Inversion-resistant, readily openable tide gate valve

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an inversion-resistant tide gate valve comprising a generally tubular sleeve bounding a longitudinally-extending flow-through passage for fluids, the sleeve having an upstream fluid inlet end region adapted to be affixed to an effluent conduit and a downstream fluid outlet region, the downstream fluid outlet region of the sleeve being integrally formed with a longitudinally-extending trough, where the trough is formed of an integral bottom wall and an integral pair of side walls. A disc is affixed along a first portion of its periphery with a flexible member to the downstream fluid outlet region of the sleeve, and a second portion of the periphery of the disc opposite the first portion rests within the trough on the bottom wall of the trough. A bill associated with the disc and extending longitudinally downstream along the longitudinal axis of the trough rests on the trough when the valve is in its closed position, the bill forming a seal between the disc and the bottom wall of the trough during periods of back flow. The tide gate valve of the present invention resists inversion and opens with minimal head pressure.