US2033442A - Valve mechanism - Google Patents

Description

March 10, 1936. G. ll MIORRlS 2,033,442

` Y VALVE MEGHANISM l Filedy Feb. 1.2, 1.934

7C'S4 al@ lll INVENTOR. 650,@@5 J. Mae/s Patented Mar. l0,- 19136Y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 12 Claims.

' `,My invention relates to valve mechanisms generally and same is more particularly designed and intended for use in conjunction with plumbing systems.

Broadly speaking, my invention has for an object the provision of automatically controlled mechanism which, for example, will serve to positively destroy communication in one direction between a ball cock or a ush valve and the water intake pipe of an ordinary plumbing system at a time when there exists in the piping of the system conditions that tend to'compel a return flow of ushing water to the intake pipe by induced siphonic actio Q It is 'understood 'that manyv forms of flush valves will back-Siphon from aplumbing xtureincident to the coming together at a critical instant of the required forces, such,for in,- stance, as (1) upon the flooding of a -toilet bowl,

with the resulting formation of a vacuum at the flush valve mechanism; (2) upon sudden movement of thevalve from a normal closed position, the water in the bowl being, let us say, at a normal level, at which moment a slight vacuum will be formed, the force of which is sufcient to cause a back siphonage at the ush valve;y or

. (3) when under-sized water piping is employed'.

in a building 'and two or more ush valves on the same riser are simultaneously operated, at

which time a vacuum will be formed at some other ,flush valve of sumcient force to induce a back-Siphonage at 'said other valve.

An analysis of water samples taken from fountains and lavatories disclosed,

without question, thepresence' therein of' bacteria coli. These fountains and lavatories were regularly installed in a4 plumbing system of usual form. A laboratory test of a. common form of iish valve taken from the same system proved 40 that the plunger of ,the valve would jump open and with the water in the bowl at its normal level a vacuum was formed at the valve, the force of which lwas suilicient to cause back-Siphonage, thus proving very conclusively that ilush water may get by the valve and re-enter the intake pipe even though the water in the bowl occupies its normal level. It hasbeen further proven that in the tank type of water closet, if the onset of a vacuum occurs when the oatis down and the ball-cock isthusopen for refilling the tank,

the remaining contents of the tank will be withdrawn back into the building piping system by the vacuum thus `produced. It obviously fol- 4 lows that when onceushing water has 4been I delivered to a ushtank it is not intended, for

sanitary reasons, thatl it be used at any other place in the system. Conditions existing inthe common forms of iiush tanks are known to be such as will necessarily promote the growth of algae or fungi, slime and other lth, and that '5 this water is thus pollutedl and contaminated. Should one drink thereof sickness could obviously be expected to follow. It should, therefore, be borne in mind that regardless of the type lof ushing means employed in any con- 10 ventional system, same is vmost always an integral part ofthe system, and is, therefore, connected in the saine piping from which water is intended to be delivered to other ilxtures, such as sink and tub faucets, drinking founts, 15 etc. It is clearly to be understood, therefore, that water which has been polluted may, at some time or another, nd its way to those xtures Awhere use of such water' would be dangerous.

An important object of my invention is to 20 provide a valve mechanism whose parts are so structurally designed that when a vacuum is formed in the intake pipe or line it will automatically act directly upon the mechanism and eiect' an. instantaneous sealing oi of the Jpol- 25 luted or contaminated water at the ixture with which it is used, thus positively preventing this water from returning to the intake pipe where it would otherwise be permitted or, in fact, compelled, to find escape from some other :fixture 30 in the system. 1 f When the invention is employed in association with water lcloset ilush tanks, its design, construction and' arrangement of parts employed are such that the-operation of the mechanism 35 will in no manner be interfered `withby movements of the valve plunger.

Another object is to provide in said mechanism means which will function as set forth, and in addition thereto enable the mechanism 40 to operate in a perfectly quiet manner at all times.

With the above and .other objects in view, which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in. the 45 improved construction and novel arrangements of parts which will hereinafter be fully described and particularly pointed outin the hereto appended claims.

In the accompanying drawing has been illus- 50 v trated a single and preferredform of the invention wherein sameis employed as a ball cock, it being understood, however, that this is not to be considered asa limitatiombut. that it may be employed in connection withV ush valves ,or other valve mechanisms.

In the said drawing,

Figure -1 is a vertical section through the is aA section taken on line 3-"3 of Upon the upper end of the pipe B is mounted a ball cock I0, the same consisting of a casing II having a vertical bore I2 of small diameter and a communicatinglarger bore I3. The reduced bore I2 has slidably mounted therein a plunger type valve element I4 whose upper end is operatively connected at I5 to the power transmitting or lifting arm I5a of any well known form of link mechanism I6 with whichv the float rod I1 is connected as shown. It follows that from the arrangement of the parts just referred to motion in a vertical direction will beimparted to the plunger I4, according as the rod II isV moved in" one direction .or another, as is the ordinary operation of such mechanisms. The

plunger I4 is provided with an annular sealing ring I8 which coacts with the walls of the bore I2 to provide a water tight joint between said walls and said plunger.

Threadedly secured to the .lower'end of the casing II is a member I9, the same having a lower end of the bore I3 against leakage. This broad base flange 20 whose upper face is adapted to be securely advanced against the adjacent at face 2l of the casing, so as to securely seal the member is formed with a tubular extension 22 which passes-part way into the enlarged ,bore I3 and same is formed-with an axial intake port 23 which connects .directly with the water intake pipe B. The extension 22 is concentrically related. to the walls of the said bore I3 so that anannular water chamber 24 is thus formed, between the extension and said walls, lthe 'purpose of which I will explain` presently. Formed in the lower body. portion of the casing II is a radial port way 25, one end of which opens to the chamber 24 and the other end thereof connects with the upper end of a depending lling tube or pipe C'- from which latter water may be taken into the tank A when the link mechanism )f6 is actuated in the usual manner. The upper endfof the extension 22 constitutes a valve seat against which the sealingdisk .or face 2 6 at'the lower portion of the -plunger I4 is adapted to bear when the plunger is in'its fully lowered posivtion. A

Intermediate of its ends and formed as an integral4 part of' the extension is an annular shoulder -2'I and above said shoulder said extension is threaded as-at 28 for thev adjustable accommodation of a clamping nut 29. Interposed between said nut 29`and said shoulder 21/is a flexible cupped washer 30. This washer is preferably formed of thin leather or other suitable well known material, and same has an annular skirt 3I. It will be noted that with the skirt interposed between the peripheral surface 1", showof the shoulder 2'1-and the'walls of the'enlarged inner 4 face of said skirt and said peripheral surface of the shoulder so as to allow said skirt to move radially to -one or the other of two extreme positions. When the skirt `is spread outwardly to its full extent, its exterior face is yieldinglyand rmly presented to the walls of the chamber 24, at which time no waterwill'be allowed to iiow past same in a 4direction leading from; the port way 25.l When the skirt moves l to its other extreme position, where its inner face is presented rather securely against the periphery of the shoulder 21., an annular space will be provided between the walls of the bore I3 and the exterior surface of the skirt, whereby topermit water as it leaves the seat end of the extension 22 to ow downwardly into the chamber 24, thence to the filling pipe C by way of the port way 25, such as would be necessary vbore 24,"a clearances provided between the when lling the tank C. This will be clearlyV understood on reference to Figures 2 and 4 of the drawing.

Having described the essential structural features of the' invention and the operative relationship of one structural part to the other, their functional actions will be described as follows:

When the plunger I4 is elevated so as to uncover the seat at the upper end of-the extension 22, water may freely pass to the tank A, as

, previously described. It will be appreciated that by reason of the pressure behind the waterthe skirt 3I will be acipd upon thereby and circumferentially contracted, at which time 'the aforesaid space will be formed between ther externall surface of the skirt and the walls of the bore I3. It is for this reason that an unobstructed .passageway is` pr vided, whereby the water may quickly enter the tank. The flexible non-metal-A lic action of the leather skirt aiords means which acts to effectively silence the movement of the water as it proceeds over the course. just Y referred to. More or less of a hush well is providedbeneath` the skirt, and this too functions to materially quiet the action` of the mechanism during the movement of said water. Now; let it be assumed that due tol any one of the several causes rst above referred to a vacuum is formed in the pipe B, at which time the plunger I4--is slightly raised from its seat. In consequence thereof, A an upward pulling force is created in the bore I3 at a point just above the skirt 3l and of sucient amplitude to expand or spread -the skirt circumferentially, thus rm-v ly forcing its external surface against the walls of the bore I3 so as to positively lprevent water in the tank 'A from finding passage to the pipe 'B. 'Ihe skirt, therefore, acts as a valve .whichautomatically co-acts with the element I4 during regular admission or supply of water to the tank, and, secondly, as a valve to seal off the tank A from said pipe B. In view thereof, I s hall,'in the 'claims to follow, refer tosaid skirt broadly as a exible pneumatically inuenced non-metallic valve. The plunger I4 and its coacting seat constitute the intake valve by means of which water-may be supplied to saidtank. Y 1It is to'be understood that I have, merely for the purpose of suitable illustration, named certain causes that are responsible for back siphonage in plumbing systems, but that many additional causes could be readily added to those first referred to. It may be. generally vstated that no matter what may be the precise hereinl fully disclosed and described has been found most reliable for the purpose of arresting the reverse flow of water when pressure or suction in the line tends to set up a reverse ow in said line.- It follows that'whenever in plumbing systems there is a submerged inlet, water will of necessity be diverted from the xture, the moment a particular valve or other cross connection jumps open.

What is claimed is: v

1. A valve structure comprising a casing hav- .intake port; and non-metallic, circumferentially expansible and contractible valve means intrposed between the member and the walls of the chamber and co-operable with .the latter when in one position and when the. aforesaid valve element is moved to uncover said seat to allow water to be transferred to the outlet port from said intake port and adapted Awhenin another position and when said element is moved away from its seat to arrest a return flow of -water to the intake port from said discharge port.

2. A valvestructure comprising a casing'hav ing an axial bore and a member having an ex'- tension passing into the bore and bearing a relationship to' the walls thereof so as to define an annular chamber between said walls and the extension, vthe extension having an intake port co-operable with the chamber and adapted to effect a transfer of water to the chamber, a liquid controlled valve element co-operable with the port and serving to normally close same and adapted to respectively cover and uncover same; the casing having a discharge port opening to the chamber, and a exible non-metallic valve located in the chamber at a point between the discharge port and the intake port and cooperable with the walls of the chamber so that when the valve element is moved to uncover the intake port, water discharging from` said intake port may freely pass'said exible non-metallic valve and flow to said outlet port, the saidV valve being also directly co-operable with the discharge port so that -when the valve is lacted lupon by suction induced at the intake port and the latter is uncovered, a return now of the l water to the intake port from the discharge 3. A valve structure having a chamber, means extending into the chambenand provided with an intake port adapted to open intol the chamber, an .axially movable liquid controlled valve element co-operable-with s'aid means to respectively cover and :uncover said intake port and being concentrlcally spaced from the walls of said chamber, the structure having adisc/harge port opening to the chamber,- and an annular skirtl surrounding ,said means at a point to one side of the discharge, port being of a exible non-metallicl material capable of being acted lupon `bythe pressure of water as the water leaves the intake -port so as to allow the water to now to said discharge port and to be acted vupon by suction induced at one side thereof to to normally cover same, said means.

charge port ofthe structure and including a, chamber in which the valve element is adapted to operate, comprising a memberhaving a part formed with an intake port adapted to' co-act ,with said valve element; and suction actuated 'valve means carried by said part and positioned to co-act with the walls of the chamber nd adapted to be inserted into the chamber and,

the intake port so as to' arresta return )flow of water to the intake port of the member from the discharge portV of the structure upon the setting up o f a suction in the chamber of the structure, and adapted to be acted upon by the pressure of waterduring movement of the water from the intake portto said discharge port. A

5. As a new article of manufacture, means for arresting a return flow of water to the intake pipe of a valve structure ofthe type including av 'sliding liquid actuated valve element for controlling admission of wate'r to aA discharge port of the structure and including a chamber in which the valve. element isadapted to operate,

comprising a member having a part adapted to be inserted into the chamber and formed with an intake port adapted to co-act with said valve element; -and suction actuated valve means carried by said part and positionedto co-act with the .walls 'of the chamber and the intake port so as to arrest a return flow of water to the @intake port of the member from the discharge port of the structure upon the setting up of a suction in the .chamber of the structure, and adapted. to be acted upon by thelpfressur-e of water during movement of the water from the intake port to said discharge port, said suction actuated valve being characterized by a flexible radially movable skirt extending about vsaid part.

6. =A valve mechanism comprising a structure provided with a by-pass chamber, an intake port and an outlet port, the former occupying a position axially of the chamber and beingformed :so that. itsexterior walls are spaced` apart from the Walls of the chamber, a slidably mounted liquid controlled valve element cooperable with the intake port and normally closing same, and an annular pressure inuenced valve element offlexible material concentrlcally positioned in the chamber' and extending about th'e'exterior walls of the intake port and including an annular skirt clipped in Athedirectionof the discharge port and movable freely relatively to the walls of'said chamber, as and for the purpose set forth.-

ArI. A valvemechanism comprising a structure provided with a-by-pass chamber, an intake port and an outlet port,- the former occupying a posi..- tion axially of the chamber and-'being formed so thatits exterior w'allsare spaced apart from the walls of the' chamber, a slidably mounted 'liquid controlled valve element co-operable with `the intakeport and normally'- closing same, and

an annular pressure influenced valve element Vof exible material concentrlcally positioned in the chamber and 'extending about the exteri'or'walls 'IllA of said chamber, the walls ofthe intake nating `at one end in a`valve seat disposedY end formed to provide a seat which is co-oper,y

able with the reciprocal valve to enable the intake port to be opened and closed by the valve and said valve being normally engaged with said seat; and a valve carried by the extenf sion and co-operablev with the inner walls of the chamber to' openqthe discharge 'port to the intake port Awhen the reciprocal valve is opened and to close the discharge port from the intake 1port against returnmovement of water to the latter from the discharge port should thereciprocal valve leave its seat.

9. In a valveriorgaization for water closet flush tanks of the float actuated type; a casing having a ported member for attachment to a supply'pipe for water under pressure and said. casing having a chamber into which said member is extended andlinto which water can discharge from the port of the member and said member, being 'concentrically spaced apart from the walls-lof said chamber; the4 member termi- 1 within thechamber; thegcasingh'aving a filling pipe in-communication with the chamber; a

iiuid pressure actuated valve f in said ,chamber movable relative tothe walls thereof to respectively open and close communication -between "the portof the member and said filling pipej andaiio'at actuated valve movablegin the cham ber relative to the seat ,of saidfmernber and beingnormally' engaged therewith to` close the port' of` vthe member" from said chamber. A 10.`A valve mechanism comprisinga casing having an intake port and a. valve movable in` the casing `from-a position closing the port to a position opening same; said casing" liavingar discharge port to which liquid can pass from the intake port when the latter vis open; a circumferentially expansible and contractible valve in said casing, the size of which will enable same to close against the inner walls of the casing `when the valve is expanded; and means for mounting the last named valve to dispose same between said ports to enable same when expanded to close the intake port from the outlet portIv and` adapted when contracted, to provide a circumferential clearance between said valve and the inner walls of the casing for passage of liquid to the outlet port from said .inlet port.' A

`11. 'A valve mechanism comprising a casing having an intake port and a valve movable in thecasing from a position closing said port tov a position opening same; said casing having a discharge port to which liquid can be conducted fromthe intake port; 'an expansible and con- 'tractible valve in the casing, -the size, form and .cot-operable with the intake port;y means for controlling `said valve to respectively open and close said intake port;` and a cup-shapedvalve contained in the casing and disposed between theintake port an'd said outlet port and being of a. size and of a material to`enable such contraction thereof; by. pressure' thereagainst .of liquid whensaidgflrst valve is opened by said controlling means to v.enable liquid to pass from the intake. port 'to'the outlet port and between the circumference of the valve and the inner wallsof4 the casing, and said valve being expansible against the inner walls of the casing by^ suction induced at the intake port, thus closing the latter from the outlet port against Vreturndiow of liquidv to the inlet port from` said outlet port. f, v GEORGE J. MORRIS.

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