Patent ID: 7527241
Filing Date: 2009-05-05
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A diaphragm valve comprising: a valve body having an inlet sleeve and an outlet sleeve each connected to an external entry port, the inlet sleeve and the outlet sleeve each having arched profiles in the longitudinal direction that converge to form a weir and a circular cross-section at the external entry port; a fluid flow chamber where the inlet sleeve and the outlet sleeve converge, the fluid chamber having one part integral with the valve body and peripherally delimited by a body clamping flange, and another part comprising a bonnet to be sealably secured onto said valve body, the bonnet having a peripheral bonnet clamping flange substantially coincident with the body clamping flange; a valve seat defined by the weir, the valve seat having an arched profile of substantially elliptical curvature and a flattened central surface; and an open/close element comprising a single level diaphragm made of an elastomeric material, the diaphragm comprising a peripheral sealing flange to be clamped between the body clamping flange and the bonnet clamping flange, said sealing flange being connected to a central dome, the dome having a convex side and a concave side, the concave side being oriented, in an unstressed position, toward the valve seat, wherein the cross sections of the inlet sleeve and the outlet sleeve each have a semi-elliptical shape at the respective openings into the fluid flow chamber, the semi-elliptical shape being defined by an arched portion on the outer side and a flattened portion on the inner side, the semi-elliptical shapes converging at the valve seat and providing the substantially elliptical curvature, wherein the sealing flange of the diaphragm has an elongated shape inscribing the dome of the diaphragm, wherein the sealing flange is joined to the dome along a substantially elliptical edge having a longer central axis and a shorter central axis, and wherein the dome is substantially shaped like a sector of an ellipsoid so to cooperate with the valve seat, the dome comprising a plurality of ribs disposed in symmetrical position essentially parallel to a shorter axis of the dome on a side of the dome facing the bonnet and further comprising a rib disposed substantially along a longer axis of the dome on the side of the dome facing the bonnet.