Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~ o ~
11-059 Bvpa~s Valve
Technical Field
The present invenkion relates gensrally to fluid
control valves and in particular to a by pass or
diverter valve.
BackqrQund Art
~ y-pass valves also termed diverter valves are
often used in plumbing systems to control the
communication of fluid to a plumbing fixture or fluid
processing device. For example, in the case of a water
softener, it has been known to use a valving assembly to
control the communicat~on of source water to tha w ter
softener as well as provide a diversion path for the
incoming water so that the water supply to the household
is not interrupted during service of the water
softener.
Known prior devices have been complex and/or
expensiva. Some have ineluded ~ultiplQ valve~,
manifolds and complex conduits in order to achieve the
desired ~ontrol.
Another problem asso~iated with the installation of
a plumbing ~ixtura or fluid treatment device tha~
includes an inlet and an outlet, such as a water
softener or hot water tank, is a mismatch that often
occ-~rs between the inlet and outlet of the device and
the source and the watsr supply pipe~ form~ng part o~
the plumbing system. In instances where household
plumbing connections do not match the plumbing fixture
conneotions, installers are requ~red to devise awkward,
cross-over connectlons in order to couple the household
plumbing to the fixture. In instances where the fixture
is being installed in a limited space, the installation
can be extremely difficult and expensive.
2~5~:~
The present invention provides a new and improved
by-pass or diverter valve that not only controls the
communication o~ fluid to a plumbing fixture or other
fluid treatment device also provides conduit structure
for providing connections to the fluid or plumbing
system that are adaptable to the position and location
of the source and supply conduits of the system.
The present invention will be described in
connection with a water treatment system and in
particular, a water softener system which is normally
serially connected in a fluid stream so that under
normal operating conditions source water to be treated
enters an inlet to the water softener and is discharged
through an outlet of the water softener for delivery to
a water supply. It should be understood that the
present invention is adaptable to fluid systems in
general in which a fluid device must occasionally be
isolated from an inlet fluid stream.
In the preferred and illustrated entbodiment, the
valve includes a housing defining four ports and a
valving member for selectively communicating the ports
in predetermined configurations~. The housing defines a
fluid chamber into which all of the ports communicate.
The valving member ls moveable within the chamber, to
several predetermined positions and dafines a flow
passage segment. When the valving member is moved to
predetermined positions the passags cross communicates
certain of the four ports in predetermined
configura~ions depending on the selected position.
According to a preferred embodiment of the
invention, the valving chamber is circular in
configuration and includes a circular wall having a
predetermined axial extent. In accordance with this
2~09~
embodiment, the valving member includes a plug-like
portion that is rotatably supported in the ~alving
chamber.
In the preferred and illustrated embodiment, three
of the four ports communicate directly into valving
chamber and are spaced apart. Preferably these chamber
ports are located equidistant apart, i.e.,
substantially 120 apart~ In accordance with this
embodiment, two of the three chamber port~ function as
inlet/outlet ports for the valve and are connected to a
source line through which *luid to be treated is
delivered to the control valve and a supply line to
which treated fluid leaving the control valve is
discharged. The third port is connected to the inlet to
the fluid treatment device.
When the disclosed valve is used to control the
communication of water to a water softener, one of the
inlet/outlet ports is connected to the source of hard
water while the other inlet/outlet port is connected to
the household plumbing system. The third pcrt would be
connected to the inlet of the water softener.
The plug portion of the valving member defines the
passage segment which is sized to span the distance
between adjacent ports so that at predetermined rotative
positions of the valving member two adjacent ports of
the three chamber ports can be directly intercom-
municated by the passage segment. The passage is also
sized such that when the valving member is rotated to
either one of two intermediate positions the passage
communiaates with only one of the two inlet/outlet ports
and in effect surrounds the inlet/port and blocks fluid
flow out of the port covered or enclosed by the passa~e.
According to the preferred embodiment of the
invention, the fourth port opens into a secondary
2 ~ 4 ~
chamber which in turn communica~es with the valving
chamber. In the disclosed construction, the ~ourth port
communicates with the outlet of the fluid treatment
device, i.e. water softener. The plug portion of the
valving member preferably d~fine~ two segments. One
segment forms the cross communicating passage for
communicating two adjacent ports of the three chamber
ports. The other se~ment provides a flow path from the
secondary chamber to either one of the ~wo inlet/ou~let
ports depending on the rokative posi~ion of the valving
member.
With the disclosed invention, the two inlet/outlet
ports define changeable inlet and outlet ports either of
which can serve as an inlet and be connected to the
source line. Preferably, the combination inlet/outlet
ports are located in an adjacent relationship and are
intercommunicated by the passage segment defined by the
valving member when the valving member is placed in a
"bypass" position.
When the valving member is rotated ~o a "service"
position, the passage seyment communicates the in-
let/outlet port connected to the source line with the
water softener inlet port. At the same time, the
device outlet port (which communicates with the
secondary chamber) is communicated with the other
inlet/outlet port via the second plug segment.
According to a feature of the invention the valving
member is positionable, during valve installation in one
of two operational configurations. According to this
feature, the installed position of the valving member
determlnes which of the inlet/outlet ports will
function as the actual inlet (and be connected to the
source) and which will function as the outlet (and be
connected to the house supply). With the present
invention, the valve can be adapted to the existing
plumbing so that complex and/o;r contorted connections
are not necessary to connect the household plumbing to
the control valva. In the preferred construction,
conduits associated with the inlet/outlet ports extend
from the valve housing and are connectable to the
household plumbing, pre~erably using removable threaded
connections or compression fittings.
In the preferred arrangement, ~tructure formed on
the housing cooperates with a movement controller and
determines the extent of movement of the valving member
and in particular establishes:
1) the "bypass" position o~ the valving member
at which the inlet is communicated directly to the
outlet and flow to the water softener is bypassed.:
and,
2) the "service" position of the valving member
at which fluid from the source is allowad to
proceed to the water softener and flow from the
water softener is communicated to the household
supply.
An "off position, at which flow out of the inlet port
(which is connected to the source) is blocked, is
located intermediate the "bypass" and "service"
positions. In the disalosed embodiment, the valve
housing includes a removable cap by which access to the
valve chamber is achieved. The cap is installed after
the valving member is positioned in the chamber. The
valving member includes an operating stem that extends
from the plug portion and through an aperture in the
cap. The stem is adapted to receive an operating handle
by which the valving member is rotated to one of the
threa operating positions: "bypass", 'Iservice'' or "off".
According to this embodiment, the movement
2 ~
controller is mounted on the valving member stem
intermediate the cap and handle. The cap includes stops
which cooperate with the movement controller and
restrict movement in the valving member to predetermine
limits.
According to a feature of this embodiment, the
valving member is placed in one of two operating
positions during installation and once the controller
and handle hava been attached, the valve operating
configuration is establish. In particular, the initial
position of the valving member determines which of the
inlet/outlet ports will function as the inlet and which
will function as the outlet. The configuration is
easily changed by repositioning the valving member and
reinstalling the movement controller and the handle.
The controller preferably includes indicia for
indicating which position the valving member is in.
According to another feature of the invention, the
passage segment includes a peripheral seal which seals
the passage to the wall of the chamber. As a result,
when the passage is positioned over a single port, that
port is isolated from the rest of the chamber and hence
the other ports. In this position, the valve member
blocks flow to and out of the port it overlaps. With
this feature, the valve member can be placed in ~he
"off" position to completely isolate the household
supply from the source line. In other words, the
disclosed valve can also serve as a water "shut-off'!
valve when service to the plumbing system, downstream
from the water treatment device, is needed.
Additional features of the inve~tion will become
apparent and a full understanding obtained by reading
the following detailed description made in connection
with the accompanying drawings.
~ o ~
Brief Description of D_awlnqs
Figure 1 is a top plan view of a by-pass/diverter
valve constructed in accordance with the preferred
embodiment of the invention;
Figura 2 is a partial sectional view of the valve
shown in Figure l;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of a portion of a
valve housing forming part of the valve shown in Figure
l;
Figure 4 is a perspective view o~ a valving member
forming part of the valve shown in Figure ~;
Figure 5 is an elevational view of the housing
shown in Figure 3;
Figures 6A-6C schematically illustrate the fluid
flow paths thxough the valve for various rotatiYe
positions of the valving member when the valve is in one
operating mode;
Figures 7A-7C schematically illustrate the fluid
flow paths through the valve for various rotative
positions of the valving member when the valve is in
another operating mode;
Figure 8 is a top plan view of a chamber cap
forming part of the by-pass valve; and,
Figures 9A and 9B are elevational views of opposite
sides of a movement control disc forming part of the by-
pass valve.
Best Mode for_Carryina Out ~he Invention
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the overall
construction of a by-pass/diverter valve aonstructed in
accordance with the preferred embodiment of the
invention is illustrated. As seen best in Figure 1,
the valve includes a valve housing indicated yenerally
by the reference character 10. Four short conduits 12,
14, 16, 18 extend from a valve chamber sPction 20 of the
_ . .
housing 10. In the preferred and illustrated
embodiment, th~ conduits and valve chamber section, as
seen best in Figure 3, are integrally molded as a
unitary member. One or more of the conduits may include
threaded or compression fittings 12a, 14a for removably
connecting the conduits to fluid supply/receiving lines
(not shown).
Each of the conduits communicate directly or
indirectly with an internal valve chamber (shown best in
Figure 3) through an associated port. The valve chamber
22 is de~ined at least partially by a uniform circular
wall 22a having a predetermined~axial extent and a base
or end wall 22b that closes of~ one radial side o~ the
axial wall. The other radial side of the chamber 22 is
closed o~f by a removable chamber cap 30. The cap 30 is
held in position by a plurality of threaded fasteners
25. In Figure 3, ports 24, 26 are illustrated which
communicate the conduits 12, 14, respectively with the
chamber 22. The conduit 16 also communicates directly
with the valve chamber 22 through an associated port 27
(shown partially in Figure 2). As seen ln ~he Figures,
the ports 24, 26, 27 extend through the circular wall
22a.
The conduit 18, however, as seen best in Figures 3
and 5, communicates with a passage-like transfer chamber
29. The tran~fer chamber 29 commun~cates with the main
valve chamber 22 by way of a clearance gap 31a formed in
a wall segment 31 forming part of the chamber wall 22a.
The wall segment is preferably integrally molded with
the housing 10. The gap defines a clearance space
between the wall segment 31 and ~he chamber cap 30 when
the valve is assembled. Re~erring to Figures 2 and 4,
a valving member 40 for controlling the fluid
communication between the various ports, and the
2~09~3
associated conduits is rotatably supported within the
valve chamber 22.
The valving member 40 ~as seen best in Figure 4)
includes a stem 42 that extends upwardly (as viewed in
Figure 2) through a bore 44 formad in the cap 30. An o-
ring seal 45 inhibits fluid leakage between the stem 42
and the cap 30. The axial position of the valving
member 40 within the housing is maintained by a tubular,
downwardly depending standoff 3Oa formed in the cap 30.
A handle 46 is operatively connected to the stem by a
fastener 47 which is threaded into an axial bore 43
formed at the top of the stem 42. A rotation controller
in the form of a disc 4B is located between the handle
46 and the chamber cap 30 and as will be explained
later, controls the extent of rotation of the valving
member 40.
Referring again to Figure 4, the valving memher 40
includes a plug-like lower portion 50 including an
annular base surface 55 which rides atop at least a
portion of the end wall 22b forming the bottom of the
valve chamber 22. Ext~nding upwardly (as viewed in
Figure 4) from the base surface 55 is a cylindrical
segment 49a that at least partially support~ the plug
portion 50 for rotation in the valve chamber 22 and in
particular confronts the cylindrical wall 22a of the
chamber 22. A semi-circular, cylindrical rotation
support surface 49b is defined near the top of the plug
portion 50. The plug portion 50 includes a passage
section 50a and a relieved section 50b. The axial
extent of the passage section 50a is substantially e~ual
to the axial extent of the wall segment 31. With this
construction, fluid leaving the transfer chamber 29 can
flow over the plug portion 50.
The passage section 50a of the plug porkion 50
2 ~
~defines a recess which in radial cross section is semi-
circular in shape. In particular the recess is defined
by a pair of spaced apart, substantially planar walls
53a/ 53b interconnected by an arcuate wall 53c.
Preferably, the midpoint D of the arc of the wall 53c
lies substantially on a dlametral line of the plug
portion 50 (shown in Figure 6A). An arcuate, oval
shaped groove 54 which is adapted to receive an 0-ring
56 (shown in Figure 2) surrounds the recess. ~he
lo transvexse portions of the groove 54 (as viewed in
Figure 4) are formed in the cylindrical support segments
49a, 49b. The 0-ring 56 sealingly engages the
cylindrical wall 22a of the main valve chamber 22. When
the valving member 40 is positioned in the chamber 22, a
passage 60 is defined between the recess in the plug
member and the portion of the main chamber wall 22a
engaged by the 0-ring 56. In operation, the passage 60
is isolated from the remainder of the main valve chamber
by the o~ring 56.
~ predetermined rotative positions of the valve
member 40, the passage 60 cross communicates certain
ports associated with the conduits 12, 14, 16, 18. By
rotating the valving member 40, the cross communication
can be changed.
Referring in particular Figures 6A-6C, the
communication achieved by various positions of the
valving member are illustrated for one mode of
operation. In Figure 6A, the valving member 40 is
rotated to the "service" position where the passage 60
defined by the valving member overlaps the ports 24, 27.
With the valving member in this position, the conduits
12, ~6 are intercommunicated and fluid flows from ~he
inlet conduit 12 to the water softener conduit 16.
Concurrently, the conduit 18 communicates with the
2 0 ~
11
conduit 14 via the transfer chamber 29, clearance gap
31a, and the main chamber portion exposed by the
relieved section 50b of the plug portion 50. The main
chamber portion exposed in this position includes the
section of the cylindrical wall 22a that defines the
port 27. In this configuration, the conduit 12 would be
connected to the ineoming water supply. The household
supply would be connected to the conduit 14 which as
seen in Figure 6A communicates with tha conduit 18 that
is connected to the outlet of the water softener (not
shown).
If the wat~r softener requires repair, cleaning,
maintenance, etc., the valving member 40 is rotated
clockwise to the "bypass" position shown in Figure 6B.
In this position, the passage 60 defined by the plug
member communicates the inlet/outlet port 24 (associated
with the inlet/outlet conduit 12) with the inlet/outlet
port 26 (associated with the outlet conduit 14) thereby
directly conveying the incoming water to the port 26.
In this configuration, the incoming water is piped
directly from the conduit 12 to the conduit 14. In this
position, the water softener or other water treatment
device is totally isolated from the fluid supply.
According to the invention, movement of the plug
member to an intermediate or "o~f" position lshown in
Figure 6C) serves to totally disconnect the incoming
source fluid (communicated through the conduit 12) from
both the fluid treatment device and the housPhold
supply. In other words, the disclosed by-pass valve
will also function as a shut-off valve for the water
supply ln a residential environment.
Referring to Figures 7A-~C, the disclosed control
valve includes a feature by which it can be adapted to
alternately positioned supply lines. When the valve is
12
confiyu~ed as shown in Figures 6A-6C, the incoming
source line would be on the left (as viewed in Figures
6A-6~) whereas the connection to the household supply
would be on the right. By repositioning the valving
member 40, the disclosed control valve can be configured
to connect to a source line located on the right and a
household supply line located on the left. In
particular, the valve can be configured such that the
inlet/outlet conduit 14 can be connec~ed to the source
and the inlet/outlet conduit 12 can be connected to the
supply.
When the valving member 40 is rotated to the
alternate "service" po~ition shown in Figure 7A, the
passage 60 defined by the plug portion 50 cross
communicates the port 26 associated with the
inlet/oùtlet conduit 14 with the port 27 associated with
the device inlet conduit 16. Fluid communication is
established between the device outlet conduit 18 and the
inlet/outlet conduit 12 by way of the transfer chamber
29 and clearance gap 31a in the wall segment 31 (which
together communicate ~luid from the conduit 18 to the
valve chamber 22). The fluid flows over a top surface
of the plug member 50 and enters the port 24 associated
with the inlet/outlet conduit 12 which is exposed by
the relieved section 50b of the valving member 40. When
the water softener is to be isolated from the source and
supply lines without interrupting flow between the
conduits 12 and 14, the valvlng member 40 is rotated
counterclockwise to the "bypass" position shown in 7B
which causes the passage 60 in the plug member 50 cross
communicate the ports 24, 26, and henca the conduits 12,
14. When flow is to be terminated, the valving member
40 is rotated to the altarnate intermediate "off"
position shown in Figure 7C which blocks ~low out of
.
the port 26 and hence from the conduit 14.
The rotation limits o~ the plug member in either
mode of operation are established by the movement
control disc 48 located between the operating handle 46
and the cap 30. In the preferred and illustrated
embodiment, the control disc 48 is rotatably coupled to
the stem 42 by a keyed arrangement which allows the
disc to be installed on~o ~he stem 42 in either of $wo
ways. The keyed arrangement comprises a slot 42a formed
lo in the stem 42 which is adapted to receive a key 82
forming part of the disc ~8. Referring to Figure 2I the
disc 48 can be installed with either a surface 48a
(designated "A" in Figures 6A-6C) or a surface 48b
(designated "Bl' in Figures 7A-7C) facing upwardly. In
position "A", (shown in Figures 6A-6B) a raised wall-
like segment 90 formed on the surfac~ 48a of the disc 48
is aligned with a raised lug or stop 92 forming part of
the cap 30 (shown best in Figure ~). End surfaces 9oa
of the wall segment 90 (shown best in Figure 9A) form
abutments for the stop 92. The arcuate extent o~ the
wall segment 90 determines the limits of rotation for
the valving member 40.
Referring to Figures 6A, 6B the "service" and
"by-pass" positions are established at the opposite
extremes of movement of the valving member 40. When the
fluid flow from source line is to be terminated, the
valving member is rotated to the intermediate position
i.e., to the position where the indicia llof~l' is located
at the 12 o'clock position as viewed in Figure 6C. With
the control disc 48 positioned as shown in Figurss 6A
6B, the condui;t 12 serves as the inlet conduit whereas
the conduit 14 serves as the outlet conduit. It should
be noted that in either valve configuration, the
conduits 16, 18 remain as the inlet and outlet to the
~9~
14
fluid device. As a result, the disclosed valve can be
permanently attached to the device without compromising
the ability to switch the functions of the inlet/outlet
conduits 12, 14.
To switch the functions of the conduits 12, 14,
the movement control disc 48 is removed from the stem 42
(by first removing the handle 46) to enable the valving
member 40 to be rotated to either of the alternate
positions shown in Figures 7A, 7B or any intermediate
position between these two positions. The control disc
48 is then reversed to position the "B" surface 48b
upwa~dly and reinstalled so that a second raised lug 34
(shown best in Figure 8) formed on the cap 30 is aligned
with an associated raised wall-like segment 96 forming
part o~ the control disc 48. The alternate segment 96
is for~ed on the disc surface 48a and includes end
surfaces 96a that ~orm abutments for the lug 94 After
installation, rotation of the valving member is limited
by the arcuate extsnt of the segment 96. As indicated
above, when in this position, the conduit 14 serves as
the inlet conduit whereas the conduit 12 serves as the
outlet conduit.
In the disclosed and preferred embodiment, the
"bypass" position of the valving member 40 is the same
in both modes of operation. This feature ~urther
facilitates the ability to switch the functions of the
conduits 1~, 14. According to this embodiment, the by-
pass valve is switched between its operating modes by
first rotating the valving member 40 to the "by-pass"
position. With the valving member 40 in this position,
the handle 46 and movement controller disc 48 are
removed. The disc 48 is then flipped and the handle 46
reinstalled. Using this method of ~witching valve
functions does not require that the valving m~mber 40 be
2~9~
repositioned priox to installing the controller disc 48.
With the disclosed invention, a very useful but
inexpensive by~pass/diverter valve is provided which
enables fluid flow to a fluid treatment device such as a
water softener, to ba diverted directly to an outlet
conduit when service on the water softener is needed.
In addition, the by-pass valve includes a shut-off
position at which ~luid ~low from the inlet is totally
isolated from both the fluid device and the rest of the
household supply. Moreover, by repositioning the
valving memb~r 40 within the valve chamber 22, the
function o~ the inlet/outlet conduits can be changed to
facilitate installation of the water softener.
Although the invention has been described with a
certain degree of particularity, it should be understood
that those skilled in the art can make various changes
to it without departing from the spirit or scope of the
invention as hereinafter claimed.
