GB2083593A

GB2083593A - Fluid Valve Means with a Fixed Seal

Info

Publication number: GB2083593A
Application number: GB8112537A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Stanadyne LLC
Current assignee: Stanadyne LLC
Priority date: 1978-01-23
Filing date: 1978-12-11
Publication date: 1982-03-24
Also published as: BR7900378A; IL55916A0; FR2415249A1; JPS54104032A; IT7947683A0; GB2012920A; SE7813109L; GB2083593B; ES475943A1; AU4230378A; DE2900601A1; IT1113480B; DE2900601C2; AU526020B2; FR2415249B1; GB2012920B; DK155626B; SE438020B; IL55916A; DK540178A

Abstract

A valve, e.g. for kitchen or bathroom taps, has a hollow stem 152 coaxially mounted within a sleeve 144 so as to be rotatable about the common axis, to move an outlet port 150 in the stem into or out of registration with an outlet port 154 in the sleeve. A diagonally disposed seal ring 140 extends around the stem 152 to seal the outlet port 150 of the stem 152 from that of the sleeve 144 when the former is in its closing position (as shown). <IMAGE>

Description

1 GB 2 083 593 A 1

SPECIFICATION

Fluid Valve Means with a Fixed Seal J5 1 he present invention relates to fluid valve means with a fixed seal, particularly but not exclusively to a valve usable in a two-handle bathroom or kitchen faucet.

In the parent Patent Application No. 78.47913 (Serial No. 2012920), we have described and claimed fluid valve means comprising sleeve means, a stem movable within the sleeve means between open and closed positions and provided with inlet and outlet means, the stem inlet port means being constantly in communication with inlet port means in the sleeve means, the stem outlet port means being movable into registration with outlet port means in the sleeve means to thereby define a path of flow through the fluid valve means from the communicating stem inlet port means and the inlet port means in the sleeve means and through the stem outlet port means and the outlet port means in the sleeve means, and a fixed seal member positioned by the sleeve means, the seal member being annular in form and arranged about an axis substantially at right angles to the axis of the stem, the fixed seal member being spaced from the outlet port means in the sleeve means and thereby out of the path of flow through the valve means and the stem outlet port means being in register with and closed by the fixed seal member when the stem is in a closed position.

The present invention is directed to a modification of the fluid valve means claimed in the parent Application, the invention being defined in claim 1 forming part of the present specification.

An example of fluid valve means in accordance with the present invention is illustrated diagrammatically in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is an axial section through the valve 105 means; Figure 2 is a top view of the valve means shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section taken on the line 3-3 in Figure 1; and Figure 4 is an underneath view of the valve means shown in Figure 1.

The fluid valve means shown in the accompanying drawing have a number of features which are identical to or similar to those in the fluid valve means described and illustrated in the parent Application, No. 78.47913 (Serial No. 2012920). In particular, the fluid valve means in the accompanying drawing have a thrust key and stem identical to those described in the parent Application. Where it differs from the constructions of the parent Application is in certain modifications made to the sleeve and seal retainer. Thus, a diagonally disposed seal ring 140 replaces the seal ring 44 shown in the parent Application. This seal ring 140 is positioned by a 125 diagonal surface 142 formed at the lower end of a sleeve 144 and a similarly disposed surface 146 formed at or along the upper end of a spacer member 148. Surfaces 146 and 142 form a diagonal slot or a slot formed diagonally with respect to the axis of movement of the stem within the sleeve.

Figure 1 shows the closed position of the valve and it will be noted that a discharge port 150 of a stem 152 is so disposed relative to the closing seal ring 140 and the seal retainer discharge port 154 as to preclude any passage of water outwardly of the valve. As the stem is rotated, initially portions of the port 150 will pass to the outlet side of the seal ring 140, thereby permitting water to pass from the port 150 to the seal retainer discharge port 154. Water modulation is provided in that as the stem is rotated, initially only portions of the stem discharge port 150 will be on the discharge side of the seal. Continued rotation of the stem will enlarge the portion of the discharge port which is on the discharge side, or on the side having access to the seal retainer discharge port 154.

The construction shown in the accompanying Figures 1-4, like the construction shown in Figures 7-12 in the parent Application, has mating shoulders on the stem and sleeve to prevent stem blowout and to provide the necessary locating functions. In addition, the chamfered portion or portion of enlarged diameter 51 on the seal retainer is provided in the accompanying Figures 1-4.

In assembly of a valve of the type described, it is necessary that the various members be properly aligned prior to insertion of the thrust key. For this purpose, the sleeve 144 has an alignment projection 155 which extends into a mating alignment groove 156 on the upper end of the seal retainer. Thus, when the seal retainer is assembled over the stem and sleeve, the mating projection and groove as described will ensure proper alignment for insertion of the thrust key. Thus, there can be no misalignment of the closing seal ring 140 relative to the stem and seal retainer discharge ports.

The illustrated valve means are usable in kitchen, bathroom and shower tub faucet combinations in which there are separate valves for controlling the flow of hot and cold water. The valves are relatively simple in construction, and valve shut-off is accomplished by use of an O-ring type sealing fixed in position within a sleeve. In the particular construction described and claimed in the present Application, this seal takes the form of a diagonally disposed seal ring positioned about the stem to provide valve closure.

Claims

1. Fluid valve means comprising sleeve means, a stem movable within the sleeve means between open and closed positions and provided with inlet and outlet port means, the stem 'inlet port means being constantly in communication with inlet port means in the sleeve means, the stem outlet port 2 GB 2 083 593 A 2.

means being movable into registration with outlet port means in the sleeve means to thereby define a path of flow through the fluid valve means from 30 the communicating stem inlet port means and the inlet port means in the sleeve means and through the stem outlet port means and the outlet port means in the sleeve means, and a fixed seal member in the form of a ring diagonally disposed relative to the stem and the sleeve axis and positioned by the sleeve about the exterior of the stem, the fixed seal member being spaced from the outlet port means in the sleeve means and thereby out of the path of flow through the valve means and the stem outlet port means being closed by the fixed seal member when the stem is in a closed position.

2. Valve means according to claim 1, further comprising a seal support positioned about the 45 sleeve means and having an inner surface supporting the fixed seal member.

3. Valve means according to claim 2, wherein the sleeve means includes a spacer member having an inner diagonal surface supporting the diagonally disposed seal ring.

4. Fluid valve means substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawing.

New Claims or Amendments to Claims filed on 4/11/81. Superseded Claim 1.

New or Amended Claims 1. Fluid valve means comprising sleeve means a stem movable within the sleeve means between open and closed positions and provided with inlet and outlet port means, the stem inlet port means being constantly in communication with inlet port means in the sleeve means, the stem outlet port means being movable into registration with outlet port means in the sleeve means to thereby define a path of flow through the fluid valve means inwardly from the communicating stem inlet port means and the inlet port means in the sleeve means and outwardly through the stem outlet port means and the outlet port means in the sleeve means, and a fixed seal member in the form of a ring diagonally disposed relative to the' stem and the sleeve axis and positioned by the sleeve about the exterior of the stem, the fixed seal member being spaced from the outlet port means in the sleeve means and thereby out of the path of flow through the valve means and the stem outlet port means being closed by the fixed seal member when the stem is in a closed position.

Printed for Her Malestys Stationery Office by the Courier Press, Leamington Spa, 1982. Published by the Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A 1 AY, from which copies may be obtained.