Patent ID: 6378548
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A diaphragm valve assembly, comprising:a valve housing having two fluid ports and defining both a valve chamber extending therebetween for fluid flow therethrough and an access port leading into said valve chamber; a bonnet covering said access port and defining an opening therein; a valve stem arrangement extending through said opening in said bonnet, said valve stem arrangement including a valve seat disposed within said valve chamber, said valve stem arrangement being slidable through said opening between a first position, wherein said valve seat is disposed in sealing engagement with a said fluid port to thereby define a closed position of the valve assembly, and a second position wherein said valve seat is disengaged from said first fluid port to thereby define an open position of the valve assembly; a diaphragm surrounding and attached to said valve stem arrangement to form a seal therewith; and a bonnet insert disposed about said diaphragm adjacent to said valve housing within said access port, said diaphragm forming a seal with an inner portion of said bonnet insert, and an outer portion of said bonnet insert forming a seal with said valve housing, said bonnet insert and said diaphragm thereby preventing fluid flowing through said valve chamber from escaping into said access port between said valve housing and said valve stem arrangement, wherein said bonnet insert is directly exposed to fluid flowing through said valve chamber.