Patent ID: 8602045
Filing Date: 2013-12-10
Classification: B08B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A valve assembly configured for a clean-in-place operation, the valve assembly comprising: a valve body including: a shaft extending through the valve body for reciprocal movement with respect thereto; a stopper connected to one end of the shaft for movement between a normally closed position wherein the stopper sealingly engages the valve seat and an open position wherein the stopper is spaced from the valve seat to permit cleaning fluid to enter and exit the inner cavity only through a passageway created between the valve seat and stopper; an actuator connected to the valve body, the actuator including a plunger adapted for contacting an opposite end of the shaft for moving the stopper toward the open position when activated; and a stop valve mounted on the valve body at the inlet location for opening and closing the inlet, the stop valve being in a normally closed position for preventing fluid from exiting through the inlet, the valve body being void of other inlets or outlets not associated with the stop valve such that cleaning fluid only enters and exits the inner cavity through the valve seat when the plunger is in the open position during the clean-in-place operation, the stop valve being connectable to a source of pressurized air to thereby open the stop valve and cause air or other gas to enter the inner cavity with sufficient pressure to move the stopper toward the open position; wherein the inner cavity is shaped so that fluid entering the inner cavity only through the passageway between the valve seat and stopper cleans away contaminants that may have gathered on the stopper and in the inner cavity with the stop valve in the normally closed position, and further wherein the pressurized air entering the inner cavity through the stop valve removes fluid droplets and contaminants that may adhere to the inner cavity during the clean-in-place operation.