Patent ID: 6189857
Filing Date: 2001-02-20
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A fluid-actuated rapid closure valve comprising:(a) a valve body having a generally cylindrical open-ended bore and an access port in fluid communication with said bore;(b) a pair of axially aligned, spaced apart, opposed end plugs secured to said valve body; said end plugs having frusto-conical inner end portions extending within respectively opposite ends of said bore, and outer end portions extending outside of said valve body to form an inlet and outlet for said valve; each of said end plugs having an axially extending passageway open at its outer end portion and terminating within its inner end portion, and at least one radially extending passageway communicating between said axially extending passageway and the conical surface of said frusto-conical inner end portion; and(c) an annular elastomeric sleeve disposed within said bore in said valve body and surrounding said inner end portions of said end plugs; the space between said sleeve and the wall of said bore forming an expansible pressure chamber to which fluid under pressure is applied through said access port for controlling the expansion and contraction of said sleeve.