Patent ID: 6202678
Filing Date: 2001-03-20
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A valve having an outlet orifice used in connection with at least one conduit, the conduit carrying at any one time a liquid, a gas or a mixture of gas and liquid, wherein the conduit confines all of the liquid and gas to flow into the valve, wherein the valve shuts off in the instance of excessive flow of the liquid only, wherein the valve maintains an open position in the instance of flow of the gas or the mixture of gas and liquid, wherein the valve maintains an open position in the instance of normal flow of the liquid, the valve comprising:a ball;a ball holder; anda main body having a circumferential side wall and at least one inlet port;wherein the body holder is disposed within the main body such that an annulus is defined as a fully circumferential space between the circumferential side wall of the main body and the ball holder,wherein the ball sits inside the ball holder as a result of gravity absent any flow of material, the ball having a diameter and weight;wherein the ball holder has a lower portion with an inlet orifice being defined in the lower portion with a diameter smaller than the ball to provide metering of fluid flow therethrough impinging on the ball and a circumferential side wall with at least one or more circumferential apertures being defined in the circumferential side wall and partially shielding the ball to meter flow of fluid through the circumferential side wall impinging on the ball, the inlet orifice having an area, the circumferential apertures each having an area, the ball holder having a height; andwherein the diameter and weight of the ball, the area of the inlet orifice, the areas of the circumferential apertures, and the height of the ball holder are all defined within a range in proportion to one another such that excessive flow of liquid beyond a predetermined magnitude selectively effects a shut-off position,whereby the liquid, gas or a mixture thereof entering the valve enter the ball holder through the inlet orifice and through the circumferential apertures, the liquid, gas or a mixture thereof having an inlet orifice flow and a circumferential aperture flow,wherein once the liquid enters through the circumferential apertures, the circumferential apertures create a resistance on the liquid, the resistance causing the liquid to enter through the inlet orifice, the resistance increasing with increased flow of the liquid through the circumferential aperture,whereby once the circumferential aperture flow of the liquid exceeds a predetermined level, the resistance caused by the circumferential apertures will force the liquid to flow through the inlet orifice at a rate high enough to lift the ball upwards to a height at which the circumferential aperture flow of the liquid carries the ball to the outlet orifice of the valve,whereby the circumferential aperture flow of the liquid will cause the ball to close the outlet orifice to prevent further exit of the liquid from the valve.