Valve having two opposing self-sealing poppets

A valve having two opposing self-sealing poppets includes a valve body, two poppets, a diaphragm and two levers. The valve body has two passages opposite to each other and two poppet seats disposed opposite to each other and corresponding to the passages. When the valve is in a closed state, both poppets are pressed against the poppet seats and the media is prevented from flowing in either direction. When the valve is in an open state, both poppets axially move away from the poppet seats and the media can flow in either direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fluid control device, and more particularly, to a valve for controlling the flow of either liquid or gaseous media.

2. The Prior Arts

Conventionally, a valve has a single poppet to control the flow of media, such as a liquid, gas, or other material, through a passage. To stop the media flow, the valve is provided with a spring, pneumatic pressure, electro-magnet, electro-mechanical device, mechanical screw or mechanical lever to force the poppet to seal the passage.

An external force is needed to seal the passage. Therefore, the inventor investigates a valve that utilizes the media pressure to stop the media flow and seal the passage. Because of utilizing the media pressure, the external force for sealing the passage is minimized. Thus, the media flow can be precisely controlled by the valve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a valve in which minimum external force is needed to close a flow path.

In order to achieve the objective, a valve according to the present invention includes a valve body, a first poppet, a second poppet, a diaphragm, a first lever, a second lever and an actuator. The valve body includes a chamber disposed inside thereof, two passages disposed at opposite sides of the chamber and communicable with the chamber, and a first poppet seat and a second poppet seat respectively disposed around ends of the passages. The first poppet and a second poppet are disposed opposite to each other and respectively located corresponding to the first poppet seat and the second poppet seat. The diaphragm is disposed inside the valve body to define the chamber and keep the media sealed within the chamber. Each of the first lever and the second lever has one end disposed below the diaphragm and extended into the chamber to connect with the poppets and the other end disposed above the diaphragm and attached to the actuator. The actuator can be manually, pneumatically, mechanically or electrically powered.

One of characteristics of the present invention is that the media applied a pressure on rear surfaces of the poppets to press the poppets against the poppet seats, thereby producing the seal to the passage. By utilizing the media pressure, the only external force needed is for moving the poppet to come in contact with the poppet seat. When the total force exerted on the rear surface of the poppet by the media and the lever is greater than the force exerted by the media on the front surface of the poppet, media flow is stopped. When the valve is in a closed state to stop media flow in either direction, two poppet assemblies are positioned opposite to each other inside the valve body and along the media passage.

The present invention provides a valve that can be configured to be normally-closed or normally-open. The valve can be operated by various types of actuators, such as manual, pneumatic, mechanical or electrical means.

Preferably, the poppet is integrally formed. The valve body is also integrally formed. The diaphragm and the levers are also integrally formed. Preferably, the diaphragm and the levers are made of any suitable flexible polymer or elastomer material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 3, the valve having two opposing self-sealing poppets is used to open or close the flow path of media. The media refer to any kind of fluid, such as liquid, gas, liquid chemicals, gaseous chemicals, etc.FIG. 1shows the valve in a closed state, which closes the flow path.FIGS. 2 and 3show the valve in an open state, which opens the flow path. The valve according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a valve body1, a first poppet2, a second poppet3, a diaphragm4, a first lever4a, a second lever4band an actuator (not shown in drawings).

The valve body1includes a chamber1edisposed inside thereof, an inlet passage1c, an outlet passage1d, a flat circular first poppet seat1aand a flat circular second poppet seat1b. The passages1c,1dare disposed at opposite sides of the chamber1eand communicate with the chamber1e. The first poppet seat1ais disposed around an end of the inlet passage1cadjacent to the chamber1e, and the second poppet seat1bis disposed around an end of the outlet passage1dadjacent to the chamber1e. When the valve is in the open state, the media flows from the inlet passage1cinto the chamber1eand flows out of the chamber1einto the outlet passage1d. Preferably, the valve body1is integrally formed.

The diaphragm4is a round plate disposed inside the valve body1to define the chamber1eand keep the media sealed within the chamber1e. Each of the first and second levers4a,4bhas a first end extending above the diaphragm4and a second end extending below the diaphragm. Each of the first and second levers4a,4bis pivoted at a pivot point4cin order to allow the first and second levers4a,4bto pivot within a predetermined amount of angle. Preferably, the diaphragm4, the first lever4aand the second lever4bare integrally formed and are a single piece. Each of the levers4a,4bmay have an insert disposed inside thereof to improve the mechanical strength.

The cylindrical first and second poppets2,3are disposed inside of the chamber1eand opposite to each other. The first and second poppets2,3are mounted at the second ends of the first and second levers4a,4band located corresponding to the first and second poppet seat1a,1b, respectively. The first and second levers4a,4bare respectively pivoted to move the poppets2,3towards or away from the poppet seats1a,1b. The first poppet2has a flat first side facing the inlet passage1cand a second side facing the chamber1eand the second poppet3has a flat first side facing the outlet passage1dand a second side facing the chamber1e. The first sides of the first and second poppets2,3can seat flatly against the first and second poppet seats1a,1bto create a seal over the passages1c,1d, respectively. To stop or allow media flow, the poppets2,3close or open the flow path by moving axially towards or away from the poppet seats1a,1b.

Referring toFIG. 3, each of the poppets2,3has a bore2bto receive the levers4a,4b. A first protrusion2ais disposed at an upper circumference of the bore2bof the poppet, and a second protrusion2cis disposed at a middle circumference of the other side of the bore2b. There is a gap42between the poppets and the levers, so the poppets are not rigidly fixed to the levers to allow lever action of the first protrusion2aitself. When opening the media flow, the levers4a,4bpry the poppets2,3away from the poppet seat1a,1bat the first protrusions2a. Therefore, when the valve according to the present invention is transferred from the closed state to the open state, the amount of force needed to move the poppets2,3away from the poppet seat1a,1bis reduced. Preferably, each of the first and second poppets2,3is integrally formed.

The first ends of the levers4a,4bmay connect with the actuator to open or close the flow path. The valve can be operated by various types of the actuators, such as manual, pneumatic, mechanical or electrical means.

When the total force exerted on the second side of the poppet2,3by the media and the lever4a,4bis greater than the force exerted by the media on the first surface of the poppet2,3, media flow is stopped. When the total force exerted on the second side of the poppet2,3by the media and the lever4a,4bis smaller than the force exerted by the media on the first surface of the poppet2,3, media flow is open. Because of utilizing the media pressure, minimum external force from the levers4a,4bis needed. Therefore, the valve according to the present invention can be precisely controlled.