Patent ID: 7591282
Filing Date: 2009-09-22
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A damped, self-cleaning flow shutoff valve configured to be installed in a water line to stop flow in response to an excess water flow condition, the valve comprising: a housing defining a flow passage, an outer cylindrical wall, an inner cylindrical wall, and a valve seat; an annular cavity formed between the outer cylindrical wall and the inner cylindrical wall; a valve member slidably mounted within the housing, the valve member including an annular skirt section extending in the downstream direction, a downstream-facing portion of the valve member comprising a sealing portion configured to selectively engage the valve seat, the valve member being movable between an upstream no flow position, a downstream shutoff position, and a normal flow position intermediate the no flow position and the shutoff position; and a biasing element disposed between the housing and the valve member so as to bias the valve member away from the valve seat; wherein when the valve member moves from the normal flow position to the shutoff position, the annular skirt section penetrates the annular cavity and displaces water therefrom to dampen the downstream movement of the valve member.