Patent ID: 6062530
Filing Date: 2000-05-16
Classification: F16K,Y10T

Abstract:
A valve device including:a first fluid port;a second fluid port;a valve seat defining an aperture through which fluid may flow from said first port to said second port;a valve member, moveable relative to said valve seat between a seated position and a lifted position;a control chamber formed at least in part by said valve member;a first passageway communicating between said control chamber and said first port;a second passageway communicating between said control chamber and said second port;a control valve associated with at least one of said passageways to permit fluid flow therethrough, and to thereby urge said valve member into one of said seated and said lifted position; and,a flow control element provided within at least one of said passageways to restrict the flow of fluid through said passageways, and, to prevent the ingress of particles which might otherwise clog said passageways and flow paths downstream thereof, said flow control element including:a substantially longitudinal element having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of said one passageway;retaining means to retain said element within said one passageway whilst permitting movement; andbiasing means which permits said element to automatically move within said one passageway whenever said valve is at least one of activated and under the influence of fluid movement in said device;such that, as said element moves, said one passageway is at least one of cleaned and cleared of particulate matter including dirt and other deposits.