Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SPHERICAL DIVERTER VALVE
TECHNICAL FIELD
100011 The presently disclosed and claimed technology generally relates to
an apparatus for
fluid and/or gas flow control by a new control valve.
BACKGROUND
100021 Valves regulate, control, and direct the flow of fluids and/or gas
that come from one
source to another source. A valve is an apparatus that is used to the change
the direction and flow
of moving fluid and/or gases. Valves can be used to raise and lower pressure
of fluids and/or
gases flowing in a direction. Additionally, valves have been used to obstruct
fluids and/or gases
flowing in one direction, while redirecting it in another direction.
100031 Valves have a multitude of uses, such as in the irrigation industry,
residential and
commercial property industry, and automobile industry, among a plethora of
other industries.
Valves have penetrated society because of their usefulness. Safety valves,
pressure valves,
temperature valves, hydraulic valves, pneumatic valves, solenoid valves, and
piston valves are
example of types of valves.
[0004] Valves have a categorically broad field of form and application
varying in size, and
type. Valves are used in moving fluids and/or gases.
[0005] Many valves comprise of ports and passage ways which are passages
that fluids
and/or gases pass through. Ports can be obstructed when in use which is the
function of a
properly functioning valve. The obstruction of ports controls the flow of the
fluids and/or gas.
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Date Recue/Date Received 2021-08-30
Most valves contain two or more controlled by a disc or ball that is actuated
by a mechanism,
sensor, or manually. Some valves are actuated automatically.
[0006] Ball valves are a form of valve which has two configurations: open
and closed. When
open, a ball valve allows fluid and/or gas to flow through a hollowed center
of a ball or spherical
flow control using an actuator to rotate the valve to align passageways
through the valve with
openings in the housing of the valve. For example when closed, the hollowed
passageway of
one type of ball valve is perpendicular to the incoming fluid and/or gas which
prohibits the flow
of fluid and/or gas. Ball valves can be metal, plastic, ceramic, or some other
useful material.
DEFINITIONS
[0007] The use of the phrase "in the alternative," "other sources,"
"different sources," "e.g.,"
"etc," and "or" indicates non-exclusive alternatives without limitation unless
otherwise noted.
[0008] The use of the phrases "fluid", "gas" or "fluid and/or gas" relates
to all categories of
fluids, liquids, solids turned liquid, and all categories of gases, vapors,
melts, and condensations.
SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE
[0009] The purpose of the Summary of Disclosure is to enable the public,
and especially the
scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with
patent or legal terms or
phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection, the nature and
essence of the
technical disclosure of the application. The Summary of the Invention is
neither intended to
define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor
is it intended to be
limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
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[0010] What is disclosed is a valve. This valve can be configured to for
the flow of fluid
and/or gas through several passageways and ports in a preferred embodiment.
There are different
configurations: a first position, and a second position, etc. Each position is
unique and allows for
different sources of fluid and/or gas to flow through different ports. The
valve is a ball valve in
some embodiments.
[0011] When connected to an external hose, pipe, or other sources, the
first inlet port allows
for the flow of fluid and/or gas to the inner part of the valve. When the
fluid and/or gas reach the
inner part of the valve it will travel through a spherical flow control (or
''ball") within the valve
housing. Depending on what position the valve is in, the fluid and/or gases
will be directed either
from the first inlet port to the first outlet port; or the first inlet port to
the second outlet port and
the second inlet port to the first outlet port.
[0012] In the first position, the fluid and/or gas will pass from the first
inlet port through the
first inner passage way and out of the first outlet port. In a preferred
embodiment, in the first
position, the only passage of fluid and/or gas is from the first inlet port to
the first outlet port and
the other passage ways and ports are not utilized.
[0013] In the second position, fluid and/or gas will enter through the
first inlet port and travel
though the outer passage way of the valve which will direct the flow of fluid
and/or gas to the
second outlet port. Fluid and/or gas flows through the second inlet port and
pass through the ball
valve through the second inner passage way to the first outlet port.
[0014] An actuator, such as a handle, solenoid, or other actuator,
selectively determines the
position of the valve. In a preferred embodiment, the actuator sits adjacent
to the first chamber of
the valve. In a preferred embodiment in which the actuator is a handle, the
handle is connected
to the ball valve using a handle coupling mechanism which is coupled to a
shaft attached to the
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ball valve. The handle is rotated to change the position of the ball valve in
a preferred
embodiment. When the handle is turned in one direction, the ball valve is
configured to be in the
first position. When the handle is rotated in another direction from the first
position, the valve is
configured to be in the second position. A handle stop can be utilized to
ensure the ball valve is
in the correct orientation of first position or second position.
[00151 In the preferred embodiment, the ball valve has different
passageways: the first inner
passageway, the second inner passageway, an outer passageway, or other
alternative passage
ways. The first inner passageway of the ball valve is located on the
circumference of the ball
valve or another alternative. The second inner passageway generally is
perpendicular to the first
inner passageway or another alternative. The second inner passageway provides
a passage way in
the circumference of the ball valve and intersects with the first inner
passageway, or another
alternative. Fluid and/or gas flows through the first inner passageway and
through the second
inner passageway depending on which position the handle is positioned. If the
handle is in the
first positon, fluid and/or gas will travel from the first inlet port to the
first outlet port. If the
handle is in the second position, fluid and/or gas will travel from the first
inlet port to the second
outlet port and from the second inlet port to the first outlet port. When the
ball valve is in the first
position, and fluid and/or gas flows through the first inlet port through the
first passageway and
out the first outlet port of the valve. Fluid and/or gas do not flow through
the second passageway
because the second passageway is blocked by the inside of the housing of the
first chamber.
Fluid and/or gas will not flow through the outer passage way when the valve is
in the first
position because the outer passage way will be blocked.
[0016] In a preferred embodiment, when the valve is in the second position
the second inner
passage way and the outer passage way of the ball valve are configured to be
in an engaged
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position. When in this configuration, fluid and/or gas will flow through the
first inlet port to the
ball valve then though the outer passage way. Fluid and/or gas can then flow
through the outer
passage way to the second outlet port. Fluid and/or gas can flow from the
second inlet port to the
ball valve through the second inner passage way and to the first outlet port.
[0017] In a further embodiment, the second outlet port is in a second
chamber. In a preferred
embodiment, there are two chambers to the valve. The first chamber has a first
inlet port, first
outlet port, and a second inner port. The second chamber has a second outlet
port. In the first
position, the second chamber is blocked from receiving fluid and/or gas from
the first chamber.
In the second position, fluid and/or gas will come through the first inlet
port in the first chamber,
and out of the second outlet port in the second chamber.
[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the valve is made of brass or an
alternative material
including but not limited to other metals, and plastics. The valve can be
configured to allow for
the connection of different types and sizes of hoses, pipes, or other sources.
[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the first inlet port and the first outlet
port are threaded
female ports. In a preferred embodiment, the second inlet port and the second
outlet port are
threaded male connections. However, any configuration from alternative sources
using
alternative connections such as quick connects, hose clamps, or other
connection can be used to
connect fluid and/or gas lines.
[0020] The valve comprises one or more seals or gaskets that fill the space
between the ball
valve and the chamber. In the preferred embodiment, the valve comprises of one
or more
neoprene gaskets that encapsulate the ball valve and have openings
corresponding with openings
in the circumference of the ball or spherical control of the valve. These
gaskets help form a seal
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to prevent leakage of fluid and/or gas from penetrating to a passage not meant
to be utilized. The
seals can vary in shape, material, and dimensions.
[0021] Still other features and advantages of the claimed invention will
become readily
apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description
describing preferred
embodiments of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode
contemplated by
carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of
modification in
various obvious respects all without departing from the invention.
Accordingly, the description
of the preferred embodiments is to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and
not as restrictive in
nature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0022] Figure 1 is a front right perspective view of a preferred embodiment
of a valve.
10023] Figure 2 is a front side view of a preferred embodiment of a valve.
[0024] Figure 3 is a right side view of a preferred embodiment of a valve.
[0025] Figure 4 is an internal right view of a preferred embodiment of a
valve.
[0026] Figure 5 is an internal front view of a preferred embodiment of a
valve.
[0027] Figure 6 is an internal front right perspective view of the inner
workings with the
outer casing removed in a preferred embodiment of a valve in a first position.
[0028] Figure 7 is an internal front right perspective view of the inner
workings with the
outer casing removed in a preferred embodiment of a valve in a second
position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
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[0029] While the presently disclosed inventive concept(s) is susceptible of
various
modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments
thereof have been
shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be
understood, however,
that there is no intention to limit the inventive concept(s) to the specific
form disclosed, but, on
the contrary, the presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) is to
cover all
modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the
scope of the inventive
concept(s) as defined in the claims.
[0030] Certain preferred embodiments of the disclosed technology are shown
Figures 1
through 7.
[0031] Disclosed in Figure 1 is a diagram of a front right perspective view
of the valve. The
valve can be used with various forms of fluids and/or gases. The fluids and/or
gases used with
the valve can vary in temperature. Figure 1 shows a first inlet port (2) and a
first outlet port (4).
When the handle (10) is in the first position (16) the valve allows for flow
through the first inlet
port (2), first inner passage way (24), and a first outlet port (4).
[0032] While in the first position (16), fluid and/or gas that pass through
the first inlet port
(2) is prevented from escaping through the second outlet port (8) due to the
position of the ball
valve (32). When the exchange value is in the first position (16), fluid
and/or gas cannot pass
through the second inner passage way (26) because it is open to the inside of
the first chamber
(12). The first position of the valve is set using the handle (10) which is
coupled with the ball
valve (32) using a handle coupling mechanism (18) that is connected to the
ball valve shaft (10).
Figure 1 displays the second inlet port (6) and the second outlet port (8)
that is in the second
chamber (14) which are not utilized when the valve is in the first position
(16).
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[0033] As shown in Figure 1, the first chamber (12) of the valve comprises
of the first inlet
port (2), second inlet port (6), and the first outlet port (4).
[0034] Figure 2 is a front view of the valve. As shown, the first inlet
port (2) is on the right
and the first outlet port (4) is on the left. The handle (10) is on the top of
the valve. The first
chamber (12) and the second chamber (14) are shown from the front view. In the
center of the
first chamber is the second inlet port (6). In the center of the first chamber
is the second outlet
port (8).
[0035] Figure 3 is a right view of the valve. Shown is the handle (10) in
the first position
(16). The first chamber (12) sits on top of the second chamber (14). The
second inlet port (6) and
the second outlet port (8) are displayed as threaded male valves. These valves
can connect to
external hoses, piping, or other sources. The first inlet port (2) is a female
threaded valve which
can connect to an external hose, pipe, or other sources.
[0036] Figure 4 is an internal right view of the valve. In this view, the
handle (10) is in the
first position (16). Shown is the handle coupling mechanism (18) which couples
the handle to the
ball valve shaft (20). The ball valve shaft (20) along with the handle (10)
are used to rotate the
ball valve (32) between the first position (16) and the exchange position
(30). The ball valve
shaft (20) and the ball valve (32) are in the first chamber (12). When in the
first position (16) the
. first inner passage way (24) allows for fluid and/or gas to flow from the
first inlet port (2) to the
first outlet port (4). When in the first position (16), the second inner
passage way (26) leads to
the inside housing of the first chamber (12), disallowing the flow of fluid
and/or gas through the
second inner passage way (26). When the valve is in the first position (16),
the outer passage
way (22) of the ball valve (32) is rotated to the second inlet port (6) and
the second outlet port (8)
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causing fluid and/or gas from the first inlet port (2) to not travel through
the outer passage way
(22).
[0037] Figure 5 is an internal front view of the valve. Shown is the handle
(10) which is
coupled to the ball valve shaft (20) using the handle coupling mechanism (18).
The handle is in
the first position (16) thus allowing fluid and/or gas to flow from the first
inlet port (2) through
the first inner passage way (28) and out the first outlet port (4). In this
configuration the second
outlet port (8) which is in the second chamber (14) is not used. The ball
valve (32) is in the first
chamber (12), which is above the second chamber (14).
[0038] Figure 6 is an internal front right perspective view of the inner
workings with the
outer casing removed in a preferred embodiment of a valve in a first position
(16). In this figure,
the handle (10) which sits on top of the first chamber (12) is in the first
position (16). The ball
valve (32) is shown to allow the first inner passage way (28) to be positioned
for the flow of a
fluid and/or gas between the first inlet port (2) and the first outlet port
(4). In this configuration,
the second inlet port (6) and the second outlet port (8) are not used.
[0039] Figure 7 is an internal front right perspective view of the inner
workings with the
outer casing removed in a preferred embodiment of a valve in a second position
(30). In this
figure, the3-way ball valve (32) is rotated by use of the handle (10) into the
second position (30).
In this configuration, fluid and/or gas from the first inlet port (2) passes
to the second outlet port
(8) through the outer passage way (22). Additionally, fluid and/or gas from
the second inlet port
(6) passes through the second inner passage way (26) to the second inlet port
(6).
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