AU2012101521A4 - Valve - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A valve (100) has a body (102), an inlet (108) at a first end (104) of the body (102) for fluid to enter the body (102), and an outlet (110) at a second end (106) of the body (102) for fluid to exit the body (102). A valve member (116) and a valve seat (118) are provided in the body (102). The valve member (116) has a valve head (120). The valve member (116) is connected to a handle (122) located outside the body (102) to permit the valve head (120) to be moved toward and away from the valve seat (118). An inlet chamber (112) and an outlet chamber (114) are provided in the body (102) on respective sides of the valve seat (118). A pipe coupling (124) is located at the region of the first end (104) of the body (102). Retention means (126) is located near the second end (106) of the body (102). The valve (100) is also provided with a connector nut (128). The connector nut (128) may be provided separately such that the retention means (126) is able to non-removably retain the connector nut (126) with the body (102). Alternatively, the connector nut (128) is provided such that it is non-removably retained with the body (102) by the retention means (126). \Oo> EV\518 \k4 (

Description

P/00/011 28/5/91 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Name of Applicant: Australian Valve Group Pty Ltd Actual Inventor: Peter John Morris Address for service is: Golja Haines & Friend PO Box 1417 West Leederville Western Australia 6901 Invention Title: "Valve" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 1 Title "Valve" Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a valve. 5 In addition, the present invention provides a plumbing fitting. Furthermore, the present invention provides a kit of parts that includes first and second valves and a plumbing fitting. The valve of the present invention may be used as an isolation valve for connection to a continuous flow hot water heater. 10 Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises", "comprising" and "comprised" are to be understood to imply the presence of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word 15 "include" and variations such as "includes", "including" and "included" are to be understood to imply the presence of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Background Art The discussion of the background art, any reference to a document and any 20 reference to information that is known, which is contained in this specification, is provided only for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the background art to the present invention, and is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of that material forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other country as at the priority date of the application in relation to which this specification 25 was filed. 2 When installing a continuous flow hot water heater, ball valves are connected to the supply lines, such as the water and gas supply pipes or tubes, to act as isolation valves. The ball valves enable gas and water flow to the heater to be stopped. The typical installation of a ball valve to a fluid inlet pipe of a hot water heater is 5 shown in Figure 1. In that regard, the ball valve 10 has a female inlet 12 and a female outlet 14. The female inlet 12 is connected to a gas or water supply line 14a by a male compression union 16, which is made up of a union body 18, an olive 20 and a nut 22. One end of the union body 18 is connected to the female inlet 12. The nut 22 is connected to the other end of the union body 18 with the olive 20 sandwiched 10 between the supply line 14a and the nut 22 in a compression connection. The female outlet 14 is similarly connected to one end of a tube 24 by a male compression union 26, which is made up of a union body 28, an olive 30 and a nut 32. The other end of the tube 24 is similarly connected to the fluid inlet pipe 34 of a hot water heater 36 by a female compression union 38, which is made up of a female 15 compression union body 40, an olive 42 and a nut 44. This installation requires two connection on the inlet side of the ball valve 10 and four connections on the outlet side of the ball valve 10. This results in a large number of separate components being required, and time having to be expended to connect together these various components. In addition, it means that there are six 20 connections that must be checked and made leak proof. There are prior art ball valves that use a pipe coupling at one end of the ball valve and a nut and tail fitting at the other end, which are used to connect the ball valve to a plumbing installation for a hot water heater. However, such prior art ball valves are made in at least two pieces, namely, one piece known as the nut and tail fitting, and 25 the other piece, being the remainder of the ball valve. The nut and tail fitting must be screw threadedly joined to the remainder of the ball valve at the time of manufacture of the ball valve, which requires a separate manufacturing step. In addition, the join between the nut and tail fitting and the remainder of the ball valve must be tested for tightness to prevent leaks occurring in use of the ball valve. 30 Disclosure of the Invention In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a valve comprising 3 a body, an inlet at a first end of the body for fluid to enter the body, an outlet at a second end of the body for fluid to exit the body, a valve member and a valve seat provided in the body, the valve member having a 5 valve head and being connected to a handle located outside the body to permit the valve head to be moved toward and away from the valve seat, an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber provided in the body on respective sides of the valve seat, a pipe coupling located at the region of the first end of the body, 10 retention means located near the second end of the body, and a separate connector nut, wherein the retention means is able to non-removably retain the separate connector nut with the body. In a first embodiment, the connector nut is provided with a clip that is able to pass 15 over the retention means in a first direction to thereby locate the connector nut on the body, after which the clip is unable to pass over the retention means in a second opposed direction, such that the retention means is thereby able to non-removably retain the connector nut with the body. Preferably, in the first embodiment, the retention means comprises a raised 20 formation. In a second embodiment, the connector nut is provided with a flange that is able to pass over the retention means in a first direction to thereby locate the connector nut on the body, after which the flange is unable to pass over the retention means in a second opposed direction, such that the retention means is thereby able to non 25 removably retain the connector nut with the body. Preferably, in the second embodiment, the retention means comprises a clip. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a valve comprising a body, 4 an inlet at a first end of the body for fluid to enter the body, an outlet at a second end of the body for fluid to exit the body, a valve member and a valve seat provided in the body, the valve member having a valve head and being connected to a handle located outside the body to permit the 5 valve head to be moved toward and away from the valve seat, an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber provided in the body on respective sides of the valve seat, a pipe coupling located at the region of the first end of the body, retention means located near the second end of the body, and 10 a connector nut that is non-removably retained with the body by the retention means. In a first embodiment, the connector nut is provided with a clip that is unable to pass over the retention means such that the connector nut is thereby non-removably retained with the body by the retention means . Preferably, in the first embodiment, the retention means comprises a raised 15 formation. In a second embodiment, the connector nut is provided with a flange that is unable to pass over the retention means such that the connector nut is thereby non-removably retained with the body by the retention means. Preferably, in the second embodiment, the retention means comprises a clip. 20 Preferably, the valve seat of the present invention comprises a substantially annularly shaped projection extending from the wall of the body inside the body between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plumbing fitting comprising 25 a substantially tubular member, a pipe coupling located at the region of a first end of the substantially tubular member, retention means located near the second end of the substantially tubular member, and 5 a separate connector nut, wherein the retention means is able to non-removably retain the separate connector nut with the substantially tubular member. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a 5 plumbing fitting comprising a substantially tubular member, a pipe coupling located at the region of a first end of the substantially tubular member, retention means located near the second end of the substantially tubular member, 10 and a connector nut that is non-removably retained with the substantially tubular member by the retention means. The pipe coupling may be a compression coupling, a cone tight coupling, a flared connection coupling, a push-on connection coupling, or any other suitable type of 15 pipe coupling. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts including at least a first valve as herein before described, able to function as a water valve, a second valve as herein before described, able to function as a gas valve, and a plumbing fitting as herein before described. 20 Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 2 is a first side view of an embodiment of the valve in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, with the connector nut provided separately from the 25 body of the valve; Figure 3 is a second side view of the valve shown in Figure 2, showing a cross sectional view of the valve in a closed condition; 6 Figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the valve in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, with the connector nut provided on the body of the valve; Figure 5 is a first side view of the valve shown in Figure 4; 5 Figure 6 is a second side view of the valve shown in Figure 4, showing a cross sectional view of the valve in an open condition; Figure 7 is a third side view of the valve shown in Figure 4, showing a cross sectional view of the valve in a closed condition; Figure 8 is a first side view of the region at the second end of the body of another 10 embodiment of the valve in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, with the connector nut yet to be provided on the body; and Figure 9 is a second side view of the region at the second end of the body of the embodiment of the valve shown in Figure 8, with the connector nut provided on the body of the valve. 15 Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention In the drawings there is shown a valve 100 comprising a body 102 having a first end 104 and a second end 106. An inlet 108 is provided at the first end 104 for fluid to enter the body 102 and an outlet 110 is provided at the second end 106 for fluid to exit the body 102. 20 An inlet chamber 112 and an outlet chamber 114 are provided in the body 102. A valve member 116 and a valve seat 118 are provided in the body 102. The valve member 116 has a valve head 120. The valve member 116 is connected to a handle 122 that is located outside the body 102. The handle 122 may be used to move the valve head 120 toward and away from the valve seat 118. 25 A pipe coupling 124 is provided at the region of the first end 104 of the body 102. Retention means 126 is provided near the second end 106 of the body 102. The retention means 126 is able to non-removably retain a connector nut 128. The connector nut 128 may be provided separately from the body 102 of the valve 100, i.e. as a separate connector nut 128, at the time that the valve 100 is supplied to 7 a user. This is shown in Figures 2 and 3. This allows the connector nut 128 to be placed onto the body 102 of the valve 100, when required, by the user. Alternatively, connector nut 128 may be provided on the body 102 of the valve 100 prior to the valve 100 being supplied to a user, e.g. at the time of manufacture of the 5 valve 100. In either case, once the connector nut 128 is in place on the body 102, the retention means 126 non-removably retains the connector nut 128 with the body 102. In this way, the connector nut 128 cannot be removed from the body 102. Figures 4 to 7 show the connector nut 128 in place on the body 102. 10 The body 102 is manufactured as a single piece unit. Manufacturing the body 102 as a single piece unit avoids the need for joins in the body 102, and therefore avoids the need for testing such joins for suitable tightness to prevent leaks. The inlet chamber 112 is adjacent the inlet 108 and the outlet chamber 114 is 15 adjacent the outlet 110. The valve seat 118 is provided between the inlet chamber 112 and the outlet chamber 114, i.e. the inlet chamber 112 and the outlet chamber 114 are provided in the body 102 on respective sides of the valve seat 118. The inlet chamber 112 extends from the inlet 108 to the valve seat 118 and the outlet chamber 114 extends from the valve seat 118 to the outlet 108. The valve member 116 and 20 the valve head 120 are provided on the inlet chamber side of the valve seat 118. The valve seat 118 may be formed by an annularly shaped projection extending from the wall of the body 102 inside the body 102, between the inlet chamber 112 and the outlet chamber 114. A cap 130 is fixed to the body 102 by a screw threaded engagement 132 between the 25 cap 130 and the body 102. The cap 130 can be unscrewed from the body 102 via the screw threaded engagement 132 to remove the valve member from the body 102, if required. The valve member 116 has a screw thread 134 spaced from the valve head 120. The screw thread 134 engages with a screw thread 136 in a cap 130. The handle 122 is 30 attached to the valve member 116 by a screw 138. The handle 122 may be turned, in the appropriate direction, to move the valve head 120 toward or away from the valve seat 118 via the engaging screw threads 134 and 136. 8 An O-ring 140 is provided between the internal surface of the body 102 and the cap 130. An O-ring 142 is provided between the valve member 116 and the cap 130. The O-rings 140 and 142 prevent fluid leaking from the interior of the body 102. The valve head 120 is provided with a seal 144. 5 The pipe coupling 124 comprises an olive 146 and a nut 148. The nut 148 has an internal screw thread 150 such that the nut 148 can engage with a screw thread 152 on the outside of the body 102 adjacent the first end 104. The retention means 126 comprises a raised formation154 adjacent the second end 106 of the body 102. The raised formation may be provided around the circumference 10 of the body 102 near or adjacent the second end 108. The connector nut 128 is provided with an internal screw thread 156, which extends from adjacent a first end 158 of the connector nut 128, and an internal groove 160 adjacent the second end 162 of the connector nut 128. A clip 164 is located in the groove 160. The clip 164 may be in the form of an incomplete ring, e.g. a ring with a 15 slit gap between its ends. Providing the clip 164 as an incomplete ring allows it to be radially expanded or compressed, as will be further described herein. The second end 162 of the connector nut 128 terminates in an inwardly directed flange, or shoulder, 166. The connector nut 128 may be fitted onto the body 102 at the second end 106 by 20 pushing the clip 164 over the raised formation 154. The inside diameter of the clip 164 is slightly less than the outside diameter of the raised formation 154. However, as the clip 164 is pushed over the raised formation 154, in a first direction, it is forced to expand radially within the groove 160 and then returns to its unexpanded condition once it has cleared the raised formation 154. The clip 164 cannot then pass over the 25 raised formation 154 in the opposite direction. Accordingly, the connector nut 128 has been non-removably retained by the raised formation 154 such that it is retained with the body 102. The body 102 may be provided with flat surfaces 168 spaced from the second end 106. 30 A washer 170, shown in Figures 6 and 7, is provided at the second end 106 of the body 102. 9 Figures 8 and 9 show the region at the second end 106a of the body 102a of a valve in accordance with another embodiment. The remainder of the valve of this embodiment is not shown as it is identical to the valve 100 of the embodiments previously described herein. 5 The differences between the embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 8 and the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 7, are in relation to the retention means 126a and the connector nut 128a of the embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9. In that regard, the retention means 126a comprises a clip 164a located in a groove 160a in the body 102a near the second end 106a of the body 102a. The groove 160a can be 10 seen in Figure 8 as the clip 164a has been omitted for that purpose. The clip 164a can be seen in Figure 9. The connector nut 128a is provided with an internal screw thread 156a, which extends from adjacent a first end 158a of the connector nut 128a. The connector nut 128a is provided with an inwardly turned flange, or shoulder, 166a at its second end 15 162a. The connector nut 128a may be placed onto the body 102a at the second end 106a such that the first end 158a is outermost. After the nut 128a has been placed onto the body 102a, the clip 164a is located in the groove 160a. The flange 166a cannot then pass over the clip 164a because the outside diameter of the clip 164a is slightly 20 greater than the inside diameter of the flange 166a. Accordingly, the connector nut 128a has been non-removably retained by the clip 164a such that it is retained with the body 102a. Alternatively, the connector nut 128a may be fitted onto the body 102a with the clip 164a already located in the groove 160a. In that regard, the connector nut 128a may 25 be fitted onto the body 102a by pushing the connector nut 128a onto the body 102a, at the second end 106a, such that the flange 166a passes over the clip 164a in a first direction. The outside diameter of the clip 164a is slightly greater than the inside diameter of the flange 166a. However, as the flange 166a passes over the clip 164a, the clip 164a is forced to compress radially within the groove 160a and then returns 30 to its uncompressed condition once the flange 166a has cleared the clip 164a. The flange 166a cannot then pass over the clip 164a in the opposite direction. Accordingly, the connector nut 128a has been non-removably retained by the clip 164a such that it is retained with the body 102a. 10 The connector nut 128a may be provided separately from the body 102a, so that the connector nut 128a may be placed onto the body 102a when required by the user. Alternatively, the connector nut 128a may be provided on the body 102a prior to the valve 100 being supplied to a user, e.g. at the time of manufacture of the valve. 5 In either case, once the connector nut 128a is in place on the body 102a, the retention means 126a non-removably retains the connector nut 128a with the body 102. In this way, the connector nut 128a cannot be removed from the body 102a. Figure 9 shows the connector nut 128a in place on the body 102a. The manner of use and operation of the present invention will now be described. 10 In use, the valve 100 may be connected in a plumbing installation. A typical plumbing installation in which the valve 100 may be connected is a plumbing installation for a continuous flow hot water heater. The valve 100 functions as an isolation valve in such a plumbing installation such that it can be used to close off flow of the fluid flowing in a supply line, such as a water or gas supply pipe or tube, to which the valve 15 100 is connected. When the connector nut 128/128a is provided separately from the body 102/102a of the valve 100, the connector nut 128/128a may be first fitted onto the body 102/102a of the valve 100 and the valve 100 then fixed to the gas or water inlet pipe of a continuous flow hot water heater by engaging the screw thread 156/156a of the 20 connector nut 128/128a with a complimentary screw thread on the gas or water inlet pipe. This is a two-handed operation since the valve body 102/102a must be held (e.g. by the flat surfaces 168) whilst the connector nut 128/128a is screwed onto the gas or water inlet pipe. Alternatively, if the connector nut 128/128a is provided on the body 102/102a of the 25 valve 100 prior to the valve 100 being supplied to a user, e.g. at the time of manufacture of the valve 100, the valve 100 is fixed to the gas or water inlet pipe of a continuous flow hot water heater, as herein before described. When the connector nut 128/128a is provided separately from the body 102/102a of the valve 100, an alternative manner of connection of the valve 100 to the gas or 30 water inlet pipe is possible. In the alternative, the connector nut 128/128a is first fixed to the gas or water inlet pipe of a continuous flow hot water heater by engaging the screw thread 156/156a of the connector nut 128/128a with a complimentary screw thread on the gas or water inlet pipe. The connector nut 128/128a is then fitted onto 11 the body 102/102a of the valve 100. This is done by pushing the second end 106/106a of the body 102/102a into the connector nut 128/128a such that the clip 164/164a passes over the raised formation 154, or such that the flange 166a passes over the clip 164a. 5 This alternative manner of connection of the valve 100 to the gas or water inlet pipe has the advantage that it enables the valve 100 to be connected to a water heater inlet in a one-handed operation. The pipe coupling 124 is connected to the water or gas supply line by passing the end of the supply line (such as supply line 14a shown in Figure 1) through the nut 10 148 and the olive 146 and then inserting the end of the supply line into the inlet 108 until it abuts with a shoulder 172 inside the body 102. The nut 148 is then screwed onto the body 102 via the screw threads 150 and 152 such that the supply line is compressed by the olive 146. Connection of the valve 100 to the appropriate water heater inlet and the fluid supply 15 line completes the connection of the valve 100 to the plumbing installation. The pipe coupling 124 described herein is in the form of a compression coupling. Alternative forms of pipe couplings may be used, such as for example, a cone tight coupling, a flared connection coupling or a push-on connection coupling. In use, the valve 100 is in the open condition, with the valve head 120 spaced from 20 the valve seat 118, as shown in Figure 6. In the open condition, fluid is able to enter the inlet chamber 112 via the inlet 108, flow through the opening defined by the valve seat 118 and pass into the outlet chamber 114 from which it exits the valve 100 via the outlet 110. If it is desired to stop flow of fluid to the water heater, the valve 100 is closed. This is done by turning the handle 122 such that the valve member 116 25 moves, in a linear manner, via the engaging screw threads 134 and 136 until the seal 144 of the valve head 120 seats on the valve seat 118 to close the valve 100. The valve of the embodiment shown in Figures 8 and 9 is installed and used in a similar manner. The valve of the present invention may be used to control flow of fluid, such as liquid 30 or gas. Appropriate certification, as may be required, may be sought from the relevant authorities for such uses. 12 A plumbing fitting (not shown) may also be provided in accordance with the present invention. The plumbing fitting comprises a substantially tubular member (which may be relatively short) having a pipe coupling, as herein before described. The pipe coupling 5 is located at the region of the first end of the substantially tubular member. The plumbing fitting also comprises retention means, as herein before described, located near the second end of the substantially tubular member, and a connector nut, as herein before described, that is retainable, or is retained, with the substantially tubular member by the retention means. 10 A plumbing fitting, as herein before described, may be used, for example, as a connector in a plumbing installation. A kit of parts may also be provided that includes at least a first valve as herein before described, able to function as a water valve, a second valve as herein before described, able to function as a gas valve, and a plumbing fitting as herein before 15 described. Whilst preferred embodiments of the present invention have been herein before described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to those specific embodiments, and may be embodied in other ways, as will be apparent to a skilled addressee. 20 Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. 13

Claims (14)

1. A valve comprising a body, an inlet at a first end of the body for fluid to enter the body, 5 an outlet at a second end of the body for fluid to exit the body, an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber are provided in the body, a valve member and a valve seat provided in the body, the valve member having a valve head and being connected to a handle located outside the body to permit the valve head to be moved toward and away from the valve seat, 10 a pipe coupling located at the region of the first end of the body, retention means located near the second end of the body, and a separate connector nut, wherein the retention means is able to non-removably retain the separate connector nut with the body. 15

2. A valve according to claim 1, wherein the connector nut is provided with a clip that is able to pass over the retention means in a first direction to thereby locate the connector nut on the body, after which the clip is unable to pass over the retention means in a second opposed direction, such that the retention means is thereby able to non-removably retain the connector nut with the body. 20

3. A valve according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the retention means comprises a raised formation.

4. A valve according to claim 1, wherein the connector nut is provided with a flange that is able to pass over the retention means in a first direction to thereby locate the connector nut on the body, after which the flange is unable to pass over the 25 retention means in a second opposed direction, such that the retention means is thereby able to non-removably retain the connector nut with the body.

5. A valve according to claim 1 or 4, wherein the retention means comprises a clip.

6. A valve comprising 14 a body, an inlet at a first end of the body for fluid to enter the body, an outlet at a second end of the body for fluid to exit the body, an inlet chamber adjacent the inlet and an outlet chamber adjacent the outlet, 5 a valve member and a valve seat provided in the body, the valve member having a valve head and being connected to a handle located outside the body to permit the valve head to be moved toward and away from the valve seat, a pipe coupling located at the region of the first end of the body, retention means located near the second end of the body, and 10 a connector nut that is non-removably retained, with the body, by the retention means.

7. A valve according to claim 6, wherein the connector nut is provided with a clip that is unable to pass over the retention means such that the connector nut is thereby non-removably retained with the body by the retention means. 15

8. A valve according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the retention means comprises a raised formation.

9. A valve according to claim 6, wherein the connector nut is provided with a flange that is unable to pass over the retention means such that the connector nut is thereby non-removably retained with the body by the retention means. 20

10. A valve according to claim 6 or 9, wherein the retention means comprises a clip.

11. A valve according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve seat comprises a substantially annularly shaped projection extending from the wall of the body inside the body between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber.

12. A plumbing fitting comprising 25 a substantially tubular member, a pipe coupling located at the region of a first end of the substantially tubular member, 15 retention means located near the second end of the substantially tubular member, and a separate connector nut, wherein the retention means is able to non-removably retain the separate 5 connector nut with the substantially tubular member.

13. A plumbing fitting comprising a substantially tubular member, a pipe coupling located at the region of a first end of the substantially tubular member, 10 retention means located near the second end of the substantially tubular member, and a connector nut that is non-removably retained with the substantially tubular member by the retention means.

14. A kit of parts including at least a first valve according to any one of claims 1 to 11, 15 able to function as a water valve, a second valve according to any one of claims 1 to 11, able to function as a gas valve, and a plumbing fitting according to any one of claim 12 or 13. 20 16