Abstract:
Provided is an automatic gas purge valve system including a normally closed gas discharge faucet configured for discharging gas at substantially high flow rates, and an automatic valve unit configured for selectively generating a flow pulse to displace the gas discharge faucet into its open position.

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSED SUBJECT MATTER 
     The present disclosed subject matter relates to a gas purge valve and more specifically to an automatic gas purge valve configured for discharging gas at substantially high flow rates. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED SUBJECT MATTER 
     A wide variety of gas purge valves are known in the art, deigned for fitting on different fluid systems and configured for different purposes e.g. pressure control, discharge of residual gas within a liquid in the system, etc. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,201 discloses a fluid flow valve such as a faucet or air-purge valve comprising a housing having defined therein a fluid through-flow aperture with a valve seating formed in the housing and bounding said aperture. A flexible closure membrane is secured at one end to the housing and is adapted to be biased, under fluid pressure in the housing, against the valve seating so as to seal the aperture. Membrane displacing means are secured to an opposite end of the membrane so that displacement of the displacing means in a first sense progressively detaches successive transverse portions of the membrane from the seating so as to open the aperture while displacement of the displacing means in an opposite sense allows for the membrane to become sealingly biased against the seating. 
     A gas purge valve is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,617,838 directed to a gas purge valve comprising a housing formed with an inlet and an outlet formed with a valve seating, and a sealing assembly comprising a sealing member displaceable between an open position and a closed position. The sealing assembly is supported by an external support lever mechanism extending outside the housing, to thereby displace the sealing assembly into sealing engagement with the valve seating at the closed position. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,608 is directed to a gas purge valve comprising a valve housing that has a valve inlet and major and minor valve outlets, a valve partition mounted in the housing divides the housing into a first chamber communicating with the valve inlet and a second chamber that communicates with the minor valve outlet. A restrictive flow passage is defined in the housing that effects communication between the first and second chambers and has a through flow rate less than that of the minor valve outlet. A minor valve closure device is provided for closing the minor valve outlet to liquid to outflow. A differential pressure responsive device mounted in the partition member and displaceable in response to a pressure differential between the chambers and a major valve outlet obturating device responsive to displacement of the differential pressure responsive device into the opening of the major valve outlet when the pressure differential exceeds a predetermined magnitude. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED SUBJECT MATTER 
     According to the present disclosed subject matter there is disclosed an automatic gas purge valve system comprising a normally closed gas discharge faucet configured for discharging gas at substantially high flow rates, and an automatic valve unit configured for selectively generating a flow pulse to displace the gas discharge faucet into its open position. 
     The automatic gas purge valve comprises a housing configured with a an automatic valve unit having an inlet port in flow communication with the housing and an outlet port being in flow communication with a control chamber of a normally closed gas discharge faucet, said gas discharge faucet configured with a fluid inlet port being in flow communication with the housing and a fluid discharge port; and wherein the automatic valve is manipulable between a closed position and an open position responsive to liquid level within the housing. 
     According to one particular configuration the automatic gas purge valve comprises a housing configured with a float member extending into the housing and articulated to an automatic valve unit having an inlet port in flow communication with the housing and an outlet port being in flow communication with a control chamber of a normally closed gas discharge faucet, said gas discharge faucet configured with a fluid inlet port being in flow communication with the housing and a fluid discharge port; and wherein the automatic valve is manipulable between a closed position and an open position responsive to liquid level within the housing. This configuration, when configured with a float member extending into the housing is typically suited for use with dirty liquid, e.g. sewage liquids, industrial waste, etc. 
     According to another configuration of the disclosed subject matter, the automatic valve unit is connected to the housing of the gas purge valve at a lower portion thereof, wherein manipulation between the closed position and the open position is responsive to liquid level within the housing by communicating vessels rule. This to configuration, when devoid of float member extending into the housing is typically suited for use with liquids substantially free of dirt and matter. 
     The arrangement is such that liquid rise within the housing displaces the automatic valve into a closed position and liquid decrease results in opening the automatic valve and consequently generating a pressure signal at the control chamber so as to displace the automatic gas purge valve into its open position to purge the valve. 
     Liquid decrease within the housing corresponds with gas accumulation within the housing. 
     Any one or more of the following features and designs can be associated with the valve subject of the present disclosed subject matter, in combination or independent from one another: 
     The housing is configured as a substantially vertically extension in flow communication with the main fluid line; 
     The length (height) of the housing is at least  4  times the diameter thereof; 
     A mounting flange accommodates the gas discharge faucet and the automatic valve, said mounting flange is in the form of a top flange of the housing or integral with the housing; 
     The float is articulated to the automatic valve via a rigid link; 
     The automatic valve is a peal-away type valve; 
     The control chamber is configured for airing after displacement of the gas discharge faucet into displace into its open position. Airing can be facilitated via a bleed aperture or a bleed valve. According to one particular example, a bleed aperture is configured at a location between an outlet port of the automatic valve unit and a control chamber of the gas discharge faucet; The housing of the gas purge valve can be configured with a so-called vacuum breaker, configured for facilitating automatic ingress of gas (e.g. ambient air) into the housing at the event of pressure decrease therein. Typically said vacuum breaker is configured as a one-way type valve fitted at an upper portion of the housing; 
     The housing is configured as a cylindrical chamber for mounting on the main fluid supply line. Alternatively, the housing extends from the supply line and is integrated therewith. 
     The term supply line is used herein the specification and claims in its broad sense and denotes fluid supply lines (including liquid, gas and mixed media fluid lines), to of any size and purpose. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, an embodiment will now be described, by way of a non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1A  illustrates a gas purge valve system according to the disclosed subject matter, at the closed position; 
         FIG. 1B  is an enlargement of the portion marked ‘A’ in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates the system of  FIG. 1A  at the open position; 
         FIG. 2B  is an enlargement of the portion marked ‘B’ in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2A , illustrating a modification wherein a control chamber airing arrangement is configured; 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a gas purge valve system according to a modification of the disclosed subject matter, at the closed position; and 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates the system of  FIG. 4A  at the open position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Attention is first directed to  FIGS. 1A and 1B  of the drawings illustrating a gas purge system generally designated  10 . The gas purge system is mounted over a main liquid supply line  12 . 
     The gas purge system  10  comprises a cylindrical pear-shaped housing  20  configured with a lower portion  22  widened at its bottom, and a top tubular portion  24 . The gas purge system is secured to the liquid supply line  12  via a coupling flange  14  such that the interior of the housing is in fluid flow with the interior of the fluid line  12 . The housing is mounted such that its longitudinal axis extends substantially vertically. The lower portion  22  is fitted near a bottom end thereof with a ball-type faucet  28 . 
     It is appreciated that the height of the housing  20  is a height h significantly longer then its diameter d, the ration being at least about, such that the housing serves as a chamber of considerable volume. 
     A mounting flange  30  is fixedly secured by a plurality of bolts  32  over a top flange  34  of the housing  20 , however in a sealed fashion. 
     Attached over the mounting flange  30 , at a top outside surface  42  there is an to automatic valve unit generally designated  46 , having articulated thereto a float member  48  supported within the housing  20  and articulate to the automatic valve unit  46  via a rigid rod  50  extending through an opening  52  ( FIGS. 1B and 2B ) at the mounting flange  30 , wherein said rigid rod  50  and the articulated float member  48  are restricted for substantially axial displacement coaxially with, or parallel to, the longitudinal axis of the housing  20 . It is seen that the rod  50  is long and extends substantially low, thus enabling the float member  48  to displace, at its lowermost position, in close proximity towards the bottom of the housing  22 , with a significant volume of gas trapped within the housing at the closed position, as will be discussed herein below. 
     As can best be seen in the enlarged figures of  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the automatic valve unit  46  is configured with a housing  60  screw coupled at  62  to the mounting flange  30 . The housing  60  defines a space  61  and is configured with an inlet port  66  being in flow communication with the housing  20 , and with an outlet port  68  extending from a fluid through-flow aperture  70 , with a valve seating  72  formed in the housing and bounding said aperture  70 . 
     A flexible closure membrane  76  is secured at one end  80  to the housing  60  and at an opposite end  82  to a membrane displacing member  84  which in turn is articulated to the rigid rod  50 . The membrane displacing member  84  is configured with an inclined membrane biasing wall surface  90 , equally inclined as wall portion  92  configured with the opening  70 . 
     The membrane displacing member  84  is adapted to be displaced only in the axial direction by the rigid rod  50  (responsive to liquid level within the housing  20 ) between two distinct positions, namely: 
     a sealed position ( FIGS. 1A and 1B ), wherein membrane displacing member  84  is axially upwards displaced whereby the inclined surface  90  bears against membrane  76  and biases it against the valve seating  72  so as to seal the aperture  70  and the outlet port  68 ; 
     and an open position ( FIGS. 2A and 2B ), wherein the membrane  76  is detached (pealed away) from the valve seating  72  so as to expose the aperture  70  and open the fluid flow path between the outlet port  68  and the space  66  of the housing  60 , so that a flow path now extends between the housing  20 , the space  66  and the outlet port  68 . 
     The arrangement is such that the displacement of the membrane displacing to member  84  in a downwards sense progressively detaches successive transverse portions of the membrane  76  from the seating  72  so as to open the aperture  70 , while displacement of the membrane displacing member  84  in an opposite sense (upwards) allows for the membrane  76  to become sealingly biased against the seating  72 . 
     The mounting flange  30  further seats a normally closed gas discharge faucet generally designated  100 , being in flow with an inside space of the housing  20  through a discharge conduit  102  having one end  104  open into the housing  20  and an opposite end  108  extending into an inlet port  112  of housing  113  of the gas discharge faucet  100 . The inlet port  112  is configured with a valve seating  114  engageable by a sealing seat  120  of sealing plunger  126  extending through a plunger bore  122 , said plunger being normally biased into sealing engagement with the sealing seating  114  by a coiled spring  128  extending within a control chamber  132  and bearing at one end against a shoulder portion of plunger head  134  of the sealing plunger  126  and at an opposite end against a housing wall portion  136 . Extending from the plunger bore  122  there is a fluid discharge ports  140  (two, oppositely extending in the illustrated example), and being in fluid flow communication with the inlet port  112 . 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 1B and 2B  the plunger head  134  is configured with an annular seal (O-ring)  144 , whereby the sealing plunger  126  is sealingly displaceable in the axial direction within the housing  113 , said sealing displacement of the seal  144  against the inner wall surface  146  renders the control chamber  132  being a sealed chamber, i.e. not being in fluid flow with the inlet port  112  or the fluid discharge ports  140 . 
     Further noted, the plunger head  134  has a surface area greater than the sealing head portion  154 , whereby the fluid pressure applied within the control chamber  132  is sufficient for displacing the sealing plunger  126  from its normally sealed position ( FIGS. 1A and 1B ) into the temporarily open position ( FIGS. 2A and 2B ) and where upon ceasing the pressure within the control chamber  132  the biasing spring will entail spontaneous displacement of the sealing plunger  126  back into its normally sealed position. 
     A fluid command port  148  is in fluid communication with the control chamber  132  and is in fluid flow communication with the outlet port  68  of the automatic valve unit  46  via a conduit  150 . 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 1A and 2A , the float member  48  is a substantially large to float, to thereby provide an efficient closing force (buoyant force) in an upwards direction to close/seal the automatic valve unit  46 , upon liquid level rise within the housing, and on the other hand to ensure a sufficiently strong opening force, (gravity force) in a downwards direction, upon liquid level drop within the housing, so as to open the automatic valve unit  46 . 
     The arrangement is such that at the normal course of operation of the system, the system will be at the so called closed position ( FIGS. 1A and 1B ), wherein liquid level L within the housing  20  is at a normal level, sufficiently raised so as to generate buoyant forces on the float member  48 , to thereby displace it into its uppermost position, entailing corresponding upwards displacement of the membrane displacing member  84  into the closed position, whereby the inclined surface  90  bears against membrane  76  and biases it against the valve seating  72  so as to seal the aperture  70  and the outlet port  68 . At this position the gas discharge faucet  100  remains at its normally sealed position, such that fluid flow through the fluid discharge ports  140  is prohibited. 
     However, upon liquid level decrease within the housing  20 , to a level L′ ( FIGS. 2A and 2B ), the float member  48  follows the liquid level L′ and descends under gravity, entailing corresponding axial displacement of the rigid rod and the articulated membrane displacing member  84  in a downwards sense, thereby progressively detaching successive transverse portions of the membrane  76  from the seating  72  so as to fully open the aperture  70 . 
     Opening the aperture  70  facilitates a pressure command signal to flow via conduit  146  into the control chamber  132  of the gas discharge faucet  100 , resulting in pressure built up within the control chamber  132  and further in displacement of the sealing plunger  126  from its normally sealed position ( FIGS. 1A and 1B ) into the open position ( FIGS. 2A and 2B ), whereby a substantially high flow rate path is now temporarily opened to facilitate discharge of high volume of gas through open end  104  of discharge conduit  102 , then through valve seating  114  and out to the atmosphere (or a collecting duct; not shown) through the fluid discharge port/s  140 . 
     Upon ceasing the pressure within the control chamber  132  the biasing spring will entail spontaneous displacement of the sealing plunger  126  back into its normally sealed position. 
     The arrangement disclosed hereinabove provides a compact discharge valve system, yet competent for efficiently discharging large volumes of gas from a liquid to system and at a high flow rate, whilst providing that the system remains normally closed unless at a discharge position. 
     In  FIG. 3  of the drawings there is illustrated a modification of the arrangement disclosed in the previous figures, wherein like elements are designated with same reference numbers. In the example of  FIG. 3  the control chamber  132  is configured for airing after displacement of the gas discharge faucet  100  into displace into its open position. Airing is facilitated via a bleed aperture  153  configured at the housing of the gas discharge faucet  100 , wherein if desired a one way valve can be positioned, e.g. a mushroom type valve and the like. 
     It is however appreciated that the airing port can be configured at any location between the outlet port  68  of the automatic valve unit  46  and a control chamber  132  of the gas discharge faucet  100 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , there is illustrated a modified configuration of a gas purge valve system according to the presently disclosed subject matter. For sake of clarity, like elements are designated with like reference numbers as in the example of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , however shifted by  200 . 
     The gas purge valve system generally designated  210  comprises a cylindrical pear-shaped housing  220  configured with a lower portion  222  widened at its bottom and configured for coupling to a top tubular portion  224 . The gas purge system is configured for securing to a liquid supply line (not shown) via a coupling flange  214  such that the interior of the housing is in fluid flow with the interior of the fluid line. 
     A mounting flange  230  is fixedly secured over a top flange  234  of the housing  220 , however in a sealed fashion. 
     Attached at the lower portion  222  of the housing  220 , and being in flow communication with an inside space  223  thereof, there is mounted an automatic valve unit generally designated  246 . 
     The automatic valve unit  246  is configured with a housing  260  screw coupled at  262  to a mounting extension  263  extending from the housing  222 . The housing  260  defines a space  261  and is configured with an inlet port  266  being in flow communication with the inside space  223  within housing  220 , and with an outlet port  268  extending from a fluid through-flow aperture  270 , with a valve seating  272  formed in the housing and bounding said aperture  270 , as best seen in the enlargements of  FIGS. 1B and 2B . A flexible closure membrane  276  is secured at one end  280  to the housing  260  and at an opposite end  282  to a membrane displacing member  284 , namely a float member, axially displaceable within the housing  260 , responsive to liquid level therewithin, which in turn is responsive to liquid rise within the housing  220 . The membrane displacing member  284  is configured with an inclined membrane biasing wall surface  290 , equally inclined as wall portion  292  configured with the opening  270 . 
     It is seen that the automatic valve unit  246  is connected to the housing  222  of the gas purge valve at a lower portion thereof, wherein manipulation between the closed position and the open position is responsive to liquid level within the housing  222  by communicating vessels rule. This configuration, when devoid of float member extending into the housing is typically suited for use with liquids substantially free of dirt and matter. 
     The membrane displacing member  284  is adapted to be displaced only in the axial direction (responsive to liquid level within the housing  20 ) between two distinct positions, namely: 
     a sealed position ( FIG. 4A ), wherein membrane displacing member  284  is axially upwards displaced whereby the inclined surface  290  bears against membrane  276  and biases it against the valve seating  272  so as to seal the aperture  270  and the outlet port  268 ; 
     and an open position ( FIG. 4B ), wherein the membrane  276  is detached (peeled away) from the valve seating  272  so as to expose the aperture  270  and open the fluid flow path between the outlet port  268  and the space  266  of the housing  260 , so that a flow path now extends between the housing  220 , the space  266  and the outlet port  268 . 
     The arrangement is such that the displacement of the membrane displacing member  284  in a downwards sense progressively detaches successive transverse portions of the membrane  276  from the seating  272  so as to open the aperture  270 , while displacement of the membrane displacing member  284  in an opposite sense (upwards) allows for the membrane  276  to become sealingly biased against the seating  272 . 
     The mounting flange  330  further seats a normally closed gas discharge faucet generally designated  300  of similar design to discharge faucet generally designated  100  in the previous example, and reference is made thereto for further details. The discharge to faucet  300  is in flow with the inner space  223  of housing  220  through a discharge conduit  302  having one end  304  open into the housing  220  and an opposite end  308  extending into an inlet port  312  of housing  313  of the gas discharge faucet  300 . A valve seating  314  is engageable by a sealing seat  320  of a sealing plunger  326  extending through a plunger bore  322 , said plunger being normally biased into sealing engagement with the sealing seating  314  by a coiled spring  328  extending within a control chamber  332 , and bearing at one end against a shoulder portion of plunger head  334  of the sealing plunger  326  and at an opposite end against a housing wall portion  336 . Extending from the plunger bore  322  there is a fluid discharge ports  340  (one only, as opposed to two in the previous example), and being in fluid flow communication with the inlet port  312 . 
     The plunger head  334  is configured with an annular seal (O-ring)  344 , whereby the sealing plunger  326  is sealingly displaceable in the axial direction within the housing  313 , said sealing displacement of the seal  344  against the inner wall surface  346  renders the control chamber  332  being a sealed chamber, i.e. not being in fluid flow with the inlet port  312  or the fluid discharge port  340 . 
     Further noted, the plunger head  334  has a surface area greater than the sealing head portion  354 , whereby the fluid pressure applied within the control chamber  332  is sufficient for displacing the sealing plunger  326  from its normally closed/sealed position ( FIG. 4A ) into the temporarily open position ( FIG. 4B ) and where upon ceasing the pressure within the control chamber  332  the biasing spring will entail spontaneous displacement of the sealing plunger  326  back into its normally sealed position. 
     A fluid command port  348  is in fluid communication with the control chamber  332  and is in fluid flow communication with the outlet port  268  of the automatic valve unit  246  via a conduit  350 , which in the present example is configured as a double shield wall, for reinforcing same. 
     The arrangement is such that at the normal course of operation of the system, the system will be at the so called closed position ( FIG. 4A ), wherein liquid level L within the housing  220  is above that of the float member  284  of the automatic valve unit  246  sufficiently so as to generate buoyant forces on the float member  248  owing to the communicating vessels rule, to thereby displace the float member  248  into its uppermost, closed position, entailing corresponding upwards displacement of the membrane displacing member  284  into the closed/sealed position, whereby the inclined to surface  290  bears against membrane  276  and biases it against the valve seating  272  so as to seal the aperture  270  and the outlet port  268 . At this position the gas discharge faucet  300  remains at its normally sealed position, such that fluid flow through the fluid discharge ports  340  is prohibited. 
     However, upon liquid level decrease within the housing  220 , to a level L′ ( FIG. 4B ), the membrane displacing member  284  follows the liquid level L′ and descends under gravity, entailing progressively detaching successive transverse portions of the membrane  276  from the seating  272  so as to fully open the aperture  270 . 
     Opening the aperture  270  facilitates a pressure command signal to flow via conduit  346  into the control chamber  332  of the gas discharge faucet  300 , resulting in pressure built up within the control chamber  332  and further in displacement of the sealing plunger  326  from its normally sealed position ( FIG. 4A ) into the open position ( FIG. 4B ), whereby a substantially high flow rate path is now temporarily opened to facilitate discharge of high volume of gas through open end  304  of discharge conduit  302 , then through valve seating  314  and out to the atmosphere (or a collecting duct; not shown) through the fluid discharge port  340 , as represented by the arrows. 
     Upon ceasing the pressure within the control chamber  332  the biasing spring will entail spontaneous displacement of the sealing plunger  326  back into its normally sealed position. 
     It is appreciated that the configuration disclosed in connection with  FIGS. 4A and 4B , namely exposure of the automatic valve unit  246  to liquid within the housing  222  renders it not being suitable for liquids containing material, e.g. sewage, industrial waste and the like, but is rather suitable for clean liquids. 
     As can further be noted in  FIG. 4A and 4B , the housing  222  is configured at an upper portion thereof with a so-called vacuum breaker generally designated  380 , configured for facilitating automatic ingress of gas (e.g. ambient air) into the housing at the event of pressure decrease therein. 
     Typically said vacuum breaker  380  is configured as a one-way type valve fitted at an upper portion of the housing. The arrangement is such that a seal member  382  is normally biased into sealing engagement of an inlet seat  384  by means of a compression spring  386 . However, upon pressure drop within the housing  222  the spring  386  compress, allowing the seal member  382  to displace from the seat  384 , thereby to facilitating air ingress into the housing  222 . 
     Furthermore, the control chamber is configured for airing after displacement of the gas discharge faucet into displace into its open position. Airing can be facilitated via a bleed aperture  394  or a bleed valve (not shown). The bleed aperture  394  can configured at any location between an outlet port of the automatic valve unit and a control chamber of the gas discharge faucet. 
     While there has been shown an example of the disclosed subject matter, it is to be understood that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, mutandis mutatis.