Diaphragm valve

US5924441A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Fluoroware, Inc. · US

Inventors

• John A. Leys · Eden Prairie, US
• Michael Stein · Wuppertal, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 16, 1997
• Grant date: Jul 20, 1999
• Expiry date: Apr 16, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/86895
• WIPO field: Mechanical elements
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

The invention comprises a three-way diaphragm valve. The valve has a housing having three flow ducts each leading into an open interior chamber. The open interior chamber is divided into a central chamber, an upper chamber and a lower chamber. A first valve seat is positioned between the central chamber and the upper chamber. A second valve seat is positioned between the central chamber and the lower chamber. A central valve stem assembly is slidably mounted in the valve and has a first valve member and a second valve member positioned to alternately engage the first valve seat and second valve seat respectively, to direct flow from one passageway to another. A spring bears against the valve stem assembly to bias the relative position of the valve members and valve seats in a first predetermined position. An actuator comprising a piston is slidably mounted in a piston chamber and attached to the valve stem assembly to overcome the force of the spring and move the valve stem assembly into a second actuated position. The piston may be moved by pressurized air or hydraulic fluid to automatically actuate the valve into the second actuated position. Diaphragms are integrally formed on e…