WO2005083310A1

WO2005083310A1 - Fluid flow control system

Info

Publication number: WO2005083310A1
Application number: PCT/US2005/000675
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rufus Holloway
Original assignee: Rufus Holloway
Priority date: 2004-02-24
Filing date: 2005-01-10
Publication date: 2005-09-09

Abstract

A fluid flow control system, comprising a valve including a plug with a cooperating and sealing surface in a corresponding flange surface and a cooperating opening in co-action with the plug to regulate the flow of liquid through the opening. Preferably the co-operating surfaces could be flat, or advantageously, the plug would have beveled surfaces varying from a few degrees of beveled surface to one with about 85 degrees of beveled surface. Advantageously, the value could be provided with a hoisting arrangement, in which a switch with a timing element is provided.

Description

Fluid Flow Control System

The present invention relates to a valve arrangement to regulate fluid flow, specifically liquid flow, constituted by water which is the general liquid of use, in considerable volume at relatively low pressure in floodplains for agricultural or other farming or horticultural activities. It can also be suitable used in sewage plants, water diversions, and other liquid regulating systems, etc. It should be noted that this unique valve at regulated volumes, under low pressure, might often control liquids such as diluted liquid fertilizers. It is well known to use hydraulic valves to regulate the flow of liquids in agricultural or irrigational systems over flood plains, and other forms of distribution of liquids through canals, etc. In this specific invention, the flow of liquids is completely regulated in either direction. The present invention is directed to a simple but rather ingenious system in the distribution of liquid flow though a specific and particular valve arrangement, in which the valve completely eliminates the need for any other connected devices, or gaskets or o- rings or mechanical connections, between the different inter connections of the liquid flow zones, Optionally, the use of gaskets or o-rings of different material may be successfully utilized. The present invention included a fluid flow control system, constituted by a valve including a plug with a co-operating and sealing surface on a corresponding flange surface, and a co-operating opening. Advantageously, the present invention is focused on the use of a high-density plastic plug, with a cooperating and sealing surface on a corresponding flange surface, made of similar material, with a cooperating opening. Alternately, we could use other material such as wood, metals including steel, bronze, cooper, or other alloys, with suitable sealing characteristics. Preferably, the present invention utilizes the high-density plug with beveled cooperating surfaces to the corresponding flange surface opening. The beveled surface of a plug could vary from an angle of about 5 degrees to about 85 degrees, preferably about 30 degrees to ensure a substantially fluid tight seal. Conveniently, the material of the plug is made of high-density plastics, such as that known in the trade as high density "POLYETHTHYLENE." It should be appreciated, that other similar plastic composite material could be used. The material of the corresponding flange and pipe should be also of similar material as the cooperating sealing surfaces. It should be noted that the plug is attached by a stem connected to a drive mechanism, which could be driven and operated by an electromechanical motor driven system, although different forms of lifting the stem of the plug may be employed including pneumatic drives or manually by humans, or ordinary hoists and pulley systems, and hydraulic systems. Conveniently, the stem could be hoisted to predetermined height for different volumes of liquid flow. The invention also includes, the fluid control system, incorporating the plug that is provided with a flat co-operating and sealing surface to co-act with the corresponding flange surface and the opening. Suitable, the high density plug may optionally be provided with a flat surface to cooperate with and be adapted to seat itself flat on the corresponding surface on which the plug will be seated on the actuation of the stem of the drive mechanism, operable by any means to effect movement. It should be appreciated that when the plug is seated, fluid flow is substantially terminated. In operation, when the plug is raised by means of a stem using any lifting arrangement, liquid flows on to the flood plains, though specific flow windows on to the flood plains. The plug when seated substantially stops the liquid flow. It is proposed to provide an additional weight or load to the plug. Conveniently, a cylindrical member would be mounted or secured or integrally constructed on the plug and to fill the cylindrical space with a liquid, preferably water, utilizing a pump and a draining arrangement to fill the cylinder when the plug is seated and to drain the liquid when hoisting the plug without undue stress load to the hoisting mechanism. This advantageously, provides for greater seating efficiency of the plug. Advantageously, the movement of the stem provides for the partial and controlled flow of liquids in either direction, and thus controls the quantity and volume of liquid flow. The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 depicts a sectional view of flood plain liquid flow piping arrangement; Figure 2 depicts, by way of example only of the plug; Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view depicting the plug and the related pipe and cooperating sealing surface; and Figure 4 shows in detailed the specific structure of the plug and its associated hoisting drive and flow path window. Reference numeral 2 shows a Tee connecting pipe connected to water supply source extending to high density polyethylene pipe 4 that is also known in the trade as HDPE pipe providing a flange 6 within which is an opening 16 which corresponds and cooperates with a specifically adapted plug 10, of about 2 inches thick and 26 inches in diameter, duly milled and tapered surface with about 30 degree beveled to cooperate and form a sealing surface 18, more clearly depicted in Figures 3 and 4. The plug 10 in this inventive example is attached through a stem 12 and a hoisting gear 14, which is constituted by a ball screw actuator 14, and when seated stops the liquid flow. In operation of the plug 10, hoisting it through the stem and the ball screw actuator water or liquid is adapted to flow outwards through openings or windows 8. The windows as shown are of rectangular shape although they could be configured to different shapes like circular or polygonal. Conveniently, the hoisting arrangement of the stem could be carefully and selectively regulated with timing mechanisms, utilizing the hoisting arrangements, with an electrical control system incorporating timing switch elements (not shown). Advantageously, the plug may be provided with a weight or load, which may be constituted by a mounted or secured cylinder (not shown) on the plug 10. Conveniently, the cylinder could be integrally formed with the plug. The cylinder could be loaded or weighted by a pump and drain arrangement and preferably eater as a liquid. The load or weight on the plug would « iπcra-tse the seating efficiency of the plug. 90 It is also feasible to use P.L.C. (Programmed Logic Controller) to regulate the flow of liquids in association with the stem and the hoisting arrangement. This is an alternative and preferred method of operating the valve.

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Claims

Claims 1. A fluid flow control system, constituted by a valve including a plug with a cooperating and sealing surface on a corresponding flange surface, and a cooperating opening.

2. A fluid control system, as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the plug is provided with a flat co-operating and sealing surface to co-act with the corresponding flange surface and the opening.

3. A fluid flow control system, as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the plug has a beveled surface adapted to sealing co-operate with the opening and the flange surface.

4. A fluid flow control system, as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the beveled surface of the plug could vary fϊom an angle of about a few degrees to about 85 degrees.

5. A fluid control system as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the preferred beveled surface angle is about 30 degrees whereby to ensure a fluid tight seal.

6. A fluid flow control system as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the plug is constituted by the use if a high density plastic material, with the corresponding flange surface of a similar material.

7. A fluid flow control system, as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that the plastic material is preferably that known in the trade as POLYETHYLENE.

8. A fluid control system, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the plug could be made from non-porous material, such as wood, rubber, metals including steel, bronze, cooper or other alloys incorporating liquid sealing characteristics.

. A fluid control system, as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the properties of the material of the plug, corresponding flange and pipe, preferably should be also of a similar material.

10. A fluid flow control system, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the plug is attached to a stem interconnected to a drive mechanism.

11. A fluid control system, as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that an electromechanical motor operated driving system may operate the drive mechanisms.

12. A fluid flow control system, as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the stem may be actuated by pneumatic drives or manually by humans, or ordinary hoist or pulley system, or hydraulic systems.

13. A method of fluid flow control system, includes a plug with a stem operable by a lifting mechanism, whereby on the lifting of the stem, liquid flows in through to the flood plains, through specified flow windows, and when the plug is seated liquid flow stops.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13, characterized, the hoisting device can be electromechanical through a timing switch element to regulate to provide liquid flow at predetermined intervals, and also predetermined quantity and volume.

15. A plug valve, for a fluid flow control system, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plug has a stem connected to a drive mechanism.

16. A plug valve, for a fluid flow control system, as claimed in claim 15 wherein the plug is provided with a cylindrical member associated with a pump and a drain to whereby the cylinder could be filled with water to provide a load or weight to the plugs.