Patent ID: 8307841
Filing Date: 2012-11-13
Classification: A47C,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A self-sealing valve, comprising: a valve housing having a fluid conduit, a valve seat, and a support member, the valve housing being configured to pass fluid through the fluid conduit; and a flexible diaphragm having a periphery that engages against the valve seat in a closed position, and that provides a self-seal of the fluid conduit in the closed position with fluid pressure against a first side of the flexible diaphragm; wherein the support member supports a part of the flexible diaphragm, and wherein the support member does not include a plurality of openings in the support member that provide for fluid transfer through the fluid conduit; wherein the support member and the flexible diaphragm are configured to position the flexible diaphragm against the valve seat so that the flexible diaphragm forms a seal of the fluid conduit in the closed position, and so that the flexible diaphragm flexes to move at least the portion of the periphery of the flexible diaphragm in a first direction away from the valve seat to an open position under a fluid bias against a second side of the flexible diaphragm; and wherein the valve housing, the support member, and the flexible diaphragm are arranged so that, in the absence of the fluid bias on the second side of the flexible diaphragm and with the flexible diaphragm in the closed position, a part of the flexible diaphragm is contacted to move at least part of the flexible diaphragm away from the valve seat so as to regulate the transfer of the fluid through the self-sealing valve.