Abstract:
A flow control pinch valve comprises a flexible outer sleeve and a flexible inner sleeve concentrically disposed within and spaced from the outer sleeve, wherein the inner sleeve defines a passageway for allowing fluid to pass therethrough. The sleeves are attached to each other at each end thereof and adapted to be attached to an inner surface of a fluid conduit. An annular space for receiving pressurized fluid is defined between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve such that the inner sleeve is configured to deflect inwardly thereby controlling fluid flow through the passageway. A first clamping ring is concentrically disposed within the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve at one end; and a second clamping ring is concentrically disposed within the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve at an opposite end, wherein the clamping rings are used to secure the control valve within a pipe.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/850,660, entitled “DIRECTLY FLUID OPERATED PINCH VALVE” filed on Oct. 10, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to flow control valves, and in particular, to flow control valves used to control storm water, irrigation water or the like. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    The present invention describes significant improvements to a prior art Pinch Valve as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,268,005, which is hereby incorporated by reference. In many municipalities, heavy downpours of rain often result in street flooding and sewage treatment plant overload. The sewage treatment plants could be overloaded or flooded by short duration, heavy rainfall. During this rainfall, valves or gates must be closed, either partially or fully, to limit the flow of water into the processing plant. The flow restriction “backs up” the water in the upstream piping using the upstream piping to store some of this excess water. In some cases, the backed up water is diverted into a separate storage basin or chamber. When the heavy rainfall subsides, this stored water may be released under controlled conditions, by adjusting the valves or gates to achieve the desired, restricted flow. In other situations, storm sewer pipes may be overloaded and back up water into the streets that they are intended to drain. 
         [0006]    Conventional prior art methods of controlling storm water influent typically use pinch valves. The prior art direct fluid operated pinch valves typically use a flexible member or “sleeve” enclosed in a rigid pressure containing body or housing. The valves are installed between an upstream section and downstream section of pipe using end flanges, or similar attaching devices. The space between the rigid outer housing and the inner sleeve is pressurized with air or other fluid to squeeze the inner sleeve to control flow through the valve. 
         [0007]    It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a low cost, fully functional valve that does not require a separate rigid body (housing) or end flanges, either on the valve or on the mating piping and prevents the back up of sewer water. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides a directly fluid operated flow control pinch valve that is inserted into a pipe and fastened into position using clamps, bolts and nuts, or other similar suitable methods. The valve, which may be positioned to separate an upstream fluid flow and a downstream fluid flow, includes a flexible hollow cylindrical outer sleeve; and a flexible hollow cylindrical inner sleeve concentrically disposed within and spaced from the outer sleeve, wherein the sleeves are attached to each other at each end thereof and adapted to be attached to an inner surface of a fluid conduit. The inner sleeve defines a passageway for allowing fluid to pass therethrough, and an annular space for receiving pressurized material is defined between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve such that the inner sleeve is configured to deflect inwardly thereby controlling fluid flow through the passageway. The valve further includes end clamps with mounting hardware (i.e., bolts, washers and nuts) positioned within the sleeves and at least one opening having a fitting fluidly connected thereto to allow the introduction and exhaust of pressurized gas within the space between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve (or other suitable fluid) to operate the valve. The pipe is used to provide mechanical reinforcement to the outer sleeve which contains the operating fluid pressure. The inner sleeve is used to control fluid flow in the pipeline. During normal low flow conditions, the valve is fully open and provides negligible restriction to storm water flow. During heavy rainfall, pressurized air may be introduced into the space between the inner and outer sleeves, via the air fitting, such that the inner sleeves constrict thus moderating the flow of fluid through the pipe. The outer sleeve does not constrict and is restrained by the pipe wall. 
         [0009]    The present invention, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with the additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of exemplary embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a flow control valve according to the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 1B and 1C  show perspective views of end clamps used to secure the first embodiment of the valve shown in  FIG. 1A  within a pipeline; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a flow control valve according to the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 2B and 2C  show perspective views of end clamps used to secure the second embodiment of the valve shown in  FIG. 2A  within a pipeline; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3A  is a side sectional view of the first embodiment of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 1A  installed in a pipeline with the valve fully open and normal flow through the pipeline; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3B  is an elevational end view of the first embodiment of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  is a side sectional view of the first embodiment of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 3A  with the valve partially closed and restricting potential increased flow through the pipeline; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4B  is an elevational end view of the first embodiment of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5A  is a side sectional view of the first embodiment of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 3A  with the valve fully closed and blocking all flow through the pipeline; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5B  is an elevational end view of the first embodiment of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6A  is a side sectional view of the second embodiment of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 2A  installed in a pipeline with the valve fully open and normal flow through the pipeline; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6B  is an elevational end view of the second embodiment of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7A  is a side sectional view of the second embodiment of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 6A  with the valve partially closed and restricting potential increased flow through the pipeline; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7B  is an elevational end view of the second embodiment of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 7A ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8A  is a side sectional view of the second embodiment of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 6A  with the valve fully closed and blocking all flow through the pipeline; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8B  is an elevational end view of the second embodiment of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 8A ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9A  is an elevational end view of a third embodiment of a flow control valve according to the present invention installed in a pipeline with the valve fully open and normal flow through the pipeline; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9B  is a side sectional view of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 9A  taken along lines IX-IX; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10A  is an elevational end view of the third embodiment of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 9A  with the valve partially closed and restricting potential increased flow through the pipeline; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10B  is a side sectional view of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 10A  taken along lines X-X; 
           [0030]      FIG. 11A  is an elevational end view of the third embodiment of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 9A  with the valve fully closed and blocking all flow through the pipeline; 
           [0031]      FIG. 11B  is a side sectional view of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 11A  taken along lines XI-XI; 
           [0032]      FIG. 12A  is an elevational end view of a fourth embodiment of a flow control valve according to the present invention installed in a pipeline with the valve fully open and no flow through the pipeline; 
           [0033]      FIG. 12B  is a side sectional view of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 12A  taken along lines XII-XII; 
           [0034]      FIG. 13A  is an elevational end view of the fourth embodiment of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 12A  with the valve fully closed and blocking all flow through the pipeline; and 
           [0035]      FIG. 13B  is a side sectional view of the flow control valve shown in  FIG. 13A  taken along lines XIII-XIII. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    A first embodiment of a flow control valve  10 A of the present invention is generally shown in  FIGS. 1A-C . The first embodiment of the flow control valve  10 A is particularly adapted to be used in a pipeline, for example, a storm water drainage pipeline or a combined sanitary and storm water influent pipe to a sewage treatment plant. The flow control valve  10 A includes a flexible outer cylindrical sleeve  12  and a flexible inner cylindrical sleeve  14  concentrically disposed within and spaced from the outer sleeve  12 . The control valve  10 A having a first end  16  and a second end  18  includes at least one fitting  20 , such as an air fitting, defined in the outer sleeve  12  for allowing the introduction and exhaust of air (or other suitable fluid) within an annular space  22  between the inner sleeve  14  and the outer sleeve  12 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-C  and  3 A, the control valve  10 A further includes a first clamping ring  24  concentrically disposed within the inner sleeve  14  adjacent the first end  16 , and a second clamping ring  26  concentrically disposed within the inner sleeve  14  adjacent the second end  18 . The clamping rings  24 ,  26  are used for installing the control valve  10 A directly inside a pipe  28 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 3A-B , the control valve  10 A is positioned inside the pipe  28  having an inner surface  30  and an outer surface  32 , essentially separating the pipe  28  into an upstream pipeline  34  and a downstream pipeline  36 . Bolt holes H are defined in the clamping rings  24 ,  26 , wherein the clamping rings  24 ,  26  are fastened to the inside of the pipe  28  using a fastening arrangement F, such as a nut, bolt and washer arrangement. For example, during installation a bolt passes through the bolt hole H in each of the clamping rings  24 ,  26 , the inner and outer sleeves  12 ,  14  and the pipe  28 . A nut having a washer is then fastened to the bolts and tightened to the outer surface  32  of the pipe  28 . Depending on the type fastening arrangement used and the clearance between the bolts and the bolt holes H, a caulking or sealing compound may be required to provide a leak-tight seal between the outer sleeve  12  and the inner surface  30  of the pipe  28 . It is also important that a leak-tight seal be accomplished between the inner sleeve  14  and the outer sleeve  12  to contain the operating air pressure. This may be accomplished either by (1) bonding the first end  16  and the second end  18  of the sleeves  12 ,  14  during the manufacturing process or, (2) relying on the clamping forces between the clamps  24 ,  26  and the pipe  28  to achieve the leak-tight seal. 
         [0039]    In operation, the fitting  20  extends through the pipe  28  and is adapted to be fluidly connected to an external pressurized fluid or air source. The fitting  20  may be integral with the outer sleeve  12  or, a separate metal or plastic fitting may be bonded to the outer sleeve  12 . The outer and inner sleeves  12 ,  14  may be made from an elastomeric material such as neoprene and may be reinforced with a fabric such as nylon or polyester. The clamping rings  24 ,  26  may be made of a metallic material such as steel or stainless steel. The pipe  28  preferably has a circular cross section, but may also have an elliptical, oval or square cross section. The pipe  28  may be made of any common materials used for storm water containment, for example, plastic, cast iron, steel, reinforced concrete and the like. 
         [0040]    In operation, operating air pressure is supplied to the fitting  20  and is used to deflect or to deform the inner sleeve  14  inward as shown in  FIG. 3A . The outer sleeve  12  is restrained by the inner surface  30  of the pipe  28 . The inner sleeve  14  typically deflects in a three lobe configuration. For example, valves in the 30-inch to 84-inch diameter size range require pressure ranging between 3 to 10 psi above the pipeline pressure to completely close the valve and shut off the flow. 
         [0041]    As seen in  FIG. 3A , during a normal flow period, the control valve  10 A is fully open and fluid passes from the upstream pipeline  34  through the control valve  10 A into the downstream pipeline  36  with little or no interruption in fluid flow. However, as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , during sudden, increased flow conditions, the valve  10 A may be pressurized through a fitting  20  to partially close the valve  10 A. For example, a pressurized gas is introduced in the space  22  between the outer sleeve  12  and the inner sleeve  14  via the fitting, so that the inner sleeve  14  is inwardly deformed to partially pinch and curtail the flow of fluid F through the valve  10 A. This partial closing of the valve  10 A restricts the passage of instantaneous high volume of water through the pipe  28 , thus preventing overloading and flooding downstream, and backing up and storing the excess water for future controlled release. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 5A-B  illustrates the operation of the flow control valve  10 A during periods of increased or maximum flow conditions. To fully close the control valve  10 A, the inner sleeve  14  is inwardly deformed to totally pinch and prevent fluid F from being released to the downstream pipeline  36 . The upstream pipeline  34  becomes a storage area for the fluid F, which may later be slowly released as treatment plant capacity becomes available. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 2A-C  show a second embodiment of a flow control valve  10 B of the present invention as similar to control valve  10 A. Like reference numerals are used for like parts. In this embodiment, the clamping rings  24 ,  26  of the flow control valve  10 A are replaced with expansion clamps  40 ,  42 , respectively, which do not require drilling through the pipe  28  in order to secure the control valve  10 B within the pipe  28 . The clamps  40 ,  42  are disposed on respective ends  16 ,  18  of the control valve  10 B and are expanded by using a turnbuckle T, or the like, and secured in position within the control valve  10 B via friction fit. Installation methods for this embodiment of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. The use of the expansion clamps  40 ,  42  are generally suitable with reinforced concrete pipe. 
         [0044]      FIGS. 6A-B ,  7 A-B and  8 A-B illustrate the operation of the flow control valve  10 B during normal flow periods with the valve  10 B fully open, increased flow conditions with the valve partially closed and maximum flow conditions with the valve fully closed, respectively. The overall flow characteristics of this embodiment are not changed from those of the first embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 9A-B ,  10 A-B and  11 A-B show a third embodiment of a flow control valve  10 C of the present invention is similar to control valve  10 A, except for the differences noted below. Like reference numerals are used for like parts. Instead of the control valve  10 A having cylindrical sleeves  12 ,  14 , the control valve  10 C includes two overlapping flexible rectangular sleeves  12 ′,  14 ′ spaced from each other and disposed within a pipe  28 . The rectangular sleeves  12 ′,  14 ′ do not fully encircle the inside circumference of the pipe  28 , thereby leaving a gap or exposed portion G between each open end E 1 , E 2  of the sleeves  12 ′,  14 ′ as shown in  FIGS. 9A ,  10 A and  11 A. For example, sleeves  12 ′,  14 ′ may extend approximately 65% of the inside circumference of the pipe  28 . 
         [0046]    Referring to  FIGS. 9B ,  10 B and  11 B, the control valve  10 C having a first end  16  and a second end  18  includes at least one fitting  20 , such as an air fitting, defined in the outer sleeve  12 ′ for allowing the introduction and exhaust of air (or other suitable fluid) within an annular space  22  between the inner sleeve  14 ′ and the outer sleeve  12 ′. A first open clamping ring  24  is disposed within the inner sleeve  14 ′ adjacent the first end  16 , and a second open clamping ring  26  is disposed within the inner sleeve  14 ′ adjacent the second end  18 . A first clamping bar  50  is disposed within the inner sleeve  14 ′ adjacent a first open end E 1  and extends from the first clamping ring  24  to the second clamping ring  26 . A second clamping bar  52  is also disposed within the inner sleeve  14 ′ adjacent a second open end E 2  (not shown) and extends from the first clamping ring  24  to the second clamping ring  26 . Bolt holes H are defined in the clamping bars  50 ,  52 , wherein the clamping bars  50 ,  52  are fastened to the inside of the pipe  28  using a fastening arrangement F, such as a nut, bolt and washer arrangement. The open clamping rings  24 ,  26  and clamping bars  50 ,  52  are used for installing the control valve  10 C directly inside a pipe  28 . 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIGS. 9A-B  and  10 A-B, the operation and the overall flow characteristics during normal flow periods (valve  10 C fully open) and increased flow conditions (valve  10 C partially closed), respectively, are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment of the present invention. However, in the maximum flow conditions (valve  10 C fully closed) as shown in  FIGS. 11A-B , the inner sleeve  14 ′ is inwardly deformed and extends within the gap portion G to the inner surface  30  of the pipe  28  to totally pinch and prevent fluid F from being released to the downstream pipeline  36 . The flow control valve  10 C is particularly adapted to be used in a pipeline, for example, a storm-water drainage pipeline or combined sanitary and storm water influent pipe to a sewage treatment plant. 
         [0048]    A fourth embodiment of a flow control valve  10 D of the present invention is generally shown in  FIGS. 12A-B  and  13 A-B. The flow control valve  10 D is particularly adapted to be used in a drainpipe, for example, a storm water drainage from a roadway or parking lot, to prevent back flow of storm water. The flow control valve  10 D is similar to control valve  10 B, except for the differences noted below. Like reference numerals are used for like parts. The flow control valve  10 D includes a flexible outer cylindrical sleeve  12 ″ and a flexible inner cylindrical sleeve  14 ″ concentrically disposed within and spaced from the outer sleeve  12 . The sleeves  12 ″,  14 ″ having a first end  16  and a second end  18  include at least one fitting  20 , such as an air fitting, defined in the outer sleeve  12  for allowing the introduction and exhaust of air (or other suitable fluid) within an annular space  22  between the inner sleeve  14  and the outer sleeve  12 . Only one clamping ring  40  concentrically disposed within the inner sleeve  14 ″ at the first end  16  is used for installing the control valve  10 D directly inside a pipe  28 . The inner and outer sleeves  14 ″,  16 ″ are attached to each other at the second end. The sleeves  12 ″,  14 ″ may be bonded, clamped or fabricated seamlessly together at the second end  18  thereof. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 12B and 13B  show the operation and the overall flow characteristics during normal flow periods (valve  10 D fully open) and maximum flow conditions (valve  10 D fully closed), respectively, which are substantially the same as those of the first embodiment of the present invention. However, when flow control valve  10 D is in the fully closed position as shown in  FIGS. 13A-B , the outer sleeve  16 ″ is restrained by the pipe wall for part of its length. By introducing air pressure through the fitting  20 , the inner sleeve  14 ″ is deflected inward and pulls part of the second end  18  of the outer sleeve  16 ″ with it, such that the inner sleeve  14 ″ deflects into a three lobed configuration thus fully closing the valve  10 D as shown in  FIG. 13A . 
         [0050]    This invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obvious modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations.