Brightvalve, LLC

John D Olivas

Patrick J Cunningham

Mark C Martis

Juan Olivas, Jr

Ray D Kelm

William Ronald Martis

A flow control valve is disclosed wherein a housing defines a flow chamber with an inlet and an outlet. Disposed within the flow chamber is a poppet assembly comprising an inner poppet and an outer poppet. A first spring is selected to bias the outer poppet to seal closed the inlet below a predetermined fluid flow rate. Above the fluid flow rate, the force of the fluid against the outer poppet compresses the spring, breaking the seal and allowing fluid to flow into the fluid flow chamber. Inside the outer poppet is an inner poppet which extends from the outer poppet. A second spring biases the inner poppet predominantly within the outer poppet, but an increased pressure inside the outer poppet collapses the second spring and extends the inner poppet in a fully extended position. Fully extended the inner poppet shuts the outlet of the fluid chamber thereby arresting the flow. In operation, the first spring shuts the valve below a predetermined flow rate guaranteeing zero flow until a minimum flow rate is present. Furthermore, if a leak occurs downstream (beyond the outlet) or the flow rate is above a predetermined maximum flow rate the second spring is collapsed by an upstream/downstream pressure differential causing the inner poppet to seal the outlet. Thus, the valve operates only between a minimum and maximum flow rate and seals in the event of a downstream leak.

Leak arresting valve

A flow control valve is disclosed wherein a housing defines a flow chamber with an inlet and an outlet. Disposed within the flow chamber is a telescoping poppet comprising an inner poppet and an outer poppet. A first spring is selected to bias the outer poppet to seal closed the inlet below a predetermined fluid flow rate. Above the fluid flow rate, the force of the fluid against the outer poppet compresses the spring, breaking the seal and allowing fluid to flow into the fluid flow chamber. Inside the outer poppet is an inner poppet which telescopes from the outer poppet. A second spring biases the inner poppet predominantly within the outer poppet, but an increased pressure in the outer poppet collapses the second spring and extends the inner poppet in a fully extended position. Fully extended the inner poppet seals shut the outlet of the fluid chamber. In operation, the first spring shuts the valve below a predetermined flow rate guaranteeing zero flow until a minimum flow rate is present. Furthermore, if a leak occurs downstream (beyond the outlet) or the flow rate is above a predetermined maximum flow rate the second spring is collapsed by an upstream/downstream pressure differential causing the inner poppet to seal the outlet. Thus, the valve operates only between a minimum and maximum flow rate and seals in the event of a downstream leak.

A mechanical leak arresting valve is disclosed in which fluid through the valve is limited to a range between a predetermined minimum flow rate and a predetermined maximum flow rate, and where both a small or large downstream leak mechanically causes the valve to lock closed. The present invention uses a locking mechanism triggered by a pressure differential resulting from the downstream leak to block the flow of fluid through the valve until the fluid source upstream is stopped. Reduction of the upstream pressure by the stopping of the fluid source automatically resets the valve without further manipulation.

Growing community of inventors

Houston, TX, United States of America

John D Olivas