US2292373A - Self-policing air valve with back pressure control - Google Patents

Description

1 Au 11, 1942. Q ENI R 2,292,373

SELF-POLICIING AIR VALVE WITH BACK PRESSURE CONTROL FiledJune 7, 1935 INVENTOR illiom C. Groe gar 4 TTORNEY 7 adapted jalso air passage from the Patented Aug. 11, 1942 I UNITED STAT SELF-POLIIOING AIR VALVE wrrn PRESSURE CONTROL BACK N' William C. Groenlger, Columbus, Ohio, asslgnor to John B. Pierce Foundation, New York, N. Y., 4 a corporation of New York Application June 7, 1935, Serial No.25,476

. k Claims. My present invention relates to plumbing devices and more particularly toan automatic selfpolicing airvalve and back pressure control device. 4

a My invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with water supply ,systems from which water" is drawn for drinking. cooking and Q sanitary purposes, and in which water after having been drawn fromthe main supply riser will j supply pipe l3 with a flush valve M.

to the closet bowl I0 is one end of an elbow I5.

be prevented absolutely from ever returning into the main supply riser. Such a procedure is necessary and essential from a health and sanitary standpoint, as it absolutely prevents the possibility of polluted water or other fluid from being drawn into the main supply riser of the water system after having been withdrawn therefrom.

My present invention is illustrated in connection with'a closet bowl, but obviously such showing is illustrative only, and-theinvention is i for use inv any similar situation where it is desire to prevent the return of water tc the supplymain of thewatersystem.

My invention may be incorporated as an integral part oi a control valve, or may be used as. an adjunct thereto," or in connection therewith,

andgwhenso used is attached-to the valve on the discharge side thereof. 'By this arrangement a double check .on the return of water is -provided one forthe valve structure itself, and

i one for the automatic valve and back pressure control-deviceforming the subject matter of the present invention. In my present invention there exists in the normal position of rest of the valveparts an open water in the closet bowl to the valve and which passage is only to be closed when the' water or other fluid flows through the automaticvalve into the V closet bowl. I have therefore provided in my invention adiaphragm valve member which cooperates with the member defining the open passage above referred to, to close said passage at'all times when water isfiowing through the automatic valve from the main supply riser to areceptacle.

The object of my invention therefore is an improved self-policing automatic valve and back pressure control device.

In the accompanying drawing, I Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a closet bowl atv tached to a water supply system and .with my invention interposed between two such elements. Fig. 2 is a'vertical sectional elevation throu h an automatic air valve and back pressure control device according to my prevent invention.

, Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view on line 4-4 of FIE-\Z and Fig.6 is a perspective view of a resilient valve I member.

Referring to the drawing, llldesignates a closet bowl positioned on the floor of abuilding ad- Jacent to a wall H, and through whichwall extends a horizontal pipe l2 connecting a main Secured '0f facets to be used in connection with a wrench or other similar device.

Located below the body It is a cylindrical member 18 open at its upper end 19, and with the upper end l9 forming a valve seat. The cylindrical member i8 is integrally attached to the body It by a plurality of radially extending arms "20, thus giving rise to spaces or passages 20a serving as an air inlet. The lower end of the cylindrical member I8 is externally threaded at 2i to receive a nut 22. The lower end of the cylindrical member i8 is recessed as shown to receive the upper end of the elbow l5. and such elbow when in position has associated therewith a washer 23 of resilient material which is forced into such association by means of'the nut 22.

On the interior of the body It at the lower ends of the threads ll is formed a seat-124; on which rests an annular ring 25. Resti ng on the ring 25 is a resilient valve member 26. -Thi'sre silient valve member 26 comprises a diskll'of resilient material such as rubber, having formed integrally therewith and depending from thecentral portion thereof a cup shaped member 28. The cup-shaped member 28 is divided into two portions by a slit 29, and formed integrally with each part is a lip member 30.

29, so that when the valve member 26 has all its elements in a position of rest, the slit 29 and the abutting faces of the lips'30 are in close association with each other.

Resting on the top face of the .disc 21 is a washer 3|, similar in all respects to the washer 4 25 above described as being located under the disc 21. Screwing into the threads l1 on the body 16 is the lower threaded end 32 of a member 33, such threaded member 32 engaging with the washer 3| and forcing the same into close association with the disc 21, to thereby hold such disc 21 firmly in position with respect to the body [6. The member 33 has formed therein a cylindrical and tapered chamber 34, and at the lower end of such chamber 34 is arranged a valve seat 35, such valve seat being integrally secured to the member 33 by a plurality of radially extending arms 36. The upper end of the member 33 is provided with a plurality of facets 31, so that a wrench may be used to screw the lower threaded end 32 into association with thread 11. Also the upper end of the member 33- is internally threaded to receive the lower threaded end of a nipple or other water conducting member 38.

When in assembled position, as shown for example in Fig. 2, the hemispherical member 28 is positioned adjacent to the valve seat l9 at the upper end of the cylindrical member l8, so that if water is flowing through the pipe 38, the chamber 34 and through the spaces between the radial arms 36 into the upper end of the hemispherical memer 28, the pressure of such water will force open the slit 23 and while flexing the disk 21 to move the same and the upper surface of such hemispherical member 28 into engagement with the valve seat I9, thereby preventing any leakage of water out through the spaces or air passages 20a between the radial arms 20. Also the valve seat member 35 is so positioned that if a back pressure is created in the pipe 38, or in any fixture that is connected thereto, the slit 29 in the hemispherical member 28 will be closed tightly, and the disc 21 will be flexed because of the resilient character thereof, to thereby bring the upper surface of such disc 21 into engagement with the valve seat 35. This latter action automatically prevents any water from passing upward through cylindrical member I8 beyond the valve member 26 because of the seating of the disc 21 against the valve seat 35, and also prevents any injury to the hemispherical member 28. Collapsing of the hemispherical member 28 is prevented because of the engagement of the upper surface of the disc 21 with the valve seat 35.

Should the hemispherical member 28 fail to function as above described, because of injury thereto, or to the lips 30, or for any other reason, back pressure in the main supply riser I3 may cause the Water in the closet bowl to rise in the elbow I and a portion of such water will flow over the valve seat [9 through the spaces or air passages 20a between the radially extending arms.

20 onto the floor of the room in which the device is located.

The presence of such water on the floor is a positive indication that the device is not functioning properly. An occupant of the building, or any other person observing the same will be apprised of the defective condition and will take the steps necessary to repair or replace the defective parts. Such repair or replacement may be easily and quietly eflected without radical disturbance of the installation.

With my improved device therefore, it is possibleto pass water from the main supply riser l3 through the flush valve l4 and into the eiiicator i0 and the water in the closet bowl under normal conditions is open to the atmosphere because of the character of the association between valve seat is and hemispherical member 28. in device prohibits the return 01' any water which has passed through the valve 28 as upon a back pressure or vacuum being created in the space above the valve member 28 such valve member 23 will have its disc member 21 flexed so as to be brought into engagement with the valve disc 35 with the body member 33.

Any defect developing in the device is immediately made apparent, and thus my device is selfpolicing in character.

While I have necessarily shown and described the device embodying my invention somewhat in detail, it is to be understood that I may vary the size, shape and arrangement 01' parts comprising my device within relatively wide limits githout departing from the spirit or the inven- I claim:

1. In an improved automatic self-policing air valve and back pressure control device, the combination of a valve body, a chamber therein, a diaphragm valve located in said chamber, a normally closed self-closing opening in said diaphragm valve and arranged to permit passage of fluid from the inlet through the chamber, and said normally closed self-closing opening automatically closing on the reduction 01' pressure in the passage to prevent return of fluid to the inlet passage.

2. In an improved automatic self-policing air valve and back pressure control device, the combmation of a valve body, and entrance passage therefor, an exit passage therefor at the end opposite the entrance passage, said exit passage communicating with the atmosphere, a valve seat arranged in the body in axial alignment with the entrance and exit passages, and a valve seat formed at the inner end of the exit passage, arranged parallel to, but spaced apart from. the first said valve seat, a resilient diaphragm valve provided with a normally closed selfclosing opening arranged in the body between the valve seats and cooperating respectively with the first said valve seat to prevent return of fluid through the body to the entrance passage, and permit passage of. fluid from the entrance passage to the exit passage without leakage of said fluid to the outer atmosphere under normal conditions, and permitting leakage of fluid to the outer atmosphere upon failure of the diaphragm valve to properly function.

3. In an improved automatic self-policing air valve and back pressure control device,-the combination of a valve body, a chamber formedtherein, an entrance passage at one end or the body communicating with the chamber, an exit passage at the opposite end of the body and communicating with the chamber, a plurality of inwardly extending arms located in the chamber, a valve seat supported by the said arms at the inner ends thereof, a valve seat formed at the inner end of the exit passage and arranged parallel to, but spacedapart from the first said valve seat, and a resilient diaphragm valve provided with a normally closed sell-closing opening cooperating with the valve seats, said diaphragm valve engaging with the valve seat at the inner ends of the exit passage, and opening under '70 pressure of fluid to permit passage of fluid from the entrance passage through the body into the exit passage, and cooperating with the first said' passage of the valve with respect to thepressure within the exit passage thereof.

4. In an improved automatic 'self-policing-air valve and back pressure control device, the combinationof a valve body, a hollow chamber formed therein, an entrance passage at one end thereof communicating with the chamber, a centrally located valveseat in said chamber lying v substantially in the axis of the entrance passage and spaced apart from the periphery of the chamber, a resilient valve provided with a norber and seating on' the valve seat-under the influence of negative pressure of fluid in-the chamber, whereby passage of fluid from the chamber to the entrance passage is'prevented, an exit passage communicating at its inner end with the mally closed self-closing opening in said cham'-' chamber having a valve seat formed at its inner end and cooperating with the resilient valve.

member, said resilient valve member seating on the valve seat-of the exit, passage and opening to permit'passage of fluid from the chamber to the exit passage when positive pressure exists in the fluid passing from the entrance passage through the chamber.

5. In an improved automatic self-policing air valve and back pressure control device, the combination of a valve body, a passage extending longitudinally .therethrough, a chamber formed in the body and connecting at each end with said passage, a diaphragm valve member arranged in the chamber and dividing the same into two parts and with the lower part open to the atmosphere, whereby that portion of the passage connecting with the'lower part of the the chamber, to thereby seal the air opening inthe portion of the passage connecting with the lower part of the chamber, said closed selfclosing opening in the diaphragm moving to open position to permit fluid to flow through the valve body into the lower portion of the passage.

6. In a device of the class described, means providing a chamber having fluid inlet and outlet seat to prevent communication with the outer atmosphere during fluid flow through said valve body and having self -closing means integral with said resilient valve whereby saidresilient valve automatically closes in the circumstance of a negative pressure above said valve seat to prevent reverse flow of fluid through said valve body while concomitantly aflording communication with the outer atmosphere.

8. In an improved automatic self-policingv air valve and back pressure control device, the combination of a hollow body, an entrance'passage thereto, an exit passage therefrom, a valve seat located within the hollow body, a valve seat at the exit passage of the body lying parallel to but spaced apart from the first-named valve seat,]

passage means disposed about said second-named valve seat affording communication betweenthe outer atmosphere and said exit passage, and resilient valve means disposed within said hollow body intermediate said two valve seats, said valve means having a diaphragm movable into flow and an air inlet, a diaphragm within said chamber movable responsively to pressure differentials therein, said diaphragm carrying means providing a choke orifice, the parts being so arranged that pressure flow through said chamber closes communication between said air inletand said I fluid inlet and outlet and abnormal drop in pressure opens communication with said air inlet and chokes back flow through said orifice.

'1. In an improved automatic self-policing air valve and back pressure control device, the combination of a valve body having a passage extending longitudinally therethrough. a valve seat located intermediate the ends of the body and in the passage, air inlet means disposed externally of said valve seat and afiording communication between the passage of said valve body and the outer atmosphere, and a resilient valve having a diaphragm cooperating with said valve sealing relationship with one or the other of said valve seats and provided with a slit opening bounded by normally closed lips.

9. In an improved automatic self-policing air valve and back pressure control device, the combination of a valve body defining a hollow chamber, an entrance passage at one end of the chamber, a centrally-locatedvalve seat in'said chamber and spaced apart from the entrance.

passage, a resilient diaphragm valve in said chamber and deflectable axially to seat against said valve seat to prevent flow of fluid toward the entrance passage, said valve further having opposed resilient lip means in mutual contact under the condition of absence of fluid flow through the valve, an exit passage at the end of the body opposite the entrance passage, said exit passage being intermediately located with re spect to the contour of the body and spaced apart therefrom to provide passage means open to the atmosphere, and a valve seat formed at the inner end'of the exit passage and cooperating with the resilient diaphragm valve to prevent escape. of fluid through said passage means under the condition of 'fluid flow through the body from the entrance passage into the exit passage.

10. In animproved automatic self-policing air valve and back pressure control device, the combination. of a hollow body, an entrance passage thereto, an exit passage therefrom, a valve seat at the-exit passage of the body, passage means disposed about said valve seat afiording communication between the outer atmosphere and said exit passage, and resilient valve means disposed within said hollow body adjacent said valve seat. said valve means including a flexible disc for cooperation with said valve seat to close said passage means under condition of positive pressure at the entrance passage of the valve and flexible coacting members normally in valve closing engagement and arranged to be mutually discomitantly restores communication between the atmosphere and said exit passage.

WILLIAM ,C. GROENIGER.

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