GB2242003A

GB2242003A - One-way valve

Info

Publication number: GB2242003A
Application number: GB9004465A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard James Breed
Original assignee: Whitlenge Drink Equipment Ltd
Current assignee: Welbilt Halesowen Ltd
Priority date: 1990-02-28
Filing date: 1990-02-28
Publication date: 1991-09-18
Also published as: GB9004465D0

Abstract

A one-way-valve for the control of the flow of water in a water supply line extending from a main supply to an apparatus adapted to mix carbon dioxide with the water for use in the dispensing of carbonated drinks comprises a multi-part housing comprising a head (6a), a body (6b), and a stern (6c) adapted to be secured together to provide a through flow passage (8a, 8b, and 8c), extending from an inlet end (10) to an outlet end (12). The body (6b) is provided with a valve seat (14) against which a valve member in the form of a ball (16) is urged by a spring (18) to prevent flow of water from the outlet end (12) to the inlet end (10). Provided in the head (6a) extending radially outwardly from the flow passage (8a) is a bleed passage. In use, the valve is connected upstream of a similar valve and to check the operational capability of the assembly comprising the two valves to prevent reverse flow of water into the mains, a screw in the bleed passage may be loosened to check that no reverse flow is reaching the bleed passage. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: NONE-WAY VALVE" Description of Invention This invention is concerned with improvements relating to one-way valves.

It is required in certain apparatus which uses water obtained from a mains supply line, to utilise a oneway valve to prevent back flow of water from the apparatus into the mains. Conventionally used as a ball valve, typically comprising a housing, a flow passage extending through the housing from an inlet to an outlet, and a valve member operative in said flow passage to permit the flow of water in a forward direction but to prevent the flow of water in a reverse direction, the valve member conventionally being provided by a ball spring-urged against a seating to prevent flow in said reverse direction.

Currently Water Regulations require that the valve be capable of being tested, and this is conventionally effected by partially disassembling pipe work downstream of the valve, enabling flow of water in the forward direction to be observed.

Difficulty is encountered in such circumstances, particularly where the apparatus and the valve is connected to the mains water supply by the use of fixed pipe work.

This difficulty is exacerbated in certain types of apparatus, e.g. apparatus in which water is mixed with carbon dioxide, for use in the dispensing of carbonated drinks, in relation to which current Water Regulations require the use of two one-way valves in series, so that should one fail, the other will provide adequate protection.

According to this invention there is provided a one-way valve comprising a housing, a flow passage extending through the housing from an inlet to an outlet, and a valve member operative in said passage to permit the flow of liquid in a forward direction but to prevent the flow of liquid in a reverse direction, wherein a bleed passage extends from the flow passage downstream of the valve member, and closure means is provided to close said bleed passage.

Thus where said valve is used in series with a second one-way valve (which may or may not be of a similar kind), said second valve being located downstream (in the direction of mains flow of water through the system), by first closing the supply of mains water to the system, and second opening said closure means, the operating capability of said second one-way valve may conveniently be checked.

In particular, if said second valve is operating satisfactorily, it will prevent back flow of water to the said valve: this should on loosening of the closure means, should flow of fluid therefrom to any significant extent be observed, then this will be indicative of a failure of said second one-way valve.

Conveniently the bleed passage is provided by a bore extending radially outwardly of the housing from the flow passage and the closure member may be provided by a screw extending into the bleed passage, including a washer which may be trapped against the housing around the exit of the bleed passage by a head of the screw.

Thus in operation, the screw may simply be loosened to an extent simply to enable observation to be carried out as to the extent of flow of fluid from the bleed passage, and thereupon tightened.

According to this invention there is also provided a method of checking the performance of a one-way valve connected in a liquid supply conduit, the valve being the first of two similar valves each being of the kind comprising a housing, a flow passage extending through the housing from an inlet to an outlet, and a valve member operative in said passage to permit flow of liquid in a forward direction but to prevent flow of liquid in a reverse direction, said method involving the steps: ta] providing in a second of said valves a bleed passage in the housing extending from the flow passage; and [b] providing a releasable closure means for the bleed passage.

There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a one-way valve which is the preferred embodiment of this invention, having been selected for the purpose of illustrating the invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings: FIGURE 1 is an exploded view, part in section, of the valve which is the preferred embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 2 is a sectional view, taken at 900 to Figure 1, of a head of the valve; and FIGURE 3 is a schematic view illustrating the use of the invention in a water supply conduit.

The valve which is the preferred embodiment of this invention is a water flow control valve, being designed primarily for use in a water supply line extending from a main supply to an apparatus adapted to mix with the water, carbon dioxide, for use in the dispensing of carbonated drinks. It is however to be appreciated that the principles of this invention may be utilised in other types of water-utilising apparatus, in indeed in other non-water liquid utilising apparatus, where similar or analogous problems arise.

The valve which is the preferred embodiment of this invention comprises a multi-part housing 6 comprising a head 6, a body 6a, and a stem 6c, being adapted to be secured together to provide a through flow passage 8a, 8b, and 8c, extending from an inlet end 10 to an outlet end 12.

The body 6k, is provided with a valve seat 14 against which e valve member in the form of a ball 16 is urged by a spring 18, to prevent when the valve parts are assembled together and connected in use, flow of water in a reverse direction from the outlet end 12 to the inlet end 10. In use, mains water pressure provided on the upstream section of the flow passage [i.e. the sections 8b and 8c] will act against the spring 18, allowing the ball 16 to be lifted from the seat 14, and flow of water through the valve.

Provided in the head 6a, extending radially outwardly from the flow passage 8a, is a bleed passage 20, provided by a radial bore, the outer part of which being tapped, into which a closure means in the form of a cheeseheaded screw 22 may be entered, tightening of the screw 22 into the bore 20 permitting a washer 24 to be clamped against the head around the exit of the bleed passage 20, to seal the bleed passage.

In the use of the invention, the valve 6 which is the preferred embodiment of this invention is connected in a water supply conduit, from a mains water supply M through a stop cock V, a similar, second valve 6' being connected to said valve 6 downstream thereof, as shown in Figure 3, the outlet of the said valve 6' being connected to the apparatus or machine to which a supply of water is required.

Under normal operation of the machine, water will be fed as required from the mains supply M through the valves 6 and 6', back flow of water from the machine into the main being prevented by the one-way nature of the two valves 6 and 6'.

When it is desired to check the operational capability of the assembly comprising the two valves 6 and 6' to ' prevent back flow of water into the mains, particularly where the machine utilises water under pressure, the-stop cock V may be closed, and the screw 22 of the valve 6 loosened. Where the second valve 6' is operational, pressure of water in the machine will be prevented from reaching the valve 6, and minimal flow of water through the bleed passage 20 will be observed. Should however the second valve 6' have failed, this will be indicated by copious of water through the bleed passage 20.

It will be appreciated that there is no requirement for the second valve 6' to be provided with the bleed passage 20, and the screw 22, although this maybe provided if desired for convenience of manufacture and/or assembly.

Thus, a conventional valve may readily be modified, by drilling the bleed passage 20, tapping and enclosing with a screw and washer combination 22/24, or the valve maybe so provided ab initio.

It is to be appreciated that whilst the preferred embodiment the valve which is the preferred embodiment of this invention has been described in relation to control of the flow of water, it is to be appreciated that the invention may be applied to other fluid supply systems, where similar or analogous problems arise.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in the terms or means for performing the desired function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A one-way valve comprising a housing, a flow passage extending through the housing from an inlet to an outlet, and a valve member operative in said passage to permit the flow of liquid in a forward direction but to prevent the flow of liquid in a reverse direction, wherein a bleed passage extends from the flow passage downstream of the valve member, and closure means is provided to close said bleed passage.

2. A one-way valve according to Claim 1 wherein the bleed passage is provided by a bore extending radially outwardly of the housing from the flow passage and a closure member is provided by a screw extending into the bleed passage.

3. A method of checking the performance of a one-way valve connected in a liquid supply conduit, the valve being the first of two similar valves each being of the kind comprising a housing, a flow passage extending through the housing from an inlet to an outlet, and a valve member operative in said passage to permit flow of liquid in a forward direction but to prevent flow of liquid in a reverse direction, said method involving the steps: [a] providing in a second of said valves a bleed passage in the housing extending from the flow passage; and [b) providing a releasable closure means for the bleed passage.

4. A one-way valve constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore descriptive with reference to the accompanying drawings.

5. A method of checking the performance of a one-way valve, when carried out substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6. Any novel feature or novel combination of features hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.