation of the shaft, whereby rotation of the shaft in a first direction causes the valve member to move from the first position to the second position and vice versa.

Preferably the diverter valve includes a closure means for closing a gap between the shaft and the opening.

Preferably the valve member is moveable in an arc having a constant radius from the centre of the opening.

Preferably the opening is centered upstream from the junction. Preferably the opening is circular. More preferably the opening is in the form of a bushing.

Preferably the coupling member is cylindrical. More preferably the coupling member is in the form of a cap. Preferably the coupling member is of a size to just fit within the bushing.

Preferably the valve member is in the form of a paddle extending downwardly from the coupling member.

Preferably the shaft is provided with a handle for rotating the shaft. Preferably the shaft is offset from the centre of the coupling member so as to be eccentrically rotatable around the centre of the coupling member.

Preferably the opening is provided with an external thread. Preferably the closure means is provided with an internal thread for threadingly engaging the external thread of the opening.

Preferably the closure means is arranged to be coupled to a riser rube extending upwardly.

Preferably the closure means includes a seal means for sealing the inside of the body from the inside of the riser tube.

Preferably the shaft is hollow to allow for inspection and/or maintenance of the valve.

In order to provide a better understanding, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a rear elevation of a diverter valve according to the present invention; Figure 1 b is a rear elevation of the diverter valve of Figure 1, with a paddle of the diverter valve in a different position; Figure 2 is a rear upper perspective view of a partly assembled diverter valve of Figure 1; Figure 2b is a rear upper perspective view of the diverter valve of Figure 2, assembled; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the section 3-3 of Figure 1; Figure 4 is an exploded rear perspective view of the diverter valve of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a top view of the diverter valve of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a side view of the diverter valve of Figure 1; and Figure 7 is an alternative side view of the diverter valve of Figure 1.

Referring to the figures, there is shown a diverter valve 10 which includes a body 12, an inlet 14, a first outlet 16 and a second outlet 18.

An opening 20 is provided in the top of the body 12. The opening extends from a junction between the first outlet 16 and the second outlet 18 and extends to a point upstream of the junction 22. The junction is formed by a straight edge of a dividing member of approximately semi-circular shape. A curve of the dividing member 24 meets with and is joined to a natural curved junction 26 in between the outlet 16 and 18.

The line of junction between the outlets is moved from the natural junction 26 to the straight edge 22 by the dividing member 24. The significance of this will become clear below.

The opening is in the form of a short cylindrical member that acts as a bushing for a cylindrically shaped coupling member 28. The coupling member 28 is cocentrically located within the opening 20, with each of the centres being upstream from the junction 22. The downstream most part of the coupling member 28 is situated directly above the junction 22.

A valve member 30 extends downwardly from the coupling means 28 and closes either the first outlet 16 or the second outlet depending on its position. In a first position it closes the first outlet 16, that is to say it closes the passage of communication between the inlet 14 and the outlet 16. In a second position it closes the second outlet 18.

In closing either of these outlets the valve member 30 will abut the circular shaped inner wall of the respective outlet as well as the straight edge of the junction 22, such that the valve member 30 overlaps with the junction 22 as seen in Figure 3. Despite the overlap with the junction 22 the valve member 30 does not significantly protrude into the passageway from the inlet 14, to the open outlet and thus does not unduly hinder flow from the inlet 14 to the open outlet.

Due to the ridge formed by the natural junction 26 between the outlets the coupling member and valve member may need to be lifted slightly so as to move over the ridge when moving from the first position to the second position. This is an advantage because once the valve member has moved past the ridge it will naturally fall into this position closing the respective outlet. Thus an operator of the valve member will be able to feel when the valve member 30 moves into place.

The opening 20 is provided with an external thread for engaging a closure 32. A closure 32 will be described in more detail below.

The coupling means 28 is provided with an off-centre hole 34 for receiving a connector 36 having a radially extending flange 38. The main portion of the connector 36 passes through the hole 34. The flange 38 sits on the top 40 of the coupling member 28. The connector 38 receives a shaft 42 that extends upwardly from the opening 20. The connector 36 and coupling member 28 thus couple the shaft 42 to the valve member so that upon rotation of the shaft 42 the valve member 30 moves between its first and second positions. In other words, with rotation of the shaft in one direction or the other, one of the first or second outlets may be closed by the valve member 30, with the other one being opened.

The closure 32 includes an annular washer member 44 that includes an upwardly extending flange. The washer member 44 sits within the closure 20 and on top of the top 40 of the coupling member 28. An aperture 46 in the washer member 44 is sufficiently large so as to allow the shaft to eccentrically rotate about the centre of the coupling member 28 without interference. A sealing member 48 sits on the washer member 44 and also inside an upwardly extending flange 45 of the washer member 44.

The sealing member 48 has an aperture 50 of a sufficient diameter to allow the shaft to eccentrically rotate within the aperture 50, but not allow the flange 38 of the connector 36 to fit through the aperture 50. Thus the base of the sealing member 48 and the flange 38 form a seal. The flange 45 of the washer member 44 also forms seal against the inside of the opening 20. A cap member 52 completes the closure 32 by providing a threaded engagement between the inside of the cap 52 and the outside thread of the opening 20. The cap 52 is spaced from an upwardly extending flange 49 of the seal member 48 by a small gap. The flange 49 limits the upward movement of the shaft 42, the connector 36, the coupling member 28 and thus the valve member 30. The cap 52 includes an eccentrically placed opening 54 which may be connected to a riser that allows the shaft 42 to travel upwardly (inside the riser) so as to be attached to a handle to facilitate the eccentric rotation of the shaft 42 and thus the movement of the valve member 30 from the first position to the second position and vice versa.

The method of operation and use of the present invention will now be described will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The diverter valve 10 may be connected to an outgoing pipe of, for example, a septic system. Each of the outlets 16 and 18 are easily connected to other pipes that lead to tanks or other portions of the system. The shaft 42 may be positioned by a handle (not shown) such that the valve member 30 is positioned to close, for example, the first outlet 16 (as shown in Figures 1, 2 and The valve member 30 thus blocks the passage of fluid out of the first outlet 16 while leaving the second outlet 18 substantially unobstructed. When it is necessary to change the flow of fluid from the second outlet to the first outlet the shaft 42 is rotated by the handle so that the valve member 30 is slightly lifted and moved from its current first position to a second position where it closes the second outlet 16. The first outlet 16 is now left substantially unobstructed.

Thus fluid may flow in through the inlet 14 and out through the second outlet 16.

When the valve needs to be changed again the shaft 42 is rotated so as to move the valve member 30 from the second position back to the first position thus closing the first outlet 16 and opening the second outlet 18.

In one embodiment the shaft is hollow so that inspection and/or maintenance of the valve may be conducted.

The present invention provides a valve member that may be constructed of off the shelf components with relatively minor modifications. Thus the diverter valve of the present invention can be very cost effective to manufacture.

Modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the basic inventive concept. The diverter valve may be used in systems other than septic systems. Such modifications and variations are to be considered to fall within the scope of the present invention, the scope of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims (17)

1. A diverter valve comprising at least: a body provided with an inlet, a first outlet, a second outlet and an upper opening, the opening being situated above a junction between the first outlet and the second outlet; a valve member for closing the first outlet when the valve member is in the first position and for closing the second outlet when the valve member is in a second position; a coupling member concentrically located within the opening; and a shaft coupled to the valve member by the coupling member, the coupling member moveable with rotation of the shaft, whereby rotation of the shaft in a first direction causes the valve member to move from the first position to the second position and vice versa.

2. A diverter valve according to claim 1, further including a closure means for closing a gap between the shaft and the opening.

3. A diverter valve according to either claim 1 or 2, wherein the valve member is moveable in an arc having a constant radius from the centre of the opening.

4. A diverter valve according to claim 3, wherein the opening is centered upstream from the junction.

5. A diverter valve according to claim 5, wherein the opening is in the form of a bushing.

6. A diverter valve according to claim 6, wherein the coupling member is cylindrical.

7. A diverter valve according to either claim 5 or 6, wherein the coupling member is in the form of a cap.

8. A diverter valve according to claim 5, wherein the coupling member is of a size to just fit within the bushing.

9. A diverter valve according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the valve member is in the form of a paddle extending downwardly from the coupling member.

A diverter valve according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the shaft is provided with a handle for rotating the shaft.

11. A diverter valve according to claim 10, wherein the shaft is offset from the centre of the coupling member so as to be eccentrically rotatable around the centre of the coupling member.

12. A diverter valve according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the opening is provided with an external thread.

13. A diverter valve according to claim 12, wherein the closure means is provided with an internal thread for threadingly engaging the external thread of the opening.

14. A diverter valve according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the closure means is arranged to be coupled to a riser rube extending upwardly.

A diverter valve according to claim 14, wherein the closure means includes a seal means for sealing the inside of the body from the inside of the riser tube.

16. A diverter valve according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the shaft is hollow to allow for inspection and/or maintenance of the valve.

17. A diverter valve substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.