AU2007100758A5 - Fluid flow control device - Google Patents

Description

13, AUG. 2007 18:49 SPRUSON FERGUSON 92615486 N0. 0988 P. S&FRef: 797079D1 tm

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 INNOVATION PATENT SPECIFICATION Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Combobulator Pty Ltd, an Australian company, ACN 119 196 806, of Quest Chartered Accountants Level 9, 100 Christie St, St Leonards, New South Wales, 2065, Australia Cameron Bartholomew Smart Spruson Ferguson St Martins Tower Level 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 (CCN 3710000177) A fluid flow control device The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5843c(908941) COMS ID No: ARCS-156834 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:55 Date 2007-08-13 13. AUG. 2007 18:49 SPRUSON FERGUSON 92615486 NO. 0988 P. 6 A Fluid Flow Control Device Technical Field The present invention relates to a fluid flow control device.

00 5 The present invention has been developed for controlling flow in mains water taps and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be o appreciated that the invention may also be used in non-mains pressure systems, such as gravity systems.

c-i Background of the Invention Known mains water taps typically include a tap body having a passage extending therethrough defining an inlet port at one end and an outlet port at an opposite end. An annular valve seat is provided in the passage between the inlet port and the outlet port. A valve member is axially movable within the passage into and out of sealing engagement with the valve seat to respectively close and open the tap. The valve member typically is includes a resilient washer carried on a circular head and a stem extending from the head.

The stem is engageable within a spindle in the tap body, and the spindle is axially movable within the tap body between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the spindle urges the valve member into sealing engagement with the valve seat. In the open position, the valve member is free floating between the valve seat and the spindle so as to move out of engagement with the valve seat in response to water pressure and thereby to allow water to pass through the tap.

A disadvantage of known tap valves is that they are not well suited to handle a large range of water pressures. Accordingly, the flow rate through known valves varies as a result of fluctuations in mains water pressure. Moreover, even small movements of the spindle can result in coarse adjustments of water flow.

A fixrther disadvantage of known tap valves is that when the spindle is in the open position, the valve member is free floating between the valve seat and the spindle, and uO accordingly, changes in water pressure can cause the valve member to slam closed against the valve seat, causing a noise referred to as water hammer.

[RAL2LL.118903.doeJPH COMS ID No: ARCS-i 56834 Received by IP Australia: Time (I-tm) 18:55 Date 2007-08-13 13. AUG. 2007 18:49 SPRUSON FERGUSON 92615486 NO. 0988 P. 7 -2- 0 Another disadvantage of known tap valves is that the tap washer is prone to high wear, which leads to leaks.

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Another disadvantage of known tap valves is that the washer has a short service life and becomes less efficient as it ages and wears, 00 Yet a further disadvantage of known tap valves is that they often vary in efficiency and performance depending on the temperature of water being used.

Another disadvantage of known tap valves is that the rotational friction generated when the tap is turned on and off wears the valve seat as well as the washer.

Another disadvantage of known tap valves, which are located in a pipe network, is that backfeeding and/or backsyphonage can occur.

Aother disadvantage of known tap valves is that the washer deteriorates if the tap is left open for a long period, such as is often the case in water meter taps.

To overcome most of the above disadvantages, the fluid flow control valve disclosed in International Patent Publication No. WO 89/12192, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference, was developed. However, this valve does not overcome the problem of fluctuations in mains water pressure causing significant variance in the fluid flow rate through the valve. Moreover, this valve is difficult to manufacture and assemble. Also, the o-ring joining the two valve body components is prone to wear and is difficult to replace.

Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention 2o Accordingly, the present invention provides a fluid flow control devi~e comprising: a spigot for engaging a valve port in a tap, said spigot defining a longitudinal axis; [R.\ULL]18 903,do,JPH COMS ID No: ARCS-156834 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:55 Date 2007-08-13 13, AUG. 2007 18:50 SPRUSON FERGUSON 92615486 NO. 0988 P. 8 -3- 0 CAI a first valve seat defined by an annular flange extending radially outwardly f om said spigot, said annular flange being adapted to be engaged by a valve member axially reciprocably movable, along said axis, between a closed position in which said valve member sealingly engages said first valve seat and an open position in which said valve member is disengaged from said first valve seat.

00 The spigot and the annular flange are preferably integrally formed.

An annular sealing member is preferably engageable with said annular flange for facilitating sealing engagement of an underside of said annular flange with a tap seat of said tap, The annular sealing member is preferably a washer or an o-ring.

A valve chamber preferably extends from a radially outer peripheral edge of said annular flange, away from said spigot and along said axis. An inlet port is preferably provided at one end of the valve chamber and an outlet port at an opposite end of the valve chamber.

The inlet port and the outlet port are preferably located on said axis.

The valve member preferably includes a sealing member engageable with said annular flange. The annular flange preferably extends generally perpendicular to said axis, and the sealing member is preferably an o-ring mounted to the head portion of the valve member. The head portion preferably includes a channel in which the o-ring is captively retained, such that a sealing portion of the o-ring extends from the channel for engagement with the first valve seat. Alternatively, a sealing member is provided around said annular flange and is sealingly engageable by said valve member. In this case, the sealing member is preferably an o-ring captively retained to the annular flange.

A fluid flow passageway is preferably defined between an outer peripheral edge of said valve member and an inner wall of said valve chamber. The cross-sectional area of said fluid flow passageway, in a direction normal to said axis, preferably reduces as said valve member moves away from said first valve seat.

The valve member is preferably adapted to automatically move relative to said valve seat in response to changes in fluid pressure when the valve is open, so as to reduce the volume of the fluid flow passageway and thereby maintain a substantially constant fluid [RA\LIBLL)18903.doc:JPH COMS ID No: ARCS-156834 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:55 Date 2007-08-13 13-AUG-2001 18:50 13. AU. I8:SUSPRUSON FERGUSON 92615486NOU98 .9 INO. 0988 P. 9 -4flow rate through the outlet port. Preferably, the fluid flow rate through the outlet port ;Z changes by less than about St/wnin if the fluid pressure varies between about l5OkPa and about 5O0kPa. More preferably, the fluid flow rate through the outlet port changes by less than about 2L/min if the fluid pressure varies between about lS0kPa and about 3SOk~a.

00 The fluid flow passageway is preferably substantially annular.

In one embodiment, said valve chamber includes a radially inwardly projecting peripheral lip adjacent said one end. The peripheral lip preferably includes a radially inner edge that oto extends substantially parallel with said axis. The valve member preferably includes a generally frusto-contical head portion having a larger diameter end and a smaller diameter end. The larger diameter end is preferably located closer to the first valve seat than the smaller diameter end is located to the first valve seat. A stem preferably extends substantially perpendicularly from said valve member for engagement with a tap spindle, is A space defined between said lip and said fl-ato-conical head portion preferably defines a restricted area of said fluid flow passageway.

In an alternative embodiment, the inner diameter of said valve chamber tapers inwardly toward said one end to define a necked portion. The valve member preferably includes a generally cylindrical head portion. A stem preferably extends substantially perpendicularly from said valve member for engagement with a tap spindle. A space defined between said necked portion and said head portion preferably defines a restricted area of said fluid flow passageway.

zs The spigot includes a second sealing member extending around the periphery thereof for sealingly engaging the inner surface of the tap's valve port.

A resilient member preferably extends from a side of the valve member opposite the fist valve seat for engagement with a tap spindle. The resilient member is preferably adapted to bias the valve member away from the tap spindle. The resilient member is preferably a compression spring having a spring constant of between about 10 N/mm, and about N/mm. More preferably, the spring constant is about 12.5 N/im. The spring preferably tapers from a larger outer diameter adjacent the valve member to a smaller outer diameter adapted to engage the tap spindle, (SAL LL)tS9OSdoc:WH COMS ID No: ARCS-156834 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:55 Date, 2007-08-13 13. AUG. 2007 18:56 SPRUSON FERGUSON 92615486 INO. 6988 P. In a second aspect, the present invention Provides aflifowonrldvccmpsng a spigot for engaging a valve port in a tap, said spigot defining a longitudinal axis; a first valve seat defined by an annular flange extending radially outwardly from said spigot; and valve member axially reciprocably movable, along said axis, between a dlosed 00 position in which said valve member sealingly engages said first valve seat and an open position in which said valve member is disengaged from said first valve seat.

Brief Description of the Drawings o io Preferred embodiments will now be described by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1 is a cross-sectional view throughi a first embodiment of a fluid flow control valve, with the valve member shown in a closed position; Fig 2 is a cross-sectional view through the valve of Fig 1, with the valve member shown in an open position; Fig 3 is a chart of the results exhibited by the valve of Fig 1 when subjected to the test procedure defined in Australian Standard: ATS 5200.037.2; Fig 4 is a cross-sectional view through a second embodiment of a fluid flow control valve, with the valve member shown in a closed position, Fig 5 is a cross-sectional view through the valve of Fig 4, with the valve member shown in an open position; Fig 6 is a cross-sectional view through a third embodiment of a fluid flow control valve, with the valve member shown in a closed position; Fig 7 is a cross-sectional view through the valve of Fig 6, with the valve member shown, in an open position; Fig 8 is a cross-sectional view through a fourth embodiment of a fluid flow control valve, with the valve member shown in a closed position; and Fig 9 is a cross-sectional view through the valve of Fig 8, with the valve member shown in an open position, Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Figs 1 and 2 of the drawings show a first embodiment of a fluid flow control valve The valve 10 comprises a generally cylindrical valve chamber 12, with an inlet port 14 at [R-.\U3LL18M0340PH COMS ID No: ARCS-156834 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:55 Date 2007-08-13 13, AUG. 2007 18:51 SPRUSON FERGUSON 92615486 NO. 0986 P. I1I -6- 0 0 one end 15 of the valve chamber 12 and ar outlet port 16 at an opposite end 17 of the valve chamber 12. An axis 18 extends between the inlet port 14 and the outlet port 16. A valve seat 20 is located between the outlet port 16 and the valve chamber 12. A valve _member 22 is axially reciprocably movable within the valve chamber 12, along the axis s 18, between a closed position, as shown in Fig 1, in which the valve member 22 sealingly 00 engages the valve seat 20 and an open position, as shown in Fig 2, in which the valve tmember 22 is disengaged from the valve seat 0 The valve chamber 12 includes a radially inwardly projecting peripheral lip 28 adjacent to end 15. The peripheral lip 28 includes a radially inner edge 30 that extends substantially N parallel with the axis I S. The valve member 22 includes a generally frusto-conical head portion 32 having a larger diameter end 34 and a smaller diameter end 36. The larger diameter end 34 is located closer to the valve seat 20 than the smaller diameter end 36 is located to the valve seat 20. A stem 38 extends substantially perpendicularly from the valve member 22 for engagement with a tap spindle (not shown).

An annular fluid flow passageway 39 is defined between a radially outer peripheral edge of the fiusto-conical head portion 32 of the valve member 22 and an inner wall of the valve chamber 12.

The valve seat 20 includes a sealing member, in the form of an o-ring 42, that is engageable by a circumferential circular flange 44 extending axially from the valve member 22. The o-ring 42 is retained in a groove 46, as disclosed in earlier International Patent Publication No. WO 89/12192. The o-ring 42 includes a first upper sealing surface 48 engageable by the circular flange 44 on the valve member 22 and a second lower sealing surface 50 engageable with the valve seat of the tap (not shown).

A spigot 52 extends axially from the valve seat 20 for engagement with the valve port of the tap (not shown). The spigot 52 includes a sealing member, in the form of an o-ring 3o 54, extending around the periphery thereof for sealingly engaging an inner surface of the tap's valve port.

A resilient member, in the form of a compression spring 55, is located on a side of the valve member 22 opposite the valve seat 20 and is adapted to engage a tap spindle (not EAW8l LL] 18903 .OC,.H COMS ID No: ARCS-156834 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:55 Date 2007-08-13 13. AUG. 200? 18:51 SPRUSON FERGUSON 92615486 NO. 0988 P. 12 -7shown) to bias the valve member 22 away therefrom, towards the valve seat 20. The ;Z spring 24 has a larger outer diameter of 15.5 mm at its enid adjacent the valve member 22 and a smaller outer diameter of around 7.75 mm at its opposite end for engagement with the tap spindle (not shown).

00 In use, the valve 10 is inserted in a mains water tap (not shown) such that the spigot 52 engages with the tap's valve port (not shown). The stern 33 of the valve member 22 is S then engaged with the tap's spindle (not shown) in the conventional manner. When t tap has been assembled, screwing the tap handle in one direction causes the spindle to o 1 move axially toward the valve seat 20 to urge the valve member 22 toward the closed (N position, as shown in Fig I Screwing the tap handle in the opposite direction -moves the spindle away from the valve seat 20 and disengages the valve member 22 from the valve seat 20, as shown in Fig 2.

is When the valve 10 is open, as shown in Fig 2, mains water pressure acting on the valve member 22 applies a compressive force to the spring 55. Accordingly, if the mains water pressure reduces, the compressive force applied to the spring 55 is reduced, causing the spring to extend and automatically move the valve member 22 down toward the valve seat 20. During this downward movement of the valve member 22, the taper of the frusto-conical head portion 32 of the valve member 22 causes the annular cross-sectional area of the fluid passageway 39 defined between the frusto-conical head portion 32 and the lip 28 to increase and thereby maintain a substantially constant fluid flow rate through the outlet port 16. Conversely, if the mains water pressure increases, the compressive force applied to the spring 55 is increased, causing the spring to compress and automatically move the -valve member 22 up away from the valve seat 20. During this upward movement of the valve member 22, the taper of the frusto-conical head portion 32 of the valve member 22 causes the annular cross-sectional area of the fluid passageway 39 deied between the frusto-conical head portion 32 and the lip 2S to reduce and thereby maintain a substantially constant fluid flow rate through the outlet port 16.

Fig. 3 shows a graph of the results exhibited by the valve 10 of Figs 1 and 2 when subjected to the test procedure defined in Australian Standard: ATS 5200.037.2, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Springs 1-7 referred to in the test results were all made to the same specification, and each has a spring constant of [mLXL1893.doc-JPX COMS ID No: ARCS-156834 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:55 Date 2007-08-13 13-AUG-2007 18:52 13. UG. 637 8:52SPRUSON FERGUSON 92615486 N.38 .1 NO. 0988 P. 13 approximately 12.36 N/mm. The graph shows that the flow rate through the valve remains substantially constant varies by less than 2.0 IJinin) despite the mains water pressure changing between 150 and 400kPa.

sA second embodiment of a fluid flow control valve 100 is shown in Figs 4 and 5. The 00 valve 100 has many components in common with the valve 10 Shown in Figs 1 and 2 and like reference numerals are used to indicate equivalent com-ponents. Tn the valvel100of o Figs 4 and 5, however, the inner diameter of the valve chamber 12 tapers toward end to define a necked portion 56. The taper of the necked portion 56 causes the anuar cross-sectional area of the fluid passageway 39 defined between the head portion 58 and (N the necked portion 56 to reduce during upward movement of the valve member 22.

Conversely, the taper of the necked portion 56 causes the annular cross-sectional area of the fluid passageway 39 defined between the head portion 58 and the necked portion 56 to increase during downward movement of the valve member 22. Apart from these is differences, the valve 100 functions in the same manmer as valve 10 described above with reference to Figs 1 and 2.

A third embodiment of a fluid flow control valve 200 is shown in Figs 6 and 7. The valve 200 has many components in common with the valve 10 shown in Figs 1 and 2 and like reference numerals are used to indicate equivalent components. In the embodiment shown in Figs 6 and 7, however, the valve seat is defined by an annular flange 62 extending radially outwardly from the spigot 52, generally perpendicular with the axis 18S.

The valve chamber 12 extends from a radially outer peripheral edge of the annular flange 62, away from the spigot 52 and along the axis 18. The annular flange 62, spigot 52 and valve chamber 12 are integrally formed. The valve member 22 includes a sealing member, in the form of an o-ring 64, engageable with the annular flange 62. The o-ring 64 is captively retained in a circumferential channel 66 in the head portion 32 of the valve member 22. A sealing portion 68 of the o-ring 64 extends from the channel 66 for engagement with the valve seat 62. A further sealing member for engaging the tap's valve port (not shown), in the fonn of a washer 70, is located on an underside of the annular valve seat 20. Apart from these differences, the valve 200 futnctions; in the same manner as valve 10 described above with reference to Figs I and 2.

COMS ID No: ARCS-156834 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:55 Date 2007-08-13 13-AUG. 2Q03 18:52 SPRUSON FERGUSON 92615486 NO. 0988 P. 14 Afourth embodimlent of a fluid flow control valve 300 is shown in Figs 8 an 9. The valve 300 combines features of the second and third embodiments described above, where like reference numerals are used to indicate equivalent components. For example, as 'with the second embodiment described with reference to Figs 4 and 5, the iner diameter of the Svalve chamber 12 tapers toward end 15 to define a necked portion 56. The taper of the 00 necked portion 56 causes the annular cross-sectional area of the fluid passageway 39 defined between the head portion 58 and the necked portion 56 to reduce during upward o movement of the valve member 22. Conversely, the taper of the nckjed portion 56 causes the annular cross-sectional area of the fluid passageway 39 defined between the head portion 58 and the necked portion 56 to increase during downward movement of the valve member 22. Also, as with the third embodiment described with reference to Figs 6 and 7, the valve seat is defined by an annular flange 62 extending radially outwardly from the spigot 52, generally perpendicular with the axis I S. Again, the annular flange 62, spigot 52 and valve chamber 12 are integrally formed. The valve member 22 includes a sealing member, in the form of an o-flng 64, engageable with the annular flange 62. The o-ring 64 is captively retained. in a circumferential channel 66 in the head portion 32 of the valve member 22. A sealing portion 68 of the o-ring 64 extends from the channel 66 for engagement with the valve seat 62. A Tither sealing member for engaging the tap's valve port (not shown), in the form of a washer 70, is located on an underside of the annular valve seat It will be appreciated that all of the above valve embodiments provide for substantially constant fluid flow despite changes in mains water pressure. Moreover, the valve embodiments with an annnlar flange 62 provide for ease of construction, as it is no longer necessary to form a radially extending annular groove in the valve chamber 12 and spigot 52 for retaining the 0-ring 50. Valve embodiments with the annular flange 62, are also easier to assemble than embodiments with the o-ring 50, which are more difficult to assemble due to the need to engage the spigot 52 with the valve chamber 12.

Wh1ilst the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated that it may also be embodied in many other forms. For example: *in valve embodiments having a cylindrical valve head, such as shown in Figs 8 and 9, the entire length of the valve chamber 12 can be tapered, rather than only having the taper start part way along the chamber 12.

[&\LWBLL)18903.doc:.JPH COMS ID No: ARCS-156834 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:55 Date 2007-08-13

Claims (3)

1. 2. A fluid flow control device according to claim 1, wherein the spigot and the annular flange are integrally formed.
2. 3. A fluid flow control device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising an annular sealing member engageable with said annular flange for facilitating sealing engagement of an underside of said annular flange with a tap seat of said tap.
3. 4. A fluid flow control device according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a valve chamber extending from a radially outer peripheral edge of said annular flange, away from said spigot and along said axis. A fluid flow control device comprising: a spigot for engaging a valve port in a tap, said spigot defining a longitudinal axis; a first valve seat defined by an annular flange extending radially outwardly from said spigot; and a valve member axially reciprocably movable, along said axis, between a closed position in which said valve member sealingly engages said first valve seat and an open position in which said valve member is disengaged from said first valve seat. Dated 13 August, 2007 Combobulator Pty Ltd Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON FERGUSON [RLIBLL]9O3.doCPH COMS ID No: ARCS-156834 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:55 Date 2007-08-13