Patent ID: 6250331
Filing Date: 2001-06-26
Classification: A61M,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A valve assembly for use with a valve seat that defines an opening between two chambers through which a liquid may flow, the valve assembly selectively providing or blocking fluid communication between the two chambers, the valve assembly comprising:a valve surface movably positionable adjacent to the opening in the valve seat; anda spring mount, connected to the valve surface, for moving the surface between(1) a first position in which the valve surface is in spaced-apart relation relative to the opening in the valve seat whenever the two chambers are at equal vapor pressure, and(2) a second position in which the valve surface engages the valve seat, thereby sealing the opening and blocking both liquid and vapor fluid communication between the two chambers in response to a vapor pressure differential between the two chambers,whereinin the first position, the valve surface and the valve seat cooperate such that a liquid fluid ring forms a vapor seal between the valve seat and the valve surface permitting the liquid but not the vapor to flow between the two chambers.