Patent ID: 9149591
Filing Date: 2015-10-06
Classification: A61M,F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A valve assembly for controlling the flow rate of a fluid, comprising: a valve housing defining a flow channel configured to allow a fluid to flow from an input to an output; a valve shaft having a first end and a second end defining an axis, the valve shaft configured such that rotation of the valve shaft causes the valve shaft to axially translate within the flow channel to control a flow rate of the fluid from the input to the output; a rotatable flow selector configured to remain in a fixed position axially with respect to the valve housing; an engagement cavity in the rotatable flow selector configured to receive the first end of the valve shaft, such that rotation of the rotatable flow selector causes a rotation of the valve shaft; a position indicator associated with the axial translation of the valve shaft relative to the flow channel wherein the position indicator comprises a valve stop plunger in an axially fixed position relative to the valve shaft, such that the valve stop plunger remains in a fixed position as the valve shaft is axially translated wherein the valve stop plunger is configured to move tangentially with respect to the rotation of the valve shaft; a position detector configured to be actuated by the valve stop plunger when the valve shaft is axially translated such that the flow rate of the fluid from the input to the output corresponds to the threshold flow rate; and a rotating valve stop plunger actuator associated with the valve shaft, the valve stop plunger actuator configured to rotate with the valve shaft and move the valve stop plunger relative to the position detector based on the relative axial location of the valve shaft with respect to the flow channel, wherein the valve shaft is free to translate axially within the engagement cavity while remaining rotationally engaged with the rotatable flow selector.