Abstract:
Poppet valve installation or removal is simplified through the use of a unitary poppet assembly that may be accurately placed into a valve body through an access opening and wherein the poppet is slidably mounted in a stem in an insert while being permanently affixed thereto by the interference fit between a shoulder on the poppet stem and a post within the sleeve.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to angled dual check valves. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,242 granted May 4, 1993 to Daghe et al., the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference, discloses an angled dual check valve construction. The check valve is to prevent back flow of fluid along a flow path and includes a check valve construction having an outlet flow which is discharged at a right angle with respect to the direction of an inlet flow. As disclosed therein, it is generally known to employ redundant valves including an inlet valve member and an outlet valve member to achieve a high degree of reliability in the check valve construction. Prior to the invention of the &#39;242 patent, the valve members were arranged “in-line” in a housing such that the valve members were movable along a common axis to alternatively open and close the check valve. To avoid an overly large or long housing, and the associated inherent excess weight and cost, as well as the suitability for use in applications having restrictive envelope requirements, the &#39;242 construction was invented and has been quite successful for its intended purpose. At the same time, assembling and/or servicing the inlet check valve in that construction occasionally can be difficult because of the possibility of disassociation of the components of the inlet check valve, one from the other. Such disassociation of the components typically can result during installation or removal of the inlet check valve components from the valve housing due to the bias of the spring employed in the inlet check valve. 
   Furthermore, support for the poppet employed in the inlet check on its guide is over a relatively small bearing area which can result in a tendency of components canting in relation to one another with the resultant lowering of efficiency in terms of an increased flow loss. 
   In addition, it would be desirable to more accurately affix the location of an insert sleeve and a valve mounting element with relation to one another and within the body. 
   The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the above problems. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is the principal object of the invention to provide a new and improved check valve, preferably an angled dual check valve. The check valve, in one embodiment, includes a valve body having a first fluid port and a second fluid port generally at right angles to one another together with an access port parallel to or aligned with one of the fluid ports. A removable closure normally closes the access port. A unitary poppet assembly is insertable into and removable from the body through to the access port when the access port is not closed and includes a sleeve-like element of a shape generally the same as the access port and of a size sufficiently small to move through the access port. A poppet valve is secured to the sleeve-like element and is slidable therein toward and away from a valve seat located about the other of the fluid ports. A biasing spring is mounted on the sleeve-like element between the sleeve-like element and the poppet valve and normally biases the poppet valve toward the seat. A relief is provided in the sleeve-like element through which the poppet valve may move between a position substantially within the envelope of the sleeve-like element and a position outside the envelope in sealing engagement with the valve seat. 
   Because the poppet assembly is a unitary assembly, disassociation during assembly or disassembly is avoided. In a preferred embodiment, the poppet valve is slidable in a direction that is generally at right angles to both the one fluid port and the access port. 
   A preferred embodiment contemplates that the sleeve-like element be generally in the shape of a C having an opening at one side bounded by the extremities of upper and lower arms of the C shape and the relief is defined by the opening. 
   In one embodiment of the invention, the sleeve-like element is a two-piece element having inner and outer sleeves nested and in abutment with one another. 
   In one embodiment, the inner sleeve includes an inner, generally radially extending post generally coaxial with the valve seat, and the poppet valve includes a stem attached to the post and slidable thereon. 
   Preferably, one of the stem and the post includes a fixed shoulder for retaining the other of the stem and the post. 
   In a preferred embodiment, the other of the stem and the post includes a flexible and resilient shoulder engageable with the fixed shoulder to maintain the stem and the post in assembled relation. The spring may be compression coil spring surrounding the post and the stem. 
   In a highly preferred embodiment, the poppet valve is secured to the sleeve-like element by a snap-fit connection. 
   An even more preferred embodiment of the invention contemplates that the poppet valve include a stem extending away from the valve seat and that the sleeve-like element include a post directed toward the valve seat. The snap-fit connection includes a bifurcation in one of the stem and the post and a shoulder for retaining the stem on the post on the other of the stem and the post. 
   In one embodiment, the bifurcation is at one end of the stem remote from the valve seat and the shoulder is on the post at an end thereof closest to the valve seat. 
   Preferably, the post has an open interior telescopingly, slidingly receiving the stem. 
   In one embodiment, the stem has a cross-like cross section intermediate its ends and the open interior of the post is at least partially configured to mate with the cross-like cross section. 
   In a highly preferred embodiment, one end of the stem that is remote from the valve seat has a partial frustoconical shape that is bifurcated with an enlarged shoulder facing the valve seat and the open interior of the post has a partial cross-like shape and a partial cylindrical shape of a size to receive and compress the frustoconical shape along with an enlarged shoulder facing away from the valve seat. The enlarged shoulders are in interference relation to retain the stem and the post while allowing reciprocal movement between the two. 
   In a highly preferred embodiment, where the sleeve-like element includes an inner sleeve and an outer sleeve, the closure includes a shoulder facing and embracing both the inner and outer sleeves at an adjacent end thereof along with an annular projection extending into the inner sleeve to locate the sleeve-like element in the body. 
   Preferably, the inner sleeve is snap-fit secured to the outer sleeve. 
   Further, one of the sleeves has a longitudinal groove and the other of the sleeves has a longitudinal rib received in the groove to relatively locate the sleeves with respect to one another. 
   In a highly preferred embodiment, the rib includes a hook snap-fitted in an opening in the groove. 
   Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a sectional view of a dual angle check valve made according to the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a poppet and an inner sleeve used in the unitary check valve assembly of the invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2 , but taken at 90 degrees with respect thereto; 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken approximately along the line  4 — 4  in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  but showing the components assembled together with the addition of a biasing spring; 
       FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  but taken at 90 degrees with respect thereto; and 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded view of the inner and outer sleeves of the unitary check valve assembly. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference to  FIG. 1 , a valve of one embodiment of the invention is seen to include a valve housing, generally designated  10 , having an inlet port  12  to which is fitted a rotatable, internally threaded nut  14  by means of which the same may be connected into a fluid system. Also included is an internally threaded outlet port  16  and it will be observed in  FIG. 1  that the inlet port  12  is at right angles to the outlet port  16 . 
   Directly opposite the outlet port, and coaxial therewith, is an access port  18  which, when the valve is in use, is closed by a threaded cap  20 . The cap  20  is removable to allow access to the interior  22  of the body  10 . 
   Immediately adjacent the outlet port  16 , and within the body interior  22  at a location below the longitudinal axis of the inlet valve  12  as shown by a line  24 , is an outlet check valve assembly generally designated  26 , which may be of the same construction disclosed and described in greater detail in the previously identified &#39;242 patent. 
   It will be observed that the closure  20 , when fully threaded onto the body  10  locates an inlet check valve, which is a unitary assembly and which is generally designated  28  in alignment with the inlet  12  and coaxial with the axis  24 . Facing the interior  22  of the body  10  and coaxial with the axis  24  is an annular valve seat  30  against which the poppet valve  32  of the unitary poppet valve assembly  28  may seat. The poppet valve  32  includes a valve stem  34  that extends away from the inlet  12  to be slidably mounted to a post  36  on a sleeve-like element  38  which is sandwiched between the closure  20  and an annular shoulder  40  on the interior  22  of the body  10  just above the upper end of the outlet poppet assembly  26  as viewed in  FIG. 1 . A compression coil spring  44  is mounted about the post  36  and extends between the side of the poppet  32  remote from the inlet  12  and an interior wall  42  of the sleeve-like assembly  38  as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. The function of the spring  44  is, of course, to bias the poppet  32  toward the seat  30 . 
   In reality, the sleeve-like element  38  is formed of two sleeves, an inner sleeve  46  which bears the post  36  and an outer sleeve  48  which snugly receives and locates the inner sleeve  46  at the desired location within the housing  10 . 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the poppet  32 , on its side facing the inlet  12 , includes a peripheral, radially outwardly opening groove  50  which receives a seal  52  ( FIG. 1 ) that seals against the valve seat  30 . The valve stem  34 , at its end where it is connected to the poppet  32 , includes a locating platform  53  which receives and locates one end of the spring  44  (not shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) while the opposite end of the stem  34  terminates in a partial, frustoconical configuration  54 . The minor base  56  of the partial frustoconical formation  54  is remote from the poppet  32  while the major base  58  is closest to the poppet  32  and defines an enlarged shoulder facing the seat  30  for purposes to be seen. A partial cylinder  60  connects the partial frustoconical section  54  to the remainder of the stem  34  which has a cross-like cross section as can be ascertained from a consideration of  FIG. 2  with  FIG. 3 . That is to say, the stem  34 , intermediate its ends, includes two arms  62  of the cross extending in opposite directions while, as seen in  FIG. 3 , two other arms  64 , also extending in opposite directions and at right angles to the arms  62 , are provided. 
   The inner sleeve  46  (and for that matter the outer sleeve  48  as well) are both C-shaped to have arms whose extremities  66  define a relief opening  70  just to the left of the post  36 . The post  36  is hollow and includes a generally cylindrical interior section  72  remote from the opening and an interior bearing section  74  closest to the opening  70  and which is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 4 . As can be seen, the bearing section  74  includes a partial cylindrical surface  76  sized to allow the minor base  56  of the frustoconical section  54  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) to enter the hollow center of the post  36 . Joined to the partial cylindrical surface  76  is a partial cross shaped surface  78  which is configured to matingly and slidably receive the stem  34 , and specifically, one cross arm  62 . The opposite cross arm  62  is received within the partial cylindrical section  76  while the cross arm  64  abuts shoulders  80  where the partial cylindrical surface  76  joins to the partial cross shaped surface  76 . 
   The major base  58  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) of the partial frustoconical formation  54  is larger than the partial cylindrical surface  76 . At the same time, as best seen in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the same is bifurcated as at  82 , and the bifurcation  82  extends into the partial cylindrical section  60  of the stem  34 . 
   The poppet valve stem  34  is made of a resilient material and the cylindrical interior  72  of the inner sleeve  46  is of a diameter just slightly greater than the diameter of the major base  58  of the partial frustoconical structure  54 . This, in turn, results in an enlarged shoulder  84 , which faces away from the seat  30  being located between the cylindrical interior  72  of the post  36  and the end thereof adjacent the relief or opening  70 . Consequently, the stem  34  may be inserted into the post  36  with the partial frustoconical section  54  collapsing about the bifurcation  82  until the same enters the cylindrical section  72 , at which time, its resilience will restore it to the shape illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  5 , and  6  and the major base  58  will act as a shoulder in interference relation with the shoulder  84 . Thus, a snap-fit, permanent connection is defined, but one which will allow the stem  34  to slide within the post  36  away from a position representing a closed position of the poppet  32  against the seal  52 . Of course, the spring  44  is installed about the post  36  and against the back of the poppet before such assembly takes place. 
   It will also be observed in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  6  that the side of the inner sleeve  46  aligned with the post  36  includes a vertical rib  88  which extends down to the cylindrical opening  72  and terminates therein in a hook  90 . 
   Turning now to  FIG. 7 , the relationship of the inner sleeve  46  to the outer sleeve  48  will be described. The outer sleeve  48 , like the inner sleeve  46 , is C-shaped and has extremities  92  which, together with the extremities  66  of the inner sleeve  46 , serve to define the relief for opening  70 . 
   At its lower end, the outer sleeve includes a radially inwardly directed shoulder  94  as can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 7 . 
   Furthermore, the extremities  92  of the outer sleeve  48  include inwardly directed shoulders  96  against which the extremities  66 , the inner sleeve  46  abut when the inner sleeve  46  is nested in the outer sleeve  48 . In this connection, the outer diameter of the inner sleeve  46  is the same as the inner diameter of the sleeve  48  and somewhat greater than the inner diameter of the shoulder  94  on the outer sleeve  48 . 
   Approximately, the upper half of the outer sleeve  48  is provided with a radially outwardly directed rib  100  in which is placed a radially inwardly opening groove  102 . The rib  100  terminates, at its lower end, in an opening  106 , discernable upon close inspection of  FIG. 1 , which is sized to snap-fit receive the hook  90  ( FIG. 6 ) on the rib  88  of the inner sleeve in a snap-fit manner. The relationship is such that the extremities  66  of the sleeve  46  firmly abut the shoulders  96  on the extremities  92  of the outer sleeve  48  with the lower end of the inner sleeve  46  abutting the shoulder  94  of the outer sleeve  48  as shown in  FIG. 1  and with the rib  88  of the inner sleeve  46  received within the opening  102  in the outer sleeve  48  at the lower end of the rib  100  thereof. Thus, the inner sleeve  46  is firmly, spatially related to the outer sleeve  46  and connected thereto by the snap-fit connection provided by the hook  90  and associated structure. 
   The rib  100  on the outer sleeve  48  is slidably received in a groove  110  ( FIG. 1 ) to firmly orient unitary poppet assembly  28  thus formed with the poppet  32  and seal  52  carried thereby aligned along the axis  24  to seat against the seat  30  ( FIG. 1 ). 
   This alignment is provided to achieve a proper angular relationship with the seat  30  about an axis represented by a line  112  in  FIG. 1 . 
   To provide proper orientation along the axis  24  in a longitudinal direction, it is desired that the lower side of the shoulder  94  of the outer sleeve  48  be firmly abutted against the shoulder  40  on the interior  22  of the housing  10 . It is also desired to achieve a locating function at the opposite end of the unitary poppet assembly  28  and this is achieved by means of a shoulder  114  located just inwardly of the threads  18  on the cap  20 . The shoulder  114 , as seen in  FIG. 1 , abuts the upper ends of both the inner sleeve  46  and the outer sleeve  48 . Moreover, just inwardly of the shoulder  114  is an axially directed, annular shoulder  116  which is sized to enter the inner sleeve  46  at its upper end to positively assure that the extremities  66  and all of the inner sleeve  46  between those extremities is in functional abutment with the radially inner side surface of the outer sleeve  48 . 
   Finally, it is noted that the poppet  32  is provided with a locating tab  120  as seen, for example, in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  6 . With the access cover or cap  20  removed, it is an easy matter to grasp the tab  120  and pull the poppet  32  away from the seat  30  against the bias of the spring  44 . Once the poppet  32  has cleared the seat  30 , the unitary assembly  28  may be axially moved along the axis  112  out of the access opening  18 , the sleeve-like element  38  sliding outwardly in the groove  110  ( FIG. 1 ). Once the poppet assembly  28  is clear of the valve body  10 , the components will remain associated in spite of the bias of the spring  44  because of the interference occurring between the enlarged shoulder defined by the major base  58  of the partial frustoconical formation  54  and the enlarged shoulder  84  within the hollow interior  72  of the post  36 . 
   Of course, assembly of the unitary valve  28  to the check valve occurs in the reverse order and during that manipulation, disassembly of the same into component parts is similarly avoided. 
   It will also be appreciated that the juncture of the major base  58  with the side of the partial frustoconical section  54  engages the inner wall  72  of the hollow interior of the stem  36  while the cross-shaped cross section defined by arms  62 ,  64  is snugly and slidably guided by the groove  78  and the shoulders  80  ( FIG. 4 ) in the post  36 . 
   As a consequence, an extended bearing surface that is considerably improved over that provided in the &#39;242 patent exists. This improved bearing surface prevents canting of the stem  34  within the post  36  which could lead to some binding. Should such binding occur, the poppet  32  might not fully open with the result that the valve would provide an increased flow resistance which typically would be undesirable. With the extended bearing surface provided by the components as described above, any tendency to cant is virtually eliminated so greater efficiency of operation and decreased flow resistance results. 
   Furthermore, the unique combination of elements defining the sleeve-like insert  38  provides for an accurate locating of the insert sleeve within the valve body  10 , eliminating misalignment of the unitary poppet assembly  28  with the seat  30  thereby increasing performance of the valve.